#yeah this is a great graduation party you just sit in a corner and do nothing except wait for people to give you stale social niceties

[neverendingford]

.

[aewon]

golden

heeseung x f!reader g: fluff, angst ⚠️ : cursing, kissing wc: 1.8k

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Growing up wasn’t easy for you.

Your sister was the golden child, loved by all, hated by none.

You on the other hand were the “other” child in your parents lives.

The one who didn’t get as much attention no matter what you did.

You yearned for the affection and praise from your parents that your sister got daily.

Even in school, your sister was popular with many friends while you had a small few.

You knew your sister truly hated you when you confided in her about a crush you had sophomore year, and she began dating him a week later.

Everything you wanted, your sister got.

Every birthday she was showered with love and lavish gifts, while yours were days mostly spent with friends as less effort was given by your family.

Family…can you even call them that?

It was at 18 when you decided to go low contact with your family, your sister included.

You vowed not to let them hurt you anything with their lack of care for you.

You’re now in your senior year of college, and living without being in your sister's shadow has brought more happiness to you than you could have ever imagined.

She decided to pursue school out of state, while you stayed.

You’re going to be graduating top of your class, but of course your sister’s graduation is overshadowing that.

Which is why when you get the text from your parents inviting you home to celebrate your sister, you want nothing more than to say no.

But you know if you do, they’ll raise questions and it’ll be a whole repeat of the conversation you tried having years ago.

Before you left, you tried talking to your parents about your feelings. How you felt inferior to your sister in their eyes.

They, of course, vehemently denied any accusation of favoritism, claiming you were overreacting.

That was the end of that.

So, you suck it up, telling them you’ll be there.

Your apartment and school are a good hour and a half away from your hometown.

You make the drive the next day, dreading being in the same room as your family for the next 2-3 hours.

When you arrive, the house is already crowded.

You pass uncles, aunts, cousins.

None of them bother to greet you, making you regret coming already.

When you find your parents and sister, they make half an effort to greet you.

“Sis, I’m so glad you could make it,” your sister says.

“Congratulations.” You smile, albeit awkwardly.

Without even saying thank you, she rushes off to greet one of her friends.

You saunter away from your parents, finding a somewhat quiet corner to bury yourself in.

You’re scrolling through your phone when someone sits next to you.

You’re surprised to see Lee Heeseung, one of your sister's friends since high school.

You think he’s just sitting down to relax, but then he’s talking to you.

“Hey, Y/N.”

You look up, “…Hi?”

You remember whenever your sister had friends over, you weren’t allowed to talk to them because it upset her.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you,” Heeseung says.

“Yeah, I moved a couple towns away for college.”

“How have you been?”

“Great! I’m graduating this year.”

Heeseung, who's the same age as your sister, graduated before you.

“Congrats, that’s a big deal. Are your parents gonna arrange a party for you too?”

Your smile slowly fades, “Probably not.”

His brows furrowed in confusion, “Why not?”

You want to tell the truth, the fact that your parents have never cared for you the way they do your sister.

The neglect, the lack of affection, you want to spill everything.

But, he probably won’t believe you, so you wave it off, “I’m just not really a party type.”

He looks like he’s about to say more when you hear your sister squeal his name from across the yard.

Before you know it, she’s rushed over, grabbing Heeseung by the sleeve and dragging him toward their friend group.

You sigh, it’s probably better you don’t talk to him anyway.

The hours drag on and your parents gather everyone’s attention, clanking a fork on a wine glass.

“We’re so happy to have everyone important to S/N here to celebrate her special day. 23 years ago we gave birth to the light of our life and everyday has been a blessing. Our daughter is smart, hardworking, kind and so much more. We can’t think of anyone more deserving. Please, a toast, to S/N.”

Everyone raises their glasses, toasting to her.

You know you shouldn’t, but you can’t help the tears that begin to form.

Getting up, you quietly leave the backyard, heading upstairs to your old room.

It’s empty, with nothing but a bed and dresser, no essence of you anywhere.

When you moved out, you made sure to take everything with you.

Now, as you sit on the bed, you let the tears fall.

You knew your parents didn’t care for you the way they did your sister. Yet, some part of you still hoped you had a place in their hearts, but clearly that was not the case.

This feels like a knife was twisted in your heart.

“Y/N?”

Heeseung’s voice interrupts your thoughts as he enters the room.

“What’s wrong?” He asks, coming to sit beside you on the bed.

“It’s nothing,” you say, wiping your tears frantically.

“You’re crying, Y/N, that’s not nothing.”

“Why are you here, Heeseung? Why are you talking to me?

“Because you’re sad, and I hate to see you sad.” His eyes are soft, looking at you like you’re fragile.

“You don’t even know me Heeseung, why do you care if I’m sad or not?”

Without warning he cups your face, pulling you forward into a kiss.

Your eyes are wide open in shock, before you relax in his hold, closing your eyes and enjoying the kiss.

Your lips move desperately, as he scoots impossibly closer.

You’re so drawn into the kiss, you don’t hear the footsteps making their way upstairs.

“What the fuck!”

You hear your sister’s voice and immediately break away.

“S/N-” You try to speak but she cuts you off.

“Who the fuck do you think you are? I’ve always told you to stay away from my friends and this is what you do in return. You know he’s mine.”

You look between her and Heeseung, stuttering out an apology before you rush out of the room.

Running downstairs, you hear footsteps behind you and you run into the living room.

“What happened?” Your father asks as S/N and Heeseung follow closely behind you.

“Y/N apparently thinks it’s okay to kiss another girl's man,” S/N says, huffing.

Your parents turn to you, disgust evident on their faces.

You know it shouldn’t hurt, but it does.

“Is this true?” Your mother asks.

“I…I didn’t know—” You’re grasping at straws, trying to defend yourself.

Everyone is staring at you, looks of disappointment on everyone’s faces.

You feel a new onset of tears coming down and without another word you rush out of the house.

S/N watches you go, then turns her attention to Heeseung.

“Are you okay?” She asks, “Did she force herself on you? I swear I’m gonna—”

“Stop!” Heeseung shouts, silencing everyone’s whispers.

“She didn’t force herself on me S/N are you fucking crazy? I kissed her!”

S/N has the audacity to look confused. “Why would you do that? You know you and I are—”

“We’re nothing!” Heeseung shouts. “We have never been anything more than friends and we never will be.”

“What are you talking about? Don’t tell me you actually like her? She’s a loser, why would you like someone like her?” S/N is blabbering at this point, saying whatever is in her mind.

Heeseung looks at her in utter shock, terrified that someone could talk about their own sister like that.

“You know what I think S/N? I think you’re a spoiled, bratty, insignificant human being. The fact that you could talk about your sister like that, your own family, is appalling. I don’t know what planet you’re living on, but this one doesn’t revolve around you.”

S/N is shocked, “What do you mean? I’m insignificant? She’s the one who’s insignificant!”

Heeseung smirks, “I get it now. You’re jealous. Jealous that she’s pretty, that she’s smart, kind, successful… everything you’re not. And it seems you’ve been nothing but enabled your whole life,” he says with his gaze on your parents.

With that, he heads out the door in your direction.

He gazes down both sides of the street, looking for your figure.

Heeseung finally spots you, on the other side of the road, down a hill that leads to a park.

He jogs, nearly tripping on his way down.

He approaches you cautiously, hearing your small sniffles.

You’re sitting on a bench, criss-crossed, head buried in your hands.

He sits next to you, “Y/N.”

You glance at him, “What are you doing here?”

“I came to talk to you. What S/N said isn’t true. We’re not together, in any way.”

You sit up, “Even so, we shouldn’t have been talking to each other in the first place.”

“Why? Because S/N doesn’t like it? Who cares what she thinks!”

“S/N has always been the favorite. Everything she wanted, she got. I.. I never meant anything to my parents, no matter what I did.”

“They’ve enabled her behavior, haven’t they?”

You nod, “For years, I just wanted some kind of acknowledgment from them. But I know I’ll never get it, especially not now.”

“You don’t need people like that in your life. You deserve to be surrounded by people who appreciate you and give you what you deserve,” Heeseung says, pouring his heart out in hopes you’ll understand.

“Like who?”

“Like me.” He smiles. “I didn’t kiss you for no reason. I like you, Y/N.”

Your beautiful eyes blink up at him, “Me? Why? We’ve barely interacted in the past.”

Heeseung leans back against the bench, looking up at the sky like he’s thinking.

“Well, it all started when I came to your house for the first time. I came into your kitchen for water and you were just standing there, looking beautiful as ever. We didn’t talk other than you saying ‘excuse me’ but I knew then that I liked you.”

For the first time today, you smile, a genuine smile.

“That was my first kiss.”

Heeseung’s eyes widened in surprise, “I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have.”

“It’s okay. I liked it,” you say, reassuring him.

He smiles back at you, “Then, can I do it again?”

You don’t answer with words, instead leaning forward to peck his lips.

He chases your lips, pressing them together again, longer this time.

When you part, he looks blissful. “Y/N, would you give me the honor of taking you on a date?”

You lean into his side, snuggling into it as he wraps his arm around you.

“I’d like that.”

For once, you have something your sister doesn’t, and damn does it feel good.

—————————————————————————

note: hi, this is based off the number of reddit stories i’ve read about golden child’s and bullshit like that so hehe, enjoy

[dotster001]

Message in a Bottle

Summary: Floyd x gn!reader Floyd has been your best friend through all your adventures, and you always knew he would end up back under the sea. But now that Jade has decided to stay above ground...

A/N: this is loosely based on this song, which plays at work constantly 😂

You hadn't seen Floyd in two months. Him being in his fourth year internship was definitely hard. You missed him every damn day, and he didn't always remember to text you.

But here you were, the night before his graduation, sitting with your feet in the lake, throwing rocks like old times. You'd both used up all your news, and now were just sitting quietly together, throwing rocks.

Eventually, you couldn't hold back the question anymore. The one you'd both avoided discussing.

"So, what are your plans for next year?"

You looked at him out the corner of your eye, as he grabbed another rock, and threw it, pointedly staring at the lake.

"Jade's stayin' on land. He wants to keep doing research."

"Mhmm," you hummed, hoping to encourage him to continue.

He sighed heavily, leaning back on his palms, as he turned to you.

"I was always set to inherit the family business anyways, but with Jade stayin' here…it'll be just me. So, my parents want me to go home and begin training."

He stared at you, seemingly waiting for something.

Something you knew that you shouldn't give, for both your sakes.

"That's nice. I'm sure you'll do great."

His eyes flickered, and he looked back at the lake, splashing the water with one of his feet.

"Yeah," he said halfheartedly.

You both said nothing, the silence saying more than words could.

"When do you leave?" You choked out, your heart cracking with the question.

"Right after graduation. Pops is getting old, and he wants his people to start respecting me," he threw another rock, this one much more forceful, making you wince.

"Would you…" he started but trailed off at the end, the two of you holding your breath.

He abruptly hopped up.

"I'm bored, let's go to the party Azul's throwing!" He grinned excitedly, as he yanked you to your feet, pulling you after him. Both of you laughed hysterically, completely forgetting the shoes you'd left by the lake.

….

"So, has Floyd told you yet?" Jade asked, as he sipped a glittering purple drink.

The two of you stood at the back of the lounge, sipping drinks, as you watched Floyd entertaining a crowd of soon to be graduates with his dance skills.

"That he's taking over the business? Yeah," you said, trying to keep the sadness out of your voice.

"It's not like you'll never see him," Jade said with a smirk.

"He made it pretty clear to me a year ago that he'd be basically stuck in the sea. Tomorrow might be the last time I see him. Ever."

Jade swirled his drink, not making eye contact, as he thoughtfully asked, "Have you told him?"

"Told him what?" You snapped, tired of Jade's mind games.

"That you love him, of course, fu fu fu."

Your eyes flickered to Floyd's just in time for him to look over and wave at you, playfully.

"I don't-"

"Lying to me is futile, Y/N. My entire job as Azul's voice housewarden is to be the best at getting information."

"How about you go under the sea, and stay there forever!" You snapped, leading his infuriating smirk to deepen.

"That would definitely make you happy, wouldn't it? Unfortunately, I can't do that, and Floyd must go home. What are you going to do about it?"

You stared at Floyd, watching as he picked up Epel, a poor unfortunate bystander, and started bench pressing him, to the applause of his enthralled audience, and the curses of Epel.

Your eyes burned, and your throat choked up, as you whispered, "Nothing."

Jade choked on his drink, and looked at you with wide eyes.

"Sorry?"

You drained your drink, and handed him the empty glass, turning on your heel and leaving the lounge.

This was his destiny. He'd always been forthright with you about that. You were just some magic-less human who'd appeared in his life out of nowhere. There was so much the both of you could say…

But, deep down, you knew you'd just hold him back.

….

"So, this is it, huh?" You asked softly.

Floyd stood in front of you, holding his degree in one hand, fiddling with his robes with the other.

"Is it?" He genuinely seemed distressed at your question. "Aren't you coming to the after party?"

You had a lot of friends graduating this year, but the idea of having to see Floyd for one more second hurt too much for your heart to handle. Your friends would just have to deal.

"No, I made plans, I'm sorry," you said.

He stared at you, his eyes hollow. You looked over his shoulder, an attempt to fight the stinging in your eyes.

"Wow, okay, gonna be like that, huh?" He laughed self deprecatingly. "Can I at least squeeze ya, before I never see you again?"

It wasn't like Floyd to ask permission. He was more of a ask for forgiveness kind of guy. You wordlessly opened your arms, not trusting yourself to speak.He rushed in, holding you firmly, but not too tight, a hand on the back of your head, gently pressing your face to his chest.

"Write to me, will ya Shrimpy?" He whispered.

You snorted, "I'm not magic, remember? Any letter I write will get wet and torn to a million pieces. Besides, it's not exactly like you have an address, at least not one I could use and feel safe that your 'competitors' won't try and find you"

"Put it in a bottle. Chuck it in the ocean. I'll get it eventually," he laughed, nuzzling the top of your head.

You could have stood like that forever with him. The scent of his cologne, and his natural sea air scent eased your aching heart, even just a little bit. 

"Floyd, we have a schedule to keep," The booming voice of Mr. Leech filled your ears, wrecking the illusion. Floyd groaned and let you go.

"Don't forget to write. You promised, remember?" He said it threateningly. Like he had to threaten you. You nodded, and he cupped your cheeks, whipping a tear you couldn't hold back away, with a gentle stroke of his thumb.

Mr. Leech placed a hand on his back, and escorted him out, making a short stop to collect Jade.

You watched even after they made it out of the door. And then you couldn't hold back anymore.

….

He'd be gone by now.

You sat at the edge of the lake, your feet in the water, half heartedly throwing rocks.

Would he throw rocks by himself now? Was there even an equivalent to it under the sea?

Maybe he'd find someone else to throw rocks with…

You sighed, glumly, and kicked some water up. You laid down, and tried to rest your eyes. You'd gotten little sleep last night, only able to think of his arms around you.

Even now, it was plaguing you. Would he find someone else to wrap in his arms like that?

You sat up suddenly. You couldn't let things end this way.

You ran into Ramshackle, and quickly found a pen and a piece of paper. You scrawled your note, and rushed towards Heartslaybul.

Deuce and Ace would still be there, because they had to help with final cleanup. Conveniently, you bumped right into Deuce as you stepped into the mirror, making him splash you with the soda he was holding.

"Y/N! What-"

"I need this!" You grabbed the bottle, and chugged what was left, before sticking your note in it.

"When do you leave?" You asked, trying to clear the headrush that consuming soda so quickly gave you.

"I was going to head out in an hour. Why, what's wrong?" 

"I need a ride to the beach?"

"Wha-" 

"Please, Deuce," you pleaded, and his face softened.

"Alright."

Moments later, you were on his light cycle, and he had rushed you to the shore.

"How long do you need?" He asked.

"I'll be quick," all you had to do was chuck the bottle. He promised it would get to him someday. It was his own fault if "someday" never came.

Deuce nodded, and waited on his bike. You walked to the water, and breathed deeply. Sevens, why did it have to smell like him. It wasn't fair to your heart.

You gingerly held the bottle, and said a silent prayer to the Sea Witch, hoping her benevolence, and her ties to the sea, would help you, if nothing else. You threw the bottle as hard as you could, and only watched long enough to see it land in the water.

You exhaled an anxious breath, and turned on your heel.

You'd made it two steps when you heard a splash.

"Shrimpy!!!!" 

In shock, you turned, and saw Floyd waving the bottle over his head. When he saw he had your attention, he rushed forward, beginning his transformation to human before he had even fully reached the land.

He ran at you, swooping you up, and spinning you around.

"The actual fuck, Y/N? Why couldn't you have just told me you loved me yesterday?" He said, his tone trying to convey irritation, but his joyous laughter taking all the bite from it.

By now you were soaked from Floyd and his sobbing wet hair and body…and you noticed that in his excitement he'd forgotten something.

"Floyd! Where are your clothes?"

"For sevens sake! Clothes are a land dweller concept! And who the fuck cares, anyway! My shrimpy loves me," he cupped your face, his eyes and his grin so tender it was overwhelming.

"You were really gonna let me be alone forever, huh?" He whispered, his eyes tearing up.

"I figured you could move on," you whispered, your own tears rising.

"Not from you," his voice cracked. "I'm gonna have to punish you for making me wait. Maybe I'll make you be my pillow for a week…dunno, doesn't matter. What does matter, though, is" he took both your hands in his, and looked deep into your eyes.

"Come with me."

"I didn't graduate, remember?" You felt the sadness coming back.

"No, but you have your internship this year. Do it at the museum, and live with me. Then when you graduate we can get married and…."

"Slow down! We're not even dating yet!" You said, laughing in disbelief.

"I don't care! Dating is boring, I'd rather be your husband," he muttered as he swept you back up in a hug. "So come with me, and don't you dare say no."

He started to walk back towards the water, you still wrapped in a hug, and you shouted, "Wait, right now!?"

"When else?" 

"I can't breathe under water!"

He groaned, and opened his mouth to say something, when,

"Y/N is everything okay? You've been taking for- oh sevens! Floyd, what the fuck man, where are your clothes?" Deuce shouted.

Floyd started to make some vulgar jokes, while Deuce had a complete meltdown. You took the moment to snuggle back into Floyd, to breathe in his scent, and just feel full for the first time in a long time.

....

Tag list- @shytastemakerthing @eccedentesiast-sapphic @leoll

[cluelessandsenseless]

Tim Laflour x Black sorority!girl

Tim and his sweet Sorority girl.

Once again opposites attract, blah, blah, blah..

He was a boy she was a girl..

He is a punk, she did ballet..yada, yada.

She’s a sorority girl.

Tim thinks she’s intimidating with her sorority sisters around every corner, greek life just was not for him.

Tim caught Y/N's eye.

Y/N sees Tim Skating around campus and in class almost everyday.

Tim sits behind her in their poetry class but we know he's only doing the class for extra credit so his attention is already divided.

When he has no idea what is going on he's looking at her.

She says Hi to him when he walks by her to get to his seat.

Y/N has a thing for Tim but doesn’t wanna make a fool out of herself by approaching him especially if any of her friends are around.

Y/N thinks she's not Tims type, she's wrong of course.

Tim thinks she’s too cute to be interested in him because he is a punk with a dozen piercings and she's has perfectly glossed lips and manicured nails.

He is going to shoots his shot anyway.

Tim isn’t great at poetry.

He asks Y/N to study together.

“Hey!.. Y/N, I was wondering if you wanted to study together sometime?..”

“Really?! I mean of course, yes.”

“You always look like you know what you’re doing in class.”

“Where should we meet? I would invite you to the Kappa house but it’s so busy. ”

“What about my place, I’ll pick you up from after my hockey practice tomorrow? Is 5:30pm too late?”

“No that’s perfect! I’ll see you tomorrow.”

"Bye."

Y/N has the sweetest smile on her face the entire time they're speaking and after.

Y/N puts on her cutest new outfit.

They study at his place because she lives with 20 other girls and the library is always so busy.

Y/N brings him specially homemade sweet treats.

He opens the door for them with his belly piercing.

They sit on opposite ends of the sofa books sprawled out between the two of them.

Tim can’t focus on studying because of Y/N.

She’s been reading the same line for 5 minutes because she can't make eye contact at first.

Y/N is so soft spoken Tim can tell she's nervous.

He try’s to cut the tension by asking her about herself.

They have a lot in common weirdly enough, she listens to the him talk about his piercings and they love the same foods.

“What is it like being in a sorority?”

“Oh, it’s the best! Most people think Greek life is all about stuck up and mean, but not everyone is like that.”

"you definitely aren't like that"

"Do you go to Greek Parties?"

“Yeah, it's not really my vibe scene tho. But see you out partying sometimes.”

“You go to our parties?”

“Yeah, sometimes”

“Are you coming to the Kappa house Saturday?”

“I might.. are you going?”

“Of course, I live there. so I'll see you there?”

"Definitely!"

Darryl thinks he walked into the wrong apartment when he sees Y/N on Tim's bed with all her things.

They don’t get much studying done that’s night.

Tim walks her back to the House.

Tim's seat moves forward in their poetry class so he can sit with her.

They walk to and from class together for the rest of the week.

They brush hands as they walk so close to each other.

Tim is so at the party on Saturday.

Y/N is surrounded by her sorority sisters when Tim enters with Darryl.

Tim hesitates to approach Y/N.

Y/N spots him and brings him a drink.

“Hey Tim! I got you a drink. I hope beer is okay!”

“Thanks it’s perfect. You look really amazing by the way.”

“Thank you, I thought I’d get something new since it’s the first sorority party of the summer!”

*she does a spin*

“Are you here with anyone?”

“Yeah I brought my roommate, Darryl. He went to get a drink.”

“Do you wanna come say hi, to the girls?!”

“Yeah.. yeah, I’m nervous. Is that bad?”

“You’ll be okay”

Tim knows the girls because a few of them date the guys on the hockey team.

The girls think Tim is interesting.. But nice.

Y/N and Tim move closer to each other over the course of the night , eventually his hand is on her lower back.

They talk about life and graduation plans for next year.

Tim loves your outfit.

He reaches his hand out for her and she leads them outside to dance.

They walk hand in hand to the dance floor.

Tim doesn’t know where to put his hands and settles with just above her hips.

Tim spins you and shows his off his worst moves.

Y/N wraps her arms around Tim's neck and he leans down so she can reach him.

They don't care what music is playing when they dance together.

They're looking into each others eyes.

Skip to the next time they see each other Tim has the biggest smile on his face when he walks into class and sees Y/N in her usual seat.

There is a spot right next to Y/N jut for him.

They're so close, smiling laughing, she's touching his arm.

They eat lunch together.

They're so pining for each other.

One of them is gonna make a move soon.

They would be talking and Y/N is leaned agains a wall and Tim is in front of her standing with his arm on the wall over her head.

They just look like a couple.

Tim kisses Y/N for the first time when they're studying together at sitting inches apart on his bed.

After that they're official.

Tim has his hands on Y/N, constantly holding her hand, or has his hands on her lower back.

Y/N dotes on Tim all the time, like after a hockey game she's waiting for him on the sidelines with a kiss and a Gatorade.

Y/N doesn’t like being cold so she’s always wrapped up in a sweater and Tim’s leather jacket at Hockey games.

Tim gives scary dog privileges and Y/N is just so baby girl.

Y/N stays the night with Tim at his Apartment.

Darryl will forever be surprised when he sees Y/N in his apartment.

Tim sneaking in to the Sorority house to stay the night with Y/N.

Y/n goes from being in her bonnet and cute little PJ sets to wearing Tim's Scrotum poles T-shirt.

Y/N probably falls asleep in Tim's arms and her head on his chest.

Y/N clings to Tim when he takes her to a punk club for the first time.

Tim calls Y/N "Baby"- it makes her heart melt.

Y/N calls Tim "Honey".

"Babe" is a favourite for the both of them.

Just so much love between them.

I don’t know what else to say. <3

Maybe a second part if I get more ideas.

Check out the rest of my blog. xxx

[rocknrollbabe14]

Rock-a-Bye Professor

Part One

First Professor story "Hot for Teacher" here :

Rating: 18+ MINORS DO NOT INTERACT.

Warnings: Direct mentions of sex, birth control, missed period, nausea, vomiting, pregnancy and abortion. Professor/Student trope at college level. Both consenting adults. Don't like it, don't read. Thank you!

**I have this one almost completed and have had it in my drafts for over a year now. Since I wrote the first one. Lmao. This continues their relationship. First part is shorter but I left it on a cliff hanger.**

Special thanks to @usererics for my header. I love it and you! ❤️

“You sure you don’t want to go to the party?”, Tori called out from the living room.

“No thanks, Tori. Not feeling the greatest.”, you sighed, laying in bed feeling like death.

You had felt nauseated for several days, chalking it up to a stomach virus. You’d gotten sick in the mornings before class—even missing a few classes. You had to get your shit together if you wanted to graduate in the spring. You were too close to fuck things up now. 

“Call me if you need me?”, Tori asked.

“Sure, but I think it will be the other way around.”, you smirked, pulling your covers up. 

Tori told you she’d be two blocks over before closing the door, finally leaving you alone. You got out of bed, pulling the box out of your purse as you heard your phone ding.

-Coming over tonight? Miss you.

It was your Professor—boyfriend. You were still getting used to calling him your boyfriend. Now, things had grown more complicated. You had missed your period. You knew this usually meant one thing—but you had been super stressed lately. 

-Maybe. Still feeling really bad. ☹️

It took everything in you to raise yourself up from your bed and go to the bathroom, your hands beginning to shake. It made you nervous to even toss the idea around in your head that you could be pregnant. You heard your phone ding and you were certain it was Joe, but you had more pressing matters to attend to at the moment. Shutting the bathroom door, you read over the instructions on the back before practically ripping the box open. It had two tests to help ensure and confirm accuracy. 

Obviously, two pink lines meant ‘pregnant’ and one pink line meant ‘not pregnant’. You needed and prayed for one pink line before sitting down on the toilet to do your business. Ripping open the wrapper, you took the cap of the pregnancy test. You looked up at the ceiling as you followed the instructions before pulling the test from between your legs and recapping it, laying it flat. You got up and flushed the toilet before going to get your phone—anything to distract you for a few minutes while you waited on the results that would change your life. 

-So sorry, love. I could take care of you. Warm bath, massage, soup? What do you think? 

You felt your insides twist into a knot as you read his text. The idea was tempting. It sounded amazing and the thought alone was turning you on. 

-You mean it?

Another ding.

-Of course, love. Want me to pick you up?

You bit your lip, really wanting to take him up on his offer. After you estimated two minutes, you went to check on the results of your pregnancy test. You swallowed hard as you closed your eyes, picking up the test. Opening your eyes, you felt your heart drop down into your stomach. An audible gasp escaped your lips. Two dark pink lines. You were pregnant—whether you wanted to be or not. Feeling like you were in complete disbelief, you felt the tears pricking at the corner of your eyes. 

Your life was over—or at least you felt that way. You always wanted a baby after you were married. You were nowhere close to being married. You had a relationship with your professor—one you had to hide. Now, you were also pregnant by him.

-Yes or no, love? Won’t be mad either way. Just miss you so much.

You sighed. 

-Yeah, sounds okay. 

Part of you didn’t feel like going over to visit him, but you knew you had been a little distant with being sick and all. 

-Great. Did Tori go to her party?

You clutched the pregnancy test, coming out of the bathroom. You slid both tests into your bedside table. Couldn’t risk Tori finding them or taking them in your purse.

-Yes. You can park on the curb. I’ll be out. Just text me when you get here. 

-Sounds great, love. Can’t wait to take care of you. 😉

Another deep sigh escaped your lips, laying your phone down on your bed. You knew you needed to make a doctor’s appointment soon. That was the first step. Throwing a few things in your bag, you began to ponder how you could have gotten pregnant. You took your pill every day—shit. You grabbed your pack of pills, eyeing them. You went down each row until you gasped. You had missed two. How in the hell had you missed two pills? You groaned, immediately beginning to curse yourself.

Not only was it your own fault you had gotten pregnant, but now you had to explain it to your professor—boyfriend that you missed two of your pills and got pregnant. The thoughts alone made your head spin and made you dread having the conversation with him—if you decided to. While your world had stopped spinning, your phone dinged and you just knew it was him letting you know he was here. 

You grabbed your overnight bag, locking up the dorm. Your heart began to beat faster as you took two of the steps at a time. You saw his Mercedes, looking around and making sure no one else was watching you. You jogged over to his car, hearing him unlock the passenger door. Looking through the car window, you could see the big, stupid smile spread across his lips. You couldn’t help but give him a small smile back as you got inside the car. 

“Hey, love.”

“Hey.”, you smiled softly. 

“Maybe it’s the lighting, but you look pale.”

You laughed easily. “Thanks, babe.”

He smirked as he shifted into drive and pulled out. “Don’t worry, I’m gonna make you feel better.”

His free hand found your knee. 

“And just how are you gonna do that?”, you countered.

He smirked, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. “Mhm, well I can start by running you a warm bath. Let you relax while I make you some dinner. Have you been able to keep anything down?”

“Not hardly. Just some water.”

“You’ve got to eat something.”

“We can try some soup and saltines, I guess.”

He rubbed your leg reassuringly as you leaned your head against the door. You felt like shit if you were being honest, but you knew he wanted your company. The weekends were some of the only chances that you all got to be with one another. Your head was pounding from vomiting constantly over the past several days. He rubbed your leg in silence as you both continued the drive to his house. It was dark, the street lights illuminating you both every few blocks. 

It felt like forever before you finally reached his house. Your stomach already felt queasy again, but now you knew why. It was like he could read you. He could tell exactly what was on your mind. 

“Are you doing okay, baby?”

You shook your head. “Feeling sick again.”

“Let’s get you inside, yeah? Let you lay down for a bit while I run your bath?”

You nodded as he came over to the passenger’s side of the vehicle and grabbed your bag, throwing it on his shoulder. He helped you out, keeping a hand on your waist to ensure you didn’t fall over. You knew you were weak considering you hadn’t been able to keep anything down. You were probably dehydrated. He held onto you as he stuck his key in the door, it popping open to reveal his lowly lit home. You remembered the first time you saw his house—you were very drunk. You thought you were imagining things. 

He assisted you over to the couch, helping you sit down easily. The room felt like it was spinning as you laid back and closed your eyes. 

“Want some over-the-counter nausea medicine?”, he asked as he pulled a blanket over you.

Your mind immediately wandered to your unborn baby. Would it be safe to take something like that? You were still undecided on what to do but were still being very cautious. 

“Um…..no, it’s okay.”

He raised his brows surprisingly from behind his glasses. “Alright. Do you think you should go to the hospital? You’re probably dehydrated, love.”

Your heart dropped down into your stomach and you knew that was a bad idea. They’d do a pregnancy test on you for sure when you told them when your last period was. He’d find out you were pregnant and you weren’t ready to tell him yet. 

“No—an expensive bill for nothing? Worst case scenario I need some Pedialyte.”, you laughed nervously. 

He chuckled surprisingly. “Okay, love. We won’t decide yet but if you keep getting worse, we’re going. You don’t need all your electrolytes getting out of whack.”

You nodded as he kissed your forehead.

“No fever.”

You smiled softly as he leaned back up, looking down at you with his piercing, deep brown eyes. 

“I’m gonna run your bath, okay?”

You nodded as he kissed your cheek and headed off to the bathroom. Joe was very affectionate with you behind closed doors, the only chance he had was to show you how much he loved and adored you. How would he take the news of you being pregnant? Did he even want a future with you? The thoughts alone made your stomach twist and turn, the nauseous feeling rising in your chest. 

“Joe?”

“Yes, babe?”, he shouted from the bathroom over the sound of running water. 

“Um, I’m feeling sick—again.”, you groaned.

“Coming!”

He rushed out of the bathroom, holding a small bathroom trashcan before bringing it to you. He sat down beside you on his couch, pulling your hair back. You hated throwing up in front of him. It was the worst feeling and you knew it was definitely not romantic. He rubbed your back with his other free hand as you felt yourself beginning to dry heave, signaling your torture was almost over. Not that you had much to get rid of anyway, but some water and Sprite that you had attempted to drink a few hours ago.

Once you were done, you sat the trashcan down and wiped the tears away from the corner of your eyes. 

“Baby, are you sure you feel like taking a bath? We could still go to the hospital.”

“I’ll be fine. Just let me bathe and lay down in bed? Maybe cuddle me?”, you asked, puppy dog eyes. 

He sighed easily before a small smile came across his lips. “Okay—fine.”

Giving you a small kiss, he went to check your bath water. He came back and told you it was warm and ready for you. Once again, it took all your strength to get off the couch and head to the bathroom. You pulled your top off, laying it on the sink.

“I can get your bra—if you want.”, he breathed. 

You nodded easily, lifting your hair up. You felt his fingertips brush your soft, bare skin as he made his way to the clasp of your bra, unhooking it gently. You inhaled sharply, missing his touch but you were in no position for sex. You felt your chest fall free. Joe’s breathing hitched and you could tell he liked what he saw. His hands snaked around your chest, taking both breasts in his hands, causing you to choke back a hiss. You had no idea your breasts were that sore and sensitive. 

“Still so sexy even if you’re sick.”, he hummed, placing kisses on your neck.

You swallowed hard, trying not to let on like anything was wrong. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. I hope you feel better soon, love. I miss making love to you.”

You smiled softly, attempting to hide your expression of discomfort. 

“I’ll leave you to finish your bath. You’ll call if you need me?”

You nodded easily as he kissed your cheek again, leaving you in the bathroom but leaving a small crack in the door so he could hear you. You slid your sweatpants and panties off, laying them with your other clothes. You wasted no time sinking down into the warm bath, exhaling some relief on your newly aching body. It felt good—you weren’t going to lie. After a few minutes, you decided to quickly wash off and wash your hair. It had been two days since you’d taken a good shower since feeling so crummy. 

Once the water began to grow cold, you got out and grabbed the towels Joe had set out for you. You wrapped one around your body and the other was put in your hair. Draining the water, you began to feel a little queasy again. You wished this baby would give you a break. But once standing back up, you felt a little better. You quickly dried the water out of your hair making it less dripping and damp before looking at yourself in the mirror. You looked rough, he was right. 

Joe had laid out one of his t-shirts for you and grabbed a clean pair of your panties from your bag. His t-shirts were definitely more comfy than your gown. And it smelled like him. 

“Doing okay, love?”, he called out from his bedroom.

“Yes. Coming to bed.”

You hung your towels up quickly before grabbing your clothes and turning off the bathroom light. Opening the door, you noticed him grading papers while lying in bed. He looked up at you easily.

“Feel better, baby?”

“A little.”

He looked over his glasses at you as you circled the bed, climbing in on your side. Well, it wasn’t technically your side but it was always the side you slept on when coming over. You peeled the covers back easily before sliding into bed, pulling them back up on you easily as you stared at the ceiling. He had a single lamp on, the one on his side. It provided him with enough light to work by. 

“Ready for cuddles?”, he asked softly.

You nodded.

He chuckled softly as he laid his papers and red pen down, reaching to grab the lamp to turn it off. You heard his glasses hit the bedside table before he wrapped you up in his strong arms. He exhaled softly, a sign he was relaxed. He planted a kiss on your cheek.

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Joe.” 

It was a matter of minutes before he was snoring lightly but all that was on your mind was your unborn baby. What were you going to do? 

Over the next couple of weeks, you avoided Joe. You hadn’t spent the weekend at his house since that night. You had your first doctor’s appointment where they confirmed you indeed were pregnant and estimated you at being six weeks along by the time you got in to see the OB. She did an ultrasound, confirming that everything looked good and the baby was growing healthy for its age, your HCG levels were perfect for the timeframe of your pregnancy and gave you printouts of your baby. All you could do was stare. 

She had noticed you weren’t like most mothers who were crying tears of joy or bringing their husbands or boyfriends with them. She asked if you wanted to know your other options. You answered yes. She gave you a pamphlet explaining alternative solutions—adoption and abortion. She told you the sooner you made a decision, the better off you’d be. All you had to do was say the word and she’d write the referral to the abortion clinic. She asked if you were married to which you answered no. 

All you could think about was Joe and how he’d feel about all this. He’d texted you every day, hoping you’d come back around. He knew something was off with you, but he couldn’t pin it down. He absolutely had no idea you were pregnant with his baby and going through all this emotional turmoil. Your OB told you that you didn’t have to come to a decision that day—to sleep and think about it until your next appointment. It would be at the ten-week mark and she told you that you would be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat if you wanted to. 

That was three weeks ago. Back at your dorm, you pulled your shirt up and looked in the mirror. You were getting a very small bump. It was barely noticeable but you could tell a difference. Your phone dinged. 

-Can we have dinner and talk? I really miss you. I love you and can’t stop thinking about you.

You laid your phone back down on the bed, sighing. You could have your abortion secretly and things could go back to normal. He’d never have to know. But deep down inside, you knew that wasn’t fair to him. Sighing, you decided to finally give in. 

-Yeah, I can come over. 

You blew air, waiting for a response. 

-Want me to pick you up? 

Biting your lip, you responded. 

-No, it’s okay. I’ll catch a cab. See you soon. 

-Ok, be safe. Love you.

You got up and gathered a few things and arranged for a cab to come get you. This was now or never. The day you dreaded but he deserved to know. Climbing in the cab, you gave his address and the ride seemed to take forever. Your stomach felt sick, but you didn’t know if it was the baby or your nerves. It wasn’t long before you came up to his house, seeing the lights on. You paid your fare, thanked the cab driver, and grabbed your bag. He pulled away, leaving you alone as you walked up the steps and rang the doorbell. Here goes nothing. 

[gredandforgeweatherby]

All the Way Across the Country?

Ben Gross x reader

WC: 825 Warnings: None, just fluff. Nothing romantic between Devi and Ben has happened for the sake of this fic (dw I'm team Benvi 100% :)) I do not own any of the dialogue from Never Have I Ever, I am just writing about Ben Gross because no one else will, please do not sue me.

A/N: This is not proofread, and the ending kinda sucks, but I really couldn't figure out how to end it. I hope you still enjoy <3

It was the night before you and all your friends left for college. Last night, you, Fabiola, and Eleanor had what was supposed to be your last hurrah, but Devi's grandmother invited you guys to her wedding the next night. She actually invited all of Devi's friends. You were excited you were going to have one last night with your friends before everyone left, though there was one person missing: Ben.

Ben left for an internship in New York right after graduation, and while you were happy that he got the opportunity, you wished you had been able to see him again before he left.

While Devi and Ben's relationship was based on academic validation and rivalry, your and Ben's relationship differed. You and Ben were friendly with each other through Devi and Ben's rivalry, (sometimes bothering Devi in the process. "You're supposed to be my right-hand girl not canoodling with my nemesis!). Though Devi and Ben often time butt heads, that somehow never got in between your and Ben's friendship. Eventually, your feeling turned into more than platonic, and you could never tell if Ben felt the same. The two of you would kiss, but neither of you would bring it up ever again. You because you were afraid of ruining the friendship and making it awkward, and he because he was afraid you would reject him.

The two of you had never been great at talking about your feelings.

¤•¤•¤•¤•¤•¤•¤•¤•¤•¤•¤

You and all your friends, sans Devi, were sitting at a table playing a game of never have I ever.

Alright, never have I ever hooked up in my bestie's bed." Eleanor said, her gaze directed at Fabiola.

She and Fabiola met each other's gaze, and Fabiola's mouth hung wide open, a look of faux betrayal on her face.

"Fabiola you better pick up that damn cup," Eleanor said, her eyes narrowed at the girl in question.

Fabiola obliged.

Everyone gasped in surprise while you spoke up.

"Woah, woah, woah, whose bed?" You questioned, hoping that your name didn't fall from her mouth.

"Remember that party Devi had where she two-timed Paxton and he got hit by a car and his swimming career was over?" Fabiola questioned.

Chuckling a bit, you nodded. "Yup, everyone remembers that. How could you not?"

"Me and Eve had a make-out session on her bed."

Yours, Aneesa's, and Paxton's mouths dropped in surprise, while Eleanor and Trent looked at each other excitedly.

"Wow."

"Damn."

"You think she'd be mad if she found out?" Fabiola questioned.

"Well, I guess I should also drink," Trent spoke up. Paxton questioned why.

"I definitely had a couple of solo seshes on your futon." This, once again, made everyone gasp in surprise (and probably a bit of disgust).

While Trent and Paxton were talking about Trent's "solo seshes", Devi came over to you.

"Hey Y/N, I need your help with something in my room."

Thinking it was another way for your friends to sneak alcohol like you, Fab, Eleanor, and Devi did earlier, you didn't question it. You followed her to her room while she was talking nonsense the whole time. As the two of you were rounding the corner to her room, you felt her hands on your back give you a push into her room. Confused, you turned around to question her when you noticed someone in there.

"Ben?" You questioned. "What are you doing here?"

He was standing by Devi's window in a sweatshirt and jeans looking a bit bewildered.

"Uh, yeah, it's weird," he began, " Uh, well, I was in New York, and Devi mentioned that her pati invited all of us to her wedding and all of a sudden, I got this feeling that I needed to tell you that I... like you."

You chuckled lightly. "You flew all across the country to tell me you like me?"

"Well, yeah. Uh," he seemed conflicted with what to say next. "Actually," he chuckled, "I think I love you, y/n."

You stood there, not quite believing this was happening. "What?" You breathed out.

"I love you."

Hearing those words fall from his mouth made you realize this was real. This was Ben Gross, who hoped on a cross-country flight the night before you left for school to tell you he loved you.

"I love you too Ben."

The two of you smiled at each other before he suggested you guys left. You grabbed your things, (that were luckily in Devi's house and not in the tent,) and guided him to your car, driving to his house. The two of you made it to his room before your lips met.

¤•¤•¤•¤•¤•¤•¤•¤•¤•¤•¤

You and Ben spent the night together, deciding to try and date during the semester. You were both going to be in New York-- him obviously at Columbia and you at Cornell, you guys could totally make it work.

And the two of you certainly did.

[ofthecaravel]

You Get Everything You Want

A 'You Don't Go To Parties' AND 'You Know How To Haunt' Halloween Special/ Mini Fic/ Oneshot SEQUEL

Summary: One year after the events of You Know How To Haunt and six months after You Don't Go To Parties, Sam sets the stage for a very happy and healing Halloween

Tags: POST confession YDGTP Sanny, reference to YKHTH, SMUT PLEASE DO NOT READ THIS IF YOURE A BABYCHILD PLEASE, M/M oral and handjob, dirty talk, hair pulling, teasing, idk the works, happy ending

Words: 5.7k

A/N: Don't look at me bro I don't even know. A treat for all my wonderful citizens of Caravel Nation who have been so so so so sweet to me about everything I make so BOOM here's some porn

~~~

“Is it…the astronaut?”

“Danny, we were 7 the last time I wore that costume.”

“I don’t know, I’m running out of options!”

“Well, keep guessing then!”

Danny sighed dramatically and flopped back onto the bed. Their bed, which was something he’d been really enjoying dwelling on. Danny had stayed true to his promise and followed Sam after graduation, which had led them two towns over and into a sizable apartment and jobs that they both actually enjoyed. A summer spent moving and acclimating had eventually cooled down into a nice, comfortable autumn, and now that Halloween was around the corner, Danny was watching in complete confusion as Sam took a spontaneous interest in it. Since the very first day of October, Sam had been teasing Danny about how great his costume was going to be, despite Danny’s repeated reminders that they a) had absolutely no friends in the area to show it to, b) Sam promised that they wouldn’t go to parties anymore and c) Danny wasn’t really planning on dressing up at all.

“I am reminding you once again that our current Halloween plans are to get drunk on the couch and watch The Exorcist,” Danny laughed, lolling his head on the pillow as he desperately tried to guess Sam’s costume.

“And I am reminding you once again that I also want to watch Young Frankenstein,” Sam shot back, finally peeking his head out from the bathroom. “Also, I don’t care. I’m dressing up and you’re going to lose your mind.”

“Just tell me,” Danny whined, putting on his best pleading face. Sam met it with a smile and a roll of his eyes, completely unaffected by Danny’s begging in a way that Danny wished he could be when it came to Sam. 

“No,” Sam said with a click of his tongue. “If you haven’t guessed it by now, that’s on you, buddy. You have to wait until the 31st.”

“I despise you,” Danny replied dramatically, flopping a hand over his forehead and sighing deeply.

“Yeah?” Sam laughed, peeking his head out from the bathroom again and tossing a crumpled up foam wedge at Danny. “If you hate me so much, then why am I covering up a hickey before work?”

“I know nothing about that,” Danny hummed, sitting up a little bit and giving Sam his best, most innocent smile. 

“Well, someone got a little carried away,” Sam groaned, smacking his neck with another little, white sponge and sighing. “You’ll pay for this.”

And pay for it he did. Just not in the way Danny expected.

-

Danny didn’t see Sam on Halloween morning, knowing that he had an important project in his lab that had been keeping him for more mornings than Danny preferred, so Danny enjoyed the luxury of sleeping in a little bit and doing some general tidying around the apartment. In the afternoon, he decided to run out and grab some last minute Halloween candy and other tacky goodies to appease Sam’s sudden lust for Halloween spirit, enjoying raiding the aisles of their Twix and plastic spider bounties. 

When Danny got home, he announced his presence and saw Sam’s satchel on the kitchen island accompanied by the sound of the shower running. 

“Hey!” Danny called down the hallway, dropping the paper grocery bag on the counter and starting to pull out its contents.

“Hey!” Sam echoed in a higher pitch, his voice dampened by the rush of the shower. “How was your day?”

“Boring!” Danny yelled back, loudly crinkling the bag of candy in his hand. “Got you some treats for our spooky evening!”

“Ooh! Thank you!” Sam replied. “You don’t have a costume, right?”

“Fuck no!”

“Good!”

“Why?”

“I have one for you!”

“Aw, man, Sam!” Danny groaned. “I hate costumes!”

There was a single beat of silence before Sam replied.

“Yeah, I know!” Sam answered, a weird tone in his voice that made Danny knit his eyebrows in analysis. “I’m remedying that! You’re welcome!”

Danny groaned again and Sam made a loud kissy noise, carrying on with his shower while Danny dumped candy in one of their only big bowls and read the instructions on a pumpkin shaped frozen pizza.

Now, Sam was always one to take a really long time in the shower, but he was usually pretty ready to go once he was out of it. However, this time, Danny was sitting around for much longer than he anticipated. When the blow dryer turned on, he started getting suspicious.

“What the hell are you doing in there, Kiszka?” Danny yelled down the hall again.

“I don’t want wet hair for my costume!”

“You and that damn costume,” Danny muttered to himself, shaking his head and grinning fondly. As much as it bugged him, Danny absolutely loved it when Sam dedicated himself to a cause, especially when it was ridiculous. 

“What’d you say?”

“Nothing, dear!” Danny replied innocently.

“Yeah, right!”

10 more minutes passed and Danny let out an exasperated sigh and hauled himself off the couch, making his way down the hallway towards their bedroom. 

“Hello?” Danny sang, rapping his knuckles on the closed door. “Is my boyfriend there? He promised he’d do shots with me.”

“He’s busy!” Sam sang back, his voice accompanied by the slight sounds of clothes rustling. “Can you come back later?”

“It is later,” Danny complained, leaning his forehead on the door. “Come on, Sammy, I miss you. I bet your costume is amazing how it is, now come on out and eat all this stupid candy with me.”

“I need to finish my hair,” Sam answered plainly.

“You started doing your hair half an hour ago!”

“Well, it’s not done!”

“Oh, my god,” Danny responded, a genuine irritation starting to pull at his muscles as he gently banged his head against the door again. “Seriously, Sam, come on. Halloween is wasting away!”

“5 minutes, baby, I promise,” Sam obliged, his voice taking on a gentle quality that always brought Danny to his knees. Danny sighed and murmured an “okay, love you” before trudging back to the couch. He knew that any sort of relationship with Sam meant working on Sam’s time schedule and nobody else’s, so he decided to just wait it out like he always did. Until, of course, curiosity began to overtake his annoyance. He’d spent this whole time being frustrated over Sam’s mystery costume instead of wondering what about it was so damn important, and suddenly Danny felt the minutes passing even slower as his mind started to race with images of Sam in a myriad of skimpy costumes.

So when Sam finally called out “Okay, come here!”, Danny’s knees banged into the couch’s table and he jerkily sprinted down the hallway, bursting into the bedroom to see…that Sam wasn’t there.

“Sam?” Danny asked the empty room.

“Go sit on the bed!” 

Sam’s arm peeked out of the bathroom door and waved Danny in the direction of the bed, and Danny obeyed with a confused and wild grin on his face. He smoothed his pumpkin orange sweater and spread his legs casually, his knees swinging back and forth in anticipation.

“Okay, close your eyes,” Sam’s voice piped up again, this time with an unusual nervous tinge. Danny laughed and Sam made a noise of frustration. “Just do it!”

“Fine, fine,” Danny giggled, closing his eyes and smiling. 

Without his eyesight, Danny relied on his hearing to guide him through the next few minutes. He heard the bathroom door open again, and after what he guessed was a moment of Sam checking to see that Danny had in fact closed his eyes, he heard Sam’s soft approach. Danny felt the pressure of Sam’s legs between his as he stood in front of him, and he relaxed when Sam’s hand softly came up and smoothed Danny’s hair lovingly.

“Thanks for being patient with me,” Sam said quietly, and Danny’s smile split into a grin when he felt the welcome warmth of Sam’s lips giving him a quick kiss on the crown of his head. “I just thought this could be a fun little surprise for you.”

“Can I open my eyes yet?” Danny asked.

“Mm, not yet,” Sam answered, and Danny could hear the smile in his voice when Danny let out a dramatic sigh. “You only have to be patient for another minute. I want to see if you can remember without looking.”

“Remember?”

“Yeah,” Sam muttered shyly. Danny felt Sam’s hand grab Danny’s and move it to the smooth skin of Sam’s thigh, and Danny immediately flushed at the contact. He’d thoroughly enjoyed having a whole summer of Sam in the little shorts he exclusively wore, and Danny was happy to get a taste of it back after the past month of jeans and joggers. Danny grinned further as he gave Sam’s thigh a squeeze, wringing a chuckle from Sam before he went quiet again and slowly moved Danny’s hand further up. Danny wrinkled his nose in thought as he finally felt a brush of fabric on his wrist, his hand venturing upwards of his own accord now and grasping the soft fabric of what he assumed was Sam’s boxers as something else blanketed his hand and wrist. 

“Is this…” Danny finally said. “A skirt?”

“Ding, ding,” Sam answered cheerfully, continuing to play with Danny’s hair with his free hand, his other still firmly gripping Danny’s wrist as his thumb swiped over Sam’s hipbone. 

“Freaky,” Danny smiled, wiggling his eyebrows. “I don’t think I’ve ever-”

With a jarring rush, a memory long buried came crashing down on Danny and stunned him into silence. He was about to say he’d never seen Sam in a skirt, but he had. On one, horrible Halloween night that he’d desperately tried to forget back when trying to forget interactions with Sam was a daily activity. Danny first and foremost remembered the fight that neither of them could pinpoint an origin to, as well as the miserable, slow ride he had driven alongside Sam on the sidewalk, refusing to get into Danny’s car and hurling obscenities while Danny pleaded with him to get in. But what Danny also remembered was the costume that Sam had worn and nearly driven him insane with: a simple cheerleader outfit. Still keeping his eyes shut, he tilted his head up at Sam.

“No way,” Danny breathed, his hands now roaming freely over the skirt and crop top as Sam hummed at his touch. “You kept it?”

“Of course I did,” Sam chirped, giving Danny another kiss on the head. “I had this sick determination that it’d get some proper use one day and, you know, lo and behold.”

“Did you wear it just to rile me up?” Danny asked hurriedly. “Can I look now?”

“Yes, and yes,” Sam giggled.

Danny’s eyes shot open and sure enough, there was Sam, standing cocky and gorgeous in that same cheer outfit from a year ago. It seemed like forever and no time at all at the same time. Sam had let his hair grow out over the spring and summer, and it swung gloriously in a ponytail with the same tacky blue scrunchie. A few stray pieces framed his face as he smiled triumphantly down at Danny and Danny thought for a moment (and deep down he really believed) that Sam might be the most beautiful person he’d ever seen. And here, standing barely clothed in a cheap costume he’d been hyping for a month straight just to turn Danny on, Danny thought he might also be the hottest person he’d ever seen.

“You just gonna sit there with your hands under my skirt?” Sam teased, shimmying his hips slightly to make the pleats of his skirt flip and brush against Danny’s hands. 

“Isn’t that what you wanted?” Danny countered, moving backwards a little bit and using his grip on Sam’s hips to pull him forward and down onto Danny’s lap, which was already sporting a considerable tent in his jeans. Sam’s cheeks started to glow pink and his grin grew even more sly as he settled in Danny’s lap as Danny’s semblance of restraint started to slip from his grasp as his palms slid over Sam’s soft sides and up and down Sam’s thighs. Danny let out a rattling sigh as his lips finally met Sam’s neck, eliciting a quick whine from Sam as Danny breathed in his sweet scent and began to leave long, lingering kisses, which were really more of an excuse to lap at Sam’s skin and keep him as close as possible. He babied the sensitive spot under Sam’s jaw that always drew the most noises from Sam, who he could feel was quickly hardening as he clung to Danny and giggled faintly.

“No more hickeys, thank you, so keep those teeth away,” Sam hummed as Danny’s pace started to pick up, his fingernails now digging into Sam’s skin and his teeth grazing Sam’s throat as his mind melted into blank bliss. Danny just laughed against Sam’s neck and nudged Sam down to meet him, finally giving him a heated kiss that made Sam exhale loudly through his nose and grasp Danny’s jaw as they sank into a familiar rhythm. 

“Can I ask you something?” Danny rasped, pulling back and yanking the scrunchie from Sam’s hair, causing it to fall all around them in a silken curtain. 

“Sure,” Sam answered, his eyes still greedily glued to Danny’s lips as he squirmed in Danny’s grasp to chase any kind of friction he could get. 

“What did you want to happen at that Halloween party?” Danny asked, arching a questioning brow at Sam while beginning to push his skirt further up. “Did you think I was gonna lock the door and have my way with you away from listening ears?”

“Maybe a little,” Sam mumbled shyly, his voice barely audible as he watched Danny’s hands grip and dig into his thighs, revealing his thin underwear with the skirt out of the way. 

“You probably wanted them to hear, though,” Danny murmured, giving Sam a kiss on his neck while his thumbs slowly hooked Sam’s underwear, the pad of his right thumb just barely kissing the very tip of Sam’s member. “Right?”

Sam answered with silence, still watching Danny’s infuriatingly slow movements. Danny smiled and kissed the apple of Sam’s cheek before removing a hand from Sam’s groin and sweetly sliding it into Sam’s hair before firmly tugging. Sam’s head jerked up to meet Danny’s eyes and Danny gave him a look.

“Right?” Danny repeated, brushing his nose against Sam’s so their lips were just barely touching. “Tell me.”

“Right,” Sam echoed obediently, his eyes glazing slightly as he swallowed and Danny knew he had him right where he wanted him. “I always wanted you to just do something. Anything, really.”

“Aw, you’ve always liked being my pretty little thing to fawn over, haven’t you, baby?” Danny cooed, nipping at Sam’s bottom lip and pulling away before Sam could return the favor. “Although I admit I’m a little surprised that you’re into the whole slutty cheerleader thing. Kind of basic.”

“I am not basic,” Sam scoffed, and Danny laughed appreciatively at his disgust.

“Fine, fine, maybe you’re just into the whole slut thing in general,” Danny hummed, shifting Sam off of his lap and tossing him onto his side on the bed, where he landed with a laugh as Danny rolled next to him and started attacking his neck with kisses again.  

Eventually, they ended up with Danny straddling Sam’s lap as he pinned him to the bed, his affection growing increasingly aggressive as all of Sam’s perfect little noises urged him on. Danny finally reached down to tear off Sam’s dizzying little skirt, but in the process of yanking it down his legs, he felt the cheap material rip in his ironclad grip. Immediately, they both froze and looked at the chunk of fabric in Danny’s palm, the both of them breathing heavily before Sam looked up with round, pleading eyes. 

“You like that?” Danny asked, a little bit of cockiness lacing his voice. Sam instantly began nodding and scooted his hips further against Danny, pressing into him.

“The rest, rip the rest,” Sam begged unabashedly, tossing his hair off his shoulders and staring him down. Danny smiled haughtily and obliged him, reaching up under Sam’s top and grabbing the collar before yanking down, keeping firm eye contact as the thin garment ripped loudly in his fist. Sam’s chest started heaving even more as Danny lazily tossed it aside and settled over Sam’s reclined figure again, letting Sam reach up under his own sweater and grab desperately at him while he kissed and sucked on Danny’s jaw and neck.

“Not gonna let you rip this one,” Danny joked softly, working the sweater over his head and dropping it on the carpet. “Not that I think you could.”

“How rude,” Sam muttered, not stopping even as he spoke.

“Someone’s greedy tonight,” Danny pressed on, allowing himself a moment to start to unbutton his pants and slide them down while Sam was lost in his haze. “I’m starting to think you never wanted to watch a movie.”

“My plan was if you forced me to start the movie, I’d just start sucking you off,” Sam chuckled, the warmth of his breath in Danny’s ear setting every nerve in Danny’s body alight as he began to picture it. Sam was obsessed with keeping his eyes on Danny while he did it, blinking and batting his lashes like it was nothing at all while Danny gripped his hair and writhed at Sam’s touch. The more Danny focused in on the feel of Sam’s lips on his neck and face, the more he began to crave the soft, spit slicked pressure somewhere else. 

“You should show me how you would’ve done it,” Danny purred, grinning when Sam pulled away with his eyes lit up and his hands already beginning to brace on Danny’s hips. Danny moved off of Sam and shifted to the side of the bed again, letting out a small laugh when Sam scurried off the bed and immediately sank to his knees in front of Danny, looking up at him in patient awe. Danny’s stomach fluttered at Sam’s unfettering devotion, and he cupped Sam’s cheek lovingly, pressing his thumb against the soft indent in Sam’s bottom lip to give him something to suckle on while he eagerly pulled off Danny’s boxers. Without even a moment of hesitation, Sam was on him, drawing a rare shocked whine out of Danny when Sam immediately sank his mouth over Danny’s dick and hollowed his cheeks, his tongue pressed firmly and his eyes fluttered shut. Danny tried to say something, anything, but the overwhelming and unrelenting sensation of Sam’s perfect, expertly trained mouth rendered Danny speechless and reduced him to loud, shuddering breaths and hums. 

“Sam, come on, slow down,” Danny finally choked out, lacing his fingers into Sam’s hair and pulling him off of him. Sam’s eyes met his, looking frenzied and nearly crazed as spit rolled down his chin and his flushed lips stretched into a lazy smile while he caught his breath. He went limp in Danny’s grip as he always did when Danny touched his hair in any capacity, giving Danny a moment to think when he remembered the glittering scrunchie on his wrist. With shaking hands, he pulled it off and smoothed Sam’s hair back, tying it up with a snap of the elastic and tightening it just rough enough for Sam to wince and flush. Firmly, Danny kept his grip on the scrunchie and guided Sam back down, unable to help his own smile when Sam kept his eyes on him when his sweet smile closed over his cock again and welcomed it readily. Danny set the pace this time around, keeping Sam slow and steady as he sucked and lapped while Danny’s breathing picked up and he felt his release approaching far sooner than he wanted. In moments of pure pleasure and connection like that, Danny wished time could stop and they could stay in frozen ecstasy forever, only restarting and stopping again to give Sam his own turn. With Sam on his knees with the remnants of the cheerleader costume, Danny thought for a moment about Halloween night the year previous. He had erased and rewritten the ending of that night a thousand times in his head, and this felt like the ultimate redemption and the perfect ending he had dreamed of. God, the only thing he’d wanted to do was lock the door and make Sam pay for all the tension and frustration with his hands and cock, and the memory of those emotions made Danny’s grip tighten and pick up the pace. Sam seemed to notice this, his eyes going soft and dopey as his neck bobbed faster and faster and he started to choke out spit slick whimpers and gags in response. The pleasure was overwhelming and it wasn’t long before Danny realized he was a goner.

“It’s all yours, baby, all yours,” Danny breathed, his mouth dry and his hips now bucking into Sam’s mouth as he felt his muscles contract and his adrenaline buzz. “Take it, take it, take it, take it-”

Sam let out an unexpected, needy whine and Danny’s hips bucked one more time before he was pushed over the edge, letting out a relieved, stuttering groan as he came hard and painted Sam’s throat. Sam, ever the obedient angel, only waited until Danny was finished to bring his hands out from behind his back to give Danny a few last pumps that made Danny cry out and fall flat on his back, his spent cock leaking one last time. Sam cleaned him up dutifully as Danny heaved and stared at the ceiling, his breath rattling in his throat as he swallowed and came down from his high. 

Danny was only shook from his delirium by the warm, gentle presence of Sam kissing the still shivering insides of his thighs, which made Danny smile as he wiped sweat off his brow with the back of his hand. But Danny only sat up when Sam’s usual kisses turned into gentle nips and suppressions of stilted breaths and moans, looking down curiously at Sam as he realized that Sam was grinding down on the ground with his eyes closed and his mouth pressed feverishly to Danny’s skin. 

“Hey, bunny,” Danny said quietly, as if not to disturb Sam from his haze. When Sam was in this state of mind, it was hard to shake him from it until he came. “How are you?”

Danny softly put his hand on Sam’s cheek and Sam nuzzled into it, kissing his palm and trying to suck at his fingers as Sam’s hips rolled and pressed down into the carpet, his movements practiced and shuddering. Danny got a chill watching Sam try to relieve himself in such a desperate, mindless way, and he suddenly felt a loving mercy. Sam’s pleasure was really Danny’s, and he always wanted to help. 

“Come here,” Danny urged softly, shifting back on the bed to give Sam enough room to sit on his lap again, which Sam did quickly despite his wobbling legs. He straddled Danny’s wide, toned thigh and let out a content sigh, his cock still restricted by his underwear as he started grinding again. Danny let his hands settle on Sam’s hips and he applied just enough pressure to give Sam a lot less freedom to rock, keeping him flush and anchored as Sam frowned petulantly and his hips struggled to jerk. 

“Not gonna be that easy, honey,” Danny smiled, kissing Sam on the cheek and looking down at the visibly dampened fabric of Sam’s tented underwear. “But you like that, don’t you?”

“It hurts,” Sam mumbled, his words soft and whining as he fought for friction. “I’m close.”

“I know, I know,” Danny whispered soothingly. “But you haven’t earned it, have you? Kept me waiting all month for a costume that got ripped in 20 minutes, and now you’re almost ready to cum without me doing a damn thing. That’s no fun.”

“Sorry,” Sam whispered back, his motion slowing as he shrank in shame. But his cheeks were still rosy and his arms lifted to circle Danny’s neck and Danny knew that he was still more than happy to be where he was. 

“You better be,” Danny replied darkly, his nails digging into Sam’s skin as he pushed him down even harder on to his thigh. “Did you like having the control for a little bit? Stringing me along like you used to, you little fuck?”

“Yeah,” Sam answered honestly, his voice soft and hoarse as he kept his head down, his eyes glued to where his knee was pressed to Danny’s flushed cock. 

“Fuck you for that,” Danny hissed in Sam’s ear, biting hard on Sam’s earlobe and releasing his grip ever so slightly to allow for Sam’s jerk reaction. He jumped a little before grinding down again, his movements incessant as his throat leaked a pathetic whine, swallowing a little like he was about to cry. When Danny grabbed his jaw and forced him to look up, he could see the tears glossing Sam’s sleepy doll eyes as he stared pleadingly at Danny. 

“Isn’t it so much easier to just let me do everything for you?” Danny pressed further, falling into his old habit of talking Sam through it with a barrage of questions that scrambled him into a babbling, empty headed little toy with a thousand buttons for him to press. Sam nodded immediately and Danny grinned victoriously.

“See what happens when you try to take over?” Danny purred condescendingly, fully removing his hands from Sam’s hips and smoothing them down Sam’s legs and then up over the curve of his ass, pulling Sam closer and causing him to cry out from the sudden friction. 

“Danny,” Sam whimpered, his voice cracking as he wordlessly began to reach his peak. “Come on, you’re being so mean to me.”

“But that’s what you wanted,” Danny assured confidently. “It’s always you being my sweet thing to love on. But there’s a reason you picked that costume to remind me of that night…that fucking night. You don’t want to feel like you’re my perfect angel.”

Danny paused for a moment, and Sam watched him as he let the tension stretch and thicken. It was delicious, and infuriating, and Sam was dizzy and tearful and horrifically in love. 

“You want me to feel like how I did that night,” Danny continued, his words like a revelation as he shook his head slightly at Sam, his lip curling a little. “And you want to feel like I fucking hate you.”

Sam didn’t answer, his back arching inwards as he buried his head against Danny’s neck and gave a pathetic little buck, his body communicating what he couldn’t with words. Danny chuckled lightly, taking in this new information and letting it sink in. He expected to be uncomfortable with the thought of talking to Sam like he had always wanted to when they had been in that frustrating space where Danny was never sure whether he wanted to fuck or fight him more, but he wasn’t. 

This night wasn’t just a fun tease. 

It was a catharsis. 

Maybe Sam hadn’t been entirely aware of the ground he had laid with this plan, but Danny was a little impressed. Honestly, it made him love Sam all the more. But those warm feelings were not what either of them needed at that moment, and Danny was going to take advantage of this while he could.

“I did hate you,” Danny whispered, hooking his fingers over the waistband of Sam’s underwear and finally pulling it down, drinking in Sam’s immediate gasp  as his stiff dick met the cool air. “You hated me too, probably. Unwarranted, but I get it.”

Danny pulled on Sam’s ponytail to free his face from Danny’s neck, holding his palm under Sam’s mouth and suppressing a loving smile as Sam immediately spit, still unable to look Danny in the eye. Danny finally put his hand to Sam’s dick, pumping slow and hard and Sam fell into the warmth of Danny’s shoulder again as he let out a long, low groan. Danny loved all of Sam’s high pitched squeals and cries, but there was something about the sounds from deep in Sam’s chest that gave him a different thrill. He kissed Sam’s neck and leaned his head against his, his ear in the perfect spot to hear every tiny sound. 

“You were such a fucking bitch,” Danny growled, his speed picking up ever so slightly as he let his mind wallow in the dark places he hadn’t touched on in over six months. “I used to think about you bending over those randoms like you gave a fuck and just fume. That’s not what you needed, that’s never what you needed. You needed this. To shut the fuck up for once in your life and just take it.”

Mirroring Sam’s frenzy from early, Danny took his grasp on Sam from zero to 100 in a moment’s time, his wrist aching as he stroked and pulled despite Sam’s sharp cry in his ear to slow down. 

“You wanted me to fuck you, so here I am, fucking you,” Danny smiled, cupping the back of Sam’s head and pushing him back against his skin, muffling his whines and gasps. “Fuck, fuck you, baby. Fuck. You.”

With a cresting sob, Sam arched and came in Danny’s hand, his chest heaving as Danny’s frustration melted in an instant and he immediately began a stream of whispered praises into Sam’s wild hair. Danny began to panic slightly when Sam’s small sobs into Danny’s neck continued. When he leaned back to assess Sam, he worried that he went too far when he saw Sam’s face flushed and streaked with large tears that still pooled in his pale waterline. Sam sniffed and gave him a little smile, chuckling scratchily while Danny kissed his face and held him flush to his chest, fervently asking if he was okay and apologizing profusely. 

“No, no, I’m fine, Dan,” Sam insisted, his voice very fond as he pushed Danny’s hair back and pressed his cheek against Danny’s as he leaned into him. “Great, actually. Just got overwhelmed. s’good, baby, it was really, really good, I’m okay.”

“My poor baby,” Danny cooed, twisting to keep kissing Sam’s cheek and then migrating to his lips, still whispering sweet nothings between hot, wet kisses. 

“Stop, I’m gonna cum again,” Sam giggled as Danny kissed his neck. “Where are my boxers? Lemme off.”

“No, stay here,” Danny complained, locking his arms tight around Sam’s torso and falling backwards again, sending Sam sprawling on top of him and making his ponytail smack Danny in the eyes. They laughed as they struggled against each other, with Sam finally rolling off of Danny and the both of them laying in the silence following their laughter for a moment before Danny spoke up.

“Happy Halloween,” Danny grinned, turning to look at Sam. Sam smiled back at him and Danny felt his heart flutter. At the end of it all, it was all just Sam, wasn’t it? He was everything. It washed over him in the wake of the tired old anger he’d tapped into that he realized was really, truly gone from his heart. He accepted it with a sigh and it seemed like Sam had heard each and every one of those thoughts, knitting his brow sympathetically for a moment before smiling wider and scrunching his nose at Danny.

“Happy Halloween indeed,” Sam said with a teasing flair. “We need to throw this blanket in the laundry immediately. And I might need to be thrown back in the shower.”

“Roger that,” Danny sighed. “Are we really not gonna watch a scary movie?”

“We can!” Sam assured, looking over the edge of the bed for any stray shirts or sweatpants. “I just want to be clean first.”

“No blow drying this time,” Danny instructed, rolling onto his stomach and grabbing his sweater from off the floor and tossing it onto Sam’s head. “Here.”

“Yes,” Sam said excitedly, finally standing up and then swaying slightly when his knees threatened to buckle. “Woah, shit.”

“Yeah, man, you had quite a ride,” Danny teased, which Sam received with a disgusted scoff and a kiss on Danny’s forehead before he set off towards the bathroom. “Wait, bring me a washcloth!”

“Yes, sir,” Sam replied in a mocking, breathy tone, and Danny rolled his eyes fondly at Sam’s immediate return to attitude. “Wait, oh my god!”

“What?”

Sam let out a little laugh and walked out of the bathroom as soon as he’d ducked through the doorway, holding his hands behind his back with a barely contained laugh.

“Hold out your hands,” Sam said with a grin. “I forgot to give you your costume.”

“Oh, right,” Danny replied with a curious lift of his eyebrow, cupping his palms and closing his eyes again. “Forgotten in the heat of the moment, I guess.”

“You’re gonna love it,” Sam giggled, letting something cold and something fabricky settle in Danny’s palm. “Surprise!”

Danny opened his eyes and immediately scoffed with a laugh when he saw the glasses and bowtie in his hand, giving Sam a “Really?” look. 

“Dang, this was going to be a full blown roleplay, huh?” Danny teased, making a grab for Sam, causing him to try and snake his way out of Danny’s grasp while he blushed.

“Maybe I think you’re cute in glasses,” Sam flirted, playfully swatting Danny’s shoulder before turning towards the bathroom door again. “Plus, you are a nerd.”

“What are you, 9?” Danny joked. “You’re literally a scientist, I’m pretty sure that makes you the king of nerds.”

“Bow down, then, biatch,” Sam said with grandiose. Danny immediately started booing him and Sam slammed the door behind him, his laughs muffled by the wood. Danny stared at the door, the smile still heavy on his face as he listened to the shower turn on and the curtain rustle, finding it almost unreal that it was Sam in there. In this apartment, even. With Danny. And on top of that, with him in the way that he’d always dreamed. Whatever nightmare they’d endured had melted into what Danny was convinced was a dream, and as he sat stripped and sore, he prayed for the first time in a long time that he’d never wake up. 

~~~

[boogiewrites]

Seeing Stars Finale

Our final chapter. Our story ends on graduation day in 1986. We follow our couple from the moment they wake to the true end of their high school experience and witness the beginning of the next chapter in their lives. With tiny glimpses into their future along the way.

It was the third week of May. A week that had haunted Eddie Munson until now. But May of 1986? Turns out, it was his year.

With June right around the corner, the air in the morning had a wet weight to it that Star had missed in the cold months. Star loved summer. She loved the heat, the aesthetics, and being outdoors. It was so close she could taste it, just out of reach of her kelly green-painted nails. There was only one thing standing between it and her. Graduation.

Eddie woke first, no surprise to him as the anxiety over his ability to graduate suddenly being revoked at any moment plagued him. He’d earned it. He’d worked for it, he knew that. But it felt too good to be true. Especially since under his arm lay the love of his life still sleeping and still looking lovely to him despite the drool and crust on her face. He gently ran his hand over her hair, a content sigh that made his chest mash against her cheek. Crust or not he felt lucky to wake up to her. The thought crosses his mind that he wouldn’t mind doing it every morning forever.

He tries to get a cigarette with one arm, but the other was not willing to part from Star’s bare skin. He woke her in the jostle. She joined the world of the conscious, albeit slowly. She heard the birds, and the mundane sounds outside the trailer walls, and felt the heat of the sun through the cracks in the curtain.

“Mornin’ sweetheart.” she tilted her head, her hair flopping at the sudden movement at hearing Eddie so coherent so shortly after waking. She didn’t know he’d been awake getting ping-ponged between worry and excitement. He let his biggest fears and his wildest dreams play out in his head, being grounded when he strayed too far from his current reality by the woman in his arms.

“You up?” is what came out of her sleepy mouth, wiping her face to rid it of any obvious signs she’d slept so hard. All that was left was slightly swollen lids and wild hair.

“Yeah, the brain’s been moving too fast to go back to sleep.” He tapped his temple.

���I guess we need to get up anyway.” she shrugged, stretched, and yawned but contrary to her statement she snuggled back in, looking up at Eddie’s mouth around a cigarette. “How are you?” she ran her hand along his stomach, a comforting back and forth up his chest.

“I don’t know,” he said as he exhaled a plume of smoke. “I’m excited. Then I’m nervous. Then I’m scared something’s gonna happen and ruin it all. Then I think about being able to finally leave high school behind and I get excited again.”

“You have bad dreams?” she tucked his frizzy hair behind his ears, head now off his pec and looking him over for signs of true distress or if his mind was just being unusually cruel.

“Don’t remember them if I did.” he gave a pout that brushed away the concern.

“Well I think today is going to be perfect.” she said with a firm nod, sitting up in bed next to him. She put forth a confident energy to combat his hesitance.

“That so?” he huffed out a soft laugh.

“I think we’re going to survive the speeches and get our diplomas and get the hell out of there. Then we’re going to hang out with our friends and party all night. And it’s going to be a lot of fun. And we’ll fall asleep tired and happy and then…” she said with a lilt and swing of her hair. “We start the rest of our lives together.” she leaned in to kiss his dimpled cheek.

“Kick off the summer of ‘86.” he nodded, chewing his bottom lip, mindlessly. She reached out and took his hand into hers, bringing it to her lips for a kiss.

“It’s gonna be great. You’re gonna be great. Get excited. Get happy. It’s happening for you, I promise. They wouldn’t tell you you aren’t graduating on the day of. They have to get the diplomas’ printed out way before today and they double-check all the stuff. You’re in the clear, I PROMISE you.” she gave a bang of her head and kept his hand clasped between hers.

“Really?”

“Cross my heart. While you were busy worrying and not doing anything about it, I checked with our resident genius Nancy Wheeler who is in charge of dealing with the print office that handles the diplomas. You’re in the clear. You are Eddie Munson, high school graduate.” she beamed and mushed her cheek into his bare knuckles, the beginnings of a tan line already starting on his hands from his rings and bracelets.

“I am.” a slow smile built muscle by muscle on his face. He turned to her and let out a sigh, his lips raspberrying. “I am.”

“You are.” she cooed and giggled, kissing his smile. “You wanna walk me home? We can go ahead and start getting ready.” she arched her neck to look at the square red letters of Eddie’s alarm clock.

“Of course.” he rolled his eyes, a crooked grin at the silliness that he’d let her do anything alone ever again. Well, if he had his way.

So they exited the warmth and safety of Eddie’s mix-matched bed set and into the day that would close a chapter of their lives and start another. Eddie was nervous about graduating, but Star had her sight set much farther out into the horizon. If he was nervous, it paled in comparison to how Star felt about today. If he had butterflies, it meant she had pterodactyls in her stomach.

-

Both as rumpled as they had been when they slid out of bed, now with clothes on, they walked through the shortcut in the woods to Star’s house. Since the weather had been so nice, a clear beaten path was again formed between the two homes. They parted with a kiss, forcefully separating to get ready and spend time with their loved ones. Their families were certainly tiny compared to most others getting ready for graduation that day, but the amount of love between them couldn’t be compared.

Eddie bopped back into the trailer, Wayne having taken the day off as soon as he got the news Eddie would, in fact, be graduating this year. He had his coffee and his usual relaxed demeanor about him, he was in no hurry. He wanted to be sure he savored what could be nearing the end of Eddie's living with him. He couldn’t deny he’d be lonely without the mess and ruckus of the young man he’d raised from an underweight shadow of a kid. He knew it was his job to see him off into his own life and that was his motivation for trying not to cry today. He knew he’d done his job and now his final act was to give him a parting gift to hopefully secure his kid’s future. Or secure it as much as Wayne could. He knew there was nothing guaranteed in life and he also knew Eddie wasn’t going to be taking the safe, stable route. But he’d be damned if he stopped that kid from going after his dreams no matter how unrealistic Wayne might’ve found them.

Wayne smiled as the music lashed his eardrums from Eddie’s room. The boy was happy today. As well he should be. He knocked on the rickety bedroom door, the volume being lowered and the sounds of the usual scuffle of Eddie’s too-fast and hard movements among the clutter in his room.

“Come on in!” Eddie chirped, a bounce on his toes. He was stood with his hands on his hips, in an ugly green cap and gown with a goofy smile, double dimpled just like his mother's. “I look like an idiot but here it is!” he held out his hands in presentation of him in his graduation garb.

“Did I not teach you how to use an iron?” Wayne smirked at the rumpled state of the fabric.

“I just got it out of the bag! See? Smell! It still smells like plastic!” he held up the fabric and approached Wayne. The older man laughed and waved his hand to keep him from approaching.

“I believe you.” he chuckled, his shoulders shaking. “I’ll go get the iron.” he resigned with a nod.

Eddie was eating on the couch, freshly showered, sitting in front of a fan to help dry his hair quicker. Wayne was handling the heat delicate fabric with the old iron hissing and spitting at him all the while.

“You going over to see your girl before we leave or are we meetin’ them there?”

“We can drive over together and I’ll pop in on her before we both leave. Still have to give her her present.”

“Sounds like a plan.” a nod from Wayne as he mosied over to the couch next to Eddie. He gave him a hearty pat on the back then a comforting rub. Eddie looked over his shoulder at his father figure with a grin.

“Bet you never thought you’d see the day, huh?” he joked.

“I knew you had it in ya.” Wayne grumbled to squash any self-doubt Eddie had lingering in his mind. “It took you so long to learn how to tie your shoes, I figured it might take you a while to figure this out.” he gave him a warm smile that made Eddie laugh.

“I am a little slow on the draw sometimes.” he smiled bashfully.

“As long as you try that’s all that matters.” a firm nod with the same supportive smile he’d seen through many veils of tears appeared. “You didn’t quit. That’s what’s important. Proud of you for that.” another firm pat to the back.

“Look at me now. Breaking the cycle of high school dropouts.” Eddie chuckled. “Future’s looking better than ever for the Munson name.” Eddie shook his head proudly.

“Speaking of…” Wayne grunted and reached into his pocket, the years of manual labor not having been kind to his joints. “Both the being slow and the future.” Wayne made himself laugh as Eddie rolled his eyes with no ill will. “I had somethin’ for ya.”

“C’mon, no gifts.” Eddie groaned and looked away, waving his hand at his uncle.

“I didn’t spend no money on it.” Wayne grumped in response. “It’s not for you anyway. It could be but I don’t think it’s your style.” Wayne smirked, hand held out palm up as Eddie turned back around, his curiosity getting the better of him. “I finally found the damn thing.” Wayne said with a shake of his head. Eddie knew what it was on sight, something he’d not seen in around a decade. The last time it’d been around his mother's finger as she wiped tears away from his bruised, rosy cheeks. Eddie’s eyes went wide, flicking between Wayne’s face and the ring in his hand. “I don’t think I’m being improper by assuming you might be needing this?” Wayne rolled the gold-decorated band into a pinched hold. “Not that I necessarily want any little Munsons running around anytime soon but there’s a certain comfort in the idea of pairing yourself off with someone. And I’ve done the best I could to give you comfort while you were under my care but you’re your own man now Ed. You’ve gotta make it for yourself.” Wayne watched the emotions pass behind his nephew's eyes as he stared at the ring as if it was the one from his books. “She’s a good woman. And you’re a good man. I like to think I’ve raised you well enough to take care of her like you should. I know you don’t want her leavin' and quite frankly neither do I.” Wayne cracked a smile that broke Eddie’s wide contemplative eyes. The same smile grew on his face, the Munson genetics being bullies and giving its looks to everyone it touched.

“She’s pretty perfect isn’t she?” A crooked smile of a man in love with no shame for it sat on his freshly shaved face.

“She’s got a lot going for her, that girl.” Wayne nodded, holding the ring and holding hostage just how much he enjoyed the girls' company not just for Eddie but for himself. She was a good kid. Smart but in the same odd way Eddie was. Unconventional but morally sound where it counted. And she was head over heels for Eddie. Wayne couldn’t ask for much more for his boy.

Eddie took the delicate band into his hand, feeling the warmth from Wayne now seeping into his skin. “Is it too soon to ask? I mean we don’t have our own place and hell I haven’t even got a job yet.”

“You’re thinking about it too much.” Wayne shook his head. “It comes down to love and respect. Commitment and chemistry. And you have that in spades.”

“You’re the one that told me I should be able to take care of her.”

“When you start at the shop downtown in a few weeks you will.”

Eddie blinked fast, hair shifting as his head tilted in question.

“I talked to the guy that runs the shop where we handled your van. He liked the work you’d put in on it. I took the liberty that I have as your uncle and asked him if he needed anyone to work come summer. Turns out… he’s willing to give ya a shot.”

“Seriously?” Eddie’s eyes went wide. The answer to his worries fell into his lap. He’d asked for a way to make money with less risk. He didn’t want to go from the prison that was high school into actual prison for selling drugs. After he’d managed to make graduating a reality he’d moved on to asking the universe for things to set him and Star up for a future together. And that started with needing money.

“I wouldn’t pull your leg about it. I know you’ve been lookin'. I saw the classifieds marked up. And you know your way around a motor enough to handle this just fine.” A large comforting hand landed on Eddie's shoulder.

“I was so worried nowhere would take the long-haired freak.” he admitted quietly.

“You can’t think like that. It was like that back in my day. Long-haired greasers. Now it’s… whatever you kids got going on. Same shit different generation and none of it matters. There are still some good people out there that know that looks don’t mean nothin'. Your work spoke for itself. That’s what mattered.”

“You didn’t have to stick your neck out for me.” Eddie said with thankful but apologetic eyes that made Wayne sad to see.

“There’s lots of things I didn’t have to do for you, Eddie.” Wayne gave him a subtle smile. “But just like all of them, I wanted to.”

Eddie broke then. When Wayne shared any sentiment it meant too much to him. He slipped the ring into his pocket for safekeeping and turned to wrap his arms around his uncle.

“Well, it’s been a while since we done this.” Wayne laughed, leaning into his nephew and patting his back.

“We should more I’m just…not good at showing… this kinda thing.” he muttered, his face wincing as he thought, smelling the same warm smell of Wayne’s choice of deodorant and laundry detergent that hadn’t changed in the entire time Eddie had known him. “If I think about how much I love you I start to cry and I can’t talk about it so I avoid it.” An honest confession mumbled into Wayne’s flannel shirt. Wayne squeezed his boy tighter and pressed his cheek into the curls that his mother gave him.

“Us Munson men never were good at discussin' our feelings. You’re the best that’s come along so far. We show it in other ways I like to think.” Eddie’s arms didn’t even consider letting go yet, so neither did Wayne’s.

“Don’t worry. You do.” Eddie reassured him with a nod.

-

Star went into the house after Eddie was out of sight and into the woods. She wanted to make sure Robbie was awake since he’d worked the night before. She bounced across the worn shag carpet of the living room, shoes squeaking on the faux wood linoleum of the tiny almost hallway where the trio of bedroom and bathroom doors was tucked away. A thoughtless grab of the doorknob and a deep breath before flinging the door open with a sibling-appropriate greeting.

“WAKE UP YA BIG APE!” she shouted, eyes shut with a smile before she jolted at the sound of a scream and the unfortunate sight of her brother's big ass bare and putting in some early morning work with his guest. “SHIT! FUCK! SORRY!” she stuttered and shouted, stumbling out of the room and slamming the door. She walked the same path she entered by with her hands over her face. She heard loud laughter before she shut the door behind her to go get ready and try to lose the beet-red face she’d just earned.

She sat on her bed after a shower to physically cleanse her retinas of the image of her brother in bed. Her fan was in her face to dry her hair and cool herself off just as Eddie was. She’d been the one to introduce him to it after all. His curls had never looked better.

Star had on a nightgown to keep cool and wipe her makeup onto it as she smudged it with her fingers. She wasn’t much for using sponges or applicators.

“Knock knock.” Robbie said the sound instead of knocking to get his little sister's approval.

“Oh god.” she groaned and let her head plonk onto the tiny vanity top dramatically.

“Don’t be dramatic.” he laughed, leaving the door cracked.

“I am not being dramatic!” she flung herself and her hair up and back with wide eyes.

“Sure, kid.” Robbie snorted, a smile on his face. “We can pretend it never happened or talk about it. I mean I block out the sound of you and your little stray cat lookin’ boyfriend going at it plenty.” he gave her a broad grin.

“But you don’t SEE it! I could’ve gone my whole life without seeing that!” she pointed in the direction of the house. “Also! Since when do you fuck?” she then broke out into laughter that Robbie joined in on. “There can only be one whore in this family Rob and I have that role secured.” she giggled.

“Her name’s Tammy, we work together. We went out… fell asleep and I… made it up to her in the morning.”

“First of all, gross. Second of all, you fell asleep after your date?” Star raised a brow full of judgment.

“You work so hard all day you’ve got sweat pouring down your ass crack and see how long it takes you to get tired!” he switched his weight to one foot, crossing his arms. “Besides you didn’t hear her complain’ did you?”

“Oh god shut up.” she covered her ears and shut her eyes. When she peeped one open she found Robbie still there, smirking and shaking his head. “So you’ve got like a girlfriend now or what?” she switched her posture, now smug again.

“I guess. We’re just kinda… hanging out and filling a need for each other at the moment.”

“Well do you like her?”

“We are not talking about this.”

“You can demand I admit I’m in love with Eddie for 6 months but I can’t ask about a stranger in the house that clearly has poor decision-making skills if she’s fucking you.” she grinned.

“Alrighty, sass pot. We’ve gone out a few times. I think we’re dating. We’ve not had that conversation yet.”

“That wasn’t so hard.” she wiggled her shoulder triumphantly. “Do I get to meet her?”

“Maybe.” he shrugged playfully. “You kinda already did.”

“I wanna see her face, not her naked legs.” Star snorted out a laugh.

“Fine. I’ll talk to her, see if she wants to meet my pain in the ass sister.”

“Thank you.” she nodded with a genuine smile.

“Today is about you anyway, isn’t it? Big graduation day? Joining the adult world? All that bullshit.” Robbie teased.

“I’ve been working for years and paying bills I don’t think this is the start of anything.” her shoulders shook with a quiet laugh as she smudged her eye makeup.

“You’ve been over 18 for a while but with you being in school I’ve always seen ya as a kid. But now it’s a little different. You get to be your own person, not stuck in whatever role they tell ya to be in school.” she pulled an envelope out of his back pocket. “I figured I’d get ya somethin' that would help you out.” he stepped closer and handed her the envelope. Her brow lowered intensely, staring before looking at his face. “It’s not bad news, promise.” he reassured her. She took it from his hand, trying not to shake as she pulled out a folded paper, out falling a couple of hundred dollar bills. She scrambled to catch them, her eyes wild at the money and rushing to read the paper that would need money to accompany it. “It’s a long process, but I got it started for ya as much as I could.”

“Petition for Name Change.” she read aloud and a smile grew across her face slowly.

“I figure this isn’t some phase at this point. And as much I prefer the name Ma gave you over Star, I guess it’s grown on me. It suits your hippy ass.” he smirked as she met his eyes, hers full of shine from unshed tears. “I figure if your name changes, it might be harder for… people to find ya and stuff too. Plus you won’t have to hide it. I saw how nervous you got with your school stuff, trying to hide your name from everyone. If it upsets you that much I suppose it’s worth the trouble to change it.”

“Rob.” she whined and stood with her arms stretched out.

“Don’t go getting all mushy gushy on me now.”

“I’m gonna.” she nodded and stepped closer.

“Aw, c’mon!” he deflected but smiled as she squeezed him around his barrel chest.

“Thank you.” she mumbled with her cheek mushed against his chest.

“Ah.” he groaned and put his arms around her. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Yes it is.” she nodded and kept squeezing him. “It’s very sweet and thoughtful.” she insisted.

“Now I got two women telling me that. I don’t know what’s wrong with both of you.” he laughed and hugged her back, a big hand to the back of her head, patting her back with the other.

“Thanks, ya big butt head.” she gave him a final squeeze, finally releasing him.

“I prefer that.” he nodded and ruffled her hair. “Is your boy comin’ with us today? What’s the game plan?”

“I’ll drive with you and he’ll drive with Wayne. We wanted to make sure we spent time with you today since we’d be together all night.”

“So Wayne’ll be driving me back, got it.” he chuckled. “You still going to that rich kid's house?”

“You KNOW his name, Robbie.”

“Steve Harrington. Emphasis on the hair.” he chuckled. “That’s how I remember his name. Looks like a damn Aqua Net ad walkin’ around.”

“He can’t help that he’s pretty.” Star laughed. “We’ll be at his place. Might stay the night. Depends on how much we drink.”

“Sounds good to me. Glad you get drunk at friends' houses instead of in public now. I don’t worry so much.”

“Aw, he worries about me.” she reached to pinch his cheek and he smacked her hand away.

“I don’t have to anymore.” he said perking up. “You’re Munson’s problem, now.” he grinned.

-

Eddie popped in Star’s trailer full of music and smoke. She’d smoked herself silly trying to calm herself down. At least the importance of graduation was a good cover. As practiced as she was at not letting her thoughts snowball and grow to overwhelm her, she still struggled with it.

“If people only knew you’re the bigger stoner out of the two of us.” Eddie laughed, flapping his hands in front of his face as he entered the domicile, leaving the door open to let out the patchouli thick fog.

“Sorry. Just nervous.”

“What happened to today is gonna be perfect, Little Miss Sunshine?” he grinned and leaned on the countertop, letting her fan her red face with her hands.

“It is! I mean, when it comes to graduating today is gonna be great. I’m just… I’m good with the tension until it’s time for whatever is causing it and then I’m like… well… this.” she snorted and put her hand to her forehead in a laugh.

“Since when? You’re a wreck all the time, you can’t lie to me, sweetheart. I KNOW you.” he slid in to comfort her, taking her hand to kiss it and pulling her to his chest.

“You do.” she sighed and put her hand on his cheek. “What would I do without you?” she swooned dramatically for both of their enjoyment and didn’t have to raise to meet him in a kiss, he was already halfway there.

“Perish, surely.” he fluttered his lashes and shook his hair. It was a joke, she knew that but the smile that sat under newly watery eyes surprised him. “I’m joking babe, christ you are a mess.” he chuckled and took her face into his hands to noisily smooch it.

“I know!” she let out a sound of a sniffle and giggle. “It’s true though. I just… I love you. A lot. It’s hitting me hard today.”

“I love you more.” he cheesed with a wrinkled nose, rubbing it to hers. “Oh shit, I’m gonna ruin your makeup aren’t I?” he let go of her face with a startle at the realization.

“You’re fine!” she laughed and sighed, putting her hand to his chest. “I don’t have anything on my skin. We’re all good. Just a little tinted chapstick and some eye makeup. Didn’t want to sweat it all off and look like a melted candle in photos.”

“Speaking of!” he bounced over to his bag and pulled out the polaroid camera she’d got him for Christmas. He loved that thing. He had photos of them tucked into hiding places in his van, the visor, and the glovebox. His favorites were stashed in his bedside table for easy access, and one, his all-time favorite was in his wallet where it would go unseen to any other human eyes. “One last photo before we’re officially high school graduates?” He didn’t wait for an answer, pulling her into him with a broad arm in her lovely little yellow spring dress.

It would soon live a long life tapped to Star’s dresser mirror. It would survive one move, going right back to where it had been, watching their lives play out day by day in their bedroom in the apartment they’d shared in Chicago. The next move, it wouldn’t still be there but would join so many other, then, old polaroids of their young love in a well-crafted photo album Star made for their 10th anniversary.

“I want that one, you should probably take two.” she smiled up at him and he put the camera back up after the photo slid out.

“Your wish is my command.” he captured their wide smiles, the way she looked up at him with love in her eyes. He’d take so many photos that day but that one, a small moment between them was Star’s favorite. “This is for you.” he sang, handing her the Polaroid. While she fruitlessly shook it and blew on it to see their images slowly appear he grabbed the gift he’d brought with him. “And so is this!” He held out a large rectangle covered in newspaper and electrical tape. Star's eyes went from soft looking at the photo, to shifting into surprise before she squeaked with upset.

“We said no presents, Eddie!” She reached out and flapped her hand to smack his arm a few times.

“Ow.” He said calmly, his chest moving with a laugh. “And I didn’t spend anything on it! Swear! Totally DIY!” His voice inflected up and cracked with his insistence.

“I didn’t make you anything!” She pouted but accepted the gift shoved into her chest.

“You make me... horny every day. I mean happy.” He leaned forward and cheesed a double dimple smile. “Wait no, both work.” He nodded with comedic force, his hair shaking alone with it.

“Love you cornball .” She muttered, a subdued smirk shot his way.

“Love you too, sugar. Now open it.” He quickly responded with clapping hands to rush her.

“I might have to use my teeth.” She laughed at the wrapping job that would’ve kept any lesser man out of the gift. But Star flicked a pocket knife from her, you guessed it, pocket in a swift motion to snap at her rubbery tape.

“That was hot.” Eddie hummed and nodded approvingly.

“Hmm?” Innocent, distracted eyes glanced his way as she broke into the seal.

“Nothing gorgeous. Keep goin'.” He gave her a wink that made her cheeks rosy.

As she finally tore a hole big enough to sink her fingers into and unveil the mystery square she was met with a stained wooden frame. Eddie stretched out his hand to cover her own before she could delve further.

“I’m really proud of this so it’s bad please lie to me.” He laughed and gulped, eyes a bit begging and a lot honest. Star leaned forward and kissed his grimaced lips with an affectionate peck. She didn’t have to tell him he was being silly, he knew.

She ripped a dramatic slice diagonally across the frame revealing a portrait. But it wasn’t some common bust likeness. It was soft and fuzzy, shadowed and lit. She looked up to find his eyes analyzing her every minute expression. Shock was the best way to describe her fluttering lashes and agape mouth.

“Dustin had some of those Creepy and Eerie horror mags in his comic collection. I know you’ve told me Frank had done a bunch of those and sure enough, I found one he’d done in his collection.” His shoulders loosened a bit, voice leveling out as her eyes went back to the piece with recognition behind her eyes now.

“Egyptian Queen.” She whispered, fingers over the glass.

“I knew it!” He clapped and fisted his hands in triumph. “I knew you’d know it, babe!” He said proudly. A soft female figure leaned against a marble pillar, shadow surrounding her on one side and a bright light revealing the rest. “It's more like medieval queen though.” He chuckled. “I didn’t know if I wanted to draw you or your character so I just sorta blended the two.” He explained and snugged his arm against hers leaning over the drawing and explaining excitedly. “I added a dragon because you killed one in that one campaign of mine, remember? That’s why it's laying down. It looks asleep.” He flinched disapprovingly. “But you’re kinda like Arwen too. You’ve got pointy ears and I put you in robes and some sexy babe heavy metal magazine-type armor.” His fingertips smudged the glass as he poked at the drawing.

“Is this pastels?”

“Nah pencil.” He shook his head quickly. “And pen.” He added with wandering thoughtful eyes. “And some color pencils of yours that I “borrowed” and meant to put back before you noticed they were gone.” He gave her another broad smile, eyes shrinking to next to nothing as his cheeks rose.

“You did this?” She asked not only for the slight disbelief but to communicate to him in passive words how good it was.

“Yeah! It’s a lot easier when you’re looking at something and drawing the same thing pretty much.”

“Eddie. This is really good.” Her face was softer now, bright and caring. Convincing.

“Shit really? I was afraid it’d suck.” He huffed out nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. “I mean your shit is otherworldly and you have things you draw in 5 minutes that look miles better than this.”

“I like to go through your notebooks and see your drawings when you aren’t paying attention.” She grinned. “You have stuff you did in 5 minutes that I’m jealous of.” She lightly hit her head to his.

“I know I said to lie to me but that’s-“

“Completely true.” She crossed her fingers over her heart. “You’re like Frank, he drew from his imagination and not references. That’s fucking hard. And I think it’s why your stuff is so unique. The way you draw monsters is disgusting. And I mean that as a compliment.”

“Yeah?” A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I thought that’s how everyone did it before I met you.”

“No, we’re all just fakers.” She laughed. “You’re so creative, Eddie.” She sighed and put her hand on his cheek which made him melt into a swooning pile of goo in a heartbeat.

“Yeah?” He repeats dumbly.

“You have to go be good at guitar and now you’re after my hobby too?” She wrinkled her nose and mashed a kiss to his blushed cheek.

“Oh, I don’t know I just- wanted to make you something since you draw me all the time.” He mumbled and looked away. “I did make the frame!” He added. “Don’t look at the back though it looks like shit but as long as the front's nice I figured it didn’t matter.” She tilted the frame to see the back did look like shit. She laughed and saw the mix of finishing nails and screws, lop-sided and hammered flat to the wood in an attempt to hide them. It reminded her a lot of Eddie. Rustic and self-made, a bit wonky but fully functional and full of charm and heart.

“It doesn’t. I’ll hang it up when we get our own place and no one’ll ever know.”

“You wanna hang it?” He asked bashfully.

“Duh! Right where everyone can see. My portrait of you can hang right next to it. It’ll be like our weird little version of a family portrait.” She shared earnestly as it was his turn to give her a kiss full of admiration.

“We are a weird little family.” He smiled as she returned his encircling arm and put one of hers around him.

“Best kind to be.” She rubbed her nose to his. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

And they never did.

-

Star stood back and watched the Hellfire boys glomp into a dog pile together. Wayne had greeted her with a smile and was taken aback when she wrapped her arms around him for a hug. Star was to the brim with emotions, all good for once. She saw the small swarming group of new and old faces, friends and family she’d only heard stories of flying in from California to join their parties again. Some of the people she knew as well as herself like Eddie, then the spectrum grew to include her Hellfire friends, Robin and Steve, farther in the distance Nancy and farther out were the new faces of Nancy’s boyfriend, Mike’s girlfriend, and the fabled Will himself. He was taller than she’d expected, but then again, who knows how tiny he might’ve been the last time he’d been there. She knew the boys she’d seen every day, including the older ones, Eddie and Steve had seemed to have grown in the short time she’d spent with them.

Eddie crawled out of the pile, a smile on his face and his open robes already wrinkled again as he stumbled toward her to wrap a proud arm around her to introduce her to the new faces. He knew Nancy’s boyfriend, the shaggy sleepy-eyed young man who seemed like such a quiet match to Nancy’s bold personality. He had kind eyes and Star didn’t feel an ounce of bad vibes from any of them. Mike’s girlfriend El, who turned out to not be fake was the oddest of them all. Which surprised Star. She had a face you wanted to take under your wing and be nice to. An envious child-like wonder on her face as she watched the world around her. Star felt a kindred spirit between them, she didn’t know why, but she thought maybe they had the same whimsical outlook if the girls' wide eyes and coy smile were any indication.

“Would the graduating class of 1986 please report to the auditorium lobby? Friends and family would you please take your seats.” A call that dragged them all back into the moment. A sentence Eddie heard that he’d never expected to be applied to him. Star saw the contemplation on his slack face.

“That includes you, babe.” she was already smiling with full teeth when he swung his head her way.

“It does, doesn’t it?” he laughed and scrunched his nose, scratching his head.

Hand in hand they stayed until the divvying up by GPA happened and they had to part with a kiss. Eddie was surprised to find he was only second to last in line. He’d never been prouder to be in almost last place.

Steve lugged around a large camera, mouth open as he squinted into the viewfinder, his stance crooked from the weight of the machine on his shoulder.

“What’ve you got to say to the graduates today?”

“Lucky!”

“Fuck off.”

Steve frowned and glared at the Hellfire members. He dramatically hits pause, moving his face away from behind the camera.

“Could we not today, please? Just one day.” He waved a finger in front of him. “I’m recording this so years from now you all can hit me up and ask for this because you’re gonna wish you had it to look back on.”

“Sure, Steve.”

“I’m serious. You think your mind is a steel trap now, but later down the line you’re gonna start forgetting little things. And you’ll thank me. So perk up and talk to the camera like you’re talking to a person.” He huffed and shook his shoulder, already stiff from carrying the big thing around. “And action!” he nodded and gave finger guns with one hand. “What’ve you got to say to the graduates today?”

“I’m jealous. You got out.”

“I hope you watch this in 20 years and say man Dustin was right about everything. I wish he’d talk to me now that he’s rich and famous. I should’ve been nicer to that guy.” Dustin grinned.

“Really, man?” Steve chuckled.

“I”m glad you finally did it, Eddie. I’m glad we found Star this year. I’m glad you get to do this together. I’m sure you’ll show your kids this one day and I’d like to say I had a big part in you existing and you better be calling me Uncle Dustin because Eddie if you move and don’t talk to me after I’m gonna be PISSED!” Dustin groaned.

“I hope we’re rich and famous from Corroded Coffin and we can play this on a giant screen on stage because I think that’d be cool so let me do some shots,” Gareth says throwing the horns, crossing his arms and nodding, sticking out his tongue. “Now there are options for the b-roll footage.” Gareth nodded in approval.

“Alright, Mr. Cruise. Steve laughed.

“Ew, I wouldn’t be Tom Cruise!” Gareth took offense.

“You’re not exactly action hero leading man material.” Dustin smirked.

“Hey!” Gareth shoved his arm. Steve sighed and scoot down the aisle, finding the guardians of the graduating couple.

“So Mr.Munson…”

“Call me Wayne, kid.” He grumbled.

“Wayne, what’s it like being the uncle of the infamous Eddie Munson?”

“Infamous?” Wayne chuckled. “My boy’s a lot of things but infamous isn’t one of them.” he threw a hand, eyes not looking at the camera, feeling a bit shy. But like Steve, he knew capturing these things was important.

“Annoying maybe.” Robbie who was sitting right beside him smirked.

“You said it, not me.” Wayne suppressed a teasing grin.

“What about you Rob? What’s it like to have gotten Star across the finish line?”

“Exhausting.” he nodded. “I made a promise to Ma I’d get her to graduate so my job is done!” he clapped his hands together and rubbed them. “Now she’s gonna be the Munson’s problem.” Robbie elbowed Wayne.

“Yeah what’s having Star for a daughter-in-law gonna be like?” Steve asked.

“I like the kid, I don’t know what ya’ll are talking about. She keeps Eddie in line and makes him happy and that’s all you can really hope for.”

“You ready to be great uncle Wayne?” Steve grinned.

“You know somethin’ I don’t?” Wayne smirked.

“No! I was just-”

“I’m jokin’ kid.” he slapped Steve’s arm. “I’ve learned to not worry about things I can’t control. And as you know,” he pointed at the camera to Steve. “You can’t control Eddie and Star so whatever they do…” he shrugged. “I guess I’ll be great uncle Wayne someday.”

“And uncle Robbie.” Steve scrolled the camera to Robbie who rolled his eyes.

“I don’t wanna be no Uncle nothin’ anytime soon. I just raised a kid, I’m not looking to do it again.” he laughed.

“But if you wanna make an honest man out of him Star, I’m not gonna complain.” Wayne winked. “Maybe wait on the babies though. One thing at a time.” he nodded.

“You heard them guys!” Steve said turning the camera to his face. “Keep it your pants!”

Steve seemed to be met with mostly stares and groans as he hopped from person to person, asking them questions, trying to capture these special moments that none of his peers seemed to be interested in doing. But he did find a gaggle of moms and dads with similar cameras around the stage and he planted himself right in the middle to make sure the graduation of Eddie Munson was documented. Wasn’t every day a guy graduated after trying 3 times after all.

“Star Reynolds.” the name echoed over the loudspeaker. She’d done a lot to make sure that her real name wasn’t said when she walked. The small group deafened those around them. Even Wayne let out a piercing whistle and Robbie shouted with his large barrel chest projecting his praise across the room. Eddie stood amid the sitting students and cheered, whistling and clapping.

“GET IT, BABY! YEAHHHH!” he shouted as those around him stared him down. “THAT’S MY GIRL!” he cupped his hands around his mouth to make his voice louder. The girls around him giggled. They’d not have to deal with his antics anymore, so in a way seeing the last show of his dramatics was bittersweet. More so sweet since he was screaming, “PRETTIEST GIRL IN HAWKINS!” and clapping his hands.

They’d made it through a cliche speech or two, hard work, follow your dreams, blah blah blah. Star thought Eddie would’ve had a much better speaker. Maybe the bottom of the class should get to speak if the top did. She’d learned more from the losers than the winners that’s for sure. She wondered what Henderson’s speech would be like. She made a note to herself that she couldn’t miss his graduation, even if she was busy. She bet his speech would be great.

She snapped out of her daydream, her thoughts on the future as she focused on not tripping up the portable stairs to the stage. A nod, a handshake, a switching of sides on her cap as she stopped and posed for photos, Steve waving with one arm and right in the middle of the hired photographer. She waved and blew a kiss to the camera. After passing the principal, Steve followed her path across the stage she stopped while on the stage and stuck her tongue out, and threw up the horns with the diploma in her hand getting a small chuckle across the crowd.

“How’s it feel?” Steve whispered, following her to her seat, with no regard for anyone else around.

“I’m excited. And nervous and... Steve I think you need to get out of the way.” she whispered.

Steve jogged back to the stage, being the loudest when Robin crossed and she had the most subdued reaction of turning red and giving an awkward smile for the flashing camera. He followed Jeff across the stage, a very paternal high-five as he passed him.

Then the moment came. The club did a drumroll as the person before him passed, hands slapping the bleachers and feet stomping, a rumble echoed, and Eddie’s face lit up even more than it already was. Star stood in anticipation of his name being called, hands clasped together ready to clap.

“And…” Principal Higgins laughed and shook his head. “Edward Munson.” he gave a nod and held out his arm to present the young man almost tripping up the stairs with joy plastered on his face. To his surprise, more than just his friends made some noise. Wayne had been wrong, Eddie was a bit infamous. Being a super-super senior wasn't something you came across every day. A lot of girls clapped, maybe a touch of sympathy for the guy. He seemed to love his girlfriend an awful lot and he was never mean to them, so he’d earned a small bit of praise in their eyes.

“LOVE YOU EDDIE!” Star hopped and shouted, a blush across his cheeks as his head bobbled on his shoulders, unsure of how to handle the large amount of positive energy directed at him. “KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!” The club members screamed from the audience and the student body, Jeff standing along with Star.

“YOU DID IT MAN!” Jeff shouted.

CAMPAIGN HIGH SCHOOL VANQUISHED!” Dustin screamed.

“BEST DM IN INDIANA!”

“ITS ABOUT TIME!” all came from the group.

“Nice to see you here.” Principal Higgins laughed.

“Wish I could say the same to you.” Eddie snorted out a laugh. He swung his head to switch sides of his tassel, and of course refused to give a standard photo as he swiped his diploma, held between his arm and chest, forever imprinted in the files of Hawkins was Eddie Munson throwing the horns and sticking out his tongue for the camera. Steve’s laughter could be heard over the crowd on video. He waved to Eddie and he struck and pose, air guitaring center stage for a moment before the Principal laughed and gently shoved him down the stage. As soon as his back was turned, Eddie did what he said he always would. He faced the Principal, a gasp moving through the crowd as he flipped him the double bird and walked backward. The gasp caused Higgins to look behind him but Eddie was already on the edge of the stage with fists clenched and a triumphant shout. Steve scoffed as Eddie ran right past him, throwing him a wink.

“Keep the camera on us.” he grinned, jogging past him into the center aisle to reach out his hand to Star who was still clapping and standing. “C’mon baby!” he shook his head and shouted, arms out and waiting. She clumsily crawled over the people in the aisle, giggling the whole time, her hand slipping into his. He put her arm around his neck and kissed her hard. A titter of giggles and aw’s moved around the crowd. When he dipped her the crowd erupted into laughter, he had her in the center of the aisle, laid back and kissed in a display for the world, well Hawins, to see. Everyone enjoyed it, they laughed and swooned at the sight of young love. “Let’s blow this joint.” Eddie smiled as he raised Star. Hand in hers he started a fast pace to run out of the auditorium, not a short trek to make. Eddie did always like to leave them with a lasting impression. The paper would call him a scene stealer later that week.

They stood breathless outside the lobby among the shadow of the eaves of the building. A round of applause for the guy behind Eddie in line as they beamed against each other, chests heaving with excitement and exertion.

“You did it.” Star squealed and jumped.

“WE did it, baby!” Eddie smiled so wide and bright it shamed the sun as he pulled his lover into his chest. A sheen of sweat on their faces from the early summer heat and the lack of air conditioning in a sardine-packed gym. He touched her face, dewy and glowing as she clasped her ring-clad hand over his.

“I love you.” He sighed contently at the words coming from her glossy mouth.

“Fuck, I love you too Star.” He shook his head, hair shifting under the tight cap.

“Everyone, let’s hear it one more time for the Class of 1986!” Was heard over the loudspeaker. The crowd roared. Star and Eddie, one arm around the other yanked their hats off their heads and tossed them up into the air. The rest of their classmates did the same inside behind them. They giggled and laughed as they stumbled and missed catching them in the air.

“‘86, baby!” Eddie shouted proudly, chest out and hair fluffed.

For a bit after the ceremony, after everyone had found each other more pictures and recordings commenced. People Eddie had never met came up to him and pat him on the back. He was thanked by a handful of men around Wayne’s age for reminding them of what it was like to be young. They thanked him for the laugh. Women commenting on while being rather boastful and crude, it was sweet to see a young man love his girl so much so openly. Eddie kept Star under his arm the whole time. Even for hugs he still gravitated right back to her. In every photo taken that evening, they were together. Even taking photos with Robbie and Wayne as a family. The first official Munson-Reynolds family photo. It’d hang on Wayne’s fridge for years.

The closest of the friend group with Star, that being the freaky four of them with Eddie, Steve, and Robin had agreed to a chill, fun night together to celebrate. Most of the others had families that required their attention with buffet dinners and cramped houses. But not these four. Wayne and Robbie drove over, socialized with their extended younger friend group for a bit then slunk out as they knew they’d cramp the kid's style. Robin appeared shortly after, she and her mom had grabbed some food but her mom had to go to work that night. So there they were, with a stock of alcohol and too many pizzas ordered in Steve’s kitchen. Because no matter how many times they told him not to spend money on a “party” as it wasn’t really a party, just a get-together for close friends, he didn’t listen. Steve was a pleaser, it couldn’t be helped. This is why when he handed cards to the three of them they all patronized him with a collective “aw”.

“I got one for Jeff too. You can give it to him later. I know he’s out with his family.” Steve mumbled.

“You even got Jeff a card? You barely know the guy.” Robin commented with a tilted head.

“I mean, I’ve hung out with the D and D guys a couple of times. He was graduating too I didn’t want him to feel left out.”

“Steve.” Star baby talked and walked up to mush his cheeks. “Honey, baby, sugar bear!” she fussed. “Isn’t he just the sweetest thing you’ve ever seen?” she kissed loud smooches to his cheeks while he rolled his eyes. But truly, he adored the doting. She hugged him around his neck. “Big sweetie pie Stevie baby.” Star giggled and hung off his neck.

“Don’t bogart the Harrington.” Eddie said playfully snatching her around the waist to pick her up and move her away. “C’mere big guy!” He clapped his hands to Steve’s cheeks and unlike Star, he kissed him directly on the mouth with a cartoonishly loud swak. “He tastes as sweet as he looks!” Eddie cackled giving Steve's cheek a few small pats before squeezing the snorting man.

“Ugh! Eddie! Dude!” Steve spat and gagged but wrapped his arms around the intensely physically affectionate as he hugged him tightly. Eddie, and Star to a lesser extent, were some of the most physically affectionate people he’d ever met. Even if they were a bit unorthodox about it sometimes, Steve who craved affection in any form, but especially physical was always sated when they were around. Even if he’d never let them know that.

“You love it Steve, hush.” Eddie laughed and smacked his unexpected friends back. Robin had grown accustomed to the touch as well. Star kissing her cheek, holding her hand, or laying on her while talking helped ease her anxiety in a way too. After all, Robin wasn’t exactly out-wooing people like Steve was, she would take the love where she could get it. So when Star scooped her up to kiss her face she accepted with a blush. “I won’t force my whims on you, Rob.” Eddie laughed and hugged her. “You aren’t into smoochin’ hot guys like Steve is.”

“I’m not-!” Steve huffed and put his hands on his hips giving a noise instead of finishing his sentence.

“Welp.” Eddie grunted and stretched, his robes and hat already off, he kicked off his sneakers. “I’m gonna do what I’ve been thinking about all day since it’s been hotter than hades out today.” he stripped his shirt and Star's giggle could be heard. He threw her wink then reached over to smack Steve’s hip. “Enjoy the show baby cakes.” he grinned as he shucked off his jeans, hopping and trying to take off his socks as he ran to the large back doors toward the pool.

“Eddie! I brought our swimsuits!” Star shouted tutting after him. But he was already screaming, making a run for it, and cannonballing into the Harrington family pool in his boxers.

“They’ll dry by the time we leave. Plus we got clothes in the van!” he floated on his back.

“You’re an animal.” Steve laughed, standing on the side of the pool with the girls.

“Thank you.” Eddie grinned, one eye winking from the sun in his eyes.

“Wasn’t a compliment.” Steve’s chest shook as he shook his head.

“Depends on who you ask.” he swam over and splashed water on Star.

“I’ll get changed and get in.” she said shooing him away.

“I think she should get in in her dress. Live a little. What’ya think guys?” Eddie looked at the pair of besties who were smirking at each other.

“I have a swimsuit, there’s no reason to get my dress wet.” Star grumped.

“Since when do you follow the rules?” Steve nodded her way, her eyes bright. “Married life made you go soft?”

“Yeah, are you a stuffy housewife now?”

“I am NOT!” she fist her hands and stomped her foot like a child and Eddie cackled at the sight. “I am selective in my wildness now.”

“Doesn’t sound very wild to me.” Robin smirked.

“No. Sounds like you’re boring.” Steve and Robin nodded and Star's mouth fell open.

“I am NOT boring! That's… that’s mean!” she squeaked.

“Nah that’s not mean.” Steve groaned and flung his hand out. “This is though.” He moved so fast that she barely had time to hold her breath before she was flung into the pool. It was easy to forget he was an athlete. But the second he had to use his strength it was clear you weren’t going to out body Steve.

“AH!” she screamed and flung her hair back, gasping.

“YEAH! MY MAN!” Eddie high-fived Steve. Robin was laughing at Star resembling a distressed wet cat as she doggy paddled in her rush to steady herself.

“What are you laughin’ at?” Steve grinned and bent his knees.

“No! Steve! NononoNO!” she screamed as she too was tossed into the pool. When she came up Steve was stripped down just like Eddie was, cracking his knuckles before spreading his arms wide “MAKE WAY!” he shouted with cupped hands.

Eddie faked playing a horn, making sounds with his mouth his hand mimicking the motions.

“That’s not even how you do it, dingus!” Robin flung herself up and dunked him underwater as Star cackled.

“Cleared for landing!” Star said as she hung to the side of the pool.

“Time to show you chumps how a real swimmer does it! State Champ 1984 comin’ in HOT!” Steve bragged and cannonballed into the pool with a shout. The initial annoyance at being tossed in with their clothes on passed before it even started. All that was left was to be a group of kids playing in the pool in the summertime.

The tendency for physical affection only grew the more intoxicated the couple became. Star, much to Eddie’s chagrin, had found the karaoke machine.

“This has like… every song ever on it.” She said with a shake of her head, on her knees scrolling through the menu on the small screen.

“My parents are on a service for it. They’re sent more tapes and stuff anytime they update it. It’s from Japan or something.” Steve shrugged, taking a hard hit, passing a joint between himself and Eddie cashed out on the couch. The boys were topless, in now dry swim trunks. Star had her bikini she’d changed into on under Eddie’s t-shirt and Robin had her signature oversized button-up over her one piece. Everyone was warm-cheeked and hair a chlorinated wavy mess.

“What kinda show should we treat the boys to Rob?” Star asked with perky fluffs of hair bouncing with enthusiasm.

“You wanna do a duet?”

“Uh... hell yes I do!”

“God please don’t let it be Grease again.” Steve lets his head fall to the back of the couch, eyes shut and exhaling a plume of smoke. He feels Eddie’s laugh beside him, but he doesn’t hear it.

“Summer Nights?” Robin stood and held out her arms.

“A wella-wella-wella say no more!” Star giggled and hopped up.

“Eddie…” Steve rolled his head over to look at the smirking man on his couch.

“Mmm?” Eddie’s closed-mouth smile made Steve’s forced serious face crack.

“If you could just… kill me... that’d be great.” they began to laugh, rubbing their face as the girls started singing.

“They’re not that bad.” he slapped the back of his hand on Steve’s thigh, their knees touching and spread out, melted into the leather.

“You have to say that.” He snorted.

“Nah. She’s not the best singer. She’ll admit that. But she loves it.” he shrugged and lazily lolled his head to look at Star bouncing in less than a bra and panties and his thin shirt worn with holes in it. Flashes of her cheeks and that plush triangle he liked to sleep on between her legs distracted him with a grunt. “When she does it... it’s not so bad.”

“You’ve got it so bad, dude.” Steve gave a sympathetic pat to his friend's leg.

“Yeah. I don’t give a shit who knows.” he grinned with teeth now, taking the undulating joint from Steve’s long fingers. “I mean look at her.” he motioned a nod her way as he took a drag.

“You’re seriously gonna tell another guy to look at your woman?”

“It’s not another guy, it’s you Steve.” Eddie chuckled.

“Oh gee thanks.” he grabbed Eddie’s curls and messed them with his hair. Eddie smacked back weakly and laughed.

“What I mean is- you’re not just SOME guy, ya know? You’re Steve. You’re HER Steve. Hell, you’re my Steve too at this point.”

“Your Steve?” he asked raising his head to look at Eddie.

“Yeah man, we’re friends. You know that right?” Eddie teased. “You’re our guy. She loves you to bits. So do I ya big lug.” he punched his arm lightly and Steve blushed. “I know you’ve got her best interests at heart. You’d not gonna do anything you’re not supposed to. You can look. I mean hell, you had her before I did.” Eddie held his stomach and laughed at the memory.

“I did didn’t I?” Steve’s shoulder shook remembering the messy drunk night. “But she’s yours, man.”

“Yeah.” He sighed happily.

“I just kissed her. You get to marry her.” Steve wiggled his brows with a wholesome tease.

“I’m gonna ya know.” Eddie turned his face back towards his friends, his curls a nest around his pale face.

“For real?” Steve took the joint from Eddie, a soft smile on his face.

“Yeah. Got a ring and everything.”

“Shit man,” Steve mumbled with the joint between his lips. “I would’ve helped you out, I know a little about jewelry.”

“It was my mom's. But very sweet of you to offer babe.” he winked and pinched Steve’s cheek. He simply laughed out smoke and blew it in Eddie’s face.

“That’s better anyway. She’ll love something old like that.”

“I think she will.”

“You know when you’re gonna do it?” Eddie pinched the last of the roach between his fingertips.

“I don’t know.” he shrugged. “Didn’t have a plan yet. I knew it’d be after we graduated but as I do with most things-” he took in a deep breath. “I figured I’d know when it was the right time.”

“You should plan it. She’d love that. Hey! I can help!” he said excitedly, his hand on Eddie’s thigh mindlessly. It was nice to be able to touch another man and not feel awkward about it. Steve needed more comfort between other guys his age. He’d never really had a genuine connection with another guy before. Maybe that’s why he was so fond of Eddie. He was always unapologetically him.

“Well I was kinda thinking I might-” Eddie has the breath knocked out of him as Star plops into his lap.

“Guess mine is not the first heart broken!” she sang, head leaned back and shaking, mic held up dramatically as they’d already moved into another song. Her feet kicked into Steve’s lap who started giggling, it was hard not to follow Steve’s high-pitched laugh with his own deeper one. So Eddie fell into stoned laughter, Star straddling him and singing far too loudly and harshly into his face. He held his hands to her bare thighs, gentle mindless strokes and she grazed her nose to his the most content dopey smile on his face. She slapped his chest and threw her head back near squalling. “BUT. NOW. THERE’S NOOOO WHERE TO HIIIDE!” she bent far backward and into the floor. Steve swore and pushed the coffee table out of the way with his feet but Star didn’t miss a word as Eddie leaned on his side crying laughing as her feet had gone over her head as she crumple to the floor. “I’m out of my head!” she laughed, no longer singing but jumping back up to her knees and crawling toward Steve now. He held his hands out to stop her but she plopped into his lap. Robin was leaning over the karaoke monitor laughing and holding her side, the mic booming “My head is saying “Foooool forget him!” she crooned again, back to singing, running her hand through his hair as he shuddered. He had the dumbest smirk on his face as she pouted her lips and sang to him, nose to nose until he remembered who he was sitting next to. He stiffened, looking at her with wide eyes then shooting his head to the partner of the woman in his lap. He didn’t what he expected, but Eddie moving to his knees wasn’t it. A hand to his chest dramatically. “Hold onto the end-”

“...that’s what I intend to do!” his voice scratched out. Eddie knew the words, he’d watched Grease with Star plenty. “I’m hopelessly devoted to you.” he cupped Steve’s cheek.

“Not you too!” Steve shouted and tried to squirm but laughs overtook him as Robins's voice played over the speaker joining in for the chorus. “Noooo!” he screamed, not drowning out the mic volume as they belted at him at varied pitches and keys.

“Hopelessly devoted to youuuu.” she giggled, as drunk as Star as she piled over the arm of the arm and onto Steve. They all fell into his lap, Eddie’s arm around him, nose nuzzling into his cheek as Robin took the other. Star held his chin and serenaded him, thankfully for his ears, hitting the last high note.

The song went into the next in line, bass plucking as they all laughed. Star hopped up as Robin slid down the side of the couch.

“I got chiiiills. They’re multiplying!” she hopped with impressive speed, her shoulders and hips moving the beat, pointing to Eddie as he played along, drunk and stoned enough to not give a shit around his older friends. He bobbed and approached her, they wrapped up in each other, her walking him with a hand stretched out across the room, mimicking the movie.

“Did I hit my head in the pool and this is all a hallucination?” Steve laughed, rubbing his eyes as Robin raised clumsily from the floor.

“Eddie Munson singing a Grease duet.” Robin said with a tilt of her head. “Well…if you hit your head so did I.” she shrugged. “I mean… makes sense he’d be a musical nerd too.” she said distracted by the couple's antics.

“You better shape up!” Steve hopped up startling Robin to stumble who he grabbed up much to her dismay as she screeched and shouted, dragging her in waltzing circles across his living room.

“It’s like Invasion of the Body Snatchers around here! Who are you guys?” Robin laughed, jostled by Steve’s strong arms.

“Loosen up Rob!” Steve shouted, twirling her.

“Ooh, ooh, honey.” She sang and giggled, joining in. They bopped, Eddie and Star were far more intimate than Steve and Robin who were doing some sort of jig as they sang to each other, arms around each other.

“You’re the one that I want!” Star tore away from Eddie who pouted, snatching up Robin as they put their arms around each other's shoulders and sang to one another. Eddie pointed at Steve and then himself. Steve shrugged and jumped over the low coffee table to Eddie who laced their fingers together and kicked their feet at each other. They missed a lot, stumbling when they’d kick each other's shins and shout “OW!” in the other's face with their red eyes shut with laughter. Eventually, they knocked the other's knees out and fell to the floor collapsing into a heap and gasping for breath.

“I guess maybe they didn’t need us to have a good time.” Dustin snorted, watching the scene unfold with GREAT amusement as the rest of the crew entered behind with varying looks of horror and humor.

“Oh hey!” Steve said pointing clumsily at the group standing in his foyer. “It’s you guys!” he shouted and clapped.

“He’s so high.” Jonathan laughed and covered his mouth to hide it.

“Everyone ended up together after our families headed out so we figured we’d come to hang with you guys.”

“More like come party with them.” Lucas chuckled.

“More like be nerds with them.” Mike snorted. “Grease Eddie? Really?”

“I am not immune to a love story about a rebel that wears leather jackets, what can I say? Turns out I’m a human!” he slapped his chest and let out a laugh. “Also when your girlfriend makes you watch it with you get used to it.” he grinned.

“He never complained about having to watch it because after as a reward I’d-” Eddie scrambled over to her and clapped his hand over her mouth, the older peers in the group laughing.

“Someone’s been drinking.” Steve ran his hands through his hair and gave an awkward smile.

“Yeah. All of you.” Nancy smirked and crossed her arms.

“Ya got me, Nance.” Steve put a hand on his chest. “How about those old enough join us and those who aren’t there’s still pizza in the kitchen!”

“PIIZZAAA!” the younger screamed and stampeded away.

“So… karaoke anyone?” Robin grinned and held out the mic.

-

The party morphed into something less intimate but still fun and close all the same. The pool got used again, another round of swimming, the water warm from the sun, the pool lights making a lovely chill setting to round out the night. Steve who sobered up with the excess company grabbed his camera again and began capturing the group all together again. With new faces this time around. Huddled in dragged dining room chairs onto the patio and piled onto lounge chairs everyone sat around a small fire pit and talked. Everyone caught up, or introduced, the conversation carried on for hours easily. Stories were swapped, backstories shared and new connections made. It was a satisfying conclusion for the party. But Star had a different ending in mind. Back in Eddie’s shirt but now wet in key spots from her swimsuit, she tugged his hand to join her as she stood.

“You good?” Steve piped up to check on them.

“Yeah, gonna go smoke and wind down together for a bit.”

“Don’t have sex in my bed please.” Steve asked with clasped hands. A laugh moved through the group.

“Not without you baby.” Eddie puckered his lips at Steve garnering another laugh.

“Appreciate it.” Steve shook his head but a wholesome smile sat on his face as he phased back into the group's conversation.

The inside of Steve’s house was warm and silent. The fireplace going and the almost entirely glass wall separating the interior and exterior closed. Eddie followed Star with no question as to where they were going at first, her holding his hand, dragged along behind him, both padding quietly up the stairs until Eddie’s curiosity got the better of him.

“Are we gonna have sex in Steve’s bed?” he asked earnestly. Star couldn’t help but let out a loud laugh.

“No, babe, we’re not.”

“Cause we’re heading to his room right now.” he said in defense of his question.

“We're going to the balcony.”

“Ohhh.” a slow nod as Eddie’s damp hair, just dry enough for his curls to bounce as he clumsily drug his feet behind his girlfriend.

They left the sliding door cracked to let some of the warmth from inside the house seep out onto the small balcony. It was just big enough to hold two chairs and a small table. An ashtray sat on the glass table half full, telling a story to Star about steve sitting out here alone. She didn’t see any lipstick rings around the butts, knowing it was only Steve who’d put them there. She saw the sort of girl Steve took home, and all of them had been done up like dolls. She got a glimpse into Steve alone for a moment and felt like it deepened their connection.

Star gave Eddie her lighter and half-full pack of cigs, the other half with a dwindling amount of joints inside. The spark caught the attention of the group below, unknown to the couple, the group was trained to be observant from PTSD of their unspoken experiences together.

“It’s just Eddie.” Dustin grinned with a sloppy wave. He waved back, Steve joining in with a twinkle of his fingers and a smile.

“He’s so cute.” Eddie whispers, lighting Stars cigarette for her.

“Which one?”

“Hell, both.” Eddie chuckled. “Like two puppies. They light up when they see someone they like.”

“Makes you feel good doesn’t it?” Star exhaled a content sigh.

“It’s nice to feel wanted.” Eddie nodded, hand resting on the cold metal railing, the tops of trees blooming and rustling around the balcony acting as a shield to the rest of the woods. With the sun down it was growing cold, but not freezing. A waxing moon gave a little light to the Harrington backyard. Star slid against his side, warming his bare skin.

“Kinda how I look at you, huh?” She smiled, waving back to the group.

“Yeah.” Eddie sighed and kissed the top of her head. “But I look at you like that too ya know.”

“I do.” She nodded, cheek pressed to his skin. “God it’s nice to feel this good.” She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around Eddie’s waist.

“Didn’t think it was possible.”

“Me either.” She held tight to him as she looked up to find him watching her serene face. “I get to see your gorgeous face smile at me when I walk into a room and it makes me feel like a god.” She smiled softly.

“Gorgeous hmm?” He smirked and took a drag. “Glad you think so… since you’ve got to look at this mug for the rest of your life.” He grinned, sharing a chuckle with her.

“Gladly.” She tip-toed up to kiss him. They share a beat of silence in each other arms, getting their buzz from the cigarettes and calming down.

“What’d you wanna come up here for anyway baby?” He breaks the quiet between them, the conversation downstairs a pleasant muttering.

“We hadn’t had time alone after graduation.” She slightly pulled away. “I wanted to talk. Smoke together. Just us.”

“You feeling needy?” He asked genuinely, not patronizing her.

“Maybe a little but not really.” She smiled and stepped away to move to the chair next to them a few feet from the edge of the balcony. He took a seat without question. She piled into his lap, feet over the edge of the chair arm, and snuggled into him. With an arm around each other, they settled, her fixing a few arrant curls as he enjoyed the feeling of being fussed on with closed eyes. “Today's been so good. Almost perfect really.” He nodded, leaning into her touch.

“Almost?”

“There’s still some night left.” She smiled as he fluttered open his eyes to see her softly lit by the moon. She looked like she was born to be kissed by moonlight and thanked by mortals for the opportunity to gaze upon her. Her bare legs were goosebumped, earning long, slow warming strokes from Eddie’s hands.

“There is.” He nodded as he stroked her. “What can I do to make it a perfect day? Because it’s been pretty damn perfect to me.”

“Yeah?” She said softly, fingers on his chest to pull an explanation from him.

“I graduated. I did what I said I would and flipped Higgins the bird and ran the hell out of there. I’ve been saying it for years now. And I did it.” His pride made his pale face glow.

“You did.” She leaned in to kiss him something wholesome and soft.

“And I got to do it with you. Now all of Hawkins knows you’re mine.”

“I don’t think they’ll forget it anytime soon.” She quietly laughed. “You put on quite the show.”

“Gotta give the people what they want.”

“It was perfect.” She sighed and kissed him again, not straying far from his lightly chapped lips as her fingers stroked his cheek. “We had our people there. We did it together. You made me feel special.”

“Good.” He kissed the bulb of her nose. “I wanted to. I know you’re a fan of my showmanship.”

“I am. I love it. I love you.” She kissed his cheek and he felt the warmth from the fire she kept burning in his chest. Her affection fueled and her touch stoked it. His hand raises slowly to wrap around her own on his chest. They were cozily wrapped around each other, the party downstairs another world separate from their own.

“I love you too,” he says with lowered, brows, leaning his head down to kiss her knuckles. “You okay?” he hovering his lips over her shifting fingertips. “Those pretty eyes are looking a little far away.” he gave her a soft smile that she returned.

“I’m fine. I’m great really. Today’s been a lot. Emotionally, ya know?” He nodded, giving her time to get out her thoughts as she stared at the star on his chest. “With it finally being here and now it’s over it's made me think a lot.”

“What about?” he gently coaxed her with an amiable, gentle vibrato in his voice keeping quiet between them even though they couldn’t be heard from downstairs.

“Us.” she answered quickly with the raise of her brows, a tiny nervous nod. “The future…” she shrugged the word out with puckered lips. “Our future. Together.” she swung her wide eyes up to meet his.

“I’m feeling good about it. Is something wrong?”

“No!” she squeaked out and giggled at herself, easing his worry. “I feel amazing about it, Eddie. I do.” she leaned in for a peck.

“Good.” he gave a nod in the affirmative and bumped his forehead to her jaw.

“I know you hadn’t wanted to talk about what we’d do after graduation until it happened. Since it’s happened... I wanted to talk about it. If that’s okay with you.”

“That was my rule.” he smiled at her worrying away at her bottom lip with her teeth, curious as to what was spinning around that lovely brain of hers behind her mossy eyes that were fixated on him. “You’ve mentioned it a few times.” He side-eyed her with friendly eyes. Before she could get the apology out of her mouth he continued with a knuckle to her jaw. “You’ve been patient. I appreciate it.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “I know it’s not been easy for you. Worrying about the future is basically a hobby for you.” He put his hand on her stomach to reinforce his words.

“I like to have plans. Know that we’re on the same page. Especially when it comes to us. It’s only the most important thing in my life.” She let out a tiny huff of a laugh as he snugged her in close with his arm, putting her body as close to his as he could.

“You know how to make a man feel special.” He gave her a charismatic smile, soft and teasing in a way only reserved for her. “What’s been on that pretty mind baby?” He asks quietly, tapping her temple gently.

“Bad news first right?” She grimaced.

“Always.” His face fell more somber.

“You remember the whole art scholarship thing?”

“Oh shit, yeah did you ever-?” He pauses with an open mouth of realization.

“I didn’t get it.” She looked down as if she were ashamed of the news.

“Hey, that’s okay!” He raised her face with his chin. “Wasn’t meant to be then, was it? “

“You’re using my words against me.” She smiled.

“Because they’re very smart words.” He nodded firmly. “When’d you find out?”

“Oh... months ago.”

“MONTHS?” He said loudly in surprise, she giggled and put her fingers over his mouth to shush him from the likely nosy crowd below. “You didn’t tell me? For months?” Something almost like anger passes his face, then sadness.

“I got the letter when we were fighting. “ she said as of that made sense.

“Baby that’s no excuse. I’m so sorry. You must’ve been so upset. And I wasn’t there.” He frowns and looks out into the tree line. A bite of guilt in his stomach.

“I was a little embarrassed at first yeah but…” she groaned and shrugged. “It's good it happened when everything went wrong because I couldn’t get MORE upset at the time.” She laughed but he didn’t. “It’s okay. I thought it over. A lot. Like you said, it wasn’t meant to be.”

“Every time I remember what an asshole I was I get mad at myself all over again.” He grumbled. She turned his face to her with light fingers.

“We’re together now though. That’s what matters. And we’re staying together. There’s no college in Chicago to worry about now. Nothing to split us up. No long-distance bullshit or hours-long drives back and forth. We can stay together now. That’s good!” She promised with excited eyes.

“That would suck.” He whispered with realization. “Man I don’t know if I could even live without you around anymore. Even a few hours away? It makes me wanna die just thinking about it.”

“We don’t have to now!” She bounced slightly on his lean thighs. “That’s why it’s good.” She nodded until he joined her reluctantly. “Besides. I don’t think I’m cut out for college anyway.”

“Oh?” He was more surprised than she expected.

“Yeah, I hate school. The whole academia thing. Tests and papers and shit that has nothing to do with me putting paint on canvas. And it’s so much goddamn money.” She groaned.

“Baby you’re one of the smartest people I know you could if you wanted to you know that right?” She gave him warmth from the way she sighed and kissed him.

“Even though it would mean us possibly having to be far apart. And you just admitted that it made you wanna die.” She chuckled. “You’re still supporting it?”

“Support is a strong word.” He looked around and cracked a smile. “Grin and bear it? Yes. If it’s what you wanted. I want what you want. Who am I to hold you back from your dreams? I hold you back enough just existing.” He let tumble out of his mouth like he hadn’t meant to be so honest.

“You help me every single day Eddie. Every second you’re around is better just because you exist. Don’t ever think you do anything but make my life better.” She held him by the chin with insistence. “I don’t want to hear any of that nonsense from you.” She kissed his pouted lips. “You make the world better by being in it. Anyone that says differently is a liar.” She sounded so sure it made it hard not to believe her.

“Alright, baby.” He simply, softly agreed. “I’m sorry. I won’t.”

“Since we’ve not had our deep future talks lately I’ve not gotten to remind you how special you are.” She stroked back his hair, looking down at his dark eyes with a sliver of reflected moonlight in them. “Or remind you how much I love you. How important- nay vital to my future you are.” She said with a spark of drama that made Eddie laugh.

“I do love to hear it.” He shut his eyes and hummed as her warm palms touched his clammy skin.

“Good thing I brought it up.” She kissed the tip of his nose. “I wanted to talk about our summer plans.”

“Oh! Well, I have good news on that topic.” He perked up.

“Good news second yes.” She nodded and intently leaned in to listen.

“You are looking at an employed high school graduate.” He puffed out his chest and straightened an imaginary tie.

“You found a job!” She said loudly and he got to take a turn shushing her.”

“I did. At the shop where you painted the van actually.”

“Seriously? You know so much about cars I didn’t even think about you being a mechanic. That makes total sense.” She hit her forehead with her palm.

“They saw the work I did on the van. Some of that poverty forced ingenuity.” He chuckled. “Wayne told them that was all me and asked if they needed someone.”

“Wayne coming in for his baby boy once again.”

“Father of the year.” Eddie grinned.

“That’s such a relief. We can save up even quicker now!”

“You keep saying that. What exactly are we saving up for?” Star blinked at him as if she didn’t understand him.

“To get us out of here.” She said with a laugh.

“Shit.” He said with raised brows, eyes leaving hers again and turning far away.

“Isn’t that what you wanted? To pursue your music? You can’t really do that here. You need to be in a real city where people are that make those decisions.”

“No, no, you’re totally right babe. You are, I just…” he looked down and shook his head, an odd amused expression coming across his face.

“What?” Her voice came out so small and scared Eddie turned his attention back to her and squeezed her tight

“Honestly? I never thought I’d get out of here.” He admitted openly.

“What do you mean?” She cooed and touched his cheek.

“Part of the Munson curse I suppose. Big plans when you’re young and then life kicks you in the nuts and doesn’t stop until your dreams are dead and so are you.” She blinked rapidly and looked a bit repulsed, “Okay that’s… harsh but I mean my people don’t get what they want. They don’t get good jobs or good relationships and they can’t seem to make enough good decisions to make a difference. It’s the poverty cycle. Sure I’ve had the dream to get out and make something of myself but guess how else did? My dad. Mom. Wayne.” He let out a tired sigh. “Mom almost got us out. She did.” He nodded. “But life proved too hard for her.” He spoke softly about his mother always.

“She tried to get you out too?”

“Yeah away from my dad. Start a new life somewhere. That pipe dream.”

“Maybe we can pick up where she left off?” Star offered. “She got close right? There’s two of us, we make good decisions, we’ve got good friends. We aren’t them. We can do it together. It can happen! No. It will happen.” Her confidence was contagious. The things he’d been told his whole life weighed heavy to keep his optimism down. But when she held his face and promised him the world it was damn hard to not believe her. “We both have real jobs. Tax-paying jobs that won’t get us in trouble. We can save and stay where we are. We can do this.”

“You really believe that don’t you?”

“I do. I mean… who else better to break a curse than a witch?” She joked but Eddie felt the sentiment settle into his chest. He took a deep breath, and his time looking over her face.

“I know people say it all the time but I really, honest to god, don’t know what I’d do without you.” Her chest faltered, and her throat lumped as she swallowed down a rush of tears fighting their way up.

“You don’t have to wonder what you'd do because you’ve got me, Eddie. Forever. I mean that.” They spoke in hushed whispers to keep their holy promises to each other light in the night. There was no heaviness to their love. “I know people say that too.” She broke the tension and nuzzled his nose with hers, he kissed her knuckles slowly as she spoke words he never thought he’d hear from another person. “But I plan to.” She said, her stomach fluttering. “It’s a plan I wanted to talk to you about actually.” He heard her voice waver and looked up to give her his undivided attention. “There’s so much I want to say and I don’t know where to even start. I love you. That’s good.” She laughed at herself and he joined in.

“Great start.” He agreed and pushed her hair back from her face to watch her closely.

“There’s… you know…” she huffed out in frustration but a smile remained on her face. She let her mind go, her eyes closing and letting her chest and throat crack open. “All the things I’ve ever heard about love, on tv and in movies and books and from people who I thought were crazy for saying such cliche, corny, cheesy, predictable things… they’re all true.” She dig deep to find the courage to squeeze his hand, looking into his eyes to find them as soft as they ever had been. “But I find myself wanting to keep every last one of those cliches and recite them to you. Like it was the first time either of us had heard them. I could read you a book so big I couldn’t lift it full of those things and I would mean every last one of them. You complete me. I’d rather die than live without you. Our souls are made from the same stardust. We are that one in a million." her face gave over to it now, her tongue letting free everything she'd been mulling over in her head. "Love like this is not supposed to exist. But yet it does. Against all odds. And it’s fucking terrifying. But you know what’s scarier? The chance that I miss out on the greatest love I've ever known because I’m scared. Because I’m worried I’m moving too fast. I wanna risk it. I’m willing to put all my chips on you, Eddie. I’ll bet the whole fuckin' farm on us, Munson. And I am willing to be wrong. I am willing to try based on that single negligible percentage of a chance that this ends with us getting everything we ever wanted.” Her confidence was free with every word that left her mouth. Her voice rose and her posture straightened, hands to Eddie’s chest as she let her heart do all the talking.

Eddie's eyes grew as wide as she’d ever seen them, a tear escaped down his cheek as she spoke with conviction from her soul, throat cracking with emotion as she delivered the most precious gifts to him so willingly.

“What I’m trying to say is… my plan…” she took a quick breath in. “I want to marry you, Eddie.” She felt his hands squeeze hers back but it didn’t deter her, only egged her on. “And I don’t mean in some philosophical someday way where it floats around and doesn’t have a date or a plan where you're waiting for the right time and then time passes then some more and suddenly it’s been years and it’s still not “the right time”.” She did finger quotes and rolled her eyes at the frustration of the idea. “I want to marry you now. Soon. I want to do it in a place we both call home with all the people we love around us. I don’t want to wait to be yours. Because this is right. I want everyone to know we belong to each other. I want you to know I'm yours with no doubt. Not just have it whispered between us when we’re alone at night. I’m ready for our lives to start together.” She was out of breath, chest heaving as she bombarded him with her demands. She blinked as if she’d just come out of a trance, brows shifting as she looked around.

She was startled when he sat up, eyes racing around the space. He kept his hands to her and stood, looking down at the party. The only indication he gave that he heard her at all was holding up a single finger as if to tell her to wait. Star stood bewildered, feeling as if she were naked in a snowstorm. At least emotionally. When Eddie threw his leg over the railing she screeched.

“Eddie! What are-?! Babe!” She kept to the railing only for him to already be on the other side.

Unknown to them they’d been holding the party's rapt attention, Steve had his camera out, a shakily zoomed-in shot of Star's loud voice confessing her undying love for Eddie that ended in a marriage proposal. So no one expected him to crawl over the balcony.

“Oh my god.” Nancy said with a hand to her mouth.

“Did she just propose?” Jonathan asked quietly. “And now he’s jumping off the balcony?” He looked around for clarification.

“MUNSON WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?” Steve shouted setting the camera on a chair but not shutting it off in the cold fear that struck through him

“MY JEANS!” Eddie shouted, pointing before reaching out to the ivy-covered downspout on the house.

“WHAT??!!” Everyone screamed in unison.

“I NEED MY JEANS!” He said as if they were the ones acting erratic in this situation.

“WHAT THE HELL MAN?? Have you heard of stairs? Jesus Christ!” Steve said with arms out at the foot of the spout as Eddie monkeyed his way with his tongue out of his mouth in concentration. The younger kids were crying laughing. This was the most chaotic thing they’d ever witnessed.

Eddie jumped off the side of the house a few feet from the ground and Star lets out a loud groan of equal relief and frustration. Her hands to her hair she’s left thinking her possibly former boyfriend was trying to kill himself after she proposed and now she’s left with pure unfiltered confusion at what he was doing next.

“Hey guys.” Eddie says so casually with a nod, snatching his jeans from a pile next to a chair.

Loud questions are shouted at him but he ignored everyone one of them, pulling something out of his pocket and jogging back to the downspout.

“You can’t just climb on the pipes Eddie!” Steve shouted with a squeak to his voice as his closest male friend his age made him reconsider giving him that title.

“I got it!” He said proudly, undeterred by the chaos ensuing around him by his actions. Star grasped at him haphazardly to pull him over the railing. Both panting for different reasons she was left with a horrified expression and he wore an opposing grin that spread across his entire face. “Star…” he said before stopping to catch his breath and getting to one knee.

“Oh shit!” Steve hissed with realization as he nearly falls running to get the camera and shush everyone behind them.

“I told you once that I was willing to be as crazy as you were. And I believe this is a good example of that.” He started laughing and so did she, his hand outstretched to take hers. “I would be honored… blessed… gifted to make that promise to you sanctioned by the United States government.” Star cackled, her head thrown back before returning her gaze to him, wiping happy tears away. “Star Reynolds. Light of my life. Queen of my Realm. Goddess whom I worship at the altar of….” He held out the small ring of his mothers he’d not even gotten to keep to himself for 24 hours. It was never meant to stay with him, he realized. It was in just as much of a hurry to be on her finger as she was. “I would be the happiest man alive or dead if you would accept this humble Munson heirloom as a material representation of our mythical love and be my wife.”

There was no waiting. Not even for a second. She slipped her finger in the ring and felt the blessing of their union from his mother with it. She’d even ensured it fit her finger perfectly. Another small serendipitous happenstance only strengthened their belief that their love was meant to be.

“Yes!” She cried with sobs of joy. She lept into his arms much to the horror of everyone before, afraid they’d topple over the railing.

She held onto him with legs around his waist and arms around his neck as she kissed loudly all over his face. He carried her down the stairs that way. So similar to how he’d carried her drunken self down with Steve all those months ago. She held to him and kissed him just the same. Robin opened the patio door to let them through as Eddie wasn’t going to let her out of his arms.

“Guess who’s getting married mother fuckers!” Eddie shouted at the top of his lungs and Star joined with a squeal. The whole group cheered, Steve shed a tear at the sentimentality of it all.

Another prized possession of theirs was created. Jonathan with his camera always close snapped Star with her hand out in the arms of her love as they both beamed so bright he was surprised it didn’t distort the photo. Years later it would be blown up to fit a giant canvas. It would line the hallway wall to their bedroom. A centerpiece of a gallery wall full of memories of the life they’d created together.

----

This is the end of the main part of the story. I hope to write more as it comes to me with one shots about moments later in their life. It's been heavily requested already but I have no schedule as to when they would be started. I hope you enjoyed these two as much as I did. I'm very sad to see them go. I don't know what I'm going to do to fill my time now. Thanks to everyone who followed and commented, it kept me going and the validation fuels me to keep writing.

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[justrambles]

(Beauty and the beast au steddie)

No.12 — Gift

"Alright, everyone— gather up! No, wait— spread out, we need the space!"

Eddie stands in the center of the living room, with a crinkled box in hand. Everyone—Nancy included— is sitting in a circle around him, nervously waiting for Eddie to open the box.

The box contains many mysteries, untold to the audience— this is Steve's Box of Photos. Eddie feels a bit excited himself, as he eyes Steve awkwardly sitting in the corner of the room.

With a final look towards the crowd gathered around him, Eddie plops down too, examining the box. It's a fairly neat one, except for the crumpled corner that makes the box look like it's been thrown to the ground.

Eddie gulps, opening the box, and stares at the contents inside. He thought it'd be just a pile of pictures. Well, if photos are not plastered to walls or put inside albums, that's how they're kept, right? But it's not. They are wrapped in colored paper, with names written on. They look like—

"Alright, seems like a distribution is in need," Eddie announces. The kids look curious, trying to look inside. Eddie grabs a package, squinting at the name.

"Okay, the first is... 'Wheelers'?"

"That's us," Nancy quickly answers. And as Eddie hands her the photos, she notices the wrapping and asks, "Actually, do you mind opening them for us? I think it might be a bit hard to..."

"Of course. Uh, do you want me to spread them out, too?"

At the Wheelers' nods Eddie quickly starts spreading out the pictures, one by one. It's fun, getting a glimpse into their old lives. All the photos are of the siblings, depicting various moments of their happiness. As he lays down the last one, he turns to the box again and picks up another package.

"The next is- may I present... 'Henderson.' I know that's you, Dustin."

***

"They seem very organized," Eddie comments.

He has now moved away from the center of the living room to the corner of it, leaving the others to reminisce. He tilts his head towards Steve, who's sitting next to him.

"Mm-hm," Steve hums an affirmation.

"Like they're supposed to be shown to others."

"They are."

Eddie gently hums in return, encouraging Steve to continue.

"They were supposed to be a gift, I guess. Before... before everything happened, I planned to give them out. Little memoirs, you know? 'Cause I was graduating and thought it'd be great for the party. But then, yeah, it happened and I never got around to it."

"Can I ask you about the damaged box?"

Steve hesitates at his question, picking at the floor a bit.

"I think I was angry," he starts. "Right after everything happened, I was angry that it had happened to me and angry that nothing was going to be the same. I stayed like that for a while, and I still had problems adjusting to this... form when I bumped into the box while trying to move. It pissed me off, I guess, being reminded of before. So I just threw it into the basement. Not the smartest choice— I didn't know the kids might have missed having pictures."

"Well, they were your gifts to give out. And sometimes a little suspension is needed for the element of surprise," Eddie mentions.

Steve just huffs, muttering, "Some suspension it was, going on for more than two decades."

Eddie shrugs, and suddenly a thought comes to him.

"Is that why you don't have a packet? 'Cause they're gifts for others?"

"What?"

"You know, your pack of photos. I didn't see one in there."

"Oh, yeah. I mean, there's no need to wrap it up if I just have them in the house, right?"

"So... do you have them? In the house?"

Eddie doesn't know why he is so curious about the photos. But the blurred figure he saw in the picture of the fair doesn't leave his thoughts— he wants to see Steve clearly.

Steve takes a moment to ponder, rubbing his neck with his claws.

"Uh... I'm not sure? I don't remember what I did with them, or where I put them. They're probably somewhere."

Eddie tries not to let his disappointment show — why is he even disappointed? — and just answers with a "Oh."

***

It's late at night, when Eddie hears a noise from the door.

"Hey, Eddie, Eddie? I'm coming in–, can I come in?"

The voice is muffled, so it takes a moment to realize that it's Robin's. And as soon as he hears her, the door opens by its own and reveals the crow sitting on the door handle, with something in her beak.

"I'm glad you invited yourself in, Rob. What's the hurry?"

Robin is not even affected by the tone of his annoyed voice—he was getting ready for sleep, you know— and just hops over to the bed. She sets the piece she had in her beak down in front of him, and Eddie sees that it's a photo, one of Robin's.

"Well, you helped us a lot today, and we all got gifts but you didn't— So it's a gift. Wait, maybe it's not a permanent gift. More like a rental gift, for only a while, because I do like that picture. But yeah, I thought you might want to see this one. I'm lending this photo to you for a few days."

"...A photo rental for a gift," Eddie questions, trying to figure out what it is that Robin's doing. Robin doesn't even catch his suspicion and just answers smugly with a "Yup."

"Tell me why I would want to see this photo?"

The photo is one of the pictures that Eddie had passed by earlier, of Robin and two other people who are probably her friends. Robin and the girl on her left are wearing some sort of band uniforms with instruments in their hands, and the boy on her right is wearing a basketball uniform. They're all grinning widely at the camera, clearly excited.

"Oh, I don't know," and Eddie can hear the sparkle in her voice as she continues, "This one was actually the first photo taken with Steve's new camera. He brought it to school because we had band practice and basketball practice nearby each other, and he wanted to show it to me first.

"He offered to take my photo first, with Vickie because— well, that's a story for another time. So, anyway, he had us in front of the camera but then Scott came and offered to take all of us so that Steve could be in the first photo, too. And this was it."

Eddie isn't sure he heard the last part of Robin's rambling. He's trying to look engaged in her story, but it feels like all his senses are directed towards the laid down photo.

The photo, which apparently has Steve in it. He curses himself for not having paid enough attention to the pictures earlier because, how did he miss it? Of course there'd be Steve in Robin's pictures. They're together almost all the time.

He's so engrossed in trying (and failing) to sneak a look at the photo without Robin noticing that he almost misses her starting to leave. She's at the door, glancing back at Eddie before muttering out something that definitely sounds like "another dingus." Eddie just mindlessly nods her a goodbye, now not even trying to hide his inattention.

As soon as Robin is out of his sight, Eddie delves into the photo.

Of Steve.

The first thing he notices is the moles scattered along his cheeks like constellations, noticeable even with the low resolution. Second is his hair, because— yeah, Eddie can definitely see Steve giving Dustin his hairspray. It's set perfectly even after having run around the court, and Eddie chuckles at that part.

Then, he is drawn into Steve's wide smile. Eddie stares for a moment, taking in the curve of his lips and all. Steve looks so carefree, with his arm slung around Robin. Carefree like any other teenager who is excited about his new camera.

And Eddie wishes he could have seen that smile for real.

[crazedlunatic]

Blaine’s Coming Out  Story

“Are you not going to work today?” Kurt, who usually was gone before Blaine left, looked surprised.

“I’m… having an anxious day.” Blaine bit his lip. “I already took Zach and Nick to school, though. How did the event and cleanup go?”

“Why are you anxious? What’s wrong?”

“Uhm. I don’t know that I ever told you before and I probably should have and it’s not something that I really talk about because it… makes me really depressed and sometimes it spirals quickly and…  I’ve really only talked to Derek—David’s dad— and my therapist. I had to see her every day for months, then every other day, then Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and that was after graduating to then next level of therapy because they were convinced I wasn’t suicidal anymore and that I was sufficiently at a D or D- mentally instead of wanting to sabotage or kill myself.”

“Blaine—” Kurt sputtered. “You never… you told me you had a therapist but you never said anything like that before.”

“I know. I know.” Blaine sat on his hands, clearly anxious. “I’m sorry but you never brought coming out up for me and even if you had, I probably would have lied because I always panicked when cornered about my falling grades and…”

“Blaine. You told me you almost killed yourself. Or wanted to but called and got help.” Kurt sat by him, eyes wide. “I knew it was bad.”

“It wasn’t bad… it was awful. The ages 11 to 17 probably would have killed me if Derek— David’s dad— hadn’t taken me in and he kept me with his family until I was set to go to UK because they’re just the best people. Bob and Sarah, Burt and Carole too.”

“No, I know what you mean. Back then.”

“Yeah.”

“Have you… are you going to tell Bob you aren’t going in?”

“I should but it’s not a good reason to call out because I’m supposed to be helping he and Jake with this big trial which is so over my head… which isn’t helping me right now either. I’m a mess. I just want to stay home and hide with the twins.”

Kurt looked at him. He’d seen Blaine anxious but not like this.

“I still wish I hadn’t come out to them. And that I had a support system but after I came out to my parents, suddenly everyone knew… and I was terrified. My best friends turned on my and I just got progressively more anxious and then depression set in. I had no one to talk to. Well. No. Uhm, I went to my grandparents on weekends.”

“How were they?” Kurt asked.

Blaine’s lip trembled and he said, “They were great. They both said they’d known and that they had a fund set up for me when they passed… and that they’d make sure I was taken care of… and I guess Jake took it over from there? Because his dad was my grandfather’s best friend or something… which is also really weird.”

Kurt nodded.

“A-and now I really need to go to work but I can’t make myself get up and get dressed. And how am I supposed to make an excuse? They don’t even know my birthday would coincide with it.”

“Blaine… are you sure you want to think about all of this on your birthday?”

“This was the day I had decided to do it in sophomore year.”

“Kill yourself?”

“Yeah. On my birthday. But I… I called Wes because I was too afraid to take the pills.”

“That’s why you hate doing stuff for your birthday.” Kurt frowned. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“I don’t know… but you should know…”

“Does Bob know?”

“Just as much as you do. It’s not something I like to talk about all the time because it takes me to a dark place and I’m afraid to get stuck there.” His voice was soft.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Kurt’s voice was gentle.

“Yes… but no.”

“Let’s talk about it then.” Kurt sat down on the couch, gesturing for Blaine to sit with him. “What do you want me to know?”

“When I turned 11, we had this nice birthday party. Everything had been great. Cake, presents, the soccer team all came… it had been one of the ‘best days ever.’” Blaine swallowed  and picked at his nails as he spoke. “When the team left, I told my parents how much I enjoyed it, thanked them and everything… and told them I was gay. I had something I wanted to share with them. My mom seemed thrilled until my dad got really pissed off. He was saying all of these awful things. It got out to my soccer mates who had been my best friends but they wouldn’t talk to me anymore even though it was public school and I know there were at least two other gay kids on the team… shortly after most of them kept harassing me and the school wouldn’t do anything. They tried to sound meaningful or something about how it was good for me or something.”

“What else did your dad do?” Kurt asked. Blaine hadn’t gotten near this far any other time he’d talked about his past with his parents although Kurt knew it had been awful.

“Sometimes he wouldn’t let me eat. He would take things from me that he knew I really loved. My grandfather may have known something was going on but not the extent. I stayed over there a lot until he died and then my grandmother… I don’t know if she was trying to protect me from something else or what… but she had been a really good grandmother and I just wish I could talk to her and make sense of all of this but I never got to even ask because she died before I could know what really happened.”

“I’m so sorry, Blaine. How long before you went to Dalton?”

“After I was attacked and ended in the hospital.” His chest felt tight. “At Dalton I got so nervous in locker rooms even though nothing ever happened there. I can’t… I can’t go to work today, Kurt. But I don’t have a good enough excuse.”

“Blaine. You’re back up right now. You know he would be okay with it.”

“Yeah but the thing is I… I’m not even done explaining.” Blaine’s eyes teared up and he took several deep breaths. “Because it kept getting worse until my… 15th birthday where everything imploded. And then the grandpa was gone. And I was getting beat up in school for being gay and I just—”

“What?”

“I wanted to do it. I wanted to die. I wanted to kill myself. Sometimes I still have nightmares about my coming out and the bullying.” Blaine shuddered a bit as though he was cold. “I don’t know why it’s affecting me so much this year, Kurt. I don’t want to do anything to myself. I just… I don’t know how to not go to this place. I think maybe it’s because we have the boys and I can’t fathom making them feel this way.”

“Can I… Blaine, can I call Bob? I know he would want to make you feel better about this.”

“He’s going to be annoyed because he’s kept asking me what’s wrong for days and I—I don’t lie to him but I didn’t want to get to this place. And he’ll be worried.”

“I’m worried about you.”

“I don’t want him to see me like this.”

There was a knock on the door. Not a normal one. Several knocks.

Kurt got up to answer the door knowing exactly who it had to be.

“What’s happening? He’s not answering me, Sarah, he even ignored Charlie and Sam.” Bob followed Kurt into the main part of the house.

Blaine had his hands covering his face, not wanting Bob to know he’d been crying.

Bob sat on the couch next to him and put his hand on Blaine’s thigh, eyes locked with Kurt’s.

“Sorry.” Blaine choked. “I couldn’t… I can’t… I…”

“You should have called me, Blaine. I’m always here. I was worried.” Bob said, looking at Kurt who looked like he was on the verge of tears.

Kurt sat on the floor in front of Blaine, hand on Blaine’s knee as he cried even harder.

“You’re okay. You’re perfect how you are.” Bob was reassuring him. “You’re here despite everything you’ve been through. You and Kurt have perfect babies and you’re such a great dad. Don’t you think otherwise for a second, honey, because you are already so much better than I was with Charlie as a six month old.”

Blaine shook his head, face red from all of the crying.

“Yes. You are.” Bob protested. “I will remind you every day until I die if I have to.”

“I can’t say it all again.” Blaine whimpered. “I can’t.”

“It’s okay.” Kurt said.

“I don’t need to hear it until you need me too.” Bob made eye contact and then pulled Blaine into a super uncomfortable hug.

Blaine wiped off his face and let out a few shuddery breaths. He was silent for a few minutes before wiping his eyes and then leaning against Kurt.

[vi-sinner]

Seven Little Minutes. | Eddie Munson x Reader

Stuck at a party surrounded by your drunk friends, you indulged in their little party game- 7 minutes in Heaven.

WARNINGS | Suggestive Content (but no smut). Drinking & Alcohol Consumption. Making-Out. Language. GN!Reader. Fluff. Uh Eddie might have gotten a bit too excited. 

Word Count | 1.6k

MAIN MASTERLIST  |   ST MASTERLIST  |

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This was totally not your scene 

The loud booming music, mountains upon mountains of filled and discarded solo cups, sweaty bodies either passed out in the most uncomfortable positions or roaming whosoever’s poor house this was. All in the name of the ‘New Year!’ 

What a load of shit

If it wasn't for the majority of your friend group- and most of the teenage and young adult population of Hawkins- you'd much rather celebrate this grand New Years at home, sticking your nose in the same over annotated books you've read more times than you can count 

You had to scoff to yourself- because maybe Nancy was right…you really did need to let loose.

While your friends scattered across the house- celebrating yet another year alive and hopefully done with the curse that plagued this town- you spotted yourself in a corner, befriending the floor lamp that seriously needed its bulb changed, and taking slow slips of the cheap beer provided. And if you can call that ‘partying’ then hell yeah. You partied…hard

At midnight, fireworks set off in the backyard- a huge plot of clean-cut grass and plants- enough to fit almost all of the drunken guests. It truly was a beautiful sight- the glow completely captivating your attention. After the final one was set and exploded into the night sky, the majority started to stumble their way out of the glorious mansion.

You were more than ready to get back in the comfort of your own bed. You made your way back inside- carefully stepping over the ones that made the floor their bed for the night- to find your friends, more importantly to find Steve, the one who actually drove you all here. 

Just as you assumed, they were all inside. And they were surrounding the floor of the living room- plus a couple of kids you didn't care to see again after graduation. And instead of them packing up to leave like the rest, they were still drinking and picking paper out of a bowl? 

As you came into her view, Robin dramatically waved her hand back and forth, calling your name louder than she needed to. “Come here.” Her words slurred together. Great, she was still drunk. “We're playing Seven Minutes in Heaven.” She giggled like a mischievous little kid 

Even now, as you sit on the hardwood floors, watching various different pairs of kids scurry into the hall closet- partaking in scandalous behaviors- you just want to go home. And knowing you're probably the most sober, you would be the one hauling them all back. 

You look over when Steve sings your name. “It's your turn.” He all but pushes the bowl in your face 

You dig your hand and scuffle through the pile mindlessly, wiggling your hand without much thought- like there was much left to choose from anyway. The folded piece of paper is clasped in your hands, and you unfold it 

Eddie 

Is whose name was scribed messily on the paper. You don't know whether to be grateful- considering he is one of your close friends. Or to puke, because it's said friend who've you been having the utmost confusing feelings for lately 

Steve etches into your personal space, leaning over to catch who was your lucky partner. He speaks both of your names in a cheer. “Well up you two go!” He gives you both a weak push to get up

Both Steve and Robin did not linger to push you both into the small closet, shutting you both in. They were a bit too excited for your liking. “And seven minutes start…now!” Steves almost manic laughter faded the farther he walked away- doing nothing to ease yourself 

It's silent and truly awkward for the first two minutes. You try to push yourself to just say anything-yet nothing comes up. All you can do is twine your fingers together and hope for some kind of tension breaker to pop into your head 

Eddie clears his throat- effectively breaking the perfect silence. “So, could you run the rules of this again?” He questions, and even though it's almost pitched black, you can see the slight tilt of his head, and how his arms cross in an unbothered stance. 

Your head tilts just the same- confused of how he wouldn't know the rules and logistics of the known party game. You go on to explain- not holding back on what you both could be doing in these seven- about five minutes. 

“Ahh, I get it.” His eyebrows wiggle in mischief. “Should we engage?” The chains on his belt swing back and forth as his move his hips in a way that make you snort 

 Spending all but five seconds debating back and forth, you think, ‘Fuck it’ You can't throw away an opportunity to get those feelings somewhat figured out. You manage to breathe out a simple yes. You straighten your posture, standing tall and confident- expertly pushing your nervousness away 

Delighted with your answer, he moved forward, closing in on you, just far enough so his hands could cup your cheeks. Mere inches from your face, he hesitated. All that confidence soon drained from him. He suddenly became shy, insecure of his actions 

“Eddie?” came your whispered question. “We don't have to do anything…if you don't want to.” 

His hair moved along with his head as it shook. “No..No…I want to..you just.” He scoffed. His breath hitting your face as he is still just a hair away. “You just make me nervous.” He lowered his head as he quietly admitted his worries, hoping to hide his ever-growing red checks, even if the low light prohibited you from seeing it anyway 

Your giggling caused his head to turn up. You repeated his statement, surprised that you out of all people would be the one to make him nervous. “God, you make me nervous...in a good way...of course.” The twin confessions cause hearty laughs to fill the taut closet

“Glad we are in the same boat then, huh?” He dipped down, nose to nose. And just outside the door, you think you hear your friends cheering on each other- most likely lost in yet another drinking game to pass the time. But you’re lost in his eyes, the ones that now have no quarrel in staring into yours

“Guess we should do something about that then.” You could feel your heart pounding in your chest, waiting on who would be the first to cave, and make the damn move 

“Yes- we really should.” His lips covered yours fiercely- his movements desperate like this would be the last he would ever feel of you. He snaked one of his hands off your cheek, traveling down to hold the side of your hip.

He pressed harder into you- and though you attempted to keep a stable foot, the stubble force caused you to walk backwards, until your back hit the wall behind you 

For what had to be a mere minute, felt like a lifetime. Your senses clouded in lust- as well as the scent of cigarettes and cheap cologne. The things that could make you turn your head in disgust, now you just crave it- allowing that desire to push back to him with just as- if not heavier, eager movements 

He pulled away first, gasping and pouring your name from the end of his tongue in a plea-like tone. He transfixed his eyes to the trail of spit that had stretched between your mouths. Both of you were jaw-slacked, racing to catch the lost breaths. In a spilt second, he breathed a simple ‘fuck’ before diving back in to feel you once more 

The hand that wasn't digging marks into your love handles, slapped onto the wall next to your head. If it was rough and hard the first round, then surly now this time would take the cake. No doubt that your lips would be swollen and bruised, and everyone out there would know exactly what transpired in that closet 

In his own form of desperation, his hips shyly rubbed into yours. Shivers ran down your spine- the pressure of his now tighter pants has you throbbing with bitter need. Simultaneously, moans come from the pit of your throats- his deep and raspy and yours muted but high. Your hands clench hard at the bottom of the infamous ‘HellFire Club’ shirt- desperate to latch on to anything. 

Just as you boldly travel your hand lower- the closet door rattled on its worn hinges, scaring you both enough to pause your movements. “One minute left!” Came what sounded like a drunken Steve's voice from the other side

For the second time, Eddie pulled back- resting his sweaty forehead on yours. “God…that was just-” His pupils were wide- yet his lids were hazy

“Amazing?” 

“Yeah…amazing.” Sincerity and awe litter his tone- even with the breathless chuckle that sneaks through “But-” He draws out. “I have to get Eddie Jr. to calm down in less than a minute, or those idiots will never let me hear the end of it.” His face twisting in slight discomfort- his mind searching for the most un-hot things to turn him off 

The situation he's in makes you giggle. “Oh, you think it's funny? You try having blue balls for the rest of the night!” He states with no real malice behind his words 

“Ok big guy.” Your eyes roll at his dramatics ``We got about thirty seconds before they rip this door open, sooo let's just sneak out so you have more time to handle...that.” You point a finger to his ‘little’ problem 

You wiggle out of his embrace- making your way to the exit. A ringed covered hand catches your wrist- stopping you from opening the door. You turn back with a raised brow, pressing him to speak 

“So, any chance I can get a little more than 7 minutes with you?” 

[bonniebird]

Eddie Munson x Cheerleader Fem!Reader

Requested by Anon

Masterpost

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Warnings: public sex, overstimulation, oral (Fem!Reader receiving), fingering

You snuffled and wiped your eyes as you cut through the field. You were held back for a year and had been able to stay on as cheer captain for longer than you thought. But you had found out that you’d passed your last class and the cheerleading team had gathered together at the end of your meet.

Your backpack was filled with cards, homemade candies, tiny teddies and other gifts you hadn’t opened yet. Before you’d taken over a lot of the team were unhappy and quitting but now they were sad to see you go, some worrying that things would go back to before you’d become captain. The surprise had left you teary eyed as you left the gym for the last time before graduation and headed home.

“(Y/N)!” Eddie said as you cut through the woodland path. You jumped at his sudden appearance. He chuckled and held up his hands. “Just me!”

“You scared me!” You said with a nervous giggle.

“Sorry. I just wanted to see if you were ok. You looked upset.” Eddie smiled and followed you down the path. You fell in step, walking together as you headed home.

“I’m ok. It’s just weird to think that I’m graduating this year.” You said and he chuckled.

“Yeah! I mean I have an extra year on you but we’re graduation buddies!” Eddie said as he laughed.

“Are you doing a goodbye Hellfire thing? The squad threw me a goodbye party.” You said as the two of you slowed dawdling along.

“Nah. We’ll still hang out.” Eddie said quietly. The two of you walked in silence for a few moments before Eddie glanced at you. “So. Last day in the uniform then. Do they make you give it back?”

“Oh no. Mine to keep now. Though I'm not sure what I would use it for after I graduate.” you muttered. Eddie glanced at you out of the corner of his eye and said nothing. His mind was wandering back a few months ago when you’d run into him on his way home on the same path. The skies had cracked open with thunder and he had hurried you both under a large tree to keep dry. While you worried about getting your brand new shoes wet’ as they were white with pom poms on them and had green and gold stripes in the school's colour on them, Eddie worried that the path would wash out. Eddie had ended up carrying you through the splippy mud road and had to stop when the rain became too bad. He held you as he leaned against a tree with one hand on your waist keeping you close, the other high on your thigh near your ass, under your cheerleading skirt.

Jason had dumped you for Chrissy Cunningham a few days prior and with the rain dripping through the trees the storm was throwing a soft orange glow over everything you couldn't help but feel a flutter build in your chest as you looked at Eddie. His fingers had twisted into the tiny shorts under your cheerleading skirt and by the time the two of you were done the storm had stopped. He’d used his fingers to chase you to your ecstasy and had joked that the next time you could get on your knees for him.

Eddie could tell exactly what you were thinking about as he looked at you. He stopped and watched you take a few more steps forward before stopping and looking back at him. “You know I just remembered what happened last time we were out here.”

“Oh? Really?” You said nervously. He smiled to himself and nodded, bounding up to you he paused when you took a small step back.

“Yeah.” He said quietly and smiled to himself. “That was a great time.”

For a moment you were both awkwardly quiet, in your own thoughts. You couldn’t help the way your fingers twisted into your skirt as you thought about the moans Edie had made as he watched you come undone on his fingers, the encouragement he’d whispered into your ear, the soft kisses on your neck. He watched your fidget and the change on your face as you wound yourself up.

“You know. We go a little deeper into the woods. There’s a place we could sit?” Eddie offered. He watched your legs clamp together and offered you his hand so you could follow him. As soon as you’d taken his hand your arms wrapped around it as if his arm was the only thing grounding you. By the time he’d walked the short distance to the old bench you were practically grinding yourself on the back of Eddie’s hand as you held his arm tightly against your body. He pulled his arm from you and lifted you onto the table next to the bench. Eddie smelled of stale weed and nicotine, cheap beer, a must that wasn’t pleasant or unpleasant. The smell combined together and made you think of the storm. He looked down at you as he went to unbuckle his belt and stand between your legs but he saw a flicker of hesitation on your face and stopped.

“Are you ok?” Eddie asked sincerely.

“Yes.” you said quietly. Eddie tilted his head as he watched you mull something over and smiled when you looked back up at him. “You really want me. On my knees?” You asked nervously thinking about what he said last time. Eddie cracked a grin.

“If you want. Or we could hang out. Or do whatever you want.” He said gently. You smiled at him, still holding one of his hands. You looked down at his rings which he let you fiddle with curiously until you looked back up at him.

“Whatever I want?” You asked and he smiled at the way you said it, nodding at you.

“You know about the whole on your knees thing.” Eddie muttered. He really had meant it as a joke when he’d said it. It hadn’t occurred t him at the time that your sexual partners before him might not have been so casual about what they waned from you. “If you don’t want to get on your knees for me. Maybe you’d let me get on my knees for you?”

“On your knees for me?” You asked uncertain what he meant. Eddie smiled and shifted you and the table, moving you back a little. Then he watched you carefully as he pushed your skirt up until he saw the tiny safety shorts underneath. Eddie leaned down and kissed the tops of your thighs, pushing your legs further apart as he kissed closer to your core until he placed a kiss over your heat and felt you jolt. When he looked up at you and pulled away he found one of your hands had flown up to your mouth and you looked rather startled.

“Are you ok (Y/N)?” He asked. Nodding you tried to clamp your legs closed to find some friction forgetting in your haze of lust that with his body between them you couldn't. “I could get you started if you want.” Eddie said, making a gesture with two fingers similar to the way he’d touched you in the woods. You nodded eagerly and Eddie’s eyes widened with surprise before obliging. His long fingers twisted into your shorts and underwear until he felt his fingertips brush through your folds. You leaned forwards, his body catching yours as you immediately caved into him. After the storm you’d tried to touch yourself the way he had, ripped his rings off when you begged him to touch you, pumping his fingers into you. You hadn’t been able to quite get it right so you’d given up. But you’d wake up at night, wet from dreams about him, wanting to cut through the woods that separated your house from the trailer park and knock on Eddie’s door in the middle of the night.

“Eddie.” you sighed as you pushed his fingers deeper. You felt the touch of the cold metal of his rings and gasped at the sudden feeling. Eddie pulled away quickly as he pulled his rings off.

“Did I hurt you?” He asked quickly. You shook your head against his chest as you guided his hand back to your core.

“No. No. Just please touch me again.” You pleaded desperately. He obliged by stroking his fingertips over your slit and sinking three fingers into your core down to his knuckles. He felt you clutching at his jacket, pulling as your mouth fell open and you started to pant, head still pressed against his collarbone as you panted. You were immediately so wet that Eddie wondered if the last time you’d hooked up with anyone was the last time you were with him which was a while ago.

Pulling your bag off you Eddie pushed you to lay back on the table and pulled his fingers out of you. You whined and objected but he whispered soft words to soothe you as he pulled your backpack off and dumped it on the floor before moving to pull your shorts and underwear down. He left them hanging from one ankle as he moved back to kissing your legs and pushed your skirt up just enough to see your core. He could see that you were slick already and moved your legs over his shoulder.

“Eddie?” You asked unsure what he was doing. He looked up at you, holding your gaze as he licked one long stripe over your slit. The gasped moan that came out of you made Eddie’s knees buckle and he dropped down, hands pinning you to the table as he eagerly lapped and kissed at your core. Your back arched off the table as Eddie’s tongue plunged into you, your heels dug at his back.

He moaned, the sound vibrating against your soaked core, as your fingers twisted into his hair and pulled his face closer into you. He continued until you felt heat build and explode across your body, rewarding him with your pleased cries and your cum on his face. He continued again and again, devouring you until you came for the last time and weakly pulled at his shoulder. He pulled away, eyes blown with lust, face slick with your cum as he pulled away. He had admittedly got a little more carried away than he meant to. He could see your legs twitching and trembling, splayed with your pussy exposed, dripping with your own slick as you gasped and caught your breath.

“(Y/N)? Are you ok?” Eddie asked and smiled when you moaned weakly at him. He hurried to wipe his face on the bottom of his Hellfire shirt and hurried round the table to stroke your face. “Did I send you to heaven one to many times?” He asked and smiled at you when you boldly jolted and you whimpered.

“Too much.” You said quietly. Eddie nodded and leaned in to kiss you, smiling into the kiss when you pulled him closer.

“Let me get you sorted ok? I can carry you home if you can’t walk.” Eddie said as he hurried to help put your underwear and shorts back on, smoothing your skirt down as he helped you stand. You clung to him as your legs trembled so Eddie lifted you into his arms, letting you wrap your legs around him and rest your head on his shoulder.

“You make me feel good.” You said when he picked up your back and started to head back towards the path and home.

“Good. That’s the point.” Eddie muttered.

“I still can’t figure out how you do the thing with your fingers. I tried but I couldn’t get it right.” you admitted and felt a bit bashful.

“You tried to get yourself off? Were you thinking about me?” Eddie asked curiously. He smiled to himself when he felt you nod against his shoulder. “You know I could come by and help you figure things out?” Eddie offered and you pulled away looking at him.

“Tonight?” You asked sleepily.

“Maybe?” He offered, surprised that you’d want more of him so soon. Nothing else was said as you tiredly leaned your head back against Eddie’s shoulder and sighed, body still trembling every now and then.

“(Y/N)?” Eddie said softly as he shook you a little, realising you’d fallen asleep and stroked your cheek. “(Y/N) we’re at you house. I'd carry you all the way inside but your dad’s car is on the drive and I’m not sure he’d be impressed with a long haired, tattooed guy showing up with his daughter in his arms explaining that he’s eaten his daughter’s pussy out so well that she can’t walk.” Eddie smiled as you pulled away and slowly let him put you down.

“Will you still come in like you said you would?” You asked and he smiled at you.

“Do you think you can handle more of me?” Eddie asked with amusement as he handed you back your bag. When you nodded eagerly he chuckled. “Well if you leave your window open I’ll try and come by later.”

Eddie waved as you hurried inside and glanced back at him, waiting until he was sure you were in and safe. He headed back towards the trailer park, hoping he’d have enough time to climb through your window.

Eddie tags:

@linkpk88 @babypink224221 @prettyplant0 @hardladyheart @bluejaysaysstuff @wittiestrain184 @im-ilvn @slxthxrxn-sxmp @jamie-c-bower-simp

[sturchling]

Listen Instead of Lie

This is based off a prompt by @miraculousfanworks that I was tagged in by @vixen-uchiha a while back. Sorry it took so long for me to get to it! Hope this was worth the wait!

What happens if Lila tries to lie about MDC, when the class already knows who MDC is? The end of the liar's reign happens.

Marinette had been making quite the name for herself in the fashion world. Ever since she made the sunglasses for Jagged, he kept asking her for more pieces every few months. He also made sure to brag on Marinette every chance he got, using her pseudonym, MDC. Soon other major celebrities had commissioned her work and were also raving about the talented young designer. She was quickly becoming a household name, or at least her pseudonym was. Marinette wanted to stay relatively anonymous for now, for a few reasons, Lila being chief among them. She worried that if the liar knew about her success, she would try to destroy it. She also didn't want to be hounded for her work for now. So she resolved to use the name MDC until she graduated at least.

As the whole world was talking about her designs, no one knew who MDC actually was. That is, except for her class. Marinette had been using MDC for all of her designs for years, ever since they had known her. So naturally, they all knew who this 'mysterious new designer' was. They were very happy for their friend and her success. While they didn't get why Marinette didn't tell the world who she was (after all, who wouldn't want to have this kind of spotlight), they did respect her wishes, and made sure not to slip up and mention her actual name in public. However, when it was just the class, they would gush about Marinette and her latest designs, always impressed with their friend's work. Maybe if Lila had listened to her friends talk, instead of always make the conversation about her lies, then maybe she wouldn't have made such a stupid mistake.

MDC was now a major player in the fashion industry and was even going to be featured at the next Paris Fashion Week and the class couldn't be happier for their friend. The class decided that they wanted to throw Marinette a small party, nothing too crazy, but they wanted to congratulate her. The next morning, they arrived at school and when they went in the classroom, they saw Lila walking from the back of the classroom where Marinette was sitting towards the front to her desk. Lila went to greet the class with a sweet smile plastered on her face, but the class just continued towards Marinette. Lila hated the class even looking at Marinette. And she would put a stop to it. As Lila approached the group, she heard Alya say, "Marinette! We saw the latest news about MDC and we wanted to tell you-" But before Alya could finish her thought, Lila jumped in. If she had listened to what Alya was saying, she may have thought again about what she was going to say. But she was so focused on getting the attention off Marinette and back on to her, that she went to her usual plan. Lie. But this time that was the worst thing she could have done.

"Oh Alya! You all are talking about MDC?" Alya turned back to Lila with a smile, slightly irritated though that she had been interrupted. "Oh yeah, we were just going to tell Marinette-" Lila cut her off again. "Oh MDC is such a sweetheart. We actually met at the Milan Fashion Week, before she used MDC as her name. MDC are the initials of her mother who got her into fashion. Its her way of honoring her mother. I was so happy to hear she will be at the Paris Fashion Week, maybe I could introduce you all and get us tickets to her show? And Marinette, maybe she could give you some pointers on how to break into the fashion world?" Lila put on her best shy smile and waited for the class to gush about how awesome that would be, and how sweet Lila is. But that never came. Instead the class was staring at her in shock and anger.

"Lila? What are you talking about? Why are you lying?" Alya asked, hoping maybe she had misunderstood Lila, though she didn't see how she could have. "What are you talking about? I'm not lying! I've known MDC for years, we are very good friends." Lila immediately got defensive. Nino spoke up, saying "That isn't possible." Lila, forgetting to appear sweet and nice, snapped at Nino. "And why is that Nino?" Marinette stood up from her desk. "Because I am MDC." Lila scoffed. "Do you guys actually believe her? She is obviously lying for attention since her fashion business isn't doing as well. You should be ashamed Marinette, taking credit from a hard working designer! I thought you were better than that!" Lila expected the class to drop the conversation. They always did when this happened, if only to keep the peace. But they just doubled down. Alya walked towards Lila, furious that this girl had been lying to them, likely since she joined the class. "Marinette isn't lying. She is MDC. And if you hadn't interrupted me earlier, and listened, you would have heard us congratulate her for her success. She has used those initials for years for her fashion. MDC stands for Marinette Dupain-Cheng. You haven't been friends with her for years, and you certainly haven't been friends since you got here!" Lila was backed into a corner. She had no way out of this.

The class started yelling as they realized that not only did Lila try to lie about Marinette as MDC, but had likely been lying to them the whole time. Lila couldn't lie her way out of this one. So she ran. She ran out of the school and all the way home. The class continued with the celebration, congratulating Marinette and then treating her to a picnic in the park after school to celebrate. They had a great time, and went their separate ways that night, glad to not only have congratulated their friend, but defended her from a liar.

Later that night, Lila would convince her mother to send her back to Italy, saying that she was scared of the akumas and didn't want to stay in Paris. Lila wished she didn't have to leave Paris, but her mother wouldn't just let her transfer to another school in Paris. And she couldn't risk transferring to a new school in the city and then Mrs. Bustier's class spreading the word that she is a liar. Lila knew that if she just asked her mom to transfer because she didn't like her school, her mom would say to tough it out and not let her transfer. But if she was too scared to stay in Paris entirely? Her mother would listen. So, Lila reluctantly left Paris behind and returned to Italy. She would be living with her grandparents until a new school, likely a boarding school since her grandparents couldn't care for her long term, could be found. Lila sat on the plane to Italy, lamenting her mistakes in Mrs. Bustier's class. If only she had listened more than she lied.

[papergirllife]

First Love

Lucas Wong / Yukhei

"They say first love is a special experience that one would always hold a special place in your heart. Wong Yukhei was your first love in high school, but along the way, you had to say goodbye to him in order for him to achieve his dream of becoming a star in Korea. Yet fate and destiny plays its role in paving the two of you an intersection once more, will the two of you and up together at the very end?"

Warnings : smut, unprotected sex, mild angst, a child (pregnancy not described), tooth rotting fluff (all in that order, kinda)

A/N : this is one of my most heavily devoted works I've ever written, so please, of you're comfortable, drop a feedback to tell me if you guys like this writing style, thank you!

Lucas Wong of NCT and most importantly his own fixed unit, Wayv, the man who garners attention and love wherever he goes, that dazzling smile is sure to be captured by numerous cameras of awaiting fans.

But to you, Lucas was never Lucas, to you he was Yukhei, and more significantly, your ex from high school. Yukhei was your first love, you remember when the two of you had first met in Year 9, Yukhei was known for being a class clown and more of a klutz, girls would always have a soft spot for him even if they didn't like him in that way.

Yukhei was your desk mate for Year 10, the thing got you on your nerves about him was that he never took group assignments seriously, and was never at school on time, his uniform was wrinkly from rushing out of his house to catch the bus and always had a stationary missing, which means he had to borrow yours.

You never hated him, hate is a strong word, things were very neutral with him, most times, he unintentionally annoys you, but he'd always make up to you by bringing you a small bottle of apple juice the next day. The only time the two of you really fought was when he had not spoken up when his friends snatched your book away from yours to copy you off, brushing it off as a small matter.

You were quite an immature person back then, and no one can blame you, you were just a teenager, and being said that, you had refused to lend Yukhei a ruler when the math teacher did a pop quiz, so he had to use the dust pan as no one, other than you that is, brings an extra ruler.

It's not your fault, you thought back then, he shouldn't have depended on you to bring his share of stationaries. The next day, you walked into class to see his group of friends waiting at your desk to apologize to you, and as for Yukhei, he had yet again brought you a bottle of apple juice, with the addition of your favourite bar of Cadbury.

It was only in Year 11 when Yukhei had confessed to you, saying that all those annoying things he did to you were just to catch your attention, of all the girls he could've liked, he chose the one who was the most unattainable, go figure.

The next year, when the two of you were looking to apply to the same college, Yukhei broke the news to you that he'd be packing his bags for Korea, that the audition he had joined just for fun accepted him as a trainee in a large entertainment company in Korea that everyone in Hong Kong knows, SM.

At first you didn't approve of his decision, that his education was important as well, that he had a life here, with you. But Yukhei had given very valid reasons to you, that he wouldn't have passed the college entrance exams if it weren't for your tuitions until late at night in the public library, that he didn't really have an interest in studying. His most valid reason was that he didn't want to take a toll on you when you’re in college, he can't have you sacrifice your sleep and attention for him just to have him attain passing grades.

So you let him go, saying your last farewell to him at the airport as his girlfriend and ex girlfriend.

That was the last time you saw him, choosing to not stay in contact with him as you poured your soul into university life, studying like your life depends on it, you had a few boyfriends here and there, nothing serious, nothing that made you felt like your first love. Maybe you had trouble moving on, or maybe it was just stress, you thought back then, shrugging the thought off casually before diverting your attention else where, this cycle carried on until you came out to work.

Fast forwarding to March of 2019, you had unintentionally came across of a news online that Yukhei had finally been placed in his own fixed unit that would be promoting and performing in Chinese, which isn’t surprising, even the Thai member, Ten, was of Chinese heritage. What made your eyes widen was the fact that they were coming to Hong Kong.

At the day of the fan meet, you had took the day off from your boring low paying job at the law firm, so much for studying your ass off for bar exams, you’re just filing on a daily basis.

Before the day of the fan meet, you had lived off of instant cup noodles for a few weeks just to buy the album and their light stick. When you first listened to the album, you were proud of Yukhei’s rapping skills, you still recall the days when he’d struggle with his mandarin oral tests, the teachers there must be much better than you for him to improve so much, smiling fondly at the old memories.

You waved the light stick and sang along just like the other fans beside you, mesmerised by the performance that the boys are putting up, but your eyes were mostly on Yukhei, you would’ve never thought the once clumsy giant like him would dance as fluidly, executing the moves just as well as the other smaller sized members.

You watch as Yukhei introduces himself and his non Cantonese members in his mother tongue, a feeling of familiarity settling into your mind.

You are quite a confident person, but queuing up to the long table where Yukhei sat at the corner was nerve wrecking to you, what would he say to you? Would he recognise you? It hasn't been that long, but the two of you had done some changes to your looks.

The other members had greeted you with a friendly smile and a few casual questions like have you eaten, but they seem a bit taken aback by the lack of fan girl attitude that most of the fans in front of you had.

When you had got to Yukhei, he had dropped his marker on the floor, his head ducked out of sight to retrieve it, but when he came up to apologise, the words were stuck in his throat, as his eyes opened as wide as saucers. He coughed to mask the surprise on his face.

“Hi, how are you?” He asked as he took your album into his hands, scribbling something down.

“Good, how have you been?” although his hair is coloured, his eyes had contacts, and he wasn't in his messy uniform, the smile on his face never changed.

“Great, it's nice to see you,” to other fans and the staff beside him, they might think it's just one of the standard answers, but you knew Yukhei like the back of your hand, registering the twinkle in his eyes.

Soon, he had placed the album back into your hands, your fingers grazing gently as tiny sparks flew up your tips, eyes never breaking contact until the staff tells you to leave.

When you had sat down at a nearby cafe to get a cup of coffee, you took out your album and flipped to the page where Lucas had written something.

‘Hilton hotel, 9pm,' and his number under it.

At nine sharp, you waited by the hotel’s sitting area, not many people at that time as usually stores in Hong Kong open rather late, patiently you waited for Yukhei. Just as you were scrolling through posts on Instagram, a tall figure approached you.

A call of your name rolled off his tongue naturally, a wave of nostalgia hitting the both of you.

“I bought you a little something before I got here,” you said as you stood up, letting him guide you to the elevators.

“What is it?” Yukhei lets out a flustered laugh, scratching the back of his nape when he realised he didn't get you anything in return.

“Roast goose and Cha Siew, are they still your favourite?” you asked, hoping his taste hasn’t changed over the years.

“Yeah, man, I remember how we'd always get quarter of both after school at Uncle Chan’s,” Yukhei said, remembering how the boss of the restaurant had hung a photo of two of you on the wall, deeming the two of you his most loyal lovebirds.

“This is from Uncle Chan’s,” you told him as you followed him into his room, looking around, expecting him to be rooming with someone.

“Don't worry, I told Yang Yang to sleep with Ten for the night,” Yukhei said when he saw you looking for someone.

“Oh, that's really nice of him,” you said as you set out the food, the smell of Hong Kong's famous delicacies wafting in the air.

“Man, I really missed this,” Yukhei said as he pulls the arm chair that was a few feet away close to the desk, directing you into it and situating himself in the not so comfortable wooden chair.

“I missed this too,” you said mindlessly, eyes avoiding his before you ate a piece of meat.

“I missed you too,” Lucas confessed, yes there are many pretty girls in his industry, and Korea itself, but no one would be able to replace you, you were his rock all his life, other than his family of course, it's hard to build a connection with someone just as strong when things between the two of you never really ended, in a way.

Leaving on too good terms and without much closure for both of you kept one another thinking of each other. The two of you know, that after tonight, things would go back to normal, Yukhei would be Wayv’s Lucas, and you’d remain as his past, there would never be an outcome from whatever happens tonight.

So when the two of you were recalling memories and troubles the two of you got in school on the oh so comfortable bed, you couldn't help it, hooking a leg over Yukhei’s waist, just like how it started at the night of the graduation party, the night where the two of you lost your virginities to each other.

“I’d be gone tomorrow, we shouldn’t, I shouldn't do this to you,” Yukhei said, a firm believer that it's always the girl that is on the losing side, like he's taking an advantage of you, ever the gentleman.

“I want this for myself, Yukhei, it's not like it's our first time,” you said, trying to convince him.

“I still feel guilty about our first time, I left a few months later after that night, and tomorrow would be the same, I'll be leaving you once more,” Yukhei said as his big hands caressed your cheeks, eyes wide like a puppy, pupils reflecting an image of you, a perfect representation of his universe, you.

“I don't care, I’ve moved on from you as your girlfriend all those years ago, moving on from you after tonight won't be a challenge for me,” you said in a firm tone, one that Yukhei knows all too well, he knows you won't give up when you sound like this.

He could possibly break two hearts if he chooses to act on his impulses, but he missed this, he missed you, and so he threw all caution out of the window when he smashed his lips desperately against yours, chewing on your bottom lip with little force, it was something that would easily get you worked up back then, and to his delight, it still worked, letting him dominate the kiss easily, he let his tongue slid in your mouth, tasting the beer the two of you had just now with a mixture of strawberry lip gloss, you were still using the Nivea one you used all those years ago, this only fuelled his desire for you, his hands leaving your cheeks to locate your waist, pulling you closer to him.

When you were out of air, you broke off the kiss, reaching the hem of your shirt to pull it off, then waiting a few seconds for Yukhei to admire the red lace on your skin before unclasping your bra, letting your blossoms free, all the while as Yukhei looks on, like he was in a trance.

“I missed these,” he commented before taking a mound into his mouth, sucking on your nipple diligently while his other hand comes up to roll it in between the pads of his fingers, the pleasure from the action making you throw your head back, a slip of his name in between your whimpers.

You let Yukhei push you back, letting you fall onto his bed, you felt his hands wander up your skirt, his huge hands around your thighs, squeezing the flesh in his palms, feeling you, but stopped when he reached the hem of your panties, detaching himself from your chest, looking at you for confirmation.

You nodded at him, putting your hand over his to guide him higher, stopping at the curve of your cheek, pushing his hand beneath the clothe, dangerously close to your core, heck he could even feel your arousal already, eyes rolling back at the thought of getting you so worked up.

“Take it off, but you can leave the skirt, for old time’s sake,” you said.

Yukhei looked at you, confused at what you’re trying to say, until he realised you were wearing a pleated checkered skirt, just like the ones you wore back in high school, memories of the two of you sneaking around, having a quickie with your skirt flipped up immediately made blood rush southwards at the thought.

“Fuck, you expected this to happen?” Yukhei asked, shaking his head in disbelief, he was always the troublemaker at school, but oh how the tables have turned now.

“Didn't you?” you asked before getting up to put yourself in a doggy position, shaking your butt, taunting him.

Yukhei chuckled to himself before doing as you say, taking off your panties to reveal your slick covered pussy, dripping wet for him on display.

Yukhei spreads you open by pulling your cheeks apart to lick a stripe up your slit, making you shudder at the warm muscle that was intruding but very much welcomed.

Yukhei allowed himself to fully stuff his face there, inserting his tongue into your core, thrusting the wet muscle at a moderate pace before adding a finger to the mix, then two, stretching you open to let his tongue delve deeper inside, he then adds a third finger, the fullness finally hitting you, soon he did a come hither movement once he had located your sweet spot, his tongue and fingers rubbing against the roof of your walls deliciously, you would’ve lost your balance if it weren't for his hand supporting you by your left hip.

The constant pleasure that Yukhei so willingly inflicted upon you would've soon come to an euphoric end if he hadn’t halted all movement, pulling out his tongue and his fingers, which made you whine his name pathetically, something you wouldn't have done if it weren't for the fact that your mind was reduced to a ball full of cotton.

“Chill, I worked you up so I wouldn't hurt you with my dick,” Yukhei said as he positions himself at your entrance, his hand coming up to your face to tilt your head to his direction, zeroing on your lust filled eyes and the plump of your lips, swollen because of him.

“Are you sure you want this?” Yukhei asks you one last time.

“Yes, please,” you said, pushing yourself back to lightly grind on his length, a little bit of your arousal getting onto his cock, his dick getting so hard it's starting to hurt.

“Ever so eager, aren't you?” Lucas said before biting his lip at the sight.

“Just put it in!” you whined, tired of his teasing.

“Okay, okay,” Yukhei said before bracing himself for your tight walls, he's never nervous when it comes to others, but you? You always held a special place in his heart.

Yukhei spreads your cheeks once more before aligning himself to slip in an inch, eyebrows furrowing at how tight you were, he could tell you were clenching up, just like you did the first time when you were nervous.

So he bends down to your back, placing gentle kisses along your right shoulder blade.

“Don’t tense up, there’s nothing to be nervous about, we did this before remember?” Yukhei said in his most gentle tone ever, you nodded your head at his words, adjusting yourself to let yourself lose in the comfort of his touch, reminding yourself that although it's been a long time since you had someone as big as him, you’ll be fine in his hands.

Once Yukhei felt yourself unclench, he pushes in furthermore, you felt yourself arching your back to allow him to fit himself easier, before he comes to a halt, you felt so full, you haven't felt this way in such a long time, it was somewhat overwhelming, but it's the most complete feeling ever, a feeling you've never felt with any other.

The initial stretch was slightly painful of course, but the pain soon turned into pleasure, and being the gentleman Yukhei is, waited for you despite the huge urge to move, waiting for your green light.

When you told him he could move, he felt like the gates of heaven just opened, pulling out slightly to give you a shallow thrust, just to test the waters.

Even with that experimental thrust, you felt like you had a taste of heaven, eager to drown yourself in this new found pleasure that you were once so familiar with.

Yukhei grasped his large hands onto your hips, setting a moderate pace, still restraining himself from snapping his hips, but from how much slick you were dripping, soon you'd be begging for more.

Once you felt yourself familiarise with his big cock, the pace that Yukhei had set wasn’t enough, you wanted him to let loose, you wanted him to rail you, be damned if you can’t walk tomorrow.

So in the midst of all the pleasure, you let out two desperate words breathlessly, “ruin me”.

Yukhei had to do a double take, pausing his movements entirely just to check if that was his mind messing with him or it was really you, but one look at your desperate face, revealed to him that was in fact your words.

Yukhei allowed the animalistic side of him to take over, holding onto your hips that would sure leave bruises the next day, but you didn’t mind, not when you felt a sudden surge of pleasure coursing through your body. He angled your body higher, arching your back for easier access, thrusting harder and faster.

You could only submit yourself to him as your toes curled and your fingers dig into the linen sheets, you’re sure if his members were next door, they'd be able to hear every single sound you make, the sound of your ass cheeks clapping against Yukhei’s hips and your high pitched moans were flowing freely, but you didn't care, not when this could be the last time you'd ever be with Yukhei.

Soon, you could feel yourself getting closer to the edge, your legs were trying their best not to fail you, and you could tell your arms were getting sore from propping yourself up as the cord in your abdomen threatened to snap, you panted out the word ‘close’, and Yukhei immediately understood, fucking into you at an inhuman pace, you could feel yourself losing your mind as spit drips from your mouth, sanity slowly slipping away from you as you felt your impending orgasm, it started from the tip of your toes, your body convulsing as you screamed his name, succumbing into the pleasure, your core bursting, the strongest orgasm you've ever felt, making your whole body sag in defeat as you let Yukhei help you ride out your orgasm.

Just when you thought it was all over, Yukhei gently flipped you over, and that’s when you realised he hasn’t cum, so you lifted your legs higher to let him enter you once again, he was using you like his personal doll, and you love it a little bit too much to be considered normal, you struggled to keep your eyes open as you fought through the slight pain from the overstimulation, hearing Yukhei’s mumble of appreciation and endearments.

“Can you give me one more, babe? Just one more,” Yukhei said before circling his fingers around your clit, making your eyes snap open when you realise he wants you to cum once more, your hands coming up to push his hand away, but his other hand grasped onto yours.

“Just one more, please,” Yukhei begged with those puppy eyes of his, and how could you say no?

So you stopped struggling, nodding your head at his request before he quickens the pace of his hips and the ministrations on your clit.

Soon, you could feel Yukhei’s cock swelling inside you before he let out a groan of your name, thrusting in one last hard thrust before he painted your walls white, his lips capturing yours to silent you as you came once more, your nails digging into his shoulders, your eyes fluttering shut as you felt Yukhei ride out both your highs.

Once he was done, Yukhei crashed onto the bed beside you, his arms wrapping around yours, kissing your lips to distract you as he pulled out, hopping into the attached bathroom to bring out two towels, taking off your skirt before he gently cleans you up, when he was done he wiped the juices you left on him, your eyes growing big when you knew it was from when you squirted on him.

“Sorry, I didn’t realise I squirted,” you mumbled behind the hands that you had covering your embarrassed face.

Yukhei laughed at the cute sight, throwing the towel aside before climbing into bed again, removing your hands away from your face, kissing you deeply before looking at you in the eye.

“I loved it,” he said before pulling you closer, and almost instantly, you were lulled to sleep by the beating of his heart.

When you woke up, Yukhei was still snoring beside you, sleeping like a baby, you gently removed his hand from your waist, stepping out of the bed before gathering your clothes, putting them on, smoothing out the creases of your skirt.

Walking to the door, you glanced around once more at the sight of him, your heavy heart begging you to stay, to talk, and so you walked over to the night stand, ripping a piece of paper of the note pad and grabbing the pen next to it.

‘Goodbye and thank you for everything.’

You placed the piece of paper beside him on his pillow before kissing his forehead as a parting gift, closing the door as softly as you could when you left.

You knew this was the right thing to do, you made this decision once when he left for Korea the first time, you can't be in his way this time around, not when he's this far into his career, you can’t be selfish, he belongs on this path, he deserves it and you’re not going to take it away from him, you've stood on the side-lines all this time, he shed the limelight on you for one night, and that's all you should have, he's better off without you.

Yukhei felt himself grow cold when he couldn't feel the warmth of your body, jerking up to check if you were in the bathroom, only to find the door wide open, the room empty.

That's when he had spotted the piece of paper with your goodbye message, his heart clenching in pain, crashing onto the bed once more.

He didn't know what to expect, you had sent him off once, and now you left him without saying goodbye. He thought he could at least say goodbye.

Pushing his thoughts away, he gathered his things, packing up to leave for Korea.

His members could tell something was terribly off, they thought he was just in it for a casual hook up, but his expression tells otherwise.

The usual cheerful Yukhei was nowhere to be found, which meant Yang Yang and Hendery had to keep the mood light throughout the journey home, everyone knew to not say anything, only speaking when crucial.

It took Yukhei quite a while for him to get back to his goofy self, but even then, Kun, being the most observant one, saw a tightness in his smile, a faraway look in his eyes, whoever he had seen that night must've meant a lot to him, but he dare not to press, he knows Yukhei would open up when he's ready.

It was a normal Tuesday night when he had received a request to face time from you, without thinking much of it, excited to hear from you, he accepted, your beautiful face coming into view as he got comfortable on his bed.

“Hey, this is unexpected,” Yukhei said, not knowing what else to say.

“Yukhei, there’s something I need to tell you,” you said, eyes avoiding his.

“Yeah, what's up?” he asked, rubbing his nape, a habit he does whenever he's nervous.

“I'm um, I’m pregnant,” you said, choosing to not beat around the bush.

You could see Yukhei's face pale when he processed your words. Is it his? It's definitely his, it's almost a month since the two of you slept together, unless you slept with someone else?

“It's mine?” a dumb question, but he needs to know for sure.

“Yeah,” you said before the two of you come to a piercing silence.

“You could get an abortion, maybe?” Yukhei suggested after contemplating in his head, there’s no way he could be in the child’s life, and that's the best option for your sake, raising a child in Hong Kong is the most expensive thing to do, equivalent to buying a house there.

“I decided to keep it, Yukhei,” you said, glancing up to see the disbelief on his face.

“You can’t, you know I can't be there for you and you’re still so new in your job, you can't risk your life for this!” Yukhei said, not comprehending on why you'd do this to yourself.

“I already decided, Yukhei, and I don't expect you to take responsibility, this is my choice,” you said as tears threatened to flow.

“That isn't fair, it's not fair for the child! A child needs its father! You don't know what you're doing! Being a single mum is next to impossible in Hong Kong! You're putting the child in a horrible situation just for your selfishness!” Yukhei said before pushing his hair back, the feeling of an impending headache forming.

“How dare you say that?! I’ll raise this child perfectly on my own, I was just calling you to inform you of it, but since you don't want anything to do with it or me, I guess this is goodbye and don't call me anymore, I won't change my mind,” you said before your face disappeared from his phone screen.

Yukhei tried calling you immediately after, a day later, several weeks later, but you never picked up. Then he started stressing about his career, what would happen if someone were to find out? But he knows you as a person, and being a tell-tale is not one of your characteristics, yeah, he can just act like nothing happened, like he had never received this call.

He knows he's running away from his problems, but what other choice does he have?

Fast forwarding to July of 2021, Yukhei is home after his filming of the popular Chinese reality show in China, Keep Running, he feels at ease when he sees his family, finally reuniting with them, but only for a short two weeks time, before he has to leave for Korea once more.

It was a Friday night when his friends from home took him out for a drink, he was not so familiar with the clubbing scene in Hong Kong, but with the knowledge he has of this area, he knows many rich and young people often here, just like the girl kissing up his neck now, her soft hands running up the expanse of his thigh, getting dangerously close to where he wants her to be.

Yet Yukhei doesn’t remember her name, was it Candy? Apple? Some sort of name that had to do with food, he just remembered that she told him that she was an up and coming model, or trying to be anyways.

Just as she suggested to go to some hotel, Yukhei suggested for a quickie in the bathroom first, and so here he is now, being pushed to the door of a stall, her hands trying to unbuckle his belt.

Yukhei reached the back of his pocket for his wallet, opening it, looking for the condom he had placed there, but cursed when he realised he must've dropped it when he paid for drinks.

He told her to go back out and wait for him to get some, leaving the club and the musky smoke filled place behind him, the summer breeze blowing his hair all over, he brings the hood of his jacket up as he scans for a nearby convenience store, locating one at the street across.

When he got in, the scent of curry immediately greeted him, it was your favourite food, everyday after school, no doubt you'll drag him into one of these shops, just to share a bowl of curry fish balls, one of the most famous snacks here in Hong Kong.

He pushed the thought away, trudging to the aisle that was on the most right, where the condoms were at, hidden away from children. He took a box and made his way to the counter, opening his wallet to take out a few notes.

The cashier turned her back from stocking the cigarette shelf, scanning the box wordlessly.

“That would be 30,” she said when she looked up, but her hand immediately dropped the box when she saw who it was, and that's when Yukhei truly opened his eyes to see who it was, at first he was just miffed not knowing why the cashier froze, then he sees you, in the worn out 7 Eleven uniform, was you, the last person he’d be expecting.

“Why are you here? What happened to your job at the law firm? Why...” Yukhei didn't know how to ask, he didn't know if he deserved the right to ask, yet there's so many questions he had swarming in his head. Where is his child? Did you abort it in the end? Did you give it up for adoption? Were you fired from your job because of it?

“It's my shift right now, and you seem to be getting lucky tonight,” you said stiffly, holding up the box for him to see, sliding it across the counter

“It's for my friend actually,” Yukhei said, eyes avoiding yours, but immediately looking at you straight in the eyes, remembering how you use to be able to see right through him whenever he didn't do the revision work you've given him.

“Right,” you said, resisting to roll your eyes.

“You haven't answered me, why are you working here instead of the law firm?” Yukhei pressed.

You sigh at his persistence, not knowing what to say to humour him, so you didn't say anything, getting back to rearranging the shelves.

Yukhei bit his lip, not knowing what to say to you, but a million questions in his head, desperate for answers.

“Please leave if you're done with your purchases,” you said, you had a long day, and the thought of entertaining him was not something you want to add on your plate.

Yukhei looked around the store once more, grabbing a bowl of instant noodles from the shelf before making his way once more to the cashier.

“I’d like to have this here,” Yukhei said before pulling out some spare change from just now.

“Yukhei, what are you trying to do?” you asked in an exasperated tone, there's no point making small talk when there's no way the two of you would ever cross in each other’s lives ever again.

“I'm hungry, I want to eat noodles,” which wasn’t really a lie, all the alcohol he drank before gave him an appetite.

You sighed, turning your back to him, soundlessly waited for the water to boil before pouring it into the cup, sealing the top for it to cook. As you worked, Yukhei was having déjà vu, this was an all too familiar sight, nights at the convenience store studying till late at night in groups, you'd always share noodles with him as you taught him some dumb math formula that no one uses in their life after school.

He takes his bowl of noodles, opting to sit at the place closest to the counter, just looking at you, eating as slow as humanly possible.

When it was around three, you received a call.

“Hello?”

“...”

“You think you have a stomach ache? Celine jia is asleep? Okay, mama’s coming home okay?” you said frantically before shutting off the stove of the food at the counter, running to the back for a pack of meds, depositing some money into the register. You looked at Yukhei, frozen at his seat, cursing at yourself for not going into the back room before picking up the call.

“You need to go, I have something to deal with,” you said as you grabbed your bag, turning off all the switches in one go, making the place pitch black other than the lights from the lamp posts outside.

“Is that my child?” Yukhei asked, he can't allow himself to act like it never happened before, he ran away once, it's time to man up and shoulder on his responsibilities.

“No I fucked another guy before you and it's his child,” you deadpanned.

You walked down the street to flag for a taxi that is always parked there to get their club goer customers, Yukhei hot on your heels, you turned back to look at him questioningly.

“This is none of your concern, don’t follow me,” you said in a rather seething tone, you didn't mean to sound like that, but if he's going to be in the way of your child, then he’s not a friend.

“That's my child too, I want to know how they are, I have a right to do so, you studied law, you should know,” Yukhei retorted in the most friendly way possible, he knows he's in the wrong, but he wants to ensure his child’s safety.

“For fuck’s sake,” you cursed aloud before stepping into the taxi, leaving the door open for him.

You told the driver your address, sitting back to think of what's the problem, the kindergarten shouldn't be the culprit, it's a school with a good reputation, which also burns a hole in your wallet, but you don't mind, and it's not like you have much of a choice, education is deadly expensive here.

About 20 minutes later, you've reached home.

“That'll be 150, miss,” the driver said.

“What?!”

“Fares are different after midnight, miss,” the driver reminded you.

Before you could check if you had enough money on you, Yukhei paid for it wordlessly.

You got out of the car, rushing into the building and running up the stairs as quick as you can, unlocking the door, jabbing the keys into the rusty lock.

Taking off your shoes before you made your way to your room, spotting your son crouched in the corner of your bed, hands around his stomach.

“Hey, mama's home, I'll get you a glass of water to take your medicine okay?” you said before hurrying out, Yukhei passing you a glass of water at the kitchen.

“Thanks,” you mumbled before making your way back inside.

You open the package and passed you son a tablet, but looking at the size, you knew he’d panic to swallow something this big, so you broke it in half, telling him to drink a big gulp of water to wash it down and it'll be fine.

All the while, Yukhei was watching with wonder leaning by the door frame, even in the dim lights and the fact that he's still quite young, he could still identify his eyes on his son, the strong genes in his family, his father and brother all had those eyes, this boy is most definitely his.

The boy diligently does as you told him, taking a big gulp of water, so obedient, and from the way the two of you communicate, very mature for his age, nothing like the usual three year old.

When he was done, he noticed Yukhei’s presence, tugging your sleeve to whisper into your ear, eyes trained on him.

“That's a friend of mine, love, be polite, say hi to Yukhei gogo,” you urged.

Yukhei took this as a sign to get closer to his son, squatting down to meet his eye.

“You’re a handsome boy, what's your name? I’m Yukhei and I’m 22 this year, how about you?” Yukhei asked as he reached out his hand for the little boy to shake.

“I’m Wenghei, 3 years old. Why have I never seen you before gogo?” the child asks, looking at him with curious eyes, he's met some of your friends, but he's definitely haven't met him before, most people aren't as tall here, or not in his mother's circle anyways.

“Get some rest, love,” you said, tucking him into bed.

“Okay,” he said, a yawn coming out from his mouth.

You closed the door behind you, directing Yukhei to the small living room area, serving him a glass of water.

You walked to the trash bin, opening the lid to check its contents, a scowl on your face when you saw the root of your son’s stomach ache when you spot the plastic container that contained the two day old pizza from the freezer. Your roommate, Celine, must’ve gave him some as dinner, usually you'd leave some money for Celine to buy him dinner, but she must've been tight on money again, trying to find ways to squeeze in some spare change, you've warned her of her spending habits, always splurging on albums of her favourite stars, which reminds you.

“You have to go, I’m living with a roommate and I'm sure she's going to recognise you,” you said, a hand gesturing at the door.

“Wait, did you find out why he had a stomach ache?” Yukhei asked.

“Yeah, he ate something he shouldn't have for dinner, you have to go, I need some rest for tomorrow,” you said, struggling to keep your eyes open.

“Do you have anything on tomorrow? Can I see you, perhaps?” Yukhei asked, he didn't know what he wanted to talk about, but he just had to see you again.

“I’m tutoring a student at a coffee shop tomorrow, you can come right after,” you said, thinking that he just wants to know more about his son.

“Okay, goodnight then,” Yukhei said awkwardly as he walks towards the door.

“Goodnight,” you said, feeling a weight on your chest, dreading tomorrow’s meeting.

When Yukhei arrived at the café, he could see you sitting at the way back, a teenage girl sitting in front of you, back facing him, he sipped on his latte, observing you silently.

Your hair is much longer than it had been in high school, the bag hung by your chair very much worn out, and your eye bags were heavier than on days where Yukhei would stay up to prepare for promotions.

Soon, the student was packing up, leaving the table, Yukhei took this as a sign to move to your table. You had stood up to greet him, and that's when he saw, you had lost lots of weight, and he's not meaning it in a fitness way, he recognised the jeans you are wearing, you had these even back then, they used to be a perfect fit for you, that's why they were your favourite, but now, you were wearing a belt to hold it together, and still he could see how loose it was.

“Hey, you didn't order anything?” Yukhei asked, noting that the cup of coffee he saw just now belonged to your student.

“I got a coffee in my flask, cheaper that way,” you said as you packed up your stationaries.

“What did you have for breakfast? How about I order you a piece of cake?” Yukhei suggested, looking back to see what they have today.

“It's alright, I'm not hungry, why don't we get straight to the point? What is it you want to ask about Wenghei?” you asked, noting the time on your watch, you have to leave around noon to fetch your son from pre school.

“I, how about you? Why did you leave the firm? And how’s your parents?” Yukhei started off.

“Well, they said I would’ve been an embarrassment to the firm, you know, pregnant and unmarried, so they told me to leave, it's not like filing could be done with a big weight in my stomach, so I did as they said. Now I tutor kids English and work the night shift at the convenience store, and as for my parents, they kicked me out,” you said, laying down the cards, no point avoiding his questions, especially not when you're in a hurry.

Yukhei nodded at your words, registering the fact that he had a fault in ruining your hot shot lawyer dreams and completely destroyed your sensitive relationship with your parents, how is he ever going to forgive himself?

“I’m sorry,” Yukhei said, he didn't know what else to say, how could he make it up to you and your son? Will you let him even if he could?

“Don't be, this is on the both of us, are you going to ask about the share custody stuff? If so, I don't think we should continue this conversation, Wenghei doesn’t know who you are, and maybe that's the best case scenario, what point would be made if he knew you were his father but you're not in our lives? It'll break his heart. You've seen him now, maybe you can reconnect with him when he's older, I think you should just say goodbye before you go, if you want,” you said, saying these harsh words aloud wasn’t easy, you’re not entirely a cold hearted bitch, but it's for the best that your son didn’t know about his father, no one wants to know the fact that their father abandoned them twice, some truths are better to be untold.

“Can I see him one last time, maybe tonight? For dinner? I'm leaving in two days,” Yukhei said in a defeated tone.

“Yeah, sure, I'll take the shift off tonight,” you said, eyes avoiding his, you could just tell he’d have those sad puppy eyes on his face right now, you don't need anymore guilt in your heart.

“Hey man, where were you?” Jackson asked Yukhei, who was waiting for him at the harbour, they were going to Macau for a day trip today, his friend isn't late for the boat, but they did schedule to meet 15 minutes earlier.

“Something came up, and I need to head back around 7, there’s some people I need to see,” Yukhei said as they boarded the boat.

“So that leaves us 5 hours, should be enough,” Jackson said, checking his watch.

“I’m sorry about this, man, it just came up suddenly,” Yukhei said as they took their seats, apologetic because they have been talking about this trip for a long time now.

“It's okay, dude, but what's up? You look really stressed,” Jackson asked, taking in Yukhei's clenched jaw and furrowed brows, a stark contrast from his usually carefree expression.

“It's a long story,” Yukhei said as he mindlessly watches the sea from the little window of his seat.

“Well, if you don't mind, this is a 45 minutes journey, maybe we'll be able to find a solution together, what are friends for am I right?” Jackson offered, he wouldn't press his friend if he didn't want to tell him about it, but the two of them have been close ever since going on knowing brothers, coming from the same home country and everything.

And so Yukhei, for the first time, told his friend his long love story.

“You know, I think I have a solution for you, but let me ask you one thing first, do you still love her?” Jackson asked as he ate his pork chop bun, Macau’s famous local snack.

Yukhei pondered over his friend’s question, yes the two of you agreed to break up, but all the girls he dated after you, all had similar features or personality traits to you, he had dismissed it as just a type, but now that he had seen you again, he realised that the hole in his heart was always emptied for you, you were the missing puzzle piece all along.

“You don't even have to answer me, your face tells all man,” Jackson said, an oily finger wagging at the direction of his face.

“Yeah, I think I do,” Yukhei said with a sigh, “but even if I still love her, that doesn’t mean she loves me back, and what if we do love each other? We're living oceans apart,” Yukhei said in a defeated tone.

“Now here comes my solution, so you said she got fired from her law firm and is now tutoring kids and doing the night shift at 7 E, and got kicked out by her shitty parents, so she really doesn't have anything else here for her other than her son, why don't you suggest get to move with you? To Korea? It'll be way easier for the two of you to raise your son, even if the two of you don't get back together, I mean, at least you'll be able to financially support them, that is what you're willing to do right?” Jackson asked, hoping that his friend would uptake his part of the child support.

“Yeah, of course I want that, I just don't know what she'll say, or if she'd be willing, she doesn't speak the language and it's an entirely different environment,” Yukhei said, thinking back the days where he had a tough time adjusting.

“From what you told me, she sounds like a tough nut, but of course, this is all up to you, but just so you know, I would really like to be his godfather, and as for your doubts of her love towards you, she did name him after you, isn't it the same Hei?” Jackson said with a hearty chuckle, he could just imagine the fun they'll have together, he was always fond of children.

“Yeah, I’ll persuade her on this,” Yukhei said, he could already feel himself getting nervous for tonight’s dinner, it can’t be that much of a coincidence that his son’s last name resembled his right? Or is he and Jackson just being delusional?

“Now that's my buddy, now come on, finish your food so that we’ll make it in time for the next batch of Portuguese egg tarts, I remember they have a fresh batch around 4,” Jackson said, mouth salivating at the thought of more food.

When you arrived at the restaurant, it was fancier than what you had expected, feeling underdressed among the rich elite of Hong Kong in your old dress that you wear for every special occasion.

You asked if there was a reservation under your name, since Yukhei said he had it booked under you, and almost immediately, since not that many people can afford places like these, the waiter led you in.

“Mama, what is this place? We've never ate here before,” your son asked you.

“It's a French cuisine restaurant, we’re meeting gogo here, remember him? Or were you too sick that day?” you said as you placed him on the baby chair you had requested for.

“Yeah, I remember,” your son said as he looks around in awe, registering the pretty chandeliers that look so sparkly.

When the waiter handed you a menu, someone had joined your table, his hoodie pulled up so no one would recognise him, pulling it down when he saw that there wasn't any other customers around.

“Sorry, am I late?” Yukhei asked with a sheepish smile, a hand lifting up to check the time.

“No, we’re just early, say hi to Yukhei gogo, love,” you directed the last part to your son, patting his little hand to get his attention, smiling immediately when he lands on the tall figure.

“Gogo, you're here,” your son said excitedly, making grabby hands at him, letting his father carry him with a large smile on his face.

“Hey, buddy, don't you look excited to see me?” Yukhei said before blowing raspberry at his neck, making the young boy giggle.

What you didn't expect was to see someone coming up behind Yukhei, a little bit shorter and smaller in built, but when he pulled his hoodie down, you instantly recognised who it was.

“Jackson Wang?” you asked, blinking your eyes a few times to see if you were hallucinating.

“Hey, it’s nice to finally meet you, you look lovely tonight, and you must be little Wenghei, aren't you adorable, how about Jackson gogo take you out to buy toys, huh? I saw a big toy store just across the street, but only if your ma says yes of course,” Jackson said, giving you a side eye to Yukhei.

“Yeah, sure,” you said, it's not like the Jackson Wang is going to kidnap your son right?

“Don’t worry, I’ll watch him with my life,” Jackson said as Yukhei passes his son over to him, leaving the restaurant with his hood up once more.

“Is there something you'd like to say?” you asked Yukhei after he had taken the seat across you his hands were shaking slightly as he holds up the menu.

“I... I still love you. And I know I must sound like a jerk to you, hell I’d go back in time just to hit myself for running away, I'm really sorry for that. What I did was inexcusable, my career just stabilised at that time, and I was under immense stress from SM, you have every right to be mad at me, but I want to be apart of your life again, apart of Wenghei’s life as well, if you could let me have this second chance, I'll do anything to make the both of you happy,” Yukhei said in one breath, reciting what he had practised over and over again with Jackson in the car.

“Yukhei, I,” you were lost for words, you thought you were saying goodbye once more, that Yukhei and you would always end up in goodbyes, but now here he is, saying he loves you.

“Yukhei, you can't just say you love me for the sake of our son, and neither would you need to take responsibility for him, I chose to have him, and as for love, we can never be together, you’re an international super star now, and you're living in Korea, I don't think I have the energy to be in a long distance relationship with you, that would take a toll on Wenghei too, how am I going to explain to him that his father is in another country? He’ll always question your love for him and I don't want that,” you said, trying to hold in the tears that had built up in your eyes, your throat closing up, the cold facade you built for yourself crumbling down before his eyes.

“You can move to Korea, both of you, we can be a family,” Yukhei pleaded, his hands reaching forward to hold yours, his eyes searching yours.

“We can’t, what if we break up? What if your so called love for me, is just something you feel as a result of our child? You can't uproot the two of us when there's so many uncertainties, especially our emotions,” you said, you don't want either of you to be stuck in a relationship for the sake of raising a child, no one would be happy in the end.

“Love, you don't understand, I've never had a serious relationship after you, I tried, I really did, but I’d always think of you instead, how badly I wanted you instead of someone who reminds me of you, the thing is, I’ve always loved you, and I think you still love me too, or you wouldn't have named our son after me, am I right?” Yukhei hoped, why else would you come up with that name right?

Damn it, you thought to yourself, he saw right through you, maybe you shouldn't have named your son after him.

You looked at him and looked away, darn those puppy eyes, you’re sure you’re crying now, and Yukhei reaching over to wipe away your tears just confirmed it.

“I love you, it's always been you, only you,” Yukhei confessed.

“I, I love you too, Yukhei, and I was never mad at you for running away from us, I know how tough that industry is, but what if your fans find out about us?” you asked, slightly worried that he might lose it like last time.

“Then so be it, true fans would stay,” he said in an affirmative tone, reassuring you.

“You promise?” you asked, holding out your pinky, it would’ve been a funny sight to see if anyone saw the two of you now, crying and smiling at the same time.

“I promise,” Yukhei said before hooking his own pinky to connect with yours.

“If you leave us, Wong Yukhei, I’ll murder you in your sleep,” you said as threatening as you could sound.

“I plan to see our son grow up, so I'll value my life,” Yukhei said in utmost sincerity before grabbing a napkin to wipe away all your tears, you’re glad that you didn't wear any mascara today.

Just when Yukhei wiped away the tears in his eyes, Jackson was back with your bubbly child, his arm had bags digging into his flesh.

“Oh my god, that's too much, Wenghei why did you get so many, this is Jackson gogo’s hard earned money,” you said, lecturing your son.

“It's okay, he's an angel, this was all on me, and I guess things went well?” Jackson asked, eyes darting to your connected hands.

“Yeah,” you said, the biggest smile you had on your face.

“That's great to hear, I always wanted to be an uncle, now if you’ll excuse me, I don't think I should crash this family reunion any longer,” Jackson said giving his best friend a hug before leaving.

“So... What do you like to eat Wenghei? How about we get crème brulé,” Yukhei asked, pointing at the menu with childlike eyes, reminding you of the days where he’d get ice cream with you, splitting it on half for you to share.

“Sounds delicious.”

You let Yukhei order everything, sharing between the three of you while the three of you talked, Yukhei mostly directed the questions at his child, asking about his interests, his favourites of everything, ranging from colour to ice cream, eager to make up for loss time.

“How about we talk about where you'll be staying?” Yukhei asked after ordering dessert.

“Oh, I don't know what I'll be able to afford, I'll probably get another convenience store job again, so the rent can't be too high,” you said, dreading the thought of needing to learn a new language quickly for a job.

“Hey, you don't need to work anymore, nor pay rent, I already looked it up, there's an empty unit in our condo, the soundproofing might be a bit lacking, but that wouldn't be a problem if you don't sing in the shower like Dejun, we had a few noise complaints because of him,” Yukhei said, laughing at the fond times he had at the dorms.

“Yukhei, I know housing is really expensive there, are you sure you want to do this?” you asked once more, you don't want him to resent the financial burden the two of you would add onto him.

“What did I say to you just now? I said what I meant, I want the two of you to be in my life, forever. And don't worry about money, I saved up plenty and there’s many more jobs coming up for me, and moving out of the dorms would be the next step of adulthood to me, and we’ll get to spend so much more time together, right Wenghei?” Yukhei asked, pinching your son’s chubby cheeks teasingly.

“We’ll be living together, Yukhei gogo?” your son asked, a confused expression on his face, he had his attention trained on some pink fong video, something about dinosaurs.

“Yeah, Wenghei, we’ll be moving out of our little room, are you excited? We're going to a new country. Remember the dramas I watched with you? Korea has that big outdoor theme park you said you always wanted to go, and snow, you'll get to make snowmen during the winter,” you persuaded, hoping he won’t fuss too much about the move.

“Really? There’s snow in Korea?” your son asked, excited about the winter scene he’ll get finally see in real life.

“Yeah, real snow, not the bubbles in Disney land, are you excited?”

“Yeah, is Jackson gogo going to stay with us too?” your son asked, eyes darting to his new goodies before looking at you expectantly.

“Well, Jackson gogo has his own house and we have ours, but we can always visit him,” Yukhei explained.

“Hehe, okay,” your son said before getting distracted by the crème brulé set in front of him, digging in immediately.

“When do you want us to make the move?” you asked, thinking of all the things you have to pack, which isn't a lot, but you might have to courier some of your clothes over first.

“Whenever you want, I'll get our home ready as soon as possible, is there anything you need in the house? Other than the basics of course,” Yukhei asked, uncertain of any needs you have as a woman or maybe for your son.

“Can we have a study room for Wenghei? With a desk and shelves? We love to read, and he'll need a proper desk when he's older,” you asked, hoping it wasn't too much.

“Yeah, sure, I'll be sure to get it done,” Yukhei said, noting it down into his phone.

“But it's no rush on the study room part, he's just three after all, before I go, I have to apply visas for both of us,” you said, dreading the thought of filling up paperwork, you haven't done much of that ever since you left the law firm.

“Call me if you need any help on that, I'm sure my manager knows how to,” Yukhei said.

“You’re going to tell your company about us?” you asked, knowing how strict Korean entertainment companies are.

“They can't let me go just because of having my own family, they didn't let Jongdae, my senior, go, so we’ll be fine, I promise,” Yukhei said, reaching a hand over to hold yours reassuringly, his eyes looking into yours, filled with love and adoration.

“Okay, now how about we walk around the complex until 10? Wenghei doesn't have school tomorrow,” you suggested.

“Yeah, sure, we could even stay out later if you want,” Yukhei said enthusiastically, getting up slightly to call for the bill.

“You have a flight to catch tomorrow,” you reminded him in your motherly voice, which you regretted almost instantly, cursing yourself, reminding yourself to act more like an actual 22 year old, but Yukhei didn't say anything about it, hiding his smile by nodding deeply, almost like a bow.

“Okay, I just wanted to spend more time with the two of you,” Yukhei said, stopping when he saw the waiter coming back with the credit card machine, paying with just a glance at the bill.

The three of you spent your remaining time shopping and at the arcade, playing games with your son, Yukhei had insisted on getting you a new pair of sneakers, but you shot him down when he wanted to buy more stuff, especially toys for Wenghei.

“You can buy him toys when we’re there, it'll cost even more to ship more stuff over, and there's a risk of damaging the toys as well,” you said.

But of course your son threw a fit at the shop, all for some legos.

“Hey, buddy, I'll buy you lots the next time I see you, okay? I'll buy you one that's even bigger than this,” Yukhei said, squatting down next to his son, and even then he wasn't eye level with him, sometimes you forget how tall Yukhei actually is until you see a scene like this, or when you stand really close to him.

When it was 10pm, painful goodbyes were exchanged with a promise of face timing everyday, your son cried, and held onto his father dearly, and you haven't even told him Yukhei was his dad, but their bond is evident.

Yukhei held onto you and your son until his taxi came, and you waved until you couldn't see the taillights.

It's been a month since that fateful reunion, and Yukhei has squeezed in face times, calls, and texts in between schedules, giving you and your son time despite his busy career.

His company wasn’t too happy about it of course, but was somewhat glad that you weren't one to babble your business to gossip outlets.

You're now packing your things, one last time, you've been to the post office multiple times before to courier out your stuff to Korea, and every time a box reached his address, Yukhei would take a photo of it, telling you the stuff arrived safely.

Progress on your new home was quick, since it was already a fully furnished unit, Yukhei only needed to buy some furniture and things that cater to your son’s needs, he even picked out a pre school that teaches mandarin, perfect for your son’s adjustment in such a foreign country.

Tomorrow you'd be flying to Korea, a new country, a new start, but there was something clouding your mind, something you've been dreading, but today is the day you’ll tell him.

“Wenghei, can you come to mama for a second?” you asked, soon hearing your son’s tiny footsteps nearing you.

“Yes, mama?” your son asked, a hand around his precious teddy.

“There's something I need to tell you,” you said holding him close to you, letting him sit onto your lap.

“Remember how you asked me why you didn't have a baba while all your other classmates did?” you asked, trying to word it as nicely as possible.

“You said my baba had a really big responsibility, that he couldn't see us because of it, that he'll come back when he's free,” your son answered you, struggling to remember more details.

“Yes, good job, Wenghei, your memorising skills are getting better. Well, your baba is actually Yukhei gogo, he’s back now, and we can finally be a family again,” you said before holding in a breath, not knowing how he’ll react.

“Baba is Yukhei gogo? That's why we’re going to Korea?” your son asked, confusion written on his face.

“Yeah, do you like that he's your baba?” you asked, this could be the most important question ever.

“Yeah, mama, do you love baba? Does baba love you as much as I do?” your son asked, which very much surprised you, but expecting this sort of maturity from him.

“Yes, we love each other, and both of us love you as much too,” you said with a pinch of his chubby cheeks.

“Do we ever have to be separated from baba again?” your son asked, scared of losing his newfound father.

“No, never again, and can you do me one favour, Wenghei? I think the next time when you see your baba, you should run up to him and say hi baba, he’ll be very happy to hear you call him that,” you suggested, imagining the look on Yukhei’s face.

Your son giggled at the thought of making his father happy, agreeing immediately.

“Okay, now go to sleep, it's going to be your first time flying tomorrow,” you said, ushering him onto the bed.

“Okay, goodnight, mama,” your son said to you, just like he did every other night, he seemed to have accepted it very easily, maybe it was due to his age, but some day he might ask his father about his departure personally when he understands more, but that’s a hardship that’s reserved for another day.

The flight was relatively short, though it was rather hard for Wenghei at the start because of the pressure he had experienced in his ears, the crying and whining got you plenty of dirty looks from passengers around you, but you paid no mind to it, you’ve been through worst so this is nothing that can faze you.

When you got there, you saw a lady holding up a plaque with your name on it, her phone in her hand, checking all the moms who came out of the same lane as you.

She had a friendly smile on her face when she saw you, introducing herself in mandarin, being one of Wayv’s staff, a trusted one, according to Yukhei.

She talked to you about Yukhei in general, even giving your son a bar of mini KitKat, praising him for being brave on the flight after she had asked you how was your flight.

Around half an hour later, you've reached your new home, a nice looking condominium that looked about a few years old.

Unloading took quite some time, even with the help of the staff, but what surprised you was the person who was waiting for you inside the lobby.

“You're here!” you said surprised at the sight of the giant.

“Yeah, I am, wanted to give you a surprise, sorry I couldn't be outside, some crazy fans camp outside, can’t let them bring you and Wenghei any harm,” Yukhei said as he carried Wenghei, spinning in a small circle, looking at him with full of love.

“I understand, don't worry, I'm not a teenager girl anymore,” you said as you checked out the place, the sitting area had a couch set and free WiFi, this is a 180 from the living conditions in Hong Kong.

“Baba, did you miss me?” your son asked when he had stopped giggling from his father’s spins, which instantly ceased to a halt, eyes growing as wide as saucers.

“What did you call me? Say it again,” Yukhei said with the biggest smile on his face, all of his teeth were showing.

“Mama said you were my Baba,” Wenghei said like it was as simple as two plus two.

“Yeah... I am your baba, and you're my son,” Yukhei said before holding his son even closer, you could even see the tears at the corner of his eyes.

“Why don't we go see our new home Wenghei?” you suggested, seeing that some people have came out from the lifts, typical going to work hours.

You walked a feet away from Yukhei, not wanting to draw attention, holding onto the lift for Yukhei to bring all your luggage in.

Once you were at your level, you started loosening up, noticing that no one was around.

“This is my members’ unit,” Yukhei said pointing at a door, “And this is ours,” Yukhei said before opening the door for you, welcoming you into a warmly decorated home, every piece of furniture was placed and chose to accommodate your child, all the corners were covered with this e rubber safety stickers.

He showed you into Wenghei's room where the bed had all his favourite characters in the form of a plushie, his bed was soft when you sat down on it, and the blanket he had picked out was a soft fleece material, perfect for the cold weather.

Your son was going around every corner, awing at everything his father had gotten him, especially the Lego sets that were on his desk.

“Thank you, it's beautiful, his room,” you said when Yukhei wrapped an arm around your waist, bringing you closer to him, god how much you've missed his warmth.

“Go take a look at your room,” Yukhei said before pulling your hand into the direction of the master bedroom, welcoming you into a room with a king size bed and silk linen sheets, an aesthetic looking vanity that you've always wanted as a teenager, now as well of course, and a little reading corner just for you by the window.

“It's all I've ever wanted,” you said in disbelief, not knowing how could Yukhei pull this off in such a short time.

“You like it? I got some help from my members, especially Kun for the kitchen, you should check it out afterwards, you always wanted a big kitchen area,” Yukhei said as you laid on the bed, giving your stiff body a rest from the journey.

“Lay down with me for a while, I’m a bit tired from the flight,” you said, making grabby hands at him.

“Nah, I shouldn’t, this is your bed,” Yukhei said, looking flustered.

“Wong Yukhei, I’ve had your child and now you're acting all innocent?” you asked in an accusing tone, playing with him, which made him lay down next to you immediately, he didn't like getting you angry, thinking back all those days when you had lectured him just like that when he forgot to do his homework.

“You want me to sleep here?” Yukhei asked carefully, observing your expressions.

“This is our bedroom, where else do you want to sleep?” you asked, but was promptly cut off by Yukhei's lips on yours, smiling as he kissed you, gentle but expressing all his love for you, a hand lingering on your back, guiding you closer than him.

Many mistakes that had to be made had guided you here, but you've never regretted, for if it wasn't for the hardships and the crossroads, you wouldn't have found a home with the man you'll cross oceans for.

The end.

[seriouslysnape]

HIii! I was wondering if you could write something Fred (6th/7th year) x Gryffindor Reader (i know u dont usually write him) maybe something where reader and fred are best friends and shes in love with him but she thinks he dosent like her that way with a fuffy ending? maybe some angst not too much tho thank youuu <3 if you dont want to write fred (😭) you can write it for lupin (6th/7th year)

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His Favorite Girl

Fred Weasley x Gryffindor! Reader

Warnings: Language.

Word Count: 3,430

“Woah. Guess I had more to drink than I thought.”

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The Gryffindor common room. An ever changing space for all Gryffindor students to unwind, study, or party, depending on the occasion. The common room was always crowded from wall to wall after a Quidditch match, especially when Gryffindor reigned victorious. The players all filed in, bursting with good energy and an itch to celebrate their win. Oliver Wood exploded inside first with an unmistakably beaming smile spreading across his face.

The Gryffindor students who hadn’t been able to make it to watch the match automatically knew that they had won based on Oliver’s visible jubilant mood. You were one of the unfortunate ones that hadn’t been able to make it, but you knew that the team would bring the party to you. The Weasley twins came bopping in next, George carrying a very happy Harry Potter on his shoulders. Harry leapt off of George’s shoulders before the tall twin could knock him into the top of the doorframe.

Your sights automatically set on the other Weasley twin. Fred was beaming with delight at their impressive win. Fred was damn proud to be a Gryffindor, and beating the brakes off of Slytherin was one of his favorite pastimes. He couldn’t be any happier at this moment. It warmed your heart to see him so joyful and full of glee.

You raked over his tall, slender yet muscular frame. His signature red hair was damp with sweat and parts of his face were caked with dirt.

Fred caught your stare, his smile never leaving his face as he gave you a friendly wink. You closed the Potions book in your lap, getting up from the sofa with a silent hope that your thumping heartbeat wasn’t obvious to anyone.

It was a hard thing to do. Keeping your ever growing crush and admiration for Fred Weasley under wraps was becoming more and more difficult as time went on. The seemingly simple solution (as all of your friends had told you) to do would be to “just tell him” how you felt. But it was MUCH easier said than done.

There were so many things that could possibly go wrong if you were to confess your feelings to Fred. You would be running the risk of ruining a beautiful friendship that had done nothing but blossom over the last seven years if he didn’t share that same admiration. You didn’t want to lose your best friend just because your heart felt differently than his.

At the same time, you wanted to tell him every scrap and ounce of how your soul felt lost without him. There had been a few times over the years where you had an opportunity to lay your heart out on the line for him. Each time you had this heavy feeling in your chest letting you know you needed to make a move.

You built up the courage each time, but were interrupted by George or another one of your friends before you could bite the bullet. You knew it wasn’t healthy to keep this holed away in yourself. Your love would only grow more. The more days that passed, the more you began to wonder how different your life would be if you never told him. Not to mention that graduation was only a few months away, and there was always the risk of losing contact with him when you went separate ways.

That is, IF you were to go separate ways.

On the other side of the coin, there was always a chance that Fred possibly did harbor the same admiration for you. That would totally change things in the long run. The idea of starting a romantic relationship, possibly getting married, and having a family was nothing short of perfect.

But you had to get to that point first.

Everyone rallied around Harry, shaking him excitedly and singing their praises to him for his incredible Snitch catch. Suddenly, blaring and thunderous chatter filled the common room as more exhilarated students piled in. Within the hour, a sea of Gryffindors occupied the room, complete with blasting music and an ungodly amount of alcohol.

Oliver had gathered a crowd of first years in one corner of the common room as he retold every solitary second of the match from his point of view, starting from the very beginning. The wide eyed first year wizards and witches were on the edge of their seats as they listened to his story, some of them beginning to wonder if they had what it took to be great Quidditch players.

On the other side of the room, you were settled once again on the sofa with Alicia Spinnet and Katie Bell, who were seated in the arm chairs across from you. They were exhausted from playing all day, but that didn’t stop them from engaging in some girl talk.

Alicia and Katie were your dearest friends, and they were the only ones who knew about your crush on Fred. A crush that had quite honestly evolved into something much more. They were always keeping an ear out to see if Fred said anything remotely leading them to believe that he might like you back. As surprising as it was, Fred never really outwardly spoke about his romantic side.

Speaking of, Fred and George were in another corner of the room with Harry and Ron, doing God only knows what. Fred was considerably tipsy, but nothing even close to plastered. You had seen Fred drunk before, and needless to say, it was a hysterical sight.

“So, [Y/N],” Alicia spoke up, her dark skin looking extra glowy from the fire roaring in the fireplace; “Fred was awfully excited to come back to tell you that we won.”

Katie perked up, her head lifting from where it had been leaning on the back of the chair.

“Yeah! The first thing that he told George was that he couldn’t wait to tell you the news. Although, I guess Oliver kind of told everyone before Fred had the chance.”

“Really? He said that?” You asked, sitting up a little straighter.

Alicia nodded vigorously, gripping Katie’s forearm with elation. Alicia and Katie had never tried to set the two of you up, mainly because you had begged them not to. That didn’t stop them from trying to be the ultimate wingwomen. They believed that you and Fred would be a stellar couple. They were convinced you were made for one another.

They both feared that you’d never make an attempt to make it happen.

“He sure did. I heard him myself.” Katie replied.

Alicia glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one was listening before leaning forward closer to you. Her voice was quiet, loud enough so only you and Katie could hear as she spoke.

“Graduation is coming up quickly. You’ve got to tell him.” She advised.

You sighed heavily. If you had a galleon for every time one of them had told you that, you’d be a wealthy woman. They just didn’t seem to get that it just isn’t that easy. You wouldn’t deny that proclaiming your deepest secret to someone didn’t scare you. It was terrifying to offer your heart and soul to someone, even when you knew that they might get broken as a result. You didn’t want to live with a broken heart.

But you didn’t want to live always asking yourself “what if”.

Before you could respond, a figure plopped themself next to you, his familiar scent sending flutters all through you. Fred basically snuggled up next to you, wrapping his arm around your shoulder. Despite the fact that you weren’t dating, Fred was comfortable enough with you to get extremely close, which didn’t help your situation at all.

Alicia and Katie held down their snickers and giggles at how you were clearly flustered. You tried not to wriggle too much under Fred’s hold, and draw any attention to yourself. He was your best friend, and you knew how to play it cool when he was around.

“Hi, [Y/N].” Fred slurred loudly over the noise.

You laughed softly at the smell of Firewhiskey that was radiating off of him. You weren’t much of a drinker, but you’d have a drink with Fred from time to time.

“Hey, Fred. Congratulations on the match.” You complimented.

Fred grinned proudly, looking down at your slumped body. His eyes were beginning to glaze over from the alcohol, but he looked as sober as ever. He had a certain look in his eyes that you couldn’t identify.

“Thanks. Those bloody Slytherins got what they deserved.” He stated.

“Oliver seems over the moon with how it went.” You remarked, smiling as you looked behind you to see Oliver now standing on a table as he continued telling his thrilling tale.

When you turned back to Fred, you couldn’t help but notice how Fred hadn’t taken his eyes off of you. The butterflies in your belly were going totally bananas now. His gaze did eventually shift to the Potions book that was placed next to your feet, and he let out a guttural sound. He reached for it, noting that it had obviously been put to good use in the last several hours.

“Have you been studying?” He questioned, holding the book in his hand.

You sheepishly nodded, aimlessly reaching for the textbook. An offended look crossed Fred’s face as he held the book far out of your reach. Damn his long arms.

“I have a test on Monday. Advanced Potions is kicking my ass this year and I’ve just barely been getting by so I have to study extra time.” You expressed, laughing at your fruitless attempt to get the book back.

His sharp jaw fell open a tad and he stretched back even further to ensure you didn’t get the book back for now.

“You’re kidding me. I missed my favorite girl at the match because she was stuck in the common room studying for a TEST?” He acquired, not even aware of the weight behind his choice of words.

You felt your smile fade into more of a bashful expression. Your body slinked back into the cushions, forgetting all about the book. His words rang in your word.

Favorite girl.

Fred Weasley’s favorite girl.

Alicia and Katie were both wide eyed and jaw dropped at what he had just said. They were looking back and forth between the two of you like they were at an intense tennis match.

Fred was so aloof and oblivious to the fact that he had literally just melted your heart with a single sentence. You spent so much time with Fred that you just didn’t understand how he couldn’t see it.

Fred knew you backwards and forwards. He could see straight through you when you were lying or when you were sad, but claiming you were fine. He always remembered your favorite treats from Honeydukes and how you liked hot Butterbeer on cold winter nights. It made him happy to hear you talk about your favorite Muggle novels or tell him about something funny that happened in McGonagall’s class. He knew you better than anyone.

But why couldn’t he see the way you were yearning for him?

“You missed me?” You asked, shrinking even further into the cushions.

Fred looked at you as if that were the dumbest question he had ever been graced with. He lowered his arm at your sudden demeanor change, gently putting the book in your hand. Alicia and Katie leaned in carefully, eager to see where this conversation was going. Much to their disappointment, Fred didn’t get a chance to answer due to another member joining you on the couch.

George landed less gracefully than Fred had, basically landing on top of you and smothering you. Your shrieks were muffled in George’s Quidditch robes, Fred wrestling his brother off of you.

“Hey! George, get off of her.” He grunted, heaving his brother’s very limp body off of you.

Alicia threw her hands up in defeat at the interruption, Katie falling back into her chair. So close, yet so far. You gasped for air as George fell on the open seat next to Fred. George was way further gone than Fred. He was barely even able to keep his eyes open, let alone get any real, complete thought across.

“Nice timing, George.” Katie said sarcastically.

You gave her a menacing look, not wanting her to bring it up. George snorted, and his sentence came out more as one incoherent word.

“Did I interrupt something important?” He heavily slurred between hiccups.

You rolled your eyes. Leave it to George to ruin this for you. You were discouraged that your chance had been shot down once again, but it wasn’t George’s fault. You were just glad to see your friends in such high spirits. Soon enough, the rest of the party goers had crowded towards the center of the room where you were. The party raged on well into the night, a complete celebration with dancing, singing, and more drinking.

As easily as the party could’ve carried on and on, eventually the famed players’ exhaustion caught up with them and they all slowly dwindled down and sauntered off to their respective dorm rooms. You hugged Alicia and Katie goodnight, knowing they’d be passed out in their beds by the time you got up to your dorm room.

You spoke to Harry and Ron for a bit, giving Harry a friendly kiss on the top of his head for his winning catch. His pasty white cheeks went red as he and Ron retreated to their room in a fit of blushy giggles. That left just you and the twins in the common room that was now completely trashed. Empty cups and half spilled bottles of alcohol were scattered about, people even leaving behind some of their school stuff to be recollected in the morning.

George was a mumbling, intoxicated mess. He was close to falling asleep, and Fred wanted to get him to bed before he was completely unable to stand up. You’d be up for a while cleaning up the common room. You always hated leaving a room knowing it was messy, so you didn’t mind picking up after everyone. Fred knew you’d stay behind to clean up, but he didn’t want you to have to do it alone. He draped his babbling twin over his shoulders, grimacing at how George was usually heavier when he was drunk.

“I’m going to run George upstairs and then I’ll be back to lend you a hand.” He smiled, ignoring the things that George was trying to say to him.

“You don’t have to. I can handle it.” You said, tossing a handful of cups away.

“I know you can. I just don’t want you to be lonely is all.” He said, turning on his heel and marching up the boys’ dormitory stairs with George.

You felt a warm flush course through you at his words once more. You weren’t sure why you were extra sensitive to him tonight. Sure enough, Fred returned a few minutes later, almost stumbling into the wall at the bottom of the stairs. You both laughed as he gave a witty comment.

“Woah. Guess I had more to drink than I thought.” He said, walking into the room once he steadied himself.

“Is George okay?” You asked, accepting the pile of empty bottles that Fred placed into your trash bag.

You usually hand cleaned for the first few minutes, but would eventually grow bored and cast a spell from your wand to finish the work. It was seldom that the common room was this quiet, so you liked to bask in the silence for a little after there was a party.

Fred scoffed with a nod.

“Oh, yeah. He’ll be fine. Nasty hangover in the morning, but there’s a potion for that.”

As usual, the two of you were tired of cleaning, so you waved your wand with a quick cleaning charm. You both watched in amazement as the trash and everything else whisked around the room into trash bins, leaving the room spotless. You put your wand in your back pocket with a satisfied hum. Usually, this would be the time where you went to bed, but you were getting that familiar heavy feeling in your chest.

It immediately dawned on you that you had a perfect chance here. No one was around, and no one would be around for more than enough time.

“You want to sit and chat for a bit?” Fred questioned, noticing your dazed look; “You seem like you’ve got something on your mind.”

The fireplace was still occupied with a cozy warm fire, which was very inviting. You nodded, following Fred to the same couch you had been on earlier. The common room was beyond peaceful now, your head almost lulling onto Fred’s shoulder in relaxation.

Oddly enough, you weren’t freaked out now. In all the past times you had tried to do this, you were a jittery mess and could barely get a word out without stuttering. You felt so at ease now, as if this was something you did often. You hadn’t even had a drop of alcohol tonight, so you couldn’t blame it on that.

“So what’s up?” Fred questioned after you didn’t initiate a conversation.

He had unknowingly opened a door that you knew you had to take. It was now or never.

“I’m just thinking about some things.” You admitted.

Fred’s curiosity was sparked now. He was always interested and willing to hear what was going on in your mind.

“What kind of things?” He pressed on.

Your sights were set on the flames in front of you, causing you to miss the way that Fred was looking at you with such fondness and care. He was cherishing every passing second of this moment.

“You and me.” You confessed.

Fred was filling with anticipation, not sure where you were going with this. He raised a brow.

“What about us?” He replied.

You took a breath.

“Fred, what did you mean when you said I was your favorite girl?” You queried.

Fred looked into your eyes that were peering up at him in a puppy-like way. He noticed that you were expecting an answer. Fred, as confident as ever, responded with a voice like butter, his accent a little thicker.

“Because you’re my favorite person in the world.” He revealed.

Your heart caught in your throat and your breathing hitched. So far so good.

“I am?” You asked to confirm

Fred’s arm that was around you pulled you in closer. You were being flooded with such a sense of intimacy that it was overwhelming. Your nose was level with his chin, and you were so close to his face that you swore you could hear the blood flowing through his face. Fred knew what was happening now, and he was ecstatic about it. He had wanted you all along, but never knew how’d you’d react. The last thing he ever wanted to do was scare you off.

He thought about all the times he had seen you upset, and how it hurt him when you were pained with something. He always wished for nothing but happiness for you. He didn’t want to ruin things because of how he felt.

But now he was sure that you’d be here to stay.

“Absolutely you are. You’re all I ever think about.” He whispered, stroking your face with the side of his thumb that was wrapped around you.

This didn’t feel real, but felt all too real at the same time.

“Why are you whispering?” You smiled softly, whispering back to him.

He smirked, and whispered again.

“Because I want you to know how much I love you.”

A cannon of confetti seemingly exploded all throughout your body. Shock, desire, lust, love, want, everything went through you all at once. This wasn’t at all how you had imagined this happening, but you were happy that it did. It was very fitting for the two of you.

“Kiss me.” You whispered once more.

He lowered his head and his lips caught yours in a feverish way. All the pent up feelings from the last 6 years all loaded themselves into the kiss. It was a huge weight off of your shoulders.

“I love you,” You professed once Fred pulled away; “You don’t know how long I’ve waited to tell you that.”

Fred chuckled lightly, responding before kissing you again.

“I think I have a pretty good idea.”

[catra-writes]

The Adventurers: Chapter one, Rehearsal.

(draft)

"I've got the BEST idea-" Opal began as she sat at the counter stool in Avery's dad's diner, The Grove. "You know how I LOVE singing right?"

"Yeah, you were in every audition for every play that went on at school and insisted on singing the most out-of-pocket-randomest of songs that any of us ever heard." Avery commented while pouring a cup of coffee behind the counter. "Why, are you joining a choir now?" the satyr teased her tiefling friend.

"Ha, no, already did that when i was in elementary. But anyway, You play guitar right?" Opal asked, an expectant grin on their face.

"um..yeah, as an extra credit thing my last year of highschool." The satyr huffed and passed the fresh cup of coffee over the counter to the elf sitting close by. "But i dont think i played it since...gods, two years ago? how long ago was that little party you threw for my brother's graduation?"

"Two years, six months and thirteen days ago." Another satyr commented from a booth a few feet away, nose buried in a book while his mop of a curly brown do hung in front of his face from under the beanie that sat just behind the horns on his head.

"Right, thanks Alexies...wait why-" Avery started only to get stopped.

"have i been keeping count? it was the last time i heard you play, it was a celebration for something im proud of, and you havent played since. i meant it when i said it was the best party ever." Alexies replied, hardly even peeking up from his book.

"aaawe, you have the best supportive little brother! oh! what about you, Toad! you still play bass right?" Opal grinned at the elf sitting beside her.

Toadstool took a shy sip of their coffee, refusing to look anyone in the eye. "mhm.." they confirmed.

"PERFECT! we could totally put together a band!!" Opal practically shouted. Luckily for her the only other customers in at this time was the lone trucker in the corner having coffee before a long night of driving and two kids who looked like they were more interested in whatever was on their phones.

"A band? Hun I dunno. i mean i havent played guitar in a while, we've never-any of us-played together let alone with anyone but ourselves and-" this time toadstool interrupted avery.

"and we dont have a drummer." they pointed out.

"i can get you guys a drummer!" Alexies said as he dropped his book onto the table. "i know this guy deavon, he's really good."

"Then its settled! we'll get this deavon to join, practice and start up our band!!" opal cheered.

"yeah! i think we'd do great!" alexies smiled enthusiastically, almost matching opal's level of hyperactive energetic.

"we? al do you play anything i dont know about?" avery rose an eyebrow, teasing her little brother for his choice of words. of course she'd include her little brother regardless.

"yeah! i could be like your stage hand or something." he said a bit sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck a bit embarrassingly.

"well you are a tech wiz, you fixed the wiring in my lights back at my shop better than my uncle could, and he's an electrician." toadstool shrugged.

"Exactly toadstool! thank you!" alexies eyes lit up at the shred of support he'd been given.

"okay! so we're all in right? band??" opal bit back an excited smile but hardly managed to contain it as she looked between her friends.

Avery sighed and set a cloth down on the counter to start wiping it down for closing. "Even if i argue against it, there is no stopping you when you've set your mind to something is there? alright im in."

"im in too if avery is. i know you really like this kind of stuff so its probably something you've been wanting to do for a while and-AH!" toadstool got cut off when avery pulled them into a tight squeeze, making them spill a bit of coffee.

"mm!! thank you thank you!! this'll be so much fun i promise!!" opal squealed

"Ope! coffee!" toad whined.

"whoops sorry!" they let go of the elf and stood up from the stool. "We should start right away! this weekend meet at my place for our first rehearsal, 'kay?" they were already headed towards the door and out of there when the others even tried to start asking more questions.

"well.. looks like this is happening either way" toad sighed, setting down the now half empty cup of coffee.

"oh here hun let me get you one of my shirts to borrow from upstairs, you can put the coffee stained one in the laundry and i'll bring ot over tomorrow when its clean, okay?" Avery told the elf while gesturing to the door that lead to the flat avery's dad owned.

they'd lived in the flat since the diner first opened, but no ones sure why their dad named it "The Grove" of all things.

"No its fine Aves, really. i can wash it out when i get home." Toadstool responded.

"right, like you'll have time let alone remember to do that. Alexies, close up for me would you?" Avery told her little brother before leading her friend through the door and up the stairs.

"You got it boss!" Al called after them and went take over cleaning up the spilled coffee. "The hell did they mean by rehearsal..? how would opal have found a gig this soon?"