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magenta-embers · 2 years ago

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My Jikook Journey

Part 2 of my intro.

From "multi-shipper" to "...wait a goddamn minute."

This will be a messy and detail-lacking overview because I could easily do an individual post on each thing I mention here and delve deeper (AMA!).

When I became an ARMY in 2018, I was excited about the treasure trove of fanfics now available to me. The ship didn't really matter, but my bias was/is Jimin (bias wrecker Tae then) so the very first fic I read was a vmin camping one (there was only one sleeping bag, gasp!). For me, shipping meant I'd read fanfics or save fanart of certain pairs together because in a fictional sense/in another universe, they make a good couple. I think this is a healthy approach, keeping that boundary between reality and fiction.

When I mentioned to my k-pop fan step-sister that I was reading vmin, she gave me a weird look. She said taekook is THE ship of BTS, which confused me because vmin seemed to be closer and have better chemistry than Tae and JK. Turns out, she was right. Searching by most kudos on ao3, you get a shit ton of taekook. I accepted it readily and just thought I must be missing something since I was a baby ARMY, so I read those super popular fics and started to enjoy taekook too. I started to focus more on them because... it felt like that was what I was supposed to do.

It's a common problem, isn't it? Baby ARMY who are open to shipping are quickly found and "guided" to taekook before they have a chance to glance in another direction. If they try, taekookers, who are the majority in the shipping sphere, will convince them that taekook is THE ship. Even if they aren't ARMY (my step-sister), they know that much. As a new fan, you just want to fit in, so you'll go along with what's most popular. Some people eventually find their own way, but many don't. Asking questions is vital, but if you do it aloud, you risk getting attacked by a small but extremely aggressive portion of the most infamous fanbase.

Even back then while just innocently reading any well-written fic I could get my hands on, I noticed that Jungkook was usually portrayed as a lot edgier and darker than he really was (manifested the 2023 JK aesthetic) and Taehyung was constantly portrayed as... Jimin. Especially in fan art. For some reason, a lot of the time, the appearance/vibe/personality of Taehyung was truer to Jimin than to himself, and that confused me. "Why not just make it Jungkook x Jimin?" I kept seeing them trying to force Taehyung into the dynamic that Jimin has with Jungkook when their own dynamic was perfectly fine.

Slipping down the pipeline, I started to watch taekook moments/analysis videos because I thought gotta be missing something, right? That's how I found out people are convinced they're dating, and it wasn't just a fun fic/art thing. The videos themselves were... something. There were just way too many red circles, too much slow-mo, and too much mind-reading going on for me to take any of it seriously. Plus, the moments that weren't exaggerated were just close friend skinship. Hell, Taejin were doing more sus shit together than taekook.

And yet people insist on taekook even when taekook do nothing to insist on themselves.

At this point, it was deep into 2019. Jikook were wilding in 2019. Even I was noticing all the... little things that made me raise an eyebrow. The touches that lingered just too long in rather intimate areas, the fond/awed looks at each other, the shameless flirting, the complete lack of physical boundaries, and the normalness of it all between them. That's telling. Even though I was mainly a taekooker with a shit ton of fanart and fics saved to my phone, if you looked at my liked YouTube videos around that time, I had jikook moments videos saved, not taekook, because their moments were just more fun/juicier to watch overall. They just interacted differently than they did with other members.

A quick example would be a video compilation of taekook holding hands. Sure, they're holding hands, maybe even interlocking fingers, but they're usually standing side by side and looking in different directions or just having a neutral expression. But if you watch a jikook one, not only is it much longer, but it's just different. I feel like I'm interrupting sometimes. Even in such a simple action like holding hands, there's a softness, an intimacy there that doesn't exist in taekook. Jikook wouldn't just be holding hands (usually for absolutely no reason), they'd be looking into each other's eyes, smiling sweetly, fully turned toward each other, attention completely captured by the other. How can I explain the look in their eyes? It just doesn't exist with vmin, yoonmin, jihope, etc.

Sidebar: All of those pairs have flirty/sus moments as most really close friendship dynamics do, but they're lighthearted to me and never invoked a true sense of.... whoa whoa whoa, hang on. If Jungkook and Jimin were my close friends IRL and I saw the way they are together, my alarms would go off. As either, "Oh my god, they're fucking," or "Oh my god, they wanna fuck each other." People always say, "Oh, Jimin's like that with everyone." No. No, he's not. Pay attention. Really pay attention to the differences in the dynamics between members. None of them have the "same" relationship. Especially pay attention to how the rest of the members react to Jikook.

Anyway,

So here I was noticing this... deeper intimacy in simple interactions with those two (because I'm a human being with eyes and life experience), and yet my Twitter timeline would just dismiss them entirely. "I love their friendship," "Wow their brotherhood is so beautiful," and "They're all so close," and normally these statements wouldn't bother me because technically they're true, but I started noticing that taekook or yoonmin would brush shoulders and everyone would be like, "Omg taekook/yoonmin married/boyfriends/real," over nothing. Their moments are cute/sweet/funny, but never more than that. The blatant hypocrisy did frustrate me a little, but ultimately I didn't overthink it; I didn't want to be delulu or look too deeply into anything because I still thought I must be missing something. Taekook is the most popular for a reason, right? Right?

But Taekook died for me when Tae told Taekookers to get out of their imagination. I respected that from him and took it at face value. It was the most aggressive shutdown of shipping we've ever had. I couldn't brush him off. It's disrespectful. He's uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, over the next couple of years, Jungkook and Jimin only got more suspicious in the minor interactions and in the big staple moments. Rosebowl. Hickeygate. Etc. Everyone was bending over backward trying to explain away the things these two did with each other, and it's always the same excuses. I was also trying extremely hard to think of any reason other than the simplest one because I didn't want to be delulu.

Because there was no way two members of a boyband were actually in a long-term relationship together. Especially in a conservative country.

Ridiculous. Unrealistic. Delulu.

I was basically telling myself in a mirror that they were just extra super duper close friends with muddy boundaries that meant sucking ears and giving neck hickeys was okay. I did allow there to be the thought that, maybe they're friends with benefits and that unavoidable intimacy now bleeds through into their regular interactions.

That opinion carried until 2023.

Isn't that funny?

2023.

The year so many jikookers gave up and bemoaned that those two weren't close anymore or had broken up is the year that finally convinced me.

What tipped me over?

Jungkook's vlives.

The way he kept watching videos of Jimin when he could just phone him. It reminded me of me watching Jimin, but I'm just a fan; I watch those videos because it's the only way I can appease my yearning to be close to and connected to Jimin, and absorb everything that he does or says or is.

Jungkook doesn't have that limitation, so why's he sitting there like a lovesick puppy with the fondest/most loving eyes when he could have Jimin over with just a call? Why's he sitting there looking like he's also yearning for something he can't have like us, the fans, when he can have it? He has Jimin's number. You don't need to watch yourself tease Jimin. You can just go do it. Just text him, bro.

It felt like he just wanted to bask in Jimin without interruption, without distraction, without having to force his attention elsewhere. Beyond being incredibly sweet, it also felt like Jungkook was making a statement, a point, because he kept doing it. Why? Is he somehow obsessed with his friend and bandmate whom he's seen almost every day for over a decade? If it was to promote him, he really didn't have to do all that? He didn't do it for the others, not to that extent.

Watching Jimin, talking about Jimin, singing Jimin's songs, fkn playing Letter on guitar. (The naked vlive flirting session? Lord, what.)

The man kept having vlives with a significant Jimin focus. He insisted on it enough times that it felt like he was trying to slap some sense into me. His insistence bothered me enough for me to finally do a deep dive into jikook.

Down the rabbit hole, I went. The more I learned, the more my jaw dropped. Where the fuck was all this info on my timeline when these motherfuckers were celebrating the most basic kpop boy interactions as if they were wedding vows? I even ended up seeing pictures/info we as fans were never meant to see at the bottom of that hole. If you know, you know.

Eventually, I ended up on this video (bless this fucking channel).

youtube

I want everyone to understand that I had zero knowledge of established relationship timeline theories. I went into this video blind, just trying to find the point in time when JK started to warm up to Jimin. That's not what I found. I found something so much better.

Especially 2013-2015 had me in awe. I think I cried. Jimin and Jungkook had a fattest, cutest mutual crush on each other. Absolutely. And because they were young, not that famous, and still rookies with media and camera training, we get a lot of insight into those two that we wouldn't get in later years when they learned how to mask and behave more "idol"-like. Jimin was especially loud, almost sadly loud. If you haven't watched the timeline of at least those early years, I implore you to. It actually blew my mind and broke/healed my heart. It's really bittersweet to see two teenage boys with little to no experience in anything romantic trying to come to terms with themselves while also coming to terms with each other. It's like watching a coming-of-age romance movie.

I saw clear shifts from when the relationship hit turning points in certain years. I proposed a timeline in my head based on that. Imagine my fucking surprise when I found out other people have also come up with timelines, and more surprising yet, they were all unbelievably similar to mine, down to what changed in what half of the year. I, who had no previous knowledge that this was even a thing. I just noticed it all on my own. We were all seeing the same thing. The same changes. No red circles, no slow-mo, no mind reading. It's all in the body language.

I panicked a little because overall it seemed too good to be true, so I reached out to a taekooker friend to send me her best evidence videos and receipts because I just had to make sure I wasn't going totally delulu here. I needed to see that the other biggest ship had interactions and moments on the same level with that same consistency, maybe even their very own relationship timeline to bring me back down to Earth. But... there's nothing. Really, there's nothing between taekook. Not one moment where I was like, oh? You'll find hours-long jikook content videos that are absolutely jam-packed with content, significant content, but that sort of depth just doesn't exist for taekook. Instead, you get conspiracy theories.

I watched most of the videos on that best of jikook channel and several other staple channels. It wasn't as if I bought into everything presented. I still rolled my eyes at many things that were blown out of proportion by some creators, and jikook isn't free from red circles and slow-mo and bullshit. And yet, I was still overwhelmed by the mountain of crisp receipts dumped on my head.

Jikook have much, much more solid evidence supporting the theory that they are together than evidence against it. I took the facts as they are, took my social experiences for what they are, took my psychology background for what it is, and concluded that they are most likely together, probability-wise. At the very least, they are the ONLY pair in BTS that have ANY legitimate possibility of being romantically involved. If jikook isn't real, then none of the other ships have any hope whatsoever, let's not kid ourselves. It's them or none of them.

They also have much, much more evidence that they are together than with any random man or woman you wanna throw at them. There needs to be valuable evidence or a total shutdown for me to tip the scale. I'm going to need Jimin or Jungkook to state, "I am not dating anyone at all," or "Get out of your imagination," or a bighit relationship announcement, or a clear video of lip-on-lip action or very intimate interaction with someone else.

Frankly, I don't give a single fuck about a grainy pic/video when it's 2023 and there's no excuse for that. I don't give a fuck who owns the same vase or cooking pots. I don't give a fuck if either of them hugged a woman. These are not evidence. These aren't even as good as the worst Jikook evidence.

At this point in time, Jikook is still the only viable option with the information we currently have available to us. This is my opinion and I stand by it.

At the end of the day, the thing I want most is for Jimin to be happy. Currently, it seems that Jungkook makes Jimin the happiest (as Jungkook says). As long as that holds true, I'll be here. If that changes at some point in time, I'd accept it.

But until that day comes, what the fuck else am I supposed to think?

#Jikook

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itsohh · 1 year ago

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QWERTY Part 1

A/N: Female reader. This is the start of uh this enemies to lovers but also lovers to enemies series around Price and Makarov. Its going to be mainly resolving around some of the events of MW3.

Summary: One night Price meets a woman at his favourite bar. Plauged by the aspects of her new job she finds comfort in his words. It isn't until years later that he truly realises what that job was.

Word count: 588

Warnings: none

AO3 Masterlist Part 2

ENGLAND 2017

In some ways, one could describe John as a regular at the bar. Yet, it wouldn't be quite accurate. For one to become a regular they would need to actually come on the regular. He didn't though, his job didn't allow him. The closest thing he could be called was a non-regular regular. Despite that, he had never walked in and seen anyone on his bar stool. Perhaps it was a miracle or something behind the scenes but no one took that spot.

Well, until that moment.

John walked in and found his way to the seat next to the woman who had stolen his unofficial seat. She didn’t seem to be in a good mood. Her body was hunched over and her face pressed into the wood of the bar. In her hand was an almost empty glass. It had a few cubes of ice inside but aside from that a small ring of water that had melted away was left.

Price rarely spoke to anyone let alone a stranger but something compelled him to do so as he made himself comfortable on the stool. “Rough night?”

A grunt left her lips and she finally slowly lifted her head and turned her head to look at him. That's when his eyes met her tired eye, your tired eyes.

“Mmm start a new job tomorrow.” You mumbled out.

“I presume it's not a good one then?”

“It's a shit fucking job lemme tell you that.” You let out a sigh. “But someone's gotta do it.”

“Understand that feeling more than you think.” He gestured to the bartender who knew exactly what Price wanted.

“Yeah? Got any advice then?”

“Never forget why you do it. Find whatever keeps you going and keep that close to your heart.”

Your head tilted as you absorbed the information. “I'll keep that in mind.” You looked to the bartender as they fixed Price his drink. “It's on me.”

John raised a brow but didn't refuse. “Payment for the advice.”

You ran a hand through your hair and turned towards him with your entire body, your arm leaning on the bar top. “What brings you here alone?”

“Football game.” He gestured to the TV above the pair of you with his head.

“The one that got rained off?” Your voice was slightly amused as he looked up to get a proper look just in time for the adverts to finish playing and see the announcement at the bottle of the screen while the commentators spoke.

“Of bloody course.” He swore under his breath but didn't move to leave.

“There's always the next time.” You shrugged and gave him a look of pity.

“Next time I'll be working.” He huffed.

Your face straightened out and hardened at his words. “I understand that.”

“Busy job?”

“Crazy hours. I'm not thrilled about it.”

“Could always change careers.” He offered.

You shook your head immediately. “Nah that option long since left the table. You gestured for another drink. “Nope. There's no backing out of it.” You took the glass and waved your card to pay for both of the drinks.

“Contract?” He raised a brow.

“There's too much at stake really. I'll adapt eventually I just ah. It's one of those jobs that you get and you just know your life's never gonna be the same.”

“I'll drink to that.” There was a heaviness to his voice and you nodded. The pair of you lifted both of your glasses and together as complete strangers, you drank.

#cod x reader #mw3 x reader #john price x reader #modern warfare 3 #call of duty

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jaytodd1129 · 1 year ago

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It's literally killing me that there's nothing on the Malcolm Reynolds & Simon Tam, Father-Son tags on AO3. BUT IT'S SUCH FERTILE LAND FOR FIC TO GROW THO!!

Are you TELLING me nobody else has unresolved daddy issues you'd like to work out through Simon being the stubborn but brilliant, overanalyzing, neurotic gotta-be-10-steps-ahead-cause-nobody-gives-a-shit-about-us doctor of the crew that is always on survival mode cause he quite LITERALLY was abandoned by his own father in his greatest moment of need? And not only that, REMEMBER WHEN JAYNE DOUBLE CROSSED HIM AND RIVER IN ARIEL?? and we all expected him to go bezerk or at least look betrayed?? But instead he was all cool calm and collected and YES that is in part because of his work ethic and because of Who He Is As A Person (not a person that abuses his position of power over someone more vulnerable).. but... what if it's also because.. he never expected anything different? Like.. just think about it. If his own DAD doesn't give a shit about him and River...who would? So maybe that's just him being kind of resigned too?? To something he accepted long ago. He doesn't have any of Mal's outrage, he doesn't have his ire, because unlike Mal, he never expected anything different.

Maybe that's also why he's unable to effectively bond with Kaylee despite having feelings for her. Cause it's been him and River against the world for so long in his mind, that every time his feelings try to cross that line towards Trust Territory, alarm bell start ringing in his head.

This is obviously gonna lead to Simon and Mal to butt heads because as Mal is captain of the ship, his position demands--you guessed it!-- TRUST from his crew. Trust that he'll lead the way somewhere safe, trust that he'll look after everyone with his decisions. And Simon..well he just can't do that (there's too much at stake).

And at first it just drives Mal crazy to the point he probably kicks the siblings to the curve a couple of times (like we saw in Firefly, like we saw in Serenity) not out of cruelty, but because he's never been one to keep someone who doesn't want to be kept (just ask Inara).

Speaking of Inara, maybe she's the voice of reason (as she tends to be) that eventually makes Mal see beyond Simon's insubordination, and see that he's not trying to be difficult, deep down he's just a kid, scared shitless, all alone in the world. But..he's not, says Mal. Sometimes that's just hard to feel for some people, shrugs Inara. At first, Malcolm protests against this like, I have too many responsabilities looking after this ship to care for the doctor's precious feelings, too! Inara throws her hands in the air like, This is why nobody ever talks to you about these things! Mal is offended at the implication that ANYONE in his crew keeps things from him, he squawks WHat things?!?..and it turns into the Mal&Inara regular show.

But it plants a SEED in Mal's head, see, and now every time Simon objects against something being done, instead of seeing some churlish display of disobedience, he sees the anxiety, the undercurrent of fear that is there.

Maybe he goes to Simon's quarters at one point and realizes he's hardly unpacked and he's like...shit. it's worse than I thought.

Feral Simon with daddy issues and an attachment disorder is what I want!!

#firefly #firefly 2002 #firefly tv show #simon tam #malcolm reynolds #inara serra #serenity

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writing-until-i-drop · 10 months ago

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What's In A Name? Chapter Ten

Meg Harding and Kate Carter were inseparable until their friends died five ago, then she ran to New Orleans to save lives as a paramedic. But when Javi calls on his two oldest friends to help him collect data, counting on their matching natural instincts for tornadoes, Meg goes home for the first time in years. That's where she meets Tyler and the rest of the Wranglers, the YouTube storm chasers her dad likes to watch, and finds herself fitting in more with them than with Storm PAR. Meg only plans to stay for the week but will it be easy to leave when the dust settles?

If a certain cowboy has a say in it, nothing about leaving is going to be easy.

A/N: It's time to say goodbye.

AO3 Link

Previous Chapter

Meg came to with a groan, pain radiating through her body. Her first instinct was to reach for Kate, who was also starting to wake up.

“Are we dead?” Kate grunted.

“You in pain?”

“Yeah,” Meg chuckled, wincing in pain.

“Not dead yet. Can you undo your harness?” It took a few minutes but they managed to release themselves. “Crawl out your window but watch out for the glass.”

“I don’t see any-Ow!” Meg’s laugh turned into a cough. “There’s glass.” Kate was halfway out the window when they heard the shouting.

“Kate! Meg!”

“We’re fine,” Kate announced weakly to Tyler and Javi, who helped pull her out the window. Meg was next.

“Wait, I need to get my kit.”

“Screw your kit, Meg,” Javi said as he pulled her fully from the truck. Tyler was hovering over her immediately, checking her over for injuries. Kate was asking if everyone was okay and Meg was relieved to hear that they were.

“Y’all did it,” Tyler was crying. “You stopped it.”

“And this is why we never let you drive anymore, Toad,” Javi used her old nickname, squeezing her hand. Meg smiled weakly at him, seeing for the first time in a long time, her old friend standing before her. “You wreck everything you drive.”

“I plead the fifth,” Her chest ached when she laughed. The harness had probably bruised her ribs. Her mind switched gears, cataloging her own injuries and how they were probably mirrored on Kate.

“Baby, where are you going?” Tyler stopped her when she tried to move. “You gotta stay put until the medics get here.”

“I am a medic,” She reminded him. “I need my bag.” Tyler shook his head, kissing her forehead.

“You’re not climbing back into that truck.”

“Don’t tell me what to do, Arkansas.” The rest of the Wrangles joined them, sharing their love and praise for the two women. Eventually, Tyler agreed to help Meg to her feet, keeping a strong arm around her waist. “I ain’t gonna break, Ty.”

“Baby,” He whispered in her ear, “I thought you were dead. Just shut up and let me hold you.”

“You’re lucky I love you,” Meg leaned back into him but pulled away when she heard him hiss in pain, remembering what had happened before the theater. “Your leg! Tyler Michael Owens, sit your ass on the ground right now.”

“Shit, yeah man,” Boone rushed over, guiding Tyler to the ground. “Doc, how ya feeling?”

“Got my ass shaken like a martini but I’m fine.” Boone barked with laughter,, squeezing her shoulder.

“Got a little too close to that lion now didn’t ya?”

“Just a bit,” She groaned, shifting onto her knees. “I’m gonna grab my bag.”

“No,” Tyler and Javi said together.

“Careful, Meg,” Kate warned with a lopsided smile. “You get these two to start agreeing on things and we won’t be able to have any fun.”

“Haha, very funny,” Javi rolled his eyes. “Meg, sit your ass back down and I’ll get the damn bag.”

“Thanks, Jav,” She sat.

“So, he gets to tell you what to do?” Tyler teased and she shoved his shoulder, giving a heatless glare.

“You want to be invited to that weddin’ Boone’s plannin’ me or do you wanna keep runnin’ your mouth?”

“Wedding?” Kate perked up.

“You told her?” Boone ran a hand through his hair, “You agree with me on the roses though, right?”

“You guys recorded this?” Javi shouted, backing out of the truck. Kate and Meg looked at each other, eyes wide.

“Don’t watch that!” The exclaimed in unison. Javi hesitated.

“But this could prove that what y’all did really worked and it wasn’t just a stroke of luck..”

“Javi, Kate sntached her phone back. “You really want to hear what we thought our last words were gonna be before we died?” He paled, throwing up his hands in surrender. “That’s what I thought.”

“I mean, I’ve got a morbid curiosity.” Boone looked between Meg and Kate, “But definitely not right now.” The girls shared a silent look, agreeing that no one would ever see or hear that recording.

“Ty, I’m gonna get my girl fixed up and then I’m comin’ for that leg, you hear?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Once the doctors cleared them all from the hospital, the Wranglers and Javi made their way to Cathy’s house. Meg was giddy by the time they pulled in the driveway, spotting the extra set of cars next to Cathy’s truck.

“You didn’t,” Kate gasped, recognizing the cars, looking over at Meg who was driving since Tyler was now on crutches.

“I did,” Kate hollered in excitement.

“What did you do, darlin’?” Tyler asked, reaching over the seat to squeeze her shoulder.

“I’ll tell you later,” She giggled, Tyler groaned. The Wranglers all piled out of their cars, Meg honked a few times, alerting everyone in the house that it was time to come out.

“No way,” Tyler’s breath hitched. Dr. Jo and Bill Harding were the first to walk out, the rest of the gang and Cathy following closely behind.

“Thoughts and prayers, Cowboy. You’re gonna need them,” Meg kissed his cheek before running towards her family. “Mama, dad!”

“Hey there, Pumpkin,” Her dad lifted her into the air and Meg knew his back was going to hurt in the morning. “You brought a cowboy home.”

“More like he brought her home,” Her mama kissed her temple, “You okay, sweetheart?”

“Few bruised ribs, couple of scrapes, nothing permanent,” Rabbit stole her away from her parents, draping an arm over her shoulder.

“Not to interrupt the moment, but, Lawrence,” He held out his hand and it was filled with an open bottle of Jack Daniels that he passed to Meg. “I just have to say one thing,” Meg felt a surge of happiness bubble through her. “To the Extreme!”

“To the Extreme!” The original gang, Kate, and Javi cheered. Meg took a swig of the liquor, grinning at the burn.

“To us!” Meg cheered, passing the bottle to Kate, “We did it.”

“We did,” Kate giggled, taking a drink. “We did it for them. We did it for our friends.”

“So, who’s the Extreme?” Ben asked, pen and paper handy at the dinner table. There was a chorus of chuckles.

“The original or the remix?” Haynes asked, pointing her knife between Bill and Meg.

“Bill was the most out of control son of a bitch in the game,” Preacher announced, “Until little Meg over here.”

“I plead the fifth,” Meg laughed, leaning back into Tyler’s chest. “Plus, I still think mama is crazier than me.” Her mama rolled her eyes.

“Are we really telling this story again?”

“It’s a classic,” Joey shushed Jo.

“There was a storm near Delton, right?” Beltzer started, “We were way too close and Jo had her camera out, videotaping the whole thing.”

“Then, this shitty green, what was it?” Lawrence, the only member of the original team who hadn’t been there for the incident, tried and failed to help tell the story.

“A shitty, green Valiant pulls up right in the way,” Haynes picked up where Beltzer left off. “Jo’s yelling and cussing the guy out when-” Rabbit jumped in, taking over.

“This naked loser with a bottle of Jack step out.” Tyler chuckled, kissing the top of Meg’s head.

“Naked?” Ben asked,

“Butt naked,”

“I was not naked!” Her dad defended himself but no one was listening to him.

“Naked as the day he was born,” Her mama kissed Bill on the cheek, “And he strolls up to the tornado and said-”

“Have a drink,” Her dad shouted. “Then I allegedly threw the bottle into the twister.”

“And it never, never, touched the ground,” Rabbit finished with a flourish of his hands. “That’s why we call him the Extreme.”

“And it’s all lies,” Her dad shouted but the gang didn’t let him get away with it, launching into another tirade of overlapping stories.

Once dinner was finished, Meg found herself on the porch, watching as the two teams interacted. Dexter was monopolizing her mama’s time, hanging on her every word. Ben, for better or for worse, was in deep conversation with Rabbit. Her dad and Tyler were sitting just a few feet away, animatedly trading stories and talking about Tyler’s truck.

She wanted to spend every day like that, surrounded by her family and friends, watching them share years of tornado chasing experience. Her phone rang, Nick’s ringtone disturbing the peaceful atmosphere and for the first time in five years, she declined his call. She just wanted to be present in that moment, her heart filled with love.

Tyler glanced over at her and she smiled softly at him, then she crossed the porch and sat beside him, taking his hand in hers.

“Dad, what timeline did you bet on?”

“Five months,” He answered with a grin, patting Tyler on the back when he coughed, choking on air. “Puts us in October.”

“Okay then,” She stood again, kissing Tyler on the cheek. “Tyler, you should probably ask for his blessin’, I’m gonna tell Boone that the roses are out.”

The next day, Tyler drove Meg to the airport, her flight coming in first thing in the morning as opposed to Kate’s later flight.

“I’ll be back in a month,” Tyler kissed her desperately and she met his need. She poured every ounce of love she felt into the kiss, eagerly parting her lips for him to deepen their kiss.

“That’s far too long,” Tyler said between kisses. Meg didn’t want to leave but she knew she had to. She had a job to quit, a partner to say goodbye to, and an apartment to pack up. All things that needed to be done in person. “I’m gonna miss you, darlin’.”

“I’m gonna miss you too, Ty. But I’ve gotta go.” He chased her as she pulled away, kissing her until her lungs burned for air. “Tyler-”

“Don’t go.”

“I wouldn’t if I didn’t have to,” Meg pulled away, pushing at his shoulders to keep them separated. Tyler pouted at her. “This will be good for us.” He grunted in disagreement. “I’m serious, Tyler. We’ve been goin’ fast,” She squeezed his thigh. “A little time, a little space, it’ll give us some clear direction on where this is goin’.”

Tyler looked uneasy all of the sudden.

“You’re coming back, right?”

“You’ll chase me if I don’t,” A smile toyed on Meg’s lips.

“Damn right.”

Fin.

a/n: I cried writing this chapter - I have NEVER written a story from start to finish and I am unbelievably proud of myself. Thank you to everyone who has been on this journey with me, encouraging me with all of your comments, likes, and reblogs. I love you all so so so much!! (that goes double for you, mom) I have a few one-shots in mind for Meg and Tyler but I don't think I'll be posting them soon, if there's any requests, please send me an ask

#tyler owens x oc #tyler owens #twisters 2024 #twister 1996 #twisters #what's in a name fic #glen powell

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hbyrde36 · 11 months ago

Text

Caught in the Undertow

Chapter Four

Ch 1 Ch 2 Ch3 <-

WC: 5778 | R: Explicit | TW: Suicidal ideation, depression | Ch 4/10 | AO3

Eddie laid on the bed, motionless, staring at the wall, listening to the sound of Steve’s footsteps retreating back down the stairs, and felt hollow.

Wrung out.

Like a spectator in his own body, everything was just a little…unreal.

It had all seemed at the time like it was happening to someone else, as if he were watching the night unfold from a distance. Like witnessing a trainwreck. No control of the outcome, and yet he could not look away.

The whiskey had been a mistake, that much was obvious.

But he’d been struggling to keep his happy face on, and Dustin had been watching him a little too closely, and that kid was too goddamn smart for his own good. He was going to catch on eventually unless Eddie did something about it. And then there was Steve—

Steve, who he’d managed to avoid in the chaos of his arrival, who’d posted himself up in the corner and kept his eyes on Eddie like a hawk. Like he knew. Like he could see right through the careful facade Eddie had painstakingly built just for the occasion.

And then again, in the kitchen. Steve couldn’t just let him be, no. Couldn't let Eddie indulge in the one thing that made his continued existence on this planet bearable. He had to poke and prod and worry and fuss—and act like he cared.

Steve… who threatened to break his own bathroom door down to get to him. All because Eddie had been clumsy with a switchblade.

Because he’d been shaking with the force of his own sobs, drunk enough to see double, and when he finally worked up the courage to press that blade into his skin—missed and fumbled, and dropped it to the tile floor.

And Steve—

Steve had known. Whether the sound had been that obvious or he’d put the pieces together because of what Eddie had shouted in the kitchen, it didn’t matter.

And Eddie had let him in.

He still wasn’t sure why he’d done it, or frankly how, his vision so blurred with tears he’d had to find the lock by feel with his fingertips to flip it.

He’d never let anyone see him like that—like this. Hiding the worst of himself even from Wayne, but he wouldn't be able to hide anymore. Too many people had seen his mask slip, had heard what he said, the poisonous truth that lived in his bones, concealed beneath the clothes and the hair, the wide grins, loud mouth, and lunchtime diatribes.

There was a tentative knock on the doorframe behind him.

“Ed?”

Wayne.

Eddie's stomach dropped.

He heard the old man breathe deep, and take a few shuffling steps over the carpeted floor before the bed dipped under his weight. Eddie turned over, eyes sliding up to look at his uncle sitting above him, taking in the familiar sight of his face, the wisps of gray and white hair along his jaw—growing whiter by the year—and the less familiar sight of that strong jaw trembling as he looked down at Eddie in turn.

“I…” Wayne hesitated, as if thinking over his words. “Steve called me.”

Eddie didn’t know Steve even had their phone number, but somehow he wasn’t surprised. Would the other boy ever stop trying to save him?

“Son, I gotta be honest, ‘m scared out of my mind right now. I knew you were struggling with what happened t’ you, but I had no idea…”

Eddie wanted so badly to be able to say something, anything. To fake it, to make an excuse, a joke, to take it all back and tell Wayne he was okay—that he was sorry. But he was stuck so far inside his own head that all he could do was let the waves of guilt wash over him, and the tears start flowing again.

Wayne reached out to smooth the hair back from his face, his cool hand soothing against Eddie’s warm and sweaty forehead. He melted into the touch, letting his eyes slip shut.

It was a while before Wayne spoke again.

“I’m starting back at work tomorrow night, and there’s no way around it. Steve’s offered to have you stay here with him for a while so you won’t have to be alone so much.”

At that, Eddie’s eyes snapped back open and he finally found his voice, though it was weak. “I don’t need a babysitter, I'm not a child.”

Wayne sighed. “No, legally you’re an adult and you can do whatever you want. Even if you weren't, I know you well enough to be sure I can’t force you to do anything, but I am asking—Ed, I’m begging you to stay here and let Steve look after you. I told you back in the hospital, you need people around you that get it. People who know what you’ve been through, and—”

Wayne paused to glance back over his shoulder at the empty hall for a second, lowering his voice to a whisper. “I think that boy might need you every bit as much as you need him.”

Eddie scoffed.

Right. As if Mr. Golden Boy, Savior Of The Universe needed anyone’s help, let alone Eddie’s.

“Just give him a chance. Talk to him, or pick someone else if you want, but you have to start talking to someone.” Wayne rose from the bed, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of Eddie’s head, something Eddie couldn’t remember the man doing since he was little, before moving away. He stopped in the doorway to look back, an overstuffed duffle bag sitting against the bedroom wall near his feet.

“I just got you back. Please don’t… don’t make me bury you, son. It ain't right for a parent to bury their child.”

Eddie was still staring out the open door, long after Wayne had left, when Steve stepped past his line of sight and into the room, set a glass of water down on the nightstand and quickly backed away wringing his hands. He looked exhausted, hair messy and a little flat as though he’d been running his hands through it a lot, and dressed in a pair of old basketball shorts and a faded t-shirt.

“I’m gonna go to bed, but I'm right across from you if you need anything,” Steve said, swiveling to point behind him. “And there’s a… a bathroom up here at the end of the hall.”

Eddie kicked his shoes off and sat up, pushing himself up against the headboard, letting his head rest against it. He stared up at the ceiling, tracking the slow movement of the fan blades as they spun lazily, anything to avoid looking into the other boy’s earnest face. “I’ll stay here for now if that’s what my uncle wants, but that doesn't mean I have to like it, and it doesn’t mean we’re friends now either—got it?”

“Yeah,” Steve breathed, and cleared his throat roughly. “Yeah, Eddie, I got it.”

“What do you get out of all this, anyway?” Eddie asked, his attention still carefully aimed anywhere else. “Need another merit badge to fill out your sash?”

Steve didn’t reply, only reached over to switch the room’s light off, murmuring a quiet, “good night,” as he left, and pulled the door closed behind him.

For three days Eddie holed up in that room.

Steve left him alone for the most part. Never knocked, never tried to bother or talk to him, simply left food and water outside his door at regular intervals like he was an inmate—though Eddie was well aware he was the one who locked himself up, and not the other way around.

They only crossed paths once, when he snuck to the bathroom just as Steve was coming out of it. Steve looked like he’d seen a ghost.

Eddie had actually felt a little bad about that.

He spent the first day in a daze, not doing much of anything but stare at the four beige walls that surrounded him, unable to think of much of anything except the pain in his chest that had nothing to do with his rib.

The following days were better and worse at the same time.

It’d been over a month since the bats, since he’d been dragged back from the brink of death. Over a month of darkness, feeling as low as he’d ever felt, and little by little the fog was starting to lift. He could feel a change happening within himself, and he didn’t know if he was ready to welcome it or not.

He ate and drank whatever Steve left for him.

He took a shower.

Sorely needed after sweating out all the booze, and marinating in it for twenty four hours in his jeans. He’d never seen so many fluffy white towels in his life, and the water pressure truly was something else.

He listened to music again.

Something he hadn’t wanted to do, hadn’t been able to do since he woke up in the hospital. In the bag Wayne brought had been, not only his comfiest clothes, but his walkman, several of his favorite tapes, and the pièce de résistance: his well worn copy of The Hobbit.

He curled up in bed with the familiar comfort of it all and felt… better.

Not good, not great, but better—clearer—more solidly in his own mind and body.

For three nights Eddie listened from across the hall while Steve cried out in his sleep.

Two am, each night, without fail.

Nightmares.

The first night it was easy enough to ignore. Eddie was still stuck in his own head, still stewing. He was startled, yes, but the shouts were short lived, stopping when Steve must have woken himself up. He assumed this was normal for the other boy, no big deal, par for the course after so many years of fighting monsters.

At least that’s what he told himself.

But as the nights wore on it was harder to ignore. The screams would start and Eddie would leap out of bed, stomach in knots, pulse racing as he paced the floor of his room, chewing his fingernails down to stubs until it stopped.

Something changed on the fourth night.

Eddie still wasn’t sleeping much, so he was wide awake when Steve’s nightmare began, but this time, mixed in with the wordless shouts he was used to hearing, was the sound of Steve calling out his name.

Eddie was out of bed and in the hall before realizing he’d even moved, standing right outside Steve's door with his fist raised to knock. He froze mid-motion as the screaming suddenly stopped, and pressed his ear to the wood.

There was a muffled gasp, quiet weeping, more soft utterances of his name.

All at once, any residual anger Eddie had been holding on to, all the blame he’d been placing on Steve’s shoulders, vanished. His heart ached for the guy. Steve clearly had enough of his own problems, slept like shit, and yet still tried to help him, no matter how horrible Eddie treated him in return.

The loud creak of bed springs made Eddie backpedal suddenly, scrambling back into his own room as silently as he could before he got caught lurking in the hall like a creep.

He held his breath, resting his head against the moulding as he listened closely.

Light footsteps crossed the hall, and approached his own door, pausing for a long moment just outside of it. He heard Steve sigh, could almost feel the other boy’s warm breath ghosting over his face even though they were separated by several inches of hollow wood. After another beat Steve walked away without knocking, just as Eddie had done.

Eddie’s shoulder’s sagged as he finally let his breath out, stumbling over to the bed where he sat, resting his head in his hands. The further he managed to crawl out of the black hole he’d been stuck in, the more he could see that he was the only asshole here. Steve was a good guy, who’d done nothing wrong.

And now he had to fix it.

Fuck.

“He hasn’t left that room, Robin. It’s been days, how long am I supposed to wait for him to come around before I start freaking out?” Steve sat cross-legged on the kitchen floor, whisper-shouting into the receiver.

“You’re telling me you're not freaking out now?”

Steve groaned. “Not helping.”

“Sorry,” she said, actually sounding it for once. “He still taking the food and stuff you leave out?”

“Yeah… and we sort-of passed each other in the hall as I was coming out of the upstairs bathroom. He looked… better, I think.”

“Did he say anything?”

Steve pulled the cord as long as it would go, and laid down on the floor, starfishing. “No.”

“He’s probably just embarrassed about getting so drunk the other night. That was a pretty ugly scene.”

“Yeah.”

Robin didn’t know the half of how ugly it had gotten.

He’d called her that night after Wayne left, fully intent on spilling his guts about the state he’d found Eddie in, but when she picked up he couldn’t do it. It felt wrong to share something so… sensitive without Eddie’s permission, to broadcast his worst moment—god Steve hoped that was the worst it got—when he already felt bad enough about intruding himself, though he was glad he did.

He only told her that Eddie would be staying with him for a while. That Wayne was going back to work and worried about leaving Eddie alone all the time. Plus, so many people knew they lived in the trailer park, people who still thought Eddie was guilty, and he worried what folks might do without anyone else around as a witness.

“You know, we never really talked about it,” Robin said, hesitantly.

“About what?”

“Why you couldn’t let him go. Why you fought so hard to save him that night even when it seemed hopeless.”

“He’s one of us, I would have done the same for anyone.” Steve kicked his leg out, tapping his toe nervously along the baseboard. “He got thrown into this thing in the worst way, with no warning, and he was so brave. Dustin is alive because of him.”

“I know, babe. I get that, and believe me, I’m glad you were able to save him. But what about after? You spent as much time in that hospital as Wayne did, even after he refused to see any of us. And now this?”

“I just want to help him. That’s all.”

“You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”

“I know, but… not right now, okay?”

Steve knew what she wanted him to say, but it wasn’t something he’d even allowed himself to look too closely at yet, let alone speak aloud.

He wasn’t sure he was ready to think about why during the week from hell, no matter what else was going on around them, his eyes always searched Eddie out. Why whenever Eddie spoke Steve found his gaze drawn to his mouth, the perfect pout of his lips.

Now wasn’t the time to examine the fact that every day Eddie was in that hospital, Steve had felt like he couldn't breathe until he spoke to Wayne and got confirmation that he was still alive. Or what it meant that no matter how hard he tried not to, his every thought was consumed with the boy upstairs.

It was rare for Steve to get a full night’s sleep.

Since ‘83 he’d been plagued by nightmares of flower petal mouths with far too many teeth, Russian soldiers in lab coats, and giant flesh monsters.

He was mostly inured to it by now, but coupled with worrying over Eddie and his fear that he’d fail in his promise to Wayne to keep his nephew safe, he was even more exhausted than usual.

Steve was running. Legs pumping, arms swinging, running-for-your-life, running. But it wasn't his own life he was in a race against the clock for. He didn’t know why he was so sure something had gone wrong, but his gut was telling him he had to get back to the trailer, his pounding heart screaming at him that he had to make it in time. He had to. In the distance, he finally saw it. A giant swarm of those fucking bats, swirling above a lone figure on the ground like a dark, gruesome tornado. The figure screamed—Eddie screamed, a blood curdling sound that shot through Steve's heart like a lance, splitting it in two. Steve doubled his efforts, forcing his body beyond its limit, but no matter how hard he pushed it was like he was moving in slow motion. By the time he was close enough to do anything to help, the bats had long since taken Eddie to the ground—his arms and legs wrapped up in a few of their tails, pinned down to the dirt as the rest of them ravaged his body. Steve screamed the other boy’s name, still a few steps away but hoping to draw the attention of the bats away from Eddie and onto himself, but it was no use. Somewhere in the back of Steve’s mind he knew this was wrong. He hadn’t witnessed the attack. The bats had been dead, their limp bodies littering the area when he’d arrived at Dustin’s side where he was crying over Eddie. This was a dream. A nightmare. His least favorite one, and realizing that it was in fact a dream did nothing to lessen the horror of what he was witnessing. The very real pain he was feeling as he watched someone he cared about die. Because in this version of events, the only one worse than the reality they’d lived through, there was no amount of CPR that could bring Eddie back to him. “Eddie, oh god. Eddie, no. Eddie!” Steve fell to his knees, took in the body below that was covered in more blood than could possibly be contained in a single human being, looked down into Eddie Munson’s lifeless eyes pointed skyward, and knew that he was gone.

Steve woke with a gasp, tears still wet on his cheeks as he rolled over, pressing his face into his pillow to stifle the cries of Eddie’s name that still fell from his lips.

His head ached, and his body shivered. He was freezing, coated in a layer of cold sweat.

He threw the covers off and practically jumped out of bed, knowing full well he wouldn’t be getting any more sleep tonight, never did after he dreamed of Eddie.

He changed his clothes, quickly peeling the wet ones off and replacing them with warm flannel pajama pants and his favorite sweatshirt. It had a comforting weight, and was overly soft from too many washings.

Venturing out into the hall he kept his steps light, stopping for a minute just outside the guest room door. He wondered if Eddie was awake in there. If Eddie heard him carrying on. If he cared.

What he wouldn’t give right now to see Eddie’s face. Just for a second. To watch the rise and fall of his chest and know he was breathing. He raised his hand to knock but quickly thought better of it. Eddie already hated him. If he was asleep, surely a middle of the night wake up call wouldn’t improve things on that front.

The sun was up.

Birds chirped cheerfully as they flew past the windows.

And Steve had been sitting on the couch staring at the TV screen with the sound turned all the way down for fucking hours, and he was starting to get a little pissed off.

It didn’t help that there was a throbbing behind his eyes that all but promised a migraine.

As usual, and worse because of the nightmare, he couldn't stop thinking about Eddie. Dissecting, over and over, every moment he’d spent in the other boy’s presence since the boathouse, and honestly it was all so confusing and frustrating.

Steve shut the tv off and threw the remote down on the coffee table, hard.

And was Eddie really going to hide out in that room forever?

Or did he just need more time?

Fuck it.

Steve pushed himself to his feet and stormed up the stairs.

Eddie’d had plenty of time, and all he’d done with it was push everyone further and further away. Maybe it was time to try something else.

Breathing heavily, as though he’d run a mile, and with the throbbing in his head still pounding along to the beat of his heart, Steve rapped his knuckles against the guest room door, tapping his foot impatiently on the carpet as he waited to see if the other boy would respond.

Surprisingly, the door swung open only a few seconds later, revealing a sleep rumpled Eddie, wild hair a tangled mess, piled on top of his head, rubbing his eyes as he attempted to stifle a yawn.

“Steve?”

It threw Steve off balance. He’d sort-of expected it to be a fight to even get Eddie to open the door, but maybe in his half-asleep state he’d had a lapse in judgment?

Whatever the case, he took advantage of it and barged right in, pushing past Eddie to pace the floor near the bed. The room wasn’t a mess, but it certainly looked more lived in than Steve had ever seen it, and the sight of Eddie’s things strewn around made his stomach flip and something warm want to settle in his chest.

Focus.

Eddie stood nervously off to the side, watching Steve’s progress back and forth with wide eyes.

“I know you’re going through something awful right now,” Steve began, finally coming to a stop in front of the other boy and squaring his shoulders. “But it’s not okay for you to close yourself off from everyone who cares about you.”

Eddie held a hand up. “Steve, wait. I need to—”

“No. I'm not done,” Steve cut him off. “Do you think you’re the only person in the world who gets depressed? The only one who’s thought about ending it? Sometimes the only reason I can find to get myself out of bed in the morning is that the shit might hit the fan again. But that’s not—”

The dim light of the room suddenly felt blindingly bright. Steve sucked in a breath, wincing in pain as a high pitched ringing sound began in his ears. He raised a hand to his head like he could hold it off, and tried to speak again. “You can’t—”

A new spike of pain brought on a wave of nausea. Steve’s vision swam, and he lurched forward, losing his balance. He braced for a fall but found strong arms wrapping themselves around his waist, a warm chest pressed against his own for a moment as Eddie held him upright, before guiding him down onto the bed.

“Woah there, big boy. Let's sit you down before you hurt yourself.”

No matter that they had more important things going on right now, or how much pain he was in, it was still an effort to ignore the flutter he felt at hearing Eddie call him that again.

Steve took a deep breath, digging his feet into the carpet to try and ground himself. All he wanted was to curl up into a ball until this stupid headache went away, but he needed Eddie to hear him.

He opened his mouth, but lost whatever he was about to say as Eddie took a seat next to him, eyes full of concern, and began rubbing circles into his back.

“Just relax for a minute,” Eddie murmured.

“But—” he started to argue but Eddie gently shushed him.

“I get it, okay? I’ve been a real dick, and you wanted to come in here and tell me off. As you should. But… listen, man. I owe you an apology. More than an apology, and I know it doesn’t exactly make sense but I've been so fucking mad at you this whole time. I know it wasn’t right. You didn’t deserve that, and I'm—I'm sorry.”

“Why?.”

“Why am I sorry?” Eddie asked.

“Why were you mad?”

“You know why,” Eddie sighed. “You heard… and saw.”

Steve bit his lip. “I just want to understand.”

Eddie looked away, taking his arm back from Steve to hug himself. “Please don’t make me say it again,” he whispered.

Another flash of pain like lightning inside his skull had Steve doubling over, hissing, and Eddie's hands were back on him in an instant.

“S–s–sorry,” Steve forced out. “I get these really bad…”

“Migraines?” Eddie guessed.

“Yeah,” Steve breathed.

“Shouldn’t you be lying down then?”

“But, no,” Steve groaned. “You’re finally talking to me.”

“Steve—” Eddie sighed.

He sounded so sad. Steve wished it didn’t feel like his head was splitting apart so he could tell him how much he hated it. How he would do anything to help Eddie feel better if he’d only let him.

“—If you let me help you to your room right now, I promise I’ll still be talking to you later when you feel better. Deal?”

Steve tried to nod, and immediately regretted it, wincing. “Deal.”

In no time Eddie had him tucked into bed with all the lights off, and went downstairs to hunt for painkillers and a glass of water.

Steve was lying on his side, eyes scrunched up tight, just trying to breathe through it all when he heard Eddie tiptoe back into the room. There was a soft pop, and the rattle of pills being shaken out of a bottle.

“Can you sit up?”

Steve let out a whine before he could stop it, and he was so embarrassed, but it hurt. His body felt like it weighed a million pounds and he was beyond tired.

Eddie didn’t say a word, just climbed up onto the bed, gently maneuvering Steve around until he was sort-of half sitting up in the other boy’s lap. A position Steve never thought he’d be in, and he was a little pissed that he couldn't even enjoy it.

Was that something he wanted? To be in Eddie’s lap and enjoy it?

Somehow Eddie managed to both hold him up and reach for the pills he’d apparently laid out on the nightstand, handing them to Steve who was, mercifully, capable of popping them into his own mouth. Followed up with a glass of water which Eddie helped him hold onto, both of their hands wrapped together around the cup as Steve took small, grateful sips.

He expected Eddie to go now that there was nothing more to do but wait for the pills to ease his pain enough to let him sleep it off, but he seemed content to sit there with Steve’s head resting on his hip.

Fingers, tentative at first, found their way into Steve’s hair and began kneading lightly at the base of his neck. He moaned softly, the gentle touch bringing a hint of relief, and again he was fucking mortified at the display he was making, but Eddie let out a breathy chuckle, and his touch became a little more confident, and Steve thought maybe it was okay.

Sometime later Steve woke to an empty bed.

He didn’t even remember falling asleep but judging by the late afternoon sun trying its best to shine in through his window shade, he’d been out for hours, and the searing pain from before had dulled into an annoying but manageable headache.

He rolled out of bed, eager to find Eddie and continue their conversation from earlier, assuming everything he remembered had actually happened and wasn’t some kind of fucked up fever dream, but stopped short of the door, spotting a few more of the pills he’d taken earlier sitting out next to a refilled glass of water. A note scrawled sideways on a loose piece of notebook paper was laid beside it.

For when you wake up.

I’ll be downstairs.

– E

There was something painfully adorable about the fact that Eddie signed the little note when they were the only two people in the house. Steve downed the pills and the entire glass of water, and made his way down the steps.

It wasn’t hard to find Eddie. He just had to follow the music.

There he was, hair like a bird’s nest, dressed in ratty old sweats and a t-shirt with more holes than not, singing along under his breath and headbanging in the middle of the kitchen to whatever song was blaring so loudly from his headphones that Steve could actually make out the individual notes of the guitar riff.

He continued to watch from the doorway with barely contained laughter as Eddie bounced around the room like a madman, moving from one cabinet to another until he seemed to find what he was looking for, pulling a plate out and turning to set it down next to the toaster.

Their eyes met over the appliance.

“Jesus H. Christ!” Eddie shrieked, jumping back with a hand held to his chest. He ripped the headphones from his head, putting them and the walkman down on the counter too. “Stomp your feet or something, would ya? Could give a guy a heart attack sneaking up on him like that!”

Steve grinned, stepping into the room. He had this horrible urge to walk right up to the other boy and wrap his arms around his waist.

Eddie narrowed his eyes. “How long you been standing there, Harrington?”

“I saw nothing, I swear.” Steve threw his hands up.

Eddie huffed, his attention back on his task as he loaded bread into both sides of the toaster.

“So, how’s the head?”

Steve’s face instantly grew hot, and he saw the moment Eddie’s own words hit him, a hint of pink spreading across his cheeks.

“It’s, uh.” Steve swallowed hard, and had to pause to clear his throat. “Much better, thanks.”

Eddie held his gaze, absently running his tongue over his bottom lip. “Good, that’s… that’s good.”

The toaster popped, startling them both, and Eddie rushed to pull the slices out and slid the plate in Steve’s direction. “I hope you don’t mind, I took the liberty of making you my signature dry toast. For the record, I can actually cook, but I wasn’t sure what you’d be able to stomach.”

Steve stared down at the plate and thought he might cry, which was ridiculous but this was... exactly what he needed. “It's perfect. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me, man.” Eddie ducked his head. “You’ve been taking care of me for days. I’m just trying to return the favor.”

They went into the living room together, at Eddie’s insistence, so Steve could sit down while he nibbled his toast.

“Alright,” Eddie blew out a long breath, keeping his eyes forward, looking out the room’s wide windows and picking at the edge of a throw pillow as he spoke. “I said I'd talk, and I feel like you deserve some kinda explanation so—”

“Wait, Eddie. First… you don’t owe anyone anything, okay? But if you want to talk, I’d really like to listen.”

Eddie nodded, still not looking at him. “I’ve always been a little… messed up, I guess? All this—this isn’t new for me. One time, when I was little, before I came to live with Wayne, my Dad got picked up on a drug charge. My mom was nowhere to be found, so CPS put me in a group home for a while. I can vividly remember laying on that bed at night, staring up at the ceiling, hoping I'd fall asleep and not wake up again. It was scary. It wasn’t even that bad of a place or anything. I just… I don’t know. I get stuck in this place where everything feels wrong, like I'm bad, and I'm so alone but I deserve it, and my chest hurts—my skin feels like it’s crawling. I just want it all to stop."

Eddie’s breath caught, and a single tear rolled down his face. He wiped at it aggressively, sniffling. "I’m sorry, I’m sure I sound crazy right now.”

“Not crazy.” Steve slid over on the couch. He wanted so badly to reach out and take the other boy’s hand, but wasn’t sure if it would be too much. He settled for letting their knees brush.

“I’m not always like that, though. Obviously.” Eddie went on. “I enjoy my life a lot of the time, it’s just hard to remember that when I’m in the middle of the shit. I love my friends, and Hellfire, and the band. But then I'll… sink. And sometimes there’s a reason, right? Something shitty happens and I’ll be bummed about it for a while, but other times it just comes out of nowhere.”

“Have you ever thought about talking to someone about it?” Steve asked.

“Like a shrink?” Eddie scoffed, finally swinging his gaze around to meet Steve’s. “I live in a trailer park, Harrington. Besides, I’m not sure I’d feel safe sharing my secrets with a stranger like that anyway.”

Steve chucked. “Ok, I get that. Not a doctor then, but like, Wayne?”

“I couldn’t dump this on him, he does enough for me already. I never wanted him to have to worry, though I guess that ship has sailed.”

“What about me? You could talk about Upside Down stuff if you wanted to, and I don’t know what other deep dark secrets you might have, but after everything I’ve seen, and done, I don’t think there’s anything you could say that would bother me or freak me out.”

Eddie hummed, shifting his body, moving to look Steve full in the face for a long while as he studied it, the length of his leg now pressed up against Steve’s thigh. “And if I said that I was gay?”

Steve felt like he should be more surprised, but mostly he just felt strangely… relieved. And he wasn’t exactly sure what to do with that.

Still, in the months since he’d gotten to know Robin he’d been practicing for this moment. Ready in case anyone he cared about ever came out to him again.

“Then, I would say,” Steve began slowly, and finally let himself grab Eddie’s hand. “Thank you for telling me, and trusting me.”

“Oh,” Eddie breathed, more air than the actual vowel sound.

Steve squeezed his hand. “And it doesn’t change anything.”

Which was true, but also a lie, because it might just change everything.

Eddie squeezed back. “Thanks, Steve.”

Chapter 5

Thanks and love to @penny00dreadful and @pearynice for all your help and encouragement with this.

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katyawriteswhump · 10 months ago

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the freak in the penthouse part 14

E-rated (for sexual content), accidental millionaire eddie/sex-worker steve. On tumblr: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3.1 Part 3.2 Part 4.1 Part 4.2 Part 5.1 Part 5.2 Part 6.1 Part 6.2 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 or search #thefreakinthepenthouse :) On AO3

Sorry, I am so behind posting this here...

...

Chapter 14: love of my life redux

Steve had to deflect, before he blew a gasket. Or did something worse, like crying: “This is doubtless a dumb question. If you guys are loaded, why are you driving to Oregon?”

That took up the conversation for a while. Driving was slightly cheaper, and budgeting was important to the super-savvy Suzie. Plus, she and Dustin enjoyed the drive and hated flying, despite their rational eggheads telling them it was the safest way to travel. They argued that one out with Nancy and Robin, and Steve actually got to doze.

Eventually, they pulled over and got out to stretch their legs. “Isn’t it mind-blowing?” Dustin beamed, arms wheeling theatrically in the direction of Mount Hood.

“The mountain? It’s creepy,” said Robin, tumbling out of the car after Steve. “All squatted on the horizon, like a creepy, crouchy, toady wart. This whole road is creepy.”

“What’s wrong with you?” asked Dustin. “It’s exhilarating! Aren't you mega-relieved to be free of the stinky city air?”

Robin hitched her lip. “I didn't grow up in hick-ville.”

“Woah. Brutal! Excuse me while I go and enjoy the view with the love of my life.”

Love of my life.

Steve slunk off to find a quiet friend-free zone.

Love of my life. Love of my life.

Crap, he’d flipped the hell out at that Extreme cover. Yeah, he was kinda embarrassed about it, though he knew now that he’d already been in pieces and… Jesus, what wouldn’t he give to be watching the clouds misting the mountain with his arm slung around Eddie. The wind ruffled his hair, cut through his thin t-shirt.

‘Love of my life, don't leave me. You've taken my love, and now desert me…’

His teeth gritted against the sob, struggling to the keep the faith in the cold morning light, and then:

“I’m sorry, Steve.” Robin levelled beside him.

“Jesus! If you must yammer on about serial killers and all that cliché crap, will you quit sneaking up on me?” He glared at her, although not with any real intent: “What are you sorry about?”

“Pushing you earlier.” She rubbed his back, and his glare faded further. “Look, whatever you decide to do, whatever happens, I’m here for you, okay?”

“Oh shit, I… I…” This was worse than her pestering him. With a supportive friend at his side… Ugh! He ought to at least try to tough things out. He drifted his focus to the haze around the mountain top, while he tentatively poked the fog around his brain. “I get what Suzie is saying. That I might be… I could be…”

“That you might still be rich after all?”

His stomach performed an unpleasant somersault. “Honestly, Robin? I don’t give a rat’s ass about that.” He swallowed bile. “Okay, I admit, it might make life easier, and I want to say I can handle this. I’ll help take those suckers down. Make ’em eat shit! Truth is, I can’t.” He drifted shaky fingers across his mouth. His whole body started to tremble. “Godchester was one the worst, but… When I think about my mom and dad’s lawyer. He started it all, and… I can’t even think his name. I clamp up. I feel sick. And now… you’re talking about more lawyers that I can’t afford and exposés in the papers?”

“Not necessarily.” She returned to rubbing soothing circles in his back, which didn’t help. Not much, at any rate. “Nancy says we can keep your name from going public. We need to be smart about it. And nobody will expect you to pay for—"

“No! No way!” He swung to face her, raising a forbidding palm. “Look, if we could find Eddie. Maybe if I had that to hold on to I could… I dunno, drag myself back somehow? Arrive in some place where I can deal. Till then… Robin, please. You gotta get them to drop it, okay?”

“Okay. Consider me your personal guard-dog against all mentions of journos and lawyers.” Her softer-than-usual expression segued into a toothy snarl. He snickered, then wrapped his arms around her and rested his cheek on her slightly greasy hair.

Holy crap. What the heck must I look like?

“Christ, Robin. If there’s even the teeniest chance of finding Eddie this morning, we gotta stop and buy some decent hair product.”

…

When they finally arrived at Eddie’s uncle’s house, Steve hung back, leaning on the Volvo. The others trooped to the veranda. It was painted in a pleasant sage-green and cluttered with homey knick- knacks and one of those swingy seats, strewn with patchwork cushions.

Dammit. What Steve wouldn’t give to curl up there and sleep for an age. Preferably snuggled with Eddie.

It started to drizzle, which made the prospect less appealing. Heck, he’d still take it.

Dustin knocked loudly on the door. A few moments later, it opened a crack, and an older guy poked his head out.

“Mr Munson! Hey, is Eddie here?”

“Nope.”

Steve’s hopes plummeted through his sneakers.

“You gotta be kidding!” Dustin ripped off his baseball cap and slammed it back on in frustration. “We’ve driven all night!”

“Well, I’m sorry about that, son. Even if he were here—” Steve’s heart leaped—"I’d tell you to get packing all the same. You’ve messed my boy up enough, and I ain’t talking about it with you, Dustin Henderson. You’re not unwelcome, though.” He unhooked the door chain. “If you and your friends wanna come in to freshen up, that’s fine by me. I got a pot of strong black coffee brewing. Can rustle you up breakfast.”

“That’s very kind, Mr Munson, but we really need to find Eddie. We know the police are after him, and that is why we, his bosom-buddies,”—Dustin’s hands clasped meaningfully to his chest—"are here to help him.”

“Sorry, son. I ain’t budging on this.”

Steve sighed and began to pace. Soon the others turned their backs on Wayne and started back to the car.

“What are we gonna do now?” asked Nancy.

“Hey!” Wayne’s shout cut between them. “Are you Steve?”

Steve froze. “Yeah?”

The door flew wide, and Wayne stepped out, smiling broadly and gesturing that Steve should approach: “You come right in, son. I got no problem talking with you.”

“Oh. Right.” Steve’s fingers and toes began to tingle with the strangest sensations of warmth, hope, and joy. He sauntered up the driveway and past the others—who looked various levels of surprised and pissed—and into Wayne’s coffee-scented hallway.

…

Eddie scribbled madly at his latest design for Vecna’s Doom Quest II. He’d gotten another pencil in his mouth, soggy and gross from where he’d chewed the wood. Dammit, he missed his ciggies, though the nicotine patches helped.

He’d quit. For Steve. Even if he never saw him again. All of this was for Steve.

Eddie’s drawings scattered far and wide across the floor and walls of the trailer. Meanwhile, the autumn rain pattered ever harder on the roof. It vied with Guns ‘n’ Roses’ endlessly awesome guitar riffs that kicked serious ass on his stereo—criminally quietly, because he didn’t want to draw too much attention to his hidey-hole. And he kept drawing, with shaking hands and knotted stomach, and fingers bruising at the endless effort. He was gonna finish these game designs if it killed him.

And then?

He hadn’t a goddamn clue. He longed to get in touch with Steve. Trouble was, he was on the lam and scared shitless. Once he’d beat his inglorious retreat from California—to Wayne, and then to here, their former home—he’d gotten himself stuck again.

Nope. His agoraphobia was nooooot fixed. All that kept him from total meltdown was the goal of earning more money, so Steve would be okay.

After that, Eddie guessed the police would catch up with him eventually.

‘November Rain’ was next on his cassette tape. He hummed along at first, then… Fuck, fuck, FUCK! The lyrics started to get him. He was such a sap these days.

‘I know it's hard to keep an open heart, When even friends seem out to harm you. But if you could heal a broken heart, Wouldn't time be out to charm you?’

Yeah, right. Broken hearts. Shit. Never been his bag before, huh? Dammit, he well fucking knew what that candy-ass shit felt like now.

He shoved a handful of honey-comb cereal straight from the box to his mouth, then inspected his latest design. Admittedly, he was drawing Steve, over and over. No longer shirtless and in hotpants, but in dead cool D and D outfits. Okay, the chainmail vest was kinda crop-toppy, yet had Eddie finally got that mouth, right?

It was sure getting closer.

Maybe he’d get it right on the next try. He needed to upgrade Steve’s weapons, too. Initially, he’d tooled him up with a quasi-medieval longbow to match those slender lips Eddie dreamed of. But if digital-sprite Steve was gonna protect grannies and shit from evil flesh-munching plant-monsters, Eddie figured he’d need some kind of flame-thrower.

Eddie located one of his few remaining blank sheets and started again. As Axl Rose’s lyrics wormed through his head, he pressed so hard into the paper, the led snapped:

‘Sometimes I need some time on my own, Sometimes I need some time all alone. Ooh, everybody needs some time on their own. Ooh, don't you know you need some time all alone—'

Eddie slammed the ‘off’ button. Tears blurred his vision and his face felt hot and puffy. Shit! He sniffed hard. He didn’t want to be alone. And he couldn’t bring himself to leave the trailer. Yeah, he was totally broken, and the only one who would fix him was—

“Holy shit, Eddie. Did you really shut off the only Guns ‘n’ Roses song I actually like?”

Eddie remained on his knees, gawking like an idiot. Steve stood in the doorway, in skin-tight ripped jeans and a baggy white t-shirt, arms raised in question. He slammed Eddie with huge, liquid eyes that doubtless matched Eddie’s own.

“Y-you said you liked ‘Civil War’ too,” stuttered Eddie.

“I said a lot of crap back then.” A tremulous smile played on Steve’s lips, and Eddie kept staring, transfixed. Nah. His drawings still hadn’t nailed them. Nothing could ever beat the real thing. “I never said the one thing that mattered. I’m not just crazy about you. Screw it, I’m in love with you, Eddie Munson.”

Eddie opened his mouth. Words failed him. Was this for real? WAS THIS FOR FUCKING REAL?

“Can I come in? It’s pissing it down out here.” Steve pointed at his sneakers. “Honest, Eds, I’ve already wiped my feet.”

“Shut up and kiss me.” Eddie scrambled up, mindlessly flicked the stereo back on, and they tumbled forward into each other’s arms. They kissed and kissed and kissed—messily, wetly, and truly, madly, deeply, till stars wheeled in front of Eddie’s eyes and the world beyond the trailer fell away.

Yeah, they’d kissed before. This was different. This was new. Eddie took Steve’s face in his hands and Steve mirrored him. Tongues scrubbed together, slickly and sweetly, and their bodies fitted so perfectly together that parting would’ve felt like ripping their skins. Their synchronised hearts drowned the noise of the rainstorm. Even the music could barely compete.

“And when your fears subside, and shadows still remain, oh yeah. I know that you can love me when there's no one left to blame. So never mind the darkness, we still can find a way…'Cause nothin' lasts forever, even cold November rain.”

“I love you too,” murmured Eddie, the salt of their blended tears on his lips. “Never leave me again, Babe. Never.”

...

Part 15 on AO3 Part 15 on tumblr

Thank you for reading. Likes, reblogs and comments much appreciated and will feed the bunnies🐰💕🐰💕🐰💕🐰💕

On tumblr: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3.1 Part 3.2 Part 4.1 Part 4.2 Part 5.1 Part 5.2 Part 6.1 Part 6.2 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 or search #thefreakinthepenthouse :)

On AO3 All my ST stuff on AO3

#steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #sw steve harrington #steddie fic #steve x eddie #millionaire eddie munson #steddie au #thefreakinthepenthouse

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teaberrii · 2 years ago

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Chapter 3: Getting to Know Each Other

After ending a five-year relationship, you pour all your energy into work. Your latest assignment? Staying at a popular bed-and-breakfast to gather information. It should be a piece of cake... If only the owner isn't the man you scolded on the street.

Jing Yuan/You

Notes:

Cross-posted on Ao3

Female reader

Chapter index at the end of chapter one

“Wait.”

You’re on the phone with Herta that late afternoon. You had spent the day walking around town and getting familiar with the area. Eventually, you find a running lane leading you to a beautiful view of the sea. The street lights flicker on. You have a hand in your thin jacket pocket as you update Herta about what happened today.

“You sat next to Birthday Cake Man on the plane… and he owns The Knights Bed and Breakfast? What kind of romantic comedy are you starring in?”

“None,” you deadpan. “But, yeah, I… I can’t believe he owns the place. It’s just…” You sigh. “I never would’ve imagined.”

“And you’re on good terms with his son… And..!” You stop and put your arms on the wooden railing, looking up at the red and blue hues of the sky blending together. “He invited you to dinner! Do I need to go on?”

“There’s more?”

Herta reaches over and grabs some popcorn in her bowl. “He's into you.” Then, she pops one into her mouth.

“...You’re joking, right? He has a son… with Blade.”

“It has to be a misunderstanding. I know that man is straight as an arrow.”

“How are you so sure?”

“Just trust me, okay?”

You turn around and lean against the railing. “Regardless, it’s not going to happen.”

“Why not? Jing Yuan sounds like a great guy. He’s also good with kids. That’s always a plus.” A small pause. “I know you’re focusing on work and all, but if things go well… Why not give it a shot?”

“...I barely know the guy.” You look at your watch. “I gotta run.”

“Keep an open mind!”

“All right, all right.”

You end the call, and you’re about to slide your phone into your pocket when you get a text.

General: Do you need a ride to the restaurant?

You tap your phone against your chin for a few seconds.

Jing Yuan enters his car when his phone buzzes with a message.

Corporal: Sure.

Blade gets into the passenger seat and sees the little smile on his best friend’s face. “What are you smiling about?”

Jing Yuan types something into his phone before putting it into his pocket. “Nothing.”

“You’re hiding something.”

“I’m not.”

Blade turns and sees Yanqing securely strapped in. “What do you think, Yanqing? Do you think he’s hiding something?”

“Mm… Maybe it has to do with Auntie!”

“You’re lucky she’s not here to hear that,” Jing Yuan says. Then, he shifts the gears and backs the car out of the parking lot.

“It’s better than the nickname I heard on the plane,” Blade says. “Corporal? What’s up with that?”

“She’s a corporate woman.”

Blade quietly scoffs. “So… What? Corporate? Corporal?”

“That’s lame,” Yanqing says.

“Yeah… Why not go with Sweetheart like you always do?”

Jing Yuan shifts the gears again. But, before he can answer, Yanqing loudly says, “Because she’s not like the other girls!”

"...Because she doesn’t like it.”

“Well, aren’t you considerate?”

Jing Yuan shoots his friend a look. “What’s with the sarcasm?”

A pause.

"Are you fighting?" Yanqing asks, pouting.

“No.”

Their simultaneous response makes Jing Yuan and Blade glance at each other before one looks back at the road and the other out the window.

Yanqing, still in distress, says, “Even if Dad starts dating… we’ll still be a family, won’t we?”

“Of course, kid,” Blade says. “Besides, it’s a little early to think about them dating.”

“Yeah… Dad still has to make a proper move.”

Blade hides a little smile behind his hand while Jing Yuan gives his son a deadpan look in the rearview mirror. “You’ve been spending too much time with Luocha.”

“Me?” Yanqing says, pointing to himself.

“Who else would be teaching you these things?”

Yanqing looks at Blade, which Jing Yuan notices. Blade glances at his friend and says, “What else were we supposed to talk about on that flight?”

Jing Yuan sighs as Yanqing happily adds, “It was good bonding time!”

You’re heading back toward the bed and breakfast when you see Pom come out of a small grocery. Once he puts away his wallet, he notices you and waves.

“I know it hasn't been a day yet, but I hope your stay has been to your liking so far!”

“It has. But… There’s something I want to ask.”

“Shoot.”

“...Can guests directly contact the owner? For anything?”

“No way! Jing Yuan would go crazy if he did something like that. Heck, I already go a little bonkers, but I love the guy too much. So…”

“It’s the first time I’ve heard an employee say they love their boss too much.”

“Ah… Well…” Pom looks at you curiously. “Before that, how do you know him?”

You and Pom stop on a sidewalk, and you tell him about how you met Jing Yuan. Though, you keep the ex-boyfriend incident at the bar a secret.

“That sounds a little like fate,” Pom says with a laugh. “I mean… It’s too much of a coincidence!”

“Now you know my story. Let me hear a little about yours. Seems like Jing Yuan treats his employees well.”

“Truth is, we’ve known each other long before he started this business. I… owe him a lot, so I’m here!”

Owe him? You want to ask, but you shouldn't as it sounds like a personal matter. So, instead, you say, "He must be a pretty good guy."

The light turns green, and you and Pom start walking across the street. “He is! He’s quite popular amongst the locals, too.”

Then, before you can stop yourself, you say to yourself, “I wonder why he started a bed and breakfast…”

“Ooh, getting curious, are we?”

“The Knights B&B is popular, no doubt. But, I couldn’t find anything about its owner on your website. He seems a little too mysterious.” You sense Pom looking at you, so you turn to him. He’s looking as if analyzing you. “Um, do I have something on my face?”

You and Pom are about to reach the stone villa when he asks, “Why not try taking a crack at him? He looks a little intimidating, but he’s a total softie when he wants to be. It charms all the ladies because he’s”—Pom sighs dramatically and puts the back of his hand on his forehead—“such a sensitive guy sometimes.”

“Jing Yuan? Sensitive?” you ask, not realizing that Jing Yuan and Yanqing are walking up to you from behind. “Maybe when it comes to Yanqing and Blade, I guess.”

“Talking about people behind their backs?”

You spin around and see Jing Yuan in a black dress shirt, but for the first time, you notice how good it looks. His sleeves are rolled up, and the V-neck window to his chest ain’t a bad view either. The fitted grey pants, brown belt, and black shoes make it seem like he’s attending a meeting rather than dinner.

Jing Yuan put his hand over his heart. “I'm hurt.”

“I heard my name!” Yanqing says. “What were you two talking about?”

“Oh,” Pom says with a smile. “You see…” You turn around, hoping Pom will get the hint that you want him to stay quiet, but he isn’t even looking at you when he says, “She was just curious about you, Boss.”

“Is that so?” You can hear the teasing tone in Jing Yuan’s voice. When you slowly turn around, he has a hand in his pocket. “...About what, I wonder.”

You don’t know what it is, but something feels different when you look into his eyes. Intrigue. Interest. Curiosity.

"Pom said you were sensitive."

“Dad’s not sensitive!”

You crouch so you’re on eye level with Yanqing. “He’s not? Then, what do you think he is?”

Yanqing looks up as he thinks about his answer. You can see the gears turning in his head; it’s cute how seriously he’s thinking about this. Then, as if a lightbulb goes off, he says, “Naggy.”

You bite your bottom lip to keep yourself from smiling while Pom laughs. “You heard it firsthand, folks! Boss is officially naggy.”

Jing Yuan has a hand on his hip as he looks at his son. “I’m naggy?”

Yanqing cautiously looks up at him, but you reassuringly say, “It’s okay to say what’s on your mind, Yanqing.” The boy looks at you. “Candid feedback is a gift.”

That's a corporate phrase Jing Yuan has heard one too many times.

“Why do you think he’s naggy?” Pom asks.

“He doesn’t like it when I play games or watch TV too much. But, I’m always at the top of my class! I always get the most gold stars out of everyone!”

“Oh? Then, what does he ask you to do in your free time?”

“Something”—Yanqing frowns—”productive.”

“Everyone has to take a break,” you say.

“Yeah!” Yanqing frowns at Jing Yuan. “See, Dad? I told you.”

“But… it’s also important to build good habits.” Yanqing pouts and looks down. “Diligence is just as important if not more than intelligence.” You’re not sure if Yanqing is old enough to truly understand what you’re saying, but regardless you say, “Maybe your dad will be more willing to let you play more if you dedicate an hour or so to reading or learning something.” When Yanqing doesn’t say anything, you awkwardly stand. Then, you glance at Jing Yuan who’s looking at you. “...Sorry. I didn’t mean to say too much.”

“I like that.” His calm demeanour catches you off guard. “Your suggestion.”

“Ah… Well, it’s what I do.”

Yanqing frowns and crosses his arms. “You only like it because she suggested it.”

Pom snickers and Jing Yuan looks down. “That is not true.”

“Uh-huh.” Then, a loud sigh. "I wanna eat."

Pom looks at his watch. “Oh, yikes! Look at the time! I still have some things to take care of!”

“Do you need a ride?” Jing Yuan asks.

“That’ll be nice! Do you mind waiting a few minutes?”

“Not at all.”

“Hurry, Pom!” Yanqing says, watching Pom rush into the stone villa.

Jing Yuan steps toward you just as you turn. Then, he nods toward the Rolls Royce. “Get in.”

“Don’t worry. Dad’s a safe driver.”

You slowly nod at Yanqing. “That’s very reassuring to hear.”

You take the passenger seat, and Yanqing takes the back. Jing Yuan quickly types away on his phone before putting it in the clean cup holder.

“Blade’s already there,” he says, starting up the car.

“Did he start without us?” Yanqing asks. “Dad wouldn’t do that, would he?”

“If he does, we’ll do something about it.”

Should you ask about Yanqing having two dads?

“It has to be a misunderstanding. I know that man is as straight as an arrow.”

Herta must be talking about Blade. But, if that’s the case, what about Jing Yuan? Is Yanqing his biological son? If so, who’s the mom, and—

Pom opens the door. “Sorry to keep y’all waiting!”

As soon as the door closes, Jing Yuan drives off.

You’re looking out the window as the car weaves through the town. The bright lights. The bustling streets. It oddly feels like you’re in the city with how lively it is at night.

“...Are you surprised?”

You turn to Jing Yuan who still has his eyes on the road.

“Why do you ask?”

“Because you look curious… like you want to find out everything there is to know about this town.”

You lightly scoff. “Okay, that’s taking it a little far. Yeah, I’m curious, but not to that extent.”

The car slowly comes to a stop at an intersection. Then, Jing Yuan turns to you. “The eyes don’t lie.”

And that’s when you see it again. Intrigue. Interest. Curiosity. Your breath catches in your throat, but you still say, “Keep your eyes on the road, General.”

Bzzt. Bzzt.

You look away to dig out your phone from your bag. The car starts moving again as you read the text from your friend.

Why’d you block his number??? He wants to talk…

You immediately swipe away the notification and turn your phone to silent. The annoyance that you think no one sees doesn’t go unnoticed. Jing Yuan thinks about asking but decides against it. He makes a smooth turn onto another street, and soon the car comes to a stop in front of a cozy-looking restaurant.

“Go ahead,” Jing Yuan says. “I’ll find parking.”

So, you, Pom, and Yanqing get out of the car. A short distance away, a small group of guys who look like they’re in their early twenties are talking loudly amongst themselves. Once you enter the restaurant, you see Blade at a table near the back. He looks up and waves in your direction.

“Dad!”

Yanqing rushes forward. You and Pom quickly follow him, but it’s too late. He bumps into a tall man with light brown hair and glasses who arguably isn’t paying attention as he’s so caught up in his thoughts.

Yanqing looks up and shyly says, “I’m sorry.”

“Gosh, Yanqing, what’s the rush?” Pom jokes. Then, he looks at the man and gasps. “What a surprise!”

The man nods once at Pom and then looks at Yanqing. "It's okay. To be fair, I wasn't watching where I was going either. I apologize."

Then, when he looks back up, he sees you come up beside Pom. “Sorry about that,” you say.

You aren’t sure what to think when this man approaches you, his eyes never leaving your face. Then, you hear Pom ask, “Welt? Is… something wrong?”

Wait a minute.

"Welt..." you say quietly. "As in Welt Yang?"

Welt relaxes his shoulders and pushes his glasses up. "That's right. I'm Welt Yang, a novelist." Then, he suddenly takes your hands. "And you... You're the inspiration that I've been looking for!"

Now, it’s time for you to be flabbergasted.

“Is everything okay?” Blade comes up behind Pom while Jing Yuan enters the restaurant.

Pom shrugs. “I’m just as lost as you are, honestly.”

“I’ve read your novels,” you say to Welt. Jing Yuan’s close enough that he can hear the conversation. “They’re brilliant!”

“Oh, that's motivating to hear. However, I’m in a bit of a slump with my latest book. But you… You’re the exact image of the female character I have in mind.”

“What a surprise, Welt.” Jing Yuan comes up beside you.

“Ah, hello, Jing Yuan. It’s good to see you.” Welt lets go of your hands. “Do you two know each other?”

“She’s staying at the B&B,” Jing Yuan says.

“My… This must be fate. So am I.” Welt takes out his phone and looks at you. “Do you mind if we exchange numbers?”

“Whoa.” Blade hears Yanqing whisper. “He’s more direct than Dad!”

“I’d love to spend some time together,” Welt says. “Perhaps I’ll get out of my slump.”

“Dude’s kinda smooth, too,” Pom whispers. “Didn’t think he’d be this direct just by looking at him.”

“I can hear you, you know,” Blade deadpans.

Pom smiles sheepishly.

“I’d love to,” you say, a little too excitedly.

Jing Yuan watches you take out your phone and exchange numbers with Welt. He’s only seen that smile once, and that’s the time on the plane when you told him about being single. Jing Yuan awkwardly clears his throat, but before he can say anything, Yanqing tugs at your and Jing Yuan’s pants.

“Can we eat now? I’m hungry.”

You’re on your way to the washrooms at the back when you hear someone say, “Stop! Leave me alone!” from outside. You head towards the door and look out. A woman wearing a baseball cap rudely shoves off a man’s hand. You recognize both of them. The woman is the one you saw with a friend in the reception villa. The man is one of the rowdy adults you saw outside of the restaurant.

“You’re March, right? That influencer—”

“Go away.”

When she turns, the man grabs her by the shoulders and forces her to look at him. “I know it’s you!”

You push open the door and head outside. “Leave her alone.”

The man turns his attention toward you, and the woman quickly pushes him away. He stumbles, frowning at her. “Gosh, what’s your problem? I just wanted to buy you a drink.” Glaring at you, he asks, “Who the fuck are you?”

You walk up beside her and say, "Let's go."

"Hey!" Startled, you turn when he grabs your wrist.

"What's going on out here?"

The man lets you go and steps back when Jing Yuan and Welt walk up.

"...Do you have business with them?" Jing Yuan asks.

The man shoots him an annoyed look. "No. I was just leaving." Then, he mutters something under his breath and walks off while lighting a smoke.

As Welt asks March what happened, Jing Yuan hears you sigh out of relief. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." But, your slightly rattled voice says otherwise. You never thought you'd be so relieved and thankful to see Jing Yuan. "What're you two doing out here?"

Jing Yuan nods at Welt. "He was worried about March, and..." You wait for him to go on. He turns back with a kind look in his eyes. "...Based on experience, I think someone would get themselves involved if they found someone in trouble."

"I have no idea who you're talking about."

Jing Yuan gives you a deadpan look, and you return it with a little smile.

“Hey.” You turn and see March. “...Thanks for stepping up.”

“I’m glad you’re not hurt.”

March puts a hand on your hip and looks you up and down. “So… Welt told me that you’re his new inspiration.”

“Uh, well, that’s—”

March suddenly hugs you. “I hope we get along!”

You awkwardly hug her back. Is this the same woman who looked like she was going to bash a man’s head a few minutes ago? Then, she lets you go and looks at Jing Yuan. “Didn’t expect to see you here… Boss.”

“Pom’s rubbing off on you,” Jing Yuan says.

She laughs. “Is he here, too? I miss my Pom-Pom.”

“He’s inside with Blade and Yanqing.”

“Ah… I remember seeing them with you earlier today,” March says. “But it looked like the three of you were so fixated on a certain someone that you didn’t even notice me.” She winks at you. “What’s your secret?”

“...Secret?”

March counts on her fingers as she says, “Jing Yuan, Blade, Yanqing, and now Welt…”

“March, don’t make things awkward,” Welt says.

“Oh, c’mon, everyone knows I’m kidding.”

“Anyway,” Jing Yuan says, “Let’s go back before they finish all the food.”

You somehow end up sitting next to Jing Yuan at the table. Pom is going on about the latest trail that opened up when you and Jing Yuan reach for the last skewer at the same time. Then, jokingly, you quietly ask, “Should we fight for it?”

“You wouldn’t stand a chance, Corporal.”

You scoff. “Someone’s a little too confident.”

“Everyone has a weak spot.” You narrow your eyes. “It won’t take me long to find out.”

Your smile catches him off guard. “Too bad I already know who yours is.” You glance at Yanqing. “Just wait until he’s on my side.”

“Hey, hey,” You and Jing Yuan look away from each other as March taps the table. “What are you two whispering about over there? Let us in on the fun, too!”

Yanqing tugs on Jing Yuan's shirt. “Dad, I want the skewer.”

“Looks like you’ll have to fight those two to get it,” Blade says.

Yanqing cutely pouts at you and Jing Yuan. “I want the skewer… please?”

Looks like you nor Jing Yuan are getting that skewer after all.

“Anyway, what a small world that we’re all connected to the Boss somehow,” March says, her elbows on the table and her chin on her hands.

“How long are you two staying?” Blade asks.

“We have him booked for the whole summer.”

Welt sighs quietly. “Hopefully, I’ll be out of my slump by then.”

“Well, don’t you have your inspiration right here?” Pom asks, looking at you.

Welt looks at you. “...Yes. She’s truly the woman that I’m looking for.”

Your face heats up at the statement. Then, Jing Yuan asks, “You’ve never told us much about your book. Care to tell us a little about it?”

“Oh, well…”

You’ve read plenty of Welt’s books. All of them are intricate detective mysteries with strong characters. This time, however, he wants to mix in a little romance. Due to unforeseen circumstances, an ace detective ends up chasing a femme fatale who turns out to be wrongly accused.

"Funny thing is…" March says, "When he was telling us about this ace detective, I said he sounds a little like you, Boss."

Yanqing looks at Jing Yuan. “Dad? Really?”

“Why not use both of them for inspiration?” Blade asks. He flashes you and Jing Yuan a look. “Have them act out some scenes, and maybe you’ll be able to see and feel the romantic atmosphere for yourself.”

Pom's face turns red. “R-Romantic atmosphere?”

“Why are you getting flustered?” March asks with a smile.

You can see the gears turning in Welt’s mind. He can’t be serious, right? Surely, Blade is just joking.

“Is Dad going to be an actor?” Yanqing asks excitedly.

“Now, hold on a minute,” you say. That’s…. That’s a little out of the question.”

Jing Yuan puts his hand over his heart. “I’m hurt.”

“No, you’re not,” you deadpan.

“Well, I cannot force you,” Welt says, and your jaw almost drops as you can’t believe it’s something he’s seriously considering.

March chuckles. “You’d be helping him a lot, considering this guy has no experience in romance whatsoever.”

“Thank you for that wonderful comment,” Welt says flatly.

“You’re very welcome.”

Jing Yuan picks up his glass. “...If she’s ever up for it, I’d be happy to help you, Welt.”

You turn to him with a look that asks if he's crazy. Jing Yuan notices and slightly shrugs as if you’re the one overthinking things.

"Of course, I would never take too much of your time," Welt says. "It'll just be a few scenes here and there."

While no one is actively encouraging you, you can tell by the look in their eyes: Why not? Give it a shot. When your eyes land on Yanqing, his eyes are shining with excitement. From what? You aren’t sure. But, you’re sure of one thing.

“...Nothing that crosses the line.”

March gasps. “Would you look at that?”

“Boss is going to be an actor!” Pom exclaims.

Blade puts his now empty glass on the table. “A detective romance as his debut? Not bad, I’d say.”

“...Alright. Let’s drop it.”

After dinner, the group splits up. Blade takes March and Welt back while you, Yanqing, and Pom get a ride with Jing Yuan. Once again, the car weaves throughout the city. But now, Pom and Yanqing are asleep in the back seat. You're looking out the window.

Out of curiosity, you turn to Jing Yuan. “You seem close with March and Welt.”

"They stay at the B&B every time they visit." Jing Yuan glances at you. "They've become good friends." A small pause. “...I know why you’re here.” When you face forward, he says, “You’re here to research the possibility of opening a new hotel.”

“How’re you so sure?”

“Star Rails Hotel has been eyeing Xianzhou for a while, but the project kept getting delayed.”

You turn back, but Jing Yuan's eyes are on the road. When you were still new at the company, you heard rumours about a project that kept getting delayed. Xianzhou was a name that popped up, but you never probed into it as you had your work to focus on. But, the point is that this is internal information. How does someone like Jing Yuan know about it?

"If you're here, that means they've finally put their plans into action."

“...Do you know someone who works there?” you ask.

“...I used to.”

The car slowly comes to a stop in front of the stone villa. “...Mind if I ask who?”

Jing Yuan shifts the gears. Then, he looks you in the eyes. “My ex-wife.”

Tag list: @suoshiii @lordbugs @lxry-chxn @seirenspinel @nqctre @immahuman @queencybow @grimreapersscythe

#hsr jing yuan #jing yuan x you #jing yuan x y/n #jing yuan x reader #jingyuan x reader #jing yuan

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crowbar-and-a-dream · 1 month ago

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The canon guys 1/?

Okay, bear with me. I'm chicken. For some reason, despite the fact that it's easy to make the connection between my TH and my AO3(Considering I have my art up on a chapter of Lieu and my OCs are largely the same), my brain is going 'what if people be judgemental'. This, kids, is why I'm so adamant on not giving fics reviews let alone in the fics' comments. Still trying to shake off the trauma of being bullied for my art(On a stupid petsite of all places)

Anyhow, sorry for the tiny ramble there. First off I want to say my friend @enriddled did all the lovely art here. I got to draw many arts for cipher in return.

Another note: Most of these designs are further ahead in the timeline than Lieu currently is. I will make a mention when an outfit is from the future while I ramble about my little AU.

An even bigger note: I use canon loosely in some parts, ignore it in others. In some places I am just doing my own thing. I say AU for a reason.

A third note: Future installments will not have more than one or two characters cause I'll be trying to post as a design exists.

Anyhow. First guy up. I'm going in order of my files. Note that someone not having a design in my AU does not mean they're not getting one. It just means I haven't done one yet or traded with @enriddled to get one. RIP the supers, you're in WIP hell.

Also assume that if they're one of the batkids, they're probably lefthanded. Bruce is right-handed, though. Because I'm an asshole and think it's funny to make him suffer a mild inconvenience.

I will note that I hit everyone here with the 'hi, you're autistic now' beam. Except Dick...whom I looked at and went 'yeah, ADHD for you'.

Anywhoe. First up...Jason Todd.

Your one and only dumbass that cannot catch a goddamn break to save his life. Pretty much all his scars are post-dip in the cursed gatorade. Free top surgery courtesy of Talia, whom was baffled when 15 year old him was like 'make them bat wings' because he was still out of it from his dip and digging himself out of his grave. But, hey, free bonding time with her ex's son. Post Lieu he ditches the classic Red Hood helmet because he's gotten sick and tired of it shattering on him. The eye glow is technically a 'is he in a dark area? Okay, glow time'. Most of the leg scars are from Damian be cause even while his brain was trying to stitch itself back together Jason just has to be a shithead to his siblings.

I do tend towards making his personality still have a lot of Robin!Jason because like...it would make sense if the little nerdy sweetheart jaybin was still made up the bulk of his personality. He's also just got Trauma and also so much shit happens to him he's just like 'I'm going to put off this impending crisis until later' and then have a meltdown. Usually in the form of 'Floor time now.'

Eventually he gets his GED and a teaching degree. He does not stop crimelording it up, but he does get himself a daytime job as an english teacher. This has lead to times where he's used his teacher voice on his goons when he's very tired and decided to grade homework while attending a meeting. He's also used it on the other bats. Yes, even Batman.

Second...Damian Wayne-Al ghuul

Okay, so, first up. This one's entirely future Damian. As in...early 20s. Because of two things: 1) I'm not touching the Robin suits because I don't feel like it and 2) I started concepting the AU around an OC that hasn't even been born yet in Lieu. Like. I guess the original concept of the AU was a nextgen. Then I started writing Lieu and messed up like 90% of my plans. Thanks, Jason, your trauma's loadbearing.

Anyhow. Damian. Damian gets to be like the one Robin in my AU that ends up Robining alone purely because he was a bit of a menace when he eventually gets dropped off in Gotham. He eventually chills the fuck out because, well, you got to keep in mind that he grew up in a cult. Talia did her best, but, ya know, when you're part of The Demon's Head's family, gotta make sure ya kid can protect himself lethally. And Murder Grandpa was not exactly a good role model.

He eventually mellows out, though doesn't let anyone else be Robin until he's decided he's ready to be his own hero. He does not get to be Batman because he ends up barely making it past five feet and everyone collectively agreed that 'no, Batman can't suddenly be a foot shorter when Bruce retires'. He swears that he's not salty about that. So he designs his 'not-Batman' suit.

Thirdly...Dick Grayson himself

Okay, so this is basically. What he settles with post-discowing. Sorry, Dick, but the discowing, while iconic, was ugly AF. This obviously does not stop him from deciding to go with obnoxiously colored shirts in his civvies. We all love a colorful doofus. This pretty much is the main case of 'Yeah, he's wearing this in Lieu'.

Dick does not become a cop in my AU. I cannot fathom why he would have become a cop in any universe. What's he doing for a job? Uh...Wayne Enterprises' spokesperson when Bruce is either unavailable or does not want to attend.

Not pictured is the fact that this Dick got himself manbatted while Jason was off with the LOA. He never ended up fully cured, though he was lucky he had decided to down a vial of a fruitbat based manbat serum. Why did he do it? Because Langstrom was claiming that he wasn't working on a manbat serum during his parole when Dick and Bruce broke in in-costume. So Dick grabbed a vial and was like 'if this turns me into a bat, you broke your parole'.

Finally...Tim Drake

This man needs to see a bet, stat. Anyhow, this Tim did get briefly Joker Juniored(something something, narrative parralels), so he's got a pretty shakey mental state. Though there will be no getting hijacked by the Joker and he didn't kill the clown. Though he did shoot him.

Anyhow, the Red Robin suit is not yet in use in Lieu. However, the second suit's his Nightjar suit. He keeps using it even as Red Robin and Jason gives him shit about it. Because Nightjar is so much cooler. Tim uses Nightjar for Crime AKA to do things Bruce'll get pissed about if he knew. He keeps snacks in the chest straps of the Red Robin suit.

He eventually takes over being CEO of Wayne Enterprises. Mostly because he just has no concept of taking a fucking break. This is while maintaining two vigilante personas. Honestly, he's like 90% energy drink by that point.

#aso rambles #aso's fic supplements #not linking my TH #Also these guys won't be uploaded to TH anyhow because AUs of canon characters really don't go on the OC site

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crunchesloudly · 2 years ago

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Posted here

-Snippet for my current Ethubs season 7 WIP-

Recently, because of Grian and Scars nuptials Bdubs has been thinking about marriage and weddings a lot more. Never letting himself daydream for more than a few minutes, forcing himself to shake the thoughts away as quickly as they would show up. He thought that now that the wedding had passed and the newlyweds were offserver on their honeymoon that Bdubs would finally have a few weeks of peaceful non-wedding oriented discussions with his fellow hermits but of course Tango and Impulse cannot help themselves.

He stays in his seat within the Boomers shop feeling sorry for himself for what felt like only a few minutes but when a bell chimes on the door downstairs he's broken from his haze. He checks his clock seeing that an hour has gone by. He raises his hands to his face only to notice a wetness he wasn't aware of before. When had he started crying? Quickly wiping the tears away, a voice calling his name prompts him to move.

“Bdubs! Baby you here?”

Etho.

Collecting himself as much as possible, Bdubs makes his way down the stairs into the main section of the shop. Etho greets him with a wide smile moving swiftly towards him and engulfing him in a hug. Bdubs melts into it immediately.

“Hey baby, how was your meeting? Get everything sorted?”

They pull back from each other slightly though, Etho keeps his hands around his waist, holding him close.

“Good, we got everything planned out just gotta do it now. How about you? Make any progress?”

The conversation shifts to Etho and his base production, Bdubs listens intently taking in every word Etho says, his mind shifting away from its previous thoughts, filling instead with present feelings of the comfort and security Etho gives him. Even if it sometimes feels incomplete.

Eventually they break apart and Etho suggests they go and make something to eat, it's at this moment Bdubs stomach rumbles reminding him that he hadn't eaten anything since breakfast, he is quite hungry. Etho grasps his hand and they leave the shop, walking hand in hand through the shopping district, towards the main nether portal by city hall.

They make their way to Bdubs base, hastily putting together a meal and mirroring their positions from earlier in the day across from each other at the table. Bdubs isn't really in the mood for talking anymore, choosing to keep his head down and eat in silence.

He doesn't want to ruin what they have. He just wishes things could be only slightly different.

A ring on his finger, a new title, that's all it is.

He cant bring it up , cant voice his inner monologue begging him to share. He can't lose Etho. Having him how he does is better than losing him over something as cynical as wanting to get married.

He'll be fine. He’ll get over it.

I hope you liked this! It’s a little Christmas treat I suppose 😁😁

This will be up some time after Christmas. I have about 1.5K rn knowing me it’ll probably be anywhere from 3-5K when it’s done. I will post it on ao3 then and update this post with a link as well as making a new post for it.

#etho #ethoslab #bdoubleo100 #bdouble0 #bdubs #hermitcraft #ethubs #ethdubs #ethubs fic #etho slab #ethos lab #etho and bdubs #hermitshipping

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wrongcaitlyn · 1 year ago

Note

heyy! i LOVED this chapter

will, my poor baby, i actually just want to hug him and never let go (also the conversation with apollo was SO well written)

on another completely different topic, haunted house by mckenna grace is a very hauted era coded

just one thing more, is reyna going to apper again, cause she's perfect and nees her again in this fic

and i cant belive that by the time the next chapter is out TTPD is also going to be out, please if you dont mind give your toughts on the album, i would LOVE to know them

byee!

ahsdhf thank you so much!! i'm SO glad that convo was giving me so much stress ngl😭 i wanted to make sure it was conveying what i wanted it to, so i'm glad that you liked it!!

I HEARD LIKE AGES AGO BACK WHEN I STILL HAD TT THAT SHE HAD A SONG CALLED HAUNTED HOUSE and i was like omg i should listen to that?? but then i just never did???

atm im listening to taylor's whole discography in prep for ttpd, and just taylor's discography (i started this morning with debut, and just started rep like two minutes ago, so hopefully i timed it correctly to be on midnights tmrw just before ttpd comes out though i might have to put midnights on loop for a bit) but i WILL listen to it i swear. i have a list of songs on my phone that i need to listen to for talk ur talk😭😭 i love mckenna grace tho even if i haven't listened to her music before so i'm excited!!

and GOD I KEEP THINKING THAT TOO. like, back when i added her i was like oh omg im so excited to have her here as a character!! but then i realized that making her an actress made it extremely hard for her to be around a lot in *nico's* storyline. i lowkey regret it and wish i could go back to add her to the current plotline, and make her like nico's manager or something.

but i can't go back and change that, so! i know of a few different plotlines that i'll eventually include her in, though they're not for a while, so unfortunately we've gotta wait for a bit to bring her back :// i will see though if i can have her appear in a scene at some point! she hasn't seen the doomsday tour yet, so...

and LITERALLYSDFLKJA I CANT WAIT EITHER?? I STILLC AN'T BELIEVE THAT IT'S LITERALLY COMING OUT TMRW FOR ME. im pst so it's 9 pm for me, and i usually listen to it once, then listen to it again while looking at lyrics and text messages bc the first time i turn off all my devices and just listen - so i will DEFINITELY be updating y'all here, and also in the ao3 end notes, probably with any thoughts relating ttpd lyrics to talk ur talk nico bc that's all my brain can do pretty muchSLKDF

it honestly makes me so happy that you guys are interested in my thoughts on these things bc i'm always thinking to myself "ahsdlfj you need to stop rambling for so long on things taylor swift related in the end notes, not everyone's a swiftie" so this always reassures me!!! i love rambling and i always have soo many thoughts on these things so i will definitely be sharing them!!! thank you for the ask <3

#wrongcaitlyn #talk ur talk asks

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daydreamingfuel · 3 years ago

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Freak Like Me

Chapter 1

Eddie Munson x Fem!Reader

AO3 // next

Y/N has just moved to Hawkins from England with her parents and is starting at the high school in the final term of her senior year. Eddie immediately takes a liking to her and they become fast friends, deciding to take her under his wing and falling to her charms. This is Hawkins however and things are never quite as they seem...

WHOLE FIC TAGS & WARNINGS: gratuitous use of Y/N (I'm not sorry), friends to lovers, slow burn, mutual pining, eventual smut, semi-fix-it-fic, angst, injury, canon dialogue and events used, canon graphic violence, no main character death :)

Chapter Tags & Warnings: suggestive tension at most, tooth-rotting fluff at the least, supervised underage drinking??? smoking, swearing, Eddie is a sweetheart

Chapter Word Count: 6.5k

A/N - this is incredibly self-indulgent of me but I have had Eddie brainrot since he first appeared on my screen so sue me.

“Y/N! Wake up honey, you’re gonna be late.” A voice called through the door, disturbing Y/N from their slumber. Mother dearest.

God, what time is it?

Checking the little alarm clock next to her bed, that they forgot to set before going to sleep, they saw it was already eight and that her mother was right – they were going to be late if they didn’t hurry the fuck up.

“I’m up! I’m up!” She called back and heard their mothers’ footsteps retreating “Barely…”

With a huff, they pulled back the covers keeping her safe and warm in bed and forced themselves out of its confines, stumbling slightly as they tripped over a stray shoe on their way to a bag of clothes that had yet to be unpacked. Quickly rummaging through, she found an outfit that should pass the dress code – jeans, band t-shirt, slightly holey cardigan - muttering a small ‘this’ll do’ as they started to dress. Once fully clothed, an attempt was made to make their hair slightly more presentable and freshened up in the bathroom, before picking up her backpack from her room and heading to the kitchen.

“You look nice darling,” Commented her mother over a hot mug of tea, she leant against the kitchen counter watching as their child frantically found something quick to eat in a cupboard, “There are granola bars of the top shelf…”

“Thanks mum,” smiling slightly as she spoke, and reaching for the box and pulling two out, stuffing one in their backpack for later, not sure whether she could trust unknown cafeteria food to suffice getting through the day.

“Are you nervous? I understand that it’ll be a tough adjustment…” She trailed off and furrowed her brow slightly as Y/N quickly ate their small breakfast.

“Understatement,” Y/N mumbled between mouthfuls, before moving to pull on her shoes. “But I know it couldn’t be helped, this is a great opportunity for dad…my education be damned.”

“Language.” Y/N quirked an eyebrow, her mother rarely commented on their cussing, “You know I don’t mind it but the people at your new school…they might. And as for your education, you’ve always been bright, I’m sure you’ll be fine…besides from what they said of the syllabus, you already know most of it.” Y/N hummed dismissively, so her mother continued, “Y/N, you’re eighteen, you’ve already done most of the work, this last term will be a breeze and then you’re free.”

Y/N knew she was right, but she was still annoyed about the whole situation. “I gotta go, I’ll see you when I get home. Love you.” She kissed her mother on the cheek, picked up her bag and left for school. Hawkins High, last term, senior year, class of ’86. This should be interesting.

The receptionist at the front desk was kind, as she led Y/N to the principal’s office, chatting mindlessly on the walk whilst Y/N took in their new surroundings. It was so different to what she was used to, but it was only for a few months. The banners on the wall supporting the school team of whatever sport it was they played here, probably basketball if not American Football. Cheerleaders in their small uniforms dotted around made Y/N feel like she as in some kind of movie as opposed to real life. Green and yellow, the school colours, could be seen everywhere, it was an odd combination but somehow it just worked, as she noticed the green and white varsity jacket with the yellow trim. People stared as they passed - she was the shiny new toy, fresh meat - and made comments to each other, but she paid no mind to the whispers. Once they reached the office, Gladys the Receptionist knocked, and a man’s voice called to enter.

Y/N plopped down in one of the dark leather chairs in front of the desk, on older man she had met once before sat behind it, a practiced smile on his lips. Principal Higgins. He was an older gentleman, in a brown suit and starch worn shirt, the tie his wife had obviously chosen for him, sitting snug around his neck.

“Miss Y/L/N, it’s nice to see you again.” Higgins spoke calmly, “I’ve got your transcripts here, you’re all ready to go. How are you feeling?”

She knew she would be getting that question a lot, but they smiled anyway. “I’m okay, it’s all just very different.”

He chortled slightly before standing, file in hand. “I’ll take you to your homeroom, you’re with Miss O’Donnell. Here’s your schedule, and a map of the school. Come see me at lunch so we can talk over a few things and sign a few bits of extra paperwork, we could’ve signed them now but…” He trailed off, checked the clock and, as if on cue, the warning bell rung. He handed Y/N two sheets of paper, which she immediately folded in half, she would look later, as he walked over to the door before turning back to Y/N, “Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

The walk to the classroom was quiet, allowing Y/N to focus on where she was going and try to memorise it as best as possible knowing she would have to make her way back to the office unguided. Once making it to the classroom, Higgins and O’Donnell had a quick hushed conversation and Higgins left the room as the second bell rung. Miss O’Donnell, an older looking lady with glasses and an ill-fitting shirt tucked into a lavender skirt, turned to face the horde of students in their desks. Most looked bored and uninterested but a few seemed practically enthused at the new arrival.

“Class, we have a new student, Y/N Y/L/N.” Y/N fiddled with a stray thread on her cardigan to avoid eye contact “She has just moved over from England, and will be joining us for the rest the year.”

“England?” A boy called, making Y/N’s head snap up, “So do you know the Queen?” A blond boy in a varsity jacket asked as his friends on the surrounding table smirked slightly at the question and looked at Y/N in earnest.

“You’re American. Do you know the President?” She couldn’t stop the words as they tumbled out of her mouth. The boy’s face dropped. She heard a muffled laugh come from the back corner and her eyes found the source immediately. An older looking boy, probably held back, sat leaning on the desk hand covering his mouth, long curly hair framing his face and brown eyes glinting with mischief. Y/N smiled to herself slightly, as she moved to her seat, ushered by Miss O’Donnell who was grumbling under her breath about being polite and welcoming.

The rest of the morning was much of the same, teachers introducing her, silly questions asked and sarcastically answered and keeping her head down in class as she slowly caught up with where they were in the syllabus, comparing it to the notes she had brought from her old school.

‘Mum’s right, this is gonna be a breeze’ Y/N thought to themselves as she read through the calculus notes and saw that she had already learned everything important. Though she was never top of her class, she had always prized herself on being intellectual, though it most came off as being a smartass to her peers and wasted potential from her teachers when she wouldn’t pay attention.

By the time lunch came she was pretty confident that educationally, she would be fine, now just came the trouble of a social life. The dry humour she was used to was lost on most American ears so talking to peers had already arisen an issue, not that she hadn’t tried. She had mostly gotten confused, but polite smiles and quirks of the head and a few people believing her when she was being sarcastic. Brushing it off, she smiled at the lunch lady, as they doled out her food onto the tray and paid quickly before turning to face the rest of the cafeteria. As her eyes scanned the room, cliques could easily be seen sat at their tables, engrossed in loud conversation – the jocks being the loudest, the blond boy from homeroom leaning against a pillar laughing boisterously - until she found a semi empty table and made their way over to it. She sat in quiet solitude at the head of the empty table for a few minutes, eating peacefully before, surprisingly, someone joined her.

“Well, look who I found,” he looked up to meet those same mischievous brown eyes from homeroom. “You’re kind of sat in my seat, but I’ll allow it cause you’re new.” His voice was playful but welcoming, immediately making her feel more at ease.

“How generous,” she replies dryly, and he snickers, taking the seat adjacent to her on the table, “I’m Y/N.”

“Eddie, Munson.” He smiles softly. Now able to actually look at him, she saw the Metallica t-shirt fitting snug to his chest under his leather jacket and denim vest, the logo slightly fading from use, heart skipping slightly at the sight of her favourite band’s logo. “You know, normally I’d say that you shouldn’t be seen with me if you wanted to have a slight chance of peace at this school but with the way you bit back at Jason this morning, I don’t think that going to be an issue.”

“What’s not gonna be an issue?” A younger voice piped up from behind them, and Y/N looked up to see that suddenly there were more boys stood around the table, some sat down quickly once Eddie’s head snapped up to look at them, but the two youngest looking still stood. They seemed surprised, like they’d never seen a girl before, or that Eddie had just grown two heads.

“Didn’t your mommy ever tell you it’s rude to interrupt, Henderson.” Eddie addressed the shorter curly headed boy, voice stern but mischievous, almost brotherly. The taller, lankier boy next to him was just staring at Y/N as Eddie and ‘Henderson’ bickered about manners.

“Are you gonna sit down or are you just gonna stand there all lunch?” Y/N asked picking at her food, which made the boy snap back into reality. Slightly shaggy black hair ruffling as he shook his head slightly and made his way around the table.

“Oh, yeah…um, hi...” the boy said as he sat down opposite Eddie, dragging the smaller boy with him, “I’m Mike, this is Dustin,”

“Hi!” Dustin chimed in, with an adorable gummy smile, bright blue eyes lighting up, “Are you the new English girl everyone’s talking about?”

“Guilty,” Y/N leaned back in her chair as the boys leaned in slightly, intrigued. “Moved over here last month,” Dustin nodded along, saying a small ‘cool’ under his breath, going to ask a question but stopping when Y/N spoke again “what were you saying before, Eddie?” Her eyes finding his again as he stopped squinting at Mike and Dustin at the call of his name.

“Oh, just that what you did the morning may get you shit from the basketball douches for the rest of the year, especially now that you’re talking to the freaks of the school, but…from the seams of things, I think you can handle it.”

“Freaks? You don’t seem like freaks to me…dorks definitely,” Y/N nodded at Dustin and Mike who gasped in mock offence, “but freaks? I don’t see it.”

“No?” Eddie said with a cock of his head, “What if I told you that this is my third attempt of finishing my senior year?”

“So you’re 20 and still in high school, because you failed a few tests?” He nodded slowly, and she scoffed, “Standardised testing a bullshit, not everyone learns the same. That doesn’t make you a freak, it just means the system sucks.”

“Well then, it looks like you chose the right table.” He grinned, before turning to the boys at the table, “So,” he spoke louder, to address the group and they all turned to face him instantly, “first meeting of Hellfire this term is on Friday night, bring snacks it’s gonna be a long one.” The boys chattered excitedly at the announcement.

“What the fuck is Hellfire?” Y/N asked incredulously, and Eddie turned to face her with a devilish grin, going to speak before Dustin’s voice piped up again.

“It’s a D&D club!” He spoke excitedly, before Eddie shot him a glare across the table.

“What did I say about interrupting Henderson?!” Eddie snapped at him, and Dustin sank into his seat a little.

“Dungeons and Dragons?” Y/N questioned slowly, with a small smirk, and they nodded “Wow…definitely dorks.”

“First you sit in my seat, now you insult me?” Eddie questioned with a slight twitch to his eye, hands flailing slightly as he gestured to Y/N, leaning into her a little, making her snicker under her breath at the boys antics and clear passion for the fantasy game.

“Who said it was an insult?” She replied with a laugh, closing some more of the distance between them “Personally I’d much rather be a dork, or a freak, than be whatever…that is.” She nodded at the group of boys in varsity jackets across that cafeteria, Jason from homeroom still in the centre of it all. Eddie laughed slightly, before Y/N continued slightly quieter, “Besides, D&D seems like fun…”

“You- You’d want to play?” Mike asked in shock, having been listening on the whole conversation “Do you know how?”

“Well, no…but I do love fantasy stories, and I’m a fast learner.” Y/N responded a little shyer, and the table erupted into what if’s and how’s, some of the boys obviously not wanting or seeing the need for a new member. Dustin on the other hand seems practically delighted by the idea and was instant that it would be a good idea and that he would teach Y/N himself if he had to.

“I could teach you.” Eddie chimed in, making the table fall silent at their leader’s remark. “If you wanted to play with us, I could show you the ropes.”

“Really?” Y/N asked as she picked at the loose thread again, suddenly feeling more anxious than they’d felt all day, “I don’t want to be any trouble if you already have an established group.”

“We’re starting a new campaign anyway, if you wanted to join the party now would actually be the perfect time.” Eddie explained, leaning on his hand and picking at a splinter in the table with the other, he looked calm and unbothered but his voice was hopeful. His words calmed her nervousness somewhat as she considered her options. She didn’t want to be a social pariah, but it was just a fantasy game, what could be the harm in that? And she definitely didn’t want to have no friends forever…

‘What the hell.’

“Okay then,” Y/N said through a sigh, and smiled as Dustin’s eyes grew wide and he drummed a small rhythm on the table in happiness, she giggled slightly and Eddie felt his heart beat a little faster at the sound, before she turned to him and almost took his breath away completely with her next words, “Are you free tonight? I want to get familiar with the rules as soon as possible.”

“Y-Yeah, should be. I think I have a erm- meeting,” Eddie stammered slightly, obviously flustered and hiding something but covering it well, “right after school but I can meet you at 4ish?”

“Great,” Y/N pulled a piece of paper and a pen out of her backpack and quickly scribbled a note, “here’s my address, I’ll see you there?” She asked sliding it across the table to Eddie who picked it up immediately and put it in his lunchbox, Mike and Dustin watched the whole interaction in awe.

“See you there.” He affirmed with a slow nod as Y/N stood to leave, “Going somewhere?”

“Almost forgot that Higgins wanted to see me at lunch, I still got time right?” She asked throwing her bag over her shoulder.

“Yeah, you’ve got about 15, maybe 20 minutes.”

“Cool, I’ll see you later,” she smiled at Eddie and he smiled back in response, before she turned to leave and called over her shoulder with a small wave, “bye guys!”

Eddie watched her walk away dumbfounded, until Dustin clearing his throat brought him back to the table. He found the entire group of boys staring at him like he’d completely lost his mind. They immediately bombarded him with incredulous questions about ‘what on earth just happened’ until he shut them up with a laugh.

“What just happened gentlemen, is that I think I just met my future wife.”

The second she stepped through the front door after school, her mother pottered over with a mug of tea and handed it to Y/N, asking, “So? How was your first day?”

“Can I at least sit down before you interrogate me?” Y/N replied with a laugh at their mothers familiar behaviours, and made their way over to the kitchen table and relaxing into a chair, “It was fine, I got asked if I knew the Queen like three times so that was fun.”

Her mother laughed heartily and sat opposite Y/N, her own steaming mug of tea cupped between her hands, wedding ring clinking against the ceramic, “Did you make any friends? I don’t want you being lonely.”

“Yeah, I think I did, he’s coming round at about 4-ish,” Y/N spoke carefully, watching their mothers reaction. It was all what she expected, her mother spluttered slightly on her drink as her eyes widened.

“A boy? Already?” Her mother exclaimed, hand reaching across the table to take Y/N’s in her own, “Your dad’s not gonna like this, you know how he was with-“

“Eddie, is nothing like him.” Y/N quickly interrupted, “Honestly. I know it’s only been a day but they are polar opposites, I think Eddie would despise him.” Y/N finished with a laugh, “He’s a nerd and a metalhead, he plays D&D, that’s why he’s coming round, he wants to teach me the game before I try to play with the rest of the group,” at this, her mother’s panic subsided and was replaced by a soft, knowing smile.

“Right, of course, I forget you actually have a chance to act like yourself at school now,” leaning back in her chair, and releasing Y/N’s hand, she watched as Y/N nodded in agreement, “Well, either way, if he hurts you-”

“It’s not like that…” Y/N grew flustered slightly at the thought, cheeks growing hotter by the second, “He’s just a friend, a new friend, I don’t want to fuck it up.” Her mum nodded in understanding and stood up to leave Y/N to her thoughts at the table, “Mum?”

“Yeah sweetie?”

“I won’t ruin things again, will I?”

“You didn’t ruin them the first time.”

Her mum left the room and Y/N slumped back in her chair, head tilting back with a sigh. Her mind raced with all the memories of her friends from her old school, how different they were from the people she had connected with today. How different she was. How different she had to be. Shaking the feeling off, she kicked off her shoes, grabbed her backpack and disappeared into her room, trying to neaten up around the boxes before Eddie was due to arrive. Though they had moved a month ago, Y/N still wasn’t unpacked fully. The only things cleared away and presentable was her bed and her bookcase. The doorbell sounded, and Y/N’s head snapped to the clock. Quarter to. He was early.

In a small panic, as she heard he mother answer the door and greet Eddie, she cleared some floor space and threw some of the cushions from her bed into the space to sit on later, and made their way back to the kitchen. Eddie was leaning against the kitchen counters talking animatedly to her mother about something, fluffy hair flying around and hands flailing.

“Have you ever seen them live?” Mrs Y/L/N asked, nodding to Eddies t-shirt, “You should, they’re amazing.”

“You’ve seen them-!” Eddie started before noting Y/N watching with an amused smirk in the archway, “Hey, Y/N, your mom was just telling me about-”

“Metallica?” Y/N finished for him and he nodded excitedly, “Yeah we saw them in London in 84’, best Christmas ever.”

“I’m so unbelievably jealous,” Eddie looked like he could explode with excitement, and Y/N couldn’t help but grin, as she walked over to him, “Anyway, I brought everything we need to get you started, you ready?”

“Absolutely,” Y/N affirmed and turned to lead him out of the room, “I’ll see you later mum.”

“Have fun,” She said, smiling in approval as they walked out of the room and towards Y/N’s bedroom.

Once inside Y/N sat down on one of the cushions and patted the second for Eddie to sit on but he paid no mind it. He stood in the doorway unsure of what to do with himself now that he was there, scanning the room, seeing band posters and photographs of Y/N and their old friends and family. He could smell her perfume. It was all overwhelmingly Y/N and it stunned him. When he finally clocked Y/N again, it made his heart skip a beat seeing her sat on the floor leaning back on her hands watching him so intently, head cocked slightly, like he was the most interesting thing she had ever seen.

“C’mon, sit your ass down, unless you want to teach from the doorway,” Y/N spoke, amused at his sudden lack in confidence after seeing him so exuberant in the kitchen. He cleared his throat and made his way to the floor, sitting next to her and pulling a few books, a few sheets of paper and a small metal box from the bag that he brought with him.

“Do you have a pen?” he asked suddenly, and she nodded reaching behind her and pulling a pen from her backpack, presenting it to him “Good…good. So, what do you know of the game?”

Y/N explained the little that she knew - that it was a roleplaying game, that you could make your own character and that it involved a lot of mythology and lore. He nodded along as she spoke, affirming that was she said was correct, before explaining a few of the finer points of the game. Y/N quickly found out that, as founder of the club, Eddie was ‘Dungeon Master’ and ran the whole game, planning the story and what obstacles the party would encounter. Then came how to actually play. He picked up the metal box and carefully tipped out the contents onto the floor and out rolled many dice in a dark red colour, and black embossed lettering.

“This, is a D20.” They found themselves laying on the floor facing each other, open books and many-sided di between them. He held up the small di between them with his free hand, Y/N’s eyes fixed on the icosahedron. “This is what makes the game fun, for me at least as DM, if the player rolls too low of a number, they don’t hit and it causes more chaos – fun for me to watch - and if it rolls high, more damage done to the target and one step closer to winning.”

“Right, I think I get it…I guess using the different di will mostly come with practice.” Y/N spoke and Eddie nodded, “Now I know the basics…”

“Now, we can create your character, so what’ll it be? Dwarf? Human? Elf? Princess?” He quirked an eyebrow and gaged her response, noting the slight catch in her throat at the final word.

“When you say elf, do you mean Santa’s Workshop or Lord of The Rings?” Y/N asked with a cheeky smile, already knowing the answer but wanting to see him laugh. She succeeded as Eddie snorted a laugh, rolling onto his back and looking up at her.

“Lord of the Rings,” He responded, “Is that what you want to be?” and Y/N nodded.

“I know in reality I’m more of a Hobbit by nature, but the Elves were always my favourite.” With a smile, she glanced over to her bookcase where her weathered copies of the saga sat in prized position. It was one of the only things her and her father bonded over, as he read The Hobbit to her growing up and then finishing the series herself and continued talking to her father about the stories as she grew older.

“You just keep getting better, Y/L/N,” Eddie closed his eyes and shook his head in disbelief, “but this is just too good to be true, there’s got to be a catch.”

Y/N watched him as thoughts of her past life and new thoughts of Eddies smile and adorable brown eyes flickered through her mind. ‘Too soon. Not yet.’

“Maybe I’m just that perfect,” she smiled and leant over him a little, reaching for the character sheets next to him. “My extensive knowledge of Middle Earth and music taste speak for themselves.”

Eddie’s eyes opened to find Y/N closer than expected and he startled. Quickly sitting up and reaching for the Starters Guide, making Y/N sit back slightly as well. She scanned the character sheet and filled in a few things herself before getting to the interesting parts that she knew she would need more help with. Time flew as they created Y/N’s character, rolling the di for each trait and smiling with each new addition, Eddie taking on his Dungeon Master role instantaneously and making her laugh as he enthusiastically read through the guide. Not realising how late it was getting until a call came from the door, Y/N and Eddie were engrossed in their own little world, now sitting shoulder to shoulder and talking animatedly as they read the guide together.

“Y/N, dinner’s ready, can you ask Eddie if he’s staying to eat?” Y/N and Eddie both laughed at the question, Mrs Y/L/N not realising that she had just asked him by proxy.

“Are you staying?” Y/N asked quietly turning her head slightly to look Eddie dead in the eye, with a soft smile on her lips.

“Only if you want me to.” He replied as his eyes flickered down to her lips and suddenly realised just how close they were.

“He’s staying!” Y/N called back without turning her head and heard her mothers’ footsteps retreating, “You hungry?”

“Starving.” He leant in a little further and their noses bumped, both of their breathing a little laboured at the proximity before Y/N pulled away and stood up, reaching a hand out to help him up as well. He took her hand, and the cold metal of his rings made her shudder a little but it went unnoticed. They walked hand in hand back to the kitchen, where the table was set with three plates of steaming food, at which Eddie sat down instantly and thanked Mrs Y/L/N for the food. But Y/N stood in the doorway, staring at the empty space.

“Where’s dad’s?” Y/N asked and saw as their mother sighed and sagged slightly at the stove.

“He called, he’s going to be working late all week.” She answered sadly but quickly brushed it off, “but that just means I get more mother-daughter time with you.”

Eddie stopped mid-mouthful then swallowed, “Are you sure it’s okay for me to be here?”

“Don’t be daft, I wasn’t going to let you go home on an empty stomach.” Mrs Y/L/N replied earnestly, “What kind of host and mother would I be if I didn’t feed my guests and my daughter’s new friend?” she seemed positively offended at the idea.

“Mum’s always been a feeder, it’s how she shows her love and appreciation.” Eddie made a noise of understanding, nodded, then started eating again, “You really were starving.”

Y/N laughed at Eddie’s sheepish face but continued eating anyway. She sat next to him and dug in herself, before Mrs Y/L/N placed three glasses on the table.

“Wine?” She asked cheerily, pouring herself a drink and Eddie spluttered again when Y/N nodded and said a sweet ‘thanks mum’ when her glass was poured, “Eddie?”

“Is that a trick question?” Eddie asked cautiously, and Mrs Y/L/N cocked her head, confused, until Y/N chimed in.

“Ah! Um, the legal drinking age in the UK is 18, it’s a little hard to get used to suddenly having to be 21 to drink…” Y/N explained but Eddie still looked unsure as to whether he was allowed to except the offer so Y/N continued, “but my parents have always been pretty liberal about it, they’re not idiots and know what they were like at our age - we’re going to drink anyway so why not do it safely, where they can keep an eye out. So, wine?”

“There you go again, being too good to be real.” Eddie takes it all in then smiles at Mrs Y/L/N, “I’ve never had wine before…”

“It’s an acquired taste but it goes well with food,” She pours him a glass and smiles, starting to eat, “Eat, drink, relax, I’m not gonna call the police.”

Y/N laughs and takes a swig of her wine before digging into her food again, watching Eddie in her peripheral as he took a sip and coughed at the unfamiliar taste, making her snicker slightly. He glared at her before trying again and managing to drink without choking. Raising an eyebrow at him, as he swallowed before smiling and focusing on eating. The evening went by smoothly, Mrs Y/L/N continuing to ask Eddie questions, obviously trying to sus him out but doing it so seamlessly that he didn’t notice and answered honestly. Y/N learned that he lived in the trailer park not too far away with his uncle, that he worked part-time at the record store, that he didn’t have that much contact with his parents but didn’t really mind – he only tensed and got a little shy when Mrs Y/L/N asked about his romantic life, laughing awkwardly and muttering a small “it’s non-existent” before moving on and saying his one true love was his guitar anyway. They laughed, and ate, and finished the bottle of wine, Mrs Y/L/N muttering about how her husband wouldn’t be happy they didn’t save him any. With empty plates and full bellies, they all leant back in their seats as they let the food settle.

“Thank you again, Mrs Y/L/N, the food was delicious,” Eddie said and rubbed his belly slightly, “Best meal I’ve had in ages.”

“It was no bother,” Mrs Y/L/N shushed him and started clearing the plates, at which Eddie stood up to help, carrying the empty dishes to the sink. Y/N smiled to herself at how well Eddie fit in with her family, like he wasn’t a complete stranger that morning.

“I’ll wash up mum, you go sit and read for a bit.” Y/N said to their mum with a hug and kiss on the cheek before she pottered off to the living room.

“I love your mom.” Eddie said as soon as she was out of earshot, leaning against the counter as Y/N filled up the sink with hot soapy water and gave Eddie a tea-towel, “I don’t think an adult has ever treated me this kindly on first meeting.”

“That woman does not have a hateful bone in her body,” Y/N said with a smile, starting to clean up, handing the cleaned plates to Eddie to dry, “she’s always been like that, my gran said it got her into trouble a lot growing up, always being quick to trust people that she maybe shouldn’t but she still always see’s the best in people.”

“Must be where you got it from,” Eddie said and Y/N flicked some foam at him, he dodged it and lightly hit her with the towel making her laugh, “I’m serious, you very easily could have told me to fuck off when I interrupted your peace at lunch today, you could still tell me to leave you alone, and yet you haven’t, why?”

“Well…” Y/N started but didn’t finish, not really knowing what to say, so she sighed, focusing instead on scrubbing a glass.

“Well?” Eddie prompted, putting the towel down and folding his arms across his chest, looking at her expectantly. She could feel his gaze on the side of her head, as though he was trying to force his way inside it and figure out what she was thinking. The trouble was even Y/N didn’t know what she was thinking.

“I don’t know.” Y/N said letting the glass fall into the water with a small sploosh, and resting her hands on the sink, “What do you want me to say?” She sighed, collected her thoughts and bit the bullet, letting a stream of consciousness pour out of her mouth without really thinking about it, “I think you’re cool, we like the same things, not to mention that you were the only one who didn’t ask me a stupid question about England. Plus, you actually understand my humour - you were the only one that laughed in homeroom this morning and you’ve bitten back whenever I’ve teased you today. You’ve made me genuinely laugh for the first time in a while and I think you could be a really good friend to me…why would I tell you to leave?”

There was silence for a second before Eddie spoke.

“You think I’m cool?”

“That’s what you picked up on?!”

They laughed at each other, as equally as astonished at the other. They fell into comfortable silence for a few seconds before Y/N flicked some more water at him making him gasp as it hit him, causing Y/N to erupt into giggles.

“You did not just do that.”

“Oh, but I did.”

“You’re gonna regret that.” Eddie grinned, splashing water at Y/N, it hitting her décolletage and dripping down her front. She glared at him, her eye twitching slightly before she sprung into action.

“It’s on, Munson.” Y/N stated, quickly picking up the sponge she had been using to clean and squeezing it, the water spraying all over Eddie before she moved to run away, in hysterics at the fire in his eyes, and the exasperated look on his face as water clung to his curls.

“Oh no you don’t…” he murmured as he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back towards him, locking her in place with her back to his chest with one arm as the other hand hit the still full sink and covered her in water, drenching her. Shrieking through the laughter, she admitted defeat.

“You win, you win!” she struggled in his arms as he leaned in to rest his head on her shoulder.

“You’re not gonna hit me with more water if I let you go?” He spoke into her ear, and he felt her tense up a little, smirking to himself as she shook her head. “Okay.”

He released her and she turned to face him immediately, almost slipping on the water and laughing even more at the site of the mess they made.

“Dad’s gonna kill me if I don’t get this cleaned up…” speaking to herself and she retrieved the mop and bucket, Y/N quickly cleaned up the puddle, then finished the dishes as Eddie pulled a cigarette from his back pocket.

“You want one?” He asked and tucked his own over his ear, Y/N thought for a moment then nodded, and he got a second from the packet. Once all the dishes were on the drying rack, they made their way out of the house and Y/N led him to a large tree at the end of the path leading to the house. Y/N had found this spot within the first few days of moving. Their house was small and didn’t have a garden, it was the only one her dad could find on short notice, so Y/N had to venture out to find a good place to rest and smoke if she wanted to. Luckily, she found the large tree with its twisting roots that made the perfect little seat, otherwise she would’ve been stuck inside with her dad complaining about work and mum cooking away the sadness. She sat on her favourite root, the perfect size to sit on and leaned back against the trunk of the tree watching as Eddie lit his cigarette in front of her then motioned for her stand up. She walked over to him bewildered, before he held up her cigarette and nodded slightly towards her. Smirking slightly as he placed the cigarette between her lips and lighting the cigarette himself, she blew the smoke in his face with a quirked eyebrow. Retreating back to her seat, she inhaled again savouring the feeling of the nicotine calming her from the inside out and blew the smoke from her lungs up into the air before looking back at Eddie who was looking at her in awe.

“Thank you for making my first day bearable.” Y/N said raising her cigarette in a small ‘cheers’, he snorted and took a seat next to her.

“Don’t thank me yet, you could still hate me,” Eddie said with a knowing, poignant smile, “I can almost guarantee that you’ll be labelled a freak like me pretty soon, and when the rest of the school looks at you the same way they look at me…I’m not sure you’ll be thanking me.”

“Hey, don’t do that.” Y/N said sharply, turning to face him, “From where I’m standing, you have been labelled unfairly. Besides, if this,” she gestures around her, “is what makes you a freak in this town, I’ll call myself a freak with pride.”

Eddie gazes at her with wide eyes and slightly agape mouth, cigarette hanging between his fingers.

“Where have you been all my life?”

“England.”

He laughs heartily and Y/N joins in, leaning into him and resting their forehead against his shoulder. They continue talk and laugh about anything and everything, smoking until the cigarettes are dead and even then, they lay on the grass and look up at the stars for a while longer, feeling as though they had known each other for years.

“It’s getting late, I should probably be heading off.” He sighs and sits up, resting on his forearms, looking over at Y/N, “but I’ll see you tomorrow…I drove in my van but then your mom gave me alcohol so…I’ll come by in the morning and drive you to school?”

“I’d like that, but fair warning, I think you’re stuck with me now,” Y/N grins at him, happy to have made such a good friend on her first day.

“God help me.” He jokes and she pushes him slightly making him collapse back onto the grass. Eddie pulls himself back up and rises to standing before helping Y/N up as well and walking her back to the front door. They said their goodbyes, Eddie winking, before turning on his heel and walking off into the night.

#eddie munson #eddie x reader #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x female reader #eddie munson x you #eddie munson fic #eddie munson fluff #eddie munson angst #eddie munson smut #stranger things vol 2 #reader insert #freak like me #leaf writes

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chaoticgremlinwholikescheese · 2 years ago

Text

Don’t Let Go

Whump

Angst

Hurt/Comfort

Hurt Evan "Buck" Buckley

Protective Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV)

I am californian and fire season is a genuine thing

AO3 LINK

Usually there's four seasons. Fall, winter, spring, and summer. In California, there's five seasons. Fall, winter, spring, summer, and fire. Fire season comes every year without fail. It's a staple of life you get used to when you live in the sunshine state. However, with climate change, the fires get worse every year. And this year is the worst one in decades.

"118! Listen up!"

Bobby's voice rings through the fire house as silence falls. Everyone gathers around him.

"As you all know, this years fire season has been bad. Our station has been assigned to fight the fires on the southern ridges. This is going to be a five day assignment, but it could go longer. We're expected to arrive by eight AM tomorrow. I know this is short notice, and I apologize, but I just found out about this myself. After shift today, please make any arrangements you need to. If you require assistance or have questions, feel free to ask me. Thank you all."

There's murmuring from the crowd, but it dissipates as everyone scatters.

"I was hoping we wouldn't be dispatched for a bit longer," Eddie sighs.

"It comes every year like clock work. Do you know if Carla can watch Chris?"

"Honestly, Buck, I don't know. I'll call and ask."

"Karen said she could watch the kids after work. Chris can stay with Denny, it'll be like a super-long sleepover," Hen interjects. "So as long as Carla can watch Chris during the day, everything should be fine."

"Hen. Have I ever told you and Karen that you two are the greatest people on the planet?"

"Yes. But hearing it again never hurts."

Hen goes off to chat with Chim, who's calling Maddie. Eddie turns to Buck.

"I was going to invite you over for a movie night tonight, but you'll probably want to pack."

"I've got everything I need at your place. I can throw it in my travel bag. Plus, I promised Chris I would make Bobby's lasagna tonight."

Eddie has this soft smile on his face. It's one that's reserved solely for Chris and Buck. Hen calls it his 'love-sick smile'. And in all honesty, Eddie knows she's right. He's head over heels for Buck. Has been for years. It's as familiar to him as breathing. Maybe one day he'll tell Buck. But for right now, he doesn't want to risk losing Buck completely. He can't handle that. He just got him back after the lightning strike. He won't lose him again just because he can't keep his feelings in check.

The alarm goes off, spurring everyone into action. Eddie forces himself to clear his mind.

*******************

Buck knows Eddie's kitchen like the back of his hand. Partially because he reorganized it while stressed, but more so because he cooks here more than he ever does in his own home. He spends more time at Eddie's house than he does his own house in general. He's become a staple in the Diaz household. And he'll forever be grateful that they want him here.

"Okay, the lasagna is almost ready. Chris, can you grab the water from the fridge?"

Chris does so, Dodging Eddie as he goes to grab the plates. The timer goes off and Buck grabs the food from the oven. He places it on the table, taking his seat next to Eddie.

"This smells amazing."

"Lucky for you, you're getting the first piece," Buck says as he serves Chris a slice.

They all dig in. They chat about their day. Chris updates them on the gossip from school. It's the domestic moments like these that Buck loves the most.

After dinner, Buck washes the dishes as Eddie dries them. Chris runs off to his room to get into PJs.

"We have to tell him we're being dispatched," Eddie whispers.

"I know."

"I hate leaving him."

"Me too."

He bumps his shoulder into Eddie's, a silent show of support. Eddie smiles at him. They stay like that as they wash the rest of the dishes. Eventually, Chris comes back in, now clad in dinosaur pajamas.

"Hey Chris, before we start the movie, we gotta talk about something really quick."

Chris shoots them a nervous look. Buck quickly assures him it's nothing bad. That seems to relax the boy a bit, but he's clearly still worried.

"You know the fires going on? Buck and I are being sent to go fight them. We'll be gone for a couple days. We have to leave tomorrow. Carla will watch you during the day like usual, and you'll stay with Karen and Denny."

"How long will you be gone?"

"We don't know. Probably about five days. I promise I'll take care of your dad, alright?"

"And I'll take care of Buck. We'll be back before you know it."

Chris nods.

"I'm not worried. As long as you two stay together, you'll both come home," he says confidently.

"Exactly. Now, what movie do you want to watch, mijo?"

*******************

Buck spends the ride to basecamp doing crossword puzzles. Occasionally he'll ask Eddie for help with a question, but on the whole his collection of random knowledge makes the puzzles easy. Eddie passes the time scrolling on his phone. He has a bunch of articles that Buck sent him, so he works his way through those. They're about a variety of different subjects. Buck tends to go on research binges, and he'll send Eddie things he finds interesting. Eddie loves it.

When they arrive, Bobby orders everyone to disembark. The moment Eddie steps outside, he's hit by a wave of smoky air. The sky is a shade of orange. It's apocalyptic. Bobby leads them over to the main tent, where everything is being organized. A woman comes out to meet them. She's rather short, but she exudes intimidating energy. Her salt-and-pepper hair is tied back in a tight bun.

"Hi, everyone. I'm Captain Hestwen. I'm the one in charge here. In a minute, you'll be getting your assignments. Over to the left is the field hospital. That tent right there is the bunks, grab naps whenever you can. A full nights sleep won't happen. Food is at the green tent, and the tent next to that is where we're storing gear. If you need me, I'll be here. I'll be seeing you all later at the briefing."

She heads inside just as Bobby comes out. He starts listing off their different positions.

"Chim, Hen, you're on med. You're going with a team from the 159 to help with evacuations and injuries. Andrews, you're joining the 35. Jefferson, you're going to help with heli-rescue. Diaz, Buck, you two are going out with the 128 to help with search and rescue. I'm staying here to help Captain Hestwen. Keep your radios on. The wind could shift, so I want to make sure I can get in touch with you all if I need to. Stay safe, everyone."

With that, everyone heads to their designated positions. It takes Eddie and Buck a moment to locate the 128. They find the crew resting around a table. There's about four of them. A young man comes up to greet them.

"Buckley and Diaz? I'm Ryan. I'm heading up this crew. That's Teri, Hartley, and Muniz."

"Nice to meet you. Call me Buck."

They all shake hands before heading over to the table. There's a map laid out, marked by red pins.

"Okay. There's a campsite that was right along the fire line. Most of the campers got out, but there's still three missing. There's a teenage girl named Jocelyn who was doing a solo trip, and a young couple, Nick and Theo. The wind is shifting fast, so we need to move faster. There's no way to get a helicopter out in this smoke, so we're taking ATVs down. We need to cover a large distance, so we're going to take different areas. Muniz, you're with me, taking the North campsite. Teri and Hartley, you're taking the east. Buck and Diaz, you're taking the west corner. You'll all get a map. Keep in mind that the fire line will be constantly shifting, so the map may be inaccurate."

Ryan leads them to the ATVs. Buck opts to drive, since Eddie is better at reading maps. It's a skill he picked up in the army. After making sure they're all on the same radio channel, they go their separate ways. Eddie directs Buck along the side trails. The road is thin and rocky. The smoke gets thicker as they head closer to the fire line. Buck can feel it settling on his skin. He calls out all three names, praying that they hear a response.

"To the left! A tent!"

Buck pulls over when he hears Eddie yell. They get out to investigate. There's two sleeping bags, so it must be Nick and Theo's. There's not much of the tent left. It looks like the fire swept through, charring everything in it's path. Buck calls out their names, even though it's unlikely the two men are anywhere nearby. They likely would have run from the fire.

"Let's head further down the trail. My guess is that they ran when the fire came."

Eddie nods in agreement. They climb back in and start to drive again. They see the evidence of the fire all around them. They're getting closer to the fire itself. When Nick and Theo ran, they didn't know the fire line would shift with the wind. They had no idea they were running straight towards it.

"Theo! Nick!"

Eddie's voice is hoarse from the combination of yelling and smoke. Nevertheless, he yells out their names again.

"Down here! Help!"

Buck abruptly stops. They run out of the ATV, heading towards the voice. They end up on a steep ridge. Down below, the two men are sitting. One appears mostly okay, but the other has a badly cut leg. Eddie can see the white of bone from where he's standing.

"The ridge collapsed! We can't get out," one yells.

"Grab the med bag," Buck orders. When Eddie returns, Buck has already scrambled down the ridge. He's putting pressure on the man's wound with the gauze from his pocket. "Throw down a rope! You'll have to pull them up, okay?"

They don't have access to their usual gear. All they have is some rope and carabiners. Eddie ties one end of the rope around a large boulder. He gives it a tug to make sure it's secure. Then he tosses the other end over the ridge, watching to make sure it doesn't get snagged on anything. Buck quickly ties it into a rescue knot.

"Theo, you need to go up. Eddie is going to help you."

"I'm not leaving Nick!"

"I promise I'll take care of him."

"Go," Nick croaks.

Theo hesitates, but grabs onto the rope. Eddie instructs him to put the loops around his legs. Once Theo is secure, Eddie uses all his strength to pull him up. Even with his gloves, the rope bites into his hands. The moment Theo appears over the edge, Eddie pulls him fully to safety.

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

"No. I mean yes, I have some cuts and a sprained wrist, but you need to take care of my boyfriend first, please-"

"Buck's got him. Go get in the ATV, we're going to get you both out of here."

The radio attached to Eddie's chest crackles to life. Bobby's voice comes over the line.

"All search and rescue teams, be advised that the wind is shifting. Fire is rapidly heading west."

Eddie swears. The fire is heading right for them. He can see it in the distance, getting closer with each passing second. They need to get out of here. He runs back to the edge of the ridge and throws the rope back down. Buck helps Nick up, carrying the majority of his weight. Buck has tied a tourniquet just above his wound. With a good bit of help, Nick gets secured to the rope. Buck gives Eddie a thumbs up.

It's when Eddie gets Nick to the top that the ridge collapses, taking the rock and rope with it. Eddie barely grabs Nick in time. Half the ridge falls, boulders tumbling down. He pulls Nick to safety before running over to check on Buck. He breathes a sigh of relief when he sees that Buck is stumbling to his feet.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine. Ankle might be broken though," Buck says. He's leaning heavily on his right side.

Eddie can see the fire getting closer. It'll reach them in only a couple of minutes. He has to get Buck up and out of here fast. Theo has already helped Nick into the ATV. Eddie searches the back for another rope, but there's none. Fuck. Eddie races back to the edge, wary of the fact that the ridge is unstable.

"You need to climb! Can you?"

"I don't think so. Eddie, you need to get Nick and Theo out of here. I'll find a different way up."

"I'm not leaving you."

"The fire is heading this way. You need to go!"

Eddie looks at Nick and Theo. Theo still has a small backpack on.

"Theo! Do you have any rope on you?"

He checks his bag, smiling when he pulls out a thin line. Eddie grabs it, testing its strength. It's enough. It has to be. He finds another hefty boulder and ties one end of the rope around it, making sure it's tightly knotted. He throws the other end down. He can feel the heat emanating from the fast-approaching flames. Buck knots the other end around himself. He looks warily at the flames, now eating through the trees only a few feet away.

Eddie begins to pull. His muscles scream at him, exhausted from all the work, but he ignores the pain. All that matters is getting Buck to safety.

The rope creaks.

It snaps.

Eddie lunges forward, grabbing Buck's hand just in time. The rope drops into the flames below. Eddie tries to pull Buck up, but he gets dragged towards the edge. The only thing holding him in place is the root his foot is lodged in, but that's about to give way too.

"Eddie, you have to let go, I'm going to pull you down with me," Buck begs.

"No," Eddie chokes out through gritted teeth. If he lets go Buck is going to fall. And if the fall doesn't kill him, the inferno waiting below will.

"Chris needs you."

"He needs you too!"

"Tell him I love him, okay? And- and there's notes for everyone. Just in case. They're in a box in my closet. Tell everyone I love them, alright?"

"Buck, please-" Eddie's cut off by his own strangled sob. The root gives way a little more.

"It's okay. I love you, Eddie."

With one last smile, Buck lets go. Eddie watches him fall.

CONTINUE READING ON AO3

#911 #911 fic #buddie

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plothooksinc · 2 years ago

Note

get to know your fic writer asks: 6, 7, 8, 19? :)

♥

6. Do you have your work beta'd? How important is this to your process?

Extremely. I tend to shop for the right beta per project-- for ROTTMNT stuff (and probably 03 stuff lbr) it's @shadowbends as we share the same fondnesses and have the same horribly enabley little minds. But also when I write, a beta is very important for two things: first, they pick up on every time I use the same word three times in one sentence, can run a vibe check and suggest characterisation/pacing improvements etc. Second, they reassure me that what I have is actually worth publishing. Which...I know for the most part. But scarring memories of thinking something was good as a kid only to be told it was the most "awful thing I've ever heard" when read out mean I'll always want someone to rule out that minor paranoia. |D

7. How do you choose which POV to write from?

It depends on who has the most to say and who has the most ability to observe in a scene! And how they observe it. There's a scene I was writing from Casey's POV in NRFTW where the pacing was really off despite the urgency of what was going on (friend needed rescue elsewhere while murder attempt right here) and I eventually realised it wasn't working because Casey isn't the right person to go 'oh god/panic' about events he was at the start of and mitigated immediately-- so I switched to Splinter, who woke up to a bunch of screaming and went WTF. Instant improvement. (Sometimes, the best POV is someone who does not have all the facts and goes ??? ??? the entire time)

Sometimes POV is a very obvious choice (an entire chapter of Leo going 'injuries suck'. An entire chapter of Donnie and research.) And sometimes, I gotta admit, I go with whoever will be the funniest to hear the thoughts of. |D And for a multi-character fight scene, I tend to flitter between different POV because it helps move the pacing along and keep things frantic.

8. Do you prefer the beginning, middle, or end of a story?

Middle. The beginning is often a lot of pulling teeth, trying to get some kind of interesting introduction chugging along that will engage people until you can get to the meat of the story. The ending is... easier in some ways, hard in others, but also you're finishing up your sparkly project and that's depressing. But the middle is where the meat is, where all those scenes are that you dreamed up and can't wait to inflict on people, and the easiest to write because you don't have to worry about beginnings and ends.

19. What is the most-used tag on your ao3?

This requires research! [hold music plays]

Okay, so keep in mind that I undertag and write tags as I go and I have a lot of unfinished work.

Not including character/relationship tags, the answer is: Blood and Injury! Runner-up: Kidnapping

>_> I swear I haven't written that many kidnappings. Note that I don't deny the blood and injury.

Hurt/comfort came in third. Look, I am a simple woman with simple pleasures. (Also, most of these kidnap victims rescue themselves. It's a whole thing.)

Thank you for this hilarious chance at self-reflection because I really tallied tags and went "oh... huh. That sure is a pattern..."

Get to know your fic writer here!

#I'd say I'd never write another kidnapping again but look #/stares at Legacy #/stares at Court of Miracles #I ALREADY KNOW I'D BE LYING #I JUST LIKE DRAMATIC RESCUES/SELF RESCUES OKAY ;_;#(also pls rec me these)#@consultingjedi

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your-local-grubdog · 2 years ago

Text

Together in the Storm Chapter 6: Captain Destiny

Story Summary: Olimar is back home once again, ready to rest and recuperate from everything that had happened. Yet the universe keeps throwing unwanted surprises his way, making rest difficult. He just wants to make his (now rather large) family believe that he’ll be okay. Because he is, for he has to be.

Chapter Summary: Olimar's first time out on a delivery run! Surely nothing bad will happen.

I've decided to put the art within the text like I do on Ao3, instead of at the start. So there is art still!

Read on Ao3 here! Or keep reading down below!

To say Olimar was nervous would be a severe understatement.

The young man, in his early 20s, shook like a leaf as he pulled a spacesuit on. This was it. After months of training to be a mechanic, he was finally getting to go out on a cargo run himself. He was going into space. Space!!! Never in his wildest dreams did he actually think he'd ever get to do this! Hoped, sure, but to actually get to go...

Even if it was only for work, he was excited!

And completely terrified.

Not of space, no. Well, he had a reasonable amount of fear of the cosmos. A healthy amount, given that the sea of stars wasn't exactly perfectly predictable or safe.

What he was afraid of was people. He had no idea what his crew was going to be like. He didn't know too many co-workers or people in general. His wife, Rosie, was pretty much his only friend. His new in-laws were pleasant enough. His old mentor for learning mechanics tolerated him.

That was about it. He didn't know what to expect from these new guys.

Still, he somehow forced his body to move and get over to the ship yard, his small bag of things in tow. In front of a massive ship labeled as the C.S. Kaluga was a small group of other people he silently fell in line with; all of them were Hocotation men of various heights, fur tones, and body shapes. They hardly took any notice of him, simply looking for a second as they focused on their conversation. Olimar stood there awkwardly for several moments, wondering if he was actually where he was supposed to be, when someone else joined them. She was a taller and older woman, with dark brown fur and coily black hair swept to one side. Just below her vitals monitor on the front of her suit were three little golden triangles, denoting her status as the crew's captain.

Everyone else went quiet as they noticed her, turning towards her. She crossed her arms as she looked over the crew. After a few moments she began to speak. "I'm your assigned captain for this run; Captain Destiny. Our task is simple. We gotta stop by a few planets to pick up and drop off shipments. Shouldn't take even a month to do. Now, I respect your time and so won't keep you longer than I need to. You all know your jobs and expected behavior while on other planets. Get on board, choose your rooms, we'll be launching in an hour."

There were a few quiet "Yes ma'am"s before everyone began to board the ship. Olimar was still shaking, though not as badly as he climbed into the ship and looked around for an empty room to call his own. They were all small, having only the bare necessities, but they worked well enough. He eventually settled on one that was closest to where he'd be working most of the time, setting his bag down.

This is it, he thought. I'm finally on a crew.

===

Work was rather dull, actually.

Most of his time he spent in the maintenance crawl spaces, which were dark and cramped and he's cut himself on far more random bits and bobs than he cared to admit. Occasionally he'd be asked to fix some small machine in the upper levels, usually the coffee maker that one of his crew mates (named Daniel) had a habit of breaking somehow. Rarely, he'd be asked to help clean something, which he didn't mind too much.

For the most part, though, he kept to himself. He found it hard to talk to the other crew members; they would quickly ignore him after a few awkward pleasantries. That was fine enough. He's kept to himself before, he could do it again.

When they landed on the first planet, he was tasked to help unload things from the ship. They needed all the muscle they could get to do this as quickly as possible.

Occasionally Captain Destiny would check in on him. She was nice, and actually tried to hold a conversation with him, but she was usually too busy to be reliable. That was fine.

Thus he was, for the most part, a loner within the crew. He did his work quickly and diligently, sometimes even doing more than he needed out of sheer boredom, and no one out right complained about him. He was fine existing on the edge like this.

So he was rather surprised when, one day, Daniel invited him over to a conversation.

Olimar sat silently with a few other crew members, four others to be exact. He didn't remember their names, actually... He only knew Daniel due to how often he broke the coffee machine.

"We just needed your opinion on something, break a tie." Daniel explained. "What do ya think about the Captain?"

Ah, a tie breaker. Yeah, he could do that. "I think she's nice enough, though I also haven't gotten to talk to her much."

"... Okay, and what about Rachel?" He asked after a small pause.

"Ah, s-sorry, I don't know her...?"

"Manager's secretary." One of the other crew members explained. "Ginger, always wearing those tight skirts?"

That made Olimar pause for a few seconds, stomach twisting from anxiety. "H-Haven't spoken to her much, either. She's very polite though."

"Like hell she is, she can't take a compliment." Another one of the guys complained.

What the hell do you consider a "compliment", though? Olimar wondered, shifting around uncomfortably.

"But we're askin' if you think either is hot." Daniel turned to him.

Olimar shifted around more. "Oh, uh... I - I uh- d-don't want to answer."

"Aw, relax, we won't judge."

"Alex might. But Alex's opinions don't matter." One of the others spoke up, laughing as he did.

A third began to growl, presumably Alex. "Oh shut up, asshole."

Olimar stayed quiet for several moments before managing out "I-I'm married, s-so I'd rather not..."

"Oh please, this ain't cheating."

"Not that anyone would know about it out here. Man's gotta do what a man's gotta do."

Now Olimar felt really sick. "I -I said I won't!" He just about snapped, mostly from panic.

"Dude, calm down. Why can't you just let yourself enjoy a pretty lady, hm?"

Daniel just raised his hand slowly. "Now now, he's clearly gotten someone special. Why don't you tell us about her, hmm?"

Olimar stood there silent, stomach twisting. Eventually, he shook his head.

"... No?" Daniel asked, now smirking. "Possessive? We're all just trying to complement some girls is all."

"T-This isn't t-the right way!" Olimar snapped, finally finding his voice. "You're - you're just being creepy about it!"

At that Daniel rolled his eyes. "Oh please, don't be a hypocrite. There's no way in hell you've never wanted this."

Olimar just shook his head.

"Never wanted a woman. Not even your wife?"

Olimar found himself going quiet. "I - I love her very much. She's wonderful, kind and far too patient with me. And - and I'd like kids w-when we're ready."

"... That's it?"

Olimar nodded.

"A bit chaste, don't you think? Have you ever even been in bed with her - with anyone?"

Olimar didn't feel... Real. That was the best way he could put it. He felt horribly sick, yet detached from the world in a way he couldn't describe. "I - I need to go." It didn't sound to him like he was the one talking, but clearly he was.

"Is that why you wouldn't tell us about her? Afraid she'd find a real man-"

Olimar practically pushed him out of the way as he ran out of the room, hyperventilating. As he did, he heard a few not-so hushed whispers. Complaints of him being a kill joy, a prude and... Other comments that really made his stomach churn. He simply chose to walk faster, desperate to get away now.

Good job, idiot. Your one chance to make friends with them and you blew it. But they were creepy anyways. But they'll hate you now, instead of tolerating you. Is that how men are supposed to be? How I'm supposed to be? Gods I hope not but I may be wrong about that, maybe I'm supposed to hope to be right. You could have at least pretended to be interested. Snapping was the right thing to do. You wouldn't want someone talking about you like that either. But now I have enemies and no friends. I want to go home I want to fall into Rose's arms and fade out of existence I want-

Both he and another person yelped a bit as he walked right into them. Panicking hard now, Olimar managed out a quiet (and barely comprehendible) apology, only for his stomach to twist more as he saw who he ran into: Captain Destiny.

"Shit-" she grumbled, picking up the clipboard she had dropped in the process. "That's my bad, I was too focused on these-" she looked up at him then, ears now pinned back. "... You okay, Olimar?"

Olimar just shook, unable to speak. He nodded wearily, though he highly doubted he was convincing.

"It's alright, you can talk to me."

He was quiet for a few more moments before managing out "S-Some of the others are j-just being creepy."

Destiny looked angry now, but she still kept her voice soft. "Are you sure that's all?"

He shuffled awkwardly, uncertain of how much he should share.

"I'm the captain. I need to know what's up so I can stop them."

Oh fuck, they'd hate him even more if that happened. They deserved it, but they'd pin the blame on him for sure. "It's - It's just - a me thing. I j-just don't understand why - why they're like that." He chuckled nervously.

"'Cus they're entitled assholes."

Olimar was quiet for several more moments. Then, "I mean - I don't understand any of it. I've never... N-never found someone..." He groaned then, looking away he dug his nails into his skin. Gods, he didn't have to dump all of this on Destiny.

Yet, she hardly seemed to mind. If anything, she persisted with "You've never found someone attractive."

"... No." He finally admitted. "M-My wife, I adore her. So much. But I j-just... I'm not the way I'm supposed to be, and even trying to do - that - makes me feel sick and-" he dug his nails in deeper, willing himself to shut the fuck up. She didn't need for him to put any more stress on her or over whelm her or anything.

"Hey, you're going to hurt yourself." Destiny grabbed his wrists just long enough to pull them away and keep him from digging his nails in any further. "It's okay, Olimar." She assured him as she let go. "There's nothing wrong with you. I promise. You're just a little different, nothing more. Okay? Whoever tells you otherwise is a fucking dumbass. You're just as you're "supposed" to be."

Olimar wasn't sure what it was. If it was the concern for his safety or the gentle voice or the reassurance that he wasn't born wrong or just that he was fucking exhausted now. All he knew was that he began to shake harder as he broke down into tears.

Destiny gently rubbed his arm a bit. "Hey, go ahead and retire to your room. Okay? I'll clear your schedule. Clean up and get some rest. I'll take care of them."

Olimar nodded shakily, eager to hide and sleep for the rest of the day. He didn't get to take more than two steps before Destiny stopped him again.

"And just remember what I told you. You're not broken."

===

Destiny had a lot on her plate.

Firstly, she walked into the room Olimar had just come out of, thankfully while they were still in the middle of their conversation. Thus, she was able to sufficiently punish them without there being any question of if Olimar told her about them. She highly doubted that being put on the worst work available on board would really teach them much of anything, but it would keep them too separated and too tired to pull that little stunt again.

Then she had to double check inventory, make sure they had only used up the amount of fuel and food they were projected to use within a single day. Then back to the upper decks to check with the navigator and pilot team to ensure everything was still smooth going.

By the time she made it back to check on Olimar, the poor boy had fallen fast asleep.

She had honestly understood him more than she let on, focused more so on making sure he would be okay. She was the same as him - only difference was he also had no interest in marriage or romance.

She'd have to check in on him later, then, just to ensure he'd be alright. Destiny walked away, checking over her paperwork. She wasn't entirely sure why she was so worried about that one in particular, beyond the empathy and pity she felt at him bursting into tears. She supposed he reminded her of her sister, in a way, the two did act quite similarly as far as she could tell.

The thought made her stop walking, leaving her to just stare blankly at the papers in her hands.

So that's how it was going to be, huh?

No matter. She'd just make sure to keep an eye on him. The boy clearly needed support of some kind.

#pikmin #fan fiction #pikmin fan fiction #star touched au #pikmin star touched #captain olimar #borb draws #borb writes

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omegasmileyface · 3 years ago

Text

Of All the People - Ch. 11

second to last chapter!! and the last journal chapter! the next one might take a bit to upload, so on our ao3 upload we promoted four fics that inspired the way we wrote this. here are those links! click through or check the end note on our ao3 upload for names and authors. as always, this was written by me and @attackradish and @ectolemonades for InvisoBang 2022, with chapter 1 art by @/toasty-ghosti!

whole fic summary: After a stupid dare puts Dash Baxter in the lab at Fentonworks during the middle of a ghost fight, he finds himself a little more spectral than usual. Apparently Danny Fenton’s gone through the same thing (someone has got to call OSHA on these guys eventually), and who could better help Dash than his hero? His lame, stubborn hero?

warnings: Nothing for this chapter! In others, existential crises, and Spectra.

words: 1981

AO3 link

first chapter

previous chapter

next chapter

===

November 21

Today in chemistry we had a lab and it was weird, cuz I wasn't with Star. Theirs no set partners in that class or anything but nobody switches up partners after the first lab. That would be stupid. But before class Star was talking to Foley about some part of the lab prep and they didn't want to stop the conversation so they paired up. It sucks that we had to re partner but Foley's usual partner was Danny so it could of been worse. Apparently hes still banned from the glass wear after he dropped everything in freshman year. Which was totally because he was still getting used to intangibility and thats really unfair. He's perfect at that now. Anyway, I had to hold all the equipment while he read the lab instrutions to me but it worked out fine. I'm glad I'm not dropping stuff like he was. I know he had way more times where he accidentally used his powers than I am (its hard enough to use them on purpose) but I think the training has also helped a lot. If we BOTH got banned we'd be screwed on the lab. It was pretty boring since I was just taking instructions and Danny's used to labs and shit so we ended up talking a lot. I got exited about Invasion Z 2: Redeath coming out this weekend and he kept agreeing with me. Turns out he likes movies too! Mostly sci fi and horror and stuff but hey, a good movies a good movie. He gave me some horror reccommendations and I don't usually like horror but I'm gonna try them. He's probably too busy but I think I'll ask if his friends wanna go see Redeath when it hits the theater.

===

November 22

The Red Huntress was in a ghost fight today. Like one where Phantom was there too. I havent seen her since Igot my powers but I don't think I've ever really thought about her before. I got to get up kinda close without her noticing me cuz Danny had her distracted and… she's so human. Like I mean obviously, she's human but I don't think I ever thought of her with that in mind. She's just kind of a superhero to me more than specificly a human that deals with ghosts. But up close I could hear what she was saying to Phantom and it was so different compared to the ghosts. It was all hate. It wasn't any challenges or competition or whatever mostly. She doesn't yell as much as when she started showing up and I feel like she's less trigger happy around Phantom now but she's still all personal and intense. I guess it just makes me wonder who she is. If she's human she's gotta have like a life and job when she isn't chasing ghosts and it was weird enough learning that it was the same with Phantom but Danny doesn't have a choice. This chick has to care a hell of a lot to keep doing this. What hapened that made her so invested in ghosts?

===

November 23

Me and Kwan and Star and Paulina were gonna go to Nasty Burger with Danny's gang after school today to make sure we are all on the same page about ghosts and everything. But Kwan wanted to bail, which I get. He's still on the football team and so I guess the free time I've got now minus training isn't the same for him. Then Paulina and Star both had family stuff come up. I guess Thanksgiving IS tomorow. So I just went alone but when I got there Manson and Foley had ditched too. That many people leaving is kinda suspiscious, except that I don't see why my friends would do that on purpose. Fenton's friends maybe. Nerds are weird like that. Danny decided to stay even after it was just me there. I mean, foods food. Since everybody else was missing we didn't really talk business, instead we just talked about whatever. Did you know Danny has piloted the space shuttle before??

===

November 24

Turns out the Red Huntress is Val. As in, Valerie Gray. Danny's known the whole time she's been doing the job and he acidentally let it slip when we were talking about having to fight humans. He forgot I didn't know. He felt really really bad about it so obviously I can't tell anybody but it almost feels like I should. Is she okay? I mean she's doing this but shes just a human and I know she did sports before but it's super not the same. Where did she even get all that tech? Did she make it herself? I guess probably not because she was never into techno stuff before but did I is that the kind of stuff she has to do? It's weird that she's in high school too, with how busy Danny is she must have it the same way. I don't know if her grades are worse or anything because I haven't really talked to her since her dad lost his job. None of us have. Since then she's really been fighting ghosts? Why is Why won't Why does she hate them so much? Fuck weve all been such assholes to her and we just forgot about it when we didn't see her as much. I can't invite her back into the group becase she'll find out I'm a ghost and probably try to kill me at school or something. Plus she doesn't even wanna come back I bet.

===

November 25

Lancer wants everybody to do a writing piece on some exhibit at Amity museum. Something about getting imersed in knowledge or whatever. A bunch of us went there after school today to find topics so we could ignore it on the weekend. They have this exibit on the moon landings and mars rovers and all that space robot stuff and apparently Danny hadn't been here since before they added that cuz when he saw it he looked like he found $100 lying on the ground. He was fucking thrilled and he started talking about stuff that wasn't even on the information posters. I'm thinkin he should have designed the thing! His eyes got all sparkly and I'm 100% sure his freckles were glowing like little stars. He was also clearly trying not to float?? Honest to god it was so cute… Anyway everyone else went away after a bit to look at other exibits but like didn't they want to hear what Danny was saying?? I did.

===

November 26

Ok I've been mostly staying out of ghost fights this whole time cuz I get that while I'm still training it's better for Danny if I stay out of his way. But today there was a fight with this ghost skeleton dude in a white suit (he was kinda familiar?? I dont remember any ghosts like that though. ghosts are weird like that) and he kept punching Phantom into the road and shit and it was brutal. So I joined in too at least make it a two on one fight. But there was a bit where Danny was on the ground resting (I think his arm got broken?! Does he have bones?? I mean I do right??? But maybe he doesn't cuz he's a litle different or whatever???) so the skeleton dude started going after me instead. That was scary but like it's what we're training for so I was sticking my ground ready to help out my hero. But he barely touched me before Da Phantom was just… back.

He tackled the skeleton ghost strait into the road and it made another crater. He backed up into the air and fired a perfect ecto-blast that broke up the asphalt more so it looked like gravel around the ghost. I think at that point the ghost had passed out but Phantom jerked his hand and put some kind of green layer around the guy. I guess it was like one of his sheilds but at a distance. Then he came over and got me, I never had time to move away, and he just picked me up and took me to the other side of the street like mom moves Pooky when he's in the way. I tried to get out so I could keep an eye on the ghost and make sure he didn't escape but Ph Danny wouldn't even give me any wiggle room. It was like he was made of iron. I felt that a couple times before when he's saved me from stuff but it's a lot less comforting when I'm trying to fight it. I saw that he was still somehow keeping that sheild up though so I guess I didn't need to escape any way. Man, he looked pissed… but I don't think it was at me. It at least didn't feel that way somehow.

After that he went back and captured the guy without anoher word to him and he checked me over and told me to "be careful around people like that" and went home. He didn't look me in the eye since he moved me out of the way. Maybe that's good, becuz I don't know if its a ghost thing or what but there was something really heav paralys intense about him at that point. I don't know how I would of acted if we had made eye contact. Stupid, probably.

I've been thinking about it and if I'm gonna be honest I was scared. Part of it was that kinda electric air thing that comes with ghosts sometimes, the feeling that makes you go all still, but I've never gotten that kind of feeling from Phantom before. Still though like I said I don't think it was aimed at me. That must be some kind of ghost comunication like Danny was talking about that one time, and it was comunicated to me that it was for the other guy. And it pretty much went away after he got the ghost contained. Still. I guess that wasnt all of it.

I re I guess I realized around then that like he didn't have to put up with everything. Me being an asshole I mean. When he was in that fight, even though it was worse then usual and he was suffering for it, when he got mad he just kinda switched gears. Ended the battle. Like he was sick of it. It gave me the feeling that he was sort of playing around until he cared enough to really get engaged (but why would he do that? Why wouldn't he just take care of the figt in the first place??)

And I guess that makes sense! I've been looking at every fucking Phantom fight I can these last few years. He doesnt really lose and he's done some crazy shit before. Pauli and I started getting stats at one point, like it was fantasy football. Those are kinda outdated now but I've seen a little stuff like that during trainings too and it's not like hes stagnated. He's crazy strong even compared to other ghosts and I guess I knew that but. I never really thought about what that meant for me. It's got me thinkin back to the times I was bullying him, after he became Phantom. A couple times he said "he didn't have time for this" and stuff like that but wh Fuck I don't know. It's just. He could have killed me really. Easy. If he was tired enough of me. That sucks.

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November 27

My leg isn't getting better. Niether is my chest. Danny told me, because he still gets numb body parts and muscle spasms. Dying isn't really something you get better from.

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November 28

am I ok?

#had to put the readmore on this one real early bc of dash's abysmal long paragraphs #danny phantom #invisobang 2022 #my writing #swagger bishie #halfa!dash #halfa dash au #dash baxter #teddy ghost #check ao3 for more tags!

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