#same aunt who told me excitedly about her gay work friend

[alalumin]

Apparently my aunt is a fan of the Venom movies and now that she knows I love them wants to go to the cinema together in October

[chaoticowlpost]

Okay since we both love Harry Potter and captive prince what about a ficlet where drarry try to learn about historical gay figures (cause it’s pride) and they learn the story of Lamen and they fall in love with it (cause let’s face it the story shares similarities with drarry) and then maybe Harry gifts Draco a golden cuff bracelet or a sapphire earring or something like that to show him his love.. idk I just think it would be cute to see these two fandoms collide!! Xx

oKAY SO I HAD TO REALLY THINK ABOUT THIS bc like everything I thought of is gonna end up really long; it’s inevitable. ALSO I ended up changing details of Captive Prince so it would fit (even if u don’t actually see all the details) (but the idea of the story stays the same) and omg there’s so much world building I thought of that weren’t included but I hope you like it kdsjjhfgbfdg

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“I found one! It’s perfect!”

Harry looked up from the book he was scanning and turned to face his boyfriend, who was waving a book excitedly in the air. They were partners for 5th Year History of Magic, because they were dating, so it was only natural, and had to create a paper on historical figures.

And, to their mutual agreement, they wanted to find gay historical figures that made an impact on history because they felt like there weren’t enough that were well known. That, and because they were sick of seeing the erasure of gay relationships in the past and they wanted to present something that was indisputable. 

“Can I see?” Harry asked, making his way over to where Draco sat himself on the library floor. The book, much to Harry’s relief, seemed reasonably long. Reasonably, meaning long enough to provide them with enough information but not too long that it would want to make Harry smash his head against it. 

“It’s set in the 1700s, when monarchies were still a thing for both Greece and France,” Draco explained, pointing at the lines in the book where it was stated. “Apparently, their two kingdoms disliked each other quite a lot”

“Dislike seems to be an understatement,” Harry snorted his eyes scanning the page. 

“Not the point,” Draco waved him off, eyes still gleaming wildly with excitement, making Harry smile fondly. “Look! So both monarchs were, evidently, wizards, and there was some plot to overthrow Damianos - a crowned prince - by his brother.”

“His brother?” Harry frowned. “That’s awful.”

“It makes sense for their time, I suppose,” Draco shrugged, giving him a sidelong glance. “He ended up being sent to the Kingdom of Vere as a slave to their crowned prince.”

“And he didn’t just ask for help because….?” Harry asked.

“Because they hate each other,” Draco reiterated patiently. “He thought he’d get killed faster by revealing who he was.”

“Just how badly do they hate each other for them to kill him on sight?” 

Draco paused for a second to scan the book before looking back at him. “So, he killed the real Crowned Prince of Vere, his older brother, and apparently they were very close.”

“I.. I see, then,” Harry sighed, finding himself more and more invested in their story. “And you’re telling me that they become lovers?”

“It sounds quite unlikely,” Draco nodded in agreement. “But that’s what happened, as it were. Here, it’s written in the text that they were what brought peace back between the two countries.”

“Huh,” Harry said, both somewhat stumped and impressed. “Alright, this story will work, I suppose.”

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

“I would like to speak on behalf of Draco Malfoy.”

There was a collective gasp from scattered members of the audience after seeing Harry Potter practically force his way into the courtroom. Ron and Hermione, ever the good friends they are, were standing behind him as well.

The judge looked at a loss for how to proceed, considering that he wasn’t officially listed as a witness for the case, and practically stared at the man who was now considered a war hero. Clearly, the judge was fighting an internal battle on whether or not he could waive those rules in this case.

However, Harry didn’t even notice. No, his eyes bore heavily into Draco Malfoy’s own eyes, dulled and exhausted but still staring back at him before looking back down. He looked unsure of himself, and unsure of why Harry was standing in the room, demanding to be allowed to defend him. It was understandable, considering everything he’s been through.

Everything Harry had just discovered.

“We will make a consideration for you to speak on behalf of Draco Malfoy,” Kingsley’s voice boomed through the near-silent room. Harry shot the newly appointed Minister a gratuitous expression with a wordless thanks and took a seat, waiting for the witness before him to finish her statement.

“Draco Malfoy bears the mark of a Death Eater, that much is confirmed,” were the first words out of Harry’s mouth. It was evident from many of the faces that they were starting to doubt whether he was really there to defend Draco, his former lover.

“But does that make him a real Death Eater?” he asked. Louder whispers erupted from the audience, loud enough that the judge had to call for silence in the room. “What I mean by that is: Did he uphold their values? Did he partake in their violent raids and contribute to the torture of countless victims?”

Dubious glances were exchanged, because they’ve all heard the previous witness statements. He was present, yes, but Harry knew for a fact that they never said he actually cast spells that hurt them.

“Draco Malfoy is a good man.” At this, Draco’s head snapped up to look at him, disbelief and shock written all over his expression. “I know the man I dated before 6th year, before you started distancing yourself from everyone and disappearing.”

At this point, he wasn’t even talking to the audience anymore. He was talking to Draco, who looked at him with the uncertainty that made Harry’s heart ache, because he doesn’t believe him. 

“From what we’ve heard from the previous statements, he was present - yes - but he never actually cast the spells that hurt them,” Harry pointed out, this time talking to the crowd. “He wouldn’t. He can’t.”

“What makes you say that, Mr. Potter?” the judge asked him.

“He couldn’t cast a killing curse on Albus Dumbledore,” he said. More shock from everyone listening, including his own best friends. “He didn’t, I was there when Death Eaters invaded Hogwarts.”

That ruled off one of his accusations, but Harry knew that there was still more convincing to be done. 

“He told me that his au- Bellatrix tried teaching him to cast a Crucio over the summer before our 6th year, but it would never work,” Harry added, remembering the detailed letter that made him want to wretch.

It was during their 6th year that they broke up; after Draco had been avoiding him constantly and sneaking around. Harry knew there was something wrong, especially since he knew his Aunt was hiding in the Manor, but he didn’t know that Draco was already on a mission then.

“He only became a Death Eater to protect himself and his mother,” Harry said, watching as Draco’s eyes grew wider. “If a person, more so a minor, is coerced through violence, and possibly death, can you blame him for taking the mark? Especially when his father was a part of the people that threatened him?”

Clearly, some people were beginning to think about the situation more. There were some casting odd glances at Draco, who dutifully kept his eyes on Harry. 

“And what of his presence at all the attacks?” the judge asked him. “Maybe he didn’t cast the spells, but as a witness who allowed this behavior to occur, there are still repercussions.”

“Might I also be allowed to add, in defense to Draco Malfoy?”

Luna’s airy voice floated through the hall, making Harry jump slightly from surprise at her silent entrance. He let out a small sigh of relief upon realizing that she had finally arrived, just like she said she would.

“You may,” Kingsley said before the judge could even speak, possibly to repeat the same words he spoke to Harry when he first barged in.

The judge asked if Harry was ready to step off, to which he nodded and made room for Luna to pass.

“Draco was very kind to the people they tortured.” Despite the light tone she used, her face was slightly more grave and gloomy compared to what it normally was when they were back in school. Either way, she radiated the same, kind energy she always did.

“Whenever he had the chance, he would take care of those who got hurt,” she said. “I should know; I was kept prisoner in the Malfoy Manor.”

That wasn’t a public secret, but the knowledge that Draco Malfoy had taken care of them must be a surprise. It certainly was when Harry found out.

“Can you confirm that, to your knowledge, he has never caused harm to another person throughout your captivity?”

“Yes,” she replied almost immediately. The judge seemed to consider this for a moment before directing his attention to the Wizengamot. Harry, however, was already distracted, looking towards Draco, who was no longer meeting his eyes. 

There were a few more questions asked, but Harry had already zoned them out. He just wanted Draco to look at him, to comfort Draco so that he knew that he would be taken care of, and that everything was going to turn out alright.

“-that Draco Lucius Malfoy will be subjected to probation for 2 years and the payment of reparation fees.”

Harry practically jumped out of his seat once the jury was dismissed, running straight to Draco, who was patiently waiting as the spells around his wrists were undone.

“Draco,” he said softly. He didn’t even wait for a response before wrapping his arms around the blond, who felt concerningly thinner in his arms. 

“I’m sorry,” Draco breathed out shakily. “I know- I didn’t-”

“Shh,” Harry hushed, running his hand soothingly over Draco’s back. “I know. I understand, and I’m sorry too.”

“Why are you sorry?” Draco asked incredulously, pulling away from the embrace. 

“I’m sorry for letting you go so easily,” Harry said honestly. 

“I’m sorry for pushing you away,” was Draco’s response.

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

“I missed you,” Draco whispered into Harry’s chest. They were seated on his bed in Grimmauld Place, just 2 months after the trial. Even though they’ve been inseparable all that time, Draco still said those words often.

“I missed our conversations.”

Those words made Harry’s heart hurt, reminding him of the pain that he felt when they broke up before.

“You have me now,” Harry said in the same, whispered tone. 

“It was hard,” Draco added after a few beats of silence. “Not knowing whether you were okay.”

“I know,” Harry said, the sound of his heartbeat beginning to thunder in his ears. “I’ve been doing some research.”

“That’s new,” Draco teased, looking up at him from where he laid his head on Harry’s chest.

“Prat,” Harry rolled his eyes fondly. “I mean - and you don’t have to do this, I completely understand, - but, well, there’s this spell…”

“Yes, Harry?” Draco urged, clearly becoming impatient.

“It’s not a bonding spell! Well, kinda. It’s like, a spell that lets us know how the other is doing. Health-wise!” Harry rambled, sounding less and less appealing with every word.

Draco chuckled softly, his shoulders shaking against Harry’s body.

“It sounds… nice,” he said eventually, giving the idea some thought.

“Yeah?” Harry asked. “Because I’m not really done researching it so there’s still a lot to be learned- if that’s alright? I know it’s probably not the most-”

“Harry,” Draco said softly, a small smile on his lips. “I’d love to try it out. We can do the research together.”

“Brilliant!” Harry exclaimed, probably a bit too enthusiastically. Draco was smiling, though, so it was okay. “But I should probably warn you that it leaves gold markings on your wrist - that’s how we monitor each other - so if you don’t want anyone to see it, then I get it and we don’t have to-”

“Harry,” he repeated, looking more and more amused every second. “It’s alright with me.”

“Okay,” Harry said, letting out a small breath of relief. Then they sat quietly, simply enjoying each other’s presence.

“Do you remember those Kings we did research on back in 5th Year?” Draco asked.

“Yeah,” Harry nodded slowly, unsure as to why he was suddenly bringing their old project back up. “Why?”

“Oh, nothing,” Draco singsonged. “It’s just, you seem to have taken quite some notes from them recently.”

Events from the past few months flashed through his head before he broke into a wide grin.

“I hadn’t realized,” he laughed. “Does this make you my captive prince?”

“No longer captive, love,” Draco laughed, the term of endearment making Harry feel giddy inside. 

“Besides the point,” Harry waved off. Even the spell they were planning to cast was oddly reminiscent of the story. 

“Well, I did rather enjoy your grand entrance during my trail, I suppose,” Draco hummed. 

“I did too.”

“Idiot,” Draco laughed fondly, hitting him lightly before pulling himself closer to Harry.

“I love you,” he whispered softly, only for Harry to hear despite the fact that they were alone in their room.

“I love you too.”

-————————————————-

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JDDKFGK I WISH I COULD GO DEEPER INTO THE WORLD BUILDING BECAUSE THERE’S SO MUHC BUt i didn’t so kdbfhdf Thanks for reading <3

[trashcanreddiefan]

The 1st Annual Losers' Club Christmakkah Celebration

Summary: The Losers gather for their first annual Christmakkah celebration. Several announcements are made, and Richie’s Christmas wish just may come true.

Word Count: 2800-ish

Warnings: None whatsoever. This is pure fluff.

Author’s Note: Post-Chapter 2. All of the Losers are alive in this fic, including Stan, because canon can suck it.

1st in a (at least) 3-part series where the Losers take turns hosting Christmakkah.

CROSS-POSTED AT AO3.

Bzz bzzz. Bzzz bzzz. Bzzz Bzzz. Bzzz bzzz.

Richie Tozier groaned and picked his phone up off of his nightstand, squinting at it in the harsh early morning light and smiling sleepily when he saw that new messages were flooding in in the Losers’ group text thread.

Benverly (Bev): First annual Loser’s Club Non-denominational Holiday Celebration at Ben’s house on December 24th!

Benverly (Ben): OUR house, Bev.

Benverly (Bev): Our house. :-*

Benverly (Ben): I love being able to say that.

Micycle: Can’t wait!

Billiam: Audra and I will definitely be there!

Staniel: Patty and I will be there.

Eds: I’m coming.

Richie waited until everyone had confirmed before sending his response. Oh, I don’t know if I can be away from Eds’s mom for that long.

Eddie’s reply immediately came through.

Eds: Dude, you realize the joke no longer works since my mom’s been dead for 12 years, right?

Eds: Also, fuck you.

Richie grinned. Love you too, Eds.

Staniel: Richie, you had better be there or else I’m personally coming get you and dragging your ass to Ben & Beverly’s.

Richie shook his head. I’m kidding, guys, I’ll be at Christmakkah. Honestly, I wouldn’t miss it for anything.

Eds: Good, it wouldn’t be a Losers’ Holiday Celebration without the biggest loser of us all.

Richie snorted with laughter. Ouch, Eds, you wound me. 💀

Eds: Truth hurts, asshole. And that’s still not my name.

Billiam: Christmakkah? Really?

Staniel: Actually, I kind of like it.

Benverly (Ben): Ok, 1st annual Losers’ Christmakkah Celebration at my & Bev’s house then. :)

Everyone had mutually agreed that gifts weren’t necessary, that everyone having made it out of Neibolt alive and It being well and truly dead was gift enough.

Richie was never one to follow the rules, however, which is how he found himself loaded down with gift bags in front of Ben & Beverly’s house 3 weeks later. He rang the doorbell.

A few seconds later the door swung open to reveal Eddie.

Richie blinked. “Hey, Eds.”

A smile spread over Eddie’s face. “Richie, hey. Come on in, everyone’s in the dining room.”

Richie stepped inside and Eddie reached for some of the gift bags. “Here, let me help you with that stuff.”

Richie and Eddie deposited Richie’s gifts in the living room. Once Richie had taken his jacket and gloves off and was settled, Eddie pulled him into a hug. “I’m really glad to see you, man.”

“Same here, Eds. I’ve missed you– I mean I’ve missed all of you. Even though it’s only been a few months. Yeah. Anyway, let’s go in the dining room so I can see everyone else.”

Once they reached the dining room, Richie announced his presence in his usual loud, playful fashion. “Happy Christmakkah, Losers!” he shouted.

“Richie!” came the chorus of replies, followed by hugs and greetings.

Bev rubbed her hands together. “Good, now that you’re here, let’s eat!”

After dinner, everyone gathered in Ben & Bev’s gigantic living room to sit by the fire and socialize. Stan, Patty, Ben, & Bev sat on one sofa, Audra, Bill & Mike were on the other, and Richie and Eddie each sat in the 2 armchairs by the fireplace.

“While we’re all here, Patty and I have a gift for everyone,” Stan announced. “I know we said that we weren’t going to get everyone gifts, but…” he shrugged. “You’ll just have to deal with it.”

He began handing out bags to everyone. “Don’t open them yet.”

Richie fiddled with the tissue paper sticking out of his bag as he waited for Stan to sit back down. “Ok, go ahead,” Stan said.

Richie pulled the tissue paper out and pulled out a white onesie that read “I love my uncle.” He looked around everyone else, who all held the same gift, with Bev’s reading “I love my aunt” instead.

Stan placed a hand over Patty’s stomach. “We’re expecting!” he said excitedly.

Richie jumped up and gave Stan a hug. “Staniel, you old dog, congratulations!” He then turned to Patty, giving her a much gentler hug. “You guys are going to be fucking phenomenal parents, I just know it.”

After everyone had congratulated Stan and Patty, Ben cleared his throat, looking at Bev in silent conversation. Bev tilted her head in affirmation.

Ben got up and grabbed some gift bags from behind the couch. “Here you go, everyone,” Ben said sheepishly, handing them out.

Each bag contained a dual photo frame, one side holding a picture of the Losers’ at 13 and the other holding a more recent group photo that had been taken at the Jade of the Orient before they had all remembered It, and an envelope.

Richie tore his card open. Inside was an engagement announcement.

Bev linked her fingers through Ben’s. “We’re getting married,” she said happily. “We decided to do it while you’re all still here for the holidays since we want the most important people in our lives to be there.”

Another round of congratulations echoed around the room.

Bill spoke up next. “I brought gifts too. No announcement though, at least not unless you count a new book deal.”

Everyone congratulated Bill as he handed his gifts out, Richie good-naturedly teasing him about hoping Bill had finally learned how to write an ending.

“Ok, so I’m assuming no one listened and brought everyone a gift anyway?” Mike said, then nodded when Richie and Eddie both murmured an assent. “In that case I’m going next.”

He handed everyone their gift, then settled back down. “I do have a small announcement –  I’ve decided to settle down in Key West. I just closed on a house last week.”

“Next Christmakkah at Mike’s,” Richie said jokingly, unwrapping his gift.

Mike had gifted each Loser with something he had picked up during his travels, Richie’s being a hand-carved wooden turtle.

He glanced at Mike.

“I saw that at a little roadside stand in Arizona and thought of you for some reason,” Mike explained with a shrug.

“I like it,” Richie replied with a nod. “Thanks, man.”

He hadn’t told anyone what he had seen in the deadlights, but he had distinctly remembered seeing a giant turtle right before he fell.

“What about you, Eddie?” Bev asked. “Any announcements?”

Richie studied Eddie’s profile. He looked… calmer than the last time Richie had seen him. Then again, the last time Richie had seen him they had just defeated IT a few days prior, so naturally they were all still a little frazzled.

“Actually, yes,” Eddie replied. “I filed for divorce once I got back to New York. Also, I quit my job. I figure at this point in my life it’s too late to become a doctor, but I’ve decided to go to nursing school to become a nurse practitioner.”

Richie’s heart sped up. Eddie’s single.

He mentally chastised himself. He's still your best friend, not to mention straight. Don’t fuck it up. He blinked as Eddie dropped a gift bag in his lap.

Eddie had obviously taken great care in selecting each person’s gifts, giving Bill a nice fountain pen and notebook set, Audra a spa certificate, Mike a hardcover coffee table-type book, Ben a vinyl re-release of New Kids on the Block’s Hanging Tough album, Bev a silk scarf that she had offhandedly mentioned wanting during a Losers’ Skype session a few months prior, Stan a book on exotic birds of Moldavia or something (Richie wasn’t quite sure) and Patty a broach with a hummingbird on it.

Richie carefully opened his gift, pulling out a leather jacket very similar to the one he had lost in the sewers. He softly stroked it.

Eddie had been watching him. “Thought you could use a replacement,” he said.

“Thanks, Eds.”

Richie realized belatedly that it was his turn. His mouth went dry. He almost blurted out that he didn’t have anything for anyone and that he had absolutely nothing to say, but Eddie had helped him haul his gifts in so he knew that wouldn’t work.

He stood and hurriedly passed out everyone’s gift bags. “Uh, my gift is also an announcement and this was the best way I could figure out how to do it, so…” He made a ‘go on’ motion with his hands. “Ok, go ahead.”

Each Loser (with Stan and Patty receiving one bag) pulled out a CD single of “I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross.

Richie studied each Loser’s expression as they looked at their gift. Ben, Bill, and Mike all looked confused, Bev had a slow smile spreading on her face, Stan was shaking his head while trying to hold back laughter, (the fucker, he probably knew back when we were kids –) and Eddie… well for once in his life Richie couldn’t read Eddie’s expression. He took a deep breath. “So yeah, um, surprise! I’m gay.” He did a little ‘tah-dah’ motion with his hands as an emphasis. “I’m gonna come out publicly soon but it was important to me to tell you guys first.”

Stan was the first one to move, standing and wrapping Richie in a hug. “I’m proud of you, Rich,” he said.

“Yeah, yeah, I mean somebody’s gotta be the cool gay uncle to the next generation of Losers,” Richie joked, holding back tears as the rest of the Losers embraced him.

He sniffled. “Ok, as much as I’m enjoying this mostly beefcake-filled love fest, I, uh, I need some air. I’ll be back in a few.”

Richie quickly detached himself from everyone and headed out to Ben and Beverly’s porch.

He had figured everyone would be supportive of him, but it had still been overwhelming. He took a few deep breaths in order to collect himself then froze as he heard a voice behind him.

“Hey Rich, you ok?” Eddie.

Richie sniffled and cleared his throat. “Yeah, man, I’m fine. Just needed a minute.”

Eddie walked up next to him. “I uh, I have to tell you something else,” he said quietly. “It’s why I divorced Myra.” He shook his head. “I mean, obviously I wasn’t happy, but there was more to it than just that.”

Richie fought the urge to make a joke about Eddie realizing his Oedipus complex. Now’s not the time, Tozier. “Hey, man, your life is your business, if you don’t want to talk about it that’s up to you–”

“I’m in love with you,” Eddie blurted.

Richie blinked. “You’re in what with who now?”

Eddie sighed and looked skyward as if praying for strength.

Richie couldn’t believe his ears. “Ed. Eds. Eddie. I swear to Christ if you’re just fucking with me–”

“Jesus, Richie, do you honestly think I would ever do that–” Eddie spluttered.

“–Because I honestly couldn’t take it if you were.”

Eddie shook his head. “Look, Rich… All these years, it wasn’t just my childhood memories that were missing, it felt like… like part of my soul was gone too. I’d been attracted to a few guys in college – all tall, dark-haired, lanky motherfuckers, but I always felt like I was comparing them to some unknown person so they never worked out. Then I met Myra and she was just so… safe that I buried that part of myself and wound up marrying her, even though I knew I was making a mistake.”  

Eddie smiled. “Then about a year ago I caught one of your specials on TV and felt a peace I hadn’t had in years. So I watched all of the shows that I could get my hands on, then I found a bunch of clips of you on YouTube and watched those too. There was something so… familiar about you, even though in the back of my mind I knew something was off - which as it turns out, was that your jokes weren’t really yours.” He huffed out a laugh.

Richie winced. “I’m working on that.”

“Good. You’re much funnier than you give yourself credit for.”

“You think I’m funny?”

Eddie rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, don’t let it go to your head.”

Richie was still processing. What the actual fuck. “So wait, so you're… into dudes?”

Eddie smirked. “Well, I’m certainly not actually into women.”

“And you’re into me in particular.”

“Yes.”

Richie still didn’t quite get it. “Why?”

Judging by Eddie’s reaction Richie realized he hadn’t just thought it, but had said it out loud.

“Because, Rich, you’re you. You never made fun of me because of my hypochondria, you always protected me when Bowers would give us shit, and no matter how bad things got at home I always knew I could go to you and you wouldn’t ask any questions and would let me stay as long as I needed. You’re my best friend and I always loved the way you made me feel when I was around you. At first I thought it was perfectly normal to feel for your friends like I felt about you, but as we got older and I started to analyze it I realized that I didn’t feel about any of the others in quite the same way.  You were always joking around and acting like you didn’t give a shit about what anyone said, and I wanted to be like that… You made me want to be brave.”

Richie’s heart cracked. “Eds. I’ve told you before. You are brave. You’re one of the bravest people I know.”

Eddie shook his head. “I wasn’t though. For the longest time I was terrified to admit it to myself, but after everything that happened this year I knew I was finally brave enough to tell you. I love you, Rich. I’ve loved you since we were 12 years old, and when I turned and saw you at the Jade the final pieces of the puzzle sort of slotted back into place. I knew I couldn’t go back to New York and keep living life the way I had been, but I also felt like I couldn’t tell you how I felt about you while I was still married. It wasn’t fair to you or to Myra. So when I got home I told Myra as much as I could, and we mutually agreed to separate. The divorce was finalized last week.”

“Fuck, Eddie…” Richie couldn’t believe it. Eddie loves me. Eddie LOVES me. Holy fucking shit, EDDIE loves ME.

Eddie was still talking. “And I mean it’s fine, I know just because you’re gay doesn’t mean you’re into me, and if you didn’t feel the same back then or even now it’s okay because– mmph.”

Before Richie could even process what he was doing he had pulled Eddie to him and had slotted his lips over Eddie’s.

Eddie’s lips were just as soft as Richie had always imagined. I see he’s still using Chapstick religiously, he thought, moaning as Eddie nipped his bottom lip then soothed the bite with his tongue while his hands reached up to tangle themselves into Richie’s unruly hair.

He briefly detatched himself from Eddie’s lips. “I love you too, Eds,” he breathed. “I loved you before I even knew what love was and I’ve loved you every day since. You’re it for me.”

Eddie let out a growl and pulled him back in, immediately deepening the kiss.

Oh Jesus Christ yes, PLEASE. Richie would’ve happily stayed right there on Ben and Bev’s porch making out with Eddie all night, but unfortunately he was outside in 30-degree weather without a coat. He shivered.

Eddie pulled back. “Christ, Richie, you’re freezing. Come on, let’s go inside with the others.”

Richie held him back. “Wait, wait, Eds. How exactly is this going to work? We live on opposite sides of the country.”

Eddie bit his lip. “I um, actually I didn’t exactly say where I was going to school either.” He glanced up at Richie. “I enrolled at UCLA.”

A smile bloomed on Richie’s face. “Really? You’re moving to L.A.?”

“Yeah, I mean UCLA has a great nursing program and I needed a change of scenery anyway, so I figured the west coast would be a good choice…”

Richie thought about his cold, empty house in Beverly Hills. Here goes nothing. “So, do you like, have a house or apartment or anything yet?”

Eddie shook his head. “No, not yet. I’m looking into apartments near campus but I haven’t found anything yet.”

“Because you know you can totally come stay with me while you look for a place, or… even better, just move in with me permanently.” Richie bit his lip. “Because like I said, you’re it for me, Eds. You’ve always been it for me. You’ll always be it for me.”

Eddie was silent for a few moments, appearing to be weighing his options. Finally he said, “Okay.”

Richie’s heart leapt. “Okay?”

Eddie grinned. “Yeah. Okay. Because you’re it for me too, you know.”

“Well in that case…” Richie grabbed Eddie’s hand, dragging him inside. “HEY, EVERYONE! WE HAVE ANOTHER ANNOUNCEMENT!”

[kurtty-drabbles]

I feel what you feel au (part 3)

N/A: MEh. Here we go again.

@djinmer4 @dannybagpipesarecalling @bamfoftheundead @everykurt

Using your mutation for everyday chores and moment is a luxury few mutants can truly appreciate- Kitty is now well versed in how some mutants would take anything in their possession to be human again and it makes her be thankful of her power as well mentally debate if all mutants are equal-and Karma and Kitty are one of the lucky ones right now.

They´re in Karma´s room floating through the ceiling as they´re listening to the radio-playing old songs that neither Kitty nor Karma ever heard until now- and talking about their day. Karma has great control over her own telekinesis (something Rachel is impressed as she took as her mission to train Karma. Two different styles of telekinesis) and Kitty, herself, is flying watching as her sandal did fall from her feet making a big "Blop" on the floor.

"Kitty, can I ask you something?" Karma asked once the mysterious song ends and the announcer is now speaking greatly about product placement. Karma is flipping a magazine and gesture to Kitty who still looks at her fallen sandal.

"I guess. If it is about ABBA again...no, I´d not think it would make a good movie" Kitty answers absently thinking if it would really be possible to make a movie out of each song of ABBA and she´s a huge fan of this old band.

"No, not that. Is about, well, Kurt" Karma is navigating on thin ice as Kitty is not one to talk about her own feelings. Karma would be surprised if that wasn´t the same thing Yana does in New Mutants.

Without waiting for her answer-and she has a nagging suspicion it would be just like the same evasive answer Yana likes to give when asked about her time in Limbo and is more than fair- she made her question. "You´d not like Kurt?" is a simple question but it carries more weight to Kitty. "Is he a bad man?" she concluded as she heard many things about him. Both good and bad.

Kitty is taken by surprise by such a question and shakes her head as if she was an insulting part of this question. "No, far from it. He´s a wonderful person...even after suffering what he did ...he still remains a good person at heart" she speaks now more firmly. "selfless, brave and caring. Kurt Wagner is a good man"

Karma arch one of her eyebrows at this. "But ...?" her question trails off and Kitty thinks about it. Kurt has its flaws, it has its strength. What would mean to date Kurt Wagner? That is a question she never once thought about it.

"He only thinks by his dick and It does wonder to my self-esteem," Kitty responds recalling her only relationship and how it end quickly either thanks to their own immaturity or because Kitty was too insecure about her own looks. "Guess I have my issues too. I sometimes don´t like what I see in the mirror. I ...sometimes wish to be like Meggan...or Rachel"

Karma blinks seem to understand the feeling. "Sometimes, I wish I was taller. My sister is the tallest in our family and I sort envy her for this" there are longing and sadness in her tone. She does miss her family very much and Kitty feels that (her aunt is here, but, where is her mother? The FBI didn´t give much info for their own safety) "But if Kurt changes his ways...would you accept him as his soulmate?"

Kitty bites her lips. Would she? Could he? "I suppose I´ll. Right now...we´re not right for each other. Too immature and too stuck in our own issues to work as a couple...maybe in the future" and Karma changes the subject mercifully.

Kitty forgets to take the white pill and how she forget this crucial detail is something she has yet to understand, however, she can feel what he feels and maybe a selfish part of her wants this feeling too.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

The day rises as always and Rachel is on her second mug of coffee- a mug Scott and Jean gave to Rachel. It has a Firebird draw it and she wonders who made the draw. Scott or Jean? In her timeline, her mother was a terrible artist-and is blessed by having the kitchen to herself.

Not for long, as Rhane Sinclair shows up ready to make her own breakfast and talking idly about her favorite boy band- a band Rachel never heard of it, but, then again...Rachel is not one to care for the pop culture and she only knows about Star Wars and Star Trek simply to mess with Kitty- but let Rhane speak excitedly about said boy band as everyone deserves to have their own joys in life.

"Which one of them you think is the most handsome?" Rhane asked and Rachel can only shurgs at this question and it didn´t hinder her excitement as Rhane show an image of the said boy band from her cellphone for Rachel. "Is Chad? He´s really handsome...or maybe Larry" and she looks really excited.

"Uhm, all of them look the same to me" she replies painfully aware how someone of her age (and timeline) couldn´t bond very well with the interest of 14 years old.

Rhane looks confused. "Not even Chris? Why?" she asked truly bewildered as if each member of this boy band is the reincarnation of a Greek God.

Rachel took a sip of her coffee. "They don´t have the right body parts to get my attention...plus, I never heard of them" and she rose from her chair and mess with Rhane´s hair as she leaves using her telekinesis to put the mug on the kitchen sink and wash it out.

"What?" Rhane asked herself as she hides the image of her favorite boy band and wonders if this was some sort of mistake. If Rachel is not attracted to the men (she´s aware those men in the boy band are a bit older to be called boy band) then...is Rachel attract to girls too?

This is so confusing. She thought to hold her cross the only present her father gave to her.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Kurt Wagner remembers the conversation Kitty and Karma had. Had half of his mind ready to tell her to take the pills (wasn´t that the whole point?) and maybe that´s his meaner side, however, Kurt is utterly taken back by how she defends him...how she thinks he´s a good man, yet, has no problem in pointing his flaws.

We have flaws, Katzchen...

He thought ponders about the possibility if Kitty took her pill recalling how last night she just forgets- was an honest mistake or not? and Kurt can at least reconize how Kitty cna have a meaner side too...just like him - and wonder if he should mention something...or not.

And you think I´m a good man ...

Kurt wants nothing more than just drink coffee and try to understand his own feelings and this situation. Is he upset Kitty is his soulmate? Not really, but it does show how Kurt has no real understanding about many things regarding relationships.

As he enters the kitchen, already imagining his coffee, his golden eyes witness Rhane on the verge of crying as she´s holding her cellphone as if something precious. "Rhane?" he asked and wonders if he should call Dr. Moira.

"Kurt, Am I a bad person?" she asked with a tone of desperation in her voice. Kurt can listen to her because he knows deep well how is important to rant (is a bit ironic coming from him)

"Why you ask this?" Kurt gently asked sitting next to her. His tail manages to found some napkins and offers to Rhane to clear her nose.  And once she takes a deep breath and dries some of her tears she tries again.

"I was raised by all the rules of the catholicism. You too, right?" Kurt only nods and it gives some confidence in her speech. "And the bible, as my father once told me, says that the impure will go to hell" and she looks at the open door of the kitchen. "and this is making me confusing"

Kurt frown slightly at this having a clear idea of where Rhane is referring but letting she continue.

"But...Karma is so gentle and Ray does not seem like a bad person...so, are all people like that....are all or Am I wrong?" she asked as if she´s confessing a grave sin.

"The word you´re searching is gay, Rhane" he spoke after Rhane gives her angst away to Kurt. "And I get it, some less enlight people believe God hates those who don´t think like them...Rhane, people like that don´t have God in their hearts" and this hit Rhane strongly. Can she truly think her father was a good man? Not really.

"But ...what I do with my faith?"

"Rhane...God loves us all and our sexuality means nothing to us. Would you stop being friends with Karma just because she likes girls?" Kurt asked and Rhane shakes her head.

"Would you think differently of Rachel because of her too like girls?"

Rhane denies it again.

"Then why you would stop having faith in God? The real God loves us all, gay, straight, trans or even mutant...we´re all his..." he ponders remembering Good Omens and Call of Zaorva for a moment. "or her children. So, did I help a little?"

She nods. "How you still keep your faith after all the missions? "

"Because I need to believe. Because I just have faith, Rhane...I believe in God who loves us all. Just that"

"Thank you, Kurt"

"If you have doubts about God or anything else...I´m here"

"Thank you. I have so many questions and I don´t know how to make them now"

[retracing-my-steps]

Things that are making me cry

One of my dearest friends is getting married and she invited me to be a bridesmaid- so in the spring I see one of the kindest people I’ve ever met get married and have the love she deserves.

I get to do that alongside two other people who support me and care about me and have always spoke highly of me no matter what and no matter how distant I’ve ever been and no matter how little or how much I have made them a part of my life

I get to go to California for the wedding and see how I’ve changed since when I last was there- I spent a year living there when I was 18. I get to go to my favorite cafe there and go to a beach for the first time in so long. I get to see my ex mom-in-law who still treats me with deep kindness like family and gave me a very persistent talk about how I need to stop carrying others so much and that I have to move on with my life and not suffer with people for people.

Sometime in the spring right around that time I will see the love of my life again after a year of being stuck apart.

Very recently a very kind acquaintance of mine got engaged as well to her girlfriend of some years, out of the blue, and she’s also a person who I know deserves so much happiness and so many good things so I’m so happy.

A few days ago I suddenly got contacted by a girl,— she was a waitress in a small town in Canada at a little hotel with a breakfast place and a pub with a little dance floor— who, about a year and a half ago in December when I was visiting my love, I gave a decorative little note of encouragement with an extra tip. She seemed sweet and friendly so I really wanted to do my first attempt at an act of kindness of that type for her. I had signed my name. She found me online a few days ago and contacted me and told me she had that note on her wall since then for nearly two years now and she was reading it to a friend recently and wanted to contact me to thank me. She said that it meant more to her than I could know. (I totally exclaimed excitedly in happiness and surprise and got weepy and felt terribly happy because that’s all I could have ever hoped come true)

Yesterday I met a new family member I have never met before who had recently moved to Portland. My great aunt’s son (maternal side), a cousin my mom hadn’t seen for at least 25 years. I was around for some of it, listening to all the excited childhood reminiscing memories of shared holidays and babysitting and weird stories about my Nana’s many siblings and all the weird gossip and confusions and things that had happened. He’s a very friendly and warm-hearted middle aged gay guy (which comes across not in an intensely cliche way but in the way you would expect- he’s very comfortable about not trying to be more masculine than he is)- blue eyes and very smiley, reminds me of a personality combination of my mom (hyper friendly and honest)– and my younger sibling (talkative, mellow, and thoughtful).. (the two family members I get along with easiest). Mom had offered to play host for his short stay, and to meet him I went to the house and tagged along with my parents and him for dinner at a small restaurant. I thought he seemed like a very good and kind person and someone who was very authentic and I liked him immediately. So I waited patiently for the end of the conversations when we were almost ready to leave and started telling stories and telling him about my misadventures of the past three years and the royal mess and chaos, and the beautiful and lonely but hopeful present time. He listened eagerly and asked questions and shared tidbits and I drew it to a close with ‘and so I’m just glad to lay low right now as much as I miss him, it’s been a hell of a time these past years and I’m glad things have finally stopped shifting in my world and I can catch my breath and try to recuperate’. My parents were politely silent, my mom giggling for a moment at the start saying ‘see we’re being good!’ It was awkward because it just made it more blatant how they are so accustomed to me never speaking at all, and giving me a turn is such a change from the norm. Or, really just, the prospect of letting me speak for myself and tell my story without any random outside interruption or commentary being still a special effort that they had to consciously choose to make. On the walk back to the house I talked to him a bit more, feeling self indulgent and adding last details that I wanted to say. When I asked him what brought him to Portland, he was honest (his husband is in a bad way and he had to cut ties)– and I was surprised. I felt maybe he was giving the same honesty back to me in response to me having shared my struggle.

The next day my mom told me in passing that he had told her the moment I left that he felt really connected to me and like we could be good friends and he loved talking to me. I was surprised and happy- because I had such a good impression of him and felt like he and I really had a lot in common- just something very heartfelt and kind about him and very very thoughtful and deep. He appreciates stories like I do and listens carefully and loves to share. So I felt so happy that it was a mutual impression. I showed him my apartment for 10 minutes before he left for the train, which he was happy about saying 'I love seeing people’s homes, it says a lot about them, it really tells a story’– my mom waiting in the car (at my request) during the time to take him to the station when we were done. He asked about all the art on the walls and I shared very very quick spirited stories and histories of things and he was really intent hearing about them.

He saw the little shelf where the ink drawing I made Zandry for Valentine’s Day is sitting, and said something along the lines of 'oh wow… This is really more than just “something”, isn’t it. The real deal…’ I nodded profusely. 'I’ve loved him my entire life.. to be with him is the strangest and happiest thing to ever happen- something I never could have dreamt of happening after losing track of him for so long… and I can still barely believe it .. and he’s just so amazing, he’s so worth everything to me, he makes me so happy’

We rushed out the door right on time after I gave him a speedy but thorough tour with a few stories, and I walked down the block with him and asked if he was a hugger*, and he said 'absolutely!’ and gave me a big spirited hug and paused and said simply “I really like you!” before getting in the car, with an exchange of 'We’ll be in touch!’

*[I always ask, I’m very aware of that because of the importance of personal boundaries and never assuming– consent culture is important]

This was significant to me… most of all because.. I always felt like, I have a family but my family was never…… my family. They don’t really want to hear what I have to say or show interest in knowing me as a person.

So I cried a bit later, because it felt like having family finally, for the first time. I’ve never met someone like that. I’ve always mourned that deeply. I’ve always wanted to have even a single wise person in my life who rooted for me and made me feel heard, giving me advice and making me feel like I mattered and wanting to hear what I had to say. I’ve never had that person…… …. And suddenly it looks like I may have found one of my people, for the first time. Someone who feels like real family.

…And tonight after that one of those good old friends mentioned above brought me cupcakes she made for my birthday today since I work on my birthday. They’re all decorated with cute monster faces with candy googley-eyes and everything. She came still wearing her apron with her little kid in tow, handing me a whole pan of cupcakes with a fancy handled-lid.

………It feels like this spring will be really important

it’s so.. almost… terrifying- it’s so overwhelming, all this, all that is slowly happening, so suddenly…. I can’t really absorb the prospect of… …coming to a point of having what I need in life and feeling whole. So many pieces, big and small.

It’s surreal enough to think I will see my love again. It’s hard for me to even absorb, even with me missing him day and night as I do.

With all this, with things so suddenly arriving and all these people and things that are offering me such growth and healing and hope…

What would I even do with that kind of happiness? I don’t even know..! I don’t even know