#tw rehab mention

[ajdupontmoreau]

Name: Aiden Jax du Pont-Moreau

Nickname: Aj

Age: 28

Birthday: April 15, 1995  (☼ aries,  ☽ libra,  ↗ pisces )

Gender/Pronouns: cis man; he/him

Sexuality: Doesn't like labels but is bisexual

Hometown: Long Island, New York

Length of Time in Cape May: On and off for 28 years.

Occupation: Billionaire (he does stuff just this is a simple umbrella)

Faceclaim: Nicholas Galitzine

trigger(s): mentions of rehab, drug use,

Background: 

Aj was born into a very wealthy (which is still an understatement) family. His father Declan du Pont is one of the heirs to the du Pont dynasty and the current CEO of Tournay du Pont co. His mother is Cadieux CEO and famed fashion designer, Nadine du Pont-Moreau. He was born in Monaco during one of his parents' many trips there and partially raised in his father's hometown of Long Island, New York for the better part of his life when he wasn't off jet-setting to different parts of the world for any number of reasons.

He definitely grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth but has spent a great deal of time learning that he has privilege and he should listen before commenting on things he doesn’t understand.

AJ's rebellious streak growing up was not for the faint of heart. He spent a great deal of time flirting with and even sleeping with the wives (WANTED CONNECTION) of other rich men in their social circle, going to parties he had no business being at, doing drugs he shouldn't have been doing and streaking through Vegas (there's a tabloid story somewhere) all before he was even 21.

This rebellious 'phase' resulted in a short stint in rehab that his parents practically forced on him. He also had what he called an adult baby sitter assigned to him - even though it didn't stop him from going back to the same scene. A few more trips and he got the hint to get his shit together. While he's not fully sober, he's California Sober. He attends meetings if he feels he needs it and overall, hears his own body out.

AJ didn't take the traditional ivy league school option when he finished high school. He instead opted to go and see more of the world. He had all the money he needed at his disposal and what more could he learn in a classroom than in the actual world. He had travelled to parts of Africa, Asia, and South America in an effort to learn about different cultures and customs and then jetted off to North America, Australia and parts of Europe before finally settling back in France.

While he should've been cleaning up his act, the travelling, primarily the latter continents involved more partying and scandalous headlines that his parents didn't like - including a photo of their son passed out at the foot of the Cristo Redentor (Chris the Redeemer) Statue.

While it made Aj and his buddies laugh, his parents felt differently and told him he had responsibilities and he couldn't take over Tournay du Pont co & Cadieux if he was going to be reckless. They'd always told him it would inevitably be his to lead. He chose to enrol into a university and get his business degree like the good little rich boy they expected him to be - not without his fair share of frat parties of course.

The thing with AJ is he doesn't want to live up to the family name and live this boring stuffy life that keeps him so busy he can't live it. The double edged sword is that he's very good at it. He has a keen eye for both the fashion industry and the tech industry. He enjoys the work but he wonders if it's all he's worth. No one takes him seriously enough to do the job but they all expect him to do it regardless. 

He's feeling lost in trying to figure out his next steps and what he wants in life but he's also trying to distract himself from adulting by having meaningless hookups and avoiding forming connections because he feels he'll get too caught up in his 'birth right' jobs and not be able to commit to people the way they should be.

anything to do with the du pont-moreau lore can be found here.

personality: 

Aj is very charming - whether that's something the money and confidence provides or just his natural essence, it is undeniable and can be quite frustrating at times.

He can be quick to anger when dealing with incompetence or certain levels of frustration but it's been a long while since someone has made him angry to a point that he expresses it.

He can be quite the nerd when in his natural element and thanks to the vast amounts of money afforded to him, he owns an expansive comic book collection.

He is very business savy and it shows from the types of investments he makes and the care he puts into those investments. There may be on reckless investment in the form of a race track at his home in Monaco.

Aj can be quite impulsive and either make a stupid mistake or say something stupid which tends to get him slapped or laid, sometimes both. See above about race track for impulsive decision making.

The one thing he chooses to keep to himself is that he is very generous. He takes a special interest in the foundations run by his family - his favourite elements of the 'businesses' he's inheriting. He actively attends the meetings and tries to make meaningful contributions which often get shut down because no one takes him serious but there are moments where his Uncle Pierre will support him.

He's got a decent relationship with both his parents despite their respective affairs and he has a good relationship with his sisters. It's ironic he's the black sheep despite being the only one who doesn't have issues with the others.

Inspired by: Prince Harry from The Royal Family, Logan Huntzberger from Gilmore Girls, Nate Archibald from Gossip Girl, Sebastian Kydd/Mr.Big from Carrie Diaries/Sex and the City and Seth Cohen (rich nerd) from the OC. also Paris Hilton.

wanted connections:

wife of someone in his social circle: this would be a woman that is significantly older than aj. she can be a friend of his parents' or a wife of a business partner of some sort but this could be an intricate plot

rival: someone aj doesn't get along with or has a poor history with. maybe aj slept with their mom or they are members of competing businesses (in any sector). Or maybe Aj was a douchebag when they crossed paths, he tends to have multiple personalities.

someone who's business he invests in: as stated above, aj has an expansive investment profile and this includes a few businesses. He's intelligent enough to know money doesn't last without having multiple streams of income in different sectors so this doesn't even have to be a topic aj would know about. It would be interesting to see where this plot could lead.

hookups: like i said, aj is trying to have some fun and distract himself and he's been doing that. this could Segway into other types of connections but putting it out there.

anything and everything under the sun is up for grabs. 

[shoonabr]

NEW INFO: Evie has gotten out of rehab 😳

[drewxjackson]

It felt almost like coming home after a long day. He heard the sounds from the kitchen, Roman busy with preparing their food and technically he could've landed himself on the sofa if he wanted to, but he didn't. Instead he occupied himself by picking out a random cooking book from a nearby shelf, flipping through the pages while he slowly walked back into the kitchen again. There was plenty of time or sitting later on and his legs still felt restless, so he just wobbled from one leg to the other, listening to Roman as he spoke of his day.

"A fire? Jesus, is everyone okay?" He knew he said small but a fire was a fire and in a kitchen that was prone for accidents. Especially since Roman also served as the chef himself. He found himself studying his arms and hands for any burns that he could see, eyes racing over every inch of visible skin. He seemed all right, so it didn't take long before he got distracted over how he continued prepping their food. "I eh. Work was good." He said, closing the book and placing it on a free spot on the counter, simply allowing himself to watch Roman work. "Regular day, some corrections here and there. Had a patient who was in a car accident. She needs some correcting in her posture, but it was a good first session."

"Gabriela and I decided to have a sit down together, we're hitting a stone wall with the lawyers, so we'll see how that goes." After how Roman opened up to him, he figured he could too about things in his life. "And I visited my nephew in rehab, he's looking much better. He's going to get his high school diploma." When Roman started preparing their plates, he took his cue to move to the dining table, seating himself with a sigh. He huffed when he saw how much food there was on his plate, but honestly it all looked amazing. He just wasn't sure if he was going to finish it. "Which was a crime, I might add." Andrew added, clinking his glass to his and taking a large sip from it. "You should've been first."

"So I did," Roman smirked, pulling back to look at Andrew. God, he was handsome. The warmth of his hand atop Roman's felt so good, so natural... He knew he shouldn't, but he enjoyed this feeling for as long as he could. Tantalizing himself with this easy, almost domestic set-up was dangerous, but Roman was selfish and reckless. He felt Andrew's body underneath his clothes, and he noticed the hardness of his hip. Andrew had lost weight in the months he'd known each other, and Roman didn't know if it was on purpose. It gave him an uneasy feeling, but he didn't want to bring it up insensitively. Andrew's comment about him being a 'good effect' felt misplaced... but Roman held his smile.

"Thank you," Roman said, feeling disappointed when Andrew moved away and he had to let him go. He internally chided himself, reminding himself they weren't yet. He was already toeing the line. He took the wine and checked the label, nodding in approval. "Yes, chef." He gave Andrew a wink, taking the wine and popping them both in the fridge to chill. "Dinner won't be long, I just have a couple of things to do while the pie finishes up. Take a seat, make yourself at home."

"It was... alright. We had a small kitchen fire, which set off the alarm and brought in the cavalry. So fire safety training for my staff is another thing I have to think about. What about you? Anything eventful?" While he talked, Roman set about mashing his potatoes, adding milk, butter, salt, and a bulb of roasted garlic that turned gooey and soft, mixing it all together into a smooth, flavourful mash. Once they were done, he left it covered on low heat, and then he melted butter into an iron skillet and threw in a sprig of thyme, onion salt, the juice of a lemon and several stalks of tender stem broccoli, cooking them until they were bright green, slightly charred and softened with just enough bite.

With everything ready, Roman served up two plates with mashed potatoes and broccoli, then opened up the oven and pulled out a fresh, golden pie with a towel-covered hand. He cut them both a thick slice (Andrew's might've been a little thicker), then placed the plates down at the table, one in front of Andrew. He gave him a smile, then went to the fridge, pulling out the bottle of wine which had now had twenty minutes to chill. He poured them both a glass, left the bottle at the table, and took a seat at the table beside Andrew, who sat at the head, lifting his glass to clink with Andrew's. "Cheers. To second place."

[starkidmunson]

glitter & crimson

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7

Time passes in ways Eddie doesn’t fully understand, in the aftermath of Steve’s injury.

A few days are spent lounging around the hotel room with Steve drifting in and out of sleep, for the most part. Then they graduate to small day trips. Squeeze in some touristy shit; museums and landmarks not too far from the hotel, in case Steve gets a migraine or starts feeling nauseous. 

Day 6 features a follow-up at the hospital, where Steve is told the bandage is no longer necessary to cover the worst of the injury, surgery won’t be necessary, and he’s clear to fly home or wherever else he wants to go. Which means Eddie is also free to leave LA, but he’s already stuck it out this long, so he decides to continue to follow Steve’s lead and spend another day.

He gets a call from Steve before he leaves his hotel room on Day 7, informing him that Max is leading a trip to the beach before they leave California again. Steve insists it’s the least he can do since Lucas flew out to spend the last few days with her, so she could stick around until Steve was clear to travel again.

And that’s how Eddie finds himself wearing lavender board shorts from the surf shop that looked the least like a tourist trap, dousing himself with an entire bottle of the highest SPF he can find before stepping out of the store. His black ripped jeans and the Judas Priest shirt he’d worn, not anticipating a trip to the beach, are folded into the bottom of a large tote Robin is carrying with ease, as she picks out towels for everyone to lounge on. She catches sight of him and raises an eyebrow, but he holds his hand up to stop any commentary.

“Black is just going to make me burn even more than I’m already going to burn, and the blue pair I liked were the wrong size, so lavender it is.” He defends, but she just shrugs at him, keeps smiling and walks over to pay for the towels and her bathing suit.

Behind Eddie, Lucas clears his throat. He spins to find Steve, blushing and glaring at Lucas, who’s grinning. 

“What? Don’t tell me I need to defend the trunks to you guys, too. I thought you’d be on my side.” He whines.

“Oh, I don’t think Steve has any issue with your shorts. Or lack of a top.” Lucas teases, then laughs as Steve swings a soft punch into his shoulder.

“I just…” Steve trails off, turning his attention back to Eddie and Eddie can see the heat rise from Steve’s cheeks up to the tips of his ears, coloring him a soft shade of pink. “I didn’t realize how many tattoos you actually have, I guess.” He eventually settles on, before immediately occupying himself with finding sunscreen.

Eddie lets it slide, and they all pay for what they need, before crossing the street and trekking toward the water. Max is the first to toss her shorts and sandals into a pile, running toward the ocean and diving into the first wave she encounters. Lucas is just a step behind her, and he’s quick to catch her waist and throw the two of them back into the water just as she’s resurfacing.

Robin shoves a rented umbrella into the sand and Eddie helps expand it, as Steve lays out his towel so his face is covered by the umbrella’s shade, but his torso down is exposed to the sun. Eddie, on the other hand, huddles up so most of his body is concealed by the umbrella.

“Oh shit, dude, I didn’t even think to ask. Are you worried about getting seen out here or something?” Steve asks, and Eddie frowns. It takes a moment before he realizes it probably seems like he’s hiding from any potential paparazzi.

“I get bothered so little by media that I hadn’t even thought about that if I’m being honest.” Eddie shakes his head but smiles at how thoughtful Steve is. “I’m just a little too pasty to trust the sun on a cloudy day, so direct exposure like this always makes me nervous. But I like laying in the sand and I’m happy you wanted me to tag along. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” he assures Steve, who smiles at him until Robin mocks a gagging noise and makes them both blush and look away from one another.

The salt air and crescendo of waves and bellowing laughter kick up a surprising amount of inspiration for Eddie, and he fishes his phone out of Robin’s bag, typing away while she and Steve sunbathe. 

He’s so caught up in the piece he’s working out that he doesn’t realize anyone has spoken to him until Steve’s pressing a hand to his knee, looking a little concerned. 

“What? Sorry, I got an idea and I had to get it out before I forgot about it.” He mumbles, typing out his final thoughts before giving Steve his full attention.

“We’re going to return the umbrella and grab food before heading back to the hotel to pack up, if you’re hungry?” Steve asks, smiling at Eddie. He looks back at his phone to realize their hour with the rented umbrella is nearly up, so he nods and helps clean up the space they’d taken over, before they find a beachfront restaurant that doesn’t mind that none of the guys are wearing shirts, or that Max’s hair is still dripping wet, leaving a trail behind her as they move to their seats.

Once they’ve eaten, they go back to the hotel. Eddie asks if he can shower to get the sand out of his hair before he changes back into the clothes he’d had on pre-trip to the beach. When he re-enters the room, almost everything is packed up and Robin is on the balcony, talking on the phone.

“Nancy called,” Steve explains from the sofa, as Eddie flops beside him, towel-drying his hair gently. He hadn’t bothered to put his shirt on yet, not wanting his hair to make it all wet while it air dries. “Did they hurt?”

“Hm?” Eddie’s confused instantly, looking at Steve before realizing he’s eyeing the tattoos across his chest. “Some of ‘em more than others, yeah. But it’s a good kind of hurt.”  Eddie explains, and Steve frowns, but that’s okay because Eddie knows not everyone gets what he means whenever he explains the tattooing experience like that. “It’s… kinda like if you have itchy sunburn and you accidentally scratch it? It feels good to have scratched it, but it also hurts.” When Steve still looks confused, it’s Eddie’s turn to frown. He looks over Steve’s exposed arms and takes in the soft golden color they’ve turned and his eyes narrow. “Do not tell me you’re one of those genetic anomalies that doesn’t sunburn and always has a perfect tan, Stevie.”

Now Steve is grinning, throwing a shrug in Eddie’s direction. “Blame it on the 8 years of swim club during the summer off-season.” Steve laughs as an explanation, and Eddie instantly wants to know more about everything Steve has ever done in his life, but doesn’t know where to draw the line at how much is too much to ask to know, so he ultimately doesn’t ask for any further information. Which is fine, because Steve is leaning closer and taking hold of his left forearm, twisting it and tracing a finger along a snake that wraps around his skin. “Do they have meanings?”

“Some of them, yeah. Some of them I just got because I liked how they look.” Eddie admits, watching Steve’s fingers trace along the delicate lines of the snake. “That one’s got its mouth open like it’s hissing and about to bite.” Eddie considers what comes next, and decides to just lay it all out on the table. Steve had been open and honest with him, Eddie could return the favor. “Snakes are supposed to be a symbol of inner strength and perseverance, and they look sick. I got it after my first stint in rehab.”

Steve doesn’t falter, doesn’t even blink, and if Eddie didn’t know better, he would think Steve had already known about his trips to rehab before he’d said anything. Instead, he moves on to trace a blackout band around Eddie’s bicep. “Do any of them have stories you want to share? You don’t have to if it’s too personal.”

He’s stunned to silence for a moment, something that doesn’t often happen to Eddie. But he’s so used to everyone pressing to hear more about rehab and addiction and recovery that his brain physically needs a moment to catch up to Steve. “Oh. Uh. I mean, the one you’re touching doesn’t have a meaning or story, I just liked how it looks.” Eddie thinks for a moment, then, before he holds out the inside of his right forearm. “This one is a puppet master. Master of Puppets is my favorite Metallica song, and when I learned to play it is when I realized that music could actually be a career path for me.” They run through a few other tattoos; the Wyvern, the spider, the “you bow to no one” in elvish down his spine. While still working up the courage to tell Steve more, he switches his approach. “Do you have any tattoos? Or have you ever wanted any?”

“I’ve never thought about it in a serious way, because I’m not sure I’d like having something on me permanently like that.” Steve shrugs, flipping his arm over to point at his right wrist. “The few times I’ve thought about it, it’s been like. A robin, here. The Roman numerals for 94 somewhere. That kind of stuff.”

Eddie smiles softly, nods. “It’s adorable that you’d want one for Robin.” He teases and lets the moment breathe for a moment before he circles back to the tattoo of the snake. “I’m not ashamed of my story, or my history, but we hadn’t really talked about, you know. That aspect of things, yet. But, I mean. I made terrible choices when I was younger, and I got in over my head with drugs harder than I realized. And it’s happened more than once. And I’m not naive enough to think I’m magically cured because drugs haven’t raised an issue for me over the last few years. But I’ve been mostly sober for almost 4 years.”

“Mostly?” Steve asks, concern clear in how softly he speaks, and Eddie can’t help but grin and shrug a little.

“Still some weed sometimes. Still drink beer sometimes. Both in moderation, not anything out of control. It, uh, probably sounds weird but those weren’t substances I had issues with, so I don’t… I don’t really think about drinking or smoking as cheating, but I know some programs would call it that way.” He shrugs, and Steve nods, processing the information.

“Well, thanks for sharing that with me. I know it’s probably not easy to talk about, but. I learned a few new things about you today.” He offers with a little smile, and Eddie nods back. They slip back into silence, until Robin slips back into the room, looking between the two of them expectantly.

“Did you ask him?” She asks, and when Eddie turns his attention to Steve, he flushes.

“No, I uh…” He trails off, picking at a fingernail before looking up at Eddie, then back down at his hands. “We’re flying back to Chicago tomorrow, and we were wondering if you had your plans set for heading back to Nashville?”

“Oh, yeah. When you guys initially said you’d be leaving tomorrow, I booked a flight home for tomorrow afternoon.” He says and watches Steve’s lack of reaction. Wonders if he should have asked about joining them in Chicago until Steve gives an awkward smile. 

“Right, that makes sense.” He nods. “Well, we can all head to the airport together, at least?”

“Yeah, sure.” Eddie agrees, turning to look at Robin in the hopes of finding an explanation, but she turns away to take her turn in the shower, leaving Steve and Eddie together on the sofa.

~~~

Gareth picks Eddie up from the airport once he’s touched down in Nashville, and they head back to his house. Eddie throws himself into the comfort of his sofa, huddling up to a pillow with the intention of taking a nap, but his phone buzzes in his pocket. When he fishes it out, he smiles.

Stevie: Dustin has taken over the apartment, but we’re home. Hope you got home safe, too.

“Why are you smiling?” Gareth asks as Eddie is typing out his response.

“I’m not smiling,” Eddie responds instantly, schooling his expression and shoving his phone back in his pocket.

“Oh, so Steve texted you,” Gareth says, matter-of-factly, before scrolling on his own phone. “Want to order food? I’m hungry and you don’t have anything edible.”

“Why do you assume Steve texted me?” Eddie asks, frowning and sitting up straighter.

Gareth raises his eyebrow and glances over his phone at Eddie before he sighs. “Because you were making that face you’ve been making for the last month every time you text him, and you just got home from a week with him, so obviously he’s texting you again. Your turn to answer; food?”

Eddie stares at Gareth for a moment, watches as he turns his phone around to face Eddie, showing off the Uber Eats screen, before he scoffs and takes the phone to place his order. Before he hands it back to Gareth, though, he holds it just out of his reach. “What face am I making?”

“C’mon, Eddie, don’t play dumb.” Gareth laughs, but Eddie frowns deeper. Gareth frowns back, then. “You really haven’t put it together?”

“Put what together?” Eddie asks, finally handing Gareth his phone back. Gareth takes it, but doesn’t look away from Eddie until he answers.

“Dude, you’re in love with him.” He says, like it’s obvious, before going about placing his own order.

Eddie thinks for a moment. He knows he has feelings for Steve; finds him attractive and interesting and definitely wants to see if something is there. But to know that his friends can see through him puts him on edge, makes him defensive. “I’m not in love with him, we’re just friends.”

“Eddie,” Gareth laughs before he sees the serious look on Eddie’s face and he sighs. “Look, man. I’m not trying to start a fight or make you spiral or anything. I’m just saying. You leaned into a TikTok trend for him, voluntarily learned about the sport he plays, helped nurse him back to health after he got hurt and spent an extra week in LA to be with him longer. And now you’re texting him, again, like you did after we left Chicago. There’s something there, whether you want to admit it or not. Maybe it’s not love yet, but that’s where it’s heading.”

Silence settles over them, just the sound of Gareth’s short nails tapping against the screen of his phone, for a long moment. Eddie processes what he’s said, thinks it over, before flipping back to the text messages from Steve. He reads the words over and over before he decides on an answer.

Eddie: Glad you’re home safe. Miss you already.

He doesn’t have to wait long for a response, as Steve answers no more than two minutes later.

Steve: I miss you already, too, Eds.

Eddie considers responding but decides to tuck the phone back into his pocket instead. He drums his fingers against his knee, settling into a melody before he nudges Gareth’s leg with his foot. 

“Wanna help me set up the studio downstairs while we wait for the food?”

Gareth meets his look, raising an eyebrow. “Inspiration strikes over Steve Harrington?”

“I’ve got, like, four different ideas I started fleshing out in LA without instruments,” Eddie answers instead and ignores the smug look on Gareth’s face as they stand and make their way to the basement Eddie converted into a recording studio to get it ready while their food is delivered.

[pastafossa]

So I have/had two packages coming to me in the exact same period. A candle that shipped about 10 days ago via USPS, and shoes that shipped 2 days ago via Fedex. And it's hilariously just been like

USPS, taking a drag off a cigarette: right so we'll get that candle to your city, then over the course of 5 days we're gonna send it to a city 45 mins away, back to you, then to a city 2 hours away, back to you, then BACK to the 2 hour city, back to you, then we're gonna take a benzo nap for a 3 more days, maybe send your candle back to the city 2 hours away if we feel like it.

Me: ...oh. ok.

Meanwhile.

Fedex, snorting 6 lines of coke: so your shoes are in VIETNAM, gonna have those to ya in 2 days.

Me: but I - I didn't order expedited shipping or anything, how are you gonna get them to me in 2-

Fedex, bursting out of my kitchen cupboard in a puff of cocaine powder: SURPRISE BITCH, WE'RE ALREADY INSIDE YOUR HOUSE, FOUND A SPIDER, ATE THAT LITTLE BITCH ALIVE, ANYWAY GOT YOUR FUCKING DINO SKELLY SHOES HERE YA GO

Me: ...why the FUCK are you naked ????

Fedex, already streaking out of my house: SADDLE UP BITCHES WE'RE GOING TO NEW ZEALANDDDDDDD

[mugloversonly]

What Happens Afterwards?

I read this post by @acowardinmordor and was obsessed with what happened next. Written with their blessing.

also on AO3

tw: overdose, drugs, near death experience, mentions of HIV

Summary:

Famous Eddie doesn't touch drugs...too bad Steve does After Steve ODs at a Corroded Coffin concert, he wakes up in the hospital.

Steve woke up groggy and confused. Is he in a hospital? Suddenly the night rushed back to him. He did a line, borrowed a needle. He’d meant to go back to the dressing room, but he hit the deck before he could. Shit!

He shot up and frantically looked around, hoping beyond all hope that he was alone. Luck was not on his side though, because Eddie was asleep in the hospital chair next to him. Steve took a long look at the love of his life. His eyes were red and puffy with deep bags. His hair was a tangled mess as if he’d been yanking on it. And his clothes were rumpled as if he hadn’t changed them in days.

Steve sighed. He really didn’t want to have this confrontation right now. Before that thought could even leave his brain, Eddie opened his eyes and met Steve’s. The pools of chocolate were filled with a myriad of emotions. He leaned forward and took Steve’s hand.

“Hey, Stevie. How’re you feeling?” He asked softly as he reached over and pressed the nurse call button. Steve was confused by the softness, but he wasn’t going to complain.

“How did I get here?” He asked instead, dropping his gaze.

“You were brought in as a John Doe after the concert baby.” He whispered, his voice thick. “They said you overdosed.” He didn’t sound angry, Steve would have preferred that. Instead he sounded guilty. Steve forced himself to look and felt bile rise up at the expression on Eddie’s face. “I’m sorry baby.” Eddie said. “I’m so sorry.” Tears ran down his already tear coated cheeks. Steve expected yelling, berating, and ultimatum. Anything but an apology.

“Sorry for what, Eds?” He asked. “You didn’t do anything.” That turned out to be the wrong thing to say as it turns Eddie’s cries into sobs. Something sour built a home in Steve’s chest.

“Exactly! I didn’t do anything!” He said emphatically, gesturing wildly. “You were missing! And i didn’t do anything! I let everyone else handle it while i panicked. I still played the show. I didn’t follow my gut and looked who the junkies were that night!” Tears streamed down his face, but the words rattled something in him.

“How long have I been here?” Steve asked hesitantly. Eddie took a stuttered breath.

“Five days. You’ve been here for five days. You were missing for over 24 hours.” He bit his lip trying to stifle more tears.

Steve was floored. Five days?! Wait…missing? “Oh, baby.” Steve said, mournfully running the hand not hooked up to anything along Eddie’s cheek. He melted into the contact and put his hand over Steve’s. “I’m sorry for putting this much stress on you.”

“For a minute there, I’d thought it came back.” Steve knew exactly what Eddie meant. The upside down. “But when I found out you ODed…I almost wish it had.” Eddie admitted. “This is all my fault.” He whispered unable to hold the tears back any longer.

Steve felt like he’d been on top of the world from what he could remember of the high, and he thought about chasing that rabbit. But the look in Eddie’s eyes, the deep well of pure devastation and guilt swirled together, made Steve pause. He couldn’t do this to Eddie again. “This isn’t on you.” Steve insisted. “I told you I quit. You had no reason to assume I’d be in that bathroom.” Eddie just shook his head.

“If I hadn’t forced you on the road, you never would’ve had access to this kind of hardcore shit in the first place. If I spent more time with you, if I never left you alone, you wouldn’t have felt the need to do this.” Eddie trembled. “I should have protected you better, I knew what that shit could do, I’m so sorry baby.” Steve knew then that there wasn’t anything he could say. Eddie would blame himself for this until the end of time.

That more than anything else, broke Steve down. “I’m sorry, love.” His voice trembled. “I shouldn’t have lied. I just didn’t want you to worry.” He flipped his hand up in offer. Eddie immediately filled it with his. He squeezed it as he continued. “You had so much to worry about, I didn’t want to be another. But I should have known that you’d worry anyway.” Steve looked away, ashamed.

“Baby…” he was cut off as a doctor came in.

“Well, Mr. Harrington. You’re lucky to be alive. The cocktail of drugs you took was extreme.” The doctor said.

“What do you mean?” Eddie asked.

“The heroine appeared to be laced with meth. And the line he did was cocaine and ecstasy.” The doctor said calmly. Eddie gasped a shuddering breath and his hands shook in Steve’s grasp.

“I didn’t know the heroine was laced.” He said. “It wasn’t my needle.” The regret was finally showing up. At this the doctor’s eyebrows rose to his hairline. Eddie yanked his hands away and covered his mouth.

“I’ll send in a nurse to grab some blood so we can run some tests.” He said. “In the meantime Mr. Munson, I recommend limited physical contact.” He directed that to Eddie with a look of sympathy. He nodded and the doctor took his leave. Tears sprang to Eddie’s eyes and ran down his face.

“You shared needles, Stevie?” He asked in shock, his voice quiet. His fear was clear on his face. “Have you been…doing other things for the drugs?” Steve had to come clean.

“I’d do pretty much anything for them.” He admitted.

Eddie stood up quickly and made to leave the room. “I’m going to go let Robin know you’re awake.” He dashed out before Steve could say anything else.

He fucked up. He always felt guilty after the high wore off, but this time it was horrible. He’s in the hospital, after disappearing for over a day. He should have been more careful. He knew sharing needles wasn’t the best plan, but at the time the high was worth it. But the look of betrayal, sadness, and the tiniest glimmer of disgust on Eddie’s face just now, was enough to make him never want to touch another pill. Sleep snuck up on him and he prayed that Eddie would be back when he woke up again.

His prayer went unanswered. The next time he woke up, it was Robin by his bedside. She was staring at the TV but she wasn’t really watching it. “Hey Robs” he said. She whipped her head around so fast he wouldn’t be surprised if it popped off.

“Steve! You’re awake!” She exclaimed. The smile on her face fell quickly. “You’re an idiot. If you weren’t in this hospital bed right now, I’d smack you.” He shrunk down in the face of her ire. “What were you thinking?!” She shrieked.

“I didn’t think it’d be that bad.” He admitted. The fire in her eyes could set the arctic ablaze.

“Not that bad? Not that bad?! You ODed at Eddie’s concert.” She began counting on her fingers. “You lied about being clean. You shared needles with some random junkies!” On the last point she threw her hands up. “How often have you done that? Don’t lie to me Steve.” Her eyes narrowed.

“Every once in a while when I get the itch for it. Maybe once every few months or so.” He admitted grimly. Robin’s eyes narrowed.

“So however many months you’ve been doing this, you’ve been sharing needles?” She clarified. At Steve’s nod she sprang up and paced the room. “Every time?”

“Not every time, but not rarely either.” He said as guilt started to creep into his stomach. She ran her hands into her hair and yanked on it softly.

“Have you been getting tested at least?” She asked.

“I’m not cheating on Eddie, Robin!” Steve yelled, hurt that she’d even imply that. She stopped pacing and turned to him.

“Okay, first. I didn’t say that. Second, your word has no credibility right now. I know you wouldn’t, dingus. That’s not why I was asking.” She grabbed his hand. Before she could continue, a nurse came in.

“Oh good! You’re awake. I’m going to be taking some blood okay?” She asked but really was demanding. She glared at Steve as he held out his arm for her.

“Is everything okay?” Robin asked. The nurse turned to her and gave a small smile before glaring again at Steve.

“With the patient, everything is looking like it’s returning to normal.” She snapped the tourniquet into place but when Steve flinched she didn’t look remorseful. She drew a few vials of blood, stuck a bandaid on, and pulled off the tourniquet all in silence. As she got cleaned up to leave, she finally spoke. “Look kid, it’s not my place. But that boy out there? I can take a guess as to what your relationship is with him.” She flashed a tiny pride flag pinned inside her scrubs. “He cares about you so much. He was beside himself when he came in and saw you, he had you moved to this room, he asked us if there was any kind of experimental treatment, anything to help you.” She turned that glare on him again. “He loves you to the ends of the earth and he will never leave you. You better clean up your act to be worthy of that devotion, because make no mistake. He would let you drain his veins and apologize for not bleeding out faster.” She stalked over to Robin and handed her a stack of papers. She jabbed a finger in his face, “don’t you dare break up with him in a misguided attempt to save him from you. You clean up your act. If not for yourself, then for him.“ With that she stomped out of the room and practically slammed the door behind her. For a moment neither of them said a word. Steve was filled with regret and Robin was a bit smug. She looked down at the stack of papers. Rehab clinics.

“Should we pick one?” Robin asked.

“I think I want to do it with Eddie.” Steve replied. “The nurse was right. And so were you. I’ve taken him for granted and my word means shit right now. I want to prove to him that I want to get clean.” Robin hesitated.

“Do you?” She asked. “You don’t seem particularly regretful about the actual drugs.” Her tone was soft even though her words were harsh.

“I do!” Steve exclaimed. “You didn’t see the look on Eddie’s face, Robbie. He was devastated and blamed himself for all of it. When I told him I’d do anything for the drugs he got up and left. I don’t think he’s coming back in.” He trailed off into a whisper. Robin took hold of his hand.

“Stevie, he’s right outside.” She said. At Steve’s confused look she continued. “He’s sitting on a bench right next to the door. He wanted to come back in, but I asked him to let me talk to you alone.”

“Why?” Steve asked. Robin’s eyes hardened.

“Because what I’m about to say, he wouldn’t like, but as your best friend I have to tell you hard truths. And Eddie's my best friend too so I have to protect him.” She took a deep breath. “You deserved his love once Steve. I truly believe that. But right now, his love for you is hurting him. And the only one who can fix it? Is you. He hasn’t slept or eaten practically at all since you disappeared.” Steve flinched at the word disappeared. “When he called me he was sobbing so hard I thought you died Steve.” Her eyes watered. “He kept repeating ‘it’s all my fault. I did this to him’ and Jeff had to take the phone to explain what was going on. When I got here, you were still touch and go. You died on the way here, Steve. They had to resuscitate you. The sound he made when the doctors told him that…” she shuddered. “I felt his heart shatter. The nurse is right. He will forgive you and he won’t ever stop loving you and he won’t ever leave you.” Her eyes got intense again. “So you need to promise me. Promise me! That you’ll take care of yourself. Because I don’t think I could survive watching him wither away if you leave him.” The emphasis she put on leave tore Steve apart. She didn’t mean break up with him. She meant leave him. “You don���t deserve his devotion. Not after you lied to him for months. But you have it. So now, you need to cherish it. Got it?” She asked. Steve could only nod as the dam finally broke. They held each other’s hands as they cried together.

~~~

“Can you get Eddie? Please.” He asked after his eyes dried up. Robin nodded and dashed out the door, waving Eddie inside.

Steve’s heart broke at the sight of him. He looked exhausted and his eyes were red rimmed as if he’d been crying for hours. Steve held a hand out to him and Eddie rushed to take it. Steve slid over in the hospital bed, yanking Eddie in after him. He curled around him and held him close being mindful of the wires in his hand as he draped it on Eddie’s chest. Eddie took a deep breath but Steve could feel the anxiety still thrumming under his skin. “I’m sorry, love.” Steve whispered. “I shouldn’t have lied.” He halted when he heard the sniffles. He sat up, peering at Eddie. His cheeks were wet again and Steve reached up to wipe them clean.

“Stevie, I have to ask…” he began. “And I hate to even think it. But…” he paused. “Did you…when you said you’d do anything for the drugs. Did you sleep with people for them?” He finally spit out. Steve wanted to be mad. He wanted to hiss and spit and rage at the accusation. But he knew that wasn’t fair to Eddie. He was within his rights to ask.

“No my love.” Steve promised. “Never.” Eddie nodded and sighed with relief. “I don’t know how much my word is worth right now.” He admitted. Eddie pressed a finger to his lips.

“I trust you.” He said. Those three words broke Steve. How could Eddie trust his word after everything? He asked him as much. Eddie just smiled softly. “I trust you because I want to. That’s all there is to it.”

“I’m sorry for everything.” Steve repeated desperately.

“I forgive you.” Eddie promised. “Now, let’s forget the past for a minute and focus on the future.” Eddie said. Steve looked over his shoulder to the door to the room and saw Robin and the Coffin boys. The boys were glaring at Steve but he knew it was because he hurt their friend.

Steve grabbed the rehab brochures and the two went over them until they found one that had a branch in DC. “I don’t want you to cancel the tour Eddie.” Steve was adamant. He ruined enough of the tour so far and he wouldn’t be the reason it ended. At least in DC he’d be close to Robin who would keep him in line. She promised Eddie daily updates (real updates) once Steve got out until the end of the tour. Eddie finally agreed after the boys convinced him he’d need the distraction so he wouldn’t be pacing around the house all day.

Steve leaned up to kiss him, but Eddie pulled away. The regret in his eyes was almost enough to soothe the hurt. “Not yet Stevie, okay?” He asked. Steve nodded but his head tilted in confusion. “Not until the blood tests come back.” He explained. Suddenly, Steve understood. He put himself at risk and Eddie too. The virus going around was deadly and Steve had been careless. Playing russian roulette with not only his life, but Eddie’s too and by extension the band’s.

The shame that filled him was so intense he reached over and retched into the nearby bed pan. Robin ran over with a trashcan and he kept heaving. Eddie rubbed his back as he emptied his body. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I…” he cut off by dry heaving. He finally understood why Eddie ran from the room earlier and why the nurse glared at him. He’s a monster. He put the love of his life at risk of contracting a deadly disease just so he could get a fix. What the hell was wrong with him?

When he was finally done, he was exhausted. “Sleep baby.” Eddie whispered. Steve clutched tight to his hand.

“Will you stay with me?” He asked. As his eyes drifted shut.

“Forever.” Eddie whispered as Steve floated off into a dreamless sleep. His last thought was that he needed to prove he was worth forever.

~~~

The next time he woke up, Eddie was still there. Asleep curled up beside him. But in the chair next to him was someone he hoped not to see. Wayne. Their eyes met and he didn’t say anything, he just raised his right eyebrow and Steve folded. He apologized for letting Wayne down, for hurting Eddie, for lying about it. He begged Wayne’s forgiveness, but the man didn’t respond. His gaze flickered to his sleeping nephew and softened.

“You listen to me boy.” Wayne said. “My nephew is a gentle soul, quick to forgive and let things go. You should know that based on how he was after that spring break.” They both shivered at the memory. “So, he’s not going to want to hold you accountable. He’d rather just move on and take your word for it. But lucky for him, and not so lucky for you, I will be holding you accountable.” He leaned in. “I love you like one of my own Steve, I really do. But I love my brother too and he ain’t seen Eddie since they locked him up. Eddie forgave him within days, trusted him. I learned then, that if Eddie loved someone, he’d forgive pretty much everything just to keep them around. So I’ll tell you the same thing I told Al. Eddie is my boy, first. And I will protect him from anything that will hurt him, even if it’s himself. So I’ll be holding you accountable. You’re going to rehab?” Wayne asked. At Steve’s nod and explanation of where, he continued. “You’re going to give the rehab my information as someone who they can talk to. I’m going to call to check up whenever I see fit. Got it?”

“Yes sir” Steve replied. The nurse from before knocked and opened the door quietly. She paused as she saw Eddie curled up in the bed next to Steve. She gently shook him awake.

“Mr. Munson? We have both of your blood tests back.” At this Eddie was wide awake.

“You got some blood tests done Ed?” Wayne asked.

“Yeah, just um…just in case you know?” He trailed off not making eye contact with his uncle.

“Good news or bad news first?” She asked.

“Bad news first, always.” Eddie and Steve replied in tandem. They shared a private smile.

“Bad news, Steve you have moderate kidney damage. It won’t take much more to send them into failure.” She said with hard eyes.

“And the good news?” Wayne spoke up.

“Good news, you both are negative for any STDs. Including HIV.” The three men breathed a huge sigh of relief. The nurse turned to Steve. “You got lucky kid. Don’t forget that.” Steve assured her he wouldn’t and she left with a nod. He couldn’t believe he’d been so reckless. He turned to Eddie and was immediately pulled into a soft kiss.

~~~

“They said you’ll be discharged soon.” Robin said later. “Then what?” It was just the two of them.

“Then, Eddie drops me off at rehab and I get help. I stay clean. I do everything to be worthy of him.” He declared. Robin nodded her approval. Eddie came back from the hotel with all of their things packed away in a rental car. He slid into bed next to Steve.

“Hey, baby. You ready?” He asked. Steve nodded and they all left the hospital. The three of them piled into the car and drove Robin to the airport. She was going to fly back to give the boys some time alone. She hugged Steve and then Eddie. She whispered something in the his ear that had him tearing up. She went into the airport with a promise to call Wayne if she ran into any trouble.

Then it was just the two of them. They spent the first hour or so making idle small talk before the curiosity got the best of him. “What did Robin say to you?” He asked.

“Nothing important.” Eddie answered far too quickly.

“Oh, come on. You can tell me.” He knew he was being annoying but he didn’t want to think about what was awaiting him at the end of the ride. Eddie sighed, he never could keep something from Steve.

“She said if I could forgive you, I should forgive myself.” He admitted.

“You still blame yourself, love?” Steve asked. Eddie bit his lip as he nodded.

“If I hadn’t dragged you on tour, you never would have found that stuff.” Steve couldn’t let this stand. He knew he had to finally come clean.

“I was already doing it.” At Eddie’s questioning noise he continued. “As soon as we got to LA, I was looking for it. I did it at those events because it was free from someone else's supply.” He took a breath and glanced at Eddie before he admitted the next bit. “I didn’t get into this shit because I was on tour with you. I wanted to go on tour because I didn’t want to be away from you. That it would be way easier to get my hands on shit, just sweetened the deal.”

Eddie was quiet for a while after that. Steve glanced over and saw his cheeks were wet. He’d made him cry again. “So, you didn’t start them because of me?” He whispered.

“No love. And to be clear, even if I started on tour, it still wouldn’t have been your fault. You didn’t hold me down and force a line up my nose okay?” He reached out and wiped away a tear. “This was my choice. Just like going to rehab is my choice. If I didn’t really want to go, I wouldn’t.” His conviction was clear. Eddie pulled to the side of the road to kiss Steve softly before they drove the rest of the way in comfortable conversation.

They arrived at the rehab center and Eddie walked him inside. He checked in, Eddie handed over his credit card, Steve handed it right back and handed his over. The attendant smiled and swiped Steve’s card giving the boys a moment alone. They held each other close and kissed not caring at the moment who saw them. “I love you, baby. Don't forget okay?” Eddie whispered leaning his forehead to Steve’s.

“I know, love. I love you too. More than life.” He replied. He gave a final kiss to Eddie’s lips and followed the attendant into the center. He was determined to come out a new man.

~~~

Six grueling weeks later, Steve was out. He had a sponsor and group therapy sessions. Waiting to pick him up was Robin. Eddie was on the last few weeks of the tour. They had to extend it a bit to cover for Steve’s hospital stay. Robin gave him a long hug. “Ready to bust out?” She asked and they both got into the car. He lasted barely five minutes.

“How is he?” Steve and Eddie didn’t speak at all during his rehab. The center thought Eddie being on the road would be triggering to Steve. And to be frank, Wayne thought Eddie needed to distance himself from the process for a bit. Wayne and Robin had kept them both informed on the other.

“He’s okay. I mean…he misses you terribly, but he’s been coping on tour.” Robin said. Thankfully the drive wasn’t very long. Steve wanted to be in a familiar place, even if life outside of rehab was scary. They pulled up to Robin’s building and Steve stepped in after her.

There was a loud pop and confetti raining down on him. “Welcome home Steve!” Came several voices he was not expecting. The entire party was here. Wayne, Hopper, and Joyce too. But what brought him to tears was the sight to his left. Eddie was there, holding his arms open. Steve ran into them, nearly knocking them both to the ground.

“I thought your tour didn’t end for a few more weeks?” He asked in between kisses.

“I lied about the end date to surprise you.” He admitted holding Steve close. “Are you surprised?”

“Very! A good surprised!” The two pulled apart so everyone else could greet Steve. Eddie didn’t go far, not letting go of Steve’s hand the entire time. He’d felt better in rehab once the withdrawals subsided. More clear headed, more aware. But he didn’t feel completely healed. Feeling the warmth of Eddie’s hand in his, Steve felt hopeful for the future. As he made eye contact with the man again, Steve silently promised to stay clean. Not for just Eddie. But for himself too.

~~~

He skipped the next tour as recommended by his therapist. The two men decided it would be better if he wasn't alone, so Wayne stayed with him. He'd been retired from the plant and wanted to move out to LA with Eddie anyway.

He and Eddie had a hard time, but they make due with calls and letters. On one memorable occasion Steve sent a racy Polaroid. That night, Eddie called already worked up and they had a wonderful time. The reunion was so sweet. They were locked in their bedroom for days, coming out only for food and water. The rest of their friends knew better than to come visit until the love birds made the first move.

The band wrote a new album and started a nonprofit for drug addicts. It helped those who couldn't afford to get clean and see therapists, providing them with clean needles and clean drugs to help ween off them. Steve didn't shy away from his overdose, or the affect it had on those around him and he encouraged the others not to either. Eddie did several interviews on how helpless he felt when his "best friend" was taken to the hospital as a John Doe. This spurred the nonprofit to add resources for loved ones of addicts too.

Steve had been sober for three years when he went on tour with the band again. For real this time. He got clean and he stayed clean. When he was offered something at a party, he couldn't say he wasn't tempted. But he'd look over to see his love laughing and knew he'd do anything to keep that sound in the world. He never wanted to jeopardize Eddie's happiness again and he finally accepted he was his happiness.

And the next time the band played The Garden, Steve was on the sidelines cheering for Eddie and the band. He made sure Eddie could always see him and know he was safe. That look of guilt and devastation he saw in the hospital never returned to Eddie's face and Steve was determined to keep it that way.

[ari-kari]

Heeeeey. I am not remotely active on this website, but I wrote a thing. And I think it’s a good thing. So I’m gonna advertise it here.

I have spent the past 6 months working on a MASSIVE She-Ra longfic, and I am thrilled to announce that I will be releasing it alll at once on AO3 in 1 month! Feel free to follow for updates (I won’t be posting anything this month outside of that). Will be publishing under the username @StarchildComics (EDIT: @ari-kari) so keep an eye out on August 11th!

~~Blurb~~

Adora is going places. That’s what everyone’s always told her - from her estranged guardian Sharon Weaver to her academic advisor, Dr. Hope - and she has never had any intention of letting them down. But when her lifelong battle with anxiety tips from “manageable” to completely out of control, Adora winds up in the last place she ever expected; a mental health treatment center, smack dab in the middle of nowhere. And she’s far from the only “client” here in desperate need of assistance.

Adora wants nothing more than to get back to her old life and pretend this never happened. She throws herself eagerly into “getting better” in the hopes they’ll let her leave. But she wasn’t counting on a few key factors - like her drop-dead gorgeous and totally annoying roommate, or the crippling panic attacks that continue to threaten her recovery. Soon, she is faced with a choice. Will she return to school, and her old life, as soon as possible? Or will the staff and clients at Whispering Woods Recovery lead her down a different path entirely?

(Primary Catradora slowburn fic with various other canon ships included. Minor enemies-to-lovers element. The problematic nature of the fic’s central conceit will be addressed lol)

[moodstabilizers]

help, i’ve been using drugs to numb the pain for too long and now i can’t feel anything at all

[k1dnothingboy]

I'm slipping back into the person i was last year in a way it's comforting and I'm scared for the future but i don't know how to stop. Part of me doesn't want to, I'm convinced i can keep it under control but i already feel myself wanting to cut more. nothing else is working anymore. AAGHDSFHDSGAHDFGSHD. I'm so fucking angry at stepdad for dying i know he was addict but jesus fuck dude dead in one and half years from a cirrhosis diagnosis. Fuck You. It's not his fault i'm cutting, but i just can't take it anymore. This shit has been destroying my family for the past 4 years, look at what he fucking did to us. He destroyed everying we were happy why is that never enough for anyone. I thought we had a bond, he only contacted me once in the past year, he would call me his fucking son. what the fuck is wrong with him. he didnt even try. it was the same pattern evey time every fucking month there'd be some kind of crisis i have no idea what my life is going to look like now i'd like to think that's the end of it but evey time i think that something more happens. And how the fuck am i supposed to take comfort in this ending he fucking died. Yeah I dont have to deal with a hard situation anymore but at what cost. a man is fucking dead. Now theres no way at all for anything to ever get ebtteer and we just have to live with that. Knowing he died miserable and sick.

[mybodyispeace]

32 hours in recovery and ive had no drugs🩷that's the first full sober day ive done on my own terms in so long!! the withdrawal fucking sucks, i couldn't sleep and ive got a dodgy tummy and woke up being sick but at least ik its leaving my body !!🖤

[incorrectquotesideas-deactivated]

Person A: Uh, well, you should not do that…

Person B: Oh, I know, I know. But I can, so I will. [sighs] I’m at a place right now where I never need to grow as a person or rise to an occasion because I can constantly just surround myself with sycophants and enablers until I die tragically young.

Person A: Wh-what???

Person B: Yeah, it’s pretty much too late for me.

Person A:

Person B: Well, them’s the breaks! Take it sleazy, everybody. [leaves]

[shoonabr]

NEW INFO: Evie has entered rehab 🔥🔥🔥

[consult-sherlockholmes]

Haven't seen your obnoxious self in over 24 hours. Did you find a way to relapse and overdose?

🤩🤩

You never see my obnoxious self, thankfully because then we would share the same room and I would also most likely have to look at you, which I would prefer not to. You only see what I post, thought that was obvious but seems not to you. Or have you been stalking me? Don't think so.

How am I supposed to relapse and overdose in something equivalent to a high security prison for drug users? Wait a minute, even prisons have more illicit substances than here. The drug trade is pretty active in prisons, however you do not want to know how exactly that substance entered the prison, if you know what I mean.

However, I did have some kind of weird occurrence yesterday, but I can't explain what caused it. I kept nodding off suddenly, could barely keep my eyes open, felt nauseous and so slowed down. Also a pressure like sensation in my chest.

I don't know how this happened, maybe someone tried to drug or poison me, or I somehow had in fact really succeeded in acquiring something but don't remember it anymore. Maybe I was able to steal some of the buprenorphine that they have here for substitution by breaking into the storage room, or by stealing it from one of the staff. But I can't remember anymore. And feel continuously tired.

[mattswheeler]

closed starter for @thompsonrenee location: the Thompson residence, Maple Hills

Matt had gotten off work and debated going to his apartment, but Nancy had texted him that there was something at the house he had to see, so he headed towards the Thompson home. He was still staying there most of the time even though he didn't need to be anymore. With the woman moving in with Harrison and Ricky in rehab, he offered to watch the house for Nancy and the woman appreciated it. He'd do anything to help the family who felt more like his than his own.

He didn't see a car in the driveway and figured whatever it was, Nancy just left inside for him. He parked and started fumbling with his keys when he found the top lock already undone and he turned the doorknob to see it was open. "Mom, you..." He started saying as he entered, but he didn't see Nancy. Instead he saw Renee. It had been a long time since he saw his best friend's younger sister and a smile crossed his face. "Renee. You're home." He paused. "Are you the something your mom was saying was here I had to see?"

[shitty-goose-quack]

an update (of sorts):

so, system wide a bunch of shit has happened, a lot of the old crew has fused/gone dormant/is gone, including Quinn, Thea, Violet, Nigel, Cuatra, and prolly some others idk

there are a bunch of new ppl, including our new host (i think) Ethan?? or smth honestly idk, we're trying to just like vibe and live life and thinking about did/being a system has kinda been put on the back burner, meaning that most of us are all kinda blendy and shit? idk bro everything is confusing and thinking about it makes us dicociate and maybe we're not a system? it feels so much easier to just live life as once person, whose name isn't our birth name and isnt quinn and isnt ethan, (idk what it is but none of those feel right). Also, as you may have noticed a couple of us started hyperfixating/obsessing on taylor swift and so i've been doing "swiftie rehab" (i mean obsessing litteraly it was not/is not healthy) and now that its goin away life feels meaningless and just jesus fuck no one cares

i want to be a system, i want to feel how i used to but now nothing feels real and i just keep feeling like one person, a person who wants to be involved with their irl friends, and wants to be able to listen to music besides stuff by taylor swift, and wants to find a name that works and stick to it, and find a gender that works and stick to it

i love myself, i love who i am, and sometimes, I don't feel like this. sometimes i feel like a little autistic boy like i wasn't alowed to bewhen i was little, who stims and likes trains and can cry. but maybe that isn't me

~~~okay sorry for all the word vomit but im having an epiphany~~~

i am who i just talked about. that is me. i am trying to find a name. i love watching youtube videos about language evolution and geopolitics. i have a love/hate relationship with competitive swimming, i'm exicted for this wednesday and everything after that. i like hanging out with A***a, Ar****s, V*****e, N***n, and probably A*e, G****a, H*****, N** etc. I dont really care how i look gender-wise, or im happy with how i look now. that is who i am

there are other people who i know who are not me

okay so anyway, that was kinda for me, basicaly to translate im gonna try and not be so fucking controling over the other people i share this body with. they can do their own things and i'll try to leave control and trust them.

tl:dr: im back maybe probably, my pronouns are he/they, and i dont have a name

im a fusion or smth from people who posted here before, but i think i front a lot more than the other people do.

[iswearillneverloveagain]

man i've been doing coke every day for more than 3 weeks now i need someone to tell me to stop