#we stan stella in this house

[wittness]

comm by the wonderful @mysteriouslyinky :]!!!! semi surprise gift for @crushes-georg ( even though i’ve already shown you..). everyone else should behold us!!!

sometimes you are a ceo and know a living portal gun siren.

[sainzinnorris]

logan sarge protector first. human second.

[stellasolaris]

Don't you dare. Paws off, Darkar!

[chaifootsteps]

saw someone point out something I should have realized before

stans keep excusing Stolas ignoring Blitzo's boundaries/protests as him having 'poor social skills'

but why does he have poor social skills? how is it even possible? he's a royal demon with legions at his disposal and a palace full of guards & servants

he doesn't like parties but he still goes to them and presumably his royal duties (what little there are of them) consist mostly of going places and talking to people

how is it possible he has bad social skills when a key tenant of being royal usually involves training specifically around interacting with other people??

this is probably, like most things, the result of Viv's lousy worldbuilding. we're two seasons deep and it's impossible to tell what being a Goetia actually means on the day to day.

the impression the show gives is that Stolas grew up alone (for no reason, how does this benefit the Goetia family to isolate one of their princes this much?) and would spend most days alone were it not for his daughter still living with him. what his routine even is day to day is unclear, he doesn't seem to have any consistent duties that take up his time so he just lounges around reading or doing basically what he feels like

the most we ever get to see of his duties is the harvest moon festival (which is only once a year) and him doing some kind of paperwork in the Look my way MV.

Viv probably wanted to make him look lonely and friendless but she's just made him look like a lazy layabout who's bad with people for no real reason and doesn't bother using his power or opportunities to improve himself even though there's nothing stopping him (seriously, he whines about being alone but can't bring himself to leave the house and meet people? even when the show is totally inconsistent about whether his being royalty even matters for interacting with others from episode to episode? and if it's as a result of his depression which he's medicating for, how did he keep finding the energy and motivation to harass Blitz into sleeping with him?)

I know I bring him up more than I should, but this is yet another point in Instagram Stolas's corner. The guy communicated like you'd expect a royal to have been meticulously trained to communicate, always polite and very precise. Series Stolas's day job, from what we've seen, has consisted of paperwork, attending the Harvest Moon Festival, and insulting his subjects.

A better writer would explore the fact that Stolas, despite thinking of himself as kind and lonely and tragically friendless, drives away potential friends with his callousness and insensitivity towards their feelings...and Stella, despite being an deeply embittered person, attends parties and tea parties, and is always shown to be surrounded by friends.

[writerscafehub]

𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐑❜𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐅𝐄 𝐎𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓

/) /)

( • ༝•)

c /づ づ 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 all the works made by the very talented members of the writer's café server in the month of OCTOBER. we ask, and highly encourage, that you reblog them in support. ♡

ALL WORKS ARE FOR THOSE 18+ ONLY.

𖥔 indicates smut

✶ indicates dark elements

By ☁︎☽ Cocoa ☁︎☽ @cocoamoonmalfoy @darksideofthecocoamoon

𖥔 𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐇𝐈𝐌 - 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟕 | god of spring!timothee chalamet

Part seven of the crown him series

✶ 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐀 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐈'𝐋𝐋 𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐆𝐆𝐄𝐑 | the beast

Imagine a twisted beauty and the beast. Reverse kidnapping: I’m in your house and I’m not leaving

𖥔 𝐃𝐀𝐌𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐃 | bard!timothee chalamet

An unlikely trio on an impossible quest pick up a stray along the way

𖥔 ✶ 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐓 | soft!dark!king hal

Hal could sympathize with Hades, for after seeing the light of life, how could he not pin it close to his darkness

𖥔 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐊𝐄 | king hal

Hal finds that sitting for his portrait isn’t bad at all

𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐎𝐑 | prince hal

Disowned or not, the son of the king needed to be protected

By ★ Jen ★ @jen-with-a-pen

𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐃 𝐔𝐏 - 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄 | art student!frat brother!steve rogers

Steve can’t remember what happened last night, but his body sure does. Regret is the worst hangover of all - even more so when you can’t remember what you regret

✶ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐌𝐘 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐓 | bucky barnes

Being held captive and experimented on definitely wasn’t in your job description. After what seems like months in HYDRA captivity, rescue finally arrives - but what is rescue if not relief from suffering.

By 𖠰 Nat 𖠰 @the-iceni-bitch

𖥔 ✶ 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐄'𝐒 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐘𝐇𝐄𝐌 | kinktober masterlist

Prepare yourselves for a month filled with wicked and scandalous delights, with vicious and freakish lovers for whatever type of monster you may fancy

By ❈ Beanie ❈ @shadeysprings

𖥔 ✶ 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐓𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐓 | kinktober masterlist

Four stories with captivatingly dark themes

𖥔 ✶ 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐎𝐑 𝐍𝐎 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐋 | dark!pete brenner

You work hard to entice the biggest possible client for your company, but he has his own ideas for you to make you say yes

𖥔 ✶ 𝐍𝐎 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃𝐁𝐘𝐄𝐒 | dark!ransom drysdale

Ransom makes it known why breaking up with him is wrong.

𖥔 ✶ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒 𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐘 | priest!lee boedecker

The new priest of your church asks you to sing for him.

𖥔 ✶ 𝐍𝐎 𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐎𝐔𝐓 | serial killer!lee boedecker

With the serial killer targeting boys, you thought you were safe. Until you weren’t.

By ❥ Courtney ❥ @chasingmidnights

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 | thirteen nights of halloween masterlist

13 Nights of Halloween and each night is going to be a different (what I'm calling) "campfire stories". Each story is going to be told by a different character ranging from Chris Evans characters to Sebastian Stan characters to Marvel Characters. Make sure to take a look at the Intro to meet the various characters! So, gather around the fire and try not to get too scared.

By ⚔︎ Suz ⚔︎ @targaryenvampireslayer

𖥔 𝐇𝐀𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃 | ghost!bucky barnes

Bucky was taken from you by HYDRA a year ago. You mourn him and miss him, until you start dreaming of him… until he starts coming back to you

By ✵ Selene ✵ @fluffyprettykitty

𖥔 𝐒𝐀𝐌 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐒��𝐍 𝐀𝐒𝐊 | sugar daddy!sam wilson

Quick and dirty sugar daddy Sam Drabble.

By 𖤛 Roo 𖤛 @darkficsyouneveraskedfor

✶ 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐓 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐋𝐔𝐉𝐀𝐇 | yelena belova

You find a stranger at your door, a visitor you can’t make leave

✶ 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐒𝐌𝐎𝐊𝐄 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐀 𝐂𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄 | kraven the hunter

You catch the eye of a mysterious man who shares an unexpected secret with you

By ☆ Stella ☆ @a-lumos-in-the-nox

✶ 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄𝐃

A group of friends decide to explore the haunted house on the shortcut back to campus. Ignoring the 'No Trespassing' signs. They ease drop in on a meeting between beings, mortals have never lived to tell tales about. And find out the consequences of ease dropping on the annual Hallows Eve meeting.

𖥔 𝐍𝐒𝐅𝐖 𝐀𝐋𝐏𝐇𝐀𝐁𝐄𝐓 | druig and makkari and female!oc

The kink alphabet for the threesome

𖥔 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐖 | druig and female!oc

Reader is horny but won’t do anything about it because she is busy doing other things. But her husband who can read minds can hear her inner struggle and does something about it.

𖥔 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 | druig and makkari and female!oc

Makkari has a surprise field trip for Juni and Druig. They don’t know where they are going. It is her turn to pick where they meet up this time.

By ☄︎ Ellie ☄︎ @mrsmischief209

𖥔 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 |

Introduction to Kinktober

𖥔 𝐒𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃 | billy russo

Inspired by the song ‘Slow Hand’ by the Pointer Sisters

✶𖥔 𝐒𝐀𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄��𝐅 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐌𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓'𝐒 𝐋𝐄𝐅𝐓 | softdark!frank castle

Inspired by the song ‘Breath’ by Breaking Benjamin

By ☪︎ Gina ☪︎ @slvttyfied

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐒 - 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄 | chef!ari levinson

Cause baby I can build a castle out of all the bricks they threw at me and every day is like a battle but every night with us is like a dream

By ✯ Vic ✯ @sunflowersteves

𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐓𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 - 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐁𝐉 | carmen berzatto

Carmen knew you were a bit inexperienced, so what better way than to show you how?

By ⚘ Akane ⚘ @haravath0t

𖥔 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 | college au!alhaitham

College AU headcanon

By ⎈ Navy ⎈ @navybrat817

𖥔 ✶𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐊 𝐎𝐑 ����𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐄 | various SS and CE characters

One shots and ficlets for the month of October

𖥔 𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄 | bucky barnes

You want Bucky in your mouth. Simple as that.

By ✍︎ Em ✍︎ @writing-for-marvel

𖥔 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐓𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐘𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍 | mob!bucky barnes

Newlyweds Mob!Bucky and wife!reader explore Europe and each other during their honeymoon.

By ❀ Ali ❀ @flordeamatista

𖥔 ✶ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 | various SS and CE characters

Kinktober inspired by tarot cards and their auras

𖥔 𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒 | lee boedecker

A tale of your wicked deeds.

𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐊 𝐅𝐎𝐖𝐋𝐄𝐑 𝐆𝐈𝐅𝐒𝐄𝐓

By 𐀔 Alex 𐀔 @thecutestlittlebunbunfairy

𖥔 𝐁𝐔𝐍 𝐁𝐔𝐍'𝐒 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐎𝐏𝐓𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 | masterlist

Spooky season stories heavily inspired by Hozier’s album, ‘Eat Your Young’

𖥔 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 | rockstar!sam/steve/bucky

When your friends invite you to a rock show and the drummer invites you back to his hotel room, you might get more than you bargained for yet…

By ✬ Astro ✬ @astrorogers

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑 | wanda maximoff

The Scarlet Witch has arrived which means her familiar must finally reunite with her.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐍 | wanda maxinoff

Wanda teaches kitten about Halloween

𖥔 𝐒𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐂 𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀 𝐀𝐒𝐊 | mistress!wanda maximoff

Mistress!Wanda x sub!kitten reader smut

© all works belong to the respective writers of the writers café server.

[sammaggs]

3x02 Eclipse | Nightmare

Stay with me on this one: I don’t think Marcus Ellory ever shows up to his mother's grave in Eclipse.

As truepenny points out in her typically-brilliant meta, Eclipse is written in the style of the Greek theatre's katabasis, a journey to the Underworld (followed by anabasis, the return to the world of the living). You've seen Hadestown? You've seen a katabasis.

This is another playwright John Krisanc joint, and as other people smarter than me have meta’d, Ray’s katabasis sees our hero venturing to the Underworld (a literal graveyard/crypt/grave); solving the riddle presented by the Underworld's guardian ("There. Now it's broken and it's working." "Good man."); learning a fundamental truth about the cyclical nature of life or undergoing a symbolic death of the past self; and then returning to the land of the living as a new or newly-knowledgeable person.

Ray Kowalski is tormented by Marcus Ellory as a symbol of his life up until this point. The two defining features of Ray Kowalski's life up until he meets Fraser are 1) Stella, and B) being a cop. "The point is, I mean, my whole life, it all starts and ends with this one guy."

But that part of Ray's life is over.

To make this a metaphor for queerness (as someone who personally married a man before coming out as a lesbian around Ray's age), in our mid-30s we're often forced to deconstruct the narratives of our lives that we've been so devoted to until this point. Have we been living for ourselves, or for other people? Has doing what society expects of us made us happy?

If you're closeted, the answer is usually going to be no. And that means you have to burn down your entire life to start fresh (the house, if you will). It means you have to grieve your past self—the one who had a heterosexual spouse and a house in the suburbs and did what society expected of you—in order to make room to rebirth your authentic self.

In the Underworld, and in the graveyard, Ray buries the man who wanted a wife; the man who wanted revenge on Ellory; the man who was a con job.

He's revived a man with a new partner, no longer motivated by vengeance, and who knows he's a damn good cop because he is.

So now that we've established all of that, let's get back to Ellory.

Ellory doesn't show up for his mother's funeral; by the time the mourners are leaving, he's still not there. "You know, Ray, I'm pretty sure he'll come," says Fraser, at 4:30PM. "We have time." But after Fraser gives Ray his own history back to him, Ellory still hasn't showed. They decide to leave, and Ray throws his dream catcher to the wind... where it's caught by Marcus Ellory.

"It's a dream catcher," says Fraser. "It tangles up bad dreams."

It tangles up bad dreams.

Ray puts on his glasses; he can't really see Ellory clearly. Then, once they end up together in the grave, no one else ever sees them. Fraser never sees Ellory. By the time Ray is reborn anew after the eclipse (literal darkness into light!), Ellory is nowhere to be seen. Suspicious!

I think the casting choice here, too, is deliberately made to make Ellory an allegorical figure as opposed to a literal one. Peter Bray, the actor, is 6'7". He's huge, and lying in the grave next to him, Ray looks even smaller than usual.

That's because we are seeing Marcus Ellory the way twelve-year-old Stan Kowalski would have. Huge, imposing, feet taller than him; essentially a cartoon villain. Ellory is exactly the same here as he is in Ray's memory, unchanged but for a little grey, even though twenty-three years have passed.

And then he disappears.

Ellory is the final boss of Ray's katabasis, his eclipse-fueled nightmare, tangled up in and cleansed by the dreamcatcher Fraser made him—just like Fraser's recitation of Ray's citations tangles up and cleanses Ray's own poor consideration of himself.

But it’s not about Ellory, y’know?? It has nothing to do with Ellory, not really, and everything to do with Ray’s own perception of himself and the story he tells himself about his own life. In this way, I think it’s more powerful a read if Ellory is not there; it’s all Ray. Just Ray, letting go of the man he thought he was and choosing to become the man he wants to be.

For me, Ellory’s just a bad dream. He’s a larger-than-life demon of Ray’s own making. He’s probably in hiding or dead, but Ray doesn’t actually need the real Ellory to exorcise that demon. He just needs the right angel.

Ray Kowalski dies and is reborn (like due South!), at the end of what I consider to be the two-part opener of Season 3.

Happy 27th birthday, Eclipse (Sept. X, 1997)! You're one of the all-timer episodes of TV.

[caffeinelemur]

Stolitz Communication Styles

I feel like I need to talk about this.

Stolas’ high education and verbal gymnastics, versus Blitzø’s lack of equivalent education, dyslexia, and difficulty expressing emotions, especially through words. Because it plays a huge part in why they haven’t been, and still aren’t, communicating effectively. Also both of them are neurodivergent as fuck and communication is a bitch for us anyway.

Specifically, this is a dive into that different classes/mindsets dynamic, leading up to a look at that text conversation at the end of Western Energy, and how it leads into their possible growth.

From the very start of the series, Blitzø shows that he has difficulty with writing/spelling and prefers verbal communication. (Even if we look outside the instagrams, which are not technically canon.) The first episode has the billboard that was entirely speech-to-text and not proofread, (he’s too uncomfortable writing that big of a message out, and he thought it was easier to just say it, and was thus not equipped to proofread or edit it, as that would mean he was capable of knowing how to write it out correctly in the first place), his text messages and notes are generally short and often full of typos and phonetic spelling, and his whiteboard is usually covered in doodles and small attempts at writing that varies in levels of spelling prowess. He uses pictographs to help in proving his point or explaining his thought process. He has trouble expressing himself verbally, as his true feelings are expressed through actions, but his direct, vulgar, and often angry or insensitive wording and tone make it difficult for most people to see past this to his actual true feelings, (not to mention he often lies to others and to himself about those anyway). Issues with tone and blunt speech are a big thing with neurodivergent people, autistic and ADHD people especially, of which I think Blitzø is both. Stan an AuDHD king.

Stolas is rich, highly educated, and spent much of his life, especially early on, reading books instead of socializing. His house basically doubles as a library. He said himself that he “loves words”, and got excited about reading legal documents. He uses flowery, posh language and carefully talks around other people using this skill. His emotionally abusive past, both with his father and with Stella, make him a careful people-pleaser, and so he’s constantly giving others the upper hand in a conversation, more give than take, in attempts to not anger or have his intentions misunderstood and then incite said anger. A common thing in both abuse victims and neurodivergent people, especially autistic people, which Stolas clearly is. He does also have issues with tone and knowing when he should and shouldn’t say certain things, and he can often misunderstand others’ points and questions, and then answers or responds too bluntly or literally. Hashtag Just Autism Things.

Blitzø is an imp, the lowest class alongside hellhounds, and was raised in a circus. He clearly did not grow up wealthy in any respect (as his father resorted to selling his son and stealing from the fucking Ars Goetia so quickly, though that could also be attributed to just being living trash), nor is he particularly affluent now, as his small apartment has literally one bedroom, for Loona, and he sleeps on the couch. He outright says he can’t afford art classes. He hasn’t had the same level of educational opportunities as Stolas. On top of that, he’s also dyslexic, based on how, when he does write, it’s either written phonetically, as he would say the word, or he gets letters flipped around. He can write coherently, he’s not illiterate, but usually only when he tries really hard. He mixes capitals and lowercase in the same word sometimes. He’s even worse at texting than he is at writing by hand, with many typos, and resorting to text-speak abbreviations and emojis to lessen the amount of time he has to take trying to type shit out, and, again, doesn’t proofread.

Taking all of this into account, Blitzø is not going to understand a lot of what Stolas says when he uses larger words and talks around a point, especially since, unlike Stolas most of the time, Blitzø is very direct and uncensored when he talks (as in, no brain-to-mouth filter, but also he uses vulgarity in place of more eloquent speech), and when he is trying to say things with actual forethought, he ends up stuttering and has trouble finding the right words (ADHD brain fail ftw), and then gets angry at himself, and occasionally takes it out on others too (poor Moxxie). Stolas tries to talk around the point and backtracks his own words even more in stressful or emotional situations, giving more ground to the other, and this difference in stress response plays a part in their misunderstanding and inability to see from the other’s perspective.

In the first episode, during Stolas’ inopportune phone call, Blitzø thinks he’s being insulted when Stolas uses the word “grimoire,” because he doesn’t know it and always jumps to this conclusion, then has to get Stolas to stop using flowery language to talk around the point by telling him to “stop using your fancy ass rich people talk,” and Stolas has to change the way he’s been speaking to be more direct and clear. (He doesn’t retain this information for later, sadly).

All of this, to talk about the post-Ozzie’s text conversations. We know several things now:

1) Blitzø is not good with spelling and is more comfortable using pictographs to make his point, which you can’t do in a text. He’s also uncomfortable with honest emotional expression and has problems with tone.

2) Stolas uses overly flowery and complicated language to express himself, leading to paragraphs of talking around the main point in an attempt to explain his meaning, often to the extent that it’s extremely unclear what the point is that he’s actually trying to get to. This gets worse when he’s trying too hard to express himself or is thinking too much about the other person’s response.

3) They both have little experience with conversation of an emotional nature that’s not coming with some sort of protective front (Stolas’ open-ended people-pleasing statements, Blitzø’s use of false anger and vulgarity to push people away), so when they do try to say something without the mask, the other is unequipped for the change and misunderstands the intentions, especially when it’s through text.

Blitzø is uncomfortable with writing and especially with texting, and so says very little, using short abbreviated text-speak and emojis to express himself, like he would with his drawings. Stolas overexplains and writes paragraphs of vague statements and loquaciousness in an attempt to get a point across. These are very different approaches to the situation, and from the other’s perspective they come across differently than they intend, due to the conflicting communication styles.

So.

In the text conversations we see in Western Energy, Blitzø says very little, and doesn’t initiates the conversation. Stolas sends walls of text, overexplaining and going back and forth on his intent and the purpose of the text.

Now, we know that Stolas is trying to give Blitzø space and options, and clearly cares a lot about his feelings, and is going out of his way to make sure he’s comfortable with the situation. In doing so, he gives him several outs, minimizes the entire experience at Ozzie’s at his own expense (and therefore Blitzø’s, but he doesn’t understand that yet), and pokes at the idea of talking emotionally far too soon for Blitzø, who is freshly re-traumatizing himself from said experience at Ozzie’s.

Stolas, from his own perspective, is giving so much and getting very little in return (a common theme in his life). He would see this lack of reciprocity in communication as lack of interest or being upset. A common thing irl, it’s easy to read a “K” after a long emotional message as a negative or indifferent response, regardless of the other party’s true feelings. (Which is possibly why a lot of people get upset on Stolas’ behalf in this moment, thinking Blitzø doesn’t care as much about Stolas as Stolas does him. It’s a common thing to experience. It’s not true, though.)

Meanwhile, Blitzø already hates writing, is bad at expressing himself in general, and reads into everything as negative. He thinks that when someone says something he doesn’t fully understand that they’re insulting him or making fun of him, or he misunderstands the intention and wording to be an insult (tonal and indirect or vague speech issues), like with that first phone call with Stolas, the “that’s what she said” joke Loona made, and Crimson’s mention of hearing things about him. He has a lifetime of evidence to back up this thought process. He is constantly demeaned and insulted by larger Hell society, and was treated as unworthy and lesser since childhood. He also just fucking hates himself and blames himself for everything. He’s not gonna suddenly gush his feelings, especially over text. He’s also gonna read into others’ words extremely negatively, until the true meaning is explicitly explained to him. Which isn’t very likely in a text conversation, when he’s not going to ask for proper clarification and the other party can’t tell that he’s misconstruing the intention and so doesn’t know they need to explain more anyway.

So, he isn’t going to initiate a text conversation unless it’s for a serious reason. He clearly doesn’t use it as a method of conversation as much as a quick way to get in touch with other people and exchange information (ex- his seemingly “impossible to misunderstand” text to Loopty in C.H.E.R.U.B. & his conversation about the portal with Millie in Seeing Stars). In Blitzø’s eyes, Stolas says "hey this is/isn’t happening", and he says "ok got the info" and he moves on from there. Information exchange. Then Stolas starts trying too hard, after Ozzie’s, to take his feelings into account without fully understanding Blitzø’s feelings to begin with, and starts backtracking and talking around the point again. He already got Blitzø’s reply, but then backtracks, which doesn’t give Blitzø the direct information he needs, leading to him misunderstand the proffered options as a dismissal instead of a clear confirmation with the option for him to refuse. Blitzø already is going to have issues reading/fully understanding the long wordy messages Stolas sends, he isn’t going to understand the nuance that Stolas’ specific phrasing is trying to say, and is going to see a “but you don’t have to/only if you want” attempt at giving him autonomy and boundaries, as a “don’t/I don’t want you to” full negation.

Stolas is also downplaying their experience at Ozzie’s, which is not only negating his own traumatic experiences with being shamed and insulted (not the healthiest mindset), but also minimizes Blitzø’s feelings and experience then as a result. Blitzø is going to see this as confirmation that it wasn’t as important/emotionally painful to Stolas as it was to Blitzø. Stolas making light of a situation that started a breakdown for Blitzø just proves to Blitzø that he’s the one overreacting, and that Stolas does find him less important, as the entire situation was already about Stolas valuing him less, in his eyes.

Stolas trying to overexplain and backtrack in the lack of access to Blitzø’s own thoughts is hurting them both in this situation. None of his pushing and flip-flopping is going to make Blitzø more eager to initiate a conversation or respond more, especially through a form he’s uncomfortable with using. And this makes Stolas feel unheard and undervalued, which leads to him try even harder, which leads to Blitzø shutting himself off even more, and so on. A lovely miscommunication feedback loop.

And knowing all of this is what makes that last text so important.

Blitzø initates the conversation for the first time. He writes what is, for him, a full sentence, with an emoji. He’s expressing himself as best he can, and is showing his actual feelings in the message. He’s going out of his way to say something to Stolas.

Which then… Stolas overwhelms him with more emotions and words. He’s not comfortable with emotional conversation and too much at once would freak him out, and the immediate upfront honest thoughts Stolas sends in the wake of Blitzø’s own emotional expression aren’t what he necessarily needs or wants to deal with, especially so soon after that worldview-shattering realization, the following guilt spiral, and the subsequent opening up that the first text is.

Yet he then, in spite of these hurdles, starts to reply.

But he gives up.

We don’t know for sure what he was going to say, but an easy read of his thoughts would be: he tried to express his feelings again in some way, was failing to do it right, was overwhelmed with feelings he didn’t know how to handle, and angrily gave up. Probably cursing himself out for even trying.

It’s not callous or uncaring or lacking reciprocity. It’s the full opposite. He’s trying so hard, but failing again. He cares so much and is incapable of expressing it verbally and unable to receive similar care in return.

Look back to the other time he tried this hard to write something emotional. The letter for Fizz. The love letter. And see how that situation went? He got overwhelmed, angry at everything and at himself for thinking he could try at all, and it all ended in fucking disaster. That he blames himself for. That he hates himself for. But here he tried to do it again anyway, while thinking, again, what happened to Stolas was his fault. That one message means so fucking much.

To Blitzø, the idea of visiting Stolas in the hospital was out of the question entirely, and him being asked to so immediately and candidly would make his guilty brain fall over itself even more. He’s never been allowed to visit his loved ones in the hospital, and the entire reason they were hospitalized to begin with was because of Blitzø, so how could this situation be any different? He wasn’t allowed to visit Fizz or Barbie, people who at least at one point he believed cared about him, so he’s definitely not going to be allowed to visit Stolas, who he already thinks doesn’t really give a shit.

That text was the best he could do at that time.

To really communicate effectively, these two need to sit down in front of each other and actually explain where they’re coming from. The lack of knowledge of the other’s position and situation, both in their past and currently in this relationship, is hurting them, and making understanding each other more difficult. The class difference and the differences in upbringing, despite both having garbage fathers and fucking meeting each other as children, are impeding their understanding and view of the other. Both Stolas’ obliviousness toward the actual differences in station and opportunity between him and imps as a whole, and inability to realize Blitzø’s personal difficulties with communication (based in the same place he’s blind to), and Blitzø’s (valid) disdain for the upper class and his view of the stronger, and especially of Stolas, as too good and important to bother with him and too powerful to feel actual pain, are the things they need to fucking address.

Blitzø already got this worldview fucked with, between seeing Stolas worry so much over his daughter, and then actually getting badly hurt. He now knows Stolas can care, and that he can feel pain, and that makes him at least peripherally aware that he’s able to be emotionally hurt.

By Blitzø.

Stolas, meanwhile, is vaguely at the point of comprehending he holds more power in their dynamic because of their differences in status, and him holding the key to Blitzø’s entire business and livelihood. He now knows Blitzø didn’t think he wanted anything other than sex, because of his hasty and overly selfish attempt at keeping him around. And it was a sex deal! He realizes he was wrong for holding that over Blitzø and that his actions and words in the past helped cause the misunderstanding that he didn’t care for Blitzø past getting sexual favors.

Stolas is gonna try to fix this power imbalance by giving up the entire premise of their current relationship, in the vain hope Blitzø will understand and then reciprocate his actual feelings, while Blitzø is now vaguely trying to actively prove he gives a shit about people, even while unsure of Stolas’ feelings toward him, and the result of these intentions clashing is gonna be a goddamn mess, unless miraculously they can communicate around the inevitable misunderstanding.

Please somebody let them explain themselves and have the other fucking listen.

They both love each other, but are fucked up from trauma and are neurodivergent, so they express themselves differently and can barely figure out their own shit, let alone explain it to the other. Get therapy and try new communication styles.

But they are slowly learning. They have the tools and ability to figure this out if they both try. It’s not futile. It just might take some fuck ups and more time to fully get there.

Sincerely, an AuDHD emotional abuse victim that sees themself in both of these idiots and wants to scream.

[hangeslefteye]

AOT BOYS AND THEİR FAVORİTE WİNX CLUB FAİRİES!!!!

I finally did it y'all content we've all been expecting HGXSCGFCGS honestly I enjoyed this so much I added some more characters and some more xDdd as a result we got EREN ARMİN JEAN REİNER FALCO PORCO MARCEL AND ZEKE!!!

******

Eren:Watches Winx incredibly in secret xD You no way wont know how much of a raging fan he is xD As for their fave I feel like season1-3 eren could like Bloom or Musa cuz they had the most parental issues and they were SLİGHTLY emo xD but season 4 Eren is a deff Trix staner maybe Icy lol (İn a modern day au fights with Zeke to roleplay as Bloom xDD)

Armin:He is actually quite comfy of what he watches, even if he were to get bullied because of 'Winx being a girl show bla bla' he simply enjoys what he enjoys duh.And their fave is:Floraaaa, Armin is a soft soft soft sweet boy AAAAAH <3 Either flora or maybe at season 4 Technaa

Jean:Just like Eren will watch is quite sneaky and you wont know how much they like Winx until it comes up in a fight with Eren xD And their fave?Musa for aesthetic reasons xD -She has looong black hair ;) - Ok I always had a hc of Jean liking slightly harsh woman so in a modern Au he is most likely to be into that Goth stuff? So maybe he has always been a secret Trix stan ???

Reiner:BİG,BİG,BİG WİNX FAN lmaooo excuse himself by telling everyone its for the kids xD (most likely watches it with Falco and Gabi.Which Falco loooooves but Gabi cant stand xD).Ok Ok now, Season1-3 Reiners fave is most likely to be Stella and slightly Bloom too but at Season4 I see a huge Darcy fan lol (As much as ı remember Darcy had the darkest self depressing jokes ever xD)

Falco:My boy just like what he likes it doesnt matter how much Gabi jokes around he is PROUD to watch Winx ok??? And their fave is Bloom?Because it remind him a bit of Gabi??(Bby boy is terrified of Trix,like they are not realll, calm xD)

Porco:I cant with this guy GXSCGSFASXB.Just magine him up at 4 am sneaking downstairs to watch old episodes re-aired xD. GETS CAUGHT BY MARCEL xDD Tries to change the tv to soccer but its too late Marcel has seen it all LMAO.After being petty they agree on watching it together and staying silent xD And Porco's favorite is deff STORMY!! only sensible character and rest it stupid but he watches anyways xD

Marcel:Ok,imagine at one point he owned one of those pink Winx pencil shaped erasers (if you lose one piece of it just throw away type of useless ones xD)he kept under his bed and Porco accidently found it lol his first thought is 'Is my brother gay????' xD and he too likes it a lot he just keeps the eraser to himself xDD (And thats the story of how Porco began to watch Winx xD) Just imagine the silent panic of poor Marcel being exposed after losing the eraser??? xDD Anyways his favorite fairy would be Aisha??? Cuz she is so beautiful?? High case has a crush on his fave xD

Zeke:Watches it for boobies and butts even when he was a kid OwO XDDD.He tries to explain his friends that real manly man would watch Winx Club because of hot girls xD Starts watching because of that and gets carried away by actual plot xD İn a modern au might encourage Eren to watch it because he knows how much he likes it AHSHXASXVBX As a result I can see them screaming 'Enchantix' at house and act like they are transforming xD As for his fave its ROXY OF COURSE xD she is the fairy of animalss!! On the other hand might like a side villain like Diaspro and deff appreciate Trix's costumes xD

[the-lighthouse-lit]

I was tagged by @cruulsummer

The rules are simple - find a sentence, or excerpt, that includes the words you’re given and paste it in, and include a link to the finished story if you want. But honestly, these are guidelines at best - do what you want.

I’m tagging: @lunarmoment @scorpioaqua @laestrellapanda @raevenlywrites @blushroomx @fiora-miriel

My words to find: Red - Sleep - Writhe - Shallow - Bet - Safe - Look - Anger - Help

Your words are: Intention - Suit - Dark - Smirk - Heavy - Spread - Music - Stop - Alcohol

Red and Help (double whammy because it’s a long bit!) from The Invention of Gravity (a Gravity Falls 1800’s AU that will probably never be finished…):

“What’s your name?” Mabel asked.

“Wendy Corduroy!” Grunkle Stan shouted from the ground. The three looked down. “Get in here!”

Wendy descended from the tree in a series of exact movements that told the twins she’d been slowing down for them before. The twins observed as she ran into the house after their uncle, long red hair mostly out of its cap flowing freely behind her.

The two looked at each other, finding themselves higher up the tree than they’d ever intended, and now alone.

“…How do we get down?” asked Dipper.

Inside, Wendy Corduroy was telling Stan, “I can chop wood, make pegs, I can empty up a mattress and fill it up and sew it back up again with help, I can almost cook on the spit without burning it, and I can clean and shoot a rifle.”

“You’re already hired, Miss Corduroy, I spoke with your papa,” Stan told her.

Sleep from There’s Probably a Moral at the End Somewhere (my Teen titans play-format Fairytale AU, posted here)

STARFIRE: She is floating two feet above the ground. You who know her best, is this how she sleeps?

ROBIN: I don’t even know if she sleeps. I don’t know anything about her. And everything I thought I knew about her was wrong.

I’ve got nothing for Writhe, or Squirm, or Thrash, so I offer you Struggle lol, from a roooough draft of my original story Surot (found absolutely nowhere):

“But if the bathrooms are closed, you can get the key from the hut over there, just ask for Laura…”

I stopped myself. Stella looked kind of jittery and nervous. When I’d motioned to the bathroom she’d dove forth, and now that I’d presented her with a challenge, her eyebrows arched, like she was slightly shocked she’d have to struggle in this way—or like she was calculating she’d spent too long talking to the class freak and was panicking about it.

“Hold on,” I say, and I hold my camera to my chest as I go to the hut myself, all the while wondering why I insist on doing things for pretty girls. It made me feel like a boy. Or like a rough maid from a period drama doing stuff for her delicate ladies.

Shallow from The Club of Unauthorized Heroes Year 3 (yet unpublished):

Dick’s breaths were shallow. His mind was stuck on the here and now. He felt like he should be reviewing the mission—searching for where they went so wrong. But really all he could think about was how much Gar hated hospitals. How annoyed he’d be when he woke up.

Bet from Feral (an entry for BBRae Week 2022, found here):

“That was cool. Quick and clean. Bit sloppy at the end, though. Anyone could see what you were doing.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The girl’s voice was a grave whisper. Nearly a hiss.

“You chose a good area, too,” Gar went on regardless. “Lots of distracted loaded pockets around. I bet there’s even some left for me.”

Safe from Over Again (my Teen Titans-Miraculous Ladybug AU, first two chapters found here):

He took in her sarcasm and decided to one-up her. “Hm. You tell your crush you like them yet?”

She groaned, all her coolness gone. “I never should have told you about that.”

“But you did,” he reminded her with a big grin.

And she still didn’t know why. How had she told Beast Boy when she hadn’t even told Kori? She guessed she felt he was safe. Kori might try to set her up with Gar if she knew; it wouldn’t take her long to figure out who her crush was. But Beast Boy was detached from her world—he went to her school, but he couldn’t let her know that.

Look from The tide is full, the moon lies fair (my only She Ra fanfic, a Seamista oneshot, posted here):

He laughed, and it rumbled through his chest. “Really. A small fire. Without me needing to be there?”

“Maybe the venue missed you,” she returned, moving away to look at his face—his handsome face with the jaw and the ridiculously sharp moustache and the hyper-expressive eyes. She’d missed the chance to really look at it, before.

She tilted her head up to kiss him, and the whole world fell into place. To come back into his arms after a long time was a feeling she wouldn’t trade for anything.

And finally, Anger from The Club of Unauthorized Heroes Year 2 (which is published here, but not this bit yet!):

Gar looked back and forth between the faces in the car windows. “Jen?” He turned to Terra, whose face turned from anger to panic when he did.

“You haven’t figured it out yet, slug-face?” taunted Mikron. “Are we gonna have to spell it out for you?”

“Figure out what?” Gar returned. “That you’re Hive? We knew that for ages.”

“Do you wanna tell him?” Baran asked Terra. He was clearly having the time of his life.

[walker-extended-universe]

How does the poker chip fall apart? That’s how his family knew Stan was the killer. August found the matching poker chips in Stan’s house. I’m curious as to your reasoning.

Yes, the poker chip is perfectly logical in that context.

I was referring to why it makes no goddamn sense that no one was able to give Cordell an answer about the origins of the poker chip for almost a year

In 1x01 and 1x02, Cordell is fretting over the meaning behind the poker chip that was found on Emily's body when she died. He thinks it has to mean something, some kind of message from the killer, but no one listens to his concerns. Liam outright tells him to forget about it. Then, we find out from August that the chip was a part of a set that Emily was going to give him for Father's Day and she had it on her because she was showing it to people.

Based on that story, there are multiple people who would have known what the poker chip meant AND who would have known Cordell was worried about it. Stella and August. Geri. Bonham and Abby. Most likely James. Possibly Liam. And yet, all these people, who all KNEW he had questions about it and had ample information and opportunity to tell Cordell that it was nothing to worry about, all decided to just... not tell him and just let him worry over it until August finally tells him when he's on the verge of a breakdown.

They gave us a whole scene where Geri takes Cordell aside and tells him that she's the one that closed Emily's eyes, another detail Cordell had been worrying over. Why couldn't she have told him about the poker chip then? Or, again, literally anyone else?

There's no reason for these people to keep him in the dark. it just makes no sense. It was a pointless mystery. The writers could've very easily written it so that he knew where the chip was from and he just kept it as a special token from her and still have it be what connects Stan to the murder. But, no, let's just try to drive Cordell insane instead -_-

[sainzinnorris]

LOGAN DESERVES HIS SEAT. even like james said earlier, logan's public approval is on the rise , his one lap pace can be quite impressive , he's had good battles , a points finish (unlike de vries) , and as the obvious 2nd driver to albon he's matched if not bettered his pace at times <333

kassie hitting it up with the fact 🫡. but for real, logan has been pushing and actually has gotten a point , the laps he's put out are literally stunning. another year would literally help him improve sm!!!! 💕. literally believe he can do better! he has the potential to do actually push it! 🫶🏾

[therollingstonys]

For Stella: maybe a soft college stevetony fic? Tomorrow is my last final and I need some fluff to celebrate! 💕

Hooray!!! I’ve got my fingers crossed for you that your final goes well!!

This is fluffy and feely, and probably different than you were expecting for soft college stevetony, but I hope you still enjoy it!! Thank you for the prompt!!

Tony groans, long and loud as Steve presses into him strong and true, his muscles shivering and then collapsing into blissful surrender. 

 “Feels good, huh?” 

 Tony opens his mouth to make a snarky remark but all that comes out is another low moan when Steve does it again. 

 Skinny bastard Tony thinks fondly, arching up into Steve’s touch with a weak moan. 

 “Y’know it feels good,” Tony pants, exhaling harshly when Steve pushes down just right. Steve chuckles in response, his deep voice reverberating from behind Tony, rumbling into his skin with how close they’re pressed. 

 “You can thank my ma at Christmas,” Steve teases, “she’s the one who taught me how to do this.”

 Tiny groans as Steve’s thin artist’s fingers dig into his scapula, the sharp pleasure pain of it making him shudder as the knot there unwinds slowly. 

 “I’ll buy her anythin’ she wants,” Tony slurs, dizzy with pleasure. 

 Steve’s strong hands caress his shoulder blades and then push in, thumbs digging into the area around the knobs of his spine and Tony’s vision goes white. 

 He’s drooling into his pillow he notes distantly, slack jawed and groaning like he does when Steve fucks him, and this isn’t far from that—the physics of it aren’t so different, the way Steve moves with purpose, slow and deep pressure applied to his body. 

 “You don’t gotta buy her anything Tones, she loves you for you,” Steve reminds him as his hands slide down the expanse of Tony’s back, rubbing and massaging the muscles as he goes. 

 Tony knows that; he’s been bashfully receiving Sarah Rogers’s affections since freshman year of high school when he and Steve first met and became friends. Now that they’ve been dating for three and a half years, you’d think he’d be used to hearing that she likes him for the person he is, flaws and all, but the lessons learned at his father’s side are hard to shake. 

 He nods loosely and swallows hard, heart in his throat suddenly. “I know,” he whispers, shifting to press his face into his pillow as a few tears leak out. 

 Steve’s bare torso suddenly presses into Tony’s back, warm and thin and strong. Lips press to the sweaty nape of his neck, just behind his ear and he shudders, warring sensations of arousal and a deep yearning for sleep battling inside him. 

 He needs sleep, he knows that—he knew it when he hunkered down in the lab for 37 hours straight because he was desperate to perfect his senior thesis project so that maybe, just maybe his father might look at him with pride. 

 “It’s stupid,” he huffs, sniffling as Steve nuzzles into his damp hair. “He’s not gonna even come,” he murmurs pathetically, heart aching in his chest. 

 Steve hums softly, “You don’t know that,” he murmurs, “I think he’s gonna be there.”

 Tony sighs heavily and shakes his head minutely, “He hasn’t responded to any of my emails about it and Pepper hasn’t confirmed it on his schedule. He’s not coming.”

 Steve presses another kiss to his neck and then another, slowly working his way down, and Tony can’t help the shiver that passes over his skin. 

 “I’m sorry baby,” Steve murmurs, “I wish I could make it better for you.”

 And that? That’s the thing Tony loves the most about Steve—his giant, arrhythmic heart. 

 The number of times he’s sat and listened with a sympathetic ear to Tony’s long winded and emotional speeches about his shitty father are in the hundreds by now, for sure. 

 Steve listens and when asked, offers advice, but mostly, he just nods and smiles sadly and then pulls Tony into his arms for warm and loving kisses. 

 Tears prick at Tony’s eyes and he shifts under Steve, suddenly desperate to see those beautiful blue eyes of his. Steve sits up so Tony can roll over and then laughs brightly when Tony grabs the back of his neck and pulls him down for a searing kiss. 

 “I love you,” he murmurs against Steve’s lips, heart thrumming with delight that he can say that now—that he can declare openly that Steve is someone he loves, someone he adores and wants to spend every day of the rest of his life with. 

 Steve pulls away slightly to press delicate butterfly kisses to Tony’s eyelids, mouth whispering over the arch of his nose and across his cheekbones, over his brow and down his jaw. 

 With each kiss he breathes out, I love you, as though with his words he can heal every broken part of Tony’s heart. 

 Maybe he can. 

 -----------

 Steve watches with pride as Tony presents his final project to the head of the department, the dean of the school, a dozen heads of industry and more than fifty reporters. 

 They murmur excitedly to themselves as Tony explains his arc reactor technology, how it’s self sustaining and can produce enough clean energy in one day to power half of Manhattan. 

 Someone shifts behind him and then there’s a ripple of sound and when he looks up, he finds Howard Stark at his side. 

 He’s looking older, Steve thinks, worn around the edges and weary. 

 He’d feel more sympathy if he hadn’t been the one to see Tony’s bruises as a kid, the one who Tony ran to when his father was in a blind drunk rage, the one he sought out for safety and love. 

 Steve seethes silently for a moment before exhaling slowly and looking away from Howard, turning his attention back to Tony. 

 “He really did it,” Howard murmurs, soft enough that Steve knows it’s not directed at anyone but him. “Didn’t think he had it in him.”

 Steve snorts and looks sideways at the man for a moment, meeting his eyes before shaking his head and looking away. 

 “You disagree?” Howard asks, hands shoving into his trouser pockets, the edge of annoyance in his voice cold and clipped. 

 Steve nods, “Of course. I always knew he could do this—he can do anything he sets his mind to. Except be loved by you, apparently,” he mutters. 

 Howard makes a soft noise and shifts, “You may not believe it Mr. Rogers, but I care for my son. He is my greatest creation.”

 Rage flares in Steve’s belly and he turns to glare up at Howard, hands balled into fists at his sides. “How dare you,” he hisses, “your son is not a creation, he is your child and he deserves more than you just caring about him.” 

 Howard opens his mouth and Steve steps closer, crowding into the man’s space—watching as his eyes go wide with surprise at Steve’s aggressive move. 

 Tony likes to tease that when Steve is angry he’s like a chihuahua—mean and feisty and sharp toothed. 

 “No, shut up,” he snarls, “Tony has sought your approval since he was four years old, desperate for a kind word and a loving embrace, but you couldn’t even spare that much kindness could you?” he snaps. “I doubt you have any goodness in your spirit at all.” 

 Howard’s brows furrow but Steve pushes on, voice low and deadly serious, “He’s going to walk out of here today with twenty different job offers and requests to buy his technology, but you know what’s going to matter to him the most?” he demands. 

 Howard shakes his head tentatively and Steve scoffs, looking him over pointedly. “The fact that you showed up,” he tells him. “So good job, for not letting your son down like you’ve done his entire life.” 

 Howard opens his mouth again and Steve holds up a hand, “Nope I’m still not done,” he says, dark amusement rippling through him at the indignant look on the older man’s face. “When Tony is done, you’re going to tell him he did a good job, tell him you’re proud of him, because even if you don’t care enough to try and actually love him? I do,” he murmurs, “I love him, and you will not ruin this day for him. Do you understand me?” 

 Howard is very still for a moment, dark eyes (Tony’s eyes) searching Steve’s face. 

 And then, he nods. 

 Steve huffs in satisfaction and turns away, focusing his attention back on his beloved. 

 He smiles as Tony talks excitedly about the reactor, nodding and waving his hands as he explains, and when he looks up and sees Howard beside Steve and falters, Steve waves a little and then mouths I love you.

 Tony’s eyes light up and his smile brightens till it outshines even the glow of the reactor, and Steve smiles back, pride and adoration making his heart throb in his chest. 

 The door to the auditorium clangs open and Steve glances over, grinning when he sees his ma hurrying through the crowd towards him in her scrubs. 

 She casts a look at Howard like he’s a beetle under her shoe and then nods politely before turning to Steve for a hug. 

 “Sorry I’m late,” she whispers, “how’s it going?”

 Steve looks back to Tony who has just spotted Sarah if the wide, teary eyed look on his face is any indication, and grins. 

 “It’s going great.”

 ----------- 

 Tony’s hands shake as he reaches for Steve after and he clings to him for just a few more moments than he should, sinking into the embrace as Steve kisses his cheek and then his neck as he whispers praise and rubs his back. 

 Sarah is next, bright blue eyes tired but proud as she hugs him, kisses going to his brow as she too exclaims how proud she is of her boy. 

 He flushes at that, even after all these years. 

 When she steps aside Howard is waiting, a contemplative look on his face as he studies Tony silently. 

 He can feel his shoulders stiffening up and his stomach swoops unpleasantly, body readying itself for yet another rejection. 

 Slowly, Howard extends his hand for Tony to shake, “Good job Anthony,” he murmurs, eyes narrowing when Tony just stares at him in shock. Swallowing hard, Tony nods and takes the hand, mouth dry and tongue heavy. 

 “I’m proud of the work you’ve done,” Howard says, I look forward to seeing what else you can do when you join me at Stark Industries.”

 Shock ripples through Tony and he nods numbly, mumbling out yes sir before Howard nods sharply and turns toward the press, a broad showman’s grin on his face. 

 He’s rooted to the spot, hands numb and chest frozen, till suddenly he’s wrapped in a tight embrace, and his body registers the Steveness of it. 

 His hands clutch at the blue button down shirt Steve’s wearing and he buries his face in Steve’s neck, chest shuddering with a repressed sob. Steve holds him tightly, rubbing his back in large soothing motions till Tony stops shaking and can stand on his own.

 Steve grins at him and cups his cheek, “C’mon super star, more people want to talk to you and then ma and I are taking you to dinner.”

 Tony sniffles and nods, lips quivering as he grins, heart aching happily. 

 He takes Steve’s hand in his and casts his father one last look, wishing that he believed in his declaration of pride but knowing it’s likely nothing more than empty platitudes. 

 Maybe it’s the best Howard will ever be able to do. 

 He doesn’t care anymore, not when he’s got his Brooklyn boy at his side and his ma at his back. 

 He glances at Steve as a group of CEO’s descend on him, eager to try and win him to their companies and loses himself in those gorgeous blue eyes for a moment. 

 Steve grins at him and squeezes his hand, lifting a brow at Tony’s prolonged silent stare. He blushes a little and then turns his attention back to the men and women surrounding him, politely shaking hands and taking business cards as Steve stands like a sentry at his side. 

 He toys with the ring in his pocket as they chatter at him, nodding along and smiling, thinking about how he can’t wait to see Steve’s face when he asks him to marry him. 

 Over the shoulder of one man he sees his father stare at him before he slips out of the room, and Tony lets all his disappointment and lifelong yearning for approval go with him, the burden gone from his shoulders. 

 He glances back at Steve and smiles. 

 He’s got a whole future ahead of him he can’t wait to live. 

[cogentranting]

Thowra (The Animated Adventures of the Silver Brumby)

6/10 in general. Pretty good but I find his gigantic eye unsettling. 4/10 for this particular picture because his neck has been horrifically stretched. To be fair, getting horses' neck proportions correct is one of the hardest parts of drawing them. I WAS going to criticize the fact that he's not silver but I did some googling and that's a whole Thing. So I'll let it go. Also I'm very angry that young me did not know about this series because she would have loved it. Some other requested additions but I'm sparing everyone myself included by putting it under a cut

James Baxter the Horse (Adventure Time) @1-800-hellyeah @stupid-mutt

5/10 it WOULD be a 3/10 for it's horribly misshapen back (though he has a sweet face) but he gets two points for his name alone because in this house we stan James Baxter so he SHOULD name a horse after himself. (I'll grant that he fits perfectly with the Adventure Time aesthetic but. I don't like that aesthetic.)

Wildfire (Wildfire 1986) @unedopinion

11/10 I am TRANSFIXED. The DRAMA. The FLAIR. He screams 80s and I want to live in this world. I love him dearly. I can't tell if he's actually supposed to be purple or if he's just black tinted purple? Either way, glorious.

Majesty (Barbie and Her Sisters in a Pony Tale) @d3v0t3dv1rtualch33s3cak3

A Barbie movie glowup! 7/10. Doesn't horrify me at all!

I didn't look up their names (Horseland) @timeplayed @hollowbeans

7/10 I feel like the length of mane is bit excessive. That looks burdensome. I have questions. Are they dying those streaks in or is this a world where horse manes are just Like That? Also-- and this isn't about the horses persay-- it's giving Liberty's Kids vibes? (edit: looked it up, Andy Heyward worked on both!) Aztec is my favorite.

but

Chili (Horseland)

9/10 I love it. I live for the drama. He deserves a better name because I don't know who in their right mind looks at this horse and says "Chili"

Reginald (All Dogs Go to Heaven) @koala-mama91

I think maybe Don Bluth hates horses because the DOGS in this movie are not... like this. 3/10 He's still got the giraffe hybrid thing going on but he doesn't have human lips like Stella and I'm grateful for that. Also has a better sense of style than Stella.

Marzipan (Barbie in the Nutcracker) @fiveshortgrayblesofmylife

3/10 I dislike this color in a deep, visceral way. If I ignore the color, she's not half bad. good shape. delicate features. Unblinking ice blue eyes that pierce your soul and see your sins. But the COLOR. It reminds me of anatomical drawings showing the musculature of something. I'm sorry to respond to something saying that I was too mean to the Barbie horses by continuing to be mean, but I must be true to my heart. And I did bring this score up from where it started.

Bojack (Bojack Horseman)

6/10 I don't hate it you know.

Rating Non-Disney Animated Horse Designs

I’m back by popular demand/well not really but my optimism’s grand

A sequel to my Disney horse Rating post for all the other random non-Disney horses. Dreamworks, Bluesky, random cartoons, anything I could find. Featuring: Altivo, Spirit, some Barbie horses, and a few abominations.

Horse (Sing)

6/10 I don’t hate it and I feel like I should because it’s really hard to anthropomorphize horses that much without making them into the stuff of nightmares.

Shadowfax (The Lord of the Rings) 

5/10 There’s nothing WRONG with him per se, but it’s SHADOWFAX. Lord of all horses. He should wow me, and he doesn’t. Check out Gandalf’s weird sock-boots though. 

Hervé (Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper) 

-6/10 Horses’ mouths don’t look like that. Horses’ mouths should not look like that. This thing wants to eat human flesh but can’t because it has two solid curved huge teeth with no physical  relationship with its jaw. Also this horse has the beginnings of male-pattern baldness. 

Princess Brietta (Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus)

1/10 Her eyes are flat like they’ve been painted onto her socketless skull. And there’s something very off-putting about this shade of pink. 

Beauty, Merry Legs, Ginger (Black Beauty) 

4/10 Ginger isn’t ginger. That is not a sorrel horse. There’s ONE requirement. Beauty’s the best of the three which is I guess what counts. 

Hans, Klaus and Greta (Ferdinand) 

2/10 I hate them so much. The core design isn’t that bad but the way they move and pose is. No horse should make that face. The one on the left is stretched putty.

The Grand Chawhee (All Dogs Go to Heaven)

I know what you’re thinking– “isn’t that a mule or a donkey of some sort?” No. He’s a racehorse. Maybe a thoroughbred. And it’s his birthday so the other horses let him win. 

9/10

Stella (All Dogs Go to Heaven)

1/10 She gets one point for being nice to Chawhee. But she’s clearly some sort of alien giraffe hybrid. 

Odette’s horse (Swan Princess) 

7/10 Just a nice little palomino design.  

That little shaggy pony (The Quest for Camelot)

12/10 Amazing. Look at the determination.

Buck (Barnyard) 

2/10 See this is what that horse from Sing COULD have looked like. 

The Horse in the Back, Not Klaus But I Couldn’t FInd a Better Picture (Klaus)

9/10 He matches his owner and I respect that

Leah (The Star) 

4/10 This is horse is voiced by Kelly Clarkson. That has nothing to do with her rating, I just thought you should know. 

(Starchaser: The Legend of Orin) 

8/10 for both. I have questions but I do not want answers. It’s better this way. 

Fred (Over the Garden Wall)

7/10 don’t love that his head is a different color than his body in a weird way but he looks neurotic and fun. 

The Chariot Horses (Prince of Egypt)

8/10 I’ve just always liked these guys with their square faces and fun hats. 

Altivo (The Road to El Dorado)

7/10 Look at the little curl in his mane. Good personality. A little too much “Dreamworks Face” 

Donkey in Horse Form (Shrek 2? one of the Shreks) 

3/10 Look at his face. I DREAD what he might have to say. 

Esmeralda, Esperanza, Ernestina (Madgascar 3)

2/10 They’re coming for you. Coming to drag you into the Abyss. 

Police Horse (Madagascar)

7/10 I like his face shape. Compare him to the Madgascar 3 horses– look how much more identifiable as a horse he is. 

Melvin (The Lorax)

10/10 He’s not a horse, but he’s so fluffy I love him. 

Babieca (Puss in Boots)

4/10 This horse has dead eyes. 

Onyx (Rise of the Guardians) 

13/10 She’s the leader of the nightmares and I would fully support her terrorizing the dreams of children. I’m pretty sure she and her mares ate the boogie man. A true Girlboss.

Yi Min (Kung Fu Panda but I think just an online game) 

-20/10 Just from a design perspective there’s far too much going on so it’s hard to even make it all out. Also I would have zero idea that this was a horse if the wiki page didn’t tell me it was. It has split hooves? 

Spirit Jr. (Spirit: Riding Free) 

8/10 Objectively I know the design is good  but my heart rebels against this show’s existence. 

Boomerang Thomas Stone (Spirit: Riding Free) 

8/10 I’m not doing all the horses from this show but I had to throw him in because he’s cute and he has a middle and last name for some reason.

Horse (Centaurworld) 

Why are there two distinctly different designs for her? This one gets a 9/10. The round one is like… a 5. All the other creatures in this show are eldritch abominations that will haunt me in my sleep now. 

Esperanza and all the other horses from this movie (Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron) 

10/10 No notes. Perfect horses. 

Rain (Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron) 

15/10 I don’t have a joke here I just really like the way they differentiated her and made her pretty without too much anthropomorphizing. I like that she has a roman nose.  I like her feather. 

Spirit (Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron)

100/10 He’s everything. He shaped me as a person. No other animated horse can compare. 

[carolmunson]

girls just wanna have fun

a rockstar!eddie x actress!reader / boxer!steve/librarian!gf crossover extravaganza.

Get ready for the FEELINGS train, it’s rolling in! Today’s lesson is on minding your own business before you get your feelings hurt. The girls have a girls day after being bored at the gym and we learn a little something about everyone here in crossover land. God forbid I ever write a real happy ending and if you didn’t want Boxer!Steve and Actress!Wife to fuck, you might by the end of this crossover. (One day I’ll write Rockstar!Eddie smut, I promise.) To get the full effect, please listen to Madi Davis’s cover of ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ near the middle to the end. It’s what I listened to on a loop while I wrote this. For context, I might recommend reading ‘Not Givin’ It Up’ part one and part two but long story short, Rockstar Eddie and Actress Wife separated for half a year after a lot of promises of Eddie getting clean and always coming up short. He’s semi sober now, just not doing opiates and we are PROUD OF HIM! I’m not a huge Y/N girl, so for all purposes I’ve inserted the name Stella for actress!wife and Libby for librian!GF as approved by @rollergirlworld​ who also helped me in the creation of this crossover! WORD COUNT: 9k+ WARNINGS: Swearing, controlling behavior, addiction and drug mention, fighting (boxing), blood, sexual innuendo, some sexy shower stuff but no sex. All around sadness but plenty of cuteness – we stan the girls. Lastly, there’s definitely some mistakes in here and I don’t care. Also, if you’re under 18, don’t read my content.

The drive was longer than you’d hoped, traffic was unbearable, you were sweating — and now you had to go sit in a boxing gym and watch two stupid boys work out and box for who knows how many stupid hours. Your only saving grace was getting to spend a couple days at the beach house and getting to see Steve Harrington’s little woman. The sun beat down on the convertible, a dark cherry red ‘71 Jaguar. It was a gift from Eddie on your twenty-fifth birthday, which was only a little funny because you never really got to drive it.

“Was this secretly a gift for you?” you asked, sliding into the passengers seat to head to your birthday party. “What?” he feigned offense, but he knew you were right, “No, of course not, baby. You just look so good in red.” You rolled your eyes at the lie, but still let a laugh sneak out between your teeth. Today, you wished he hadn’t put the top down, it was too humid. It had been a drizzly month and the rain felt trapped in the air even with the sun out. Thick, sticky, and unforgiving even with the wind whipping your faces. Eddie on the other hand loved watching your hair fan out behind you on the high way. He loved your little squint you made before you’d put your sunglasses on. Big, vintage cateye ones he snagged for you at a big flea market somewhere in Massachusetts on an east coast tour. “Said they were from the 60s, surprised how cheap they were,” he said, passing them to you in the case, “They got a lot of weight to them. I liked the little engravings on the inside. Kinda cool, right?” “I love the tortoise print,” you said, folding them over in your hands. He always rambled when he thought you weren’t going to like something – when the gift wasn’t extravagant. When he was nervous you were going to think something was stupid. It couldn’t be further from the truth of course, there wasn’t anything he could get you or find for you that you would think was stupid. The case balancing on your thigh toppled to the ground. Before you could think, he bent down to pick it up. “You were saying in New York you wanted a pair like that, so – I did my best,” he smiled, still squatting and letting his hand rest on your knee. You tried them on and he dramatically put a hand to his chest, toppling over just like the glasses case. “Oh baby, you’re killin’ me,” he said from the floor, “You look so pretty.” That had been a good day until he got arrested for indecent exposure and public intoxication outside of Rainbow bar. You pleaded with the cops to let him go, that he was just too fucked up and you’d take him home – he didn’t mean anything by it. Eddie couldn’t keep his mouth shut though, “Fuckin’ pigs,” pouring out of his lips in a haze while the cuffs got tighter on his wrists. You bailed him out later and he passed out in the back seat of the Chevrolet, liqour on his tongue and coaine residue still on his nose. You used all of your strength training to help carry his dead weight to bed – only making it to the couch in the main first floor sitting room and covering yourselves up with a cashmere blanket. You kept him on his side and stayed up the whole night rubbing his back until he woke up and ran to the bathroom to puke – starting your day with a cocktail of ibuprofen and electrolytes. You were jostled out of your memory when the car pulled into the gym’s parking lot. You noticed the condominiums that Steve and his little woman lived in were merely steps away. Made sense, you guessed, since he had to train so often – even if they were only here for a few months out of the year. “You okay, sweet thing?” Eddie asked, taking the keys out of the ignition. He reached out to rub your shoulder but you pulled out of his grasp, getting out of the car. The vintage white tennis dress you wore suddenly felt suffocating even while the skirt of it flounced at the tops of your thighs. “Hey,” Eddie said, coming around to your side of the car. His tone changed, more worried while he tried to scan your features through your sunglasses, “Baby, you alright?” You took a deep breath through your nose and nodded while taking your sunglasses off. You reached into your purse and put them back in the case, “I’m okay, Ed.”   He reached over your seat and pulled his gym bag out from behind it, slinging it over his shoulder. His wife beater riding up showing off the top of his black shorts and his tight stomach – a smattering of hair trailed down past the band. “You upset with me?” he asked, putting his hand back on your shoulder. He could feel how tense you were under his touch. You both had been practicing being more communicative about your feelings after he got clean. He knew he had a long way to go, that you didn’t owe him forgiveness all the time. He’d beg you to tell him what you were thinking about when you got distant so you could talk it through. He wanted to hear you be mad at him, ‘It’s not healthy to hold that in baby, you gotta tell me. It’s okay if it hurts my feelings, I hurt your feelings first.’ “Just thinking about something from before,” you confessed. He put his gym bag on the pavement, touching the edge of his Converse to the edge of your sandals, your perfectly manicured toes looking so different from his beat up sneakers. “You wanna talk about it?” he asked, eyes so gentle on you that you’d tell him the sky was red if he asked. The way he’d throw away everything to hear one word come out of your mouth. “It doesn’t matter, it was in the past,” you shake your head but he doesn’t buy it. He reaches forward to brush some stray hairs out of your face, his calloused fingers grazing your cheek. “It does matter,” his tone gets serious but his touch is soft, “Don’t say that shit to me, Stell. It does matter if it’s making you upset.” “I was thinking about one of those nights outside of Rainbow,” you mumbled, looking down at both of your shoes. Your arms instinctively crossed across your chest, a habit Eddie caught you developing when you talked about something that made you uncomfortable – like you wanted to protect yourself from the memory. “The night I gave you those glasses?” he asked, nodding down to your purse, “I remember.” You laugh a little, “I’m surprised. You were so fucked up.” Eddie laughed back with you, your smile making his chest swell and his breath catch in his throat a little. He could never get over how sometimes it felt like he was talking to you for the first time all over again. “Come here, pretty girl,” his voice was a little gruff while he wrapped his arms around you, squishing your crossed arms against your chest. “It’s okay to still be mad about that,” he ran a hand soothingly on your back, “I’m still mad at me, too.” “It feels stupid,” you said into his chest. “It’s not stupid,” he said, “Whoever is telling you it’s stupid? Is stupid.” You moved back from his grasp and smiled up him, his boyish toothy grin shining down at you, “You’re stupid.” “You’re stupid,” he challenged back before peppering your face in kisses. The way he knew would make you giggle. “You here to box or you here to kiss cheerleaders under the bleachers, Munson?” Big, Steve’s trainer, was at the entrance door, “He’s gonna be pissed that you’re late.” “By two minutes, you serious?” Eddie hoisted his gym bag up over his shoulder again, reaching for your hand for you to follow into the lobby. Low and behold, there’s King Steve, broody as ever refilling his water bottle. It was clear he trained before this with Big, waiting for his chance to train Eddie after – almost like a pre-game to get the rest of his rage out. Sweat glistened on his shoulders and biceps, down his defined chest. You couldn’t help but feel your cheeks burn a little at the sight of him, boorish but so hot. You would’ve had a poster of him if you were still a teenager in Syracuse. Even just shy of an inch shorter, he loomed big and powerful over Eddie when he approached him. He stared at Eddie down the slope of his nose, “You’re here on my time, Munson. If she’s gonna be a distraction, she can go.” Eddie’s arm protectively reaches for you to pull you in. Steve doesn’t even look at you while he says it.You started to understand why Eddie didn’t like him. Never a kind word to spare anyone except – “Wait! Wait, before you go to the locker room!” Ms. Harrington burst out of the gym doors with a book in her hand getting between Eddie and Steve, “Here.” Eddie took the book, smiled, and looked down at Libby who was gasping to catch her breath after running the length of the gym, “Night Things, Michael Talbot – kind of freaky like Labyrinth but scarier.” “Fitting, considering how much you remind me of the babe,” he sing-songed while fishing a different book out of his gym bag. He ignored Steve’s clenched jaw, but you notice his hands ball to fists by his sides. “Preferred The Elementals, but Babylon was okay – 4 stars,” Eddie said, passing the book back to Libby. She cradled the copy of Cold Moon over Babylon to her chest. “Fair review. I totally agree,” she said, now walking back into the gym with Steve following close behind her, “I’ll try to pull something more Tolkien next time.” “If it’s from you hot stuff, I know it’ll be g–OOF!” You watched it happen in slow motion even with how swift it was. Steve sent a hard jab to Eddie’s abs without warning, sending him hunched over. You stifled a laugh even though you did feel bad, that had to hurt. “That was bare knuckle man, that’s not ever fair,” Eddie gasped, holding onto the door frame, “Holy shit, dude.” Steve didn’t respond, just put his arm around Libby and walked her further into the gym. She turned her head around and mouthed, “Sorry!” to you, but she had nothing to apologize for. “You gotta get a hold of yourself, Munson,” you teased, rubbing your hand on his back while he stood back up to full height, “You okay, handsome?” “I’ll be fine,” he said, stretching out a little, putting the new book in his bag. “Plus, I got a real hot nurse to take care of me at home,” he winked, reaching for her hand again, holding it until they got to the locker room. You watched him disappear behind the double doors with a frown. The leather was stiff on the benches by the ring, you and Miss Harrington sat there with a magazine in your hands while the boys sparred. Sharing eye rolls to each other while they argued over whether Eddie could block or if Steve was just taking cheap shots. (If you’re wondering, Steve was just taking cheap shots.) You watched them for a minute, wincing while Eddie got a right hook to the face – not hard enough to break the skin but hard enough to send him into the ropes. “If you don’t keep your hands up…” Steve started, pulling him off the ropes, “You’re gonna get a concussion.” “Ugh, so right, don’t wanna end up like you,” Eddie loved a sassy retort, spitting blood out into the bucket in the corner of the ring. Eddie put his gloves up in time to block the next roll of punches toward his face. “Y’know his right hook is getting really good,” Libby said from behind her magazine, “He’s a natural at jabs.”

“I don’t know what that means,” you frowned, “But his backhand is getting really good, I can tell you that.” Libby’s nervous giggle floats out from behind the glossy pages in front of her. “Do you always just sit here and watch him practice? Don’t you get bored?” you asked. You hoped she’d say yes so you’d feel less guilty about being bored yourself, you’d already counted the flourescent lights over your head four times. “Oh! Um…” Lib looked at you, then back to the ring where Steve looked over at her. “I’m gonna go get my nails done I think, you should come! My treat,” you offer, “You deserve a break.” “Ah..um, okay, yeah,” she agreed, sliding her Keds back on and leaving the magazine on the bench behind her. “HEY!” Steve’s voice boomed across the gym even though you were only twenty feet away at most. Steve looked menacing, breath flaring out of his nostrils like a bull ready to strike, his eyes fixed on his girl. “Sit back down,” he spat, words coated in dominance, “Where d’you think you’re wanderin’ off to, angel?” “I’m taking her to get her nails done,” you stepped in front of Libby, feeling responsible for her safety. The way he looked at her made you feel uneasy, but you’d been around types like him before.   “I didn’t ask you,” he barked, “I asked my woman.” “Woah man, don’t talk to my wife like that,” Eddie yelled coming up behind him, only stopped by a quick gloved jab to the chest. “Shut the fuck up Munson,” Steve turned his attention back to Libby, his voice softening, “Sit back down, honey.” “I think I’m gonna go, Stevie. I’ll be back soon!” she squeaked out, grabbing your arm and taking off in a scurry with you out of the gym. You heard Steve’s exasperated sigh, a stern ‘Learn how to fuckin’ block,’ before the squeak of their sneakers disappeared behind the gym doors. “Whew! Y’know, I just stay cause there’s nothing else to do,” she confessed, a little embarrased. “Not a bad view, I guess. Surpised you didn’t just sit back down,” you said with a little shiver, “With that voice? I would’ve.” “Oh his big bad man act? Please,” she scoffed, adjusting her glasses, “He just wants me to be around to give him a kiss when he’s done.” “We’ll get you back in time for that,” you tossed her a wink, Libby blushing the same way she does when Eddie tells her she’s cute. The air outside is still hot and sticky and with a huff to your banfgs you put the top back up on the Jaguar. “Let’s take my car,” you call over while Libby steps over to their Caddilac. “Steve said it’s a death trap,” she’s nervous to let go of the Caddy’s handle, you can tell she’s thinking about all the things he doesn’t want her to do. “He thinks it’s a death trap because Eddie drives it,” you laughed, “It’s my car. He wouldn’t have bought it for me if he thought I’d get hurt in it, Lib.” “He bought you this car?” she asked, her eyes wide like saucers. Her hand fell to her side from her car’s handle. “He can’t stop buying me cars,” you groaned, popping into the drivers seat and leaning over to open her door, “Don’t act surprised. Didn’t Steve buy you a whole house in Indiana?” “I mean yeah, but that’s our house,” she blushed, bouncing into the passengers seat. The white leather sticking to the backs of her thighs, “It’s for our future. Y’know he wants to open a gym over there? For kids?” “Why? So he can grind their bones to make his bread?” you asked, putting a hand behind her head rest to pull out of the lot. “So sorry, it’s like Ed just spoke through me,” you said, feeling guilty at the joke, but Libby laughed all the same. Her eyes lingered on you, like she couldn’t believe that you looked graceful in everything you did. “No, no, don’t be sorry. He wants to help out kids who were like him,” she explained, “He likes rye bread anyway. I don’t think children come in rye flavor.” “You better hope not,” you laugh back with her, quickly hitting the street to find the closest nail salon. – The scent of acetone was comforting, more so than the plastic, sweat, and blood that filled the gym. You had already gotten started, resting your chin on your other hand while the manicurist filed off your acrylics. You watch Libby nervously look over the wall of nail polishes, reaching out to finger a hot pink bottle only to second guess herself. “Why don’t you do the same red as me?” you asked, “We can match. It’s Malaga Wine.”

Libby turned and smiled, “I’d love to but I just don’t think Steve would like it. He’s already upset that I left.” You huffed to yourself: Steve this, Steve that. You’d rather die than let Eddie have that much influence over your day to day life. It’s supposed to be a girls day. “I think I’ll just get a french,” she meekly told the manicurist leading her to her station. “A french will be so pretty,” you encouraged. You could tell she wasn’t used to this, being told to pick for herself. Being out and about without Steve to hover over her. She kept looking over her shoulder, maybe not in fear but in uncertainty that she was never making the right choice. With Steve, she never had to worry about it, he’d make the decision for her. “So what’s it like,” Libby asked, getting seated at the station next to you, “Being with a rockstar? I feel like I’ve never gotten to sit and chat with you about it.” “Um,” you guessed, “Unpredictable.” “He keeps me on my toes,” you went on, “Total nut case cassanova, but stuttered for thirty minutes on our first date because I was ‘so overwhelming’. At least that’s what he told me.” “He loves you, talked about you all the time at the gym,” she said, “Talked to me a lot about how to get you back when you were away. Which like, was totally justified by the way. Totally on your side.” “I think he just wanted to talk to you,” you were being honest, “He thinks you’re too precious.” Libby’s face was as red as the nail polishes on the wall, a small collection of sweat beading up under her tied up, pre-faded, blue Malibu t-shirt which definitely had been Steve’s before she stole it. She swung her legs on the chair, her white Keds with white socks tucked neatly under them dragging against the bright white tile of the salon.

“And you don’t have to take sides, we both made a lot of mistakes,” you said, never wanting to fully blame Eddie. It was a disease, you had to keep reminding yourself of that. It’s not who he is, it’s who the drugs wanted him to be.

“Does Eddie like red on you?” she asked inching away from the subject. “I like red on me,” you said confidently, “If I like it, Ed loves it. I think that’s why we work out so well. Do you like red on you?” “Y-yeah,” she stammered, “But I don’t know, Steve’s always liked it when I’ve gotten a French done. He always says something about my ‘pretty hands’ when I get a manicure like this.” You guessed it was probably when she was giving him handies in hotels. “Get red for me, next time,” you smirked, “Tell Steve to fuck off.” “Okay, okay, next time I’ll get red,” she nodded, “Just for you, Stell.” “How’re you liking Malibu?” you asked, switching hands over. “It’s um, it’s nice? We walk the beach a lot since we’re so close.” “Just the beach?” “I mean, we’ll drive into LA every now and again and he’ll take me shopping but – otherwise we’re not here long enough for us to go do any real exploring outside of the gym.” “Why don’t you meet up with some friends while he’s training? Have them show you around?” “I don’t…” her voice trailed before she could finish her sentence. Her shoes stopped swinging against the tile slowly until they came to a complete stop. “Next time you’re here for a stretch, if I’m not working on something – give us a ring. We’ll show you the ropes,” your voice was warm, doing your best to soothe her through words. You knew the feeling of being in a new place with no one to run to but at least you didn’t have a five foot ten middle weight on your back the whole time. “That’d be nice.” You spent the rest of the appointment talking about each of your favorite hotels around the country, which ones Eddie is banned from, and where you can get the best mimosas. Giggling up a storm and taking shots at the boys every chance you could, you felt a smidge of normalcy you hadn’t felt in a while. Like when you’d go home to upstate New York and have a girls day with your mom and sisters. Libby protested for the entirety of you paying her her manicure, not even noticing the bulky silver chain attatched to the wallet you pulled out. Eddie never let you go anywhere without all of his cards and cash, “What’s mine is yours, sweet thing.” If he thought for a second you’d paid for your nails with your own money he’d fall into a fury that would rival Steve’s. “I got it, I got it,” you hushed her, “Technically Eddie’s got it, but I got it.” You passed her a fifty dollar bill to tip her manicurist and took out another fifty for yours, Ed’s words from your second date ringing in your ears every time you got a tip ready. “I’d lose my shit if someone even left me two bucks when I was bussing at The Hideout, so I’m always tipping everyone a bunch of money. I mean, I have more of it than I can spend so why wouldn’t I give it to everyone I know, y’know? You never know whose going home to a trailer park like me.” Your next stop was a little cafe you’d frequent every time you were staying at the beach house, cozying up across from eachother in a booth away from the main street windows for privacy. Sure, it was normal to be stared at and you knew Libby was used to it, too. But sometimes, you just wanted to eat a croissant without The Sun talking about how much you love carbs. “Can I get a vanilla latte, please?” you asked, “And a chocolate croissant if you have any left over, I know it’s later in the day.” “I think have a few left, I’ll just make sure. Is almond okay if we don’t have any chocolate?” “Almond is great. Actually, can you just pack me up an almond one either way? My husband loves them,” you gushed. “We know. Eddie finds a way to clear us out every time he visits,” the waitress laughed with a knowing look, writing down the order and looking at Libby, “What can I get you, dear?” “Um, just a coffee is fine – decaf,” she said, pressing her glasses up on her face again. You weren’t much older than her, but she had a way about her that made her seem younger. Wide eyed, like the world was so new. “Anything else?” “No, no, just the decaf. Thank you so much,” she beamed. “Don’t like coffee? I’m so sorry, I should’ve asked where you might’ve wanted to go,” you said, your shoulders sulking. “Oh no, no, I do! It’s just, it’s after twelve and Steve doesn’t like when I –” “Enough about Steve. About what Steve likes, about what Steve wants,” you’re surprised by the short fuse of anger on your tongue, but this was getting ridiculous. “Do you ever get to be yourself? Do you ever get to be Libby?” She shuddered out a sigh, her cheeks reddening. Libby toyed with the frayed edge of her Levi cut offs, “We put green tile in the kitchen.” “But you can’t paint your nails red?” you asked, exasperated, “I mean, Christ Lib, you can pick out kitchen tiles but you can’t have more than one glass of champagne at a New Years Eve party?” “It’s not like that,” she said, sweat beading at her hairline. “Then what’s it like? I mean, he’s got you wrapped around his finger I’m – I’m like – I’m sort of worried about you,” you offer your hands to her over the table, she takes them. Warm and soft after her manicure, her French tips glinting in the low light of the cafe with your red ones. “I know this is so cliche, but it’s just…how he is?” she shakes her head trying to come up with a better explaination, “I know it’s because he loves me.” “Love shouldn’t come with so many rules, Libby,” you urged, sounding like an older sister begging her to see the light. “They aren’t, that’s the thing. They’re just suggestions and I…I like following them,” she blushed a little, “He just makes me feel so…safe? When we’re in Hawkins it’s so different y’know? I have all my friends there, I go out and have girls nights, we do all the things we’d do if I was still around. Here I’m just…I’m just Harrington’s ‘little woman’.” You see her deflate at the title, you didn’t ever have to worry about those things. You were never ‘Eddie Munson’s Wife,’ in fact, it was more common for him to be listed as your husband. “You’re Libby to me,” you assured, “You’re my friend.” “I am?” she asked. “Of course you are,” you let go of her hands while the waitress put your coffees in front of you, a chocolate croissant on a plate placed in the center of the table. Another waitress came over with a bag of almond croissants with ‘Eddie Munson Stash’ written on it and you could barely stifle a laugh. “On the house,” they said while you tucked the bag next to you. “No! No, not all these croissants, he’d kill me if I just took them,” your smile was blinding. “He’s been paying in advance all year, trust me, it’s fine,” she said back to you, “Enjoy, please!” The women walked over to their other tables and you made quick work of ripping the croissant in half and holding it in front of Libby, “Here, they’re to die for.” “Also this,” you said, swapping your coffees, “Best vanilla latte on the West Coast, I can’t have you miss out.” Libby hesitates, taking the croissant and eyeing the latte. “C’mon Lib,” you smirked at her again, “Have a little fun.” “Yeah? I should, right?” she said, seeking your reassurance. “Right! Fuck Steve!” you laughed, cheersing your pastry halves. “Fuck Steve!” Libby’s smile was so broad you could’ve sworn it hurt her cheeks, but it was sweeter than the croissant melting on your tongue. You put the top back down when you got in the Jaguar together, making use of the upgraded sound system and not being shy about it. “OH! I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY!” “I WANNA FEEL THE HEAT WITH SOMEBODY!” “WITH SOME BODY WHO LOVES ME!”

Did either of you sound like Whitney? Of course not, but all of Malibu was going to hear you both screaming it out of the car and down the freeway to make it back to the gym. You drove too fast and made too quick turns just to watch her squeal and and laugh while clutching the side of the car when your tires skidded to stop. “DON’T YOU WANNA DANCE? WITH ME, BABY.” “DON’T YOU WANNA DANCE? WITH ME, BOY.” “HEY DON’T YOU WANNA DANCE? WITH ME, BABY.” “WITH SOMEBODY WHO LOVES ME!” “Don’t you wanna dance, say you wanna dance, don’t you wanna dance?” you both kept singing after the ignition turned off only to realize you might’ve only sounded good with Whitney’s vocals booming over yours. You both laughed with eachother in the parked car, catching your breath before sliding out of the white leather seats and back onto the pavement. Libby’s hand was still soft in yours when you made it back into the gym, your other hand clutching the bag of almond croissants. The boys perked in the ring, both sitting in opposite corners, shirtless and sweating. “I got the good stuff, baby,” you called, waving it over your head. “Fuuuuck me, yes,” he called from his stool, “You’re so good to me.” “Hi Stevie,” Libby said, letting go of your hand to run to the corner Steve was sat at. He knelt down, putting his head through the ropes to lean down and kiss her. You watched her show him her nails and the knowing look he gave her after he saw them. ‘Pretty hands, angel.’ “You almost done?” you asked, putting a hand on one of the ropes by his calf. Eddie looked down at you and nodded, squatting to meet your eye. “Missed you,” he said, a sweet smile on his face, looking at you through his eye lashes. “I missed you, too, baby,” you cooed, flouncing over to the bench from before. “Gotta be careful in that dress, sweet thing,” he said after you, “You know what you’re doin’ to me.” You turned your head back to him over your shoulder, tossing him a little ‘Who me?’ look. He blushed immediately, but the distraction might’ve been to his detriment – Steve was right, you should’ve stayed home. Before the last round even fully started, Eddie was on the ground with a split above his eyebrow that could’ve given Steve’s a run for his money. “Fuck, FUCK,” Eddie called out, ripping his gloves off, holding his forehead with blood pouring out through his fingers. Steve laughed, “All day Munson, I’ve been beggin’ you to learn how to block head shots. You listenin’? Got a brain under all that hair?”   “Fuck off, man, Christ,” he glowered, “Bell didn’t even ring and you went the fuck in.” “Gotta be prepared, Munson,” he shrugged, pulling his own gloves off to reveal taped hands, slinging the gloves over his shoulder. He hops out of the ring and calls Libby over, only she looks a little unnerved. “I don’t think she knows how to fix that,” she says to Steve. “Not our problem,” Steve furrows his brow while guiding her to the locker room but she stops before they get through the door. “Well I was gonna invite them come over for a late lunch but I think we should get him to the house to get him fixed up. I saw how hard you hit him,” Libby was urgent and he couldn’t say no to her. Those sweet saucer eyes, her ache to help others – she really was his better half. Steve ran a hand over his face, “Yeah, yeah, fine.” Libby met eyes with you, “We’ll meet you at the house, I know just how to take care of stuff like that,” she nods toward Steve, “Have a lot of practice.” – The townhouse they have is nice, and clearly recently renovated – in some way still smelling like fresh paint and leather apholstery. “I was gonna make sandwhiches but I really think I gotta take him to the bathroom,” Libby said, looking over at Eddie in the kitchen who was looking particularly white. Back in his regular rockstar get up, shorts and tank back in gym bag hell where they belonged. “I can make sandwhiches, Libby,” you smiled, shoving Eddie lightly towards your little librarian, “Take him.” “Oof, hellllooo nurse!” he said when they were partly down the hall, disappearing into the bathroom. “Keep that door open!” Steve called down the hall, sitting roughly on one of the barstools on the island. His sunglasses pressed hard against his forheaed. “Like a couple of fuckin’ teenagers,” he grumbled to himself.

“Oh, Steve, stop, they’re just playing around,” you said, trying to keep your tone as light as possible. You opened the state of the art fridge to find all the cold cuts and condiments and setting them on the counter.   Steve ignores your attempt at friendly conversation, “Breads in the cupboard on the right.” You realize quickly that he’s just going to watch you make sandwhiches. – “Okay, just sit down, I got you,” Libby soothed, wetting a face cloth and wiping all the excess blood away from his forehead. She was gentle while he sat on the edge of the toilet seat cover. “Can you hold that there for second?” she asked, putting his hand over the face cloth. “For you? Anything,” he teased, watching her reaching under the sink and pull out a first aid kit and he clicked his tongue. “Aw c’mon sweet thing, all those bandages?” he asked, his hand motioning toward the gauze and medical tape she was placing by the sink. “What do you mean? What’s wrong with that?” she asked, looking back at him. “Baby, there’s other ways to make a man feel better. That’s all I’m saying,” he shrugged, his cool voice making her shiver, “Shame you gotta do it the right way.” Like clock work she covered her face, making him grin. “I get it though, he’s right down the hall. Don’t want him to hear us,” he egged on, “Maybe next time.” Libby, barely breathing at this point, takes the face cloth out of his hand and tosses it in the hamper at the edge of the sink counter. She holds one hand over his eye leaving the cut exposed, and the other holds an antiseptic spray about two inches away.

“Ah, shit,” Eddie hissed. The sting of the cut cleansing spray hurt more than he hoped. The stingy burn of it pooling from his eyebrow, mixing with blood, and dripping down to his eye. Libby caught it with gauze before it got to his tear duct, so used to this routine after Steve’s fights. “Sorry!” her voice was high and gentle, nerves clear on her tongue, “I’m so sorry.” “It’s okay, sweet thing,” Eddie said, his fingers gently reaching out to graze the side of her thigh in comfort, “You’re jus’ doin’ your job.” “You’re getting good,” she said, trying to bring the conversation to boxing so she could ignore his hand on her thigh. “Your jabs are starting to look like Steve’s,” she enthused, but frowned at the cut over his brow, it hadn’t quite stopped bleeding. Libby turned to grab more gauze, pressing it up against his forehead with a pressure she knew all too well. “Stell said your backhand was getting good, too,” she blushed at her boldness to say something so saucy, but two could play at whatever game he was always playing.  He laughed, a soft little ‘too cool for school’ chuckle, pressing the tip of his tongue behind his top teeth. “Did she?” he asked, his voice salacious and syrupy. “Not like, in the face right?” she blurted out, “Oh my God, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to ask that. I don’t know why that came out.” His chuckle got deeper, smooth and dark like seude, “No, no, never in the face. Just a couple on her ass.” Libby blushed, shaking her head, embarrassed at the information. Eddie rolled with her giddy response, unable to ignore his fondness for her bubbling in his throat. “Only when she’s been a bad girl,” he said, looking up at her, his fingers gently moving hers away from his forehead so he could hold the gauze that was soaked through with blood, “You’d know all about that, huh?” She fell into a peal of nervous giggles when he winked at her with his good eye, causing a booming ‘HEY!’ from Steve to ring down the hall. “Ope! Oops, totally forgot, no smiling. We can’t have any fun at all,” Eddie joked, zipping his lips and tossing the key behind him. “No fun at all,” she whispered back with a smile, reaching back to get more gauze only to see that they were out, “Oh shoot, let me grab a couple of paper towels. I’ll be back in a second!” “Don’t go wanderin’ too far, angel,” Eddie said, mimicking Steve’s gruff cadence. “Stop it,” she said with a laugh, turning back to scold him from the door frame, “I’ll be back. Don’t pass out.” “I’ve had worse,” he he sing songed while she walked down the hall. He had had worse – woken up with cuts and slices from some unknown source, praying he didn’t have tetanus. Concussions from falling down flights of stairs drunk on absinthe. Face planting on the sidewalk after a long night at the strip club putting who knows what up his nose. Dick still works, he’d say to himself when he’d wake up hung over and covered in a litter of bumps and bruises. “Hi!” Libby beamed at you and Steve while bouncing into the kitchen. You saw her flushed face, knowing Eddie was in that bathroom working his charm on her. He could never helpself around a nervous girl with a pretty face, she was so easily flustered. Libby’s face fell when she noticed tension in the room, slowly pulling paper towels off the roll. “Everything okay in here?” she asked, seeing the finished sandwhiches on the counter and you leaning silently up against the counter. “Sure is, angel,” Steve said with a warm smile, nursing a cup off coffee – he hadn’t offered to make her one, “You behavin’ yourself in there?” “Steve,” she said with a blush and an eye roll. He reached out to pull her in by the waist while she walked by, holding her close to him while he sat back on the stool. You watched him lean in to kiss her, his arm protective around her, his hand closing over her waist. He kissed her like he was claiming her, the grip on his coffee cup transferring to cup her cheek. You turned away towards the sink, grabbing yourself a glass of water. Their kiss felt like it was supposed to be private. As if Steve wanted it to make you uncomfortable. You heard them separate and a little yelp come from her mouth when he smacked her ass as she went back into the hallway. Always had to claim what’s his. You rolled your eyes, still staring at the backsplash and sipping your water. You started cleaning up, hearing Libby and Eddie’s giggles from down the hall, trying not to giggle yourself. God he was insatiable. You turned back around, seeing Steve’s clenched jaw and the way he gripped the mug in front of him. “Lighten up, Steve,” you said, not even trying to be nice anymore. He hummed, drumming his fingers on counter. “You don’t let her have any fun, of course she’s gonna find it where she can get it,” you said, crossing your arms, “I think I’m plenty fun,” he said lazily. “You know what I mean,” you said, “No caffeine after twelve while you’re sitting here nursing a double shot espresso? I mean for fuck’s sake she was afraid to get her nails painted. Who makes their girlfriend feel like that?”

“You sayin’ I don’t know how to treat my girl?” he snapped, a hand coming down flat and hard on the white quartz of the island. “You’re her whole life, Steve. Every decision she makes rides on you think it’s the right one. Like – damn, y’know? She can take care of herself, is all I’m saying,” you said, still trying to remain sure in your voice while packaging the cold cuts back up. His harshness made you flinch, cold sweat collected at the back of your neck under your hair.

Steve breathed a small laugh out of his nose, “You would say that.”

“What do you mean?” you said, half way in the fridge, “I would say that?”

“Because you take care of yourself,” he said, “You don’t let Munson take care of you.” His tone was matter of fact, like he knew everything about the both of you from such a short time together.

“He takes care of me just fine,” you huff.

“Don’t think he was doing much of that when you left him for me to clean up.” “I didn’t leave him for you to clean up, I didn’t even know he was gonna call you,” you glared, slamming the fridge closed, “And who the fuck are you anyway? He started boxing to work his shit out. All your shit’s still there and you’re fighting every week.” “Oh, ho, ho, there she is,” Steve breaks out in a bitter smile, the agrumentative side of him revving up for a fight. You’re annoyed at him enoying getting a rise out of you, but you’re never one to let it go until you’ve had the last word, “America’s sweetheart with a mouth like a sailor, color me surprised.” “Oh, shut up,” you rolled your eyes, so used to the same comeback from scuzzy men who’d hear you swear at a bar, “Don’t avoid what I said. You got Libby shaking in her boots every time she’s out and about without you. That’s not okay Steve, she shouldn’t be so scared of making you upset. Like i said, you gotta let her have a little fun or you’re gonna lose her.” Steve didn’t like that, you insinuating that she’d leave him if he didn’t let up. He was done pushing your buttons, now he was gonna just get mean. “You wanna tell my girl to go have fun? She can have all the fun she wants, who am I to stop her? But you, Stell, you? You havin’ fun?” He squared his shoulders towards you, hands talking with him while he spoke. He justs his chin towards you while he asks. “Of course,” you say, but your face and the catch in your throat betray you. “Yeah?” his voice is filled with mock concern and certainty, “You havin’ fun when he comes home late? When you gotta bail ‘im outta jail? Don’t know where he’s been or who he’s been hangin’ out with? Whose ass he’s grabbin’ at the bar after he’s done doin’ lines? You havin’ fun when the budgets not matchin’ up and he’s lookin’ a little thin? When he stays in Malibu to train a little longer than usual?” “Stop…” you start, choking on your words. Steve got up, predator to prey, on a roll now, taking slow steps toward you as your press yourself harder against the counter while he gets in your face. He knows he’s right by the way you’re reacting, and with the day he’s had and the giggles from down the hall, he can’t wait to hit more nails on the head. “And why do you think that is, Stell?” he cocks his head the the side, hair coming with him, “Think it’s cause you kept lettin’ him come back every time he fucked up? Cryin’ on his lap like a kicked puppy, beggin’ him to be better for you? Please. Should’ve cut ‘im off for good – now he thinks he can do whatever he wants. How long you think he’s gonna stay clean this time, hm? What happens when you get that late night call, Stella? And you’ll take him right back, won’t you?” “I…” you were at a loss for words, his voice was tight and hard. He scared you. Even with his sunglasses on you could see the tension in his face while he glared through you. His scent like Christmas time and blood, it filled you, it made it hard to breathe. “Keep letting him get away with murder, and you wonder why you’re not sleepin’? Oh yeah, he told me and Libby all about it. Never sleeping, tense all the time. And he can’t imagine why, right? Cause he’s all better now? I know you know better. So be honest with me, huh Stell?” He reached up to peer down at you from behind his glasses, his amber eyes wicked while they met yours – a cool smirk on his face, the tip of his tongue flicking quickly against the inside flesh of his cheek, “You havin’ fun, angel?” You couldn’t hold it in anymore, breaking down into a wracking sob in front of him – something you hated doing, rarely crying outside of acting. At least not in front of people like Steve. He strolled backed to his stool on the island, putting his sunglasses back over his eyes, the sound of you crying perking up a brewing headache. Eddie came in quickly, knowing the sound of you crying better than a mother to her child, “Oh no, no, baby what’s wrong?” He ran to you, almost tripping on his sneakers on the tile, his embrace tight and safe – the safest you felt all day. “What did you say to her?” Ed was shocked to even find you like this, his voice bleeding confusion, his chest vibrating against your ear, “What the fuck did you say?” Libby came in slowly, starting to recognize that the sounds in the kitchen weren’t people having a good time. She stood in the entry way, eyes flitting from Eddie holding a version of you she never thought she’d see, nand then over to Steve. Her gaze turned to ice on him and he felt it. “What did you do?” she asked, a bitter taste still on her tongue from your chat at the coffee shop. “What did I do?” he asked back, incredulous, “You’re down the hall playing doctor with Eddie fuckin’ Munson and you wanna ask what I’m doin’?” “That’s enough,” Eddie said, putting his hand up, the other still wrapped around you, “You wanna be mad at me? That’s cool man, be mad at me. Don’t be mad at her for putting a fuckin’ band aid on my forehead. You’re in here making my wife upset and that’s where I’m drawing the fuckin’ line. Sorry your girl patched me up and Stella took her out without the okay, but you don’t gotta take that out on her. Take it out in the ring man, isn’t that all you’re good for anyway?” “Get out,” Steve’s voice was low and measured. “No, guys you don’t have to leave, I–” Libby’s voice was desperate, aching for them to ignore Steve, but it was apparent that there wasn’t any fixing what might’ve been said. “We’re heading out anyway,” Eddie interrupted, he got close to your ear, “You got your things, baby? Your purse in the car?” You nodded and before you knew it you were back in the Jaguar, Eddie erratically pulling out of the condo lot and onto the road. “Slow down,” you said through you tears, snot pouring down the back of your throat, “You’re going too fast.” “I’m sorry I’m just…I’m so fuckin’ pissed right now,” he hissed, “The fuckin’ nerve of that asshole. Should’ve kicked his fuckin’ ass.” The sun was starting to set over the horizon, leaving a hazy orange pink in the sky over the highway. It should’ve been the end of a good day, maybe you would pulled over and got dessert or a night cap before going home. It wasn’t long before you were back at the beach house, the sky an bright magenta behind the white stone of the mini mansion. He pulled his gym bag out from the back and went to your side of the car to let you out. “C’mere sweet thing,” he held your hand all the way to the door, stepping into the cool air conditioned front hall. He takes you right to the living room, sitting you on the couch while you cry and gets on his knees. He silently takes your sandals off, rubbing your calves after each one, hoping you’ll start to calm down. He knows better than to press you before you’re ready, but he hadn’t seen you like this since your dad passed away. Eddie’s hair tickled your neck while he sat next to you, one arm around your shoulder while he pulled you in against his chest, “What did he say to you, baby? What’s got you so upset?” “I’m n-not having f-f-fun,” you said like you had just realized it yourself. You wriggled out of his hold, sitting cross legged over his thighs. “Today? You don’t wanna come to the gym with me? That’s okay, baby. It’s boring,” he reassured with a little smile. “No, Ed, I – I’m not having fun anymore,” you said, finally looking at him. “With…with me? You’re not having fun with me anymore?” you could see his heart breaking in front of you. Replaying the day you kicked him out in his head all over again. “I just,” another aching cry rolled through you, “When I wake up in the middle of the night and you’re not there it’s like…it’s like I can’t even breathe. Like you aren’t coming home again. Like you’re dead in a fuckin’ punk house or something. If you’re out at the bar too late, what cities you’re playing in where I know you can get oxy easy. I’m always waiting for the fucking call, Ed. I’m always waiting for the call.”

The words just kept pouring out of you, all the fears you’d had since you let him come back, since that night at the beach. “And I just, I’m always scared you’re gonna be in those moods again. Never knowing who you’re gonna be that day. God you were such a fucking asshole when you needed to use. And it’s like, I gotta wake up and be at my call time but you’re in the bathroom for a little too long and I swear I think I hear you doing lines – and I know, I know you’re not. But it’s like I’ll never shake it off, baby. Like I’m always gonna be worrying about it.” Your body aches when you really think about it, and you plead to him with begging eyes, “When am I gonna get to stop worrying about you, Ed? When do I get to have fun?” He’s speechless, looking at you with his full lips slightly parted, his eyes glassy with tears that aren’t ready to fall yet. “I – Why didn’t you say anything?” he asked, his hands were shaking, anxious to hold yours but he could tell you didn’t want him to touch you. “I didn’t want hurt your f-feelings,” you whispered, trying to control the lump in your throat. Wishing your tear ducts would just dry up so you could move on from the conversation. Eddie could never let it go until he knew were feeling better. “Stell, I keep saying to you it’s okay to hurt my feelings about this,” he was frustrated with you, the vein in his neck greeting you with a pulse. You wiped your eyes, the weight of the whole day starting to feel heavy on your body, “Why can’t you hear me when I say that to you?” “Can we maybe just talk about this later? I want to go take a shower and wash this whole day off me,” your groggy voice made his chest ache. He could see exhaustion peeking through under your eyes. Eddie slid his hand back and forth over your thigh and leaned in to press a kiss to your forehead.   “Yeah, no problem,” his voice was soft, savoring the lull in your tears. Seeing you upset was hard enough when he was shooting up Persian, it was even worse when he was sober, “I’ll go unpack for us, princess. We can order Thai, have a nice little night in, okay?” You didn’t respond outside of getting off the couch and picking up your sandals to drop off in your closet upstairs before heading into the master bath, already shedding your tennis dress by the bed. Eddie would pick it up anyway. You only turned on the mirror lights, a deep warm yellow that barely lit up the room. You didn’t want any aid in feeling awake at all. Your bare feet padded against the tile while you turned the walk in shower on, rain water head and deatchable head hissing while the water hit the ground. You caught yourself in the mirror while you waited for the water to heat up, mascara tears staining all the way down to your neck. “Shit,” you whispered, padding back over to the sink to wash your face spending enough time on it that the bathroom had already steamed up. The steam was welcome, opening up your clogged, post cry sinuses, soothing your throat from trying to choke back your feelings. With a clean face, you step in the shower, letting the hot water totally envelope you. It stings, but it feels deserved. You run your hands over your hair, breathing through your mouth while the water flows over your lower lip – you feel the tension rinse out of your body and down the drain, too. You stand in the water for ten minutes, knowing it won’t get cold, before you reach for the shampoo bottle on the inlet shelf. You hear the door open but continue pouring the liquid into your hands, rubbing them together when you see him through the fog of the glass wall separating the shower from the bathroom. He flicks the stereo on, turning the sound on low before coming around the entrance to the shower. Eddie doesn’t say anything, he doesn’t have to. He sees the shampoo in your hands and then looks back up at your face, depuffed from your cry from the steam. He’s all muscle and tattoos, a single chain around his neck with a guitar pick dangling above his pecs, hair getting wilder with the humidity. He steps closer to you, the small splatter of his footsteps in the water reverberating off the walls. He can’t keep his hands to himself, reaching immediatley to your wet face hunching over to kiss you with more passion than your wedding day. “You don’t gotta worry about it,” he whispers against your mouth, he weight pressed against you “I’m taking care of all of it, you hear me?” He doesn’t give you a moment to respond, capturing your lips with his, his tongue snaking in past your teeth. You know he doesn’t close his eyes because you haven’t either – looking directly at each other while you kiss. You know he means it, you can feel him mean it. Outside of your heaving breathing, the stereo still plays softly in the background. Steam building in the shower from anything but the heat of the water. ‘When the workin’, when the workin’ day is done. Oh when the workin’ day is done, oh girls. Girls just wanna have fun…They just wanna, they just wanna…’

[im-in-love-with-pizza-bites]

Cold Feet

Chris Evans X Daughter!Reader, Tom Holland X Fiance!Evans!Reader

Summary: You're a little nervous about your wedding.

Warnings: Fluff with a bit(barely there) angst, a wedding writing by someone who has only be to one wedding when she was three.

Request: @maximeevansblog

The reader ( me ) is the daughter of chris evans and the reader is going to married to sesbastian stan Tom Holland and her family is going all about the wedding, but the evening before the wedding the reader dissepear,and the going to look for her, and the find her in her own home in boston , and they aks " what are you thinking" and the r comes clean that she has cold feet of is this the right choice, and he tell her that everything is gonna be alright, and the morning of the wedding , the reader is still nervous, the ceremonie is all cute , and her family gift is a honeymoon to the island esmé, and a lott of fluff thanks, and if its ready you tag me right thanks

A/n: Here you are! Thank you for understanding about the age gap problem there was with Sebastian stan, but I hope you still like it! Also Reader is 22 so 3 years younger than tom. I found a traditional wedding script online and just used that. So that's how I wrote the ceremony.

Divider: @skylightlantern

It was the night before your big day, to say your nervous is an understatement. Your marrying Tom Holland, after dating for 3 years. You love him so much but you're still nervous. Marriage is a big deal. So you had snuck off during the rehearsal dinner to just think and give yourself a pep talk.

"Hey, Tom where's y/n?" Chris asked his soon-to-be son-in-law.

"I don't know." Tom looked around, he thought you were with your cousins and Paddy but they're busy eating dessert.

"Hmm okay. If you see her let me know I want to give her something." He said.

No one spotted you by the end of the rehearsal dinner which worried your family, and Tom's family. Everyone went looking for you. Eventually your dad found you hiding in his house in your old bedroom sitting by in the corner on the other side of your bed, farthest from the door. Where he'd used to find you when you were younger and upset.

"What's wrong Bubba?" He asked you softly sitting next to you.

"I'm nervous." You said looking up at your dad with a frown.

"I thought you were excited to marry Tom?" Chris asked you.

"I am. I'm just- I don't- I'm scared." You admitting looking at you hands.

"You have cold feet." He decided, "this is normal you know babe."

"That's helpful." You said sarcastically. "Just what if my marriage with Tom turns out like yours and Mom's?"

"Hun your mother and me are nothing like you and Tom. We got married for the wrong reasons. You know this, we got married because we were 18, didn't know what we were doing and she was pregnant we didn't get married for love. You're getting married cause you love Tom right?" Chris told you looking you in the eye.

"Yeah I do love him." You nodded.

"Exactly, now it's almost 12 don't you want to see Tom one last time before the wedding?" Chris asked.

"Yeah where is he?"

"Right here, darling." Tom said walking into the bedroom.

"Did you hear all that?" You asked him pouted.

"No."

"Okay!" You stood fixing your dress. Before you hugged him. Your dad couldn't help but smile before for leaving to tell your family you've been found.

"I love you."

———

"You look beautiful." Nikki smiled at you.

"Thank you." You took a deep breath, despite the pep talk last night you were still nervous. You hadn't seen Tom since. You guys were going with the tradition of not seeing your spouse on the day of until the wedding but not so much as the superstition that is with it.

"You look like a princess!" Stella, your cousin said excitedly. "You need a tiara!"

"Aw thanks bubba." You smiled looking in the mirror.

"Knock knock." Your Grandma said walking into the room. "Dear your dad's waiting to see you." You took a deep breath. A first look between the bride and the father of the bride is a special moment. You were excited for this. He hasn't seen your dress. You had only brought your aunts, your nana, your maid of honor and Nikki when you went dress shopping.

"Okay." You carefully made your way to the area the first looks would be happening. He was turned the opposite way humming. You couldn't see it but he also held something he had a feeling you were gonna like. "Dad turn around." He did so and gasped, tears prickling at his eyes. His baby girl is all grown up.

"Your so beautiful." He hugged you. You gratefully accepted. The hug seemed to last for ever but eventually it ended. "Peanut. I meant to give you this last night but here you go." He handed you a necklace.

"This is mom's." You gasped. Your mom had passed away when you were 10. You didn't know how your dad got the necklace since your parents divorced when you were 2. "Thank you dad."

"Of course. So how are you feeling. Nervous?"

"Yeah. I'm really nervous. Dad what if he changes his mind? Or someone objects? Or or-"

"He's not gonna change his mind, and if anyone objects I'll slap them." He teased helping your put the necklace on. "Perfect. You know you look just like your mom. And Tom is lucky."

"What lucky you, uncle Seb, and uncle Mackie didn't beat him up after our first date?" You joked laughing slightly.

"That and, he got the most beautiful girl in the world to fall in love with him. I mean look at you. Your way out of his league." He joked trying to help your nerves. Which it did.

"Okay it's time for you to walk me down the aisle." You said nervously.

"Bubba don't be nervous. Okay? You look beautiful. He's not going to just leaving you at the alter." He chuckled, before referring those choice of words when he saw the look on your face.

"I didn't even think of that."

"Peanut. All will be fine. Let's go?" He asked.

"Okay." You nodded.

———

Here comes the bride plays as you and your dad begin down the aisle. Tom stared at you like you were a goddess. You looked so beautiful. He couldn't believe you were his. All eyes on were on you, but yours were on him.

"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" The officiant asked. Chris smiled.

"I do." He said before hugging you then he turned to Tom, shaking his hand and hugging him. "Welcome to the family." He whispered before he found his seat next to his parents in the front aisle.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Tom Holland and Y/n Evans in matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace." The officiant began the ceremony. He went through his spiel until he got to the I dos.

"Tom, do you take Y/n to be your lawful wedded wife?"

"I do." He said looking you in the eye.

"Do you promise to love and cherish her, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, for so long as you both shall live?"

"I do." He said breaking eye contact to look at the officiant before looking back at you quickly.

"Y/n, do you take Tom to be your lawful wedded husband?" The officiant looked to you.

"I do." You nodded.

"Do you promise to love and cherish him, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him, for so long as you both shall live?"

"I do." You took a deep breath keeping eye contact with Tom. You already knew your family was in tears, especially your dad.

"Do you together promise in the presence of your friends and family that you will at all times and in all circumstances, conduct yourselves toward one another as becomes husband and wife?" The officiant asked.

"We do." You two said simultaneously.

"Do you together promise you will love, cherish and respect one another throughout the years?" 

"We do." The rings were passed to you two. Harrison handed Tom yours, while your best friend handed you Tom's.

"I Tom Holland give you Y/n Evans this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you." He slipped it onto the ring finger.

"I Y/n Evans give you Tom Holland this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you." You copied him slipping it over his hand as well. The officiant began reading a poem you and Tom had picked out a while ago. Then finally it was time.

"By the power vested in me by the State of Massachusetts, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." Tom didn't need to be told twice he stepped closer sharing a passionate kiss with the two of you. It lasted a minute before the two of you separated for air.

"I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Holland." And then the two of you went down the aisle hands linked being followed by the best man, maid of honor, and all of the groomsmen and bridesmaids.

———

Chris watched with tears in his eyes as the car drove off. His baby girl is all grown up. Oh, how he missed you being attached to his hip. You and Tom were off to your honeymoon, which was paid for by Chris, and your extended family.

Chris wiped his tears away following his family back inside to clean up a bit. He was excited to see you again in a few weeks. You may be married now but your still his baby.

[rabbitfeet200]

The Worst Couples

Stan and Francine- American Dad

Clay and Bloberha- Moral Oral

Joe and Bonnie- Family Guy

Flex Dexter and Sam- Fireman Sam

Daniel and Bridget- Bridget Jones

Robert and Miriam- Hey Arnold

Harry and Zinnia- Matilda

Joker and Harley- Batman

Joker and Bruce/Batman- Batman

Jerry and Beth - Rick and Morty

Ian and Karen- Jamie Johnson

Butterscotch and Beatrice- BoJack Horseman

Alador and Odalia-Owl House

Randy and Sharon- South Park

Stolas and Stella-Hellauva boss

Peter and Lois- Family Guy

Liam and Noel- Oasis/Beady Eye/High flying birds

Liam and Sarah-Oasis/Beady Eye/High flying birds

Ezra and Aria- Pretty Little Liars

Edward and Vivian-Pretty Woman

Lenny and Jean- The Perfect Man

Sam and Josie- Never been kissed

Kyler and Samantha- Cobra Kai

Sam and Annie- Sleepless in Seattle

Walter and Annie-Sleepless in Seattle

Dean and Castiel- Supernatural

Zuko and Katara- Avathar the legend of

Aaron and Regina- Mean Girls

Harry and Hermione- Harry Potter

Michael and Hilary- Beaches

John and Cecilia- Beaches

Edward and Bella- Twilight

Ben and Andrea-How to lose a guy in 10 days

Jake and Melanie- Sweet home Alabama

Fester and Debbie- The Adams Family

Hank and Nora- Cheaper by the Dozen

Noah and Alison-The Notebook

Alex and Jenna- 13 going on 30

Alex and Bad Jenna-13 going on 30

Chris Grandy and Jenna-13 going on 30

Chris Grandy and Bad Jenna-13 going on 30

David and Shelby- A Cinderella Story

Aladdin and Jasmine- Aladdin

Finn and Rose-Star Wars

Jack and Elizabeth- Pirates of the Caribbean

Peter and Wendy- Peter Pan- Disney

Peter and Tinker-belle- Peter Pan- Disney

Woody and Bo peep- Toy Story

Hans and Elsa-Frozen

Hans and Anna-Frozen

Roger and Mimi- Rent

Collins and Angel-Rent

Mark and Maureen- Rent

Cal and Rose- Titanic

Johnny and Alison-The Karate Kid, Cobra Kai

Ken and Barbie-The Barbie Movie/Film

Troy and Sharpay-High School Musical

Troy and Gabriella- High School Musical

James and Norman- Fireman Sam

Liam and Nicole-Oasis/Beady Eye/High Flying Birds

Liam and Lisa-Oasis/Beady Eye/High Flying Birds

Liam and Patsy-Oasis/Beady Eye/High Flying Birds

Liam and Liza- Oasis/Beady Eye/High Flying Birds

Benny and Angel-Rent

Benny and Mimi-Rent

Edward/The Riddler and Bruce/Batman- Batman

Oswald/The Penguin and Bruce/Batman-Batman

Victor/Mr Freeze and Bruce/Batman-Batman

The Joker and Jason- -Batman

The Joker and Barbara--Batman

The Joker and Duke--Batman

The Joker and Tim- -Batman

The Joker and Richard-Batman

The Joker and Damian-Batman

The Joker and Cassandra- Batman

Warner and Vivian-Legally Blonde

Buck Douglas and Sam- Fireman Sam

Charlie and Panda- We Bare Bears

Nomnom and Grizz- We Bare Bears

Damon and Elena-The Vampire Diaries

Stefan and Caroline-The Vampire Diaries

Stefan and Elena-The Vampire Diaries

Damon and Caroline-The Vampire Diaries

Damon and Katherine-The Vampire Diaries

Stefan and Katherine-The Vampire Diaries

Charming and Hattie-Ella Enchanted

Charming and Olive- Ella Enchanted

Harry and Agatha- Matilda

Magnus and Agatha-Matilda

Agatha and Jennifer-Matilda

Agatha and Matilda- Matilda

Michael and Ophelia-The Deceived

Michael and Rosion-The Deceived

Roger and April- Rent

Tully and Mary- The Next Step

Hunter and Michelle-The Next Step

Eldon and Michelle-The Next Step

Elliot and Richelle- The Next Step

Noah and Richelle- The Next Step

Tully and Eva- The Next Step

Eldon and Emily-The Next Step

Elliot and Piper- The Next Step

Elliot and Michelle- The Next Step

Elliot and Emily- The Next Step

Maria and Richelle- The Next Step

Elliot and Noah- The Next Step

Elliot and Kingston-The Next Step

Elliot and Ozzy- The Next Step

James and Lorelle- Dream Girls

Curtis and Deena- Dream Girls

Curtis and Lorelle- Dream Girls

Curtis and Michelle- Dream Girls

Francis and Mary- Reign

Oscar and Lola- Shark Tale

Liam and Nicole-Oasis/Beady Eye/High Flying Birds

Liam and Lisa-Oasis/Beady Eye/High Flying Birds

Liam and Patsy-Oasis/Beady Eye/High Flying Birds

Liam and Liza- Oasis/Beady Eye/High Flying Birds

Benny and Angel-Rent

Benny and Mimi-Rent

Edward/The Riddler and Bruce/Batman- Batman

Oswald/The Penguin and Bruce/Batman-Batman

Victor/Mr Freeze and Bruce/Batman-Batman

The Joker and Jason- -Batman

The Joker and Barbara--Batman

The Joker and Duke--Batman

The Joker and Tim- -Batman

The Joker and Richard-Batman

The Joker and Damian-Batman

The Joker and Cassandra- Batman

Warner and Vivian-Legally Blonde

Buck Douglas and Sam- Fireman Sam

Charlie and Panda- We Bare Bears

Nomnom and Grizz- We Bare Bears

Damon and Elena-The Vampire Diaries

Stefan and Caroline-The Vampire Diaries

Stefan and Elena-The Vampire Diaries

Damon and Caroline-The Vampire Diaries

Damon and Katherine-The Vampire Diaries

Stefan and Katherine-The Vampire Diaries

Charming and Hattie-Ella Enchanted

Charming and Olive- Ella Enchanted

Harry and Agatha- Matilda

Magnus and Agatha-Matilda

Agatha and Jennifer-Matilda

Agatha and Matilda- Matilda

Michael and Ophelia-The Deceived

Michael and Rosion-The Deceived

Roger and April- Rent

Tully and Mary- The Next Step

Hunter and Michelle-The Next Step

Eldon and Michelle-The Next Step

Elliot and Richelle- The Next Step

Noah and Richelle- The Next Step

Tully and Eva- The Next Step

Eldon and Emily-The Next Step

Elliot and Piper- The Next Step

Elliot and Michelle- The Next Step

Elliot and Emily- The Next Step

Maria and Richelle- The Next Step

Elliot and Noah- The Next Step

Elliot and Kingston-The Next Step

Elliot and Ozzy- The Next Step

James and Lorelle- Dream Girls

Curtis and Deena- Dream Girls

Curtis and Lorelle- Dream Girls

Curtis and Michelle- Dream Girls

Francis and Mary- Reign

Oscar and Lola- Shark Tale*-

Liam and Nicole-Oasis/Beady Eye/High Flying Birds

Liam and Lisa-Oasis/Beady Eye/High Flying Birds

Liam and Patsy-Oasis/Beady Eye/High Flying Birds

Liam and Liza- Oasis/Beady Eye/High Flying Birds

Benny and Angel-Rent

Benny and Mimi-Rent

Edward/The Riddler and Bruce/Batman- Batman

Oswald/The Penguin and Bruce/Batman-Batman

Victor/Mr Freeze and Bruce/Batman-Batman

The Joker and Jason- -Batman

The Joker and Barbara--Batman

The Joker and Duke--Batman

The Joker and Tim- -Batman

The Joker and Richard-Batman

The Joker and Damian-Batman

The Joker and Cassandra- Batman

The Joker and Stephanie- Batman

Ra's and Tim - Batman

Warner and Vivian-Legally Blonde

Buck Douglas and Sam- Fireman Sam

Charlie and Panda- We Bare Bears

Nomnom and Grizz- We Bare Bears

Damon and Elena-The Vampire Diaries

Stefan and Caroline-The Vampire Diaries

Stefan and Elena-The Vampire Diaries

Damon and Caroline-The Vampire Diaries

Damon and Katherine-The Vampire Diaries

Stefan and Katherine-The Vampire Diaries

Charming and Hattie-Ella Enchanted

Charming and Olive- Ella Enchanted

Harry and Agatha- Matilda

Magnus and Agatha-Matilda

Agatha and Jennifer-Matilda

Agatha and Matilda- Matilda

Michael and Ophelia-The Deceived

Michael and Roision-The Deceived

Roger and April- Rent

Tully and Mary- The Next Step

Hunter and Michelle-The Next Step

Eldon and Michelle-The Next Step

Elliot and Richelle- The Next Step

Noah and Richelle- The Next Step

Tully and Eva- The Next Step

Eldon and Emily-The Next Step

Elliot and Piper- The Next Step

Elliot and Michelle- The Next Step

Elliot and Emily- The Next Step

Maria and Richelle- The Next Step

Elliot and Noah- The Next Step

Elliot and Kingston-The Next Step

Elliot and Ozzy- The Next Step

James and Lorelle- Dream Girls

Curtis and Deena- Dream Girls

Curtis and Lorelle- Dream Girls

Curtis and Michelle- Dream Girls

Francis and Mary- Reign

Oscar and Angie-Shark Tale

Jacob and Bella- Twilight

She's the Man

Justin and Viola- She's the man

Sebastian and Monique-She's the man

Justin and Monique-She's the man

Justin and Duke-She's the man

Shark Tale- Dream Works

Oscar and Lola- Shark Tale

Oscar and Angie-Shark Tale

Shrek- Dream Works

Harold and Fairy Godmother- Shrek

Fairy Godmother and Fiona- Shrek

Fairy Godmother and Lilian-Shrek

Twilight

Sam and Leah- Twilight

Sam and Emily- Twilight

Jacob and Bella- Twilight

Edward and Bella

Jacob and Renneesme -- Twilight

Harry Potter

Severus Snape and Neville--Harry Potter

Severus Snap and Petunia--Harry Potter

Vernon and Petunia--Harry Potter

Vernon and James-Harry Potter

Vernon and Harry- Harry Potter

Vernon and Lily- Harry Potter

Voldemort/Tom Riddle Junior and Harry-Harry Potter

Voldemort/Tom Riddle Junior and Hermione- HP

Voldemort/Tom Riddle Junior and Ginny-Harry Potter

Severus Snape and Harry --Harry Potter

Severus Snape and Hermione--Harry Potter

Lion King - Disney

Scar and Nala- Lion King Disney

Mr Bean

Bean and Irma

"love is a commitment, not an action

know each other

Honesty and trust

no stalking

safety and respect is love

love not lust

source: Cinema Therapy