#and we started DnD with friends so that's a few hours every week

[steventhusiast]

STWG prompt 11/2/24

prompt: date night

pairing/character(s): steddie, hellfire club

it's valentine's week!! hopefully i can do all the prompts this week :)

"And with that, the barkeep..."

Eddie pauses in his storytelling to glance away from the notes hidden by his DM screen and over to the clock. His eyes widen at the time. Is it really 7:53pm already? Shit.

"With that, this session is over. You'll find out what happens with the angry barkeep next week!"

Everyone in the room groans at that, a chorus of 'seriously's and 'what the hell, Eddie's starting up even as he hurries to put his notes back into his DnD folder, and dumps all his dice into his bag haphazardly.

No one seems to notice for a moment, too busy complaining about the cliffhanger, when Gareth suddenly pauses and examines Eddie with a curious look on his face.

"Hold on, you promised we'd finally find out more about the temple this session? Where was that?"

Eddie huffs in response, and doesn't even look up as he starts folding his DM screen.

"Yeah, that was before you guys decided to talk to every single person at the tavern for an hour and start a barfight."

"That's never stopped you from getting us to where you want us before!"

"Yeah!" "Exactly!" "Please, Eddie. What happens with the barkeep."

Eddie waves a hand at everyone, and looks up to see the younger kids complaining quietly to each other, and his closer friends still seeming to inspect him carefully. He supposes they're valid in that; he's not one to back down from his plans, and has never cut off a session like this before.

But. Today is special. Today he has...

"Oh my god, you have a date." Jeff suddenly says, his eyes a little wider than usual as he grabs at Freak's arm.

"What?! Who the fuck would he have a date with?" Freak scoffs.

Eddie ignores the blush fighting to appear on his cheeks and starts collecting all of his figurines scattered around the table.

"Eddie has a date?" Mike suddenly joins in from across the room.

And, great, now the baby sheep are involved too.

"It is none of you guys's business what plans I have after this session. But, really, I gotta go." Eddie tries, but now Dustin's attention is on him as well.

"That's so funny! Steve has a date tonight too- that's why we had to ask Nancy to pick us up tonight." He says with a laugh.

Eddie laughs along with him, a little strained now because Gareth, Jeff and Freak are now squinting at him.

"Yes.. What a coincidence." Gareth says slowly as Eddie continues to pointedly avoid eye contact.

"Anyway! Got a lot to, uh. Do. Running a bit behind schedule actually, so if you could.." Eddie says as he finally finishes shoving everything back into his backpack and throws it over his shoulder, gesturing toward the drama room's door.

The younger kids leave without much complaint, but Gareth, Jeff and Freak hang back and walk slowly alongside Eddie.

"So... Steve Harrington?" Jeff asks once the kids are out of earshot, his tone a little disbelieving.

"Don't say it like it's a bad thing!" Freak slaps him on the shoulder disapprovingly as he speaks.

"It's not a bad thing! Just.. unexpected!"

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Eddie tries.

"Sure, sure. Enjoy your totally not a date night that's totally not with Steve 'the hair' Harrington." As Gareth says that, they've finally reached the doors and Eddie can well and truly escape.

He's going to have to break a few road laws if he wants to get to Steve's on time. It's only their third date, so sue him if he wants to try to make a good impression.

Even if Steve's been his friend for a few months now, and already knows about his horrible time-keeping skills.... It's still worth a try. Anything to woo Steve Harrington.

-

part two

[theshitpostcalligrapher]

ASKBOX IS OPEN REQUESTS ARE OPEN HERE ARE THE RULES

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[ultralightpoe]

Full House llll l -Eddie Munson

Authors Note: And with this final chapter we say goodbye to the Munson family. Thank you to everyone who has read this series.

Warnings: angst, mentions of ptsd and fear of suicide but not a lot.

Word Count: 10,129

Part One HERE - Part Two HERE - Part Three HERE - Part Four HERE - Part Five HERE -

(Thanks for the gif @spookynebula )

Enjoy! -Warning. This chapter had mentions of depression and ptsd. Reader hints at suicide-

It was insane how fast things escalated that night. 

Friday nights had become somewhat of a massive tradition in the entire group, since that was the one night that EVERYONE had off. It became a family dinner/ game night all around. 

Everyone brought over plates of food, the kids all got to spend time together and the DnD party got a night to catch up on their campaign. Anyone who didn’t want to play got some time to relax with friends. 

Tonight was an extra special night because everyone was celebrating Dustin and Erica’s son, Luke’s birthday. 

So the second you all got home from all the activities and clubs and meetings everyone got cracking and starting setting up. Ziggy cleaned the downstairs living room that became the kids play room with the help of Halen. 

You helped clean up the living room before leaving Eddie and Ozzy to set up their DND tables for their respective campaigns as you went to start the food. 

By 7, an hour earlier than her normal time, Motley comes in with a smile that has you on edge immediately. 

It’s not that she was a bad kid, you loved your daughter more than the world itself, you just didn’t like her current path. And you had gotten used to the coming in and stomping straight into her room  so this smile told you something was up. 

“Hey ma!” She smiles, moving forward to kiss your cheek. 

“Hi angel.” You mumble, making a kiss noise back as you focus on the food. “We’re doing chicken Alfredo tonight for everyone so-“ 

“I was actually hoping I could go to Samantha’s for a movie night.” She smiles, watching you pause and then look at her. 

“Again?” It had been a year since she had attended one of these family dinners since her and Samantha did movie nights. “Wait, I thought you were mad at Samantha for something. When I was doing laundry you were on the phone talking about her.” 

“You were eavesdropping?!” 

“No, I was doing your laundry and you were talking loudly!” You snap. “And I’m gonna have to say no to the movie night because it’s Luke’s birthday. A special event.” 

“And next week it will be Uncle Jonathan’s birthday and after that Sara’s birthday-“ a small smile spreads across your face at the mention of Sara, the cute toddler girl Mike and El had brought into the world. She was so sweet and reminded you of your kids back then. 

“That’s the thing about birthdays. They happen every year?” You mumble, confused on why you have to explain this as she curses under her breath. 

“I just mean it’s always something with this family.” 

“Okay. I already said no so suck it up buttercup.” You snap, turning back to the food. 

Eddie comes into the kitchen with an excited smile when he sees Motley home, and you already know what’s coming. 

“Hey Metalhead. You wanna see how cool I am?” 

“Sure.” She snaps, rolling her eyes at him. 

“People say I’m magic, cause I always have a few Twix up my sleeve.” Just as he says it he makes the Twix candy bar slide down into his awaited palm with such excitement. 

“Wow dad.” She sighs. “This is an all time low.” 

“Oh! Twix!” Halen snatches it and dashes to go fine his best friend. 

“You eat today?” Eddie asks Motley, trying not to let her mood get at him. “We have snacks set up already-“ 

“Why do you constantly feel the need to ask me if I’ve eaten?!” She snaps. 

“What?! I just want to make sure my daughter actually eats instead of that dieting smell a carrot bullshit!” 

“UGH! Just leave me alone! This house sucks!” She stomps downstairs and Eddie turns to you. 

“What’d I do now?” 

“I actually told her no to something before you came in so it was me.” You explain, using the spoon to pull out a noodle and move to feed it to him. 

And before you know it everything is packed with people. 

Steve and Nancy came in a bundle of hugs, Eddie making a tall joke to their tallest son which makes Vinny laugh nervously as he moves out of the way for his three younger brothers to come in. 

Vinny takes his spot at Ozzys table, getting his dice ready as two of his brothers join him while the third dashes to follow Ziggy to go play with Zeppelin. 

Steve takes a seat at Ozzys table as well, since he wanted to play but didn’t really know how he was playing Ozzys campaign to learn the basics of the game. 

Jonathan and his son arrive soon enough, Halen snatching his friend and they dash upstairs to play video games as Jonathan takes a seat on the couch where you Nancy and Robin always sit and talk shit about anyone and anything. 

Eddie tries to call Motley up for dinner but she doesn’t answer so he just shrugs and starts his campaign, missing the pointed eye roll Vinny had. 

“He prefers to be called Vince now.” Nancy explains over her wine. “And Steve found not one but 4 little notes from girls or guys asking him out. All unanswered and just shoved into his desk drawer.”

“I still can’t believe you’re raising a valedictorian. Any idea on where he’s applying to colleges?” Jonathan asks. 

“Oh come on.  The kid is tall, attractive, has amazing grades and an all around good student. Not to mention the star baseball player for the team. It doesn't matter where he’s applying because they are all going to be reaching out to him.” Robin scoffs, making Nancy smile. 

You hear a bunch of groans coming from Ozzys table and look over to see your son smiling just like his dad as the table is panicking on what to do. 

When you look over at Eddie you see he is already smiling from ear to ear as he watches before the sound of Zeppelin barking in the back yard pulls your attention. 

“What was that?” Mike asks, trying to look out the window. 

“Probably just heard a car door. Dogs on about everything lately.” Eddie sighs, focusing back up on the game. 

Then some more time passes and he begins to get to get more and more anxious. Motley hadn’t eaten so she should come up. 

“Hey Zig?” He calls. “Send your sister up please!” 

There’s a slight rustle downstairs and he hears Ziggy knock before swinging the door open. His first sign of trouble is when he doesn’t hear Motley immediately scream at her sister to get out of her room. 

But he thinks that maybe she managed to fall asleep, she did come from cheer practice after all. 

That is until Ziggy dashes upstairs and Eddie is met with her wide eyes that makes everything fall into a panic for him. 

“What’s up?”

“She’s not there.” 

“She’s not where?” 

“She’s not in her room-“ Eddie is zipping out of his chair to zoom downstairs and check for himself, barging into her room to find it empty. “You’ve gotta be kidding me-“ 

He moved to see that she had somehow shimmied out of the small window she had and he gets pissed. 

How long has she been doing that?! 

He storms back upstairs, snatching the phone angrily as you come closer, watching him dial Perez' number and wait. 

“Hello, this is Eddie Munson. I just need to make sure my daughter got to you house safely-“ he stops, heart thundering in his rib cage at the man’s response as you keep peering at him. “What do you mean she’s not there?” 

Vinny is watching you both, an annoyed look on his face as everyone’s mood immediately drops, once again for Motley. She ruined everything these days. 

“She’s at a party.” He sighs. “Her boyfriend Aaron and his best friend Henry are throwing a huge rager tonight.” 

“I thought she wanted to go to Samantha’s?” He asks you, confused since that’s what you told him earlier. 

“Her and Samantha haven’t actually been friends for months. Samantha is too nerdy now.” Vinny explains and Steve sighs. 

“Vin, why didn’t you say anything?” 

“She’s not my business. I try to stay far away from her these days-“ 

“Why?” You ask, getting defensive of your daughter. 

“Because they make everyone’s lives miserable. They just constantly bully Mickey about his stuttering. Samantha is bullied about her weight and all they do is walk through the halls making everyone miserable. And she just lets it happen with a laugh. She thinks it’s great.” 

Your heart breaks, imagining all the things he is saying as Eddie is losing patience.

“The party's address. Where is it?” He snaps, moving to grab his keys. 

“Eds..” you mumble, reaching out to stop him but the second he has the address he is out the front door. 

So you, and everyone else, wait. 

Sending all the kids including your twins down stairs to watch a movie as the adults and teens sit around and wait for Eddie’s car to emerge again. 

And when they do you already know it’s gonna be bad based on the way they both slam the doors. 

He’s yelling before they even make it to the front door. 

“I’m sick of this bullshit with you!” He shouts. “When’s it gonna stop, huh?!” 

“Fuck off!” She screams back, obviously crying. “You just ruined my life!” 

“No Motley, I just helped it!” He yells, opening the door. “I can’t fucking believe you.” 

“Why do you care so much?!” She screams as they both come into view. “IT WAS JUST A PARTY!” 

“YOU WERE DRINKING AND SMOKING!” He screams back, both red in the face. “I HAD TO PULL THAT FUCK OFF OF YOU! DO YOU REALIZE WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED MOTLEY?!

“Right. So you’re the hero once again right? You barge in and take control over everything and now everyone is gonna say what a wonderful guy you were and how my mom is so lucky she found you.” She sneers, tears streaming down her face and makes her eyeliner stain her cheeks. “Thank god for Eddie fucking Munson. My family was fine before she met you! We were fine without you!”

“I don’t know what you’re on about but you’re on thin ice tonight.” He warns. 

“Just fucking say it! Say I remind you of my dad! That’s why you hate me right?!” She snaps and his eyes widen. 

“Motley- you don’t. Wait-“ your husband tries, you see the panic on his face as he realizes that this situation was spinning out far too quickly. 

Meanwhile Eddie felt like he couldn’t breathe. He had just found his daughter half asleep with some jock on top of her at a party and he was freaked the fuck out. He was mad and stressed and scared but the feeling he was getting as she glared at him made him go cold. 

He had his tiffs with her, these days all he could seem to do was irritate her but this was something entirely different. 

“I’m Billys kid right? That’s all I am to you? I look and act like him! That’s all you see! Right?!” 

“You’ve had a lot to drink.” Eddie sighs, rubbing his face. “Maybe you should go get some rest.” 

“You talk all this bullshit about how it’s the people that raise us and not the ones we’re made from. But you know what I think? I think you’re lying because you know that’s not true. I’ll always be like Billy and you will always be like Alan.” She continues and Eddie feels something cold in his chest, a cracking feeling as his ears start ringing. He hears you shuffle closer already trying to diffuse the situation but neither of them look at you. 

When he doesn’t respond she keeps going, like a feral animal backed into a corner. 

“You think I haven’t heard the stories?! Huh?! Alan Munson arrested for drug abuse and manslaughter. Eddie Munson, the schools fucking freak that sold drugs and killed Chrissy Cunningham.” 

“I am nothing like him-“ Eddie snaps, skin hot and fists clenched. Alan was an abuser, who had hit Eddie more than he hugged him.  Eddie had never hit you, or the kids. He had never killed anyone, not even Chrissy and sure he sold drugs but he always made sure everyone was safe when using them. 

Is that how she saw him? 

“You’re just like him! Nothing but a low life fucking freak. You can take your cheap fucking necklace back, freak.” She sobs, tearing off the necklace he made her and chucking it at his chest. Some of the chain hits his cheek at how hard she threw it, and it falls to the floor beneath him with a clank. 

And just like that he’s back to nothing. All the hard work he’s done to run from his name and all the hard work he’s put into supporting people is gone. She’s right. He’s nothing but a freak. Always has been and always will be. 

Her face falls from one of pure anger to shock and sadness as she watches him. He doesn’t know what he looks like but by your devasted face it can’t be great. 

“I’m going to bed.” He announces, voice sounding bland and empty, kicking his mothers ring away from his feet and moving upstairs without another word. 

“W-wait dad-“ she gasps out, sobering up a bit. “Please just-“ 

He doesn’t hear. Or he just blatantly ignores her as the bedroom door slams harshly. 

“No. No no no.” She sobs, falling to her knees to try and find where the ring had gone after Eddie kicked it. Her fingers grasp around the chain, sobbing harder when she sees it snapped and broken. 

Ziggy comes into view then, eyes wide as she watches her sister scramble across the floor. 

“Ziggy. You need to go downstairs-“ you try and control the situation, moving your daughter to head back only to find that all of the kids were standing in the kitchen and had heard everything. 

“I think it’s time we go.” Steve mumbles, not looking at Motley as everyone begins to grab their kids and make their way out. 

She can’t breathe, she can’t breathe and she can’t find the ring. 

“Z-zig- help me p-please. I can’t find it.” She sobs, reaching her arm under the couch to try and feel for it. 

Ziggy doesn’t move to help her sister, and you can only watch with tears streaming down your face as your oldest breaks down. 

“Ididntmeanit!” She sobs. “Pleasebelieveme-“ 

“I think everyone needs to go to bed.” You state calmly. “Motley we will discuss all of this in the morning once we’ve all had room to breathe. Okay?” 

She nods, still violently sobbing as Ziggy walks away from her and storms downstairs. Halen has tears streaming down his own face as Ozzy grabs his arm to lead him upstairs, hearing nothing but silence coming from their parents room. 

You shuffle away too, trying not to look at her and trying not to cry. You had no clue what to do right now. 

She searches for a couple minutes before realizing the point was mute since she couldn’t actually see from her eyes anymore with how hard she was crying and finally she gave up, shuffling downstairs. 

At first she walks to her room, but the second she hits the door she realizes she doesn’t want to be alone so she moves closer to Ziggys door and knocks softly. 

Back when you first moved in, Motley and Ziggy were terrified to sleep in the basement, both so sure ghosts were real. Motley often let Ziggy in her room so they could sleep together. 

Now it was her knocking on her baby sister's door, chest aching as it opens a bit. “C-can I sleep with you Zig? I-I don’t want to-“ 

“Why do you have to ruin everything?!” Ziggy cries, shoving Motley away. “Why do you have to chase him away?!”

“Zig-“ Motley sobs but her sister doesn’t hear her. 

“You ruin everything! And he’s gonna leave because of you!” And then the door is slammed in her face once more. 

So Motley shuffles to the couch, curling into the cushions as she sobs. Eddie’s face stuck in her mind. 

She had never seen him look so…. Broken and empty. She did that. 

And he had never walked away from a fight with her. 

“I want dad…” she sobs, shoving her face into the pillow to sob. “I’m sorry dad.” 

- 

You were going to be sick. 

Never before had you seen such silence from your husband. 

By the time you made it to the room he was just sitting on the bench in front of your bed, just staring at the wall. 

“Eddie?” You mumble, moving closer to him and try to rub his cheek. “Do you want to talk about it?” 

He just shakes his head no. Not actually looking at you as he brings his hand up to pull yours away from him. 

There’s a crater in your chest as your husband pushes your hand away, this gaping hole just gushing out blood as you try and figure out how to fix this. But before you can think of something he stands and walks past you to go into the bathroom, locking the door and turning the shower on. 

-

You’ve thankfully passed out by the time Eddie gets the courage to leave the bathroom, he can’t look at you right now. 

He’s a coward. 

A freak. 

We were fine without you.

She thought he was Alan. She probably heard everyone at school making fun of her dad. 

Nothing but a low life fucking freak.

Freak. Freak. Freak freakfreakfreak. 

“You’re nothing Edward. You hear me boy?” Alan calls, watching Eddie dash to his room to hide. 

Later that evening his mother would give Eddie a buzz cut, the hair being the thing that got him in trouble in the first place. 

He could do nothing but stare into the mirror as she did so, looking at the deep purple bruise that covered most his cheek as she worked on his hair. 

Nothing.

Nothing.  

He didn’t mean to stay awake all night, sitting there staring at a wall. But he somehow managed to. 

So he unplugs his alarm clock before it can wake you, shuffling around to get dressed silently. He was used to doing chores on the weekends, for the yard or the family cars. 

Today he chose to head out for a bit. Leaving a tiny kiss on your forehead as he grabbed his wallet and keys before heading out.

- 

Motley wakes up to the front door closing, her neck aching from the spot on the couch she had slept on and her head blaring from crying so much last night. 

It takes her a moment to get up, shuffling upstairs half asleep until she is in the main part of the house, when she sees no one there she shuffled up the stairs to sneak into your room. 

Her heart plummets when she sees it’s only you, her anxiety and guilt heightening as she crawls into bed to lay with you, pulling the blanket close as you turn to cuddle your daughter. 

“I’m sorry mommy.” She cries. 

“I know.” You mumble, still half asleep as you keep her close. 

Soon enough the boys wake up, dashing downstairs, and you have to get up to go feed everyone. Motley stays close to you, sitting at the table awkwardly as you get the twins set up with cereal. 

They don’t look at her. Neither of them even look near her as they eat silently which upsets her more. 

“Have you decided what song you’re going to do for your performance, Oz?” She tries to break the tension, watching her brother shrug. 

“Dad and I were going over some stuff. Doesn’t matter.” He shrugs again, spinning his cereal around the bowl as you go downstairs to grab Zeppelin for his daily walk and wake up Ziggy.  

You rush Zeppelin out, the older dog excited as he is every morning and the second you leave the front door Ziggy emerges from downstairs. 

“Morning Zig.” Motley tries to smile, stomach clenching when her sister ignores her. 

“Hey Zig? Can I borrow your charcoal markers?” Halen asks, excited to see his sister. “I have this really cool idea to take my Halloween mask and make it look like the words are-“ 

Motley zones out watching all three of her siblings talk excitedly amongst each other. It had been a family tradition for as long as she’s known to have breakfast together on Saturday, just the 6 of them. A tradition she’s blatantly ignored in favor of spending time with her friends. 

“I have a new eyeliner, Zig, if you want to try it?” Motley offers, once again trying to break the tension. 

“I’m good.” Ziggys is quick to shut her down, moving to clean up her mess. “Remember guys. Dads birthday is coming up and we all gotta keep it a surprise what we got.” 

“Right.” Ozzy smiles, tossing his bowl in the sink before dashing off while Ziggy rushes downstairs. 

Halen is the only one left and Motley turns to him. “What’d we get dad?” 

“I don’t know what you got him. But we all chipped our allowance in for something.” Halen mumbles, hands clenched. 

“Why didn’t you guys tell me? I would have-“ 

“Why does it matter? He’s not your dad right?” Her brother mumbles out, getting up to slam his bowl in the sink as well. He stomps off soon after that, and soon enough the sound was mixed with the sounds of Ozzy practicing cello and Halen dashing around for his project. Ziggy playing music in her room. 

-

“DADS HOME!” Halen yells excitedly, dashing down the stairs to come into the kitchen where you were preparing lunch.  “I saw him pull in.” 

“Good.” You smile, some of the anxiety easing as the kids collect at the table around where Motley was sitting and doing homework. “We’re going to eat lunch together. No fighting guys.”

The front door opens and shuts and Motley stands up awkwardly, both of you waiting for Eddie to enter. 

When he does you are silent, eyes wide as he blinks at you slowly. “Y-your hair?” 

It was cut, short. There were still some curls at the top of his head but the rest was gone. 

“I….. yeah I thought I needed a change.” He mumbles, reaching a hand up to pull through it awkwardly. “Thought the mop head was a little outdated.” 

I didn’t want to look like a freak. You know that’s what he meant even if he didn’t say it. 

“Dad. I am so sorry about what I said. I didn’t mean any of it and I can’t believe-“ Motley begins, wiping her cheeks as some fresh tears roll down her face. 

“Hey hey hey.” Eddie stops her. “It’s fine. Okay? No hurt feelings Motley. You had some stress and needed to get it out. I get it.” 

She shakes her head. “I didn’t mean any of it dad.” 

“I know.” He nods. “I’m not upset at you Motley.” 

And that was settled. But he doesn’t move forward to hug her, he doesn’t even touch her, instead he shuffles to sit down and look at the others staring at him. 

“Does it look bad?” He asks as they all blink at him and his new hair. Immediately after he asks they all rush out to tell him no and that it looks good. 

Motley takes a seat again and so do you, everyone beginning to eat silently. 

Eddie had said it was fine, but everyone at the table knew it wasn’t. 

Eddie didn’t try to crack any cheesy jokes or pull you into an embarrassing kiss that would make them all gag. He didn’t ask about their plans or if they all wanted to hang out. Eddie ate in silence. And the silence was the loudest part of the meal. 

-

Things remained tense for the rest of the weekend and by the time Motley had to go to school she was tired and stressed. 

Her bad was still shut down, he tried not to be but he was. And things were just so…..wrong now. 

This morning was awkward enough. She had told Aaron she didn’t want a ride, and she really didn’t want her dad seeing him in general. 

But he left early for work and you had assumed she already had a ride so you took the rest of the kids, which left her to walk to school. 

She showed up drenched from the rain, bumping into Samantha by the door and dashing to the bathroom quickly. 

By the time she gets out first period is already over and the hallways were already packed with people moving for their next class. 

She just wanted to cry. She was cold and soaked and missed her dad. 

She broke her dad. 

“Motley! Hey!” Aaron calls, and she tenses, casting him a look before dashing down the hall and bumping into Vince harshly. 

He manages to catch her as her heeled boots slip, hauling her easily into an empty classroom the second he sees the tears rushing down her her cheeks. He closes the door and pulls the blinds of the window down. 

“Just take a moment.” 

“I have to get to class.” She sniffles. 

“It’s biology with Fitz. He barely takes attendance and we’ll be fine.” He tries to joke. “Just take a breather.”

“I can’t! I can’t catch my breath at all.” She snaps, and he moves closer to wipe at her eyes as she sobs before she is latching herself onto him with her face pressed into his chest as she sobs. “I’m sorry Vinny.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snitched on you like that.” He mumbles. 

“No. No. It actually was for the better.” She moves to sit down after breaking from the hug, sliding against the door and sitting with her back to it. 

He follows and they are side by side. 

“I’m thankful my dad showed up.” She admits. “There was a split second where I was so fucking happy he was there actually. I saw him when he tore Aaron off of me and I knew I’d be safe.” 

“Did Aaron….?” 

“Oh. It’s….. I was just too out of it.” She mumbles, trying to get comfortable. 

He moves slowly, unzipping her boot slowly to take it off and doing it to the other so it was easier to sit without the heels. 

“Then what happened?” 

“I…. Saw the look on my dads face when he dragged me out of there. And I just felt like….. Billy.” She admits, swiping the tears.  “I remembered what you said and-“ 

“I lied.” Vince blurts. “Motley you had to have known that I lied. Your dad would never say that.” 

“You lied?” 

“I lied. I was trying to hurt you because you…. I was being a dick.” 

She sniffles quickly, laughing a little. “Vinny.” 

“I’m sorry Motley.” 

“Oh my god.” She laughs and he can only blink at her from guilt. “I spent the past year bullying you with my friends and you’ve been holding back your punches.” 

“I just….there is no excuse.” He mumbles but she just keeps laughing with tears still springing down her face. 

“Don’t feel bad. I was…. Out of control and you ended up saving my ass.” She rushes out. “And then I just completely destroyed my life after.” 

“You didn’t. I’m sure this can all be fixed.” He sighs. “Your dad is one of the…. Best.” 

“He is.” 

“And he forgives my dad after years of king Steve’s bullshit.” He mumbles. “Now they are best frie-“

Before he can finish his sentence her lips are on his. Warm and soft. 

He can taste the salt from her tears, and his heart is beating through his rib cage as the girl he’s been dreaming about for years finally kisses him. 

But then he pulls back, blinking at her. “Sorry.” He blurts out. 

“Why are you sorry? I kissed you.” She blushes. 

“Motley.” He begins, not really knowing what to say. “You’re beautiful.” 

“I know.” She smiles, laying her head on his shoulder. “You are too.” 

- 

Family dinner was quiet, and Eddie spent most his time pushing the food around on his plate and everyone ate in silence. 

Motley leans over, elbow pressing into his as she whispers. “Have you eaten today?” 

A tiny smile breaks out, and Motley can’t tell if it’s real or fake. So she leans back and keeps pushing around her own food. 

“I think I’m gonna drop out of the concert.” Ozzy blurts, pulling Eddie’s attention quickly. 

“Why?” 

“I’m just…. Not really feeling it.” Her little brother mumbles, shrugging. 

Everyone turns to Eddie, waiting for him to talk Ozzy into it. This is what he did. A problem arose and Eddie was there to make them all feel better. He would talk Ozzy into the concert, get rid of all the anxiety and stress he was carrying about it. 

But it didn’t come. 

“Okay well….. just let your teacher know yeah?” He mumbles, picking up his plate to clean it before heading out of the room quickly. 

“I hate you.” Ziggy snaps at Motley, storming off. 

-

“EW! Absolutely not!” Motley snaps, slapping Vinny’s hand away which makes him laugh. “I refuse!” 

“Go fish. Go fish!” He laughs, waving the card in her face again. 

“No! I refuse!” 

“That’s the point of the game!” 

Motley and Vinny had been eating lunch together in the abandoned science classroom everyday for the past week. They did homework together and played card games. He told her about his mom and dads most recent fight where Steve had managed to break their bedroom door handle and trap them both in the room on accident. 

“No it’s not. I win.” She mumbles, shaking her head as he groans out. “Which means I deserve a victory kiss.” 

Whenever she won he had to kiss her. And whenever he won she had to kiss him.  Oh how miserable life was. 

He smiles, leaning forward to kiss her lips nervously which makes her giggle. When he pulls back he scratches the back of his neck. “So… the Sadie Hawkins Hawkins dance is coming up.” 

“Yes. I hear them announce it every morning.” She teases. “Who you gonna ask?”

“Oh ha ha.” He scoffs right as the bell rings. “I have practice after school. You good to get home?” 

“I’ll be good.” She smiles, watching as he stands up and heads out. 

- 

It was weird seeing Eddie like this, so bland and empty. It really scared you. 

He had never shut down like this before, and you were getting to the point where you had begun to hide all the sharp objects and pills. 

Today he sat on the bed, well more or less laid on the bed splayed out as he watched the ceiling fan turn slowly. It had been 2 weeks since that fight with Motley, and he had nightmares anytime he managed to fall asleep which wasn’t often. 

You knew what he was dreaming about of course, between his father, Chrissy or Wayne’s passing he always woke up calling one of their names in a panic. 

“Hey Eds?” You call, trying to get his attention. “Do you wanna try sleeping? I can lay with you.” 

“No.” He mumbles out, not moving as the bed dios while you curl into his side. 

“You need sleep.” You murmur, kissing his shoulder, taking your hand to rub circles on his stomach. 

“I just need…..” What did he need? You’d give him anything. 

“She didn’t mean it.” You whisper, tears beginning to burn your eyes. 

“I know.” He whispers back. “I just can’t shake it.”

“Maybe, we should look into some therapy.” Your whisper, watching as he finally switches to lay on his side facing you pushing until it’s his forehead against your chest. 

“If I start dreaming about them-“

“I’ll wake you up.” You promise. 

-

Eddie’s first therapy session falls on a Monday, so you drop the kids off at all their clubs before taking him and waiting in the car as he spends the next 2 hours in the session. 

You catch up on some of your book and when he gets back in the car you are happy to note that he seems a little better. Not a lot but he’s not too empty. 

“You haven’t eaten in a minute. Want to go get a burger?” You ask and he shrugs. “You wanna wait for the kids to eat?” 

“I just want to sleep.” He answers truthfully and you smile, because at least he was answering. So you turn down the radio and drive to pick up all the kids from their clubs. 

First are the boys, Halen still in his karate outfit and Ozzy without his cello. When you ask he simply mutters since he didn’t need to practice he was gonna leave it there tonight. 

Eddie closes his eyes like he is in pain when Ozzy says that, but no one says anything. 

Next is Ziggy, but you are shocked to find both sisters standing together outside of Ziggys school.

“Motley? Why aren’t you at practice?”

“They end at 5.” She answers.

“Then why did you keep coming home at 8?” 

She looks guilty as she shrugs, looking between you and Eddie as he keeps his eyes shut. “I’m sorry.” 

“Jesus.” You grunt, feeling like a crap mother. 

Later that night you knock on her door, and when she lets you in you shut the door, sitting her on her bed so you could have a long conversation about sex and boys. 

It was a little too late as you had come to find out. But she ended up telling you everything. 

-

Friday rolled around and it was DND night, but no one set up any campaign tables and no one bothered to get excited. 

Eddie helped you in the kitchen and Motley tried asking about any ideas he had for another campaign. 

“Have you ever done a dragon one?”

“Yes.” 

“Well maybe you can do a futuristic one then?” 

“I actually think I’m done for a bit.” He shrugs. “It’s a game meant for kids.” 

He shuffles off to the garage to grab the drinks for tonight as Motley looks at you. 

“Hey mom?” Ziggy asks, coming up the stairs. “I have this project I’m doing and it smells really bad cause of the paint. Do you think dad will let me work in the garage?” 

“I don’t care. Go for it.” Eddie snaps, walking in with the sodas. “Have at it. Take what you want.” 

He drops the drinks by the coolers before walking up the stairs. 

“He hates us.” Ziggy mumbles. “He hates us now.” 

“He doesn’t hate you. Enough of that.” You snap. “You two have absolutely no clue what he’s been through or what he’s done to be where he is now.  You throw Chrissy in his face and his father in his face and all he ever does is try to cheer you guys up constantly.” 

They both blink at you.  

“He’s upset. He’s gonna be upset from his trauma and it shouldn’t constantly be about you two. Have you bothered to ask if he’s okay ever?” You snap, irritable. “Go clean something.” 

They disperse quickly and you turn back to keep cooking, slamming everything as you go. 

“You okay?” Eddie asks, leaning against the door. 

“No I’m not.” You snap. “I’m so sick of everything. When did this get so hard and - and you’re listening to me complain again. Even when I’m stressed about you carrying all our burdens I still give you more.” You laugh bitterly. 

“I don’t mind taking in your guys’ burdens.” He sighs, moving closer. 

“This isn’t working.” You snap. “None of this is working.” 

“I know.” He sighs. 

“I think it’s time we take a look at the next step here.” You mumble, turning away from him. “Because I don’t think I can do this anymore.” 

“I don’t think I can either.” He whispers. 

“Then….” You can’t even put it into words, what are you saying? “I need to finish cooking.” 

He doesn’t say anything, just merely disappears again. 

-

“Divorce?” Robin scoffs. “You find out your daughter is a slut and this is where you end up?” 

“No. Not divorce. We just need another strategy.” You mumble, not looking in the direction that Eddie was sitting in. “It’s like playing tug of war through a brick wall. Whenever either of us begins to make movement the other just hits the brick at full speed.”

Tonight’s ‘family dinner’ was extremely different. It felt more like an awkward party than a family dinner. 

Motley sat on the stairs with Vinny, pretending to study as Ziggy sat in the corner sketching. 

No dnd, no fun conversations. Your family was truly beginning to crumble under pressure. 

“And I feel like absolute crap because how did I now see that my daughter had a sex life?” 

“I hear that Aaron kid is a jackass.” Robin sneers. 

“From Jonathan. His photography teacher.” Nancy clarifies. 

“What great intel.” You sneer and she sighs, rollling her eyes. 

You spend the rest of the night talking about Robins most recent girlfriend, and why it ended. By the time you said goodnight to everyone you truly thought you knew too much about her love life. 

You wave off her car, being the last to leave, and you shut the door before pressing your forehead to it with a sigh. 

When you turn around you are surprised to find Eddie standing there waiting for you and the kids still in sight watching you. 

“Goodnight everyone.” You mumble, locking the door and moving to start picking everything up. 

“I’m craving donuts.” Eddie blurts, making everyone look at him. “When’s the last time we had an actual Munson meal?” 

“What?” Ozzy laughs. “We had dinner together yester-“ 

“No no. I mean an actual Munson meal.” Eddie shakes his head. 

Ziggy catches on then, a smile spreading on her face as Motley soon gets it. 

“Guys, I’m tired so maybe we should-“ you don’t get to finish your sentence because Eddie is there, pulling you to the kitchen with the kids to prep for Munson dinner. 

-

A little while later you are all sat on the floor, knees connecting all of you together as you pass around the snacks and laugh. 

Homemade donuts and ham wrapped around cheese sticks. Sliced apples and peanut butter with grapes. Any snack you could think of was in the center of the circle. 

You all had pillows and blankets, and there was a cartoon playing in the background as Ziggy told you guys the story of how her math teacher broke his foot by dancing in class. 

You’re laughing too hard, tears streaming down your face as you try to breathe in while she imitates his crying. 

“Stop!” Motley cries. “He did the same dance thing when I had him!” 

“Do the dance one more time.” Eddie laughs. “I gotta see it.” 

So Ziggy does, looking like an absolute fool as she does but everyone is still laughing and having fun. 

Halen catches you up on his drama club, and how he got the old grandma as a roll. “It’s not funny!” 

“Its not!” Ozzy laughs. “But your costume is!” 

“Wait. Tell them about your concert!” Halen mumbles to which Ozzy shakes his head quickly. 

“What’s going on with the concert?” Eddie asks, leaning to snatch an apple slice out of your hand. 

“I…. They….. well they gave my solo up before I quit.” He admits. 

“What? Why would they do that?” You mumble, worry striking you. “Ozzy,” 

“They said I lacked control.” He blushes. 

“That’s not fair. You’re the best in that group.” Eddie snaps. 

“Every parent says that about their kid.” Ozzy groans. 

“Well yeah but I’m not just saying that because you are my kid.” He mumbles. “You’re fucking amazing Ozzy. And if they think you’re not then we need to look for another program.” 

“But-“ 

“Dads right, Ozzy. You play better than any of them.” Motley mumbles. 

“We’ll look for another program. Rather than the school.” You nod, and he shrugs with a small smile playing on his lips. 

“What’s going on with you?” Eddie asks. “How is life at school, you know after I….” 

“Life is better.” She cuts him off. “I actually…. I spend all my free time with Vince now and-“ 

She starts blushing, and Eddie and yourself are shocked by this image. It had been forever since you saw your daughter with no makeup and in her cheesiest pajamas. 

“Well I like all my makeup and outfits but there is no stress of how I look around him so I get to have more fun with it all. You know?” She’s getting redder and redder now. “And the Sadie Hawkins is coming up and Iwastryingtofigurrouthowtoaskhim.” 

She mumbles the last part out but everyone heard it, excitement jumping through the group. 

“Oooo. Motley and Vincent sitting in a tree-“ a pillow hits Ziggy in the face as Ozzy and Eddie are already talking over each other with ideas. 

“How about you write it on a baseball?” Halen asks, and everyone stops at his idea before Motley lights up. 

“That would be very sweet.” You smile. 

“I don’t have a baseball though.” 

“That’s easy. Send Zeppelin outside for 5 minutes and he’ll find one.” Eddie teases. 

“I have paint for it!” 

“Then we have a plan.” 

Eddie sighs, shifting a bit as he tried to conjure up what he needs to say. “I think we’ve been failing as a family lately.” 

“How so?” 

“When’s the last time we’ve actually talked? Actually sat down together and talked about life? We have all been so caught up lately that we haven’t made time for our best team and that needs to change.” 

“How so?” 

“I propose that we do family dinners like this from now on. Actually talk. Actually take time for each other and tell eachother everything.” He sighs. “But in order for that then there has to be complete honesty. And I have not given you guys that.”

It’s silent as everyone stares back. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out something. 

It takes you a minute to register it. It’s a bat tooth. 

“Who wants the truth about Chrissy Cunningham and my scars?” 

-

It’s around 3 am when you wake up, confused and groggy. 

Somehow everyone had managed to cuddle together on the couch, everyone connected somehow. You were all merged as one, sleeping in a pile, with Halen snoring loudly. 

You blink a couple times, wondering what had woken you up, so you sit up, making Halen stir a bit and try your best to sneak out. 

You limp to the sound that had been waking you up, tense from the awkward position you had been sleeping before you shuffle to open the window and look out at what was outside. 

A small laugh escapes you when you realize that you had left Zeppelin out and he was whining. “I am so sorry baby boy.” You coo, shuffling to the door quickly to let him in. He dashes to the couch to crawl his way into the pile. 

You catch Eddie staring at you, trapped underneath all the kids as he nods his head for you to come back. So you do. Finding your spot and falling asleep with your family once more. 

- 

“Would you just take a breath?” Eddie laughs, watching his oldest daughter rush around in a flurry of panic. 

He is standing in the center of the living room, doing his best to help her as she struggles to find her shoe. 

“Dad I can’t find it..” she mumbles. “He’s gonna be here any minute and I-“ 

“Just sit down a moment.” He mumbles, moving her to sit before he starts looking. He instantly finds, throwing it at her to catch easily before shuffling back to the kitchen to find you sitting with Ziggy as she shows you her most recent project. 

“How’s it going in there?” You ask, looking up at him for a second.  

“Found her shoe. I came to get you for pictures.” And within a moment you are up, kissing Ziggys head and dashing to find your camera for the photos. 

Eddie shuffles closer, snatching a chip from her bag as he looks at the oil painting. “Jesus. Did a teenage mutant ninja turtle possess you?” 

“Huh?” 

“You know? Micheal Angelo, Donatello-“ 

“Oh my god dad.” She groans as he picks up the painting. 

“This is really good. You're gonna submit it for something?” He asks. 

“My art teacher says I should compete in this art show thing.” Ziggy mumbles, watching him look at the painting.  “That one is called lifeline.” 

An extravagant oil painting with a blurry faced female holding a leather jacket. And when he tilts the photo he realizes that she had hidden bats into the jacket, using another paint so if it moved in the light you might be able to see the bats she had hidden. His bats. His tattoo but with them in a purplish paint hidden just the same were 4 birds. 

“You’re really talented.” He mumbles, fingers tracing over the birds. 

“Yeah yeah.” She blushes, snatching the painting back and shoving him away. 

“HES HERE!” Motley screams from the other room and Ziggy moves to go into the living room to watch Vinny park the car and take a moment to prep himself. 

He fixes his jacket and Motley is inside making sure all her makeup is set and perfect as he walks up the pathway. 

“Oh my god. Oh my god. Be cool.” She warns you and Eddie, trying to breathe. 

“We’re cool. You’re the one over there hyperventilating.” Eddie teases and she snatches a pillow to throw at him. 

The knock sounds at the door and Motley rushes to answer, tripping unceremoniously so Eddie has to catch her before she breaks an ankle. 

He helps her stand straight and moves to answer the door himself. 

“Vincent.” 

“Mr. Munson.” He smiles, already blushing. 

“Is there going to be drinking?” 

“No sir.” 

“Smoking?” 

“No sir.” 

“Sex?” 

“N-no sir.” 

“You know I can kick your ass if you hurt her. Right?” 

“My dad said the same thing.” 

“That he can kick your ass?” 

“No. That you could.” And Eddie can’t help but laugh, letting Motley pass. 

It’s another 30 minutes of you taking pictures and him giving her a corsage before they are taking off in his car, Motley smiling from ear to ear. 

“Wait…” Eddie mumbles, looking at you with panic. “Something is wrong.”

“What’s that?” 

“She’s leaving and I don’t feel that punching feeling in my gut.” He murmurs, looking genuinely confused. “I don’t feel the need to follow her and make sure she makes it there.”

“Yeah. Well if I trust anyone to protect my daughter it would be Harringtons kid.” You laugh. “Because we all know she will be the one throwing the punches and he will back her up.”

-

There was a nervousness in her stomach that she hadn’t gotten before, a blush on her cheeks as she does her best not to seem like she is going insane with panic. 

“I’m…. shit- sorry. I am really nervous.” He mumbles after messing with the radio awkwardly. 

“I’m nervous too.” Motley admits, smiling at him. 

“You? Nervous? What for? I am the one dating way above my natural league here.” He mumbles. Before she can respond he is pulling into the school parking lot. The Sadie Hawkins Dance. Hawkins High School went all out. 

There are balloon gates leading into the front doors and streamers covering the door itself. She kept a firm hold on his arm as they went to get the tickets, ignoring the way Aaron and his friends snicker when they see the both of them together. 

“Drinks first?”

“Lead the way.” Motley smiles. 

- 

Eddie lays on the couch, reading the eragon book that Ozzy and Halen wouldn’t shut up about, with your head on his lap as you doze off. 

You had spent the morning helping your daughter get ready, and now you were tired. So he offered to help you fall asleep, and you had taken the chance, letting him play with your hair as you closed your eyes. He made it seem like he was doing you some huge favor, but truth was you were doing him a favor. 

Laying on the couch with you was his favorite thing, well laying with you in general. Gone were the days of having to jump all over each other, now you both were getting to the part in life where you just needed to be near each other. You rooted Eddie to this earth and he needed you like a hurricane needed wind. 

He would be nothing without you or the kids. Would still be a freak, spiraling into the unknown but you had given him everything he never knew he needed. 

Soon enough he found himself dropping the book on the floor, focusing on you, doing his best to memorize all your features the best he could as you slept peacefully. 

He understood Ziggys painting now. Lifeline. You were his lifeline. 

- 

By the end of the night Motley and Vinny sat side by side on her front porch, laughing loudly as they shared a gallon of icecream they had stolen from the fridge. 

Her feet ached so she had taken off her heels and when he walked her to the door (he was very serious about Eddies curfew) but he hadn’t been ready to say goodnight yet so they decided on hanging out on the porch. She was technically home so her curfew was fulfilled. 

“Oh my gosh, Mr. Fitz tried to dance when the YMCA came on!” She giggles. “Smacked Margaret right in the face.”

“WHACK!” He laughs, imitating the slap. 

“That poor girl definitely left with a bruise.”

“And Aaron left with a bruised ego.” 

“HE DID!” Motley cackles loudly before covering her mouth when she realizes someone might hear her. 

“I should get going.” Vinny mumbles, watching her. “But I…. I have something for you.”

“Yeah?” 

“I…. well I found this the other night at DnD night…” He murmurs, digging into his pocket to pull out a chain with a really familiar necklace linked to it. 

“Oh my god.” Motley gasps, dropping her spoon. “Vinny-”

“I should have given it to you immediately but then I had this idea to- that was wrong wasn’t it? I should have just given it to you I am so sorry-” She leans forward quickly, kissing him before he could keep rambling. 

“That was the sweetest thing you could have ever done.” She whispers before hearing a thump from inside and pulling her attention to the door. 

“Goodnight.” He murmurs. 

“Goodnight.” She answers back, he kisses her again at the door before making sure she gets in without a problem and then walks to his car. 

Eddie is shuffling to the couch, eyes wide when he meets his daughters eyes. “I was not spying. I went to grab a blanket for your mother and I.”

Motley smiles, moving to hug him. 

“Did you have fun?” He asks, kissing the top of her head.

“So much fun. He was the perfect gentleman.” She whispers. “Goodnight dad.”

“Goodnight metalhead.” She moves to walk away and he calls out once more. “Your mother and I’s first date ended on the kitchen floor of that apartment you guys used to live in.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. She had to get home to relieve the babysitter and I never wanted to let her go.” He smiles. 

“I’m glad you didn’t.” She smiles back before moving to go down the stairs. 

- 

Time passes, quicker than Eddie would like, and yet as slow as they can be. 

He wants so badly to see his kids grow up and yet he just isn’t ready to let them go, he wants to see every second. 

Motley and Vinny go to prom together, and Steve and Nancy all get drunk with you and Eddie that night after you say bye to them. 

Soon enough he was saying goodbye to his firstborn daughter as her and her nerdy boyfriend drove off to college. He cried, so did you. Steve sobbed. 

Ziggy grew into this very hippie lifestyle, most of her clothes looked like they came from Steve Nicks closet and she smelled of incense more than anything. She focused on art, excelling at it truthfully, and as she went through high school Eddie found that he didn’t need to be as worried about boys taking advantage of one of his babies since she seemed absolutely disgusted by them. 

She came out to him in her sophomore year, he had been sitting with her in the garage, helping her staple a new canvas that was bigger than his car. She had been panicking all day about something, even Zeppelin had been feeding off her energy and whining. 

But then she blurts it out, a quick and simple “I like girls.”

He stops, unplugging the staple gun to turn and look at her, watching her face pinch with anxiety. 

“You got a girlfriend?” He asks. She shakes her head no and he nods. “You got a crush on someone?”

There was a nod on that one and he smiled. “Well any girl that gets ya will be a lucky son of a gun. And I mean that, because you are a very freaking special Ziggy. Always have been.”

She hugs him tightly, crying into his chest that night. 

Zeppelin passes away two months later, and Eddie finds himself with the grief of losing a child. He tells the kids that it was time, time for him to move on and find Wayne. He is completely devastated by it, but he tries to keep a brave face for Ziggy since she just lost her oldest best friend. 

He keeps his collar on the fireplace right next to Wayne's ashes and a photo of all of them at the park.. 

Once the boys hit freshman year their biggest fight starts…. Over another boy. Well more specifically Ozzy makes a friend and Halen gets mad that he never sees his twin anymore. 

The fight led to physical blows, and soon enough Eddie had to move Ozzy into Waynes old room just to get them to chill out. 

Ziggy graduates, barely (his poor sweet baby), and gets accepted into an art school so he has to say bye to yet another child. He had a gaping hole in his chest. 

When everyone comes back for Christmas that year it's a time for shock. Eddie’s two biggest shocks? The hole in his son's face and the ring on his daughter's finger. 

Ozzy looked different with his new piercing, a new punk grunge look that Eddie tried to support. He really did. But the piercing looked so infected and gross. 

“Did you do that in the bathroom with one of your moms earrings?” He teases, trying not to laugh straight in sons face. 

“Yes?” Ozzy answers which makes everyone laugh. 

“Next time just let me take you to get it pierced.”

 -

For the boys’ 16th birthday Eddie takes them to get a tattoo. They chose something silly, shocker. Eddie however added 5 bird silhouettes by his bats to symbolize the 5 most important people in his life. 

The day Vinny and Motley get married he walks her down the aisle, kissing her head once they reach the end and handing her off to Vinny. They get married with a red piece of yarn, just like you and Eddie had. 

They move into an apartment in Hawkins, and have a baby girl soon enough and Eddie is ecstatic to be a grandfather. He is at the hospital the day she is born, and once everyone is allowed into the room they rush to see the new baby while he rushes to see Motley. Kissing her head and wiping the hair out of her face as she cries happily. (I saw a tiktok where it said ‘everyone went to see my baby  and my dad immediately went to see his baby and immediately thought of Eddie)

He gets to hold the baby girl first, which makes Steve complain loudly but Vinny decided that Motley pushed her out so she got to decide who in the family held her first. 

For the boys’ highschool graduation Ziggy comes home and everyone takes a picture with them in their matching cap and gown. 

Ziggy in her fleetwood mac outfit, smiling from ear to ear as she hugs Halen close. Halen had decided on a buzz cut that suited him well, with one ear pierced. He smiled, arms linked with Ozzy who was a spitting image of Eddie. Motley hugged Ozzy tight, and the picture had caught the moment she realized her baby brother had a snake bite piercing, everyone laughing as she cursed out at him. 

Baby Stevie sat on Eddie's hip, smiling happily at her grandfather as he cooed at her. It had been a constant running joke on whether Stevie was named after Steve or if Motley had just been following the rock theme. 

We all know the answer. 

Ozzy went to New York after graduation while Halen ended up getting into a college in michigan. 

The very first you and Eddie have in your empty house is spent on the kitchen floor, eating macaroni and cheese straight from the pot as you both cry softly. 

It seemed like neither of you could decide whether you wanted to be upset or happy for your kids. 

It became a habit with you two, to sit on the floor to eat side by side just as you always used to. 

- 

Stevie’s first Munson dinner happened the weekend of her first birthday. 

Everyone had come home for it, including all her aunts and uncles, and had chosen to stay in the house just like old times. This time with the addition of Vinny, who seemed so excited to be there in general. 

“Alright, you know the rules.” Eddie smiles at everyone, knees pressed to your own and Motleys. “I want to hear everything.” 

Stevie giggles in the center of the circle, tearing apart the muffin she had been given before marching over to where her uncle Ozzy was sitting and plopping herself in his lap which makes everyone laugh. 

Ziggy tells them about her classes at the art school, and all the paintings she had been selling. She talks about a new girlfriend and jokes about the time she got trapped in her bathroom for an entire day until her girlfriend came home from work. She talks about struggling with being so far away from the family all the time.

Halen talks about his classes, complaining very loudly about his grades before moving on to complain about his dorm mate that never stopped jacking off which makes Eddie laugh. He talks about wanting to drop out, and what he would do after. Eddie is quick to let him know they had his back no matter what, even if he wanted to sell all his stuff and go traveling around the world. 

Ozzy goes on a rant about the girl that lives across the hall. He rants about how he hates her hair and her choice in music, and how his roommate is constantly checking her out. He says she is the most annoying person on the planet and Eddie risks a knowing look with you. Smiles on both your faces as he continues to rant. By the time he is done he looks around the group as everyone holds in their laughter. “What?”

“You’re just…. So oblivious.” Vinny mumbles which makes Ozzy flip him off. 

“Says you!” Ozzy snaps. “You chased after my sister for years you whiny little-”

“Cuss in front of my granddaughter and I will end your life.” Eddie mumbles quickly which makes Ozzy roll his eyes while smiling.

Motley just tells stories about things that have happened with Stevie, which everyone loves. 

Eddie catches them up on his therapy sessions, and you catch the kids up on your health. The family close together once more. 

Eddie Munson was home, and he would have it no other way.

-And with that we say goodbye to the Munson family. I do have more Eddie works coming out. Let me know if you would like to be tagged and I truly hope you all liked the story. -

Taglist:: (lmk if you want to be removed)

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[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for not doing anything about my hiccups? So I (20f) get the hiccups constantly. A few years ago I got a concussion and since then I get hiccups at least a dozen times a day, normally only a few minutes long but sometimes it will last for half an hour. Typically its only that bad if I have been standing for a long time, and sitting down will normally make them stop at that point. I have not found anything to make them stop on my own, I have tried every single trick you can think of and no it doesn't get them to stop. I have gone to two doctors about it and they both found nothing actually wrong, they just think that it has something to do with the concussion. The actual conflict here started this weekend, when I went over to my friends house for our weekly dnd meeting. There was 7 people total and we were all hanging out in the living room before the game started, and I had started getting the hiccups. The DM "Max" (25m) decided that since the last person hadn't shown up yet we would get started, and began doing last weeks recap. Half way through it he paused and asked if i was going to do anything about my hiccups since it was kinda interrupting his flow of speech. I asked what he meant, and he explained that it was really rude of me to just be sitting there hiccupping constantly without even trying to do something, like take deep breathes, hold my breath, drink water, whatever tricks people use. I began explaining to his that those never work for me and letting them stop on their own works best, when he cut me off by shouting BOO as loud as he could, which did actually scare me, and the hiccups stopped. He started laughing, gloating and acting like he was the best, when not even 30 seconds later the hiccups started again, which is what happens every time someone tries scaring me. I got annoyed with Max because he knows this, I have told everyone in the group about my hiccups and to NOT try scaring me because it doesn't fucking work and i hate it. Another played told him again it wasn't my fault, and it wasn't a big deal and to just move on and talk louder over me. The rest of the session went fine, but when i got home I noticed a text from Max asking me to be more considerate next time, and it was a bit of a dick move to "argue with me in front of everyone" and that I could have just kept my mouth shut because it'll make the hiccups stop. I got pissed and just have been ignoring him, but other players have messaged me about it, one of them even mentioned Max asked them to and it is making me feel a bit worried that I am actually in the wrong here

What are these acronyms?

[artiststarme]

Exes and Oh’s

Based on a prompt from @nburkhardt and some comments from @i-less-than-three-you. I hope you guys like it and please leave your thoughts in the comments!

Title brought to you by @kissaphobic-kas

~*~*~*~

When Robin told Steve that she and Nancy were dating, he was happy for her. Of course he was, his best friend was finally in a true relationship and he was thrilled that Nancy could be who she needed. He had no reason not to be happy and supportive of them. And yet, there was still something holding him back from giving them his full support. 

While it had been literal years since they dated, Nancy had broken his heart. She’d torn it from his chest, trampled all over it, looked at the bottom of her shoe, and called it bullshit. Deep down, Steve was afraid she’d do the same thing to Robin. 

Robin was his best friend and he didn’t want to see her hurt. He’d already had to coach her through the disappointment and dejection of losing the potential of dating Vickie and he’d seen how upset she was after that. He couldn’t even imagine how she’d react to getting her heart broken by Nance or how depressed she’d get when Nancy called her bullshit. It had taken Steve months before he could even look at Nancy without feeling his heart break and he certainly didn’t want that for Robin. 

With every happy smile he gave them came a look of wariness and after a few weeks, everyone started noticing it. 

Robin started creating more distance between them, Nancy started glaring at him when she picked up Robin from work, and even the kids started calling him out on it. Dustin, in particular, made sure to voice his thoughts on the matter. 

“You have to move on from Nancy, Steve! She’s with Robin now. You had your chance with both of them and now it’s just pathetic!” Dustin told him one night when he picked him up from DnD. The little bastard had staged some sort of subpar intervention for him. 

Steve was not amused and was quick to come to his own defense. “What the hell are you talking about? I don’t have a thing for Nance or Robin. I’m happy for them!” 

“Steve, we can see that you still like Nancy but Robin is with her now. You have to get over her,” Lucas said gently. The other kids nodded in agreement and even the other Hellfire guys tilted their heads in agreement. The only kid that didn’t nod or make a nasty remark was surprisingly Mike Wheeler. He had a look of understanding in his eyes like he understood why Steve was hesitant and it was throwing him off. 

Steve sputtered at them, unsure of what to say to make them believe that he truly was 100% over Nancy Wheeler. Eddie, as usual, came to his rescue.

“Hey, listen up you little shits. Steve says there’s nothing going on so that means there’s nothing going on. Drop it or your characters are going to take some serious hit points.”

The kids grumbled a little bit but they did drop the subject for the time being. They all shuffled around to collect their items before marching outside to plan yet another ambush on him, probably. 

Then there was Eddie. His boyfriend that he’d been dating all summer, the best friend turned boyfriend that no one knew about yet. Steve could tell that he was curious. When wasn’t he? But he was trying his best to be respectful despite the obvious tension between Steve and the rest of the Party. Steve couldn’t help but love him just a little bit more for having his back when no one else did. 

Steve mentioned it to Eddie the next day while they were lounging around the Munson’s trailer. “You know I don’t love her still, right? Like Dustin said? That ship has sailed, definitely.”

Eddie’s eyebrow quirked and his face brightened with a cocky smirk. “Yeah Steve, you had my dick in your mouth an hour ago. That ship hasn’t just sailed, it sank to the bottom of the ocean and disintegrated into dust like your heterosexuality. What’s the real issue that’s got you so upset?”

Steve gave him an unimpressed look at his crass but he had a point. Eddie had absolutely nothing to worry about between him and Nancy. He deserved to hear the full story. 

“You remember what happened at Tina’s Halloween party?” Eddie nodded. He’d already told Steve in the past that he’d heard the entire train wreck of a conversation through the thin walls of Tina’s house so he’d had a front row seat to their breakup. “Nancy really hurt me. She called our entire relationship bullshit. She called me bullshit! And that really fucked me up for a long time, still does sometimes. I can’t even hear the word ‘bullshit’ without feeling like a failure even still. I just… I don’t want Robin to have to feel like that. You know?”

Eddie thought for a second before he nodded. “You’re worried about her, that’s understandable. Nancy hurt you and she might hurt Robin too. But she might not. And Robin knows the risks, you told her about how Nancy hurt you, right? She knows what she’s getting into and she’s willing to take that chance.”

“Um no, I haven’t told Robin about it.”

Eddie’s head jerked over to him and he looked at him in shock. “Why not? She’s your best friend, why wouldn’t you complain about your crappy ex with her?”

“Well first of all, that crappy ex is her current girlfriend-” Steve started. 

“I mean before she started dating her and you know it-”

“Second of all, it’s embarrassing. What was I supposed to tell her? ‘Hey Robs, I wanted to let you know that Nancy broke my heart and hurt my feelings because I was a bad boyfriend and I don’t want her hurting you’? That wouldn't go well.” Steve shook his head. No, he didn’t quite know how to fix things with her but talking about his past heartbreak wasn’t going to do it. 

“Stevie, baby. You just have to talk with her and she’ll understand. You guys are Platonic with a capital P soulmates. Just tell her and she’ll understand,” Eddie murmured to him. He kissed the back of Steve’s hand and rubbed the back of his neck. 

“You really don’t care?” Steve asked him. 

“Do I care that you’re concerned for your best friend? Stevie, you could be doing so much worse. Caring for your friend isn’t a red flag. I was accused of murder, which is a pretty big red flag, and you’re still with me,” Eddie laughed. 

“Well that’s because you didn’t do it!” Steve protested. 

“Steve, you could do anything and I would still love you,” Eddie told him earnestly.

“What if I actually killed someone?” 

“Then we’d have to bury the body and then move because my reputation can’t handle any more murder accusations.”

What was Steve supposed to do in response to that besides kiss him?

He did end up talking to Robin a few hours after his talk with Eddie. There were tears, hugs, and a particularly memorable shovel talk between Steve and Nancy. Everything went back to normal and it stayed like that until Mike Wheeler walked in on Steve and Eddie making out. Then, the tentative understanding that existed between them flew right out the window. 

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[enam3l]

rockstar eddie munson does halloween

I hit 100 followers which to me is crazy so to celebrate here is a special rockstar eddie halloween head-canons! thank you so much and i hope you have the best halloween

you can read all rockstar eddie munson stories and lore including Halloween pt 2 at #enamels rockstar eddie

Every year without fail, a Halloween party is held at Steve's house. It started in 87 and has been going strong ever since

You knew you were truly in love with Eddie once you spent your first Halloween together and saw how excited he was for it, how his eyes were lit up from at least 2 weeks before the 31st. You knew his friends and he was desperate to bring you to their big Halloween bash

The gang knew you and Eddie were endgame when he said he was bringing you to the Halloween party

Eddie was pretty sure he was in love with you but he knew you were his soulmate when you walked on him making extravagant decorations for the party and left just to come back with more supplies. You both spent the next 48 hours covered in PVA glue, glitter and fake spiderwebs

Eddie is pretty sure his heart stopped beating when you nervously asked him if you wanted to do a couples costume and suggested Aragorn and Arwen

You arrived together at Steve's the day before the party to set up the decorations you'd both crafted. Because he lived on his own and just in an apartment, Eddie never bothered to decorate his own place. Before he can stop himself as you're hanging a skeleton from the ceiling he blurts out 'I can't wait until we have our own home to decorate'

As Eddie panics and tries to work out how he can undo what he said, you look to him with a big grin and say 'We'll have one to decorate by next year.' The second you were home from Steve's you went looking for apartments, giddy you'd both finally admitted you wanted to live together

After getting married the pair of you decided it was time to move on from the apartment you got together and get a house in the hopes of starting a family. Eddie had of coursed argued getting a house meant you'd now have an attic to cram even more spooky paper mache creations

The perks of a house meant you could now decorate the outside and one of Eddie's proudest achievements was realising people were travelling just to see your home at Halloween. He'd sit by the front window, ecstatic as he watched people approach the house and seeing their reactions. He loved how children would look as if they'd stepped into a portal to another world. You loved seeing people appreciate how creative your husband was and how he was bringing years of his DnD universes to life

As the group got older and began to have children, Steve's parties continued. They now just started earlier for the kids who ran riot around a huge bonfire the men would put together. Once the kids were in bed, you all continued to party like you were teenagers again

And of course yours and Eddie's couples costumes continued even to the present day. Over the years you'd now been Edward Scissorhands and Kim, Gomez and Morticia and Jon Snow and Daenerys

Admittedly there were a few costumes you'd bought that never made it out the bedroom. Jessica Rabbit and Catwoman for example were banned by Eddie as he admitted he couldn't behave in public with you dressed like that

The worst part about Halloween was that Eddie returned to his most feral teenage boy self and attempted to live off a diet of candy. You wish you could say you've never had to replace your kids trick or treating sweets because your husband ate them all... but you had... multiple times

With your first baby you were around 4 months pregnant when Halloween came around. Eddie insisted on painting your small bump that had recently appeared as a pumpkin. And whenever he answered the door to trick or treaters he began to tear up at the children just thinking about how he'd have his own to take out this time next year

That year for Steve's you'd joked you could go as Alien and have a little alien ripping out your tshirt over your bump. Eddie did not find this funny. He refused to speak to you for several hours but continued to talk to the bump and apologise for its mother's behaviour

Before your first child (a little girl) was born, Eddie had already collected a variety of costumes for her. She was only 6 months old for her first Halloween but Eddie took her in her pram with Steve's nuggets so she could still have her first taste of trick or treating. That year the two of you brought back your Aragorn and Arwen costume but now gave your daughter and oversized ring so she could be a very cute Gollum

Once you had your second child you did the Addams Family. You as Morticia, Eddie as Gomez, your daughter as Wednesday and your new daughter as Pugsley. Dustin was a very willing Uncle Fester

Eddie's Halloween antics have become infamous today. Your kids mobbed online for requests of the decorations and yours and Eddie's couples costume each year

Oh, and he's still made you keep the Jessica Rabbit costume just incase

my requests are open as always! let me know what more rockstar eddie stuff you want or just anything else!

[stripedwolf88]

*sigh* alright. I'm gonna vent about this for hopefully the last time but knowing me it probably won't be. That's fine. We must allow emotions to flow like the river but remember to let them go. I get there eventually.

Don't get distracted dude! Okay my peoples I'm going to "share the tea" as the kids say on that girl that has made me spiral this past week? Week and a half? I don't know what time is anymore honestly.

So...this girl is someone I met at work in October of this past year. We'll call her N okay so that it doesn't get confusing later. Anyway N and I hit it off pretty quickly and that's something for me because I'm pretty socially awkward and I find connecting with people in new settings difficult (who doesn't am I right?) We eventually started texting outside of work which then turned into hanging out together. I will admit I developed a minor crush on her even though I knew pretty early on that she had a partner called H. I have a tendency to "catch feelings" for people who are unavailable mainly straight girls. The reason for this is probably because I know that I'm not ready for a romantic relationship right now and having a crush on someone that you know can't return your feelings is safe and kind of fun? No harm no foul right?

Anyway I just decided to feel my feelings with no outward action that would be disrespectful to their relationship. I will say I gave N quite a few compliments but they fell within platonic bounds like "oh I like how you did your make up today" or "it's funny how you react to certain things" ect. And in no way was I ever physically close in any way because the hell if I am ever going to ever make someone uncomfortable with physical touch like I have in the past.

During our talks, N would sometimes complain about her partner being controlling. Telling her what to wear, getting mad at her for going out alone, getting irritated by who she was hanging out with. Mind you N's partner, H, is in California while we are here in AZ. I don't like H for treating N this way but I know it's not my place to talk crap about her partner. Just listen and sometimes offer support of my friend right? I've butted in where I shouldn't have in the past and it's gotten me into trouble.

So randomly one day H, the partner, adds me on snap when we had already had each other's phone number because N wanted to invite me into the dnd sessions. It didn't work out but I still kept the phone number just in case of whatever ya know?

I told N about H adding me and N tells me about how H got upset when she found that I was gay and that me and N had hung out in her dorm together. N explained to her that I was just a friend and that technically her roommate was technically also there just separated by a wall. (We were in like the living room area of her dorm while the roommate was in the actual bed room on a zoom) We literally just watched a movie and talked for a while about random stuff. Now N had already mentioned that I was gay to H prior to this little fight they had but apparently H forgot or something? At least that's what N told me.

Okay skip forward to a hangout at the nearby mall in which N tells me that H "trusts me" around N. It rubbed me the wrong way because of the other behaviors I listed above. We hangout and I swear N is basically on her phone throughout our outing texting H updates. And normally I would get it but it was incessant. Not every hour. No it was like every 15 minutes she felt the need to be texting her. I got a bit upset. I mean we're trying to hangout anf her being on her phone is making me feel ignored and disrespected. I brush it off saying I'm just being overly sensitive.

Skip to the past couple weeks I get not only a text message but also a Snapchat message from H. I respond cautiously because we haven't ever really spoken to each other prior to this. H cuts right to the chase and tells me she would appreciate that I not hang out with N alone anymore but hopes that this won't affect our friendship. 1. I am uncomfortable at this essential stranger telling me this 2. I am confused as to why I am not hearing this from N who is my friend and should be able to make this boundary with me 3. I begin to think that H is speaking to me without N knowing and essentially telling me to back off.

It takes me a long while to react and what I end up doing is screen shooting the message H sent me and sending it in a group chat that includes N, H, and me. I also write a message that just says " I believe in honesty and transparency" and I'm basically asking where this is coming from still thinking N doesn't know that H has texted me.

I come to find out that N did know that H was going to text me about this. H makes a comment that says "it's interesting that you thought we hadn't talked about this and that N didn't already know." I am immediately hurt at the idea that may not have felt comfortable to tell me this info on her own and angry at being "asked" to do something from a stranger. I convey my hurt and confusion. It turns kind of ugly fast in which H accuses me of butting in to their relationship by making the group chat when I was just trying to have everyone be on the same page and foster more open communication. I try to convey that it wasn't cool that N did not tell me about this change herself and how I would have respected it. They both don't seem to get why I'm upset. I at one point say how weird it is to hear this kind of thing from a stranger and N thinks I'm being disrespectful by calling H that. But that is simply what they are to me because I have never really spoken to H and gotten to know them. N basically ends up saying "I understand that you feel hurt and I had hoped this wouldn't affect our friendship but I understand if you don't want to be friends anymore."

Which to me seems like she thought that I might get mad. And that she is already kind of okay with us not being friends.

I had made comments to defend myself on why I made the group chat basically saying I don't know how well they communicate since I have been told of problems in the past from N. Which I think probably made H a little mad and N uncomfortable.

It ends with N just saying again they understand that I'm hurt but they never meant to make me feel as though I was not of value to them. I responded the next day saying that I needed some space from texting and hanging out outside of work but that I would remain civil at work until further notice.

I kind of gave myself an out because I don't really know how much I'm willing to invest in this friendship. And if I'm willing to try and sort through this drama. N's actions aren't really lining up with what she's saying by claiming that she values me when she has made me feel like this before.

I totally understand that H is insecure especially with things being long distance between them but for them to text me like that felt disrespectful to me. Had it come from N it would have been different. It would have been a frI end asking to make this adjustment because they are doing it out of respect for their partner and the health of their relationship. But no this seems to me based on the info I gathered from our convo and previous convos that this was mainly H's idea and that N just went along with it. And it would be another example of H being controlling.

I was and am hurt and feel like I got slapped in the face by this whole situation. I will say that N reassured me that there was nothing on my part that was causing this change. Which I'm gald because I would be disgusted with myself if I had done anything to make her feel uncomfortable.

I've recently come to the conclusion that I may just distance myself and say we can only really talk at work. I don't want to give myself the opportunity to say something I will regret but also the opportunity for me to get hurt like this again.

I would like to hear your guys' thoughts? Was I wrong to respond the way I did to that message? Should I try to repair this friendship or just let it go?

Woof. Sorry that was a lot. If you made it this far, thank you for reading and letting me vent.

[spookyscarydemonbabe]

Hello My Loves!! 🤗

I know it’s been a little while since i’ve said anything on here, i’m sure a few of you may have noticed me popping up every now and then 🖤

i wanted to give everyone a little update on what’s been going on while i’ve been away! i know it’s not required but this is a blog and i consider you my friends so i wanted to fill everyone in so they know i’m not dead 😂

firstly, i’ve been able to focus more on my mental and physical health over the last few months and though i’m no where near where i know i can be i’m quite proud to say it’s nice to be able to get to a point i didn’t know i could. some of you know that’s been a pretty big struggle over the course of the time i’ve had this blog and i’ve had a lot of support from a lot of amazing people along the way and that’s what’s helped me the most 🖤

i’m sure some of you also know that drinking was a problem for me in the past, but i’ve also been able to finally get that under control and i’m so proud of myself 🥰 i’m back to being able to consume alcohol responsibly and i was able to test myself with a recent vacation 😂

also, i’m sure some of you are awaiting the newest gossip of me and dnd boy and i have to say things are going amazing!

he’s been able to finally get an apartment on his own and i couldn’t be prouder! he’s been working really hard to be able to live on his own and it’s been very nice being able to get privacy from parents 😂 it’s been a little more difficult to see him, we have opposite work schedules and unfortunately we have separate weekends, not to mention his apartment is close to an hour away 😅 but it’s something we knew would come eventually, and our relationship has grown so much!

we finally started saying ‘i love you’ and it feels amazing knowing that he really means it

i’ve been working on a few things recently! it’s taking me quite a while to finish something that probably would’ve taken me a few days to work through in the past, but that’s what happens when you’re trying to figure out your adult life 😂 please keep on the lookout for a fic that may or may not be posted within the next few weeks though 👀

i miss all of you very much 😘😘😘😘 hopefully soon i’ll be able to get back to making regular posts but for now i’m happy to be able to still have this small window with you all 🫶

talk soon! xoxo

[bandedbulbussnarfblat]

I had a rough week last week. Tuesday my dog gets sick, so I look up her symptoms. And bc I'm a crazy person, my mind automatically latched onto the worst possibility. So I spent three hours crying hysterically and having panic attacks bc I was so scared she would die. Then Wednesday I had to take my dog to vet and was still super stressed out. Thursday and Friday I have to deal with medicaid and disability paperwork. Saturday I had a panic attack so bad that I couldn't stop it and had to text my brother to come help me (he lives with me. we're too poor to live without a roommate, and we've basically lived together our whole lives, so it was whatever). Sunday morning I have a panic attack and can't leave my house to play my weekly dnd game bc the thought of spending hours with other people away from home was...bad. Sunday night, I got completely (and irrationally) terrified of being alone. I was so afraid that I called my mom, and of course she offers to come over. And I'm freaking out so bad I let her, even though it was late and I know she has to get up early for work. (She only stayed until my brother got back around 10:30)

BUT, today is a new day. I managed to get my blood work done today, and talk on the phone to my case worker, and pick up a pair of contacts from my eye doctor to wear until my order comes in. And I didn't have a panic attack. I mean, I still had to have my dad take me, bc leaving home alone isn't something I can do right now. (Mentally or physically. My brother's car broke down, and since he's the one who has a job, he's been using mine. i stg it's like a fucking family curse; every time someone is already in a financial bind, their car will break down.)

So I have decided to take the next few days to just relax. My two besties that I've been friends with since middle school both have kids with autism and they said I'm probably going through autistic burn-out. I'm pretty sure I'm autistic and my doctor thinks I'm somewhere on the spectrum, though on the lower support side. I'm gonna play bg3, and unwind. And try to work on some fic. (bc I have the next chapter of 16 Days damn near finished, and it's the last chapter that ties up the current plot, then there's an epilogue that takes place later that played out like a movie in my head, so writing it will be a breeze.)

Side note, did y'all know that some school systems still use 'high/low functioning'. I've had to say to my coworkers that autistic people would prefer not to use those terms. But it isn't surprising; one of my cousin's kids was literally diagnosed with Asperger's. Which has fallen under the autism spectrum disorder since like, forever ago. And also there was a TA in the autism classroom I worked in once who literally told me that autism was caused by demonic possession. I'm so glad I left the school system. Bc I eventually was going to fucking explode with rage after the way my kids were treated. (My students, not my actual kids. I don't have or want any)

Working in EC has really shown me how little the school system actually cares about helping the disabled; they will cut corners and do shit that 'technically' meets a kid's IEP, but doesn't do a damn thing to help them. And if you say something like, 'i don't think that counts' your coworkers will not be happy. But to a certain degree you can't be too mad, bc there is literally not enough time or resources to meet every child's needs, bc they cram as many kids in one EC classroom as possible, hire the minimum amount of TAs required by law and expect one teacher to be able to magically meet all their needs. My last job had 3 kids in wheelchairs in those tiny ass mobile units schools started using, that literally did not have room to move around, unless the other students stood up to let them get by, and sometimes even move their desk. We had multiple kids with autism. One of them stimmed by screaming, another was triggered by loud noises.

This post kinda went off on a tangent. Anyway, heads up to any parents who have kids starting school, make sure you get a copy of your child's IEP. If you think they aren't being serviced, contact your local Board of Education, and tell them that you have a child with an IEP who isn't receiving adequate services. Then threaten to sue them if they don't start providing your kid their services. It does not matter if you can actually afford to sue them or not, an IEP is a legally binding document. You have the right to sue, and most of the time the threat alone is enough to kick their ass into gear.

[yesyayroleplay]

What is Yes Yay Roleplay?

Hello there friends, foes, and fey! Allow us to introduce ourselves. We are Yes Yay Roleplay, the hottest new actual play table top roleplaying game channel. The six of us are all improv actors who met at the same contract doing immersive improv theatre. Naturally, a dnd campaign started up and we quickly realized we had something special. Between a dynamic chemistry with our players, a fresh homebrewed world, and a prolific artist amongst the players, we had the perfect ingredients to start our own dnd show! Inspired by shows such as Critical Role and Dimension 20, we strive to bring the magic we found in our first home game to your screen.

So, we got to work. Pulling all the connections we had, we found an incredibly affordable studio and started making plans. Our friends at Midnight Syndicate even offered to let us use their music for the show. A huge win for us, especially since they wrote the official Dungeons and Dragons Roleplaying Soundtrack.

We filmed our first campaign "Chronicles of Chromaria" in early 2022 and released it a few months later. A 16 episode campaign with a dynamic editing style was an extremely venturous undertaking. We had no small share of issues between missing footage, low mic quality, and a general lack of know-how. Can you believe we thought ONE person would be able to edit the entire thing? But we are quick learners. We reworked our strategy, spread the work load, and began to pump out the episodes every week.

And we did... and more. Every episode came out on time (mostly). But not just the episodes. Music. Art. Guest cameos. We were putting out so much good content that really set us above and beyond the average actual play show.

So what then? We keep going right? But we weren't all working in the same place anymore. We didn't have access to the studio until next year. So we did what any resourceful group of actors would do, we bought some webcams and got to filming.

We filmed a couple of holiday themed campaigns in our living rooms. While we working with less equipment and space, it did let us film with guest stars. Something we hope to continue in the future.

Then we had to start thinking about this year. We had the studio, we had experience, and we had a plan. 8 days in the studio, four campaigns, and 25 episodes in total. That's 20 player characters, and countless NPCs for our artist to draw. Hours of prep for those dm-ing. Thousands of hours editing. And on top of that, we put out an album. Expanded our show from YouTube to Spotify. Opened a merch store. All while running and managing our own social media accounts.

As of right now, we've launched our Star Wars 5e campaign so far and just released episode 3 of our 16 episode arc 'The Rivers of Else'. We're in the thick of editing and promoting. Sometimes it feels like we are yelling into the void, but all it takes is a comment from a friend or a fan sharing the joy the found in the smallest moment in our show that reminds us why we did this in the first place.

We had a dream, one of us asked 'Yes?' and we all said 'Yay!'

So always... always remember to say... Yes Yay!

[hell0mega]

had a sorta stressful dream where i was talking to my friend on the phone and they were upset that their boyfriend was playing dnd. like, a few hours once a week, at my table. they were so upset and asked me to kick him out of the group. and i had to try to convince them that they were being absurd, that they spend plenty of time with them, we only just started, they could join, it was only a couple hours every week and sometimes we skip. i almost felt like they were kidding, it was so crazy i almost didn't believe they actually felt that way, but i tried to be empathetic

i woke up to them messaging me about how they and their bf and friend had started filling out character sheets for a test run campaign for them. so i guess that's where my brain got that idea lol

[aspenshade888]

A few months ago, this is me trying by taylor swift pretty much summed up my life. I was exhausted and overwhelmed from school. I would watch youtube for hours before I could make myself do anything the bare minimum. I felt like I was hanging on by my fingertips, but I managed to function. To top it all off I was having friend issues with someone I’ve been friends with for five years. I tried so hard and I kept thinking I just had to make it to summer. Just to summer. Well, now it’s summer. I am still exhausted from staying up past 1 am because my brain just won’t stop. I’m no longer overwhelmed because I have nothing to do. Instead of watching youtube for hours I watch it basically the entire day, only stopping to do activities my parents require. I’m too young to vote so all I can do is watch from afar as my friends (as trans) and my (as bisexual) rights get taken away. I can’t find any motivation to work on my dnd campaign, even though my party has caught up to what I have planned and I’m terrified of telling them I’m not ready cause scheduling meetups is shit as it is. I’m not hanging by my fingertips, I’m stuck.

I’m stuck and I don’t know how get out. I like to write fanfiction and I was just getting my motivation back from the school year. My computer fucking breaks. I haven’t seen my friends in a long time. Being honest, they’re what keep me going. I need them and I like to think they need me. Right now I desperately need to see them in person, to remind me what I have to live for, but both of them are fucking camping. My other best friend is also my sibling, and while I do see them every day I need to see the others. I need to see us all together, laughing and being happy, but I can’t. So I’m stuck. Or maybe I am hanging by my fingertips again, over the same deadly chasm.

Hopefully we can meet up next week, my computer will be fixed, I can find some motivation, and I’ll find activities that I’m interested in, but until then life is shit.

but then what? I make it to the school year again? What’s to say school isn’t hard and stressful and overwhelming again? I’m what people call a ‘gifted kid’ and was in an advanced learning program. It was easy as school always was until this year when it started to get really hard. School has never been that hard for me. I’m starting a new school that’s going to be even harder then my previous school and I’m fucking scared I won’t be able to do it

[vulpeskorsak]

Day 5 of Whumptober 2022: If you aim to be a surgeon, make sure you have enough arms

Day 5 of Whumptober 2022!

No. 5 EVERY WHUMPEE’S NEEDS Blood Loss | Running Out of Air | Hyperthermia

Victor is my human fleshsmith inventor (KibblesTasty Homebrew class) from a long-running DnD adventure. Nina is his rogue best friend.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/42189717 (AO3 link)

If you aim to be a surgeon, make sure you have enough arms

Victor is lying on his back, his lips stretched in a wild grin, eyes wide with terror, tears drying on his cheeks. His clothes and hair are soaked in his own blood. He bought this shirt only a week ago. And now it is dirty and torn. What a shame.

The wooden floor underneath him is the furthest from a comfortable surface to lie on. But he can’t really get up. Or move at all.

His right arm hurts like crazy, with a deep wound that goes half way around its biceps. He is unsure where his left arm is. Somewhere in the room, he hopes. His vision is blurred and he feels like if he starts moving his head, he might throw up.

A person of some kind stumbles over Victor’s legs and falls backwards out of his sight. The ripple that sends through his body makes everything hurt more. But he does not feel like groaning in pain, so he stays silent. He is getting used to his new condition. He feels oddly calm even with all the ruckus around him.

“Sorry, Vicky!” He hears Nina’s voice. “Just give us half a minute to clear the way and we will get you out of here!”

Victor lets out a weak “uh huh” and regrets it. It is all too much.

He closes his eyes but keeps the smile to reassure Nina and himself that he is still alive. He is glad she came to his rescue. She is a good friend. He never really had those before. He certainly likes her.

She is a half-elf slightly younger than him. 17, perhaps? He never asked. Hopefully he has a chance to do so. If he does not bleed out. She has been frequenting his teacher’s clinic for some non-medical reasons. Something to do with the gang business Jack is involved in. Not that Victor knows much about it. She saw him practicing his lockpicking skills, challenged him to a speed competition and won. They have grown relatively close since.

The young apprentice smiles wider thinking about how nice this is. He got kidnapped and tortured and now he is missing an arm. But somebody other than Jack came to save his sorry ass. And it is not just Nina herself, judging by the fighting sounds all over the place. It is likely that he is just an excuse for whoever Nina’s boss is to bring the fight into the rivaling gang’s den but he is happy to be this excuse.

It does not feel like half a minute. More like an hour before he hears hurried steps finally approaching. He was about to fall asleep.

“Victor! I brought a mage!”

He is forced to open his eyes again. Nina is crouched next to him alongside an elf he has never seen before.

“Don’t worry. It’s going to be alright.” He hears a smooth pleasant voice. “I’m going to stabilize you and then we’ll bring you to your teacher, alright?”

“What… about my arm?” As unpleasant as speaking is, his future as a doctor and researcher with only one arm does not look promising.

“I’ll grab it.” Nina lets out a nervous giggle and leaves his sight once again.

Victor feels the warmth spreading through his body from where the elf’s hand touches his chest and the pain recedes slightly.

A few seconds later he is being picked up, so he lets himself close his eyes and relax once again.

[food4dead]

Ive gotta say this out loud somewhere bc it's eating my brain like a worm. I had an off putting and creepy coworker at an old job of mine that i constantly butted heads with. There were rumors that our boss's boss got him the job (turned out to be true) and he was a genuine creep. Specifically to the girls. And incompetent. Like this guy sucked, no one liked him and i was like fucking batman to the other girls that worked there bc if he cornered them either literally or just into a convo, i would descend on him and tell him to fuck off.

He once offered to tie my apron for me. I told him id rather get third degree burns on my chest from steaming milk than have his hands near my ass. A few weeks later he offered to come with me, alone, to the storage room to "help" me get the stuff we needed. I looked down my nose at him and asked him in what way exactly did he think he was going to be helpful in this endeavor, when he couldn't even put away the truck in that same room in under 5 hours? He said nothing and avoided me after that. I talked shit to my partner about him constantly.

Lo and behold, bf gets a job at that same place years later but as a manager. And that guy is still there! So obviously id primed him to expect the worse of this guy and he did for a while. But then, he starts telling me about how that guy's doing at work now.

He's no longer incompetent, and is actually quite helpful. Ok, good, id sure fuckin hope so after being there for 3+ years.

He's not really a creep, he actually keeps to himself most of the time and is polite to everyone he talks to, especially the girls. ...ok, maybe i actually humbled him more than i thought. Also good.

Then, slowly, my partner starts talking about this guy as if they're friends. Telling me about something funny Guy did at work today, how Guy covered the grill so someone else could go on break and it was a huge help, stuff like that. I asked him about it finally and he was like yeah, Guy really isnt that bad. A little awkward sometimes but i guess he's changed since you've known him. I say it's probably just bc you're also a man but whatever it's not like i have to deal with him anymore.

But then. Partner gets invites to dnd with some of his other coworkers, one of them is a dm apparently and wants to set up a campaign with work friends. Partner goes a couple times, establishes that this is actually fun, and invites me to come next time to watch bc that's what i like to do. So i go. And Guy is there.

Apparently he lives here with 2 other roommates, one of them being the dm that organized this. The other being the son of the director that got him his job. (That's how i was able to confirm the rumors) It's almost incomprehensible to me that Guy is living with roomates. Peacefully. But he is. I walk in with Partner and Guy and I make eye contact. We stare at each other for a second before he approaches me. Instantly I'm ready for a fight, like i felt my face flush and got hit with an adrenaline rush.

He offers me his hand, to shake. I never broke eye contact but i took it. He welcomed me to their home. He told us goodbye when we left. And that was it. He had fun during the campaign but wasnt the abrasive and off kilter person i remembered. I was shaken bc i find it hard to believe that ppl can actually change.

I keep going with Partner to these campaigns whenever i can and it becomes increasingly obvious to me that Guy actually has changed. I obviously still make him nervous, though, as he's especially polite and courteous to me when im there. I'll usually bring my switch with me and play while listening to them run their campaign, and Guy offers me his switch charger every time i do so since the first time i accepted the offer. But he actually is polite and helpful and kind and. Not creepy anymore. And i cant wrap my head around how that happened.

I ask Partner about it eventually and he tells me it actually was the way i treated Guy + his job being threatened (for bs work politics reasons) that ironed him out. Im genuinely shocked but accept this answer. I never really think about why Guy was like that in the first place, just accepted he was a cishet man acting like they do.

Now this brings us to the present. I dont remember why but Partner and i were talking about Guy and how much i used to hate him. I wonder out loud, for the first time, why he was like that. Partner drops the bombshell on me that Guy was a FUCKING FARM BOY. HE WAS RAISED ON A RANCH. DOING RANCH WORK WITH HIS BROTHERS. THIS JOB IS BASICALLY HIS FIRST REAL JOB. THAT'S WHY HE DIDNT FUCKING KNOW HOW TO ACT AROUND OTHER PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY WOMEN, IN A SETTING LIKE THAT. HE DIDNT REALIZE HOW MUCH BIGGER HE WAS THAN THE GIRLS THERE AND THAT WHEN HE GOT TOO CLOSE TO THEM TO TALK TO THEM HE WAS LITERALLY BACKING THEM INTO A CORNER AND LOOMING OVER THEM. HE DIDNT REALIZE THAT OFFERING TO TIE MY APRON WOULD COME OFF AS CREEPY. HE WANTED MY FUCKING HELP TO LEARN THE STORAGE ROOM BETTER BC HE KNEW THAT I KNEW IT AND THATS WHY HE ASKED TO COME WITH ME THAT ONE TIME. AND I JUST. I DONT KNOW.

I'm irritated that i didnt catch that but i have reasons to assume the worst of men that i work with. And now im trying to reconcile this new information about Guy with my previous and current image of him as a maladjusted, creepy weeb turned normal guy but still a weeb. The worst part of it all is that my dad was also a farm boy and acted odd and weird when he was a teen/young adult. He's still got weirdo tendencies as an adult. And as soon as Partner told me Guy was raised on a ranch, my brain drew up my mental image of him alongside my dad and started making comparisons.

I just. Dont know how to feel about him still. My inital gut reaction to the guy was "Creepy. Bad. Not safe. Be vigilant." and unfortunately bc of the way i am, it's extremely difficult for me to change or get past my initial read of someone. So whenever i see Guy i still get the initial gut drop feeling but then i have to scoop it out of my intestines and tell it to get a grip. It would have been so much easier if he had just stayed a creep (<- joking). But i am glad he grew as a person and no longer makes his feminine coworkers uncomfortable. But that means now i have to, too. And im just now realizing this is the first time im having to do something like this. I guess that's why i cant stop thinking about it

[lenniharrisonsims]

Clickity Clackity Anniversary

While we're in the middle of my 4 Year Anniversary Portraits Series here for the Ivanovs, I wanted to take a minute to celebrate another 4 Year Anniversary: the DnD Campaign I play with my friends! 😂

This is very non-Ivanovs, so bear with me. 😅 Mostly this is a gift for my friends so if you're not them, you don't have to pay any attention to this post. But if you do pay attention, hey thanks! lol.

Before I get to the pictures, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank my friends for dedicating an evening of their week, every week, for the last four years, to gather together across the many states and distances and play pretend, to argue about what is and is not against the rules, to make stupid inside jokes and low-quality memes about them, and just generally enrich our friendships. Thank you guys. I also wanted to say a huge thank you to our GM, who's idea it was to start a campaign in the middle of the pandemic so we had an excuse to hang out virtually once a week, and who dedicates countless hours of his time to writing the story, crafting characters and special items, and dealing with our bullshit every Wednesday lol. Thank you, Rhees.

Now, without any further ado, I decided to celebrate our 4 Year Anniversary, I would make all of our characters in the Sims- inspired by the portraits drawn by one of our members, Lilly, a few years ago, and the descriptions given while we're playing in game (obviously, to the best of my abilities using the CC available to me and the limitations of The Sims 4).

Below the cut to not clutter up your feed, cause it's long...

Let's get to know The Party™:

Ana played by- Me!

Brynn played by- Lilly

Caira played by- Nikki

Greasha played by- Mak

Sevena played by- Julie

Sora played by- Emily

Tan played by- Ruth

The complete collection of pictures can be viewed here, but only for The Party™, who will access it via a password I'll be sharing with only them. If you're not part of The Party™, I'm sorry, this is where our adventure ends. Thank you again to my friends for 4 wonderful years! Back to the Ivanovs tomorrow, I swear lol.

[elisa2125]

2:40 am mania thoughts, as told by me. TW for disassociation, mentions of BPD, suicidal ideation/self harm ideation, mental hospital mentions, overdose (melatonin) mentions, nightmares, emotional abuse, depression

It's 2:41 am here in Delaware. I slept (stupidly) from 7:30ish to 10pm, then stayed up an extra hour doing my sister's college list with her. Well, a basic version.

I don't want her to make the same mistake I did. Rushing into things. I did with my first college and left. I wasn't ready mentally. Second college, still not ready.

Sometimes I wonder if it's because of the medications. Gabapentin, Abilify. Supposed-to-be-Effexor. (We don't talk about that - I ran out days ago. The psychiatrist couldn't move me up and the insurance won't explain why. (Cigna if you're seeing this, fuck you.)) Birth control pills. Trazadone for sleep. Trazadone.

It's funny - a Discord server I'm in, a couple of days ago, a certain channel for those with neurodivergences and mental illnesses brought up how certain meds like Melatonin and Trazadone made them have vivid nightmares, so realistic. I didn't want to put my two cents in - plus being in a BPD depression never helps. The past few weeks, since Sun, I've been having vivid dreams. Going to sleep by disassociating, then falling into the pattern of reliving memories, or creating fantasies.

The most recent one was watching TV with Mom, Dad, Stepdad, and the siblings. I said something awful, and Mom and Stepdad starting chasing me. I was eventually cornered into a window, and I woke up in silent screams for help. I didn't actually scream - but in my dreams I was calling, screaming for help.

I was screaming in November. Many noticed it, but I went into a mental hospital short-term. Long story short, don't plan an impromptu move then have it all fall apart (not the friend's fault tho), have a mental breakdown, reach out to Mom for support, be screamed at by said Mom whilst sobbing, then take Melatonin to cope. Dad brought me home saying he wished he knew, that we needed to communicate better.

I wish I could. Words don't come out of me easily. It's hard - I write for the freedom. Freedom I don't have. I've not had a comprehensive psych eval ever - I started looking at them today.

I fear they won't find anything wrong. That the constant anxiety, the BPD, the depression are lies. I've lied and been lied to so many times in life my life is one now.

Life. Funny thing, isn't it? Dreams crushed before they even start, breakdown after breakdown, nightmare after nightmare. Vent after vent, friends dropping like flies. Applications to colleges.

I wonder how my old friends are doing. I used to be a friendly person - now acting out a DnD character has me thinking I'm insane. Hydrus doesn't deserve this, my dad doesn't deserve this, my sister and brother don't deserve this. Self-sacrificial cause my mirror is shattered and I'm left picking up those pieces. I still am - my hands bleed and hurt every time though so it's hard. I might send my dad this. He knows best, he'd commit me if needed, he loves me. Right?

Mom... I miss her. Emotional abuse isn't easy because part of me misses before she went off her meds, the glimpses I have of a happy childhood. Coming out in my Ariel nightgown on my birthday, singing in the car at the bus stop, and of course, being 9 and having to call 911 cause "my mommy fell and won't wake up." I remember that. Nothing else.

I wonder if she was mixing them with something. Or if they just didn't work - I'm trying not to become her. But yet, something's not right.

2:58 am. Hydrus is snoring next to me, the little brat. I love him though. I've been awake since Dad left for work. Maybe I should go to bed. My mind goes to dark places though, and I don't want to go into the darkness. What does light look like again?

What does being normal look like again?

I hope Smith is the answer. Otherwise I don't know what I'm going to do.