#with a monstrous tattoo artist

[misspjsuperior]

Medusa, the OG stonergirl 👁️🪨 Almost all of us are familiar with her legendary petrifying gaze. It is mentioned in the earliest records of Medusa and her monstrous gorgon family. What is also mentioned in ancient texts by 500 BC is that unlike her immortal family, Medusa was mortal as well as remarkably beautiful. The origin story of how she got her defensive power comes much later from the Roman poet Ovid during the turn of the common era. Yep, dude lived through the turnover from BC to now times. Ovid wrote that Neptune found Medusa in a temple to Minerva, goddess of war and intellect, and forced himself upon her. When Minerva found out, Neptune blamed Medusa for coming on to him. Because Medusa was a gorgon and not a fellow god like her uncle Neptune, Minerva chooses to punish Medusa by giving her a gorgon figure like her sisters, with snakes for hair. 🐍 As a result of the betrayal, Medusa’s gaze turns men to stone. Relatable to sexual assault survivors, Medusa has become a symbol of righteous rage for many feminists. We can understand Ovid’s version as a critique on power when we look at history and realize that he was in resistance to political corruption in ancient Rome.

Obviously, and sadly, this critique’s relevance to society both predated Ovid’s time and has followed into modernity. Ovid’s myth shaping also demonstrates how storytelling and art can shape historical and mythological memory in society, how concepts of divinity and the personas projected upon these divine forces in the form of gods are forged from human imagination in order to make sense of not just the workings of nature but of relationships within civilization.

An an artist I have taken my own liberties with the Medusa myth in self portraiture. Playing with the “stoning” powers of Medusa’s gaze, I’ve drawn a “stoner” tattoo on her wrist as she burns one down. This is also in acknowledgment to the Ovidian origin story in which Medusa is explained as an assault survivor with a nod to how cannabis has been a clinically proven medicine for PTSD in association to such experiences and yet remains often vilified similarly to Medusa.

https://misspjsuperior.etsy.com/listing/1588503886

[detectivebambam]

Congrats on 500 followers! I adore your blog! Can I request tattoos and scars for the drabble prompts!? <3

i promised y'all i was working on these didn't I

didn't get a character so obvs we're doing Andrew 😋

tw for mentions of scars (obviously) and a hint of past CSA but nothing explicit

It had been years since someone had laid their filthy hands on Andrew's skin. Still, the scars they left were with him every day. Physical or mental, they were there. Clawing at him. Feeding off of every thought, every memory, every moment. He didn't find it fair that they could commit such a monstrous crime, forcing Andrew to live with the consequences, yet have none of their own.

He ran his fingers over the bumps and ridges that covered his forearm. For the longest time, they had been a symbol of his survival. A reclamation of a body that had been taken from him. But now they were just... there. Bumps on his skin that didn't mean anything anymore. He had talked to Renee before about a coverup tattoo, but he had mentioned that he wouldn't want people to think he was ashamed of his scars.

"Since when have you cared what people think?" She had asked him.

It was a good question. Under his armbands, people wouldn't see the tattoo anyway.

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

"This one," Andrew said, pointing to the sketch in Renee's book.

"You're sure?"

"It will be hidden," he said, holding up his armbands.

She nodded in response and walked him to her chair.

"I'd say two hours based on the style. That okay?"

Andrew nodded.

Sitting still for two hours was nearly impossible, but Renee knew not to talk. She didn't make any faces or look at him like another artist might. The last thing he was was a victim, and she knew it. They both did.

He left without paying at Renee's insistence, with the promise to wear loose sleeves instead of his bands for the next few weeks.

He looked down at the snakes slithering around the old bumps. At the woman with the stern eyes that felt exactly what he did. Maybe this too, would pass.

[solangeloweek]

AUctober 2023

[ID: An orange and purple prompt calendar for the month of October, titled AUCTOBER, with clipart of bats, a ghost, a pumpkin, and a scarecrow /end ID]

Happy AUctober!

This year's prompt calendar includes themed days of the week, including Monstrous Mondays, Terrifying Tuesdays, Free-Day Fridays, and Soulmate Saturdays! As always, Halloween (Oct 31) is a free day as well.

Event Rules can be found Here. Any questions can be directed to @solangeloweek or any of the mods! Written list of prompts below the cut:

Sunday, Oct 1 - Roommates

Monday, Oct 2 - Sea Creatures

Tuesday, Oct 3 - Ghost Hunters

Wednesday, Oct 4 - Exes

Thursday, Oct 5 - Royalty

Friday, Oct 6 - Free!

Saturday, Oct 7 - Red String

Sunday, Oct 8 - Artist

Monday, Oct 9 - Vampires

Tuesday, Oct 10 - Magic

Wednesday, Oct 11 - Childhood Friends

Thursday, Oct 12 - Enemies to Lovers

Friday, Oct 13 - Free!

Saturday, Oct 14 - Soulmate Tattoos

Sunday, Oct 15 - Canon Divergence

Monday, Oct 16 - Werewolves

Tuesday, Oct 17 - Necromancers

Wednesday, Oct 18 - Athletes

Thursday, Oct 19 - Office

Friday, Oct 20 - Free!

Saturday, Oct 21 - Dreams

Sunday, Oct 22 - Musicians

Monday, Oct 23 - Ghosts

Tuesday, Oct 24 - Saw Trap

Wednesday, Oct 25 - DnD

Thursday, Oct 26 - Canon Rewrite

Friday, Oct 27 - Free!

Saturday, Oct 28 - Soulmate Timer

Sunday, Oct 29 - College

Monday, Oct 30 - Zombies

Tuesday, Oct 31 - Happy Halloween! Free Day!

[nbwriteschaos]

re: writing commissions.

---- my writing commissions are OPEN! all info can be found within this post or in this google doc. please dm for any inquiry or request!!

!!!fiction, nonfiction, original works, smut, etc!!!

1 thousand words ♡ $10 USD

2 thousand words ♡ $12 USD

3 thousand words ♡ $15 USD

4 thousand words ♡ $20 USD

5 thousand to 10 thousand words ♡ starts at $25 USD

---- all payments are processed through paypal only. payments must be submitted first before i begin the commission. refunds are not available but i will rewrite a commission if you are not satisfied :)

more below ...

(this may format a little funny as i'm copying and pasting some info from my doc, sorry!!)

-- as for pricing

((I do not accept negotiations as far as pricing! I’ve priced my commissions based on what I think my time and effort is worth while also maintaining affordability. There are to be NO REFUNDS.  If you are unsatisfied with the result of your commission I am open to rewriting it once more to ensure your satisfaction. All payments are accepted through Paypal. I am working on opening some sort of website to provide the best experience for commissions as well, but for now, Paypal and Tumblr are the best I’ve got. 

Please let it be noted that although I am an experienced writer, I do not have the qualifications of a professional published author. I am simply a person at their laptop trying to build a future career as a writer :)

You will not be charged if I go over your paid word count!!

Custom word counts between 5k and 10k will be charged based on how I see fit. **It will not go over $60 USD** ))

-- as for boundaries

i will write mostly anything. even if it seems a little questionable, i'll probably do it. for example:

a super sad angsty character death probably nobody but yourself would want to read, that one coffee shop/tattoo artist au you've been wanting to read but can't find on ao3, or like, idk, a fantasy involving d*bcon, f*rry, p*ssplay, whump/whumpee, mpr*g, terat*philia (monster fucking), obscure s*xual organs, g*re (ask me about this one if you are looking for smut involving g*re), v*yeurism, size differences, or other common k*nks.

i do request some sort of age verification if you are commissioning for smut.

strict NOs:

No extreme depictions of SH or s*icide. No animal a*use, death or g*re. Nothing depicting extreme homophobia or transphobia. No politics or opinion-based pieces of writing. No depictions of child or adult a*use of any kind. No extreme drug use. No underage, fe*derism, sc*t/f*rts/underarms/feet/sneezing, be*stiality, n*ncon, age pl*y/massive age difference, inc*st.

i have a right to deny any commission for any reason!

-- as for fandoms

I can and will attempt to write for any fandom I am not familiar with so long as there is enough info that has been provided for it!! However, I can’t guarantee it will be perfect. Here are fandoms I am familiar with and will write for: 

Anime/Cartoons: Genshin Impact, My Hero Academia, Tokyo Ghoul, Toilet Bound Hanako Kun, Fullmetal Alchemist, Death Note, Chainsaw Man, Spy x Family, Jujutsu Kaisen, My Melody, Free!!!, Haikyuu!!!, One Punch Man, Mob Psycho 100, Demon Slayer, Hunter x Hunter, JJBA, Black Butler, Bungou Stray Dogs, Yuri on Ice, Kakegurui, Attack on Titan, Noragami, Adventure Time, Steven Universe. Probably more, just ask! 

Books: The Raven Cycle, The Dreamer Trilogy, Simon Snow Trilogy, The Foxhole Court series. Monstrous Series. Anything more obscure check out my Goodreads profile!! 

I am 100% down to write your original characters and plots!! In fact, I encourage it! For maximum accuracy, please provide as much information as you can for each character, plot, setting, etc! 

if you have any other questions feel free to send a DM or an ask and i'll get back to you as soon as possible! you can also check out the doc to see if it is answered there!

if you read this far, please feel free to reblog just to spread the love. i'd really appreciate it! thank you!!!

[m0ch1nut]

After Sukuna spills the beans, YN says that theyd been looking at a Heian artists painting of his curse form to associate Sukuna with that visual rather than Yujis looks, and even piles up blankets/pillows around themselves so its like his 4 arms are hugging them. Sukuna kinda just goes 🥺 (or as close to it as he can lol) at how accepting they are before kissing YN for the first time. Sorry this is so long and detailed, I just thought it was precious! No pressure tho <3 (no part 3, it all fit!)

Okay I don't know if I can put both parts of the ask in one post so I'll summarize,

Sukuna struggles to be physical with his s/o because he's uncomfortable doing so while still being in Yuji's body. While he's not insecure about his true form, he's still unsure if his s/o will still find him attractive since his true form is more monstrous and "creepy". Eventually, they discuss it (and the rest is continued in this ask).

Now I'm kind of stuck on how to write for this. I know you might be expecting the full story but I, just like Sukuna in this situation, am uncomfortable with the idea of Sukuna still being in the body of a teenager. This is why I write strictly for his true form or an AU. However, I still think this idea is really adorable so I want to add to this in a way I'm comfortable with.

-

Communication has never been Sukuna's strong suit. He believes any problem that can't be solved with power and strength isn't worth his time. This "actions speak louder than words" attitude has never failed him, (mainly because he's shit with words) but then again he's never been in a situation as difficult as this. At some point, you became very important to him. Ever since you accidentally stumbled upon his domain within a dream, Sukuna was intrigued by how you continuously managed to return. For some reason, your humanness piqued his interest; the fact that you were physically attractive was just the icing on the cake.

Being stuck in Yuji's body had its pros and cons, but mostly cons. The damn brat was able to maintain control over his body, forcing Sukuna to spend the majority of the time stuck within his domain, all whilst remaining the spitting image of Yuji. As Yuji goes about his daily life as a high school student, Sukuna is constantly reminded that although he is hundreds of years old, his physical form is still similar to that of a child.

At first, he's able to keep his frustrations hidden. Anytime you arrived in his domain, he told you stories of his prime, his views on the world, and anything else he was willing to share; all while you sat politely, listening in awe and wonder. For a while, this was enough to hide his inability to act on his attraction to you. However, your impatience began to show, with each visit you sat closer and closer until your chin rested on his knee; looking up at him with love and admiration.

As the King of Curses, Sukuna's not used to difficult situations where things can't go his way. He knows he should talk to you, but doing so requires being vulnerable and weak. So unfortunately for you, Sukuna dragged you into one of his long-time habits: taking his frustrations out on others. He became short-tempered, quick to snap and force you out of his domain the minute you got too close.

You weren't stupid, you knew something was wrong but couldn't put your finger on it. Sukuna wasn't the easiest to read either. You knew from his stories that he's had no issue being physically affectionate with humans in the past, and his words showed no indication that he was upset with you in particular. It takes night after night of pestering to get Sukuna to talk about his feelings, and its... adorable? Seeing him stumble over his words and avoid your gaze makes him seem almost human; that is until you see the paintings of his past form.

Fearsome, ravenous, and powerful; every painting depicted Sukuna in ways you should've feared, but all you saw was beauty. His familiar tattoos wrapped around his larger form, except now the black bands circled twice as many arms. A rough mask stretched over half his face, the name Ryomen now making more sense. One image, in particular, caught your eye, depicting Sukuna towering over the remnants of a village. The image was still, motionless, and yet the flames seemed to dance around him; bathing his muscular body in shades of red and orange. Compared to his true form, it made sense now why Sukuna would feel uncomfortable in Yuji's body.

Some time had passed since he last saw you, and embarrassingly, Sukuna was starting to worry he'd scared you away. He decided to pay you a visit. This was rare since you had never actually told Sukuna where you lived, he found you on his own. He concluded that regularly visiting you outside of his domain could make you a target for local sorcerers. Yet here he was, seated on the roof of your home, gazing into your bedroom window. The room was dark, it was late and you'd already fallen asleep. Sukuna didn't notice at first, but after his eyes adjusted he noticed the mountain of blankets and pillows wrapped around your resting form. Were those... arms? Was that supposed to be him? The realization hit Sukuna like a truck, for once he was actually caught off guard. Waves of different emotions coursed through his mind, relief? Sadness? He was glad you weren't frightened by his true form and actually embraced it. You looked comfortable and really fucking cute. Unfortunately, he's stuck in this body for now. A reality where he could hold you like that, if at all possible, was not promised. As he made his way off your roof and back towards the school Sukuna thought about how disgusted he should've been, the mere sight of you like this was so cheesy. To feel like this for a human was almost nauseating. He ultimately pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind, deciding he could work through those feelings later. For now, he was allowed to be happy.

The next time he saw you, things would be different.

-

Again, I'm sorry this took longer to write than I had originally promised, but I hope you like it! This idea was so sweet and I had a lot of fun writing it.

I'm glad to be back :)

[saportavevo]

gabe saporta awoke one morning from uneasy dreams to find himself transformed in his bed into a monstrous vermin.

Gabriel Eduardo Saporta.

I don’t really like writing too extensively about myself so let’s make this short and sweet, unlike my body type (which is tall and spicy, if you have to ask).

Formerly in the Starship, currently tattooed on Pete Wentz. These days, I’m putting my skills of business and music together to help other artists achieve their dreams. I enjoy long walks on the beach, good red wine, and trading terrible pick-up lines.

Give me attention @ spilledgvts on Chats, I enjoy the validation. 

plot page here

[monstraduplicia]

tagged by @geryone to post 9 book recemendations!! i think ive mentioned all these books before but theyre my current favorites <3

brother by ania ahlborn - michael is the youngest in a family of serial killers. ignored by momma, for better or for worse, and unable to please his tempestous older brother, rebel, he tries to cope in a house of horror.

any man by amber tamblyn - chronicles the aftermath for several men who share trauma: they're all victims of the same female serial rapist.

pin by andrew neiderman - orphaned, codependent siblings leon and ursula are more than willing to blur the lines between sibling and lover. bound together for life, the only weak link between them is the realistic anatomy dummy named pin that leon believes is alive.

choke by chuck palahniuk - victor is a sex addict unable to stop forcing himself to chock at restaurants just so people will save him. the fact that his mother, who was equally possessive and neglectful to victor during his childhood, has dementia and is now dying has absolutely nothing to do with it.

bath haus by pj vernon - what would you do if, when deciding to cheat on your partner, the man you meet at a bath house tries to strangle you? what would you do if your would-be murderer than begins to stalk you? do you go to cops? do you confess to your partner? or do you simply crumble under the constant fear?

lost souls by poppy z brite - several stories converge in the small town of missing mile, north carolina. steve and ghost are best friends and musicians dealing with steve's recent breakup and ghost's sudden visions of monstrous, incestuous twins. zillah, molochai, and twig are a ragtag trio of murderous vampires on a cross-country roadtrip, drunk on hedonism and death. nothing is a young, depressed teenager desperate to find family and belonging while figuring out his growing longing for blood.

drawing blood by poppy z brite - 25 years after bobby mcgee killed his wife and youngest son before committing suicide, trevor, the eldest child spared for some unknown reason, returns to the house that destroyed his family. death, however, leaves stains that can't be erased. down in louisiana, zach is a hacker on the run from the fbi, his hypersexuality, and his ptsd. but demons, personal or otherwise, have a way of catching up.

house of leaves by mark z danielewski - there is a house that is bigger on the inside, chronicled for decades by an old, blind man. his life's work is found by a young tattoo artist who in turn becomes obsessed with the writer and his tales of houses and minotaurs and ordinary people thrust into mind-bogglingly extraordinary situations.

the sparrow by mary doria russel - emilio sandoz is a priest with a group sent on a mission to follow an extraterrestrial sound wave to its origin. what happens on the far distant planet haunts the man once he returns home.

tagging: anyone that wants to say i tagged them ❤

[littlechaoticwitch]

Winx Club Rewrite: Season 2

I understand this is me being very late to the party, but that's pretty on-brand for me at this point lol

A few years ago, I started to work on a possible rewrite for Fate: The Winx Saga but it soon became this monstrous project of rewriting the entire franchise. Because while this series is one of my beloved childhood series, it is also very messy with its world-building and plotlines, as well being done dirty over and over again by its countless reboots. As much as I would have loved to create a full-on alternative universe like the ones I've seen on tumblr for years, it just took up so much of my time that could have been spent on other projects and it was starting to feel more like a chore than anything else. Eventually, I did create some fashion boards for how to translate their outfits from the show into real life, and wrote up some concept ideas for their live-action costumes, which led to me just writing up the notes I had for the rewrite to share them with y'all.

Some of these ideas were inspired by other people's rewrite of the series, some of these ideas came to me while writing this up, and a lot of these are my attempt to make sense of Winx Club's fucked-up lore. While these were originally written with a live-action reboot in mind, these could also work for an animated reboot targeted for teens/young adults.

This is probably the extent I'll do for any sort of Winx Club rewrite, but it was still fun!

-Instead of Lord Darker, the main villain of this season is Acheron, the leader of the Ancestral Witch's cult. After freeing them from Light Rock, Acheron forced the Trix into accepting his "gifts" and do his bidding. In the end, the trio help the Winx defeat Acheron, as they feel betrayed by the man who promised them freedom, but they are sent back to Light Rock to finish their sentence.

-Helia is a female Specialist. She is introduced trying to save the Pixies and finds herself at Alfea after barely escaping the first time, leading the Winx to help her out. Through the season, she ends up striking a romantic interest in Flora, and after saving the Pixies, she decides to rejoin Red Fountain after her great-uncle Saladin begs her to keep Sky's team in line.

-Nabu is introduced during the Red Fountain opening ceremony, where he pretends to be a hired bodyguard for Aisha, despite her being annoyed at the mere idea; the only time she is fine with him acting like her bodyguard is when it scares off potential suitors. Turns out, he ran away from home after overhearing his parents plan out his future, and upon realizing they share similar home lives, the two decide to fake a relationship in order to keep their parents from putting either of them into arranged marriages.

-During a trip to Earth, Musa meets a Korean American tattoo artist named Nex Park, where they strike up a friendship after finding out they share mutual love for music.

-Unfortunately, Musa and Riven never get to make amends for what happened during their toxic relationship, as he actually does die when helping the girls during the final battle. The only positive impact is that upon seeing Acheron killing Riven (and attempting to kill Musa), it creates a crack in his control over Bloom.

-Bloom tries to have a relationship with Sky, but it begins to take its toll. This is a result of the pressure she feels of becoming queen consort one day (caused by his parents), the pressure his parents are putting on her to revive her dead planet (as they see it as an opportunity to strength their political statue), the guilt they both feel for how their relationship started, and the unintentional neglect she receives from Sky as he begins his royal training. Acheron uses this as a chance to disguise himself as a teacher and manipulate Bloom, feeding into her new to learn more about her home-world and birth parents by teasing at the idea that they might still be alive. While it is clear Sky does care deeply for Bloom, his own upbringing and high expectations (in terms of what a royal couple should be like) have a negative influence on their relationship.

-Instead of getting mad at him, Tecna accidentally shuts Timmy out when he starts treating her like an actual human being (the complete opposite to how people are treated back on Zenith). Once they begin to talk things out, it's clear they're in love with one another but not ready to make things official nor do they need a label

-Princess Amentia's role is taken by Chimera, who is the young leader of a Solarian coven. While the coven is not evil whatsoever, Chimera believes Stella to be a "brat" of a princess and takes a strong interest in Brandon, though her plans for marriage are foiled when Stella interrupts the ceremony.

-Jared's storyline with Musa is not included in this season

-Bloom's friends are the ones to break Acheron's control over her, as their love for her is much stronger than anything else.

-Musa earns her Charmix by coming to terms with her mother's death at the concert, Stella earns her Charmix by accepting her parents are getting a divorce (and they are not getting back together), and Aisha earns her Charmix by standing up to her parents, who do not understand her decision to become a fairy. Bloom is unable to earn her Charmix while under Acheron's influence, but once she is set free from his control, she earns it by admitting she lost faith in her friends and overcoming her need to do everything by herself, leading to them having their first successful convergence spell.

-Charmix is now the perfect blend of both the base fairy form and Enchantix, acting as a true steppingstone for the fairies as they reach their final form. The brooches will become their Fairy Dust bottles, and while they do not get bags, the motifs of their bags are present in Charmix's designs.

[cringevalue]

AO3 Wrapped - September 2024

I keep a fanfiction spreadsheet, I have no shame, and I need to yap about my stats.

I spent approximately 53 hours and 19 minutes reading this month. That being said, I read 48 fics this month, 118 chapters, and 520,132 words.

My top fandom was Stranger Things (obviously) with 43 fics and my top ship was Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson with 34 fics, and Chrissy Cunningham following close behind with a whopping... 2. My top five reoccurring characters were Eddie Munson in 38 fics, Steve Harrington in 38 fics, Robin Buckley in 17 fics, Nancy Wheeler in 10 fics, and Dustin Henderson in 9 fics.

The three tags I read the most were Bisexual Steve Harrington in 14 fics, Hurt / Comfort in 11 fics, and Gay Eddie Munson in 10 fics, and my top rating this month was Explicit with 21 fics.

The most words I read in a day was 57,981 on September 22nd and the longest fic I read was roll the dice on my thighs by myworldoffanfiction at 63,857 words. September 22nd was also the day I spent the most time on AO3, according to my screen time, at 5 hours and 12 minutes.

All of this information (aside from time spent reading) and every fic I've read this month can be found on my spreadsheet!

Every Stranger Things fic I read this month is linked under the cut :)

(The post is too long with the other fandoms)

Stranger Things

Meet the Ghoul Squad by Emmie_a19

Teen and Up - 5.8k - Steve Harrington / Reader - Halloween, Friendship, Friends to Lovers, Fluff, Alternate Universe - Creatures & Monsters

Hawkins, Indiana is home to a monstrous crew, quite literally. And witch Emmy Henderson has never had a friend to her name, until seventh grade. Along the way, she befriends all types of monsters, including human Steve van Harrington.

Yeah, We’re Doing Tattoos by TwistedSiren86

General Audiences - 3.8k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Eddie Munson is a Sweetheart, Gay Eddie Munson, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Eddie and Steve are Married, Dad!Eddie Munson, Dad!Steve Harrington, Trans Eddie Munson, Fluff, Happy Ending, One Shot, Family Fluff, Tattoo Artist Eddie Munson

Eddie and Steve are married with their toddler daughter Lily, who has the artistic muse her father has. So when Lily gets caught drawing on her walls with crayons, Eddie has a better idea.

My Little Siren by ApomaroMellow

General Audiences - 7.9k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Alternate Universe - Fantasy, Inspired by The Little Mermaid (Disney Movies), Deaf Steve Harrington, Drowning

Steve is entranced by the voice he hears every night. After nearly drowning, he seeks the aid of magic to turn him into a merman so that he can find the owner of that voice.

Non-Stop Talker, What A Rocker by beetlesandstars

Explicit - 3.4k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - First Kiss, First Time, Gay Eddie Munson, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington Has a Breeding Kink, Dirty Talk, Smoking, Explicit Sexual Content, Friends to Lovers, Loss of Virginity, Virgin Eddie Munson, Making Out, Marijuana, Falling In Love, Hand Jobs

“How far’ve you gone? What've you done before?” Eddie didn’t think it was possible for his cheeks to get any warmer, but lo and behold, they do. “Uh.” He swallows, fighting the urge to curl into a pillbug. “Nothing.”

I Don't Think We're In Hawkins Anymore, Big Boy by Hbyrde

General Audiences - 17.5k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Post-Season/Series 04, Eddie Munson Lives, Gay Eddie Munson, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Love Confessions, Feelings Realization, Friends to Lovers, Wizard of Oz References, Banter, Flirting, Getting Together, Adventures in Following the Yellow Brick Road with Your Crush, Robin Buckley & Steve Harrington Are Best Friends, Steve Harrington Has a Crush on Eddie Munson, Pining, Steve and Robin Being Besties in Every Universe (Literally), Happy Ending, Fluff

After being run off the road in a freak accident during a terrible storm, Steve and Eddie find that not only have they committed vehicular manslaughter, but they’ve also somehow been whisked away to a strange land. The journey is rough and they are being hunted for revenge, but through it all Steve and Eddie grow closer than ever as they try and find their way home with the help of some new friends with familiar faces. -Or- A Steddie Wizard of Oz AU

i want your guy (to know) by happypilot

Teen and Up - 5.5k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - POV Tommy Hagan, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Future Fic, 2000s, Period-Typical Homophobia, Unreliable Narrator, Jealous Tommy Hagan, One-Sided Tommy Hagan/Steve Harrington - depends on who you ask, Unrequited Love, The Underrated Heartbreak of a Friendship Breakup, Writer Eddie Munson, Dads Steddie

Tommy thumbs through the first few pages of the magazine until he reaches Eddie’s interview, and, again, he allows himself to look over the photo of him that takes up nearly three-quarters of the first page even if he has no intention of actually reading the article itself because, again, Eddie looks good (and maybe there’s something about the scruff of facial hair along his jaw that Tommy's eye gets stuck on). Tommy’s allowed to say that men look good when it’s true – it’s 2007, as his wife likes to remind him whenever it’s convenient for her, and if she’s allowed to say that Angelina Jolie looked good in that CIA movie, then Tommy is allowed to say that Eddie Munson looks good here. When Tommy flips to the next page, he’s met with a photo that stops him in his tracks, has his feet frozen to the floor because – Jesus Christ, that’s Steve Harrington. Fuck, okay, so he’s reading this fucking article. — May 2002. Featuring a magazine, an interview, and the devastation in getting answers.

Baby look out, I'm a man on the prowl by Ninjantome

Explicit - 3.3k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Alternate Universe - Serial Killers, Eddie Munson is a Serial Killer, Nancy Wheeler Has a Gun, Hitchhiking, Rape/Non-con Elements, Steve Harrington is in for a Ride, Non-Consensual Drug Use, Restraints, Gags, Doesn't Ask for It but Gets Into It, Hand Jobs, Choking, Anal Sex, Rough Sex, Rough Kissing, Car Sex, Serial Killing Business but No One Actually Dies Here, Queen Soundtrack, Scream Team

Steve Harrington gives a lift to a pretty hitchhiker and gets more than he bargained for... A serial killer on his backseat.

This darkened street we travel by what_about_the_fish

Explicit - 3.6k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Serial Killer Eddie Munson, Dark Steve Harrington, Murder, Blood, Blood and Violence, Fist Fights, Consensual Non-Consent, Rough Sex, Dead Dove: Do Not Eat, Anal Sex

Darkness calls to darkness. Steve taunts his boyfriend just to see the darkness come out to play

Once Upon Your Dead Body by LaLorelei

Mature - 2.4k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Character Turned Into Vampire, Dead Eddie Munson, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Human/Vampire Relationship, Dracula References, Past Steve Harrington/Nancy Wheeler, Minor Maxine "Max" Mayfield/Lucas Sinclair, Vampire Bites, Kink Discovery, Steve Harrington Has a Bisexual Awakening, Post-Season/Series 04

Steve spends the day listening to Lucas reading Max horror stories and then has a powerful dream of vampire Eddie showing up to seduce him.

It's UnEVEN by BiBeanTransBean

General Audiences - 905 - Eddie Munson & Multiple Characters - Boys in Skirts, Non-Sexual, Makeup, Gay Eddie Munson, Soft Eddie Munson, Eddie Munson Deserves Nice Things, Bisexual Maxine "Max" Mayfield, BAMF Maxine "Max" Mayfield, Bisexual Eleven | Jane Hopper, Good Friend Robin Buckley, Autistic Eddie Munson, Protective Steve Harrington, Short & Sweet, I like to Think Eddie Wears Skirts and Fishnets and Sometimes Crop Tops, This One is Kinda 1 Time Robin Helped Eddie, Max Sees Eddie as a New Older Brother, Eddie Likes the Sibling-Like Bond He and Max Have so He Agrees to be Her "Older Bro"

Max and El do Eddie's makeup and nails, but his eyeliner is uneven, so he does a little freak out and goes to Robin and Steve for help

Lapse by Yikes_Writes

Mature - 5.2k - Steve Harrington - Hurt Steve Harrington, Found Family Sweetness, Rated Mature Because I Can't Not Swear an Obscene Amount Soz, Platonic Relationships, Robin and Steve are FRIENDS, Epilepsy, Epileptic Steve Harrington, I picked Canon to Keep from Season Three and The Rest of it Was Thrown Away, Steve Harrington Needs a Hug, Robin Buckley & Steve Harrington Friendship, Steve Harrington Has Bad Parents, Steve Harrington Needs Love, and He Gets It!!!!!, Medical Procedures, Hospitals, Seizures, Absence Seizures

The first time Robin noticed it, Steve was helping a customer at Family Video. He was in the middle of a sentence, i the middle of a transaction behind the register when his eyes drifted up towards the ceiling and his voice trailed off. His jaw shifted around and he chewed on his tongue. It was like he was completely vacant. It lasted a few seconds, and he snapped back in, finishing his sentence and continuing the transaction like nothing happened. - Steve's been having seizures.

Nothing Done Nothing Said by hyperrbolic_orange

Teen and Up - 19.1k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Alternate Universe - No Upside Down (Stranger Things), First Kiss, Eddie Munson is a Sweetheart, Hurt Steve Harrington, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington Has a Sexuality Crisis, Steve Harrington Has a Bisexual Awakening, Billy Hargrove Being an Asshole, but Very Minor, Steve has a Concussion, Steve Harrington Has Bad Parents, Hospitals, Head Injury, Minor Angst, Fluff, Romantic Fluff, Unresolved Romantic Tension, Well Kind of Unresolved, For a Little

After getting hit on the head with a basketball, Steve Harrington is found passed out behind the school by Eddie Munson. He helps Steve to the ER, and that probably should've been the end of it. Would have been the end of it, except that when Steve had woken up and found Eddie leaning over him, well, he kind of realized that Eddie might've just been the most beautiful person he'd ever seen. And that was a goddamned problem.

Hot Knife by FkinKindaGauche

Explicit - 9.3k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Omega Verse, Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Enemies to Lovers, Recreational Drug Use, POV Alternating, Omega Steve Harrington, Alpha Eddie Munson, Cunnilingus, Blow Jobs, Vaginal Sex, Vaginal Fingering, Knotting, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - College/University, Alternate Universe - No Upside Down (Stranger Things), Title from a Fiona Apple Song

“I’m Steve Harrington.” He hit Eddie with his best bedroom eyes. He knew Eddie couldn’t smell him through the scent patch, but surely he’d heard of Steve Harrington, omega swim team superstar. Eddie just stared at Steve’s hand, not extending his own. “Can I help you with something, Harrington?” He sounded annoyed. “Or are you just here to stare and interrupt our conversation?” Okay, this was not going the way Steve had expected. He typically had no trouble picking up alphas, in fact they tended to be the ones throwing themselves at Steve. He could deal with this, though. Just a little pushback. He’d try again when there weren’t so many people around, maybe Eddie was just shy. “No, just wanted to introduce myself,” Steve said, smiling. Eddie waited for a moment then waved his hand away from the table. “Well, introduction done. Run along, jock boy.”

I Can Wait For You At The Bottom by Atalia_Gold

Mature - 57.5k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Suicidal Thoughts, Suicide Attempt, Depression, Steve Harrington Is a Mess, Eddie Munson is a Sweetheart, Steve Harrington Has Bad Parents, Alternate Universe - No Upside Down (Stranger Things), Happy Ending, Fluff and Angst, Steve Harrington Needs a Hug, He Gets Many, Supportive Wayne Munson, Eventual Smut, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Homophobia, Vomiting, Steve Harrington Has Body Image Issues, Implied/Referenced Self-Harm, Hurt/Comfort, Steve Harrington Has Migraines, Slow Burn, Disordered Eating, Hand Jobs

“Leave me!” The boy repeated, insistent now, and Eddie’s hand felt wet against the boy’s face now. He realized with a pang that he was crying. From his position in the doorway, Eddie could see into the lounge, and his stomach dropped at the sight of several empty pill packets on the coffee table, moonlight glinting off them. “Nah, I’m not gonna do that,” Eddie murmured to him, and he pulled the boy closer, ignoring his weak protests and guiding his head into his lap. “S’alright, I gotcha.” ***** Steve drives to an isolated cabin intending to end it all. He wasn't counting on a desperate boy breaking into the cabin on the same night.

Living Dead Boy by DutchsPretties

Explicit - 6.6k - Chrissy Cunningham / Eddie Munson - Zombie Eddie Munson, Necromancer Chrissy Cunningham, Witch Chrissy Cunningham, Cemetery, Graveyard, Resurrection, Temporary Character Death, Halloween, Ritual Sex, Vaginal Sex, Cunnilingus, Multiple Orgasms, Female Ejaculation, Riding

Chrissy Cunningham wants to ressurect Eddie Munson after an interesting discovery found in his locker.

A deal with the devil by Just_my_latest_hyperfixation

Teen and Up - 980 - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Alternate Universe - Pirate, Pirate Eddie Munson, Castaway Steve Harrington, Billy Hargrove Being an Asshole, Dehydration, Steve Harrington Whump, Non-Consensual Bondage, Sexual Tension, Sexual Innuendo

Steve's stomach drops. Because now that the fog is slowly lifting from his mind, the man looks familiar. He's seen that face before, staring back at him from Wanted posters in port towns. “You're Edward Munson,” he mutters. “The pirate.”

to be a king by burningkerosene

General Audiences - 4.9k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Pirate Eddie Munson, Alternate Universe - Pirate, Pirates, Prince Steve Harrington, Alternate Universe - Royalty, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington Needs a Hug, Boats and Ships, Boys Kissing, Boys In Love, Getting Back Together, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Childhood Friends, Friends to Lovers, Intimacy, Gay Eddie Munson, Friendship, Cuddling & Snuggling, Sleepovers, Birthday, Rings, guys i love them so much u dont understand, i wrote this half at school and half at home, I Can't Believe I Wrote This, the steddie brainworms make me feel insane, Eddie Munson Has a Crush on Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington Has a Crush on Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington Has Abandonment Issues

Prince Steven Harrington isn't sure he has a place. Sure, he's gonna be king one day. He's gonna get married to some Princess and have kids to take the throne after him but it's not what he wants. No, Steve has always wanted to be a pirate.

keep with me forward by shortcrust

Teen and Up - 19.8k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Domesticity, Healing, Character Study

The house that the government buys Eddie is pink.

Out of Curiosity by camouflagedlove

Teen and Up - 13k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - 5+1 Things, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, Slight Mentions of Jonathan/Argyle, Slight Mention of Lucas/Max, Seduction Tactics, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Robin Buckley & Steve Harrington Friendship, Eddie Munson is Oblivious, Everyone Knows Steve Likes Eddie, except for Steve, Eddie Munson is Stubborn, Flirty Steve Harrington, Wingman Robin Buckley, Dialogue Heavy, Recreational Drug Use, Steve Being Insecure About His Scars, Steve Harrington Has a Crush on Eddie Munson, Eddie Munson Has a Crush on Steve Harrington, Mutual Pining, But Eddie's Less Obvious

“So you’re not attracted to me? Like at all?” Steve asked. Robin dropped her head onto the counter with a loud thump and a groan. “Steve, buddy, you can calm down. I, Eddie Munson, am not attracted to nor planning to hit on King Steve. Scout’s honor,” Eddie held up his fingers to mirror a scout salute. Or: 5 times Eddie wouldn't admit he finds Steve attractive and 1 time he finally did.

smile like a razor's edge by SaintMarySunshine

Explicit - 8k - Chrissy Cunningham / Eddie Munson - Alternate Universe - No Upside Down (Stranger Things), Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Dead Dove: Do Not Eat, Serial Killer!Eddie Munson, Dark!Chrissy Cunningham, Hybristophilia, Violence Against Women, Past Child Abuse, Past Rape/Non-con, Past Psychical Abuse, The shit that is the American foster system, Animal Death, Past Animal Abuse, Period-Typical Homophobia, Period Typical Attitudes, Eddie is not a Homophobe, he might be a serial killer but he's not a homophobe, period typical slang for queer people but it's incredibly brief, eddie is like hey what if i murdered you :) and chrissy is like hey what if i got off on that :), Murder Husbands, they're horrible people but they're in love, Happy Ending, like this is actually a pretty positive fic, Consensual But Not Safe Or Sane, Horrible People Being Horrible, Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts

Eddie Munson is a smooth-talking Southern gentleman. He also happens to be a prolific murderer. Chrissy Cunningham is eighteen years old and the apple of everybody's eye. She also happens to be a fucking lunatic, she's just really good at hiding it. Boy meets girl. xxx Excerpt: You know those old cornball comedies? The one where a precocious kid gets in all kinds of wacky debacles? And when it gets particularly wild, he turns to the camera, all smiles. There’s a record scratch. And the kid will say something like, “I bet you’re wondering how I got here.” If Chrissy’s life was a movie... If it was a movie, little miss American-dream-homecoming-queen would turn to the camera, a conspiratorial twist to her mouth. There! Can’t you hear it? There’s the record scratch! The freeze frame! As she lies under the most brutal serial killer in Indiana history, letting him fuck her hard, sweet as pie cheerleader Chrissy Cunningham would smile to the invisible audience and say, “I bet you’re wondering how I got here.”

You Wouldn’t Dare, Big Boy by clownprincepickle

General Audiences - 1.7k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Pirate AU, Mike Wheeler is a Little Shit, implied byler, mike wheeler hates women, eddie is so gay he forgets he’s in danger, i hate Steve’s parents, Nancy’s got a gun, Fluff, Implied Boat Hijacking, fuck the law, Eddie Munson being a fucking flirt

“Shit.” The pirate captain breathed, holding a hand out as if he wasn’t about to attempt grand theft nautical. Or, Steve Harrington let’s himself get roped into crime by a cute pirate captain.

Shovel Talks by unkreativstermensch

Teen and Up - 4.3k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Gay Eddie Munson, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Protective Wayne Munson, POV Outsider, Wayne adopts Steve, but dont tell him that he doesnt know, Steve Harrington Has Bad Parents, Steve Harrington Needs a Hug, eddie too, Eddie Munson Lives, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, wayne hates steves dad, Shovel Talk

“Oh,” Steve says. Then again, “oh,” a little quieter. His expression changes; from confusion to something pained almost. “Mr Munson, I don’t…” he takes a deep breath, his voice a little shaky as he continues. “I don’t think he…I don’t think he likes me like that.” He doesn’t say “it’s not like that.” Neither does he say “I’m not like that.” That’s the first thing Wayne notices. or: Wayne decides to give Steve the shovel talk, only to realize he might not be the one needing one

our house (in the middle of our street) by fivecenturiesverse

Teen and Up - 14.4k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - POV Steve Harrington, Asexual Relationship, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Gay Eddie Munson, Lesbian Robin Buckley, Bisexual Vickie (Stranger Things), Implied Sexual Content, Minor Maxine "Max" Mayfield/Lucas Sinclair, Disabled Maxine "Max" Mayfield, Fluff and Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Families of Choice, Platonic Female/Male Relationships, Domestic Fluff, Literal Sleeping Together, Sharing a Bed, steve harrington match maker, mom and dad steve and eddie, Good Babysitter Steve Harrington, Good Babysitter Eddie Munson, Drinking, Recreational Drug Use, Drunken Kissing, Drunken Confessions, Flirting, robin and steve codependency, Roommates, Living Together

He's in the market for a house, it's not his fault the Creel Murder House is the cheapest place he can find. It's kind of the perfect house, really, Steve's got a big family. - Eddie fumbles in rolling the blunt. They’re sitting in Eddie’s room while he rolls on the tray balanced on his knees. “You’re — you’re giving me a key?” “Yeah. I don’t know if you want to move out of here but uh… option is there if you uhm, need it?” He stays staring at Steve, fingers paused over the tray like the ridiculous caricature of a stoner caught red handed by the cops. “For real? What about rent?” “Yeah man, of course. I know you haven’t been sleeping great here for obvious reasons and like, a new place isn’t going to help that much but…” He shrugs. “Got more rooms than I know what to do with, so fuck rent. I’m getting keys for you and Rob next week and maybe some for the kids, I don’t know if I trust them with keys to my house.”

Got You By My Side by august_justice

Teen and Up - 7k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Hospitals, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Pre-Slash, Getting Together, Post-Season/Series 04, Eddie Munson Lives, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, no beta we die like characters whose name starts with b, Bisexual Eddie Munson, Bisexual Steve Harrington, brief mention of past unrequited Chrissy Cunningham/Eddie Munson, as in just…one line about Eddie having a crush on her in middle school

After barely making it out of the Upside Down alive, Eddie wakes up in the hospital with one Steve Harrington at his bedside. They've got a few things to talk about.

roll the dice on my thighs by myworldoffanfiction

Teen and Up - 63.8k - Steve Harrington & Everyone - Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Not Canon Compliant, Canon Rewrite, Steve Harrington Has Powers, Hurt Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington is a Sweetheart, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington Needs a Hug, Child Neglect, Neglect, Past Child Abuse, Child Abuse, Season/Series 01, Canon-Typical Violence, Violence, Blood and Violence, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Telekinesis, Seven, Tattoos, Headaches & Migraines, Steve Harrington Has Migraines, Child Experimentation, Human Experimentation, Daddy Issues, Mommy Issues, Shock, Electrocution, Electricity, Electrocution Therapy, Seizures, Steve Harrington Has Brain Damage, Steve Harrington Has Bad Parents, Steddie Brainrot, Medical Inaccuracies, Steve Harrington-centric, Period-Typical Homophobia, Canon-Typical Behavior, Nosebleed

Steve has blocks in his memory, but a certain name and a certain voice ring his mind constantly. Like a broken record, he hears the voice but cannot identify it. Don’t be afraid, Seven. Or; the Steve has powers fic you knew you needed.

see the other side by kdqt314

Explicit - 3.7k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Dom/sub, Switch Steve Harrington, Sub Eddie Munson, Dom Eddie Munson, Dom Steve Harrington, Humiliation, Trying New Things, Masturbation, Face Slapping, Come Shot, Hair-pulling, Stereotypes, Bratting, Pet Play If You Squint, Aftercare, Eddie Munson Has Sensory Issues, Frottage, Communication, sometimes Eddie just needs to turn off his brain, Eddie Munson is a Little Shit

Eddie thinks he's a Dom, until his boyfriend shows him he's not.

horror films & hormones by cheapqueer

Explicit - 2.3k - Eddie Munson / Reader - Eddie Munson is a Sweetheart, Eddie Munson Smut, Soft Eddie Munson, Top Eddie Munson, Dom Eddie Munson, Oral Sex, Vaginal Sex, Penis In Vagina Sex, Creampie, Alternate Universe - No Upside Down (Stranger Things), Stranger Things 4, Eddie Munson is a Little Shit, Eddie Munson Fluff

watching a horror movie with your boyfriend doesn’t go exactly as planned.

that rush is almost all you can stand by PrincessOTP

Explicit - 7.1k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Bottom Steve Harrington, Top Eddie Munson, Virgin Eddie Munson, Dom Eddie Munson, Sub Steve Harrington, Light Dom/sub, Hanky Code, Handkerchief Code, Smut, Pet Names, Making Out, Anal Fingering, Masturbation, Begging, Hand Jobs, Biting, Praise Kink, Anal Sex, Light Feminization, the babygirlification of steve harrington, Breeding Kink, Eddie teaches Steve guitar, Steve Harrington Has a Crush on Eddie Munson, POV Steve Harrington

“Please fuck me, Eddie.” Eddie’s head shot up to look at Steve, eyes wide and dark. “What?” “Cmon I know you heard me, Eds.” Steve whined, squirming under Eddie’s gaze. “Yeah. I just— I didn’t expect that. I kinda thought you’d wanna fuck me.” That made Steve stop. “But aren’t you a top?” “I mean, I don’t really care which way we do it. We can switch or whatever.” Eddie shrugged, sitting up a little and removing his hands. Steve mourned the feeling of his skin on his. He scrunched his nose in confusion. “But what about the hanky?” “What hanky?” God, did Steve have to spell it out? “Your— your bandana!” “What about it?” “It means you're a top who’s into S&M!” “It means WHAT?” - Or the one where Steve knows more about flagging than Eddie

November Paramedic by BackyardOwl

Mature - 25.6k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Minor Maxine "Max" Mayfield/Lucas Sinclair, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Fluff and Humor, Hijinks & Shenanigans, Awkwardness, Gay Eddie Munson, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Paramedic Steve Harrington, Lust at First Sight, Sexual Tension, Eddie Munson Has a Crush on Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson is a Mess, Steve Harrington is a Sweetheart, Good Friend Gareth (Stranger Things) Good Friend Maxine "Max" Mayfield, Eddie would disagree on the "good friends" part but it's true, POV Eddie Munson, Masturbation, Rimming, Anal Sex

Eddie has had his fair share of fantasies, but none of them involved fucking a paramedic. Until two years ago. That's when the "sexy men at work"-calendar got added to his porn stash and orgasms as he knew them changed forever. All the men in the calendar are hot, but none of them hold a candle to the paramedic. He's got this look in his eyes, this slant to his mouth. Like he knows he's the hottest guy in it. And everything is fine. Everything is great. Eddie's been single forever and he has no idea where he's headed in life, but he's fine. At least until he's collateral damage in a bar fight after a gig, and none other than his sexy November-paramedic arrives to treat his wounds.

held frozen like an angel to me by stobinesque (amusingdisplacement)

Explicit - 10.3k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Alternate Universe - Creatures & Monsters, Vers Dom Steve Harrington, Vers Sub Eddie Munson, Monsterfucking, Monster Steve Harrington, Rockstar Eddie Munson, Dual POV, gothic vibes, Shapeshifting Genitalia, Dream Sex, Dream Manipulation, Sleep Paralysis, Biting, Blood Kink, Aphrodisiac Venom, Choking, Breeding Kink, Possessiveness/Obsession, Ownership, Collars, Compulsion, Vaginal Sex, Oral Sex, Come Play, Come Eating, Foot Kink, Cock & Ball Torture, light gore, Religious References and Biblical Allusions, Dacryphilia, Anal Fingering, Anal Sex, Tails, Wing Kink, Lactation Kink, Knotting, Good Boy Eddie Munson, Theodore Munson truthing hours

There's a figure in the doorway, silhouetted by the chandeliers he keeps faintly lit in the receiving hall. Eddie sees the outline of wings. Of horns. A flowered crown. No sooner has he had the thought to reach out than the figure is stalking towards him. Eddie still can't move, and the beat of his heart picks up its pace. Not yet pounding in terror, but racing like he's just started a chase. He wants to speak. Wants to cry out, wants to— "Hello, my pet."

on your knees by orphan_account

Mature - 1.5k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Smut, thats all i know how to write, Marijuana, eddie munsons band, Top Eddie Munson, Bottom Steve Harrington, established eddie munson/steve harrington

Pretend W.A.S.P. didn't write on your knees, yes i can smell the metalhead tears from my computer as I write this. I will probably read this later when I sober up and delete this vile ass shit. Basically, Eddie writes a song but wont let Steve hear it until he plays it in concert.

Hawkins’ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry by steveharringtoned

General Audiences - 43.4k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Alternate Universe - Harry Potter Setting, Good Babysitter Steve Harrington, Protective Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson-centric, Triwizard Tournament (Harry Potter), Protective Eddie Munson, Hurt Eddie Munson, Slow Burn, Eddie Munson Has a Crush on Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington is Viktor Krum With Hair, Yule Ball (Harry Potter), Hurt/Comfort, POV Eddie Munson, Chosen One Eleven, Dragons, Underwater Kiss, Muggleborn Steve Harrington, Angst, Whump, Hurt Steve Harrington

After failing his fifth year twice, Eddie is ready to buckle down and have just one, relatively normal year at Hawkins’ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But then famous professional Quidditch player, Durmstrang golden-boy Steve Harrington just has to enter the Triwizard Tournament. (And Eddie can’t be one-upped by him and his flouncy hair—no way. Not when Dustin’s respect is on the line.) But maybe he’ll finally prove to Gryffindor House that he belongs there after all.

Red puddle of mud (skin warm in the sun) by sweetlikesugar

Explicit - 4.3k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Dead Dove: Do Not Eat, Extremely Dubious Consent, Blood and Gore, Murder, Intercrural Sex, Anal Fingering, Blood As Lube, Post-Stranger Things 4 Vol. 2, Obsessive Behavior, Exhibitionism, Dark Steve Harrington

And Eddie has thought about kissing boys. He obsessed about kissing boys. He has kissed a few boys, quick and wet, tasting like booze and bad weed, with stubble scratching his face and strong waist under his hands, with none of the give of the girl’s soft physique. None of it holds a candle to the way Steve Harrington is kissing him.

don't need your roses, i like men on their knees by callunavulgari

Explicit - 5.1k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Alternate Universe - Serial Killers, Serial Killer Eddie Munson, FBI Agent Steve Harrington, Explicit Sexual Content

“Did you like my last letter?” Munson asks him softly, eying Steve through lowered lashes. “You mean the one where you told the entire bureau every lurid thought that you’ve ever had about my cock?” Steve says waspishly. “Yeah, can’t say that I did.” Munson’s smile grows, just a little, enough to show teeth. He flicks his eyes downwards, slow and pointed, before he drags them up again. He takes another step forward, until he’s tucked easily into the curve of Steve’s body and reaches down, palming the curve of Steve’s cock and balls through his slacks. He cups gently, the press of his fingers barely there, but still hard enough to make Steve hiss, his hips twitching into the touch. “You sure about that?” Munson asks slyly.

wanna be the only one for miles and miles (except for maybe you) by judasofsuburbia

Explicit - 4.9k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Alternate Universe - Western, Outlaw!Eddie Munson, Sheriff!Steve Harrington, Homosexual Wound Care, Domestic, Blow Jobs, Anal Fingering, Anal Sex, Love Confessions

“Aren’t I supposed to be runnin’ from you?” Eddie jokes, half-heartedly. “You are the sheriff after all.” “I’m not a sheriff to you,” Steve whispers. “Not here.” Eddie can take Steve’s food, Steve’s bath water, Steve’s bed, Steve’s warmth. He doesn’t think he can take Steve’s love. or: outlaw!eddie runs to sheriff!steve's house after a fight at the saloon expecting to get chewed out but finds something sweeter instead.

sweetness on our lips by deadratz

Explicit - 5.4k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Established Relationship, First Time, Virgin Eddie Munson, Bottom Eddie Munson, Top Steve Harrington, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, Oral Sex, First Time Blow Jobs, Possessive Steve Harrington, Good Boy Eddie Munson, Praise Kink, Multiple Orgasms, Love Confessions, Loss of Virginity

Steve thinks this might be the longest he's gone without sex ever since he first lost his virginity. It's certainly the longest he's gone without sex while actively dating someone. Four months in, and he and Eddie have been taking things slow. And he's perfectly fine with that, even if he's been imagining spending his entire life with Eddie since the moment he was pressed up against the wall in that boat house.

Future Hazy Try Again by merry_magpie

Teen and Up - 30.3k - Eddie Munson & Everyone - Eddie Munson is 010, Eddie Munson Needs a Hug, Eddie Munson Has Powers, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Alternate Universe, Precognition, Underage Drinking, Recreational Drug Use, Good Parent Wayne Munson, Eddie Munson Has ADHD, Big Brother Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington is a Sweetheart, Bisexual Eddie Munson, Bisexual Male Character, Bullying, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Self-Medication, Canon Temporary Character Death, Minor Steve Harrington/Nancy Wheeler, Grief/Mourning, Eddie Munson Fights, Driving While High

Eddie escaped the lab early in 1979 and has never looked back. Until his sister shows up in November of 1983 and Eddie can no longer keep away from the weird stuff. A re-write of the end of season one if Eddie was 10 and had very reluctantly joined the Party.

To Deserve Love, etc by Ragazza_Guasto

Explicit - 6.1k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Gay Eddie Munson, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Sugar Daddy Steve Harrington, A teaspoon of angst, Robin Buckley Saves The Day, First Time, Blow Jobs, Himbo Steve Harrington, Humor

"Why are you buying Eddie expensive gifts?” He went completely blank, wheels spinning. Nothing he'd been telling himself sounded remotely coherent when he thought about articulating it. "It's just...a nice thing to do? For a friend.” "Uh huh," she planted her elbows on the counter, chin propped up on her hands, "so where's my expensive gift?” He couldn't control the face he made at that. It was too fucking telling apparently because her face smoothed out, like she had the missing puzzle piece, the internal 'gotcha'. "Steve. Did you buy gifts for Nancy?" It didn't matter how slow she asked the question, it still struck him in the gut. He wheezed. None of the bullshit he'd been telling himself these last few weeks held up under Robin's scrutiny, she'd ripped the planks off all the boarded up windows. He wasn't buying nice things for a friend. He was courting Eddie. “Oh, fuck,” he grunted. “What the fuck am I doing?”

Show Me Your Teeth by entanglednow

Explicit - 7.8k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Play Fighting, First Kiss, First Time, Getting Together, Kink Discovery, Kink Exploration, Biting, so much biting, Bitemarks, Rimming, Sexual Content, Idiots in Love, Eddie Munson is a Mess

Eddie Munson apparently didn't get the memo that you can't just bite the people you're interested in. But Steve decides that he's surprisingly willing to hear him out.

if somebody loves you (won't they always love you?) by twelvexclara

Explicit - 13.5k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Angst with a Happy Ending, Canon Compliant, Exes to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Omega Steve Harrington, Alpha Eddie Munson, Intersex Omegas, Rejection Sickness, Cunnilingus, Rough Sex, Knotting, Breeding Kink, Unsafe Sex, Beta Read, Stress Heat

“Steve—” “Nope,” Steve snaps, cutting Eddie off. “Not doing this right now, sorry.” There’s a moment of silence, before— “I just think we should talk about—” A bubble of laughter forces its way up Steve’s throat, slipping past his mouth. He turns to face Eddie, ready to spit venom at the man, but that’s when he takes in Eddie's face. - When Eddie breaks up with Steve seemingly out of nowhere, Steve scrambles to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of it.

we can be ghosts by hydrangea_bush

Mature - 8.3k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Alternate Universe - Pirate, Alternate Universe - Fantasy, Childhood Friends, Childhood Memories, Strangers to Lovers, Shipwrecks, Hurt/Comfort, Light Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending, Banter, Pirate!Eddie Munson, Sailor!Steve Harrington

“Are you a pirate?” Steve demands. “Are you afraid of me?” he counters, lips curling into an amused smile. // After a fierce storm leaves Steve shipwrecked and delirious on the ocean, he finds himself rescued by the mysterious captain of The Hellfire. Someone who seems too familiar for his own good.

Did Someone Mix You Up? by fabeld

Explicit - 25.4k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Post-Stranger Things 2, Pre-Stranger Things 3, Making Out, Internalized Homophobia, Period Typical Attitudes, Steve's Parents Are Not Abusive, Gay Eddie Munson, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Recreational Drug Use, Dysfunctional Relationships

Steve rolled onto his side and studied Eddie's face. The slope of his nose and the outline of his jaw, where dark stubble grew in patches. “What's it like?” Steve asked. “Kissing another guy?”

We Passed the Setting Sun by etienne (FanfictionForAtheists)

Teen and Up - 5.7k - Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson - Trees, The Upside Down (Stranger Things), Hurt Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington Has Brain Damage, Deaf Steve Harrington, Deaf Character, Eddie Munson Lives, Or does he:3, Loneliness, Isolation, Steve Harrington's Pool, Minor Joyce Byers/Jim "Chief" Hopper, Confessions, Love Confessions, Brain Damage, meow, Post-Canon, Post-Season/Series 04, Canon Compliant, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Hurt No Comfort, Emotionally Repressed, Death, Scars, Hurt Eddie Munson, Other Characters Are Mentioned, Trauma, Purple

Steve sometimes had to check himself in the mirror to make sure that everything that he remembered had happened. And then he’d see the myriad of scar tissue, and the way that he couldn’t hear what he was saying, despite seeing his chapped lips move, and he’d remember that 'oh yeah, I may or may not be living above literal hell'. or It's November 1990, over four years since the events of series four. Everyone has their own lives now, but Steve... Steve is lost. -- The Steddie Tree Fic

That was a lot, folks. Have fun.

[nikuqueensempai]

Luka /Viperion in Reverse Universe

And here, remembering this post, I present to you my version of Luka/Viperion in the reverse world

(Read below to know more)

Let's start with when I was a child, the Luka of the reverse world was actually the first child of the famous duo Crocoduel, which in this world was a duo/couple of pop artists from the 80's who had twins Luka and Juleka. From a very young age, Luka realized that his parents always gave extreme favoritism to his sister, which created the resentment towards women that he has now due to a phrase that his mother once said:

"She is a girl, "it must have everything"

At the age of 12 he runs away from home to get to The Supreme. One of the worst mistakes he could make because, although he would take him under his mantle, he would become the guinea pig for an experiment he had to unite a miraculous with someone. The Supreme would achieve his goal (As a note, the tattoo, which is not a tattoo, on his arm is reminiscent of what Sass is) but greatly disrupting Luka's mind, turning him into someone incapable of feeling pain, and most alarming of all, he could not see the majority of the bearers as humans but as monstrous and aberrant amalgams, his only, and curiosly, exception is the miraculous of the peacock.

In those years he would meet Felix, a boy (More a war machine of The Supreme) with whom he would get along very well and with whom he would slowly begin to develop a strong feeling for him, and after a series of events, Luka would get the object of Felix's amok and both would get flee from The Supreme, becoming a couple of carrier killers who had both their challenges with the envoys of The Supreme (Also having their confrontations with Shadybug and Claw Noir when they were on the side of The Supreme) and with the kamikozaded of Hesperia.

[hypnofantasma-asks-and-doodles]

Kraizen who work as Clowns in Circuses are described as having tattoos and patterns to make them look tough, bizarre, and monstrous. But how do they get these tattoos and markings? Does someone else in their circus provide them, or do they go to a type of Artist for them?

Anyone who works with body paints (or bodily fashion, like tattoo artists and piercers and practical effects artists, in general) will paint them on, and most Circuses probably definitely have one such specialist. they aren't special to Circuses nor does every Circus have one, but i can see it being rather common

[runningdownthatroad]

I can't even...

"Why did Depp, who had already lost a similar case in Britain, insist on going back to court? A public trial, during which allegations of physical, sexual, emotional and substance abuse against him were sure to be repeated, couldn’t be counted on to restore his reputation. Heard, his ex-wife, was counting on the opposite: that the world would hear, in detail, about the physical torments that led her to describe herself, in the Washington Post op-ed that led to the suit, as “a public figure representing domestic abuse.”

Even before the verdict came in, Depp had already won. What had looked to many like a clear-cut case of domestic violence had devolved into a “both sides” melodrama. The fact that Heard’s partial victory, which involved not Depp’s words but those spoken in 2020 by Adam Waldman, his lawyer at the time, can be spun in that direction shows how such ambiguity served Depp all along. As one commenter on The New York Times site put it, “Every relationship has its troubles.” Life is complicated. Maybe they were both abusive. Who really knows what happened? The convention of courtroom journalism is to make a scruple of indeterminacy. And so we found ourselves in the familiar land of he said/she said.

We should know by now that the symmetry implied by that phrase is an ideological fiction, that women who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault have a much harder time being listened to than their assailants. I don’t mean that women always tell the truth, that men are always guilty as charged, or that due process isn’t the bedrock of justice. But Depp-Heard wasn’t a criminal trial; it was a civil action intended to measure the reputational harm each one claimed the other had done. Which means that it rested less on facts than on sympathies.

In that regard, Depp possessed distinct advantages. He isn’t a better actor than Heard, but her conduct on the stand was more harshly criticized in no small part because he’s a more familiar performer, a bigger star who has dwelled for much longer in the glow of public approbation. He brought with him into the courtroom the well-known characters he has played, a virtual entourage of lovable rogues, misunderstood artists and gonzo rebels. He’s Edward Scissorhands, Jack Sparrow, Hunter S. Thompson, Gilbert Grape.

We’ve seen him mischievous and mercurial, but never truly menacing. He’s someone we’ve watched grow up, from juvenile heartthrob on “21 Jump Street” to crusty old salt in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise. His offscreen peccadilloes (the drinking, the drugs, the “Winona Forever” tattoo) have been part of the pop-cultural background noise for much of that time, classified along with the scandals and shenanigans that have been a Hollywood sideshow since the silent era.

In his testimony, Depp copped to some bad stuff, but this too was a play for sympathy, of a piece with the charm and courtliness he was at pains to display. That he came off as a guy unable to control his temper or his appetites was seen, by many of the most vocal social media users, to enhance his credibility, while Heard’s every tear or gesture was taken to undermine hers. The audience was primed to accept him as flawed, vulnerable, human, and to view her as monstrous.

Because he’s a man. Celebrity and masculinity confer mutually reinforcing advantages. Famous men — athletes, actors, musicians, politicians — get to be that way partly because they represent what other men aspire to be. Defending their prerogatives is a way of protecting, and asserting, our own. We want them to be bad boys, to break the rules and get away with it. Their seigneurial right to sexual gratification is something the rest of us might resent, envy or disapprove of, but we rarely challenge it. These guys are cool. They do what they want, including to women. Anyone who objects is guilty of wokeness, or gender treason, or actual malice.

Of course there are exceptions. In the #MeToo era there are men who have gone to jail, lost their jobs or suffered disgrace because of the way they’ve treated women. The fall of certain prominent men — Harvey Weinstein, Leslie Moonves, Matt Lauer — was often welcomed as a sign that a status quo that sheltered, enabled and celebrated predators, rapists and harassers was at last changing.

A few years later, it seems more likely that they were sacrificed not to end that system of entitlement but rather to preserve it. Almost as soon as the supposed reckoning began there were complaints that it had gone too far, that nuances were being neglected and too-harsh punishments meted out.

This backlash has been folded into a larger discourse about “cancel culture,” which is often less about actions than words. “Cancellation” is now synonymous with any criticism that invokes racial insensitivity, sexual misbehavior or controversial opinions. Creeps are treated as martyrs, and every loudmouth is a free-speech warrior. Famous men with lucrative sinecures on cable news, streaming platforms and legacy print publications can proclaim themselves victims.

Which is just what Depp did. And while he accused Heard of doing terrible things to him in the course of their relationship and breakup, the lawsuit wasn’t about those things. It was about words published under her name, none of which were “Johnny Depp.” In a sentence the jury found false and malicious, after describing herself as “representing domestic abuse” Heard wrote that she “felt the full force of our culture’s wrath for women who speak out.” This time she surely has.

Misogyny isn’t the subtext of American political rage and social dysfunction; all too often, it’s the plain text. The links between domestic violence and mass shootings are chilling and well documented, though rarely cited in arguments about policy and prevention. The mobs of social media mobilize against women with special frequency and ferocity, often using the language of righteous grievance. Gamergate, a campaign of harassment directed at women who wrote about video game culture, pretended to be about “ethics in journalism.” The alt-right in the months before the 2016 election and its post-Trump progeny specialize in targeted misogyny. The TikTok hordes that went after Amber Heard over the past few months took a page from that book.

Depp’s victory is also theirs. The rage of men whose grievances are inchoate and inexhaustible found expression in a 58-year-old movie star’s humiliation of his 36-year-old former wife. I have to wonder: Are men OK? That’s a sincere question. Does the blend of self-pity, vanity, petulance and bombast that Depp displayed on the stand represent how we want to see ourselves or our sons? That’s a rhetorical question. The answer is yes.

Not all men, though. Right? Now that the trial is over, we’ll find new things to be ambiguous about, new venues where indeterminacy can serve as an alibi for the same old cruelty, and for its newer iterations. Johnny Depp is being embraced as a hero in some quarters, but his victory extends even to those who will allow themselves to feel troubled by the outcome of the trial and then move on. Some of us may wince a little when we watch “Pirates of the Caribbean” or “Donnie Brasco,” but we’ll probably still watch. They’re pretty good movies, and it’s not as if they can be expunged from the collective memory. That hasn’t happened to Louis C.K., or Woody Allen, or Michael Jackson, or Mel Gibson, or even Bill Cosby. Some of them have gone to court, some have faced public censure and disgrace, but they all remain woven into the fabric of the culture, and their behavior is too. We may not entirely forget, but we mostly forgive.

Let’s at least be clear about what that means. It means that we value the comfort and self-regard of men, especially famous ones, more than we value the safety and dignity of women, even famous ones."

(x)

This was written by a man. Which honestly kills me because all it does is prove that misandry is alive and well when it comes to the subject of domestic abuse. Just like that age old view of the patriarchy unable to see women as equals, women as anything other than damsels in distress, fragile little creatures that must be protected at all costs, here we have proof that society is still unable to accept the fact that a woman can abuse a man. And because said abuser is a woman, then society demands that we absolutely believe everything they've claimed despite evidence that was entered into a court of law that was reviewed by legal experts and jurors alike proving the contrary. It demands that not only are we to circle her wagons and defend her due to her anatomy but also turn a blind eye to her abuses of not only a man but other human beings that it has been documented by law enforcement and in a court of law that she actually did.

I am just...astonished. This is the NY Times. They approved this piece. And rather than talk to actual abuse experts and psychological experts, even law enforcement, they choose to continue to be part of the problem.

Let me say this, had I heard JD making the statements on the audio recordings that AH did instead, I absolutely would be just as passionate in supporting her. Because I support ALL survivors, regardless of their gender.

And because of my experience in this arena, because I am a survivor, I can tell you that within seconds of hearing AH speaking that I knew right then, other evidence sight unseen, who was really abusing who. It's a special club that not one of us ever wants to be a part of.

[vespertea]

My Helluva Boss OCs, Dax, Tripp, and their sinful demon princess Merihem of the Vainglory ring. Merihem is based on a bat & manta ray hybrid! I wanted something that flies, but maybe looked somewhat elegant even though it was still monstrous and demonic. Her unleashed form is much more bat-monster like, rivalling that of dragons. Vainglory Imps are born with larger, fancier horns, wings, and are more likely to have symmetrical or artistically abstract birth marks (white & black markings). They're descended from Lust Imps (regular imps who bred with Succubi, putting wings in the gene pool) and are obsessed with decorating themselves in any way possible, as their home ring entails. Vainglory is a major shopping district, selling cosmetics to it's inhabitants. Personal imps that belong to Merihem herself are decorated in gold jewelry, whereas typical imps will get silver or black cosmetic trinkets. It's not uncommon to see imps with strange white patterns-- some of these can be due to genetics, but many imps also get tattooed in Merihem's Bar & Lounge. Tattoos range from regular black ink to pure cutting and branding. Oh But What Is The Difference Between VG and Plain Old... Pride??

Vainglory : Excessive vanity, ostentatious display

Pride : Inordinate self esteem, unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, rank, etc.

"... Pride is about position and power, and Vainglory is about attention and acknowledgement."

"Vainglory is a characteristic that comes from the heart as desire while Pride is an attitude that comes from the mind as a way of thinking or mindset."

"... Vainglory is focused on impressing others and seeking the approval of others, while Pride is focused on one's own self-esteem and trying to be better than others." Hopefully that's enough random quotes I found on the internet comparing the two. They really are different.

[damienthepious]

continuing to be unhinged on main, i guess the florist/tattoo artist au has another chapter now??? but THIS time i truly think that’s it. that’s it! I’m tapped for this au. unless i think of something else fun. and then all bets are off.

Budding, Blooming (chapter 2)

[ch 1] [ao3]

Fandom: The Penumbra Podcast

Relationship: Lord Arum/Sir Damien, Sir Damien/Rilla, Lord Arum/Rilla, Lord Arum/Sir Damien/Rilla

Characters: Lord Arum, Sir Damien, Rilla

Additional Tags: Second Citadel, Lizard Kissin’ Tuesday, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, (but there’s still monsters), Alternate Universe - Flower Shop, Pre-Relationship, Romantic Tension, Poetry, Flowers, Valentine’s Day, (implied but not stated. could be a some weird modern-citadel fest), DOESN"T MATTER

Summary: ... Was he asking for a date, though?

Notes: okay fuck. alright. okay so there's more. it's fine. thank you for uhhhh sticking with me as i took an unexpected month off!! felt weird, gang. felt real weird.

~

Arum feels... unsettled as he locks up the shop, that evening. He half expected Damien to have returned before he finished, considering- well. Considering. But the street is dark and still shining with the brief rain from a few hours earlier, and it is entirely empty of meddling poets as Arum flicks the keys around his fingers, his shoulders sagging with a sigh.

Long, grueling day. Damien hadn't been the only annoyance, of course. He hadn't even been the worst annoyance, surprisingly, and Arum is... tired. Perhaps he should have told the poet to come another day- tomorrow, or next week, or-

(Enough time to talk himself out of the idea.)

"Did he finally get up the nerve?"

Arum jumps, the keys flinging off his fingertips and hitting the pavement with a heavy chime as he whirls, teeth automatically bared and another hand clenching hard behind his back.

"What?" he snaps sharply, embarrassed without really knowing why, and then-

It's the woman from across the street, from the tattoo shop. Amaryllis- Rilla, Damien's- his-

(Once or thrice she has stopped by, warm and chipper and citing small business owner solidarity with a smile, chatting amiably about her almost-botany-degree while acting as if Arum isn't the most uncomfortable and asocial monster to ever crawl out of the swamp. She's sourced rare or monstrous flowers through him before, too, both for her own personal collection and because pics on the internet aren't good enough, I want this piece to work and I want hands on the real thing for my preliminary sketches. Which Arum... could not help but respect. It makes sense, to Arum, that Damien would fixate on someone like her.)

(She goes by Rilla, he knows, but Damien's insistence every single time he tried to plan an arrangement for her, every time, it needed amaryllis, he must add amaryllis, and amaryllis for Amaryllis caught in his head sturdy enough that he cannot seem to shake that name.)

(And now she's here in front of his shop and almost leering while Arum is distracted thinking about Damien and she's asking about- what? What-)

"Whoa, sorry," she says, grinning in a decidedly unapologetic way as she lifts her hands. "Didn't mean to scare you."

"You- would hardly say that you-" he huffs, flicking his tail to snag the keys and dropping them back into his hands. "I am fine."

"Right," she says, her eyes dancing (reminding Arum forcefully of one of Damien's poetic scraps), and then she tips her head. "I was just curious, y'know. The holiday and all, and he came out of here absolutely bouncing. He usually looks like a wet puppy when he leaves your shop, you know."

"What?" Arum says again, pulling his head back. "Who?" he asks, despite the fact that his stomach is clenching with a certainty that he does, in fact, know who.

"Damien, that cute poet boy," she says, her mouth curling into a warmer smile. "He's friends with my brother, so he stops by the parlor sometimes. Or- they're friends now," she says, rolling her eyes and gesturing to nothing before she shakes her head. "It was a whole thing, before, but- nevermind, not the point. Did he finally...?"

She leaves the question in a suggestive stretch, her eyebrows rising as she trails off, and Arum clenches his hands and stiffens with another wave of incomprehensible embarrassment, his throat ticking in a helpless rattle and his traitor frill rising at his neck.

"I don't know what you could mean," he rushes in a single breath, wrinkling his snout with as much disdain as he can muster.

"Aw, c'mon," she wheedles, leaning closer as Arum stiffens. "I've been dying over there watching him dance circles around you."

"Around-" Arum sputters, flicks his eyes away. "Around me?"

Some of the smirk falls out of Amaryllis' smile, then, her expression softening. "It looked like he asked you out. That's all. I don't mean to be nosy, I just-" she pauses, then laughs. "I just am. Nosy, I mean."

Arum barks a laugh at that, helpless against it, and then he huffs a breath and glances to the side, to the still empty, still rain-wet street gleaming in the light from the shops. "I don't-"

And he pauses.

Did- was that-

He had assumed, from Damien's tone, from the context of the day and-

"He asked if he could come meet me," Arum says slowly. "After my shift was over. I don't... I don't know if he meant..."

He trails off, stomach twisting, suddenly much more uncertain, and then he looks to Amaryllis again. Her smile twitches as she meets his eye, and she nods, her expression going thoughtful and sympathetic.

"That sounds like he was asking you out?" she says, her inflection swooping upward at the end. "I would think?"

She pauses, while Arum's stomach continues to do unhelpful little turns, his hands flexing, and then she tips her head gently to the side.

"Did you... want him to be asking you out?"

Usually, Arum only wishes that he could sink into the mantle of the planet once per day at the very most. This holiday might kill him, he muses.

"N-no," he sputters after a suspicious beat. "He is- he- utterly obnoxious, and-"

"So... that isn't what the flowers are for," she drawls, her eyelids lowering and her smirk reemerging with a sly little twist (another poem screams to the forefront of Arum's mind, distracting as a flitting moth).

Arum stiffens further as the words sink into his mind. He clenches the hand already held behind his back, ineffectually trying to hide- the bouquet.

(Ridiculous. This was ridiculous. Two canceled orders and a few minutes stolen time and the vague idea that Damien would like these colors together, the memories of the flowers Damien gravitated towards when he would plan out his own arrangements-)

He manages a sound that could be half the word no, an awkward nasal humming, and then his voice fails entirely as the compulsive rattling growl in his throat takes precedence.

Amaryllis giggles, and Arum does not know why he does not instantly take offense to the noise. Perhaps because it sounds entirely joyful, and not at all mocking.

He sighs, after a moment, relaxing his arm and holding the bouquet at his side rather than behind his back. "Perhaps," he admits, but then he glances back through the unlit shop window, to where he can see the clock. "Though I'm not certain that it matters."

Her smile subsides a little, her head tilting. "Hm?"

"He's... late."

He told Damien he would be done around seven. He had been optimistic, apparently. It is already nearing eight, and... he and Amaryllis are still alone on the dimly lit street. He had been (without admitting it to himself) keeping an eye on the door since six thirty, for all the good it did him.

"Oh," Amaryllis says, and Arum turns his attention to her again at the quiet note of sympathy in her voice. "Maybe he... lost track of time?"

Arum thinks of the hours that Damien has previously spent agonizing about his potential purchases, and decides that the possibility is entirely likely. He is unsure if that makes him feel any better, however.

He realizes, belatedly, that Amaryllis has stepped a little closer, and he tries not to visibly tense as she lifts a hand.

"Can I see?" she asks, and Arum can't quite think of a reason to say no. He sighs again, lifting the bundle and allowing her to brush, just barely, the petal of one of the flowers. "It's pretty. The colors-"

"It was the best I could do with scraps," he deflects, shrugging one shoulder.

"It's pretty," she repeats with a stubborn lilt, glaring up at him as she gently cups a hand around one of the few roses he'd managed to salvage, a dusty pale purple thing, and the way her fingers curl against the petals is almost protective. There is something about the gesture that Arum feels like he needs to look away from. "And it's very sweet of you."

Arum grumbles, some part of himself distracted with wondering if he has ever in his life before been called sweet.

She seems to realize that she's still got her hand in his flowers, and she shifts backward without taking a step, dropping her hands back to her sides and briefly biting her lip.

"Tell you what," she says, and then she- she hesitates for a half second, ducking her head and then looking up at Arum with her dark, oddly searching eyes. "I'll wait with you. If he doesn't come..." she shrugs, "I'll walk you home."

Arum's instincts flare in at least three directions, after a moment of confused sputtering he hones in on his indignation, stiffening.

"I do not need your pity," he says, only barely managing not to spit, and Amaryllis-

Half-steps back, blinking as her expression opens in surprise.

"Wh... whoa, what? No, no, I just-" she shakes her head, giving a stunted, embarrassed laugh. "Being stood up sucks for anyone," she says, "and I just- I mean, it isn't like I haven't thought about it, y'know? You've got this whole," she pauses to gesture with a hand, up and down Arum's entire body as if that explains anything, "this whole thing, hold yourself all regal and- if we weren't both so busy constantly it might've been nice to try- to ask- I don't know, I don't-"

She pauses more fully, lifting her shoulders as she takes a deep breath and then releases it, giving Arum a wincing smile as he stares at her, still uncomprehending.

"I am... making a complete ass of myself, aren't I?"

She waits for him to answer, which means that Arum needs to come up with one. He can feel his tail twitching behind him, so he tries to curl it around his ankle to keep from hitting anything.

"I don't have the first idea what any of that meant," he admits, and she exhales a sigh that sounds relieved.

"That's fine, that's great, I was just- what I meant was, I don't want to walk you home out of pity. I want to walk you home because- because I just want to. It isn't like I have anyone else to take me out tonight, anyway," she adds, not sounding bothered about it.

Arum turns that over, then slowly gives a nod.

"Solidarity again," he murmurs, and Amaryllis snorts.

"Well- not exactly, but- fine. Yeah, that works."

Arum considers letting it drop there, but-

"If not that, then what?" he asks, his voice sounding tired even to his own ears, and she gives him a searching look.

"I like you," she says after a beat, and then she shrugs as Arum's comprehension staggers to another halt. "I'm literally too busy to date, so it's not like I was planning on doing anything about it, but- you're fun to talk to, you're gorgeous, I like talking to you," she shrugs again, a little too casual, and realization hits Arum like a physical blow that she's nervous about this, at least to some degree. "And I don't want you to have to walk home alone in the dark on some big dumb romance holiday when I could walk with you instead. So."

Arum stares at her for another long moment, but-

Before he can respond, he hears footsteps on wet pavement, and he turns his head at precisely the right moment to see Damien round the corner at an anxious jog, skidding on the turn, a journal overflowing with stuffed in pieces of extra paper clutched against his chest.

"Arum, I-"

Damien twitches with his entire body when he recognizes Amaryllis, the nervousness in her expression replaced now with amusement and delight, and-

The three of them... stare. At each other. Arum considers his third bout of wishing for swift removal from the planet. Damien looks as if he may have forgotten how to breathe air. Amaryllis only looks more amused with each moment.

But then Arum-

(Flowers in his hand. Bouquet here and now between Damien and Amaryllis. A box full of poems. Love poems.)

Arum has a moment of clarity.

He understands what he should do, even as Damien finally takes a breath to collect himself and and steps forward again. It makes Arum feel as if his stomach has vanished, but... well. It doesn't matter.

Arum holds the flowers up, pressing them into Damien's hands as the poet flushes dark and sputters wordlessly, and then Arum turns towards Amaryllis.

"He hasn't been coming by my shop for my sake," he explains, his voice strangely calm. "He was trying to pick out the perfect flowers for you, and the nerve to give them. Because he adores you," he continues, watching Amaryllis' lips part with surprise. "He's written dozens of poems for you and doesn't consider any of them sufficient to present to you, despite their beauty and deftness. He-" Arum inhales, a hint of a shake entering his voice. "He made a mistake, earlier today. I made him feel guilty. He was trying to... make up for inconveniencing me. But it is you, that he wishes to be with."

Arum makes himself turn towards Damien, then, who has returned to open gawping, his hands clutched hard around both his journal and the flowers.

"You should give those to her, honeysuckle," Arum says, because that's what happens next, isn't it? And Arum can- he can go. He's no longer needed in this exchange, and he can finally escape this whirlpool of discomfort and go back to-

Being alone.

"Hey whoa hold up-"

Amaryllis grabs his wrist before he can even finish turning, which is so surprising that Arum fully freezes instead of pulling away like he should.

"I- what? You can't just drop a bomb like that and leave."

Arum glances between the two of them, who- why are they both looking at him? Shouldn't they be- he doesn't know, falling into each other, already? It should be abundantly clear that Arum has no place here, between them.

Damien's pout is firmly aimed in his direction, however. And he glances down at the bouquet for a heartbeat, his face softening, before he shuffles the book into that hand as well, carefully juggling both objects so he can step forward and take one of Arum's other hands, his brow furrowed.

"I did not make a mistake, today," he says, and Arum is mortified to find that his voice sounds hurt. "It is-" he flushes, but perseveres, "it is true that I have been... contemplating a romantic gesture towards- towards Rilla, yes, but- but that does not mean that my words to you today were a mistake." He swallows, glancing to Amaryllis for a moment, and adds, "I apologize, that you needed be told in this way. You deserve far more than that, I should say."

"Don't mention it," Amaryllis says, her nose wrinkling as she flaps a hand in the air. "If it makes you feel better, I kinda figured you had the hots for Arum and I was stuck across the street wishing I had more free time to join the flirting."

Arum feels his frill twitch and Damien gives a startled laugh of his own.

"Flirting with- with who, may I ask?"

Amaryllis shrugs, grinning again, still holding Arum's wrist. "No wrong answers, there, I think," she says slyly, and Arum chokes on a breath, unfortunately drawing both of their attentions again. "So. Wait," Amaryllis says, tilting her head to the side. "So... Damien. You- you like me?"

Damien's flush deepens, and his throat seems to have failed to work, but he does manage to nod, his expression almost brokenly shy. Amaryllis, conversely, grins even wider.

"And you like Arum," she continues, and Damien nods again, his brow furrowing, obviously as uncertain as Arum is, as to where, precisely, she's going with this line of thinking. "So you like me and Arum, and honestly I've been fighting back crushes on the both of you for weeks now, and Arum- the date and the flowers, I think you probably like Damien back, yeah?" she asks, but she doesn't actually seem to expect an answer, this time. "And... do you feel any sort of way about me?"

Arum stiffens, two of his hands still clutched in their absurdly warm grasps, feeling utterly trapped. But-

He swallows. He glances down at each of them, hesitant and unable to hold their gazes for more than a moment each.

"You-" he hesitates, then jumps when he feels Damien squeeze his hand. "You inspire poetry," he says in a rush, and then he looks away entirely, growling low in his throat without meaning to. "Your work is exquisite and your laugh reminds me of sunlight," he adds, still growling, still not looking.

And then Amaryllis drops his hand, and he lets himself look again, startled into another spike of anxiety, but all she's done is pressed a hand over her heart, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth and her expression very tentatively hopeful. She inhales, deep but shaky, and then she quirks a smile and holds her hand out again, offering rather than taking.

"Pretty much every restaurant is going to be full up tonight," she says, "so if we want to go somewhere to talk and have some coffee, maybe... my apartment is above the shop. We could... we could go sit down, maybe. Talk a little bit more about... who likes who. And if we might want to do something about that."

Arum- blinks, then glances down towards Damien, whose expression has tilted so far past hopefulness so fast that he looks near to tears.

And he still hasn't let go of Arum's hand.

This holiday might kill him, Arum thinks again, and then-

He nods, and he takes Amaryllis' hand too.

[monstrouscrew]

how to make the day (even) better? message your fav tattoo artist who does wonderful dark themed graphics and ask if they can make a design based on the song quote written in ST alphabet - and get a yes + her interest in listening to the song where the quote is from.

*dancing dancing jumping jumping*

they, and vessel i in particular, made us feel believed in. however monstrous and alien to the "normal compassionate humans" we are. worth some good marks on our shell's skin.