#also season 4 kind of made me go 'you know I don't think Nancy really wants to do romantic relationships actually'

[grey-lark]

Not gonna lie, there is an non-insignificant part of me that thinks it would be hilarious to make Jackrabbit a Steve/Tommy/Carol fic at the last minute and just end with ‘Congrats, you unknowingly read over 200,000 of crack ship!’

[reggieslocket]

prepare yourselves because i'm going to give you a bunch of reasons and hints that will show you the high chance of eddie being actually gay and him and steve becoming a thing >:)

1. "freak" as a queercoded word

let's start with the scene where dustin, robin, steve and max find eddie in the house where he was hiding and particularly on the dialogue between the five of them

there's this scene where eddie says something about how the people in town are getting ready to hunt him because they think he's guilty and he says "hunt the freak right?" and we see robin giving him an almost sad but understating look before replying "exactly" and i find it curios that they made her respond that out of everyone, i feel like it could be because she kind of relates to eddie's situation? she also would probably be considered a freak by people if they knew about her sexuality and that's why i believe the word has a queercoded meaning, if you think about it, "freak" was already used in the past seasons when bullies made fun of will, who also happens to be a queercoded character (even though we know he's coming out this season)

2. the handkerchief code

the handkerchief code gained popularity in the 70s and later on in the 80s and it was used especially by gay men to let others know their sexual preferences and fetishes. there were different and specific meanings depending on the color of your handkerchief and where you decided to put it (left pocket or right pocket)

now if you watch closely eddie can be seen wearing a black hanky in his left pocket throughout the seven episodes and of course these little details have their own meaning, in fact the black one was used to indicate S&M (sadomasochism) and as mentioned before the fact that it is placed in his left pocket isn't casual because that placement indicated that the person wearing it was a top (the dominant one in bed) while if you put it in your right pocket it meant you were a bottom (the submissive one)

this whole hanky thing made quite sense for me except for the fact that it was hard to believe that eddie is into sadomasochism but then rewatching the show a few days ago i noticed some handcuffs in his room and i found it weird because honestly what is a 20 year old man doing with those? he's not a cop or anything and so the fact that they are in his room is a bit strange for me... i just hope that the choice of making eddie wear the handkerchief isn't casual but a powerful move by the duffer brothers in order to hint at his sexuality

3. joe and joseph's interview

this interview really do be getting my hopes up. basically the interviewer asks joe what season one steve would think of his season four self and he replies with "surprised, approving... approval" WHILE looking and smiling at joseph who is also grinning, like there's no way they aren't hiding something and i hope it's the relationship between steve and eddie and steve's bisexuality. plus the fact that even maya is smiling while it seems like natalia is the only one able to be subtle about the whole thing lmao

then obviously there are steddie-antis saying that he would be approving of him and nancy getting back together but like... what should he be approving of? they were already a couple in season one so it wouldn't make much sense

4. gaten ships them as well

remember: if gaten ships it then it's canon

i love how the first couple that came to his mind is steddie and how proudly he says their names. he seemed so serious while saying it that it made me reflect on the fact that it's not that impossible seeing it happen and if not in season 4 maybe in season 5 since i read somewhere that luckily neither steve nor eddie are going to die in the last two episodes of this season (i don't know if it's true but let's hope so)

5. the chrissy-eddie thing

almost everyone who hates the fact that we headcanon eddie as gay will give the same explanation that he is clearly straight because he was flirting with chrissy and honestly i didn't see that as flirting at all, i just thought he was being really nice to her like he is to everyone. she was having a hard time and he was able to make her laugh and loosen up a little, i didn't find it as something romantic and furthermore who says that every interaction between a man a woman has to be romantic?

like friendship exists as well people?? and don't try and say "tHeRe cAn'T bE sO mAnY qUeEr cHaRaCtErS iN oNe sHoW, iT's nOt rEaLiStIc" like trust me it's more realistic having a group of only (or almost) queer people than one where everyone is straight and i know the show takes place in the 80s but gay people existed even then but they just couldn't openly say it so stfu

6. steve's attempts to find a girlfriend

we all know mama steve is trying his hardest to find a girlfriend but none of them really "suists" him right? what if eddie is the person that suits him? i mean it would be epic if he spent two seasons trying to find a girlfriend and then he ends up with a dude lol, i'd like to see bi steve happening so bad and i just know that robin would be super supportive of him and my boy dustin would be the happiest person on earth if his two dads got together

you can't tell me that they aren't developing a little crush on each other or that they don't care about each other, just look at eddie's face and his loving eyes in that scene and steve staring at eddie's lips for the whole time. i swear if they are really trying to get nancy and steve back together i'll start a riot because honestly they would be so forced, it wouldn't be good for both of their character development and also my boy jonathan doesn't deserve this, they made jancy dirty this season and i'm still pissed ugh

anyway if you read the whole thing ily and thanks for coming to my ted talk :)

[this-is-a-love-story-isnt-it]

Ok, so I just watched Stranger Things 4 again but only the Robin/Steve/Nancy/Dustin/Max/Eddie/Lucas scenes, and I think that the writers 100% purposely made Robin autistic. I don't think it was accidental. Back in the 70s and 80s autism wasn't really a thing that doctors knew much about, and for YEARS they also thought only boys could have autism. So it's not going to be an actual thing in the story where Robin is like diagnosed or even suspects it, but there were too many autistic traits for it to be an accident. And I really like the way the writers did it. She's not nerdy or super awkward and overly quirky all the time. She is those things, but they're not "weird", if you know what I mean. But I remember the first time I watched it, the biggest thing that stuck out to me was when she kept asking Nancy if she was mad at her because Nancy was basically not being very friendly and Robin said she can't always tell if she annoys people because she's bad at picking up on social cues, which her mom reminds her of daily. Then there was the thing where she had to wear Nancy's clothes and she complained about how uncomfortable they were. Like she was so distracted the whole time because they felt scratchy and that the bra was digging into her… then she had a sensory overload outburst (sensory issues common in people with autism- commonly with clothes). Then when the police were escorting them out, the cop touched her arm when she turned to look at something and she spazzed out and sharply said "don't touch me" (autistic people commonly don't want to be touched or only like being touched on our terms). When Nancy said they had to run to the car and Robin said something like she's a bad runner because she has horrible coordination and it took her 6 months longer to learn to walk than all the other babies. And then how she would sometimes just interject in conversations with something super random and they'd all be like, "...okay?" Oh then when they were in the Upside-Down and trying to communicate with the others at the Wheeler's house, so they put their hands up to the lights and there was that like sparkly energy field around it or something, and someone said "It tingles" and Robin said, "It feels good." That's totally related to the sensory thing. I'm the same way- some things are so uncomfortable for me, but I also can't help touching things- like I have to know what things feel like and then I'll just keep touching it if it feels really cool. Oh, and then when she said her biggest fear was rabies? so random. and she knew so much stuff about it and was kind of obsessed with it for like a whole scene. Just so many things like that, and the first time around I didn't pick up on all of them, so rewatching those scenes with that lens was really fun and helped me notice more autistic traits in her. But I loved that she did have friends- they were just cool and loved her quirks (or with Nancy, she just put up with them even though Robin annoyed her so much). And she wasn't overly "weird". And she's smart without being nerdy. I guess I just really appreciate that the writers didn't go for the stereotypes and kind of naturally let those traits be revealed throughout the season.

[stevie-petey]

SPEAKING OF SEASON FOUR

I'm so worried that the duffer brothers are gonna fuck up jancy. That flirting with Steve and Nancy in season four was not cute. Like jancy isn't my favorite ship in the series (because I'm in love with Jonathan but that's not the point) but we've established that Nancy DOESN'T love Steve. Did you see Jonathan's face when Nancy started talking about how Steve's grown up? You could tell it made him insecure, It's foreshadowing the love triangle all over again and there's no point in keeping it. It doesn't add to the story it's just another stupid plot for drama, which we don't really need!

It also takes away from Nancy's character!! She's not the kind of girl to just go from guy to guy. She's also not the kind of girl to flirt with her ex who's clearly still got feelings for her while she has a boyfriend!! Even if it was unintentional, like subconsciously, still she's smarter than that and she cares about Jonathan and Steve's feelings she wouldn't risk hurting the both of them at once.

I mean if we're talking about come home it could work as something for bug and Steve to work through I guess ( I don't wanna talk about it too much because it's so far away and there's a lot more we have to go through to get to that point) but it's so outside of Nancy's character. Maybe she's just confused cause she almost died and saw Steve get seriously hurt? But still Nancy isn't a homewrecker and she's not a super jealous or promiscuous person. Even if she didn't know about how close bug and Steve have grown she wouldn't go after him. But strictly speaking of stranger things now. She hardly interacted with Steve in season four, which is fair she's still in highschool and Steve has a job. They have their own shit going on. It's understandable. I feel like Nancy's character gets misconstrued a lot, partially because she keeps getting reduced to a love interest. I just hope Nancy and Jonathan don't fall apart because of how much they've changed during their time away. I love Steve but he's not right for Nancy and she's not right for Steve. I hope they Don't ruin such a great relationship with so much potential. Like I see the problems in jancy but I can see how well it could work if given the chance.

honestly it just feels like the writers dont KNOW what to do with nancy anymore or even jancy. i adore them and think theyre so sweet together but the writers are just ,,,, pissing me off. bringing back steves feelings for her and nancys weird feelings for him was just ??? unnecessary and NO ONE was asking for it

i will say however i do see the vision for stancy. i think they did have a good shot at being in love and happy, theyre right person wrong time, but if that was the plan since season 1 then ,,,, it shouldve been touched on earlier ?!?!!? we dont see nancys feelings for steve at ALL until season 4 like even WHILE THEY WERE DATING. its stupid. and like u said: nancy isnt like that !! she’d never directly hurt anyone :( shes so kind and loyal and the writers are mean

and jancy ,,, ugh they have sm potential if the writers would just figure them out. they keep having the same argument of jon wanting to care for his family and nancy wanting to uncover and explore shit its just. ugh.

for season 4 i will DEF be retconning some shit because yeah. im not dealing with a repeat love square that will be resolved literally THIS SEASON in season 2. feels so dumb to be so repetitive. i will however bring in some elements in that love triangle back in 4 but not in any definitive or dramatic way. smh

[bugsbenefit]

more tfs thoughts, really just trying to recontextualize some show lore with what seems to be established in the play

SPOILERS ahead

yada yada you know

1.) so with Henry getting his powers from his encounter in dimension X this could potentially explain the "Will has powers" angle - with a: no one expect the lab kids (that were created via Henry's ?blood?, so via the help of someone who already had powers) was actually born with them, with Henry only having powers post his encounter and acting differently, presumably possessed/influenced by the MF to some degree. which Will was as well in the UD and up to the end of s2. it's possible that with the MF particles being expelled by the end of s2 impacted him to some degree, but he still seems to have some sort of connection remaining at least, in form of the neck thing

2.) also the "vecnaing" powers coming from the MF is interesting because now there's at least the possibility that Will in s2 could have killed people that way too, with having parts of the MF literally inside him. which is honestly, really horrifying but also kind of funny. maybe it was really Really good they knocked him out and didn't find out after all. also raises the question to me if Vecna himself also/still has parts of the MF in himself (and if that's even a requirement to "vecna" someone or if that just works via letting the MF do it's thing or asking it really nicely, or maybe it just really Gave Vecna that power to do it whenever he wants who knows

3.) also with Patty being almost guaranteed to come back, i'd say she's most likely Mrs Kelley. introducing a whole new character would be a questionable move, especially with Patty's caliber. and there have been theories about Mrs Kelley being somehow connected to Vecna since July 2022. with all the Vecna victims visiting her, them trying to find literal keys in her home, and her weird clock-key necklace that's SO specific in the season about the "wizard obsessed with clocks" guy

i think the most interesting place to take that though is if she's Patty and she has been helping/watching what's been up with Vecna instead of just being out of the loop and then being filled in in s5 and swooping in to help. if she's just used in s5 to help save the day and appeal to Vecna's humanity... i don't know how well that would work, especially with Patty and their whole backstory only existing in the play. it would feel weird at best, to me at least. if they made her more morally gray and didn't use her as, essentially, a tool, there would be something interesting there. but. hm, idk if they'll go there

4.) also, the whole boat backstory is kind of cool to me in a way. the original show bible mentions spontaneous vanishings so that turning up in the canon lore now is fun to me. also seems like something that will play into s5. with s4s main tag line about "Hawkins will fall" and the whole concept about the UD becoming a stronger influence over Hakwins (via Nancy's vision, bts interviews, the show bible as well) the idea of the whole town or bigger sections of the town or buildings/people could literally being at risk of "falling into" or merging with the UD in some form is something i was expecting for for s5. which seems backed up with where the play is taking the UD lore. could also be a potential source for cool sets/visuals for s5 if we get merged areas with a desolate UD and a building that's definitely not supposed to be there, or the other way around. i feel like they could do some interesting things with that

5.) and that coming with the by-product of apparently giving Brenner dead-daddy issues is kind of funny. no comment there. the guy who calls himself Papa and is defined in the show by his freakish relationship to his "kids" having daddy issues IS just funny

6.) also, small point, but Allan Munson apparently not having a big role and being very similar to Eddie... i'm shaking my fist, will these people ever stop riding the Eddie Munson wave 😭

[uglypastels]

hello ! okay, i'm falling deep for joseph quinn and and eddie munson. And i really LOVE what you did with my ask. I don't know if you get many many asks but i'm here asking for more. So here it is : being friends with Nancy, Steve and Robin (same age), flirting with Eddie, loving his "D&D master" dom side, but melt really fast when he's soft and cute and when he smiles. Being there for him when murder assumptions fell, help him and maybe finally dating him during Vecna hunt

Ok, so I wasn't sure what to do with this ask because it is pretty broad, but eventually thought that a headcanon could be the best :))  (i say this... knowing fully well i don´t know how to write headcanons lol. but we´re having a great time.

no explicit warnings. Content Spoilers for season 4 (vol. 1), swearing.

Eddie Munson requests open!!// taglist sig up// support with reblog and comment!!

Maybe you met everyone through Robin. You were also in band and so go to know her through then, and then very quickly met Nancy and Steve. 

But with Eddie, it was a bit different. 

Because you cannot tell me that Robin doesn't smoke. So, she needs a dealer. And one day she manages to convince you to come with her to deal. Even though it wasn't anything dangerous and, in reality, Eddie is a super nice guy, Robin being Robin played it out to be some dangerous drug deal. 

'You always need to bring someone with you to stuff like this, in case things go wrong, you might need a witness.' Which is usually the exact opposite of how a drug deal is supposed to go, but you didn't want to leave your friend behind when she was going into the woods with some guy??

 But of course, as soon as you heard Eddie speak, you realised Robin was just leading you on. He was actually so funny and charming. You couldn't stop laughing, or at least smiling, when you were around him. 

And then, you know how when you learn something new and suddenly you start noticing it everywhere? That's kind of what happened with you and Eddie. Suddenly you saw him everywhere around the school. You'd see him walking in the hallway, hear his antics in the cafeteria, you'd catch him smoking outside the gym hall between classes and… had he always been in your history class? Had you really completely missed him sitting there for the past few weeks? Perhaps because he always sat in the back and you preferred to be a bit more upfront in the room (not the first row, though. Absolutely not). 

All these spottings had made you gain quite an interest in Eddie. He was just so… different from everyone else you knew and grew up with. And every other thing he did just added to that. You really couldn't place him in any box or type. He was just Eddie and that very much intrigued you. So when you were paired up together for a history project… you couldn't be more excited to get to know him. 

What ended up with a very solid B- group paper, became the start of a glorious friendship. Eddie was very talkative, so very quickly you learned about most of his interests, in-depth, and in particular about Hellfire Club. He told you everything about the game; the rules, the lore, the history, and his role as Dungeon Master. 

One time he let you sit in on a game, mostly as a sub, and he had given you a small role in the campaign so you could ease into it a bit, and as much fun as you had, nothing compared to seeing the pure bliss that evoked from Eddie being completely in his element. 

That was, perhaps, the moment you realised you might have a small crush on him. 

And it didn't help that your relationship with Eddie always consisted of a bit of… flirtatious undertones. 

You were both very touchy with each other. Nothing inappropriate, of course. There would always just be a lot of hugging and playing with each other's hair, even holding hands, just small things like that that made everyone think you had already been going out with each other for months. 

The number of times you had to tell Steve that you were "just friends" with Eddie was actually ridiculous. But he didn't buy any of it. 

'No, you two are definitely… something else.' 

'That might just be the stupidest thing I've ever heard, Steve,' you rolled your eyes at him. The main reason why you were so argumentative and against this idea, is that you were scared. Because you have liked Eddie, for a while now, but there was no way he could like you like that, right? And you couldn't just go up to him and ask him out. It would just make things awkward. 

But then shit hit the fan worse than anyone had ever imagined. 

The night of the Championship game. Everyone from school was there, except the Hellfire Club, of course. You knew they had the final session of their campaign planned for that evening. Afterwards, when people were going home, you even saw Eddie, walked over to him, and ask to exchange experiences of the night. 

'Wanna go back to my place? My parents aren't home and we could watch a movie or something?'

'Oh, actually, I got this thing with Chrissy I got to take care of, but I'll come around tomorrow.' He seemed genuinely excited to come over the next day, but your enthusiasm had slightly deflated. Chrissy? As in the headcheerleader Chrrisy Cunningham? What was Eddie up to with her? 

And then the next day Eddie didn't show up at your house, and when you turned on the tv every channel was showing the exact same thing. Cops, right outside of Eddie's trailer. Panic rushed over you, at first thinking that the dead Hawkins High student the police were talking about was Eddie, but then you remembered Chrissy… 

With no way of reaching him, and being all alone, you went to the one place where you knew someone would be that you could talk to. But before you even got to reach for your car keys, the phone rang. 

'Hello?' you answered the phone to hear a very stressed-out Dustin Henderson. 

'y/n! Thank god. Do you know where Eddie is?' 

'No. I was just about to- why?' you were scared to say anything. Did Dustin think Eddie could have possibly done something to Chrissy? 

'We think he's in danger and are trying to find him before the cops do.' 

'In danger? What do you mean? And who's we?' 

'y/n,' Robin had taken over the phone, 'get your ass to the video store. Right now.' And so you drove as fast as you could. But as you did, you realised that you might actually know where Eddie was hiding. Well, not exactly where, but you had an idea. So, when you reached the store, the first thing you told your friends was about Reefer Rick. It wasn't much to go off of, as you didn't even know where this Reefer Rick lived, but Eddie had told you how he crashed there sometimes, and since Reefer was who he was, it must have been a secluded location. Thankfully, to the cataloguing system of the store, and the lack of care Robin and Steve had for their customer privacy, you found the address quickly enough.

At first, Steve didn't want you to go but you shut him down quickly.

'You're not going to stop me from seeing him, Harrington, I swear to god.' And with that, you got into your car. 

At Reefer Rick's house, the place looked like a dump, but from the food that had been lying out on the table and countertop, you could tell it had been Eddie who was stress eating. 

'He was here, definitely.' And then you saw the light in front of the boathouse through the window. 

Eddie was an absolute mess, and that is excluding the attack on Steves's throat with a shattered bottle. He was shaking, fidgety, looking as if he had at least ten cups of coffee and had most definitely not slept. 

'Eddie, we're here for you, ok?' You slowly sat down next to him and it hurt you to see him flinch away. But you placed your hand on his arm, pulling him close to you, and then he fully gave into your embrace. 'It's gonna be ok.'

But then the rest told the both of you how come they believed that Eddie wasn't the killer (something you hadn't even thought to think about). And suddenly your whole world turned upside down. Eddie listened to what they were talking about, answered their questions, but then turned to you as you had been very quiet. 

'Did you know about this?'

'No, I had no idea.' 

Then the group had to leave, but you offered to stay behind with him. You just couldn't let him be alone now. He needed someone around him.

'How come you didn't think I did it? If you didn't even know about all that monster shit Henderson talked about.' Eddie asked after a while. You had cosied up in the boat, not really having any other place to sit comfortably. You used the life vests as pillows and Eddie had been eating some cereal he smuggled out of the house. 

'Call me naive, but I just couldn't believe you would do something like that. I know you and… what they were saying on the news… that is most definitely not you. That is not my Eddie.' 

'Oh, so suddenly I'm yours?' 

'Shut up, you know what I mean.' you laughed and for the first time, that day so did Eddie. It was just the tiniest of grins, the dimple in his cheek barely visible, but it was enough for now. 

'You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to,' you said carefully, 'but… why was Chrissy even there? At your trailer, I mean.' 

'She wanted to buy some Special K.' He grabbed another handful of cereal and stuffed it into his mouth. 

'Oh.' She just wanted to buy drugs. That was it? The relief escaped your shoulders and Eddie must have seen it because he raised an eyebrow. 

'Why what did you think?' 

'No nothing.' you shrugged, 'I mean, I guess I thought you were… I don't know.' 

'Wait… are you jealous?' Perhaps in a less stressful situation, he would have laughed and made fun of you, but now he just sat up and looked at you with those big brown eyes. 

'No! What? No. Of course I wasn't.' You tried to convince both him and yourself, but he wasn't buying it. 

'Why would you be jealous of Chrissy going over to my place?' 

'I wasn't jealous!'

'I would beg to differ.' The Eddie you knew and loved was slowly coming back, so for that, you could endure what he was doing to you. 'Do you like me?'

'Of course I like you, what a dumb question.' you laughed. 

'No but, do you like like me?' 

'How old are you, Munson?' 

'Answer the question… Please.' 

So you do. And you admit your feelings. And Eddie is, of course, taken aback. Not by your confession of having felt like you wanted to be more than friends for a long time now, but because he had thought the exact same thing but had just been too much of a coward to go for it and just ask you out and now that you have finally admitted it to each other, he is on the run from the police and being hunted down for murder. 

Not the most perfect beginning of a relationship but you could make it work. 

Eddie Munson requests open!!// taglist sig up// support with reblog and comment!!

masterlist is linked in bio and navigation post <3

taglist: @spiderrrling @hellfire-state-of-mind @theglitterymess @dorianelizabeth @theletterhart @niyahwhoreworld @chaitnoirfangirl1624 @fopdoodle1624 @pastel-abyss-x @ghoulsgraveyard

[beautifulhigh]

I'm so excited for tk's reaction for hurt carlos more than anything else tbh. I honestly feel like TK's character wasn't given the chance to show the depth of his feelings for carlos except for the proposal and I really hope with this carlos got hurt we will be able to see that. Can't wait for season 4

I want to take this ask in the spirit I would like it to have been intended and share in your excitement. I think it's about time that TK was the one stressing over possibly losing the man he loves.

But I am Fandom Old and a former English teacher and the statement made about TK not showing the depth of his feelings for Carlos gives me a chance to break out my meta skills, whether you wanted me to or not.

Season One TK has what some deem an overreaction to the dinner but that's because he's scared. He's had a "nuclear bad" breakup, he isn't ready for anything serious, and there's this guy who is basically offering him everything that the TK from the beginning of 1x01 wanted. A guy who wants to spend time with him, make him dinner, is genuinely interested in him. If TK wasn't emotionally invested why would he be so mad? It would have been an "oops" kind of moment. Anger is a strong emotion and a lot of TK's strong emotions are expressed in anger in season one.

He tells Carlos about his addiction before he tells the 126. The guy he's hooking up with, who he walked out on because Carlos dared to do something nice for him. Lays out everything: the break up, the relapse, all of it. The men and woman that he works alongside every day, the people he trusts his life to? They know nothing until 1x10. But Carlos knew. TK didn't have to tell Carlos but he did. Why would he do that if Carlos wasn't important to TK, if he wasn't someone that TK could trust?

But slowly our feral cat is tamed, and he lets Carlos in. They have the date when they take Paul out and they have the conversation in the juice bar where TK is honest with Carlos about how he feels. He refers to Carlos as his boyfriend - kinda - before he's even discussed that label with Carlos. He takes those steps because he's very much caught the feels and he's letting himself feel them.

Season Two So now we are in full on relationship territory, and he is spending a lot of time at Carlos' place. When Tim is killed and Owen says to "go home", he goes to Carlos. When he is stressing over upsetting Nancy he talks to Carlos. When he's worried about the honeymoon period for his parents, he talks to Carlos. He gets so upset when Carlos doesn't introduces him to his parents as his boyfriend but he realises what this means to Carlos and agrees to wait. They are talking, they are finding middle ground, we see TK turn to Carlos over and over for care and support and a needed kick up the backside when it comes to the divide between Fire and Medical. Love is being there for someone, and it's also telling them to get over themselves.

And then, he does something his dad mentioned right in the pilot, he moves in with his boyfriend. This is the logical next step, not an engagement ring. TK is with this man, they love each other, they're moving in together.

They fight, TK comes home, they make up, make out, and in the fire that threatens them he is calm and focused and helps save both their lives. He reads Carlos like a book and knows he's not OK, reassuring his boyfriend that they're OK. Throughout the whole season Carlos is included in the 126 hangs and we see a few beats where TK is bridging the gap between his work family and his boyfriend - most notably in 2x14 when they're relaying the story of what happened with Mateo's new captain and TK drops in the little beats and explanations he'd need as someone who wasn't there. (I love this moment so much: as viewers we don't recognise the gaps in the retelling as we saw the scene play out, but Carlos wasn't there and TK makes sure that he gets the full picture.)

Seasion Three And then TK blows it all up. Because Carlos buys them a fucking home and TK has got everything he's always wanted and the future he's scared of messing up and he bolts. Because this is the kind of forever love that he never thought he would have, never get to keep. He's completely, terrifyingly, absolutely in love and it scares him because that kind of love is scary.

But when he comes home, he is home. He gets up and stays with Carlos while he's reviewing all the video files (even if he falls asleep). He celebrates his boyfriend solving a kidnapping and reassures him that he's not to blame for a man's death (while making him one of the many meals he apparently eats in a day).

He talks about his meetings, his sponsor, his progress with his sobriety and his feelings about it. He opens up about why he needs people in his life like Cooper and his meetings, while making it clear that Carlos has all of him, that there is nothing he is holding back. TK is all in, every last broken bit of him. But he makes it clear that Carlos can't help those parts of him. He will come home to Carlos.

He still talks to Carlos after the call in which the kid loses his mom and shares his raw and breaking grief with his boyfriend, knowing that he will be taken care of that evening. That he is safe with him.

He recognises that Carlos hates the lizard but loves him enough to deal with it, so he puts Carlos first and Lou is released into the wild.

Then he proposes.

If you think that the proposal is the only moment where TK shows Carlos how much he loves him then you've not being paying attention to all of the other ways that TK has shown Carlos, over and over and over and over, how much he loves him and how much he means to him. Every time TK let Carlos in, every time TK shared himself with Carlos? He was showing him - and us - how much he loves this man.

[ramblingdisaster73]

I agree so much with your thoughts on season 4 so far. I don't understand why they placed all the blame on TK. I'm starting to give up on the show. I was mainly watching for Tarlos, but their relationship doesn't feel very fun to ship rn. It's becoming (for me) more about coming up with off screen excuses for why they're acting like they are rather than appreciating what I actually get. I felt nothing about the latest episode other than annoyance that so much was handled wrong or left out, and that's probably the right point to just get out.

I am a big proponent of “if it doesn’t make you happy – don’t keep doing it.” But, I am also a big fan of second chances.

I totally sympathize with the struggle with all the off screen moments we mostly have to assume occurred, unless they are specifically referenced at a future point. It gets very frustrating when we just want to see the realness of their coupledom, but have to imagine it.

I know I keep saying this, but, I will say it again – writing helps me so much with processing how I feel about whatever I am seeing/experiencing – I have done this since Middle School– but only recently started keeping/sharing it with others. Even just responding to the things in my inbox is very beneficial to me.

The need to blame TK for stuff is also very frustrating – if you watched the 100 – you get used to it – even if it still drives you nuts, and while it will annoy and frustrate me (except when actually warranted) - I can just write all the petty TK scenes I want – and each one makes me feel a little bit better.

I think shipping has it highs and lows – in a lot of ways – the beginning of season 4 showed them to us at what we thought was a high point for them. But then we learn some information that made a lot of people question things – then as we processed that they dropped the kidnapping thing on us – bringing us to a low point for them. I really do think that we are back on the upswing now, or I am at least optimistically hopeful that we are.

I do think that there will also be a bit of a break in how much we see Tarlos – at least until 4x08. That gives us time to have everything kind of soak in, which might help.

Another thing to look forward to: We are going to see more of the rest of the characters – I can’t wait to see what is going on with Marjan & Grace next episode. Or to finally meet a love interest for Paul – really looking forward to that.

If you need a break, take one – sometimes it helps us re-enjoy the things that we once found pleasure in – be it media or real-life things. Other times, it gives us the clarity to realize that what we once enjoyed, just isn’t there for us anymore – leaving room for something new.

I am also a fan of not watching the parts that you don’t enjoy – skipping over them – is totally fine. I do it with a few scenes throughout the series – For example: I personally hate a part of the DNR storyline for Nancy and hated that it was her first real central storyline – I skip over the scene at Tommy’s house – there was just something about how it felt like Tommy and Nancy were trying to guilt the woman to drop her lawsuit – even though her suit was valid, that still doesn’t set right with me – and I LOVE both Tommy & Nancy. That scene just makes me uncomfortable – it makes me think of people I know with DNRs and how they would feel if someone disregarded their legally made decisions.

Do what is best for you and if you need it, I am always hear to listen.

[maddy-ferguson]

i am not anti jncy but i see no point in bringing stncy back in s4 and showing that nancy still feels some sort of attraction towards him if stncy is not gonna be a thing again? like why bring that plotline back in s4 for no reason in the same season jncy still are having relationship problems?

also nancy obviously is shown to feel something for steve whether or not ppl dismiss it or not. you could say that s1 was just not that deep sort of attraction, but then how u explain s4? there is no point in showing nancy's confusion and attraction towards steve in this season (and it doesnt make sense to bring the stncy tension back either).

this was sent to me before i talked about being a jncy endgame doubter yesterday and so for a minute there i was like oh my god single nancy truther ask? they know? but it wasn't that actually.

i don't know why you sent this to me specifically but you came to the right person as i am neither a jncy lover nor a jncy hater. i loved them in 2016 but season 2 kind of made me...stop caring. don't ask me why. i do however hate stncy so i'm not 100% impartial but it's not like i'd bend over backwards to make sense of jncy ending up together. i agree that it's really funny that people (on this side of the fandom especially!) don't seem to find jncy fighting and talking about "not understanding each other anymore" in season 3 and then lying to each other in season 4 at all worrying

as much as i despise the stncy comeback, i see a couple reasons as to why they would bring it back in season 4 when everyone thought the love triangle was behind us and assumed jonathan and nancy were endgame.

it makes us go "oh? this couple i've been used to for four seasons might not end up together after all?" which applies to the Other love triangle as well. and it could be for a myriad of reasons, maybe it's just for the drama, maybe it's because nancy is gonna end up with steve after all, maybe it's only meant to be applied to the other love triangle, but i think it's because jonathan and nancy are gonna break up. i expect them to break up. i think nancy's gonna end up single.

the only reason i'm confident stncy isn't gonna happen isn't because i'm sure jncy is endgame because as i just said i'm not, it's because it makes no sense thematically. and i know that doesn't sound like much when you get scenes of nancy staring at a shirtless steve, but i really just still don't see her checking him out as a deep (meaningful) attraction. if they'd shown us steve and nancy having deep personal talks maybe but what do we get all season really? sexual tension? nancy checking him out? an act of "unambiguous true love" that's just nancy trying not to let someone close to her die on her watch again?

and sure that's not nothing but nancy ending up with steve just doesn't make sense for her arc that's about not repeating her parents' mistake, not settling down with someone just because they're a good enough prospect (from a good family, rich, jock, wants a family) and just because you like them fine and aren't in love with them. non-conformity etc. steve's her el, to a lesser extent. this has been said a lot and i can see why you don't feel like that's a compelling argument, especially after s4 stncy, but to me season 4 really doesn't change the essence of the love triangle! it makes more noticeable even, especially when you compare it to mike's love triangle. also see my addendum at the end of this ask. maybe i'm overthinking it but that's the way i see it and all that added up makes me, i'm proud to say, 100% sure that steve and nancy are NOT ending up together

i'm sorry this was just me rehashing stuff that's been going around for months i'm having a hard time explaining what i mean even though it's all very clear in my head <3

now onto our jncy doubt agenda and my personal single nancy agenda.

stranger things likes to subvert tropes right? how in the hell is "the self-insert underdog weirdo freak gets the girl" a subversion of tropes? it's like THE sci-fi trope, it's more prevalent than born sexy yesterday! nancy and jonathan are the perfect example of the trope come to life, though since it's a 2010s show nancy has more agency than the regular 80s sci-fi love interest and doesn't exist just as The Woman and The Love Interest. but they still very much fit that trope. by not ending up with steve, nancy breaks the cycle and doesn't repeat her parents' marriage. that's great. jncy itself still isn't groundbreaking at all. and maybe they don't have to be, right, in terms of archetypes, jopper isn't groundbreaking either, i know, but it took them four seasons to get together and they haven't spent the last two seasons not working that great as a couple so i'll leave them be.

you know what is subverting a trope? the girl not ending up with the self-insert underdog weirdo freak. and not ending up in a relationship at all. it's 2023 so it isn't THAT crazy anymore and the idea of her not ending up with either of them has been floating around and i don't see anyone loving the fact that nancy's been in a love triangle for three seasons out of the four we have but i feel like ending the show with nancy being single would still make waves. especially because it's The love triangle, it's the one everyone in the cast has an opinion on, i just think her not ending up with anyone is fun.

i think nancy not ending up with either makes sense for jonathan and steve's arcs too (even though the concept of steve having a series-long arc is...debatable. but let's say he does) and i really just think it works on every level. this was mostly me talking about nancy because she's in the middle of the love triangle and because she's like a sister to me.

in the end maybe jonathan and nancy will end up together. you can say they have their goal of going to college together binding them together for instance, she wants to be a journalist and he wants to be i don't remember what exactly but a photograph and work in journalism too, and there's other things i'm sure, i just really don't expect them to. 60/40 maybe. or 70/30.

[memes-saved-me]

Ive seen so many people talking about this but I just wanted to put my 2 cents in. What do you think about Steve this season? I feel like he went backwards rather than showing real growth. In my opinion Nancy doesn’t deserve him after all that ya know, BULLSHIT. Now he’s trying to get her back? Instead of realizing he doesn’t need a girlfriend? That would’ve been some real growth right there, unless they’re setting that up for 5? I don’t have any opinion on her and Jonathan so I’m not just being biased, it doesn’t seem right at all. And what about his relationship with the kids? It was all kind of weird. He babysat them and protected them for 3 years, and in 4 he just seems so…careless? The only scene he really shows concern for them is the graveyard scene in dear Billy. I mean yeah he’s still trying to be this protector, but idk it just seemed so off??

I think they planned to just have him and Robin be a couple in S4 but when that got changed they had to redo his entire arch for S4 and did a shit job of it. It makes zero sense for him to suddenly want Nancy back after two whole seasons of him getting over her. I thought we'd reached a point in S3 where he realised he didn't need romantic love to be happy and having friends was just as important but then they threw that away for him looking for "the one" which is in character but they're implying Nancy will always be the perfect soulmate for Steve and that doesn't add up for me. Even the actors don't seem on board with Natalie swerving the conversation into fans interest in Nancy and Robin when asked who she wants Nancy to end up with.

Its like they didn't know what to do with him so instead of having him just be the protector of the group, act jealous of Eddie, support and joke around with Robin they went for making him slide back into where he was at the start of S2. Steve is 19/20 and sure he probably wants to find someone to have his 6 nuggets with but Nancy is not that person and the fact he can't tell she isn't is a clear sign they wouldn't work out.

I'm not the biggest fan of her to begin with so having her repeat her behaviour with Steve that she did with Jonathan in S1&2 really pissed me off. One miscommunication and she's ready to jump back on Steve's dick. It was the worst side plot of the season and I like to pretend it doesn't exist.

Also, Robin pushing Steve towards a girl who broke his heart and moved on within like a day for the guy she had been in love with for pretty much the whole relationship who she is still actively with is insane. Eddie I can forgive because he doesn't know the details but Robin sure as hell does and if I saw my best friend in his situation I'd be giving them a verbal smack to the face and telling them to not go through that again.

His little speech about being dumb and always crawling backwards but Nancy made him go forward made me laugh because S4 couldn't have been further from the truth. Like I know they all think they might die but Nancy isn't worried about Jonathan the entire season because she's too busy staring at Steve.

I mean even in S3 he wasn't fully bothered by Erica or Dustin being in danger. This whole Steve is a babysitter trick has worn off and isn't a funny joke anymore. He'd probably die to save them but he isn't actively going to try and stop them from running head first into danger because he can't. He just follows them to try and keep them safe to a certain extent.

[tirednerd2012]

Help a debate with my friends. Thoughts on Nancy?

Also, favorite Stranger Things characters and why!

SPOILERS FOR SEASON 4

Okay, so, I both love and can't stand Nancy at times, but like everyone else on the show, she is imperfect and I appreciate how they show flaws in even the best characters. I'm really upset with her in this season because she is emotionally cheating on Jonathan with Steve. I understand Jonathan isn't around and long distance is super hard, and even though I ship them and love them together, if they break up, I get it. But I don't appreciate what she is doing to Jonathan and Steve in that. I don't think she's necessarily doing it on purpose, but I wish she was more cautious about it and also not let some high schooler put doubts in her head about Jonathan. I also didn't appreciate when she cheated on Steve with Jonathan in season 2 because while I wanted them to be together, that wasn't how I wanted it to go. I don't necessarily blame her for Barb's death, because there isn't a way she could have predicted what would happen and I don't think she should hold herself responsible for that forever. Though, on a more serious note, don't ditch friends at a party, it's dangerous for everyone involved. I love Nancy and her desire to get answers. I believe she is a good person in general, but she's missing her boyfriend and she's struggling with the lack of communication on both of their ends, and that needs to be solved. That being said, favorite characters:

Jonathan- This man loves his family and would do anything for them. I think he holds a lot of guilt for not being there that night when Will was taken, but he literally just tried to make extra money for his family. He rarely thinks of himself and puts others before him and was willing to face a demogorgon so his mom and Hopper would be able to find Will. He makes his little brother mixtapes and defended him from their asshole father and honestly, I really could have used someone like that growing up. (Cousin and I were not close for many years and there was a lot I had to go through alone).

Will- Will stole my heart immediately with his honesty and how much he absolutely loves his friends and family. He is a sweetheart who deserves one season without some kind of pain and I adore him. Also the fact the first thing he did when he woke up from the hospital after being trapped in another dimension was ask about his brother's hand made me SOB.

Steve- I loved his character development from the typical high school jock to a genuinely caring young man. He does love Nancy and wants what is best for her, even if that is not him, and he willingly puts his life on the line for those around him. He is another character that goes through a lot (I literally cried in season 4, those who have seen it know why). He's funny and even if he doesn't understand what is going on, he will always do everything in his power to help. Also his reactions to things is such a mood. That being said, if he dies, I'm fucking rioting.

Hopper- first of all, how he adopted Eleven made me cry. His character is such an interesting one because you can tell he does care so much for everyone around him, but after everything he has been through, he genuinely sees himself as a curse. I love his emotions and how he figures things out and is willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good. ALSO I KNEW THIS MAN NEVER DIED. He's way too popular in the franchise to kill.

Dustin- he is so precious and smart. I also love his friendship with Steve and how he always wants to help his friends and he is the peacekeeper between them. He also makes me laugh more than anyone else.

Joyce- loves her kids and will do anything to protect them. Willingly went into another dimension to save her youngest but even admits that she struggles with being a single parent. When she confesses she doesn't know what is going on with Jonathan a lot of the time (because Jonathan is so independent), it got to me because parents rarely confess when they struggle in a form of parenting. You can also tell she still loves him and wants what is best for him.

[zunniva]

Heartbroken Love pt. 2

I'm totally new to tumblr and I can't for the life of me figure out how to link to the other 2 parts... Sorry :)

Death and Destruction

This is the dreadful Vecna part where Eddie passes away at the end leaving Emma heartbroken. Some smut, a little heavier in this part. This is obviously following Emmas senior year and Eddies third try. I'm not set on depicting season 4 exactly as it was, as I aim to write this from Emmas point of view. Also I don't intend for her to be part of all the season 4 stuff around Vecna. She's more of an observer from the sidelines.

“You weird freaky fucker! I've missed you SO much!” I throw myself around Eddies neck and hug him tight. Dad is standing there with his head in his hand blushing

“You don't need to scream like that darling...” I hear him mumble

“But I did miss him, and he IS a weird freaky fucker” I smile at Eddie who's beaming back at me

“And you're my freaky princess, and guess what I missed you too! BUT YOU LIED TO ME! School started 2 days ago and you're late. You promised me you'd be back before school started” he hugs me again.

I let go of Eddie and I throw my arms around my dad “I missed you too dad don't worry, and you know what I actually missed this crazy place”

“Oh well do I have news for you” Eddie says

“Yeah? Gossip? And Ed, I am sorry I'm late...but there isn't an abundance of flights to the US from Sweden... I had to take what I could get”

“It's ok weirdo I was only faking being hurt... I'm to cool to care” he winks at me “Nah... I mean I don't really know what it is but there's been all sorts of crazy shit happening here during the summer” Eddie smiles “we'll have a 'tell ya all about it' night tomorrow?” he says

“Of course you are” I say and smile at him “tomorrow night is a date Munson!” I beam at him “but now I just wanna go home” I look at dad and he nods

“I understand, was the journey ok though? Long I know that but other than that?” he says as we make our way to the baggage claim. We get my bags “well I see I dropped you off with 2 bags and you return with 3... been shopping dear” dad chuckles

“Dad... you think I'd go back and NOT bring candy for us? The small bag is full of only that” I laugh. He looks at me then the bag and starts laughing

“I do miss the chocolate, and I assume there's salty liquorice in there for you as well?”

“You think?” I say and giggle

“Ok, stupid question” dad says and smile, we head out to find the car in the parking lot and then there's only an hours drive home to Hawkins. I sit in the back leaning my head on Eddie.

“I really did miss you freak” I whisper and take his hand

“I missed you to weirdo, not been the same without you. I know someone else missed you too...” he smirks at me

“Yeah? Nancy?” I say assuming it's her he's talking about

“Yeah I mean I guess she's missed you too... I was talking about Harrington though” he smiles

“Steve?” I feel the word getting caught in my throat

“Yeah, I met Mike and that intense little friend he has, Henderson... Well apparently he's like real good friends with Steve...I know weird right? Anyway he told me that Harrington has been mentioning you every chance he gets, asking Nancy if she's heard anything from you. Getting quite upset when he heard you left back in May. He had some thing for that red head he works with but apparently that died on it's own. He was too into you if Henderson isn't making shit up” I listen so intensely I think my ears might fall off.

“But... I mean... We hadn't met since February... or well we met but like not MET you know, we've only talked for short amounts of time when I saw him at Scoops... What the?”

“Well princess any guy that meets you is doomed you know. We can't stay away, some of us have other motives than others, granted” he chuckles “but anyway you've made some kind of impression on him. I think you might need to go down to Family Video and talk to him”

“Family Video? What happened to Scoops?” I ask

“Looooong story apparently if you're to believe Henderson. Oh yeah and him, Mike and that kid Lucas are the new Hellfire members. Those the 3 you had in mind?” he asks

“Yup those would be 2 of them, but not Lucas though I was sure it would be Will?” I'm confused those 4 seems like they were glued together. “I thought for sure he'd be one of them. I wasn't sure about Lucas” I say

“Well... Will, Jonathan, their mum and that weird girl Eleven moved to California like 2 weeks ago” he says

“What? Jonathan left? What about Nancy?” I feel sad, so much seemed to have changed here

“I have no idea, haven't talked to Nancy since before you left so” Eddie says

We get to the house and I let out a deep sigh

“I've missed this place...” dad smiles as he and Eddie carry my bags inside.

“I need to head home, I promised Wayne I'd help him fix his car tonight when I came back” Eddie says and hug me

“Ok, we'll talk later? Make plans for tomorrow?” I say

“Sure thing weirdo!” he gets in his van

“Hey freak, tell Wayne I missed his grumpy face” I call to him

“Ha! Sure will” he says and drives off.

I go inside and feel how much I actually HAVE missed Hawkins. I never thought I would, but new year new possibilities I guess. I take my bags to my room and start to unpack. The smaller bag still sitting in the hallway, everything in that is going in the pantry so no need to bring that up the stairs. I take the phone and I dial Nancy's number

“Wheeler residence”

“Hello Mr. Wheeler, this is Emma. Is Nancy in?”

“Hello there traveller, sure I'll get her” I hear Nancy's dad put the receiver down and walking away. Then I hear him call out

“NANCY PHONE” he comes back “she'll take it upstairs” he says to me I hear a click then Nancy's voice

“Hello?”

“Hey Nance, I'm back” a squeal on the other end tells me she seems happy at least

“Hey Em, oh I've missed you! Thanks for the letters, I really enjoyed reading them! Sorry I didn't send you any...there's been...stuff happening” she sounds vague

“Yeah, Eddie told me Jonathan moved? What gives? You guys break up?” I ask

“No, there was some...stuff... and Joyce decided they needed to move away from here. We're trying the long distance thing until we get into college. We've applied to the same school so, I mean it's only a year right?” she says... I understand nothing... Stuff?

“Ehm ok? I feel I need to know more here Nance... What aren't you telling me?” I say

“We can talk about that another day, I mean you just got home. Relax with your dad tonight. I guess you're seeing Eddie tomorrow? Maybe I can have Sunday?” I hear her smile

“For sure, Sunday is all yours” we hang up and I can't help but wonder what the hell happened since I left.

I head down stairs and I bring the small bag into the kitchen. I start unpacking candy, filling the whole counter with chocolates, liquorice and other sweets both me and my dad have been saying we've missed since leaving Sweden. He comes in to the kitchen sees all of the candy and bursts out laughing

“We're gonna get fat, let's at least TRY to not eat it all in one go?”

“Dad, I'm already fat... But yeah, think our digestive system would thank us also for not eating it all at once” I laugh. Dad glares at me, he never liked it when I say things like that about myself. But I've always been of the idea if I say it first it doesn't have the same effect when other try to use it as an insult. “Yeah, yeah I know dad. Sorry” he smiles and hugs me

That night we just lounge in the living room talking about our summers. I tell him all about what I did with my grandparents and my friends.

“I do miss Sweden in the summers. I wish I could have gone with you sweetheart. Maybe next summer?” he says

“Yeah that'd be great. I wish I could bring Eddie along. I think he'd like Uppsala dad.”

“Yeah I think so to, maybe if I get that bonus for Christmas we can splurge and bring him with us. But don't tell him until I know ok. We could make it a Christmas present for him for being such an awesome friend to you” I tear up and I wrap my arms around dad.

“You're the best, you know that?”

“Yeah I know... Been that way all my life, how do you think I got your mum?” he chuckles and I have to wipe my tears and giggle at him

“That's the Lundberg confidence” I say and pat his head “Chocolate?”

“YES! I want the one with hazelnuts please” he smiles

“I know, I brought you 4 big ones” the smile grows even larger

We sit there talking more about Sweden, my dads summer at work while enjoying the candy we both missed. At 10 I'm so jet lagged I feel like passing out but I need to shower and call Eddie. So I say goodnight to dad and head up to my room. I grab the phone and dial Eddies number

“Hello?” a grumpy voice on the other end says

“Well if it isn't my favourite grumpy old man”

“Hey sweetie” I hear Wayne smile “how's everything? You have a good trip?”

“Yes Wayne, I had a great time. Missed you and that rascal you share a home with though.” I say and I get a laugh in return

“Well I suppose it's the rascal you're looking for not the grumpy old man. See you later sweetie” I hear him putt he phone down and call for Eddie

“Weirdo how lovely to hear your voice, this one here has me working my ass off. Wouldn't let me off until you called he said. Think what would have happened if you'd been to tired to call? I might have perished” Oh my god with the drama I think and laugh at him

“Well... for one I hadn't said anything so you didn't hear my lovely voice did you? And what if it wasn't me calling? That rant might scare people you know” I say

“Well... seeing as no one else calls me. Like EVER there was little to no chance of it being anyone but you this time either” he says and I can hear him smile widely

“True, you really should look in to getting some friends there Munson”

“Hey I have you, that's more than enough. You're a fucking handful” he chuckles

“Thanks, nothing but love. Just as I left you”

“Always weirdo! So tomorrow? I have some things I need to do like around 2 should be done by 4 soooo... You wanna come over say like 5? Pizza and talks?” he says

“Sounds just like my kind of Saturday” I say and we talk some more until I'm to sleepy to make sense. We hang up and I lie down, just thinking I'm going to rest my eyes for a bit before taking a shower.

I wake up... It's bright sunlight outside, I look at the time 11!? I've slept for 12 hours in my clothes on top of my covers. I sit up and I feel like I'm back on the strong painkillers from last year. I shake my head to try and get the braincells to cooperate. I need a shower now... I drag my ass in to the bathroom and look in the mirror. Good thing I don't have to see anyone but dad until 5 I think and smile at my reflection. I hop in the shower and I feel a thousand times better after. Hungry as hell though

I go down to the kitchen where I find my dad at the table having coffee reading one of the Swedish newspapers I brought with me.

“Morning pet, you sleep alright?”

“I slept for 12 hours straight without even managing to undress” I laugh “so yeah I guess that qualifies as alright” I kiss him on the cheek “is there more coffee?”

He looks up at me “since when do you drink coffee?” he sounds surprised

“Grandpa...” I smile and he gives a chuckle

“Of course I should have known he'd try and make you more Swedish. Yeah there's some left I think” he smiles and continues reading the paper.

I pour myself a cup and sit down with him. Yeah I did miss this place, more than I thought I did, I can feel that now. I mean Sweden was fantastic but somehow I think I've grown to love Hawkins, or well maybe more the people. Not to sure about going back to school though, what if it's all changed now that Jason and the others are seniors too, what if Patrick thinks he's off the hook now that it's been a year? Many what ifs in my head as well as what the hells. Like what the hell has happened here? First Eddie being vague then Nancy being even weirder and vaguer still. Must be some crazy shit if the two of them talk about the same thing, not really having the same circle of...well anything. And then there's the Steve thing. He missed me? How is that even possible, how can you miss someone you barely talked to, almost hooked up with once on a bench by a lake. Nah Dustin must have misunderstood him. But then there's the asking Nancy about me? I have no idea what to think of this, maybe I ought to go down to Family Video and actually talk to him? I look at the time, well if I eat some lunch with dad I can go to the video store before heading over to Eddie's.

“So what's on the agenda today sweetie?” I hear my dad ask like he was reading my mind

“I was just thinking I should go in to town and say hi to Steve and Robin then I'm going to Eddie's tonight for Pizza and gossips” I say and dad nods

“Sounds like fun... I ehmmm... I have a date tonight” he looks at me tentatively

“DAD! I've been home for 16 hours and NOW you tell me?! Oh my god who? Where did you meet?” I'm so happy for dad he's been very lonely since mum died and that was 10 years ago

“I thought you wanted to land a bit first. But her name is Sheila, I met her when she came in to work one day right after you left. We started talking and well she asked me out for coffee and well... We've been on quite a few dates I like her. I thought next weekend maybe I can have her over for dinner so you two can meet?”

“Of course dad! I would love to meet her. Oh I'm so happy for you” I wrap my arms around him and give him a big hug

“Oh good... I was worried you'd think it was weird” he looks at me

“Dad, she's been dead for 10 years it would be weirder if you didn't meet someone” I say and kiss him on the cheek. “Grandma and grandpa asked if you've met anyone here. They worry about you being lonely”

“Oh...” is all he can say I don't think he fully expected his late wives parents to care if he met someone.

“Well, lunch? I'm starving” I say

“Sure, eggs and bacon sound ok? I don't want to eat too much we're going to a restaurant tonight that is famous for their big portions” dad says and smile “It's like she knows I like to eat” he chuckles

“Wow, how's that possible? I mean you only pick at your food all the time” I giggle, my dad is always the first to finish and to get seconds. But you couldn't tell, he's tall and slim. I would have loved his metabolism, but no I got my mums body and dad's height. Making me look like a round amazon. Tall, chubby and blonde... I did lose weight last year after the injury, and I did manage to keep it off. Lost some more over the summer so I'm not as big any more... More...plump I guess. Still definitely plus size but not as big as before.

“Yeah I have no idea where she got it from. I eat like a sparrow” a very Swedish saying and I have to laugh at him

“So yeah eggs and bacon, that sounds good. I'll fix it you keep reading the papers I got you” I say and get up to make us some lunch. We eat and talk some more about this Sheila, she seems like a very nice woman. Then I clean up and go to my room to change, I wanna look good but then again a bit casual to, seeing as I'm going straight to Eddie's from the video store. I bought myself some new outfits over the summer. Needed to is more like it, most of my pants got too big. I go for a pair of distressed jeans that I paid waaaay too much for but they make my ass look really good, and a t-shirt with my new obsession on, Metallica, I know Eddie will love it.

I say bye to dad wishing him a good night and a great date. I make my way down town and head for Family Video. As I enter I hear Robin arguing with someone about something, I look over and see her having a heated discussion with a guy

“Well how can you come in here asking for suggestions for a romantic evening and then completely ignore everything I say? Like for real dude... Star Wars is NOT a date movie, unless you're dating a total nerd and by the looks of you....you're not! I mean almost any movie would be better”

“You should hear her out, I mean this is her job you know... But you can't really go wrong with like Grease or Out of Africa... Maybe St Elmo's Fire... Go big dude and go for the real romantic stuff” I say and smile as Robin spins around and stares at me

“HEY! You're back! Yeah and listen to her... If you're going to ignore me I mean” she glares at the guy who's just looking at me, he turns and goes back towards the romance isle. Robin comes up to me and gives me a hug “So good to see you, how was Sweden?”

“Good to see you to Robin, Sweden was lovely. Warm and sunny almost every day so I got a tan for the first time in forever” I say

“I can tell, you look really good. I know someone will be very happy to see you” she grins at me “c'mon customers aren't really allowed behind the counter but you're not here for a movie are you” she winks at me I can't help it I blush

“Well... no. I wanted to come say hi... to the both of you of course”

“Sure, he's back there you just go through that door and take left. He's unpacking new arrivals” she smiles at me.

“Oh... ok, thanks” I say and I blush even more

“Go get him, he's been miserable this summer because you didn't say good bye” she chuckles

I head through the back door and take a left as Robin told me, I can hear someone moving boxes and cursing. Apparently not doing to well back here I think to myself and smile. I open the door and head inside. I lean against the wall watching Steve work for a while. Just admiring him. He's gotten fitter over the summer, I can see the muscles moving under his skin as he carries the boxes around. He looks so god damn hot

“Well it's always a pleasure seeing others work, and I must say seeing you work is VERY pleasurable. Looking good Harrington” I say and he flinches and drops the box he's carrying, he spins around and looks at me

“You're back?” he says and then there's silence for like 5 seconds before he comes up to me in like 2 strides and he pulls me in a kisses me!? Like what!?

“Uhmm... yeah I'm back... and hello to you too” I say as he pulls away

“Sorry I couldn't stop myself... I ehm... missed you” he says and runs his hand through his hair “Was that too much?”

“No, no I'll leave more times if that's the welcome back I get” I say “didn't think you cared enough to miss me to be honest”

“Well... Neither did I until you left. I thought you had moved back and I felt so bad for not...well... Getting to have our time together. But then Nancy told me you'd be back when school started again and I knew I had to tell you I missed you” he smiles at me and moves a strand of hair from my face then he leans in and kisses me again, softer this time. “So... wanna hang out some time” he smiles into the kiss

“Sure Steve, I mean with kisses like these there's no way I'd say no” I kiss him back “and I did miss you too” I have to admit to him.

“Good, I work until 6” he says

“Tonight's no good. I'm heading over to Eddies at 5. Maybe tomorrow night?” I say

“Perfect I'm free all day tomorrow. Pick you up at like 5? We can go back to the lake... only another spot...not so close to the road” he smiles and I think ah...not a date date...a hook-up. Well I don't mind, that was all I expected from Steve anyway so.

“Sounds good, see you at 5 tomorrow then” I say and pull back to leave. He grabs me

“Hey it's still early, and I'm up for a break.” He runs his hands down my back and pulls me in even closer. Oh why not I think to myself and smile at him

“Oh is that so? What were you thinking?”

“Oh I didn't know... Maybe some of this” he kisses me and his hands grab my ass massaging it through my jeans. We slide down the wall and I end up straddling him on the floor. Still kissing, still hands on my ass. I can feel him growing against me. I let my hands travel down his chest to the lining of his pants

“Oh I would fucking love it but we can't risk Robin coming in here and you're here with my rock hard dick in your hand” he pants and I totally agree but I can't help letting my fingers slide inside the lining and just brush against the hairs down there, Steve moans and the grip on my ass tightens “Fuck... tomorrow Em... I promise tomorrow you can do anything you want to me”

“I'll hold you to that Steve” I whisper in his ear and bite down gently on his neck and I get up from the floor I reach out and pull him up and drag him close. I kiss him deeply “I want you real bad, this has been the longest fucking foreplay ever”

“Hell yeah” he chuckles “no doubt there... I just hope I won't get to excited when I will finally get the chance with you” he smiles

“Well... we'll wait for you to recharge and you can concentrate on me instead” I wink at him and he laughs

“Good plan, can I have one more kiss for good luck” and he looks over at the boxes

“My pleasure” I say and kiss him again and then I leave him to his boxes and I return to Robin

“What? Done already? Gees, with that reputation you'd think he'd last longer” she mumbles

“What!? No we didn't, c'mon Robin. Back there? With you here and customers? Really you think I'd do that?” I laugh

“Weeeell... How was I supposed to know. He's been mopey all summer that he didn't get to bang you before you left so I just thought he'd like throw you down and make you scream his name the instant he saw you. So what nothing? Just talk?” she sounds disappointed

“Nah there was kissing and touching...and stuff growing. But we're on for tomorrow night so he'll get his chance then” I say and wink at her “so... that guy? Star Wars or something more appropriate?” I need to change the subject before my mind gets too lost in thoughts about Steve

“Yeah... that moron... But ok he DID listen to you. He got Grease when I pointed out there was some cool cars in it at least.” she smiles and I laugh. It's four so I ask to use the phone and I call Eddie

“Hello?”

“Hey Ed, it's me” I say

“Hey! Was just about to call you, I'm done and at home, want me to pick you up and then we can go grab pizza?”

“Sure, but I'm actually at family video so you can come here and pick me up, or I'll head over to the pizza place and order?”

“Oh really” I can hear the smile “well if you wanna go over there and order I'll be along in like 10?” he says

“Ok deal, pepperoni and mushrooms?” I ask

“What...is there another option?” he chuckles and we hang up

“I can't understand the two of you... Like Munson is so...weird and you're...like not” Robin looks at me

“He's weird? Sweetie, I'm by far weirder than him... I'm just better at hiding it” I laugh and Robin shakes her head at me smiling. I say good bye and I leave and head for the Pizza place. I make my order and I sit down and wait. I hear Eddies van before I see it... God he needs to fix that thing. I chuckle as I see him park outside and people staring at him. The pizza is just done so I grab it and a couple of sodas and head out to the van.

“You need to fix this pile of junk before it breaks down entirely while you're driving”

“Who you calling a pile of junk? Don't listen to her” he says and pets the dashboard I just shake my head

“Freak”

“Weirdo”

“So what happened in there?” he nods towards the video store and gives me a suggestive smile

“Not as much as I guess both you AND Robin would have wanted to” I say and smile back at him

“Yeah? Buckley's rooting for you too? Good then I'm not alone on team Stemma then” he smirks

“Team Stemma? Really Ed? You're such a moron” I laugh

“Well... I think you two make a gorgeous couple, and I mean that not just saying. He's a good looking dude and you're fucking amaze balls beautiful. So why not?”

“Eddie my delusional freak of a friend. You're the only one seeing me with those eyes and they do me no good since I don't wanna fuck you. I mean yeah I guess Steve has the hots for me but what's to say that when or if we get to that he's not just going to lose interest after? That's usually what happens, that's why I don't want to form any kind of attachment to him... I don't wan to get hurt...again” I say, Eddie shakes his head at me

“C'mon confidence Lundberg! Remember? So what? I mean catch and release as Wayne would say is a valid thing to do. SO fuck his brains out, I mean he might suck and you never WANT to go there again. Problem solved” he chuckles

“Idiot... But yeah I guess you're right” I smile and take his hand “what would I do without your wisdom Munson?”

“Perish my dear” he says and squeezes my hand

“So dad's on a date tonight” I say and he damn near drives us off the road

“WHAT? Martin's got a date, what the hell? Good going dude”

“Yeah apparently a lot happened around here when I was gone?” I say and Eddie nods

“You have no idea... I mean I don't even know really what actually happened I just know what I've heard around town”

“Ok? Spill what you know...”

“Well... as far as I've understood. There was this massive explosion under the mall destroying that completely, hence no more Scoops for Harrington and Buckley. That explosion killed Jim Hopper, that's why the Byers took that weird girl with them and moved across the country. Then there was some Russian dude getting shot at the 4th of July celebration making people totally paranoid that there was Russian spies everywhere. That pretty faced asshole... fuck I forgot his name... Oh yeah Billy Hargrove, yeah he apparently got high as a kite and freaked out, killed a bunch of people then killed himself in front of his little sister Max, so now she's totally fucked up, this according to Henderson of course. He sure does like to talk” I just stare at him

“All of this from when I left in the beginning of June until what middle of July?” I ask, not sure if I believe any of this

“Yeah, really messed up. I mean I saw none of it. Been working all summer. I mean yeah the mall was blown up THAT anyone could see but the Russian and Billy... yeah that might just be hearsay” he says as we pull in in front of the trailer he calls home.

“But like... If he did... you know off himself. Why the fuck would he do it in front of Max? I met her a couple of times at the Wheelers last year, she's nice. Her brother... not so much. But he didn't seem like that kind of guy” I say and think back to the only time I ever really seen Billy Hargrove. He was picking up Max at the same time me and Nancy were picking up the guys at the arcade. He was yelling at her for being late, then he stared at us really eyeing our bodies then winking at us. Really creepy guy, so pretty faced asshole seemed about right. But murderer? Nah that seemed far fetched, fucking rumours in a small town I guess.

Me and Eddie head in to the trailer and sit down on the couch and start to devour the pizza as he tells what little more he knows about what happened. I feel bad for Eleven, losing Hopper. I mean he was a nice guy, good cop. So I get why she'd wanna leave. Nice of Jonathan's mum to take her in but did they have to go all the way to California? That seemed a bit much. I'll have to ask Nancy tomorrow, and maybe Steve.

“So Munson? All work and no play all summer? Not even one hot date to tell me about?” I say feeling like a new subject of conversation

“Yeah right, where would I find one of those? I mean I hooked up with like 2 girls but that does not count as dates” he chuckles

“Wow do tell?” I make myself more comfortable

“Well, one was this girl from Orlando who was here visiting her cousins for the summer. I think she just wanted a small town adventure. Fucked her twice, nothing to write home about. She was boring, barely made a sound”

“Oh god Ed, you kill me” I laugh

“The other one was this new waitress at the Hideout after one of our gigs. She was good, older though so highly unlikely that'll happen again. She almost cried when I told her I was in high school.... maybe I should have told her I was a 20 year old loser who got held back 3 times?” he chuckles

“Maybe” I grunt as I'm laughing to hard to talk

“Well... how about you? Any Viking pillaging I need to hear about?” he smiles

“Yeah I wish, the closest to any real action I've had all summer was a drunken blow job at a club in town” I say and Eddie roars with laughter

“Well that's... special I guess” he says “talking about action... Harrington? C'mon something must have happened? Not even any discrete touching?” he asks, I sigh

“Ok... So I went to the back, he was unpacking boxes. There was some serious kissing there for a moment. Some ass grabbing and I almost got down his pants this time. But he was to scared Robin would come looking for us so he stopped me before I got any further than feeling the hairs. Buuuut... we're seeing each other at Lover's Lake tomorrow night” I look at Eddie who looks stunned

“Woooow... Getting naughty with Harrington at Lover's Lake. Good girl! Now you do realise that I need a full detailed description of events WITH charts tomorrow night the second you get home?” he chuckles

“Yeah, should I have him pull over at a pay phone on the way home maybe?” I say

“Sure, I mean bring him here and have a show and tell as long as I get to hear the good stuff. Been waiting a year for this” he teases and I laugh at the thought of me bringing Steve here, undressing him and giving a speech to Eddie how and where I did what to Steve. I tell him this as he looks confused to what I find so funny. He laughs to when I give him my mental images. “Weirdo for real but yeah that would be a sight” he says

It's close to 10 when I start yawning excessively and Eddie asks if he should drive me home. I tell him yes please. I feel the jet lag is still present, I've felt almost tipsy all day. He drives me home, dad is still out so I head straight for bed. This time making sure I undress and get under the covers. I fall asleep the second my head hits the pillows.

I wake up at 9 feeling a lot better today. I hit the shower and head down stairs. Still no dad? I start to worry something's happened to him. I decide to eat breakfast and if he isn't home by the time I leave to go see Nancy I'll have to check the phone listing for any Sheilas in the area and call every one of them. I make myself pancakes and sit down and start eating when I hear a car in the driveway. The door opens

“Honey? You home?”

“Yeah... so are you. I guess it was a good date” I smile as dad comes in to the kitchen

“Yes, very good. I'm sorry but I did call, but either you were asleep or still at Eddie's.”

“No worries dad, I only posted flyers and called in the national guard”

“Oh nothing more? Well then you didn't worry that bad about me” he chuckles

“Well I did plan on calling every Sheila in the area if you weren't back by the time I finished breakfast so I did worry some” I say and smile at him

“Awww that's sweet. I'll make sure to write her number down so you won't have to call every Sheila if this happens again” he says

“Thank you dad, much appreciated. But I am very happy you had a good date. I have one myself tonight” I say

“Oh really? On a Sunday? Not a late one then I hope, it's the first day of school for you tomorrow”

“No, we're just hanging out having some food at the lake. It's Steve” I say

“Oh, well I did like Steve he seemed like a good guy. You like him?”

“Well yeah, I mean he's gorgeous so that doesn't hurt, and he's nice. I don't know dad. We'll see might just be another friendship.” I say not wanting to tell dad maybe Steve's just going to be a hook-up from time to time. “I'm heading over to Nancy's now, you wanna have an early dinner before Steve picks me up? He's coming over at 5.”

“Weren't you going to eat at the lake?” dad looks at me

“Yeah but I don't think either one of us meant like actual food. Maybe like hot dogs or something, I'd rather make sure I've eaten something real before hand” I say

“Ah, good idea. Yeah I can have food ready at 4?” dad says

“Perfect I'll make sure to be home by then. I need to shower and change to so I'll be home by 3 at the latest” I say and I leave to go to Nancy's. I get there and I ring the door bell. Mike opens

“Oh hi Emma! Good to see you, did you hear? We're IN! All of us” he beams at me and there's no confusion as to what he's talking about

“Yeah he told me, congratulations! So, I guess we'll be seeing a lot of each other at lunch then. Is Nancy upstairs?” I say

“Yeah we will, Dustin is so excited...well ok so am I. Yeah I think she is, just go up and check. See you later” he smiles at me and I go up the stairs to Nancy's room. I knock and I hear a

“Come in”

“Hey, I was greeted at the door by a very excited nerd” I chuckle

“Oh hi, yeah if he's only shut up about Hellfire for a minute or two” she smiles at me then she comes up to me and gives me a hug “I missed you”

“Missed you to, so how was summer. I mean Eddie told me some stuff but he said maybe I should get the story from you as he's been working all summer not talking to anyone. What the hell's been going on around here?” I say and she sighs and motions for me to sit on the bed.

“Well... what did Eddie tell you?” she asks

I tell her everything Eddie told me and she nods along

“Well... seems that the town talk is quite correct. There was a Russian that got shot, don't think he was a spy though. Hopper did die in the explosion underneath Starcourt. Billy Hargrove did die in front of Max, but he didn't do it to himself. Someone else was behind that, he didn't freak out it was more like he was drugged, but yeah he did kill some people. I got a job at the paper this summer with Jonathan... we got hired and fired in like the same month... You know how nosey I can be... I thought I found a story so I ran with it, taking Jonathan along of course. Seems someone was putting toxins in manure, like the one you get from the garden centres. Made all the rats in town act like they had rabies, and some people got in to it to and they were... changed as well. A couple of them died as well.” I just stare at her

“So ok... someone poisoned the town rats and a few people. They died from manure poisoning basically? Weird but ok... But I mean Billy...you said someone else was behind it. Who? And why would you kill someone in front of their kid sister? That's just cruel” I can't wrap my head around this

“Well... I can't say that much about that. I don't really know more than what Lucas and Eleven told me. They were there when it happened. But Billy did not do it himself that's all they want to tell me. I believe them. Max is of course traumatized. She's not really talking to anyone any more, just walks around with headphones on and existing.” Nancy looks sad

“Fuck me that's intense. God I feel sorry for her, I mean I liked Max the times I met her over here” I say and Nancy agrees

“Can we talk about something else now, this is very uncomfortable for me to talk about” she sighs and I understand with all of this making Jonathan leave

“Well... we could talk about me having a 'date' with Steve tonight” I say and look at her

“You have a WHAT!? Oh my god tell me.” she's smiling again

“Well I went in to the video store yesterday before heading over to Eddie's. Apparently Dustin has been telling him that Steve's been talking about me this summer? That true?” I ask

“Oh yeah... Got a bit sick of him there for a moment” she giggles

“Ok...well anyway. I go to the back after Robin tells me to 'go get him' and we have some serious kissing going on back there. But you know as Robin was right outside nothing more than that happened. But we're...hanging out at Lover's Lake tonight soooo” I say and smile

“Oh my, well... There will be more than kissing then I assume” she smiles

“I hope so... I mean I've wanted him for like a year now. Ever since that time he came over when I was hurt. Is this ok with you by the way?” I realise I never asked her if she was ok with me liking her ex

“Oh god yes, Steve's just a friend these days. I think he'd do good being with someone like you, with some attitude and a mind of their own. I mean not to be rude but I thought he found that in Robin there for a while but apparently Robin...well she likes girls. But then again I think Robin might just have been a substitute for you, I know he thought you and Eddie were hooking up and he was afraid he'd never be able to take Eddies place”

“Ok slow the hell down girl... Robin likes girls? And Steve thought I was hooking up with Ed? I might as well have been to the moon for like a decade. There's a lot to unpack here.” I look at her “but like...why would he think I was with Ed? He knew I felt the same attraction to him, I did tell him. Is that why we never got anywhere? Because I'd always hang around with Eddie?” I ask and she nods

“Yeah I think so, I mean I can't be sure. All I know is that he's been on some serial dating spree lately but no girl has lasted more than like 1 maybe 2 dates. Then he calls them boring, bimbos, too meek or what ever. I think he's comparing them all to you” she says and I find no words I just stare at her. No fucking way this is true? I raise an eyebrow at her and just give her a questioning look. “Well it's true... Hey who in this room has known Steve the longest?” she says and smiles at me. I mean ok I have to give her that she knows the guy better than I do.

“Ok, but I don't think he likes me that way. He for sure wants to get in my pants and hell I'm going to let him get in there. I mean he's too hot for his own good. But I highly doubt we're talking any other type of feelings Nancy, he hasn't spent enough time in the same room with me to have had a chance to fall for me. If that changes I promise I will think about it as something that MIGHT be true” I say and she just sighs at me

“I wanna add stubborn to the list behind mind of their own” she says

“Yeah, yeah I know” I say and wink at her “but you like me anyway so” I smile at her and she agrees that she does.

“Ok so you'll tell me all about what happened later tomorrow at school?” she asks

“Do I have a choice?”

“Uhm... No” she laughs

“Just as I thought I seem to have befriended the two most curious people in Hawkins. Lucky me” I say and she laughs even more “but at least you're not like Eddie. He wanted me to bring Steve over there, strip him naked and have a show and tell” the look on Nancy's face is so priceless I roll over on the bed hugging my stomach from laughing

“He what now?” she finally gets out

“Calm down it was a joke. He told me he didn't care if he got a show and tell as long as he got to hear the good stuff. The bringing Steve there part was what I saw in my mind when he said that. But the look on your face Nance... I wish I had a camera” I continue laughing and Nancy just shakes her head at me

“Sometimes I wonder what's wrong with you Emma” she laughs too now

“Get in line behind all the others wondering the same thing” I say

We sit there on her bed talking about school, some more Steve stuff, about how much she misses Jonathan and a million other things. I look down at my watch it's 2:55

“Wow that's the time? I have to run Nance, I said I'd be home by 3 to dad. Need a change and a shower before Steve picks me up. I hug her and we decide that she's picking me up in the morning. I get going home, luckily it's two houses down the street so I'm like 2 minutes late.

“Hey honey, how was Nancy? Dad's in the kitchen preparing dinner when I come through the front door.

“She was good. She's picking me up in the morning. I'm going to take a shower now and change. Be down in a little while” I head up the stairs and in to the shower. As I wash my hair I'm going through outfit possibilities in my head. A skirt or a dress is a given...but which one? I do have a really pretty dark green summer dress I found in a store in Sweden. Maybe I'll wear that. It looks good on me, or at least I think it does. Hugs me in the right places on top but very flowy and...well to be frank gives easy access at the bottom. Yeah that's the one I decide. I step out of the shower and I dry myself off and start on my hair. It's quite a bit longer now and back to it's original blonde color. I dry it and decide for a French braid just to tie in with the pretty dress. I finish that and put on some makeup and then it's dress time. I take it out of my closet and look at it, yeah this will do just fine. I get dressed and I decide to be very brave and skip underwear today. I mean what the hell, go big or go home. I hear my dad call for me

“You done soon sweetheart? Food's ready”

“Yeah I'll be down in a sec” I call back to him. I take one more look in the mirror. Since I didn't want to abandon my rock look completely I chose some jewellery that stands out making me look not as put together. Heavy silver rings, a choker and a Thor's hammer I picked up at the Viking museum outside of my home town. Yup, definitely Munson approved I think to myself and chuckle. I head down the stairs and in to the kitchen

“Wow honey, you look good. That color really suits you, is it a new dress?” dad says as he sees me

“Yeah I found it back in Sweden, in that little shop I love so much. Next to the cathedral you know” I tell him

“Yeah that one, well you look amazing sweetheart” he kisses me on the cheek

“Thanks dad, but you have to think so. It's like in your job description. Besides you're not the one I'm trying to impress here” I laugh

“Well... if he's not blind or a complete idiot he'll love you. Trust me” dad chuckles. We sit down and eat, he asks me if I'm nervous about school. I tell him that I have been wondering what's happened since last year with Patrick and Jason and that whole mess. His face darkens

“Well he'd better behave or I will skin him alive...both of them” he growls

“Ooook, easy now. I don't think any of them are that stupid one more time.” I tell him and we finish our meal just in time for me to see Steve's car pull up outside “Well he's here, you ok clearing the table on your own?”

“Yes mum I'll be fine” dad smiles at me “have a good time sweetheart. But remember don't stay out too late. You have you keys and money?”

“Yes, yes and yes. I'll be home before 9. I need to call Eddie before I go to sleep, I need to check some things for tomorrow” I say, hug him and head for the door.

I go out and Steve is standing there, leaning on the hood of his car, looking so good I forget to breathe. I look down because all of a sudden I blush all over, and I am VERY aware I'm not wearing underwear.

“Wow...you look just...wow” he says and kisses me on the cheek as he does he whispers in my ear “you look so fucking hot I wanna just rip that off and bend you over my hood right here”

“Oh... well I think the neighbours would frown upon that... might upset dad too” I say and wink at him “other than that I'd love for you to do that” he smiles at me and opens the door for me. I get in the car and he gets in the drivers seat. He turns and looks me over.

“That dress is amazing, really it is”

“Thank you, wait until you see what's underneath” I say and strap myself in seemingly blasé. I hear a gasp

“Fuck... I think we need to get going now” he starts the car and we head off to Lover's Lake. I have no idea what the surrounding areas look like, I've only ever been to the place where I met Steve last fall. We drive quite a while, this lake is bigger than I thought “ehm, I have a friend who has a cabin by the lake. I hope you don't mind but I borrowed the key from him. I thought that was the best chance we had to not get interrupted” Steve glances over at me

“Hey good thinking Steve, I don't want to be interrupted again” I smile at him and he seems to relax.

“Good, I wasn't sure what you...wanted this to be”

“Sex Steve... I want this to be sex. I have no other expectations than that. I know you want me, and I want you so lets do this. Been in the making long enough wouldn't you say?”

“Honest girl, I like that. But yeah... marathon style foreplay.” he smiles at me and I feel my insides do a flip, how is he this handsome? We arrive at this small but cosy looking cabin just at the edge of the lake. We get out of the car and Steve comes up to me he pulls me in close and kisses me. His hands running down my body

“Hey Steve, feel anything special?” I whisper

“I... should I... wait? No! I can't feel any underwear...are you serious?” his hands hurry up under the skirt of my dress, up my legs and find my ass “fuuuck” he growls

“Did you want to bend me over the hood of your car Steve? I'm ready to go, been ready since I saw you waiting for me outside” I say and let my hand play on the bulge I can feel growing against my hand.

“Seriously?” he just looks at me

I turn around and lift my dress up in front of him, then I bend down and lean my chest on the hood of his car leaving him with a perfect view of my ass and pussy

“Well up to you really” I say and reach in between my legs with one hand. I can hear him struggle to free himself from hos clothes. The I hear the sound of the foil packet ripping and he's behind me.

“You sure?” he asks with gritted teeth

I pout my ass out some more and wiggle it at him. I grabs my hips and plunges his dick in me. I let out a guttural scream, he's big. Bigger than I thought, and he feels so good! He growls as he enters me, fucking me with long hard thrusts

“Fuck you feel amazing Em, like insanely good around me” he groans I keep playing with my clit as he fucks me hard against his car. I feel the sweet sensation of orgasm closing in. Then he stops and pulls out, he spins me around and lifts me up and sits me down on the hood “lie down babe, I really want to come inside you but then we'll have to wait I can't go right away again. I'll make you come don't worry I'll just use other means” he smiles and pushes me down so I'm on my back on his car with my legs on his shoulders. He kneels down and lets two fingers slide in to me then he starts working my clit with tongue and mouth. I squirm and moan like a possessed person. Oh he's good at this. As I come I scream out his name and I grab a handful of that amazing hair

“Wow Em, you're perfect. I so want to feel that pussy squeeze around me when I make you come again” he purrs as he gets up and kisses my thighs before helping me sit up again

“Me perfect? Nah hell no, you on the other hand. WOW! That was some impressive tongue action Steve, not to mention this” I say and I wrap my hand around his dick feeling it start to grow instantly

“You like?” he grunts in my ear as he trails kisses down my neck

“Oh yeah I finally get to touch it and see it and it's better than I expected. Well worth the wait” I moan as he's reached my tits now grabbing them in each hands and playing with them. “But you had a key? Wanna take this inside perhaps?” I say

“Hell yeah I do, I just don't wanna let these go they're so fucking perfect”

“They'll be there when we get inside too I promise” I smile and I hop off the hood and head for the front door “c'mon big boy lets go have some more fun” Steve runs past me and unlocks the door and holds it open for me “wow such a gentleman” I say as I go pat him pressing my body close to his.

“Yeah I try you know” he smirks as he closes the door behind him and grabs my hips steering me towards the bed in the corner “Can I take this off...might you know get stuff on it otherwise” he murmurs tugging at the fabric of my dress

“Please do” I say and he grabs the dress and pulls it over my head. He stands back and looks at me

“Wow... I mean just wow” he says and I blush, I'm not used to this kind of admiration. He comes up close to me again lets his hands run down my arms, grabs a hold of my hands and places them on his shirt “your turn” he whispers

“Oh, well don't mind if I do” I say as I lift his shirt and pill it over his head revealing that amazing upper body. Slim, muscular and hairy in just the right places. I let my hands slide down his chest making him groan. I slide my fingers down the lining of his jeans, I like teasing him a bit. I mean he's already had the pleasure so to speak. I unbutton his jeans and I pull them down taking his underwear with them. He springs free and he's very ready to go. I lick my lips and I sit down on the bed making me just the right height to have a good taste. I lick the tip of him, teasing around it with my tongue. Steve is standing there breathing heavily looking down at me hands in his hair. I look up at him as I take him in my mouth and suck him in entirely. He lets out a grumbling moan

“Fuuuuck Em, wow...”

He tastes as good as he looks and I keep sucking him, long and deep. Playing with my tongue on the shaft with every up stroke making him moan so loud

“Please, I wanna come in you Em. But if you keep that up there won't be anything left of me.” he pants and I stop sucking him and look up at him again

“How do you want me big boy? I'm all yours to use” I smile at him and he gasps

“You're amazing, you know that? Would you ride me? I wanna see those tits bounce when I fuck you” he grunts looking down at my chest grabbing my tits and weighing them in his hands

“Well that's going to be hard seeing as you're standing up... Wanna come join me then?” I say as I lay back on the bed. He crawls up to me trailing kisses from my knees up to my neck. He lays on hos back and rips a foil packet open, rolling the condom on

“C'mon babe, your seat is ready for you” he says and I straddle him letting my wetness slide over the length of his shaft a couple of times before I lift a little extra and let my hand slide down to guide him in. I feel him enter and I sit down so he hits bottom in me. God he feels good. I moan loudly as I start to move my hips, grinding down on him. He groans so loud now grabbing a hold of my hips “fuuuuck this feels amazing, you're so tight and wet... God I won't last long babe just a warning” he growls. I start moving more up and down making my tits bounce as he said he wanted them to. He looks at them like they're hypnotizing him completely. I let my fingers begin to circle my clit as I ride him. I'm close now and I can tell that he is too but he's fighting with everything in him to not come before I do. I pick up the pace with my fingers sending me over the edge

“Yeeeeessss, fuck yes... Oh my Goooood” I come so hard around him I slump down on his chest changing my position slightly. Steve grabs my ass and starts fucking me fast and hard. I hear the sounds of the extra wetness my orgasm brought as his dick slams in to me. It's not long before I feel him tense up and the throbbing dick in me pulsate “fuuuuuuck here it comes babe... fuck you feel so good” he roars as he comes in to the condom.

“Fuck Steve, you're good at this” I say after we've regained some energy. We're spooning in the bed and it feels nice. I could get used to this, but I guess I won't have to I think to myself.

“You're quite the expert there yourself babe” he mumbles in as he kisses my neck.

“I hate to state the obvious but I kinda need to get home soon” I say “I don't WANT to but you know...school” he pulls me in closer to his chest hugging me from behind

“Wanna do this again some time? I know I would...” he says

“Any time Steve, any time” I take his hand and I kiss the palm of it. He kisses me on the neck and I sit up, looking back at him “you're really fucking sexy you know that right?” I say and he blushes

“Awww...c'mon” he's so freaking cute blushing like this. I just smile at him

“Well, I don't want to as I said but lets get dressed. I did enjoy this very much though Steve. Like VERY much. I didn't know I needed this as much as I did... I'm glad you were my first” he stares at me, looking scared “Oh no not like THAT... geez no. I mean my first here in the US.” the look of pure relief on his face makes me laugh loudly “oh poor thing I didn't mean to scare you like that” I say and I take his hand “come now” I get up and I put my dress back on. He sits up in the bed also laughing now

“Yeah you did freak me out there... I enjoyed this SO much as well... I'd do it again as soon as you'll have me. Fuck I'd be at your window in the middle of the night if you'd call for me” he chuckles as he gets dressed.

“Good to know” I say and wink at him. We get out to the car and head home. When we park outside my house he leans in and kisses me.

“I had a good time tonight. Talk to you later?” he says

“Yeah, I'll probably just go to bed now but I can come in to the video store some afternoon after school?” I say

“Yeah do that. See ya then” another kiss and I get out of the car and he leaves. I stand there breathing in the evening air. Yeah I like Steve, but I need to keep a level head in this. I'm still moving back home to attend university next year. Don't start anything that's doomed from the get go I tell myself. I hear a sound I'd know from anywhere and I smile... I turn and I wait for the van to come to a full stop.

“I WAS going to call you know...” I chuckle at Eddie as he gets out of his van

“Yeah like I wouldn't have come here anyway and climbed in your window. I'm dying here...lets go!” he runs up to the front door and opens it “C'mon you're wasting valuable time here that we could be dissecting your evening in. Jesus H Christ you're slow!” he's waving me along. I see dad come up to the door

“Eddie?” he says and looks out at me

“I didn't invite him... he's like one of those cats you feed it once and it keeps coming back” I say as I walk up the path to the door. “He just wants the dirt on my date then he's leaving? Or are you planning on sleeping on the floor?” I say and look at Eddie

“I'd sleep in the bathtub if I had to. MOOOOOVE I wanna hear” he says. Dad looks at me smiles and shakes his head

“Eddie... 2 hours tops then you're going home right?” he says

“Sure thing Martin, sure thing” Eddie says and runs up the stairs

“You have a good time sweetheart?” dad asks me as I close the door behind me

“Yes I did dad, I had a very good time. Steve's a nice guy... but I think it's a friend thing” I say

“Oh, that's a shame. He's a handsome fella” dad says and goes back in to the living room. I head up the stairs to my room where a very excited Eddie is eagerly waiting sitting on my bed.

“OH MY GOD what took you so loooong!?”

“Jesus man... Calm down” I laugh

“I can't calm down! I need to know...did you?” he's almost bouncing on my bed now. I close the door.

“Before I tell you anything I need to change. Close your eyes” I say

“What I've seen you in your underwear before...” Eddie says

“Yeah that's the thing though... I didn't wear underwear tonight” I say and he squeals

“You went commando to a date with Steve? Fucking rock star! But...you know I have seen you naked. Remember the leg wash...”

“That was last year and only because I couldn't do it myself. Please Ed, let a girl TRY to seem decent?” I say and he sighs and closes his eyes

“Fine, but hurry I'm dying here” he grunts and I laugh at him. I pull my dress of and I get my pyjama on.

“Ok, done” I say

“Wow speedy! Good girl, ok now... what have we been doing tonight?” he smiles at me his brown eyes glitter with excitement

“You're such a gossip Munson... Not to mention the nosiest little fucker I've ever met. But since I love you I'll tell. He's amazing Ed, like so hot it's painful to look at him straight on for too long. And he's big... I fucking called him big boy... TWICE I think... God I feel ashamed doing that now” I say and facepalm myself “Hey Ed... you wanna breathe there” I laugh at him

“So 5 out of 5 for equipment then? How about technique and stamina?” he chuckles

“Fuck Ed, you want a recommendation or what? Like a review... Yeah 5 stars for the dick, 5 stars for technique... and drum roll please... 4 stars for stamina, he could have fucked me longer if I had my way he's just that good” I say and Eddie roars

“So he's just as fucking annoyingly perfect as he looks? So feelings? Boyfriend material or just sexy toy?”

“You're like the best girlfriend anyone could ask for” I tease him “I don't know Ed, I mean say we fall madly in love... I'm still applying to university back in Sweden next year that hasn't changed. I highly doubt Steve would leave Hawkins and come with me. Hell I don't even know how I'm going to convince you to come and you already love me” I say and blow a kiss at him.

“Awww... Since I'm a unwanted freak here I'll go just so I can become one somewhere else instead. Hawkins doesn't need me any more.” he laughs “But ok serious now, I see your point there I do. But wouldn't being happy for now be worth it? Even if you have to go separate ways in a year?”

“That's the thing Ed, when I catch feelings I always catch them super strong. I can't stand having my heart broken again even if it's not someone else doing it but something. I mean long distance here in America might work but long distance across the Atlantic? Nah I don't see that working out and I don't want to come home to Sweden being miserable missing someone that much. So no, I don't think happy for now is worth it. Sex for now yeah TOTALLY worth it. Because Eddie... that was the best I've had...like ever. He knows what he's doing...” I say and Eddie whistles

“Wow, good boy Harrington! He's gained some respect in the cynical Munson eyes here. So...your seeing him again?”

“Of course I am, I mean I'd like to think we could be like friends with benefits or something like that” I say

“Oh, well that works I guess. Just so we're clear...I will not accept being replaced by Harrington, telling you now. I will fight for my weirdo if I have to” he smiles at me

“You think I'd replace the best freak there is? What do you take me for Munson? A fucking idiot? I may be weird but I'm not stupid” I kiss him on the forehead and then I hug him tight “I love my freak and I'm never ever replacing him” he hugs me back

“Likewise weirdo!”

We discuss my night with Steve some more and then we head down the stairs. Eddie pops his head in the living room

“1 hour 45 minutes Martin” he grins

“Good Eddie, I knew I could count on you. Drive safe, see you some other day” dad says and smiles at him. He heads out to his van, half way he turns

“Need a ride tomorrow by the way?”

“Nah Nancy's picking me up. She had the common decency to wait for the details of my date” I say and make a face at him

“Common decency? More like insanely boring mindset” he laughs “Nah I like Nancy... But I mean c'mon how can she not be as curious as I am?”

“Maybe she knew you'd be pestering me all night for information so she just assumed she was better off waiting” I say. Eddie laughs and get in his van and drives off. I go back inside and say goodnight to dad before crawling in to bed feeling very satisfied and sleepy.

The next morning as I'm getting ready I notice some very distinct marks on my ass...of fingers. I giggle...well I guess he marked me I think to myself. I head down for breakfast, dad left early for work so I can enjoy some coffee and toast all to myself. In my mind I'm replaying last night over and over until I hear a car honking outside. Fuck, Nancy! I hop in my shoes grab my school bag and run out to the waiting car.

“God sorry... I was sitting at the table deep in thoughts lost track of time” I say as I get in the car

“No problem, I was a bit early anyway so we're not late. Deep in thoughts huh... Thinking of something a little extra spicy there?” she smiles at me

“Might be that you're absolutely correct in that assumption” I say and smile back at her

“So I guess last night was... Good?” she's looking at the road but glancing over to me

“Yeah, it was really good. I don't feel as comfortable telling you all the dirt as I was with Eddie though...sorry”

“I know what you mean... But I'll say this...I get that you think it was” she turns pink “Sooo Eddie called the second you walked in the door or what?”

“Smooth change of subject there Nance” I giggle “and no... he fucking came over. Steve drove off and he came driving in. Such a gossip that boy” I say and Nancy laughs

“He couldn't just use the phone like a normal person? What was the time like 10?”

“More like 9, I had promised dad to be home by 9 so that I'd have plenty of time dealing with Eddie on the phone. But he didn't think that was the best way to get all the dirt out of me so he HAD to some over” I shake my head and we laugh about this all the way to school. We get there and the first thing I have to do is get to the administrations office to get my new schedule. I turn a corner and there's Patrick. I can't help it one fucking year later and I still flinch

“Oh hey Emma, have a good summer? I thought you left... Didn't see you last week” he looks at me with a smile... I tentatively smile back

“Well... I couldn't get a flight back in time for school starting so I arrived Friday” I tell him

“Oh ok, well... Welcome back I guess” he says and leaves

“Thank you?” I say mostly at the empty hallway. That was strange. I get my schedule, looks good enough. I see I have free period before lunch. Good, then I'll have time to get all my books. I head to my locker and I stuff my bag in there

“Sooooo I was thinking... What if you end up marrying Harrington? I mean your kids would make like kick-ass football players. Tall and heavy... like a fucking freight train on the field.”

“Eddie my dear... You need to stop smoking before school...” I laugh “where the hell did this come from? My kids with Steve... Dude, calm your tits”

“Just saying... Kick-ass!” he chuckles

“Moron... And a good morning to you to. Weirdest thing happened... Patrick welcomed me back, he was like civilized” I say

“Yeah apparently he did take your dads threat to heart, been in anger management AND is starting up with the new school counsellor again this year I heard.” he looks at me “You ok though?”

“Yeah, I mean just bumping in to him like that kinda made me flinch. Don't like having him around lockers” I smile

“I get that, plus I guess this year with try outs for colleges he's putting his best behaviour forward. Too bad that's not what they're all doing. I barely got out of my car before I hear Jason 'Hey freak where's your freaky sidekick she leave you' I mean c'mon you'd think he'd have time to come up with something new over the summer” Eddie snickers

“I don't think his pea sized brain can hold any more insults than those he already has in there” I say and we laugh “So compare schedules?” I hand him mine and he gives me his

“Yay we have almost all of the same classes! Good...then I'll definitely graduate this year” Eddie does a little dance and I giggle at him

“Fuck that... I'm not doing the work for you if that's what you think. You want my help you do the work to” I say knowing full well he's going to try to use the crap out of my kindness

“Awww mean tutor... I need to speak to Wayne, I want a new one” he scowls at me

“Yeah you do that Munson, bet you a crisp 100 that Wayne won't find a single soul in all of Indiana with the patience to get you to graduate” I say and he makes a face at me

“Fuck you Lundberg, I'll do it without you!” he smiles

“You will? Ok then, fine by me” I say

“Nah probably not...” he admits and I laugh

“Of course I'll help you Eddie. We're graduating come June. And nothing's gonna stop us”

“Hell yeah we are” he gives me a high five and we head to the first class of the day.

Come lunch I've been around the whole school twice it feels like trying to find all my teachers and get the books I need. I pack them in to my locker, pull my Hellfire shirt on and head for the cafeteria. I hear them before I see them... God Dustin is a noisy kid, but he's totally adorable in his worship of Eddie so I'll let it pass. I put my tray down on the table beside Eddie

“So what's up my freaks and geeks” I say and sit down

“All hail the queen has returned” Gareth smiles at me

“Yeah now you all have to start behaving again, you got a week of pissing against the wind. Now zip it up and act 'normal' my dudes” Eddie laughs

“You know how to do that?” I say and the rest of the group laugh loudly

“Noooo... But I have this new tutor thought she might teach me” Eddie says

“Honey, you're already asking this poor human to get you through your THIRD try at senior year... You asking her to preform magic now to? Geez man calm down” I can see our three newbies looking kinda worried at the other side of the table “Yeah... this is what it's like with me around. Get used to it” I wink at them and they have to smile

“Yeah she's mean but a rock star DnD player so respect her or you're out. Ok?” Eddie stares at the three nervous looking freshmen

“C'mon Eddie... Not even you respect me don't ask too much of them” I laugh “as long as you're not trying to piss me off or, I don't know, break any of my bones we'll be just fine” I say

“Yeah I've seen first hand what happens if you try that shit on her... And you three are not basketball sized dudes... you won't live to tell the story” Eddie chuckles. Gareth,Jeff and Joe all agree

“Yeah even over at our part of school we heard of it... Did you really say you were going to make a stew from his balls and send it to his mum?” Dustin looks at me and Eddie roars with laughter

“Hear that Em, you live in infamy. Even the middleschoolers heard of you” Eddie keeps laughing

“Great” I say and groan “ and yeah Dustin I did say that...”

“Cool” he grins at me

“You really are a very strange kid Henderson” I say and smile at him “I like you”

“Hear that?” he pokes Mike “Emma LIKES me” Mike rolls his eyes at him and I laugh

“Now Hellfire men...and Queen. Let's talk business, new campaign” Eddie begins to tell us about the campaign he's working on. This goes on for the rest of lunch. We all head our separate ways and I head for the school paper. Nancy convinced me that my drawing skills and my witty sense of humour was perfect for a weekly comic strip in the school paper. So 1 hour a week I'm going to go to a meeting and get my assignment for this weeks strip. I mean ok it could be fun I guess.

Days turn in to weeks. I've seen Steve once since our hook-up. I went to the video store to see him and Robin once again sent me in the back. There was some heavy kissing and touching but nothing more. We didn't decide on another date so I assume he's not that interested really. Which works out fine, there's less chance of feelings this way.

Then weeks turn in to months and all of a sudden were just weeks away from graduating. What the fuck? Where did time go?

We're in the cafeteria, listening to Eddie read aloud from this magazine he found

“Dungeons and Dragons! At first regarded as a harmless game of make-believe now has both parents and psychologists concerned. Studies has linked violent behaviour to the game. Saying it promotes satanic worship, ritual sacrifices, sodomy, suicide and even MURDER!”

Oh God here comes the rant I think and smile. Yup as sure as there's sand in Sahara Eddie gets up on the table walking along it declaring that conformity kills and that we're looked down upon for not liking this and that and “A GAME WHERE YOU TOSS BALLS IN TO LAUNDRY BASKETS” of fuck...

“You want something freak?” Jason just has to get up and act cocky in front of his ghouls

And of course Eddie being Eddie he just smiles at him puts his fingers up like horns on the side of his head, sticks his tongue out and makes a snarling noise at Jason.

“Prick” I hear Jason scoff

“Yeah you'd know what it's like being one of those wouldn't you” I call over at him he glares at me.

Eddie looks down at me and smiles, he jumps down from the table.

“That's the real monster” he finishes his rant and sits down.

I can tell Dustin and Mike are a bit nervous... the hell are they up to I think

“So, uh speaking of monsters, uh Lucas has to do his uh balls-in-laundy-baskets game. So” Dustin chuckles “he's not going to be able to make it to Hellfire tonight” he smiles at Eddie and shrugs “And I know there's no way we can beat your sadistic campaign without him. So me and Mike... We were talking, shooting the shit, and we were thinking that maybe we might...” Dustin struggles

“Postpone” Mike declares and all hell breaks lose around the table. Everyone has opinions, there's yelling and an general uproar

“SHUT UP!” Eddie yells “You sayin Sinclair's been taken in by the dark side?” Eddie glares at Mike and Dustin

“Uh, something like that” Mike says

“Something like that? And rather than finding a sub for him you want to... you want to POSTPONE 'The Cult of Vecna'?” Eddie sounds like he's in disbelief they're even suggesting something this moronic to him

“I... I don't want to postpone it. WE don't want to postpone it. It's just that, you know, most of the subs will be at the championship game” Mike says

Eddie gets up from his chair, he spins around at these words “Oh it's the championship game?” very sarcastic tone of voice I smile at him

“Yeah” Mike sounds confused

“Can I level with you? Jeff graduates this year, Gareth's got what? A year and a half. Me, I am army-crawling my way toward a D in Ms O'Donnell's. I don't blow her final, I'm gonna walk that stage next month. I'm gonna look Principal Higgins dead in the eye, I'm gonna flip him the bird, I'm gonna snatch that diploma and I'm gonna run like hell outta here”

“Didn't you say that last year?” Gareth says

“And the year before that?” Jeff chimes in with a big grin

“Yeah, yeah and I was full of shit. This year's different” Eddie looks at me and smiles “This year, is MY year. I can feel it. 86 baby” he smiles a wide smile, and I believe him. He continues on about how Mike and Dustin will now be the future of Hellfire and they need to start looking for those lost little sheep that are out there, just like Eddie did when finding them. Basically he's telling them to find a sub for the campaign tonight or else. I chuckle..

“Good luck guys” I say

That evening we're sitting waiting for Mike and Dustin to come hopefully with a sub so we can play. Eddie's in his “Dungeon master throne” as he wants to call it.

We hear people walking up to the door and Mike, Dustin and...oh no Erica Sinclair walks in. I look over at Eddie. He's sitting there hands pressed together just watching them

“Absolutely not” he says

“You asked for a sub, we delivered” Dustin says motioning to Erica

“This is Hellfire Club, not baby sitting club” Eddie says and the guys laugh... I know this kid has some balls. I've heard her take down guys our age so I just smile

“I'm 11 you long haired FREAK” Erica eyes Eddie up and down

“Oh, my my the child speaks” he gets up and goes over to Erica looking down at her “ So what's your name... child?” he says

“Erica Sinclair”

Eddie chuckles “so this is Sinclair's infamous sister”

“He's sharp” she looks back at Dustin and Mike rolling her eyes. Gareth and Jeff snicker at this, Eddie glares at them they shut up

“What's your class and level? Level 1 dwarf?” the guys laugh I just sit there and I smile, Dustin and Mike must have a good reason for bringing her I have no doubt

“My name is Lady Applejack, and I'm a chaotic good half-elf rouge level 14, and I will sneak behind any monster you throw my way and stab them in the back with my poisioned-soaked kukri. And I'll SMILE as I watch them die a slow agonising death. So... we gonna do this? Or we gonna keep chitchatting like this is your momma's book club?” Yup kid's got balls. Eddie stares at her then a wide smile breaks his face and he puts his hand out to her

“Welcome to Hellfire” I can see Dustin and Mike letting out a big sigh of relief. They wont' have their heads chewed off tonight. We start playing, and Eddies campaign is impressive. We're down to Erica being the sole player, Dustin just missed and is out. She draws a deep breath and rolls... The dice bounces on the table. Everyone is dead quiet. 20! It's a crit!

“Fucking hell we did it!” I high five Gareth and Jeff and we dance around in the chaos that erupted when we defeated Eddies sinister campaign. He just smiles and gives Erica a bow. New found respect right there I think to myself. As we say our good byes after the game I ask Eddie if I can have a ride home.

“Oh fuck sorry, I have a... meeting” he raises his eyebrows so I'll get that it's the business kind of meeting in the woods he's talking about “I have no idea how long it's going to take”

“Ok, well no worries. I'll run and catch up with Mike I'm sure I can get a ride with him. Call me later?”

“Sure will. Bye weirdo, good game”

“Love ya freak! Good game” I say as I start running to catch up with the guys. I get a ride home with Nancy, so I'll get to catch up with her. Been a while, she's been super busy with the school paper and I've been busy getting my grades to a good enough level to apply for university in like a weeks time. Yeah and helping Eddie with the army-crawling. We end up sitting outside her house talking for a bit.

“So weirdest thing, I walked past one of the bathrooms today. I heard this girl like screaming her lungs out so I run in there. The lights are like flickering but I hear no one. Kinda freaked me out to be honest, and I saw Max come out from that bathroom just seconds before looking kinda confused too. I mean... ghosts?” I say

“What...you don't believe that do you?” Nancy smiles at me

“I don't know what the hell that was... I mean I HEARD the screaming but when I came in there just silence... Like a weird silence, and there was a smell” Nancy smirks “yeah I know I was in a bathroom... but c'mon if someone unloaded something in there that smells like that I'd say they're already dead”

“Wow that bad?” she asks

“Yeah that bad. Another thing... have you noticed that Max seems to become more and more isolated? I overheard her and Lucas earlier. He wanted to give her tickets to his game, she just gave them back to him. I mean I get that it must have been traumatizing seeing your brother get killed in front of you. But I mean, why alienate your friends?”

Nancy looks uncomfortable “Yeah she's got some issues, I do think she's seeing the school counsellor though. So she's at least talking to someone about it. You haven't seen her around when visiting Eddie?”

“Nah, been keeping an eye out for her. But both Wayne and Eddie says they never see her other than when she leaves for school and comes home from school. And the odd time at night when she goes out and feeds the neighbour dog. I like her, I'm a bit worried” I say

“Yeah, me too. But Mike says she will barely speak to them any more. And if she does she's mostly sarcastic or doesn't say much. I think she misses Eleven a lot too, maybe even more than Mike.” Nancy says

“Yeah right, they became close before whatever happened right?” I ask

“Yeah they did” Nancy yawns “I think I need to get to bed, the paper was exhausting today. Pick you up tomorrow?”

“Yeah, please”

We say our good nights and I head home. I wait for Eddie to call until it's close to midnight. He must have fallen asleep. I don't want to let my head turn this in to something happening to him. I go to bed and I convince myself I'll see him in the morning.

Morning comes and Nancy picks me up and we head for school. I see Eddie nowhere, now I AM starting to worry. What the hell?

After first period I sit outside for a bit enjoying the sun when Dustin and Max come running up to me

“You're gonna wanna hear this” Dustin pants

“What?”

“Ok, so you think Eddie could kill someone?” Max blurts our

“Excuse the fuck out of you what now? You kidding me? I she on drugs?” I look at Dustin

“No I'm serious, c'mon” she waves at me to walk away from the crowd. We head behind a corner of the building

“Ok, seriously what the fuck are you on about?”

“Do you know where Eddie went after the game last night?” Dustin asks

“Yeah I do... why?”

“Ok, this is some serious shit. Where did he go?” Dustin is freaking out

“He had some, you know, business in the woods. Didn't know how long it would take, that's why I caught a ride with you guys home” I say

“I think he was doing business with Chrissy” Max says

“Chrissy? Wow...ok, that's unexpected. So what's this shit you're on about?”

“Someone killed Chrissy, in Eddies trailer and the cops thinks he did it... We don't and now he's gone” Dustin says and my mind goes blank

“Wait wait? Rewind... WHAT!?”

“I saw her body Emma, no way Eddie could have done that to her. Hell I don't even think a grown ass body builder could have” Max says and she's pale as a ghost

“But? Ok... so you're saying Chrissy is dead? Eddie is missing? And they now suspect Eddie of killing her? Oh hell no I know for a fact he would never” I say and shake my head

“Yeah, I mean we don't think he did it either. But he's probably hiding somewhere”

“Why would he be hiding? Maybe he wasn't even home when it happened?” I say

“He was, he came home with Chrissy. They went in to his trailer last night, together and like 15 minutes later the lights started flickering and the TV was actin up so I went outside to check it the power line was fucked. I get in again and then I hear this scream from inside Eddies trailer, so I look out the window. He comes shooting out of there looking fucking terrified, gets in his van and speeds off. Then when I woke up I saw police everywhere, the door was open and I caught a glimpse of...” she turns a greyish green color

My head is spinning, this isn't real. “Are you guys for real? I mean you're not fucking with me here?” I ask

“Why the hell would we joke around about something like this?” Dustin says “we need to find somewhere with a computer and at least 2 phones” I look at him “base of operation 'Find Munson' ok?” he explains

“Ok... I know just the place c'mon” I say and we leave for town.

“Family Video? Really?” Max sounds confused

“Perfect Emma!” Dustin says and we run in there

“”Hey guys, oh Emma...hi” Steve blushes... we haven't seen each other in quite a while now

“Hey, ehm sorry I haven't”

Dustin starts barking orders left and right so we're not getting anywhere with our conversation. We end up finding the address of the guy people around here call Reefer Rick, supposedly Eddies supplier.

“Steve please you need to drive us” I plead with him

“To Reefer Ricks? To find Munson, who may or may not be a murderer? Yeah sounds like something I'd wanna do...” he snorts

“Please... for me?” I say he just looks at me, I can see him thinking this through. He sighs deeply

“Yeah, for you. Ok everybody in the car!” he says as I'm heading out the door Dustin stops me

“I'm sorry Emma, but... you can't come. You need to go home. The first person the cops are going to come find is you. The whole town knows you and Eddie are like conjoined twins. For him, go home and wait for them. Do not get yourself in to trouble, ok? He wouldn't want you to” I stare at Dustin

“The fuck Dustin this is my best friend we're talking about ok? And you're saying I shouldn't help him? He'd do it for me” I say now I'm starting to get pissed

“I know he would... but he'd do it because he feels he has no future. You do... You're getting the fuck outta here. If you come with us now and you get tangled up in this crap, Eddie would never forgive himself or us. Go home and be the best fucking character witness he's ever going to have and I PROMISE you we will find him” Dustin pleads with me

“Fine... But I swear to GOD Henderson if you don't call me the second you get a chance I will hunt you down and beat your ass” I say... I mean the kid has a good point. Eddie will need a character witness and I will, besides Wayne be the first one they'll come for.

“I swear Emma, I'll call as soon as I have a chance” he leaves for the car. Steve comes up to me, he takes my hand.

“I wanted to say I was sorry I hadn't called... but... it's stupid really. When this is over...whatever this is maybe then?” he says and he leans in and gives me a kiss

“Fucking hell Steve, you can make out with her later lets goooo” Dustin yells

“Intense kid that one, yeah ok Steve after... it's a date” I say and smile

They leave and I'm just stuck in place for a while. Then my mind snaps out of it. I need to get home. I run, I don't think I've ever been running this fast or this far for that matter but it doesn't matter... My mind won't register if I'm tired or not, I just keep running. I get home and I place my ass right next to the phone, I have no intention of leaving until I hear from Dustin.

Dad comes home, I'm still in the same spot

“You ok honey? You look distressed... Did something happen at school again?”

I look at him and my tears start streaming down my face, he runs up to me and wraps his arms around me “There, there sweetheart, what's wrong?” I start talking the word flow out like a river

“...and now he's missing and Dustin has the guys looking for him”

“Are you telling me the police think Eddie killed a girl? Eddie? The sweetest kid you'll ever meet?” dad looks like I just told him I met Santa dressed as a stripper or something.

There's a knock at the door. Dad gets up

“Wipe your tears sweetie” he says and I go to the bathroom to try and look like I haven't known Eddie's been missing all day long

I hear him open the door

“Yes?”

“Mr Lundberg? I'm chief Powell with the Hawkins Police. Can I speak to your daughter?”

“What do you want with Emma? She came home feeling sick today” oh I love you dad I think, this would explain my absence from school after first period

“I need to speak to her”

“Yes I heard you, but I am her father and I would like to know WHY you need to speak to her. Otherwise she's not available” dad says. I look in the mirror, I don't think there are any signs left of me crying. I sneak out of the bathroom and in to the living room. Laying down under a blanket picking up a book. If dad can act so can I!

“Sir, what I need to speak to her about is classified. I can't...”

“Then good bye chief Powell, was it. Come back when you have the authority to tell me what this is about.” my dad is just about to close the door

“Ok ok, I need to speak to your daughter about Edward Munson.” I hear the chief say

“Eddie? What's happened to Eddie? He's ok I hope?” dad can sound worried as hell when need be I see

“Can I come in? I assume you will want to be there when I speak to her so I can just say what I have to say to you both”

“Ok, she's in there” dads says leading the chief in to the living room. I look up from my position on the couch

“Hello?” I sit up but I wrap myself in the blanket so it looks like I'm feeling under the weather

“Hello Ms Lundberg. I am Chief Powell of the Hawkins Police.”

“Ok? Is something wrong?” I ask

“I need to ask you a few questions” he glances over at dad “if that's alright with your father” dad nods “when did you last talk to Mr Munson?”

“Eddie? Last night after we had our Dungeons and Dragons game at the high school. Why? I haven't heard from him all day is he ok?” I try to sound worried

“Well... we can't say. He's... well he's gone missing”

“Eddie's missing? Why aren't you looking for him then? What if something's wrong what if someone hurt him” I make my voice go into falsetto

“Well...ehmm... We are looking for him. We are not worried so much about him being hurt, we're more worried he hurt someone” he says

“Eddie? Hurt someone... are you serious?” I ask

“Eddie wouldn't hurt a fly chief, this must be a joke.” dad sounds annoyed “are you really a cop? Show me your badge please”

“Mr Lundberg I assure you...”

“I SAID badge...please” dad is now towering over the man on the chair.

“Ok, just a second” chief Powell takes out his badge hands it to bad who looks at it closely and nods giving it back

“Ok, but still... This is someone's idea of a joke right?” dad asks

“No sir I am afraid not. There has been a murder at the Munson trailer and we suspect Eddie did it. It seems I have to be brutally honest with you to get either on of you to answer me” he's starting to sound annoyed we're not more cooperative

“You think Eddie killed someone? Eddie... There's no way in hell Eddie would hurt any one even less chance of him killing someone. Who's been killed?” I ask

“That I can't tell you, and no Mr Lundberg this time no threats will do” the chief glares at dad

“Did you want to ask me anything else or are you done insulting my best friend now?” I ask

The chief snorts at us “Would you have any idea if there's is somewhere Eddie would hide if need be?” he then asks

“That would probably be here, and you are welcome to look for him” dad says and I nod

“He doesn't have many people in his life he trusts. It's his uncle and us so... I haven't seen or heard from him since last night around 9. Look for him here if you want as dad said. Otherwise I'm drawing a blank” I say

“Ok, I will have a look before I go. Thank you for not making me get a warrant Mr Lundberg. If he contacts either one of you, give me a call” the chief says

“Of course” dads smirks. The chief gets up and starts walking around the house. Luckily Eddie has never left so much as a sock here so he doesn't find a bit of evidence that he would have been hiding here at any point. The chief leaves and dad sits down with me putting his arm around me

“So no idea where he is then?”

“No, Dustin had some idea but I have no clue where that was. He wouldn't let me come” I say and burst out crying

“Sweetheart, that was smart of him. Eddie needed you more like this. I'm sure Dustin will call as soon as he has a chance to. They will find him before the police does. They know him better” dad says petting me on the back. I cry in to his chest, I'm so worried my insides ache. What the hell did Eddie get himself into? The whole evening passes, no word. Evening turns in to night, I refuse to leave the couch. Morning comes, I think I slept a few hours. Still no word, I'm starting to panic. Dad comes down has his breakfast and comes in to me

“I need to be at work today honey, will you be ok on your own?” he says

“Yeah... I'm not leaving this couch” I say

“Ok... but promise me you'll eat something ok?”

“Yeah I will”

“Ok, I'll see you tonight then. Call me of there's any news” he kisses my forehead and leaves for work

As the day progresses I get more and more anxious and restless. I turn on the TV, it's all about the murder. I turn it off again. I lie down on the couch staring up at the ceiling, when suddenly the silence is broken by the sound of the phone ringing. I flinch so hard I think I pull a muscle in my side. I pick up

“Hello?”

“Em...”

“EDDIE! Oh my fucking god are you ok?” I start crying

“Em, I can't speak for long. I'm ok Dustin and the others found me last night, but he couldn't get to a phone. I found this one now thought I'd see if it worked and I guess so. You ok though?” he asks

“Do I sound ok you fucking moron? My best friend goes missing and I can't come looking for him...” I sob

“Hey hey hey... No need for name calling weirdo” he chuckles “I think Henderson was smart not letting you get dragged in to this crap, you have no idea... This is some wild shit! But I gotta go now, I'll try to call you again but I might have to bail this place if they figure it out. Love you! Remember that!”

“Love you too freak... Please come home soon”

“I'll do my very best” he hangs up and I run to the toilet and I throw up, all this worrying and tension building. Now that I know he's as ok as he can be t the moment it all released at once making it to hard for my stomach to handle. I get back to the couch and I start crying my eyes out again. There I'm like stuck in time until I hear dad come home. He sees me on the couch like this and he drops everything

“What happened?” he says

“He called” I sob

“Dustin?”

“No Eddie... he's ok for now” I sob even more. Dad hugs me

“Ok, well that's good honey. Let it out... Did you do as I asked you though? Did you eat?”

“No... I wanted to but I just kept feeling sick if I thought about food. I just need all the anxiety to go away... I know he's alive, he's ok and he was safe then at least” I say

“Ok, well let's go to the kitchen and make some pancakes then? Grandma style” he smiles. He knows how to cheer me up “maybe eating will be easier with company” he says

“Maybe...” I get up and I go with him in to the kitchen. I sit down at the table and watch him make pancakes the way my grandma makes them. He was actually right, eating was easier when I had company.

Again, day turns in to night, night turns in to day. I haven't slept more than o couple of hours since Dustin and Max found me at school. I need to leave the house... I need to do something other than sit here and rot I think to myself. I decide to get up and go to Eddies trailer, even though it's empty. His things will be there... I need that now. I get up and change my clothes at least. In case Wayne's at home I need to not look like a homeless person. I head over to the trailer park. There's police tape all around the trailer but no one is there keeping watch. So I sneak in... There's blood on the living room floor and an outline of a body... but it doesn't look like any body I've ever seen... it looks distorted, broken in an impossible way. Max did say something like, no MAN could do this. I go in to Eddies room, I sit down on the bed taking his pillow in my arms and smelling it. I feel instant comfort, and how tired I really am. I lay down on the bed and I fall asleep hugging Eddies pillow tight. I get woken up by voices, familiar voices. Talking about some gate...and them needing a mattress or something. I hear footsteps coming towards Eddies room. The door swing open and I see Dustin looking at me... fear across his face

“What... why are you HERE?” he says

“I needed... something of Eddies to sleep” it's the only explanation I can think of...

“I'm sorry but move... I need that mattress” he waves for me to move, I get off the bed

“Why...what are you doing?”

“Can't talk, need to get them out of the gate. They can't land on the hard floor...” he drags the mattress out to the living room. I follow him, there's Max, Lucas and Erica. All looking at me then Dustin

“Where'd she come from?” Max looks over at me

“She was in there...” Dustin throws the mattress on the floor and they all look up at the ceiling. I hear voices...ALSO familiar.

“Yeah, those stains... I don't know what those stains are...”

“EDDIE!!!” I shriek... I run out there...where is he? I look around, Lucas pokes me and points up. I look up and I think I might pass out. Up in the ceiling...in some freaky twisted portal looking thing I see Eddie, Steve, Nancy and Robin looking at us. But not looking down, it looks like they're looking up at us just like we're looking up at them, my head spins.

“Why is she here?” Eddie and Steve say in chorus

“What...she was here when we got here, what was I supposed to do? Knock her out?” Dustin says “C'mon now”

Logic would dictate that if someone is coming out of the ceiling they wouldn't be CLIMBING up a rope, but hey seems logic didn't get the memo. I see them grab on to a rope and seemingly climb up it until they come out of the portal, then they're all of a sudden falling down. Like gravity was just fucking around with them. Eddie lands on his back looking stunned, then he grins

“That was fun” he says

“Moron” I mutter... I have no idea how to process any of this all I know is that my best friend just FELL through the ceiling...

They all come down from where ever they've been, everyone is talking at the same time. It's Vecna, Upside down, demobats, hive mind... Everything is spinning now...what the actual fuck?

“CAN SOMEONE FUCKING TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON!?” I scream... All eyes on me. Eddie comes up to me wraps his arms around me and gives my forehead a kiss.

“Ok, guys I'm going to give her the quick explanation. See you in a little bit” he shoves me in the direction of his bedroom. When we get in there he tells me I need to sit down for this. He tells me this story, that if I hasn't actually seen that fucking gate I would have never believed a word of. Hawkins is cursed, just like people have been whispering about. I've heard them, but always thought it was some small town paranoia or something. He continues to tell me that not only has Chrissy been killed by this Vecna dude... so was a guy named Fred that worked with Nancy for the paper...and Patrick. So not only are the cops after Eddie, apparently the basket ball team is to, with Jason at the lead. Even though both Eddie and Jason saw Patrick being levitated and having his bones broken and eyes sucked in to his head, Jason still thinks Eddie is behind it... being a leader of a satanic cult. I sit there staring at him as the words flow out of him, he's pale as a ghost and I have no trouble believing him. Not even he has this kind of imagination. I put my hands up over my face and I sigh...

“What can I do to help?” I ask

“Sweet weirdo, please for the love of everything. Stay at home and keep yourself and Martin safe. I can't have you to worry about, that would make me a dead man fast” he comes up to me and hug me real tight “promise me you'll keep away form this?” he looks me dead in the eye “also I think Harrington would kill me if anything happened to you, he's been asking me a lot about you as we trekked through that swampy fucking mess of a forest. I think you have a big fan there weirdo” he smiles at me

“Not help? You serious? So what I'm just going to sit at home and wait for what? All y'all to get killed by this veiny, tentacled motherfucker? Really...you think that's something I'm gonna wanna do?” I say

“I don't much care right now what you wanna do... You're staying out of this because I can't worry about you and try to get through this. Ok? I need to leave with the guys, we're getting guns and I don't know... other supplies so we can go back in there and kill that fucker.”

“You're... GOING BACK in there? Are you insane? I won't let you, any of you. Nope” I shake my had, I'm panicking

“I need to do this Em... For Chrissy” he says, voice calm but I see a tear fall from his eye. “We'll be back. Hell, we're fucking awesome if you haven't noticed... and I guess besides me and Lil' Sinclair...they're all fucking superheroes. Apparently they've been dealing with this shit for 3 years now.”

“I fucking love you you freak, so help me GOD if you don't come back to me Eddie. I will go back in there and find you, resurrect you and kill you myself... OK!?” I stare him down

“Ok, weirdo. I hear ya... I love you too! But I think we need to leave like right now. Go home please, I have no idea what's going to happen with this gate once we're back in there” he hugs me tight again and I don't want to let him go. I have a bad feeling. I start to cry, I can't help it “awww c'mon weirdo. It's not like I'm gonna be gone forever. If it seems to hard to handle we'll bail outta there. At least me and Henderson, we're no heroes y'know”

“No you're fucking not... So don't act like one” I say letting a small giggle out between sobs.

“Thanks sweetheart, warms my heart” he kisses my forehead again and he's gone. I remain sitting there... I can't move. I need to wrap my head around everything he's told me. So... Mike's girlfriend Eleven has superpowers? Will got sucked in to the Upside down 3 years ago and was lost for several weeks? Last year some big ass monster got loose from there and infected a bunch of people, Max's brother among them. Killing them all? And now this? I feel my stomach churn again and I run to the bathroom to throw up. I can't handle this... I walk out, probably looking like a zombie. I start walking home. A car stops next to me when I've come as far as the main road, it's Wayne.

“Sweetie, you look awful... Did something happen? Where have you been?”

“I was at the trailer... Haven't slept...needed to be with Eddie's stuff” I say

“Oh... I understand... have you ehm heard from him at all?” Wayne asks, I debate internally if I should tell him. I decide not to, it's probably safer for everyone if I'm the only one who knows what they're up to

“No, not a word since before...that night” I say and I start crying again

“Get in the car sweetie, I'll drive you home” he says and I get in.

“If you hear anything would you please let me know? And tell Ed I'm not angry and I don't believe for a second he hurt anyone. Ok?” Wayne says as he drops me odd at home

“Of course Wayne. Same to you if you hear from him before I do” I say, feeling a little bad I'm lying to this sweet man.

“I promise. Now go in and try to rest. I'm sure it'll all be ok soon enough” he says and then he leaves. I go inside, dad comes out from the kitchen looking petrified

“Honey, where have you been? I got home and you weren't here I was worried sick” he hugs me

“I went to the trailer... I needed to be with his things. I fell asleep on his bed...” I cry again “I saw him dad. He came home to get some things then he left again. Said he needed to hide.” I lie, I can't tell him the truth there's just no way

“But he's ok?” I know dad worries about him almost as much as I do

“He said he was, he looked a bit rough but he was smiling at least” I say, dad hugs me again

“Ok, so then there's hope. I saw on the news 2 more kids got killed. Do they still think Eddie's behind this crap?” he says

“I don't know... I don't think he does either I have no doubt he's not going to try to find out. Dad... One of the ones killed is Patrick...you know the guy who” I nod down towards my back

“Oh... how do you...”

“Eddie told me... he saw it happen. So did Jason but he still thinks Eddie did it” I say

“He saw it... WITH Eddie and still thinks Eddie killed Patrick? By what means? His mind?” I can tell Jason's not collecting any more points with dad

“Exactly my thought... But then again that's not the brightest mind in Hawkins” I say and we actually have to laugh a bit

“Well... I think we both need some food and then some rest. What do you say we go and get some burgers in town?” dad says and smiles at me

“Ok, let me just have a quick shower and a change. Might make me feel like a person again and not a zombie” I say and go upstairs. I really don't feel like leaving the house in case someone calls but I know dad will worry about me as well. He has enough with worrying about Eddie. I get done as quickly as I can and we head in to town. We eat and I actually feel a little better after that. As we're leaving we see this big rw speeding through town, I think it looked like Steve driving. It must have been my imagination, wanting to see anyone of them anywhere.

It's been almost 2 more days when all hell breaks lose. What's described as a earthquake rips through Hawkins. I have strong suspicion that's not the case and I'm freaking out. What if it's the same in there for them? What if they're hurt and can't get back because this closed all the gates? I go in to the kitchen, dad is listening to the news.

“Dad... I need to do something to help... can we go down to town? I heard they're setting up a help center. For those who lost their homes and all their things. I need to get my mind off Eddie and if he's ok as well as all of my other friends.”

“Sure honey, I was just thinking the same thing. We're lucky up here. Not that much damage...yet. Let's collect some clothes and blankets and stuff to donate?” he says and smiles at me. We take what we're not in need of ourselves and we head down to town. There's complete chaos. Collapsed buildings, burning cars, people hurt and bleeding. Like some scene from a movie, a really disturbing movie. And all I can think is... “Is Eddie ok”

We get inside and we drop off what we brought with us and then we're given things to do. They day passes rather quickly. I hear rumours about Jason being killed and that some kid was found unconscious along with his body in some abandoned house at the outskirts of town. I freeze...what if it's Eddie. But what would he be doing with Jason? I try to find whoever it was that was talking about it but there's people everywhere I have no clue from what direction I heard it. I have to trust they'll be back... all of them. I can't lose even one of them...

As we're about to head home dad says he needs to talk to some people before we leave. I tell him I'll wait by the car.

I go outside and then I see him... Limping across the parking lot. Dirty, dishevelled and seemingly broken.

“Dustin?” I call out

He turns to the sound of my voice and when he sees me he collapses to his knees. I run up to him

“Dustin... Hey Dustin it's me... Emma. Hey you're ok” I rub his arms “Look at me Dustin, where are the rest? They coming?”

He cries, I don't think I've ever seen anyone cry this hard before. A chill runs through my body. He was supposed to be with Eddie, they were the distraction. For what Eddie didn't tell me just that him and Dustin were the ones in least danger.

“Dustin... Where is Eddie?” my voice scares me it's so calm. The boy in my arms sobs so hard he loses his breath time and time again “Dustin for fucks sake where is he?”

He looks up at me... shakes his head and only one word falls from his lips

“Dead”

I hear someone screaming... a blood-curdling scream... It's me, I'm the one screaming.

Then...darkness

End of part 2

[pappydaddy]

anon and steve's relationship playlist

this is for this anon who wanted a playlist of their relationship with steve

here is the spotify playlist lovely

here you go lovely steve anon (hope you don't mind me calling you that! you are simply so sweet for that kind ask you sent, i know i basically almost cried when i replied to it, but i can't help myself! i hope you don't mind, but i made the reader dustin's sibling, but you will see why soon! anywho, i hope you love this playlist and glimpse into your relationship with steve! sorry this took so long lovely!

also, i would like to mention how the pronouns in the songs do not hold any weight in the decision of putting these in the playlist. i focused more on the vibe of the song.

1. 1985 - bo burnham

so, this really just applies to the first part of the song before anything after 0:40 seconds but the song is too catchy not to listen to in full! also, let's pretend it's 1983 instead lovelies!

anywho, back to the relationship. so, i am picturing hate to love with this. i remember high school and i can totally relate to you because we share a lot of the same qualities/traits, i would have hated steve in high school. steve oozes privilege. while you're basically fighting to survive in high school (and in life because ms. henderson is a single mother so let's not pretend the henderson's are well off financially and socioeconomically), he's just coasting right through. he just can walk into any situation and be confident and unbothered. he takes everything with a grain of salt, nothing is serious to him. safe to say you were not king steve's biggest fan.

1. the man - taylor swift

i know i listed this as 1 as well as 1985, but that's because these kinda build off each other so...

i take you as a feminist and i think you would probably be a radical feminist in the 80s. you can see the double-standards. be it sexism or oppression due to socioeconomic status, you would be viewed as mysterious and intriguing, not weird and a freak (due to your introversion and the quiet that comes with that). your ambition would be viewed differently and not abrasive, your smarts would not be diminished and ignored, and your art and creativity would not be overlooked. this is another reason you're not steve's biggest fan because he's an asshole when he's king steve. he furthers these double standards, he contributes to all of this.

2. people watching - conan grey

we're pretending that you didn't get involved in the upside down until season 2 because dustin had protected you as long as he could.

this is when steve and nancy are together. you see them mostly because they were the 'it couple', but you see the other relationships. you crave that love and emotion, you crave the intimacy of a relationship. their love and relationships fuel your daydreams. you feel lonely (a little) and you just hope that someday you will feel that terrifying but truly exhilarating fall into love, but for right now, you just watch.

3. softcore - the neighbourhood

setting: season 2. situation: the two of you risking your life for the kids. in the junk yard, in that old bus, sitting on the ground side by side, you guys start talking. from that moment on (for the entirety of the events of season 2) whenever there is a chance, you two talk. disclosing your fears, connecting, claiming that the kids are annoying then also saying you would both go to the ends of the earth for them. when billy shows up, steve jumps in to protect you and the kids then once steve is knocked out, you jump in but max still saves the day. common thing that comes up during your conversations: wondering if you are too young for this because you two are really just kids yourself being faced with protecting a gang of younger kids from interdimensional creatures.

4. prom queen - beach bunny

this song is about your crush on steve. after the events of season 2 and the forced proximity (and those deep and hushed talks), you developed feelings for steve. as much as you hated to admit it, he was actually a good person (now). still, steve does not seem to make time for you. small waves are ignored in the halls, but when he comes over to pick up/hang out with dustin, he talks to you? it's confusing and upsetting. you're looking at yourself and comparing yourself to the girls he's dated in the past. and you can't help but to question how you can get him to like you more. (don't worry lovely, you're perfect and do not need to change, anyone who tells you that is shallow and rather incorrect).

5. heather - conan grey

another pining song for you my lovely! let's stray from canon for a moment. steve doesn't lose his appeal to women until season 3 and this is still season 2 time (between the seasons). you see steve getting close to a girl. a girl so sweet and so perfect that it's impossible to find something bad about her. he's given her the sweater he gave you one cold december night when you guys were waiting for dustin after the snowball. they walk past, not even seeing you, and you're left in the dust realizing that steve likes her better than you.

6. you belong with me - taylor swift

his relationship is crumbling. steve and this girl realize they have nothing in common. while it hurts you, you continue to hang out with steve because you don't think you could go on without him in your life. as he talks and complains (and moans since she broke up with him), you just can't stop thinking about how steve belongs with you, and nobody else. you just have to wait for the day he wakes up and realizes that.

7. wish you were sober - conan grey

in an effort to get over his recent break-up, steve drags you to a party. an odd change since he never seemed to want people to know he talks to you. he gets shitfaced and just keeps downing beers. discarded beers, warm beers, cold beers, beers that were mostly foam. if it was in a red solo cup, he was downing it. you plead with him to stop, and are able to convince him to go somewhere quiet - his bmw. sitting there, the moonlight streaming in through the tree tops, raining upon you in beams, music playing quietly. you're in the driver's seat, not wanting to go anywhere yet in case steve pukes. he's mumbling, but it appears he is talking to you.

"you know, Y/N," he paused, voice slurring. "i really regret getting close to you."

"What do you mean, steve?" you ask, blinking rapidly as you're trying not to jump to conclusions but how can you not be hurt when you're crush says they regret knowing you?

"i like you and if i didn't get close to you, then i would be able to move on from you."

"real sweet, but i wish you were sober"

but you didn't know that he meant every word.

8. september - earth, wind, & fire

little time jump. steve doesn't remember that night, but you do and you ignore it. he was drunk, spewing nonsense. you weren't going to bring it up and ruin everything. you're in school now while he's back home working at family video. on christmas break, you're back without having to travel back and forth between school and home (you still live at home and went to the closest school, let's say purdue). steve and you remember a disco-themed welcome week event you drug him to in september where you danced all night long with each other. dicso, slow songs, fast songs, you danced them all. steve has got it bad and starts dancing with you just like you did that night.

9. there she goes again - the la's

steve longing. steve longing. steve longing. when he sees you, he cannot contain his happiness and excitement, cannot contain the good chemicals invading his brain. when he watches as you seclude yourself in your studies when your breaks end and he cannot contain his sadness.

10. she's so high - tal bachman

montage. montage. montage. this is his prom queen equivalent. you are simply magnificent in steve's eyes (and everyone else's because, well, you are magnificent lovely). to steve, you hung the stars and created the whole universe. how could you ever like him romantically when you're you? you're out going to post-secondary education, hanging out with other people furthering their education or moving out on their own. you probably met a bunch of city people with money and their own apartments. steve is steve. still in hawkins living with his parents and working at family video. he's distanced himself from you a bit because of these insecurities. so, when you call him one night begging to hang out with him, he's completely floored and even pinches himself. even though you basically ask him to go on a date (dustin finally pushed you enough to do it), he's convinced that nothing will ever happen between you two.

11. i think i'm in love again - kat dahlia

the beginning stages of this relationship. obviously, since you two had such strong feelings before you guys started this friends/romantically linked relationship, the feelings are progressing much faster than normal. while you both have feelings and like each other, love is a whole other story. you've both been hurt in the past. you've both felt love, but let's be honest, it didn't feel as strong as this. as you both want to deny it, to be stubborn, to get on each other's nerves in a playful way as if you two are still friends/flirting, you cannot deny the feelings and how brighter the world is. you never thought you would be in love with steve 'the hair' harrington, the very person you hated in school. steve never thought he would feel love again after nancy. but, both of you hesitantly extend your hands and take the leap towards each other hoping you both catch each other.

12. dress - taylor swift

at this point, you're not really sure how you guys got here, but you're hooking up and making out in serect, but to everyone else, you're still best friends. to the both of you, you're just best friends (with benefits) because you are both still too scared to actually speak your feelings. now, you're both feeling the pining, the desperation, the burning passion when alone. but, wanting more, you wear your best outfit that makes you look hot with a capital 'h', trying to tell steve you don't want him as a friend with benefits - you want him as a lover.

13. is this love - whitesnake

nothing comes of the outfit plan, but you put an end to the benefits because you don't want to be that, you either want to be friends, nothing, or in a relationship, but steve never wants to talk about it. you, in one last attempt, ask him to go to a party your school friends are throwing for one of their outside-of-school friends. steve, being an idiot, forgot and picked up a shift with robin at family video. he decides it would be okay to tell you to go by yourself. robin tells him he is an idiot and informs him that you could meet someone else at this party, then he realizes he should have known better than to let you go to the party alone.

14. kiss her you fool - kids that fly

this i picture is playing in the background as steve leaves work and starts driving like hell to get to that party. he arrives there on a tear and searches the party for you finding you talking to one of your friends by a table. breathless, he walks up to you. his hair is slightly a mess (odd for him), he still has his vest on, but he's looking at you in such a way it makes you shiver. he proclaims his love for you, apologizes for everything (especially ditching you tonight), and kisses you before you can say that you love him too (he acknowledges how blind he was to your attempts).

15. i think we're alone now - tiffany

this is the aftermath of the above blurb once you guys get to steve's car and park it in a private spot where you guys are alone.

16. even the nights are better - air supply

this is a bit of a fast forward. but it's just a soft preview of you guys finding comfort within each other. i picture kind of what my fic based on the song feels like.

17. crazier - taylor swift

this is the i love you moment, where you realize that this is the love that will last and you just know you have to tell Steve. this song is the start of your long and happy relationship.

18. lover - taylor swift

you have graduated from post-secondary education. you and steve had gotten an apartment beforehand and saved like crazy and now you guys have a house. a small bungalow starter home with mismatched furniture. only the necessities, but it's your home with the love of your life and it's perfect.

19. paper rings - taylor swift

now that you have the house, steve sees it as the perfect time to commit himself fully in some way (like with a promise ring, to propose, etc.), but since you're just newly graduated and neither of you are getting paid much, money is tight. you overhear steve talking and stressing with dustin one night when you had gotten home earlier than you planned from spending time with some friends. you reassure him that he doesn't need to give you a fancy ring or a ring at all.

20. she looks so perfect - 5 seconds of summer

just steve appreciating you for the magnificent person you are in all of your perfection lovely!

[hwanswerland]

stranger things spoilers for season 4.2 ahead

ehhh idk what to think about this finale tbh, at least not plot wise. what i do know is that the will/mike/eleven dynamic was fucked and not in a good way, poor will deserves better. that was so homophobic of the writers actually, and I don't even ship anything here, I really get why people are mad. will in general giving of "unneccessary side character vibes" fucking rip my boy, i hope you get your chance to shine and heal and everything. also the thing with robin and her girl felt...cheap in a way? idk can't describe it but eh. when they were talking at the end they kind of felt like the same character which is just lazy writing imo

the steve/nancy/jonathan thing was also so fucking unneccesary imo but that might just be my hate for love triangles speaking, as well as me getting annoyed that seemingly every character (especially when I like said character) ever needs to have some sort of love interest. i mean it made sense in the earlier seasons i think but really, bringing that particular thing back? not a fan.

eddie's death was so random and did not make a lot of sense narratively, the whole "i'm not a hero and always running" and then him dying because he suddenly had a change of mind or whatever? and for what? for everyone to still hate him and everyone but dustin to never even say his name despite him being a part of their team? and once again i'm not even invested, that's just observations i remember rn bc 4 hours was just too long for me to remember a lot rn lmao, i need some time to reflect

at least freaking brenner is finally dead, even though i still don't agree with how he wasn't framed as exactly the asshole that he is. it was better these two eps but all of volume one i was going like ???? WHY ARE THEY FRAMING HIM AS BEING KINDA MISUNDERSTOOD MAYBE NOT BEING THE REAL BAD GUY? yeah idk, his and els relationship was also off somehow imo

from what i saw the cast/writers idk saying about it i expected a LOT more deaths and especially the main cast dying, not that i'm complaining that they didn't but...yeah

soooo yeah not being overly invested bc of no 1 relatable character already being dead does have it's perks :| i imagine this was disappointing for a lot of people

[thatgirlwhowritesbooks]

"So. About the whole Nancy/Park thing...

I don’t think it’s going to happen. I know some of the showrunners/writers were boasting about some big love triangle for the season, but we’ve now completed eight out of thirteen episodes, and there isn’t even a hint of a triangle yet. I honestly don’t see Agent Park being a major character that goes into season 4, therefore I don’t see the “love triangle” making it past 3x13.

For starters, Park really isn’t giving off any vibes that he’s into Nancy in that way. Intrigued by her, definitely. And why wouldn’t he be? She’s just as good of a detective as he is, yet she’s only 19 but hasn’t gone through the training/years of college he did to get there. But I don’t get any romantic or lustful vibes from him. Now, from Nancy? Sure. We’ve seen the way she’s looked at him a couple of times, with a soft, almost wistful gaze. But that can be easily explained away without coming to the conclusion that she’s falling for him."

YOU LED US ASTRAY

I'm sorry! But to be fair, anything I ever post on here is just a theory, and I've never claimed my theories are good. HOWEVER, I'm still not concerned about Nancy and Park AT ALL, especially after this last episode.

It's 100% clear now that Park is nothing but a "next best thing" or a second choice for Nancy. There were a lot of times she made heart eyes at him this episode, just like in the last episode. But as soon as she saw Ace's text asking her to meet him ALONE at the loft because he had something he wanted to tell her? She couldn't have cared less about Park. The way she said good night to him, and the way she said "Agent Park" just felt so official and business-like to me. Like in that moment, any little crush-like feelings she may have had for him had suddenly vanished. And it was because that text made her think that maybe—JUST MAYBE—Ace was going to tell her he was in love with her. Which only goes to show that from here on out, any guy Nancy may have a fling with, if Ace shows even a hint of interest in her, she's going to drop them to pursue something with him. Because he's the one she's in love with, not anyone else. I mean, they made it kind of obvious when Park said to Nancy, "So you have been in love" and then Nancy said nothing before it cut immediately to a scene with Ace.

Another reason I'm not concerned: there have been two opportunities now for the show to give us a dreamscape Nace kiss without actually having them kiss in real life, and they've refused to do so—because they're holding out for the real thing. Because Nace's first kiss is going to be special and it's going to be epic. Nark's first kiss, though? They showed it in the promo for the next episode! It's like when Nancy and Nick's first kiss happened off-camera before the show even started, and Nancy and Owen's first kiss happened in a dream. Nace truly is the only one of Nancy's relationships that the show has handled with care. And they've gone out of their way to make their relationship progression different from the rest of Nancy's to really drive the point home that Nace is the show's endgame relationship (they've made that quite obvious).

The promo makes the next episode seem weird. Like...Ace is missing, yet nobody is addressing it? None of them are worried about him? They're just continuing with their lives as normal, going to a party? So, it's possible that the Nark kiss could either occur while they're under a spell, or it may not even happen in their reality? Or maybe it's real because Nancy, upset because she thinks Ace ghosted her, decides to start something with Park to try and get over Ace. Either way, Ace is definitely going to be witnessing their interactions from wherever the hell he and Hannah are, and it's going to destroy him but also maybe make him act fast after he returns from the upside down.

Either way, yes, Nark is...happening, I guess? But I really don't see it as being anything serious. I know the last time I posted about this, people jumped down my throat about how the writers would NEVER use Park as a plot device just to get Nace together, but c'mon...Nancy has known him for a week, they're from entirely different worlds (and generations), and Park is just a guest-starring role that probably won't be around much (if at all) in season 4. Besides, this is how love triangles work in the land of TV! Especially when two of the characters involved are MAIN characters and the other one is just a guest star. After last night's episode, I'm even more convinced (but again, this is just a theory) that we'll be getting a feelings confession and a kiss by the end of the season (although I truly believe something major will happen that keeps them from officially getting together until sometime next season, assuming we get one).

But take my words with a grain of salt, because I really don't know what I'm talking about.

[trampohlena]

Well, it's finally over. And thank Rao it is because these writers could not create truly engaging material if their jobs depended on it because clearly they don't. If I was a showrunner or another one of TPTB and someone came up to me and pitched this exact version of season 6 to me I would have flat out fired them, or at the very least asked them if they were on crack because what the fuck?

Okay, I don't want to be a complete Negative Nancy and shit on the entire show because it genuinely used to be my favorite and I truly do believe that they had such an incredible cast that was often underutilized...BUT...overall, not good. Honestly...kind of garbage. But before I get into the bad let me first just state the things that I actually did think were good/cute.

1. The entire Dansen wedding. It was truly the only real saving grace of the episode in my opinion. It was everything it should have been and was really beautiful to watch.

2. ESME. This little girl is soooo adorable. I loved every moment she was on screen. And her and James?? Their interactions were so flippin' cute! The best uncle & niece combo I've seen in a while. would love to see more interactions with them even though he was written off and the show has ended, lol.

3. Ms. Grant's reappearance and taking over control of Catco once again and thinking of Kara as Editor-in-chief.

4. Kara looking like an entire fucking snack the whole episode. Like daaaammmnnn...Melissa just had a baby?? Where?

5. Lena looked so beautiful at William's funeral, literally stunning. She's had a lot of hairstyles recently but my favorite will always be her hair down and straight (unlike her and Kara).

6. Lena getting asked to be Esme's godmother? Yes please, always and forever. She is now the godmother to two children, speaks volumes. Even if Sam and Kelly & Alex were thinking logistically of "okay who can afford to take care of our kid? Lena!"

7. J'onn learning that he and M'Gann are going to have a son in the future. Fucking beautiful and perfect and lovely closure.

That's it. That's all the good. Now onto the shit I disliked, didn't understand, or just hated with a fiery passion.

1. The fucking plot/story arc. No surprises there. The fact that the entire first hour was trying to get Esme back and defeat Nyxly and Lex and they only managed to do the former. WHYYYYY could they not have resolved the entire Nyxly and Lex drama in the first episode? Why have it continue into the second part and eat up valuable time that could have been spent further exploring everyone's character development/growth as well as having a more in depth, satisfying closure...ESPECIALLY FOR OUR LEAD!

2. Introducing returning characters into the second part of the episode? AGAIN, why could they not have come in sooner and helped them defeat Nyxly and Lex by the end of part one? That way part two could focus on the wedding and Kara coming into herself and figuring out how to assimilate her purpose and identity into one, all on her own.

3. The fact that still, yet again, Kara really didn't make the choice that she made all on her own. She still had people persuading her left and right. Alex telling her to just take the job so that maybe it will give her a sense of purpose. As if her job is her reason for existing? Like, excuse me? Ms. Grant obviously pressuring her into taking the position, someone Kara never wanted to disappoint because she considers her a mentor. Lena was the only one who was like "hey, you don't have to stress so much about everyone and everyone's expectations of you. Just do you and if someone tries to fuck with that we got your back, FRIEND!" Ugghhh, I've never hated that word so much in my life.

Why did they make Kara seem so lost? How could she possibly still be so lost after experiencing everything that she did. I know trauma is super difficult to navigate and to heal from but it has also shown her everything she didn't want, like for example when she said "I don't want to be alone anymore." And what happened? She still ended up alone? Mkay. I'm going to come back to this and expound on the entirity of the joke that is Supercorp but first let me get the rest of this dumb shit out.

4. Stupid little things in the plot that I thought were just dumb, or didn't understand: Nyxly and Lex turning into reptilians? Why? No explanation either...okay.

5. Draining the sun's energy? That's literally not how the sun works. Like scientifically speaking, just no. And Kara saying "I'll give it back!" Umm, I'm sorry but how? How could you possibly give the sun energy back after absorbing it? You just gonna laser vision the fuck out of it till it lights up again and you die from exertion? The actual fact that she had 6 more seconds until the sun's solar flare would have been completely absorbed and then she's like "I can't it's not right." First of all you taking the time to say that was more than six seconds so by the time you finished objecting that bitch was already drained, and secondly, how does just stopping the connection restore all of the sun's power and leave her with none of the residual? Literally so confused.

6. Everyone turning into zombies from Pleasantville? Yet SOMEHOW all of the human Superfriends remain intact, colorful, despite knowing the true terror that they are facing? Make it make sense. It would have been cool for say Lena to lose hope and have Kara pull her out of it with just a hug. It's so simple. Have Lena slowly start to fade to grey and then have Kara pull her in for a tight embrace and watch her face flood with color again after inhaling Kara's shampoo. Give us something!

7. Lillian dying for Lex instead of Lena? Gross. It would have been far more realistic and plausible if Lex had tried to blast Lena and Lillian jumped in the way to save Lena's life as opposed to Lex's. She did try to poison him after all, he even brought it up in the episode. I think a mother who is willing to poison/kill her son is pretty much over protecting them, right? It would have been more meaningful if she had saved Lena and would have added more emotion to the conversation between Lillian and Lena while the oldest Luthor was on her deathbed. But instead that time was spent further explaining away plot choices as to why Lena hadn't expressed any magic earlier on because Lillian hid talismans all over the house. Give me a break dude. They must make designer talismans because those are the only ones I can see Lillian allowing in her beautiful, austentatious mansion.

8. Another fucking Hope speech. How many times can they rewrite the same fucking speech? How many reiterations of the SAME motifs can we tolerate? I wasn't the slightest bit emotional or moved from that speech. The entire time I kept thinking, omg here we go again "believe in yourself" *queue eyeroll*.

9. The fact that Lena used a spell to "melt people's defenses" and get them to believe/understand the message? NON-NOCERE much??? Did they forget about that entire debacle? Also the constant saying "no we can't do that" and then doing it only to again admitting "no we can't do that" the entire fucking season. I can't.

10. Lex's gladiator line after Nyxly summons past protagonists? He literally says "that's a bit too fifth dimensional for my taste" (something along those lines) and then does the exact same thing. I'm confused.

11. I LOVE Eliza so much. She is the greatest mom to both Kara and Alex and I don't know why she would ever think of herself as anything less when talking to Alex and Kara before the wedding and the girls not saying like "you've been the best mom." Y'all forget your fucking manners because I know the sweet beautiful angel that is Eliza taught them to you! Also her showing up to help in the battle. I get it. I understand the joke they were going for but it literally came out of left field. Like so random. Eliza lives in Midvale and the wedding wasn't for another three weeks so like...the fuck was she doing there?

12. I thought Cat Grant already knew that Kara was Supergirl? Am I wrong? I was under the impression that it was insinuated before she left the show that she knew that Kara was Supergirl and that Kara knew as well. I might be wrong but I was super confused. Also didn't make sense because when she called Kara she said that she only feels lost/burnt out because she never takes any time off and she's always doing too much and Kara just said like "I know". So you're telling me that Kara thought that Cat Grant thought that Kara was doing too much reporting and giving too much of herself to her reporting job? The one she is constantly "going missing "throughout her shift? Okay, I guess.

13. Ironic that this is the thirteenth item on the list because it is also MY THIRTEENTH REASON!...Supercorp is NOT endgame. What an absolute, fucking tragedy. A complete, garbage waste of pure on-screen chemistry. No doubt the BIGGEST queerbait in television history. There is no explanation or excuse justifying the fact that Supercorp was not made canon.

Okay so first of all, if I hear the word "friend" or "friendship" ever again I'm gonna vomit. We get it. We get it now. You had us fooled for a really long time but we get it. They're just friends. The pure lack of Supercorp scenes throughout the episode was insanely disappointing. They literally had like two scenes and the first was short and a dumb little disagreement that has been reiterated in several episodes prior.

Where was Lena consoling Kara after the funeral?

Where was Kara consoling Lena after LIllian's death and not just a quick hug but an actual conversation?

Where was Lena talking to Kara after she finally made her decision to out herself as Supergirl and asking her how she feels about it?

Why did they sit them at opposite ends of the scene during the final game night? We couldn't even get them sitting next to each other? Is that too gay? To sit next to your best friend? That's too gay? The writers really wanted to rub it in our faces that these bitches are JUST FRIENDS?Mkay.

And I know what their excuses would be for writing it the way they did "well we just didn't have enough time, it's too much to fit in" well bitch that's a YOU PROBLEM! Because y'all could have made better/smarter choices and we could have gotten more character development in the final moments of the show. No one cries for plot, we cry for connection. JFC.

I really thought we would at the very least get an implied moment/insinuation to Supercorp becoming canon. Something. Anything. People are even saying that they left it open-ended. No they didn't. They literally shut that shit down. They clearly stated that they are just friends. Even the focus on Lena after James says that he finally figured out what he wanted...the way it was edited made it look like James wanted Lena. There was no Kara staring affectionately at Lena or anything like that (which would have been a wonderful choice).

It was just really poor choices and superficial decisions all around. Whenever I finish a television show that I love I ALWAYS get emotional. I always cry and feel a sense of loss for these wonderful characters I've grown to love but honestly, and I'm not joking, I literally laughed when the show was over. I sat on my couch at like two in the fucking morning and LAUGHED at how dumb it was. Especially after dedicating an ENTIRE episode in the fifth season explaining that exposing Supergirl's true identity only ends in disaster and death. Like if they had not have done that, then fine. But they did do that and they wanted us to forget. Well I will never forget. I will never forget what a complete dumpster fire Supergirl became in its last season. I will never forget the GREATEST queerbait in ALL of television history. And I swear to never forget because as a writer who aspires to write for television some day, I would never make the mistakes these writers/show runners/ TPTB have. I have learned exactly what NOT to do and instead have learned HOW to alienate fans and disservice the characters.

Also when I have my own show I am ABSOLUTELY searching AO3 archives for writers and inviting them into the writer's room. Another thing I can't stand about the industry is that it is truly "all about who you know" and A LOT of incredibly talented writers and artists get overlooked because they're not related to, or friends with, someone already in the industry. But that's another spiel for another day.

Anyway, that's it. Kudos to you if you've made it this far, that was a lot of ranting, my apologies. And to all my fellow Supercorpers out there, can't wait to read the fics and talk about 'em with y'all. Love you all. Peace out homies!