#Two Wheeler Transfer | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

formosusiniquis · 10 months

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intrada (sugar plum holly and her cavalier)

Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson; Steve Harrington & Holly Wheeler; Past Steve Harrington/Nancy Wheeler WC: 5708 | G | Tags/Themes: ballet, references to The Nutcracker, pre-relationship steddie, good babysitter Steve Harrington AO3

It was supposed to be a date that would merge their interests, something that had seemed classy enough for Nancy and athletic enough that Steve thought it would keep his interest. Supposed to be, in that when Steve had gotten the tickets -- begged his mom first for her and his dad’s season ticket seats and then for help finding a good seat when she said she wasn’t about to waste a sixty dollar ticket on a date -- he wasn’t even sure if it was the kind of thing Nancy would like. A year and a half into their relationship and he was only just realizing how surface level their conversations were, either talking about work or treating every conversation like an interview and parceling out information like they were afraid to reveal too much about themselves. So he was really working off of a jewelry box he vaguely remembered from her bedroom when he bought tickets for a ballet that wouldn’t even happen for another five months.

He wanted to have them when she got to Indianapolis, something to look forward to for their first Christmas together in the city. The Nutcracker, a classic supposedly but if anyone would know its cultural significance he figured it would be Nance.

And Steve isn’t an idiot, okay. He knows that Nancy isn’t exactly thrilled to be in Indianapolis, knows that she’s not happy to be at her safety school and not Emerson. Imagines having to wait to see if she made it up the waitlist all summer wasn’t the greatest experience; and he has to imagine because any time he wanted to talk to her about it she blew him off to focus on alternatives and next steps.

That’s why he does it. Hopes that having something to look forward to at the end of her first semester will help. Hopes that this is the first of many Christmases together, maybe a tradition that they can keep up. Going to the ballet together every year until eventually they’re bringing their daughter along with them. Maybe it’s too early to think about kids, but this is the kind of future he prefers to imagine over future careers and what he’s going to do with the degree he’s stumbling his way through. So he thinks about Nancy with pinned back curls in a nice dress humming along to songs they hear every year.

It was supposed to be that. Until it turns out that their relationship really couldn’t withstand being in the same city as one another. Until he’s forced to confront the hindsight that they never really talked about anything significant in the year they were doing long distance. Until Nancy tells him that she’s transferring next semester, and she isn’t interested in doing long distance; that she isn’t interested in continuing their relationship at all.

So Steve resigns himself to just being out the money for the two tickets. It’s not like he’s going to go to a ballet by himself, and it seems shitty to bring another girl to something that he imagined becoming a staple of his romantic future with Nancy. It’s not the first time Steve has cut his losses. (But he’ll die before he tells his mom she was right about not giving him her good seats.)

He honestly kind of forgets about the whole thing. Finals week has just ended. He’s pretty sure he flunked the one actual business course he took this semester to keep his dad happy, and he’s trying to figure out if he can change his major without screwing his whole life up. He’s ready to have a few weeks off.

Then Karen Wheeler calls.

Karen is a nice lady, though if he’s honest he’s not that upset that she isn’t going to be his future mother-in-law. She’s a little… flighty, as his mother would say with a backhanded smile. He privately thinks she sometimes forgets that she has three kids, losing track of one or the other at any given time. So maybe he shouldn’t be too surprised when she calls him two months after her daughter broke his heart begging him to take Holly to the ballet.

“Nancy mentioned it off hand months ago, and Holly hasn’t stopped talking about it since. I know it’s a big ask,” she had said in a tone that made it very clear she didn’t entirely care and would think poorly of him if he answered the wrong way, “but if you still have those tickets it would mean the world if you could take Holly.” He hadn’t missed the emphasis on the you either. Clearly Karen had no interest in making the trip to Indianapolis and he hadn’t needed to ask about Ted.

He didn't think of himself as a pushover, but he did think of little, blonde, six year old Holly: too quiet and too shy for her age. Fighting to be seen by a negligent dad and a mom who loves her children, but cares about appearances just enough to be blind. And he finds himself saying, “It’s no trouble, Mrs. Wheeler, but could you meet me somewhere halfway?”

It’s not until they’re settled into their seats -- on the floor but in the back, a booth behind them occupied by a pretty boy in a headset that Steve refuses to look at for too long -- that he realizes that he has no idea what this show is even about. Holly has been quiet since he picked her up, the least surprising thing about this trip right above Mike glaring at him from the passenger seat of Karen’s car as he moved Holly’s booster seat, but she’s studiously flipping through the little booklet the usher handed them on their way to their seats.

“Thank you for bringing me, Steve. I’m sorry Nancy didn’t want to come.” It is somehow simultaneously the longest and worst thing Holly has ever said to him.

“I’d rather see it with you, Holly Jolly.”

He’s saved from having to find anything else to say by the lights around them dimming, a prerecorded voice letting them know that any photography is forbidden and to expect a fifteen minute intermission, a bright and bouncing song picks up once the talking stops. He relaxes in his seat a little, relieved to get a few minutes before he’s expected to entertain a six year old that he’s spent more time with today than he had the entire time he and Nancy had dated.

Now Steve, contrary to what he very much knows is the popular opinion, isn’t just a jock. He knows there’s no talking in ballet. He’s even been to one before this, when he was still a cute novelty in his suit and bowtie accompanying his parents to the theater. What he is, according to his old nanny, every teacher he’s ever had, and about half of his exes, is a selective listener.

It’s not his fault though that his brain instinctively cues into different sounds. The buzz of the light above him louder -- and more interesting -- than a lesson on factorials. The sound of someone’s relationship imploding hard to tune out no matter how interested he is in his own conversation. So of course the sound of someone talking cuts straight through classical music.

“Someone remind David he needs to smile at his partner, he looks like he’s dreaming of a murder suicide.”

And it wasn’t hard to find exactly who the voice behind him was talking about. The only frowning face at this Victorian party who was glaring daggers at the magician who was bringing in new dancers.

“Well he should know better than to sleep around the cast shouldn’t he, Birdie?”

A practiced reader of body language, Steve could almost see, underneath the choreography, the traces of impropriety. David’s undisguised glare. The wistful way the woman in blue tracked him around the stage. The woman in pink who mooned at the woman in blue. It made him wonder what kind of things were going on backstage.

He expects that to be in. He doesn’t really do theater much, too many memories of pinched arms and snarling trips home, but he does remember the one rule is no talking. But it doesn’t stop, barely slows.

“If Mark sets himself on fire doing this stupid firepaper magic shit do we get to go home early?

“Sure, Robbie Bobby, I’ll swap out for the Rat King last show of the run. Jay can do my job and I’ll do his.

“Five bucks someone slips on the snow as they exit.”

He wants to know if that stranger wins the bet but the curtain closes and Holly is shy and asking Steve where the bathroom is. So instead of working up the nerve to turn and talk to the man behind him, he’s smiling his best mom-charming smile and asking the first woman with kids he finds to take his guest into the girl’s room.

By the time she’s out of line, and Steve buys her the doll and the novelty sucker she’d been pretending she wasn’t looking at, they slip back into their seats as the lights dim again. No chance to make his own witty jokes or observations, break the ice and show off some of the Harrington charm.

The first dance goes by with little fanfare and Steve’s almost disappointed. Holly is wiggling excitedly in her seat next to him, clutching her own little nutcracker, and he’s not even paying attention to the stupid show that’s got her so excited because he’s too focused on a snarky stranger he’d only even looked at once.

“Jeezus christ, is Tom stuffing his dance belt? That’s some Bowie level shit happening up there.”

He had almost given up, so it figures the guy decides to speak up once Steve’s attention started to shift back to the stage. He nearly chokes on his own tongue, eyes darting straight down to the issue in question. Holly, the sweetest kid he’s ever met, pats his back softly, hesitantly, like she’s only seen the gesture before. “There’s a water fountain by the bathroom,” she tells him in a library whisper, “I can stay here and not move.”

“I’m okay Hols,” he lies, ignoring the itchy, squeezing feeling at the back of his throat and forcing the cough away.

It’s easy to do when there's something else to focus on, “No, Lizzie, I’m not going to shut up. No one cares if I’m occupying the channel.” The stranger seems to be gearing himself up for a monologue, “I’m not going to miss my cue, I am the cue. Robin’s not going to miss her cue because it’s to music. Her cue doesn’t exist without me and she knows all of these songs and what note her cue goes with because it’s the eighth fucking time we’ve done it this week. If you or props have something you’ve got to say clearly you can get a word in edgewise.”

A few numbers go by after that, quiet except for the occasional professional, “Light cue, go.”

And then a song he actually sort of recognizes starts. A pretty strawberry blonde with a dainty smile tip toes and spins across the stage to plucked strings. Holly is enchanted, perched at the edge of her seat she reaches a hand over to clutch at Steve’s sleeve. A ‘tell me someone in the world is experiencing this moment with me’ sort of gesture. Awestruck and world rocked, stars in her eyes. Any resentment, any hard feelings that might have still lingered at babysitting evaporated. He got to be the person that let Holly experience this. A moment just for her, no family to take second place for.

The dancer on stage spins, clearing the floor in a series of tight, controlled rotations. Her arms guiding each step, swinging out and pulling her in, the driving force of her momentum. She’s moving fast, it’s an impressive display. Something shoots off in the opposite direction of that controlled turn, almost distracting in its break from that clean motion.

“Tell Props Chris just lost an earring.

“Fine, tell Wardrobe then.

“I’m not being a creep, I know she’s your girlfriend, Birdie. I merely observed her earring launching across the stage like an arrow from an elven bow.”

It’s like catching half of an Abbott and Costello act, like who’s on first being done through a telephone. It’s a strange sort of connection, listening in on a conversation that isn’t meant for him. He thinks for a sad second that he hasn’t ever had a friendship like this.

The show is wrapping up, dancers from scenes past making their way through for quick appearances. Holly is vibrating in her seat. Dancers in intricate costumes glide across the stage to bow toward the petite dancer in the nightgown and the strawberry blonde, Chris, beside her. A few moments later it's finished, the lights rising up around them and he shifts his primary focus back to Holly.

In the middle of the room, they had the best view of the stage and the longest wait to leave. Steve tries to be subtle as he shifts Holly in front of him, afraid of losing her if she's out of his eyeline. He doesn't want to baby her by making her hold his hand. She's wiggling in place, but she keeps herself small. Careful not to bump into the people slowly moving out of the aisle in front of them.

“Hols,” he starts to whisper, not wanting to embarrass her before he asks if she needs to hit the bathroom again.

But she grabs his sleeve in a child's iron grip, "Steve, I want to meet the princess."

It turns out, it's hard to find a way to tell an excited kid that there aren't meet and greets after a show like this. Pleading blue eyes and a nervous smile looking up at him, desperate but scared to ask for too much. The least he can do is try.

The guy behind them is still there.

The back of their line, Steve isn't holding anyone up by taking a minute to look. He's lithe, all in black. Hair pulled up in a half-assed bun, a headset tangled in the curls. He's wrapping up a thick cord, Steve couldn't guess why, but it draws focus to a toned arm that he's curling it around.

“Hey man,” the booth is a little bit above them, forcing Steve to rise up on the tips of his own toes to make sure he's visible, “I know you're working but I wanted to ask. The girl at the end- I, uh, I overheard you say she's your friend's girlfriend is there anyway you could convince her to come meet us.”

The guy startled a bit, probably surprised at being addressed. If he’s embarrassed at being overheard it barely shows a soft flush that could be from the warmth of the room. "The girl at the end?”

"The princess,” Holly shouts, bouncing up and down to try to see over the lip that blocks her view of the booth.

A change falls over the guy, his smile softens and eyes widen. He carefully drapes himself across the board of buttons and sliders to look Holly in the eyes. "Oh she's even better than a princess, she's a fairy. The sugar plum fairy. Is this your first time seeing the show with your dad?”

“Steve's not my dad.” She tells him with a little giggle, no doubt comparing Steve and Ted in her brain.

“Holly is my ex-girlfriend’s little sister.” He places his emphasis carefully.

“There’s a lot happening in that sentence.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, my Lady Holly, I bet I could convince Chrissy to meet a fan.” He promises with a flourish, “As long as your companion doesn't care that her faithful company will definitely be there the whole time.”

“Are you part of the group?” Steve asks, confident enough in his read of the situation to lay on a bit of charm. Letting his eyes trail down the sprawl of the guy's back. A thrill of victory at the little nod he gets back. “Then I won't mind at all.”

“Rockin’ Robin, tell me you still have your headset on?” He directs into his headset, “Great, remember that favor you and Chris owe me? I've got a fair princess who would like to meet our dear Sugar Plum Fairy.”

There's a lengthy pause. Even without the music playing the response is too quiet to be made out through his headset. “I don't see how that's relevant.” He hisses, “and she didn't ask to see an awful hag so you don't really even need to be there.”

His face clears after a second, looking to Steve like he wants them both to pretend that the earlier conversation hadn't been overheard. “Go through that door at the end of the front row right beside the stage.” The auditorium has cleared out enough he's got a clear view of the door the guy points to. “You'll end up in a hallway with a locked door at the end, wait there.”

“And if someone asks us why we're waiting there?” Steve asks, “I can tell them..?”

“Eddie, I'm- I Eddie Munson told you to wait there, if someone stops you before I get there.”

It's hard not to grin now that he has a name, Eddie, so he doesn’t bother. He puts on his best smile, the boyish and winsome one that always flusters whoever it's directed at, at least a little. Eddie is no exception looking back down at his work quickly. Steve takes a little pity, turning his attention back down to Holly.

She's twisting in place, hands clasped in front of her, as she stares off into space. He feels bad immediately, too familiar with what it's like to be a kid forced to entertain yourself while adults talk above your head.“C’mon, Holly Jolly, let's go wait for your fairy.”

She takes his hand the second it's offered, swinging it back and forth, humming one of the songs from the show. “Steve, do you think she's a fairy like Tinkerbell or a fairy princess like Barbie?”

“I don't know Hols, what do you think?”

“Tinkerbell is kinda mean to Wendy, but she can do magic and fly. But Barbie is really nice so if she were a fairy she'd be a fairy princess and have a crown and help people.”

“Oh really?”

“Yes! And this fairy looked nice when she was dancing, but it didn't look like she had a crown. Can you be a fairy princess without a crown?”

Holly was buzzing, bouncing in place, clearly over whatever earlier nerves she'd had about talking to him. With her back to the door that they were told to wait by, she’s started listing all the different jobs Barbie has had and why they should make a fairy princess doll -- Karen’s homemade Barbie clothes, he learns, are not as well made as the hand me downs from Erica and Mrs. Sinclair, so she needs the real thing. Holly misses the way the door creaks open, the woman from onstage inching her way out of the half opened exit.

Chrissy presses a finger to her lips, happy to help her surprise Holly, Steve keeps listening to her talk about why there should be a Barbie movie. He only nearly ruins the surprise when the dancer pushes down on the front of her saucer like skirt and it smacks her in the back as it flies up, letting her exit the back room.

Focused on her story, Holly doesn’t notice as the woman crouches down beside her. Not until she says, “This must be the princess I was told about.”

The screech she lets out is so joyful he almost doesn’t mind that his ears are ringing. Steve finds his smile mirrored on a freckle-faced girl dressed in the same all black as Eddie who is sliding out the door now as well. She sidles up to Steve, letting Holly have her moment with the fairy uninterrupted. “And you must be the prince charming.”

“Shut up, shut up,” Eddie pants, coming to a bent over rest beside Steve, “whatever she’s saying ignore it. Fuck.”

“You jogged like twenty feet,” the girl says, clearly unimpressed.

“Sorry Nancy Reagan, I say yes every time.”

“There are children present, have some class, Munson.”

The child in question could be on another planet, that’s how much she’s aware of their existence, Steve thinks.

“I have class every Monday, Wednesday, Friday; Saturdays are fair game.”

“Oh! That’s why you look so familiar,” the girl says, she’s looking at Steve now but he’s not really sure why. “We were in the same Communications and Public Speaking class, Prince Charming. Steve, right?”

He did have that class last semester, the only one technically tied to the business major his dad wanted him to have that he actually passed. “I, yes- sorry I don’t. I spent most of that class zoned out waiting for my turn to speak.”

“No, yeah, I figured. You sat a row in front of me and always looked shocked when you got called on, then you’d brush your bagel crumbs all over the floor when you’d go to speak.”

“Yeah,” he agrees, not really sure what to say to that especially not when it’s being said right in front of a guy he was kind of into.

“Birdie holds the strangest grudges in the history of the world, take it as a sign of respect, Big Boy. She hated me for half of our music theory class because my handwriting didn’t look like it matched my general demeanor.”

“No, I hated you because you always smell like weed and never do the homework but somehow are still the professor’s favorite. And I still hate you for all of those things, but your unfortunate personality grew like mold on my girl- I mean grew on,” her face takes on a look of panic as she pivots her word choice. It’s confusing, at first, until he realizes he’s the source of panic. A familiar joke made with a friend, forgetting the new, possibly untrustworthy stranger until too late.

The siren song of new friends and a possible date is alluring, but with Holly in the room he does have to be careful of what gets back to her parents. He remembers Ted’s political alignments and gossip tends to reach his parents faster than he can. So he does his best at assurance, “Chrissy, right, she seems cool. It was nice of you guys to do this, Holly is probably only a little bit more into fairies than I am.”

Eddie sputters beside him, hard to tell if it’s a good sign or if Steve has just royally fucked up his chances at anything; but if it means easing Robin’s fears of queerbashing he’ll ruin his chance for a date every time.

“Into fairies,” Robin asks, nodding over to Chrissy, who’s showing Holly how she balances on the tips of her toes, “or…”

“I’m light in my loafers, or half, light in one-”

“Ex-girlfriend,” Eddie supplies.

“Right.”

“Worst way anyone has ever described being bisexual,” Robin says.

“Sounds like a challenge,” Eddie says.

“It was not.”

“I really appreciate this,” Steve says again to avoid the argument. Chrissy is helping Holly spin around on the toes of her patent leather mary janes, she’s giggling as Chrissy holds her pointed finger helping her twirl and twirl. “How’d you all get involved in all this? You’re still in school.”

“They always need a little help around the holidays, normally the theater kids get first dibs but there’s only like five tech kids and they’re all working the school show so the music department gets next go.” Robin explains.

“Chis is a prodigy so she put in a word for us specifically,” Eddie adds. Before he leers and leans deep into Steve’s space, it’s not an unwelcome move. “Unless that was you fishing for friends, Big Boy. Trying to figure out if you’ll see us on campus?”

“Oh,” Robin exclaims, like the thought had never occurred to her. “Are you finished with your gen eds? Wait, what's your major? Eddie, show off your party trick.”

He isn’t a total loser, so he doesn’t fidget or blush as Eddie runs his heady brown eyes up and down the length of him, taking him in. “Business and Marketing,” he declares after a second, but he doesn’t sound sold on it.

“I’ve been thinking about changing it,” Steve isn’t sure if he’s admitting Eddie’s right or just trying out what it sounds like to admit that he’s sick of being everything he’s supposed to be instead of what he likes. “I took Children’s Psychology for the whatever requirement and it was a million times more interesting than Intro to Econ.”

It feels like it’s going well. When Nancy broke things off Steve had resigned himself to finishing out college without any real friends, dating around and hoping for something that stuck. Here with these people, he can feel something starting. He wants to take that feeling and capitalize on it, follow through on something so another good thing doesn’t slip away from him.

That’s not the kind of luck that he has though.

“Steve,” Holly buzzes, grabbing his hand with no hesitation, “Fairy Chrissy said that I can be a dancer too! Can Santa bring me shoes like hers?”

Christmas is a week away, if Stever were guessing, he’d say the Wheelers have had Holly’s presents picked out and put away for most of the month. “I don’t know, Hols, Christmas is pretty close and the North Pole is pretty far. Do you think the mailman would have time to get all the way up there?”

Her shoulders slump, making Steve immediately feel like the worst person in the universe for crushing her dreams. “He's watching though, so I bet he saw you ask right now,” he does his best to smile, hoping it's comforting since it feels tight-lipped and desperate.

“Yeah!” She brightens, starts to hum along to the song just a little off pitch, getting more excited as she goes until she's murmuring, “Knows if you've been bad or good.”

“Hey Holly Jolly, why don't you tell Fairy Chrissy bye and thank you. We don't wanna be late to meet your mom.”

She's still singing but she nods, turning and shuffling back to Chrissy, still a few steps away.

“Would she know where to get those, Chrissy, the shoes that Holly would need?” He asks Eddie and Robin in a whisper, hoping Holly is distracted enough by her goodbyes that she won't hear.

“Are you..?” Eddie asks, a blush staining the tops of his exposed ears. “Ex-girlfriend?”

The emphasis catches his attention and, yeah, he can see how that looks. “Her parents aren't going to drive up to the city before Christmas, but the town over does lessons.” Barriers to entry, that's what his marketing classes called it, maybe he did learn something. He wants to make it as easy as possible for Holly to get what she wants. “She's a good kid, she should get what she wants for Christmas.”

That blush spreads, bleeding down from his ears across his cheeks. “You're a good dude.”

“Steve, I said bye. Do we have to leave now?” Holly asks.

“Let me say bye too, Hols, and we'll grab a treat before we meet your Mom.”

There's a pen tucked behind Robin's ear that he snags before he can second guess what he's about to do. Grabbing her arm first, he scrawls his number across it. “I've got a place off campus, no roommates if you ever want someplace to hangout or to study,” he tells her.

He grabs Eddie's hand next, rubbing his thumb along the palm and slowly writing the same number on his arm too. Keeping a hold of his hand for as long as he can. “I've got a place off campus, no roommates, if you ever want to come by and do something, have dinner?” He'll start there, let his interest be noted, and hope that Eddie is the type to like guys who dive in head first heedless of the water below.

Steve can already imagine a future where he's sneaking into the booth with Eddie. Watching shows he's never heard of before with a warm commentary murmured into his ear. Gossip and behind the scenes rumor, distracting him from a plot that's less important than the company. Maybe next year, after double dates and a growing closeness, he'll be able to sneak Holly backstage and she can meet other dancers too.

Maybe next year, he'll be convincing Eddie, and the girls he hopes will be his new friends, to drive down to Hawkins with him to watch Holly do jumps and spins of her own in their small town showcase. Eddie was good with Holly, Steve hopes it isn't a fluke, he's always wanted kids.

He's probably getting ahead of himself. Falling into the same trap he'd built with Nancy that had gotten him here in the first place. The romantic in him wants to spin this all as fate, it could be true after all.

Steve takes Holly's hand, they both wave goodbye, and leave the empty arts center. The winter sky is lit up by a full moon, fat snowflakes slowly float down to the ground beside them as they head back to his car, and for the first time since Nancy broke up with him he feels good about the future.

It's a long drive back to the McDonalds where he's meeting Karen, with Holly already dozing in the back seat, it's time that he can sit and be happy. Regardless of whether there's a message blinking on his machine to welcome him back home or not; what was supposed to be a relationship compromise ended up being the most fun he's had in weeks. So maybe Chrissy will tell him where to get Holly's shoes, maybe Robin will invite him for coffee or swing by to compare classes, and -- if he's really lucky -- maybe Eddie will invite himself over for dinner.

But, as he hums along to the waltz whose melody lingers in the back of his mind, the possibilities are something to look forward to.

#steddie #good babysitter steve harrington #my fic #steve and holly #steddie fic #holly wheeler #apologizing for my sins against nancy wheeler i'm sorry i needed plot #but also wait listing and getting rejected from first choices happens even if you are wonderful and smart #secondly know that steve does get holly her ballet shoes and then worries it's weird and everyone gets a present from “santa”#mike complains to the guys about the comics steve gets him (but also doesn't let anyone else touch them cause they're his)#and dustin has the epiphany that there's a cool adult figure that's now available in indy that he can use #mostly to explore stores and stuff that hawkins doesn't have without his mom cramping his style #babysitter steve and the henderfam bros forever in every universe

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rock-n-macabre · 5 months

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Guilty as Charged - Severen x fem!reader

✨ This is a one-shot based off of the Severen x reader series, requested by @sailormoon181 with a request of Severen's gal being one with a zest for getting in trouble, and he has to discipline 'em ...but did Severen bite off more than he can chew? (Like always. Gluttonous rabid possum man.) ✨

I giggle and hold up the stolen garment up to Severen for his approval.

"We can transfer your pins and patches to this thing. Just gotta get me a seam ripper, and I'll start on it!" I beam with enthusiasm. I was determined on helping revive his tattered trophy jacket after the 18 wheeler fiasco.

Everyone turns in the RV, including Jesse who spares a quick glance over his shoulder before his eyes widen for a moment.

"Did you jus' steal that from that vendor on the boardwalk?" Jesse questioned me.

With a mischievous grin spreading across my lips , I give a small nod.

"No one saw a thing, swear on it, Jess'! I jus' couldn't handle hearing Sev lament about his unfixable jacket. Believe me, that thing was tattered beyond repair. You know me...I'd do anything to make him happy." I bat my eyelashes, which by no means worked on the seasoned veteran.

Jesse slammed his hand down on the steering wheel.

"Were you even aware of the surveillance cameras around?"

"I....but...."

"Or the people in the surrounding stalls attempting at selling their goods while y'all flamboyant fuckers were causing a scene?"

"Well ~I~ was being quiet, Sev on the other hand....."

"OH GODDAMNIT ENOUGH! Can't we have one night where we don't have to worry about you both causing mayhem?! I expected better of you. Him? We're used to it by now. That was a risky move, Y/N. Too damn risky." Jesse growled before focusing back on the road.

"Jess' , c'mon now, she didn' mean to...." Severen started before Jesse cut him off.

"The two of you enable each other way too damn much! Now... Since you've been with us much longer, Severen, I trust in you to... discipline Y/N. You nipped 'em, so you'll teach 'em." Jesse finished the conversation, leaving Severen to look in between Y/N and Jesse before looking up to Diamondback for guidance. She let out a small laugh and shrug.

"This is gonna end up well .... " She rolled her eyes as Homer scoffed.

"Y/N is just as bad as Severen in regards to that! Discipline? More like treat them. There'll be no learning done!" Homer groaned.

Diamondback laughed as she knew all too well of the moments where Severen 'disciplined' Y/N. It was just like how Severen got pure enjoyment out of his scoldings. The two were cut from the same cloth; it was both a blessing and a curse.

Severen had a glint of mischief in his eyes as he reached out his hand for Y/N to take hold of as he helped them up.

"Now, now, darlin'.... I reckon I oughta teach ya a lesson. Only outlaw allowed to make like a bandit is yours truly... Not a sweet li'l thing like yerself.....ya don't want ta get in any trouble now, would ya, honey pie?" He smirked as he led Y/N to the back corner of the RV out of sight from others.

I looked up at him as I followed his lead. I knew damn well the punishment he had in mind wasn't gonna do no good. It just made me want to repeat offend. He knew it damn well, too.

He took a seat before he brought me down to sprawl across his lap.

"Now, darlin'.... After each...tap .. I want ya to thank me. I saved yer behind. It's the leas' ya could do." He smirked. I barely had any time to react when he delivered the first smack across my ass. He probably thought he was being courteous by giving a small rub and squeeze after.

"T-thank you, Sev! Ahhh..." I give a small groan and he goes to deliver another smack.

"Tha's a good girl, darlin'!" He cooed, before rubbing again after the smack.

The smacks and the "thank you's" lasted for about 10 times before I started to cave. Words becoming jumbled into the pillow on the ground. Severen stopped for a moment to gently lift my head up, his hands clamped around my cheeks.

"Wha' was that, honey? Couldn' hear ya." He smirked.

I groaned as I looked at him, eyes half lidded.

"Sev...please ..." Severen tutted me.

"Now 'm glad yer using yer manners like a good girl, but I'm lookin' fer 'thank you', not please....but..I guess beggin' works good too....ya know how much I love to hear ya beg for me, darlin'.... It does things...." He slipped his hand back down lower to feel in between my legs before I looked up and gave a chuckle.

"Now, sugar ...by the looks of things, I reckon you rather enjoyed your punishment..." His gaze stayed locked on mine.I give a lazy grin before rolling so I'm laying face up on his lap.

"I reckon you're right, cowboy. Guilty as charged."

A look of amusement comes across Severen's face before turning to a devious expression that would make the devil tremble.

"Now that just won't do, huh darlin'? Jess' told me to give ya a learnin', and I intend on doin' so." I have barely time to react as he tackles me to the floor, pinning me down, before reaching for a pair of handcuffs he had stolen off a cop. In a fluid motion, he cuffed my wrists before sitting back on his heels and looking at me.

"You'll have to behave yerself fer me, okay honey?" He grinned as he booped my nose. Ugh that man.

"You've GOT to be kidding me. Severen, I swear --" I get cut off by him tying one of the kerchiefs he had, using it as a makeshift gag in my mouth. He crouches down so his face is mere inches from mine. My eyes narrow at him.

"No back talkin' your elders now, sweetheart. Tell ya what...if ya behave....I'll treat ya nice. Jus' gotta sit still for the next....I'd say two an' a half hours.... Ya can be a good gal for me and I'll come back for ya. Swear on it." He winked before placing a kiss on my forehead.

He started to head towards the main quarters of the RV, before he turned around to look at me.

"This oughta learn ya to behave...even though it was a mighty cute gesture. I gotta admit....Ya look pretty when yer all tied up, darlin'." He said before leaving me to my lonesome.

Joke's on him.... I'll never behave. He probably knows it too. I chuckle to myself, shifting a little bit. He was just as bad. I guess it was punishment in the end the way he just left me hanging after riling me up. Deep down I knew he was biting at the bit to finish what he started. I could see his shadow sitting down, his leg bouncing on anticipation. I was right. I, too, was driving him wild.

And that's what makes it all so damn fun.

#near dark #severen #severen van sickle #severen near dark #near dark 1987 #severen x reader

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queenimmadolla · 1 year

Note

nancy wheeler, graduation, comfort

𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 (𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗽𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘀𝘀) 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗮 (𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲)

The sound of the back door closing didn’t alarm you.

You knew who it was. Weren’t surprised when Nancy plopped down onto the patchy ground of the Byers’ backyard.

“You wanna talk about it?” She asked, leaning over to nudge her shoulder against yours.

You smiled but Nancy could see it didn’t reach your eyes as you rubbed your shoulder and she took note of the graduation gown still over them.

Everyone else had shed theirs inside, with the exception of Eddie, who had thrown his out the window of Wayne’s truck while whooping before his girlfriend yanked him back into the moving vehicle.

And you.

She’d wanted to run right off the stage to you the moment the diploma had been slipped into her hand, it killed her to not be able to. When this whole thing started, when you and Nancy happened, you’d both agreed to keep from being affectionate in public for both of your safety.

So, she was hoping to get some of that the moment the two of you were safe with friends and family but you’d been withdrawn since she first spotted you. Sure, you looked relatively happy to be done with high school, but not nearly as in the moment as everyone else.

“It’s nothing,” you shrugged as your hand fell into your lap.

“Nothing?” Nancy reached over and took hold of your hand, the back of hers resting in your lap as she linked your fingers, thumb caressing over your skin, “It’s graduation! We’re done here, you should be jumping around with me, or whatever else it is they do in a John Hughes movie.”

You couldn’t stop the smile, eyes closing because you knew she’d been trying to get one out of you, “He is not peak cinema, Nance.”

She laughed as she lifted your legs over hers, tugging you closer, “No, but it got you to say more than two words.”

Nancy lifted your hand to her lips, pressing a kiss to the back of it before cradling it to the side of her face, “What’s on your mind?”

“You said we’re done here…are we?”

“What?” Nancy straightened, mouth pulling down into a frown before she finally understood what was bothering you, “No! No!”

“Aren’t we, though? We’re not even going to the same college! It’s a miracle we even got together in the first place,” you stated, referring to how you never thought you’d have a chance with her, not when she was with Steve Harrington. And then she wasn’t, because she was with your best friend, Jonathan Byers. And then she wasn’t because Jonathan Byers fell in love with you. Nothing came of it, your heart belonged to Nancy, who was thoroughly jealous of you. See? The chances shouldn’t have existed.

Except, those jealous looks she gave you soon became appreciative and endearing. Then filled with longing. Finally, Nancy Wheeler could see what Jonathan could see, in fact, she could see more, what she never saw in either of her ex-boyfriends.

She took a more direct approach.

When you heard tires squealing in your driveway, you hadn’t expected to see Nancy storming out of it and up the pathway to your house. You certainly hadn’t expected her to beat down your door, and you definitely hadn’t expected her to kiss you in your doorway with enough force to have you falling backwards, taking her with you, when you’d answered.

Now, there was a chance you’d lose the girl who’d literally swept you off your feet.

“How are we supposed to stay together when we’re gonna be busy at two different schools? What if the distance makes us grow apart? What if─”

Nancy successfully ended your rant when she placed her free palm over your mouth, amusement flickering around in those electric blue eyes of hers.

“Babe. Brown is like an hour away from Wellesley. Even if it wasn’t, there’s no way I’d let you get away from me that easily. If you decide to transfer to a college halfway around the world, I’ll make a phone schedule and plan our flights for school breaks. We’re done here, with Hawkins, but this is only the beginning for you and me.”

She could see the light returning to your eyes, feel your smile spreading against the soft skin of her palm and Nancy was quick to pull it away, replacing it with her mouth.

You hadn’t been expecting her to throw herself at you like that, the two of you fell back fully onto the lawn, laughing against each other’s mouth.

“Is this gonna be a trademark of yours?” You mumbled, distracted with the taste of her lipstick on your tongue.

“Just kiss me, smart mouth.”

You were happy to do just that, and for a few blissful moments, Nancy got to feel your tongue along hers.

Then, “I can’t believe our friend group survived that kind of drama.”

“I can’t believe I’m trying to make out with you, and you’re thinking about how you stole my ex-boyfriend.”

“Sorry, sorry,” you giggled as you pulled her head back down to meet your mouth.

#nancy wheeler #nancy wheeler x reader #nancy wheeler blurb #stranger things #nancy wheeler fanfic #nancy wheeler x y/n #vivi's baby blurbs

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missbuckyhellfire · 15 days

Text

This Will Be My Year: Eddie Munson

Part One: Miss Goody Two-Shoes

Warnings: Some Language, Possible Smut and NSFW Content in later parts

Eddie hated school.

Wait scratch that, he had despised school. Being a senior twice, he was used to the same routine, expectations, and constant bullying from other students. His only escape? Corroded Coffin and Hellfire Club.

He was in his usual spot, at the back in the empty row in the classroom, arms behind his head, trying to stay awake in English class as Mr. Hauser had called out attendance. No one in his friend group were in his English class, but he did not mind. Less stares and murmurs calling him a freak and spreading nasty rumors.

When Mr. Hauser called Eddie’s name as “Edward Munson,” he rolled his eyes and lazily lifted his hand up from the back of his head. Mr. Hauser had shaken his head then moved on down the list.

Each name on the list was younger than him, and he could recall a few of their older siblings from his first time in senior year. As this was the first day in the school year, he had to listen to the same syllabus and speech on how this was going to be the end of high school and the start of something new.

Yes, he heard that before.

A flash of dark auburn hair and textbooks had breezed past him. Round spectacles with star and moon chains had flashed in the sun, blinding him for a near second. Eddie had glanced at her, thinking about what to say to her but two words came out.

“Fuckin shit”

“Language Mr. Munson!” Mr. Hauser had chimed in.

Eddie had grumbled under his breath and decided to take an extra look the red head following a few chuckles from other students. She was looking primmer and more proper than he did for sure. She had a pair of black sneakers on with a jean skirt that rested to her knees with a pink blouse with a silver locket around her neck. Her red hair was down and rested on her shoulders in soft waves. Eddie had realised he looked at her for far too long when he caught her almond brown eyes stare meet his.

“Shit” Eddie thought as he quickly looked away, but felt her eyes linger on him a little bit longer. The contact broke off when attendance had concluded, and Mr. Hauser had addressed the red head in the room.

“Class, I would like to introduce Miss. Wheeler, she is a transfer student from Canada, she is completing her senior year with us and has received a scholarship to Harvard upon graduation.” The teacher had gestured to the red head and a crowd of eyes had turned to her.

Eddie had turned to her with a smirk on his face. Perfect hair, preppy clothes outstanding credentials. There were no looks of scowls on any of the students face around her. Who would?

“She must be a goody two shoes.” Eddie thought to himself.

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

Eddie did not forget the last name Wheeler during lunch hour. Especially when in fact that Mike, a member of Hellfire had the exact same last name. The entire lunch hour was an interrogation while they had eaten their soggy pizza and flat soda.

“So why haven’t I heard of this cousin from Canada? Is not that the place where made up girlfriends are from?” Eddie had muttered under his breath as a few people at the table had let out a few chuckles.

Mike rolled his eyes “She is from Canada, and we were informed only a couple of weeks back and I did not think that you would care. Especially when…...” He paused for a moment and realised he may have said too much.

“Especially what?” Eddie had stopped him in his tracks. The table had sensed the tension between Eddie and Mike then glanced at the familiar red head with a tray in her hands and a stack of books. She glanced at Eddie for a moment blinked twice then scuffled the hair of her cousin.

“Thanks for saving a seat for me” She had smiled at Mike as he had scooted over to give her a spot between him and Dustin. There was strong tension between everyone in Hellfire and their Dungeon Master awaiting to see his response.

Eddie cleared his throat at kept his eyes on her. “We do not let anyone sit at our table. Especially when I do not even know your name.” She had paid no mind on his aggression and kept eating her pizza and began bringing out her books.

“Come on she is new, and we thought she belonged here” Mike had stated then bit his lip realising his choice of words.

“We?” Eddie had repeated. “Please share who else thought it was a good idea to bring Miss Goody Two- Shoes to join the group of freaks.” His eyes had scanned around the table and noticed that a lot of them had nervously tried to avoid contact with him, including the members of Corroded Coffin.

“All of you thought it was a fuckin good idea to bring Miss prim and proper here to join us?” Eddie had clarified, gritting his teeth. He was not going to have some girls enter the group, knowing nothing about Dungeons and Dragons.

“She is cool actually! She even runs her own sessions on the side and went to the Hideout already.” Jeff had mumbled trying to ease the tension. “We thought she would be a good fit here.”

“So, you all had met with her already? This red head can run a session. I would like to see this.” He pointed at the girl who had let out a small chuckle in response.

“I figured you would say that” The red head spoke. “I am aware that I am the new girl and all and my cousin had put me at your table with your fellow “freaks” you call yourselves. But if you would give me a chance, I can show you that I can help you run sessions, or I could join them if you would have me.”

The entire group had watched the red head with her confidence but had a pit of anxiety awaiting Eddie’s response to what she had said. They had to give it to her for being brave against the king of the freaks of Hawkins. However, the lingering silence from Eddie made their anxiety grow.

“This I find hard to believe. But I will give you a chance Saturday night.” Eddie finally said, taking a sip of his soda. The group had then burst out against the date, mentioning upcoming tests and an upcoming band practice that very evening. But Eddie was pissed about his friends just inviting this outsider without the chance of seeing her play himself to eat at their table.

“Sure, but I promised Mike and Dustin to help them with their English poetry assignments Saturday evening. Followed by Pizza of course” She had smiled at the two boys who mumbled “It’s ok it’s ok we can do Sunday instead” as they did not want to anger Eddie further.

“What a perfectionist you are, you are sure you’re at the right table princess?” Eddie scoffed. He cleared his voice to try to mimic her higher pitch tone “I promised Mike and Dustin to help them with their English poetry.” Before he can move further, she had stepped in.

“Sounds like your scared of me. Think I can outsmart you that is why you are trying to torment me. New character or old?” She had leant against the table then slammed a huge binder full of DND lore and notes on her own characters of the past. The group was speechless as they had tried to step away from the situation but kept mumbling about how they could not make that date. This had caused Eddie to finally snap.

“STOP! I did not say I wanted anyone else there. I am not wanting anyone helping princess here during the session. It will just be the two of us for this one. We will change the practice to right after class on Friday.” He had clarified. The group members looked amongst each other in confusion. “I’m serious if she is as good as you propose her to be, I want to see one on one unless if Miss Goody Two-Shoes is too scared.” He let out a soft smirk, challenging her.

She smirked and chuckled under her breath “seven sound good at your place? I can bring a pizza and my favorite character for you to challenge. Or will I be challenging you, Eddie?”

He had nodded as he had opened a notebook and began brainstorming. He was not going to let some princess join. She may have warmed up to the guys well, but he does not warm up to others too easily.

“Pepperoni Pizza and a 6 pack” he said. He wanted to just mess with her one last time.

“6 pack” She had tilted her head “of what Pepsi?”

Eddie had shaken his head. This girl is not going to stand a chance.

PART TWO

#eddie munson #eddie munson fanfic #EddieMunsonNSFW #eddie munson stranger things #stranger things #stranger things fanfiction

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rigginsstreet · 1 year

Text

ok heres a thing for the freaky harrington twins au if anyone cares lol

“You get a look at the new kid?” James saddles up next to his brother, eyes focused across the parking lot on the new California transfer, all dolled up in tight denim and messy curls.

He’s been the talk of the school, this Billy Hargrove, and it’s been too long since there’s been a shiny new toy for the Harringtons to play with.

James has had his ear low to the ground all day, gathering what information he can - which wasn’t much, besides the fact every girl couldn’t stop talking about the guy’s ass. Not that he can blame them. It’s a really nice ass. Quite frankly, James doesn’t need to know anything more.

“He’s an ass,” Steve says, interrupting his brother’s daydreaming. “Had practice with him. He was all…showboaty and annoying. Wouldn’t leave me alone.”

“So he’s interested?” James’ eyes glimmer at that. An easy in, not that it’s ever very difficult for the Harrington twins to get what they want, but still.

“Does it matter? I told you I’m done with this shit. I’ve got-“

“Nancy now, yes, yes, I know,” James finishes his brother’s sentence, rolling his eyes and nodding his head in mockery. “Something is seriously wrong with you, baby brother, if you’re thinking of passing up some grade A beef like that,” he nods in Billy’s direction, “for prude like Wheeler.” He presses up against Steve’s side then, lips ghosting over his ear as he whispers “Bet she doesn’t even suck your cock. Let you in the back door? Only missionary with the lights off, right? Now, imagine how good he’d look between the two of us, on all fours…”

Billy chooses that moment to glance their way, a bored expression on his face while a cigarette hangs from his lips. Steve stares back, hopes the warmth he feels in his face isn’t making him look like an idiot, or creepy stalker. Because Steve is imagining. Is imagining how good it would feel after today to put that asshole in his place. Make him cry, make him beg. Show him exactly what he’s getting himself into messing with The King. The idea is suddenly too tempting.

James smirks as he watches the gears in his brother’s head turn, knows he’s got him. “You should go invite him over.”

And the thing is, Steve finds himself wanting to. Is about to, even. Until a short little redhead comes skating up to the blue Camaro and kills that plan.

“Can’t. He’s got company.”

James turns his head, spotting the company in question, his face screwing up. “Gross.”

Billy and the redhead get in the car and speed off past the twins, and despite his earlier protests, Steve can’t help but feel a little disappointed.

“We’ll invite him to eat lunch with us tomorrow,” James announces as he moves around the Beamer to the passenger seat. “Make him an offer he can’t refuse.”

Steve rolls his eyes as he slips behind the wheel. “You’re not The Godfather, you know.”

James just chuckles, sunglasses slid down over his eyes as he lights up a cigarette for himself. “Could’ve fooled me.”

#harringrove #a little intro if you will I don’t know!#something to get the party started 😂#freaky harrington twins au!#my writing

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wheelsgoroundincircles · 8 months

Text

Tim Richmond

Timothy Lee Richmond (June 7, 1955 – August 13, 1989) was an American race car driver from Ashland, Ohio. He competed in IndyCar racing before transferring to NASCAR's Winston Cup Series. Richmond was one of the first drivers to change from open wheel racing to NASCAR stock cars full-time, which later became an industry trend. He won the 1980 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award and had 13 victories during eight NASCAR seasons.

Richmond achieved his top NASCAR season in 1986 when he finished third in points. He won seven races that season, more than any other driver on the tour. When he missed the season-opening Daytona 500 in February 1987, media reported that he had pneumonia. The infection most likely resulted from his compromised immune system, which was weakened by AIDS. Despite the state of his health, Richmond competed in eight races in 1987, winning two events and one pole position before his final race in August of that year. He attempted a comeback in 1988 before NASCAR banned him for testing positive for excessive over-the-counter drugs, ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine; NASCAR later announced it gave Richmond a new test and tested negative. Richmond filed a lawsuit against NASCAR after the organization insisted it wanted access to his entire medical record before it would reinstate him. After losing the lawsuit, Richmond withdrew from racing. NASCAR later stated its original test was a "bad test."

Richmond grew up in a wealthy family and lived a freewheeling lifestyle, earning him the nickname "Hollywood". In describing Richmond's influence in racing, Charlotte Motor Speedway president Humpy Wheeler said, "We've never had a race driver like Tim in stock car racing. He was almost a James Dean-like character." When Richmond was cast for a bit part in the 1983 movie Stroker Ace,[6]"He fell right in with the group working on the film," said director Hal Needham. Cole Trickle, the main character in the movie Days of Thunder, played by Tom Cruise, was loosely based on Richmond and his interaction with Harry Hyde and Rick Hendrick.

#Tim Richmond #stock car racing #racing #nascar #nascar cup #nascar cup series

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bellarosethefangirl · 2 years

Note

kind of a halloween request I suppose? may I get headcanons on how the yugioh boys (seto, yami, yugi, joey, tristan, duke) would react to finding out their f! s/o was a werewolf (like the twilight kind that can shift on demand), when she has to protect them and has no choice but to reveal it? I think it would be interesting considering the whole yugi has a pharaoh who possesses him thing 😂

Oh nice I like werewolves 🖤🐺 sounds like a fun request. Happy October to you 🎃🎃 this was a lot of fun writing. I encourage others to make Halloween requests, yugioh or not.

Various Yugioh Boys x Female Werewolf Reader

Headcanons

Seto Kaiba, Yugi Muto, Yami Yugi, Joey Wheeler, Tristan Taylor, and Duke Devlin

Yami/Atem

He found out you’re a werewolf during battle city. He was cornered by Marik's men and they weren’t looking for a duel. They were beaten by Yami fair and square but unfortunately for him they’re all sore losers.

It wasn’t looking good for him. He was surrounded by three men so he could only do so much against them. He’s 5’2 and 97 pounds.

Yami was getting beaten and doing all he could to protect the millennium puzzle.

You happened to see your beloved pharaoh in trouble and you couldn’t stand to see him get beaten so badly. Two men were holding him while the third was punching at Yami.

You transformed in a werewolf and howled to grab their attention. Upon your growls and razor sharp teeth shown the four were all petrified. You attack the men in robes with warning bites and growls. They ran for their lives in fear. A werewolf should be impossible yet here you are proving them wrong. Their fear and shock consumed them as they ran away with their tails between their legs.

Yami didn’t recognize you at first but he soon recognized you due to your clothing and eyes. As a werewolf you keep your height, hair, hair color, eye color, and voice. Your fur matches your hair and your clothing are the same as he seen before he began dueling.

"My queen, is it really you..?" Yami asked with his jaw dropped.

"Yes... it's me. I'm a werewolf. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I was too afraid to. I wasn't sure how you would react."

Yami grabs your black clawed hands. Though razor sharp he shows no fear to you. He's giving you a reassuring smile.

"You should never fear speaking to me. I respect honesty but more importantly I respect you. Werewolf or not, you're still my queen."

You two hug and when Yami looks at you again you're transformed back into your human form. You both hold hands as you leave the alleyway.

Yugi Muto

Yugi was in big trouble when dartz had his soul trapped and transferred it into a duel monster. Yugi stood as a soldier awaiting the next attack on Yami.

Of course you couldn't have this be. Dartz has trapped the souls of your friends and your beloved Yugi. All the commands given to him wasn't within his heart. He would never hurt his friends or allow them to get hurt. Yami had no choice but to duel Dartz holding the souls of his friends.

Having enough you transform into a werewolf to protect Yugi and your friends against Dartz. Everyone became shocked by your transformation and howl. Dartz never saw it coming as you lunge at him attacking with full force.

The duel ended but thanks to you defeating the lost king of Atlantis. Yami was shocked by your defeat towards Dartz. All the souls returned to their rightful place and Yugi was within your arms again.

You cry tears of joy squishing him into a hug with your werewolf strength. Poor Yugi was relieved to be back but he was having a hard time breathing against such strength. When you realized what was happening to him you let go of him, apologizing.

He didn't mind the hug but you could see in his eyes how happy he was to see you even as a werewolf. Out of everyone he was the most surprised but he was also the quickest to accept it.

Your eyes, clothing and hair style stayed the same. Though your body is covered in fur matching in color with your natural hair color you still look so beautiful to him.

"Yugi I'm sorry I didn't tell you. It should've been sooner but I couldn't find the courage to. I feared I would scare you. I realize I was wrong from the looks of your cute smile."

"You're right. I still love you sweetheart but I don't want any secrets between us."

"I understand Yugi. I love you."

"I'll always love you." He reassures while holding your clawed hand.

You explain to the others what happened after you transform back to your human form. You found the courage to thanks to your encouraging boyfriend and king of games. Everyone was happy to be reunited.

Seto Kaiba

Kaiba was in some deep trouble at duelist kingdom. He was surrounded by men sent by Pegasus. Two of them were holding guns pointed directly at him. You knew Kaiba did all he could to try saving Mokuba but this was proving difficult.

You couldn't stand the thought of Kaiba getting shot at by bullets. He's reckless at times so you knew he would try running. You transform and growl loud enough to be compared to a lion. You threw their guns out of their hands in one swipe of your black razor sharp claws. They ran off not knowing what you were.

Kaiba knew it was you who saved him. His observant eyes recognizing your hair, eyes, and clothes. In your true form you look almost the same as your human self only you're covered in fur plus you have fluffy pointed ears and a tail.

"Seto you're okay! I was so worried you would be injured or worse!"

"I'm sorry I worried you.." He said in a soft tone. "Why didn't you tell me..?" He said with saddened blue eyes.

"I was afraid I'd scare you off.. that maybe you wouldn't want to date me anymore."

"I would never do that to you. You'll always be mine. You're my world."

You kiss Kaiba with your tail wagging. He kisses back eagerly. You explain to him you arrived to duelist kingdom to help him. You're equally as worried about Mokuba. You two head into the woods as you talk.

Joey Wheeler

It was after school and Joey was getting robbed by a gang. It was a group of guys. Joey was out numbered and he earned the money in his wallet for his sister's surgery.

You were walking back home when you noticed the awful situation Joey was in. You saw him getting beaten by the brutes. You decide to transform and scare them off. Thankfully you did since you didn't want to fight. It wouldn't be fair since you're so powerful and you don't wish to hurt others unless its self defense.

The gang members didn't bother fighting. They ran off as you howl and chase them away.

Joey was on the ground wondering what had happened. He couldn't believe his eyes. He didn't realize it was you until you talk.

"Is it really you?"

"Yes Joey it's me."

He looked at you up and down at your werewolf form. Same outfit, hairstyle and eyes. He thought you looked cute as a werewolf and complimented you. You giggle kissing his cheek since he's adorable himself.

He asks why you didn't tell him and you said you were afraid of scaring him. He laughed it off and said you shouldn't be afraid of telling him anything.

"I love ya no matter what, sweetie." He reassured.

After you transformed back into your human form he walked you home and listened to you about your werewolf background.

Tristan Taylor

Tristan was out on his motorcycle searching for Joey who had run after Mai. He had no idea Joey was currently dueling Valon.

Tristan had to get gas so he went off to a gas station. It was late at night so he no one was around as he was getting robbed by two men. He did his best to fight them off from stealing his wallet and keys.

You happened to be nearby since you were also searching for Joey. When you saw Tristan you screamed and decided you had no choice but to transform.

In your werewolf form you fought the two men. Tristan was speechless. When you said his name he knew it was you. He was unsure at first since he didn't think werewolves existed but who cares now that he knows he is dating one.

"Babe you're really a werewolf??"

"Yes, I'm sorry I didn't tell you the truth. I wanted to wait for the right time to tell you."

"I'm glad you weren't planning to keep it from me."

"And I'm glad you took the news so well." You kiss his cheek.

Tristan hugs you and expresses how his feelings for you don't change. He does comment how he thinks nothing else will surprise him since he's already seen so much in his lifetime.

Duke Devlin

Duke got himself into a heated argument about dungeon dice monsters with a group of duelists from his school. They made fun of his game and insulted his looks as well. Clearly jealousy and hatred for his fame in the dueling community.

Insults soon turned to pushing then punches. The fight took place at the back of the school and it was after school when no one was around.

You heard the yelling and arrived to the scene in curiosity. As you suspected it was a fight but you didn't think your boyfriend would be involved! Four students were kicking him while he was on the ground.

You knew they wouldn't recognize you so you transformed. Maybe your human form wasn't any match against them but your true form was. You howled and growled matching in volume with a wolf. They suspected a wolf at first but when they realized it was a werewolf they all panicked.

You're glad you didn't have to resort to attacking them but you're sure you must've scared Duke. Looking over to him you notice he is still sitting on the ground. He is still perplexed by the situation. When you speak his green eyes widened.

"Duke please say something. Anything. I want to know what you think."

"I'm shocked werewolves exist.. but this doesn't change our relationship. I'm sure you had your reasons for keeping it from me." He smiles while standing up.

"Yes I waiting for the right time to tell you."

"I understand. I think you better change back before someone else might see you. Your secret is safe with me."

You transform back to a human but Duke was secretly a tiny bit sad by it since he found your werewolf form so cute.

You two walked to his car so he could drop you off home. His smile never faltered as he looked your direction. You're very happy he finally knows. During the drive you made sure to explain your werewolf background to him some more. As he was driving he held your hand the whole way home.

#yugioh headcanons #yami x reader #duke devlin x reader #yugi muto x reader #yami yugi x reader #tristan x reader #kaiba x reader #seto kaiba x reader #joey wheeler x reader #werewolf reader #female reader #request

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carbikemovers-com · 6 months

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astragreenwoode · 1 year

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The Spitfire Curse - Chapter Three

Previous: Chapter Two • Next: Chapter Four • Masterlist • AO3 Version

Rating: Explicit(18+ ONLY)

Pairings: Billy Hargrove x Fem!OC, Steve Harrington x Nancy Wheeler

Warnings: Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-Con, Non-specified Mental Illness, Self-Harm, Drug Use, Hypersexuality, Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms, Hearing Voices

Genre: Adventure, Thriller, Horror, Slow-Burn Romance, Angst, Hurt/Comfort. Smut, Fluff, Slight Canon-Divergence, Fix-it fic

As always, thank you @take-everything-you-can for your beta reading and all your feedback!

Chapter Three: People Are Strange

Word Count: 11,042

Chapter Warnings: Disembodied Voices, Hypersexual Thoughts, Anxiety, Sexual Themes and Implied Smut, Explicit Language, Humiliation

Chapter Summary: Maeven recalls the last time she was so nervous to be at a new school, and how her father helped her through it. During the school tour, she meets two of her new classmates and catches glimpses of other friends she may make along the way. But whether or not she adjusts well to Hawkins High all depends on her. . .and Billy, of course.

September 1974

The last time I was so nervous about being at a new school, I was about to turn eight years old. Before San Diego, we lived in a small-ish rural community in southern Oregon. After getting married, Mom and Dad decided they needed a break from California, and moved to a place where their children could enjoy life without the world spoiling them.

Our home was five miles outside of town on a dirt and gravel road, in a field surrounded by a ring of trees. The trees made a dome around the edge of our property, covering the front yard and the front of our house in a veil of shade that faced east. The sun shined on the other half of our property, warming up the grass like a heated blanket. The stone path from our back porch led into the wildwood, turning into a small bridge that stood over the creek.

I spent my early days exploring the seemingly infinite woods and warming myself on the grass as I stared up at the tall trees and blue skies; Max was so little then, and Thunder was still alive. He was our family’s big malamute mix they adopted before we were born.

We lived on the edge of one of the Pacific Northwest’s many lush and green forests. Since no one officially owned it and our closest neighbor was two miles away, I liked to imagine it was mine. It was where I discovered my lifelong passion for everything wild when I found friendship with a soft-natured raccoon. I’d later come to make friends with possums, a fox family, and a quiet doe with her fawn. It was comfortable there; cozy in the colder months, and cooler during the warmer months. While it wasn’t perfect, we were happy there. But as Max and I grew, it seemed to become smaller and more crowded.

Eventually, Mom and Dad grew homesick for California and decided to move us back to San Diego permanently. Until then, we had only ever taken long road trips there and back again every Spring and Summer break. Moving transferred our parents’ homesickness onto Max and me. She was as upset by the move as I was, but was more excited; she thought of it as a new adventure.

The day Dad waited with us at the bus stop for our first day at a new school, I was petrified. Max was jumping over the cracks in the sidewalk as I gripped the straps of my backpack and stared down at my feet. That morning, I clung to my mom as I begged her to let me stay home, but she forced me to dry my tears or else she’d be late for her first day back at her old hospital.

Dad surprised us that morning. As I was about to get on the bus with Max’s hand in mine and the bus driver trying to hurry us along, Dad tugged us toward him.

“You know what? I’ll drive you girls today. It’s a special day.”

I was hoping he would just take us straight back home; well, to our new house. I didn’t consider it home, yet. What he ended up doing that day was much better than I expected, teaching me an important lesson I still rely on today.

He drove us to our new school in his jet-black Impala; he bought it the year I was born. Max was in her car seat in the back kicking her feet to the sound of She Loves You by the Beatles on the stereo. It was her favorite. Mine was Blackbird. I loved riding in that car

As we drove up to the building of the elementary school, I curled myself into a ball and sunk deeper into my seat.

“C’mon, Mae-Mae, we gotta go. You don’t wanna be late for your first day,” my Dad sighed, putting his hand on my knee and giving it a gentle shake. I tightened my arms around my knees.

“I’m not going,” I mumbled through my curled limbs.

“It’s not a choice, Spitfire.”

“I’M NOT GOING!” I exploded, uncurling myself and staring daggers at my Dad with tears in my eyes. He was taken aback a little by my sudden outburst but still kept his cool. But when I heard Max start to sniffle at the sudden loudness, I climbed up on the seat and held her little hand. I knew if she started to cry, I wouldn’t be able to get my tears to stop falling.

“No, no, Maxy, don’t cry! I’m sorry!” I whimpered, trying to keep myself composed as I closed my eyes to hold in my tears. After I took a few deep breaths, I heard Max’s cries cease as she started back up with giggles. I opened my eyes to see Dad waving Max’s stuffed rabbit, Flopsy in her face. She had just dropped it. It wasn’t my fault. It wasn’t my fault.

After returning Flopsy to her, Dad turned back to me and put his hand on my shoulder.

“I know this is hard for you, Maeven. I really do. I didn’t want to, either, but we had to,” he tried to explain, but I wasn’t having any of it.

“No, we didn’t,” I whined, tilting my head up to the roof of the Impala.

“We did. It might not feel like it, but we did,” he responded. I turned my back and brought my knees up to my chest as my feet rested on the leather seats. It was something I knew he would prefer I not do. But he didn’t say anything.

We sat in silence for what seemed like hours when in reality, it was probably only five minutes or so. The world moved on outside the car, the parking lot alive with parents and kids of all kinds walking in and out of the building. It helped that Dad just let us sit there and let me soak up the environment instead of just pushing me straight in.

“Do you remember when I first read you Watership Down?” he asked suddenly, breaking the uncomfortable silence. I didn’t understand why he asked that at first, but it was nice to have a distraction from the growing anxiety in my stomach brought on by my fear of change.

“Yeah? What about it?”

Watership Down was one of my favorite books. Mom and Dad took turns reading it to me when I was smaller; a chapter a night. Before that book, I never saw rabbits as exciting creatures. I loved them as much as all the animals I had come to love and study in books, zoos, and in the forest behind our old house. They were never as interesting as the others until Richard Adams turned them into something different.

“Do you remember what you first felt when the rabbits left their warren?” he followed up. I read and re-read that book so many times that I knew it by heart now. I had to think for a minute.

“I was excited. I knew they’d go on to have some fun adventures,” I said. Dad nodded his head at my enthusiasm.

“Yeah. And they did, didn’t they? But why did they leave?”

I had to think about it for a moment again.

“Because they were in danger?”

“Exactly. They left because they had to,” he explained, and I finally started to understand what he was trying to say.

“Are we in danger?” I asked, my shoulders tensing as I frantically looked around the parking lot.

“No, no, Spitfire,” he reassuringly laughed, stroking the back of my head. “It wasn’t dangerous back at our old house. You’re safe. I promise.”

“Then why? Did I do something wrong?”

“Of course, you didn’t, Maeven. It’s nobody’s fault. It’s just that. . .things just happen, sometimes. Unexpected things you didn’t prepare for, and the best and only way you can make things better is to change.”

I stayed quiet a little bit longer, my shoulders now relaxing. Dad gave me as much time as I needed to reply.

“But that’s sad,” I whined.

“It can be sad. And that’s okay. Do you remember when you were so upset that you couldn’t wear your favorite coat anymore when you played in the snow?”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, but what did we do that day? I took you to get a new one, and you ended up liking that even better.”

I nodded my head. I did love that coat. It was a deep vibrant shade of purple with snowflakes along the trim. And of course, I missed my old one. I had a good reason to; it was rainbow striped. But Mom gave me striped rainbow leggings for Christmas I could wear instead. Everything worked out in the end, even if I didn’t feel like it would.

“The point is, Maeven,” Dad continued. “nothing can always stay the same. And when the rabbits had to fight the general, weren’t you scared?”

I was scared for them. I was afraid of what would happen to their warren; their new home they fought so hard to find and make their own. I wanted everything to be alright.

“Mmm-hmm. . .”

“Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, and Holly were scared, too. But what happened?”

Even though they were scared of what Efrafa would do to them if they lost, they did it, anyway. They were brave.

“They did it anyway?”

After so many hardships, the rabbits of Watership Down were fine. “Be cunning and full of tricks, and your people will never be destroyed,” the book's words echoed in my head.

“Exactly. And when they did, they ended up happier, safer, and stronger than they were in Sandelford, weren’t they?”

“Mmm-hmm! They adaptated!” I mispronounced.

“It’s adapted, Maeven,” Dad laughed, fluffing up my hair.

“Oh, okay. Adapted,” I corrected myself.

Going to a new school didn’t seem so frightening, anymore. If rabbits were smart and stubborn enough to dig themselves out of every bad situation, I would be fine.

“You are an animal, Maeven. You’re smart and strong, and wherever you go, I know you’ll adapt. You’re gonna do great in there. I just know it.”

. . .

Billy turned the radio on at full blast for the remainder of the ride, filling the awkward silence with the thrashing of Motley Crue. Maeven kept bouncing her leg and tried not to let the volume bother her. Snapping the rubber band against her wrist helped keep her calm, even if it hurt a little.

Maeven caught a quick glimpse of the campus the other day when Billy picked up her and Max from the arcade. The school was a lot less intimidating when looking at it up close. It was underwhelming compared to what Maeven and Billy were used to, but she saw that as a good thing. It meant there weren’t as many people, so maybe she wouldn’t be as nervous when caught in the crowds. Unfortunately, it also meant she would be noticed in a small school where everyone knew everyone, and word probably spread faster in the rumor mill than back in California.

“They’re gonna find out, somehow,” the voice taunted. “And when they do, you’ll be dead. You never even had a chance, Not here, not anywhere. Just run away.”

“No! Shut up! Just shut the hell up!” Maeven yelled, not hesitating to slap herself in the face. But as soon as Billy caught her wrist to stop her from harming herself again, she remembered that she wasn’t alone, and suddenly realized they were parked in the parking lot now.

“Sorry! I’m sorry, it’s just. . .”

“The voices?”

“Yeah. . .”

“It’s okay. Just ignore them and they’ll go away.”

“Easier said than done,” Maeven said to herself.

The look in Billy’s eyes broke her heart. It had been a while since she snapped like that.

The campus was most definitely smaller than Newport’s. It was more similar to the size of the Junior High she and Max attended back in California. The Junior and Senior Highs were in separate buildings, spread out amongst the campus with a few disconnected buildings where they probably had extracurriculars and clubs. Maybe the auditorium was there, too. It would be easier to navigate once they were done with the tour. And Maeven liked that she could keep an eye on Max.

Max and Susan got out of Neil’s station wagon before he drove off, as he had to finish last-minute transfer paperwork before he started his new gig at the bank. As Maeven and Billy stepped out of his Camaro, he stood close to her with his hand on the small of her back. It was something that usually kept her calm, but he did so in a way so that no one in their family would notice.

“You’re gonna be fine, okay? Just keep your head down, and don’t give anyone a reason to stare at you.”

Again; easier said than done.

Maeven just nodded, lingering on the comforting feeling even after he pulled his hand away from her back. She tightened the straps of her backpack onto her shoulders, thinking how she probably looked like a total geek right now bringing her backpack to school when she hadn’t even started classes, yet.

Walking to the front office of the high school was oddly refreshing to her. She had always liked being in school. She loved learning and the feeling the environment gave her. Maeven just wasn’t always a fan of the people who inhabited them; especially when they were teenagers.

As they walked up to the front desk, Susan took the initiative and leaned on the front counter as she waited for the secretary to notice her.

“Hi, there! Can I help you?”

“Yes, I’m Susan Hargrove. My kids are starting here tomorrow and-”

“Not your kid, Susan,” Billy interrupted, making sure to sound as stern as possible. It caught Susan off-guard as she flinched and turned to him, giving a timid smile. It was a little scary to Maeven and Max how much he sounded like his father at that moment.

“Of course. My daughters and stepson are starting here tomorrow and we were told we’d be given a tour of campus,” she elaborated to the secretary.

“Oh, yes! Give me just a minute,” she said, turning to her phone.

Maeven clasped her hands in front of her as she swung her hips slightly to make her long skirt twirl. Max crossed her arms and tapped her fingers.

“Sir. Mrs. Hargrove and her kids are here to see you.”

Maeven could tell by the look on Billy’s face that he wanted to correct his relation to the Mayfields again. She knew why; he was still bitter about his mother, and she didn’t blame him. As much as he hated her for leaving him the way she did, she was still his mom. He would always miss and love her. He was determined not to let Susan take her place.

The sisters tapped their feet in annoyance. How well did these phones work? How talkative was this principal that he made his secretary stay on the line for so long?

“Mmmhmm. Alright. You can head on in, Down the hall, last door on the right,” she finally replied, hanging up the phone. Max let out a sigh that said ‘finally!’ Maeven wasn’t as vocal, but she felt the same.

“Thank you.”

Susan took the lead as they followed the secretary’s directions, knocking on the door before entering. Maeven took a look at the plaque by the door; Principal John Higgins. She knew a kid with that last name once. He looked like a principal, as if he was born to be one. She was curious to see what kind he was; an uncaring hardass with a god complex or a decent person who actually saw his students as people.

“You must be Susan. Principal Higgins. We spoke on the phone last week?” He reached out to shake her hand.

“Billy.”

“Yes, hi. Nice to meet you.” she smiled widely as she accepted it.

“And this must be Margaret, William, and Maxine?” he guessed.

“Maeven.”

“Max.”

They all corrected in unison.

“Of course. My apologies. Please, have a seat.” He was a bit overwhelmed but pretended not to be as he gestured to the chairs and couch by his desk. Susan and Billy sat in the office chairs while the sisters sat on the black and yellow checkered couch. Maeven pawed at the backpack in her lap, bouncing her leg and scratching her hands.

“I’m sure you won’t find this school any different than your last one,” Higgins said, pulling out three separate manilla folders. “But, it might not be what you’re quite used to all the way down in sunny California.”

“It’s definitely a lot smaller,” Susan laughed, putting on her smile as Billy rolled his eyes. He leaned back in the chair, his legs spread wide as if he owned the place. His sudden attempt at displaying his brawn made Higgins clear his throat.

“So, Billy. From your transcript, I can see you’re the average student and have some trouble with authority. But it seems that in California, you were quite the star athlete.”

“Yes, sir,” he smiled.”Quarterback, Designated Hitter, and Power Forward.”

Maeven had experienced attraction to all kinds of people, no matter their clique. She had gone on dates with jocks before, even if she found most of them to be jerks. But Billy stood out. It bugged her that she could never the exact reason why.

“Perfect, son. Sports are an important part of the culture here, so I’m sure you’ll fit right in,” Higgins said, closing the file before opening another, turning his head to the younger of the Mayfield sisters.

“And, Max. I can see you’re also an average student. But you do seem to be exceptional when it comes to math. We have clubs and tutoring programs where I’m sure you’ll be welcome. Been in trouble a few times, but nothing too extreme. I know starting a new school at your age can be scary and frustrating. Am I going to have any trouble with you?”

Max blew her hair out of her face, her arms still crossed. She had never been one for clubs, but who knows? Maybe that would change at Hawkins

“As long as no one else here dumps their crap on me, I’ll be good.”

“Max!” her mother scolded her. Billy and Maeven chuckled as she gave her little sister a playful slap on the arm.

“No worries, Mrs. Hargrove. I’ve heard worse. I’ll take that as a ‘no.’” Higgins laughed.

Maeven’s file came last, which made her heartbeat quicken a little. She knew he wouldn’t be as lighthearted and upbeat as he was with Billy and Max.

“I understand there are some matters you and Margaret wish to inform me about privately,” he said. All eyes in the room were now turned to Maeven as she squeezed her backpack. She hated when that happened; it fueled the fire of paranoia in her.

“Yes, sir,” Susan answered for her daughter once she recognized she wouldn’t speak for herself.

“Billy, Max, why don’t you two go wait outside?” Higgins turned to them. “This shouldn’t take long. Doris should have your class schedules ready for you.”

Max gave her big sister a calming squeeze on her hand. Billy shot her an encouraging nod of his head and a wink of his baby blue eyes that made her stomach flutter and thighs squeeze together instinctively. As they left the room, Maeven switched herself over to the chair Billy previously occupied.

“Now, Mar-Sorry, Maeven. I understand that you’re a repeating junior. From what your mother tells me, you had sort of a tough time last year.”

Susan turned to her daughter when she didn’t answer Principal Higgins. Maeven kept bouncing her leg as she scratched the back of her hand with her nails until the skin was red. She hated when she did that; mainly because it came off as rude to those unaware of her. . .condition. It also broke her heart to see her little girl hurt herself, especially when it would bleed and scab. Susan reached her hands out to her daughter, one steadying her leg while the other rested atop her hands to stop her scratching.

“Sorry. She’s a little shy,” she apologized, bringing Maeven out of her self-induced trance.

“Yes, sir. I am. I mean. . .I did,” Maeven softly said.

“That’s certainly not a problem,” he stated, looking over her file. “I called Newport High last week and spoke with a few of your teachers. They all said you were a pleasure to have in class and your test scores are. . .intimidating. But they said that around the second semester, you sort of. . .lost your way?”

It was nice to hear that the staff back at her old school still thought about her that way. Although, Maeven wouldn’t blame them if they happened to feel anything negative toward her. Her decline in the social and academic hierarchy and eventual expulsion weren’t exactly a pretty sight to witness.

“Yeah. . .that sounds fair,” she replied.

“I can understand that,” Higgins said, seemingly empathizing with her. It was oddly refreshing. “We have a few other kids here who’ve had to repeat grades due to their struggles in life. I see you have a history of fighting and skipping classes, and that you’ve dealt with emotional problems in the past.”

Before Maeven could say anything, her mother interjected.

“She has, yes, but she is doing much better, sir. We’re hoping a change of scenery will help with that.”

Susan and Higgins didn’t need to pry further, as Maeven knew what they were talking about. She hated when her mother did that, refusing to talk about her daughter’s past of pain as if it was more devastating for her.

“Slap her, Maeven. You know you want to,” the voice instructed, but Maeven just shook it off, literally; her head and body twitched almost as if she was seizing before stilling itself. She gave her mom a reassuring nod before turning her attention back to Higgins.

“I’m not looking to cause any trouble here, sir. I plan to stay focused on my grades this time around. I promise,” she smiled, trying her best to imitate the one her mother used.

“That’s good to hear. You seem to have been an over-achiever back at Newport, so we have more than a couple of clubs that’ll keep you out of trouble. We have a science fair in the spring, and from what your teachers told me, you’ll win first prize. Of course, I still expect you to meet with the school Counselor, Miss Kelly, once a week.”

“Yeah. I’m good with that,” Maeven nodded.

“That’s what I like to hear. Lastly, you’ll be needing accommodations due to your. . .condition?”

Once again, Maeven could tell exactly what he was referring to. It wasn’t that much of a surprise that a middle-aged white principal didn’t want to speak so openly to one of his students about how painfully crippling her periods had become these last nine months. And, of course, her brain condition wasn’t exactly easy for those outside a doctor’s office to comprehend.

“Yes, I do. Is that okay?”

“I’m not able to provide them all, but I can help you with most of them,” he stated, handing Maeven a laminated Hawkins High hall pass with her name at the top and his signature at the bottom.

“Here’s a hall pass for your classes when you’re. I put down a note so that all your teachers will allow you to take tests under the supervision of the school librarian. Unfortunately, I cannot grant you an all-access hall pass; too much opportunity for it to be abused. I’m sure you’re a good kid, but I just can’t afford to take the risk.”

Again, she wasn’t surprised at this. Maeven figured she wouldn’t get an all-access pass for when her brain decided to shut down or go full panic mode out of the blue. Her father’s motto was always ‘ It never hurts to ask.’ Maybe it wouldn’t be so hard for people to understand someday, but not today. She had no choice but to power through.

“It’s alright. Completely understandable,” she lied.

Principal Higgins closed her file before getting up from his desk to put it in a random drawer. When he led Susan and Maeven out to the front office, Max and Billy were chatting with three other students.

“Oh, good! I see you’ve already met,” he announced himself. The kids all stood up from the benches and chairs, turning themselves towards him. Maeven shrugged her backpack over her shoulder as she stood between Max and Billy. She gave her little sister a pat on the back that she instinctually returned.

“I thought it’d be helpful for you guys to meet a couple of your classmates before tomorrow. They’ll be giving you a tour,” Higgins spoke.

Maeven bit her lip. When she pictured the day as she woke up that morning, she didn’t anticipate meeting other kids face to face immediately. She figured there might be students around campus, but didn’t plan on meeting any new kids her age until tomorrow. She didn’t prepare for this, and Maeven dreaded being unprepared.

The mismatched siblings stood in a row of three facing their future classmates in the same formation.

“Billy, Maeven, this is Steve Harrington and Nancy Wheeler. And Max, this is Jennifer Hayes. Guys, this is Billy Hargrove and Maeven and Max Mayfield.”

Maeven took them in one by one, sizing them up.

Jennifer looked and seemed friendly enough. She seemed like the classic social butterfly; a good girl who surrounded herself with as many people as possible. However, those kinds of people, more often than not, were more shallow than they liked to admit. Maeven had experienced that first-hand in Middle School. Besides, she seemed too girly to be a friend of her baby sister.

“Hi,” she waved at Max.

“She seems boring. Basic. Max definitely won’t get along with her,” the voice whispered. Maeven looked down before rolling her eyes, not wanting to draw attention to herself before her eyes met Nancy’s.

Nancy had a similar vibe to Jennifer with a few key differences. Unlike the middle schooler, she seemed more like the type of girl who had a small inner circle of close friends. She dressed like a scholar, like the model student of an exclusive all-girls boarding school. Nancy was also classically pretty; big doe eyes with dark hair that framed her head like a crown. She reminded Maeven of her friend, Madeleine.

“. . .hi,” she squeaked out, eyes wide. She looked like she saw a ghost.

“She knows how crazy you are. Look at her, she’s terrified.”

“How could she know?” she vocalized in her head, trying her best not to let her paranoia get the better of her. There was no way this absolute stranger could know of her instability.

“People have their ways. You never know.”

Finally, Maeven’s eyes landed on Steve.

“Hey,” he muttered, pushing his soft, chestnut hair back innocently. Meanwhile, Maeven fought to keep her body cool.

“Oh, my fuck, he’s cute,” the voice expressed. For once, it said something she could agree with.

Steve Harrington was almost so pretty that it hurt. He had the same cocky and suave charm that attracted her to Billy in the first place. He was also about the same height as Billy, and Maeven could tell just by the way he carried himself that he was a jock. Unlike the other jocks she met, his charisma seemed to stem from a place of kindness.

"He's checking you out,” the voice teased in her ear, sending a shiver down Maeven’s spine and filling her with that familiar sense of warm longing.“You should take him and Billy to the janitor's closet so they can fuck you.”

"What!? No! What is wrong with you!?"

"He'll like you more if you let him use you."

"Be fucking quiet!" she internally yelled, silencing it. Maeven hid her hands in the sleeves of her sweater as she held them together, one gripping the cuff while the other scratched the top of it. She held in her anxiety, giving the others a soft, shy smile.

“Why don’t you guys take your tours and we’ll meet back here in a half hour?” Higgins asked. Everyone nodded as the students walked out of the office and into the hall. One way led outside to the Middle School, while the other led down to the rest of the High School halls.

“See you in a bit, squirt,” Billy laughed at Max, reaching up to give her a condescending pat on the head. Max slapped his hand away as she pointed at her sister.

“Hey, only she gets to call me that,” she warned, as threateningly as a small middle schooler could be.

“Whatever,” he scoffed, turning his nose up before following Maeven and the others.

. . .

Everything was less intimidating once Maeven got a closer look as they walked around. The campus seemed well taken care of despite its age. Newport had a more mid-century modern style, all neat and smooth with underwhelming geometric themes. It felt more like a fancy museum than a school. Hawkins High was different. It was charming. Maeven could feel the history built into every cracked brick or tile and dented locker. The halls were lined with character.

The group of teens walked stiffly down the hallways of the high school, relaxing their posture when the principal and Mrs. Hargrove were no longer in their sight or within hearing range. This Steve Harrington guy was the one who finally broke the silence.

“So, Higgins said that you guys are from California?” he asked, turning to Maeven and Billy.

“Mmm-hmm,” Billy mumbled. It was clear to Maeven that he was still feeling out Steve’s vibe. He seemed nice enough, possibly another athlete like Billy; they shared body types, both having defined muscles and the classic upside-down Dorito figures. Steve was maybe just an inch shorter than Billy, though.

“Is it nice down there?” he followed up.

“Definitely better than here,” he scoffed, eyes off of Steve like he didn’t even exist to him. Billy wasn’t willing to be too friendly with him. It wasn’t often that he connected with someone right away, and Harrington was no different than the others. The only person he had that naturally and quickly ignited the chemistry between them was Maeven

“Super. . .” Steve uncomfortably droned out.

Maeven’s eyes focused on Nancy, who still looked at her as if she was face-to-face with someone she shouldn’t be. She wondered what it was about her that gave her such a fright. Was it the way she dressed? The way she carried herself? Maybe it was the way she fidgeted with her hands. How she twirled the loose threads of her sweater around her fingers? Maybe she just generally gave off an unsettling vibe. She couldn’t tell, anymore.

“You’re scaring her, you know? You’re being so quiet and you keep looking at her. She probably thinks you’re a secret serial killer,”

“But I’m not a-”

“Not yet, you’re not. But you could still become one. You have all the qualifications; insane, suicidal, anger issues, unhealthy obsessions with blood, and sex. Not to mention you already have one vict-. . .”

Maeven tore her eyes away from Nancy, instead choosing to focus on the dents in the lockers and the green and orange stripes on the wall. Her sudden change in perspective cut off her inner monster. She couldn’t tell if she looked elsewhere out of respect for Nancy’s comfort, or if it was so she wouldn’t see the tears pooling up in the corners of her eyes, threatening to spill. She would not break down in front of these new people, she decided.

Nancy clapped her hands together with enthusiasm as the group stopped at the entrance of the cafeteria.

“So!” she broke the awkward silence, gently taking hold of Steve’s wrist before dragging him along with her. “Uhmm, obviously this is the cafeteria,” she said, using her other hand to gesture around her like the lady on Wheel of Fortune.

The cafeteria was probably just a little smaller than the one at Newport. Obviously, there were a lot less students here. It also had a lot more windows and natural lighting with a door that swung lead out to more lunch tables. There was also a stage against the wall at the far end of it, which Maeven assumed was where the theatre department was. Newport had its auditorium for plays, recitals, and school debates, but Maeven liked how humble Hawkins High was turning out to be so far.

What appeared to be the school’s group of Band Kids gathered on the stage and the surrounding lunch tables. Some were tuning and practicing their instruments, while others were simply chatting and taking a break. The gold and white tassels on the green uniforms caught Maevens eye, especially when they were worn by the cute dark-blonde, almost red-haired girl with dusted freckles and dark blue eyes. She let out a laugh that seemed contagious. Maeven was suddenly reminded of a girl she played seven minutes in Heaven with at a party during her freshman year. She turned away once she realized she was staring back, pointing her head down as her face tinted pink.

“Those are our band kids over there, gearing up for homecoming,” Nancy continued, gesturing around her as Billy and Maeven followed her and Steve. “If you guys want a good seat, I would plan on getting here as early as possible. Also because the earlier you get here, the better chance you have of your food being edible.”

“Noted,” Billy nodded.

School lunches and their edibility varied from school to school, district to district. Maeven was planning on bringing her lunch, anyways. Maybe she’d try it one day once she was more comfortable.

“That’s also the stage where they put on plays and musicals,” Steve pointed out as they walked back into the hallway. “It hasn’t been announced yet what the winter play will be, but we actually have normal theatre kids here if you can believe it. They were really annoying when we were in middle school, but. . .I guess they grew out of that?”

Steve Harrington didn’t seem like a theatre kid, but he had the energy of one.

Maeven eyed the way Nancy and Steve held hands and stayed close to each other as the group walked down the hallway. They did look pretty cute together, she couldn’t deny that. But they seemed too much like a cliche. Then again, who was Maeven to judge them? She was probably the farthest thing from a cliche one could ever be. Still, there seemed to be more than meets the eye in their relationship; Maeven couldn’t quite place her finger on it, but she knew it was there.

Steve opened the right of the double wooden doors that lead into the school gym. Again, it was smaller than the one Maeven was used to back in California. But it had its charm. There were a group of guys on the far side shooting hoops and practicing dribbling with each other. On the other side was a group of cheerleaders stretching their muscles and practicing their routine.

Maeven didn’t mind seeing the basketball team and their muscles sweating with activity, and she absolutely didn’t mind seeing the cheer squad in their short twirling skirts as they practiced. She was particularly intrigued by the cheerleader with strawberry blonde hair in a high ponytail and a smile that could light up a room of depressed people. She looked like a Barbie doll come to life. The way she seemed to put her whole spirit into the routine made it more like watching a ballet show; it was mesmerizing. Maeven found herself fantasizing that if she met her while in inpatient treatment, she probably would’ve recovered faster.

“This is the gym,” Steve said. “We hold all our gym classes, practices, pep rallies, and basketball games here. We have football and baseball, too, but they’re not as popular.”

“So basketball is your official religion around here. Got it,” Maeven spoke up with a soft giggle at the end. Steve and Nancy turned to smile at her. When she wondered why, she realized this was the first time she uttered a word since the tour began.

Steve seemed to be the most taken aback at the sound of Maeven’s voice, laughing at her joke. “Yeah, I guess you could say that. Do, uhm. . .do either of you play?” he asked, gesturing to Maeven and Billy.

“Uh-uh,” Maeven shook her head.

“Yeah. I’ve played before,” Billy mentioned, shrugging his shoulders. Like a lot of boys his age, he channeled all his energy and unchecked rage and aggression into playing High School sports. Despite wearing the stereotypical jock persona, he was also a metalhead. He and Maeven spent their first few weeks together doing nothing but getting high in his Camaro and thrashing along to the radio in an attempt to vent their shared frustration.

Maeven eyed the logo with the school mascot on the wall; Go Hawkins Tigers! It was a bit faded, maybe needing a fresh coat of paint. She wondered if maybe they’d let her paint a mural for the school as she did at Newport. She would ask them later. . .maybe.

“It’s kind of a missed opportunity that they’re the Hawkins High Tigers and not the Hawkins High Hawks,” the voice in her head laughed. Maeven chuckled at the joke she told herself. It was rare that she and her inner voice agreed with each other. When they did work together, it was usually to both their benefit.

“It’s kinda-

“You any good at it?” Steve said, accidentally cutting Maeven off.

“Compared to those little pussies, yeah,” Billy scoffed as he pointed toward the basketball team. It was clear that a few of them were new at this, missing hoops, tripping on their own feet, and losing the rhythm of their dribbles.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to cut you off,” Steve apologized, turning back to Maeven.

“Say something, Maeven. They’re all looking at you.” the voice whispered, spiking Maeven’s heart rate and making her palms clam up.

“No, it’s fine,” she stated, shaking her head to brush off the nervousness. “I was. . .I don’t even remember what I was gonna say,” she laughed, trying to trick herself into thinking so.

“Yeah, she’s a little forgetful, aren’t ya Mae-Mae?” Billy laughed, tussling her hair before sneakily moving his hand down to cup the small of her back again where no one would notice.

“Yeah. . .sorry. . .”

Both Steve and Nancy looked at each other before turning back to Maeven, confused at her apology.

“What? It’s fine. Don’t worry about it,” Nancy laughed, reassuringly touching Maeven’s arm,

“You apologized when you didn’t need to again, you stupid bitch.”

. . .

Before Billy could even think about challenging the basketball kids in the gym, Steve and Nancy moved the tour forward. Maeven had her sketchpad and a gel pen in her hand, mapping out the school as the group continued walking. Gel pens were her preferred writing tool, as she loved the sensation in her hands when she conducted the ink. She made sure to include all the turns in the hallways and possible shortcuts, including all the exits in case she ever found herself in a situation when and where she needed to haul ass out of there. Maeven always needed a plan to protect herself in case things went wrong again, in case she got bad again.

Steve and Billy walked side by side as Maeven and Nancy were a few feet behind them. The boys walked in an awkward conversation as Billy kept pushing Steve’s buttons; it was one of his favorite pastimes. Although Maeven was too focused on the school and her developing map to hear exactly what they talked about, she could only guess that Billy took charge of the discussion like he always did.

“I um. . .I thought your name was Margaret?”

Nancy’s sudden question caused Maeven’s hand to jerk slightly and mess up a line on her map. She clenched her jaw in anoyance; she would fix that and give herself a proper punishment later. Instead, she soaked her tears of frustration into her eyes and turned to Nancy.

“It is. Maeven’s my middle name,” she clarified.

“It’s. . .nice. Unique. Scottish?” Nancy asked, much to Maeven’s surprise. She was half right.

“Irish, actually. On my dad’s side. My mom’s the Scottish one,” she replied.

The two girls turned their heads forward, watching as Billy pushed Steve just a little too hard as he let out a laugh. Steve stumbled on his feet a little before regaining balance and continued walking as if nothing just happened. To him, it was just another jock with an obnoxious personality; it was nothing new to him.

“Your brother seems. . .nice?” Nancy said, unsure how Maeven would take her honest opinion.

“When he wants to be. And he’s my stepbrother,” she said before they turned left at the next forked hallway, making another note on her map.

“Oh, okay. That makes more sense,” Nancy realized aloud as if a puzzle in her head was finally completed.

“Why?”

“No offense, but. . .” Nancy trailed off, eyeing Billy up and down before doing the same with Maeven. “you look nothing alike and you don’t act like brother and sister,” she pointed out, gesturing at their clear differences.

“None taken, Nancy. Actually, it’s a compliment,” Maeven laughed, bookmarking her place in her sketchbook with her thumb as she closed it.

Nancy had been eyeing Maeven for the entire duration of the tour for two reasons. One; she wasn’t what she was expecting when Principal Higgins asked her to show a new honor student around. Maeven didn’t carry herself with pride and confidence the way others would. She certainly took no effort in trying to dress up for the role. However, she definitely seemed to be quiet and introverted, but also nice personality that reminded her of Barb.

That brought her to reason number two; this new girl reminded her so much of her departed friend so much it almost hurt. And it wasn’t just the vibrant shade of ginger hair that made her sentimental and nostalgic. It was in the way she could focus her attention on whatever she seemed to be working on. Nancy still didn’t know much about Maeven, but she almost had her believing in reincarnation. She had to remind herself that Barb was gone, and that reincarnation didn’t work like that even if it was real.

She made a vow to herself not to compare the two of them, anymore, even if the resemblance was uncanny.

“So. . .Higgins said you were on the honor roll back at your old school,” Nancy said, changing the subject.

“Yeah. For a lot of things, but. . .mostly science,” Maeven answered. Nancy noticed the stickers on her sketchbook that consisted of various flowers and animals, as well as a few skulls of various species. Barb wanted to be an Astronomer after she graduated. They would’ve gotten along.

“Maybe you’ll be able to get through to Steve better than me,” Nancy suggested.

“He has trouble with science?”

“A little bit of everything. He’s more of a ‘sports and parties’ guy.”

Taking in what Nancy told her and the way Steve acted with both her and Billy, Maeven nodded in agreement. “Yeah. I can see that. Especially with that hair.”

In California, the more popular of the students at Maeven’s school treated their hair like a crown of pure gold atop their heads. It’s part of what attracted her to Billy in the first place. She found it hot when people took care of themselves and took pride in their appearances.

Maeven was a little jealous that Nancy got to run her hands through Steve’s cloud-soft hair and she couldn’t. But she had Billy. She had Billy. She needed to keep reminding herself of that; she had Billy and she didn’t need anyone else.

“Yep. King Steve ‘The Hair’ Harrington,” Nancy chuckled with air–quotes. Maeven almost choked on her saliva.

“What the fuck?” she laughed

“That’s what everyone calls him,” Nany explained. It certainly wasn’t the cleverest nickname Maeven had heard throughout High School, but it was definitely fitting to Steve. And it was interesting to find out that he was apparently voted the ‘King of Hawkins High’. Did that make Nancy the Queen?

“Are you serious? That’s hilarious. It suits him,” Maeven observed.

“What’re you planning on doing after graduation?” Nancy wondered aloud. Maeven’s head perked up as she answered almost immediately.

“Environmental Science. I wanna work for the National Parks Service in Wildlife Conservation,” she explained.

This was the first time Nancy noticed the way Maeven’s eyes lit up with wonder. She seemed almost like a completely different person when talking about something she loved. The fact that she was so self-assured in her future choice of career was something Nancy envied. She had good grades, sure. But starting her Junior Year of High School still having no clue what she wanted out of her life was incredibly weighing on her shoulders.

“Woah, that's. . .” Nancy trailed off, struggling to find her words.

“Weird?” Maeven finished for her, silently preparing to go back into her shell. But Nancy stopped her before she could; she liked this new girl.

“I was gonna say ‘different.’ A lot of the other girls here say ‘supermodel’ or ‘actress,’” she explained.

Those were common dream jobs she heard back at Newport. She had also heard ‘makeup artist,’ ‘director,’ and ‘musician.’ Her girlfriends back in California had different dreams. Emily wanted to be a teacher, Madison wanted to run her family’s marijuana farm. Cassandra wanted to create special effects for horror movies.

Maeven was surprised that Nancy didn’t add ‘Princess’ to that list.

“Are a lot of the other girls here boring basic bitches?” Maeven joked.

“No. . .well. . .maybe they are, but not all of them,” Nancy replied. “My friend Barb, she wants. . .wanted to be an astronomer.”

Maeven’s head perked up at the mere idea of another science geek at this school. Her dad had an old telescope and used to take her and Max on trips where they could see the night sky clearer.

“Really? That’s pretty badass, actually. You’ll have to introduce her to me tomorrow,” she suggested, to which Nancy seemed to almost freeze on sight.

“Oh, actually, she’s. . .not around anymore,” she told Maeven, biting back the familiar burning sensation of oncoming tears.

“That’s a shame. It would’ve been nice to know another brainiac,” Maeven said.

“Well, you still have me, here,” Nancy laughed, grateful that she didn’t cry. Maeven’s heart rate spiked almost immediately at her reply, anxiety filling up her lungs almost like she was drowning.

“Great job, you little bitch. You just insulted her. She’s not gonna want to be your friend now,” the voice taunted.

“Oh, no, no, no. That’s absolutely not what I meant at all, Nancy. I’m sorry,” she stuttered out, her face heating up and her breath growing heavy.

Nancy’s brow furrowed in uncertainty. Why was Maeven getting so upset? She didn’t do anything wrong. She placed her hand on the new girl’s back, confused and worried when she flinched at her touch.

“Woah, woah. It’s fine, Maeven. You’re good,” she reassured, feeling her heartbeat slowing from her back beneath her palm.

“Sorry,” Maeven panted out, catching her breath as her gripped her sketchbook like a vice.

“Okay, I’ll forgive you if you stop apologizing,” Nancy laughed out.

“Alright, so-. . .thank you,” Maeven corrected herself, finally finding her bearings. Nothing was ruined. Everything was fine. She did nothing wrong. Nancy said so herself.

“Anyway, what’re you doing after you graduate?” she asked, changing the subject.

“I. . .honestly, I’m not sure,” Nancy admitted. It was the first time she said it aloud.

“That’s alright. You’ve got time.”

“Yeah,” she sighed. It didn’t feel like Nancy had time, even if she was two years away from graduation. All she was certain of was that she didn’t want to walk the same path as her parents.

. . .

Steve held the door open to the library, letting the others walk through. Libraries were easily Maeven’s favorite place in any school. She could spend hours exploring the collection of knowledge each one held.

“And this is the library. It’s usually the busiest when we have Study Hall. Other than that, it’s pretty quiet,” Nancy said.

“It’s nice,” Maeven pointed out, tapping her fingernails against the hardwood table. She found that most libraries were neutral territory; always a little colder than the rest of the rooms in schools and smelled pretty nice despite the fact that some of the books held there were old and dusty. She could picture herself spending a lot of time here, even in the afternoons after school let out. That is if Billy wasn’t too impatient to get driving her and Max home out of the way.

“Yeah, I bet I’m probably gonna find you in here a lot,” Billy joked, playfully nudging Maeven’s arm. He turned to Steve and Nancy. “She’s a bit of a nerd,” he said, pointing at her like it was a big secret.

“I like school. What can I say?”

“No one likes school, Maeven,” Billy laughed at her as they left the library. Nancy noticed the way Maeven seemed to shrink into herself whenever he talked about her, and found herself wondering why.

Nearing the end of the tour as they continued down the halls, Maeven turned back to the map in her sketchbook, marking down the library. The group suddenly stopped at the sound of a shrill, clearly annoyed voice coming from the nearby classroom. Maeven flinched, almost dropping her sketchbook.

“I expect to see you back here next Sunday, Munson! I got you for the next four weeks and I’d rather not see you after that!”

The door to the classroom practically slammed open, making Maeven jump again. Out walked the other end of that seemingly dreadful conversation; a tall boy with a leather jacket and a denim vest with many hand-sewn patches.

“Oh, come on! I know you’d miss me sooner or later, McGrady!” he laughed, tripping over his own feet before regaining his balance and leaning against the set of lockers across from the classroom.

He was a metalhead; that much was obvious, donning a Black Sabbath shirt with ripped jeans and silver rings decorating his fingers. Maeven could see him and Billy getting along. They clearly had the same taste in music, but this Munson guy didn’t seem like the type to hang around jocks due to the way he eyed Steve up and down with purse distaste.

Even if she only observed him for ten seconds, Maeven could tell that he was a troublemaker. He acted awfully confident and cocky for someone who still had a month of weekend detentions to get through.

She also couldn’t deny that this guy was an absolute specimen of a human being; his wide brown eyes and the dimples in his smooth cheeks complimented his strong jawline. The bottom locks of his dark brown hair were a little uneven and choppy, stopping just above his soldiers similar to the way hers was. Again, Maeven liked pretty boys; the boys who almost had feminine features and weren’t afraid to show them off.

And of course, he had to have tattoos. She only caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a cluster of bats on his right arm, but it was enough to send a warm chill throughout her body as she squeezed her thighs together. Maeven found her mind lustfully wandering through the possibility of ghosting her fingers over the ink on his skin that no one else saw.

“Munson,” Steve acknowledged him, passively.

“Harrington,” he replied with a wide, teasing smile before turning his eyes to Billy, nodding, “Guy I’ve never seen before.” he nodded.

As he collected his backpack from the ground and turned to pass the group, he turned to Nancy and Maeven; the first giving him a half-smile laced with annoyed tolerance, while the second just stared. It wasn’t in a rude way, though. Maeven observed Munson with widely curious eyes, reminding him of an owl. As he walked past them, he playfully held out his arm and gave a short bow, the same way a gentleman would allow a woman to pass sixty years or so ago.

“Ladies,” he excused himself before walking the other way. His frivolous demeanor and spirited attitude made Maeven blush, prompting her to bring up her sketchbook up just below her eyes. She huffed out a small laugh as she watched him walk out the double doors, a strange spring in his step.

“Who the fuck was that guy?” Billy asked, looking at Nancy and Steve.

“Nobody important,” Steve rolled his eyes.

. . .

By the time Steve and Nancy finished giving Billy and Maeven the tour, they were n the completely opposite side of the building from where the main office was.

“Aaaand I guess that’s pretty much it,” Steve concluded, clapping his hands together. “But I suggest you stay away from the woods by the bleachers over there. It’s where our resident freak over there likes to deal.”

They stopped at the end of a long hallway next to a set of bathrooms and double doors leading out to the football field. Steve warily gestured to the dark woods nestling behind the rusty, silver bleachers.

Maeven wanted to ask for more clarification, but Billy beat her to it.

“You mean drugs?” he laughed

“Yeah. It’s that crazy guy we saw who just got out of detention. I’d steer clear of him. He got held back,” Nancy answered.

Maeven decided to file that piece of information under ‘private’ for a later date. Even if she didn’t plan on being open about it, it was a little more reassuring that she wouldn’t be the only repeat in school this year. And now she knew who to flag down with a private note in a locker when she needed to replenish her stash.

“Noted. I’mma go take a leak,” Billy announced. Nancy handed her purse to Steve, who willingly accepted it.

“I have to go, too. I’ll be right back,” she smiled, leaning up to give him a small peck on the cheek.

“‘Kay.” Steve muttered, giving her a small rub on her back before waving her off. That left him and the new girl in silence by the doors.

She was leaning on her shoulder on the glass window of the door, focussing her attention down in her sketchbook as she raised one leg behind her to give it a break from walking for so long. The glass of the window chilled her cheek as she rested against it, making her arm stim as she shook the feeling off. Her abrupt and random movement caused Steve’s eyebrows to knit. To him, it seemed like her arm was possessed for a split second. Then again, he had definitely seen stranger things happen.

“Aren’t you gonna go rub one out in the bathroom?” the voice suddenly asked Maeven, who gripped her pen in frustration.

“Not with Nancy in there,” she silently replied. “What if she tries to talk to me? I’ll do it when I get home.”

“You’ve touched yourself before with other girls in the stalls next to you. You should’ve done it in the shower this morning. If you don’t go now, you’re gonna regret it later,” it taunted.

“I said ‘no.’”

“Suit yourself.”

“So, your brother seems. . .”

“Step-brother,” Maeven corrected Steve, not breaking her gaze on her sketchbook. She finished her map and drew a little marijuana leaf near the woods as a reference for herself. She would color it when she got home, as well as the rest of the school with her many art materials.

“Your stepbrother seems like. . .kind of an ass?” Steve phrased it like a question, testing the waters before he could dive straight in. Maeven found herself laughing. Steve definitely wasn’t sugar-coating it.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tattle on you. He is kind of a prick, sometimes,” she laughed, closing her sketchbook before tucking it into her backpack. She turned to lean her back against the doors as she teetered on her heels, crossing one foot in front of the other as she held her hands together

Steve looked down at her feet, taking notice of the number of scuff marks and the painted white stars on the toes of Maeven’s doc martens. She wore colorfully mismatched socks with random stripes and designs. He caught a small glimpse of the fishnet tights underneath them, pondering at her unique combination.

“Soooo, uh. . .why do they call you Maeven?” He casually asked, not really knowing what else he could say.

“I’m named after my aunt Maggie, but it gets confusing. Maeven’s my middle name,” she replied, twirling the loose threads of her sweater around her fingers.

“Oh, okay. Got it,” Steve nodded, followed by another awkward silence.

Maeven wasn’t exactly the type of person Steve would chose to hang out with in his spare time. He couldn’t even really pinpoint what she was all about. This girl was obviously an intelligent over-achiever, but seemed so withdrawn and quiet up close and personal. Most smart kids he met were major attention seekers. For someone who dressed in such a hardcore manner, she wasn’t loud and angry and actually seemed very nice. She was also apparently an artsy nerd indicated by the stickers on her sketchbook and Billy’s earlier comment. Steve wondered if she would get along with Mike and his friends. But he didn’t understand why Billy seemed so fond of her. She seemed more of the type to hang out with freaks like Munson.

“So, you and Nancy? You guys seem happy,” Maeven observed, bringing Steve’s train of thought off-track. It took him a moment to process and answer her.

“Yeah,” he perked up, suddenly grateful that the silence was over. “We’ve been going out for a little over a year now,” Steve reminisced.

“Nice,” Maeven gave him a closed-mouth smile with an added nod. It was reassuring that she noticed him and Nancy without knowing anything prior; it meant the sparks were still there. . .weren’t they?

“What’s it like in California?” he wondered aloud. Maeven’s eyes left his for a moment and she gathered her thoughts.

“A lot bigger. . .and sunnier. Also not as chilly in the fall as it is here.” she told Steve. She found it odd that she never really realized how overwhelmingly warm it was in California until she was moved across the country. It felt nice, though; like a breath of fresh air.

“Yeah. I bet you have a lot more to do there than here,” Steve guessed. He could only really imagine. He had barely tread outside Indiana his whole life, let alone Hawkins. Sure, he was interested in the world outside his home town, but was perfectly content staying right where he was.

“Well, we may have malls and skyscrapers, yeah. But it's packed with people,” Maeven explained, unwrapping the thread from her finger to let the blood flow back in.

“It’s a big state. Hawkins must be a big downgrade,” Steve humbled himself and his home town. He was well aware Hawkins wasn’t really anyone’s first choice.

“Not necessarily,” Maeven counter-argued.

“You like it here?”

“It’s growing on me; a change in temperature, lots of woods surrounding us, not as crowded. What more could I ask for?”

Maeven found the town of Hawkins, Indiana weirdly endearing; a nice change from the overwhelming suffocation of city life, even if she did happen to sense a strange vibe from it. Still, Steve pressed on. He found it hard to believe that she found Hawkins more exciting than California, of all places.

“What part of the state are you from?”

“San Diego. Well, also a little bit from San Francisco,” Maeven told him.

“Really? How does that work?”

“When you’re parents are divorced,” she casually said. Her reply hit a nerve in Steve.

His parent’s weren’t divorced, so he couldn’t exactly relate. But as far as he was concerned, they should be split up. His mom obviously didn’t trust his father to go anywhere without being under her supervision, lest he ends up seducing other women. That wasn’t what a marriage was supposed to be. Steve promised himself that his and Nancy’s would be different; better.

“So. . .I’m guessing your mom married Billy’s dad?” he guessed. When he saw her mother and sister earlier, he could definitely see the resemblance.

“Yeah. They’ve been together for about ten months now,” Maeven said, to which Steve was taken aback.

“Woah, okay.”

“What?”

“Just seems a little fast. That’s all,” he pointed out. He was raised to believe that you had to court someone for at least a year before even considering marriage.

“It is, yeah. Trust me. I didn’t even find out they were engaged until after they got married,” Maeven rolled her eyes.

“Seriously?” Steve tried to suppress his laugh, which Maeven joined in on.

He was surprised she didn’t seem more pissed about it. He certainly would be if he was forced into that situation.

“No offense, but, uhm. . .how did you miss that?”

“Don’t mention that you were in the looney bin for three months. He’s not gonna want to be your friend anymore if he thinks you’re crazy. He already saw you twitch your arm,” the voice warned her.

“I was. . .busy. I kinda buried myself in school and parties,” she told him. It wasn’t exactly a lie; just leaving out three months of the timeline. But Steve didn’t need to know that.

Keeping herself occupied with all her homework, afterschool clubs, drug-fueled parties, and many interests kept her mind off of her parents. There were times when she managed to convince herself her parents weren’t even a part of her life. Of course, she knew that they were still there, but their presence and roles to Maeven were tuned out. She didn’t recognize the people they had become and had to learn to somehow live without seeing them together anymore.

It was a change that she never prepared for, and still found it hard to grasp at times.

“I gotta say, you are. . .totally not what I expected you to be,” Steve realized.

“Really? What were you expecting?” Maeven asked him.

“Most of the smart kids or honor students here are pretty loud and proud. You’re just. . .” he droned, struggling to find the right word.

“Humble?” she suggested.

“Yeah, sure. I was gonna say ‘shy,’ but that works, too,” he clarified. “And now I find out you like parties, and my whole vision of you has changed again.”

Steve wasn’t as noticeably perceptive as Nancy was, that was for sure. But he seemed to make up for it in natural charisma. He also appeared more emotionally intelligent than his girlfriend, even if it seemed like he was still adjusting to his new learning curve.

“You ever heard that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, Steven?” she joked with him.

“I have, indeed,” he playfully answered.

“To tell you the truth, I didn’t really understand it until about a year ago,” he confessed, internally cringing at his behavior last year. He still couldn’t believe it had been that long already.

“That’s surprising,” Maeven told him.

“What is?”

“Not to be a hypocrite, but I didn’t peg you as a mean guy,” she added, much to Steve’s relief. He often found himself worrying he was still the same ‘douche-bag,’ as Mike had once called him, that he was a not-too-long ago. Steve didn’t like the person he became when he was around Tommy and Carol.

“Well, that’s good to hear,” he admitted.

“Yeah, you don’t have the whole. . .asshole jock energy the same way Billy does. Sounds like you used to, though?”

Was this girl psychic? It was really starting to freak him out, But he kept talking, anyway.

“Not exactly proud of it, but yeah.”

“I think you should be. . .about changing for the better, that is,” Maeven explained. Steve had never thought about it that way, before. He ended up more engaged in this conversation with the new girl than he thought he would be.

“What classes do you have, by the way?” It just dawned on him, and it triggered Mae to move quickly when taking off her backpack as if she was in a hurry.

“Let me check, hold on,” she said, swiftly dropping to crouch on the ground and dig around inside for the schedule the lady at the front office handed to her.

“Where did that sudden burst of energy come from?” Steve thought to himself. He considered asking why she carried so much stuff in her bag but decided against it.

“Uhmm. . .History and Literature 4 for First period. Then Biology 4, Art, Health. After lunch, it’s Algebra 4, Gym, and then Study Hall. But, I guess that last one is what everyone has,” she read aloud, leaning over to Steve’s side so he could have a look at the paper, too.

“Oh, good, we have Lit and gym together,” he pointed out. “And I think you have Health and Math with Nancy.”

“Nice to know I won't be totally flying blind,” she sighed with relief.

“You’re taking a lot of advanced classes. Higgins wasn’t kidding when he said you were smart,” he complimented. Maeven was about to thank him, but the voice in her head stopped her, ruining it like he hadn’t said anything nice about her at all.“Don’t tell him you should be a senior. Don’t tell him you had to repeat a year. Don’t be stupid, Maeven.”

. . .

A/N: Thanks so much for tuning in and all the love I've gotten back on this! It may not be a lot in terms of other fanfics, but I'm happy even if just one person enjoys my writing. This took longer to write than I thought, as I had to split up what I had originally planned for this one and put it into the next one. As always, I love hearing what you guys think about this and maybe what you might want to see or think will happen.

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spicysix · 2 years

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long story short (part 2/3) | eddie munson X reader

this fic is part of a series: masterlist

summary: “I’ve thought about you every day.” He whispered, his eyes were deep into yours. “For five months?” You doubted. “For five months.” He stated. “I’ve thought about your laugh. About your eyes. Your cheer uniform.” He smirked, and you rolled your eyes with a smile before he went serious again. “Your kiss…”

warnings: fem!reader - no physical description. no use of y/n. post s4 - canon divergence. spoilers, i guess: max is not in a coma and eleven killed vecna and closed the portals because i said so. angst with a happy ending.

word count: 3.3k

a/n: is it considered a slow burn if they've kissed before? 👀 i'm sorry i'm too wordy on this. this is not betaed! english is not my first language. if there are any absurd mistakes please let me know. if you enjoy, please reblog and comment! 💞 this story also has a playlist!

day five

08:31 a.m. You felt like absolute shit.

The promise you’ve made to Eddie had been broken. And it obviously wasn’t even your choice.

After Eddie woke up and the officers called the doctors, you stayed on the hallway paying attention to everything you could hear through the almost-closed door. Wayne also passed you some information after it was over. But Eddie had been in pain, of course, he was basically eaten alive by interdimensional bats, and after being assessed by the doctor - Eddie would stay one more day in ICU and then be transferred to a normal room - the painkillers made him sleep again.

You even stayed longer than that, past sunrise waiting for him to wake up so you could talk again, but then Hopper showed up with the police this time to explain Eddie’s… criminal circumstances. And you wanted to stay until after they’ve cleared his room, but Hop told you your mom was waiting for you back in the hotel and that it was indispensable that you be there as soon as you could.

So you went, of course.

And you couldn’t come back to the hospital because your mom simply rented your ears off (and Will’s, and Jonathan’s, and Eleven’s) to explain that she and Hopper were now a thing - wow, shocking! - and you would all move in together (talk about fast pacing). She asked Jonathan to take the kids to the Wheeler’s and to make sure they were safe at all times. And she took you on a race to find a house that rose up to hers and Hopper’s expectations.

And that took you both three whole fucking days. Because after seeing a few houses in Hawkins on day one, your mom decided she actually didn’t want to stay in Hawkins anymore and move to Fort Wayne instead (it was still close to and bigger than Hawkins, but not nearly as big as Indianapolis). And then you had to stay with the kids on day two, allowing Jonathan to spend time with his girlfriend, while your mom and Hopper found the perfect house. And on day three, as Hop came back to work, you went with her to Fort Wayne to close the deal on the house.

Yeah, that was exhausting.

When you were finally free to come see Eddie again, you had to get his new room number with Dustin, and you bought chocolates and flowers to bring with you. You hoped he liked chocolates. And flowers. And you hoped he wasn’t too mad at you.

As you reached his floor, there was now only one officer guarding his room. And he said that more than one person was allowed now. Wayne was in there already, of course, and Eddie was asleep.

Standing by the door, you greeted mister Munson and he turned to you at the sound of your voice. “Oh hello. There’s his angel.”

“His what now?” You asked and he chuckled.

“He keeps saying you’re his guarding angel who woke him up to ‘see the light of life again’.” Wayne made air quotes. “Both me and that curly kid tried telling him you were very much real, but he wouldn’t take it because you’ve promised you would come back to see him. And you hadn’t.” His expression wasn’t exactly stern, but it wasn’t exactly friendly either.

The guilt bubbled up in your stomach once more. “I’m really sorry, mister Munson, my mom dragged me to some family matters. I wish I could’ve come sooner.”

“I’m sure. You just gotta tell him that.” He looked at Eddie one more time before collecting his jacket from the armchair beside the bed. Only then you’ve noticed Eddie also wasn’t handcuffed anymore. Thank god - and Hopper - for that. “Don’t worry, he’s a forgiving guy.”

Wayne smiled softly at you before leaving the room. You walked further into the room, set the flowers and chocolate on his nightstand, and sat down in the armchair and took Eddie’s hand in yours.

His skin wasn’t cold anymore.

09:49 p.m. You were glad you had taken a book with you, because it took Eddie a while to finally wake up. You saw him stirring in bed from you peripheral before marking the page you were at and closing the book, tucking it back into your backpack on the floor. He was rubbing his eyes with his fists, and you adjusted in the armchair - only then he seemed to notice you.

He turned to face you. “Oh, pantry girl… You’re finally back?” His remark was dripping sarcasm, but his smile was friendly. You smirked back at him.

“I’m really sorry, Eddie. Mom dragged me with her to buy a house.”

“Oh, fancy!” He reached for a cup of water on his nightstand. “Look at that, thank you! Love expensive chocolate. And the flowers smell good from here.” He commented before drinking the water, and you smiled. You thought he would keep talking after drinking and setting the glass back on the table, but he didn’t.

“Did Dustin explain something to you? About… me?” You asked, playing nervously with your own fingers.

“He tried to. Gave me the basics, your brother is his childhood friend, yadda yadda. But I wanted to hear the full thing from you, princess.” He tilted his head as the nickname rolled out of his tongue, and you couldn’t read if he was still being sarcastic. If he was still pissed.

You sighed and closed your eyes for a second before dragging the armchair closer to his bed.

“Well, let’s get back to 1983 then.”

“… so, three months after the whole mall situation, with the help of doctor Owens and the FBI, we were moving halfway across the country to a town called Lenora Hills, California.”

It took you nearly forty minutes to recount everything to Eddie, from who you were, to what started when Will went missing back in november of 83, to exactly what had happened leading to you and your family moving away. He knew most of it, because he’s been told when he was dragged into all this mess after witnessing (and being blamed for) Chrissy’s death, but you still had your personal intakes.

He hadn’t interrupted you once.

“But one day before we moved… that’s when I met you.” You hadn’t been looking at him for a while now, trying to run from his gentle eyes because you really didn’t want to cry. But you had to look at him to talk about meeting him. “My, well, basically only friend dragged me to that party as a goodbye. And I was kinda having a nice time until she left me, just for a few minutes, to make out with some guy. It was enough to trigger my anxiety attack. I’ve never been a social butterfly, but after everything with the Upside Down and the constant fear of being killed or having my family killed, my anxiety problems got bigger and bigger. So all of those people and all of that noise… set me off. I knew the girl’s house so I knew the best place to hide. And you were there.”

You paused for a minute. He was staring deep into your watering eyes, his expression now showing some concern, but not pity. You voice was shaking, and so were your hands, because talking about all that was never good for you. You kept wishing none of that had ever happened. Wishing you could wake up at any moment now and it would all be a bad dream.

But you never woke up.

“Honestly, Eddie, you have no idea how much you’ve helped me that night. I couldn’t come back home without my friend, she gave me a ride to the party and she promised to give me a ride back too. And she did! After I left the pantry and she lectured me for being missing for a few hours.” You chuckled and Eddie smiled at your comment. “But I had no one to call, my mom had already canceled our phone plan and that was the only number I had memorized.”

“I’ve already told you that night, but it was my pleasure, sweetheart.” There it was. Sweetheart. Not princess, no, that was too teasing. Sweetheart was genuine.

“But I’m going to keep thanking you. Because if it weren’t for you being there, stealing cookies, I probably would’ve spent those hours crying, and in panic, and terrified. But I’ve spent them smiling, and laughing, and calm. With you. Because of you.”

His face softened and he extended his hand to you, and of course you grabbed it. His fingers were calloused and his palm was rough, but it was still the most comforting thing you could’ve wanted right then and there.

You weren’t finished, though.

“And when you asked me if we could see each other again, I wanted to say yes. Because I genuinely wanted to see you again, but I couldn’t. But I also, selfishly, didn’t want to tell you why. So I said I would love to see you again because it was true. I did want to. Then I wouldn’t have to explain everything and ruin our great night with some terrible talk.”

“And you left without telling me your name.” He completed for you and you just nodded. You could sense in his tone that he wasn’t angry anymore, at least. “I had no idea who you were. Couldn’t even search for you, ask about you. I really thought I had, dunno, accidentally snorted some cocaine and made you up in my head.”

You couldn’t help but snort. “Great hallucinations you have.” He nodded enthusiastically. “But I am truly sorry, Eddie.”

“It’s okay. You’re here now.” He squeezed your hand in his before sliding his fingers up your wrist, up your arm.

His gesture sent a shiver down your spine and you slid further into the edge of the armchair, closing in the space between you and Eddie.

“I’ve thought about you every day.” He whispered, his eyes were deep into yours.

“For five months?” You doubted.

“For five months.” He stated. “I’ve thought about your laugh. About your eyes. Your cheer uniform.” He smirked, and you rolled your eyes with a smile before he went serious again. “Your kiss…”

You couldn’t help but lick your lips at his mention, and his gaze followed your movement. His hand was rising up your arm, a certain pressure on his fingers, and he looked somewhat as nervous as you felt.

His eyes adverted to yours again.

You held your breath as you reached forward.

Someone coughed behind you.

Eddie immediately let go of you arm and you sat up straight in the armchair before turning around to see who had interrupted you.

Hopper had the tiniest of smirks on his face and the Hawkins police uniform was lose on his body. But the sheriff hat was still perfectly fit for his big, dumb, grumpy head.

“We’ve got a press conference to attend, Edward.”

12:22 p.m. Hopper gave you a ride, since you were already there. He explained to you that the talk with his FBI contacts went well, they’ve all talked to Eddie and the rest of your party too, and came up with the best cover up story. So they had a press conference and public city audience to explain, both to the journalists and the Hawkins residents, how Eddie Munson was not only innocent, but a victim.

It went well. As best as you could think.

You watched it all from the sidelines, Will and El holding onto your hands beside you. The rest of your family and friends were also there. Mister Munson had been dismissed from work to stand beside his nephew on stage. Eddie looked terrified to be there. On a wheelchair, not completely recovered from all his injuries. Standing in front of people who really, really thought he was a vicious murderer. People who actively tried to make justice with their own hands, people who tried to hunt him down for crimes he didn’t commit.

The woman that had dropped your mom, Hop and Murray - Ellen Stinson, you learned her name. She did all the talking. Apparently, doctor Owens was indisposed? Whatever that meant.

So Ellen was the one that explained how, actually, Eddie was not with Chrissy the moment she died (he was) because he went to get something from his van (he didn’t). That’s when Jason Carver, Chrissy’s boyfriend, who had been following her out of worry and jealousy (he wasn’t), got into Eddie’s trailer and killed her (he didn’t). When Eddie came back Jason threatened him, so he ran away. That’s when he became a suspect and a fugitive.

And even though you (and your friends) knew Jason was actually at a party, celebrating the Tigers’ win, no one else in that party could assert with complete certainty they saw Jason, because everyone was already too drunk or drugged to be considered undoubted witnesses.

About Fred, they claimed Jason was still around the trailer park after murdering Chrissy, and Fred saw and confronted him about the blood on his clothes. So he also became a victim. Jason was also the only other person besides Eddie present on the time Patrick died. Eddie being the only optic victim, he claimed his innocence.

Ellen and the FBI claimed Eddie’s wounds (who, again, no one else besides you, your friends and the doctors who worked on him knew the details about) were caused by Jason, still trying to kill Eddie as he was the only witness to his previous murders. And, lastly, Jason’s - cut in half - body was found in the same room (now destroyed by the ‘earthquake’) as Max’s. Max, enduring the same broken limbs and injuries as the other victims before her, being held tightly by a weeping Lucas, there as another witness to tell the paramedics and the police that his own injuries were caused by Jason - probably the only truth in all of that story.

Some other people on the audience asked questions in the end, but both the FBI and Hopper had all the answers needed. They really covered all their bases, took no chances to be discovered. You were thankful for that. And Eddie too, if the look he gave you at the end of it was any indication.

Hopper and his FBI contacts followed through with your suggestion to frame Jason. And even though it all fit nicely, and you were relieved to see Eddie’s name clean, and it was your idea - the guilt in your stomach still bubbled up again.

Because Jason’s parents were crying in the back of the audience, claiming how they had no idea their son could do all that. And that broke your heart. Because their son was not a murderer, but they would never know that.

11:11 p.m. At the end of the day, the Munsons had a clean hospital bill, a financial compensation granted by the Hawkins city hall (indemnity for, you know, being hunt down by some rural-city handmade inquisition that the police forces, for some reason, was unable to stop), and the scriptures for a nice cabin in the woods - in need of restoration, so Hopper gave them a friendly discount.

They obviously couldn’t move to it yet, because of the aforementioned hole in the ceiling, but at least now they had a home to return to once it was repaired. In the meantime, they would stay in the same hotel as you and your family - Steve offered his home, but later learned that the only time he needed his parents gone, they would be there, still judgmental and not so welcoming to the town pariah and his uncle.

You ordered pizza for celebration again, and ate in silence this time, just enjoying the quiet and calm after the stormy hurricane.

You sat beside Eddie the whole time. Your thighs against each other’s, looks and smirks traded, an occasional pinky finger interlace. Wayne affectionately patted you on the back when they left for their room, and Eddie hugged you tightly. His hair still smelled like the same citric shampoo.

That was hours ago. You still couldn’t sleep. Again.

At least this time you weren’t alone. Jonathan and Argyle were giggling in the bed beside yours about something probably not funny at all - they had previously escaped the room for a few minutes, so you knew they were high. Will was on the desk under the window, doodling on a notebook with his headphones on. You could listen to The Clash all the way from your own bed.

“I’m getting hungry, my dude.” You heard Argyle speak louder. You had your eyes closed, trying to rest at least a little.

“Yeah, I’m feeling that too…” You brother answered. You couldn’t help but to snort, high people was always a funny thing to watch.

“I’ll get you something from the vending machine. You got cash?” You asked, already getting up from the bed. It was the perfect excuse to get out of the room. Jonathan fetched his wallet and gave you some notes. “Will, want something?” Your little brother just shook his head no in response so you went out the door.

Not before hearing Argyle’s “You’re my hero!” from inside the room.

The vending machine was at the end of the hallway, and as you got closer to it you heard a door opening behind you. You didn’t turn to look, but heard steps coming after you, and as you stopped in front of the machine so did the steps. And that citric scent invaded your senses.

You smiled.

“Fancy seeing you here, my lady.” Eddie’s voice was way closer than you thought it would be and you shivered. “What are your suggestions on the menu?”

You giggled as he came to a stop right beside you. His arm brushing yours. “Well, Doritos’ a classic.”

“Hm. I’m a Frazzles guy myself.”

“Frazzles suck, man.” You countered and he snorted as you put in the money and pressed the buttons on the stuff Jonathan asked for. “Okay, for a drink?”

“Duh, new coke.”

“What? No! Classic coke all the way, what is wrong with you?”

He tilted his head at you. “I’m, sorry, princess, I’m a man of taste.”

“Bad taste. Dessert?”

“Time Out.” You both said at the same time, and high-fived at your sync. Eddie noticed how the stuff you had actually bought were none of the ones you or him had mentioned. You watched as he lifted an eyebrow.

“These are for my brother and his friend. Their tastes are even worse than yours.” His hand to his heart in the well-known gesture for offense, and you rolled your eyes as you turned to face him completely. He did the same. “How are you feeling?” You asked, on a more serious tone.

He shrugged and smiled sweetly. “Relieved. A little guilty. But mostly happy.” You nodded at his response. He grimaced before continuing. “My tummy bites still hurts a bit.”

Your fingers twitched, wanting to touch him, but you were able to refrain yourself last-minute. He seemed to notice, though, and smiled as he caught your hand in his. Fingers intertwined.

Your heart in your ears. A sharp inhale.

He took a step closer. You took a step closer.

He licked his lips.

“Where’s my food, dude?” Argyle yelled at the end of the hallway. You took a step back.

“What the fuck!” Eddie protested and you smiled before letting go of his hand and bending down to get the boys’ snacks from the vending machine.

“I’ll see you soon, okay?” You bid your farewell.

“See you soon, sweetheart. Good night.” Eddie smiled gently through his frown. His big, adoring eyes on yours. You could drown on them. Anytime now.

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