#ficion

[roselyn-writing]

Name: Arnunludo ‘Arnold’ Lopez.

Age: 1200. (In Earth) 500 (In Virginia).

Date of birth: 10 December 609 (In Virginian time & year)

Current location: New York.

Favourite colours: Gray, Green, Black, Blue and Red.

Favourite food: fries and burgers, Pasta, Mulukhiyah soup, fortune cookies.

Likes to: To feed and care for animals, to help people, to talk to people (include giving advice), to meet new people and so on, to sing. He has a green electric guitar named ‘spike’ 💚🧡🎸

Body-shape: semi-muscular.

Height: 6’5 (196cm).

Hair colour / type: smooth / soft short Peach-Blonde hair.

Eyes: Gray almond-shaped eyes.

Notable features: handsome face, a mole under his right lower lip.

Aura colour: Gold, so is his magic’s colour.

Inspired by: Arnold Jackson from Totally Spies (Name only) and unnamed background character, also a blonde handsome model with tanned skin, from totally spices, John Constantine from DC.

Pets: Doesn’t have one.

Powers:

Virginian magic. (Includes telekinesis, fire blasts, energy blasts, forcefield generation and high intuition, etc)

Superhuman stamina.

Superhuman strength.

Great strategist.

Great healing powers.

Semi-Immortality.

Ownership of enchanted weapons.

Can understand animals but he doesn’t talk to them.

“Be the reason there is goodness left in this world” __Arnold Lopez.

The lore

Coming from the prestigious family ‘Al-Khaghdasaryan’ famous for their curse breaking and cleansing from demonic possession — and also, for purifying haunted places and banishing evil spirits.

Arnold knew little of his Virginian heritage, Let alone his prestigious family; since his aunt: Lydia Fallon, had taken care of him since he was a little boy, no older than 10.

The year was 1731 on Earth; when he was brought by his aunt and they lived peacefully in New York.

The city was quiet at this time; with a few people walking then and there, enjoying the clean air and the beautiful, bright sun. The sky, is a perfect shade of pale blue littered with a few thick white clouds, as if they are white cotton candy on a blue plate.

Arnold walked through the door, weary and starving after a long day of school in the quiet city of New York. The mere scent of cooked food filled his nostrils, and he couldn't help but quicken his pace towards the kitchen. He cordially greeted his aunt, who was already dishing out the meal onto plates.

His aunt looked up, a warm smile on her face as she noticed his hungry expression. "Hungry, are you, my boy?" she affectionately asked, her eyes sparkling with affection.

Arnold smiled and nodded, his stomach rumbling in response to the delicious aroma wafting through the air. He took a seat at the table and breathed in deeply, savouring the smell of the freshly cooked meal. "Absolutely starving," he replied, feeling his mouth water at the sight of the food. "It smells amazing," His aunt chuckled, her expression warm and affectionate as she served up the plates.

Arnold's aunt beamed at his compliment, her eyes filled with pride as she watched him take a bite of the food she had prepared. The meal was a sumptuous feast, with succulent meat and fresh vegetables beautifully arranged on the plates. As Arnold ate, his aunt, Lydia had struck up a conversation with him, engaging in lighthearted banter and chatter.

His aunt swallowed a spoonful of the mouth-watering meal, her voice firm. "Eat, and get dressed."

Arnold looked up from his plate, eyes meeting hers. "Are we going to cleanse another troubled house?" he muttered, his tone tinged with a mixture of resignation and curiosity.

She nodded. "Aye," she replied, a hint of determination in her eyes. "That's what we'll be doing."

Arnold nodded wordlessly, returning to his plate and taking another spoonful of the delicious food his aunt had prepared.

Arnold continued to eat, his thoughts revolving around the upcoming task of purifying another haunted house. His aunt broke the silence, her voice matter-of-fact.

"We'll need to do some preparation before we head out," she informed him. "Grab your gear and make sure it's all in order."

Arnold nodded once more, he’d prepared his gear and other equipment after he’d finished his plate.

A while later, Arnold is getting ready. His hands methodically gather his belongings – his protective talismans, various tools, and other necessities. He felt a twinge of anxiety, the thought of facing another haunting was always a bit unnerving.

As soon as he readied himself, His aunt entered the room. She was dressed in a brown 1700s fashion style top, with long sleeves and ruffled around the hem, a long black and blue skirt with buttons and ruffles too — lastly, brown flats and a sunhat with white feathers and armed with enchanted daggers.

His aunt; is a beautiful Virginian tall woman with smooth olive-tone skin, almond-shaped large green eyes as if they were glowing emeralds, and wavy yet thick ebony hair that hung past her backside in soft curls. Lastly, a mole on her upper; giving her the iconic seductress air. She looks beautiful and mesmerising in her regal Virginian beauty. It always puzzled Arnold why his aunt was still single and unmarried while being this beautiful, he pondered that she’d face catcalls, and men flirting with her on a daily basis.

As Arnold finished gathering his supplies, his aunt stood up, a resolute look in her eyes. "It's time to go," she said, her voice firm but gentle.

With a deep breath, Arnold followed her out the door, their journey to the haunted house beginning in earnest. The air was thick with anticipation and a hint of trepidation as they made their way to their destination, the knowledge that they were about to confront yet another malevolent spirit weighing heavily on both of them.

Arnold and his aunt strolled to the garage. After his aunt took the carriage out of the garage, they didn’t need horses because she’d use her Virginian magic to move it. Arnold pondered how his aunt managed to convince the locals they were blessed with ‘the help of angels’ she’d say. To him, It is just a straight-up lie to cover their usage of magic, and it worked.

Arnold and Lydia are now in the carriage, She used her magic to move it around the quiet streets of New York. Some people were flabbergasted that she could move it without horses, but hey! She is an exorcist. A good follow of Jesus.

Arnold let out a weary sigh, crossing his arms to try to disguise his discomfort at the attention they were receiving. He tried to brush it off but it was extremely difficult for him not to be unbothered by it. The people were eyeing them as if they were aliens or highly intellectual beings.

Ever the cautious man, Arnold sighed again. Stealing a glance at his aunt as she expertly drove the black large carriage. “Couldn’t we at least have a horse?” He asked, his tone is tinged with slight annoyance.

She heartily chuckled at that. “Why need a horse when we have magic,” she quipped, Her lovely voice thick with an Irish accent.

He shrugged, his expression somewhat irritated and annoyed. “We should try to blend in, and right now, you aren’t doing a great job.” He grumbled, his gaze fixated on her for a moment before shifting toward the passing streets and signs.

The carriage continued to move through the streets, the people watching them with a mixture of curiosity and awe. Arnold continued to feel uncomfortable under their staring eyes, his arms still crossed defensively.

He turned his attention back to his aunt, who maintained her calm demeanour despite the stares. "How much longer until we get there?" he asked, his voice slightly frustrated.

She glanced at him, a reassuring smile playing on her lips. "Not long now," she reassured him. "We're almost there."

The Peach-Blonde-haired man shifted in his seat, his annoyance growing. "These people are staring at us like we're some kind of spectacle," he muttered, his voice dripping with irritation.

The Virginian-Irish emerald-eyed woman's smile widened at his comment, her eyes flashing with amusement. His aunt grinned before she teased him. "What, never had people admire you before, lad?" she teased her tone light and teasing.

Arnold rolled his eyes, trying to downplay his discomfort. "Yeah, yeah, very funny," he dryly retorted.

She suppressed a chuckle; enjoying his grumpy attitude. "Lighten up, Arnold," she wholeheartedly stated, her voice still dripping with amusement. "You’re acting as if it’s the first time someone looks at you."

Arnold breathed deeply although his irritation was still evident. "Well, it’s not exactly comfortable, you know," he grumbled, his arms still crossing stubbornly.

They finally stopped at some deserted field area, there was a lonely house and a farm on the hill, and to his luck; it just had begun raining on them. A sense of unease settled in Arnold’s heart as he took in the desolate landscape before him. The empty, haunting field seemed to exude a vicious, malevolent aura, its emptiness chilling to the very core. His intuition screamed at him, a primal instinct telling him to grab the steering wheel and flee, but his commitment to the task at hand kept him rooted in his seat.

His aunt had taken the equipment they needed from the carriage, and then they both exited it. They couldn’t wait for a soul to guide them to which place they were looking for. Arnold begrudgingly followed his aunt as she tucked a protection talisman on her neck like some jewellery.

The silence that enveloped the area was deafening, the absence of any sound adding to the eeriness of the place. The only sound that could be heard was the wind softly whispering, its low murmur echoing the desolation of the surroundings. Arnold glanced around, the eerie silence of the field making the fine hairs on his arms and the back of his neck stand on end.

Arnold reluctantly followed his aunt’s lead as they ventured deeper into the ominous, cursed field. The silence was deafening, the absence of any noise only serving to increase his sense of dread. He couldn’t shake the feeling of impending doom that gnawed at his gut, a feeling that only seemed to grow stronger with each step they took, and the heavy rain did nothing to ease his concern.

His eyes darted around, trying to find any source of comfort or reassurance, but all he could see was the endless stretch of emptiness — a soundless hallowed abyss that only seemed to grow and stretch at every step they took.

The air was thick with an ominous presence as if the very land itself was holding its breath in anticipation. Arnold's eyes darted around the deserted landscape, his senses on high alert.

"This place feels off," he muttered, his voice low and wary. He turned to his aunt, his expression wary. "Are you sure we're in the right place?"

Her expression remained steady, her eyes fixed on the field before them. "Yes, this is the place," she replied, her tone calm and confident. "I've done some scouting; the malevolent spirit is somewhere around here."

Arnold’s unease only increased at her words. "Somewhere around here," he echoed, his voice laced with scepticism. "That really narrows it down, doesn’t it?"

She shot him a stern look. "Trust me, I know what I’m doing," she assured him, her tone firm. "I wouldn’t have brought us here if I wasn’t sure."

Arnold grumbled under his breath, his discomfort still present. "Yeah, well, forgive me for not feeling reassured," he muttered, his voice tinged with frustration

To their utter surprise, a woman approached them; she looked in her prime, probably in her 20s or maybe 30s. She is fair-skinned, has gorgeous hazelnut orbs, and has a long black curtain of smooth hair.

Arnold immediately studied the woman; as the perceptive and observant man he is; he was quite taken back — not by her beauty. But this woman seemed off. First of all: she didn’t look drenched in the heavy rain, and secondly she wore a different clothing than their era, probably from an older era than theirs.

The young exorcist had two explanations for this: either she was too poor and couldn’t afford new clothes or she was their target, an evil, malicious spirit who was trying to lure them to their doom. Arnold needed to alert his aunt without the woman noticing them, so he did the known sign by them, he tapped his two forefingers together as they made contact with each other, and they let out a similar sound to a ‘finger snap’.

Arnold's thoughts raced as he discreetly signalled to his aunt, his fingertips clicking together in a subtle warning. His eyes flicked towards the woman, the possible danger making him concerned.

His aunt caught his message in an instant, her keen intuition picking up on the silent warning, However. She schooled her expression into a cold, unreadable mask. Thankfully, the woman was blissfully unaware of their knowledge.

Her calm exterior belied the seriousness of the situation, the realization of impending danger evident in the way her eyes darkened. They were in the presence of peril, and their every move would need to be deliberate and vigilant.

The woman, seemingly oblivious to their silent communication, continued talking as if everything was normal. Arnold and his aunt maintained their composure, their expressions never wavering. The only indication of their inner tension was the slight tensing of their muscles and the heightened awareness in their eyes.

Their thoughts raced, contemplating their next move and the danger that lurked nearby. They continued to engage in polite conversation, all the while being keenly alert to every sound and movement around them.

Then, In a flash; the unthinkable happened. The beautiful woman’s expression turned into an ugly, hallowed ghoulish visage. She tried to strangle Lydia but thankfully, Arnold was quick to act. He twirled his high-silvermere knife and he plunged it deep into the ghost’s neck, she cried as she let out an otherworldly guttural scream that echoed through the field, Then. Just as suddenly as it had appeared, the spirit turned and fled, its slender figure darting away with unnatural speed, moving on all fours like a creature straight from a horror movie. The field was eerily silent once again, the only sounds being their heavy breathing and the rustle of the wind through the desolate grass.

Lydia stood there, her breathing ragged from the sudden attack. Arnold was at her side, the knife still in hand. They were both shaken by what had just happened, the adrenaline slowly subsiding as they took in their surroundings.

His aunt broke the silence after a moment, her voice steady but the hint of fear still present. “Well, that was unexpected.”

Arnold nodded silently. The adrenaline was still coursing through his veins, his heart thumping loudly in his chest. "Yeah, you could say that again," he muttered, trying to regain his composure.

His aunt's eyes scanned the area, her eyes alert for any signs of the wicked spirit returning. "We need to be more careful now,” she murmured, her voice edged with caution. "It's not just harmless spirits we're dealing with here."

Arnold and his aunt; each have their backs. And his aunt was right, The wicked spirit did return to finish them again. This time, she looks more grotesque and ugly, as if her skin had been fried by the burning sun of the Sahara Desert. She lets out a sepulchral scream that resonates through the place like some hellish screams from the underworld, and she is here for blood.

Arnold, as if guided by an unseen hand, quickly and cautiously extended his hand toward the wicked spirit’s heart — unexpectedly, his hand glowed with a golden, pure holy light – as if it the holy light descended from heaven itself. And as he did, He unleashed powerful blasts of light that drove the wicked spirit away.

His aunt, her mouth was agape; extremely surprised at Arnold’s magic — she knew he had it in him but she thought his magic was doormat because he didn’t learn his Virginian heritage enough to conjure such power and pure magic.

Yet, She’d never seen him wield such magic so forcefully, so potentially. He’d always kept his abilities secret to ‘blend in’ as he’d always say.

But now, in this very moment, He had summoned a powerful that left her speechless.

His aunt regarded him with a mixture of awe and pride, her eyes narrowing in contemplative thought. She'd always known he had the innate talent, the lineage steeped in Virginian magic coursing through his veins, yet he'd never fully tapped into its potential. It was as if he'd been holding back his true power, content to keep a low profile of himself instead of embracing the magic that was his heritage.

This, however, was a game-changer. This unbridled display of the light magic was like nothing she'd ever witnessed before.

The evil spirit witnessed Arnold’s powers, yet she was too stubborn to admit defeat or even scurry away. Somehow, she managed to multiply herself; definitely using her ghoulish powers to do that.

Somehow, in this very moment; something deep inside Arnold clicked. He heard a lot of voices inside his mind, telling him to ‘believe’ because he refused to use his Virginian magic. He wanted to blend in with Earthlings.

Believe… Arnold...

Believe! Son of Virginia!

Believe thyself!

Believe!

The Peach-Blond haired man closed his eyes; as if he was quickly contemplating. He had only a few moments to act before the wicked spirit attack.

“I believe!” Arnold declared.

As soon as he said those words, a blinding ray of light came and materialised into golden chains; effortlessly encircling the wicked spirit’s wrists and ankles, she let out a howl of pain at the burning of those divine chains; thrashing and flailing as she tried to break herself free but to no avail.

Meanwhile, Lydia was completely dumbfounded by the scene, Somehow, Arnold awakened his potential as an exorcist.

Then, Arnold’s grey orbs shone with a blinding golden hue. As he chanted the sacred exorcist incantations:

‘Fade and decay.

End this fate.

Shatter these earthly bounds.

let the soul be free.

Heal what had been harmed.

Cleansed what had been stained.

And let the spirit soar free.’

The air cracked with intensity the echoing murmur of ancient, sacred words, and Arnold’s new found holy powers; The unholy presence writhed and flailed even more, its guttural cries intensifying as the divine incantation began to take effect. Within mere moments, the evil spirit was consumed, her form dissolving into nothingness as the purifying glow enveloped her.

Silence descended upon the field once more, the only sound that of their panting breaths and the faint rustling of the wind through the grass.

As the echoes of the chant faded away, a sense of stillness settled over the area. There was no trace of the evil spirit, and the once menacing field seemed oddly tranquil now.

Lydia stood there, her eyes still wide with disbelief, her heart still pounding in her chest. She tried to find words but none came. She shifted her gaze toward Arnold, who now stood there, the once-fiery golden hue in his eyes now fading back to their natural grey shade.

She finally found herself as she glanced at him; her expression warm and grateful. Her voice was slightly shaky. "That was… incredible," she breathed, her voice still hoarse from shock.

Arnold turned to look at her, a hint of surprise in his eyes as if he was surprised himself by what he had done. This time, He grinned at her not downplaying the sheer awe-inspiring nature of his actions. "Just part of the job," he said, his voice still slightly gruff.

Lydia's expression softened, her gaze moving over him, still trying to wrap her mind around the events that had just unfolded. His nonchalant attitude only added to her amazement, the way he had just casually unleashed such extraordinary magic as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Just part of the job," she repeated, her tone tinged with disbelief. "Is that all you have to say?"

Arnold felt his stomach growling, he was starving. “Let’s go, I’m going to make pasta.”

Lydia gave him an ornery smirk. “Ah, Me too, Let’s go champ.”

With that, Together they climbed into the darkened carriage, the heavy doors closing quietly behind them. His aunt's magic stirred, and the vehicle lurched into motion, guided by an invisible force. His aunt used her magic to move the carriage and steer the wheel away from the place.

Arnold looked at the place for one last time, and he saw it it different than when they arrived this time. It is peaceful, filled with tranquillity as if it had been purified from the wicked spirit — actually, It is purified from the wicked spirit.

Then wordlessly, they departed from the place; not looking behind.

[fanfictionfaberrycentral]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Supergirl (TV 2015) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Kara Danvers/Lena Luthor Characters: Kara Danvers, Lena Luthor, Lex Luthor Additional Tags: BAMF Lena Luthor, Lena Luthor Knows Kara Danvers Is Supergirl, Author Has Never Seen the Original, Established Relationship Summary:

Lex has defeated Supergirl and Lena can't count on anyone else to save her from a man she knows plans for everything.

Fortunately, she has a plan for everything, too.

[foxandcatlibrary]

89th Book I Read in 2024

Title: Dagspöket på Sjukhus

Authors: Jujja Wieslander & Jens Ahlbom

Notes: Precis lagom lustig liten bok. Vet en tjej som kommer bli jätteglad att få den i present.

[monsterkong]

Turning Adversity Into Your Advantage: The Cul-de-Sac Approach

When life throws you curveballs, it's easy to feel like you're stuck on a one-way street heading toward disaster. 🚨 But what if adversity wasn’t a dead end? What if it was just a detour—a cul-de-sac that offers a way to turn things around?

Life's Two Paths: Domino or Cul-de-Sac

Let’s face it: bad things happen to all of us. But the way we handle adversity defines whether we let it spiral out of control or whether we take charge of the situation. When something negative happens, we often feel like it’s just the beginning of a long chain reaction, a Domino Effect 🌀—where one problem leads to another, and suddenly everything feels overwhelming.

But what if instead of seeing adversity as a domino chain, you saw it as a cul-de-sac? A place to stop, reflect, and change direction. 🌱 Just like in real life, a cul-de-sac isn’t a trap—it’s an opportunity to pause and take control of where you’re headed.

The Choice Is Yours: Turn Around or Keep Going?

We have the power to decide. Just like when you’re driving, and you hit a cul-de-sac, you don’t panic. You turn around. When adversity strikes, you can either let it drag you down the one-way street of frustration, or you can see it as a chance to turn the situation around. 🚘

Taking control means owning the wheel. It means not letting one bad moment dictate the rest of your journey. When we recognize that adversity is just a cul-de-sac, we regain the power to choose a different path. 💪

Final Thought: Adversity Is Your Cul-de-Sac, Not Your End

So next time life throws you a curveball, remember that you are the driver. 🛣️ Adversity doesn’t have to spiral out of control. It’s just a temporary detour, and you have the power to turn things around. 🌟 Turn that cul-de-sac into an opportunity, and watch how you reclaim control over your life.

[alixx-black]

Terminal (24): Unexpected Transmission

TERIMINAL: Unexpected Transmission - Chapter 24 - This project is an #epicpoem inspired by #escapril2024 prompts telling the story of a six-year-old with #childhoodcancer #napowrimo #letsescapril

An epic poem inspired by Escapril 2024’s prompts. It feels like a crime, an illegal turn of events, when Aviana feels new life breathed into her lungs; Sitting up gets easier; moving hurts less; and, and – There is this newness in her bones that makes it feel like she isn’t on death row because cancer had chosen her as one of its victims; It was relief; Aviana asked to return to school, but…

[ladyvictoriart]

"The Gom Jabbar test of humanity"

Based on Frank Herberts 'Dune'

[spideyanakin]

10 things i hate about you - chapter 6

eddie munson x harrington!reader

summary - a new rule strikes the Harrington household: if Steve wishes to date ever again, his sister needs to find a boyfriend first. As Steve becomes desperate and thinks of everything in his power to set her up, only one guy comes to mind that will take up a challenge such as that: Eddie Munson.

warnings - the moment you have all been dreading (I'm half sorry), mentions of death, eddie and his questionable dares, joyce buying christmas lights in april, some fluffy fluff, and ofc; a sprinkle of angst

word count - 8.8k

thank you to the amazing @inknopewetrust for proof reading most of this series <3

series masterlist

eddie munson masterlist

"Eds!" Gareth clapped his hands in front of his friend's face. 

“What?”

"You're sulking"

"I'm not sulking."

"Why are you sulking?" 

There was a pause, a short, challenging silence slithering between the trays of food and drinks before Eddie spoke again with solemn words;  "I think I'm in love with her." 

And just as the words left Eddie's lips; Gareth huffed loudly alongside two other Hellfire boys. Gareth sent a piercing glare towards his dungeon master–ripping a piece of white bread from his tray and throwing said piece towards Eddie’s face, making it land in his curls.

“Hey! What was that for?” Eddie swatted the bread away, watching with raised eyebrows as his three closest friends fished for something in their pockets; simultaneously pulling out twenty dollar bills. Eddie watched, eyebrows creasing to a frown as the three twenty dollar bills traveled across the table; right into Oliver’s hand.

"Did you have to say love?" Jeff whined.

"Yeah, the bet was lower at like, or really liked," Gareth gruffed, Oliver simply shrugged while Eddie stared—too dumbfounded to speak. The blonde guitarist counted his money before neatly folding it and placing it in his back pocket.

"I'm going to pretend like you guys haven't betted on me," Eddie said before poking his fork around his plate, attention focused on the carotte he was making dance across the paper. “Anyways, it’s not that bad, you guys should be happy for me!”

"Yes it's bad, terrible even!" Oliver dropped his can of mountain dew, drops spilling out from the harsh clatter of it against the table–and Eddie gulped when he made eye contact with the daggers in Oliver’s eyes.

Unfortunately, all his lost heart could do was look back at him like a lost puppy–big eyes pleading for help rather than judgment, and just for a moment–Oliver caved. 

A short sigh escaped the blonde’s lips, and he leaned back on his chair in thought. That action caused a new silence, one filled with short huffs and glances from the boys; right until Eddie broke it again.

"I know," he pushed his tray away before leaning back, imitating his guitarist, "I don't know what to do."

"Call the deal off?" Gareth suggested.

"Yeah, that's the most obvious thing, Gareth!" Eddie almost screamed. "One problem; Steve keeps handing me bills like he’s a fucking ATM machine. I have three hundred fucking dollars from him that I refuse to use!"

"I thought that's what you wanted, extra cash," Oliver’s voice was dry, and it almost made Eddie flinch.

"I don’t think I ever took the deal for the money…” He closed his eyes, sighing through his nose, “I think she kind of always fascinated me.”

“So, let me get this straight. Instead of just asking the girl out, you made a deal with her brother that he’d pay you to go out with her?”

“Kind of?” He winced at his own words. “I didn’t realise how fucked up this whole situation was!”

“As if we hadn’t warned you!” Olivier exclaimed, tone almost condescending which sent a new pang across Eddie’s chest. 

He didn’t want this. He didn’t need judgment from his best friends, his own internal turmoil was enough.

He was asking for help and Oliver was throwing hard cold judgment across his face like the iced daggers he’d write about for his campaigns.

He felt like Boromir. Tempted by the worst of forces–hypnotized by his mistakes, too enticed to step back–and now he was paying the consequences, as invisible arrows were shot right through his heart.

“Hey calm down Ol’,” Gareth defended, humming in the best soothing tone he could muster; “screaming at Eddie won’t make this any better for him.”

“Right, because he so understood when we told him this was a bad idea three weeks ago,” and with his words, the table fell silent.

Everyone looked at each, carefully assessing the situation and how to proceed. Would anyone dare to break the silence? Even Jeff wondered if he could chew his food and finish his lunch without all eyes turning to him.

Eddie crossed his arms over his chest in subconscious defense—gaze to the side and fixed on the back of a random blue cafeteria chair.

He truly didn’t know what to do. Everything in him wanted to cancel this stupid deal, tell you the truth and just hope that you wouldn’t hate him forever. 

Or maybe he could call the deal off and never say a thing—but he’d have to live with that secret for the rest of your relationship.

But thinking about the possibility that you could discover the deal on your own made him shiver. He knew that would hurt you the most, that you’d most, probably, definitely hate him for the rest of your days, and he could say goodbye to ever even being close to you again.  

“Hey boys,” your sweet voice broke the undeniable tension, and like a bee pulled towards honey; Eddie turned his full attention to you.

He didn’t know if you noticed the energy, but if you did you didn’t say anything. He did notice your shoulder tense as every eye around the table turned to you, an oldy intimidating silence slithering up your spine–but the second Eddie’s hand reached your waist, it dissolved into a content smile.

“What were you talking about, I didn’t interrupt anything, did I?”

“Spring Fling.” 

“Our next performance.”

“A campaign.”

Eddie flinched, internally cringing at the multitude of answers that rang across the table at the same time.

“O-ok?” You raised an eyebrow, hand resting against Eddie’s shoulder–silently asking for clarification.

“Mainly, Spring Fling, babe,”

“Ah,” you squeezed his shoulder, already pouting before the next words came out of you, “will you be mad if I say no to going?”

“I get you for not wanting to go,” Oliver chimed before chugging the end of his mountain dew.

“Yeah, staying home too?” You asked.

“Oh no, I’m going, don’t know why though,” and as the words left his mouth, he eyed knowingly at Gareth. 

“See, Eddie! Olivier is going! Gareth is saved! We don’t have to go!” You squeezed his shoulder and Eddie gulped. This was not going to be easy.

“Y-yeah,” he could barely reply and Gareth shot him a quizzical look. 

Eddie was digging his grave right then and there. 

He really needed to break that damn deal.

~

“Hey Y/n,” Nancy caught up with you, ponytail bouncing as she ran the short distance between the cafeteria door and the lockers.

“What’s up?” You smiled once she was at your level, closing your locker and tightening the notebooks you were holding as you continued your way through the mass of students.

“Have you seen Barb?”

“No,” you frowned. “I haven’t seen her all day, actually, I was going to ask you. She didn’t have lunch with you?”

You watched her frown deepen, “no, she wasn’t there, I sat with Steve and his friends. I–um I haven’t seen her since yesterday at your place.”

“Oh, well I’m sure she’s fine, probably called in sick or something,” but your words didn’t soothe Nancy’s worries.

“I called her mom,” she averted her stare from yours.

“And?”

“She didn’t come home yesterday, or this morning.”

“Oh,” your heart sank down to your stomach, the uneasy feeling threatening to swallow you whole.

“Are you sure she left your place last night?”

“Yeah,” you matched her frown. “You don’t think-?”

“That she disappeared like Will?” 

“I don’t know… This whole situation just seems odd…” You looked around, maybe in search of something, just to be met with the mass of students that walked through the maze of hallways that was Hawkins High. No one seemed bothered; no one looked worried or stirred by what was silently unfolding in the city.

“Yeah…”

You brought your gaze back to Nancy, trying to hunt for a topic to change the subject–anything that could hook both your attentions elsewhere.

Then you saw it: the bright pink and yellow poster for Spring Fling. You huffed, ripping the poster from the wall and crumbling the paper, just to throw it in the nearest trash. An attempt at rebellion, maybe.

“Who the heck would go to that antiquated mating ritual.”

“I would!”

“Do you seriously want to get all dressed up so some rando with a boner dressed up in the first suit he found at Gap can feel you up while you’re forced to listen to a band that by definition ‘blows’?”

She scoffed, “the rando in question is your brother, may I add.”

“My brother?” You raised your eyebrows, “but I’m not going, he won’t be allowed to go.”

“You’re not?” She squeaked, eyes darting to your hands as you unfolded the wires of your walkman. “Steve told me you would. I think he assumed Eddie asked you.”

“Steve has no business assuming what I will or will not do, and Eddie has asked me, I told him no.”

“Why? I thought you liked Eddie.”

“Going with someone I like, still doesn’t change the fact that I find these gatherings dumb,” you accentuated your words by harshly placing your headphones around your neck, and locking your walkman onto your backpocket.

“Are you sure you won’t go? Just for me? Just so Steve will go, and by extension I will?” Her big blue eyes pleaded, lips forming into a pout, and for a split second you faltered, wondering if you could do this for your friend.

“I’ll see.”

“You are incorrigible,” she rolled her eyes, already knowing this meant no.

“Indeed I am,” you looked around, gaze flickering from the lockers to Nancy, “so do tell me, you and Steve last night, hm?” 

“Oh, shut up!” Her shriek made you giggle, and you would have continued teasing her if not for the hands that latched onto your waist, you jumped, shrieking before feeling yourself getting picked up into the air.

You immediately recognized the laugh that echoed in your ear, and Nancy’s smile gave the owner of those hands even more away.

��Eddie, let me down!” You giggled in echo with him, hands wrapping around his own before he dropped you back on your feet.

“Don’t you have a class to get to?” You mumbled as he pressed a kiss to your cheek.

“Mrs. Day called in sick, I have a free period.”

“Oh lucky,” you hummed, shoulders slumping at the anticipation of your next hour.

“Eddie?” Nancy spoke, making Eddie’s curls brush your cheek as he turned to face your friend. “Have you seen Barb by any chance?”

“Not since yesterday,” he shook his head and he sensed the way you tense up in his arms. “Everything ok?”

“We think she’s missing.”

“Missing? Like the Byers kid?”

“According to her mom, she didn’t come home last night, and skipping school isn’t like her,” Nancy bit her lip as she looked to the side.

“I mean, maybe she did. I’m not one to say that skipping school isn’t fun,” Eddie concluded, smirking slightly. He knew that this subject was reaching a dead end, and he sighed before turning his attention back to you. “What are you doing after school?”

“Nothing, why?”

“I found this new card game at the comics shop, and maybe if the game gets boring I can teach you D and D.”

“Are you asking me out on a game date?”

“Are you saying yes?” Instead of answering directly with words, you pressed a soft kiss to his lips, muttering your answer as you pulled away. 

“If you two will stop face fucking in the hallway, we’ve got class,” maybe it was jealousy that your brother wasn’t as sweet as Eddie picking at her stomach, or the stress from Barb stacking up, but she ripped her stare away from the two of you to stare at bright blue lockers on the other side.

“Sorry,” you giggled, slipping out of Eddie’s arms after stealing one last kiss. 

“I’ll see you after class, Eds.”

~

“What do you think they’re up to?” Your hand gripped Eddie’s a little tighter as you watched your brother and his friends laugh towards Johnathan. The poor Byers brother was being thrown around by the greedy hands of your idiot brother, the grim look on his face turned to disgust and anguish. You watched your brother, a loud chuckle ripping from his mouth. Your frown deepened as Tommy gave him one last push, Steve snatching pieces of paper from his grip.

Jonathan watched as Steve and Carol ripped to shreds the papers, they all laughed one last time; Tommy giving him a last cruel shove that almost made him trip before walking away. 

You took closer steps towards the parking–maybe in a quick attempt to help, but unfortunately, the group was walking right for the two of you, waltzing away from the mess they created towards god knows where.

“What did you do?” You grumbled as your path crossed your brothers, glancing behind his shoulder to spot Nancy jogging the distance between Johnathan and her group of new so-called friends. 

“You’ll never guess, the perv took pictures of us yesterday!” 

“What?”

“He was in the woods by our place, snapping pictures of us in the pool, even snapped shots of Nancy while she was changing.”

“Why?” You raised your eyebrows, squeezing Eddie’s hand.

“Caus’ he’s a perv?” Carol snickered, “and that’s all he’s found to do with his miserable life?” Tommy chuckled at his girlfriend’s words, and they disappeared behind you again, snickering as they left towards the field behind the High School building.

“Weird,” you muttered, watching Johnathan getting back into his car and leaving.

“You think he took my good profile?” Eddie, like always, pulled you out of your thoughts with a dumb joke, making you snort and playfully shove his shoulder. “What?” He offered a new laugh and you rolled your eyes.

“C’mon, let’s go try this new card game, I’ve had enough of this place for the day,” you tugged at his arm, dragging him further towards your car.

“Understandable,” he muttered, watching as you toyed with your car keys. “Hey, how about we pass by Melvald’s first? Grab some snacks and stuff.”

“Yeah, I’d like that,” your hand brushed his as you parted ways to climb in the driver’s seat.

Apart from the Metallica blasting from the speakers; the ride was quiet, peaceful almost, as you bathed in each other’s presence. It was nice, seeing the streets of Hawkins with someone you liked by your side–it almost all seemed less… daunting. It was soothing, knowing you’d get to have careless laughter over junk food and a pack of cards, letting the week’s worries and Steve’s torment slip away for just a few hours. 

You almost smiled when the red writing of Melvald’s came to view, stomach already growling not with hunger, but envy for cookies and candies–anything that could be considered a bad excuse for a dinner. 

You parked next to a mattered brown truck, mud stains on its wheels and rusty doors. Eddie placed a hand in his hair as he exited your car, a poor excuse at trying to tame his curls, but you smiled when his hair stayed as wild–it suited him better.

Your hand found his as you walked into Melvald’s. The shop seemed pretty empty apart from a few stray heads bopping out of aisles. 

“Afternoon,” you smiled at the owner behind the counter, he nodded before you both headed for the cookie aisle, grabbing one of those cheap red plastic baskets on the way.

“What are your favorites?” You hummed playfully as you scanned the shelves.

“I’d say Oreos are good, or um,” he thought, fingers going over his lips in thought. “Chips Ahoy! I love Chips Ahoy” 

“The white chocolate fudge ones are the best,” you turned to Eddie and watched his face turn in pure horror. 

“What did you just say?”

“That the white chocolate fudge cookies are the best?”

“I think you hit your head too hard as a kid, sweetheart. The normal milk chocolate ones taste so much better.”

“Hey! That is so not true,” you pressed on.

“They’re so sweet,” he scrunched his nose, “makes you sick if you eat too much.”

“Whatever,” you rolled your eyes, jokingly vexed at his hatred for your favorite.

“Oh my god, I used to love these as a kid,” Eddie’s face lit up as his eyes crossed paths with the a small white cardboard box, big smiles drawn over it. 

“Says the guy who called White Fudge Chips Ahoy too sweet,” you narrowed your eyes as he picked up the pack of Giggles from a shelf.

“You don’t want to get them?” He raised an eyebrow.

“No, no. I still love these, put them in,” you grinned, raising the basket so he could dump them in next to the pack of Oreos.

“What else should we take?”

“Drinks?”

“Yeah,” 

In twenty minutes spent in the store, your basket was already full with enough food and drinks for the entire of Hellfire. Cans of coke laying against bright blue cookie packaging and other junk food that had caught your attention. Eddie had ended up carrying the basket when it got too heavy, and now it rested by his feet as you waited in line. 

A middle aged woman was in front of you–a toddler in her arms as she fumbled with the coins in her wallet. The baby’s small hands were fumbling with strands of her red hair–babbling something as he watched his mother pay for her groceries.

You were so enthralled in the scene–trying to see how much strength the toddler could tug on the women’s red locks with, that you hadn’t noticed the familiar face settling in the cue behind Eddie. She was almost hidden behind a pile of boxes that laid upon one of her hands, the other gripping the bar of a shopping cart, and you only recognised her by her anxious sigh as she tried to balance the boxes in her grip.

“Oh, hey Joyce,” you smiled, a gentle smile that bled with your compassion and she suddenly turned her attention to you. 

Eddie also turned his attention to her–immediately realizing who this was. He’d seen her behind the counter more times than he could count, and he was also eighty percent sure that Wayne briefly knew her from High School, remembering their short conversations from the hundreds of times he helped his uncle shop here.

“Oh! Y/n, I didn’t see you there!” She spoke, almost startled by your simple greeting. 

She looked tired, like she hadn’t properly slept in days. Her hair poking all over the place, and she was anxiously tapping her foot against the white floor of Melvalds. You assumed she was off work with everything going on, since she wasn’t standing behind the counter like usual.

But what really caught your attention was the amount of Christmas lights she had gathered. At least twelve boxes had been stuffed in the kart, leaving no room for the five others that she held in her free hand. You couldn’t begin to wonder why she had bought everything out of the clearance section, but your heart ached as you watched her gaze falter to the window for a split second before going back to you. She shifted her grip on the boxes, and a new huff left her lips before she handed you a tight smile.

“Is Johnathan with you?” You wondered, eyes briefly going across the aisle visible from your spot in the line.

She shook her head, “he’s probably home right now,” you nodded at her words and watched as her gaze flickered around again–as if she was suddenly comfortable. Maybe it was the mention of her son; maybe a conversation or two about Will that caused tension to seep between them, when in fact they should be sticking together.

Her gaze faltered, becoming softer as she took new acknowledgment of you again. She sent a smile to you and turned to Eddie who was yet to talk.

“This is Eddie, my boyfriend,” you watched the expression on her face change–impressed, slightly surprised maybe.

“Wayne’s nephew right?”

“In the flesh,” Eddie smiled, politely nodding.

“Also I wanted to tell you,” you spoke again, Joyce’s gaze dancing back to yours. “If you need anything from us, you have my number, Joyce.” Her whole face softened, gratitude seeping in through her eyes.

“Thank you, honey,”

~

Eddie’s trailer felt just as you left it the day before. A cozy haven for the loneliest of souls to find refuge on cold nights. But to your surprise, Eddie didn’t remove his shoes once he crossed the threshold–he even told you to wait for him by the entrance with the multitude of bags filled with the sweets you’d bought. 

You watched as the metalhead bounced across his living space, shedding his leather jacket on the living room chair after he had complained that the spring sun was suffocating him, before he disappeared to his room, and came back with a small blue and orange metal box. His card game.

“Follow me,” Eddie swept past you, grabbing the two shopping bags and jumping the small steps out of his trailer. You raised an eyebrow before following him through the grass patch around his trailer, passing through a laundry line that hosted a few band t-shirts that could only be Eddie’s, and tattered work jeans that you assumed were Wayne’s. 

You intently watched as you both faced a small, thin ladder that climbed up to the trailer’s roof. “Can you take one?” you nodded as he handed you one of the plastic bags.

Eddie stuffed the small card game in his back pocket–you silently questioned him, he could have simply just put it in the bag he was holding. But that didn’t stop him from anything, and you carefully observed as Eddie hummed a ‘follow me’, before starting to climb the rusty ladder. 

You landed on the roof with a huff, and noticed that Eddie had already settled himself on a far off corner, the plastic bag neatly placed next to his feet. 

“Nice view,” you noticed. Smiling as you gazed across the sea of trailers, each painted in their own uniqueness. it was far off from the white picket fence houses–a sea of odd shapes and colors, but it was all the most comforting, lively even. Smoke coming out of barbecue grills, laughter spilling out of small backyards and the light breeze making the bright colored laundry dance. 

“You like it?” He grinned as he admired you trot towards him. 

“I love it,” you settled beside him on the floor, dropping your bag next to the other one and started fishing inside of it for your well earned snacks.

Your hands settled for a pack of oreos, settling it in your lap as you wiggled yourself to be more comfortable. 

"This feels like that one Elton John song."

"Which one?" He raised a playful eyebrow.

"We sat on the roof," your soft voice hummed, slithering into the soft breeze and to Eddie’s ears.

“Kicked off the moss,” he hummed along with you, making a giggle escape your lips.

“You listen to Elton John?”

“On occasions,” he murmured, busying himself with the bag next to him to fish for a can of soda. 

“Wow, didn’t take you for the Elton John type.”

“I’m a man of many mysteries,” he dramatically sighed.

“Shut up,” you giggled, rolling your eyes before grabbing your own can of coke–popping it open before finally speaking again, “so, that game of yours?” 

“Yes!” 

Eddie grabbed the small box from his pocket, eyes sparkling as he opened it and placed the lid at his side. He took the cards in his hands and started mixing them. 

“So, rules are simple, I think.”

“You think?”

“I didn’t read the rules.”

“Eddie, you can’t play a game if you don’t know the rules,” you giggled, grabbing the box at his side and taking the paper out.

“The guy at the shop told me how to play it, I thought I’d remember.”

“You’re impossible,” you huffed, unfolding the little paper and scanning through the words. You raised an eyebrow, reading through the instructions, “ok, so,” you licked your lips in thought before looking at the cards in Eddie’s hands. “We have to start with the card that looks like the cross path thingy.”

“Ok,” Eddie listened before flipping through the cards and placing said card in between the two of you; right next to the oreo pack. 

“Wait, Eddie.”

“What?”

“It’s from three to eight players,” you giggled. “Eddie, we can’t play.”

“What?” His eyes widen, ripping the rule book from your hands. “Oh,” he hummed, realization hitting. “Well, this sucks.”

“Yeah, dumbass,” you giggled, grabbing a new oreo.

He sighed, placing the cards back in their box before dropping them at his side, sharing a gaze with you. 

“What should we do?”

“Dunno,”

~

The sun had started to set across the trailer park, and a tumble of giggles seemed to be the main theme of your afternoon. One lone cookie was left in the Chips Ahoy pack, and the stacks of plastic wrappers and cans were starting to pile up; a show of the evening slowly dying out into night. 

“Ok, ok,” you giggled, leaning closer to Eddie. “Truth or dare?”

“Dare,” you raised an eyebrow at his reply, a smirk dancing across your lips.

“I dare you to compliment your neighbor’s dinner,” your gaze traveled to the elderly couple eating in the garden beside Eddie’s trailer. They looked happy–a couple who danced through time together. You could faintly hear their conversation in the distance, but barely making out words, and if Eddie shouted just enough he could easily spring a conversation.

“That’s so stupid,” he grinned.

“I know,” you giggled back and Eddie rolled his eyes before turning around to face his neighbor’s garden. 

He took a second to observe. The barbecue grill on the opposite side was still smoking from its use, and he spotted the home made burgers on their plates. That would be easy to compliment. Plus, Eddie didn’t mind, Wayne was on good terms with them, maybe less so Eddie as he often bothered them when playing guitar. But if the odd comment could bring a good laugh out of the two of you, then Eddie would gladly plunge into your dare. 

“Hey! Mr. Carol!” The elder man turned from his grill as the call reached his ear. “Good job on the burgers! They smell amazing!” You had to place a hand over your mouth to stop the giggles from tumbling like a waterfall as you watched the poor man’s face twist in an awkward smile, both of his eyebrows raised to the sky as he watched his teenage neighbor send him a compliment from his trailer’s roof. 

“Thanks Eddie.” The man awkwardly replied and Eddie saluted him before turning back around to you.

“Happy?”

“He looked so confused.”

“He did, didn’t he?” Eddie smiled with you, grabbing another oreo, before mumbling with a mouthful, “truth or dare?”

“Dare,” you smiled, keeping your gaze on Eddie as you grabbed the last Chip’s Ahoy, crumpling the wrapper in your hands and throwing it to the side to join the pile. 

“I dare you to take off your top,” your eyes went wide at his request.

“And flash the whole trailer park?” You shrieked and a loud laugh tumbled from Eddie.

“Well, already you did it for me once,” he dramatically sighed, poking at your ribs, creating another laugh to leave you. 

“I did it to save your ass.” 

“I know, I'm only kidding,” he smirked. “I’ll keep that dare for another time,” he smiled, knocking at you before looking down at the oreo’s in between you, “I dare you to fill your mouth with as many oreos as you can.”

“and?”

“If you manage to put seven in without almost choking, you get a prize.”

“Why seven?”

“Because that’s my record.”

“That’s so stupid,” you noticed.

“C’mon, do your dare.”

You rolled your eyes, keeping eye contact as your hand traveled to the cookies. You grabbed one-easy. The next one slipping nicely against the second one. You couldn’t look at Eddie anymore, the look in his eyes was enough to make you laugh and want to spit out the whole thing. The next two managed to fit, somehow, and you could hear Eddie chuckling, your gaze focused on the blue wrapper in concentration. 

But when you reached for the fifth one, about to place it in your mouth–you caved. Making eye-contact with Eddie. He was laughing like an idiot; watching your chipmunk cheeks with a devilish spark in his eyes. But that look was fatal, and a laugh climbed right through you, causing you to spit everything out to the side. 

Eddie roared even more with laughter and you had to playfully slap his shoulder in order to keep yourself from laughing too.

“You lost, I’m so sorry,” he patted your shoulder, using his grip to bring you further towards him, kissing the side of your mouth.

“What was the prize?” You questioned, chewing the last bit of crumbs that were left in your mouth as you leaned against him. 

“A private concert,”

“As if you don’t willingly do them, all the time.” he shrugged at your comment, making you smile and remember your game, “Eddie.”

“Yes?”

“Truth or dare?”

“Truth,” 

“Tell me a secret,”

“Ok, I hate peas.”

“No,” you giggled, “tell me something real, something no one else knows,” you grabbed a twizzler, pointing to him with it once you had taken a good bite out of it.

“Ok,” he smirked, a mischievous glint passing by his gaze. The grip on your waist became tighter and he leaned even closer to you, tucking a strand of your hair behind your ear with his free hand before kissing your cheek. “You’re sweet,” he pressed a new kiss to your other cheek “and sexy,” a new kiss to your lips, “and completely hot for me,” you gasped a laugh.

“You are amazingly self assured, as anyone else told you that?”

“I tell myself that every day, actually,” he chuckled before locking your lips into a new kiss, and suddenly an invisible sting pulled him back to the reality of the pact he had made with your brother. “Come to the dance with me tomorrow.”

“Is that a request or a command?” You attempted to joke, but he continued.

“Come on, go with me.”

“No.”

“Why not?” He breathed out a sigh, toying with your fingers.

“I told you already, it’s a stupid tradition.”

“C’mon, people won’t expect you to go.”

“Eddie, why are you pushing this? What’s in it for you?” Maybe you wouldn’t have asked, but Barb’s words suddenly came bouncing into your mind, like an unstoppable bouncy ball hitting the walls of your brain and shuddering through your spine. 

“Nothing, just the pleasure of your company.”

You paused at his words. Mind twirling in the multitude of possibilities. Eddie had been pushing this, but maybe that was just his attempt at trying to be a normal high school couple. 

Would Eddie really want this? Would Eddie really enjoy a gathering full of sweaty hormonal teenagers, with no alcohol, weed or anything else you could think of that he’d use for a good time, all that mixed with awful music? You couldn’t be sure, and you were getting anxious about an ulterior motive.

Barb had made it clear she didn’t trust Eddie, and your heart pinched at the thought. 

You sighed, eyes dancing across the setting sun as it reached further down the sky, casting yet a new glow of colors across the trailer park. 

Your grip on Eddie’s shoulder tightened; “It’s getting late,” you hummed, turning your gaze back to Eddie, “I should go.”

“Y/n-”

“No, it’s fine Eddie, don’t worry about it,” you gave him a tight smile. “Thanks for the evening,” you stood from his grip, dusting the crumbs from your jeans before nodding back to him, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

~

The next morning, you opened your locker, just for a bright neon pink paper to slip out of it, flying down just to land on your feet. 

You huffed, gladly stepping on it. It hadn’t even happened yet, and you already had enough of this stupid dance. 

You wanted to throw up, first Will, and now no one seemed to even blink twice about Barbara. Maybe if she had been some popular cheerleader, a Tammy Thompson, or a rising star like Chrissy Cunningham she would have the whole town at her feet trying to find her, caring for her. And a part of you wondered if anyone would even care if you would ever go missing yourself..

"Are they really still throwing Spring Fling when two students are missing?" You gazed at Eddie who was leaning against your neighboring locker, fumbling with his walkman. 

“Is Barb officially missing now?”

“Police thinks she ran away,” you angrily stuffed some books in your locker, Eddie noticing the stress lines forming on your forehead.

“Hey, I’m sorry about yesterday, I should have gotten the hint the first time you told me you didn’t want to go.”

“S’okay,” you hummed, keeping your hands fumbling with the contents of your locker as your gaze stayed focused on its insides. “I’m not mad at you, I’m just- I don’t understand why everyone is acting so calm. Nancy was balling her eyes out on the phone to me last night, assuring me that Barb was gone missing. She went on, telling me her car was still parked not far from mine and saying that she felt a creepy presence in my backyard,” you finally managed to neatly place the books like you wanted, and closed your locker door in a loud, angered thud. 

“Oh,”

“Yeah,” you chewed on your nails and Eddie didn’t know what to say, or what to even do with his own hands. “What if something bad has happened to them? And I mean bad, bad,” you rested your back against your locker. “I can’t imagine what it would do to Dustin, imagine Barb’s parents? I-, I feel desperate in this situation and I feel like I’m one of the only ones to actually care.” 

“We could try and play detective, if you want? I mean, D and D does make you pretty good at piecing things together,” he offered you a short smile and your heart warmed a bit at his words.

“Maybe.”

~

You didn’t understand Nancy. 

As much as you loved her, you couldn’t begin to piece her out. Last night, she was calling you crying about your missing friend, and now she was begging you for a distraction you weren’t willing to give out. 

“Please, please come,” she whined over the phone, and you eyed Steve as he walked across from the kitchen to the living room, giving you his biggest death glare as he did. 

“Nancy, you know my answer,” you groaned–wanting to slam your head onto the wall next to you. “Do you realize that two people are missing, and you’re ready to just forget all of that to go dancing with idiots?”

“Y/n, I think we both need this, we can continue searching tomorrow.”

Was this really the same Nancy you had chatted with the day before?

“You’re in a relationship now, you should understand this!” 

“Understand what exactly?”

“That I want to spend time with my boyfriend. The world is falling apart and I’m stuck home with my thoughts. Wouldn’t you ask the same thing if the roles were reversed? Wouldn’t you beg Steve and I to go to a Ren Fair or I don’t know a Metallica concert if you couldn’t?”

“Spring Fling is far from being a Metallica concert, Nancy,” you chuckled at the idiocy of her comparison.

“But what if Spring Fling is my Metallica concert?”

You fell silent over the line. Were you that selfish? Not letting your friend get that date with your brother and miss out on an event everyone wanted to go to. You sighed, rethinking your life one last time before sighing out; “Okay,” head falling against the wall by the telephone. “I’ll tell Steve to come pick you up.”

“Oh my god I love you!”

“Yeah, yeah, love you too, I’ll see you there,” and with those words you hung up, dread seeping into your bones once again. “Steve! Get fucking ready, you’re taking Nancy to that stupid dance!”

“I’m what now?” 

“You’re taking Nancy to Spring Fling,” his eyes widened, mouth agape.

“Oh my god, I love you,”

“Oh, shut up,” you rolled your eyes, watching Steve scurry away to the upstairs bathroom. You sighed before crossing the kitchen, eyeing for any one of your parents. 

“Hey darling,” as if she knew you had been searching for her, your mom’s soft voice echoed from the laundry room, through the corridor and right to you.

“Right here,” you hummed back, trotting to meet her there.

“Oh perfect,” she smiled, “could you bring this up? Half of this is Steve’s and then the other half is yours.”

“Are you obliging me to walk through the pits of tartarus?”

“If this means, entering your brother’s room to drop off his laundry, yes I am asking you.”

“Fine,” you hummed, grabbing the basket of folded laundry from your mother’s arms. “Also, Steve and I are getting ready to leave, we’re um- going to the spring fling thing.”

“Oh,” her eyes widened. “You’re going?”

“Yeah. Nancy convinced me.”

“Alright,” she let the shock seep through her. “I’ll let your father know.”

“Thanks,” you smiled before scurrying away, jumping up the steps–the quicker you got this done, the quicker you could get ready, and the quicker you were out of the house, the quicker you would be back. 

You dropped everything that was yours on top your bed–not bothering with putting it in your cupboard before waltzing towards Steve’s room. You could hear the stream of the shower, and if you were really careful, you could hear Steve faintly humming a Kate Bush song. You rolled your eyes before opening his door, ready to be met with the utter mess that you remembered his room to be–but to your surprise, it was neat and even smelt nice. 

You blinked in shock, taking in the well done bed, the freshly vacuum carpet and the organized shelves. Even the desk was neat, two pots of pencils stood proudly in the corner, while only a stray eraser felt out of place–sitting next to an opened agenda. His desk lamp illuminating his scruffy writing, creating a halo over the white lined page. 

Once the surprise was seeping in, you blinked; remembering your original mission. You dropped the basket on his bed, sighing before turning back around.

And that’s when you caught the writing across the white paper of Steve’s used notebook.

MONEY SPENT

March 30 - family video $6

April 2 - Maldev’s $2, lunch $5

April 5 - lunch $2

April 11 - Lunch $7, family video $3.

April 12 - Eddie $50

April 14 - Scoops Ahoy $6

April 15 - Eddie $100

The list went on–Eddie becoming a recurrence since ‘April 12’, the money only adding as the days went by. Your heart thumped in your chest–why in the world was Eddie’s name on Steve’s wannabe accountant list, and secondly, where in the world did Steve find this kind of money?

You wondered for a brief instant if Eddie had been dealing to your brother, but then you had only seen Steve high once, and it had been two days ago, at that wretched gathering.

Barb’s warning echoed in your head, and for a mere second you allowed yourself to feel the worst. Was this why Eddie had been bugging you to come to the dance with him?

You refused to make it make sense, but then April 12 had been the day Eddie had first tried to ask you out. 

Your breath suddenly caught in your throat, and you could feel your heart thumping in your ears. No. This couldn’t be happening. You couldn’t be sure of anything yet. 

Nonetheless, you didn’t have time to think about it. You were on the clock with a promise made to your best friend, and strolling out of Steve’s room, you noticed a frown on your face you hadn’t even realized was there.

You let out a shaky sigh as you entered your room, being met with your reflection in the mirror.

You had made Nancy a promise,

You’d have to confront either of the two after the dance.

~

“Eddie, there’s a girl outfront for you.”

“Huh?” He lifted the book from his eyes, dropping it on the coffee table before lazily sitting up, limbs cracking as he did. He looked at Wayne in question, not bothering to fix his pyjama shirt as he walked to the kitchen area and looked through the window.

His eyes weren’t failing him–indeed there you were, the window of your car rolled down and Eddie could see you all dolled up in a pretty dress he’d never bet he would ever see you wear. You looked straight at him through the window and honked, a signal for him to come over.

“What the fuck,” he muttered under his breath as his socked feet walked him to the front door. “Hey, what are you doing here?” Even though shock was seeping through him, he smiled at your sight.

“Get in loser, we’re going to the spring fling,” his mouth was wide, agape like a fish as he registered what was happening. He blinked, and stood there a second too long because you honked your car horn again. “C’mon! We don’t have all night!”

You watched as Eddie blinked again before shaking his head and scurrying back inside. You heard faint mumbling from the trailer and his running around. You even thought you heard a loud noise that was most probably Eddie falling as he tried to get the suit of his pants up. 

His hair was wild once he opened the door of the trailer again, but he was brushing it back with his fingers as he walked down the metallic steps and walked to you.

“Where did you get a tux last minute?” You grinned as he opened the passenger door, his slime had made all anxiety wash away from your body and you felt yourself melt a little further into your car seat, butterflies brushing the side of your stomach at the sight of him in a suit.

“Oh, you know, just something I had, laying around,” he shrugged, pretending to be brushing something off of his shoulder “Where’d you get the dress?”

“Oh you know just something I had, laying around,” that made him laugh, eyes intently scanning your figure as you started driving away.

“What made you change your mind?”

“Nancy wouldn’t stop bugging me about it, thought I’d take a break from being a heinous bitch, for a change,” you smiled, and your mind brought you back to the writing in Steve’s notebook an unsettling feeling tugging at your heartstrings as your gaze went back to the boy next to you. 

“Respectable,” he grinned, already opening your glove box for a cassette–fishing out a Black Sabbath mixtape he had made for you.

And for a golden second, as you watched him grin like an idiot over the cassette he had so carefully designed–your worries washed away.

Eddie had been so caring. He had come into your life, bulldozing everything you had trapped yourself in. He brought a new breath to your lungs and you felt yourself again, you felt whole again.

And maybe, just maybe you could let yourself believe that Eddie’s name on Steve’s notebook was something entirely different.

~

Spring fling was everything you had expected it to be. 

Bright colored balloons floating across the air, handwritten banners hanging from every corner, large tables with various beverages and food laying across it. Music was bursting out of large speakers lodged at every corner of the room–and not to mention almost the entirety of Hawkins High. 

Toto’s Hold The Line was ringing in your ears, and you felt your hand grip Eddie’s a little tighter as you walked past a group of cheerleaders, all giggling at something Cameron Ness had said. The star jock was wearing his best suit, a blue ruffled jacket that made all the girls cling to him like moths to a flame. Each of them were in close competition with your brother at the amount of hairspray they had, hairstyles more and more elaborate the more you stared. 

You did not feel in your place at all. 

It all felt intoxicating.

You spotted your brother, long gone into a conversation with some brunette jock named Jeremy. You looked at Nancy–she seemed so happy for once; a bright smile plastered on her face as she leaned against Steve’s navy vest. 

And maybe, just maybe the thought of your best friend getting to have a good time made it less hard to stand the suffocating gym.

“Wanna dance?” Eddie turned to you, a smile on the corner of lips, “while the music is still somewhat tolerable.” Eddie lifted his hand, silently asking for yours.

“Yes,” you slotted your hand in his–butterflies brushing the sides of your stomach as you marched towards the dance floor.

Maybe the evening wouldn’t be so bad.

~

“Eddie?”

“Yeah?” 

“Can you hold my drink, I need to go to the bathroom,” you smiled as Eddie was already offering his hand.

“Of course.” 

Eddie’s gaze traveled around the room, and an unsettling feeling crossed his stomach when his gaze met your brother’s. He was at a different spot this time, chatting with Nancy over a cup of punch.

This was it. 

This had to be his chance. 

He didn’t think twice before crossing the room, fingers brushing through his hair before speaking; “Hey, Harrington.”

“My man!” Steve cheered, and wrapped an arm around him. Eddie awkwardly nodded towards Nancy who had handed him a tight smile upon his arrival.

“Can we talk?”

“Sure,” Steve nodded and asked Nancy if she could hold his drink–to which she accepted and nodded them away.

Eddie noticed Steve was maybe more than a little tipsy as he walked beside Eddie, mumbling jokes and saying hi to everyone who crossed their way. He thought this would be a never ending nightmare, and it would probably be hours before he reached a quiet spot. And after torechous minutes of Steve greeting everyone who met his eyes as he was dragged through the mass of students, they finally reached the quiet corner next to the bleachers.

“So-”

"The deal is off."

“What?” Steve suddenly felt himself sober up. “Why?”

“Because I can’t continue like this.”

“But why? I thought you needed the money-”

“This isn’t about the money, Steve,” the name felt bitter in his mouth–maybe because he blamed him for his suffering, or maybe Eddie blamed himself–but right this minute the lines blurred in his mind and he felt his stomach bubble with a new kind of anger. “This is about your sister, it’s killing me to be doing this to her.”

“Why would you care?” Steve snorted, and Eddie almost took a step back at the cruelty he was witnessing first hand.

Did Steve really care so little about you? 

“Because I’m falling in love with her,” the words tumbled out of Eddie’s mouth faster than he could think, and he had to bite his lip once he realized his confession.

Steve’s mouth fell open wide, the room starting to spin—and this time it wasn’t the snuck in vodka that made him feel this way; but the way his plan was biting him back. 

“No, no, no. You can't be in love with her,” he felt the words leave faster than intended, his own interests getting the best of him. 

“Who are you to tell me what to feel or not feel, Harrington.” 

Steve blinked–stunned, “no, you’re right. But you can’t be falling for her! I never said you could actually date her, you’re going to be a bad influence!” 

“Excuse me? Says the guy who hand picked me.”

“Because you were the only one good for the job!”

“Exactly, and that’s why I’m putting an end to the whole thing.”

“She’s smarter than you give her credit for, you know? She’s going to figure it out soon enough, and it’s going to go all to shits. She might hate us both in all cases, but I’d rather her learn about this fiasco the right way.”  

“No-no, you can’t tell her anything! What about me? What about Nancy?” 

“Are you fucking serious right now?” 

“Look, I’ll pay you double, we continue the deal like it was, you continue to date her, and we can just forget this whole conversation happened, okay?”

“Did you not hear a word I just said?”

~

You sighed, fixing a strand of your hair as you looked at yourself in the mirror—smacking your lips together to spread the gloss you had just reapplied. 

You pushed the heavy bathroom door, sighing once it closed behind you–the school hallway staring back at you. You could faintly hear music playing from behind the closed doors, but murmurs from a nearby corridor caught your attention. 

“Did you hear?” Mr. Arnold fiddled with his hat, twisting the material between his fingers. 

“Hear what?” You recognised Mrs. Gilbert–the drama teacher, she was fixing the sleeve of her sparkling dress before a content smile appeared on her lips.

“They found him,” now they had your full attention. Head spiking up like a cat, and breath catching in your throat.

“The Byers boy?” She whispered, the smile getting whipped off her features. 

“Yes,” Mr. Arnold had a grim look in his eyes as he stared down at his shoes. “They found his body at Sattler Quarry about an hour ago… Poor kid drowned himself.” 

Your shoulders tensed and you felt your ears ring

No.

No, no, no, no, this couldn’t be happening.

Will, the shy boy you babysitted a few times. 

Will, the quiet one with a mind of gold and an ever growing imagination. The one who came up with creatures, monsters and wizards D and D magazines and Eddie’s campaigns could only be envious about.

Your body hit the back of the lockers, and you could only hope that Mrs. Gilbert and Mr. Arnold didn’t hear the thud that accompanied the movement. Head spinning and heart unstoppably racing as you tried to tame the buzz in your head. You couldn’t hear anything, an uncontrollable numbness hitting you as your fist clenched the material of your dress. 

Why?

Why had a boy full of life like Will had to meet his end in such a way?

What about Dustin? Did he already know? 

Your heart only shattered into more pieces as you thought of him. 

You had to tell Eddie.

You walked back into the gym, the air feeling stuffy again and the music barely hitting your numbbed ears. Seeing everyone so full of life made you sick to your stomach. All these people who didn’t even care that he had gone missing, and now they would wake up tomorrow morning with the news of his death, and move on with the rest of their lives as if nothing happened.

It didn’t take you long to find Eddie in the crowd. He was a few meters away from the door, in a corner talking to—your brother? 

He had a large frown on his features, and your brother was waving his hands around frantically like he did when he got frustrated. You watched as Eddie groaned, a hand flying up to his hair as he tried to reason whatever argument your brother had thrown. 

You moved faster than your mind registered, feet gliding over the polished ground of the gymnasium. Something in you wanted to save Eddie from presumingly a horrid conversation with the gremlin that you were cruelly related to. 

You were about to go through the last small group of people, you could clearly see them from your spot in between the dancing bodies—and Steve’s voice became clearer over the fading music.

“No-no you can’t tell her anything! What about me? What about Nancy?”  

What the fuck was that suppose to mean? 

“Are you fucking serious right now?”

“Look, I’ll pay you double, we continue the deal like it was, you continue to date her, and we can just forget this whole conversation happened, okay?”

You stopped in your tracks.

Steve’s writing suddenly became clear,

your worst assumptions were true.

Eddie was paid to date you,

And had been since the start. 

[toomanystoriessolittletime]

Prompt 12, 13 and 16 for our old man Joel after reader teases him relentlessly the whole day.

Since you requested 3 prompts, I wrote three x six sentences. I hope you like it!

Pairing: Joel Miller x fem. reader

Warnings: established relationship, teasing, smut (unprotected sex), marking up the titties

Wordcount: 564 words

Request your six sentence fic

“I’m going to fucking ruin you,“ Joel’s arm was resting behind your back, his hand resting on your hip as he whispered these words into your ear.

You smiled as you caught Maria’s eyes from across the garden, giving her a small wave before you looked up into the dark eyes of your fiancé. 

„Who me?“ You asked with a flutter of your lashes, an innocent smile on your lips. 

He exhaled deeply through his nose and you couldn’t help your smile twitching into a teasing smirk as you stepped closer to him, now standing chest against chest, one of your hands behind his neck, letting your nails run through his soft hair, feeling him shiver beneath you. 

„Two can play this game,“ he cocked his eyebrow, shaking his head a little as he looked at you. 

„What game? I am just here on your brother’s birthday party, enjoying a child free evening with the man that I love while wearing no underwear,“ you said and he chuckled almost mockingly before he leaned down, brushing his lips over yours. 

„You’re playing with fire, Darlin’“ he hummed, one of his hands giving you a light slap on your ass, before he turned around to walk back into the house. 

“You’re so in for it when we get home,“ he said as soon as he got into the car. 

You had been teasing him all day, but these last two hours you had been relentless, to a point that the two of you almost had fucked in the downstairs bathroom at Tommy’s if it hadn’t been for someone knocking on the door. 

Ever since the two of you got engaged three months ago you had been even more all over each other than before. 

Only last week you had surprised Joel during his lunch break with his favourite sandwich and a blowjob which led to him making you cum on his fingers and being late back from his break. 

Sucking your bottom lip in as he wrapped his arm behind your seat as he backed out of Tommy*s driveway you looked at him, catching his eyes with a innocent smile as you reached for his arm as he pulled it back, pulling his hand between your legs. 

He cursed when you pushed his hand higher until his fingers brushed through your soaked folds. 

„Better get home quickly then, Miller,“

“I won’t apologise for marking you up, everyone should know you’re taken,” he mumbled against your skin, sucking bruises into the soft skin of your tits, his cock slowly fucking into you as he laid between your legs.

„Would think putting that ring on my finger should let everyone know that I am taken,“ you smiled, moaning when he sucked on your nipple next, his tongue teasing your hard nub. 

„Not enough,“ he mumbled pulling himself up so he could kiss your lips as he fucked you a little faster. 

„And who exactly is going to see all those marks on my tits other than you?“ You asked, lips parted in a gasp as one of his hands slipped between your bodies, his fingers beginning to play with your clit. 

„I’ll know they’re there. that’s good enough for me,“ he kissed you then, changing the angle of the way he was fucking you, having you come undone beneath him within minutes before he spilled inside of you. 

[daughter-lilith]

❅In Every Life❅

Halsin x Fem!Reader | Modern AU, Parallel Universes Part 3 | Read Part 2 here

Summary: Another day on modern Earth as you finally wind down for the late night in your quiet home. All is as it should be. All is normal as you prepare for bed. That is, until a tall, hulking man with pointed ears shows up at your doorstep claiming to be your lost love from another time and realm. But he’s a stranger. A stranger who forever changes everything you thought you knew about your life.

Explicit 18+ (In future Parts)

CW (For whole story): Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Tension, Oral, P in V, Shifting, Pain, Love, Halsin is Emotional!

Word Count: 4.2k

*Reminder, this is part 3. ⋆ a few tags for some (if you don't mind!) thank you to all enjoying so far! let me know if anyone would liked to be tagged for the next part. @stanfordscrush | @lanafofana | @catch-all | @thoughts-of-bear | @agathaharknessfan96 | @niki-is-a-reblog | @avabjorna36 | (some tags don't work but the thought is there haha)

Halsin sighed unevenly, leaning into your touch. When you squeezed your arms around him, he took it as an invitation to hold you tighter against him, sheltering you in his warmth. You fit perfectly in his arms, tucked beneath his chin, resting yourself against his chest, just like he remembered.

He rested his chin softly near your head and inhaled quietly, deeply. Taking in the scent of your hair, he was instantly met with a waft of memories as the light, citrusy scent with a hint of chamomile flowed into his nose. How it was possible that even your hair smelled familiar, he didn't care, all that mattered was you were in his arms again. You were safe.

He knew you must’ve felt the pounding in his heart, with your cheek pressed so sweetly against him. But he didn’t mind, he simply surrendered to the embrace, loving how your shoulders started to relax in his hold. His mind drifted to all the times he held you just outside of camp under the stars, or passed the time in the lively Elfsong Tavern while you and your friends gathered around the center, laughing and drinking all night.

You had helped him release a heavy burden after breaking the shadow curse, freeing him of his obsession to right what he felt were his wrongs. You released him from yet another cage, one of emotional and mental strain. With that newfound freedom, Halsin could finally allow his heart to seek yours willingly, without reservations.

Halsin couldn’t quell the smile on his face, visualizing the memory of your soft fingers tracing lazy patterns across his bare chest as you lay together. The morning sun would be peeking through the sheer curtains, casting a glittering shimmer across your beautiful, naked skin.

He’d lay there, one arm wrapped securely around you, and glance down to press a tender kiss on your forehead. You’d murmur sweet things beneath him before glancing up to grace him with your eyes, then leaning upwards to capture his lips. His heart would swell with the reality of you still being by his side, each and every day, grateful that it wasn’t all just a dream.

“It’s always going to be you, Halsin,” you whispered to him one night when his insecurities were starting to get the better of him.

Halsin had been a roaming man for as long as he could remember, when life made it painfully clear to him that good things were temporary, especially where love was involved. He let his heart run wild, free to connect with whoever managed to capture it, knowing one day they’d release it and move on.

Most of them just wanted the experience really; to say they once bedded an elf as large as a half-orc, who could also transform into a bear. And who was Halsin to not give the people what they wanted? They were just exploring nature’s bounties, something that he was very much a part of. And after the allure had waned, some slower than others, they always moved on.

But you never moved on. He didn’t want you to move on. Having you in his life opened a new way of love he had never felt before, had never received before. In all of his 350 years, he had finally understood why some people have no eyes for anyone else, seek no one else.

He discovered that nature was many things; ever roaming bees carrying pollen on the wind, traveling from flower to flower and sometimes back again. But nature could also be focused, still, where trees rooted themselves deep within the layers of the earth, rising tall and staying in place for centuries with the company of their closest loved ones all around them. The bear may not mate for life, but Halsin was not just a bear, and he wanted more.

You were all Halsin wanted, but still, he did not wish for you to feel trapped. Just because his desires had altered, didn’t mean you had to conform to them. He was more than prepared to continue sharing in your heart, anything to still have you in his life. But then you chose to stay with him after defeating the Absolute, and you continued to choose him day after day. You often reminded him of his worth when he couldn’t understand what he did differently to deserve you. His love for you only swelled to unbelievable heights, watered by the consistency of various acts of affection that you two showered each other with. Your love always overcame any hiccups and minor conflicts, rising above them and further strengthening your bond.

And standing there now, engulfing you in his large arms while recalling the past, it was enough to forget all that happened. It was easy to get lost in you again, to believe that he was still back on Toril and in Faerûn. His heart still desperately longed for you, his soul burning to reconnect with yours, sensing you were still there within. He longed to revive the fires between you, and to spend hours enveloped in your embrace, to make up for lost time.

“And my heart will be yours. Always,” Halsin would murmur to you before sealing his promise with a deepening kiss. Your warm breath would mingle with his as his lips would explore yours, slowly, intently. He’d chuckle as your tongue began tracing along his bottom lip, seeking entry which he always obliged, tasting you eagerly.

The image alone caused a sudden flush deep in his abdomen as hot blood flowed toward his hardening bulge. He stifled a groan, bringing himself back to the present as he remembered the brutal reality of this embrace. It was another goodbye; one he didn’t get the chance to fully have before your body so quickly faded from his arms, disappearing somewhere into the timeless space of the Astral Plane, becoming a permanent part of it… or so he thought.

Oh, how he ached to feel more of you, to let the softness of your robe slip from your shoulders, dropping to the floor. To have your skin against his… But he couldn’t, for you were already too kind to give him this much already.

Halsin shifted his hips, suddenly nervous that you were starting to feel him. Creating some space between your lower bodies, he hoped that he was discreet enough, not wanting to make you uncomfortable. But despite the building heat filling his abdomen, and the involuntary reaction to your touch, he wasn’t ready to let go of you yet. So, he held you a little longer, inhaling your scent and silently reveling in how perfectly you molded into him.

After some time, he couldn’t be sure how long, you were pulling away from one another, both of your movements slow and reluctant. His chest felt colder without you, already missing the warmth of your cheek, wishing these clothes weren’t an unwelcome barrier.

His large hands held onto your much smaller forearms, your fingers returning the connection, both reluctant to separate. Halsin watched your face rise to look at him, your gaze was so innocent and yet full of so many emotions. It pained him that he had frightened you, or the situation itself rather.

He continued to stare at you, intense, imprinting your image in his mind, not that he could ever forget it. You looked exactly the same, save for your more human ears and how you wore your hair, but it was the same face he fell for over thirty years ago. Halsin looked down at your lips as they parted, anticipating your angelic voice to grace his ears.

“Will you be okay?” you asked tenderly, full of concern.

His heart skipped at your worry for him, even now, when you had no memory of who he was. Even now, when you were wrestling with a torrent of emotions, your life completely changing in one night.

Halsin tried to smile convincingly as he reassured you that he would be fine, so long as you were. His thumb rubbed idly against your arm. “Finding you at all is more than I could’ve ever dreamed of. And I will spend the rest of time being thankful, until my flesh finally yields to nature.”

He watched your chest hitch a bit, a gasp you likely tried to conceal from him. He stood with bated breath while your eyes roamed over his face, carefully taking in his features. He noticed you looking over his scars, then down to his lips, lingering there. Halsin felt himself twitch, the blood throbbing against his pants never waning. He almost leaned forward, severing the distance to capture your lips in a heated kiss. But with a quiet breath, he swallowed the temptation, uneasily rubbing his lips together.

Halsin was a master of restraint, especially if he was unsure his advances would be reciprocated. That was until he finally allowed himself to feel, all those years ago, after lifting the shadow curse. From then on, he lost himself in you often with abandon, only pulling back when he felt the bear stirring…sometimes at least.

But your eyes left his lips, shifting over to his druidic tattoo. He wanted to tell you about it again, like he once did as the two of you sat near the edge of a river, sharing stories before you ended the night with passionate lovemaking. But he didn’t want to further overwhelm you with more stories of a life you didn’t remember, a life that was too much for your current mind to grasp.

Halsin watched you lean upwards, still eyeing that side of his cheek. His heart skipped as you drew closer, and he bent down, assisting you as he tilted his head a bit. He closed his eyes, bracing himself for the feel of your lips again. Though it would not be upon his own, he would not be greedy, thankful for anything you were willing to give him. The softness of your breath caressed his skin, sending a hot flash down his neck. Your lips, tender and a little cool, pressed ever-so-gently against his cheek. His skin tingled, filling with blood at the sensation of your soft lips.

But the euphoric feeling was cut short as Halsin felt you jolt backwards, nearly falling, but he was quick to catch you. Panic surged through him as he captured you back in his arms, carrying your numb weight. He eyed you frantically, startled by the shocked, faraway look in your eyes.

Your legs started to wobble, even as Halsin held you, so he guided you to the floor as gently as he could. Resting on his knees, he held one arm around your back, with the other hand coming to lift your chin.

“My heart?” Halsin breathed hastily, panicked, searching your eyes for any sign that you were there. But your gaze looked past him, a half-shocked, half-focused expression in your eyes. “What is it? Come back to me.”

He reached within himself, conjuring the magic that coursed throughout his essence. Pushing through his racing heart, he desperately brought his magic forth as golden light rose from his hand. He waved it over your face, closing his eyes, hoping to sense what suddenly ailed you. But a strange, mental force blocked him, thrusting him back. His magical light waned but Halsin did not relent. He muttered a spell, and bright, blue light now took the space of the golden one, and he pressed it to your cheek, hoping it would bring your consciousness forth.

But the gentle light simply caressed your cheek and flowed into your face, having no influence on your current affliction. His hands were trembling now, unsure what was happening to you but not giving up his efforts. The hammering in his heart was loud in his ears, fear rushing through him as you remained unresponsive despite your eyes still being open, the distant look ever-present.

Seconds passed rapidly, Halsin muttering spell after spell to heal or to remove a curse, remembering the levels to it that Shadowheart once taught him. But this did nothing to aid you.

A sudden thought beamed in his mind; to pick you up and open another portal to take you back to Faerûn. There, just maybe he could find the help you needed. Halsin knew nothing of this world, of its inhabitants, he wouldn’t know who to take you to. But if he went back home, there was already someone not far on the other side he could summon to help him, to help you.

But fear halted him. How would you react to this once you awoke? To find yourself in a world far from home without your consent? You were already afraid and overwhelmed, to wake up in a foreign place seemed like too much. He shuddered at the thought, hating the idea of you being angry with him. Yet, if it helped you, he would risk it.

But another thought challenged this… could he even open another portal so soon? He huffed, frustration snatching him entirely, mingling with the fear that gripped his throat as he held you.

Halsin leaned forward, resting his forehead against yours, and breathed deeply. “My heart…please.”

Your body gave another jolt.

You felt strong arms holding you, suspecting them to be Halsin’s, but you couldn’t see him anymore. The familiarity of your kitchen was gone, replaced by a flash of white light that nearly blinded you. An intense force erupted in your head, and you felt yourself being thrust forward, like being pulled into a vacuum. But as you looked around, you could only see a swirl of lights rushing past your face.

You frantically waved your arms around, desperately trying to find something to grasp onto, hoping to slow your body down but to no avail. You were soaring through this strange wormhole of colorful lights. The speed was faster than you could comprehend, and when you managed to look at your arms, an ethereal misty light floated over your skin, moving haphazardly. It had the same shape as your arms, your legs, and your torso, slipping partially out of your body before being snapped back inside. Fear gripped you like a vice as you realized what you were seeing was you, or your soul at least.

This is a dream. It’s just a dream. But you couldn’t remember falling asleep. Weren’t you just standing in your kitchen? You were talking to someone. A visitor. A man. An…elf? A handsome face flickered in your mind. Halsin! Where was he? What was happening? Panic started to have its way within you, but you willed yourself to stay strong, mentally holding onto your essence.

Whatever was happening, it was not going to take your soul, you wouldn’t allow it. But no matter how quickly you moved through this strange place, faster than sound, faster than light perhaps, your spirit remained with you, flickering in and out of view but otherwise attached. Your mind rattled as a million random visions assaulted you all at once.

Lights passed, unseen faces flashing by. A new feeling emerged, a sense of awareness. No, these were not random visions, but memories…your memories. They zipped by, and you desperately tried to focus. Wherever you were, whatever was happening had to be in your mind, so you should be able to control it, right?

The bizarre, portal-like wormhole shifted, dropping you into another gravity-less tunnel. It was brighter there. Blue and purple lights swirled around you, and the images reemerged, flying along each side of you like old film strips. You willed yourself to focus, to grasp onto them, they were yours after all and you had every right to access them.

A warmth spread across your chest and your forehead started tingling. Through the chaos, the visuals started to slow, briefly, flickering in and out as if they were also trying to find you, to give you a clearer view. Time began to slow, allowing you a chance to analyze each memory, to pause time before it rushed past you again. Hundreds— thousands of visuals passed by, but your mind was faster, quickly deciphering what memories you could before they zapped away again.

You saw a city, buzzing with people, but it wasn’t like the modern one you knew with hordes of foot traffic and annoyed drivers. This one felt older, brimming with magic, where unique races of all kinds roamed the streets together. Baldur’s Gate. You remembered it! You lived there once. Then, it flashed away.

⋆

A quiet beach, warm white sands beneath your feet. You stepped towards the water, flinching at the sudden coolness. You were just outside of Baldur’s Gate, visiting your cousin who was already waist-deep in the water. They beckoned you to hurry up. The waves were calm today, the perfect time to swim along the shallows.

A massive shadow suddenly blocked out the sun. You looked up, some sort of ship with… tentacles? The Nautiloid. Your heart lurched. It abducted you that day.

⋆

Another flash. Gone was the sun and sandy beaches, replaced by darkness and worn stone beneath your boots.

“Ugh, I’m going to smell like goblin guts for weeks.” You knew that voice, it came from your left. White hair entered the side of your vision. Astarion. “This isn’t good for my hair, you know,” you heard him say, groaning in defeat.

Behind you, Lae’zel and Gale followed as you led them through a winding side section of the dungeon-like camp.

Gale clasped his hands, following closely. “Right then! Let’s just find our ‘Master Druid’ and hopefully sort out this whole worm-in-our-heads mess.”

⋆

A bear behind bars. It was angry. Massive. No, not just a bear, an elf. The one you and your companions were searching for. Your heart hitched; you knew that druid. He was your druid. His eyes found yours, body covered in blood and viscera. You reached for him, nearly desperate. The vision faltered.

⋆

Laughter at a campfire. You were dancing around it, arms linked with Karlach and Wyll as you enthusiastically skipped along the ground while Astarion’s skillful fingers thrummed away at his lute. You caught a glance of Shadowheart trying to convince a very stern Lae’zel to put her sword down and have a drink. And across from them was Gale, who looked flushed after one too many cups of wine. He had conjured a magical image of Mystra, sighing as he gazed sadly at her.

You remembered this night. They were your companions, your friends. Across the fire, you glanced at him, Halsin. He was smiling, pure glee in his warm eyes as he watched you all dance the night away.

⋆

A small boy stood before you, tiny, horn-like branches protruding out of his head. “Ketheric Thorm must die,” the young boy said. But not just a boy- something older, something a part of the land around you. Shadows. A curse.

A grieving father, a general, invulnerable no longer. He dropped his weapon and freely fell backward into the eerie, green pool. You sprang forth, halted by Halsin’s grip. The ground trembled. A skeletal god emerged.

⋆

It had been days since you first met Halsin in the forest, who stood waiting for you by a large tree. He was so nervous that night. The tall, large Archdruid of many lovers, whose stomach was in knots at the thought of confessing himself to you.

Your relationship reached new, beautiful heights that night. Now, you were running through a similar forest, your throat echoing with laughter and excitement, the trees whipping past your heated face. Halsin was sprinting behind you, a hunter. The chase was thrilling. You couldn’t wait until he finally pounced on you, trapping you under his weight. But you’d make him work a little harder first.

⋆

“You’re one of them? All this time?” shock gripped your entire being as you stared up at the illithid. Your guardian, or who they had claimed to be anyway. Betrayal. Anger. Pondering… A decision was made to give it a chance since it had been helpful thus far. But one chance only.

“Thank you for trusting me,” the emperor said, its voice powerful and reverberating through you.

“Tsk’va!” Lae’zel spat. “My people broke free from ghaik enslavement, and now I would ally myself with one? If it so much as thinks of betraying us, I’ll cut off its tentacles myself!

⋆

Gale brushed down his robe, then reached to pick up his quarterstaff. “Well, the so-called ‘Slayer’ is no more.”

You bent down, digging through Orin’s pile of gore for the glowing stone. You grabbed it and then tentatively scanned the massive chamber, watching as the other followers of Bhaal simply looked down at you, disinterested.

Behind you, the druid’s deep voice reached your ears. “You would think they’d be more… dismayed about the fall of one of their own,” he said, hovering over you as if to act as a shield.

Gale chuckled. “On the contrary, I think they rather enjoyed the show. But best we do not linger.”

⋆

Sorrow filled your chest, aching to console your angered, distraught friend-turned-sister. But you stood still, not wanting to pressure her. She needed to get this out, to verbally rage with abandon to anyone who would simply listen.

“He’s dead, and he’s no fucking sorrier now than he was before.” Karlach gritted her teeth, her orange flames brightening, dancing along her skin. “I’m going to be as dead as Gortash any day now. Any moment. And what then?”

You started to reach for her, but the image blurred, rocketing away again.

⋆

Falling through the sky, winds rushed past your face, gravity doing nothing to save you. Large arms enveloped you from behind, shielding your back just as you both hit the water. Your arms and legs kicked and flailed in the water, trying to steady yourself in the chaos.

But you were not alone. You calmed as you recognized you were still being held, protected, already breaching the surface with almost no effort on your part. Exhausted, Halsin guided you toward land, the two of you scrambling to get back onto the docks. Coughs and sputtering filled the air around you, and a giant moan blared across the water. A fallen netherbrain, defeated. A bright, electric flash blinded you as the brain finally succumbed.

⋆

Heavy breaths, needy touches, and racing hearts gave the room life. Halsin’s lips tasted your chest, your neck, your jaw, then back to your lips again. You pulled away a few inches, staring at him, the two of you still bloodied and bruised, his lips swollen from your kiss. You had won, no more than an hour ago.

The city was battered, with several miles of destruction outside the window, it would take time to heal, to rebuild. But that could wait. Celebrations were already taking place. The evil was defeated, and you urgently needed to feel Halsin’s touch again as soon as possible.

⋆

White lights passed by, like streaks of lightning. Another vision. You honed in before it could rush away. A bedroom, golden light filtering in through sheer curtains. Peace washed over you as your bare legs draped lazily over thick thighs.

Your heart swelled, glancing up at your sleepy-eyed druid. “Good morning, my heart,” he whispered before leaning down to kiss your forehead.

Your stomach fluttered; heart happy. Twenty years of waking up in Halsin’s arms never dulled, no matter where the two of you were.

You broke the kiss to look at him, noting the lace of worry in his eyes. He hardly slept. You frowned, reaching to place a hand against his cheek. You already sensed what may be troubling him for it had been on your mind as well. “Did you rest at all, my love?”

Halsin breathed heavily, his large chest moving beneath you. “It was…difficult to.” You felt the pace of his strong heart begin to rise, ever so slightly. “We rejoin our friends and allies today, to take the fight to Vlaakith. I… I suppose a part of me worries.”

You smiled softly at him, full of understanding. It had been years since you faced such a foe. You had years of peace and bliss together since the fall of The Absolute. Not even your trip to Avernus to find someone to fix Karlach’s heart resulted in any remarkable enemies, completely avoiding Zariel’s detection. You stroked your thumb along the scars on his beautiful face, reaching back up to brush your lips against his.

You wanted to linger in this memory of calmness, to grasp onto it longer. But your mind’s hold was loosening, and just like that, it flashed away from you.

⋆

A sudden lurch forward, your body was thrust through a white light, eyes closing at the intense brightness. You fell roughly on your knees against a hard surface, hissing at the contact. Upon opening your eyes again, you half-expected to be back on your kitchen floor, back on Earth. But as your vision cleared, instead of the ceramic tile flooring beneath you, there was dark rock and dirt. A tingling sensation ran down your arms. You lifted your hands, palms up, watching as blue sparks of lightning flickered between your fingers, eager to shoot out at anything you commanded it to. But things felt different this time. You weren’t simply watching a memory anymore; you were living it.

Part 4 here!

Note: I must admit, I'm very eager to post the next part. I hope I can edit and have it up within the next two days. Thank you again to everyone reading!

[mysharona1987]

[neridiem]

big bad wolf

i’m back at my marauders bullshit😌 apparently once you’re in this fandom you’ll never get out

[jax-winchester]

Once I start to associate a song with a character the song will never be the same to me again.

[doubledaybooks]

There’s a chapter of the Qur’an called “Comfort,” sometimes translated as “Consolation” or “Solace.” And in it, a verse: “With every hardship there is ease. With every hardship there is ease.” The same line repeated twice, in case we have trouble believing it the first time. In case we have a hard time recognizing ease even when it is offered to us, even when it is served to us on a white plate. In case we are drowning in our hardship and cannot see those tiny life rafts of ease—soft potatoes, meat slow-roasted to velvet, your mother’s laugh trilling gently in your ear. -Aisha Abdel Gawad, BETWEEN TWO MOONS

[antheyaaa]

The Last Recording

Andre Kriegman x reader

The basement smelled of old wood, damp, and something else you couldn't name, but it made you feel strangely uneasy. The light bulb on the ceiling barely illuminated the room, casting quivering shadows on the raw concrete walls. You sat on a worn-out couch, your hands clasped in your lap to hide their shaking.

Andre stood opposite, focused on the TV screen. Calvin sat on the floor, fiddling with the old camera's casing as if he wanted to fix something. They were both quiet, but the tension in the air was almost intangible.

A recording appeared on the screen.

You and Andre had known each other for a long time. You weren't friends in the classic sense of the word, but you had something in common. Maybe it was the same disappointment with people, empty smiles and how everyone pretended that everything was fine.

But it wasn't fine.

You didn't expect that when Andre finally invited you into his world, you would see something like this.

On the TV screen Andre and Calvin were sitting in front of the camera their faces were calm, almost serene.

"Day 47." Calvin's voice sounded dispassionate. "it's almost over."

"In a few weeks everything will be over." Added Andre.

You felt your stomach tighten into a knot.

"Why are you showing me this?" Your voice was uncertain and quiet, almost inaudible.

Andre finally looked away from the screen. His eyes were dark, thoughtful, as if he was analyzing your every reaction.

"Because you're the only person who can understand it."

But you don't understand.

You didn't want to understand.

You already knew there was no turning back.

You didn't know what to say. Andre stared at you, his gaze attentive , almost analytical. Calvin shrugged and went back to tinkering with the camera, as if your reaction was something completely predictable.

"What do you mean everything will end?" you finally asked, although the answer was already circling in your head.

Andre looked at you, then sighed.

"Don't pretend you don't understand."

Your heart started beating faster. Of course you understood. Maybe not right away, but when you put all the little moments and elements together in your mind, it became clear as day.

They were planning something.

Something that couldn't be undone.

Something that was supposed to change everything.

"This is some kind of joke, right?" You tried to laugh, but the sound of your voice was empty.

Andre reached into the drawer and pulled out a small, unremarkable notebook. he threw it on the table in front of you.

You hesitantly opened the first page. Your heart stopped for a second when you saw detailed diagrams, drawings of the school building, escape routes marked in red, break times listed. On the following pages were lists of names, next to which were notes "avoid", "first", "not important".

It wasn't a joke.

"No...you can't do that."

Calvin snorted and Andrea raised an eyebrow as if you had just said something absurd.

"We have already decided".

"Have you decided?!" Your hands tightened on the edge of the notebook "You can't just... stop?"

Andre was silent for a moment, as if he was really thinking about it.

"And if we don't want to?"

You closed your eyes for a moment, trying to gather your thoughts. It was you, strangers, random psychopaths from the newspaper headlines. It was Andre - the guy you argued with many times over stupid things, who smoked cigarettes behind the school, who had this strange smile when he thought no one was watching. It was Calvin - a little quiet, a little unpredictable, but always faithful to andre.

It was them.

And suddenly you felt that if you said something or did something inappropriate now, there would be no turning back.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you are a part of everything, whether you like it or not."

You didn't know if it was a threat or a fact.

You left the basement as if in a trance.

The night air was chilly, and you felt as if you were standing in the middle of a fire. Your thoughts revolved around one question: what now?

You could go to the police.

You could have called anyone, teachers, parents, anyone who had enough power to stop them.

But you didn't.

Days passed and you went to school as if nothing had happened. You passed by Andre in the hallway and he looked at you in this specific way, as if he was saying:and what now?

Maybe you were afraid it was too late.

But you knew one thing - if you were going to do something, you would have to do it yourself.

It was supposed to happen that day.

The school was as always full of people, their laughter and conversation sounded like the buzzing of flies in your ears. No one knew that these were the last moments of their normal lives.

Andre was sitting against the wall in the cafeteria, his hand playing with an empty soda can. His gaze met yours, and you saw something strange in his eyes.

Was he waiting for you to do something?

You could still run away. You could give them up.

But you couldn't move from the spot.

And that's when it started. The first shot split the air like a bolt of lightning.

Screams. Panic.

And you stood in the middle of it all, unable to move.

When it was all over, when the last shot rang out in the empty corridor, you looked at your phone screen.

Andre left you a message.

"I hope you understood."

And then you felt that you had never understood anything less than you do now.

I just want to say that this is my first time writing + English is not my first language so I apologize for all the mistakes I made. I haven't watched the movie "zero day" so I don't know the story. I wrote this for my friend so Sandruś if you're reading this I hope you like it and that I satisfied your delulu.

with love-Antheya

[tobstr]

One day I'll write down all my jashin hc

(like for the religion)

Hidan said there was a lot of tedious shit they do (I'm assuming outside of the sacrifices and crap we see in the show)

I'm so sad more wasn't talked abt

It's even said that people aren't sure if jashin is a real god in the series or not

That's left to speculation

I'm going with the path that jashin is a real god

Mostly with the idea of the Shinobi world being filled with violence and suffer

With all the war, it only makes sense

(and this will add on to Aku as well :3)

[germplush]

💔 we want more sesame street plushies all we have is Big Bird amd Julia 💔 love them dearly though here's some art we took with big bird ok our couch