#please please please let the uncle die & NOT Jonathan

[juniperhillpatient]

No thoughts head empty only Sienna prioritizing getting Jonathan in her presence immediately above all else when she realizes Art is truly back & Jonathan being the only person who believes Sienna & knows she’s not crazy because they went through it together & no one else in the entire world will ever understand what they went through 😭😭

[ladykailitha]

Of Butterflies and Backstrokes Part 7

Hello!! This story is moving right along and we finally get to the training part, I don't know anything about swimming except for what I've researched so if the coaching is wrong let me know via DMs or asks, not in the comments please!

Also! Bitchy Steve is almost as good as a Wet Steve. I don't make the rules.

Eddie does.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

~

Some weekends were better than others when it came to sitting by the pool and watching his friends swim. He watch Eddie glide soundlessly through the water, like a shark sensing its prey, and wished he could get into the pool with them.

But it was just impossible not to replay the rushing water surrounding him as he sunk to the bottom of the pool. He had been told time and time again by doctors that he shouldn’t be able to remember that, as he had been unconscious when it happened.

So what if it was his imagination or whatever. The fact was he couldn’t have the water be higher than his head when both feet were planted on the floor of the pool. Yes, there were shallow ends of the pool where it was only three, four, or even five feet, but his brain kept telling him it was a lie. That the water would engulf him again and he would drown.

And this time he would die.

The fact that all that shit was irrational as hell didn’t matter. Steve figured that’s what bothered Tommy the most about it. That it was all such bullshit. It shouldn’t have mattered. But it did.

That and Robin was the one to dive and save him, when Tommy had froze.

They were having a small celebration congratulating Eddie on finishing his five hundred hours of community service. His last day was on a Wednesday because of the weird amount of hours. Hopper was there, Joyce and Murray, too. Wayne. All of the friends he had made working there. Robin, Nancy, Jonathan, the kids. And of course Steve.

About half way through the party Eddie sidled up to him and bumped him with his shoulder. “You going to miss me, Harrington?”

Steve let out a laugh. “Miss getting soaked to the skin every Saturday? Not a chance in hell.”

Eddie smiled and then chewed his lip for a moment. He had been thinking about getting to use the pool every week for three months and how that was ending now. He had been thinking about how much he would miss everyone, but especially Steve.

“You’ve seen me swim for a few weeks now,” he hedged, “do you really think I’ve got a chance at the Olympics?”

Steve turned to him in shock. Eyes wide and jaw on the floor. “Fuck, Eds, given proper training I think you could outswim me.”

Eddie blinked at him for a moment. He remembered what his uncle had said about Steve before the accident. That ‘the greatest of all time’ was thrown around a lot. And Steve thought he could top that?

“And you’d be the one to train me?” he asked nervously. “No on else?” Because that was the other issue. He had heard horror stories about how the coaches were snobs and how they would look down at him as a charity case.

“Oh yeah,” Steve said excitedly. “Joyce was telling me about this program where the rec center will pay for all the lessons, the competitions, and even the travel expenses. Robin told me that they had something similar when she started swimming, too. Hell, even Max is thinking of doing it. So it would be me coaching you and her and you would have your own time slots and everything.”

Eddie laughed at how fast that little statement was. He could tell Steve was really excited about it. “Okay. On one condition.”

Steve cocked his head to the side as Eddie pulled out a business card out of his pocket and handed it to him.

Dr. Rhys Hughes, Psychiatrist and Licensed Therapist.

“This is a friend of mine’s dad,” Eddie explained. “He specializes in phobias. I don’t know if he can help you get back in the water, but at least you’ll be able to process what happened to you. He said he’s even willing to do it for free, so you can get the help you need.”

Steve ran his thumb over the raised print and thought about it. It was a small price to pay, he thought, to get Eddie into the Olympics. And who knows, maybe he could get back into the water with him.

He stuck out his hand for Eddie to shake. “I think you’ve got yourself a deal.”

The answering smile was blinding as Eddie shook his hand.

~

Steve stood with Joyce at the front of the rec center, nervously chewing on the skin around his nails.

“Stop that!” she said, smacking his hands away. “He’ll be here.”

He wished she had her confidence. Hell he wished he any confidence at all at this point. He used to have fucking swagger. But now days he was just a bundle of nerves.

“When is your first appointment with Dr. Hughes?” she asked, mostly to get his mind off the fact that Eddie was running late.

“Tomorrow after my last class,” he replied, shoving his hands in his pockets to avoid the temptation of chewing on his fingers.

“To be honest,” he continued, “I think I’m more worried about my appointment then I am coaching Eddie. Coaching is easy, processing my trauma? Not so much.”

She gave his arm a squeeze but before she could say anything, Eddie’s van roared into the parking lot and skidded into a close parking spot. His van stuck out among the BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus cars that were the other coaches cars. Hell, even Steve had his BMW from when he got his first gold.

Eddie leapt out of his van and dashed up to them. “Oh my god, I am so sorry, I had to drop Wayne off work because his truck wouldn’t start. It won’t happen again.”

“You’re okay, Eddie,” Joyce soothed. “We need to get the paper work for the scholarship taken care of before you get into the pool. As always, Robin will be assisting Steve, he’s gotten permission to use her.”

Eddie and Steve followed her into her office where Steve and Eddie filled out a mountain’s worth of paper work between them.

Then they handed it all to Joyce who took it from them with a smile. “Go have fun. It’s Coaches Matthews and Ford today with Hannah and Lisa.”

Steve groaned. Andrew Ford and Haley Matthews were the worst of the coaches. They were utter snobs who thought their little darlings were God’s gift to swimming, when in reality they hadn’t even medaled in a meet the whole three years they had been coaching Hannah and Lisa.

“Oh come on, now,” Joyce admonished. “They aren’t that bad. You won’t even be in the same pool. Andy and Haley will be in the pool at the far end, while you and Eddie will be in the pool next to the endless pool area. So I’m sure everything will be fine.”

“Come on Eddie,” Steve said, waving him along and Eddie fell in step beside him.

“Um...” Eddie said, chewing on his bottom lip, “these coaches are going to be worse than Joyce thinks, aren’t they?”

Steve let out a long sigh. “Yeah, they are. But as she pointed out we will only see them coming and going, so that will limit our interactions.”

“So what is an endless pool?” Eddie asked as they neared the dressing rooms.

Steve grinned. “I love it. It’s basically a small pool that has currents running so it can test your strength and endurance. I use it all the time to keep up this physique!” He motioned at his his torso and Eddie’s eyes went wide.

He just nodded as Steve chuckled.

They got to the dressing rooms to see Robin surrounded by Haley, Hannah, and Lisa. Hannah was a bleached blonde with faux tanned skin and blue eyes which was the only natural thing about her. And yes that included her breasts. Lisa was a natural blonde, but her eyes were green and she had braces. Haley was the only brunette. Her long dark hair reached the middle of her back in waves, but it was pulled up into a pony tail. Her hazel eyes were cold and calculating.

Eddie hated them on sight.

They were bombarding her with questions about why she was there, was she the coach or was she being Steve’s bitch again. Shit like that.

“The only bitch here, ladies,” Steve said with a menacing grin, “is me. And I don’t take lightly to people harassing my best friend, so you better move along.”

All three girls whirled to face him.

“Steve!” Haley purred. She walked up to him and put her hand on his arm. “We were just having a friendly chat.” She chewed on her bottom lip and batted her eyelashes up at him. “There’s nothing to see here, right?”

Eddie scoffed. “Whether that works on Steve or not, it sure the hell won’t work on me. My gay ass is totally going to report you to Joyce for harassing Robin.”

Haley released Steve’s arm like she had been burned and whipped her head to face him. She took in his long hair and tattoos peaking out of his sleeves and above his collar.

“Who let the trash in?” she huffed with an arched eyebrow.

“Honey,” Steve bit back, hand on his hip. “The only trash here is you, now why don’t they three of you run along to the losers’ pool, while Eddie, Robin, and I take the winners’ pool and never the twain shall meet? Mmk?”

If Eddie was a cartoon character he would have had his jaw on the floor, tongue lulled out, and complete heart-eyes.

Fucking hell.

“Come on, girls,” Haley said coldly. “We don’t want to mix with the have-nots.”

The three girls left, chins in the air and looking down their noses at them both.

After they had left Steve rolled his eyes. “At least we missed Andy. He’s the worst.” He turned to Robin. “You okay? That looked pretty intense when we walked around the corner.”

“Yeah,” Eddie agreed. “I thought they were going to devour you for sure.”

“I’m fine,” she said with a wave of her hand. “I wasn’t going to tell them shit, though. I hate those types of people; thinking that just because they’re rich, they must have all the talent. Especially with the fact that I made it to the Olympics and dropped out because the pressure was too great. I could outswim all of them, you wouldn’t even see them on the fucking camera. I just couldn’t take all the world’s eyes on me.”

Eddie winced. “I feel that. I’m worried about the pressure too.”

Steve put his hand on his shoulder. “You’ll do fine. I have a feeling you’ll be super nervous before hand and then just soak up the attention once you get out there.”

Eddie blushed and shoved his hair in front of his face.

“We’ll meet you at the endless pool after we get changed,” Steve told her.

Robin nodded and went to go open the room.

Steve and Eddie went into the men’s dressing room to get changed into their swimsuits. Eddie hit the showers first, with Steve taking a little bit longer to get into his shiny new coaching gear.

There was a man already there. He looked like a fucking Greek god. Olive skin, dark hair and eyes, broad shoulders. Immediately Eddie pegged him as the mysterious Andy Ford.

He chose the shower farthest from the guy and turned the water on hot. He was so focused getting completely wet that he didn’t hear the other shower turning off.

“So you’re the charity case,” came the oily voice suddenly next to him. “You’re not what I was expecting.”

Eddie slicked his hair back and turned off the water to face the guy. “Said everyone ever, dude. You aren’t special.”

“Do you really think you can learn anything from someone who can’t even leave the kiddie pool?” Andy asked, batting his eyelashes innocently.

“Maybe, maybe not,” Eddie said crossing his arms in front of his chest and putting all his weight on his back foot, to put distance between him and slimy. “But I don’t see your lot lining up to take his place.”

Andy raised an eyebrow and looked him up and down. “You’re what? Eighteen, nineteen? You’re far too old to be training for this now. You’ll only be humiliated out there. I’m just trying to save whatever dignity you have left.”

Eddie scoffed and whipped his hair back, splashing the guy in the face. “I’ve been training since I was ten, I just had a short little break there for high school.” He patted Andy’s shoulder as walked past. “Besides just how many Olympic medals do you have?”

Steve burst out laughing behind Andy. “He’s got you there, Andy. You’ve never even been to the Olympics and neither has any of your pupils. So yeah, maybe check your ego at the door.”

He turned on the shower right where Andy was standing, causing the man to shriek and run away from the sudden water hitting him, Steve’s laugh following him out of the dressing room.

~

Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15

Tag List: CLOSED

1-@mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @itsall-taken @redfreckledwolf @zerokrox-blog

2- @gregre369 ​@a-little-unsteddie @chaosgremlinmunson @messrs-weasley @cryptid-system

3- @maya-custodios-dionach @goodolefashionedloverboi @val-from-lawrence @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog

4- @justforthedead89 @irregular-child @bookbinderbitch @bookworm0690 @forgottenkanji

5- @anne-bennett-cosplayer @yikes-a-bee @awkwardgravity1 @littlewildflowerkitten @genderless-spoon

6- @dragonmama76 @ellietheasexylibrarian @thedragonsaunt @useless-nb-bisexual @disrespectedgoatman

7- @counting-dollars-counting-stars @tinyplanet95 @ravenfrog @swimmingbirdrunningrock @lingeringmirth

8- @gutterflower77 @a-lovely-craziness @just-a-tiny-void @w1ll0wtr33 @beelze-the-bubkiss

9- @chameleonhair @sadisticaltarts @dreamercec @xxfiction-is-my-realityxx @mac-attack19

10- @aol19 @eriquin @tartarusknight @gloomysoup @morallyundefined

[corrodedseraphine]

easy | one shot

pairing: eddie munson x fem!reader

summary: "But Eddie has a girlfriend!" Dustin said first. "He does?" Adam asked, crossing his arms over his chest. "I do?" Eddie muttered under his breath trying to understand what was going on. "Yeah, he is dating my sister y/n!" Will continued. "They're so in love with each other it's disgusting." Dustin rolled his eyes.

Everything would be fine if it weren't for the fact that neither you nor Eddie were informed in advance of the fact that you were a couple.

It promised to be a very interesting week. angst/fluff and almost smut (making out in the bathroom), friends to lovers

In this AU Joyce didn't move to California, but Argyle is there in Hawkins because he is too cool to erase him just like that.

TW: mention of injuries, blood, murder, drugs

the one shot is also avaliable on ao3

9 591 words

When I first got the idea, I thought it would be a very short and pleasant story. As standard, it turned out quite differently!

I know I said this fanfic wouldn't be related to any song, but as I was writing I was listening to one of my favorite songs about love Safari by Piotr Zioła on loop and couldn't resist adding elements of it in there.

eddie munson masterlist | general masterlist

"Here are my favorites!" Wayne said entering Eddie's room with a big cardboard box.

"Please let me tell Dustin that you called us that, this little shit will lose his mind." Robin grinned.

"He knows it. This is my uncle and sometimes he loves you guys more than he loves me." Eddie replied with a mouth full of pizza. 

You were sitting in the Munsons' new apartment. After the huge compensation Eddie got from the government, they decided to give up on the trailer park and find a place where power failure and lack of hot water would not be on the agenda. You, of course, helped them with the moving out. Unfortunately, Eddie's condition was not the best so with the carrying furniture and cardboard boxes Steve, Jonathan, Argyle and Hopper helped Wayne. You, Robin, Nancy and Joyce took care of painting the rooms, but now it was time to eat to strengthen yourselves before continuing. You sat in a circle on the floor, since you hadn't yet had time to assemble the table. Suddenly there was the sound of a telephone in the apartment. Wayne went to answer it and returned after about 10 minutes with a worried expression on his face.

"If it weren't for the fact that the police chief is now sitting across from me I'd think I'd messed something up again." the younger Munson joked, to which Jim just rolled his eyes.

"We'll have visitors next week." sighed the old man.

"Who?"

"Remember aunt Theresa and her son Adam?"

"Jesus, no!" his reaction spoke for itself.

"They want to come for a week."

"So at the moment when we live in a trailer and can barely afford anything they don't want to know us, but when we suddenly get a lot of money and a new apartment they feel like suddenly renewing family ties?" he asked with disgust in his voice.

"It's only a week Son, you'll survive."

"Nope. I won't survive. Hopper you don't have a free cell for a week? I'll be much better off there than in their company."

"Don't be dramatic, kid." he replied.

"Joyce! Have mercy on the victim, store me for this time in your basement, you won't even notice I'm there," he whined. "I just got you out of the hospital, the doctor said that I am categorically forbidden to do any extreme activities!"

"How can a family visit be extreme?" Steve asked.

"When you meet them you'll understand."

You finished eating and everyone went back to their duties, but you went to help Eddie with changing the bandages. From the very beginning you were the only person he allowed in, because you handled him most delicately of all. You knew that Wayne was trying his best, however, Eddie always dramatically confirmed that everyone else wanted him to die in pain.

He sat on the edge of the tub as you cleaned each wound in turn. He hissed in pain from time to time, each time you heard it you sent him a slight smile whispering that it would be over soon and everything will be fine. When each wound was thoroughly cleaned you moved on to applying the ointment.

"Why do you dislike your family so much?" you asked while rubbing the ointment into his cheek.

"They have always considered themselves the best of the family, just because they have money. They love to brag about it, if they could they would wear badges that say 'we're fabulously rich, sucker,'" he said rolling his eyes.

"That doesn't sound too good." You sighed.

"I'll be hearing all week about how worthless I am. Too stupid to graduate from high school on the first try, too controversial looking to get a good job... The list goes on, if I were to list everything we'd have to sit here until night."

"Hey, look at me." you said grabbing his chin and turning him so that he was looking straight into your eyes. "You're not worthless. You saved the world, Eddie. You saved us all. The only worthless thing that exists is your hopeless aunt's words, do you understand?"

"You saved me, too. More than once." he whispered surprised with your words.

"I would have done it a second time without hesitation."

When you found yourselves in the Upside Down after passing through the gate at Lover's Lake the Demobats took you as their target. Without a second thought, Eddie rushed to your rescue when one of them wrapped its tail around your neck. Later, while Steve, Nancy, Jonathan and Robin dealt with Vecna together the two of you and Dustin were supposed to distract the monsters. Unfortunately, Eddie had no intention of listening to Steve and feeling a surge of courage he cut the line when you and Dustin returned to the trailer on the good side. That didn't stop you from jumping after him. You don't know if it was the adrenaline or the despair that overwhelmed you when you saw him that made you and the others able to get him back out the other side. The option of getting out of hell without Eddie simply didn't exist for you.

"I just... I don't want Wayne to be ashamed of me. I don't want him to listen to all the crap they say about me because I know he cares. He tries not to show it but I can see it. And that's the worst part of it all."

"Wayne loves you. And I know he would do anything for you. It's normal that when someone talks nonsense about people we love it upsets us. Remember when you had to pull me forcibly away from Craver who was bullying Will? I thought I was going to tear him apart then. I probably would have if it hadn't been for you."

"To be honest, you were terrifying, I was scared as hell," he laughed.

"If necessary I'm ready to defend you from your crazy family too. I just need to grow my nails so I can claw out their eyes better." you answered. When you saw the smile light up his face as well, you felt your heart skipped a beat. You meant it in all honesty. You would do anything for the people you love. He didn't need to know that you loved him in a little different way than the rest.

When the ultimate day arrived Eddie was sitting in his room with Dustin and Will working on the details of the next D&D campaign. This was to be Will's first time as Dungeon Master for the whole group so Eddie, as always, eagerly offered to help. They were fiercely discussing the final boss fight when the door to his room swung open gently and Wayne showed up in it.

"Hi Uncle Wayne." Dustin and Will said simultaneously.

"Hi boys. Eddie? Our guests have arrived." As soon as the last word left his mouth the door swung open wider allowing his aunt inside. There was a look of displeasure on Wayne's face at the fact that she had walked in there as if it were her own room, but he didn't comment. Immediately after her, her son Adam walked in.

"Hello, Edward!" she said in an overly high tone, looking around the room with a judgmental gaze. "Why don't you give an old aunt a hug as a greeting?"

"I'd love to, but unfortunately the doctor has forbidden me to have close contact with other people." Eddie replied in a flat tone causing the younger boys to snort quietly with laughter.

"Hm... I see you still haven't grown up. Adam threw away all his toys the moment he started high school."

"These are not some toys, they are needed for our campaign." He sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Are you still playing that satanic game?" interjected Adam.

"It's not- Yeah, you know what? Yes, I play the satanic game all the time. Actually, I'm the leader of the cult now, and these are its scary members Dustin and Will. Before you say anything, yes, I am bringing the Hawkins youth to the dark side of power to worship Satan with me." Their visit had so far lasted only five minutes and they had already made Eddie think about how much more fun it was to be ripped to shreds by demobats.

"Alright." Wayne interrupted his dramatic speech before things got too far. "Why don't I show you the rest of the house and the neighborhood?" Without a word they left closing the door behind them.

"Dude, they're awful." commented Dustin.

"Are you still playing this satanic game?" Will began to mock Adam.

"This is going to be the worst week of my life." The metalhead rubbed his face with his hands.

For the next few hours, Eddie didn't leave his room for a step, knowing that the enemy was sitting right behind the wall. He tried to focus on Will's campaign but anxiety and nerves didn't help him one bit. When the doorbell rang around the apartment all three of them left the room knowing it was Hopper. However, they didn't expect it was Aunt Theresa opening the door for him.

"Good evening officer!" she said. "My name is Theresa Munson, is something wrong?" A confused Hopper sent Eddie a questioning look, to which only the latter rolled his eyes.

"Nothing happened, I-"

"Did Eddie get into trouble again? I know he's been in trouble with the law several times before," she sighed. "Edward I'm sure what you did was not intentional right?" She didn't let him get a word in edgewise.

"What the fu-" Eddie didn't have time to finish when Wayne came out of the bathroom.

"Jim! How are you?" he said shaking Hopper's hand.

"Good." he replied still somewhat surprised. "I came to pick up the boys."

"Oh, so you're not here after because of Edward? What a relief!" his aunt interjected.

"Unbelievable!" Eddie exclaimed, banging his head against the wall.

"I'm just worried that you'll follow in your father's footsteps! Look at you, tattoos? torn clothes and that satanic music you listen to? That doesn't bode well, does it, officer? If you don't change something about yourself you'll never find any girlfriend or a good job."

It was a punch below the belt. Mentioning his father was crossing the line. Seeing Eddie clench his fists and the knuckles on his hands turn white Will and Dustin sent each other a communicative look.

"But Eddie has a girlfriend!" Dustin said first.

"He does?" Adam asked crossing his arms over his chest.

"I do?" Eddie muttered under his breath trying to understand what was going on.

"Yeah, he is dating my sister y/n!" Will continued.

"They're so in love with each other it's disgusting." Dustin rolled his eyes.

"Come on boys, we have to go." Hopper said, interrupting this bizarre exchange of words. "Your mother will kill me if we don't get back before dinner."

With that, the two teenagers left them all in shock, including Eddie. After they left, he quickly locked himself in his room thinking about the situation. Apparently you are a couple now. How should he behave around you now? He didn't know what to do with all this. These two little bastards had just put him in a game of pretend relationship with the girl he wrote all his love songs about. On the one hand, it was a great opportunity for him to finally make a move on you. On the other, he was paralyzed by the fear that nothing but rejection awaited him.

"You can pick the place." Hopper said as soon as they got into the car.

"What place?" asked a puzzled Will.

"Where I can bury your bodies when y/n finds out what you've done."

"Oh come on! Everyone knows very well that she has a crush on him!" Dustin exclaimed.

"They're both only have eyes for themselves, we're just helping them finally do something about it." Will tried to defend them. "Just helping!"

"Even if it's true what you're saying, they should come to it by themselves, not by your wild ideas," he sighed. "You know what? It doesn't matter. I'm not going to get involved."

And Jim was right. As soon as you found out what they had done you were furious, yelling at them that they had no right to decide for the two of you and put you in such a strange situation. However, it was too late. Locked in your room, you nervously played with your fingers while looking at the phone standing on the bedside table, not knowing whether you should dial the number to the Munson's house and explain the situation. Apologize for the behavior of these little shits and hope that your relationship will not worsen because of it. Plunged into your thoughts, you didn't even hear the knock at your door. After a moment of unresponsiveness on your part, Jonathan and El entered the room.

"Will told us what happened." began Jonathan slowly, sitting down next to you. El wordlessly followed him. "You know very well that they didn't mean a bad thing," he said.

"You can come in too." You sighed still looking at the door. After a moment, your younger brother emerged from behind the wall and, not knowing what to expect, walked slowly into the room.

"I know that a simple apology is not enough!" he began to defend himself. "But this aunt is really awful person! She started comparing him to his father, she thought Hopper had come to arrest him, or God knows what! She said he would never find a girlfriend, so we wanted to help him a-and then this idea came to our minds! At firs it didn't seem so bad. We thought...I am really sorry y/n."

"It's okay." you said quietly and you extended your hand towards him. "I forgive you." He ignored you hand and hugged you tightly with a relief. 

"Eddie didn't protest, I think he liked the idea." he said quietly and you smiled.

Despite the fact, that thinking that Eddie liked the idea of being your pretended boyfrend for a week made you feel very warm you weren't able to stop thinking about what Will have just told you about his aunt's behaviour. She compared him to his father? Your blood boiled inside you. No one had the right to say such a thing, and you set as your goal to make sure it wouldn't happen again. At least not on your watch.

All Tuesday from the very morning you could not sit still. Lessons went on mercilessly, still thinking about the situation into which you were embroiled. When you told Robin about it at lunch she looked quite excited saying that finally something would happen between you two. She was the only one who knew how you truly felt about him and from the very beginning, she was trying to persuade you to finally do something more than rambling to her about your feelings. In her opinion, Eddie should be the person to actually listen to it. The longer you thought about it the more you had to admit that the excitement was getting to you as well. Yet you still didn't know what Eddie thought about it.

When the final bell rang, you quickly ran out of the school, got on your bike and headed toward Munson's apartment, stopping by a bakery on the way. Once there, you took three deep breaths and knocked on the door, which Wayne opened a moment later.

"And who do we have here?" He asked with a smile.

"Hi Uncle Wayne." You said answering with the same. "Is Eddie home?"

"I don't know where else he could be, come in." He let you in. "This is my sister Theresa and her son Adam. And this is y/n," he said as you walked deeper into the apartment. They were both sitting on the living room couch watching TV.

"It's very nice to meet you!" you said in an over-sweetened tone.

"We are also pleased to meet you." Replied a somewhat puzzled aunt.

"Did I hear my favorite Bayers?" Eddie leaned out of the room with a broad smile. Seeing his reaction you took it as permission to take it a step further.

"It's good to know that my little brother hasn't stolen that title yet." you laughed walking up to him. "Hi, Teddy." You kissed him on his healthy cheek. Not expecting it, he fossilized for a few seconds but after a moment he woke up.

"Hi baby." he said, smacking you on the forehead. "I see you've already met my wonderful family?" he added with a hint of sacrasm.

"Yes, Wayne introduced me." you confirmed. "Did you change the bandages today?" you asked wanting to change the topic.

"Not yet." he said, shrugging his shoulders.

"So here's the plan: First we'll change your bandages, then we'll take care of the school notes I brought you." you announced "Ah! I almost forgot! I was also at the bakery on the way, and I brought your favorite doughnuts."

"I told you she was the best." he said proudly looking his aunt straight in the eyes. Wayne watched you from afar with a smile on his lips. Pretend or not - it was nice to see you in such a position.

When you disappeared behind the bathroom door, free from the prying eyes of his guests, you breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you..." he said quietly. "For playing along."

"Will told me about what you heard from her. I thought instead of clawing her eyes out right away we'd show her how wrong she is. If you don't mind, of course."

"Of course I don't. I was afraid it would be you who would mind. Those little shitheads hadn't decided anything about it with me before."

"So since neither of us has anything against it..." you said. "You told them I was the best?"

"Of course, and it wasn't even a lie!"

It took you more than two hours to come to grips with the notes. If Eddie had dispensed with his dramatic episodes the time would have been about half as short, but you were in no hurry. Sitting behind the closed door of his room nothing changed too much, your relationship from the very beginning was very good and full of laughter that reached the eavesdropper Theresa and her son. After finishing his study, Eddie played you some new songs he had written in his spare time. Three of them were related to each other telling the adventure of fighting the worst kind of evil, which was full of throwing fireballs, manipulating thoughts and knife-sharp fangs tearing skin. The fourth had no words yet. That, at least, was the version for you. The piece of paper with its words was tucked deep in the closet along with the rest he had written thinking of you. So that it would never see the light of day.

As dinner time approached Wayne called you into the living room where you helped set the table and get a few things ready. Eddie accompanied you, watching as you casually moved around the space talking and joking with his uncle. Feeling a pleasant warmth on his heart, he thought if it could stay like this forever. The way you jokingly patted his hand when he tried to snack, or when you pretended to be a princess in distress unable to open a jar, so he as a brave knight would come to your rescue. Such behavior was not something new for you, but this time as a wonderful addition, from time to time he could steal a little kiss from you on the cheek, forehead or tip of the nose, or without hesitation hug you from behind when you were standing at the counter cutting vegetables for a salad. You then leaned gently against his frame, creating an enclosure of safety around you. You both tried desperately to remember the feeling you had then if it was about to disappear as quickly as a soap bubble.

"So how did you two meet?" Theresa asked as you all sat down at the table.

"Eddie was friends with my twin brother, Jonathan, so it was only a matter of time before we met." you replied while putting food on your plate and then doing the same only with Eddie's portion. "I must admit that from the very beginning he had something about him that caught my attention." You continued.

"Interesting." she hummed. "Edward, how's the situation at school?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you going to finally get out of high school? You know you won't be young forever." she paused briefly. "Adam is studying in New York. He's one of the best, he's getting a scholarship."

"That's great." you commented, not wanting to drag the subject further.

"And what are your plans after graduation?" Adam turned to Eddie with a contemptous look.

"I don't know, at this point I'm just trying to get better." He shrugged his shoulders without taking his eyes off the food.

"Eddie is great with cars!" you blurted out. "Before the accident he used to work for a local mechanic, he really appreciated him." You placed your hand on his, which was lying on the table. When you squeezed it gently he looked at you and sent a slight smile showing a dimple in his cheek.

"Well, yes, but without education you can't find a good job," he said.

"I believe that if someone is good at their craft they don't need any high degree at all to succeed. And Eddie is the best, and I'm sure that as soon as he finishes high school this year he will be very successful." Your voice was still kind however this time a hint of firmness could be sensed in it.

The rest of dinner passed in silence. When you had finished eating you helped to clear the table and wash the dishes. Then it was time to go home.

"My mother and Jim are hosting an engagement party this Friday. She said to tell you that you and Adam can also feel invited. It's going to be great fun, right Eddie?" you said already standing at the door.

"Of course sweetheart." he replied with a fake smile hating the idea of them being there with all his heart.

For the last time that day you placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. Although it was gentle Eddie felt as if your lips were leaving a permanent mark there, which imprinted all the way on his heart.

The rest of the week looked similar. Except for the day of Hellfire, you came to him after school bringing notes and spending the rest of the day together. You could get used to such a course of events, unfortunately, when Friday came you felt nostalgic about the fact that this could be the last of the days like this. Theresa and Adam were going home Sunday morning which meant that these were also the last days to enjoy Eddie's closeness. Feeling a weight in your chest, you got off the bike and headed toward the apartment. You didn't expect Adam to open the door for you. He was shirtless. You immediately felt extremely uncomfortable and wanted to turn back but he stopped you.

"Wayne and Eddie went to get some groceries, you can wait for them inside." he said smiling broadly.

"Thanks." you muttered and squeezed past him in the doorway.

"I just finished doing my home workout. You know, we have a gym at the university, so I go there every day, I can't stop." He winked at you coming closer. Responding nothing with a quick step you walked to the living room and began to unpack the contents of your bag. In addition to your notes after school, you entered the store and bought the new figures for D&D that Will kept talking about that they would need for the new campaign. You carried the notes to Eddie's room, then sat down on the couch in the living room and began spreading out the figures and paints on the coffee table. Adam never took his eyes off you, watching your every move making you feel increasingly nervous.

"Do you play this stupid game too?" he asked, sitting down next to you.

"I participate in campaigns from time to time." You replied shrugging your shoulders. Not wanting to lean on the couch as his arm was stretched across the backrest, you aimlessly moved things from one place to another, making you not notice how close he was to you. It reached you when you felt his hand on your cheek. Surprised, you looked in his direction and immediately jumped away standing up on your feet.

"What the hell are you doing?" you shouted.

"Oh come on, don't you wanna mess around? It will be a while before they come back from the store." he said getting up from the couch.

"Jesus, no! Have you lost your mind? What made you even think that I might want something like that?" 

Adam was wrong. Eddie and Wayne returned from shopping, but you were so preoccupied with the situation, and your voice was so loud that you didn't hear the door open. Eddie, seeing you with his half-naked cousin in the living room, felt his heart suddenly get very heavy. He was just turning to leave the apartment and not look at it when Wayne grabbed him by the arm and with a hand gesture showed him to be quiet and watch what would happen next.

"So you're saying all this talk about having a crush on him when he was just your brother's friend is true? You fell in love with a trailer trash who worships Satan? The scars are turning you on?" he smirked. "A better Munson is now standing in front of you, baby, don't waste this opportunity."

"Don't you fucking dare to say one more word!" He crossed the line. It wasn't even about how he behaved toward you. You were too concerned about what he called Eddie. "I tolerated your and your mother's snarky behavior just so I wouldn't make Wayne uncomfortable. But since he's not here now I'm happy to answer your questions. Even homeless Eddie would be much better than you. You don't measure up to him you damn asshole! I don't care about your expensive car you are so enthusiastic about, I'd rather walk everywhere my whole life than get in it. I don't give a shit about your apartment in New York. I would have had a better life homeless under a bridge. And yes, I loved Eddie when he lived in the trailer, I loved that he made me feel at home there, trailer or not I fucking love him so you have to remember that the next time you talk shit about the person I love nothing will hold me back anymore. I will make you regret it for the rest of your miserable life. I'm disgusted with you. I'm disgusted by how self-absorbed idiot you are and how your ego blows the scale. And you are right. You're damn right that these wounds are incredibly attractive. Do you know why? Because they remind me that my Eddie is a fucking hero! You don't even realize how many lives he saved back then! So yes, he and his scars are the hottest in the world and definitely much more hotter than your pathetic gym routine." The words flew out of your mouth like bullets. The shock on his face encouraged you even more but then you heard the door slam.

"Adam?" the voice of Wayne made you tighten your lips into a thin line and take a deep breath.

"Y/n! Good to see you!" he said bringing in the shopping bags.

"Hi Wayne." you said getting the nicest and the calmest tone you could afford at that moment.

"Sweetheart!" before you had time to respond Eddie with a quick step and a wide smile on his lips was already at your side. What you didn't expect, however, was what came next. He cupped your face and kissed you. Eddie was kissing you. You experienced a three-second shock and then completely surrendered to the kiss by placing your hands on his chest. His nose gently touched your cheek, you felt its tip was cold. Yet his lips were burning. Even though the kiss was brief, you felt as if your soul had left your body and had travelled to a completely different dimension. Was it a dream? If so, you didn't want to wake up.

After Eddie heard what you were saying, he felt he had to do it. Many times he saw you defending your loved ones from all kinds of attacks. You weren't afraid to cover Will with your own body when Vecna tried to get him, so verbal attacks were not a problem for you. You also handled this one very well. More than once he had the opportunity to witness this. Now you were doing it for him. This awakened completely new feelings in him. He was sincerely touched and happy. In that moment you gave him something he had not felt since Wayne took him in. He felt wanted and loved. Even if it was pretended at that moment. Nothing could take that moment away from him, so he decided to take a risk. The risk definitely paid off. He enjoyed every second of it. The satisfaction was also a bonus. He wanted to show "the better Munson" that you were his. As if what you said wasn't enough. He wanted the kiss to be a seal saying she is perfect, and she is mine. Damn, he wanted you to be his so bad.

As if nothing ever happened, you sat down on the couch with Eddie and took up painting. You didn't say a word about your exchange with Adam, and Eddie pretended he hadn't witnessed one of the best moments in his life. Painting took you a lot longer than you expected. Plus more because every now and then you glanced in his direction focusing your attention on his mouth as he told you more details of the campaign. Could you have become addicted to something you had only tasted once?

"They are being chased by a pack of wild mutant lions so they run into an old hut where the master of nightmares is waiting for them." He tells you while gesturing with his hands. You're interested in what he's saying, but damn did his lips always look this beautiful? "Earth to y/n!" he yelled clapping his hands.

"Shit, sorry, I zooned out." you woke up suddenly. "So what exactly is it about the master of nightmares?"

"He throws you into a vision that replicates your greatest fears," he said.

"And what is Eddie the Banished's greatest fear?"

Losing you. That was his first thought. "Y'know it will probably be bats." he cuckled and winked at you.

"I am so sorry Eddie, I didn't mean-"

"It's fine, clam down." he said, yawning.

"You're tired, I should go."

"No, stay." he grabbed your hand. "I mean... if you want to of course, I thought you'd wait until they're dry to take some home for Will."

"Oh, sure." a smile crept onto your lips on its own as you accepted the proposition. Lips. You had a feeling you never thought about that particular body part as often as you did today.

"We can chill a little in my room." he suggested. You knew perfectly well what he meant.

"You know very well that I won't agree to this kind of chilling." You crossed your arms over your chest. "Those strange doctors have made it very clear that until the traces of the Upside Down are out of your system for good, there is no question of smoking anything."

"But- please! Have mercy on my poor soul." fell to his knees in front of you making you giggle.

"Don't you dare use those puppy dog eyes on me Munson. It's for your own good." you said softly and tenderly stroked his cheek with your thumb.

"You heartless woman." he faltered, laying his head on your lap.

"Okay, I am able to bear the weight of those words." you chuckled. "There are many other ways to relax, you know? We can listen to music, or read."

"Will you read to me?" he asked raising his face toward you. Big chocolate button eyes glared at you. His face looked so innocent. Rarely did anyone get a chance to see it, since Eddie almost always wore his mask. The fact that he didn't have it with you made you feel very special.

"Come on, adventure awaits!" you helped him stand up and walked to his room. After a moment of deliberation and dithering about whether you should read The Hobbit for the millionth time, you decided that this time it would be some new fantasy book that Wayne had bought Eddie while he was still in the hospital.

"Wayne won't mind that I'm staying this long?"

"Of course not. Besides, we still have some time before they come back."

"We have plenty of time before a pack of wild lions reaches us?"

"And before one of your worst dreams hunts you down" He replied and patted the bed indicating for you to lie down next to him. With that, you began to read, but after a short time you both began to get sleepy. The dim light of the bedside lamp, the warmth that eminated from the two of you, the comfort and peace that you felt in each other's company succulently lulled you to sleep. When you heard a quiet snoring in mid-sentence you looked at its source with tenderness in your eyes. Feeling your own eyelids getting incredibly heavy you put the book aside. Just five minutes. You thought and, moving closer to the boy, allowed yourself a small nap.

It was not as small as you thought.

"Yes, Joyce, you have nothing to worry about." Wayne said. "They were already asleep when we got home, I don't want to wake them up. Yes, I'm sure. They will manage, they are adults. Yes, it won't be a problem for sure. Okay, bye. See you tomorrow." Eddie lazily opened his eyes and rubbed them with one hand. He listened to his uncle's words looking on in disbelief that you were still here. And much closer than before he fell asleep. He brushed your hair away from your face as gently as he could so as not to wake you up.

"Hey, kid." Wayne whispered. "I talked to Joyce, she can stay."

"Thanks, Wayne."

The man smiled and winked at him, closing the door behind him. Eddie took the blanket that lay at the other end of the bed and covered you. In your sleep you turned your back to him and he took the opportunity to embrace you becoming a big spoon. Feeling you move even closer and snuggle into him he thought his heart was about to explode. Your back touched his abdomen causing a slight pain in the areas of the still healing wounds, but this pain was bearable. Besides, it was nothing compared to the happiness he felt. 

As the first rays of sunlight broke through the cracks in his blinds and his watch indicated the unmercifully early hour Eddie sighed unhappily. He had never been one of the early birds, and there was no promise of change in that regard. When he opened his eyes he remembered why he was actually sleeping in his clothes. You must have turned in the night because now your face was facing his. You kept one hand under the pillow and the other lay on his side. He wanted to close the gap between you and wake you up with a kiss like in one of the cheap rom-coms, but he didn't know if he could let himself do that. Kissing you in front of his cousin was justified, since you were going to pretend to be a couple, you had to be convincing, but wouldn't doing it when it was just the two of you be too much? He was weighing all the pros and cons when he noticed your eyes slowly open.

"Good morning Eddie." you said stretching.

"Good morning, panda." he replied in a whisper. You looked at him questioningly, and with his thumb he lightly rubbed the black mascara marks under your eyes that must have formed there overnight.

"Oh, shit." you said while covering your face. "'m sorry." you muttered and sat down on the bed.

"Don't be, you look cute." So cute I want to kiss you again and again and... again. His brain didn't let go recalling these visions every now and then. Instead, he simply told you that if you wanted to dress up you could borrow something from his closet. Since your top was a bit sweaty after the sleep, you agreed by taking one of the Hellfire shirts and went to quickly get yourself cleaned up in the bathroom. Then you waited for Eddie to shower and get dressed and helped him with his bandages as you always do. You had seen him shirtless countless times, but now that he was sitting in front of you on the bathtub in only loose sweatpants you were overcome by a feeling that you only allowed yourself in the privacy of your room by fantasizing about your friend. You were afraid of the fact that these fantasies were now at your fingertips, and before you could stop yourself your hand actually moved toward him. Eddie, as if in a trance, equally enchanted by the moment, watched your every move. Your fingers gently traced a path on his body. Starting with a healthy cheek, continuing on his neck, shoulder and then chest.

"Do you like what you see, sweetheart?" he said, unable to catch his breath.

"Very," you whispered biting your lower lip.

"I like what I see, too." He confirmed by pushing your hair off your shoulder. He imitated your movements. Starting by gently brushing your face, neck and arm which was slightly exposed by the fact that his shirt was too big on you. Your breathing became faster and faster as you rested your forehead against his. His hands quickly found their way to your waist pulling you as close to him as he could. And then you kissed him. No matter how close you stood to each other until your lips were joined the gap was too huge. Initially shy and tentative sparks ignited a fire. The desire that had been bubbling inside you for a long time exploded. Still kissing you, he got up from the tub pushing you toward the wall so that you were trapped between it and him. Trapped? You were not going to escape even if you were to burn in this fire. As he laid wet marks on your neck you sank your hand into his curls. The temperature was hotter than hell when you felt his hands go under the shirt you were wearing. His lips returned to yours as he pressed his body against yours and you felt how hard he was. You thought you were going crazy.

"Eddie..." You didn't control the moan that spontaneously left your mouth.

"Yes, Angel?" he asked pulling away from you. His eyes were darker than usual but on his lips was the same smile as always. The same dimple-showing smile that made your knees weaken.

"Please." That was all you could get out of yourself before you put your hands on his neck pulling him close. This time he was the one who moaned right into your mouth and started to roll up your shirt to take it off. And then a fire truck arrived. A huge bucket of icy water to extinguish the big fire between you. A big downpour called Theresa.

"Hello? I think you've already finished changing the bandages! Some people need to use the restroom!" she shouted, knocking quickly and hard on the door. Of course she was eavesdropping. Of course she was doing her best to squeeze in where she wasn't needed. Eddie moved away from you and unlocked the bathroom door. Visibly angry, he passed his aunt without a word and went to his room to get dressed. He was definitely uncomfortable with the fact that they could see his wounds. When he returned, he noticed you in the hallway putting your shoes on. Seeing his sad expression you smiled slightly.

"I have to go help my mom get everything ready for tonight's party." You explained grabbing his hand. "But don't miss too much, we'll see each other in a few hours, right?"

"Yeah." one corner of his mouth lifted

"See you later." In farewell you kissed him on the cheek and left the apartment. Leaving him alone with thoughts of what the hell  just happened.

When you got home, you didn't have much of a chance or time to think about the morning's events. You and the rest of the household threw yourselves into the whirlwind of preparations. You sat with Mom and El in the kitchen while Jonathan and Will helped prepare the garden, carrying chairs and tables there. After some time, Steve and Eddie also came to help. Because of his condition, Eddie stayed close to you in the kitchen and Steve went to help set things up in the garden. There was a kind of tension between you and the metalhead, but it wasn't bad. All the time you were sending each other glances and smiles. When you handed him vegetables to cut, his fingers brushed yours. The tiny gestures created a kind of attraction between you, which was terribly hard to resist. Despite everything, you did not bring up the subject of what happened just a few hours ago in the bathroom.

The party was going on at its best, Hopper and Wayne were sipping beers while keeping an eye on the meat on the grill, and right next to them at the table sat Joyce, the Sinclairs, Mrs. Henderson, Jonathan, Will, Eddie, and Theresa with Adam, who today was being extraordinarily, suspiciously nice to Eddie. Shouts and laughter came from the other end of the garden. Together with Dustin, El, Robin, Argyle and Steve you were playing fresbee, while Lucas and Max cheered you on from the sidelines. The disc flew out of your hands almost every time though you didn't give up. Seeing your persistence Eddie couldn't hold back a smile.

"Eddie!" shouted Will. "Are you even listening to me?" he rolled his eyes.

"Of course! You were talking about the new campaign."

"Yeah! What exactly?" Silence and the Dungeon Master's reddened face was the only answer he got.

"Will give him a break, you can see that something else is on his mind." interjected Jonathan. "Or rather, someone?"

"Is that someone our sister?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." he muttered while covering his face with his hair.

"So, Theresa! How is life in New York for you, life in the city must be very interesting!" the voice of Joyce caught the attention of all three so they turned their heads towards the aunt.

"Oh, it is! It's also very hard. It's hard to maintain the role of the Munsons, who have not followed in the family footsteps." she laughed artfully. "Fortunately, we're doing great with Adam."

Eddie's leg began bouncing under the table at an incredibly fast pace.

"What does that mean?" Joyce asked a visibly confused.

"Our family doesn't have a very good reputation, as you well know. Not many of us are able to get out of a miserable life in a penny trailer or avoid owning a police cartorette." She sent Eddie a quick glance, through which he knew he was about to receive the final blow. As his aunt continued, his leg began to move even faster, which did not escape the Byers brothers' attention. They both sent each other somewhat frightened glances but did nothing, waiting for the situation to unfold. "When we found out that Eddie was wanted for murder we were immediately horrified that he had followed in his father's footsteps-" she didn't have time to finish when Eddie stood up abruptly looking at her. Father. A word that caused even more pain than the pack of demobats tearing through his body.

"Don't-" he began in a shaky voice. "Don't you dare mention him. Don't you dare call that man my father, you understand." he tried to be calm. In truth, with all his might he wanted to be self-controlled now, but it all seemed too much. All week he had bravely endured everything she said about him. But now when she did it in front of everyone he cared about, when she did it in front of your family, pulling the strongest card in the process he couldn't stand it. Wayne and Hopper became alarmed and walked closer to the table, but that didn't stop him. "This man is nobody to me. A stranger. A fucking sperm donor nothing more. He is a murderer. He killed my mother, and your sister. His last name is Davis. Not Munson." He felt something tighten in his throat. Something making it difficult for him to breathe. "My father's name is Wayne Munson. He raised me, he changed my last name, so don't you ever dare call that man my father again." Saying all this, he looked her straight in the eye. He wanted to make sure she understood every single word he said. Feeling tears come to his eyes and he quickly turned away walking into the house. He couldn't afford to cry in her presence. That's why it wasn't until he was in your room that everything he held inside gave vent. Angrily, he grabbed a pillow from the bed and threw it with all his strength onto the floor then sat on it himself while leaning against the bed. He took the pillow cuddling his face into it. As the smell of your scent filled his nostrils even more tears flowed into his eyes. Like tentacles full of venom, thoughts of Aunt Theresa being right wrapped around his mind. He thought he wasn't worthy of you. Maybe she was right that he didn't have a good future ahead of him. If he couldn't provide it for himself how could he provide it for you as well? How could a freak hated by the whole city be worthy of someone as wonderful as you? He felt like screaming. At that moment he hated himself even more than his aunt.

"I thought I'd find you here." Hopper said as he entered the room and sat down next to him.

"Yeah?" Eddie earned a smile while wiping away tears.

"Actually, I think that would be everyone's first thought."

"So obvious."

"Listen... I shouldn't say this, but your aunt is really insufferable. Don't worry, okay? Everything she said was one big bullshit."

"Looking at how many times I rode with you in the police car I wouldn't agree," his words were bitter and full of sadness.

"I know you Eddie. I admit that at some point you were not on my list of favorites, but later I got to know you from a different side as well, and I have to admit that Wayne did a great job raising you."

"Wayne is a great guy," he said.

"So are you." Seeing Eddie only nodding in the negative, he sighed heavily and continued. "I know the man your aunt was talking about. And you are nothing like him. You almost died protecting my kids. You are a hero. And you make one of my daughters damn happy, so as far as I'm concerned you're one of the best people I've met in this messed up life."

"You think I make her happy?" the wall of sadness was shot through with tiny hope.

"Very happy. That's why I don't even want to dig into why she came home in your T-shirt today."

"That- it's not what you think," he began to explain.

"I said I don't want to hear about it. Besides, she came back today very smiling. I haven't seen her like that in a long time."

"Eddie what happened? Jim?" when you noticed that Eddie had disappeared from the table you asked Will where he had gone, and he only said that towards the house, without giving you any details. Moments later you found him sitting on the floor with Hopper. His eyes were a little puffy and red, and you knew he had been crying. You were afraid that Hopper might have said something that led to this, and as if reading your mind he raised his hands in a defensive gesture.

"I didn't do anything. Your boy just felt a little worse, you know yourself how wounds can sometimes give you a hard time."

Hearing this seconds later you were on your knees next to Eddie. "Do you need painkillers? Maybe you need to rest? You can stay here and sleep." With concern in your eyes, you watched his eyes become even glassier. "What can I do to help you, Eddie?" without a word he pulled you close with a hug. You were his safe heaven. He knew that with you he could be vulnerable. "Eddie, I don't want to hurt you, I don't want your wounds to hurt you even more." You said quietly scared that such closeness could inflict more pain on him.

"I don't care 'bout them," he muttered into your hair.

"Come down to us when you're feeling better, we'll be making a fire soon to toast marshmallows." Hopper said, leaving you alone.

The two of you sat cuddled together for some more time. When you returned to the rest of the party, you didn't leave his side for a moment, making sure he was feeling fine and everything was okay. The rest of the evening passed peacefully, especially when you all sat around the campfire listening to the melody of the acoustic guitar that "slays dragons."

When the day of salvation arrived and the intruders left the Munson kingdom Eddie could breathe a sigh of relief. Even Wayne admitted that their visit was too much to bear and they deserved a rest. Still, Eddie could not rest. Staring at the ceiling, he wondered what your relationship would look like now. Will you forget everything that happened? Such as how close you were to each other? He tried everything to clear his head. Playing his guitar, writing songs, planning campaigns, drawing- nothing. Completely nothing was able to pull his thoughts off track. Countless times he approached the phone and was already almost grabbing the receiver but chickened out at the last moment. At the point when he could no longer handle himself he sat down on the couch with Wayne and they watched TV in silence. But whatever was playing on it didn't help. Then he heard a knock on the door. The thought crossed his mind that maybe it was his aunt who had returned, which in itself made him feel sick. Fortunately, it was you. Although the look on your face didn't indicate that you just came here to hang out. You were nervously biting your lips and your eyebrows crinkled together as you played with your fingers.

"Eddie, we need to talk." you said when he let you in and without a word you went to his room.

"What's wrong? I know pretending to love me for a week was hard, but I didn't think it was that hard." he tried to joke.

"Shut up!" you exclaimed. Your lower lip began to shake and tears came to your eyes. You had thought about the course of this conversation many times before coming here, but you didn't expect to be so carried away by your emotions. Seeing his surprised and then somewhat hurt look made you feel terrible for having erupted like that. He deserved an explanation. He deserved the truth. He didn't deserve yelling at him, for sure.

"I'm sick of how badly you talk about yourself. I'm sick of how you think you're not worth loving, because- because loving you is easy, Eddie! The easiest." you began, feeling like you were about to die of nerves, but you came here with a purpose and you were going to fulfill it. "I want to love you the way you deserve it. And you deserve the purest, the most honest and the strongest kind of love in the whole world. And I know that if you only let me, I will be able to give it to you. But I want you to know that I will understand if you don't feel the same way about me," the last words passed through your throat with extreme difficulty. You were ready to take the risk. A broken heart was a better option than keeping your feelings for him hidden. Especially since you had the opportunity to see what life at his side might look like. It looked like a dream. And you have to fight for dreams.

"You know I'm not the best at talking about feelings." he sighed. "So I'll use a little help," he said taking a couple of D&D figures in his hand and sat down on the bed. You sat down across from him. "If this were one of the campaigns I would say that a very important part was when Eddie the Banished and Y/n Golden Heart had a battle that lasted a week with two, extremely nasty monsters," the figurines portrayed a small fight scene. " After the monsters were gone they both met, in King Harrington's palace in the lobby, just by the door. Not feeling like feasting, they sneaked out and climbed onto the roof of a small shed that was nearby. Under the cover of night, they felt like they were the only people in the world. The night was beautiful. And the fact that evil was not lurking just around the corner gave it an added charm. The wind gently rustled between the trees, the hushed sounds of the feast could be heard in the background, and they were so immersed in a conversation they had created that they forgot about everything else. They talked about comets, about the next adventure that awaited them, about anything they wanted to talk about. The stars in the sky shone brighter than usual. They heralded the beginning. A good beginning." He grabbed your hand. It was a little sweaty because he vas nervous but you didn't care about it at all.

"How do you know it's a good one?" you asked quietly sniffing and feeling that you were calming down. You've always known that Eddie is amazing at storytelling, but this was the first time it involved something so sensitive.

"As the first shades of orange appeared in the sky and the sun gently began to illuminate his companion's face, Eddie the Banished realized a very meaningful matter."

"What kind of matter?" you waited impatiently for the continuation.

"From the very beginning as soon as y/n Golden Heart appeared in his life he couldn't stop thinking about her. He couldn't remember anything because all his thoughts were directed only toward her. At first he thought she charmed him with a bunch of curses, after all she was the most powerful witch in the kingdom. Because of this, he thought, he felt a constant need and desire to always be by her side. Having once been under the influence of the fumes created by the powerful herbalist Argyle, he wondered what kind of magic it would take to reduce him to the size of a rat, so that he could hide in a pocket in her robe to be by her side for a few moments longer." He laughed, and you dreamily listened on. "His life was like a hurricane. It rushed dangerously with unimaginable speed bringing with it a lot of destruction and dangerous changes. But despite the hurricane, he waited for a warmer front. That morning when y/n the Golden Heart closed her eyes and smiled slightly feeling the warm rays of the sun surround her face, he realized that she was the warmer front. They had survived a lot, rescued each other by pulling out of fires and getting out of rivers, defeated the scariest monsters in the kingdom. And they were together. They never left each other's side. It reached him that his feelings were not caused by curses. What he felt was stronger than a curse. It was love. Simply put, he was in love with her, and to his last breath he wanted to be with her."

"Eddie..."

"Yeah?"

"How many points do I have to roll to kiss you right now?" hearing this sentence from your mouth he knew that nothing more was needed for his happiness, so without hesitation he joined your lips together.

Eddie was right that this was the beginning. A very good beginning.

taglist: @i-me-mine

[estrellami-1]

If I Should Stay

Part 1 | . . . | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54

After everyone’s finished eating and the dishes are washed, Steve calls the rest of the Party.

They assemble at his house within the hour, and he has the dubious honor of standing in front of them with Robin as they go over the plan one last time.

It’s determined there will be three groups: the ones who stay above, the ones who cause a distraction in the Upside Down, and the ones who go in for the killing blow.

El, Will, Barb, and Jonathan stay above. Eddie, Dustin, Lucas, and Mike are named the Distraction Team, leaving Steve, Alli, Nancy, and Robin to walk into the belly of the beast.

Or it would, if Steve hadn’t forgotten about the adults. “You weren’t here last time!” He tries to defend himself.

Wayne volunteers himself to stay with the Distraction Team, and no one thinks to challenge him. “Hopper, you stay above,” Steve pleads. “And Joyce-”

“I’m a damn good shot,” she nods, fire in her eyes. “And he made this personal.”

Steve smiles hopefully. “That’s what I’d hoped you’d say.”

“Well,” Wayne says, checking his shotgun. “What’re we waitin’ for? Him t’be ready?”

“Maybe we could wait five minutes,” Eddie murmurs to his uncle, catching Steve’s eye.

Wayne looks Steve over, then nods and jerks his chin off to the side. “Hop to it, then.”

“Steve? A minute?” Eddie asks, but Steve’s already moving.

They make their way down a hallway and into an empty room, and once the door is shut, Steve stares at Eddie. “Well?”

“Well,” Eddie parrots, chuckling nervously. “I never thought anything like this would happen. And I don’t mean…” he waves his hand off to the side, encompassing everyone waiting in the living room. “I always knew I was gonna die in an unbelievable way.”

“Don’t-” Steve starts harshly, then shakes his head and turns away. “Please,” he says softer. “Don’t.”

“I’m sorry,” Eddie murmurs. “Bad phrasing. I don’t think I’m going to die. I don’t plan on it. In fact I’d rather like to live and see where this goes, since this is what I never saw coming.” He takes a small step forward. Two. Holds his hands out. “You and me. What are the odds, really?”

Steve chuckles, lets himself take Eddie’s hands. “You’re better at the math than I am.”

“Well then, I’ll tell you the odds: next to impossible. Yet somehow you saw me, decided you wanted me, and really, who am I to defy that? Who am I to not let myself have the one thing I never thought I could?”

“You’re talking circles around me,” Steve admits. “I think I get the gist of what you’re saying, but I’m confused.”

Eddie giggles. “It’s alright, I confused myself. Let me lay it out, as plainly as I can: I never thought I’d get to have this. You. But I do. And I’m going to do whatever I can to make sure we all make it out of this intact.” He gently tugs Steve’s hands, leading him closer. “And I really wanted to kiss you again. Just in case.”

Steve grins, rolls his eyes, and cups Eddie’s face. “Why didn’t you just say so?” He asks, and kisses Eddie soundly.

When they pull apart, Eddie blinks a few times before breaking out into a grin. “Damn. I’d tell you to kiss Vecna like that, and he’d do whatever you want, but then I’d have to kill him anyways.”

Steve makes a face. “That’s an image I never wanted in my head, thanks so much.”

Eddie giggles. “Can I make it up to you?” He murmurs, pushing closer in another kiss, softer and slower, less a goodbye than a thousand beginnings at once.

When they pull apart the second time, Steve looks at him for a solid minute before tearing his gaze and hands away. “Okay,” he says, blushing high in his cheeks. Even his ears feel red. “We’d better go before I get started on that dessert I mentioned earlier.”

Eddie’s silenced for a moment. “I mean,” he starts, “I wouldn’t be opposed.”

Steve grins. “After,” he says. “Extra incentive.”

“Y-yeah, okay,” Eddie nods, and follows Steve out to the living room.

His uncle immediately fastens him with a look, and he responds by shrugging and nudging their shoulders together when he sits down next to him. “After,” he murmurs in explanation. He feels a little cowed by the amount of afters he’s amassing, but it’s comforting, all the same: it means there will be an after for him, when everything is said and done.

Permanent Taglist: @justforthedead89 @ilovecupcakesandtea @madigoround @bookbinderbitch @suddenlyinlove @nburkhardt @artiststarme @paintsplatteredandimperfect @i-less-than-three-you @alyelf @quarble @messrs-weasley @littlewildflowerkitten @vankaar @starman-jpg @bornonthesavage @steddie-there @goodolefashionedloverboi @mischivarien @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @platinum-sunset @just-ladyme @steddiestains @swimmingbirdrunningrock @imhereforthelolzdontyellatme @martinskis-lydias @notaqueenakhaleesi @sleepyboosstuff @bestwifehaver @m-owo-n @thatonebadideapanda @finalmoondragon @velocitytimes2 @callmeanythjing @ajeff855 @ilikeititspretty @knitsforthetrail @sillysparrow @that-one-corvid @ace-is-bored @inadequatecowboy @harpymoth @weirdandabsurd42

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[sarcasticassian]

please Wayne would love Nancy Wheeler, she believed him when he mentioned Creel and didn’t call him or Eddie crazy, she clearly didn’t think his nephewson had murdered an innocent cheerleader and he later finds out she was part of the group that saved Eddie’s life and she’s ready to burn Hawkins to the ground if they don’t believe Eddie is innocent, so yeah he likes her

Eddie and Nancy (along with Robin and Steve) are a little inseparable after Spring Break and Wayne finds Nancy hanging out at their new apartment a lot, Robin and Steve and the kids are around a lot too, as well as the Corroded boys, especially at the start when Eddie is still bedridden but Nancy comes around the most, she brings Eddie’s schoolwork and Wayne once watched them work on it together and she never got frustrated with Ed, she’d huff at him when he tried to distract her and he’s succeeded more than once but she whips his nephewson into shape and Eddie passes with flying colours

the two of them gossip as well, bringing Wayne up to speed with all the drama, Nancy delightedly tells him about the love affair between the not so dead police chief and Joyce Byers and she and Wayne fall into that weird friendship you have with your friends parents, you chat and get along and Wayne is protective of her even though they both know Nancy is very capable of looking after herself and you keep each other up on the gossip you both know and your friend complains that their parents like you more than them (Eddie dramatically announced this when they were having breakfast one day because Wayne had told Eddie to take the couch and let Nancy have his bed when she stayed over the night before and despite Eddie trying to pull the ‘I nearly died’ card Wayne sides with Nancy who smirks and trots off to her bed as she flips him off)

so it stands to reason that Wayne is immediately suspicious when Nancy starts bringing Steve Harrington up in conversation more, she’ll praise him and mention how much of a good boyfriend he was and she just didn’t really see it at the time and now after he’s got his head screwed on right he’ll be even better but she’s definitely happy with Jonathan so Steve will have to be someone else’s boyfriend, Wayne’s suspicion increases tenfold when Nancy mentions Steve at the dinner table once during summer when she’s around (Wayne will always invite her to stay because he knows Ted Wheeler and he’s here to rescue Nancy from suffering at her own dinner table) and Eddie will not make eye contact with either of them so when Eddie is distracted on the phone talking Dustin down from burning his new character sheet Wayne rounds on Nancy

she whispers that Eddie has a crush and don’t worry Steve absolutely likes him back but they both have rocks for brains and Eddie would also never seriously date someone Wayne didn’t like and so far Wayne has been affectionate with the whole party but never specifically mentions anyone by name other than Nancy, maybe that’s because the older teens hang out in Steve’s empty house when they’re all together, who knows, but Wayne wants his son to be happy so once Eddie flops back onto the couch Wayne casually suggests that he invite his other older friends round some time, he never sees them outside of a gathering full of children and Dustin and Erica like to talk to and around Wayne so he never really gets to chat with anybody else

Eddie is now also suspicious but he slowly agrees (once Steve and Robin get invited Steve spirals because this is it Robin I must impress Uncle Wayne or I’ll die) and Wayne welcomes Nancy’s car full of older teens with a smile and to make sure Eddie isn’t too aware Wayne plucks Robin out of the group first and let’s Eddie and Steve circle each other, Robin rambles and babbles and Wayne listens politely until she naturally brings up Steve, which took about 5 minutes and Wayne will later learn that that is surprisingly long, and he straight up asks her if Steve has a crush on Eddie, Robin dithers for a second or two before she nods and Nancy slides into the conversation and the three of them roll their eyes at how useless those two are, they all agree that Wayne making it known that he likes Steve might push one of them into make a proper move, Steve is tucking his hair behind his ear as he laughs at something Eddie has said and Eddie has the world’s biggest heart eyes 

Jonathan and Argyle are just vibing on the couch totally oblivious and entranced by a film playing on the TV

eventually Wayne finds himself seated next to Steve, who is very obviously nervous around him, and they strike up a conversation, Wayne starts easy, asks about the kids, then slowly moves towards talking about Steve, who is not used to an adult being interested in what he has to say and gets entirely too personal but Wayne doesn’t make him feel bad about it and they find out they both like to watch sports on the TV and Steve lights up because for once there’s someone around that actually likes what he likes and gets it when Steve is talking about team rankings and players and isn’t just indulging him to be polite, everyone is a little taken aback by how Steve has blossomed in the middle of the Munson’s living room but it’s sweet and they all say to themselves that they’ll try harder to understand what Steve is saying next time he tentatively mentions the game he caught on the TV last night

Eddie is so enamoured that it just takes Nancy hissing ‘now’ in his ear and he’s politely interrupting Wayne and Steve and pulling Steve away to his bedroom to talk to him in private, Nancy settles next to Wayne and they decide they shouldn’t go and press their ears to the door and Nancy catches Robin’s wrist who was already making her way to the corridor and instead they just chat, Robin manages to slot herself just below Nancy in his ‘Eddie’s friends’ rankings, which puts her equal to Jeff and later that night when he mentions this to Eddie he shyly asks where Steve is and Wayne smirks and says ‘I can’t rank a boyfriend alongside friends Ed, that’s just not fair’ and laughs when Eddie turns red and mumbles something about Steve not being his boyfriend yet, they’ve not even gone out on a date properly, then watches him splutter and start to complain when Wayne adds ‘nobody outranks Wheeler though, she’s still my favourite’

[danjaley]

In the meantime, here's the Season 4 quote-trailer!

Alasdair: Please don’t die on me! I don’t want to have to explain this to your parents!

Alice: Anyway, you don’t have a grandfather and never had any!

André: … but as it is, I doubt I will have a business with apprentices by the time she’s grown up.

Béatrice: Does this mean we prayed for your soul in vane!?

Charles: You hired a nun!?

Fiona: Even if you left a whole boys’ school behind you, they could never replace you to me. You should know that.

Jonathan: I’m only a protestant architect, so don’t expect any absolute truths about Right and Wrong from me.

Also Jonathan: You must stop looking for reasons why you don't deserve your own children!

Lucie: Please don’t cry! You’re our teacher!

Matthew: He shaid he’d have a nervoush breakdown onshe we reach Englan’.

Nicolas: … walk steadily.

Robert: Where is he though?

Rosalie: Poor Ysobel was too busy to write much, and this hasn’t been the case since Matt was born.

Roseanne: He's the love of my life.

Sarah: It is as I have always feared. You spoilt the two of us.

Sr. Thérèse: If things get very bad, Lucie, even teachers may cry.

Yolanda: Gracias, inglés loco! [Thank you, crazy Englishman!]

Ysobel: I hope he’s not lying in some ditch again.

[written left-handed:] DEAR UNCLE DUE TO SAIL FOR SCOTLAND ON 14TH. WILL CALL AT YOURS. PLEASE LET ME STAY.

[princesssarcastia]

omggg these all sound so interesting???? I'd love to hear about "take that promised reconciliation" and "it’s my ot3 and i’ll write it if i want to" please!!!!!

that promised reconciliation: the next step in the sprawling top gun au i'm concocting. it's about what comes right after the mission. maverick and rooster may, possibly, have just started world war three, but that's not their problem right now. their problem right now is that iceman is still dead. and for the first time in fifteen years, bradley wants to go home about it. only, they need permission to do that, first, what with the WWIII of it all.

There’s sympathy creasing every inch of Admiral Bates’ face, eyes nakedly kind in a way Bradley never sees in men who reach his rank.  Not even Uncle Ice. But it’s not Bates they’re here to convince.  It’s Admiral Simpson, who looks deeply, deeply uncomfortable, like he’s never seen a man like Maverick beg before.  Bradley has.  He has, and he can feel his temper rising the longer Simpson draws this out, the longer he lets Mav hope running his mouth a little more will help.   It makes Bradley’s cheeks flush a hot, embarrassing red.  It makes him want to be the kind of stupid he’s never, ever been with a superior officer who wasn’t Captain Mitchell.  

it's my ot3 and i'll write it if i want to: still enchanted by the bare hints of an ot3 we got in stranger things. I'll die on the hill of nancy/steve/jonathan. i'll die here! so i started playing around with an alternate season 4 where jonathan's character doesn't get sniped, and neither does mike wheelers, and it all works out a little kinder. have a snippet from an alternate season 4 about it:

Jonathan gets on that plane.  He brings a shit ton of weed with him, but he gets on that fucking plane. It takes a full week of his mom and will nudging and badgering and pushing and shoving and eventually delivering him directly to the flight attendants at the gate and standing there to make sure he doesn’t leave before it takes off. (Joyce Byers is intimately familiar with the look in Jonathan's eyes.  And it sucks that every time she’s reached for a life raft out of the undertow, tried to want something more for herself, it’s been taken away.  But she’s working so hard to keep trying, to find different life rafts, because it’s worth it.  Because she deserves to be happy.  And because her beautiful, lonely sons need that kind of example in their lives. So Joyce sees the dead look in Jonathan’s eyes (and smells the weed, my god Joyce knows what weed smells like, okay, she can tell her son has been high at breakfast more often than not the last few months).  She’s not going to accept treading water as good enough for her boy, and she won’t let him accept it either. ) (Will thinks his brother is happier when he’s around Nancy; he thinks at least one of them should get to date the Wheeler they’re in love with, and it’s definitely not going to be him.) So.  Jonathan gets on a plane.  Mike gets off a plane.

ask meme: send me a title from my wip list and I'll tell you a little bit about it

[youngster-monster]

Im in finals hell currently but stranger things and steddie have their claws in me once again so have this. fic idea thing for a role reversal au between steve and eddie

Season 1, Will Byers disappears and Eddie may be a freak, but shit, missing kid, so he goes on a few of the search parties with his uncle. And he keeps going, even when Wayne's hours mean he can't go anymore: just grabs the lamp torch and walks through the woods for a few hours when he can’t sleep, often on his own. It’s creepy as hell out there, he keeps feeling like something is watching him, but whenever he tries to sleep he ends up spending hours staring at his ceiling instead so whatever. It’s something to do. He keeps doing it even after they fish out Will’s body from the quarry: Hawkins’ nicer when it’s quiet.

He tried to like, talk to Jonathan a few times at school, freaks should stick together etc, but it didn’t exactly. Work. Still, he finds himself wandering past the Byers’ house and when he sees the lights blinking like crazy and hears the noises coming from inside he decides to investigate.

Steve, meanwhile, saw Nancy’s gun and decided shit was already weird enough, running out of the narrative none the wiser. For now. Eddie bursts into the house just in time to see the Demorgogon: his turn at being a protagonist!

The following seasons would go in the same vein. Eddie gets reverse adopted by Dustin on virtue of being a cool older male figure who’s into DnD and probably spends a lot of time grabbing the kids and running instead of getting his ass beat by the villain of the week: THIS protagonist is a runner, and he gets way fewer concussions about it

(Steve, meanwhile, gets dumped without even knowing what made Nancy change so much. No friends, because his previous ones were assholes, and no girlfriend, because he’s bullshit: he’s a pretty lonely guy.)

Nancy won’t let Eddie hang around the kids while dealing, so he picks up a job as Scoops Ahoy instead. Please picture this in your mind. It takes a minute for his, huh. Loud. personality to grow on Robin, but they have that kind of wlw/mlm acerbic friendship, you know the one. When there’s two gays on shift NOTHING gets done. 

Decoding russian cyphers is great fodder for future DnD puzzles and he has a grand ol’ time up until they get kidnapped; he gets a few traumas about it and also a mutual coming out, which is nice because he really thought he’d die the only gay person in Hawkins.

Steve gets a job at some sorts of sports goods store in Starcourt; his parents were NOT happy that he didn’t get into any college. That’s where he meets Chrissy: she needs new shoes for cheer practice, he flirts with her, they actually go on a date, and he’s done enough introspection to realize boy, she is NOT having fun here. He apologizes, SHE apologizes, they’re both cute about it, he drives her home, and somehow they become friends instead. He deserves that.

So in ‘86, when Chrissy needs something to silence the nightmares, she goes to her good pal Steve Harrington at Family Video instead: maybe a movie would help. They chat a bit, he proposes they watch “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” after his shift, and then she starts floating, which isn’t a great moment for anyone involved

In his scramble to climb over the counter to drag her down, Steve walks on the tv remote that controls the display TV, turning the volume up. He had put Grease on when Chrissy walked in: it’s one of her favorite. “Summer Nights” starts blaring, and it’s not her favorite but shit, i’m in charge of the plot here, it works enough that she collapses to the ground, in a bad, bad shape, but alive.

Lucas is pretty much the only one of the kids who’s close-ish to Steve; I figure he reached out to the last best ball boy of hawkins high for tips when he tried out for the basketball team. Don’t ask me how they became actual friends, just know that they are, so the next day he goes looking for Steve to talk about recent My Friends Don’t Like Me Balling teenage angst and finds a crime scene instead. Steve isn’t at the hospital either: he’s at the police station, being questioned because the cops think he’s the one who broke a few of Chrissy’s limbs and put her in a coma (the main theory is that he asked her out, she said no, and he, what, flew in a rage? It’s not like he can tell them the TRUTH. The cameras don’t even work inside the family video.)

Cue the rest of the season. With one long freakout on Steve’s part because his parents are rich enough for him to post bail but jesus christ there isn’t enough money in the world to forget the fact that magic is real and hates you specifically

[blixvoronin]

dwc day 4: influence

read more about the daily writing challenge for this week here @daily-writing-challenge

summary: i had it all planned out before you met me / was gonna leave early and so swiftly / maybe in a fire or crash off a ravine / people would weep, “how tragic, so early”

word count: 1508

content warnings: suicidal ideation, completed suicide mention

Foreword: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal ideation or planning to die by suicide, reach out for help by calling 988 in the United States, or by texting “HOME” to 741-741. Don’t wait. You’re worth it.

–

It wasn’t often that Blix did this, but she had to admit it was becoming more frequent. She sat, in a rare moment, on the roof of the manor and with her eyes trained on the sky – the sun dipped behind the clouds, and the stars were soon to make their presence known.

Some years ago, her life had been so different – an endless cycle of deployment, home, deployment, home, deployment, home, and she could swear she spent more time on the battlefield than in her own lands.

It scared her, the way those memories clung to her. The way the specific feeling of dread and helplessness she’d felt take root when she’d had half of her vision burned away off of the coast of Zuldazar never went away. Not completely.

Her gaze fell to a sheet of parchment clutched in her hands. Her own scrawl ran across the page, and Blix took a moment to reflect on the contents. She knew she’d never deliver this message to the person it was intended for. Some things were better left unsaid.

The rogue took a shaky breath, speaking in the softest voice she could manage, as if she were worried the wrong person would overhear. For all intents and purposes, the wrong people would. It was part of the curse, after all, despite the fact that – as Blix had heard, time and again, dead men tell no tales.

“Indy,” Blix croaked, forcing herself to start. Her therapist had told her that doing this – writing letters and reading them aloud – could help her process some of the trauma she’d gone through. Please, she silently prayed, Light, please, don’t let this open more wounds than it shuts.

“I honestly sat here and wrote this letter… four times? Maybe three? Regardless, it was a lot.” She pursed her lips, tempted to stop – no. This had to be done. She continued to read as a specter settled itself at her side, sitting and gazing out at the rising stars as Blix’s voice filtered through the Duskwood evening.

“There’s no one else I could think of to talk to about this other than you, but there’s been a lot on my mind. My life was really, really dark for a really long time – I mean, long to me, not necessarily long to you. But, I’m starting to realize just how bad it’d gotten. My uncle Jonathan – you know of him, I’ve talked about him enough – was the last person to carry the family curse before me, since he was eldest of my father’s generation. I talk a lot about how he lived – that he struggled with it, that it drove him mad – but I don’t talk a lot about how he died.

“Uncle Jon committed suicide when I was really young. Honestly, I don’t remember a lot from that time? I remember that I was a teenager, so my own manifestation was starting to pop up. I was scared. When he died, it took the wind out from under me, really. I remember feeling like I was alone in the world – now, you know, I was the only one in the family hearing ghosts, and I felt like I was going crazy. Like him. If I’m being honest, those were a few really, really bad years, if only because I suddenly had to learn everything on my own and – and deal with it. The military made it easier, I guess – I’d started to figure shit out, and it made more sense, and now I had this… structure. Telling me where to go, what to eat, what to wear, y’know. Easy stuff. Just show up and do.”

Blix paused, her eyes flitting away for a moment before she sighed heavily and continued. “Then… Kingsland happened, and I lost my vision in my left eye, and suddenly the world was so much worse. That kind of kicked everything off. I remember telling a friend of mine about what I was going through – that I was struggling – and the response was kind of to put me on the backburner on that deployment. Light duty and a watch over me constantly. I never really felt like I got help. From there, more people died, and the whole… all of second battalion was found in that awful camp, and I just – I dunno. I felt like there wasn’t a lot to hope for, anymore. My wife had fucked off to who-knows-where, and jumped off the deep end on necromancy. I felt like everything had just fallen to shit.

“The worst part was that, y’know, after we got back, I looked for help. I did all the things, I did the counseling, I did the emergency shit, and nothing – nothing made it better. More deployments, more damn combat deaths. Ceci died, and the light just completely went the hell out. There wasn’t a damn point, after that. I didn’t feel close to anyone aside from Kenorian, and what was I supposed to tell him, right? The guy’s an Illidari; he’s the epitome of ‘I gave up my entire life as I knew it for the sake of my mission,’ and he survived so much. I felt like I couldn’t talk to him, ‘cause he’d just think less of me.”

Blix reached up, wiping at tears she hadn’t realized had appeared on her face, and huffed a breath before coughing a few times as she refrained from a sob. “I had a plan,” she croaked. “The greenhouse was filled with all sorts of plants that’d kill you if you got near them without – without a respirator. Some of ‘em were quick, some weren’t. I knew which were which, and I was planning to just… accidentally make my way over there. I probably wouldn’t have been found until it was too late, and I thought it was foolproof, and I wouldn’t be leaving anyone behind, really. No one that needed me.”

Gritting her teeth, Blix’s brow furrowed as she recalled the memory. She chewed on her bottom lip for a moment before sniffing and clearing her throat to continue. “I, uh – I was just trying to find the right time, really, when I met you at that party. For a little while after, you know, I was still unsure. We had that first brawl in Darkshire, and that was… it was good to connect with someone. I felt seen, for the first time in fucking years. That talk we had in the inn… y’know, I put it off. I was like, ‘hey, let’s wait. Let’s wait a little bit, I don’t want to spoil the memory for her.’ Then one day – one day became another, and we s… started spending more time together, and all of a sudden, y’know, I realized I was developing feelings for you -”

Blix sniffled again, taking a breath. “I couldn’t follow through anymore. I couldn’t stop thinking about you and what you’d told me about your brother, how much you wanted to find your parents. I couldn’t stop thinking about how I wanted to help with that. I couldn’t help if I were dead, really. So I – I stuck it out. Then… the most amazing shit happened. You saw something in me I hadn’t seen – you thought I was worth it, despite how broken I was and how much of a piece of shit I felt like I was – you made me feel like that just wasn’t true. I know it took me too long to really get into therapy and start unboxing a lot of this, but Indy, you gotta know, you -”

By now, the tears were freely flowing, and Blix folded the letter in her lap as she took a shuddering breath that didn’t stand against the urge to cry that overwhelmed her. “You saved my life,” she croaked, her voice breaking. “You saved my life. You healed me without even knowing it, and you still don’t know how much, and I just – I’m so glad that I have you, and Asha, and that suddenly, shit isn’t so scary anymore.”

Wiping at her face, Blix let out a few sobs, burying her head in her hands. She sniffed, taking a few deep breaths to center herself, and blinked hard a few times before the feeling of a hand on her back startled her so badly she nearly lost her balance on the edge of the roof.

Her head snapped up, and wide, tear-stained eyes met the phantasmal image of Jonathan Voronin, who looked on his niece with a small, sad smile. Blix’s lip quivered, and she leaned towards the ghost as if to wrap her arms around him, the pang in her chest all too familiar when she realized he wasn’t truly physical. His voice rang around her, despite his lips never moving.

“I’m proud of you, Al, and I love you. You did better than me, and that’s all I could hope for. Stay alive. The stars are a lot prettier to you than they are to me.”

And he was right.

[sinfulpetgirlrd]

This was so hard to write :’(

Things get better Odessa, honest!

“Uncle, the flattery is unbecoming of you. You know my hands have been unsteady since the attempt.” Odessa responds with a trembling smile, clutching the sample close.

“Um, would you like some water while I check this? It won’t take but a moment.” She continued before standing, the noise of the needle clattering into the bin ringing through the room before she nodded towards the sink. When he denied her offer with a shake of his head, she walked across the floor, her body drawn to the makeshift workstation she and Jonathan had created.

She stands in silence in front of it, the tension in the atmosphere almost tactile. Walker’s fingers quiver as they near the glass slide that remains unfilled. Without scientific facts, it is easy to deny something. The little nurse could carry on with the charade that all is good, she could deny her and Jonathan’s medical knowledge, her inhuman senses, all of it… She could keep up the façade until she had undeniable scientific proof.

In her state of distress, she numbly placed a single droplet of the watery blood onto the slide, her body going still after she quickly slipped the thing under the microscope’s viewing window.

I know I haven’t talked to you in a long time, but please. Please let me, Jon, and my senses be wrong, please… Not him. As she leans forward, her eye hovering just above the thing’s eyepiece, she stifles a soft, whimpering sob.

“Special infected,” the vampire whispered to herself, her hands leaving slight indentations in the metal tabletop.

“Uncle Sean?” She continues carefully, her teeth teasing against her lip, causing a metallic tang of blood to seep onto her tongue. “I- I have something to tell you.”

“You sound as if I am dieing petal.” He tried to make a joke, a half-hearted smirk on his face, but the moment he looked into her eyes, the expression faded away. Odessa stands, her arms crossed defensively across her chest, her breath coming out in a shuddering sigh.

“Just— I just need you to listen. I beg you, please don’t interrupt me, okay?”

“Odessa, whatever it is I—” Sean says with a huff, finally relenting as her lower lip juts out in a small pout. “Okay, as God as my witness, I won’t say a peep.”

“Thank you, um— I’m not sure how to start. I know you are not one for nonfiction reading but, have you ever heard of or read Bram stoker’s Dracula?… Really? Splendid book, ah, okay, so not-not everything in it is fantasy.” Her sorrowful words hung in the air, wavering and quavering in the room. She studies his face, searching for even the slightest change in his demeanor as she goes on. Taking care to speak with precision, she was determined to not upset or alarm the man.

When she reminisces about that night, her body twists away from him, her fingers lightly tracing the indentations on her neck. A reminder of how she refused to be a victim in her own home, how she fought back as Father showed her. She talked about her awakening… Of Edward, her beloved, gentle Edward, whose name caused her heart to break once more, staining her cheeks with tears.

Odessa let more information out than she had ever thought she would, her hands trembling. She bares all, not just the damned culling, not just the hunters nor the ever present hunger. By the time she finishes, her body has sunk to the ground, her head bowed low, too exhausted to shed any more tears.

Two months, that’s how long it’s been. Two months that felt like an eternity. The little nurse had managed it all without complaint, never allowing her true feelings to show... Although she had no one to share them with.

Dorothea handled Walker’s secret bravely, but the amount of stress, all these added emotions would add to her recently overturned world view— no it was best if Odessa didn’t confine in her. Besides, all she would do is prompt Odessa to look for Charlie, which... It was best to let her think she was still missing or had passed away.

There was Jonathan but he was— well, him. She trusted him; she did— he had taken in her, cared for her… Yet after that night. Every night since then, it was painfully clear he had his own shit to work through.

Edgar was an option, he was friendly and willing to listen, but he was often covered in Jonathan’s scent, so anything shared was sure to eventually be reported back to her unbonded out of a sense of “care”.

Walker had no one she could reasonably confide in… Till now at least, though, for how long?

Sean held true to his word, maintaining his silence as he listened carefully to every word. He didn’t need her to elaborate past “vampires are real”. It was a fact he had already known, hell he suspected she was one. And if not for his illness, if not for the once strong, now broken woman before him, he’d be quite chuffed to know she trusted him enough to share.

And yet, if he had to be honest, the fact that she only told him because she had to hurt. I understand it was an attempt to protect me but still, I can’t fathom why she always chooses to suffer alone.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Hampton says, carefully hopping off of the exam table. His gait is unsteady, the world seeming to spin, as he approaches the broken woman, extending his hand to draw her in for a much needed hug. “Odessa… My dear sweet Petal. It’s okay, everything is okay.”

[gnattyplayssims]

1957 Pt1 - The Henford Crime Ring

"You wanted to see me Uncle Reuben."

"Yes have a seat. I have an interesting offer for you. It seems there's been an infestation on the crops in Salvadorada. They're looking for a skilled gardener to take a look."

"What does this have to do with me?"

"I suggested you"

"I'm flattered but I don't feel comfortable being the HCR's personal herbologist."

"Look kid, you're already implicated whether you like it or not. You have the skill they're looking for and they take good care of their people."

"And if I don't."

"You'd be a fool."

A few weeks later, Stefan, and another young recruit joined Jonathon Noble in Salvadorada.

"Let's get one thing straight. There are dozens of no-gooders out there who would die for this opportunity but they don't have what you have. You have important skills that we need."

"Look, I'm just here to study rare plants."

"An opportunity you only have because of the HCR. Don't be fooled boy, there are others after what we have in this jungle and they would go to any lengths to get it. You're family, if you stay loyal to the HCR we'll take care of you."

The next morning they made their way to the Puerto Llamante Marketplace. Jonathon handed Stefan a list and some simoleons "Find these and meet us inside. Sam you're with me."

The two men disappeared inside the bar and Stefan headed toward the stalls across the plaza.

The vendors were shouting out their wares and Stefan paused at a woman's table. She helped him find the items he needed and he paid her. The man at the other table caught his attention. The large flowers displayed across his table drawing him that direction.

"What kind of flowers are these?"

The man jumped at the sound of his voice and turned away quickly, "Guzmania Pollenis." He mumbled.

Stefan rushed to stand in front of the man, his excitement over the flowers drowning out the man's discomfort. "Are they native to Salvadorada?"

"Um yes?"

"Sorry, it's just I'm a horticulturist back home and I'm really interested to learn more about the native plants around here. How much to buy them?"

The man relaxed a bit and told him the price. "I'll take all of them."

"All of them? Oh, um thank you!"

Jonathon led them into the Belomisia Jungle. The view was breathtaking. "Is that...an avocado tree?"

"It sure is."

"I've only ever read about them." Stefan brushed the leaves of the tree tenderly as if it might turn to dust then held it's fruit to his nose, breathing deeply.

The boys followed Jonathan deeper into the jungle, across a bridge, past crumbling ruins and a moss covered pool and finally into the hidden orchard of the HCR. Stefan was in awe as he took in the site but confusion quickly followed. The trees looked healthy, vibrant even.

A tree in the middle of the orchard drew his attention. The subtle glow and pulsing energy pulling him toward it.

"You feel it too? Not everyone does."

"What is it?"

"The reason you're here. It grew up like a weed overnight. Locals refuse to enter the orchard till it's gone."

Stefan touched the leaves gently, pulling some of the fruit from the plant. "It doesn't seem toxic."

"It is, 3 men died after eating it but they were the only ones in the room so we can't be sure of the details."

"I'll look into it." Stefan responded, his curiousity peaked.

That evening Stefan headed to the bar alone. He noticed the vendor from earlier. The man tensed at his passionate approach. "Could you tell me where I could find a phone?"

"Oh, um...the bar has a payphone."

"Could you show me?" The man looked a bit panicked but nodded.

"Hey it's me!...No, I'm on a payphone...I'm sending something in the mail it should show up at the drop point in a couple days...No I can't say, just run every test you can think of, you'll understand when you see it."

"Please deposit more simols to resume your call."

"Plumb"

"Everything alright?"

Stefan's heart stuttered strangely as the vendor approached him, "Oh yes, just calling home."

The man smiled and Stefan's heart turned over again. There was something incredibly likeable about this sim that he'd never felt before. "Let me buy you a drink."

Stefan followed the man to a nearby table, "This is Nova. Nova this is...I'm sorry, I don't know your name."

"Ah it's Stefan."

"I'm Estaban. Please join us, I will get another round."

Stefan sat though he felt disappointed for some reason as Estaban waved for the waiter.

Stefan greeted the woman as he took a seat, "Estaban didn't tell me we'd be joined by his beautiful girlfriend"

She chuckled "Just a friend. What are you doing in Salvadorada?"

"I'm here to study the Belomisia plantlife. The ruins here are incredible"

"You went to the ruins?"

Estaban suddenly looked angry. "Tourists shouldn't leave the Trailhead. You have no idea what you're dealing with out there."

"Estaban's right. The jungle is cursed."

"How so."

"Those ruins were built by the Omiscans...they vanished suddenly it's been cursed ever since."

"Oh I love this song!" Nova suddenly jumped to her feet, clearly trying to change the subject. "Come on Stefan let me teach you how we do it in Salvadorada"

She pulled him onto the dance floor as Estaban glared at them. After the song Stefan plopped back in the chair "You okay?"

"Of course." He offered Stefan a strained smile and stood to his feet. "I must get to my stall."

"Wait! Can I write you?...you know...like pen pals?"

Stefan thought he saw Estaban's cheeks darken before his hair fell over his face. He scribbled something down and slipped away.

1957 Pt2 - The Break-in

[fictionalreads]

Stranger Things Season 4 Episode 9

Russia Crew

Fucking Yuri.

JOYCE AND HOPPER ARE TOO CUTE

Oh Jim. I don’t like that you’ve been beaten like that. I don’t like you hurt.

Hopper has been eating shit. Of course he’s been thinking about the food.

ARE THEY GONNA KISS? THEY KISSED YAY

Oh fuck. The phone.

Oh Hopper. He just wanted to get home and see his kid and now she’s in danger.

They’re staying?! THEYRE GOING BACK TO THE PRISON?! No I wanted a meet up!

I’m with Murray. I have a bad feeling about this.

It got out. How did it get out?

Murray is hilarious.

No Hopper I’m tired of you being in danger.

YES MURRAY YES KEEP GOING WITH THE FIRE

This shit really don’t die.

Drag the sword through the fire Hop!

Hopper you seem to be enjoying that fight.

Hawkins Crew

Guys this is a bad plan. I don’t like this.

This dude is gonna mess it all up isn’t he? Mind your business.

Awe Max and Lucas🥰

I don’t like this. Something is wrong. Abort. ABORT

Oh Max. 🥺

Cause it’s not Lucas. That’s why.

RUN ERICA RUN

He’s telling you the truth Jason. I can see how this looks with Max in the trance but he’s serious!

KICK HIS ASS ERICA

Okay come on Lucas. You gotta do better than that.

EL TO THE RESCUE

NOOO MAAAAXXXXX

Max wake up. Get out of there!

So…Are her bones still broken?

OH FUCK SHES DYING NOOOO FUCK

What is happening? Don’t give your life in the process though El.

Upside Down Crew

Steve being worried has me worried.

Eddie is such a cinnamon roll!

Nice moment. But let’s focus on killing this thing first, yeah?

Awe I think Eddie really liked Chrissy. In an alternate universe, they could’ve been cute together.

Stop being excited. Get out of the upside down.

Oh no. Dustin’s in danger. I don’t like this.

How could y’all forget the vents?

Can y’all get out of here and think of something better?

CLIMB EDDIE CLIMB

Why are you stopping? NO EDDIE YOU DONT GET TO SACRIFICE YOURSELF DO NOT DEVIATE FROM THE PLAN

Eddie. No. It’s okay to run away. You said it yourself. GET TO SAFETY EDDIE

Dustin why the fuck did you go back in?!

No no no. It was a miracle so you need to leave.

Um. Why are y’all waiting? LIGHT HIS ASS UP!!! Throw the shit Steve!

STOP LOOKING AT HIM AND KILL HIS ASS

Nancy is brave.

Damnit he’s gone. I knew it was too good to be true.

NOOOOO EDDIE Why am I sobbing at Eddie’s death speech?

😭😭😭😭 He just wanted to graduate!!

California Crew

Oh they’re getting gas.

Argyle what place. I swear if you’re just talking high imma be mad.

The pizza place?

Purple Palm Tree Deluxe coming in clutch.

LMAO he’s making pizza.

Awe Mike and El moment. Of course Argyle ruins it.

Oh poor Will.

Jonathan trying to let Will know it’s okay and he still loves him.😭💙

Low key wish we got him saying the words to Jonathan. Cause right now it just feels like this thing they know but don’t talk about. And it’s okay to talk about Will being gay.

Get to her El.

Eleven get there already!

Yeah Fight El! But fight faster.

After

Oh now people wanna leave Hawkins.

OH MY GOD THEYRE STILL ON THIS CULT BULLSHIT Okay the doorway part is true.

I’d have told him he wasn’t allowed to leave ever again too Mrs. Eheeler.

Oh she’s in the hospital now. OH ERICAS THERE TOO

Still a disaster Robin. Steve is still a great friend.

Oh Eddie’s uncle! I’m gonna cry again.

Oh Dustin!! Stop I’m already crying!

Where the hell is the Russia crew?

OH THIS HOPPER AND ELEVEN REUNION IS EVERYTHING

Oh God can they leave Will alone.

Are they in the upside down now?

And now I have to wait for more. I just hope it’s not three years again.

Miscellaneous

I don’t even like the title of this episode.

Jason. You’re irrelevant. Go elsewhere. Please.

I don’t like this tension I have.

El can’t die, right? They still have another season.

So how did Vecna lose his nose? Cause he still had it after he went to the upside down.

Oh I don’t like this bad news montage.

Well they can’t ALL die. Right? There’s too much time left in the episode. I feel confident they’ll get away somehow.

Okay they killed it. But there’s still too much time left in the episode.

Oh Jason’s gone.

I DONT LIKE THIS

[khaleesiofalicante]

Uncle Jace Headcanons

Jace is not Malec’s first choice when it comes to babysitting. It’s Clary, Simon, Isabelle and then Jace. But Jace is actually Max and Rafe’s favourite babysitter. (Clary, my darling, no offense, but...FROM THE MOUTH OF BABES, SUCKERS!!)

Jace loves to babysit with Clary. She acts as the buffer for all his crazy plans. But there was one time when she allowed Jace to make a spaghetti bath for Max. Magnus was not pleased to find spaghetti in Max’s  horns that night. 

He is really good at putting the kids to sleep. They always go to sleep without fussing when Jace is there. (The key is to talk to them about weapons. They eventually get bored and just fall as-EXCUSE ME BUT HAVE YOU BEEN TALKING TO MY KIDS ABOUT SWORDS? Of course not!! Do you think I am insane? I obviously started with daggers. Next week, we will cover cros-JACE!!)

He is not so good at telling them stories. (JONATHAN CHRISTOPHER WHAT IN ANGEL’S NAME DID YOU TELL MY CHILDREN ABOUT A FALCON????)

Max and Rafe love it when Jace reads them stories from their mundane story books. Especially because ‘he does all the voices���.

Jace carved a small toy soldier, just like he had done for his brother, for Blueberry. He bought Rafe a small bow and arrow set to play with. They love playing with these toys. 

He likes to tell the kids embarrassing stories about their dad. But Max and Rafe just find it adorable. 

He is incredibly protective of them. He doesn't let anyone hurt them. (WHO DOES SHE THINK SHE IS? DOES SHE KNOW WHO HIS UNCLE IS? SHE NEEDS TO BE TAUGHT A LESSON!!...Jace, calm down. She is just four. And she only pushed Max down. Little kids are like tha-SHE IS NOT A LITTLE KID, ALEC. SHE IS A LITTLE DEMON! YOU WILL SEE!!)

Max and Rafe still have no idea that Jace’s actually name is Jonathan Christopher. 

Rafe loves wearing Jace’s leather jackets. So, of course Jace got them matching black leather jackets. 

Jace cried the first time Max called him ‘Uncle Jace’. 

He has safely kept every single drawing Rafe had made for him. He even put some up on the institute refrigerator. 

They like to bake together too. Jace can make excellent cookies (He learned how to make them for Kit) Jace is a little worried to leave the poor little things at a Lightwood’s mercy. (We are not that bad, you k..Oh, really, Alec? Izzy! Alec wants you to cook for his k-DO YOU WANT MY CHILDREN TO DIE???)

They love putting Bapak’s makeup on uncle Jace. He says he doesn't need it, but he indulges them anyway. Coincidentally, Magnus’ cocoa butter chapsticks went missing after that. 

Jace usually never sings for anyone but Max and Rafe (and Clary of course). They love watching him play the piano. Sometimes Bapak sings with them too. 

Jace like to take them out on walks too. They want to Central Park. Once. It didn't go well. (I WILL SEE HOW YOU LIKE IT WHEN MY NEPHEWS ARE OLD ENOUGH TO SHOOT FIREBALLS AND ARROWS AT YOU!! BLOOD THIRSTY BEASTS!!!)

For the lovely @my-malec-dash​ 💛

[jaysworlds]

T4TMA Day Seven - Clothes

“Oh my god. Jon, come look at this.”

“What is it?” Jon puts his laptop back on the table and gets up, poking his head out of the lounge door and into Georgie’s bedroom.

“You know that package I got this morning,” she says, waving an empty bag at him, “and how I couldn’t figure out what I had ordered?”

Jon nods. She had been very loud about the fact that she had no idea who it was from or where it had come from, and she had accused them several times of buying something and accidentally putting her name on the package.

“I recall,” they say, instead of reminding her.

“Well,” she says, discarding the packet and picking up a pile of discarded fabric. “It’s apparently a gift. From a relative who I honestly thought was dead.”

Jon snorts. “Good to know you keep tabs on your family.”

“I do, but only to keep track of when they die.”

“Morbid.”

“If you’re not dating me for my morbid sense of humour then why are you even here?”

“You make a good point. What did your unfortunately living relative send you?”

Georgie wrinkles her nose, clearly unimpressed. “A suit. For his-” she scrabbles around for a piece of paper and picks it up off her bed “-third wedding to a-” she squints at the paper “-Keightlyn. That’s K-E-I-G-H-T-L-Y-N. Keightlyn.”

“What an unfortunate name.”

“Indeed. I didn’t even realise this man was alive! Why is he sending me clothes and inviting me to his wedding?”

“Maybe he’s just running out of relatives willing to go to his weddings.”

Georgie huffs, throwing the letter and the suit back onto the bed. “It’s not even a nice suit. Or a nice letter.”

Jon can’t help but laugh, and she gives him an unimpressed look. “Can I read it?”

“Go ahead. It’s so … flowery.”

He pushes past her and sits down on the bed, picking up the letter. “My dearest Jonathan- oh dear.”

“Yeah. I told you.”

“My dearest. Who says that?”

“This man, apparently. His name is Richard, I think.”

Jon looks down at the bottom of the letter. “Reuben.”

“Whatever. He says ‘nephew’ somewhere, too, but I’m pretty sure he’s not my uncle.”

“Great uncle?”

“I don’t think those exist.”

Jon exhales slowly. They know, consciously, that of course she knows great uncles exist. That doesn’t stop them from wanting to get into an argument with her over it.

“Alright,” they say, finally. “Not even going there.”

They skim the rest of the letter. It’s not very interesting, all my darling Keightlyn and can’t wait to be married and will be so pleased to see you.

“Wow,” they say, finally. “Can I see the suit?”

“Go for it,” Georgie tells them, and chucks it at them.

She’s wrong, actually. It’s a very nice suit, apart from the fact that it’s an unfortunate shade of green. Still, it’s still the kind of thing Jon would consider wearing, if he had any events that required one. He doesn’t actually have a suit, because they’re expensive and his grandmother had told him absolutely not, suits are not for young ladies when he’d asked her to get her one.

“Oh, I know that look,” Georgie says, pointing an accusing finger at him. “You like it, don’t you.”

“It’s not horrible,” he says, in an attempt to defend his taste. He has good taste, actually, apart from the fact things like this occasionally catch his eye.

“It is,” she insists, “but you can have it. On one condition.”

“Okay,” Jon says.

“You have to come to this wedding with me.”

They blanch a little, at that. They do want it, but they don’t want to go to the wedding of one of her ancient relatives. She doesn’t seem to be scared of anything, but they’re not sure the two of them would get the best reaction.

“Come on,” she says, when she notices them hesitating. “It’ll be fun, you know? A date.”

“A date,” they say, dubious. “To your maybe great uncle’s third wedding.”

“Exactly,” Georgie says. “Come on, I know you like causing a little chaos sometimes.”

Jon groans. She’s right, of course, she knows him far too well. “Alright,” he says. “But I get to keep the suit.”

“You get to keep the suit,” she promises, and kisses him on the cheek. “Try it on. I bet it will look good on you.”

“Flatterer,” he mutters, standing up with the suit still in his arms. “Fine. What do you plan on wearing?”

“Probably the shortest, tightest dress I can find,” she says flippantly, and that’s just like her. “Go. Shoo.”

He goes, taking the suit into his room and locking the door. He’s a little bit nervous, to be honest, that it will look terrible and that Georgie will laugh at him, but he tries it on anyway.

He’s just trying to figure out how to do up the buttons on the shirt sleeves when she knocks.

“Jon?” she calls. “Are you done? I wanna see.”

“You can come in,” Jon tells her, unlocking the door, and she waltzes into their room, looking them up and down.

“Not bad,” she says, taking the buttons out of their hands and doing them up herself. “Put the jacket on.”

They do. It’s not a perfect fit, since it’s been tailored to fit what someone who hasn’t seen Georgie in years assumes she’d look like, not them at all, but it still feels good.

“You look good,” Georgie says, leaning in to kiss their cheek. “Don’t let any of our friends see you in a suit, though. Your reputation will never recover.”

Jon rolls his eyes. “Thank you for the support, girlfriend mine. You’re so thoughtful and loving.”

“I know,” she says. “I am. You’re lucky to have me.”

He rolls his eyes again, but she’s right. “If lucky is what you want to call it.”

“Rude,” she says, smacking his arm lightly. “Alright, take it off and hang it up so you don’t crease it. I’m going to email Rudolf.”

“Reuben,” Jon says automatically.

“Whatever.” She swans out of their room, closing the door behind her.

They change out of the suit and do as she said, putting it away in their wardrobe for the wedding that they’re sure is going to be a disaster. At least it might be fun, they suppose. Georgie wouldn’t let it be boring.

They laugh to themself, imagining her let loose on a wedding. All they’re going to have to do is sit back and watch. Maybe eat some cake.

“Jon,” Georgie calls, from the direction of the kitchen, and Jon closes his cupboard door, going to find what she wants. Dinner, probably.

He’s got a suit now. That’s nice.

[idumpyourgrass]

Always Waiting- Chapter Thirteen

Always Waiting- Steve Harrington x Henderson!Reader

(I do not own gif!)

Always Waiting Masterlist

Summary: There’s some weird tension between Steve and Y/n, The plan is set into action, Y/n blurts out something crazy

Pairing: Steve Harrington x Henderson!Reader

A/n: Tea is spilt in this chapter!! I’m so excited! We are nearing the end of this book, maybe 3-4 more chapters? But don’t worry, I’m already planning my next one! I hope you like this chapter! As always lmk if you want to be added to the taglist!

Warnings: Swearing, mention of guns, typos ofc

Word Count: 1.8k

“That keycard opens up the door,” Dustin explains, “but unfortunately, the person who has that keycard also has a massive gun.” He looks up at all of you.

“Whatever’s in those boxes, in that room, they really don’t want anyone to know about it.”

You groan hopping off the counter and moving towards the table, “there’s got to be a way in.”

“Well you know…” Steve starts, glancing up at you, “I could just take them out.”

You cross your arms, raising your eyebrows, “Take who out?”

“The Russian guard.” He looks around the room receiving unconvinced looks from you, Dustin and Robin. “What? I sneak up behind him, knock him out, and grab his keycard. It’s easy.”

You drag your hands down your face, “Oh my god.”

“Did you not hear the part about the massive guns?”

“Yeah, Dustin, I did. That’s why I’d be sneaking,” He moved his two fingers across the table.

“Oh!” You exasperated, throwing your hands up in disbelief.

“Steve, tell me, and be honest, have you ever actually won a fight?” Dustin asks.

“That was one time,”

“Twice actually, Jonathan, year prior?” You pointed out, “I witnessed you get the shit kicked out of you twice.”

“Who was the one who got knocked out last year? Oh wait that was you.” Steve pointed a finger towards you.

“I had to step in because you were getting your ass beat! What was I supposed to do? Just stand around and watch?” You took a step towards him.

“I had everything under control! Until you decided to try to be a hero or whatever.” He took a step towards you.

“Trying to be a hero? I was trying to help you!” Your voice was getting louder and louder and so was his.

“Yeah? Well I don’t need your help!”

“That’s funny cause it sure did look like it when he smashed that fucking plate over your head!” You and Steve both took a pause, trying to catch your breath. You looked up at Steve and realized how close you were, noses almost touching. You had completely forgotten Dustin and Robin were in the room until Dustin cleared his throat. Feeling the heat rise to your cheeks you quickly took a step back, keeping your eyes on the ground.

“That just might work,” Robin muttered running towards the tip jar, “What?” Robin reached in and grabbed all the money and took off running, “Robin! What are you doing?” You call after her, as you, Steve and Dustin run after her. “To find a way into the room, a safe way. And in the meantime, sling ice cream, and you and Steve behave!”

“Safe, I like that she said that. A safe way, one that won’t get us killed.” You shoot a glare towards Steve and head into the backroom.

*       *       *

“It’s amazing what 20 bucks will get you,” Robin rolls out blueprints for Starcourt mall, “At the county recorder’s office.” She takes out a pen and circles Scoops Ahoy, “This is us, Scoops,” she circles another part of the mall, “This is where we want to get.” You lean in, taking a closer look at the map. “I don’t really see a way in?” You observe.

“There’s not, unless you’re just thinking doors.”

“Airducts,” Dustin chimes in.

Robin nods then goes back to drawing on the map, making a line from Scoops to the door, “These airducts, lead all the way… here.”

You all four look up to the airduct.

“Who’s gonna take one for the team and climb through?” Steve asks pulling out the ladder.

“I can do it,” Dustin suggests. Steve unscrews the vent, “Yeah, man, I don’t think you can fit, it’s like super tight.”

“I can fit, no collar bones remember?”

“I’m sorry, what?” Robin snickered.

“Oh he has some disease, uhhhhh, chrydo…” Steve tries to remember the name.

“Cleidocranial dysostosis.” You correct him.

“Yeah, whatever, he can bend like gumbo.” He explains to Robin

“I think you mean Gumby,” You look up at Steve.

“No, it’s gumbo,” Steve argues.

“It’s most certainly not gumbo. It’s Gumby, with a Y.”

“Gumby? No it’s Gumbo.” You roll your eyes.

“Would you both just shut up? Steve push me.” Dustin yells from the vent. Steve gives Dustin a big push. While they are struggling to get Dustin in the vent, Erica Sinclair comes in for her daily samples. You look up at Steve and Dustin, then to Robin, who seems to have the same idea as you.

*     *     *

Steve slides a sundae for Erica onto the table.

“You see this?” Robin points to the map, “This is the route you’ll take. Then we just wait for the last delivery, then you’ll knock down the grate, hop down, open the door-“

“And then you’ll find out what’s in those boxes?” She looks at all four of you as you all nod. “And you say this guard is armed?”

“Yes, but he won’t be there,” you reassure her.

“You want my help? This USS Butterscotch better be the first of many, and I’m talking free Ice cream,” She locks eyes with you, “For life.”

*.      *.       *

The four of you waited on the mall’s roof for Erica.

“Are you nerds in position?” Erica asks over the walkie talkie.

“Yeah, we’re in position, you’ve got the green light,” you say.

“Green light, roger that. I’ll see you on the other side, nerds.”

You held your breath as you waited for Erica, hoping there wouldn’t be any guards you didn’t catch.

“I’m in,” Erica confirms.

“Oh, thank god,” you let out a shaky breath.

The door opens and Erica comes out, “Free ice cream. For life!” She yells.

You all make your way down to the loading dock and head through the door. Steve talks one of the boxes and opens it, steam rolls down the sides of the box, “Definitely not Chinese food,” Steve says.

“What is that?” You ask, looking down into the box.

“Maybe you guys should stand back,” Steve suggests. You, Erica, and Robin take a couple steps back.

“Dustin,” You try to grab his arm to move him back.

“Dustin get back,” Steve says, trying to push him.

“No! If you die, I die.”

Steve lifts up whatever was in the box to reveal a tube with some green liquid in it.

“What the hell?” You ask getting a closer look.

“What is that?” Erica asks.

You start to hear a rumbling noise, “Guys…?” The room starts to shake.

“Was that just me, or did the room move?” Dustin asks.

“Boobytraps,” Erica whispers.

“You know what? Let’s just grab that and go.” Robin takes the tube and you all head for the door, but before you can make it out, the door shuts.

Dustin rushes over to the panel of buttons and pushes the door open button, nothing happens. Uh oh.

“Uh, Erica, which one do I press?”

“Just push the damn button nerd!” Erica insists.

“Dustin just push the button, please!” You say, starting to panic.

Steve runs over and starts repeatedly pressing the button. Another set of doors close.

“Steve what did you do?” You yell.

“Nothing! I just pushed the button!”

The room shakes again and this time, it drops.

“Oh shit! We’re going down!” Steve yells.

“No shit Harrington!” You yell back.

Everyone starts screaming. You try to grab a hold of something in the state of panic. Steve reaches his hand out and without thinking you grab it, tight. You squeeze your eyes shut hoping the room will stop but it doesn’t, you fall for what feels like an eternity. Suddenly, the room stops, sending you all to the ground.

“Is everyone ok?” You groan, rubbing your head.

“Yeah, I’m great knowing that Russians can’t design elevators!” Steve shouts.

Dustin gets up and attempts to push the buttons again.

“I think we’ve established those buttons don’t work,” Erica says.

“They’re buttons, they have to do something.”

“Yeah, if we had a keycard,” You mumble, sitting up and leaning against the wall.

“What?” Dustin asks.

“The electronic keycard, same as the loading dock? We need it to get out.” You point to the key card scanner.

“Just so you nerds know, I’m supposed to be staying the night at Tina’s tonight, and Tina always covers for me but if I’m not at uncle Jack’s party tomorrow, my mom will hunt you down one by one and slit your throats.” Erica says.

Steve turns around, running his fingers through his hair, “I don’t care about Tina, or Uncle Jack’s party! Your mom won’t find us if we’re dead inside a Russian Elevator!” Steve snaps.

“Steve, knock it off,” you kick his leg with your foot.

“What if we climbed out?” Dustin points up towards the ceiling.

*     *     *

After discovering climbing out would be much harder than you thought, you all decided to sleep in shifts. You sat on top of the elevator lost in thought. You didn’t hear Steve come up and sit down right next to you.

“Hey,” he nudges your leg with his foot, “Whatcha thinking about?”

“Just thinking,” you say, staring off into space, “How do we always get ourselves into these situations?” You grinned, turning your head towards Steve. He looked right back at you.

“I have no idea, but I must say, we do make a pretty badass duo,” he smirked. He moved his gaze down to his feet, “I’m sorry for being such an asshole, I just, I just don’t know how to act around you.” He admits. “Like, I want to be friends, I do, but then I get scared that I’m going to lose you again, so I just think if I’m not friends I have nothing to lose, does that make sense?” He rambles. You just nod. A comfortable silence falls between you two. You sit up and turn to face Steve.

“You know what? Let’s make a promise. No matter what kind of shit gets thrown our way, we are not leaving each other’s lives again. We have gone through too much shit together to just throw away our whole relationship.”

“We have to pinky promise, or else you might break it,” Steve says holding out his pinky. You lock your pinkies.

“Unless I get killed by an evil Russian, I will keep my promise,” you say, leaning back against the wall.

“Hey what did I tell you? I’m not letting anything happen to either of you, or to Robin and Erica.”

“Oh yeah? When did you become such a badass?” You teased.

“When the sailor suit comes on, I’m a changed man,” Steve gestures down to his outfit.

This sends you into a fit of giggles. You turn and look at Steve, studying his side profile. He turns and smiles at you. You can’t stop yourself from blurting out.

“I love you,” Oh god no, you did not mean to say that. You clasp a hand over your mouth

Steve’s smile dropped, “W-what?” He stutters.

“You hide your face with your hands, “Oh my god why did I say that?”

“Y/n I-“

“I’m gonna go, uh, in the elevator, now, to check on everyone, Dustin,” You trip over your feet as you try to stand up.

You hop down into the elevator leaving Steve bewildered.

Jesus Christ why did you say that?

Taglist:

@loulouloueh​ @nighttwingg​ @l0ve-0f-my-life​ @labrujaprincess​ @welcomethefears​ @metuel18​ @polynesianmayo​ @readinthegarden12​ @alafolieee​ @yoheyyosup​ @loco-latte​ @daddystevee​ @hannarudick​ @gertenbert​ @70sgubler​ @used-avocado​ @ggclarissa​ @alonewolfsblog​ @phoebethepheebs​ @random-thoughts-003​ @red-2-0​ @m-blasterrr​ @blueberrylemontea-fanfic​

[darth-el]

Out Of My System

Pairing: Billy x Reader Warnings: Alcohol, and it gets a bit steamy (or at least I tried to make it that) A/N: This was requested by @pipinghotmess247 who asked for two tropes from table 1 (they can be found here). The tropes being “there’s only one bed” and “get it out of our system”. This is also set in an AU where Billy survives (because season 3 did our boy dirty) and it’s post Starcourt. I hope y’all enjoy and feedback is always welcome. 

Masterlist

Summer was coming to an end, which meant your summer job at the police station should have been as well. Unfortunately it came to an end early after the events of Independence Day and your Uncle Jim going missing. Joyce Byers was convinced he had died, but you knew in your gut that was not true. With her moving away along with the only person who could have helped you, you were stuck with the next best thing. Billy Hargrove. Driving to Murray's was painful with his constant criticism of your driving. You'd think with his near death experience he would have become more humble, but oh boy you were wrong. He used his near death experience as a way to get all the girls. You didn't know Billy that well before all this happened, the only time you met him was when you were in Hawkins for the odd weekend or holidays to help your Uncle with work. Whenever you saw Billy he was often bought in for fights or underage drinking. You were pleased you were in college away from that pettiness. The fact that he was often behind bars didn't stop him trying to hit on you though, which left you unamused. You wanted to work for the FBI (although you weren't sure you wanted that now considering how entrenched the government were in the Hawkins ordeal), you weren't going to date someone who would most likely end up on their most wanted list.

You pull up at a building that looks like an old warehouse now turned into a bunker and climb out the car looking at the concrete building. This screamed Murray through and through. You ring the buzzer and you hear Murray telling you to go away. “Murray, open up you shithead!” You shout at the buzzer unsure if he could hear you.

“That's really going to make him want to open the door.” Billy scoffed with arms folded looking at you press the buzzer continually. You ignore this comment as the door opens and Murray greets you by holding a shotgun in your face.

“I'm here to talk about Jim.” You say barging past him unphased by the gun and going straight into the kitchen and getting a glass out and pouring vodka into it.

“He died Y/N.” Murray was still standing in the doorway, lowering his gun and ushering Billy to hurry in.

“Joyce did not see him die,” You drink the vodka in one go. “I know in my gut he is out there somewhere.” You pour another large glass of vodka and sit down on the sofa making yourself comfortable.

“I get why you need my help, but why is he here?” Murray gestured to Billy with his shotgun and made his way over the kitchen and poured himself some vodka as well as Billy a glass and sat down opposite you.

“The Mind Flayer used him, he might know something,” You shrug, you really felt like you were grasping at straws especially since you went to Billy for help. “Also you're the only one who will believe me.” You say confidently taking a sip of your vodka.

“How do you know I will?” Murray raised an eyebrow at how presumptive you were being.

“The fact you believed aliens were somehow tied into this at one point says a lot.” You knock back the vodka like it was water and pour yourself another. Murray turned to Billy and started talking about what happened with the Mind Flayer and if he remembers anything about the Russians. Billy's memories are fuzzy but he says a couple of useful things that piques Murray's interest but Billy's memory is blank when he tries to expand on it. You aren't really listening and wandering around the room, something on Murray's board grabs your interest.

“What about hypnosis?” You turn on your heel and walk back to your seat.

“What?” Billy looks confused and has sip of his vodka feeling slightly worried about what you might end up getting him to do.

“Hypnosis. People use it all the time for things like this.” You plant yourself on the seat next to him.

“Didn't the magic girl do that?” Murray asks thinking this might work.

“I don't what she did, but this like a step down, maybe.” You shrug looking at Billy who is staring into his vodka contemplating.

“Fine,” He finally says putting his vodka on the table and looking at Murray. “What do I have to do?”

“Lay down and make yourself comfortable.” Murray says as you get up so Billy can lay down. Murray starts talking Billy through the hypnosis and you sit and watch him as he falls into a very relaxed state thinking that this was how you liked him. Quiet.

The hypnosis went on for a while and you were in no state to drive and you weren't about to let Billy drive your car. You loved that car almost as much he loved himself. He woke up and you could see he was feeling drained. You passed him his vodka and you lit up a cigarette for yourself before offering the guys one who both accepted.

“That was a whole load of nothing.” Murray says frustrated.

“It wasn't,” You say as you let the smoke escape from your lips.

“What did you get out that?” Murray laughs sounding like he was a man on the edge. You think about this for a little while and couldn't come up with an answer.

“See.” Murray stands up and starts pacing. You're still thinking about what Billy said about the closure of the gate.

“Just leave it Y/N.” Billy says almost sounding sympathetic taking a drag on his cigarette and sucking in his cheeks as he did. You look at him feeling hopeless. You really thought this was going to work.

“I can't let you go drive considering how much you drank.” Murray held up a nearly empty bottle of vodka.

“I can drive.” Billy said matter of factly.

“You are not driving my baby.” You snap your head at him and give him a glare which would have sliced through him if possible.

“Okay.” Billy held up his hands and stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray on the table in front of them.

“You two can stay the night,” Murray offers. “But I only have one bed.” He says drinking his vodka looking at you two with his eyebrow raised.

“No, you are taking the couch.” You say to Billy sternly.

“Why am I taking the couch?” He argued back.

“Because I deserve the bed.” You smile at him sarcastically.

“Both of you take the goddamn bed, and admit you like each other.” Murray sighs loudly, both your heads snap towards him.

“He is way too young for me.” You laugh at the very notion that you like Billy.

“I'm only a year younger.” Billy looks back at you with confusion on his face.

“Seriously? I thought you were two,” You look at him surprised. “You certainly act younger.” You mutter as you take the last sip of your vodka.

“The sparks are flying off you.” Murray laughs. “Just admit it already and take the bed.” He reiterates as he gets up to go to bed himself. You sit there chewing the inside of your cheek as you feel like you've been bamboozled and remembered what Nancy and Jonathan said about their visit. Murray probably did this on purpose as a form of entertainment.

“I'm going to bed,” You say as you stand up and stretch and Billy stands up too and makes his way to the bedroom before you even registered what had happened Billy was in the bedroom with the door locked. “Billy!” You shout hitting the door with the palm of your hand making it sting slightly. He opens the door and is leaning on the door frame with his smarmy smile plastered on his face.

“The only way you're sleeping in this bed tonight is by sharing it with me.” He sounded smug.

“Fine.” You shrug barging past him, trying not to let him get you, but thinking you would rather sit in a snake pit. You take off your skirt and tights leaving on your shirt and panties as you climb into bed. Billy watching you as you undressed like he wasn't there. He decided to follow your lead and undressed himself and climbed into bed next to you taking all the blankets from you. “Leave some for me!” You hiss yanking them back which made him pull them back.

“You're a nightmare.” He hisses back.

“You're not exactly a dream either.” You pull them back and roll yourself up slightly which immediately triggers another tug from Billy making you fall onto the floor and you burst out laughing, partially because you're a bit tipsy and you just sit there still laughing. Billy starts laughing and pulls you up from the floor when you calm down slightly. You lay on the bed still laughing looking at Billy who is looking at you. You suddenly feel the sparks and you're not sure if it's the alcohol or Murray's words but you suddenly found your lips locked with Billy's, you could taste the vodka on his lips. He pushed you off slightly.

“What are you doing?” Billy looked at you slightly wide eyed but with a half smile.

“Getting you out of the my system.” You smile and start kissing him again, you rolled on top of him, straddling him and pinning him down, you can feel him chuckling at you pinning him down. You let go of his wrists and started to run your hands through his blond curly hair getting your fingers tangled up in it as your hips were grinding against his. Both of you moving in sync. He bit at your lower lip which caused you to smile and deepen the kiss. You could feel his hands exploring your body and hair like he was hungry for you and had been for a long time. He sat up with you still in his lap, not breaking the kiss. He started kissing along your jawline and neck small moans escaped your mouth as he left small bites to mark you as his for the night. That's exactly what you were, his for the night.