#the other day my nephew came home from school and told me he didn’t like girls

[pennyserenade]

i ache for tigris snow because if the little boy who i loved more than anything and would do anything for turned into an evil dictator before my eyes i wouldn’t be able to breathe. she believed so much in what she thought was his innate goodness that she would’ve tossed her entire future out for him. she loved him dearly, to the point that she had sold her body so he could eat as a child. she wholeheartedly believed that he would save them with his intelligence, and she carried the weight of their family’s burdens so he wouldn’t have to. from his shirt to assuring him that she and their grandma’am were okay even after they had to sell the apartment, all she did was for coriolanus—and he turned into someone she hated, someone she wanted to die in the end. terrible

[vminizzle]

Kindergarten teacher

pairing : husband!taehyung x wife kindergarten teacher!f.reader

genre : SMUT, fluff, angst

warnings : love making, penetration, unprotected sex, creampie, breeding kink, marking, pet names, praising, !!possessive behaviour!!, jealousy, swearing , !!violence!! ( not toward reader!! )

word count : 2.9k+

A/N : hello, first of all, welcome to my new blog. Here’s the first fic I’ll post here, since I’ve already posted it on my other blog. But from now on I’ll use this blog for bts contents only. Well, I hope you guys will appreciate my works and yea. I want to tell you guys that English is not my first language, so there are prob many mistakes. I hope you’ll like this one :) have a good day/night!

FEEDBACKS ARE VERY WELCOMED ♡

M RATED

“Do you have something planned after school?” Taehyung asked as you bit into the sandwich he bought you for lunch. You hummed gobbling the food in hurry to answer him “yea” you grumbled “I’ve got this parent meeting” you sighed.

Taehyung sighed too “and you?” you asked before grabbing your drink. Taehyung thought for awhile before nodding. “yea. I have something planned” he swallowed his grilled meat. Before you could ask him about his project, he cut you off reminding the time “baby, it’s time. go on, don’t wanna be late, do you?” you shook your head whining “argh! see you later then” you pouted. Taehyung got up, pecking your lips “see you later my love” he took you into his arms, hugging you tightly.

You were at the door of your classroom greeting the parents arriving for the meeting, telling them to take a sit and wait until everyone was present to start. You looked down at the cute little boy next to you staring toward the door waiting. “hey, where’s papa Jimin?” you asked softly bending down a little to caress his head gently.

Jimin was actually one of your best friend and also your husband’s. “oh I forgot to tell you.. but daddy told me he can’t come today..sorry auntie” you looked down at him confused. Why didn’t Jimin say anything? you wondered. “oh i-” before you could continue he added “but daddy told me that unc-”

“hello! Sorry for being late. I got stuck in traffic” a familiar deep voice interrupted your conversation with the little kid. Too familiar. “Taehyung?”

“Hi Mrs. Kim” he smirked making you scoffed. “Jimin couldn’t make it, so I kindly offered to come instead at the parent’s meeting. It’s kind of important, isn’t it?” he said patting Jimin’ son’s head. You sighed deeply “hey cutie, you can go play with your little friends, hm?”. He nodded happily before running out of your sight.

You glanced at Taehyung crossing your arms over your chest. “Was that what you planned?”. Taehyung chuckled “Jimin was a little tired so I just wanted to help him out” he shrugged. “Is that so?” you arched an eyebrow “and maybe I wanted to come check out how pretty my nephew’s teacher is” he said, a smirk decorating his lips. You slapped his arm making him whine playfully “idiot”. You muttered before walking away to stand in the center of the classroom.

.

.

.

After talking about general topics and replying to each of the questions you were asked, you brought out the issue you’re meeting every day with your pupils : the homework. Some of your pupils often came back at school with their homework not being done. You explained to the parents that helping them at home was really important. They’re still very young and they need support . Giving them advices on how to help them, suggesting them some good books and websites they can use if they’re facing difficulties. Many of the parents understood and cooperated saying that they will try their best to help more.

But one of the mother interrupted you impolitely “why don’t you do extra-hours? You’re the teacher here, you’re the one paid to educate our children” she said with an unpleasant tone. You were taken aback, speechless, like the other parents. You didn’t know what to say or what to do.

“extra-hours?” Taehyung scoffed. “excuse-me sir?” the woman turned to face your annoyed-husband. You internally prayed for Taehyung to shut up and not make a scene at your workplace, but-

“Well, M'aam Cruella de vil, I think Mrs. Kim is not only a teacher. She has her own life after school like every one of us here. She probably has someone waiting for her at home. Or she just wants to do other things than to deal with your child!” Taehyung said annoyed making a few parents laughed quietly.

“who are you to talk like that?” the haughty woman said offended by the meany nickname. “she has a mouth, she can speak for herself. who do you think you are to talk for her?” she said standind up angrily, Taehyung stood up aswell “well, let me tell you that I’m-”.

You cleared your throat catching both their attention, the present spectators immersed into the little altercation.

“please Mrs. Wang, and Sir” you glared at him before continuing “please calm down. I- I’ll find a solution to this problem” you gulped gesturing them to sit back. Taehyung threw a nasty look at the villian female as he sat down again. “good” you sighed relieved.

.

.

Your meeting continued, you found a way to deal with the problematic woman, doing your best to stay polite and professional…

It went well. You announced the end of the reunion. You felt Taehyung’s eyes on you the whole time. He didn’t joke when he said he came to check you out.

“Well thank you so much for coming today. If any of you want to talk individually about their child or have any other questions, feel free to stay” you smiled shaking hands with the parents leaving.

There is one thing you didn’t notice. Even tho Taehyung spent his time admiring you during the meeting and even had time for a"little" fight, he didn’t miss the way one of your pupil’s father was staring at you in a “weird” way. He glared at the mid-aged man, this one staying so he could talk to you.

You accompagned the last mother to the door waving at her, coming back to your desk gesturing the man to come.

Taehyung's eyes didn’t leave him, watching every of his moves. He didn’t feel this man..an untrustworthy man. Who the fuck he thought he was?

Taehyung groaned sitting at the back of the class, leg bouncing as he tried to calm down, jealousy rising up. He closed his eyes taking deep breaths.

First, this arrogant bitch, and now this unscrupulous pervert old man.

“Mrs. Kim” he started with a flirtatious voice “I just wanted to say that Mark likes you a lot. He’s always talking about you at home and about how of a good teacher you are” he said complimenting you. “oh ahah. I really like Mark too, he’s such a smart and polite boy” you answered smilling. But you couldn’t help but feel awkward at the way he was looking you up and down nonchalantly. Making Taehyung's jealousy and anger grew more and more.

“And.. I was wondering if you were single.. you’re really pretty and..sexy at the same time” he bit his lip. You just wanted to throw up in his face. Was he really thinking he was attractive or something? because the view was just sickening.

He approached you slowly making you back away “excuse me sir, but this is really inappropriate and disrespectful!"you exclaimed enraged and shocked. The man laughed, his hand getting closer to your waist, you were ready to punch him hard and kick him in the groin if he dared touch you but you didn’t have to when you heard the mid-aged man groaned in pain as his back hit the wall violently ”how the fuck do you dare touching her?!“ Taehyung yelled grabbing him by the collar of his shirt, his fist raised in front of the father ’s face.

”who the fuck are you?!! let me go bastard! get your fucking hands off me!“ Taehyung laughed sarcastically loud ”who am I? Who the fuck am I?!“ he grabbed the man face tightly with one hand, fingersnails digging into his cheeks ”I’m Taehyung.. Kim Taehyung! I’m her husband and she’s my fucking wife!! My wife! Mine!“ he pointed toward you, his voice laced with possessiveness.

The man stayed silent for a moment before pushing Taehyung away to get out of his grip. Taehyung let go of his face and went to grab his neck squeezing it tightly. Perhaps too tightly as the man’s face started turning a deep red.

”try to touch her again and I’ll break your arms and legs“ he practically growled, throwing the pervert man onto the floor, this one groaning again. He got up straightening his shirt ”keep the slut for yourself". Taehyung’s hands balled into fists ready to beat the living shit out of him, but you were fast to grab his forearm “Taehyung! please!” you shook your head as you both watched the man leaving the room “he’s not worthy-”

Taehyung turned to you shock written all over his face “this asshole called you a slut and tried to put his nasty hands on you! He tried to touch my wife!” he looked disgusted. “ I swear if i see him again, i think i will go to jail for murder!”

“Taehyung..” you grabbed his hand, thumb caressing the back of it. He pulled you in his strong arms, the force of his pull making you collide hard on his chest. “Just imagine what this pervert would have done to you if I wasn’t here” he said the last words coming out quietly. You shushed him looking up at him “but you were here”. He sighed shaking his head pulling you closer to kiss you softly.

You detached from the kiss “ and you know , i can d-” he let a breathy laugh as he put a finger on your mouth “I know what you’re going to say. You can defend yourself and you’re an independent woman and all” you nodded chuckling “yup”.

You smiled cupping his cheek “let’s go home huh?”. He nodded “well, let’s drop Jimin jr. at his house first” he chuckled.

.

.

.

You sighed pleasantly as you exit the bathroom from a good warm shower. A towel wrapped around you comfortably. Taehyung coming out of it too some minutes later, his towel loose and low around his hips.

You were searching for some underwear in your closet when you felt Taehyung’s hands on your hips. You smiled when he pulled you on his bare chest, stealing a back hug “i love you” he whispered leaving a lovingly kiss on your cheek. “ i love you Taehyung” your heart melting as you let your body relax in his embrace.

After a pleasant long silent, Taehyung shifted a bit behind you making you turn around his arms still around you. His eyes went to your lips, one thing in his mind. He lowered his face a little envelopping your lips in a sweet kiss. Your hands travelled up to his neck, fingers playing with the little curls at the back of his head.

Taehyung backed you slowly toward the bed until the back of your knees touched the edge of it. You let your bodies fell on the mattress, the soft sheets welcoming you. You both giggled when you bumped your heads together. “sorry” Taehyung said rubbing your forehead still giggling. You laughed rubbing his.

He smiled looking into your eyes “you did great by the way”. You closed your eyes thinking about Mrs. Wang “ such a pain in the ass” you groaned. “you’re strong to deal with such ..specimens” you laughed closing your eyes.

“don’t want to ruin the mood but..I hate this dude. I just want to..argh” he dropped his head on your chest defeatedly. “I hate the way he looked at you. It was just disgusting. And the way he talked to you..” you noticed the way he gripped the sheet hard trying to calm down. You stroked his back slowly, hands going up and down his spine making him shiver and relax on top of you. You felt his heart beating slower “it’s ok babe” you whispered kissing his temple.

“but this asshole was right on something.. you’re pretty and sexy” he smiled onto your skin. You laughed slapping him on the back of his head. “and you’re also the best teacher ever” he left a light kiss on your collarbone. The compliment heating up your cheeks “I understand why your pupils love you a lot. You’re an amazing teacher. So kind, patient and loving.” You smiled “thank you babe”.

“Y’know ,recently I’m having some difficulties with mathematics ..perhaps, could you teach me?” he said smirking. “oh my god Taehyung shut up” you said ears burning making him laugh.

“hmm you’re mine” he mumbled, lips caressing your skin, leaving little kisses. His hands ready to take your towel off of your body but looked at you for permission first. You nodded helping him to get rid of it. “And i’m yours” he started nibbling on the soft flesh of your breasts, painting little red and purple flowers on the area. A little souvenir , to remind you where his lips were.

His mouth travelled up to your neck, your pulse accelerating “Taehyung” his name leaving your throat as sweet as honey. The concerned one just hummed against your -just found- sweet spot making you moan softly. The noises coming out of you turning him on.

Taehyung bit lightly on the skin of you neck making you gripped his bicep, head turning to the side to give him more access. “you smell so good” he said nose deep into the crook of your neck.

His boner was pressed uncomfortably under the towel still covering him, he was so turn on that he didn’t notice he was unconsciously grinding down on you. He let out a soft groan when he felt your warm hands sliding down his smooth chest to the towel. He helped you, throwing it away on the carpeted floor.

He spread your legs making room for him to lay between them. He lowered himself to connect his lips with yours for the umpteenth time. His hands went to your sides, one of them cascading down to your thigh to lift and place it over his waist.

Taehyung ruted foward against your womanhood with a low moan “shit” he swore. Your essence on the tip of his erection already driving him insane. He teased your entrance, rubbing his manhood on your glistening lips making you whined “stop teasing!”

He slapped the head of his cock on your throbbing clit teasingly, making you hiss,, the sudden action making you jolt.“you ready darling?” he asked hand placed on your cheek. “yes”.

Taehyung positioned himself at your entrance before entering you slowly making sure he wasn’t hurting you. “you good my love?” he asked when he completely bottomed out.

“don’t worry I- i am” you reassured him. Taehyung started moving making you whimper. Thrusting in and out slowly but firmly, he took his time making love to you. It felt so good , too good.

He was so gentle and caring. Often asking you if you were good. He enjoyed his time painting your upper body with hickeys. “everyone will know you’re mine now” . He whispered backing up a bit to admire his masterpiece “perfect..”.

His grip on your waist was so tight that you were sure it’ll let bruises.

Your body was adorned with marks he created. Some bigger than the others. Some darker. It was just .. pretty. All marked up by him, the thought made him twitched inside you.

Taehyung couldn’t get enough of the way your warm velvelty walls clench around him time to time, squeezing his cock perfectly. He bit your earlobe lightly before whispering sweet nothings in your ear. Telling you how good you’re doing, how much you’re beautiful.. and how much he loves you.

Your hands found his hair, fingers running through it and pulling on it harshly when he brushed against your sweet spot. You threw your head back, the combination of his hands wandering all over your body gently and his lips pressed on your neck made you feel lightheaded.

The way his hard-on kept hitting the spot that made you scratch his back “fuck Taehyung! r-right there!”

“you know seeing you with all those kids around makes me feel some type of way. You’d be such a good mother” he bit his lips “ you’d look so fucking adorable and hot pregnant.. walking around carrying my children in your tummy f-fuck-”

Taehyung moaned loudly at a particular tightening of your wall around him.

“You’d like that my love? huh.. want me to put my babies inside you? Make you the mother of my children? You want that my love?” He kept asking, lust fogging his mind.

He could only picture you pregnant. Big baby bump.. fuck- he was probably drooling by now.

Your walls started convulsing around him, announcing your climax.

“I’m gonna-” he took your hands placing them on each side of your head , intertwined his fingers with yours “ I love you princess f-” he whispered.

Holding hands while making love was a gest of pure love , it meant a lot for the both of you . “Taehyung!! I’m c-coming!” You nearly screamed as you came around him. Eyes closed, eyebrows furrowed, mouth slightly ajar, his name the only thing leaving your mouth.. you looked so good to him.

You looked up at your breathtaking husband, eyes half-opened ”cum for me Taehyung. Cum inside me.. give me your children“ you breathed out.

A sudden wave of adrenaline rushed through his veins as he hold your hip still, going a little bit faster. The vein of his neck prominent, little beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Your words reasoning in his head, threw him over the edge of his orgasm. Taehyung cummed, after some firm thrusts, with a loud moan following by your name, his hot cum warming you inside, filling you up to the brim.

You hummed softly hugging him as he buried his head into the crook of your neck, a tiny kiss placed on the marked skin.

"I love you so much” he smiled heart melting. “I love you too”.

[dreamwatch]

STWG daily drabble - 19/09/23

Prompt: we’re not family

****

The ICU is at capacity. An earthquake, they’re saying. It’s been a week and they’re still sticking to that bullshit story.

Wayne’s not an idiot, and neither are these doctors. There are Feds here talking about dog bites and it’s written all over their faces, yeah pal, we don’t believe it either.

A nurse brought him a book a couple of days ago. “To keep your mind off things.” It’s hard to read when he’s listening for the whoosh clicks of the ventilator, the alarms, beeps and bells of machinery, all plugged in to his nephew, and knowing that these sounds mean Eddie’s alive. He doesn’t want to keep his mind off that.

Wayne hears a commotion in the hallway and he’s about to ignore it when he realises he recognises the voice.

He steps out of the room and is stunned to see his little brother arguing with two nurses. It’s like a slap in the face. Wayne didn’t even know he was out of jail.

“Christ, Wayne, will you tell these people we’re family?”

Wayne stares at him. At Albert Edward Munson, the baby brother who he wished for for so long. Who finally showed up a couple of months after Wayne’s tenth birthday and he’d thought it was the best possible birthday present anyone could have got him.

He used to take Al to school for his Ma when she was working, his small hand tucked safely in Wayne’s as they walked. That yardstick of growth, hand against hand, laughter and giggles as Al caught up to him, bigger and bigger each year.

He showed him how to slick his curls back with Sweet Georgia Brown before his first date. Told him he was still proud of him when he failed senior year. 

Hugged him tight when Al was drafted. Hugged him tighter when he came home.

He comforted him when he got Shirley-Anne pregnant, told him it would be okay. Gave him money, helped them get married. 

Cried with him when Eddie was born. Cried with him when Shirley-Ann died.

Bailed him out of jail when he went on a bender. Cleaned up the bottles and cans in the house so that Eddie wouldn’t cut himself on them. 

Argued with him when he saw the bruises on Eddie’s arms. Hit him when he saw the bruise on Eddie’s cheek.

Disowned him when he threw Eddie out.

He stares at his baby brother, and it fucking hurts because he sees so much of Eddie standing there. The big brown eyes, the dark curls. It fucking hurts because he loved this kid with all his heart and he did everything he could, he did, to steer him right, to keep him on a good path. All for nothing.

Wayne swallows thick and wet. “We ain’t family.”

“The fuck we’re not!” shouts Al. “You can’t keep me from my boy!”

Wayne is a patient man, but that there is his breaking point. He storms towards Al, grabs his shirt in one hand, points right in his face with the other.

“That’s where you’re wrong,” he spits out, venom and anger and frustration, a pressure cooker twenty years in the making finally exploding. “On two counts. I will keep you away from him, and he ain’t your fucking boy no more!” Wayne shoves him away. “You lost the right to call him your boy the moment you beat the shit out of him.”

He catches sight of one of the Feds and well fuck let’s make them work for their money, he thinks as he waves him over.

“This man’s bothering the nurses.” He barely finishes the sentence before Al is being dragged out of the ICU, hollering and shouting the whole way.

The nurses are kind, they ask if he’s okay and he thanks them and apologises. For what happened, not for Al’s behaviour. Because he stopped being responsible for Al Munson a long time ago.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

“Leona!! There’s my cute baby brother. It’s so good to see you.” Farena smiles as bright as the sun, it’s blinding. He carries Cheka in his arms, and Cheka waves and squeals. “Ojitan, we came to see you!!” “That’s right, you haven’t visited home in so long so we decided to come to you instead. How’ve you been, Leona? How is school? Have you made new friends? Anything fun happen recently?”

While writing this interaction, I tried to keep the dynamic of Mufasa and Scar and Simba and Scar in mind. The brothers themselves were often in opposition, but Scar often said phrases which could be easily misconstrued as playful or caring in the eyes of a child like Simba. I wanted to get similar vibes down for Leona interacting with Falena and Cheka!

Not me making Falena basically drop an Uncle Iroh line--

Family means Nobody is Left Behind or Forgotten.

The second Falena and Cheka paraded into his room, Leona bolted up from the bed. Every hair on his tail stood on end, his eardrums ringing, as his senses rushed to process the nightmare playing out before him: his brother and nephew announcing their arrival. All sunshine, and too much of it.

Leona burrowed back under his blankets and buried his face in a pillow. It’s just a bad dream, he told himself. They’ll go away if you ignore them for long enough.

“Leona! Are you still taking a cat nap? Rise and shine, baby bro!!” He felt a hand on his back. Meant to be encouraging, he presumed.

“Who exactly’s your ‘baby bro’ here?” Leona grumbled, wrapping the covers even more tightly around himself. He despised it—the reminder of being second born, and how Falena said it with such ignorant glee.

There was a soft laugh, and the hand on his back retreated. “Old habits die hard. I’m sorry, I know you’re a man now—but to me, you’ve always been my precious younger brother. Please, won’t you see us?”

A mass came upon his mattress, excited bouncing causing the springs to creak. “Wake up, Ojitan!! It’s time to get up and play with me and Papa!! You promised to show me how to play magift, remember?”

Dread immediately set into Leona. If he didn’t move soon, Cheka would be jumping on his belly instead of on his bed.

Defeated, Leona irritably dragged himself up, wearing his blanket like it was a cloak. It fell low, hooding messy bangs and shading his eyes. Bright green and discerning against the shadows.

“Ojitan’s up!! I did it, Papa, I did it!!” Cheka cheered. He spun in a circle, pumping his tiny fists.

His father scooped him up with a hearty laugh. “Atta’ boy! You got your uncle good!”

“If you’ll pardon the interruption to your merriment,” Leona cut in with a drawl, “to what do I owe this pleasure? It’s not every day when the King of the Sunset Savanna deigns to walk among the masses.”

Falena’s cheer faltered. His sibling’s biting sarcasm cut deep, even after all these years of growing accustomed to it. “You don’t need to be so formal with me, Leona,” he advised patiently. “We’re family.”

“Fine.” Leona crossed his arms. He didn’t speak the counter that was on his mind: but family doesn’t have to like each other. “Where are your bodyguards? It’s dangerous for high profile people to roam the campus unattended, especially today, when the NRC gates are open to outsiders.”

“We have our ways of slipping away from them. Don’t we, champ?” Falena ruffled his son’s hair, and Cheka beamed a little too proudly.

… So that’s where the furball learned it from. He shouldn’t have been surprised.

“A king and a prince ditching their royal babysitters in favor of singing and dancing the day away… The people would be simply beside themselves if they knew,” Leona simpered. (A smirk tugged at the corner of hjs mouth at the thought of the old coot Kifaji’s panic at losing sight of his sovereign.)

“No one in the world would rather tend to royal duties than spend time with his family. I certainly wouldn’t.”

Leona scowled.

“Ojitan looks kinda scary.“

“He’s just making a funny face at you,” Falena reassured his son.

“Oooh, I get it!! I can make a funny face too!! Watch me!!” Hooking his index fingers, Cheka pried the sides of his mouth and wiggled his tongue. “Blegh!!”

“Real charming there, kid,” Leona said dryly.

“Thanks!!” The reply was earnest, not understanding one bit of the edge to Leona’s voice.

Falena smiled warmly at his son. "… Cheka, I have an idea. Why don’t you run along and prepare the magift equipment to play a round? You can get some help and form teams by asking the nice young men around Savanaclaw.”

“That sounds really fun!! But Papa… what about you and Ojitan?”

Falena gently set Cheka down. A hand found its way into the lion cub’s mane, ruffling it once more. “Your uncle and I will be out in a moment to join you. We need to talk about something important first.”

It was good enough of an answer for Cheka.

��Okay!! I’ll do a good job, promise!! We’ll have the most funnest magift game ever!”

“That’s my boy.”

Cheka took of racing out and down the hallway. His eager, high-pitched voice carries through the wide open spaces. Inquiries directed at passing students, asking if they wanted to play, or if they knew where the right gear was.

Falena waited for the noise to subside—for Cheka for be out of earshot—before he met Leona’s gaze again. His younger brother’s expression was sullen, gleaming eyes almost sunken into the darkness of his blanket hood.

“So kind of you to grant me a private audience, your majesty.”

Falena did not back away. He glanced at the unoccupied space on Leona’s bed.

“May I?”

“By all means. It’s not like you didn’t already barge in unannounced. What’s the use in denying you a seat?”

“… Thank you.”

Falena sat gingerly for a man of his size, careful to not disturb his brother. The bed frame creaked, now bearing the weight of two fully grown Kingscholars. A shared family legacy between them.

“… I know if was rude of us to surprise you like that. I apologize. I couldn’t help it. I wanted to see how you’d been doing at school.”

“A text or a call would have been more than enough.”

“Ah, but then you’d leave it on read or pretend the signal was bad and you were breaking up.”

Leona stared incredulously at his brother. Falena grinned like a cat that had gotten to the cream.

“I know most of your tricks by now.”

“Oh, good. I’ll have to brainstorm new ones to outwit you.”

“A text or a call wouldn’t have been enough anyway. I wanted to see the school that changed you for myself.” Falena gestured around them, at the blue sky waiting beyond the window. “And, of course, I wanted to see my changed brother for myself as well.”

“You’re mistaken. I haven’t changed at all. I’m still as miserable of a wretch as I ever was.”

“I beg to differ. You visited home for the first time in forever on winter break. You even brought some friends with you to Catch the Tail.”

“Whatever it takes to placate you and Kifaji,” Leona snorted.

“I think you’re deflecting. Big brothers know these kinds of things. It’s like my secret sense.” Placing his hands on the bed, Falena tilted his head back. His eyes were on the ceiling, but his words were directed at Leona. “You always avoided coming home before. Never quite liked it. Now you’re making a little more of an effort of it, even if it’s difficult for you.”

“Whatever would give you that impression, brother dearest?”

“Come on, Leona. I don’t have bugs for brains. I can tell when you’re uncomfortable or unhappy, or when you don’t want to do something. You’ve always been the stubborn type.”

Leona cursed internally. The palace servants would have called it the king’s sensitivity—but to the younger brother, it was nothing more than an annoyance.

Falena chuckled, elbowing Leona. “Something happened at school recently, didn’t it? Something that made you reconsider.”

Leona held his tongue. There was so much to tell, and none of it he wanted to be told.

I hurt other students to get a chance to prove myself. I plotted a stampede to take out the leader of a rival dorm. I Overblotted.

I conspired with fresh meat to infiltrate and steal. I dusted an octopunk’s contracts. I put together a stage.

I got hauled off to a secret underwater research facility and experimented on. I fought ancient Phantoms. And I… thought about the past, the future... and my role in it.

I survived all of that. I’m still here.

“A lot of things have happened,” Leona said vaguely. “There’s nothing for you to get your tail in a twist over. School's uneventful. It’s just me and my good chums livin’ it up.”

"Chums?" Falena's face brightened considerably. "Aw, so you have made friends after all! I'm so proud of you for finally opening up, Leona!"

He recoiled with disgust. "Hah?! Don't give me that 'power of friendship' bull crap, it sounds like something the Daikon Radish Sprout would quote from one of the shows he obsesses over."

"Don't be shy!! You've even got cute little nicknames for your buddies! I bet you stay up late into the night to talk about your hopes and dreams too."

"Hardly."

Falena laughed at the automatic, snappy response. Only he, the sunlight to Leona's shadows, could. "You're doing just fine. I'm glad."

"You're relieved that I won't disgrace the royal family."

Falena shook his head, letting red locks fall over his shoulders. "I was never angry or upset with you. I was sad because I was afraid you had lost your way in the dark. But you managed to find your way to the light again with the help of your friends. That's what I'm glad about."

Ever the brother's keeper, like a gnat to a wildebeest.

"Hmph. Despite what you say, you've yet to get out of my fur."

"As I've said, old habits die hard." Falena attempted at a chuckle, but it came out awkwardly. "... Say, Leona. Have you given some thought into what you'll do for your internship next year? Then there's your graduation...

"Things are changing so fast. It feels like just yesterday when father was still well, and we were still cubs wrestling in the savanna. Kifaji would tell us off, but we'd conspire to sneak off to explore the Elephant Graveyard anyway. You'd always beat me at chess, and Kifaji would beat you at your game. We'd dare each other to eat bugs from a pile, trying to find the one that tastes like chicken first.

"Still children, not yet king and prince, not yet shouldering the weight of our adult responsibilities. Now the older we get, the more and more we seem to drift apart, and the worse off father becomes."

"You're blabbering," Leona sighed, lowering the covers he had been cocooned in. His chocolate mane and lion ears made themselves known. "What's the point in reminiscing? We can never return to those days. Your eyes should be set on a future littered with prizes. You'll never seize them if you continue to fixate on the past."

"You're right." Falena smiled, looking properly at Leona still nestled in his sheets--but slowly inching out of them. "I've said this before, and I'll say it again. You're an intelligent young man, with a good head on your shoulders. You have skills and strengths that I could never dream of having."

"You're going to start on another one of your cooperation spiels, aren't you." Leona said it as a statement, not as a question.

"I hope you don't see it that way. No, I... I'd like to join hands with you again, brother." Falena offered an open hand, his entire being shining with hope. "Like we did in the past, this time for the future. Together, I firmly believe we can usher in a new era of peace and prosperity for the Sunset Savanna."

"What..."

Leona stared at the waiting hand like it was a bear trap with a tasty morsel. If he reached, those steel jaws would clamp around him, hurting him once more.

"What makes you think I'll accept the same speech you've thrown at me for years and years? It's the same song and dance."

"I know you, Leona. And I know that you must have had a change of heart, however small it may be. Here, at Night Raven College, you've become different."

Falena's fingers curled, and the hand retracted back to his lap. "You don't need to give me your answer now. Please, just consider it seriously. That would be enough for me."

"As always, you're endlessly optimistic."

"We balance each other out."

The sun had risen high in the sky, crowning another day. A fresh wave of heat pervaded the room.

Leona's blanket slipped to his waist, the material pooling at his legs. He emerged from the covers like a lion from its den.

"How fortunate," Leona purred, "killing two birds with one stone. A diplomatic meeting and a courtesy call rolled into one."

If only you were usually this efficient with handling your duties.

From down the hallway came the tmp, tmp tmp of footsteps. They grew progressively louder by the second, like a cheer swelling into an uproar. People coming closer, a crowd gathering.

A new game about to start.

“But unfortunately for you, my most exalted elder brother Falena…”

Leona stood at last, casting off his blanket in one glorious motion. It fluttered to the ground, no longer needed to shelter the beastman from the world--nor the world from him.

“I don’t play by your rules," Leona announced, his lips pulled back into a cocksure smirk.

BAM!!

At that moment, an out-of-breath Cheka came sprinting into the room, thrusting the door open. He was followed by a stampede of footsteps, hoots, and hollers--a whole pack of Savanaclaw students wielding brooms and a golden frisbee.

Through rosy cheeks, the cub declared, "Papa!! Ojitan!! We're ready!"

Chanting students echoed his sentiment.

"Perfect timing, furball." Leona languidly stepped off of his mattress, hands in his pockets. He was a king descending from his throne to be among his people.

He cast a glance at Falena, still seated on the bed, and felt his smirk widen. "I'm doing things my own way... and that includes wiping the floor with you in magical shift. Isn't that right, boys?"

The group broke out into rapturous barking. Stomping, clapping.

"Yeeeeah!! Let's body him, Leona-san!!"

"You could totally take him, dorm leader!!"

"Leona-senpai, fight, fight, fight!"

Oblivious Cheka, at the head of the group of absurdly burly young men, threw his arms up and squealed. "Everyone's so excited to play together!"

"Haha, you have such an enthusiastic group of supporters, Leona." Falena rose from the bed himself and turned to his brother. Sun and shadow, staring at each other in the face. "I would be honored to play a match with you. How about you and Savanaclaw on one team, and myself and the royal procession on the other team? We could ring up Kifaji to referee."

"What about me, Papa? What can I do?"

"Hmm... well, it'd be dangerous for a young one like you to play against older kids and adults. Maybe you could fetch water for the players?"

"Awww..." Cheka's ears flattened, his tail hanging in dismay. "But bringing water's not playing."

"Your dad's right, furball. Listen to him." Leona groaned, nudging the child. "You don't want to get caught up in the crossfires."

"Huh? Crossfires? There's no fire though."

"Oh, there is."

Leona's eyes, an immaculate shade of emerald circled by shadows, glinted with newfound promise and vigor.

This time, I'm settling the score... by my own rules.

[kichisaburo3]

Aunt MIMI of John Lennon To Interview in 1970 from reddit com

The Below is BLOCKQUOTE of reditt com https://www.reddit.com/r/beatles/comments/14njs8t/interview_with_aunt_mimi_1970/?rdt=53135

QUESTION: What do you really think of the Beatles?

MIMI SMITH: The boys had talent, yes, but they also had a lot of luck as well. When they first played “Love Me Do” I didn’t think much of it.

QUESTION: How did you view the troubles the Beatles have been going through these last few years?

SMITH: I don’t know all this business between John and Paul is about and I don’t dare ask John. I did ring Paul about it, and he told me things would straighten up. The boys have been friends so long. I remember them coming home from school together on their bikes, begging biscuits. I’m sure they’ll get back together soon. This is just a phase they’re passing through.

QUESTION: These days your nephew is very involved in a variety of social, political, and avant-garde causes. How do you feel about that?

SMITH: I’ve just quit reading the papers these days. Apple sends me his records, but I won’t play them. And I’ve asked my friends not to tell me about them. The shameful album cover and that [erotic] art show of his. He’s been naughty and the public doesn’t like it, and he’s sorry for it. Now he wants sympathy. That’s why he’s come out with all these fantastic stories about an unhappy childhood. It’s true that his mother wasn’t there and there was no father around, but my husband and I gave him a wonderful home. John didn’t buy me these furnishings, my husband did. John, Paul, and George wrote many songs together sitting on the sofa you’re sitting on now, long before you’d ever heard of the Beatles. Why, John even had a pony when he was a little boy! He certainly didn’t come from a slum! None of the boys did. The Harrisons weren’t as well off as the other families, perhaps, but George wasn’t from a slum, either, the way the press had it. And that’s why you never saw photographs of John’s boyhood home. We certainly weren’t imperished, the way John’s talking now ?

QUESTION: What do you think changed John so much from his early days as a carefree kid?

SMITH: She’s responsible for all this, Yoko. She changed him, and I’m sure she and Linda are behind the split between John and Paul. Cynthia was such a nice girl. When she and John were in art college, she’d come to my house and say, “Oh, Mimi, what am I going to do about John?” She’d sit there until he came home. Cynthia really pursued him. He’d walk up the road and back until she got tired of waiting and went home. I think he was afraid of her, actually.

QUESTION: You realize, of course, that to many people John is something of a political leader with such songs as, “Power to the People,” for example …

SMITH: Don’t talk to me about such things! I know that boy. He doesn’t know what he’s saying! It’s all an act. If there were a revolution, John would be the first in the queue to run! Why, he’s scared to death of things like that! That’s Yoko talking, not John! Yoko is not exactly right in the head. Everytime John does something bad and gets his picture in the papers he rings up to smooth me over. See that new color television? It was a Christmas present, but he had it delivered early. A big present arrives every time he’s been naughty. I usually have a huge photograph of John hanging in the lounge. When he’s a good boy, it’ll go back up again!

TAG of BEATLES in my Tumblr https://kichisaburo3.tumblr.com/tagged/BEATLES

12 NOV 2024 Tuesday

[gennyanydots]

Sorry about your small…

Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x f!reader

Part of the Spitfire Universe

Not necessary to have read them all but makes more sense to have read “Preschool Family Day”

“I’m sorry about your small penis, asshole!” You yelled to the vehicle in the turning lane as you finally passed them, completely forgetting your window was open.

You were late. Again. Like normal.

You told your best friend you would meet her at 5 and it’s 5:15 already and you’re still ten ish minutes away.

And the stupid vehicle in front of you was slower than molasses in the winter and clearly did not have the urgency you did.

You try to take some deep breaths to calm down. You’ll get there. It’s not like your best friend isn’t very much aware of your proclivities but you feel bad. So every time you try so hard to make up the time driving. You don’t drive recklessly per se, you’re still cautious and follow the laws vaguely, you just drive a little quicker sometimes.

By the time you get to the restaurant that you were meeting your friend at you completely forget about the car in front of you but maybe you shouldn’t have…

Your work week had turned out to be pretty good. Nothing out of the ordinary made for a nice week. No surprises. No messes. Nobody’s been sick. Plus, the whole week you had been looking forward to Friday, not that you’d admit it.

Eli Seresin told you on Monday that his favorite Uncle Rooster was picking him up early on Friday. You loved it when Uncle Rooster picked him up. Who wouldn’t?

What’s not to like about an attractive, caring man picking up his adopted nephew from preschool early to hangout together and have ‘guy time’? A man that would flirt with you every time he came by while simultaneously being the nicest man you’d ever talked to. He’s definitely had you swooning over him since he first came to the school for special adult day a couple months ago. Pretty consistently Uncle Rooster picks up Eli at least once every two weeks, either at normal pick up time or early for their special Rooster and Eli time. Sometimes you wonder if he’s doing it to be nice or if he’s doing it to see you. You haven’t felt bold enough to ask yet.

Usually if Rooster is picking Eli up early he does so a little before nap time is finished which meant today you had to race out and grab something for lunch and race back so you didn’t miss him. That would ruin your whole week. You didn’t mind spending most of your lunch break in the dark room with your assistant instead of spending time away from the kids, it’s not like you needed it. You loved your class most of the time.

The line at the fast food place you stopped at took a bit longer than you had hoped for and had you speeding back to work with your fingers crossed praying you hadn’t missed Bradley. That would ruin your whole day. And if you’re being honest with yourself probably your whole weekend too.

When you passed the visitor parking area you thought you noticed a car you vaguely recognized but you couldn’t remember why. It wasn’t a normal looking car. You figure it probably was one of your coworkers’ significant other’s car or something who parked there for some reason.

You open the door to the building just in time to see Bradley walking towards you with two armfuls of a sleeping Eli and you smile, “That’s a very sleepy baby you got there.”

Bradley chuckles, “He wasn’t feeling waking up so I figured might as well take him home with me and we can both nap on the couch.”

“That sounds like a great afternoon,” you say holding the door open for Bradley to walk through.

He nods his thanks to you, “Hey, do you think you can open my car door for me? I could do it but I don’t want to jostle him too much. He’s grumpy like his mama when he gets woken up too early.”

You laugh and nod, “I’m grumpy when I get woken up too.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Bradley says as he walks towards the vehicle you thought you recognized earlier. Huh. Weird. You must have just seen it here before.

He nods towards the right side and you quickly open the door for him and he slides Eli out of his arms and into his car seat, strapping him in carefully and efficiently, before gently closing the door.

“Thanks so much,” Bradley says to you and you nod.

“It was no problem at all,” you say and smile.

Bradley heads to the driver side and opens the door then leans in and starts the car but doesn’t slide into the car yet, instead turning towards you.

You look at the sleeping Eli and wave at him even though you know he’s asleep then walk to stand at the back of Bradley’s car, “Well, I hope you two have a fun time napping.”

Bradley chuckles, “Oh, I’m sure we will. He’ll probably nap for a little and then beg me to go to the beach or something.”

“Sounds like a perfect afternoon.”

Bradley nods, “Yep, then I’ll send him back to his parents and go hang out with some buddies of mine. You should come out with us if you’re not busy.”

“And why should I come out with you, Uncle Rooster?” You ask teasingly.

He grins and takes a few steps towards you and bends close to your ear, “Cause the other day you said something and I’ve been thinking about how I need to prove you wrong ever since.”

You look up at him confused. You can’t remember saying anything odd to him lately, “What did I say?”

Bradley chuckles, “You said I had a small penis and I very much so would love to show you just how wrong you are.”

You gulp and try to think back, “I… I don’t think I said that to you.”

He nods, “You yelled it out your window at me when you passed me. Said ‘Sorry about your small penis, asshole’.”

Shit. Of course the one time you yell something like that it’s at someone you know. That’s why you remember his car. Your face heats up, “I am so, so, so sorry. I didn’t realize that was you.”

He brings a hand up and gently brushes your cheek with the back of his first two fingers, “No worries. In fact I thought it was pretty funny. But I do want you to know that isn’t the case if you’re interested. Can’t have a pretty girl thinking less of me. Not that I’m sure I couldn’t still show you a great time if it was true. It’s not the plane, sweetheart, it’s the pilot.”

You bite your lip and nod, “So, if I was interested where would I go later?”

Rooster smiles and gets out his phone and hands it to you, “Put your number in, honey. I’ll text you the details.”

You do and hand it back then take a couple steps backwards towards the school, “I look forward to being proven wrong.”

Bradley winks at you, “I think you’ll have a good time.” 

[ivyuns]

one word - heeseung

genre: angst/fluff

word count: 4.0k 

warnings: first half does not make sense, heeseung being a drug addict and alcoholic, underage drinking, reader feeling self esteem bc of heeseung, gaslighting, lovers to exes to lovers trope, heeseung + reader being sad, reader almost having an anxiety attack, bruises, heeseung changing his habits, break ups, reader’s nephew being the best, language, grammar mistakes, lmk what else i missed!

synopsis: heeseung and you stopped talking for two years over something he told you that made you want to disappear. these years, you’ve been trying to heal yourself from him. and when you’re done healing, he finally comes talking to you, apologizing for all the things he’s done.

notes: wished my ex did this tbh 😥

masterlist

the day has came, where you knew you two would break up. you knew it was coming up. the constant drinking problems, drug addiction, and gaslighting, this had to end. 

coming home late at night, the house reeked with different smells. you smelt the cigars left on the balcony, the alcohol from the kitchen, and some other disgusting smell.

“heeseung?” you called out. the moment he heard you, a struggled onto his feet and walked out of your shared room. “hi y/n” he said, drunk. he smelt like drugs and alcohol and you hated how you had to drench yourself in perfume to get rid of the smell for work and school.

“i’m leaving heeseung.”

“leaving for what babe” he giggled, almost placing kisses onto your neck til you stopped him. “i cant be do this heeseung. either you stop this or im leaving and i’m pretty sure you’ll choose whatever this crazy stuff you love to do over me, so we’re done heeseung.”

you were about to go up to your room until he grabbed your wrists. “damn right i choose drugs over you dumb bitch. waste of life honestly. just go and disappear while you’re at it. everyone hates you.” he spit at you.

you already had a bad day of work from the constant yelling from your boss and you had the courage to have a talk with heeseung with your cousin. the gaslighting he has done to you has never went this far until today.

so, you slapped him. “shut up heeseung! i was the only one who was willing to stay with your drug addict ass! the one who defended you. when you’re sober, which is never, talk to me and see how broken you’ll be when i’m gone.”

tears fell as you aggressively packed your belongings. pictures of you and heeseung on your walls to be reminded how strong your love was with him. how both of you were so loved.

when you gave heeseung that slap, he woke up, kinda. he didn’t know a harsh slap would realize what he had done to the love of his life.

he saw how your lips trembled in fear, he saw how you were trying to hold your tears, he saw how brave you were to talk to his stubborn ass. he saw how he broke the most precious girl.

2 years down the drain. he thought.

it took in action when he saw you struggling with a specific subject ar the schools library and he happened to be sitting next to you. you two eventually exchanged numbers. then heeseung began growing feelings for you and you did too.

after awhile, you two moved in with each other, so happy and madly in love. but things changed when you had to start working more to help you and heeseung out.

12+ hours and working two jobs and school, heeseung felt he was left in the dust. he told you that he’ll be the one helping more while you just relax and do school but you refused. an argument broke out because of this which resulted you leaving the apartment and heeseung left at home, stressed the fuck out.

he didnr wanr you to overwork yourself. he told you specifically you both will go half and half.

everything started going downhill when you found heeseungs piled up of drugs and alcohol in his closet. yet another fight broke out.

“maybe if weren’t being such a fucking brat and listened to me in the first place, i wouldn’t have done this!” he yelled. tears streaming down your face but like did heeseung care at all?

“i just want the best for us heeseung.”

4 months of this, you were out of that house you once called home. you blocked all contact from heeseung and moved back home to australia with your sister, who had supported you from this end.

you left heeseung the promise ring he gifted you on your birthday and no money for him to pay your side of rent. it was just him, and his little friends.

heeseung stayed inside most of the day. he reeked the smell of weed and he hated it. he now hates it.

he hates how you left him. he hates how he was the main reason of this. the night you left he ran to find his phone but to find it dead. he can’t even find his charger for goodness sake. he looked around the room and that’s when he broke down. “i cant live without you. come back to me please.”

another 3 years passed. you’re now 23 and finished your college years in australia.

honestly, you were so grateful to have your sister next to you. when you landed and went to her house, you immediately broke down. you lost all your confidence and felt lost in life. the words heeseung told you kept replaying in your mind and it drastically told you that you’ll never be enough for someone again.

but with your sister and her little growing family of hers, you’ve learned and healed from the past. as days of the crying to sleep alone, your nephew always came into your room late at night, hearing your muffled sobs next door. he always climbed into bed with you and brought you a smile. the morning of these kinds of nights, you always apologized to your sister for accidentally waking up her son.

when you went three years without heeseung, you always wondered how he’s been. is he still addicted to drugs? is he still drinking? is he happier without me? all these is questions. what if one day you’ll just see him walking by?

which is why you’re now back in korea. not to see heeseung, but ready to be fearless of a country you were scared of because of him.

your last secret handshake you did with your nephew brought him to tears. “i don’t want you to go! i don’t want you to be sad again. stay here with me and be happy please” he frowned. as much as you did want to stay, you had a big job opportunity there. it was either go big or go home.

your sister had told you if nothing works out there, you are always welcome back. you thank everyone and left, sending your nephew flying kisses until you couldn’t see them anymore.

when you arrived, you greet your mom who happily let you live with her. you left your stuff down and got

ready to see the brighter days in korea.

stepping out of the house, uou felt nostalgia. you remembered when you first started dating heeseung, he would always surprise you in the morning with your favorite cup of hot chocolate and walk with you to school.  

you ignored the feelings and went to the cafe your friend asked you to come hang out. entering, you wave at your friend but pointed to the front counter, indicating that you’re gonna order your drink first.

turning to face the worker behind the counter, your face fell. heeseung.

“y-y/n..” he spoke out. you felt everything suddenly come down and your lips started to tremble. eyes staring anywhere but him. “she’ll get the matcha latte. thank you” your friend butts in to save you and grabs your hand to walk to the table and comforting you.

“im so sorry my love i didn’t know he worked here” your friend said sadly. from heeseungs point of view from the beginning, he was flabbergasted. he didn’t know where you went after the breakup.

you weren’t registered in your college anymore and your mom didn’t tell him about your whereabouts. he lived in the house he once called home with you, lonely. he quit his addiction for drugs and alcohol, hoping you’ll come back home. even if it was just to pick up something, he just wanted to see you one last time.

he was so lost and broken. but a certain call snapped him out of it. the call was specifically from his brother who noticed so many changes when you left.

you actually told his brother everything heeseung had done. including the drugs. he was furious at his own brother but he also understood why you wanted to leave him. “god heeseung what am i going to do with you”

as heeseung walked to your table with your drink and a free pastry, you nervously held your friends hands. you thought you were over him. you didn’t fear him anymore. but you still had a little love for him. and heeseung knew.

he saw how shaky you were when he interrupted your conversation. “enjoy, and the pastry is on the house” he smiled and left.

when get got to the back when he was secluded, he broke down. he fucked up and he wished he could just time travel back.

he made the girl who showed light into his world fear him. he didn’t mean for it to come out like this. he wished he could just bring you into his arms, telling you it’ll be okay.

when you left, heeseung made sure he was going to sober up. he finally cleaned himself up and the house, waiting for you to come back. he changed, for you. but you never came back.

but he got the news when he were coming back home from a mutual friend who also worked at the same cafe with him. he was so relieved that you’re coming back. he knows not back into his arms, but knows you’ll be back.

“heeseung!”

hé suddenly stood up and ran to the front, wiping his tears. there stood a $20 bill as his tip and a note on the table.

“thank you, heeseung :)” he knew it was you. he knew your handwritting more than anyone else. he smiled and gratefully accepted the tip, even though you’re long gone.

the second interaction you had with him was when you were in a rush to get to your work building. what’s worst is that you were running late on your first day.

you lived a few minutes away from the building but the night before of crying your heart out just for heeseung wasnt helping at all. your eyes were still red and puffy.

running in the city of seoul, you accidentally bumped into someone and twisted your ankle from falling, and the coffee that spilled in your blouse. “fuck.” you muttered. you looked up and saw heeseung quickly getting up and helping you. “fuck y/n i’m so sorry. are you okay? can you walk?” he held his hand out for you. you grabbed his hand and winced as weight was added to the ankle that was sprained.

“god im so sorry y/n, i-“ “sorry, i have to get to work” you cut him off and ran off. heeseung sighed and walked home disappointed.

he really wanted to be clear with you and apologize for what he’s done in the past. he walked into the house and still saw some of your stuff just laying in parts of the house.

your scrunchie still laid on his desk, your polaroid was still on the fridge. like you were still here. for 3 years and he’s still hung up on you.

but as you ran inside the building, you quickly fixed yourself and walked to greet your new co workers, ignoring the fact that your have spilled coffee on you and a bruise forming on your ankle.

“y/n l/n?”

you turned around and saw the brightest smile back from high school. “sunghoon?” you ran to him and gave him the biggest hug ever. “oh my gosh y/n what happened!” he exclaimed. “don’t worry hoon, just a rough start today” you laughed it off.

sunghoon got the first aid kit he always carried with him and applied ointment on your bruise and bandaged it up and gave you his blazer to cover the stain on your shirt. “thank you hoon” you hugged him.

since the first day of work, you felt so happy seeing your old friend everyday. you two became closer again. you told him about heeseung and how you finished your education in australia. when you mentioned australia, he mentioned jake had moved there too recently for his education as well. making sure to plan a trip there to visit him.

the night of catching up with laughter and smiles, sunghoon walked you home since it was night. heeseung was closing the cafe so as he left, he saw you and sunghoon not too far away from him. he felt sick to his stomach. he didn’t know you knew sunghoon at all. but here you are, all close to him.

he felt lost and confused. as he got home, he went to the fridge and grabbed a beer from the back of the fridge, popping it open and chugging it. “i need you, y/n.”

when sunghoon dropped you off, you thanked him and told him to be safe on the way back home, even if he lived a couple floors down from you in the apartment complex. you turned around and saw your mom standing in the middle of the hall.

“mom!” you screamed, like it was a horror movie. “mom oh my god what are you doing awake?” you asked. your mom suddenly giggles. “ooh is my daughter finally falling in love? with my best friends son” she teases. you laugh as well. “mom hes just a big brother to me okay? and he already knows. plus you know about me and heeseung” you whispered the last part, almost tearing up. “it’s okay my child, i understand. by the way, clean out your stuff okay hon? you’ve stored too much of you stuff here like i don’t have my own room here!” she laughed. you nodded and gave her a goodnight.

opening your bedroom door, god she was not kidding at all. you began cleaning out your closet then the extra room that was for your other stuff. you didn’t even care what it was, if you didn’t need it, you just threw it out.

the sun was rising and you were still cleaning, but you were almost there! thank goodness there was no work or else you would’ve been dead. you put the pile of clothes to give away in front of your door and another pile of trash next to it, noting to take it out when you wake up.

you were about to fall asleep until you got notifications.

heeseung lee @heeseungz has followed you.

@heeseungz wants to send you a message.

— i miss you so crazy bad y/n.

then suddenly, memories with him clouded your mind. it’s been 3 years and you’re still not over him. it’s so stupid how he said things to you, hitting your insecurities and then still being in love with him. ‘you’re so stupid y/n’

back in australia, you kept reminding yourself you didn’t need heeseung. you were fully healed from him, but every blind date your sister put you on, it didn’t feel the same. like there was no other person than heeseung. nobody could be like him. so you told your sister to just stop wasting her time in which she understood.

you would walk to school and see all these cafes and cute areas that heeseung would take you back home. everything just reminded you of him and you would always come back home crying in bed.

his words replayed in the back of your mind, which sent triggering messages. you swore you would find new love, but your heart still beats for him only. you still loved him.

overthinking took your mind, so now it was 8 in the morning and you haven’t slept. sunghoon had sent you a message but you didn’t bother to check it. you laid in bed, sad and lonely, and wanting to feel the warmth from heeseung again.

you closed your eyes and you felt you slept for a few minutes, but really was 4 hours. you woke up and heard your mom and sunghoon talking.

“hoon-ah, she always wakes up crying and i just feel awful i cant do anything. i’m not sure if her relationship with heeseung really hurt her or australia impacted her.” sunghoon could only sigh. he shouldn’t told her your business about heeseung and you, but she’s your mother for goodness sake.

he didn’t want to keep this going on and continuing to hurt you even more, so he did the right thing and told her everything.

she didn’t understand why you suddenly dropped your stuff at her place and moved to australia. she didn’t stop you, as long as you were happy, she’s happy. but now she knows. and it’s all because of lee fucking heeseung.

he was the one who hurt her precious daughter. she didn’t know how to react now that he’s been dropping off food for you whenever you’re out, to make sure you’re well fed. now everything is finally connecting.

you slept for another good hour and finally woke up at 1 pm. you stumbled on your feet and went to your bathroom to freshen up. you didn’t expect to see the trash bags gone and you asked your mom what happened to it. “sunghoon came over this morning to make us breakfast but you were still asleep. then he offered to take the bags to trash” you hummed. you were about to go back to your room until your mom stopped you.

“y/n, why didn’t you tell me about heeseung?”

that’s it. this is when you have to explain everything. you knew this was going to happen. you sat her down on the couch and talked to her, something the two of you haven’t done in a while since you began working so much. the day ended with tears and laughter.

you told her you still loved him even with the words he said to you. she was against you going back to him, but she wants you to be happy again. she doesn’t want to hear her daughter crying every morning thinking about the guy who broke her.

another day off, you took a morning walk with your headphones in. you saw heeseung in the distance, looking at the sun rise. it was so beautiful he thought. he thought he could just do his daily morning jogs to get you off his mind but it never worked.

“the view is pretty, isn’t it?” you striked the conversation. heeseung turns himself to you and smiled. “good morning y/n.” “morning hee” he swore his heart clenched when he heard you say his favorite nickname. “so, how are you?”

from that point, you and heeseung were finally in good terms. you told him your life in australia and school and how you reunited with sunghoon at work.

“y/n, i just wanted to say. i’m sorry what happened years ago. it still doesn’t sit right with me that i didn’t chase you after you left that night. and if something was to happen to you that night, i wouldn’t had forgave myself. and i still don’t to this day.” he paused and held your hands. “what i’m saying is, i’m willing to start again. as friends. i’ve changed for you y/n. im willing to try again”

it was silence for a bit until he heard your sobs. he panicked and wiped your tears. “y/n-“ “heeseung” you frowned. “i’ve waited three years for this” both of you let out a chuckle. “god i’m still in love with you”

since then, you two were coming close again. and he was right. he quit his addiction and changed for you. you slowly let your parents and sunghoon get more comfortable  with having heeseung around. they felt relieved that you were smiling all over again, but still kept a close eye on heeseung.

your sister was happy about the news. however your nephew wasn’t. “noona! you promised me you wouldn’t be with that bad guy again!” and “noona i will go there and beat the bad guy up if he hurts you again!”

every morning, you’ll wake up next to heeseung and he’ll walk you to work. the days you didn’t have work but he did, he made sure to leave loving notes around your room since it was early in the morning and you needed your rest.

days when both of you were off, days were spent in your used-to-be house with heeseung. slow dancing in the dim lighting will light chill music playing and the busy streets underneath you two. you two shared your first kiss after years and smiled. “i love you so fucking much, damn it!” heeseung cursed.

“watch your language, hee” you giggled. “be mine? again?” he asked. “as if we weren’t already dating these past months, hee.” you kissed him. “i love you.”

you and heeseung were back together and decided to find a place together, again. the apartment you had with him was so amazing with the loving view, but it was a new start. you wanted to be closer to work and to your parents and sunghoons apartment complex.

you found the perfect one with spacious living and was a walking distance to everywhere. the view was spectacular and now that you and heeseung had everything settled, it won’t be like the same from before. you two planned things perfectly and heeseung swore on his life he will never do drugs again and only drink lightly. and if he broke those promises, he told you you can leave him once again and make sure he doesn’t come into your life again.

“heeseung stop being silly right now, we’re healthy right now” you laughed. “i know, but i’m just saying. i don’t want to lose you again y/n” he hugged you from behind, looking at the river view through the tall windows. “thank you for everything, hee”

your little session together was interrupted when a doorbell rang. you opened it and saw all of heeseungs friends, including jake who just finished a semester of college and sunghoon. “hyung!” you heard one of them say.

to be honest, you only knew jay, sunghoon, and jake since you all went to school together. but heeseung eventually introduced sunoo, jungwon, and niki to you, who are still in their first year of college.

later your parents came over to the new unit and heeseungs parents greeting you with love. “welcome back our lovely y/n!”

then your favorite little nephew came to visit you, as well as your sister and her husband. “noona!” he ran to you. you gave him a big hug and smooched him all over his face. “n/n! i missed you so much! how’s school” “it’s good! i learned so much already. but you teach me more things that are better than at school noona”

heeseung came next to you. “is this the little man you always talk about love?” your nephew gasped. “noona is this the bad guy? but he looks so handsome and tall” you and heeseung giggled. “yes love this is the guy who hurt me” heeseung carried your nephew. “woah you’re so handsome though” he was so fascinated that he started to play with heeseungs cheeks. you took a picture of this moment, smiling in this moment.

you two were so much happier now. all it took was one word. you knew you made the final choice on staying with him, once again.

END.

(2022) © dont repost or copy | @ivyuns

[daydreamingfuel]

Freak Like Me

Chapter 4

Eddie Munson x Fem!Reader

AO3 // previous // next

Y/N has just moved to Hawkins from England with her parents and is starting at the high school in the final term of her senior year. Eddie immediately takes a liking to her and they become fast friends, deciding to take her under his wing and falling to her charms. This is Hawkins however and things are never quite as they seem...

WHOLE FIC TAGS & WARNINGS: gratuitous use of Y/N (I'm not sorry), friends to lovers, slow burn, mutual pining, eventual smut, semi-fix-it-fic, angst, injury, canon dialogue and events used, canon graphic violence, no main character death :)

Chapter Tags & Warnings: A whole lot of angst (reader is scared and angry), new character appearances (Wayne, Steve, Robin and Max), Eddie getting jealous, most of this is the reader interacting with characters other than Eddie but it's vital to her growth as a character and she does not shut up about him so he's still very much present.

Chapter Word Count: 6k

A/N - Yeah, I know it took me two months to upload the next chapter again, I'm sorry, I had writers block. Also thank you to everyone that commented on and reblogged the previous chapters, it means so much to me, you're all sweethearts

Her heartbeat thumped in her ears, her mind screaming to move, but Y/N was paralysed. Eddie was gone. He’d left her. Out of fear or cowardice or something inexplicable, she didn’t know. The once loud sobs had turned to a silent tremble as tears continued to cascade down her cheeks in the time that had passed. She had no idea how much time had passed. Hours most likely, though the world seemed to move in slow motion as she tried desperately to pull herself together. She had to think of something.

How are you supposed to explain this to the police, huh?

What would everyone think? You’ll be exiled. Again.

What will Mum say?

“Mum…” A sharp intake of breath made her body crumble. She could go home, explain what she could to her mum and form a plan for when the police came knocking. But it was inexplicable, they wouldn’t be able to explain the death in any way that makes sense. Chrissy’s death didn’t make sense. The sound of boots outside the trailer door alerted her to the reality of the situation but Y/N couldn’t will her body to move. Keys at the lock told Y/N it was Eddie’s uncle Wayne coming back from his shift.

The man was no stranger, and he had grown accustomed to seeing her in his home. Y/N could remember the first time they met, as clear as day. Popcorn had been flung everywhere when a jumpscare had actually managed to make her jump during one of Y/N and Eddies movie nights. Wayne had walked in on Eddie laughing at Y/N for being scared of the “kind of cheesy” jumpscare and immediately called Eddie out for being a scaredy cat himself as a child, then making him clean up the popcorn. From then on he often doted on her subtly when Eddie wasn’t looking so as to not embarrass him further. What the man did not expect when he came home was a mutilated cheerleader in his living room, Y/N sobbing by the kitchen counter and Eddie nowhere to be seen.

“Care to explain?” Wayne asked in fear and desperation to make clarity of the grotesque sight before him.

Her voice was quiet and hoarse, the memories of Chrissy’s bones breaking flashing through her mind, making her shudder as she spoke, “I don’t know how to…but I didn’t do this. She was my best friend, Wayne.”

Something in the fear and horror in Y/N’s eyes softened Wayne’s already weakened resolve, but he still urged on, “Did you see what or who did? And where is my nephew?” What was she supposed to say to him? That his nephew had abandoned her with Chrissy’s body after they watched her be raised from the earth and murdered in mid-air? No, she couldn’t do that to him.

“No.” Y/N locked her wide, wet eyes with his worried ones, “I didn’t see a thing.” It wasn’t a complete lie. Y/N had no clue who or what had done this to her friend. But it wasn’t the whole truth either. “And Eddie…”

“His van is gone, I thought he’d be with you, celebratin’ an’ all, but he ran didn’t he?” Wayne spoke, the weight of it settling on him. “Running scared, and left you here.”

“I begged him to stay. That running makes him look guilty when he isn’t, he would never, but he-” The words cut themselves off with a choked sob bubbling up from her chest. After a few deep breaths to calm herself down she asked quietly, “What do we do?”

Wayne stood up and pulled Y/N up with him, he ran a hand over his head and down his face before answering, thinking over everything, before ultimately saying, “I’ll handle the cops, you go find my boy.”

“Wayne, I-”

“Just go find him, bring him home. I’ll call this in, say the house was empty when I got here.” Wayne insisted and urged her to go. She didn’t have it in her to argue, so Y/N quickly rounded up her things and fled the house, sparing one last glance at Chrissy and mouthing a ‘thank you’ to Wayne as he dialled ‘911’, before running home before anyone noticed she was even there.

Her whole body was aching and sweaty when she finally collapsed through her front door, finding her mother asleep at the dinner table. Y/N's heart squeezed in her chest at the sight as she rounded the table and made her way to the bathroom to freshen up a little, splashing cold water over her sticky flesh and taming her hair as much as she could before heading back to her sleeping mother and gently waking her. As soon as she opened her eyes, Y/N all but flung herself into her mother’s arms. Though she had only just awoke, Mrs Y/L/N held her daughter close, stroking her back to soothe her though she had no clue what was wrong. Y/N’s mind raced once more, shaking though protected in her mother’s warmth and care, as the tears began to fall again, soaking into her mother’s old cardigan. Feeling like a child again, she was rocked gently until she found her voice.

“Mum, something terrible happened,” Y/N whispered into her mother’s shoulder. She couldn’t lie to her. No matter how much she wanted to, she couldn’t hide this from her. So, Y/N recanted the whole story - no inexplicable, horrifying detail spared - to her mother, who sat and listened patiently until the story was over. It all came out in one long ramble, jumping from one thought to another until she ended by saying, “I need to find him, he’s in huge trouble.”

“Breathe, Y/N.” Mrs Y/L/N spoke calmly, “Count with me, 1…2…”

“1…2…3…4…”

By ‘10’, Y/N’s thoughts were clearer and she pulled herself up to make eye contact with her mother, who had been silently crying herself. “I hope you are aware of how insane this is, dear.” Y/N could only nod and her mother took a breath before saying, “But I believe you.”

“You do?”

“You are many things, dear – reckless, stubborn, strong-willed, but you are not a killer, and you’ve never lied to me. Why would you now? If you say you nor Eddie did it, I believe you.”

“Mum, I’m scared.” Y/N finally let herself say, “There’ll be a manhunt for him soon and Chrissy won’t get the justice she deserves, because he didn’t do it, and there’s no proof…there’s no proof that it was him but there’s none that it wasn’t either. He ran, he looks guilty.”

“Do what you promised, find him and we can clear his name. If there really is no proof and all they have is circumstantial it won’t hold up in court, but he needs to be back here to plead his case.” Mrs Y/L/N was calm in her own fear, moreover protective of her baby. “But eat first. Go have a shower and I’ll make you something, you’ll need your strength.” She stood and started pulling things from cupboards and the fridge as Y/N stood to wander back to the bathroom. “Honey?”

“Yeah, mum?” Y/N turned back to face the kitchen.

“Let’s not tell your father, just yet.”

“Agreed.”

The hot water running over her sore muscles made her groan in relief as she rubbed soap into her skin. She was tired and hungry and scared, but her mind was wide awake. Where would he go? There weren’t many options, but she still wasn’t too familiar with Hawkins and the surrounding woods. The sun now bursting through the curtains alerted her to how much time had actually passed. Checking the clock on the wall, made her shudder, past noon. He could be anywhere by now; this was going to be difficult. Hot food wafted its comforting smell through the house and pulled Y/N quickly back to the kitchen with a grumbling stomach, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten since before Hellfire the previous day. Y/N and her mum ate in relative silence, sat side by side with their chairs almost touching, letting the gravity of the situation begin to settle around them. With every bite, Y/N tried to piece it all together to no avail, so instead turned her mind to really thinking about where he could have run off to. Running through every conversation she had ever had with him, picking out as many different locations as she could remember. Just as she was forming a list in her head of places to check, the phone rang, cutting through the silence.

With a hard swallow, Y/N stood and answered the phone. “Hello?”

“Y/N!” Dustin’s voice echoed through the phone speaker, “Thank god, do you-”

Bewildered, Y/N asked, cutting him off, “Dustin? How did you get this number?”

“I, um..” he stumbled to fund the words but quickly got himself back on track, “That’s not important right now. Do you know where Eddie is? You were the last person to be seen with him.”

Y/N’s blood ran cold, her grip on the phone growing tighter.

“Y/N? Are you still there?”

“Y-yeah, Dustin, I’m still here. I just-,” Y/N’s breathing began to get more laboured with each word, “Eddie, he’s- I don’t-,”

“Y/N?” A new voice, a young girl. “I’m Max, Dustin’s friend.” Y/N realised this must be Lucas’ ex, the ‘badass’. “I live opposite Eddie in the trailer park.”

Shit.

Max continued, “I saw Eddie leave, he looked scared, terrified. But I saw you and Chrissy go in together, with him.”

“Fuck. I…Max, can you put Dustin back on?” Y/N heard the phone being passed on, “Dustin? He’s innocent, I swear to God he’s innocent.”

“I know.”

Y/N’s breath hitched, she took a chance on him before her brain could even process the words falling out of her mouth, “Where are you right now? I think we need to talk in person.”

She ran to her room to get dressed and dry her hair as much as she could before backing up a backpack of things she might need in the search for Eddie. In just over an hour from hanging up the phone with Dustin she was pulling him into a hug outside Family Video. The freshman was perplexed as to why she was holding him so tightly but didn’t let go until she started to pull away. He lead her inside, where she could finally put some faces to the names of people that she’d heard about over the past two months.

Max Mayfield was taller than Dustin, with fiery red hair pulled into a braid, a strikingly pretty contrast to her fair skin, with headphones around her neck. Robin Buckley, a girl in her year that she had somehow managed to not have any classes with, stood leaning against the counter of the store, her bobbed hair framing her face perfectly, though slightly dishevelled from running her hands through it. And Steve “The Hair” Harrington, whom she had heard so much about from Dustin, taller than them all, strutted over to greet Y/N and Dustin at the door. Y/N was immediately taken aback by how casually handsome he was.

“So this is Y/N?” He asked Dustin who nodded with a smile looking between Steve and Y/N, “I’m Steve, this is Robin and Max. We’ve heard a lot about you, nice to finally meet you,” he smiled, charm dripping off the words with ease, though Y/N got the immediate impression that it didn’t work as much as it used to, the uniform vest taking his confidence down a peg. But Y/N was charmed anyway, he seemed cool in a classic way.

"I wish it was under different circumstances,” Y/N gave him a smile back, which quickly turned into a frown as her rows furrowed. They all silently agreed. Dustin guided Y/N to the central counter where the group huddled. “Look what happened…it’s nonsensical.”

They all exchanged uneasy but familiar looks as Y/N filled them in on what had occurred at the trailer as simply as possible, not wanting to break down again. Their expressions weren’t of disbelief, but of recognition. They actually believed her. When it was over, Y/N could all but see the cogs turning in their heads, putting missing pieces she didn’t know of together.

“Do you have any idea where he could have gone?” Robin asked, her voice vaguely hoarse but soft.

Y/N licked her lips and took a breath, “I have a list, but there’s one that sticks out the most. Eddie gets drugs from some guy named Reefer Rick, and sometimes Eddie crashes there.”

“Sounds promising. It’s the best lead we’ve got, after you.” Dustin said. Of course, Y/N would be the first lead people would follow with how closely linked they are. Y/N raised her eyebrows quickly in acknowledgement and Dustin continued, “Where does Reefer Rick live?”

“See, that's the thing. No one knows.” Max answered, “He's more of a… a legend than someone that people actually know.”

“He never let me go with him to do pick-ups, so I have no idea,” Y/N added.

“Last name?” Robin then asked as Steve wandered away in frustration.

“I don’t know that either. I’m sorry.” Y/N wished she could be of more help, all she wanted to do was find him, and it seemed like they wanted the same. For one reason or another.

Robin shook her head as if to say ‘Don’t be’, but then her eyes lit up with an idea as she messed with one of the tapes. Suddenly, she was sitting at the computer typing away.

“What are you doing?” Max questioned her friend’s odd behaviour, moving to stand next to her as the rest of the group followed suit, surrounding Robin and the computer.

“Maybe we don't need a last name.” As Robin pressed ‘Enter’ on the keyboard, the screen filled with a list, “Twelve Ricks already have accounts here.”

“Lot of Ricks,” Y/N said, more to herself but it got a snicker from Max and Steve, as she rested her hands on the back of Robin's chair, leaning over her shoulder a little to read the list of names.

Robin looked up at Y/N over her shoulder and blushed slightly at the proximity but quickly turned back to the screen, “So, let's narrow it down.” She clicked on the first name and his details filled the screen. “Rick Alderman's latest rentals are Annie and Dumbo. Chances our drug dealer has a family?”

“Not likely.” Max immediately said and Y/N nodded in agreement. Back, down, enter.

“All right. Rick Conroy.” Robin announced the next Rick, “Sixteen Candles, Teen Wolf, Romancing the Stone.”

Max, Steve, Dustin and Y/N all spoke in unison, “No”

“Okay.” Back, down, enter. “Rick Joiner. Mask, Footloose, and Grease”

Another resounding “Nah,” from the group. Back, down, enter. “Rick Kimbrough. The Blue Lagoon and Splash.”

They laughed lightly at the film selection, but it still didn’t seem likely, as told by Max who said “Definitely not”, immediately followed by Steve’s “No way.”

“Okay.” Back, down, enter. “Rick Lipton. Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Cheech & Chong's Next Movie.” They all looked at each other smiling, as Robin read out the list, “Cheech & Chong's Nice Dreams. Cheech & Chong's Up in Smoke.”

Y/N chuckled “Bingo.” Found you.

Max asked, “Lipton?”

“Spelled like the tea.” Robin confirmed, “2121 Holland Road.”

“That's out by Lovers Lake,” Dustin said immediately.

Max nodded slowly before adding, “Middle of nowhere.”

“It's a perfect place to hide.” Robin finished all their thoughts for them and backed out of the screen as they all scrambled to move. Steve did a sweep of the shop to make sure there were no customers left inside before grabbing his bomber jacket from the back office along with his car keys. They rushed outside, Robin bringing up the rear, slamming shut and locking the door to the store, flipping over the ‘Closed’ sign before piling into the front passenger seat of Steve’s BMW. Y/N, silently questioning how Steve could afford such a nice car whilst working minimum wage, clambered into the back seat between Max and Dustin, only just pulling her seat belt on as Steve floored it out of the parking lot.

Max leaned her head against the window, headphones connected to her Walkman, eyes closed listening to the music. On her other side, Dustin was going through his backpack recounting the contents methodically, before pulling out a notebook and a pen and writing down as much as he could remember from Y/N’s story along with some other details that Y/N didn’t recognise. But she did catch the phrases ‘Demogorgon’ and ‘The Upside Down’. Steve and Robin, in the front seats, playfully bickered, talking about the different film choices the Ricks made and debating who had the best taste, intercut with stories of Steve’s failed attempts to impress the girls who came into the store. Y/N’s knee bounced as she played with her hands absentmindedly in her lap. If Eddie were there, Y/N knew he would rest a big, warm, ringed hand on her thigh to ease her anxiety before threading his fingers through hers and squeezing gently. Heart clenching at the thought, her head dropped back with a deep sigh as they drove further out of central Hawkins.

Steve, having seen Y/N’s anxiety in the rear-view mirror asked, trying to be as casual as he could, “So, you and Munson?”

“Huh?” Y/N lifted her head up off the back of the seat to look at him quizzically, having zoned out and only just registering that she was being talked to. “Oh, yeah…Eddie, he’s, well…”

Dustin scoffed and muttered under his breath, still writing, “They’ve got something going on.”

“Dustin!” Robin exclaimed, getting the freshman to look up in offence to his scolding, “You don’t have to talk about it Y/N.”

“Nah, it’s okay. He’s not completely wrong.” Dustin gave Robin a smug smile and then looked at Y/N expectantly. “Look, there’s nothing official about it but we’re close, that’s it.”

Steve and Robin nodded in understanding and dropped the conversation, turning up the radio a little and going back to bickering like siblings. But Dustin rolled his eyes, before talking in a hushed tone, “You know, you’re not very subtle.”

“What do you mean?” Y/N asked, matching his volume, and watching as he put away his notepad and pen.

“It’s obvious that you like him,” Dustin stated, matter-of-factly, as though it was as known that the sky is blue.

Y/N blanched silently, mouth agape in shock at his audacity. Thinking back to their heated moment in Hellfire before this all kicked off, she blushed before it was taken over by a surge of anger. “Well, he obviously doesn’t feel the same, he still left me there. Alone, with my best friend’s corpse. After watching her be brutally mutilated.”

Dustin gulped. He looked away, staring at his lap. Y/N looked away from the boy to find the rest of the car’s eyes on her, making her groan and sink into her seat more, hugging herself. Steve and Robin made eye contact, silently communicating before Steve fixed his eyes back on the road and sped up. The rest of the long drive was quiet, only Steve and Robin still talking. In a few hours, the high streets and shops turned to cul-de-sacs, which in turn became back roads into the forest. By the time they were nearing the lake, it was getting dark and Y/N was starting to feel hungry again so pulled out a bag of Doritos from her backpack. She took a few before offering the bag to Dustin with a small smile. She hadn’t meant to snap at him earlier, she was just tired and confused. He grinned at her and took a handful gratefully. Forgiven.

Leaning forward, Y/N placed the bag between Robin and Steve on the centre console, Robin immediately dived in with a bright “Thanks Y/N”, followed by Steve who squeezed Y/N’s hand gently in thanks, eyes fixed on the now dark road ahead. Finally, she offered the bag to Max who had barely spoken or moved since getting into the car, laying a hand tentatively on her shoulder and gently shaking the bag in front of her. But Max just shook her head and moved the bag away, readjusting in her seat. Y/N tried not to take it personally, maybe she just wasn’t hungry. As they came up to a small house by the lake, Y/N stuffed the half-empty bag back in her rucksack, pulled out a torch in its place, and unclicked her seatbelt.

The group clambered out of the car, Dustin handing them all a torch and smiling when he saw that Y/N had come prepared. He wandered up to the front door and rang the doorbell. No response. He tried again. Still no response. So, he tried again. And again, and again and again and again until-

“Okay. Well, that's settled. I guess he's not here.” Steve cut Dustin’s assault on the doorbell off. Y/N snickered at Steve’s sass but took matters into her own hands.

“Eddie?” Y/N knocked on the door as she called out for him.

Immediately echoed by Dustin. “Eddie! It's Dustin!”

 “Great,” Steve said flatly as Robin shone her torch through the window, peering through.

Dustin continued to call out for Eddie as Y/N knocked, “Look, we just wanna talk, okay? No cops, I swear. We just wanna help.” Dustin was growing more agitated with every passing second, “Eddie!”

Robin shushed him as he tried the doorbell again, Y/N dropped her head to thump against the door in frustration. But Dustin wouldn’t stop, “Rick!” Dustin bangs on the door, “Reefer Rick!”

“Don't scream that.” Steve chastised, shaking his head his young friend as he continued to bang on the door, talking back and forth as they shone their flashlights into the house.

“Rick!”

“He’s not there!”

“Reefer Rick!”

“Just-”

“He could just be really high.”

A small pause in their bickering was interrupted by Steve, “Is that a foot?”

To which Dustin replied, “No, that’s a shoe.”

“Oh, my god.” Y/N finally exclaimed, having heard enough, and walked away from the pair and started wandering over to Max, who was circling the house.

Max tilted her head as the light of her torch caught something, then stopped still as the light revealed a hidden structure in the darkness, “Hey, guys?”

The group shone their torches where Max was facing, to find an old-looking, metal bunker of sorts. It was worth a shot. Y/N immediately set off for the door, quickly followed by Steve, and Robin close behind. The lock was undone, making Y/N’s heart skip a beat, as she pulled it free from the fastening of the door and dropped it into the grass. Steve reached over and slowly pulled the door open with a creak, making them wince.

“Hello?” Y/N called out into the darkness, scanning the room where the light of her torch traced. The bunker was filled to the brim with old fishing equipment, barrels, boats covered with tarp, and absolutely covered in a thin layer of brine and dust.

“Is anyone home?” Robin asked into the space but there was no response.

Steve wrinkled his face in disgust, “What a dump.” Walking along the back wall of the room, Steve’s eyes caught something. He suddenly turned off his torch and picked up an oar in both hands before lunging at the tarp-covered boats and prodding them with the tip of the oar.

“What are you doing?” Dustin stopped searching and turned to Steve in bewilderment, he asked again. “What are you doing?”

“He might be in here,” Steve answered, as though it was obvious, continuing to poke the tarp and whatever was underneath it.

“So, take the tarp off.”

“If you’re so brave, you take the tarp off,” Y/N rolled her eyes at the boys bickering again and wandered over to a table where Max was looking.

“Hey, look over here,” Max called out and was flanked by Y/N and Robin, their eyes scanned the surface, strewn with crumpled-up papers and empty wrappers. Unlike everything else in the room, there was no dust covering them. “Someone was here.”

“Maybe he heard us.” Robin considered as they looked through the mess on the table. Y/N instantly recognised the candy bar that Eddie kept in his glove compartment ‘in case of emergencies. “Got spooked and ran.”

“Again,” Y/N added bitterly.

“Don't worry. Steve will get him with his oar.” Cheerful sarcasm dripped from Dustin’s words.

Steve straightened himself up for a second to glare at Dustin before giving a sharp jab to the tarp, “I know you think you're being funny, Henderson, but considering almost everyone in this room has nearly died a hundred times,” Y/N wasn’t sure whether she had heard that quite right but she didn’t have the time to process, “personally, I don't find it funny in the slight-”

Suddenly, in a violent blur, Steve was being held up against the wall of the shed, a broken glass bottle to his throat, the group shouting for it to stop, by a deranged-looking Eddie. His eyes locked onto Steve’s panicking face, practically foaming at the mouth.

“Eddie!” Y/N cried out for him, “Eddie! Stop!”

A sharp turn of his head forced him to lock eyes with Y/N, she saw something akin to regret flash in his dark eyes before he turned back to Steve.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, Eddie! Eddie! Stop!” Dustin shouted louder, “It's me. It's Dustin. This is Steve. He's not gonna hurt you, right, Steve?” The man in question nodded as much as he could and voiced his agreement that he was harmless, before Dustin continued, “Steve, why don't you drop the oar?”

Steve reached out his arm and dropped the ore to the ground with a thump, and Eddie pinned him even closer to the wall, Steve’s neck stretched back and exposed to the sharp edge of the glass. Y/N’s heart raced in her chest, terrified for a man she had only met mere hours ago.

Dustin tried to ease the situation again, echoed by Steve, and Eddie finally spoke, voice shaking, “What are you doing here?”

“We're looking for you.” Y/N was exasperated, and the sound of her voice made Eddie close his eyes to take a shaky breath. She added, more gently, “We're here to help.”

“Eddie, these are my friends.” Dustin broached the subject as calmly as possible, “You know Robin, from band.” She imitates a brass instrument of sorts, in a kind of cute but awkward way, “This is my friend Max. The one who never wants to play D&D.” Max nods and shrugs in acknowledgement, giving Eddie a small wave.

“Eddie. We're on your side.” Y/N interjects, getting angrier, “I swear on my mother.”

She could swear that his breath hitched. They all chimed in agreeing with the bizarre statement. But it worked, as Eddie lowered the bottle and let Steve go.

“Jesus Ch…” Steve rubbed at his neck with a huff of relief as Eddie walked away and slumped against the wall, slowly sliding down it until he was sat on a bench by a partly covered window, the bottle still gripped tightly in his hand. The moonlight shining through glinted off the glass and highlighted the tear tracks on Eddies flushed cheeks, mirroring Y/N’s as fresh tears began to fall at the sight of him trembling in front of her.

Dustin, not wanting to scare him, slowly crouched down in front of Eddie, “Eddie, we just want to talk.”

Y/N came to kneel down next to Dustin, looking up at Eddie and biting back her anger, pleading with him to listen. He looked away again, and Y/N’ whispered in disbelief, “What? You can’t look at me now?”

A delicate hand was placed on Y/N’s shoulder, Robin said, “We just want to know what happened.”

“You won’t believe me.” Eddie's voice was hoarse and weak, staring off into space and gently rocking himself back and forth.

“Try us,” Max stated firmly and Eddie looked up at her with wide eyes.

Y/N licked her lips and reached out to take the bottle from him, he allowed it but still couldn’t face her, “Eddie, they believed me.”

Finally, his eyes found hers again and he didn’t break it. As he looked at her, the fear and anger in her eyes transported him back to the moment he’d left, wishing he had stayed. Instinctively, his shaking hands reached out for hers, but she pulled away with a deep sigh and walked away, standing by Steve and checking if he was okay. Steve ran a hand through his hair and nodded that he was fine, but she stayed by his side. Eddie’s blood boiled at the sight but knew he had no ground to stand on. He swallowed the growing lump in his throat and started to talk. He skipped everything that had happened between them after Hellfire, they didn’t need to know, and Y/N was glad that there were still some things left unsaid between them – that their private moments weren’t told for the group to indulge in.

“Her body just, like, lifted up into the air and, uh…” The once eloquently spoken boy was grasping for words like they were foreign to him, unable to properly explain what he had seen, “And she just, like, hung there. And her bones…Uh, she…” A small whimper escaped him as the memory came back to him “Her bones started to snap.” The sound of it echoed in Y/N’s mind and she had to turn away, Steve noticed immediately and reached out for her, resting a comforting hand on her arm as she silently cried, “Her eyes, man. It… It was like there was something, like, inside her head, pulling. I… I didn't know what to do, so I…ran away.” Y/N tensed. “I left her there.”

Y/N was by his side in a flash, the sound of her slap ringing through the air, a red handprint on his cheek, “You left me there!” Y/N shouted, tears streaming freely again, hands pulling her back and away from him. She shook them off. “I begged you to stay, and you left me anyway! I was the one that was found at the crime scene by your uncle, he let me get away before calling the police but we’re probably still prime suspects one and two.” She stalked towards him as she spoke, the bottle still in hand, fury oozing off her with every word. Eddie’s eyes were scanning her, wide, terrified and guilty, “I was terrified Eddie, we watched my best friend get murdered and you abandon me to deal with it, making yourself look guilty - and now you have the fucking nerve to expect sympathy? Fuck you.”

She dropped the bottle, and it shattered on the floor, before walking away from them all towards the door to get some fresh air and calm down. Once she was outside the rage subsided somewhat, but it was still festering. She would forgive him, eventually. Hearing steps behind her, Y/N turned and found herself against Steve’s chest. “Woah, sorry.” Steve took a step back, holding his hands up in a show of deference, “So…that was, intense.”

“Yeah, guess I’m angrier than I thought I was.” Y/N leaned against a nearby tree, a low-hanging branch making it easy to pick off leaves and rip them apart, dropping the confetti foliage to the ground and repeating the process.

Steve slowly approached her, not wanting to crowd her space, “I understand it though. I’d be pissed too if it was me.”

“You don’t think that was an overreaction?” Y/N said, laughing bitterly at herself, regret already starting to sink in.

“Even if you’re not together, it’s just a bad thing to do to a friend.” Steve reasoned and she sighed, closing her eyes. “Y/N, he hasn’t even apologised for leaving you there.”

She looked past him towards the fishing shed, “I haven’t given him a chance to.”

“We’ve got time.” She decided she liked this Steve, “But, right now there’s more important things to say. Stuff you need to know.” Steve’s soft expression hardened, and his jaw twitched. He held out his hand to lead her back inside, and after taking another deep breath she took it. He didn’t drop her hand as they entered the room, only letting her go when she went to sit by Eddie on the bench.

“I’m sorry for slapping you,” Y/N stated tensely, “But I am still mad at you.”

“Understood.” Eddie nodded, before running his hands over his face and sniffing back more tears. He looked at the group in front of him as they processed what they had heard, nobody mentioning Y/N’s outburst, “You all think I'm crazy, right?”

“No. We don't think you're crazy.” Dustin tried to reassure him but Eddie was having none of it.

“Don't bullshit me, man!” Eddie shouted but calmed quickly, his voice coming out in almost a whimper, “I know how this sounds.”

Y/N swallowed her rage, her care for him overpowering it momentarily, and rested a hand on Eddie’s. He clung on for dear life, and she hated the way she could feel herself forgiving him already. She didn’t want to forgive him just yet. Still, she laced her fingers with his and rubbed soothing circles into his skin with her thumb.

“We're not bullshitting you.” This time Max tried a hand at reassurance, her voice soft but firm, mature for her age and Y/N wondered what had happened to them to make this feel almost normal.

“We believe you.” Robin urged looking between Eddie and Y/N, “Both of you.”

Dustin sighed softly, as though preparing himself, “Look, what I'm about to tell you both might be a little… difficult to take.”

“Okay?” Eddie said, slightly confused as Y/N looked over to Steve who nodded, obviously knowing what Dustin was about to tell them, and affirming that however insane it would sound, it was the truth.

“You know how people say Hawkins is… cursed?” Dustin asked and Eddie nodded but Y/N shook her head, she hadn’t been around long enough to know the folklore of the town, but she had a feeling she was about to find out. “They're not way off. There's another world. A world hidden beneath Hawkins. Sometimes it bleeds into ours.”

“Like ghosts and shit?”

It was Max who replied, “There are some things worse than ghosts.”

“These monsters from this other world…we thought they were gone.” Dustin continued his explanation, and a strange chill ran down Y/N’s spine, “But they've come back before. That's why we needed to find you. To be sure.”

“If they're back again, we need to know,” Max added in earnest.

There was a brief silence, and then Robin asked gently, “That night, did you see anything?”

“Dark particles, maybe?” Max prompted, followed by Dustin.

“It would almost look like dust, swirling dust,” Dustin said it like it was something as familiar as grass, but Y/N had no clue.

“No, man, there was nothing you could see or, uh…or touch.” Eddie answered, gently squeezing Y/N’s hand to stop the stammering, “You know, we tried to wake her, man. She couldn't move.”

Y/N nodded, the memories strong behind her eyes, interjected with memories of them happy in a gruesome reminder of how fast it all happened, “It was like she…she was in a trance or something.”

“Or under a spell,” Dustin suggested, realisations setting in in his mind, worry running deep.

“A curse.” Eddie corrected, his voice stronger now, looking Dustin dead in the eye.

Dustin stared up at Eddie, “Vecna's curse.”

A heavy weight hung in the air. “Who's Vecna?” Steve cut in, genuinely confused.

“It’s a D&D thing,” Y/N answered him with a small smile that was quickly overtaken by fear. “An undead creature of great power.”

“A spell caster.” Eddie added and Dustin confirmed, “A dark wizard.”

If all this was true and monsters and an alternate Hawkins did exist, Chrissy had been cursed and killed by an evil sorcerer from another dimension. How in hell were they going to survive this?

previous // next

[draguta]

.a court of fate and fortune | twenty-nine.

pairing: lucien vanserra x fem!reader

summary: | book two | lovers separated, powers that won't be controlled, a doomed wedding. with the threat of war looming over prythian, lucien, Y/N, tamlin, and rhysand's inner circle must scramble to find allies and prepare themselves for what is to come. but Y/N only has one aim; to find her way back to lucien, and protect him at all costs.

chapter warnings: mentions of sexual assault

chapter word count: 2539

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Rain

“It’s…raining,” you said slowly. You had been standing at the window of Alis’ cottage for nearly fifteen minutes already, watching the rain as it grew from a few small droplets to a heavy downpour, hitting against the leaves of the trees and pattering against the window pane. So many years in Prythian - Under the Mountain, in the Spring Court, and in Velaris - and you had never once seen it raining.

“Yes, it is,” Silas chuckled from his position in the armchair, looking up from the book he was reading. A week had passed since you had relocated to Alis’ cottage, and Lucien still hadn’t returned, nor had he sent word. But you knew he was okay - that bond inside that tied you to him told you that he was okay. Silas had come to visit every single day since your arrival, helping you to mind Alis’ nephews on the days that they weren’t attending the village school, and in general keeping you company when Alis was tending to her duties at the manor. Tamlin had been so preoccupied with trying to find a way to get Feyre back, and ruminating on his possible alliance with Hybern, that he’d barely noticed your departure at all, and hadn’t argued when Alis had informed him that you were simply wallowing in your room because Lucien was gone - a clever lie that he had believed in a second.

“But it never rains,” you said, finally turning back to face Silas. He offered you a sideways smirk.

“It never rains at the manor,” he corrected. “Lord Tamlin’s magic keeps the plants at the manor fresh and blooming, but his magic doesn’t stretch as far as the villages. Here the plants still need water, so here it still rains.”

“So it just…rains here?” You asked in surprise, and Silas chuckled again.

“Would you prefer that it didn’t?” He asked, but you quickly shook your head.

“No, it’s not that. It’s just that I’d forgotten how relaxing the rain can be,” you explained. Back when you had been mortal, and had lived by the coast where it practically rained all-year-round. When you and Arleon, your brother, had gone for walks in the rain, ignoring the looks of bewilderment you received from the other residents of your village. How everything had changed - how you had changed - since then.

Silas must have caught the wistful gleam in your eye as he gave you a moment, just a moment to think. And when you were ready, you said, “I thought for a while that I was weak.” He inhaled a breath, and slid his book onto the table beside him. “Because everytime something happened to me, I never fought back. I never really knew how. When my home was attacked and my family was killed, Under the Mountain when me and Lucien were so helpless, when those males came to my chambers every night, when Tamlin hurt me…I was always weak.”

You swallowed down your dry throat, and looked down at your feet, unable to meet his eye.

“When I was in Hybern, the King wanted me to train with him, and he…touched me,” you said slowly. “And I felt so weak again, like I hadn’t worked so hard to find my strength. Like I hadn’t killed Amarantha.”

There was a rustling as Silas leant forward in his chair, and as you glanced up at him you caught his wince at the pain that it brought. “Is this why you’ve been so quiet the past week?” You nodded slowly, and he sighed. “You’re not weak, Y/N.”

“But-”

“Are you forgetting who trained you?” Silas interrupted, raising an eyebrow. “I have seen your strength first-hand, mentally and physically. You’re stronger than I think anyone realises.”

“Then why does it not feel like that?” You asked quietly. “Why do these things keep happening to me?”

“It’s our experiences that teach us our strength, and you’ve had enough bad experiences to have the strength of fifty of my sentinels,” Silas said. He pursed his lips slightly, patting the arm of his chair. You raised an eyebrow, but did as he asked, moving to sit beside him on the chair. He took one of your hands in his much larger ones, the warmth a comfort as he ran a thumb across your knuckles. “When we went to Leif to face that Wyvern, I was losing my faith in Lord Tamlin.”

The air in the room changed entirely as he looked up and caught your eye. He was so much older than you, although how old you weren’t sure. How many bad experiences had he lived through to find the strength that he wielded everyday?

“When I heard the rumours that Lord Tamlin was considering an alliance with Hybern, I made my decision,” he continued. He closed his eyes for a second and inhaled deeply before continuing, as if he were considering himself whether or not to say his next words. “I fought on the wrong side of a war before - fought against the people who we should have been fighting for - and I refuse to do that again. If Lord Tamlin sides with Hybern, I will not follow him into battle.”

You bit the inside of your lip, squeezing his hand comfortingly. He looked up at you again, shooting you a thin-lipped smile.

“But when I saw you take down that Wyvern in Leif,” he said slowly. “I thought, ‘there is someone I’d be willing to follow onto the battlefield’. Because you are strong, Y/N. And whatever side you fight on in this war, I’ll be there fighting alongside you. And I know quite a few of my men that think the same.”

Your mouth practically dropped open.

“I-I’m not a commander,” you said slowly. “I’m not a leader, Silas.”

“Who says?” Silas asked, raising an eyebrow. You couldn’t help but laugh.

“I do,” you replied. Silas smiled.

“I missed that laugh,” he said softly. “But I’m serious. You fought that Wyvern, you killed Amarantha. You are strong, and there is no one else I would rather walk into battle with.”

He huffed out a breath as he rose to his feet, grabbing his walking stick from where it rested against the wall, turning to glance at you over his shoulder.

“Don’t forget that the next time you’re thinking about how weak you are.”

You’d only been in bed for all of ten minutes, book curled in your lap but not taking in any of the words, running over everything that Silas had told you that afternoon, when the shadows began to curl at your window frame. The window rattled ever-so-slightly, enough to gain your attention, and you were out of bed in a second, blanket wrapped around your shoulders as you yanked the window open.

Azriel turned to you when he heard the window unlocked, and with two-strides he was in front of you.

“Do you know how hard it was to find you?” He asked, eyes wild. “I’ve had my shadows searching the whole of the Spring Court. Why aren’t you at the manor?”

“We went to Hybern, and I had a…problem,” you said quietly, running your hands up and down your arms. His eyes narrowed.

“What kind of problem?”

You swallowed, but held your head high. “The King seems to think I should train with him, and he had certain ideas of how I could repay him.”

Azriel’s jaw ticked firmly as his eyes washed over you. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” you assured. “But Lucien is away on Court business, so I came to stay with Alis.”

Azriel swallowed, his throat bobbing with the effort, but he simply inhaled, and said, “Rhys has found another way to possibly defeat Hybern.”

You blinked slowly, considering what he was saying. “How?”

“Hybern has been gathering the feet of the Cauldron to use its power in the war,” he explained. You frowned, cocking your head. You had heard of the Cauldron before - had heard the stories long ago of the Cauldron that the Mother had used to create all that was - but had thought it was a myth, nothing more than legend. “It’s real,” Azriel said in confirmation of your unspoken question. “And Hybern has it. But we’ve got something that will help us control the Cauldron and its power - that will help us destroy it so he can’t use it. And Feyre will help us.”

Your heart beat erratically in your chest. “So, you don’t need the spellbook anymore?” Azriel shook his head. “Good, because the book is gone.”

Azriel sucked in a breath through his teeth, glancing up to the dim stars above. “You need to come home.”

Home. A laughable notion at this point.

“You’re not safe here, not if Tamlin is getting so close to Hybern,” he said lowly. “And if he’s already tried to harm you, he’ll do it again.” He turned his head back toward you just as you looked down at your hands, ringing your fingers around each other. A warm finger hooked under your chin, pulling your face up to look at him again, dark eyes meeting yours. “I need you where I can keep you safe.”

“I am safe here,” you said slowly.

“Y/N-”

“And I promise you, Az,” you interrupted. “I will kill him for what he did to me, just like I killed her.”

He looked as if he wanted to say something, but thought better of it. Nodding once, firmly before turning away. He paused again, three steps away from the window, but didn’t turn back to you as he spoke. “You will come home eventually though, won’t you?”

“I will go back to Velaris, Az,” you confirmed. He nodded once again, and shot back into the sky. He failed to realised that you hadn’t called Velaris, ‘home’.

Lucien groaned as he finally reached Alis cottage. The exhaustion was immense, but it was to be expected when winnowing from the Winter Court right back to Spring in one go. The way to Day, and then Winter after that, had been full of breaks and stops to replenish his magic supply, but when Tamlin had sent word that he was to return to Spring, he’d winnowed directly back to the manor where he’d received his orders.

Within the week, he would head to the Night Court and search for Feyre, anywhere that she might have been hidden, taking Silas and a select few sentinels with him. The other courts were taking too long, Tamlin had said, and this was their last hope before turning to Hybern. Weeks, if not months, traipsing around the Night Court following non-existent clues.

Alis saw him from the window of the cottage, ushering him inside.

“She’s in her room,” Alis explained when Lucien slipped inside, and the two of them moved toward a door on the back wall. “She’s been sleeping like a log all evening. She seems exhausted, poor thing.”

Lucien opened the door just a crack, peering inside. There on the bed, tucked under the covers, slept Y/N, curled up tightly. He couldn’t help but smile; how he had missed her. Everyday that he had been away - every second - she had been on his mind, to the point that Kallias had asked him what was bothering him, and Helion had given him a knowing look that made Lucien think the High Lord of Day knew exactly what was bothering him.

Closing the door behind him as he slipped inside, he parched on the edge of the bed, leaning back against the headboard so he was beside her.

She was beautiful, even in her sleep, and he could practically feel his heart glow now that he was beside her again. He brushed a strand of hair out of her face, and she stirred, yawning slightly as she shuffled closer to him.

“You’re back,” she said sleepily, nuzzling against him and stretching her legs out, wrapping one over his. He sighed contently.

“I am,” he whispered. “But not for long.”

She peered up at him, blinking carefully. “You’re leaving again so soon? You just got back.”

“Tamlin wants me to go to the Spring Court,” he explained. She sat bolt upright then, eyes wide.

“But he knows entering the Night Court would be an act of war,” she stuttered. “We’ve got Hybern to worry about, we can’t start infiltrating other courts like that.”

“He’s just sending a handful of sentinels with me,” Lucien explained with a small shrug. “Easier to conceal, to keep hidden.”

She huffed and pushed herself back down into his arms. His fingers found a strand of her hair, twisting and twirling it around his fingers. “I don’t want you to leave again.”

“Well, come with me then,” he said softly. He felt her tense, and then relax ever-so-slightly. “I never want to leave you again. Not after what happened in Hybern. Where I go, you go. From now on.”

“You’ll take me with you everywhere?” She asked, and he was sure he could hear a hint of hope in her voice.

“Everywhere,” he confirmed, planting a kiss to the top of her head. “So, you’ll come with me to the Night Court.”

She paused, and he wondered what she was thinking - he wished he knew every thought that ran through that beautiful head of hers. He wondered if she was thinking about the time she had spent living there, wondered if going back would ruin whatever reason she’d had for coming back to the Spring Court. Because as much as he wished she’d returned just for him, he knew that there was something else, some other reason, that had brought her back to his arms.

“Yes,” she said eventually. “I’ll come.”

You tugged at your pack once more; everything you owned that you might need for a return to the Night Court was shoved carelessly in that satchel, thrown over your shoulder. Lucien was waiting agitatedly beside you, even as the sentinels piled into the foyer through the front door, Silas among them. Your eyes widened.

“Silas, no,” you said as firmly as you could. He shrugged.

“High Lord’s orders,” he said through a thin-lipped smile. But he took in your concerned frown, and said, “I’ll be okay. I’m healed enough.”

Tamlin himself appeared before you had the chance to argue again, looking you over once but thankfully not arguing - likely because he knew that you were the only one who had been to the Night Court before - and instead slammed a hand on Lucien’s shoulder.

“Bring her back to me,” he said, and Lucien nodded, clapping his own hand against Tamlin’s shoulder, before turning to you and offering you his hand.

“Ready?” He asked, and you nodded, before the pair of you were wrapped in an Autumn mist and falling through the sky.

When your feet landed back on solid ground, you glanced around - a wooded clearing, snowy and cold, late evening, enough that the stars were beginning to gleam in the sky, already brighter than the ones that shone over the Spring Court even at the height of the night.

You swallowed once, and drew in a deep breath. You were back in the Night Court.

Taglist

Complete: | @loveshineslikethesky | @elleclairez | @lostpirateinwonderland | @judig92 | @old-enough-to-know-better73 | @atrashsith | @chanaaaannel |

Lucien Vanserra: | @luna-foxglove | @lumos-barnes | @cumuluscranium | @dreamlandreader | @enrichmenttimeinmyenclosure | @rachelnicolee | @callmelovergirl |

[emilemily]

Moving to Washington was very calculated. Florida had become too expensive and I have my only full-blooded sister here in WA. I was so excited to come out here and be close to her and her husband and my nephews. I was soooo excited to feel a normal sort of family bond for the first time ever now that we’re adults and can have one totally without the influence of anyone

But it’s almost as if I’m being pushed away and ostracized because I have made choices that they didn’t agree with.

Instead of taking another full-time desk job, I decided to continue doing online content while starting school for a bachelors degree in marketing

And ever since I made that decision and moved into my own apartment on may 1st, it’s as if my sister and her husband hate me. I reach out to him and ask if they’d like to do dinner, which my sister says is the way to his heart, and he says they’re super busy and we will meet up “one day soon”

He doesn’t text me at all anymore.

He last texted me about the job. I know my sister told him I didn’t take it and why, and he still texted me and asked why. Not that it’s any of his business, but I decided to answer him anyway.

I told him that this particular job is in a seasonal industry, which means that taking time off between May and October is not allowed. It was even in the offer letter. Given my health issues the last few months leading to tons of dr appts, therapy, ortho, and now physical therapy, how would that have ever made sense?

I said it way nicer than that, but still.

He left me on read and didn’t reply. A couple of days passed and he texts and says “sorry I didn’t reply, I just didn’t know what to say.”

No, you were sending a message. If you were told by my sister that I didn’t accept the job, then knowing you two, you asked her why and she said exactly why. You texted me that intentionally so that you could ignore me when I told you. If you already knew why I didn’t accept it, why did you ask me for the reason if you knew you wouldn’t know what to say?

You wanted me to sense your displeasure. You wanted to drive the point home. You won’t tell me what you’re really thinking, so instead you behave passive aggressively.

I have no clue on earth what I have done to be treated like this. I will be 30 this year and am perfectly capable of making my own decisions, whether you understand it or not. I have never once criticized you or even shown any negative feelings about anything you’ve done because I understand that you are free to do as you see fit.

We all are.

All I want in this world is to have a family. A real family that loves me and is there for me. Unconditionally.

I feel so frozen out by the people I moved here to be close to and it fucking hurts so bad.

I’m going through some serious medical shit and my own sister wouldn’t talk to me about it while I was so on edge yesterday. But texts are going through S about money and due dates and other things.

I’m just so confused and honestly, I think that this has impacted my mental health more than anything. Trying to read minds. Trying to understand without a lot of info or anything to go off of.

Maybe my being an internet slut bothers you. Fair enough. It’s not for everyone. But it’s paying my bills and keeping me afloat as I deal with medical shit whilst going back to school and finding myself for the first time in years.

Why do I have to wonder how anyone in my family feels about me? Why can’t I just feel loved? I try so hard to show love to others. I want so badly to feel close to them.

My work hours can be weird and at times unpredictable, but when I’m available, I’m there. I feel so judged it’s disgusting.

People get a taste of success and they completely forget where they came from. Fact of the matter is, your success could dissipate at any moment. Any singular moment. Your company could go under and that would be that.

But it’s thriving because of your work ethic. I’m proud of you for that. But work ethic isn’t always enough and your success could be snatched back at any moment. Stay humble. Remember who you were just 10 years ago. I know I haven’t forgotten.

My sister told me “Sorry if he was weird about you turning down the job… he just has a very…particular idea of what success looks like”

Crushed my heart. So is success sitting at a desk 5 days a week? Is it working my way up within a company that could put me out on my ass at anytime? Is it being a yes man? Is it getting into a company I don’t care about at a low level position just to kiss ass all the way to the top?

I’m sorry, but not everyone succeeds that way, or sees that as success for themselves. To someone that is success and I’m proud of anyone who is successful in their own eyes. But I will never be happy living a life like that unless it is something I’m passionate about.

Never ever ever

And that is my choice to make. My own burden to bear. I never asked you to find my success for me, nor did I ever beg you for guidance on how to find it.

In fact, I told you about the way in which I’d found my own success and you tried to push yours onto me.

I never needed that. All I ever needed was love, to feel cared for. To feel like no matter how you feel about my work, you still love and embrace me as your family.

I’ve moved thousands of miles from Florida for this and all I feel is alone and sad. Sick, alone and sad. I don’t understand.

We all have our shit, I know that. But how can family make me feel like nothing with such ease?

It hurts so bad I can’t even explain it.

One day I will feel like I belong and like I am loved.

Just not today.

If everyone in this world minded their business unless someone was hurting or needed help, my god how much better we would all be doing.

Goodnight.

[simbi101]

CHAPTER 6 FIELDWORK

How long has your family lived in this country?

How long has your family lived in this country?. My father Idris landed in the United States in 1984 settle then used his money to create a grocery shop that sells ingredients and many things African, Caribbean and Latinos can buy to cook at home, and items that people used back from their hometown once he open that shop, he was recognized on newspapers, Many people came to shop and were recognized for being the first to have an African shop in Baltimore City since the African community and people outside of Africa recognized him. Two years later, he settled down with my stepmother Eunice, who is African American, and daughter, Joani, in 1987; they had been married for awhile then. She later got pregnant with my half brother, Idris Jr. raised my brother from birth to a young adult (high-school). In 2001, my mom visited the United States. and met family and went back; then, in 2002, she was gifted a visa from family members and was gifted a ticket from her late brother. Later in 2002, my father divorced my stepmother. then a year later in 2003, he went to a party, and my aunt introduced my mom to my father. They met and got together, and in that same year, Mom got pregnant then, in June 2004. I was born; my Mom worked hard and was a nurse for over 20 years. till this day, on 2010 my father Idris sadly passed away when I was 5, it was just me and mom till this day.

Where did they come from?

Nigeria is a West African country it between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea to the south in the Atlantic Ocean, it is the most populous country in Africa, and the world’s sixth most populous country. Both of my parents come from different states / town in Nigeria. Both of my parents tribe is Yoruba, my dad is from Oyo State, and my mom is from Ondo State both states have their dialect and speak Yoruba differently. ( I don’t know much about my dad life in Nigeria), my mother went to school with a full family she had older brothers that were making sure she was focused in school and a little sister and younger brother and two family household, she had a job she was farmer and sold chickens and lamb and many animals in her market and also had a job at the airport. My mom was taking care of her nephew who was having a trouble in school in the United States so his mother brought him to the Nigeria to calm down and experience the schools in Nigeria because of my mom taking care of him the mother appreciated my mom being so kind that she gifted my mom a visa and my mom told her late brother he then bought her a ticket but she didn’t want to leave but my grandmother told her to go but my mom was worried because my grandma Is old and needs to taken care of.

Has your family embraced American Nationalism?

Yes, my mother and my African American family has embraced the American patriotism. My mom likes American because she feels like she has more freedom and independence. My family celebrates 4 of July which is not common in Nigeria they take it really seriously because this is time for family time and Thanksgiving is another holiday we celebrate and have a family together, my African American family usually invite me to holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving especially since it’s a great way to celebrate with family since everyone is busy. another holiday that Nigerians celebrate is Easter Sunday, in Easter Sunday my family go to church and pray and lastly my mother embraces the Nigerian culture then USA because that’s her home.

If some of your family have migrated from other parts of the world, how do they integrate their American identity with their ethnicity identity.

My family connect from food, music, gatherings like church, party, cookout, and American dream. In my culture we eat similar food in west African culture but Nigeria make cuisine like Egusi, Efo Riro, Ayamese (Designer Stew), Ogbono Soup, Ewedu, Okra it goes well with Swallow like for example Eba, Amala, Iyan (Fufu) and Semolina. Jollof Rice, Ofada Rice usually prepared in home but mostly a party favorite. Another one is language for me I speak Yoruba small but I understand it correctly but can’t speak in a full conversation, even though I get judged for speaking English instead of Yoruba I think it’s because I was born and raised in the States but I think even if I don’t speak it I think it’s good that I hear the person. Lastly another popular one is Thanksgiving in Nigerian culture in America is popular in church they have events to come to church and pray and worship together and they give food and stay in church for about 3 or 4 hours (celestial church) this usually happens to family who are religiously wealthy.

[paint-her-skin-in-red]

2 or 20, no years will repair the decay in your lungs

It was a normal night, just like any other. I was in my room, doing whatever I did three years ago. It was late, pitch black outside. I heard noises coming from outside, yelling and sirens. I opened my door, curious to the commotion.

There were paramedics in the entryway, heading towards the master bedroom. I could only watch as they took my grandpa away. My grandma might have followed, I can’t remember quite clearly. The house turned silent, and I drifted off to sleep.

That was the first of many hospital trips he would make. My grandma always followed, helping to ease his pain. My mother required nothing of me in those months, barely even taking me to visit. Still, I had never seen the stark walls of a hospital so regularly in my life,

Eventually, there was a name for his problem. Lung cancer. It didn’t seem so scary then, cancer didn’t always mean death. My grandma never made it a secret she had suffered from breast cancer once. And there she was, not even a mark to show for it. Cancer was okay, it was treatable, it was fixable. There was still hope. So he went on chemo.

Chemo was fine. He didn’t seem that different, not even balder. The radiation didn’t affect him, which was probably a warning sign. I probably should have expected it, in all honesty.

One day, I came home from school, as naive as that day months ago. I was called upstairs by my mother, and she gave me the news. He was dead, gone forever. My grandpa, her father, had passed as I sat bored in a classroom. Our family of 6 had become 5. The master bedroom would be filled by one person, one old woman. The next day, on my way to school, I noticed it was raining without covering the light of the sun. I took as a signal that my grandfather was being welcomed to heaven even

I will fully admit I didn’t cry, as heartless as you might find me. I didn’t feel much of anything, to be honest. Numbness didn’t take me, neither did anger, nor fear. He wasn’t much to me, never even a full person, really. He was my grandpa, a old, grumpy truck driver. He joked about eating baby possums, and told us my grandma was married to a man with 3 eyes and 12 ears. He said perty too often and pretended to hate Lilly even as they spent hours together.

Weeks later, the funeral was hosted. There were so many people, names and faces I have long forgotten. There was food, for sadness doesn’t quell hunger. The preacher said a prayer for him, the last time I truly thought god was real. Then came the speeches. His wife, children, nieces and nephews, grandchildren, all said some words about the man I never truly got to know. My cousin, many years my senior, described how he was all those years ago. His children praised him in his fatherhood. My grandma spoke of the man she had loved. That was the first time I’d shed tears for him, the whole man he was.

It shouldn’t have happened, he should lived many a year more. I’d never seen him with any kind of tobacco, certainly not a cigarette. He had given up smoking over 20 years ago, well before I was born. It shouldn’t have mattered, those those days long past. Yet lung cancer doesn’t give a care, no matter how long ago you stopped. The cigarettes don’t disappear, the smoke in your lungs doesn’t leave. The cough in your throat only grows stronger. It shouldn’t have mattered, having ended for over a quarter of his life. Yet it did, it robbed the world of a good man.

[peachoni]

Part of the family

⏤ an: Idk about anyone else BUT Wayne really stuck out to me in season 4. Like I feel like he would be such a sweetheart to Eddie's s/o :3 I’M NEW TO WRITING PLS BE NICE :D

⏤ warnings n' stuff : Fluff, father figure(reader has absent father) Wayne/Wayne just being amazing, make out sesh ig

⏤ pairing: Eddie Munson x fem!reader

⏤ wordcount: 948

You adored Wayne. You were pretty nervous to meet him at first but over the 2 years you've been with Eddie, you've gotten very close to Wayne. Like Eddie, Wayne would always be the first person to call if you were in a pinch. This particular day ways like any other Friday. You going over to Eddie's trailer and spending the weekend there. You had a key to the trailer so you unlocked the door and smiled once your gaze met Wayne who was sitting on the couch eating his dinner as he prepared for his shift at the plant. "Hey Wayne!" you said happily as you walked to Eddie's room to set all your things down before heading back to him.

"Hey hun. Good day today?" he greeted and you nodded. "Yep! I passed that test I was talking to you about a few days ago." you beamed and he smiled, a small chuckle coming from him.

"See I told you. You needn't worry about it. You're a smart girl and can do anything you put your mind to." he replied which made you smile. "Eddie could take a few pointers from you." he joked before shaking his head.

"Mmm he is trying his best. He actually listens to me when I can tell he is struggling with homework. Soooo that's progress." you replied which made Wayne laugh a little.

The both of you talked about school, your plans after you graduated and minor issues at home, not that there was many but just a few things that were bugging you. Wayne as always assuring you it would all be okay and giving you the best advice he possibly could. Then the question came about. "Wayne... has Eddie ever... talked to you about his and I's future?" you asked vaguely, knowing Wayne would understand what you were asking. "Well uhh. Eddie.. He ain't to open about things of that nature. But just looking at my nephew and how he is around you, I already consider you a part of the family. Eddie may not properly ask for maybe another year but believe you me, he will do it when he thinks you are both ready." he explained to you and you felt tears forming in your eyes before placing your face in your hands.

You were quiet for a few moments before placing your hands down, staring at his ring that used to adorn his right ring finger, which was now on yours. "Thank you Wayne, I really needed to hear that." you said before clearing your throat and walking to Eddie's bedroom. ‘Part of the family....’ you whispered to yourself with a smile.

The end of Eddie's beloved D&D campaign was after school. You swore he loved that campaign more than you sometimes. But you loved seeing him so happy so it didn’t bother you how much time he focused on it. You had a lot of homework to get done so you were a bit grateful that it happened this way. With Eddie here, you wouldn’t be able to get anything done. Eddie being your only distraction from getting anything productive done. So you sat at the small table next to the kitchen as you worked, indulging in conversation with Wayne every now and then.

A few hours went by and you heard Eddie's van pulling into the dirt road, the loud music blasting spoiling any surprise of him arriving. Eddie walked in and he smiled as his eyes met yours. "Hey" you said softly and he wrapped is arms around your waist before hugging you. It felt so safe. Perfect. Eddie pulled himself away from you a bit before waving to Wayne and he got a soft nod in response. Eddie grabbed your hand and he pulled you to his room with him. You laid in the bed beside him, Eddie unable to keep his hands off you after not seeing you since lunch at school earlier in the day. You asked him about how his campaign went and he went on a full on theatrical explanation of the events that unfolded just a few hours previous.

Eddie hummed softly as he played with your hair, causing you to look up at him. Before you knew it, both of your lips were connected. Eddie's hands exploring your clothed body as the kiss got more heated. You soon pulled away for air and looked into Eddie's eyes. "E-Eddie- Wayne is still here.." you whispered and he laughed a little. "Mmm then maybe... We just have to be quiet" he said back before rolling on top of you. He leaned down to kiss your neck, your hands instinctively going into his hair. He laughed softly as one of his hands slid under your shirt, kneading your skin before you heard a knock at the door.

Before you could push Eddie off of you, Wayne had already entered and you looked anywhere but at him. He threw something to Eddie but you were too embarrassed to even see what it was. "I'm headed out. Keep that handy. I ain't tryin' to raise another kid now." he said before walking out.

You turned around and you could have screamed into the pillow. Soon turning around to meet Eddie's more than amused face, shocked to see him laughing. "See! I told you that was going to happen!" you yelled but in a hushed tone before punching Eddie's shoulder. "God you are so unbelievable!!" you whined before Eddie wrapped his arms around you, rendering you immobile. "Aww come now y/n. You know you love me." he said before peppering kisses all over your face. "You are going to be the death of me Eddie Munson." you said before leaning into his touch.

[purplevortexx]

hii! could i get a hangman and reader fic if its not too much trouble?? maybe something where shes a kidgarten teacher and gets a call during her class that hes in the hospital and the students are all innocent and asking what happened?? or maybe he comes everyday to pickup his neice/nephew and all the other teachers tease her abt "the hot navy dad", and he finds out this nickname and is all cocky and they confess?? Thanks!

hi my darling, fic is below the cut!! Hope you like it :)

Tuesdays

Summary: You have a new fave day of the week when one of your students' godfather does pick up.

Pairing: Jake 'Hangman' Seresin x gn!reader

Warnings: none!

Words: 1.6k

A/N: cute fic born from a request from @acupnoodle enjoy!! Feel free to send me any requests! - bean :)

✨add yourself to my taglist(s) here✨

Tuesday afternoons were quickly becoming your favourite time of the week. Well yours along with any other person in the vicinity of the school who had eyes and was attracted to men. Tuesday was the day when Catarina Machado, who was quite possibly the sweetest little 5-year-old you had ever met, was picked up by her ‘favourite uncle’ as she had told you on multiple occasions.

The first Tuesday in the school year when he’d picked her up, he introduced himself to you as Catarina’s godfather Jake. The emerald green eyes and boyish grin had nearly made you forget your own name as you shook his hand. It had only been a short introduction as little Catarina had tugged on her uncle’s pant leg, practically begging him to take her for ice cream before he had to take her home. He just shrugged his shoulders and said “fun uncle duties,” before shooting you a wink and taking off, picking a squealing Catarina off the ground and setting her on his shoulders.

Your co-worker, Angie came up to you as you could see Jake’s tall muscled form disappearing amongst the sea of parents. “Hot single dad?” She guessed.

“Hot uncle,” you corrected, “not sure on the single part though.”

Angie just folded her arms and looked at you knowingly. “I didn’t see a ring on his finger,”

Yours and Jake’s encounters stayed short and sweet like that for a few months. You looked forward to a Tuesday when he’d ask how your week had been and you’d ask the same. A lot of the time he’d tell you a cute story about Catarina or her dad which always made you smile and laugh. Little by little, your conversations on a Tuesday afternoon got longer and more in depth about your lives. It got to the point where right before the end of the day, you would look out of your window and see if you could spot his truck.

It was a Monday morning in winter, towards the end of January, when Catarina came into class looking really upset. The little girl was usually really upbeat and happy all the time, always skipping into the classroom, ready to tell everybody about her weekend. That morning she just looked utterly dejected and glum. You set the class on a task and went over to Catarina’s table, crouching down next to her chair. “Hey Catarina, is everything alright?” The little girl turned to you, orange crayon in hand and just shook her head. You could see tears swimming in her eyes, threatening to fall and moved quickly, ushering her out of her chair and into the hallway, calling out reassurances that you’d be right back to the rest of the class.

“Hey honey, what’s the matter?” You ask gently. The dark haired little girl sniffs quietly and looked up at you. “Uncle Jake is in the hospital.” She tells you and you’re pretty sure your heart stops for a second. You knew Jake was in the navy and accidents happen all the time but nothing had prepared you for hearing something had happened to him.

You quickly pulled yourself together for the sake of your student in front of you. “Do you mind telling me what happened?” You ask shakily and she nods.

“He had to jump out of the plane.” The five-year-olds explanation doesn’t make much sense but it does alarm you. You know enough about the navy to know she probably means he had to eject from his F-18.

“Okay honey, I’m sure uncle Jake will be just fine. You know the doctors in the hospital are really good at their jobs. I’m sure they’ll fix him right up!” You tell her with a forced smile. This seems to calm the five year old a little and she wipes the tears from her eyes. “Tell you what, why don’t you make uncle Jake a get well soon card?” Catarina nods, her gorgeous brown eyes sparkling a bit more like normal.

“Can I draw a plane on it? Or a dinosaur?” She asks and you want to melt at how cute she is.

“Catarina, you can draw whatever you want on it.” You tell her. She smiles at that and skips happily back into the classroom, muttering something about putting ‘healing magic’ in the card.

Later on at pick-up, you collar her dad whilst Catarina is playing with a couple of other kids. “Hey, um… Catarina got a bit upset in class today.” You tell him and he nods,

“Yeah we were all a bit worried when Jake went down in training but Cat’s taken it pretty hard. Luckily it wasn’t too bad, just a hard landing.” You nod in understanding.

“She seems to understand what’s happened pretty well. I think she just needed a bit of reassurance Jake was gonna be okay.” You tell him. “We had a bit of a talk this morning and she made him a get well soon card so I think she feels a bit better about it all now.”

“Thank you so much, I really appreciate it.” Javy tells you and you smile.

“I really don’t mind at all, Catarina’s a great kid.” He gleams with pride at that comment and you turn to go back inside but before you do you quickly say “Tell him I hope he gets better soon.”

Javy looks stunned for a second but collects himself quickly. “Uh yeah of course. Thanks again.”

Jake didn’t pick Catarina up the day after. You know it’s unlikely he would due to him being in the hospital but you’re still disappointed all the same. Instead it was a woman, Natasha, who gives Catarina a loving kiss on the forehead and walks her to the car whilst the little girl waves in your direction.

Friday afternoon brings you a surprise. You walk out with the class as the children run towards their respective parents and there, in all his glory, is Jake. You’re taken aback, partially because it’s the wrong day and partially because of the small cuts scattered across his face. He grins as you come into his eyeline, Catarina squealing happily at the sight of her godfather.

She runs to him, her dark curls bouncing as she does so. He puts his arms around the little girls back, almost covering her completely and lifts her off the ground with ease. “There’s my favourite girl.” He says, settling her on the ground. Catarina smiles brightly, already rambling on about everything uncle Jake has missed whilst he was in the hospital. She pauses to take a little breath and you smile fondly at her.

The five year old turns and runs towards the playground where some other children are calling out for her to play. She hastily shouts “don’t leave!” At her uncle who just chuckles as the little ball of energy scurries off to play.

He turns to you then, his smile turning almost sheepish as he addresses you. “So, uh… Javy relayed your message.”

You can feel the heat rising up your face so you turn slightly to the side. “I’m glad you’re better Jake, you had Catarina really worried for a minute there.”

“Just Cat?”

“Okay maybe I was a little bit worried.” You admit and his shy smile turns into his usual cocky smirk. “I mean who else am I supposed to talk to at pick up? All the other parents are boring.” You say that last part quietly and he chuckles.

“Well I’m honoured that the pretty teacher chooses to talk to me.” You giggle nervously at the compliment.

You both stand there for a couple of minutes, just watching the children play, Jake shouting a “good job” at Catarina as she shows him a cartwheel.

He turns to you again. “Hey,” you hum in reply, tearing your eyes away from the students to look at Jake. “Please tell me if I’m reading this wrong but would you maybe want to get dinner tomorrow? I mean the offer is open for any day but I just thought it’s a Saturday tomorroe and there’s no school and …”

“Jake.” You cut him off and he mumbles a ‘sorry’, “I’d love to.” You tell him and he sighs in relief. It’s quite cute really, a navy pilot as tall as he being flustered over asking a girl out but he’s so happy when you say yes that you can’t bring yourself to tease him about it.

You write down your number on his hand, feeling the hot stare of Angie boring into the back of your head. “Text me the time and place and I’ll be there.” He nods in confirmation.

“Uncle Jake!!! Can we go get ice cream?” Your moment is interrupted by an oblivious dark haired girl who comes bounding up to her godfather, attempting to drag him away by the hand towards the car.

He laughs and reassures her he’s coming before looking to you. “Duty calls. I’ll see you tomorrow.” You smile and nod, waving at both him and the five-year-old clinging to his arm.

Around 20 minutes later, when you’re alone in your classroom having sent all the kids on their way, you check your phone and see a text from an unsaved number on your Lock Screen.

‘8pm tomorrow? There’s an Italian close to the school that’s supposed to be good. Gio’s??. Let me know what you think - J’

You smile at the text and type out one of your own. ‘Sounds good, see you there.’

You’ve not been excited like this for a date in a while and it feels really good.

[eviesaurusrex]

ꜰᴀᴍɪʟʏ ʙʟɪꜱꜱ | ꜱ. ꜱᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇ

GIFs by the awesome @cumberbatchlives

Stephen Strange x Stark!Witch!Reader

summary: Stephen and YN—world famous Avengers (but kinda retired)—are picking up their kids from school. That’s it. That’s the summary.

word count: 1.9k

warnings: nothing, pure fluff, a bit of married bickering

author's note: These GIFs have me in a chokehold ever since seeing them for the first time. For timeline’s sake, there wasn’t a blip and no, I didn’t forget about it while writing and was too lazy to rewrite it leave me alone o.o

"Yes, Tony, we're coming. I told Pepper two weeks ago when I got her invitation," YN spoke while holding the newest (futuristic) Stark phone in hand and left the subway station. The odd stares from every single person around her were something she had become accustomed to years ago, but more like a decade. The earplugs canceled their hushed, but not hushed at all, whispers at least. "I wanted to make sure you didn't forget it—or that douchebag talked you out of it." Eye rolling, YN typed a quick text as she listened to her brother. Even after ten years of dating and six of them married, Tony still had to annoy the hell out of Stephen. "I want to see my nephews and my niece, and Morgan would love some company that can keep up with her mentally." She knew what he meant. Morgan was exceptionally bright—it was in their blood, after all—and her own children had gotten the full dose of Stark and Strange intelligence. The quartet was as close as friends could get.

She sighed softly. "Did you already talk to Midtown?" But she knew the answer to that. "You know Pepper doesn't want her to feel out of place between all the older students, so we're waiting, I guess. It's probably the best anyway." Humming, YN rounded the block corner to reach her kids' school. "I suppose it is. But you can take a deep breath now because we're coming over the weekend. But please, don't annoy my husband, would you? Try to be a decent adult for at least 48 hours. Think about it as a pre-birthday present for your most loved sister." Smiling, YN waved to one of the already waiting moms as she approached the private school's gate and laughed as she heard Tony's groan. "That's an even harder task than fighting Thanos, but yes, okay. I will try, but only if he tries as well! Gotta go, evil spawn, my girls are coming home. Don"t forget to bring the good wine!" And with that, the older Stark ended the call and left YN with a soft shake of her head.

The earplugs disappeared in her bag just as the tunes of today's end echoed over the courtyard and the first students came rushing out of the building. YN pushed her sunglasses up to place them on her head, and her smile morphed into a grin as the mop of dark curls of her youngest appeared between all the other kids. As soon as she saw her mom, the girl grinned as bright as the sun above them and hurried over the court to get to her. "MOM!" Laughing, YN caught her with open arms and pressed the five-year-old tightly against her. "Hello, sunshine," she greeted the small girl, bent down, and peppered kisses all over her head. It had been Stephen who had picked the kids up in the last couple of days because even though the couple was retired from their lives as world's mightiest heroes, sometimes the world still needed them. "Did you fight the bad people?" Ophelia was always eager to know everything about her mom's superhero duties, and YN always obliged every order to tell every single story.

They never needed books full of bedtime stories.

Pushing the soft curls behind her small ears, YN grinned. "Sure thing, munchkin. Just as easy as eating that ice cream I bought this morning and which is waiting for a special girl and her very special rainbow spoon." Ophelia started to clap while jumping on the spot. "Can I have some instead of lunch? Please, Mommy!" This kid knew what she had to do in order to soften her mother's heart, and YN nodded without thinking. "But first, I wanna see those math homework done, deal?" She had to pretend at least as if she wasn't as soft as she certainly was for her children.

Tough superhero, my ass, she thought with a smile and raised a hand to wave to her two eldest children as they finally appeared at the front door. The seven-year-old twins—Vincent and Peter—let their eyes wander, and just as they settled on top of their mother and sister, a familiar body appeared next to her.

"Right on time, I see," Stephen grinned down on his two girls, and Ophelia screeched before jumping into her father's arms. "I thought Mom would be the only one picking us up!" One could barely understand her words because her voice climbed higher and higher at the excitement she felt in her small body. The sorcerer grinned even wider. "Well, then, my surprise most definitely worked out. Hello, sunshine." He kissed her small cheeks before setting her back on the ground and opening his arms for the twins. Only Peter jumped into them, but Vincent pressed himself against his side.

His hand softly carded through his unruly mop of hair while moving Peter softly to find the perfect position. "Didn't you say something about being away for the next week?" Vincent always was the more straightforward of the twins. Peter was just happy to have his father back sooner than he thought.

Stephen hummed while walking them both the short distance over to his wife and their mother. "That's right, but I finished a lot faster than anticipated," was all he told them before reaching his wife with the knowing look in her mesmerizing eyes. "More like you threw them insult after insult in their poor faces and just vanished through one of your portals, love," she returned and waited until Peter was put back onto the ground to hug her boys. "What do we do when we see Mom after an awful lot of time, boys?" The twins blinked up to her, crystal blue eyes shining brightly and soft grins tucked at their lips. "Hello, Mom!" They both spoke in unison, and YN laughed softly before bending down and pressing loving kisses on their heads. "Hello to you too. School was okay? No bullies treating you wrongly anymore?"

YN really hoped that her talk to the headmaster was something that helped the situation instead of making it worse.

"He isn't at the school anymore. Best birthday present ever, Mom, thank you!"

Grinning with that hint of mischievousness she had to herself, the mother nodded, satisfied. "Very well, then. You guys take your sister between you, and we can head home as soon as I greet your dad." And with that, the former Stark pulled Stephen to her and enveloped his broad shoulders into a tight embrace, and took the feeling of his lips against hers in after he had bent his head. Her fingers softly carded through his dark hair while her other thumb caressed his jawline, and a soft sigh escaped her at the feeling of his skin against hers.

Even though they had known each other for so long and had been in a relationship for a decade, she felt as thrilled as she had been during their first shared kiss. YN didn’t believe that this would change anytime soon—or ever.

“Are you alright?” Stephen asked in a husky whisper, lips still touching, while his eyes opened and scanned her face for any visible marks or scratches. YN smiled up to him, gently bumping the tip of her nose against his. She may be an Avenger, and a powerful one at that, but Stephen always worried about her—but well, she worried about him just as much. “I am,” she nodded, but her barely palpable flinch as the pad of his thumb made contact with the skin stretching over her left cheekbone gave her away. Her husband’s brows furrowed tremendously, and his eyes stared at the spot, now discovering the deception his wife had created with makeup. “I didn’t want to worry the kids,” YN whispered at the sight of realization in his eyes, and Stephen nodded. “Of course. But don’t you dare think I will let you get away with this. As soon as they are nose deep in their books, I will demand a look on it, wife.” Grinning, the woman nodded. “Of course, husband,” she replied, pressing their lips together another time before turning to their beautiful children, who occupied themselves with hopscotching over the drawn numbers.

Vincent and Peter had their eyes settled on their younger sister like hawks, ready to jump to her aid whenever she stumbled. Ophelia sang happily to the rhythm of her small jumps, curls bouncing around her pretty face.

Smiling, YN let Stephen pull her into his side, arm around her shoulders and lips pressing on the top of her head. “We really have the most incredible children,” the father mumbled, still in awe of how his life had turned after the accident. And this strong, wonderful, and compassionate woman in his arm had gifted him the most precious gift life had to offer: undying love and the happiness of fatherhood.

“Don’t let Tony hear that,” she grinned softly, eyes still trained on her two sons and daughter. But then she looked up at her loving husband, who felt her gaze and looked down at her, one brow softly cocked. “Just in case you forgot about it, but they await us this weekend.” His eyes widened suddenly, and a groan left him, head falling back. “Why? Didn’t we agree on once a year in our prenup?” She hit his chest with a flat hand. “Really funny, especially because we both know very well that we never had one of these. Remember? You told me something about marrying out of pure love and utter devotion and that contracts belong to cooperations? That you weren’t another business deal I sign?” She grinned up to him, and Stephen groaned again. “I see now the advantages of said prenup. I could’ve put the once-a-year rule in it,” the sorcerer returned with a playful nudge to her chin with his finger. “That’s why we’re going. The kids could use some nature, and Lia misses Morgan. So…” Stephen cocked a brow. “Don’t you dare and say the thing you want to say right now.”

But YN said it anyway. “You’ll behave, even if my brother tries to get on your nerves,” the woman decided, but the Strange couldn’t keep it at that. “So, he can behave like a spoiled child, insult me countless times, and I have to sit it out?”

“Yes.”

“That’s unfair.”

“It’s called being an adult and how one shows that they’re upon such childish behavior.”

The verbal slugfest was quick, and the kids turned to their arguing parents. “What’s going on? Are Mommy and Daddy fighting?” Ophelia asked wide-eyed, but the boys only changed a look before Vince answered his sister. “Mom is the boss, Lia,” he grinned, and the youngest Strange giggled.

Stephen sighed again. “You win,” he gritted, but his wife only grinned wider. “What a surprise,” she teased him because, frankly, it wasn’t. She always won—Stephen would never admit it, but he couldn’t deny his wife a single request, even if it meant enduring his annoying brother-in-law for an entire weekend. He rolled his eyes lovingly before taking YN’s hand in his, lacing their fingers together, and turning to their children.

“Are we ready?”

All three of them nodded excitedly because they knew what their father would do in just a second. Shortly, the man let go of his wife to open a sparkling portal right into the foyer of the Sanctum Sanctorum, where Uncle Wong already stood, waiting. He crouched to hug the lot after the three kids had jumped over the golden threshold of the portal while Stephen held again onto his wife’s hand and led her into their shared home.

;

Hope y’all enjoyed this little piece, and thanks for reading! As usual: Comments, reblogs, and likes are much appreciated <3

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[sporadically-writing]

Being Steve Harrington’s Sibling and Dating Eddie Munson Headcanons

A/N: This is the first one of these I’ve ever done so I am gonna try my best here!

Warnings: None, just some fluff

Gender Neutral

Let me know if you enjoy!

                                                              ***

Being a year or so younger than Steve, that slots you as being comfortably within Hawkins High’s ‘86 graduating class.

Having spent the last handful of years going through the same things your brother has, you’ve surprisingly been given quite a sense of freedom actually. You don’t go around fighting secret monsters two years in a row without some of the rules of society looking a little weird to you. There are much worse things to worry about than who you’re going to prom with or what group you sit with at lunch.

Besides, if your older brother taught you anything, high school kids kind of really suck. You may not necessarily be above any nastiness that may or may not come your way, but you shoulder it well considering that, in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t really matter. You’ve got a tight group of friends across multiple ages that you know have your back the same way you have theirs. 

The point is, you hang out with Dustin a lot. He’s practically your nephew and now that you attend the same school (if only for a year), you two sort of fall naturally into spending time together. 

It is you driving Dustin to and from said school, that led to your first meeting with the infamous Munson boy.

At the end of one fateful school day, Dustin approached you. You asked him if he was ready to head home and he informed you that actually, if it was okay, he was going to stay after for something called the Hellfire Club. You told him it was fine, you’d hang around doing some homework and get him when it was time.

About the time Hellfire was supposed to get out, you packed up your stuff and wandered towards the exit by the auditorium, where Dustin said the club would be. You got there in time to see Mike, Lucas and Dustin all being affectionately bullied by none other than Eddie Munson who looked up at you.

“Is this your ride Henderson? You didn’t tell me a Harrington was taking you home.”

Eddie would continue to make comments like these whenever you came to pick Dustin up, but you were used to people poking fun at your family name. It went on for a few weeks before you finally decided you would poke him back.

“What’s up Munson? You obsessed with me or something?”

Eddie was thrown off guard by the comment but smiled. “So the younger one fights back too.”

After that you and Eddie would continue the cat and mouse game of who could tease the other more. It drives Dustin crazy and that only encouraged the two of you further.

One day, at lunch, Eddie passed you in the hall to get a comment in early but you kept up with him, refusing to give him the upper hand in whatever game the two of you were playing, and you sat down at The Hellfire Table for the first time. From then on, that’s where you sat, it just felt right. 

You got to know everyone else in Hellfire as well, surprisingly fitting in to the group well. You even used that hereditary Harrington fighting instinct to scare off anyone *cough cough* Jason *cough cough* who had anything “smart” to say to the group.

After about a month of this, Eddie showed up at your locker, something he had never really done before. 

“Hey Harrington.” “Hi Eddie, need something?” “Well,” he said leaning more of his weight on the metal door, “I had something I wanted to ask you actually.” “Oh yeah?” This ought to be interesting. 

Eddie shifted into Dungeon Master Mode, doing his best job impersonating a royal messenger, “I would like to cordially extend an invitation to you, [Y/N] Harrington, to join the esteemed table of The Hellfire Club.”

Smirking, you shut your locker and said, “I sit with you all everyday anyway, I think we’re well past invitations.”

Eddie’s shoulders dropped, “C’mon [Y/N], you know what I mean.” “Do I?” Whether he knew he was doing it or not, Eddie’s eyes took on a puppy dog quality and you caved somewhat.

“I don’t know the first thing about DND Eddie, I’d just slow the group down.” Eddie lit up just a little, “I could teach you! It’s really not that complicated!” Then he mumbled something else.

“What did you say?” Knowing he couldn’t weasel out of it, Eddie said, “Look, you’re really smart, and I think you’d be great at it.”

You smiled, “I’m flattered. And, for the record, you’re really smart too, school just isn’t for everyone.” Then you got an idea. “How about this. You can teach me how to play DND so I don’t feel like a total dingus at Hellfire and maybe I can help you with some of your subjects. We can tutor each other!”

And that is how you two ended up meeting every other week at his trailer or at your house. You would help him out with a concept he was struggling with and once that was done, you learned a thing or two about wizards, dragons and dice with twenty sides. Even after you had gotten the hang of the game, and showed up to the joy of the rest of the club, you would still meet back and forth to tutor Eddie. The progress had stalled a little bit after that however. Teaching you about DND had been part of the reward system for Eddie and without it, things were getting harder. However, it didn’t take long for you to (albeit accidentally) find a solution.

You two had been working really hard on the same concept for two weeks now. Something about it just refused to click for Eddie and you were having trouble teaching it a different way than the way you learned it. It looked hopeless.

That is until, after a bit of a break, Eddie stared at the paper for a moment and then timidly asked you a question, checking to see if he had gotten it right, and he had! He asked you again to be sure and you assured him that he had. After both of you working so hard to figure out a way for him to get this, you were just so incredibly proud that he had done it that without really thinking, you grabbed him by the shoulders and kissed him. 

To be fair to you, you had been vaguely aware that you had been slightly pinning for him for a little while, you just never really thought about it. But it looks like, you had been thinking about it more than you wanted to admit to yourself. You were both frozen for a moment, neither of your sure what to do.

“Harrington?” “Yeah?” “Did you just kiss me?” “Yes?” Eddie was quiet for a little again, staring at you. He pinched his arm and said, “Good.” And before you could blink he was kissing you again.

You two did very little to hide your relationship after that. Neither of you really cared what anyone thought. The Hellfire Club were happy for you both, Dustin most of all. He had been tired of the two of you dancing around each other. Everything was great, and then Steve found out.

Steve was happy that you found someone to make you happy. However, this was Eddie “the Freak” Munson and what older brother didn’t give the shovel talk. He even pulled Dustin in to do it with him. 

Now listen, Dustin may love his Dungeon Master to pieces, but he knew you and Steve first. You were his “mom’s” sibling, his “cousin”, he had to at least say something.

As well intentioned as Steve was, he constantly forgets that his track record with fights of the less supernatural kind is less than stellar. So basically, for most of the talk, Eddie was the physical embodiment of the Knife Cat meme almost 30 years before it entered popular culture. 

He assured the boys that he loved you more than his guitar (don’t tell her that) and that he wouldn’t even dream of hurting you. 

“Aww, Eddie!” “How long have you been standing there, [Y/N]?!” “The whole time, hon. Nice speech boys, but if he ever hurt me, I’d be the one with the shovel.” “Noted” Eddie gulped.

It was nice to know that all your boys cared about you.