#and how easy it would have been to save eddie by ZIPPING UP HIS FUCKING JACKET

[sorrelchestnut]

Eddie wishes he can remember the first time he met Steve. Wishes it was suitably weighty and dramatic, some grand portentous moment he could point to and claim that yes, he always knew this one was going to be important to him. That this one was going to be everything.

But nope, Eddie can't remember jack shit. And not in the usual way he can't remember things, like his keys or his wallet or what time he's supposed to show up somewhere, but in the more generic, too-young-to-stick kind of way that always annoyed the shit out of him when his dad tried to claim some long forgotten acquaintance that cooed over him once in a stroller. Whatever first encounter between the two of them that must have occurred in some playground or parking lot is lost forever to the mists of history, unrecorded and unremarked-upon. Eddie's first clear memory of Steve Harrington isn't until high school, an annoying little freshman horsing around in a too-big jersey on game day when Eddie was just trying to get to his fucking locker, but by then they'd been vaguely aware of each other's existence for time immemorial. That's just how it works when you grow up in the same twenty square miles.

Steve doesn't remember either; Eddie checked. Steve's first clear memory of Eddie is a little earlier - apparently there was a very contentious game of Red Rover that almost came to blows while Steve was running laps, Eddie remembers the detention if not the observer - but he already knew who Eddie was just the same as Eddie knew about him. That Harrington boy, that Munson boy, one grade apart and opposite sides of the tracks but still trapped in the same little rat maze of existence just the same.

It doesn't bother Steve the way it does Eddie, the not-remembering. But then, Steve doesn't have a feel for narrative the way Eddie does, has no room for poetry in his pragmatic little soul. Steve doesn't really give a damn about how they began so much as making sure they don't have an end, and it's one of Eddie's favorite things about him, how fucking straightforward he can be about shit when Eddie feels like he's in an eternal tailspin - but it's also a little frustrating, too, because it means he's alone in telling a story that doesn't have a proper beginning.

So, he tells it a different way. Ignores all the backstory, two houses very much not alike in dignity, circling each other in lazy unknowing orbit. Ignores the collision, broken bottle and a boat oar, ignores the fun little stroll through a hell dimension and flirting over felony grand theft auto. Picks up right there in media res on their way to the end of the world, with Steve grabbing him by his collar on his way of his front door into a hell dimension, frowning at him like Eddie had personally insulted his mother.

"Hey hey hey, where do you think you're going like that?"

"Um?" Eddie squinted back at him, not sure if he was more taken aback by being summarily scruffed like an unruly dog or how weirdly unthreatened he felt by the entire experience. "I don't think someone dressed like an extra from Top Gun has room to insult my fashion choices."

Steve made this hilarious little squinched-up face, like, what? And then promptly ignored him. "Zip that shit up," he said, releasing Eddie in order to gesture to his shirtfront. "Those layers won't do jack shit if you leave it open."

There was a lot to unpack there, not the least Steve's beleaguered single-mother-of-four tone, but Eddie focused on the most important part. "You remember my part in the plan, right? Hard to play a badass guitar solo when I'm all bundled up, dude."

Steve hit him with the most unimpressed look Eddie had ever seen on a human face, and he'd been in and out of detention since grade six. "Hard to play anything with your guts ripped out, dude."

That… was a compelling point. Eddie looked guiltily down at Steve's middle, the bulk of makeshift bandages just visible under the thick fabric of his t-shirt, then shifted his spear to his other hand in order to zip up his jacket. At Steve's expectant expression, he sullenly zipped up the vest, too.

"Happy now?" he said, spreading his arms for inspection. "Do I pass muster, my liege?"

Steve just looked him up and down, like he was actually checking, and then gave him an absolutely shithead grin that Eddie remembered from high school and clapped him on the shoulder. "You'll do."

Dustin eyed him with hilarious skepticism as they emerged from the trailer, but kept his mouth shut until Steve and co. were venturing off into the woods. Out of the corner of his mouth, he said, "You look like Rambo screwed the Stay-Puft marshmallow."

"Shut the fuck up," Eddie said gratefully, and then Eddie played a concert, and Eddie played the hero, and Eddie didn't die. And that's why he starts the story there, right in the middle of everything: because it was the first time Steve took care of him when he needed it.

It definitely wasn't the last.

[mixsethaddams]

Rope Burns (Alt Prompt)

Day 5 for @febuwhump. (Yes I know I'm late I'm catching up. I'll add all these to ao3 soon too.)

Eddie Munson

Words: 1210.

Warnings for a mob murdering Eddie 🤷🏻‍♀️

Eddie should have known it wouldn’t be so easy.

Well, easy might have been an over-simplification. But in comparison to dragging yourself out of hell and fighting to clear your name of all those pesky murder charges, not to mention the most intense physical therapy known to man, yeah, maybe Eddie thought things might eventually get a little easier. 

He never thought he’d find himself wishing that Jason Carver survived being torn in half, but here he was. According to Lucas, Jason had seen just enough before he died to turn him into a believer. In the very last moment of his life he supposedly had a look of total clarity on his face. Lucas swears that he would have switched sides if he made it. That would have stopped Eddie from getting jumped twice a week by everyone who knew Jason, Chrissy, and Patrick. Even people who had ostracised Fred after the car crash were on his ass. Eddie wondered if Jason would appreciate the irony of being his saviour. 

It looked like he was about to find out. 

The jeers from the ground below him snapped Eddie back to the present. He was kneeling on top of his own van, ambushed in the woods by a bunch of fucking teenagers wearing Hawkins High sports jackets. One quick kick to the back of his head was all it took to get him pliant enough to be dragged onto the roof and tied up. Hands firmly behind his back with zip ties and ankles swiftly broken with a golf club. The rope around his neck was flung up over a nearby branch. It was cutting into his skin now, getting tighter every time it was pulled by whoever was taking their turn yanking on the other end. 

He had long since stopped trying to reason with them. It was obvious now how this would end. Eddie had originally started off with his usual sarcastic quips, trying to frustrate them enough to leave him alone, and moved onto yelling for help when that didn’t work. No one heard him. There was a reason he came so far into the woods. It was private, people never came around here. Realising that the group must have tracked him the entire time he was out of the house today was when it clicked with him that this was a plan. They weren’t just the usual band of small town bastards out to mess with him. No. They were here to kill him. 

Eddie hissed in pain as a knife slide over his inner arm, elbow to wrist. 

“How’s that feel, Freak?” crowed the boy standing behind him. 

“Feels great,” mumbled Eddie, his airways straining against the rope now, vision starting to blur.

The rush of blood from his arm down over his hands was making his stomach turn. Eddie hated blood. The smell of it cut through the scent of wet leaves around them. He was glad at least that he didn’t have to see it. 

Eddie yelled as the boy kicked at his feet, right into his broken ankles. He swayed off to the side but the rope stopped him from falling. He gasped for air and felt his lungs start to burn before he was righted by a rough hand grabbing his hair. 

“Let’s just fucking do this,” someone on the ground called. “I don’t want to get caught out here,”

“Yeah!” agreed another voice. “Just push him off the edge and let’s go,”

The hand in Eddie’s hair wrenched his head back so the person could look down into his face. The kid didn’t look more than seventeen. 

“You know,” he told Eddie. “I think they’re right. I’m getting bored,”

For a split second Eddie had a naïve flash of hope that maybe they might leave him alone. It was snuffed out as soon as it appeared though, when his head was steered down so he could watch as two of the spectators tired the end of the rope around the base of a tree.

“Any last words, Freak?” he was asked.

Eddie wanted to say yes. He wanted to plead his case and say that he’d tried to save Chrissy, he never touched Jason or Patrick or Fred, he would never dream of hurting Max. He wanted to tell them all about his uncle and how hard his death would hit the man. They would be murdering Wayne too because he wouldn’t survive another heartbreak this big. Eddie wanted to talk about the kids from Hellfire and if they could just speak to them they’d see that he was a dork with no badness in him at all. He wanted to ask to see his bloody arms, and hope that maybe fainting at the sight of his own blood would prove he didn’t have it in him to be a murderer.

Eddie said nothing. He knew nothing would work. He looked up at the sky and closed his eyes. Eddie thought of all the good memories he could muster. He thought of winter nights in the trailer with Wayne, watching black and white Westerns on their small TV. He thought of belly laughs during DnD sessions. He thought of Steve Harrington and the stolen smiles and glances of the last few months. Soft brushes of fingertips on the couch when no one else was paying attention. He thought of everything that could have been. 

Eddie wondered if his Momma would be waiting for him when it happened. If he’d feel her arms around him as he cried for the life that he left behind. The thought that he might hear her laugh again made him brave. She always called him her Little Soldier. If he skimmed his knee or hurt himself she would coo in his ear while she tended to him, promising that he was doing so well. She called him fearless and made him feel like he could do anything. He was a coward without her, and it was only her memory that helped Eddie hold his ground against the bats. He would have courage now too. For her. 

“Well?” 

Eddie shook his head and kept his eyes closed. Tears were falling freely down his face now. He wasn’t ready to die. He had no choice. 

Eddie felt a shoe rest between his shoulder blades and a cheer came from the group on the ground. The boy behind him kicked hard, and Eddie tumbled over the edge of the van’s roof. 

His instinct was to open his eyes to find an escape route but he kept them screwed shut. He didn’t want any of these people to be the last thing he saw. His feet weren’t quite touching the forest floor but even if they were, his broken ankles would have stopped him getting any purchase against it. His legs flailed against his will, the momentum from the fall causing them to swing. 

Eddie felt his eyes roll into the back of his head and the pain in his chest screamed for relief. The tell-tale sounds of people running away through twigs and bushes went quiet quickly, their squeals of delight fading away. Or maybe that was just him. 

Eddie’s legs stopped kicking long before he was found. 

[clusterbuck]

Ooh I like this Ficlet Starter: "At least I didn't break any laws."

if anyone sees me writing this at work no you didn't <3 it's fine my software takes a million years to reload itself

thanks for the prompt!

"at least i didn't break any laws," buck says, as prim and dignified as he can be with his hands restrained behind his back.

"yeah?" eddie asks, barely holding in a laugh. "is that why you're in aquarium jail right now?"

"i'm not—" buck starts, just as the security guard behind him heaves a put-upon sigh.

"i keep telling you, there's no such thing as aquarium jail," she says.

"so we can go?" eddie asks.

she sighs again. "unfortunately not. the director of the aquarium wants to speak with you, so she asked me to keep you here until then."

"see?" eddie says. "aquarium jail."

"remind me, which one of us has been in real jail?" buck says, and grins when eddie sighs.

"that was one time, buck." he rolls his eyes, but there's no annoyance in his voice. this particular issue has long since been put to bed; it's brought up to amuse, not to antagonise.

"can you at least untie my hands?" buck asks the security guard. "i promise i'm not going to make a break for it."

she looks between buck and eddie, apprehension clear on her face. "i'll tackle him for you if he does," eddie promises.

"traitor," buck huffs.

"i want to know what the director has to say," eddie shrugs. "besides," he says as the door opens behind him, "our son would never forgive you if you got us banned from the aquarium."

he doesn't mean to say our son, but it slips out anyway. he can hear the catch in buck's breath as he picks up on it, and he's halfway to opening his mouth when the director walks in.

good thing, too. it's not like he knew what he was going to say.

the director is a familiar face—they'd helped her out of a totaled car some weeks ago, after she'd been rear-ended. it turns out to be their saving grace, in the end.

"normally," she says, "trying to climb into a tank would be grounds for a permanent ban."

eddie shoots buck a look.

"but i recognised you from the security footage, so i just—firefighter buckley, what were you even trying to do?"

buck twitches, and eddie realises he's trying to hold his hands up placatingly, only they're still secured behind his back. "first of all," buck says, "i was never going to climb into the tank. i know there's a lot of, like, chemical balance-y things going on, i wouldn't fuck with that."

the director raises an eyebrow, but she gestures for him to go on.

buck's arms jerk again, and eddie cuts in. "can you untie his hands now? i think we've established he isn't exactly a dangerous criminal."

the director nods at the security guard, who releases the zip tie around buck's wrists. he mouths a thank you at eddie, and eddie flashes a smile before narrowing his eyes.

"what were you trying to do, buck?"

"thought you were supposed to have my back," buck mutters.

"i can have your back and still want to know why you were climbing into a shark tank," eddie says.

"okay, first of all, it wasn't a shark tank," buck huffs, as if eddie is somehow the ridiculous one here. "and like i said, i wasn't trying to climb into it! i was just trying to get a better vantage point."

"vantage point of what, exactly?" the director asks. "all the tanks are designed to be viewed from the floor."

buck doesn't look at her when he answers her question. instead, his eyes are on eddie when he shrugs and says "christopher wanted to have his birthday party here, i was just trying to figure out if the space would work."

"buck," eddie says, and he's aiming for reproachful, he really is, but he thinks it probably lands somewhere in the realm of adoring. then he frowns. "was the climbing really necessary, though?"

"it seemed like the fastest way," buck says, and eddie sighs, with the fond kind of exasperation he knows he only brings out for buck.

he turns back to the director, who's looking between them curiously. "i don't know how i didn't realise at the accident," she says. "how long have you two been together?"

eddie freezes. it's not the first time someone's made this assumption, but it feels different this time. because there's been something in the air between them these past few weeks, something in the lingering glances and glancing touches that permeate their every interaction. something in the way he'd slipped out our son, easy as anything, and the way buck's breath had hitched in surprise but his face had telegraphed nothing but joy.

it feels different this time, like maybe it's not so off-base. it feels different in a way that sets his pulse racing and a slight flush creeping up his neck and across his face.

"i—uh," buck says, and he looks just as flustered as eddie feels. "we're—not?" but he looks at eddie as he says it, and it feels more like a question than anything else. that's how he knows it must feel different for buck too, because buck is usually the first one to lean into it and act like a ridiculous caricature of a boyfriend. this reaction is new.

"oh, i'm sorry," the director says. "i didn't mean to assume, just—you mentioned your son—"

"it's—it's okay," eddie says faintly. "it... happens a lot." he's still looking at buck, and he sees the way buck's throat bobs as he swallows.

"okay then," the director says, and there's a definite edge of amusement to her tone. "well, since nothing actually happened, i'm not going to ban you just yet," she says. "just... please don't climb any more tanks, mr. buckley."

"copy that," buck says.

eddie's already turned around and started towards the door when the director calls him back. she's holding out what looks like a business card. "let me know if you want to have that birthday party," she says.

"will do," eddie says.

he barely makes it out of the office before buck is grabbing him by the arm and dragging him along.

"what—buck, where are we going?"

"outside," buck says, and keeps on walking.

two seconds after they get outside, buck has him pinned against the wall. two seconds after that, buck's hands are framing his face and buck's lips are on his.

eddie kisses back instinctively, long before his brain catches up to what is happening. the way they work and move together has always been intuition more than anything else, and this, it seems, is no exception.

"what was that for?" eddie asks when buck pulls away, gasped out amidst his heaving breaths.

buck grins. "guess i just got tired of not doing it," he says, and does it again. "besides," he adds when they break apart once more. "i was starting to get the feeling you wouldn't hate it."

"definitely don't hate it," eddie says, and then drops his forehead against buck's shoulder with a groan. "we can never tell anyone our first kiss was because you got sent to aquarium jail," he says. "nobody would ever let us live it down."

buck's chest rumbles as he laughs in response.

send me a starter line from this list and i'll write a ficlet for it!

[mikewheelerr]

"Why do I even bother?" For the prompts!

[send me prompts from this list!!]

Richie is leaning against the doorframe, watching Eddie pack his things hurriedly. He’s not sure what he’s supposed to do. “Eds,” He starts cautiously. “Let’s go somewhere nice, get your mind off things for a bit.”

“Yeah, I’m getting the hell out of here.” Eddie mutters harshly, swatting the hair falling on his eyes away. His posture is so stiff, and the redness on his face is spreading down to his neck. He looks like a bomb about to be set off.

Richie takes a risk, stepping into the room and closing the door after himself. He watches Eddie’s every move from behind his glasses as he takes a few steps closer to him.

“Eddie... don’t be mad, but you can’t go. You’ll lose too much money. And- and Went. Your dad saved up so much for you to be here. Don’t let them get to you.” Richie tries to sound reasonable as he speaks, taking quiet steps and trying to keep out of Eddie’s way until he manages to reach the bed, sitting down by his bag.

Eddie keeps on scrambling for his things, going back to stand in front of Richie after a moment, throwing his few toiletries inside the duffel bag with a frown. He makes eye contact with Richie for a moment, shaking his head.

“As much as I’d love to honor my dad’s memory, Richie Tozier, he is dead after all. Stop talking like you know him.” He looks up into Richie’s eyes again. “I never signed up for this shit. These people... aliens... whatever the fuck they are, their powers are not even cool. They have sticks up their assess and I’m not the easy type. They can suck my human dick. I’d be doing them a favor.” He spits, feeling lighter as he says it. Richie looks adequately shocked, and it’s relieving for Eddie. The last half doesn’t go unnoticed by Richie, tilting his head to the side and looking up at Eddie with a glint in his eyes. He bites his bottom lip softly and Eddie realizes with a hint of a smile tugging at his own lips - that Richie looks a little flustered, too. “Why don’t you leave these old trolls behind? Honestly Richie, they all stink. You deserve better.” Eddie shakes his head in annoyance before realization dawns on him. “Oh my god, they can fucking hear me can’t they?”

Richie loses the gleam in his eyes and looks back at Eddie sadly. “Don’t worry, though. I’ve chewed them out a million times.”

“Fuck! Why do I even bother?” He groans. “Whatever happened to privacy... You know what? I’m glad. I hope they know they reek of liquid ass spray. Stuck up fuckers.” Eddie keeps on muttering small, filthy curses as he finishes zipping up his bag and Richie swallows harshly.

“Listen, as much as I love how dirty your mouth can get and how cute you look when you’re angry, can you please go somewhere with me? You’ll like it when we get there. Let’s unwind,” He watches Eddie as Eddie watches him. “No pun intended. Let’s just talk. I don’t want you to leave. I know you’ve made up your mind, but I don’t want you to go.”

“I’m sorry-”

“-I’m serious, Eddie.” Richie interrupts him. “You’re angry, and you miss your friends, I get that. I’m human too. But this... it means something. Please?”

“If I go with you, will you murder me for them?”

Richie chuckles. “I’m not their errand boy, Eds. If they wanted you dead, you would be.”

Eddie lifts his left brow and averts Richie’s gaze while he bites the inside of his cheek. If Richie didn’t know any better, he’d think Eddie was debating on something instead of swallowing down a snarky remark. “Eddie,” Richie urges, taking Eddie’s hand. His skin is so hot to the touch it borders on painful against Richie’s palm, but he ignores it for a moment. “For me? You’ve barely been here a full week and I haven’t seen another human in ages. You’re a shitty friend for this.”

“I can’t promise I’ll change my mind, Richie.” Eddie says.

“I know.” Richie nods.

Eddie looks down at Richie’s pale hand in his, taking a deep breath. “Okay.”

[bluboothalassophile]

blu! hello, i hope i'm not bothering you in your moving days but, ugh, i need more crime lord au, it's sooo good! why dc didn't hire you to write stories i'll never know! even more that your, Hogwarts AU, Gladiator AU, 1930s AU, Prince & Bodyguard AU, are also, really good, i don't know if i can ask you if you can make more of these stories (?) but, maybe i can come another day and ask that again to you, hehe, have a nice day blu!

Hello,

You can request more of them, though my inbox is closed at this moment. I will be filling out the requests in my inbox currently though so there’s to be lots more of the AUs you’ve listed! I hope you enjoy! =)

Trust...

“Are you sure this is a wise move?” his brother demanded.

Jason ignored his sibling in favor of moving through the castle.

“What’s a wise move?” Damian demanded appearing behind Tim.

“Jason has decided to get his own bodyguard!” Tim snapped.

“Not a detail!?” Damian sputtered.

“Well, for your two’s information I’m more trained than any detail and I am perfectly capable of protecting myself!” he snapped in irritation as he jogged down the stairs. Rae would be here soon, and then they could get to work.

“You are first in line for the throne!” Tim snapped.

“I’m well aware, and I can’t pull my Team home, so this is the next best thing,” he said as he made it to the door. The butlers opened it and he stepped out in time to see her getting out of her Jeep.

“You’re an asshole,” she snapped throwing her pack at him. Jason caught it with a grunt and pulled it over his shoulder.

“Well I gave you a choice,” he pointed out.

“And you’re a bastard and will someone get that asshole to stop staring at my ass! It’s an ass!” she snapped at Garfield as she pulled out another bag.

“Great to see you too little bird.”

“Yeah, yeah, Red, are you going to help me with this shit or not!”

“That’s no way to talk to the…”

“Zip it squeaky, I’m not talking to you,” Rachel snapped at Damian as she stalked to her trunk.

“Did you bring it all?”

“After you scared forty years off my aunt, you should apologize for that, and just so you know my cousin demands to be invited to a ball,” she stated.

“Damn.”

“I told you about this!” she stated as she pulled another bag over her shoulder.

“Did you pack the house?”

“Of course not, I left the kitchen sink behind,” she stated.

“So I see, what the hell is this, little bird?”

“Weapons, medical, medicine, wardrobe, and, of course, I got the beer, your beer, which you owe me for because this shit is not easy to find.”

“Noted,” he chuckled slinging another pack on his back and grabbing the final duffle. Jason smirked as Rachel walked by his brothers; who were flabbergasted as she walked into the palace.

“Have you looked over the report?” he asked softly after they had managed to go up the stairs and were leaving his brothers in the dust.

“I have,” she said as he guided her towards her quarters.

“And?”

“And the Medical Examiner’s determined cause of death is in line with the events that happened,” she said. “The only anomaly I have found is in the tox screenings, and that shows traces of sedatives, I don’t think your family does those, but I did some digging on it. Also, as I’m sure you’ve noticed, the route where they were attacked, it’s a perfect kill box, if you wanted to set up an ambush that’s where you’d want it.”

“What are you thinking?” he asked as he dropped her bags in the adjoining suite to his room.

“Same thing you are,” she said.

“Inside job?”

“Yes, you said no one knew about the meeting between Richard and Komand’r?”

“Yeah, that’s what I’ve been told.”

“Why did he take his wife and son on the trip?”

“Dad said something about trouble with Babs and his marriage, wanting to work it out,” he said. “Honestly I don’t know,” he admitted.

“Okay, so I will start there,” Rachel said as she pulled out a file.

“Little bird, quietly,” he said.

“I do everything quietly,” she snapped. “But you owe me, and just so you know if you get shot, I’ll kill your sorry ass. And if I get shot saving your ass; again, I’ll be very pissed.”

“Are you going to bitch about it when I dig out the bullet again?”

“I dug out the bullet.”

He chuckled as he walked over to her. “Thanks for this Rae,” he said as he pulled her into a hug.

“Of course,” she murmured returning the hug.  “But if any heads of state get handsy I’ll knock them on their asses,” she warned.

“I’d expect nothing less,” he laughed. “Get settled, and I’ll start prepping you on everything a crown prince does.”

“I am not wiping your ass when you shit,” she warned.

“And here I thought you loved my ass.”

“I do, when it’s covering my ass,” she replied sweetly, he roared with laughter as he walked out of her room. Jason had given her his ‘spouse’ suite, knowing how it’d look, but Rachel was about the only woman he had ever had a serious relationship with and over ninety-five percent of that, was them running for their lives, being shot at in the middle of the fucking desert. Garth, Roy, Eddie, Kyle, and Connor had chased after him and Rae while he and Rae played keep away with a deadly virus and had an couple terror groups after them. Rae was fast, she was quick to think on her feet and great and keeping up with him. Though she was physically weaker to him, and did not have the same endurance, the medic was a hell of a fighter, and about the only one off his Team he would trust with his life. So yes, he would damn normal protocol and keep her where he thought she was best.

“She has to go,” Damian snapped at the bottom of the stairs.

“Shove it up your ass short stack,” Jason snapped.

“She is rude, abrasive, and apathetic!” Damian squawked indignantly.

Jason spun on his little brother, the young teen stumbled back. “And as of this minute she is one of six people I trust without question, make no mistake little brother, she is more important to me than anyone in this damn palace, including you.”

“I…”

“Lieutenant colonel Rachel Raven Roth, saved my life, ran around in a godforsaken desert was shot, stabbed, blown up and damn near drowned saving me; and I saving her. I do not care if you do not like her, she is the one I trust and she will be the one to ‘guard’ me,” he stated. “And not even father could make me change my mind.”

[reddietofall]

It Started Out With A Pizza. (How Did It End Up Like This?)

Hey my guys. I’ve just edited what I’ve written so far and thought I’d post it to see if you guys like it. If ya do, please let me know and I’ll write more parts.

Summary: Eddie is a pizza delivery boy. One night, on a delivery, he meets a stranger he feels immediately captivated by.

Pairing: Eddie Kaspbrak / Richie Tozier

Part 2

PART 1

Eddie didn’t mind his new job. When he was growing up he never would have predicted that he’d be working as a pizza delivery boy. He didn’t think he’d ever get a job because of his overbearing mother. But Eddie had come a long way since then and had left his mother behind when he started college a few months ago. Although his mother tried to make him stay for as long as she could after he finished high school, he finally had enough after a year and moved to LA to start studying at the college he’d been accepted into the previous year, which he deferred from.

Eddie knew his savings wouldn’t last forever and he needed to get a job to pay for his education, and food, and all the necessities, so he applied everywhere he could. And a delivery boy for a pizza place was the only one that he was accepted for with his limited experience. Eddie spent the last year getting his licence and he was glad he did, otherwise he would still be jobless. He’d been working there for nearly two months and although his earnings weren’t huge, they were enough for him to live comfortably in his apartment. Eddie found balancing work and college really easy, always having a schedule for his school work that he stuck to.

It was Friday and Eddie had just finished his last class for the day at 3pm. His shift started at 5pm, which gave him two hours to finish off an assessment, eat and get ready for his shift.

Eddie always left 15 minutes prior to his shift so he would get there early. Eddie was like that with everything. He liked to be the best employee, student and, for a while, son. So once it hit 4:45pm Eddie was out the door and on his way to work, which was only a five minute drive away. Eddie parked his car behind the building, where the employee parking was, and went inside greeting his friends he had made since starting.

“Hey Mike”, he lightly poked him in the shoulder as he passed by the front counter. Mike was always at the front counter serving, he was so great with customers and people in general. “Kaspbrak!” Mike smiled as Eddie passed him before turning his attention back to the customer he was serving.

Eddie head into the kitchen, where he found Ben. Ben made the pizzas with another older employee that Eddie rarely spoke to. He found it easier to connect with people around his own age, which is why he instantly became close with Mike and Ben.

“Ben, how’s things going?” Ben turned away from the pizza he was adding cheese to, smiling widely with excitement at Eddie. “No way Hanscom! Did she say yes?” Ben recently met a girl called Beverly and he would not shut up about her. Mike convinced him to ask her out on a date when they all met up for coffee two days ago. “I couldn’t believe it Eddie! We are going to a movie on Sunday.” Ben said, smiling even wider, before turning back to his pizza to add the remaining cheese onto it. “We have to meet her Ben. You better let us know how your date goes. Does Mike know?”

Eddie was excited for Ben. Eddie had never dated anyone before. He didn’t realise his sexuality until he was seventeen, his mother tried to convince him he was just sick. It took Eddie a long time to accept that he was gay after he had made the discovery, and he was too scared about what other people would think of him. But Mike and Ben were so accepting of him and didn’t care that he was gay, which made Eddie feel more okay and confident with himself. Not everyone was like his mother.

“You will. I will. And yes he does.” Ben answered, still continuing with his pizza whilst Eddie put his work hat on. “What about you Eddie?” Ben asked suggestively “You found a guy yet?”

Eddie rolled his eyes at Ben and the older coworker cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable.

“Got any deliveries for me yet?” Eddie asked, wanting to change the subject because he didn’t want to talk about how he was still not seeing anyone, and because he didn’t want to involve the older employee in the conversation. “Yep, there’s one now”, Ben pointed to a pizza box and foil packet containing garlic bread, and handed the receipt to Eddie, “There’s a bottle of coke with it too.”

Eddie grabbed his pizza bag and put the box and garlic bread in and carefully zipped it up. He had once zipped it up too fast on a busy night and got his finger caught, and he wasn’t willing to relive that experience. Then he grabbed a bottle of coke and the company car keys and headed out the way he came in.

Once inside the car, he looked at the receipt for the address and to check if there were any requests left for him. He’s had many different requests from people, the strangest was when someone requested he knock and leave the pizza on the doorstep, and that the money was in the letterbox. There were no requests for this delivery, so Eddie routinely typed the customer’s address into the GPS and drove.

He arrived and noticed that the address was an apartment complex. Wait. It was his apartment complex. But there was no number for which apartment it was. Why would this customer order pizza delivery when he lived 5 minutes away from the shop? Eddie let out an annoyed sigh and gathered up his pizza bag and the drink and took another look at the receipt for a phone number, if he had called up and hadn’t just ordered online. Bingo.

He reached into the car to grab the company phone and typed in the stranger’s number. It rang three times and Eddie was sure that they weren’t going to pick up, and almost hung up out of annoyance until the ringing stopped and a voice beamed through the speaker.

“Hello?” The sound of the stranger’s voice took Eddie by surprise. It was deep and raspy, as if he had just woken up. It was hot.

“Hello?” Eddie realised he hadn’t answered and panicked.

“Uh, hi. Um, you ordered a pizza right?”

“Uhh, yeah i did. Who is this?”

Idiot. You didn’t tell him you were the delivery guy.

“I’m the delivery guy.”

“Oh cool. What’s up, delivery boy? Is there a problem?”

“You didn’t put what number your apartment is in the address..”

“Oh shit! Sorry. It’s number 77, Fourth floor.” Oh. That was the same floor as Eddie.

“Okay, I’ll be right up.”

“Can’t wait.”

God. Why did he say that like that.

Eddie didn’t know what to say back so he just hung up the phone and shoved it into the pocket of his jacket. He locked the car and made his way into the building, into the elevator and up to the fourth floor, knowing exactly where he was going. That always made him feel better about any situation. Once the elevator doors opened, he quickly made his way to number 77. He had already spent too much time on this delivery, and knew there would be more deliveries piling up back at the store as he quickly made his way down the narrow hallway.

Number 77. Eddie knocked on the door four times and waited, tapping his foot out of impatience. Or was it nerves? He heard a shuffling from behind the door and a thump and an ‘ow fuck’. He smiled at this. “Who is it?” the same voice from the phone called from inside the room. His smile dropped and he rolled his eyes back into his skull. He was in a hurry now.

“Who do you think?” a bit too much annoyance coming out in his voice than he had wanted. He had to remember to remain professional, even though he had a tendency to get impatient quickly.

“Woah, chill out sweet cheeks”, the voice behind the door defended, “I was just making a joke.” Eddie took a deep breath in and out and plastered a smile onto his face. Be professional. Then he heard a quiet, although clearly intended to be heard, voice continue, “Don’t get your panties in a bunch.”

That’s it. “Just open the fucking door and get what you ordered or I’m leaving. I’m in a hurry.” He added the last bit, because he didn’t want the guy to think he was a total dick. He heard the lock behind the door unlatch. Thank god. The handled turned and the door swung open slowly, revealing the guy behind the deep voice.

Holy shit. He was gorgeous. And he was tall, really tall. He had dark-chocolate curls that hung just above his shoulders; they looked so soft. His dark curls contrasted against his pale, lightly- freckled skin. He also wore huge glasses that amplified his compelling dark-brown eyes. Eddie found them insanely hard to look away from. That is until he spotted how dangerously low the guy’s sweatpants were resting on his hips from out of the corner of his eye. He swallowed hard and shot his eyes back up to the stranger’s, not wanting to stare. But his eyes failed him and they trailed back down again. Woah.

“Like what you see, huh?”

Eddie’s eyes widened. Did he just say that aloud?

The guy trailed his eyes up and down Eddie and he bit down his lip. “I like what i see too.”

“Here.” Eddie was hopeless at catching onto things and held out the pizza, without saying another word.

“I wasn’t talking about the pizza, cutie.” He winked and leant casually on the frame of the door.

Eddie was flipping the fuck out, inside. He felt his face start to heat up. He’d never had anyone flirt with him before, at least he didn’t think so, and he was trying to say something but didn’t know what to say, so he just stood there, mouth opening and closing like some sort of hopeless fish.

“So, whatcha doin’ later?” He was still leaning against the door frame, his arms crossed over his slender body. His lips upturned in a smirk. Oh. Those lips. How hadn’t he noticed his lips? They were so plump and pink and oh god Eddie found himself involuntarily thinking about what it would be like to kiss those lips. Oh. His tongue peeked through the lips, licking the bottom and pulling it in between his teeth. Eddie’s mouth fell wide open and he tried to recover but he found it nearly impossible.

When he did, he looked back up to the stranger’s eyes and found them staring right back. This made Eddie feel embarrassed because he’d basically just fantasized about the very person in front of him while they watched. Eddie looked down and remembered the pizza. “Oh. Um..your pizza. Here.” Eddie held out the pizza again and pleaded with his eyes for the gorgeous stranger to just take it. They reached out and took the pizza from Eddie, grazing their hands ever so gently, not breaking eye contact. Eddie swallowed again and looked away, face red.

“Thanks Eddie.”

“Wha- How did you know my name?” Eddie pulled his gaze back to those dark eyes. He couldn’t see his pupils, they were that dark. He found the darkness intriguing. It was so gruellingly hard to look away. A part of Eddie wanted to get lost in those eyes.

The stranger smiled widely back at Eddie, and Eddie had to remember how to breathe. He didn’t speak, only tapped on his own chest, prompting Eddie to look at the spot on his own chest. When he looked down he saw his name tag that was pinned there. Idiot.

Eddie looked back up and smiled at the stranger for the first time.

He smiled a toothy grin back at Eddie, “I hope i see you again, Eddie.”

“Me too.”

The rest of the night was a blur for Eddie. He couldn’t stop thinking about the guy in his apartment complex and the fact they were so incredibly close to each other. What was his name? He wanted to know. Eddie wanted to see him again. No. He needed to see him again.

Once Eddie had finished his shift and had driven back home he found himself walking slower than usual back to his room. He looked down the hallway to where the stranger’s room was. So, whatcha doin’ later? He didn’t have the confidence to make the first move. He’d hoped they’d run into each other in the hallway or in the elevator or something. But along with his impatience, Eddie was also stubborn. Which made the situation that much more difficult. So Eddie withdrew from his need to see the stranger again and went inside his own room and slumped into his bed.

Eddie didn’t sleep much that night, he couldn’t get the stranger in room 77 out of his head.

Please let me know what you think!! :) 

[fmlfpl]

Lineup Lamentations - GW2

Our Transfers, Captains, and Starting 11s for the week!

—

WALSH

TRANSFERS:

OUT: N/A

IN: N/A

Easy save for me this week. Team is in good shape with no injuries. Haven't really spent a lot of time this week thinking about what I'll do with two frees next week so we'll see what the weekend brings.

GK:

Pope (ars)

Pope goes at the Emirates. Hoping for a 3 pointer with some saves and them getting reamed by Aubybaby. At Arsenal is right behind Livp and City for worst defensive fixture in my opinion so really not expecting much here.

DEF:

Alexander-Arnold & Robertson (sou)

I'll only be rolling three defenders this weekend.

Trent and Robbo get the nod again and feeling pretty good about it. Everybody bugging out about Liverpool defense has been a fairly hilarious thing to me. I'm still expecting cleans to come and I'm just preaching patience here. There are a lot of games to come and these teams aren't going to clean every week.

Maitland-Niles (BUR)

Ashley Maitland-Niles gets the nod again for me after his GW1 haul. Burnley didn't create shit last weekend, really, despite their three goals and I expect them to get bossed this weekend. As long as Mustafi is out of the team...I feel pretty good about this one.

MID:

Salah (sou)

Mo goes again. Nothing to say about that, really. Soton are still fucking bad defensively and even though Livp are playing their fair share of games early doors it should still be three points.

Martial (wol)

Tony M has another tricky fixture at Wolves so we'll see how he goes. Could be a tough day at the office for him up against the three CBs but at least I'll have someone going on Monday so I have some skin in that game. Still view Tony as a long term hold until proven otherwise so his place is very sexcure in my team.

Pérez (che)

Ayoze has a chance to redeem himself at the Bridge. Looks like Fat Frank is preaching goals goals goals and attack attack attack so there could be some joy on the counter for Leic this weekend. By no means a "good" fixture...it also doesn't seem "bad"...and hopefully Ayoze can muster more than the 0 shots on target and looking anonymous like last game.

Robinson (CRY)

The man the myth the legend Callum the Countymaker Robinson has Palace at home which seems pretty unreal good at this moment. We'll still be running Kelly and Dann at CB and should get bullied. It'll be a big game for CalRob as they have tricky fixtures on the horizon and this could be a spot I look to switch up with one of my early transfers. Okay CalRob I believe in you though lad so go out there and make me look like a fucking genius please.

Wilshere (bha)

Finally, JACK gets a run out in a squeaker I am playing him over Montoya this weekend. Pellegrini seems pretty dead set on him in the pivot with Rice while N0bz is still dead and I just can't see a Brighton clean this weekend if I'm honest here. Jack is obviously far from a great pick, but he did make a couple of nice runs into the box against City and looked to be getting involved in the attack as much as possible. Not expecting much, and this is another spot I could use a transfer on soon, but it's fun to start Jack because Jack is Jack.

FWD:

Aubameyang (BUR) & Kane (mci)

The two dongers up top, Aubz and Kane, march into battle again. Not much to say about these....great fix for Aubz...and Kane looks like a solid long term hold while fit. Will I keep Aubz for the near term and continue to go without Raz? tbd...

CAP:

Aubameyang (BUR)

I'll be rolling with Aubz and not thinking too much about it. Going with the home player with a good fixture and hoping Emery doesn't play the little babies this weekend and plays the men. My first time ever capping Aubz in my life here so let's fucking go Aubz make daddy proud.

—

ALON

TRANSFERS:

OUT: N/A

IN: N/A

Off to a flier, easy save.

Worried about how I’m going to get to Kane, maybe a double move next week in for Son? But I have a few other worries in my team right now so all is not necessarily well in Team Alon.

GK:

Ederson (TOT)

Tough one for an Eddy clean especially with how West Ham were able to get some good chances last GW. I don’t expect a clean here but I would love a save point or two... Pen save would be the nuts.

DEF:

van Dijk & Gomez (sou)

VVD obviously get in en route to a golden boot this season.

Gomez is already very worrisome. The Anfield Wrap people calling for Matip to start because Gomez was dead tired after playing a million minutes at RB and LB in the Supercup... I liked Gomez having positional flexibility in preseason when I chose to start my team with him but little did I know that this would come back to potentially fuck me and he now needs rest like a fullback. God damnit.

Still praying he starts... We’ll see...

Maitland-Niles (BUR)

Lovely Ashley gonna come in with the clean, baps, and attacking return haul as is the norm for him.

Digne (WAT)

Digne feels pretty good here although Everton without Gueye and now without Gomes and Schneiderlin and Delph what the hell are they going to do at CM? Please don’t put Siggy there! Anything but Siggy in CM!!! Oh god this clean is fucked isn’t it? Here’s to hoping for Digne attacking returns...

MID:

Salah (sou)

Mo loves a ding dong vs. Soton they’re sorta his slump buster. I expect Mo to still ding but ~spoiler alert~ I’m not sure I’ll be counting on him as my captain.

Sterling (TOT)

Ez Raz ez life.

Pérez (che)

Ayoze should be fine but I’d like to see him more in the center of the pitch then shunted out wide getting chalk on his boots like GW1.

Hopefully Brodge goes with the not-super-defensive midfield this week and lets the lads express themselves... Although from a pure footballing perspective the defensive double pivot probably makes sense on the road vs. Chelsea... Ugh fuck.

Richarlison (WAT)

Richy boy was sorta quiet but sorta busy last week. People were telling me he was totally invisible and didn’t do anything threatening but I duno on highlights he did stuff and almost scored so I wasn’t too annoyed... Watford are easily one of the worst defenses in the division; they have not kept a cleansheet since February. I like Richy in the Rich derby / Marco Silva derby to get stuck in and score a goal. Come on Rich.

FWD:

Wilson (avl)

Callum got some points in the end last week and when he’s fit he’s always returning the points... Villa can be got at, this much we know, but we are not yet certain if they’re the levels of bad where you captain against them every week or if they’re actually pretty decent so I don’t know this might be a good test for each and hopefully a bounce-back match for Bournemouth.

Deulofeu (eve)

Gerry D worries me tremendously but if Gracia takes his head out of his Spanish asshole then he will realize that Gerry is by far their best attacking player and needs to be up top. So just drop Gray and fuck off please. Fucking hell.

CAP:

Wilson (avl)

Dilly-dallying on this all day on whether to go with Mo or give the armband to Callum and well the night is darkest just before the dawn...

My greatest fear with capping Callum is that Eddie Howe is a fucking idiot and he might run out some dumb shit like three centerbacks and play King on the wing again instead of playing the 4-2-2-2 that worked very well last season. But here we are I’m rolling the dice that his zipper will be zipped up to 11 and his buttons will be fully buttoned all the way to his Adam’s apple and he will not fuck this up royally against an Aston Villa defense that can be got at... Please Edward.

I fell off Mo after the Supercup not really because of him playing 120′ because he’s a fitness machine monster and minutes don’t effect him but more because of the disarray that will be the Liverpool midfield... Central midfield outside of Gini and Lallana all ran their socks off in 9000 degrees in Istanbul and I’m just worried about Southampton’s very intense press and Liverpool getting a bit overrun in midfield therefore limiting the distribution to Mo.

Also there’s a chance Liverpool take an early lead and Mo subs off around 60-70 which I can also see. And lastly Liverpool’s GK is a fucking counties journeyman no name and who knows what this does to the back-line and the midfield maybe everyone is going to play deeper. Just sounds like a mess to be honest and so I’m staying away this week.