#fic; mad max

[fanoftheages]

Angharad may not be as experienced as Toast, as adept as Capable, as intuitive as Dag, nor as kind-hearted as Cheedo, but the Immortan did not declare her Splendid for nothing. She hears the wails of the Wretched and the jeering of the War Boys. She sees how the Sons flock to the Immortan like loyal dogs, how he wears his armor and badges in arrogant denial.

There has been a rage simmering inside Angharad for as long as she can remember. It had made her a vicious Pup, but she had tried to put it aside along with her white paint years ago. She knew it would be of no use here, would do little more than drive her mad.

But she feels it bursting fully to life now and welcomes it.”

if i don’t make it back from where i’ve gone

[gentlyweeps-world]

A Rivals Heart 1

summary: A crush had turned into hatred, but with the work of Lando, Alex George and Charles, maybe it could be fixed back.

pairing: max verstappen x fem! driver reader

warnings: alcohol consumption, sexual tensions

next part

LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

You couldn’t pinpoint exactly when your crush on the Dutchman had turned into hatred.

Maybe it was in karting when he had made fun of you for no reason, or maybe it was in the lower Formula ranks when he would do anything to get on your nerves and invoke a reaction out of you.

But all you knew now, is that you hated him, and he hated you. You would say it didn’t bother you, to be honest you went through worse with being a female driver, but for some reason he bothered you.

“I’m surprised you manage to keep your pace, usually you fuck up” Max said to you, that was the first thing he said to you at Bahrain, throughout the entire race weekend.

You roll your eyes at him, not really caring since you did get P2. “You did great Y/n!” Nando says as he clasps your shoulder, shaking you a bit. “Definitely a well deserved pole!” Nando adds on with a smile, moving past you to sit in his cooldown seat.

You feel your blood slowly boil as Max smiles. You have no idea why you feel so angry at him, he’s just another driver and yet all you want to is shove him down the grid.

“Thank you” you say to Fernando, he was definitely the most polite driver to you.

You sit in your chair, although it was really Fernando’s, no one ever got the cooldown seats right anymore, and drink some water, watching some highlights from the race on the tv in the room.

The highlights come on, you watch silently, no one is really speaking.

A bit of silence as you watch the drivers in their highlights, except for one. Max’s highlights come up and you notice the way he drives.

The way he pushes his car, the way he makes the most of the corners and overtakes and the way he goes full tilt on the straight.

You catch yourself staring at the highlights, analyzing how he drove.

“Taking notes L/n?” Max says, watching you analyze his driving style. “I’m just watching the highlights, no need to feel special princess..” You grumble out, rolling your eyes at him.

Fernando just sits there silently with a grin, watching the scene of you and Maxs bickering play out.

“I never thought I was special.” Max says in a snarky tone. “But whatever makes you feel good…princess” Max adds on with a grin, knowing that nickname will annoy you.

A faint blush raises to your cheeks at hearing him call you princess. You let out an annoyed huff and roll your eyes, “Just shut up..” You mumble out to him, crossing your arms over your chest as you watch Max sit down in his own chair next to you.

Max just laughs it off as he takes a quick sip from his drink. “Oh come on princess, don’t be so annoyed at the name. I think it suits you..”

Max then looks up to you, his eyes meet yours and he smirks, not moving his gaze. “Yeah and I think Christian Horner's bitch suits you..” You say coldly, narrowing your eyes at him.

Max’s lip curls as he raises an eyebrow at you. “That the only insult you have schatz?”

Max leans back in his seat with a cocky grin. You roll your eyes, opting to stay quiet and not feed into Max.

Before you know it you’re standing on the podium balcony, wishing you were deaf because you had to listen to the Dutch anthem play out for Max.

You watch as Max stands proudly, his hand on his heart during the Dutch national anthem. The smile he has irritates you, knowing the smug expression he has on his face.

You can feel your blood boil and your face turning red. You didn’t think it was possible to hate someone this much.

Once the anthem is over, the champagne spray starts. With a grin you pop the kork to your bottle and spray it all over Max and Nando, and down towards your team.

You lean your head back and stick out your tongue, spray some of the champagne into your mouth.

You look into the camera with a smirk, knowing people will eat that up, with a chuckle you turn towards Max and Fernando again, seeing Max look at you with an unreadable expression and blush on his face.

You notice Max’s blush as he looks at you, only for him to cover it by spraying champagne at you.

You grin as the camera focuses on you, knowing damn well they eat up your little feud with Max.

You lean away from Max to avoid getting more sprayed as your gaze meets his. Max smirks at you, his gaze not wavering from yours.

You let out a shriek as Fernando runs over and sprays the champagne over your head, completely drenching you in it.

The champagne rains over you as you shriek at Fernando, the crowd love this moment and laugh at you.

You look over at Max, seeing him grin at you, only for his gaze to meet yours, which makes his grin disappear.

He looks away quickly, a red hue now on his face. You give Max a weird look but let it go for now. With a chuckle you spray the last of your champagne on Fernando.

“I’m going to get you back for that!” You say to him with a smile, laughing and giggling. It feels as if nothing could bring you down right now, being up on that podium balcony, hearing the cheers of fans and your own team.

You knew it was only P2 but it was close enough to making history for you. Max watches as you have the time of your life on the podium, it slightly annoys him how much fun you’re having. “Oh god.” Max mumbles under his breath, not wanting to ruin the moment.

Fernando laughs along with you as he is now soaked in the champagne, you take a look around at the crowd, noticing a bunch of Dutch fans, their attention on you, the driver they dislike most.

You could hear them booing, saying jeers and chanting out insults to you, in return you flipped them off, raising up your P2 trophy.

This moment will be iconic and you’re enjoying every second of it. You make sure all they see is your middle finger raised as you stand on the podium in celebration, you didn’t want these fans to ruin your moment by any means.

The booing from the crowd is annoying but it does annoy Max even more, he didn’t want to admit that he liked your style even more after giving all those fans the finger.

“It does fit you.” Max mumbles under his breath, smirking at you. His gaze locked onto you, waiting for you to acknowledge him.

“What was that?” You ask Max over the mixed cheers from the grandstands.

“Nothing, it probably would’ve gotten on your nerves or something” Max says.

“How thoughtful of you, not wanting to annoy me” you say sarcastically, you know that is exactly what he wanted to do.

Soon podium celebrations are done. You make your way out of the paddock and the track, when you hear someone shouting your name.

“Y/n? Y/n!” Lando shouts out, followed by George and Alex. “Oh hey guys, what’s up?” You ask, stopping and looking to them.

“Do you want to go out? A few of us are going to a nearby club to celebrate..” Lando says, George and Alex nodding to what he said.

“Yeah you should definitely come, you’d get to see Carmen” George adds on, knowing if he tells you his girlfriend will be there, you would automatically go with.

Your eyes light up at the mention of Carmen. “I’d love to!” You say, knowing that you can’t let this opportunity get away from you.

“I’ll just have to stop by my hotel room and get changed” You say, turning away from them to start walking again.

“I’ll meet you guys there!” You add on, waving bye to them as you rush off to your car in the parking lot excited to go out.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

radio 🪩: So of course I started a new series after finishing one!! I’m excited to start this one up. I’ve been in a bit of a funk lately, so I won’t be posting as often, or really working as often.

taking requests: ❌

[buckttommy]

hot cocoa

Summary:

"I bought Eddie a ring." Bobby, to his credit, doesn't even flinch. He brings his cup of cocoa to his lips and takes a long, languid sip. He moves the mug from his mouth but doesn't put it down. Just watches Buck with a slight tilt of his head. "You freaking out?" "No. Yes." Buck gets to his feet, suddenly so full of manic energy, he feels like he could burst. "No. I don't know. I mean, why should I be? It's Eddie." or; Buck is freaking out about proposing. He gets an assist from Athena, Bobby, and. Well. Eddie himself.

This is dumb. 

Buck doesn't know what he's doing here for several reasons, starting with the fact that, despite the rapid erosion of any and all workplace norms, Bobby is not actually his dad and ending with the fact that this is not actually Bobby's problem. But the thought of going to Philip with this makes Buck want to break out into hives and, although Maddie would be willing to sit and listen to him vent and moan, she's far too busy with her own life. His only other friends might as well be family for all that they live in each other's pockets, but then there's also the fact that Bobby is... well, he's Bobby. Buck may not know what he's doing here but he knows he wants to be here and that's more than enough reason to have him sitting on Bobby's back porch with his feet perched on the patio chair, knees pulled up to his chest despite (or maybe because of) the dirty look Athena is shooting him when she looks up from her book from her spot in the living room, with a mug of hot cocoa in hand. 

Bobby studies him, curious but at ease, willing to take his time with whatever it is Buck's got cooking up in his brain. And that's a good thing because Buck has no idea where to start. He could start with the fight he and Eddie had a couple nights ago. Well, it was actually less of a fight and more of a very heated argument. On their way to work, they got started going about politics or God or something or someone that doesn't really matter anymore, and Buck could start with the way he forgot what he was saying mid sentence as he looked at Eddie—really looked at him for what felt like the first time in his life—and saw his whole future blow wide open.

He could start with the fact that he watched Eddie gesticulating with his hands out of the corner of his eye as he went on an impassioned rant, spit flinging from his lips (not that that deterred him) and thought, I want to argue with you every day for the rest of my life. Or he could start with the fact that he bought a ring six months ago, that it's been hitching a ride in the glove compartment of Eddie's truck because Eddie rides shotgun in his jeep more than he drives his own car. Or he could start at the beginning with a vow, with a promise to have each other's back, but Bobby was there or at least close by which means he's already got a SparkNotes version of that tucked somewhere in the back of his mind.

So Buck starts with the first thing that comes to mind:

"This is good cocoa."

"Thank you." Bobby grins, that little smile that says he's trying to cling to stoicism by the tips of his fingers instead of glowing with pride. Buck knows it well. Bobby nods at his mug. "Secret ingredient. Why don't you go ahead and give it a try. Tell me what it is."

"My palate is for shit."

"I know."

But Buck takes a sip because this is the game they play, this is the version of life that suits them best—the one where Bobby is his dad and Buck is his son and none of the extra details matter. Buck smacks his lips as he tries to figure out the taste. Sugar, sugar, more sugar—

"Is that cardamom?"

Bobby's eyebrows raise. He lets that smile bloom on his face and raises his mug. "I'm impressed."

"I bought Eddie a ring."

Bobby, to his credit, doesn't even flinch. He brings his cup of cocoa to his lips and takes a long, languid sip. He moves the mug from his mouth but doesn't put it down. Just watches Buck with a slight tilt of his head. "You freaking out?"

"No. Yes." Buck gets to his feet, suddenly so full of manic energy, he feels like he could burst. "No. I don't know. I mean, why should I be? It's Eddie."

"It is."

[read the rest on ao3]

[growup-thatbeautiful]

mad max fury road absolutely destroyed me so here’s some max brainrot!

also, apologies for all the unanswered asks, i legit haven’t written anything since well before december, but i’m trying to get back into it. just, you know, a lot going on :))

tw: mentions of sa, blood, canon typical violence

you’re one of joe’s wives, so obviously you’ve got a lot of trauma and you’re not exactly used to being out in the open. but, when furiosa tells you to follow her onto the convoy, you don’t hesitate one bit. you would do anything to get away from joe and the prison joe crated for you and the other girls. nothing can be worse than what you’ve already been through.

the hiding hole in the convoy is dusty and hot. it’s hard to breathe through the smoke and sand whirling through the crowded space, and you’re pushed up against the hard metal, Toast’s elbow in your stomach. when the convoy stops moving, you relish the opportunity to stretch your legs and drink some water. the thin cloth that covers your body is gritty with sand and stained by tears. if you had anything else to change into, you would.

the sun is brighter than anything you’ve ever seen. the sand is warmer than you expected, and you remind yourself that people die out here. but the water is cold and it’s sweet on your tongue, the hope of survival clawing it’s way from your chest.

at first, like everyone else, you don’t trust him one bit. he’s a stranger, and a man, and you’re not sure he’s sane. he doesn’t even have a name that you know of.

but there’s something about him. something that tells you he won’t hurt you or any of the other girls. the brown eyes that he hides under that mask are cunning and strange, yes, but there’s a level of honesty in them that makes you want to trust him.

furiosa’s killswitch stops him before he gets too far, and then he’s forced to take your group. you’re squeezed up from with him and her, the daggers between them enough to make it uncomfortable. she has control- you’re not worried about that- but he has pretty much all of the weapons furiosa hid away.

for the most part, the time passes in silence. Toast and Splendid argue some, and Dag takes the middle ground. Furiosa concentrates on the road, and the man curls as far into the metal of the door as he can, weapons stashed underneath his feet.

it’s not until much later, after you’ve met up with the women from the green place, that you talk to him for the first time. the sky is dark and streaked with sandstorms in the distance, greys and oranges flooding the atmosphere.

“all the others have names. you don’t?” he asks. you’re sitting in the front seat with him again, Furiosa deep in conversation with one of the older women.

“you haven’t told us your name either,” you bite back. “and my name isn’t your concern. neither are their names.” you nod toward the group of girls curled up on the back seat, each looking more and more exhausted.

he accepts your answer with a small nod. “i wouldn’t want to keep a name he gave me either.” there’s a surprising level of understanding in his eyes.

“it’s not that.” he doesn’t look convinced. “it’s not just that,” you correct. “i don’t have anything else to go by. i’m not used to having people use my name for good things.”

“i wouldn’t want to contribute to that bad streak,” he agrees. “what do i call you, then?”

you think for a moment. it doesn’t take you long to come up with a name. it’s something you heard Cheedo talk about one time, probably just a story about a place with streets made of water, opera houses full of painted tiles, and people crammed together but happy. “venice. you can call me venice.”

“venice it is, then.”

the next day, the plan changes. you never thought you would want to head back to where you came from, but it’s better than the alternative. years riding nowhere. sun blisters and sand burns.

the road back to the stronghold is dangerous. it’s risky. but you have Furiosa and the man with you. they’re just as dangerous, you think.

you didn’t expect to survive, though. yes, you lost Splendid and Nux. it hurt like you thought it would, but you haven’t had enough time to really consider it. not with everything going on. not when you find out the man’s name is max. it’s a good name, an old name. one without this world’s pain ingrained into it.

it’s been hours on the road with him and you can’t sleep. every time you close your eyes you see joe’s figure lurking over you or splendid’s body roll underneath truck tires or even flames eating at nux as rubble and rock crushed him into the ground. you know you’re going to be home soon, if you can even call the stronghold a home.

you know you’re getting on max’s nerves. he doesn’t say anything, but the glances in your direction are enough. you pick at your fingernails until they’re raw and bite and the inside of your cheek until it bleeds. none of it helps. you can’t sleep.

finally, he breaks the silence. “why don’t you try to sleep?” you don’t need to tell him why. he’s heard your screaming and your panicked breaths. he knows what happens when you try to sleep. “there’s nothing that used to help you fall asleep? with the other girls?”

“toast and i used to hold each other when it was too much.” you don’t know why you tell him. you would never wake Toast up, not when she’s finally fallen asleep after fitful attempts. and it’s not like max is going to hold you while you sleep. he has more important things to do.

you don’t expect him to offer. you really don’t. with Furiosa hurt, its on him to drive. it shouldn’t be much further, but it’s enough.

“lay you head down,” he says softly. when you don’t immediately respond, he adds, “you don’t have to, but i think it’ll help you get some sleep.”

“okay,” you agree uncertainly. slowly, carefully, like you’re trying not to scare him or yourself, you lean over and lay down, your back on the warm metal of the seat. your head rests gently on his thigh, and you try not to put too much pressure on him. you know he’s sore, and you aren’t sure this is what he wants.

“there you go.” his voice is quiet but, for once, sure of himself. his hand reaches to card through your hair and brush it off your face. “try to sleep, now.”

it’s easier than you thought it would be, trusting him. letting him take care of you. but, somehow, you do. maybe it’s because you know his name and because he’s saved you so many times. whatever it is, you let him lull you to sleep with his gentle hands tracing the curves of your face.

[glitterghost]

Belle (2023) 🌹

[cactusspatz]

November recs

Yuletide is coming - but this should tide you over until then!

IRIS Log #1548 by deadchannelradio (Batman, gen)

(01:25) Red Hood: (Mild static) (Out of breath, slurred) You motherfuckers. Put some fuckin- (01:25) Batman: (Shaking) Red Hood- (01:25) Red Hood: Shut up. Put some fucking respect. On my name. Start fucking copying me. I just got thrown fucking. Um. 40 feet. Into a fucking uh. What's it. Ditch. I'm still fucking conscious. (01:25) Batman: Red Hood, do not move, we're en route- (01:25) Red Hood: What'll I win if I stand up. (01:25) Batman: (Loud) Do not stand up.

Absolutely hilarious slice-of-patrol-life story, featuring a VERY concussed Jason.

Easy as Pie by Ptelea (Batman, gen)

Five times Jason baked something for or with his siblings, and one time they baked for him. A drabble sequence of triple drabbles written for the Seasons of Drabbles Summer 2023 challenge exchange.

Soft Batsiblings story, with a lot of feels packed into a small space.

Cinema Verite by BoldlyNo (Murderbot, gen)

"Someday, Ratthi hopes, he’s going to run out of things to learn about Secunit that break his heart." Making a documentary in five hours flat is an experience in and of itself, but making a documentary with some of your friend's worst memories as footage is something else altogether.

Will I ever be over them making a documentary FOR GREAT JUSTICE? Definitely not. This is a great Ratthi POV on it.

Reformation by LocalCryptid7 (BNHA, Midoriya/Todoroki/Shinsou)

After a failed suicide attempt, years of bullying, and his mother's death, Izuku Midoriya doesn't think he has any option besides joining the League of Villains. After all, foster care is no place for a quirkless kid like him. Plus, working as a hacker and analyst for the League doesn't sound like it would be too bad. But, after meeting a hurt little girl in Overhaul's headquarters, Toga and Izuku can't just sit back and take orders from Shigaraki anymore. With some careful consideration, Izuku figures a villain reformation program at UA doesn't sound horrible, even if it means having to put up with Bakugou.

Villain!Izuku is usually a hard sell for me, but this works! Mostly because it shows both how Izuku ended up isolated and needing, AND he immediately turns tail once a kid is in danger. And then good followup on the consequences.

The Warlock's Cat by Marchling (Shadowhunters, Magnus/Alec)

Pain raced up his arm. It was a sharp throb that radiated out. More than a broken bone. When Alec went to flex his hand to see how bad it was he couldn’t. His eyes snapped to his own hand and there was no hand. A mission gone wrong leads to Alec being turned into a cat. Alone. Hurt. No one aware of what's happened to him. If only there was a cat-loving warlock nearby to save him.

Hello, I am a sucker for turned-into-a-cat-&-taken-in-by-my-enemy-who-turns-out-to-be-loveable stories - which is a very specific trope, but thankfully people keep writing it! This is a fun exemplar and an interesting AU.

Burgeoning by Owlship (Mad Max, Max/Furiosa)

He smiles a little, an uptick of his mouth, plush lips exposed where he's shaved the mangy beard off in the process of cleaning off the wasteland. "Here," Max says, and nudges into her space, arranges the plant carefully so the roots are properly covered, the leaves brushed free of dirt. Furiosa doesn't realize she's going to move until she does, leaning across the slight distance between them and pressing her lips to his.

Max-returns-to-the-Citadel PWP, featuring poor gardening etiquette and a lovely vulnerable Furiosa.

[madstronaut]

The gif system in this post, regarding the feudal alignments within fandom?

Every member of a given fandom identifies with at least 1 of the 10 gifs listed.

The meaning of each gif is subject to interpretation to some degree.

My reblog was meant to be funny, but the more I look at the thread the more surprised I am at the amount of truth I see in it. Tumblr is a strange and beautiful place.

for you @deadbranch my chrome queen

I have prepared to flex my worthless and expensive af haha jk or am i dual anthropology and [redacted] degrees to conduct a completely subjective, PhD-level ethnographic study of branchy's gifset curation, please observe:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Exhibit A: writers and their sixth sense when they intuit me, refreshing and revisiting their blog daily to check for updates to that one-shot/fic/novel/12-part-apocalypse-opera (not even joking about that last one).

alternately, those weird fuckers who send in creepy boundary-crossing anon asks. i love to hate them but they're kind of an essential part of tumblr

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Exhibit B: im convinced some blogs out there have excel spreadsheet JIRA queuebot steampunkesque contraptions running their shit because i have no idea how they make (and KEEP TO) regularly scheduled high quality posts??? a schedule??? on this HELLSITE? tumblr i love you i dont mean that on mondays

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Exhibit C: antis. no further comments.

i freely block antiblogs and and any that are brimming with negativity/hate

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Exhibit D: me, fanfic, and ao3, most days. no further comments

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Exhibit E: me, my imagination, and my fictional harem of blorbos, most nights. no further comments as well.

Also basically 98% of tumblr as is widely known

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Exhibit F: the caption speaks for itself. on tumblr exist still many bubbles of thought, ideology, poiesis, and praxis that go on as if impenetrable and untouched by a well-known phenomenon called Reality (also known as IRL, going outside, touching grass, etc.)

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Exhibit G: hot people who post random face reveals. STOP TITILLATING ME (yes, I had to google how to properly spell titillating)

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Exhibit H: the elder blogs. they post softly but carry big stick. they are the unspoken glue of their fandom communities. their fic/art/headcanon/etc. posts spawn a thousand more. thou shalt not speak a bad word against them. and yes, many of them are POC, so this gif pulls double duty, well chosen branchy my queen. and fuck i wish i could pull off hoops that big, anyway i digress

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Exhibit I: smut writers. they are brazen. they are shameless. they are worshipped and adored. this is the aftermath of their posting after causing tens of thousands of simultaneous la petite morts as the french say (is it la or le idfk and im too lazy/sleepy to google it rn). absolute fucking bloodbath

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Exhibit J: people who post their personal/professional/something-nal drama and air it out by tagging the larger fandom tags they're in, drawing in completely uninvolved (and often uninformed) people and getting these randos to do their dirty work for them

alternately, people who have zero interest or affiliation with said fandoms and their drama but gleefully follow along using the tags (nooooo i havent done that stop looking at me)

I would like add one more if you don't mind:

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Exhibit K: cozy, safe, well-curated, moderated, well-established boundaried corners of fandom and generally lovely spaces like yours <3 and many of my other moots' blogs as well

also, catblogs

[fox-moblin]

And The World Ends Again

Chapter 5 (Ao3 Link)

Linked Universe Post-Apocalyptic Mad Max-Inspired AU. All of the Chain feature. *** In the post-apocalyptic wasteland, where roaming bands of scavengers threaten the lives of lonely travelers and tribes of weary survivors do their best to live in a world their ancestors destroyed, it’s nice to find people who will watch your back.

[duesternis]

This thing has teeth - Slit/Nux

Slit roars, scars bunching on his cheeks, eyes wild and wide and absolutely terrifying. His opponent shrinks back, blood spraying as Slit follows viciously. Nux throws his arms up, shouts Slit’s glory, sloshing beer over himself and the men pressed tight around him. No one complains, all caught in the spell that Slit has bound them under. A body thuds on the hard floor of the cage and Slit howls like an animal, beating his own chest twice with a bloody fist. The referee gapes by the cage, microphone limp in his hand, blood sprayed on his cheek. Slit kicks the body on the floor with the toe of his boot, the man rolls over, weakly trying to push at Slit’s leg. Begging for mercy. Nux pushes through the crowd, presses himself against the cage and bangs his hands against the metal bars. His head. “We have a winner,” roars the referee finally into his microphone and the crowd somehow, impossibly becomes even louder. Slit clambers out of the top of the cage, stands on the metal bars and the crowd chants his name. Nux loses himself in the chants, sways, body thrashing against the cage, eyes glued to Slit. Slit’s head whips around, sweat and blood flying, eyes meeting Nux’s straight on. The world comes to a screeching halt, breath stuck in Nux's throat. Slit points at him, roars and laughs and Nux points back, skin pulling tight over his skeleton, shivers down his spine. He wants that blood on his lips.

Cage fights and sex, read it all here

[mad-c1oud]

the "I could keep you safe. they're all afraid of me" or "do you feel safe enough to come with me?" for starcicle....these are already so juicy for etoiles to say but also there is something so intriguing about scenarios where charlie is the one saying it..... maybe these ideas would be fun to write?

YEAHHHHH no way you looked at the same one as me and also thought "oh but charlie saying this..." it's like you read my mind. Gonna write about one here, but expect to see the other in a regular text post because oh man they are so fun to write...

Feel free to ask for more prompts yall!!!

+++++

(Warnings for depictions of serious injuries and shock)

"Do you feel safe enough to come with me?"

Étoiles startles out of his panicked-induced scrambling to stop and look at Charlie, eyes wide and breath stuttering in his chest. Everything is blurry but he still has his mask on so he isn’t sure what’s going on. “W-what?”

Charlie is unharmed save for a nick above his eyebrow which means Étoiles did his job correctly, but the fighter himself has been better, sure. The slime hybrid eyes his sluggishly bleeding wounds, stopping to blanch at where his hand should be before his eyes shoot back up and lock with Étoiles’ again. The next time he speaks, it isn’t as meek or unsure, “Do you feel safe enough to come with me? I-I think we’re near a cave system I recognize. Somewhere we can hide until we can uh…” He gestures vaguely to where the fighter is cradling his severed limb to his chest protectively, “Address that? Neither of us can go back outside like this, man.”

God, Étoiles hates that he’s right. There’s sticky chlorophyll dripping onto to ground from his wrist and there’s a suspiciously wet spot growing along his side that can’t be good. He’s down one hand, his scythe is still outside with at least four code monsters hovering about. He can’t respawn unless he wants to risk not being able to regrow his hand back later, fuck. They’re stuck in this cave Charlie dragged Étoiles into when he fell and he kind of hates it. Not Charlie, just being stuck. Useless.

“Listen, I know we don’t really know each other well and you’ve heard the rumors which are actually more fact than rumors I guess but I mean I had some pretty good reasons for—”

“Slime.”

“Okay okay sorry, what I’m trying to say is can you trust me this once? You’re kind of missing a hand and an eye and it’s really freaking me out, dude. Would you come with me? The codes can wait, surely?”

Non, ils ne peuvent pas attendre, Étoiles wants to protest before he registers what exactly Charlie said. He refuses to let go of his sword, bringing up his handless wrist to touch his cheek, wincing at the sharp, biting pain it causes. It’s amazing neither he nor Charlie gags at the sensation or sight, but Charlie must not find it gross and Étoiles is realizing he might be in shock. Weird. That doesn’t usually happen.

“Étoiles?” Charlie steps forward hesitantly, bringing his hand up, but stopping before it makes contact with his elbow. The sounds of fighting get louder outside and he starts to tremble, just a little. “You with me buddy?”

“Ouais,” Étoiles mummers, “You said my name wrong.” He notes distantly, grip on his sword lax. Charlie steps more into his space but doesn’t touch him yet.

“Whoops, maybe you can teach me how to on the way to my super-secret hidey hole, yeah? What do you say? Feel like walking with a misclicker?”

Étoiles should be on guard right now, especially when he’s down a limb and an eye but there’s something… comforting to Charlie’s tone, reassuring enough that has him sheathing his sword and grabbing for the offered hand, squeezing it tightly as Charlie beams.

“The ‘s’ is silent.” He mummers as Charlie urges him forward. Chatter from the hybrid fills the cave as he grips Étoiles’ hand with one of his, the other clutching a shitty, iron axe with the other. He forgets to worry about the code and finds it easier to breathe despite the cold, dark walls surrounding them.

He finds it easier to laugh too.

[bunnibeezness]

Listening to “Brothers in Arms” from the Fury Road soundtrack and remembering its the moment where Furiosa and Max actually work together and they instinctively know what the other needs and theyre in sync and as soon as he realizes he needs to trust furiosa for all their sakes max just hands her a gun and im

[gentlyweeps-world]

A Rivals Heart 4

summary: A crush had turned into hatred, but with the work of Lando, Alex, and George maybe it could be fixed.

pairing: max verstappen x fem! driver reader

warnings: none, allusions to sex

prev part

LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

“What do you want..” You say, hiding yourself behind the door.

“Can I come in?” He responds, his voice was quiet and soft, “I just want to apologize and talk..” He adds on, he wasn’t trying to make this some massive discussion between you two, he just wanted to calmly talk things out and explain himself.

“I don’t need or want your apology Max, I get that you don’t like me, there’s nothing more to it..” You say, standing in front of him in the doorway.

Max looked down to his feet in thought, it was obvious he didn’t like you, but that wasn’t his only reason for crashing into you.

He took a deep breath before speaking, he had to be honest.

“I didn’t only crash into you because I don’t like you..”

“Then why did you do it?” You ask, standing your ground as you look into his eyes.

Max goes silent for a few moments, it was hard to find the right words.

“Because I…” He mumbles, but this would reveal more than he wants to.

“Because I… didn’t want you to overtake me, because it’s you.” Max replies, he was still quiet but he finally got out the truth.

“What..?” You ask confusedly, his answer was so vague for no reason. It started to annoy you.

Max went silent, he couldn’t bring himself to explain further.

He didn’t want to tell you the complete truth, because it was obvious he was scared to say the whole thing outright.

“It’s just-“ Max started, before stopping himself.

There was a moment of silence before you said anything, letting out a sigh you rub your hand over your face. “Honestly Max..I don’t want to hear it, I get it, you didn’t want a female overtaking you, okay? Just- next time don’t be a dick..” You say tiredly, not wanting to deal with Max and whatever he’ll say right now.

“You do not understand! I didn’t crash you off track because of some sexist reason!” Max yelled, he didn’t even realize he was yelling until he let it out.

“I crashed you off the track because I’m a jealous ass who can’t see you being better than me.” Max continued to yell, he started realizing how jealous he was of you.

“Okay! Just be quiet! Shit..” You say, covering his mouth with your hand, you peek your head out, checking if there was anyone near on the floor of your hotel room.

No one was watching, you could tell from the look on Max’s face that he was embarrassed because he was yelling.

Max let’s you cover his mouth, your hands felt soft and warm touching his lips. He didn’t move or try and resist, he just let you cover his mouth.

“Okay- well, uh I guess I’ll see you later..” You squeak out, moving away from him and start to close the door to your hotel room.

“Wait-“ Max says, grabbing the door with his hand to stop you, “Did you mean it when you said you hated me?” He asks.

Max’s words caught you completely off guard, you didn’t know how to answer right now. You didn’t want to lie, but you didn’t know what to say.

Max was waiting for your answer, you hated him, but at the same time you didn’t. You felt a connection to him and he did to you, even if you didn’t want to admit it.

“Uhm- I- yeah..” You mumble out, you didn’t know how to answer because you didn’t hate him, you liked him, despite all of it, but you could never tell him.

“Yeah..yeah I did mean it, I don’t see why it matters to you..” You say before closing the door on him. Instant regret washing through you.

The door was suddenly closed, you instantly regretted your words.

But you couldn’t open it back up now.

Max wasn’t going to push you to open the door, he had his answer. He wasn’t sure what to really say or do now.

You heard him walk away from your room and you were left now alone.

———

“You what!?” Lando says, eyes wide as you told him what happened with Max.

“I can’t believe you would just slam the door on him!” George says, placing down his drink. “Technically I didn’t slam the door!” You say, groaning into your hands.

You’re out at some random restaurant in Melbourne a day before the GP starts.

“What was I supposed to do?! I hate him, I didn’t want to just start gushing my feelings for him!” You explain, “I didn’t want him to think I had any sort of affection for him.”

“But you do..” Lando replies sarcastically, “You’re in denial and you know it.”

“Okay I don’t need your input Mr. Norriz” You say, rolling your eyes at Lando.

You look at George, “What do you suggest I do, you’re in a relationship” You ask George, you know it would probably be better asking Carmen but George will do.

George thinks for a moment, his forehead crinkling up in thought.

“I would just message or text him and tell him the truth, that you are still a bit angry at him but you don’t hate him.” George suggest.

“What help you are..” You grumble out, “I’m pretty sure I’m just starting to hate him now..” You say with a sigh.

“And I doubt you’ll ever tell him the truth will you?” Lando replies, he had a feeling you would never be able to speak your truth to Max.

George nodded his head, he didn’t want to intervene with your anger towards Max, he can sense something there.

“How would I even tell him, “Oh yeah the entire time I hated you I actually like you and want to fuck you, surprise!” You say sarcastically.

“Well you don’t have to say it quite like that.” George replies with a chuckle “I just think you should at least try to clear up this situation that you two are in, you both obviously know what’s going on between you two.”

“He is right you know.” Lando replies, “You’re both just ignoring the fact that you two both like each other.”

“Okay- but if he likes me why did he crash into me?” You say, taking a sip of your water.

“He crashed into you because he wants to prove that he’s better than you.” Lando says, “It’s just a childish thing that us guys do when we have crushes, we get aggressive towards each other and try and make ourselves look better, especially when we feel threatened.”

“He feels threatened by you because you can overtake him and it eats him up inside.” Lando adds on.

“Wait..I can just use that against him! That’s perfect!” You say, eyes lighting up.

———

It was a grueling qualifying, you had done everything to get past Max, and beat him, but you could only get to P2 right behind him. So now here you are relaxing in your teams hospitality as you watch Lando, Alex and George rush in.

You instantly perk up from your relaxed state, “What? What is it?” You ask, getting up from your spot.

You can spot a wide grin on all three guys, “Daniel needs your help..” Lando says with a smile, holding back laughter.

You narrow your eyes at them, “Okay..” You say suspiciously, moving towards them so they can take you to Daniel.

Lando laughs, he tries his best to disguise it.

George chuckles a bit, he was just glad he wasn’t involved in this whole thing.

“Just come with us and you’ll see.” Lando replies, his laugh slightly fading away.

“Alright..” You say, reluctantly following them to the Red Bull hospitality with the three.

“He’s right in that room..” Lando says, opening the door quickly then shoving you in with no time to react.

“Hey! You-“ You say before stopping, seeing Max right in front of you in the room.

You instantly turn around and start banging on the door, “Let us out!” You say, irritation evident in your tone.

The only reply from Lando and Alex was laughs as they both laughed their asses off, they didn’t have any intention of letting you out.

“Sorry Y/n! We’ll let you out soon!” You hear George say. His voice and the laughing of Alex and Lando grows distant, meaning that they truly did leave you alone, and locked in a room with Max.

“Assholes..” You grumble out to yourself, leaning back against the door.

“You really can’t stand me can you? Can’t even be in the same room as me..” You hear Max say, his voice full of smugness.

You felt irritation grow within you, he still has that smug look on his face, it pisses you off that his face is so punchable….and kissable.

Rolling your eyes you let out a scoff, “And you can’t shut up for five minutes can you?” You say, glaring at him.

He gives you a small grin, “Just can’t resist looking at me can you?” He says, he could feel the tension growing between you two. You don’t say anything back, you simply just stay in your spot, glaring at him.

It’s a few seconds of silence before Max starts to get a bit annoyed.

“You gonna say anything?” Max asks you, his voice taking on a slight tone of irritation. You narrow your eyes at him, almost telling him to make you.

Max’s body language changed slightly, you could tell this conversation was going to be an interesting one.

“Do we have to just stare at each other then?” He asks, a sarcastic tone now coming to his voice.

“You can never take your eyes off me so I don’t see the issue” You finally speak up, crossing your arms over your chest.

Max’s face softens for a moment, he was taken aback by you and your comment.

“Is there anything you actually do like about me?” He replies, it almost sounded desperate as he asked the question, he wanted you to admit your feelings.

“I like when you’re quiet..” You say, starting to fidget with your fingers out of boredom.

Max’s eyes widen just slightly, your answer actually upset him, even though it obviously was just sarcasm. He took a few steps towards you, he wasn’t planning to do much but he wanted to be closer.

“Any other things?” He asks you, he sounded genuinely interested in your answer and wasn’t trying to play the sarcastic guy for once.

“What do you want me to say Max? It’s difficult to like the guy who annoys you, who hates you and who crashed into you on purpose!” You say, exasperated. “I don’t understand you Max..” You mumble out.

Max lets out a deep sigh, he was being serious and all you could do was give sarcastic answers.

“I crashed you off on purpose..because I’m jealous of you.” He says.

“I’m not going to try and force you to do anything, but I wish you didn’t hate me.” He continues, his voice gets a small hitch and he tries to keep it back.

Your eyes widen at his words, you don’t say anything, you just want to hear what he has to say in the moment.

“You’ve managed to get into my head, everytime I think about you, I’m constantly reminded of how I want to beat you but at the same time I just can’t get the thought of you out of my head.” Max continues, it was clear he really did like you and wasn’t going to try and deny it this time, if he did he would be fooling both of you.

“You’ve managed to get under my skin and that really bothers me, but I still like you for some reason.”

Max’s eyes look away for a second, it felt weird letting you know how he felt.

It was strange for him, being able to express his feelings and talk about them.

“I don’t know what it is, I just like you, I’ve tried to fight against it but it doesn’t work.” He continues, his voice grows just that bit more quiet as he continues talking. “I thought maybe if I got you to hate me- that it would solve it..” He adds on.

“Max- I feel the same..” You say, finally speaking up. “I’ve liked you since karting..but you did everything to ruin my career- to ruin my chances..yet I still managed to love you…”

“I don’t get it, I hate you but I don’t at the same time” You mumble out.

The way Max stares at you is almost as if he had completely forgotten how to breathe as he listened to every single one of your words carefully. He is silent for a few moments, before leaning in closely to you.

No matter how hard he fights it, he can’t keep himself from wanting to be close to you.

“Just- just forget I said anything, okay?” You say, already regretting how much you had told him, how you opened yourself up to him.

Max lets out a deep sigh, a small bit of his breath tickling your face, “I won’t.” He replies, he was going to see this through this time. He wouldn’t let you hide your true feelings for him any longer.

“You said you can’t help but love me, right schatz?” Max says, getting even closer to you to test you.

“Please Max, please just forget it..” You say, pressing yourself back closer against the door.

“Answer my question schatze” Max said, he was being more stubborn than ever at this point. He wasn’t letting you back down so easily this time.

“You can’t help but love me, can you?”

“Yes..” You mumble out softly, avoiding eye contact with him.

Max’s breath hitches again and he leans in even closer. He places a hand on your chin to move your head towards his, your faces were almost completely touching.

He whispers into your ear, “Then I guess you can’t resist me, can you Y/n?”

You internally roll your eyes at his words, even in a moment like this he couldn’t help but be full of himself. “Why don’t you find out?” You whisper back.

Max’s hand moves further up your head, his fingers touching your cheek as his other hand slides around your waist.

He can hear your breaths quicken as he leans in and he smiles as he feels you get even slightly flustered.

“Oh I think I know the answer..” He whispers softly into your ear, his lips only just touching yours.

“Just kiss me Verstappen before I change my mind..” You grumble out, rolling your eyes.

Max laughs, he moves his head back slightly so your faces are just inches away from each other.

His eyes meet yours, his body slightly moves forward as his head leans even closer to you. Your breath catches in your throat as his lips touch yours, a small smile forms on your face as your eyes flutter closed.

The next thing you know, you’re pulling him closer, making the kiss even deeper.

But of course, the door behind you swings open, thankfully Max reacts in time to stop you both from falling, but unfortunately it was obvious to the human eye what you two had been doing.

“Oh my god! I called it!” Daniel says as you and Max both pull apart. “You owe me my money Lando!” He adds on with a chuckle and smile, slapping Lando on his back.

“Ouch..yeah yeah..” Lando grumbles out, rolling his eyes at Daniel. “George and Alex are going to love this..” He says, grinning at you and Max.

“Mate shut up..” Max grumbles out, annoyed yet amused. “Can’t you let me kiss her in peace?” He adds on, snaking an arm around your waist.

At the sight Lando pretends to throw up, grabbing Daniel and dragging him away from you two.

“Don’t forget protection you rabbits!” Daniel yells, a shit eating grin on his face, happy that the plan work, happy that the hate had finally, officially, turned back to love.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

radio 🪩: I will be posting a SMAU to this series, I’m not sure when. Sorry I’ve been so lacking lately, I’ll try to post some more works! Send in any requests or anything! 💙

taglist: @neilakk @formulas-bitch @lpab @jehun @allinestarr @reidsworld @taylor-will-be-the-death-of-me @itsjustkhaos @cmleitora @gills-lounge @christianpulisic10 @chonkybonky @goldenharrysworld @escapingrealitytroughwords @chiliwhore

[mlmxreader]

An Unwelcome Distraction | Max Rockatansky x gn!reader

anonymous asked: Max Rockatansky:

Hello!!

May I please ask for a little something using the following prompts for Max Rockatansky X non-binary, male, or gn!Reader:

“Keep your head down unless you want to get shot”

(Could this one be worked out as a first meeting between Max and reader?)

summary: Furiosa sends you out to help Max, but he isn't too keen on your presence.

tws: swearing, mentions of violence, cannibalism

support your fanfic writers by reblogging what you read & enjoy

Max clenched his jaw. Across the sand dunes, bodies had been scattered; some of them were torn apart, missing limbs. Missing eyes. A few of them had bite marks in the legs, in the arms. In the face. Eating flesh wasn't exactly uncommon anymore. People were driven to extremes to try and keep surviving; he realised that when he caught a man crouching by a body, teeth ripping into the calf.

He shuddered at the thought, sinking down into the makeshift trench as he held onto his gun; he just had to time things right, make sure that he got them as they were reloading. That was all. He nodded, counting the seconds as his lips parted slightly; he was about to rise up, when he noticed another person bounding down towards him.

He growled, shaking his head before tackling them to the ground. His hands firmly on their chest, he scowled as he straddled their waist.

"Keep your head down unless you want to get shot!"

You looked him up and down, taking note of his face; his plush lips and his blue eyes. You hummed, appreciative. "Y'know, if Furiosa had told me I'd be working with someone so handsome, I would've come sooner."

Max rolled his eyes, grunting as he made his way back to his position. He counted the shots being fired, and settled down with his back against the side of the makeshift trench; he was counting each one, knowing exactly when they would run out and he could return fire. He didn't mind that you sat opposite him, so close together that your leg was between his.

He had a hard time not leaning into it. He couldn't deny, now he got a good look at you, that he was rather enjoying the view; rough and rugged, frayed at the edges. Like him. He nodded slowly, but knew that nothing could ever happen; Max was far too broken, and you were far too respected.

One of Furiosa's best. Max couldn't. He swallowed thickly, chewing at the inside of his lip when you dared to nudge his legs apart, kneeling between them with your hands on his shoulders. You pushed yourself up slightly, enough to look over the edge; Max's breath hitched, his hands coming to your hips as he held on tightly. For security, of course. Just in case he needed to pull you down.

"What is it?"

"They've paused," you told him. "They're setting a trap… say, you keep holding my hips like this, I might just find a better way to spend our time while we wait."

Max grumbled, rolling his eyes as he helped to ease you back down; your hands rested on his chest, your face so close to his that he could feel your easy, steady breathing.

Were you seriously flirting with him? In the middle of a fucking gunfight?

He huffed, leaning back and folding his arms across his chest. Shutting you out as he looked down the trench. But then you moved, and captured his attention again with ease. Pulling your shirt off and letting the material fall behind you; Max clenched his jaw, looking at your torso with great interest for a moment before he looked away again.

Why? Why did she have to send you?

"Like what you see, Max?"

He scowled at you. "You should cover up."

"Why?" You scoffed, laughing. "It's hot. I can't focus if I've got sweat in my eyes."

He growled under his breath, shaking his head and licking his lips before he shrugged off his jacket and passed it to you. "You'll get hurt."

"Fine," you rolled your eyes, taking the jacket and shrugging it on. You didn't dare to zip it up. "But I'm keeping it open."

Max glared at you, which was usually enough for people to back up and actually listen to him, but not you; you just grinned at him, letting your tongue dart out to wet your lips. The movement was slow and casual, but to Max, it only made his breath hitch in his throat.

He grabbed his gun, and took a look over the edge of the trench; you were right. They were trying to lure your side into a sense of false security so that they could unleash whatever beast they had hidden away under that mass of tarpaulin. He grumbled.

Why did you have to be right?

"I'm a tactician," you told him when he sat back down and faced you. "Furiosa's best."

Tactician. Of course. For fuck's sake.

"Hmm."

"Furiosa said you needed help getting rid of the raiders," you clarified. "So she sent me whilst she dealt with the ones to the East."

"Right."

"You don't talk much," you told him, nearly laughing. "I like that."

"You talk too much," Max huffed.

"Maybe you can find a way to shut me up," you said, shamelessly looking at his lips. "Or maybe you'll find a couple of ways."

He sighed heavily, knowing that he shouldn't; he couldn't deny that it was a tempting invitation from an all too good looking person. His heart was pounding in his chest, and he shook his head as he tried to think of a better way to deal with things; he ran a hand down his face, grumbling to himself.

It wasn't that Max wasn't thinking about kissing you, or that he didn't want to, but he knew he shouldn't invite you into his life; he was too broken, he had been through too much, and he knew that he would only break you, upset you, cause you pain. He couldn't let that happen.

It was going to be a long few days. He knew he would be distracted the entire time, unable to do his job properly; but he has to power through, for the good of everybody else. He didn't need to be so selfish that he would disregard the safety and needs of others.

Even if you were sitting there wearing his jacket and exposing a strip of flesh where you had it undone.

Even if you did look like an oasis in a desert.

[princemick]

Max's cap is not Daniel's usual style appearntly -- 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

[every-aj-needs-an-angel]

slight au where team russia worked a little faster and eddie and max make it out scathed but alive, unlike vecna who finally got his comeuppance

eddie and steve have an unnamed thing in the months after eddie gets out of the hospital but without an earthquake wrecking hawkins, eyes are everywhere and rumours are hard to kill in a small town and eddie's sick of the way they're all being treated. he thinks it's all because of him, thinks it'll fix everything if he's not around, thinks steve deserves to find his wife and have his nuggets.

so eddie runs away in the middle of the night, just leaves a note for wayne with a promise to call and hitchhikes to cali with his guitar and not much more than the clothes on his back. he works hard and makes it big with his band, they win awards, sell out arenas, front magazine covers but eddie just takes it day by day. time passes without him really recognising its passing, just going from one gig to the next. another town, another state, another country. they've travelled the whole world by now and although his bandmates make a big deal out of birthday's, another trip around the sun eddie! whenever he thinks of home, everything and everyone are just as he left them.

it's the late nineties, eddie and wayne sitting on opposite ends of a phone line having their monthly catch-up when wayne casually mentions that he's going to a divorce party on the weekend. eddie laughs cos parties aren't exactly wayne's scene to start with, but eddie misses small town drama so he asks who at the plant got divorced? and wtf is a divorce party anyway?

and wayne knows he's fumbled the ball in a big way but all he can do at this point is just explain and eddie's sorry but... what?!

steve's getting a divorce! eddie's steve? eddie didn't even know he'd got married! he knows The Party are still close and that when eddie had been dragged into their weird little group, wayne had too. he knows that they keep a good eye on wayne, that he's still one of them.

and wayne was true to his word with not updating eddie on their lives because he knows if he'd heard any of it he'd've come running home immediately but wayne's getting on in years and this little bit of info just sort've slipped out.

so now, guess what? eddie's booking himself a flight because how can he miss this now that he knows it's happening?

so steve's getting drunk surrounded by all the people who love him. he and tina ended things amicably enough, she fell in love with robin and what was steve supposed to do? he could hardly blame her! tina and robin despised each other, had from the moment steve introduced them but robin was going through some work stuff and she'd needed a break. so steve had twisted her arm and she'd come to stay for a month and well, shit happens! they hadn't crossed any boundaries, robin wouldn't ever do that to him but the mother of your kids being in love with your best friend kinda puts the kibosh on your marriage.

it was dustin's idea, the party, he thinks steve needs cheering up, which he probably does because he'd had everything he'd always dreamed of and now his life's in a shambles for the second time even though he's only in his early thirties. except eddie, blast from the past, love of steve's life, took steve two solid years to get over him, steve's eddie, showing up unannounced (because gatecrashing is just eddie's way of not having to deal with all the nerves he's been feeling since he stepped into lax) kills the party.

everyone's furious! steve's drunk, thinks eddie's an hallucination but dustin takes a swing at eddie, which is sobering to say the least. hop's yelling, wants to drag eddie outside "i just wanna talk, i swear!" luckily for eddie, joyce and murray know him better than that. max is ripping him to shreds, erica's hyping her up and no-one is brave or stupid enough to get in their way.

and eddie's only just now registering that it might've been a terrible idea to just drop in on people you trauma bonded with and then abandoned over a decade ago and wayne's trying to gauge whether he needs to get his nephew the hell outta there or whether it's best to just let it play out and steve might be hammered and in a state of shock and eddie might deserve everything max is saying but he just can't stand there and let it happen.

so steve grabs eddie by the wrist and drags him outside and no-one follows because they all think it's fair that steve gets first crack at him. except steve isn't all that angry, he might be tomorrow, but right now he just tugs eddie into his chest and wraps himself tightly around him.

there's a thousand questions they both want to ask, things they definitely should be talking about but eddie just melts in the circle of steve's arms. he's forgotten why he ever left this space, where he can feel steve's heartbeat and smell the cologne that he still wears and that underlying something that's just steve. then steve squeezes him tighter and sighs so heavily it seems the whole world is on his shoulders and all eddie wants to do is drop everything and help him carry it.

"wayne let slip, huh?" steve says instead of something normal like hello.

"he didn't mean to," eddie defends even though he knows he doesn't need to. he'd seen the hug they’d shared before he'd waltzed in, even though they're all older than eddie thought possible, nothing about The Party has changed.

"sorry about your party," eddie mutters. he does feel bad for ruining their good time, he doesn't know now why he thought he could just pick up where he left off. steve just shrugs, huffs a laugh into eddie's hair

"you're a much better surprise than the strippers they’d booked for me anyway," steve admits. and eddie can't help himself he starts to laugh, it starts off with jiggling shoulders and escalates until there's tears running freely down his face. it wasn't even that funny, the absurdity of this situation isn't even that funny, it's all just... it's a lot.

"jesus h christ! i've missed you," eddie says when he's calmed down enough to speak.

"i missed you, too," steve confesses with such a raw honesty it gives eddie pause, makes him pull his head away from steve just enough to see his face.

"really?" eddie's a little awestruck but he tries to keep his voice level, he fails miserably.

"yes, really! what you thought you'd disappear and we'd all just, what? forget about you?" steve scoffs, looks into eddie's eyes, really looks and then rolls his own "oh my god! you did, didn't you? you're unbelievable, eddie munson! why'd you think the kids are so mad with you?" steve asks remarkably calm. must be a dad thing, eddie thinks because the lump in his throat prevents him from speaking, he can only shrug, "because they love you, you idiot! and you abandoned them but they still love you. dustin waited for two hours outside your indy concert before realising he was waiting outside the wrong door and that you'd already gone. poor kid was a mess for a week!" steve sighs heavily, cups eddie's face, wipes away the fresh tears falling down eddie's cheeks with his thumbs.

"you're not mad," eddie croaks almost accusatory, misery filling him because the one person he wants to love him, the one person he's never stopped loving, is holding him, yes, but thinking about it eddie would've been happier with the fury dustin had shown him because dustin's mad because he loves eddie but steve isn't mad at all.

steve smiles, tired and a little soppy, kisses eddie on the forehead and pulls him back against his chest.

"not yet, but i've no doubt in the morning i'm gonna be livid. you better still be here to see it!" and it's the first time there's been anything warning in steve's tone, it makes eddie hold him tighter.

"i'll be here," he promises. eddie's tucked so closely into steve's chest he doesn't hear his uncle approach, doesn't see the smile he and steve share over eddie's head. wayne knew eddie was safe out here with steve but The Party's getting antsy.

"time to face the music, boy," wayne can't fight his grin when eddie turns in steve's hold, like he used to when they were young and eager to head to bed and wayne would say "those dishes won't wash themselves" and eddie would huff and fuss from the confines of steve's embrace, being dramatic for the sake of it. other than a change in hairstyle and a few new lines on their faces, wayne doesn't see any difference.

eddie grins when he realises that steve is equally reluctant to let go, propping his head on eddie's shoulder and holding him close, they both make puppy dog eyes at wayne, except wayne isn't about to cave like he would with the dishes. his friends are furious but they love him and they're worried that steve's murdered eddie already.

except wayne knows there's no safer place for his boy to be. steve's spent many a night in wayne's trailer, reading through articles, watching award ceremonies, listening to the albums eddie sent to wayne. sleeping in eddie's old bed, both when eddie first left and even more so recently, not that either of them have mentioned that to the others. it's a secret exclusively for the two people in the world who love eddie munson the most.

wayne gives eddie a pointed look and eddie sighs, nods to himself, he can do this. these people love him deep down, even if they don't like him very much right now.

"ready, big boy," eddie teases waggling his eyebrows at steve, who laughs and calls him an idiot affectionately. eddie classes it as a win. steve gives him one last squeeze, reluctantly letting go as the three of them head back inside but steve's hand never quite leaving the small of eddie's back (even when dustin tearfully tackles eddie into a bearhug) might be the best thing he ever could've hoped for.

and eddie thinks that maybe, just this once, his inability to fight his impulse control might've finally worked in his favour.

[swanqueenelmaxshadowhunters]

Max wasn't really in the mood to celebrate Christmas. Not yet. She was still grappling with the events of months ago and the whirlwind of emotions that came with it – relief, guilt, freedom, anger. She appreciated Lucas and Dustin for caring and always checking in on her, but they didn't truly understand. Not really. And that reflected in her relationship with Lucas. Despite his good intentions and the strong connection between them, Max just couldn't open up to him about Billy or how, at times, she wished she had died in his place. She couldn't share with him the intricacies of her complicated relationship with Billy and how, nonetheless, his death profoundly affected her.

Amidst all this, her bond with Eleven grew stronger. Somehow, El seemed to understand her, even if she didn't grasp the intricate details of human relationships. Despite all that had happened to her, El still possessed a great innocence towards feelings and relationships. Yet, when they were together, Max could relax a bit and feel lighter. When she had nightmares about the events at the mall, El rarely asked questions, knowing Max wouldn't talk much. Instead, she would just embrace her and let Max cry in her arms until she calmed down. The few times Max shared her feelings about Billy's death with Eleven, there was no judgment, only genuine and innocent curiosity in trying to understand something so complicated.

Over time, Max found herself sleeping more and more at Hopper's cabin, growing closer to Eleven. This brought forth the feelings Max desperately tried to bury, intensifying and nearing the surface.

In the midst of a crisis, Max would try to focus on the day she took Eleven shopping. It was one of the happiest days of her life. She never had many girl friends, finding them superficial and boring, but El was different. She wasn't superficial or boring, even when discussing sweaters and Christmas lights with Dustin.

A discreet smile formed on Max's lips as she listened to El and Dustin talk, stealing a glance at the girl. She looked adorable in that teddy bear and Christmas tree sweater.

"Sweaters are great! I don't know why Mike doesn't like them."

Max rolled her eyes. "Mike doesn't like many things." Mike was an idiot. He and El had broken up because El was spending too much time with Max. Seriously, how insensitive could that boy be? Not to mention, he added almost nothing to El's life. He didn't care to teach her anything that truly mattered, constantly disregarding El's or even Max's feelings.

"That's not true, I like a lot of things," Mike replied, emerging from Joyce's room, with Will following closely, each carrying a cardboard box. "But these sweaters are ridiculous."

"Your hair is ridiculous, and no one says anything," Max shot back before realizing what she was saying.

Everyone did their best to suppress their laughter at her remark, with limited success. She could feel Eleven's gaze on her but tried her best not to reciprocate. Max was aware that hiding her feelings for Eleven was getting harder each day, and the last thing she needed was for Mike to notice. Not that Mike was smart enough to notice anything. He probably hadn't even realized how long Will had been in love with him.

Max shook her head, pushing away those thoughts. No matter what she felt for El, nothing would happen. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, gripping the ladder tighter as Robin was on the second-to-last step, securing some lights on the wall of the Hopper-Byers living room.

"Remind me again why I, and not you, am up here putting up these lights?"

Robin's voice made Max raise her head. "Because you're taller than me," Max shrugged.

"And I'm also clumsier." Robin grumbled.

"Get on with it; we still have more lights to put up."

"Okay, okay." Robin grumbled and climbed one more step. "But if I fall—"

Max watched as Robin stretched on tiptoes to try to nail one end of the light to the wall when she lost her balance and fell off the ladder, taking Max with her.

"Ouch."

Despite the fall, Max couldn't help but laugh. Robin was completely clumsy, but she was also smart and funny. Over the months, Max found herself spending more time with Robin and Steve. Now that they no longer had the mall, and they worked at a video rental store, she and Eleven would often go there to pick up movies when Max stayed at the cabin.

"Oh, my God, are you guys okay?"

Joyce's concerned voice snapped Max out of her thoughts, and she pushed Robin. "We're fine, Mrs. Byers. Sorry."

"No need to apologize, dear." Joyce smiled at her with that sweet and understanding demeanor that always left Max a bit disoriented.

She observed as Joyce's attention turned to Eleven, and she got the impression that El was looking at her, but she couldn't be sure.

The living room door swung open, bringing in a gust of cold air as Hopper, Jonathan, and Nancy entered with more last-minute purchases. That was another thing Max liked; the relationship between Hopper and Joyce turned that group into a sort of extended family, where she and Robin were included without anyone having to think much about it. Max still remembered the early days in Hawkins, before meeting the boys, when she was skateboarding on the main street, fell, and Joyce ran over to check if she was okay. There was no judgment in Joyce's eyes for Max being a girl skateboarding or for her not-so-girlish clothes.

She liked the fact that now that El and Hopper lived at Joyce's house, it was closer for her to visit, and Max also enjoyed Joyce's cooking. Jonathan was cool too. He was always listening to music and talking with them. He genuinely cared about Will and his feelings, doing everything to let Will know he could count on him, no matter what happened. All she wanted was to have a brother like Jonathan. Or even Steve. He was the first person to stand up for her against Billy, who looked her in the eyes and promised that everything would be okay. The Hopper-Byers' house was cozy and had something that made Max feel safe there, even when everything was chaotic.

"Give me this." Nancy shook her head upon seeing Max and Robin still on the ground. "Help Max hold the ladder. Let me handle these lights. You're likely to send someone to the hospital."

Max involuntarily smiled as Nancy glanced at her and offered a smile. Nancy was amazing. She watched as Robin handed the Christmas lights to Nancy and assisted Max in setting the ladder upright, holding the other side.

"After we're done here, we're going to make snowmen," Mike said after a while. He was in a corner of the room with Will, Dustin, and El, decorating the Christmas tree.

"Snowman?"

Max's attention was immediately drawn to Eleven, like a magnet in a magnetic field. Her eyebrows were slightly furrowed in that adorable way when she was confused, and Max's heart skipped a few beats when El's gaze met hers. Every time Eleven looked at her, it was as if she could see through Max, as if she saw her soul, her deepest secrets.

She shook her head to clear those thoughts, noticing that Eleven was still looking at her. "You got this!" Max smiled.

(...)

After finishing the decorations, it was time to head to the backyard to build snowmen. Despite not being exactly in the Christmas spirit, Max loved the snow. It was one of the things she enjoyed most about moving to Hawkins. She grabbed her coat and put it on, zipping it all the way up. As she put on her gloves, she saw Joyce adjusting Eleven's coat and putting a hat on her head. It was amazing how Joyce seamlessly stepped into the role of a mother to El, almost eerily natural, as if El had been her daughter forever.

Max's heart tightened a bit at the thought, leading her to reflect on her own mother. Things got really ugly with Neil after Billy's death, and with no Billy to take out his rage on, he turned to Susan. Until Max had had enough and intervened, much like when she prevented Billy from beating Steve to death. After that, Neil left, leaving them with almost nothing. However, despite Hawkins being a small town with not much to offer, Susan soon found work at the downtown bank. It wasn't much, but at least they didn't have to stay in the trailer park for long.

The sound of the boys' laughter snapped her out of her thoughts, and Max ran over to El, taking her hand and running with her through the yard. The boys were already there, engaged in a snowball fight, and one came dangerously close to Eleven's head for Max's liking.

"Hey, idiots, watch out!"

"Sorry, El." Lucas had the decency to look guilty, and he smiled at them.

Max felt Eleven's gaze on her and turned to look at her. There was a mischievous gleam in her eyes, and Max immediately understood what she wanted to do. Oh, this would be funny. Max watched as El focused on her powers and created the largest snowball she had ever seen using only her mind. When the snowball reached a considerable size, El looked at her again, and Max just nodded. In the next moment, the boys were under the snowball El had made.

Eleven's laughter filled the air, and Max couldn't help but laugh along with her. The boys whined and dramatized while they laughed more and soon Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan appeared beside them to see what had happened.

"What? Did you do this?" Steve asked El, and Max couldn't help but smile at the innocent mischief in her eyes and Steve's expression. Seriously, he had seen El do a bunch of things, and he still marveled at her powers.

"Serves you right, dummies." Max stuck her tongue out at the boys and pulled Eleven by the hand to find a spot in the yard to build their snowmen.

Max knelt in the snow and began forming a snowball between her hands, showing Eleven how to start building her snowman. It didn't take long for them to finish - El gave a little help with her powers to stack the snowballs on top of each other.

After finishing building their snowmen, they joined the boys in a snowball fight, running and ducking to avoid the snowballs thrown their way. The sounds of laughter filled the backyard, filling the gaps in Max's heart. It was the first time she had felt genuinely happy in a long time. For the first time in ages, Max had momentarily forgotten her pains and traumas.

"Ouch, sorry." Max gasped when she fell over Eleven in the snow.

Eleven's intense brown eyes were a breathtaking contrast against the white snow. For Max, Eleven's eyes were the most expressive she had ever seen, but in that moment, shining with innocent mischief, they were even more beautiful than she could ever describe. Her heart skipped several beats when El's gaze met hers, and without realizing what she was doing, Max's eyes dropped to El's lips, and she leaned forward a bit, unaware of her actions.

"Hey, dingus, let's go inside before we become part of the decoration."

Robin's voice interrupted the moment, and Max felt her heart stop for a moment. What the hell was she doing? This was getting out of control. She couldn't just almost kiss Eleven in front of everyone. Especially without being sure if Eleven wanted it or understood the implications.

Mike's creepy move of starting a relationship with El when the girl barely grasped the concept was already enough. Max refused to be like him.

Since that day at the mall, Max had explained more about relationships to El - as well as her limited knowledge allowed. But still, what El knew about relationships and socializing was far less than them. Max quickly got up, feeling her cheeks burning, and extended a hand to help El up, but she couldn't bring herself to look at her at that moment.

"Come on, let's have some hot chocolate to ward off this cold!"

Joyce called from the door, and Max started walking into the house. She knew Eleven might be confused by her behavior, and she was almost certain that El would ask if she did something wrong as soon as they were alone. But how could Max explain to her? Talking about her feelings was out of the question. Besides, El didn't need someone as messed up as her in her life.

Max felt her heart race when El took her hand, intertwining their fingers and pulled her to the corner of the room where Nancy, Robin, and Erica were. They sat on the carpeted floor in front of them, and Max noticed something strange in Nancy and Robin's gazes.

She silently thanked when Nancy's attention turned to Eleven, and she said, "Your snowman looks really nice."

"It was my first time making one."

"You've never made a snowman before?"

Max rolled her eyes and shook her head upon hearing Robin's question. She knew Robin meant no harm, but she couldn't help her protective side kicking in.

"She lived in a lab, dingus. I doubt that old man was building snowmen in there."

Max immediately wanted to kick herself for saying something, as at that moment, Nancy and Robin exchanged a look that made Max shiver. Suddenly, it felt like they could read her thoughts and knew what she felt for Eleven when she herself couldn't quite explain it. She was screwed. So screwed. If they said anything to Hopper, he would rip her head off. He would shred her into pieces and serve her to others for Christmas. Or he might just cut her into bits and hide them around. He certainly knew how to do that. Oh, she was so screwed.

"The next step is learning to skateboard."

Robin's teasing tone snapped Max out of her spiraling thoughts, and she almost choked on her saliva when Eleven said, "I'd rather watch Max do it. She's really good at it."

"And to think when you two first met, you looked like you were going to rip Max's head off," Steve said amusingly, coming in with a tray of cookies.

"Things have changed. Now, I don't have a reason to knock her off the skateboard anymore."

"Wait, you were the one who knocked me off the skateboard that day at the school court?"

"Maybe."

Eleven bit her lip trying to hold back a smile, and Max's heart almost leaped out of her chest. The first time El had done that was on that day at the mall, when they were at Hopper's cabin after the outing, and on that day, Max thought she was going to have a meltdown right there. That part hadn't changed much.

"Oh, you're in so much trouble for that," Max said, narrowing her eyes, and pushed Eleven, falling on top of her again. Eleven gasped and burst into laughter as Max started tickling her. Max knew she had never heard a sound as good as Eleven's laughter in her entire life. She wanted to make Eleven smile every day, even if she couldn't smile every day.

Eleven laughed and squirmed beneath her, and for a moment, Max forgot about everyone around them. This was something between them, of them. Max was always tickling Eleven, and vice versa, but that day was different. There was something in Eleven's gaze that made Max's heart beat even faster.

When Jonathan approached with a tray of hot chocolate, Max stopped tickling Eleven and helped her sit down, noticing Robin and Nancy looking at them in a way that made Max's cheeks acquire a new shade of red.

After having cookies and hot chocolate, they settled in the living room to watch a movie, and then everyone went to have dinner. While the boys tidied up the room, Joyce went to the kitchen to check on dinner, and Hopper, Jonathan, and Steve set the table. Nancy, Robin, Max, Erica, and El helped bring dishes from the kitchen to the dining room.

El had just placed a dish on the table and was returning to the kitchen when she nearly bumped into Max.

"Sorry, I was distracted."

Eleven looked at her in a way that made Max's heart skip a few beats.

"Oh, oh! Mistletoe!"

Max felt her heart stop for a few seconds at what Robin said. She was going to kill whoever came up with the idea of hanging those stupid mistletoes around the house.

"What?"

Eleven and Max asked at the same time, and Max's voice came out sounding like one of those idiotic characters who cower at anything. She just hoped Eleven wouldn't think it had anything to do with her because Max couldn't explain the truth.

"Mistletoe. You know what that means."

Robin wiggled her eyebrows, but despite the gesture, there was no malicious intent in her. 

"No, she doesn't!"

Max shot a furious look at Robin. Max blushed, turning as red as a ripe tomato. She was going to strangle Robin. Eleven was still learning many things, and although she had already grasped the concept of many things and improved her communicative skills and understanding of friendships, promises, and other things, romantic relationships were still very new and little talked about for Eleven.

Max knew that this mistletoe thing was just something silly and harmless, and she knew Robin meant no harm, but still. The mere idea of kissing Eleven made Max's heart race and stop at the same time.

"What's the mis- mis-"

"Mistletoe," Steve said, appearing next to El.

"Yeah, what about it?"

"It's just a stupid tradition," Max quickly said, hoping not only Robin and Steve but especially El would drop the subject. But of course, that was asking too much when it came to her best friend's relentless curiosity.

"What tradition?" Eleven asked, ignoring Max's eye roll.

"According to tradition, when two people find themselves under the mistletoe, they are supposed to-" Steve gestured vaguely.

"I don't understand."

"Oh, for God's sake." Max huffed in annoyance, even redder than before. "According to tradition, when two people find themselves under the mistletoe, they should kiss."

"Oh."

El's eyes widened, and Max could see her processing this information. Max wished a hole would open beneath her and swallow her, maybe even take her to the upside-down because that would be her death.

"Oh! Do you want... to kiss?"

Max felt her heart do a perfect backflip at that moment. She wasn't sure if El understood the concept, and she didn't want it to create a misunderstanding between them. Something that could potentially undermine their friendship. So, swallowing any trace of hope, she said, "We don't have to, El. It's just a stupid tradition."

"Ah."

Max tilted her head at Eleven's reaction. She seemed almost disappointed that Max dodged her question. Could that mean El wanted to kiss her? And more importantly, did El understand the implications? 

Max knew Eleven didn't care much about society's definitions, but maybe it was only because she still didn't grasp many stupid societal concepts. Moreover, she didn't know how others would react. If Hopper disliked Mike, he might end up hating Max. He could forbid her from seeing or talking to El, and she couldn't risk that. But Eleven's rejected look was enough for Max to dare. She took a deep breath and said, "I mean, we can if you want, but it's not a big deal." She nervously laughed, glancing at Steve and Robin, who were trying to contain their amusement.

"If it's just a tradition, why not do it? Traditions should be fun, right?"

Oh, Eleven's innocent curiosity would be the death of Max. She was screwed. So screwed. But Max knew she would do anything for Eleven.

"Yeah, you're right. It's just a silly tradition." She then turned her attention to the mistletoe. "Okay, here we go."

When Eleven tilted her head and leaned towards Max, she felt her heart racing like never before, but she didn't want to risk so much. What if she was misreading the situation? So, Max leaned in, giving a gentle kiss on El's cheek. The room fell silent for a moment, and when Eleven touched her own cheek, Max thought she might faint. There was no way she was misreading that.

"Oh, come on!" Robin grumbled.

Max rolled her eyes again, her cheeks even redder than before. "Fine, you want a real kiss?"

She nervously looked at Eleven, praying she was reading the situation correctly and begging the universe that it meant the same to El as it did to her.

Max's heart raced as she leaned in, capturing the subtle anticipation in Eleven's eyes. The room around them seemed to dissolve, leaving only the magnetic and innocent attraction between them. Max could feel El's breath against her lips, a shared moment filled with unspoken understanding.

Their kiss was a delicate dance of emotions, a sweet symphony of connection. El's closed eyes reflected the vulnerability Max had seen in her friend for so long. 

In that fleeting exchange, El's small smile revealed a world of understanding. Max sensed the genuine joy in her friend, and it echoed within her. It was a kiss that marked a shift in their relationship, an acknowledgment of something unspoken yet deeply felt.

As Max reluctantly pulled away, a twinge of longing lingered. The absence of their closeness left a void, and Max couldn't help but marvel at the subtle shift in dynamics. It was a kiss that, despite its brevity, carried the weight of revelation and understanding. Well, to some extent. Max was still far from truly understanding what was going on with her, and she knew the same went for El, but she felt they could rely on Steve and Robin to help them better comprehend.

Steve's applause and Robin's mischievous smile reflected the unspoken sentiments of those who had been rooting for this connection. Max couldn't help but chuckle, her cheeks ablaze with a rosy hue. Her eyes, still sparkling from the shared moment, met Eleven's gaze.  She tucked a strand of hair behind El's ear. "Well, that was unexpected."

"I liked it. Can we do it again?"

"Of course, El. As many times as you want."

Maybe Max had died, and this was heaven. Or she was just dreaming. And if that was the case, she didn't want to wake up anymore.

(Max's pov)