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lazycats-stuff · 1 year

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The New Heir - Chapter 2

Hi again everyone. This is just a cute little chapter... Warnings: nothing 3.4k words.

Prologue, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10

A week has passed since the incident in the hallway and Damian and Elias started talking and hanging out. Of course, Theo was included too. Elias never excluded Theo. Damian's sense of humor was dry and kind of dark, but that's the type of humor that Elias liked. Theo was kind of... Well, he was little freaked out by it, but didn't mind it.

Elias and Damian shared biology class, sitting next to each other. It was a normal day. It was Friday once more and they were having biology.

" Alright everyone. I have some exciting news. Well, for me at least. Group projects! "

Everyone collectively groaned.

" I know, but I need to grade you lot. So, it's going to be in pairs. " Mister Lane said, taking a piece of paper. Everyone groaned again. Mister Lane chuckled once more.

" Okay, okay. Now, Elias you are with Damian. " Mister Lane started and Elias was happy that it was Damian. Although, Damian would never admit it, but he was glad it was Elias.

Theo was sad that he wasn't going to be with Elias, but he wasn't sad about the fact that Elias was paired with Damian. It was a nice turn of events. At least for one person. A person named Elias Spencer Callahan.

Elias could sense Theo's pout across the classroom. After 20 more minutes, they were done. They didn't have math today, so they could go home early.

" So when are we going to meet? This weekend? " Elias asked, adjusting his straps on the backpack.

" We can meet tomorrow. " Damian confirmed, stopping by the locker. " Unlock your phone for me. " Damian demanded, watching as Elias raised his brow in return. " Please. "

Elias gave him a smile and unlocked his phone. " You won't even ask me why? " Damian asked, now raising his brow.

" Well, the only reason you could do this was because I don't have your phone number and you don't have mine. " Elias noted, waiting for Damian to put his phone number in.

" Text me when you get home. " Damian said, giving the phone back to Elias.

" Will do. " Elias said, walking towards his locker to get his jacket out.

Damian said goodbye and left, already ready to go. Elias knew that his butler and brothers were waiting for him at the entrance and he couldn't make them wait.

" So? "Theo asked with a smirk as he walked up to Elias.

" So? " Elias repeated, not sure what his friend was thinking.

" A project with Damian Wayne? Also, everyone saw how he put his number into your phone. " Theo said the last part quietly and Elias glanced quickly. Theo was right. Everyone looked at him and he just wanted to die.

" I'll be damned, you are right. " Elias said, laughing a little bit.

Theo laughed triumphally, holding Elias' jacket for him. " You want to ride with me? My mom is picking me up. " Theo said and Elias nodded.

" Sure. " Elias accepted, putting on his jacket, then his bag back on his shoulders.

" Good. She should be at the entrance in a minute. " Theo said and the two friends walked to the entrance of school. They stepped out into fresh air and sighed in union.

" You also missed the fresh air? " Theo asked as he walked to his mom's car.

" Yup. They really need to open up the windows here. " Elias said, walking towards the door to the car, opening it and sitting down inside. He said hi to Theo's mom and she drove back to the apartment building. Elias leaned his head against the car window, watching as they were driving past the familiar buildings. He closed his eyes for a moment.

The vibrations of the ride were putting him to sleep. When the car parked and turned of, Elias raised his head opening his eyes and raising his head.

" Somebody is sleepy. " Theo said from the front, making Elias hum.

" Come on sweetie. " Danielle said from the driver's side.

" I'm going. " Elias said sleepily. Danielle smiled at Elias and watched the sleepy boy walk up the stairs of the building. He rubbed his eyes and yawned. He quietly thanked Danielle for opening the door.

" Sweetie, I swear, you have a sleeping schedule like a cat and yet you are still tired. " Danielle laughed, making Elias chuckle quietly. He said goodbye to the mother son duo. He didn't want to wait for the elevator, he just used the stairs.

After a little bit of climbing he got to his apartment door, he unlocked it and entered.

" Hey habibi. " His mother called out from the living room. Elias smiled and called back.

" Hey mama. "

" I have to talk to you. " Natalia said, sitting up straighter. Elias kind of froze. " I didn't do anything. " Elias started as he took his shoes off.

" I know. I just want to give you something. " Natalia said, looking at the said item.

" Also, I need to tell you something too. " Elias admitted, going to his room. He quickly changed and texted Damian. He washed his hands in the bathroom and from there he went to his mom. He sat down next to her, leaning back on her shoulder.

" How about you start? You wanted to tell me something. " Natalia said, embracing her son.

" A very short story is, I made a new friend and we got paired for a project. "

" And who that might be? " Natalia inquired, scratching her son's scalp.

" Damian Wayne. "

Natalia hummed for a moment. She didn't expect that name to come out of her son's mouth, but hey. He seemed like a good kid, despite being a little bit rude to the paparazzi. Honestly, she would be rude to the paparazzi if they followed her everywhere.

" I'm assuming you are going to meet at his place? " Natalia asked, making Elias nod. " We are still not sure, but I think so. " Elias added, making Natalia nod. " I want to meet him. "

"Sure thing. What did you want to tell me mama? " Elias asked, now a little bit more awake.

" Well, I wanted to give you something. " She said, reaching for the box on the coffee table that Elias just saw.

" This is something of your father's. " She started, making him awake in the mere instant.

" What? " He asked softly. To Natalia, his father was a sore subject. She told him that he was a businessman and the he was from the middle East, hence the reason why he knew Arabic. It was to connect to his other side, his father's side. She told Elias how they both loved one another, but life came in the way. Elias could only hope that one day he will be able to meet him.

He watched as his mother opened the dark blue box. It was a necklace with a ring. There were the initials R.A.G on the inside of the ring.

" It's a ring he gave me. I wanted to wait for your birthday, but I just couldn't wait. " Elias gently took the necklace into his hands. His eyes were wandering around the golden ring. It was a simple ring and Elias felt his eyes tear up.

" Thanks mama. " Elias said as he put it over his neck. He sniffed quietly and hugged his mother tightly. Natalia smiled and hugged her son. Elias was nothing like his father.

And he never will be.

Elias was waiting for Damian to come and get him. They have decided to meet at the Wayne manor. Elias was buzzing with excitement. But his mama made sure to give him a couple of advices.

The most important thing is to not break anything. I don't have any money to repair any of it.

Elias laughed like a madman when she told him that. But in a way it was true. God knows what that manor held within those walls. Elias tapped his foot as he waited to see a familiar black car. He watched as a black car rolled up next to him and the passenger's door opened.

Damian Wayne opened the door for him. Holy shit.

" Hey Damian. " Elias said as he sat in the car. He closed the door and put the seatbelt on.

" Elias, this is Alfred Pennyworth, our family butler. " Damian introduced Elias to Alfred, who glanced at the duo from the rearview mirror.

" It's nice to meet you mister Pennyworth. " Elias said, tapping his fingers against his thighs.

" Likewise master Elias. "

Elias raised his brow. Master Elias? " I'm sorry, master Elias? " Elias questioned, confused.

" It's a rule for me to address the kids like that. Even master Bruce. "

" Can you just address me by first name? I feel like I'm rich. " Elias said, chuckling quietly.

" If you also address me by my first name. " Alfred said and Elias nodded his head. " Will do Alfred. " Elias said, watching in awe as the manor was being more visible.

" The manor is gorgeous. " Elias said, looking at the beautiful house.

" Thank you. " Alfred and Damian said at the same time.

Elias unbuckled his belt when the car stopped and he stepped out. His mouth dropped a little. Wow. Holy hell.

" Are you done staring? " Damian asked, making Elias shake his head.

" I mean, how can I? Wait- " Elias said, raising his finger. " You hear that? No traffic, no smell, just you and the nature. " Elias said, chuckling at the eye roll he got from Damian. " Also, I am done with staring. "

" Finally. " Damian said, shaking his head in fake disappointment.

" Come on boys. " Alfred said and Elias followed. He still buzzed with excitement, eyes wondering all over the place. " Do you need me to take off my shoes? " Elias asked.

" If you want to. " Alfred said, slippers already in hand. He thanked Alfred and put on the slippers. He took his jacket off and allowed Alfred to put it on the hook.

" I will bring you some snacks later, master Damian. " Alfred declared and Damian led Elias through the very fancy corridors of the manor. If Elias lived here, he would have had an ego that was the size of Texas.

" And this is the library. We are going to be doing the project here. " Damian declared and Elias was in awe once more. This was an amazing looking library.

" Okay, give a me a minute. " Elias said, walking up to one of the book cases, just reading the books on the shelfs. He didn't dare to touch anything.

" Nice. Alright, we can get going. " Elias said, walking to the big table in the room. Damian had already got the laptop ready.

" Good. Lets get started. " Daman said, passing some books to Elias.

" This is a boring subject to do a project on. " Elias said after 10 minutes. Damian just nodded in agreement, sighing as he typed. Damian raised his head when he heard footsteps and Elias turned his head.

It was Titus, who was let in by one and only Jason Todd. " Hey demon spawn. You must be Elias? " Jason asked him and Elias nodded. Damian was agitated.

" What are you doing here Todd? " Damian asked, agitation palpable.

" Titus wanted to see you. And we all wanted to see your friend. " Jason said, smirking at the Damian's agitation. Elias stood up and got down on his knees.

" His name is Titus? " Elias asked smiling at the Great Dane. They are so majestic.

" Come on. " Elias prompted and Titus came to him. Elias melted, he could now die happily. He loved dogs, but his mom wouldn't allow animals in the apartment. Titus gave a few kisses and his tail started wagging. Elias laughed and he kept on patting Titus.

" I think you lost Elias. " Jason said, chuckling. Damian glared at Jason, clearly not happy to still see Todd in the library. Damian petted Titus, glaring at Todd.

" Either way, the others want to meet him. Just to let you know. " Jason said, leaving the library. Damian sighed and Elias didn't really register the fact that the others wanted to meet him.

" Out Todd. Now. "

Jason smirked as he left, but not before saying goodbye to Elias. Elias said goodbye back too and Damian kind of relaxed.

" Alright, where did we left off? " Damian started, but Elias paid him no mind. Elias was in love with Titus. Damian sighed and shook his head. They were never going to finish this assignment.

Turns out, they got the half of it. Damian asked if he wanted to stay for dinner and since his mom said yes, he had no problem staying for dinner. He was hungry despite the snacks that Alfred gave them.

Damian made sure that Elias sat next to him in the surprisingly simple looking dining room, making sure that nobody sat next to Elias. He wasn't going to allow it.

Elias didn't have a problem with it, but he was a little bit confused as to why. Everyone piled in the room after a few minutes. He said his hellos to the guys, but shook hands with the Bruce Wayne.

He was going to lose his mind when he gets home. He shook hands with the one and only Bruce Wayne. Billionaire, playboy, charity guy... And one of the most influential man in the America, maybe even in the world.

" Elias, how did you meet Damian? " Bruce asked during the dinner. Everyone glanced at the boy and Damian wondered how Elias was going to play this.

" Well, I was going to leave the school, but then saw that the school bully was using Damian's sketchbook to bully him, so I punched him in the face. " Elias said, watching everyone's reactions.

" But in my defense, he tried to bully me too so it was a little revenge too. " Elias defended himself and the others nodded. It was to defend himself and Damian, so it wasn't bad.

" For the second time. " Damian said, smirking at the way that Elias whipped his head to look at him.

" You punched him in the face twice? " Bruce asked, now a little bit more interested.

" The first time it happened when he tried to bully me for the first time. I showed him I won't be a target so he left me alone. " Elias said, smiling shyly.

" You tackled the biggest one in the yard. I'm impressed. "Jason declared, making Elias chuckle quietly. He took a sip of water.

" But wait, " Jason started once more. Elias looked up. " He has a lot of friends. So in a way, you are still targeted. " Jason finished and Bruce simply raised his brow.

" Well, not really. When I stood up to him and showed him that I wasn't going to take it. My mom taught me self defense so I showed him that I wasn't going to be submissive. I was going to fight back. And they are dumb enough to not learn where to hit. " Elias noted, impressing himself with the answer.

Jason nodded, very satisfied with the answer.

" Is your mom Natalia Callahan? " Bruce asked and Elias nodded. Why would he need to know that?

" I met her a week or so ago. We are building something related to the Wayne Enterprises. She was the only one who was brutally honest with me. " Bruce notes, making Elias chuckle. " I also saw a picture of you on her desk. "

" I didn't know that she had a photo of me on her desk. " Elias said, smiling. She never told him that.

" You didn't know? " Bruce asked, taking a bite of his dinner.

" No. She never told me. " Elias said, taking an another sip of water. " That's nice to know. " Elias added.

The rest of the dinner went by without a hitch. There was some laughter and teasing directed to Damian, but all in all, it was a nice dinner. The others liked Elias. It was obvious that he didn't befriend Damian just for the fame and the bragging rights.

Bruce now saw why Natalia was proud of her son. He never really looked at the material things as the most important thing in the world.

Elias was about to say that he should go home, but the thunder and the sound of a storm interrupted him. He jumped a little bit. He didn't expect it.

" I'm sorry, is that hail? " Elias asked, clutching his chest.

" It seems it is. " Alfred confirmed, looking out the window. Elias took his phone out so see a text from mom.

Are you on the way back? Or are you at the Manor?

I'm still at the Manor. Are you home?

I am. I don't want you to go back during the weather. I can't see out the window from the rain and the hail. It's nuts.

I don't think I will. I don't think that Bruce will let me.

Alright. Let me know what he says.

Will do mama.

" I don't think I need to tell you that you might be staying here until the storm stops. " Bruce said, making Elias nod. " I thought so too. I just need to let my mom know what is going on. She says that it's insane back in the city. " Elias said, scratching the back of his neck.

" Does this mean that there will be a sleepover? " Jason teased, making Damian glare at him.

" If the storm doesn't let up. I don't think that anybody in their right mind would drive. " Bruce said, frowning at the window.

" I will tell my mom that. " Elias said, taking his phone and unlocking it.

If the storm doesn't let up, I will stay overnight.

Alright, say thanks to mister Wayne for me.

Will do mama. If we don't see each other, good night.

Good night habibi.

" She says thank you. " Elias said to Bruce.

" Just out of curiosity, what does she do? " Tim asked, seemingly waking up. Elias always saw that he looked tired.

" She's an architect. " Elias said, yawing a little.

" Hang on, is that that the mom who has had enough of Karen and her insane demands? The one who put her in her place at the PTA meeting? " Dick asked, remembering the rumors that were flying around.

" Yup. " Elias confirmed.

" You know, your mom is a badass. " Dick declared, making Elias chuckle. That much was true.

" If you don't mind me asking, is there a dad in the picture? " Tim asked, tilting his head.

" There isn't. Just mom and I. " Elias answered, leaning forward.

" This is actually awesome. " Elias said, smiling as Damian sighed. Bruce gave him a mattress that he put next to Damian's bed and Elias wondered where it came from. The mattress is clean, Elias didn't have any worries about that, but he had wondered where they stored the mattresses.

" Yeah, sure. " Damian said, getting into bed.

" I have a question for you. " Elias started, getting down on the mattress, putting the covers over himself.

" What is it? " Damian asked, also laying down. The storm showed no signs of letting down.

" My mom wants to meet you. " Elias stated and Damian turned his head.

" Really? "

" Yes. I told her how I befriended you and she just wanted to meet you. "

Damian hummed at the suggestion. Was it a good idea?

" Do you think that is a good idea? " Damian asked.

" Yes. She will like you don't worry. " Elias said, nuzzling his face into the pillow. " We can talk in the morning. I'm too tired. " Elias said quietly, eyes closing.

" Good night. " Damian said.

" Good night Damian. " Elias said, listening to the sounds outside.

Both of them fell asleep in a few minutes.

#dc comics #bruce wayne x male oc #batfamily #jason todd x male oc #batman x male oc #damian wayne x male oc #tim drake x male oc #dick grayson x male oc

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ageofbajabule · 1 year

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Dawn of Love | Chapter 1

Josh Kiszka x F! Reader

Word Count: 4.9k

Warnings: Fluff, Anxiety talk?, (i don’t think i’m truly missing anything. if i am please let me aware!)

Series Masterpost

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Author’s Note: (18+ themes further on in the series) This series is going to be my baby, my pride and joy. I’ve been putting so much time and thought into this, and I truly do hope you all enjoy it and what I have planned. Please understand no themes relating to 18+ will take place until Josh and Reader are of consenting legal age in the series. Other than that, I do hope you enjoy this series.

October 2013

You had moved around different school districts thanks to your father being in the military… But this move was the final one. He had retired from the Air Force and decided to move to a small town. Known by the name Frankenmuth. It was a Bavarian town, everyone knew everyone and everyone was friendly.

Fitting in wasn’t typically hard, but being a new student in school also put you in the spotlight. You never really made the time to make actual friends considering the situation you grew up in being a military family. So this time around, you had to make the effort to find friends. All day you had the boring classes of general studies. But the class you couldn’t wait for was poetry - something about poetry just spoke to you, it always gave you the feeling of a welcoming home.

It wasn’t always just poetry that caught your eye, film and theatre also held a special place in your heart.

Something about the way Shakespeare wrote always called out to you - specifically Macbeth.

The bell rang indicating your Math class had finally ended. And your last class of the day was Poetry. Making your way there, you had entered the classroom. It was a smaller class, giving it an elective course. There was about 9 other people, you sat near the front of the classroom. The first bell had rang, the teacher waited for any last minute students. And sure enough a boy with shoulder length wavy hair cane sprinting in.

“Sorry! I got stuck in a little traffic jam there in the hallway.” The brunette boy laughed,

“Mr.Kiszka… This isn’t anything new. You need to do better on being on time.”

Mr.Zawalski motioned for him to join the class. He ended up sitting at the desk beside you.

“Last week we finished up our readings from Emily Dickinson, we will be starting with Edgar Allen Poe today. I’m sure most of you are well aware of his work, he had a very different approach than most poets.” Mr.Zawalski spoke as he started parading around the classroom. Everything about Poe, he wasn’t typically your style, but you had grown to like his work.

“He’s kind of a bore… I wish he was a bit more enthusiastic when teaching.”

The brunette boy had leaned over to whisper to you, chuckling as he saw you jump at the sound of his voice, making you giggle softly.

“He has a very monotone voice… Makes me want to fall asleep.” You shifted your body so more of you turned to face the stranger beside you.

“I’m sorry. Let me introduce myself, I’m Joshua Kiszka. But you can call me Josh. What’s your name?”

“I’m Y/F/N Y/L/N, but you can call me Y/N.” You smiled at him softly.

“Well, it's a pleasure to meet you. Are you new here?” Then you heard Mr.Zawalski clear his throat, “Mr.Kiszka this isn’t time for mingling. Would you care to enlighten the classroom on what Poe’s poems were inspired by?”

Josh’s cheeks turned a shade of pink, then turned towards the teacher. “His own childhood trauma. At least that’s what most researchers have gathered.”

Seeming to be satisfied with Josh’s answer, Mr. Zawalski nodded and proceeded to carry on with his lecture - leading you and Josh to giggle quietly.

Before the end of class, Mr.Zawalski had announced there would be a project. And you had to pair up with somebody. Being you had been a new student and the only person you really clicked with was Josh, it was obvious who your partner would be.

“Well I guess we’ll be partners then?” He turned towards you,

“If you’re okay with that?” You smiled softly.

“Of course. Here is my number so we can start working on it.” He smiled taking your phone to type his credentials in, you sent him a text right away for him to save your information. “I’m free whenever. Except for this Wednesday night, I have theater tryouts.”

“I’ll be there too!” You smiled at him.

He chuckled softly, your smile turned wider. “Oh really? That’s great.”

You felt a blush creep onto your face.

“So what part are you trying for?” The bell then interrupted your conversation, “Guess you’ll have to find out at tryouts.” He smirked, getting up.

“That is a whole two days away!” You groaned getting up from your desk.

“I’ll tell you what, come over tonight so we can start working on this project. And maybe I’ll run a few lines to give you a hint at what part.” He cocked an eyebrow.

“Fine. You better stick to your word.” You giggled softly, walking towards your locker.

“You can come over around 5, join my family and I for dinner. My mom always makes enough to practically feed the neighborhood.” Josh spoke as he followed behind you, smiling from ear to ear as he spoke.

“Sure, as long as she doesn’t mind.” He shook his head, “She’ll be thrilled.” He smiled, then he was being pulled by a brunette guy who looked similar to him. But his hair was like a Justin Bieber style cut.

“Josh, we’re gonna be late for band practice.”

“Jeez, Jake I would’ve been right out!” Josh shouted, you looked between the two of them confused. “Sorry Y/N. This is my brother Jake.”

He smiled at you, “Twin brother actually.” Jake chimed in,

“But I’m older by 5 minutes!”

“Will you ever live that down?”

You giggled softly at them bickering. “It was great to meet you, but I don’t want to keep y’all from band practice. I didn’t know you were in the school band.” You smiled softly.

“No. Not a band for school, we have an actual band. We’re just getting started still…” Jake shook his head as he scratched the back of his neck nervously.

“Oh. I’m sorry… Well, have fun, and I’ll see you later.” You flashed a smile before leaving the two of them to go on with their business.

➳

You had luckily gotten your license recently before moving to Michigan and asked to use your mom’s car to drive over to Josh’s house to work on your project tonight.

The drive wasn’t too far from where you lived, in fact you only live a couple blocks from each other. You could’ve probably walked. When arriving you parked on the street out front of their house, making way to the front door. You knocked softly, hearing some yelling behind the door - a girl who looked close in age to you answered the door.

“Hi, I’m Y/N. Is Josh here? I’m here to work on a school project with him.” You spoke offering a small smile.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Veronica but I go by Ronnie. I’m his younger and only sister, he is actually finishing up practice with the guys. You can come in.” She motioned for you to come in.

“If you want, we can go out to the garage. That’s where they practice.”

You smiled, “Sure, why not.”

Ronnie nodded and took you out with her to the garage. As you walked in the guys were in the midst of a song, Josh was singing, Jake was playing guitar and there were two other boys. One looked similar to Jake, assuming it was another sibling of theirs. He was playing bass, and the other was playing drums. Ronnie and you had sat on the couch in front of them.

They sounded really good, for being so young. Josh had finally noticed you as a blush crept on his cheeks, he averted towards Jake as they finished up the song, and concluded their practice.

“That was better than the last run. We’ll resume back to this tomorrow.” Jake directed to them, “Sam, we got to tune that better. And Danny, we’ll have to try and rig the snare.”

They all nodded, making way to head into the house.

“I didn’t expect you to come out here.” Josh had chuckled softly.

“Ronnie asked if I wanted to. And figured why not.” You smiled softly, “So how many of you are there?” You whispered to him - in hopes that his siblings wouldn’t hear.

“There are four of us. Jake and I are the oldest, Ronnie is the middle and Sam is the youngest. And Danny, he's Sam’s best friend. But we consider him a brother, he’s been around for so long.” He smiled, a dimple peeking out.

“Dinner is probably ready, we should head in before my mother starts calling.” He chuckled softly, you followed behind him into the house. He led you to the dining room, it was big enough for everyone that was present. Once you stepped foot in, all eyes were on the two of you.

“Mom and Dad this is Y/N. She is new to our school, and my partner for our class project. But also a new friend.” He smiled at you.

“Oh it’s nice to meet you dear! It’s always great to meet one of Josh’s friends.” She beamed with excitement, “Please sit anywhere you’d like. I made grilled cheese and a family recipe of tomato soup.”

She motioned for you to sit. Josh pulled a chair out for you, that was next to Jake, and you sat down as Josh sat in the seat next to you.

➳

Everyone had eaten, and once your bellies were full to content. You and Josh had decided to head to his and Jake’s shared room to work on the project. Both sides were different from one another, Josh having anything film related where Jake had music related posters.

“Jake and I are forced to share a room, while Ronnie and Sam get the luxury of having their own rooms.” He chuckled softly motioning for you to sit on his bed as he sat on a chair from his desk.

“It’s okay, my sister and I were forced to share a room when we lived in Oregon.” You giggled softly remembering the tiny two bedroom house your parents had gotten when your father was stationed on a mission again.

“Oregon? How did you end up all the way here?” Josh chuckled softly.

“My dad was in the military. We moved around quite a lot.” You responded nonchalantly.

“Oh wow. So you’re settled here in Frankenmuth, Michigan?”

“It's a cute town.” You giggled softly.

“We’re really known for Christmas. Whole town goes overboard with all of it, really. But it is nice. I do enjoy Christmas here.” He rubbed his hands together.

“So where are you originally from?” He questioned you.

“Florida.” You said flatly.

Honestly, you didn’t miss it - especially given the fact you had lived close to Orlando for quite some time, you hated the tourists all year round for the 9 years you lived there.

“Sunshine state… Hm. I think I’ll nickname you Sunshine. How does that sound?” He chuckled softly, a blush crept on your face.

“Sure…”

“Now, what role are you trying for Mr.Kiszka?” You impersonated Mr.Kiwalski’s voice. Earning a chuckle from Josh he shook his towards you.

“Don’t laugh.” He chuckled, “But I’m going for Wonka.”

You smiled at him softly, “I think you’ll fit perfectly…you have the characteristics for it.” You giggled softly.

“And how about you?”

“Veruka.” You giggled, sitting up straight.

“Well I guess we’ll just wait and see.”

December 2013

Ever since that poetry class, you and Josh had been inseparable. You finished your project earning an easy A on it. And then got the roles you had both wanted for the Willy Wonka play. Josh had been working on a film script for the last couple weeks, having you help assist him with it.

“You know you are quite the genius Sunshine.” Josh smiled at you, you smiled back. “I’m just doing what I can! I told you I’ll help film, and help with costumes as well.”

You finished writing in your journal with all of the plans for Josh’s film that was coming up early next month.

“Do you think it’s silly?” He scratched the back of his head.

“No, not at all. I think it’s going to be brilliant. You have a very creative mind Josh. You need to stop doubting yourself.” You replied, shaking your head to give more reinforcement to your words.

“It’s just I care a lot about film, and this band stuff with Jake sometimes can be a lot…” He sighed, sitting on the edge of his bed.

“Josh… Jake has told you that he would help in any way.” You sat next to him.

“Yeah, but this is his dream… He’s always wanted to be a rockstar. And I want that for him. Me, I'm just a silly old film guy.” He chuckled as you nudged him softly.

“Aaand he would want the same for you. Don’t beat yourself up. This film is going to be amazing. Now come on, we have a Christmas party to attend.” You stood up, putting your hand out for him to join.

Once he took your hand in his, it felt like electricity had gone through you. During the short time you’ve known Josh. You’ve grown to like him more than just a friend…

He stood up from his bed, dropping your hand from his slowly.

“Yeah, you’re right. Thanks Y/N…” He smiled softly.

“Of course Josh, that’s what friends are for.” You smiled mentally slapping yourself. You wish you could tell him how you felt. But you also didn’t want to freak him out.

The two of you made way to the basement where the party was being held, Jake smiled and walked over to you giving you a tight hug. With how close you got to Josh, you got close to his twin as well.

“About time you two showed up. Was starting to think you were sucking face.”

Josh gave him a glare as his cheeks turned to a crimson. You blushed, staring at your feet. “No, we were just working on the last touches of the film Jacob.”

“Sorry…” He gave Josh an apologetic look, they had some sort of twin telepathy way of communicating. You just went with the flow of it all. Josh ventured off to some other film friends that you would eventually join.

“Hey I really didn’t mean to embarrass you guys…” Jake had spoken to you quietly.

“It’s okay Jake, really…” You fiddled with your hands.

“No, no it's not… Has Josh said anything to you lately?” You gave him a questioning look.

“Said what?” You grabbed a can of pop.

“Forget it…” Jake went to turn, you grabbed his arm.

“Jacob.”

“You can’t say anything.” Jake mumbled as he turned to face you.

You gave him a look, “Cross my heart and hope to die.” You giggled doing the little promise. He pulled you aside.

“Josh really likes you… But he’s just too afraid to admit it.” He said quietly to you, only audible for you to understand. You felt butterflies in your stomach.

“R-really…” You looked up at him.

“Yeah. Why do you think he’s been up your ass so much lately.” He chuckled softly, “But you didn’t hear this from me.” He gave you a stern look.

“Jake, I won’t say a word. Besides… He hasn’t even made a move…” You looked over at Josh watching him talk with your other friends.

“Give it time… He doesn’t really know how to go about these things. He might need a little push, but. He’ll do it.” He patted your back softly.

“Thanks Jake…” You smiled and walked over to your friends and talked about the plans for the new year.

January 2014

“Josh, how the hell did you book a hotel room for the weekend for this film? Don’t we have to be at least 21 to book?” You shot a glare as you settled your bags into the room.

“Sunny, you underestimate my skills… Have I taught you nothing.” He sighs, acting like he’s been hurt. “Okay. Maybe I did, but just a tiny bit.”

You giggled softly setting up your equipment - while Jake came into the room with the rest of their friends.

“Okay, so I totally did not cause a scene in the lobby…” He said nervously.

“Jacob, I swear if we get kicked out of this damn hotel before we even shoot anything. I’m kicking your ass.”

“Some idiot tried fucking with our equipment, what else was I suppose to do.” He defended himself, causing the two of them to bicker.

“Alright! It just better not result in anything bad…”

The remainder of the evening you had set the room up for the liking of how you were filming this short film that Josh had in mind. Jake was one of the main roles, along with their friend Grace. Filming was going great, you had everything pretty much under control so Josh could focus on filming and getting the right angles while you adjusted lighting, make up and props.

After a couple hours of shooting Josh figured it was time to call it a night. You had helped clean up the room while Jake and Grace had finished up their last shots, and proceeded to help clean as well. Josh had already started editing the clips from tonight, and said that we would pick it back up tomorrow.

The twins ended up sharing a bed, while you and Grace had shared the other. It's not like you and Josh haven’t slept by one another before. You had passed out on the pull out sofa bed in their basement a few times when you’d stay over late working on a project. But Jake didn’t want to make Grace uncomfortable.

➳

The next day filming had picked up, but Jake was in a mood as he was tired of filming the same scene for the past hour.

“Well Jacob if you’d actually put effort into it. We wouldn’t have to keep shooting this take!” Josh threw his hands up in frustration.

“How about we take a lunch break!” You suggested taking your headphones off.

“Yeah, that’s a great idea.” Jake huffed grabbing his things, “You want to hit that Sub shop Grace?”

She nodded in agreement following Jake, leaving you and Josh to yourselves. Josh had put some things away grabbing a microwave.

“Joshua, what are you doing with the damn microwave?” You crossed your arms staring at him.

“I want to make stir fry. And I’m not trying to burn the room down, so to the hallway we go!” He made his way to the door, but he could open it considering his hands were full. So you opened the door, following behind him with your camera and other supplies.

Deciding to sprint to be in front of him, you took a picture of him with the microwave. “You’re something else Kiszka.” You giggled, getting to the end of the hallway. He plugged the microwave into the outlet, preparing the meal he had planned.

“Is this even going to be any good?” You gave him a concerning look.

“You have to live on the edge, a little mama.” He chuckled, mixing it together and placing it into the microwave, turning it on and setting it to whatever time and power he had it set as.

“Sir, what are you doing?” One of the maids had questioned him.

“Just making a five star meal. Care for some?” He smiled.

“You can’t do that out here. Why is it even out of the room?” She had questioned him, with her arms crossed.

“What do you mean? It was already out here.” He played a great character.

“Sir, I can assure you that is the room microwave you need to put it back in its rightful place. Or I will have to report you to the hotel staff.” She huffed watching him.

“It’s almost done cooking. It’ll be out of the way shortly.” Josh replied, smirking.

“I suggest you take it back now.” She then started to walk away to clean a room. Josh sat there letting it continue to cook.

“Josh, she seemed pretty serious.” You looked at him with worry.

“Sunshine, you need to liven it up!” He chuckled softly, as the microwave went off he unplugged it and walked back to the room with it.

“You Kiszka’s sure have a way…” You giggled softly, sitting on the bed.

“I can’t tell if that’s a good thing, or a bad thing.” He chuckled softly sitting beside you with his plate, taking a bite he spit it out quickly. “Oh that is mortifying.” He made a gagging face.

“Not so bright Joshy…” You giggled softly.

“Come on, let’s go get some real stir fry.” You patted his back, he nodded, throwing out his creation.

➳

The two of you found a local Japanese restaurant not too far from the hotel. Taking in on dining there, you let Jake and Grace know where the two of you went in case they came back earlier than you two.

“So, the Valentine’s dance is coming up.” Josh had said nervously.

“Yeah, have you asked any special girl?” You smiled softly, taking a sip of your water.

“No, not yet…” He put his head down, like he was ashamed.

“It’s okay Josh, you don’t have to show up with a date. You can just go with friends.” You smiled softly at him.

“Uh actually. Y/N, I was wondering if maybe you would be my date for the Valentine’s dance.” He looked up at you nervously with flushed cheeks.

“You want me to be your date?” You smiled as your cheeks became a tinted pink.

He nodded, smiling softly, “Yeah. I’d really like it if you would?”

“Yeah, I’ll be your date…” You trailed off with a smile, giving him a small reassuring nod.

He smiled, chuckling softly, “I thought I was gonna walk out of here like a sore loser if you said no.”

“I would never say no to you Josh…”

February 2014

It was Friday, school was a complete drag the past week. They had a spirit week in honor of the Valentine’s dance tonight. Ever since Josh had asked you to be his date, the two of you had been inseparable. You had been working on the last touches of the short film you worked on together. It was nearing completion but Josh decided that the two of you should take this week off from editing, since the dance was taking up a majority of the time.

You had joined the student council prior to Christmas break, and helped the council decorate and plan the dance. It was senior year after all, you had to make some memories while living the last of your childhood. Josh knew how much it meant to you to partake in this, since you were never able to do much like this before.

You had been getting ready at home, finishing the last touches of your hair and makeup. You kept your makeup rather simple, not doing too much of a glam look, and your hair had some loose curls.

You went to your closet pulling your dress off from the hanger, it was an indigo dress that rested against your knees and had some slight rhinestone embellishments on the edges of the dress. You slipped it on looking at yourself in the mirror, content with your look you put your heels on and grabbed your small satchel heading downstairs.

Josh was at the bottom of the stairs waiting for you with your parents and sister.

“You look absolutely stunning.” Your mom beamed.

“You look amazing, sweetie.” Your dad chimed in, agreeing with your mother.

Your sister smiled, clapping her hands together. She opted on staying home instead of going to the dance tonight. She was in the same grade as Sam and Danny and you have tried multiple times to get her to hang out with them.

“You look beautiful, Sunshine.” Josh came in front of you holding a beautiful white rose assortment corsage, with a boutineer to go with it.

You smiled softly in response.

“You look dashing.”

Your mom smiled coming over to aid the two of you with putting his boutineer on. Then Josh slipped your corsage onto your wrist.

“Okay! In front of the fireplace, we have to get pictures of you two.” Your mom beamed, as your father ushered you into the living room. Josh and yourself stood in front of the fireplace, as he placed his hand on the small of your back you felt butterflies in your stomach placing your arm around his back. You both posed and smiled for the millions of pictures your mother insisted on taking. Then took a couple with your parents.

“Guys it's not even prom, it's just a regular dance!” You giggled softly after taking enough pictures.

“Yes you’re right dear, but it’s your senior year!” Your mom beamed at you.

“We should really get going, otherwise we’ll be late…” You looked at the time.

“Wouldn’t be the first time I’m late to a function!” Josh chuckled softly, you giggled in agreement.

“Yeah, but I think for once you should be on time.” You smirked and started to head to the door with him.

Before leaving your father gave Josh a whole spiel on his rules and when to have you home by. Typical dad move, but he just wanted to be in good hands.

“Dad, he’s a good guy. Besides I think Mrs.Kiszka would be on him if he didn’t abide by your rules.” You giggled softly as Josh nodded.

“Yeah, my mom would have my butt canned.”

The two of you then left your house, he opened the passenger side to his car letting you get in before he closed it getting to his side. Once you buckle your seatbelt he had gotten into the car buckling himself in the driving over.

After arriving, Josh had parked next to Jake’s car. Jake had gotten out and let his date out of the passenger side. He had asked Valerie to be his date, she was more than thrilled when he had asked her. Valerie was this sweet junior who was a part of the cheerleading squad and Jake was absolutely crushing on her.

“You guys look amazing!” You smiled at them, hugging Jake and then Val.

“You guys look great too!” Jake beamed.

“Well we should head in, it’s freezing out here.” Josh had motioned for everyone to make their way, as he kept his hand on the small of your back.

Once you entered the high school gymnasium there was a photo station off to the left, then a table for water and punch.

“Do you want some punch?” Josh looked over at you.

“Yeah, I’d like some.” You smiled.

“Grab a table and I’ll meet you there.” He wandered off to the refreshment table as you made way to a small table in the corner. Jake and Val had already ventured to the dance floor, making the most of their night.

Josh had returned with two cups of punch, setting yours down in front of you on the table, he smiled softly at you.

“My lady.” He chuckled softly, sliding into the chair beside you.

“Well thank you kind sir.” You giggled softly, taking a sip of the punch.

“You guys did really well with planning all of this.” He smiled, taking a sip of his punch.

“Thank you, I was nervous they weren’t going to like my ideas…” You slouched a bit - suddenly feeling a wave of nervousness hit you.

“Are you kidding! Sunny you are brilliant. Who wouldn’t like your ideas?” He smiled softly at you, you returned a smile as your cheeks flushed.

After conversing for a bit, the two of you decided to hit the dance floor joining Jake and Val. You guys had danced the night away, laughing and acting like complete idiots. But it’s all you ever wanted at this moment.

The DJ then turned things slow for a remainder of the evening starting off with All of Me by John Legend. Josh had you pulled you close to him, wrapping his arms around your waist and you wrapped your arms around his neck. Smiling softly at him, you giggled to yourself softly.

“What is it, Sunshine?” He chuckled softly, catching your giggle.

“Nothing…” You blushed, placing your head on his chest listening to his heartbeat as the two of you swayed.

“Your heart is beating rather fast Josh…”

You giggled and turned to look up at him, he then moved his one hand to caress your face.

“Y/N…”

You looked at his face, he licked his lips nervously.

“Yeah Josh…”

He studied your face, before zoning in closer he then pressed his soft plush lips against yours.

‘Cause I give you all of me

And you give me all of you’

You were taken by surprise, but immediately kissed him back softly letting your lips move in sync. Soaking in this moment together. After a moment the two of you pulled away, smiling while giggling at each other.

“God, I’ve wanted to do that for so long…” He shook his head, sighing softly.

“I think you should do it again.” You smiled brightly at him - he then captured your lips once more with his, giving a few little pecks before detaching his lips from yours.

“Y/N… I. Well, what I’m trying to ask.”

“Yes, Josh. I’ll be your girlfriend.” You giggled softly, rubbing his arm to soothe his nerves.

to be continued

Taglist -

@lyndszee @laneygvf @sacredthefran @starcatcherry @fkfearandliveyourlegend @hi-hi-hello11 @gretnavannfleet @themoreyou-love @gvfmuse @meetingthestardust @myleftsock

#greta van fleet #gvf #greta van smut #gvf smut #josh kiskza fanfic #josh greta van fleet #josh kiszka series #josh kiszka #josh kiszka fluff #josh kiszka fic #josh kiszka x y/n #josh kiszka smut #josh kiszka x reader #josh gvf #josh gvf smut

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zialltops · 11 months

Text

East Side Of Sorrow

Word Count: 76,093

Chapters: 16/22

Rating: Explicit

Warnings/tags: Minor underage, no piv till 18, Graphic Descriptions of Violence, loss of virginity, older man/younger woman, reader is 17-18, Joel is 49-50, asphyxiation, voyeurism, face slapping, knife play, mask wearing, somnophilia, breeding kink, slow burn, murder mystery

Summary: It started at one of two points when you were sixteen, but for the life of you, you cant recall which came first. All you know, is a defining moment led you to the stark realization that you didn’t like the boys you sat beside in math class, weren’t interested in the seniors on the football field under Friday night lights—you didn’t want to dance with a boy at your high school prom, or have your first kiss under the bleachers.

You wanted a man.

Chapter List & Links

1. Summertime’s Close

2. Hey Driver

3. Fear & Fridays

4. Spotless

5. Ticking

6. Tourniquet

7. Smaller Acts

8. Jakes Piano - Long Island

9. Jakes Piano - Long Island (Part 2)

10. Tradesman

11. Nine Ball

12. Deep Satin

13. Sarah’s Place

14. Darling

15. The Outskirts

16. The Good I'll Do

✨spotify link here✨

#joel miller #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller x reader #pedro pascal #the last of us #archive of our own #joel the last of us #east side of sorrow #joel tlou #pedro pascal fanfiction #pedro pascal fanfic #tlou

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misschanadlerbong · 2 years

Text

Chapter 9 - Part 1

Summary: Y/N was not doing so well in her studies so she seeks Clay Jensen's help, but things get a bit heated.

Warnings: make-out

Pairing: Clay Jensen x Reader

Word Count: 2k

< Previous | Next >

The last term of your senior year was going fairly well. The tension between Zach and you were at ease and you both were back to being good sports teammates there was no denying the fact that you guys made the best team.

You found it hard to believe, but it had been a long since you acknowledged that life sucked. But life’s a bitch whenever you feel too happy it bites you in the back.

You got called in by your history teacher and it seemed like you weren’t doing good with your grades, and you needed grades to get into a good college.

“But I’ll have my sports scholarship, so why worry about the grades?” you argued.

“Ms. Y/L/N I understand that you have a sports scholarship but that does not mean that I will be happy to see such low grades in your history test. Y/N you did so well in the first term despite being caught up in sports. I want you to improve your scores as they were. There should always be a backup plan. Let us hope to see a spike in your grades in end-term tests.” The teacher suggested.

To be honest the truth was that you were so caught up with your encounter with Bryce and your breakup with Zach that you almost forgot that you had school to be good at. You made it seem so easy that you could handle it all but, you were just seventeen and you couldn’t handle it all too well. Those sleepless nights of overthinking, thinking how you could have done it differently, what would have happened if you didn’t end up with Bryce in that filthy clubhouse, spending a lot of time in the bathroom crying and the list goes on.

You possessed this power where you can be cheerful and happy from the outside without anyone letting know what’s going on the inside. You never liked the idea of burdening other people with your problems.

Now, you had to move on. Those incidents were not worth anything to put your grades at stake. You decided to ask Clay for help as to who can be a better tutor than the smartest student in the class himself.

The school day ended, and you were going into the parking lot with Jessica where Tony was waiting for you in his car to drop you home. While walking in the hallway towards the gate you came across Clay Jensen. “Jess, you wait for me outside, I gotta talk to Clay about something.” You told Jessica.

“Yeah, I’ll be right outside with Tony.” She spoke.

“Hello, Mr. Nerd.” You greeted Clay.

“Oh, hi! You can see me?” said Clay sarcastically.

You rolled your eyes in embarrassment and said innocently “Okay, I have been a bit busy lately. It’s not like I ghosted you or something we still met at the locker often.”

“Yeah, right right right. You kiss me and then for a month I am just a guy whose locker is neighbors with yours.” You could hear the teasing in his words. He didn’t sound mad he was just being savage which was not unlikely of him.

You sighed heavily, “That is not the point Clay, come on. I need your help. Please listen to me?”

You made your pretty please face which no one has ever been able to deny.

“Yeah, tell me. I was just kidding. Sometimes it feels nice to not be the one getting roasted by Ms. Y/N. Anyway, tell me how I could help you ma’am?” He crossed his arms and was ready to listen attentively.

“I kinda need you to tutor me in History and Maths. I missed a few classes, life’s been pretty rocky, so I wasn’t paying attention. Could you maybe help me?”

“Ah, now I wonder why I got attention from Ms. Y/N/L/N and suddenly I exist for her, of course, it is because you need my help. I get it yeah.” He teased yet again.

“Okay, enough with this sassy treatment Clay, you are lucky I need help from you otherwise I don’t take this shit from anyone. I get it I used you and I am sorry. I am. Please?” you said making your pretty please face again.

“I got homework to do so I might not be able to…”

You cut him off and said “Okay Clay, I have tried to be nice but you’re on the Student Honour Board and you must help every student seeking help. Earlier I asked you as a friend but now I am asking you to perform your duty as a peer. Otherwise, I don’t think so you deserve to be on the Student Board.”

“Damn, you got me. I was just fooling around. I’ll help you. It will be my honor. We can meet at Monéts in an hour.” Finally, he agreed to help.

“No not in an hour, I gotta go home and eat something quickly and come back for practice. How about at 6?” you suggested.

“Oh okay, at 6. But it’ll have to be at my place then. That café turns loud till the evening.”

“Done! Thank you so much, Clay. You are the best.”

You kissed his left cheek in a friendly way which left Clay blushing and staring at the floor with his right hand behind his neck as you walked away.

After practicing you took a quick shower and put on your boyfriend-fit jeans with a black graphic tee on the top and grabbed your leather jacket on your way out. You told your mom that you were going to study at Clay’s place which was the only reason why she would permit you to go to a boy’s place. To study.

On your way to the Jensen’s, you stopped by Monéts to buy a couple of drinks for Clay and yourself. You knocked on the door gently and Clay did not even take a minute to open it seemed like he was eagerly waiting for you.

“Hey Hoodie! See what I brought along with me.”

“Hey Y/N, aren’t we supposed to study?” He inquired.

“Okay, Jensen sue me for needing caffeine while studying.” Sarcasm flows with your words.

“Let me that that.” He offered to take your jacket like a gentleman.

With that, he led the way, and you followed him to the round dining table in the kitchen. You placed the drinks on the table and took out your books. Clay peeped into the drinks curiously, wondering what I could have brought.

You made his work easy by giving him his drink and taking yours, “Here, Hot Chocolate for you and Triple Mocha for me.”

“How come I don’t get coffee?” he asked.

“Simple. Because you don’t drink it.” You answered.

He looked surprised by the fact that you knew that information about him. He further inquired “How’d you know that?”

You tried to make it seem normal as you said “I uh… might have read your fan fiction about Alien Killer Robots and Percy is not a Coffee guy either so I gathered that you won’t be too because you resonate with Percy a lot. You are just like him, brave, courageous, empathetic, and compassionate.”

“You read my fiction???... But didn’t you say that you have no interest in Aline Killer Robots and they creep you out?”

Damn this man had many questions, “Okay, I thought of giving it a try you know starting with the fiction, so I am ready for the real thing. And to be honest I must admit, great writing. You made me fall for the whole Alien concept and I might even borrow those comics you recommend to me earlier.”

You could see the pride on Clay’s face, he was so happy that you called him Percy. You knew he was his favorite character, and he would fight anyone who does not like him.

You both sat down on the wooden chairs and Clay started with American history. It seemed like the house had no one except you two until you heard the door being opened by someone.

“Clay, I am home.” The woman spoke.

That someone was Clay’s mom, Lainie Jensen. She was surprised to see an unexpected guest, but she was so sweet. She instantly brought a huge welcoming smile to her face.

Clay looked a little awkward as he was not expecting either of his parent too early.

“Mom, I thought you were working.”

“Hello to you too Clay. I brought the work home. By the way, who is this beautiful girl?” asked her mom in the sweetest way you could imagine. You always liked when people appreciated you.

Before Clay could say anything, you stretched your hand for a handshake and said “Y/N, Y/Ln. It is so nice to meet you Mrs, Jensen.”

“Oh, so she is the famous Y/N I have heard so much about.” She gasped.

Clay got all awkward again and said, “Not so much about you, you know just a little bit. It’s part of their helicopter parenting where I have to tell them about my day and all. Mom if you would please excuse us, we have to do some studying.”

Clay grabbed all the books, and you picked up your backpack along with the drinks and he led the way toward a narrow staircase. We did not even climb three steps when his mom called for him again.

“Clay, honey, please remember to keep the door open 3 inches”

You tried your best not to laugh but could not help it and let out a small giggle. Clay got embarrassed as he looked at you and then at his mom and said, “Stop humiliating me in front of my friends, mom.” He climbed the stairs in frustration and opened the door for you to his bedroom.

He had a small bedroom but not so small to accommodate a couch in one corner of the room and a queen size bed in the other corner attached to the wall. His study table was just beside the window giving the perfect street view. His walls were dominated by posters of various things this Alien Killer Robots and The Arcade Fire. As he closed the door leaving three inches open as instructed by his mom your eyes fell upon this beautiful doodle of tapes. His bedroom was aesthetically grey which you found soothing and cozy.

Over the span of an hour, you both shifted from the couch to the study table, to the bed and finally, you both settled down on the floor resting your backs on the other side of the bed. Clay was sitting on the side closer to the door and you were sitting near his nightstand.

“So Civil War happened in which year?” asked Clay taking my test.

“1851?” you answered.

“No, Y/N it’s 61”

You groaned in frustration “Why can’t Damon Salvatore be my history tutor? Like he lived the history, he was even part of the war.”

“Don’t you think Damon’s toxic?” asked Clay and jealousy was visible on his face.

You cross-questioned him “Don’t you think Katherine’s a bitch?”

“Yeah, but she’s hot.” Said Clay making an argument.

You patted Clay’s cheek and said with sympathy “Thank you so much for proving my point, Clay.” It didn’t take long for Clay to realize what you meant, and you both laughed loudly.

But suddenly there was an unexpected silence in the room. You felt some kind of tension between the two of you, something that was never experienced between the two of you. It was like a silence that spoke a magnitude of language. You felt a force that was drawing you towards Clay. You took deep breaths and cupped Clay’s face with one hand moving him closer to you. You looked into his eyes and he gave a slight nod.

You leaned in to kiss Clay. Luckily, he started kissing back and you both sunk into the kiss. You still held his face by his jawline keeping him closer and moved towards him decreasing the gap between you two, meanwhile, Clay slid one of his legs to shut the door without breaking the kiss.

You were so impressed by this act; he did this so effortlessly. As you sunk more into the kiss it was getting hot until the door flung open and you stopped abruptly.

A/N: Damn! I wonder who could that be? it's sus. I promise there's a part 2 to it so stay tuned.

Shower your love by liking and commenting on the post. Refrain from copying, plagiarism, or posting on any other platform.

THANK YOU!!!

P.S.: I also upload on Wattpad @immafreakingmoonstone, feel free to check out my account :)

#13 reasons why #13rw #clay jensen #clay #clay jensen x reader #13rw reader fiction #clay x reader #clay jensen 13rw #clay jensen 13 reasons why #13rw imagine #clay jensen imagine #dylan minnette #dylan minnette x reader #chapter 9 part 1 #there's gonna be a part 2 #reader fiction

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circusmania · 8 months

Text

SIN Chapter 3

➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵ Notes: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11

♡ ➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵

Deception.

Suffocation.

Desperation.

Dissolution.

It was already the next day, Friday, the best day of the week! Which also means one more day until Omar's party! I can't wait!

The first period went along swellingly, now for theatre.

I sat down at the desk, it was seated between Judy and Omar.

“You excited for tomorrow?” Omar leaned in, I nodded and smiled while taking the notes from my binder.

“There's going to be plenty of stuff to do! We'll serve chips, alcohol, fruits-”

“Wait alcohol? Aren't we too young to drink?” Judy leaned into our conversation.

“What's wrong with living a little?” Omar laughed, Judy looked at me concernedly.

“Hey, I won't even be going near the alcohol. You don't have to worry about me.” I told her.

“If you don't want to drink alcohol, that's fine, we're going to have a punch bowl on the table too.”

“I'm not worried about what I'll drink, I'm concerned about if we get busted! We're only 17-18, we have to be at least 19!” Judy exclaimed, keeping her voice down.

“Close enough, and it's highly unlikely that we'll get caught,” Omar said.

This didn't reassure Judy.

“If you're so worried about it, maybe you shouldn't come.” Judy tensed at Omar's words.

“I'll come…” Judy whispered.

Omar shrugged while Judy slumped into her seat. He opened his astrology book and continued reading. Oh! That reminds me!

“Omar, you like dark fantasy, right?” He looked at me giddily.

“Yessss?? Why? You interested in it?”

“No, but Marcus is. He's into dark fantasy!”

“Marcus? Marcus D Angelo?”

I nodded, suddenly remembering all the events that happened yesterday. I still want to be friends with him, though… if he starts to get out of hand, I'll have to put some distance between us.

I turned back to Omar. “Yes, Marcus.”

Omar thought for a bit.

“Oh, heh, that's not surprising.”

“How so?”

“He just seems like the type to be.” Omar shot me a smile before turning back to his book.

Hmm, I guess he does seem like the type.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ: 🔔🔔🔔:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Math is my second least favourite subject. Period.

Judy and I were walking together to our math class; she insisted on holding hands. We both stood at the doorway, examining the classroom in a way. Marcus was sitting at our table. Early as usual.

Judy kissed my cheek before skipping to her seat, she passed Marcus while slightly smirking at him. I scoffed, can't she just leave the poor guy alone?

I sat down next to him, noticing he was reading from a scrunched-up paper. I leaned in a bit.

It was a poem.

“You write poems?” He hid the paper under his stack of notes.

“Maybe” He didn't face my way, probably embarrassed.

“Sooo, did you decide if you were coming to Omar's party yet?”

“Yeah, I guess it wouldn't hurt to check it out.” He smiled.

“Now, back to the poem-”

“You're not reading it,” Marcus said, back to his usual monotone voice.

“Oh please!! I love to write poems! I swear I won't judge!” I tugged on his arm.

“Hmm, not right now, but probably in the future.”

He turned to face me, smiling.

I backed up a bit, just now noticing how close we were.

“Are you okay? You're turning red.” Marcus pressed the back of his hand onto my forehead.

“I'm fine! Just getting a bit hot in here, haha!” I fanned myself while averting his gaze.

“Are you sure? The nurse's office isn't that far-”

“I'M SURE.”

“Okay…” Marcus returned to his paper while looking up at the teacher who just walked in.

I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself down. This was a normal reaction! We were close (ON ACCIDENT) and it caught me by surprise! Totally normal reaction!

I hopefully managed to return to my normal colour.

I sighed, I can't wait for tomorrow.

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ 🌃🌆🌇☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Yesterday passed like a breeze. It's finally time for a well-earned rest.

Omar's party isn't until later at night, so I have plenty of time to relax.

I grinned to myself.

Sometimes I forget I live alone. I only just moved into my apartment, a few months ago. It still feels like my parents will just pop out of nowhere.

I poured some cereal into a bowl and then some milk. I sat down and ate my breakfast.

I scrolled through insta till I got a notification from Omar.

Hyped for tonight!!

😎😎😎

Suddenly, my phone chimed with a new notification from Messenger. It was from an unknown number; it read “Hi”.

Btw, Marcus asked for your number. Thought y'all were buddies, so I gave it to him

Next time warn me about it first, got scared for a sec

lol

I changed Marcus's contact to his name and texted him back.

Hi! Marcus right?

Yeah

Cool. Getting ready for the party?

No. The party isn't until 7:30 pm

Right 😅

What are you gonna wear?

He was so blunt while texting, it was getting scary.

Nothing too fancy. Probably a hoodie at best.

Oh, I see. And your friends?

Well, that's new.

Judy is either going to match with Vanessa or just going to be casual, Vanessa is definitely going to go all out and Omar is going to wear something semi-formal.

Have you and Omar been getting along? He told me he gave you my number.

You could say that.

That was enough texting for me. It was getting a little awkward.

My phone chimed again,

Marcus hearted your message: “:)”

I smiled.

I really couldn't wait for tonight.

＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚🎉🎊🎈˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

I stood in front of Omar's house.

Even though I was ten minutes early, the house was already full.

A cold hand touched my shoulder, pulling me away from my thoughts.

“Heyyyy! Are you ready to party??”

“Hey, Vanessa.”

As I guessed, she was wearing a very… uh… revealing black dress. It barely covered her thighs.

“I guess I am…”

She dragged me by the arm and inside the house.

I have been to Omar's house many times, but it always amazed me how big it is.

There were multicoloured lights everywhere, people dancing, people drowning themselves in-

“Hey, is that Judy?”

I stopped in my tracks, Vanessa too.

Judy was in a middle of a ring of people yelling “Chug, chug, chug!” in unison while she chugged a whole bottle of wine. Jesus Christ!

“She seems like she's having fun, now c'mon, let's dance!”

She shrugged Judy off and dragged me away to the dance floor. This time I resisted and slapped her hand away, making my way toward Judy.

“Judy! What the hell are you doing?!” I pulled her away from the crowd, however, to my surprise, she pushed me away.

“Oh, fuck off, bAbE!”

“Excuse me?” I asked; she most definitely was drunk.

“You're always hic chatting and hic hanging out with that fa hick, never have time for meee…”

She slouched onto me.

“Judy, that's not it at all. He's just new and … isn't making friends…”

“EXCUSES!!!!” Judy blurted out, pushing me yet again.

“Go awayyy”

“What-”

“GO away! Leave me, go to hic your new boyfriend!!” She wobbled away, leaving me alone, blushing…

Boyfriend???

I'm not gay, I'm dating her! I'm straight! I think…

I spot Omar in the distance, he's wearing very formal attire and chatting with some girls. I recognize some of their faces, they looked older, but I'm sure they were still in our grade.

Omar looks my way, he (supposedly) makes up an excuse to the girls and jogs toward me.

“Hi there Omar!”

He wraps me in a big hug.

“So glad you could make it! Is everybody else here too?” He asks. I cringed.

Judy is probably crying in a bathroom, Vanessa is most likely somewhere trying to get laid, and Marcus-

Where is Marcus?

“Yeah… uhm, have you seen Marcus anywhere?” Omar cocks an eyebrow.

“Marcus? No, haven't seen him. Probably didn't arrive yet, or didn't come at all.” He shrugged and patted me on the shoulder.

“I'm going to go back, catch you later!” He winked and waved before walking back to the girls.

This party wasn't turning out the way I expected it to.

I looked around, everybody is either dancing, drinking or talking.

Ugh, it was starting to get stuffy in here…

I made my way outside to the balcony, the music slowly fading into the background.

I leaned against the rails, looking up at the night sky. There were many stars up tonight.

It was pretty.

I smiled and closed my eyes, staying silent for some time.

I suddenly felt a new presence appear next to me.

“Judy, if you're finally done moping around, Marcus and I aren't dating. Final-”

“Bummer.”

I opened my eyes and saw Marcus beside me.

“Sorry,” I blushed out of EMBARRASSMENT, “Judy's just making these random accusations.”

Marcus didn't say anything.

“You and Judy are dating, right?” Marcus asks.

I nod.

“Why do you always go after her?” He whispers, most likely to himself. I don't say anything.

He takes a cigarette out of his pocket and places it between his lips. He takes his lighter from his other pocket and lights the cigarette.

I groan, “You really have to stop.” He shrugs in response.

“It helps me keep my mind off things.”

“What things?”

Marcus pinched the cigarette's butt, the flame dying out.

“How did you do that without it burning your fingers?”

Marcus chucked the cigarette off the balcony.

“Done it so many times, my fingers are already numb.”

He crossed his arms and leaned against the rails.

The party was starting to get louder, as if they were cheering for something… someone.

I wonder what's going on in there…

➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵

Want to read ahead? Click here!

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random-mailbox · 1 year

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Random-Mailbox's Favorite Sailor Moon Fics - Week 46 - Tutoring

Back to our regularly scheduled programming after the excitement of @usamamoweek2023 (check out the blog for various contributions, master post is coming in a couple of days to allow for any late submissions).

This week we look at fics where Mamoru takes on the role of a tutor for Usagi in various settings - ranging from high school to university. Some are more lemony than others.

Reminder that @smquickies2023 are next week! August 6-12 (and is open to any SM pairings).

As always, my apologies in advance for spoiling some of these for you (Fic Titles are linked to either FFN or AO3 entries).

we are absolutely made of glass - @cgsf

This one shot is a lemony culmination of years of build-up that led to Usagi convincing Mamoru to help her graduate.

The Physiology of Tutoring - @uglygreenjacket

Usagi’s dad gets Mamoru to become her tutor for Biology because Ami’s methods were clearly not working. Leading to higher grades for Usagi, but also a lot of miscommunications and half truths spoken that will have to be cleared up.

A True Hero: An Essay by Usagi Tsukino - @linlamont

Mamoru, who has been dating Rei for a bit, agrees to tutor Usagi in English in spite of his girlfriend’s protests. In this enemies to lovers fic, Usagi and Mamoru slowly discover how to co-exist before realizing what they mean to each other.

i should tell you to leave ‘cause i (know exactly where this leads) - @goddamnelsa

Usagi thought that taking a physics class in university would be easy if she does it with her friends. Except Ami has too much on her plate to help, so she has to rely on her TA. With their tutoring sessions moving from office hours, to the library and eventually his apartment, Usagi and Mamoru have to make a decision on what they want to become and how ethical that might be. Make sure to read the entire series of stories!

Stuff Tippy Wrote -- Sailor Moon edition: Chapter 20: Usagi is bad at math - @tiptoe39

Mamoru is trying to help Usagi understand how to solve for X in a new way - using Choco Pies!

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That's it for this week. Here is the schedule for the next month:

August 7 - Thunderstorms

August 14 - Food

August 21 - Proposal

August 28 - Locked In

Here are the links to the previous Tumblr posts in these series to explore more amazing works based on different themes - make sure to check them out if you haven't had a chance! (Click on title name to go to the post) - I will keep updating the list every week as new posts come up:

Week 1 - Groundhog Day

Week 2 - Established Relationships

Week 3 - Sex Positivity

Week 4 - Unfinished Stories

Week 5 - Darker Stories

Week 6 - Potions 🧪

Week 7 - Reveals

Week 8 - 👻Halloween🎃

Week 9 - Wrong Perceptions

Week 10 - Non-Senshi AU

Week 11 - In-Progress Fics

Week 12 - Mutual Pining

Week 13 - Enemies to Lovers

Week 14 - Slow Burn

Week 15 - Christmas Part 1 - Ugly Christmas Sweaters and Santa!

Week 16 - Christmas Part 2

Week 17 - New Years

Week 18 - High School AU

Week 19 - Slice of Life

Week 20 - Coffee shop AU

Week 21 - Huddle for Warmth

Week 22 - Friends to Lovers

Week 23 - ❤️Valentines Day❤️

Week 24 - Do a Grouch a Favour Day (or Cheer Up Fics)

Week 25 - Soulmate AU

Week 26 - Amnesia Fics (and resources)

Week 27 - 🍀St Patrick's Day🍀

Week 28 - Fix it Fics

Week 29 - Prompt: Mug

Week 30 - Flowers

Week 31 - Traditions

Week 32 - Dreams

Week 33 - Friends

Week 34 - Body-Swap

Week 35 - Medical Assistance

Week 36 - Sex Pollen

Week 37 - Psychometry

Week 38 - What If

Week 39 - Missing Scenes Part I

Week 40 - Green Jacket

Week 41 - Dr Chiba

Week 42 - Birthdays

Week 43 - Fluff

Week 44 - First Kiss

Week 45 - Reviving Shitennou

#sailor moon #usagi x mamoru #fic rec #fic list #tutoring

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snowviolettwhite · 9 months

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Seven Sentence Sunday

Fuck It Friday.

I am tagged by the lovelies @anewkindofme @im-overstimulated-and-im-sad and @actualalligator

--------

This is from the upcoming chapter five of little boy don't you cry, cause the child in you is still alive. This is from my 9-1-1: Lone Star 2010 AU

tw: ableism & past bullying

The first bell for fifth period ring, one more class before lunch.

Tk has math with Mrs. Jones, they are having a unit on analog clocks and Tk is personally working on his addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. He is having the hardest time with his multiplication and division.

Mrs. Jones is one of the sweetest teachers and is one of Tk’s favorite teachers. She is one of the special education teachers at the school. Whenever Tk must go into a classroom that is obviously for “slow” kids, he tries to be very sneaky so no sees him walking into one. He would probably die of embarrassment and shame if anyone found.

He did not want to a repeat the bullying he experienced in elementary and middle school; he remembers hearing kids talks behind his back thinking he couldn’t hear them, being excluded, and being called names including the r slur and remembers crying and he still cries whenever he thinks about it. He had sort of friends but it still hurts.

-------

This is open to anyone who wants to participate.

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mathswithnarendrasir · 2 years

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Class-9 Mid Term - 1 Mathematics | Important Questions with Solution | Both Medium #mathematics

#16 views 10 Dec 2022 #Class-9 Mid Term - 1 Mathematics | Important Questions with Solution | Both Medium #mathematics #In this video you will learn about classification of real numbers such as rational #irrational #integers #whole and natural numbers.#Also in the end you will learn how to find rational numbers between two rational numbers.#mathmatics 2022 #2nd puc mathematics mid term exam question paper 202 #class 12 mid term inverse trigonometric function #2nd puc mid term exam maths #midterm in mathematics #mid term section discrte math fuctions #aspn class #2nd puc maths mid term question paper 2021 #discrete mathematics midterm #discrete mathematics midterm 2 class 9 mid term question paper 2022 9th first mid term question paper 2022 pdf #class 9 maths #class 9 maths chapter 1 #class 9 maths important questions #important questions #class 9 #class 9 maths chapter 1 mcq #class 9 maths chapter 1 important questions with solutions #class 9 maths chapter #class 9 maths chapter 1 extra questions with solutions #class 9 number systems very important questions #number system important questions #class 9 maths number system

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sunnydaleherald · 2 months

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The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Sunday, July 28th

WILLOW: Where do you keep the black arts books? ANYA: Something terrible has happened, I know. But you don't have to do- WILLOW: (staring up at the loft bookshelves) I need power.

~~Villains~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Unpredictable by veronyxk84 (Buffy, Willow, PG-13)

remember when we argued on the concept of regret by Galeifer_4_real (Giles/Jenny, T)

It Takes Three by MadeInGold (Angel/Riley/Spike, T)

Ann's Audition by eevol76vamp (Anne Steele & Ann the Regali Demon from Spike: Asylum, Darrow, G)

Lessons in Life and Love by simple_nothings (Buffy/Giles, T)

Unpredictable by VeroNyxK84 (Buffy, Willow, PG-13)

[Chaptered Fiction]

To Sail the Starry Sea - Chapter 1 by eevol76vamp (Buffy/Spike, Riley, Holland Manners, Explicit)

Meow, Ch. 13 by CheekyKitten (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

The Watcher, Ch. 22 by In Mortal (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Infernal Fire, Ch. 9 by Melme1325 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Voulez Vous? Ch. 4 by Maxine Eden (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Yes or No? Ch. 4 by scratchmeout (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Mysteries of the Unexplained, Ch. 4 by Willow25 (Buffy/Spike, R)

Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May, Ch. 4 by cawthraven (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

There Is a Season, Ch. 4 by Inevitablethief (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Free to a Good Home, Ch. 4 by though_you_try (Buffy/Spike, R)

It's Good Branding! Ch. 4 by Amina (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

Better Than Revenge, Ch. 4 by BewitchedXx (Buffy/Spike, R)

The Summoning, Ch. 4 by the_big_bad (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

Laid, Ch. 4 by Holly (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Close to Home, Ch. 4 by Sigyn (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Not A Secret to Keep, Ch. 4 by DeamonQueen (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

What She Deserves, Ch. 4 by flootzavut (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

Never Bet Against the Slayer, Ch. 4 by JayeMaru (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

Treats, Ch. 4 by DarkVoid116 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Another Truce? Ch. 4 by To Be Hers (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Some lovely glorious nothing I did see... Ch. 4 by fortes775 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Mysterious Influences, Ch. 4 by EnchantedWillow (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

About Last Night, Ch. 4 by ashcrashed (Buffy/Spike, R)

Magical Medieval Mystery Tour, Ch. 4 by bewildered (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Double Vision, Ch. 4 by Saranac (Buffy/Spike, R)

It's That Time of the Season, Ch. 4 by Tasha (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

What She Deserves, Ch. 3 by flootzavut (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

[Images, Audio & Video]

Quilt-inspired Buffy piece by 5bi5 (Buffy, worksafe)

my boy spike 💕 my favorite tortured poet turned menace to society by teenaween (worksafe)

A Spike collage and line divider ft. Hello Kitty by soponge-meringue (worksafe)

Icons with PSD coloring: VampireSlayer.psd by vampirinhainha (Buffy, worksafe)

A meme about irresponsible drinking by xandersrailcrash (Angel, Spike, Joyce)

Video: Buffy The Vampire Slayer - Season 3 Recap by bigbadllama (ensemble)

[Reviews & Recaps]

so i’m watching dollhouse currently... [whedonspeak in Dollhouse vs. in Buffy] by fallingtowers

Stake fodder's rewatch: S2.1 When She was Bad

Finished Watching Angel Season Two For the First Time by Any-Instruction6273

Just finished [Angel] the series! by sebastiani217

[Recs & In Search Of]

Fic rec: a Buffy/Spike story Pavlov's Spell by ret_wat recced by flowspuffy

countdown to iwry 2024 — iwry2023 most angsty fic - by iwillrememberyoumarathon

passporttomadness is looking for players 25+ to play Angel in Angel/Spike roleplay

Buffy, Angel Seasons 8-12 Graphic Novels FOR SALE by BenReillySpidey149

Angel: After the Fall Graphic Novels FOR SALE by BenReillySpidey149

Can someone update Tom Lenk's Wikipedia page? by Amazing-Intention292

[Fandom Discussions]

AU where the final big bad of Buffy was the Council of Watchers by coraniaid

Poll: which one is willow? (DND classes) by ladyverdance

Was Buffy an 'abusive partner'? by CanIBeAnne and others

S4 Restless (is that a photo of Buffy with Dawn?) by Starmonie

What would Buffy think of the Charmed Ones? by Itchy_Initiative6180

A math proof that Glory is stronger than dark Willow by Key_Use1988

My first homebrew DND campaign is BTVS based by Silent_Torches

Anya's Hair by Guilty-Tie164

If Buffy became a vampire... hosted by debujandobirds

Buffy, Spike, Angel and Faith by brwitch

Willow burns a book by William Shatner during her freak out at the Magic Shop by stellahella1

[Articles, Interviews, and Other News]

James Marsters GalaxyCon Raleigh 2024 Reports, Pics & Videos via dontkillspike

TPN's Conversation with Tim Minear by Passion of the Nerd

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!

Join the editor team :)

#btvs #buffy the vampire slayer #angel the series

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religion-is-a-mental-illness · 10 months

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By: Anna Krylov and Jay Tanzman

Published: Oct 2, 2023

Note: A version of this article will appear as an invited chapter in the forthcoming volume The Free Inquiry Papers edited by Robert Maranto, Lee Jussim, and Sally Satel.

1. An age of unreason

The liberal enlightenment, humanism, and democracy are under siege. A once-obscure postmodernist worldview, Critical Social Justice (CSJ) [1-3], has escaped the academy and is quickly reshaping our institutions and society at large. Long-standing merit-based practices in science are rapidly being subordinated to practices based on the tenets of CSJ theory [4]. Increasingly, scientists must compete for funding, no longer only on the basis of scientific merit, but also on the basis of how their proposed research will promote the goals of CSJ. As an example, an NIH neurology program requires grant applications to include a “plan for enhancing diverse perspectives” with the goal to “bring about the culture change necessary to address the inequities and systemic biases in biomedical research….” [5] Similarly, funding for fundamental research in chemistry and physics now depends on researchers demonstrating their commitment to “promote equity and inclusion as an intrinsic element to advancing scientific excellence” [6].

In the academy, faculty hiring and administrative appointments are increasingly made on the basis of the candidate’s identity [7-9]. Merit-based admission to schools and universities is being weakened, with standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT being abandoned on “social justice” grounds [10,11]. K–12 is affected as well. Some school districts have stopped giving D and F grades in order to improve “equity” [12]. In math classes, activist teachers claim that getting the right answer and showing your work are white supremacist concepts and are advocating, instead, a supposedly anti-racist CSJ pedagogy [13,14]. Accelerated mathematics programs for gifted students, necessary to prepare them for advanced training and careers in STEM [15], are being dismantled in the name of “social justice” [16-18]. Many school districts have eliminated honors classes altogether in the name of “equity” [19]. The resultant weakening of the workforce has already contributed to the fall of the US from its position as the world leader in science [20].

In the university, faculty and staff are instructed to use Newspeak—neopronouns and other neologisms—in their written and verbal communications for the purpose of “inclusivity” [21,22]. To be avoided are such apparently un-inclusive terms as “strawman,” “brown-bag lunch,” and “picnic” [22–25]. Professional societies and corporations are following suit, proscribing terms such as “field,” “dark times,” “black market,” “double-blind study,” “nursing mother,” “hip-hip hooray,” “smart phone,” “homeless,” and “the French” [26–30].

In biology, an education paper recommends that teachers emphasize the sexual diversity across species in nature, which includes “organisms such as ciliates, algae, and fungi [that] have equal-size gametes (isogamy) and do not therefore have gametic sexes [that is, binary sexes, as mammals do].” This is supposed to promote inclusivity of LGBTQIA2+ students in the classroom [25]. Chemistry education also needs to be reformed, according to the journal Chemical Education, which published a virtual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) collection of 67 papers exploring such topics as decolonization of the chemistry curriculum, chemistry and racism, and gender and sexual orientation identities in the chemistry classroom [31]. A recent paper in the same journal describes “a special topic class in chemistry on feminism and science as a tool to disrupt the dysconcious racism in STEM,” which explores “the development and interrelationship between quantum mechanics, Marxist materialism, Afro-futurism/pessimism, and postcolonial nationalism.” “To problematize time as a linear social construct,” the paper says, “the Copenhagen interpretation of the collapse of wave-particle duality was utilized” [32]. No, Deepak Chopra was not a co-author of the paper.

In STEM, prospective faculty are asked to pledge their commitment to the ideology of CSJ and to document their activism in advancing DEI [8,9,33,34]. Medical schools are abolishing long-accepted assessments of competency in order to improve racial parity in residency programs [35]. A pamphlet published by the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health claims that public health anti-obesity campaigns are an example of “fatphobia,” that public health’s “focus on body size is rooted in racism,” that “higher weight is not causal to worse health outcomes," and that “focusing on weight ignores systematic injustices” [36,37]. Under the doctrine of gender-affirming care, adolescents are offered life-changing transgender treatments, often after only perfunctory psychological assessment, despite the poor understanding that medicine currently has on the risks and benefits of these treatments [38–40].

[ Unreason and intolerance. Upper left: Yale students protest “offensive” Halloween costumes (2015). Lower left: Activists burn books by J.K. Rowling (2023). Right: Students at UC Davis disrupt a film viewing by throwing a bag of manure into the room. ]

Free speech itself, the cornerstone of liberal democracy, is under attack. As viewed by CSJ activists, free speech is dangerous, harmful, and equivalent to violence [41]. Adherents of DEI ideology believe that DEI should trump academic freedom [42]. Institutions essential for providing a platform for the marketplace of ideas, information exchange, and debate have largely abandoned their mission in the name of social justice activism. Articles in the press are infused with CSJ ideology [4]. Scientific publishers from Scientific American to the flagship journals Science and Nature have become mouthpieces for CSJ [43–56]. Universities, whose primary mission is education and truth seeking, have become complicit in censorship, scholarship suppression, indoctrination, and intimidation [57–59]. Universities and professional organizations have compromised their mission as seekers and communicators of objective truths by abandoning traditional institutional neutrality in favor of political activism, taking official positions on elections, police reform, abortion, wars, and other social issues [60,61], leaving dissenters out in the cold. Where debate, constructive disagreement, and discussion were once cultivated, conformity and dogmatism, enforced both top-down (by CSJ-infused DEI trainings [62,63]) and bottom-up (by ideologically driven activists [58]), now reign.

On campus, another essential provision of democracy, the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, no longer guides procedures for resolving conflict. Suspensions and terminations of professors without a hearing in response to offense taken by students, faculty members, or administrators has become commonplace (see, for example, Ref. 64–67). A predictable consequence is that there is now an unprecedented level of self-censorship by students and faculty [57,68,69]. Proposed changes to Title IX regulations will further erode the free speech of students and the protection of due process [70].

CSJ adherents accuse dissenters of being indifferent to existing inequalities and historic injustices, of being bigots, of having nefarious motives, and of perpetuating existing power structures. We reject these accusations. We oppose the practices of CSJ because they harm everyone, including those groups they purport to elevate [71-73]. It is precisely because we care about the existing problems in the world and about real social justice that we oppose CSJ.

What we are witnessing today—curriculum “decolonization,” the elimination of honors classes in schools, the ubiquitous war on merit [4], the imposition of political litmus tests for academic positions, Newspeak, the renaming of everything in sight, and on and on—are not isolated excesses perpetrated by a handful of overly zealous but otherwise well-meaning individuals; they are symptoms of a wholesale takeover of our institutions by an illiberal movement that currently has the upper hand. The current situation is not a pendulum that has swung too far and will self-correct [74]; it is a train hurtling full speed toward a cliff. Those of us unwillingly to go over the edge can either jump off—leave academia (or maybe start up alternative institutions)—or fight to get the brakes applied before it is too late. The remainder of this chapter is about the latter course of action.

2. Why we should fight

To put it simply, we should fight because it is the right thing to do. It is not only our duty to the next generation, but an opportunity to pay our debt to the previous generations of dissenters who fought against forces of illiberalism to create the free and prosperous world that we enjoy today [75,76]. By fighting, we, too, can fend off the forces of unreason and restore the values of humanism, liberalism, and The Enlightenment. Inaction and submission will only enable the further spread of illiberalism. The history of past illiberal regimes, such as the USSR and Nazi Germany, provide ample lessons and motivation to stand and fight today. The train is gaining momentum; the longer we wait, the harder it will be to stop it. We must act now, while we still can.

Although there are uncanny parallels with totalitarian regimes of the past [23,77–80], we are still living in a free, democratic society. Despite the advances of illiberal ideology, manifested by the rise of censorship, the spread of cancel culture [23,57,58,81–83], and the proliferation of institutionalized structures (such as DEI bureaucracies) to enforce CSJ ideology, the dissenters of today do not face incarceration in prisons, labor camps, and mental hospitals. Nonetheless, we can learn from history.

In his book To Build a Castle: My Life as a Dissenter [84], Vladimir Bukovsky [85] describes his experiences as a dissident who refused to comply with the Soviets and challenged the regime. Bukovsky describes the apathy and complacency of the majority of the population at that time. People understood the corrupt and inhumane nature of the regime, but they chose to keep their heads down because—as the Russian proverb goes—“No man can splay the stone” (in Russian: плетью обуха не перешибёшь).

Because of this complacency, the economically bankrupt, oppressive, and inhumane Soviet regime lasted as long as it did (70+ years). But it was the actions of dissidents that ultimately catalyzed its downfall. Consider, for example, the impact of the books of Solzhenitsyn, who told the world the truth about the atrocities of the Soviet regime [86]. In addition to meticulously documenting the scale of the atrocities, Solzhenitsyn explained that they came to be, not due to deviations from the party line or shortcomings of its individual leaders, but as the direct result of Marxist-Leninist ideology.

In Bukovsky’s time (the late 1950s to mid-1970s), open dissent was rare. Growing up in the Soviet Union, I [Anna]—as most of my peers—did not even know dissidents existed. It wasn’t until Perestroyka in the late 80s, when I read Solzhenitsyn’s books and learned about Sakharov [87] that I found out. Yet, it is through the actions of the dissidents that the West came to understand the Soviet regime as an “evil empire,” and this understanding propelled the political forces in the West that ultimately decided the outcome of the Cold War. The impact of the dissident movement on the Soviet regime has been illuminated through a series of memoranda of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, stolen and published by Bukovsky in his book Judgment in Moscow [88]. The acts of individuals splayed the stone after all.

I [Anna] was born (in the then-Soviet state of Ukraine) into the luckiest generation in the history of the USSR—the generation that witnessed the fall of the Wall when they were still young. We could escape to the free world, live as free people, and build successful and fulfilling careers in the West. Had the regime lasted another 20 years, my generation would have been yet another of the long list of those whose lives were ruined by the Soviet regime. I feel a personal debt to the dissidents of the day.

Now, it is our turn to be the dissidents and to fight the good fight.

Fighting for what is right is not just the right thing to do; it is empowering. Standing up and speaking your mind is liberating, even exhilarating; while hunkering down in fear, hoping the storm will pass, is a bleak experience. Being honest feels good, while being complicit in lies is dispiriting. Fighting the good fight puts you in control, whereas passive submission leaves you helpless. Whether we ultimately win or lose this fight, those who choose to remain silent will look back and ask themselves why they did not act when they could. As Martin Niemöller wrote after World War II,

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Eventually, this illiberal movement, like those of the past, will come not only for the dissidents, but for the silent bystanders as well (and, eventually, for its own vocal supporters).

There are myriad excuses, as old as the history of totalitarianism and oppression itself, invoked to justify inaction, complacency, and collaboration. Bukovsky [84] enumerates a few of the more familiar: “What can I do alone?”; “I’ll be more effective after I get the promotion”; “It’s not my job; I’m a scientist.” “If I don’t collaborate, someone else will anyway (and I’ll probably do less harm).” These reasons may seem logical, even compelling; however, they are self-deceptions. Not pushing back against bad ideas allows them to spread. Not fighting back against illiberalism allows it to grow. Not standing up for truth permits the lies to flourish. Not confronting the CSJ ideologists permits them to advance. And when they advance, we lose. It is a zero-sum game.

The choice to fight in the face of potential consequences is personal [89] and not an easy one to make. But as you contemplate whether to act or to lay low, consider the importance of truth and integrity in your life. To paraphrase Bari Weiss: Worship truth more than Yale. As she says:

[D]o not lose sight of what is essential. Professional prestige is not essential. Being popular is not essential. Getting your child into an elite preschool is not essential. Doing the right thing is essential. Telling the truth is essential. Protecting your kids is essential. [90]

Sure, no one wants to become a martyr for free speech or experience bullying, ostracism, and professional damage [81,91–93]. Cancel culture is real, but the risks are not what dissenters to totalitarian regimes faced historically or face today—cancel culture does not put you in jail. One still can write a dissenting op-ed without the fear of being stripped of their citizenship and expelled from the country, as Solzhenitsyn was for his writings [83]. We still can criticize DEI policies without fear of being put under house arrest, as Sakharov was for his vocal opposition to nuclear weapons and his unwavering defense of human rights [87]. But if we delay, some of the totalitarian nightmares of the past may become a reality. There are already worrying signs of this totalitarian-style repression in America: parents opposing CSJ in schools have been accused of terrorism and investigated by the FBI [94]; a journalist who wrote about collusion between the government and social media was paid a surprise home visit by the Internal Revenue Service [95]; a student who questioned the concept of microaggressions [96] at a mandatory training was expelled and forced to “seek to psychological services” [97]. These incidents in America today are chillingly similar to practices in Russia in the Soviet era, when the KGB routinely investigated dissidents, and dissent from Soviet ideology was considered a psychiatric disorder [84,88]. In the absence of resistance, this illiberal movement, like illiberal movements of the past, will gain ever more power, and we will face ever worse repression and erosion of individual freedom.

Inaction does not guarantee survival, but fighting a successful fight does. The only way to defend yourself against repression by an illiberal ideology is to stop the spread of the ideology.

The dangers of inaction are real, but how much risk one should take must be a personal decision [89]. Above all, it rarely does any good to get fired. Getting fired is playing into their hands. It’s one less enemy in the organization to fight against its ideological capture. Should all the dissidents get fired, the ideology wins. Full stop.

But it’s not hopeless. As we elaborate below, there are ways to maximize the impact of your actions and minimize the chances of negative consequences of resistance.

3. How to fight

Although there is no sure-fire roadmap to solve the current crisis, there are some do’s and don’ts. A recently published handbook, Counter Wokecraft (which we highly recommend), written by an anonymous STEM professor, provides concrete recommendations for staging the resistance [98]. It convincingly explains how small but deliberate actions add up to big change and elaborates on the perils of delaying action. In what follows, we offer our view on how to fight, and we share examples of successful acts of resistance that give us reason for hope. Small contributions add up, so do something rather than nothing. As Gad Saad writes in The Parasitic Mind:

The battle of ideas knows no boundaries, so there is plenty to do. If you are a student and hear your professors spouting postmodern nonsense or spewing anti-science drivel, challenge them politely and constructively. If you are a graduate and your alma mater is violating its commitment to freedom of speech and freedom of thought, withdraw your donations—and let the school know why. If your Facebook friends are posting comments with which you disagree, engage them and offer an alternative viewpoint.... If you are sitting at your local pub having a conversation about a sensitive topic, do not refrain from speaking your mind. If your politicians are succumbing to suicidal political correctness, vote them out of office. [99]

1. Educate yourself; knowledge is power.

To effectively counter the ideology of CSJ, it is crucial to understand its nature and the tactics it employs. As two-time Nobel Laureate Marie Sklodowska-Curie said:

Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so we may fear less.

Although Curie was referring to phenomena of the natural world, the observation applies equally to the world of ideas. By understanding the origins and tenets of CSJ, we can fear less—and fight more effectively.

For me [Anna] and my former compatriots, who were forcibly schooled in Marxist-Leninism and experienced its implementation as Socialism firsthand, it is easy to recognize the current illiberal movement’s philosophical roots [78,79]. We recognize the familiar rhetoric and the Orwellian co-option of the language: the media outlet of the Communist Party, which disseminated its lies, was called Pravda (Правда), which is Russian for “truth”; victims of Red terror were called “enemies of the people” (враги народа); Soviet troops invading other countries were called “liberators” (освободители); and nuclear weapons were developed with the slogan “nucleus for the cause of peace” (атом—делу мира). We are used to looking behind the facade of nice-sounding words and seeing their real meaning to those in power [100]. It is not hard to see that today’s “Diversity,” “Equity,” and “Inclusion” have about as much in common with the noble concepts of diversity, equality, and inclusion as Orwell's Ministry of Love had to do with love or his Ministry of Plenty had to do with plenty. (A more-fitting operational definition of DEI would be Discrimination, Entitlement, and Intimidation.) This linguistic tactic is used because it works. It has fooled many STEM academics and ordinary citizens and has enabled the illiberal ideology to get its foot in the door [3].

As Counter Wokecraft explains, the tactics CSJ employs to gain power in our institutions include the use of liberal-sounding “crossover words” to shroud the illiberal aims of the movement [98]. The concise essay “DEI: a Trojan Horse for Critical Social Justice in Science” by the same author offers insights into the philosophy that undergirds the CSJ movement and clearly elucidates its aims [3]. For a deeper dive into CSJ, we recommend the book by Pluckrose and Lindsay [1].

2. Use all existing means of resistance, but first and foremost, the official ones.

Mechanisms of resistance are available through existing institutions, even if the institutions themselves are failing to protect their mission [101]. These mechanisms can be exploited to change the institution from within.

Bukovsky describes how their dissident group worked within the legal boundaries of the Soviet regime [84]. He contrasts this approach with anarchism and revolutionary destructivism, which, he argues, lead to outcomes that are worse than the original evils. Bukovsky and his dissident comrades structured their activism and resistance within the framework of the Soviet constitution—which many legitimately considered to be a joke. When allowed to speak in court, Bukovsky framed his defense to emphasize the constitutional rights of Soviet citizens, for example, to peacefully demonstrate. Bukovsky attributes their success to this strategy. As an example of an important victory, he describes how he and his fellow political prisoners managed to resist and ultimately eliminate mandatory “corrective labor” for political prisoners. Following legal protocols, they rolled out a concerted effort of filing official complaints. Although isolated complaints never had any effect (they would be registered, duly processed, and dismissed), by flooding the bureaucratic system with a massive number of such complaints (which each had to be properly registered and responded to), they pushed the system beyond its limits. The sheer number of complaints compelled administrative scrutiny of the prison and its officers. And the prisoners won the fight.

Today, we can work within the system of our universities and professional organizations, even if they have already been ideologically corrupted. We can participate in surveys; communicate our concerns to leadership; nominate candidates committed to liberal principles to committees and leadership; vote against CSJ ideologues; speak up against practices that violate the stated mission of the institution [43,102,103]; publish well-reasoned opinion pieces [4,14,15,23,82,83,102]; and insist that our institutions adhere to their stated institutional (and legal) commitments to free speech and non-discrimination, such as being equal opportunity employers. Counter Wokecraft [98] provides concrete suggestions on how to effectively oppose the advances of the CSJ agenda by simply insisting that standard protocols of decision-making be followed—that is, through formal meetings with organized discussions that adhere to a set agenda, vote by secret ballot, and so on. In short, the existing governance structures and institutional policies can still be utilized to defend and even restore the institutional mission, even when the institution’s workings have been undermined by CSJ activists.

The following success stories illustrate the effectiveness of working within the system.

At the University of Massachusetts, a faculty group fought—and won—against a proposed rewriting of the university mission statement, which would have redefined the purpose of the university as engaging in political and ideological activism, rather than pursuing the truth [104].

Faculty at the University of Chicago succeeded in having departmental statements that violated institutional neutrality (by voicing collective support for specific social and political issues in violation of the University’s Kalven Report [105]) rescinded [106].

Also at the University of Chicago, in response to faculty complaints to the institution’s Title IX coordinator and general counsel, at least seven programs that gave preferences to specific races or sexes in violation of Federal regulations were discontinued [106].

The faculty of the University of Washington voted down a proposal to require DEI statements for all tenure and promotion candidates [107]. As reported to us, an email campaign initiated by a single faculty member was decisive in defeating the proposal.

At the University of North Carolina (UNC), the Board of Trustees adopted [108] the Chicago Free Speech Principles [109] and Kalven Report [105]. The former articulates the university’s commitment to free speech and is considered to be a model policy on this issue; the latter ensures institutional neutrality, prohibiting units of the university from taking stands on moral, political, or ideological issues, unless they directly affect the mission of the institution.

Also at UNC, responding to a faculty petition, the Board of Governors moved to ban diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements from its hiring and promotion process. The mandate states that the university “shall neither solicit nor require an employee or applicant for academic admission or employment to affirmatively ascribe to or opine about beliefs, affiliations, ideals, or principles regarding matters of contemporary political debate or social action as a condition to admission, employment, or professional advancement” [110].

In California, mathematicians organized a petition that has, so far, blocked the implementation of radical, CSJ-based revisions to the K–12 math curriculum [18]. At the time of publication, the fight is not over; but they’ve won so far.

A new nonprofit, Do No Harm, has been formed to fight against the encroachment of identity politics in medicine [111]. Among their successes, filings with the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights against two medical schools has resulted in the elimination of race as a requirement for certain scholarships. Scholarships “meant for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, [a] worthy goal, can and should be met without racial discrimination,” writes the organization’s founder [112].

Adverse publicity and mockery, too, can cause Universities, which are sensitive to their public image, to roll back woke policies, as the following examples illustrate.

The administration of MIT reversed its own decision and reinstated the use of standardized tests for admission [113], the elimination of which had been mocked by dissidents [114].

The Stanford University “Elimination of Harmful Language Initiative” website, which listed 161 verboten expressions, including “beating a dead horse,” “white paper,” “insane,” and even “American,” was taken down after sustained mockery in the press and on social media. The university’s president ultimately disowned the initiative and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to free speech [29].

At the University of Southern California, the interim provost made a clear statement that “the university does not maintain a list of banned or discouraged words” in response to the mockery [115] of an earlier memorandum the university's School of Social Work announcing the cancellation of the word “field” as racist [26,29].

At Texas Tech, the administration announced that it was dropping mandatory DEI statements from the hiring process [116], after details of how these statements influenced hiring decisions had been publicized [9].

These examples illustrate the maxim that sunlight is the best disinfectant [117]. We can use social media and the press to shine a light on the excesses of CSJ to bring about change.

Pressure from state governments can also force universities to change course away from DEI ideology. Facing threats from the state assembly to cut funding, the University of Wisconsin system has announced it will eliminate mandatory DEI statements for job applicants. As we are writing this chapter, the state assembly is also threatening to eliminate funding for administrative positions at UW dedicated to DEI [118].

Arizona has also dealt a blow to DEI ideology. The state’s Board of Regents has mandated that public universities drop the use of DEI statements in hiring. The move was in response to a finding by the Goldwater Institute that DEI statements, which were required in over three-fourths of job postings, were being used “to circumvent the state’s constitutional prohibition against political litmus tests in public educational institutions” [119].

Organizations such as the Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) have successfully used institutions’ own governing policies and bylaws as well as the law to defend scores of scholars who have been attacked for their extramural speech and threatened with administrative discipline or firing [120,121].

A move is afoot to strengthen universities’ commitment to academic freedom by encouraging them to officially adopt the Chicago Trifecta (the Kalven report, the Chicago Principles, and the Shils report). The “Restoring Academic Freedom” letter [122], which calls on universities to do so, has garnered 1700 signatures so far.

3. Don't play their game: You can’t win.

We are trained to seek compromises and solutions that bring different groups on board; we seek consensus. That is a fine approach under normal circumstances, when all agents are acting in good faith. But we must recognize that we are up against agents who are driven—knowingly or unknowingly—by an ideology whose goal is to take over the institution. Every compromise with them brings them closer to their goal [1,3,74,98,123]. Therefore, we must stand our ground.

A major advance in the spread of illiberalism has been the establishment of DEI bureaucracies in our intuitions to enforce CSJ ideology through policy [3,8,98,124-127]. It is important to understand the power of this system and to distinguish the system from the people. A DEI apparatchik can be a nice, well-meaning individual, who has been fooled by the movement’s deliberately deceptive language [1,98]; a cynical opportunist who seeks power and career advancement; or a True Believer. A DEI administrator may be completely unaware of the philosophical origins of CSJ, whose goals the DEI machine has been installed to implement. But just as a Soviet apparatchik need not have read Das Kapital to have been an agent enforcing conformity to Marxist doctrine, a DEI apparatchik need not have read the works of the critical theorists Gramsci, Derrida, Foucault, Bell, Crenshaw, and Delgado to be implementing CSJ-inspired ideology. But even participants who are naive of the movement’s history, philosophy, or ultimate goals are furthering its aims; they are still cogs in the machine. Do not be fooled by DEI administrators who may naively or deceptively deny that they are advancing CSJ ideology. They are, whether or not they know it or acknowledge it.

The power of the system—the DEI bureaucracy—and its ideological foundation make the motivations of the individual participants irrelevant. The story of Tabia Lee illustrates this point [128]. Lee—a black woman who directed a DEI program at a community college in California—questioned anti-racist and gender orthodoxy, declined to join a “socialist network,” objected to land acknowledgments and Newspeak terms such as “Latinx,” “Filipinx,” and neopronouns, and supported a campus event focused on Jewish inclusion and antisemitism. Lee describes her non-orthodox worldview as follows:

I don’t have ideological or viewpoint fidelity to anyone. I’m looking for what’s going to help people and what will help our students and how we can be better teachers and our best teaching selves. [128]

This attitude was found to be incompatible with the ideology of DEI. When Lee refused to change her worldview to comply with the orthodoxy, she was terminated from her position [128].

The establishment of the DEI bureaucracy in our institutions represented a tectonic shift from CSJ as a grass-roots movement to CSJ as an official power structure within the university equipped with a massive budget to promote its ideology [124,126,129-132].

A 2021 report by the Heritage Foundation [130], which documented the size of this new bureaucracy, identified 3,000 administrators with DEI responsibilities among the 65 universities they surveyed [124,131]. This number is in addition to the already extensive staff of Federally mandated Title VI, Title IX, and disability offices, who also perform DEI-related tasks. The new diversicrats already outnumber the mandated staffers. For example, the average university examined had 4.2 DEI personnel for every one ADA compliance administrator [124]. Given the sheer number of DEI officials and their generous salaries (one-third of chief diversity officers are paid more than $200,000 annually [132]), it is not surprising that DEI budgets are enormous; for example, in 2021, UC–Berkeley dedicated 41 million dollars to DEI [129].

The DEI bureaucracy is given official status within the university and is empowered to interfere in faculty hiring, to disseminate CSJ ideology by means of mandatory trainings, to infuse the ideology into teaching [10,13,16,25,31], and to curtail academic freedom [42,127]. Khalid and Snyder provide insight into the logic and financial incentives behind the DEI machine:

This attitude was found to be incompatible with the ideology of DEI. When Lee refused to change her worldview to comply with the orthodoxy, she was terminated from her position [128].

DEI Inc. is a logic, a lingo, and a set of administrative policies and practices. The logic is as follows: Education is a product, students are consumers, and campus diversity is a customer-service issue that needs to be administered from the top down. (“Chief Diversity Officers,” according to an article in Diversity Officer Magazine, “are best defined as ‘change-management specialists.’”) DEI Inc. purveys a safety-and-security model of learning that is highly attuned to harm and that conflates respect for minority students with unwavering affirmation and validation.

Lived experience, the intent–impact gap, microaggressions, trigger warnings, inclusive excellence. You know the language of DEI Inc. when you hear it. It’s a combination of management-consultant buzzwords, social justice slogans, and “therapy speak.” The standard package of DEI Inc. administrative “initiatives” should be familiar too, from antiracism trainings to bias-response teams and mandatory diversity statements for hiring and promotion. [127]

The DEI bureaucracy is a categorical enemy. Don't deceive yourself that you can work with it to accomplish good for your institution [128]. This bureaucracy is founded on ideas that are in direct opposition to the liberal enlightenment and humanism [1,3,4,42,79,99,125–128,133,134]. Their goals are not your goals; consequently, you cannot ally or compromise with them. We must, instead, focus our efforts on stripping the DEI bureaucracy of its power, ideally, ridding the institution of it completely. This will not be an easy fight, but neither is it an impossible dream. State legislatures are already taking action against DEI. At the time of this writing, 35 states have introduced bills that would restrict or ban DEI offices and staff, mandatory DEI training, diversity statements, and/or identity-based preferences for hiring and admissions [135]. Recognizing that such bills could go too far and compromise academic freedom, the Manhattan Institute has drafted model legislation that would abolish DEI bureaucracies on campuses while preserving academic freedom [136]. To date, at least one state, Texas, has enacted legislation based on the Manhattan Institute’s model [137].

Another reason not to attempt to work with the DEI bureaucracy is that CSJ ideology leaves no space for rational dialog. As explained by McWhorter [71], Pincourt [3,98], Pluckrose [1], Saad [99], and others, CSJ is not a rational or empirical worldview, but an ideology whose adherents have accepted a set of unfalsifiable tenets that may not be questioned. Thus, CSJ ideologues are not open to reasoned arguments that contradict their worldview; it is, thus, futile to argue with them. We need, instead, to reason with those of our colleagues who have not yet drunk of the Kool Aid.

Finally, since the goal of CSJ is to take over the institution, small compromises with them ultimately lead to large losses for us. Give CSJ an inch, and it will take a mile. Consider, for starters, the following example, in which the dean of the Duke Divinity School made the mistake of conceding to student activists, which led to ever-increasing demands and personal attacks on the dean herself [138]. “The chickens have come home to roost at Duke’s divinity school,” writes John Staddon. Dean Heath, the dean of the school, fully allied herself with the CSJ agenda, rolled out a variety of DEI initiatives, issued a self-flagellating editorial admitting the “structural sins” of the school, and forced non-conforming faculty to resign. Yet, despite these concessions, the demands of “marginalized groups” only grew stronger, culminating in uncivil acts, such as the disruption of the dean’s state-of-the-school address by “four dissident female students bearing bull-horns and chanting, ‘I am somebody and I won’t be stopped by nobody,’ followed by a rap, a little theatrical performance [of a rude nature].”

Staddon writes:

There is poetic justice in this incident. Despite the dean’s earnest attempts “to provide a welcoming and safe place for students,” even after she designed “a space for the work of Sacred Worth, the LGBTQIA+ student group in the Divinity School”—even after disciplining, and losing—Professor Griffiths [a non-conforming faculty], in spite all this, she has apparently not done enough! The LGBT folk want more, much more, in the form of 15 demands. “We make up an integral part of this community, and yet our needs remain deliberately unheard.”

The demands include:

“To appoint a black trans woman or gender non-conforming theologian” as well as “a tenure-track trans woman theologian” and a “tenure-track queer theologian of color, preferably a black or indigenous person.”

A dissident MIT website, the Babbling Beaver [139], illustrates the same point by a mock resignation statement by MIT’s former President Reif:

You would think giving them a Women’s and Gender Studies Program, hiring six dozen DEI deans and staffers, most of whom couldn’t pass 18.01 [MIT’s introductory math course] if their lives depended on it, and cancelling invited lecturers to appease shouting Twitter mobs would be enough,” lamented the weary lame duck. “But noooo ... The only thing I accomplished by giving in to the incessant demands was encouraging additional demands, each more strident than the last.” [140]

The statement is satire, but the concessions made by the president and the ever-increasing demands were real.

Stories of how CSJ, once it is let in the door, rapidly infiltrates the organization and eventually takes it over are too many to enumerate. We present but one example, where the process has been meticulously documented. The report, spon.sored by the organization Alumni and Donors Unite, explains how CSJ took over University of San Diego “first gradually then suddenly.”

Gradually, over the course of a decade, CSJ-DEI became sown into the university’s fabric through changes in hiring committees and curriculum. Then suddenly in 2020–2021 the administration, outside all normal channels of decision-making, initiated a hostile takeover of USD and adopted a radical woke agenda into nearly all facets of the university’s life. [141]

The devaluation of merit and intellectual honesty in the guise of social justice that we now witness will inevitably lead to the decline of our institutions, if not to their destruction [4]. A case in point is The Evergreen State University, which, in 2017, experienced a notorious CSJ uprising on campus [142]. Since then, the university has suffered a 25% drop in enrollment and has lost 45 faculty through lay-offs and attrition [143].

Learn how to recognize and take on categorical enemies [98]. Remember—it is a zero sum game.

4. Focus on truth, not partisanship. Do not fear verbal attacks.

When you take on CSJ, there is something you will need to come to terms with: you are going to be called names, and your views and beliefs are going to be distorted and misrepresented. These are standard tactics of the CSJ movement. Since the adherents of CSJ have adopted an ideological, rather than a rational, worldview, they cannot rationally defend it; so they use the only tools they have: personal attacks and strawman arguments. They will call you transphobe, racist, misogynist, alt-right, Nazi, etc., no matter what you say or do. They will use deliberate misrepresentation of your expressions to subvert and discredit them [98]. They will use the “Motte and Bailey” trick [144] to derail conversations. Learn about these tactics so that you can anticipate, recognize, and counter them [98]. As Gad Saad explains:

The name calling and accusations are locked and loaded threats, ready to be deployed against you should you dare to question the relevant progressive tenets. Most people are too afraid to be accused of being racist or misogynist, and so they cover in silence.… Don't fall prey to this silencing strategy. Be assured in your principles and stand ready to defend them with the ferocity of a honey badger. [99]

Because you will be attacked no matter what you believe, what you say, or how carefully you say it, there is no point in affirming in your interactions with CSJ ideologues that you are committed to traditional humanistic, liberal values. They don’t care. In her essay “I'm a Progressive, Please Don't Hurt Me,” Sarah Haider calls this practice of hedging “throat-clearing” and explains why it is not effective [145]. She also points out the hidden bigotry of it, that is, the implicit assumption that those on the other side of the aisle are inherently evil. Haider writes:

Before touching on any perspective that I knew to not be kosher among other Leftists, I tended to precede with some version of throat-clearing: “I’m on the left” or “I’ve voted Democrat my whole life.” I told myself that this was a distinction worth insisting on because 1) it was the truth and 2) because it helped frame the discussion properly—making clear that the argument is coming from someone who values what they value. But there was another reason too. My political identity reminders were a plea to be considered fully and charitably, to not be villainized and presumed to be motivated by “hate.” The precursor belief to this, of course, is that actual conservatives should not be taken charitably, are rightfully villainized, and really are motivated by “hate.” But I’m done sputtering indignantly about being mischaracterized as “conservative,” or going out of my way to remind the audience that I really am a good little liberal.

She goes on to explain that throat-clearing is counterproductive because: (1) it doesn’t work, you won't be spared; (2) it is a tax on energy and attention; (3) it is bad for you; and (4) it is bad for the causes you care about.

So we should stop worrying about our group loyalties and focus on our cause. Truth wears no clothes, so do not try to dress it up in partisan attire. Say what you mean, mean what you say, and move on.

It may be tempting to stay out of the fight in order to preserve friendships. It is true that some people you thought of as friends may turn against you—privately or even publicly. It has happened to us, and it hurts. But it also lets you know who your real friends are—those who stick up for you whether they agree with your views or not. And you will find new friends and allies who share your values. These relationships, forged fighting the good fight, will be enduring and empowering.

5. Do not apologize.

We cannot stress this enough. Your apology will be taken as a sign of weakness and will not absolve you—in fact, it will make matters worse. Apologies to the illiberal mob are like drops of blood in the water to a pack of sharks. Additionally, your apology can be interpreted as an admission of guilt, which can come back to haunt you in the event you need to defend yourself legally or in an administrative proceeding. The Academic Freedom Alliance advises: “If you confess to an offense you didn’t commit, or if you concede to a claim or accusation that is factually inaccurate or not truly an offense, the admission can and will be used against you.” [146] Recognize that the CSJ activists on Twitter do not care about your apology; they care about publicly flaying you in order to sow fear among other potential dissenters [147]. Someone claims to have been offended by your speech? Someone claims it caused them pain? Fine, that's their problem [148]. You know what your views are. And your friends do too. Stay on message.

6. Build a community and a network.

Communities and networks provide moral support and there is safety in numbers. Some groups already exist. The Heterodox Academy (HxA), for example, provides a platform to organize communities (e.g., HxSTEM is a community of STEM faculty) and to connect with colleagues who are open to reasoned debate, as per the HxA statement, which each member is asked to endorse: “I support open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and constructive disagreement in research and education.” The Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR) also provides resources and support to those who push back on anti-humanistic policies, especially in schools, universities, and in the medical profession.

Organizations like FIRE and the Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) provide educational resources, opportunities to network, and—most importantly—protection, including legal representation. Join and support them. Build groups and act as a group—e.g., write an op-ed piece with a group of co-authors. Ten people are harder to cancel than one. Counter Wokecraft describes how to identify the allies among your colleagues and how to build effective resistance at your workplace [98].

Stand up for others. Next time they will do it for you. When you see a colleague being ostracized for what she said, think first, “Which parts of her message do I agree with?” not “Which parts do I disagree with?” If you agree with the main message, say so, and be charitable about imperfect expression. Way too often do we hear colleagues justifying their silence with excuses like “I agree with her in general, but she should have been more careful about how she said this or that.”

Some communities, including mathematicians and psychologists, in response to CSJ takeovers of their professional societies, have simply started new ones [149,150]. Perhaps we need more of these to send a strong message to the old societies that they need to change course. We see evidence of the effectiveness of this strategy; for example, the American Mathematical Society [151] cancelled its CSJ-dominated blog shortly after the establishment of the new Association for Mathematical Research [149], whose apolitical mission is simply to “support mathematical research and scholarship.”

In 2022, in response to increasing ideological influence and censorship in their profession, behavioral scientists founded the Society for Open Inquiry in the Behavioral Sciences, dedicated to “open inquiry, civil debate, and rigorous standards” in the field [152]. It publishes the Journal of Open Inquiry in the Behavioral Sciences, which commits to “free inquiry,” “rigorous standards,” and “intellectual exchange” [152]. Notably, its terms and conditions state that the journal will base retraction decisions strictly on the basis of the widely accepted COPE guidelines [153]; otherwise, the terms and conditions state, “We will never retract a paper in response to social media mobs, open or private letters calling for retraction, denunciation petitions, or the like....” [154]

There is even a new university—The University of Austin (UATX)—established in response to the current crisis in higher education [155]. The message on the UATX webpage—“We are building a university dedicated to the fearless pursuit of truth”—makes clear what void in the American academy UATX aspires to fill [156]. That the university received over $100 million in donations and over 3500 inquiries by professors from other institutions within six months of the project’s announcement, makes clear the demand [157].

The success of such new initiatives will inspire more educators and scientists to stand up and defend the key principles of science and education. And it will send a strong message to our leadership. Even if we cannot appeal to their sense of duty, the financial considerations (Go Woke, Go Broke [158]) and the effect of negative publicity of the excesses of CSJ (such as DEI loyalty oaths, “decolonizing” the curriculum, renaming everything, and Newspeak [9,23,24,139]) may provide incentives to straighten out their act.

4. Conclusion

Will we succeed? Will we stop the train before it goes over the cliff? We do not know what will happen if we fight. But we know what will happen if we don’t. The task ahead might look impossible. But remember the USSR. It looked like an unbreakable power, yet in the end it collapsed like a house of cards. The Berlin Wall looked indestructible, yet it came down overnight. Recalling his 20 years’ experience in the gay marriage debate, Jonathan Rauch told us: “I can tell you that the wall of received opinion is sturdy and impenetrable...until it isn't. And that it's the quiet people in the room who are the swing vote.... and please illegitimi non carborundum [159].”

We are not helpless. We have agency and we should not be afraid to exercise it. We should fight not just because it is the right thing to do, but because fighting brings results. If we behave as if we were living in a totalitarian society, it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Afterword

A Russian proverb says, “Fear has big eyes” (у страха глаза велики), meaning that people tend to exaggerate danger. Accordingly, it may feel like resisting the mob will inevitably lead to career damage. But this is not the case; the flip side of risk is reward. In recognition of her activism, including her publication of “The Peril of Politicizing Science” [23], which “launched a national conversation among scientists and the general public,” Anna Krylov, co-author of this chapter, was awarded the inaugural Communicator of the Year Award, Sciences and Mathematics, by the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences [160]. In “Victory Lap” [161], Lee Jussim, co-editor of the book in which this article will appear, documents how as a result of his public resistance to a mob attack on a colleague falsely accused of racism, his career enjoyed a variety of benefits including additional conferences invitations, massive positive public support for his activism, national attention to his scholarship, and an appointment to a departmental chair (with commensurate increase in salary), which he was offered because he had demonstrated that he could take the heat.

Stop saying "nO oNe iS sAyInG aNy oF tHiS!!" They are. You know they are. Dotted throughout the article are references to sources for quotes and claims. For the list of references, see: References.

Liberalism really is under attack. It's always been under attack from the religous right, but its influence has diminished over time, with society becoming increasingly secular and irreligious, or at least indifferent to religious influence. And principles like the US's First Amendment keep it, at least in theory, from breaching the threshold.

But where the religious attack is on the downswing, the attack from the illiberal left is on the upswing, and both more rapid and more successful, having infiltrated everything from government to science and even knitting clubs. And it hides behind nice-sounding words like "equity" and "diversity," people don't recognize it for what it is, and welcome it inside in a way they don't welcome religious intrusion.

This isn't about left vs right. It's about do we want a liberal society, or do we want a rampantly illiberal, or indeed anti-liberal society?

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thaliaisalesbian · 11 months

Text

i get myself twisted in threads

Chapter 17: i sit there silently

Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18

“I hear you have assignments for me?” Steve’s leaning against the Byers’ porch railing. He’s trying to look smooth, but he’s pretty sure it’s not working. Not when Jonathan knows he’s leaning because he’s not supposed to put all of his weight on his ankles too often yet.

At least he’s got good crutches that don’t cause chafing, and Will’s even offered to decorate them when he gets a chance.

Luckily for him, that doesn’t seem to stop Jonathan from kissing him once the door is shut behind them.

“Yeah, they’re in a folder in my room.”

“Really? You’ve just been keeping them here the whole time?”

“Yeah. There are a lot, man. You don’t have to go back, you could just graduate with us instead.” It’s nice that Jonathan thinks he could graduate this year if he went back. He doesn’t even think he could graduate this year.

Jonathan’s probably only saying it to soften the blow a little.

“I think I need something that’s at least a little normal, right now.” That’s what he’s been telling everyone, and for the most part they’re accepting it as an answer.

El always looks suspicious when he says it, but that might be because she doesn’t want him to move out of the cabin.

He’s currently choosing to believe that she can’t actually read his mind, despite some of the things she says and does that make it seem like she can.

“Well, I’ve got homework tonight, we could work on it together.” Jonathan gets the folder—it must have been hidden, because Steve hasn’t seen it before—and then gets himself set up.

Steve stares at the first page; it’s an English assignment from early December, copied down in Nancy’s handwriting.

“Okay, so an essay.” He puts that aside for now. If it’s a book report, he can’t do it right now anyway. He doesn’t have the book with him.

The next one is a math assignment, which he can do—at least some of it. He starts on the standalone questions, not bothering to look at the word problems. He always struggles the most with word problems. They suck, and he kind of wants to rip them off the page and burn them..

By the time Will and Joyce get home, he’s gotten through three assignments total, two for math and one for his ‘arts’ class—since he can’t take gym, he’ll need another class to make up for it. So they’ve just given him a bunch of random art assignments, apparently.

He wonders if there are written assignments for the drama classes. Probably not. And if they were, they’d be about those hard-to-read plays, so he wouldn’t be able to do them anyway.

“Are you at a good break point?” Joyce puts a hand on his shoulder, and he jumps a little. “Looks like you’ve gotten a lot done, after being out of school for so long.”

“Some of the math is pretty easy.” He shrugs. “English, history, and science are gonna be harder.” He likes history, though. It’s just so hard to read the tiny print in the textbook. He did a lot better last year, when his teacher acted out some things and read others to them dramatically. His notes hadn’t been the neatest, but he’d gotten his first A- in a class since middle school.

He’d been so excited when he’d seen that on his report card. Of course, that one A- hadn’t been enough to get him out of trouble.

His teacher this year—Mrs. Click—doesn’t do that; she mostly just assigns reading and then has a quiz on it.

He’s not doing great.

“So you’ve decided to go back, then?”

“Yeah, I think so. I want something a little normal, you know? And maybe people will stop trying to spy on us and stuff.”

He knows that Nancy and Jonathan have tried to hide it from him, but there are people watching them. They’re curious, and he knows it’s only a matter of time before someone says something to them directly—or worse, goes to Will or Mike, or any of the other kids. They might ask Joyce, too, but he doesn’t think anyone wants to try asking Hopper.

“Well, you know you’re welcome to study here anytime. Do you know what you have to get done before you go back?”

He looks over at Jonathan. He hadn’t thought about that.

“Most of it.” He says, apologetically. “Nance and I will help, don’t worry.”

“I can help too!” Will takes the seat next to him, looking way too excited about homework. “I can read stuff to you if you need it.”

How had he known?

“That will help, Will, thanks. But you’ve got your own stuff to do.”

“Will, what do you mean?” Joyce asks.

“He did all the math problems but the word ones.” Will shrugs. “So he can do the math, but maybe the word problems are hard to read or something. And he likes it when El reads to him.”

“El’s a good reader.” It’s a weak defense, and he knows it. He probably should have at least offered to read to her.

“We can talk about that more later. What do you guys want for dinner? Steve, I’ll call Jim and let him know you’re staying the night.”

He wants to ask why, but the last time he did that, Will gave him a weird look, and Joyce just looked sad.

“Can we have pizza? Since Steve’s here?” Will bounces, and Steve grins at him. He kind of wants to bounce, too, but he’s too old for that.

“Don’t expect that to work for long,” Joyce warns. “Steve’s Jonathan’s boyfriend, I think he’s going to be over a lot.”

“But it works for now, and that’s what matters.”

“Oh, so you’re just using me to get pizza? Wow, little Byers, I expected better of you.”

“That’s not what I’m doing!”

“Seems like it is, Will.” Jonathan adds. “Maybe Steve and I should stay in my room, if you’re just going to try and use him like this.”

“Or maybe you just want to make out with him.”

“That’s a benefit, yeah.” Jonathan admits, kissing Steve with… a little flair than he normally would in front of the kids.

“Ew. Mom, tell them to stop making out in front of me!”

“Are there any clothes off?”

“No.”

“Then no, they’re fine.” Steve pulls away a little. He could really get used to this. He and Nancy could never make fun of Mike this way, her mom would have had a fit. But Joyce doesn’t care, and Will doesn’t mean it in the same way Mike had. He’s not rude or mean, he’s only teasing them. Sure, he’s probably a little grossed out, but only because Jonathan’s his big brother. Not because he hates Steve.

“Should we go to my room until the pizza gets here?” Jonathan murmurs. “I’m sure Mom wouldn’t mind.”

“No, stay out here, it’ll be ten minutes.” Joyce knows everything. “Will, grab the paper plates, will you? Jonathan, Steve, clear the table. If you put things back in Jonathan’s room, the door stays open.”

“How much did you get done?”

“Most of two math assignments, and one of the random arts ones.” He’s still got months’ worth of work to make up. He’s starting to see what Hopper went when he said he might want to wait.

It would give him more time to catch up, not that it would matter when he’d just be starting the year over.

“Want me to hand them in for you?”

“Not yet. I don’t think Hopper’s told them either way. Maybe when I look at some more of these, I’ll change my mind.” He won’t. He knows he won’t. He probably should, since even with Nancy and Jonathan’s help he’s not going to make it through even half of this work, but he won’t.

He’s too scared of what will happen if he doesn’t even try.

finish on ao3 or continue reading

The three of them fall into an easy routine, over the next few weeks. Nancy would like to call it a nice routine, but the arguments with her mother that have become part of the routine is not at all nice.

It’s after one of these fights that she’s meant to hang out with Jonathan and Steve at the Byers’. Maybe do homework, but she’s doubting they’ll actually get much done.

“Next weekend.” Steve’s gotten dangerous on his crutches, lately. He and Jonathan are on the porch steps, and she keeps thinking that he’s going to fall. “Next weekend, and I get to go back to my house.”

Nancy’s not so sure that’s a good thing; Steve’s happier than she’s ever known him to be now. But he wants to go back. None of them, not even El’s puppy dog eyes (which, of course, Steve had taught her to use) can sway him.

“What about school?” She’s not a part of getting Steve up to speed on schoolwork, mostly because her mother will try and lock her in her bedroom if she spends any more time with her boys, no matter who else is around.

“I’m going back on Monday, Jon’s been turning in some of my stuff for me as I get it done. I think it’s enough to get me through a couple of classes.”

Some of his work is good, she’s sure, but Nancy’s seen some of his essays. She’s worried about what will happen when he finds out that he can’t graduate this year.

She honestly doesn’t know if he expects to graduate this year. She hasn’t asked.

“Nance,” Steve leans towards her, so much that she’s worried he’s going to overbalance and fall, “How would you feel about spending the weekend with me and Jonathan?”

“We’re going to help him move back and get readjusted.” Jonathan corrects, smiling a little. “I’ve been promised movies and pizza.”

“And kissing.” Steve adds.

“Oh, yes, that’s the deciding factor.” Jonathan wraps an arm around Steve’s shoulders. “Your mom will have a field day with that, though, right?”

“Yeah, she’ll be pissed. She’s already mad at me.”

Nancy hasn’t told either of them what exactly her mom had said the first time she’d rebuked her for spending her time with Jonathan and Steve.

“Still?” Steve asks.

“You know, she’s never needed someone to babysit Holly so often until I started spending more time with you both. She doesn’t like that I’m alone with you, is what I think it is. She never seemed to mind before. At least not this much.”

Nancy can’t figure out what’s set her off this time. She hasn’t heard anything at school, and most of what goes through her mom’s church gets around the high schoolers just as quickly. So she doesn’t think it’s a rumor.

“Want to talk about it?” Steve finally lets Jonathan guide him to sit on the steps, but that’s probably just because he’s distracted with her. He’s got his little worried face on; it’s one he usually tries his best to hide.

“I… don’t know. I don’t know what’s going on.”

“Want to talk about how you feel about it?”

She’s still figuring that out, too. On one hand, it’s really annoying and overprotective of her mom to be acting like this. On the other hand, she doesn’t think she’s had so much of her mom’s undivided attention since before Holly was born.

“You don’t have to!” Steve starts to backtrack after she’s quiet for a minute. Jonathan’s gone inside, probably to grab drinks or something.

“No, I’m just… I don’t know, it’s one of those things where the attention is nice, it’s more undivided attention from her than I’ve had since she was pregnant with Holly,” That’s also around the time her dad checked out. She’s still not sure if it’s because he hadn’t wanted another kid, or if there’s something else at play. “But I don’t like how she’s giving me attention, if that makes sense. She’s being more overbearing and overprotective than anything, and I don’t know what to do about it.”

It feels strange, to admit that out loud. She’s so used to knowing what to do for everything, or at least being able to figure it out. She’s done that with monsters from alternate dimensions! Her mom should be easier to handle than those!

That’s not how things are shaping up, though, and Nancy doesn’t like the pit that forms in her stomach when she thinks about it.

“Yeah, she’s being weird about it.” Steve agrees. “It’s not like you weren’t spending time with me alone, or time with Jonathan alone, before. Why is this so different?”

“I don’t know. She won’t actually tell me, she just keeps saying that I’m in trouble.” Jonathan hands them both a water.

“You could just stay here.” He offers. “Mom won’t mind.”

“Yeah, and that’s going to go over so well.”

“You could tell her that you’re going to move in with Steve, and then pretend to compromise with moving in here.” Jonathan suggests, looking a little too amused by it.

“Oh, she’d hate that.”

Thankfully, Jonathan and Steve steer the conversation away from her mom after that.

She’d never actually move in with the Byers’, Joyce has enough on her plate already without having to worry about her, too. But it’s nice to know that it’s an option, if she needs it.

They sit out there until it starts to rain, just talking, and if anyone is watching to report back to her mom at church, they’re not going to find anything untoward happening.

“Are we actually going to do homework now?”

“No, I’ve got a surprise for you.” Steve says. “I think you’ll like it.”

“Should I be worried?” She looks at Jonathan, but he shakes his head.

“No, it’ll be great.”

Inside, Steve’s ditched his crutches to set up the table; it almost looks like he's made them a fancy meal.

“I didn’t know about it until yesterday.” Jonathan tells her, pulling out her chair for her. “He started then and just stayed the night.”

Nancy pushes down the jealousy that flares up. She’s glad that Steve and Jonathan are getting closer, but she can’t help but be upset that she’s not getting the same opportunities to spend time with them.

“He did say I could make dinner, though.”

The table’s only set for three—for the first time since she’s arrived, Nancy wonders where Joyce and Will are.

“Mom took Will to the arcade and then they’re having dinner with El and Hopper at the cabin.” Jonathan answers before she can ask. “Mom was very insistent on clearing out. You’d almost think she’d been waiting for it.”

“She was!” Steve sets down a large pot—one that’s probably too big to use for canned soup, at least. “Jonathan made us soup.”

“And I have to wait and see what you made us?”

“Yes, you do.”

It’s dessert, then, but what type of dessert? How had he managed to make it so that Joanthan hadn’t known about it until yesterday?

Between the three of them, they manage to eat most of the pot. Since they cooked, she clears the table, washing out their bowls while Steve gets his surprise ready for them.

“Wait, is that…”

It’s not exactly like the picture, but it looks like one of the cakes Mrs. Henderson had shown them when they’d asked her for recipes.

“I wanted you and Jonathan to have the first thing I made from it. I still don’t think I can thank you enough for that. I don’t even know how you figured it out.”

That’s easy. They’d gone to his house to get him clothes and a few other things, and they’d snooped.

Well, she’d snooped. Jonathan had stayed in the living room like a good, boring guy who was pretending he didn’t want to know more about his crush. She’d been the one checking the corners of his room, under his bed, the top shelves of his closet (she’d had to go in there anyway to get clothes), and even opening every kitchen cupboard to see if there was a secret passion she could uncover.

It meant they’d been able to give Steve a thoughtful, personalized gift though, so Jonathan had only complained about it a little.

“He spent all day making it.” Jonathan leans over, not quite whispering. “He wanted to wait and bring it over today.”

“Then I reconsidered, because if I made it at the cabin then it might not survive the trip here.” Steve plates them all big pieces—over half the cake, total. “But Jonathan wasn’t too nosy about it. Will kept trying to steal the batter.”

“Will is a well-behaved child who would never do such a thing.” Jonathan can’t keep a straight face.

“Will is a menace like the rest of his friends, but he’s better at hiding it.” Steve counters. “Even Max is a menace, she just likes to pretend otherwise.”

“Okay, so they’re all menaces.” Nancy jumps in. “But I think we can agree that Mike is the worst.”

“Yes.” Steve points at her with his fork. “He is. He still hates me, you know?”

“Oh, he’s faking it now. At least most of it.”

“You two don’t have to live with Will, you don’t know anything about menaces.” Jonathan takes a bite of his cake, and the expression that he can’t keep off of his face afterward ruins the rest of the bit. “He steals all of my stuff, he’s always hiding things from me.”

“No, he’s not.” Steve rolls his eyes. “Sounds like you’re stealing that line from Lucus.”

“And so what if I am?”

“Then it’s a lie. I’m going to have to tell El about this, Jon. If she doesn’t know already.”

“Yeah, Jonathan. Friends don’t lie.” Nancy leans into Steve’s side.

“We’re not friends, though, we’re dating.”

“That just makes it even worse! I might have to take a page out of Munson’s book and get on the table to explain to you.” Steve only wraps an arm around her, though, so he’s not going anywhere.

“He hasn’t done that lately!”

“Well, it’s usually pretty funny, he should!”

“Aren’t you the target of most of his speeches?”

“Nah, not really. He hasn’t taken a dig at Hargrove yet?”

“No. After what happened to you, I don’t think anyone wants to.” With that, Jonathan effectively ends that line of discussion.

Somehow, though, it’s not awkward or weird when they finish eating their cake in silence—Nancy wants to say ‘fuck it’ and eat the entire thing tonight, but it’s so rich that they’d probably all be sick from it.

After everything is cleaned up, they manage to squish together on Jonathan’s bed, but they’re all full and tired. Neither of them even react when she takes her shirt off. She’s pretty sure if she took her pants off it’d be a different story, but she’s not in the mood for that.

“Naptime?” She could probably make Steve move so she can be in the middle, but that would take effort.

“Why does it feel like we always end up napping when we’re together?” Jonathan grumbles.

“Cause we do. We like sleeping, I guess.”

“Sleeping and cuddling.” Nancy corrects. “We always wake up in the weirdest positions.”

“That’s Steve’s fault, he moves so much. And he’s an octopus.”

“If I were actually an octopus, neither of you would leave this bed ever again.”

“That sounds pretty good, actually.” She’s the only one with her eyes open; the boys are both half-asleep already. “Wait, Jon, is your mom going to wake us up when she gets home?”

“Probably, cause you can’t stay the night, can you?” They can’t see it, but she shakes her head.

“No, she’s staying.” Steve turns a little so he can squeeze her. “See if you can get me to let go.”

“I don’t think that’s how it works, Steve.”

“It’s definitely how it works.”

“Stop bickering and go to sleep.” Nancy closes her eyes.

It’d be nice if that’s how it worked; she knows that Steve really wouldn’t let her go, and she really wouldn’t mind.

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