#and she isn't in the wrong at all? like if we can call out Mike or Nancy or anyone else on their bullshit

[uselessnbee]

okay i don't want to be THAT bitch but if El calls out Mike on his bullshit in s5 how the love confession was shit and untrue i do kinda want Mike to turn around and be like "okay well what do you love me for?" because let's be real girl would not have an answer for that 💀

and maybe it would be good to be the last thing that would make her go oh i've never loved him that way either

like yes she totally should throw everything in Mike's face cause she deserves so much better but let's not pretend like she's a good girlfriend to him and it's just Mike being the problem

this fucker has been depressed and struggling for months and like did she ever even ask how is he doing? not her fault but the fact that Mike has been struggling and never once thought about talking to El because he doesn't feel like he can be vulnerable with her? the fact that he pretends he's someone he's not because he feels like she wouldn't want him for who he is? seriously no hate to El i love her to bits and yes Mike is bigger asshole in this but we really need to stop acting like El is perfect and can do no wrong

and that one time in s4 when Mike actually tried to be vulnerable with her and let her know that he understands because he's been bullied his whole life and she just invalidates his feelings and completely dismisses him? i do understand her pov and what she meant but as someone who's also been bullied and have so many people invalidate my feelings and how it affected me and still affects me to this day all the time it really hurt to hear it. the way Mike's feelings are constantly being invalidated and dismissed by both the characters in the show and this fandom just because "others have it worse" really disgusts me

anyways i really just want to point out that this is a relationship. there are two people in this relationship and it all goes both ways. it's not just Mike being an asshole friend and a shitty boyfriend. El isn't really a great girlfriend either and when they were just hanging out together the whole summer it is on El too. they're both just kids trying to do their best and making mistakes we can acknowledge that both of them make some really questionable things so they both can grow and learn

[janitorhutcherson]

I love your writing, please please give the world Mike comforting his partner on their period 🙏🏻 that man would be so compassionate but also confused and asking tons of questions so he can explain it to Abby when she’s older

okay so, i'm about to start my period. i can sense it, i'm cramping, i'm going insane, so here is some mike fluff!! i need this, y'all need this, we all need this rn. this isn't great, last min as always :p i promise one day i'll give yall something more quality lol. also am sorry if this isn't exactly what u were lookin' for!! i hope u enjoy :P

word count: 1,298

warnings: mentions of blood (period), swearing

summary: mike takes care of you while you're on your period. completely unaware to how it all works, he does the best he can, trying to educate himself in the process.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

You were in pain. That was one thing you knew for sure. For the past two days, your insides had felt like Satan himself was ripping them out, tearing each part of your uterus into tiny, itty bitty pieces, perhaps even doing a little happy dance on them. As your body was stretched out on the couch, your hand gripping your abdomen, you felt like your life was flashing before your eyes. You'd called off work, waking up feeling worse than you had during that time of the month in a while. You couldn't picture yourself doing much of anything but laying on the couch in the living room of your boyfriend, Mike, and his little sister, Abby, who was much like your own. You'd slept over the night before, opting to stay there as you felt much more comfortable.

Once a month, you became queen bitch, completely insufferable to be around. You were grumpy, sick, nauseous, and aching. You couldn't help it. Your cramps were always amplified more than the average person. Your pain tolerance seemed to get weaker when the time came. With that being said, everyone around you had to suffer the consequences. You and Mike had only been together a few months. Every month, he'd get a little bit better about handling it. The first month, he was slightly standoffish, not sure if his assistance would make things worse or if it would help you. He'd offer you pain medicine, get you water when you needed it, and fetch the heating pad when you cried out in pain. He was always sympathetic, helpless in his inability to make your pain disappear. Mike loved you, and the last thing he wanted was for you to ache the way that you did.

In the following two months, he'd gotten more adventurous, even offering to go out and buy your preferred pads and tampons. Even though he brought back the wrong thing the first time (he brought back the preteen pads, which would not be helpful to your heavy flow), he was sure to correct it the next. With his learning curve coming to an end, Mike was much better with his assistance. Right as your eyes began to flutter closed, the front door to Mike's door flung open, an exhausted Mike walking through, his hair messy and his skin somewhat pale due to his lack of sleep. Although he was working normal human hours now after getting a regular job, the adjustment period was difficult. He somehow felt even more sleep-deprived than before. You slowly sat up, a confused look on your face as you glanced over at the time. It was only noon, which didn't make sense. Mike typically wouldn't be home until around 5:30pm.

"Mike?" you questioned, your voice laced with pain as your head cocked to the side.

"Yeah, baby?" he questioned back, placing three plastic bags from the store onto the coffee table in front of you. He sat beside you on the couch, moving your legs to lay across his lap. He tenderly reached his hand across you, his warm palm slipping under your shirt to touch your aching stomach. He rubbed slow and gentle circles on the tender area, a sigh of relief leaving your lips as it somewhat relieved the pain. "You feelin' any better?" he spoke softly, his tone dripping with sympathy and worry.

"Why are you home? What's in the bags?" You were confused. You didn't mean to sound like a bitch, but the pain was making you somewhat delirious, and the thought of him simply coming home early just didn't occur to you. He chuckled, shaking his head as he playfully rolled his eyes.

"Can you not just let me take care of you for once?" he grumbled, grabbing the plastic bags from the table and placing them gently into your laps. In the first bag, he pulled out a brand new pain reliever bottle and miniature heating pads. They were wireless and single-use. You could stick them into your pants and wear them around wherever you needed. He also pulled out a new bubble bath, lavender scented, that claimed to have infused pain-relieving essential oils. The next bag contained your favorite kind of chocolate, some other kinds of candy, and a little stuffed bear. The bear wasn't any bear, but one that could be heated up and again used as a heating pad. Inside of the same bag, he also pulled out a brand new box of the right kind of tampons and a bouquet of flowers. The last bag contained burgers and fries from your favorite fast-food place, something yummy to get into your aching system.

You watched in awe as he pulled out each item, a sheepish but proud grin spread across his face as he did so. He was proud of himself, mostly because he felt useful, he felt like for once he was the one taking care of you. Mike typically felt like a burden, like he wasn't worth caring for, regardless of how much you attempted to convince him otherwise. Times like these were important to him, times when he could make you feel safe, secure, loved.

"I, uh, heard you this morning. I realized you were in a lot of pain, wanted to do something nice. I took the day off of work, thought I'd surprise you with some stuff to make you feel good. Got us some lunch too, thought maybe we could go lay down in the bed and watch movies, eat some junk together? I'll take real good care of you," he said, scratching at the back of his neck with a hopeful grin. You looked back at him with your own wide grin, the churning cramps in your stomach not subsiding but instead simply not your main focus at the moment. You nodded your head, leaning forward and pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

You helped him carry the brand-new goods and the food to the bedroom. You plopped down onto the bed as Mike leaned over you, gently kissing your head. He tucked you into the blankets, ensuring you were nice and warm. He closed the curtains tightly, all too aware of the vision-blurring headaches you got on your period. He put up one finger to signal he'd be right back. Once he returned, he had a glass of water and heated up your brand-new heating pad bear. He placed your wired heating pad onto the small of your back, pressing two kisses to your forehead again. He then insisted you lift your head, helping you to swallow the pills. After, Mike cuddled up next to you in bed.

The two of you watched random movies and TV shows for the rest of the day, his hand seldom leaving your stomach. He constantly had you wrapped up near him. He kept you medicated and fed, refusing to leave your side. Mike was content. Even though you were a bitch during this time, you were appreciative. He loved you and it was clear, he'd do anything to take care of you.

While deep into the show you were watching, you felt a pair of eyes staring into the side of your head. You lifted your head, looking over to Mike with a cocked eyebrow. "Yes..?" you questioned, staring at his somewhat nervous expression.

"Um, do you think, you could maybe explain periods to me? Y'know, all of it, the bloody stuff, the moody stuff.. I just.. wanna be prepared for Abby," he asked sheepishly. A chuckle left your lips as you shook your head.

"Of course, Mikey. I can explain it to you," you hummed, pressing a kiss to his lips before you went into detail, explaining female anatomy to your 25-year-old boyfriend.

[libraryofgage]

Saw the Barbie movie the other day and Billie Eilish's "What Was I Made For" (click the song title to listen to it lol) hit so fuckin different good lord. Anyway, it's perfect for Steve angst with a dash of platonic Stobin and romantic Steddie fluff so ;)

---

Steve is five when he learns that he was made to keep his parents together. At least, that's why his mother made him.

He learns it one night when his father is staying late at the company (before his mother started accompanying him all the time, leaving an empty house and Steve behind; Steve can confidently say his presence did, in fact, fix their relationship: it gave them something to unite against). His mother is three large glasses of red wine in, draped inelegantly on the couch and slurring her words with a glassy film covering her eyes.

"Steven, you were supposed...supposed to make him stay," she says, her fourth glass of wine dangerously close to spilling across the white rug. "An-and he's still gone! What did we do wrong?"

Despite the use of "we," Steve knows very well (even at the age of five) that his mother means "What did you do wrong?" He doesn't have an answer for her--he never will--and that seems to be just one more thing she holds against him.

Steve is seven when he learns that he was made to keep the family name strong and respected. At least, that's why his father made him.

He learns it when his father brings him to work, his stern expression and tense shoulders telling Steve to behave himself, to be seen and not heard the entire day (he did, and it worked a little too well; after falling asleep on the couch, his father had forgotten him at work, leaving him to spend the night in the locked office). His father is sitting at his desk, expensive pen in hand and phone just hung up after a tense conversation that ended with the most genuine smile Steve has ever seen from him.

"Steven, I hope you've been paying attention today," he says, placing the pen on the desk and fixing him with a suffocating gaze. "You'll be working here one day, and I expect you to make something of yourself when you do. You're to be a model man, someone I can proudly introduce to others."

When his father says proudly, Steve knows he means that he can't do that now because Steve has yet to make something of himself. Steve nods once, says a firm but not too loud, "Yes, sir," and his father goes back to work.

Steve is sixteen when he learns Nancy made him her boyfriend for...for a distraction? Because it's what was expected of her? Because she was curious? At least, that's what Nancy seems to be saying.

Honestly, Steve isn't sure she knows, either. But she definitely knows that he wasn't what she wanted, that he wasn't what she expected, that he couldn't live up to the expectations she had made for him.

Either way, he learned it over the course of their relationship, but it all hit him at the very end, when fights and names (idiot, asshole, and dick, to list a few) compounded into a breakup that left him aching, angry, empty, hurt, and desperate to know what he did wrong.

Maybe then he'd be able to save himself from making the same mistake over and over. Because it must be him, right? It must be something he's doing; if only he could figure out what that is.

Steve is seventeen when he learns that maybe he was made to be a shield. At least, that's how he understands the plan Dustin comes up with wherein he calls Steve their tank.

He learns it when they're huddled together at some point, readying to face demodogs and whatever else the Upside Down has decided to throw at them. Dustin is explaining the plan, his eyes bright as he throws around terms Steve can't recognize. "And Steve is going to be our tank," he says.

"What's a tank?" Steve asks, at least certain they don't mean the military kind of tank.

"Like a meatshield, duh," Mike tells him, the explanation short and quick and then disregarded in favor of the rest of the plan.

Maybe Steve should have felt hurt, but part of him is more excited by the fact that he could do well as a tank, a meatshield. He could, in fact, be made for that role. He's great at taking a punch, great at jumping back to his feet, great at putting himself between the kids and whatever wants to kill them.

The only way he could possibly fail at being a shield is by dying, and he doesn't plan to die just yet.

Steve is eighteen when he wonders if maybe he's made to love. At least, that's a realization he has after befriending Robin, getting tortured together, and learning he doesn't need romance to love someone. It's a realization he throws himself into wholeheartedly one day when he looks at Robin and sees her trying to drink a slushie with a Twizzler.

"I think I love you," he blurts out, unable to hold the words in and feeling bad for it when Robin subsequently chokes on Twizzler and Cherry slush.

She spits out the slushie, tosses her Twizzler into the cup, and spins around to look at Steve. "We've definitely talked about this, dingus," she says, narrowing her eyes in suspicion. "You got amnesia or something?"

Steve rolls his eyes and pushes her. "Not like that. I mean, like, a friend. I love you, Robin. You mean a lot to me, and I hope we're still friends when we're 80 so we can make fun of other people in our nursing home."

Robin breaks out into a grin that she quickly suppresses. "Ugh, affection," she sneers, turning her nose up. It lasts all of three seconds before she glances at Steve from the corner of her eye and adds, "I love you, too, dingus."

Steve is nineteen when he decides that he's made for love, to give and receive and bask in its warmth. At least, that's what he decides when he's with Eddie, sprawled across his bed and listening to the mixtape he made for Steve.

They've been dancing around each other for a while up to that point: obnoxiously obvious flirtations, finding any excuse to brush against each other or share space or lean together, creating reasons to hang out with some as simple as "I'm just bored." Steve has been enjoying it; they both seem to understand what's inevitable, and they're just taking their time getting there.

And right now, listening to Eddie sing along to Metallica, Steve thinks that he wants to stop dancing around each other and dance together, instead. So, he turns onto his side, places a hand on Eddie's arm, waits until Eddie is looking at him with a bright smile and curious eyes, and says, "I was made for loving you."

Instead of the joy Steve was expecting, Eddie just looks confused. "How'd you know that was the next song?" he asks.

"What?"

"On the mix tape. I Was Made for Loving You by KISS. That's the next song," Eddie explains.

Steve blinks and frowns. He sits up, throws a leg over Eddie's hips, and settles on top of him. Eddie doesn't look surprised, since it's not the first time Steve has done this. Usually, it just means Steve wants him to pay close attention. "I didn't know it was the next song, Eds."

It takes a few moments for Eddie to fully understand what he means. And Steve gets a front-row seat to the confusion that morphs into understanding that morphs into amazement. "Oh," Eddie breathes, pushing himself up to rest on his elbows. "Could you say it again? I don't think I heard you the first time, Stevie."

Steve snorts but humors Eddie anyway. "I was made for loving you," he says, softer this time and leaning closer.

"Yeah, much clearer that time." Eddie's grin is wide and blinding before he closes the distance between them. "I was made for loving you, too, sweetheart," he whispers back, his words pressed against Steve's lips and searing into his heart.

[blue-blue-blooms]

When Love Isn't Enough

Steve Harrington x Henderson!Reader

Part 1

1.6k words

Summary: Steve can feel you pulling away. You haven't been yourself in a while, becoming more and more withdrawn. It doesn't help that there's an evil wizard on the loose and you meet the checklist for the perfect prey.

Warnings: Some angst. Talks of depression, loneliness, and suicidal ideation.

"Y/N hasn't been herself lately. And, I don't know, she's been pulling away recently. Not physically. More, like, she's there but she isn't. She's in the room with me and she's pretending to listen, but I can tell she's thinking about something else. And it isn't like she's bored or, like, daydreaming, she just seems...distant. She keeps saying she's fine, but I know that she's not. I mean, she thinks I haven't noticed, but she doesn't eat much anymore. She barely sleeps and she claims it's because of school, or work, or whatever excuse she has...Robin, are you listening to me?" Steve rambles, one hand on the steering wheel and the other running through his hair in frustration, as he drives Robin to the pep rally. 

"Yes, yes, I'm listening!" Robin exclaims, desperately trying to keep her hand steady as she applies her mascara. 

"Really? What'd I just say then?" Steve asks.

"Something about how obsessed you are with Y/N and the smell of her hair," Robin guesses, immediately backtracking as she sees the look on Steve's face, "I'm sorry! But there's always so much going on in your love life. I can't fully grasp the labyrinthine complexity that is your and Y/N's relationship!"

"It's not that complex, I'm worried about her!" Steve says, "Like just today, she calls me and says not to drive her and Dustin to school because they're biking. She doesn't even own a bike!"

Robin stops applying her makeup for a second and looks over. Realizing the severity of Steve's emotions, she lets out a little sigh and gives him a gentle nudge with her hand. 

"I'm worried about her, too" She confesses, "I don't think she's mentioned this to anyone so please don't bring it up with her, but her grades have been slipping. A lot."

"Really?"

"Yeah, and I've seen her at the counsellor’s office" Robin admits.

"Ms. Kelley?"

Robin nods. 

"Well...Why didn't she say anything to me?" Steve asks, his face falling as he tries to come up with reasons as to why you aren't opening up. 

"I...I don't know. She hasn't been speaking to me, either. We sit together during lunch, but she barely talks to me. I just talk at her, and she just sits in silence," Robin replies, "Have you tried bringing this up with her?"

Steve pauses for a bit then says, "No...I didn't wanna push her. It just feels like...like she's teetering on the edge these days, and if I say the wrong thing, she'll run."

♡♡♡

Most days start like this: you wake up gasping for breath, one hand on your chest and the other stifling your sobs. Another nightmare. Sometimes it's about the Russians, sometimes it's about finding a Demogorgon eating your cat, sometimes it's about Billy and the Mind Flayer, sometimes it's about losing Hopper, but every time it hurts just as bad. You wish you hadn't gone to Mike Wheeler's that day to check up on Dustin. You wish you hadn't found out about Eleven or the lab or the Upside Down. But everything in your life is so deeply intertwined that you would have found out one way or another. It's beyond you how everyone else in Hawkins has remained so oblivious. 

Even though you wish you could rewind and take back every moment that led you to where you are now, you know in your heart that you wouldn't. If it wasn't for all the shit you had to go through, you wouldn't have the people you have now. You wouldn't have ever befriended Nancy Wheeler. You would've never met Robin Buckley. You and Dustin would never have grown as close as you are now. You wouldn't have the golden-dusted, happy memories that you made last summer with Max and El. You never would've learned how to play DnD with Will. And you never would have fallen in love. 

You never saw Steve coming. Well, you did see him coming that day when you and Dustin were at the Wheelers looking for everyone. He had roses in his hands, and he was mumbling to himself. For a second, you thought he'd caved into the insanity of what he'd gone through and lost his mind. 

"Are you talking to yourself?" you'd asked loudly, making him quickly turn around, "Do you need help?"

"What? No! I was just-" he'd stuttered, "What're you two doing here? Actually, who are you?" The last question was directed at you. 

"Who am I? The bitch that sat behind you in English for two years. I've been lending you pencils for months. Are you serious-" you'd snapped at him, a little offended at him for not recognizing you. 

"We don't have time for this!" Dustin yelled, interrupting you, as he took your hand and dragged you to Steve's car. 

You always laugh a little when you remember that particular memory. It wasn't the first time you two had met (maybe for Steve) but it was the first time you'd both become aware of each other. And it was like something had clicked into place because now that you both knew each other, you couldn't drift away. Suddenly Steve was everywhere. The summer after El's bitchin new makeover and the whole debacle that was closing the gate to the Upside Down, you and Steve spent every day together. He'd started working at Starcourt and you worked at the Kiosk across from him, which meant you saw each othera lot. Soon, those days of eating free ice cream in the back turned into shy glances, nervous laughter, and stolen kisses. You were his and he was yours. It was almost perfect. Almost. 

Because even with all this love, joy, and friendship, you can't forget that you're rotten to your core. That there is something deeply wrong with you, something gory and disgusting that's been eating you alive. You don't know how to tell Steve that he doesn't know. If he knew you, he'd leave you. You're so broken inside that it's almost comical. Every day starts and ends with a nightmare. Then the headaches. Sometimes the nosebleeds. Always the loud voices in your head reaffirming the beliefs you have of yourself. You're not good enough. Never have been. You're a fraud. Always have been. You don't know what's worse, when you can't breathe or when there's too much oxygen. 

You call Steve and tell him you don't need a ride. Then you make Dustin bike to school, and you wait for your mother to leave for work before climbing back into bed. These days, it was getting harder and harder to do the mundane, everyday tasks. You couldn't get out of bed. You couldn't take a shower. Everything required willpower that you just didn't have.

God, I'm so pathetic. 

You've nearly fallen back asleep when you hear a knock on your door. You ignore it, hoping whoever it is goes away. The knocking continues, growing louder and louder. You let out a curse and hop out of your bed, begrudgingly going to the front door. You open the door and find Steve standing outside. 

"I knew it!" He exclaims, "Why aren't you in school?"

You don't have the energy for this. You just want him to leave. 

"I'm sick," you lie, adding a half-assed cough, "You should be at work."

"If you were sick then why didn't you just say that when you called this morning?" Steve enquired, folding his arms across his chest, and raising an eyebrow. 

"I got sick after" you shrug, "How'd you know I wasn't in school."

"Dustin, he called about some DnD shit and mentioned you weren't in when I asked why you couldn't play," Steve explains, his eyes scanning your face, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," you say.

"No, you're not" Steve replies, coming in through the door and making his way into your room. You silently follow and fall back into bed. 

"Baby, what's going on?" Steve asks softly, getting into bed behind you and laying down.

"Just a headache," you mumble, "I'm fine."

You feel him padding his fingers through your hair and you find yourself lulling back to sleep. But before you can, you hear him start to speak again.

"Not just today, Y/N. What's going on with you? You haven't been yourself lately."

You don't know how to answer this. How do you articulate the absolute mess that is your mind? How do you tell him that you feel like you're on the verge of going insane? How do you tell him that all you feel is agonizing despair and the only reason you're alive is because you're too much of a coward to die?

"I just...haven't been feeling well," you say, "Just haven't been doing so well."

"How can I help? Can I do anything?" Steve asks, holding you close as he brushes the hair out of your face and lays a soft, lingering kiss on your forehead.

"I don't think anyone can fix it," you reply, turning to face him.

The sun peeks through your blinds and you can just about make out his face in the dark. You lean over and softly kiss him. He's everything that you're not but you're too selfish to let go.

"I just wish you'd speak to me, tell me what's going on in your head. I just feel locked out, baby." Steve whispers.

The only response you can manage to give is a mumbled sorry. But there's so much more you'd like to say. Sorry that you're stuck with me, you deserve better. Sorry that I'm like this. Sorry that I'm this broken, this wretched. Sorry that I've fooled you into thinking I'm better than I am. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

You close your eyes and lay your head on his chest. In the darkness of your room, you pray that this moment lasts forever. But as another nightmare sinks its claws into you, you're not sure if you'll make it out alive.

[formosusiniquis]

when you're fifteen

Even as he hands over the platter of chocolate chip miracles he makes, Steve sighs. It's a full bodied affair that makes Eddie nervous on instinct. "We need to talk about Mike."

It is and isn't a surprise.

Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson; Steve Harrington & Mike Wheeler WC: 4044 | Rated T | Tags/Themes: Good Babysitter Steve, Period Atypical Depictions of DnD, HoH!Steve, Disabled!Eddie Ao3

Eddie prided himself on his ability to manage a table. A forever DM, four years into a lifetime sentence, he can keep a story on track and, more importantly, keep tempers in check for hours at a time. 

He kept track of a thousand little details across notebooks, binders, and just trapped in his own brain. He knew everything about his NPCs, the world, his player’s characters, and the things that drove his players nuts. He had plans, backup plans, and vague ideas of shit he could do if things went completely and totally off the rails despite all of those plans. That was one of the things he held fast on his tongue the first time he failed senior year. Of course he didn’t pass. He’d taken on the mantle of Dungeon Master. He had to put together a story that took into account: Jeff’s high stakes backstory with the missing mother and bounty on his head, Gareth’s need to flirt with anything age appropriate that had a pulse, and Joey’s tactical mind when it comes to battle. Wasn’t it enough that he was going to class, he had to do shit at home about it too?

He didn’t like saying it. He liked to bitch about it a lot, actually. Eddie wasn’t really sure what he’d do with himself if he wasn’t The DM. It was like a core part of his identity.

It made the current situation he was in more world rocking than he really wanted to deal with.

He liked to think, if he couldn’t feel the remaining muscles in his side screaming in agony because he was sitting wrong -- or for too long or both -- and if his lower back wasn’t seizing and spasming for the same or maybe a brand new reason it had decided to come up with today, that he’d be able to manage this table just as well as he always had. Eight really wasn’t that different from three.

Except that combat is impossible to manage, each round took forever and that’s when everyone was paying attention. Except that there hasn’t been a satisfying story moment for Jeffrey the Jovial or Dustin’s Sir Rathington in the last four sessions. Except that Erica has been scribbling something in her notebook that probably wasn’t campaign notes since she hadn’t called him on the plot hole he caught session planning a month ago and hasn’t been able to fix -- and is more likely to have something to do with the way he noticed her looking at Uhura and Chapel when she was watching Star Trek reruns with Steve.

Except that Mike has been screaming at Dustin and Lucas for the better part of five minutes and Eddie really isn’t sure how to fix it.

“The plan is stupid. Did you even spend more than ten seconds thinking about it or did you decide that Will could just roll another character and we could save the resources.”

“Will could roll another character. It's not the first time he's rolled another character.” Lucas points out for what might be the third time, Eddie’s lost count.

“This whole thing is about resources, Mike.” Dustin snaps, “We’ll all be rolling new characters if we go into this stupid fucking fight while Gareth has no spell slots, Lucas is down to three arrows, Joey’s already used his second wind, and half the party is below half health.”

“It doesn’t matter, if we don’t go into the fight now Will is going to turn into some bloodsucking vampire spawn.”

Eddie knows this is the point that he should grab the reins again. He should prompt one of them to make a decision, or better yet, take the decision away from them entirely. But there’s a numbness in his thigh that has somehow spread to his mouth; it’s different from the pain the rest of his body is in, not really better or worse, and just as distracting. 

The rest of the table is quiet, boredom and annoyance plain on their faces. But they’ve also stopped looking to him to fix the problem. That’s the worst thing the Upside Down took from him, he thinks, even as his body is radiating pain from places he used to be able to forget he had.

“Or maybe it’s a trap,” Lucas points out. And it should be, but Lucas is a far better tactician than Eddie who already knows he won’t want to deal with the work it would take to do that well. “Y’know since you made all your weak spots pretty clear to Lord Ellias.”

“Or,” Dustin drawls out with a Harrington’s level of bitch and ire, “we could trust Eddie to turn this into a fucking story moment.”

“You guys are both so full of shit, just-” Mike has his nose curled and lip snarled, Eddie can feel the breeze of the blade swinging down to deliver the death blow to this campaign and adventuring party.

“Alright time to take a break.” Steve claps his hands, an angel come from on high to save Eddie. “Get up, get a snack, move your feet. Give my dining room some time to air out before it smells like nerd forever.”

Mike turns the full weight of his aggression on to Steve, who hopefully has a damage immunity or advantage on saves at the very least otherwise this is looking like a short talk, “We can't just take a break. Do you not get what the stakes are here? We've got to save-”

“Save someone who will still be in danger in twenty minutes.” Steve steamrolls over Mike’s argument with an unaffected ease. Eddie can feel the mood of the table lift just a bit, now that they’re about to be rescued.

“You just don't get it.”

“I get that it's pretend.” In a pre-Vencapocalypse world that would have been enough to get Eddie fighting on Little Wheeler’s side, but much as DnD is still his life. Fuck, it is all just pretend. “Go take a lap.”

“Ugh why do we even come over here. We could do this at my house without washed up jocks interrupting us.” Mike says but he gets up. Storming off to god knows where in the monstrosity of Steve’s house. Will, quiet as he always seems to get when he’s the center of one of these drag outs, trails off after Mike with an eye roll at the other two sophomores and an apologetic shrug for Steve.

And Eddie has his table again. Quiet and still, waiting for him to say something. Like there’s even anything to say when his very own Deus Ex Machina is leaving the room without so much as a backward glance at the poor schmucks he’s saved. “Well,” he says with a clap of his hands, “My blood sugar is dropping, so I’m going to shove as many of those cookies I smelled earlier into my mouth as I can in twenty minutes.” Because as much as they weren’t looking to him before, they need the DM to break the spell of the table. That’s how the whole thing goes.

And they scatter once it breaks. Eddie’s original Hellfire boys stay at the table, their ease at the Harrington house has been hardwon and the argument has rekindled something nerdy and skittish in them. Erica has headed off to the corner of the house Steve has let her claim as her own, nose still buried in her notebook. He doesn’t know where Lucas and Dustin are, but wherever they’ve gone they aren’t around to watch him struggle to pull himself out of his throne with his cane. He should just give in and let Steve raise the seat, half the problem is that it sits too low -- but knowing that and being willing to admit it at any point other than when he’s in PT levels of misery from pulling himself up are very different things.

Steve has his back to the door again, by the time Eddie makes his way to the kitchen. He has a bizarre semi-awareness of his surroundings that can be hard to predict. Sometimes it’s freaky how Steve can call out Dustin or Erica from a different room with an almost parental ‘eyes in the back of his head’ sixth sense. Other times his own soulmate can get the drop on him, managing to get her arms wrapped around his middle before he even realizes they’re in the same room.

It’s better to slam his cane against the floor a couple times. To let Steve feel the vibrations through the floorboards with his sock feet, that way nobody has to get hurt or feel guilty for doing the hurting.

Getting to see Steve’s grin bloom across his face as he flips that famous hair and catches sight of Eddie isn’t so bad either.

Next to Steve, it’s safe to prop his cane against the counter. He can rest his hips against the sure, solid surface and relax in the presence of his boyfriend while the blood returns to his limbs and a new kind of discomfort settles in. A hand, warm and sudsy finds the back of his neck. A strong thumb digging into a knot that had been there since at least last week with an erotic precision.

“You’ve got to stop letting them keep you in that chair for so long.”

"If we take breaks we'll just be here longer."

He shrugs, pulling his other hand from the dish water to pull Eddie into a gentle hold. "So be here longer."

"You'd get sick of the fighting. I'd get sick of the fighting." Actually it was probably better not to remind Steve of that. "You know I really did want one of those famous Stevie Henderson cookies."

Even as he hands over the platter of chocolate chip miracles he makes, Steve sighs. It's a full bodied affair that makes Eddie nervous on instinct. "We need to talk about Mike."

It is and isn't a surprise. "I know the yelling is a lot, Sweetheart, I'm sorry. You don't have a migraine, do you? I can talk to him and make him chill out a bit." That last part is absolutely a lie; he doesn't think he could get Mike under control right now if he had a stun gun and half a pound of Argyle’s primo Cali weed.

Not that it matters Steve has on his scrunchy faced 'you're wrong about something,' look, Eddie just needs to give him the minute it'll take to get his thoughts together. "You know I love you right?"

“In this dimension and any others,” Eddie supplies.

Steve smiles, feather soft, and runs a soothing hand through Eddie's hair the way he always does right before he says something atrociously bitchy. "I turn my hearing aids off the second you all start playing. If I had to listen to your game three different times, three different ways I'd drive my car into a portal."

He keeps going the way he does when he's afraid he's been too mean and wants to try to soften his edges for general consumption, like Eddie hadn't fallen in love with him the first time he called Dusin a butthead. "This way you and Dust can still use me as a sounding board for your plots and theories and I don't have to listen to my favorite nerds try to remember if 5+7 is 11 or 12."

“So what’s?”

“I’m worried about him!” Steve insists. Eddie might pride himself on his ability to handle a table, but he knows Steve is proud of his way with the kids. His relationship with each of them is rich and distinct, the way he handles each of them unique.

But it’s Mike.

Something must cross his face. He can only call it something, because he’s honestly not sure what emotion he’s feeling other than headache and how many cookies can I eat before they start tasting like nausea. But something else must have been there that causes Steve to cross his arms and glare.

“Yeah, of course, you’re worried about him. We are worried about him. Why are we worried about him, other than worried about what an asshole he’s been lately?”

That was not the right thing to say either, Eddie’s really rolling straight ones today. Steve’s glare shutters even further closed, and seriously it’s Mike. The same kid who called Steve a washed up jock not ten minutes ago. Who takes every single offered opportunity, and even some that he makes himself, to bitch and glare at Hawkins own #1 babysitter and monster hunter. 

“He’s a teenager with more trauma than a ‘Nam vet. But even if he weren’t he’s not an asshole for being barely fifteen and not knowing when to shut the hell up. Do you remember the kind of shit you were saying back then?”

Big brother Steve has successfully landed a critical hit. Eddie does remember the kind of shit he used to say. Just like he knows Steve remembers the kind of shit he used to say. And they both remember the shit that they used to say to one another. How Eddie called Steve a braindead future Reganite who wouldn’t know good taste if it spit in his mouth. How Steve had called Eddie a tryhard that was so desperate to be different because that was the only way he could hide having nothing to offer.

“So we’re worried?”

“I just don’t want him to say something he can’t walk back because he forgot the thing he’s getting upset over is pretend.” He runs a finger down Eddie’s splayed hands. A tickling sensation he can feel down the path it traces from the back of his palm and down his middle finger and, in a phantom mirror, down his spine. “I know you get into your characters, or whatever, I’m sure this is bringing up a lot of memories but he’s going to regret lashing out if it means he pushes away Dustin or Lucas or one of the other guys.”

“I notice you left out Will.”

“Yeah well, Will is more likely to get hurt by something he says when lashing out while they aren’t playing exposure therapy the game. I mean seriously, you had to kidnap him? That’s where your, ‘Stevie, baby, what should I do with them this week? They decided to do something stupid,’ bitching and moaning landed you?”

Eddie doesn’t even really have time to let himself feel the fluttery, squishy feeling he wants to feel -- cause Steve does actually listen when they’ve got their feet tangled on the sofa together, each working on their own things -- before it’s getting smacked by down by the paladin of his heart. “No, no, that isn’t where I landed. I had a perfectly acceptable diplomacy mission prepared, with a back up fight that they were supposed to run away from. What do you want me to do, Sunshine? I gotta give the game some stakes. It’s not exactly fun for Will if he knows he’s indestructible.”

Maybe, he thinks, he should just stop talking today. Just cancel the rest of the session entirely. Will gets carried off by the vampire spawn, half dead and unsaveable, the party on its last legs, unable to agree on a course of action; and actually that’s where we’re gonna end things come back next week and hope Steve even lets us in the house after the screaming we’ve all done. Why? Because he can feel every joint in his body and every one of them is in pain. Because there’s been the dull throb of a low grade headache beating an even pulse in his temples since he woke up this morning. But mostly because every time he opens his stupid fucking mouth to talk Steve stops touching him, and that sucks absolute balls.

“I maybe had an idea,” Steve says. His voice dips and slides while he keeps his hands small, quiet, and close to his chest. Something Robin told him, and he’s now noticing, means Steve has thought about this idea a lot, long enough that he’s convinced himself it’s bad. Eddie’s noticed that even when these ideas aren’t phrased well, they’re never bad.

“I know it’s like rule number one: don’t split the party,” Steve can’t help but roll his eyes when he says it, an instinctive bit of brotherly mockery of Dustin, he would guess. “But what if you split the group a bit. Mike can go after Will, I’m sure Erica would be down to kill some vampires. She loves a chance to test drive her new feats and shit. Then Jeff and Dustin and whoever else can finish up that thing? With the missing girlfriend or whatever? And once that’s done they reunite to do whatever’s next on the list, save the kingdom.”

Eddie sits with that for a bit.

Impulsive is still his middle name, but sometime between being eaten alive by other dimensional hell creatures and getting a thousand and six tiny, itchy stitches removed he’s started giving things second and even third thoughts. Though in this case the second thoughts are less ‘is this a good idea’ and more ‘will Steve bend me over that solid oak dining table and critique my DM notes while he rails me.’

As his stomach swoops, his lower body twinges in a much less enjoyable way. Letting him know that now he’d been standing too long, or leaning against the counter the wrong way, or maybe something else entirely that made his legs tired of doing one of the few things they were made to do. 

Figures he finally lands a hot boyfriend and he's got chronic pain keeping him from getting his dick wet.

“If you’ve already got another idea-”

“No,” he rushes to assure Steve, who needs to stay confident in his own ideas for all kinds of reasons but right now mostly so he’ll be willing to play into this new fantasy of Eddie’s once his body is willing to cooperate with the standing and the bending it’s going to require. “No, it’s a fantastic idea. I’m plotting as we speak.” 

And that isn’t a total lie. Forever DM, he can think about all the fun ways the love of his life and reason he’s still living could degrade his current campaign -- An oath of vengeance paladin questing to save a lost love, isn’t that a little played out. Oh wow, rat swarms in a dungeon, they’re never gonna see that coming -- and figure out how to trick the group into thinking splitting the party was their own idea.

“How long,” he asks his resident child expert, “do you think it would take Will to roll up a new character?”

The smile that tips the corners of Steve’s face is the best part of his day. “Will always has an extra character rolled up with the rest of his stuff in his folder."

Things are slotting together in his head now, and as Steve's hands come around to do something magical in a spot on his back that probably has a name but mostly makes his legs feel like they should really belong to a baby deer.

“So Will…”

“Can convince Mike, and get a chance to try out the new thingy he built. He’s been waiting to talk to you about it.”

Eddie’s getting excited now, hands shaking in the good way. He doesn’t even care that his knee locks as he tries to bounce on his toes, just lets his hands get out the excited energy. “And the band can go do the story side plot shit I’ve been putting off…” 

“With Dustin,” Steve reminds, “cause he’ll want to go wherever there’s the best chance to stir up shit. You already know Erica is going to go where there’s a chance to prove she’s the best at fighting, Lucas too. Not the fighting thing. He’ll go to round out the group, and so his mom doesn’t have to worry about keeping track of one more thing on the family calendar.”

“You’re a genius, Sweetheart.” He snags Steve by the collar, ignoring his bitching that the two fingered pinch he’s got it in is going to stretch it out, and pulls him close. Pressing a kiss on the corner of his perfect boyfriend’s pleased little smile. “I gotta go talk to Will about this character.”

“Send Mike down when you do?”

He’s surprised when he gets no argument, barely gets acknowledgement, when he finds Will and Mike in the guest bathroom and separates them. Mike slips from the room with nothing but a backward glance at Will, who smiles supportively. Once he clears the room, it takes next to zero prompting to get Will to talk about his backup character. The ‘thingy’ he'd been working on a tricked out ranger build that's going to annihilate. 

There's something fresh, brightening, about Will's enthusiasm for the character that infects Eddie too. It gets him excited, for the first time since everyone arrived, to sit down around their over crowded table and play the hour of set up it's going to take to get the party ready to be split. 

And Will doesn't duck his head anymore when Eddie pushes at him and his DnD expertise, he just pushes back. Together they work out a couple tweaks that will make the build fit better in the party, flesh out a backstory that they can integrate even if it doesn't end up going anywhere, and it doesn't really feel like time passes at all. Until Sinclair is sticking his head through the door, surprise artfully hidden at who he finds, as he asks if they're ready to go.

Mike is conspicuously absent from the table when Eddie makes his way to it, and that won't do at all. He's not an asshole, he's just 15. Something like shame crawls up the back of his throat as Steve's reminder sounds in his head. He remembers 15 and the things he said but more than that, as he looks around the table, he remembers being the last to arrive at a hangout of people you're already worried hate you only to find them having a good time without you. 

Eddie has always prided himself on his ability to run a good session. "Stevie, gimme back our paladin, do I need to bring in a hostage negotiator."

A cookie held in one hand while the other smooths down the ruffled fringe of his bangs, Mike re-enters the dining room. The back of his Hellfire shirt is bunched and, if that weren't sign enough he'd been on the receiving end of a perfect Harrington hug, he looks settled. A smile tugging at his face that Eddie hadn't realized how much he missed, he looks boyish and happy and if Eddie didn't before he understands Steve's mission to keep these kids kids by whatever means necessary.

"Alright, now where were we?” He says once Mike is back in his seat beside Will, “Ah yes, you all watch in horror as the vampire spawn, hastened, dash away from you all with the unconscious, but still alive, body of Sir William the Wizened." Before anyone can restart the shouting, and he knows there will be shouting now that they’ve all had a chance to look over their notes and their character sheets, he barrels on. “From the hill behind you comes a shot. An arrow flies, thwip thwip. It slices between you all, before sinking into the back of one of the spawn at the back of the pack. He stumbles to the ground and the rest of the pack leave him to die.”

“We can interrogate him!” 

“Worry about who’s behind us, dude.”

He doesn’t let Mike or Dustin derail him, Eddie continues, “As you turn the hill behind you is nothing but mist. You all know the range of an elven bow, but whoever fired it is nowhere to be seen. You wait, breath held, as a figure all in black slowly approaches. You get the feeling you see him now only because he wants to be seen.

“Will, describe your new character for us!”

[ofstarsandvibranium]

My You-niverse: Bud Cooper

Fandom: Oscar Isaac

Pairing: Bud Cooper x F!Reader, throughout the series: Marc Spector x F!Reader, Steven Grant x F!Reader

Summary: You and America get stuck portal jumping until you reach your universe again. In the meantime, you meet various versions of your husband.

Warning: a bit of period typical sexism, reader is pregnant

Series Masterlist

When you kick the blankets off you, your eyes widento see your round belly. Oh shit. Oh fuck. You were pregnant.

Not Marc notices you just sitting there and came back to you with concern, "You okay? Is the baby okay?" He kneels down and gently presses a hand to your stomach, "You okay, princess? You giving mommy some trouble this morning?"

"We're having a girl?" you ask in disbelief.

Not Marc's brows furrow, "Yeah. We found out weeks ago, remember?" he reaches up and places the back of his hand to your forehead, "You're not feeling warm. Do you feel dizzy or anything?"

You shake your head, "No. No, it's-I had a weird dream. I suppose I'm just trying to make sure this isn't another one."

Your supposed husband shakes his head, "It's not, honey. I'm here," he cups your face, love in his eyes, "The baby and I are here. We're real."

You nod, "Yeah, yeah, okay."

He wasn't comforted by your answer so he stands with a grunt, "I'm calling out of work today."

"No, no, love, it's okay. I promise."

"I just want to make sure that nothing happens to you two, okay?"

Not Marc walks over to the phone on the nightstand and dials a number. He asks the phone operator to direct his call to his work, "Hey, Mike. It's Bud Cooper." Bud, so that was his name, "Yeah, the wife isn't feeling too well. I'm staying back just in case anything happens to her or the baby. Yeah...sounds like a plan. Alright. Bye."

He hangs the phone up and looks back at you, "Maybe we should get some food in ya and see if that helps?"

Bud helps you out of bed and guides you down the stairs to the kitchen. He has you sit at the table and looks around the kitchen, "Um...where can I find the pan?"

"Cabinet next to the stove," your answer surprises you. How you already have the knowledge and layout of the kitchen is new.

Bud chuckles to himself, "You know how useless I am in the kitchen. This is the women's domain," he opens the cabinet and grabs the pan. He sets it on the shelf and continues to ask you where everything is.

You eventually get up and grab everything for him, but then he has you sit back down, "Okay, I can cook all this myself. See, I'm not completely helpless."

You hum, not loving Bud's current views on women. Sure, this was the norm of this time period, but that didn't mean it didn't leave a bad taste in your mouth.

While Bud cooked, you decided to grab the newspaper out front, but not after promising him that you'd be careful. When you picked up the newspaper, the year stared back up to you 1955.

"Oh wow."

"Good morning, Y/N!" a woman from across the street waves at you as she kisses her husband on the cheek.

You wave back and proceed to walk back inside the home...your home. As you sit back down, Bud places a plate of breakfast and some juice in front of you. Everything is cooked just how you liked it.

He then sits across the table from you and grabs the newspaper you brought in. He places his glasses on and reads while shoveling eggs into his mouth.

Your stomach jolts and you gasp, making Bud immediately rushing to your side, "What is it? What's wrong?"

You smile up at him, "She kicked."

"She's becoming more active, huh?" he kneels down and presses a hand to his belly again, "Looks like you're up and awake, huh, princess?" she kicks again and Bud laughs, "Yeah, honey, this is your daddy."

He continues to talk to your little girl and you can't help but get emotional at the sight. You and Marc are married, yes, but you didn't talk about kids yet. You were content with or without them, but you weren't sure on Marc's views. Considering how he grew up, you're sure he'd be apprehensive.

If, no, when you get back to him, you'll probably have to discuss this with him. Because you can't help but imagining Marc in Bud's position right now. You see the love in his eyes and you just know that Marc, hell even Steven and Jake, would be good fathers.

"You okay care there, lovebug?"

You wipe your eyes, "Yeah, just really happy."

Bud smiles up at you, "I am too."

__________________________

Marc and Steven never thought that hopping through multiple universes was so exhausting. So far they'd been to three different universes. They had to make sure they were in disguise, not wanting to disrupt anything in each universe. But every version they've seen of you, made them miss you even more.

Doctor Strange, seeing the worry and hopelessness in their eyes comforted them, "We'll get her back. It just...takes time."

Steven, currently fronting, shook his head, "I know she'll be okay. She's strong. I just...if someone travels through so many universes, will it effect them in any way?"

"I'm not sure, to be honest."

___________________________

You've been in this universe for less than a day and you already dread leaving. You didn't think yourself of a motherly type, but every time you looked down at your belly or rubbed it, your heart felt so full.

Despite ensuring Bud that you're fine, your "husband" insisted you shouldn't be working on the nursery. So he rolled up his sleeves and worked on painting the room. A baby pink already adorned two walls. How cliche to make your baby girl's nursery fairytale themed. She was your princess after all.

While Bud works on the other two walls, you put up some pictures and artwork. You take a step back and observe your work. You find yourself smiling and rubbing your belly.

"Everything's turning out great, I'd say!" Bud exclaims, coming up next to you and wrapping an arm around your waist.

You nod and he kisses your head, "Why don't you start up lunch while I finish this up, hm?"

"Sounds good!" you peck his lips and waddle your way to the kitchen, when you enter the threshold, you're suddenly somewhere else.

"Fuck!" you whisper to yourself and you're suddenly tackled to the floor as a rain of bullets fire your way.

"I fucking told you to get down!"

"Marc?" you ask to your..husband?

"Pope! Let's go!" another man runs into the room, helping your husband's doppleganger to his feet and then you.

"More hostiles are headed this way. This mission is fucked."

'Pope' nodded and then turned to you, "Rosa, you good?"

You gulp and nodded, "Y-Yeah. I'm good." you looked down noticed the tactical gear you're donning. A knife strapped to your thigh and a gun to your other.

Who were you in this universe?

[sweet-villain]

Rough Patch~  Fruity Four Ft Dustin Henderson 

Anonymous asked:

Love your blog! I was wondering if I could request something angsty and fluffy?

My idea was the reader has depression and she's been doing better for years then she goes into a deep state all of the sudden but she is refusing to slip. The gang can all tell something is wrong but she is refusing to tell them cuz she wants to be "strong".

Maybe Robin is the one who notices she always have tears in her eyes even when she's smiling and laughing and maybe it's Dustin who notices she stares into space all the time again. Eddie and Steve notices she isn't doing her hobbies or enjoying music anymore.

And I was wondering for the fluff how everyone would help her through this tough patch.

If it's too deep I completely understand don't even worry about it especially if you're busy 🖤

Author's Note : I'm never busy for any of you loves. I'm here for you always, my inbox is always opened <3

You sat in the middle of Steve and Robin as everyone talked to each other what movie they wanted to see, arguing that the other wasn't what they wanted, while you stared at the small coffee table in front of you with your arms wrapped around your stomach and you were hunched over staring into nothing.

The words around you were like one big blur. No one has taken noticed yet how you became so quiet. You weren't the usual type to suddenly shut down. They never took note how there was a look of happiness in your eyes and suddenly it wasn't there.

" Hey Y/N!" you heard Dustin call out to you as he sat near the coffee table you have been hopelessly staring at with such interest. You were too busy in your own thoughts with a deep frown on your face to notice the little nudge from Steve as he sat by you. Then there was another nudge, this time it was from Robin from the other side.

Both look at each other with concern on your face. Eddie sat in the chair nearby closer to Steve as called out to you.

" Sweetheart?" you snapped out of your thoughts as your eyes rose to meet his. His brown doe eyes were filled with concern and worry. His eyebrows were knitted together as his eyes searched your face for answers. You weren't giving him any as you stared back with the hallow empty feeling growing inside of you.

" Are you okay? Where did you go?" Dustin asked as he leaned forward in his seat. You shrugged, giving him a soft smile that doesn't seem to reach your eyes. You were convincing enough to show that you were okay, deep inside that was lie. A big lie.

" Just was thinking about something, I'm sorry. I just spaced out" you leaned back into your seat and looking down at your hands. You couldn't help but pick at the skin near your nails, a habit when you felt uneasy. Steve laid his hand on top of yours as his thumb ran across your knuckles.

" If something is bothering you, you know we are here for you?" Steve says as you turn to look at him. His gaze soften when you look over to see him, searching your face to see if there was a crack somewhere. He knows you don't usually express how you feel and it doesn't come easy to you. He knows the walls that you build around yourself.

" I know. Thank you" you sent a gentle smile at him, then looked over to Eddie seeing him nodding his head as if he's telling you what Steve said is true. He was there for you too, even if the two of you haven't known each other far too long. You looked over to Nancy as she munched on popcorn and nodded her head. You looked over to Dustin who leaned on his hand, supporting his head as he send you a gentle smile. You looked over to Mike, El, Will and Jonathan as they all smiled softly at you. El and you weren't too close, but she wanted to get to know you and be there for you.

You looked over lastly at Robin who sat by your side. She wrapped her arm around you, kissing your clothed shoulder.

" You can talk to us, whatever it is. You're our best friend. You can trust us. Okay?" you nodded.

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Robin watches as you giggle, shielding your mouth with your sleeve but it's your eyes that give you away. You were tearing up and when you drop your sleeve from covering your mouth, your mouth is in a thin line. Your eyes lock with hers for a moment, she sees the way your eyes blink more than once trying to hide away your tears.

" What's wrong?" she mouths, asking you. You shook your head side to side telling her you were okay. Robin being Robin doesn't believe it one bit.

Dustin nudged into you as he laughs, his eyes crinkling near his eyes as he shake his head at something that Steve had said. Your shoulder shook too, with a small smile on your face as you giggle inside.

Robin doesn't seem to join the laughter as she motions with her head to the back room of Family Video. Her eyes are filled with concern once again. You silently follow to her to the back with your hands in the pocket of your hoodie.

She turns to you once she knows she's in the clear from everyone else.

" Are you okay?" you nod averting your gaze from her.

" You don't need to hide, you know?" you nod once more.

" It's not good to hold anything in, I'm here for you. Steve is here for you. Eddie is here for you. Dustin is here for you. You're not alone in this" she takes a hold of both your hands in her from the big pocket of your hoodie and swings yours and her arms off the side and back, squeezing as giving you a reassurance that she isn't pushing you to talk to her. But she's is there.

The middle of your eyebrows are in a crease as she watches your eyes filled with tears, fighting an unknown battle inside your head.

" Hey" she leans down with her head as she peers into your eyes. " Don't fight too hard in that pretty head of yours. We need you here. Okay?"

" Thank you" you softly tell her, giving her hands a small squeeze.

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A knock comes to your door startling you from where you stood near the stove with a pan on the stove. The knock on the door happens again, it's three times this time and you know who is knocking on the door.

You don't need to utter a word as you opened the door seeing Dustin standing there. He looks off to the side of the house seeing your shoes everywhere and not in the order they should be, there are specks of dirt on the floor from them. Usually you would clean them up and there weren't anything but lined up nicely by the door. He takes notices the bags underneath your eyes and the way your skin is paler than usual.

He notices the dazed off look on your face and you aren't really there as you should be.

" Can I come in?" he asks. His voice is soft and filled with concern. For the last couple of days, Dustin was taking notes of the way you were smiling and laughing less. The way you weren't paying attention to anything else. The way you were skipping the movie nights and the way you looked like you were off somewhere else.

In his hands he has a couple of comics as you let him through your door. Your parents aren't home as usual, off on a business trip rather than staying home and looking after you.

Dustin looks around at the living room, seeing a few opened snacks on the coffee table. He sees your hoodie on the couch with a blanket that is half on the couch and half on the floor. He notices some dust picking up on the pictures and on the TV.

Usually you were the one for cleanliness and the type to have everything in order. Nothing looked right to Dustin. He hums as he walks into the kitchen seeing the unused pan on the stove, there are dishes in the sink that seem to be piling up. The counter tops look like there are a few spots to what looks like from some sort of sauce.

He turns around to face you once you follow him into the kitchen.

" Everything alright? Are you feeling okay?" he says as he sets the comic books on the other side of the counter near the fridge. There was an unopened box of pop tarts there.

" Yes" you answered, lying through your teeth. You weren't doing so well, barely sleeping and feeling like yourself. You haven't showered in a few days either and nothing look good to eat to you anymore.

You stood with your hip next to the counter as you look down at your curly friend.

He put his hand against your forehead to feel if you were sick and he doesn't find your head hot, he frowns as he over looks what you are wearing. Your shirt is wrinkled and there is a stain on it, your pants are bunched up on one leg while the other is fully down. He sees the miss match socks on your feet and this concerns him.

" I know you haven't been yourself lately Y/N, but you aren't alone in any of this. We miss you. I brought some of these comic books hoping you'll read them and they would help. I want to help Y/N"

Your eyes fill with tears at how much he's trying. Comic books were one of your favorite things you shared in common with Dustin other than being part of the Hellfire club. You have missed a few campaign sittings.

" Eddie misses you. Steve misses you. Nancy misses you. El misses you. Mike misses you, I miss you. We miss our friend"

He lays his hand on top of yours in comfort.

" Whatever it is, you aren't alone in it. I know you hear it before, but there is no need so struggle on your own. You have us"

"I-I" tears run down your cheeks as you don't know what to say but feel arms wrap around you as Dustin holds you in the middle of your kitchen.

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You stepped outside for the first time awhile and squint at the sun beaming down at you as you look around your neighborhood. Your next door neighbor, Mrs. Jacobs waves to you as she is planting some flowers in her front year. Her dog, Ivy is barking at the sight of you and wags her tail as she runs over to you almost knocking you down.

" Hi there" you greet her as you scratch behind her ears, you don't notice that Steve had driven up to the front of the house with Eddie sitting the passenger side. They both get out watching you interact with the dog.

" Nice to see you out and about Y/N" you hear Steve says. You rose your feet as you looked over to him, seeing Eddie too as the both of them walk up to you.

Eddie takes the state your in and his heart pulls string seeing the lack of color on your face.

" Sweets when was the last time you ate?" he asks. You avert your gaze from him to the ground, rather than at him. Steve nudges him telling him that wasn't the right thing to ask even though he's concern too.

" I don't know" you respond. You feel a hand go into yours as fingers lace with yours. You see that familiar yellow long sleeve that belonged to Steve as he gently pulls you to the house.

" I know what we can do" Eddie has a hand on the small of your back as the two of them lead you back into the house. The only sound you hear is the jingle from Eddie's pants and the front door opening as Steve continues to lead you inside.

You end up being in the kitchen where Steve props you up on the counter as he moves some hair away from your eyes.

" There, we can see you better now" a small smile appears on your face as Eddie rummages in the fridge to see what you have. Steve makes his way over to the fridge too, pushing Eddie to the side knowing Eddie doesn't really cook too much.

Your heart swells up at the thought of them taking care of you.

Eddie goes to look into your cabinets and takes out some spaghetti.

" I think she'd like this" Steve looks back over at Eddie and then to you. " You want some spaghetti?"

They didn't really need an answer from you as your stomach gives you away with a growl.

" Sit pretty, sweets and we will take care of you" Eddie says. Steve whispers something to Eddie as Steve start cooking. He has this while Eddie walks towards you and wraps his arms around you.

His brown doe eyes look at you, " How would you feel after you ate, I run you a bath sweets?"

Your eyes fill with tears as you look down at him seeing his caring gaze as he offers you a small shy smile.

" you don't have to" you whisper enough to let him hear you.

" I want too" your heart swells and he reaches up to wipe your tears away, and reaches up on his toes to kiss your forehead. Steve offers you a plate of spaghetti as he sits besides you on the counter watching as you eat. The both of them smile watching you take small bites and it's enough to let them know your trying.

Small circles on your thigh eases you in comfort from the two.

" Thank you" you mumbled through a mouthful of spaghetti. This small action from your friends makes your heart swell up with happiness.

" I'm going to get that bath ready" Steve says as he gets off the counter and makes his way upstairs to your room. Eddie takes the plate from you once your done and leaves it besides the sink. He returns and grabs you and you wrap your arms around him and your legs around him as he carries you to your room.

He moves away to give you some privacy when your hand reaches out to stop him. He glances down with worry.

" I'm right here, sweets" Steve comes back from the bathroom.

" It's all ready for you, pretty"

" We are just going to be downstairs, you take all the time you need. Okay?' Eddie says leaning down and kissing your forehead. You look between the two. They already did some much for you.

" I-I" was all you managed to say, the both of them understood what you wanted to say. " No need pretty, we are always here for you. Right Eddie?"

" Of course sweets, we just miss you"

"...I miss you too.." they leave you to take your bath. While you sit in and think of all small gestures they all done to show how much they care, you never had that in your life until now. Your friends were your rock.

A knock comes to your door, Nancy peeks her head in as she asks if she can come in.

" Yes" she walks in with El trailing behind her. El has a fuzzy towel in your arms along with some clothes. Nancy kneels down before the tub with her hands on it as she looks at you.

" I heard you weren't feeling your best, let me wash your hair for you. El brought you some clothes with the towel you love. It's warm and ready for you"

You look between the two girls as they gently smile at you with their now tears in their eyes. You all had them worried about being distant and it hurts them to see you like this. They want to help and this was a start.

As Nancy took her time to wash your hair, El had sat by the tub as she took your hand in hers and held it.

" You're okay" she kept saying to you. Three small squeezes was her way to tell her she loves you. They all loved and adored you.

When you were done getting dry and getting dressed, you walked out of the bathroom in shock seeing new sheets on your bed. There are fresh set of flowers on your bed side table, the trash is gone in your room and your clothes are folded neatly on the small chair you had.

There was a small teddy bear on the bed with a little strawberry in his hands. You took it in your hands knowing this was from El.

You walked out of the bedroom and made your way downstairs into the living room where they all sat around and waited.

" How are you feeling?" Robin asks as she comes over to you, she knows it's not a question to ask right away and hesitate on wrapping her arms around you.

" Better" you respond. El notices the teddy bear in your arms as she runs over to wrap her arms around you. She has tears in her eyes. You were surprised by her sudden hug, but wrap your arm around her as you lay a kiss on top of her head.

She pulls away as you entered the living room looking around at your friends. There are three pizza boxes on the coffee table, there is your favorite candy on the side too with a bowl of popcorn, there are comic books that Dustin brought, there is a few movies too but more importantly the gentle looks on all your friends faces as they take you in.

" Thank you, thank you all for everything" you say.

[thestrangestthing89]

I really don't like how terms meant for adult relationships keep getting applied to children. It happens a lot with the Mike/Will/El dynamic. I think it's often being done by really young parts of the fandom trying to sound more mature or trying to legitimize the Mike/El relationship. But it's really problematic and overlooks a lot of what's going on here. Some of it is obviously absurd - like calling Will a home wrecker. This term is for married couples and they are fresh out of middle school. Mike and El don't have a home to wreck. But some of it just simplifies the issue at hand - like saying Mike and Will are emotionally cheating. This implies there is an affair happening and they are young teens so it just sounds silly. Affairs are for adults. Not to mention that Mike and El's relationship is not deep. It's a silly middle school relationship that basically only qualifies as a relationship because they say that's what it is. They don't have the dynamics of a romantic relationship. No one is cheating here. Mike and Will are two scared kids who have heard their whole lives that being gay is bad and wrong. We know Will at least got bullied his whole life for this, both at school and by his father. It's likely Mike was too, but if he wasn't he still heard Will getting abused for this through their whole childhood. They've been taught their feelings are wrong. So they are pretending not to have them or trying very hard to ignore them. Mike and El are only together because they both think they are supposed to and they are trying to be normal. They want to fit in with the other kids. This doesn't mean they don't care about each other but there is a big difference between that and having a serious relationship. Mike and Will have known each other since childhood and have always had an emotional bond and close relationship. It didn't just start suddenly when El came into the picture. It's just how their relationship is. So Mike isn't suddenly emotionally cheating on El. He's acting the same way he's always acted with Will. Nothing about their dynamic has changed. There are a lot of implications when terms like this are used but my main problem is the one that says El's feelings are the only one's that matter. As if Mike and Will are horrible people for having feelings when El exists. They aren't and Mike isn't using her any more than she's using him. They both want to feel normal and use this relationship to accomplish that. There is this outcry of "what about El" whenever people bring up Byler and it's not ok. El's feelings are important but they aren't the only ones that are and no one is required to suffer to make her happy. She also doesn't love Mike or want to be in a relationship with him so it doesn't even matter. But Mike and Will are allowed to have feelings for each other even when Mike and El are together. There is this idea that they can't because it will somehow ruin the "purity" of Mike and Will's dynamic and this is so, so problematic. There aren't always clear lines drawn when one relationship ends and another starts. It in no way means that peoples feelings in the second relationship are less legitimate. No relationship is perfect and expecting them to be is unfair and unrealistic. It doesn't make their relationship less serious because Mike was in another one first (I would argue he was with Will first anyway just because he's known him longer).

A label doesn't need to be attached to this dynamic at all. They can just be confused and scared kids who are figuring out how to navigate their feelings. That's all it is. There is no need to judge them for not navigating this perfectly. No one ever does.

[nervousgardenerkid]

In my room

tw: mentions of blood, bruising, and k*lling, unprotected sex, (don't be silly, cover your willy) and eddie being so in love with you that he goes a lil crazy. this is a poorly written smut so minors DNI!

a/n: i've been WAITING for october to come so that i can post this😭 i don't stan insane clown posse i just heard this song on tiktok and ran with it! i hope you guys enjoy and happy early halloween! credit to the gif owner <3

The party cheered as Lucas rolled the dice, the number they were wishing for appearing before their very eyes. They watched with eager eyes as Eddie acted out what was happening. Shouts came from every direction telling Lucas what he should do. Eddie let out a laugh and took a glance at his watch. He feels his heart drop to his stomach when he sees the time, he's late. Eddie is never late. He stands up from his chair legs slightly shaking at the thought of not seeing you tonight.

“Woah, Eddie are you alright?” Dustin asked with concern. Eddie ignored him, he was grabbing his things and stuffing it in his backpack.

“Eddie, chill out, what's going on?”

“I’m late, I'm so fucking late she's going to kill me.”

Mike looked at the party and they were just as confused.

“Who?”

“Y/n!”

Mike, Lucas, and Dustin tensed at the mention of your name. They locked eyes trying to figure out what to tell him, but they all stayed silent not knowing how to tell him.

“We'll finish the campaign next week, sorry guys.” Eddie mumbled out while he ran out of the theatre room. Silence fell over the party before grumbling started making their ways out.

“I don't get it? I thought she-”

“Shut up Gareth.” Dustin said.

-

Eddie must've broken every traffic law to get back to the new trailer that his new government official friends got him and his uncle. He roughly puts the van into park, not even grabbing his things, and rushes into the trailer. He throws a short hey to his uncle before he goes into his room and slams the door shouting out a sorry from the force of it. His uncle let out a sigh and turned his attention back to the phone.

“Yeah, yeah he's doing it again. I'm just so worried about him, he hasn't been the same since we got hit with that massive earthquake.”

Eddie let out a sigh as he tried to ignore the words he was hearing through the thin walls. He knows his uncle isn't wrong, he hasn't been the same since the so-called earthquakes but it's not his fault. How is he supposed to go back to normal when your body was still trapped in the upside-down cold and not moving? He checked the time again, mumbling out a curse when he saw 9:30 flashing across the small digital screen, you were still nowhere in sight.

He starts to nervously pace the room, the words from his uncle seem louder now as he gets lost in his own thoughts. He remembers how some bullies laid off him once the “earthquakes” hit, your disappearance shaking the town to their core. It seemed like they couldn't rest, there was either a great number of deaths, or a great number of disappearances.

“Sorry for your loss, Eddie.” A cheerleader said to him.

“Yeah! She was like, really pretty. It's like so sad.”

Eddie watched with empty eyes and her friend dragged her away saying you can't say shit like that Becky. The image of you pushing him out of the way and distracting the bats so that he can live still plague his mind. He remembers the group prying him off of your cold body, tears streaming down his face as he begs for them to take you. He can't leave you here all alone, he won't do that to you. The group promised that they'd come back for you, but he knew it was an empty promise because months have passed and they haven't set foot near the gate.

He starts to nervously chew at his nails at the thought of not seeing you tonight. He goes to lay on his bed, bringing his knees to his chest trying not to cry. Were you really that upset with him that you weren't going to visit him tonight? You always came to visit, he knew he should've cancelled his plans tonight. Maybe if he just stayed in his room you'd get to be with him forever like you both originally planned. He feels a chill run down his spine and he quickly turns around to face the window. You're close, you have to be. Eddie always gets cold when you're around. His eyes stayed glued to the window but could only stay open for so long before he found himself drifting off to sleep.

-

Eddie hears soft tapping at his window, he lets out a groan and turns away from the noise.

“Are you gonna let me in?”

His eyes shoot open and he turns toward the window, his heart leaps out of his chest when he sees your silhouette waiting for him to open the window. He stumbles out of his bed, his blanket still wrapped around his leg and fumbles to open the window. You let out a giggle at how frantically he's moving but you know how much he needs you.

“You came!” He said breathlessly once the window was opened. You smiled at him.

“That I did, I stopped by earlier but you weren't here.” You said with a pout.

“I know, I’m so sorry. The campaign ran a little later than I thought and I didn't even realize the time. I’m so sorry-”

“Eddie, relax. it's okay I’m here now.”

Eddie lets out a sigh and closes his eyes. A smile appears on his face as his eyes open back up and he stares at you.

“I’m so glad you're here.”

“I am too. Now, back to my original question, are you gonna let me in?”

Eddie steps to the side. “Of course, come in sweetheart.”

You smile at him and make your way through the window, landing softly on your feet. Eddie lets out a gasp when you step into the light and he sees you clearly. He doesn't know why it always catches him off guard, you look the same from the last time he's seen you. Clothes torn, bruising around your neck from where one of the bats wrapped its tail around you, choking you out, blood drenched the sides of your clothes from where you were bitten. The only thing that was different about you was the fact that your eyes had a slight reddish color to them and your fangs seemed a bit sharper.

“I'm okay rockstar , I’ll heal up soon.” You reassured him. He smiled at the nickname you gave him since you found out he was in a band, it's almost as if everything was normal. Almost. Eddie pulls you into a hug, shivering a bit at how cold you felt.

“You’re freezing baby.” He mumbled out while rubbing his hands up and down your arms.

“I’m fine Eddie, I promise.”

Eddie steps back and looks at you. Every time you visit him he soaks in all your features, almost as if he's trying to erase the horrible memories that are on loop in his mind.

“I missed you.”

“Yeah? How much?” You tease.

“So much.”

“Show me how much.” You whisper.

Eddie nods his head and brings his lips to yours. Your lips are cold now, they never used to be cold but he pushes that thought to the back of his mind. You're here. You're alive and here. You pull away from his lips and pressed kisses against his neck.

“God Eddie,” you moan out. “You smell so good.”

A blush rises to his cheeks as he clears his throat. “Have you eaten?”

Your kisses are getting sloppy and you're starting to bite him a little here and there. You shake your head and start kissing along his jaw.

“Not since last time.”

Eddie feels a swarm of butterflies in his stomach at the mention of your last visit. “We can do it again…if you want.”

You pull away from him and smile softly at him.

“You'd do that for me?”

“I'd do anything for you.”

You place a kiss on his lips already knowing he would. Eddie has said time and time again how he's willing to do anything for you, that's the one thing that hasn't changed about him. His undying loyalty toward you. The kiss becomes passionate fast and Eddie’s knees hit the edge of his bed causing him to sit down. He pulls you into his lap and your lips start attacking his neck. Eddie takes a sharp breath when you lick right where his pulse is, you can hear his heart beating out of his chest and the thought of his blood filling your mouth is enough to make you whimper.

You move your hips back and forth trying to get even the smallest amount of friction, hoping it'll be enough to satisfy your other hunger.

“Y-you need to feed.” Eddie stutters out. You shift your hips a little differently, smiling against his neck when you get a small groan out of him.

“Not hungry for that anymore,” you lied to him. Eddie always tasted better just when he was about to finish. Eddie's eyes roll to the back of his head when he feels your hand sneak into his pants and wrap around him. His grip around your hips tightens and you could practically drool when you rest your head in the crook of his neck.

“You're so good to me Eddie,” you whisper to him. “Always so good, letting me feed from you, keeping our visits a secret.”

His hips buck up at the mention of the secret. He only mentions you, but he has yet to tell the group that you're still alive, just a little different.

“You like that don't you?” you tease. “like keeping me as your dirty little secret? Keeping me all to yourself.”

Eddie's close. He's so close, but he doesn't want this to end like the last visit. He needs you to be closer to him, he needs to feel you in a way he hasn't for a long time.

“S-stop, ah I-I want to fuck you.”

Your movements come to a halt and you pull back from his neck and look at him with an unreadable expression.

“Even if I look like this?” You ask in a quiet voice.

Eddie looks at your body and feels sick when he sees the blood on your shirt, he lifts it noticing the bites and bruises that once littered your body are now healed.

“I mean, I can do without the blood,” he said in a teasing tone. “but you're still beautiful to me.”

For the first time in months, you feel like your heart is beating and you swear you're even blushing.

“We don't have to.” Eddie rushed out. “I just, I really need you.”

You place both hands on his cheeks and take a good look at him. Tiny scars are dancing around his face from the battle that you and your friends lost. He's so warm and so fucking pretty, how the fuck am I supposed to do this? You think to yourself.

“Are you sure Eddie?”

Eddie nodded his head. “Just, don't kill me.” He nervously chuckles out.”

You giggle and shake your head. “I’d never kill you.”

Eddie Munson was most definitely the love of your life, that was something you could easily say.

You bring his lips to yours for another kiss that he finds himself lost in the minute your lips touch his. You were intoxicating, you're better than any alcohol he's ever drunk, better than any joint he's ever rolled. You were his little slice of paradise and he'll make sure nothing ever hurts you again, he’d kill someone with his bare hands if it meant you'd return to his arms every night.

Your lips find their way to his neck again, your nose buried deep into his pulse.

Eddie’s hands hover over the button of your pants, you can practically hear him begging you through his thoughts and it makes you giggle. You nod your head and let out a gasp when his fingers quickly unbutton your pants and slip into your underwear.

“H-holy shit,” he mutters against your lips. “You're fucking soaked. Was it like this last time?”

You nod your head and move your hips against his hand trying to get some friction.

“ ‘M always like this for you.”

Eddie swears that God could send the flood and he’d die a very happy man. Your voice breaks him out of his thoughts.

“Eddie, please do something.”

Eddie nods his head and starts moving his fingers at a steady pace but it's not enough. You need more. All of your senses were heightened and it was almost too much for you. Almost. You shake your head and push Eddie so that he's laying down on the bed, your lips are attached to his neck as you place kisses all over him.

“More, I need more Eddie.” you cry out. Eddie is at a loss for words, he's seen you like this before but never this hungry. He lets out a choked groan when he feels you pull down his pants and underwear in the blink of an eye. You pull down your pants and underwear and give him a few pumps before locking your eyes on him.

Eddie felt like a prey who had been seen by their number one predator, his heart was beating out of his chest and he was trying to catch his breath. Your red eyes were full of hunger. You were hungry for him, not just his blood but all of him. You smile at him, your pointy fangs on display and he swears he's never been so in love before.

“Are you sure about this?”

“Y/n for the love of God, please just get on top.”

You giggle and nod your head. Who were you to deny such a sweet guy like Eddie? Gasps left your mouths at the same time as you slowly started sinking down on him, you're so full but not in the way you want to be. Your mouth finds the familiar pulse on his neck and you whimper from how good he smells. You clench around him unknowingly and it makes him buck his hips up into you. You both start moving at a similar pace but it's not good enough for Eddie. His hands grip your hips and he's thrusting up into you at a fast pace. You're practically drooling at how good he smells and you gently scrape your fangs along his pulse, silently asking him if you can have just the tiniest bite of him.

Eddie grunts out that he's close and he gives you the green light for you to use him. You bite down on him, your eyes rolling to the back of your head the second his sweet blood greets your tastebuds, and Eddie groans at the feeling. You both finish together, minds foggy and bodies buzzing from the aftershocks. You pull away from Eddie with a small smile and lick the stray blood that escaped from the wound you gave him. Your eyes find him and you feel your heart swell at the sight before you.

Eddie’s eyes are fighting to stay open and he has a smile on his face as his hands find yours. He feels dizzy, and he's not sure if it's because of how much he loves you, or maybe it's because you drank from him more than you usually would.

“You still with me, rockstar?”

Eddie hums at the sound of your voice and nods his head. The moonlight is shining through the window and it makes you look ethereal. He swears you're an angel who's been sent down just for him.

“Am I in heaven?” he asks in a weak voice. You giggle and run a hand through his hair before placing a kiss on his cheek.

“Not exactly rockstar.” You grab his limp hand and check the small digital watch that rests on his wrist, pouting when you see the time.

“It seems like our time is up, Munson,” you say with a sad voice. You get off of Eddie's lap already feeling so empty without him. You put on your bottoms and sit at the edge of Eddie's bed.

“Can you lay with me a little longer?”

“Of course, I can.”

You find your place beside him, snuggling into him. You breathe in his scent and smile at the familiar smell, it almost feels like you didn't die a horrible death months ago. You're just in bed with Eddie soaking in the little time you have with him.

“Why can't you stay with me?”

“You know I can't Eddie. I have to leave when the morning comes.”

Eddie rolls his eyes and brings you closer to him. He doesn't want you to leave. He needs you to stay with him, he'll do anything if it means you'll stay with him.

“Yeah well, if I had it my way the fucking sun would be gone.”

You look up at him and smile.

“You’d do that for me?”

“I told you, I’d do anything for you.”

You sit up and rest a hand on his chest, tilting your head to the side a little.

“Would you kill for me?“

You knew it was a long shot, but you had to ask. You're being forced to ask.

“If I needed to.”

“Even if it was your friends?”

Silence is shared between you two, you're waiting for his answer and Eddie is actually thinking about it.

“If it means you'll stay.”

You smile and kiss him, everything is going to plan. Maybe now you can stay, maybe he'll be so happy with the work you've been doing that you can stop going back. You can stay. Stay with Eddie. You know it won't happen, you can still hear his voice in your head.

I can hurt them, but you can tear them apart from the inside.

“I'm just kidding Eds, I know you'd never do that.”

Eddie’s hand grabs yours tightly, he knows you're about to leave and he doesn't want you to.

“I'm serious, if it means you'll stay with I’ll kill them.”

You stand up from his bed and kiss his forehead. “I know you will.”

You walk toward the window ready to leave but before you do you turn to him.

“Your time is almost up Eddie.”

-

Eddie wakes up in a cold sweat and looks around his bedroom frantically. His eyes are searching for you but there isn't a single trace, he looks down and sees he's still wearing his clothes. Confused, he stands up but is quick to fall back onto his bed. He takes a minute to collect himself before he makes his way to the restroom on wobbly legs. Maybe his friends were right, maybe he needs to let you go. The dreams are getting too real, he swears you were actually in his room tonight.

He passes by the mirror but stops when he sees a flash of dark red on his hellfire shirt. He gets closer to the mirror and feels tears prick his eyes when he sees the bite mark on his neck. You were here, he wasn't dreaming. You actually showed up last night. Eddie feels like he could dance in the restroom from how happy he is, he knew you were real. He knew you came to visit him and it wasn't his imagination.

Eddie leaves the trailer with a smile on his face and the bite mark on his neck is on full display. Nothing can ruin the good mood he's in, not even Dustin being concerned over the injury on his neck. Things are finally going back to normal, and Eddie hasn't felt this happy in a long time.

It's too bad a killer headache came along and ruined it all.

taglist <3

@cityofidek @spideyjass @simpingoverfictionalppl

[cinnamoncitric]

It all starts with Robin.

In truth, if one might get technical, it starts with Billy Hargrove. Then, in due time, it restarts with Russian spies and a fortress underneath a mall. But neither of the parties was there for the result, so: in all the ways that matter, which is to say, in all the ways that help, it starts with Robin.

In all things Steve Harrington, there are two authorities other than the man himself, and, though he has known him longer, she doesn't think Dustin has noticed. Steve himself doesn't like to talk about it, has only ever opened up to her on the subject under scrutiny and prodding. But avoidance doesn't change the fact: Steve's hearing has suffered.

He tells her this exactly once, both sitting side by side on the bed in his room. He says it looking down, ashamed, one hand tightly pulling at his hair, the other holding Robin's in a tight knuckled grip. His voice is small. He does his best to suffocate the anguish and the fear that flood it when he says, What if it gets worse?

There's no reason to believe it will, for now. At least, that's what the doctor tells them once she bullies Steve into a visit. As long as there are no other injuries, no other blows to the head, he isn't in danger.

But the thing is, there might be. That's just the life they lead – never knowing if the danger is truly over. So Robin sits her ass down and picks up a book on sign language because she knows he'd never do it on his own.

Come on, she tells him, months of secret classes in Indy later. I'll teach you. We can just use it to talk in secret in front of everyone whenever we want to.

Which is, of course, not how it goes down. They go maybe a month into sneaking awkward signs behind everyone's back until Dustin gets wind of it. And when child prodigy Dustin Henderson decides he wants in, there's not much they can do to stop him. And he gets all the other genius gremlins to do it, too. Imagine how useful it would be to communicate without alerting demogorgons, he tells them, when Steve explains he doesn't want to talk about the real reason for it. They all figure it out anyway.

Mike learns it like he'd much rather not. His only argument for doing it is that it might be good for his college application and that Nancy took an interest in it and is now forcing him to learn with her as "sibling bonding."

Will is shy, Lucas is earnest, El is curious. By some point, all of them pick it up. All the older kids, all of the adults – Hopper, Joyce, Murray, Claudia Henderson – and Steve feels like he could cry. They all took the time and effort to learn a whole different language, just for him.

He does cry, and it's all because of one Max Mayfield.

Hey, loser, she calls out one day when the two of them are waiting for the others, searching for him with her cane so she can stand in his direction. Are you looking at me?

Steve twists so that's she's perfectly in his line of view and then confirms.

Good, Max says in sign with a shit-eating grin, pose triumphant, Guess what I fucking learned how to do.

Just like that, there are tears streaming down his face. He tries his best to control his breathing while Max goes on.

Lucas showed me, she continues in sign. It was a pain in the ass because he had to keep moving my hands himself every time I got it wrong, but I wasn't about to let you guys have one over me.

When he doesn't answer, when he can't answer due to the huge lump stuck on his throat and the tears streaming silently down his face, she pauses. Then starts again, this time out loud, Hey, you know you have to speak to the blind girl, though, right? I can't see your hands.

Steve laughs wetly. Shut up. Language, Mayfield.

She laughs at the unintentional pun. Yeah, language. Oh, man. Are you crying?

Shut up, Steve says again. I'm gonna hug you now, okay?

She huffs. Sure, if it's to get it out of your system.

[cryptidcorners]

Could you write something about Mike comforting his trans significant other?

Understood - Mike Schmidt x Trans!Reader

Description: After a long day of work, Mike returns to find you sitting in the dining room alone trying to process your long awaited phone call, and he comforts you through it.

# requested by anon

Media: FNaF!Movie

Character: Mike Schmidt

Tags: Trans!Reader (Identity is not specified.) Angst to Fluff, Comfort, Encouragement, Established Relationship, Private Setting, Loving Comments/Affection, Emotional, Cuddling, Cheering You Up.

Warnings: Mentions of Transphobia, Self-Loathing, Coming Out Gone Wrong, Depressive Thoughts.

read my TOS + Mike Schmidt Masterlist

Your nails lightly dragged across the tabletop, eyes wandering across the dining room as deep firefly light from the sunset began to decay. The neck of the telephone was inches away from your fingertips and your thoughts were as fast as an infuriated beehive. Unpredictable and wild. You wanted to fist in those digits again, spit through the line and give that horrid character a piece of your mind.

Yet, your eyes were warm with fresh tears and melancholy. You doubt you could choke up whatever was brewing in your head despite it all. You couldn't take it anymore—You didn't want to feel pain like this, all you wanted was for everything to be simple. Why was it so hard for her to understand? To understand you? To understand why? You tried to hold a tough face and wallow miserably in silence. But, you ended up hunched overead rested on the wooden surface with a quivered jaw and soaked face, trying to hold back your winces and gasps.

You had no sense of time until you heard the familiar twist and jingle of the front door opening. You straightened up immediately, messily cleaning your face with a low rasp. Mike's keys sang within his grip, and collided together as he fished them out of the thin design of the lock immediately. His eyes were narrowed, "You wouldn't believe what happened, we—baby?" His whole figure shifted. You had never heard his tone change that dangerously before.

"It's fine. I'm fine," you immediately defended yourself. Mike dropped everything and rushed towards you, bent on one knee as he gazed up at you. His gentle hand was on your leg, stroking it gently. "What happened? Baby, look at me. Are you okay? Did–" Mike read your face and his sight concluded to the telephone. His face turned into something stormy as he whispered, "You made the call?" His breath slowed instantly.

You nodded with tears in your eyes. You couldn't help it. Like some bottle filled beyond the brim, you started sobbing. Mike stood up and pulled you to his chest, hugging you warmly as your tears seeped into his uniform. Everything spilled, and you were lucky to have Mike there to hold you through it. You swallowed harshly, "She said I was killing her by doing this. She said she'd never see me this way. What did I do wrong?"

"Nothing." Mike grabbed your face, "Baby, you did nothing wrong, you understand? She doesn't decide who you are, nobody does. You do. Only you." He explained softly, "I'm so sorry this happened, but I need you to know. There is nothing wrong with you. You are not hurting her, okay? Baby, look at me in my eyes. You—are perfect. Nobody can take that away."

Your breaths began to ease. Yet, there was still some sort of pooling guilt in your gut. "I can't just—leave her. She was so kind to me, I just . . ."

"She isn't somebody worth your love if she just treated you like that." Mike told you, "Please, don't talk to her. She doesn't deserve to see you after this. You are loved. And I understand. I see you."

"Thank you." Your breath grew jagged at the sheer emotional impact of his words. You rubbed your thumb in circles, melting comfortably within his touch. "Thank you so much, Mike."

Mike had led you back to his room after a couple minutes of silence. He was hugging you tightly, saying how perfect and beautiful you were, kissing your tears away. He took your hand, and pressed his lips against your knuckles. "I love seeing you smile, baby. More than anything. You're perfect."

You rested your forehead against his with a content expression. "I love you too, Mike." Comfortable silence filled the air. "Thank you—for being here for me . . ."

Mike caressed your face, "You deserve someone to be there for you. No matter what. Besides, it's the bare minimum. " he kissed your cheek once more. His face grew serious, "By the way, if I ever see her again, I'm kicking her ass."

"You don't need to do that, Mikey." You assured. Mike sighed, "Alright, fine. I'll respect your wishes." You could tell he was lying. But, you didn't have the energy to correct him. Regardless, you wouldn't be upset if he did end up making her lick her own shoe. Suddenly, his warm hands found their way to your waist and he rolled on top of you. Kissing your neck gently and making you squirm and giggle. You couldn't ask for anything more. And neither could he.

[lokisivy]

Gorgeous- Eddie Munson

(part 1)

warning: semi-dark Eddie, Henderson reader.

burnt my fingers 2 times today now I'm writing with one hand. also, my cat is drinking from the cold water I made for my fingers

pov changes throughout the chapter

senior year, my year, the Hendersons have a thing for blooming late. I already had a nice body, but i didn't expect it. My summer was basically gaining weight on my tits and ass not that I was complaining. I had the perfect body for my 18th birthday, but senior year will be the years everyone knows who I am.

"Are you nervous?" I asked Dustin.

"Kind of," he said nervously

"You got nothing to worry about you will be fine I'm there no one will dare to touch you."

I enter the doors of the high school with Dustin

"I will go find Mike and Lucas," he informed you giving him a small nodd

you went to your locker to put your stuff and head to class.

"Last year huh you think anything freaky will happen," Robin said behind the locker door.

"Upside down freaky or high school freaky?" I giggled "Both." she answered

"Oh hell no, Im not going through that again. Let's go to class."

your first classes ran faster than you expected as you went to the cafeteria for lunch. Until you bump into someone

"I'm sorry I didn't see you," I said before looking up.

"Eddie? aren't you supposed to be graduated?"

You have a huge crush on Eddie. You don't even know it. Your heart just flutters or skips a beat when he is around you. You wanted to ask him out last year, but you knew he would reject you since you were 17, and he was 20. You were too shy, though it's not like being 18 will change anything.

"I know, sweetheart. I'm asking myself the same question." he said, giving me that bright smile of his.

"Come on, let's go to the cafeteria." he said, putting his arms around my shoulders.

we sit at our table eddie on the front me on the side and the rest sits next or opposite.

"so eddie I've been meaning to ask you, can my brother and his friends join hellfire they are pros at DnD." I said nerouvously

the group looked at you like you were about to get murdered you were confused, as in Eddie was never rude or mean to you.

"Sure, bring them over." eddie said, giving you a smile

You called Dustin and his friends to come over.

"Eddie, I'm Dustin' Y/Ns brother. It's a pleasure." Dustin said, pulling out his hands to shake Eddies, but eddie doesn't give his hands out.

"Sit down!" Eddie yelled at him

They all took a seat next to me. I gave Dustin, 'I told you, so look.'

...

"So just meet me at the forest after school." You heard Eddie tell Chrissy from a distance. Your blood boiled, what are they doing? is going out with her? why do I care it doesn't matter.

You take your books out of the locker, and when you shut it - "Hey sweetheart." Eddie said, smirking at you. God, he is gorgeous. Can I say it to his face?

"Hi." You said plainly.

"Why are you upset my love cheer up we are graduating this year." he said smiling. my stomach filled with butterflies

My love.

"I am graduating. you I'm not so sure." you left leaving him there

did he do something wrong? Was he coming off strong? not strong enough?

he wanted you to know he liked you he flirts with you all the time but you always seem to be scared or nervous. he was even nice to you about Dustin joining DnD.

while you were walking to class Eddie grabbed your waist and lead you to a closet.

"Have I upset you, sweetheart? Why are you abrupt? " said, pining you against the door arms next to your head

''You should take it as a compliment,'' you said

He chuckles

he doesn't know that fucking ruined you for anyone else you could only think about him seeing him with Crissy made you jealous. Like you were about sink and drown and die, why isn't he yours?

"You should go. You wouldn't want Chrissy to know you in a closet with me," I said, looking up at him, his face leaning down his arms on the door behind me.

"You are mad because of a drug deal? chicks smoke weed, you know." his face is coming closer to yours

"I know that," you said breathlessly

"Then what's the problem?" He whispered

"You don't know how long I've waited for you to have you burn for me like that." he said, his voice deeper than normal, twirling a string of curls on my hair.

huh?

"Eddie,"

"You want me to kiss you, darling?" His lips so close to mine I'm almost gonna faint from the airs being so thick

"You want me to fuck you so hard against this door while everyone outside hears your moans?" He voice goes lower. He hovers his lips above my neck, "answer me!" He bangs his hands on the door

"What -"

you were interrupted with a kiss

[laheymaze]

he is my worst enemy

✨eddie munson✨ x fem!henderson!reader

PART TWO HERE!

requested by: nightshadered

summary: you and eddie do not get along whatsoever and one day when he comes over to your house to hang out with dustin, you realize you have a lot more in common than you thought <3

prompt included: "he is my worst enemy. my nemesis" "didn't you just meet him like five minutes ago?" "yes"

warnings: some language but that's it :)

**this is from my wattpad, simplytbs, from months ago! check out my wattpad for more stories!*

-------

When you walked Dustin to the first day of his new D&D club, you were instantly alarmed when you saw that Eddie Munson was the leader. The 'amazing' guy who has taken Dustin under his wing. You pulled Dustin aside and asked why he would ever join a group with Eddie, and Dustin simply defended him.

"Hey, Henderson!" Eddie paused and looked at you cautiously. "Why are you here?" He questioned.

"This is my sister," Dustin told him. Horror crossed Eddie's face.

"Oh." Was all Eddie said before walking away.

"He is my worst enemy. My nemesis." You said scornfully.

"Didn't you just meet him like five minutes ago?" Dustin questioned.

"Yes. Well, no. We've crossed paths before."

"Listen, Mike and Lucas are here too. If anything happens I will call you."

"Yeah unless he kills all three of you."

Ever since this day, you and Eddie constantly fight, bicker, and insult each other. You think he is an awful influence on Dustin, and you wish your little brother would just leave the group. You kept warning him that if Eddie turns out to be some psycho killer, not to go crying to you since you were right.

On today's episode of 'Eddie and Y/N fights 101,' you walked over to the Hellfire lunch table, giving Dustin the book that he needed for his class after lunch.

"To what do I owe this pleasure, your majesty," Eddie said, bowing to you.

"Just giving Dustin his book, asshat." You responded harshly.

"Can you two just be nice to each other for once?" Dustin asked.

"No." You and Eddie responded at the same time, giving each other a dirty look.

"See, you can already read each other's minds." Dustin pointed out.

"You're right Dusty-bun, we can. Eddie is thinking about how he wishes he could get a girlfriend and how badly he wishes he could destroy me. Probably how he can kill all of us with his satanic cult. Oh, and can't forget the whole not being able to graduate thing." You said, probably crossing a dangerous line.

"And Y/N is thinking about how to be a nice person. Oh wait, she isn't capable of that since she a cold-blooded reptile that can make an appearance of a human, or, somewhat of one." You stood there and crossed your arms aggressively. Eddie smirked because he knew he got you there.

"Enough! Just shut up!" Dustin shouted. You walked away and sat back down with your friends. Them asking you why you keep talking to Eddie 'the freak' Munson. Your head was somewhere else while they were questioning you, though. Did he really think you were a cold-blooded reptile? This remark bothered you more than any of the ones he has ever thrown at you. It stayed on your mind the entire day.

—

You were crawled up in your bed when you heard a knock on the door. Maybe Dustin forgot his key. You got up and opened the door, only to see Eddie standing there.

"Oh, hey, sorry. Dustin and I are supposed to hang out. I'm early." Eddie told you.

"He's not here." You said coldly, a sad look on your face.

"What's wrong?"

"Do you even care?"

"You seem sad," Eddie said. You left the door open and walked back to your room. Eddie closed the door behind him and followed you. "What's wrong, Y/N?" Eddie looked around your room and saw the rock music posters hanging, along with the guitar pick art you had on your wall and tapes and vinyl's lined up on your shelves.

"Nothing." You told him.

"I didn't know you were a metal head like me? I thought we had nothing in common." Eddie said, amazed.

"You're not a cold-blooded reptile, so we don't have anything in common." You said, throwing yourself down on your bed, curling up with a pillow. Eddie gave you a sad expression.

"That's what's bothering you? I once called you a whiny bitch, and that had no effect. Y/N, I do not think you are cold-blooded or a reptile." A tear ran down your face, and Eddie panicked. He had no clue what to do. "No no no no, don't cry! I'm sorry!" Eddie rushed over and sat next to you, wrapping an arm around you lightly, too scared to get too close.

"I can't believe I'm letting you see me cry right now." You said, laughing.

"See, you are fully human." Eddie said, trying to make you feel better. You laughed some more and buried your face in your pillow.

"Rock music is my favorite and I actually like D&D. I just never said anything because I didn't want you to think we had something in common." You said, muffled, pillow still in your face. Eddie laughed and pulled the pillow away. He lightly hit you with it, making you giggle.

"What else don't I know about you?" Eddie asked, facing you.

"I have a tattoo." You said, sheepishly. "If my mom knew, she'd become even more mental than she already is."

"Y/N Henderson has a tattoo? How did you even get one since you're not eighteen?"

"Steve took me." You answered.

"I'm sorry, Steve as in Steve 'the hair' Harrington?" Eddie was taken back, jealousy present.

"Yeah, we've been through a lot so him and I are close. We aren't a thing if that's what you are freaking out about." You told him.

"Why would that freak me out? I don't care." Eddie got nervous and started playing with his rings.

"Mhm." You smiled at Eddie. "I guess we do have things in common besides my brother." You said. "Don't tell him about this either, because he will never leave us alone."

"Trust me, I won't. He'll make my life miserable with a bunch of questions."

"Who will?" Dustin's body appeared in your room, confused as to why you and Eddie were somewhat snuggled on your bed together. You both looked at him, Eddie jumping out of your bed right away.

"You will if I left without even though you took forever to get here." Eddie joked, throwing his arm around Dustin's shoulder. The pair were leaving your room as Eddie turned around to smile at you. "See you around, Y/N."

"Since when do you two get along?" Dustin asked Eddie.

"Since forever, where have you been?"

----

part two will be a good one! sorry if there are any mistakes in here, i am exhausted and was trying to get this done 

make sure to like and reblog :)

[catierambles]

Feral Instincts Ch.20

Pairing: The Rogue’s Gallery (Geralt, Syverson, Mike, August Walker, Walter Marshall) x Stephanie Daniels (OFC)

WC 1651

Warnings: Some racy bits in the beginning, but nothing overly explicit. Recalling prior domestic violence

Sy had been a man of his word and she had woken a few hours later to Walter's fingers moving between her legs as Sy eased into her. They took turns with her until all three of them were spent, collapsing into an exhausted pile and going back to sleep. Her alarm went off to start getting ready for work and she stayed awake only so long as to call out before falling back asleep with Walter's arms around her.

August and Geralt had been equally as insatiable and she lost count of how many orgasms they pulled from her. Good thing she couldn't have kids anymore, or there definitely would have been a bun in the oven after this, possibly more than one. They always made sure she was prepared for them, always made sure she came first, taking care of her needs before their own.

She lay on the couch, scrolling through her phone when the text came through from her supervisor.

Got the email that you called out. Can you walk at all?

She paused before typing out the reply.

No and shut up.

LOL yeah Alphas are like that on the full moon, especially with their Mates.

And I got four testosterone disasters keeping me occupied.

Wait…four?

Technically five, but Mike isn't an Alpha. He's back at the apartment, I spent it with the others.

But you have four Mates? The only wolves I've heard of having multiple Mates are female Alphas.

Heather. I am a female Alpha.

It took about half a second after hitting send before her name came up on caller ID.

"You're what?!" Heather exclaimed before Stephanie had the opportunity to say hi.

"I'm a female Alpha." She repeated.

"I mean, we were notified that you took over the pack occupying your apartment building and the one next door, but we figured you were just a proxy for one of the others." She said, "It's not uncommon for an Alpha to take over a territory and assign a proxy to run it if they can't be there in person. We all figured you were a Beta as they tend to be the proxy."

"No, Heather, I'm not a Beta. Mike is the Beta, he's my Beta. I'm his Alpha." Stephanie said.

"Shit." She said and sighed, "I honestly shouldn't be surprised, actually, just based on how you were before getting infected. Stubborn with a problem with authority figures. Makes sense, you are an authority figure."

"Yeah, they thought I was going to be an Omega before my first shift." She said and Heather gave a heavy snort on the other end of the line.

"You? An Omega?" She said, "I can sort of see how, but not hardly."

"They weren't feeling the protection fuzzy-wuzzies because I was an Omega…"

"They were feeling it because you're their Mate."

"Apparently."

"Well, shit. I'm gonna have to tell my Alpha that we were wrong." Heather said. “Knowing him, he’s going to want to schedule a get together. Does it with all the packs with territories touching his, foster good relations and all that. The previous Alpha of your territory basically told him to fuck off when he extended the offer.”

“I’ll talk to the others, but I don’t see why we wouldn’t show up.” Stephanie said, “Based on the number of people in my pack, I would say maybe a cookout at the park? There’s kids and I wouldn’t want them cooped up while the boring adults do boring adult things.”

“Sounds like a great idea, actually.” Heather said, “Weather has been nice, bring out the grills for food and games for the pups. I’ll pitch it and let you know what he says.” Stephanie covered the phone with her hand, pulling it away from her ear.

“Hey, Sy!” She called out.

“Yeah, doll?” He called back.

“How do you feel about a cook out with my boss’ pack? Our territory touches his.”

“Sounds like a fun time. We can have it here, lottsa room.”

“Thinking more about the park? Neutral ground and all that.”

“Yeah, that makes better sense. Don’t need him goin’ on the defensive straight away.” Sy said and she pulled her hand away, putting the phone back to her ear.

“He says it’s cool.” She said, “Still have to talk to the others, but again, I don’t see why they would have an issue with it.”

“Awesome! I’ll let him know and we’ll coordinate a day and time.” Heather said, “Is it okay if I give him your number? I’ll text you his so it’s not a mystery.”

“Go for it.” She said and a familiar feeling crawled over her mind right before she was jumped on, the wind being knocked out of her lungs. “Jesus!”

“What?”

“I just got ambushed by a buck fifty of wiggling Beta. I’ll talk to you later.” She wheezed and hung up, letting the phone fall to the floor as Mike squirmed in excitement, his wolf jet black and leaner than the others. He licked at her face excitedly, letting out happy whines as he scrabbled on top of her. “Mike! Cool it! You’re gonna break something! That something being me!” He finally settled, laying belly up between her and the couch, paws tucked against his chest. She held him, pressing kisses to his head and blew a raspberry at him when he licked at her face again. The fur under her hand turned to skin and he moved on top of her, looking down at her with a wide smile.

“Hi, sweetcheeks!” He said and she snorted, pulling him down into a kiss. He giggled against her lips, his hands going to her waist and pushing up her shirt. "Missed you."

"Apparently."

"Walter came and got me." He said and kissed her again, pushing his hands up her shirt to palm her breasts through her lounge bra, squeezing gently. He shuddered as she ran her fingers through his hair, but halted when he saw the wounds on her wrists from the silver chain. They were healing, but still ugly, the skin mottled and blistered. "Steph…"

"Hey, it's okay."

"It almost wasn't."

"But it is. I'm here, right now, with you." She said and he laid his head on her chest, his hands going to her waist. She held him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and pressing her lips to his hair.

"I almost lost you."

"But you didn't."

"If I hadn't--"

"Stop. No "what-ifs", okay?" She said and he was quiet.

"Okay." He said finally, nodding against her.

"Stephanie." Geralt said, coming into the living room. "Mike."

"Sup." He said, waving at him with a couple fingers before settling again.

"What's up?" Stephanie asked.

"I need to ask you about Lewis." He said and she went quiet.

"What about him?" She asked finally.

"How long were you two together?" He asked, folding his arms over his chest.

"Almost two years." She said.

"And in that time you never suspected anything was wrong with him?" He asked and she went quiet again, only this silence held weight. "Sweetheart?"

"He always apologized." She said and Mike picked his head up to look at her. "Yeah, I know how that sounds, but it's true. He told me he loved me so much it made him crazy. We would fight, he would hit me, and then he would apologize saying his love for me made him unable to control himself."

"You knew he was a wolf." Geralt said and she nodded.

"He was open about it from the beginning." She said, "He would keep me locked up in my apartment for days at a time, telling me he was doing it to protect me from the other wolves in the area. I finally had enough and I told him we were over, we were done."

"And he suggested a camping trip." Mike said and she snorted.

"Not right away. I think he knew if he did I wouldn't have gone with him. Girl breaks up with an abusive boyfriend and agrees to be alone with him out in the middle of nowhere? Yeah, she's never being seen alive again. He begged me to reconsider, said he would do better, he would try to control himself better. Just give him another chance. As if I didn't already give him more than enough chances."

"It was bullshit, wasn't it?" Geralt asked.

"Actually, no. He did change. At least, he appeared to. He started being nicer, more attentive, he'd diffuse arguments before they started, let me see my friends again. He was a whole new Jordan." Stephanie said, "Six months later and then he suggested the camping trip. Just the two of us. It'd be nice, romantic, good to get away from everyone and everything." She stopped with a shrug, "You know the rest." Sy and Walter had frozen in the kitchen while they had listened to her talk, August halting at the top of the stairs. "I don't know if he planned on killing me, or if he was always planning on infecting me as another way to control me. I suppose it doesn't matter."

"And when we find him," Geralt said, his eyes hard, "He won't be hurting you or anyone else ever again."

"Tripped and exploded on impact." She said with a small laugh, recalling when Sy had said it. "August told me the Pack Council wants him alive."

"The Pack Council won't be there." August said, stepping onto the landing at the bottom of the stairs. "I was going to kill him just for using silver on you, but now…" He stopped with a low growl, "I'm going to take my time with him."

"Get in line." Geralt said through his teeth that had gone sharp.

“I’ll make popcorn.” Mike said and she snorted with a smile, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.

[ladyfromaspookyforest]

Mail in Stranger Things 4

And Why I Hate Lettergate

Letters are a recurring motif throughout season 4. And if we broaden that to not just letters but MAIL, the first episode opens with a flashback beginning with a paperboy.

This shot of the paper on the doorstep is the very first shot we get of Brenner as he steps out to grab it. Then once he has the paper, he doesn't read it, he does the crossword. What this tells me is that the mail isn't to be purely read. It's to be solved.

The first scene after the flashback in our current time is Mike reading El's letter to him, A) reiterating the significance of mail and B) reiterating the dishonesty of it by visually showing us that the letter is false while it is being read. Joyce gets her Russian package. Inside the package is a doll, inside the doll is a letter (kinda like the Russian nesting doll of mail, eh?) Jonathan has a college acceptance letter. El is hoarding her letters from Mike. There's the letter she writes him when she leaves. We have Max's letters. Letters galore.

Depending on how you look at it, the flowers and the painting could also be considered mail despite the fact that they were delivered in person.

Aaaand there's the good ole envelope pocket symbolism.

Generally what we've seen so far from mail is that it sucks. It's dishonest and misleading and like the newspaper at the very start of the season, needs to be deciphered rather than simply read and taken at face value. El's letter was at least partially a lie. Jonathan's letter is a truth that he is withholding. Mike's letters are accidentally revealing a hidden truth about him. Joyce's letter is true, but it's used against her to set her up. And if you consider the flowers and the painting, they are both visually revealing the truth (the 70/30 split and the heart shield) while being presented in a way that tries to hide it. None of this mail is 100% false and none of it is 100% honest (with the exception of Jonathan's, but he's lying about it and it is also not FROM him. It's TO him from an external source). It ALL has to be examined.

Max wrote 8 letters. We only heard what was in one of them. Going into season 5, we have those other 7 letters and Jonathan's letter still left to be addressed (and Will's painting recontextualized). And we have no idea if we'll ever hear what's in any of Max's other letters.

You've Got Mail was on the ST4 inspo board, and I know people have called out the Mike/Will/painting situation as where this is reflected. But I think it can also extend to Max. While the plot of You've Got Mail is an utterly ridiculous, corny romcom, the premise can be boiled down to people who can't be bothered to try to establish relationships in the real world developing one through email because they feel safer with that barrier between them. Max is the same way throughout this season. She opts to write letters to her friends instead of talking to them because it's easier for her to express her emotions with an artificial self-imposed distance between her and the recipients.

Mail is being portrayed as both a complex, layered thing that needs to be deciphered and a boundary. I actually hate the idea of lettergate for this exact reason. We've been shown throughout the season and particularly in the scene I GIFed above that letters are unnecessary complications. The idea that Will is going to find out about a letter/letters Mike wrote him while he was in Lenora and that this will be some emotional, revealing scene frankly goes against everything we've been shown about letters up to this point.

If Will read a letter Mike wrote him, it would probably have to give him the wrong idea in order to be thematically consistent. And Mike writing El letters but not Will and then spending the season having in-person heart-to-hearts with Will actually emphasizes that they are closer because this barrier does not exist between them. They spent the season growing closer to one another after the discomfort caused by distance and lack of communication only for Will to put up a barrier with the painting. Lettergate seems like it would be very much the same thing rather than a revelation. Season 4 spent its time telling us that if you want to really get a message across, use your words. With your mouth. IRL.

I want to quickly mention Hopper's letter from the season 3 finale, because it was very emotional and honest. It was also never intended to be given to El. It was meant to be read to her, delivered in person as a speech. This was sort of the opposite of all the other letters we've seen, as it was meant to break down a barrier rather than build one. And I think the fact that it wasn't supposed to be a letter at all is really important.

I know Max said her letters weren't to be read until she was gone, but I'm super curious about what she wrote in them. My ideal vision of how this plays out is that no one ever reads them and she tells everyone what she wrote when she wakes up, finally accepting what Lucas has been telling her: that her friends are right there and they don't NEED letters!

Starting a motion to BANISH LETTERS FROM SEASON FIVE!!!! That is all.

[strangeswift]

Mike is Graham.

MIKE IS NOT GRAHAM ok listen.

(for anyone clueless this in in reference to a byler but i'm a cheerleader au)

i Understand why you would think mike is graham. but let me tell you why that is wrong. putting a readmore bc i went off

ok first my arguments for will as graham. first of all you people always wanna make mike the edgy one bc finn is cool and he has long hair but listen up. will byers is the one who is into punk music and while they both hold anticonformist ideals will is the one who puts his money where his mouth is while mike is out here "trying to be as normal as possible" (finn's words) by getting a girlfriend, not wanting to play dnd anymore in s3, etc. meanwhile when he asks will if he thought they were never gonna get girlfriends and just play dnd for the rest of their lives, HE SAID YES. okay that is Bold as Hell and very much a graham move. he is still emotionally vulnerable and he still does art, two things that caused people to see him as gay in the past and yet he continues to do them bc that's Who He Is. graham is more masc presenting which would cause her to be seen as gay and at the beginning she is Unapologetically gay, which is way more will than mike. (i could keep going but i won't)

ok now here is why mike is megan. at the beginning of the movie she doesn't know she's a lesbian, she just surrounds herself with girls, and hangs up posters of girls (hello buff dragon poster + the superman obsession), and has a boyfriend she makes out with but doesn't enjoy it (hello mi1even). in My Opinion will realizes that he's gay before mike does (i know we all have different opinions on When he realized). plus i just strongly prefer mike being the one having a Big Gay Realization in fics. AND megan literally rescues graham HELLO PALADIN CODED MUCH SHE LITERALLY SNEAKS INTO THE GRADUATION AND RESCUES HER HELLOOOOOOOOO JUST LIKE MIKE IS ALWAYS OUT TO RESCUE WILL i am not calling will a damsel in distress by any means bc graham certainly isn't. in different ways they save each other. but the heroics are down to megan. WHICH. IS. MIKE.

now here's how the girls family lives would translate. so megan has parents that are avid church goers and they act as if they care So much for megan, but when push comes to shove they abandon her. that said, they're not as outwardly disgusted by her being gay as graham's parents are. graham's dad uses the f slur and is definitely the most lonnie coded of all the parents. but you might be asking "what about graham's mom. joyce would never go along with that" WELL GUESS WHAT GRAHAM'S MOM ISN'T IN THE MOVIE ONLY HER STEP-MOM. so in this universe something happened idk joyce lost custody or . died or something. (don't get mad at me she can't be megan's parents either they also suck. better to have her out of the picture altogether). ok back to megan's parents. so in the movie her dad cares way more about her than her mom does, her mom is just kinda there. so. switch it flip it and reverse it and that's ted and karen. ted is the disinterested father who only offers occasional unhelpful outbursts (i mean come on sitting there silently during the gay intervention then interrupting the dad's gentle speech by yelling "honey we think you're a lesbian" is so ted coded.) while Karen is more playing the role of megan's dad, who is supportive and doting and very "you can tell us anything" Except again, when it comes down to it, they abandon their child. (personally i don't think canon karen would kick mike out for being gay i do think she would Not be thrilled about it initially, but ofc any au needs allowances to be made)

ok that is all for now.