#robin would follow that girl around like a lost puppy!!!

[princessdave]

me @ romantic hellcheer: I see where you're coming from, but not really my jam. you do you, but it's a nah for me

me @ buckingham who have not breathed the same air:

me when eddie&chrissy have interacted twice: well that's all ok but they only interacted twice so not for me personally

also me when buckingham have interacted no times at all: omg... buckingham... 🥰 🌈💕🌸💖🌷💝🌟⚘💌 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩

[spacedace]

Snippet/prolog thing from a DP x DC fic that lives almost entirely inside my head outside of this & a few other bits.

Please feel free to take this as an overly long prompt haha

If anyone wants context to this let me know and I'll be happy to info dump at you lol

-

The kid had been eleven the first time John Constantine met her.

A little ghost girl, too small for the crowns and dominions that were rightfully hers, wandering the world alone and unattended because to stay in one place would drive her mad - or worse. He didn’t think himself as having a particularly soft heart, but there was something about little Stella Phantom that grew on him - a bit like a mold, he liked to explain. Maybe it was the way she swore like a sailor and kicked a demon in the low hangers with a feral grin the first time he met her. Maybe it was just how lonely she looked, small and slight in the large world she was so obsessed with exploring.

She had a family. A Grave of her own that worried about her, but who couldn’t follow her on her constant travels no matter how much they wanted to. Proof that being some of the most powerful beings in existence wasn’t enough to prepare you for parenthood.

Somewhere along the lines she started following John around. Interested in what he was doing, where he was going, who he worked with. It hadn’t taken long to get her folded into JL Dark. Zantanna had blanched when he’d shown up with little Elle, pulling in the big wigs from JL Light to argue about the ethics of involving a child in their work. As if Supes and the Bat had legs to stand on with their own brood so often in the thick of danger. Elle was safer under his watch than she’d be under the loose oversight the Titans had or whatever fresh hell was going on with Young Justice but hell if anyone would listen to him on that front.

He lost the war when she met Superboy Jr. and Robin V.

She’d adored them from the start, delighted at having children her own age around to spend time with. They formed a little team, working together here and there, then more often as they got older. She still worked mostly with JL Dark, but she was growing up. Spreading her wings a bit.

Elle was seventeen when the Bonds first formed. The spider-silk thin threads finally winding themselves into the heavy binds that spilled out of her Core and reached out for anchoring in the boys. It was sickeningly sweet, in the way puppy love always was. She was too young for Core Bonds like that to settle, of course, in the way children were always too young when they fell in love the first time. It was normal though. Ghost children the Realms over made Bonds only for them to fade or change as they grew, almost never anchoring to anyone til they were full grown.

She’d blushed as red as Marvel’s suit when she realized John could see them, stuttering and embarrassed. He’d teased her about it for a long time, about how much she’d grown up, how much trouble she was going to cause, how he was going to have to fight the big bad Bat and his pet boy scout when she inevitably dishonored their poor, innocent sons. It was entertaining, endearing.

He waited for the Bonds to fade or shift. Weeks. Months. Years. As she turned nineteen, he started to wonder if they would stick around. If in another few years they might strengthen, begin the slow process of anchoring.

She was twenty-one when her boys - calling themselves Flamebird and Phoenix now - started dating each other.

The Bonds remained, steady and solid and painfully unanchored.

John stopped teasing her about them.

They hadn’t changed to accommodate platonic bonds, nor had they faded any. Their tendency to tangle around her like snare was another point of concern. Core Bonds weren’t meant to cause difficulty for the ghost they were born from, and they certainly weren’t meant to wrap around the ghost’s limbs and body in painful loops like that. They weren’t supposed to hurt.

When she was twenty three he started suggesting it might be time for intervention. The irony that he of all people would be trying to get someone to take steps to cut out the thing harming them was not lost on him. Nor was the way the fond feelings he had for the girl had skewed decisively paternal over the years in a way that his younger self would have mocked him for endlessly.

He felt better about broaching the subject knowing that her Grave had been suggesting the same thing. That he wasn’t overstepping the bounds of whatever odd partnership they’d developed over the years. John was, he had very reluctantly come to accept, the girl’s mentor if nothing else. His job was to teach her and guide her, not be her parent.

No matter what his old, battered heart might try and suggest.

Even still, he couldn’t help but be concerned.

She was twenty-five when they got temporarily launched into that broken, bleak world. When they met the Elle and Flamebird and Phoenix of that horrible dimension.

The three alternates’ bonds were anchored completely, tying the triad together in threads of silver and green. Not even Other-Elle’s complete, sickening deterioration into something cannibalistic and feral had been enough to break them. He can’t imagine how much it must have hurt to see that, for his girl to glimpse a world where something she’d longed for for so long happened, only for it to seemingly be at the expense of reality itself.

He helped cover for her, after their two groups had been mixed up and separated for the night - or what might be called night in a world that no longer had any light to make those kinds of distinctions in time. When she came back with the Flamebird and Phoenix of that world, after their little separation from the larger group he kept her two boys misdirected. Distracted Nightwing and Zantanna so they didn’t go asking too many questions he knew Elle wouldn’t want answered. The Bat John was helpless to do much about, but thankfully the big brooder seemed too intent on the desolate, lightless world itself to notice the way Elle’s gaze was going distant, bittersweet at the edges.

He didn’t know what, exactly had happened in the hours she was gone. He could guess, from the way the Other-Phoenix and Other-Flamebird looked at her, the way she avoided her boys. Loneliness and desperation made for an easy slide into bad decisions. John might just have to admit that Zantanna had been correct, all the times she’d said he was a bad influence on the girl. Not that there was any surprise there.

Elle’s Bonds were even more of a knotted mess than before. Offered something so close to anchoring only to find no purchase. They twisted about her throat like a noose now, ready to strangle the life out of her one day.

He signed off on her leave of absence when they finally made it back to their home dimension.

Anyone else would want details to write down. Would want to know the specifics of why and for how long and a whole mess of other details she either wouldn’t or couldn’t answer. He’d get his ass roasted over the fire for the mess the paperwork was in, but that was fine. He’d endured far worse for far less important reasons.

Personal leave, he’d written.

Duration of leave: indefinite.

Reason for leave: None of your fucking business, Bats.

They shared a cigarette on one of the high catwalks in the Watchtower watching dawn break on the world below. Grateful to see the sun and stars again after those two days in utter blackness. They didn’t talk about her Bonds. About what happened. About how she hadn’t talked to her Boys since coming back. Just stood and smoked. He pretended not to notice her tears. She pretended not to notice his. Neither of them had ever been any good at goodbyes.

When the time came she bumped his shoulder in thanks - for the cigarette, for the company, for the years of friendship and family - before turning and stepping through the bright purple door standing impossibly in the middle of the walkway.

He glimpsed the green of the Infinite Realms and the distant shape of her Lair beyond. A world of worlds, paradise to one that never stopped, always off to find something new, something never seen before. It was against all odds that she’d even stumbled upon this one in the first place. A small speck in the crushing infinite.

When the door closed it did so slowly, a painful whine and a soft, mournful click all that marked her leaving.

John watched it bleed out of existence, and wondered if he’d ever see her again.

Six months later, the stars started to disappear.

[augiewrites]

"sunflower and honey" - part 1

summary: y/n ventures into town and has an unexpected encounter that brings back a flood of memories

pairing: eventual haley x fem!reader

word count: 950

previous | next

Y/N was aching in places she didn’t know muscles even existed. For every strained muscle, though, a patch of the farm looked better, became more functional.

An even exchange in her book.

Besides, at what other job could she stretch out in the grass and sunbathe in the middle of a shift?

Something, or rather, someone, shifted into her orbit, eclipsing the sun.

“Have you even been into town yet, Y/N?” Jess was looking down at her, a tote bag slung over her shoulder.

“Haven’t had a reason to,” Y/N cracked an eye open to look up at her little sister.

“We’ve been here over a month.”

Y/N hummed and threw her arm over her eyes, “Been pretty busy.”

“Don’t look busy right now.”

The heat from the sun had been replaced by the heat of Jess’ glare.

Y/N threw her arm back down into the grass, leveling her sister with a glare of her own. “Can I expect a please at any point here?”

“Quit being an antisocial asshole and come to the grocery store with me—please.”

“Fine,” Y/N stood and straightened her baggy overalls, “since you asked so nicely.”

“Hell yeah,” Jess shook Y/N’s shoulders from behind as they walked toward the sun bleached gate at the edge of the farm, “the gruesome twosome—back in action!”

“Oh my god, do not call us that,” Y/N couldn’t help but laugh.

“You remember Abby? She’s still living with her parents in town. Been asking about you.”

“I’m surprised she even remembers me.” Y/N kicked an acorn down the dusty trail into town.

“Everyone remembers you, Y/N.” Jess smiled, side-eyeing her sister, “If you hadn’t visited Robin and Marnie I don’t think anyone would believe that you’re here, though.”

Y/N scoffed. “Why’s it such a hard thing to believe?”

“Social media is a very powerful thing,” Jess hummed, “I think a lot of them have a hard time picturing you as anything other than a city girl.”

Y/N gazed around the town square, choosing to change the subject, “This place felt a lot bigger when I was younger.”

“Yeah,” Jess pushed open the door to Pierre’s, the soft tinkle of a bell and a blast of AC greeting them, “hasn’t really changed much other than that, though.”

“Hasn’t changed at all.”

“Holy shit, you’re alive.”

Y/N turned to the new voice, her eyes landing on the grinning mop of purple hair behind the till.

“Hmm, jury’s still out on that one,” Y/N moved to lean against the counter with a grin.

“What the hell are you doing here? Never pegged you as a country girl,” Abby laughed.

“It was a Metamorphosis situation. Woke up in overalls and a straw hat instead of as a bug, though.”

Abby laughed a little too loudly, and Y/N had flashbacks of tween Abby following her around like a lost puppy. Y/N hoped this wouldn’t become a thing again, Abby was nice and all, but she wasn’t really Y/N’s type.

Jess dropped an armful of groceries on the counter, glaring half-heartedly at Y/N, muttering,”thanks for the help, asshole.”

Abby started punching keys on the till, glancing at Y/N occasionally, “sorry about your grandpa, by the way. He was a cool guy.”

“Yeah, he was,” Y/N hummed, ready to be out of this conversation, “shit happens, though.”

Abby cleared her throat as Jess handed over her debit card, “Anyway, we’re all going to be at the saloon tomorrow night. You guys should come by—Devin too.”

Jess cut in before Y/N could come up with a lame excuse, “Great! We’ll be there.”

Abby was either unaware of the glares being passed between the sisters, or she simply chose to ignore them, “Awesome! It’s not super exciting, but at least it’s something to do. If we’re lucky, Sam will get drunk enough to pretend he’s in an episode of Jackass.”

“Better than watching grass grow at the farm, right Y/N?”

“Yeah..yeah,” Y/N nodded at Abby, grabbing a bag and turning for the door, “see you then.”

The door had barely closed behind them before Jess started in on Y/N, “Before you even say anything, it’s for your own good. You need friends that you’re not related to.”

“I wasn’t even going to say anything—” Y/N started with a scoff, cutting herself off when she was caught in the gaze of two blue eyes she could never forget.

“Haley?” “Y/N?” They spoke over each other.

Y/N and Haley observed each other, not saying anything. Jess’ eyes went between the two women like she was watching a tennis match.

“I heard you were in town,” Haley broke the silence.

“Yup,” Y/N rocked on her heels, “fixing up Gramps’ old place.”

“Oh, that’s good.”

“Yep,” Y/N gave her a tight lipped smile.

“Well, I should get going. Don’t want to keep Alex waiting.”

“Yeah, that’d be a shame.”

“It was good seeing you, Y/N.”

Y/N just nodded and continued toward the dirt path, back to her sanctuary.

Jess was quick to catch up with her. “That was so weird.”

“Really? I didn’t notice.”

“Weren’t you friends with her? Did something happen?”

Y/N made a noncommittal sound in reply and let Jess change the subject. She nodded along and made sounds of agreement when it seemed necessary, but her mind was in the past.

If she closed her eyes, she could almost feel the soft sand under the soles of her feet, hear Haley’s laugh ringing in her ears, taste the ghost of melon chapstick on her lips.

Almost.

[xoxoavenger]

Spoiled

pairing: Steve Harrington x SingleMom!Reader

summary: Y/N goes over to Steve’s for a pool party, where he spoils his girl and James.

word count: 4315

warnings: Steve’s dumbass parents, reader’s commitment issues

previous part                next part Steve’s Problem masterlist main masterlist

"For fuck's sake." Steve wipes the sweat from his brow as he sits on the hot pool deck. Everyone was coming to his house for a pool day while his parents were gone, and he had maybe gone a bit overboard in preparation. He had gotten the kids favorite chips and drinks, alcohol for the older ones, and juice for James.

He also bought James a kiddy pool and an aquatic play center.

"That's really not working out for you, is it?" Robin is opening his backdoor, having already grabbed a seltzer from the fridge and put it into her blue pineapple cup.

"Is it that obvious?" He's already taken off his shirt and jumped in the pool once, giving up on his hair.

"What the hell did you buy?" She asks, leaning down to pick up one of the brightly colored plastic pieces.

"An aquatic center." He tells her, picking up the box to show it. He's been in the sun for so long he's sure he's burnt, and he's also exhausted. He's glad he had the foresight to set everything up beforehand, because if Robin's here that means everyone else is going to be here soon, and he hasn't finished setting up the surprise for Y/N. He yawns as he looks at the sun through his sunglasses.

"You are so whipped." She smirks, sitting on the ground next to them. Together, they were able to fix it, meaning it was mostly Robin helping him. By the time Eddie showed up, angry that the kids could drive themselves now because it meant he had to drive alone, it was complete.

"Wow, you went all out." He smirked, a joint already in hand. Steve reached for it even though he knew that it would just make him more tired.

"Can you get me a beer?" He squints up at Robin, still on the hot ground.

"Already done," Dustin comes through the glass door, smirking and holding two beers. "Saw you through the glass." Steve stands and rips both of them out of the kid's hands.

"You little shit." Steve rolled his eyes, handing the other beer to Jonathan as he walked out with another joint. Mike, Will, and El followed in, carrying their sodas and munching on chips. Their eyes widened at the aquatic center.

"You did all this for Y/N?" Mike chuckled, not catching the glare from El.

"For James." Steve muttered, taking a hit from the joint and drink of beer in quick succession.

"Max and Lucas are getting a ride from here. They should be here soon." Dustin was already putting his stuff on a chair to lay out.

"We are here." Max's perfect timing made her smirk, can in one hand and a granola bar in the other. Steve's head snaps as he hears James cries, Y/N sighing as she puts the margarita down and tries to quiet him. Steve looks like a lost puppy as he trails inside, leaving the other to laugh at him.

"Sh, it's okay," Y/N's calm, quiet voice makes Steve's heart skip as she watches her bounce James. The baby's eyes lock on his, and the cries stop. Steve would be lying if he didn't feel a little pride swell in his chest.

"Seefe!" James squealed, eyes lighting up. His mother turns and smiled at Steve, who just stands there staring.

"He loves the kitchen." Y/N smiles as she passes James to Steve. The baby's wearing board shorts and a long sleeve swim shirt, a small hat tied around his head. From the greasy look of his skin, he's already got sunscreen on.

"He's gonna love what I just got him." Steve smirks, leading Y/N out the door. She's wearing a flowy coverup dress, hiding her swimsuit. He doesn't get to see her face when she sees the aquatic center, now filled with water thanks to Robin, but he does get to see James'.

The baby screams and wiggles, so Steve walks to the shade and puts him down so he wouldn't burn his hands and feet as he crawls over to it, pulling himself to stand.

"Steve," Y/N's next to him, eyes wide. "You shouldn't have done this." She feels guilty, because of course Steve has bought James his two favorite toys, and of course they were toys that she could never afford, even for Christmas.

"Why not?" He smiles at her.

"Why are you doing this?" She's suddenly wary of Steve in a way she's far too used to.

"My parents never did this kinda thing." He whispers as everyone starts to fawn over James, who is splashing with a toy starfish and giggling. "And not because they couldn't. Because they didn't want to. And your kid deserves it. You deserve it." He hits his shoulder against hers and winks, and when his eyes catch on her lips all he can think about is their almost-kiss. He wishes he would have just kissed her before that, because it's all he can think of now.

He turns when one of the older kids lets out a large laugh, and they step apart, remembering how many people are around them. No one is looking, except Eddie, who smirks evilly.

"I got something for you too." He doesn't say what he wants to, that it's for both of them, so instead he pulls a huge floaty from the side of the house.

"Hey!" Dustin yells as soon as he sees it. He bought floaties for everyone else, but he hadn't blown them up. He had blown the huge watermelon up, heart warming as Y/N smiled.

"Let me put some arm floats on James just incase." She turned to her bag, grabbing the flat floaties. Steve helps her blow up the other one, and together they pull them up James' arms while he's distracted. She puts her bag on a chair by the shade and took her coverup off, Steve taking his shirt off to look away from her gorgeous body. She was wearing a black one piece that hugged her boobs so well it made Steve go dumb a little bit.

"You're putting it in the wrong part!" Eddie complained as Robin tried to set up music outside. She was only wearing shorts and her blue bikini top; it getting too hot to keep the shirt on. Eddie was wearing a black shirt and black swim shorts, his hair tied up.

"Who figured this out at James' party?" Robin asked. James squealed at the sound of his name, scrunching his face in the cutest baby smile and splashing.

"I did most of the work!" Eddie yelled. El and Max smiled on either side of James while Jonathan took their picture, Nancy mixing drinks in the pineapple cups everyone had brought from James' birthday. She was making some virgin ones for the kids, and Steve pretend not to notice when Mike and Dustin snuck into the house to put some vodka in their drinks.

"Do you think it'll be too crazy to read?" Y/N asked, smiling as Steve put the floaty in the pool, one hand on the floaty and the other holding her hand as she lowered herself onto it. Once she got situated he tried to let go of her hand, but she pulled him down and almost caused them to fall over. She let out a glorious laugh and moved slightly to let him lay down as well on the floaty.

"Oh my God, you idiot!" Robin screams, everyone but Steve looking over to see her throwing her hands up and walking away. Steve simply pushed them off the edge and toward the middle of the pool.

"Here's your drink, Y/N." Nancy smiled as she crouched and leaned over to give Y/N her yellow pineapple. She smiled as she reached out to grab it, Steve kicking to get them close enough. When he did, Dustin handed him a beer with a smile as Steve rolled his eyes.

"You're lucky, Henderson." Steve says as he pushes away from the edge of the pool once, more, sunglasses slipping down so he can narrow his eyes in a glare.

"Ha!" Eddie yelled as music began to play. Y/N smiled, moving to get comfortable. Steve slipped his shoulder under her, which admittedly was more comfortable.

"You're gonna get a weird tan." She tells him, head tucked into him as his hand caressed he hip. He threw his head back slightly and laughed.

"Then it's a good thing I don't tan." His head was tilted to talk into her head, and she felt her cheeks flush.

"Are you lungs the size of leaves?" Max yelled, watching Dustin, Mike and Lucas struggle to fill up their floaties. Will and El had figured out how to do it and were almost done, but no one was paying attention to them.

"Do you wanna try?" Dustin asked, holding the half blown up floaty.

"There's no way I could do worse than you." She snatches it from him and Dustin roles his eyes, grabbing another floaty.

"Did you happen to bring any party favors?" Jonathan asked Eddie, who was smirking.

"You know I did." Eddie pulled a rolled blunt from his pocket and handed it to Jonathan, who lit it. Meanwhile, Nancy and Robin were playing with James, smiling and taking in exaggerated voices.

"He's so cute, he makes me want one." Nancy said offhandedly, full attention on James as she handed him a plastic seahorse. Robin widened her eyes and looked at Jonathan, who had dropped the blunt as he stared at Nancy.

"Can't say I blame her." Steve returned his attention to Y/N, who had her eyes closed and a smile on her face.

"Hm?" She squinted as she locked up to him, turning slightly to be more comfortable. Steve tried and failed to act casual as Y/N slipped one leg over his, her hand resting on his chest.

"Nancy," He choked out, hoping Y/N wouldn't think anything of it. "She was talking about how James makes her want a baby." He hoped no one would look in their direction, not only because he wanted to stay in their bubble.

"Oh," Y/N chuckles, head resting back down and eyes closing again. "He is one very cute baby." She smiles.

"Takes after his mom." Steve whispers without thinking. She playfully lifts her hand to hit him lightly before laying it back down, this time lower, on his sternum.

"I didn't know if I wanted kids." She tells him, voice soft. "I was so unsure, even while I was pregnant. Especially while I was pregnant." Steve looks down again, but she stays still, eyes closed. He hears screams and feels the pool ripple, but he doesn't look over.

"What changed?" Steve has always wanted kids. He wanted to break the cycle. He wanted to treat kids the way he wanted to be spoiled, the way he wishes he was.

"I was at the only doctors appointment I could afford, about seven months in. It was only so that I would know he was okay, and to know my due date. And as soon as I heard his heartbeat, I knew there was nothing I wouldn't do for him." Steve can't help but feel the emotions bubble in his chest as she retells the story.

"That sounds," Steve could barely get the words out as he closed his eyes and laid his head back.

"Stupid? Corny?" She guessed with a chuckle.

"Beautiful." Steve answers, feeling her tense over him.

"You'll feel it one day." Y/N says after a moment, relaxing slightly. James lets out a squeal/laugh loud enough to break the sound barrier, and when Steve looks over, all he can think of is that there is nothing he wouldn't do for that baby, for Y/N.

I already have.

He doesn't say it, but he thinks it with hope and little bit of anxiety. He's got a problem.

"Shit!" Y/N tenses as Eddie cannonballs into the pool, splashing everyone and sending waves rippling. He was so close to them that the water went over their floaty, and Y/N almost fell off. Steve grabbed her before she went into the water, the two laughing as they tried to balance. Before Steve could get her back up fully, Eddie was underneath the floaty and pushing them off. Y/N let out a cut off scream as they toppled into the water, the two of them kicking up to the surface.

Y/N and Steve were laughing as they treaded the water, so they didn't hear James' cries for a moment. As soon as they did, Y/N swam quickly across the pool, Steve following her as she pulled herself out and let James tumble into her arms.

"Oh," She placed a kiss to his head and smiled as Steve walked up in front of her. "It's okay, we're okay." She's sure he got upset at their screams, and as he rubbed against her arms he started to be fine.

"Maybe he'd like the water." Steve said, and James got so excited hearing Steve's voice that he stomped his feet and squealed.

"Come on," Y/N picked James up and walked to the steps, sitting on the second highest one and letting James stand on the top. Steve smiled as he watched, deciding to fire up the grill. Y/N turned to see Steve, shirtless with a spatula in hand, and she felt her heart race as she thought about how much Steve looks like a dad. James screamed and splashed before trying to jump into the water, Y/N catching him as he tried to drown himself.

Lovely.

~

Once James had tired himself out from the pool, everyone got out to get the food Steve was making. James had been sitting with Y/N in the shade, however he got right up and yelled "Seeb!" before stumbling over to Steve and patting his leg, making Steve smile and pick him up, putting him on his lap. James curled up and went to sleep immediately, and Y/N's heart clenched as she committed the picture to memory.

When Steve had finished his food he put his plate to the side and leaned back, watching the kids get back in the pool even after Steve's warning about being in the pool after eating. Jonathan and Nancy were curled up on a blanket on the lawn, the trees shading them. Robin was laying on a floaty stolen from one of the kids, and Eddie was smoking further away from them so James and the kids didn't get the second hand smell. Y/N felt content, the alcohol from her mixed drinks making her sleepy. She turned to the side, about to tell Steve that she was gonna get on the floaty and into the water, but when she looked he was asleep, James passed out on his chest. Y/N smiled, grabbing another mixed drink before getting into the water and floating over to Robin.

"You've got him wrapped around your finger." Robin smirks, twirling her own margarita in her hand.

"What?" Y/N furrows her brows as if she doesn't feel her heart beating out of her chest when she just looks at Steve.

"Don't play dumb." Robin pushes her slightly in a friendly manner, and Y/N grabs the other girl's floaty in an attempt to not float away.

"I'm not it's just," She shakes her head, looking over at James and Steve who were both still happily snoozing. She takes a deep breath and is grateful for Robin's silence. "I haven't, like," She pulls her lips in and blurts it out. "No one has shown interest since I had James." She doesn't look at Robin, turning her head so she's looking at the house, away from everyone.

"Steve is kinda like that." Robin's comment draws Y/N's attention. "He loves kids. Wants to have, like, six of them. And before he even knew you had a kid he thought you were hot, so." Robin drank from her drink with a smug smile, but Y/N is just staring.

"I mean, he probably meant his own kids. Ya know?" She's grasping at straws and Robin can tell.

"Girl," Robin's sunglasses slip down her nose as she looks over them at Y/N. "Do you see him over there? If he only wanted his own children, he wouldn't be over there taking a nap with yours." Y/N thought of this, looking back over and for once not feeling fear when her heart melted.

"You can see where I'm coming from, right?" Y/N muttered, looking over at Robin with a shy smile. The girl pushed her sunglasses back up and took another drink.

"I can, but you need to open your eyes." Robin's blunt words make Y/N's eyebrows raise. "He spoils the shit outta you and especially your baby. And that's just who he is." Y/N's heart races, because she of course knows that Steve loves to do things for others, and clearly he loves to do things for her.

Maybe she should open her eyes.

~

"Before you ask," Steve is saying as he grabs Y/N's hand and pulls her out the door. Everyone is lazing about inside, and Y/N had been washing the dishes while James played with his new friends. "James is with Nancy."

"Why would I ask that?" She turns to him, confused.

"Because we're about to go on an adventure." He grabs her hand and puts the sponge down, pulling her away from the sink.

"Where are we going?" She asks, letting him pull her.

"We're going to go on a bike ride." He tells her as they walk out the front door. Outside the sun is setting and bathing everything in a warm glow.

"Why?" She asks, but she's giddy already.

"Because it'll be fun." He smirks, grabbing the bike he snagged from Dustin.

"There's only one bike." She mentions, heart picking up speed as Steve smiles at her. This back and forth they're doing is just stalling their inevitable ride.

"That's kinda the point." He straddles the bike and turns to her expectantly.

"Where am I gonna sit?" She asks, not seeing very much room on the back. To her surprise, Steve scoots backward and makes room on the front.

"Come on," His smile is so inviting that she has no choice but to slowly hop on, her back pressed against his front. Slowly, his arms come from around her and grabs the handlebars, holding her in. She puts her feet on the metal bars as Steve pushes off. He leans forward so she leans back, keeping each other up right. They're not going fast, but the breeze is chilling her skin not covered by her coverup. The day at the pool had made her exhausted, and watching everything pass as Steve held her close and they went along the empty road.

She turns her head to him, and as she does so he turns to her and they have a single moment where they're about to kiss before they are falling.

Steve falls first, his arms going around her to break her fall. She hits her head slightly but is otherwise fine, and she turns to Steve, who is laughing, only barely scraped up.

"I'm sorry," He chuckles, pulling her close and staying on the ground.

"For what?" She asks, looking up at him. If she could reach, she'd kiss him.

"Crashing." He tells her, and she just rolls her eyes.

"That's part of the fun, isn't it?" She scoots up, enough to be able to reach his lips if she wanted.

"Uh huh." Steve probably doesn't even know what he just agreed to, but he can't be bothered to turn his brain on. The feel of her body on his is indescribable, and he never wants to think about anything else. He leans down for a kiss, feeling this is the time. After the last failed attempts he was nervous, but there was no one here to interrupt them. He sees her close her eyes and lift her chin, and he dips his and closes his eyes, brain only focused on the feel of-

"Hey!" Of course this time it's Robin. Of course.

Steve huffs and shifts a bit, the moment ruined. Y/N groans and sits up, sliding away from Steve. He stands, offering a hand to her and dusting his clothes.

"I thought you guys were, like dead on the side of the road!" Robin comments, and Steve regrets ever helping her get her drivers license.

"We're fine." Y/N smiles, much nicer than Steve had been. Robin nods and rants on about a couple things that neither of them pay attention to before she's gone, leaving the two alone.

"We should probably head back." Steve suggests, moment ruined. Y/N nods and pushes back some of her hair, shoulders creeping up in embarrassment.

Was the universe against them or something?

~

Once everyone finds rides, Y/N and Steve are left alone.

"I'm sorry, he usually doesn't go down this easy." Y/N mentions, the two in the doorway of the guest room where James is sleeping, pillows barricading him from rolling off the bed. Steve makes a mental note to get a play pen for his house.

"You can stay here if you want?" He suggests hesitantly. He knows how it sounds, but he also knows Y/N and James. "If you try to take him home now, he's gonna wake up and never go back to sleep." This seems to convince Y/N, who smiles shyly.

That's how Steve finds himself at 7:30 am, James on his hip and pancakes on the stove. He had already fed and changed James, who had woken up at 6:37 and almost woke Y/N up. Steve had suggested the guest bedroom, or even his parents bedroom, but when she looked up at him and told him she didn't mind sharing the bed how could he say no? So he kept his hands to himself for all of thirty minutes until they both fell asleep and he woke up to her laying in his arms, peaceful look on her face as she slept. He had to maneuver over her to go get James, and then had to take him downstairs and hope that feeding him would stop the crying. He read the formula packet Y/N had brought to figure out how to make it and spent far too long getting it the right temperature. When he spied the diapers, he realized he'd never changed one in his entire life, and this was gonna be a doozy.

He had done it though, and now James was happy babbling, both of them shirtless as James didn't have any other clothes and Steve slept without a shirt on. Just as Steve took the pancakes off the stove and plated them, getting ready to serve Y/N breakfast in bed, the lock on the front door jiggled.

"Shit." He muttered, only able to stare as his parents came into view.

"Shit!" James repeated, catching the attention of Mr. and Mrs. Harrington. Steve could only blink as James waved, his new favorite thing that Robin and Max had taught him the night before.

"You have a baby?" Mr. Harrington was the first to respond, bags dropped to the floor and door still open.

"Uh," Steve wasn't sure what to say. Had his parents told him they were coming back today? He must have forgotten.

"We're gone for a month and he has a baby." Mrs. Harrington threw her hands up, shaking her head.

"No, wait," Steve was confused, because although James was a baby he didn't look like a newborn.

"I cannot believe this!" Mr. Harrington's furious tone causes Steve to flinch and James to let out a cry, curling into Steve. And for the first time, instead of cowering to his father, Steve steps up, holding James with both arms and shielding him from the nightmare of humans in front of him. James is still crying, and when Steve looks at his mother he can see her face soften a bit.

His father is still stalking toward him, and Steve can't think of anything to say. He just stands there, rubbing James' back and hoping Y/N stays asleep.

"What the hell is going on?" She comes racing down the stairs as Steve's father gets so close they're almost touching. "Get the fuck away from my son!" She pushes Mr. Harrington back, seething as she stands in front of Steve and James. Steve is shocked that she has the guts to do what he could never, and his heart grows a bit.

"Your son?" Mr. Harrington roars a laugh, scaring James even more. This only makes Y/N angrier, the look in her eyes murderous. James is now sobbing into Steve's shoulder, shuddering in a way that makes Steve feel more anger than he thought capable. Y/N wants to tell them to leave, to get the fuck out, but she can't tell them to get the fuck out of their own house.

"We are leaving." Steve says, packing James' diaper bag and grabbing Y/N's hand, pulling her up to his room. His mother yells after him, but his father keeps her from following the two up.

"I'm so sorry." Y/N whispers as Steve hands James to her and puts a shirt on and grabs a couple things. He shakes his head.

"It's fine." He seems actually fine, and Y/N just stares. She's bouncing James, who isn't crying as hard anymore but is still sniffling.

"It's not." She says, and Steve just shrugs. "You can stay with me." It comes out of her mouth before she could think, and she instantly regrets it. She has a small ass trailer and a baby. "I understand, though, because James and it's tiny and-"

"Yes. Thank you." He cuts her off with a smile and then is hauling his bag up and walked out the room, Y/N following and thinking about what she had just said. She's going to be living with Steve.

What has she gotten herself into?

//

tags: @sadbitchfangirl @gloryekaterina  @oblivion-void @alexshaff2002 @m-rae23 @icequeen1371  @mcueveryday @xxhellfiregirlxx @parkershoco @feelinglikeineedlotsofnaps @peculiarwren @mads-weasley @munsstertwo @alicetweven @damon-loves-pie @gaysludge @l0v3e1i @luvrsbian @zulpix-blog @scarletwitchwhore @taylortheyellowlobster @ash5monster01 @nix-rose-q

[little-cereal-draws]

Button House Dog Rescue au

Alison and Mike get the house and the land like in the show but instead of an event hall, they get involved with the local shelter and turn it into a dog rescue. All the ghosts are dogs that they foster/unofficially adopt

Robin (wolfhound): He's been there the longest. He was given up as a puppy for reasons unknown; his owner didn't specify. He was the first dog that they rescued and even tho they tried their best, they still messed up a lot. He doesn't hold it against them tho, he loves them. He's made a lot of friends over the years but they've all been adopted out; no one wants him because of his size so he's been unofficially adopted by the Coopers and he's 100% fine with that. When he sits by the fire and they scratch his belly or behind his ears, he doesn't need another family

Humprey (golden retriever): He used to belong to a rich family but got out one day and was hit by a car. The accident left him unable to move anything but his head and even tho the family was distraught, they opted to put him down. Alison came in at the very last second insisting that she could help him and she did. It's took many years of physical therapy, learning to use mobility aids, and different meds but he can get around relatively easily now. He still opts to sleep in the sun most of the day tho and only occasionally romps around the garden w his friends. He's Mike's favorite bc Mike likes to squish his face. Mike's his favorite because he gives him way too many treats

Mary (dalmatian): She lived with a family but the house caught fire one night. She was able to escape (as were the ppl, dw) but ran the wrong way and got terribly lost in the dark. She had no tag or identification so she was taken to the shelter. She's got terrible anxiety and was constantly trembling when they first got her so Alison bought her one of those compress vests that acts like a weighted blanket. It was hard to get it on her the first time because she would shy away from any move they made but now she insists to have it on 24/7. Since getting to Button House, she's gone from skittish and hiding from everything to fairly confident. Alison believes it's from socializing with the new friends she's made

Kitty (pomeranian): She was given as a birthday present to a rich girl when she was a puppy. The girl wasn't very nice to her however and used her more as a doll she could jerk around than a living being. She would yell at her a lot too for natural puppy behavior (ex: not coming already housebroken, chewing things, making messes, etc) After a year or so, one of the neighbors finally had enough and was able to take her away. Unfortunately, they were unable to foster her so she ended up at Button House. She's still incredibly sweet, outgoing and loves to run and play with the big dogs. Even tho she can't keep up at the start, she always ends up running circles around them thanks to her unlimited energy when they tire out. When she's not doing that, she's "helping" Alison and tripping her up while she tries to work

Thomas (shetland sheepdog): He also belonged to a well-off family that he loved very dearly but got lost. He's convinced they're going to find him one day even tho it's been years at this point. The other dogs feel bad that he still believes this but they don't tell him. When he got to Button House, he latched onto Alison as his new family --or his temporary family since he's only going to be here a short while-- and follows her everywhere now. Definitely has separation anxiety due to his getting separated from his first family and freaks out whenever he can't see her. He'll cry when she shuts the door to the bathroom or her bedroom. He tries every night to sleep in her bed but the Coopers have a strict rule about no dogs in the bedroom so he never succeeds. Instead he lays right outside the door in the hallway and cries himself to sleep each night. It used to hurt Alison's heart but she's used to it now; she can't let him in bc once she does, everybody will want to come in

Fanny (chihuahua): She's white, pretty fluffy, and has magnificent floofs on her ears. She was given up by her family for being "too aggressive." They had several small kids and didn't do their research before getting her. The Coopers were a bit nervous at first but quickly learned she was all bark and no bite. Now she's Alison's lap dog and even tho she's perfectly capable of walking, she likes to be carried places. She's too old to want to play with the other dogs so instead she sits in Alison's lap and watches. She'll bark her head off at them but never goes to join the game. Alison thinks it's quite funny that when it's one on one, she can cow all the big dogs, including Robin, into doing what she wants

The Captain (german shepherd): He's a retired military dog that was unable to find a home because he didn't adjust to civilian life very well. He was never actually in a war tho, he stayed domestic and helped more with bomb sniffing. He was retired bc he was getting old and had a lot of health complications in his hips/joints. He's enjoying it much more at Button House with the other dogs than the few families he went to before and is slowly learning how to relax/be a dog. But because of his health problems, he can't play for very long before he has to lay down (this makes Kitty very sad). Mike's scared of him; he was nervous at the start because he assumed as an army dog he would be aggressive, but his fear got cemented one time they were out on a walk and there was a squirrel. The Captain lunged for it and pulled Mike face first into the mud. Mike swears he almost dislocated his shoulder but Alison isn't sure

Pat (corgi): He was given up by a suburban family who underestimated how much space and exercise he would need. Their yard wasn't big enough and he was either laying around the house all day depressed or ripping up the furniture to entertain himself. It was a very tearful goodbye when they dropped him off but the Coopers assured them he would be in good hands. He was very upset when they didn't come back after a few days but he's gotten used to it now. He loves running around in the big field and all the new friends he's made. He's Alison's favorite because he actually listens to her. She was surprised by how many words he knew and now puts his herding skills to use almost every day. "Pat, can you get everyone in the car?" "Pat, can you get everyone to the bath?" "Pat, can you get everyone for dinner?" He's very good at it and make's sure no one's left behind (even Mike)

Julian (weimaraner): He was adopted by a politician as a publicity stunt when he was a puppy. As he grew up, he was absolutely spoiled and occasionally got to go to events/parties. His owner liked to take pictures of him and post them on social media to get voters' attention so quite a large number of people knew who he was. As he got older tho, the posts stopped getting as many likes and a new puppy was adopted. Before he knew what was happening, he was left at Button House. There was quite an adjustment period as he got used to not fancy food, having to share, and all that but he's loving it now. He's Alison's least favorite because he's so crafty and always up to trouble. When he teams up with Robin, the two of them can easily break into the pantry and eat as much ppl food as they like. Alison's started locking it but somehow they're still getting in. It remains the most infuriating mystery of Alison's life

The plague ghosts: they are quite a few different breeds that were rescued from a very unethical puppy mill. They’re at Button House because it was the only place big enough to house them all. They’ve all got mange tho and are quarantined to a separate part of the house. Even tho they are loving their new life much more than how they were living before, they still dream of the day they’ll be able to go out and play w all the other dogs

Pt 2 Pt 3

[kookygranger]

Is This Desire?

Firefighter!Steve Harrington x Witch!Reader

Love isn't always enough. Steve disagrees.

Warnings: 18+ minors dni, angst, reader gets in a verbal fight with steve, witchcraft, reader is a town outcast, fem!reader, no upside down/no hawkins au

Word count: 2.4k

Author's note: That’s it for this little series! I’ll still be thinking about lover boy Steve and his witchy gf (me) for the rest of the summer while I down sweet iced tea, so please send through any questions, ideas or PJ Harvey lyrical prompts if you’d like me to turn them into blurbs! 

Series Masterlist

Chapter Five: To Lift Above

It began with small incidents.

A look from strangers, as you’re buying a loaf of bread and that peanut butter Steve likes at the grocery store in town. One that judges without even knowing you, deciding you’ll always be a subject in the rumour mill.

Whispers as you walk past people in town, hand-in-hand with their golden boy.

How could he be with her? He must be under some love spell. She keeps him trapped up in that house. He’s always with her, following her around like a lost puppy. She must’ve hexed him.

Steve Harrington would be better off without that witch.

After your uncle died and you were employed by the library you spent a lot more time in town, but ultimately you still kept mostly to yourself. You may have felt restricted growing up in that house, but it was a safe space – certainly now after you’d transformed it into a proper home and Steve had brought light to the darkest corners of it.

And when the glares and slights got too much, you could retreat. Find solace in your books and soft cushions, in the perfumed garden full of life and forgiving nature.

But Steve, enamoured as he was, would find you time and time again. You didn’t think much of it at first, more than happy to welcome him into your space where he fit in just perfectly – like he always does. But the whispers eventually wore you down.

Maybe he was spending too much time away from his life. Maybe he should be having drinks after work with the rest of his colleagues, playfully pestering Robin at the bar instead of being curled up on the couch eating takeout because you couldn’t handle going out.

Maybe he should be dating a normal girl that wouldn’t turn him into a town pariah. That wouldn’t drag him down to her level.

After Steve’s close call, you watched over him in that hospital bed. The wheels turning all night, small incidents only fuelling the fire.

Steve Harrington would be better off without you.

You knew he wouldn’t back down easy. He would disagree of course, probably even change your mind with that charming smile, so you had to be smarter. You had to take his ability to fight back, fight for you, out of the equation.

Then the opportunity presented itself in the form of a spell.

It had been a couple of weeks since the incident, Steve recovering under your blankets as you played nurse, using his injury as a way to keep some distance. And as much as it pained Steve, he thought that’s all it was. He thought your refusal to turn cuddling into anything more and the faraway look in your eyes that hardly ever met his anymore was a symptom of the scare you’d endured. That you were still spooked and just being overly cautious of his wellbeing.

It wasn’t until he came across an open spell book one day in your library, after hobbling downstairs to find the novel he’d bookmarked while you were out, and noticed the matching ingredients gathered on the desk around it, that he finally realised where your mind had been going.

You call for him an hour later, when you come home and find the bed empty upstairs. He hears your feet padding around the house until your head peaks through the library door and you spot him sitting on the chair at your desk.

“What is this?”

You step into the room. “What do you mean? I thought we had that discussion about my books. I’m a witch remember.”

He hates the bitterness that word seems to hold on your tongue. Like it’s a slur rather than a gift. Like you could ever be anything other than a miracle.

“Please don’t condescend me.”

You falter, a frown creasing your face. “I wasn’t trying to–I’m sorry.” He watches you shrink in on yourself when your eyes flicker between the book and surrounding evidence. “I just think it would be for the best.”

“What exactly?” His hand brings the book closer to him, eyes scanning the contents before landing back on you. “What are you planning to do with a memory-wiping spell, huh?”

He’s angry, and you know he’s already worked it out. But he needs to hear you admit it.

“I was planning to make you forget me, Steve.” Your voice is barely above a whisper, scared to initiate this conversation you were trying desperately to avoid.

His jaw clenches, and when his voice comes out steady, you know he’s trying his hardest to still be soft with you. “Can you please explain to me why on earth you would do that?”

Your eyes squeeze shut at the first sign of burning, head tilting upwards to avoid a spill over your lash line. You take a deep breath in, confessing on the exhale. “You shouldn’t be with me. You deserve someone else, someone–better for you.”

“I disagree.” You hear the chair creak as he stands up and your head snaps down, body instinctively ready to reach out to him in his injured state before you stop it. “That person doesn’t exist. Next.” He gestures for you to continue, so dismissively that your blood begins to boil. “What are your reasons?”

You huff, “My reasons? How about the fact that you can’t walk down the street with me without getting dirty looks! How about when you miss out on spending time with your friends from work or going out with Robin because you’re stuck here hiding with me?”

“Stuck? How am I stuck? You realise I can make my own decisions, right? That I choose to be here with you because I want to. It is the best part of my day. Coming home to you. Waking up with you beside me. I don’t give a shit, what any of those small-minded people think.” His arms gesticulate so passionately you’d be concerned about his injured rib if you weren’t so preoccupied with getting your own point across.

“It isn’t enough.”

Steve’s shoulders deflate, he could feel his heart shattering. “What do you mean?”

“You’re giving up too much Steve.”

He shakes his head. “I don’t think I am. Besides, even if I was, I’d give up everything for you. I love you.”

You bite your lip, tears finally spilling over, hot on your flushed cheeks. “You think this is love?”

He frowns, “What else could it be?”

“Lust. Desire.”

He scoffs, “I know you don’t believe that. You’re just scared.”

You shrug, taking a step closer to him. “Maybe I am. Shouldn’t that mean something?”

“Yeah, it means that this is real.” He mirrors you with a step forward.

“Okay, then. What if it is love–”

“If?” He scoffs again, hands finding his hips in defence.

“Is love really enough? It can’t always be.”

“What else is there too it?”

“Many things Steve.” You’re almost whining, begging him to see your point of view.

“I don’t get it. Of course it’s enough. There’s no point in existing without you.” He steps closer again, bridging the gap with a gentle but grounding hand on your arm.

“You did before.”

“No,” he shakes his head, “It was nothing like this. And it wouldn’t ever be the same without you.” His free hand reaches up to wipe the tears off your face. “You’re scared I get it.”

You sniffle as you lean into his touch. “Aren’t you?”

“I was to begin with. I never knew I could love so intensely, and it scared me. The thought of messing this up,” he shakes his head eyes burrowing into yours, a crease in between his brows, “but not having you at all is a way worse fate. I’m standing here because I love you, and nothing can take that away. Not even your spell. You can’t make me forget how I feel.”

You laugh wetly, softening as you turn pliable under his touch. “Are you trying to undermine my magic Steve Harrington?”

He embraces you fully for the first time in weeks, nuzzling into your hair and kissing the side of your head. “I’m just tryna’ say you can’t control how other people feel. And you sure as hell can’t keep me away.”

Your arms reach around his torso and you cry into the warmth that is him.

“Steve.”

He grips you a little tighter, “I love you.”

You bury your face in his neck, voice muffled but full of conviction. “I love you too.”

***

Halloween 1993

The crinkling of plastic is what alerts you to his presence. He stops mid-chew when your head snaps up from the paper bag you were grabbing another packet from, hand literally caught in the candy jar.

“Steve!”

“It was just one.” He defends through a mouthful of chocolate, backing away from the plastic bowl of sugary treats. You walk over with a bag of lollipops and he smirks, leaning on the kitchen counter. “I think you’ve probably got enough to treat the whole town baby.”

You sigh, and pop the plastic bag in your hands, tipping its contents into another bowl. “I just don’t want to run out.” You mumble as you crinkle the empty packet in your hand before throwing it in the trash, but Steve still hears it. “Don’t need to give them any more ammunition to the egg the house.”

Steve frowns and you offer him a strawberry lollipop from the bowl before he has a chance to say anything. He grins, unwrapping the clear plastic over the candy quickly, smile never leaving his face as he sucks on his prize. An exaggerated pop and a corny line leaving him, “Mmm, almost as sweet as you.” Before he kisses your shoulder.

“Steve.”

He chuckles as you look away from him, burning up under his attention, squeezing your hip. “What? Where’s the lie?” Another kiss to your cheek, sugary sweet and you’re giggling like a child with a bag full of candy.

You’d dressed in your witchiest attire for the first Halloween without your uncle in this house. The first Halloween with Steve in it.

You wanted to let the people of this town see that there was nothing scary lurking in between the lavender and chamomile flowers. Just the tacky decorations you’d spent half a day putting up. You’d even dusted off an old, pointed hat you found in the attic belonging to one of your ancestors. Steve couldn’t hide his surprise when you’d come downstairs looking like a character from a children’s book. “Thought I’d get in on the joke.”

As the evening bleeds into night, and you still haven’t been visited by a single one of the children you can hear screaming and laughing beyond your garden gate, your hope of them taking your olive branch deflates.

You take your hat off, quickly wiping a tear away as you move inside and Steve’s heart breaks. Why won’t they give you a fucking chance? They don’t deserve you.

He bounds down the street, imaginary chain mail and armour glinting under the setting sun and finds some familiar faces in the fathers on his crew. He’s clapped on the back and welcomed into their circle, one of the older men asking the cause of the frown etched on his defiant face.

“It’s my girl, she’s a little upset that no one’s stopped by to trick or treat. I know it’s out of the way, but she’s done up the whole front of the house and it looks awesome. Even got full-sized candy bars, which I told her was too much.” He waves in the direction of your house.

“Full-sized candy?” A child dressed in a pirate costume runs up to the group. “Dad, can we go there?”

“Of course. Let’s go to Steve’s.”

When the door thuds shut behind Steve you don’t look up from your position on the couch, instead sinking in further and soaking up any stray tears with the sleeve of your dress.

“Baby, where’d the candy go?”

“It’s in the kitchen. Help yourself.” Your voice is small compared to Steve’s boisterous shout as he locates the goods.

“Thought you said I couldn’t have any.”

You shrug even though he can’t see it, “S’not like we need it.”

The doorbell chimes as he makes his way back through the house, grinning. “I don’t know about that.”

You shake your head, “It’s probably just some kids daring each other to ring the door.”

Steve thinks you look a lot like the little girl in the window as you sit there hugging your knees, his mind flashing back to the bats and screams and your warm presence. He thanks whatever higher power might’ve brought him to your house that night, even if it was just Tommy Hagan’s misguided machismo.

His voice is gentle, “Why don’t you come help me get the door.”

“Steve–“

“Baby, c’mon. Just trust me.”

You huff because you know you’ll never not trust that smile and follow him to the front door. When it creaks open to a chorus of high-pitched trick or treats, it takes you a second to register what’s happening. You blink when a little girl tells you she likes your costume, taking in the group of children on your doorstep with open arms holding out candy-filled bags and the parents giving Steve a wave from the bottom of the porch steps. A smile takes hold of your face, one of the brightest Steve has ever had the privilege of witnessing and you spring into action. You dish out handfuls of candy to each child, who squeals out delighted thanks and compliment every one of them on their costume.

Steve holds the bowl for you, rubbing a soothing hand up and down your back the whole time until the children bound back down the front steps and he waves to their parents. An older gentleman smiles your way and thanks you and you return the sentiment as they all head off back down the garden path.

When the door closes on their excited chatter, you pull Steve in by his shirt collar for a deep kiss. His free hand resting on your waist when you lean back and whisper.

“Thank you.”

He’s dusted pink like it’s the first time your lips have ever met, his hand reaches up to your face, thumb swiping across your cheek that was sticky with tears just moments ago.

“I love you.”

[cholvoq]

BloodLove

3.1K words / Explicit/NSFW / Read on AO3!

The third installment to my Vamp!Eddie AU! I wanted to do something for @steddie-week, and coincidentally this falls under Day 1’s prompt, Hunger/Pining! Tags are on AO3, happy reading!

It wasn’t a date, Eddie reminded himself. Assuming so would be incredibly presumptuous of him.

He and Steve were…something. Nothing he could put a name or a title to but something.

But that night, the night he could barely hear his own thoughts over his voracity, the night Steve miraculously came to his rescue, something changed between them.

Steve now looked at him with a glint in his eye. A fondness so palpable it drove him crazy.

“We should hang out sometime.” Steve offered today during his shift. Eddie often hung out behind the counter, as being home all the time didn’t necessarily have its perks anymore. Especially with Wayne, who still wasn’t aware of his…condition.

Eddie raised an eyebrow. “We hang out all the time.” He was honestly surprised Steve wasn’t sick of him following him around like a lost puppy by now.

Steve gave me Eddie an incredulous glance paired with a scoff. “No, I mean like— hang out hang out. Like a movie or something, at my place.”

Eddie swiveled around on his stool, propping his cheek in his hand. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.” Steve smiled, the soft expression crinkling his eyes. Eddie sunk further into his hand, his own face starting to stretch into a grin.

“This month’s selection looks pretty good and between you and me, Robin’s movies aren’t really my speed.” Steve held his hand up, shielding his mouth from the side. “Plus she talks through the whole thing and it’d be nice to have at least one analysis-free movie night.”

“I heard that!” Robin barged in from a room in the back of the store, carrying a box of tapes. “At least I stay awake for said movie nights. The sound of your dad snoring is still ingrained in my mind.”

Steve tossed his hands up exasperatedly. “It was one time! And I don’t snore like a dad.”

Robin made a face as if to say “You absolutely do.”

Eddie chuckled, rising up off his hand. “I mean, I can’t say I’ll be any better Stevie, but I’ll keep quiet.” His voice sweetened suggestively, trying to elicit a reaction out of Steve. “If it’ll make you happy.”

Steve’s cheeks reddened, pressing his lips into a tight line. He held his fingers up in a pinching motion. “This close to revoking my invitation, Munson.”

Eddie grinned widely, twisting a strand of hair between his fingers. “I suppose I could stop by.”

Robin groaned loudly, rolling her eyes practically to the back of her skull. She turned on her heel and walked to the back of the store.

Steve tossed a hand up. “Where are you going?”

Robin pushed the door open. “To puke!” She shouted as the door closed behind her.

Both Steve and Eddie shared an amused look before bursting into a laugh.

Steve’s heart thumped hard in his chest and he smiled, leaning back onto the counter. “Umm…how’s 9:30 sound?”

Eddie stood up from the stool, leaning forward into Steve’s space. He could hear the blood in Steve’s veins quicken as he flicked a tongue over his lips. “It’s a date.”

…Okay. So maybe it was a date. But not on purpose. The word ‘date’ just slipped out of his mouth and now he’s standing on the Harrington’s front porch like a goddamn Girl Scout.

“Knock, dumbass,” Eddie muttered to himself, tugging on a loc of his hair. He let go of the strand and raised his hand up, hesitating briefly before rapping it gently on the door.

His thumb flew to his mouth as he subconsciously chewed at his nail, hearing footsteps and a fluttering pulse heading in his direction.

The door flung open and there stood Steve, a giddy smile immediately spreading across his face. “Hey.”

Eddie grinned, feeling some of the tenseness leave his shoulders. “Hey yourself.” He replied, subtly taking in Steve’s appearance. He smelled warm and vanilla-y, like he just stepped out of a hot shower. He wore a basic white and red ringer t-shirt, tucked into a pair of heather gray sweatpants.

“I picked up The Terminator and…Ghostbusters? Thought I’d give you options.” Steve shrugged.

Eddie melted internally at Steve’s obvious effort to pick movies he thought he might like.

“I was thinking we could also order a pizza?" Steve offered.

Eddie nodded, tilting his head. “I could eat.” Something shifted in Steve’s expression and Eddie cleared his throat. “The pizza n-not—”

He felt his own blood rising to his cheeks as Steve bit back a chuckle. “Just come in, man.”

Eddie took a step inside, raising an eyebrow. “Inviting a vampire into your house?” He joked, trying to stave off his own embarrassment. “Daaangerous game you’re playing, Stevie.”

Steve leaned closer into Eddie’s space, not breaking eye contact. “Well, good thing I’m not afraid of a little danger, hm?” His voice dropped low, rumbling deep in his throat. It caught Eddie so insanely off guard that he didn’t even notice how Steve’s pulse skyrocketed.

Eddie let out a surprised laugh. “Don’t tempt me, Harrington,” he tried to tease, but it fell flat, coming off a little more serious than he meant it to.

Steve’s heart thumped steady and fast and although Eddie was nowhere near hungry enough to feed, a different hunger gnawed at his stomach, curling hot in the pit of his belly.

“Or else what?” Steve reached behind him and slowly closed the door, hand sprawled out next to Eddie’s head. Steve’s breath ghosted over Eddie’s lips and Eddie noticed how the room sweetened, filling with the overwhelming scent of Steve and only Steve.

“Or else I might change my mind about the pizza.” Eddie licked his lips, looking Steve up and down with urgency. “And the movie.”

Steve groaned, tossing his head back. “Fuck you, Munson.” His throat bobbed as he swallowed and Eddie couldn’t help the way his mouth began to water. “D’you have any idea what you do to me?”

Eddie placed an open-mouthed kiss on Steve’s neck, grinning when he shuddered, just shy of a moan. “A hunch.”

He pulled away from his neck and Steve leaned in after him, but not before Eddie held his hand up, Steve’s lips colliding with his palm.

Steve let out a frustrated groan and Eddie smirked, finding the noise way too cute. “Jesus Steve, not even a foot into your house and you’re already trying to get in my pants? Whatever happened to hospitality?”

Eddie expected Steve to roll his eyes or give him a pointed glare, but his eyes widened as something warm pressed into his palm.

Eddie gaped as Steve kissed the palm of his hand, sending goosebumps trailing down his arms.

“I haven’t been able to keep my mind off you since that night y’know,” Steve mumbled, continuing to plant chaste kisses along the heel of his palm. His heart beat wildly against his ribs, causing Eddie to trace his tongue behind his fangs.

“Me neither.” Eddie panted, resolve growing weaker and weaker with every th-thump. “Can’t forget how you tasted either. Shit.”

Whether the sound of hot blood coursing through veins was his or Steve’s, he couldn’t tell. Eddie felt himself sway further into Steve’s space.

“You’ll be okay?” Eddie asked, eyes flitting down to Steve’s neck and back up again. “I know you’re into it and all but if you need me to stop, just say the word.”

“You’re worried,” Steve murmured, eyes briefly falling to Eddie’s mouth. “That’s adorable.”

Something about the way Steve’s voice lowered, the way his lips twitched into the most microscopic smirk, shot heat straight down to Eddie’s cock.

Eddie tilted his head smugly, taking a step forward. “You think I’m adorable, Steve?” He shrugged off his leather jacket, letting it drop to the floor.

He reveled in how Steve’s heart stuttered in his chest, cheeks flushing a subtle pink. He was also well aware of the stairs behind Steve as he took another step forward, leaving little room for Steve to go.

Steve’s mouth opened and closed, confidence seemingly evaporating into thin air. “Um—” He stumbled backward onto the stairs and Eddie took it as an opportunity, sliding between his legs and propping his hands on the step behind his head.

Eddie leaned next to Steve’s ear, thigh pressed tantalizingly into Steve’s groin. “Is that all?” he whispered.

Steve’s mouth fell open, red rushing all the way up to his ears. His eyes flickered up and down Eddie’s face, tongue flicking out to wet his lips.

“Hot,” Steve uttered, barely audible in comparison to his pounding heart. “You’re so fucking hot.”

Eddie bent down, lips grazing Steve’s neck. “That’s more like it.” He breathed, before clamping down hard on Steve’s tendon.

Blood immediately filled his mouth, thick and sweet against his tongue. Steve squeezed his eyes shut and let out a pained groan. For a moment Eddie thought he’d bitten too hard, until Eddie felt Steve rut his hips forward, dropping his head onto Eddie’s shoulder.

“Oh fuck.” He moaned, breath labored in Eddie’s ear. He slowly grinded against Eddie’s leg, cock steadily hardening against the pressure.

Eddie relaxed his jaw, extracting his fangs from Steve’s neck. He pressed his tongue against the wound to staunch the bleeding, before dragging it across his skin. Steve dug his nails into Eddie’s back, a small sound of pleasure leaving his mouth.

Eddie sucked on the puncture, eyes slipping shut. Steve’s blood warmed him from the inside out, heat rushing to his cheeks and swirling in his gut. His cock twitched in response, already beginning to ever so slightly strain against his jeans.

Steve rocked his hips underneath him, soft whimpers growing into bitten-back moans. Eddie pulled away from Steve’s neck with a small pop, a soft pant escaping his lips.

Steve’s hair flopped over his eyes, slightly flattened from his head being against Eddie’s shoulder. A sheen of sweat coated his forehead, cheeks flushed a gorgeous shade of red. His eyelids drooped low, eyes glossy with lust.

Fuck. Eddie hadn’t even touched him yet and Steve already looked completely fucked out. “Jesus Christ, Steve.”

“Why’d you stop?” Steve asked, something akin to desperation furrowing his brow.

Eddie raked his hand through Steve’s hair, pushing it back to the top of his head. “Jus’ wanted to look at you.”

The corners of Steve’s lips quirked. “Like what you see?”

“Very much, yes.” Eddie nodded, palming at the very noticeable tent in Steve’s sweats, the smallest wet spot forming at its peak.

Steve let out a long, drawn-out moan, hips jerking forward involuntarily. “Fu…” He breathed out, barely even a word.

Eddie moved his hand to cup Steve’s thigh. “Think you can make it upstairs?”

Steve huffed, shaking his head slightly. “I’m hard as fuck, my neck’s bleeding, and my arms and legs feel like Jell-O. Highly doubt it.”

The fact that just one bite could make Steve completely unravel like this made Eddie bristle with a mixture of arousal and pride. He glanced around, eyes settling on the living room. “Is the couch okay?”

“Yes please.” Steve sighed, eyebrows wrenching together.

A sly grin spread slowly across Eddie’s face. “You got it.” He hooked the hand resting on Steve’s thigh under his leg and slid his other hand under Steve’s back.

“What the fu— Eddie!” Steve exclaimed as Eddie lifted him up and off the steps with ease. Eddie laughed in disbelief as Steve’s mouth fell open in shock.

“Jesus Christ, you’re light.” Eddie’s eyes widened, walking over to the living room.

“Wh—to you, maybe!” Steve sputtered, and Eddie noticed a pink flush rise to his cheeks. He let out a snort and shifted Steve’s weight in his arms.

“Perks of being a vaguely vampiric being?” He winked and the flush on Steve’s face deepened. “Just put me down,” Steve grumbled.

Eddie approached the couch, dropping Steve’s lower half a little rougher than he meant to.

“Gen-tle!” Steve hissed, but his tone wasn’t harsh. Eddie chuckled. “Sorry, sorry.”

He carefully laid Steve’s back against the arm of the couch, before quickly climbing on top of him, settling between his legs and straddling his hips.

“Now, where were we again?” Eddie looked up, pretending to think.

Steve roughly grabbed the neckline of Eddie’s shirt, sticking his tongue underneath his bottom lip in a poor attempt to hide his smirk. “Shut the fuck up.”

Eddie didn’t even have time to come up with a witty remark before Steve pulled him forward, lips crashing into his, firm and desperate. His hands flew to cup Steve’s face and he swiped his tongue across his lips, begging for entry.

Steve parted his lips and Eddie lunged at the opportunity, deepening the kiss and licking eagerly into Steve’s mouth. A chord of pleasure was struck in Eddie’s stomach as Steve moaned breathily into his mouth, cupping the back of Eddie’s neck and kissing him harder.

Eddie felt his fangs sharpening, his arousal and his bloodlust growing in tandem. He traced his fingers down Steve’s cheek and torso before pulling his shirt hem up, exposing the trail of hair leading under Steve’s waistband.

Steve took the hint, breaking their kiss to strip the rest of his shirt off, discarding it onto the floor. Eddie did the same, crossing his arms and pulling his tee over his head. He simply stared, eyes slowly scanning Steve’s body.

Steve’s chest rose and fell rapidly, coarse hair flattened across it and dark moles spattered across his broad shoulders and collarbones. His skin puckered around his sides, where his bite wounds had scarred over.

He met Steve’s eyes, which were full of desire and want, and if he didn’t know any better, something more.

Eddie tucked his bottom lip into his mouth, letting it slide out slowly. “You’re beautiful.”

“Funny.” Steve smiled fondly, gaze drifting across Eddie’s face. “I was thinking the exact same thing.”

Eddie dove back in a little too fast, teeth clacking audibly. Steve exhaled sharply through his nose in amusement, smile too wide to kiss back properly. “Eager much?” He mumbled against Eddie’s lips.

“Sorry.” Eddie chuckled apologetically, too turned on to be embarrassed. “Big teeth,” he explained halfheartedly, smiling sheepishly to reveal his lengthened fangs.

“That shouldn’t be as hot as it is,” Steve muttered, pressing a kiss on the corner of Eddie’s mouth before interlocking their lips again, slow and careful but still charged with passion.

Eddie moaned softly, hands wandering across Steve’s skin. His eyes fluttered shut and he let his senses take the lead, listening to the heavy, metronomic thud of Steve’s heart and losing himself in the near sickly-sweet smell of lust pooling in his veins.

God. A noise that sounded like a mix between a growl and a purr sounded deep in Eddie’s throat, the involuntary sound catching him a bit off guard. He cupped Steve through the fabric of his pants, opening his eyes when Steve groaned against his tongue.

“Can I touch you?” Eddie panted between kisses, eyes flicking frantically between Steve’s eyes.

Steve threw his head back, a breathy laugh escaping his mouth. “You’re killing me every second you don’t, Ed.”

That was all the invitation Eddie needed. He sucked his cheeks in, gathering up saliva in his mouth. He cupped his hand and spat into his palm, the spit still tinged red from Steve’s blood.

Eddie reached down past Steve’s waistband and the elastic of his briefs, wrapping his hand around the base of his cock. The moan he got from that alone should’ve been goddamn illegal. Steve immediately thrust into his fist, mouth hanging open and eyes squeezed shut.

“F-uck .” Steve gasped, knocking his head back into the arm of the couch. Eddie slid his hand up Steve’s shaft and grazed his thumb over his tip, swiping precum across it.

Steve’s cock pulsed in his hand, in rhythm with the deafening sound of his beating heart. Just watching him, seeing him tremble and writhe sent a tsunami of heat flooding Eddie’s abdomen.

Eddie leaned down, still pumping Steve at a steady pace, the slick sound filling the room. He licked up the blood drying on Steve’s neck, tasting salt and caramelized sugar. The previous bite had almost completely healed over, save for two little red marks on his skin.

“Eddie.” Steve choked out, hand grasping at the cushion on the couch. “Please.” He begged, echoing himself a couple of times.

Eddie tongued at the spot, continuing to trail kisses down the column of Steve’s neck. Teasing him. He knew what he wanted. He halted his hand movement, ticking an eyebrow up. “Please what?”

“Assh-oh—” Steve’s annoyance was immediately cut off by a stuttered moan, unusually high for him, as Eddie plunged his fangs back into Steve’s flesh. He sunk his teeth further into Steve’s neck, right where the bite had just healed. His blood was impossibly sweeter, heavy and syrupy against his tongue. Eddie’s nerves felt like livewire, tingling and sparking underneath his skin. He pulled the skin into his mouth, guaranteed to leave a bruise.

Eddie resumed pumping Steve, picking up the pace. “Ah— sh-it.” Steve’s voice cracked, back arching helplessly off the couch. The noises Steve was making were straight-up pornography, ragged moans that fizzled out into airy little whimpers. He humped jerkily into Eddie’s palm, pleasure written all over his face.

“Fuck, Steve.” Eddie’s eyes slipped shut, trying to wave off his pleasure threatening to crest over.

Steve folded his forearm over his eyes, chest heaving and neck bobbing as he swallowed thickly. “Gonna cum.” He choked out, his voice sounding foreign to Eddie.

“Yeah.” Eddie panted into the crook of Steve’s neck, unable to ward off his orgasm any longer. Heat coiled tight in the pit of his belly, like a wound-up toy. His hand stuttered on Steve’s cock. If he didn’t do something fast he was gonna cum in his pants, again.

Steve seemed to read his mind because Eddie felt a hand tug at his belt, frantically undoing the buckle. “Don’t stop,” Steve said sharply. Eddie obeyed, starting up the movement again.

Steve threw the belt onto the ground and thumbed at the button, pushing the denim of Eddie’s jeans out of the way. He shoved down the band of Eddie’s briefs, gripping his cock in his hand and pulling it free from the fabric.

It was like a supernova flashed behind Eddie’s eyes as he cried out, thick ropes of cum spurting against his stomach. His abs jolted and twitched as Steve worked him through his climax, moaning into Steve’s neck.

Eddie started working his hand faster and almost immediately, Steve’s breath caught and Eddie felt him spill over, cum warm overtop his fingers. Eddie quickened the pace of his hand, plastering small kisses across his skin as Steve finished, orgasm racking his body.

Steve threw his head back as he came down, mumbling curses under his breath. His cock twitched one last time, finally spent. They stayed that way for a bit, breathing hard into the air of the room.

“Jesus Christ,” Eddie huffed, picking his head up off Steve’s shoulder. He wiped his hand on his pant leg and dragged it over his mouth, cleaning off the blood still stuck to his lips.

Steve ran a hand through Eddie’s hair, at the base of his scalp. Eddie sighed, leaning into the light touch. “You good?” Steve asked softly.

“Yeah,” Eddie said, taking a deep breath. “Never better.”

That look returned to Steve’s face, full of fondness and want. “Um…are you still up for our movie date? Since—we got kinda distracted.”

Eddie’s brain short-circuited for a moment. He blinked a couple times. “So it is a date?”

Steve’s face scrunched into an adorably confused expression. “Y—yes?” He replied incredulously. “You were the first one to call it a date.”

A blush rose to Eddie’s cheeks.“It’s a very common saying, how was I supposed to know? Cause y’know, only people who go on dates are people who are— ”

Eddie froze, eyes going a bit wide. “—dating.” His brow furrowed, matching Steve’s previous expression. “Are we dating?”

The corner of Steve’s mouth ticked up, an amused grin spreading across his face. “…Do you wanna be?”

Eddie’s face immediately lit up. He pulled Steve in, kissing him feather-soft, hands cupping his cheeks. Steve inhaled slowly, eyes fluttering shut. He kissed back, just as gently. They both eventually drew away, faces warm and flushed.

“You have no idea,” Eddie whispered.

Steve’s expression grew coy, eyes never leaving Eddie’s. “So…was that the ‘Let’s make it official’ kiss or should we do another for good measure?”

“You’re a fucking minx.” Eddie chuckled, before once again meeting Steve’s lips, smiling uncontrollably into the kiss. Steve hummed contently, hands raising to support Eddie’s neck.

They broke apart reluctantly, fingers still tracing small circles on each other's skin. Eddie tucked himself back into his pants, which were smeared with dried cum. “Whaddya say we get cleaned up, patched up, whatever—then we can vote on a movie?”

Steve’s hand raised to his own neck. He gently pressed at the bite, healing a bit slower than it usually would, since Eddie broke the skin twice. “Sounds like a plan.”

“But,” Steve started. He scooted over slightly, making just enough room for Eddie to slide in between him and the back cushions. Eddie did just that, snuggling next to Steve’s body. “I wanna stay like this. Just for a bit.”

“Mhm.” Eddie nuzzled further into Steve’s space. “You read my mind.”

Yeah. Eddie thought. He could get used to this.

[alwaysteveswife]

"My girl" | Steve Harrington x Fem! Reader.

Steve and Y/N go to a party of one of his old "friends" for a good night out, too bad Jason was there to ruin it.

Warnings: Y/N being passive aggressive, Steve being tender <3, mention about Y/N's anxiety issues, Jason being a jerk as usual.

Number of characters: 3,942

I've never been a big fan of parties. I'm the kind of person who prefers to hang out with friends in a close circle and eat junk food until late. Unfortunately, my boyfriend was the opposite, so when he was invited to a party and looked at me with those puppy dog eyes he makes when he wants something I knew my plans for the night were ruined.

Now I was standing at a kitchen counter in a kitchen too ostentatious for a 20 year old teenager, drinking coke while pulling some potatoes out of the jar on the table.

Whenever Steve drags me to these things he is by my side, if some people come over to talk to him he just puts his arm around my shoulders and casually adds me to the conversation. That was one of the many reasons I was lost for him. He knew about my anxiety issues and how bad I get around people, so he would always stay by my side, grabbing my waist, grabbing my shoulders while stroking my arm, or just tangling the fingers of our hands, giving a kiss on the back of this one every so often.

To my bad luck, Steve is human, and like a normal human, he has to go to the bathroom. That's why I was basically behaving like the complete asocial person I am, staying away from the crowd and avoiding any conversation that might be born between me and people I didn't know.

"Hi!" A blond-haired, blue-eyed boy with a big smile approached me, leaning against the kitchen counter, "I noticed you were a bit lonely here, so I came to keep you company".

"No need, I'm fine on my own" I peeked out the door leading to the hallway hoping to see Steve. The kitchen was empty and completely surrounded by walls, which meant I was alone with this guy.

"No need to be modest, although I understand why you're nervous" he let out an idiotic laugh, as Robin calls them, the kind that guys do when they think they're impressing girls.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I'm understanding, why, exactly, should I be nervous?" I recoiled uncomfortably as I noticed him getting closer to me than necessary. I hated having my personal space invaded.

"Don't you know who I am?" The tone he used made me gag. "Jason Carver".

"Ah" I nodded, looking toward the door, internally biting my lower lip. I wasn't liking the situation. "Actually, I have no idea who you are, and I'm not interested in finding out, so could you back up?"

"Are you the difficult type?" He laughed again when he saw my displeased grimace. "It's okay, I find it attractive in girls".

"Excuse me...?" Before I could finish, Jason and I were startled to notice a hand on his shoulder, pressing down hard.

"Hey, thanks for finding my girlfriend, buddy" Steve slapped the boy's back hard, feigning a 'friendly' greeting. "I'd been looking all over the house for her" he ran a hand around my waist. I could tell, as I looked up, how behind his big smile there was a trace of anger, he was clenching his jaws.

"Your girlfriend, she didn't say anything to me about a boyfriend".

"My girl is a little shy about that, although I don't understand why she should have told you we were a couple anyway" Before Jason could say anything, Steve moved closer to me, leaving short kisses on my lips while mumbling something about going home to spend the rest of the night together. It went on like that until the third guy in the room decided to leave. "God, I can't leave you alone for a minute without some jerk coming on to you," he snorted, holding my cheek as he brushed his nose against mine. "Did that guy do something to you?"

"You're just in time" I put my arms around his neck, closing my eyes and lowering my voice "And I really like your idea of going home" I smiled when I heard his laugh, followed by his hands carrying me carefully as he ran to the car. "Steve! I'm going to fall if you carry me like that!" I was holding on tightly to his shoulders, laughing too hard to hear the music coming out of the speakers.

"I promise I won't let you fall, honey".

Masterlist

[choccyhearts]

Sweet Talk - Saint Motel // Steve Harrington x Reader

Note: When I hear this song I always think of Charlie and the Waitress from IASIP so I based the dynamic in this off of that <3

CW: Creepy/stalker!Steve (so please read with caution), Steve being persistent to date reader, fem!reader

Summary: "Steve just wants one date with the girl who doesn't care about him at all... (Steve pining hard)"

♡♡♡

"You could yell "Piss off! Won't you stay away!" It'll still be sweet talk to my ears"

♡♡♡

"What the hell is wrong with you!?"

Steve couldn't find the words to answer you. Usually, he was quick to spew out a flirty answer that would further annoy you, but for the life of him, he was frozen. Mind completely blank, empty.

Well, not completely.

He was focusing on how cute your eyebrows looked pressed so close together, how flushed the apples of your cheeks are, and how the fluorescent lights shined against your eyes.

"Just move!", you push him away from the knocked over display. You were fed up with Steve and his shenanigans. It was one thing to mess with you when you were out and about but another thing entirely to come to your job just to pester you.

"God, are you stalking me now?", you ask as you pick up the knocked over cans of food.

"N...no", he says slowly regaining his senses. He kneels down and begins helping you.

Today, he decided to visit you at the grocery store you worked at. Head over heels isn't strong enough to describe how infatuated Steve is with you. He felt a strong connection when he first met you at Family Video. He was lost for words and it was so bad Robin had to cut her break short to ring you up.

Ever since, Steve has done anything he can to try to get a date with you. However, he just doesn't realize this "connection" he feels is one-sided.

He's picked up more shifts just to wait and hope you come around, taken coincidental walks around your neighborhood, and found out where you work through Robin, who you've become friends with.

Robin warns him to cut the shit, and that he needs to accept you aren't going to reciprocate his feelings but he still has hope. She had to pry away the flowers he bought for you for Valentine's Day because she knew it was creepy.

"You two aren't even dating! Don't give her those!"

When you came into the store to rent a couple of movies for a night in by yourself he nearly jumped over the counter to get you to go on a date with him.

"A gorgeous girl like you shouldn't be alone on the most romantic day ever!" You proceeded to shove him away by the forehead.

When you spotted him at the store you tried to hide, hoping he wouldn't see you. He spent thirty minutes walking around until he caught you trying to quietly back out of an aisle.

"Hey! Funny seeing you here!"

You grimaced, slowly turning to face him.

"Can I help you with anything, sir?", you did your best to sound polite.

"Well, I'm just here to get a few of things -- choclates, sparkling wine, flowers, you." You rolled your eyes and rubbed your forehead.

"Steve, how many times do I need to reject you for you to understand?"

"I just want you. You're my dream girl, I know we're destined to be together", Steve reached for your hand and you pulled away.

You scoff, "Ha, no we aren't. You know nothing about me."

You walk to another aisle to try and shake him off. He, like the dumb lost puppy he is, followed.

"Just one date! Anywhere you want, however long you want! Let me prove myself to you! I can do so much for you!" He touches your shoulder and you jerk away.

You go into another aisle and he follows again.

"I'll do anything for you!"

"Then go away!"

"Please, I'll be the best boyfriend! And later, the best husband!"

You burst into a fit of giggles at the insanity coming out of his mouth. You turn and look at him. He smiles at you but slowly realizes you're laughing at him, not with him.

"Why don't you love me?", he says lowly.

"Steve, I don't even like you!"

He went to lean against a shelf and tripped, knocking over a display of canned food.

Your day was already not going well and your creepy stalker making your job harder was not what you needed. And that's when you went off on him...

He watches as you slowly start stacking the cans.

"I'm sorry...", his voice cracks.

"No you aren't."

"I am, I am sorry. I just don't want you to be mad at me."

You glare at him as he gives you puppy dog eyes.

"Why are you so obsessed with me?"

"Because I'm in love with you!"

"What do you love about me?"

Steve instantly perks up, handing you more cans.

"Well, your hair looks so soft and shiny, and it's always styled cutely. And, your eyes are pretty even when you roll them at me. And, your smile is so cute, I love seeing you giggle with Robin--"

Even though it's usually because you're making fun of him to Robin, you think.

"And your voice is so sweet, I could listen to it all day. And you're not afraid to speak your mind. Plus you're strong which is kinda cool, like all those times you push me away by my forehead."

You finish stacking the cans and stand up. Steve hurriedly stands and tries to brush off your clothes but you swat him away.

"Steve...", he looks at you with a smile. "You sound like an insane person. Now go home."

You cross your arms and stand your ground. He sighs and walks out, slumped over a bit with a pout on his lips.

When you get home after your shift you find a bouquet of flowers and a card sitting by your door. You already know who they're from but curiosity gets the better of you.

Once you're inside you read the card.

"Hello beautiful,

I'm sorry about our fight. Sometimes I'm just dumb. I really do love you. To make it up to you, how about a date this weekend? I know you have Saturday night off :)

- Steve"

You groan and toss the flowers and card into the trash.

(This fic went in such a different direction than I had planned and now I kind of want to make this an ongoing series because I have lots of ideas for this creepy/lovesick/stalker!steve...)

[writing-rat]

Cuddles Late at Night

Summary: When Robin can't sleep, she decides to go over to Nancy's

Robin was having a bad night due to being unable to sleep. It was just after defeating Vecna, and she was traumatised from what she had seen and witnessed. She was scared she was going to die, and would have nightmares like if she had died by being choked to death by the tentacles. Robin was soon starting to sit up as she tugged on a shirt and a pair of shorts as she was getting up and grabbed a bag. She packed up a hoodie in case it was cold too and jumped out her window to not disturb her parents.

This led to her dashing over to her bike as she put the hoodie in, feeling the cold temperature soak her. She then pedalled over to Nancy’s house, as she was being careful to not hit anything. Once she parked up, she wandered over to her girlfriends window and climbed up to the roof. Humming, she nearly slipped but managed to keep her balance then went over to Nancy’s room and knocked on the window. She heard a shuffle from the bed as she felt bad in case she woke Nancy up. It was proven once there was a mess of curls in the window, a tired looking Nancy looking out annoyed. She did brighten up however when she saw it was actually Robin.

Nancy eagerly opened the window as Robin got in quietly, who then smiled gently at the shorter girl. “Hey babe, I couldn’t sleep. Sorry for waking you,” Robin spoke quietly and closed the window as she let Nancy go back under her covers. She followed just like a lost puppy and was getting under the covers to take off her top and not reveal anything. Nancy smiled gently as she held the taller girl close to her. “It’s alright. I’m struggling too Rob,” Nancy spoke quietly and held onto her as they were just comfortable in each other’s prescience.

“If you can’t sleep… can we watch a film and make some food?” Robin asked. Nancy nodded. “Does it work for you?” Nancy asked. Robin nodded with a small smile. “I tend to watch films that relax me,” she admitted as she was sitting up. Nancy stretched and yawned as she was getting up. “Let’s go down to the basement,” she spoke and Robin nodded, following happily. They were soon down in the basement as Robin reached for one specific VHS. ‘Ghostbusters’. She then did puppy dog eyes to Nancy who rolled her eyes. “Fine,” Nancy spoke acting annoyed, but Robin really knew she did want to watch it with her. They soon settled on the couch as they put on the film.

Eventually, both of them fell asleep cuddling each other. The next morning, Karen would walk down and see both girls cuddled up, with the TV on and a blanket around both. She smiled gently and sneakily went up the stairs, not wanting to disturb them. She even made Mike be quiet, which was a rarity.

[juuuulez]

hey girl !! just wanna say that i <3 ur work it’s SO GOOD . u got me kicking and giggling my feet every time frfr

anyways cld i have a romantic & platonic stranger things matchup ?? i’m fine w any pronouns but i do prefer she/her, and i dont really have a preference as to gender. age range is like the older teens (17+) for romantic matchups but i’m fine w any age for platonic

hmm. the best way i cld describe myself would be like somebody who just really loves life. like i try to enjoy every day and i really enjoy making other people’s lives better and i love like the arts and baking and reading (!!) and being outside . just a big softie if u will

my ideal first date wld have multiple parts, so it wld go like probably a bookstore trip and then like dinner at some tiny local diner, and then getting ice cream and stargazing (i saw a couple doing that once & it was so cute. instant bucket list addition) and then going home and watching a bunch of movies until we both fall asleep !!

yeah that’s it i hope this came out alr i’ve never actually done this b4.. hope u have a good day !! love u <3

YAAY thank you for the request! your matchup isss:

💌 romantic matchup:

that date plan is so robin coded. she’d follow you around the bookstore like a lost puppy and infodump about her freshman year essay on sexuality in dracula, and she wouldn’t even realise how intimate and awkward that conversation could be, because she’s so invested in trying to connect with you. she’ll rent all the movies from family video, asking steve what’s best to watch on a first date. he’d probably recommend dirty dancing or grease but robin ends up bringing labyrinth and would probably talk during the entire film. it’s not her fault! she gets chatty when she’s nervous.

💌 platonic matchup:

platonic wise, el would really benefit from a friend like you. someone to show her all the amazing things life has to offer, to recommend books and movies that other teens like, which she’ll be avidly keeping a list of. expect her to ask how to bake, too, after eating something you’ve made. better be prepared for el and max to make a mess of your kitchen!

-> request a matchup here!

[deadghosy]

☞𝙸𝚖𝚊𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚎 (GN!reader)

Robin Arellano

Robin always being around you making sure no one fucks with you and always makes sure you aren’t harmed in anyway.

Robin teaching you how to fight just in case he can’t protect you. He shows you how to block and dodge and also do sneak attacks.

Finney Blake

Finn always doing movie dates at your house or his. Gwen likes you and always do girls time with you sometimes, always telling tea and stuff.

Finn always giving you, your favorite candy when he sees you. He walks you home and walks you to your classes like a true gentleman.

Finn asking Robin how to fight so he can protect you. (Mostly to impress you) but he really wants to protect you from his bullies and random people who would want to put you down.

Vance Hopper

When Vance first met you, he was memorized by your face and how you would follow him like a lost puppy.

Vance will help you learn how to play pinball. If you accidentally interrupt his game he will only glare at you and ignore you for the rest of the day.

Vance will go feral if you got hurt by somebody. Might even kill a mf. He beats them up tho. No body messes that’s his.

I think Vance would be that type of boyfriend that will always be use to you talking his ear off, so when you don’t he asks you what the fuck is wrong with you.

Bruce Yamada

Bruce will teach you how to play baseball. Mans will tease you how bad you swing the bat, until you actually hit the ball and it hits his head. (Karma bitch)

Bruce would probably have more energy when you show up to his games. Mans will show more off as if he was on tv.

If you wear his baseball uniform shirt. Man will turn into a tomato. He would brag to Finney that his s/o wore his shirt uniform. Would probably tell you to wear it more often when you are both outside taking sweet bike rides together.

┆a/n: this my first time actually writing stuff like this. I hope you guys like this. Ghosy out!

[jamdoughnutmagician]

Hanging On The Telephone

Steve Harrington x Female Reader

Word Count:1,401

Summary:Steve just wanted to hear your voice, but as is the way with him, one thing leads to another 

Warnings:18+, smut, Phone Sex, Pet Names (Baby, Sweetheart, Sweets, Princess), Dirty Talk, Mutual Masturbation

Author's Note:Look, I don’t even know anymore, I think my horny brain ghostworte this whole fic

MASTERLIST

Steve wasn’t used to not being close to you. 

As much as Robin liked to joke at his expense that he was like a lost puppy without you, and as much as he hated to admit it, she was absolutely right. 

Whilst he could go over to your house, and climb up to your bedroom window right now, and then sneak into your room to spend the night with you, he had a different idea.

His eyes look over to where his phone lay on his bedside dresser and suddenly a plan starts formulating in his head.

He knew your parents would be away for the night, he remembers you telling him about them going to some fancy office party for one reason or another. The details of why were unimportant to him, all he knew is that you were alone in your room.

He goes over to pick up his phone, and begins to dial your number, hoping with each ring that you would pick up. Laying back on his bed he waits to hear your voice.

“Hello?” There she was, there was his sweet girl.

“Hey, baby.” Steve sighs out. 

“Stevie!!” He hears you giggling on the other end of the line, he couldn’t see you but he could just see your gorgeous smile curling at your lips in his mind. 

“So what’re you up to?” He asks.

“Oh, nothing special, just about to watch some tv, you?” you turn the question to him.

“I’m just laying in bed.” he says, but his voice sounds distant, you swear you can hear quiet shuffling noises on his end of the line.

“Stevie?” you ask, sounding unsure. “Are you okay over there?”

“I’m just a bit…uncomfortable..” he admits, trailing off, hoping that you would follow his meaning. 

Oh. Oh.

“Well then, do you want to do something about it?” you offer.

“What are you proposing, sweetheart?” he’s hoping, by the way his dick is beginning to tent in his sweatpants, that you're thinking the same thing that he is.

“Well maybe I could help you out? Offer a few words of encouragement.” your voice drops to what you hope is a sultry tone.

“Fuck..Sweetheart..tell me what to do please..” He whines out, surprised at the neediness in his voice already.

“What are you wearing, Stevie?” You ask, what was the right way to start something like this? You hope this came across as sexy rather than one of those lame sex chatlines.

“I’m just wearing a t-shirt, and sweatpants, nothing special, darling.” Steve admits honestly.

“Can you get undressed for me please..” you ask him.

“You got it, babe!” that was your Stevie, even in moments like this he still found time to be goofy and make you laugh. That’s what you loved about him. 

You listen to the brief moment of the sounds of clothes rustling, as he hurries to get naked.

“Okay and I’m naked now, what did you have in mind next, baby?” you hear his teasing smirk through his voice.

“Okay..um..a-are you..hard?” you cringe at your own awful attempts to sound sexy.

“A little, do you want me to stroke it?” he offers, helping you out.

“Yeah…go ahead. Touch yourself for me.”

Steve does as he’s told, you vaguely hear the sound of him spitting into his palm, followed by a deep rumbling groan from his end of the line.

You decide to speak up, wanting to hear his voice talk to you as he takes himself in his hand.

“What are you doing, Stevie? Tell me what you're thinking about?” You ask, starting to feel bolder the more that the phone call goes on.

“I’ve got my hand wrapped around my dick..and I-i’m working my fist up and down it, but like slowly..I kinda wanna go slow and just..feel it, y’know.” He huffs out little breaths as he tells you what he’s doing. “Thinking about you..I always do..thinking about that time where I took you on that date to the drive-in cinema, you started getting real handsy with me babe, remember?” 

His confession immediately takes you back to being in his car, with you leaning in close to him and kissing up his neck making sure to place small kisses on every little freckle and mole. Your hands wander over his jeans, rubbing over the growing bulge under the denim. That date had ended with you sitting in Steve’s lap, slowly rolling your hips over him whilst you made out, the movie playing going completely ignored as you both tried to stifle any noises and go undetected by the other movie-goers.

“Mmm..yeah I remember that..that was a fun night.” you sigh as your body melts into your bed, amongst the softness of the pillows. 

Your own hands begin to trail down your body slipping underneath the waistband of your panties, your fingers easily run over your folds, finding the wetness gathering there. A quiet whining moan slips from your lips, that doesn’t go unnoticed by your boyfriend.

“You touching yourself there, sweetheart?” Steve asks teasingly.

“Mhmm yes…” you blush at his question.

“Can you do something for me, sweets?” 

“What is it, Stevie?” your own fingers halting their movements for a moment whilst you listen to his request.

“Put your fingers in your mouth..suck on ‘em, get ‘em all nice and wet for me.” 

You do as he says, making a point to do so just loud enough so that he could hear you.

“Fuck..Sweetheart..” his moans are rising in his throat as he thrusts up into his closed fist.

“What do you want me to do now?” you mumble out as you pull your spit-slick fingers from your lips.

“Take your panties off, then slide your fingers inside yourself for me..please” He hadn’t meant for that to sound as needy as it did, but he desperately wanted to hear you pleasure yourself as much as he wanted to get off himself.

You slowly work one of your fingers inside yourself, whining at the feeling. 

“How many fingers are you using, princess?” 

“O-one..I’m so wet..please, Steve..” At this point you aren’t even sure what you’re begging for.

“You’re gonna have to use more than one finger if you wanna..fuck.. wanna feel as full as you do when you’re with me, sweets” he utters out breathlessly, the slick sounds of his large hand working over himself ring down the phone line. 

You slide another finger inside yourself, and moan at the stretch. Pressing on that sweet spot deep inside yourself with every pass of your fingers.

“Feel so full, Steve..”

“I know, baby..I know..Bet it feels real good though, yeah?” 

“Yeah..Feels so good..” you whimpered out, as you lean the phone between your shoulder to free up your other hand to rub quick circles around your clit.

Listening to your heaving breaths, and cries of pleasure Steve can only imagine how beautiful you must look, with your eyes screwed shut and your tits rising and falling with each breath as your fingers work to bring you closer to your high.

A few more passes of your fingers rubbing over your sensitive clit is what pushed you over the edge, coming with a long whining moan and your back arching off your bed’s mattress.

That's what does it for him. His closed fist worked to deliver quick short strokes over his sensitive head, spreading the bead of dripping pre-cum to help his fist glide over himself. He grunts out as he cums, his release splattering his lower stomach in a sticky mess, and dripping down his closed fingers, his mind going hazy from his post-orgasm high.

He barely hears your raspy voice on the other end, checking back in with him,  

“Are you still there, Stevie?” you laugh breathlessly. 

“Y-yeah..I’m still here, sweetheart..Just..wow..” he laughs to himself “I came so hard, sweets.” he smiles, his breath still trying to catch up with him.

You huff out a gentle chuckle "Me too, Steve"

"You're not too tired, are you, sweets?" He asks hopefully.

"Why?" You drag out, teasingly.

"Stay right where you are, baby. I'll be at your place in fifteen minutes, I wanna see you tonight."

You relax back into your bed with a grin, holding the phone to your ear.

"I'll be waiting"

[blushweddinggowns]

This was probably the first “party” that Steve had been to for years. Though honestly, it was more of a relieved, group crying session to celebrate the first day of Max being out of her wheelchair. She’d been up and awake for a few weeks now, but today was the day she officially was given the go-ahead to walk. She was a little unsteady on her feet, but Lucas and El were constantly at her side, intensely vigilant about her every move. 

And that’s how Steve found himself in the Wheeler’s basement nursing a light beer, more than happy to watch everyone celebrate from his spot on Eddie’s lap. It was always fun when they were all together, they could almost pretend like they weren’t on their toes, waiting for the end of the world to start up all over again. 

They were both in the middle of tag-team arguing with Dustin over the merits of understanding conversational tones, or as Dustin put it, “how to nicely explain dumb things you should already know.” 

And Steve was just on the edge of a breakthrough when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He tilted his head back, surprised to see Nancy standing there, looking uncharacteristically nervous.

“Can I talk to you for a minute?” She glanced at Eddie, clearing her throat a little, “Um, alone?”

He could feel Eddie tense up below him, the casual hand on his thigh suddenly tightening. The little display of possessiveness was enough to have Steve stifling a grin. God, he was adorable when he was jealous. Adorable enough for Steve to suddenly have the urge to kiss the hell out of him, spectators be damned. 

He almost jumped when Nancy cleared her throat, immediately lost in the idea because being with Eddie had apparently brought his attention span to zero. 

Steve took a sip of his beer, shrugging, “Uh…why?”

Steve didn’t miss the look of surprise that crossed her face at the ask, like she had just expected him to hop to it without any questions. And okay, maybe Steve from a year ago would have, but Steve from right now was pleasantly tipsy and perched comfortably on his boyfriend’s thigh. 

He wasn’t moving if he didn’t have too. 

“It’s about Robin?” She tried, uncertain, “And us? And I would really appreciate talking about it without the audience.”

Steve almost laughed at how quickly the mention of Robin’s name had Eddie relaxing below him, like he just remembered that Nancy was two steps from declaring herself lesbian. It was definitely something Steve would be making fun of him for later. He was just on the verge of telling her that he was more than fine with whatever they had going on together when he saw it, Robin not so suddenly gesturing with her head up to go upstairs, coupled with her best puppy-dog eyes.

Nancy he could say no to, but Robin? She had him wrapped around her finger. 

Steve sighed, nodding at her as he made it to his feet, “Lead the way then.”

He gave Eddie’s hand one last squeeze before following her up the stairs into the kitchen, sappy enough to already miss the feeling of Eddie’s warmth against him. He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest as he waited for her to speak. Whatever it was he just hoped it was fast, because being alone with Nancy was not something he looked forward to anymore. 

It was the first time the two of them were left without a buffer since he gave her his massive, embarrassing speech all those months ago.

Which, when he thought of it now he kinda wanted to bury himself alive. But could anyone really blame him? He had been on round four of almost dying because of an alternate dimension, he was in close proximity to the one girl he ever loved, and his mom had given him a long and tired speech on the importance of marriage and kids, like three days before everything went to shit. 

He had compulsory heteronormativity on the brain back then, a new phrase that Robin and Eddie had to teach him, but it described the whole thing perfectly. 

He had kinda…just avoided her ever since. Though that mostly had to do with the fact that he had spent the past nine months completely attached to Eddie’s hip. And then the past two having the best sex of his life with him. 

He’d been busy, to say the least. 

And he had no idea how to tell her that, or if he even should.  

What was he supposed to say? Oh, hi Nance. Remember how I basically confessed my ever-dying love for you less than a year ago? Yeah, turns out that was just me being afraid of dying alone. Please feel free to bang my best friend because I’ve already moved on with that guy who almost died and I’m definitely already in love with him.

Yeah, he doubted that speech would go over well. 

Though there was the small hope that she already knew and they could avoid talking about the whole thing entirely. It’s not like it was a secret, or at least, not a well-kept one. Wayne knew, the kids knew, Robin knew. God, even Hopper and Joyce knew, and by extension probably Johnthan. Definitely Argyle, but he had thought something was going on between them before they were even together, like some weird, high psychic. 

Steve had also been sitting in Eddie’s lap literally thirty seconds ago, so maybe it wasn’t crazy to think the news was officially out there.

Nancy really was nervous, nervous enough to pace around the kitchen as she spoke, “I, um, wanted to talk to you. About Robin?”

Steve cocked his head at her, slightly amused at seeing her so…well, human, “You said that already.”

“Y-yeah. I guess I did. Because, um, the two of us are…” she trailed off, face already red. 

“Together,” Steve finished for her, “I’m well aware. We kind of tell each other everything, in case you didn’t know.”

Nancy laughed, still tense but at least she was smiling now, “She warned me about that.”

He smiled back at her, a bit relieved that the conversation was steering clear away from his dumb speech, “I already told Robin it was fine.”

“I guess…I just wanted to check for myself.”

“Well you’ve checked, and it’s still fine,” Steve stepped away from the counter, more than ready to get back to Eddie. It was getting late anyway, and there was nothing more he wanted to do than just curl up in bed with him. He started walking back to the basement door, glancing at Nancy over his shoulder, “Don’t worry about it, seriously. You have my blessing or whatever.”

“Steve, wait!” Nancy called after him, voice shaky but determined, “We need to talk about this.”

Steve turned to face her, confused. Didn’t they just talk about it?

He cocked his head, “Talk about what?”

She ran a hand over her face, back to her nervous pacing as she struggled to find the words, “About us. You and me us. You still have feelings for me and I up and fall for your best friend. How can you be okay with that?”

Steve blinked at her, stomach dropping. So much for steering clear. Though he’d be lying if he wasn’t the tiniest bit endeared by her word choice, something he definitely was going to tell Robin about later. Nancy Wheeler “falling” for her? She’d be over the moon that came out of her girlfriend’s mouth.

She kept going, “I…I know it probably hasn’t been easy this past year. Being in love with me and watching me go after her… But I mean it when I say I didn’t know this was going to happen! I wasn’t planning on doing this to you.”

Steve’s eye twitched a little at that, mildly offended. He started to play playing with the loose neck of his shirt while she spoke, or Eddie’s shirt to be specific, fingers dancing over the pretty bruises Eddie had left on his collarbone last night, and was suddenly filled with the urge to snap back at her that he was long over whatever highschool feelings he had had for her.

But he held his tongue, even if her pitying look was starting to make his blood boil a bit. Because to be fair, it was his fault for opening his big mouth a year ago to begin with. If he had just shut up back then he wouldn’t be here now. 

Nancy was still talking, taking his thoughtful silence for an affirmative, “I don’t…I don’t want you to think I don’t care about you Steve, because I do. And I know the things I’ve done haven’t always shown that. And I know it’s probably been really lonely for you lately-”

Steve bristled at that word, upgrading from mildly offended to full-blown. It made him irrationally upset, like it somehow undermined all of the wonderful days he had spent glued to Eddie’s side in probably the least lonely year of his life. 

He was blurting it out before he even knew what he was saying, a knee-jerk reaction to just make her stop looking at him like that, “I’m fucking Eddie.” 

It worked, her big eyes snapped from sad to shocked in record time. But oh Christ, he was still going, “I’m fucking Eddie Munson and I’m in love with him. And I’m pretty sure he’s in love with me too. So when I say it’s fine, I mean it’s fine.”

She stared at him, dumbfounded after what may have been the second worst case of word vomit in Steve’s life, “Oh.”

He rubbed a hand over his face, embarrassed but convinced that he could probably still save this whole interaction, “Nancy, it is so sweet for you to worry about me, but I’m okay. I’m better than okay. I’m sincerely happy for what might be the first time in my life. And I’m not just saying that to keep the peace or whatever the fuck.”

Nancy was nodding along, still shell shocked but visibility relieved, if not a little self-deprecating, “I should have known. I mean the way you guys look at eachother,” She sighed, “I somehow managed to make myself look worse than before didn’t I? How’d I do that?”

Steve shook his head, “You didn’t. Look, I get it. I was like, obsessed with you for way too long. You were my first love and part of me will always love you. But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing right? It just…looks different now.“ 

Nancy smiled, a small thing, “Very different. I…thank you Steve. I’m glad that we’re still friends. I think I’m starting to get why Robin’s so obsessed with you.”

Steve laughed, “I’m just as obsessed with her.”

Nancy rolled her eyes, giggling as she walked past him, “Oh trust me. I know. Now let’s go, I’m sure Eddie’s wondering where you are.”

Steve went to follow her before pausing, his brain still working through his tipsy haze. And his obliterated filter, “Wait. I think I have something to say to you too.”

Nancy raised a brow and Steve decided to just go right into it.

“I love Robin,” Steve waved off the way she narrowed her eyes at him, “Platonically. But Nancy, she is the most important person in my life. So you better be going into this with the intention of treating her like the queen she is. Or else.”

Nancy blinked at him, surprised and vaguely amused, “Are…are you giving me a shovel talk?”

Steve shrugged, “All I’m saying is that if you treat her right you have nothing to worry about. But if you don’t…just remember that your little brother worships the ground my boyfriend walks on and I am not above having him behead your stuffed animals.”

Nancy gasped, only half of it faked, “You wouldn’t.”

“I absolutely would.”

“Eddie has rubbed off on your way too much!” Nancy glared at him, hiding her laughing behind her hand, “I’ll take good care of her. I swear on Mr.Whiskers life apparently.”

Steve put his hands up, the face of faux innocence as they walked back into the basement, “That’s all I ask.”

Eddie and Robin’s eyes were on them the second they both came down the stairs and Steve didn’t waste any time plopping back down into his lap.

Eddie's arms were around him immediately, eyes questioning, “What was that all about?”

Steve glanced over at Nancy, smiling when he saw the way she had her own arms wrapped around Robin’s neck. He shrugged, cuddling closer into his chest with a happy sigh, "Nothing important."

Preview to the first chapter of this fic

[dimepdf]

BUT IM A CHEERLEADER. + ROBIN BUCKLEY ᵒⁿᵉ

masterlist. / taglist. / any request? [ ❥ ] synopsis. Robin is having a hard time managing her emotions as she hides her unclear sexual orientation and harbors a crush on a girl who also happens to have an eye for Robin's obnoxious coworkerSteve Harrington. author's note. purely inspired by this song right here, i need to see more wlw fanfic for Robin man she deserves the best!

[ ❥ ] pairing. robin buckley x reader

[ ❥ ] word count. 5.9k

[ ❥ ] genre and warnings. wlw, afab reader, cheerleader!reader, friends to lovers, one sided pining, homophobia, homophobic slurs, coming out, lesbians YAY!, heavy angst, Robin panicking, brotp, slow burn, not show canon, drunk confessions, kissing, insecurities, hurt/comfort, self doubt, mentions of religion, slight steve x reader, grammarly as my beta reader

part one | part two | part three

The strange friendship between you and Robin emerged before everyone's eyes, much like a black mole cuddling inside the wallpaper of wooden walls.

When your preppy friends questioned you about the annoying redhead who followed you around like a lost puppy, you would always respond, "I don't know, she's just really chill," as if Robin had just magically appeared in your life.

Being on the cheer team did make you a majorly more popular person in comparison to Robin.

At Hawkins High School, being on the cheer team elevated your popularity significantly compared to Robin, whose involvement in the school band placed her at the bottom of the popularity scale.

Everyone in your class knew you and loved your perfect energetic and caring personality, or at least knew of you and still loved how you weren't as stuck up as the other girls on the cheer team acted.

Robin, on the other hand, didn't really bother to speak to anyone she didn't need to and had about as many friends as she could count on her fingers.

What Robin loved the most was how few people in the school could even recall her name. Her laid-back and approachable demeanor demonstrated how much she cherished her solitude, but it also occasionally caused issues when she wanted to speak with you in class.

Robin thought it was just out of sympathy when you would occasionally just hang out with her out of the blue.

At least that's what she heard your friends whispering to you about, how they thought it was so odd seeing you pair together. It was almost like God gave Robin a blessing on the day you sprained your ankle during practice.

Sure, she felt really bad that you had to hobble around with your foot in a cast all day, but it meant more time that you two spent together after school.

Robin didn't have to worry about you ducking away from conversations just because the cheer team was trying to burn a hole in the back of her head, or guys that would shoulder slam her away in the halls just so they could slide in next to you and make conversation.

The cycle of misery went on forever, but there you both were.

You sat in the gymnasium of the school, next to your best friend Robin, watching the pep rally unfold in front of you, trying to look as interested as you could.

You had to admit that it was strange to be on the opposite side of the gym from the routine you had worked so hard to perfect while not wearing your uniform.

Your chin was resting on the palm of your hand, and your lips were pursed.

You learned that, from the other side, the assemblies were always the same dull tactics used by staff and students to coax you into displaying school spirit, no matter how fancy or exciting they tried to make them.

You secretly also showed no interest in getting everyone pumped up in the morning to announce the senior's final basketball game of the season because your doctor had strictly instructed you not to put any strain on your foot until the end of the season.

You tried not to pout too much considering that most of your friends were still perfectly mobil on the team. Your eyes were glued to the current team captain, Steve Harrington, whom you had found was easy on the eyes.

Robin scoffed from beside you, jolting you out of the trance you'd fallen into as you stared in confusion at your best friend.

"Could you possibly gawk at him any harder?" How could you forget that Steve Harrington was practically another one of Robin's many archenemies, or at least according to your understanding, the two have grown a little closer after initially being unaware of one another and now occasionally quarreling in the hallways.

The moment the boy was employed to work at her job for the start of the summer, Chips-Ahoy, Robin would rant to you on break about how insufferable it was to work alongside the himbo.

Not that you were complaining much, going to the ice cream shop as often as you could with your usual group of friends just to say hello to the tall brunette.

If there was one good thing about Steve working at Chips-Ahoy, it was that he would seem to flirt with any remotely attractive girl that walked through the doors of the ice cream parlor (much to Robin's dismay, but she found joy in marking it every time he would take a swing and miss).

Sure, he'd admittedly become a little shallow since his break-up with Nancy, but that didn't stop you from drooling over the male on the other side of the store.

Much to Robin's annoyance, she was convinced that you would come by more often just to flirt with him than talk to her.

"Yes I could, but for the consideration of the people around me, I'd prefer to be more classy." As you replied with a fake posh accent, Robin made a noise of disgust.

The pep rally ended as everyone stood up from the bleachers, hurriedly exiting the gym to go to their next hour's classes.

You two followed suit, Robin’s arm swinging over your shoulder, not thinking much of the gesture since it was normal for you two to be pretty touchy, having been best friends for a handful of years.

"If they’re all douchebags, why are they all so fucking hot?" You muttered towards your friend, your attention too strung up on watching the male basketball team strut back to the locker rooms on the other side of the gym to notice Robin's scowl of annoyance.

She hated it when you would go on your boy-crazed rants, wanting to do anything else but talk about boys with you.

Just the mere thought of you dating someone made her stomach drop. "Oh shit, he’s actually fucking coming over here. Act natural."

You don't think much of shrugging Robin's arm away from your shoulder, Robin’s face contorting into an annoyed grimace as Steve indeed strides towards you both.

His empty-headed smile beamed at you two as his natural charm worked well on you and it immediately reflected off of Robin.

"What do you want, Harrington?" Robin sneered at him, crossing her arms against her chest as you turned to tilt your head, giving your friend a pointed look before turning your head and giving a more apologetic one to Steve.

"Woah, Woah, no need for the hostile Robin, I come in peace," Steve teased, even laughing at his own joke as his hands were raised in the air in a gesture of defeat.

You giggled like you actually found it funny yourself. Robin watched the entire encounter unfold as it seemed like she was the only one that had known the truth.

Robin tried not to cringe as Steve dragged you into a rather mediocre conversation mixed with a bit of corny flirting. When you spoke, Robin tried not to cringe as his eyes were trailing up your body when you spoke.

Robin was convinced by the way you twirled the one curl that stuck out by your ear.

Robin hopes that one day everything will stop hurting. The ache in her chest saw you throw yourself so openly at Steve.

The unrequited feelings that left her clenching her pencil at the end of the day just to hold back her tears, not wanting to let you hear her cry as you sat unaware on the other line of the phone call, continuing to ramble unbothered about your many boy crushes.

It all just hurt so fucking much. Robin blamed no one else but herself for making everything just so complicated. "Hey Harrington," the redhead interrupted, delaying her greeting on purpose.

Whatever joke Steve was making you fake giggle about, your attention came with a knowing glare as you tilted your head.

Robin would tell you with her entire chest that she was jealous, and would even scream it out at the top of her lungs if it meant never seeing you smile at Steve ever again.

"Hi, Robin?" Steven hesitated before glancing back at you, making a face as he continued to have a full blown conversation, her anger bubbling to the brim as Robin crossed her arms and groaned.

Getting tired of watching you converse, the redhead opted to want to do literally anything else but watch your poor excuse of flirting, side stepping just a few steps away just as Steven linked his hand over Robin’s shoulder, pulling her back by the shoulder of her jacket, parting from the conversation as someone from his team called out for him.

Leaving you and Robin alone once again, you turned to face her, a goofy smile curling at your lips.

Robin, recognizing the doped look, already knew what the next words that were bound to come from your mouth were: you were about to say something about Steve.

"God, he’s just so—ugh! You know? " The excitement in your tone and the stretch of your gestures made Robin roll her eyes, turning promptly on her heels and walking away from you as you tailed right behind her.

"Oh, come on, Robin, can't you just be happy for me?" You acknowledge your kind of confusing stance in the social pyramid of school, not really being liked enough by the girls that were labeled as popular enough to consider yourself up there with them all.

But you were known enough for being on the cheer team. A naturally liked person, that's what you were, who never failed to make even the grumpiest of people laugh on the roughest of days.

"Steve Harrington and the other jerks on the basketball team don't actually care. People like him would toy with any girl if it meant getting whatever they want." Robin answered promptly, but her tone soured as she shoved her way through the halls.

"Well, Billy Hargrove actually went out of his way to talk to me once," you informed, making Robin halt her steps, almost smacking against her back as she comes to a halt, turning around to sort of scan you before shoving her hands into the pockets of her jacket.

"How... fun," she murmured, and you couldn't help but laugh because you loved keeping her guessing.

"I mean, yeah, it was pretty fun, considering we kind of hooked up afterward." The moment that the words slipped from your tongue, Robin grimaced.

Her fingers clenched into a tight fist in her pockets, her eyes glancing up at the ceiling. She had prayed that whatever God was listening to her pleads, would just strike every douchebag you had ever even taken an interest in dead right where they had stood.

Robin detested how emotionally dependent she was on you. How could she be affected by your words in such a way and in such a short amount of time that she would be left crumbling to her feet, it hurt her so fucking bad.

"How stellar." She replied with a breath, hardly even wanting to look at you. She avoided the embarrassment of continuing the conversation just as Robin was about to flee by waiting until the school bell rang.

"Robin?" you called out to her. "My place later?" Robin sighed as she masked her discomfort with the passing situation. Robin gave you a tight smile.

"Maybe next time, I got an early shift today." Robin didn't need to turn back to know you were watching her walk away. Your features were riddled with confusion, knowing Robin was never the type to pass up the opportunity to hang with you.

She was also not the type to pick up any shifts that she didn't want to. You knew something was wrong with her, just not being able to figure out what was going on in her head.

As the summer progressed to the last weeks of school, your ever growing crush on Steve Harrington still grew. Robin hated that you two seemed to actually be getting along so well, spending time with each other without her presence.

You honestly tried to get rid of the feelings you had for Steve, accepting the many time's other boys from your school would ask you to, loving the free food and attention they would give you.

For the betterment of her mental health, Robin tried to ignore Steven to the best of her abilities.

Being her coworker in all, she would make it her daily task to one up him everywhere that she possibly could, even keeping score of his defeat and seeing his embarrassment written in expo marker.

Robin even admitted to making do with her emotions, smothering the heart shattering, painful, reaction she would get watching you fall victim to another date in the corner of the ice cream shop.

Always bringing the sad, boring guys wrapped around your finger to the business after whatever date activity they had asked you on in hopes that seeing Steve’s face and getting free ice cream would help the growing disappointment of being on a date with guys who had the same personalities as a doorknob.

"Did you like the movie at least?" The guy was some geek with a face covered in freckles and big bold brown glasses that you had agreed to watch some sci-fi movie with in favor of him helping you raise your grade in math to a comfortable passing grade.

You had completely forgotten his name and tried throughout the entire date to coax him into reminding you, but the mission hated failed as you came near the end of the evening.

Spooning his cup of ice cream as you tried to look just a little bit interested in whatever he was saying, your eyes not being able to help themselves from glancing over at Robin making faces at you from behind the counter.

"Uh yeah, I loved it when that one guy did that one thing with the sword." No one guy was holding a sword; you didn't want to admit that you had fallen asleep during most of the film.

The freckled kid was too busy sweating over your hand accidentally resting on his lap to even notice that your eyes were closed for most of it.

Eating the rest of your ice cream in a very awkward silence. You could tell he wanted to talk at some point, his mouth opening just to close straight after. You pretended to not take notice of it, reaching to scratch behind your ear.

Robin took it as an escape signal, taking notice that it was a nervous tick that you would do whenever you felt uncomfortable on a date.

A thing that Robin had made a habit of catching since the day she caught some jerk trying to grope you under the table on one of your many pity dates.

She was leaning against the counter when she saw you do the signal and immediately shot straight up. As she advances directly toward you while grinning at her unanticipated new victim, she slams her hands against the table.

Robin was a pro at this point at masking her jealousy with anger saracism, making the kid jump as his eyes widened as you tried to cover your smile with your ice cream.

"Dude, how much of a freak do you have to be to take a chick to see a boring robot movie?" Her insults were already rolling off her tongue as if they were second nature.

If most of the comments weren't so genuine, you would commend your friend for being so witty.

You would agree to the part where she would save you, but I would never agree to the part where she would criticize every guy you had ever dated, almost giving the impression that you needed her approval for the "perfect boyfriend."

"What were you expecting to swap spit or pretend to not touch yourself until the end credits?" Robin leaned into the kid's personal space, all in his face as the question made him turn a light shade of pink, words that he couldn't quite string together, fumbling from his mouth.

"Robin!" You chided, and the redhead snorted a laugh as he ducked his head in shame.

The boy, shooting up from his chair and rushing out of the shop, murmuring something about how much of a bitch you were, Robin, took his seat swiftly and even finished his leftover ice cream with a sly grin.

"You could have gone a little easier on him, Rod." You offered to give your friend a stern look.

"Oh come on, his parents have probably said worse. I kneel to no man." Robin winked, licking the ice cream from her lips and leaning her elbows on top of the table.

"You would think after having to be saved from so many sleazebags, you would thank me and just stop dating all together." Robin scoffed, pointing her spoon directly in your face and swatting the plastic away with a dramatic sigh.

"You would think after being single for so many years, you would finally get tired of hating other people's happiness." You replied, rolling your eyes.

"I’m happy when you're happy." Her honest answer caught you a bit off guard, a moment of silence splitting in between you two. Robin’s face is hard to read.

Shoving the rest of the ice cream down her throat before slamming the paper cup on the table with a thud and a big childlike smile.

"Fine, then what’s your type?"

"My…type?" Robin asked at a loss, "Why does that even matter?" She was now more amused than confused, chirping with interest in the direction your question was heading.

"You said you’re happy when I’m happy, so, one day you're gonna grow up and get tired of the whole ‘boys are gross’ bullshit," you asked more cautiously, biting down on what was left of your ice cream cone. "And I'm gonna be there to set you up with someone that could actually tolerate your potty mouth."

"Oh, you love my mouth!" Robin snorted a little louder than you were comfortable with in public, glancing around to make sure no one was eyeing you weirdly before lightly smacking her arm.

"I'm serious, Robin—" She groaned louder, shaking her head and slouching her shoulders, the conversation deadening.

"Jesus Christ, fine if you care so freaking much. My type is dense cheerleaders that I’ve been friends with for years and don't even like me back."

"Oh, and one more thing that just puts the fucking cherry on the cake. She has to pin after literally the one guy that I despise with my entire being as if liking her isn't as complicated as it can get." She added harshly.

You weren't that inept piecing everything together as Robin stormed away from the table, frozen. Did Robin really just confess and come out to you in the same breath?

It was an awkward weekend spent away from Robin, settled in your house, occasionally finding yourself ready to dial her number into your phone.

only to convince yourself that it would be better to give her time to simmer whatever argument you had left unresolved, hoping that everything would be resolved before the start of the school day.

Your worries were answered the following school day when Robin dodged every opportunity that came your way.

It didn’t help that the one time you were finally able to corner her in the cafeteria was the time that Steve pulled you into a conversation, and Robin seized the window of opportunity to run away without a word being spoken.

The current circumstance reveals that Robin's rambling confession was not the result of some sick joke concocted in her cryptic, disorganized mind but rather came from her heart.

In order to maintain your composure, you avoided thinking about it much. All you wanted was for your best friend to come back.

It was a weird week of Robin avoiding you, realizing that most of your free time that you spent together was a huge chunk of your life inside and outside of school.

Having to pretend that you hadn’t seen her get on the bus, being embarrassed to keep waving in hopes that she would stop the whole silent treatment front and finally speak to you.

You never realized how big of a part Robin had played in your life. The ginger always found some way to wiggle her way into your daily routine.

It was odd having to replace her big personality with someone like Steve Harrington.

You felt even more guilty seeing her eye the boy whenever he made his way toward you.

Like now, had the girl chosen to sit just a table away from you, slouching as she sat down, slamming her textbooks against the table.

You never would have imagined Robin actually studying; it was strange to catch a glimpse of her bent over the desk, intently concentrating on her work.

She would always need to be reminded to stay on course, or you would have to bribe her in order to get her to stay still for 30 minutes.

You also hadn’t expected to see the fluffy-haired Harrington stride his way into the library, his eyes glancing around the room like it was the first time he had ever been inside of the library.

The moment his eyes latched onto yours, it was like a snap of actions took place. Watching Steve being grabbed away from one of his friends, you gave him a kind wave.

"Hey, shit for brains." The familiar sarcastic, scratchy tone made your brows raise. Robin was standing directly in front of you, blocking you from seeing Steve from where you had sat.

"Oh hey, Rod, what’s up?" You didn’t know what to expect the next words to come from your mouth, your finger used as a bookmark as you straighten your posture, suddenly nervous under the girl's boring stare.

"Can you help me with this assignment? Ms. King is really trying to kill me with the amount of work that she expects me to do in just a day." She asked, her pink lips slanting in a sly nervous smile.

Then you noticed Steve, the teenager waiting by the door for your conversation to end. When you caught his attention, he waved his hand in your direction.

"Uh, I mean, I wish I could, Rod, but I’m kinda supposed to help Steve with his." You remember, gesturing to the boy behind her.

Your smile faded the moment you noticed Steve leaving the library without looking back, his arm swung around Tommy Thompson.

"Maybe we could study together after all? that sounds fun, huh?" Robin didn’t bother to turn her head. Judging by your mood, she knew Steve wasn’t going to walk over anytime soon.

The redhead silently thanked whatever dingus-headed Harrington had done to fumble his chances so quickly. Her eyes only glanced down at the table before staring back at you with a small genuine smile.

"Sounds absolutely perfect." You thought that would settle it all; the agreement would get rid of the awkward position your friendship had wedged itself in. "Steve wouldn't be much help anyway. Doesn't he have that super important basketball thingy coming up that I could care less about but the whole school is talking about?"

"Yeah, he's been pretty stressed about it lately." you admitted, reaching to check over her essay, checking to see the work that she had already completed, and flicking through the answers in your textbook.

"It's kind of hard to hold a conversation when all he talks about is balls." The joke was enough to ride away from any other tension that was resting around you two, coaxing a bubbling laugh from Robin’s lips loud enough to get the librarian to stand from her desk and shoo you two.

"So...are you like, okay?" She asked after a bit of silence, making you glance up at her from your worksheet with your brows lifted, the question sort of coming out of nowhere.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you practically fucked your ankle and can’t do the whole pom-pom and miniskirt thing and now Steve is probably chasing after one of your friends." One quality of Robin's personality that you liked was that she didn't like to mince words.

She most certainly wasn't like the other cheerleaders, who would lie right in your face before turning around and whispering something else.

"You're not like... disappointed or envious?" Although you appreciated that Robin would always be honest with you, sometimes it still hurts. You cowered your head and twisted your pencil between your fingers as your lips formed a thin line and pressed together.

Sincerely, you really did miss cheer. You could feel the strain of spending so much time during practice sitting on the benches. It was strange not being able to admit that being an athlete was something that came to you almost naturally.

You honestly replied, "No, not really. Do I need to be?" When you had to juggle so many things at once, you had no idea what was going through your mind.

Should you be disappointed that the only thing that made you happy made you throw up? Do you even have the right to be upset with Steve for talking to other girls? Even so, did everyone think that you two were dating?

Robin watched you puzzled. She stared as if she couldn't quite crack what was brewing inside of your mess of a mind either. "Okay, well if you ever need to vent or like, cry about anything, you know I'm always here—only if you want to talk about it though."

"Oh please, we both know that if anyone started crying within the radius of you, you would jump fences just to get away from them." You teased before returning to your sheet. "Rod, please tell me you know the difference between a verb and an adjective."

"...Yes?" With a wince, she replied. She then looked back at her work, reading the paper as though it were written in a foreign tongue. "At least I think I do."

You sighed and said, "No problem." Stretching your arms upward, you lean back against the chair and rest your elbows on the table. Flipping through your textbooks until you found the page you were looking for, your eyes narrowed at Robin as your face turned into a focused glare.

"Alright, I'm kind of bad at explaining things, so you’re gonna have to bear with me on some of this so we can both hopefully pass." It was a nice but stressful way to bond back with Robin.

The redhead did not make an implied want to bring up her confession, so you respected the elephant in the room, forcing yourself to not bring it up ever again as you thought it was what Robin would have wanted.

Until Robin asked you out on a date, well, it wasn’t really a date, but that way that your friends teased you about it during practice made you feel like it was, "Gonna go scissor with your dyke girlfriend Y/N?" The comment prompted a permanent scowl on your face.

You hurriedly stuffed your clothes into your bag as you hurried out of the locker room since you could no longer take the taunting as amusing as the other girls found it to be.

Robin hadn’t shown any signs of your trip to the small music shop being a date. which only made you more nervous. You saw her cling onto you like she normally did, but for some reason, it just made you feel weirder.

You didn't want to go out and ask if she had thought of it as a date. What if she had said no and you just ended up ruining the moment?

It seemed like Robin could sense your withdrawal, her smile dimming slowly and slowly throughout the day until she could finally sit down with you at the cafe across from the shop, setting her wrapped new cassette player aside as she slid into the booth. You followed suit, glancing out of the window.

"Hey Rod?" you asked, wanting to finally get it off of your chest. "Is this a date?" watching her face turn to a flushed pink, almost blushing the same hue as her red hair. "Uh, I wasn't really planning on it to be unless…"

"...unless?"

"Let's make a bet," Robin had a confident tone to her voice while asking the question, the type of tone that made you want to hold eye contact with her as she continued.

"if this date turns out better than every single one you’ve been on combined, then you have to stop playing matchmaker and let me be single and miserable for as long as I please, and in return, if I lose—which is highly unlikely—than I’ll go on a date with whatever pure smuck you force into liking me."

The bet was agreed to, the afternoon picking up and becoming more eventful as the day continued.

It was a shame you had to admit that you did have a lot of fun hanging out with Robin, and watching her see how many milkshakes it took her until she could get a brain freeze was more entertaining than having some jock grope you in his parent's car.

Since both of you were far from getting your license, walking all the way to the mall for free ice cream was out of the question. Plus, for Robin, it meant having to see Steve, so you both opted for a more local ice cream place.

It was weird to see Robin replaced with some poor guy that you would never really click with at the end of the day. You half expected a Robin clone to appear from behind the counter and walk up to the bench where you two had sat.

Robin’s eyes followed yours, taking a glance inside of the shop, almost like she could read your mind, before turning to you and asking with a giggly tone. "See? Isn't this just so much better when I don't have to swoop in like your knight in shining armor to save you from some guy who just wants to stick their tongue down your throat?"

You sighed. "I never asked you to save me," she reminded him. Your gaze shifted to the cup of ice cream in your hand, mixing it around as it turned into a thick soup texture.

"You didn't," she agreed, kicking her feet under the bench. "But I do it anyway because I know that deep down you truly just want me to.

You know I used to wonder why you would say yes, whether you got enjoyment from just having fun or what you see in them that you…I don't know, it just confused me because I wanted to know why."

"Well, I guess now you know." You answered promptly. "You know what it's all like, and now you can stop with the whole... this thing."

"This?" She repeated her frowned brows and grimaced in confusion as she turned to look at you.

You hesitated to meet her glance, your attention so interested in the cup of melted ice cream. "This...this, gay, thing that you’re going through, maybe it's just because you’ve never been on a date with a guy or romantically interested in one, so you see me go on dates, you can't help but to be curious about what it's all like."

"Wait…what the fuck?" She interrupted, shooting from the bench, dropping her ice cream to the ground, forgotten. You looked up at her with a frightened look. "Rod, you know I—"

"No, just stop—me being...me liking you has nothing to do with literally anything." Her voice was shaky as she spoke.

Robin was straining so hard not to scream at you that her voice was breaking.

She tucked her fist into her sweater's pockets, and you could see the bottom half of the pockets scrunch up as a result of her grasping onto the fabric as if it were preventing an outburst.

“Robin, I didn't mean it like that—”

"Fucking Christ, it's like you're more afraid of admiating that I'm gay than I’m afraid of coming out."

"Well, come on Robin, you can’t be...You’re just confused with everything happening. "

"So you're telling me that my feelings for you, for any girl that I’ve ever liked, have been just this mess of confusion since I was a kid?"

"I…I don't know." You answered honestly, suddenly feeling insecure under Robin’s glare.

"Of course, you have no fucking idea," she scoffed. "Because they're not your fucking emotions, Y/N, you can't just tell me that what I'm doing and feeling is just some weird jealousy thing you're trying to force on me."

The harsh reality of Robin's truth struck you like a ton of bricks. You berated yourself for failing to notice her plight sooner.

The one person in whom you had complete trust was terrified to confide in you the most important secret affecting her life, and yet here you were humiliating her for it all. "Robin—"

"And to think that I thought that hanging out with you would make you realize that—that I'm just in love with you for some reason. I can't explain it all, but I thought that out of everyone, at least you would understand me." You could only watch as the tears streamed down her face, Robing using the sleeve to quickly wipe them away.

"I just wanted one person in my life to genuinely attempt to not make me feel so left out, and when I told you that I liked you, I thought that maybe just a small part of you would at least make an effort to understand and not turn around and act like I'm some fucking hopeless little freak with a disease.”

Robin shouts no longer caring about her volume in the public setting. “God, it's like all you care about is your perfect little life with Steve Harrington and your perfect little friend group. Well, I'm not perfect Y/N, I'm so sorry."

The only thing you could say to defend yourself was, "This isn't about Steve. You are truly at a loss for words as you've never argued with Robin in your life, nor did you anticipate doing so. It is also unusual for you to be yelled at by someone other than an adult authority figure.

She inhaled and winced when she heard Steve's name. "Just stop thinking that you always have to fix everything and do me a huge freaking favor. Some people can never really be fixed." Before you could even process the advice to respond, she charges away from you.

You didn't even realize you were crying until your tears started to cloud your vision, wiping them with the sleeve of your sweater. You didn't fully understand the effort of your words and how much you had hurt Robin.

Since Hawkins was a haven for primarily generic cookie-cutter townies who credited any sense of change to "god's will," so you didn't know much about homosexuality.

Robin reasoned that at least you would stand out from the crowd and were the only person in town she trusted who didn't belong to that ignorant hive mind.

And yet, there you sat with tears streaming down your face, feeling guilty for what you had said to your friend.

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[teacuptoast]

When We Were Kids

Relation: Dick Grayson x GN!Reader, Young Justice x Teammate! GN. Reader

Warnings: Cussing, hardcore angst, death, potential to make you cry, grammar and spelling mistakes because its 3am

Words: 7.6K

Summary: “I remember when we were just kids. Back before everything got so difficult."

A/N: Well this took me an obnoxiously long time to finish. Anyway, I can't tell if I love this or hate it so let me know in the comments. Feedback is always appreciated :)

Navigation:

2010:

“This is your newest team member. Everyone meet Blackouts.”

 I tried to push my shoulders back and fix my posture. Scanning the room I’m met with smiles and uncertain looks. They seemed unsure of me, though that was the last of my worries. ‘I’m a hero now.’ I thought giddily.

Trying to break the awkward silence I raise my hand and respond with a nervous chuckle. Noticing the tense air, the tallest of the group quickly took charge.

“Hello, I’m Aqualad. This is Robin, Kid Flash, Miss Martian, Superboy, and Artemis. We’re excited to have you join us.” Smiling, the boy took a step forward, extending a hand out to me which I gladly took.

Tapping the toe of my boot to the ground I meekly smiled as the one with the red hair took no time in trying to flirt with me. Though he didn’t get far before the girl in green hit him over the head.

“Don’t mind him,” She smiled and bit back at him, “He’s awful at introducing himself to new teammates.”

Laughing I could only smile back, “No worries, let's just say my patience is thinner than it looks.” Walking past the two I gave the boy known as Wally a very, strong pat on the back. As he winced, the girl chuckled, ‘Oh I like them already!’

Thinking it would be best to introduce myself to the others I looked around. I started by saying hello to the girl with green skin and the boy following her around like a lost puppy.

Looking at the boy I chuckled, “You look like you’re already plotting my murder?” With a lopsided look, I turn to find the girl next to him laughing.

Scratching the back of his neck he looks at me with a small smile, “Sorry, that was definitely not intentional.” Waving it off the two were very welcoming. As they were two of the three members that stayed in the cave, Megann jumped at the idea of helping me decorate my room. 

Saying my goodbyes I walked towards my last teammate, the one boy sulking at the back of the room. The Boy wonder, the bat kid, Robin. The infamous sidekick looked anything but excited to meet and he took no time in explaining why.

“I don’t trust you,” He spoke in a brooding tone, arms crossed like a pouting child.

With a closed-lip smile, I extended my hand out to him, “Well I hope I can change that.”

2013:

“No, I can handle the explosion. Get everyone evacuated from the building.” I spoke swiftly, laying eyes on the explosive. Pacing down the last few steps into the basement I steadied myself as the large bomb shook the building. 

Years old dust was dislodged from the ceiling, showering me in particles. Trying to cover my head from any falling debris, the reality of the situation began to kick in. Hearing the cement foundation braking, I knew that if the bomb went off more than just this building would fall. 

In front of me was a large device, something that had to have been pieced together inside the cramped room. In the center was a glowing red screen, reading the number 00:59. Another shake almost knocked me off my feet as my heart began to run.

“Alright this is just like being struck by lightning,” Rubbing my hands together I tried to talk myself up, and bounced from side to side, “Just gotta wait for the bomb to explode so I can take it all in. Piece of cake.”

Letting out a shaky breath I regretfully admitted, “No pressure.”

Clicks followed clacks as the number quickly began to decrease. My mind was lost in the colossal weight of it all, eyes staring blankly at the screen. Trying to shake out my nerves I taped my boots and let out what wouldn’t be my last shaky breath of the night.

Being in the boiler room of ‘The Nation's Largest Tech Company’ was hotter than expected. Sticky heat stuck to my skin as I was beginning to sweat. Whether from the stress of the situation or the warmth of the room, I didn’t bother finding its origin. 

“Alright, the buildings cleared Blackout. Try not to get yourself killed.” Nightwings voice filled the mind link as I chuckled. 00:22 seconds. Wiping the sweat from my face I readied myself.

Placing my hands on the bomb, I responded, “Careful Wing, you almost sound like you care,” Listing to the round of chuckles, I cut the moment short, “Alright everybody T-minus 15 seconds. See you on the other side, Blackout out.”

Feeling the mind link close I shut my eyes in preparation. I was glad no one was here with me, no one would have to watch me tremble. My legs shook so badly I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to stand. My mind was scattered, every bone in my body telling me to run away. I was scared. I’m not ready to die. Opening my eyes I looked at the dooming numbers.

3.

2.

1.

A quick flash of bright light made me shut my eyes rapidly, giving me enough time to pull myself together. ‘I have to keep them safe,’ I thought, ‘No one has to die.”

What followed next was excruciating. Chemical reactions followed a defining bang as I was swarmed by power. Raw and hot power. At first I thought it would melt my skin off, leaving me a pile of ash. Though there I was, still standing.

Shutting my eyes a brief scream broke through my lips as I struggled to keep the explosion from growing any bigger. The size of the boiler room was big enough for a small party of five, this bomb was big enough to kill a party of 5,000. 

Engulfing the energy, I felt like I was being repeatedly thrown through pools of lava before being cooked alive on the sun's surface. I just kept drawing it inward, not letting a single piece go. Bearing the pain was worth it if these people got to go home to their families. 

Then before I could realize it, there was nothing left to consume. The burning sensation turned into a comforting warmth. Like I was being snuggled by a blanket on a cold winter evening. The warmth sizzled like the ringing in my ears.

My feet began to trip as I stumbled back. Catching myself before I hit the floor I rubbed my eyes. Carefully opening them, I quickly forced them back shut. The small embers they locked onto sent me into an uncomfortable pain. Opting to keep them closed I carefully brought myself to my feet. One hand covering my face, the other danced around for the handle to the stairs.

Once I found it, I thanked whoever decided to make them concrete instead of metal. Not like there was any skin on my hands left. Gripping the handle I began to pull myself up through the flight of stare. Each step hurt more and more as my assent continued. The looming threat of losing consciousness and falling back down the flight was enough to keep me going. One step in front of the other, and after slugging myself up I felt the steps level out.

Feeling for the door I cautiously took one step forward. Finding the door frame I cautiously walked through what I thought, and luckley was, an open door. From then I followed the nearest lightsource, hoping to find the exit.

With the last of my energy, I took small, dragging steps into what I believed was the lobby. Picking and piercing and prodding. In an instant my head began to pull itself apart. A whimper escaped my lips as I buckled forward, trying to make the feeling go away.

Before I could realize it I began falling. Though I could not hear, sleep called for me. Air falling around me I braced for the hit, but before I did something stopped me. 

They were warm and I embraced the hold for a short moment. Felling their heartbeat, I reminded myself that I wasn’t dead. That I had completed the mission.

Daring to open my eyes, they carefully cracked open to find another. A black mask covered my favorite pair of blue eyes. They were trying to say something but I couldn't bother to listen; I wouldn’t be able to hear him anyway.

Shaking my shoulders once more I closed my eyes and softened in his hold, before giving in to the calming world of sleep.

2015:

“I’m being accused of crimes I haven’t committed. Crimes I’ve never thought of committing.”

“We have probable cause for believing you’d do something dangerous with your powers,”

I stood in the middle of the hanger, absolutely dumbfounded. In Front of me was the entirety of the justice league; they were having an intervention of some sort. An intervention that was pointless and a waste of my time.

“And that would be a concern if I was a super villain…which I’m not. Do you think I take on nuclear weapons for shits and giggles?” I seethed back. 

They all just strolled in here to what? Try to convict me of crimes I haven’t done, that's laughable. Crossing my arms I looked at my team, hoping they would back me up. Though their expression mirrored their mentors. Some couldn’t even find the heart to look at me.

Batman stepped forward as I turned back to face him, growing more annoyed. Taking strides I closed the space between us. The tense feeling only thickened around the room as the leaguers got into a defensive position.

“You’re one loss away from turning into one. The amount of power you hold is making you unstable, and this conversation is only proving it.” He spoke coldly.

“What am I supposed to do with it, huh,” I asked with a chuckle and continued, “Hey Gotham! I’m running out of storage. Do you mind taking this alien laser beam for me? K, thanks!”

Silence responded as no one dared say a word. Arguably the two most stubborn heroes where locked in a pissing contest, and it would be stupid to try and brake it up.

Breaking the silence I continued with a sturdy tone, “I’ve been given the opportunity to help people and I think I’ve been doing a pretty good job at that.” Tilting up my chin, I held the tension for a few more seconds before turning on my feet. This conversation was over.

Beginning to walk towards the Zeta Tube, I could feel the gaze of my teammates following me. I was blindsided by the information that my friends, by now, my family, thought I was a traitor. They thought I was like Kaldur, and that hurt even more.

I stopped as I stepped through the zeta tube, ready to feel the familiar energy of the device though it didn’t respond how I expected it to. 

“B-07 Blackout. Access Denied.” 

What started off as disbelief tumbled into anger. I shook my head as I felt a familiar touch of air behind me, though it wasn’t Wally.

“This needs to be done Y/N. I’m sorry.” The somber voice of Berry Allen was heard behind me, though before I could face him, my fate was sealed. Sealed with a snap that I’d only ever hear once more in my life.

Heavy weighed the metal around my neck. I tried to grasp onto anything inside of me but it was quickly stolen away. The warmth and love I had grown familiar with were quickly replaced by a sick sense of…calm? The stormcloud that paraded in my mind was lifted, and revealed the wasteland that was left of my consensus.

They had taken it all away. My euphoria. Everything. 

“You people are crazy! I haven't done anything wrong!” I screamed and began to panic. 

My mind raced too quickly for me to realize what I was doing; I fished my phone out of my pocket. As I dialed frantically I didn’t bother to look up at the others. 

Dialing the number I pressed the call button. Tapping my boots I anxiously waited for the caller to answer.

“Hello, this is Cat Grant of GBS-”

“This is the superhero Blackout. They're trying to frame me. Help-” Just as I had cut off the reporter, The Flash quickly took my phone before ending the call. When the phone hit the floor my adrenaline faded, and turned into fight or flight. I was one hell of a flightless bird.

Grinning, I let out a shaken laugh, knowing that I now had leverage in the situation. It's bad press to arrest one of your up-and-coming members, let alone someone who has had media recognition for being a HERO!

The chuckles continued as I looked towards my team. Looking at the league I bellowed out a laugh, “Just wait till the media hears about this! Then you're all screwed!” Laughing more my hands were soon cuffed behind my back.

A rough push sent me forward as I began to walk. Slowly at first, I glanced down at my feet and my laughter settled. Before I could pass them, I stopped. Looking up to my team, my family, I couldn’t help but feel like this was some sick fever dream.

Unfortunately it was a dream I’d never wake up from.

“You're welcome for saving your asses the past 5 years. Try not to die.”

2017:

“And now I ask you to stand as I welcome our reigning champion, ruler of the ring, Obsidian!” 

The crowd cheered as a bright light flashed over my face. A smile passed over my face as I walked into the center of attention. Roars of cheers filled my aids and sent waves of happiness through my body. They were all here, all here to support the kids.

Stepping into the ring, I threw my hands in the air to bask in the celebration one final time. Across the ring I found a familiar opponent. David Alamo or as he was known in the rink, Pops.

Meeting in the middle we shook hands as we gave each other toothy smiles; It's hard not to. With one last look at one another, I say a quick, ‘good luck old man’ before we get into position.

“The fight of the night is here! All bets placed as of now are final. Now let round one commence!” The mic went silent and the room was filled with shouts and cheers. Alcohol and cigars covered the place in its natural smell.

I made the first move, quickly shuffling my feet. My movements were fluid but sharp, together and precise. They quickly carried me to the other side of the rink, bringing me in striking range.

‘Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.’ I told the younger ones. I swore by it. ‘I swear they better be asleep by now-’ I thought.

Before I could react, a fist made contact with my face. The blow sent me stumbling backward; my body bounced against the adjacent ropes. Looking up I met the old man's eyes and as he smiled, “Lost in thought? Thought we fixed that years ago?”

“Yea, yea, whatever. Just giving your fans a chance to win the bet,” Recovering with a quick shake of the head, I refocused. Moving once again my hands raised to shield my face. My previous quick witted demeanor simmered down to a brooding comparison. I looked and acted like a boxer.

Though as he quickly covered his face, in fear of an attack, I kneeled down and swung my leg around. ‘I never really was the Rocky type.’

With a small gasp, he went falling towards the floor. Surprised I had made the first round so sudden, he tried to recover but was stopped by the foot on his chest, signaling the end of the round. 

For the gamblers, we usually draw out the first round. Though I couldn’t let that old bastard make a fool of me yet.We carried on like this for the next few rounds, before I was able to make a break for the finish. Allowing the light to once again graze across my body, I showed a short smile to the crowd.

Turning back into the ring I gave my hand to the man who took me in all those months ago. Although we were both beaten and bloody he still gave that comforting, chuckling smile. Walking towards the center of the rink we faced the cow. Hand in hand we waited for the announcer to finish off the night.

“Your champion for the 6th week in a row, Obsidian!” A large role echoed from the crowd as the annoncer spoke. Closing my eyes I basked in their cheers one final time before opening my eyes to stare into the crowd. They 're all here to watch me, to support me and the program. 

Though my eyes open to find someone who puts a bitter taste in my mouth. A bitter taste and haunting memories. What is he doing here?

My once smiling face turned stone cold in an instant as we stared at each other, seeing who would break first. Unfortunately, that was me.

Three small voices broke me from my anger, “THAT WAS CRAZY OZZIE!”, “HOW DID YOU DO THAT?”, lastly followed by a meek voice, “You’re bleeding pretty badly, you need to go get checked up on.”

Smiling, I looked at the children's faces. I let go of Pop's hand, though he grabbed my wrist before I could escape. He gave me the ‘we're gonna talk about whatever the hell that was later’ look. Nodding I ducked under the ropes and jumped down to where the kids were sitting.

With an unimpressed scowl, I looked down at them, “You guys should have been in bed hours ago! You had fights today! Why are you still up?”

The two pointed towards the boy in the middle and said,  “It was Apes' idea!” He looked at the two and scolded them for ratting him out. Kneeling down I put on my best scary face as he looked at me.

“I wanted to watch you beat Pops…” He meekly spoke. My scary face was flimsy at best and quickly faded. Grinning, I reached out to ruffle his hair. 

“Well now that I did, you all need to go to bed. You have training in the morning!” I spoke above the crowd as they began to shuffle out of the building. Putting a hand against their backs I walked Ape and the others backstage to their cabins. 

Opening the door revealed around 30 other kids below the age of 16, all metahumans and orphans. They live here and train while they’re not at school. We feed them and care for each other. In the short span of just a few years, they had become my family.

Here there's no judgment, they can grow up to become whatever they want to be; hero or not, they were loved. 

Seeing the three crawl into bed, I wished them goodnight before heading back to my own quarters. My steps began to drag as I neared the familiar door. Gripping the handle I entered my room with a sigh.Kicking off my shoes and beginning to take off my-

“You fall off the face of the Earth to join a fight club. That's such a Y/N thing to do.”

Angered I took one, long and obnoxious deep breath to calm myself, “Grayson, I’m going to give you one chance to walk out of here unharmed. Leave now.” Hearing him stand from his spot on my bed I waited.

Stalking towards me I still refused to look at him. The pain he and everyone else caused me was enough for me to kick his ass all the way back to Gotham. I waited anyway, I wanted my chance.

Stopping behind me he leaned towards my ear, “Please just let me explain.” His hot breath tickled my neck, but I didn’t let him get much closer than that. Quickly spinning around to face him I used the moment to bring my hand around. He didn’t even try to move out of the way.

Stumbling back he cradled his now throbbing cheek. Meeting my eyes the realization hit him quickly. He threw his hand up in surrender.

“Alright, I deserve that.” He spoke in that stupid cheeky voice. 

“You deserve a lot more than that,” I said with as much spite as possible, “I could care less about what aliens are threatening Metropolis right now. I’m done with you, your bullshit, and the league's bullshit. Now get out before I call Pops.”

He looked confused, “Pops?”

“Turn around, stalker.” A smile was brought to my face as Pops was seen standing in the doorway. He looked red with anger, the type of anger that happens when one of his ‘kids’ is in trouble.

Looking at me he asked, “You know him, Ozzy?” 

My face settled back into one of distaste, “Old Acquaintances.” I responded grumbling. 

I’ve moved on with my life but I still held onto that feeling of loss. The feeling of being forgotten and feared. The feeling of losing my family and identity all in the matter of a day was enough to leave me bitter.

“We’re teammates.” He protested, though the statement only made me mader. 

My voice raised as I turned to him, “Teammates?” I asked, “Teammates don’t try to convict other teammates of mass genocide, Dick.” Before I could continueI felt a warm hand on my shoulder. It was Pops, trying to get me to calm down before I did something stupid.

The three of us fell into an uncomfortable silence. You could practically see the anger radiating off me, anger that hasn’t surfaced in years.

“The six of us are all meeting tomorrow on top of the Catco building. I expect you to be there.” He spoke, now much more seriously than before. Walking out of the room my eyes didn't have the energy to follow him out.

Closing the door behind him I spoke before Pops could ask any questions, “Please don’t.” I quietly pleaded. I asked him to leave and after a protest, he closed the door behind him.

After a long moment I sat down on my bed, where Dick previously was. Putting my head in my hands I was gently reminded of the collar I had on my neck and fell deep into my thoughts.

‘They didn’t know, and I never wanted them to find out. The kids I mean.

The older ones can put two and two together, but the little ones think it's just a part of my costume. Pops was surprised, of course, you never really see convicted felons wandering around the streets, let alone a newly turned adult. Despite it all he took me in with open arms, he didn’t ask questions and I certainly didn’t share. I always told him that his trusting nature might get him killed. I don’t think he cared too much though.

They loved me like a family…but were they? Did I even have one? By blood of course, though I never got to know them. Then there was the team. Funny how in 6 years so much had changed. Kalder turned to the light, I got arrested and Wally. 

Wally.

I beat myself over that a lot. Not a day goes by that I don’t. I could have stopped it…they know I could have stopped it. Everyone knows. What if this?  What if that? It doesn’t matter anymore. He’s dead and a part of me died with him.’

Showering off my blood and grief I readied myself for bed. I think back to the days we shared one, just like this.

-    -

“Alright, you rascals. Pops is running training this evening, I've got stuff to do. DO NOT do anything stupid! You’ve got fights tomorrow and I expect that we give our fans a good show. Alright!” You demanded of the young fighters. They nodded their heads whilst they finished dinner.

Giving high fives and knuckles on the way out of the canteen I grab my jacket from the rack.

“You don’t have to do this Ozzy,” Pop said, “You owe them nothing. Not a second of your time.”

Sighing I tried not to face him, “I know Pops but, I have a name to clear. You’ve taught me to take pride in myself and my actions,” he engulfed me in a hug, surprising me, “Today is the day I lay my demons to rest.”

Sighing, he straightened out the color of my jacket, “Alright. Be back before dinner!” Smiling, he let me go. Watching me walk out the door I trekked through the rather gloomy night. It was cold, leaving me feeling uncomfortable and underdressed despite my jacket. Though I continued to walk through the streets under the dim lights.

To pass the time I began to speak to myself, “Come on Y/N. Why the hell are you doing this!” Throwing my hands up I sighed. “They probably just want you to swallow up some intergalactic space beam that is heading toward Earth. Yeah, sounds about right.”

My mind began to wander as I almost walked past the large news building. Slipping in through the front door and past security, I began my long walk to the top of the building. Marching up step by step I grew more doubtful. Something about this didn’t seem right to me. Why talk to me now after all this time?

Finally reaching the door to the roof I took in a final breath before gripping the handle, putting on a familiar persona and opening that door.

In Front of me stood the five of them. All together huddled in a circle they turned to face me with surprised faces. ‘Was I really the only one who thought I would show up?’ I asked myself.

Taking steps closer to them I decided to break the silence, “Sorry I’m late. Didn’t know I was invited to the team reunion.” Stopping a few feet from the group I looked to Kaldur first.

“Y/N, you look well.” He spoke, giving me a nodd. A very Kalder-like thing to defuse the situation.

Turning to Artemis I spoke, “Thought you were dead,” and then looking back to Kaldur, “And though you were evil. Huh, time flies.” They both looked away, almost shamefully. I’m glad they're not dead; I’m mad but I'm not heartless. 

“Alright, your here today because I need you all for co-ops mission.” Nightwing spoke, though he didn’t get very far without me interrupting.

I let out an array chuckle, “You're kidding? Please tell me your kidding?” l looked around as Conner huffed in annoyance, “You expect me just to forget everything that happened? Just toss it under the carpet. Let me guess, for the good of the world?”

“Please Y/N just hear me out.”

“Hear me out after I crush Gotham, or commit world geniceide? take your pick?” I asked sarcastically, “You guys were my family, my friends and you accused me of crimes I’d never commit. You arrested me. You ruined my life. And for what? Because you were scared? Do you think the people I saved from the Wayne Tech building were scared of me?” Rambling I took another breath to let my anger settle. A melancholy tone settled on my voice, “Because I was scared. I thought I died. I lost my hearing and apparently lost your trust too.”

After my speech I began walking towards Dick, staring him dead in the eyes, “Was nearly killing myself not good enough for you?” I turned to look at the others, “For any of you.”

Kaldur took a steep forward once again but Megann beat him to it, “We’re sorry. I-” She spoke, struggled to get any words out. It was then I knew for sure.

I shook my head and finished for her, “No you're not. You just want to get rid of the guilt. I can tell it’s eating you alive.” Deep soot was brought through my lungs though I couldn’t bother to notice. My rage was at the end of its fuse…

“You have no room to talk, at least we showed up to his funeral.”

Or so I thought.

“Don’t.”

Artemis took a step forward now facing me, “Don’t what Y/N? You could have saved him. His blood is on your hands!”

“No, it's not.”

“It probably keeps you up at night huh? Why did you get to live? It should have been you. He should be here. Not you.” She spoke with grief laced in every venomous word. Snow began to fall as I realized part of it was true, we all knew it.

I chuckled, the persona disappearing, “Then just kill me here,” I asked, “You’d be doing us all a favor Artie.”

Silence covered us all like a blanket. Closing my eyes I waited for my final blow. It was pathetic, I know. Though the blow never came.Though the smell did. Smoke.

 Quickly I found the others near the railing of the building, peering over to the city. Looking for the source of smoke I scanned the skylines. Block by block until I found the origin of the fire.

“Oh God.” 

Without a second thought, I grabbed at my collar and with every bit of strength I had left, it shattered in my hands. The feelings rushed back at me all at once. The feeling of a motherly hug, the feeling of a nice drink on a cold autumn day. The feeling of family.

Adrenaline pumping through my veins I plunged over the railing, hearing shouts from above. My feet never even hit the ground. I could only think about that building, those memories, and my family. 

As I neared the building the smoke billowed and turned black. Stopping at the front door I had the harsh realization. Before you could even enter the building, the explosions started. Taking the blistering reactions one by one, I couldn’t even realize as I busted through the door screaming for survivors. Running through the ring I found myself backstage. ‘Right, Left, Left,’ my mind ran as I hoped and hopped and-

Arriving at the door I pulled at the handle but no one answered my screams. I disregarded the handle and punched through the metal door desperately. After my hands had grown bloody, the door swung open. Rushing inside to see a horror I couldn't describe. Amongst the flames, I unravel in anguish. ‘They died together, as a family.’

2018:

New York. The city that never sleeps. Good thing too, or else I’d be out of a job.

My boots rustle the gravel on top of the building as I get into position. The skyline flashes through my dark glasses, reflecting back into the city. Taxis and bustling citizens flood through the streets constantly filling what would be silence with inaudible chatter.

Their lives are so simple, so minuscule. It makes me jealous. Nothing matters more to them than their next work project or their kid's dance recital. They don’t get to lose anything, destined to live the rest of the meaningless life inside the bubble of make belief.

I tried to rebuild my bubble, though it broke a long time ago. There's too much to come back from and no one to go home to. Maybe I'm just like the thousands of ants below me. Destined for nothing more than to scramble mindlessly till I die.

Or I can leave a legacy. Trust me,I prefer the latter.

 “Breaking new! A new development has been made in the Blackout case…”

Watching over time square, I threw my bag over my shoulder and began to scramble through it. My hand brushed past weapons and lists before pulling out my desired item. 

Opening the plastic bag I cheered in front of the big screen, “Oh yes! Popcorn for this cinematic masterpiece!” Stuffing my face and sitting over the ledge comfortably I watched as the broadcast continued.

“For those of you who are joining us, we have been following a potential blackmail case including former up-and-coming hero Blackout. In 2013 Blackout broke out into the superhero scene after diffusing a bomb inside a Wayne Tec building, saving over 2,000 workers inside.” A photo of a much younger version of myself flashed onto the screen. 

That stupid toothy smile made me laugh. My face was covered by a black domino mask to match the rest of my suit. My hair was combed back and my eyes were naive. The next clip they showed was a piece of cellphone footage from that day at Wayne etc. I stumbled out into the lobby all beaten and bloody just to see my teammates chase in after me.

“Can you believe I did that? I was 17 when I took in my first bomb!” I started with no one in particular. Pointing and shouting at the screen I continued to enjoy myself as the broadcast continued.

Cat Grant appeared on the screen again, “In 2015 I received a sudden and desperate call from the young hero,” a familiar audio clip began to play on the screen, “This is the superhero Blackout. They're trying to frame me. Help-”

I sounded so desperate, so surprised. I still find it funny how I decided to call Cat Grant of all people. Not like I could have much of anything else surrounded by the whole league.

“Sense that day 3 years ago there has been no public appearance of the hero, only a brief public statement by the league,” The screen then cut to a press meeting at the hall, “Lastly Blackout has announced their retirement. That is all, thank you.”

Kicking my feet I was getting excited for what was going to be next, “The change was brief and sudden. A promising hero retiring only after a 5-year career? Along with the chilling phone call, my team and I decided to dig deeper. The hero that has saved millions of us just to fall off the face of the planet doesn't sit right with what the Justice League stands for.”

The screen flashed once more, “2 days ago we were anonymously gifted 2 hours' worth of footage showing the true story of what happened to our beloved hero before they made that call. Here is that footage.”

Stealing the footage from the watchtower database was brilliant! I was surprised they didn’t scrub the footage. Now they’re really gonna regret it.

The screen shows me stuttering and stumbling, trying to piece together words I didn’t have, “I’m being accused of crimes I haven’t committed. Crimes I’ve never thought of committing-” The screen flashed black as the transmission was seemingly cut off.

“What! No! We were just getting to the good part!” I exasperated, “This isn’t far…first no freedom to a fair trial and now they're coming for the freedom of the press too!”

The screen then flickered back, this time with a different image, “We at the Justice League believe in protecting the citizens of this world at all costs. That's why Blackouts' dishonorable discharge was stated as a retirement. In truth, Blackout was abusing their power for an ulterior motive. They have been deemed a danger to the people and were properly discharged.”

The big bat didn’t seem finished yet, “There is no conspiracy. Blackout was and still is a very dangerous criminal.” Batman finished as the broadcast ended. In a fit of rage, I threw my popcorn over the side of the building. 

My back hitting the gravel I stared up into the night sky in disbelief. “Unbelievable,” I said dryly. The smoggy sky covered most of the stars that showed through, they smiled back at me. I wonder what it's like to be a star.

After a few moments, the gravel shifted next to me. I didn’t bother looking, I already knew who it was.

“Why won't you just let me live a normal life.”

He didn’t answer so we fell into a comfortable silence. A part of me was trying to run away and wreak some havoc while I still could. The 17-year-old kid inside stopped me though. I think they would have wanted me to at least try.  

The stars almost seemed to shine brighter when I was with him. It took me back to the time where we’d do this almost every night.

Chuckling next to me he spoke in a soft tone, “Do you ever wonder what could have been if-”

“If I wasn’t convicted of potential murder?” I asked lightheartedly, “Yeah, I think about it more than I should.” Shifting to look at him with a bittersweet smile I looked at my best friend, or whatever we were.

Regret followed him around like the plague. His parents, Wally, Me. He was carrying more baggage then he could handle, and part of me pitied him for it.l

“You don’t have to apologize. There's not enough of me left to hold what happened against you.” I spoke softly. For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t speaking to him with spite or hatred.

“Some of the newer members still ask about you,” he said, still not turning to face me, “It's a touchy subject for most of us, so we usually just say your ability became too strong and leave it at that.”

I hummed in response before asking another question, “How is everyone? I heard Garfeilds super famous now. God, I remember when he was just a kid.”

“I remember when we were just kids. Before everything got so difficult," He whispered as more silence fell over us, smothering us.

“Can you be honest?” I asked, eyes pleading, “Was I really starting to lose it?”

He took a deep breath in and bit his lip. He seemed to be fighting with himself for an answer but, eventually met my eyes, “I think I loved you too much to notice.” Taking his hand in mine I let the reality of it all sink in.

Chuckling I turned away and looked up back towards the stars, “God we’re so fucked up.”

And we stayed like that for a long time. Reminiscing in what was and what could have been. The times we smiled at each other across the cave, the times we would watch the same night sky together in each other's embrace.

Under the stars we stood, star crossed lovers. Destined to fall in love and destined to fall apart.

Sitting up I glanced at the city one last time, my voice small, “Dick, I think I’m dying.” 

Before I could get another word out I was engulfed in a tight hug, because he’s known that for a long time.

2020:

This was bad…really bad. Like the end of everything and everyone bad. Everyone was here, even that one British dude in a trench coat showed up to try and stop it. I swear every superhero still alive and kickin’ was surrounding this thing.

In the middle of them was what I could only assume was an explosive, though it was hard to see. A massive ship blocked the sun overhead causing not only Metropolis but half the western hemisphere to be blanketed in darkness. It grew colder by the minute as people ran away from the device.

With the tides of people rushing past me, I couldn’t find the energy to walk away. Too much pain, too much power. So I sat on some lonesome park bench, waiting for my impending doom.

The heros scrambled around trying to figure out what to do with it. Distant shouts and commands were heard as they tried everything. This is the end of the world as we know it, and here I am, basking in the shadows.

It's petty, I know, but I can’t find it in me to help. Why?

Why me? 

Why does it always have to be me?

Why do I have to save the people who never saved me?

It's not fair.

“Come on Y/N, you know what you have to do.”

Looking to the side I see a familiar head of red hair. Laughing I shamefully spoke, “Now I’m really starting to lose it.” Sighing I rub a hand over my face. First the paranoia and now hallucinations. It's almost like death is taunting me.

“Hey just think, once you’re here we can hang out and watch scary movies and mock romcoms forever! It gets lonely up here after a while,” He said with a small voice. I know part of it was to pull my leg, but I knew there must have been some truth to him being here. To die so young must be tragic.

With a bashful look, I glanced at where his white figure ‘stood’, “You’re not guilty of tripping me into dying, Wally.”

“Well you owe me one after you didn’t show up to my funeral,” He said, crossing his arms playfully. I look at him with a deadpan stare. 

“I would have if I wasn’t a convict,” My chuckle simmered down quickly, realizing I might as well confess. Whether it was the real spirit of Wallace West or not, I needed to let go before I couldn’t.

Drifting to the floor my eyes began to gloss over. For the first time in a long time, the part of me still living, was crying. “I’m sorry. You’d still be alive and Artemis would still be happy if I was there. You shouldn’t have died because I couldn’t get my shit together.”

Looking up to him with a teary face, I cracked out an apology, “I’m so sorry Wally.”

Smiling he looked at my broken state, “Me too,” his face then turned remorseful, “You might not believe me but, all of this was for your own sake Y/N.”

With the strength I had left, I peeled myself from the dim park bench and after wiping my tears, I began to walk towards the others, “I’m sure it was Wally,” waving I said my goodbye to the figment, “See you around.”

The sea of heroes split as my sickly form made its way towards the device. No one stopped me and no one wanted to. This was it, this was my destiny.

As I neared the center I sighed. Every bone in my body felt like it had been shattered, every piece of humility was gone with my conscience. In that moment, the last ounce of my humanity hidden deep within the darkness of my soul, shown through.

Suddenly a light hand was placed on my shoulder, “Can you do it?’

Never in my life would I think Batman would be comforting me in my final moments. Letting the reality of it all sink in, I nodded slowly in response. I put both hands on my coffeen and prepared myself one final time.

Has it really all led to this? All the tears and all my regrets, right to this moment. No, not the end of the world, the end of me. 

Y/N, Blackout, Obsidian, and finally you, Stockpile. I am more of you than you are of me. The parasite I was born with, took me in a swift 24 years. A painful, regretful, 24 years of I've lived.

You took everything from me. You made me hungry for more. Just energy; not love nor respect. Bless the soul whose heart you’ll break next. Now I welcome death with open arms and walk a trail I've only dreamed of. I train that you are not on.

The ghost of a smile paints the faces of the people who shut you out, as a white flash fills the dark void. No look of regret or fear in anyone's eyes. Trust from the ones who distrusted me the most. Crackles and strikes of light follow next as I begin to consume. Every piece swallowed whole as the beast roared inside of me.

Before I know it, it's over. Stumbling, I begin to fall, yearning to release the warmth. Holding in the screams of thousands of demons, I clutch my chest. Though I fall into a familiar embrace. Taking my squirming as a signal, I feel the large blade drive through my chest. I’m only left to smile. Smile knowing I wouldn’t be in pain much longer.

Crying over me Dick pleads for forgiveness, though I shook my head in disagreement. He was simply putting me out of my misery. Nothing is more poetic than dying at the hands of your first love.

Shushing him one last time I held my eyes open just long enough to see his blue ones, one final time.

“I’m a hero now.”

A/N: Please let me know what your thoughts are on the story. I was kinda on the fence about posting it so I'd love to hear from you.