cherry-smokes

[cherry-smokes]

Pick your poison

𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃 🚬 𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃

Steve Harrington:

My Strange Lady · 𓅫 · Single dad!Steve and his journey with odd ball!reader and his son Robbie.

the og blurb

chapter I: Life has thrown many curveballs at Steve, so he shouldn't be so surprised when he begins to grow fond of a very peculiar librarian.

chapter II: Steve begins to learn more about the strange woman who works at the local library. He might even be beginning to call her a friend.

chapter III: It's Robbie's birthday and everyone meets Birdie.

chapter IV: Life once again gets in Steve's way. Life has never stopped Birdie though.

thoughts and asks under the bird watch club tag<3

Bassist!reader ⋅☆⋅ Sugar is rough and tough and Steve has the hots for her.

Sugar Me: AKA the time you met Steve at one of your gigs.

I Want You So Bad: AKA the time you got tired of waiting.

Don’t you want me baby?: AKA Steve doesn’t want you to meet his parents and you start spiraling.

Can’t keep my eyes hands off of you: AKA the time the title spoke for itself.

One-Shots:

Winnebago: You and Steve are desperately pining over each other, all it takes is a near death experience and some eavesdropping to finally do something about it before it's too late.

𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃 🚬 𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃

Top Gun Maverick:

Bittersweet Cinematic Universe ⋆★⋆ Sweetheart and Cutthroat have been called to train at Top Gun for a seemingly impossible mission. Hangman’s obsessed with Sweetheart. Cutthroat hates Hangman and Bob is too scared to make a move on Cutthroat

[cherry-smokes]

I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)

Pairings: Jake Seresin x OC, (this is basically an x reader, Sweetheart is just her call sign idk man) also a sprinkle of Bob Floyd x OC because I had to add a tidbit in there. hurt/no comfort.....yet. Word Count: 2K Notes: *deep sigh* men. Bittersweet Cinematic Universe

═══════════ ⋆★⋆ ═══════════

Dog fight Football on the beach is easily one of Maverick’s best ideas. Sweetheart might just think that because it’s the first time she’s seen everyone smiling in weeks. The sun is giving them all a nice glow, or at the very least a mean burn but no one seems to mind.

They’re nearing the end of the game, and Bob makes a surprising catch. She and Cutthroat chase him down the beach as he makes a touch down. Not in any attempt to intercept him but with full intentions of bombarding him in celebration. They jump at him and her friend wraps her arms around his shoulders, actively ignoring the sweat that clings to the back of his shirt. The flush that spreads from his cheeks to the tips of his ears isn’t from the sun, Sweetheart would put money on it. Maybe some day in the future, when one of them has decided to get their heads out of the sand and do something about their very obvious mutual feelings, she’ll tell Bob that Cutthroat is an absolute neat freak and is easily grossed out by sweat. A fact the woman has clearly forgotten about herself just so she has an excuse to hold him.

In the past few weeks Sweetheart and Bob have bonded over their many shared traits. Being WSO’s, their love of animals, and caring too much about their mean lady.

That last one is precisely why she’s actively avoided Jake ever since the incident. With the way he’s the only one pouting as everyone surrounds Bob on Roosters shoulders, it seems to be weighing heavily on his shoulders.

Look. Cutthroat has her moments, but at the end of the day she wasn’t the one who started the argument. She wasn’t the one who escalated it either. Sweetheart’s always known that people dislike Jake because he’s cocky, and sometimes an asshole. Whether it be naivety or hope that everyone was blowing it out of proportion she’d never seen how volatile he could be first hand. Until the other day.

She thought maybe it was a fluke, a one off of him taking things too far with Cutthroat, but then he did the same thing to Rooster. She’s realized that Jake has a real gift, one other than flying. He knows exactly where to dig the knife so it hurts the most, and he hit an artery when he brought up Roosters father.

She couldn’t do anything but stand there in shock while the two grown men went at each other’s throats. She immediately thought back to what Cutthroat told her at the bar when they first got here.

“Guys like that don’t change.”

The world is bleak, and awful, and shitty and she sees things day in and day out that remind her of this. So while optimism doesn’t come easily to her she fights every day to find it. She believes that people can change. That people can see where they’ve been wrong and take the steps to fix it, but you can’t just take words back once they’ve left your lips.

No matter how lovely Jake’s were.

So she’s been avoiding him. Ignoring his charming, honey soaked compliments and practically running the other way whenever he comes too close.

═══════════ ⋆★⋆ ═══════════

Jake is going insane. While everyone is under the impression that his flirtatious demeanor towards his Sweetheart is just a manifestation of his ‘womanizing’ tendencies, it’s not. He’s been head over heels for her since he met her. It’s not the quick rush of adrenaline he gets when he sees a gorgeous woman at the bar either. It’s something heavy and burning that’s been lingering within him for years. So sue him for thinking this would be his shot at actually getting a date with her.

Why didn’t he make a move? Ambition. When they were in the academy everyone was so determined to prove themselves it didn’t leave much time for anything else. He knew they’d be going their separate ways, he hoped it would just be a fleeting crush that he’d forget about as soon as they graduated. He didn’t.

Instead he’s spent years reliving every single time she spoke to him, or brushed by him or even looked his way. So when he found out she was back at Top Gun at the same time as him he kind of hoped it was fate. Until she started avoiding him like he was a walking case of the measles.

He’s sure this is Cutthroats doing. She’s whispering evil, malicious things in Sweethearts ear and probably keeping her captive so she won’t go near him. While it makes him feel a bit stalker-ish he hovers around the parking lot waiting for the two girls to part ways, hoping to just get a moment alone with the nicer one.

He panics for a second. It seems like they’re leaving together, which of course they are. Of course they carpool. They can’t stand to be without each other longer than a few minutes, like a pair of otters afraid they’ll float off to sea if they drop each other’s hands. He watches them bicker quietly before Sweetheart grabs Cutthroat by the shoulders and turns her around.

“Bob honey! Could you give her a ride? I have some errands to run and she makes them very difficult because she has strong opinions about everything!”

Bob probably gives himself whiplash with how quick he turns his head and starts nodding. “Y-yeah! Definitely, I can do that.” He opens the passenger door and lets a very embarrassed looking Cutthroat into the car. Jake thinks it’s the first time he’s ever seen her with her tail between her legs.

He tries brushes off the twinge of jealousy that sprung up when Sweetheart called Bob honey and starts walking over to her car.

She sees him coming from the corner of her eye. The sunset behind him makes the salt water and sweat that still hasn’t vaporized off his skin from the heat reflect beautifully. For a second she debates if she has enough time to get in her car, start it and book it. Unfortunately she doesn’t and the furthest she’d get is the front seat before she’d be forced to have a horribly awkward conversation through the window.

“Should I be worried about Bob stealing you away?”

“Hi Jake.”

He stops in front of her. Slightly out of breath even though he didn’t jog over to her. But his heart is racing and he can’t help but feel his palms begin to sweat.

“Must be my lucky day finally getting you alone.”

“Yeah well…”

She knows this is awkward. She’s being short and probably as rude as she can be. She honestly isn’t sure what to say to him. A foreign expression comes over him, she’s never seen him look so…nervous.

“Are you-I mean how have you been?”

He flinches when he hears himself. He sounds like an idiot.

“Uh…good. Yeah I’ve been good. Tired.”

He nods along. “Yeah no…me too.”

A dense silence falls between the two of them. Sweethearts shirt is clinging to her back with sweat, the humidity is making her hair feel unbearable and she desperately wants to get into her car and blast the AC.

“I’m gonna-“

“Did I do something?”

She stops in her tracks. He’s fiddling with his hands like a schoolboy who’s been scolded for running in the hallway. When Sweethearts mouth opens and no words come out he keeps going. “I just-I feel like you’ve been avoiding me.”

She can’t lie. She hates lying, it’s unproductive. She just can’t figure out how to tell him the truth gently.

“I mean. Yeah I have been.”

He squints a little, “Is this because of Cutthroat?”

“Partially yes-“

He scoffs and shakes his head. “Jesus, I knew she had something to do with it. She can’t stand the idea of sharing you with someone else-“

“Wait what?”

Sweetheart is suddenly defensive, and she has this look in her eyes he’s never seen from her.

“What?”

“Do you seriously think I’ve been avoiding you because she told me to?”

“I mean yeah why else would you-“

“Because you’re an asshole Jake!”

Well so much for letting him down gently.

“Pardon?”

It’s a stupid response. It’s the only one he can come up with. He’s never heard her raise her voice like this. He’s seen her frustrated of course. She gets frustrated in such a soft way. She deadpans you and speaks so gently you can’t help but feel confused as to whether she’s upset or bored with you. This is different though, it’s so much worse.

“You’ve been treating people like shit since we got here!”

“Is this about the Cutthroat thing? Because as much as you might think she’s a saint she dished it right back-“

Part of the reason why Sweetheart hates arguing with people is because she’s an angry cryer. She gets so overwhelmed by how strongly her feelings come up that they end up spilling from her eyes no matter how hard she tries to stop them. So now she’s stuck having a frustrating conversation that she didn’t want to have in the first place and she can feel that undeniable pressure building up from her throat to behind her eyes.

“This isn’t just about her! It’s about what you said to Rooster, and the digs you make at- at Bob and Phoenix and literally anyone else that you seem to think is an easy target! The things you say fucking matter Jake. They matter and they hurt and I know Cutthroat isn’t a saint and you guys have some weird-pent up fucking thing going on, but she wouldn’t have taken it that far if you had just backed off!”

“Oh c’mon you don’t know that.”

“Yes I fucking do because I know her.“

Sweetheart wipes at her face roughly. She’s taking these deep long breaths and she won’t meet his eyes and Jake feels like he’s dug a hole so deep for himself he can’t even see the top. He's holding his arms out, hovering around her but not quite touching her.

“Okay, I- I fucked up, I crossed a line please just-stop crying.”

“I’m not crying!”

She stomps her foot and god help him he flinches. “You aren’t! You aren’t I’m sorry! I’m sorry…”

Sweetheart takes a few more deep breaths. She brushes stray hairs out of her face, straightens her back and gives him a deadpanned look. “No one should have to tell you to feel guilty about the mistakes you make. I shouldn’t have to stand here and throw it in your face for you to say sorry, I’m not even the person you should be apologizing to!”

It’s not that Jake is oblivious to how his actions make people feel. About themselves, about him. Up until now it’s just never bothered him, but it bothered her, and that bothers him. He realizes how fucked up that is. That it takes someone else putting a mirror up to his face to realize he should be caring about the kind of man he is. That he should grow up. It bothers him that she’s right, and it bothers him that he can’t find the words to stop her from getting into her car.

“Handle your shit Jake.”

She closes her door, backs out of her spot, and drives away.

He’s left standing in a lonely parking lot, feeling smaller than he’s ever felt in his life. He’s heard of guys trying psychedelics for the first time and discovering basic human empathy. This kind of feels like that if the psychedelic was the woman he’s been head over heels with telling him to get his shit together. He’s not sure how but he’s gonna fix this. He’s gonna prove to her that he’s more than just an asshole.

He finds himself throwing his head back in frustration because he’s just realized he’s going to have to give a genuine apology to Cutthroat.

And yes. He realizes that it making him this upset is a part of the problem.

═══════════ ⋆★⋆ ═══════════

[cherry-smokes]

The Bittersweet Cinematic Universe

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Sweetheart and Cutthroat have been called to train at Top Gun for a seemingly impossible mission. Hangman’s obsessed with Sweetheart. Cutthroat hates Hangman and Bob is too scared to make a move on Cutthroat. Stay tuned for more!

In chronological order<3

mood boards

⋆★⋆ Cutthroat’s journey

⋆★⋆ Sweetheart’s journey

Bittersweet: Your two favorite girls just landed in San Diego.

Guard Dog: Cutthroat is a lit fuse but Bob knows just how to put her out.

I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can): Sweetheart's been avoiding Jake and when he confronts her about it he meets a not so sweet version of her.

[cherry-smokes]

hope you’re doing okay my love been missing robbie but missing you more <333

heyyyy hehehehehehe, I feel like I’m pen palling a long lost lover. I have been good just experiencing a post grad crisis, I did put Robbie and Miss Birdie on the back burner for now. However I still have hopes to revisit them I just need inspiration to strike. Like so bad. Like I need inspiration to hit me in the face like a brick.

[cherry-smokes]

if you value realistic, complex and well written female characters read Lessons in Chemistry. However if you value joy and happiness stay the FUCK AWAY FROM THIS BOOK I HAVE BEEN DEEPLY MISERABLE EVER SINCE I STARTED IT.

[cherry-smokes]

Guard Dog

Pairings: Bob Floyd x OC (could be read as an ‘x reader’ fic) Word Count: 1.2K Notes: The beef between Cutthroat and Hangman is biblical. This does indeed live within the Bittersweet universe. The next chapter will indeed be Sweetheart and Hangman centric so….keep an eye out for that. Also again, I don’t know shit about the Navy. But I have a big heart, and isn’t that enough? hurt/comfort fic. Save her Bob Floyd. Introduction Mood boards

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Dog fights.

You know that feeling you get when you're doing the one thing you know you were meant to do. That heavy weight of fulfillment. The rush of adrenaline you get that makes the experience feel like it passes by in the blink of an eye. So quick you can't wait to do it again. The soothing warmth that washes over you afterwards. Yeah. That's how Cutthroat feels about Dog fights.

They're quick, brutal, all or nothing, it’s basically heaven on earth for a woman like her.

Which is why everyone can practically see the steam blowing out of her ears as she finishes her 200 pushups. Sweetheart’s next to her, powering through her own set. “At least we got shot down last. That’s still a win.” Her breath is strained and the wincing she’s doing isn’t just because of the physical exertion. She knows her friend. She’s a powder keg about to explode, one wrong move and a deeply unlucky individual will be caught in the crossfire.

“Please stop talking.”

Cutthroat is a sore loser. People tell her all the time, it's why no one likes playing against her at beer pong. She allegedly ‘takes it too far’ and for most people that's a problem. Maybe it’s a pride thing. Not in the obnoxious way that it is for Hangman though. He’s a bragger. Gets off on being better than everyone else and for some reason he brings out the absolute worst in her. He should know better than to poke the bear.

He doesn't know better.

A shadow casts over her as she pushes up from the ground. Just seven more. She can ignore him for seven pushups.

“God that was rough to watch.”

Six. “Fuck off Hangman.”

“No seriously, I think you might be losing your edge.”

Five.

“Maybe you’re not cut out for this mission.”

Four.

“You might as well cut your loses and head home now.”

Three.

“Jake don’t.” Sweethearts voice rings through her ears. Though it’s tuned out by the blood rushing to her head.

Two.

“I’m just saying Sweetheart, you’d probably have a better chance at coming home with someone else flying upfront.”

One.

In a split second Hangman feels a shockingly strong shove at his chest. He stumbles back, he’ll swear later it was just because he was caught off guard.

“What the fuck is your problem!”

His hands go up, he wipes the surprise off his face and replaces it with a cocky smirk. “Woah there! Sweetheart why don’t you get your guard dog under control.”

“I'd rather be guard dog than a fucking flake.”

“A flake? That's the worst you can do?"

It's not.

“You think Sweetheart would have a better chance flying with someone like you?”

“What do you think?”

“I think you’re a coward. You don’t know shit about loyalty and anyone unlucky enough to fly with you has a higher chance of coming home in a body bag.”

She shoulders him harshly as she walks back onto base. Trying to ignore the glances she's getting. The heavy weight of embarrassment settles over her, the kind you would get in middle school when you said something out loud only to be met by whispers and snickers.

The rest of the Dagger Squad watches her walk towards the locker room. Phoenix glances at Sweetheart. Who simply shakes her head. The lit fuse just needs time to burn out. Unfortunately not everyone knows this and Bob is already following after the woman.

“Uh-Bob. Bob honey I wouldn’t-“

He barely spares her a glance as he mumbles his response at her. “‘m just gonna check on her.”

Sweetheart can’t do anything but cover her face with her hands. “Oh my god she’s gonna eat him alive.”

Phoenix sighs. “If he dies you automatically have to take over as my WSO.”

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The locker room is quiet. Unfortunately. She doesn’t feel good about what she said. He went low but she shouldn't have met him there.

She doesn’t know when this deep rooted need to be great at something began. She thinks it may have always been there. Always needing to prove something to someone. Anyone really. Teachers with good grades, her superiors by always being fifteen minutes early. She never needed anyone to explain something twice to her because she didn’t want them to think she was deadweight. She gets this rush when someone gives her that look. The one that says “I’m impressed.” After a while it just became the standard for her. She has to be the best because what is she if not that? It’s crucial especially in a field like this. In this field if you aren’t the best people get hurt, and Cutthroat is hyper aware that she carries precious cargo with her.

The sound of soft footsteps echoes around the corner. It comes out of her mouth before she can stop it. Sharp and biting. “What?”

She looks up just as his shoulders jump. He takes a small step back and raises his hands as if he’s approaching a rabid animal.

She didn’t expect Bob. Truly, and something horrible stirs up in her chest that he ended up at the receiving end of her anger.

“Sorry I- I just-“

“No I didn’t- I’m sorry.”

A soft silence falls over the two bodies in the room. Eyes dancing up at each other and glancing away. Eventually Bob makes a silent gesture asking to sit down next to her on the bench.

She nods, maybe a little too enthusiastically before looking down at her feet.

“I’m not exactly sure what happened but whatever it was I’m sure he deserved it.”

That gets a soft laugh out of her, covering her face with her hands. “Jesus I’m so embarrassed.”

Bob’s eyebrows furrow, “why should you be embarrassed?”

She peaks through her fingers at him with a deadpanned look. “I’m supposed to be better than this.”

Bob glances down at her, “Hangman was probably asking for it.”

“He was but that’s not-“ She stops herself. Moving her hands to rest on her knees as she subtly scratches at the fabric of her flight suit.

This look comes over him, and it scares the hell out of her because for a second she swears he saw right through her.

Bob shakes his head. “Everyone got shot down today.”

“Yeah but that’s them.”

He lets out a soft chuckle, and despite the truly harrowing way she’s feeling it makes her warm inside. Just for a second.

“You got shot down but you still gave Maverick a run for his money. They wouldn’t have asked you to come if they thought you couldn’t fly an impossible mission. I don’t think that’s anything to be embarrassed about.”

Cutthroat leans back on her hands and rests her head on her shoulder. Her eyes are shining in the way they usually do when he looks at them, no longer cloudy or dull. “Is that what you told everyone else?”

“No, just you.”

She hums softly. Hoping that he can’t hear the loud thud beneath her chest. “Just me huh?”

He nods softly. He hopes she can’t see how his blush is making his glasses slightly foggy. He reaches over and brushes his hand over hers. Fleeting, almost as if she’d imagined it. “I should probably head back before they send a search party.”

“Am I that scary?”

Bob turns around just for a moment and in the most tender and soft voice says “Terrifying.”

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a/n: this is short I'm sorry. I'm just a girl who really loves a slow burn.

[cherry-smokes]

what would you do if I cried a little. like just a bit. this is so sweet I’m in love with you.

Shoutout to fic writers that nickname the reader instead of using “y/n” Like normalize giving reader inserts cute nicknames that go with the story instead of using of using “reader” and “y/n”.

Anyway shout out to Sunshine,Miss Birdies,Blondie,Bug,Angelface,Sugar, and Libby!💛

@stevie-petey @rustedhearts @andvys @cherry-smokes

[cherry-smokes]

Bittersweet

Pairings: Jake Seresin x OC, Bob Floyd x OC (could be read as an ‘x reader’ fic the world is your oyster) Word Count: 1.3K Notes: I don’t know shit about the Navy. But I have a big imagination and I know how to type so here we are. Mood boards

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The sun has just begun to set over North Island. The humid San Diego air making khaki uniforms stick to backs uncomfortably, and yet, there was an air of excitement surrounding the area. Something sharp, like a live wire waiting to be cut. A bunch of Naval Aviators waiting on the edge of their seats to see why they got called in and reeling with pride at being chosen. The Hard Deck is in full swing. Jake “Hangman” Seresin is bent over the pool table, giving Coyote a run for his money. Cocky and smug, his lively mood only gets better when he sees a few familiar faces making their way through the crowd.

Phoenix, two men he doesn’t recognize, Cutthroat, and his goddamn favorite ray of sunshine Sweetheart.

“Well what do we have here.”

He’s always been sweet on her, no pun intended. When they were in the academy he couldn’t help but linger around her. Soft, too kind to everyone, with her sweet southern ways that she always said weren’t southern because “Kansas is technically part of the Midwest". She was adored, every single time her name was mentioned it was followed by the comment “oh she’s a sweetheart.” Part of him felt jealous, like a petulant child. He had gotten used to being the only person who called her that. She was perfect. Not a single flaw about her except for one massive, obnoxious, pushy, loud-mouthed thing.

Cutthroat. The two women have been inseparable since the moment they met. He doesn’t understand how someone that lovely could be so close to someone that vile. Cutthroat got her call sign for being ruthless. She worked tirelessly, had an insane sense of control, pushed herself past her limits and held no mercy while in the air. He will never say it out loud but she’s fucking good. She’s also a pain in his ass. He’s not shocked to see her here with Sweetheart. The two of them work seamlessly, they’re basically a package deal. People swear they share a goddamn brain up in the air.

Cutthroat puts on an exaggerated smile. “Hey Jackass! Didn’t expect to see you here.”

“It’s Jake actually.”

“Is it?”

“And here I thought we were special Coyote. Turns out the invite went out to anyone. Even those suffering from memory loss.”

“Wow I haven’t even been here five minutes and you’re already trying to suck my dick.”

“You’re not my type, I like them a little sweeter.”

He locks eyes on Sweetheart. Who’s more than used to their bickering. She can’t remember when their feud started. She assumes it was sometime in the Naval Academy. Jake, is unfortunately great at what he does, and worse her best friend is the most competitive person she’s ever met in her life. The cherry on top is that neither one of them knows how to keep their mouth shut.

“Hey Hangman.”

“Sweetheart. Wanna introduce us to your buddies, anyone I should be jealous of?”

She’s never taken his flirting seriously, he’s never given her a reason to. So she brushes it off and gestures for the boys to introduce themselves.

“Payback.”

“Fanboy.”

Phoenix speaks up from beside them. “You boys are looking at the only other Naval Aviator on active duty with a confirmed air-to-air kill.”

Hangman finally shifts his attention back onto the girl with the sharp teeth. “Bet that’s still a hard pill to swallow huh Cutthroat?”

Her eye twitches. “It would be if the other guy wasn��t in a museum piece from the Korean War.”

That wipes the smirk right of Hangman’s face. Thankfully for him Coyote backs him up, “Cold war.”

However, Payback and Fanboy don’t owe him any loyalty.

“Different wars, same century.”

“Not this one.”

Sweetheart’s never been one to bicker. She doesn’t particularly find the same enjoyment out of it as her front seater. Frankly, she also knows that if she doesn’t stop them now this will go on all night. “Does it technically matter?“

Cutthroat nearly gets whiplash at how fast she turns her head. “Does it ma- yes. Yes it does matter Sweetheart. Technicalities are important it’s not the same thi- who’s he?”

Everyone’s attention turns to a blue eyed man sitting on a stool. Brushing peanut shells off his thigh, his eyes look up through his glasses, suddenly shy at being the center of attention.

It takes a lot to catch Cutthroat off guard. Something strange bubbles up in her stomach. Like nerves but, not exactly. Maybe she's just hungry. He’s quiet, hasn’t bothered speaking up or making himself known up until now. She notices he’s not drinking, and doesn’t seem to be here with Hangman. He’s handsome, in the way that he could probably sweep you off your feet if he would just smile at you.

Coyote’s the one to ask. “When did you get in?”

He almost stutters before he responds with an accent that Cutthroat can’t seem to place. “Oh, I’ve been here the whole time.”

He gives a soft smile and suddenly the woman doesn't think the feeling she's experiencing is the kind of hunger she thought it was.

Hangman turns to the group. “Man’s a stealth pilot.”

The man cuts in. “Weapons systems officer, actually.”

“With no sense of humor.”

Cutthroat crosses her arms. “I don’t think it can be considered a joke if no one laughs Bagman.”

Sweetheart pinches her arm, to which the woman yelps and swats her hand away. Sweetheart turns to the unnamed man then, “what do they call you?”

He swallows hard. “Bob.”

Payback laughs softly. “No, your call sign.”

“Uh…Bob.”

Cutthroat rubs the sore spot on her arm as she tilts her head at him. “Cute.”

Bob looks at her. Briefly. He has a feeling if he looks her dead in the eyes a little too long he might burst into flames. Phoenix comes to his aid as she begins asking if he’s her new back seater. Sweetheart takes this as an opportunity to get herself and her own front seater a drink. Dragging her away from the pool table and towards the bar.

From behind them. Two men in their khaki uniforms watch them walk away.

═══════════ ⋆★⋆ ═══════════

At the bar Sweetheart turns to look back at Hangman. “Why do you still have such a bone to pick with him?”

Cutthroat orders their drinks. A beer, something sweet, and two shots because Sweetheart can never get out of them. “Because he’s an asshole?” She says it like it’s the most obviously thing in the world.

“You haven’t seen him in years, have you ever thought that maybe he’s different now?”

Her friends eyes narrow. “Did you seriously not witness that entire interaction?”

“Well you were egging him on-“

“Are you taking his side-“

“I’m not taking a side-“

“It feels like you’re taking a side-“

“You’re being childish-“

“I’m being childish?!”

“A little bit! I love you but you’re holding a crazy grudge.”

“Sweetheart, there’s a reason why they call him Hangman. Guys like him don’t change.”

Their drinks land in front of them. Sweetheart grabs hers and thanks the woman behind the bar gently. “I think you’re being pessimistic.”

Cutthroat grabs their shots, handing one to the girl. “I’m being realistic.” They clink them together, tap them on the bar, and throw them back in unnerving synchronicity. Sweetheart chokes back a cough as she looks back at Hangman once more. Bent over the pool table. She stops to think for a moment. Be realistic maybe. “Maybe I’m just saying all of this because I forgot how hot he is.”

Cutthroat winces. “Ew gross. Don’t say that, that’s disgusting.”

A soft laugh leaves her friend. “Don't bullshit me you have to admit he's good looking.”

Cutthroat shakes her head, taking a sip of her drink and looking over at her peers. Watching Bob make conversation with Fanboy. “He’s not really my type.”

Sweetheart follows her gaze. "Seriously?"

Cutthroat looks back at her friend, defensive as always. "What?"

Her friend laughs and picks up her drink, standing up. "You'd eat him alive."

Cutthroat follows her as they begin walking back towards the group. "Only if he lets me."

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a/n: short little introduction, just so everyone could get to know our lovely leading ladies!

[cherry-smokes]

Meet Sweetheart and Cutthroat.

Your new favorite WSO and Fighter Pilot.

This is my way of announcing a new WIP, a Top Gun double feature, starring our very own Hangman and Bob! Introduction here.

[cherry-smokes]

My Strange Lady ch.IV

Life once again gets in Steve's way. Life has never stopped Birdie though. ch. I ch.II ch.III Paring: Single dad!Steve Harrington x oddball!reader Word Count: 1.8K Note: heyyyy....sorry I like fell off the face of the earth, life also got in my way but they're back and shocker. They're yearning. Also, not proof read, please handle this with grace.

Steve had a plan, after Robbie's birthday party. Show up at the library before work, sans Robbie, and ask his Birdie out on a proper date. He'd have Robbie spend an afternoon with his Hop Hop, take her out to a nice dinner. Dress up and everything, get her flowers and walk her up to her doorstep at the end of the night.

However, being a father comes first. Soon after his birthday, Robbie got the flu. Steve thinks it must have happened in the bouncy house, because according to Sally from PTA three other kids got the flu as well. Steve felt awful, Robbie was feeling fine on Monday. Tuesday he started feeling tired, and achey. Steve hoped it was just him tiring himself out at P.E but was proven wrong that night when Robbie threw up all over his comforter.

It was nothing he wasn't used to. He gave him a quick bath, ran the washer, tucked Robbie into his old mans too big bed and then checked on him every hour. At around 6 AM he called off work.

He did this all week. Was this ideal? No, but Steve couldn't find it within himself to leave Robbie at home with someone else. Especially when they might catch what he had. Steve failed to consider that he would also catch what Robbie had. Therefore, by the time bird watch Sunday came around Steve was too sick to realize what day it was and Robbie was too tired to care to remind him.

While Robbie had gotten over the worst of it he wasn't feeling as happy go lucky as he usually does. Steve himself, was fighting for his life. The flu is awful as it is, but having it and trying to care for someone else is significantly worse. You can't imagine the relief he felt when Robbie went down for a nap with him.

That's probably why he was so goddamn upset when the phone started to ring at around 12 PM.

Steve's never reached for the phone slower in his life. Picking it up and shushing his son back to sleep.

"Hello?"

"You sound bad."

Ah. He should have known.

He sits up, slowly realizing why you're calling.

"Shit. Sorry Birdie. Robbie- we're sick, couldn't make it today."

"Oh..."

"I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry? You're sick, you can't control that."

"I don't want to upset you."

"I'm not upset. Well I am, but because you're sick, not because you didn't show up. I was just calling to make sure you were both alright."

For the first time all morning Steve gets a moment of clarity.

"How'd you get our number?"

"I looked it up." You say this like it's the most obvious answer in the world. Steve would feel silly if he didn't know you better by now.

"Of course you did."

The small laugh you give on the other end of the phone is enough to breathe a little bit of life into him.

"Well...I'm sorry you're sick. Get some rest, I'll see you guys soon."

Any other day he'd try to keep you on the phone longer, but his eyes are heavy and his body aches so he can't do much more but grunt in agreement before you hang up.

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He's awoken again a few hours later. Robbie is nudging at his shoulder.

"Daad. Daaaaaaad."

"What buddy."

"Someone is here."

Steve shoots up. His head pounds at the sudden movement before he hears the doorbell.

Robbie is sitting up "You said to not open the door to strangers."

Steve gets out of bed, despite his body begging him not to. "That's right I did. Thank you for remembering, that was very smart."

Robbie's shoulder shrug up shyly.

Steve walks out of the room towards the front door. It's probably Robin, or Hopper, or literally anyone else and you can imagine his surprise when he opens the door to find you halfway down the steps.

You turn sharply "Oh! Sorry I didn't think you were going to answer."

You quickly walk up and bend down picking up two Tupperwares filled with soup that you had left on his door step.

"I was just bringing some stuff by, I hope that's ok."

This is a fever dream. Right? You're at his door, you look lovely and fresh faced and you're carrying two Tupperwares that still hold condensation and he's sure they must be burning your hands and you're at his door-

"Did you look up our address?"

Your face turns red. "I didn't want to call and accidentally wake you up."

You both stare at each other for a while. Not really sure what to say but Steve steps aside and while social cues haven't always been your strong suit you get this one.

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Steve has enough energy within himself to be embarrassed. The home is a mess. There's a pile of laundry on the couch he hasn't gotten to. A mess of dishes in the sink and it smells like two people have been rotting away for a week.

However, you, in all your graciousness don't bat an eye.

"I brought two, yours has all the veggies in it but I blended Robert's into the broth so he won't see them. I know-well I think some kids are a little tricky about vegetables."

Steve tries to ignore the self consciousness that comes with being gross and sweaty and...well gross. "That's-smart. Yeah that's really smart."

You beam for a second before oddly swaying.

He snaps out of it. "Right! Sorry! He's- we're over here."

He leads you to his bedroom, not half as neat as he wishes it was and cracks open the door.

"Buddy, someone came to say hi. She brought us a treat."

You peak your head over his shoulder and Robbie is suddenly more energetic than he has been all week.

"Miss Birdie!"

Steve ignores the way it makes his bell ring.

You gently step past him and towards the bed.

"Hello! I heard you weren't feeling well. I brought some stuff if that's okay?"

Robbie nods enthusiastically as you walk over and sit beside him. You place the soups on the bedside table before reaching into the bag on your shoulder. You pull out some VapoRub.

"Do you want to put this on or should I?"

Robbie twists his head at you. "What is it?"

You twist the cap open as Steve moves to sit down next to Robbie.

"My mom used to use it when we were feeling under the weather. It's like a balm but it helps with congestion and it used to fix me right up."

"Does it hurt?"

You smile softly. "No, it feels nice actually, here." You place some on your wrist and hold it up to him so he can smell it.

Robbie makes a face. "It smells weird."

"Yes, but it will make you feel better I promise."

The boy hesitates for a moment, before nodding and leaning back. "Okay."

You look at Steve for his permission. Steve nods, a little enamored at how sweet you're being on his boy.

You tell Robbie what you're doing before you do it. Ask him before you place some behind his ears and on his chest. When you take his socks off and place some of the balm on his feet he giggles up a storm and you can't help but join him.

"There, we're all done." You gently place his socks back on and give his socked heel a little peck. "Do you fell better yet?"

Robbie shakes his head no. You dramatically gasp. "Well, that means we have to take the next step. This calls for serious measures."

You grab his blended soup, open it, grab a spoon from your bag and hand it over to him. "Robbie boy you have to eat this entire bowl for my magic to work."

Robbie giggles and leans back into the pillows behind him as he grabs the soup. "You're silly."

You get up, grabbing the VapoRub and Steve's soup and spoon, walking towards the man. "You're silly. Now eat."

Robbie complies, with no complaints. Steve is at a loss for words as you make your way over to his side of the bed. He feels the weight of you by his legs as you set the soup down on his lap.

"Can I?"

You gesture with the balm towards him and he nods. "Ye-yeah of course."

You work slowly, rubbing it behind his ears. On his wrists and on his chest. You rub the residue off on your jeans before opening his soup and encouraging him to eat.

Steve can't remember the last time he was looked after like this. If ever. He's held coke cans up to his own black eyes, nursed his own wounds and dealt with his fair share of awkward small talk with nurses giving him stitches. Never this though. He feels a weight on his chest, and he's sure it isn't just congestion.

"Thank you, you didn't have to-thank you."

You look at him as though what you've done was the easiest thing in the world.

"Thank me by eating, you'll feel better."

He fucking does. He's sure you did put magic into the soup. You're some kind of witch and you've cast some spell on him and his head is fuzzy in a completely different way than it was before. He wants to tell you this much but he knows better and you're suddenly standing.

"I'll be right back. Robbie. Don't let your father get up until he's done with his soup okay?"

Robbie, halfway done with his own, nods and continues slurping.

As you walk out the door Steve realizes you've never called his son Robbie before.

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Steve was going to grab you after about forty minutes. However, after the two boys finished their magical soups they both fell asleep. They hadn't meant to, but you really had worked your magic. They were breathing somewhat clearly, belly's full and warm and they just knocked out. Steve wakes up not long after.

Having heard some commotion out in the kitchen. He gets out of bed slowly, careful not to wake Robbie up. As he walks passed the living room he does a double take, noticing the pile of laundry that had been there before is now in neat, color coordinated piles. When he walks into the kitchen, it’s spotless. Dishes not only washed but put away as you close the last cabinet. You turn around when you hear the creak of a floor board.

You speak softly. "Sorry. I was trying to be quiet. I'll get out of your hair."

Steve is half aware that his left pant leg has ridden up to his knee. He smells like medicine and has pillow creases embedded into his face but he can't find any other words to say other than- "Will you go to dinner with me?"

You still, and smile, and you goddamn blush.

"Yes. That sounds nice."

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a/n: sorrryyyyyyy I said this would be up sooner and it so wasn't. However! The yearning may soon come to and end and my ask box is open to any requests! I would love to write some blurbs about Birdie and Steve’s lives up until now if anyone is interested:)

[cherry-smokes]

Hope you’re doing well!! I just reread the my fair lady series and i was wondering when the next part will come? No rush tho i just miss our little oddball!!

hello! It makes my heart soar that you enjoyed the story enough to re-read it. I still plan on continuing it but I’m not sure when that next part will come out. I have been booked and busy, I haven’t had any writing time but our little oddball will be back on this timeline soon<3 thank you for your support and patience!!!! I’m hoping to have something up in April for sure:)

[cherry-smokes]

My Strange Lady ch. III

It's Robbie's birthday and everyone meets Birdie. ch. I ch.II Paring: Single dad!Steve Harrington x oddball!reader Word Count: 3.8K Note: oooooooh they are so back. They are so back and everyone sees right through them.

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Bell bottoms or a skirt. Bell bottoms. Skirt. Your eyes dart between the two options laid out on the bed.

“What do you think Teddy?”

You look down at your buddy. Tucked away safely within your shirt. His head peeks out from the collar. It seems like he’s leaning left. Bell bottoms it is. Granted he could have just been moving his head around trying to lick off your face mask, but....he could have also been gesturing towards the bell bottoms. You think it's the latter.

“If I look underdressed I’m blaming you.”

You aren’t sure what would be considered underdressed. You’ve never been to a kid's birthday party. You’d never hung out with a kid until Robert came along. You couldn’t help but grow attached to him. He was sweet. He didn’t seem put off by your demeanor. You know you’re strange. You were a kid once too.

Making friends wasn’t easy for you. Your personality always got you into more trouble than anything. It's not like you meant to be this way. You just were. Your mother was an odd woman herself.

She was into a lot of the witchy stuff. She was superstitious and strange and you loved her so fucking much. She was your best friend. The only person who understood you without even trying. You could simply breathe in her direction and she would already know what was going on. You swear to this day she was some sort of psychic. You took care of her when she stopped being able to care for herself. Until she died. After that, you couldn’t find it within yourself to stay. There was nothing left in that town for you.

Coming a few towns over made sense. You tried the city for a bit. Which was fine but you craved some sort of familiarity. Hawkins felt like the perfect middle ground. New place, and new people, but close enough to home that you didn’t feel like you were completely abandoning your mother.

You didn’t expect to make friends like you had. Especially not with a child. Especially not with someone like Steve.

He felt so…big. Big hair, big personality, big heart. You were sure he was only hanging out with you because Robert seemed to like you. But he invited you to his kid's birthday party. In person. With a handwritten invitation and everything. That’s not just someone being nice…right?

This is all strange to you. You’ve always quite enjoyed your solitude. Now, you look forward to Sundays and you can’t help but get lonely. Which, in all honesty, has been a new feeling for you since your mother passed. It’s why you got Teddy in the first place. You’d gotten so used to looking after someone, having someone around. It became…odd, to not have that. Teddy filled that void well enough, but now two big-haired boys have ruined that for you.

You wipe your face mask off with a wet cloth. Not wanting Teddy to feel left out you take a clean edge and wipe gently at his tiny face. Your hair is the next part. This goddamn hair. You'd never been very good at styling it. Your arms get tired too quickly and it never ends up looking like the magazines say it will. Your mother used to help. The both of you had just been so content with the routine, that you never bothered to ask how to do it yourself. She never offered either. She must have believed there would never be a reason to.

So now you're in your bathroom, with your rat, pulling out poorly placed rollers from your hair. It doesn't look terrible, just not exactly how you thought it would. You take Teddy out from within your shirt, one of those tops with built-in bras. You stocked up on them after you got Teddy, it stops him from falling out from under your shirt. Like those baby strap things you see some mothers wear at the library...kind of. For a second you think about Steve wearing one of those. With a baby Robbi-Robert in it. Tucked in. You have to shake the thought from your head as you look down at your Teddy on the bathroom counter.

"Up or down?"

Two beady eyes stare back at you.

"You can be so unhelpful you know that? Just because you don't have to worry about this kind of stuff doesn't mean you can't give me advice."

He crawls around the counter. Bumping a claw clip onto the floor.

"See, was that so hard?" You pick him up once more and begin walking back to your room.

"Now let's go pick out a top."

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"Down...ok less down. Higher. That's too high-Jesus Ed!"

"I'm following your instructions, I am not the problem here!" The snarky response from the wild-haired man only warrants the bitchiest eye role from Steve. Putting a banner up in his backyard shouldn't be so hard, but apparently, any manual work that doesn't involve cars is impossible for Eddie.

"Ok just leave it. I'll have Hopper help me."

"Good luck tearing him away from the kid."

Looking over his shoulder he sees Hopper holding his son upside down by his legs. Robbie is giggling up a storm. Steve knows he won't have the heart to drag Hopper away when they're having so much fun.

"I can help."

Steve almost falls off the small chair he had been standing on. "Birdie! Fu-uuh hi. You scared me, how did you get in?"

You shrug and gesture over your shoulder. "The gate was open."

"Oh. Right yeah, of course. Sorry, I'm all over the place right now, dad brain."

"It's okay. It was probably rude of me to just walk in. I'm sorry."

He's quick to reassure you. "No, not at all you're always welcome here. Half of these people never knock so." He gestures around to the group of adults and teenagers helping set up his backyard.

"Okay." You set the present you'd been holding down on the grass as you move to take over Eddie's place. It's wrapped in brown paper, with a tweed bow and what looks like small handpicked flowers tied in front. "Excuse me."

The look on Eddie's face would have made Steve laugh if he hadn't still been trying to calm his heart rate down. Eddie holds his arms up as you grab the banner from him. "You're excused?" The metalhead can't figure out if you're a raging bitch or just lacking social awareness. He retreats from the side of the house to go stand by Robin who is 'arranging' the snacks.

You step onto the chair Eddie had been using. Lifting the banner to exactly where Steve had been wanting it to be. "Right here?"

Steve has to tear his eyes away from your lower back where your sweater had ridden up. He feels like a perv and rushes up to his chair to tape his side of the banner down. "Yeah, that's perfect." He reaches over to hand you the tape when he's done with his side. Your arms are shorter than his so your chair wobbles a little as you reach over. He's quick to grab your arm to stabilize you. "Woah there hotshot! How about I bring it over to you yeah? Let's not risk you getting a concussion before the party has even started."

His comment makes you giggle. You try not to overheat when he walks over to you. Your fingers brush when he hands you the tape, his hand hovers over your waist to prevent you from falling and you wish he would just touch you.

Unbeknownst to the two of you, Robin and Eddie are watching from the snack table.

"Who the fuck is that?"

"I don't know, he called her Birdie and then she basically stole my job."

Robin's voice turns into a sharp whisper. "That's Miss Birdie?!"

Eddie's eyebrows go up, matching her tone. "You know her?!"

"No! Robbie and Steve had told me she was invited but I thought she was going to be some old librarian lady. Not a total babe!"

"Okay, but if I called her a total babe you'd get mad and call me a creep?"

"Yeah because you're a creep, it's different when I say it."

"Not really."

Their bickering is cut short by Robbie's screeching. "Miss Birdie!"

Everyone's head in the backyard turns towards you at once. Suddenly you're seven again and you're introducing yourself to your class, scared that your skirt is too dramatic and wishing your mom would pick you up.

Robbie runs up to you. You step down from the chair and he almost knocks you over when he wraps his arms around your legs. "Youcameyoucameyoucame!"

It happens almost instinctively. It catches you off guard how you wrap one arm around his shoulder and the other on his head. "Of course I did. It was a nice invitation, thank you."

"Hop-Hop, Dusty, Ed-Everybody come! This is Miss Birdie we're in bird club together!"

Steve's heart feels full. He knows that his son has grown fond of you. In this moment he feels selfish for keeping you to himself all this time. As everyone-his family walks over he can't help but buzz with excitement. They have no idea how lucky they are to meet you.

You lift the hand that had been on Robbie's head up shyly. The other one stays in place. "Hi."

Steve sees you in a way he never has before. Timid and quiet. He's desperate to help you out. "Everyone this is Birdie, she's a new friend of ours. This is Hopper, Dustin, Lucas, Eddie, and Robin." He points each of them out for you.

Your eyes light up with recognition. Excited that you have some sort of knowledge in this situation. "Oh! Robin! Robert talks a lot about you!"

Robin looks confused that you're using the kid's full name. None of them do. He's Robbie. Kid to Eddie. Hopper looks betrayed at this moment.

"You don't talk about your Hop-Hop?"

Robbie looks shy. It tugs at your heartstrings in such an ugly way that you push down any fear you have of speaking up, just to defend him.

"We talk about birds a lot. Robins especially, it's what got him to join the club. I think it's just a circumstantial thing that he's always talking about Robin because we're always talking about Robins. I don't think it's like...a personal thing."

Hopper's analyzing you. Steve can see it in his eyes. Looking you up and down. Staring at the hand you have over the kid's shoulder and taking in your words. "I'll take your word for it, Birdie."

Steve knows there's no way for you to know this, but that's about as close to a blessing anyone can get from that man.

Later, Robbie's classmates arrive and everyone is taking advantage of the bouncy house Nancy and Jonathan pitched in to rent. Parents are by the snack table, chatting amongst themselves. Steve brushed off some of the skills he learned from his parents. Making easy conversation comes naturally to him. He thanks them for stopping by, and thanks them for the presents. He talks about the weather and PTA meetings.

You've been away. He can't tell if Dustin is talking your ear off or if it's the other way around. Regardless, when people start to filter out it begins to just be the people he loves the most in his backyard. He finds his way to you. It's easier leaving Robbie to his own devices with Hopper, or Robin. He doesn't have to hover around because he knows his kid is in good care. Steve finds you sitting sideways on a lawn chair. Legs over the armrest, chewing on a carrot. You're tucked into yourself. The sun has begun to go down, and for a second he thinks about going inside to get you a jacket.

"-you'd like it! I'll talk to Eddie about getting you into a campaign it's super fun I swear!"

"Are you trying to get her to join your fantasy cult?"

Dustin gives him a nasty glare. "It is not a cult. You're just not creative enough to understand it, Steven."

Your eyebrows shoot up. Steve shoos Dustin away with a white lie just to get a moment alone with you. "Yeah alright. Robbie's asking for you. Why don't you go hang out with him before Eddie steals the 'best uncle' title from you?"

In an almost comical way, Dustin rushes out of his seat next to you to find Robbie.

"Steven huh?"

He goes a little red as he sits down in the chair next to yours. "He just likes to call me that when he's pretending to be mad at me."

"What does he call you when he's actually mad at you?"

He looks over at you. For the first time tonight, he isn't looking after his kid, or entertaining some acquaintance. He's not keeping an eye on the snack table to see if he needs to restock chips or make sure no kid is hurting themselves on the bouncy house. Instead, Steve is looking at you. The light from the porch creates a nice hue around you. You're wearing the same off-the-shoulder sweater you had on when he first met you. Your hair frames you perfectly and he thinks you might be the prettiest thing he's seen in years.

"What?"

You laugh then. He feels sick. He hasn't had a single drink tonight but your laugh makes him feel like he just took a sip of a beer he shouldn't have.

"What does Dustin call you when he's really mad at you?"

"Oh! Uh...I don't know. I'm not sure he's ever been mad at me. Not like really mad at me I guess."

You lean your head on your shoulder. "That's nice. That's a nice way to live."

Steve nods. "It is."

You look shy suddenly. "Thank you for inviting me."

His eyebrows draw together. Like he can't find a reason as to why he wouldn't. "Of course. I'm glad you came."

You smile, and Steve feels so lucky. He's been seeing that a lot more from you. A smile used to be rare from you.

"Your family is nice."

Steve shrugs. "They can be a lot."

You shrug back at him. "I like a lot."

It feels like some sort of confession. I like a lot. I like you. I like this, I'd like to be a part of it. Please let me be a part of it. 

“Me too.”

He didn’t expect this to happen. Of course, he always hoped he would find someone who Robbie liked. Who liked his family. Who liked him. He just never expected it to be with someone like you. Steve’s never done the friendship thing before the boyfriend thing. Every relationship he ever had started with the intention of becoming one. There’s this level of fear of wanting to cross that bridge with you. It’s not just Steve who likes having you in his life, it’s Robbie too. Now his family knows you, they want to make plans and bring you into their dynamic. It feels like there’s so much more to lose.

Steve thinks that no matter how pretty you are. How smart and lovely. How much he wants to have more with you he can’t. It’s too much of a risk. So, he groans like a dad typically does and stands up to call Robbie over to open up his gifts.

The kid squeals and rushes over to the table. Everyone gathers around him, Jonathan grabs his Polaroid and documents the whole thing.

$25 from Hopper, which to Robbie seems like a fortune. A big Lego set the kids all bought together. A knit sweater from Joyce. The Lion King on VHS from Robin. A toy guitar from Eddie. Jonathan captures all of Robbie’s reactions with the camera.

Finally, Robbie gets to the last present. Which had been placed behind every other one. It stands out like a sore thumb. Colors much more muted than the bright wrapping paper that now collects on the grass.

“Is this yours Miss Birdie?”

You nod. You look like you’re trying not to smile so hard at the fact that he knew it was from you without there even being a name on the wrapping paper. Steve is willing to bet that if he reached over and touched your cheeks they’d be warm.

Robbie unwraps your gift much gentler than the others. He places the flowers that had been tied in the tweed next to him as he reveals the present. Inside, there are a few picture books about birds. Under it a small notebook and some colored pencils. The nice kind, with the fancy packaging.

“It’s so we can draw together. On Sundays, if you want.” Your voice is so soft. Like you’re scared he’s going to hate it.

Finally, at the very bottom of the stack of items, Robbie pulls out a piece of paper. His brows furrow and he takes a second to sound out what’s written on it. Suddenly his face lights up and a camera flash goes off.

“Robbie bird!”

He turns the paper around proudly. On it. The Robin you had been drawing the first time Steve and Robbie joined you to bird watch. In your handwriting, it says ‘Robin Robbie Bird’

Robbie runs around showing everyone the drawing. You’re standing, hands clasped together tightly against your chest as you rest your chin on them. There’s a feeling burning fierce from within your chest. Something warm and tender. You feel so strongly you have to contain it within yourself. Robbie eventually makes his way to you. You kneel to his level as he throws his arms around your shoulders. It’s the tightest hug you’ve ever gotten, how could you not return it just as strong?

“I’m-m gonna draw you a Birdie Bird!”

“Like….just a bird?”

Robbie steps back to look at you. He’s on a sugar high from the cake, and he’s always been a cuddly child. Naturally, his hands cup your cheeks, the drawing scrunching against your face.

“Noooo! A Birdie Bird! Cause-cause this is a Robbie bird-you have to get a Birdie Bird!”

Your cheeks are kind of squished together, but Steve can still see that look. The same one you always give Robbie when he does something so innately him. The same one Steve gives you.

“Okay.”

Robbie rushes over to his dad, who picks him up and grabs the drawing as his boy hands it to him. “Woah bud! This is great! We can frame it in your room how about that?”

His son enthusiastically nods. You look up at the two from the grass below. Still in the same kneeled position you had been in. You wrap your arms around your knees.

You don’t notice how everyone watches the way you look at the pair.

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When you left, you shook everyone’s hands politely as you said your goodbyes. Robin went in for a hug, your hand was already out and you basically stabbed her with it. An awkward fumble as you both ended up shaking hands with one arm at each other’s shoulders for a moment. Robbie got a hug. Steve was envious of it as he walked you towards your car.

At least until you gave him a hug of his own. In private, away from prying eyes. Your body felt cold, you smelled like incense and jasmine. He wishes he could remember what you had said to him. A thank you, a see you soon, but it all became clouded by your very essence.

He wore a dorky smile on his face as he walked into his backyard, Hopper was quick to burst his bubble.

"Strange lady."

"She's not strange."

Hopper gives him a deadpanned look.

"Ok- fine she's a little strange, but she's nice! Robbie likes her a lot."

"And what about you?"

Steve should have known if anyone was going to clock him and say something, it would be Hopper.

Their bond came out of nowhere. For a long time Hopper had just been the guy who let Steve off with one too many warnings. However, when his parents gave him the cold shoulder after Amanda became pregnant, Hopper really showed up. The pregnancy wasn't inherently what pissed his parents off. It was the fact that Steve and Amanda didn't want to have a shotgun wedding. For different reasons. Amanda didn't want to get married so young. Steve's not sure she wanted to get married at all, and Steve...

Well he wanted to be in love. His parents were too ashamed with him having a child out of wedlock. 'What will people say!?'

Thankfully, Steve wasn't completely alone. Everyone helped where they could. However, when Steve confided in Robin, or Joyce about how scared he was. How he didn't know the first thing about being a dad, they just told him he'd be fine. Reminding him how great he was with all of the kids in the group. Hopper was the only person who gave him the hard truth. That being a great babysitter wasn't the same as being a great dad. The kids were already in their pre-teens when Steve started looking out for them. Not only that but they were going home to their own parents. Hopper made sure Steve knew it wasn't going to be easy. That he was going to have to make tough calls and be the bad guy every now and again. Hopper shared everything he knew about being a father with Steve. In the process he apparently got to know Steve well enough to see through him.

"Well, of course I like her she's my friend."

"I sure as hell don't look at my friends like that."

"I wasn't looking at her like anything-"

"Kid, you were looking at her like the sun shone out of her ass."

"First of all I'm not a kid. I'm almost thirty, I literally have a child-"

"Don't change the subject. You like her, I'm just wondering why you haven't done something about it."

"It's complicated Hop."

"It's not complicated, you're making it complicated. I'd say you should make a move before someone else does but something tells me she wouldn't be so easy to approach when she's not already head over heels for a guy."

Hopper begins walking away while Steve speaks up. "She is very easy to approa- wait what do you mean head over heels did she say something?"

"No but she had the same dumb look on her face that you did all night."

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Later, when Robbie is asleep and Steve is putting away his toys, he lingers on the stack of pictures Jonathan gave him before he left. Sifts through them until he lands on the one he took when Robbie saw your drawing.

The Robbie bird. Steve examines the picture. Tries to burn it into his mind. The boy just looked so happy. Huge smile, and bright eyes.

He thinks about what Hopper said. In that moment Steve realizes the risk he was planning to avoid is one he’s desperate to take.

[cherry-smokes]

missing dad steve rn

I miss that guy too. I’ve been fighting for my life this week but I promise. Dad Steve. Is in the drafts. Chapter three completed. Just needing a little proof read and hopefully I’m releasing him back to you soon. My goal is to send it as soon as I can catch just a little itty bitty moment of peace and quiet. 🤩🤩🤩

[cherry-smokes]

Birdie is a Spencer Reid variant. Just thought I would put that out there.

[cherry-smokes]

My Strange Lady ch. II

Steve begins to learn more about the strange woman who works at the local library. He might even be beginning to call her a friend. ch. I Paring: Single dad!Steve Harrington x oddball!reader Word Count: 3.1K Note: this is a reader insert, I just don't really use y/n in my work so instead the reader goes by the nickname Birdie here. Also, a slowwwwww burn. Sorry y'all I love to yearn.

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The library garden is beautiful. Steve had never really bothered to check it out before. It’s a small thing. Two benches with a few small trees and flower bushes. There’s a small swing set as well. It’s sun bleached and Steve is willing to bet it creaks like crazy. The trees are decorated with bird houses. Simple ones, probably a little unstable but the wood is engraved beautifully. He can’t help but wonder if you had anything to do with that.

All last night Steve’s tossing and turning had nothing to do with the looming distress that came with loving someone more than yourself. Instead, his mind was clouded with ideas of you. He could hear your bird call in his dreams. The way his name slipped from your lips as if you had known him much longer than you really did. He can’t help but feel that you might be that kind of person. The kind that immediately knows everything someone is hiding behind their eyes. He wonders what you might have seen behind his.

He can’t tell if that fills him with dread or excitement.

As he walks hand in hand with Robbie, approaching you on one of the benches, he thinks it might be excitement. You’re wearing a long skirt today. Big worn leather boots and a tube top along with another cardigan. You must get cold easily. He wishes he could will the cool breeze to stop for you.

“Hi Miss Birdie!”

You look up from your lap revealing a sketchbook where you’ve begun drawing a bird.

“Good morning Robert.”

You look behind the child and right at Steve. You stare for a bit and he thinks you might be checking him out. He feels himself stand a little taller, shoulders rolling back with a small rush of confidence.

“Good morning Steve. There’s a stain on your shirt.”

Not checking him out, got it. He looks down and finds a rogue ketchup stain from the hash browns they had that morning. He was so caught up on making sure Robbie didn’t ruin his nice outfit he hadn’t even looked at his own.

“Oh sh-ooot.”

You lean over into your bag. You’re starting to remind him of Mary Poppins with that thing, even more so when you pull out a small pack of wet wipes. "I get stains all the time." You hand it over to him and he gives you a small nod as a thank you. Robbie takes it upon himself to sit right next to you. Pressing against your side and looking past your arm at your drawing.

“What kind of bird is that?”

“It’s a Robin. There was one on that branch over there a bit ago. It left. Maybe it’ll come back.”

Robbie begins giggling. He leans into Steve’s side when he finally joins them on the bench, wet wipe shoved into his pocket.

“What are you laughing about bud?”

Robbie covers his face like he’s about to share a secret. It wouldn’t be a good one considering how loud he says it through his giggles.

“It’s a Robbie. It’s a Robbie bird.”

“It’s a Robin.”

Your voice lacks any malice. Like you’re genuinely convinced the kid just heard you wrong. Robbie just shakes his head no.

“I’m gonna call it a Robbie bird.”

You look perplexed. Eyes moving back and forth from your drawing to the kid.

“Okay.”

The boy just giggles louder. Steve notices the way you can’t help but smile a bit too. It’s contagious, he knows the feeling.

Eventually Robbie does grow bored of bird watching. Which apparently to you, means waiting for birds to come around so you can watch them. The boy runs off to the creaky swings, leaving Steve alone with you.

“I’ve never been out here. You were right it’s nice.”

You don’t look up at him as you finish up your drawing. You reach up to the tree behind you both and pull a small berry from it. Crushing it on the bench to rub the pigment onto your page. It shades the Robins chest a dull red.

“I know it is.”

He’s hitting a dead end here. He thinks for a second you might not be interested in talking to him but you glance at him like you’re expecting him to continue the conversation.

“Do you come out here often?”

He regrets the words as soon as they leave his mouth. They sound more like a bad pick up line than a genuine question and he technically already knows the answer. You at least come every Sunday morning. He’s sure you’ll tell him that too.

“Sort of. The first two weeks I was working here I spent inside rebinding all the damaged books and reorganizing some of the shelves. Deborah’s got me up front now, I think she wants to retire soon.”

Well. That kind of answered his question. He thinks.

“Would you take her job if she did?”

You shrug.

“Well, do you like your job?”

“I like the clicking sounds the keyboard makes. I like this garden, and the shelves look much nicer than they did before I fixed them...I think I like parts of my job.”

Steve nods.

“I think I get what you mean. I kind of feel the same way.”

“Where do you work?”

He leans back into the bench. Making himself a little more comfortable as he keeps an eye on Robbie.

“Uh, the hospital.”

"Are you a doctor?"

"No I uh-I work the front desk."

“Like a receptionist?”

He breaths out through his nose. “Yeah. Like a receptionist.”

It’s not what he expected to be. He knows it’s not the most impressive job. It doesn’t really scream ‘I’m financially stable and successful enough to provide for two people and maybe a third if anyone is interested!’

“Hm…I wonder what sound your keyboard makes…”

He’d like to start looking at you with a look other than confusion on his face. The more you talk to him the further from that goal he gets.

“What parts do you like about your job?”

He really thinks about it. He shows up doesn’t he? He hasn’t gone totally insane sitting behind the desk so there must be something.

“Uhm…well I like…talking to people. Most of them show up in bad moods, or in pain. It’s nice to try to make them feel better I guess. I know I’m not the one helping them but it’s nice to at least send them to the right door. Plus the kids always get super excited when I pull out the candy jar.”

You hum. For a moment you don’t say anything. Sitting in comfortable silence. Which Steve has never enjoyed, there’s nothing comfortable about silence to him. He feels it in this moment though. He hears the breeze, the creaky swing set, and the sound of pencil against paper.

“What does Roberts mom do for work?”

Suddenly the silence is daunting again. He doesn’t want to tell you about how much of a mess that part of his life was. He loved Mandy-Amanda. At least he thought he did. After she left he realized that wasn’t the kind of love he was looking for. Amanda was a lot like the people his parents like to hang out with. Steve felt like he fit in with her well enough until he realized he wasn’t fitting in, he was shoving himself into a suit that wasn’t his size. Then she got pregnant and he thought that maybe they could make something work. Amanda and Steve weren't totally different. You could say they came from similar backgrounds. While Steve tried to avoid becoming his parents by raising Robbie differently, Amanda avoided becoming her parents by not becoming one at all. He’d be lying if he said he wasn't still angry at her. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t understand why she left too. Love is weird.

“I’m not sure.”

You catch the look in his eyes. Steve thinks his theory was right when he sees the way your own soften. Like you know everything he’s trying to avoid saying, and you’re letting him believe you don’t know otherwise. You pretend you’re changing the topic for your own sake and not his.

“Before I moved here I had this friend. Well kind of. We spent a lot of time together at least. I knew a lot about her. She talked a lot. I never knew what she did for work though. I convinced myself she worked at a salon because her hair always looked nice and she was always giving me recommendations of what to do to my hair but she could have just been really into hair. Who knows.”

“Why didn’t you ask her?”

You shrug. “It never came up.”

“You still talk to her?”

You shake your head no. It doesn’t seem to bother you the way it would bother him.

“Don’t you get lonely?”

“No, I’ve got Theodore. He’s great company.”

He should have known you had someone. That’s always how it goes right? Steve starts making up this fantasy in his head that maybe he still has a shot at meeting someone special and then they hit him with the whole ‘my boyfriend would love you! Please come over for drinks so you can witness what true love looks like!’ thing.

“Oh! How long have you been together?”

“Two years. I think he might be getting lonely though. I’m thinking about getting him a friend.”

Steve wouldn’t need you to find him a friend. He can make his own. He’s a grown man. What’s Theodore doing with his life if he’s sending you out to find friends for him?

“Can’t he do that himself?”

You look at him like he’s an idiot. “There aren’t really rats in my apartment for him to find Steve. Unless they’re hiding in my walls.”

“Theodore’s a rat? Like…a real one?”

You nod your head and reach into your bag once more. Pulling out various objects before settling on a small stack of Polaroids of Theodore. The rat. He’s dark brown with black beady eyes and pink ears. He’s honestly kind of ugly, though Steve doesn't have the heart to tell you. He can’t wrap his head around why someone would want a pet rat.

“Of course you have a rat.”

“I don’t understand what you’re trying to imply but I feel like you’re trying to imply something.”

He’s glad you don’t seem to get offended easily, you have this air of confidence around you that he’s kind of jealous of. “I just mean that you don’t seem like the kind of woman who would have a conventional pet.”

You smile at him like he just told you the ground you walk on is golden. “Thank you Steve.”

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Steve and Robbie have begun a nice routine with you. Weekends are being spent at the library and Steve can’t complain. Not only is Robbie tearing through books like never before, but he’s also gotten to know you better.

You get cold easy, as he guessed. Your best friend is your rat. Who you adopted on a whim whilst at the animal shelter. Originally you had gone in looking for a cat. However, you felt terrible thinking that Theodore would never be adopted and that he was probably terrified being surrounded by so many predators. Birds aren't the only think you know too much about. You know everything. It doesn't matter what random comment Robbie makes, somehow you're able to turn it into a full conversation. Steve loves it. He never cared too much for school but he thinks he would have been valedictorian had you been teaching him instead.

You've become a friend. A constant in not only Steve's life but Robbie's as well. Which is why Steve was quick to agree with his son about inviting you to his birthday party on Friday. He was in the middle of making the invitations. With Robins help, although she was mostly just sealing the envelopes. The invitations are a formality. Everyone who matters already knows when to show up. Most of these are going to be handed out to Robbie’s classmates tomorrow anyways.

"Dad! Can we make one for Miss Birdie!?"

"Of course we can, I don't have her address but I could drop it off at the library tomorrow before school okay?"

His son nods enthusiastically, messing around with his crayons as he doodles on some of the invitations. Adding his own personal touch to them.

"Who's Miss Birdie?"

Steve realizes now that he's had you all to himself. Well, him and Robbie have. He's kept his friendship with you private. He'd like to think it wasn't intentional but it kind of was. He couldn't help but notice that his feelings have become a little more than friendly. His chest tightens when he thinks about you. It's worse when he sees you. He finds you so endearing. The way you disarm him, how honest you can be without any fear of judgement. When he's typing away at his work computer all he can think about is how you like the sound of your own. How maybe you're both typing at the same keys in different places. When he sleeps his heart aches at the thought of you sleeping under the same moon, hoping that you're warm under piles of blankets. If he so much as mentions you he's scared Robin will see the way his pupils practically turn into hearts. He hasn't felt this way since he was a teenager.

"She's our bird watch buddy!"

"....since when do you guys watch birds?"

Steve sets the invitation he was working on aside. "We started a while ago. Miss Birdie runs it, she works at the library and Robbie wanted to join her club."

Steve is grateful that his son has the same affinity for talking as his aunt because Robbie takes the attention off Steve as he begins telling her everything he's learned about birds from you. Robin is so busy entertaining her nephew she doesn't see Steve's smile as he writes out your invitation.

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The next morning Steve wakes up late. In his rush to get Robbie dressed and fed he overlooks his own appearance. Robbie looks as presentable as ever. Hair done neatly, a nice long sleeved stripped shirt and little overalls. Steve however, pulled on whatever wrinkled sweater he found in the clean pile he had forgotten to fold and his tried and true jeans. He forgoes his own breakfast as he rushes to put some Eggo's in the toaster for his son. It isn't the most nutritious breakfast so he packs a few extra snacks in Robbie's lunch box to make up for it. He can't help the guilt that eats at him this morning.

The guilt dissipates, if only a little as he walks Robbie up to his classroom. Just in the nick of time. Robbie is flustered as his dad gives him a hug and a kiss on the forehead.

"You won't forget right? You're gonna go right now?"

"Yes Robbie, I pinkie swear I will drop the invitation off right now."

Robbie furrows his brows as Steve holds out his pinkie. He interlocks his small one with his fathers as they both lean in to kiss their thumbs.

"See. I promise. I love you, be good today okay?"

"Mhm, love you dad."

Steve knows stopping by the library will make him late for work. He tells himself he'll do it anyways because a pinkie swear is sacred. Technically, Robbie would never know whether Steve dropped off the invitation before or after work but he has morals okay! It totally isn't because he thinks seeing you might make his morning a little less shitty.

If that was the case he would have been right. His day somehow feels brighter when he walks in and sees you standing by one of the shelves. You're in your own world, too busy neatly organizing the books to notice him until he's right by you. You don't flinch, but you do a double take and suddenly you don't look so stoic. A soft smile decorates your face when you realize its him. It makes him all gooey inside.

"This is new."

He looks down at himself. Not exactly sure what you're talking about. "What is?"

"You don't usually come in on weekdays. Or without Robert."

You turn towards him now. Books forgotten in the cart behind you.

"Well I'm just trying to keep you on your toes. Can't have you getting bored of us."

Your hand reaches up and suddenly any air of coolness he had is gone. You brush his wild hair down, he remembers he didn't even get a chance to look at himself in the mirror this morning. He can't imagine what his hair must look like if you feel the need to fix it for him. It's been a really long time since someone has touched him like this. He lets you do it until you feel content.

"I'd never get bored of you."

When you become a parent you get used to always being considered a team. An entity. For years now it's been 'Steve and Robbie.' He loves it that way don't get him wrong. Loves his son more than anything, but he can't help but beam at the fact that you said you'd never get bored of him.

"...Oh! Yeah...uhm-well I-I was just stopping by to drop this off."

He sounds like a dork. He feels more silly than when he was striking out in a sailors uniform at the mall.

You take the envelope from his hands. The words 'For Miss Birdie' are written in his neatest handwriting.

"Robbie's birthday is this Friday and we wanted to invite you. You totally don't have to go if you don't want to. It's not going to be anything crazy but- y'know I-we like you and we wanted to extend the invitation."

You look up at him with this look he can't really describe. You hold the envelope like its something precious in both hands and press it against your chest.

"Thank you Steve. I would really like to go. I-thank you."

"Great!" He responds a little too eagerly, he clears his throat before speaking again. "Yeah no, that's great. We'll see you then."

You nod at him and he waves at you before turning around to leave. He looks back at you once to wave again. A second time just to look at you. You've turned back to your books, but you don't move to grab them. Instead you bring the envelope up to your face, covering your smile with it.

Steve shows up to work thirty minutes late. His coworker Sally makes a face at his appearance. "Rough morning?"

Steve smiles as he sits behind the reception desk.

"Great actually."

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[cherry-smokes]

omg when i was younger my dad and i’d get haircuts together and sometimes my cousins would tag along - and one of my cousins - who had very little hair at the time - would insist that her hair be cut too - so the barber man would spritz her head a bit and snip snip around her head to make it seem like she was getting a haircut too… and i feel like that’s steve with robbie and farah fawcett. babyboy wants to be exactly like his dad what do you mean he can’t have thr spray! >x( and bless steve he’ll do anything to keep his boy from frowning!

it’s very upsetting to me that birdie has no cats. maybe she can pick up a stray soon haha (i trust your vision haha just manifesting because i love cats and i’m tickled by the idea of no nonsense birdie doing baby talk at either an impressed or the cuddliest cat)

also i think birdie has a crow. a whole murder of them. they bring her little trinkets and follow her around. robbie thinks she’s a disney princess. steve’s not sure he’s wrong.

(there’s this guy on tiktok who’s living my dream crow life, they wait for him to come come, line the streets to see him off, and i can’t be certain i’m not making this up but i seem to remember the crows descending to protect him against someone/something? either way, would be super cool haha i’d love to befriend a ‘wild’ bird)

very excited for the next part(s) + i love robbie lord! or birdie lore!! i’ll take some stevie too, anything you feed us i’ll peck away at <33

Oh my god that is such a sweet story:’)

Crows are soooooo Birdie coded. Sadly she hasn’t gotten her hands on one as a pet but never say never.

[cherry-smokes]

pwease sir can we have some more of steve and his strange girl? and robbie!! ?

bad twist impression aside, i loved the fic!! so fun!! so endearing!! i love robbie he is so precious and i love his inquisitive little mind and earnest enthusiasm and our girl’s special dynamic with him (already)

i’m picturing birdie with a book on birds for her new pal on sunday and he thinks christmas has come early and she’s like “it’s so you get more out of the club” but she’s secretly very pleased 🥹

birdie has a cat, no?

also steve dresses robbie up sooo cute!! little dungarees and fuzziest sweaters (they match sometimes)!!

sorry these are such random thoughts haha i’m half asleep but soo excited for robbie and steve’s book house adventures ft birdie

I love your random thoughts. This is my version of bird watch club. Robbie lore club. Steve knows how to dress himself so one of the easiest things to do as a new dad was dress his kid. Robbie is his mini me! This applies to the hair too, he’s too scared to go in full throttle with Farrah Faucet spray because he’s terrified the fumes are gonna go to the kids head. He’s been spraying it into his hands and working it into Robbie’s hair that way. Don’t ask him what the science is behind that, it just makes sense in his head.

As for Miss Birdie it is so interesting that you mention a cat because, in either this next part or the third installment that is brewing in my drafts right now….she does indeed have a little companion but I fear….it isn’t a cat.