#the to do list has grown massively again with just that one move

[dontwanderoff]

got peer pressured by another crt to talk to the principal about jobs next year and the principal is all ‘oh yes send me this this and this and apply for this and this’ and i think this means i better write a resume up quick sticks

[goldsbitch]

You texted...

Y/N and Lando are going through a rough patch in their relationship. Not really on speaking terms. This bad streak ends when there is a massive spider in her bathroom.

angst, one shot

The moment she spotted that creature sent from hell, everything else went out of the window. The dinner in the oven, the fact she was planning on doing a late night session in the gym, the fact her hair was still wet from the shower. The fact she and her boyfriend Lando were on "not speaking" terms.

Y/N was absolutely terrified of spiders her whole life and was never able to over come the fear by getting rid of them on her own. Lando was the one who always ever so kindly rescued her, he overtook this role her neighbor, who overtook it from her mom, who Y/N had trained to react immediately when she heard a very specific scream.

Now she was standing in her apartment, alone with nowhere to go, since her job was to stay frozen at one spot and stare at the creature, in case it moved, and not really sure who to call for help. Her best friend was the first option. Normally, it would have been her boyfriend, but something was stopping her from doing that.

"Come on, come on, come on," she whispered as she dialed her best friend living close by. "Pick up, dammit."

Finally, the tone she was praying for. "Hey, girl, what's up?"

No time for chit chat. "You have to come over now, immediately."

Her friend noticed the immediate distress and tuned herself in. "What's wrong?" she replied, sounding as she was ready to dial the police.

"There's a spider situation going on in my apartment."

"Uhm, I see," she said, more relaxed now, but still taking it seriously.

"It's huge, with like hairy legs and shit. You have to come over, now. We have a deal, remember?"

Her friend was equally terrified of mosquitoes, so they agreed that Y/N would deal with those while spider duty fell on the other lady. This has happened many many times before. Usually ended up with a nice girls evening. Ever since Lando appeared in Y/N life however, the emergency calls stopped.

"I thought Lando was around this week?" her friend asked curiously. "Not that I'm trying to get out of this, but I'm sort of like an hour away from you, so..."

Y/N let out a frustrated sigh. "Fucking hell...Yeah, we're not exactly speaking at the moment," she admitted.

"Wow, that's a first!?" her friend said, clearly surprised. "Why?"

"Look, I'd love to chat, but are you coming or not? There's no one else and I'm not calling Lando!"

"Yes, yes, I'm getting in the car, just let me say good bye to my friends here, we're having a picnic," she replied and muted voices of disapproval came from the background.

Y/N felt guilty about doing this, but she'd dropped everything she was oing for her friend many times, answered phone calls in the middle of the night even though she was an early bird. They just had this kind of friendship.

"Drive fast, please," she said, still stubborn and not about to call Lando.

//

Y/N sat there staring at the spider for good ten minuted before her friend called again.

"Ok, I'm in the car, you can talk about Lando now, keep me busy. I'm going to pass over the fact you and your boyfriend are fighting and I have no idea," she said unapologetically.

"Figured you'd be mad about that. Yeah, he's been acting like a bit of a dick..."

"But you're not broken up, right?" her friend asked, slightly worried about her favorite couple.

"No, I don't think so. I hope so," she realized, the spider in the corner becoming lesser of her problems.

"And what seems to be the problem? Did he cheat?"

"No, not that I'm aware," she replied without thinking.

"Did you cheat?" her friend asked, ready to support her in anything.

"Jesus, no. It's um...I dunno, we've just grown a bit distant. Lately it feels like I'm like at number 50 of his priorities list. It's always only racing, Quadrant, promo event this and that."

"That's shitty, yeah. Would you like to be included? I know you hate things like promo events and such."

"I do! But honestly, I miss him so much and frankly I'd like to be more included in his life somehow. Especially now that I have more time in my life."

"Does he know that?"

"No?"

Her friend let out a deep sigh. "Hm. You have to untangle that. It would be stupid to break up over that."

"Yeah, I'd hate that," she said, panic setting in.

"Text him to come. To save you from the spider. It's a nice excuse and good test. To see if he cares."

"I'm scared. What if he does not respond?"

Few moments of dramatic silence. "Well, at least you'd know."

"Yeah. Ok. Sending it." Y/N quickly typed something up, trying not to overthink it.

"What did you text?"

"Can you come over asap? I need help with a spider. It's urgent."

"Nice. Now you'll see what he does."

They stayed on the phone together for good half an hour. Catching up and distracting Y/N from the fact there was no text from Lando coming her way.

//

A doorbell rang.

"You're here already?" Y/N asked her friend, surprised by her ability to drive this fast.

"Nope, still very much far away. Did I hear a bell? Do you think it's him?"

"I dunno. I'll mute you and if it's him I'll hang up, ok?"

"Gotcha."

She opened the door with a heavy heart. What if it was not him?

But it was. Flustered Lando stood there without saying hello. The two shared a pain-filled look, neither of them enjoying this no contact streak they had.

"You came..." she said finally, ending the phone call.

"You texted..." he said dryly and in full macho mode entered her apartment without being let it. "Can you point me where?"

"That corner," she simply pointed, flushed with emotions. Happy that he came to rescue her, sad about his loveless tone and scared of what was to come after. She watched him from afar, as he skillfully took the spider and threw it out of the balcony.

"Don't say anything about him knowing his way back, please," he said, hinting on the countless debates they'd had before about Lando not wanting to kill every spider they'd encounter.

The air suddenly went very heavy. Lando casually headed to the kitchen to get himself a glass of water while trying so hard to make eye contact with her. The last time they spoke was few days prior - and it was not a nice conversation. Lots of built up emotions got out, frustrated speeches made and confusing sentences jumping one after another. Ending with Lando slamming the door on his way out.

She had no clue where to start. "So, how have you been?" she asked, not sure she was ready for his answer. He finally looked at her, and then with an annoyed eye-roll went back into staring out of the window.

Y/N threw her hands up in the air as the familiar feeling from few days ago kicked back in. "Ok fine, sorry I asked. Thank you so much for your help, truly appreciated, but if you hate being around me, just say so that we can-"

"We can what?" he cut her off, not having any of that.

"I don't know, you tell me!...I'm getting lost at trying to read you," she admitted, not even trying to hide anything from him at this point.

"I'm sorry," he said slowly. "I don't think I listened to you," he sighed before continuing, "Or more like did not hear what you were saying."

The validation felt rewarding. But she feared what would come next.

"What I heard at that moment was you not respecting my lack of time and the fact that things I'm involved in are important to me."

She took a breath and planned on interrupting him, which he noticed and tried to stop.

"Let me finish, please. But thinking about it, I figured that's not the case, and you were simply pointing out that I've been putting off spending time with you. Which you're absolutely correct. I figured since we've been going to strong lately, this would be fine. But truth is I hate this distance it created. I feel lost, uneasy and unable to focus," he blabbered something, which felt like he might have even rehearsed on the way to her. "What I'm trying to say is - do you still care enough for us to fix it?"

It felt vulnerable, raw and maybe even uncomfortable to have these kinds of talks. But this is ultimately what cements a relationship.

Feeling like he managed to destroy some of the wall they'd put up, she took few steps towards him.

"Lando, of course I do. It's not a rare event that I imagine our future life together, as a couple and one day potentially as a family. Never had this feeling before in my life. Please, let's figure out a way how to prevent the distance from happening. Things have changed now, the relationship has too. We've been together for almost two years. And my love for you has only grown."

He finally smiled, relieved that they seemed to be on the same page.

"I came right from the tennis court, left everyone behind. Would you like to go there with me? Hang out with the Quadrant squad for a bit and then have a nice dinner somewhere? I just want to spend this evening with you."

"And the night hopefully," she teased, trying to ease the mood.

"Always the night, it was absolutely horrible, knowing you're so close to me, yet having to sleep without you."

She closed the distance between them, embracing him into a hug. They bodies were more than familiar with each and it felt right to be that close. Definitely better than each of them standing in a different corner of the room.

"We still have to talk about this. I don't want our love to slip through by our fingers," she said, letting her anxiety out.

"We will. Tonight, we'll come up with a plan. Can you join me on few races later this month?" he asked, hoping for a positive answer.

"Of course, my love. I have to buy new clothes though, the cameras are savage."

He chuckled, relaxed now that he did not have to worry about having lost her. "Yes, they are."

She later call her friend to thank her for dropping everything and driving to save her, even though it was not needed in the end. Her friend was more than happy that she and Lando seemingly found the way back to each other.

She also admitted that she turned back the moment Y/N sent her text to Lando, knowing that this guy would come running anytime his girlfriend asked for help.

[latenightdaydreams]

Triggered!König x Reader (fem)

MDNI🔞

This was inspired by a Tiktok I saw from the creator CrëëpyKönig (Spooky Vexx)! So if you enjoy please go show them love and please remember to be kind and respectful 🩷 Link attached!

Master List✍🏽

>cw: fem/afab, bullying, stalking, obsessive König, non-con, p in v, biting, anal, humiliation, recording

1.6k word count

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On KorTac’s base, König is known as a bully. He is a massive, arrogant, and aggressive man who always seems to enjoy stepping on those beneath him. When you joined a much smaller woman, you quickly found that you weren’t spared from this treatment. 

A year into being a part of KorTac and things with König have only escalated. No one is brave enough to stand up to him, so you’re left to fend for yourself. He uses his height to his advantage as well as setting you off by being incredibly sexist. In his eyes, you’re the easiest target on base. 

Underneath your calm exterior, a rage was forming. Yes, you’re small, but you know your own strength. Respect is the only reason you haven’t gone completely crazy on your colonel. Everyone knows he deserves it. 

It’s been raining hard these last few weeks, leaving the outdoors training field to turn into a muddy mess. That doesn’t stop the military, though. König has his men, and you, outside running drills back and forth through the slick terrain. Everyone is slipping, unable to gain proper footing; yet it’s when you fall that you hear König’s harsh accent boom throughout the open space. 

“Pathetic little girl!” König barks. “Get up!” 

As you scramble to your feet, you feel his hands violently lift you before setting you on your feet. You can feel your hands trembling, but not with fear; it’s that rage. König looms over you, yelling down at you as everyone around you stops to watch the vicious verbal assault with looks of sympathy on their faces. 

Time seems to slow as you lift your dominant hand into a fist, pulling back and punching König with everything you’d got. His head actually snaps back, causing a loud gasp to echo out amongst the team. Your eyes widen once you realize what you’ve done, you just assaulted your colonel. 

König feels a sharp pain, followed by the taste of blood beginning to fill his mouth. This little bitch. His eyes snap down to yours with a look of shock. 

First, it was one laugh, followed by a roaring laughter that spread between everyone. The smallest tear slips from König’s eye as they widen, glaring down at you. He looks around quickly, trying to fight back the waterfall of tears threatening to be released. It’s as if he’s eleven again and his entire class is mocking him. For a moment, he isn’t the 6’10 280lb colonel; he’s that chubby 5’9 child that didn’t fit in. 

Slowly, his look of shock turns into a wild look of horror. Without another word to you, König leaves. He hurries to his barracks, leaving you alone with an odd feeling forming in the pit of your stomach. A few people come up to you simply to thank you for doing what they’ve been too scared to do. Others make sure that you’re okay. 

The events of the day came and went. It was talked about for a while, but you were never reprimanded so no one ever reported you. König has backed off of you, leaving you to believe he simply realizes that you’re not the one to mess with. If only you knew how wrong you were. 

Then you begin to notice König almost everywhere you are. He’s never obvious, hiding within the cover or crowds and dark corners of the halls. Almost as if he has become your own personal boogeyman. At the same time, it’s base and your schedules line up, so maybe you’re just being paranoid. Simply noticing him where you never did before because of the deep-rooted fear that he might retaliate one day. 

Your first thought is the correct one though. König is everywhere you are, watching every move you make, attempting to familiarize himself with every little aspect of your day to day. Ever since you humiliated him, he’s grown obsessed with you. Not even a fully grown man has ever had the balls to do what you did to him. That day he cried like he hadn’t in a very long time, not since his mother passed. 

The desire to own you, forever, consumes his every waking thought. His mind continues to replay the look in your eyes when you hit him, the sounds of laughter, and the taste of blood. He’s obsessed with the idea of getting back at you, making you feel the humiliation and torment he felt in that moment. 

König was missing from training today, not that you mind, it was just odd. His job is his life and you’ve never known him to have missed a day. Either way, you felt as if you were finally able to relax and focus on excelling at the tasks at hand. 

That very night as you walk back to your room, a recruit you don’t recognize walks up to you with a note in their hand. He holds it out to you, looking into your eyes with a blank expression. You reach out and open it to read that you’re wanting to finish signing paperwork. Confused, you look up, ready to ask a question; but the recruit has left in a hurry.

You look down at your watch to see how late it is, wondering if the people in the offices are even still there at this hour. With a deep sigh you turn and head across base. The sun is setting, the sky a beautiful pale blue color setting a calm tone over the moment. 

Upon entering the building, you notice that the halls are empty. Some lights are still on, so you just continue on to the room that was scribbled down. You knock. No answer. You know again and wait before trying the handle. You walk in to see a blinking red light in the darkness. Confused, you linger for a second; long enough for König to reach out, grabbing your neck, and pulling you inside. 

You get slammed on to the wall as the door closes leaving you in complete darkness. Short shaky breaths flee your lips as you try to not scream; you know it’s König. A million things are running through your mind as you gaze up in his direction. 

“What do you want?” You ask, trying to be bold, but your voice cracks.

“You.” König whispers, dragging your body forward and slamming you down on a desk. 

Your head hits the cold wood hard enough to cause a ringing in your ears. In a panic you begin to push up against the desk, but it’s no use since König is nearly twice your size. Finally, you realize the blinking light to a camera recording; what is he about to do? 

König lets go of your neck and moves his hands all over your body, tracing every curve and contour of your much smaller frame. He completely towers over you, consuming you. Having you underneath his fingers, completely defenseless and vulnerable. 

“I’m sorry! Please don’t do this!” You cry out as he begins to strip you of your clothing. His sharp canines dig into your back as he slides your shirt up, pulling a loud scream from you. No one heard you, you're completely alone with this monster. 

“You’ve been an arrogant, disrespectful, little slut!” König shouts as he spanks your ass harshly. 

He undresses behind you, pulling his pants down to be around his knees. His eyes flick over to the camera to make sure it’s still recording before looking back down at you. Your outline is visible to him as his eyes have adjusted to the dark. He laces his fingers through your hair and pulls your head back to bite your neck. Again, you let out a loud cry making König feel a rush of excitement. The more pain you feel, the more pleasure he feels. He lets go and you fall back on the desk. 

“Keep screaming for us, Hase.” He mocks. 

Us? 

Your thoughts are redirected as you feel his cock slip along your dry folds. You beg him to not do this as your hips squirm back and forth to attempt to get him away. The searing pain of his cock pushing into you causes your body to tense up. 

As you lift your abdomen from the desk König slams you back down. His hand remains on your back to hold you there as his hips pull back and slam into you. A soft moan leaves his lips as a pained whimper leaves your own. 

“This…” König speaks with a voice laced with lust. “…is what women are made for. To be whores. To be fucked.” He growls as his hips begin to buck forward into you faster.  

In infrared, the camera records König’s thick veiny cock slamming in and out of your tight little cunt. The pained look on your face and sad little whimpers coming through perfectly. On the other side of the camera men sit with their cocks in their hands, masturbating to your torment. 

“Say you’re a worthless whore.” König demands as he closes his eyes and leans his head back to immerse himself into the pleasure of you. 

You say nothing, only angering König more. He pulls out of you, spitting on to his hand to rub on the head of his cock before moving back to you. The tip pushes against your asshole. 

“Say it.” He growls once more. 

“I- I’m a worthless whore.” You say with a weak voice. 

“Ah, good girl.” König whispers as he presses his cock painfully into your ass. 

Your humiliation pleases König. Now you feel how he felt when you hit him. How he felt when the squad laughed at him. Now you have thousands of people getting pleasure from watching you getting violated; your small body destroyed in König’s hands.

[asmutwriter]

Welcome to the Freak Show (Part 1-23)

You, the Queen of Hawkins High, and Eddie ‘The Freak’ Munson become the unlikeliest of friends after you play a session of DND together. But, could your friendship lead to something more?

WORD COUNT: 67,674

From beginning / Master List

For the individual parts go to the Master List (above)

WARNINGS: Season 4 spoilers, cheating, swearing, underage drinking, drug use, smoking, name calling, violence (brief), amateur tattooing, negative parents, abusive relationship (implied), SA (brief), mentions of death, mentions of murder, mourning, anxiety, negative body image, blood (cuts them self by accident), blood tasting, unprotected sex, dom Eddie (both soft + hard), sub reader, masochism, praise, biting, hair pulling, over stimulation, multiple orgasms, oral (f + m receiving), making out, fingering, they talk about sexual things, public sex, pet names, degradation, dirty talk, cream pie, cum play, sex under the influence, spitting, masturbating, squirting, face sitting, hickeys, choking, scratching, ownership

DISCLAIMERS

-  This is fiction. Please always talk to your partner before doing anything and make sure they are ok with what you are doing beforehand

THURSDAY

You sit in the canteen. You boyfriend Chris has an arm looped over your shoulder. You fingers intertwined with his. You started dating in 1980. 4 years ago on Sunday. You’ve planned to stay round his on Saturday so that you have the whole of Sunday with him. Jessica comes and sits next to you both. “Have you seen the freaks today?”

“No. Why?”

“They were talking about some weird game. God it’s pathetic. Fully grown men playing a fantasy game” as if on cue ‘the freaks’ walked in. You and your friends watch them as the go and sit on their table. You boyfriend speaks up

“Oh look the freak show is in town” they all look over at your table. One of them standing on his chair, lifting his middle finger up at you all before hopping back down and sitting. You stay quiet as Chris and Jessica laugh. You know lunch has finished when the bell rings. Chris kisses you, deeply before moving away. You smile at him.

“You still ok for me to come round this weekend?”

“Of course. I’m looking forward to it my love. I won’t be in tomorrow, I’ve got more important stuff to be doing but I’ll see you on Saturday” he kisses your forehead before going off to his class. You and Jessica wave at him as you go to your science class. The next few lessons go past quickly. So quickly that the end of the school day creeps up on you as you walk home.

Now you sit with your mum, dad and brother at the dinner table. Just as you all start your food your mum speaks up. “Your father and I have a business thing to attend to this weekend. We will likely be back on Monday or Tuesday. Will you two be ok on your own?” you both nod

“Can I invite the guys round to stay? We will only play DnD and not have any massive party I promise” you parents look at each other. Before you can state your opinion your mum answers

“I don’t see why not. Just make sure the house is tidy for when we get back” he smiles and eats again

“I’m so glad I’m staying with Chris this weekend. I don’t think I’d be able to cope with all the geekiness”

FRIDAY

The next day goes past quickly. You pack your bags for your time with Chris. Going downstairs you see your bother in the living room. “I thought they were coming this weekend?”

“We figured they might as well come round tonight. Then we can play for longer” you nod

“I’ll pack and go to Chris’s tonight then instead of tomorrow. Makes the most sense”

“Are you sure?” you nod and smile at him

“I’ll be fine. He knows I’m going round tomorrow anyway. What is one more night going to effect” he nods and goes back to setting up his game. You bite your lip slightly “I’m sorry about him”

“Who?”

“Chris. He was mean to you and your friends” he shrugs

“Next year I’ll be out of that hell hole where he can’t bother me” he looks at you and smiles “Just don’t be offended when I don’t invite him to the family dinners” you laugh and go over and hug him

“I love you dude”

“I love you too sis” You pull away from the hug and ruffle his hair

“Best big brother I have”

“I’m your only brother” you blow kisses at him as he swears at you. You go to your room and grab your bag for the weekend. You walk out the house, saying goodbye to Michael as you go.

Chris lives about a 30 minute walk from you. It always seems to take you forever to get there but also the time goes by so quickly. You come up to the front gate. Going up to the front door you go to knock when you see two people in the window. You look confused as you go and take a closer look. You hold back a choked sob as you see your boyfriend railing another woman. “Oh shit baby” you hear. Not in your boyfriends voice, but still it sounds so familiar. You cover your mouth as a way to muffle you cry as you see your best friend underneath him. You shake your head. Sadness washing over you. So this is why he said he wanted to meet you tomorrow and not tonight. He was too busy screwing your best friend. You turn and let the tears fall down your cheeks as you angrily walk back home. Using the back of your hand to wipe your tears.

You open the front door to your house, leaning against the frame as you wipe the dried tears from your cheeks. “Liz?” you look in the mirror by the door as your bothers head pokes round the living room door. You smile at him “Liz are you ok? I thought you were going out” you nod and go over to him, not caring who might see you. You hug him tightly. His hand goes up and strokes your hair as you continue to hug him. You then hear a cough. You pull away from your hug and cover your mouth

“Oh shit. Sorry. Fuck I forget you were doing your nerd thing”

“Dungeons and dragons”

“Yeah whatever. Sorry guys”

“Wait I know you...” one of the boys speaks. You look, a guy with dark curly hair and dark eyes watches you. You smile slightly and do a small wave “I’m Elizabeth”

“Michael” the long haired boy queries “Are you friends with our enemy?”

“No. More like related to the enemy” all the boys start kicking up a fuss. You try and hold back a laugh. Covering your mouth as your brother nudges you slightly

“Don’t laugh” he mutters to you

“Yeah... no” he looks hurt and fakes being wounded.

“Can we get back to our game now?” the long haired boy asks. Your brother looks at you and you smile slightly and nod. He goes and sits down.

“Could I... Can I sit and watch?” they all look at each other, then back at you, then each other again. Michael speaks

“I have no complaints” the guys roll their eyes as you sit down. You wipe your eyes again as you feel fresh tears start to spike them. You try not to think about what happened earlier and instead focus on the campaign happening before you. It fascinated you. The vast world these boys had created. The characters and the gameplay. You watched in awe as they all got into character. The long haired boy who you believe to be called Eddie was leading the game. Helping the others to progress the story.

You start to feel tired about 1am, saying goodnight and heading to bed. You hadn’t realised how much being with them had put your mind to rest as you spent most of the time tossing and turning in your bed. You let out an annoyed huff as you wake up. Looking at the watch by your bed it says 4:37am. You could almost cry again.  You figure you might sleep better if you have something to eat and drink so you stand up and go to the kitchen. Grabbing yourself some water and a biscuit you go to walk back upstairs when you walk into someone. “Oh fuck sorry” you hear a chuckle

“Don’t worry about it. My fault for not turning the bathroom light on” if it was any of your brothers other friends you don’t think you’d be able to recognise their voices but because you had just been listening to him speaking for about 6 hours straight you recognised Munson’s voice.

“Come into the kitchen. Let me help dry you a bit” you start to walk, feeling for the light as you hear his soft footsteps follow you. Turning the light on you grab a dry cloth. You hand it to him, seeing the white of his shirt gone slightly see through as he tries his best to dry himself. “It might be better to air your shirt. Here, let me hang it up for you” you hold your hand out. He raises an eyebrow at you. Clearly seeing the innocence behind your eyes he shrugs and takes his shirt off. You take it from him and hang it over the door. “It should be dry by morning” you smile at him as he hands you the cloth. You take that from him too, noticing his arm tattoos. “Oh nice tats dude”

“Thanks. I did them myself”

“Really?” you go over to him, looking at his handy work. You see the one near his collarbone. Smiling you turn to look at him. Noticing you are very close to him at this point you take a small step back, placing the cloth on the side. You turn to face him again. “I am going to show you something. If you tell my brother I will kill you” he nods and chuckles slightly, but his eyes grow wide as you pull the side of your pyjama shorts down. Just below your waist band a small butterfly. “What do you think?”

“It’s good” he walks over to you. Again, sensing the innocence in your actions he comes to inspect it closer.

“Do you really think so?” he nods

“Who did it for you?”

“I did it myself. I got bored one evening so I had a stab at it. No pun intended” he laughs and stands up straight again as you place the waistband back over your tattoo. “Tell my brother and I will murder you though” he laughs as you smile at him. He breaks eye contact with you and rubs the back of his neck shyly.

“I thought you’d be a lot meaner”

“Really?”

“Yeah. You’re one of the popular people. Everyone loves you” you laugh

“I wouldn’t say everyone. Just a large majority of them” now it’s his turn to laugh.

“I mean I don’t blame them. You have a lot of friends, everyone knows who you are and you have the perfect boyfriend who never has a hair out of place” you shrug, sadness coming over you again. He doesn’t seem to notice the change in your demeanour and continues talking “I mean, everyone either wants to be you or be with you” this catches your attention as you look at him, a small smile on your lips

“Which one do you want?” he chokes slightly, caught off guard by your words. You tilt your head “You said everyone. Which one do you want?” he shakes his head and looks down. You playfully hit his shoulder “I’m only teasing you” he chuckles, but you can tell it’s a nervous one. You smile at him before covering your mouth as you yawn. He chuckles more genuinely this time.

“You should get to bed” you shake your head as you rub your eyes

“I’m not really tired “he raises an eyebrow. You roll your eyes and look down “I can’t sleep very well tonight” he nods

“Because of earlier? I only noticed you seemed sad” you shrug

“Might be something to do with that”

“Anything I can do to help?” you shake your head, giving him a half smile. He smiles back at you. You can smell the cigarette smoke on his breath. That’s when you realise how close you are to him. You look at him, the smile on his face fading as he sees you look more serious. Your eyes flutter to look at his mouth, then look back at his eyes. You can tell he’s trying not to smile.

“What?” he shakes his head “tell me!” you playfully hit his chest. He chuckles

“If you weren’t so innocent in all your actions I would think that you were flirting with me” you feel your cheeks turn pink

“I-” he shakes his head and puts his hands up in a defensive matter. “I’m not purposefully flirting with you” he laughs

“Good. I don’t think you boyfriend would appreciate you talking to the freak of the town” you shake your head

“He’s not my boyfriend anymore” he furrows his brows at you

“But I saw you two yesterday. Or I guess more 2 days ago now. You seemed pretty happy then”

“That was before I found him fucking my best friend” you look at him, his eyes grow wide

“Jesus Christ” you nod

“Not a fun thing to see. Especially as we would’ve been dating for 4 years on Sunday”

“I’m sorry Elizabeth” you shake your head

“He was a waste of space anyway” you look down as you feel tears form in your eyes. His hand goes up instinctively to wipe them away, tilting your head up to look at him

“Hey, you are so much better than he is. You don’t need him. He’s an absolute dick head”

“You would’ve said the same thing about me yesterday though” you whisper out. He tilts his head as he looks at you, his hands still gently holding your chin, the other resting on your cheek wiping away any fallen tears.

“I have heard enough about you both to know that you deserve better” you nod. The genuine talk making you do something you never thought you’d do. You slowly stand on your tiptoes, testing to see if he’d move away or not as you gently place your lips to his. You feel him tense up slightly but he soon relaxes as you feel his hands fall from your face to find your waist, placing them there as your arms wrap around his neck. You can taste beer on his tongue as you tangle one of your hands into his hair. Pulling him closer as you back into the counter, you pull away slightly to check if he’s ok. He looks at you, his dark eyes filled suddenly filled with lust. You smile as you crash your lips with his again. He lifts you up onto the counter, slotting his body between your legs. You feel his hands move from your hips, one goes by your side and the other sits on your lower back. You’ve only ever kissed a few people before. Although you and Chris had kissed each other several times and had several make out sessions this moment with Eddie was different. It seemed so much more intimate, so much more tasteful. His tongue explored yours as he pulled you closer to him. You could feel his dick grow slightly, the angle you both being in making it easy to feel him. You smile into his mouth, rutting your hips against him in a teasing manner. He lets out a moan, pulling you closer to him as a means to keep you still. He is the first to pull away, allowing you both to breath. “Holy shit” he says as he moves away from you. He looks at you. It catches up to you of what you had just been doing. More so, where and who you were doing it with. You cover your mouth, scared one of his friends or worse yet, your brother, had seen you. Almost like he can read your mind he turns to see if anyone is down the hallway. He turns to you and shakes his head, his eyes filled with relief as you let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding in.

“I’m sorry about that. I umm... I don’t know why I did it” he shakes his head, looking at you sideways through his hair

“I’m not complaining” you nod and move off of the counter

“I liked our chat. Thank you” he smiles at you

“You should go to bed m’lady. It’s getting late” you look out the window to see the sun starting to rise

“Actually I think it’s getting early” he looks out and laughs. You go to the bottom of the stairs, he stops you by placing a hand over yours as yours rests on the bannister.

“I’d be careful. If you aren’t you might become a freak like me” you smile at him, a hand going up to caress his cheek

“That isn’t a bad thing Eddie. You are amazing” you move your hand from his face “goodnight”

“Goodnight” he whispers as you head upstairs “I’ll see you tomorrow”

-

You wake up late the next day. It’s Saturday morning, about 10 ish and you hear your brother and his friends downstairs. You let out an annoyed groan as you just want to get back to sleep but after a while you get yourself out of bed and throw on an oversized jumper over your pyjamas. You walk downstairs, the guys all still in their pyjamas but playing the game. You smile as you head to the kitchen, turning the kettle on for your morning coffee. You rub your eyes as you feel sleep still trying to get the better of you. As you are pouring your drink you hear the home phone go. Knowing your brother would be with his friends you go and answer it. “Hello Elizabeth speaking”

“Liz!” your chest tightens as you hear Chris on the other side of the phone “I was wondering where you were? You said you’d be over about 9:15 and it’s nearly 10″

“Sorry. I must’ve over slept...” as if on cue you yawn. “I’ve only just gotten up”

“Are you ok? You sound... off”

“I’m ok. Just woke up feeling a bit ill” you bite your lip slightly “would it be ok if I came round later tonight rather than this morning? I know it might be difficult and I get that but I just have a bad headache and I’m hoping it’ll go away if I just rest tonight”

“Sure thing my love. Shall I come and pick you up from yours about 7?”

“That’d be perfect, Thank you”

“OK, see you then. Goodbye”

“Bye”

Clicking noise follows. You place the phone down, taking some deep breaths as you then take your cup and head into the living room.

“How is the game going?”

“It’s going good”

“We are failing massively” you laugh at the contradiction

“You guys are doing great at failing” they all glare at Eddie.

“I’m assuming your still the, what’s the word, leader? No that’s not it”

“Dungeon master” you click your finger and point at Tim who gave you the answer

“That’s it. The dungeon master” you smile at the long haired boy who nods at you, letting a small smile appear on his face.

“We’re just about to go into the Cave of Destruction” Michael says, in an overly dramatic and booming voice. You roll your eyes, taking a sip of your drink.

“You guys are such nerds”

“Says you” your brother mocks, you swear at him “who was it on the phone?”

“Chris”

“Ooh lover boy” he makes a smoochy face at you to which you grab a cushion from the sofa and throw it at him.

“Absolute child. How are you the oldest?” he grins at you, your eyes catch with Eddies briefly. “He’s picking me up from here at 7. I’ll be back probably about 9 tomorrow” your brother nods

“We’ll still likely be here” you nod and smile at them.

“Have fun boys, I’m heading upstairs” you go upstairs, hearing them start to chatter again and play their game

-

7pm comes about and you have your bags packed and are waiting by the front door. Michael comes out, a few beers in his hands. “You know the rules, we can’t be seen together or he will disown me” he laughs at your words, but stops when he sense something is off about you. Normally you are giddy about your boyfriend coming round but you seem withdrawn. He places a hand on your shoulder

“Are you ok?” you nod and smile

“Why wouldn’t I be? I’m living the dream aren’t I? Hot boyfriend with loving friends” you try and keep your voice stable but it wobbles a bit. Before he can pry anymore the guys call him from the living room

“Get your ass in here dude! These guys aren’t going to kill themselves”

“You have fun tonight” you say and smile at him. He nods and pats your shoulder

“You too sis”. He walks into the living room as you open the front door and head outside. You see the headlights of your boyfriend’s car. He pulls up and revs the engine

“Alright sexy girl. You wanna jump in?” you smile and get into the car. He kisses your cheek as you sit down, then starts driving to his house. “Are you feeling better now?” you nod

“I did some reading which seemed to help stop my headache” he nods, placing a hand on your thigh and squeezing it slightly. You smile slightly. Trying to forget the events of yesterday. When you get to his house you step inside. You have food with him and his parents then head upstairs to his room. You cuddle and watch movies, letting yourself fall asleep to ‘Bambi’.

-

You wake up early the next morning. Stretching and getting out of bed, heading to the bathroom to freshen up a bit. You brush your teeth and wash your face, heading back to the bedroom you see your boyfriend still fast asleep. You lie down next to him again, cuddling into him. He wraps his arms around you “Good morning love” he mumbles

“Good morning”

“Happy 4 years” you smile and hug him closer.

“Happy 4 years...” he kisses your forehead before also rolling out of bed and going to the bathroom. You watch as he leaves his room. Then you see it. Your eyes spot a bra. You know it’s not yours as yours is pink and currently in your bag. The one that is hidden under his desk is bright red. You go over to it, grabbing the item and hiding it under your clothes in your bag. He comes in and sees you looking dishevelled.

“What’s wrong?” he says, eyes scanning your face and the room. You don’t want him to look over to where the bra no longer is so instead you do the first thing your brain goes to. You kiss him. Deeply kissing him and running a hand through his hair.

“I umm... I woke up needing you...” you say. He grins and walks you over to the bed, lying you down and getting on top. He begins kissing you and taking off each of your clothes.

Once you’ve both finished he lies down, bringing you into him to hug. He kisses the top of your head “That’s a good way to start the day” you laugh slightly. “Shall I go and make you something to eat Je-Liz?” You feel your stomach tense. Did he nearly just call you Jessica? ‘For fucks sake’ is all you can think. You nod and force a smile. That little slip up just helped in your conclusion that their hook-up from a few nights ago wasn’t just a onetime thing. That’s what made you hurt the most. He gets up and goes and makes you some breakfast.

You both spend most of the day in his room, once again cuddling and watching films. You get up to have lunch and you both sit in the garden to have a fancy dinner. However the time comes when you need to leave.

You both sit in his car. A comfortable silence filling the air. He kisses your hand once he pulls up to your house. “I will see you tomorrow my dear”

“See you tomorrow” you smile as he kisses you. Grabbing your bag from the back, you walk into your house. “I’m home” you call out, walking into the living room you see none of the boys have moved but more food and drink wrappers have appeared. You chuckle as they shush you, Eddie continuing the description. You roll your eyes at the warm welcome back, heading up to your room you place your bag on your bed. You pull out the red bra from your bag. Throwing it over the back of your chair you go downstairs into the shower, letting your tears fall with the water. You come out, dressed in your pyjamas and towel drying your hair. Michael smiles at you as just him and Eddie are in the room. Before you can ask your brother speaks

“They’ve gone to grab us some pizza. They’ll come back soon” he walks over to you, you can smell alcohol and god knows what else on his breath “I however am going to go and bathe” he bows to you both as he heads upstairs, you hear the upstairs bathroom shut and the water start to run.

“That idiot expects me to clean up doesn’t he?” Eddie asks more himself then you but you nod anyway

“I believe so. I can help though” you grab a black bin bag and hand him one. He takes it, starting to clear up the empty bottles and packets of food. A silence fills the room between the two of you. You speak first

“I’m sorry if I’ve made things awkward between us, because of Friday” he shakes his head

“Not awkward at all. I’m just sorry you still seem to be with that prick” you chuckle

“I don’t really know how to confront him about it though. Like, what do I say? ‘Hey, thanks for fucking me and my best friend’“. He laughs slightly “What would you do?”

“If?”

“If you found your partner cheating on you?” he thinks for a moment, his tongue sticking out slightly as he concentrates.

“I’d make them feel embarrassed. I don’t have as much power as you at school but I’d try and ruin him in front of everyone. Speak out about it during lunch or something”

“What if people think I’m the joke though? Not him”

“You are one of the most popular girls at our school. Anyone would be lucky to even have you look at them. For them to know that your boyfriend cheated on you with someone lesser, he’ll be seen as the fool. Not you” you nod

“I will lose all of my friends though” he shrugs

“And? I told you, you’re becoming one of the freaks now. You can join us” you laugh

“Thanks Eddie” he smiles at you, both having cleaned the living room you go into the kitchen to throw the rubbish away “How is in here also messy?” he laughs, coming in to help you once again.

You both clean the rest of the house, your brother coming down in a towel wrapped around his waist just as the guys come back with food. You all sit and eat, you ask them how their campaign is going and they say they still have a while to go and they will come back after school to play some more, considering your parents will be out still. You say goodnight to them and go to bed, you gnaw at your bottom lip. Inspecting the red bra still over your chair. You smile to yourself evilly. You go and grab it, placing it into your school bag. Oh you can’t wait for tomorrow.

-

You walk to your boyfriend’s house the next morning and see him talking to Jessica outside. You fight back the urge to react now. Smiling at them both you link fingers with Chris. “Shall we go to school?” they all nod and you all walk up together.

The day goes past slowly. You are impatient for lunch. Watching the seconds tick by as you grow more and more worried. Finally, lunch time arrives. You go and sit at the table. Eating your food, your boyfriend and friends join you. You see ‘the freaks’ at their table. They don’t pay you guys any attention but one of your friends starts throwing stuff at their table. You try and make them stop, slapping the food out of their hands. “Stop being such a child” you say to your friend. They all just roll their eyes at you, you look at the table. Seeing them glare at your table. Jessica stands up

“I’ve got to go to the loo before next period. I’ll see you guys after school though” they all nod. You call out loudly.

“Oh Jessica, before I forget” you stand up and reach into your bag as you speak. You are both standing in the middle of the canteen, so although most of the people do ignore you it isn’t easy to block you speaking out. “You left your bra at my boyfriends”

“What?” the canteen starts to go quiet as you hook out the red under garment from your bag and hand it to her.

“Your bra. I know it’s not mine. My size is a lot bigger then that one” you motion at it as she grabs it from you. Going the same shade as the item of clothing she is now shoving into her bag. Chris stands up as well, going over to you both

“Shall we talk about this in a more private setting?” he half whispers to you both

“Nope. Nothing else to speak about” you smile at him “Unless you want me to spell it out for you? It’s quite simple really. You were fucking my best friend, and now you are dumped. Have fun enjoying each other’s shitty company. I hope you don’t have to fake it like I did when you’re with each other” you smile at them both. The look of pure shock on their faces in the quiet canteen room. You blow them both kisses, ending the kiss by putting both your middle fingers up, grabbing your bag and heading out of the canteen. A slow applause starts to go round as you open the doors, walking to your next class you feel tears of joy and sadness prick your eyes. Wiping them away you go into your next class. Sitting down at your desk, you saw people walk in. One of your friends comes in, walking straight up to you and grabbing a hold of you by your shoulders

“Oh my god Liz! You absolute badass! I can’t believe you put them both in their places like that! Why would he cheat on you? I mean, look at you” she motions “absolute dickhead... I say that we should get together tonight and get absolutely shitfaced together”

“Tonight? My umm... my brother is having some friends round tonight so I can’t. Maybe this weekend?” she rolls her eyes at you

“Such a spoil sport” she sits next to you as the teacher comes in. She starts the lesson and the rest of the day goes by as normal.

-

You start to walk home. Assuming your ex probably wouldn’t give you a lift back. About 10 minutes of walking you hear a horn honking. You turn and see your brother. “Get in shithead”, Eddie gets out the back of the car, motioning for you to get in. You look and see Tim and in the front and John the other side of the car. You get in, being squashed between the two guys in the back. “Why does Tim get the front seat?”

“He called shotgun” you roll your eyes as John says this beside you, his tone also obviously being annoyed by it. You look out the windows, the car being silent until you get to your house when everyone stays silent in the car.

“Are we going inside...?” you ask. Michael turns and faces you

“Do you want us to go and have a chat with Chris?”

“Oh Jesus no! Do not do that! I just want to get into the car and forget about that absolute wanker. Please” you place a hand on your brothers shoulder “Please?” he sighs and opens his car door. In turn, everyone else also gets out the car. You sigh, getting out as well. Going into the kitchen and grabbing a glass of water, the boys all go into the living room. Practically going straight into their game. You go upstairs, lying on your bed and doing your homework.

-

You don’t realise you fell asleep until you wake up, extremely thirsty. You reach out for your glass from earlier, taking a sip from it you tiredly get up. Starting to take off your clothes from the day. Before you have time to process, the door swings open and the light turns on. You cover your chest. Thankfully you had only taken off your shirt and nothing else. But you still stood in front of one of your brothers friends in your bra and a skirt. Eddie covers his eyes as your hands go up to cover your chest “shit sorry” you playfully glare at him as he apologises some more and exits the room, hand firmly clasped over his eyes as he tries to fumble the door shut. You wait a little, making sure he won’t come in again. Changing into your pyjama top and bottoms a knock on the door alerts you again.

“Come in” Eddie walks in, covering his eyes still “It’s ok. I’m dressed now” he peeks through his fingers, smiling at you as he realises you are decent. “I’m surprised, you actually knocked that time” he laughs and moves his hand away

“I’m sorry. I actually came here to say sorry again. I thought this was the bathroom” he motions at the bathroom opposite your room “the one downstairs is being used” you nod and go and move your homework off of your bed

“I can’t believe you actually did it today” you shrug and chuckle

“You helped give me the confidence” he smiles, hiding shyly behind his hair. You smile, going over to your desk and moving the paper from it, placing it in the box by the side of it. You turn around, seeing him watching you. “May I help?” he shakes his head and looks away

“What are you going to do now that your part of the single life?” you shrug

“I dunno. God I don’t know what to do with my life now” you lean against the desk “I assumed we would stay together forever to be honest”

“I’m sorry this happened to you” you shrug, tilting your head to look at him

“It doesn’t matter, none of my family liked him anyway so it’s not that much of a loss” you tilt your head back, looking at your celling “How did your game go?”

“Oh it went well. We finished about half an hour ago, the guys have gone to bed” you nod

“Did they manage to kill your character you made?” he shakes his head and grins at you

“Nope. They wounded him but didn’t kill him. They ran away instead” he lets out a small laugh, making you look at him again. He’s leaning against the door frame, arms folded. He looks around your room from where he stands, pointing at the poster on your wall. “I did not strike you as someone who likes the Sex Pistols”

“Honestly I love them. My mum doesn’t like me having it up in my room though. She says it’s ‘not ladylike’ to have the word sex or pistol my wall” he chuckles slightly

“Is that-?” he walks into your room, arms staying folded as he looks at the picture next to it. Your ‘Grease’ poster directly contrasting your ‘Sex Pistols’ one. He lets out a laugh. “I can’t believe you have these in your room, let alone next to each other” you glare at him as he now scans the rest of your walls more closely. He goes over to your bookshelf, his index finger gently running along the spines of each book. He walks round the entirety of your room, lastly going to your desk. He leans beside you, head tilting to look at the paperwork on your desk. He turns and smiles at you. Such a genuine smile. Not forced or fake, he truly is happy to be in your company. You smile at him, completely innocently. You notice that, just before he breaks eye contact to look ahead, his eyes dart to your lips. If you’d blinked in that split second you would’ve missed it. But you were well aware. You also face forward, hands resting on the hard surface of the desk behind you as your cheeks turn a slight shade of pink. You ground yourself, both leaning against the desk as silence fills the room. You both go to say something but someone yells up before you can speak.

“Ed! I’m out now if you needed to go” you hear one of them yell from downstairs.

“I need to go” you nod slightly. “See you tomorrow,” he takes your hand and kisses the back of it “my queen” he murmurs before going out the door and waving to you as he closes it behind him. You let out a breath, hands going to your flushed cheeks as you process what just happened. Did he just call you his queen? No it must’ve been your imagination. You bite your lip slightly before shaking your head. It was all in your head, he must’ve said ‘sweet dreams’ instead of ‘my queen’. Yeah, that’s it

-

A small moan leaving your lips as you feel his tongue over you. You feel soft kisses to your thighs and crotch area. Hand firmly gripped onto his head as he goes to town on you. “Eddie...” you moan out, tugging at his hair. “Holy shit...” He comes back up from between your thighs, kissing you deeply as he snakes a hand between your legs. Rubbing on your sensitive spots. You grab hold of his hand, feeling the tension building up before you can let go...

-

“Liz? Liz are yen dead?” you groan as someone opens the curtains to your room. Covering your eyes with your arm. Being drawn out of your dream world to early.

“Please fuck off Michael”

“Umm, I would but you need to come to school today” you sit up, eyes looking at the watch next to your bed “if you aren’t downstairs in 10 minutes I will start throwing cushions at you” he smiles as he leaves the room, shutting the door behind him. The memories of your dream come back to you and you smile to yourself slightly. Then you realise, the man you just dreamt about is downstairs. You take a deep breath, swallowing as you get off of your bed. Walking downstairs you go into the kitchen, both hoping to see the boy yet also dreading to see him. Making yourself a cup of coffee and toast you go to head into the living room where Michael’s friends are also sitting, eating and drinking various things. Your brother comes in and joins you all. Sitting on the floor so his friends can use the sofas. Pushing your dream to one side, putting it down to hormones that have built up due to the circumstances of the past couple of days. You look at the guys.

“When are you all going to finish your game? I assume it’s not finished anyway”

“I think we were planning on doing it this weekend. Leave the pieces here and come back on Saturday and Sunday to finish off”

“Please not here”

“Rude. What’s wrong with us?”

“No that’s not what I meant! I meant more because I think one of my friends is coming round this weekend”

“Oh which friend?”

“Alice? I’m sure that’s her name. She has been in our friendship group for a few weeks but I don’t talk to her very often”

“One of the popular” John intervenes into the sibling conversation

“I hate to burst your bubble but I am also technically a ‘popular’ kid. We aren’t all that bad” they all laugh

“Keep telling yourself that” you roll your eyes, swearing at them all as they continue laughing. You rub your eyes

“Shit I have to see people today...” more laughter

“Yeah, what were you expecting?”

“I mean, I kind of hoped that the world would just swallow me up so I wouldn’t have to see my ex-boyfriend and ex best friend after giving her bra to her in the middle of a very crowded canteen”

“Oh yeah forgot about that”

“So did I ... shit... Who will I hang around with today?”

“What do you mean?”

“I can’t exactly hang with my normal crowd, half of them hate me” you rub your temples, trying to sooth the headache you feel coming. “I’ll find someone I’m sure. It can’t be that difficult to sit with someone”

“We should get going though. Don’t want to miss the beginning of school now do we?” they all look at the clock in your living room as you head upstairs to get dressed. All then piling into the car to head to school

-

As the day goes on, the lessons go by as normal. You help out the teachers during your first break as an attempt to avoid people. But lunch comes about and you anxiously try and stay in the classroom. But soon your teacher kicks you out, wanting to have some lunch and quiet before the next lesson starts. You wait by the doors. Gnawing at your bottom lip as you slowly push them open. You see Chris and Jessica sat with your friends. All of them. An arm draped around her shoulder as they smile together. You take in a shaky breath, finding an empty table you sit down. Fighting back tears as you begin eating. You see your brother sitting with his friends on a table a little away from you. He half smiles at you, not wanting to cross the social standards of school by sitting with you. That’s when Chris sees you “Ay look it’s the slut” he points at you, standing up. “Aww look, she’s all alone” you ignore them, continuing to eat. He chuckles as he walks over to you, smacking his hands down on the table. “How are we doing today little miss whore?”

“How does being cheated on make me the slutty one?” he glares at you as you smile. You notice the canteen go quiet again, watching as you two start to argue. You smile “You know I’m really glad to see you two happy” you motion at his hands “You and your right hand that is. You make such a cute couple” his hands turns to fists on the table top. You take another bite of your food, Jessica coming over and placing a hand on his shoulder

“People are watching baby” you roll your eyes as they both walk away. Alice then walks over to you, sitting down.

“God, they make the freaks look sane” you let out a small laugh, eyes wondering to their table through the crowded and talking canteen. You make eye contact with Eddie. It was only a small glance, but you feel your cheeks turning a slight shade of red as you look away. This doesn’t go unnoticed by Alice who notices your slight discomfort. She grins at you as you look at her. She leans close to you, eyes scanning yours

“Can I help you?” she grins at you, sitting back in her seat as she looks over at the table. Seeing Eddie still occasionally glancing at you.

“We still up for meeting this Saturday?” you nod

“Yep. I have a horrible feeling my brother will have his friends round though is the only thing” she shrugs

“That doesn’t bother me” she takes the straw of her drink and plays with it with her tongue “Are you ok with them... coming?” You cough slightly

“Excuse me?”

“Coming round” you shrug, your eyes quickly looking at the table again as you then turn to face your friend. “It’ll be fun to meet them. I’ve never been to your house before” she exclaims as you nod and carry on eating.

-

The week goes by as normal. Chris and his friends stay away from you and Alice the whole time. You and your brother go back to being close outside of school but pretending not to know each other in school. Alice soon becomes your closest friend, telling you all the gossip about everyone. It’s quite refreshing to hear about other people. Plus you don’t have any more sex dreams about the long haired boy. Making you believe it was fully just you feeling hormonal and him being the first male you spoke to.

Saturday comes about. 10:32am you hear a knocking at the door. You go over and open it, met with Eddie, John and Tim once again. You smile at them, motioning for them to come in. You yell up the stairs “Oi dickhead your mates are here”

“I’ll be down in a second!” he runs down, pulling a shirt over the top of his body. You raise an eyebrow as he does a small twirl “What do we think?” his friends compliment him as the words ‘Helfire Club’ is badly written on the front. A poor depiction of a devil drawn as well. He turns to you “Liz? Opinions?”

“You spelt hellfire wrong”

“What?” he looks down “Fuck”. You laugh

“Do you have a spare blank one? I can design it for you if you’d like”

“Really?” you nod

“Just give me the weekend and I’ll have it done for you by Monday”

“This is why you need a sister. Always willing to make your clothes look good, knowing it’s for the selfish reason of she doesn’t want to be seen in public with me if I had poor fashion taste” his friends laugh as you nod

“Oh no I still won’t go out in public with you when you wear this” you tease him, causing him to swear at you as you hear the door go again you walk over. Opening the door Alice stands in front of you. Smiling she hugs you, kissing both your cheeks as she walks in. You hear the boys all quickly scuttle away from you, heading into the living room.

“Holy fuck. Your house is huge!” you nod, awkwardly rubbing the back of your neck as you shut the door “your parents must be swimming in it” again you nod

“They work constantly. They’re away again today. But they come back tomorrow morning “She walks around the house, heading into the kitchen, then the dining room. Going back on herself she walks into the living room. The four boys all sat around heavily engulfed with their game

“Oh sorry. You guys must be Liz’s brother’s friends” they nod, Michael outing his hand up slightly

“I am the brother in question” she smiles at him then motions at the game

“This is that dungeons game right?” they nod “Can we join?”

“I don-t” “No its-” “Maybe another time” you, John and Tim all say. Eddie looks at you both and smiles slightly

“Come and sit with us” he motions at the chairs as you both take a seat.

“You don’t have to include us if it’s a problem. Or if you don’t want us to play...” you half whisper to him as he shakes his head

“Be quiet and let’s play” you nod, looking at the board in front of you

He briefly explains the rules to you both. Then helps you get the bases of how to create a character “these guys already have a world that they are in. So we will carry on with their quest. You two have 20 to 30 minutes to think of and create you characters” he writes down on a sheet the basic types of character you can be with a brief description of what they are/do by the side. “Here. Pick one from each line. Now, gentlemen” he turns to the 3 guys who have been waiting “let us begin shall we”

-

“So, you three head into the swamp. Ready for the journey towards the Emerald of Death. As you walk, feet feeling the soft ground beneath you, eyes hearing the soft hum of birds above you. You suddenly... You know what, roll a perception check” Eddie speaks to the three boys, you and Alice watching intensely. They all roll a dice.

"12″ says Tim

“16″ Michael speaks. John rolls his dice. Face palming as he rolls a 1.

“So” he turns to Jeff “You, Lord Sky, hear the noises of wildlife, a twig snapping under your foot every now and then” then turning to John and chuckling to himself before he speaks “Bell. You get distracted by a bug, your eyes watching it intensely. You walk into a tree, face first” he rolls a D6 “Take 2 points of damage” finally turning to your brother “Johnny, you hear what sounds like breathing coming from the hedge near you”

“I would like to draw my gun and point it at the hedge” he nods and acts out what he describes

“You draw your gun. Aiming it at the hedge - do you say anything?”

“Yes. I would like to say ‘you have 5 seconds to show yourself or I will shoot’“. He nods and smiles, turning to you and Alice

“You both hide in this hedge. Hoping that the 3 men walking past you don’t notice you. One of them pulls a gun out, aiming it directly at the bush you are in ‘you have 5 seconds to show yourself or I will shoot’. What do you do?” he looks at you both, you both look at each other. Eddie had briefly explained the rules to you both, allowing you to make a basic character whilst he developed the story for the 3 men.

"I think we both- both? Both head out with our hands up, asking him not to shoot”

“Lord Sky, Johnny, Bell. 2 woman walk out from behind the bush, hands above their head. What do your characters looks like?” you both describe your characters, you being a half elf and Alice being a dwarf.

“What are you doing here?”

“We are trying to head back to our home but we got robbed”

“Oh no!”

“Yeah, so we were heading back. Our horses got taken so we have to go on foot” they all nod. “Why are you here?”

“We are heading on a quest from a king”

“Oh cool”

“What’s the quest for?”

“To find a dangerous stone so he can hide it from enemy countries to prevent war” you nod

“Can we go with you? Can we go with them?” she looks at Eddie. He shrugs and looks at the boys

“Would you like these girls to join you on your quest?” they all look at each other, nodding at each other than at him

“Yes” he smiles. Proceeding to develop the story line. You and Alice getting involved just as much as them. He describes the elaborate world he has created. Allowing you to interact with it and other characters he has made.

Soon you feel your stomach rumble. You look at the clock. No wonder you’re hungry, its way past lunch time. “I’m going to go and make something to eat. Does anyone else want anything?” they all nod, Michael stands up, taking a mental note of what they all ask him for. You both go into the kitchen, making your friends food. Just as you finish making it, the phone rings. Michael, being closer, goes over and answers it.

“Hello, Michael speaking” he pauses for a moment “I’ll go get him for you” he moves the phone away, yelling for his friend “Tim! It’s your mum” he comes out, looking both annoyed and confused. He takes the phone from him, listening to his mother speak.

“Ok. Yeah sure. Yep. Yep. Ok. Bye” he hangs up and lets out a very annoyed groan. Those still in the living room now come out and join you, all standing in the kitchen “My mum says that we are expecting visitors round for dinner tonight so I need to go home earlier than expected and be sociable and help tidy the house. I’m so sorry guys. Eddie, can we postpone it at all?” he sighs dramatically, crossing his arms.

“I suppose so. We can do it after school on Monday. We should be able to have one of the classrooms to ourselves I’m sure” he nods

“Thanks dude” he smiles at him “Also, to be more awkward, John drove us both here. So we would all need to go...” he looks awkwardly at Michael who has a face of sadness on it. Alice shakes her head

“I drove here, so I can drop off anyone later today. Meaning Michael gets to hang out with his friends still” John looks at Michael

“I’ll still need to go though, I need to drop him off and it makes sense for me to stay home after that” he nods

“Yeah I understand dude” he smiles at him, they all go over to the door and pick up the keys to his car. Waving goodbye at you all as they leave. You, Michael, Alice and Eddie being the only ones left. You go to speak but Alice interrupts you.

“Party of 4 then”

-

That’s how it led to this moment. You sitting with the three of them, drinking, Michael smoking as well. You aren’t to sure what he’s smoking, but you can take a good guess that it isn’t a cigarette given the smell of it. After a little while you can see him getting sleepy. The drugs and alcohol kicking in. He mumbles something before curling up onto the sofa, grabbing one of the cushions and placing it over himself as a makeshift blanket. Falling asleep within a matter of seconds. Alice looks at the two of you. “You did an excellent game Eddie” he smiles

“Thank you”

“Did you create the world yourself?” he nods

“Yeah, it’s based vaguely off of some characters in books I’ve read but most of it is my own creations”

“I don’t think I could ever do that” you shake your head in agreement

“It’s very impressive” he smiles proudly, the praise getting to him. Alice goes to take another sip of her drink but lets out a sad ‘oh’ when it is empty. She grabs the crate she brought with her, taking one and dangling the other in front of you

“It’s not too late to join us in drink Liz” you shake your head

“I’ll pass” she rolls her eyes. Handing it to Eddie who has his hands outstretched his tongue sticking out slightly with excitement. She drinks hers, wiping her mouth as she looks at you

“Spoil sport” she stretches “Your brother had the correct idea. Sleeping sounds like a great plan” she curls up on the floor. You grab a cushion and hit her with it “come on. Let’s play a game”

“Only if it’s a drinking game”

“Pretty sure that counts as peer pressure”

“No. Maybe slightly. You don’t have to drink the alcohol. You can drink some of the coke if you really want” you chuckle as you grab a can and open it

“What game then huh?”

“Never have I ever?” she looks at you both, seeing you both nod. “Ok. Never have I ever... gotten high” both Alice and Eddie take a sip, you do not. “Now you Liz” you think

“Never have I ever gotten drunk” they both take a sip, Alice raising her hand slightly in protest

“That’s no fair. At least do ones that are interesting”

“Ok, I’ve got one” Eddie speaks up “never have I ever purposefully stolen something” you take a sip, feeling slightly embarrassed as they both gawk at you.

“No”

“I don’t believe that”

“Explain. Now”

“It was when I was first dating Chris. His friends were daring each other to go and steal stuff to show how manly they were. They then said I couldn’t and wouldn’t do anything like that because I was a female. So I went to a really fancy jewellery store and stole this ring” you hold your hand out, a ring on your thumb “proved those shits wrong” they both laugh

“Stolen stuff but never been intoxicated, you never fail to amaze me” he says as you smile innocently at him.

“Ok, my turn again... how erotic can I be?”

“It doesn’t bother me” you reply, Eddie shrugging

“Ok. Never have I ever called my partner daddy in bed” you take another sip, letting out a small and sad sigh as neither of them drink “Wait did he really have a daddy kink?” you shrug

“We did it once to see if he enjoyed it. It didn’t stick constantly though” you take a sip of your drink, suddenly becoming thirsty at the more saucy conversation. “On the lines of that, never have I ever been walked in on whilst doing the deed” Eddie is the only one to take a sip. Alice’s jaw drops

“What?” he asks

“I just... I’m sorry, no I can’t say that”

“Go on. We’re all friends here” he smiles playfully at her

“I’m not gonna lie, I assumed you were still a virgin” he clutches his hand over his heart

“I’m hurt. Truly” he moves his hair from his face “I don’t get many woman I won’t lie. But I get the occasional one who wants to annoy her parents by dating a ‘bad boy’ so they find me. What better way to piss of her parents then by making me have them screaming my name” you go redder and redder at his words, taking a sip of your drink just to calm your nerves. He smiles innocently at you both

“Who would’ve thought that the freak of Hawkins High would be such a womanizer” he laughs at her words, taking a sip of his drink.

“It’s my turn right?” you both nod. He thinks for a moment “never have I ever...” he sticks his tongue out slightly, deep in thought “ever gone to a party I wasn’t invited to” all 3 of you take a sip, laughing afterwards. Alice thinks again

“I see we’ve stopped going for a raunchy approach on this game” she taps the top of her bottle against her chin slightly “never have I ever gotten a tattoo” both you and Eddie take a sip. She doesn’t look as surprised with Eddie but she looks baffled with you “where?” you place your hand over your side where the butterfly tattoo is. “How have I not heard of this before?”

“I didn’t want people to know”

“Why not?”

“Can you imagine how our group of friends would’ve reacted to me with a tattoo” you scoff slightly, taking a sip

“How did you hide it from Chris though...? Assuming you two-” she raises her hands, doing the motion of having sex with him “-whilst you’ve had it” you nod

“So when I first did it I just kind of didn’t do anything with him. Said I had bad stomach pains and stuff because I didn’t like the idea of accidently hurting it. But, when it healed, I would just try and cover it. Be it with my hands, the covers, clothes. You know, usual things”

“I see we failed to stay off of the raunchy subjects” Eddie protests, feeling a little awkward at the conversation.

“Sorry. She did ask though” he nods and chuckles

“Whose turn is it now?”

“Mine” Alice says, sighing deeply “I think it’s unfair that we are getting pissed and you’re staying sober” she motions at your coke.

“I’m sorry. I just don’t want to drink today” she rolls her eyes

“Fine. Can we do something else then?” you nod slightly “We could watch a movie! You have a TV in here” she points

“I’m up for a movie” you stand up, stretching your legs as the other two get onto the sofa that doesn’t have your brother lying on. You grab a blanket. Gently laying one over Michaels sleeping body

“What movie then, huh?”

“I reckon...” you look at the videos you have

“I want to watch a horror” Alice exclaims before you can pick out a more family friendly film, point her finger at ‘The Exorcist’ video you have.

“I’ve never watched horror before...” you shyly say. They both chuckle slightly

“You’ll like it” they both nod as you put it in, going and sitting between the two bodies. You feel squashed between the two, Alice sitting cross legged on the sofa and Eddie in the corner. You awkwardly place your legs, trying to stretch them. Alice rolls her eyes, picking them up and laying them over her lap. “Are you sure?” you ask timidly. She nods, shushing you as the film starts. You realise you are leaning slightly against Eddie, his hair tickling the side of your face. You turn to face him, mouthing at him ‘Are you ok me leaning on you?’ he nods and smiles.

About 10 minutes into the movie you feel him start to move, trying not to disturb you. You move away, “Sorry, legs are going dead” you nod. Alice looks at you both

“Liz, move off a second” she shoos you, making you stand. “Eddie, put your legs up” he does, looking confused. “Comfy?” he nods slightly. She takes your hand, “Sit and lean against him. As long as that’s ok with you both?” he nods as you sit between his legs, leaning against his chest. She smiles as she rests her legs on top of both of yours, her head the other side of the sofa. “Is that better? You can both stretch out that way” you nod slightly, turning to face the screen. You notice the boy behind you watching the TV, but his hands stay stiff against his sides. You take them and wrap them round your middle

“It’s ok” you whisper to him. You feel his body loosen up slightly as you lean against him, your back pressed against his chest and hands resting on your stomach, yours over his. Alice looks at you both

“Ok I’m coming in for hugs as well” she crawls over to you both, lying on top of you as your chest to chest with her, her head resting on your chest as she faces the screen. You move your hands, grabbing the blanket from the back of the sofa and chucking it over you three.

The beginning of the film is quite slow. You can tell it’s a slow start as you begin to hear the soft snoring from Alice as she stays on you. That could also be because of the several drinks she has flowing through her system. Both you and Eddie watch the film, silence filling the room as it plays out. Then jump scare happens and your hands go up and cover your eyes instinctively. You feel the rumble of his chest behind you, laughing at your reaction. “Shut up. It scared me”

“I can tell” he laughs again, noticing your hands stay up by your face, practically watching through your fingers. He gently takes one of your hands in his, moving it down. “You’re ok. I’ve got you” he links his fingers with yours. You can feel the coldness of his rings press against your warm hands. You jump again, tightening your grip on him as he smiles at your reaction, his thumb rubbing gentle circles onto the back of your hand. You hold his hand with both of yours, one still interlocked with his as the other covers the back of it, holding them in-between. Your hands and his near your face as you continue to watch from behind them. As the rest of the film plays out, you feel yourself go more and more into him, trying to hide from the scariness in front of you.

-

The ending of the film, credits start to roll up. It takes you a few minutes before you lean over and grab the remote, turning the TV off. “What did you think of your first horror film?” you nod, one hand still firmly clasped around his. “Did you enjoy it, or have I scarred you for life?” you chuckle slightly, letting go of his hand as you rub your eyes

“I enjoyed it more than I thought I would” he nods

“Good, I’m glad to hear that” you move slightly, turning your head and body slightly so you can look at him as he turns his head to face you.

“Sorry, I would move off of you but I don’t want to wake her” he nods

“You’re ok. It’s just a shame the TV is so far otherwise we could watch another movie” you nod, turning to look back at the ceiling as you lean backwards, the back of your head resting against his shoulder. “You ok for me to smoke in your house” you nod

“Mum does it all the time so go ahead” he nods and manages to reach the little table where his stuff is. Grabbing it, he puts one in his mouth, lighting it as he starts to smoke. Exhaling as best as he can away from you. You watch as he places it back into his mouth, before delicately taking it out again. “I’ve never smoked before”

“Really?” you shake your head. He offers you his “you can try some of mine” you look confused

“I don’t-” he chuckles slightly, placing it back in his mouth. He exhales, your fingers come out and take the small thing from his fingers, placing the end in your mouth and inhaling. Then removing from your lips you try your best not to cough as you exhale. Handing it back to him he smiles “You’re a bad influence on me Eddie Munson” he chuckles, taking another puff of it

“It’s ok, you can be a good influence on me Miss Elizabeth”

“How am I a good influence on you then?”

“Well, I think this is one of the first times in a few weeks where I’ll be going to sleep before 1 in the morning”

“That’s not me being a good influence. That’s just our fellow party goers being lame and falling asleep on us” he laughs

“But they look so peaceful” his arms around you tighten slightly as you both watch the two peaceful people sleeping in the room “we could just sleep like this”

“You don’t want that. You have the weight of two girls on you for a whole night? That can’t be good for your lungs” he nods and smiles,

“Fine but I’m not going to be the one who wakes her” you nod

“Yeah maybe here is a good place to sleep actually” he laughs.

“You know, if someone had told me a few weeks ago I’d be on a sofa, practically hugging you I wouldn’t have believed them”

“I wouldn’t have believed them either to be fair”

“Who’d of thought we’d become friends”

“Are... are we friends?” you look down, feeling one arm still wrapped around your middle, the other holding his cigarette

“Why would we not be?”

“I mean, are we friends in our own right? Not just friends through Michael”

“I’d say we are friends, regardless of your brother now” he smirks at you “I mean, technically I have seen you without a shirt on. So I’d say that we are pretty close friends” you feel your cheeks turn red

“Oh shut up”. He opens his mouth to go and say something but you cover it with your hand “sh sh, it’s ok. You don’t have to say any more words about seeing me shirtless” he lets out a laugh as you smile, cheeks still being a nice crimson shade. Moving your hands away he goes to speak again but you cover his mouth “Nope” he moves his head away

“No I will be free!” you laugh, placing your hands down by your sides “But yes I would classify us as friends in our own right. I mean, we just sat and watched a 2 hour long film together. If that’s not friendship I don’t know what is”

“Does that mean that we are closer friends then these two are to us though, as they slept through it” he laughs. You look at the clock in your living room. Just gone 11pm. “Do you think we should wake them both or just leave them?”

“I reckon leave them. He’s on his own and she’s on top so if they wake up early then they don’t need to move us” you nod

“We’re screwed if we need anything” he nods, chuckling again. A few moments pass, you would think he’s gone to sleep if not for the occasional movement of his hand to smoke. You see him snub out the end of it in the ashtray by the sofa "I can’t believe it’s nearly summer” he exclaims

“Just one more week to go”

“Do you think Chris and Jessica will last through the holidays?”

“I’m not sure. I hope they do in some ways, they are perfectly matched for each other after all. You know, lying scumbags” he laughs “do you think they’ll last?” you ask him

“No. I reckon he’ll realise what an absolute dick he’s been and come crawling back to you”

“Oh god, that’ll be interesting”

“You just need to remember not to take him back. Remember that you are so much better then him and you could have half the school rolling on their backs for you”

“It doesn’t seem like that”

“People are just nervous at the moment. When it calms down I reckon you’ll have every guy ask you out. He’ll realise then the mistake he’s made, if he hasn’t realised it before then” you anxiously bite your finger nail. “Hey it’s ok. Nothing to be anxious about” he takes your hand in his, once again linking your fingers

“That is a lot easier said than done”

“You’ll be fine. I mean, worst comes to worse you have to hang out with us for the rest of your school years. We aren’t that bad are we?” you shake your head, turning so your cheek rests on his shoulder, the back of your head against the back of the sofa.

“You need to listen to your own advice”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. Realise that you are so much more valuable than people take you for” you tilt your head to look at him “you are a wonderful person. You’re kind and generous, funny and creative. You’re amazing Eddie” he smiles as he looks at you, letting go of your hand to brush a hair out of your face

“Thank you...” you smile, nestling into his neck as you shut your eyes

“But now it is time for sleep” he chuckles, the one around your waist stays where it is but his free hand goes up, bending it so he can lean back and use it like a pillow

“Goodnight Liz”

“Goodnight Munson”

-

You wake up to the sound of the shower downstairs. You let out a small groan as you open your eyes, seeing that your brother has moved from the spot he was in on the opposite sofa. Alice, you and Eddie all being in the same place you were a few hours ago. You stretch your arms in front of you, trying not to wake either of the two sleeping bodies. You dare not move to much as they sandwich you between them. You feel the boy behind you move slightly, making you hold your breath as a way not to disturb him. “Good morning” he whispers to you

“Good morning” he rubs his eyes with one hand, the other you notice is still draped around your middle.

“How is she still asleep?” you shrug and let out a small chuckle.

“Michael is awake though” you look at the clock in the room. 7:07 in other words, too early for a Sunday. You let out another annoyed groan, placing both of your hands over your face. “Did you sleep ok?” he nods

“Surprisingly given the circumstances”

“I’m sorry. Let me wake her so we can get off of you” he shakes his head. As if on cue the girl on you stretches, opening her eyes at you both and smiling

“Give me a second and I’ll get off” she says tiredly, giving it a few minutes before rolling herself off of you. Standing with her eyes closed by the end of the sofa as you get off of Eddie, him shortly following you. She sighs and lies back down, grabbing the blanket and placing it back over her body.

“Wanna help me clean up?” he nods, going through the living room and grabbing various bottles and throwing them away as you go and open the windows in the room to try and get rid of the more ‘dubious’ smell from your intoxications last night.

“When are your parents coming back?”

“They’ll be back anywhere between 10 until 6 realistically” he nods, going over and readjusting the sofa Michael had been sleeping on. As you continue cleaning, you start to make it into a game. Who can find the most beer tops. He grabs one from the floor. Scoffing at his 4th find, saddened when you show him your 6 lids. When Michael comes out the shower both your guests say they should say farewell, but you both insist they stay for a little while longer. But they both insist they have to go. Alice giving Eddie a lift home, telling you both you’ll see them on Monday.

-

They come in, bags piling into the hallway as you go over and hug them both. You go and greet them, seeing them smiling widely at you both. “We have exciting news”

“We are moving to Canada!” you and your brother look shocked

“What?”

“Well, we were away this weekend for business, and they offered us a full time place over there. We figured we’d say yes as Michael is finishing Hawkins now isn’t he? Given this was his last year”

“What about me?” you look at them

“We checked out the schools near us and they all look great. Plus the colleges there are so much better then here”

“But I want to stay here with my friends... I can’t just move away from everyone”

“You can make new friends. Come on, it’ll be fun” you shake your head. Your brother speaking up

“When do we move?”

“This weekend. We have a small place being rented for us at the moment but we will move into our proper house at the end of the holidays” you still sat in disbelief

“How about” your brother speaks for you “we come and join you for the holidays. If we like it we can stay with you, if we don’t we can come back here” he looks at you as you nod slightly “we are both old enough to look after ourselves” your parents look at each other then back at you two, nodding in agreement

“Let’s try out Canada then shall we?”

-

4 WEEKS LATER

You place the last box into your small house. Well, more like a flat. You were renting out the rooms just above a record store. So you had a new job and a new house. But you were back where you belonged. You smile sadly, knowing your parents and brother were so far away. Being away from Hawkins made you realise how much you loved it here. How many friends you had and how good you were at your subjects. You couldn’t drop out, not now. Not when you were so close to finishing school. This was your last year after all. You let out a sigh, excited to go back to school and see Alice again. Although you had said that you were possibly moving back to Hawkins you didn’t say exactly when or if you would for definite.

-

Another week passes, and you sit in your English class. She walks in, squealing as she sees you. She runs over, hugging you tightly “How have you been? It’s been way to long!”

“It’s only been a couple of weeks”

“A couple of weeks is a long time!” you both laugh. She hugs you again, just as your teacher walks in

“Settle down now people. English won’t teach itself”

“I’ll talk to you properly at lunch, ok?” she nods and smiles, sitting next to you and holding your hand, excited to see her best friend back again.

-

You’re next lesson you don’t share with Alice. History. You sit sketching in your notebook as your teacher talks. You hear the door open but don’t look up "You’re late. Go sit by Elizabeth please” she carries on talking. You move your bag off the chair next to you. You hoped sitting here would mean that you would be less likely to get people sitting next to you, but alas. You notice some ringed fingers pulling out books from a bag. You turn and see Eddie sitting next to you. Confusion fogs your brain as you turn and look back at your sketch. “Now I encourage you to talk to your partners about this. I will give you all 15 minutes to complete the list of questions I have set out for you” she says as she hands each student a piece of paper with various questions on it “You may talk and ask me for help as well” she goes back to the front of the class, sitting at her desk as the students start to chat to one another. You turn to face Eddie. He looks at you, shock covering his face as well.

“I thought you’d moved away”

“I thought you left school” he looks bitter as he chuckles

“I failed so got held back a year” you nod. That would make sense. He is a year older then you in the academic year, even though you were born in the same year. “You aren’t in... Canada?” you shake your head, reading through the questions and starting to answer them

“My parents and Michael stayed there. I said I wanted to complete school down here though so they bought me a small apartment. I’m nearly 18 so it isn’t too much of a problem” he nods, also getting his paper and looking at the questions.

“I’m glad you’re here... you can help me answer these”

“You highly misjudge how intelligent I am”

“Likely more clever then me though” he smiles at you as you both go through the paper.

At the end of the lesson your teacher speaks up “Now, I want you to get to know your history partner well. As this will be the seating plan for this year. So, I have an assignment for you all to do. I want you and your partner to create a speech about a famous historical figure. Do your own research, and be ready to present it to the class. You have 2 weeks” she smiles at you all “I will let you have 5 minutes to discuss with your partner, then you may go to lunch”. You turn to him

“This weekend, come round my place. We can do a full weekend of research and stuff so that it’s over and done with, ready for next week” he nods slightly

“So what, that’s the...” he counts in his head “12th on Saturday right?” you nod, grabbing your bag

“Yep. I’ll see you at 11″

“What’s your address?” you grab a small piece of paper from your bag, scribbling down your address onto it. Handing it to him and smiling

“See you tomorrow dude” you smile at him as you head to lunch

-

The rest of the week is normal. You go to school, then go do a few hours at work, go home, eat and sleep, then repeat the next day. You are exhausted by Friday. So much so that the knock on your door Saturday morning wakes you. You grumble as you answer the door “Hey, well you look like shit” Eddie says. You grunt at him, giving him the finger as you walk back into your house, him following and shutting the door behind you. “Are you ok?” You grunt again. “You’re going to need to be more elaborate than just grunting at me” you roll your eyes, facing him and sitting on the sofa.

“I’m ok. Just tired. Having weeks off where I was doing nothing and now I’m doing school full time plus a part time job. It’s exhausting” he nods and sits next to you

“Have you only just woken up?” you nod. He nods slowly, standing up and going into the kitchen. He goes through your cupboards before letting out a small ‘yay’ as he finds a bowl. Grabbing the box of cereal on the side he fills the bowl up. Grabbing a spoon from the drying rack and bringing it over to you, placing it on your lap. You let out an annoyed groan. “Eat. Now” you glare at him, taking a spoonful and biting it as sarcastically as you can. He smiles and pats your head “Oh you’re such a good girl for me”

“Fuck you” you say between mouthfuls. He grins

“Nice work outfit by the way” you look down, seeing your waitress uniform still on. You groan loudly, shutting your eyes before looking at him.

“Please pretend I’m an organised human ok?” he laughs as you finish your food, standing up and taking it to the kitchen “5 minutes and I’ll be out” he nods. You go into your room, shutting the door you ditch your clothes. Putting on clean jeans and button up shirt, tying your hair up in a high ponytail as to hide how greasy it looks. You go back out, smiling and doing a twirl as he claps

“Well done. You were ready for me this whole time” you laugh and sit back next to him. Then sadly look over at the books you got out from the library that are sat the other side of the room. He chuckles as he stands up, going over and bringing them to you.

“Why weren’t you in school this week?” he shrugs, grabbing a book and flicking quickly through the pages.

“Who are we researching?”

“I dunno. Who’s an interesting person?”

“I dunno either”

“The English monarchy always fascinates me” you gasp with excitement, grabbing his arm “we could do the Russian Tsars”

“The Russian what’s?”

“Tsars? You know. Rasputin and stuff” he looks baffled as you go over to your book case and grab a book, bring it back over “The Tsars are basically Russia’s royalty. They got killed off for a variety of reasons. But, Rasputin is the guy that is the most fascinating to me. They attempted to kill him several times by shooting, poisoning and beating. But they drowned him in the end” you place the book down. He nods

“Sounds good to me” he grabs some paper and the book you just put down, starting to read through the notes.

-

A few hours go by, you have written down your notes. Your stomach lets out a deep growl, making your cheeks turn red. “I think that’s a sign we should stop and eat”

“But I want to carry on” he looks at the time, chuckling

“It’s coming up for 5:30. Come on, I’ll cook for you” you frown at him as he places his book down. Going to the kitchen he searches through your cupboards. You follow, watching him as he finds some pasta and pans, starting to cook over your oven. That’s when you notice the shirt he’s wearing. You chuckle

“I can’t believe you actually like it”

“What?”

“The hellfire club symbol I made”

“Oh yeah” he looks down at his shirt “It’s such a good design. Me and the others wear them constantly” he smiles, going to stir the food. “Why did your brother not come down and join you?”

“He stayed in Canada for college. They do the course he wants up there. Plus mum and dad are there for work. I was the weird one in wanting to come back down here” he nods

“You said you were turning 18 soon” you nod

“In October”

“You doing anything special for it?”

“Well, I was going to have a big party with all my friends but considering they all still hate me I’m thinking I might just not do anything”

“You need to do something for your 18th!”

“What did you do for yours?”

“I had all my friends round and we drank and played games”

“I might do that. Well, me and my one friend”

“I’m offended”

“Why?”

“Am I not your friend?” you laugh

“Fine. Me and my two friends”

“Better” you both laugh.

“I might just have a giant fuck off party though and invite everyone. Regardless of social standings in school and stuff like that” he nods, turning to face you and smiling

“I just can’t believe I’m older then you”

“Only by a few months”

“6 months to be precise” you laugh and nod. He motions at the food “it has a little while to cook. I’m going to go and have a smoke” you nod

“I’ll come and keep you company” he nods and you both go out, he stands on the top of the stairs and you stand in the doorway. He pulls out a lighter and a cigarette. Placing it in his mouth and lighting the end. You fold your arms, starting to shiver slightly. He furrows his brows slightly as he smokes

“Are you cold?”

“No I’m wimpy. I’ll be fine” he shakes his head, keeping one arm out the door with his cigarette he grabs his coat that he placed on the coat rack. Placing it back in his mouth, he drapes his jacket over your shoulders. He smiles at you as he stands back outside, you shyly smiling as you put your arms in his leather jacket. “You know what would look absolutely amazing with this?” he shakes his head “a denim jacket over the top. Like with pins and stuff on it. True punk style” he nods and smiles

“That would look good. I have a jacket at home but it’s quite old now, the sleeves are coming off”

“Don’t need sleeves. This has sleeves to keep your arms covered” you rub your arms. He nods, pulling his lighter out again to relight it. You do grabby hands at it, he chuckles and hands you the lighter “Have you ever done this thing?” you put the lighter on, the flame licking the top of it. You wave your hand over it, feeling the heat in your fingertips.

“Jesus” he mutters as you hold the flame in front of you

“It doesn’t hurt” he raises an eyebrow at you “if you do it quick enough you don’t burn” you show him your hand “see?” he nods, waving his hand quickly over it, then letting out a small chuckle

“That’s kind of fun” you nod, handing him the lighter back. He places it in his pocket, snuffing out his cigarette and going to the kitchen again, serving up two plates of food “Bon appetite” he hands you a plate as you both go and sit in the living room.

-

A few more hours pass, you both spend a while on your project. You stretch, you’re back hurting from being hunched over for so long. You look at the clock “What time did you need to be back?” he looks at the clock and laughs

“Apparently not before midnight”

“Sorry”

“It’s fine”

“If you want we can finish this tonight and you can stay round” he looks at you

“Are you sure?” you nod

“Saves you going back when it’s past midnight” you nod “Or do you just want to sleep now and finish this tomorrow?”

“Probably that. I don’t know how much more my brain can concentrate” he smiles “Sorry” you shrug and smile at him

“Umm, you take the bed, I’ll sleep out here”

“No it’s your house you sleep in your bed”

“Nope you’re the guest”

“Why don’t we do this true sleepover style and both sleep out here?” he half smiles at you as you nod at his plan, going into your bedroom and grabbing some blankets and cushions. You pass him some, moving your little coffee table over and lying on the floor, cushion placed under your head. He lies next to you, laying the blanket over him. Grabbing the small lamp you place it near your heads, turning it on

“Shit I forgot to turn the main light off” you stand up again, going over to turn it off. He laughs before you do

“I forgot you were wearing my jacket. You look so small in it” you chuckle and place your arms out to the side, the sleeves hiding half of your hands.

“I would give it back to you but its mine now” he laughs as you turn the light off, going back over and lying down. The gentle light from the lamp being the only source of light in the room. You hold your hand up, creating a shadow on the ceiling. He chuckles as you make it look like a dog, him copying you and pretending to chase you with his dog. He grabs your hand, making fake eating noises as you laugh, his hand then holding yours, interlocking his fingers with yours. He kisses the back of it before placing both yours and his hand on his chest. “Have you got a necklace on?” you ask as you feel roughness hit your hand from under his shirt

“Huh? Yeah” he uses his hand that isn’t holding yours to pull out a necklace, a guitar pick dangling from it. You use your free hand to hold it, looking at it closely. Your body turning towards his.

“I didn’t realise you played guitar...” he turns his body to face you, your interlocked hands coming up to rest by your faces. He nods

“Have you got anymore tattoos since I last saw you?” you shake your head

“I want one behind my ear but it’ll be difficult to hide, plus I can’t do it myself”

“I can do it for you”

“Really?” he nods, moving his free hand to come up and move the hair out of the way so he can look, his finger lightly tracing the skin behind your ear.

“What would you like?”

“Roses I think would look cool. In amongst some vines” he nods, his eyes meeting yours as he stays tracing the soft skin. You smile at him, before being cut off with a yawn. He chuckles slightly, hand moving to gently stroke your cheek with his thumb.

“What happened to us doing an all-nighter?”

“I never said I’d do that” he laughs “Also what would we even do all night? I don’t have many films here” he nods, his eyes darting to your lips before going back to your eyes. You smile slightly, leaning into him as you rest your forehead against his shoulder, shutting your eyes and lying down more as he stays resting on his side. After a few moments you feel him start to move, you go to move away from him thinking he needed to get up and you were in the way but then you feel him gently press his lips to yours. A hand still on your cheek as he keeps kissing you. He pulls away, almost like he suddenly realised what he was doing. His face a foot or so away from your face

“Shit I’m sorry” he goes to move away but you shake your head

“Please... I-I like this” he smiles down at you, kissing you again before looking at you with questioning eyes

“Are you sure?” you nod and bite your lip. He smiles, kissing you again. This time he moves, his hand that was on your cheek helping to keep him up as he moves to be over you. His body at a slight angle in comparison to yours. Your free hand going to the back of his neck as a way to bring him closer to you, tasting cigarettes on his tongue. His hands gripping onto yours, allowing you to be able to feel his rings leaving dents in the palms of your hands. The kiss staying slow as you explore each other’s mouths. He pulls away, both of you breathless as he smiles down at you. You bite your bottom lip, going to kiss him again but him being too far away from you. You let out an annoyed whine causing him to laugh “what do you need, hmm?” you feel your cheeks redden

“...you...” you whisper out. His smile widens even more, the hand keeping him up moves, using his forearm on his other arm to keep himself up. He strokes your reddened cheek before his fingers go to the front of your shirt. His hand playing with the buttons, raising an eyebrow slightly as he doesn’t feel the familiar feel of a bra underneath your shirt

“Are you wearing anything underneath?” your cheeks go even redder as you try to hide your face into his arm. “Come on pretty girl, answer my question” You feel your face burning, but you take a deep and shaky breath. Refusing to look at him as you speak

“I’m not...” he kisses your temple as he leans to one side slightly, his arm keeping him up, fingers still interlocked with yours as he glides his free hand over your torso, slowly undoing the buttons. Each one he undoes you see his eyes flutter up to check your face, ready to stop at any sign of discomfort as your eyes stay transfixed on his delicate fingers undoing each button. As he opens the last one he takes the side of your shirt and his jacket, he starts to move it slowly, allowing your chest to be seen. He lets out a sinful moan as he looks at your boobs. The hand coming up and squeezing one gently, his rings cold against your hot skin. He leans down, taking one of your nipples into his mouth. You moan, your free hand grabbing his hair. He attacks your nub with his tongue, gently grazing it with his teeth. You moan, gripping his hair tightly. He lets out a grunt as you tighten your grip on him. You smile evilly as you tug at his roots again. Another moan leaves his lips. The vibration going through your chest straight to your core “Does someone like a little pain, huh?” you tease, biting your lip as you grip tighter, his eyes shutting as he holds back a moan. “My little masochist...” He moves off of your boob in a swift motion, his free hand coming up to go around your neck. He gently squeezes the sides, causing you to let out a small moan.

“Don’t forget who’s in charge, hmm?” he smiles, leaning down towards your face as he kisses you roughly

“Ple-please” your free hand moves to grip at the base of his shirt “off” you plead at him. He smiles, letting go of your neck and hand as he kneels down at the end of your body. He pulls the clothing over his head, throwing it to the side as you bite your lip, looking at his tattooed torso. Your hand reaches out, gently tracing the various inks sketches. He smiles, leaning back over you as he positons his body between your legs, kissing you again as you feel him lower his body more onto yours. One hand goes and holds him up, the forearm resting near your head as he gently strokes your cheek. The other traces lightly down your body. You feel him unbutton your jeans, slowly pulling them down your body. You lift yourself up slightly so he can remove them. The whole time your lips never parting. He starts to rub you on the outside of your underwear, causing you to moan into his mouth. He smiles, pulling away slightly

“Let’s hear that again shall we?” he pushes hard down onto your clothed clit, making you moan out and grab his bicep with both your hands

“Please. Please” he kisses you again, smiling as he kisses your neck and making his way down.

“How could I refuse when you asked me so nicely” he positons himself between your legs, hands gently caressing your thighs as he plants kisses to your still clothed core. You try and grind against his face but he tuts and uses one hand to hold you pelvis down. He takes a hold of your pants, slowly pulling them down your legs. “Jesus look at how wet you are already baby” He presses his finger against your sensitive clit, rubbing circles onto it as you whine out. Grabbing a hold of his hair and trying to bring him closer to you.

“Eddie please” you cry out, soon after feeling the harshness of his finger be replaced by his soft lips. Keeping a hand on either one of your thighs he starts licking and sucking on your folds, nose brushing your clit. You whine out, both hands tugging harshly at his hair in an effort to bring him closer to you. You start rutting your hips into his face, feeling him work his way round your hole as your hips move to make his nose hit your clit. God he sure knows how to use his tongue. “Gonna... gonna cum...” he smiles, his mouth staying in your folds and his finger going from one of your thighs to rub your clit. You try everything to keep yourself from crushing his head as your orgasm hits you. Your hands pushing him further into your heat as you moan out various curse words. You feel one of his hands still on your thigh, managing to keep his head from being completely engulfed. He helps you ride it out, moving away as he watches your hole leak out fresh juices. He rubs your shaky thighs. You see him sit up properly, wiping his mouth and chin. You hold a hand out towards him, grabbing at the air as he leans over you. Kissing him you taste yourself on his tongue. You move your hand down, feeling his hard on. He lets out a small grunt as you palm him through his jeans. Hearing his breath start to hitch in your ear. You smile to yourself, kissing his lips, then jawline, neck, collarbone. You nibble slightly at the flesh, his breath catching in his throat. He moves away slightly, a smile forming on his lips as he watches your eyes turning playful

“What are you doing, little miss?” you shake your head and bite your lip, leaning once again to lick a stripe up his collarbone before nibbling the flesh. “If you do what I think you want to do, there will be trouble” you smile at his words. Licking and kissing the skin before biting down. Not hard enough to break the skin, but hard enough to most likely cause bruising. He moans out, gritting his teeth through the pain and pleasure going through his body. He moves away, a smile on his lips as you go to do it again. He places a hand around your jaw. You feel his rings denting the flesh slightly from his grip. You bite your lip, watching as he shakes his head.  “You going to be a good girl for me and behave, yeah?” you nod slightly, as much as your head can whilst he has a strong hold on your jaw

“Wanna-” your hands grab at his trousers, trying to pull him closer to you. Forcing you to look at him as he smile, causing you to whine out as his hand tightens.

“You want to make me feel good?” you nod, watching him as he let’s go of your face. His hands go to the side pockets of his jacket you’re wearing, letting out an annoyed groan

“W-what?”

“I don’t have... anything...” you shake your head

“I’m... I’m on the pill... Please I need to feel you...” he smirks slightly at your words. The idea of doing it raw exciting him more. He slowly undoes his trousers, once again kneeling between your knees as he disrobes the rest of his body. You bite your lip as you see his cock, watching as he pumps himself a few times before lining up with your entrance. He leans over you, kissing you

“Eyes on me, ok?” you nod, watching his eyes as he slowly pushes into you. Your hands grab at him, wrapping around the back of his neck, fluttering your eyes but keeping them open as best as you can

“Oh fuck, Eddie” he smiles, kissing all over your face as you adjust to him.

“You feel so good...” he slowly starts to move in and out, making you dig your nails into his neck and upper back. He grunts as his pace starts to quicken. You wrap your legs around his waist, his mouth starting to attack your neck with kisses as he hears you moaning into his ear. One hand by the side of you head to keep him up, the other moves to your clit, rubbing circles onto it. You moan, the only words falling out of your mouth is his name followed by several curses.

“C-Close. Eddie, please. Eddie!” he moves from your neck, kissing your slightly agape mouth

“Let go for me” you moan out, you can feel his eyes watching your face as he continues his thrust, grunting as you tighten around him. You feel him getting close himself, his hips become less periodic. You shut your eyes as he works for his high, the overstimulation from two orgasms being a lot for you. You grip his shoulders tightly, whining out. Your pussy clenching around him from the activity. He moans, pulling out and releasing himself onto your stomach. He breathes heavily, tilting his head back before he leans down and kisses you, wiping the stray hairs that have fallen from your ponytail out of your face as you tiredly kiss him back. He rests for a moment, lying next to you. One hand resting on your shaky thigh as he rubs it soothingly. He kisses your forehead “You’ve been such a good girl for me” you nod in response as you half open your eyes, smiling at him slightly before shutting them again. You feel his hand move from your leg, then hearing the tap in the bathroom running before he comes back out, a damp towel in his hand. He comes over, opening your legs slightly as he cleans you up. Placing soft kisses to your thighs as he wipes your sensitive core and your stomach down. He places his pants back on his body, going over to your bedroom and grabbing a pair of clean underwear and shirt from your drawer.

Coming over he places it over your body, then covering you in your blanket as he lies next to you, wrapping his arms around you as he brings you close to him. Your head and hand going on his chest, feeling his hand cover yours. Your eyes still shut from exhaustion, slowly drifting to sleep as you listen to his heartbeat

-

You wake up on Sunday morning. Feeling Eddies body pressed against your back as he spoons you. You turn your head slightly to face him, smiling at how peaceful he looks. You gently take his hand that’s draped over your body, kissing the back of it before moving out from under it before you go into the bathroom. You take off your underwear from last night, plus the shirt and Eddie’s jacket. Leaving your clothes on the floor and hanging the jacket on the back of the door. You start running the shower, taking your hair out of the ponytail it’s in. Letting the water run down your body. You wash your hair, then getting out the shower you grab the towel from the back of the door, wrapping it around your body as you walk out, heading to your room for some clothes. “Nice shower?” you hear him say from the floor. You look, seeing him watching you through sleepy eyes. You nod as you smile at him “come here beautiful” you walk over to him, he takes your hand and pulls you down, having you straddle him as he sits up, leaning on his hands as you stay on his lap, hand clutching the towel in fear it’ll fall down. You notice the very prominent bite mark starting to form on his chest. You feel your cheeks start to turn pink

“I’m sorry for that” you gently trace over the bruising. He shrugs, gently stroking your arm as he watches your eyes looking over his body, his torso being uncovered. “I umm...” you feel suddenly shy as your eyes meet his “I’m sorry for last night” he shakes his head

“Why are you sorry?”

“I didn’t want you to feel forced into anything”

“I enjoyed last night. A lot” he moves your hair behind your ear “there is nothing to be sorry about, ok? You were amazing” he gently places his hand to the back of your head, bringing you down so he can kiss your forehead. You nod, hugging him tightly. You feel him wrap his arms around you, then bury his head into the crook of your neck more. You move away, standing up and readjusting your towel.

“I’m going to get dressed. Give me 5 minutes” he nods, watching you as you head into your room. You dry yourself, putting on a dress and heading back out. He is still lying on the ground, one arm up and covering his eyes. You go over “Can I offer you some food?” he nods

“I’ll come and grab something” he stands up, grabbing his trousers and placing them on his body as he walks into the kitchen. You follow close behind, offering him the various breakfast things. He grabs some, going and sitting back in the living room with it. You both eat in a comfortable silence. You take his bowl from him, taking it to the kitchen and placing it in the sink. You start to run some warm water, soaking the cups, plates and bowls from the weekend. He walks over as you start to wash up. He grabs a clean plate and a tea towel, drying it before looking around confused before placing it on the counter “I was trying to be helpful but I’m not too sure where they go, sorry” he half smiles at you as you chuckle.

“The plates go in that cupboard there” you point as he nods and place it in the cupboard. He walks back over, hand outstretched to take the next piece. “Cups in that cupboard” you hand him the mug, accidently getting water on him. You cover your mouth and laugh “I’m so sorry” he runs his tongue over his bottom lip before looking at you

“Oh hell no” he dips his hand in the water in the sink, going to wipe it on your face. You put your arms up, laughing as you hold him back

“Eddie no! I’ve just showered! It was an accident, Eddie” he grins as you laugh, trying your best to keep his wet hand off of your face. He stops trying, putting his hands up in a retreat.

“Come on, we should keep washing up. Then we can do the rest of our project”

“That’s fine. But I don’t trust you”

“I’m hurt. Truly” he smiles at you, going to the sink and doing the washing. You go over and start drying up, placing the objects in their respective places. As you put the last piece away he drains the sink, washing his hands. You turn to face him

“Are you ok if I use your shower?” you nod

“Go ahead. I’ll get you a clean towel” he nods, watching as you go get him one. Handing it to him he goes into the bathroom, you hear the water softly running as you go and pack up the things from the night. Folding the blankets and pulling the coffee table back into the middle of the room, sitting on the floor next to it. You quickly scan both of your notes. Letting out an annoyed moan you start reading and writing again. He walks back out, placing his leather over the back of the sofa as he comes and sits next to you, grabbing his shirt that was on the floor and placing it back over his body. His hair wet and clinging to the sides of his face slightly, the soft curls dampened down.

-

You both go through the notes for the rest of the morning, finishing about 4. “Done” you say, setting your pen down.

“It’s looking really good” he says, scanning the various notes you’ve both written. You let out a sigh, leaning your head back against the sofa “come on, we’re done. Time to celebrate”

“How do we celebrate?” you keep your head back but turn it to look at him. He smiles at you before standing up, holding his hand out for you to take. You smile and bite your lip slightly, taking it as he pulls you up. He smiles as he starts dramatically dancing with you, one hand holding yours and the other on your hip. “There’s no music playing though so why are we dancing”

“I assumed you wouldn’t have any good music in your house”

“Rude” he smiles at you, twirling you before stopping dancing, hands resting on your hips. You wrap your arms around his neck “I have some good songs here”

“Like who?”

“Elvis Presley” he chuckles “What? He’s a good musician” he nods, smiling at you

“You aren’t wrong”

“Thank you”. You both stand in silence, looking at each other for a few seconds. You rest your head into the crook of his neck, feeling him rest his against yours. You feel him take a deep breath in before wrapping his arms around you tighter.

“You know... I’m now not going to be able to wear that jacket”

“Why not?” he turns his head to look at you better, you move yours so you can meet his eyes.

“Because every time I wear it I’m just going to think of how good you looked in it” you chuckle

“You defiantly look better in it. It makes me look like a small child playing dress up. It makes you look like a badass” he laughs

“I don’t know about that, but thanks”

“What time do you need to get back home?”

“Oh anytime. It doesn’t really matter when to be honest” you nod, arms tightening around him. One of his hands goes from around your waist to gently rub your arm “You ok?” you nod

“Yeah sorry. I just, I don’t want you to leave. It’s quite scary living on your own” he nods slightly, moving away and going and grabbing a piece of paper from the notebooks on the table. He grabs a pen and writes something down before handing you the paper

“There you go. Now, if you ever feel alone or get scared you can ring me whenever you want”

“Oh no don’t worry honestly” he shakes his head

“I live with my uncle, and he works at night so it’s only me there most of the time. So no matter what time it is, if you need me then ring and I’ll answer if I can, ok?” you nod and take it from his hand

“You Eddie Munson are a true sweetheart, you know that right?” he laughs, scratching the back of his head as he turns away from you, placing a hand on his cheek before looking at you again “it’s true. I told Alice I was home alone and she just said ‘yeah I’d hate to be by myself’“. He laughs but tries really hard not to. Folding his arms he looks at you.

“I’m serious though. If you need or want anything do ring me” you nod as he takes your hand, kissing the back of it “I should go home, I’ll see you tomorrow, my beautiful queen” he smiles, waving at you as he leaves your house. You let out a sigh as you sit on the sofa. Then an annoyed groan as you remember you have other homework due in.

-

You sit at a table during your lunch break, doodling in your notebook. “Well well well. If it isn’t the one and only Elizabeth the Whore” you look up, seeing Chris smirking at you as two of his friends stand either side of him. You hear the canteen go quieter, all eyes watching you. He leans forward “I heard that you’d fucked everyone in Hawkins already and moved to Canada”

“And I heard that you’d stopped being an asshole but I guess we were both wrong” his jaw clenches as you smile softly at him, you hear people trying to stifle their laughs “It’s been a while, how are you and Jessica doing?” he rests his hands on the table, staring you down. “Oh I take it you broke up based on that look. Did she get bored of having to fake it with you?” he clenches his fists, before moving away from the table

“You’re an absolute bitch you knew”

“Well I did spent 4 years of my life dating a bitch so I guess I learn from the best” Alice walks over to you, sitting at the table and looking very confused. He looks at you both, you stay sitting as he chuckles

“You know what, I do feel sorry for you. Because whoever you end up dating next will only like you to have sex with you. In fact, that’s the only reason I kept dating you. Because you are good for being used. That is all you are and will ever be good at. To be fucked. And if any guy tells you differently than he is lying to you. Most likely just so he can get into your pants. And you’ll likely let him because you are so insecure that that is the only way you feel truly wanted in your life. I hope whoever you decide to screw around with next knows that they are getting themselves into” he turns around and walks away

“You can all stop looking at us now dipshits” putting your face in your hands

“So much for a non-messy breakup, huh?” Alice chimes in

“God I hate him. What did I see in him?”

“He’s hot”

“Yeah. But still. Imagine how different my life would be if I actually had good taste in men and didn’t go for absolute assholes”

“Speaking off men, how was your weekend with Eddie?” you cough slightly

“What do you mean?”

“On Friday you said you were history partners and he was coming to your house” you nod, looking down and doodling some more

“It went well. Very well”

“Uhu, I’m sure it did” she looks over at the table he’s on. “He’s quite handsome isn’t he?” you look at the table, seeing him chatting and laughing with his friends.

“He’s not my type...” you say softly

“Then what is your type?”

“Based off of the man I was dating, dickheads with mommy issues” she laughs.

-

You sit in your history class, wondering where Munson is. You know he’s in today as you saw him no more than 20 minutes ago, but his seat beside you is empty. The door opens, you look up hoping to see the long haired boy but instead a teacher walks in “We’d like to talk to Elizabeth please?” you look confused, going over to them. She leads you to the principal’s office. Chars sits in there as well as the headmaster motions for you to take a seat.

“Now, we understand that you two broke up, yes?” you both nod “Now, I get that. Some breakups can be messy, others aren’t and are mutual. However that does not give you any reason to swear in the middle of lunch” Chris tries so hard not to smile as you get told off

“But I-”

“Christopher here told me you swore at him in front of the whole school, unprovoked”

“He starte-”

“I don’t want to hear it. If he initiated anything, you should’ve come to us to deal with it instead of using vulgar language. But instead, he’s come forward. If it was really as bad as you say it is then you should’ve come forward” you feel tears start to prick your eyes.

“But I-”

“So, as punishment. You will be given a detention. After school today”

“Bu-”

“Chris, thank you for coming forward. Elizabeth, we will see you in the classroom after school” you nod, tears threatening to spill. You’ve never been in trouble before, let alone been given a detention. You both get dismissed, so you head back to your class.

Inside you see Eddie sitting in his seat. You go and sit next to him. He leans forward slightly “I copied your notes, I hope you don’t mind. You can copy mine if you’d like?” he sees your eyes filled with tears “hey are you ok?” you nod, grabbing your pen and starting to write stuff down. Looking at his notes he lets you copy them. Before your teacher dismisses the class for the last lesson of the day she lets you have 5 minutes to chat to each other. You start to pack up your bag. “I umm, I left my jacket at yours” he says to you. You look at him

“Oh shit yeah you did” you rub your temples “I would say come with me after school today to pick it up but I have detention”

“I have detention too! My uncle is picking me up before he goes to work, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind dropping you off home afterwards as well, then I can pick it up” he smiles at you softly. You nod slightly, he waves goodbye to you before leaving the classroom. You and Eddie Munson not only becoming friends, but now having detention together. You never would’ve thought this would happen

-

You sit in your classroom, looking out the window as Eddie and your teacher arrive at the same time “Ok. Good you are both here” he looks at the board he’s holding “you two come with me” you grab your bag, following him into a small store room

“What happened in here?” you ask, seeing chairs and fake weapons dotted about the room

“There was a drama group in here performing, they left their props behind and you get to pack up after them” he smiles at you both “have fun you too. I’ll be back in an hour” he leaves. You sigh, putting your bag down by the door. Going over you start stacking the chairs. Eddie looks around, putting his bag by yours he goes over and starts packing up the props.

“Look at this Liz” he holds up a fake eyeball “why does it look so... realistic?”

“I was going to say gross but realistic also works” you say. You stop for a moment, taking off your jacket as you are getting to warm. He watches you, only briefly but you see him.

“Can I help?” you ask him, it coming out a lot blunter then you meant it to. He shakes his head

“Just curious as to what you were doing” you nod and continue stacking. He looks at you “Are we ok?”

“What do you mean?”

“You seem distant”

“Sorry. Just feeling stressed”

“Why are you stressed?”

“You don’t want to hear about my life” he nods

“I’m ok hearing about it”

“I don’t want to tell a guy I fucked once about my love life” you spit at him. He looks shocked. “Shit I’m sorry” he shrugs, looking away from you. You stay quiet for a moment, putting the chair down you were holding and going over to him “I’m really sorry” you hug him. “I didn’t mean that. You’re my friend and I’m sorry I said that” he nods. He puts his arms around you, hugging you back. You both pull back from the hug. You smile at him slightly “we still cool?” he looks at you, nodding slightly. “Good, because I think I can give you a hand with these props” you bend down, picking up a skeleton hand from the floor and handing it to him. He chuckles slightly as he takes it from you

“You have the sense of humour of a child” you stick your tongue out teasingly at him. He throws the hand into a box as you carry on stacking the chairs.

“I can’t wait to leave school this year” you say, placing the last chair in its correct place

“I can’t either” you go over and pick up a crown from the floor

“We should run away together. Leave this absolute shithole behind” you jokingly say as he chuckles

“What, the queen and her joker?” you shake your head, placing the crown on his head

“More like the queen and her king” he smiles and holds his hand out for you to take

“Would my queen care to dance with this king?”

“I’d be delighted my lordship” you take his hand, as he spins you, making you laugh and hold onto him “You look good in a crown” you say, adjusting his hair around the delicate piece adorning his head.

“Why thank you. I feel like true royalty” you smile as you bow to him

“I am but a mere slave to you, your highness” he laughs, taking the crown from his head and placing it on yours

“Yeah, defiantly looks better on you” you laugh as he goes back to packing stuff up. You take the crown off, placing it in a box. Within 10 minutes you’re both done. You sit down on the floor, head leaning against the wall. He comes and sits next to you

“Why are you always late to classes?” he shrugs

“I have a small... side business you could say. Sometimes that gets in the way of my other life things” you nod slightly. Silence fills the room before he speaks up “I know you said you don’t want to talk about it, which I respect, but you shouldn’t listen to Chris”

“No, no. Shh” you cover his mouth as he chuckles slightly. Taking both your hands in his he turns to look at you “How much of what he said did you hear?”

“All of it”

“Great...”

“None of its true though. What he said” you go to speak but he covers your mouth “you are so kind and generous. Smart, caring, and funny. If the next guy you start seeing doesn’t see that then he isn’t worth your time. You’re a real catch” you smile slightly at his words, he moves his hand away and holds both your hands again “Any guy would be lucky to have you, Liz”. You feel your heart tighten slightly at his words.

“Thank you, Eddie” he shrugs. Smiling at you. You smile softly, leaning forward and kissing him. It’s not a heated kiss, but it’s not a quick one either. One of his hands moves from your hands to the side of your face, rubbing his thumb over your cheekbone as he kisses you. You move away, going to stand up to move away fully from him as you apologise “sorry. I’m sorry...” he shakes his head, his hand still on your cheek as he places his lips back on yours. You let out a content sigh, once again the familiar taste of cigarette smoke and a small touch of alcohol on his mouth. He pulls away, his eyes watching yours as you smile at him. Placing your hands on his shoulders you go and straddle him. His legs outstretched underneath you as your legs kneel either side of his. You kiss him again, your hands going to the sides of where his neck and head join. His hands falling onto your hips as you continue kissing. You pull away from him, hands moving to rest on his shoulders as you feel his hands move to your lower back.

“Did you decide what you are going to do for your 18th yet?” he asks, his mind coming to the same conclusion as yours of you can’t sleep with each other right here and right now. You stay straddled on top of him, your hands play with the ends of his hair.

“No. I want to throw a party, but I’m not sure who I’d invite. I just want to get absolutely pissed” he chuckles “But I’m also tempted to just not do anything this year. I’ve lost most of my friends and my boyfriend so a big party may not work out. I’d rather not do anything then throw a lame get together” he nods

“The females that were part of your friendship group seemed to have left though. Have you not seen them around?” you shake your head “You could try and befriend them again. Obviously not what’s-her-face because she’s a bitch, but the others” you nod and bite your lip slightly. Tilting your head back to look at the ceiling.

“You sure we can’t just ditch school and run away together?” he shakes his head

“You’re way too smart to drop out of school. Put that brain to use here, ok?” you roll your eyes at the compliment but smile at him. One of his hands moves from your lower back, taking your chin between his thumb and finger, bringing you close to him as he kisses you. You smile into his mouth, letting out a small moan as his hand on your back brings you closer to him. Your hands come to the front of his shirt, gripping the fabric. You move away from him slightly, seeing his eyes begin to fill with lust as he meets yours

“How long do we have left?” he looks around for a clock then shakes his head. You nod, biting your lip slightly before kissing him again. “Can we-?” he nods, both of you moving fast, unsure of the time limit you have on this encounter. Your hands going to his trousers and undoing them, pulling his cock out and lightly pumping it a few times. He moves his hands under your skirt, moving your pants aside as he lightly traces your hole with his middle finger. He spits on his hand, rubbing it over your hole as you help get him fully hard. You kneel up, lining him up with your entrance you sink down onto him. Wincing slightly at the friction but the both of you letting out a deep moan when he’s fully inside of you. You wait a few seconds to accustom to him again. Head resting on his shoulder before your start to slowly grind. Once you feel like your wetter you begin to bounce up and down on him. Moans leaving your mouth as you feel him hitting the spongey spot inside of you. He covers your mouth with his hand, eyes pleading with you to be quiet. You fasten your pace, both wanting to reach your highs. You move one of your hands down between your legs, rubbing your clit as you keep moving on him.

“Fuck...” he moans out, leaning his head back against the wall behind him as he feels his high approaching. He uses his hands to pause your hips, positioning himself so he can roughly fuck up into you. Causing you to whine out at his faster pace. You cover your mouth with your free hand, the other still working on your clit. One of his hands moves from your hip the move your hand from your mouth, embracing you in deep kiss as he moans into your mouth. Feeling him release into you as he hits his high but continuing to go roughly, helping you to try and hit your high. His finger replacing yours on your clit as you centre yourself and hold onto him. You moan out, burying your head into his shoulder as you feel your orgasm hit you

“Oh Eddie” hands gripping tightly onto his shoulders, nails digging into the soft skin as he helps you ride out your high. You both sit there for a few minutes. Taking in each other’s presence as you both come down. You move off of him, adjusting your underwear so they are comfortable again. He puts himself away, reaching out and interlocking his hand with yours. You move in slight discomfort as you feel it start to leak out of you and onto your underwear. He chuckles slightly

“Sorry. I feel like that is defiantly my fault” you nod but smile at him

“Yeah I do blame you for my current discomfort to be fair” he smiles, bringing the hand that’s interlocked with his up to his mouth to kiss each of the knuckles of your fingers. You smile at him, just as a teacher walks through the door. He lets go of your hand quickly

“Ok, wow you guys did a good job in here. You’ll be please to know detention is over. You may both go home now” you both nod, standing up you go and grab your bag

“Are you sure your uncles still ok to give me a lift?” he nods, grabbing his bag as well

“I mean I assume so” he chuckles slightly as you both walk out, his uncle being in the car waiting for him. Eddie walks over, saying something to him before beckoning you over. Opening the back door for you smile before getting in. He gets into the front seat, his uncle giving you unsure eyes in the rear view mirror. You smile at him

“It’s nice to meet you Mr Munson” you say. He scoffs slightly, starting to drive the car. An awkward silence fills the car. You sit and look out the window as you feel unsure whether you should try and strike up a conversation or not. Thankfully it’s not to long after he pulls up outside of your house. “Thank you for the lift. Eddie, do you want to come and grab your jacket?” he nods, getting out of his seat and following you up to your apartment. You unlock the door, going inside and grabbing it for him. He smiles and takes it from you

“Thank you beautiful” you nod and smile at him

“I’ll see you tomorrow then, yeah?” he nods, kissing your forehead before he waves goodbye to you, heading to the car. You go into your house, locking the door behind you. Thankfully you didn’t have a shift tonight or you’d be screwed. You go into your room and grab your pyjamas, removing your pants as you then wipe the mess up that’s currently between your legs. You go and take your dress off, but stop half way through. You can smell his scent on your dress. You smile as it comforts you, but you mentally shake yourself and take it off. Placing an oversized pyjama top on your body and then crawling into bed.

-

A few days had passed. You were sat at lunch with Alice. A handsome guy walks over to you and sits opposite you as he smiles. You smile back at him “Hey. I’m Jay. You’re Liz right?” you nod “I umm. I wondered if you wanted to go see a movie or something this weekend?” he shyly says. You smile softly at him

“Thank you so much for the offer but I’m not really looking for anything like that...” he nods, looking down slightly

“Cool. That’s fine”

“I’m sorry, it’s not personal I just... I’m not looking for a relationship right now” he nods and smiles at you

“No its fine. I get it. Would you want to hang out anyway some time? As friends that is” you nod

“As friends yes. Sometime next week maybe? I’m not sure when I’m working” he nods

“Well, when you know what days you can do come and tell me, yeah?” you nod and smile as he stands up. He walks past Chris who calls out to him as he stands

“Jay. What were you doing mate?”

“Excuse me?”

“You asking out my girl, huh?”

“I thought you two broke up...?” he looks confused as Chris grabs him by the collar of his shirt. You stand up, going over to the two boys

“She’s mine, got it?” he nods, his arms up in defines.

“I was just curious about what she was doing this weekend. That’s all dude. She’s not free anyway” he scoffs as you reach them. You place a hand on Chris’s shoulder

“Let him go” he looks at you “Now” he drops him, you turn to Jay “Are you ok?” he nods, adjusting his clothes. Muttering under his breath. Chris hears him talking, turning around and threatening to punch him. You grab his fist, “No!” he looks at you, sadness filling his eyes. You are aware of the whole room watching you as you talk to him “I am sorry but you can’t control who I speak to. We aren’t dating anymore. We won’t ever date again. I am sorry if that hurts you, truly. But you need to move on with your life. For both of our sanities” he looks down, fests clenching.

“I love you...”

“I used to...” You hear someone mutter something again, behind Chris this time. Before you can stop him, he turns around. Punching the poor person straight in the nose. Teachers come over, having heard the commotion beforehand. They take you 4 away from the scenario, taking the kid with the bleeding nose to the nurse as you and the other 2 boys get taken to the principal.

-

It’s official. Chris has been expelled in defiantly for threatening and violent behaviour. He had the rest of the day (only 2 more lessons left) before he was banned from entering school property. The councillor spoke to you, saying you could try and get a legal thing against him for your safety but you didn’t. Instead you carried on your day as normal. The next 2 lessons you had all your old friends coming up to you and speaking to you, asking to hang out, which you agreed. They all said that how Chris behaved was crossing the line. The only one who didn’t make plans with you was Jessica and her two closest friends. The rest of the group, about 5 boys and 3 girl, all made plans with you. Even asked for you to hang out with them again at lunch time on Monday.

You felt much loved whilst you were at school. Everyone who had hated you a few months ago liked you and you had your social standings once again. However, when you got home the drama from your school made your home seem quiet. Too quiet. You felt unsafe here. Worried that Chris would find you and do god knows what when he did. You hide your face into your hands before, feeling tears start to prick your eyes. You go over to the phone, dialling in Alice’s number. Needing to chat to someone. Have someone near. But no answer. You cry out in frustration, before your eyes go to the little note by your phone. A number written onto it. You wipe your nose on your sleeve, dialling the numbers. A few rings pass before it gets picked up “Hello?” you let out a small sob at the comfort of his voice

“Eddie?” You sniffle slightly “Its Liz”

“Are you ok?” you nod slightly, resting your head against the wall

“I’m ok. Just needed to talk to a friend. Are you free at the moment?”

“Yes. Of course”

“Can you come over...?” you whisper out, more tears falling down your cheeks.

“I’ll be at yours in 10 minutes, ok?” you nod

“Thank you Eddie...” you whisper, hearing him hang up. You sit impatiently inside your house. What seemed like several hours but probably only a few minutes there is a knock on the door. You go over, opening it and embracing the long haired boy. Digging your head into his shoulder as you take in the comforting smell of smoke and his leather. He wraps his arms around you and after a few minutes of silent hugging he walks in, shutting the door behind him as he goes over to the sofa. One arm stays wrapped round you the whole time. Bringing you onto his lap, your body turned towards his but your les outstretched on the sofa. His in a normal sitting positon under you as one hand goes around your back and the other rests on your thigh, gently stroking it. He cradles you like this as you hide in the crook of his neck. You sit like this for what you reckon is an hour before you hear your stomach. He chuckles slightly. The seriousness of the room dying down a little as your belly grumbles. He picks you up bridal style before gently placing you on the sofa. He kneels beside you, taking your hands in his as he talks

“I’m going to go make some food, ok? Then we can watch some movies” you nod as he stands up, going to your kitchen you hear him opening cupboards. You grab a blanket, placing it over yourself as you pull it up close to you. He walks back in. Two plates of toast and jam in hand. He places them both down on the coffee table, taking his jacket off and placing it on the floor before he goes over to your movie collection. “Any suggestions?”

“I don’t want to force you to watch something you won’t like...”

“Don’t be silly. How about... Sound of Music? That’s a jolly film right?” he grabs it out and holds it up, turning to face you as you nod. He goes over to your TV, placing the video in as he then comes and sits down next to you, letting you rest your legs over him as you both eat and watch the film. Halfway through the film, you reach your hand out and take his in yours. Holding it for the entirety of the rest of the film.

The film finishes and you realise not one of you has said a word to each other since the film started. “Do you- what time do you need to get home?”

“I don’t have a set time I need to be back” you nod, the hand that’s holding his gently tracing over his various rings.

“Can you stay the night please...? I’m scared to be alone tonight” he nods, using the hand that you were holding to pull you up to a sitting positon and hugging you.

“I can stay with you this weekend if you want?” you nod, hiding your face in his shoulder

“I’d really like that” he nods, kissing the top of your head and looking at the time

“Come on. We should get to bed” he stands up, hand outstretched to you “I will probably go back tomorrow, just to grab some fresh clothes and tell my uncle where I am but you can come with me and then we can come back here” you nod, taking his hand as he takes you into your bedroom. “I’ll be on the couch. Come and get me if you need anything” he smiles, turning away from you as you grab his wrist

“Please... please stay in here with me...” you look down shyly. He looks at you, nodding slowly.

“I’ll leave so you can get dressed. I’ll be just outside the door, ok?” you nod, letting his arm go as he goes outside, shutting the door behind him. You strip your clothes off. Placing your oversized shirt over your body as your pyjamas. You go over and open the door, walking over to your mirror as you take your makeup off. Placing your hair in a bun as he walks in. You go and get underneath the covers on your bed. Looking at him and grabbing towards him. He comes over, you lift the covers up as he gets in next to you. You face him

“Thank you for this”

“It’s what friends are for right?” you nod. Yawning and covering your mouth. You take a hold of his hand once again, it comforting you as you lie on your back and shut your eyes. You feel him link his fingers with yours. His body still facing towards you as you hear his breathing start to soften. You fall asleep to the sound of it.

-

When you wake up, you feel his fingers intertwined with yours still. You grunt slightly as you stretch, turning to face him. You open your eyes slightly, seeing him glancing at you as he smiles “Good morning beautiful” you smile at his words. Rubbing your face with your hand you shut your eyes again “You better not be falling asleep again” you smile, hearing him laugh slightly as he gently boops your nose “wake up, Liz. It’s the morning” you shake your head, covering his mouth. He chuckles again, feeling him move away from you, letting go of your hand. You frown slightly, opening your eyes to look at him as he stands up and stretches. “I am in desperate need of a shower. Do you mind?” you shake your head, pointing at your wardrobe

“Clean towels are in there” he nods, going over and grabbing one.

“I’ll shower, you get dressed. We go to my place so I can grab things and then we come back here and hang out” you nod

“Sounds like a good plan” he grins at you, gently patting your leg as he heads out of the room. You hear the shower start to run, taking that as a cue to stand up and go over to your drawers. Picking out fresh clothes you start to get dressed. Trousers and a tight fitted shirt. You go and look in the mirror, applying some mascara and tying your hair up into a high ponytail as you hear the shower then stop running. You go out, seeing him sitting on the sofa waiting for you. He smiles at you, standing up

“Shall we, m’lady?” he says with a smile. You nod, locking the door behind you as you both head to his van.

-

You drive to his place. You look at the trailer park houses. He pulls up by one “This is me” you nod as you both get out, heading to the house he enters. “I’ll be as quick as I can. Stay here” you nod, looking around at the place as he wonders into one of the back rooms. About 5 minutes pass and he walks back out. He writes something down on a piece of paper and uses a magnet to hold it up as he puts it on the fridge.

“I’m sorry to be such a pain” he shakes his head, frowning slightly

“You aren’t a pain. Don’t even think for one second you are, ok?” you nod, both heading back to his car. You get in, starting to drive back to your house. “What do you want to do today then?”

“I don’t know. I think we should go and get some snacks and watch films at my house all day. I have some more horror style films that I think you’ll prefer then the one we watched last night” he chuckles

“I did enjoy The Sound of Music. More than I thought I would”

“Perfect. I just need to get you to watch Grease” he chuckle again, flipping you the bird quickly as he drives. When you get back to your place, he goes to your kitchen, opening the fridge. He takes something out, holding up a bottle of beer

“Can I have this?”

“Of course. Alice brought them round last time she was here but I don’t drink very often” he nods, grabbing another one out as well as he comes and sits down on the sofa. You pick out Jaws. Showing it to him as he nods, opening his drink and taking a sip as you start to play the movie. You go and sit next to him, putting your legs underneath you as you then lean your head on his shoulder. You feel him hesitantly put his arm around your waist as you watch the film.

“I thought you didn’t watch horror?”

“I don’t but I can’t force you to watch all my shitty films” he laughs, running his hand up your waist slightly as a comfort thing

“You don’t have to worry about me. Honestly” you jump slightly at the film, dreading how scary it’ll be when the actual horror starts to set in. He lets out a small chuckle, taking a few sips of his beer.

-

The film finishes. You are hiding behind your hands as his arm around your waist has gotten tighter around you. He’s already drunk one, the other sitting unopened. He places the empty bottle on the table. Moving his arm from around you and going over to the TV, ejecting the video. “I’m going to have a smoke. Then film number two?” you nod

“Can we watch a happier film please? With maybe slightly less death” he laugh but nods, grabbing his jacket from the floor he pulls out his cigarettes and lighter. Going to the door and opening it, he stands, placing it into his mouth and lighting it. The door open so you can still see him. He faces you slightly, you’re now lying on the sofa, your shirt risen a bit from the angle you’re in. He traces his eyes over your body before looking back outside. This little detail doesn’t catch your gaze though as you lie on you back. Silence fills the room as you get the occasional waft of smoke hit your nostrils. A few minutes pass and he comes over to you, kneeling down by the head of the sofa and putting his head over the edge as he looks down on you, him appearing upside down due to the angle. His arms resting on the edge of the sofa. You smile up at him

“You stole my seat” he smiles at you as you nod, hiding your face with your hands. He laughs as you peak through your fingers.

“I’m not here”

“Oh no?”

“Nope” you shake your head “no one is here” he laughs, taking your hands in his and moving them from your face

“This human must just be a figment of my imagination then” you nod and bite your lip slightly, his eyes darting down to look at them as he smiles again. Eyes meeting yours. You stay looking at each other for a long while. Him over you, hands still holding yours. You let go of one of his hands, taking a hold of his shirt and pulling him down. Lips onto yours as you kiss him. The hand you let go off comes and goes by the side of your head as he positons himself more over you, the hand keeping him balanced. Your hand stays as a closed fist around his shirt as you slowly kiss each other, the taste of his cigarette and beer lingering on his tongue. The hand holding yours moves slightly, linking his fingers with yours. He pulls away, his eyes scan down the length of your body as he smiles before placing a kiss to your lips again “Come on” you shake your head

“No, I don’t wanna move” you whine out as he laughs

“You need to move, come on” you pout at him, making him laugh more. He lets go of your hand, going over and putting in another film. You watch him as he comes back over, lifting your head up so he can sit underneath you and allowing your head to rest on his lap. He grabs a blanket and puts it over your body, gently stroking your hair as the next film plays.

-

Saturday passes. You continue watching films all day. Waking up Sunday morning, you both have a more practical day. Doing the washing up, tiding the house a bit. You have a shower and then both do your homework. Watch another film as you have time before it gets to about 9pm. He says he should go home. Sadly you agree with him, concluding you’ve had him round yours the whole weekend it’s only fair he goes back to his house before school the next day. You feel a lot happier and safer in your house now, having him staying with you helped calm your nerves.

You see him walking around on Monday and Tuesday, but Wednesday he’s not in your shared history lesson. You shake it off, this wasn’t unusual for him. Thursday comes about and he’s sat beside you during the lesson. One of your friends comes over to you both. “Eddie... can we swap seats?” he looks at her, then looks at you

“Why?”

“So me and Liz can talk to each other” she smiles sweetly at him. “I’ve already asked the teacher and she says its fine, so long as you’re happy to move” he looks away, licking his bottom lip slightly as he looks at her again.

“How about I move up one and you sit with us both?”

“Eddie you don’t ha-” you try and interject

“That works perfectly for me!” she squeals, coming over and sitting in the middle of you two.

Because of this it becomes difficult for you to chat to him. He sometimes asks you still to help him with questions when he doesn’t know the answer but other than that he stays quiet beside you two, listening to you chatting away throughout the lesson.

-

A few months pass of this new seating arrangement. You’re 18th birthday and party happens. Then Halloween. Then Christmas, leading into New Year. Each event having a party. You and Eddie have become distant. You still would acknowledge each other in the hallways but you couldn’t talk like how you normally do due to your friend being between you, literally and figuratively.

So when you walk into the lesson and see the seat between the two of you is empty, you are filled with joy. You sit down, grabbing your books out of your bag and setting them out in front of you. You can feel the boy watching you, his eyes following your hands as you lay everything out. You don’t quite know what to do, should you speak to him. You feel rude ignoring him but what sentence do you open with? ‘Hey sorry I’ve not spoken to you in 5 months, social norms at school suck right?’ It just didn’t seem to sound right in your head no matter how you could word it. You starts anxiously chewing on the end of your pen. He tears a piece of paper from his notebook. Scribbling on it before handing it to you

“Stop chewing your pen. You’ll damage your teeth” you let out a small chuckle, moving the item from your mouth. The teacher talking means she wasn’t paying attention to you and your silent conversation. You draw a very bad middle finger on it, handing it back to him. He looks confused “The fuck is that?”

“My middle finger” he chuckles slightly, muffling it with his hand. The tension between each note filling you with excitement yet dread. He passes the paper back

“Let’s try and be civil humans shall we?” You shake your head slightly at him as he writes again “I guess I’ll start. Hey, how are you?” You smile, biting your lip slightly

“Good thank you. And you?” he nods, eyes scanning the room to see if anyone has picked up on your silent conversation. You write down on the paper an address of some woods near the school “Meet me here around 3. Catch up properly then” he nods, taking the piece of paper and placing it in his pocket.

-

You sit with your back against a tree doing your homework. You are conscious of the time, your shift for work starting in a couple of hours. You hear footsteps approaching you, looking up you see Eddie walking towards you, his eyes looking at the surroundings. You pat the floor next to you as he comes and sits down. His eyes go to the work you’re writing “Do you ever not work?” you shake your head

“Got to stay on top of my grades. Or else my mum will kill me” he chuckles slightly, leaning his head against the tree.

“I’m sorry I’ve been so distant” he says, so soft it’s practically a whisper. You shrug

“I’ve also been neglecting our friendship”

“I just... school is a bad place to talk to people who aren’t in the same social group as you” you nod, halting your pen at his words “and I’m sorry about that”

“I’m sorry I haven’t been making as much of an effort as I probably should be. But I agree, school sucks” he tilts his head as he looks at you

“I have an idea” he grins at you, standing and looking triumphant “how about we screw all that friendship rules shit and we still hang out”

“But-” he puts his finger to his mouth, shushing you

“Sh sh sh. Hear me out. Once a week, say every... Wednesday. We meet here” you smile at his words as he holds his hand out “what do you say, my queen? Fancy hanging out with the freak of Hawkins once a week?” you take his hand as he pulls you up

“I would be delighted to hang out with you. But I don’t see a freak” he looks at you confused. You smile “I see a king”

“Well then m’lady, let us dance as royals shall we” he says in a bad British accent as he starts dancing with you. Singing cheesily as you laugh. You both stop as you smile at each, you brush the hair out of his face

“I’ve missed this”

“Yeah? I suppose I’ve missed it to” you smile and playfully ruffle his hair

“You’re such a dork” he laughs

“What did you say?” you laugh, running away from him as he chases you around some trees. He grabs you by the waist

“Gotcha!” he smiles as he pulls you into him, your back pressed against his body. Your hands go to his wrapped around your middle, feeling his watch

“Oh shit!” you look at your watch. ”I’m sorry I have a shift tonight” he pouts at you as you go over and put your stuff in your bag. “I’ll see you here next Wednesday, yeah?” he nods, both waving to each other as you head to work.

-

Although you don’t talk during school, over the next few weeks you both meet up and chat for an hour or so on Wednesdays. Catching up with the various gossip from each other. Mainly you telling him all the ‘popular people’ gossip and him laughing at you and their problems.

One day as you walk to your meeting spot Alice walks over to you “Who are you going to meet?”

“Excuse me?”

“Well, for a few months you were distant and seemed really down. But over the past month, month and a half you seem a lot happier. Plus you said that you can’t walk home with me on Wednesdays anymore, so I assume you meet up with someone” you stay quiet, eyes focused on the ground.

“I have been meeting up with someone, but please don’t tell people I’m meeting up with someone. Please” you look at her, eyes pleading

“You’re secret is safe with me” she pretends to lock her mouth “Who is it?” you shake your head

“I can’t tell you that. Now I’m going to leave you here and go meet them” you smile at her, waving goodbye as you almost run off.

You get to your spot. Him already being there and lying on the floor “I was worried you weren’t going to turn up”

“Sorry. Alice wanted to speak to me”

“Is she ok?”

“Yeah... she was just- it doesn’t matter” you lie next to him. “I realised we’ve been doing this for about 6 weeks now”

“Have we?”

“Yeah. We started meeting early February and next week is the last week of March”

“Jesus time flies by”

“We’ve not got much longer left at school...” you anxiously grip at your shirt. He notices, placing his hand over yours

“It’s ok. There is nothing to worry about”

“Will we still be friends?”

“Of course! We can still meet up every Wednesday. Or we can ring each other every week, depending on how our adult lives go” you nod as he gently rubs the back of your hand with his thumb, turning his head to face you “You’ll be fine. We’ll be fine”

“I want to leave this place... find my own home somewhere...”

“Hell, can I join?”

“Of course. We can conquer the world” you turn to face him, seeing him looking at you. You smile, silence filling around you as you focus on nothing else, only him. He places a hand on your cheek, gently stroking your cheek bone before leaning in and kissing you. As suddenly as he started, he pulls away. You let out an annoyed huff.

“What was that?” he lets out a chuckle as you cross your arms, making a pretend annoyed face at him

“That was not a long enough kiss” he laughs, kissing you again you can feel him smiling. One of your hands goes and rests on his chest, scrunching his shirt up as you grip onto it. He pulls away as you feel you both needing air.

“Was that better?” you nod, biting your lip slightly as he smiles at you. His thumb still gently tracing you cheek. You lean forward to kiss him again. This time it being a lot more heated as you feel his hand go to your lower back and pull you closer. His hand moves down, resting on your ass cheek as you lift your leg up slightly. His hand strokes down the length of your thigh before rolling you over onto your back. Being able to positon himself between your legs. You bite your lip as he hovers over you, one hand keeping him up and the other still resting on your leg. You feel the one on your thigh move, undoing the button on your jeans. His eyes dart from your crotch to your face as you stay fixed on watching his hand. He agonizingly slowly places it into your trousers. Watching your face as he tries to find that spot through your underwear. He knows he’s found it when you moan out, grabbing a hold of his shoulders

“Shit...” you moan out as he smiles, kissing you again as he rubs slow circles over your clit. Smiling as he can feel you moaning into his mouth. He kisses down, kissing your clothed breasts as he grabs the bottom of your shirt with his teeth and pulls it up over your boobs. Smiling as he starts kissing the parts of them that are shown with your bra on. One of your hands goes to his hair as the other digs into his shoulder “Please...” without needing to elaborate more, you feel his fingers go into your underwear. Slowly rubbing around your entrance before gently pushing into you. You whine out and grip his hair tighter. He sets a steady pace as his mouth continues to attack your chest. He comes back up to be level with you, smiling as you have a look of bliss across your face. He can feel you start to tighten around him

“Are you close beautiful?” you nod as a soft moan leaves your lips. Feeling him chuckle and pull his fingers out of you.

“No! Please!” he laughs slightly evilly as your hand leaves his hair and grabs at his hand again, placing it back over your core as your eyes plead with his. He kisses you again, moving away from your grip as he pulls your trousers down a bit more.

“I want to feel you” you nod, letting him take off your trousers fully. He sits back as you try and be as seductive as you can and open your legs for him whilst maintaining eye contact with him. Your hand trailing down to rub over your needy hole. “Fuck. You’re going to be the death of me” he moans out, leaning forward and kissing you again as you hear him undo his trousers and belt. Your hands go to either side of his face as you feel his tip prodding your entrance. He pushes into you slowly making you dig your nails into the side of his face slightly as you moan into his mouth. Once he’s fully in you he kisses your neck, slowly starting to thrust into you. His hand comes up and grabs your boob, squeezing it as his thrusts start to get faster.

“Eddie... shit” you moan out. His hand that was on your boob goes between your legs, rubbing circles on your clit. Feeling your high approaching you grab his hair, pulling him up so his lips meet yours as you moan into his mouth. “Close. Gonna- please?” he smiles, kissing you again

“Cum for me gorgeous” those words making you go over the edge. You moan out, walls clenching around him as you hit your high. You hide your face in his shoulder as he continues thrusting, a few moments later he pulls out of you and sits up. Releasing himself onto your stomach. He stays sitting up as his eyes trail over your body. Your eyes shut as you come down from your ecstasy. He leans down and kisses you. Your hands coming up and gently resting on his chest. He pulls away, grabbing his bag and grabbing some tissues he cleans you both up. Then helps you place your clothes back on your body as he also makes himself decent again. He lies next to you, taking your hand in his as he brings the back of it up and gently traces it over his lips.

About 10 minutes of silence passes, both just relishing in each other’s presence. Him looking at the sky as your head is titled towards him, your eyes shut. He kisses the back of your hand before speaking “You don’t talk much about your parents or your brother, how are they doing in Canada?”

“Michael rings and writes when he remembers. He’s at college so I understand more why he’s too busy to chat to me...”

“And your parents?”

“My parents promised to ring me every week but they’ve kind of forgotten about me. I get a letter from them once a month with money in to pay for food and bills. But that’s about it” you look away from him, looking up at the trees branches swaying softly in the wind. “I wasn’t a planned child. My parents wanted a boy, a smart boy at that. And they got him. He is naturally smart and kind”

“Is that why you are constantly working?”

“I guess so. Trying to prove to my parents that I can be something other than their mistake child. But it’s difficult. What’s the point in being the most popular, getting good grades, trying to get the hottest guy, having the perfect life... if my parents don’t even acknowledge its existence?”

“Have you got it...?”

“What?”

“The perfect life. Have you succeeded in that?” you turn to face him. Your eyes scanning over his face, the light of the sun making his eyes look beautiful.

“I’d say my life is pretty good at the moment...” he nods as you fiddle with the bottom of your shirt “How about you? What’s your ideal life?” he kisses the back of your hand again before he stands up, dusting the leaves off of him

“Oh I dunno. I want to be some sort of rock star. Being able to play my guitar up with the legends of metal” he pretends to play guitar, making the noises of it as you laugh and sit up slightly to watch him “That’d be pretty cool” he thinks for a moment before leaning against a tree opposite where your lying “I’d also like to have kids. Not many. One maybe two. But have them with the woman of my dreams” you nod as you look up at the sky

“You’d be a good dad I think”

“Really think so?”

“Why wouldn’t you be? Your kind and caring. Look out for other people first. Those are the main qualities of being a good parent right?”

“I guess so... just imagine a tiny Munson running around playing guitar and all sorts of instruments” you laugh

“A teeny tiny you” he nods and chuckles as he outstretches his hands to you

“Come on. It’s getting late. We should get going”

“No I don’t want to”

“Come on. We can’t stay here all night”

“Why not?” he laughs and grabs your hands, pulling you up.

“We just can’t” he grabs your bag and puts it over your shoulder “let’s go. I’ll see you tomorrow in history anyway” you nod as he smiles, kissing your forehead before he walks away waving at you

-

“Someone seems happy” Alice says as she sits next to you at lunch. You look at her slightly, smiling at her before going back to your doodling. “I take it yesterday... went well?” she wiggles her brows at you.

“Oh shut up”. Your other friends all chatting so they don’t pay either of you two much attention as she leans forward to whisper

“Did you two kiss...?” you look at her

“Oh, we did more than that” you say as you pop a sweet into your mouth. She looks shocked at you

“You didn’t?” you nod “No! Who are you and what have you done with my friend?”

“This wasn’t even the first time” you whisper to her

“How many?” you hold up three fingers “Jesus Christ you whore!” she playfully hits your shoulder as you swear at her but grin.

“Come on, I need food. You’re coming up with me” she rolls her eyes as you both get up, heading over to the food counter.

“So who is it then?” she whispers to you “Is it that hunk who plays basketball? What’s his name?”

“Jason?”

“Yeah! Is it him? He looks like your type” you laugh slightly “Well?”

“No it’s not him. Isn’t he dating that Chrissy girl?”

“Yeah but still. He’s hot. Plus you recently got onto the cheerleading team so I thought you might be able to get a piece of that fine man” you laugh

“Firstly it’s not him, main thing being he has a girlfriend. Secondly, even if you guess who it is I’m not telling you”

“You don’t trust your dear friend?”

“I trust you. But I also know how unsubtle you can be. I’ll go to the loo or something and you’ll think I’m hooking up with him”

“You should defiantly do that though. Simple, go and find him and ask him to meet you outside in 10 minutes, get your freak on and then come back in” you try not to laugh at the annoyingly accurate terminology. Before you go to say anything else you both have your food and are ready to go sit at your table, your eyes catching a glimpse of the ringed hand in front of you. Your eyes look up slightly and see Eddie standing in front of you in the line. Shit. As you pay for your food you go to walk. He nearly walks into you both

“Oh sorry” he says and smiles at you both. Alice smiles at him, he gestures for you to walk past and she does. He smiles at you, whispering to you quickly as you go past “she has a good idea. Meet me in 15 out the back of drama” you nod slightly, feeling your cheeks redden as you go and sit with your friend. You sit and eat your food. Your friend talking at you as you keep looking over at his table. You finish eating. Saying you need to use the loo you stand up, heading to the back of the drama studio. You anxiously play with your sleeves as you hear someone cough. You look up, seeing Eddie walking towards you, leaning against the wall. “I didn’t expect you to actually show up”

“Then why did you come here if you weren’t expecting me?”

“It’s a good place to smoke” you nod “But I can certainly think of things I’d rather be doing” he turns to face you, caging you in by his arms, hands pressed on the wall either side of your head. He smiles at you

“Just fuck me already” you say breathlessly as he smiles almost manically at your words. Kissing you as he pulls up your skirt. His hands wasting no time and going into your pants, rubbing over your hole and clit. You moan into his mouth. Hands fumbling at his trousers and getting him hard. He places his hands on your ass, pulling you up as you wrap your legs around him. Feeling him line himself up he enters you. The need to feel each other being greater than the want for foreplay so you breathe through the pain as he pushes himself into you. He uses the wall to try and balance you as he thrusts harshly into your core. One hand on his shoulder and the other goes to your clit. You kiss each other harshly as to try and muffle the noises you both make. You feel your high approaching you. Grinding your hips onto his you feel him hit that spot inside of you. The fact you were doing it at school and could easily be caught by anyone turning you both on more. Letting you get more aroused and closer to your high with every thrust. You grip onto his shoulder as you feel him hitting your g-spot, causing you to moan out at the stimulation as you hit your high. You feel him moan into your mouth as well before feeling him release himself into you. He keeps a hold of you as he parts from your lips, resting his head into your shoulder. “Fuck me...” you say. He chuckles slightly

“I think I just did” you laugh slightly as he lets you go, helping you stand again. You both readjust as you jokingly say

“One day we should sleep with each other in an actual bed” he laughs

“How about tomorrow? You come round mine after school” your eyes widen slightly but you nod. He smiles “I’ll pick you up after your shift then, yeah?” you nod again as he wave’s goodbye at you. You hastily go to the toilet. Cleaning yourself up before heading to your lesson. You sit next to Alice for your science lesson

“Ok students. We are going to be doing an experiment today. Due to our short number of supplies we are going to be joined by one of the other classes” some students walk in. “You’ll be in fours, 2 girls and 2 boys. I’ve already assigned you all your seats and partners. Don’t worry though, I’ve tried to be kind to you all” She starts saying names, pairing people up with friends. 2 friends from one class with 2 friends from the other class. She goes through the whole class before stating “We have an odd number of boys to girls. Elizabeth and Alice, you’ll have Eddie with you ok?” you stop writing notes at the name. He comes and sits down next to you both, smiling at you and Alice

“Hey” Alice smiles

“Oh hey. Think this will be the first time we’ve hung out in school” he nods as he looks slightly confused at her statement “sorry, we played that dungeons game at Liz’s house about a year ago. I’ve had a haircut since so you probably don’t recognise me”

“No I recognise you. Your one of the popular” she nods, nudging you and smiling

“Look at me being known as one of the popular” you laugh slightly

“You’ve always been one of the popular” you look around “I’ll go get the things we need” you walk away. God, why did you have to be paired with him? So soon after you slept with him as well. You grab the things you need, heading back to your workstation. You place it in front of you. Alice looks at you, raising a brow slightly. You look at her confused. “Can I help?”

“No no. I was just wondering something but I’ll ask you later”

“Please don’t feel like you need to censor yourself around me” Eddie speaks up, smiling at you both as he sets up the basis for the experiment. Alice shakes her head

“Trust me, you don’t want to hear the question I’m going to ask her” he nods slightly before shaking his head as he laughs

“It’s your lucky day, we’re one tube down so I’ll go get it and you guys can ‘gossip’” he says the last word in a silly voice as she nods and smiles and he walks away. She leans towards you

“So you took my advice seriously”

“What advice?”

“You. The random mystery guy. Banging before class” you feel your cheeks redden slightly as she smiles “you are walking slightly off. Like someone who’s just done the deed to be precise” she tilts her head at you as Eddie walks back, placing the tube on the table.

“Bam. Another tube. I hope you two had your girl talk”

“Unfortunately yes” he laughs slightly

“Oh that doesn’t sound like it was a fun chat”

“It was fun for me” Alice says wiggling her eyebrows, you roll your eyes. “Pretty fun for Liz to. Different kind of fun though” he looks confused and shocked at her

“Ignore her. She’s an idiot” he nods slowly “Alice, you pour. Eddie you hold the tube at the bottom. I’ll record the reactions” they both nod. You get into the routine. She pours, he holds, you write, then repeat. You need to do this 10 times. It’s pretty easy. Your eyes stay on the tube Eddie is holding. Your eyes gazing over his rings, the slight veins in his skin. Your eyes scan up his arm slightly, seeing his bat tattoo on his arm. You stand and stare practically with your pen hovering over the board. Thinking of those arms around you. How his hand felt between your thighs. Around your neck...

“Liz?” both Eddie and Alice are looking at you. You notice Eddie saying your name

“Sorry. Sorry. In a world of my own” he nods slight

“Give me the pen and paper” he holds his hands out “I can remember the reaction” you hand it to him, your fingers accidently brush his as he takes it from you causing you to blush slightly. The boy is so fixed on writing down the findings he doesn’t notice your slightly flustered state. But Alice notices. She looks at you, then Eddie, then you again.

“Holy shit. No. No?” she looks at you, eyes searching yours for any sort of answer as he stands up tall again

“What happened?” he asks, looking between you both

“Nothing. I just... Remember a detail of some gossip I need to tell Liz later” this statement causes him to roll his eyes slightly

-

You carry on your experiment, the lesson finishes. As you walk home she comes up and links arms with you “So?”

“So what?” she brings her voice down to a low whisper

“You’re screwing Eddie ‘the Freak’ Munson” she turns her head to look at you as you both continue walking “That’s a pretty big deal” as you stay silent she sighs “I want to know the details. Please? I won’t tell anyone I promise” you sigh, rubbing her forehead slightly.

“Ok, ok. So last year when Chris and I broke up I went home and played DnD with Michael and his friends. One of them being... him. We... we kind of made out, but it was more emotional. I mean, I was sad. I think I would’ve made out with anyone he just happened to be around at the time. Then we played DnD again, as in the time you joined us”

“You’d already made out with him by then!” you nod, chuckling slightly as she looks at you in shock

“I’d also had a sex dream about him before that moment but that’s a different story. Anyway, we all played. Then I moved to Canada. I honestly didn’t think I’d see him again. Him being a year older than me I assumed had left school. But then he appeared in my history class, as my work partner. We got told to do a project together to help us have a ‘building exercise’ to get to know each other. Then, one thing led to another and we did a different kind of bonding exercise. The next day I got detention with him and we did some more... project development. When Chris got violent at school that day I invited him round, wanting to have someone in the house with me as I got scared to be on my own and we kissed but that was it. We spent the whole weekend together though. We would then chat during history but Vennesa wanted to sit with me so we stopped talking for a few months, almost half a year until V is ill one day and we agreed that we miss chatting so we decided we should meet up once a week to catch up. Which is what we’ve been doing the past month or so. Nothing happened between us when we met, meeting purely as friends except for last time we met where we...”

“Last time you met... Yesterday? Oh my god, yesterday!” you nod

“Then today he was in front of us and he heard our conversation and he said that it sounded like a good idea so we... as well”

“Jesus Christ you guys are like rabbits” you laugh slightly, you feel your face has gone bright red at the over detailed story.

“We have plans to meet tomorrow as well, after school. I’m going back to his”

“You get it girl. You deserve this” you nod, biting your lip slightly “Are you staying round his?” you shrug

“I’m not sure... I don’t want to force myself onto him” she nods

“You’re going to get laid three days in a row. That’s impressive” you nod

“I didn’t even have that when I was dating someone” you both laugh “I need to go to work. Please don’t tell anyone. I mean it”

“Your dirty little secret is with me” she smiles as you wave goodbye to each other, you heading to work and her heading home

-

You don’t think about it. Assuming he was half joking yesterday when he said about today. That was until he slipped you a note after your history lesson together saying ‘I’ll meet you outside of work. 7:30pm’ that was your first lesson and you’ve been anxious the whole day. Knowing that you will be going to Eddie’s house, and knowing what’ll likely happen. The past few times you’d hooked up was a surprise, spontaneous but this time was... different. This wasn’t a heat of the moment thing. It excited you but you also couldn’t help but feel nervous. At school you could hide it better, doing work and concentrating on taking notes rather than talk to your friends.

But at work it was more difficult to hide. You spill several cups of coffee, get orders mixed up and all sorts. Near the end of your shift your boss tells you that you can go home early. It was a quiet night so he wasn’t bothered if you left 15 minutes earlier than normal. You nod, grabbing your things and heading out to the car park to wait for your lift. Thankfully you see his van already pulled up. You go over, knocking on the door before getting in “you’ve finished early?” he queries. You nod

“My boss said I could leave early. I kept messing up today” he nods, reversing the car and starting to drive back to his place. “Thank you for the lift” he shrugs

“Anything for you beautiful” you smile slightly. Eyes focused on the world passing by you. You get to his trailer. He hops out, doing a light jog around to your side of the car as he opens it, gesturing for you to exit “my queen, your destination” you smile as he helps you out of the van. Going over and unlocking the front door, letting you go before him. He goes into the kitchen part of the trailer “Anything to eat or drink?”

“No thank you” he nods, going into the fridge and grabbing a beer

“You mind if I-?” he waggles the bottle in his hand

“Go ahead” he nods, opening it before taking a sip. You start to play with your sleeves. Pulling the fabric over your hands and clutching it in your fists. He notices, eyes scanning over your body. He comes over to you, placing his drink on the side. He takes your balled fists into his hands, kissing each one

“You don’t need to be worried or anxious. It’s just me” he smiles at you as you nod, looking down “come on” he gently turns you and pulls you onto the sofa sitting you down before going over to a small stack of videos. He holds up a film ‘The Shining’. “Sorry I don’t have any... less horror films. But this is a good story and I think you’ll like it” you nod and smile slightly

“I’ve read the book of it. It’s a good story. I didn’t know they made a film”

“You read Stephen King?”

“Of course I do! He is a horror icon. I do a lot better reading horror then watching it” he laughs slightly, putting the video into the player and coming and sitting next to you again

“You always find new ways to surprise me” you chuckle slightly, resting your head on his shoulder and bring your legs up curled underneath you. He places one arm on the back of the sofa, the other wraps around your torso and rests gently on your hip. You feel your nerves calm down a bit as you start to watch the film. Well, until the scary parts happen anyway.

You find that by the end of the film you are so curled into Eddie’s chest that you fear you may merge into him. Both your hands gripping his shirt as if you’re holding onto dear life. The movie finishes and you make no attempt to move, still clutching him. “I can never tell if you enjoy horror films or not”

“I can’t tell either” he laughs slightly, the arm that’s not wrapped around you comes up and strokes your arm for comfort.

“Come on, it’s quite late. We should head to bed. Assuming you’re ok to stay the night?” he says the last part shyly. You nod

“I do have a confession to make. I didn’t actually pack anything for tonight” he nods

“Stay right here” he stands up and goes to what you assume is his bedroom. He comes back with a shirt, throwing it at you “Its clean I promise” you sarcastically sniff it before nodding

“Yeah I’ll let you off” he smiles bowing at you slightly to show his affections of your approval. You stand up, heading to the bathroom. Changing into it you debate taking your bra off. Deciding to leave it on as well as your pants from earlier. You walk out, it being slightly big on you so hiding your underwear slightly. He turns to face you, the smile on his face being cut off as his eyes see your body in his oversized ‘Hellfire’ t-shirt. He coughs slightly, looking away

“I even changed my sheets for you to stay in my bed and everything”

“Is that why you were late to history this morning”

“It might be” you laugh, then cover your mouth as he clutches his heart, throwing his head back dramatically and falling onto the sofa “Your laughing hurts Liz” you grab a cushion from the sofa and hit him with it. He grabs your thigh, pulling you onto him as you squeal

“No that tickles!” he grins, tickling your thigh and then your sides as you wriggle, falling to lie on the sofa as your hands try and grab at his to stop him from tickling you “No this isn’t sleeping!” you laugh as you grab his hands, managing to hold them away as you pant, breathless from laughing to much. He smiles at you as he then stands up.

“Let me show you my room then” you raise an eyebrow to him “not like that” you chuckle as you stand up, him taking you to the end room. Motioning at his bed “Your bed awaits” You go over to it, collapsing onto it. He smiles, blowing you a kiss “Good night my fair maiden”

“Are you not sleeping in here with me?” you ask, his eyes growing wide “You don’t have to!” you suddenly say “don’t feel forced to. I just... proper sleepover we can sleep in the same room together. Plus with how our friendship is, is it really that obscene for us to share a bed” he nods and chuckles. Turning away from you he takes his shirt off. Your eyes scan his back quickly before looking away. You hear him taking his trousers off before reassuring you

“I am wearing my pants to clarify” as he gets under the duvet next to you. You smile as you turn to him, he faces you as well. “I heard you got on the cheering team” you nod slightly

“Yeah. I’m shit at it but it helps boost my academic-ness so it’s better than nothing”

“You work too hard”

“No such thing”

“Really? When was the last time you had a full 8+ hours sleep without needing to be up and ready for work or school the next day”

“Well… When you put it like that” he chuckles

“I know. Tomorrow we relax. Do absolutely fuck all day”

“Wont your uncle be here?”

“He’ll be asleep for the day so he can work during the night. He won’t mind if you stay the weekend if that’s more what you’re asking”

“So this small sleepover has turned into a whole weekend business?” you raise your eyebrow at him as he nods and chuckles

“But with no homework. No work. Just us two living like the royalty we are” you laugh and nod happily

“I like this plan” he smiles, turning to switch the light off.

“Goodnight my queen”

“Goodnight Eddie”

-

You wake up about 9 the next morning. You turn and see Eddie still fast asleep next to you. You stand up, going to the bathroom. Rinsing your mouth slightly with water, going to the loo and washing your face. Going back into the room you go over and look at all the items he has. Picking up various tapes from artists, admiring his guitar hanging up over his mirror, checking out his posters. You hear a faint mumble of a “good morning” coming from him. Looking over at him he hides his face with the base of his elbow. Before he sits up, the duvet falling onto his lap as he rubs his face. Reaching across and drinking some water to fully wake himself up he turns to face you properly. His eyes devour your body as he meets your face. You smile at him

“You know, you still owe me a tattoo”

“Do I?” you nod

“Yep. You promised me a tattoo a few months ago. Well, more like said you do me a tattoo” he nods, reaching into the bedside cabinet and pulling out a needle and some ink, plus a lighter and a cigarette. He places it in his mouth, lighting the end. Before he then lights the end of the needle, watching it glow a red colour. He grabs a tissue and the water from the cup, dabbing the end so it cools down but stays sterilised. He motions at you to sit on the bed to which you do.

“Where and what do you want then?” you bite your lip slightly, holding your wrist out.

“A sun please” he nods

“You sure?” you nod, feeling him take your wrist in his hand and dipping the end into some ink. His eyes look at yours “You ready?” you nod as he begins tattooing your wrist. You bite your lip as he jabs at your arm. Thankfully it’s over rafter about 10 minutes. You smile at him

“Thank you...” he smiles

“You’re very welcome” he grabs the wet tissue and wipes the access ink away. Kissing the tattoo very gently before releasing your arm again. “I’m still tired” he complains, you chuckle as he lies back down. You go and sit next to him, gently stroking his hair as he closes his eyes. His hand comes up and you feel his fingers gently strokes your bare thigh. You feel that his testing the waters, his hand moving further up your leg and more between your legs rather then the outside.

“What are you doing, Munson?” he opens his eyes and smiles at you, resting his now still hand on top of your thigh.

“How are you going to explain the tattoo to your friends on Monday?” he says as he takes your hand with the hand not resting on your leg, tracing the palm of it.

“I’m going to tell them I wanted a tattoo so got one”

“And this one?” his hand on your thigh goes to the butterfly higher up your leg, his fingers traces the skin.

“Hopefully no one will see that one”

“Why not?” he smirks

“Because it’s in a very private place on my body”

“Yet I get to see it?” he smiles, kissing the butterfly “You spoil me” you chuckle slightly as you run a hand through his hair.

“We should get dressed at some point today” his finger still tracing your bare thigh as he smiles

"I mean we don’t have to. We don’t need to confine to societies norms and wear clothes”

“You’re only saying that because you want me to keep my legs bare art you?” he grins at you as he kisses your thigh again. You roll your eyes at him slightly as he stands up, just wearing his boxers from yesterday. He grabs some trousers and places them on, looking sadly at the cigarette that lies forgotten in the ashtray by his bed. You look at him as he goes through his shirts, trying to find one that’s clean. His back facing you as you scan over his body. He finds a clean one, placing it over his body as he looks at you.

“May I help?”

“Sorry” you look away, feeling shy at being caught staring at him. He chuckles, finding another clean top he throws it at you

“I assume you also don’t have clean clothes with you so you can borrow mine” you nod

“Can you um, turn around please” he nods, covering his eyes and turning his back to you as you take off your top - more his you suppose - and replace it with the clean one he has given you. You then reach under the covers, taking your pants off and turning them inside out as you then look around your room, standing up and going over to where your trousers where you put them on “You can look now” he turns back around as you do up the button and zip.

“You look good in a band t-shirt”

“You think?” you twirl for him as he nods, admiring the slightly big ‘Iron Maiden’ shirt. “So what are the plans for today then?” you ask as you look at him “You told me I’m not allowed to do any work so I’m not even going to suggest what I want to do today” he chuckles and shakes his head “We could go to the arcade!”

“Do you really want to be seen with me in public?”

“Should it matter?” you look at him as he nods slightly

“I don’t want to be the reason your reputation at school goes down”. You smile and take hold of his hand

“If it worries you that much, I know the people who own it. They won’t mind if I ask them to let us have a private party for a couple of hours” he nods slightly “Shall we my king?”

“Yes we shall my queen” he squeezes your hand, quickly writing a note for his uncle before you both get into his car.

Once you get there you go up to the staff, explaining you want to have the place to yourself and a friend for a few hours. Saying you’re sure you dad will pay them any money loss. They agree, asking you to come back in half an hour as they can’t just throw everyone out straight away.

Half an hour passes and you both head up, them letting you in as you run up to your favourite game, grabbing out a few coins and putting them into the machine as it starts up. He lets out a laugh as he looks around, the place empty other than a few security people. “I can’t believe you have the power to do this”

“The joys of having rich parents. They may not know anything about their own daughter but if I want something I tend to get it” you frown as you lose hearing him laughing as you die after no more than two minutes. “Oh like you could do any better” he chuckles and nods

“Watch the pro do it” he takes the game, completing it in one attempt. You glare at him, grabbing the hairband from your wrist you tie your hair up “Oh she’s getting serious now” you grin at him as you go through, dying again after three minutes this time.

“I’m shit at this. Why did you have to destroy me?” he laughs

“Let me help” you nod sadly, him coming behind you as he helps move your hands to escape the destruction of the enemy. You smile as you win, starting to dance happily as you move to the next game. This time you have an upper hand, completing it in your first attempt as he struggles with his third. You go over to a claw machine, looking at the plushies inside. “I can get you one if you want?”

“Oh don’t be silly. I don’t expect you to do that for me” he shakes his head, taking out a few coins and going to the machine “honestly its fine. They are massively rigged so I don’t expect you to be able to win” he nods, his tongue coming out slightly as he concentrates. You watch as the claw goes down, missing the item. His brow furrows as he places in a few more coins. The crane goes across, he eyes it up as he pushes the button for it to lower. It grabs the teddy bear, lifting it all the way up as you watch in awe as the small plush gets dropped down the shoot. He smiles and takes it out the machine, handing it to you as he smiles

“A gift worthy for a royal” you smile, nearly making him fall over as you suddenly hug him. He chuckles as you pull away, taking the small item from his hand and smiling at it.

“He’s lovely”

“What will you call him?”

“Fred”

“That’s a good name” you nod, gently stroking over the bears ears as you then hold the bear to your chest, smiling at Eddie

“Thank you” he smiles

“Anything to see that smile of yours”

“Oh stop it” you say.

You spend the next few hours playing games in the arcade. Then about 1:30pm you go and get some chips, taking them back to his house and eating them on the sofa. “I want to play a game”

“What game would that be?”

“I don’t know. I just want to play a game” you think for a moment “would you rather fight a bear or fight horse”. He thinks for a moment before answering

“A horse. Bears can climb trees, horses cant” you laugh

“Now you go”

“Would you rather... have a duck the size of an elephant or an elephant the size of a duck?”

“Duck sized elephant. That would be so cute!”

“Go on a date with Jason Carver or go on a date with Steve Harrington?”

“Jump of a cliff” you hit his arm slightly as he laughs “Ok. Probably Steve. I know first-hand Jason’s a dick. Steve only seems like one, but I’ve not witnessed it first-hand. Date with Nancy Wheeler or what’s that girls name in the school band...” he thinks for a moment before snapping his fingers “Robin Buckley! Who’d you rather go on a date with?”

“Robin”

“No hesitation with that one” he laughs as you swear at him

“Shut up” you rest your head against the back of the sofa as he stands up, going to the fridge and grabbing a beer out

“You want one?” you bite your bottom lip slightly before nodding

“Go on then” he grabs one for you, coming back over and handing it to you. You open your drink and take a sip.

You continue chatting as you both get a little bit tipsy from your 4th drink “How high is your body count?” you turn to face him “You don’t have to tell me I just... I’m curious” he nods and thinks for a moment before answering

“Five. No, six now including you. I will not tell you who the other five are”

“Is it anyone I know?”

“I’m not telling you” he pauses as he eyes you up slightly “What’s your body count?”

“Two″

“Really?” you nod

“I slept with Chris and then you. No one else. I’ve kissed a few people but not done anything else other than that”

“Mines seven actually. One of the times I slept with two people” you look at him in shock

“You had a threesome?”

“Yeah”

“Who with?” you smile and lean close to him. He shakes his head

“Never telling you that. I will always be happy to say in detail everything I’ve done apart from who I’ve done it with. It wouldn’t be fair on them” you nod slightly

“I can’t believe that you’ve had a threesome...”

“It’s quite fun. Id recommend it”

“Who would I have it with? I can’t exactly go up to someone and say ‘hey want to have sex with me and this random person’“

“Why not? It’s what they did to me”

“Ok you have to go into details now”

“So I was seeing this girl for a few weeks. We’d meet up and we’d... you know. In her car outside her parents’ house every night. She really wanted to piss them off, I don’t know why. But after like two weeks she came up to me and asked me to meet her in the woods. I agreed, thinking she was going to end it with me. I met up with her and she had her friend. She said she wanted to help show her virgin friend how to have sex properly as shed recently gotten a new boyfriend. So we... and then she stopped seeing me a week later” he looks at you as you stare at him in shock

“You had a threesome in a woods with Bella?”

“How do you know who I’m talking about?”

“She was one of my best friends when we were 16. She said she didn’t know what to do, so our other friend - can’t remember her name - said she was seeing this guy and had help her out. I can’t believe that was you” you see his cheeks are slightly red

“I can’t believe she said that”

“She never said it was you, it’s only now I’m filling in the blanks. Its either that or she had a threesome under very similar circumstances to you” he laughs “For reference, she wanted to get back at her parents because her mum was dating this new guy that she claimed kept judging her for how she dressed so she wanted to date a ‘bad boy’ to get him annoyed. They ended up running away together. I got a letter from her saying she was living with him but couldn’t disclose what city”

“Ew”

“Yeah it’s a gross one... she was 18 when they ran away together to clarify. Still bad but slightly less gross. But only slightly” he nods

“That’s why she broke up with me?” you nod

“Yep. She was fucking a man twice her age. You were just too young for her” he laughs then proceeds to drink the rest of his drink.

“You dated her for three weeks... She was her happiest when she was dating you”

“Really?” you nod

“She always seems annoyed. Then she started seeing this guy who I know now was you, she practically changed into a new person” you look at him “My theory is, and I had this theory when you two were a thing so no judgment because I didn’t know you then ok?” he nods “I reckon that she had always gotten so close to an orgasm when she was with a man but they could never get her all the way. Then when she dated you, you helped her get to her high so all the tension her body had suddenly went away. Basically, you were the best fuck shed ever had” he nods and laughs

“That is a good theory” you smile as he thinks for a moment. “You know something though. She wasn’t the best I’ve had”

“Really? She always said she was good in bed”

“Yeah, she was lying” you laugh

“Why do we always end up talking about smutty things? Let’s talk about something else. Kittens, rainbows, something like that” he laughs

“I mean, this weekend was planned around you saying we need to sleep together in an actual bed” you feel your cheeks start to turn red

“Yeah well... shut up” he smiles “Are you going to prom next week?”

“I wasn’t planning on it. I went to last year’s one, it’s not really my sort of thing” you nod “Are you hoping for prom queen?”

“Of course I am. Isn’t that every ones dream?”

“You mean every girls dream”

“No I’m sure if I said to some of my male friends they could be prom queen they’d be happy with that” he laughs

“Think. Prom then only two more months of school before we break up and leave that shit hole” you lean towards him. Brain foggy from the alcohol as you stay about an inch away from him

“Promise we’ll still be friends?” he nods as he turns to face you and smiles.

“I promise. I don’t think we will ever not be friends” you smile as you lean in to kiss him. Beer heavy on his tongue as your mouths connect. Pulling away, you stay leaning near him. He smiles at you as your eyes meet his. You feel butterflies in your belly as he leans forward and kisses you again, harder this time but with more passion. He gently snakes his arms around your waist, holding you up as he stands. Your legs and arms wrapping around him as he walks to the bedroom. He opens his door, shutting it behind him with his shoulder as you continue to kiss. He lies you down on the bed, body caging yours as your lips never part. You feel one of his hands go to your leg, starting to rub it and squeeze it gently through your jeans.

“Eddie...?” he pulls away slightly, looking at you and smiling slightly

“Yes?” he mockingly asks you

“I need you...” he grins, kissing you and then your neck. He starts to make his way down when there’s a knock at the door.

“I’m going to work” you hear his uncle call through the door. He gets off of you, going over to the door and opening it. Exchanging goodbyes with him as he leaves. You sit up, gently tracing over your new tattoo as you feel yourself blush from being nearly caught. He looks back at you

“Sorry about that...” you shrug

“It’s a good thing he didn’t knock in like five minutes time, huh?” he chuckles slightly. Your eyes scan his body, he seems relaxed still. You bite your lip slightly “You know... it’s awfully warm in your room...” he watches as you unbutton your jeans and slowly pull them off of your body. He smiles as he watches “Do you agree?” he nods, taking the bottom of his shirt and pulling it over his head. He then kneels at the end of the bed, holding the ends of your pants

“Here let me help you. Its only right I help you cool down in my house, right?” you smile as he removes your underwear. Leaning down between your legs as you wrap your arms around his neck as you both kiss each other. He smiles into your mouth, your neediness turning him on more. He pulls away momentarily as he takes your shirt off, hands groping your boobs through your bra. He smiles as he goes behind your back, undoing the last piece of clothing covering you and removing it. He looks at your now fully nude body. “Holy shit...” he murmurs before he leans down and starts attacking your nipple with his mouth. You moan out, rutting your hips slightly against him. He continues to attack your breasts, kissing all over them, sucking and biting them gently as you feel his finger come down and start to circle your clit. You grip his hair, biting your lip as you move your hips against his finger.

“Eddie... fuck... Oh Eddie...” he comes up and starts kissing your neck. You keep a firm grip on his hair, the other coming up and harshly tracing down his arm. He lets out a small moan, one slightly muffled as he stays kissing your neck. He easily pushes a finger into you causing you to moan out and grip his forearm. He smiles as he puts another finger into your hole, slowly dragging them along you g-spot. You reach down, grabbing a hold of his wrist as he fingers you. Your hips moving in a rhythm with him. Using his thumb he starts to rub circles on your clit. “Oh shit. Shit. Please. Please Eddie” he smiles, continuing the motion

“You gonna cum for me?” you nod, biting your lip

“Talk to me... please... I want to hear you...”

“Look at how desperate you are. You act like a touch starved whore. Getting off on my fingers. So pathetic” that’s it. The degradation hitting you and making your orgasm wash over you. You moan out as his fingers keep going, helping you through your orgasm. But they keep going at the same pace once you come down from your high. You let out a whine, hands feebly grabbing at his hand that’s still working inside of you. He smiles evilly as he kisses you. "I reckon we can get another one out of you, hmm?” he kisses your temple as he continues “come on beautiful, fuck yourself on my fingers. Let me feel that tight little cunt of yours” you moan at his words, curling to hide into him as he continues. Your hips moving as the overstimulation soon becomes pleasurable once again. Your second orgasm hitting you soon after. “Such a good girl for me” he kisses all over your face as his fingers move out of you. You grab at his trousers, undoing his belt buckle as he kisses over your face. You undo the belt and his trousers, he takes them off. He reaches to his bedside cabinet, grabbing out a condom packet. You shake your head

“I’m on the pill still... I’m ok... if you are...?” he nods, placing the packet down. Embracing you in a kiss again as he teases your entrance with his tip. You feel him push into you, you grab his forearms as he stretches you out. He lets you adjust to him, your nails digging into his arms. The past couple of times you’ve done it with him you’ve had to be rushed, not being able to fully enjoy how he feels inside of you. So you were taking the time to feel the stretch he causes on your body. You feel his hand come up, gently holding your face by the jaw as he turns you to face him properly. Kissing you softly as he starts to thrust in and out of you. You moan into his mouth, hands still gripping onto his arms. He pulls away from the kiss, looking at how your mouth is slightly parted. Your eyes closed and your brow furrowed from the pleasure. He tilts your head to the side, allowing him easy access to your neck. He licks a stripe from your collarbone to the base of your ear. You tighten around him, not realising that that small action would turn you on so easily.

“Jesus. You feel so good...” he fastens his pace, hand moving down to rub your clit as he kisses you again.

“Gonna-Gonna cum. Eddie. Eddie please” he smiles, kissing your jawline as he whispers near your ear

“Let me hear you scream...”

“Oh fuck, Eddie” you practically yell. He keeps kissing your jaw as he works for his high. The stimulation being a lot for you as he continues to work into you. He kisses all over your face as his hips begin to lose rhythm. Praises falling from his lips as you let out small whines from him using your sensitive hole. Soon afterwards he pushes all the way inside you. Causing you to let out a satisfied moan as you feel him filling you up. He keeps kissing your face as he comes down from his high. Giving you a lot of praise before he slowly pulls out of you. Standing up he gently parts your legs, watching as a he sees both your juices leave your little hole. You smile at him, moving a hand down to your core and spreading apart as best you can “filled me up so good...” you tiredly say.

“Fuck...” he whispers out, watching as you dip your fingers slightly into your hole. His eyes meet yours as you smile at him. Your eyes half shut as you take the two fingers that where playing with yourself and place the two digits into your mouth. “Are you... do you want me...?” you smile at him and shake your head

“I just wanted to tease you...” he chuckles as he places his pants back onto his body, grabbing the shirt you wore last night again and going to place it over your torso before he grabs a damp cloth and cleans you up. You flinch slightly as he cleans you up but he gently rubs your thigh as he keeps praising you. He tosses the cloth to the side, coming to lie down next to you. Bringing you close to him as he gently strokes your hair. You rest your head on his chest as your hand gently traces over the tattoos on his body. He kisses the top of your head

“My queen...” he gently says as you cuddle into him more.

“My king” you say in response. “We can’t fall asleep now... it’s too early. We should stay awake” he nods, gently tracing your arm that’s resting over him.

“How do you propose we do that?” you look at the door to the rest of the house.

“Two seconds” you give him a quick kiss as you stand up, a little wobbly but you try not to let it show as you go and grab your bag. Fred the Bear now sitting on top of it. You smile as you take the bag and the toy into the bedroom again, sitting cross legged on the bed you go through your bag. Pulling out a book. You pull him up slightly, grabbing the pillow from under him and resting it against the wall, leaning back against it. He sits next to you, also leaning against the wall. You place Fred between you two, but nestle close to him so you can lean against him slightly as a he puts an arm around you. You open the book and start reading.

You continue reading to him, then going and getting some food you both eat on the sofa. Before it gets too late you both head back into his room. Where you now lay, his body between your legs as his head rests on your stomach. His arms wrapped around your body as you gently play with his hair. You both eventually fall asleep like this, waking up the next morning in the same position. This time he’s awake before you, finger gently tracing over the tattoo on your leg. He looks up at you, smiling as he sees your sleepy face. He kisses your stomach through the t-shirt, going to the kitchen and making you both some coffee as you stretch. He comes in, handing you a mug as he drinks his. Once you both finish he looks at you, smiling as he leans forward and starts kissing your neck. Gentle and soft kisses along your jawline and throat. “Eddie...” you breathlessly whisper out as he keeps planting kisses. He pulls your shirt down slightly, kissing your collarbones. You feel him smile against your skin before he moves up, planting a kiss to your lips before standing up

“Do you have all your homework things with you today?” you think then nod, pointing at your bag as he smiles. “We should probably do it then, as I imagine some of its due in tomorrow”

“Unfortunate. Can I borrow your shower first?”

“Go ahead” he goes over to a wardrobe and grabs out a towel. Handing it to you as you shyly look at him

“Do you have another shirt I can borrow please?” he smiles and nods, going over to a pile and grabbing one out. Sniffing it and making a disgusted face, throwing it on the ground he grabs another one and sniffs that one. He hands it to you as you take it, grabbing your trousers from the floor you head to the bathroom.

-

You spend all day at his house, both working on homework together before he gives you a lift back home. You realise when you get to yours that you’re still wearing his shirt. “Shit I’m sorry dude”

“It’s fine. Keep it. It looks better on you then it does me”

“Oh no I can’t do-”

“I insist. Even if you don’t wear it, you can give it to Fred” he playfully boops the cuddly bears nose that’s sticking out of your bag.

“Thank you Eddie” you smile, hugging him tightly before you head into your house. Placing your bag down and taking the bear out of it. Going over to your desk and placing the fluffy creature on top.

-

Soon enough it’s your prom. Although people had asked you to be their date you wanted to go with your friends so declined them. You wore a light pink dress that went down to the floor. Being held up by two straps, lace sleeves adorned your arms. The top of the dress was a relatively scandalous v cut for the time period but that didn’t bother you. The top half was quite slim fitting as well, gong out a bit more at the bottom as it complimented your figure. You wore two slightly heeled shoes underneath. Both matching the dress colour with a little red rose on top of the strap that went over your toes. You had a necklace on with a small heart. Your gran had got it for you for your 18th birthday. You had a few rings on your fingers, one on you thumb and one on your pinkie.

Getting a ride with Alice and V plus one of your male friends you meet the other 5 at the prom. You all go over to place your vote for who should win, before going and starting to dance. You mention that you’re going to get a drink, heading over to where they were being served and grabbing one. That’s when you see Eddie. Hess standing awkwardly with one of his friends near the door. He looks around, saying something to his friend as they both walk over to the drinks stand as well. His friend speaks up, this is one who you’ve not spoken to before but you recognise him from you maths class. “You look beautiful today Elizabeth” he compliments you. You smile at him, your eyes catching Eddies

“Thank you. I made this dress myself”

“Oh really? It’s wonderfully done”

“Thank you. I didn’t think proms where your kind of thing”

“I wanted to come here and check out who won prom king and queen. I think its all nonsense but I’m still intrigued by it. Eddie here was the only one who agreed to come with me” he pats his shoulder, smiling at him as you chuckle slightly.

“It was lovely chatting with you both. I need to go back to my friends though” you smile and wave at them, heading back over to Alice who raises an eyebrow at you.

“I swear if you go off and screw your lover boy on prom night and leave me here alone” you laugh and shake your head

“I won’t leave you alone just to get some action. I’ll wait until the after party and you’re passed out from drinking before I get some action” she laughs, swearing at you as well. You take her to the dance floor, dancing away as ABBA comes on.

Soon they hush you all down, quieting the music. “Time to announce prom king and queen” he announced a king. Someone who you know but haven’t spoken too much. You think he’s on one of the sports teams. Prom queen. Although you had guess some people had voted for you, you never would’ve guessed you would actually win. But when you hear your name be called you can’t believe it. Going up and having the crown placed on your head felt magical and being given a small bouquet. You go back down from the stage. Alice hugging you and all your friends congratulating you. Various people coming up and saying well done. You notice Eddie standing by the drinks bowl, not seeming to have moved. He catches you looking at him so you smile slightly. He smiles back, head motioning at the door as he walks.

“I need to go get some air. I’ll be back” you smile at your friends as they nod. You head outside, looking around briefly you can’t see anyone as it’s too dark. You hear a cough behind you, turning around you see someone light their lighter in the darkness, lighting the end of a cigarette. You walk over, smiling as your eyes can now make out the long haired boy.

“Congrats on winning prom queen”

“Thank you” you lean your back against the wall as you stand next to him “I’m glad you’re here”

“Really?” you nod “Whys that?”

“You’re a good friend of mine and I want to have all my friends near me on a day like today”

“May I see the crown?” you nod, gently removing it from your head and passing it to him. He holds it with one hand, the other lightly tapping the ash onto the floor of his cigar. “It’s very beautiful, more so up close” he hands it back to you as you place it on your head again. “I see why people want it so badly”

“Plus I got flowers which is always good” he laughs slightly but nods in agreement.

“You look very beautiful today, Liz”

“Thank you. You’re looking very handsome yourself” he smiles at your words

“Now you’re just saying things to be kind” you shake your head

“By far one of the handsomest men at this prom I do dare to say” he smiles more, looking at the floor through his shyness

“I suppose you actually are my queen now, hmm?”

“How so?”

“Well, you’ve been crowned now officially” he smiles at you, his hair half covering his face as he looks at you through it. You smile at him

“You know, you should really bow down to this queen” you jokingly say, but in true fashion, he bends down. Kneeling before you and looking up at you

“I am but a mere slave to you, your highness” he grins at you as you giggle slightly, holding a hand out to help him up which he takes. Finishing the last of his cigarette he throws the butt on the floor, treading on it to put it out properly. “You should head back in. They’ll wonder where their queen has gone otherwise”

“You sure?” he nods

“I just wanted to personally congratulate you today rather then wait for Wednesday when we meet up” you nod and smile

“I’ll see you Wednesday then” he nods and waves at you as you head back inside. Going back over to your group of friends and hanging out with them for the rest of the night. Going back to Alice’s for an after party as well.

-

The weekend goes by and you wait in your usual spot for Eddie. You lie down, watching as the clouds go past you. You don’t realise what the time is so when he walks over to you apologising for being ten minutes late you shake your head “I didn’t even realise what the time was. Too busy daydreaming” he nods as you pat the floor next to you. He comes and lies down next to you, looking up at the sky as well. You point at one of the clouds “I think that one looks a little bit like a cat” he nods slightly

“Like a cat wearing a top hat” you look, then laugh as you see it.

“Hess Mr Fluff reporting for duty. He’s an investigator of crime, sniffing out the bad guys. Literally and figuratively” he chuckles pointing at another cloud

“There’s Miss Blossom. His sidekick rabbit. You see, he pretends like he’s the lead investigator but she’s really the one who notices all the small clues” you smile and laugh, nodding in agreement. “Oh no Miss Blossom I don’t think it was the rats that committed that crime” he puts on a low voice “I ate all the rats yesterday and this was committed only a few hours ago” he changes his voice to a more high pitched and feminine one “well you see now, I don’t think you did. I think what you had for breakfast yesterday was a family of mice instead” you smile and turn to look at him, laughing slightly as he continues his obscure story of the animal detectives. Donning various ridiculous voices for them all as he goes through the whole crime and finding the criminal.

“I can’t believe it was the neighbour!”

“Neither can I. Who’d of thought the dog would murder that poor sheep just because he hid his bone” you nod and chuckle

“Please don’t ever change Eddie Munson. For anyone” he smiles slightly

“I wasn’t planning on it” he kisses your nose “my beautiful queen” you smile at him as you turn to face him, placing a hand on his cheek you kiss him. He smiles into the kiss as he takes a hold of your shoulders and pulls you closer to him. He pulls away, eyes looking over your face as he traces your features. His finger gently tracing over your forehead, then your cheeks, your chin and lips, going to trace your nose before he gently boops you and smiles.

“Good. Because you are perfect exactly how you are...” you smile and kiss him again as he smiles into the kiss. His hands rests on the side of your face as he speaks to you, your hands gently stroking his forearms.

“So about our meeting next week...”

“Yeah?”

“I said to the guys I’d do a dungeons and dragons session with them and the only day they are all free is Wednesday. I’m really sorry but can we skip next week’s meet up?” you nod and smile at him

“Of course! You need to go and get them to kill the evil guy you create. Or you need to kill them. I’m not too sure of which one I’m meant to be rooting for” he laughs

“Typically not the character that wants to destroy the world”

“Why don’t you make a nice game? One where the main goal is to find a cupcake shop for the unicorn royalty or something” he laughs again as you look at him and smile slightly “I’m being serious!”

“I know you are. It just wouldn’t be the same”

“Oh no? I bet I could make a great game where it’s completely peaceful and no one dies”

“Oh really?”

“Really” you smile as he kisses you again

“Ok, so next week you come to our campaign and host it. Luckily for you we’ve finished our recent game so we need a new one to start” you feel your cheeks turn red

“Oh I don’t know how to do that”

“I thought you said you could do it?”

“I said I could do it. I didn’t say I could do it well. Also I have no idea what I’d be doing and with your friends I’d 100% make a fool of myself and call something by the wrong name or accidently say something wrong and then your friends would judge me”

“My friends won’t judge you”

“Yes they will. Your new friends don’t like me”

“My new friends don’t know you”

“Exactly why they hate me” he chuckles and kisses you

“It’s ok. You don’t have to play with them”

“Good. Good...” he smiles and kisses you again, then grinning as he plants kisses all over your face in quick succession. You laugh “Eddie!” you squeal as he attacks your face. He grins as he pulls away. You glare at him but smile. “Come here... I have a secret for you...” he goes close to you, you take his face with your hands. Turning his head and licking from the base of his jaw up to his temple “sweet revenge” you whisper in his ear before quickly getting up and running over to a tree, smirking at him

“Oh hell no” he stands up quickly, chasing you as you run. “I just want to chat Liz”

“No you don’t!” you say in a high pitched manner, moving as he goes to grab you. Smiling as you dodge him. He smiles, holding his hand out to shake yours

“Truce” you narrow your eyes at him

“I don’t trust you...”

“Come on. Call a truce” you nod slightly, placing your hand out for him to shake. He takes your hand but holding the back of it, turning it so the palm is facing upwards he licks from your wrist to your elbow. Smiling at you evilly

“Ew” you say as you wipe your arm on your shirt. He smiles, placing his hands either side of his head and waving them in time to wiggling his hips, as he taunts you. You playfully go to rugby tackle him, arms wrapped around his torso as you try and knock him over. He laughs as you struggle. Trying to kick his feet out from under him he chuckles

“Ok that’s enough young miss” he wraps his arms around your waist, lifting you up and throwing you over his shoulder. You cry out at the sudden action, grabbing hold of him as he walks you both back over to your bags

“Eddie! Put me down!” you say through laughter. He places you back down, dusting himself off dramatically as you fold your arms and glare at him. He smiles innocently at you

“Hey you started it” you stick your tongue out at him as he laughs again. You smile at him, then go over and hug him. He looks down at you, arms up slightly thinking there was an ulterior motive but you tighten your grip around him and bury your face into his chest slightly. He smiles and wraps his arms around you, gently stroking your back. He kisses the top of your head as you stand there hugging each other.

-

Although you missed the next week of your meet up with Eddie you continue meeting him every Wednesday until your last week of school. Wednesday comes about and you pace about your normal spot. He walks over to you “Are you ok?” he asks

“Yeah why wouldn’t I be?”

“You’re pacing” you stop, biting the nail of your thumb. Looking at him with panicked eyes. He walks over to you, hands gently placed either side of your shoulders “You have nothing to worry about”

“I have everything to worry about. What if I get held back a year? Or if my grades just aren’t good enough?” you look at him “what if we stop being friends...?”

“Firstly, I’ve been held back a year and I’ve turned out fine. Secondly you’re the smartest person I know so you will likely get amazing grades. Thirdly, we will never not be friends”

“Do you promise?” he nods, placing his hand over his heart

“I swear on my blackened heart” you smile slightly at him as he smiles at you

“You’ll still meet me then on Wednesdays?” he nods

“Here every Wednesday at 4pm. Maybe closer to 5 if I get a stable job. And if not I’ll let you know the week before and then ring you” you nod, hugging him as you hide your face into his chest.

-

The next few days go quickly and before you know it you’ve left school. You take up more hours at work. But still see Eddie every Wednesday. Your results day comes. Several A’s, a couple of B’s and one C. You didn’t fail one test and you were overjoyed. You get home from picking the results up, calling all your friends to see how they all did. Some failed a few subjects but overall you all passed. You hesitated over the phone. Although you had rung him before you had only done it when you felt in danger. You mentally shake yourself. He was your friend and you wanted to know how he did so you typed in his home number. A few rings and he answers. “Eddie?”

“Oh hey Liz” he sounded down.

“I- are you ok?”

“Not really. I failed all but one of my classes. Getting held back another year”. Your heart sinks for him.

“I’m sorry Eddie... I truly am”

“It doesn’t matter. This year I can beat the system. I can feel it. ‘86 I’ll pass with flying colours”

“Hey we can make our weekly meetups into study lessons” he laughs

“Oh god. In the nicest way possible I think I’d hate that” you laugh at his words

“Thanks” he chuckles slightly

“Shit. How did you do?”

“I um... I passed them all” you say in excitement.

“That’s great dude! Oh well done!”

“Thank you, thank you”

“Maybe you should be a tutor after all”

“I did offer”

“Fuck it. I’m coming round to celebrate. So long as that’s ok...?”

“Of course it’s ok”

“Cool. See you in fifteen″ he hangs up. You quickly go round and clean the house up.

He knocks on the door and you open. He holds up a crate of beer “I didn’t have anything fancier and we needed a drink to celebrate so I figured beer from wine glasses?” he wiggles his eyebrows at you as you smile and nod, motioning for him to walk in. He opens a bottle and grabs two glasses from your cupboard, pouring you and himself one. He hands you your cup and raises his up “To finishing another year of that shit hole” he clinks yours and downs it, you also downing your drink.

A few hours go by and to say you were a little tipsy may be an understatement. You were both lying on the sofa upside down and chatting, giggling at practically every moment. “You know... I’ve never done any drugs...” you whisper

“Really?”

“None. I’ve been around people who’ve done them and I’ve experienced a lot of my friends who are high but I’ve never done them myself” he looks at you as he sits up

“I’ll be back” he leaves your house. You sit up, looking sadly at the door as you sit on the sofa. Five minutes later he walks back in and sits next to you, carrying the small little lunch box looking thing you always see him with. “I’m about to share something with you but you can’t tell a soul” you nod as he opens it. Weed. He holds up an already made up blunt “wanna indulge with me?”

“Yes... umm, I don’t... I don’t know how though...” you shyly say. He nods, grabbing a lighter from his pocket. Lighting it and taking a few puffs before asking

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes. Completely” he smiles and places the blunt back into his mouth, inhaling. He leans over to you and takes your chin by the hand that isn’t holding the item. Pressing his lips to yours you feel his tongue gently swipe at your lips, silently asking to open. You do, feeling him exhale the smoke into your mouth. He smiles as he pulls away. Handing you the blunt now as you take it from him, trying to copy what he did and take a few puffs of it before handing it back to him. He takes some. You bite your lip, leaning forward and moving the item from his hand and placing it on the ashtray

“Why you-” you cut him off by kissing him. Moving to straddle his lap you feel his hands go to your butt. Moving you in closer to him as you make out. You kiss his neck, nibbling the flesh slightly and smiling as you hear him moaning into your ear. You bite down on his shoulder, causing him to moan and rut his hips against you. You smile, kissing the skin you had just bitten. You hear him tutting. “Get on your knees. Now” you do. He takes hold of your face with one of his hands. A grip harsh onto your jaw as you whine out, feeling his rings digging into your skin. “Forget who’s in charge huh? I suppose I’ve not fucked you for a while so you’ve probably forgotten” he smiles down at you. The harsh tone and words turning you on even more, and he notices. “Open like the good girl I know you are” you do, sticking your tongue out slightly. He smiles and lets a piece of his spit fall into your mouth. You swallow, watching him smile as he places a kiss to your forehead. You place your hands onto his thighs, eyes begging his for permission to let him feel good. He smiles “You want me in your mouth, hmm?” you nod

“Please”

“I don’t know. Have you been good enough to deserve it?” you nod

“Please. Please. I’m your good girl” he smiles and nods. He leans back on the sofa as your hands fumble with his trousers. He places one hand in your hair, the other grabs the blunt and places it into his mouth. He lets out a sinful moan as you take him into your mouth. The grip on your hair tightening as he pushes you down fully. Not allowing you to have air for a few seconds before releasing you. Making you cough slightly as drool falls from your mouth. He smiles, leading you back to his hard cock. Pushing you down and making you bob your head onto him. Your hands grip his thighs tightly as you feel tears start to form in your eyes from him hitting the back of your throat so harshly. After a few minutes of him attacking your throat you feel him push fully into you. You hear his moans getting louder, practically screaming as he goes faster and harder into your throat.

“Oh fuck. You feel so-so good” The squelching sounds filling the room as you keep your mouth open for him. Moaning out you feel him release into the back of your throat. You let out a moan as you feel the liquid hit the back of your mouth and tongue. He smiles at you, releasing you from him as you cough slightly. He gently strokes your hair “Y-you ok?” you nod and smile at him.

“I’m ok” your voice sounds scratchy but you smile at him, reassuring him that you would’ve said if he went too far. He smiles, leaning down and kissing the top of your head. You whine out slightly in frustration. He chuckles slightly.

“Someone feeling neglected?” you nod, letting out a small huff of annoyance. “Why don’t you show me how needy you are then, huh?” his eyes devouring your still clothed body. You stand up. Slowly undoing your belt and trouser button. Letting the item fall to the floor as you step out of it. Your hands go to the bottom of your shirt, pulling it over your head. You smile and bite your lip at him, you see he was getting hard again. You shake your head slightly, smiling at him shyly. Almost like he could read your mind he reaches down, taking his shirt off and throwing it onto the floor. His hand goes and start to slowly pump himself as he smiles at you. You reach behind your back, undoing your bra and letting the item fall to the floor. Then you reach down, pulling your underwear down your legs and throwing them onto where his shirt now lay. You then smile, sitting down onto the chair opposite him. You place a leg over each arm. You gently lick you middle finger before moving it down to your already soaked hole. Rubbing over your clit as you moan out. His eyes glued to your core as you slowly push a finger into yourself. Slowly starting to drag it in and out. You push a second finger in. Moaning out as you quicken the pace. Curling your fingers as they hit that spongey spot inside of you. The palm of your hand hitting your clit as you feel your orgasm rapidly approach you.

“Holy shit” you moan out, your legs start to shake as your orgasm hits you. You feel wetness soak your lower half as you see stars. Your brain to dazed by the intense orgasm to realise what had happened.

“Holy shit...” you hear him echo you. You look down. His eyes fixed on your little cunt. You look down, seeing your arm soaked. You feel your cheeks turn red as you realise what you’ve done. He smiles at you, walking over as you go to shut your legs he gently rests his hands on your thighs. You look at him, your face going red at his affection. He smiles and bends down, kissing you as you feel his hand go to your core. You moan into his mouth as you feel him start to rub on your clit. “Do you think you can do that again?” you nod slightly as you feel him gently push two fingers into you. He does what he saw you doing, going at a fast speed and moving his fingers up inside of you. You hold onto his bicep as you feel it hit you hard again. Moaning out and hiding your face into his arm as you cling onto him. You feel the same wetness as before soaking his arm. Your legs even shakier then before as you breathlessly moan out

“Eddie...” you say slightly breathlessly. He kisses you, hand gently rubbing your shaking thighs. The alcohol, drugs and your intense orgasm making you unable to focus on anything but him. You snake your hand down his arm and grip onto his hand as he peppers your neck with kisses. “Wanna- wanna feel you” you say. He nods and takes his trousers off. Moving you to the edge of the chair he positions himself up with your entrance. Pushing in slowly as the grip on his hand tightens. You feel him move slowly in and out of your hole. Each thrust causing you to moan out “Eddie... shit... oh Eddie... you feel... so good...” His hand not holding yours goes and takes one of your boobs. Squeezing it gently as his pace quickens. It then moving down to your clit, rubbing harsh circles onto it. Causing you to moan out and move your legs from the arms of the chair. Wrapping them around his hips as he leans forward, kissing you. The hand that was holding yours moves to gently stroke your hair off of your sweaty forehead. Your free hand now going and grabbing his bicep as he continues to stroke your hair.

“God you feel so good...” he moans out, lips pressing against yours once again as you feel your orgasm approaching.

“Eddie?” the simple pitch of it making him smiling. Knowing you couldn’t say anything else other than his name.

“You can cum for me gorgeous” you squeeze your legs together as your orgasm hits you. Head turning into his wrist as he rests his hand on your cheek. Your hand coming up and squeezing it as you feel yourself tightening around him “Holy shit” he moans out, soon going into you fully as you then feel him fill you up. You moan out. The feeling of him inside you never getting old. You smile at him as he looks down at you. Kissing you and then resting his head on your shoulder.

He smiles at you before he plants kisses all over your face as you moan out at him “Noo” you jokingly say as you smile at him, opening your eyes to see his filled with joy. He chuckles again before you feel him move out of you causing you to whine. He hushes you as he gets a wet cloth and cleans you both up before he comes over and wraps his arms around you. You cling to him as he takes you to the bedroom. He lies you both down before throwing the duvet over your naked bodies. You cuddle into him, taking a hold of his hand and planting a kiss to his jaw as you let sleep overcome you

-

You wake up at 7 the next day, your alarm going off. You let out an annoyed groan as you cuddle into Eddie who is showing no signs of being awake. The alcohol and drug hangover your feeling being a bit much for your body. Nothing that some coffee won’t fix you’re sure. You stand up, grabbing your work clothes and placing them on your body as you go and grab some breakfast and a coffee. You finish and go into your bedroom again to grab your bag. You write the sleeping boy a note

‘Hey, I had to go to work today. I’ll be back around 4/5. Feel free to stay in the house until then. Help yourself to food and feel free to use anything. See you later, Liz’

You place it on the bedside cabinet and face it towards him. You smile at him as you head to work.

-

You get back in. Unlocking the door and walking inside. You don’t hear any noises and his jacket is no longer on the floor so you assume he’s left. You sigh, rubbing your eyes as you take your hair out of the ponytail it’s been in all day. You hear a noise from the kitchen, Eddie walking out holding a wooden spoon. You smile at him, glad to see him but also a look of confusion on your face. “Your still here?”

“Of course I’m still here. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I- your jacket” you point at the floor where it was. He points at the bedroom

“Where we were a bit... occupied yesterday I decided to clean up a bit today so I hung up my jacket on the back of your door. Plus I did the washing up. I’m currently in the process of making a cake, hence the spoon” he waves it around for emphasis as you nod and chuckle

“I thought you’d left” he shakes his head and smiles at you

“How was work?”

“It was... work” he laughs, motioning for you to follow as he carries on baking. “Wow you really cleaned the place up a bit” he nods

“I hope you don’t mind. I tried not to tamper with anything that seemed to have a purpose” he motions at a statue of a chicken “I mean I don’t quite know what the purpose of this is but I assumed it has a purpose”

“No he doesn’t have I purpose I just like to have him around” he laughs. The phone rings making you jump. You walk over to it as he speaks

“It did go off about an hour or so ago as well but I didn’t answer it” you nod, picking it up

“Hello Elizabeth speaking”

“Liz oh sweetie!”

“Hey mum!”

“We forgot you had your results day yesterday. How did you do?”

“I passed them all!” you say happily

“That’s excellent sweetheart! You got all A’s”

“Technically no but I di-”

“How did you pass if you didn’t get an A?”

“All my results were a C and above...” you hear her disappointed tone

“You got a C?”

“Yeah... only one”

“Your brother didn’t even get close to a C when he passed”

“I’m sorry... I’ll try and do better”

“Good. Thankfully colleges will likely still take you with those grades but still, aim for A’s next time sweetie, ok?”

“Ok”

“Love you. Bye bye honey” she blows kisses down the phone

“Love you too” you hang up. He looks at you

“Liz...?” you wipe your eyes quickly, looking at him and smiling

“I’m alright. I’ll be alright” he nods slightly. Going over to you and hugging you. “I just wish that they could be happy for me for once... just once...” he nods and strokes your hair. The phone rings again, you answer it, turning so that your back was to Eddie but he keeps his arms around you. Head resting on your shoulder “Hello?”

“Oh hey shithead” you smile slightly at your brothers voice

“Oh hey dick wagon” he laughs

“I heard you passed all your exams?”

“Yeah...” you say sadly

“That’s amazing! Well done! What did you get in English? I know you struggled with that subject”

“I got a B”

“That’s excellent! Oh well done! Super proud of you” you smile, hand resting over Eddies and squeezing it slightly. “See, I told you that you’re a smart girl, even if you do only have one brain cell”

“Oh ha-ha very funny”

“Hey, maybe I’ve been too mean to you. I reckon you might have 2 brain cells” you laugh slightly

“I don’t know that might be giving me a bit too much credit” he laughs

“Anyway I got to go. Parents are being... parents” you nod

“Thank you for ringing me”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll speak to you soon, ok?”

“Yeah speak to you soon” he hangs up.

“Was that Michael?” you nod “is he ok?” you nod again

“He was congratulating me on passing my exams” he smiles and kisses your shoulder

“Good. Now I need to cook a cake” he goes into the kitchen as you follow “How do you cook cake?”

“You’re pretty good at cooking though”

“Confession. I’ve never baked before in my life” you laugh and shake your head in disbelief.

“Let me show you”

-

“Well... this looks shit” he huffs out. Folding his arms as he looks at the slightly pathetic excuse of a cake in front of you

“We still need to decorate it. This is just the base of it” he nods

“Yeah. Then it can look like shit with icing on top” you laugh, grabbing a bowl out and making up some icing. Giving him a knife and placing the bowl on the counter you grab a dollop of it on the knife you have and start covering the cake. “Can we just eat the icing straight out of the bowl and pretend this abomination never happened?”

“Umm no. Come on! I reckon it’s salvageable”

“I don’t” he grabs some icing and helps decorate it with you. After decorating it you grab a spoon out for each of you. Handing one to him you take a spoonful of cake, popping it into your mouth.

“That’s actually kind of good” he takes some.

“Oh yeah. I mean, it’s still quite awful but it doesn’t taste as bad as it looks” you chuckle, taking another bite.

-

You both have the nice healthy choice of dinner as a whole cake between you plus some popcorn and crisps as you put on a film and eat in front of it. The film still plays out but he turns to look at you slightly. “So how much of last night do you remember?”

“Not much of it to be honest. How about you?”

“Not much either. I remember we... but even then the details are a bit blurry”

“About the same amount of memory as me then” you smile at him as he nods. You both put your attention back on the film as you snuggle into him more. His arms wrapping around you.

-

You meet him on Wednesday as normal. And the Wednesday after that and so on until soon it was your birthday. He met up with you after school like normal. Although your birthday didn’t fall on the Wednesday it was on the Thursday. Hess the first one there at your usual spot which is unusual. He smiles as he sees you. Where you both go there so often you had the mutual decision to place a small lunch bench there. You may have committed a small crime and stolen it from a nearby park but that was only a small detail. You sit opposite him, smiling at him as he goes into his bag and pulls out a small parcel. He hands it to you “I know we don’t normally do gifts for each other but I saw this and it made me think of you. Plus I know it’s your birthday tomorrow so it seemed right that I get you it” you take the box from him. Opening the lid you look inside. A delicate silver chain with a small butterfly on the end sits inside. The wings made from some sort of stone which you can’t quite make out, but it being a light shade of blue mixed with various other colours. “The wings are made out of opal which is the birth stone of October” you smile, taking it out of the box and looking at it closely

“It’s beautiful...” you look at him “Can you put it on me please?”

“It’d be my pleasure” he stands up, going behind you as he takes the two ends of the necklace. Gently placing them around your neck as the delicate piece adorns your neck. You gently touch the butterfly, turning around and smiling at him as he stands behind you

“I love it. Thank you” he smiles as you stand up and hug him. His arms wrap around you as you hug him tightly. Wanting to stay like this forever. You kiss his cheek “you are a true gentlemen Munson” he chuckles

“Anything for my queen” he smiles at you, brushing a loose hair that had fallen out of your ponytail behind your ear. You smile, kissing him deeply. His hand moving to your cheek as you kiss each other. You pull away, eyes meeting each other as you’re met with an emotion you don’t normally see in his eyes after you kiss. Normally you see lust fill them. But this was different. You couldn’t quite figure out how he was feeling “I’m glad you like it. My uncle and I went to a market thing and I found it there. I thought it matched your leg tattoo” you nod

“That reminds me!” you excitedly say. Sitting back down and taking your shoe off, rolling your sock down. You show him a small star on your ankle. He smiles, kneeling down to get a better look at it “I did it myself. I wanted to be more covered” he chuckles

“I really am a bad influence on you, aren’t I?” you nod and smile. He chuckles, grabbing your shoe “Oh Cinderella you appear to have lost your shoe”

“Oh my prince, that cannot be mine for I am but a servant of this house”

“Well let’s see if it fits shall we” he gently places your sock back onto your foot properly. Then he undoes the laces of your trainer, pushing that onto your foot easily. “It’s a perfect match” he looks up at you and smiles. You smile down at him

“Come here my king” he smiles, hands resting on either side of you on the bench as he stands up, leaning into you as he cages you with his arms. His frame slightly taller than yours as he meets your lips with his. You smile into the kiss, hands going to his shirt and gripping it. He pulls away slightly. Eyes watching each other’s as you feel butterflies in your stomach. You lean forward and kiss him gently.

-

It was Wednesday. You sat with him on your bench, helping him with chemistry. “I could just give up”

“No that’s not an option”

“Please?” you shake your head

“Come on. You have three more pages left and then we can stop”

“But it’s so boring”

“Come on! You said it yourself, ‘86 is your year of graduation. It can’t be your year if you start slacking off revision” he rolls his eyes at you as you nudge his shoulder. He reads through the next few pages with you. You quizzing him on them and the previous pages you’ve read.

“How about we meet up again sometime this holiday and you quiz me some more?” you nod, taking his hand in yours and smiling at him

“I can’t do over the holidays as I’m going to Canada to see my family for Christmas. I can do this weekend though?” he nods and smiles at you “I hoped we would see each other around that time as I bought you a present and I’ve had it for about a month now” he chuckles

“Ooh very exciting! I hope you’ve not over spent on me” you shake your head

“I only saw it and thought you like it” you let go of his hand “Come on, revision” he lets out an annoyed groan as you chuckle

-

He comes over to yours. Its a few days before Christmas so you decide to watch Gremlins, given that neither of you had watched it before and it was described as being a Christmas film. He lies on the sofa, your body between his legs as you lie on top of him. Your chest against his as his hands gently run up your back. The film finishes and you tilt your head up, the boy below you watching the screen intensely before he makes eye contact with you. You smile at him “stay here” you say as you sit up. Leaning over to the coffee table and opening the little drawer under it you pull out a box. Handing it to him as you smile “I saw it and I know you like your jewellery so I hope you like it” he opens the box. A ring inside it. An off gold rust colour, slight decoration and intricate design either side of a dark stone. He takes it out, fingers gently feeling over the metal.

“It’s wonderful” you smile at him as he takes your hand and kisses the back of it “Thank you my beautiful queen”  he kisses you as you smile more, him pulling you back down to lie on top of him “I Eddie the Freak do take this ring as a small token of affection from you, queen Liz. I will think of you every time I look at it” he says as he places it on the ring finger on his right hand. He smiles as he takes your hand, gently kissing the back of it

“I got you a gift as well”

“Oh yeah?” he nods and smiles at you, booping your nose before gently moving you off of him as he goes over to his bag. He grabs something out and places it behind his back. Grinning at you as he walks over.

“So I know how much you like wearing my jacket whenever we meet up and it gets cold. Then I found this” He pulls out a black leather jacket, handing it to you as your eyes look over the fabric you gently take it from him, biting your lip slightly as you smile at it. “I thought you might quite like to have one of your own as I know how much you like mine. And now we can be matching”

“I love it, thank you!” your hands gently stroking over the jacket as he smiles as he watches your happy face. He kisses your cheek, the sudden affection making you turn to look at him and smile slightly.

“Hmm?” you query

“You’re cute when you smile” you blush slightly at his words before he changes the subject “What film are we watching now?”

“I don’t know” he goes over to the pile of videos you have.

“Have you ever watched Psycho or do you just own it?”

“I just own it. I got too scared to watch it on my own” he chuckles as he places the film into the player, coming back over to you and lying down he pats his chest again. You raise an eyebrow at him slightly

“I know how scared you get when we watch horror so I’m just skipping the part where you slowly hide in my chest" you laugh “Come here sweetheart” you smile and lie on his chest. You both watch the film, your hand holding his tightly as you half cover your face when the scary parts come on. His other hand resting on your lower back as you watch together. The film finishes and you let out a deep breath

“Well that was terrifying” he chuckles slightly. You move your head to look at him and smile. His eyes meet yours and he puts his arms around you. Moving so he can sit up slightly with you still on him. Your legs bending under you as you end up straddling his lap

He starts placing kisses along your neck. Your hands go to his hair, stroking through his long curls. He sits up properly, one arm wrapped around your frame as the other helps hold him up into a sitting position. He carries on kissing your neck then your collarbones. His hand moves from your body, leaning back onto his palms as his eyes trace over you. You smile at him, reaching down and taking the bottom of your shirt, lifting it over your head and throwing it onto the floor. You put your hands behind your back and undo your bra, tossing it next to your shirt. He smiles as his hand comes up and start massaging your boob. Pinching the nipple slightly as you let out a small moan. He bends down, nibbling the flesh of you breasts as he continues to play with your nipples. Your hands bringing his head closer to you. You move one if your hands from the back of his head down, resting on his crotch and starting to rub him slowly through his trousers. He moves away from your chest, smiling at you

“Stand up” you do. He undoes your trousers, letting them fall to the floor as you step out of them and kick them to the side. He smiles, gently parting your legs with his hand as he runs a finger along your clothed heat. He slowly brings your pants down. Chucking them on the floor as quickly removes his shirt as well, going to rub your clit with his thumb. You feel him easily push a finger into your soaked hole. “God I’ve not even touched you and you’re already soaked”. You let out a moan as he curls his fingers across your g-spot. Your hands go to his shoulders to help keep you balanced, spreading your legs apart more as he rubs your clit with his thumb and slowly works his finger in you. He pushes another finger into you. Then he leans forward, his tongue coming out and licking your clit.

“Oh fuck” you rut your hips against his fingers and tongue as he lets out a low laugh, the breath hitting your sensitive parts. He looks up at you, gently kissing your pubic bone as he speaks to you

“Do you trust me?” you nod “Do you want to fuck yourself on my tongue?” you nod again as he smiles. He removes his fingers from you, causing you to whine out. He grabs a cushion and places it on the sofa, lying down and resting his head on it. He gently takes your hips, pulling you and moving so yours legs sit either side of his face. He lowers you down, kissing your thigh as you look down at him. He can see you hesitate so he begins kissing your thighs “Its ok. Trust me. You’ll feel so good” You know he’s smiling at you as he kisses your thighs because you can see it in his eyes. He then kisses your clit, sucking onto it harshly as you moan out. Pushing your hips into him more. He puts his tongue out, gently licking your sensitive nub. He leaves it out, hands going to your hips as he gently rocks them back and forth. You find a good rhythm and start moving yourself

“Fucking sh-shit” Your hands go to his that stay resting on your hips. Trying desperately to keep you thighs open. Hips moving against his face. One of his hands moves from your hip, gently pushing into you so he can finger you as he eats you out. “E-Eddie” you moan out. Thighs squeezing together, the sounds coming from below you was sinful as he goes to town on you. You feel yourself getting closer and closer with each curl of his finger and movement from his tongue. “Gonna cum... Eddie... Please?” he smiles, letting out a moan of approval. One that sends shivers through your whole body. You push yourself down onto him as your orgasm hits you. One hand gripping onto his and your nails digging into them slightly, the other grips onto his hair so tightly. You hear him let out a moan as you ride your high out. He helps you ride it out before pulling his fingers out of you. Drawing small circles on your thighs as you come down, gently moving you off of him as he sits you next to him on the sofa. He sits up next to you, wiping his mouth as he smiles at you. You place a hand on his thigh, gently squeezing it as you move his hair and start kissing his neck. You kiss, nibble and suck the skin. Hearing him moan into your ear as you move our hand from his thigh to rub him through his jeans. You smile as you see hickeys start to appear on his neck. Kissing each one before moving onto another one. You manage to undo his trousers with one hand, head resting in the crook of his neck as you look down and help his cock out of his confinements. You bite your lip as you see it. Hand going around it as he lets out a shaky sigh. He turns his head to kiss you as you slowly rub him. Feeling his hands go to your thighs as he pulls you onto his lap. He takes his dick out of your hand, gently teasing your clit with it as you moan at him and furrow your eyebrows. He lines himself up with your entrance as he slowly lowers you onto him. You grip his shoulders

“Fuck. I’ll never get over how good you feel” he says as he kisses you. He holds your hips, feeling him position his legs underneath you so he can start thrusting up into you. You moan out, feeling one of his hands move from your hip to your clit as he continues to pound into you. You lean forward into him, holding tightly onto his body and moaning into him as continues attacking your sensitive pussy.

“Eddie, go-gonna…” he kisses your head

“Hold it for a little longer...” he tries to reach his high quicker, going harsher into you as you concentrate on trying not to cum before he allows you too.

“Please... can’t... much longer...” you moan out, squeezing your eyes shut as you hide your head into his shoulder. He lets out a half moan half grunt before he speaks

“You can cum for me” you let out a long groan as you let your orgasm hit you. Tightening around him as you feel him pump a few more times into you before pushing all the way in and releasing himself inside of you. You let out a satisfied moan as you rest your head on his shoulder. His arm gently massaging your hips. Noticing small bruises appearing on them from where he was gripping you so tightly. Once he’s come down from his high he turns your head, a hand resting on your cheek as he kisses you slowly. Gently rubbing your cheekbone with his thumb. You wrap your arms around him as he places several kisses on your face “you’re such a good girl for me” he says with a smile as you nod, head resting against him as you shut your eyes.

He gently strokes your back as you both sit like that for a while. You feel him start to get soft inside of you but neither of you move. Enjoying this moment too much. “So umm there’s a small concert happening in this like abandoned warehouse place in a month. Mid-January I think on a Saturday night. I wondered if you like to join me and go?”

“I’ve never seen a live band before”

“Really? Oh well you have to go then! You’re missing out” you chuckle slightly as you nod

“Sounds like a good plan. Just tell me when and where and I’ll see if I have the night and next day off of work” he nods

“When do you go see your family?”

“I go in two days”

“Oh so a couple of days before Christmas” you nod

“Then I’ll be back on the 6th I believe and we can meet up then. I’ll ring you and let you knew when I’m home” he nods and hugs you closer “Are you ok?” you ask and he nods

“Just, I’m going to miss our weekly chats” you nod and curl into his chest more

“So will I”

-

You get back early morning on the 6th. Heading into your work for 10am you see they’ve removed the Christmas decorations. You were going to ring Eddie before your shift but you figured he’d likely be at school so you didn’t. Instead, you rang him when you got back. Placing your keys on the key rack and going to the phone you dial in his number. It was a Monday so he wasn’t playing with his band or doing Hellfire so he should pick up. Someone answers 

“Hello?”

“Hello. It’s Liz. Is Eddie at home?”

“Yeah one sec” you hear him calling his name before mumbled chatting.

“Hello?”

“Hey Eddie”

“Liz!” you can hear him smiling through the phone “How was Canada?”

“It was amazing. A much needed holiday away from all the stress of my life to be honest”

“I bet”

“I was just ringing to let you know I’m home and to see if we were meeting this Wednesday still and also to ask when the concert thing is?”

“Yes I’m still up for Wednesday. It’s this coming Saturday, so I’ll pick you up from yours about 6 and we can head over there”

“Perfect. I am going to go and have a shower but I will see you on Wednesday”

“I’ll see you then my queen” he hangs up as you smile

-

Wednesday comes about. You sit on the bench, watching the birds fly overhead. “Boo” you hear someone say behind you, making you jump out of your skin

“Jesus Christ Eddie I nearly died” he laughs as you clutch at your heart

“Aww I’m sorry” he smiles and kneels in front of you, you turn around to face him properly as he goes between your legs and pulls you in for a hug. You hug him back, feeling him standing up slightly as he places a hand on your butt as he lifts you up. Hugging you tightly as you wrap your legs around him. Burying your face into his neck. You stay like this for possibly ten minutes before he sits down on the bench, you pulling away from the hug so you can look at him. Once again you find yourself straddling his lap. He smiles, hand brushing your cheek as the one that was on your butt now rests on your back 

“How was your holiday?”

“It was excellent. They have such good food there. Plus it was nice seeing my parents and brother. Me and Michael made a den and stayed out in it for a few nights and catches up with each other which was good. I’ve not spoken to him properly in about a year I’d say” he nods “How was your holiday?”

“It was alright. Had to go to school to do some catch-up sessions but I can’t complain too much about it all. Met up with the boys and played some Dungeons and Dragons which was good. I’ve started them on a new campaign which I’m hoping should last them a few months”

“How are the new kids that joined Hellfire? God what’s their names...”

“Mike, Lucas and Dustin?” you nod “They’re alright. They’re the reason I started the new campaign actually. Then all of them can build up their new characters together and be relatively equal in power. Lucas doesn’t seem quite as into it as the other two but I’m hoping he’ll come around as he’s a good player”

“What do you have planned for this campaign?”

“Not too sure. Some evil cult I reckon. Have it so the main guy dies but the cult lives on but then a plot twist where the guy isn’t dead and now he’s stronger and they have to kill him all over again”

“Oh that sounds awful...”

“I’ve got the basis down for the character already, I just need to get his stats and everything but the character design is done” he reaches behind him on the table and grabs his bag, pulling out a small book. He opens up one of the pages and shows a drawing of a character missing an eye and an arm, his skin shrivelled and grotesque. “I’m leaning towards the name Vecna” you nod and smile

“That’s an amazing drawing and a good name for him” he smiles

“I’m glad you think so” he rubs the back of his neck as you chuckle slightly

“Please feel free to keep talking about him and your campaign”

“You sure? I don’t want to bore you with stuff you have no idea about”

“You aren’t boring me. I like hearing you talk about stuff your passionate about so please indulge me” he nods and carries on talking to you about his ideas. You listen to him for a couple of hours, you asking him questions about stuff you don’t fully understand and him educating you. You do this until it starts to get dark, taking that as a sign that you should both part ways. He says he’ll see you on Saturday anyway and that you are welcome to stay round his afterwards to which you agree.

-

Saturday comes about and you’re wearing your most ‘metal’ outfit you can find. A white crop top with your leather jacket over top. Then some black trousers. Your hair is in a high ponytail because that’s how you always have it. He knocks on the door as you answer it. Smiling at him as he wears his usual clothes. Band shirt, two jackets and skinny jeans. He scans your body “Who are you trying to impress?” he smiles at you as you put your middle finger up at him

“Shut up you and let’s go see a band. God I’m anxious” he takes your hands and kisses the palms of both of them

“You’ll be fine. I’ll be with you the whole time anyway” you nod and smile slightly at him as you both go over to his van. You drive to the location. When you get there you grip his hand. He looks at you to question your actions but he sees your slightly panicked face so he links his fingers with yours before bringing your hand up and kissing the back of it. “I’ve got you” he says calmly to you as you nod, going close to him as you both go over to the makeshift stage. Drunken people keep knocking you as the music starts to play. 

You watch, the whole band managing to captivate their audience as they sing along with them. You see Eddie out the corner of your eye, his face grinning as he watches the band intensely. You look back at the band as they finish their last song of the night

“Ok ok. So we would like one of you to come up on stage” he covers his eyes so he can see the crowd against the harsh light. He points directly at you “girl in the white shirt with the leather” your eyes widen as you shake your head slightly, hand gripping Eddies tighter “Its ok we don’t bite. Well, we don’t bite very hard anyway” you nod slightly and let out a small chuckle. 

‘This would be no different to if you were cheering or doing a public speech’ you think to yourself so you let go of his hand. Going up onto the stage the singer smiles at you 

“What’s your name beautiful?”

“Elizabeth”

“Well, Elizabeth, do you know why I called you onto this stage?” you shake your head “Because you look like someone who has talent” he smiles at you “Would you say you have talent?”

“Oh hell no” he laughs as does the whole crowd. You look at the audience. Seeing how far down the venue the crowd goes and starting to feel anxious. But your eyes meeting Eddies, his soft features comforting you as he stands and smiles up at you.

“So if I said that you could do a little song or dance or something you’d avoid doing it?”

“I’d do it I just can’t guarantee I’d do it well” he laughs again

“That’s the spirit. This is your first concert correct?” you nod “I can tell. Look at us taking her concert virginity. I’m honoured, truly” he places a hand over his heart as he smiles at you “If I give you the microphone and the ability to sing whatever song you want do you promise not to make a fool of me or yourself”

“I’ll try not to but I make no promises”

“I like this one” he looks at the rest of his band “Can we keep her?” you laugh as he smiles at you, handing you the microphone.

“Shit now I need to think of a song” you go over to the guitarist “May I?” he nods, handing you the guitar. You place it over your body. Going back to the microphone “Apologies to you all for the torture your all about to endure” they all laugh slightly. You start playing the guitar. Tapping your foot to keep a steady rhythm as well. You start singing ‘Jolene’ by Dolly Parton. You realise you should’ve gone for a more ‘heavy’ song but it’s the first one that came to mind. 

When you finish you expect either quietness or booing. But they all clap for you, someone even whistles. You chuckle slightly “Thank you” you take the guitar off and hand it back to the guitarist. The lead singer goes over to the mic again

“Well now I see why you were hesitant before. That was amazing, I think the crowd agrees” they all clap and shout in agreement. You laugh as you feel yourself blush slightly

“It’s nothing”

“Nothing? I think you just showed us all up within three minutes after our hour long show” you laugh again as you go to leave the stage

“One more song!” someone yells from the crowd. Singer looks at you and raises an eyebrow

“You got one more in you”

“Sure” you get handed the guitar again, taking it and placing it over your shoulders “Once again I apologise” you think for a second, starting to sing ABBA’s ‘Mamma Mia’. Once again, the crowd cheering you after you finish it. You hand back the guitar. Getting off the stage and heading towards Eddie. You link your arm with his as he whispers to you

“You were amazing” you smile and grip his arm tighter, both turning back to the band

“After that incredible performance by Miss Elizabeth I think we have time for a few more songs” and they continue playing. Your arm stays linked with Eddies through the whole of the rest of the concert as they continue playing their songs-

After the show you go to head back to the car but the singer calls you “Elizabeth!” you turn around, hand holding Eddies as you face him “Hey. You were amazing tonight”

“Thank you” you smile at him

“Are you in a band yourself? You know how to interact with a crowd”

“Oh no. I do a lot of public speaking though so I know how to get the crowd engagement I guess” he nods and chuckles. He holds his hand out towards you

“I’m Ted” you shake his hand“

It was lovely meeting you”

“You should start a band. I’m sure a lot of people would come and see you singing” he motions at Eddie “Do you play any instruments?” he nods

“Guitar”

“Perfect! Just need a drummer and then bam you have a band” you laugh as he smiles at you both “I’ll hopefully see you both at our next concert” you nod as he walks away. You both head back to his car, getting in as he follows behind. Starting up the car and driving off. You rest your head against the window feeling tired from the night. Shutting your eyes as he drives home.

“Liz?” he gently touches your shoulder. You wake up and stretch.

“Shit sorry” he smiles at you

“It’s ok. We’re back at mine if that’s ok?” you nod and reach down in the foot well and grab your overnight bag. Rubbing your eyes before getting out the car. He follows, unlocking the front door and holding it open for you to walk in. You smile and walk in. He shuts and locks the door behind him, turning on the light. He holds his hand out towards you as you take it. He spins you before picking you up, holding you as you wrap your legs and arms around him. He smiles and carries you to the bedroom. He half throws you onto the bed, lying next to you as you stretch out and try and push him off

“No this is my bed now”

“Rude” you jokingly push him, trying to get him off the bed. He takes your hands and pins them above your head as you playfully bite your lip at him “the audacity in my own home”

“What you gonna do about it?” you smile at him as he chuckles.

“Hmm.... sleep” he collapses onto you as you squeal

“So this is how I die... crushed to death...” he laughs as he takes your hand and kisses it, rolling off of you he stays sitting on the bed and takes his shirt and trousers off. Throwing them onto the floor beside him as he then grabs the duvet and places it over him

“Goodnight”

“Someone tired by any chance?” he nods and looks at you through one eye.

“Come on. Come sleep with me” you chuckle, turning and going through your bag. You take your trousers off and place them into your bag. Grabbing out the shirt he gave you a few months ago and placing it on the bed before taking off your jacket and shirt. You feel his eyes scan down your back as you take the ‘Iron Maiden’ shirt and placing it over your torso before coming and lying next to him. 

“My beautiful queen” he murmurs as he moves his hand to your ponytail, gently pulling it out and ruffling you hair for you as you giggle. He smiles as he lies on his back. Both of you falling asleep.

-

You wake up the next morning. Rubbing your eyes slightly you turn and see the space next to you is empty. You sit up, looking around the room “Eddie?” No response. You wonder if you should go out and try and find him but worried you might bump into his uncle you stay in his room. You grab your bag, taking off your old underwear and replacing it with some fresh ones, then grabbing your trousers from yesterday and placing them on. You stand up and go over to his tapes, looking through the music he has. You hear the door open as he walks in. You turn and smile at him, placing the tapes back down.

“You’re awake” you nod “Coffee?” you nod again as he smiles “give me a sec” he walks back out. You change your shirt to a clean one as you continue looking around his room. Admiring his guitar you see his door open again. He hands you a mug as you turn around taking it from him then going over to the bed and sitting down cross legged. He sits next to you as you sip your drink.

“How long have you been awake for?”

“About an hour”

“Sorry. You should’ve woken me up” he shakes his head

“Can’t wake up my queen. She needs to rest” he boops your nose slightly as you laugh.“I enjoyed last night”

“As did I” you shuffle towards him slightly “I think you should start a band” you laugh and shake your head

“Absolutely no way”

“Oh come on. You were excellent” you shake your head, going and grabbing your hair band from your bag and tying your hair up. He watches as you then finish the rest of your drink, placing it down on the side as you turn to look at him and smile.

“I should be getting home” he nods

“I’ll drive you”

-

Another few weeks pass. You have a good schedule. Working most days, but you ring or see Alice every Tuesday and Saturday evening. Seeing Eddie on Wednesday afternoon and then ringing your other friends on Sundays. Late February comes about and you are with Eddie at your usual place. He grabs his bag and goes to leave “Umm Eddie...” he looks at you “I can’t do next week. I’ve been given a shift that runs over our normal meeting time and I can’t change it. I’m sorry”

“That’s ok” he thinks for a moment “when does you shift finish?”

“About nine″ he nods

“I’ll come round the diner for food about six then and give you a lift home afterwards”

“Are you sure?” he nods again

“Of course” he smiles. He’s given you lifts back before from work when you’ve had a late shift on Wednesday but you always wanted to make sure he was ok doing it. You normally gave him a free desert when he did this.

-

Saturday comes about and you and Alice are exploring the old shopping centre. Since it burnt down you and her meet their occasionally as it’s quiet there now. “Did you hear that Chris is back in Hawkins?”

“What? I thought he got sent away to army camp” she nods

“He’s come back home for a few weeks apparently. Think his grandad died or something so he’s back for the funeral” you nod, hands gripping each other as you stare anxiously at the ground. “It’ll be ok. He doesn’t know where you work or live. Plus he might be a changed man now” you nod slightly, smiling at her softly as you feel anxiety start to build up. That night you create an extra safety precaution to your home. Shutting and locking all your windows before going to sleep. Even the small one in your bathroom that a mouse couldn’t squeeze through.

-

You go over to a table at work. Smiling as a young couple are sitting and having what looks like a date. “What can I get you?”

“Can I have the salad and a milkshake please?” you nod as the woman looks at the man “What do you want my love?” you look at the man, freezing up as you see Chris sitting in front of you. His hair buzzed off. His eyes scanning the menu before he turns to face you.

“Liz?” he smiles at you “I can’t believe it’s you” you smile politely at him

“Hey Chris”

“You two know each other?” the girl queries. You nod as he speaks

“We used to date back in school. God how have you been?” he smiles at you. Although the act itself isn’t malicious you can’t help the horrible gut feeling to run away. You smile at him still

“Good thank you. What do you want to order?” he looks at the menu

 “Burger and fries please” you nod and write it down. Taking the menus and going to the counter and giving the order. You hear the door open. Looking up you see Eddie walking in. Sitting in the booth he normally goes to. You mentally shake yourself. Going over and smiling at him

“What can I get you?”

“Usual please” you write, hands shaking slightly. He notices. “Are you ok?” he whispers. You nod and smile at him, head motioning to Chris “What did he do?”

“Nothing. I’m just being over paranoid. I’m ok. I’ll be ok” you smile wavers slightly “I’ll be back over with your order in a second” he nods. You feel his eyes on you as you head to the counter. Going over to Chris’s table with their food. 

“Thank you, beautiful” you feel him place his hand on your ass slightly before eating his food. Shaking it off as an accident you then go over to Eddie’s table with his order. Placing it in front of him, he gently touches your hand

“Did he just-?” his eyes go to your butt. 

“I’m sure it was an accident” 

“He accidently just sexually assaulted you?” he says in a low voice as you look at him 

“I’m ok. I’m used to him” you say in whispers to each other

“That doesn’t make it better. That makes it worse in fact” you shrug

“Hess always been hands on. It’s ok. No need to worry about me” he notices your hand shaking as you take his empty glass. His eyes grow concerned as you continue serving people. Chris and his lady friend stay there until your shift ends. Chris coming over to you as he notices you packing your stuff up. He takes your hand in his. You look at him

“How about I give you a lift back to your house?” you shake your head, going to move your hand away. He grips it tighter, causing you to let out a small yelp. “Come on. I can show you how much fun I can be now” he smiles. You shake your head. Managing to yank your hand away from him. Grabbing your jacket you head outside. Eddie following you soon after, you wait by his car. You can feel your whole body shaking. He opens the car. You get in with no hesitation. He gets in next to you

“Please take me home...” you say in a choked sob. He nods. The whole ride home is silent as you try not to cry. Once you get there he looks at you. 

“Liz?” you shake your head. “I’m going to touch you, ok?” you nod slightly. Feeling him hug you. “You’re safe” you nod, hiding your head in his shoulder. 

“I’m scared...” he nods slightly “I-I’ve seen him get angry a couple of times. He umm... He would never mean to but he’d throw stuff when he got mad and sometimes I’d be in the way... but this seemed different... this time I feel like he actually wants to hurt me...” he strokes your arm as he continues hugging you. 

“Do you want me to stay the night?”

“You have school tomorrow though... I don’t want to be a problem”

“You aren’t a problem. I can skip tomorrow. I’d rather make sure you’re ok” you nod slightly. Feeling him move away from you he gets out, going to your side and opening the door for you. You go and unlock the front door. Walking inside with him as you then lock it behind you. Going through the house and doing your normal checks. Turning on all the lights, shutting and locking the windows before you bring him into your bedroom, locking the door behind you. You get into bed. Feeling him lie next to you and wrap his arms around you. So long as Eddie was there you knew you were safe.

As promised Eddie stays the night. You call in sick to work for the next couple of days. When he doesn’t turn up at your house you start to relax again. Hopefully you’ll never see him again. The whole time Eddie stays with you. He misses school but, as he says, that isn’t unusual for him so they won’t be surprised. Once he knows your feeling calmer he goes back to his on the Saturday. Alice comes over and joins you for the weekend. Staying with you until you have work on Monday. She sits in the restaurant with you throughout your whole shift. Reading whilst you work. Then she drives you back to your house. You comfort her and tell her you’ll be fine on your own so she leaves. And you are.

You’ve heard rumours that Chris went back to the army camp so you were happy to be by yourself again. You see Eddie on Wednesday after. You hang out together and he notices you seem a lot more cheerful. He doesn’t ask about it as he doesn’t want to stress you, but he can tell you are happier. You help him with his studies, knowing his exams are in a few weeks.

Today was no different. It was the beginning of March. The first Wednesday of March in fact. You go through his English with him. Quizzing him on the book he’s meant to know relatively off by heart. Half way through you reading a passage to him he takes your wrist. You look at him confused. He pushes your sleeve up slightly and points at a small moon tattoo that’s on the inside of your wrist. “I wanted to have one that both matched but was also unique on my other wrist. Given that you did the one on my left arm” he nods

“How many you got now then” you count on your hands before holding up six fingers. He smiles “Let’s see”

“So I’ve got that one which you saw. Then I managed to get this one” you show behind your ear that there’s a design of flowers and swirls. You look around slightly before lifting your shirt up. Showing your side boob to him where a little heart outline sits. “I did them all myself apart from the one behind my ear. I got that one done by my friend” he nods

“I’m sorry for being a bad influence on you” you laugh as you pull your shirt down again

“I had tattoos before I met you”

“Correction. You had a tattoo before you met me. Singular. Now you have six″ you laugh again and nod

“True. True” you go to carry on reading but he shushes you, gently lowering the book

“Enough now. Please” you chuckle

“Fine. We can carry on next Wednesday” he lets out an annoyed groan as you laugh. “I know you dislike it but if you pass then you can leave school by the end of this year. Unfortunately you have to go through the torture of revision” he falls backwards from the bench, his legs still over the seat as his body lies on the floor. You laugh, standing up and leaning over the table to look at him

“I’m dead”

“Come on” you reach your hands out to help him up, which he grabs and you pull him up.

“Are you thinking of going to college next year?” you shake your head

“I don’t think I’ll get anything out of college to be honest. I don’t want a fancy job. I just want to earn money” you pick at your fingers

“How are your parents coping with that though?” you laugh

“They think I should become a doctor. Because that’s the career Michael has chosen” he laughs slightly as you smile at him, looking at your hands “My aim in life is to find a man that I can have children with. I’m not bothered by my career. I want a family” he nods and looks at you

“How’s that going for you?”

“Not well. Most of the men I’ve gone on dates with just try and get in my pants. Or they start proposing straight away”

“Jesus”

“Yeah not fun. But the joys of dating I suppose. Got to go through the nutters before finding ‘the one’”

"What’s ‘the one’ for you then?”

“Oh god. I don’t know if I have a type... sense of humour is always good. Slightly protective of me. Not badly so, but the kind of guy who will hold my hand in public if he sees other guys looking at me. But also doesn’t care if I go out on my own. Kind as well. I guess the stuff that every girl says they want in a man though, right?” he nods slightly “What’s your type?”

“I don’t know. Never really thought about it. Every girl I’ve been with seems to only want me to make someone else jealous or mad. I just take it whenever I can because it’s rare that a girl actually likes me for me”

“To clarify. I like you for who you are. I appreciate I’m probably not someone you’d get romantically involved with but I do like you for you and I am a girl” he laughs slightly

“You are one of my few female friends though” he thinks for a moment “in fact my only female friend. And also longest female friend”

“Thanks dude”

“I never would’ve thought we’d be as close as we are. You are one of my best friends. I feel like I could tell you anything” you smile

“Yeah I feel the same. You and Alice are the two I trust the most”

“I’m honoured. Truly” he smiles at you as you smile at him

“We should go back. I’ll see you next week though?” he nods

“See you next week”

-

Two weeks pass. You’ve finished studying with Eddie on your usual Wednesday meetup and are chatting away. "You are wrong. Chocolate is defiantly the best flavour of ice cream”

“Nah man. Defiantly rum and raisin”

“Are you saying that purely because it has rum in it?”

“It’s an alcoholic desert, what’s not to love!” you laugh as you lean back slightly and look up at the sky. You feel his eyes trail down your body. You look at him, his eyes darting away quickly. Looking at his watch “Shit its getting late”

“I’ll see you next Wednesday right?” he nods

“It’s the holidays next week so I have no school” you laugh as he stands up and does what you assume to be a happy dance but you aren’t to sure. You laugh as you watch him

“Why don’t you come round for the holiday? We can spend the week together. We can chill out and I can quiz you on your upcoming exams”

“You had me at the coming over part. But the exam part I’ll pass on”

“Come on. You won’t even notice. We can do a drinking game whilst I quiz you. Something like we go through the questions at the back of the book and whoever guesses it the slowest has to drink. Can’t possibly think of how that could go wrong” he laughs

“I like the sound of that more... Sure. I’ll see you on Saturday morning, say about 11?” you nod and smile

“I look forward to it”

-

Saturday comes about. Now Eddie has never been punctual but it was 11:45 and you were worried. You gnaw at your bottom lip as you wait by the door. Your phone rings making you jump. You rush over to it “Hello?”

“Turn on the news. Now” Alice says. Rushing over you turn the TV on. The news anchor speaks as you watch in horror

“-teen been found murdered. We aren’t sure what led to this brutal attack but-”

“Isn’t that where Eddie lives?” you hear Alice whisper on the other end of the phone.

“I- no. No. It can’t be him” you shake your head in disbelief. Eyes glued to the screen. You shake your head and drop the phone as you see his trailer in the background. Tears stream down your face as fear washes over you. You fall to the ground and hug your legs. Hands going to your eyes as you start to cry. About 20 minutes pass and a knock on the door makes you aware of the world around you but only for a moment. Alice manages to open the door. You don’t care how, you just feel her come and sit by you and hug you, stroking your hair as you cry. Her eyes stay fixed on the screen.

“Liz. It’s not him...” you look up

“-Body of the teenage girl was left-”

“It’s not him... But that’s his house...”

“Oh Liz” you look at Alice as she strokes your hair.

-

You wait with Alice all day. She even stays overnight. You hope he’ll turn up on Sunday morning but no luck, so you get dressed from yesterday’s clothes. Grabbing a bag and head out to his trailer. You see his home surrounded by police and tape. You walk around the area. Hoping for any signs of him but you find nothing. You stand near where the commotion is. Listening in. They just say that the body of Chrissy Cunningham was found dead at the scene. You go back to your house. Alice still there “You ok?” you nod

“It’s not him. Chrissy from school, the year below us. It was her they found dead”

“In his house?” you nod

“But he’s not dead...”

“He just likely committed a murder” you nod.

“We can find him. Please. Hess probably scared and confused and we have to help him”

“I’m sorry Liz. I love you. You know I do. But I’m not helping you find someone who’s just murdered a girl our age”

“We don’t know he did it”

“We don’t know he didn’t do it either. I’m sorry. I truly am” you nod slightly. Thinking about what she just said.

“He was meant to come over yesterday... do you-” Tears prick at your eyes as you look up at her “do you think if she wasn’t killed I would’ve been?” she lets out a sigh, running her hands through her hair and shaking her head

“I don’t know...”

“Do you really think he murdered her?”

“I hope he didn’t but the evidence isn’t in his favour” you wipe your eyes as she comes over and hugs you. You hug her back. “I need to go home ok? I’ll be back tomorrow after my shift though” she holds your face between her hands, forcing you to look at her “You’ll be ok. If he turns up here, please call me or the police” you nod slightly.

Every day you go by his trailer. Hoping to find something. Someone. But no luck. You wear the necklace he got for you. The small chain dangling round your neck. Wanting him to be close to you. You get into the shower. First one in about a week. Then the earthquake hits. Once it passes you quickly chuck on some clothes and run outside. Helping those who were hurt immediately outside of your home from the events.

The next day you help set up the small refuge centre for those who were made homeless from the earthquake. Taking along your old clothes, some food and blankets. Even some old toys. Helping out wherever you can. You notice his uncle walk in. Alone. Going to the missing person’s board and placing a poster. Your heart sinks. They still hadn’t found Eddie? You mentally shake yourself.

Another day goes past. You go via his trailer in hopes of any sign of life before heading to the centre. Alice meets you there. Helping you fold clothes and place them into different genres. Women, men’s and children’s. Then you hear a young boy call out for Mr Munson. You look up slightly. Seeing a boy with curly hair talking to the uncle. You see them exchange words, the younger starting to get teary. You try and listen in on what they’re saying. “I-I’m so sorry” you see the boy hand him a necklace. Eddies necklace. You feel tears prick your eyes. Alice turns to you, going to say something about the dress she was holding up but stops

“Liz...?” you shake your head, tears starting to fall from your cheeks. Looking at her

“He-He’s dead” you whisper.

“Oh no, Liz” she says, going to hug you. You shake your head

“I’m sorry... I-I need a minute” you place the shirt you were holding down. Tears falling down your face as you drive back to your house. Getting in, shutting the door behind you. You let out a scream. You collapse to the ground. Hiding your face in your hands as hours go past as you cry. You eventually get up. Knowing time has passed as the sun is no longer up. You go into your room. Grabbing out the Iron Maiden shirt he had gifted you. Taking off all your clothes and placing it on your body as well as the jacket he’d gifted you. Then grabbing Fred the bear you curl up onto your bed. Crying into the soft fur of the bear until you fall asleep.

The next day you wake up. Your whole body feeling numb. You go to work, knowing you have a shift but you do it out of routine. You don’t have the mental strength. You also wear the same shirt you wore at night. Plus the jacket. Only taking it off when your boss says something. The next day you do the same thing. Wearing the same shirt and jacket. Just wondering round like a zombie. Doing chores, making yourself eat and drink. But your mind is blank. You cry whenever you have a free moment to yourself. So you try and be busy. Working overtime more. It’s been 4 days since you found out the news about Eddie. Your boss sees you cleaning tables and walks over. ”It’s your day off. Go home”

“Please. I need to be here”

“You haven’t left here in 20 hours. Go home. Get some rest. Eat and drink. I’ll see you in a couple of days” you nod slightly. Walking back to your house. You get in. Collapsing onto your bed. As soon as you hit the pillow you start crying. All the memories of him flooding your brain. How he laughed. His smile. Him trying to distract you from helping him revise. You lie on your back. Kissing the necklace that was around your neck. “I’m sorry Eddie. I’m so sorry. You were the best thing that happened to me... and you’ll never know” you hide your face. Gently crying yourself to sleep.

-

A few weeks pass. Although you were still mourning Eddie’s death you had started to get back to normal. You had arranged with your parents that you would move out of Hawkins as it now had too many bad memories associated with it. So you lived in boxes. Thankfully they were rich enough to be able to buy you a place outright so you didn’t need to worry about selling the house before you moved. You had managed to shower in the recent week. Not wanting to so that the scent of his shirt stayed on you for longer. But you had managed to shower and wash, even clean the house up a bit as you were currently living in boxes. You were just looking at houses at the moment, waiting for the right one to show up before you moved out. As soon as you found it your parents would pay for it and you would be living your new life. Out of habit you would go to your usual meeting spot every Wednesday. You knew no one went there so you would take a book or some paper and go and relax for an hour or so. You found it helped you feel closer to him even when you knew he couldn’t be with you anymore

-

It had been a month since Eddies passing. Although life was still difficult and you still felt empty you were getting better over time. Getting to the centre you see Alice. You go over to her. “How are you feeling today?” you nod

“Good. Woke up feeling the happiest I have done in a while” she nods and smiles

“I’m glad to hear that” she smiles at you as you both quietly sort out the food. A few minutes pass before you speak again

“We’ll still be friends if I move far away right?”

“Of course. I thought you were only moving about half an hour away though” you nod

“I was thinking about moving more near Mexico. I know it’s quite far away but I decided I just want to move away from everything. It’s just that things here are reminding me of a... previous time and I think moving away will help me heal” she nods slowly

“Can I come visit?”

“Of course! And I’ll write to you and ring you constantly” she chuckles slightly, turning to you and hugging you

“Do you want to hang out later today?” you shake your head

“I can’t today. I’m going to the place I used to meet up with him for the last time today. But we can meet up tomorrow?” she nods and smiles

“It’s a date. I’ll come round yours for midday”

-

You sat at your spot. Quietly sketching to yourself. The gentle breeze going over your skin. Knowing this would be the last time you would sit here you were sketching him in your book from your memory. You were half way through, trying to get his eye shape just right when you hear a noise behind you. Sounded like walking. You turn to see if someone was there but it goes silent again. Your eyes scan the trees behind you. Thinking you see movement you call out 

“Hello?” no answer. You swear you saw someone but you must’ve seen a deer or the leaves moving in the wind. You shrug it off and carry on drawing. A few minutes pass and you hear a noise behind you. Before you can turn around you feel a hand come up to your mouth. 

“Don’t scream...” you hear someone whisper. You grip a hold of your pencil, going to swing it at the unknown person. You see them going and grabbing the hand holding the pencil. Your free hand coming up, pushing the hand over your mouth into you more as you then bite down hard. “Fuck!” he yelps as he lets go off you. You jump up and move away from him. Turning around your eyes meet familiar brown ones.

“N-no” you say as you see Eddie standing before you.

“Liz its ok” he goes to take a step towards you

“Get the fuck away from me!” you sob, feeling tears starting to form in your eyes. He can’t be here. He died. You heard the young boy say so. The necklace... You saw him with his necklace. He puts both his hands up in defence

“I’m not going to hurt you”

“Why are you here?” you hear your voice waver. Tears threatening your eyes as you watch the boy. His hands, face and clothes appear grubby and covered in dried blood.

“I was hoping that you’d be here... I didn’t know who else I could go to”

“Why did the young boy have your necklace?”

“Young boy... Oh you must mean Dustin” He looks at you. Standing still and keeping his arms raised as to not scare you “I promise I won’t hurt you, you don’t need to be anxious. It’s just me”

“I currently have a man who, from my knowledge, has risen from the dead and who is wanted for murder standing in front of me. So sorry if I’m a bit on edge”

“I told you. I didn’t know where else to go. I promise I’m not going to hurt you” You wipe your eyes as you feel the tears starting to fall. He remains still, waiting for you to relax. As you don’t make any sign of movement he slowly holds a hand out to you “My queen...” his eyes meeting yours. You shake your head, wiping your eyes again as you feel some tears escape down your cheeks

“You died... he said so. You aren’t meant to be here”

“It’s me. I promise” you go towards him, gently touching your fingers onto his hand. A choked sob leaving yours as you touch him. You see tears in his eyes as he smiles at you. You go towards him slightly.

“I thought I lost you...” you whisper. Fingers gently stroking over his hands as you start silently crying. “Why did he have your necklace?” you look at him. He looks down and shakes his head

“If I told you everything that happened you wouldn’t believe me” he looks at you through his hair.

“I- I trust you. Tell me the truth” you hesitantly say. He rubs the back of his neck. You hesitate for a moment before stepping towards him more, taking a hold of his hand fully.

“I didn’t kill Chrissy. I didn’t kill anyone. She- they died from a different creature. Dustin, he told me about this other world. Like Hawkins but evil. Filled with creatures not of this world. One of these creatures killed Chrissy. Killed the others. He- he wants to destroy our world. And we tried to stop him. We tried to hurt his physical being that exists in this other place. We went through a portal to his world. And that’s where I got attacked”

“Why did Dustin say that you had died?”

“Because I think I did...” he whispers. Eyes looking at you before looking away, rubbing his forehead “I got attacked by these bats. Demonic bats. And I remember Dustin holding me as I felt my soul leaving my body... the world turning black...” His hand clenching slightly around yours as he recalls what happened. “I then woke up. I still felt like shit but I... I woke up. I-I was alone though... I knew time had passed because no one was in there with me” he wipes his eyes “So I slowly made my way back to a portal to here. Bringing myself through it. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed but I knew that Dustin and Steve and everyone would think I was dead... I didn’t want to burden them. I couldn’t think of who else to go to that I could trust. Hell, or someone that would trust me. So I came here. I hoped you’d be here today, considering its Wednesday” he chuckles slightly as he looks at you “I’m truly sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I didn’t know who else to go to” he kisses the back of your hand, leaving his lips resting on the back of it before he looks at you. The same kind eyes you’re used to.

“How- how did you come back to life?”

“I don’t know... I just know I did” you nod.

“So, you’re telling me that there is some evil monster trying to kill us all and he lives in a different world that we can’t see?” he nods

“I know it sounds insane. I get that. But you have to trust me. Everything I told you is the truth”

“I trust you... I just... It’s a lot to take in” You let out a shaky sigh, your hand going and playing with the necklace placed around your neck. He watches you as you think for a moment. Your hand tightening onto his slightly.

“I’m going to leave this place. I can’t stay here. People will recognise me” he says to you “I just needed some food and a car. I just... I wanted to make sure you were ok...” he looks down as he says the last part in a whisper, his thumb gently stroking your hand. You nod and think for a moment.

“I want to come with you” you look at him as he shakes his head

“No I-”

“I was moving out anyway. And I was going to move to Mexico so it’s not any hassle. I just... please?” you smile at him slightly “We can finally run away from here” you whisper as he nods slowly. Hand coming to stroke your cheek. Making you smile fully at him. "We should be getting back to my place. Don’t want people to recognise you” he nods, holding his other hand out for you to take which you do. You manage to sneak back into your house. He uses your shower, not having had one for a good few weeks. Coming into your bedroom and lying on the bed. He pats next to him as you lie down. He reaches out and takes your hand, resting it on his chest as he shuts his eyes and falls asleep. As do you.

-

You wake up the next morning. Bed empty beside you. “Eddie?” you call out, a slight panic in your voice. Standing up quickly you go into the living room. Fear setting in. He walks out of the kitchen, a half-eaten apple in his hand.

“Sorry. I didn’t think you’d mind” you go over to him and hug him

“I thought you’d gone again...”

“I’m not going anywhere” he whispers, gently stroking your back as he kisses the top of your head. “I’m right here” you nod. “I washed my shirt. Its hanging up over the shower rail” he smiles at you as you nod, kissing the palm of his hand “Do you have work today?” you shake your head

“No but Alice is picking me up for a day out. Shit. She’ll be here soon” as if on cue you hear a knock on the door

“Liz it’s me” you hear Alice call through the door

“Go to the bedroom” you motion, he nods, moving as quickly as he can he goes to the bedroom, shutting the door behind him. You open the front door, smiling at her

“You ready?” she eyes your pyjamas up and down before chuckling “I’ll wait in the car”. You nod, rushing to your bedroom. Eddie hiding in the corner. You whisper to him

“I’ll be back about dinner time. There is food in the kitchen. You’re safe here, I promise” he nods slightly

“Have a good day out” you smile at him as you head out, locking the front door behind you.

-

You both have a good day out. Getting back to your house around 7pm. “Can I come in for a cup of coffee before I drive home?” you nod, eyes scanning your house before letting her in. The bedroom door being firmly shut you notice. She goes to the kitchen, making you both a drink. You both drink and chat for about 20 minutes before she gets up. Taking your mug she goes over to the sink to wash up for you “Oh shit!” you hear her say

“What’s wrong?”

“I just got coffee on my shirt... shit” she tries wiping it, making it stain more.

“Take it off. I’ll wash it out for you” she nods, taking it off. You place it in the sink, starting to rinse through

“I’m going to borrow one of your shirts, ok?”

“Sure” she goes to your bedroom door, slowly opening it. Then it dawns on you. You drop the shirt “No” she has the door half open, looking at you.

“No?”

“No. You can’t go in there”

“Why not?”

“I-I haven’t cleaned up in ages”

“That doesn’t bother me” she turns and opens the door. You hold your breath as she walks in, going to your drawers and opening them. Placing on a shirt “It’s really not that grubby in here” she smiles at you as she tucks the shirt into her skirt. You nod, eyes scanning the room. You see the wardrobe is slightly open. She furrows her brows as she looks at you. “Ok what are you hiding?”

“Nothing. Nothing” you look at her and smile. She nods slowly

“Uhu sure. Defiantly not suspicious” you hear a noise coming from the wardrobe. You wince slightly as she turns and looks at it “did you have a guy over last night and your scared to tell me?” she grins at you “You dirty bitch. Ok who is it” she walks over to the wardrobe

“No Ali-” she opens it. Eddie trying his best to hide. She moves away. Look of fear crossing her face. He shakes his head, coming out and covering her mouth. Fear crossing both their eyes

“Please don’t scream” he begs. She moves away, falling harshly onto the bed. Crawling up it as she shakes her head.

“Liz call the police” you shake your head “Liz call the fucking police or I will”

“I’m not doing that Alice. He won’t hurt us”

“Why the fuck is he in your room?” she looks at you, fear in her eyes “He killed Chrissy. As in, the guy who’s currently in your room brutality murdered a young and innocent girl” you shake your head

“He didn’t... He told me he didn’t...”

“Oh yeah cause that would hold up in court. He couldn’t possibly have done it because his pinkie promised” you shake your head

“Don’t you think that if he wanted to murder me he would’ve done it by now?”

“Ok so if he didn’t do it then who the fuck did?”

“Someone else. He left to get drugs for a drug deal. When he got back she was already dead. He said he saw someone leave his house but couldn’t be sure who, right Eddie?” you look at him and he nods

“I promise you I would never have hurt Chrissy... Ever”

“Then why didn’t you hand yourself into the police?”

“Would you believe me in a court of law?” she shakes her head, looking at him

“We saw Dustin. He said you died”

“I faked my death so I could run away. To the knowledge of everyone in this town I died” she nods slowly

“And why am I to believe you?”

“Do you have any reason not to?”

“Other than if I do and I trust you then you could easily kill me”

“I’m not going to kill you. Or Liz. Or anyone for that matter. I didn’t kill anyone. I swear” she nods slightly, watching him. She hides her face in her hands

“Jesus fuck Liz...”

“I know. I know...”

“You can’t just keep a man who’s wanted for murder in your house? What if the wrong person found him? You could get into a lot of shit”

“I know... I am aware of the shit I’m in but I... I can’t just not help him...” you look at both of the people before looking at Alice “I don’t expect you to trust him. But I do. I believe he didn’t kill Chrissy. I’m sorry for dragging you into this. But please don’t tell anyone he’s here. Please?” she lets out a very long and shaky sigh before nodding.

“Fine. Fine. Jesus fuck” she rubs here forehead “So what’s your plans?”

“We are moving away from here. To clarify I did want to move away before I realised he wasn’t dead. But now we are leaving together. It’s not safe for him and I don’t feel safe here. You will always be my best friend though and I will always keep in contact with you” you smile at her, going over and hugging her “I love you Alice. Forever and always” she hugs you back

“I love you too. Even if I think you’re an idiot” you chuckle slightly, hugging her tighter.

Alice leaves after a while. You get ready to hide Eddie in case she tells the police but after a few hours you figure she’s kept her promise and not ratted you out. A few days pass. You have gotten Eddie some new clothes for him to wear. Then you pack up all your stuff into your car during the day. Going back into your house, you sit on the sofa. Eddie grabbing a beer from the fridge. “So go over the plan with me again” he asks as he sits next to you

“I’ve packed our stuff into my car. Later tonight, I’m thinking about 1am, we head off to Mexico. Once there we do some house hunting or just find a caravan to live in. Dependant on which one happens first. A small flat will do us just fine”

“How long is the drive to Mexico?”

“Likely take us 2 days. Possibly 3 depending on how many times we need to stop for food and sleep” he nods, taking a large sip of his drink

“And who have you told that we are going?”

“I’ve quit my job already. I stopped working there about a week ago. Some of my immediate friends I’ve told I’m moving away but I said I’d write to them. Alice is the only one who knows that I’m moving into a place with you” he nods, scratching at his neck scar. You sigh as you stand up “I’m going to sleep for a bit so that I can drive us over night. Just for a few hours. I’ll then park up and sleep properly. It’s just so that no one who might recognise you from around here won’t see you in my car” he nods and waves goodnight to you as you go into the bedroom and lie down.

-

You wake up about midnight, having a quick shower before going to Eddie who’s asleep on the sofa. Shaking him “Eddie” he grunts at you as you chuckle. “Eddie, it’s time for us to go” he rubs his eyes, nodding and sitting up. Scratching his head before standing.

“Let’s go” he heads to the front door. You quickly write a note, leaving it on the table for the estate agent who was coming round the next day. Saying you would leave the key you have under the doormat. Thankfully he has a key to your house so you didn’t worry about him not being able to get in. You lock the door behind you both after you quickly ran round the house, checking you’ve not left anything behind. Heading to the car you start it up, backing out and heading to your new home.

You had music blaring, trying to keep yourself awake whist you drove. But it must’ve gotten about 4 in the morning before you caved. Pulling into a layby so you could rest your eyes for a few hours. Just as you turn off the car’s engine, Eddie wakes up. “Sorry Liz... I meant to stay awake and chat with you”

“It’s ok. Sorry to wake you. I just needed to rest my eyes for a bit before driving again”

“Rest then. I’ll see you in the morning” you nod. Both falling back to sleep.

Waking up about 10 you stretch, Eddie flutters his eyes open and half smiles at you “Do you want me to take over driving for a bit?”

“If you’re ok with that?”

“Of course!” you both switch seats. Him driving for a few hours as you both chat. “I’ve not played dungeons and dragons in so long”

“When did you last play?”

“Like a month ago. That’s a long time” you laugh

“I’ve not played for over a year”

“How are you sane?” he asks you

“I don’t know. None of my friends are into that kind of thing. Apart from you, obviously. But I feel bad about crashing you hellfire session” he chuckles slightly

“Ok. I need to change your experience though”

“How?”

“Tonight when we pull over I’m going to do a session with you. Just a small one. Before we sleep” you laugh slightly

“Will just me playing be enough?”

“Of course! It’d come in handy as I need new DnD buddies” you nod slightly, looking at him as he drives. Getting heavily distracted by his hand changing gear. Going back to the wheel. Thankfully you pull yourself out of the trance before he notices. Going back to your conversation.

-

You stop for food, before you take over driving again. Going along until quite late. You find a car park. Both grabbing snacks as he grins at you “You ready for DnD?”

“Sure. Let’s do this” he laughs, setting up the basis for the game with you. Creating a character and then a world. It doesn’t surprise you that he has a couple of dice in his leather jacket.

You play for what must’ve been a couple of hours before he speaks. “I think us ending at the Cave of Death is a good place to stop”

“No! I want to know that happened to Lin!” he chuckles slightly “You can’t have my cat companion kidnapped and then not at least tell me she’s ok”

“Guess you’ll just have to find out tomorrow” you glare at him, grabbing a chocolatey snack from the dashboard and hiding it over your side of the car

“Fine. But I’m taking these as hostage” he laughs, leaning across you and taking them. He smiles at you, you can smell the cigarette on his breath as he speaks

“Didn’t put up much of a fight now did you?” you chuckle, snatching them back off of him and trying to move away. But he just goes closer to you, causing you to squeal. He laughs, grabbing them from you and going to his side of the car. You lean over him, hand resting on his bicep as you go to grab them again but being unable to. His arms being that little bit longer than yours. You huff out in annoyance, glaring at him. His face inches away from yours as he grins.

“You’re...” you try and think of an insult but none comes to mind

“Amazing? Gorgeous? A brilliant friend? Oh you flatter me”

“Oh shut up” he laughs, gently patting your head before he looks around the car park.

“Wow. How long did we play for? We’re the only ones here. There was at least ten cars when we pulled up” you look out the window, chuckling slightly at the deserted car park. He turns his head back towards you as you look at him. You realise your still leaning over him, chest pressed against his. Your eyes flutter down to his lips quickly, before you move away. Feeling your cheeks redden at the idea of getting close with him. You both sit in silence for a while before you feel his finger under your chin, gently tilting your head to look at him. Your cheeks reddening even more. He gently runs his thumb over your bottom lip. Eyes fixed on your mouth as he smiles at you. You lean into him, his warmth and scent attracting you. This causes him to smile more. He was truly captivated by you at this moment. A car pulling up in the car park distracts you both, causing you to move away and for him to drop his hand.

“We should sleep... Busy day ahead of us tomorrow” he nods. Looking over at you before he takes his jacket off and placing it over your body

“You might get cold...” he says calmly before shutting his eyes. You pull the leather up near your nose, smelling the fabric as the previous few moments played through your head. You’d slept with him before. Of course. But that wasn’t for a while. You assumed you slept with him because he was a rebound. You assumed that’s how he saw it as well. Just a guy you slept with because you were dealing with your breakup, but who you ended up befriending in the process. So why did that moment feel so... unique. Intimate. Alluring. You shake it off. Putting it down to hormones and fluke. Shutting your eyes you drift off to sleep.

-

You were bent over the bed. Feeling him railing you from behind as his hand gripped your hair tightly causing you to moan. He felt so good, the smell of cigarette smoke and beer hitting your nose as he grunts behind you. Pushing your face down into the bed as you grip it tightly. “Eddie...” you moan out.

You wake up to the car door shutting. “Shit” you hear him say. You open your eyes and look at him. Feeling dazed from your dream. Then remembering what you had just been dreaming you feel your cheeks turn red. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to wake you. I just needed to piss” you nod, rubbing your eyes

“So glad you told me that” you look at your watch. 8:37. you let out an annoyed groan “Why did we decide to travel to a place that’s so far away” he laughs

“Hey, you decided this before you knew I was ok. So I’m not responsible for your problem”

“That doesn’t help. That just means I’m the idiot”

“Come on. Let’s go” he quickly goes through your tapes you have. “Why is your music taste so.... shit”

“I have good music taste”

“No. No you don’t” he finds one and shrugs “It’ll do” he puts it in. You smile and start singing as he rolls his eyes at you but smiles. You start up the car, driving for what seems like ages. Stopping to have some food on the way as you switch so he drives for another few hours. Changing back to you after about four hours. Driving for a few more five hours before, once again, finding a spot to park up so you can both rest. Pulling up near a woods that has a small picnic bench. You get out of the car, stretching before going over to the bench, leaning against it and looking at the wooded area.  He leans against the bench, both of you in silence. You go to the car, going and grabbing some crisps. Then going over to the bench and offering a packet. He takes it, opening it and eating it. “Next time we stop at a gas station can we get something to drink?”

“We have coke in the car”

“Not that kind of drink”

“Oh... sure. But you’re buying it. I’m underage” he chuckles, eating as he speaks

“So am I. It’s not going to stop me” you laugh. Both continuing to eat. Finishing and going and placing the empty bags into the car. Going back over and lining against the bench with Eddie again. You lean against the bench, lying on the top of it with your legs over the edge, feet on the seat part. Looking up at the stars. You point

“Ooh shooting star” he leans his head back and looks up. “Got to make a wish” he smiles

“What are you wishing for?”

“If I tell you then it won’t come true” he nods

“Can’t argue with that” he turns to look at you. You move your head slightly to look at him. You smile, he smiles back at you. “It’s so much calmer at night” you nod in agreement. “May I join?” he motions next to you as you nod, scooting over as he lies down. He scratches at his neck scar, frowning slightly as he feels where the wound was.

“Can I ask something?” he looks at you and nods “How badly where you bitten...? I know it was bad but... how bad?” he breaks eye contact with you, looking back at the sky. Taking in a shaky breath he sits up. You also sit up as he takes off his shirt. Revealing his scarred torso. “Oh god...” you whisper. Finger gently touching over the healed skin. You can see a sadness in his eyes as he looks down at himself. You place a hand on his cheek, forcing him to look at you “You are still an amazing guy. One of my closest friends and still very handsome. With or without these scars. Nothing can change those facts” he smiles slightly at you.

“Thank you” he says quietly. You nod, moving your hand from his cheek and looking back at the sky. He places his shirt back on, his eyes looking over at you as you admire the stars. “I’m sorry for dragging you into my shitty life”

“You didn’t drag me into anything. I’m here because I want to be” you look at him and smile “its part of the adventure” he chuckles slightly. Taking your hand in his and kissing the back of it. He leaves his mouth near your hand, gently brushing over it.

“You know... when I came too in the other place I had a lot of thoughts going through my head...” you nod slightly, his deep brown eyes meeting yours. A slight tinge of sadness in them. “I was so scared of never seeing anyone again... of being trapped in that place... it nearly drove me insane” he turns your hand over and kisses the palm of it “But the thing that helped me get out of there was you. I had seen Dustin and how he was with it all. I knew he’d be ok. Same with Wheeler and everyone. But you... I needed to know you were ok. So I made myself get up. Made myself come back here. I couldn’t protect Chrissy... and that will forever haunt me. But I can try and protect you. Now I have a head start on that weird bastard” he smiles at you “A king has to protect his queen” he smiles at you. Kissing your wrist

“That, Eddie Munson, was the most genuine thing anyone has ever said to me” he grins at you. Placing a hand on your cheek and gently rubbing your cheekbone “I’m so glad to see you again...” you smile at him, feeling tears prick at your eyes. He smiles softly at you, leaning in and gently planting a kiss onto your lips. The action causing so much joy to flow through your body. You grip at his shirt, trying to pull him closer to you. Kissing each other slowly and sweetly. Just taking in each other’s taste with no other real intent behind the soft kisses you’re exchanging. Just wanting to feel each other. Be close. You move closer to him, trying to feel him on every inch of your body. He smiles at this action, but not once do you leave each other’s lips

“God I missed how good you taste...” you blush slightly at his words. Biting your bottom lip

“What do I taste like?”

“Like strawberries and chocolate” you smile, kissing him again. The contrast of him tasting of beer and cigar being evident to you. You feel his hand trail up and down your spine and sides. It eventually rests on your hip, squeezing it slightly.

“Eddie...” you moan out quietly. He smiles. Stroking your cheek slightly before giving you a quick peck to your lips and then your forehead.

“As much as I would love to carry on I’m afraid we should get back to the car and sleep. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow” you pout at him, gripping his shirt slightly as a means to keep him close to you. He takes a hold of the balled up fists. Kissing the knuckles gently before standing up. Outstretching his hand towards you. You take it, letting him lead you to the car and opening the passenger door. You get in

“Such a gentlemen” he grins and bows slightly. Shutting the door and getting into the driver’s seat. You both chat for about 30 minutes more until you both let sleep take over you both.

You wake up in the very early hours of the morning to what can only be described as whimpering. You come to, realising that Eddie is making the noises. You turn to him. Seeing him shivering slightly, eyebrows furrowed as he whimpers. You gently touch his arm “Eddie” you whisper. No response. You gently shake him, speaking louder this time “Eddie” he jolts awake. Moving to the edge of the car. Eyes on you. Scared eyes watching yours. “Eddie... sh its ok. You were having a bad dream” you hold a hand out towards him, outstretched about a foot away from him “It’s just me. You’re safe” he wipes his eyes before taking your hand with his. Holding it to his face and gently tracing his lips on the back of it. Eyes looking out of the front of the car. You reach over, gently pulling him into you as you hug him. Arms wrapped around him as he buries his head into the crook of your neck. You hear him sniff slightly before pulling away. Wiping his nose on the back of his hand before opening the car door

“I need a smoke” you nod

“Do you want me to join you?” he shakes his head

“Just... try and get back to sleep” you nod slightly. Watching as he steps out of the car and shuts the door behind him. Going over to the bench you watch as he lights a cigarette. You bite your thumbnail anxiously as you watch him. You let out a sigh, opening the door and going and sitting on the bench that he stands by.

“Sorry, I couldn’t leave you out here alone” he nods slightly.

“Thank you” he half smiles at you. He continues smoking, both of you taking in the night air. Looking out over the view. You vaguely notice him glancing at you but don’t pay much attention to it. Assuming he was just checking on you to make sure you were ok given the dream he had. He puts the cigarette on the floor, snubbing it out with his foot. You look at him as he runs his hands through his hair. “Can I-Can I ask for a request?”

“What is it?” you look at him

“I keep having bad dreams... It might not help but I was wondering if we sleep on the backseat together. It might help the nightmares. You can say no if it’s too much of a request”

“I’ll happily sleep with you” he grins at you, both walking over to the car and getting into the back he slides over to one side. You get in next to him. He awkwardly holds his hands away from your frame. You let out a small chuckle “You can touch my body. It’s ok” he wraps his arms around your middle. Pulling you close to him. His back between the back of the seat and the door. You lift yours legs up on the seat. Resting them onto the back of the sofa as you lean backwards, your head settling onto his shoulder as he looks at you and smiles

“You comfy?” you nod

“You?” he nods. Kissing your forehead as you snuggle into him more. “Goodnight Eddie”

“Night Liz”

-

Morning comes about. You let out an annoyed grunt as the sun comes through the window. You notice Eddie is awake and looking out the window. “Liz, how set on Mexico are you?”

“Why?”

“Ok hear me out. If you look there-” he points to the woody bit near where you’re parked “I think that’s an abandoned caravan. I reckon we could do her up nicely and then live in that. Attach it to the car and bam we have a house”

“We can’t just steal someone’s van”

“It’s not stealing if it’s been left there” he gently taps your nose with his finger “let’s go and see” he smiles excitedly at you. You roll your eyes but oblige. Getting out the car he soon follows. Practically skipping over he removes a few brambles. “I was right!” he exclaims. You go over and fold your arms. He continues moving the trees out of the way. He finds a window, peering in “Looks like it’s not been used in a while. No sign of life inside” you nod slightly, going over and also peering into the window.

“How are we getting it out then?” he looks at the van, then the car.

“There was a garage quite close by, correct? I’ll drive up there and get what we need. You stay here and guard the van and make sure no one steals our new home” you chuckle slightly and go over to the bench. Sitting down on it as he starts up the car and drives off.

You reckon an hour or so had passed before you heard the car pulling up. He jumps out. Giving you a small huff of acknowledgement before going over and attacking the trees with whatever he can to get most of the van on show. You go over and help. Well, attempt to. You eventually both manage to uncover the van enough. He then goes back to the car. Attaching something to it before coming over to where the van is. Attaching the same thing to that as well. Then running back to the car he gets in. Starting the engine he gently starts to drive. You move out of the way as the caravan gets brought out from among the trees. Bringing it up into the car park. He goes over, trying to open the door. “Shit” you laugh slightly as he looks upset at the fact the door is locked

“Guess that’s why no one else decided to move in” you go over to the car, grabbing a bobby pin from the front dashboard before going to the locked door. You put it in. Eddie watching in amazement as you open it with ease. You motion for him to look inside which he does. Dainty van, small kitchen and dining/living space with a bed the opposite side. “It’s cute” you say as you step inside. You go over to the living room bit, running a finger over the table top. Then you see it. The fattest spider you’ve ever seen. You let out a small squeak as it makes you jump “Eddie. Help” he walks in

“What’s wrong?” you point, then go near him. He looks at you then at the spider

“Don’t hurt it just... make it go away” he chuckle, going over to it and picking it up. You back up as far as you can away from him as he puts it outside

“Sorry dude, we’re commandeering your home” he looks at you “he’s gone”

“Thank you. Sorry. Normally I’m all right with them but when they make me jump I dislike them” he nods

“Just don’t look to closely round the rest of the room and I’ll move them when you aren’t looking” you let out a small shiver which he laughs at before going over to the bed. He pushes on the mattress slightly “I’m surprised moths haven’t eaten away at this place. But the framework and cushions seem to be intact still” you nod, opening the various cupboards and finding a few cups and plates inside.

You spend the day cleaning out the caravan. Both slowly becoming covered in a layer of dust and filth. It becomes too dark for you both to continue, the light having dwindled away and the lights in the van not working. Despite Eddie trying. You agree you’ll try the electricity tomorrow, as you’ll have more light then so be more likely to actually do it well. You go out and sit down on the bench. It’s quite late by this point, about 10 at night. He comes and sits next to you. “Do we have beer in the car?”

“Possibly”

“If we do, do you want one?”

“Sure. Why not” he smiles and goes to the car. You hear him rummaging around before hearing a little ‘yay’ of joy. He walks over, handing you a beer as he pulls out something from his pocket.

“You ok if I indulge?” you shrug, opening your beer and taking a sip of it.

“Go ahead” he pulls out a lighter, placing the joint in his mouth as he lights the end. He offers it to you, letting you take a few puffs of it before handing it back “How are we doing the bed situation?”

“What do you mean?” he looks at you

“Well. There is two of us. One bed. We could make the sofa into a bed but then we won’t have a living room. Or-” you pause

“Or?”

“We could share a bed. It doesn’t bother me. But I don’t want to assume it wouldn’t bother you” he chuckles slightly  

“I don’t care about sharing a bed. If it’s ok with you then its ok with me” he smiles at you, taking another puff of his joint. You nod. Sipping your beer. Before shivering slightly. He snubs out the end before taking his beer and holding his hand out to you “Come on. Let’s go inside our new home” you take his hand, letting him lead you inside. He places his beer on the side as you sit on the bed. He goes over to the car. Grabbing out the blankets and going back over to you. You’ve taken your shoes off, lying on the bed and sipping your beer still. He lies next to you but the opposite way. His head by your feet and yours by his. You both chat and drink. You both are feeling the effects of the weed and the beers as you feel tiredness overcome you.

“We should sleep” he shakes his head

“No I don’t want to sleep” he pouts at you.

“Come on. I’m tired” he shakes his head, leaning over to you and gently poking your cheek

“Wake up. Stay awake” you roll yours eyes at him as he leans over you. Letting out a sigh he positions himself to be lying on you. His head resting on your stomach, his body between your legs “Yeah sleep seems good actually” you laugh “Night”

“Goodnight” you smile as you hear him start to let out deep breaths as sleep overcomes him.

-

You wake up. Eddie still asleep on top of you. Neither of you seemed to have moved at all during the night. You place a hand on his bicep, gently stroking it with your hand as you look at his sleeping face. About 10 minutes pass before he scrunches his face up slightly, opening his eyes and smiling at you as he sees you. Shutting them again as he stretches. Hugging you close to him he buries his face into your stomach. His hands grip at your shirt as he comes too. “Sleep well?” he nods, tilting his head to look at you. He gently rubs your side as his eyes scan your face. Your slightly tousled hair and sleepy eyes watching his. He takes your hand, kissing the palm of it before he sits up. Stretching fully and standing up

“We need to paint this place. Then I reckon we should start heading to somewhere else for a more stable place of living”

“Where is a more stable place of living?”

“Not a carpark where I heard two people fucking in their car next to us” you pull a disgusted face. He chuckles at your expression. Opening the door to the van as he grabs a cigar from his pocket. Lighting it and smoking in the entry way. He blows the smoke out of the door “I’ll drive and get us some stuff in a second. First got to have my nicotine” he smiles at you as you laugh. You sit up. Going to your bag and grabbing out a clean shirt.

“There was a trailer place about 10 minutes away. We passed it before stopping here. We could see if they have a place for us? Plus they’ll probably have running water so we can shower and stuff” he lets out a small chuckle as he looks out at the view.

“It’s a shame. It’s beautiful here during the day” you go and stand in the doorway with him. Looking out at the woodlands before you.

“Sadly I value basic hygiene over a view. Plus I don’t fancy living in a popular hook-up spot” you pat his arm and smile at him as you go back to your shirt “I’m going to change quickly” he nods. Covering his eyes as you take your shirt off. Placing the clean one of your body. Putting on some deodorant and perfume as well. You take your hair out of the pony it’s been in for the past few days. Tying it up into a messy bun in hopes to hid how greasy it’s becoming. “You can look now” he peaks at you through his fingers

“Is it safe?” you swear at him before sitting down on the bed

“What colour are we thinking?”

“Red” you nod

“I like red” he smiles “Not to dark though. Have a bright red. It’ll help keep the place looking light. Maybe red with some white walls?”

“Ooh that look good. Have the wall above our bed be red but the other walls white” you nod and smirk

“I’ll go and get the colours. You wait here and make sure no one steals our home. We should really get a lock for this place. I’ll look for one of them as well” he nods as you grab your jacket and head to your car. Waving at him as you drive to a shop for various supplies.

-

You get back. Paint, brushes, a cover to place over the bed and furniture, a lock and key, plus some other parts to make a custom locking system, plus some food. You go over to him. Hess sat on the bench. You place the bag down next to him “Presto. Let’s get painting” he chuckles. Grabbing the paint and brush he practically runs to the van. Eager to start decorating. You place the plastic over the furniture before also grabbing a brush and paint. Both of you painting. You start humming under your breath. He pauses in his brush strokes. Looking at you with his eyebrows furrowed. You stop humming

“No. Carry on” you chuckle slightly. Humming. He looks at you, trying to figure out the song. You start humming and dancing. When he still doesn’t get it through your quite frankly wonderful dancing skills you start singing the words.

“The taste of love is sweet. When hearts like ours meet. And I fell for you, like a child. Oh but the fire went wild” he claps his arms excitedly before pointing at you enthusiastically as you both sing

“I FELL INTO A BURNING RING OF FIRE” you belt out before you both laugh.

“Such a good song” he exclaims, turning back to painting.

“Your turn. Sing for me” he rolls his eyes, tapping the wall with his brush as he thinks.

“Once upon a time I was falling in love”

“Now I’m only falling apart”

“There’s nothing I can do”

“Total eclipse of the heart”

“Damn I thought that was one you wouldn’t get” you laugh and shake your head.

“It’s a shame there’s no radio in here. Or working electricity” you laugh slightly

“That’s our next job then”. You spend most of the afternoon on trying to sort out the electricity, to not much happening. Eddie lets out an annoyed huff. “I need a smoke. I’ll look again soon” you nod as he walks and sits on the bench. You have a look at what needs to be done.

“Could it be something to do with under the car?” you say to yourself as you kneel down, looking underneath but shaking your head mainly to yourself.

“Can I help at all?” you hear a voice say. You turn. A young, attractive man stands about two metres from you.

“I don’t know. Do you know much about electrics?” he nods

“I know a bit about them. May I?”

“Please” he starts to fiddle with the wires. Analysing them as you watch. Eddie sat on the bench a little ways away from you and the man. Enough for him to be able to watch you but not enough for the man to have noticed him.

“How long has this been unused?”

“Not too sure” he raises an eyebrow at you “It used to be my brothers but he said he hasn’t used it in a while so I can have it” you lie. He nods, sorting through the wires as he chats to you. Eddie walks over, standing near you as the man works “Is there anything I can do to help?” he shakes his head.

“Should be fine. Just need a little more time” he speaks. Continuing to chat with you as Eddie stands so close you can feel his arm gently touching yours. But you don’t pay it much attention as you and the man continue talking. About 20 minutes pass and he stands by you, going to the light switch “In theory” he turns the light on successfully “ay” you smile and clasp your hands together

“Thank you so much. I think that would’ve taken us ages to figure out on our own” he smiles at you and shrugs

“My pleasure miss. I’ll be on my way”

“Thank you again” he smiles as he walks back to his car. Waving at you as he drives away. You look at Eddie “And now we have power” you smile at him. This is when you notice his slightly ‘off’ demeanour. Your face softens “What’s wrong?” he shakes his head, refusing to meet your gaze. You furrow your brows at him as you gently rest your hand over his, his arms folded over his torso. “You can tell me” he shakes his head

“It’s nothing. Honestly” he smiles slightly at you, but you notice it doesn’t meet his eyes. You nod slightly, choosing to drop the subject but knowing full well something was still bothering him. You both continue tiding the van now that the paint has dried. Not that it needs much more as you both had a good go at it yesterday. But you finished the last minute things. You go over to your car. The caravan now being clean enough to start putting things like ornaments out. So, grabbing a bag you go into the van. Eddie sits on the sofa, looking into the bag as you start to empty it. Pulling out a Polaroid camera “I didn’t realise you did photography”

“I wouldn’t say I do. I just have that so I can have memories of me and my friends” you delve into the bag, pulling out a couple of Polaroid’s of you and your close friends. Alice being one of them. He smiles and goes through them

“You have no pictures with me” he puts his hand over his heart “am I not one of your friends?” you roll your eyes at him. Taking the camera from him

“Come here then” you sit next to him, he wraps his arms round you. Pulling you close to him as you take the picture. You place the developing picture on the side as he goes back through the bag. Finding a jewellery box. He opens it before you notice “That’s er-” Inside a guitar pick and on a necklace. He looks at you, waiting for your explanation “I saw your friend Dustin with your necklace... I umm... it’s stupid” he shakes his head

“Tell me” you don’t look at him as you fold your arms. Eyes looking at the floor.

“I bought that necklace for you. I knew that I’d be moving away and when I thought you were... I wanted to leave it for you where we would always hang out. But the day I was going to leave it you came back” you look at him. His eyes watching you. “I was going to give it to your but I was worried it would remind you of what happened and I didn’t want that. But I didn’t want to get rid of it or leave it as a memorial as you’re alive. So I just kept it. I know it’s a bit weird but I didn’t know what else to do with it. Everything seemed like the wrong thing” you shake your head “I’ll just get rid of it. I’m sorry, it was a stupid thing”

“You got this for me even though you thought I was dead...?” he whispers as he looks at you “Why?”

“Because you’re my friend... Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because I’m not special...” he whispers “I’m a freak, why would you care that much about me?” you shake your head, sitting next to him. You take his hands in yours.

“You’re special to me... You’re my friend. A close friend. I care about you a lot. More than you even know” you feel a dull ache in your heart as you look at him, his soft features looking back at you. You know the words you want to say. Those three small words. But you can’t. Not now. What if he didn’t feel the same? That’s the pain you feel in your heart. Instead you smile softly at him, leaning forward and resting your forehead against his. “I couldn’t picture my life without you. That DnD session you had three years ago was the best thing that ever happened to me” he chuckles slightly

“Now you’re just being nice to butter me up” you grin at him, pulling away from him “Can I keep it?” he picks the box up and motions it to you. You nod

“Of course you can. I did get it for you after all” he smiles. Taking it out of the box and putting it around his neck. You gently lean over him to touch it. The guitar pick sitting comfortably between his two collarbones. You mentally shake yourself. Your face close to his as he turns to look at you. You notice him looking at you causing you to move away and go back to decorating

-

THREE MONTHS LATER

You and Eddie had managed to find a place at a local caravan sight. They let you stay there for a relatively cheap rent price. They had running water so you were happy. Plus gas you could use for your oven. You’d managed to befriend some of the neighbours. The ones on your right being an elderly couple who’ve lived there for 30 years. You’re left neighbours being a widowed mum who has 6 kids. You don’t know how she managed to fit all her kids into a small van but they did and you found it impressive. You had managed to get a job at the local cafe. So had Eddie in fact. Both becoming a waiter/waitress there.

You’d gotten closer over the months. You’ve learned each other’s secrets and talents. Likes and dislikes. Favourite films, songs, artists, even colours. Although you had spent time with him before and you knew stuff about him. This really helped you get to know him on a more personal level. You got to see the side of him that others didn’t. The domestic side. The persona he has when he’s at home rather than out and about. It makes sense, you did live with him in a single roomed house so you gathered you’d get closer with one another. But you’d gotten so close that you didn’t even bother sleeping on opposite sides of the single bed you had. Instead fully embracing each other’s warmth in the cold caravan.

You both had this weekend off so, to celebrate, you ordered take away and put in a film on your TV you managed to swipe from a junk yard. His arms wrapped around your middle as his head laid on your chest. One of your hands resting on his arm and the other gently in his hair. A blanket over your bodies as you watch the horror film play out in front of you. You clutch Eddie closely as Freddy Krueger slaughters yet another teenager. He lets out a small chuckle, squeezing you closer to him as a form of comfort. The film continues. He drinks his beer, trying not to spill it on you or the bed whenever you jump. Thankfully the whole film plays out and not a drop was spilt. “Liz I’m not here tomorrow” he blurts out at random.

“Did you get given a new shift?” he looks at you, chin resting between your boobs. That’s another thing. Although you hadn’t done anything with each other for 6 months, nearly 7 at this point. You had gotten comfortable with each other’s bodies. He’d often chill out either in his boxers or just naked. And you had taken to changing in the same room. It was easier and more comfortable in the long run for the both of you

“No. I have a date” you raise an eyebrow slightly “You know Laura at work?”

“The booby girl” he chuckles slightly but nods

“Yeah. She asked me out on a date tomorrow. Going for dinner then a film. I’m not sure what time I’ll be back” you nod slowly. Why did this thought make you so... sad? You shake the thought off. Smiling at him

“That’ll be really fun” you say. Hearing your own voice crack you cringe. He nods. You notice his eyes dart to your lips for a split second. No. It must’ve been your imagination. He sits up. Going over to the videos you had collected over the months

“But I do have time for one more movie” he grins at you, making you smile at his cheesiness. He grabs a film and puts it into the player. Coming back over and taking up his place. Head resting on you, arms wrapped around your middle. About 10 minutes into the films you hear soft snores from the boy. You let out a small chuckle. Thankfully the TV wasn’t very far from you. So you leaned over, careful not to wake him, and stop the tape. Turning the TV off you gently stroke the boys hair. You shut your eyes and let yourself fall asleep as well.

-

The next day is as normal. You spend the morning in bed. Chatting. Reading. Eating. About 4pm hits and he suddenly becomes alert. Grabbing a towel “I need to shower” he smiles at you as he walks over to the shared shower blocks on site. You grab your cassette and headphones. Placing them on and having a mini jam session as you’re alone now. You smile as Eddie walks back in. Hair damp from the shower “What should I wear?” you stand up, ditching the music and going through his clothes. Handing him a fresh pair of pants, trousers and shirt.

“If she asked you on a date she’ll be expecting you. So I wouldn’t bother with a suit and tie but maybe a fresh shirt and jeans with slightly less holes in might be good” you motion at the clothes “they should work” he nods. Stripping off as you avert your eyes. Grabbing the new clothes and placing them on his body.

“What do we think?” you turn and look at him. Smiling at him.

“You look... very handsome” he looks at his watch.

“I’m going to go now and pick her up. I’m not sure when I’ll be back so don’t worry about waiting up. I’ll see you later” he smiles at you, gently ruffling your hair as he walks out. You nod. A soft ‘see you later’ leaving your lips.

You made yourself dinner. Then watched a film. Did some sketching. This is the first time you’d been left alone for three months. For the beginning of it you were having a great time. No snide remarks about how much cheese you put on your pasta. Or that the film you picked was too ‘girly’. But it got to about 9pm when you started to feel lonely. You sighed and rubbed your face. Grabbing the plate you stood up. Walking over to the sink you run the tap. Doing the dishes helped you be distracted. You then went and started grabbing the rubbish from around the house. Although you were a relatively clean person, Eddie was not. He tried but more than often failed. Leaving it to the last minute, or until mould had started growing, to clean up after himself. Placing the rubbish bag outside, ready to take it to the bin in the morning you walked back in.

You caught a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. The one you have by the front door. You were wearing a pair of trousers, covered in dirt and muck. An oversized shirt covered your torso. Your hair in a messy bun to hide the fact you hadn’t washed it recently. You hadn’t worn makeup for a few weeks now. Not feeling like it adds anything to your work uniform and you didn’t fancy wearing it inside the house when it was just you and Eddie. Eddie... Your mind goes to him and his date. The beautiful blonde. Curvy body. Always had her makeup and hair perfect. You look in the mirror. Tears in your eyes. You ball your hands into your eyes. Letting out a frustrated huff.

“I really am an ugly fucker...” you murmur “Hopefully he’ll be able to realise that he’ll be so much happier with her then he ever could be with me” at those words you feel the tears start to fall. You wipe them quickly. Wanting to feel comfortable you take off your trousers. Undoing your bra and taking it off. Being in a shirt and pants you grab Fred the Bear. Lying down and snuggling into his fur. Letting yourself fall asleep.

-

You wake up somewhere between 6/7am. The bed empty next to you. He spent the night with her. That’s all you can think. But you shake your head. Going over and placing Fred down on the kitchen side. Making yourself a coffee. You read for a few hours. You hear the door unlock about 9 ish. Eddie walks in. Smiling softly at you “Hey. You’re up?” you nod

“I couldn’t sleep very well” he nods “How was your evening?”

“It was good. Really good actually” he scans his eyes over your bare legs. “How was your evening?”

“Also good. I imagine less... eventful then yours” he chuckles slightly but nods in agreement.

“I’m meeting up with her again Tuesday after work. I’ll drop you back off here first though then we’re going to go to the movies again” you nod slightly. Sadness once again filling you. He furrows his eyebrows at you. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing” you look at him, smiling. He shakes his head. Coming over and going to gently stroke your cheek. You move away from his affection. Cursing at yourself when you see his gleeful demeanour drop. He clears his throat before moving away from you “I’m sorry” he shrugs, taking his jacket off and throwing it onto the table

“You cleaned up” you nod

“I even made our films to watch pile more organised. In three categories and in order of wanting to watch” he smiles. You go to grab his hand in excitement but pause. Instead holding it out in front of you “May I show you, my king?” he smiles at the nickname.

“You may my queen” he takes your hand. You kneel down, sitting on your knees. He squats next to you. You talk through the different films, in great detail why you’ve out them in the order they are. He nods and smiles at you. His eyes rarely looking away from you as you smile at your organised piles. “Cool. Why is this-” he picks up your Grease video “-in the too watch pile and not in the garbage?”

“Hey! Don’t mock the beautiful story of young love” you snatch it from his hand “we could watch it now... get rid of it from the pile” you wiggle your eyebrows at him and he sighs

“Come on then. Then I can bleach my eyes” you playfully hit his chest.

“Go sit” you point at the bed. Placing the video into the player before going and lying next to him on the bed. You lay on your back, turning your head to look at the screen better. He rests on his hand, laying on his side. During the opening song you start dancing. Making him laugh. You take his hand, making him also dance with you, to which he complies. Once the opening song finishes you keep a hold of his hand. Gently placing it on your stomach. His hand lying flat on your belly. Your hand over his and the other on his forearm.

-

You notice Laura practically all over Eddie whilst at work on Tuesday. She couldn’t keep her hands off of him. Your shift ending and Eddie as promised drives you back home. Laura still attached to him like a leach the whole drive him. You get to your house.

“Ooh I want to see inside your little home!” she exclaims. Eddie gives you an apologetic look as she bounds over to the house. You both get out. Eddie walks in first, Laura smile at you sweetly “I’d come back in a few hours sweetie” she blows a kiss at you before shutting the door. No way had you just been kicked out of your own house. You let out an annoyed grunt but walk over to your friend’s house. The single mum, Steph. She opens it

“Hey. So my friend currently has a girl over and their in my house. Do you mind if I crash with you for a couple of hours? I’m happy to help cook, clean and put kids to bed” you smile at her. She chuckles, letting you in. Thankfully you tended to meet up with her once a week and have a good gossip so you’d gotten friendly with her and all her children. Once she’s put the kids to bed you look out the window, seeing the lights still on you paw at your shirt.

“Ok what’s really the matter?” she asks

“What do you-?”

“You look like a woman who’s just had her heartbroken. What’s wrong?”

“Promise not to say”

“I promise” you rub your eyes

“So Eddie has this new girl. Which is fine. Hess allowed a girlfriend. I’m not going to control who he can and can’t see. I just...” you bite at your bottom lip “I want him to look at me the same way he looks at her” you whisper. Although you were aware of your feelings it was the first time you’d said them out loud “I know I’m not as pretty or smart. But I really like him... and he’s just kicked me out of his house so he can bang a girl. And I’m sat here pining over a guy who doesn’t even realise how much I-” you look down, feeling tears prick in your eyes.

“Why haven’t you said this to him?”

“I can’t tell him this. I know he doesn’t feel the same way about me. We used to hook up. But we became friends and haven’t done anything since Christmas. I mean we kissed a few months ago but that wasn’t anything sexual. It just happened. Nothing else about it” she raises an eyebrow

“I think you need to talk to him. Let him know how you feel”

“But I told you. He doesn’t feel the same way about me as I do about him. I just need to bottle up my emotions and shove them somewhere deep down” she gently strokes your hair out of your face.

An hour or so passes and you see Laura leaving the house. So you say your goodbyes to Steph and head back over to the van. The car has gone so you assume he’s driven her back home. You go inside. You take of the bed sheets and duvet. Putting new ones on. Placing the now, you assume, soiled ones into the corner as you get into bed, holding Fred the Bear once again. Letting a few tears fall into the softness of his fur. About 20 minutes pass and you hear the front door. Eddie walks in.

“I was going to change them when I got back” you nod slightly. Subtly wiping your eyes on the bear as you sit up.

“Did you have a good time?” he nods, his grin dropping to concern when he sees your tear stained cheeks

“You’ve been crying?” you shake your head, being met with a stern look you nod “Why?”

“Just- been feeling a bit down recently. Felt like having a bit of a cry” you smile at him. “I’m ok now”. He sighs, going over to you and bringing you into hug him as he falls onto the bed. Pulling you into the hug as he wraps his arms and legs round you. You let out a squeal “Eddie!”

“Goodnight” you chuckle slightly as he buries his face into your neck

“Goodnight”

-

The next day you wake up and get ready for work. Eddie also joining you. You then both head to work. Laura sidles up to Eddie practically as soon as he walks in “Hey baby boy. What you doing tonight?”

“Nothing, why what you got planned?”

“I thought we could go back to my place” she bites her lip. He looks at you

“You ok to drive back to ours tonight? I’ll see you back later... or tomorrow”

“Sure. Give me the keys” he passes them to you. She smiles, kissing his cheek before walking away. You go over to him, whispering in his ear “baby boy” he swears at you

“You absolute child”.

-

After a week you discover Eddie and Laura have started dating. It does sadden you slightly but you figure it’ll help you push down your crush you have on him. So, every now and then you spend the night alone. Or you have a sleepover at Steph’s. Laura also starts joining you for movie night. And my god she has shit taste in films. But you battle through because she makes him happy. So two months go by.

You had the day off, as did Eddie and Laura. So whilst they had a romantic day of fun. You and Steph had your own day of fun. You were at the park. Steph had just gone off with the older ones to get you some ice cream. You were with the younger two. A three months old and a three year old. Thankfully the three month old was sleeping. The three year old was asking what stuff in the park was. Pointing at the slide, then the swings. A dog runs over to you “Dog” the child exclaims. You laugh and nod. The owner runs over

“So sorry” he grabs the dogs lead “He decides that sometimes people are too interesting to not say hi to” you chuckle slightly. He smiles at you as you talk to the kid again.

“It’s a cute doggy. Say hi to the doggy” the kid waves at them before giggling and hiding in your chest. “Sorry she’s shy” he laughs

“It’s ok. So long as you aren’t shy about talking to me” you look at him. Dark hair and blue eyes. Clean shaven with a strong jaw line. Probably about 2 years older than you you reckon.

“No I’m not shy about speaking to you”

“Good. Good. What are you doing later tonight?” your mind goes to Laura and Eddie in your house.

“Nothing. My roommate has his girlfriend round so I’m happy to not be in the house” he chuckles

“Meet me here for... 4 then?” you look at your watch. 11am you nod

“See you then, umm?”

“Dan”

“See you then Dan” he smiles “My names Elizabeth by the way”

“Well, I’ll see you at 4 then. Elizabeth” he smiles. Walking away with his dog. Steph walks over

“Did you?” you nod

“Meeting him here at 4 this afternoon” she chuckles. Nudging you with her arm.

“Shall we go on the slides... before you do your own version of a slide?”

“Ew”

“Not my best. But I still stand by it” you laugh. Going over to the slides

-

4 o clock came. You sat on the bench. You said you’d only spend an hour or so with him before you went back to Steph’s. 4:08. you feel a tap on your shoulder, him sitting on the bench next to you. “Hey Elizabeth”

“Hey Dan” he smiles. You both chat for about an hour. You learn he’s at college. Trying to become a teacher. He’s 23 and lives with three of his friends. You tell him about your life. Say you’re working at a cafe. You live in a caravan with your friend. You are currently talking about being dog or cat people.

“I do own a dog but honestly if I wasn’t renting I’d own cats as well”

“Finally! Someone who is both a cat and dog person”

“You like both?”

“Yeah! They’re similar to only need one but they are different enough creatures that you can warrant having them both” he laughs “the comparison is stupid really”

“True. Very true” he looks at his watch “I should be getting back now. Promised the guys I’d cook for them tonight”

“Oh what you cooking?”

“Don’t know. Probably some sort of roast. Every week one of us makes a 3 course meal for the others”

“That’s sweet. Must be quite fun”

“Yes it is” he looks at his hands “I will go but... before I go may I kiss you?”

“I’d like that...” he smiles, gently placing a hand on your cheek as he leans forward. Gently kissing you. You go closer to him as you deepen the kiss. He pulls away slightly. You bite your lip slightly “What time do you need to get back?”

“I can give it a few more minutes” you let out a small giggle as he kisses you again. You do this for a little while before he drops you off at Steph’s. Knocking on the door. She opens it, smiling and motioning for you to come in. You do, going and sitting on the sofa. She comes and sits next to you.

“They’re all in bed. They have school tomorrow. So tell me everything”

“It went well. He’s very sweet and nice and handsome"

“Did you...?”

“We kissed but that’s it” she nods slightly. Chuckling to herself. She nudges you

“You get it girl” you laugh.

“We chatted for a few hours, made out for like 20 minutes on a bench and then he dropped me off here and we made out for another 10 minutes” she laughs

“So when are you next seeing him?”

“Not sure. I gave him my number and he gave me his. I might ring him tomorrow after work. Shit I need to go back home but I really don’t want to see anything that might scar me” she laughs

“I’d go back now. Its late and you have work tomorrow so it’s only fair you get to stay at your own house” you nod.

“I’m going to head back. I’m seeing you Thursday right?” she nods

“See you Thursday” you get up. Walking over to your house, you knock.

“It’s me Liz” a few seconds pass, Eddie opens the door. Shirtless and jeans on him “Can I come in and sleep? It’s just that we have work tomorrow so I’d like to sleep here if that’s ok”

“Umm... sure” he motions for you to come in. You walk in. Strong scent of weed hitting you. You see Laura in her bra and pants lying on the bed

“Liiiiiiiz” she says. Obvious to you that she’s completely out of it.

“Hey Laura”

“Ed baby. Come back here” she does grab hands at him. He goes over, sitting next to her as she cuddles up to him. You grab a blanket from the cupboard. Going over to the sofa.

“Few things. Ok for you to sleep on the bed and me to sleep on the sofa. Stay up for as long as you need but please don’t do anything... sexual. Please?” he nods. She frowns at you

“Prude” you roll your eyes. Taking off your trousers and curling up under the blanket

“See you guys in the morning”

-

You wake up. Looking over to see Eddie and Laura curled up together. You quietly get up. Going and grabbing your work clothes. You turn away from the couple, changing as quietly as you can. Turning back round you go over and grab a bowl of cereal. Laura coughs slightly. You smile and wave at her. She waves back. Standing up and grabbing her shirt and jeans. You politely look away as she also gets ready for work. You both have a silent bond over your breakfast. Somehow you have a great conversation considering neither of you say a word. But you do a lot of hand gestures and improvised sign language. A voice breaks the silence “Are my two favourite girls having a conversation without me?”

“You’re awake”

“Hey baby”

“Hey” he stretches, making his speak slightly slurred. He sits up. Grabbing his shirt from the floor and placing it on. “Ready for work?” you both nod. Heading to the car. You get in the back. Going to work you get in. Going and starting serving customers.

A few hours pass. Eddie walks over to you during your lunch break. “Hey. I’m going to Laura’s tonight. I’ll be back tomorrow morning if that’s ok?” you nod “Again I’ll drop you off home first” you smile at him

“Such a gentlemen. Now you go get your... you know. Fun time” he laughs.

After work he drops you off at home. Waving goodbye to them both you go over to the phone in your house. Dialling in the number “Hey this is Phil”

“Hey umm this is Elizabeth. I was wondering if Dan was there”

“One sec” you hear him yelling out.

“Hey Elizabeth”

“Hey. I was wondering what you were doing this evening?”

“I was going to stay home and drink with the guys. Why?” you chuckle slightly

“My plans for tonight changed and I’m free. I was wondering if you’d want to meet but I get your busy with the boys”

“No. No no no. Shit. We can meet” you hear whispering on the other end. “So the guys have said that if you’d like you can come over. Phil says he has a beer spare for you” you chuckle

“Don’t mind me crashing your boys evening?”

“No. I mean it’s me, Phil, other Dan, Olivia and Emma. They’re my roommates”

“Oh cool. Still ok me crashing your evening?”

“Of course!” you chuckle “I’ll pick you up. Give me 20 minutes”

-

It’s been four hours. You got picked up and were now on your 2nd beer of the night. All of Dan’s roommates are lovely. You get on well with Emma. Both chatting and drinking. But they all end up saying goodnight when it get to 1am. Leaving you and Dan in the living room. He sits next to you. Taking a sip of his beer. You turn to face him, arm leaning on the back of the sofa “Thanks for letting me crash your night” he chuckles

“It’s ok. I’m glad you had a good time” you nod. He rests a hand on your thigh. Squeezing it slightly. You smile, leaning forward and kissing him quickly. Going back in for a more long and heated kiss. He smiles, placing both hands on your hips as you make out. You both pull away for air. Before you can regain it he leans and kisses your neck. Sucking harshly onto it you let out a small moan. He smiles. Continuing to lick and suck on your neck. He pulls away, running his finger over your now bruising skin. You tilt you head, fluttering your eyes shut. “So beautiful” you smile at the compliment. Feeling him kiss you again. His hand goes to your side “Do you want to come up to my room...?” you nod. Maybe a bit too enthusiastically. He chuckles. Kissing you quickly before standing up and pulling you up with him.

The next morning you wake up to him next to you. His eyes shut as he’s sleeping. You reach down and grab your shirt. Placing it over your body. As well as your trousers. He turns to face you “Your leaving?” he mumbles. You lie back down

“No. I was just getting dressed” he smiles, his hand going and tracing the hem of your shirt

“Think you should stay naked” you chuckle.

“I do need to go though” you smile at him. Kissing him quickly before standing up. He leans and grabs his trousers and shirt

“I’ll give you a ride” you nod and smile at him. Going to his car you drive back to yours. “I’ll give you a ring, yeah?” you nod

“I’d like that” you smile at him. Getting out of the car and going over to your house. You wave goodbye to him before opening the door. You grab a towel, heading over to the showers. You get back and see that within the 20 minute shower you had Eddie got home as your car is parked next to your house. You go inside. “Hey” you smile at him.

“Oh hey. Nice shower?” you nod, your towel wrapped around your hair. He furrows his brows “Did you have someone over?”

“No. Why?”

“You have a hickey” he points to the mark on your neck. You feel your cheeks redden as you cover it with your hand “I assume you didn’t do it yourself”

“Shit...” he laughs “A couple of days ago I met this guy called Dan. Went round his and drunk with him and his roommates last night” he nods slowly.

“You going to meet him again?”

“Yeah but I’m waiting for him to ring me this time. Don’t want to seem desperate” he chuckles but nods. “When are you next seeing Laura?”

“This weekend” he rubs the back of his neck awkwardly. You raise an eyebrow at him

“Ok what is it?”

“So this weekend is our 4 month anniversary. We are going to go away for the weekend together... Leaving early Friday and coming back late Sunday” you nod slightly. “Will you be ok?”

“Yeah. Yeah of course” he nods. You smile slightly at him as you remove the towel from your hair, hanging it up on a peg to let it dry “You’ll have a really good time. Just try not to miss me to much” he laughs, wrapping you up in a hug “Ew physical affection” you mock him as you also hug him. He rests his cheek on the top of your head. He takes your face with his hands, kissing your forehead “Where are you going for it?”

“Somewhere along the coast. Going to have a beach holiday” he grins at you “hopefully see some sharks”

“Please don’t get eaten by a shark”

“But that’s my plan. Have an amazing time away, then get bitten by a shark. Then come back here with shark powers”

“Shark powers?”

“Yeah! I don’t know what they’d be but I image breathing underwater. That’d be cool” you laugh

“Just make sure it isn’t a hammer head shark. You’ll be coming back here with a wonky head otherwise”

“Like this?” he pulls a funny face causing you to laugh more “Are you mocking my face?” you nod, covering your mouth as you laugh. He makes his face go back to normal. “So childish” he jokes at you, you lightly hit his shoulder. “Ooh be careful. Strong woman like you could break a small boy like me in half with those muscles”

“Ahh yes because I am very muscly” he nods, grinning at you. “So I’ve had a song in my head and I’m not saying I blame you but you did show the film to me”

“Oh god what is it?”

“’How do you solve a problem like Maria? Doodaleedo’” you laugh at his outbreak of singing.

“It’s a great song and a great film!”

“I mean... It’s a good song and good film, great might be pushing it”

“You love it really” he rolls his eyes but smiles at you.

-

A couple of days pass. It’s the Thursday before Eddie leaves for the weekend. You’re both sat on your bed watching a film. You’re plates from dinner discarded on the floor and you’re cutting the ends off of strawberries. One for you, one for him. You get so distracted and engrossed in the film you don’t pay much attention to what you’re doing. Until you feel a sharp pain “Shit” you gasp out. Accidently cutting your thumb. You instinctively place it in your mouth to try and sooth the pain. He glances over at you as you pull it from your mouth. A small line of blood appears.

“You ok?” his voice trails off as he notices the redness

“Yeah I’m just being an idiot” he nods. His eyes watching your thumb. “Are you-?” before you can say anything else he very slowly takes your hand. He brings yours thumb to his mouth, placing it onto his tongue. Letting out a sinful moan as he tastes the metallic fluid. You don’t say anything. You can’t. Your body is suddenly met with an overwhelming amount of joy as he sucks on your thumb. You shut your eyes and let out a small moan. You other hand wanting to hold onto something it finds his knee. Gripping onto it. He stops after a few minutes. Releasing your thumb with a popping noise. He kisses the palm of your hand. You open your eyes and look at him.

“Fuck... Fuck!” he looks at you. His hand going to his mouth, in shock of what he just did. “I am so sorry... I-I don’t know why I did that” your brain still feeling hazy, to filled with euphoria to process what happened. You shake your head, moving your eyes to look at him. He brings his hand up to your face, gently stroking the bone underneath your eye. You move into his hand, looking down at your thumb.

“Its...” you hold your hand up, showing him the now healed skin.

“What the fuck...” he mutters to himself. You furrow your eyebrows. Grabbing the knife you very gently push it into your finger tip. Wincing at the pain as you break the skin. You hold your hand up to him

“Only if you’re comfortable with it” he doesn’t need telling twice to wrap his lips around your digit. Your hand gripping onto the knife to try and hold back a moan as you feel his tongue go over your sore finger. He pulls away, both of you looking at your hand in awe as the wound has disappeared. He keeps a hold of your hand. Gently brushing over where the wound was before he meets your eyes

“What... What happened?”

“I don’t know... You have superpowers I guess?”

“But how” he looks at your hand, confused. His eyes lighting up as he places his hand over his scar on his neck. “The upside down... fuck”

“Elaborate please?”

“I think” he runs a hand through his hair “I think when I came back. When I got bitten. I think I got some... powers. Healing others wounds must be it”

“What? Like a vampire?”

“Yeah... I guess like a vampire”

“Do you think you can turn into a bat and all that shit? Or is that too cliché” he shrugs

“I have noticed that my senses are better. I can walk over to the showers at night with no light” you nod. Leaning over you turn off the light in your room. Throwing a blanket over the TV to eliminate all light. Thankfully it had gotten dark outside so the room soon became very dark.

“Experiment” you lift your hands up “How many fingers am I holding up?”

“None”

“Now?”

“Four. Three on your left, one on your right”

“Now”

“Nine. Four on your left, five on your right”

“Touch my hands” you hold your hand above your head, the other placing behind your body. With no hesitation he grabs both of your hands. Bringing them to the front. “Holy shit” you lean over and turn the lights back on. “What other things do vampires do?”

“Umm shapeshifting?”

“Turn into a bat then” he laughs before he scrunches his eyes. Clenching his fists together and holding his breath before he shakes his head. “What about telepathy? Tell me what I’m thinking”

“Oh wow my friend has superhuman powers” you laugh but shake your head

“I mean technically yes but also no. What word am I thinking of?” he leans forward slightly. His eyes locked with yours.

“Lord... no! Yes! No! Cord. Something ‘ord’” you nod

“Sword”

“Fuck really?” he smiles as you nod “Shit. Shit I’m a vampire”

“You can still go outside and you’ve survived without needing to taste human blood so that’s good. You may not be a vampire as sorts. More like a necro creature. There are several kinds of undead creatures, vampire is just one of them”

“Did you really just get ‘necro from your daily vocabulary?”

“Yeah, and?”

“God you’re a nerd” you rolls your eyes

“Hypocrite” he chuckles, lying down on the bed

“I should sleep though. I may be an undead, sorry, a necro. But I still need my beauty sleep” he shouts his eyes and pulls the blanket up near him “Goodnight” you chuckle, leaning over and turning the TV off before the light. Then lying next to him

“Goodnight”

-

He leaves early the next morning. Saying goodbye to you before Laura picks him up. Thankfully you had shifts over the next couple of days so the absence of him wouldn’t be as noticeable then if you had to stay at home. You knew Eddie was staying at Laura’s on Sunday night, going in for work on Monday and coming back to yours Monday night. Monday morning came about, you got ready for work. Had a quick shower, breakfast and then headed off. You smile at Laura when you bump into her at work. “How was your weekend?” she looks at you, eyes you up and down and then walks off. You furrow your brows but before you can go and question her you hear a familiar voice in your ear

“Boo” he speaks. You turn around, Eddie smiling at you as you hug each other

“How was your weekend?”

“Oh it was amazing. We drank, ate, and swam. It was luxurious” you smile. Him telling you about it as you serve customers. “I hope you don’t mind if Laura comes back and stay the night tonight? Her parents are a bit pissed with her at the moment”

“Why?”

“They didn’t know we were going away this weekend and only found out yesterday”

“Oh. Yeah, of course she can stay. She’s always welcome” he smiles at you. Nudging you slightly before going and taking a tables order.

After work you all go back to yours. Watching a film together before you make yourself comfy on your sofa. The couple staying on the bed. You all settle down. Falling asleep you suddenly get woken up by Laura. “Liz. Liz help” you come to, her eyes filled with panic. “He’s done this before but normally wakes up when I shake him. He’s really deep in this dream though and he seems... scared” you look over. Eddie curled up, eyes furrowed and a soft whimper leaving his scared frame. You sit up, going over and kneeling down by the bed. Gently placing your hand over his, squeezing it softly

“Eddie. Eddie it’s ok. You’re ok” one hand goes and starts to stroke his hair. Softly speaking to him as a way to bring him back to reality. He jumps awake, sitting up and looking at you as he moves away from your touch. Fear in his eyes as they scan yours “It’s me. It’s just me” you hold a hand out to him “you’re safe. I promise” he takes your hand in his. Pulling you up onto the bed and hugging you tightly. Hiding his face in the crook of your neck as he grips your hand. Your free arm going round him and hugging him tightly “I’ve got you” you stay like this for about 15 minutes. Hearing his breath get steadier.

“Thank you...” you hear him whisper. You squeeze his hand, gently stroking his hair. You motion for Laura to come and sit next to you as you go to leave. He grabs your shirt, eyes looking into yours “No... No. Stay” you nod, moving over slightly so Eddie is in the middle of you and Laura. Squishing you against the wall. The whole time he grips onto your hand, facing you as he keeps scanning your face. A hand comes onto his arm as he lies on his side, a free hand coming and resting on top of his girlfriends.

“We’ve got you” he half smiles at you. Bringing your hand up as he gently brushes his lips against the back of it. Shutting his eyes and letting sleep take over once again. You don’t sleep for the rest of the night, watching over him to help him if he has another nightmare.

-

The next day you wake up to a phone call. The other two bodies not stirring from the noise so you get out of bed to answer it “Hello?”

“Hey, Liz. It’s Dan”

“Dan. Hey how have you been?”

“I’ve been good thanks. I’m sorry I didn’t ring earlier. College has been a pain in the ass” you let out a small chuckle “How have you been?” you nod instinctively before speaking

“Yeah I can’t complain”

“Cool, cool. I was actually calling to see if you wanted to meet up next Wednesday? We can go see a film or for a meal or something”

“That sounds good”

“I’ll pick you up about 5:30 then?” you nod and smile

“I’ll see you then. Bye”

“Bye” the click of the phone being put down. You also put the phone down. You look over and see Eddie has woken to your talking

“Who was that?” he queries

“You remember a little while ago I said I met up with a guy called Dan. Well that was him. Going on a date with him next Wednesday”

“Ooh look at you. Gonna get it” he wiggles his eyebrows at you as his eyes divert from your gaze onto his sleeping girlfriend. He kisses her forehead before standing up. “I’m going to go shower” you nod

“Any plans for today?”

“Laura and I have a shift this afternoon but that isn’t until about 2″ you nod

“So movie this morning?” he nods and chuckles, grabbing a towel before he heads out.

The day goes by. All 3 of you watch a movie, eat some lunch and before you know it they both head out to work. You’re sat up reading when Eddie walks through the door. You smile at him before it drops. Seeing his slightly sad expression “Eddie?” you softly say. He looks at you and smiles softly “Where Laura? I thought she was staying the night tonight”

“We broke up”

“Why? I thought you liked each other” he nods, going and sitting on the bed next to you, throwing his head back as he lets himself relax into the soft fabric.

“She broke it off with me, giving me a few reasons. The main one being that she only dated me to get back at one of her ex’s. She said that she did fall for me whilst we were dating but he came back yesterday so goodbye to me, hello to the dickhead”

“Oh Eddie I’m so sorry dude” you go and sit next to him, wrapping your arms round him in a hug. He looks at you. “I know you really liked her” His hand coming up and resting on your cheek

“She also said that she didn’t want to compete for my affection. That I would often moan out a different name at night. So she gave me a choice. She said she’d be happy to stay away from her ex if I stayed away from this other girl” his eyes were so gentle as they watched over your face. A sadness filled them slightly

“Oh... Whose name did you moan out?” you feel shy about asking him. Such a personal question to ask your best friend.

“Yours” he gently brushes his thumb over your bottom lip. The confession and the affection causing you to take a sharp intake of breath.

“That would explain why she acted to coldly towards me yesterday at work”

“When she first told me I’d said your name in my sleep I didn’t believe her. But then I thought about what she had said to me. That I should choose her or you. And the thought of losing her didn’t fill me with anywhere near as much hurt and heartbreak as the idea of losing you did”

“Ed-”

“I couldn’t picture my life without you, Liz. You’re one of my best friends that I’ve ever had and I-” he trails off. His dark eyes meeting yours. You nod slightly. Thinking for a moment before you speak. A soft voice leaving your lips.

“I want you to make love to me, Eddie Munson” his face looks slightly panicked at the sudden words. “Pl-please?” his panicked face making you nervous. Worried you’d misread the situation. But he smiles at you. Taking your hand in his and kissing the back of it. Moving his hands to your thighs and squeezing them gently. He kisses you as he gently massages the side of your legs. The taste of cigarettes on his tongue. In most scenarios you’d hate that taste. You didn’t smoke and you didn’t like the smell of it. But when it was on him it felt right. He pulls away from the kiss, gently brushing a stray hair that had fallen loose from your ponytail to behind your ear. Kissing your forehead before he plants kisses all over your face. You giggle at the affection, grabbing onto his shirt as you pull him close to you. His lips meeting yours again. You feel him move so his body is between your legs. Your back against the wall as you feel his hand come up to the side of your face. He pulls away slightly, the hand on your cheek going and letting the back of his fingers gently stroke over the side of your neck.

“So beautiful” he murmurs before he kisses your neck, pushing your shirt up as he kisses your clothed breasts and then your stomach. He fiddles with the button of your trousers. Looking at you as you nod. He unbuttons it. You lift yourself up as he pulls your trousers down the length of your legs. Gently kissing your thigh as a hand goes and rubs gently over your clothed core. You let out a small moan as he moves his finger round you needy hole. Smiling as he sees the wet patch getting bigger on your underwear. He kisses just above your pants. Fingers loop into the sides of your underwear as he pulls them down your legs, discarding them on the floor along with your trousers. He positions himself to lie on his stomach, his thumbs going and moving your pussy lips apart. 

“So fucking pretty” before you can say anything he latches his lips around your clit. Causing you to gasp out, hands going to his hair as you grip him close to you. He sucks onto your nub. Flattening his tongue against it and playing with it. You moan out as you feel one hand stay on your thigh as he holds your legs open. The other hand going to gently prod at your hole. Letting out another moan as he pushes a finger into you. Curling it as he finds that spongey spot inside of you. The place that makes your legs start to shake as he sets a fast yet steady pace with his finger and tongue. The hand on your thigh going to your hip, pushing them down when you start to grind yourself against his tongue. “Relax baby. Let me help you. Just lay back and let me do the work” you feel yourself redden at his words. The complete control he has over you making you blush. He smiles as he continues his work on your core. Going faster as he feels your start to clench around his finger

“E-Eddie. Go-gonna cum” he hums against you. Your hands pulling his head into you as you grip his hair. Your eyes scrunch shut as you push your legs together. You orgasm washing over you. Eddies tongue licking up all the juices you let out. When he’s able to free his head from your thighs he comes up. Kissing you gently as he continues to pump his finger in and out of you. You lazily rub him through his trousers as you feel his fingers work slowly in and out of your little hole. Smiling into the kiss as you feel his cock rock hard under your small hand. He lets out a small groan as you rub him through his jeans. He moves away from you causing you to let out soft whimper as he removes his fingers from you. Hands going to his shirt as he takes it off of his body. You push your thighs together as you see his tattooed torso. You’d seen him shirtless before. Hell, you’d seen him fully naked. But seeing him in this scenario was something else. You bite your lip as you scan your eyes over his tattoos and scars. His hand goes to his belt buckle, slowly undoing the buckle as his eyes meet yours.

“Take your shirt off for me” you nod, with no hesitation you strip your shirt off. Throwing it onto the floor. As one hand works on taking his trousers and pants off, the other goes to work on your chest. Pawing at your boobs still covered by your bra. The hand gently grazes your shoulder, pulling the strap off. Then the other shoulder. Going behind your back he kisses you, unclasping your bra behind you. He smiles as he feels you bring it away from your body. His hands going to completely rid himself of his clothes before he brings them up to your chest. His hands cold against your sensitive nipples. The feeling of his rings against them causing you to let out a soft moan. He pinches your nipples, lightly pulling on them causing you to let out a gaspy moan, your hands going to grip his arms.

“Please... need you... in me” he smiles, running his fingers down the side of your body. The gentle touches causing you to squirm under him. His hand trails to your core, fingers gently going over your clit. You let out a moan as his other hand comes up, gently going around your throat as he leans towards you, lips barely touching. You whine, grinding your hips into his hand as he smiles at you. Hand tightening around your throat slightly. You shut your eyes as you feel yourself slowly building up to your second orgasm. He stops his hand. “Eddie...” you let out an annoyed whine as you move your hips.

“Look at me my queen” you open your eyes. His pupils blown out, lust filling them. The sight of it making you moan. You feel his fingers start to move again. Causing you to let put a breathy moan “keep looking at me, or I’ll stop. Understand?” you nod. Hands gripping onto the bed as your hips create a steady rhythm with his fingers. His other hand still firmly wrapped around your throat.

“Go-go’a cum...”

“Not until I say so” you whine out in frustration, your cheeks reddening at the pure intimacy of the situation. “So fucked out you can’t even say words, hmm?” he teases you, causing you to clench around nothing. He leans in and kisses you as his fingers still work on your clit. “Cum for me darling” He murmurs softly against your lips. Eyes fixated onto you as your second orgasm rushes over you. His hand around your throat being the only thing keeping you from collapsing onto the bed. Once you come down from your high he moves his hand from your throat, the other from your core. You feel him gently massage your slightly shaking thighs as you shut your eyes “Do you think you can do one more for me?” you nod slightly, feeling him gently pull your down the bed so your lying down rather than sitting up. “Say it for me. What do you want?”

“I-” you try and process words in your head before you speak. “I wan’ your cock pl-ple’se” you manage to stutter out the words. You feel his lips gently kiss yours, you open your eyes as you see him kneeling between your legs. He gently prods your entrance with his tip. Pushing slowly into you as you let out a satisfied moan. Shutting your eyes again as he leans down and kisses you neck. One hand going to the side of your head as he keeps himself up. The other finding your hand and interlocking his fingers with yours. He continues to kiss your neck, trailing down to your collar bone and chest as he starts to slowly thrust in and out of you. You moan out as the hand not holding his comes up and entangles into his hair. Gently tugging it, bringing him up to kiss him. He positions himself so he’s leaning on the arm of the hand that’s holding yours. Moving his other hand to the space between you. Feeling about before you thrust upwards. He smiles as he finds your clit, rubbing soft circles onto it. Your hand moves from his hair, tracing down his back. Digging your nails into him near the base of his back causing him to moan out as he thrusts faster into you. His hand moves from yours as he sits up, taking a hold of your thigh and moving your leg so it’s resting against him. Holding onto it as he thrusts harder and deeper inside of you. His hand still working on your clit.

“Oh fuck...” you open your eyes to see his fixed onto where you two meet. His eyes trail up your body. Meeting yours. “You’re so beautiful” you moan at the compliment.

“E’ie” you try saying his name, but being a moaning mess it comes out as nonsense “cl’se” he smiles.

“Cum for me sweetheart. Le- fuck -let me feel you” You grip tightly onto his hand as you feel your third orgasm hit you. Letting out a ‘fuck’ as you cum around him. He grunts as he continues thrusting into you. Harder and faster as he gets closer to his high. You whine at the overstimulation, both his hands grip onto your thighs. One on his body and the other being pushed into the mattress. You clutch the sheet beneath you as you feel tears start to form from the overstimulation. He moans out as you feel him push fully into you. You let out a satisfied sigh as you feel him fill you with his cum. He leans over you, hands dropping your thighs as they fall onto the bed. Using his forearm to keep himself above you as he rests his head onto your shoulder. Your hand goes up to his hair, gently stroking it as you feel sleep approaching you. You let out a whine as he pulls out of you. You go to push your legs together as you feel stuff start to leak out of you but he gently places his hands on your knees, keeping them apart as he watches his seed come out of your little hole. He smiles to himself as he gently pushes two fingers into your hole. You let out a soft moan as you feel him begin to softly finger you again. Pushing his seed back into you. “Sorry... just want people to know who you belong to” he removes his fingers. Gently kissing your forehead before standing up

“Come... bed...” you open your eyes and do grabby hands towards him. He chuckle slightly, grabbing a towel and cleaning you both up. Gently kissing your leg as he grabs a shirt and places it over your body. He grabs some underwear and places it on himself before lying next to you. Gently stroking your arm as you lay on your side.

“I um... I wasn’t to rough was I?” you shake your head, eyes meeting his. 

“You did what I asked you to do. You made love to me” he chuckles slightly, taking your hand and kissing the palm of it before pulling you into him. He lies on his back as he pulls you on top of him. Your body fitting between his legs. His arms wrapped around you as you rest your head onto his chest. You let out a yawn as you snuggle into him “Goodnight...”

“Goodnight Liz” he gently strokes your hair behind your ear. Due to the activities of the night a few strands had come out of the ponytail it was in.

“I love you Eddie...” You say before your brain processes what your mouth is saying. You feel your cheeks redden as he lets out a small chuckle. A hand coming and tilting your head towards him so he can kiss you.

“I love you too” he says before planting another kiss to your lips causing you to smile, feeling his hand come up and rest on your cheek. “Get some rest now” you nod slightly. Shutting your eyes as you feel his hands wrap back around you, gently stroking your back “My queen”

TAGS

@karma2223 @fknemily @sammararaven​​ @munson-fixation

[aclosetfan]

5 for the prompt list! Maybe Brick and Princess are doing villain shenanigans and Boomer is randomly like, “Omg my brother is legally actually capable of getting married! Please don’t split up!” It’s up to you if Brick and Princess actually like each other or if Boomer’s just being sentimental

this ask was a challenge. I don’t think I’ve ever written these three together without one of the girls before. Literally, just three people who’d stare at each other until someone breathed too loudly, and they’d all start yelling. so i added butch

This isn't romantic. Sorry, anon. To me, Princess is gay forever and always no exceptions lololol but this story aint about her. Boomer’s a show stealer. It just is what it is.

Prompt  5: this marriage was supposed to be a scam but, but listen,

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

“Princess!” Brick yelled from the other room, evidently at the end of his rope, “Get it through your thick fucking skull! You broke up with her! She isn’t coming back!”

“I’m not paying you to hear your opinions! I’m paying you to break! Them! Up!” Princess screeched back.

“They’re getting married in a month! Nothing you’ve done has worked! Throw in the towel!”

“Do I have to remind you? You’re under contract, and—and don’t walk away from me!” Princess stomped after Brick, “We have work to do! There’s no way in hell I’ll allow this wedding to happen!”

“No!” Brick bellowed, “I’m done! I quit! This relationship is over!”

A door somewhere in the depths of Princess’s Mega-McMansion slammed shut, echoing down the large, empty marbled halls. Princess and Brick’s argument was now muted, moving deeper into the labyrinth Princess called home. Boomer’s head shot up from the massage table at the sound of the door slamming shut. Their argument planted a seed of panic in his gut, and he scrambled to get off the table. He kicked the masseuse away and ripped the layers of fine linens and silks he had draped over himself earlier that morning. However, as tangled up as he was in the imprisoning grandeur, he fell to the floor in one massive heap.

“Butch,” He hissed at his brother across the room, “Butch, did you hear that?”

“Hard to miss.” Butch sniffed, eyes glued to his phone. He sat in an obnoxiously big recliner, which, at this point, was practically molded to his body.

Boomer scoffed, waving off the masseuse’s attempt to help him up, “Stop acting so casual! This is bad!”

“Uh-huh.” Butch flatly agreed.  

Boomer freed himself from the expensive fabrics and jumped up, fixing the Gucci sunglasses that sat askew on his head. He shuffled over to Butch, careful not to let his freshly pedicured toes touch the ground.

“This can’t be happening!” He whined, pulling his mulberry silk robe tight around him as if he had pearls that he could be clutching.

“Welp,” Butch popped the ‘p,’ placing his ratty ass sneakers onto the gold-leafed and marbled coffee table Princess had imported from Italy, “it is, so, yep.”

“No,” Boomer shook his head, disturbing his beautifully deep-conditioned golden curls, “No, no, I’ve grown accustomed to a certain standard of living. I can’t be poor again. I can’t drink tap water. My palette is far too delicate for harsh minerals. I know that now, an-and I can’t just go back!” He brought a hand to his chest, “Oh god, I think I’m having a panic attack. This can’t be happening! Where’s Jeeves? Or Carmichael? I need a vitamin water, now, or—or—” He threw himself across the fainting couch, ringing his tiny service bell, ”—we have to do something, Butch!”

“I’m not doing anything.”

“Yeah,” Boomer sat up, accepting a vitamin water from Carmichael and a protein-infused snack, “We have to—” he talked through a mouthful, “—do something, you’re right.”

“I did not say that.”

He continued to stuff his face as Carmichael fluffed and placed a luxurious cashmere pillow behind his back and dabbed at the crumbs at the corners of his mouth.

“This is making me stress eat, and Stacy—” Boomer shuddered as he thought about his poor beloved personal trainer “—will not be happy. What are we going to do!”

“Nothing.”

“Couples counseling? Maybe a honeymoon?” He mused, gesturing for Carmicheal to fan him, “Tahiti's wonderful this time of year.”

Butch didn’t respond.

“If they get divorced, what are we going to tell HIM? They’ve already made plans for Christmas—” For a moment, this seemed to be a sweet sentiment, until Boomer tacked on, “—on Princess’s dime! I don’t want to lose a vacation!”

Butch groaned and put his phone down, “Princess and Brick aren’t actually married. You get that, right? This is all just an elaborate plan to make Blossom jealous and stop her from marrying that Robin chick. As much as we’d like it to, this—” Butch gestured around the room, “—wasn’t ever going to last.”

Boomer followed Butch’s hand gestures with a frown. He loved this room with its big bay windows and indoor water features. He had scoped it out for his and Butch’s personal use the moment they had stepped foot in the McMansion. Princess had only requested Brick’s services, but Boomer had shown up anyway and dragged Butch along. It had been maybe the best decision of his life. Even if he was technically freeloading, he now considered this room his home.

“I just don’t think I can say goodbye to all the memories we’ve made here.” He sighed.

Butch’s eyebrows furrowed in disbelief, “We’ve been here, like, two weeks. Frankly, I’m surprised Brick’s made it this long.”

“Long enough to form a bond!” He argued.

“With Princess?”

“No, with all the cool stuff!”

“What are you talking about!” Butch sneered, “We can just steal all this shit. We usually do steal all this shit! And it’s not like Princess would care. Like, seriously, Boomer, I doubt Princess would even notice if Carmichael went missing—” He grimaced, “—uh, no offense, Carmichael.”

“None taken, sir.” Carmichael bowed.

“But I don’t want to steal it,” Boomer fell back onto the fainting couch, a breath away from throwing his own Princess-sized tantrum, “I don’t want to do the work. I don’t wanna! I want it to all be right here at my fingertips forever and always!”

“Yeah, I know, you’re fucking lazy.” Butch sniffed, “I get it.”

“Like, why can’t Brick just do this one thing for us? Why can’t he stay fake married?” Boomer asked, voice thick with tears, “Don’t I deserve nice things? And fancy food? And expensive jewelry?”  

“Well, one day, if you’re lucky, you can be fake married to.”

Boomer sucked in a breath and shot back up, “Oh my god. They’re not actually married.”

“Yeah,” Butch deadpanned, “welcome to the fucking plot.”

“No, Butch, they’re not actually married."

“I just said that.”  

“Do you know what this means?” Boomer asked, diving towards the minibar.

Butch watched him carefully, “uh, they’re not actually married?”

“Exactly!” He cackled, shaking a bottle of Bacardi. “But not for long! Don’t you think it’s about time we threw our happy couple a little wedding shower?”

Butch regarded him and the bottle of booze as he connected the dots, “Wait, dude, are you saying—”

“—that’s exactly what I’m saying.” Boomer’s smile grew into something menacing, and it wasn’t long before Butch’s face mirrored his own.

“Give me twenty minutes,” Butch jumped up, “I’ll go get a minister license online.”

“Perfect! I’ll round up a few witnesses.”

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

Extra:

“I can’t believe you’ve done this! I can’t believe you got me drunk and married to Princess, on purpose, for money!” Brick looked up from the toilet bowl he was puking his guts out into, “It’s plain evil!”

“You’re fine!”

“We’re going to get a divorce, you know that, right! The marriage means nothing! Your little scheme was all for nothing! Why can’t you ever think things—”

“—girlie,” Boomer sniffed, interrupting him, “did you sign a prenup?”

Brick froze, thinking it over.

“Exactly.” Boomer smirked, taking a long sip of his boba.

[multeasers]

“Because you are stronger than...whatever it is that attacked you, Sect Leader.” Ruohan replies back, tone very indulgent; it’s a tone one might expect for a child, not a grown man, but in his defense, Huaisang is his junior by plenty-enough years. It should be fine.

“You, like the rest of your Clan, rest of your Sect, are strong.” He continues on, hoisting Huaisang’s knees securely around his waist. His own forearms go underneath the space where his knees meet his thighs, but it’s all easy-going. Huaisang is smaller than himself, of course, so that’s partially why, but there was still very few things Ruohan couldn’t lift. A Nie was not one of them. “So you will not die; in fact, you’ll be quite fine.

“Leave me enough time to assist you, though.” He begins walking, then, careful not to jostle the young man. “And then, after that, do what you wish.”

His voice is empty as he talks of the possibly of his own death, but why wouldn’t it be? Of course, he’d appreciate not being murdered, but there were plenty within the world who had every right to kill him on sight, and Huaisang was among them. Hell, he was even helping the young man on purely selfish reasons, Ruohan was only adding to his list of slights against him! The absolute least he could offer in return was the opportunity to enact revenge. If only because anyone else would have willed their way out of paralysis to do it.

He sighs, long-suffering once more, and tampers his own feelings down; it’s a somber life he lives, but with the guilt and regret, it’s all he can do to accept that it’s even there for him again. He will help Huaisang, and then he will see where things go from there. For now, it’s all either of them can do.

“Would you prefer I do so?” He asks him anyway, even though he has no intentions on living up to the expectation. Maybe he’ll try it, to sate Huaisang’s need to see him for who he is. To see past the illusion of pain. “Would you prefer I mock you and leave you to die?”

I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t, I won’t—

“I cannot.” He mumbles, hoping he is quiet enough that the other is here. “I owe you this much.”

Louder now, since Huaisang has finally deemed him not a trick of his mind, he says, “Call me anything you like. Damn me all you want. Your anger is nothing to me, so I’m not setting you down.”

And it isn’t, it’s just nothing to him in a way Huaisang wouldn’t expect; for even though the Nie wrath is infamous for being as powerful as the sun, Ruohan comes from the family of the sun. There was a very big difference in the destructive power they both held, and Huaisang’s anger, though massive, was not enough to swallow Ruohan’s sorrow.

“Give me your ire, Huaisang, and let it grow. When you can move again, unleash it all you’d like.”

"Why not? I'm injured and hallucinating, my golden core feels numb, my meridians sluggish. Why can't I die?" Why can't I die? Not 'why won't I die'. Did Nie Huaisang want to die? Perhaps. Or maybe it was more him being tired. Tired and alone, and missing his family very very much. A family that were dead. All of them: his mother, father and brother. The one left was him. Those once close to him that were still alive, were beyond his reach now. To give da-ge the revenge he deserved and stop the evil that was Jin Guangyao, Huaisang had sacrificed his friends and the only person who had been almost as family: Xichen-ge. No, Lan Xichen. Zewu-jun. Nie Huaisang had no longer any right to call him Xichen-ge.

Huaisang was pulled out from his thought when Ruohan spoke again. It was a very intense hallucination. "With pleasure," he replied, except, as much as he hated Wen Ruohan, he had actually never taken pleasure from killing anyone. Not even Jin Guangyao. Relief, yes, but not pleasure. Nie Huaisang had never found any pleasure in killing. Unless it was a wild fowl for his dinner.

Managing to shake his head a little, he gave the other a wry smile. "You look amazingly real, but my mind must be really twisted, making Wen Ruohan to a helper. He never helped anyone but himself. If you had been real, you would have tortured me while laughing, not helping." Why was his mind doing this to him? Why was he seeing a man who caused grief for the entire Cultivation World? The man who killed his father? Not fair. But then, life was rarely fair.

When the hallucination went down on both his knees to ready himself to lift him up, Huaisang just pressed his lips together and closed his eyes, having had enough of this twisted image. Then... then something happened. He was actually touched. He could feel him being moved! Immediately Huaisang opened his eyes, realisation hitting him harder than old Lan Qiren's boring lectures. "You are real! You! You! Why? You have no right! No right at all! You blood dripping scum!" Most would expect the Headshaker to cry in a situation like this, but no, there were no tears in sight, instead his eyes flared with Nie wrath. Nie Huaisang wasn't known for his anger, but he was a Nie and right now that fire was ablaze, making his eyes look like they could strike down anyone with one look.

[novaviis]

sick!dick au. Bruce's POV. read in order here.

For most everyone else, it starts at the Gala.

For Bruce, it starts in a grey little office, with a stack of papers and a glitter pen.

Dick will confess after the fact to the fainting spell in the apartment he shares with Wally, and the months of progressively worse migraines, including an incident on patrol with Jason – and Bruce is none-too-pleased with that information being kept silent, but he picks his battles and this isn’t one of them. Still, looking back nearly everyone will unanimously agree that the night it really “began” was the Gala.

For Bruce, it begins when the social worker hands him a creased manila envelope. Inside is a birth certificate, a social security number, and an immunization record. Bruce looks through the contents of the envelope. Is this really it? Yes, he’s never exactly done this before, but he feels like there should be more. Guardianship of a child shouldn’t be reduced to three pieces of flimsy paper in an envelope. There’s a coffee stain on the corner. The social worker doesn’t really know what to say to that; this is just the way it is. She slides the rest of the paperwork across the table. Everything’s already been looked over by his lawyers, all he needs to do is sign. She pats her pockets, muttering to herself before bringing out a red glitter pen and sheepishly offering it to him.

Bruce is in his twenties. He’s impulsive with his compassion and he just witnessed another little boy watching his parents die. He knows he can give this boy what he needs. Or he’s going to try. But between the drive to bring this boy’s family justice and the need to heal a part of himself in the process, he’s somehow skipped over just how huge this is. He’s thought about it, of course, but always with the under current of doing whatever it takes to make it work. He was going to give the boy a home, give him the closure that Bruce never got, and maybe he’d save him from turning out like… well, like Bruce. Only now he’s staring down at Guardianship written in big block letters across the top of the stack, and it’s sinking in now that he’s not just taking the boy in. He’s going to be his family. And it doesn’t change a thing, his resolve doesn’t waver, because he knows he can give him a good life, but it’s that one word. Family. His family is starting out with a coffee stain, a stack of papers, and a glitter pen.

He signs the papers. Dick is already waiting outside with Alfred, who’s taken him to the small cafeteria down the hall. The boy hasn’t spoken much, in the days Bruce has taken to get to know him. Bruce had asked Alfred if he was like that – after. And Alfred had looked at him sympathetically, answered carefully. Yes, he was, in a sense. Bruce had been quiet. Shellshocked. Traumatized. But Bruce needs to remember that he had him, at least one steady presence in his life. Dick has no one. It’s going to take time.

It shouldn’t be so easy, Bruce find himself thinking over and over as they finish up. He tucks everything away into his briefcase, bears with the social worker smiling and shaking his hand and thanking him for doing such a good deed as if this is a charity stunt for publicity and she doesn’t seem to care either way. He asks again, just before he closes his briefcase, if she’s sure that there’s nothing else he needs. Report cards, keepsakes, family medical history, he doesn’t know. She shakes her head, all pleasant smiles. No, that’s all he came with – as if he’s a shelter dog. Bruce latches his suitcase shut.

Back then, it was just a passing thought. He doesn’t spare it another over the years, because he doesn’t need to. Time went on, Dick becomes an inseparable part of his life. Bruce will always silently maintain that Dick was the one to save him in the end. He’s not a perfect guardian, not a perfect father, and he makes more mistakes than he can count. They argue, they have fallings out, and still they always work through it – because they’re family.

And the issue of the family medical history does not resurface until that champagne gold night. Until he catches Selena watching him from across the ballroom, smiling behind the rim of her wine glass and cocking her head to tease him. Until, he��s distracted between secretively searching the crowds for her and forcing himself to smile and laugh with Gotham’s elite, so he doesn’t notice the commotion rising up on the other side of the room. Until his youngest son comes racing toward him through the crowd looking more scared and shaken than Bruce has ever seen him. Until he breaks through the ring of bystanders and sees Dick passed out on the floor, Wally kneeling over him beside himself with panic. Until the ambulance and the fury of the waiting room (making a mental not to raise absolute hell with the Hospital’s board of directors) and the doctor pulling him to a side room, a little grey office, to ask the dreaded question. All at once, it comes back to that moment, and Bruce sighs, scrubs his palm over his tired eyes. No, he doesn’t have Dick’s family medical history. It doesn’t exist. Realistically, it isn’t Bruce’s fault, but that has never stopped him from shouldering blame.

Selena reaches out in the following days it ask in on how Dick’s doing. Bruce is cordial, tells her that her concern is appreciated but Dick seems to be doing fine. And on the other side of the phone, he can hear her moving around her penthouse, maybe standing at the window – she’s glad to hear it. Let her know if he needs anything, if she can do anything to help. It’s early days then, and none of them know just how bad it’s going to get.

It’s a slow progression at first, and then it’s not. It’s months between seizures, a steady increase in migraines – but life goes on. It’s not as if Bruce is hovering every Dick at every second. He’s a grown man now, with a career and a home and a partner. Bruce supports him in any way he can, until it gets to the point that he has to make the hard call. The argument he has with Dick that night, in the study of Wayne Manor, is something he’ll never wash from his memory. He’s used to making the tough decisions. He’ll be the asshole if he has to, he can handle Dick’s anger, but he’s not going to allow him to take this much risk into the field. Benching Nightwing until they have a handle on this is a necessary call, but Dick is stubborn (who on earth did he learn that from), and unwilling to step down so easily. And as the argument reaches its fever pitch, Bruce pacing and ranting, listing off his rational, he hears Dick call his name in a wavering voice and it cuts through the background noise. Dick, the colour drained from his face, eyes unfocused, conceding that he’s about to lose this argument, will haunt him in the same way as the worst things he’s seen in the life he’s chosen. That’s the moment he knows that this isn’t just going to pass, the moment he bolts to catch Dick before he can topple forward and hit his head. This isn’t something they can wait out. He’ll never regret making the call, but he will always regret the way he put the pressure on Dick, as if he’d just made things worse.

The thing is, this lasts years. It becomes a part of all their lives – because it’s Dick. It isn’t all consuming, it doesn’t eat away at their thoughts every minute of the day, but it’s a resurfacing concern that’s rarely spoken about aloud. And Bruce sees how this changes his family. No one can say that the Wayne clan is the most well adjusted and healthy family, but Bruce does his best. He realises and appreciates now more than ever just how much work Dick put into keeping them all functioning. Keeping them together. He never thought he’d taken it for granted until then. It shouldn’t have taken this to bring the family closer together, but it does, and as much as Bruce hates that, he’s not going to fight it.

Time goes on. Still. It’s a slow progression at first, and then it’s not. Bruce is in a meeting with his chief executive officers when his secretary buzzes in over the speaker saying there’s a call for him on the line. He thanks her for letting him know and tells her to take a message. She says the young man is telling her it’s an emergency. One of the CEOs is about to launch into a presentation and Bruce doesn’t spare him a second thought. Picks up the phone, pushes away from the board table, and paces to the window. Wally’s voice comes through saying his name, shaken and urgent, rambling out sentences too fast for Bruce to hear.

Wally. Slow down. What happened?

He stopped breathing. Fuck, Bruce, he called me at work – sounded like a seizure so I ran home, but he – it didn’t stop, he wasn’t breathing.

That first night, after Bruce has sent his reluctant children home with Alfred, it’s just him and Wally left with Dick. The end of visiting hours is fast approaching. Bruce steps out to let Wally have his time with Dick, allows him some privacy. He eventually makes his way up to the terrace balcony on the upper floors, a green space with massive glass walls and an open ceiling. Fresh air for the first time in hours does wonders.

Selena is there. She approaches him from the other side of a low hedge, bundled up in a cashmere sweater and scarf – ones he bought her ages ago. When he asks how she knew, she smiles. She has her ways. Tim called her, didn’t he. Yeah, he did. They stand in silence for a while, staring out at the mosaic of lights against the persistent dark of Gotham, before she puts a hand on his arm. I know you’ve got a lot on your plate, Bruce, she says, and the coy smile fades into sincerity. Come to me when you need to.

Three days after Dick is admitted to the ICU, Bruce calls Damian into the study. It’s late, they just got home from visiting an hour ago. They’ve been arguing a lot lately, before Dick went downhill. Mostly regular thirteen-year-old boy versus father arguing, but a few too many frustrated shouting matches in the Cave. Bruce can’t help but wonder if it’s in part because Dick hasn’t been there to act as a mediator. Still, the past few days have been quiet, if not tense. Damian complies when Bruce calls him down. He’s wearing a sweater he stole from Dick months ago, the bulk of it swallowing his smaller frame like a blanket. He has the sleeves rolled up, his hands in the front pocket, when he pauses in the doorway. Bruce gestures for him to sit across from him at the desk. He can see the way Damian is bracing himself for a lecture, wondering whatever it is he did wrong this time, as he takes his seat. Bruce, in his chair on the other side, watches him for a moment before deciding this won’t do. He stands, and pulls his chair next to Damian’s and pulls a file over from the other side of the desk.

Wayne Men are at a higher risk of Prostate Cancer as they get older. I get tested every few years. He tells him. My Mother’s side of the family, the Kanes, have a history of Crohn’s Disease. It’s prevalent in people of Ashkenazi Jewish decent. I’ve never had it, or had symptoms, so it’s unlikely that I passed it on to you, but not impossible. And when Damian stares back at him, he leans forward, presses his hand to his son’s shoulder. I want you to know these things, Damian. It’s important that you know your history.

And with any other child, it may have not been a good idea to have this conversation right then. Any other child may have been scared. But this is his son, and Damian is as frank and pragmatic about these things as he is, and Bruce knows that he will appreciate the honesty, knows that those questions have likely been rattling around in Damian’s head for a while now. They spend another hour that night talking about their family, beyond just medical history, and Bruce answers any questions Damian has.

Dick gets worse. Wally leaves to find answers. Bruce is doing everything he can; medical bills are nothing to him, he checks in on his children, calls in favours from the league to keep watch of Gotham when he’s needed at the hospital. It’s the most he’s ever relied on others in his entire life.

It’s just him in Dick’s room one night. He’s at the window when he hears Dick rasping his name. It’s been rare lately that he’s been coherent enough to really speak without being prompted, so he has Bruce’s full attention immediately. He crosses over to the bed, braces a hand over Dick’s. And Dick doesn’t say anything for a long while. His eyes are half closed. Bruce is close to assuming he’s fallen asleep, when Dick’s unsteady hand slides out from under his, and rests on top with a barely there squeeze. Dick is staring up at him. His voice his so quiet it’s almost drowned out by the monitors, but Bruce hears it.

Take care of Wally.

Bruce doesn’t waste time on don’t talk like that sentiments. He doesn’t tell Dick that he won’t need to, that he’ll be fine, because Bruce does not make promises he knows he cannot keep. He nods. He will. Dick doesn’t need to ask him to take care of the family, that much is an unspoken understanding, but if this is a piece of mind he can give Dick, it’s without hesitation.

He ends up at Selena’s door after visiting hours. She buzzes him in, and when she opens the penthouse door neither of them say a word. She guides him over to the couch, pours two glasses of good wine, and when she returns, he’s already got his face in his hand – not sobbing, not breaking down, just… exhausted. She isn’t sure Bruce knows how to break down anymore. In the end, she just sits with him. Rubs his back, tentatively at first, not sure if he’ll let her. Bruce not only does, but he shudders under her hand, allows himself to breathe with her, and it’s enough to let the pressure ease and the ache to come in. He allows himself feel to it.

Because that’s his son. That’s his first son. And he’s failed him.

Years from then, when this is all in the past, he’ll let it slip. It’s over a late night coffee with Dick in the Cave as they wrap up a case, near to the anniversary of the Dick’s surgery. Maybe it’s the string of late nights and no sleep wrecking his inhibition, maybe it’s something he needs to get off his chest. But Dick stares at him, goes quiet, sets down his coffee mug.

You did everything for me, Bruce. He says. You never failed me.

And, someday, Bruce will believe it.

[kieraelieson]

In which Virgil has taken lessons on how to demand affection: Part Five, Logan.

Virgil Roman Patton Remus Janus

Logan had been aware of the ‘Demanding Affection Lessons’. Patton had consulted him before even suggesting them to Virgil, and Logan had agreed that they might be useful. Though to be honest, he’d thought at the time that the ultimate result of the lessons would be a closer relationship between Virgil and Patton, and perhaps Virgil would become more vocal about his needs and wants.

He hadn’t expected the nervous request that day in the kitchen. It had caught him off guard, and he’d asked Virgil to repeat himself, even though he had heard it the first time. He could hardly believe Virgil was requesting affection from him, and though he did indeed feel affectionately towards Virgil, his attempt to fulfill the request had been, even in his own eyes, paltry.

But even more he hadn’t expected the way that Virgil’s requests for affection would spread amongst the other sides. Roman, Patton, even Remus had come up to ask for affection.

As he always did when confronted with something he hadn’t anticipated, he began collecting data. Even before Remus, but especially now that he had joined, Logan could confirm that the effect of the requests for affection was nothing but positive. General moods had improved, relationships between them all had been significantly strengthened, collaborative efforts to tackle problems had increased massively, and perhaps most important, Thomas was happier.

It was a logical move for Logan to also request affection from the other sides. The benefits were clear.

However.

He did not want to subject himself to five hugs. And that would also likely not have the same benefits. He would need to ask for things he wanted. He was just concerned that if he did so, he would be rejected. His requests would take more time than a simple hug. The other sides were busy themselves, and didn’t want to take time out of their days to do him favors.

But he could see from his data the benefits that were possible. The possible improvements to Thomas’s life. Even the potential improvements to his own. How could he squander all of that by not asking?

— — —

Patton was the safest first option. Not only because he was most likely to say yes, but also because he frequently cooked.

“Patton?” Logan said, beginning to understand more Virgil’s hesitance in asking.

“Yeah?” Patton said, looking up from his craft with a smile.

Logan held out a paper on which he’d listed approximate measurements and times. “I… would like to request… for you to make me a toast with Crofters. To me i-it would be affection.” Despite his previous rehearsing in the mirror, he still didn’t manage to make it through the request without stumbling.

Patton looked at the paper curiously. “Oh. Oh, I get it! Of course I will, Lo!”

Relief swept over him more powerfully than Logan had anticipated, and he needed to sit down. “Thank you, Patton.”

Patton gave him one of those soft looks, like he did when he wanted to hug someone, but he didn’t hug Logan, just stood up, looking again at the paper. “I’ll be right back!”

That toast Patton returned with seemed like the best one Logan had ever eaten.

— — —

With a grown confidence, Logan knocked on Roman’s door.

“Come in!”

Logan entered and held out a paper to Roman. “I have a request.”

Roman frowned at the paper a minute. “Chores?”

“Not exactly,” Logan said, knowing he’d tailored this request exactly to Roman. He pulled out his flash card to be sure of the correct term. “Those are indeed chores that need doing, but my request if for you to ‘gamify’ them. It would be as a favor to me, as… as affection.”

Roman’s head cocked to the side, and he silently mouthed ‘affection?’. Similarly to Patton, the meaning seemed to hit him all at once. “Oh! Oh, well yeah. I can definitely do that. I can’t promise that my games will work, Thomas might still leave the things undone, but I can definitely make games for the chores.”

Logan smiled, something fizzy feeling welling up in his chest. “Thank you, Roman.”

Roman grinned. “Anytime, Specs.”

— — —

With Virgil, he could text. It was relieving, not to have to ask in person.

Logan: I have a favor to ask

Virgil: ?

Logan: Have you heard the term ‘body doubling’?

Virgil: yeah, I’ve come across it once or twice

Logan: Would you be willing to come into my room and engage in your own activities while I do my work? It would be received as a form of affection.

Virgil: pfft, you all are such copycats. But yeah, totally, I’ll be over in a minute.

Sure enough, there was a soft knock at the door a few minutes later, and Virgil came in with two cups of tea. “Pat said we need to be hydrated.”

Logan smiled and nodded.

Virgil set one of the cups on Logan’s desk, and then slid down the wall with his own just beyond the desk, setting the cup on the floor next to him and pulling out his phone.

Despite Virgil being the embodiment of anxiety, it felt like a peace settled over the room.

Logan: Thank you.

Virgil: no prob 💜

— — —

Remus would be… interesting to ask. But Logan wanted to ask him before he asked Janus. For one reason, if things went poorly, he had one side left with whom he expected them to go well. For another, Remus was easier to find. Janus’s job required a lot of hiding away and working in the deeper parts of Thomas’s mind, and while he could often be found in his room, it was by no means a guarantee.

Almost the moment he walked into the downstairs living room he heard a snort.

“What, Mr. No-Feelings came for hugs too?”

“No actually, I have a request for a different type of affection.”

Remus popped up from behind the couch, streaked with a… substance. “Oh?”

“There are a few subjects in which I am interested, apart from my role as Thomas’s Logic and Curiosity. I wanted to ask if you would be willing to help mold the imagination in such a way that I can pursue those interests.”

Remus shrugged. “I mean, I probably won’t make it exactly accurate, but I’m game for helping you out. Why’d you ask me though? Why not Goody-Two-Shoes upstairs?”

Logan smiled slightly. “I believe some of the subjects would be of interest to you as well.” He held out a paper to Remus.

Remus’s expression went from curious, to intrigued, to nearly gleeful. “Oh hell yeah! Come on, Nerdy Wolverine! We’re doing this Now!”

— — —

It was his third attempt. Logan knocked on the door to Janus’s room.

Rather than saying ‘come in’, Janus opened the door, looking rather haggard.

Logan blinked. If he’d intended to ask anything else, he would have immediately regretted his request.

“Yes?” Janus said, leaning against the doorframe.

“I had come to ask… You are well known to be skilled at self-care, I had wanted to join you. It would be received as affection, and, perhaps it might be good for you at the moment as well.”

Janus gave him a half-hearted glare. “I’m fine.” His face smoothed out. “But yes, that would be nice.”

Logan helped set up, glad for the both of them to be able to relax in a hot bath and have a few hours of rest and pampering.

“If you ever want,” Logan offered. “I would be open to returning favors and affection.”

Janus just hummed noncommittally. “I appreciate the offer.”

— — —

He was going to have to be blunt. And clear.

He rose up in the bedroom. “Thomas, I have something to ask you.”

Thomas startled. “Ah! Logan! Geez, you could give me a little warning.”

“Apologies,” Logan said, feeling slightly deflated. “But I do have something to ask.”

“Yeah, of course,” Thomas said, pushing himself up to a sitting position. “What’s up?”

Logan offered a paper to Thomas. “I am continuing the requests for affection, however affection towards me would look different than it would towards others sides. I would greatly appreciate it if you would choose one of these healthy habits and commit to pursuing it, put it on a schedule and act on it regularly.”

Thomas studied the list.

“Additionally, Roman has created games associated with each of these, to make it easier to remember and complete.”

“Wow, Logan, this is really well thought out,” Thomas said, still looking at the paper. “I mean, I’d definitely need your help to stick with it, but sure, I’ll pick one of these.”

A broad smile invaded Logan’s face. “Of course I will be helping.”

[daydreaming-in-letters]

Assumptions

10/01/2021

Pairing: Manuel Neuer x fem!reader (3rd person)

Word Count: 6,018

Warnings: rpf, mentions of age gap (not between reader and Manu and nothing illegal) and strong opinions on that, banter, jealousy, infuriation, fluff and cuteness

Summary: The reader finally catches her long time crush Manuel Neuer alone on her uncle's birthday. Things are quickly starting to get heated—sadly it's not the kind of heated she would have liked it to be.

A/N: Most of you probably don't know Manuel Neuer. He is the goalkeeper and captain of Bayern Munich as well as the German National Football Team and every once in a while I find my thoughts drifting towards that adorable and amazingly talented manchild. This story has been sitting in my drafts for far too long and I wasn't sure whether I felt comfortable with publishing it in case it ever got finished. But I found that there is an intolerable lack of Manuel Neuer x reader fics on here, so here it is. I tagged everyone from my general tag list, but I understand if this is not what you signed up for. So sorry in advance and please feel free to ignore this story at your leisure.

Picture found on Pinterest

If you like my story, you are very welcome to like, comment or reblog. Please don’t copy, repost or share my work on other platforms.

It was only a few minutes to midnight and still the dance floor was as filled as ever, an enchanting mixture of young and old people alike. The bass rolled deep in his stomach, making him even queasier than he already was, and the lights, flickering across the mass of moving bodies in sync to the rhythm of the music, didn’t help either.

Suddenly a figure broke through the outer wall of bodies and made her way over to his table. A small smile crawled over her lips, a little shy but genuine, yet he didn’t feel like returning it. He had hoped that she would change her mind upon the disgruntled look on his face, but much to his dismay, she did nothing of the sort and sat down right next to him, just as a waitress passed the table with a tray of colourful shots. The woman next to him stopped her, before she turned to him.

“Care for a drink?”

Did he care for a drink? He yearned for one.

“No, thanks. I’m not really fond of drinking.”

“Shame,” she shrugged, her smile growing a bit wider when she took two shots from the tray anyway. For a second he thought she might actually force him to drink with her, but then she placed down the two glasses in front of herself. Raising her first glass to him, she gulped it down in one swig, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand afterwards.

“Do you care for a dance then?” She nodded over to the dance floor, her eyes and body inviting him to take the offer.

He found that he somehow couldn’t hold her gaze when he answered, “I’m afraid I’m also not very fond of dancing.”

Her forearms resting on the table, she leaned closer, obviously not taking the hint that he just wanted to be left in peace and quiet.

“Then what are you fond of?”

“I think you know pretty well what I’m fond of.” To his own surprise he sounded even harsher than he had attempted to, but the last thing he needed right now was an eager fan trying to engage him in a conversation.

“I do,” she retorted undeterred, “but that’s not what I wanted to know. See, you might not have noticed through all your sulking, but I was actually interested in you as a person, not as a footballer.”

He huffed, although he wasn’t sure she had heard him above the music.

“And you might have noticed that I am not interested in talking about private stuff to complete strangers.”

Sure, he was being massively impolite, but at least he hoped that this would do the trick now. But instead of finally leaving him alone, she shot him an amused look.

“Ooooh, grumpy, aren’t we?”

Now it was him who leaned in closer, making sure she could hear him properly. “Look, it’s nothing personal, okay? I just...it wasn’t such a great evening for me.”

Unintentionally his eyes wandered over to the dance floor for a split second, where a very young, very blonde girl was dancing happily among his teammates and their wives and girlfriends. Cursing himself, he looked over to the woman by his side carefully, hoping she hadn’t noticed. But of course she had, her eyes still fixed on the girl.

“Ah, I see.” She turned to him and the glint in her eyes made his stomach turn. “Puberty is a bitch, eh?”

“Excuse me?” he spat, equal parts bewildered and stunned.

“You heard me alright.”

Who did she think she was? Impertinent woman.

“I don’t think that’s any of your business.” The volume of his voice must have slipped his control a little, as he noticed a group of elderly men standing nearby turn into his direction. Still the woman’s smile never left her face, appeasing the men who turned away again.

“Really? After all I have to sit here with a pissed thirty something man who refuses to acknowledge he let his hormones get the best of him.”

“Whoa! Okay, first of all, it was you who decided to come and sit at this table and second, again, none of your goddamn business.”

Her answer was a simple grin, still not fazed by his anger in the slightest. It almost felt as if she was enjoying to get him riled up.

“You’re right.”

“And?”

“What do you mean ‘and’?”

He rolled his eyes heavily. Why couldn’t she just leave?

“You know, that phrase usually goes with an apology. Like ‘You’re right. Sorry I assumed you’re having a mid-life crisis and bang a chick that is 15 years your junior to boost your fragile ego.’”

“Do you?”

Inhaling deeply, he tried to calm himself a little. After all, he couldn’t afford to yell at her again, not that he didn’t want to, but causing even more unwanted attention was not in his plans for tonight.

“I didn't say that.”

“Well actually,” she looked at him triumphantly, “you kind of did. I never said you were having a midlife crisis or that you need her to boost your ego. Those were your words. And seeing that my assumptions caused a reaction like that, I’m afraid I can’t really say I’m sorry either.”

All right, that was it. Enough was enough.

“Look, I think I have an assumption for you too, lady. I’m starting to assume that you only came over here to rile me up further. And guess what, mission completed. So why don’t you do us both a favour and head off to pester someone else now?”

She was quiet for a moment and for the first time, the cheeky smile left her beautiful, burgundy lips. He had expected her to be a bit shaken at least, maybe even as pissed as himself, and yet the next words were spoken with such dignity that he couldn’t help but admire her a little for it.

“Oh, I would love to say you’re right again, but I’m afraid I can’t this time. And since we seem to have warmed up to each other quite a bit by now, I feel it’s okay to be completely honest with you.” She paused a second, simply for the effect, he guessed and her warm eyes never left his. “I came to sit with you because you looked miserable. Still do, by the way. And I thought you might need an actual grown up to talk to. But it seems I was wrong. You’re just a pouty manchild, like the rest of them.”

She waved her arm, pointing over at the dancing crowd of his friends and their spouses. His eyes followed her gesture and when he laid eyes on the heart of the matter, a hot flush of rage began to swirl through his veins, making his hands clench into fists. Fully set on giving her a piece of his mind, not caring who might hear him at this point, he turned to her again. But the familiar figure that had somehow entered the picture without his notice made him stop in his tracks.

“Here you are, sweetie.” The man cooed, laying his large hand on her shoulder in a protective gesture. “I almost got the feeling you were hiding from me since I made you promise to dance with me tonight.”

She twisted her slender neck to look up at his gentle face, her attention making him smile sweetly at her.

“You know I’d never do that to you, Uncle Hans, especially not on your birthday. I just thought your no. 1 goalkeeper here was in need of some mature company, but clearly he is perfectly happy with the way things are.”

Bewilderment flickered behind the coach’s gaze as he looked between his niece and one of his best players and Manuel was sure that this might not be the last time they would speak about this matter.

“So then, may I have that dance now, sweetheart?”

“With pleasure.” Manuel watched almost transfixed as she gracefully took her uncle’s hand and stood up. It was only now that he noticed how perfectly her dress showed off her voluptuous curves. He was almost certain that she would leave without another word when once again she proved him wrong. Turning on her heels, she grabbed the remaining shot and gulped it down in one large swig before she looked down at him, almost as regal as a queen.

“Have a pleasant evening, Mister Neuer. I’m sorry I can’t say I enjoyed our conversation more. Oh, and just in case you should ever feel in need to talk to a grown up, don’t call.”

⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️

She could still feel his piercing look on her back as Hansi led her through the crowd and away from him. They had just begun to dance when the song changed and a much slower tune echoed through the large room. With a smug grin, her uncle pulled her closer, bringing his hand to the small of her back. Cheek to cheek he swayed her to the beat and she could feel that her mind was almost beginning to slow down, when he decided to pick up a conversation.

“Will you tell me what that was all about?”

She bit her lip like a little girl that was about to be scolded. “Do I have to?”

He chuckled deeply, the vibration rumbling against her chest and she could easily imagine the self-satisfied grin on his face.

“I’m certainly not going to force you. It’s just, you know, I always thought you kind of liked him.”

Instantly, she could feel her face heat up. How could he possibly know that?

“True. Liked, as in past tense. And besides, it’s not that I actually know him, personally, I mean. You could perhaps say I admire his talent, at most. And he also may be kind of easy on the eyes.”

She had become more and more quiet while she spoke, merely mumbling the last sentence. But he had heard her nonetheless, her silliness making his lips twitch in amusement.

“Hm. I clearly remember your aunt begging me to invite him over for a barbecue party last summer, telling me that you wouldn’t shut up about his quiet reserve, his amazing performance on the field and his stunning smile. Sadly he didn’t have time.”

She gulped audibly, tensing up a little in his arms, which made him enjoy their little talk even more. “So, what changed your mind?”

“He did,” she said a little too quickly, before she sighed so heavily that her uncle almost regretted bringing this topic up after all. “It’s just, I don’t understand his choice in women. I mean, he could choose literally anyone, so why her? I mean, she clearly doesn’t make him happy.”

“And how do you know that? You have spoken to him for what? Like five minutes?” He turned them around, making her face the gloomy goalie once more, before he went on. “I might be wrong, sweetheart, but I think you’re just jealous.”

Over his shoulder her gaze met Manuel’s for a split second before his eyes shot to his right, where the blonde teenager stepped into the picture, blocking him from view. She sat down on his lap, her arms dragging around his neck possessively, as her lips met his in a feverish kiss. Averting her gaze immediately, her eyes darkened and her heart clenched heavily in her chest.

“If by jealous you mean disenchanted, you’re right.”

Her bitter words made him loosen his grip on her so that he could see her face, and the hurt in her eyes pained him more than he cared for.

“I know you probably won’t believe me, but he really is a good person.”

She scoffed while her incredulous eyes landed on her uncle’s soft, blue orbs. “Well, he certainly hid that pretty well.”

He gave her a tight lipped smile. “I think he’s just lost his way a little at the moment.”

“So you think I’m right then?”

The excited sparkle in her eyes made him regret his honest words a little.

“I didn’t say that.” He protested strongly. In the end it was not for him to judge his players’ private lives. “After all he is a grown man and he can decide for himself.” He could see her face fall again and so he was quick to add, “Nevertheless, I don’t think you’re completely wrong either.”

He was very pleased to see that his words had caused a small smile to crawl back to her pretty lips. He almost felt like a proud father and when she finally leaned back in a bit closer, her forgiving gesture almost made him a bit bold.

“So, uhm, one more question, sweetheart. In the unlikely event that he should after all need a grown woman to talk to, can I give him your number?”

“Certainly not,” she insisted with a steady voice, but when she looked at him, the adorable grin on her face left no doubt that this was the biggest lie she had ever told.

⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️

Manuel was furious as he watched her leave towards the dance floor with the coach. How could she dare call him out like that and then leave without giving him the chance to set her straight? His eyes fixed on her, he watched as Flick pulled her closer, his eyes following her uncle’s hand to the small of her back. Being the gentleman he was, his hand had found the only spot on her back that was actually covered by the dark red fabric of her dress. And for a second he imagined what it might actually feel like to let his hand wander upwards until it covered her bare skin. Or maybe he could let it slip down a few inches, until his fingers would grasp the soft flesh of her behind. He had just been able to fully picture the exact feeling of her body pressed up to his when he could feel the man who actually held her in his arms catch his indecent look on his niece’s back. Immediately he sat up straight, averting his gaze, completely missing the amused smile on the other man’s face, and when he turned back to face him, he almost lost it when he found her sparkling eyes instead.

He was still trying to figure out what had happened, when he heard a familiar voice calling him.

“Hey, babe.” The high pitched noise made him flinch and instinctively his eyes shot to his right, just in time to pull his arms away before she slumped down onto his lap clumsily. She laid it on thickly as her arms wrapped around his neck.

“I missed you on the dance floor, honey bun. Why don’t you come dance with me?”

And before he even had the chance to answer, her lips crashed down on his mouth almost painfully, her tongue forcing his lips to open. The stench of alcohol filled his mouth and he pushed her drunken form off of him determinedly. Before she even had the chance to protest, he lifted her up and placed her in his chair.

“I don’t think dancing is a good idea in your condition.” She glared at him, but then she seemed to have forgotten what for and her lips turned up into a sheepish smile.

“Whatever you say, babe.”

“Look, why don’t you just stay here and I get you a nice, big glass of water to sober you up a little?”

She began to nod, but then her eyes lost focus und she stared past him at god knows what.

“All right, I’ll be back in a sec. Don’t go anywhere.”

Quickly he made his way over to the counter and ordered a whole bottle of water, when he felt the slap of a hand on his left shoulder.

“Wow, you look even more frustrated than after our knock out at the World Cup in 2018. What happened?”

“Don’t ask.” He sighed as he turned around to face his friend. Manuel hoped that he would accept his wish, but when he saw the apologetic look on Thomas’ face, he instantly knew that he wouldn’t drop the topic.

“Too late. I just did.”

With a dramatic roll of his eyes, the next words were spoken more to himself than to his teammate.

“Great, just what I need. Another pain in my ass.”

“Another? Who was the first then?” Obviously Thomas had taken no offence and sounded a bit too cheerful for Manuel’s liking.

“She.”

He looked over at the dance floor, where the impertinent woman was just sending her uncle the most beautiful, cheeky grin he had ever seen.

“Who? Y/N?” his friend asked incredulously.

Y/N. So that was her name.

“You know that annoying woman?”

“I do, although I can’t really say she’s annoying. Met her at the coach’s home once. She seemed rather sweet and intelligent to me.”

“She certainly hid that pretty well,” Manuel growled under his breath, earning him a surprised frown from Thomas.

“Are you gonna stand here and stare daggers at her or are you gonna tell me what she did to make you throw a fit?”

“She approached me out of nowhere to tell me that I’m dating a teenager to compensate my inability to commit to a partner on eye level.”

Thomas let his words sink in for a while.

“That doesn’t really sound like her. I mean, what reason would she have to come at you like that? She doesn’t even know you.”

Manuel sighed, thinking about the way she had somehow coaxed the statements from him instead of making them herself.

“Well, she might have phrased it differently,” he admitted meekly. That seemed to spark Thomas’ interest even further and he could feel his expectant look on him, pressing him to finally tell the whole truth.

“Actually she didn’t say it like that. She only made an allusion and made me somehow say those things myself.”

“Mhm. And exactly what allusion did she make?”

Manuel rolled his eyes again, his ego still fighting to repeat her words out loud.

”She said puberty was a bitch, clearly hinting at the fact that she thought my girlfriend was too young for me.”

He hadn’t even finished his sentence when Thomas’ roaring laughter filled the air.

“Now that does sound more like her.”

He needed a bit to contain himself when he suddenly looked up at Manuel with an unusually serious expression on his face.

“And I have to admit, Manu, she kind of has a fair point there.”

“What?”

Manuel could not believe his ears.

“Come on, man. It’s what everyone thinks. She just said it out loud.”

“Fuck you.”

But instead of rising to his expletive, Thomas just looked at him sympathetically. Pushing himself off of the counter, he pat his shoulder in an attempt to encourage him a little, ready to leave him to his self-denial.

But then he stopped. “You know, I personally didn’t have a problem with it. You’re an adult, you can make your own choices. As long as you’re happy, right? But the truth is, Manu, I don’t think you are. Not anymore.”

⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️

“See, I told you he wouldn’t be here. No need for all the panic beforehand.”

She narrowed her eyes at her cousin, shooting her a dirty look.

“Yeah, and I hope it’ll stay that way. Oh, and for the record: I wasn’t panicking at all, it was just you and your sister’s sudden eagerness to lure me here that got me suspicious and nervous in the first place.”

“We didn’t lure you here,” her other cousin piped up a little offendedly. “We simply wanted to spend some time with you. Come on, it’s been what, like 4 months now? Since you moved to Munich three years ago, we hardly get to see you anymore.”

“You and our father,” her sister added quickly. “So it seemed the best option to kill two birds with one stone and bring you along. After all it’s called a family day, right?”

Y/N sighed, not fully convinced, but finally ready to let the topic go.

“Right. Let’s just hope for your sakes that there will be no surprises today that might prove your guilt after all.”

“How are my girls doing?” she heard a familiar voice from behind her back, turning towards her favourite uncle with a beaming smile. What she didn’t see, however, was the brief look that was exchanged between her cousins as soon as she had turned her back, proving exactly what she had suspected all along.

“We’re good, dad. Actually, we’re more than good, we’re excellent,” the older cousin chirped.

“Great.” He paused a moment, but it was clear that he had more to say. Rocking back and forth on his feet, he looked from one woman to the other. “So,” he began carefully, before a huge Cheshire grin spread across his face. “I hope you all reserved a dance for me tonight.”

“Oh, no, daddy, not again.”

“Please, don’t make us do this.”

“There will be dancing here? If you had told me that beforehand, I certainly wouldn’t have come.”

“Of course there will be dancing. I thought that was obvious.” He had to try very hard to look a little slighted, while he actually drew a horrendous amount of amusement from their antics. “Remember, girls, we have a tradition to uphold. Whenever there is some dancing at a party, you have to reserve at least one dance for me. That’s the rule.”

And with that he turned and left them on their own again.

“Ugh, why does he always have to do that to us?” her younger cousin whined.

“Oh stop it, silly. You’re the one who likes it the most and everyone knows.”

⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️

She had been the first to pay tribute to the family tradition and after a very exhausting Discofox dance session, luckily one of her cousins had taken over from her. Kicking off her heels, she welcomed the feel of the cool grass underneath the soles of her feet. Walking over to one of the empty tables, she slumped down heavily into one of the comfortable looking chairs. With a contented smile she let herself fall back against the backrest, closing her eyes and breathing in the mild air of the warm summer night.

“Care for a drink?”

His voice made her jump, sitting up straight immediately, eyes shooting wide open. And there he was, two shot glasses in his large hands and grinning down at her, obviously very satisfied with the slight scare he had just given her. He looked amazing, the smug bastard, in his casual jeans and white shirt, two buttons undone, topped with a sporty black jacket. She highly doubted that she had ever seen a finer man in her entire life. Luckily that didn’t make her lose her sharp tongue.

“And here I am thinking that you weren’t fond of alcohol. What happened?”

He smiled sheepishly, only one corner of his mouth tugged up, when he handed her her drink. He took his time, grabbing a chair and positioning it opposite hers, then sitting down carefully, not wanting to spill the shot all over his chest. She had already come to think that he was trying to avoid her question after all, when he locked eyes with her and finally began to speak.

“Hm. It’s been a while since I last saw you. A lot of things happened, you know. Maybe it was finally time for me to grow up.”

“Hear, hear.” With a mischievous smile she raised her glass. “To your coming of age, then.”

He rolled his eyes playfully. “If you insist.”

His magnificent blue eyes never left hers while they chinked glasses, and a second later she could feel the more than welcome liquid moisturising her suddenly very dry mouth.

With a thud, their glasses landed on the table, both of them chuckling like giddy children when their eyes found each other again and then, for a moment, there was nothing but silence. The world seemed to have zoned out, leaving behind nothing but his aquamarine orbs and the wild smile on his face.

Just gradually, the world seemed to set back in again. There was the monotonous clitter of the crickets, overlaid by the muffled sound of the music that was carried over by a soft breeze, and loudest of all she could hear the beating of her own heart against her chest.

“What else has changed now that you are a proper adult?” she heard herself ask, not having the faintest idea where those words came from and how the hell she managed to deliver them so smoothly when her whole body seemed to have gotten out of control.

He took a quick look over his shoulder, his thumb pointing in the same direction.

“If you mean the dancing, I’m still not very fond of that.” Her face must have fallen a little because he was quick to add, “Except...”

“Except what?”

His eyes landed back on hers and she almost choked on her hitching breath.

“Except I think I could make an exception for the right partner.”

From the corner of her eye she registered a movement between their bodies, but she was hesitant to let her view stray from his captivating appearance. At last it was something in his eyes that looked at her expectantly which finally made her snap out of her trance.

Looking down at his hand sheepishly, it took her a while to fathom that he was actually asking her to dance with him.

Slowly her eyes wandered up to his again, asking a silent question, which he answered with an almost imperceptible rise of his eyebrows. And before she knew what she was doing, she laid her hand in his and let him pull her to her feet.

He had just turned towards the source of the music, when she suddenly held him back.

“No, wait.”

With a puzzled look he did what she asked of him and let her twist him back around.

“Why don’t we just stay here? The music is loud enough anyway.”

A gentle smile curved his lips. “Sure, if that’s what you want.”

She nodded softly, her teeth biting down on her lip in excitement.

And before she knew what was happening, she found herself secured against his chest by his firm grip. It felt like being pressed up to a hot furnace which she would usually have appreciated any other time, but on a sweltry night like this and in a place she had wanted to be in for so long, it was pure torture. And as if this wasn’t bad enough already, his strong fingers pressed down on her lower back, threatening to scorch her even through the fabric of her blouse as he pulled her an impossible inch further into him. He was so close now that she could sense the heat radiating off his cheek as well, bringing along a whiff of his enticing scent and she couldn’t help but close her eyes as she inhaled deeply and her head began to spin. It was odd, but her mind was completely blank by now, blank except for one thought and her lips spread into a blissful smile as she repeated it in her head again and again, relishing in the feeling that if either of them moved just the tiniest bit, their cheeks would inevitably touch.

Slowly they moved and despite the unhurried shift of their bodies her heart was beating so violently that she thought it pondered jumping out of her chest to meet his. There was no chance he wouldn’t be able to tell from the way he held her, and when he finally drew away a tad to look at her, she fully expected him to call her out for it.

But he didn’t. Instead his sinfully soft lips curled into a reassuring smile before he spoke.

“You were right.”

“I beg your pardon?”

A cute chuckle escaped his mouth, leaving the corners of his eyes crinkled in the most beautiful display of amusement.

“About what you said at your uncle’s birthday party.”

“Oh.” She had said a lot that evening, words that she had come to regret later and remembering them now set her cheeks on fire. “About what exactly?”

“About everything,” he admitted without hesitation, yet he couldn’t hide the spark of misery that flitted across his sea blue orbs. “Didn’t take me very long after that night to finally see things clearly.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” It was true. Although she knew that she probably sounded like a madwoman after everything she had confronted him with back then, at least the frown on his forehead seemed to confirm that. “I truly am. I really would have liked to see you happy.” Even if it was with that girl.

She was glad she had managed to keep that last bit to herself. She had no idea why she had said that she was sorry in the first place, but judging by the wild smile on his face it must have been the right words after all.

“Well, I certainly am happier now than I was that night.” He shrugged. “So, thank you, I guess.”

She huffed. “For what? Making absolutely inappropriate remarks on your relationship? I shouldn’t have done that. I know that now. So it should be me who is sorry here, don’t you think?”

She could feel his fingertips press into the soft flesh of her back.

“Don’t be. I guess you were exactly what I needed.” It took him a second before he realised what he had just said. “I mean it. It was exactly what I needed.”

His eyes snapped to the left and she was thankful that he couldn’t see the grin that decorated her lips as she watched the treacherous colour creep into his cheeks, spreading all the way to his ears. For a while he didn’t say another word, probably still trying feverishly to figure out a way to take back his slip of the tongue. And when he finally spoke, she wished he hadn’t.

“There is one thing though that I have gone over and over in my mind. But no matter how long I think about it, it just won’t make sense.”

She already knew that she wouldn’t like where this conversation was heading now, but she found herself asking nonetheless.

“And what is that?”

His head turned without a warning as his eyes searched her gaze and for the blink of an eye his lips came so close that she couldn’t say if they had actually brushed along hers or if her needy heart had just imagined their brief touch. He didn’t answer her question right away, his breath blending with her own in the narrow space between their faces and suddenly she wasn’t so sure anymore if she had really only dreamed up their fleeting foretaste of a kiss.

“Why did you do it?” Panic rose in her chest. She hadn’t done anything. After all it had been him who had turned his head. But as he went on, she realised that he wasn’t referring to that at all and the suffocating distress eased away bit by bit. “I mean, we didn’t even know each other when you decided to come at me like that.”

Now it was her who had to avert her gaze.

“I think I don’t really want to answer that question.”

“Why not?” His voice was so soft and gentle, making it even harder to answer him.

“Because the truth might be kind of ugly.”

“But the outcome wasn’t, so I think I’ll take that risk.”

Her feet stopped their mechanical movements as a violent shiver ran down her spine. So this would be it then. It would be over before it had really begun. Pity. But at least she would have the memory of these few minutes, of his genuine smile and the way he had held her tight against his chest. With a deep sigh she bid their daydream of a dance goodbye.

“I could tell you now that it was for some noble reason, but at the bottom of it all I think it was nothing more than jealousy that drew me to your table that night. I had been unable to ignore you all evening — ignore her. The way she behaved like a spoiled brat, drinking and losing control, not caring in the least that she not only made a fool out of herself but of you as well. God, I hated her in that moment, for having everything I ever wanted and riding roughshod over it. And when I saw you sitting there, looking so utterly crestfallen, somehow I couldn’t help it.”

An undefinable silence settled between them and the only sound that remained was the beat of the music wafting over from the party that went on behind his back. The faint whisper of the melody seemed to push itself up between them and tear them further apart, exactly as she had expected. And just like the bass, her heartbeat slowed until it died away completely.

It was over and everything she wanted to do was let go of his hand so she could do him the favour of leaving, but to her astonishment he refused to set her free. And rather then releasing her from his grip, he squeezed her hand, briefly and just once, but it was enough for her to find the courage and face him. But instead of finding a frown or a scornful pair of eyes, his blinding smile made her forget to breathe for a moment.

“I had hoped you might say that.” And with that he pulled her into his arms again and continued swaying her to the music as if she had not just revealed her repulsive self to him. Her brain still a step behind, she couldn’t do anything but stare up at him stupidly.

“What? Why?”

“Isn’t that obvious?” And when she shook her head like a petrified imbecile, an amused chuckle rumbled through his chest. “Because even though your behaviour was extremely infuriating, I have to admit that I like you. And asking you out on a date will be so much easier now that I know you like me too.”

With a violent jolt, the useless muscle inside her chest started to beat again, its heavy pounding filling her ears with white noise as the world around her started to spin. Unable to stop the motion, she felt herself leaning in, her nails digging into the undoubtedly expensive fabric of his jacket as she desperately tried to gain control over her unruly body.

“So, will you go out with me?”

It seemed like an eternity until she finally mustered the strength for a mechanical nod. Neither had she noticed in her struggle that he had stopped dancing, nor that the priceless look on her face had made his eyes and heart go soft for her.

“Great. That’s settled then. When are you free?”

It was only when he took a step back, taking his warmth with him as his hand slipped out of hers, that she snapped out of her trance.

“Now.”

“Now? Like right now?”

More like now as in before she could screw everything up again.

“Yes, why not? I know you have a busy schedule, so finding a date when we are both free might be tough. And above that, it is a beautiful summer evening.”

Had all those words really fallen from her mouth right now? Embarrassed about her lack of composure, her hand flew up to her mouth, making him smile again.

“I guess you have a fair point there.” And just like that, his hand was there again, fingers entwining slowly with hers like they had never been meant for anyone else. “All right then, let’s get out of here.”

***

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[thebiscuiteternal]

“Paper Scraps”

Post-Canon, Angst, Hurt/Comfort...ish?, Reconciliation, Discussion of Suicidal Ideation, Ghosts, Implied Sangyu, Mo Xuanyu Gets To Be Mourned, Wei Wuxian and Nie Huaisang Are Going Through It

Series Link on Ao3

__________

"To what do I owe the surprise visit?'' Nie Huaisang asks, and his voice is so devoid of emotion that Wei Wuxian has to bite back a shudder, suddenly very much aware that he is treading in completely new and potentially dangerous territory.

Nie-xiong is as dead as his beloved elder brother, and the Headshaker was nothing more than a mask. All that's left now is Nie-zongzhu, whom he knows nothing about and threatened the last time they actually spoke to each other in person.

Still, he sucks up his nerve and plasters on one of his usual careless smiles. "We need to talk, you and I. Just you and I."

"Wei Ying-"

He holds up a hand to cut off Lan Zhan's protest. "How about it?"

"And what, exactly, do you think there is for us to discuss, Wei-xiansheng? Have I not been behaving well enough for your liking?"

Ouch.

"Okay, I deserved that," Wei Wuxian says as he waves off his defensive husband and friend a second time, suddenly wishing he'd just snuck out and come alone.

Then again, that probably wouldn't have gone well either, judging by the wary looks he keeps getting from the handful of Nie disciples who linger defensively near their sect leader.

Okay... okay. No more trying to joke around. He takes a deep breath and lets it out, then straightens his back. "I'm here about Mo Xuanyu."

Nie Huaisang’s face betrays nothing, but the fan in his hand snaps shut with enough force that it's audible throughout the room. “Everyone, please escort our other two guests to the main gardens so that we may speak privately.”

“Zongzhu-” one massive bear of a man starts to protest.

At the same time Lan Zhan moves in front of Wei Wuxian to growl “We are not going anywhere,” and the tension in the room ratchets sharply to hair-on-end levels as the situation threatens to turn into a standoff.

Wei Wuxian pinches the bridge of his nose to stave off a building headache, then reaches out in an attempt to tug his husband back. “Lan Zhan. I’m the one who requested a one-on-one meeting, remember? Literally just now?”

“He cannot be truste-”

“Wei-gongzi, he might-”

“Enough,” Nie Huaisang snaps, the unexpected whip-crack of his voice making them all, a few disciples included, jump. “Let me remind all three of you that you came here and none of you are required to stay. In fact, today would be much improved if you didn’t.”

“Lan Zhan.” Wei Wuxian hisses.

Lan Zhan doesn’t budge, hand still tight on the hilt of Bichen. “If you harm Wei Ying-”

“Yes, yes, you and the Ghost General will cut me open and hang me with my own entrails just to start with,” Nie Huaisang replies irritably, giving a dismissive wave of the closed fan. “I’m well aware.”

Judging by the startled and utterly appalled looks that cross Lan Zhan and Wen Ning’s faces, that had decidedly not been on the list of options of what they might potentially do. But the descriptive suggestion does work to knock them off guard, and Wei Wuxian bites his tongue hard to keep his expression neutral as the two of them are herded out without any more fuss after Nie Huaisang makes a short gesture to his disciples. “You did that on purpose.”

Nie Huaisang turns without responding to the jibe at all and walks off towards another door.

Ouch again.

He trots after the other man and falls into step beside him as they enter a hallway that’s clearly not for public use. Part of him wants to ask where they’re going, if just to break the uncomfortable silence, but he keeps his mouth shut.

They finally stop at a door that, when Nie Huaisang slides it open, leads to a tiny garden so deep in the sect's keep that the back wall of it is cut into the mountain itself.

And in that little carved out cave, shielded from wind and rain and snow, sits a funeral tablet on a table shrine.

Wei Wuxian involuntarily sucks a sharp breath through his teeth at the sight of it, his hand coming up to clutch at his chest. Guilt wells up hot and stinging and bitter in his stomach, then higher into his throat. Dizzy, he sways on his feet and is only vaguely aware of the hands that catch him.

Once his resurrection had been revealed, everyone simply accepted him as “Wei Wuxian”, not “Wei-Wuxian-In-Mo-Xuanyu’s-Body”, seemingly having just... forgotten that the face he has now once belonged to someone else. He had grown so settled into this body that until the dreams had begun, he had barely given Mo Xuanyu a second thought.

But right at this moment, staring at the name carved into that tablet, held up by the one person left who had remembered- had loved the original owner of this body enough to memorialize him, he has never felt more like an invader in it.

His vision, gone fuzzy from the sickening torrent of emotion, slowly begins to come back into focus and, for just a moment, he is staring through Mo Xuanyu’s eyes into the worried expression of Nie-xiong before the lingering memory clears to the more neutral face of Nie-zongzhu.

He is on the ground, his head in the man’s lap, and the sudden urge to cry hits him hard. “Do you hate me?” he asks without meaning to, voice coming out plaintive and half-strangled by his effort to hold back the tears.

“You were the one who decided there was nothing left between us worth salvaging.”

“I did. And it was stupid. But that’s not what I mean, and you know it. Do you hate me for having this face?”

There is a pause, then a quiet sigh. “No, I don’t.”

“Why?”

“If it wasn’t you, it would be someone else. Or something else. Yu-er was…”

Nie Huaisang turns his head away, expression softening into a complicated mix sadness and pain, and Wei Wuxian finds himself thinking that while ‘his’ Nie-xiong might be dead, Mo Xuanyu’s Nie-xiong might still exist somewhere deep under the protective layers of Nie-zongzhu.

He swallows hard, then makes himself sit up and looks again at the tablet and its small offerings.

“Determined,” he says quietly, finishing the sentence. A tiny wet laugh bubbles out of his throat. “I thought… I really did believe that you had forced him into it,” he continues, and in the edge of his vision, he sees Nie Huaisang flinch at the accusation. “But no. No. He... really was determined to see it out to the end.”

“How do you-”

“Ah.” He scratches his cheek, then scoots to face the other man. “That’s actually the reason I needed to talk to you. I’ve been seeing- fuck, dreaming his memories, I guess… though they were more like nightmares, considering what was in them-”

“Wait,” Nie Huaisang says, holding up a hand. “When did this start?”

“Mmh. Just a little over ten months ago, I think? Or maybe closer to eleven. The first one was of your visit right after his mother died.”

Nie Huaisang goes slightly pale at that, though whether it’s from the admission of the length of time or the contents of the memory, Wei Wuxian can’t tell.

He gets an answer when Nie Huaisang gets up and rushes to the table, returning with something carefully cradled in his hands.

It’s a spirit pouch.

His hands are shaking as he holds them out to accept the tiny burden, and he’s vaguely aware that he’s gaping like a fish. “Huaisang…” he chokes out when he finally manages to find his voice again, but that’s as far as he gets.

“I… have studied a lot of ways of finding and contacting the dead,” Nie Huaisang says, and Wei Wuxian nods along numbly because that makes a ridiculous amount of sense, given the circumstances. “I know what the ritual notes said, but seeing that there was still something left of Da-ge after everything that had been done to him…”

He reaches out and touches the pouch and Wei Wuxian finds himself thinking of a gentle hand ruffling his (but not his) hair.

“I’m just sorry it took me two years to get up the nerve to go looking.”

But you went, Wei Wuxian thinks. You went.

He’d never even considered it. It had never crossed his mind at all.

“Eleven months ago, right?” he asks, voice still a little squeaky.

“Mm-hmm. I should have written to you about this long before now, but it seemed like every time I’d prepared myself to send the letter, something would happen that would remind me that… well.”

That we’re not friends anymore.

That you want nothing to do with me.

Wei Wuxian closes his eyes and rests his hands in his lap, still holding the pouch as if it’s made of porcelain instead of cloth. “I probably wouldn’t have read it,” he confesses quietly. “Or I would have, but I wouldn’t have believed you. I would have thought it was a ruse, a setup-” A tiny, wounded laugh escapes his mouth and he tilts his head back to stare up at the sky. “Maybe that’s why I started having the dreams. His way of telling me I’m an idiot.”

“A little drastic on his part if it was.”

“Can’t say it wasn’t necessary.” The pouch gives a jangling, discordant little hum when he pets it, the fracturing of the soul within vastly different from what he’d felt from Xiao Xingchen. The pieces feel smaller and fewer, yet heavier. “Oh,” he murmurs when he realizes why.

“Oh?”

“The array was designed to consume the resentment of the caster based on negative memories of the person or persons they wanted to curse. That’s why the memories of you and the flashes of his mother were so vivid when the rest of them weren’t. That’s why you were able to find these pieces. He really did see you two as the only bright spots in his life, so those memories were spared.”

Nie Huaisang makes a choked noise in the back of his throat, and when Wei Wuxian turns his head, the other man is looking away in a clear attempt to hide his expression. “He was wrong.”

“A year ago, I would have agreed,” Wei Wuxian mumbles. “After everything he showed me, though… I don’t think he was. I get it.”

He takes a deep breath. He has never talked about this, not with Lan Zhan, not with Wen Ning, and certainly not with Jiang Cheng, even if they are taking tentative baby steps towards being less awkward around each other. He’s not sure he should be talking about it with Nie Huaisang either, but-

“I know what it’s like, just wanting everything to end. Deciding the whole world can go to hell. Maybe I didn’t intend for the backlash from breaking the seal to kill me, but I sure didn’t fucking care what it would do to me one way or another. Nothing and nobody could have saved me by that point. You couldn’t have saved him even if you’d dragged him home with you like Lan Zhan wanted to do to me.”

“Wei Wuxian-”

He ignores the little flutter in his chest that they’ve at least moved back to an address that feels less precarious than the icy ‘Wei-xiansheng’. “Let me finish, okay?”

“Okay.”

“So... So... Ah, fuck,” he mutters, gently shifting the pouch so he can scratch the back of his neck, trying to catch the lost trail of thought. “You know… I never questioned the clothing I woke up in when I was resurrected. As brutal and nasty as the Mo family were and as disgusting as that little shack was, it should have come off as weird that I was wearing such nice robes.”

There is a quiet sniffle, and Wei Wuxian pretends not to see Nie Huaisang wipe wet eyes with the edge of a sleeve as he continues talking. “He appreciated those. Appreciated that you tried to take care of him.”

He raises the pouch to eye level, and it gives another little crackly hum. “And clearly he still appreciates your efforts, considering his method of dragging me here to make me apologize for thinking the worst of your relationship. So, I’m sorry for that.”

Nie Huaisang gives a watery little chuckle and swipes at his eyes again. “Accepted. Is he… Is he alright? I only know how to contact souls, I don’t know anything about tending to them.”

“Honestly… I’m not sure what can be done,” Wei Wuxian admits as he begins another examination. “There’s really so little of him left, I don’t know what will happen if a purification ritual is attempted. He seems to be more stable as he is than Xiao Xingchen was, but there’s no guarantee he’ll stay like that. Still, I owe it to him to find some way to help him out, so I’ll do what I can.”

“If it would be easier for you to take him back to the Cloud Recesses for study, then… then you should,” Nie Huaisang says, and Wei Wuxian is a little bit impressed that he was able to make the offer despite how much it must have hurt.

“I think he’d be much happier staying here,” he says, then tentatively adds, “But that would mean visits, plural, and while I’m definitely going to have a very long talk with them about all this, I doubt I’ll be able to come without either Lan Zhan or Wen Ning… probably both at first.”

Nie Huaisang rubs his temples with his fingertips, his expression cycling through a complicated series of emotions too quickly for Wei Wuxian to follow, then he sighs. “We’ll figure something out,” he says as he reaches out and takes back the pouch.

Wei Wuxian can’t help smiling at the tender way he cradles it against his chest as he gets up to approach the funeral tablet and put it back in place. “Yeah. We’ll figure something out.”

[crystal-moon-101]

Since I saw people talking about Ben's little big chill kids, I thought I'd finally do some headshots of my ones, who are also a part of my Ben 10 Next Gen. For me, I've always imagined that for young necrofriggians, they all start out looking the same (Beyond some size difference), but as they grow older, they'll start to develop their own patterns, small body traits and shades of colour, as showcased here. I'll share the little info on each sibling, and the basics of who they are as a person. When Ben first found them again, saving them from poachers and going full mum mode, they had been developing these different psychical traits, but not enough to identify each properly on their own, so while giving them names, Gwen used bandana pieces to colour code them, and each kid still wears theirs to this day, slightly modified. So here they are now, as full grown young adults. You can follow from left to right each row, or just the colours next to their names. -North (Black)- The largest and physically strongest of the kids, North acts as the leading member when Ben isn't around, doing their best to watch out for their siblings and be a middle ground to them. It's been this way since they were born, looking out for them and doing whatever they can to protect the others. This has resulted in North collecting quite a few scars and wing tears, though they wear them with pride, wanting to display how strong they are to others. They often looks up to Ben when it comes to being a hero, in how their mumdad protects others and the galaxy, and wants to be a fighter like him one day, often asking to train with their mumdad whenever he's around. Ben has suggested Plumber training for North, but they're still thinking about that. -Tundra (Red)- Tundra is a very curious one, and is known to wander off when things catch their interest. They prefer using experience to learn from, thus making them quick on their feet when something happens, and good at thinking logical. When the siblings are struggling with something, or come across some kind of problem, it's often Tundra who provides the quickest answers that should go well for them. That being said, due to their wandering, they gave gotten into trouble a few times and need to be saved by their siblings or Ben, as despite how smart they are, they can be a bit of a ditz when something catches their interest. -Grey (Silver)- Having a connection to the earth bellow, Grey often spends their time searching caves, and any hidden areas they can find. They especially love to research and find minerals of any kind, ranging from metals to gems, sometimes even studying their metal lunch for the day before eating it. Because of this, they can be carelessly dirty, and aren't the cleanest of people, but does pick up after themself when reminded. Grey is also pretty close with their sibling Storm, and surprising Gwen and Ben when first hearing the two call each other "Dweeb" and "Doofas", when first meeting them again. -Storm (Brown)- As someone who likes to spend a lot of time flying and high in the clouds, Storm is fascinated by the weather and how it behaves, and feeling the cold fresh air and challenging themself with flight training. This has provided them to have the most agility in the air, and knows the best ways to build up speeds, while also not draining themself. Whenever they aren't flying around, they're doing research on the weather, very keen to be a meteorologist one day. Whenever Ben visits, they will often ask him about the weather on other planets, and any adventures he's had in the sky. Storm is also pretty close with their sibling Grey, and surprising Gwen and Ben when first hearing the two call each other "Dweeb" and "Doofas", when first meeting them again. -Crystal (Blue)- Graceful on their feet, Crystal is a charming and gentle person, with a keenness for the art of dancing, especially when hovering in the air. This was something sparked in them when seeing how the patches in their wings, which are see through, glittered and reflected light through them, making Crystal often move around to see what they could get them to do, and the introduction of dancing was something they latched onto as a result. They are one of the hardest of the siblings to get angry, upset or rile up, and often goes with the flow and speaks in a slow and soft voice. Because of their kind nature and beautiful display of their wings, Crystal has attracted many others who are interested in them, many falling for them after meeting Crystal for a mere minute, though they tend to pretend not to notice, and turn down those who ask. -Orion (Orange)- Having an eye for art, Orion is a skilled painter and drawer, while also dabbling into other art forms to create things, their room filled with their works of art, and often creating gifts for others. From when they were little, Orion has always admired their auntie Gwen, and are always keen and eager to hang out with her when she visits, showing every new drawing and painting they have made while she was away. In fact their fondness for auntie Gwen is why they picked the orange bandana, as it reminded them of her hair. -Neva (Green)- Fashion focused and head strong, Neva is a keen one, who knows exactly what they like and isn't afraid to say it. They love designing things to wear, especially since fashion isn't that big on Kylmyys, and Ben brings them fabrics and items they request from earth whenever he comes by on a visit. Though, despite Neva's expensive tastes, they are most certainly aren't a snob, and more often than not create outfits and accessories for others that Neva knows they'd like, and wants to bring out the best beauty in them. Though admittedly, they can get a bit carried away if someone asks for fashion advice, or even brings up the idea of something related to it. Neva also a bit of a business mind too, having gotten some clients recently on their homeworld after seeing what Neva could make. -Raine (Aqua)- A very sweet young one, Raine has a keen eye for collecting things, particularly shiny or unknown stuff. From gemstones to simple earth utensil, if something interests them, Raine is known to take it with them, sometimes snatching without thinking. They don't mean any harm, and just sometimes think before acting, and will give something back if they've realized what they've done, but if it's clear they can keep it, then they aren't one to share, though do like to show off what they have with joy. They are also very well organized, knowing where everything they own is, and even when their siblings misplace something, having a photography memory and mental list of things. They may own a lot of stuff, but that doesn't mean they want to live in a pigsty. -Vale (Yellow)- Being one of the quiet ones, Vale likes to keep a lot to themself, and don't speak very often, only when they need to. They spend a lot of time outside, observing nature as it passes by them, using a little diary to note down what they see, hear, feel, smell and even taste. They like to appreciate silence and the world around them, and the beauty of nature, and collect little things to store away in their diary as memory. Whenever they visit earth, they love to visit the forests in the spring and summer, seeing the range of colours blooming from flowers, and has many flower prints because of this. -Lux (Beige)- Quite the basic of people, Lux likes to live life in a simple way, and tends to try and stare clear of any chaos, which is quite hard when you have 13 wild siblings. Because of them, they can come across as annoyed and frustrated at times, and can be blunt and honest, but they do love their siblings, and is often the one that says what's needed to be said. Lux also have massive wings compared to their body, a ratio none of the others have, and use to trip over their feet a lot growing up. Now, their massive wings are a great way to hide away when they're not in the mood to talk to read a book, or to hug a family member when seeing them down. -Micha (Pink)- Bubbly and sneaky, Micha has been dubbed the "Pink Ninja" for a reason, someone almost always able to hide away and sneak up on others. They love to jump scare people, and has found more and more crafty ways to get around without being noticed, even without their ability to go invisible. They love to pull jokes and get a laugh out of people, and Micha is known to have a snort with their own laughter. It's always their mission to catch Ben off guard when he visits, as each time it gets trickier due to him knowing it's coming, and his training and skills build up over the years, but Micha always finds a way in the end. -Zodiac (Gold)- Patient and often neutral toned, Zodiac is often seen to be pretty wise. From a young age, they've always loved stories from history, especially those about myths and legends they hear from around the galaxy, and spend a lot of their time reading and researching anything they hear about, always keen to hear a new story they may have never heard about before. It always fascinates them how much Ben has seen and done, and the stories he tells, Zodiac is practically fond of those about Alien X and Celestialsapians, and wants to meet one one day. -Alaska (White)- High on energy 99% of the time, Alaska is always zooming around and never has time to stop. They rarely sit still for long, and it takes a lot to drain them of their endless energy, always moving in a blink of an eye. Because of this, Alaska is the fastest of the crew, which has come in handy often. But they can be easily bored, and a little frustrating to deal with when they don't pay attention, but they do like to spend that energy by jumping around each sibling to spend the day with, and wants to engage in all of their activities to support them. -Arlo (Purple- The smallest of them, Arlo was born the runt of the group, but thanks to their siblings, especially North, they managed to survive childhood when most other necrofriggian runts would have died. This makes Arlo the baby of the group, and the one they all want to protect, even if it can be a little baring at much, wanting to prove they can be strong on their own. And Arlo somewhat got their wish, when reaching a certain age and Ben learning that one of his children had the spark, thus meaning Arlo is an Anodite, and is able to use magic, though they're far from being perfect at it, and their small body sometimes struggles to keep up. But each day Arlo practices, wanting to feel more than just the tiny one, but they are generally kind and great with emotions, being very supportive and just trying their hardest.

[asmutwriter]

Welcome to the Freak Show (Part 1)

What can I say other then please can Joseph Quinn respectively punch me in the face (no I am not sorry for that)

Eddie x Reader

WORD COUNT: 2750

Next / Master List

WARNINGS: cheating, swearing, making out, I don’t know what else there is to be honest

DISCLAIMERS

-  This is fiction. Please always talk to your partner before doing anything and make sure they are ok with what you are doing beforehand

THURSDAY

You sit in the canteen. You boyfriend Chris has an arm looped over your shoulder. You fingers intertwined with his. You started dating in 1980. 4 years ago on Sunday. You’ve planned to stay round his on Saturday so that you have the whole of Sunday with him. Jessica comes and sits next to you both. “Have you seen the freaks today?”

“No. Why?”

“They were talking about some weird game. God it’s pathetic. Fully grown men playing a fantasy game” as if on cue ‘the freaks’ walked in. You and your friends watch them as the go and sit on their table. You boyfriend speaks up

“Oh look the freak show is in town” they all look over at your table. One of them standing on his chair, lifting his middle finger up at you all before hopping back down and sitting. You stay quiet as Chris and Jessica laugh. You know lunch has finished when the bell rings. Chris kisses you, deeply before moving away. You smile at him. 

“You still ok for me to come round this weekend?”

“Of course. I’m looking forward to it my love. I won’t be in tomorrow, I’ve got more important stuff to be doing but I’ll see you on Saturday” he kisses your forehead before going off to his class. You and Jessica wave at him as you go to your science class. The next few lessons go past quickly. So quickly that the end of the school day creeps up on you as you walk home. 

Now you sit with your mum, dad and brother at the dinner table. Just as you all start your food your mum speaks up. “Your father and I have a business thing to attend to this weekend. We will likely be back on Monday or Tuesday. Will you two be ok on your own?” you both nod

“Can I invite the guys round to stay? We will only play DnD and not have any massive party I promise” you parents look at each other. Before you can state your opinion your mum answers 

“I don’t see why not. Just make sure the house is tidy for when we get back” he smiles and eats again

“I’m so glad I’m staying with Chris this weekend. I don’t think I’d be able to cope with all the geekiness”

FRIDAY

The next day goes past quickly. You pack your bags for your time with Chris. Going downstairs you see your bother in the living room. “I thought they were coming this weekend?”

“We figured they might as well come round tonight. Then we can play for longer” you nod

“I’ll pack and go to Chris’s tonight then instead of tomorrow. Makes the most sense”

“Are you sure?” you nod and smile at him 

“I’ll be fine. He knows I’m going round tomorrow anyway. What is one more night going to effect” he nods and goes back to setting up his game. You bite your lip slightly “I’m sorry about him”

“Who?”

“Chris. He was mean to you and your friends” he shrugs

“Next year I’ll be out of that hell hole where he can’t bother me” he looks at you and smiles “Just don’t be offended when I don’t invite him to the family dinners” you laugh and go over and hug him

“I love you dude”

“I love you too sis” You pull away from the hug and ruffle his hair

“Best big brother I have”

“I’m your only brother” you blow kisses at him as he swears at you. You go to your room and grab your bag for the weekend. You walk out the house, saying goodbye to Michael as you go. 

Chris lives about a 30 minute walk from you. It always seems to take you forever to get there but also the time goes by so quickly. You come up to the front gate. Going up to the front door you go to knock when you see two people in the window. You look confused as you go and take a closer look. You hold back a choked sob as you see your boyfriend railing another woman. “Oh shit baby” you hear. Not in your boyfriends voice, but still it sounds so familiar. You cover your mouth as a way to muffle you cry as you see your best friend underneath him. You shake your head. Sadness washing over you. So this is why he said he wanted to meet you tomorrow and not tonight. He was too busy screwing your best friend. You turn and let the tears fall down your cheeks as you angrily walk back home. Using the back of your hand to wipe your tears. 

You open the front door to your house, leaning against the frame as you wipe the dried tears from your cheeks. “Liz?” you look in the mirror by the door as your bothers head pokes round the living room door. You smile at him “Liz are you ok? I thought you were going out” you nod and go over to him, not caring who might see you. You hug him tightly. His hand goes up and strokes your hair as you continue to hug him. You then hear a cough. You pull away from your hug and cover your mouth

“Oh shit. Sorry. Fuck I forget you were doing your nerd thing”

“Dungeons and dragons”

“Yeah whatever. Sorry guys”

“Wait I know you...” one of the boys speaks. You look, a guy with dark curly hair and dark eyes watches you. You smile slightly and do a small wave “I’m Elizabeth”

“Michael” the long haired boy queries “Are you friends with our enemy?”

“No. More like related to the enemy” all the boys start kicking up a fuss. You try and hold back a laugh. Covering your mouth as your brother nudges you slightly 

“Don’t laugh” he mutters to you

“Yeah... no” he looks hurt and fakes being wounded. 

“Can we get back to our game now?” the long haired boy asks. Your brother looks at you and you smile slightly and nod. He goes and sits down. 

“Could I... Can I sit and watch?” they all look at each other, then back at you, then each other again. Michael speaks

“I have no complaints” the guys roll their eyes as you sit down. You wipe your eyes again as you feel fresh tears start to spike them. You try not to think about what happened earlier and instead focus on the campaign happening before you. It fascinated you. The vast world these boys had created. The characters and the gameplay. You watched in awe as they all got into character. The long haired boy who you believe to be called Eddie was leading the game. Helping the others to progress the story. 

You start to feel tired about 1am, saying goodnight and heading to bed. You hadn’t realised how much being with them had put your mind to rest as you spent most of the time tossing and turning in your bed. You let out an annoyed huff as you wake up. Looking at the watch by your bed it says 4:37am. You could almost cry again.  You figure you might sleep better if you have something to eat and drink so you stand up and go to the kitchen. Grabbing yourself some water and a biscuit you go to walk back upstairs when you walk into someone. “Oh fuck sorry” you hear a chuckle

“Don’t worry about it. My fault for not turning the bathroom light on” if it was any of your brothers other friends you don’t think you’d be able to recognise their voices but because you had just been listening to him speaking for about 6 hours straight you recognised Munson’s voice. 

“Come into the kitchen. Let me help dry you a bit” you start to walk, feeling for the light as you hear his soft footsteps follow you. Turning the light on you grab a dry cloth. You hand it to him, seeing the white of his shirt gone slightly see through as he tries his best to dry himself. “It might be better to air your shirt. Here, let me hang it up for you” you hold your hand out. He raises an eyebrow at you. Clearly seeing the innocence behind your eyes he shrugs and takes his shirt off. You take it from him and hang it over the door. “It should be dry by morning” you smile at him as he hands you the cloth. You take that from him too, noticing his arm tattoos. “Oh nice tats dude”

“Thanks. I did them myself”

“Really?” you go over to him, looking at his handy work. You see the one near his collarbone. Smiling you turn to look at him. Noticing you are very close to him at this point you take a small step back, placing the cloth on the side. You turn to face him again. “I am going to show you something. If you tell my brother I will kill you” he nods and chuckles slightly, but his eyes grow wide as you pull the side of your pyjama shorts down. Just below your waist band a small butterfly. “What do you think?”

“It’s good” he walks over to you. Again, sensing the innocence in your actions he comes to inspect it closer. 

“Do you really think so?” he nods

“Who did it for you?”

“I did it myself. I got bored one evening so I had a stab at it. No pun intended” he laughs and stands up straight again as you place the waistband back over your tattoo. “Tell my brother and I will murder you though” he laughs as you smile at him. He breaks eye contact with you and rubs the back of his neck shyly.

“I thought you’d be a lot meaner”

“Really?”

“Yeah. You’re one of the popular people. Everyone loves you” you laugh

“I wouldn’t say everyone. Just a large majority of them” now it’s his turn to laugh. 

“I mean I don’t blame them. You have a lot of friends, everyone knows who you are and you have the perfect boyfriend who never has a hair out of place” you shrug, sadness coming over you again. He doesn’t seem to notice the change in your demeanour and continues talking “I mean, everyone either wants to be you or be with you” this catches your attention as you look at him, a small smile on your lips

“Which one do you want?” he chokes slightly, caught off guard by your words. You tilt your head “You said everyone. Which one do you want?” he shakes his head and looks down. You playfully hit his shoulder “I’m only teasing you” he chuckles, but you can tell it’s a nervous one. You smile at him before covering your mouth as you yawn. He chuckles more genuinely this time. 

“You should get to bed” you shake your head as you rub your eyes

“I’m not really tired “he raises an eyebrow. You roll your eyes and look down “I can’t sleep very well tonight” he nods

“Because of earlier? I only noticed you seemed sad” you shrug 

“Might be something to do with that”

“Anything I can do to help?” you shake your head, giving him a half smile. He smiles back at you. You can smell the cigarette smoke on his breath. That’s when you realise how close you are to him. You look at him, the smile on his face fading as he sees you look more serious. Your eyes flutter to look at his mouth, then look back at his eyes. You can tell he’s trying not to smile. 

“What?” he shakes his head “tell me!” you playfully hit his chest. He chuckles

“If you weren’t so innocent in all your actions I would think that you were flirting with me” you feel your cheeks turn pink

“I-” he shakes his head and puts his hands up in a defensive matter. “I’m not purposefully flirting with you” he laughs

“Good. I don’t think you boyfriend would appreciate you talking to the freak of the town” you shake your head

“He’s not my boyfriend anymore” he furrows his brows at you

“But I saw you two yesterday. Or I guess more 2 days ago now. You seemed pretty happy then”

“That was before I found him fucking my best friend” you look at him, his eyes grow wide

“Jesus Christ” you nod 

“Not a fun thing to see. Especially as we would’ve been dating for 4 years on Sunday”

“I’m sorry Elizabeth” you shake your head

“He was a waste of space anyway” you look down as you feel tears form in your eyes. His hand goes up instinctively to wipe them away, tilting your head up to look at him

“Hey, you are so much better than he is. You don’t need him. He’s an absolute dick head”

“You would’ve said the same thing about me yesterday though” you whisper out. He tilts his head as he looks at you, his hands still gently holding your chin, the other resting on your cheek wiping away any fallen tears.

“I have heard enough about you both to know that you deserve better” you nod. The genuine talk making you do something you never thought you’d do. You slowly stand on your tiptoes, testing to see if he’d move away or not as you gently place your lips to his. You feel him tense up slightly but he soon relaxes as you feel his hands fall from your face to find your waist, placing them there as your arms wrap around his neck. You can taste beer on his tongue as you tangle one of your hands into his hair. Pulling him closer as you back into the counter, you pull away slightly to check if he’s ok. He looks at you, his dark eyes filled suddenly filled with lust. You smile as you crash your lips with his again. He lifts you up onto the counter, slotting his body between your legs. You feel his hands move from your hips, one goes by your side and the other sits on your lower back. You’ve only ever kissed a few people before. Although you and Chris had kissed each other several times and had several make out sessions this moment with Eddie was different. It seemed so much more intimate, so much more tasteful. His tongue explored yours as he pulled you closer to him. You could feel his dick grow slightly, the angle you both being in making it easy to feel him. You smile into his mouth, rutting your hips against him in a teasing manner. He lets out a moan, pulling you closer to him as a means to keep you still. He is the first to pull away, allowing you both to breath. “Holy shit” he says as he moves away from you. He looks at you. It catches up to you of what you had just been doing. More so, where and who you were doing it with. You cover your mouth, scared one of his friends or worse yet, your brother, had seen you. Almost like he can read your mind he turns to see if anyone is down the hallway. He turns to you and shakes his head, his eyes filled with relief as you let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding in.

“I’m sorry about that. I umm... I don’t know why I did it” he shakes his head, looking at you sideways through his hair

“I’m not complaining” you nod and move off of the counter

“I liked our chat. Thank you” he smiles at you

“You should go to bed m’lady. It’s getting late” you look out the window to see the sun starting to rise

“Actually I think it’s getting early” he looks out and laughs. You go to the bottom of the stairs, he stops you by placing a hand over yours as yours rests on the bannister. 

“I’d be careful. If you aren’t you might become a freak like me” you smile at him, a hand going up to caress his cheek

“That isn’t a bad thing Eddie. You are amazing” you move your hand from his face “goodnight”

“Goodnight” he whispers as you head upstairs “I’ll see you tomorrow”

[kingandfireheart]

The biggest Eris Vanserra moments from ACOTAR -ACOSF: What the fuck is happening in Autumn (Part 1)

I was originally very confused about how people seem to LOVE Eris all of a sudden, so I went back through the books to find out. SJM has definitely sprinkled the bread crumbs for some massive Eris revelations - will he have a redemption arc? does he even need to be redeemed? What are his secrets? Why did he leave Mor? Why did he protect Lucien? Why did he want to marry Nesta?

Cassian and Feyre voice doubts about Eris that really had me thinking about all of his scenes in the books:

" Beron studied his son with a scrutiny that made some small, small part of me wonder if Eris might have grown to be a good male if he’d had a different father. If one still lurked there, beneath centuries of poison. Because Eris … What had it been like for him, Under the Mountain? What games had he played— what had he endured? Trapped for forty-nine years. I doubted he would risk such a thing happening again. Even if it set him in opposition to his father—or perhaps because of that."

"You know what a monster your father is and want to usurp him; you act against him in the best interests of not only the Autumn Court but also of all of the faerie lands; you risk your life to ally with us … and yet you left her in the woods."

I went through all five books and pieced together the most telling Eris moments (they are all below the cut)

What I gained from this exercise was a few observations

Eris may have a moral compass - he curbs Beron's and his brother's bad behavior, and he stick his neck out to help in the war . He also seems to genuinely care for his soldiers. Eris pushes back against Beron, the oldest and most terrible High Lord, even when it results in punishment

Eris is playing a long game here, and it isn't limited to just him being high lord. We still don't have the full story on Mor and Lucien : what were the larger forces at play? Why did he buy Mor time? What did he show Rhys and Mor to convince them to trust him? Does he care for Lucien like a brother? Is he just a part of the schemes?

The Lady of the Autumn Court is definitely a big piece to the Autumn Court, Lucien, Helion, and Eris puzzles (Here is a list of her moments!)

See my other compilations of Character moments here: Lucien Sass, Nessian Mating Bond (Pre-ACOFAS), Cassian + Words of Affirmation (ACOSF), Lady of the Autumn Court

A Court of Thrones and Roses:

Tamlin tells Lucien's Story

"Lucien is the youngest son of the High Lord of the Autumn Court.”... “The youngest of seven brothers. The Autumn Court is … cutthroat. Beautiful, but his brothers see each other only as competition, since the strongest of them will inherit the title, not the eldest. It is the same throughout Prythian, at every court. Lucien never cared about it, never expected to be crowned High Lord, so he spent his youth doing everything a High Lord’s son probably shouldn’t: wandering the courts, making friends with the sons of other High Lords”—a faint gleam in Tamlin’s eyes at that —“and being with females who were a far cry from the nobility of the Autumn Court.” Tamlin paused for a moment, and I could almost feel the sorrow before he said, “Lucien fell in love with a faerie whom his father considered to be grossly inappropriate for someone of his bloodline. Lucien said he didn’t care that she wasn’t one of the High Fae, that he was certain the mating bond would snap into place soon and that he was going to marry her and leave his father’s court to his scheming brothers.”

A tight sigh. “His father had her put down. Executed, in front of Lucien, as his two eldest brothers held him and made him watch.” My stomach turned, and I pushed a hand against my chest. I couldn’t imagine, couldn’t comprehend that sort of loss. “Lucien left. He cursed his father, abandoned his title and the Autumn Court, and walked out. And without his title protecting him, his brothers thought to eliminate one more contender to the High Lord’s crown. Three of them went out to kill him; one came back.”

---

“As emissary,” I began, “has he ever had dealings with his father? Or his brothers?”

“Yes. His father has never apologized, and his brothers are too frightened of me to risk harming him.” No arrogance in those words, just icy truth. “But he has never forgotten what they did to her, or what his brothers tried to do to him. Even if he pretends that he has.”

Under the Mountain

When Amarantha tortures Lucien for Feyre's name:

Behind them, pressing to the front of the crowd, came four tall, red-haired High Fae. Toned and muscled, some of them looking like warriors about to set foot on a battlefield, some like pretty courtiers, they all stared at Lucien—and grinned. The four remaining sons of the High Lord of the Autumn Court.

---

Lucien’s brothers lurked on the edges of the crowd—no remorse, no fear on their handsome faces.

---

“Her name?” she asked Tamlin, who didn’t reply. His eyes were fixed on Lucien’s brothers, as if marking who was smiling the broadest.

Amarantha ran a nail down the arm of her throne. “I don’t suppose your handsome brothers know, Lucien,” she purred.

“If we did, Lady, we would be the first to tell you,” said the tallest. He was lean, well dressed, every inch of him a court-trained bastard. Probably the eldest, given the way even the ones who looked like born warriors stared at him with deference and calculation—and fear.

---

Lucien sagged on the ground, trembling. His brothers frowned—the eldest going so far as to bare his teeth at me in a silent snarl.

---

A ripple of laughter spread across those assembled behind us, the loudest from Lucien’s brothers.

When Rhysand takes Feyre to the parties at night:

Faeries and High Fae gawked as we passed through the entrance. Some bowed to Rhysand, while others gaped. I spied several of Lucien’s older brothers gathered just inside the doors. The smiles they gave me were nothing short of vulpine.

---

We reached the throne room, and I braced myself to be drugged and disgraced again. But it was Rhysand the crowd looked at—Rhysand whom Lucien’s brothers monitored. Amarantha’s clear voice rang out over the music, summoning him. He paused, glancing at Lucien’s brothers stalking toward us, their attention pinned on me. Eager, hungry—wicked. I opened my mouth, not too proud to ask Rhysand not to leave me alone with them while he dealt with Amarantha, but he put a hand on my back and nudged me along

During the second trial:

In the crowd, red hair gleamed—four heads of red hair—and I stiffened my spine. I knew his brothers would be smiling at Lucien’s predicament—but where was his mother? His father? Surely the High Lord of the Autumn Court would be present. I scanned the crowd. No sign of them

---

“Answer it!” Lucien shouted, his voice hitched. My eyes stung. The world was just a blur of letters, mocking me with their turns and shapes.

The metal groaned as it scraped against the smooth stone of the chamber, and the faeries’ whispers grew more frenzied. Through the holes in the grate, I thought I saw Lucien’s eldest brother chuckle. Hot—so unbearably hot.

---

“Just pick one!” Lucien shouted, and some of those in the crowd laughed—his brothers no doubt the loudest.

When Tamlin and Feyre make out in the closet:

“You’re both fools,” he murmured, his breathing uneven. “How did you not think that someone would notice you were gone? You should thank the Cauldron Lucien’s delightful brothers weren’t watching you.

After Feyre breaks the curse:

The Attor and the nastier faeries had disappeared instantly, along with Lucien’s brothers, which was a clever move, as Lucien wasn’t the only faerie with a score to settle

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

A Court of Mist and Fury:

Lucien telling Feyre about Jesminda:

“Even if I what?”

His face paled, and he stroked a hand down the mare’s cobweb-colored mane. “I was forced to watch as my father butchered the female I loved. My brothers forced me to watch.”

Rhys tells Mor's story:

His throat bobbed. I could tell it was rage, and pain, that kept him from telling me outright—not mistrust. After a moment, he said, “I was there, in the Hewn City, the day her father declared she was to be sold in marriage to Eris, eldest son of the High Lord of the Autumn Court.” Lucien’s brother. “Eris had a reputation for cruelty, and Mor … begged me not to let it happen. For all her power, all her wildness, she had no voice, no rights with those people. And my father didn’t particularly care if his cousins used their offspring as breeding stock.”

“What happened?” I breathed.

“I brought Mor to the Illyrian camp for a few days. And she saw Cassian, and decided she’d do the one thing that would ruin her value to these people. I didn’t know until after, and … it was a mess. With Cassian, with her, with our families. And it’s another long story, but the short of it is that Eris refused to marry her. Said she’d been sullied by a bastard-born lesser faerie, and he’d now sooner fuck a sow. Her family … they … ” I’d never seen him at such a loss for words. Rhys cleared his throat. “When they were done, they dumped her on the Autumn Court border, with a note nailed to her body that said she was Eris’s problem.”

Nailed—nailed to her.

Rhys said with soft wrath, “Eris left her for dead in the middle of their woods. Azriel found her a day later. It was all I could do to keep him from going to either court and slaughtering them all.” I thought of that merry face, the flippant laughter, the female that did not care who approved. Perhaps because she had seen the ugliest her kind had to offer. And had survived.

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

A Court of Wings and Ruin:

Lucien tells his story:

“I’d say that sounds more High-Lord-like than the life of an idle, unwanted son.”

A long, steely look. “Did you think it was mere hatred that prompted my brothers to do their best to break and kill me?”

Despite myself, a shudder rippled down my spine. I finished off the apple and uncoiled to my feet, plucking another off a low-hanging branch. “Would you want it—your father’s crown?”

“No one’s ever asked me that,” Lucien mused as we moved on, dodging fallen, rotting apples. The air was sticky-sweet. “The bloodshed that would be required to earn that crown wouldn’t be worth it. Neither would its festering court. I’d gain a crown—only to rule over a crafty, two-faced people.”

Lucien+Feyre vs. Autumn Court Brothers:

“Father,” the one now holding a knife to my throat said to Lucien, “is rather put out that you didn’t stop by to say hello.”

“We’re on an errand and can’t be delayed,” Lucien answered smoothly, mastering himself.

That knife pressed a fraction harder into my skin as he let out a humorless laugh. “Right. Rumor has it you two have run off together, cuckolding Tamlin.” His grin widened. “I didn’t think you had it in you, little brother.”

“He had it in her, it seems,” one of the others sniggered.

I slid my gaze to the male above me. “You will release us.”

“Our esteemed father wishes to see you,” he said with a snake’s smile. The knife didn’t waver. “So you will come with us to his home.” “Eris,” Lucien warned. The name clanged through me. Above me, mere inches away … Mor’s former betrothed. The male who had abandoned her when he found her brutalized body on the border. The High Lord’s heir.

---

“This can end with you going under, begging me to get you out once that ice instantly refreezes,” Eris drawled. Behind him, cut off by his brothers, Lucien had drawn his own knife and now sized up the other two. “Or this can end with you agreeing to take my hand. But either way, you will be coming with me.”

---

Glaring—then considering. Watching the three of us as I said to Eris, to his other two brothers, to the sentries on the shore, “You all deserve to die for this. And for much, much more. But I am going to spare your miserable lives.”

Even with a wound through his gut, Eris’s lip curled.

Cassian snarled his warning.

I only removed the glamour I’d kept on myself these weeks. With the sleeve of my jacket and shirt gone, there was nothing but smooth skin where that wound had been. Smooth skin that now became adorned with swirls and whorls of ink. The markings of my new title—and my mating bond.

Lucien’s face drained of color as he strode for us, stopping a healthy distance from Azriel’s side. “I am High Lady of the Night Court,” I said quietly to them all.

Even Eris stopped sneering. His amber eyes widened, something like fear now creeping into them.

Lucien advises the Inner Circle:

Lucien studied me again, and it was an effort not to squirm. “My father would likely join with Hybern if he thought he stood a chance of getting his power back that way—by killing you.”

A snarl from Rhys.

“Your brothers saw me, though,” I said, setting down my fork. “Perhaps they could mistake the flame as yours, but the ice …”

Lucien jerked his chin to Azriel. “That’s the information you need to gather. What my father knows —if my brothers realized what she was doing. You need to start from there, and build your plan for this meeting accordingly.”

Mor said, “Eris might keep that information to himself and convince the others to as well, if he thinks it’ll be more useful that way.” I wondered if Mor looked at that red hair, the golden-brown skin that was a few shades darker than his brothers’, and still saw Eris.

Lucien said evenly, “Perhaps. But we need to find that out. If Beron or Eris has that information, they’ll use it to their advantage in that meeting—to control it. Or control you. Or they might not show up at all, and instead go right to Hybern.”

Eris in the Hewn City:

If the Ouroboros could not be retrieved, at least without such terrible risk … I shut out the thought, sealing it away for later, as Keir left. Leaving us alone with Eris.

The heir of Autumn just sipped his wine.

And I had the terrible sense that Mor had gone somewhere far, far away as Eris set down his goblet and said, “You look well, Mor.”

“You don’t speak to her,” Azriel said softly.

Eris gave a bitter smile. “I see you’re still holding a grudge.”

“This arrangement, Eris,” Rhys said, “relies solely upon you keeping your mouth shut.”

Eris huffed a laugh. “And haven’t I done an excellent job? Not even my father suspected when I left tonight.”

I glanced between my mate and Eris. “How did this come about?”

Eris looked me over. The crown and dress. “You didn’t think that I knew your shadowsinger would come sniffing around to see if I’d told my father about your … powers? Especially after my brothers so mysteriously forgot about them, too. I knew it was a matter of time before one of you arrived to take care of my memory as well.” Eris tapped the side of his head with a long finger. “Too bad for you, I learned a thing or two about daemati. Too bad for my brothers that I never bothered to teach them.”

---

“Of course I didn’t tell my father,” Eris went on, drinking from his wine again. “Why waste that sort of information on the bastard? His answer would be to hunt you down and kill you—not realizing how much shit we’re in with Hybern and that you might be the key to stopping it.”

“So he plans to join us, then,” Rhys said.

“Not if he learns about your little secret.” Eris smirked. Mor blinked—as if realizing that Rhys’s contact with Eris, his invitation here … The glance she gave me, clear and settled, told me enough. Hurt and anger still swirled, but understanding, too.

“So what’s the asking price, Eris?” Mor demanded, leaning her bare arms on the dark glass. “Another little bride for you to torture?”

Something flickered in Eris’s eyes. “I don’t know who fed you those lies to begin with, Morrigan,” he said with vicious calm. “Likely the bastards you surround yourself with.” A sneer at Azriel.

Mor snarled, rattling the glasses. “You never gave any evidence to the contrary. Certainly not when you left me in those woods.”

“There were forces at work that you have never considered,” Eris said coldly. “And I am not going to waste my breath explaining them to you. Believe what you want about me.”

“You hunted me down like an animal,” I cut in. “I think we’ll choose to believe the worst.”

Eris’s pale face flushed. “I was given an order. And sent to do it with two of my … brothers.”

“And what of the brother you hunted down alongside me? The one whose lover you helped to execute before his eyes?”

Eris laid a hand flat on the table. “You know nothing about what happened that day. Nothing.”

Silence.

“Indulge me,” was all I said.

Eris stared me down. I stared right back.

“How do you think he made it to the Spring border,” he said quietly. “I wasn’t there—when they did it. Ask him. I refused. It was the first and only time I have denied my father anything. He punished me. And by the time I got free … They were going to kill him, too. I made sure they didn’t. Made sure Tamlin got word—anonymously—to get the hell over to his own border.”

Where two of Eris’s brothers had been killed. By Lucien and Tamlin.

Eris picked at a stray thread on his jacket. “Not all of us were so lucky in our friends and family as you, Rhysand.”

Rhys’s face was a mask of boredom. “It would seem so.”

And none of this entirely erased what he’d done, but … “What is the asking price,” I repeated.

“The same thing I told Azriel when I found him snooping through my father’s woods yesterday.”

Hurt flared in Mor’s eyes as she whipped her head toward the shadowsinger. But Azriel didn’t so much as acknowledge her as he announced, “When the time comes … we are to support Eris’s bid to take the throne.”

Even as Azriel spoke, that frozen rage dulled his face. And Eris was wise enough to finally pale at the sight. Perhaps that was why Eris had kept knowledge of my powers to himself. Not just for this sort of bargaining, but to avoid the wrath of the shadowsinger. The blade at his side.

“The request still stands, Rhysand,” Eris said, mastering himself, “to just kill my father and be done with it. I can pledge troops right now.”

Mother above. He didn’t even try to hide it—to look at all remorseful. It was an effort to keep my jaw from dropping to the table at his intent, the casualness with which he spoke it.

“Tempting, but too messy,” Rhys replied. “Beron sided with us in the War. Hopefully he’ll sway that way again.” A pointed stare at Eris.

“He will,” Eris promised, running a finger over one of the claw marks gouged into the table. “And will remain blissfully unaware of Feyre’s … gifts.” A throne—in exchange for his silence. And sway.

“Promise Keir nothing you care about,” Rhys said, waving a hand in dismissal.

Eris just rose to his feet. “We’ll see.” A frown at Mor as he drained his wine and set down the goblet. “I’m surprised you still can’t control yourself around him. You had every emotion written right on that pretty face of yours.”

“Watch it,” Azriel warned.

Eris looked between them, smiling faintly. Secretly. As if he knew something that Azriel didn’t. “I wouldn’t have touched you,” he said to Mor, who blanched again. “But when you fucked that other bastard—” A snarl ripped from Rhys’s throat at that. And my own. “I knew why you did it.” Again that secret smile that had Mor shrinking. Shrinking. “So I gave you your freedom, ending the betrothal in no uncertain terms.”

“And what happened next,” Azriel growled.

A shadow crossed Eris’s face. “There are few things I regret. That is one of them. But … perhaps one day, now that we are allies, I shall tell you why. What it cost me.”

“I don’t give a shit,” Mor said quietly. She pointed to the door. “Get out.”

Eris gave a mocking bow to her. To all of us. “See you at the meeting in twelve days.”

Inner Circle Reacts to Eris Alliance:

Mor whirled on Azriel. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

Azriel held her gaze unflinchingly. Didn’t so much as rustle his wings. “Because you would have tried to stop it. And we can’t afford to lose Keir’s alliance—and face the threat of Eris.”

“You’re working with that prick,” Cassian cut in, whatever catching-up now over, apparently. He moved to Mor’s side, a hand on her back. He shook his head at Azriel and Rhys, disgust curling his lip. “You should have spiked Eris’s fucking head to the front gates.”

Azriel only watched them with that icy indifference. But Lucien crossed his arms, leaning against the back of the couch. “I have to agree with Cassian. Eris is a snake.”

Perhaps Rhys had not filled him in on everything, then. On what Eris had claimed about saving his youngest brother in whatever way he could. Of his defiance.

“Your whole family is despicable,” Amren said to Lucien from where she and Nesta lingered in the archway. “But Eris may prove a better alternative. If he can find a way to kill Beron off and make sure the power shifts to himself.”

“I’m sure he will,” Lucien said.

High Lord's Meeting

(the highlights - there's a lot of Beron, Eris, and Helion to piece together here)

Beron—slender-faced and brown-haired—didn’t bother to look anywhere but at the High Lords assembled. But his remaining sons sneered at us. Sneered enough that the Peregryns ruffled their feathers. Even Varian flashed his teeth in warning at the leer Cresseida earned from one of them. Their father didn’t bother to check them.

But Eris did.

A step behind his father, Eris murmured, “Enough,” and his younger brothers fell into line. All three of them.

Whether Beron noticed or cared, he did not let on. No, he merely stopped halfway across the room, hands folded before him, and scowled—as if we were a pack of mongrels.

Beron, the oldest among us. The most awful.

Rhys smoothly greeted him, though his power was a dark mountain shuddering beneath us, “It’s no surprise that you’re tardy, given that your own sons were too slow to catch my mate. I suppose it runs in the family.”

Beron’s lips curled slightly as he looked to me, my crown. “Mate—and High Lady.”

I leveled a flat, bored stare at him. Turned it on his hateful sons. On—Eris.

Eris only smiled at me, amused and aloof. Would he wear that mask when he ended his father’s life and stole his throne?

---

Tamlin only angled his head at Rhys. “When you fuck her, have you ever noticed that little noise she makes right before she climaxes?”

Heat stained my cheeks. This wasn’t outright battle, but a steady, careful shredding of my dignity, my credibility. Beron beamed, delighted—while Eris carefully monitored.

---

Rhys went on, “I … convinced her that it would serve little purpose.” “Who knew,” Beron mused, “that a cock could be so persuasive?”

“Father.” Eris’s voice was low with warning.

For Cassian, Azriel, Mor, and I had fixed our gazes upon Beron. And none of us were smiling. Perhaps Eris would be High Lord sooner than he planned.

---

“If you want proof that we are not scheming with Hybern,” Rhysand said blandly to them all, “consider the fact that it would be far less time-consuming to slice into your minds and make you do my bidding.”

Only Beron was stupid enough to scoff. Eris was just angling his body in his chair—blocking the path to his mother.

--

But Beron said, “You may be inclined to believe him, Rhysand, but as someone who shares a border with his court, I am not so easily swayed.” A wry look. “Perhaps my errant son can clarify. Pray, where is he?”

Even Tamlin looked toward us—toward me.

“Helping to guard our city,” was all I said. Not a lie, not entirely.

Eris snorted and surveyed Nesta, who stared back at him with steel in her face. “Pity you didn’t bring the other sister. I hear our little brother’s mate is quite the beauty.”

If they knew Elain was Lucien’s mate … It was now another avenue, I realized with no small amount of horror. Another way to strike at the youngest brother they hated so fiercely, so unreasonably. Eris’s bargain with us had not included protection of Lucien. My mouth went dry.

But Mor replied smoothly, “You still certainly like to hear yourself talk, Eris. Good to know some things don’t change over the centuries.”

Eris’s mouth curled into a smile at the words, the careful game of pretending that they had not seen each other in years. “Good to know that after five hundred years, you still dress like a slut.

---

Only Eris knew how far that alliance went—information that could damn this meeting if either side revealed it. Information that could get him wiped off the earth by his father.

Mor was staring and staring at Azriel, who refused to look at her, who refused to do anything but give Eris that death-gaze.

Eris, wisely, averted his eyes. And said, “Apologies, Morrigan.”

His father actually gawked at the words. But something like approval shone on the Lady of Autumn’s face as her eldest son settled himself once more.

---

Beron’s face darkened. “Watch your tone, girl.”

“She doesn’t have to watch anything,” I cut in. “Not when you fling that sort of horseshit at her.” I looked to the alchemist. “I will take your antidote.”

Beron rolled his eyes.

But Eris said, “Father.”

Beron lifted a brow. “You have something to add?”

Eris didn’t flinch, but he seemed to choose his words very, very carefully. “I have seen the effects of faebane.” He nodded toward me. “It truly renders us unable to tap our power. If it’s wielded against us in war or beyond it—”

“If it is, we shall face it. I will not risk my people or family in testing out a theory.”

“It is no theory,” Nuan said, that mechanical hand clicking and whirring as it curled into a fist. “I would not stand here unless it had been proved without a doubt.”

A female of pride and hard work.

Eris said, “I will take it.”

It was the most … decent I’d ever heard him sound. Even Mor blinked at it.

Beron studied his son with a scrutiny that made some small, small part of me wonder if Eris might have grown to be a good male if he’d had a different father. If one still lurked there, beneath centuries of poison.

Because Eris … What had it been like for him, Under the Mountain? What games had he played— what had he endured? Trapped for forty-nine years. I doubted he would risk such a thing happening again. Even if it set him in opposition to his father—or perhaps because of that.

Beron only said, “No, you will not. Though I’m sure your brothers will be sorry to hear it.” Indeed, the others seemed rather put-out that their first barrier to the throne wasn’t about to risk his life in testing Nuan’s solution.

---

Rhys lifted a brow. “Your staggering generosity aside, will you be joining our forces?”

“I have not yet decided.”

Eris went so far as to give his father a look bordering on reproach. From genuine alarm or for what that refusal might mean for our own covert alliance, I couldn’t tell.

---

This argument was pointless. And I didn’t care who they were or who I was as I said to Beron, “Get out if you’re not going to be helpful.”

At his side, Eris had the wits to actually look worried.

But Beron continued to ignore his son’s pointed stare and hissed at me, “Did you know that while your mate was warming Amarantha’s bed, most of our people were locked beneath that mountain?”

I didn’t deign responding.

“Did you know that while he had his head between her legs, most of us were fighting to keep our families from becoming the nightly entertainment?”

---

Beron shot to his feet, not bothering to brush off the dust, and declared to no one in particular, “This meeting is over. I hope Hybern butchers you all.”

But Nesta rose from her chair. “This meeting is not over.”

Even Beron paused at her tone. Eris sized up the space between my sister and his father.

She stood tall, a pillar of steel. “You are all there is,” she said to Beron, to all of us. “You are all that there is between Hybern and the end of everything that is good and decent.” She settled her stare on Beron, unflinching and fierce.

“You fought against Hybern in the last war. Why do you refuse to do so now?” Beron did not deign to answer. But he did not leave. Eris subtly motioned his brothers to sit. Nesta marked the gesture—hesitated. As if realizing she indeed held their complete attention. That every word mattered.

---

She looked to Beron and his family as she finished. Only the Lady and Eris seemed to be considering—impressed, even, by the strange, simmering woman before them.

I didn’t have the words in me—to convey what was in my heart. Cassian seemed the same.

Beron only said, “I shall consider it.”

A look at his family, and they vanished. Eris was the last to winnow, something conflicted dancing over his face, as if this was not the outcome he’d planned for.

Expected.

The Lucien Paternity Revelation:

Helion began asking why we wanted to know, what Hybern was doing with the Cauldron … and Rhys fed him answers, easily and smoothly.

While we spoke, I said down the bond, Helion is Lucien’s father. Rhys was silent. Then— Holy burning hell. His shock was a shooting star between us.

I let my gaze dart through the room, half paying attention to Helion’s musing on the wall and how to repair it, then dared study the High Lord for a heartbeat. Look at him. The nose is the same, the smile. The voice. Even Lucien’s skin is darker than his brothers’. A golden brown compared to their pale coloring.

It would explain why his father and brothers detest him so much—why they have tormented him his entire life.

My heart squeezed at that. And why Eris didn’t want him dead. He wasn’t a threat to Eris’s power—his throne. I swallowed. Helion has no idea, does he?

It would seem not.

The Lady of Autumn’s favorite son—not only from Lucien’s goodness. But because he was the child she’d dreamed of having … with the male she undoubtedly loved.

The War:

Out of a rip in the world, Eris appeared atop our knoll, clad head to toe in silver armor, a red cape spilling from his shoulders. Rhys snarled a warning, too far gone in his power to bother controlling himself.

Eris just rested a hand on the pommel of his fine sword and said, “We thought you might need some help.”

---

But Beron. Beron had come. Eris registered our shock at that, too, and said, “Tamlin made him. Dragged my father out by his neck.” A half smile. “It was delightful.

---

Rhys’s voice was rough—low. “And what of your father?”

“We’re taking care of a problem,” was all Eris said, and pointed toward his father’s army. For those were his brothers approaching the front line, winnowing in bursts through the host. Right past the front lines and to the enemy wagons scattered throughout Hybern’s ranks.

The Final Meeting:

Eris was bruised and cut up enough to indicate he must have been in terrible shape after the fighting ceased yesterday, sporting a brutal slice down his cheek and neck—barely healed. Mor let out a satisfied grunt at the sight of it—or perhaps a sound of disappointment that the wound had not been fatal.

Eris continued by as if he hadn’t heard it, but didn’t sneer at least. Rather—he just nodded at Rhys. It was silent promise enough: soon. Soon, perhaps, Eris would finally take what he desired—and call in our debt.

We did not bother to nod back. None of us.

Especially not Lucien, who continued dutifully ignoring his eldest brother. But as Eris strode by … I could have sworn there was something like sadness—like regret, as he glanced to Lucien.

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

A Court of Frost and Starlight:

Mor's Flashback (TW: physical abuse, violence)

But the Autumn Court male standing beside Keir … Mor made herself look at Eris. Into his amber eyes.

Colder than any hall of Kallias’s court. They had been that way from the moment she’d met him, five centuries ago.

Eris laid a pale hand on the breast of his pewter-colored jacket, the portrait of Autumn Court gallantry. “I thought I’d extend some Solstice greetings of my own.”

That voice. That silky, arrogant voice. It had not altered, not in tone or timbre, in the passing centuries, either. Had not changed since that day.

Warm, buttery sunlight through the leaves, setting them glowing like rubies and citrines. The damp, earthen scent of rotting things beneath the leaves and roots she lay upon. Had been thrown and left upon.

Everything hurt. Everything. She couldn’t move. Couldn’t do anything but watch the sun drift through the rich canopy far overhead, listen to the wind between the silvery trunks.

And the center of that pain, radiating outward like living fire with each uneven, rasping breath …

Light, steady steps crunched on the leaves. Six sets. A border guard, a patrol.

Help. Someone to help—

A male voice, foreign and deep, swore. Then went silent.

Went silent as a single pair of steps approached. She couldn’t turn her head, couldn’t bear the agony. Could do nothing but inhale each wet, shuddering breath.

“Don’t touch her.”

Those steps stopped.

It was not a warning to protect her. Defend her.

She knew the voice that spoke. Had dreaded hearing it. She felt him approach now. Felt each reverberation in the leaves, the moss, the roots. As if the very land shuddered before him.

“No one touches her,” he said. Eris. “The moment we do, she’s our responsibility.”

Cold, unfeeling words.

“But—but they nailed a—”

“No one touches her.”

...

She began shaking, hating it as much as she’d hated the begging. Her body bellowed in agony, those nails in her abdomen relentless.

A pale, beautiful face appeared above her, blocking out the jewel-like leaves above. Unmoved. Impassive. “I take it you do not wish to live here, Morrigan.”

She would rather die here, bleed out here. She would rather die and return— return as something wicked and cruel, and shred them all apart.

He must have read it in her eyes. A small smile curved his lips. “I thought so.”

Eris straightened, turning. Her fingers curled in the leaves and loamy soil.

She wished she could grow claws—grow claws as Rhys could—and rip out that pale throat. But that was not her gift. Her gift … her gift had left her here. Broken and bleeding.

Eris took a step away.

Someone behind him blurted, “We can’t just leave her to—”

“We can, and we will,” Eris said simply, his pace unfaltering as he strode away. “She chose to sully herself; her family chose to deal with her like garbage. I have already told them my decision in this matter.” A long pause, crueler than the rest. “And I am not in the habit of fucking Illyrian leftovers.”

She couldn’t stop it, then. The tears that slid out, hot and burning. Alone. They would leave her alone here. Her friends did not know where she had gone. She barely knew where she was.

“But—” That dissenting voice cut in again.

“Move out.”

There was no dissension after that.

And when their steps faded away, then vanished, the silence returned.

The sun and the wind and the leaves.

The blood and the iron and the soil beneath her nails.

The pain.

Eris in the Hewn City:

“I would suggest reminding Beron that territory expansion is not on the table. For any court.”

Eris wasn’t fazed. Nothing had ever disturbed him, ruffled him. Mor had hated it from the moment she’d met him—that distance, that coldness. That lack of interest or feeling for the world. “Then I would suggest to you, High Lord, that you speak to your dear friend Tamlin about it.”

“Why.” Feyre’s question was sharp as a blade.

Eris’s mouth curved in an adder’s smile. “Because Tamlin’s territory is the only one that borders the human lands. I’d think that anyone looking to expand would have to go through the Spring Court first. Or at least obtain his permission.

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

A Court of Silver Flames:

Mor meets with Cassian:

“Eris bought me time.” Her words were laced with acid.

Cassian had tried not to believe it, but he knew Eris had done it as a gesture of good faith. He’d invited Rhysand into his mind to see exactly why he’d convinced Keir to indefinitely delay his visit to Velaris. Only Eris had that sort of sway with the power-hungry Keir, and whatever Eris had offered Keir in exchange for not coming here was still a mystery. At least to Cassian. Rhys probably knew. From Mor’s pale face, he wondered if she knew, too. Eris must have sacrificed something big to spare Mor from her father’s visit, which would have likely been timed for a moment that would maximize tormenting her.

Cassian meets with the Band of Exiles + Eris:

Lucien’s gold eye clicked, reading Cassian’s rage while warning flashed in his remaining russet eye.

The male had grown up alongside Eris. Had dealt with Eris’s and Beron’s cruelty. Had his lover slaughtered by his own father. But Lucien had learned to keep his cool.

---

Eris was their ally. Rhys had bargained with him, worked with him. Eris had held up his end at every turn. Rhys trusted him. Mor, despite all that had happened, trusted him. Sort of. So Cassian supposed he should do so as well.

---

Eris snorted again at Cassian’s fumbling, and, unable to help himself, Cassian at last turned toward him. “What are you doing here?”

Eris didn’t so much as shift in his seat. “Several dozen of my soldiers were out on patrol in my lands several days ago and have not reported back. We found no sign of battle. Even my hounds couldn’t track them beyond their last known location.”

Cassian’s brows lowered. He knew he shouldn’t let anything show, but … Those hounds were the best in Prythian. Canines blessed with magic of their own. Gray and sleek like smoke, they could race fast as the wind, sniff out any prey. They were so highly prized that the Autumn Court forbade them from being given or sold beyond its borders, and so expensive that only its nobility owned them. And they were bred rarely enough that even one was extremely difficult to come by. Eris, Cassian knew, had twelve.

“None of them could winnow?” Cassian asked.

“No. While the unit is one of my most skilled in combat, none of its soldiers are remarkable in magic or breeding.”

Breeding was tossed at Cassian with a smirk. Asshole.

But Eris shrugged a shoulder. “I think plenty of parties are interested in triggering another war, and this would be the start of it. Though perhaps your court did it. I wouldn’t put it past Rhysand to winnow my soldiers away and plant some mysterious scents to throw us off.”

---

Eris’s long red hair ruffled in the wind. “Whatever it is you’re doing, whatever it is you’re looking into, I want in.”

“Why? And no.”

“Because I need the edge Briallyn has, what Koschei has told her or shown her.”

“To overthrow your father.”

“Because my father has already pledged his forces to Briallyn and the war she wishes to incite.”

Cassian started. “What?”

“Explain what the fuck you mean by Beron pledging his forces to Briallyn.”

“It’s exactly what it sounds like. He caught wind of her ambitions, and went to her palace a month ago to meet with her. I stayed here, but I sent my best soldiers with him.” Cassian refrained from sniping about Eris opting out, especially as the last words settled.

“Those wouldn’t happen to be the same soldiers who went missing, would they?”

Eris nodded gravely. “They returned with my father, but they were … off. Aloof and strange. They vanished soon after—and my hounds confirmed that the scents at the scene are the same as those on gifts Briallyn sent to curry my father’s favor.”

---

“What does Beron say?”

“He is unaware of it. You know where I stand with my father. And this unholy alliance he’s struck with Briallyn will only hurt us. All of us. It will turn into a Fae war for control. So I want to find answers on my own—rather than what my father tries to feed me.”

Cassian surveyed the male, his grim face. “So we take out your father.”

Eris snorted, and Cassian bristled. “I am the only person my father has told of his new allegiance. If the Night Court moves, it will expose me.”

“So your worry about Briallyn’s alliance with Beron is about what it means for you, rather than the rest of us.”

“I only wish to defend the Autumn Court against its worst enemies.”

“Why would I work with you on this?”

“Because we are indeed allies.” Eris’s smile became lupine. “And because I do not believe your High Lord would wish me to go to other territories and ask them to help with Briallyn and Koschei. To help them remember that all it might take to secure Briallyn’s alliance would be to hand over a certain Archeron sister. Don’t be stupid enough to believe my father hasn’t thought of that, too.”

The Inner Circle Assigning Cassian to Eris:

And then Cassian had been slapped with a new order: keep an eye on Eris. Beyond the fact that he approached you, Rhys had said, you are my general. Eris commands Beron’s forces. Be in communication with him. Cassian had started to object, but Rhys had directed a pointed look at Azriel, and Cassian had caved. Az had too much on his plate already. Cassian could deal with that piece of shit Eris on his own.

Eris wants to avoid a war that would expose him, Feyre had guessed. If Beron sides with Briallyn, Eris would be forced to choose between his father and Prythian. The careful balance he’s struck by playing both sides would crumble. He wants to act when it’s convenient for his plans. This threatens that.

Eris meets with Rhys and Cassian:

“You’ve turned into quite the little traitor,” Rhys said, stars winking out in his eyes.

“I told you years ago what I wanted, High Lord,” Eris said.

To seize his father’s throne. “Why?” Cassian asked.

Eris grasped what he meant, apparently, because flame sizzled in his eyes. “For the same reason I left Morrigan untouched at the border.”

“You left her there to suffer and die,” Cassian spat. His Siphons flickered, and all he could see was the male’s pretty face, all he could feel was his own fist, aching to make contact.

Eris sneered. “Did I? Perhaps you should ask Morrigan whether that is true. I think she finally knows the answer.” Cassian’s head spun, and the relentless itching resumed, like fingers trailing along his spine, his legs, his scalp. Eris added before winnowing away, “Tell me when the shadowsinger returns.”

Eris meets with Cassian and Nesta:

“The Dread Trove,” Eris mused, surveying the heavy gray sky that threatened snow. “I’ve never heard of such items. Though it does not surprise me.”

“Does your father know of them?” The Steppes weren’t neutral ground, but they were empty enough that Eris had finally deigned to accept Cassian’s request to meet here. After taking days to reply to his message.

“No, thank the Mother,” Eris said, crossing his arms. “He would have told me if he did. But if the Trove has a sentience like you suggested, if it wants to be found … I fear that it might also be reaching out to others as well. Not just Briallyn and Koschei.”

Beron in possession of the Trove would be a disaster. He’d join the ranks of the King of Hybern. Could become something terrible and deathless like Lanthys. “So Briallyn failed to inform Beron about her quest for the Trove when he visited her?”

“Apparently, she doesn’t trust him, either,” Eris said, face full of contemplation. “I’ll need to think on that.”

“Don’t tell him about it,” Cassian warned.

Eris shook his head. “You misunderstand me. I’m not going to tell him a damned thing. But the fact that Briallyn is actively hiding her larger plans from him …” He nodded, more to himself. “Is this why Morrigan is back in Vallahan? To learn if they know about the Trove?”

---

Cassian grimaced. “Technically, Azriel and I did. Your soldiers were enchanted by Queen Briallyn and Koschei to be mindless killers. They attacked us in the Bog of Oorid, and we were left with no choice but to kill them.”

“And yet two survived. How convenient. I assume they received Azriel’s particular brand of interrogation?” Eris’s voice dripped disdain.

“We could only manage to contain two,” Cassian said tightly. “Under Briallyn’s influence, they were practically rabid.”

“Let’s not lie to ourselves. You only bothered to contain two, by the time your brute bloodlust ebbed away.”

Eris snorted. “There were certainly more than that, and you could have easily spared more than two. But I don’t know why I’d expect someone like you to have done any better.”

---

“Did you even try to spare the others, or did you just launch right into a massacre?” Eris seethed.

---

Nesta took one step closer to Eris. “Your soldiers shot an ash arrow through one of Azriel’s wings.”

Eris’s teeth flashed. “And did you join in this massacre, too?”

“No,” she said frankly. “But I wonder: Did Briallyn arm the soldiers with those ash arrows, or did they come from your private armory?”

Eris blinked, the only confirmation required. “Such weapons are banned, aren’t they?” she asked Cassian, whose features remained taut. The conflagration within her burned hotter, higher. She returned her attention to Eris. If he could toy with Cassian, then she’d return the favor. “Who were you storing those arrows for?” she mused. “Enemies abroad?” She smiled slightly. “Or an enemy at home?”

Eris held her stare. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Nesta’s smile didn’t waver. “Would an ash arrow through the heart kill a High Lord?”

Eris’s face paled. “You’re wasting my time.”

Eris and Nesta dance:

"Don’t believe the lies they tell you about me.”

She pulled back just enough to meet his gaze. “Oh?”

Eris nodded to where Mor watched them from beside Feyre and Rhys, her face neutral and aloof. “She knows the truth but has never revealed it.”

“Why?”

“Because she is afraid of it.”

“You don’t win yourself any favors with your behavior.”

“Don’t I? Do I not ally myself with this court under constant threat of being discovered and killed by my father? Do I not offer aid whenever Rhysand wishes?” He spun her again. “They believe a version of events that is easier to swallow. I always thought Rhysand wiser than that, but he tends to be blind where those he loves are concerned.”

---

Cassian could only stare at Eris’s throat, pondering whether to strangle him or slit the skin wide open. Let him bleed out on the floor.

“That’s not my decision,” Rhys said calmly to Eris. “And it seems foolish for you to offer me anything I want in exchange for her, anyway.”

His jaw tightened. “I have my reasons.”

From the shadows in his eyes, Cassian knew something more lay beneath the rash offer. Something that even Az’s spies hadn’t picked up on at the Autumn Court. All it would take was one push of Rhys’s power into his mind and they’d know, but … it went against everything they stood for, at least amongst their allies. Rhys demanded their trust; he had to give it in return. Cassian couldn’t fault his brother for that.

Eris added, “It is a bonus, of course, that in doing so, I would be repaying Cassian for ruining my betrothal to Morrigan.”

---

Again, Rhys’s lips twitched. So bloodthirsty, Cassian heard his High Lord croon to his mate. But Rhys said, “Anything I want, whether it be armies from the Autumn Court or your firstborn, you would grant me in exchange for Nesta Archeron as your wife?”

Cassian growled low in his throat. His brother was letting this carry on too far.

Eris glared. “Not as far as the firstborn, but yes, Rhysand. You want armies against Briallyn and my father, you’ll have them.” His lips curved upward. “I couldn’t very well let my wife’s sister go into battle unaided, could I?”

Eris, Cassian, and Nesta meet (the last time before the Rite)

Cassian only gave her an amused wink before continuing, “Your letter seemed to imply that your father was making a move. Out with it.”

“My father went to the continent again last week. He came back seeming normal, without the glassy-eyed aloofness my soldiers displayed. He did not invite me to accompany him, or explain what he discussed with Briallyn. I can only assume the fallout is approaching, though, and wanted to warn you. It was not something I could risk putting in writing. But for now … for now, it seems as if the world is holding its breath.”

---

“That’s absurd,” Nesta snapped. “What do we have to gain?”

Red flame sizzled in Eris’s eyes. “What did the King of Hybern have to gain by attaining the Cauldron and invading our lands?”

“We have no interest in conquest, Eris,” Cassian said, crossing his arms. “You know that. And we’re not going to use the Trove.”

Eris barked a laugh. Nesta could see that he didn’t believe them—that he was so used to the twisted politics and scheming of his court that even when the simple, easy truth was offered, he could not see it. “I find myself not entirely comfortable with your court possessing two items in the Trove.” His gaze shifted to Nesta. “Especially when you have so many other weapons in your arsenal.”

---

Eris picked at a piece of lint on his jacket. At his side hung the dagger Rhys and Feyre had gifted him, simple and plain compared to the finery on him. Her dagger. “You’d be truly stupid to go after Briallyn directly.”

“Leave the heroics to the brutes, Eris,” Cassian said. “Wouldn’t want to risk cutting up those pretty hands.”

Eris’s fingers curled slightly on his biceps. Nesta reined in her smile. Cassian’s words had found their mark.

---

Eris only said, “If you fail in retrieving the Crown, you risk Briallyn using it upon you. She could turn you on each other. Make you do unspeakable things. Even reveal to her where the other two objects are. And you’d have no choice but to tell her everything.” He worried about them revealing their alliance—for his own sake. “You threaten to expose us. Do not pursue the Crown.”

---

Eris glowered. “Has this been the plan the whole time? To string me along, make me an enemy of my father, then use the Trove against all of us?”

“You made yourself an enemy of your father,” Cassian said, smiling faintly. “When he finds out, I wonder if he’ll let your hounds rip you to shreds, or if he’ll do it himself.”

Eris paled slightly. “Don’t you mean if he finds out?”

Cassian said nothing. Kept his face neutral. Nesta stifled her smugness and did the same.

Eris observed them. For the first time since Nesta had known the male, uncertainty banked the fire in his gaze.

And then he turned toward the other subject in his letter, facing Nesta before he asked, “And my offer for you?” Not one ounce of affection or longing laced his words.

Nesta lifted her chin, smirking at last. “I suppose once we have the Crown in our hands, the Night Court won’t need you after all. Neither will I.”

She could have sworn Cassian was repressing a laugh, but she kept her gaze on Eris, who went rigid, rippling with rage. “I do not appreciate being toyed with, Nesta Archeron. My offer was sincere. Stay with the Night Court and you risk your ruin.”

Cassian cut in smoothly, “Try to fuck us over, Eris, and you risk yours.”

Eris’s upper lip curled. “Do whatever you want.” He straightened, as if shaking off any emotion, face going cold and cruel again. “It’s your lives you gamble with, not mine.” He chuckled, nodding to Cassian. “So what if the world loses another brute to war? Good riddance.”

Eris getting kidnapped and ensnared by the Crown:

Azriel said tightly, “My spies got word that Eris has been captured by Briallyn. She sent his remaining soldiers after him while he was out hunting with his hounds. They grabbed him and somehow, they were all winnowed back to her palace. I’m guessing using Koschei’s power.”

---

I had to use that brash princeling Eris to draw him in.” A soft laugh. “Eris tried to help his soldiers when they surrounded him during his hunt. Help those wretches. He rode right up to them, rather than gallop away as any wise person would. They grabbed him with minimal fuss. Even those infernal hounds of his could do nothing as Koschei winnowed him away.”

Eris might be a good male?

Eris went on, “Always mix truth and lies, General. Didn’t those warrior-brutes teach you about how to withstand an enemy’s torture?”

Cassian knew. He’d been tortured and interrogated and never once broken. “Beron tortured you?”

Eris rose, tucking his book under an arm. “Who cares what my father does to me? He believed my story about the shadowsinger’s spies informing him that a valuable asset had been kidnapped by Briallyn, and that you lot were disgusted to arrive and find it was me, rather than someone from the Summer or Winter Courts or whoever stoops to associate with you.”

Cassian unpacked each word. Beron had tortured his own son for information, rather than thanking the Mother for returning him. But Eris had held out. Fed Beron another lie.

And then there was the way Eris had spoken about the other courts. Something had been off in his words, his tight expression. Was the male jealous?

Cassian opened his mouth, more than ready to launch that question at him and bestow a stinging blow.

Yet he hesitated. Looked into Eris’s eyes.

The male had been raised with every luxury and privilege—on paper. But who knew what terrors Beron had inflicted upon him? Cassian knew Beron had murdered Lucien’s lover. If the High Lord of Autumn had been willing to do that, what wouldn’t he do?

“Get that pitying look off your face,” Eris snarled softly. “I know what sort of creature my father is. I don’t need your sympathy.”

Cassian again studied him. “Why did you leave Mor in the woods that day?” It was the question that would always remain. “Was it just to impress your father?”

Eris barked a laugh, harsh and empty. “Why does it still matter to all of you so much?”

“Because she’s my sister, and I love her.”

“I didn’t realize Illyrians were in the habit of fucking their sisters.”

Cassian growled. “It still matters,” he ground out, “because it doesn’t add up. You know what a monster your father is and want to usurp him; you act against him in the best interests of not only the Autumn Court but also of all of the faerie lands; you risk your life to ally with us … and yet you left her in the woods. Is it guilt that motivates all of this? Because you left her to suffer and die?”

Golden flame simmered in Eris’s gaze. “I didn’t realize I’d be facing another interrogation so soon.”

“Give me a damn answer.”

Eris crossed his arms, then winced. As if whatever injuries lay beneath his immaculate clothes ached. “You’re not the person I want to explain myself to.”

“I doubt Mor will want to listen.”

“Maybe not.” Eris shifted on his feet, and grimaced again. “But you and yours have more important things to think about than ancient history. My father is furious that his ally is dead, but he’s not deterred. Koschei remains in play, and Beron might very well be stupid enough to establish an alliance with him, too. I hope that whatever Morrigan is doing in Vallahan will counteract the damage my father will unleash.”

----

Eris was still their ally. Was willing to be tortured to keep their secrets. And Cassian didn’t need to be a courtier to know his next words would slice deep, but it would be a necessary wound. Perhaps it would be enough to push things in the right direction.

---

“You know, Eris,” he said, a hand wrapping around the doorknob. “I think you might be a decent male, deep down, trapped in a terrible situation.” He looked over his shoulder and found Eris’s gaze blazing again. But only pity stirred in his chest, pity for a male who had been born into riches, but had been destitute in every way that truly mattered. In every way that Cassian had been blessed—blessings that were now overflowing.

So Cassian said, “I grew up surrounded by monsters. I’ve spent my existence fighting them. And I see you, Eris. You’re not one of them. Not even close. I think you might even be a good male.” Cassian opened the door, turning from Eris’s curled lip. “You’re just too much of a coward to act like one.”

[bibliocratic]

[EXT: the sound of rhythmic, crunching footsteps]

“Martin?”

“Hmm?”

“After all this, after we've – what do you want to do? If we manage to – ”

“When we manage to.”

“Fine, when all this goes back to the way it was, what do you want to do?”

“Hmm. [thoughtful pause, trudging steps] Well, I mean, I think we deserve a holiday.”

“Fancy somewhere sunny? [teasing] You imagine us heading off to the Costa del Sol or something?”

“God, no. For one thing, I burn like that.” [snaps fingers]

“Yeah?”

“Absolutely. Ten minutes and I'm all gross and sweaty and red as a lobster.”

“Ha. I'd like to see that.”

“Oh, it is painfully unattractive.”

“I'd buy you a sun-hat or something, it'd be fine.”

“[dry] What an improvement. A lobster with a hat.”

“[something suspiciously similar to a giggle.] I suppose. Anyway. You didn't really answer my question.”

“About my bucket list in case we actually survive this [mimicking Jon's accent] 'nightmare hell-scape of ceaseless terror'?”

“Now who's being negative?”

“Fine, fine! I um – Hmmm. Honestly, I quite fancy a bath.”

“[flat, unimpressed] What dreams of luxury.”

“[stubborn] Yeah, yeah, I want a really really big bath.”

“[humouring him] Candles, I suppose?”

“Oh loads.”

“Bath bombs?”

“One of those really strong-smelling ones that make the water a funny colour.”

“Wine?”

“Prefer beer, but I'm not exactly going to be picky after all this. Hm. Maybe I'll bring in a radio, just lie there, listening to music. I've never had a bath, so, guess it'd be nice to see what all the fuss is about.”

“[mock horror] Martin! You've never had a bath? That's disgusting!”

“Ha! Don't make that face! Obviously I've – don't laugh at me! - [clearly grinning] Don't �� obviously I've cleaned, you idiot.”

“Not from the smell of you.”

“You are not so rosy yourself, Jonathan.”

“The Apocalypse doesn't exactly allow for as rigorous a grooming ritual as I'd like [Martin makes some sort of noise in solidarity]. … You've never had a bath though, really?”

“[a verbal shrug] Always lived in council flats, they've only ever had those stand-up shower cubicles.”

“Alright then. Alright, first thing, if – when everything goes back to normal, you get to have a massive bath. Too many bubbles, your fingers going all pruney – ”

“[cheeky] You fancy joining me?”

“I don't know what the films have told you, but two grown men trying to fit into a bath is not a comfortable experience.”

“Spoilsport.”

[a warm, steady silence. The walking continues.]

“Watch your foot there, there's a – ”

“I see it, Jon.”

“.... Alright, so bath. Then what?”

“I dunno. Really fancy a Chinese.”

“Martin, come on!”

“What?!”

“What do you want to do? W-with the rest of our lives. When you don't, don't have to work for the Institute, when we can do whatever, go wherever we want?”

“[more seriously] I-I don't know. It's hard to imagine I guess. This world is so, it's so different, so far away from all of that stuff. Not easy to think past it.”

“[makes a sympathetic noise. There's a brief pause].... I'd like a cat.”

“Really?”

“What was that tone for?”

“I mean, Jon, you couldn't keep the plant in your office alive.”

“I could look after a cat!”

“Oh really.”

“You're going to tell me you're more of a dog person, aren't you?”

“I'm not really fussed. Didn't have either when I was younger.”

“[decisive] OK, so we get one of each to be sure.”

“[amused] Sure. Sure, why not. We'll get a tabby cat that scratches up the furnishings and a big dog that pulls you over when you go to take it for a walk, and we'll have a little garden where we can grow wonky vegetables.”

“Now you're getting it.”

“[warming up] And we'll have – we'll have a house, not a flat, a nice two-bedroomed house somewhere up north.”

“[mildly teasing] A whole house, now you're thinking bigger. Four windows and a door?”

“Well, maybe we'll have five windows and two doors, how about that huh.”

“[whistle] We're getting fancy here, Martin. Didn't think they even had windows up north.”

“Oh hahaha. I'll have used some of Peter's credit cards by then, splashed out.”

“You're going to use Peter Lukas' stolen riches to keep us in windows.”

“Exactly. Only the finest.”

“[snort] You're ridiculous.”

“[pleased hum] …. You're fine moving up north then? Thought your body couldn't bear to cross the Watford Gap.”

“I could be tempted. Scotland was – Scotland was nice.”

“Yeah. Yeah it was.”

“I'd like to see more of it. Maybe settle down there, after all this is over.”

“[another pause] What about you, Jon? Your grand plans for the future?”

“Honestly? I just want us both to survive this.”

“Oh, come on!”

“What?!”

“That's literally the lowest possible bar for success, you can't choose that!”

“Well, I am!”

“And you gave me grief for choosing a bath and a nice holiday!”

“[laughing] All right – all right!.... [pause] It really is mostly that though. I haven't really been able to think about the future for – for a long time..... I'd like.... I think I'd like to go somewhere quiet. Leave it all behind, the Institute, the fears, all of it. Go somewhere and settle down, just the two of us. Asides from that... I don't want anything else. Anything extra would all be a bonus, really.”

“[endeared, soft] You are such a secret romantic.”

“Huh. Not much of a secret any more.”

“I won't tell anyone. [a long exhale] That's... that sounds really nice, Jon. That's what happy endings look like.”

“Going off into the sunset?”

“Yeah. It's a nice dream to have.”

“Think we'll get it?”

“I hope so. I really do.”

[a drop into silence again. The plodding scrape of footsteps continue]

[phantomwarrior12]

Old Wounds

How long has it been since she's been home?

Lord Shaxx watches as the Young Wolf materializes mid-stride, her ship battered from the floating wreckage of the Glykon. A rifle he hadn't seen before slung across her shoulders doesn't go unnoticed and the Warlord smiles behind his helmet.

Of course she'd return with a new gun - what actually surprises him is that her vault can still hold the litany of weaponry she's recovered over the years. His amusement ebbs after a moment, gaze drifting along her frame for any semblance of damage as the Young Wolf pauses beside the Tower's chief mechanic. As she allows her Ghost to relay the extensive damage to Holliday, Shaxx takes note of a few singe marks that hadn't been there before, a few new dings to her armor. Altogether, she seems fine - humoring the playful chiding from the mechanic before she finally turns to face him. The air around them shifts, sparking with Arc and Solar Light as their eyes connect.

How long had it been since she's been home?

He strides toward her and he swears it's relief that washes over her frame. She moves - albeit slower - toward him. She must be exhausted. All the more reason for Shaxx to scoop her up in his arms, her smaller frame weighing next to nothing for the Titan.

"Welcome home, Guardian," he says softly, clinking his helmet gently against hers.

Her only response is wrapping her arm around his neck and clinging to him. It's then that he realizes her Ghost had transmatted the weapon from her back and he is grateful for its foresight.

Over her head, Shaxx notes the nod of approval from Holliday, a genuine smile tugging at the corner of her mouth before she turns and sets to work on identifying which part of the list Ghost had given her warranted the most attention.

"Time for bed, I think," he chuckles and he can see more than feel the shift of her hood against his chin. She'd nodded, of that he is certain. Sometimes he wishes she'd speak, utter a single word of confirmation here and there. But he understands why she doesn't. Ever since Cayde-6, she...well, words are sparse. He does miss the sound of her voice - it's been so long since he's heard it. Even before Cayde's death, she hadn't spoken often, but it was often enough when they were alone.

Many things have changed since then, the Young Wolf, especially.

But there is a constant in all of this. Something he has no doubts of even after all this time. Something he clings to: her feelings for him. They are apparent in every interaction; every touch, every kiss, she cares for him deeply and that is all the Titan requires. He can survive without her words because her actions, her touch, every subtle movement of her lean frame tells him the same: she loves him and that has not changed.

It doesn't take long before he's carried her back to his quarters, setting her down and she gives him an appreciative pat on the chest. He watches her move off to go shower away the spore residue and Hive fluid while the Titan gets changed for bed. His helmet is set on the desk in the corner of the room before shutting off the light and sliding beneath the blankets just as the water shuts off.

He listens to the rustling from the bathroom before the door slides open and he looks over. With the moonlight streaming into the room, he can make out an oversized tshirt - that is no doubt from his top drawer - hanging over her frame like dress. His eyes follow her as she deposits her helmet beside his on the desk. Her back is to him and yet, he can see her head is turned toward the window that faces the hanger.

He knows where her thoughts lie on nights like these. Post-missions are always the most difficult. She'd grown used to giving reports directly to Cayde. They'd been close friends after all, and dare the Titan suggest, like family. Without him, there's a void in her heart, like a key piece of who she'd been is gone.

But then again, she tries to suppress it. Tries to power through because it's what he would've wanted. There's so much Shaxx wishes she'd tell him, starting with what it is he can do to ease that ache. Vengeance had only done so much - in fact, the only time the Warlord had been even remotely wary of the Young Wolf was the night she brought Cayde's body back to the Tower.

The chasm in her eyes, the silent determination. It wasn't the Young Wolf he'd fallen in love with and what came back still has a tendency to toe that darkened line. But she holds on, if not for him, then for Cayde.

It's then that he realizes how long it's been. A matter of minutes at most, but it feels like an eternity. At last, he finds his words, lifting the blankets as he does so. "Come to bed, dearest."

She jolts as if he'd broken a trance and she pivots. Soft rays of moonlight cast across her features and the sadness she's trying so damned hard to conceal glints in emerald eyes.

"Come on," he beckons softly and she shuffles slowly across the small room toward the bed. Usually it's only a few strides and she's there but there's a reluctance to her gait. Slow and measured and meandering all at once.

It's unlike her.

Perhaps some discussion of her mission will calm her, give her the sense of giving a report to someone she trusts deeply without actually having to do so. Or perhaps it will simply give him some insight into what jarred her on that mission.

"Your ship looks to have been damaged." He begins awkwardly, his eyes watching her every movement.

She manages a slight shrug and a vague gesture of the hand to signify dismissal.

"I suppose it was a wreckage, that's to be expected."

She nods her agreement as she climbs onto the massive mattress and slips beneath the covers he'd held up for her. But she doesn't move close to him like she usually does, just lays on her back, eyes trained on the ceiling above her.

What had gone through her mind in that shower that caused such a stark contrast from the hanger?

Lord Shaxx lays down beside her, resting on his side. "What are you thinking about?"

She shrugs again, tugging the blankets up to her chin.

"You can talk to me, my little Hunter. I'm right here," he props himself up on his elbow, studying her intently.

She appears to hesitate, take a deep breath as her eyes flicker to and fro on the ceiling before she can finally find the words.

"Found the Guardian onboard. Torn to pieces, strung up." She says softly.

"That must have been a gruesome sight." He rests his hand over her forearm beneath the blankets. He can feel the tremor of her muscles beneath his fingers, feel the subtle flare of solar energy cascading against calloused skin. She's barely keeping it together and now he needs to know why.

She nods after a moment.

"...there was something else, wasn't there?" He pries softly.

She shakes her head, gathering herself to speak. "No, just - I was too late. Always too late, Shaxx. I couldn't save him like I couldn't save--" she trails off and he can see the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.

So, there was more to it.

He shifts closer, slowly leaning his head down to press a kiss to her forehead, "I know. I know it feels that way. But you made it in time to save Osiris and Crow. You aren't always too late--"

She looks up at him for the first time. She doesn't believe a word he's just said, he can see it in her eyes. But there's something else, relief, perhaps? Appreciation? No. It's tired but acknowledging all at once. She gets his point but doesn't believe it in that moment.

It's a look he rarely sees, especially from her.

There is nothing he can say to correct that voice in her head - nothing she'll believe anyway. So, he settles for the only thing he knows will bring her comfort: cuddles.

He gathers her against him; strong, solid arms wound tight around her small frame as he holds her close. "It'll be alright," he assures her softly and she clings to him. He can feel her nails digging into his shoulders, the pain dull but there - he doesn't say anything. She breaks down and still, he holds her. Waves of solar energy cascade in soft waves against his frame and still, he holds her.

What she saw took her back to that fateful day in the Prison of Elders. Of that, he is certain. The powerless feeling must have been overwhelming and he wonders for a moment if the slow gait in the hanger hadn't been exhaustion, but grief. Now that he thinks back, she had seemed to stare past Holliday, not responding when the mechanic had looked toward her.

It doesn't matter now.

She's begun to drift off in his arms, sniffling softly as her forehead rests against his chest and there is no Light washing over him. Sleep will do her good, just as those tears had done the same. She's a long way from recovering entirely, but this is a step. She's reopened an old wound and perhaps - perhaps this time she'll face those demons rather than suppress them.

Perhaps she'll speak again, maybe even smile that playful grin he hasn't seen in three years. He can hope but he knows one thing with absolute certainty: he will be at her side through all of this.

The Crucible doesn't have time to consider loss. The only way is forward. But, perhaps, just this one time - loss must be the focus.

For her sake.

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

Forevers: @halo-2 @reaped-winnower @genken64 @sugarcoated44 @cayde-6 Shaxx's Guardians: @ataraxia101 @squirrel-stars @rain-wolfe

[quirklessidiot]

Title: filthy rich [3/3]  Pairing: millionaire!sakusa kiyoomi x y/n [filthy capitalist au] Genre: mystery, major angst ahead, thriller, mafia!au-ish

Synopsis: Just run, Y/N. Don’t look back.

Warnings: dark and yandere themes, toxic relationships, mentions of violence, shady business, class differences, mentions of rape, smoll breeding kink, unwanted pregnancy, mentions of abortion, and sakusa being a manipulative bastard 

Notes: 

Im disappering again for a week or two so as a parting gift, here ya go, im starting a bokuto fanfic soon and posting the reboot of notice me soon too hnnng thanks for the wait guys uwu

A sorta realistic take on a yandere is harder than it looks kssjdn omg anyways here yall go the long awaited last chapter of filthy rich. I’m not sure if I should put like a one shot sequel but so far im marking this series completed. Thanks for sticking by!

previous || series masterlist || blood son [sequel;one shot]

You run your hands through your hair and shut your eyes tight, the quietness and stillness of your shared apartment was something to bask on before you put on a fake mask of happiness. It had been exactly two months since you found out about the birth control switch and the medaide agenda. 

In the span of those two months, you had grown more observant towards your boyfriend’s actions and you knew that it wouldn’t be anytime soon until he actually notices that you were onto him. 

You let out a shaky breath as you recollected some weird things you’ve seem to have noticed, how his brows would furrow when he’d receive a call indicating that something was up and it was serious or how you visited your ex-boss one time a week or so ago along with Kenjiro since you wanted to see how he was doing.

“...Well, he just didn’t come home and sold the place. Apparently he was in a rush to move or something because of family matters so I didn’t exactly see him.” the neighbor gossiped to you two.

“Y/N?”

You jump on your spot as you hear that dreadfully familiar voice.

“Hey,” You greet, walking up to him, you decide to do your usual hug but stop when you notice a small red stain on his necktie, the tie is dark blue and although it wasn’t obvious from afar, it definitely was up close. Your brows are furrowed together, this time in pure curiosity, “Did you get hurt? It’s unlike you to get messy.”

You notice the quick shift of attitude in his eyes, you were seemingly getting good at observing his emotions these days and it looked like he panicked for a second there.

Odd.

“A friend of mine had gotten hurt a while ago, you remember Atsumu Miya?”

A vivid image of a blonde man crossed your mind, he was another conglomerate friend of your boyfriend, another person to be weary of to add to the list, “Oh, is he alright?” you asked, trying to keep it casual as you untie his tie for him as usual.

“Yes. He’s awfully clumsy. You don’t need to worry.”

“Oh…” You mumbled, “by the way, I visited my ex-chief.”

“Ex-chief?”

“Mhm.” you hummed, “You know, my boss from before? Me and a few co-workers decided to visit him since he was a really good boss. Turns out he just left without telling anyone, poor man.”

“Sounds unpleasant. Did you know why he quit?”

“No.” You shrugged as you take the tie out and place it on the side, “He suddenly just quit his job and moved, neighbors said it was also because of family matters. It’s kinda weird because as far as we knew, he didn’t have a family.”

“Would you like me to look into it?”

You almost stiffen when he slithers his arms on your waist but you didn’t want to give away any suspicion, “No. I don’t want to pry. Hopefully he’s enjoying his retirement.” You sighed, turning towards him with a tight smile, “Now what would you like for dinner? I was thinking Mediterranean? I need to lose some weight since I’ve been feeling bloated for a while.”

He leans in for a soft kiss on your temple, “Mediterranean would be fine. Would you like anything else? We could order more.” he hummed, his lips slowly started to dangerously hover on top of yours.

“No, it’s fine.” You give him a quick peck and wiggle your way out of his arms, your stomach doesn’t feel well these days. Whenever you were near Sakusa you had the urge to throw up your innards despite having an empty stomach.

You don’t notice the dangerous gaze on your behind as you pick up the phone for your take-out.

Sakusa hasn’t felt you in a long time and it’s driving him insane, he wants to feel your heat, your body, and everything in between. He wants to fill you up and see you pregnant with his children. He wants everyone in the world to know you were his and his only.

Yet he can’t do that.

You’ve ignored his affections these past few weeks and it had been driving him insane to the point where he had to ask one of his men to put an eye on you to see if you had been cheating on him or seeing someone else.

Yet you hadn’t.

Your routine was the same old one and Sakusa is digging his nails deeply into his skin in his office one day with his tie uncharacteristically untied. Miya Atsumu sits across him, taking a sip from his flask, “Ya look like shit.” the blonde points out.

“Fuck off, Miya.”

“Heard from your cousin that you’re not getting laid by your girl these days.”

“You better be thankful that you’ve got men behind you or I’d be shooting your fucking brains out for saying that.” Sakusa spats, his dark gaze pointedly looking at the blonde across him.

“You should just find someone else then and not yer prude of a-”

“Keep telling me ideas like that and maybe I might just shoot you and chop your body up until it looks fuckin’ unrecognizable.”

Atsumu raises his hands up, signaling that he was giving up, “Gee, omi-omi. I was just giving my advise. It’s so easy to drop her.”

“I don’t want to drop what’s mine.”

“You’ve got issues.” He chuckles, “Haven’t you been switching out her pills and fucking her raw for the last couple of months? I bet yer ass you got her pregnant on that before but ya just don’t know it. Getting her pregnant would definitely secure her spot in her life. Woman’s nuthin’ without ya.”

“She’s...she’s not showing…”

“When was the last time ya two went at it?”

“Two months ago.”

“Ya poor boy.” Atsumu sighs, shaking his head, “Ya sure you don’t want to take a break from being a loyal boyfriend for one night? i bet Y/N wouldn’t notice.”

“And no one would notice if you fucking disappeared. I’ll make sure of it, now get out.”

You may not have been the sharpest tool on the shed but you know that someone’s been tailing you these past few days, you’re not stupid. You could only come to the conclusion that it was Sakusa who was doing such things but you couldn’t get why.

Something just didn’t make sense. It felt like you were missing an important piece in the puzzle, med-aide and the switch of your pills and now a hidden tail?

You furrow your brows together in deep thought  as you sat down next to a teenage boy on his phone, you decided to take the bus today to the grocery store, surprisingly the one tailing you wasn’t around today.

Your eyes slowly shift towards the boy’s phone, it seemed like he was playing a video game.

An otome game, to be exact.

You felt your lips twitch up, you remembered those games a lot growing up. The graphics seem to have massively improved now by the looks of it, “...That looks interesting.” You tell the teenage boy who turns to you in surprise.

“Oh, thanks.” the blonde replied quietly.

“Is that a new otome game?”

“Kind of.” He blinks, his gaze returning back to the screen,  “It’s sort of a remake of the yandere simulator from back then.”

You feel your shoulders tense up.

“A yandere?”

“Yeah.” The blonde nods, “The girl’s awfully creepy in the game, she stalks him, does things to get him. The player has to catch her in the act and evade her at the same time.”

“Oh…” You blink, “I-uh, this is weird… but what’s a yandere again?’

“It’s someone obsessively in love with you. They’ll do anything to have you stay by them.” He says, pushing on a button but suddenly the screen turns red and you feel shivers run down your spine as you hear him curse and the words ‘you’re caught’ appear on the screen.

“W-what happened to your character?”

“He died. Nothing much.” he mumbles, “If the Yandere knows they can’t have you, they’ll kill you.”

You immediately went pale as soon as you heard that. Maybe, just maybe you were being paranoid. He wouldn’t go to that extent, would he?

“How did your character escape the yandere in the game?” 

“Well, I haven’t finished the game yet but based on some anime’s and manga’s I've usually read. They either killed to get away or they moved so far away where they wouldn’t be seen so I think the creator might have the same ending.” The blonde said, he slowly looked to your side, “You’re looking awfully pale, ma’am. Are you alright?”

“Yeah, j-just remembered a horrible game I played back when I was your age.” You gulped in, “Nightmares, you know? The yandere tried to get my character pregnant and tried to get in her way of moving out of the country.”

“Sounds like a very realistic one.”  He mumbles, “What did your character do?”

“I wasn’t able to finish it.” you whispered, loud enough for him to only hear, “I couldn’t really find a way out.”

“The developers of the game must’ve made it hard for you. Maybe your character should’ve ran away,” he advised, “Or better yet, you should’ve killed him.”

“I-well, I don't think there were options like that.”

“Well if I were you and there was no option for killing, I’d run. Far, far away. Change my identity and all that.” he exits the game and stuffs the phone back in his pocket, you get a good look of his cat-like eyes and immediately feel a shiver on your spine with the next words he say, “I mean its a game but you wouldn’t wanna loose and get your character killed, right?”

“R-right.”

The teenage boy hops down without even saying goodbye and you have a scary realization that you can’t break it off like you originally had planned. You needed to run, run far as you can and get lost.

The words that the teenage boy says echoes in your head for the next few days, from that point on, realization dawns upon you that, nothing is certain now. You couldn’t trust anyone, you couldn’t let friends and family be involved in this. Sakusa Kiyoomi is a powerful man so you needed to be careful with how you were going to disappear.

You continue to act nonchalant and the same as you try to lay out your plan but you knew that you had only a week or so to complete this for it to successfully work.

Sakusa Kiyoomi wonders what he should do to save the relationship, he’s tried everything in the book that he could think of but you remained the same. Was this the end of the relationship? For real?

He could never stomach the idea of having you leave him.

It’s eerie that day, something felt different when he came home to an empty apartment. It looked the same yet something felt very, very different. Apparently the apartment guards said you were here since your car hadn’t left the driveway and they hadn’t seen you go out.

He checks out your side of the closet, your clothes remain there untouched and your toiletries were there too. He scans the fridge for your notes but nothing is stuck there. He suddenly feels like something cold was dumped on him.

It couldn’t be, right?

Right?

He runs to every room, checking every nook and cranny and when he finally reaches the last room which was the bathroom, nothing is there.

Everything was in its place except you.

Where were you?

Your bank account remains untouched, your wallet and phone was left in the apartment. It was as if you were returning home, the very least. Komori tells him to calm down, saying that they’re letting the best people find you around the city, they don’t rule out that someone might’ve had the audacity to touch you.

Whoever took you would be given hell to pay, that’s for sure. Was it the triad? Kkangpae’s? Or opposing yakuza’s? Oh, they’ll definitely have their heads on the platter if they tried to harm a single hair on your head.

Sakusa doesn’t even hesitate to notify the police about you already despite the memorandum that twenty-four hours is needed to consider a person missing, it's nothing a little money can fix.

“I hope we find her soon.” Your aunt sighed, “I’ve notified her parents about it. It’s definitely weird that she’d leave all her valuables behind.”

Hinata and Natsu sit there next to their mom, completely sad and worried, “I’ve hired the best people for it already, obaasan. We’ll find Y/N.” Sakusa replies yet his thoughts are in a complete frenzy now.

And find you they did.

No stone was left unturned. He made sure of it. Yet after a month of relentless searching. Nothing came up, it seemed like you had just vanished and Sakusa Kiyoomi had turned the whole underground world upside down for you but nothing came up.

Some say that you disappeared and ran away but that was immediately ruled out, no security cameras saw you in and out during that day and it would be impossible for you to just leave without security cameras on you. The guard had exclaimed that despite the blackout that day, the generators only took a few minutes to power up so they’d definitely catch you on camera in case you ever exited the building (along with the guards since they knew exactly what you looked liked) plus the clothes and such were still there, left untouched.

Some said you died, it was definitely impossible for you to just vanish without a single trace after all since everyone was looking for you.

Yet no one dared to say it in front of the boss, not if they valued their life.

The billionaire had dried out his connections to find you. What good was it to be the most powerful and richest man in the country if he couldn’t find you? Life had no meaning now, you were gone. It felt like a part of him was ceasing to function.

Sakusa Kiyoomi was a dead man walking now.

Unknown to the whole world, you’re in a small town with little to no signal. Your hair is chopped unevenly and your skin is darker from the repeated exposure under the sun, your life is simple and mundane now yet you’re happy.

For the first time in months, you actually felt free.

You shut your eyes tight, the events that transpired this past few months replayed  in your head. Your escape was definitely done as carefully as you can and you didn’t even know if you’d succeed since you weren’t a master in that sort of thing.

You recalled that it was a week before you ran away, a few days after you met that kid in the bus. Someone from the electric company had come to inform you that there was a scheduled black out in the city that day during the afternoon and you felt something bubble up in you. That was the day you’d put your plan into motion.

You knew that the longer you delayed your plan, the harder it would be to escape.

You had a few minutes to actually put your plan to work. The camera’s on the hallways would cease to function for a few minutes according to the guard downstairs as he did a protocol on the building (apparently the generators were quick). So that morning after Sakusa left, you placed only a few clothes and the stash of money you had been carefully hiding in a garbage bag and chopped your hair short in an uneven manner. Burning all the remaining hair on the fireplace and the black hair color that you use with it. The maid uniform that you stole on your floor and a fake name plate that you made was on and you were good to go.

The minute the black out started, you took the garbage bag and walked out. Taking the stairway used by the caretakers, you made sure to just look down and never directly up at the camera’s pretending to work.

When you finally made it out of your building. You let out a stiff sigh and put down the bag, it was only the beginning. If you thought the same way as Sakusa Kiyoomi, you could only imagine that you needed to be more careful from this point on.

You take the newly bought duffel bag that you strategically hid behind some boxes. Thankfully when you had placed it yesterday afternoon, it hadn’t been touched. 

You put on a pair of shorts and a baggy shirt with cheap shades and stuffed the maid uniform in the duffel bag along with your belongings in the garbage bag. You take the other route that led to the busy streets. It was easy to look like a tourist and seemingly blend in the crowd, from that point on, you only had one destination in mind.

When you were younger, you vividly remember an acquaintance telling you about this small town outside of Tokyo where her grandparents were from. It was only an hour away via plane and when you went down another few hours via bus yet if you took the bus route all in all, it would take a few days.

Since it was far, only a few busses actually went there and since you had to leave within the day, you decided to just take the bus nearest to that town and take another bus when you arrived there.

The plan smooth-sailed from that point on.

Except for one minor detail.

You open your eyes and look down at your now small bump. The monster who almost had you trapped left a parting gift, you grip your garden hoe tightly.

A big part of you wanted to kill it.

Yet every time you try to, you hesitate.

The moment you arrived here, you had to pretend to be a weary and poor widow. You just didn’t expect to be a weary and poor expecting widow. You let out an uncharted sigh at the thought, it was hard enough to be alone here with little to no money. 

This child had the demon’s blood in it.

Yes, you may have gone free from his cage but in truth with his seed growing in your stomach day by day, you started to feel quite the opposite.

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