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wonderlandwalker · 3 months ago

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Two can play (but three's more fun) | Steve Harrington x reader x Eddie Munson

stranger things masterlist / inbox

summary: when Steve catches Eddie staring a little too long at his girlfriend, he doesn’t throw a punch—he extends an invitation. And as Eddie quickly learns, Steve doesn’t just share; he teaches, with slow, filthy demonstrations.

word count: 5.2k

tags / content warnings: smut, just pure filth really, posessive steve, desperate eddie, a lot of swearing, I couldn't help it, maybe some repetitive words but smut vocabulary just has it's limits

a/n: I got insanely stoned and wrote this so if it came out too horny i'm sorry, also im ovulating oops. I've prolly been very inconsistent with grammar tenses but I can't be bothered to check it. I usually correct my grammar after i've already posted so the masterlist link has significantly less errors than earlier versions

The living room was bathed in the flickering glow of the TV, some forgotten horror movie playing on low volume—The Thing, maybe, or was it Halloween?—its eerie soundtrack warping under the weight of the thick, sweet-smelling haze curling through the air.

Eddie had outdone himself with this new strain, something sticky and potent that left his limbs heavy and his usual sharp edges dulled into something languid and warm, his thoughts perhaps a bit too syrupy.

“—I know I talk a big game, man, but fuck. I have no clue what I’m doing when it actually comes down to it.”

His voice was a low mumble, words slipping out like he hadn’t meant to say them at all. He tipped his head back against the couch cushions, staring at the ceiling as if it might hold answers.

Steve blinks at him, slow and rhythmically, before snorting. “What, like… at all?”

“Yeah, man. Like—” Eddie waves a hand vaguely, the silver of his rings glinting as he moves. “How the fuck am I supposed to know what sounds are real and which ones are fake? It’s fucking Russian roulette.”

The next reaction from Steve is immediate, no hesitation. Just a lazy, knowing smirk as he stretches his arms behind his head. “Huh. Well, once you know the difference, it becomes pretty obvious.” He pauses, just long enough to take a quick glance over Eddie’s face. “If you really need some pointers, I can ask my girlfriend if she wants to help you out.”

Eddie nearly comes crashing to the fucking floor.

Because fuck. He’s had a crush on you for, like, forever. Not that he’s ever admitted it out loud — not when Steve Harrington has a reputation for rearranging the faces of guys who so much as look at you wrong. Eddie has seen it happen: some poor asshole at a party, fingers skimming your ass as you passed, and bam — Steve’s fist in his jaw before anyone could blink. There’s even a rumour some other idiot once stared just a little too long at the way your lips wrapped around the neck of your beer bottle and then slurred, “Wanna spin the bottle?” Word is, Steve dropped him in one hit. No warning. No theatrics. Just pure, primal instinct.

So yeah, Eddie’s kept his mouth shut.

But now? Now Steve is watching him with this lazy, half-lidded expression, like he hadn’t just detonated a goddamn bomb in Eddie’s head.

“You’re fucking with me.” Eddie pleads, his voice rough.

Steve just grins — slow, deliberate — his eyes dark with something Eddie can't name. “Nah, man. She’s actually really into that kinda stuff.” His voice drops, gravel scraping over each word, and Eddie’s stomach flips “And I’d do anything for her.”

The air feels thick as Eddie’s pulse roars in his ears, his throat suddenly bone-dry. Was this a test? A trap? Christ. Harrington was going to be the death of him, and worse—Eddie knew he’d fucking thank him for it.

His fingers twitch at his sides. “...Yeah?”

Steve’s smile only widens, but his eyes soften. “Yeah.”

When Eddie shows up at your place the next night, he’s strung tight enough to power Hawkins twice over, his pulse hammering in his throat. He’s spent the last twenty-four hours convincing himself he’d imagined the whole conversation, that there was no way Steve Harrington just offered—

And then you open the door.

Dressed in nothing but one of Steve’s old band tees, the fabric riding high on your thighs, you greet him with a smile that damn near stops his heart. “Hey, Eddie.”

His mouth goes dry. And before he can choke out a response, Steve is behind you, hands sliding possessively around your waist, pulling you back against his chest. And then — Jesus Christ.

The kiss Steve gives you isn’t just heated — it’s filthy. All tongue and teeth, your fingers twisting in his hair as he backs you against the doorframe, his hands already under your shirt like it’s a regular Tuesday afternoon.

Eddie’s knees nearly give out.

“Watch,” Steve murmurs against your lips when he finally breaks away, his gaze flicking to Eddie over your shoulder. His voice dark and commanding. “And pay attention.”

Then, right there in the doorway, Steve pulls the shirt over your head — meticulously slow, like he wants Eddie to memorise every second. And, well — Eddie does.

He memorises the way your breath hitches when Steve’s fingers brush over your ribs, the way you arch into his touch, the soft, real sounds spilling from your lips as Steve’s mouth finds the top of your breasts—

Eddie’s throat protests as he swallows, fingers twitching at his sides like he can’t decide whether to bolt or drop to his knees.

Steve notices —of course he does— and his lips curl into something dangerously close to a challenge. “You just going to stand there, Munson?” His hands slide down your hips, squeezing just hard enough to make you softly gasp. “Thought you wanted to learn.” Eddie manages to get control over his brain just long enough to answer “I— Yeah. Fuck. Yeah. I do.”

Steve hums, pleased, and spins you around to face Eddie fully, his palm splayed possessively over your stomach. “Then get over here.”

It’s not a request.

Eddie moves like a man in a trance, close enough now to feel the heat of your skin, to catch the intoxicating scent of your perfume. His gaze darts between your face and Steve’s fingers tracing slow, deliberate circles over your collarbone.

“First lesson,” Steve murmurs, leaning in to nip at your earlobe. “Don’t just touch. Listen.” His free hand reaches out, grabbing Eddie’s wrist and dragging it toward you. “Feel how she reacts.”

Eddie’s fingertips brush your waist—hesitant at first, then firmer when you shiver under his touch. His breath hitches as you lean into him, lashes fluttering when his thumb grazes the delicate curve of your ribs.

“Good.” Steve’s voice is low, eyes locked on Eddie’s every twitch. “Now kiss her.”

Eddie’s head jerks up. “What?”

Steve’s grin is all teeth. “Unless you don’t—”

“No, I—fuck.” He surges forward, crashing his mouth against yours like a man starved. It’s messy and desperate, and he barely gets a taste before Steve yanks you back by the waist, eyebrows furrowed in disapproval.

“Jesus Christ. Not like that.”

Eddie stumbles after you as Steve kicks the door shut behind them. “It’s like you were raised by wolves.”

Eddie opens his mouth to protest—then snaps it shut. Because Steve’s right. He’s a wreck.

“What are you waiting for, a written invitation?” Steve’s voice is rough with impatience. “Kiss her again.”

Eddie hesitates—just for a second—before lust wins the war. This time, when his lips find yours, it’s still hungry, but it’s also aware, his movements more controlled. For a heartbeat, he’s terrified Steve will deem him unworthy of you altogether and kick him back to the curb—until you moan into it, until your fists twist in his shirt and drag him closer.

Steve groans in approval against your shoulder. “That’s it,” he rasps, pressing you forward just enough that Eddie can feel your heartbeat against his chest. “Now slow down. Make her want it.”

Eddie whimpers, but obeys, pulling back just enough to tease your lower lip between his teeth before licking into your mouth like you’re water and he’s been dying of thirst.

The sound you make — the soft, wanting whine—it's the hottest thing he’s ever heard. Steve pulls you back again, but this time, there’s satisfaction in his grin. “See?” His thumb swipes over your kiss-swollen lips, smug. “She likes it when you take your time.”

Steve doesn’t let go of you—not really. Even as he nudges you toward the couch, his palm stays glued to the small of your back, steering you like he owns every inch of space you move through. Eddie doesn’t need to be told to follow; his pulse hammers in his throat, fingers flexing like he’s already imagining the weight of you beneath them.

“Sit.” Steve’s order cracks through the air, and Eddie drops onto an armchair like his strings have been cut.

You don’t get the chance to join him. Steve catches your wrist, yanking you back against his chest instead. His mouth brushes your ear, voice a low, possessive hum: “Nah, sweetheart. You’re staying right here.” His fingers trail down your arm before guiding your hand to Eddie’s jaw. “Let him earn it.”

Eddie’s breath stutters. Christ. Up close, you’re devastating. The way your eyes shimmer with pure lust, the way your lips part—just slightly—when Steve’s fingers skim over the lace of your bra. The syrupy moan you let out when he pinches your nipple over it, just enough to make your back arch—

“See that?” Steve’s voice is rough against your ear. “She gets loud when she’s turned on. You just have to know how to listen.” Eddie nods, swallowing hard. His hands hover over your hips like he’s afraid you’ll dissolve under his touch. Steve rolls his eyes.

“Jesus, Munson. You’re not going to break her.” He grabs Eddie’s wrist, pressing his palm flat against your stomach. “Feel how warm she is? How fucking desperate?”

Eddie’s fingers twitch. He can feel it—the rapid rise and fall of your breath, the way your skin burns under his touch.

“Now”, Steve murmurs, lips grazing your shoulder, “show me what you’ve learned.”

Eddie doesn’t need to be told twice.

This time, when he kisses you, it’s relaxed—calculated. He licks into your mouth like he’s savouring it, one hand sliding up your ribs while the other tangles in your hair. And when you moan, when your hips jerk forward like you just can’t help it, Eddie groans against your lips like he’s just discovered fucking religion.

Steve watches, eyes dark with approval. “Better,” he rasps. Then, with a smirk: “Now get on your knees.”

Eddie freezes, and Steve arches a brow,“got a problem?”

“No—fuck, no.” Eddie’s already sliding to the floor, knees hitting the carpet with a thud. His hands find your thighs, gripping just tight enough to feel the muscle tense under his fingers.

Steve’s smirk widens. “Good.”

The praise goes straight to Eddie’s dick.

You thread your fingers through his hair, tugging just enough to make him gasp—and God, Eddie’s never been so hard in his life.

Steve’s voice is a murmur as he trails a path down your throat, bruises already blooming under his mouth. “Now, make her beg.”

Eddie’s breathing is ragged as he looks up at you—fuck, the way your pupils are blown wide, the way your chest rises with every shaky inhale. Steve’s fingers are still tangled in your hair, his thumb brushing a stray strand behind your ear with a tenderness that feels domestic. Your eyes meet Eddie’s just before they flutter shut, and it’s all the permission he needs. His mouth finds the inside of your knee first, lips dragging slow and hot up your skin, teeth grazing just enough to make you squirm. Steve hums, tracing your ribs and sliding your bra strap down your shoulder. His palm cups your breast as it spills free, kneading with a lazy possessiveness that has your hips jerking forward — but Eddie holds you steady, determined.

His tongue traces past the waistband of your panties like he’s trying to memorise the shape of you, and when his eyes flick up to Steve, all he finds is lust, raw and unfiltered. So Eddie hooks his fingers into the fabric and pulls, dragging it down your legs as he kisses a trail after it, reverent even in his hunger. His fingers work you with surprising precision, his gaze desperate for approval — and when he curls them just right, you gasp, arching into his touch with a moan loud enough to make Steve’s smirk falter. He wasn’t expecting that.

The slip in Steve’s control sends a thrill through Eddie, and he murmurs against your thigh, voice rough: “You sound so fucking sweet — bet you taste even better.” Steve’s grip tightens on your hip, hard enough to bruise, but you don’t seem to mind.

He’d meant to teach. Now, he’s learning.

And the way you’re unravelling under Eddie’s touch stirs something awake inside of him. Eddie’s got a musician’s dexterity, his fingers able to coax sinful melodies from you with every twist. When you whimper Eddie’s name, Steve’s jaw clenches, but he doesn’t stop him. Just watches with a gaze darker than the midnight sky itself as Eddie’s breath ghosts over you, your thighs trembling. “Please—”

The word barely leaves your lips before Eddie adds another finger, crooking them until your thighs squeeze around his wrist. He groans against your skin, resting his forehead against your leg as the vibration tears another broken sound from your throat. He fucks you with his fingers — slow and deep, then fast and relentless, like he can’t decide whether to savour you or ruin you.

Eddie, drunk on your praise, dares to glance up at Steve with a smirk. Steve’s nostrils flare, but instead of shutting him down, he drags a thumb over your cheek and growls, “You gonna cum for him?” You can’t even answer. Your back arches, toes curling, and Eddie drinks it in like it’s the only thing keeping him alive. The moment you shatter, he loses it. He’s not sure what destroys him more — the way you choke out his name, begging him not to stop, or the filthy, approving rumble of Steve’s voice as he speaks, “Good girl.”

Eddie finds himself at an impasse, torn between begging for more and staying silent as the two of you decide his fate. His fingers twitch where they grip your thighs, his breath ragged, his entire body coiled tight with anticipation—and fear. Steve detaches himself from nipping at your collarbone when Eddie wavers, his movements faltering. A reprimand flashes in Steve’s darkened gaze, sharp enough to make Eddie shudder again. “Didn’t you hear her, Munson?” Steve’s voice is a low, warning growl. “She told you not to stop.”

But Eddie freezes. The reality of where he is—what he’s doing—hits him like a freight train. He has no idea how to continue.

But Steve doesn’t tolerate hesitation. His hand fists in Eddie’s hair, yanking him forward with a rough, “Stop thinking.”

Eddie obeys like a man possessed, and the moment his tongue drags over you, his whole body jerks—holy shit. You taste even better than he could’ve dared to dream. Sweet, addictive, and the way you gasp when he flicks his tongue over your clit? He’s ruined. Forever.

Drunk on you—on the way your fingers tighten in his hair, the way you’re so wet it’s coating your thighs—he laps at you like his life depends on it. Steve watches with drowsy satisfaction, his palm sliding possessively up your stomach to cup your breast, thumb rolling over your nipple just to hear you whimper for him again.

“Listen to how she sounds when you do it right,” Steve murmurs, voice thick with contentment. “Isn’t it the most beautiful sound in the world?” He doesn’t wait for Eddie to answer. Instead, he tilts your jaw toward him, locking you in a searing kiss. You moan into Steve’s mouth as Eddie continues, his tongue relentless, his own desperate noises vibrating against you. Steve chuckles darkly when Eddie whimpers, his cock straining against his jeans just from tasting you. He hasn’t even touched himself, but he’s so close he’s shaking.

“Are you going to come just from this, Munson?” Steve drags him off you by his hair, grinning at the dazed, wrecked look on Eddie’s face. “Fuck, look at him, darling. He’s a mess.” Eddie’s lips are slick, his chest heaving, his pupils blown so wide his eyes look black. Steve doesn’t give him a chance to recover. He pushes Eddie back into the armchair, his grip firm, dominant. Then he guides you onto the couch with a smirk.

“You did good,” he tells Eddie, voice dripping with condescension. “Now let me show you great.”

Steve doesn’t waste time. In one smooth motion, he hooks his hands under your knees, spreading you wide —putting you on display— before dragging you to the edge of the couch. His gaze locks onto Eddie’s, making sure he’s watching as he leans down and presses an open-mouthed kiss to your inner thigh, a shudder running through you at the sensation. “See how she shivers?” Steve murmurs, his breath hot against your skin, laced with something Eddie can only describe as devotion. “It’s because she knows what’s coming—” Then he devours you.

Unlike Eddie’s frantic, eager strokes, Steve’s tongue moves with precision — deliberate, decisive licks that have you arching off the couch within seconds. He teases you, circling your clit until you’re gasping, then he pulls back with a cruel smirk.

“Steve—” you whine, fingers scrambling at his hair. “Patience, sweetheart,” he muses — before sucking your clit between his lips, hard. Your cry echoes through the room, and Eddie’s hands clench into fists, his hips jerking helplessly as you overwhelm his senses without even touching him. Steve doesn’t let up; he works you with his mouth until your thighs tremble, until your moans grow longer and heavy, until you’re right there—, and he pulls away.

“No, no, baby, please—” you beg, but Steve just clicks his tongue, amused, sliding two fingers into you without warning. “Look at her, Munson,” he orders, curling his fingers just right, making you sob beneath him. “This is how you give her what she deserves.” His thrusts are ruthless, his palm grinding against your clit with every movement. You’re a writhing, whimpering mess, your nails digging into Steve’s shoulders as he fucks you on his fingers, his eyes locked onto Eddie’s the entire time.

“She’s close,” Steve taunts — he doesn’t even need to look at you to know, too busy watching the way Eddie’s jaw clenches. “You want to see what happens when she comes on my hand?” Eddie can’t even speak. He just nods, frantic. Steve smiles wickedly and makes do with the response. “Then watch closely.”

He crooks his fingers again, pressing deeper, and you don’t just shatter — you explode. Your back bows like you’re possessed, broken screams tearing from your throat as you squirt, and Eddie swears he’s seeing stars. Your hand finds Steve’s bicep, clinging desperately, like you’re afraid he’ll stop. Eddie can’t look away; he doesn’t dare blink — if he misses a single second of this, he’ll never forgive himself.

Steve works you through it, drawing out every last spasm until tears streak your face, until you’re oversensitive, trying to squirm away. Only then does he finally relent, licking his fingers with a satisfied hum before brushing featherlight kisses up to your neck. The moment you feel his proximity, you meet him in a kiss — not heated like before, but purposeful, delicate, like Steve is guiding you back to reality with it. He doesn’t rush you; he just lets your fingers weave through his hair until your breathing steadies. Then, he speaks again. “That”, he says, “is how it’s done.” He meets Eddie’s stunned gaze. “You shouldn’t even be thinking about getting your dick wet until she’s clenching around nothing.”

Eddie’s so hard it hurts. His cock throbs against his jeans, neglected and aching, precum soaking the fabric. He’s never been this turned on in his life—and the worst part? Steve knows it. The bastard smirks, dragging a thumb over your lower lip. You suck it in eagerly, tongue swirling, before he pulls away and stands. It’s a fucking performance. Steve undoes his belt like he’s savouring the way Eddie’s eyes cling to his hands, the leather slipping free with a final, damning shush. You whimper, still boneless from your orgasm, but your eyes flutter open when Steve’s palm slides up your thigh, squeezing. “Please, Steve?” you breathe, and his grin turns feral. “Not yet, love.” He glances at Eddie, whose throat bobs under the weight of his stare. “Munson hasn’t earned it yet.”

Eddie’s stomach drops. Fuck. He’s dripping in his pants, his hips twitching like a fucking teenager, and Steve’s going to make him wait? But then—

Steve grips Eddie’s chin, forcing his gaze up. “You want her?” he asks, voice rough. Eddie nods, greedy. “Then prove you can take care of her.” And just like that, Steve shoves him onto the couch with you. “Do it like I showed you.”

For a heartbeat, Eddie can only stare—at the way your breath hitches when he touches you, at the way your eyes lock on Steve, who’s sprawled in the armchair like it’s a fucking throne, lazily stroking his cock. Your lips part, and Eddie swears he sees your mouth water—fuck, it’s obscene. His hands tremble as he touches you—really touches you—this time. His mouth finds your thigh, kissing up the sensitive skin, trying to mimic the way Steve had worshipped you earlier. But when his tongue drags over you, your breath catches—wrong—and Steve’s low chuckle cuts through the room like a knife.

“Christ, Munson,” Steve sighs, his grip tightening around his cock. “You’re thinking too hard.”

Eddie grits his teeth. He is. He’s thinking about the way Steve had made you scream, the way your back arched off the couch like you were trying to fuse into him. He’s thinking about the fact that Steve’s watching, lazily stroking himself while Eddie fumbles like a virgin.

And the nail in the coffin? You’re watching Steve too. Your teeth sink into your lower lip, eyes heavy with desire—but not for Eddie.

“Fuck,” Eddie rasps, pulling back. His voice is wrecked.“I can’t—I don’t—” Steve leans forward, fingertips ghosting over your throat as you keen toward him. “You can,” he growls. “Stop trying to perform. Just feel her.”

Eddie’s breath comes in sharp bursts. This time, when his mouth finds your cunt, he doesn’t think. He listens. To the way your breath catches when he licks a slow, experimental stripe. To the way your hips jerk when he sucks just there. And when your fingers fist in his hair—finally—it’s not to guide him, but to hold on.

“There,” Steve murmurs, voice thick with approval. “Now you’re getting it.” Eddie moans against you, the vibration pulling a whimper from your throat. Fuck. He’s dizzy with it—the taste of you, the sounds you’re making, the way Steve’s gaze burns into him like a brand.

But then Steve stands. Eddie barely has time to register the loss before Steve’s dragging him up by the collar, spinning him around to face you—really face you. Your lips are swollen, your chest heaving, your thighs slick with Steve’s work.

"Look at her," Steve growls, his voice a dark scrape against Eddie’s ear. "Don’t just glance—really look."

And Eddie looks. He sees the damp flush between your breasts, the way your hips lift like you’re already chasing it, the way your pupils blow wide when Steve’s thumb swipes over your bottom lip. "She’s not yours," Steve breathes, dragging his teeth over Eddie’s earlobe. "But fuck, look how bad she wants you to try."

Eddie’s pulse races. Then Steve steps back, gesturing like a king permitting a subject to kneel. "Go on. Make her forget my fucking name."

So he closes his eyes, trying to drown out the noise in his head, to sync himself with the thrum of your heartbeat beneath him, to dissolve into every breath you take. He wants to belong here, in this moment, where Steve’s approval hangs heavy in the air and your pleasure is the only thing that matters — success. A satisfied hum from Steve when Eddie finally finds the right rhythm, a broken moan from your lips. But your eyes — your eyes stay locked on Steve, even as Eddie’s mouth works you over. It’s still him you want. Hunger battles with pride in Eddie’s chest. He hates how badly he craves this—how much he needs Steve’s approval—but god, he longs to pull those sounds from you himself, to unravel you with nothing but his touch. And so he moves like a man possessed, single-minded in his mission to play you like an instrument, to pluck every string until you snap.

Your taste is intoxicating, something he’s already addicted to, something he’s not sure he can live without anymore. Your eyes scrunch shut as pleasure blooms, so lost in it that you don’t even notice Steve speeding up his strokes, his grip tight on his cock. Eddie gets close—so close he can practically taste your climax—but you linger on the edge, just out of reach. He’s aware he’s missing something, some final piece to send you over, but he can’t find it. Then your eyes flicker open again, searching for Steve’s gaze like it’s the only thing that can save you. And Eddie knows—he’s pushed his luck too far. Steve’s patience snaps—not with his pleasure, but with Eddie’s failure to give you yours. Next thing he knows, he’s being dragged back, the warmth of you ripped away too soon. Steve looms over him, a predator in human skin, annoyance rolling off him in waves. “If you want to get a chance to fuck her,” Steve growls, voice dripping with challenge, “you’re going to have to do better than that.”

Eddie’s brain becomes the mental equivalent of a dropped Wi-Fi signal—because did Steve just imply—?

Every touch, every taste Steve has allowed him, Eddie has devoured with insatiable hunger. But now it hits him—this is more than just a demonstration. Steve might actually let him fuck you. Or he would have. Now, Eddie isn’t sure he’ll ever get the opportunity again. A sharp, breathy cry from you yanks him from his thoughts. Steve has already turned you over, guiding you onto your hands and knees, one foot perched on the armrest behind you like a damn king claiming his treasure. Eddie is so close to your face now, your slick still glistening on his chin as you blink up at him, dazed. Steve teases your entrance with his cock, just enough to have you pushing back, begging for it. And for one glorious, heart-stopping moment—you look at Eddie.

Not at back at Steve.

At him.

Your gaze is pure, primal desperation—like he’s the one you need. Steve drives into you in one brutal thrust, and your eyes screw shut in ecstasy. You sob Steve’s name, but your eyes flicker back open as you you look at him.

“Baby, please—” And it dawns on him—you are begging Steve, but not for Steve. No, you’re begging for permission, your gaze locked onto Eddie like he’s the only thing anchoring you to earth. He doesn’t know what you’re asking for, but Christ, he already knows he wants it just as much.

Steve, of course, does understand. He drags his cock into you agonisingly slow, pressing tender kisses along your spine even as his voice comes out harsh. “You think he deserves it, honey?” You whine, desperate, but Steve doesn’t need more than that. He leans over you, his thrusts deliberate, sinful. “How could I ever say no to you?”

And fuck, Eddie gets it now—gets why Steve turns possessive, gets why you love it. He’s watching the two of you move like a single entity, Steve’s hips rolling into you with a precision that rewrites Eddie’s entire understanding of sex. And the real tragedy? He’s pretty sure you’re only getting started. Your fingers fist in Eddie’s collar, yanking him down hard. His breath stutters as your lips take him in, hot and needy, and he doesn’t think—just reacts, his hands tangling in your hair as Steve’s thrusts rock you forward, forcing Eddie deeper into your mouth. You moan around him, the vibrations nearly undoing him right there, but then your hand tugs at his belt loop like it’s personally offended you, and Eddie’s thoughts fry into static. What do you want? He glances at Steve for answers, but the bastard just laughs, driving into you harder like he’s savouring Eddie’s confusion.

And God help him, Eddie looks. It’s downright pornographic. Steve’s cock glistens as he pulls out, your body clinging to him like it never wants to let go, and every time he sinks back in, you clench, a broken noise tearing from your throat.

As Eddie freezes, you take matters into your own hands, undoing Eddie’s belt with ruthless efficiency. The zipper’s barely down before his jeans pool at his knees. He looks at Steve again—helpless—but Steve just shakes his head, smirking. “Jesus, Munson. Keep up.”

Your fingers brush the straining outline of his cock through his boxers, and his hips jerk. Your mouth finds the spot beneath his ear, teeth scraping, and—fuck—it nearly sends him over the edge right then. You’re not gentle. You know exactly what you want. In seconds, his dick is in your hand, your grip perfect, and the first stroke has him grinding his teeth so hard his jaw hurts. He wants to keep his eyes open—to watch, to devour every detail of every second—but his body betrays him. A shudder wracks through him, his lashes fluttering helplessly before his head falls back, lost to the crushing wave of ecstasy."

“Fuck—!”

Steve’s voice cuts through the haze, dark with amusement. “That’s it, sweetheart. Show him how good you can be.” His hand tangles in your hair—not guiding, just holding—like he wants Eddie to see he’s the one in control. That every gasp you make, every shudder Eddie can’t suppress, is because Steve orchestrated it.

“Bet he’s never felt anything like you.” Eddie’s thighs tremble, his cock twitching against your tongue. He’s close, too close, and Steve knows it—fuck, he’s enjoying it. “Look at him,” Steve murmurs, dragging his cock out of you just to slam back in, punching a moan from your lips. “Already shaking for you. Bet he wishes it was him inside instead.” His thumb swipes over your clit, and you whimper, your rhythm on Eddie faltering. “But he’s got to earn that, doesn’t he?”

Earn it? Eddie’s vision blurs at the edges. He’d shamelessly beg if it meant— Then your tongue swirls over the head of his cock, and he chokes, almost falling forward into you.

“Steady,” Steve warns, though his voice is anything but calm. “You cum before she does, and I’ll make you watch while I fuck her twice as hard.”

Eddie’s groan is nothing short of pure agony. Steve fucks you more slowly then—cruel, like he’s savouring Eddie’s torment—dragging his cock almost all the way out before sinking back in, his grip on your hair tightening just enough to make your eyes water. But your dedication doesn’t waver; if anything, it burns hotter. “Shit—” Eddie’s hips jerk involuntarily, but you swallow him deeper, humming around the salt-bitter heat of him. His fingers scramble at the cushions, knuckles white. “Jesus, sweetheart, where the hell did you learn—?”

Steve’s laugh is a dark, knowing thing against your neck. His hands slide up your thighs, spreading you wider as he presses inside, slow, letting you feel every fucking inch. “She’s full of surprises,” he murmurs, lips grazing your ear. “But you’re not going to last long enough to find out, are you?”

Eddie’s groan disintegrates, the way you swirl your tongue around him, the slick pressure of your throat—it’s nothing like the groupies who’d thrown themselves at Corroded Coffin. This is ruination. This is worship. Your mouth works him with practiced greed, and Eddie’s vision blurs.

“Fuck, I’m not—I can’t—”

“Yes. You can.” Steve’s voice doesn’t leave room for argument—this isn’t a suggestion; it’s a command. His hand moves from your scalp to your nipple, pinching just shy of pain until you whine around Eddie’s cock. His other hand slips between your legs, circling your clit with filthy precision. “You going to come for us, sweetheart?” he rasps. You nod frantically, lips stretched lewdly around Eddie. “Good. Let him see.” You break with a cry, muffled around Eddie’s cock, and Steve growls as your body clenches around him. “That’s it,” he grits out, hips snapping harder, “that’s my girl—” Eddie’s spellbound.

Steve fucks you through it, your tears smearing Eddie’s thighs. His breath comes in punched-out gasps, cock twitching against your tongue—

Steve loses control first. A guttural groan tears from his throat as he spills inside you, forehead dropping between your shoulder blades.

Eddie’s hips stutter when you whimper, oversensitive, as Steve grinds into you one last time—claiming you like he wants to brand the feeling into your skin. And then— “Fuck!” Eddie’s back arches, his cock jerking as you pull off with a slick pop, begging Steve for mercy. He comes untouched, frustration and relief searing through him as he gasps your name like a prayer. Steve laughs, low and satisfied. Eddie’s too wrecked to care, chest heaving—until Steve’s next words send him tumbling straight back into want.

“Let me know if you’ve got any requests for the next lesson.”

2K notes · View notes

millersfinest · 6 months ago

Text

untethered | e.w

00s!ellie williams & 00s!miller!reader

wc: 7.4k

series: chapter one (you’re here!), chapter two, chapter three, chapter four, chapter five

blurb: it’s been awhile since you’ve been back home; in upstate new york where you’ve spent most of your life waking up early and tending to the animals that moo’d and meh’d. after graduation high school, and then college, the city life has stolen most of your attention. enabling you to visit only a handful of times through the years. when your lovely adoptive parents (tommy and maria miller) invite you back for a thanksgiving dinner—a troubled old flame from your childhood manages to get your attention, despite its explosive ending.

cw: lmao flip phones, some vulgar language, ellie cheating on her gf (kind of), the millers, r is a writer, elements of longing, ellie is #1 lesbian yearner in the world, some early 2000s references, thanksgiving, some physical violence, adopted kid trauma (shoutout to all the adopted kids!!), hella angst, repressed emotions, a little bit of mature content, eventual smut.

note: i have too much confidence writing for ellie. but here’s another series im starting because i realized the plot is too much for a single work on here, hence the 7 thousand words ijbol. hope you guys enjoyyy.

It was quieter upstate. Breathable and airy—you missed it more than anything. As much as you loved living in Manhattan, there was nothing like the countryside. Waking up to the sound of birds chirping and roosters crowing. Hearing the excited neighing from the horses you birthed and took care of. It was refreshing to be home again.

And, of course, you missed your parents.

They adopted you as a troubled child, and you’ve considered yourself lucky ever since. Babies and younger children were often the ones to be pulled from inconsistent foster homes, but they chose you. A pierced, attitude-ridden, thirteen-year-old who liked smoking cigarettes because they made you look cooler than you felt. And it helped you cope with the lasting effects of neglectful parents.

That trauma didn’t just disappear once Tommy and Maria entered your life. It was something that grew from nothing, and they were adamant in making your transition as comfortable as possible. You never experienced anything like it before them. Their strictness and structure did the opposite of what most would think. You went from sneaking out and smoking cigarettes to staying up late studying and finishing your favorite novels—still smoking cigarettes, though, but out your window. It was hard habit to break.

Once you realized that they could be trusted and had your best interest at heart, you gave them the right to parent you. Sure, it wasn’t easy. The three of you argued many, many times—but you respected them more than you have anyone else. Really, just for tolerating you.

The Miller’s were always very family oriented and social. Sunday nights always managed to be a grand event—Tommy grilling in the acred backyard, Maria handling the food items that could be cooked inside, and you diligently decorating and setting the table. Football Sundays were always the worst, but they were great memories to think about. That was the first time you met, basically, the love of your life at the time. Ellie Williams.

It was 1995 when you had completely fallen in love with her—only knowing her for around three years. Joel Miller wasn’t really her father, or adoptive father, he was just somebody who took care of her. He owned a guitar shop that sold, obviously, guitars and other instruments alike; as well as holding lessons for those wanted to learn how to play.

The story goes: Joel was working the register on a very slow day when Ellie showed up. There was a shiner on her eye, but she insisted that she was fine—asking for lessons with crumbled cash and dirty coins. She couldn’t afford the lessons on her own, so he gave her a job and proceeded with teaching her how to play.

She grew up similar to you; hidden under the confines of foster care. The only difference was, she was never adopted. At least not until the age of seventeen, when she’d spent so much time with Joel that she had a decorated bedroom in his house. They both had commitment issues, but after Tommy convinced him to do the paperwork… He did. Surprising her on her seventeenth birthday. However, the outcome didn’t really go to plan. Not how anyone would have expected it.

It was 1997 when she completely broke your heart… Not to be cheesy or anything.

Her seventeenth birthday was hosted at your house, on the farm. You knew her the most out of everyone, so you made it your mission to make this the best birthday ever. Decorating had become a hobby of yours after so many Sunday dinners—you spent all day stringing up lights and colorful streamers. Maria helping you out with a homemade cake that said: Happy Birthday Els! You were too anxious to write the words yourself, so you let her do it instead. You were even sure to invite the friends you shared; demanding they each brought presents to show how much they cared about her.

Joel had showed up before she did; just in time so they could all hide and jump out with big smiles on your faces when Ellie arrived. You would always remember the feeling of hearing the rumbling of her truck coming to a stop. And the shy smile on her face when everyone jumped out from behind furniture—blowing birthday kazoo’s. It was picturesque!

Dina had trotted over to her, snapping a blue paper cone birthday hat over her head. While you walked over with her birthday cake in your hands, brightened with seventeen candles. “Happy seventeenth, Ellie.” You had spoken, warmly. A bashful grin spreading onto your lips. She looked at you with such awe in that moment. Blowing out her candles and kissing your cheek, muttering a blushing ‘I fuckin’ love you’.

You knew about her surprise adoption papers before the party had started, excitement running through your veins when Joel meandered toward her—handing her an envelope of hope. Ellie took it, eyeing him, skeptically. “Open it!” You urged—that was your mistake.

Chortling, she broke open the envelope, not caring if it tore. When she pulled out the certificate, reading the words on the page, her entire face dropped. “Adoption papers?” Her eyes squinted in disgust, glaring at Joel. The smile fell from your face, lips parting in slight shock. Her olive eyes glanced around the room, seeing the fallen expressions clouding everyone’s features. Landing on your fallen face, briefly—a look exclaiming, ‘how could you’. Freckled cheeks heating up in embarrassment and… Anger. “Joel, what the fuck?” She blinked at him, shoving the papers into his chest, then storming out of the house. Hands ripping the hat from the top of head, throwing it to the ground. The screen door creaking obnoxiously as she exited. It all happened so fast.

He quickly followed her out, calling for her, desperately.

Awkwardly, you turned to the frozen people around you. “Anybody want cake? It’s german c— chocolate.” You stammered, trying to keep your composure. Looking to Maria and Tommy for some sort of consolation, you frowned, placing the cake on the counter before fleeing to the bathroom.

You clenched at the roots of your hair, pacing around the bathroom. You could hear remnants of a solo screaming match from outside the bathroom window, causing you to grit your teeth. The papers were supposed to be a good thing! Ellie had always been a hothead—easily agitated like a stray kitten is distress. There were even moments where the two of you went at it. Until one of you caved, begging for affection as an apology. Your nerves burned at the idea of her not liking the surprise—was that selfish?

Instead of remaining in the bathroom, you swung open the door with your eyes fixed on the front door. Hands clenched at your sides, you walked through the kitchen, where Tommy tried to liven up the mood by handing out pieces of cake.

He tried calling your name, but you brushed him off, pushing open the screen door with an attitude that could be felt with every step you took. The brisk autumn air hit your exposed skin, the long-sleeve striped shirt not doing much to keep you warm.

Striding around the side of the house, you seen Joel and Ellie having a stern conversation. But by the time your eyes landed on them, they were in a beat of silence. Joel shaking his head with his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. Ellie had her arms stubbornly crossed, frowning. When her eyes found yours, he turned around to leave. “She’s all yours…” He solemnly sighed, walking back into the house. The adoption papers crumbled up in his hands.

Biting your bottom lip, you approached her with your arms crossed for warmth. “What happened, Ellie?” Your voice dragged, tiredly. There was something always wrong with her. “We just wanted to do something nice for you… Why’d you have to go and ruin it—?”

“Oh, I’m the one who ruined it?” She scoffed, a sneer resting on her lips. “I’m not the one who brought the fucking adoption papers!” Ellie exclaimed, gesturing broadly with her hands. When she was up in arms, she always gesticulated more. “Did you have anything to do with this? Because if you did—“

You interrupted her with scrutinizing glare. “So, what if I did? I thought this would make you happy, Ellie… Don’t you understand?”

“You had me open that in front of everyone knowing what was inside— and you thought that’d make me happy?” Her lips arched in disgust. “Clearly, you don’t know me at all.” Her words were venomous, lips twitching in anger.

There was nobody who understood you more than Ellie, and vice versa. You just got each other because you came from similar backgrounds—that was your glue. You don’t know me at all. That was new.

With your eyes growing warm with tears, your tongue rolled in your mouth. “I spent all day setting this up… For you. Because I love you, Ellie. I don’t know you— that’s bullshit if I ever heard it.” Your voice cracked, but you refused to let a tear run down your cheek. This was no time for tears—if she could get angry, so could you.

“I’ve known you long enough to have some semblance of understanding on why you’re upset, right now— that’s for damn sure.” You paused, averting your eyes to concentrate on keeping your rising emotions at bay. She watched you, cheeks still red with anger. “I’m gonna give you ten minutes— ten, Ellie! If you don’t get your ass back in there in next ten fucking minutes…” You lick your lips, shaking your head. “We’re over. Done!”

Giving a final glare, you turned to head back inside. “I can’t keep dealing with this shit.” You mutter, under your breath.

“So that’s what it is… Dealing with me?” Ellie voiced, a sliver of disappointment slipping in her moment of anger.

Wiping your cheeks, you peered over your shoulder. “What?”

“You got this perfect little life… Huh?” She began, approaching you intimidatingly. “The loving parents, the farmhouse— you became the perfect daughter for them… Gets the grades, does everything she can to appease them. This fuckin’ fantasy world that you chose to live in all because you wanted someone to love you… Fuckin’ pathetic.”

“Ellie…” You warned.

“Well, newsflash, little-miss-perfect— not everybody wants that! Not everybody wants to play pretend for the rest of their fucking life just to be—“

It happened before you could stop it, fists clenching at your sides as she bad mouthed you till oblivion. Your soft spot—and she knew all about that. Both of you grew up as kids who got into fights and disputes more times than anyone could count; you just decided to clean up your act. However, that troubled twelve to thirteen-year-old still resided inside of you. And, in that moment, she wasn’t your doting girlfriend—she was someone punching down on you.

Your knuckles collided with the side of her face, knocking into her cheek bone. Features scowling as if she were a stranger. Ellie stumbled, holding onto her face with surprised eyes. For a second the version of her you loved came through, but she quickly recovered. Her lips curling at the ends, taunting you. “I knew you still had it in you… You’re no better than me.”

There it was.

Not only was it the straw that broke the camels back—it was the truth. The ultimate truth. Behind all of your petty little arguments. Behind all her wild bursts of anger. She was jealous of you. Grunting behind your teeth, you charged at her. Taking the collar of her jacket as her back hit the gravelly ground. Straddling her, you didn’t hear the rushing feet hitting the porch. You could feel her hands settling loosely on your calves, only angering you more. “I did the fucking work— nobody else but me!” Tears poured down your cheeks. “I am better than you. Because I fucking try—“

Arms pulled you off her body, wrapping around your abdomen. It was Tommy, questioning you in your ear, but you weren’t listening. “Everything went to shit because of you! Remember that!” Dina and Jesse rushed to her side, but she only sat up watching you get pulled back inside. They glared at your forced retreat—they were always more friends with her than they were with you.

Tommy released you, with a disappointed sigh. Maria walking inside, shutting the door behind her, frowning. You heaved, looking at all the decorations that mocked you. Sparkling and shining against the dim lights in the room. The barely eaten cake sat on the counter in the kitchen making fun of you—it was all too much.

“What the hell has gotten into you, y/n?!” Maria pointedly, asked. Not really wanting a response.

“What’s gotten into me?! What’s gotten into her—!” You pointed to the door as if she replaced it.

The blond man leaned his elbows on the kitchen counter, bending at his hips. “Well, I don’t think it matters what’s gotten into her if you put your hands on her, Bug.” Tommy spoke, evenly. He was always the calmer of the two. “Did you… Did you put your hands on her?”

Maria stood with her hands on her hips. “What did we say about fighting—? And you don’t hit your girlfriend— you don’t hit the people that you care about!” She scolded, pointing her finger. “We raised you better than that…”

Your lips quivered, guilt setting in. “I didn’t mean to hit her! She wanted— she wanted me to… I swear!”

He glanced at his wife. “She wanted you to hit her?” Tommy deadpanned, pressing his lips into a line.

They both looked at you with separate expressions. Maria clearly overwhelmed with disappointment and utter disbelief. The same look she gave you when she caught you smoking cigarettes at the barn when you were fourteen—when you told her you quit. Tommy had an expression of pity, like he often did. That same look he gave when you had a meltdown at school when you first moved in with them.

More tears began to roll down your cheeks. “Maria… Tommy… She pushed me. Why would she do that? Why would she—“ You began to ramble, knees growing weak. Your strict mother-figure rushed to your side, catching you before you fell. “I didn’t mean to… I didn’t want to— she was just being so mean.”

Sinking to the floor with you, her hands caressed your hair. Maria looked to Tommy, mouthing for him to go check on Ellie.

Outside, Ellie was dismissing the weary questions from her friends. She’d never seen you act in such an unruly way. Every time she came over, there wasn’t a hair that was out of place on your head. She was always the one acting out, swearing like a sailor. Sure, she knew about your smoking habit, but that was nothing.

Your girlfriend was envious of how everything was panning out for you—college was around the corner. You had an acceptance letter from your dream school, and without a doubt, you were leaving for the city. Leaving her behind to rot in the country. It wasn’t fair!

That adoption letter felt like pity. She wasn’t a fan of that feeling either.

As a bruise formed on her cheek, guilt settled into the pit of her stomach. Ellie had every intention on seeing the side of you that everyone talked about with a past tense that indicated warning. She needed to prove to herself that you weren’t the perfect person she saw you to be—but all that was left behind was remorse and a sore cheek.

She watched as Joel and Tommy stepped aside to talk. Their eyes glancing back and forth between the door and Ellie, as she leaned against her rusted red truck.

“I can’t believe she would do something like that… On your birthday?” Dina shook her head, with her arms crossed.

“It’s not like her…” Jesse narrowed his eyes at the auburn-haired girl. “What’d you do?”

Dina smacked his chest. “Jessie! She’s literally the victim here— domestic abuse!”

He sucked his teeth, rolling his eyes. “I’m not saying what she did was right.” Jessie began. “I’m saying that I know Ellie Williams, and I know how she is— she’s a pusher.”

The bruised seventeen-year-old scoffed.

“Yeah, I said it.” He stood tall, a small smirk playing on his lips. “You’re a pusher. Hell, you’re a professional pusher— you push people for a fucking living.” Dina glared at him, threatening to hit him again. “I mean, there was that one time… When we went into the city for that comic convention, and you completely obliterated Joel for worrying about you—“

The dark-haired, freckled teenager pushed her boyfriend out of the way taking his place. “We don’t have to relive that…”

Ellie rolled her tongue in her mouth. “Look, I know this is my fault…”

“Ellie… You’re the one with the bruise forming on your face.” She reached up, rubbing her cheek. Her wincing under her touch.

She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, squeezing her red eyes. “Yeah, and if it weren’t for me— for what I said… I wouldn’t have this fuckin’ bruise.” Ellie peered at where Joel and Tommy were speaking. They were wrapping up, giving brotherly hugs. “I am a pusher… And now my girlfriend hates me.” She pouted, tears welling up in her eyes. The blond Miller waved a hand at her, giving a tight-lipped smile that screamed I’m sorry. “I gotta go…” She pulled her keys from her pocket, getting into her truck.

That was the last full conversation the two of you had. Horrible, but the last. Everything in between then and the present was short and empty. Light conversations that only strangers and acquaintances shared. Letters here and there. It was a dispute that was so nuanced, for the first year after that, Joel barely said a word to you. Which bled into his relationship with Tommy. Maria tried to play middleman, but it didn’t work.

Perhaps, that was the reason you kept your distance. You didn’t want to continue to be the wedge that formed between two brothers. While you loved your parents, they were only a phone-call away. And, in the meantime, you could focus on growing in your career. Focusing on your book writing, instead.

You just wanted to forget about what happened when you were an emotionally undeveloped seventeen-year-old, but every time you seen her face—you remembered. So, avoiding Ellie Williams was a mission within itself.

A mission you were hoping you weren’t going to have to endure this year.

“You know,” Tommy began, sipping his fresh coffee. “Joel’s coming down from Jersey for the week.”

As you looked through the fridge, you snapped your head in his direction. “Is he now…?” You slowly question. Letting the fridge door shut on its own. The blonde woman to his right, sitting at the island counter, chuckled. Flipping through the interior design magazine you brought for her.

“And he’s picking up Ellie from the city.”

“What!” You exclaim, rushing to the opposite side of the counter. Pulling the mug from his lips, a surprised squeak left your throat. “Uh, dad… You forgot to mention on the several phone calls that we had in that last month that Ellie moved to the city.”

Maria perked up, pushing a piece of her hair behind her ear. “Yeah, she’s been there for about a year now… Brooklyn, is it?” She looked to her husband for clarification. He nodded, peering up at you with a plain expression.

“A year?! And none of you told me?”

“Bug, you did say that you didn’t want us to bring her up anymore unless you asked.” Maria stood to her feet, meandering to the stove and oven. “But that does remind me… They should be here in a few hours. Wanna help with the brownies?” She preheated the oven, walking around you casually.

Your mouth fell open, glancing between the two of them. “Okay, so they get brownies, and I get the worst news of my life…” An apron with your nickname embroidered on the front, Bug, hung in your mother's hand as an offering. “Yes, I’ll help with the brownies— this is very cruel to your very successful daughter.”

Tommy waved his hand, dismissively. “C’mon, that incident happened years ago now. You’re twenty-five, I’m sure she’s gotten over it.”

Tying the string around your neck and back, you pressed your lips into a line. It wasn’t really about her—you weren’t over it. You still harbored the same guilt you felt when you settled in your room that night. A crazy mixture of resentment and remorse all rolled up into one feeling; as you settled in your reading nook, with your hand out the window holding a burning cigarette with your index and middle finger. “I’m sure she has…”

Eventually, you switched the conversation around while baking. Falling into fits of laughter from mentioning past stories of your teenagehood. Teaming up with Maria to make fun of Tommy and his aging—all of a sudden, he was beginning to have a knack for playing a checkers. Only old people enjoyed playing checkers. Then, the waiting began.

To busy yourself, you pulled out your computer and brought it to the porch. Even though, you were taking some time off at your publishing job; when it came to your book writing, you had an agent to keep flooding your inbox with emails. Telling you to do this and do that—it was obnoxious. But you did as she asked anyway.

Typing away, a puff of nicotine fled from your lips. Murmuring under your breath, the words that were populating on the screen. On your hip, your phone rang, causing you to throw your head back in slight agony. Something always interrupted you when you were flowing. Flipping open your phone, the decorative chain swinging around as you placed it against your ear. “Hello,” You spoke, stubbing out your cigarette.

It was your roommate and closest friend, Sierra, complaining about the neighbors. Her strong long island accent echoing through the phone. “Oh, my God— they’re so loud! You’d think gettin’ an apartment in a nicer building would thicken the walls.” She groaned on the other end. “Please, come back. At least to tell them to shut up, and then you could go back upstate.”

“Why don’t you… I don’t know…” You shut your laptop, replacing your butt with the boxy electronic. Strolling to the far end of the porch, leaning your arms against the bannister. “Tell them yourself?” An amused smile spread on your lips.

Sierra paused. “Because that’s your job. I’m the nice one, remember?”

“Okay, well I can’t leave. I just got here, and I’m not spending another grand on taxi fare.”

“I’ll spot you.” You could hear her smile on the end.

“Sierra, I’m not coming back until Saturday. So, your only options are to either bang on their door— telling them to shut the hell up— or you suffer listening to their relentless daytime sex.” As you spoke, a truck began rolling up the driveway. Identities unclear due to the intense window tint, but you knew exactly who it was. However, there were three heads in that truck.

She groaned on the other end of the line. “Ugh! I hate you—“

“You love me!” You grinned, but it dropped right off your face when the people exited the vehicle. From the driver's seat, it was Ellie; then, it was Joel who exited, seemingly in conversation. And, finally, a girl stepped out of the vehicle. Joel noticed you leaning against the bannister on the porch, waving his hand with a smile.

Your muscles reacted, waving a fleeting hand. “Maria, Tommy! They’re here!” You yell loud enough to be heard through the screen door. You were always insecure about calling them by their parental titles in front of people—let alone new people.

“You’re yelling in my ear, hon. If you gotta go just tell me.” Sierra complained.

“I gotta go.”

Before she could say her goodbyes, you shut your phone, sliding it into your back pocket. Your parents came out of the house in high spirits; Maria clapping her hands, excitedly, embracing Ellie. Tommy giving a firm bear hug to Joel, laughing heartily—at what? You were unsure.

Awkwardly, you stood there. Smiling with your hands held in front of your body as if you were presenting a project.

Joel looked to you, approaching you with open arms. “Look at you,” He began, wrapping his arms around you, warmly. “All grown up.” He pulled back to get a better look at you, nodding proudly.

“Yeah…” You tapped his shoulder. “You, too.” A chuckle fell from your lips.

Then, you looked to your right at the freckled girl with her arm around a feminine stranger. However, you couldn’t indentify her before you did Ellie. Her auburn hair was pulled into a low bun, with pieces framing her gentle features. Her round evergreen, tinted with slivers of brown, eyes. Freckles decorating her cheeks, bridge of her nose; the beauty mark under left eye—

“Hey,” Ellie drawled out the greeting, awkwardly. Leaning in for a hug that teetered back and forth until you reciprocated.

You kept that same plastered smile on your lips, wrapping your arm under hers. “Hey, Ellie.” Pulling back, you finally looked at the girl beside her. She had tattoos and piercings and looked so much cooler than you. “Who’s this?”

Her earthy eyes widened. “Oh, this is, uhm, my girlfriend, Cat.”

The only response you could give was a nod and a half-hearted wave. It was like a dramatic record scratch in your head. But your parents took over with the rest. Guiding everyone inside to the warmth. Tommy remained outside, giving you skeptical eyes. “Help me with the bags…”

“Honey, don’t be weird about this.” He spoke, as you followed him to the truck.

“I’m not being weird.” You whined, gravel crunching under your feet. “Seriously, what’s to be weird about?” Reaching into the open trunk, you pulled out luggage’s and duffle bags. This was a lot of stuff for a week stay—they brought more than you did.

He gruffly breathed, pulling up the handle of one of the suitcases. “You’re my daughter, I know you— just sayin’…”

“Oh, my God— please!” You complained, hooking the duffle over your shoulder, pulling one of the luggage’s. Leaving him to follow you toward the porch.

Dinner had come quicker than you had hoped. If anything, if you could magically skip over the thing, and still eat, that would’ve been perfect.

All six of you sat at the dining table, forks and knives scratching at ceramic plates. Tommy and Joel had gathered in the back, last minute to cook up some steaks. And, to busy yourself, you helped Maria with the sides while Ellie and Cat got situated in the guest house.

“So, y/n, how’s the book comin’ along?” Joel wondered, putting a cut piece of steak into his mouth.

You made a surprised sound as you chewed your food, rushing to swallow. “Shit, you’re writing a book?” Ellie questioned, leaning her elbows on the table.

Taking a sip of water, you decided to respond. “Yeah, I’ve been working on it for a while.” Your eyes glanced at her, then moved on, quickly, to Joel’s. “It’s… Coming along.” A bashful laugh fell from your lips, as your hand reached for the glass of wine. It was barely touched, red hue swishing in the bulb of the glass as you took a sip. It’s fruity bitterness relishing over your tongue.

“What is it— like fiction or…?” Ellie pressed, genuinely.

“Non-fiction. A book of essay’s, really— written in different forms.” You nodded. “It sounds boring…”

Ellie shrugged, forking a piece of meat into her mouth. “Doesn’t sound boring to me.” She responded, with her mouth full.

“It’s the farthest from boring, honey.” Maria massaged your shoulder, sharing a small smile. You mirrored her in return, forking at the vegetables on your plate—perfectly steamed broccoli.

“How’s Brooklyn treating you?” You spoke up, raising your eyebrows.

Ellie lightly glared at Joel before answering, placing her utensils down. “It’s certainly treating me…” She muttered, rubbing her hands together, glancing at her girlfriend.

“It’s a great place for art, but just not Ellie’s art.” Cat chuckled, sipping from her wine glass.

“Oh, that’s what you’re doing.” You nod.

“I recall her using the words: too crowded.” Joel used air quotes to briefly describe the past conversation.

She rolled her eyes, shaking her head. “It makes me feel crowded— the city. When you say it like that, it makes me sound fucking stupid, Joel.”

“You did say crowded.”

“Well, I meant overwhelmed.”

You snickered at their bickering, leaning back in your chair. “Back to your art, I guess you’re experiencing the artistic equivalent to writers block?” Tommy inquired, still chewing on his steak, raising an eyebrow. The auburn-haired young woman nodded, chuckling to herself. “That’s why you’re stayin’ with us for a little while, huh?”

Another record scratch.

You blinked at you father, deepening your eyebrows. “Wait, what?”

Joel had set his beer on the table, leaning forward. “Yeah, Ellie’s stayin’ with your parents for a little while to get her juices flowing, again.” He explained, pressing his lips into a soft smile. Ellie cringed at his use of the words juices, taking a sip of her beer.

Tommy and Maria told you nothing unless you asked for it for almost everything now—you at least deserved to know that Ellie was staying on the farm indefinitely. After all, when they’re dead and gone, it’ll be yours; so, they could’ve at least told you without you having to ask—that’s big!

“And, I’ll help out so I won’t be sleeping the day away— because I know that I will without a proper schedule.”

“I thought you guys didn’t need a farmhand.” You glanced at your parents, with your eyebrows still deepened with confusion.

Maria chuckled, standing to her feet. “We don’t need anything, but who could say no to a helping hand?” She grabs the empty basket of biscuits from the center of the table. “Anybody want more biscuits?”

“I would love some!” Cat spoke up, holding up a tattooed finger.

“Me too, honey.” Tommy also spoke.

A dry chortle left your lips, leaning against the back of the chair. “Are you staying on the farm, too?” You peered over at the stranger—the girlfriend, with a slight accusatory tone.

Her lips parted a few times before she responded. “Oh, no, I’m going back to Brooklyn. Not much of a country girl.”

Pursing your lips, you nodded, downing the rest of your wine. This week was going to be a doozy. When Maria came back to the table, you snatched a biscuit from the basket, biting into it. There was a perfect crispy layer on the outside, mixed with the perfect gooey, soft innards of the biscuit. “These are so good.” You muttered with your mouth full with its buttery goodness.

On your hip, your phone buzzed. Cursing under your breath, you plucked the cellphone from your belt, flicking it open. It was your agent calling you at eight o’clock at night. “Excuse me, I gotta take this.” You scooted the chair back, pressing the green button. “It’s late, Isa.” You started the call, stalking out of the room like the corporate woman you are. Taking the route up the stairs to your old bedroom.

“I need that new chapter by tomorrow morning— as in, 8am.” She scolded on the other line. “I’m personally reminding you. Since you couldn’t respond to my emails.”

You sighed, shutting your bedroom door behind you. “Isa, I’ve been traveling all day on public transport, and I’ve been trying to have family time— is that not what Thanksgiving is about?”

“You’re writer, hon. You have little bit of family time, then you hermit to finish your work— now, stop giving me grief. Time is of the essence.” Her smooth voice told, chuckling after her words. “I’ll be anticipating you’re new chapter tomorrow at eight! Have a great night.”

“Have a great night…”

Slapping your phone shut, you sighed, running your other hand over your face. Being a writer was relentless—just as relentless as you and your roommate’s neighbors. But, instead of lingering in frustration, you grabbed your heavy laptop and propped yourself on the cushion beside your window—your reading nook. Not forgetting to put a Sade tape inside of your stereo for some background music, before you began to diligently work.

You typed at your computer, rapid clicking sounds filling your ears. Although, it was no surprise that you worked your hardest after the sun set—it was like you had one too many espresso shots.

Every word was coming from the heart, and coincidentally enough, the guests at your home made it easier. This chapter was definitely reflecting the feelings you felt the day of Ellie’s seventeenth birthday. You used imagery and metaphors to describe that feeling of attack—being backed into a corner, having the worst part of yourself brought into the light. And, like most of your pieces, it was dredging it all back up again; the emotions.

That feeling of losing the only person that truly understood you.

Of course, you had a few relationships since then—a few, trying to chase that same feeling you felt when your hands touched. But there wasn’t anyone who could compare to her. How pathetic was it to still be harping on a highschool sweetheart?

Hours passed under the radar. Your parents being the mile marker in your work, knocking on the door to let you know everyone was heading to bed. Too busy with outlining new ideas, you barely spared them a glance, muttering a smooth goodnight.

It was about one in the morning by the time you finished the chapter. Still, it needed some tweaking, but it was good enough to send to your agent for the editor to look at.

Shutting your laptop, you finally took in your old bedroom. Various music artists slapped against your soft pink walls, attached with tape—some corners hanging off. Catwoman figurines lining the back of your large, white, wooden dresser; with comics stacked alongside them. Stacks of old books in the corner of your room, stacked from the floor to the middle of her wall. If you were to stumble into them, they’d experience one hell of a fall.

Suddenly, curiosity struck.

Hopping from the cushioned seat under your paneled window, you looked under your bed. Reaching for an old shoebox that was filled with many, many interesting things. You slid it from under the dusty bed frame, taking it back to that plushy seat you appreciated so dearly. Plucking the top off, you released a sigh. Immediately being hit with polaroids of yourself as a teenager—mostly standing beside, laughing with, and cuddling Ellie.

They were the photos you snatched from your wall after that fight. Oh, she looked the same. Still had that uncertainty in her earthy, olive eyes. You didn’t understand it then, and you most definitely didn’t understand it now. Ellie didn’t have to feel the uncertainty she was used to in foster care. She had people who believed in her—who will always believe in her.

Sifting through, your hands hovered over a letter she wrote. It was an apology letter sent around the time of her eighteenth birthday—almost a full year since the situation. The envelope was ripped open from the day you received it; stained with salty, heartbroken tears.

If only that day never happened…

A startling knock sounded at your window. It was no more than a pebble, which was confirmed when another launched within your sights. Scrunching up your eyebrows, you unlocked it, pulling it upwards. Once you peaked your head outside into the brisk, cool weather, a small smile spread onto your lips.

“Workin’ hard or hardly workin’ up there?” Ellie called from below. “I brought a little somethin’… Thought you could use a break from writing.” She waved a tightly rolled joint in her hands—which could only be seen if you squinted.

The corners of your lips spread wider, feeling horribly nostalgic. “You’re actually a little too late on that front. I finished a few minutes ago,” You pressed your lips into a line, continuing. “But I could never turn down smoke break. I’ll be down in a second.”

Dropping the letter, you scooted off the seat to grab your jacket. Stuffing your feet into the semi-stained Uggs you wore into the ground, before fleeing your bedroom. You didn’t feel the need to sneak down the stairs, but a part of you wanted to—to relieve that feeling of adrenaline you felt in your youth.

Ellie met you at the back door, holding open the creaking screen door as you exited. “I honestly wasn’t sure you still did this.” She chuckled, looking at the ground as you both began to walk away from the house. Putting some distance so the smell wouldn’t upset the elders in the home.

“What? Smoke weed?” You perked an eyebrow. “You think because I went all corporate, I stopped being down?”

“Actually… Yeah.” She responded, nervously snickering.

The two ofyou settled in front of this white-lined shed that was illuminated by the two warm, orange-toned lights on either side of the door. “Well, you’re kind of right…” You admitted, squinting your eyes, embarrassed. It’s hard being known for your adaptability. “I try to keep the pot smoking to a minimum. In the corporate world they test you for it.”

Ellie pulled the joint from behind her ear, placing it between her lips. She shook her head in response to your words. “Says the cigarette smoker…” She joked, eyeing you, teasingly. While she flicked her lighter to burn the tip.

“Hey, they don’t give a rats ass about nicotine— I need to make up for that loss somehow. I’m a writer for christ’s sake.”

When she finally gets it to catch the fire, she took two puffs before passing it to you between her index and thumb. “Where’s Cat?” You innocently questioned, taking a hit of the joint, then looking at it, before taking another hit.

Ellie became rigid, releasing an exasperated sigh from her lips. “The guesthouse, watchin’ some movie.”

You handed her the joint. “What, is she not down?” Mocking your previous words, with amused eyes. However, her demeanor had quickly shifted.

“She gets easily frustrated after traveling all day…” She shook her head in a dismissive way, like she didn’t want any further questions to asked.

“Hm… That’s relatable.”

Silence engulfed the both of you as you passed the blunt back and forth until it was nothing more than a roach. Hearing nothing but the distant wind chimes sounding off on the porch.

Before speaking, Ellie took a deep breath, glancing over at you as if she were nervous to make eye contact. “I hope me stayin’ here for a little bit doesn’t bother you too much.”

Her words were double-take worthy, you looked over at her with expressive eyes—widening, in surprise. “Bother me? Why would it bother me?” You leaned your shoulder on the shed, kicking one leg over the other.

“You didn’t seem like the biggest fan—“

“Ellie, I was surprised. That’s all.” You waved your hand, shaking your head. “I feel like they don’t tell me shit anymore…” Shoulders shrugging, you glance toward the house standing tall in all its glory. “They didn’t tell me about you moving to Brooklyn, either. What does it look like when someone you’ve known your whole life moves to a city you’re actually familiar with and they’re not, and you don’t reach out to help them? I’m only a forty minute train ride away.” You rambled, deepening your eyebrows. “They basically made me look like an asshole.”

You weren’t entirely sure how you’d react if you knew about Ellie’s moving to the big city. Knowing your habits, you’d probably sit by the phone for hours before making the move to give her a call. But, it’s not like you were given the opportunity to figure it out for yourself. Now, it just appeared that you forgot about her—or could care less about her endeavors; which is farthest from the truth.

Her full lips cracked into a smile, chuckling. The auburn-haired woman, mirrored your position, leaning her shoulder against the wooden shed. “Always worried about what you look like…” She muttered, sucking her teeth. “If it makes you feel any better, I don’t think you’re an asshole— you just didn’t know.” Ellie shrugged. “It’s not like we talk as much as we used to…”

As much as we used to. That kind of stung.

Your eyes averted to the gravel under your boots. “Yeah…” There was an awkward beat that took its place between you. Swallowing, you shooed it away with speaking up. “What about your art? You’re living in one of the most creative cities in the world, and you can’t create?”

She puffed air from her lips, glancing in the direction of the guesthouse, priming her lips. “Okay… Confession— but only if what’s said here stays here.”

“What’s said at the shed, stays at the shed.” You affirm, holding a hand and crossing to fingers. The high from what you smoked clouding your mind, squinting your eyes and loosening your inhibitions.

“Cat and I moved in together pretty early— too early… I needed a roommate and she was the perfect option.” Ellie began, carefully. Olive eyes shifting under the dim light in thought. “I swear ever since I moved in with her… The inspiration to make anything new is fucking gone.” She ran her hand over her hair, which was actually loose without a hair tie. Dusting over her shoulders, pieces pushed behind her ears. “She, you know, hovers a lot— in a sweet way, it’s just irritating because not even her pushing me can be inspiring.”

Your heart skipped a beat; it was hopeful—you really are an asshole! “Damn… So, it’s not the city that makes you feel crowded. It’s Cat.” You hum, nodding your head, taking in your assumption. “And… You think staying here will help? Doing boring farm work?” A chuckle falls from your lips, borderline nervous, borderline humored.

She pursed her lips, raising her eyebrows. “I mean, I spent a lot of time here growin’ up…” Ellie looked at you, knowingly. “It was never boring when we did it together.”

“That’s because we were doing it together. I’m not gonna be here while you’re shoveling horse shit.” You chortled, peering at her through hazy eyes. She giggled and it sounded like music to your ears. It’s been awhile since you heard her laugh from something you said. Weed always did have a way of bringing people together.

“Well, maybe before you go, you could help me out. Jog my memory.” Ellie offered, raising her eyebrows. “It’s either you or suffering through Tommy’s jokes for hours—“

“I don’t mind, but we might have to jog each others memory.”

“Hey, you can take the girl out the country, but not the country out the girl.” She shrugged. “I have faith in you.”

You narrowed your eyes at her, a smile spread on your lips. “You’re still so corny.” Shaking your head, a laugh slips. Wrapping your arms around your body, you acknowledge the cool weather. It pricked at your exposed skin, and even through your jacket. “It’s getting late…”

She scratched the back of her neck. “Yeah, sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. I appreciate the joint— I needed it.” You pushed off the shed wall, licking your lips. In preparation to meander back toward the house, you rocked on your feet. “There’s some left over biscuits on the counter…” You drawled, but it was all right because Ellie had filled in for you.

“I’m fucking starving.”

Then, the two of you walked shoulder to shoulder back inside. Giggling at stupid jokes, surfing over any of the past debacles you had. Turns out reconvening with your childhood lover wasn’t so bad after all. For now, anyway.

#🪅#millersfinest #ellie williams #lesbian #ellie tlou #ellie williams imagine #ellie williams x reader #ellie williams series

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undreaming-fanfiction · 4 months ago

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Just My Type

This one is for @henderdads with her prompt - accidental first kiss. Happy Valentine's Day, Cass! I hope this will bring you some joy!

Steve Harrington wasn't known for sharing his problems with others. He was the one who resolved all your issues, not brought more to the already very overcrowded table. The kids needed some stability, and as much as he loved Nancy, Robin, and Eddie, they weren't exactly fit for that role. The girls would soon leave Hawkins for college (Steve was so proud his heart could burst), and Eddie had his hands full with the whole finishing high school thing while still recovering from being nearly eaten by demobats.

No, Steve had this handled. He was the least fun of the four, but reliable. As far as the kids knew, the only issue Steve had was his inconsistent and ever dramatic love life, nothing else.

When Steve's eyesight started getting worse, likely from all those concussions, he handled it on his own. No need to worry anyone. A secret pair of glasses for home, prescription sunglasses for driving (and yeah, he looked cool in them, despite the kids' grumbling), and that was it. They didn't need to know. Everything was working out just fine. He was great at faking things.

At least until that fateful day. But we’ll get there. First, something about Steve’s love life.

See, Steve was dating around. He had been feeling anxious, unfulfilled, and the more he thought about it, the reason wasn’t Nancy for once. Even stranger, he knew he was over her, but the feeling of needing something and not being able to get it wouldn’t leave. So he got out there, used his charm, and prayed he’d finally find the one.

So far, it wasn’t working out. Most of the girls he went out with were lovely, kind, and gorgeous, but there was always something missing that made him break things off before anyone could get hurt. He had a type - curly or wavy dark hair and even darker eyes, but hey. It wasn’t his fault that Nancy had been the closest to an ideal relationship he’d ever had! That had to be the reason, he thought. Maybe his concussed brain decided that curly hair meant a good girlfriend.

“It’s not like I can help it,” he lamented, pretending not to see Eddie’s amused smirk. They had become good friends after their Upside Down near death experience, and as Dustin never failed to mention with a truckload of disgust, they were now practically inseparable. “Who doesn’t like curly hair? They’re making it this whole thing. I’m over Nancy.”

Eddie snorted and tossed his chemistry textbook somewhere towards the pile of stuff that might have included his desk. “Uh-huh. Sure thing. So this new one-”

“Jenny.”

Eddie snapped his fingers. “Yes. This Jenny. It’s just a coincidence that she’s a dead ringer for Wheeler.” He nudged Steve’s side with his bare foot. “Come on, Harrington. Be honest with your only adult friend.”

Steve kicked him in retaliation. “Wow, rude. I’ll let you know, I have Robin!”

“Buckley is so much more than a mere human, Steven. She doesn’t count, she surpasses our species. Whereas I,” he announced to the broken ceiling fan, “am very human, non-judgmental, and I have seen you go through half a dozen ladies of the same type since the spring break. So?”

Laughing, Steve kicked him again. “So nothing. She doesn’t look like Nancy. Hell, she looks more like you - her hair is darker, more wavy, and she has those really pretty dark eyes. And she’s tall. Are you saying you’re my type too?”

Eddie rolled over and batted his eyelashes. “I don’t know, Steve, am I?”

Steve hit him with a pillow in the face. If he hadn’t been so busy laughing, he might have just noticed the tinge of longing in Eddie’s voice.

To recap: the two things that led to the most important day of Steve’s life were a) his tendency to date a certain visual type of girl; b) his unwillingness to admit to anyone that he needed glasses.

Here’s what happened.

Steve, being both a good friend and a good boyfriend, took Jenny to see Eddie perform with the Corroded Coffin. Was metal his favorite music genre? Not really, but he wanted to support Eddie, and Jenny didn’t seem to mind, she even agreed to wear a Corroded Coffin t-shirt from Steve’s wardrobe.

Steve found himself enjoying the concert way more than he’d expected. The alcohol helped, sure, but it was so heartwarming to see Eddie in his element, scarred, but still the same. Steve had even learned to recognize the lyrics within all the noise, and even if he wasn’t ready to discuss that with Eddie yet, Steve considered them surprisingly deep. He really hoped Eddie would make it big, he was a wonderful guy, and life owed him big time.

After the concert, Jenny excused herself to the bathroom, and Steve went to grab some beers. His head was pleasantly buzzing, and even though his eyesight was more blurry than usual, he found his way through the crowd with ease.

He put down both beers and wrapped his arm around Jenny’s waist. He’d lost track of time at the bar, she must have come back in the meantime. And so, as they tended to do, he touched her cheek and turned her face into a quick kiss.

Steve noticed several things at once.

First, stunned gasps from the Corroded Coffin members, along with Robin’s snickering.

Second, Jenny’s cheek felt different. Almost stubbly?

Third, it was the best damn kiss he’d ever had.

And fourth, before the kiss could end, he felt something wet - the beer he’d just brought - hit his head and back, along with an angry shriek.

What happened next was a blur, and not just because he had trouble seeing it. He was vaguely aware of a second Jenny hitting him with her purse and storming off, Robin trying to control her laughter, and the person next to him, also drenched in beer? That was Eddie.

“Eddie, I’m so sorry!” Steve instinctively grabbed napkins and started drying off the beer in Eddie’s hair, on his jacket. “I...OK, not the best time to tell you, but I’ve noticed I can’t see shit, and normally I wear glasses, but I couldn’t take them with me because I look like a baby accountant or something, and I didn’t want you guys to worry. And uh, you probably know, but your hair looks kinda like Jenny’s, and I’m really sorry I did that without asking.”

Eddie was motionless, letting Steve fret over him. He was just staring into the distance, cogs turning in his brain.

Robin, bless her heart, re-directed the Corroded Coffin guys to grab a mop and a dry t-shirt from Eddie’s van for both Steve and Eddie. After that, she started ushering the unlucky pair towards men’s bathrooms, to “wash off that smell before it’s too late.” She snapped her fingers in front of Eddie’s eyes, getting him to move.

As she shoved both of them towards the sink, she grabbed Steve’s hand and pulled him close. “Since you are freshly broken up, I would strongly suggest you think hard and fast about why you made that mistake, Steve. I can’t spell it out for you, even if it would be easier for everyone involved.”

Steve took a deep breath. “Yeah, uh...I think I might know.”

“Might?”

“I definitely know.” He rubbed his forehead. “I’m so dumb. That...even if I didn’t mean to, it wasn’t fair to Jenny. Or the ones before.”

Robin smiled at him and, not unkindly, patted his shoulder. “They’ll get over it. In the meantime, your man looks like he’s about to faint. Don’t mess this up, OK? I couldn’t stand to see you brooding again and going through another set of Eddie substitutes.”

After she closed the door behind Steve, she grabbed the mop and started cleaning the mess. She could say it would cost Steve a lifetime of driving her around, but she knew he’d do that anyway.

In the bathroom, Eddie was slowly finding his words. “You...you kissed me.”

Steve took a step towards Eddie, trying not to spook him. “Yeah. I know it sounds like bullshit,” he said, pushing down the bitter memories of that word, “but I really mistook you for Jenny. I can’t see much, especially when it’s dark. I’m really sorry, Eddie.”

He couldn’t see Eddie’s face, but his voice didn’t sound fine. The music from the club drowned out most of the quieter sounds, but Steve could swear he heard a sniffle. “Of course,” whispered Eddie and he seemed so sad. Steve wanted to punch his own face. “Of course it was a mistake.”

Eddie straightened his back and wiped at his eyes before turning towards Steve. “Don’t worry, Steve. It happens. I mean, you should feel more sorry for yourself, you’re single again, and if Jenny or anyone from the club talks, they’ll think you’re a-”

“I don’t care.”

With a bitter chuckle, Eddie shook his head. “You don’t get it, Steve. You have a reputation to protect. Our lovely and pious citizens of Hawkins expect something like that from me, they know I’m...wrong. But you? You’re the golden boy. Steve, you should think about what this will do to you.” He wasn’t looking at Steve, his eyes were glued to the floor. Steve didn’t need a hint to know why Eddie was blinking so rapidly, why he sounded so strained.

He reached out and grasped Eddie’s hands. “Eddie. I really don’t care. I won’t feel sorry for what someone might think. The only reason I’m sorry is that I kissed you without you agreeing to it, in front of people, because...” He took a deep breath and squeezed Eddie’s hands. “...because I wanted our first kiss to be something special. Not a case of a mistaken identity caused by my shitty eyesight. And I wish I could have done it differently, that we wouldn’t be in this dirty bathroom, and sticky and disgusting from that beer. But even if I’m sorry for not asking you, I’m also glad. Because it made me realize something really important.”

Eddie was staring at him with wide eyes, still wet with tears, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips. A hint of hope. “And what is that?” he asked.

Steve moved several wet strands of Eddie’s hair from his face. He looked just a little bit like a wet rat, but to Steve, he was the most beautiful person he’d ever seen. And he couldn’t wait to bury his hands in Eddie’s hair properly, when it was freshly washed. Maybe smelling of Steve’s shampoo. That was a thought.

He stroked Eddie’s cheek and for the first time in so long, he felt puzzle pieces falling in place. This was right.

“I realized that I didn’t answer you when you asked me,” he smiled and pulled Eddie closer. “You, Eddie Munson, are exactly my type.”

#steve harrington #eddie munson #stranger things #steddie #steddie fanfiction #valentine's day exchange

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minswriting · 5 months ago

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HIDDEN AFFAIRS - Spencer Reid x Reader

About: You’re married and have a husband but you began an affair with Spencer after he was released from prison.

Warnings: NSFW, MDNI, oral (m & f), p in v, unprotected sex, soft!post prison spencer, mentions of dark themes (torture, addiction, rape [all related to trauma]), talk’s of spencer’s addiction and Maeve’s death. Cheating (reader cheating on her husband), divorce. if i missed anything, let me know! this isn’t proof read btw so there may be inconsistencies lol

Word Count: 3.5K

To say love is complicated would be an understatement. It is a four-letter word that withholds so much emotion. To love someone is to open your heart to them, to show them you care for them in a way that allows for emotional fulfillment. The laughter, the smiles, the terms of endearment, the dates, everything—all related to loving someone. And yet, the pain that comes with love is enough to push people away from the emotion completely.

You fell in love at the age of seventeen. You were young, dumb, naive, and full of life. The day you met John, it was as though everything had just clicked. He had short blond hair, and blue eyes, and was 5’10.. The two of you had met right after graduating high school. He was a year older than you and what was supposed to be just a summer fling turned into a full relationship.

The day you met Spencer was the day your whole life changed. You both joined the BAU at the same time, being the same age. He was this knowledgeable, awkward, anti-social person that you couldn’t help but find adorable in a platonic way. You guys had formed a friendship early on. You always listened to him, hearing him ramble about odd things that no one usually cared about other than him. The way he spoke and his mannerisms were all endearing to you.

The friendship you had with Spencer was a meaningful one, to say the least. Bonded by your jobs, he was truthfully your best friend. The person you can go to and be yourself without any qualms. You were both there for one another when neither of you felt as though you could go to anyone else. After Tobias Hankel had kidnapped Spencer, you were the first to notice the signs of addiction. The irritation, the bags under his eyes, the way he’d isolate himself. You knew that had anyone else known, Spencer would’ve lost his job. But you took it upon yourself to help him in his time of need, being the only person who had helped him through that tough time. It was safe to say after that, the bond between you both had grown stronger.

Then there was the time that Spencer was shot in the leg. He was injured and unable to do much. It was an overall hard time at the BAU with George Foyet. So to distract themselves from the hardships of the job at that time, you would go over to Spencer’s and make him dinner, help him clean his apartment, and make sure he was doing alright. You’d watch movies, laugh, and enjoy time together.

And not to mention when Maeve had died. Spencer shut everyone out, not wanting to interact with anyone on the team at all as he wallowed away in grief. You, however, made sure Spencer knew he wasn’t alone. You’d order takeout for him, having it delivered to his house. You’d leave small voicemails, letting him know that you’re there for him. And when he was eventually ready to talk to someone, he only spoke to you. You were there as he cried in your arms, helped him clean his apartment, and did his laundry as he processed his grief.

Then there was the time he helped you through your roughest time.

A year after you got married, at the age of twenty-six, while on a case, you were kidnapped by the unsub. It was this serial torture rapist, keeping his victims alive to relive the torture he inflicted on his victims. And he had done the same to you. The whole situation had ended with Hotch killing the unsub before the unsub could hurt you further. To say the whole situation traumatized you was an understatement.

You barely spoke to anyone. You didn’t sleep next to your husband, speak to the team, or stay in your shared apartment. You had gone to a hotel to be alone, totally isolating yourself. The only way anyone knew where you were was from the bank statements Penelope found. Spencer had been the one to go to the hotel and find you, and it led to you sobbing in his arms as he held you closely.

It was at that time when you felt your heart flutter for Spencer. But you ignored it, denied it even. You loved John more than anything. Spencer was and always will be just your friend.

Your friendship with Spencer was a deep connection. And one that you would never trade the world for.

Then he went to prison and it was a long few months without him. And when he came back, he was different. He was more rugged, with hair messier than usual, and stubble on his face. He was no longer the lanky, quirky, awkward boy who rambled about anything and everything that tickled his brain. He was a man that was hurt, damaged, and in pain. The trauma of his life had caught up to him. As did the lust he felt for you. Longing gazes, silent words spoken to you, protectiveness of you, and eventually, it also caught up to you.

You don’t know how it happened. Twelve years and more of working together, being best friends, and the months Spencer had spent in prison had just built the tension between you both. One day, you were just in his apartment, working on a case, and the next, you were in his bed with Spencer’s face buried between your thighs as you tugged at his hair and moaned his name.

It was wrong, you knew it was. The fact you were married had everything to do with it. And yet, you couldn’t stop. Dinners at Spencer’s, rendezvous at random hotels, staying together when on cases. You couldn’t help but feel something you hadn’t felt with your husband in a long time. Maybe it was that your husband no longer paid you much mind. He hadn’t touched you or kissed you much in a year. He’d only ever have sex with you after having a good day which hardly felt like ever. But Spencer? Spencer treated you like you were sent from the Heavens above. He worshipped your skin and the ground you walked on. He made you feel worthy of being appreciated.

It helped that you two were bonded by the trauma of your jobs, having always been there through thick and thin.

And now, here you were, lying in Spencer’s arms in his bed as you dreaded that in just a few minutes, you’d have to go home to the dark and lonely apartment that you no longer felt happy in. Spencer looked at you with a soft look in his eyes that he only ever had when he was with you, rubbing circles along your arm with his thumb. “Headed out soon?” He asked in that not-quite-a-whisper tone.

You sighed, leaning your head on Spencer’s shoulder. “I suppose I should, shouldn’t I?” You murmured back.

Spencer hummed in response, continuing his movements on your arm. “You know I’ll never say you have to go,” He replied softly.

You knew that. Of course, you knew that. Spencer was never the first one to initiate leaving. You were always the one that did. You had to. You were married. And you didn’t want your husband to suspect anything. John already knew that you had a close friendship with Spencer. But he never once questioned whether your feelings for Spencer were platonic or not. And after being with John since you were seventeen, being thirty-five now, it was hard just to let that go.

You stayed silent for a few minutes, relishing Spencer’s warmth against you. Suddenly, you took a deep breath before pulling away and sitting up. You glanced at Spencer before getting out of bed. The chill of the cool air hitting the naked skin of your body causes you to shiver.

Spencer sat up in his bed, leaning against the headboard as he watched you move around his bedroom. “You’re so beautiful,” he said with a look in his eyes that you couldn’t quite place.

You let out a huff of air, grabbing your panties that had landed near Spencer’s closet. “You flatter me too much,” you exclaimed, putting your underwear on.

“I only speak the facts,” His voice held a certain tone to it.

“I know,” you replied. And after that, no words were spoken as you finished getting yourself changed. You took a deep breath before turning to look at Spencer.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” His voice was low and rough, and his face was void of emotion.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Spence,” You murmured, walking over to press a kiss onto his forehead before leaving.

Going home was always the hardest part. The silent car ride home, the way you always got so anxious as you got closer to your apartment, how you always felt so guilty about what you were doing behind your husband’s back, the guilt about leaving Spencer. You wondered how long you could do this and keep lying to the man you’ve been with since you were seventeen years old. And yet, you also remember how John hasn’t treated you like you were his world in quite some time. Some of the guilt dissipates.

When you arrive at your apartment, it’s dark and silent. A coldness engulfs the environment, embracing the once warm and cozy place—a place that once brought you joy and happiness, with a golden hue to it. And now it’s all indigo.

You made your way to your shared bedroom, hearing the snores of your husband as he slept peacefully on your shared bed. You couldn’t help but notice the faint smell of perfume, one that you didn’t use. And you knew exactly why but you chose to ignore it. You were exhausted, having just gotten back from a case and then sleeping with Spencer. You didn’t have the energy to deal with the reality of your situation.

You took a shower, changing into pajamas before going to bed, sleeping on your side facing away from your husband. You felt him turn, loosely putting an arm on your waist and felt nothing from the touch.

A few days later, the team was in Tulsa, Oklahoma on a case. It was a gruesome one. Prostitutes were brutally tortured before being found on the side of the road in a ditch. The team flew out earlier in the day. After a long day of theories, going over the crime scenes, looking at the wounds on the bodies, and trying to come up with leads, everyone was exhausted. Emily had called it a day at eight o’clock, telling everyone to get some rest at the hotel and that they’d all meet back up in the morning at seven a.m.

So where did you end up?

In Spencer’s hotel room, of course. Because where else would you be?

It wasn’t sex immediately. Spencer had been reading a book and you just sat with him as he read. It never took him long to read, anyway. It was peaceful. The room filled with the turning of pages as he held you close to him on the bed, the way your breathing matched one another’s, was a calm that you only ever felt when you were with Spencer. When he finished reading the book, he closed it, placed it on the side table, and leaned his head over to press a kiss onto your forehead.

You lifted your head from his chest, looking up at him as he sat up against the headboard. He leaned down to capture your lips in a soft kiss. It was tender and gentle. And it never failed to cause your heart to flutter. It wasn’t long before the kiss became more intense. Spencer kissed you more deeply, a hand resting on your right cheek as he gently adjusted himself so that he could lay you down on the mattress, moving himself on top of you without breaking the kiss.

It was always a dance of sorts. His tongue battling yours for dominance. Although that was a game he always won. What can you say? You adored the way Spencer kissed you.

It wasn’t long before your clothes were gone, both of you breathing heavily in front of one another on the mattress. “I want to taste you,” You breathed out, sighing at Spencer as you looked up at him. You maneuvered yourself out from underneath him. Spencer moved to lie down on the mattress, his head on the pillows as he looked at you.

You began by kissing Spencer’s lips, working your way down his jaw and his neck. Your touch was light, like a tickle, as you made your way down Spencer’s body. You kissed his chest to his stomach, stopping to give smooches all over his tummy before making your way down his happy trail and stopping just right above his cock. You looked at Spencer’s face, seeing the way he looked at you. His breathing was shaky as he looked at you with those puppy dog brown eyes.

Words weren’t spoken between the two of you. They never had to be. You both understood one another in a way that you never felt with your husband or any of your friendships. You looked down at Spencer’s cock, seeing how hard he was for you. You pressed a kiss onto the tip, causing Spencer to inhale sharply. You couldn’t help the small smirk that graced your lips at the reactions you always elicited out of Spencer before giving Spencer’s tip a kitten lick, drawing out a small whimper from his lips. You swirled your tongue around the tip, causing another whimper to leave Spencer’s lips.

You slowly eased your mouth onto his length, making it halfway. You began to move your head up and down, keeping your pace deliberate. Spencer let out a hiss of pleasure, trying to keep his eyes on you. One of his hands moved to your head, entangling his fingers in your hair. You picked up the pace, bobbing your head up and down faster. You added your hand into the mix, jerking off what you couldn’t fit into your mouth.

“A-ah,” Spencer moaned, closing his eyes in pleasure. With each movement of your head, you swirled your tongue on his cock, causing Spencer’s toes to curl. He couldn’t help the whine that escaped his mouth as he bucked his hips into your mouth, pushing his cock further into your mouth.

You didn’t give Spencer head often. Mostly because he always preferred giving it rather than receiving it. But when you did, the look of Spencer becoming wrecked was a work of art. He was an art piece that you just couldn’t get enough of. One that you wanted to pleasure and never stop.

Soon, his cock was stiffening in your mouth, moaning your name in that beautiful voice of his as he came down your throat.

And then your positions changed.

You were the one lying on your back, whining and moaning as Spencer ate you out like a starved man, his tongue lapping figure 8’s all over your cunt. He sucked on your clit, causing you to gasp in pleasure. You pulled at Spencer’s hair, causing him to moan against your cunt. “Oh my god, Spencer,” You moaned, throwing your head back in pleasure.

Spencer always relished the way you reacted to his touch. He knew your body better than your husband. He knew exactly where to touch you to make you come undone in minutes. Spencer paused for a moment, pressing a kiss against your cunt before diving back in. His tongue went to your hole, his nose rubbing against your clit.

You let out a choked moan, tugging his hair. It didn’t take long until your thighs were clenching around his face while your back arched against the mattress, moaning Spencer’s name in a high-pitched whine that was nearly pornographic.

And when you were finished, Spencer came up from your pussy, his face glistening with your juices. He gave you hardly any time to calm down as he stood up. “Need you,” He breathed out, lining his cock up to your entrance.

“Have me,” You replied breathily.

It was easy for Spencer to slip his cock into you as you were soaking wet and ready for him. You whined at the intrusion, reaching a hand out for Spencer. He grabbed your hand and when his cock was fully inside of you, he moved so that he was on top of you. He stayed still, his face hovering over yours. His eyes held an unspoken emotion that you weren’t ready to admit to yourself yet. But it was there.

Spencer began to slowly thrust his hips, causing the both of you to moan in sync. He still held your hand, holding it next to your head with his. Sex with Spencer wasn’t always like this. It was mostly needy, desperate, sometimes awkward. But tonight, it was tender, a tenderness that you hadn’t experienced in a long while. You couldn’t ignore the feelings that floated in your chest. The eye contact, the slow movement of Spencer’s thrusts, the hand-holding, you knew exactly what you were feeling.

Spencer’s cock went in and out of you, keeping his pace slow and deliberate. You captured Spencer’s lips in a kiss, your version of your unspoken feelings. You moaned in the kiss, your free hand going to Spencer’s back. His thrusts became more frantic, thrusting into you harder and faster.

You pulled away from the kiss, throwing your head back in pleasure. His cock was hitting that sweet spot inside of you, causing you to moan so beautifully. “Spencer,” you moaned, his name leaving your lips like a prayer.

“God, you’re so beautiful,” He breathed out, leaning down to kiss your neck.

“You feel so good,” You said in a whiny voice, looking up at Spencer.

You were truly a sight to behold. How Spencer ever got lucky to bed you, he didn’t know how. It’s as though all of the trauma he’s endured in his life was worth it if it meant getting to have you. The torture of it? You weren’t completely his. Funny how life works. The way your walls clenched around his cock, the way you moaned his name, the way your chest moved up and down from your heavy breathing, god he adored you.

And you knew that he did.

The two of you moaned together, saying each other’s names in whines, moans, and whispers. And eventually, the heat inside of you got stronger as you felt yourself getting closer. “I’m so close,” You moaned.

“Go ahead, baby,” Spencer groaned, moving his hips faster. “God, I’m going to cum inside of you.”

When you both came, it was like magic. The feeling of you pulsing around Spencer’s cock as he filled you with his seed, milking him. The pleasure was dizzying with the intensity the two of you had with one another. And when you both were finished, Spencer pulled out, lying down beside you and taking you into his arms.

Spencer held you close to him, letting you rest your head on his chest. He held your hand with one hand and used the other to trace patterns onto your other arm. He pressed a kiss onto your head, holding you close to him.

And that’s when you finally allowed yourself to admit that you were in love with your best friend of 12+ years.

A few days later, the case ended and you guys flew back to Quantico. The night you went back home, to your dark and cold apartment, you immediately noticed the lack of things in the apartment and the manilla envelope on the coffee table in the living room. You turned on the light, your eyebrows furrowing in confusion as you walked over to the couch and sat down. You grabbed the envelope, opened it, and pulled out the papers.

John served you divorce papers. What you thought would break your heart, the ending of an eighteen-year-old relationship, and yet, all you felt was relief. You both were fooling one another, cheating on each other because neither of you wanted to be the first to admit what either of you were doing behind each other’s backs.

You didn’t hesitate to sign the papers.

That night, when you showed up at Spencer’s apartment with the envelope in hand and a bag on your shoulder, Spencer couldn’t contain the goofy smile that appeared on his face as he pulled you into his apartment and his arms. Because you were both finally able to have each other in the way you both so desperately craved.

You loved Spencer, more than you could even fathom. And he loved you just as much. The day you officially got divorced, he treated you to a proper date and it was absolutely lovely.

#criminal minds #criminal minds imagine #criminal minds smut #criminals minds x reader #spencer reid #spencer reid smut #spencer reid x reader #spencer reid fanfiction #spencer reid imagine #spencer reid x fem!reader #spencer reid x y/n #spencer reid x you #criminal minds x you #criminal minds x reader #criminal minds reactions #spencer criminal minds

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dissociativewriter · 7 days ago

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Unnatural Affinity- Part 10

Isekai!Reader x Love and Deepspace

wc: 1.9k (short this time!)

cw: angst, self doubt, comfort, reader is referred to with she/her twice, cussing

Synopsis: Sylus gets Luke and Kieran to investigate a certain group of four men. You and Sylus are left to figure out the remaining inconsistencies in this game world.

author’s note: this part is really dialogue-reliant. im not really sure if i like it but i thought i needed to have more of these kinds of conversations (figuring out the world) before I moved on to talking with the others. i should also mention, since i only said this in an ask, i started writing this before the death and rebirth main story bits came out, so im just not going to address it at all. it would have changed how i write things, and i don’t want to deal with that right now. so as far as reader is concerned, the last bit in the main story is homecoming wings. anyways, im really pushing sylus x reader in this part heheh <3

taglist: @animegamerfox @ixloom819 @magennta09 @an-ever-angry-bi @corvid007 @vigtore @ph1lo-s0ph1a @ameili @babyx91 @sadsaidthesadthing @bidisasterforevermore @liz9898 @iconoclastoc @elegantdeerlady @lifumi @auraficial @plzdonutpercieveme @dolledbunnytail @junebuggz @mangooes @anatherone @skulzooka @yuhuahuaaa @nm4565natty @feikyuu @lunia-likes-pomegranet @xfangirl-trashx @glitterykingdomangel @eialovescats @mimiu3usoft @alyssac9 @000rpheus @novaisbebita @coffeedragonhobbyist @udejoenrlddo @lanxianschoenheit @paper--angel @xyzbeloved @rafayelridesfisheatsfish @myheartfollower @nightmarewasteland @feralwolfkat @junni-berry @chiikasevennn @lethalasylum @loudpiratepirate @sweetnightowl @rafaissance @white-wolves-and-golden-sunrises @iunse @asilaydead

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“I’m a bit nervous,” you muttered.

Sylus smirked, glancing down at you. “You really shouldn’t be.”

“Gee, thanks.” You narrowed your eyes. “Such wonderful advice.”

He huffed out a laugh. “It’s just Luke and Kieran.”

“That’s easy for you to say!” You sighed. “I’m just worried I’ll do something wrong. I always loved them in the game, but now I’m actually meeting them and that’s a very different thing,” you rambled.

Sylus put a hand on your shoulder, his thumb brushing your collarbone. “Just be yourself. Forget about the game. The rest will come naturally.”

The door creaked and in came two little crows, hoods up and masks on. You straightened up, watching their seemingly lax posture as they walked in. Sylus made a beckoning motion with his hand and they stepped closer, stopping just in front of the two of you.

“Luke, Kieran, I have someone I’d like you to meet,” he announced.

As you exchanged names, you tried to see how you could remember which one was Luke and which one was Kieran. Maybe that’s a task for another day, you thought.

“I want you both to treat her the same way you treat me,” Sylus continued. “She’s just as qualified to give you orders as I am.”

The twins gave a mock salute. “Got it, Boss-man!” They turned to you, still saluting. “Reporting for duty, Little Boss!”

You laughed. “Glad to see I’ve already earned a title.”

The twins nodded enthusiastically, seemingly proud of their new nickname for you.

“I have an assignment for you two,” Sylus interrupted. The twins perked up, shoulders back as they waited for his instruction. “I need you to look into these four men.” He handed them a list.

Without even looking, you already knew whose names were on it. “That’s not necessary,” you whispered.

“Perhaps not,” he conceded. “Still, I like to have an advantage over my opponents.”

“What makes you think they’re your opponents?” you asked incredulously.

Sylus merely grinned.

“We’re on it, Boss!” Luke exclaimed.

“Any time you need it done?” Kieran asked.

“As soon as possible.” Sylus nodded, and the twins turned to leave.

“And be careful!” you called out after them.

They turned around. Another salute. “Will do, Little Boss!”

You looked at Sylus as the door shut. “Do you really need to look into each of them? I know enough.”

“Enough is not everything, dove. I don’t want you going in, alone, missing something,” he said firmly.

“I’ve already met them before.” You shrugged, leaning back on your heel. “I doubt they’ll act much different. And when I met them the first time, they acted about how I expected after playing the game. Although…”

Sylus’s head snapped up, immediately meeting your thoughtful gaze. “Although…?” he urged you on.

“I don’t know what it was exactly. It’s just that every Love Interest I met seemed more comfortable with me than they should have for a first meeting,” you sighed.

Sylus paused. “Explain.”

“It was like they knew me. Sometimes, I thought that one of them would be nicer to me than to Em.” You halted for a minute before taking a deep breath. “Zayne even said something. He asked if we had met before. Said he felt like he’d loved me before.”

He stiffened. “Loved you before?” Sylus repeated.

You nodded. “And now that I think about it, you got cozy pretty fast, too!” You stared at Sylus. “I just don’t understand why. It’s not like I did know any of you before. I couldn’t have, you were just game characters,” you muttered.

“Was there… anything in the game where you would interact with a Love Interest? You’ve said you could watch memories where it’s a Love Interest with Em, but is there anything where the player directly is with a Love Interest?” he asked, spinning a coin between his fingers as he thought.

You furrowed your brows, trying to ignore the detachment with which he spoke of the game. “There was the Destiny Cafe,” you offered. “It was the home screen. You could choose one of the Love Interests to show up, and they would stand there and you could tap on them to talk. If you had higher affinity levels, you got more interactions.”

Sylus raised a brow. “Affinity levels?”

“You could up your affinity levels with each Love Interest by completing battles, getting memories, buying outfits, and winning plushies with them. The higher the affinity, the more… romantic the interactions got,” you explained.

Sylus was quiet for a moment, piecing together what was going on as you elaborated in confused fragments. “And what were your affinity levels with each Love Interest?” he finally asked.

“Shit, I don’t know if I remember.” You paused, wracking your brain. “I know Caleb had the lowest. I think it was around upper fifties? And then it was Xavier, in like the sixties. Rafayel and Zayne had a mid-seventies level, and I think you were in the eighties.”

A few beats of silence.

Sylus finally nodded. “And did you notice that Xavier and Caleb were more hesitant to be comfortable with you compared to the others?”

“I guess so?” You shrugged.

Sylus carefully sat down in one of his plush armchairs, nodding along as if he’d cracked the code. You took a step closer, eyeing him suspiciously.

“Hold on, now,” you sputtered. “Do you think the Affinity is the reason everyone’s acting weird?”

“It would make sense, yes?” he asked as if it were obvious. “It seems everyone feels that they had a connection with you before. If you can directly interact with the Love Interest in the game, and the Affinity dictates how comfortably they act, then it seems like it translated over when you first came here.”

“So, when Zayne said he felt like he’d loved me before…” you said slowly.

Sylus nodded. “He wasn’t far off from the truth.”

“Then every Love Interest actually does care for me? Even a little?” you asked.

“It would seem so,” Sylus confirmed. He stood, taking a few long strides before stopping in front of you. Leaning down to your eye level, he ruffled your hair. “Although I can’t speak for the other men, I know I care for you a great deal.”

Feeling your face getting hotter, you turned away. “That would explain some of the interactions,” you muttered. “And if Em’s relationship with them is only what it’s at after Homecoming Wings, then it would make sense why they’re not all lovey-dovey with her just yet.”

You turned back around, looking at Sylus. He was already watching you, an amused expression on his face. You walked past him, feeling his eyes on you even as he barely turned with you. “Everything makes sense, but I still don’t get it,” you sighed, collapsing onto one of the armchairs behind him.

Sylus raised an eyebrow. “What don’t you get?”

“The Affinity levels are sort of making you and the other guys closer to me than to Em. I just don’t get why any one of you would pick me or care about me over Em. She’s so outgoing, so bold… she’s everything I’m not.” Your last words, though coming out as a mumble, did not go unnoticed by Sylus.

He stepped closer, kneeling beside your armchair and taking one of your hands in his. “I care about you for who you are,” he said reverently. “All the little things you do that make you, you? I adore them. You’re not something to be compared, dove.”

Seeing your hesitance, your disbelieving stare, he sighed, fingers tightening around your own. “When I first met Em,” he began slowly. “When we were a sorceress and her dragon…” he paused here, choosing his words carefully. “There was too much anger between us. Sometimes, I think that rage carried over into this life.” He let out a humorless laugh as he seemed to remember their first meetings.

His gaze found yours again, any sharpness melting into a molten softness. “But with you, things are calm. I’m at peace, little dove.” His soft smile now matched your own. “I feel like the dragon inside me no longer needs that thirst for vengeance anymore. The dragon can finally rest.”

“Boss?” Kieran called into the seemingly empty armory.

“Boss!” Luke repeated, louder now.

The two stepped further in, scanning the walls of weaponry and technology for any disturbance, any sign that their boss was there.

Hearing a muffled caw, they pushed further, moving to the back of the room.

They stepped into a small room, filled with all kinds of security monitors, Mephisto perched proudly on top of one. The twins were silent as they stood behind Sylus, watching as he examined each screen carefully. A quarter of them were focused around the base, mostly showing empty rooms and hallways, except for one which showed you nestled in a corner of the library. All the other monitors made it clear who he was watching.

Em.

Eyes in her apartment, at the Hunters Association, at the Kitty Cafe, at the Arcade. All places she frequented, all showing no sign of her.

“I assume you have something to report?” Sylus broke the silence.

“Yeah, Boss. All the guys you wanted to know about,” Kieran said as he handed Sylus four thick files.

“You found all of this in three days?” Sylus asked as he flipped through them.

“Uh-huh! Proud of us, Boss-man?” Luke leaned in over Sylus’s shoulder.

Sylus was quiet for a moment. “Maybe.” He stood, nodding the twins forward. “Come with me. I want to talk with both of you about this.”

The twins followed on Sylus’s heels as he walked to his office. They looked at each other silently, wondering just what the Boss was planning.

Sylus sat behind his desk, laying each file open across it and taking out his own notepad. Kieran eyed the messy scrawl, barely able to make out any words from across the desk.

“Give me your thoughts on each man you were to investigate,” Sylus said as he leaned back in his chair.

“The hunter Xavier seemed really suspicious. Lots of links to past jobs, no consistent or complete past. He disappears at random hours, but we didn’t have enough time to follow him to figure out where he went,” Kieran reported calmly.

“Who was next? The doctor?” Luke asked, looking for a nod from Kieran. “Right, so Zayne seemed like nothing was wrong. Seriously, nothing out of place. Which is weird in itself, if you ask me. But I guess doctors don’t have much free time,” he explained animatedly.

Kieran now. “Rafayel is the artist, who frequents the Nest more than an ordinary artist should. Seems like he’s got eyes on someone, but we don’t have access to figure out who.”

Then Luke again. “Finally, Caleb. We didn’t have time to infiltrate the Farspace Fleet to get everything on him, but it looks like there’s some conflicting documents about him. Not to mention an official death certificate from Linkon.”

Sylus nodded along with them, confirming that everything they said matched up with what you had said. “Take a couple days’ break, and when you’re ready, I want you to track two people. Full reports on their doings.”

“We can do it now, Boss-man!” Luke offered.

Kieran agreed, “Yeah, if it’s urgent, we can take care of it, fast.”

Sylus shook his head. “It’s not exactly urgent. I just want to see something.” Sylus watched the twins, eyes sharp and calculating. “I want you to track Em and the Colonel, alright?”

comments and reblogs appreciated and asks open! <3

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pookietv · 2 months ago

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mending | arthur tv

omg bee is back after her inconsistency streak oncemore?? lmao i feel all i do as the forewords for my posts is say sorry for being inactive but.. sorry for being inactive :P

hope you enjoy!! if people want it, i may make a part two :)

arthur was a clumsy boy. you knew all too well after seeing his neverending spillages, leading to him carrying a flask round his house twenty-four seven.

and after falling out of a tree, drunk in a recent video? you weren't even surprised.

you had been an easy shoe-in for the friendgroup as soon as bach and liv had moved to london - you had went to school with liv, reconnecting when you found out she was living in the same city as yourself, and in no time you found yourself with a better group of friends you could ever have asked for.

and you had to admit, you had grown a small crush on bach's best friend, arthur, the silly nerd that was nice to everyone you had ever seen him interact with.

and the next time you guys were hanging out, he was complaining about his jumper.

"a twig got stuck in the jumper i was wearing, ripped a hole as well man, that was my favourite jumper!" he declared over his pint, the group laughing at his complaints (that were mainly his own silly fault).

"i might be able to fix it," you hummed, over the glass of cider that sat in front of you, "i mean, i'd have to see it first, depends on the hole," you said softly.

"never knew you were a spinster," george joked, and you rolled your eyes.

"not a spinster, i'm just a grown adult who can fix my own clothes if they break," you grinned back.

"you think you could fix it?" arthur said, looking back at you, a small smile gracing his face, "it really is my favourite jumper,"

"sure, if you bring it round to my house, i can have a look at it and see what i can do," you said, nodding.

so the next day, arthur showed up at your door, handing a folded jumper over with a slightly embarrassed grin, before unfolding it slightly, "see, the hole's here, near the hood? it's pretty close to the seam,"

as your eyes scanned over where his longer fingers held the fabric (and trying to ignore just how nice his hands were long enough to examine the damage), you smiled at him, "oh, this is an easy fix, arthur," you said, and watched a lopsided pleased expression grace his face.

"you're the best, y/n," he said.

"it's not a problem, it'll probably take me an hour, i mean you can come in whilst i sew it if you'd like, i can make you a cuppa," you offered, and he frowned.

"i wish i could, but i'm actually dropping this off on my way to meet with bach for filming," he said softly, "but i can come pick it up whenever, honestly don't rush if you have other things to do,"

"it's fine arthur, you stresshead - i'll do it tonight and you can come pick it up tomorrow," you smiled.

"see, what would i do without you?" he grinned, and hugged you at your door, "i'll text you tomorrow, to see what time i can come get it,"

so your night had consisted of a cup of tea, a tv show in the background whilst you curled up on your sofa, your sewing kit (which resided in an old chocolate box) laying beside you, and patching up his jumper.

and once you had finished it, the shoulder of the hoodie looking practically new, despite one small line of stitching that really wasn't noticeable, unless you were being pedantic about it.

you sent him a photo of the fixed jumper, along with a message reading 'all mended!" and he responded saying 'thank you so much! i'll pick it up around lunchtime tomorrow if that's okay?'

'around lunchtime' of the next day came, and a knock on your door signalled arthur was here, so you grabbed the gray jumper and walked to your door.

he smiled as he saw you opening the door, holding a small bunch of flowers, "sorry, i wanted to get you something to say thanks for fixing them, but i didn't know what so i figured flowers would be.. i don't know, but they're for you," he explained awkwardly.

you smiled back at him, "you're sweet, arthur, but honestly you didn't have to, it was just a small favour, didn't even take me long,"

days later, however, arthur just couldn't bring himself to wash the jumper. he didn't know how, but it smelled so inexplicably of you after all you had done was fix a small part of it. he almost felt himself a creep, but there was something so strangely comforting about the way it smelled slightly sweet, homely almost. he hadn't even realised that he enjoyed the way you smelled until then, but it was all he could reasonably think about. he hadn't dared to wear it and ruin it by smelling like him again.

he knew it was a stupid, stupid idea, but he found himself trawling through his cupboard of clothes, looking for something, anything that had a small hole or slight tear that he could ask you politely to sew.

he didn't even know why he felt this way, and he didn't know exactly what to do with this feeling, so he mentioned it off-handedly to bach.

"i know it sounds weird, but it's just such a.. nice comforting smell, and i feel bad even wearing the jumper again." he finished explaining, and bach was trying not to giggle, a smug smile plastered across his face.

"have you not considered the fact that you might, you know.. like her?" he laughed, looking at arthurs bright red and confused face.

"of course i like her, she's my friend, but like, no offence bach, i don't think you smell nice enough to make me this weird over a hoodie," arthur rolled his eyes at bach's seemingly stupid comment.

"arthur, you freak, i mean a crush,"

"no, i.. i don't think i have a crush on her.." he murmured out, and felt his eyes look to the floor for a moment, as if calculating something in his head.

#arthur frederick x reader #arthur frederick #arthur tv #arthur tv x reader #arthurtv #arthurtv fanfic #arthurtv x reader #arthur tv fanfic

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icantbelieveitsnotbutler · 30 days ago

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Phantomhive Manor Layout

I'm the type of person who loves a good fictional map or floor plan and, unable to find one of the Phantomhive manor house on the internet, I naturally tried to make one myself. I figured that I would be able to to follow the routes the characters take to get to certain rooms and compare the interior and exterior window positions and designs to map the rooms.

I've been trying off and on for around a week now and, besides the entrance hall, I couldn't confidently tell you the location of a single room. Windows seen from the inside don't exist on the outside and windows on the exterior aren't present within the rooms. Certain windows and external doors exist in one chapter and are gone the next. Characters go up 3 full flights of stairs only to end up on the second floor. Entire stories appear where they weren't in previous in arcs.

This is obviously due to human error and things being changed to make them more historically accurate or to serve the story. It also doesn't matter where the rooms are, only the purpose they serve and what happens in them. The location of the dining room isn't important; we just need to know that's where people eat and have birthday parties, and one time Sebastian did a cool flip there.

That being said, I always want a Watsonian explanation even when there's a Doylist one. I could only come up with one in-universe explanation for the logical inconsistencies of the house: when Sebastian restored the manor house, he didn't just fix it. Whatever he did to it, the house is no longer a static, spatially-consistent structure.

If anyone is interested, more details about how confusing this building is are below the cut (with some out of context manga spoilers).

The Manor House

The first image is the front of the house, the side which carriages approach. The second image is the back where the garden is. Both are from Meyrin's backstory.

Here are more aerial views:

Note the appearance of extra windows along the side of the central section in the first one, which is from the same arc as the previous two images. The second is from the Blue Revenge Arc.

Here are details of the back view of the building:

Note the disappearing windows in some.

Ciel's bedroom.

Before the Green Witch Arc, Ciel's bedroom windows look like this on the interior and exterior:

Note that they open outwards (casement). Also note that they interrupt the hip-height decorative design inside. The three exterior shots are from Sebastian's record in the Luxury Liner Arc and don't match any corner on the more zoomed-out views of the building.

At the end of the Green Witch Arc, the windows are now hung (the bottom half slides upward to open) rather than casement style, but are otherwise the same:

In the Blue Revenge Arc (including the servants' flashbacks and r!Ciel's time there after he reclaims his identity from o!Ciel), the windows change:

The curtains are now a solid color and the decorative design is below the windows, rather than being interrupted by them. Those are insignificant details, but the panels showing the exterior directly contradict the interior and information from previous arcs:

The room is now on the middle floor while before it was on the top floor (not including the attic level), in addition to having a different architectural design around it.

The bedchamber together with the front room have 4 windows altogether, but the exterior only shows 3. The dressing room and bathroom each have a bay window, but the area where they would be seems to be up half a level. There's also a window on the exterior on the wall behind Ciel's bed, but no sign of it inside.

Interestingly, the layout of his quarters would be closer to the floor above, which has the four windows on the back and the two bay windows on the side. It's missing the dormer windows above, and the architectural details below, but it makes me think that there was some error in planning/drawing and the bedroom was actually supposed to be on the top floor.

It seems that the whole manor is actually two main floors for the family and guests, with a basement level and an attic level for the servants, and that one additional floor in the corner block got added at some point. In the earlier arcs, the roof of that section was the same height as the section to the left of it. It was only in the Blue Revenge Arc that they became different heights:

I thought things might be cleared up by following the routes of the characters to reach the room, but it's hard to understand where they're going.

In the Murder Arc, they go up one flight of stairs from the dining room (usually on the first floor in these types of houses) to reach Ciel's bedroom, and the second time they go up at least two floors from a bedroom (usually on the second floor) to reach the same room.

In Bard's backstory, Finny tells him Ciel's room is on the second floor, and then Bard goes up three flights of stairs from the first floor to reach it.

Something to note is that the three middle panels of Bard's route are identical to the first route of the Murder Arc, and then he goes up an entire extra staircase to reach what is supposed to be the same room.

In the Blue Memory Arc, Ciel has to come down from a higher floor to reach his parents' room (which became his room).

If the bedroom is on the second floor, he must have come down from the third floor, but I can't find the window in the stairwell anywhere on the outside of the building.

The Dining Room

The dining room is a long room with two entrances on one of the short walls, three large windows on the left, a fireplace on the right, and a huge bow window at the end. I initially thought there could be two of them, because I noticed that the height and design of the bottom of the bow window seemed to change depending on what meal was being eaten. However, I now think it's just inconsistent drawing.

As usual, there's no way to tell where this room is located. There are no bow windows on the outside of the building, or even a corner of the building which would allow for this configuration of windows.

The Drawing Room

This room has two enormous windows and conveniently has a panel of Ciel looking out of one them so we can determine its general location. However, I'm not sure which of the following sets of windows is correct:

The blue and orange are very big, but the yellow has the same window pane pattern as the most recent iteration of the room, which is the most accurate. However, the yellow is a set of three windows while the room has two. One of the windows could be in the next room, but it feels unlikely. The interior distance from the top of the windows to the ceiling is lacking from the the blue on the outside, so if the drawing is accurate, it would probably be the orange. The orange also feels most accurate to the panel of Ciel looking out the window, but the earlier volumes were less consistent in perspectives and proportions, so it's impossible to tell.

Ciel's Office

Ciel's office has a bay window overlooking the drive up to the house. There are two locations that fit this criteria.

In volume one (so take this with a grain of salt), there's a second window consistent with the teal option, but it doesn't seem to show up again. The side where the second window would in the orange option is never shown (to my knowledge).

Whichever option it is, the other side might be the room where Sebastian tutored Ciel.

The wall shown with bookshelves doesn't seem to have a window consistent with the teal side, so assuming the window is on the opposite wall and this room is the orange, Ciel's office would be the teal.

#black butler #kuroshitsuji #ciel phantomhive #sebastian michaelis

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the-lazyyy-artist · 16 days ago

Text

Roommates Wanted! fem!reader x o. aiku x s. ryusei x i. sae things that make sense

summary: two months in and beyond the contracts, there are systems that the group agreed upon that just make sense to them.

tags and themes: roommates au, slight crack, very ooc, mundane day-to-day events, shidou complains, aiku balances everything, sae is a rich boy, reader is the glue... somehow

author's notes: i am so so so excited to write more about this au, and slowly, we'll flesh out the dynamics between the four! this has been the happiest I've been writing something, and i hope you guys love it as much as i do! I'm also planning to release character visuals soon lmao. as always, reblogs, likes, and comments are much appreciated!

Check out the Masterlist!!

@ysvanielle @kai-zawa @literallyushiwaka @londonsworldddd @itz-phantomz @imcheshire @loverlixie @byzantiumhollow @bontensbabygirl @sugacor3

It's been a month since Sae joined, and two since you, Aiku, and Shidou started to live together as roommates. You never thought it would work, given the huge differences in your careers and personalities. As expected, all of you have formed systems in your apartment that just make sense to the four of you.

The moment Sae moved in, you introduced one of the most important household items: the whiteboard calendar. "Even if we don't talk most of the time," you explained, "this could be our form of communication. Schedules, deadlines, everything. We'd let everyone know what's going on through this." The boys agreed, but Sae was the most pleased with the idea. He'd finally have something to keep track of all the deadlines he's dealing with. You assigned them a marker each, their color of choice.

Aiku - dark green

Shidou - pink (the brightest, he said)

Sae - red

You - blue

Aiku came home one day with the markers, and everyone, like schoolchildren, scribbled on the whiteboard before they decided to fill in the Month, Year, and Days.

Aiku would fill some spaces on the calendar with important lessons for his class, lesson plan deadlines, and major exams at school. Weekends would fill up most of his tasks. Sae, as an editor at a publishing house, would fill in the calendar with the names of authors and manuscript deadlines, scattered throughout. Shidou's was mostly non-existent, but if he did write something, it would be the name of an important client who had scheduled a class with him. He'd also write stuff like "new protein shake flavor release" because he's been looking forward to it. And you...

Oh, the moment a new month rolls in, you'd immediately fill in the first week or two with your ever-changing, inconsistent schedule. Two graveyard shifts in a row, then a sudden afternoon shift, then back to graveyard. You only get one day off per week, and the boys hated how weird and chaotic your schedule was.

The color coding on your markers made a ripple effect on other smaller things: keychains on everyone's keys, so Shidou won't accidentally grab yours. Then Aiku installed hooks on the wall near the front door to get rid of the key bowl and hang the keys in their designated colors. Aiku and Sae's keys were a little bulky because both own cars (Aiku got his from his dad when he passed the bar exam. Sae... Take a wild guess how he got his). You and Shidou only had two to three keys hanging on your keychains.

Then it became color-coded mugs because of how many times Shidou has used Sae's cup, or Aiku's cup... Or your cup... But never his own. Sae would scold him, calm and cold, and Shidou kinda stopped. So, you and Aiku bought everyone mugs in your designated colors, too.

Another thing that really made sense for you guys was the savings jar. You don't have anything in mind to save for, it was just something you could dig into if the group decides for take-out instead of Aiku's cooking (he'd be thankful that you guys made him rest for a moment), or if you and Shidou planned on buying a new game for his PlayStation (he'd beat your ass until you walk out. Of course, he's laughing). Maybe save up for a new air fryer you saw at the mall one time. It was there for everyone. You, Aiku, and Shidou would shove spare change and bills in the jar, but you always wonder if Sae's spare bills were too much because sometimes, you'd see hundreds in there. Rich boy shit.

A grocery list for bi-weekly grocery runs is also important. A new list will be attached to the fridge, just below the whiteboard calendar, and everyone will write down everything they need before the weekend errands. Shidou would write his in a scrawly handwriting, and it's sometimes "instant ramen x5" or "that new snack I saw on TV, will send you a photo.” Sae would add his in neat handwriting, sometimes in cursive. It's always just the necessities. Aiku will write his necessities and a bunch of snacks for everyone. Sometimes he would be in charge of auditing the fridge just to see what food products you guys needed to survive. He'd always have this neat handwriting. Professor-like. And you? You'd write down your necessities and cravings in a hurried handwriting. Sometimes a little messy like Shidou's.

Grocery runs are handled by Aiku. Sometimes you'd accompany him if you had a Saturday or Sunday off. Sometimes Sae would come with him. Aiku would sometimes tell the others how Sae covered this month's grocery run again, not letting everyone pay. But if it's just Aiku, he'd make sure that everyone chips in once the bill is split according to what everyone wrote in the grocery list. "I'm not as rich as Sae, ya know," he'd reason if Shidou grumbles about it. It was not a problem with you, since it was all you agreed upon when stepping into the apartment.

But the most hated item in the house, something Shidou dreads the most, is the budgeting logbook. Rent, bills, and everything in between. You'd pull the boys at the dinner table to have a roommate meeting ("Five minutes tops, Shidou. Please!"), and everything was discussed. Everyone had to contribute to the month's rent and bills. Sae would be in charge of updating the spreadsheet on his laptop ("Just in case we lose the logbook, we have a copy," he explained), and Aiku handles the money and pays it to the sweet, old landlady downstairs.

If anything, you guys shouldn't have really worked out. Not with Shidou's constant complaining and explosive energy every morning. Not with Sae's quiet judgments and long sighs. Not with Aiku’s overly optimistic views and his "failed" attempts to keep the harmony. And especially not you and your chaotic schedules and sudden bursts of annoyance because of a messy house. But it did.

And you're glad it did.

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monserelates · 19 days ago

Text

MAGNETIC ; James Potter

part ll of the series Dumb Decisions

⇨ summary: The bond starts pulling. Literally. You and James struggle to stay more than a few feet apart without the universe throwing a tantrum. The professors are watching. The Marauders are plotting. And your friends are catching on way too fast for your liking.

⇨ warnings/notes: use of y/n, curse words, minor inconsistencies ?), accidental magic injury, mild angst, shared emotions, denial, mutual pining, professors whispering about it in the staff room, platonic marauders x reader shared sensations, magical tether hijinks, accidental touching, denial galore, platonic friendships, magnetic bond effects, chaotic Marauders.

⇨ a/n: not my best piece but I promise in chapter 3 things will get more entertaining! hope u enjoyy

⇨ word count: 2.5k

The moment you walk into Magical Theory, you just know you're screwed.

Flitwick's voice is high and chipper as ever, but the second he waves his wand and the chalkboard spells out Partnered Spell Mapping Project – Assigned Pairs, your stomach drops.

There, in clean, cursive gold script under Group 3, are your names:

Potter, James & L/N, Y/N

You blink. Then blink again.

"Absolutely not," you mutter, already turning around to head back out. But before you can make it two steps, you feel a pull behind your sternum—a little jolt that sends your knees locking to keep from stumbling forward. You don’t even need to look to know what’s happening.

James Potter has just walked in.

Like gravity clocking in for its shift, the bond snaps taut.

You're dragged a half-step forward. James lurches as well, catching himself on the doorframe with a scowl. You lock eyes.

"Don't say it," you warn.

"I'm not saying anything," he says, walking toward the only empty desk left in the classroom. It’s the only two-seater. Of course it is. Of course.

You grit your teeth and follow him, muttering hexes under your breath that would make Professor Babbling faint.

By the time you sit down beside him—because you literally can’t sit anywhere else—the entire classroom is buzzing. People whisper. Someone snickers. Behind you, sirius clears his throat in the most obnoxiously dramatic way imaginable.

“Synchronized seating achieved,” he announces, his voice hushed but loud enough for everyone to hear. “This is stage three, Moony.”

Remus looks up from his notes. “Stage three of what?”

“The Bonded Idiots Timeline. Stage one was bickering. Stage two was eye contact over pumpkin juice. This—” Sirius gestures to you and James sitting stiffly, arms crossed in the exact same pose without realizing it “—this is full-blown couple mirroring.”

“Stage four is hand-holding,” Peter adds from behind them, nodding wisely.

“Stage four is denial-fueled hand-holding,” Sirius corrects. “Very different from voluntary. Moony, write that down.”

“I’m not writing any of this down,” Remus says, but he does slide the parchment closer to himself.

You glare at them all over your shoulder. “We can hear you.”

“Brilliant,” Sirius beams. “Now lean in a bit more, yeah? Get the symmetry perfect.”

You roll your eyes and try to focus as Flitwick launches into the lesson, but it’s impossible.

Every time you shift in your seat, James does too. When you lean your head on your hand, he mirrors you—not on purpose, but it happens, and it happens again, and again. A twitch of your foot? His twitches too. You reach to scratch your neck? He does it the second after. It’s like watching two synchronized swimmers drown in embarrassment.

The worst part? You don’t notice half of it until someone points it out.

“Are you two breathing at the same time?” Marlene whispers from the row beside you, her eyes narrowed. “I swear to Merlin—”

“We are not,” you whisper back.

James—at the exact same time—whispers, “We are not.”

A pause. You both freeze.

Dorcas, watching from the back, slowly leans over to Lily and says, “Did they just say that in unison?”

Lily puts down her quill. “We need to take them to the Hospital Wing. Or the altar. One or the other.”

You bury your face in your hands. “I hate this. I hate this so much.”

James sighs beside you, slumping back into his chair. You slump too. At the same moment.

Flitwick, trying very hard not to smile, waves his wand and sends floating parchment worksheets fluttering down the rows. Yours and James’s land in perfect sync.

“Partners,” Flitwick says kindly, “you’ll need to trace magical affinity loops together. Hands over the parchment, left and right. No wands. Just wand-less magic”

You stare at the paper. Then at James.

He stares back.

“No,” you say flatly.

“It’s homework,” he says, equally flat.

“I’m not touching your hand.”

“I’m not asking you to—”

“Good.”

“Good!”

Another long pause.

Your hands move toward the parchment at the same time. Both of you freeze mid-air when you realize.

“Oh my God,” you groan.

“Just do it,” James mutters.

You reach down, palms hovering over the glowing golden sigil on the page. James’s hand hovers beside yours. The moment your pinkies brush?

Zap.

A crack of magic pulses through the paper, flaring gold like a mini sunburst. The parchment jumps. So do you.

Flitwick claps, delighted. “Excellent! Strong magical resonance!”

“Strong? Professor, the paper exploded!” Marlene exclaims.

“It sparked like a firework.” Peter adds.

“I think they just accidentally activated a marital charm.” Remus says.

You look at James. James looks at you.

They're being stupid, right?

And for one stupid, reckless, dangerous second, your hands don’t move apart.

The world around you fades. Just a bit. Not enough to be romantic—but just enough to be terrifying. Like the bond is holding its breath, waiting.

Then James jerks back, rubbing his palm.

“Bloody thing stings,” he mutters.

You snap out of it too, scribbling nonsense onto your parchment just to look busy.

From the back row, Lily turns to Dorcas.

“I’m giving it a week.”

“A week until what?” Dorcas asks.

“A week until she admits it,” Lily says.

Dorcas snorts. “A week until he admits it. She’ll go down swearing it’s an allergic reaction.”

“Do not put this in the betting pool,” Lily says, already scribbling down a galleon in the corner of her notebook.

“Oh, I am the betting pool,” Marlene grins.

In the Great Hall, the bond goes feral.

You sit across from James. A safe distance. Healthy. Mentally and physically responsible. You even put the jug of pumpkin juice between you like a barrier.

And then—

“OW,” you gasp.

Your fork clatters. You press a hand to your elbow.

James winces, rubbing his. “Okay. What did you hit?”

“I didn’t hit anything—”

And then you get yanked forward. The jug crashes to the floor.

Sirius shrieks as juice splashes his robes. “My jacket! Do you know how expensive this was?”

You and James freeze.

You’re nose to nose across the table. Breathing the same air. Sharing the same wide-eyed panic.

Across the staff table, Professor McGonagall raises a single, dark eyebrow.

Next to her, Professor Slughorn leans in to mutter, “Three days. I say three days before they crack.”

McGonagall sips her tea without blinking. “Five. She’s stubborn.”

Flitwick: “One galleon on the staircase scene. Bet it ends in a confession.”

Sprout: “I want it to end in a duel. Much more exciting.”

You storm into the common room after dinner, dragging James behind you by the wrist because you tried to leave without him, and the bond yanked you both down the steps like ragdolls.

You’re still yelling.

“This is YOUR fault! You’re the one who cast that stupid hex!”

James protests, “You cast the Latin one!”

Sirius is upside down on the couch, watching like it’s Quidditch finals. “Did you try holding hands? Might stabilize the current.”

You hurl a cushion at him. “SHUT UP!”

Peter walks by with toast in hand. “You two okay?”

“No,” James says.

“Yes,” you snap.

The Marauders share a look.

Remus: “They’re going to kill each other.”

Sirius: “Or shag.”

Peter: “What if they shag and then kill each other?”

You’re halfway through storming out of the library when the bond yanks you backwards by the waist.

“Don’t you dare—”

You scramble to hold onto the doorframe, but the magic is relentless. You skid back into the room like a cursed marionette, colliding right into James’s chest with a solid thump. His arms snap out instinctively to steady you, and for a split second, he looks as surprised as you are.

"Merlin," he breathes. "You actually left. You left."

"You were being insufferable."

"I made one joke."

"You compared me to Amos Diggory."

James runs a hand through his hair, exasperated. "It was a comparison of study techniques, not—"

"He's not even in NEWT-level Theory."

"Exactly! That was the joke!"

You scowl and try to step away, but the bond tightens like a leash. You only make it a few inches before it tugs sharply and drags you two inches closer, flush up against him again.

James sighs, dropping his head back dramatically. “This is so dumb.”

“You’re dumb,” you mutter without thinking.

It’s childish. It's stupid. It’s also your third argument this week.

And it had started well.

—

An hour earlier, you were sitting across from him at a quiet table in the back of the library—far enough from the Slytherins to avoid judgment, close enough to the Restricted Section that Madam Pince occasionally narrowed her eyes at you both. James had slouched back, hair messy, glasses pushed up his nose, one hand holding open The Arcane Principles of Paired Magic while the other sketched slow, bored circles with his quill on the table.

“Hey,” he’d said suddenly, voice quiet and oddly serious. “You know what’s weird?”

“What?” you’d mumbled, trying to focus on your notes.

He didn’t answer for a moment. Just looked at you.

Then: “You’re the only person who doesn’t flinch when I’m like… me.”

You paused. That wasn’t what you’d expected.

“…When you’re you?”

“You know. Loud. Rude. Obsessed with Quidditch. Joking all the time.” He’d offered a lopsided smile. “Most people tolerate me. You punch me in the arm and tell me to shut up.”

“Because you never shut up.”

“Exactly.”

Your eyes met. A strange, soft silence settled between you.

He looked so earnest. The air buzzed faintly—bond quiet, humming under your ribs.

You opened your mouth to say something—anything—but before you could, James grinned and added, "Bet Malfoy would’ve kissed you by now."

And just like that, the moment shattered.

You blinked. Your heart went cold. “What?”

“I’m joking,” he said quickly. “Sort of. I mean—he’s very eager, isn’t he?”

Your jaw tightened. “You’re bringing up Lucius Malfoy while we’re magically tethered together and studying under duress?”

James shrugged, flippant. “I mean, if you’re into charming mediocrity—”

You slammed your book shut. “You’re a bloody child, Potter.”

James flinched like you’d struck him, but covered it with a smirk. “Says the one storming out mid-study session.”

You had stormed out. Furious. Humiliated. Flushed with heat that had nothing to do with attraction and everything to do with the way he made you feel stupid, off-balance, and out of control.

Then the bond had grabbed you like a lasso.

—

Now, tangled in his arms again, nose-to-nose from the recoil, your voice drops to a furious whisper.

“You don’t get to be sweet one second and cruel the next.”

His jaw clenches. “I wasn’t trying to be cruel.”

“You brought up Lucius.”

“Because you keep pretending I don’t matter to you!”

That stops you.

The air crackles.

James swears under his breath and looks away, cheeks red. “Forget it. That was dumb.”

“No. Say it again.”

“You heard me.”

You step back—or try to. The bond tightens. Your ribs pull forward again, chest-to-chest with him, like the universe is begging for confrontation.

“I’m not pretending,” you snap. “I’m trying to survive this! You’re like a hurricane. And I’m tired of getting tossed around.”

James's voice is low and rough. “I don’t want to toss you around. I just want you to look at me the way you look at him.”

You stare at him. “You don’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because if I do,” you whisper, voice shaking, “I’ll want more. And I can’t have that. Not with you.”

Silence.

Thick. Unbearable.

Then James swallows. And he says, barely audible, “Why not me?”

You look at him, heart pounding—and for a second, you almost answer.

But instead, you whisper: “Because you’ll break my heart.”

Then you storm off.

The bond yanks you back five seconds later, slamming you against his chest again like divine punishment.

James winces. You groan.

From a nearby bookshelf, Sirius mutters, “Betting pool says one of them cries before midnight.”

Remus, watching in sympathy, writes something quietly on a piece of parchment:

Stage Five: Fighting like lovers. Still not dating.

The Betting Pool (Staff Room Edition)

The door to the Hogwarts staff lounge swings shut with a heavy click, muffling the buzz of enchanted quills and distant staircase grumblings.

Professor McGonagall lowers herself into the high-backed tartan chair at the head of the long table. She looks tired. Annoyed. Amused.

Behind her, Professor Flitwick floats in on a cushioned charm, already snickering.

“They nearly broke the Restricted Section door,” he announces cheerfully. “Pomona, you owe me two Sickles.”

“I said they’d fight within three days, not that they’d cause property damage,” Professor Sprout huffs, pushing her herbology glasses up her nose. “You lot keep changing the terms.”

“I keep track,” says Madam Hooch, legs kicked up on a trunk, blowing on her tea. “We’re at stage six. Physical tug, emotional vulnerability, and a refusal to acknowledge feelings. Classic pre-confession spiral.”

Professor Slughorn twirls the end of his mustache, beaming. “I told you! I told you she’d storm out. Y/N L/N is nothing if not dramatic. Gloriously so.”

“Did you see the look on Potter’s face when the bond yanked her back?” Professor Burbage asks, flipping through a copy of Witch Weekly. “He looked like he’d been hexed in the heart.”

“Deserved it,” drawls Madam Pince from her corner. “I nearly hexed him myself when he knocked over a shelf of alchemical glossaries.”

McGonagall raises a hand. Silence falls.

“We are,” she says crisply, “not technically allowed to encourage romantic entanglements between students.”

A long pause.

Slughorn: “But hypothetically—”

Sprout: “Purely academically—”

Hooch: “Magically speaking, it’s quite fascinating.”

McGonagall sighs and rubs her temples. “How large is the betting pool now?”

Flitwick waves his wand and conjures a floating scroll. It unfurls dramatically across the table, glowing names and time-stamped wagers etched in gold ink.

THE GREAT POTTER/L/N TETHER DEBACLE – OFFICIAL STAFF BETTING LEDGER

Current Wagers:

Professor Sprout: Full confession in the greenhouse, triggered by a Venomous Tentacula mishap. (Odds: 12:1)

Madam Hooch: Midnight Quidditch pitch showdown. Either a kiss or a brawl. Maybe both. (Odds: 7:1)

Professor Burbage: They’ll admit feelings during a Transfiguration mishap—possibly involving matching Animagus forms. (Odds: 15:1)

Professor Slughorn: One will break a bone during a tether snap, leading to a tearful hospital wing confession. (Odds: 9:1)

Professor Flitwick: They’ll get caught making out behind the Charms corridor tapestry. Bonus if it’s during an argument. (Odds: 5:1)

Professor McGonagall: ...No bet entered. (But she’s secretly monitoring the situation with silent, iron-clad judgment.)

“Any new wagers?” Flitwick asks innocently.

“I’d like to add a double or nothing clause,” says Slughorn, leaning forward. “If they kiss before the next full moon, I win five Galleons.”

“You’re all unhinged,” McGonagall mutters.

“Come on, Minerva,” Sprout teases. “Even you are invested.”

“I’m invested in preventing another textbook from getting soaked in dragon bile.”

“Which happened because they were bickering over a shared quill,” Flitwick reminds her with a grin. “Honestly, it’s textbook bonded tension.”

McGonagall sips her tea. “If one of them hexes the other by accident, we’re calling in a specialist.”

Slughorn raises a brow. “A romantic counselor?”

“A cursebreaker.”

“But also a romantic counselor,” Burbage adds, chuckling.

Outside, thunder rumbles. A magical gust flutters the curtains—and with it, a faint echo of two familiar voices yelling at each other in the distance.

Hooch leans back and smirks.

“Five Sickles says they’re holding hands by Friday.”

McGonagall closes her eyes.

“Merlin save us all.”

taglist: @strlightfilms @glittervame @ifilwtmfc @theblindhag @vxyselectric @spirit-of-a-b1tch

#the marauders #james potter #marauders #all the young dudes #remus lupin #james potter x reader #james fleamont potter #fanfics #moony wormtail padfoot and prongs #james potter fanfiction #james potter x fem!reader #james potter x y/n #james potter oneshot #james potter drabble #james potter fanfic #james potter fic #series #dumb decisions #monserelates

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menyuui · 2 months ago

Text

JUST A LITTLE LONGER

༉‧₊˚. synopsis. you and remus break up because neither of you knows how to be honest about their feelings #flops

༉‧₊˚. tags. remus lupin, remus lupin x reader, angst with a happy ending, hurt to comfort, inaccurate hogwarts layouts, ooc maruaders era characters, lowkey rich!remus lupin, headcanoning him as coming from money i dont give a gaf, plot holes asf

༉‧₊˚. notes. this is my first ever fic and also i wrote it at 3 am and it took me 5 hours i literally have not slept so i apologize for inconsistencies and inaccuracies and also my poor unedited grammar and spelling pls forgive me also the ending and kind of the whole this is so rushed sorry i literally wrote this on my phone while bed rotting pls forgive me

REMUS LUPIN, had asked you out in the winter of sixth year, minutes before you boarded separate trains to go home for the holidays. he'd come running down your platform, coat buttoned to the top, hair a mess, juggling three different suitcases, how could you possibly say no to such a display?

to be entirely honest at that point you had been waiting weeks for remus to gain the courage to ask you out and you said 'yes!' faster than you'd like to admit but you'd live the embarrassment a billion times over if it meant you got to end up with remus in the end.

he had spent months courting you, planning dates and activities and introducing you to his tight knit group of friends, not to mention the years he had already spent pining after you (not that he'd ever confess that truth to you). with all the effort he had put in to getting you to date him you're not sure how you ended up here, like this. seventh year had started off so well, fresh off the train after spending the last week of summer at the lupin estate while remus's parents conducted business overseas. it seemed like you two were more in love than ever before, if that was even possible, so why wouldn't remus just tell you he was a werewolf?

it's nearing the end of november and remus and his friends were off on a 4 day "study group field trip", an excursion that they somehow convinced professor mcgonagall to go along with. you knew what that meant though, it meant that the full moon was coming up and remus would be spending the next couple of days in the hospital wing with only the company of madame pompfrey his aching body. last month it had been an impromptu trip to james's childhood home, the month before the four of them had all conveniently caught the flu and could not see you under any circumstances out of fear of spreading their infection. every month before that since you had begun dating was excuse after excuse, and you weren't sure how much more you could take.

you had become privy to remus's secret two months after your relationship began. you were never stupid, far from it, in fact you were always quite perceptive so it shouldn't have come as a surprise to anyone when you figured out what your boyfriend was trying to hide. it was easy to figure out the remaining players in the game after you uncovered the secret. obviously james, sirius, and peter had known, but it seems along with the three of his closest friends, lily evans was also let in on the confidential matter.

nothing changed for you after you had found out. you loved remus, you still love remus, nothing would ever change that.

so why won't he just be honest with you?

for as long as you could you staved off thinking about it any further than the surface level. you pushed the thoughts and doubts deep inside your mind, never letting yourself steep on it long enough to actually feel bad about it. until now, the christmas holiday was rapidly approaching, just mere weeks away, which also meant that your one year anniversary was just around the corner. your parents had been begging you to bring him home for the holiday, even if just one day could be spared, they just wanted to meet him. all of sudden, all the thoughts you had been avoiding had been pushed to the forefront of your mind.

despite your best efforts, your endless sleepless nights of attempted rationalization, and your undying love for your boyfriend, you could only come up with one answer as to why your boyfriend wouldn't let you in on his inner-inner circle:

he was going to break up with you.

to practical anyone else who knew the two of you, this would never even be thought possible.

but to you? it was the only possible reason.

it all made sense, obviously the marauders would know, they were his lifelong friends, practically his brothers. and of course lily would know, she was james's soulmate. all these people who knew he had let in on his secret were guaranteed to be in his life forever, which could only mean that you weren't.

so that's where you find yourself, on the last day of your boyfriend's montly disappearing act, worn down from the lack of sleep and the excess of worry, dreading the end of your relationship.

if you could have it your way the relationship would never end. you were completely sure that remus lupin was the only man you were ever going to love, but where you saw a future, remus only saw an opportunity to have one last school romance before he got started on his real life.

meanwhile in the hospital wing . . .

"i simply don't understand why you can't just tell her moony?!" sirius was fed up with his friend, the events of the previous full moon fueling his annoyance.

remus rolled his eyes and turned over in the creaky hospital bed, groaning at the added pressure on his bruised ribbed but grateful to be hidden away from sirius's glare.

sirius could just strangle remus right now.

"ughhhh!!! you're so-" remus wasn't looking at him but he knew that sirius was shaking his fists in anger while james and peter looked on amusedly.

james attempted to ease the situation, "alright come off him padfoot, the poor lad's just been through the wringer." his efforts not in vain as sirius mumbled a quick "whatever." before turning away from the trio of his friends.

"he's right though." james added with a tight lip.

this caused remus to roll his eyes once more, "get out." he groaned, clamping his pillow over his ears in frustration.

james lowly chuckled at his distressed friend, while attempting to soothe sirius who had just let out a scoff. peter looked at the pair as if to say 'let me try', before scooting onto the edge of remus's bed.

"remus...as annoying as sirius is," he started, giving sirius a pointed glare, "i think it would help us understand better, if you just told us why you don't want her to know."

when remus remained unmoving and silent under the protection of the pillow over his face, peter shrugged. james and sirius let out a quiet sigh, nearly giving up on an explanation when remus's mumbling cut them off. from beneath his pillow he spoke a brief and muffled statement, unintelligible to even his best friends.

"what?" sirius demanded with a judgemental eyebrow raised.

remus lifted the pillow off his face, tucking it under his head once more. still with his head turned away from the group he sighed deeply, "if i tell her...she's going to leave me."

a silence overtook the quartet. they all knew this had long been remus's greatest fear. flashbacks to nights post-full moons comforting a sobbing and broken remus as he begged for someone to just end the misery that was his existence. he'd long known he was destined for a life alone, bouncing between the couches of his best friends and their future partners and eventual children. this was the way it had to be. until you said yes, your mere presence made remus feel like he was being pulled out of the pits of hell.

but remus wasn't an idiot, he was on the verge of graduating and he had to be honest with his reality. you weren't meant for this life, this darkness, not when you were so kind, so pure. it was never going to last.

"you don't know that remus." peter stated as-a-matter-a-factly. and he meant it too, peter liked you, he really liked you. you had always been nice to him, and funny, and you made a real effort to get along with them, which he knows can be hard. he had faith in you.

remus cut off his mental praise with a cynical laugh, "yes i do."

peter didn't know what to say, he didn't know how to comfort his friend. james thought that he did.

"then she's not the one for you!" james encouraged. it did little to soothe remus's aching heart. somewhere deep inside him remus knew you were, the one for him. he loved you so dearly and he knew you loved him the same, he just couldn't stand the thought of you looking at him differently.

he knew it had to end. but was it so selfish of him to just want a little bit more time with you. seventh year was nearly half way through, remus would let you go after hogwarts, free to live and love like you deserved. he had come to terms with the fact that 10 years down the line when he was long gone that there would be some lucky fella who got you to fall for him bent over a crib carrying a baby with the eyes of the girl he had once loved, so can't he just have you for a little bit longer?

remus had already begun to see the signs. you were pulling away, being more distant. you were never in your dorm, always tucked away in the potions classroom during your free time or checking out books from the restricted section of the library. he knew the end was near.

all of sudden remus had forgotten about the pain of his injuries and could only focus on the pit forming in his chest. he didn't want to talk about this anymore.

his friends had taken note of his sullen face and ceased their talking. he pulled the blanket over his shoulders and tucked his face into the stiff pillow, they got the message.

as they left the room sirius offered a, "we'll check in on you after dinner moony." his promise was left unacknowledged.

three weeks later . . .

less than a month later your worst nightmare came true. six days before holiday break began, six days before your one year anniversary, remus lupin broke up with you.

he had approached you while you were sitting by the great lake, unassuming and oblivious to your impending doom and shattered your entire world without so much as a hint of despair on his beautiful face.

in all your pain and anguish you didn't know what to say, you offered a meek "okay." scared to say more out of fear of bursting into tears.

remus took your lack of words as a clear sign of your impassiveness about the situation. a indicator of your relief to be rid of the burden that was his existence, and he turned away and left you there, sitting on the stont bench, silent tears streaming down your face.

that was five days ago. remus had departed from the school early, to get home to prepare for the arrival of his friends and his next transformation.

you, on the other hand, had retreated to the safety of your dorm room shortly after the incident at the lake and had solemnly left your room since. with practically the entire school soon to be gone home for christmas and a letter sent to your parents explaining that you'd be spending the holiday season at a "friend's" (hiding away in the safety of your bed in the walls of hogwarts) you were looking forward to getting a moment alone.

but then you heard the voices of lily and alice pass by your door, "aren't you just in such despair that your beloved james is going to be away from you for the entire holiday?" alice teased lily who laughed in embarrassment in response.

you suddenly remembered the anniversary slash christmas present you had been preparing for remus for nearly a year.

pratically flying out of bed you dropped to your knees and began digging through the trunk at the foot of your bed. when your eyes locked in on the small and neatly wrapped box at the bottom of the trunk, you hesitated for a moment. pushing down any feelings of doubt and resentment you made your way to the great hall.

you stood outside the great hall, fingers curled around the neatly wrapped gift, your pulse drumming against your ribcage. it felt heavier than it should—more than just paper and ribbon, it held pieces of what could’ve been.

the moment you stepped through the doors, the familiar laughter of james, sirius, and peter met your ears. they were huddled together at their usual spot, carefree as ever. for a brief second, you wondered if remus was already missing them.

james spotted you first, his grin faltering just slightly before he called out, "fancy seeing you here."

sirius turned, one brow arching in curiosity. "i half expected you to hex one of us on sight."

you rolled your eyes but couldn’t quite muster a comeback. instead, you held the small box out towards them. "i—" your throat tightened. "i was hoping one of you could give this to remus."

sirius exchanged a glance with james, his expression unreadable. peter just looked between you all, silent as ever.

james took the box carefully, turning it in his hands. "is this—"

"a gift," you cut in. "it was supposed to be for him before we—well. before everything."

the silence stretched, lingering in the air between you. "you don't have to say it's from me, in fact you probably shouldn't, just say it's from one of you, it doesn't matter to me anyways. just make sure he gets it before christmas." then sirius sighed, shaking his head. "you can pretend it doesn’t matter," he said, his voice softer than you’d expected. "but it does."

you swallowed hard, looking away. "i just want him to have it."

james studied you for a moment before his grin returned—lighter now, but somehow more genuine. "consider it delivered."

relief, bittersweet as it was, spread through you. you met his gaze, offering a small, grateful smile. "thanks, james."

you turned to go, and before you could take a step, sirius called out, "you know, we’re not just his friends."

you glanced back.

"you can talk to us too," he said, a little gentler now. "if you ever want to."

you hesitated before nodding and walking away.

the next day the trio left on the train along with the rest of the school, save for a frw lonely students like yourself, and so began your holiday isolation.

christmas eve day . . .

the fireplace crackled, casting flickering light over the modest living room. outside, a fresh layer of snow blanketed the ground, muffling the sounds of the world beyond the lupins' home.

remus sat cross-legged on the floor, the warmth from the fire settling into his bones. across from him, james wrestled with a particularly stubborn ribbon on a present, while sirius lounged back against the couch, shaking a small box near his ear as if trying to decipher its contents by sound alone. peter had already unwrapped a tin of biscuits and was halfway through his second one.

remus's parents watched them with quiet amusement. hope lupin, ever the gracious host, had insisted on feeding them first, hot cocoa and freshly baked mince pies, before they even touched the presents. lyall, standing near the doorway, looked content just observing, though remus didn't miss the way his father's eyes lingered on him longer than usual, as if already steeling himself for what was to come.

"this one’s yours, moony." james nudged a parcel toward him, his grin wide and eager.

remus hesitated, then peeled the paper back, revealing a thick woolen jumper, the kind you’d expect from an old but loving grandmother, except this one was navy blue with a golden moon stitched into the chest.

sirius leaned over, inspecting it. "practical. warm. a little on the nose, if you ask me."

remus huffed a laugh, running his fingers over the embroidery. "you all planned this, didn’t you?"

peter shoved another biscuit into his mouth and shrugged. "you need it. full moon’s always brutal in winter."

hope’s smile faltered for just a moment, but she recovered quickly, reaching for another gift to pass to james. remy saw the quiet worry in her eyes, no matter how many times they did this, she’d never truly get used to it.

but tonight, for now, they could pretend.

"open mine next," sirius said, tossing a wrapped box at remus. "and don’t be gentle about it."

remus rolled his eyes but did as he was told, tearing through the paper to find—

"merlin," he breathed. "how did you even—"

sirius smirked. "you really think i’d let you go through another transformation without something decent to listen to after? it’s all the best records, charmed to play however you want. figured music would help, even if you’re too out of it to remember much."

remus swallowed hard, a lump forming in his throat.

james, clearly sensing the shift in mood, clapped a hand on remus's shoulder. "we know tomorrow won’t be easy," he said. "but we’re here now. and we’ll be there then too—same as always."

the fire had burned lower now, flickering embers casting shadows along the walls as the night stretched on. gift wrappings lay in scattered piles, forgotten in the excitement of the evening, but remus hadn’t moved from his spot on the floor. something about nights like these, the quiet and warmth of shared laughter, made the inevitability of tomorrow feel just a little easier to carry.

until james cleared his throat, reaching into the pile of gifts they’d yet to hand out.

"almost forgot," he said, a little too casual, passing a small, carefully wrapped box into remus's hands. "got this for you."

remus blinked down at it, frowning. he hadn’t seen that package among the others earlier, but he tore at the wrapping anyway, uncovering a small glass vial—midnight blue liquid shifting within, thick yet unnervingly smooth.

silence settled over the room.

lyall had gone stiff.

remus stared at the potion, "what is this supposed to—"

"wolfsbane." his father was staring at the potion like it might explode. "where did you get that." lyall muttered, stepping forward, studying the liquid as though willing it to reveal some flaw. "i’ve been trying for years, and every time it’s come with unbearable side effects. this—this isn’t easy to come by, let alone brew properly."

james shifted hesitant for a moment, considering telling the truth, scratching the back of his neck. "oh you know, connections."

remus narrowed his eyes, but sirius kicked at his ankle, distracting him with a smirk. "does it matter? it’s for you. besides what even is it? like some wicked liquor or what?"

lyall shook his head, grabbing the vial and turning it slightly in his palm. "it’s meant to lessen the effects of the transformation. nearly impossible to get right. but this—" he turned the bottle again, watching the way the liquid clung smoothly to the glass. "this is perfect."

sirius opened his mouth, closed it again, then exchanged a glance with james. james stared at the potion, then at remus. then back at the potion.

peter’s eyes widened slightly.

not a single one of them spoke, but the realization settled in like a stone dropped into still water.

but remus didn’t have a clue. neither did his family.

james cleared his throat, easing his grin back into place, as if shaking off the weight of the moment. "well. guess you got lucky, moony. and i totally got jipped, thought i was getting a bargain on some extra concentrated firewhiskey."

remus rolled his eyes, cradling the vial in his palm, looking it over himself now. "yeah. guess so."

hope glanced between them all but didn’t press further.

lyall was still frowning slightly, as if running through the possibilities in his mind.

sirius nudged james sharply. james barely acknowledged it. peter just blinked, staring at the bottle again. the fire crackled, filling the quiet as remus tucked the potion carefully into his pocket, blissfully unaware of the revelation hanging in the air.

outside, the snow continued to fall. inside, the warmth remained, but it carried something heavier now. something unspoken.

the morning after the full moon was quiet, the kind of quiet that settled into the bones of the house. the fire in the hearth had burned low, and upstairs, remus was still resting, recovering.

james, sirius, and peter trudged downstairs, sluggish but grateful for the scent of breakfast wafting through the air. lyall was already at the kitchen table, nursing a cup of tea, looking like he hadn’t gotten much sleep.

sirius was the first to drop into a chair, stretching his arms above his head. "rough night?"

lyall huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "you lot know all too well that every full moon is. hope and i can't tell you how grateful we are for you guys."

james shrugged, remus was their friend, their best friend, taking care of him was a given, no sweat about it. grabbing a piece of toast, chewing absentmindedly he glanced at lyall. "about that potion—the wolfsbane—"

peter, still half-asleep, perked up at the mention of it.

sirius leaned forward. "you said it was nearly impossible to get right. but you've tried?"

lyall exhaled, setting his cup down. "for years," he admitted. "every time i thought i was close, it turned out worse than before. the headaches were unbearable, the nosebleeds frequent. cramps so bad i couldn’t stand some days. seizures." he paused, shaking his head slightly. "it never worked, no matter how many adjustments i made."

peter swallowed hard. "and you had to stop?"

lyall nodded. "for months. sometimes years. the toll it took, for all my love i couldn't continue."

silence fell over the kitchen only the sound of breakfast being cooked could be heard.

james stared at his toast, unmoving. sirius glanced between them all, brows knitting together. peter looked like he wanted to disappear into his seat.

the realization settled in, slow and heavy.

whoever had brewed that potion hadn’t had years to figure it out. they’d done it recently. quickly.

which meant—

sirius sat up straighter, his mouth opening slightly before closing again. james pressed his lips together, tapping his fingers against the table. peter’s expression tightened, eyes flicking toward the staircase, as if looking up toward where remus was still asleep.

you had gone through hell to make that potion.

the three of them sat with the thought, none of them daring to say it aloud.

lyall sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "whatever miracle brewed that vial, i hope it was worth it."

james forced a chuckle. "yeah," he said, voice quieter than usual. "me too." sirius reached for his tea, taking a slow sip, gaze unfocused. peter didn’t say anything at all.

outside, the frost clung to the windows, the world cold and still.

meanwhile at hogwarts . . .

the hospital wing was quiet, save for the soft clinking of vials and the occasional rustle of parchment as madame pomfrey jotted down notes. you sat perched on the edge of a bed, your posture stiff and hands trembling slightly as you clutched the edge of the blanket.

"you should’ve come to me sooner," pomfrey said, her tone stern but not unkind. she set a steaming goblet on the bedside table, the potion within swirling a pale green. "you’ve been pushing yourself far beyond the limits of a witch your age."

you swallowed hard, voice barely above a whisper. "i needed to finish it."

pomfrey sighed, pulling up a chair and sitting across from you. "y/n you’ve been receiving treatment for nearly a year now. headaches, nosebleeds, muscle cramps, they could've seriously harmed you."

you nodded, gaze fixed on the floor. "i—i couldn’t stop. not when i was so close."

pomfrey’s expression softened, though her worry was evident. "but darling the appearance spells? hiding the toll it’s taken on you? on your body?"

you hesitated, thinking about the months of cast appearance spells to hide your frail body littered with signs of wear, then nodded again. "no one could know. it was easier to pretend everything was fine."

pomfrey reached out, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "you’ve done something extraordinary, but at what cost? your body needs time to recover. you can’t keep hiding this."

pomfrey studied your face for a long moment, then sighed again, standing to retrieve another vial from the cabinet. "rest. no more spells, no more pushing yourself. if you don’t take care of yourself now, there won’t be anything left to give."

you nodded, your resolve unwavering despite the exhaustion etched into your features. as pomfrey handed you the next potion, you took it without hesitation, the weight of your choices settling heavily in the quiet room.

you’re halfway through choking down the bitter potion when the door creaks open.

"thought i’d find you here."

the voice is unmistakable: smooth, lazy, edged with something sharp beneath its usual confidence.

sirius.

you freeze, setting the goblet down carefully before looking up. he stands at the entrance, arms crossed, gaze locked on you.

madame pomfrey straightens, clearly unimpressed. "mr. black, if you’re ill, i suggest you come back at a reasonable hour."

he barely acknowledges her, his focus never shifting from you.

"i’m fine," he says, but it’s directed at you, not her.

she lingers, exhaling through her nose. "five minutes. then she needs to rest."

once she disappears into her office, sirius steps forward, hands shoved into his coat pockets.

"so," he says, tilting his head, "you look like shit."

you roll your wyes, leaning back against the pillows. "i’m just...tired."

he scoffs. "right. sure. maybe that'd work on another idiot. try again."

you don’t answer.

sirius exhales sharply, pacing at the foot of your bed. "wolfsbane," he mutters. "you brewed it."

your throat tightens. "you already knew that."

he shakes his head. "we didn’t. not until lyall told us how impossible it is to brew."

the weight of his words settles deep in your chest.

sirius watches you for a long moment before he speaks again. "you’ve been practically killing yourself for nearly a year."

you don’t deny it.

"why did you even do all of that—all of this," he gestures to your ailing body, "if you were just gonna let him dump you in the end?"

you jump on the defensive, "you think i wanted to get dumped?" you quip back, angrily.

"well you didn't try very hard not to." sirius accused with a glare.

"oh fuck off sirius." you scoff.

sirius relents, "why didn't you tell him you knew? why didn't you fight for him?" he asked genuinely.

you hesitate for a moment, why didn't you fight for him? "he didn't want me anymore sirius. i can't fix that."

sirius's face flashed in bewilderment. remus lupin? not wanting you? impossible. before he could oppose you continued, "i wanted to give him the chance to tell me on his own time, like he told you and james and peter and even lily for godsake. i wanted him to come to me when he was ready, i didn't want to confront him with it, like it was some kind of accusation. i wanted him to trust me." your voice broke at the end and sirius immediately felt horrible for even slightly raising his voice at you.

"i thought that if i just gave him time, he would, but where he saw forever with you guys, he just saw for now with me. i figured that's why he never told me, what's the point in going through all the agony for some girl he never planned on keeping around anyways."

sirius couldn't believe what he was hearing. how could you be so wrong. he wanted to grab you by the shoulders and shake you till you understood, he wanted to scream in your face that it wasn't true, that your mind was playing tricks on you, planting seeds of doubt about a man who loved you so wholeheartedly that it could kill him, but he didn't. because that wasn't his place, it was remus's.

so instead he grabbed your hand, and sat with you in the silence of the castle for as long as he could before he had to make his was back to his friends.

back at lupin manor . . .

the house is quiet when sirius returns, the cold pressing against his back as he steps through the front door. the fire in the living room crackles softly, illuminating the space with a warm glow.

remus is exactly where he left him, curled up on the couch, blanket draped over his shoulders, looking tired but better than he did last night. his head lifts slightly at the sound of the door closing.

"didn’t think you’d be back so soon," remus murmurs, voice rough with lingering exhaustion.

sirius lets out a short laugh, shoving his hands into his coat pockets. "yeah, well. didn’t feel like dragging it out."

remus shifts, turning his full attention toward him now. "how was hogsmeade?"

sirius scoffs, pulling off his coat and tossing it onto the armchair. "didn’t go."

remus frowns slightly. "thought you said you had a date."

sirius hesitates for a fraction of a second, then shrugs, like it’s nothing. "went to hogwarts instead."

remus’s brows knit together. "why?"

sirius exhales, dragging a hand through his hair before moving toward the couch, dropping onto the seat opposite remus. "to see y/n."

remus blinks, surprised. "she didn't go home for the holiday?"

sirius shakes his head, rubbing a hand over his face. "nope. found her in the hospital wing."

remus sits up a little straighter, something unreadable flickering in his expression. "what happened?"

sirius studies him for a long moment before speaking. "she’s been getting treated for almost a year."

remus’s lips part slightly, confusion settling in, in the year that they had dated remus never noticed her even looking vaguely ill let alone getting treated for something. "treated for what?"

sirius sighs, his voice quieter now. "the wolfsbane."

realization dawns slowly over remus’s face, his grip tightening on the blanket draped over his shoulders.

sirius continues, pomfrey said she’s been coming in with all kinds of shit. headaches, nosebleeds, muscle cramps. even seizures."

remus’s throat works, eyes darkening. "she knows?"

sirius watches him carefully. “she's known moony, since nearly the beginning. she did it for you.”

remus exhales sharply, looking away, staring into the fire. "that doesn't make any sense, there's no way she knew and she stayed with me."

sirius can't help but roll his eyes at his stubborn friend, "is that actually true or did you just make yourself believe that? i mean did she actually ever say anything indicative of her being this horrible twisted person you've made her out to be?"

remus is silent.

"you don't get it moony. it's not her. it's me. i'm the dark and twisted one, she doesn't want this sirius. she doesn't deserve this." remus cried out.

sirius was in despair over his friend's anguish, he looked around desperately for something, anything to prove that what he was saying was true, his eyes landed on the vial. he grabbed it, harshly shoving it in remus's shaking hands, "she does want it. and that right there is hard evidence. it works doesn't it? we all know it did, you've never been able to stand the day after a full-moon before let alone walk down the stairs by yourself." he rips the blanket of remus's lap, "she did that for you, without being asked, without being rewarded, and the expense of her own health."

remus looks down at his body, he's felt it all morning, the lessened ache of his bones and the surprising lack of deep cuts in his skin.

"you have got to stop this moony, this wallowing this–this hatred. it's going to kill you. she doesn't deserve this? well neither do you."

outside, the wind howls softly against the windows. inside, something unspoken lingers in the spaces between words, settling deep in the quiet.

one week later . . .

the black lake is still, the surface glass-like under the dull winter sky. the cold bites at your skin, but you don’t move, not yet. you just sit there, staring out at the water, letting the silence stretch.

you hear his footsteps before you hear his voice. the scene is all tok familiar.

“you look well.”

you tense, fingers curling slightly in the fabric of your cloak.

“so do you,” you reply, voice even, measured. you don’t turn to face him. instead, you push yourself to stand, brushing off your robes, ready to leave.

“i got it wrong.” his voice is wavering.

you pause mid-step. slowly, you turn your head just enough to glance at him. remus looks tired. not in the way he did after his monthly ritual, not just physically, but something else lingers in his expression. something heavier.

you don’t ask.

you grip the edges of your cloak tighter, keeping your face unreadable. “about what?”

he exhales, shaking his head slightly, like he’s still sorting through the thoughts tangled up inside him. “about you,” he says. “about—about what you were trying to do.”

you shift, drawing your arms closer to yourself, bracing against the cold.

remus steps forward, just barely, his breath visible in the air between you.

“i didn’t see it,” he admits, his voice low. “not until sirius told me.” he looks at you then, steady and unguarded. “i got it wrong,” he repeats, softer this time.

the words settle between you, raw and honest. you don’t move for a long moment, your pulse drumming against your ribs, your breath short against the crisp air.

then, finally, you speak. "i don't know what you want me to say remus."

"just listen?" he offers.

you don't move, you still don't look at him. he takes it as indication to continue, "i’ve loved you for so long. longer than i even knew what love meant, longer than i ever thought i deserved to feel it. and for so much of that time, i did nothing about it. not because i didn’t want to, but because i didn’t know how much time i had." your face flashes in concern at this.

"with everything i am, this condition, this mind that turns against itself more often than not, i didn’t know how long i was going to last. i didn’t let myself imagine a future, because what would be the point? then seventh year came, and suddenly there was a deadline. graduation. the end of everything familiar. and i figured, why not, right? why not make the most of the time i had left with you? i love you so much, and i wanted to tell you. i wanted to tell you my secret so badly, but you are so pure, so kind, so good, and i was afraid. afraid that if i told you, you’d see me differently. you’d see the monster in me, you'd see what i see in myself, and you would leave. and i know that was selfish—i know. but i just wanted more time. i just wanted a little longer with you before you had to go." tears are streaming down his face at this point, down yours too, you can't bear to look at him, you remaining resolve would crumble, you know it.

"then you started to pull away after november, and i couldn’t–i couldn’t watch you leave. i wouldn’t have survived it. so i had to do it first. i had to hurt you before you could hurt me. because if i broke you, at least i’d know the ending was mine." he stopped, you didn't move, you didn't say anything.

"y/n please. i'm sorry." more silence. and then,

"i'm going to be late for class." and with that you walked off, leaving remus standing there under the cover of a wilted tree, next to the stone bench he had abandoned you on just a few weeks ago.

. . .

two days. it had been two days since remus's display at the lake and he had been moping ever since, much to his roommates dismays.

no one had seen or heard from you since then either. you weren't in your room when james had sent lily to check and you weren't in the hospital wing when sirius had gone to check, and it had remus in absolute shambles.

"she hates me. she hates me so much she transferred schools." he's face down in his pillow, his body limp against the mattress as he groans out his words.

peter scrunches his eyebrows, "we graduate in five months?"

still muffled by his pillow remus replies, "yeah so she must really hate me."

"oh come on you ole sap. don't tell me you're giving up so easily." sirius barked from across the room, peaking his head out from his post-shower routine.

"no i am. i'm giving up. the love of my life hates me and now i'm going to die." remus flips over onto his back and states plainly.

sirius frowns, "what did i say about all this self-anguish bull?"

"i'm only joking mom. kind of." remus replies sarcastically.

he's happy to have his friends in his time of despair, their senseless bickering and blind encouragement gives him hope in his dark and stormy time.

that is until a knock at their dormitory door causes them to all freeze. the four of them look between each other, confused. lily was still in class and sirius's various flings know better than to show up here, so who was at the door?

peter makes the first move, towards the door, hand slowly turning the handle. as the heavy wooden door swings open it reveals, you.

sirius let's out a dramatic gasp and remus nearly burns holes into his head, if only his gaze wasn't so locked in on you.

you brush past peter and make a bee line for where remus is now sat up on the edge of his bed. he holds his breath as you approach him, expecting you to slap him clean across the face.

but you don't, instead, you stop just mere inches in front of him with your hand outstretched.

"my name is y/n y/l/n. i'm a seventh year y/h/n and i'm incredibly talented in potion making." you state.

everyone is confused. remus is confused, but mostly remus is grateful you're even speaking to him. he's frozen in place and when you don't see him moving you shake your outstretched hand and raise your eyebrows.

in a moment of rare intellect from the idiotic boy he snaps back into reality, firm grasping your hand for a shake.

"remus. lupin. seventh year, gryffindor." he finishes, still grasping your hand. you raise your eyebrows again, he tilts his head like a lost and confused puppy.

you decide to throw him a bone and prompt him, "and...?"

it all clicks for him, he knows what you want.

"and i'm a werewolf."

you smile, he smiles.

you turn over the hand of his that has a firm grip on you and apparate a pen into your hand. opening his palm you bend over and write down a number on his open hand.

(+** - *** - ******)

and then you turn to leave, but not before throwing a quick "call me." over your shoulder.

as soon as peter closes the door behind you remus jump up out of his bed. he's pumping his fists in the air while sirius and peter cheer him on.

from his bed, james pipes up, "call me? we're wizards? who the bloody hell is using a mobile phone?"

he's promptly hit square in the face by remus's pillow, knocking the glasses frames clean off his face, "shut up prongs." and peter pats him on the back.

he's absolutely elated. as he falls asleep that night he thanks every single higher being out there for allowing him back into your life. he promises to never grimace at his dad's bad jokes, or make fun of sirius's gala outfits ever again, he swears on everything he has that he will never do another remotely unkind thing again for the rest of his life as long as you are in it.

he knows the two of you have a lot to talk about, and he knows he has a lot to work on himself, but for tonight, he's just happy you gave him a second chance.

#remus lupin imagine #remus lupin angst #remus lupin x reader #remus lupin #marauders #marauders era #james potter #sirius black #peter pettigrew #lily evans

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