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[mead0w]

y/n: you think he’s gonna notice?

fin: he’s not going to notice

y/n: he’s gonna

nick: what the hell are you guys yapping about?

fin: just wait, you’ll see

[5 seconds later]

[sonny steps out of olivia’s office]

sonny: hey, baby! :D

y/n: hi, hon :)

[sonny walks away]

nick: …

fin: told you

y/n: god he’s so oblivious i love him

[olivia walks out of her office with her hands on her hips]

olivia: anyone wanna tell me why carisi has a bright red lipstick print on both of his cheeks?

[fin points to y/n]

[y/n points to nick]

nick: wh- I DIDN’T EVEN DO ANYTHING

[mead0w]

Sonny Carisi master lists

Carisi-verse Part 1

Carisi-verse Part 2

Sonny one-shots, au’s and series

[mead0w]

Falling Out of Loathe

Finnick Odair x victor!reader

Summary: Finnick and y/n have been enemies since he pushed her aside like she was nothing. Well, at least he was y/n’s enemy. When the third quarter quell arises and the two are reaped to return to the arena, how will they navigate a rocky alliance?

The way his grin smoothed across his face like the waves laping calmly along the shore. The way his freckles danced across his nose like constellations that could not be captured by even the best cartographer. The way his hair was perfectly messy like it had just someone dried that way after a swim.

She hated it all.

Finnick Odair could be described in many ways by y/n y/l/n.

Pretty, smart, dangerous, cunning, a preener, selfish, and her enemy.

It all started after she won her games four years after Finnick. She was sixteen and he was eighteen. Of course she had known about him before her name was pulled from the bowl and she was whisked off to the capital. She just was hopeful she could talk to him a little.

He chastised her. Treated her like she was nothing and like he was so above her. As if they didn’t commit the same terrible acts when trapped inside that horrifying arena.

All y/n wanted was a friend. Another victor to talk to. Someone who understood what she saw and witnessed first hand.

Finnick was the closest in age, she assumed he would be easy to win over.

Six years later, they were back in the capital, back in the games.

She wanted to mind her business. Stick to herself with the exception of Joanna, another victor the games spit out. One she had made friends with.

“Don’t look now, but here comes your favorite victor” Joanna teased.

“Joanna, looking as tree-like as ever” Finnick joked, causing Jo to roll her eyes.

“I swear I might axe my stylist before the chariots even make their way out” she grumbled, hurrying away to go scream at someone.

Y/n stared at the horse in front of her, trying to ignore the fact that Finnick’s eyes were trained on her.

She caught him tilting his head out of her peripheral and it was like the string inside her snapped.

“What do you want, Odair?” She asked, her arms crossing in front of her chest.

“To know where all the innocent fluffy dresses went. What are you wearing?” He asked, flicking one of the larger jewels on her dress.

“Clothing. You should try it sometime” she retorted, growing tired of the conversation.

“Ooh, little miss Angel has some bite now” Finnick jested, leaning up against the chariot.

“Why don’t you go back to your mirror, Odair? Look at yourself again. Might be the last time you do” she sneered, turning on her heel to walk away, but not before he could grab her wrist, pulling her closer to him.

“I came over here to warn you, so maybe think again before you start a fight with me” he responded, his pretty green eyes gazing into hers. They farted back and forth, searching for trust.

“And what would I need your help with?” She asked, eyes squinting as she closed some distance, showing her refusal to back down.

“One and two want to pick you off towards the start. Now, at first I thought it was a mercy kill-“ he started.

Y/n could feel her blood begin to boil.

“-then I remembered your games. Even if it wasn’t violent killing, you’re way too smart for your own good as far as they’re concerned” Finnick stated.

“And why would you care to give me a warning. We aren’t exactly friends” she countered, pushing one finger into his chest to emphasize her point. Her finger hit rigged muscle and she internally cursed herself.

Finnick chuckled, almost as if he read her mind.

“I thought this could be as good of a time as ever to become friends. An alliance of sorts” he suggested.

“If I’m such a threat, how do you know I won’t poison you in your sleep?” She asked, her lips curling into a devious smile.

“Because I’m not the only one you’re aligning yourself with and I’m not stupid enough to fall asleep around you.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The buzzer sounded, letting the audience know that Finnick’s time in Caesar’s chair was over. It was the loudest the crowd had been all night, cheering and hollering for the “love poem” delivered by the district four tribute.

“Now, from district five…a mastermind, who kill you just with the surrounding flora and fauna. Ladies and gentlemen, the alluring, y/n” Caesar announced, sweeping his hand from your direction to the seat as he leaned in to give you a hug.

After some small talk, Caesar got into the meat of the interview.

“Do you have a plan to survive this time around?” Caesar asked.

You looked to your competitors, locking eyes with Finnick briefly. You could practically hear him screaming don’t you dare.

“It’s all about finding a weak spot, Caesar. Finding someone’s weak spot and prying it open just to shove salt in the wound” you answered, a smile crossing your face.

“My, my…I would hate to come face to face with you in that arena” he responded, getting some laughter from the audience.

“You aren’t alone there” she answered, catching a glance at Finnick from the corner of her eye.

The interviews came to a close and the victors joined hands, much to the dismay of President snow.

You could feel Finnick grilling your hand a little too hard and as soon as the lights were out, he was dragging you backstage and into an elevator, slamming the button to close the door before someone could intrude.

He pushed you against the wall, his arm pressing into your neck, causing you to laugh.

“What was that out there, huh? Leveling your threats against me after I save you ass?” He asks.

You knew him in the abdomen, pushing him away quickly and grabbing his arm, pinning it behind his back.

“You’re welcome. They’ll never assume we’re working together now” y/n said, pushing Finnick away in the opposite direction.

Finnick stood tall, his eyes shining in the dull elevator light as a smile crossed his face.

“You are a mastermind, aren’t you princess” he said, closing some of the distance.

The way he was looking at her made her breathless, made her feel like she was walking on air.

“You’ll get out of that arena, I swear on my life” he spoke, his hand reaching out to push a lock of hair behind her ear. He was leaning in, his face entirely too close to hers for him to be considered an enemy.

Y/n could feel herself leaning in, her eyes fluttering closed.

The elevator dinged for the fourth floor, Finnick jumping away and exiting the elevator at lightning speed before smiling at her quickly as the doors shut.

He was making a fool of her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day two of the games and so many tributes already gone.

It was clear as soon as the buzzer sounded to begin the games that there was a target on Katniss Everdeen’s back, as well as y/n’s.

Of course, these were all victors, everyone had a target on their back, but y/n’s was practically glowing.

Cashmere and Gloss had both been killed following an attack on your alliance. Brutus and Enobaria were left, keeping y/n in the alliance a bit longer. Keeping her with Finnick a bit longer.

“I’m going to get some food” she announced, standing up and grabbing the spile, as well as her throwing knives and the makeshift woven basket.

“I’ll go with you” Finnick offered, standing up. He shared a look with Joanna and Beetee, telling them to keep an eye on the pair from district 12.

“I can handle myself” y/n responded, starting towards the woods.

Finnick grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.

“Safer in numbers, sweetheart” he chastised, his signature smile crossing his features.

She pulled her arm free, trying to ignore the way her heart pounded in response to his touch.

“Whatever. Try and keep up” she responded, heading off into the packed woods.

Finnick rolled his eyes at her response, taking his trident with him as he followed her into the woods.

After walking for a little while and successfully getting a bird of some kind for food, Finnick suggested they turn back.

“It’s getting dark. Let’s head back to camp.”

Y/n looked around, adding a soft hum of agreement before turning and walking side by side with Finnick back to camp.

“Can I ask you something?” He asked, his voice just above a whisper.

“If you must” y/n responded, flipping one of the knives around in her fingers.

“Why are you so against me?” Finnick asked, his eyes meeting hers.

Y/n looked at him, completely shocked at the question. She scoffed, rolling her eyes.

“Of course you wouldn’t remember. You were so rude to me when we met after I won my games. I just wanted a friend who could understand and you treated me like some dumb child. Like I was happy to win and proud of what I did in that arena” she countered, her pace increasing with her anger.

Finnick’s brows furrowed in response.

“That’s why you hate me?” He asked, a slight chuckle evident in his voice.

“Well you didn’t seem too fond of me. Why on earth should I trip over myself for your approval. I don’t need it” she replied, stopping her stride to face him.

Finnick sighed, taking a step closer to her, bringing his mouth to her ear to whisper so the cameras trained on them wouldn’t pick up what he would say.

His breath was warm as it fanned her neck and she was rigid as she attempted to prevent herself from shuttering at the feeling.

“I had a bad night with…well you know. Then you came up to me with a smile and I just thought, “she had no idea how much worse it is to win sometimes.” I was angry at everyone, I didn’t mean to take it out on you” he replied, his voice dripping in regret.

“Then why have you continued that act all these years?” She asked, one brow raised in question.

Finnick exhaled heavily, his tongue dancing over his top row of teeth.

“It was easier to hate you back than it was to care. Clearly, that’s not working out so well anymore” he replied, taking a small step forward.

A scream sounded, making the two former enemies jump apart.

Y/n’s heart jumped into her throat as anxiety filled her. That scream sounded a little too familiar.

“Lydia!” She yelled, chasing after the scream.

Her best friend was somehow in the arena? It didn’t make sense. Was Snow punishing her? Was she running headfirst into a trap? Most likely, but she pushed the thought from her head.

“Y/n, wait!” Finnick replied, chasing after her through the trees.

As she was running, she came to a hill that she planned to run right down; however, as she was running towards the crest, something from the ground jolted up, causing her to trip and fall down the hill and into a clearing.

Finnick hadn’t been able to keep up with her perfectly, she was deceptively fast.

Y/n got to her feet, leaning down to check if her ankle was swollen from the fall. She looked down at all her supplies that had fallen from her makeshift belt while falling. Sighing, she looked up towards the hill to see if Finnick had managed to follow her. No sight of him.

As she bender down to grab one of her throwing knives, her fingers grabbing onto the handle before she heard running in her direction.

She looked up to see Brutus charging at her and panicked, her knife ready to throw, but he was already closing in.

He shoved her against the tree, causing her to release her grip on the knife. Brutus wrapped his hand around her neck, lifting her off the ground as he began to steal her last breaths from her.

That’s when Finnick reached the top of the hill. He saw Brutus strangling y/n. Finnick felt rage take over. It was as if he was on autopilot in that moment.

Y/n was kicking, clawing at Brutus in an attempt to get him to release his hold on her, but nothing was working.

“I’m going to enjoy this one” he said, a smile crossing his face as y/n’s vision clouded.

Suddenly, his grip loosened and he released his hold on her neck.

Y/n fell to the ground, clutching her neck in shock as she coughed at the feeling of air filling her lungs again.

When she looked up, she saw the blood dripping from Brutus’ mouth before he fell to the ground, three holes through his torso.

Finnick stood behind his lifeless body, bloody trident in hand. He wiped a bead of sweet from him forehead as the canon sounded in the distance.

The pair made eye contact and Finnick offered his hand to y/n to help her up.

She knew they were trying to get as many alliance members out as possible, but she was disposable to this mission. Finnick could have left her for dead.

She allowed him to help her up, her lips parted in shock.

Finnick placed both of his hands gently on the side of her face.

“You okay?” He asked, searching her eyes.

“I-I think so. Finn, tha-”she began, not even being able to finish her sentence before he pulled her into a hug.

“God you scared the crap out of me” he admitted, wrapping his arms around her.

She pulled him closer, enjoying the feeling of their bodies pressed together.

He pulled away slightly, she was still loosely wrapped in one of his arms as the other moved to brush a stray hair from her face.

“We should make our way back to camp before Enobaria finds us” he suggested and she agreed, picking up her knives and other gear.

The two continued walking through the woods and when they could finally see campsite through the brush, Finnick grabbed her wrist.

She turned to look at him and he pulled her closer, his lips hovering close to hers.

“Y/n, I-” he started.

“Finnick, if you’re going to kiss me just do it already” she said, her voice breathy with anticipation.

He smirked, bringing his lips down to meet hers.

His lips were a little rough from the climate of the arena, but so were hers.

Finnick’s hands gripped her hips, pulling her body fully against his. She gasped in shock, her lips parting. This allowed for his tongue to slip into her mouth. Y/n met every action of his hungrily. She had wanted this for so long. Yes, she previously loathed him, but that didn’t mean she didn’t have feelings for him deep down the whole time.

“Y/n? Finnick? Is that you guys?” Katniss asked, her footsteps approaching from the beach.

“Yeah! Just digging out the bird we got” y/n responded, the lie slipping easily through her teeth.

“I’ve wanted to do that for a long time” Finnick breathed, his lips pressing onto her forehead.

“You should have” she smiled, pressing her lips to his quickly.

[mead0w]

Embellishments (Matt Murdock x Reader)

Author’s Note: Like I said, I know I have a million fic working right now, but I got this idea and just had to run with it. Enjoy! :)

Summary: You and Matt talk details of wedding dresses the night before you go out to look for one. Little does he know you have a surprise for him planned.

Warnings: Fluff, absolutely tooth-rotting, cavity-inducing fluff. Briefly implied smut

Other Characters: None

Word Count: 1,300

Keep reading

[mead0w]

Sing to Me

Lounge Singer Reader! X Matt Murdock

Summary: When patrolling, Matt Murdock becomes enchanted by a distant voice. Will he come face to face with the owner of this hauntingly beautiful vibrato?

He still remembers the first time he heard that voice.

It was like the gates of heaven opened up before him in that alleyway of Hell’s Kitchen. He leaned against the brick wall for support, his ribs bruised and blood soaking his shirt.

He couldn’t focus on the pain or the thoughts of the case busy taking up his other life.

All he could focus on as the hum of music and that breathy but strong voice coming from a few blocks away.

The devil made his way to the rooftop, carefully jumping from building to building to locate the voice that entranced him.

He recognized where he was. Two streets from the Nelson and Murdock office. A new speakeasy had opened a few weeks back.

He stayed on top of that building for another hour, listening to the music and the voice that would not leave him.

He learned their name at the end of the singers performance, when the host thanked them.

Y/n

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Matt put aside his deviling that night, asking Foggy and Karen if they wanted to go out.

“Josie’s?” Foggy asked, leading the trio out the door.

“Actually,” Matt began, “what about that new place a couple streets over.”

Karen quirked her brow, curious as to why someone as particular as Matthew Murdock suddenly wanted to explore a loud speakeasy.

“Keynote?” Foggy asked, and Matt snapped his fingers, recognizing the name.

“That’s it!” Matt confirmed.

The three headed down towards the new bar, Karen tucked between the two.

“If the drinks are expensive, I’m charging it to you boys” she said, causing both men to laugh in delight.

Upon entering the speakeasy, they found it to be slightly busy but not packed.

The trio sat at the bar, somewhat close to the stage and Matt held his breath waiting to hear that voice again. He took a sip from his beer, making conversation with his friends when it hit him.

The alluring smell of her perfume and the way the words rolled off her tongue, “all set for me to go out?”

She was talking to the tech backstage. Matt could feel his heart rate increase, swore everything else in the room went silent except from her laugh at some joke the tech said.

“Matt?” Karen asked, snapping him out of her haze.

“Sorry, what did you-” Matt started, but was interrupted by the loudspeaker.

Ladies in gentlemen, please welcome the captivating, Y/n!” The host announced. Matt could hear the curtain lift and the sound of shoes clattering as she took the stage. Louder was the applause and the wolf-whistles of the singer’s admirers.

He scrunched his nose. He was stupid to think he was the only one.

“Hi everyone, this is a little song called “Down.” She said, her eyes scanning the crowd. Matt could hear her heartbeat speed up as she did. He thought it was adrenaline but she knew it was because she was looking at him.

Some gorgeous man with his back against the bar, and one ankle up on the opposite knee, an arm slung back on the bar.

She sang, taking to the audience as she did so. It was part of her job. Sing, flirt, get tips.

She made her way through the crowd, taking a strangers hat from his head and perching it on her own head with a wink. She spun around, ripping the hat off and back onto his head as he placed a $20 in her hand.

“She’s really good” Foggy notes, looking over at his best friend. He could swear Matthew was in a trance.

Karen snorted at how Matt leaned forward towards her voice, completely distracted.

She took a man’s hand and stepped onto one of the chairs in the crowd before making her way onto the table.

She continued singing and dancing, scanning the crowd for her next target.

She saw a regular. Wall Street guy. Big tipper.

She made her way over, her sparkly red dress, cascading around her.

“Are you down?” She sang, placing her manicured hand on his shoulder before walking around the back of his chair.

She hopped up to sit on the low table in front of the regular, placing her heeled foot on his chair between his thighs.

Her hand went to his chin, stroking it like she would kiss him, but she pulled away standing back up and making her way around the back of him.

$100 was placed in her hands. Men loved what they couldn’t have.

Her first song was coming to an end, and there was a new audience member she was itching to meet.

Matthew could hear her voice getting closer, could pick up the specific notes of her perfume, could hear her increasing heartbeat.

She looked at the blonde girl sitting with the two men. As she made eye contact, she gestured her head towards Matthew, asking if they were together. Karen smiled, her hands up as if to say “he’s all yours.”

Matthew thought he had just about died and went to heaven when he felt her fingers in his shoulders, slipping down the material of his pressed, white button down.

Her fingers trailed down towards his stomach, stopping where his tie did. She grabbed it, twisting it once around her small fist, all while singing.

“Are you down?” She sang, placing her knee onto the chair between his thighs.

Matt was sure he was dead. There’s no way he was getting the shit kicked out of him the other night and now he was here within the same week.

The song ended and the crowd cheered. Matt handed her some cash, not even bothering to check how much.

“I’m down bad for you” he said, finally recovering from his trance.

She noticed the smirk on his lips and the confidence in his voice and immediately a heavily blush fell upon her cheeks.

She was speechless, prancing back to the stage wordless. Matt hid his laugh, knowing that she was already planning on taking him home by the way her breath caught in her throat and the smell of her hormones at his words.

“I swear Matt, how do you always know where the gorgeous girls are? It’s a sixth sense, I swear” Foggy complained.

Part 2?

[mead0w]

18

Finnick Odair x Victor!reader

In the arena, can you and Finnick manage to stay alive and stay together despite the odds.

Loosely inspired of One Direction’s song “18”

The third quarter quell had arrived, and with it a promise. A promise to be more extravagant, technologically advanced, and bloodier than ever.

How does a game like this increase it’s bloodshed? By reaping its contestants from the existing victors.

The water was the biggest surprise.

Emerging from the tubes and into the arena, 24 previous victors, all different in age and stature stood staring at the glistening cornucopia on its bed of smooth obsidian rock.

You look around, taking your neighboring competitors into account.

To one side, Enobaria. It was bad enough her teeth resembled that of a shark, you certainly didn’t want to be swimming along beside her.

To the other side, Peeta Mellark from district 12, a boy who’s life you agreed to protect.

You knew the careers would leave Peeta be until they secured their weapons.

You also knew that you could out-swim the four careers from landlocked districts one and two.

The timer counted down and you took your stance, catching Peeta’s eye quickly and offering a smile in hopes he would feel safe in trusting you.

The canon went off and the adrenaline took over.

It was like being on autopilot, with the same driver who overtook you during your first games, four years ago.

You were just 16 at the time and highly underestimated by your peers because you were quiet and didn’t stick out.

You had your own way to win the games that didn’t involve hunting at night and using fancy weapons and armor from sponsors.

You set off fires to drag your competitors from the food source, taking the time to infiltrate the food supply and add poisonous fruits and herbs to the stockpile close to the top.

Back in your district before being reaped, you taught yourself to throw playing cards and scissors with accuracy, knowing you could then work your way to throwing stars, tomahawks, and knives.

This year is different.

This year, those who have trained and won, who have outlasted everyone else, are all trained on killing you.

Diving info the water, you immediately head for the cornucopia, knowing you’ll need to secure throwing stars or knives, as well as any food or water available.

You pull yourself onto the shore right as Finnick and Katniss do, watching from just a few feet away as she points an arrow at the Capitol favorite.

Your closest friend and the man of your dreams just smiles in return. Your breath stops, wondering if you’re about to watch him die.

He flashes the gold bangle of flames in addition to his Cheshire grin.

“Good thing we’re allies” he says, quickly instructing Katniss to duck as he takes aim, throwing his trident into the chest of another tribute that was approaching with intent to kill the girl.

“Don’t trust one and two” you say, pulling yourself into the rocks. Finnick hands you a knife, telling you to go into the cornucopia and grab what you can while him and Katniss guard you.

“We got trouble” Katniss says. Brutus approaches, holding his belt up as a makeshift shield.

You take out your throwing stars, autopilot taking over completely.

“You like to aim high or low, Katniss?” You ask, readying a star in your hand.

Katniss gets the message, “high” she says.

She shoots her arrow towards Brutus’ face and as he goes to block the arrow, you throw a star lower. It slices across his abdomen before plunging into the water, him following close behind.

“C’mon, that wont stop him for long. Plus, I found Peeta and Mags” Finnick says, grabbing your hand to drag you behind him, guiding you along the complex rocks to where Peeta is bobbing in the water.

It’s days later, Mags has fallen victim to acid fog, the girl from 6 saved Peeta’s life, and Johanna has found her way back to you all with Beetee and a now deceased Wiress in tow.

The six of you make camp on the beach.

Night falls, and Beetee and Finnick offer first watch while the rest of you sleep.

No matter how many times you try, you cannot sleep. You’re restless even as Finnick sees your struggle and pulls you closer to him in order to provide comfort.

“You know, going for a swim helps me sleep better sometimes” he says, nodding his head towards the open water.

“You’re just saying that to see me strip” you tease.

He chuckles, brushing some of the hair from your eyes.

“Maybe…or maybe I could just go for a swim too” he states, looking to Beetee for confirmation he can handle watch on his own for a bit. Beetee nods, assuring he’ll wake someone else if he hears anything.

Finnick stands, offering you his hand to pull you up, which you graciously accept.

The two of you take off to the water, stripping the wetsuits and leaving only the underclothes on your bodies as you wade into the water.

“And here I was thinking you looked good in that wetsuit. This is even better” Finnick jokes, throwing a playfully flirty wink your way.

“Eh I still prefer you in only a gold fishing net” you joke, diving into the water quickly to make it ahead of him.

You swim close by, just enjoying the feeling of the warm salty water on your skin, cooling the burns from days prior.

Your floating on your back when you feel a small wave flicked over you. You spurt the water back up, looking to see Finnick had splashed you.

“You have no idea what you just started” you tease, splashing him back. It turns into a game in and of itself, ending in an agreement of truce.

Your both giggling, trying to keep your voices down as to not wake the others.

You’re collarbone deep in the water, Finnick barely a foot in front of you.

The moon—or more likely the projection of the moon—bounces off the salty water, illuminating his face perfectly. You can see the curve of his jaw, the slope of his nose, and the smirk of his lips.

His eyes are on yours before they dart down to your lips, his hand gently reaching up to push your hair behind your ear.

“Y/n, I-“ he begins.

Your heart is racing. You pinch yourself beneath the water.

Nope not dreaming.

“What are you idiots doing?” Katniss calls from the shore.

Finnick’s hand leaves your cheek, raising high to wave to Katniss.

“We’re playing mermaids!” He responds.

You snort, splashing him again quickly to diffuse the tension. He looks at you, a mischievous look in his eyes. He quickly placed both hands on your hips before throwing you several feet away. You surface again, your lips parted in shock.

“Race you back to shore” he says, taking off towards the beach.

As the sun rises, you decide to split for a bit in search of food and water.

You join Peeta and Johanna, making baskets out of long grass and leaves to collect the water they pull from the trees. Katniss and Finnick decide to look for food.

You hear a scream and Katniss takes off into the woods, screaming for her sister. Finnick takes off after her, trident ready to kill Brutus or Enobaria if they try and attack.

Finnick is trudging through the thick foliage, trying to keep up with the frantic teenage girl.

“PRIM?!” Katniss yells as she comes upon a clearing. She looks up, seeing a bird on a nearby branch.

Jabberjay.

She loads an arrow, taking the bird out as it’s mid impression.

Finnick pushes his way into the clearing, asking Katniss if she’s okay.

“Finnick! Help me!” He hears.

The color drains from his face as he recognizes the voice belongs to you.

“Y/n!” He screams, taking off in the direction of the voice.

“Finnick, it’s not real!” Katniss shouts, chasing after him this time.

“Finnick! Please, I need you!” your voice sounds.

“I’m coming! Hold on, y/n!” Finnick shouts, running faster than he ever has in his life.

He can feel his heart in his throat and the sweat covering his palms. He can feel the chill on his neck and the nausea that overtakes him as he thinks about what could be happening to you.

Did you separate from Joanna and Peeta? Did Brutus and Enobaria get you? Is a mutt chasing after you?

He slashes through a canopy of vines into a small clearing of trees. There’s nothing but birds in the trees.

“Y/n? Where you are? Please be okay” he says.

“Finnick! Don’t let me die!” Your voice sounds from the trees.

Finnick looks up, spotting the jabberjay at the same time Katniss’ arrow pierces it’s small body.

“She’s okay, it was just a jabberjay” Katniss nods, hearing the bird pick up Prim’s voice again.

“They only copy what they hear. She has to be in trouble” Finnick argues.

Before Katniss can respond, the jabberjays take flight, swooping down from the trees to peck at their heads.

Finnick pushes Katniss in front of him, his hands covering his ears from hearing your cries of pain as he runs back to the beach.

Finnick is so happy to see the sand he practically collapses on it, his hands covering his ears as he sees you merely a few feet away.

You see him collapse into the sand, hands over his ears and his body curling in so the birds cannot peck his face.

“Finnick!” You yell, running to him. Your body hits the force field, sending you back onto your ass.

Peeta runs to the force field, trying to calm Katniss down from the other side.

You place your hands against the forcefield, trying to find a weak spot.

Finnick barely lifts his head, his eyes meeting yours as a look of relief washes over his face.

“Finnick!” You yell again, your hands repeatedly slamming against the force field.

The birds start falling to the ground or retreating back to the woods. As you go to touch the force field again, it’s suddenly gone. You run across the sand, kneeling next to Finnick, his hands still covering his ears.

Peeta is trying to pull Katniss’ hands from his ears and coax her back to the group as you do the same.

“Finnick?” You ask, gently grabbing his wrists.

He takes his hands from his ears, flinching as he moves to grab his trident.

You back away slightly, your hand reaching for his shoulder gently.

“Y/n?” He asks, dropping his trident.

“It’s just me, Fin-” you start.

He lunges for you in a moment Peeta and Katniss think is to hurt you, until his lips meet yours.

His hands cradle your head as you both fall back into the sand. You’re surprised at first, but feel yourself grabbing onto the material covering his chest and pulling him in closer.

You pull away too soon, making him move closer to chase the kiss.

“What was that for?” You ask, a small giggle escaping your lips.

“They were jabberjays and they were mimicking your screams. I thought I lost you before I could even tell you that…” he starts, his tongue moves between his lips, a nervous habit, as his cheeks tinge pink.

“That I’ve loved you since we were eighteen” Finnick admits, his thumb stroking your cheek.

Your arms wrap around his neck as you kiss him again.

“I’m in love with you too, Finnick.”

Joanna rolls his eyes, a smile tugging on the corner of her lips.

“It’s about damn time you two.”

[mead0w]

prompt 18 with finnick odair x fem!reader yelling at the other because you were scared to lose them

maybe something in the sewer scene but finnick almost dies instead of dying because lord that man deserved better

Hi! Thank you for the request, hopefully you like it!

You had a bad feeling.

Peeta and Katniss had been whispering with each other for the better part of an hour trying to find each other again as the rest of you were supposed to sleep but you couldn’t. 

Something was coming your way, you didn’t know what, but you had a bad feeling and usually your intuition was right.

“Hey, everything alright?”, you can’t help but jump slightly at Finnick’s touch on your arm and you turn around to see his worried gaze on you.

“Yeah, just have a bad feeling. Don’t know why. You?”, he looks worried at your words, and you try to smile at him reassuringly, but it doesn’t seem make him more at ease. 

“I’m right here, alright? No matter what happens.”, he whispers under his breath, and you take a minute to look at him. His sea green eyes are tired but there is still something in there that you can’t decipher. His hair is more of a mess then usually, but it makes him look younger. 

“I know, me too.”, you whisper back after a few seconds and the two of you just look at each other for a moment.

Finnick and you had always had a difficult story, you had won the 66th Hunger Games and the man quite literally saved you from yourself. The two of you grew closer to each other as you were sold to the Capitol and along the way you fell for the man. His kind heart under all of the charm and the small boy that just wants someone to appreciate him for more than his looks still make your heart hurt. You didn’t know if Finnick liked you that way, after all there was always something complicated between him and Annie but still you couldn’t help but hope for someday.

“Katniss.”, a voice whispers and you feel your breath stop at the words, you feel like time freezes as you turn around like the rest of the squad towards the tunnel.

“Katniss.”, the voices get louder and louder until someone screams to get out of here. 

You take Peeta with you, knowing that the man was still in a fragile state, and you try to lead him somewhere safe while Katniss uses her arrows against the mutts. 

The water is strong against your tired body, but you pull through, taking Peeta further and further until you arrive in a large space. A ladder can be seen, and you think for a moment that you can safely get the man out of there before a loud snarl comes behind you.

The mutt jumps out of nowhere and you manage to shoot it with your gun enough for it to fall backwards but others start to arrive, and you don’t know what you are going to do. Even when the rest of the squad is there you wonder if all of you are going to be making it alive.

Finnick has his trident and despite Peeta having little ability to use his hands he is able to get one off of Finnick.

Katniss starts to yell that we have to go to the ladder and as you get ready to go up on the platform you feel something taking your leg and throwing you under water. The sharp pian in your leg is enough to make your mind go back to your games but as the pain intensifies you remember what is happening right now.

Coming back up you see Finnick taking the mutt off of you but at the same time a mutt comes towards him.

“Finnick! Watch out!”, you yell and Finnick has by some miracle the time to turn around and kill the mutt. 

He takes your hand and helps you up on the platform while trying to kill the mutts, but one manages to hurt his arm making him wince in pain.

“Finnick, we need to go! There is no time to be a hero.”, you yell and take his hand to get him out of the water. 

A mutt nearly manages to take him at the waist but a gunshot straight in his forehead makes him fall back, letting Finnick come up on the platform.

Peeta looks pale with the gun in his hand, but he quickly lets it fall to the ground before climbing back up at Katniss’s desperate words.

“Peeta, common.”, Finnick yells and the three of you manage to make it out before Katniss whispers the code three times and bombs the entire thing. 

“We can’t stop, we need to go somewhere safe.”, you hear someone say and you nod, pushing all of the emotions under until you get somewhere safe. The pain in your leg is getting worse but you know that you need to get out of this place.

The run is long and painful as you see some of the squad disappearing under the lights and you try not to feel sick as Castor disappears in thin air. You nearly don’t make it and as you get ready to continue to run you hear Katniss’s yell towards Peeta.

“Stay with me.”, you hear her whisper under her breath as you wait, trying to get your breath under control. You don’t know how the boy was going to react but at her words his eyes seem to clear up and he whispers something back before Katniss takes his hand and starts running again. 

They arrive near a house, and as the door opens you feel slightly scared at the sight of the woman in front of you. You had heard of her, Tigris, but you had never seen her before, she seems to have no issue hiding you even if she could get a big sum of money for all of you.

The basement is larger than you thought it would be, filled with banquets and tin cans. Katniss is looking even paler than before, and you all turn to look at her as she starts rambling.

“I lied. I lied when I told all of you that I was-”, she continues to ramble along, and you close your eyes. You knew that every single one of you knew that she had lied about the fact that she was sent to kill Snow by Coin but still you had chosen to follow her, the Mockingjay.

“We knew. We followed you because we want the same thing as you do, Snow dead.”, you tell her, cutting through her rambles and she looks at you with tear filled eyes.

“You didn’t kill them, he did. Eyes on the prize, don’t let him get to you again. Don’t let Coin either.”, you tell her, and she looks taken aback for a moment.

“What do you mean?”, she whispers but you can see the understanding in her eyes.

“I can’t be the only one to not trust that woman completely, right?”, a murmur of agreement passes through the room, and you sigh under your breath.

“Trust your instincts, they saved you before and they’ll do it again and again.”, she nods slowly, looking in deep thought after your words.

“We should look over our injuries.”, Finnick says after a moment and we all agree, sitting down on the different patches of fur across the room.

Finnick comes towards you, and he starts rubbing alcohol down the scratches on your leg, trying to do it quickly as he sees you wincing. He takes his time with the bandages, and you can’t help but look at him for a moment, wondering.

“Why did you do that? Put yourself on the line for me?”, you ask him, and you feel his finger stop, as if frozen by the question.

“I couldn’t let that mutt get to you.”, he says after a moment, and you sigh at his words.

“You shouldn’t have done that.”, you tell him, and you know that your words should be softer but the stress of everything is getting to you and the realization that you could have lost him is a hard one.

“What should I have done then? Let you die?”, his voice is getting louder, harsher but still his fingers are delicate as he finishes the bandages to look at you.

“I don’t know, just not put yourself on the line like that. Multiple times.”, your voice is getting louder, and you know that you should keep it down, but you can’t help it, your mind is spiraling at all the different ways Finnick could have died.

“I wanted to protect you!”, he yells after a second.

“You could have died Finnick!”, the words seem to hit him as he looks taken aback and the room is silent after your words.

“You could have died there.”, you say again pushing a finger on his chest at each word, feeling tears in your eyes.

“I could have lost you without you knowing that I love you.”, you whisper brokenly, your voice raw from emotions, ones that you haven’t felt in a long time.

Finnick is looking at you in disbelief, like your words are something that he can’t believe but after a moment the finger that had been stabbing him in the chest is laying across his chest and that seems to make him react.

His lips are soft as he brings you into a heated kiss, trying to convey every emotion he has ever felt for you into one kiss. Your hand on his chest stays there but your other hand brings him closer by his hair. He is holding your cheeks like you are the most precious thing on earth and that he needs to protect you.

After god knows how long you pull back, needing the air to breathe again and as your eyes flutter open you see his familiar green eyes. 

“I love you too, so much. You have no idea for how long I’ve wanted to say that.”, he whispers, looking at you with that same gaze he did earlier that day, one filled with love and adoration. 

His finger is softly rubbing your cheekbone and you can’t help but let a tear slip out of your eye.

“I’m sorry, I was just so scared to lose you.”, you whisper and Finnick nods un understanding.

“I know, I’m sorry. I just couldn’t lose you either.”, the two of you look at each other for a moment smiling like idiots before a voice breaks through.

“Finally.”, Peeta mutters under his breath and everyone turns to look at the blond man who looks surprised at his own words.

“Sorry, you two were just verry obvious.”, the rest of the group agrees, and you can’t help but laugh at the reactions. 

“Thank you.”, Finnick says at Peeta, and the man looks at him slightly confused.

“For what?”

“For saving my life.”, Finnick says, and you can’t help but nod at his words, smiling gratefully at an embarrassed Peeta.

“You would’ve done the same thing, so no need to thank me. I’m glad that you are alright.”, Finnick smiles back at the man before kissing my forehead.

“Help me bandage my arm?”

The rest of the night is spent looking over everyone’s injuries and as all of you decide on a sleep schedule you lay down next to Finnick.

“Sleep well.”, you whisper and Finnick smiles before kissing you slowly.

“Good night beautiful.”, he brings you closer, as close as your injuries allow him too and as you drift off to sleep you can’t help but feel safe for the first time in a long time.

You know deep down that this isn’t the end but with Finnick and the rest of the squad you know that you can do anything.

[mead0w]

The Home Steam

Summary: Chris Evans and his partner plan a date around going to a Red Sox game in the city. What game day tradition will end up all over Twitter for the next week?

Walking down Van Ness street hand in hand, your baseball caps pulled low and sunglasses covering your eyes. You loved seeing your boyfriend on the big screen, but it made just going to a baseball game a whole event.

Neither of you minded if people asked for pictures or photos, it was part of the career; however, being mobbed wasn’t a plus.

Chris lowered his sunglasses, winking at you quick as you headed down the stairs and into your seats. He stepped to the side quickly, “m’lady” he spoke, allowing you to sit down first.

Two rows behind home plate. It was mid May and the temperature was perfect, warm enough but the sun had a layer of clouds surrounding it to keep you both cool.

“You know,” you said, taking your glasses off, tucking them inside your bag.

Chris looked at you curiously, handing you his own glasses to put away. You lean in close.

“You look really sexy in a Jersey” you whisper, nipping at his earlobe quick before returning to sit upright.

“I love baseball but suddenly I think 9 innings is too long” Chris says, bouncing his leg up and down. You chuckle, kissing him quickly on the cheek.

It’s the bottom of the 5th inning, and the crowd is delighted that the Soxs have pulled a 12 point lead.

“Let’s go Red Sox, let’s go” the crowd cheered.

You were sitting slightly turned towards Chris, your legs resting upon his thighs. Chris had one hand on his drink and the other laced it’s fingers with yours.

“Alright Fenway stadium! It’s time for the kiss cam” the announcer said, and the camera began panning to couples.

After two or three popped up on camera, you looked at the screen to see you and Chris projected, your jaw dropping.

Chris mimicked your response before chuckling.

The crowd was screaming. You could hear girls yelling for Chris and you instantly knew this would be all over Twitter.

“Better give ‘em a show” you mused, smirking at your boyfriend.

His hand moved to your cheek, pulling you in for a kiss as yours rested on his chest. He connected his lips to yours, his thumb running over your cheek lovingly.

“Chris!” You heard a couple girls screaming. He was completely under a spell, lips still attached to yours before he pulled away, a smile on his face. The camera was still on you and he quickly placed a few kisses on your cheek and then the back of your hand as he intertwined his fingers with yours.

“I love you” you say, leaning your head on his shoulder.

“I love you” he says, a smile covering his face.

[mead0w]

Crazy Girls

Finnick Odair x victor! Reader

Summary: Finnick may be keeping his relationship private, but the fellow victor he’s dating doesn’t think it’s the crazy to do so.

Inspired by TRAPDOOR’s song “Crazy Girls”

“It takes two to talk sick…”

“Sugar cube?” A voice asked.

You turned to see the beloved Finnick Odair from district 4. His hand extended with the treat intended for the horses that pull the chariots to the capital circle.

“I’d accept if I hadn’t been petting the horse. Feed it to me?” You asked sweetly.

Finnick chuckled, stepping closer to you. You batted your lashes and slightly parted your lips. He placed the sugar cube lightly between them.

You took the cube into your mouth, licking the remainder from your lips.

“This is where I tell you it’s poisoned” he joked, causing you to roll your eyes.

“You poison all the food in the cornucopia to take out your competitors and win and you get labeled for life” you respond, keeping up with his melancholy humor.

“What are these, gears?” He asks, gently fingering the part of your gown that rests barely above your chest.

“It’s a little on the nose for district 5 but it could be worse…” you start. He looks at you intrigued.

“I could be wearing a gold fishing net and nothing else” you finish.

His hand moves over his heart, his face mirrors pains.

“You wound me, y/n” he jokes.

“Not yet” you counter, a smirk crossing his features.

The announcer begins talking.

Finnick takes the opportunity to lean closer to you, a smile on his face as his breath fans your neck.

“Let be honest darling, you don’t want to do that” he says. He pulls away, winking at you before moving to his own chariot, helping Mags in before joining her.

Your cheeks are flushed as your district partner tells you it’s time to get going.

Finnick Odair. Wants to keep your relationship private, but will take every opportunity to fluster you in public.

What an interesting boyfriend.

“Said he likes crazy girls…”

In the training center the next day, you and Finnick stay close. You know you’ll have to work together to gain Katniss’ trust.

“I’m not exactly good at playing nice” you mutter, tying the rope before you in a tight looped knot. You turn to see Finnick has made a perfect noose.

Katniss walks over, takes in what the two of you have been spending the first hour doing, and decided to join.

Finnick unties the noose, asking Katniss is she wants to learn the most important knot for the arena.

His fingers work carefully and skillfully. You can’t help the way your lips part as you watch them.

He holds up the finished noose, placing it around his neck. “Wanna take me for a walk” he jokes, handing you the long end of the rope.

“Down boy” you return, trying to hide the smile that wants to cross your features upon seeing his own.

“Care to join me at knife throwing Katniss? Maybe I could help you there and you can help me with archery?” You offer. She agrees, a cautious smile appearing.

You make your way over, Finnick going to talk to Peeta quickly.

After some time at the knife throwing station, Finnick joins, picking up the last knife on the table so Katniss can’t grab it.

“So, you can throw them” he starts, looking towards the targets quickly, “more or less.”

Katniss rolls her eyes, holding out her hand for the knife.

“But neither of you could get it back for me. Maybe Katnip, but not y/n” he teases, placing the knife in his pocket.

“Whatever I’m going to collect the other knives” you grumble, walking past him. As you do your fingers carefully reach into his pocket, quickly retrieving the knife.

You walk a couple feet away from him, turning around so you’re facing him.

“Hey, Finnick!” You call. He stops his conversation, turning to see you hold up the knife, sliding the smooth edge of it down your tongue. He pats his pocket, finding it empty.

You carelessly throw the knife towards the targets, hitting the human poster right between the legs.

You wink, continuing on your mission to collect the knives. You can hear Katniss trying to keep her laughter hidden from Finnick.

When you step up for the interviews, your dress themed around the poison you used in your previous games, Caesar delightfully reaches for your hand to spin you before allowing you to sit.

After expressing your discontent at going back into the arena, Caesar asks if there’s anyone special at home waiting for you to return.

You think back to the poem Finnick read. How it alluded to you only in ways the two of you would know of.

“Well…” you begin, catching Caesar’s attention.

“There is a guy I’ve kinda been seeing for a bit” you divulge, listening to the crowd go wild.

“And what does he think about you being back here in the games? Is he worried you won’t return home?” Caesar asks.

“He’s not too worried. He knows where certain skills of mine lie” you respond, making the audience go crazy.

“How does he keep up with a girl like you” Caesar jokes.

“Well, he said he likes crazy girls.”

“…but he hates when I act crazy”

Days later you’re in the arena and Katniss’ trust is wavering in your alliance with you, Finnick, Peeta, Joanna, and Beetee.

In a moment of doubt, you can see the way Katniss shifts. Can sense she wants to get rid of Finnick.

He’s the biggest, the most likely threat to her and Peeta’s safety.

You watch as her hand starts reaching back for an arrow. Before she can grasp one, you throw your knife, pinning the small edge of her sleeve to the tree behind her.

All eyes land on you as you squint at Katniss.

“Care to share what you’re thinking of?” You ask. She doesn’t answer.

Her free hand reaches up and removed the knife, tossing is to the ground between the two of you.

“We’re on the same side. Stick together, get rid of the others and then we take time to split up when we’re the only ones left. Don’t go back on your word” you say, picking up your knife.

Johanna smiles at you, knowing you share a similar attitude. You see Finnick out of the corner of your eye and he doesn’t look thrilled.

You begin walking away, announcing you’re going to look for food.

“Jesus y/n, are you crazy!” Finnick whisper yells as he follows after you.

“She was going to kill you with that arrow. I saw every thought in her head cross her face” you argue.

“What we’re you thinking?This is an alliance. It has to end sometime. We need her to trust us for just a little longer. Until we have Brutus and Enobaria out” he argues back, grabbing your wrist to stop you from moving.

“Yeah, I know but that doesn’t mean she can put an arrow through your eyeball” you counter, “and if I have to throw a couple knives at her to scare her out of it then so be it” you counter.

Finnick laughs, shaking his head with that signature smirk across his face.

“You are crazy, huh?” He asks.

“I thought you liked crazy girls” you counter, taking a step back. Before you can turn around, his hand grips you wrist, pulling you in close. His lips crash against yours as one of his arms wraps around your waist. The fingertips of his other hand brush your hair back behind your ear.

“Trust me, I do.”

[mead0w]

Triumph

Finnick Odair x Victor! Female! Reader

It had been seven years since the hunger games almost claimed your life.

Seven years since one of your closest friends lost his life to the games.

Seven years since you met him, the bronze haired boy who invaded your dreams almost as much as the games themselves.

The nightmares were becoming more frequent again after the theme for the 3rd Quarter Quell was announced.

“Tributes will be chosen from each districts existing pool of victors” Snow announced.

It felt like all the air left the room. Like the world was lit on fire. You didn’t even stop to head the rest of the forecast, you ran outside, panting and sweating.

It was unsurprising when you were reaped. With only 2 female victors from district 11, there wasn’t many options. The other victor was only 15 years old and you could not stand the thought of her having to return to the arena only 2 years after outlasting her competitors.

————————————————————————

Days later, on the train, you’re watching the recap of readings with your male counterpart from district 11.

Beetee and Wiress are called from 3 before the program switches to district 4.

“Finnick Odair” the announcer calls.

“Shit” you whisper.

Finnick Odair was a lot of things.

Handsome, charming, cocky, and also deadly.

At fourteen he trapped and used a trident to take out his competition.

At sixteen, you won your games by dipping throwing stars and tomahawks in highly poisonous berries and throwing them at competitors from high in the trees.

You didn’t have to hit anywhere deadly, you didn’t have to cause excruciating pain, the poison simply whisked them off to sleep. A painless death.

————————————————————————

It’s the first night back in the capital, a place you’re never happy to see.

Standing by your carriage in a long dress brown dress. The very sheer material is woven to resemble the baskets people in your district use to collect grain.

It’s bad enough Snow uses your body for money, but now your stylist has to use it for sponsors.

You’re standing by the horses that will pull your chariot into the capitals center, talking quietly with the girl tribute from district 7, Johanna Mason, a close friend.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Johanna and the poison princess” a voice says.

You know that voice. It’s the voice that makes your heart speed up. The voice the plagues the few good dreams you have every year.

“Finnick” you and Johanna great in unison.

Johanna shared a look with you, before announcing she has to talk to another tribute, leaving you and Finnick alone.

Finnick smirks, looking you up and down, “sugar cube?” He asks. He plops one in his mouth, licking the remaining sugar from his lips.

“Oh, my mother always told me not to accept candy from men in fishnets and nothing else” you reply, watching him move his jaw to the side to hold his laughter.

“Says the girl in a sheer dress” he shoots back, taking a step closer. You’re standing chest to chest and you’re keenly aware of the fact he can feel the way you’re holding your breath.

“I can see more of your nipples than I can my own” you comeback, keeping your voice even.

He gestures to his chest, “you like what you see, don’t you?”

Your brain sort circuits. What are you supposed to say?

“Maybe, but I noticed you still haven’t looked me in the eye. Distracted, Finnick?” You flirt, you hand moving to his chin to bring his eyes to yours.

He laughs, appreciating the way you’re able to keep up with him.

“You really are something, poison princess” he replies.

“Please, call me y/n. You know, a name I’m proud of having.”

“I’ll see you in training, y/n” he answers back, winking at you before placing another sugar cube in his own mouth. He walks away and towards district 12’s Katniss Everdeen.

——————————————————————————

“I want you, y/n, to play nice with Katniss. Get her to teach you how to shoot an arrow. You need help with weapons” your mentor tells you.

“You don’t know anything about me. I’ll make nice with who I damn well please” you argue back, bringing the hair at the crown of your head up into a ponytail.

“Barely hitting your opponents and relying on poison isn’t going to get you out of these games alive” your mentor retorts, grabbing your arm to stop you.

He brings his mouth near your ear to whisper, “it’s not going to help you get Katniss and Peeta out of that arena alive along with the other rebel tributes.”

You roll your eyes, snatching your arm away.

“Underestimating me isn’t going to get you anywhere. I could have hit every single one of my opponents perfectly between the eyes. I chose not to” you counter, hitting the button for the elevator and heading down for the near-empty training center.

Only half of the tributes from this year bothered to show up for training and you can’t even blame them.

Immediately you see Katniss Everdeen splitting up from Peeta and you decide to head to him first, thinking he’ll be easier to gain trust from.

He coincidentally ends up heading to the knife throwing station.

“Perfect” you whisper under your breath.

“Here to actually learn how you won, poison princess” Gloss sneers, clearly trying to chide you.

“I have a nickname because of my games. At least people remember my performance” you counter, your arms crossed.

His jaw tightens before he walks away, clearly planning on making you his first kill in the arena.

“It’s a little early to be playing with fire” Finnick comments as he passes by. You meet his eyes and he winks before you can comeback with a remark.

He approached Katniss at the rope station, coming up right behind her to guide her hands. He keeps his eyes locked on yours.

The image sets your skin on fire.

You whip your head back to Peeta, ready to play his game.

“It’s Peeta, right?” You ask, looking up at the blonde boy through your lashes.

“Yeah, and you’re y/n from district 11. What was that about?” Peeta responds, pointing his thumb in the general direction of Gloss.

“Gloss is just…how do I say this nicely…” you begin.

“Pompous?” Peeta suggests.

“A dick” you counter.

He laughs, a bright smile adorning his face.

“Are you any good at this, because I could really use some help” he asks, picking up a random knife from the table.

You take the knife from his hand, standing as far from the target as the station will allow you. You barely take the time to register your aim before throwing the knife, hitting the center of the target perfectly.

“How can I help?” You ask, smiling as bright as ever.

Out of the corner of your eye you can see Finnick has stopped to watch, his jaw set tight.

After helping Peeta with his knife throwing and him teaching you some camouflage techniques, it’s time for lunch.

He offers to wait for you to clean up, but you wave him off, telling him he should go see his fiancé.

“Where did a pretty little thing like you learn how to throw knives like that?” Finnick asks, dropping down beside you.

“You were watching me? That’s cute. Here I thought you were just flirting with the engaged chick” you counter, the smirk on your lips hard to miss.

“Don’t act like you weren’t batting your lashes at her fiancé” Finnick challenges.

“Aww, are you jealous?” You tease.

Finnick licks his lips, lowering his gaze to your lips before meeting your eyes again.

“You’re insufferable, y/n” he whispers.

Your blood runs cold. Did you take things too far? Did you do something wrong?

Of course you’d push away the guy you like without even realizing you’re doing it.

“I-” you begin, your hand reaching for your face to cover the heat on your cheeks.

Finnick’s hand reaches for your wrist, your pulse quickening as his fingers close around it. He pulls you closer, his breath fanning the shell of your ear.

“We’ll switch after lunch. See if you can work that magic on Katniss. I’m glad you’re on our side” he remarks, smirking at you. His hand releases your wrist and then swipes away some of the camouflage paint that remained beside your lips.

He smirks, turning around and beginning to walk away, leaving you dumbfounded.

“Come on, princess. Don’t want your food to get cold, do you?” He asks.

Once training resumes, you make your way to Katniss to thank her for helping Rue.

After some conversation, she seems to let her guard down a bit.

“So I know you’re a great shot with an arrow, but how about knife throwing? Maybe I can help you with that and you can teach me how to shoot arrows?” You offer.

“I’d like that” Katniss agrees.

After working with Katniss, Finnick makes his way over, asking if he can join in exchange for some trident and fishing lessons.

“Oh and someone has to teach you hand-to-hand combat y/n” Finnick states.

“Bold of you to assume you have anything you can teach me” you respond.

“I’m sure there’s a lot of things I could teach you,” Finnick jeers, “plus, you stayed in the trees to win your games. What if there are no trees in the arena?” Finnick asks, taking another step closer.

An hour later you’re face to face with Finnick in a small combat area. A mat beneath your feet to break the fall you will inevitably take.

“Brains before beauty” Finnick teases, offering you first shot.

You step up, bringing your arms out to throw him off as your leg moves to kick his feet out from under him.

He easily misses the move, catching your arm and twisting it around so he can pin you against the wall.

“You look good like this” he flirts, his hands holding your own against the wall, his face just inches from your own.

————————————————————————

“Don’t you look good enough to poison someone.”

Finnick.

He whispers it in your ear as he presses himself against your back, his fingers coming up to the front of your dress to play with the beading that covers the fabric.

The sheer berry covered fabric is covered in small crystal beading that resembles the same berries you used to poison your competitors in your own hunger games.

“Very funny, lover boy” you chide, turning to face him.

He smiles that charming smile that makes you weak in the knees.

The broadcast of the interviews begins and the producer urges everyone to line up in proper order.

“I’m serious though. You look great” Finnick says, brushing a piece of your hair behind your ear.

You’re forced to will your legs out of their jelly state and bring you to your chair as you begin to watch the interviews of your competitors.

Finnick takes the chair after Mags, making easy conversation with Caesar.

“I thought I’d read something I wrote for my one true lover in the capital” Finnick states, taking a small piece of paper from his pocket.

Your jaw tightens in anticipation as every woman in the capital swoons. Several faint as he continues to read, believing it to be about them.

It’s a clever strategy to gain sponsors.

“Lips like poison and the beauty of a princess. So gorgeous it could kill me” he reads from his note, his eyes barely flicking up to yours.

You can barely stop your jaw from dropping.

Did Finnick Odair just suggest his love letter was about you?

No one in the audience appears to pick up on it, so you sit there, questioning every word he read.

Suddenly, his time is up. After a few more interviews, Johanna is up and gives a scathing speech directed to the capital for forcing her to return to the games.

You clap for your friend, even if it will affect your own sponsors.

In a matter of minutes you’re being called to interview.

“Y/n, it’s wonderful to have you back” Caesar claims.

“I wish I could say it was good to be back” you claim, smiling to the cameras.

“Yes, it must be difficult to be back here. Especially given the circumstances of your previous games” Caesar starts.

“It’s not something I love to think about” you admit, smoothing your dress.

“The poisoning?” Caesar confirms. You nod.

“Yes, but it has made for one of the most unique wins in hunger games history” he announces, “and given way for an amazing interview dress.”

“Yes, my stylist sure knows how to bring up that sore spot” you add.

“Y/n tell me, what is your strategy going into the quarter quell. You can’t ensure there will be poisonous berries in the arena” Caesar questions.

“My plan is to make it as long as I can by killing as few people as possible” you admit. A hush falls over the capital.

“And why is that?” Caesar asks.

“I don’t need any more blood on my hands. To answer your previous question, I don’t need poison to do the killing for me. I never did” you announce, “I can throw a knife and hit dead between the eyes of someone from nearly 100 feet away.”

The buzzer sounds for the end of your interview. Always leave them wanting more. The crowd cheers for you as your male counterpart takes your place in the interview chair. You smile to Katniss and Peeta as you sit, trying to signal your friendship.

You turn your head to see Finnick, a smile crosses his face and he mouths a quick “good job” to you.

After the interviews, the tributes all join hands in a moment of defiance before peacekeepers begin shoving them in elevators back to their floors.

“Y/n!” Finnick yells, trying to fight his way past two of the peacekeepers separating districts.

You turn to see him and as you do a peacekeeper shoves you, causing you to tumble onto the ground.

“Keep your hands off her!” Finnick yells, making his way through the peacekeepers.

He quickly helps you up before dragging you into the closet elevator and slamming his hand on the door close button.

The doors slam shut and it’s suddenly silent. Just the sound of your breath fills the small elevator.

“Thank you” you say.

“Anything for my ally” he claims, smiling.

You decide to test your luck a bit.

Who knows, you could die tomorrow.

“Anything for your ally? If that’s the case, what would you do for your one true love from the capital?”

Finnick licks his lips, taking a step towards you that forces you to step back. Your back hits the wall of the elevator and he cages you in with his arms.

“I think we both know they’re the same person” he whispers. His hand reaches for your chin to lift your head slightly, his lips meeting yours.

The kiss is slow and passionate and over too soon.

He leans close to your ear, his voice barely audible.

“I will do everything I can to make sure you get out of that arena with Katniss, even if it means I get left behind.”

[mead0w]

Accidents

Matt x Gn!reader

Summary: Matt’s partner finds out about his nighttime activities in a rather dangerous way

Warnings: choking, angst, fluff, mentions of injury

“Hi Matt, it’s me. I had a rough day and I’ve really missed you. I’m a couple blocks away so I’m coming over. I just need to see you” you spoke into the phone.

After the third call went to voicemail, you just decided to leave one and head over. Matt was probably asleep, but if you were quiet you’d be able to join your boyfriend in bed without waking him up.

The key to his apartment felt heavy in your purse all day. Matt’s a busy guy. A budding law-firm takes a lot of time from someone. You were sure that he was busy and not ignoring you. There couldn’t be anything else going on, right?

Walking up the stairs of his building, taking them two at a time, you reached the door to his corner apartment. Heart beating erratically you stuck the key in the lock, twisting it.

Your hand grabbed the doorknob and momentarily you stopped, wondering if Matt didn’t want to see you.

He’d been distant lately.

You shook the thought from your head before opening the door to his apartment and entering, closing and locking the door behind you.

Daredevil was entering through the roof, keenly aware of the erratic heartbeat and stranger present in his apartment.

He sighed, knowing he’d probably end his night cleaning blood from his carpet. Hopefully not his own.

He entered quietly, listening to the person making their way to the kitchen. He followed them there, avoiding the spots in the floor that creaked and staying close to the wall where the shadows might be.

Who had found him? Found his home, his true identity. He was wracking his brain for a plan when he felt the tension rise in the room.

The intruder was two feet away from him and had spotted him. The glass in their hand dropping onto the floor.

There was an intruder in Matt’s apartment, standing just feet in front of you with a black mask covering the top half of their face.

Your brain fogged as the hairs on the back of your neck stood up in fear.

The intruder lunged for your throat in a matter of seconds, their hand closing around it and slamming your back against the wall.

You yelled in fear.

“Who sent you?” The man asked, his grip tightening until you began feeling lightheaded.

“Please, don’t hurt me. I have money-” you began, your fingers trying to pry the man’s hand from your throat.

Panic was rising, you’d breathing increased and your felt felt like it was about to break from your chest.

His grip loosened before all together dropping.

“Y/n? Hey, calm down” the guy asked.

Oh god, he knows your name.

The panic increased into a full panic attack.

You felt nauseous and like you were about to lose consciousness.

“Please don’t hurt me” you sputter out, barely again to breathe.

His hand reaches up and you back against the wall as far as you can, trying to force the air into your lungs.

He removes the mask from his face.

Matt?

“Y/n, sweetheart, I need you to calm your breathing. You’re having a panic attack” he says.

“What are you…why?” You start, but his hands gently find your shoulders.

“Breathe” he instructs gently, “you’re safe.”

You take deep breaths but nothing feels like it’s helping. Matt steps forward, pulling you into his chest.

“Do you feel me breathing sweetheart, try and match it. In and out” he offers, breathing with you, “good girl.”

He listens for the slowing of your heart beat and the evenness of your breath.

Your still pressed against his chest when the panic attack comes to an end. Then, you’re filled with white hot anger.

“What the fuck, Matthew!” You shout, pushing yourself away from his chest.

“Y/n, just-” he starts, trying to gingerly grab your arm.

“No, no. What the fuck, Matthew? You come into your own home, nearly choke me to death and concuss me, and then you want me to just forget it happened? What’s going on? Why are you wearing a mask and asking who sent me?” You ask, your face hot.

“I can explain” Matt offers, “just let me clean the glass before you get hurt.”

“I don’t think the glass is going to choke slam me against the wall” you grumble, making him frown.

“I’m sorry, darling” he responds, knowing how the nickname makes your breath hitch.

He offers you his hand and you take it, letting him help you over the pile of glass. Your anger begins to simmer.

He sits down on the couch and you take your seat on the opposite end.

Matt begins to explain. Detailing how he is “the devil of hell’s kitchen” and how he thought his enemies found his address and came to kill him. He explains how he uses his senses in a heightened form to overcompensate for his lack of vision.

How he never told you or anyone because it could mean you getting hurt.

“You sound insane” you quip, your knees drawn to your chest, “but I believe you.”

Matt smiles gently, putting his hand out for you to take.

“I’m so sorry for hurting you” he comments, kissing the back of your hand.

“S’okay-“ you reply.

“No, it’s not. I should have known it was you but I was distracted, and-”

“Matty,” you stop him, “you didn’t know. We’re both okay. Now, let me look at that cut” you answer, running to the bathroom to get the first aid kit.

Matt falls back into the cool leather of the couch, spreading his legs wider.

You smile, placing the kit beside him as you crawl onto his lap to straddle him.

“What are-” he starts, your lips cut him off, capturing his in a quick kiss.

“Let me clean you up, daredevil” you smirk, your hands delicately reaching for the hem of his black long sleeve, pulling it up and over his toned body to see the cut.

After dis-infecting and bandaging the wound, you gingerly lower your lips to press soft kisses to Matt’s collarbone, listening to his hum of appreciation.

“What did I do to deserve you?” He mumbles, placing his hand on your cheek and bringing your lips to crash against his own.

“Well, you are a really good lawyer.”

[mead0w]

One Last Kiss

Summary: Eddie’s significant other is staring in the school musical “Bye Bye Birdie.” When Eddie shows up to the first performance to surprise her, will he have any feedback on her performance?

“Thursday night?” Eddie asks, his hands fiddling with the hem of your shirt.

“I can’t. I have a dress rehearsal for the show” you respond, flattening the lapels of his denim jacket.

Eddie’s lower lip puffs out into a pout, his hands trailing to your hips to pull you closer.

“Ditch. We can watch Rocky Horror and order pizza” he pleads, giving his best puppy eyes.

“I wish I could babe, but the show is next Friday. After that, I’m all yours” you tell him, pecking him on the lips before backing away, turning on your heel to walk down the hall.

“I thought you already were!” He calls after you, making you turn, your feet still moving you away from his body.

“Always!” You day back, blowing a kiss.

Just then the bell rings and students flood the halls, creating a sea between Eddie and his love.

Sure, no one at school knew you were dating. That didn’t mean Eddie didn’t have the desire to show you off, and you him.

Kids at school—especially the basketball team—could be cruel. While you weren’t by any means popular, no one bothered you. Eddie refused to be the reason for that.

———————————————

“I’m so nervous, I’m sweating like crazy” you announce to your friend Amanda, swiping some glass onto your lips.

“Me too. Are you excited for your kiss with Patrick?” Amanda teases. You roll your eyes, capping the tube of glass before standing up.

“Not particularly” you respond. All that’s crossing through your mind is Eddie. How you’ll be on stage kissing another guy tonight and he’ll be practicing for his next gig at the hideout. How he won’t even know you kissed another guy until after the show.

“C’mon, Patrick totally has a thing for you” Amanda fights back, lacing her shoes.

“It’s not reciprocated. I don’t date bullies” you tell her, bumping her jokingly with your elbow before leaving the dressing room and getting into your place.

The show begins and the curtain open. The first person your eyes land on is Eddie. The panic immediately sets in.

Then, in what feels like minutes, you’re performing the scene that takes place during Conrad Birdie’s—played by Patrick—practice of his song “One Last Kiss.”

Your eyes scan to Eddie as you face the crowd, Patrick by your side.

“And, I want to say on behalf of all the girls who are your devoted admirers…ooh I forgot what’s next” you deliver to the crowd, stopping your foot at the last part.

The crowd chuckles and you see Eddie crack a smile.

“C’mon man. They don’t want all this jazz. They’re here for Conrad,” Patrick states, the line directed to the student playing Albert.

You continue your scene, doing as you were told.

“Look, there’s the camera. I swing in, sing up a storm,” Patrick argued, his hand moving quickly through his hand before grabbing your arm.

He yanks you towards him as intended.

“Then I give the chick the message!” He finishes, his hand grabs your waist, dipping you quickly before he attaches his lips to yours.

You know you’re supposed to faint during this part of the show, but you can’t help but barely crack your eyes open to catch Eddie’s reaction.

His jaw is on the ground.

You fall to the ground, your classmate playing Albert helping you onto the ground safely.

“She’s fainted!” Amanda yells, running over like a concerned mother should.

————————————

“Bye guys! See you tomorrow night” you announce, finishing packing your bag. You exit the dressing room door and begin walking to your car, planning to stop by Eddie’s and see what he thought of everything.

“Hey, y/n!” Patrick yells. You stop dead in your tracks.

Your turn, smiling at him.

“What’s up?” You ask, grabbing your keys in hopes he gets the point that you want to be on your way.

“I’d like to take you out sometime” he states, confident as ever.

After all, what girl would turn him down. He’s popular, rich, tall, a basketball player. Every girl at Hawkins dream.

Every girl but you.

“I-” you begin, but are cut off.

“Y/l/n, are you ready?” A voice calls from behind you. You turn to see none other than your boyfriend approaching, a grin on his face.

“We were kind of talking, freak” Patrick chides.

You whip your head back around to face him.

“Actually we weren’t. I don’t go out with assholes,” you remark, turning on your heel before walking past Eddie and out into the parking lot.

Eddie gently grabs your arm, gently pulling you towards him before backing you up so you’re against his van.

“Eddie, I-“

“Woah, where’s the fire, princess?”

One of his hands moves to your hip while the other is gently placed on your cheek.

“Are you mad about the kiss?” You ask, drawing his response.

The corners of his mouth turn up slowly and you can see his tongue rub against his top row of teeth.

“Mad? No, baby. You were playing a role, which you did amazingly by the way” he compliments, pressing a kiss to your forehead.

“You looked upset when it happened during the show” you counter, hands resting against his chest.

“I-uh, well…” Eddie begins.

“Were jealous?” You offer, a goofy grin matching his own covers your face.

“No! Of course not. I don’t get jealous” he remarks.

“Oh great. Patrick wasn’t a bad kisser actually” you test, waiting for his reaction. His jaw clenches and you can practically see the steam rolling out of his ears.

“Okay, maybe I do get jealous. I can’t help it when I have the most beautiful and talented girl in Hawkins” he smiles, he moves closer, his lips ghosting over yours.

“But tell me, darling…can he kiss you like this?” Eddie asks.

His lips attach to yours as he grips your waist in one hand, his other grazing the back of your neck. Your desperately trying to pull him closer when suddenly his hands move down, lifting you up so your legs are wrapped around his waist, your back against the side of the van.

His lips begin to move down your jaw.

“Eds, I wa-was only kidding. I hated kissing him” you admit, causing Eddie to chuckle. The vibration of his voice travels through your skin, making you even more needy than before.

“Good. You wanna go back to my place for a proper congratulations?” He asks.

You smile, pecking his lips before nodding.

He moves to the passenger door of his van, opening the door and giving you his hand to help you in.

Before you can sit, you see your favorite flowers laying on the seat of the car.

“You didn’t!” You squeal in excitement, pulling Eddie into another kiss.

“Of course I did. After Patrick asked you out I almost wish I had brought them inside to give to you right after the show. Let him see who his competition is.”

[mead0w]

if you'd taken an arrow (and run it right through me)

𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆: five times you and Eddie pretended not to know each other + one time you didn’t.

“Isn’t that that cheerleader?” Mike asked, his voice the picture of innocence as he pointed you out, eyes trained on Eddie’s face. Dustin narrowed his eyes as Eddie made a big show of trying to follow Mike’s finger.

“I dunno, man,” Eddie said, scratching the back of his neck. “They all look like cheerleaders to me.”

warnings: cheerleading injury, underaged drinking, mentions of smut

Keep reading

[mead0w]

you're obsessed, just let it go part 1/2

summary: when jason almost finds eddie in the boathouse, you're forced to do the worst thing imaginable; kiss jason carver

warnings: jason in himself is a warning, descriptions of kissing, jason getting a bit too handsy

(not my gif. credits to @ thranduilsperkybutt)

you made your way through the grocery store, browsing the shelves, a small basket on your arm; fellow shoppers moving to and fro you look to your left and see a woman buying baby food, on your right is an old man buying vegetables; yet, meanwhile, here you are, amongst all these people, buying cheerios for a fugitive suspected of murder. you were thankful at this moment that you and eddie had decided to keep your relationship together a secret. you sighed relief as you relished in the fact that you could go shopping for him without having to hide not only from the press, but from the nosey busy-bodies of hawkins,

there were disadvantages though obviously. you being a cheerleader and eddie being deemed a 'freak,' you couldn't even be seen within 5 feet of each other, let alone holding hands or kissing. you often watched him from where you sat with the cheer team and the jocks, longing to be near him; of course, eddie wished for the same, perhaps even more so. it also meant that you weren't off limits to the jocks; especially jason, who always asked you out, somehow never taking the word 'no' as an answer. you constantly rejected his advances, but to no avail,

you picked up eddie's favorites snacks, excusing yourself as you moved through the store, weaving in and out of people. you paid for the groceries, placing them in a plastic bag, before walking out the door towards your car, putting it on the passenger seat. you turned on the radio, trundling down the road as you sung 'uptown girl' by billy joel, tapping your fingers on the steering wheel. you did your usual ritual, parking your car further away from the boathouse, so as to not draw attention to it,

you radioed on the walkie to see if dustin would answer. "dustin, come in dustin," you spoke before hearing static and a click the other side. "dustin, over," he replied, voice muffled over the speaker. "i'm dropping the groceries to eddie now," you stated, grabbing the bag in your hand as you waited for his response. "y/n, if you're not going to use the proper terminology, i'm afraid i cannot give an affirmative," dustin countered, displeasure evident in his voice,

you sighed, shaking your head before answering. "stork is dropping the baby, over," you mumbled, annoyed. "affirmative, over," dustin's voice sounded, as you throw the walkie in the plastic bag, getting out of the car. you looked around before beginning your usual trip to the reefer rick's. you looked out at lover's lake as you walked, remembering all the fond moments you used to have with eddie here; hoping some day soon you'd get to relive them and make even more new memories with him,

the sun shone through the trees, glistening on the forest floor as you trudged through the foliage. you hummed a song to yourself, occasionally swinging the bag back and forth, letting it hit your leg gently. you felt the cool breeze against your cheeks as you reached your destination. you let out a sigh of relief, marching down towards the boathouse. just as it came into your view, you heard the screeching of tires, sprinting to leap into the bush next to the metal shed. your breaths were shaky as you waited for the car to pass, but it never did. you peered into the window of the shed to see if eddie could see you, but he was obviously under the tarp upon hearing the car also,

suddenly, you heard violent slams of not one, but three car doors and footsteps following them. "this lead better not be another dead end," a low, gruff voice spoke fiercely. you gasped as you recognized the voice; jason. "shit," you muttered under your breath, closing your eyes as you tried to think of a plan. 'they're going to find eddie,' you worried to yourself, before an idea popped into your head. you pushed the bag further into the bush so that it wasn't in view, moving to rip your skirt,

you bent down and picked up some leaves and some dried mud, rubbing it into your shirt, moving your shaky hands to rip your skirt with a rough tug. you could hear the footsteps and chattering getting closer. "we're totally going to find him," you heard andy say snarkily as chance laughed noisily. finally, you pulled the ribbon holding your hair in a ponytail, running your fingers through it frantically to mess it up. you caught your breath, jumping out from the bush to run towards the direction the boys were coming from,

you screamed loudly, assuming your role of the damsel in distress, turning the corner to hit a hard chest, as you let a few tears roll down your cheeks. you looked at the three boys in fear, like a deer in headlights. "y/n?" jason asked in confusion, reaching his hands to grab your shoulders softly. you jumped away, flinching at the touch, as you dropped to your knees. "hey, hey," jason whispered, trying not to startle you as he got down beside you, as you now let him touch your shoulder,

jason looked up at the boys, who looked at him in panic, not knowing how to soothe a crying girl. he turned back towards you who was now inconsolable, whimpering into your hands, mentally patting yourself on the back for your acting performance. "y/n, what happened?" jason asked worriedly, as he took in your disheveled form, a massive contrast to your usual put-together look. you peered up at him fearfully, doe-eyed as ever. " i-i saw him. i saw eddie," you confessed, reaching out to grasp his arm for stability, as you moved to get up, as he guided you upwards,

"where did he go?" jason asked angrily, the anger directed at him, not you. you swallowed thickly, trembling as you scrunched his jumper in your fist for effect. "h-he came from that direction," you whispered uneasily, as you pointed towards the total opposite direction of the shed, and lover's lake entirely. jason looked at you eagerly, urging you to continue. 'oh shit,' you thought as you tried to conjure your next words as the boys looked at you impatiently, awaiting your response,

"i um, i was taking a walk in the forest, and h-he just showed up out of nowhere. i-i ran but he chased me. i l-lost him somewhere in the woods," you confessed, voice shaking, half for the purpose of the act and half out of nerves as you made up this story as you went. jason turned, giving the two boys a nod, as they ran in the direction you cleverly pointed them in. "y/n what were you doing walking in the woods with a killer on the loose?" jason asked, shaking his head as he sighed. you wanted to grab the collar of his shirt and tell him that eddie wasn't a killer; but you knew that would only make matters worse,

you decided your best option was to burst into tears again, knowing he wouldn't be able to handle it. "h-hey woah i'm sorry okay? i didn't mean for it to come out like that. you were just being stupid," he comforted, as your blood boiled at being called stupid. 'i'll show you who's stupid. look who's falling for my stupid little show, dumbass,' you thoughts, still crying on the exterior. jason rubbed your arm as his eyes darted looked at the boathouse curiously, something you only noticed after his hand stopped rubbing you, looking up at him in bewilderment,

"i'm going to have a look. he could be hiding in there," jason muttered, giving you a pat on your shoulder. your heart began beating out of your chest as you scrambled to grab his bicep firmly. you pulled him, towards you as curled yourself into his frame, placing your hands on his chest as you cried as many tears as you could muster. "don't go, please," you wailed. he looked at you. "hey it's okay, i'll be back in a minute," he cooed, you almost gagged at the way he was talking to you. you shook your head 'no' as you clung to him tighter. this was taking all your willpower not to push him away from you,

"look, you can come with me and stand behind me," he compromised, puffing out his chest to make himself seem manly, secretly loving the affectionate touch you were giving him, despite them being out of fear; albeit false. "no!" you yelled, almost snapping out of character, "please." he was beginning to get annoyed now, trying to shake you off as you moved in front of him to block his path as he inched closer to the door of the shed. "just stay out here then," he stated firmly, turning his gaze towards the door,

in a final attempt to save your boyfriend from the inevitable, you swallowed the last bit of pride and dignity you had, grabbing his face to pull him into a kiss. he looked at you confused for a moment before he indulged in the moment he had been waiting for, and probably praying for, for years. you closed your eyes in disgust which he couldn't see as he shut his eyes in bliss, bringing a hand to your cheek and the other to your waist. you hated the taste, as you compared his rough, forceful kiss to eddie's slow and passionate one,

your boyfriend watched from under the tarp, admiring your performance until he saw you kissing him. he couldn't help but feel jealous, even though he knew from your expression that it wasn't at all a pleasurable experience on your end. 'ew,' he thought in his head, face contorting in disgust before he saw your hand swatting back and forth, signaling to him what direction to go in. eddie jumped up, smirking at your acting skills, as he jumped out the window quietly, now tiptoeing as he ran in the opposite direction to chance and andy,

just as he heard rustling, jason was released from your hynoptic trance, as his eyes darted around just as eddie clambered behind jason's car. your blood ran cold. "did you hear that?" he asked, putting his guard up. "it was probably just a squirrel," you answered hastily, pulling him in for another kiss. if there was any of your pride still intact, it sure as hell wasn't now, as you slipped your tongue reluctantly into his mouth as eddie made his final getaway, running into the forest. jason gasped in surprise, but then smirked as his hand trailed down to squeeze your ass and force his tongue into your mouth,

you almost swatted his hand away subconsciously, as you acted as though you were enjoying the kiss. finally, after what seemed like an eternity, jason pulled away, seeing stars as he looked at you in admiration, seemingly hooked on your flavor now. you gazed at him innocently, as you bat your eyelashes bashfully. "did you enjoy that?" he asked smugly, waiting for a bundle of compliments. "what?- oh yes, that was like a whole other world, jason. thank you..for... the pleasure?" you answered, trying to string a sentence together that he'd like, slightly wincing on the inside at your lack of charm,

though, it seemed to be enough, as he smirked cockily, enjoying the assumed effect that he had on you. just as he was about to question you further about how much you enjoyed it, chance and andy barrelled towards them, shaking their heads. you had never been more glad to see those two in your life. "no sign," chance said breathlessly as andy muttered, "nothing." jason's jaw tightened slightly but he was too happy about the events before that news for that anger to remain,

jason wrapped his arm around you, turning his gaze towards you. "how about we get you home, y/n? your parents must be worried sick," jason asserted, guiding you to the car to open the passenger door for you, taking your hand to help you in. chance grumbled something about having to sit in the backseat as him and andy clambered into the car to sit next to each other,

jason got into the driver's seat, turning the key in the ignition as he pulled off. the drive home, although only several minutes, was agonizingly long, as jason continuously looked over at you hungrily, keeping his big hand on your thigh protectively for the whole journey. you said nothing as he smirked as he drove towards your house, as you only thought about one thing as you watched the world speed by out the window

i need to get out of here and find eddie

[mead0w]

Prom Queen (Eddie Munson x Reader)

***********

Requested by @katamcauley

Summary: Eddie and the Reader have been secretly together since Jason forced them into “Seven Minutes in Heaven” as a prank, but now, as Eddie watches Jason and his goons flirt with you, he finds himself not caring who knows you’re his.

Warnings: Bullying, Cursing, Spicy Kissing, Sexual Themes, Drug Use (Weed), Mentions of Blood, Sexual Harassment (Nothing Graphic), and Violence (Series Typical).

(I will get a “Read More” cut on this ASAP. I am slowly knocking out requests! Thanks for your patience. Requests are OPEN. Send an ask or comment below to be added to the tag list. I’ve been thinking of doing full on Seven Minutes/Truth or Dare/Spin the Bottle hcs, so let me know if that’s something you want)

***********

“Jason, stop!” You groaned, trying to keep your feet planted, but the muscley blonde and his laughing friends were easily able to move you.

“Nah, babe. If you like trailer trash so much why don’t you spend seven minutes in heaven with it?”

You knew you should’ve stayed out of it.

But you’d heard his stupid voice all the way from where you were sitting with the cheer squad, that afternoon. And god, it was Max Mayfield, of all people. Jason had been friends with her brother. They were on the same basketball team the year before, and it seemed he was keeping Billy’s traditions alive. Patrick yanked her backpack from her arm and rifled through it as Jason grabbed her headphones.

“What the hell is wrong with you!?” She spat as they dumped her bag, papers flying every which way.

Keep reading

[mead0w]

10 Things I Hate About you - Chapter 2

Eddie Munson x Harrington! reader

Synopsis - A new rule strikes the Harrington household: if Steve wishes to date ever again, his sister needs to find a boyfriend first. As Steve becomes desperate and thinks of everything in his power to set her up, only one guy comes to mind that will take up a challenge such as that: Eddie Munson.

warnings - Season 1 Steve 👎 , ft. Eddie the mechanics, underage drinking, and free cookie if you spot the Titanic reference.

word count - 12.5k

proof read by the amazing @inknopewetrust

series masterlist 🌻

"He tried again over lunch today," Steve slumped his shoulders, looking up to the sky. This was supposed to be a new day, a new opportunity for Eddie to try and seduce you, but instead, Eddie almost ended up having your yogurt in his hair. And even if the plan was failing, Tommy, who would have paid good money to see The Freak with yogurt stuck in his brown curls, was disappointed you hadn't gone through with it. 

"I'm starting to think this is a bad idea."

"You gave him a fifty bucks a date deal, I'm sure he'll try again," Carol said through a mouthful of Steve's Kudos bar - the extra one he had packed for himself, but her sneaky hands had found it anyway.

"He told me he would," Steve climbed down from the hood of his car when he spotted you leaving the school building. "I'll see you guys tomorrow," He sighed, taking a seat behind the wheel.

"Hey, loser." Tommy snickered at you, taking a new puff of his cigarette and almost blowing it in your face.

"Oh my god, Tommy." You squinted your eyes, pretending like the smoke didn't bother you. "Are you losing your hair? You look balder than the last time I saw you up close?" You watched as his face twisted, placing a hand in his hair as if to protect it from your comment.

"Stop bullying my friends!" Steve yelled from the open window. 

"Stop bullying my friends" You mimicked his voice as you settled yourself in the passenger side. "I'm Steve and I think that my dumb friends are actually really smart and good company."

"I don't talk like that."

"Yeah, you do. Oh my hair, my precious hair!" You mimicked again, putting a hand in your own hair as you did. "Wait until people find out it's because you use girl's hairspray.”

"And they never will, because you'll never tell them," he sang the words. "Talking about hairspray, I'm running out. I'm going to have to go to the supermarket before I can drop you off."

"Seriously? Can't you go later?"

"Nope. Don't have the time."

"I hate you."

"Look on the bright side, you can go to the comic book store in the meantime." He spoke to you like a toddler, you hated that.

"Right. Because I'm so excited to get the new Iron Man comic."

"Aren't you?" 

You were.

 But he didn't need to know that.

~

"You have to stop being so aggressive." Steve noticed as he watched you remove a few coins out of your wallet and hand them to the seller behind the counter.

"I'm not aggressive!" You argued back, side-eying your brother before thanking the elderly man as he neatly placed your comics in a plastic bag and handed them to you over the counter.

"You just fought a 9 year old over Lord of the Rings." Steve eyed the road through the shop's window, the little boy in question had a big frown on his face as he climbed into the back of his mother's car.

"But he was wrong! I don't know what he read, but that's not how the end of the Two Towers played out! And Saruman does die at the end of Return of the King." 

"Why do I even bother with you?" He pinched his nose, his other hand on his hip in annoyance. You watched as the white plastic bag with the Farrah Fawcet hair spray bumped with his hip as he moved. He shook his head before putting his sunglasses back on. "Do you know that people around school are starting to call you a ‘heinous bitch’ more and more often?"

"You forget I don't care what people think." You pushed the shop door open, the little bell ringing with it.

"Yes, you do."

"No, I don't," you chuckled, looking at him through his sunglasses. "You don't always have to be who they want you to be, you know?" The words came out of your mouth before you could even think them over. 

"I happen to like being the king of Hawkins High, thank you," He gave you a chuckle as if you had just said something stupid. The pang in your chest started stinging even more at seeing the careless, stupid, and even sometimes mean facade your brother had created himself just for popularity becoming clearer and stronger. You knew deep inside he wasn't this way.

"Right." Your word came out stiffer than you wished as you opened the passenger door, Steve following you in from the other side. "You know you're paying for my car repair, right?" You asked as you watched him start the engine.

"Uh, no, I'm not."

"Steve, you're the one who put the wrong fuel in."

"Yeah, but it's your car."

"Mom said you were going to pay!"

"Yeah, and?"

"And, so I'm not going to pay for your mistakes. What is this? Asshole day?"

"Why are you like this? You're making a fuss about everything lately."

"Right yeah, because I'm the one with terrible grades and who bugs his sister like it's her problem. You broke my car, Steve."

"I did, but I don't see how I should pay for it."

"Agh!" You wanted to rip your hair out, a groan of frustration slipping out of you. "Please just drive. I have a car to pick up and the less time I have in here with you, the better. I don't want to argue with you anymore."

The air was so thick for the rest of the ride you could cut it with a knife. The only noise that could be heard was the engine mixed in with Steve's frequent huffs, and the chatter of the streets that would come and go at every red light.

When the bright blue banner of the garage came into view, Steve didn't even bother with parking and stopped right in front of the shop. 

"I'll see you at home." He gave you a tight smile you ignored, stepping out and closing the door as loudly as you could.

You mumbled something about how annoying and unfair he was being, the ringing from the little bell at the door making a minimum of your frustration dissipate. John, the owner of the place, sat behind the counter; head stuffed in the day’s newspaper, cigarette dangling from his lips. He barely looked up from his paper as he heard you walk in.

"Afternoon," you greeted, walking towards the counter, sighing your feelings away as your hands rested on the cold surface. "You said my car would be ready by today?"

"Oh yeah," He didn't remove the cigarette from his lips as he spoke, his small eyes still fixed on the paper and smoke coming out between words. "We're a bit late on schedule," He turned a page, "Realized the fuel fucked up the engine more than we thought. Munson's still taking care of it in the back."

"Munson?" The name felt familiar.

"Yeah, Eddie Munson." The lightbulb lit up in your mind. You knew exactly who he was talking about.

"I didn't know he worked here." 

"Mostly on weekends. But he's filling in for Rob today. You know him or something?" He lifted his eyes up to gaze at you through his blue square glasses.

"We go to school together."

"Alright. Well if you want to go see your car I'm sure he won't mind." You nodded and took this as your cue. Walking toward the doorway, the actual door was missing and was replaced by strings of blue and red clay beads. Now that you were closer, you could hear Metallica's The Four Horsemen faintly playing in the background.

The beads made a soft sound as you passed through them. The smell of fuel, rubber, and the metallic pungency of tools invaded your senses the second you walked in. The garage looked messy to an outsider–yet it was no different than other shops of the kind. A staple of car repairs in Hawkins, this little shop had seen business from every family and knew them all by name. The garage door was opened, giving out to a parking lot and letting the fresh air merge with the unnatural amount of toxins that emitted from each car, tire, and tank served. A range of different colored cars neatly parked outside, each either waiting for their turn to get repaired or for their owners to return. 

Your car was parked in the middle of the room, and indeed–the boy you knew as Eddie Munson, the school's proclaimed freak and trouble maker who had decided to suddenly ask you out, was working on it. 

His hair was tied back in a ponytail, head bowed into the hood. His black shirt was tight and hugged his torso perfectly, his jean jacket resting on a chair in the back of the room. The electric blue denim jumpsuit he called a work uniform was tied at his waist by the sleeves. The pants of it were decorated with car grease in large uneven patches on the sides as if he deliberately wiped his hands on them multiple times.

He blew a strand of hair away from his forehead as he leaned back to look at his work from a higher angle. His fingers were stained with black as they toyed with the wrench in his hand. He looked so focused. The crease between his eyebrows was evident as he figured out if his work was good enough.

"Thought you didn't want that date?" His voice brought you back from your staring, shoving away the odd feeling in your chest you hadn't noticed was there. You blinked, your expression changing. 

"And I still don't. I came to see my car."

"This is your car?" He asked, eyebrows raised as he pointed to it with the tool in his hand. 

"Yep." You patted the roof with pride.

"I didn't take you for a girl to confuse which fuel to put in her car." He smiled to himself, looking up from the car's engine to you. 

Now he couldn't deny you looked nice–nicer than in that ugly Hawkins high sports uniform you had been wearing yesterday and at lunch again today. Something about volleyball tryouts. 

Eddie had never really taken the time to see you. You had always been just a face in the crowd, but a cute one. His thoughts quickly processed and he remembered his mission. He knew loud and clear that he was just in this for the money, however, it didn't hurt that he found you pretty, and it definitely didn't hurt that you were wearing an Ozzy Osbourne t-shirt.

"Actually, that's my brother's fault." 

"Ah, now I understand."

"Probably never going to let him use my car ever again."

"Yeah, he fucked it up pretty bad," he noticed. "It seriously poisoned the engine."

"How much longer do I have to wait?" 

"Oh, I just finished!" He gave you his most charming grin before wiping his hands on the bottom half of his already disgusting jumpsuit. You could see the white patch with his name on it poking out from the folded top around his waist as he walked to where you were standing. "I just need to try it, see how it starts."

You took a step back to let him open the door and sit in the driver's seat, you could faintly hear the song fade away and the radio host taking over. Eddie left the door open as he turned the key and started the engine. The sound of the buzzing motor came and fully drowned the radio as it came loud and clear.

"It works!” He said as though it were a miracle. “And no smoke this time!" He seemed so happy it made you smile. "All set, princess." He turned the key and slipped out of the car, making his way back to the front and reaching up to close the hood.

"Thank you. I thought I was going to commit murder after a week of Steve driving me." 

"No problem," he chuckled.

"How much do I owe you?" 

"Nothing," he shook his head with big movements, making his ponytail sway from side to side. "On the house." 

"You know that won't make me say yes to that date?" You put a hand on your hip, making him chuckle. 

"I know."

"Don't think that getting me gifts is the way to my heart."

"What is the way to your heart?"

"That, I won't tell you."

"Just thought you shouldn't have to pay for what's your brother's fault."

"That's what I told him!" You pointed out. "No, but seriously how much do I owe you?"

"Nothing, I promise. Just get in the car and go do whatever pretty girls do on Wednesdays after school."

"Will John be happy you're giving away free service?"

"I'm sure good old John won't mind. C'mon! Get in! Get away from this smelly garage!" He waved towards the car when you didn't move.

You shook your head in disbelief before getting in and opening your window. "100% sure I can just leave?"

"Yes! Now go, before I change my mind." He watched with a smile on his face as you turned the car back on, smiling when everything worked perfectly. 

"Thank you!" You cheered, waving as you made your way out, Eddie watching you disappeared down the road.  

He breathed in heavily, walking to the half-broken sink in the back of the workshop. Once his hands were clean and dry he turned the radio off and reached for his coat which was still laying on the chair next to it. He reached in the pocket to remove his pack of cigarettes and lighter before fumbling with the jean, turning the jacket around to get access to the second pocket, pulling out some of the cash Steve handed him yesterday.

The blue and red beads made the familiar sound as he passed by the front desk.

"Did you let another girl leave without paying?" John looked up from his newspaper. "And I won't take a 'but she was pretty' as an answer this time."

"No," Eddie chuckled. "She gave me the money directly." Eddie put forty of Steve’s cash on the desk.

"Good."

"I'm taking my break." He nodded before stepping outside, cigarette already between his lips.

~ 

"Harrington! My new best friend!" Eddie cheered, a skip in his step as he made his way to Steve's locker the next day. Sleep still in Steve's eyes while Eddie's were bright and awake.

"What do you want?" Steve wondered as he stuffed his copy of Romeo and Juliet in his locker, only so he could forget it there and never see it again.

"I need your help."

"I thought you were the one helping me? And,” Steve paused his movements, “why is my sister still single?" 

"I'm working on it… It's only been two days. And talking about your sister, if you want this to work, I need you to tell me what she likes."

"Well, she likes that same crappy music you listen to."

"I already knew that, not very helpful. Can't you tell me her interests? Her hobbies? What does she read? What does she do on weekends?"

"Well, I think she might read the same nerd stuff you do, but I don't know."

"You don't know? She's your sister," Eddie crossed his arms as he leaned on the neighboring locker.

"Can't you ask her out without all this information?"

"Nope. You saw what happened, I need to be smart about this," Eddie tapped the side of his head with his finger.

"Fine," Steve sighed, closing his locker. "I'll make a list and give it to you tomorrow."

"Works for me!" Eddie smiled and knocked a fist on the locker behind him before turning around to walk the other way. 

"What was that about?" Tommy appeared out of thin air. His eyes fixed on Eddie who was already halfway down the hallway.

"He wants to know more about her. I have to make a list of stuff she likes." He took the hook of his backpack in his hand before he started to walk away. 

"And you don't know all of that?"

"No, why would I?"

"Because she's your sister?"

"And?" He shrugged. "Shouldn't be my problem."

"What are you going to tell him?"

"I'll search through her room. See what I can find."

"Doesn't she hang out with that Barb girl? You could probably ask her for some stuff."

"Maybe."

"Plus isn't she like Nancy's best friend? Could make you gain some Nancy points."

"Yeah, that's not a bad idea," Steve nodded along.

As if on cue, you appeared in the hallway with headphones over your ears. Steve looked at you with narrow eyes as you made a stop at your locker. You were wearing a Star Wars t-shirt; that could be useful information.

The lunch bell broke his thoughts and he suddenly remembered it was pasta Thursday. Steve watched the students who were still stuck in class start filing out of classrooms, he would have to leave quickly to get in line before the additional cheese would have to be wrestled for and leave the students last in line with only butter for a minimum of flavor to the over-cooked dish.

Like every Thursday, the cafeteria was crowded. The chatter of students echoed loud and clear through the large room. Food had already been spilled and laughter could be heard. Everyone seemed to be exactly where they were supposed to be. 

Steve with his friends, cheese proudly sprinkled on top of the macaroni that cooled just enough to be edible. 

Eddie was at his table. The Hellfire club was a full house; each member munching at their food, anticipation and excitement coursing through their veins as they waited for tomorrow to come to continue Eddie's campaign.

"I'm telling you, this is a terrible idea!" Jeff nodded along Oliver's words.

"Why? It's good money," Eddie leaned back from his seat at the table, his eyes landing on you. You were at the table you normally sat at, talking with Eddie's physics partner: Barb. 

Were you two friends? He wondered as he watched the interaction. You had a reputation for being a loner, yet you seemed to be smiling. A pretty smile that radiated over your features. Eddie noticed your Star Wars shirt, grinning to himself at the thought of a pretty girl like you being a fan of something he enjoyed too.

He hadn't noticed, but the entire hellfire table was staring at him, throwing looks at each other at the sight of their fearless leader cheesing it over some girl. 

"This is bad," Eddie's right-hand man, Olvier, whispered into Jeff's ear. "Really, really bad."

"It might be good money, but don't you think it's, like, a little unethical?" Another boy from the table wondered. 

"Unethical?" Eddie blinked at the words. "Since when have we had any ethics to begin with?"

"I don't know," the boy shrugged. "Just, imagine if she actually falls for you, and she finds out it was all a scam just so that her brother could get some?"

"She won't find out," Eddie cracked open his Mountain Dew, taking a sip from the tin can before continuing to speak. "And she's tough. You all saw what she did to Jeff's nose," the boy in question looked away in embarrassment. "I'm sure it would take her more than a few dates to fall for me."

"Right… Because leading someone on is totally the right thing to do to gain some extra cash," Gareth spoke up. "I still don't know why you've agreed to this. I don't want to be there when she finds out. Don't count on me to buy you flowers and dumb 'get well soon' cards for when she puts you in a coma."

"Don't think he'd even pass by the hospital," Another boy snorted. "He'd directly be put to his death." That made the entire table laugh, apart from Oliver.

The blonde had a serious shine to his eyes, a frown on the verge of forming. That wasn't what he was worried about, but he couldn't voice his worries, not right now.

~

That evening, Steve knew he had to work fast. He knew he only had an hour to get home from school, sneak into your room, and make a list of everything that could be useful before you'd be back from your hour of babysitting.

The second he swung the door open he was met with a sea of records and posters. Your bed wasn't made and your desk was a mess. Steve started his search with the desk. His eyes first landed on a big poster with four guys which, at second glance, he swore one looked like Eddie. He looked to the side to find another smaller poster of the same guy, smiling with his guitar. His name was written in bold on the side, but Steve didn't bother to fully read it. He shook the thought from his head before opening the main drawer. A collection of chapsticks rolled to the front, while random notes and spare coins sat at the back. He pushed some of the things around only to find concert tickets of events from eons past. 

When he wasn't satisfied with the search, he moved to the smaller ones at the foot of the desk. Opening and inspecting each one with meticulous precision. When he opened the third one, his eyes went wide.

"Oh my God!" Steve reached for the blue game boy. His blue game boy he thought he had lost the year prior. He could see your pink one in the back of the drawer, the screen broken. He grabbed his, moving his hand through the different games to take his pick. 

He put the console and games on the floor by the desk to reclaim them as his but continued his search. The fourth drawer had a magazine opened to a page showing multiple different electric guitars. You had circled one, Steve marked it down on his little piece of paper.

You liked guitar.

And you wanted an electric one, a specific model in particular.

Steve walked towards your shelf and scanned through your books. He made a face when he saw your small collection of Shakespeare. He wrote that down too. After that, he saw a few books by the same author. He recognized The Lord of the Rings, writing it down on his list. But then when his eyes scanned over the other works by the J.R.R Tolkein guy, he had to squint and reread the word at least 3 times to register it and to check if he had written ‘Silmirillion’ right. You had stacks of Rolling Stone magazines next to it except Steve barely bothered to skim through them.

His eyes landed on the big Star Wars poster next to him and on the spaceship on your shelf. He wrote that down as well.

Once he was satisfied, he grabbed his Gameboy and the selected games from the floor and left as though he had never been inside of it at all. 

~

Steve's socked feet dropping from step to step down the stairs caught your attention. Like every Friday morning, he was wearing his blue shirt - his favorite one Tommy had gotten him for his birthday. His bag hung on one shoulder as settled for breakfast.

However, he wasn't looking at where he was going or making a cheeky comment to piss you off so early in the day.

His eyes were focused on the blue brick in his hand. The noise of the game rang before the realization hit. The familiar opening of a chest echoed through your ears and your eyes went wild.

The goddamn Gameboy. 

"Are you playing Zelda?" He didn't own a Zelda game–you did.

"Yes. On my Gameboy that I found in your room! Also, I don't know how you can play this. It's too complicated."

"What were you doing in my room!?" Your hand collided with the table, making your breakfast jump. 

"I was searching for it!" He bit back. 

"Dad-"

"You shouldn't have taken his in the first place. You have one of your own. Steve, you shouldn't go into your sister's room, that's private. It's settled. End of argument. Can we eat in peace now?"

You grumbled something, melting in your seat before poking at a blueberry.

You were glad your car was repaired because you couldn't take another drive of Steve's whining and him complaining about how Zelda was too hard. 

Fridays were the best. Not only because it was the day when you didn't have any classes with Steve, but also because it was a chain of your favorite classes that led right to the weekend.

But, Friday’s also went by faster than lighting because of it. 

"Barb! You're sort of friends with my sister, right?" Steve appeared next to her like a child high on sugar.

"Yeah?" She looked up from her textbook and papers.

"I need you to tell me what she likes."

"What she likes? Why?" She placed the stray papers inside the textbook before putting them inside her bag, her gaze going to the classroom door where students were starting to leave. It was Friday. She wanted to run out of there and not spend any more time than she needed to in these horrible halls.

"Is that so bad that I just want to know my sister better?" He poorly defended himself, placing a hand on his hip to try and sound more convincing.

"That’s weird coming from you," she zipped her bag closed.

"Okay,” he brushed it off, “first, what does she like to do on weekends?"

"Steve-"

"Please just answer the question." He pressed on.

"Well, um… She really likes to go to The Hideout."

"That weird bar on the edge of town?" Steve made a disgusted face. 

"Yes, she says she loves seeing new bands play and makes fun of them when they're terrible."

"Okay," Steve started writing it on his hand like notes for an upcoming exam. 

"Are you really writing this down? Steve-" Barb lamented. 

"I want to remember! Can't you just accept the fact that I want to be a better brother?"

"Right."

"Ok, what else?"

"She likes Hard Rock and Metal… She would die for Kirk Hammett and Axl Rose."

"Wh-who?" 

Barb rolled her eyes. "Kirk is that guy from Metallica?” It sounded more like a question than an actual statement. “I think he's their guitarist." 

"Oh! Is that the guy from the posters in her room? The one that has the same hair as Munson?"

"They all have the same hair as Munson," she pointed out. "But yeah, Kirk kind of looks like him, I guess." Barb blinked as she remembered your room from the little times she'd been there "Axl is the main for Guns ‘n Roses; blonde, blue eyed guy with long hair. Always wears a bandana and eye-liner." 

"Mm-hm" He nodded for her to continue, writing keywords on the back of his hand.

"She also really likes the arcade and roller skating. Um, she likes fantasy stuff like those Star Wars movies and those big books…” Barb trailed off to think of the name. 

“Lord of the Rings?” Steve filled in for her and she snapped her fingers in recognition. 

“Yes! Lord of the Rings. And I think her favorite character is Darth Vader?"

"Is he from Lord of the Rings?” Steve asked and Barb furrowed her eyebrows at him like she couldn’t believe that is what came out of his mouth. 

“Are you serious?” 

“It’s… not?” Steve faltered and she shook her head. 

“Star Wars… Bad guy…?”

"The guy with the helmet?” 

“Mhm,” Barb hummed in reply. 

"Okay, thank you! I think I'm all set."

"Are you sure you need this information just to be a better brother?"

"Yeah," he nodded. "Thanks!" He beamed before running out of the room. Steve charged down the halls until he recognized the door with the theatre posters all over it. 

"Here!" Steve burst into the drama room, earning a questioning gaze from Eddie. 

He was alone. Feet on the table that was even messier than the last time he was there. A book in his hand and he was practically one-hundred percent sure he had seen that same cover sitting on the shelves of your room.

"I have ‘the info.’" Steve slammed the note onto the table, in between the figurines and dice, before taking a seat in one of the rickety side chairs. 

Eddie looked up from his book with a raised eyebrow and removed his feet from the table before scanning what was written.

"You missed the a," He pointed out and Steve looked at him strangely. "Silmarillion, not Silmirillion," Eddie showed him the cover of the book he was still holding.

"Whatever," Steve dropped his hand on the table. "That's the information I gathered."

"That's not a lot to work from," Eddie pointed to the paper with Steve’s scribbles on it. 

"Look it should be enough," Steve huffed as Eddie read through the information. "But I've got more."

"She likes guitar, that's cool. She wants the same model I have."

"Oh yeah! She has a crush on that guy from Metallica, the one with the guitar."

"Which one?"

"I don't man, the one that looks like you."

"You mean Kirk?"

"Yeah! That's his name."

"Alright, good. I can work with that," A smirk rose on Eddie's lips. A sudden burst of confidence rose to his chest. He was your type. "Anything else?"

"I think her other crush's name has something with roses" he looked down at his hand, the writing so sloppy he could barely make it out.

"Axl?"

"Yep, that's the one!" Eddie could work with that. He basically owned half of the same wardrobe.

"She likes to go to The Hideout–you know that dodgy bar? She likes to go and judge the bands that play apparently."

"I'm in a band that plays at The Hideout."

Steve's mouth hung open into an 'O' shape before he spoke again. "Well, that's actually kind of perfect." He noticed, a bit more to himself than to Eddie. "She also likes the arcade and roller skating."

"Okay,” Eddie nodded, “What's her favorite arcade game?"

"I don't know? She stole my Donkey Kong game so she might like that?" It came out as more of a question than anything.

"Steve, what do you know?"

"Are you being sarcastic?" He narrowed his eyes. 

"Maybe."

"Also her favorite Star Wars character is the villain."

"Palpatine?" Eddie scrunched up his nose, tilting his head.

"Pala-who? No, no, the other one, the guy with the helmet."

"Darth Vader?"

"Yeah."

"Well, it's arguable that's he's the villain-"

"Please keep that nerd bullshit for my sister," Steve cut him off and Eddie closed his mouth, crossing his arms against his chest, "that's all I have."

"Alright. I'll see what I can do." Eddie nodded before looking back to the table. "You should go," he tapped his watch, "Campaign's about to start."

~

"I'm home!" Steve yelled as the door closed behind him.

"Steve, can you come help me with the laundry?" Your mom called out from the laundry room. A large basket of folded laundry in her hands.

Steve rolled his eyes before slipping his shoes off and dropping his bag by the entrance. As he did, he noticed a pair of shoes and a bag he didn't recognize sitting by the doorway.

"Why can't Y/n do it?" 

"Because she's babysitting. Here," she handed him the basket. "This side is your clothes, and this one your sister's. Just put yours in your room and put the basket with the rest in hers. Is that so hard to do?"

"Babysitting? But her shoes and bag are here?"

"Yeah, they're in the kitchen, baking."

"Ah," he grumbled something else before doing as told.

"So, got any plans for the weekend?" You asked Dustin as you placed the cupcake wrappers in the little molds. 

"I'm going to Mike's. We're going to continue his campaign!" The curly-headed boy had a big smile on his face as he mixed the batter with all his might. 

"That's nice," you smiled before you dipped your finger into the batter and stole a taste. "Our cupcakes are going to be amazing," you nodded, "high five." 

One of his hands removed its grip from the bowl to collide with yours while the other stayed on the whisk.

"Do you need someone to drop you off or pick you up from Mike's?" You questioned as you started washing your hands, speaking a bit louder over the running water.

"No,” Dustin shook his head and his curls went bouncing, “mom said I could go all alone this time!"

"Oh my god," you put a hand to your heart. "Is my ‘lil Dusty growing up?" You faked a sniff, "are you going to fire me?" you wiped a fake tear. 

"No!" He giggled at your dramatic sighs. "I still need you. I'm bored when you're not there and I have to spend entire afternoons home alone." 

"I hope so," you pointed a finger at him, a small smile playing on your face as you turned back to the cupcake batter. "You still have to teach me how to play D&D, by the way. My half-written character sheet is still somewhere in my room." 

"Yes! I promise. Once Mike's campaign is finished, we will do it."

"Deal," you grabbed the bowl and started to pour the mixture in each of the cupcake molds while Dustin washed up. 

"What are you doing this weekend?" He wondered as he came back around, watching with big eyes as you skillfully poured just the right amount of dough into each section.

"Homework, probably." 

"That's it?" His eyes went wider. Sometimes he thought you never had fun outside of babysitting him. 

"No," you giggled. "Might go judge whoever is playing at The Hideout."

"I wish I could come with you," he sighed. "It sounds so much fun."

"Promise when you're a little older. I'll bring you and we can even make a bingo sheet out of it."

"What would we put on the bingo!?" His eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.

"Well, stuff like, ‘did the singer's voice crack’, or ‘did he sing a wrong note’, or ‘did the guitarist mess up his chord?’ Oh! I forgot to tell you, last time I went, a band that came from Arizona was playing and the drummer threw up on his snare."

"Ew!"

"Yeah, it was disgusting. The whole band had to stop playing and the show was canceled."

"I'm surprised that you haven't met anyone there," Dustin sighed as he watched you put the cupcakes in the oven. 

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you always said that the boys in high school are unwashed miscreants," you giggled at the fact that he remembered your words. "You must have met someone cool at this bar."

"How many times must I tell you that I'm not interested in dating?" You laughed. 

"But everyone is! Dating can be fun!"

"Not everyone, Henderson." Steve's voice came from the doorway. "Y/n is a peculiar breed of mean girl. No boy would even be interested in her, they're all terrified of her or either think she's a loser." Steve made an ‘L’ with his index and thumb, bringing it to his forehead as he poked his tongue out to you.

Steve thought you'd be in a better mood after he saw you laugh with Dustin, that you'd joke back like you always did, but when your eyes met his, your gaze became cold again. You were glaring daggers at him when he reached for the orange juice in the fridge.

"That's not true! She's like the coolest person on earth!" Dustin argued and a mocking chuckle came from your brother. Dustin's eyes were wide and angry as he looked at Steve pouring himself a glass and placing the bottle back in the fridge. The younger boy burned a hole in the back of Steve’s head before he disappeared into the living room.

"Don't listen to him," Dustin grumbled. "I would definitely ask you out if I was older!" That made you laugh; the hurt that started forming in your chest dissipated with his words.

"Well, thank you. But I do get asked out." ‘Especially recently,’ you thought. "I'm just not interested," You could see in his eyes he still didn’t take that as an answer. "Alright, my young padawan," you changed the subject and ruffled his hair. "Enough boy talk. Let's finish up your homework while these cupcakes bake."

~

"Why are you acting like this?" Steve's head poked from over your shoulder.

"Why am I acting like what?" 

"You've been in a bad mood ever since Tuesday morning," Steve sat beside you by the kitchen counter. He quickly eyed what you were doing and saw your neatly written paper with all the answers to the history questions Mr. Click had assigned. Steve grabbed it but you quickly snatched it away.

"You're really asking me why I'm acting like this? Steve, you've been bugging me all week because you think I'm the answer to all your problems!" You dropped your pen in frustration. "It's not my fault you didn't do your English homework and it's not my fault you got shitty grades so now you're not allowed to get a girlfriend. And you're certainly not going to copy my history homework. You didn't even want to pay for my car and you were basically bullying me in front of the boy I babysit."

"But I always bully you," he pointed it out as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. Saying it like his words were meaningless sibling banter and not him reinforcing ideas everyone thought. "And you said it yourself, the guy didn't even make you pay for the repair!"

"That's not the point! You have to stop acting like the things you do are my problem; stop asking me to get a fucking boyfriend and to read a book for you! And stop snooping around my work!" You almost screamed. 

Steve was glad your parents were away at Enzo's for dinner because he would have gotten a really long lecture about bribing you to get a boyfriend and he didn't need that right now.

"But you won't get a boyfriend so now I'm stuck home on a Friday night."

"Wow, is that so bad?" You mocked before aggressively grabbing all of your pens and shoving them in your pencil case, stacking your papers before taking everything in your arms and walking up to your room.

"No! Don't leave!" 

"Then stop annoying me!" You screamed from the top of the staircase. He heard your loud steps stomping the ground before your door closed with a loud thud and the small clicking of your lock.

You dropped your books and homework on your desk, sighing when you turned the lights on. Frustration burning in your veins, you turned your radio on and brought the volume as high as you could. 

The start of Rainbow in the Dark started playing.

It was therapy. It was a cool cloth on the back of your neck on a hot day. Most of all, it was the remedy to tune Steve out and the world around you went silent sans the music that raced the airwaves of your room. 

Steve could faintly hear it from the living room but chose to ignore it. This time, he will not give you the satisfaction of being annoyed.

You hummed the lyrics to yourself as you went through your bag, cleaning the empty wrappers and menial scraps that had accumulated through the week. You opened your planner and scanned around the homework for Monday.

Math

English

History

Spanish

You made the list as you went through the stack of textbooks on your desk and neatly placed the ones you needed on the side. You were about to turn around and decide which tape you wanted to listen to after this one when a knock came to your window.

You thought that you heard wrong. Maybe it was a chord in the song you hadn't noticed before. But when the sound of a rock hitting the glass struck again, this time you had the visual. It was a surprise you could still hear the soft clink over the loud music, and as you stepped to get closer, another one clashed with the glass.

You pushed the window up, Dio now playing loud and clear in the cool night air. You looked down to be faced with the last person you expected to see.

"Munson?" You raised an eyebrow. "I thought I told you to stop bothering me?"

"You haven't actually said those words," He echoed from down below. 

He had a large smile on his face. His hair was loose and going wild while he was wearing a dark blue shirt that was ripped on the side–you knew you had seen the same shirt somewhere. Skinny jeans of matching color with chains dangling everywhere and purple reeboks complete the look.

It was a look. A completely chaotic, mismatched look that he made work because it was uniquely him. 

The light from your window spread a glow over his features as he played with an additional pebble in his hand. For a second, you caught yourself thinking he was handsome. You found yourself shoving away the same weird feeling that had popped up after seeing him at the garage beside your car.

"What are you doing here?"

"I want to take you out," he beamed, dropping the pebble and taking a step closer to your window when the chorus of the song echoed louder through the air.

"I have homework to do."

"C'mon, it's Friday night, please?" He pouted, big brown eyes looking at you like a lost puppy. "I'm playing at The Hideout in 30 minutes, please just come. My van is parked a street away. Doesn't have to be a date."

"You never give up don't you?"

"No," he smirked.

You thought for a second. Dustin's words echoed from earlier: ‘dating can be fun.’ Maybe you could allow yourself just one night at the seedy bar where you would lose your shell. Maybe you could give Eddie Munson the chance to show you who he was behind all the rumors and 'scary' facade.

"I'll come with you on one condition," you levied at him and there was a spark of surprise that washed over his eyes. 

"That is…?" He could feel the plan working. He could feel you giving in to him. 

"Free drinks."

"Alright, yeah," he thought about the rest of Steve's cash stashed in the door of his van. "Deal." 

"Give me a second to change, I'll be right back." You closed the window, then curtains before scurrying off to your closet.

Eddie was in it for the cash. That's what he told himself going into the deal, and that's what he had to remind himself when he watched you climb out of your window as Holy Diver played from your stereo and your feet hit the grass. You were wearing white pants. They were ripped almost everywhere and a chain was hooked to the one side, almost matching the way Eddie's wore his own. Black boots and a loose Metallica shirt brought the look together in some fever dream he was immersing himself in. 

Eddie bit back a smile, nodding towards your shirt, "you have a great taste in music."

"I know." You looked at him up and down. "Is that Kirk Hammett's shirt from that cover of Rolling Stone they did two months ago?" You had noticed it when you came to your room and your eyes landed on said magazine.

"Maybe," he smirked. "Might have made it myself when the cover came out."

"Well, it's very nice. Suits you." For a second, you almost thought he looked like him. The same hair, eyes, and cheeky grin. Your heart doing a loop in your chest when you were starting to compare them; the guitar, being in a band. You shook the thought away quicker than it came and walked past him, turning back around when he didn't follow. "C'mon, what are you waiting for?"

"Nothing," Eddie smiled, dipping his chin into his chest before shaking his head and catching up to you.

"Are your parents not going to notice you're gone?"

"They're at dinner. They'll probably assume I'm sleeping by the time they're back."

"And your brother?"

"Nah. I turned the lights off, and the music will stop eventually. He'll have just about an hour left of Dio before he can have his peace."

"Sneaky."

You had never really noticed Eddie's van before. White with blue stripes and the smell of weed permanently stuck to its seats. It was oddly clean on the inside–with no stray papers or candy wrappers laying around like in yours. A guitar pick was dangling from the rear mirror and a bobblehead dragon stood on top of a dash like those Hula girls. 

"I like the dragon," you noticed, tapping the top of his head with your fingers to see it move.

"Thanks. I won it at the arcade."

"You go to the arcade?"

"Yeah! Like all the time."

"Me too," you smiled to yourself, watching as he fixed his shirt when he settled in his seat.

"What proves to me that you weren't sent by my brother, the devil spawn?" You narrowed your eyes at him as he closed the door. Eddie's heart squeezing in his chest at the question, his hands began to sweat. You were smart. Really, really smart.

"Sweetheart,” the nickname fell from his tongue as if it were second nature, “you really think your brother would even think of talking to me?" That made you laugh. "I'm sure the idea in itself makes him shit his pants." 

It did. But that was before Steve realized Eddie wasn't doing ritual sacrifices on the floor of the drama room.

"Yeah, you're right, sorry to assume," you laughed. "Just thought that maybe he would get really desperate and send the only guy in Hawkins who wouldn't be scared of me." Dammit you were smart. And if Eddie hadn't had as much acting practice from playing Dungeons and fucking Dragons he probably would have been busted the second the question left your lips.

"You don't have that much self-confidence do you?" Eddie narrowed his eyes and looked right at you, trying too hard to change the subject. "Look at you! You really think guys don't want to ask you out, just… because?"

You shrugged and played with the dragon's head again, watching it go up and down every time you touched it. "It's not that I don't, it's just… I'm not very approachable. People are usually scared of me and call me a heinous bitch. Steve gracefully reminds me of it every single day. Either that or they want to date me to be friends with 'Mr. King of Hawkins High',” 

"Well, I definitely don't want to be friends with him," Eddie shook his head, making a weird face at the thought. "And I'm no picnic myself," his soft laugh echoed across the little space. 

"Yeah, we both have a reputation, don't we?" You scrunched up your nose.

"Definitely," he grinned like it was the best badge a person could wear. "And for the record, I don't think you are a heinous bitch," He smiled, a real genuine smile that definitely wasn't an act. "I think you're very cool, Harrington. I don't know how I hadn't noticed you earlier," he meant it.

"You think I'm cool despite the fact that Steve ‘The Hair’ is my brother?" You raised an eyebrow.

"Despite that."

"Well, I think you're pretty cool too," a stare lingered a little bit too long between the two of you, causing Eddie to clear his throat and put his focus on starting the van.

"You know, never in the world did I think that ‘The Hair's’ sister would listen to Black Sabbath and Dio and like Star Wars."

"Why would you think that?" You smiled because to you, the assumption that you didn’t like any of those things was ridiculous. You wore shirts, listened to the music at near full volume through the hallways, and made it no secret that you weren’t afraid of liking the things you did just because some people found them ‘odd.’

"Because you're Steve Harrington's little sister?"

"So, you think I'm like my brother?"

"Oh, Christ, no. But, I thought you might be. Imagined you to be like a cheerleader of something until I realized that the second Harrington was the girl terrorizing everyone she crosses paths with."

"Jesus," You chuckled. "Imagine me dancing with pom poms."

"Now that's a sight I'd love to see."

"No,” you shook your head amused, “I would look ridiculous."

"I'm sure you'd look amazing."

"I would be a laughing stock! Then people wouldn't be scared of me anymore and where's the fun in that?"

"Yeah," Eddie chuckled with you. That was a fair assessment on your behalf. You weren’t the cheerleading type. 

When he parked on the familiar grounds of The Hideout, he reached up for the switch, the small ceiling light making your eyes blink as they adjusted to it.

Eddie leaned toward you to open the glove box. Hand over your knees, he popped open the compartment and his hand barely grazed them as he reached into it. As he rummaged through it, he found a spare ring in the process. Eddie didn't hesitate to wear it on his one ring free finger the second his eyes landed on it. 

"Ah-ha!" He smiled when he found what he was searching for. A long thin black tube was between his fingers that made your eyebrows raise high. 

"Eyeliner?"

"What? Every rock star wears it." You laughed at the idea of Eddie putting on eyeliner, but it died on your lips when you realized he was being serious and started applying it around his eyes. "Don't look at me like that! Axl Rose wears eyeliner all the time!"

"Yeah, you're right. Axl Rose does wear eyeliner," you smiled at Eddie's comparison to him. Watching his movements as he looked at his eyes through the rear mirror. He definitely wasn't an eye-liner expert; the start of his lines were messy and he was making everything uneven.  

For a long minute, he looked like a panda and had to rub some off the black with his fingers. It was far from perfect, but he seemed happy with it. 

"How do I look?" He gave an award winning, teeth baring grin when he fully turned to face you. 

Now, if you from Monday asked yourself what you thought you would be doing on Friday night, the last thing that would have crossed your mind would have been sitting in the parking of The Hideout with Eddie Munson, gaping at him like a fish as he turned to you with the most adorable grin you had ever seen, wearing eyeliner and comparing himself to your two favorite musicians, and every word dying in the back of your throat as the same unknown feeling that had now crossed you twice upon gazing at him came back.

"Good," you attempted but your words came out in a mumble, blinking the shock away. "You look good. A real rock star." In all truths, he looked really really good. So good you wondered how you had never noticed it before, especially from all your past trips to The Hideout.

Surely you would have noticed someone you went to school with or someone who looked like that. 

"Great," he smiled even wider, grabbing the pick necklace from his rearview mirror. "Can't forget the lucky charm,” he winked before opening the door of his van and jumping out.

The Hideout was familiar. 

Always the same people flocking to the little joint apart from a few new faces that changed every weekend. The same dark ambiance and washed-out lighting, the same pool table with the same five drunks playing every weekend and sometimes on Thursdays after the monster truck race outside of town. 

It wasn't crowded. It never was. But on Fridays, there were always enough people to consider it a crowd, causing a cheerful spirit to hang in the air. Even Madame Bijoux seemed happier on Friday nights. Maybe it was the only day of the week she and the people of Hawkins forgot she was a French woman that came to the bar every day at six, drinking whiskey while wearing all of the jewels she owned and claiming she was waiting for her long-lost love to come back. 

It was some Shakespearean tale playing out before your eyes each week. 

She was a treasure, practically a ghost from another world but she sat drinking her whiskey with a mystical whimsy about her. Those jewels, the long-lost love… it was all too good to be true most days. 

The same stage stood in the back, a banner with Corroded Coffin written in black doubled with red, hung on the side. One of the boys you knew to be in advanced English was still working on setting up his drum set.

But you didn't know why this time everything felt different.

Maybe it was because this time you hadn't gone alone. This time you were accompanied by the leader of its band who played there three times a month. Or that you had suddenly found him handsome and your mind became a mess of thoughts and your body was vibrating with unknown feelings. It certainly didn't help that his eyes wouldn't leave you as you made your way through the small crowd to reach the stage.

"That's Gareth," Eddie pointed at his friend once you were close enough to see. "He's a Freshman and a smartass."

"Is that why he's the only Freshman in advanced English?"

"Exactly why,” He nodded. "Joined Corroded Coffin last year when our drummer graduated."

"Question, why are you in advanced English?"

"They said that it would gain me more points. That I'd have a better chance of graduating if I took it." 

"How’s that working out for you?"

"Horribly," Eddie chuckled, waving hello to someone behind your shoulder before continuing. "Definitely quitting at the end of the year. They can shove their extra points up their asses."

"Awww, and I won't get to stare at your empty seat for hours every week? What. A. Shame." Your words brought a fighting smile to Eddie's lips. 

"Yeah, sadly. My sincerest apologies," he smirked, "but the year isn't over. Maybe I can think of showing up so you can stare at something more interesting than an empty chair."

"You would do that for me?" You gasped. "I'm impressed."

"You should be."

"This is bad," Oliver leaned his chin in the palm of his hand, his fingers covering his mouth as he sighed.

"You realize you say this every time you see them talk or we mention her?" Jeff side-eyed his friend before looking back to the two of you from their spot. They were standing in the back of the room, right near the stage–a place perfect for spying the crowd.

"Yeah," Oliver nodded, "but I'm saying it because it's true."

"You know the worst that can come out of this is Eddie having to take a trip to the emergency room?"

"No," he shook his head, blonde hair moving with him. "It's his heart I'm worried about."

"His heart?" 

"Think about it. Y/n has always been described the same way people have always described Eddie. It's a mystery they weren't friends before this," Oliver crossed his arms. "Eddie asked Steve to gather up some info on her–I read it and Eddie doesn't see it, but they're practically soulmates."

"Oh."

"And her celebrity crush is Kirk Hammett"

"Oh."

"Yeah!"

"This is bad."

"It's very, very bad. I know Eddie. He wears his heart on his sleeve and cares too much. He's going to end up falling for her, I can already see it happening! Her too, and then when she finds out her brother paid him it's going to be like an atomic bomb going off. She's never going to forgive him and we’re all going to burn along with him." 

Jeff didn't have the words to reply. He continued watching the two of you from a distance; Eddie had just made a joke, his face sparkling with joy. You were laughing loudly, the sound barely audible in between the chatter, and Eddie was definitely blushing. 

Oliver watched, almost angry at the situation when Eddie placed the hand that wasn't holding the guitar strapped on his back in place on your back to escort you through a cluster of people. 

Both your laughters became audible when you were just a step away.

"Hey guys!" Eddie turned his head to face his friends. His features lit with something more than usual–Oliver didn't like one bit of it. 

"Hey," you greeted them with a shy wave.

"Guys, this is Y/n," Eddie pointed to you, both of them giving small waves in return. "This is Oliver, he's on second guitar," Oliver stiffly nodded. You could feel the cold in his eyes upon eye contact, as if he didn't want you here. It made you awkwardly look away towards Jeff, but that didn't help the awkwardness you were feeling. 

"Um, that's Jeff," Eddie's voice became low as he said it, knowing your past interaction with the boy. You gave another awkward wave but he just glared at you. Great, you definitely did not feel welcomed by his friends.

"I'll have to leave you here," Eddie turned back to you, gloriously saving the moment from turning into an awkward silence. "Need to get ready with the band."

"That's alright. I'll go find a seat and get something to drink," you smiled, a warm smile that warmed Eddie's heart. His gaze followed you until you were lost in the sea of people.

"You should flirt less," Oliver said before looking back to his guitar, fixing the strap before placing it around his shoulders. 

"Huh?" His words took Eddie by surprise.

"You should: Flirt. Less." He repeated, accentuating the words with each syllable. "Can’t have her really think this is going to lead to a real relationship," Eddie blinked at his friend's words.

"Have you seen the way she is around me?" Eddie pointed to the crowd as if pointing to you. "I don't think she's even close to thinking about actually dating," Eddie scoffed and brushed the words off his shoulder.

"Are you blind?" Oliver’s eyes went wide. Did he not just see the way he was laughing with you? Or acting around you? The way he touched you and blushed and made your own person radiate an energy Oliver only associated with the magical powers of flirtation and charm. 

"What?"

"Nevermind," Oliver had enough. If Eddie wanted to put himself in this situation, then he would let him.

"What’s that supposed to mean?" Eddie raised his voice as Oliver walked towards the stage and away from him. 

"Nothing. You should set up your guitar and mic. We play in five."

You had seen Corroded Coffin play a hundred times. And each and everyone of these times you knew they were getting better. Each new song they wrote dripped of a new skill, stronger lyrics, and more passionate skillful music. As the band got older, the songs got better. They were all goddamn talented and from the hundreds of other bands you had seen play in this shitty bar, you knew that they had a better chance than anyone else who stepped on the bumpy wooden planks of this stage to become big. 

But when the lights went out and everyone started cheering, it felt like you had never seen them before.

The first chords of Eddie's guitar rang through the darkness like a ship finding its port in your soul. You recognized their most recent title: 'Walking in the Dark' . The song started with a guitar solo, almost slow, melancholic, until the whole song was flipped upside down and it became worthy to be featured in a Metallica album.

When the second chord started after a beat, the spotlight set on Eddie. And maybe it was the sip of beer you had just taken, but chills climbed up your shoulders as he started to play. He looked so focused, more than he could ever look while fixing cars just for extra cash. Your eyes lit up as you watched him play the most difficult part of the riff. His hair was going crazy, crazier than ten minutes earlier when you were still by his side and a small smile crossed your cheeks when he shook his head in a poor attempt to move strands of hair away from his face.

People cheered when the rest of the band started to play, and the lights came back in on rhythm with the music. When Eddie started singing, a few drunks joined in like they were singing along to their favorite song. Corroded Coffin having become a staple of the joint, the most fidel clientele had started to know most of the lyrics by heart–you included. 

And you hadn’t even realized that this Eddie had been one you admired from afar every time they played, three times a month. 

The whole place lit up like fire. The crowd was chaotic–as chaotic as a crowd of drunk Hawkins residents and travelers who had stopped at a motel for the weekend could be. People were raising their drinks with the music, and you felt yourself enjoying the show more than you had in a very long time.You never wanted it to stop.

But everything good had to come to an end. As your beer decreased in its glass, Corroded Coffin’s setlist came to an end. The crowd of singers became smaller, and the alcohol in their veins augmented with time. A fight that had broken out over a spilt drink was taken outside, and the wood on Gareth's drumsticks was periodically chipping away, threatening to split in half with every hard beat.  

The last notes rang through the bar and the seven lonely drunks left on the makeshift dance floor attempted to clap, accompanied by the few tables that were finishing up their drinks or food that was left over from their dinner's, the waiters and of course; you.

The entire band was catching their breath, smiling at each other and sharing 'we did well' looks. You watched from your spot at the bar as Eddie shook his head and wiped the sweat of his forehead with the back of his hand. He had the brightest smile and you couldn't help but mimic the sight when his eyes met yours from across the room. 

Five minutes later, he was standing right next to you, ordering beers for the entire band and another for you.

"So, you like it?" 

"Better than other times. You guys are getting better," you smiled, your hand fiddling with your empty glass. 

"That's because this time I knew you were in the crowd," he winked, his smile burning even brighter than before. He dropped a ten dollar bill on the cold surface as the women behind the counter handed him the five glasses.

"On the house," she smiled and Eddie was glad you hadn't noticed the way he flinched when he had to repocket the bill he was trying to get rid off. 

"Thanks," he nodded, trying his best for his smile not to look fake before turning to you. "Will you help me? The rest are sitting at that booth over there," he pointed with his head, already grabbing two beers and holding the third one by the tip of his fingers in between the two others.

You grabbed the last two before following him.

"You sure you don't want to be alone for your date?" Oliver stated a bit too dryly when you carefully placed the beers on the table. 

"Oh this isn't a date" you smiled, your tone directly opposite from his. 

"It isn't?" 

"No, I refuse to date in high school," you sat down, Eddie sliding into the booth next to you. 

"Then what are you doing here?" He narrowed his eyes.

"First of all, I'm not new to The Hideout. I come here all the time. I was there when you fainted on stage two months ago," you pointed to Oliver with your drink before taking a sip.

"Holy shit! I remember that! It was so embarrassing," Gareth chuckled in between beer sips. 

"Secondly, I came here with him so he would stop bugging me," you nudged Eddie's shoulder. 

"Is that so? Is it not because you find me incredibly handsome?" He put on a fake offended look, placing a hand to his heart. 

"No," you giggled. "Sorry to bruise your ego" 

"My ego is very bruised" 

"You'll recover"

"I don't think I can."

Oliver looked away, his look just getting colder. Eddie seemed to notice, looking at him inexplicably before glancing back at Gareth. Oliver and Jeff might have been giving you the cold shoulder, but conversation flowed naturally with the youngest member of the band. 

Around an hour into the conversation, Jeff left. ‘Curfew at 1 am’ were his words before he walked out without even giving you a proper goodbye. But Oliver stuck around, despite the bad feeling that rested at the pit of his stomach when seeing how much you and Eddie got along.

"Wait! So you actually kicked Kevin in the balls?" Gareth held his stomach to try and stop from laughing. 

"YEAH!" You laughed with him. "He was being rude to Barb and I think that he hasn’t removed his jock strap since."

"You’re a menace!" 

"Kids, as much as I love hearing your laughter and enjoy seeing people have a good time, we're closing up,” the waitress you knew as Clara pointed to the clock on the wall. 3:30 am. 

Your eyes went wide, you had never spent that long at The Hideout before. You all looked at each other, Gareth's eyes went to his drum set with a desperate sigh. 

"I'll help you put it in your trunk," Oliver said as he finished off the rest of his glass.

"We can help too!" You proposed but Gareth shook his head no. 

"No, go home. Don’t worry about it."

"Are you sure?" 

"Yeah." 

"It would go faster if we helped." 

“Don’t worry about it,” Oliver’s stiff words snatched the smile right off of your lips and Eddie placed a hand on your shoulder.

“They’ll be fine,” he turned to you with a tired smile. "C’mon, “I’ll go grab my guitar and I'll bring you home."

"You better because you're the one who drove me here," you joked, making him smile a bit wider. 

It was so easy to keep smiling without remembering every second was based on a bet. 

Eddie kept the grin on his face as he walked towards the stage, removing his instrument from its stand before shouldering it. 

Your gaze fell back to Oliver and Gareth who were still planted in front of you. Oliver was still glaring icy daggers at you while Gareth just smiled. A sweet smile that made Oliver’s gaze less terrifying.

“I’ll see you guys tomorrow?” Eddie asked as he came back towards you. 

“Yep, bye!” Oliver waved you both off before running off towards the stage.

“What’s up with him?” Eddie asked Gareth who gave him his best shrug of the shoulders. 

“I don’t know.” That was a lie, and he was glad Eddie was preoccupied with you or else he would have seen right through it.

“Weird,” he looked at his friend who was battling with a screw from the drum set. “Shall we?” He turned back to you.

“Yep.”

“Bye!”

“Bye Y/n!” Gareth’s smile warmed the cold of Oliver’s goodbye.

Eddie’s hand didn’t leave the small of your back until he had to push the big two doors open. A breeze came rushing in, making you instantly shiver.

"Fuck, I should have taken a sweater," you had somehow forgotten you were barely at the start of spring and that the air was still cold and called for layers.

"I think I have one in the van," Eddie said as he watched you rub your shoulders with both your palms.

"No, it's alright-"

Before you could protest, he opened the back and carefully strapped his guitar to the side before rummaging through a big green bag he always kept there. Eddie fished a balled up sweatshirt from it. 

"Here," there was a sincerity in his words that you couldn’t protest. As the cool spring air passed you by once more, a new shiver was sent tumbling down your spine. 

"Thanks," you took the black washed out fabric in your hands before placing one arm in each and hooking it over your head. The end of the sleeves were ripped, and small holes were at the edges of the neck, but you didn't mind. It smelt so much like him it almost made you swoon. And you weren’t a swooner. Weed and cigarettes mixed in with his cologne that smelt like wood and cinnamon. You even put the cuff of the sleeve up to your nose when he wasn't looking. But you weren't going to admit that.

The ride was peacefully quiet. Eddie hummed something you didn’t recognize. You thought it may have been a new song he was working on. The dragon’s head on the dashboard was going up and down almost in rhythm to his music as the van made its way in the direction of your house. Everything felt so perfect you had to do your best to stop from dozing off from pure contentment that washed over you as the dark, early morning streetlights fluttering in and out every second his van sped down the road. 

Everything was peaceful, relaxing, and absolute against your better judgment. You weren’t used to feeling this way, let alone willing yourself to reflect on the emotions that surged through your veins every moment spent in his presence. 

“I’m sure he’ll come around,” You blinked the sleep away as the words fell out of his mouth. You looked at him, questions as to who was written all over your features. “Oliver. I don’t know why he was so cold.”

“It’s alright,” You looked at the trees passing by. “You know I’m used to people being that way around me.”

“Hmm,” He didn’t sound convinced. Something in his eyes telling you he wasn’t happy with how his friend treated you so poorly. Jeff had a reason, but Oliver didn’t. Even Jeff had acted more civil than Oliver. 

The ride came to a stop faster than Eddie wished; parking himself in the same spot he had hours before when he picked you up.

“Thank you for the ride,” You gave him a small smile as you reached to open the door.

“You don’t think I’m going to let you walk back alone at this hour?” He raised an eyebrow and every reply was stolen from your lips. He chuckled when he saw your dumbfounded expression. “C’mon! Let’s go!” 

You stepped out of the van, the air getting colder again. Eddie’s sweatshirt suddenly felt like your best friend when another rush of wind blew. 

The forest road felt so quiet. High trees surrounding a crumbling strip of pavement Hawkins liked to call a road. A cat stood up on the gates of your neighbor’s home, glaring at you with his big eyes. Halloween was still months away. You started walking through the little gravel road that separated your parents' property with the others, Eddie ducked when some branches almost collided with his face.

"What are you doing?" You stopped as you watched him crouch next to the big rose bushes of your neighbor's home. Quickly, he stood back up, a brightness washing over him in the night as he waddled back towards you, a pink rose in his hand. Not wilted, perfectly formed. 

"I just wanted to show this rose how incredibly beautiful you are," he pointed it to you with a wide grin. He was pulling from a playbook you never heard from. 

For a golden second, you let the feeling invade you. That vulnerability of being loved, feeling appreciated. But it never lasted long with you. The years of people calling you mean and unapproachable, those words and this identity that you wore as a shield always came back. The bricks of a wall willing to crumble given the chance were fortified again, building higher and higher until you couldn’t see who was on the other side. Before the heat could be felt in your face, where it couldn’t stay for too long, you grabbed the rose and rolled your eyes. 

If you couldn’t enjoy the romance of it, you could jest the humorous aspect of it. 

"Holy hell, that's the cheesiest thing someone has ever said to me." 

"Well, you're welcome. I guess?" Eddie chuckled, pocketing his hands as he walked beside you. He wasn’t embarrassed. Eddie took that statement with pride because now he had a one up on the rest of the guys who tried to hit on you with textbook lines that made no impact at all. He would gladly take ‘cheesy.’ 

"This is my stop," You smiled. "I should probably give this back," You made a move to remove the sweatshirt from your body but Eddie shook his head.

"No, no. Keep it," You were glad it was dark because you felt the blowback of his words strike you with surprise. It was all over your face, and it was all at the thought of keeping his sweater. 

"Thanks," a light wind blew once more and you brought it a bit closer to your body. Boldness coursing through your veins, you leaned in and kissed his cheek as you prepared to depart. "I'll see you tomorrow." You gave him a soft smile that brought butterflies to his stomach. He watched as you skillfully jumped over the barely three-foot high fence.

"Does that mean I can finally take you out on a real date?" 

"Maybe!" You turned around to answer him. Winking before disappearing in between the trees of the mini forest surrounding your house. 

Eddie could still spot you by the bright white of your pants, a dopey smile on his face as butterflies fluttered inside his stomach. 

And maybe he wasn’t in this just for the money. 

But the aspect that he was… well, that turned everything upside down.

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[mead0w]

10 Things I Hate about you - Chapter 1

Eddie Munson x Harrington!reader

Synopsis - A new rule strikes the Harrington household: if Steve wishes to date ever again, his sister needs to find a boyfriend first. As Steve becomes desperate and thinks of everything in his power to set her up, only one guy comes to mind that will take up a challenge such as that: Eddie Munson.

warnings - Season 1 Steve 👎 , and frog dissecting

word count - 8.2k

proof read by the amazing @inknopewetrust

series masterlist 🌻

Author's note - this takes place before the events of season 1, and instead of the it happening in November 1983, I changed it to be around April 1984 :)

"Steve, what is this?" Your father slammed a piece of paper on the empty space next to Steve's breakfast. You leaned over to snoop at what was printed on the page. As if second nature to the black ink, you flinched when the line of D's and C's on his report card became clear. Your father’s hand splayed on the paper, your eyes followed the hand only to see his angry face.

"Dad, I swear I can explain! This new teacher has been giving us hell!"

"In every class?"

"No, but–" You watched him fumble with his words as you continued sipping on your orange juice. A loose strand of Steve's hair had fallen onto his forehead as he made frantic movements with his hands in a poor attempt to save himself.

"You're telling me that all of your teachers are being extra mean lately?” His face challenged Steve with narrow eyes. Like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a top hat, he pulled out another paper— your report card. 

“Explain this then.” 

A neat line of A's mixed in with two stray B's had been stuffed in Steve's face. 

He looked in between the paper and you, and then gazed back up to your father. The overbearing, middle-aged man cleared his throat before reading a teacher’s note on Steve’s card.

"Mrs. Jinkles says: Steve is a peculiar student. Although his grades were acceptable last semester, I can see his attention slipping away. Chats too often in class, homework is handed in late…” He peeked up from the sheet back at Steve whose face was sullen. “Shall I continue?"

"No." Steve closed his eyes with a huff, opening them again to meet yours. "She's been distracting me with her loud music and protests and things!"

"That's a lie! Dad, you know that's a lie! He's always with his girlfriends! Bella is what? Your third girlfriend this month!?" You defended yourself in a valiant effort. Steve couldn’t just throw you under some bus to be run over because his personal life was impacting his academic one. 

"I just broke up with her,” he replied with the hope it still saved his ass from ruin.

"Then why are you putting the blame on me for your bad grades!?"

"Because you are distracting me!" Steve maintained.

"We both know that's not true!" You protested as you looked at your father whose mouth was opened to speak, but was quickly cut off by Steve's own defense. Your father fixed his glasses at the bridge of his nose and sighed as he watched the two of you bicker, waiting patiently for his turn.

"What are you jealous of me or something? Because you can't get a boyfriend?" 

"Have you seen the unwashed miscreants that go to our school?" You snorted. "Plus, high school relationships are… weird. I don't know how you can date someone and know it's never going to last."

"You're just jealous because you're mean to everyone and can't keep any friends." 

"Steve!" Your mother interrupted him from the other side of the table. She had been watching the morning unravel like a thread from a wool sweater. Each defense, each lie, building the spool left to wither on the floor. 

At her interjection, you watched your father's eyes light up with an idea, his eyes quickly fixing themselves back on Steve’s as the report card stayed glued between his fingertips. 

"Ok!” He nearly shouted from the noise. “Stop it, you two, now! New rule: Steve isn't allowed to date until you do." He pointed to you and a loud laugh escaped your lips. 

‘This was his punishment?’ You thought to yourself. How pathetic. 

"BUT SHE'S NEVER GOING TO FIND A BOYFRIEND BEFORE THE END OF HIGH SCHOOL!" Steve wailed as his hand met the table and shook the glasses–its contents swooshing like the sea. 

"Oh,” your father chuckled, “I really like this." He nodded in self-approval. "We can sleep in peace knowing you'll both pass Junior year and then graduate with no distractions." His angry face had turned into a content one. He dropped the two report cards on the sideboard behind the dining table before sitting and pouring himself a cup of coffee. 

"But that's not fair!" Steve started whining which made you grin and stick your tongue out to him as you grabbed the maple syrup bottle and poured some on your pancakes.

"When your sister dates, I'll trust you to date again."

"But-"

"No buts! It will teach you a lesson," he said pointedly. 

"I hate it here" Steve groaned, throwing his head back, and sighing in desperation. "Mom,” he tried one last path, “you can't let this happen!"

"I'm sure you'll survive without girls for a year and a half." She didn't look up from the apple she was cutting. "I'm sure it will do you some good."

The clock struck 8:30 slower than Steve would have liked, and he found his head hurting earlier in the day than he wished. As he waited for you, he turned up the volume, his car radio already playing Africa by Toto. He closed his eyes, trying to get the distant chatter and morals about how that was a 'good lesson' for him to learn and girls were 'not the only thing he should care about' away from his thoughts. About a minute later, you stuffed yourself and your bag in Steve's passenger seat with a sigh as the peaceful music started to dance across your mind. 

"Could you at least change?" Of course Steve had to start speaking again. As if his whining over breakfast hadn't been enough.

"Why? You don't support women's rights?" You looked down at your shirt. You were wearing a tight white shirt that showed off your shapes with red hand prints painted over your boobs, and one hand print on the side of your ribs. It was controversial, it was risky. However, it was completely and utterly you. "You don't think women should speak up?"

"I do, but It's weird enough I'm driving you to school. I don't need you to be dressed like… this," He looked at you up and down. "At least close your sweater until we get there?"

"Deal with it."

"God!” He griped. “I can't wait for your car to get repaired." 

"Can you shut up, please?" You closed your eyes. "I'm trying to enjoy this music. I don't own this tape."

"Yeah, that's because you spend all your money on that devil worshiping crap that makes my ears bleed." 

"Don't you insult my music taste," you hit him with the sleeve of your sweater, which caused Steve to instantly hit you back with the back of his hand. 

"Hey!" You slapped his shoulder. 

"You hey!" He slapped your shoulder back. 

You slapped his arm as a reply and he did the same, an endless slap fight like the multiple ones you had as kids starting. You continued bickering, in an attempt to win you tried to kick him but your leg was stuck in between the side of the car and your bag. So instead, you slithered a hand into his perfect hair and shook it all up.

"NO! Y/N NOT THE HAIR! Please!" He yelled. Hands flying to stop the way your arms and shoulders came down. When he was satisfied that he was safe, he reached up for the rear mirror. "You really had to?" 

"Yeah, you deserved it. Now start the car or we're going to be late for school." 

"Oh, and I wonder who's fault that is?"

~

"Please tell mom and dad you've got a boyfriend or something."

"No." You slammed your locker in front of his face and shouldered your bag.

"Please?" He begged again, following as you started walking towards class. 

"Why do you want another girlfriend so badly?" You wondered aloud as you removed the tape of Kill ‘Em All from your walkman; pocketting it to replace it with Master of Reality.

"Because this time I really really like her! I want to make a move but you didn’t help me at all, and now they’re just being assholes about the grades!”

"They're not being mean," you shook your head, laughing to yourself. "Have you seen your grades? I get where they come from."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. You don't know how hard it is to be paired with her and not being able to actually ask her out, or just hold her hand and kiss her. First period was hell. I absolutely need you to get a boyfriend."

"Mm-mm, nope." You shook your head no. "I told you, dating in high school is stupid." You pressed the on button and Steve could faintly hear the start of Children of the Grave playing. He watched as you placed your headphones over your ears, clearly wanting out of the conversation.

He made a frantic move to step in front of you. Blocking your path forward, you stopped because his puppy-dog eyes hounded you. "Please?" His hands came together as if he was praying. You barely heard the word, but you could clearly read his lips.

"No!" You said it a bit too loud over your music. Steve's face changed to a look of defeat, and then, he gave you the finger.

"I hate you." You barely heard the words but could clearly make them out again.

"Love you too!" You pouted and made a heart with your hands, grinning as you watched him roll his eyes and drop his hands in defeat. "Bye," you almost screamed before disappearing into another hallway but held it back in a small victory.

You tossed your bag over your chair and melted in your seat the second you walked into the classroom. You felt a hand reaching up next to you and before you could even register the intruder, your headphones fell from your head and onto your shoulders. 

You turned your head to meet Barb’s figure in the seat beside yours. She had a concerned look in her eyes–which she always had but that early in the morning? Something had come up before the bell had even rung. "What's the fuss? I've been seeing you bicker with Steve all morning,” she asked you honestly.

Barb was a good person, a good soul. Sharing with her the quarrel between Steve and yourself wasn’t going to spread a million rumors of some stupid family fued or that you were ‘morally or ethically against high school romance.’

You took a second to breathe, the faint intro of Sweet Leaf coming from the headphones now resting on your shoulders. Had your music really been that loud before? The music came to an abrupt end when you flipped the switch, placing the walkman into a firm grip, and setting it into your bag.

"Steve's mad because our dad made a ‘new rule.’ He's not allowed to date until I do," you wiggled your eyebrows and watched as Barb gave you a silent laugh. The crinkles around her eyes proved that amusement had reached her. 

"Oh my god,” Barb drawled, “no way," she whispered as she watched Mrs. Jinkles put her glasses back on to stand up to close the classroom door. 

"Yeah, Steve is bribing me to get a boyfriend." You chuckled and she snorted at the thought. 

"I don't think I've ever seen him single ever since he walked into Hawkins High."

"Me neither. Apparently he really likes this one girl and wants to date her. That's why he's trying to convince me to get someone." You tucked a strand of hair away from your face as you fished for your book and slammed it a bit too harshly on the table. "Tough luck."

~

"Please?"

"No."

"I'll do the dishes for two months."

"No."

"Three?"

"Still no."

"Ok, seven!"

"Steve,” you sighed heavily, “what is going to make that little head of yours understand that I don't want a boyfriend."

"You don't actually need one, just to tell mom and dad you have one!"

"I won't do that,” the idea of it just sounded… wrong.

"Why?"

"Because I don't like lying."

"That's bullshit,” he laughed in disbelief.

"I'm not going to help you. So stop asking me." You moved your hands around as you tried to mimic your frustration. "Who’s the girl you want to ask out anyway?"

"Nancy Wheeler."

"What?" You chuckled in your own incredulity. "Is this some kind of joke? You want to date my friends now?” If you could underscore the importance of my, you would have a million times over.

"Friends?"

"Alright, well more like a… good acquaintance; a school friend! But you get my point." You crossed your arms.

"I actually think I really like her! She's super nice. We have physics together."

"Right," you rolled your eyes at him. "Look, I won't help you on this one. Maybe, just maybe, you can think about getting better grades and dad will change his mind. And Nancy Wheeler is far from your type just so you know." You noticed but Steve's face softened at your words. If she saw Steve’s grades, she’d go running for the hills.

"That's what I like about her, though. She's different from the other girls I've dated before."

"Yeah, yeah, spare me the speech Romeo. It won't work on me." You scoffed and oddly enough, lifted your head to spot what was written in bold letters on the chalkboard.

Romeo and Juliet 

"See, we even get to study forbidden love. How cute," you patted his shoulder, and he grumbled something you couldn't make out before complaining for the thousandth time today.

"I knew advanced English was a mistake." He melted in his seat as if the subject had defeated him already.

"Morning, class," Mr. Arnold cleared his throat, “now that we are fully finished with World War two poetry, I thought it was the perfect time to start on our beloved Shakespeare." He clapped his hands and asked a girl named Lisa Hemingway if she could hand out the multiple copies of Romeo and Juliet that created a tower on his desk. 

The senior girl stood up and grabbed as many copies as she could. When Mr. Arnold saw she couldn't carry them all, he assigned a red-headed Junior named Connor who sat in the front row to hand out the rest.

"I already hate this," Steve mumbled as the second the copy of the pile hit his desk. He took it, groaning as he flipped through the pages. They smelled of must and mildew; ten years of dormancy only to be opened when love was at its most shallow point.

"It's not that bad,” you told him as the next copy hit yours, “I've read it before. The story is pretty gripping."

"You've read this for fun?" He questioned as if it repulsed him.

"Yeah," and you shook it off like a piece of lint on your shoulder.

"I think I'm going to be sick."

"Consider yourselves lucky, we won't do any reading today!" Mr. Arnold stated when Lisa and Connor went back to their seats and only two books remained in the pile he had stacked earlier that morning. Two missing students. 

"Connor, I believe you're good friends with Mark?" He questioned the redhead who nodded. "Could you hand him his copy when you see him?" Mr. Arnold handed him the book, leaving only one stray to rest lonely on his desk. "Right, back to work," He sighed. 

"Today, we are mainly going to focus on learning about the man behind the book," he smiled and sat atop his desk. "Can anyone tell me what they know about Shakespeare?"

You raised your hand.

"Please lower your hand," Steve begged. "You're embarrassing me enough as it is and I don't need you rubbing it in my face that you skipped a grade." 

"I skipped a grade in elementary school, Steve" You whispered back.

"Miss Harrington?"

"I've noticed that he's always written strong female characters,” you began, against Steve’s wishes. “In Romeo and Juliet, Juliet is strong-witted and smart. She might look and be helplessly in love, but she's still intelligent and understands a lot of things women are told not to. It feels like Shakespeare understood the struggle of women, especially in works like…” You pondered, “Twelfth Night. Viola must be the strongest female character in history." 

Mr. Arnold nodded along as you continued on. "Viola is shipwrecked, and left an orphan so she disguises herself as a man to get by. It's a brilliant feminist writing for its time."

"I do agree that Shakspeare tends to write strong female characters, but you do forget that mature women tend to miss in most of his work. And when he does, he makes them mad or somehow evil."

"Yeah, you're totally right,” You agreed.“But still, he doesn't rule them out or make them faded background characters like other writers from that century–" 

The door swung open in the middle of your words. All the heads turned away from Mr. Arnold, you, or their books, and revealed the owner of the lonely book: Eddie Munson.

The hair on his head was wild, a patch on his jean jacket was two stitches from falling out. One of his shoes was completely covered in dirt and a crumpled paper sat in his ringed hand.

"What have I missed?" He grinned with perfectly white teeth; barring it for Mr. Arnold as the older man sighed at the intrusion but had learned to expect nothing less from Eddie Munson. 

"Strong female characters in Shakespeare," you spoke up before Mr. Arnold could get a word out. He had, after all, interrupted your train of thought. 

"Great!” He said at first as though it were intriguing enough for him to stay. But as he continued, his words became shells of sarcasm. “Sounds amazing, keep up the good work," he nodded before opening the classroom door and walking straight back out of it–not a minute had passed since he entered it.

"Mr. Munson!" Mr. Arnold attempted to call out, but quickly realized it was useless and crossed his arms in aggravation. "Is he even trying?" He sighed to himself, shaking his head in despair before grabbing the stray copy of Romeo and Juliet and opening it to the last page where a small description of who Shakespeare was, was written. 

"Shakespeare!"

You never got to pick up where you left off. 

~

"I need Y/n to get a boyfriend," Steve declared as he dropped his tray on the table and looked at you expectantly from across the room.

You were standing on the other side of the cafeteria behind a table. Nancy, Barbara, and another girl he didn’t know stood beside you. Your sweater was long gone and the shirt you had made was exposed. Nancy and the stranger Steve didn't recognize wore the same one while Barb was holding pamphlets next to you. A white banner in front of the table spelling 'WOMEN'S RIGHTS, WE HAVE A VOICE!’ BAKE SALE stood proudly in black and red lettering.

"Good day to you too," Carol looked around his tray before snatching his granola bar. "Ew, who even eats the nutty fudge flavor?" She scrunched her nose before throwing it back on his tray. She shouldn’t have ever tried to take it from him today.

"They were out of butter almond, sorry," he replied dryly before taking a seat and starting to pick at his food. "Anyway, my dad started this new stupid rule where I can't date another girl until Y/n finds a boyfriend," Steve looked back at you again and back at his food.

"Oh my god." 

"I know!"

"You're fucked." 

"You mean unfucked, for the rest of high school." Tommy snickered with a sly grin.

"Haha,” Steve’s face flattened, “very funny." He poked at a french fry before dropping his fork completely. "It doesn’t have to be this way! I can try to help her get a boyfriend! It’s not that hard to find a date!" 

"Good luck with that. I heard the last guy who tried to ask her out got a broken nose… bled all over the gym floor."

"God, I don't even know how we're related," Steve sighed helplessly. "My point is–” he clarified, “if I want to ask Nancy out, I need her to find someone, and quickly. My chance with Nance will go right out the window otherwise."

"You in a rush or something?"

"Do you know how hard it is to be paired up with her and not get to ask her out!? It's pure torture!" 

"Calm down Casanova," Tommy ripped the top of his milk carton. "The only way you're going to get a guy to go out with her is if you pay him," he took a sip of his drink before speaking again, "and even then, you'd have to pay him good money."

"I could do that," Steve mumbled as if the idea wasn’t screaming ‘that is a horrible idea, don’t do it!’ 

"Wait, that's actually a brilliant idea!” He settled on instead. “We just have to figure out who we're going to pay." 

"Hmm," Tommy looked around the cafeteria and for once, every male student was a fresh pick. It could be a squirly freshman or a hulking senior and either would want the money and laughs for kicks. "Sam?"

"The A.V club nerd? Do you want him to get even more bullied? She made him cry once, remember?" 

Tommy scrunched up his nose at the memory. But, the guy would admit he had an itching to see it happen again. 

"Cameron?" Carol suggested as she perked her head up at the game.

"A Jock?" Steve laughed in amusement. "She would kick him in the balls before he even could get a word out." 

"Byers!"

"No, no,” Steve objected, “he's too… soft. She'll eat him alive."

"Yeah, but don't they listen to the same music or something?"

"No, he listens to The Clash."

"And? Isn't that what she likes?"

"No, she's more into that hard rock stuff" Steve threw his fry back into his plate. "We're never going to find anyone." 

"SHIT!" The big double doors of the cafeteria flew wide open, Eddie's voice boomed inside. He was holding what looked like one of those beakers from science class filled to the brim with a neon blue liquid. He skidded to a stop as the doors flew open, looking in the direction best suited for his escape as the bubbles began to form at the beaker's top. Steve had no idea what it was, but by the look on the face of the teacher who was running after him… it didn't look safe. 

“MR. MUNSON!” An angry, elderly voice called after him as the doors teetered on open and closed, open and closed. 

“This is my beaker, Davis!” He shouted at the teacher coming closer with every second. Eddie moved quickly, trying not to spill the liquid as his exit was drawing closer with every step. “You can’t take it away when it’s not finished!” 

“MR. MUNSON THAT IS A DANGEROUS EXPERIMENT!” 

“COME AND TAKE IT FROM ME THEN!” Eddie shouted back as the cafeteria watched in hilarity and ridiculousness. Eddie Munson could always cause a scene, bring a little bit of joy, and go back to being an outcast the same day. 

"Oh God,” Carol rolled her eyes, “what is he up to now?" She brought her stare back to Steve and her boyfriend. "Did you hear, they're saying he won't graduate this year?"

"Rumor has it it's because he went to jail for a month. Remember when everyone was wondering where he was?"

"I thought it was because he went off and tried to join a cult or something?" 

"Didn't people say it's because he was posing for a porn magazine?" 

"I heard he ate a live duck once"

"Everything but beak and feet."

Steve narrowed his eyes as he watched Eddie grab a cookie from your table as he passed by, muttering a thank you as he put it in his mouth and continued his run. You shouted something at him about being an asshole. Steve's gaze fixed back on Eddie as he left through the doors, the opposite side of the one he came from, beakers still in hand and the cookie already half chewed. 

Mr. Davis who was following him had his glasses crooked over his nose and the little hair he had left was flying around as he tried to catch up with the mad teen. He kept his eyes on the door as it closed behind them.

"Jesus! That guy is deranged!”

~

Biology wasn't Steve's favorite subject, especially when he had just eaten a full meal and they had to dissect frogs. Mina Trevor had already thrown up and was sent to the nurse, and a Junior named James fainted the second the frog was put on his table. That left the quiet Lisa, whom he had been paired with, to work alone on the repulsive task.

Even with gloves, everything was slimy and disgusting. Tommy wasn't being helpful as he did everything on purpose to mess it up, and would wiggle his dirty fingers in front of Steve's face just to get a go at him. For a second he envied you. He knew this was the type of thing you'd do with a smile on your lips, and he knew you would enjoy every second of it when it was your turn next period. 

"You're being disgusting," Carol noticed, scrunching her face as she watched her boyfriend clown around with a piece of the frog. The smell made her want to gag. Her gaze traveled to behind his shoulder, spotting Eddie Munson paired up with one of his friends at the back of the class.

He pulled a knife out from his pocket and stabbed it in the middle of the frog, his friend chuckling as he did.

"Hey,” she called out to the two boys as the thought popped into her head, “maybe we should set Munson up with your sister." Carol smirked as she watched him poke around the dead animal for a brief second before stopping. 

Both Steve and Tommy turned around to follow her gaze. All of their eyes were on Eddie as he pulled a packet of cigarettes from his pocket, using the gas tap in the middle of the table to light it up. His friend scrunched up his nose and grabbed the cigarette from his lips, putting it out on the frog.

An unintentional branding of a dead frog.

"Yeah…" Steve's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. "How did we not think of this at lunch!?"

"Because he's a mad man!? Steve, you're not serious?" Tommy turned back around to face his girlfriend and best friend.

"He's the only guy on the list she won't scare off! Have you seen him? He's the perfect candidate."

"Plus!” He added. “He definitely listens to the same music as her, and reads the same nerd shit.”

"I wouldn't do it,” Tommy tried to argue, “she's still your sister, Steve. Eddie's just… trouble." The expression on his face quickly changed with his thoughts. "Although, I would love to see the freak try to seduce your sister," he smirked.

"How funny would that be?" Carol slapped her hand on the table. "And he's totally broke. He will gladly take your money." 

Steve's eyes sparkled with mischief as he turned back around to take another look at Eddie Munson pulling another cigarette out of the carton.

"I think we found our guy."

~

The next morning, Steve opened his sock drawer to find as much of his leftover cash as he could to invest in his little plan. With the box of stray coins and the savings he kept hidden behind a pair of blue striped socks, he found about a hundred dollars. It was a bonus that Tommy and Carol had promised to chime in when they chose Eddie as the candidate–or victim… he wasn’t sure if you’d eviscerate the metalhead or not.

Steve grabbed his wallet and pulled a twenty from it. In addition to the ten bucks he already had in his pockets, that would be enough to convince Eddie, pay him, and still have spare money for lunch. 

"Why are you smiling?" You wondered as you watched your brother make his way down the stairs; a pair of white high top Nikes in his hand and his blue sports bag hanging on his left shoulder.

"Nothing,” he grinned like a madman, “I just realized my time as a ‘Handsome Bachelor’ might actually be nice." He kept smiling before sitting down on the last step and lacing up his shoes. 

"That's the spirit" Your dad mumbled from behind his morning paper.

"You're acting suspicious. Mom, don't you think he's being suspicious?" You turned your head to her to get the reassurance that his demeanor was off and you weren’t losing it. 

"Let your brother be," she fixed a strand of hair. "Honey, can you pass me the coffee pot, please?"

"Of course," your father passed the pot towards her while you eyed Steve, an apprehensive eyebrow raised. 

When Steve gave you an innocent shrug back, you placed two fingers in a peace sign to your eyes and then switched to pointing to him before taking your seat at the breakfast table. The words of ‘I’m watching you’ silently said. 

The only benefit to this breakfast was that it was more peaceful than the previous one.

"Thank you for being dressed appropriately today," Steve mumbled as you buckled your seat belt a half hour later. Breakfast settling in your stomachs, school was the only thing that could distract you from the curiosity-biting enigma that was Steve Harrington, your dutiful, stupid brother. 

"Right… because sports class is more important than women's rights."

"Yeah, it totally is, and it’s gym, not sports class," He mumbled as he started the car. "Also you've read the book right? Romeo and Julie" Steve narrowed his eyes as he watched the road. 

"Juliet."

"Right, yeah, what happens in the chapters we were supposed to read?"

"You haven't read it? Steve, have you seen your grades?" You gawked at him with baffled eyes. 

"Yeah, yeah, whatever,” he brushed it off, “just tell me what happened?"

"Firstly, they’re not chapters, they’re acts and scenes,” you lamented, “and if you would have even taken the time to open the book, you would have seen that we only had two scenes to read which equals to barely ten pages."

"Good for you,” he replied blandly. “So, what happened?"

"Street fight between the Montagues and Capulets,” he would just badger you with questions the entire way anyway, so you faulted and told him what happened.

"The what- what?" He stopped the car at a stop sign. 

"Oh fuck off."

"What do you mean ‘fuck off!?’ I'm asking for your help!"

"And I'm telling you: read. the. book. I'm not your tutor."

"But you've already read it! So, I don't need to! We can just unite our Harrington brains."

"I'm not helping you,” you shook your head.

"You're being really mean lately, you know that?" He argued because he didn’t get his way. 

"I thought I was always mean,” you tipped your head to the side, “that's why I can't get any friends, remember?"

"Yeah, but you're being even more mean. You won't help me!" The ride to school gladly came to an end as he finished his sentence. You opened the door, your bag already over your shoulder.

"I'll see you later," you slammed the door of his car shut and started to walk away.

"Hey! What did I do!?" He shouted out of his car's open window, but you flipped him the finger instead. Steve looked at you as you disappeared into the crowd with a confused look on his face. 

"Crazy," he muttered as he thought back to the way your face fell and your words became dry before you slammed the door in his face. He grabbed his bag, confusion riddled over his features as he made his way to the football field.

He eyed the crowd of students that sat on the bleachers. The entire junior class sat in the middle and a few seniors who had a free period were scattered at the opposite ends, chatting away and finishing up the last touches of their homework.

You sat in a middle row, eyes glued as you listened to the teacher. Steve knew you had seen him, he also knew that you knew he was watching you. You had that determined look in your eyes every time the two of you got into arguments. That look where you had to win. That you wouldn't let him talk to you again until he made a move.

But of course, Steve knew he had done nothing wrong.

His eyes landed on Carol and Tommy who were sitting at the end of the front row. Carol was sipping on a cup of coffee she had gotten from the machine in the school hallway next to the teacher's lounge. The disgusting watered-down taste made a shiver run through Steve just thinking about it.

"Alright class," the teacher blew his whistle, indicating to Steve and the other stray students who were still standing to take their seats on the bleachers.

"I want you to split into your groups,” everyone knew where they were assigned. “We're starting soccer with group two. So group one and three, do whatever you want as long as you're back by 10:30." He blew his whistle again and the whole mass of students started moving around the bleachers.

"So, how much did you manage to collect for ‘mission boyfriend?’"

"A few bills," Steve nodded. "I think it should be enough."

"We collected a 20 for you if that's any help," Carol fished through her bag before handing it to Steve. "Here."

"Thank you very much," he looked at it proudly before adding it to the 30 he already had. 

"When are you going to talk to him?" 

"Not today. She's in a very bad mood. She went all crazy on me this morning," Steve looked at you from his spot in the bleachers. He watched as you redid your shoe laces and grabbed the soccer ball Tina threw your way.

"I thought you were in a rush to ask Nancy out?"

"I am,” he nodded, “but I also don't want the plan to fail"

"Well, she looks fine now," Tommy looked at you. You had just kicked the football in James’ face–your poor classmate was rubbing his head and the teacher had called to you both. Your voice faintly climbed their way, hearing you say something about it being an ‘accident.’ They watched as James walked away from the field because the teacher sent him to the nurse's office.

Steve contemplated his options. You did look a bit calmer, but he recalled the way you flipped on him. "Yeah,” he breathed out. "I'll do it today."

"You could do it now."

"Now?"

"Mhm,” Carol hummed, crossing her leg over the other and leaning on the level behind her. “He's in Ms. O'Donnell's class, right? She's called in sick today which means they have nothing to do all morning." Carol looked up to a group of seniors beside them on the bleachers. Their math notebooks scattered across the step they were using and they were arguing over an answer. "Hey!" She called, their heads turned to face her. "Is Eddie Munson in your class?"

"Yeah," one of them chuckled at the mention of his name.

"Perfect," she turned back to Steve. "He must be on school grounds then!"

"Fantastic!" Steve stood up, wiping the back of his jeans with his hands before grabbing his gray sweater and slipping it on. 

"Try the drama room first. I'm sure he's setting up his next sacrifice," Tommy laughed.

"Don't let him scare you," Carol giggled.

"Very funny."

It would be a lie to say that Steve's heart didn't race at the idea of finding Eddie sacrificing a rabbit in the middle of the drama classroom. His hand toying with the end of his sleeve as he walked across the empty hallways. 

He passed by the coffee machine in front of the teacher's lounge, hearing chatter from behind the wooden door. The sudden reminder that he was in school and not in the horror film he was creating in his mind brought him back to reality. He shook his head, reminding himself it was just silly high school jokes. Eddie wasn't a cult leader; he probably hadn't even gone to jail for 2 months or had never even done a quarter of what people gave him credit for. 

So, he took a deep breath and arrived in front of the drama room. Peaking through the window, bright, colorful banners were hung on the walls. Papers and posters of plays taped everywhere and he could see a glimpse of the big CATS poster that terrified him: yellow eyes with silhouettes dancing staring into the room. Steve's hand found the courage to rest itself on the handle, he took another breath. 'This was school. Teachers are around. They would notice if something weird was happening in there.' With that thought, he swung the door open.

To his surprise he didn't find the room lit only by candles with Eddie dancing around in a circle and chanting words in a language he didn’t know. There wasn't a rabbit in the middle of the wooden floor, or circles drawn using the poor animal's blood. No dusty books of spells resting beside the non-existent circle or placed in Eddie's hands.

The reality was that a table had been pulled from the back corner where all the props were stuffed in the theatre’s off season. Eddie presided at the head of the table on a large black throne; ornate and gaudy. He recognised it being used in the latest school production of Camelot. Steve had no idea what the play had been about, but he remembered seeing it on stage.

Sitting to his left was a boy he recognized from biology. On the table was a large board that looked exactly like a board game–but Steve couldn't tell what it was. ‘Definitely not Monopoly,’ he thought to himself. 

Figurines in different sizes and various shaped dice were scattered in the middle. Steve never had seen a game with that many dice and definitely hadn't seen that many different shapes–only the average four sided one. The ones like you and Steve would lose as children which resulted in you now only using the same pair for every game. 

The two boys were looking at papers that were scattered between them with pencils in their hands. At the center of the table, a big glass jar that looked right out of a fantasy film was filled with the blue liquid Eddie had stolen from the chemistry classroom a day prior; a big dragon figurine of matching color sitting on the lid.

Steve might have stayed frozen a bit too long because he could start feeling their stares.

"Can we help you?" The boy next to Eddie wondered as Steve’s frozen figure interrupted their work. 

"I um-" Steve blinked the shock out of his eyes. "I wanted to talk to Munson, actually"

Both boys blinked in a similar fashion and a short laugh escaped Eddie's lips.

"How do you even know my name, Harrington?"

"Everyone knows your name," he replied like it was obvious. Like Eddie couldn't do everything he did, or have all of these rumors dancing around him like flies and that people wouldn't know who he was. "I want to ask you something." 

"Shoot," Steve had gained Eddie's curiosity. 

"I want you to ask my sister out." 

"Excuse me?" Eddie blinked in disbelief. Of all the things Steve Harrington could have said, that was not something Eddie had ever thought to think. 

"I will pay you."

"Jesus, Harrington, what kind of fucked up household do you live in?" He turned to his friend whose eyes were wide open upon hearing the request.

"No, please just listen to me," Steve took a step closer. "Our parents made up this new stupid rule where I can't date until she does. And trust me, no one would be brave enough to date her, unless they're getting paid or-" He paused mid-sentence.

"Or they're me?" Eddie took the words out of his mouth, punctuating his sentence with a smile.

"Yes! Exactly! So, what do you say?"

"Is she pretty?"

"What?" Steve surely had seen Eddie steal a cookie from your table not a day before. 

"Your sister,” Eddie reiterated, “you can't just expect me to have low standards."

"Yeah, she's pretty?” Steve felt awkward saying that. “I don't know, man! That's my sister."

"Wait, what's her first name?" Eddie's friend asked.

"Y/n." 

"Oooh yeah, yeah she's really pretty" he nodded and turned his attention back to Eddie. "Y/n? You know, sits next to him in English, protested for women's rights at lunch yesterday? Broke Jeff's nose? You said she was hot once?"

"That's her?" Eddie's face lit up, a large smirk rising on his lips. "How much?" he crossed his arm over his chest. "And I hope it's good money Harrington because it better be worth a broken nose."

"Ten bucks a date." Eddie looked at him blankly.

"Doesn't cover the stitches if she punches my nose and has those pretty rings of hers on."

"Fine. Fifteen."

"Well, let's think about this,” Eddie leaned back on his throne, “we go to the movies, that's what? Ten bucks? We get popcorn that's um, fifteen. She's going to want coke too right? I assume. So, that's twenty." He looked to his friend for confirmation, "and then well, I would have to drive her, and filling up the tank costs money. So… we're looking at a good fifty bucks a date." 

"That much?" Steve winced. He could already see himself only having the Kudos bar that was probably already half smashed by the weight of his books for lunch, or that Carol had most probably already stolen.

"Yeah," Eddie had a fake sorry look on his face. "You must understand… I'm putting my life on the line for you here."

"Would you do it for less?" Steve turned to Eddie's friend who's eyes widened even more.

"Nah, man. I wouldn't even do it for a hundred." That made Steve's shoulder slump a little more than they already were. He took a second to look at Eddie who was giving him a ‘fifty or nothing' look.

Steve quickly weighed his odds at finding another guy. No one would bite the bait he was dangling, but Eddie Munson had. 

"Alright," Steve got his wallet from his back pocket and started fumbling with the bills, handing everything he had over to Eddie.

"Damn Harrington, you must be really desperate," he chuckled as he counted the money. "When do you want me to ask her out?"

"Today." 

"Desperate and in a rush? Fabulous combination." 

"She finishes soccer at 10:30. You think you could meet her at the bleachers?" Eddie thought for a second, pretending like he was going through all the important things he had to do this morning before answering.

"Yeah, I think I can make it."

~

10:20 - Steve was head deep into the first page of Romeo and Juliet. His butt started hurting from sitting so long on the hard wood of the bleachers, and his stomach was already growling from knowing it won't have much for lunch. And as if his day couldn't get worse, Carol had found the Kudos bar in the bottom of his bag and claimed it as her own; wrapper already in the trash and bar in her stomach. 

"Do you know what Maidenheads mean?" Steve pointed to a word on the page, leaning in towards Tommy. "I'm sure I've seen that word somewhere," he mumbled. "Maybe on one of Y/n's tapes"

Tommy squinted his eyes as he read through the sentence, "are you sure this is even English?"

"Hey, Steve," Carol interrupted, Steve's gaze lifted from the book to meet hers. "Look," she nodded her head up towards the top corner of the bleachers with a smirk on her lips. Steve turned around to look at what was so interesting, and he wasn't disappointed. 

Eddie was smoking in the back corner. His back leaning against the corner wall and his legs laid out on the step. His jacket was balled up next to his black lunch box on the step just below. He was looking at the field, probably trying to spot you.

"You should be happy. He's taking this seriously." 

"Yeah," Steve looked at his watch before closing his book and putting it in his bag. 

"Still can't believe he took fifty bucks from you just for the first date," Tommy snickered as he tossed his cigarette between the openings of the steps. "You're going to be so broke by the end of the month."

"Shut up," Steve whined. The money talk reminded him of the page he kept in his school assigned daily planner. He grabbed it with his pencil case and opened it to the page in question. "How much did I spend on that movie yesterday?" 

"Three dollars"

April 11 - Lunch $7, family video $3.

April 12 - Eddie $50.

He closed his book and neatly placed the little blue elastic around it and stuffed it back in his bag. 

The teacher's whistle made Steve's heart race and his palms started to sweat. Anxiety munching at his stomach as he wondered if Eddie would make him spending fifty dollars worth it, or if the poor guy would have to spend the evening in the emergency room. At least he would have the money to cover it. 

He looked at his watch and then back at the field. You were walking towards your bag; hair moving up and down as you climbed up the steps of the bleachers. From behind your shoulder, he could see Eddie putting out a cigarette and grabbing his jacket.

You were already making your way down and your feet were back on the grass when Eddie caught up to you.

"Hey, sweetheart, how you doin’?"

"Sweating like a pig actually and you?" You turned your head to meet Eddie's surprised eyes. Wiping the sweat off your forehead with your forearm as you gave him a tight-lipped smile. 

"Now that's a way to get a guy's attention," he cheered back.

"My mission in life," you sighed, taking a sip from your water bottle. "You're that guy from The Hideout aren't you?" You narrowed your eyes as you scanned his face. "The one who stole a cookie from us at lunch yesterday.” You knew he was a senior. You hadn't seen him much around school, but you knew you recognized the crazy hair and big brown eyes from somewhere.

"Ah, now I'm very sorry about that. Here wait," he raised his finger, "I'm sure I can compensate for the loss" You watched with a raised eyebrow as he fished for something in his back pocket, his hand coming back up with the cash Steve had handed him. "Ah-ha! Here–take, um, how about twenty?"

You eyed the twenty in his hand and then back up to his eyes. You raised an eyebrow, but he seemed dead serious and determined to give it to you. 

"I don't want your money," you shook your head and pushed his hand away.

"Alright then,” he shrugged and pocketed the money. "If I heard you correctly, you go to The Hideout?" He seemed surprised because he never noticed you there before. And if he could admit it, he surely would have recalled seeing you there. 

"I very much do, yes."

That was the first time you surprised Eddie. 

"You're from that band–um Corroded Coffin? Lead, right? Electric guitar?"

Second time you surprised Eddie.

"What do you want?" You continued before he could neither confirm nor deny, taking the burgundy sweater from your bag as you waited for him to continue.

"Do you want to go out? On a date?"

"I’m busy."

"Great then! Pick you up at five on Thursday?" 

"Oh right, yeah. Totally," you shouldered your bag again and started walking towards the school building.

"Well, you never know. The night might take you places you've never been before," he had that smug smirk you wanted to punch off every boy's face. 

"Yeah, right, like the seven-eleven by Mirkwood?" 

"Mirkwood?" the question barely left his lips that you started speaking again.

"Do you even know my name, screw boy?"

"I know a lot more than you think."

"Doubtful. Very, very, doubtful," you gave him a tight smile before speeding up your walk and leaving him again.

Eddie's gaze flew up to Steve and Tommy who were watching the scene, half hidden and perched up on the bleachers.

"You're so screwed man!" Tommy giggled as he watched the look of defeat on Steve's face and Eddie's apologetic eyes. "So, so screwed." 

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