#like his mom would introduce us as her kids to friends or strangers

[just-rogi]

.

[stevesworld96]

look at me now (part one)

--- steve harrington x fem!reader

childhood friends to strangers to lovers. this is a more realistic look at developing a relationship with steve, set in canon while you know nothing about the monsters, or the nightmares, or all of his scars.

a fic about knowing steve before, during, and after the events of the upside down. including all the ways your friendship with him grows, wilts, then grows again - to blossom into something he probably doesn’t deserve. 

tags: fem reader, no use of y/n, childhood friends, typical king steve meanness, yes there is an allusion to steve being icarus, kissing, fighting and making up, cliches, a lot of emotions, depression and suffering etc, reader has an aunt, mentions of death and injuries, codependent steve and robin, steve is so so so so so so so sad. hawkins doesn't get destroyed after the vecna fight - everything else follows canon

please read both parts, i worked so hard on this fic and i'm really proud of it :)

part two!!!

word count: 14878

-

You knew Steve Harrington better than you knew anybody. At least, you liked to think so. 

You were five when you moved to Hawkins into the house right next door to Steve’s, and as things go when you’re a kid, that automatically made you best friends. At that age you didn’t have to try to be friends with somebody - as long as they lived nearby and had a bike, that sealed the deal. 

He was only knee high to his mother, hiding behind her legs when she brought him over to introduce themselves. “We’re the Harrington's,” she said, then with a tight laugh, “minus one - my husband. This is our son. Steve - say hi, Stevie.” 

He didn’t. Your mothers started a polite conversation and your eyes darted between the tall woman and her son. She was dressed like she had somewhere important to be, with red lipstick painted on her lips and pearls hung around her neck. She was pretty. 

Her son didn’t stand with the same pride she had - he was peeking at you, tugging the hem of his mother’s dress and looking down at his feet. You could hardly get a good look at him, and he didn’t even wave back at you. His haircut was prim and proper; the button up shirt he wore was swallowing him.

They came inside for lemonade, and you led Steve into your living room, and by the end of the hour you had instantly become friends, bonding over your toy car collection that Steve loved. 

You were kids - of course things were so easy. 

To see him, all you had to do was walk over to his front door and knock, and you could spend as much time together as you wanted. Or just wait until his parents needed a babysitter - after they learned how much you and Steve loved spending time together, they started to drop him off at your house and you’d have sleepovers for days. 

It was when Mr. Harrington had gotten a big promotion that they’d leave Steve with your family nearly once a week. 

“I’m sorry, Stevie, I know me and Dad haven’t been home much lately. But next month isn’t as busy for us,” his mom would tell him. 

“It’s okay, Mom,” he’d reply. “Don’t worry, I like staying here, so I’m alright.” 

At your age you didn’t see the irony in a seven year old telling his mother that things were okay - shouldn’t it be the other way around? - but those apologies from his mother wouldn’t last very long. And the promises she always made were never kept. Soon enough, she stopped making them altogether. 

Sometimes he’d just show up at your door, and your parents didn’t have to ask questions because they already knew more than you did, and you didn’t understand that he was more comfortable in your bedroom than in his own. 

The routine of your friendship felt like the foundation of your life. Everything you did was with Steve by your side, like you were tied together with an invisible string that couldn’t be broken. Snacks after school were a must; movie nights every other weekend were your safe haven. The last day of school every year you camped out in his backyard under the stars and then woke up early for a big breakfast and a day spent at the arcade. Even as you got older, those things stayed the same. 

You had busier schedules to work around in high school but you still made it work. After-school lunch turned into midnight snacks, and you moved from the arcade to the lake, but you were still intertwined with child-like joy and ease. 

Steve’s other friends were another story. Tommy H was a thorn in your side that you couldn’t pick out, but Steve didn’t get why you hated him so much. At first, you didn’t get it either - you just did.  

Until one day early in your junior year, Tommy H gave you a good enough reason for your disposition. 

Like always, Steve was waiting for you outside of your last class of the day, and you were just about to turn the corner when you heard Tommy’s loud, boisterous, annoying voice. 

“Steve, my boy, what’cha standing around here for?” 

Steve laughed, even though Tommy had said nothing funny. 

“Waiting on your favorite girl so I can get outta here - what’s up, dude?” 

“Come on,” Tommy said, dragging the words out. “We got shit to do, ditch her and let’s get a roll on, if you catch my drift.” 

You could see his stupid face in your head as he spoke - you just wanted him to go away so you could leave. But you’d wait there forever if it meant you didn’t have to have a conversation with him. 

You were hardly paying any mind to their words. 

“Can’t, dude, I’m her ride home. Tomorrow though, for sure.” 

“She’s holding you back, man.” 

But that caught your attention. They were both laughing even though, again, no one had said anything funny. 

“Y’think so?” 

“She even put out?” 

Your eyes rolled so far back to your head they could’ve gotten stuck. 

“It’s not like that with her.” 

“Oh, that’s not what Kimmy thinks.” 

“What? What do you mean - did she say something?” 

You knew Kimmy to be the new flavor of the week, Steve’s new eye candy. It’d be someone new in a matter of days - and this was one brand new trait of his you were struggling to overlook. 

“Just saying, most of the chicks think you’re taken by Miss Bitch -” 

You call Tommy H a dickhead to his face one time and he gives you a nickname that sticks for three years. 

“- and that’s why you’re not getting any action, dude. Gotta shake off the fleas, man.” 

And then Steve laughed. Loud.

You weren’t sure what you were expecting him to do. You hoped he would defend you even a little bit, but he didn’t. He just laughed, and said, “I’ll think about it, man,” as if he was in on this joke, and then Tommy left. 

And you didn’t know how you felt. 

It’s not like Steve said it. But he had no problem listening to Tommy H talk about you that way. He thought it was funny. 

Or, he was just saving face - did that make a difference?

You knew Tommy’s words were complete bullshit, and you didn’t care about him enough to let it affect you. Maybe Steve felt the same - maybe he just went along with it because it was easier. 

You hoped so, because that’s what you chose to do. You brushed it off and walked out of the room and acted as if nothing happened. 

“Hey - about time.” 

You didn’t reply; he continued talking as you walked together. 

“You hungry?” 

“Thought you were coming over,” you said. “Told you I wanted to build a blanket fort. Remember?” 

He huffed out a scoff, “A blanket fort? Are you six?” The glare you gave him made him reel his judgment back in. “Fine. Let’s go.” 

…

As soon as basketball season was over and you had your weekends back to yourself, you were ready to get through your watch list of movies as quickly as possible. You’d never tell Steve that cheering for him at his games was your least favorite part of your friendship with him - you would always keep that selfishness to yourself. 

And if you weren’t so wrapped up in your own mind, lost in planning your movie night, you may have been able to see your next conversation with Steve coming. 

“There she is, been lookin’ all over for you.” 

A heavy arm slung around your shoulders as you walked down the school hall. You didn’t have to question who it was. 

“What do you want, Steve?” 

“Just want to see my best friend in the whole world, is there something wrong with that?” 

You rolled your eyes. Obviously he’s up to something. 

“I’m going to choose to ignore you,” you said, shaking off his arm and stopping at your locker. His back fell into the metal next to you. 

“What’s up?” he asked, and he was trying too hard to be inconspicuous, but you ignored it. 

“Nothing. Oh, I think I finally have a cookie recipe we’ll like. Mrs. Jenkins gave it to me but she made me swear I wouldn’t share her secrets. Gonna pick up the stuff after school - have you picked your movie yet?” 

Then his eyes widened, a bit too much to look genuine. “Oh, shit, is that tonight?” 

“It’s Friday, isn’t it?” 

“I completely forgot about that, shit. I made other plans without thinking.” 

“Well, cancel them,” you said with a straight face. 

“Well… what if you join in on my plans instead?” 

You closed your locker and didn’t even consider entertaining Steve’s idea. “My mom’s already planning to make dinner for you. Are you ready to face her wrath?” 

“Well - no,” he said. “It’s just - y’know, I was supposed to see Nancy tonight, and…” 

“Oh, I get it, you wanna cancel so you can get laid. Is that it?” 

“No, Christ - I’ll be there, alright? But next time, I’m getting my way.” 

 You laughed at him, and the bell rang and ended your conversation. 

You didn’t think the night would go any differently than your normal hangouts. Maybe if you were expecting it, the disappointment wouldn’t have stung so bad. 

He called you early. 

“Hello?” 

“Hey -”

“Hey, have you picked up the movies yet? I forgot to get popcorn, so…” 

“No, I haven’t. Listen, um…” There was static on the line for a moment before he continued. “Sorry, but - can we - are you sure we can’t reschedule? Like, tomorrow night?” 

You groaned, you were annoyed. But even when he argued with you, Steve never ditched your valued traditions - he may act bothered sometimes, but he would always come around. Even if he did gripe about it being childish the entire time.  

That’s what you thought this would be. 

“No, Steve, I have book club and tutoring and dinner with my aunt tomorrow. You know this.” 

“Right. I guess I forgot about that. Okay, well…” 

“...Well?” 

Once again, he was quiet, and you weren’t sure if he was hesitating because he didn’t know what to say, or because he was nervous. 

“Well - I think it’d be really fun if we hung out at my place tonight!” 

“I guess I can bring all the ingredients for the cookies over. You do have a nicer oven…” you said.

“No, like, you can come over with everyone else I invited and we could -” 

“I thought you canceled that?” 

“I was going to, but… Tommy wouldn’t take no for an answer! And we already got the booze, and Nance finally said yes and - and I’d be really happy if you were here too!” 

“...Okay.”

“Okay…?”

You thought for a moment, then decided to ask him the question you were asking yourself. 

“Would you be happy if I was there, or would you be happy if I’m not mad at you for canceling?” 

“Uh - either one.” 

“Right.” 

That answer was good enough for you, even though it wasn’t the one you wanted. You weren’t getting anything you wanted that night, and you weren’t going to fight for it with someone who already had their mind made up. 

“Then have fun,” you said. 

“Really? We can cancel?” 

The excitement in his voice caused an angry laugh. “Yeah. Bye.” And you hung up. 

And you made your cookies, and you watched the movies you already had on tape, and you didn’t miss the popcorn but you wished you had Steve’s lap to put your feet on - and it was fine. 

You were sure he was having fun. And maybe he didn’t care at all about your canceled plans - because he was too busy with people who didn’t like you, doing something more exciting than what the two of you did as kids. 

It was selfish to be angry. Maybe it was wrong. But you let it boil over anyway. 

… 

You didn’t talk to him for a week after that. Because you didn’t want to, and you wanted to teach him a lesson, and you hoped it would make him sorry. 

Maybe you were being immature, but at this point, you were committed. 

You were afraid that you were setting the wrong example - that, maybe, he thought you were angry about him making his own plans, when the problem was how he’d canceled yours so last minute. Or perhaps it was both. But now you had dragged it out too long and you were stuck giving Steve the cold shoulder until he finally caved in and apologized. 

That’s all you wanted, really: an apology. And a bribe or two, just to get the most out of this argument. That’s how things usually went: you give him the silent treatment and he shows up at your door with your favorite snacks and a new book, and things would go back to normal. 

But not this time. 

You’d managed to bike to school without being caught by Steve all week, but you’d underestimated him waiting for you at the bike racks at the end of the day on Thursday. 

He stood with his arms crossed and his brows drawn together. The moment you saw him you stopped in your tracks, like if you stayed still he wouldn’t see you, but his gaze was locked on. It didn’t look kind. 

So you prepared yourself for this fight. 

“What are you doing?” he asked, but his tone said something different - it said, I’m sick of your shit. 

“What are you doing?” 

He scoffed and rolled his eyes, “Just wondering how long you’re going to keep dragging this out.” 

You kept darting around his words and moved to get your bike as if he’d let you leave so easily. “I’m not dragging anything out. Don’t know what you mean.” 

His arms flung out to his sides as his voice raised, “You’re acting like a fucking kid!”

And your volume matched his, “You hurt my feelings!” 

“Well - grow up!” 

The short silence that followed felt heavy, but he didn’t let it sit for long. 

“I mean - come on - I ditch you one time and all of a sudden we’re not friends anymore? Really?” 

“A sorry would be nice, Steve.” 

“I’ve said sorry.” Both of you knew that he hadn’t, but it didn’t matter now. “But sorry isn’t enough, is it? You’re just mad that I have new friends. Because I don’t want to just - sit around and fucking - watch movies in your living room like we’re kids -” 

“Like we’re kids,” you said, laughing. “Yeah - right, because that’s really what this is about, isn’t it, Steve?” 

He looked confused, and you didn’t give him the chance to speak. 

“Because I’m holding you back. Right? Tommy H said it so it must be true. I’m a bitch and I’m keeping you down and you need to shake me off if you ever want to get any action - that’s what it is. Just say it, Steve.” 

“Where is this coming from?” He ran a hand through his hair and his voice sounded desperate, but you weren’t sure what for. Maybe to salvage the remnants of a wounded friendship, to turn this conversation around. But your anger wouldn’t let him. 

“You know where it’s coming from. I heard it, Steve, and you - you agreed with him! I’m your best friend but you can’t even defend me to your shitty fucking friends - so just say it! You’re the one who doesn’t want me around -” 

“That’s not what happened -” 

You were so angry, and he was lying, and Steve never lied to you, and he’d filled you with so much venom that you couldn’t help spitting it out as you stepped closer to him. “It is. And you’re turning it on me when you’re the shitty friend. Stop lying to me and just say it.” 

“Yeah, maybe that is what it is - and I was just too fucking stupid to see it before now. That you’re so fucking clingy I can’t even have one night with a girl without you getting jealous. He was right. Is that what you wanted to hear?” 

“Yeah, it was,” and you pulled your bike free and your foot hit the kickstand so hard that it hurt, and you told yourself the pain was the reason tears were flooding your eyes. 

“Maybe I’m better off without you - have you ever thought about that? Is that your fucking problem?”

“Whatever! I don’t care anymore! You never have to watch another fucking movie with me again, alright? We won’t go to the arcade or build stupid fucking blanket forts or any of the other childish shit you hate so much!”

“Good - fucking - good!” 

“And I hope you have fun playing King, and I hope when all your friends turn on you and Nancy dumps your ass - because you’re an asshole - that I’m the last person you run to for help, and I hope your dad is real fucking proud of you, because you’re turning out to be just fucking like him.” 

It all fell out like you were pushing rocks off of a cliff - fast and angry and hard. You knew what those words would do to him. You knew you were hurting his feelings more than he had ever hurt yours - that you were putting the knife in too deep to pull out. You knew and you said it anyway, because you were mad and he was being a dick and lashing out felt good. Especially when you could hop on your bike and ride away from him, fast enough to avoid watching the blood pooling at his feet. 

The worst part is that you were being honest. 

Steve stood there alone and didn’t even turn to watch you ride away. He felt like hitting something, or screaming until his lungs were empty and tired. 

And he didn’t even have time for any of this. He was finally making decisions for himself, for once, and who were you to get mad at him for that? He was popular, he had a girlfriend who was actually into him, his parents had finally gotten off his back. Things were going fantastic for him and he wasn’t going to let you mess it up because you were… jealous, or selfish, or whatever it was - Steve didn’t care. 

He wasn’t going to lose sleep over you refusing to grow up and give him space. He was on top of the world, and you were trying to tear him down. 

He didn’t need you, anyway. 

… 

Months passed.

And, like you had put a hex on him, all of your words came true - and then some. It didn’t take very long for things to crumble around him, and Steve almost thought it was funny how quickly his wings had melted to send him hurling into the ground. 

No matter how hard he tried patching the holes, everyone knows you can’t fly with wings made of wax.

The fall hurt. But it was what came after that brought the real pain - a stinging, striking ache that was impossible to ignore. It felt like he was the last person on earth and he deserved it; like he shouldn’t be allowed to be around other people because he was no good.

And every time he tried putting the pieces back together, things only got more broken - all starting at Jonathan Byers’ front door. 

What could get worse than fighting a monster from an alternate dimension? 

Or fucking things up with your girlfriend beyond repair? 

Or fighting those monsters again? 

He learned quickly to stop asking stupid questions like those. 

And he learned that he couldn’t just close his eyes and wish it away. He couldn’t run when things got scary; he couldn’t lash out when someone was honest with him; he couldn’t sneak out of his window and into yours when the yelling got too loud. He was forced to face everything he ever hid from, cursed to have regrets and keep them. 

At least he wasn’t completely alone - the company of nerdy kid genius Dustin Henderson brought most of these lessons on. And in a normal situation Steve wouldn’t recommend learning anything from a kid in junior high, but he was living anything but a normal life. He’d take friends wherever he could get them, especially during senior year. 

Maybe he wanted to set a good example for the kids that suddenly came into his life. Maybe he wanted to prove to himself that he wasn’t his father - that he could do good things without getting something out of it. Or maybe, most likely, he just did it. 

He wanted to feel like a superhero, wanted to look in the mirror and feel proud of what stared back at him. But he didn’t, because he wasn’t. He wasn’t brave or heroic or gallant - he was no Clark Kent. And everything he did was because he had to. Because who else would? 

Sometimes he felt like only someone as careless as him would fight a man-eating creature with nothing but a baseball bat - because out of everyone he knew, he had the least to lose. Why bother making safe decisions when most days he didn’t even want to get out of bed? What was he risking when he’d already bet it all and lost? 

And who would be proud of that?

But there were moments, in the time between the fall and the fight, that he could almost see it. Like a flicker of light passing by he’d see Max smiling at him, hear Dustin’s excited laughter, feel a heavy high five from Lucas and he’d think - oh. Right there, standing in front of him, were the people he had to lose. The ones he was trying to win for. 

And then he’d lay in bed at night and get stuck in another sleepless round of self loathing; hatred fueled by every cruel word he’d spit and all the selfish acts he’d taken, and fuck, he was spinning and suffocating and screaming, and maybe he deserved this. 

It didn’t matter that he knew how to swing a fucking bat good enough to win more time for the ones he loved, because he wouldn’t love them right, anyway. And he’d turned the best person he’d ever known into nothing more than a crumpled piece of paper on his floor - something to be tossed aside and forgotten. And even if he tried smoothing it out, those creases would always be there. 

Sometimes he stared out his window and watched yours. Waited for your light to turn off so he could look away and stop wondering what you were doing and how your life was without him in it. 

All he wanted was to see you again. He’d beg for that movie night he ditched on junior year. He wanted to grab you by your shoulders and show you that he’s better now, he’s changed, those last words you told him weren’t applicable anymore and everything can just go back to how it was. 

But nothing was ever that easy, was it?

He was glad when graduation finally came around, until he was forced into a sailor’s uniform with an ice cream scoop on his belt like a gun in a holster. 

It was one way to spend the summer. It got him out of the house he hated staying in, and put a little money in his pocket, so slinging ice cream at Scoop’s Ahoy was good enough for him. 

It distracted him from the vague nightmares he kept having and the fact that he got into a total of zero universities, and the free ice cream counted as dinner on his bad days. And he was fine with his obnoxious co-worker and annoying customers. 

He was just fine. 

But it was Hawkins. Nothing could stay fine there - not after a little girl with super powers opened a portal to an alternate fucking dimension and turned the town into a magnet for every fucked up thing imaginable. 

Steve thought it was over, and then Dustin had him and Robin translating the Russian words he heard over his radio, and they were all pulled back in. 

He wasn’t expecting to fall into the Russian lair under Starcourt Mall, to trauma bond with Robin - of all people - or to get any closer to dying than he already had, but he stopped betting on his expectations a long time ago. 

By the time he saw the night sky again, he couldn’t remember how many punches he’d been thrown.

His head throbbed to the beat of his heart. It felt like if he tapped his temple, his eye would pop right out. His work uniform was ruined, stained with blood and spit, but the smoke billowing from Starcourt ensured that he wouldn't be needing it anymore. 

The events of the night felt like they were years away. All he remembered was running, screaming, crying; he remembered the fist coming toward his face but not the impact. He woke up to pain, and then it was gone - more running and bleeding and fighting and then, it was over. 

Robin sat next to him, shivering, on the back of an ambulance. The lights from the siren were blinding, the noise around him was punching his ear drums. 

“Are we alive?” Robin asked. Her voice was totally shot. 

“Think so.” 

“I want to lay down so bad.” 

“Yeah,” he nodded. “Do you have someone to call?” 

She sighed deep. “Not really.” She let it be quiet for only a second, then said, “I don’t really want to go home. To be honest.” 

“You wanna spend the night here?” 

“If I don’t have to be alone, then, yeah.” 

He sighed, too, then patted her knee. 

He said, “I’ll call someone, alright?” and she nodded. 

The payphone was a bit of a walk, and he had to wait behind two people in line, but it was enough time for him to muster up the courage to make the call. Even still, when he had the phone in his hand, all he could do was stare at it. 

He was trying to remember the exact words you said to him the last time he spoke to you. Something like, “I hope I’m the last one you call,” he was sure. It was hard to remember your phrasing now, but the memory still stung all the same. 

And he knows it’s not fair to call you, but he was going to anyway. Because in all honesty, you were the only option he had. 

Any other time, he’d rely on Hopper for a ride. But Hopper wasn’t around anymore. 

So he dialed your number and prayed you hadn’t changed it from the one he knew by heart. 

-

Your hand darted out of your blanket to reach your bedside telephone. The ringing killed your half asleep ears, and you hardly knew what you were doing when you put the receiver to your ear. 

“Hello?” 

You could barely get the word out; your voice was thick with sleep that was slowly creeping over you. 

“Hey. It’s Steve.” 

With your heavy eyes shut, sleep was pulling you back in. Your whole body jumped a little bit when you attempted to stay awake. 

“Steve?” 

“Yeah. I’m sorry for waking you up, but -” 

You didn’t know what was going on, and then you heard sirens on the phone. A jolt of anxiety seared through you at the sound. That’s what got you to wake up - then you realized who you were talking to. 

“Steve?”

“...Yeah.” 

“What - what’s wrong?” 

Your heart was pounding out of your chest as you sat up in bed, holding yourself up with one shaky arm. 

“I’m sorry,” he said, and you held your breath until he answered your question. “There was an, uh - accident at Starcourt, and - I don’t know who else to call. I’m sorry, I can’t drive right now and I don’t have anybody else.” 

“Are you okay?” 

“Barely.”

You didn’t give your answer a second thought. “I’ll be there in, like, five minutes, okay?” 

You could hear his breath of relief over the phone. “Okay. Thank you.” 

After stealing your mother’s car keys, you stuffed your bare feet into combat boots and ran to the car. Even though you still only had your learners permit, you absolutely floored it to the mall without a single thought in your mind. It was like you were on autopilot, simply doing what you were supposed to, because you were scared. 

You saw plumes of smoke before Starcourt ever came into view, and you swallowed through your dry throat because you knew something bad happened. 

You had to fight through crowds and cops before you were allowed to pass under the police tape to search for Steve, which wasn’t easy. Every face you saw wasn’t his and each second that passed dug a deeper pit in your stomach. 

The second-to-last ambulance in the lineup is where you found him, sitting next to a girl whose head was on his shoulder. 

And when you saw him… it wasn’t him. Your eyes glazed over him because he was hardly recognizable. 

You’d seen him beat up before. He’s had his fair share of fights at school; you wiped blood off his face and helped him nurse black eyes. But it was never like this. 

His left eye was swollen shut. Crimson stained from his eyebrow to his jawline. His skin was aggravated red, his clothes were blood rusted, his knuckles were ripped open. 

And still, somehow, his hair looked perfectly done. That sight alone made you want to laugh and cry at the same time, because of course he managed to keep its style untouched. It was so Steve. 

You ran to him; your legs carried you there on their own, shoelaces smacking against wet pavement. You weren’t thinking when you called out his name or when you flung your arms around his neck. You hugged him like it would heal him, like the scent of your perfume could cover the smoke he smelled of. 

It’d been almost a year since you’d talked to him, and the jagged edges of your ended friendship still cut deep, but you didn’t care. Not when he looked the way he did; not when he was hugging you so tight; not when your tears were dripping onto his skin. 

You pulled back and looked at him, and his wounds didn’t look any better up close. 

“Oh my god, Steve, are you okay? What the hell happened?” 

“I’m alright,” he said. He wouldn’t look at you, or couldn’t bring himself to. “I’m just glad you came. I’m sorry -” 

“Don’t,” you said, and then you looked around at the scene. “Have the paramedics even seen you? Why are you just sitting here?” 

“Yeah. Yeah, I - I’m fine. They said I’m fine. They’re all busy with others but - I’m fine, don’t worry.” 

That’s when you noticed the girl next to him, who was looking at you like you were crazy, and you realized what you were potentially barging in on. 

They sat close - too close to be friendly. They were basically cuddling when you first saw them. It was obvious what they were, so of course she was looking at you that way.  

You didn’t mean to make her jealous, but a part of you didn’t care. 

“Are both of you okay?” 

“Yeah,” Steve said, answering for the two of them.  The girl nodded. “This is Robin, by the way.” 

You introduced yourself to her, trying to be cordial even though you were meeting in the worst of situations. 

“You two can stay at my place tonight, if you want to,” you told them. Steve asked Robin if she was okay with that, and she said yes, and so you led them to your car. 

You weren’t sure why you made the offer to Steve - you wanted him with you, sure. After seeing the condition he was in, you wouldn’t sleep unless you knew you were keeping him safe and sound in your own bedroom. 

Old habits die hard.

But, all things considered, you should have just taken him to his own home, where he could be with Robin in peace. Without cut ties lingering in the air like flies. 

You drove him home anyway. 

Nobody spoke until you got to your bedroom. 

“Do you need a shower?” 

“Yeah,” Steve said. Robin nodded. 

“Okay. Robin, you can take my bathroom. Steve can shower downstairs.” 

You dug through bottom drawers to find clothes for each of them - you still had the ones Steve kept stored there, as embarrassing as it was, so it wasn’t a difficult task. And you’d let Robin choose from your pajama drawer.

And then you got back into bed, because you didn’t know what else to do for them. 

Robin stood in the doorway of your bathroom, just staring into the room. When Steve opened your bedroom door, she snapped her head back to him. 

“Steve?” 

“Yeah?” 

She glanced over at you. You wanted to hide from the tension in the room. 

“I - I don’t know how to use this faucet.” 

He showed her how, and then made for the exit, but she called for him again. 

“I was just thinking - you know - if we both shower at the same time, won’t the water pressure be super low? And what if the hot water runs out before I’m done, and -” 

“I’ll be quick, Robs,” he said. “It’ll be fine.” 

Steve took one step into the hallway before stopping. The darkness looked like it went on forever. He didn’t remember your house being so unlit, or having so many hiding places, and suddenly his legs were shaky. 

“...You’re probably right, though. I’ll just wait out here until you’re done.” 

“Yeah. And I’ll keep the door cracked open, for… all the steam.” 

“That’s a good idea.” 

And he sat on the floor right outside of the bathroom door. When Robin was finished, they swapped places. As if they couldn’t be apart for longer than twenty minutes. 

You didn’t ask them any questions.

… 

The two of them slept on a pallet of old blankets on your bedroom floor. Robin made Steve sleep closest to the door. He tried not to be upset about it. 

And he didn’t think he’d be able to sleep, but it seemed to swallow him. He didn’t dream, or toss and turn, but he woke up unrested. 

Everything still hurt just as bad as it did the night before. And Robin’s snoring was making his headache worse. 

You were no longer in bed, so he decided to get up and find you. 

He wasn’t sure what kind of interaction he’d be walking into when he found you in the kitchen, but he tried to keep his head high. 

“Good morning,” he said. 

“Hey.” You had a mug in your hand. “Your eye looks better.” 

“It doesn’t feel any better,” he said, and he wanted to make a joke that it actually looks worse - because when he closes his right eye, everything’s blurry - but he held that one in. He wasn’t ready for a comedic coping mechanism quite yet. 

You put Tylenol on the island that separated the two of you. “Take them. I don’t know if it’ll help much, but it can’t hurt.” 

The bottle said to take two, so he took three. And then the awkward quiet started washing in. 

Until, “I saw what happened on the news,” and Steve almost coughed up the water he was chugging. 

“What are they saying?” he asked, because he didn’t know what story he was supposed to be playing along with. 

“Just talking about the fire,” you said. Your voice sounded so dim, and Steve hated it. “It’s… crazy. Hopper… he…” You couldn’t say the word. 

“I know,” Steve said. 

“And thirty others.” 

His throat felt dry. “Thirty?” 

Truly, he didn’t know that many people hadn’t survived. And now, it all felt real. Really real. 

“Yeah,” you replied. “I’m just glad - you were lucky to get out, Steve.” 

You had no clue how lucky he’d really been. And hopefully you would never have to know. 

“I know.” 

You sat your mug down, brushed your hands on your chest like you were trying to wipe off everything you knew of the accident, then blew out a loud breath. 

“Let’s just think about something else.” 

Almost at the same time as you, he spoke. “Thank you.” 

“...What for?” 

“For coming to my rescue,” he said, huffing a laugh. “I know that I… didn’t really deserve it.” 

“Don’t thank me, Steve.” 

“Seriously. You could’ve just told me to walk home, but you didn’t.” 

“I’m just being a good friend,” you said, then shrugged. “I hope you would do it for me.” 

“In a heartbeat.” 

He wondered if this was his chance to say sorry. 

Or if there was even a point in it. 

He was afraid you’d do no more than laugh in his face, and even if he deserved it he didn’t want to succumb to it. 

But he had to. Because he almost died last night. And he could be fighting those monsters again, any day now. Was he going to lose this chance? Or is he going to die without saying another word to you? 

He stared down at his ripped knuckles. The wounds still looked fresh. They stung just from touching the open air. 

He stared, and stared, and stared, and - he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t say a word. He couldn’t face it. 

Your footsteps toward him made him jump back. 

You were holding a box of band-aids. 

You held out your hand, asking for his without words, and he offered both of them to you. First his right, then his left, were covered in pink, green, and yellow band-aids by you. 

It was gentle and kind, the way you went about it. Like you would hurt him even more if you weren’t careful. 

He still had dried blood under his nails and splinters in his palms. He watched your clean hands holding his beaten up ones and he felt bad, because your skin was too soft to bother with the cuts and calluses on his. 

But you held them anyway. 

He put his fingers through yours and you didn’t stop him. He wanted to cry.

“I’m just glad you're alright.” 

He didn’t know what to say - there wasn’t anything to say, he guessed. Nothing to make it better or change anything. 

All he could do was squeeze your hand and watch you wipe tears off your cheeks. 

Until he noticed a cut on the back of your hand. He pulled it closer so he could get a better look. 

“What happened?” 

“I dropped a knife while I was cooking last night. It’s fine.” 

It looked fine, but Steve wanted to repay your favor, so he pulled a band-aid from the near empty box and put it on your wound. 

“We match,” he said. 

You laughed. “We’re even now.” 

He felt overwhelmed with melancholy. He needed to rest, he wanted to close his eyes and not open them for weeks. 

“I should go check on Robin,” he said as he walked backwards toward the stairs. He kept his eyes to the ground, away from the look on your face. “She’ll flip if she wakes up and she’s alone.” 

You said nothing. 

… 

The following days and weeks were a lot of checking on Robin, and Robin checking on him. Too much waking up in the middle of the night and keeping his eyes glued to his bedroom door just in case. Only feeling safe enough if he had a baseball bat hugged to his chest and Robin snoring next to him. 

So - he wasn’t doing well, but it was fine. He tried not to complain about it. Robin was the only person he let himself be half honest with - but he kept the truth to himself, because she’d get anxious if he said what he really felt. 

Steve was scared. And he didn’t want anyone else to know it, because all of the others acted as if their lives were perfectly back to normal. They were doing well. So he had to be doing well, too. For their sake. 

Weeks after that awful night at the mall, he and Robin conned their way into getting jobs at Family Video. He was grateful, because god, he was too codependent on her. 

It was a random night at his place when Robin brought you up out of nowhere. 

“I just realized, I never thanked your neighbor for saving us that night.” 

“You don’t need to. I’m sure she knows you’re thankful.” 

“Yeah, but, I feel like I should pay her back.” 

Steve shrugged at her words. He didn’t want to think about you more than he had to - it hurt just a little bit too much. 

“Should I give her a gift?” 

“I don’t know,” he mumbled. “She likes cookies. Get her cookies.” 

And Steve didn’t know it, but the next day, Robin rang your doorbell with a plastic box of cookies in her hands. You opened the door and she started rambling from the get. 

“Hey - Steve said you like cookies, so, I decided I’d bring you some to thank you. For showing up at Starcourt in the middle of the night and practically saving our lives. And for letting us sleep on your floor. That was really nice of you.” 

You didn’t know what to say. Robin seemed weird. You just went along with it. 

“Oh - thanks. That’s cool. Thanks.” 

She shoved them toward you, and you took them. 

“Do you want to come in?” you asked.

Instead of answering, she just stepped through the door. You brought her to the kitchen. 

“I hope they’re good. I just got them at the corner store. But all cookies are the same, right?” 

“Well - no, but, it’s the thought that counts.” 

“Oh.” 

The gifted cookies didn’t look much better than the worst recipes you’d made,  but you opened the crude packaging and gave them a chance. 

They were fine. Maybe a little worse than fine. You gave Robin one, anyway. 

“They’re good!” she said, with a mouth full. 

“They are,” you lied. “They’re not homemade, but they’ll do. Thanks, Robin.” 

You ate half of your cookie. Robin finished hers. It was quiet. 

You figured you might as well try to get to know this girl a bit better. At least be polite and make small talk, just to be nice. 

So you asked an easy question. “How long have you and Steve been together?” 

But it wasn’t as simple as you thought, because she started coughing up the cookie. “What do you mean?” 

“...What?” 

“We’re not together,” she said with a heavy dose of sass. “God, I’ll never get over people asking me that. I am not dating Steve Harrington. Gross.” 

“Oh - sorry, I just thought -” 

“It’s fine,” she said. “Everyone always asks. I guess a guy and a girl can’t be friends without everyone making assumptions.” 

You laughed. “Yeah. People used to do the same thing to us. Sorry, I didn’t mean to ask a weird question.” 

“It’s alright. Actually, I’m supposed to be at his place in, like - well, ten minutes ago. You should come over if you're free.” 

“Uh - I don’t know, me and Steve - we don’t really hang out anymore.” 

You aren’t sure why you didn’t just make up an excuse. Something about Robin made you feel okay about being honest. 

“It’s cool. I’m sure he’d be happy to see you. It’s kind of been just us since what happened with - the fire. The fire that happened. So - you know. It’d be nice to have someone else around. If you want.” 

You were curious how this would turn out. So, “sure. I’ll come.” 

“Great. You should bring a cookie for Steve.” 

You brought the whole box, and decided you would accidentally forget them at his place so they wouldn’t go to waste. 

Steve’s front door was yanked open from the inside before Robin could let herself in, and his wide eyes became a little less wide when he saw her. 

“Where the fuck were you - you were supposed to be here half an hour ago, I thought you got fucking eaten or something.” 

“Relax. I was just making a cookie delivery next door. Chill.” 

Robin threw her thumb over her shoulder. You poked your head out from behind her and gave Steve a weak wave.

“Oh.” 

“What exactly would she get eaten by?” 

“I don’t know,” Steve shrugged. You noticed he was gripping his car keys in a tight, scarred fist. 

“Monsters,” Robin joked. Steve didn’t laugh. You did a little bit. “I invited her over. Is that alright?” 

“Yeah. Of course.” 

You stuck to Robin all the way to his living room, because that was easier than making yourself comfortable. You hadn’t been in this house in ages, and you weren’t sure what to do with yourself. 

“Where’s my crossword?” 

“I finished it.” 

“Asshole. You know I hate that. Just get your own.” 

“Whatever, you suck at them, anyway.” 

Robin, unlike you, had no reservations in the Harrington house. She kicked her feet up and started channel surfing as soon as she sat on the couch. 

“Have a cookie,” Robin said to Steve. You reached the box out to him; he sat down next to you to take one, taking up the spot between you and Robin.  

It was weird being so close to him again. His knee was touching yours, and it made your skin feel too hot. Still, you didn’t move away. 

“These are shit,” he said with a full mouth. 

“Hey!” 

You laughed loud, because you completely agreed. 

“No, seriously, these are awful.” 

“I spent five dollars on those!” 

You gasped. “Five? Robin.” 

“You should have just given her the money instead. Or thrown it in the trash.” Steve dropped his half eaten cookie back in the box. You put the plastic lid back on and sat it on the coffee table. 

“I thought they were good. You’re being so rude right now. They were a gift.” 

Steve looked at you. “You didn’t tell her how bad they are?” 

“I didn’t - I don’t think they’re that bad.” 

“You’re lying,” Steve laughed, then he turned to Robin. “She’s lying.” 

“I’m not lying!” 

“I know you, and I know you’re lying.” 

“It’s fine, guys, you don’t have to spare my feelings or anything.” 

You sighed, defeated. “...They are pretty terrible.” 

Robin scoffed loud and obnoxious. 

“Whatever. I’ll enjoy them.” 

… 

As it turns out, Robin acted like glue between you and Steve. Neither of you would have ever made an effort to see each other again, out of embarrassment or guilt or both, but Robin didn’t have to unpack any of that baggage. She didn’t even know it existed. 

Instead, she immediately saw you as a friend. And she brought you in like she had known you forever. 

But Robin and Steve were a package deal. So, if you were a friend to her, you had to be a friend to him, too.

And the two of them were weird. Most of the time, they left you feeling like a third wheel on their friendship. 

They could be mean to each other. Rough. They acted the exact way you knew siblings do, but that was only surface level. There was something deeper - more than anything a brother and sister had, because it wasn’t the blood in their veins that connected them. It was the roots they chose to grow into each other that kept them together. 

Robin spent the night with Steve more often than she didn’t. And she bullied him for his bad cooking, and he told her when an outfit was ugly, and they stood next to each other like two puzzle pieces that didn’t match but fit together with a hard press. 

Sometimes you sat on the sidelines and ached, mourning a friendship that had been buried some odd years ago. It was well beyond rotten - something decayed and unrecognizable now. Even if you dug it up, it couldn’t be the same as it was. 

But you wished. 

And as you sat and listened to Robin chastise Steve for saying something dumb - watched as he meddled her hair into a purposeful mess, you could only laugh and sink into yourself. You were happy and sad; you cherished your time together and dreaded it, all at the same time. 

Above it all, Steve was different. Distant in the way he would never meet your eyes, or laugh too loud at your jokes, or sit too close for too long. 

It all felt fleeting. Like that week you spent angry at him - stuck in a weird limbo, between friends and strangers, a frustrating purgatory. Some kind of Schrodinger’s Cat of a friendship - alive and dead at the same time. 

You would have just said something, if it felt like you could. But if Steve minded, he didn’t show it. If he missed how things were, he didn’t act like it. And, as you knew him, if he wanted to he would. 

And it wasn’t totally bad. It was just new. You’d get used to it with a spoonful of sugar and a hard swallow. 

On a random day, you had mentioned off-hand that you had been meaning to visit your aunt’s apartment to drop off and pick up a few things. Steve offered to take you, and you agreed, and the next day, you made good on your plans. 

The two of you didn’t hang out without Robin very often. Since early August, the number was hardly a handful. But with the radio turned on, it wasn’t too awkward. 

Steve had visited your aunt with you several times growing up. He went to her house-warming party when she moved into her apartment. You were thirteen, and you made a game of pressing every button in the elevator before getting off it. Now, every time you’re there, you think about how you used to chase him down the halls. 

Her place was the nicest there was in Hawkins, in the tallest residential building in town. Parking was a nightmare, but Steve kept his complaints under his breath, and he even carried your bag for you. 

The elevator was the only thing in the apartment’s lobby. As you pressed the button, Steve spoke up. 

“You wanna take the stairs instead?” 

“Why?” 

He shrugged. You laughed. 

“You want to climb eight flights of stairs? No thanks.” 

“I’m an athlete,” he mumbled under his breath, sheepish. “This thing is taking forever, anyways.” 

It dinged as it finally started moving down toward the bottom floor.

“It’s on its way.” 

He stepped back, looked around, and he must have spotted the stairwell. “I’ll race you,” and then he took off. 

The elevator door opened as the stairway’s door closed, and you rode to the top floor alone. 

He didn’t win the race - far from it, and you laughed as he tried to hide his struggling breathing. 

“Been waiting for you all day, athlete. Thought you’d take ‘til Christmas.” 

“Psh. Whatever. I’ll win on the way down.”

The elevator creaked and hummed as it started moving down, and Steve glared at it. 

You laughed, “You’re weird,” and you left him behind to walk down the hall. 

He worked fast to catch up, and called out, “The loser pays for dinner!” 

“You know I’d never pass up that bet.” 

Your aunt wasn’t home - she rarely was. But a key was under the mat, and as you walked inside her tuxedo cat, Webster, greeted you at the door. 

“Hey, dude,” Steve said, kneeling down to pet him. 

An old cardboard box sat on the dining table nearby, “Glassware” written on the side in crude permanent marker. It’s what you had been instructed to pick up and take back home - you weren’t sure what was inside.

You sat down and opened it and pulled out the first thing you saw: a white paper bag, one you knew printed photos came in. 

“This what you came for?” 

Steve stood next to you. He had Webster in his arms, who was purring loud and melting into his hand. 

“Yeah.” 

“What is it?” 

“I don’t know. Family stuff, I’m guessing.” You pulled out a fat stack of pictures and the one on top made you bark a laugh. “Oh my god.” 

You and Steve, seven years old, wearing matching cowboy costumes for Halloween - you with a white cowboy hat, him with a black one. You stood with a jack-o-lantern between you. You had your hands on your hips and a frown on your face; Steve had his chin pushed out in a wicked scowl. 

You turned it to him, and he laughed just as loud as you. “Look at those two mean mugs!” 

“Do you remember this?” 

He sat in the chair next to you, continuing to look at the photo over your shoulder. Webster made himself comfortable in his lap. 

“Yeah,” he laughed, “We fought all night because you stole my -”

“Oh my god.”

“You stole my full size Snickers.”

“I did not!” 

“You did.” 

“I didn’t!” 

The way he looked at you told you this was still a sore subject. 

“You went ahead of me to the Smith’s place while I was trying to tie my shoe and you took her last bar. That’s what happened!” 

“That’s not stealing!” 

“It is!”

“I didn’t mean to leave you behind! It’s not my fault you didn’t know how to tie your shoes!” 

“You didn’t, either. And, I learned before you.” 

You puffed a sigh and flipped the photo to the back of the stack. “Why are you still fighting over this? We shared all the candy, anyway.” 

“It’s the principle. Theft is a crime, and you never apologized.” 

You only laughed. No way were you giving him that apology now. 

When you pulled the photos out of the box, you didn’t intend on looking through them all, but your curiosity kept you flicking through them. Most were of random family members or photos of the beach, but pictures of you and Steve were littered throughout the stack. There wasn’t a single photo of you that didn’t have him in it, too.

There were from some first days of school, birthday parties, sleepovers. They were sorted somewhat chronologically - looking through them was pure nostalgia, memories hitting you at every angle as you watched yourself grow up. 

The next one to catch your eye was from a middle school dance. Neither of you wanted to attend, but your mother insisted. Your one condition was that you could wear whatever you wanted. 

So you and Steve had swapped styles. You wore his way oversized Atlanta Flames jersey, a baseball cap, and sneakers that didn’t fit; he had on your purple sweater, a big pearl necklace, and white jeans. 

It was cute, and it was goofy, and you wished you could jump into the picture and relive it. 

At that age, the only thing you knew was that you and Steve would live forever, together. Now that you know what you know, your heart ached for the little girl in these pictures. What would she think about the space between you two now? 

There were pictures from summer camp, swimming pools, and your first day of high school. 

Webster meowed. Steve meowed back at him. 

As you got to the bottom of the stack, pictures of the two of you were less and less. The last one - the one you didn’t know would be your last picture with him - was of you, him, and a few of your extended family members. A day spent at the lake that Steve really didn’t want to go to, for some reason only an angsty teenage boy could understand, that you dragged him to. It was the summer before your junior year.

In the photo, his arm was draped completely over your shoulder. You remembered him leaning all of his weight on you - to the point that you fell out of your seat after the picture was taken by your aunt.

And you had fun, like you always did. Steve became a member of your family out of happenstance. It was just because he was always around, really. They all saw him as much as they saw you. 

You put that photo to the back of the stack and kept carding through them. You didn’t find any more pictures of you and Steve. 

The rest were all more recent. Steve stopped you on one that was of you alone - sat at a dinner table, wearing a cable knit sweater. 

“That’s a good one,” he said. 

“Yeah. It’s from Christmas. Senior year, maybe.” 

You acted like you weren’t sure, but you knew exactly when that photo was taken. You just didn’t want him to know how sad you were in it. 

“Oh, yeah?” 

“Yeah,” and you laughed, “this was not a fun party.” He didn’t reply, and so you kept talking, sparing him a shy glance. “Everyone kept asking where you were.” 

The silence was heavier this time. 

“Oh,” he said, trying to bury it. “Yeah.” An awkward chuckle. “I bet that was annoying.” 

You laughed and tried to make it sound real - tried to seem like you didn’t care. “Yeah, well, you know how my family always liked you better.” 

He shrugged, looking like he was going to make a joke, but he didn’t. His eyes were distant as they moved down to his lap. 

You shoved the picture to the back with the rest. 

The one behind it was just as lonely. 

Still, Steve perked up at it. “Is that from graduation?” 

You wore a cap and gown, you held a bouquet of flowers, and you stood all alone. 

“Yeah.” 

Steve’s hand wrapped around yours holding the picture, and he tilted it toward him so he could get a better look. 

“My aunt kept trying to get me to find you for a picture,” you laughed. 

“You should’ve.” He smiled something big and real, and you realized with a rush that this is the closest you’d been to him in a while. If you kept looking, you could count the freckles on his cheek. His thumb pressed into the back of your hand. “I remember seeing you. You looked real cute.” 

You ignored his compliment to say something snide. “I ignored you so hard.” 

Another laugh, “Really?” 

“Obviously.” 

“Yeah. That’s fair - I would’ve, too.” 

You tried not to think about how badly you wished he was standing next to you in the picture. 

Steve spoke up, “I -” but you cut him off by accident. 

“It’s fine.” 

You didn’t mean it. He could tell.

“...Is it?” 

It was honest when you replied, “I don’t know.” 

He was still holding your hand. 

“I never told you I’m sorry.” 

“I guess I just figured you were.” 

You dropped the pictures on the table, dropping his hand with them.

“Is that good enough?” It was an honest question. 

“I don’t know. Maybe it is.” 

And your answer was genuine, because you didn’t know. Steve had come back into your life just as easily as he left it - on a whim, without any warning. You didn’t put any roadblocks in his way. 

But you stared at the photos spread out in front of you. At the story they told of your friendship that would always be unfinished. 

You had to teach yourself how to do life without him. All of those lessons seemed useless, now, because here he was. And you didn’t even know if he ever missed you. 

You pulled away from him, a move that was far more snappy than you meant. You did it like he’d reached out and burned you. It had Webster jumping down to the floor. 

“It’s fine,” you repeated. 

“I think you’re lying just to make me feel better.” 

“I don’t know why I’m lying.” 

“We don’t have to talk about it now,” he mumbled, and you stood up. The chair scraped the floor in a way that grated your ears. You turned your back to him. 

“I thought I knew you.” Your eyes welled up, your nose started to run. You balled your hands up like you were on defense. “I thought you would say sorry, and make everything go back to normal like you always did. But you didn’t. I thought you would miss me, at least, but - but you didn’t.” 

“You think I didn’t miss you?” 

The shake in his voice had your fist dropping to hit your thighs, defeated. 

“I miss you more than anything. I’m sorry - I’m not just saying it to make you feel better, or because I have to, I - I don’t even deserve to be saying it.” He paused, and you could imagine the way he was running his hands through his hair and pacing around with nerves. “I’m sorry for being a bad friend. For not treating you like you deserved - I hate myself for it. You were the best thing in my life, and I know that now. I was just too scared to come crawling back to you because I wasn’t worth your time.”

You breathed in deep, exhaled hard, and it felt like the first breath you had taken in two years. It was that feeling when you’ve forgotten your keys but find the door unlocked - the relief of being let in despite a mistake, it rushed through you, and it had you turning to look at him. You found him standing and staring at you, through you, with glassy eyes you would always know. 

“I just miss you, Steve.” 

Three steps and then he was around you. And you were safer than a child hiding under their blanket from whatever lurked in their closet - monsters weren’t real if his arms were around you. That had always, always been true. 

Webster rubbed up against your leg, then Steve’s. The hug shook with both of your laughter, and he held you tighter. 

… 

Things didn’t go back to how they used to be after that, but it was close enough. And you were trying to settle into the differences that kept knocking you off your feet. 

It started with late night phone calls. 

Before, you never talked on the phone. Why would you when his house was a stone throw away? If you wanted to talk, you’d invite yourself to his place. 

But the two of you were still dancing on the ripped edges of that two year old fight. Wounds were still healing - almost there, but not quite. So it was easier to take it slow, to treat this time as something brand new. 

And it was brand new. 

You had caught yourself grinning ear to ear over stories he’d tell you, and you had to force the smile off your face. Like you shouldn’t be acting that way over your friend - you quickly realized you just couldn’t help it. 

He’d keep you up too late and tease you for it the next day. And you weren’t sure if he was trying to get a rise out of you, but that’s how you felt. He acted so smug after seeing your cheeks swell in embarrassment. 

So it wasn’t going back to how it was before. In fact, it was going down an entirely different road - one that wasn’t even on the map. 

You weren’t complaining, because you felt things you hadn't felt before around him. He made you feel warm, and you were addicted to it. You were addicted to him, and you had blind hope that the feeling was mutual. 

He’d spend his entire lunch break visiting you, even if your breaks didn’t line up. He’d follow you around the apparel section at Roses and you’d have all your attention on him, just the way he liked it. He made sure to see you every day.

You never thought he’d make you feel so shy, but it was an emotion you couldn’t get enough of. You hardly realized what you were spiraling into until you’d catch him looking at you with a blush on his cheeks, or until you had to stop yourself from thinking about him every night before bed. 

But there was something glaring, something major, something you couldn’t look at directly until it came up in conversation with Robin. 

Robin and Steve always had Sundays off, so the day was designated to be stolen by their other friends - who were all in junior high. 

When you asked why they were friends with junior high kids, Steve called himself their babysitter. Robin said she was their good influence. You avoided asking follow up questions. 

It was a lazy autumn day, one where the warmth of fallen leaves reflected in the air - something rare for early November. 

The youngest of the kids, Erica, loved putting on a nice outfit and going for a walk. Today it was yellow Chucks, a red silk and pleated maxi skirt, and a long sleeve button up with a rainbow of vertical stripes. (It would have been a tie dyed short sleeve, if Steve hadn’t told her it was too chilly for it.) She had stuck gems beside her eyes, the kind that come in the plastic packets and don’t stay on for long, and Robin packed yellow eyeshadow on her eyelids. 

She was downright cute, but if you told the eleven year old that she’d aim her sass at you and shoot to kill. She much preferred receiving a refined compliment, because, “I hear that all the time.” 

Today, you told her you loved the way she paired so many colors together. She grinned something beautiful and kicked her foot up behind her and agreed with you. 

Steve had once described her as a menace - you didn’t understand why. 

You walked with Robin a few feet behind Erica, Dustin, and Steve. Dustin had not stopped talking the whole time, except when Erica butted in. Steve had stolen the younger boy’s thinking cap hat and was wearing it backwards. 

“The last time I wore this coat, I found two phone numbers in the pocket.” Robin held up two fingers and gestured to the Letterman jacket she wore. It was Steve’s. “Can you believe that? I mean, what a douche. I wouldn’t even wear this if it wasn’t so warm.” 

You laughed. “Yeah, I believe it, actually. They were probably from some cheerleaders or something.”

“Yeah, well, he can’t get any numbers these days. He’s cursed to be forever lame as punishment for the jerk he was in high school.” Robin was smirking wicked and wide, like it was satisfying for her. 

“He’s lost all his charm?” 

“All of it. I mean, one hundred percent. I used to keep count of how many times he fell on his face in front of girls. It’s magnificent, truly.” Then, quieter, “He’ll get it back, though. One day.” 

“He used to have no trouble at all.” The conversation had the gears in your head turning; it had you speaking without thinking. “I don’t know. He’s really different now.” 

Robin laughed, like you were joking. “Yeah, he learned manners, for one.” 

“It’s not that.” You were thinking out loud. “He’s nicer, yeah, but… it’s almost like he’s not even the same person. I’m not sure what happened.” 

The Steve you knew was boisterous. He was unapologetic. He was stupidly confident, the life of the party, and he wasn’t afraid of anything. A wouldn’t take no for an answer, go with the flow, drop of the hat kind of person. 

You were lucky to know him when that’s all he was. Before the halls of Hawkins High swallowed him and spit out someone ornery who cared too much but not at all. 

You thought it was just Tommy and Carol’s influence. Now that he wasn’t their friend anymore, you thought he’d become who he used to be. 

“He told me how close you two were before,” Robin said. She was tugging on a strand of hair that was stuck in her lip gloss. “I guess I never knew him like you did.” 

“He’s so quiet now. He used to be so loud.” You meant it more than literally - you hoped Robin would understand. “I don’t know. So much changed and it’s only been a couple years.” 

It seemed like she was struggling to reply, because it took her more than a few seconds to get her words out. 

“I guess - I mean - I think you’ve probably changed a lot, too. Two years is a long time, right?” 

Robin knew. No one could tell, but she knew. 

Maybe the differences that you had described of Steve were really there. She wasn’t able to see them the way you could, but she didn’t care. It was selfish to admit that she would never change a thing about him - but one. 

He was waiting. 

Everyone was, she thinks. 

Waiting for another fight. 

It wasn’t easy to go back to normal after trudging through hell. It was like coming out the other side of trench warfare unharmed - you didn’t. When a gun fires, its bullets hit. If a bomb is dropped it doesn’t miss a fucking thing, and Starcourt Mall was goddamn ground zero. 

And Robin wasn’t there for the disappearance of Will Byers. The death of Barbra Holland. The Upside Down. The Demogorgon. The Demodogs, and the lab, and the girl with psychic powers. She wasn’t there, but Steve was. 

Her head hurt just thinking of the stories he’s told her. And she knew his did, too, more often than he’d admit to her.

And she felt bad when her sleeping patterns went back to normal but his didn’t. When she got used to being on edge all the time, Steve still jumped at any noise. His phone would ring and she would watch him prepare himself to answer it - to hear Dustin’s voice on the line telling him that it’s back. 

So when you said that Steve’s changed, Robin didn’t know what to tell you. You were right, and she knew that, but she couldn’t tell you why. You knew everything about him besides, well - everything. 

Robin wished she didn’t have to know, either. She wanted to tell you that you should be grateful you couldn’t see the shackles on his ankles. You got to know him before - and Robin would give anything for that. 

But she couldn’t change a thing. 

Instead, all she could do was wait. 

And lie. 

And pretend. 

“He’s still loud,” she said, uncomfortable as all get out. 

As if he heard her words, Steve busted out in a stomach hurting kind of laughter at one of Dustin’s stories. 

“See what I mean?” 

Your destination was in sight now. Steve turned around - letting Dustin steal his hat back - walking backwards, and reached a hand out to you. 

“You coming?” 

Your pace turned into a skipping sort of jog to catch up with him. When you were close enough he grabbed your hand and didn’t let go. He’d been doing that often. 

The kids and Robin broke away, heading for the tiny park that was up on your right. To your left, Steve tugged you to a tiny convenience store.

“Place your orders!” he called. 

Dustin and Erica shouted at the same time. Steve mumbled something about not being able to understand them, so you relayed their messages. 

“You’re getting two things! No more than that!” he shouted back. “Robin?”

“7-Up.”

“What else?” 

“Surprise me!” 

You hung onto his arm as you walked into the store, and you weren’t even sure why. He never pulled away when you got that close, so you kept going back. 

You went for the drink coolers first. He reached for the apple juice. 

“She likes orange juice the best, now,” you said. 

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.” 

“You better be right - if she’s mad at me over this, I’ll be mad at you.” 

You rounded up all the snacks everyone wanted, following Steve’s only two items rule. You laughed when he chose plain potato chips as Robin’s surprise - the blandest possible choice. And while he checked out at the counter, you wandered off into the aisles. 

He acted like he didn’t want you to go, pulling you back and asking a quiet, “where’re you going?” 

“To look around.” 

It was straight to the candy aisle for a Blow Pop for Erica, Pop Rocks for Dustin, and sour gummy worms to share. You liked spoiling them - it helped to get on their good side. 

You made a stop at the candy bars to grab a Snickers bar before going back to the counter, and Steve immediately shook his head when he saw you. 

“What are you doing? What’s all that?” 

“It’s all for me.” You dropped it all for the clerk to scan. 

“All of it?” 

“Yeah.”

“Even though you said you didn’t want anything?” 

“I changed my mind!” 

He sighed and squeezed his eyes shut, and you watched his hand move to his back pocket. 

“Don’t you dare.” 

His wallet was half way out of his pocket as he laughed. “What?” 

“You’re not paying. Stop.” You tried to sound mad, and felt you were doing a good job, but he kept giggling at you. 

“Oh, are you my boss now?” 

“Yes, Steve,” and you bumped into him, trying to push him away. “Don’t make me say your full name.” 

“Just let me -” 

“Take their things to them! Go!” 

You were shocked when he listened, but he only made it as far as the door. He stood against the glass with his arms crossed, staring at you until you finally followed him. 

“What are you looking at?” 

He pushed his back into the door to open it. “Trying to figure it out.” He reached for your hand, and you swatted it away, only for him to catch you, anyway. And you let him hold your hand, all the way across the street to the park. 

Your friends sat at a picnic table waiting patiently. It was actually two tables pushed together, doubling the normal length; Erica and Dustin sat opposite each other on one end, and Robin sat in the middle, crisscrossed on top of the table. 

Steve divvied snacks to grabby hands, and you snuck their surprise treats in to the sound of thank yous. 

You took your seat on the other end of the table across from Steve. When you sat down, he put a bottle of Coke between you. 

“Are you going to share?” you asked. 

“Only if you’ve got something to give me in return.” 

The Snickers bar made a thud on the wooden table. Steve hummed. “I guess that’s good enough.” 

You were almost happy with the trade until you realized, “No bottle opener?” 

His eyes doubled their size. “Shit.” Then, he grabbed the bottle. “No, it's a twist off.” The noise he made as he tried taking off the cap was something like a squeak, and everyone at the table laughed. 

“Just walk back to the store!” 

“Dustin - Dustin! Do you -” 

The boy slid a large key ring down the table. It was a wad of keys, keychains, and gadgets. 

“It’s on there somewhere.” 

There was a mini flashlight, a laser pointer, a plastic Q*bert charm, a pocket knife, keys and keys and keys, a kubaton, and, “Yes!” a bottle opener. 

“This is why I keep you around, Henderson.” 

“I’m the one keeping you guys around, first of all.” 

You grabbed the Coke and guzzled a couple drinks worth in one go, and when you put it back down, Steve had already eaten half the candy bar in one bite. 

“Steve!” 

His mouth was full when he said, “What?” 

“Why can’t you share? Why didn’t anyone ever teach you about sharing?” His laugh was sweeter than the chocolate he was shoving into your face. “Stop, I don’t wanna eat after you.” 

“We’ve got the same germs,” he said, and he was feeding you the Snickers before you could make another argument. 

The snacks were all gone much quicker than it took to walk and get them, because none of you would ever learn to savor the destination. Regardless, next Sunday, you’d all be sitting in the same spot - give or take a few others, creating a good day for yourselves. 

And, if you were lucky, Steve would be holding your hand the whole time. 

...

It didn’t matter who you were cheering for on the court, you hated high school basketball games. 

Going to Lucas’s game brought back far too many memories than you’d care to recollect. But even though you hated it, you were still filled with pride watching the boy play the game so well. 

And Steve hadn’t shut up about it all night. He spoke about Lucas shooting the buzzer beating winning basket like he was recounting a grand story - something from a movie or a comic book. Like you weren’t sitting beside him the entire time. 

You stood with him in his kitchen, and the excitement had finally started to settle. You and Steve had spent far too long talking about how weird it was to be back in the high school gym, and both of you agreed that you didn’t miss it at all. 

“Is Robin excited for spring break?” 

Steve rolled his eyes. “She said she’s spending the entire week here so she can be as lazy as she wants, so - I guess she is.” 

You threw a weak fist into his shoulder and he caught it. “What’s wrong with that?” 

“She’s gonna steal all my time!” His grin was contagious as he slotted his fingers into yours. “And that means I can’t steal all of yours.” 

“Does that mean I’m finally getting a break from you?” You laughed, but he didn’t. 

It was weird, the way his entire demeanor changed in a snap. Before you could even take back the joke you made he was shifting his eyes and dropping his grin. 

He had always worn his heart on his sleeve, even if he tried hiding it. 

“Are you alright?” 

“Yeah.” It was a hand through his hair that said the opposite, but you’d never call out his tells. “I just - that reminded me there was actually something I wanted to talk to you about.” He dropped your hand to cross his arms, and it had you feeling nervous.

“What about? …Did I do something wrong?” 

“No, honey.” You weren’t sure when that nickname came around, or when it started to stick, but it had a fairy fluttering its wings in your chest. He started to reach for you again, you could see it, but he stopped himself. “You could never do anything wrong.” 

You laughed quiet. “Neither could you.” 

You moved to stand next to him, mirroring the way his back leaned against the counter. Your arm pressed to his. He was looking at the floor; you were looking at him. 

“Are you sure?” It started as a whisper but jumped into a shake, a crack in his voice that said more than he wanted to. And he looked at you, to see if you caught it, and you swore his eyes were shining. He didn’t show them to you for longer than a moment. 

“Steve?”

“I just - I don’t want to fuck this up again.” 

“How would that even happen?” 

He looked at you like he knew something you didn’t. “I don’t know.” 

You nudged his arm with your elbow, again and again, until his crossed arms dropped. Your pointer finger snaked around his, and the touch brought enough bravery out of him to link his fingers with yours. 

“What do you know?”

He scoffed into a smile, one big enough to reach his eyes, and it brought him out of his funk. “I don’t know,” he said, moving closer to you as he made the joke. 

“That’s what I thought,” you replied. “Not a thought going on in your head.” 

Making him laugh was the key to his heart - you knew that, and it worked this time as well as it always had. 

He had his head turned, cheek to shoulder, staring down at you; you were so close, you could watch his eyes move across your face and know where he was looking. They wandered, but when his gaze lingered on your lips - you noticed. 

“I know one thing for sure,” he said.

When you took a loud breath, you’re sure he heard. He gave you eye contact again, and maybe you were seeing things, but you swore you saw question marks swimming in the green. 

He didn’t breathe. You didn’t blink. You moved forward just a hair, and he looked back down, so you pressed on. You wanted to be closer, as close as you could get - it was curiosity or desperation, you didn’t know. 

When he tilted his chin toward you, it was hardly noticeable. But you saw it, and it was enough. Your nose was just about to touch his - you watched his eyes close, right before yours did. There was nothing to do but move closer, closer, closer. 

And then, when you felt just the softest graze of his skin on yours - 

BAM! BAM! BAM!

You jumped back from each other like same-side magnets, gasping and jumping at the sound of loud knocks on the front door. 

He moved fast, like he was looking for a way out, leaving you alone in the kitchen. “Shit.”

Steve had a good idea of who he’d see when he opened the door. The knob was jingling when he unlocked it, then pulled it open. 

Sure enough, Robin. Wearing a flannel that was his, with wild bedhead that he couldn’t help laughing at. 

“Did you walk here?” 

“Yeah,” she croaked. “Let me in.” 

It was written all over her face why she was there, and Steve felt bad. 

Even though she asked to come in, she didn’t move. Her features were all scrunched up, her shoulders were hunched into her crossed arms. 

“Robin -” 

“I fucking hate this.” Loud, echoing into the night and through his door. “I hate it, Steve, and I swear - I swear it’s not over.” Her eyes wet her cheeks; she looked at him through tears. “It’s going to happen again. I can feel it. And I’m scared.” 

He had to pull her inside, because he knew she’d stand in the same spot all night if he didn’t. She pushed into him, shoving her face into his shoulder, wiping her tears on his shirt. 

“You just need to rest,” he told her.

She spoke something pitiful, not caring that her words were muffled. “The gate’s really closed, right? For sure?” 

“It’s over, Robin, it was just a nightmare - you just need some good sleep, alright?” 

She nodded, wiped her runny nose into her sleeve, and tried pulling her tears back in. 

“I wish I could sleep anywhere else.” 

“I know.” It wasn’t any sort of jab - it was just the truth. The only time she was truly afraid was when she slept alone. 

She hit a fist into his chest, something playful that made things feel a little more okay, and then took herself to the stairs. 

“I’ll be up in a minute to stand guard,” he joked. She barely laughed but it was enough, and he watched her until he couldn’t see her anymore. 

And he hoped you hadn’t heard anything, because he wouldn’t be able to answer any questions you had. When he found you in the kitchen you looked nothing but concerned. 

“Is she okay?” 

All you knew was that she had nightmares about the mall fire. It was a realistic excuse, in comparison to the unbelievable truth. 

“Yeah. You know how she is.” 

You nodded. Steve wasn’t sure how to go back to the talk you were having before, so he avoided it. 

You spoke first. “I hope she’s alright.”

“I should probably go be with her,” he said. 

You were perfectly okay with it, understanding as always. “Yeah. She needs you.” 

He walked you to the door, and it was too brief for his taste. But when you were there, he spoke up. 

“I’m sorry. Can we finish this tomorrow, maybe? I promise - I… I really did want to talk.” 

“Of course,” you said, and it was shy. “Don’t be sorry, Steve, she’s more important right now. We can talk any time.” 

His arms wrapped around your shoulders for a crushing hug. “I’ll call you in the morning, okay? Before work. We can make plans then.” 

And that was it - he watched you make your walk home until you walked into your front door, and that was it. 

The moment was ruined, and he might not be able to make it happen again. 

… 

Steve didn’t call you the next morning. 

-

-

-

part two!!!!

[chirpsythismorning]

Fun fact: the shot of Mike stepping off the cliff in s1 was likely a visual parallel to Sarah jumping off the stairs in this shot from Labyrinth (1986).

For those that haven't read this theory, please do because I didn’t make these observations myself and the original post goes a lot deeper into the details from Labyrinth, which in some ways align a little too conveniently with the narrative we’re seeing unravel on the show with Mike over the seasons.

For some basic context, in s4, we even get a reference to M.C. Escher’s Relativity hanging on the wall in Mike’s room, which is also on the wall of Sarah’s bedroom, along with that work being what inspired the scene in Labyrinth. 

This next part has actually been talked about before quite a bit in the fandom, even outside of tumblr, so it’s not exactly some breakthrough as a concept on its own.

Every season, in the first scene (re)introducing the main characters, Mike is running late in some capacity. In 1x01 it’s around 3 minutes, in 2x01 it’s around 6 minutes, in 3x01 it’s around 8 minutes, and in 4x01 it’s around 13 minutes. 

So technically not the literal season opener, as that’s usually reserved to a flashback at some different location, but obviously still within those first 15 minutes, following directly after the opener…

And since we already have an idea of what the opening of s5 is going to be, what do we think the scene directly after it is going to be? You know, in the scene that Mike has been consistently running late in, for four seasons now?

Speaking of 15 minutes, I think that if they were to keep this trend going for the final season (the full circle-ness of it all is honestly too epic to pass up), it’s likely that this final time it will happen around the 15 minute mark of 5x01, as that would make the build up for it each season pretty consistent.

And not only that, but it would also literally be a callback to what Karen says to Mike that first time he’s late in s1: 

And here’s my other favorite line from one of these scenes, in the context of this theory, because it literally acknowledges this concept directly and with this air of foreshadowing I cannot stress enough:

Interestingly, another detail that ties all these ‘Mike being late’ scenes together, is stairs.

In s1 he’s running up the stairs to convince his mom to let them keep playing.

In s2 he’s rushing down the stairs trying to avoid Nancy’s wrath.

In s3 he’s awkwardly bumping into strangers going down the escalator in Starcourt Mall.

And in s4 he’s hurrying down the stairs on his way to school.

The whole point of Labyrinth is that it’s an allegory for growing up, with Sarah going from dressing up as a princess to reenact one of her favorite fairytales after being chastised by her step-mom for not going on more dates like girls her age, to Sarah rejecting her childhood and it leading to an unfortunate series of events, forcing her to face reality and take responsibility of her own life.

Does this sound like anyone we know?

Mike, who starts the show in s1 playing DND animatedly with his friends before being interrupted by his mom to end the campaign despite protests, to his mom in s2 punishing his bad behavior by having him get rid of some of his favorite toys, to him in s3 insisting that they’re 'not kids anymore' and that it was inevitable for them to stop playing games and grow up and get girlfriends, to him now in s4 reverting back to this earlier version of himself, sporting the Hellfire shirt proudly, to then reverting back to pretending when showing up at the airport with Argyle calling his outfit a shitty knock off (aka calling Mike a shitty knock-off), and without the story ever acknowledging why those shifts happened in the first place, and with one season left?

Hint? Forced conformity. That’s what’s killing the kids. That’s the real monster.

They literally told us already that out of all the monster we've seen in the show, this is what is worse than all of that. Meaning that what is about to go down, most likely topping everything we've seen up to this point, is likely going to involve forced conformity.

I also think it’s interesting that the scene in Labyrinth happened during the climax of the film, because arguably if you were to watch Stranger Things in its entirety, from s1-5, the beginning of s5 is going to feel very much like the climax to the overall story. 

Things are going to be happening fast. The stakes are insane because they need to top everything that they’ve done up to this point. Something’s gotta give. And Mike is just not looking safe out here guys.

I could go on and on about all the hints that Mike is danger, but I’ll just share my favorites. 

How am I gonna survive a whole week without you guys? Mike says, at the tail end of his opening scene in s4, and with s5 set to start at the end of said week.

Mike sitting in front of an antique funeral home fan in the s4 promotional pictures of the party in the Creel attic.

Nancy saying she saw Mike die in the vision Vecna showed her, with the early stages of said vision coming true as season 4 nears its end.

Mike getting hit in the head with an arrow front and center by Suzie’s brother, in a sequence that was loaded with foreshadowing for the end of s4 (and beginning of s5?).

Watch out dominos. Your dominos are gonna fall. Argyle says, with Mike equally in the frame behind him.

Without heart, we’d all fall apart. Will says, after telling Mike he’s the heart.

A Karen lookalike standing in front of the missing person's board at the end of s4.

Mike’s very first line in the show (also the literal first line in the show) being A shadow grows on the wall behind you, swallowing you into the darkness. It is almost here…

So maybe, theoretically speaking, what we could get by that 15 minute mark going into s5, is Mike running late one last time, and it potentially being a callback to that cliff scene ie. Labyrinth.

Another scene that I think might've been foreshadowing what is currently going down, is Max and Mike both getting knocked out by Billy at the end of s3. Max goes down first and Mike follows right after, though Max is the first to come to and help them both up.

We know Max is unlikely to be separated from the rest of the characters the whole season, that’s just not feasible. She'll at least be on-screen despite maybe not being back with the others right away, even if it’s just a cryptic cliffhanger at the end of 5x01, followed by her returning more consistently on screen after that leading up to her rescue. With the way things ended in s4 though, we need to know where she’s at and get to finding her. Which is why I think at most it will be a 1-2 episode arc.

So maybe, this moment from s3 was a hint about Max and Mike’s impending doom at the hands of Vecna, as a result of not only their emotional states, but also their bonds with El, and them then being isolated for a short time (presumed dead), only to find their way back?

It’s also worth noting Mike was the only person to witness any of Max’s symptoms from the curse prior to her finding out about it, with the camera focusing on him beside her and looking at her worriedly as her nose bled. We don’t know who Vecna’s fourth victim was going to be, because Max threw herself in as bait, but could it have originally been Mike?

I know a lot of people don't like the Mike getting Vecna'd theories or Mike is depressed takes and so if you find yourself in that position, feel free to subtweet away or whatever you need to cope with my nonsense.

I'm not a big Mike is suicidal truther or anything even, nor do I think it makes sense for him to get Vecna'd in the traditional sense like how it happened with the others in s4 because the gates are open. But Vecna still hasn’t carried out his entire plan, a plan that includes Mike dying. And the imagery surrounding it all leading up to this is compelling regardless.

If one shot at the end of s3, with Max sitting in Billy's room while Hopper was in the background saying and yeah sometimes it's painful and sometimes it's sad was enough to hint at her whole depression arc in s4, then Mike being focused on for multiple shots while Hopper was in the background saying But, lately, I guess I've been feeling... distant from you. Like you're pulling away from me or something.-- And I guess, if I'm being really honest, that's what scares me. I don't want things to change, with Mike looking longingly at the Byers house, cutting to Will looking out the car window crying, then cutting back to Mike walking into his mom's arms with a dead stare on his face, has gotta be enough to justify dude going through some shit, which coincidentally matches up with everything talked about here.

Turns out getting to Mike, now that was the key…

Maybe the first episode of s5 is about Mike ending up wherever Max is, somewhere caught in between, and them ‘crawling’ back ie. The Crawl.

Definitely might add some context to that funkopop shot-listing video Ross posted, followed by one other photo a few days later with the caption being that they finished shot-listing for 5x01-5x02. Meaning the initial video posted was likely from 5x01...

[eumppattv]

HEESEUNG IDEA

so i have had this in my drafts for a couple months now. i might turn this into a short written series, so pls let me know if you’re interested 👀

I quietly made my way through the door, careful to not wake anyone up. I was exhausted, the airport sucking out all my energy. Still, it was worth, as I get to pull off the best surprise in history. I had barely finished my second year at university, before my parents had started planning my return home for the summer. They had rejoiced at the thought of both their kids returning home, as last year Jake had spent his second year summer on a “boys trip”.

This year I had copied my brother, with my friends and I planning our “girls trip”. I spent months searching up the best hotels, restaurants, and activities in the area. I was more than excited, though it seems I was alone in my feelings. Instead of planning alongside me, my friends decided to plan their weddings instead, with all but me ending our second year in relationships. Suddenly, our girls trip was no more- so here I was, back home without anyone’s knowledge.

I had kept my plans private, opting to not tell my family the real reason I was back home. I would take it to the grave, and instead tell them I “missed them and cancelled my plans”. Half true. I closed the door, dragging my small suitcase through the hall. I stopped dead in my tracks, seeing a light shine around the corner. I mentally cursed, not expecting anyone to be awake at this time.

I left my suitcase in our hallway closet, before tiptoeing my way to the kitchen. I turned the corner, a little excited to surprise whoever was awake at 2am. I turned the corner, only to come face to face with some random guy, standing in my kitchen, eating Nutella. I screamed, heart dropping at the sight. He did the same, dropping his spoon in the process.

“Who the fuck are you?!” His eyes grew wide, like a dear in headlights- frozen in place. Before he could speak, Jake came running down the stairs, stopping in between me and the stranger. He ignored my existence, instead turning to the guy. “Is that my Nutella?” he asked, walking towards him. “No it’s mine! I bought it yesterday, when I went shopping with your mom” the boy replied.

He went shopping with my mom? I coughed, gaining their attention as Jake finally turned to face me. “Y/n!” he exclaimed, excited to see me. He went in for a hug, lifting me up in the air and then placing me back down. I laughed, excited to see my brother, before I remembered… the stranger. I glanced behind Jake, seeing the guy standing awkwardly to the side. Jake noticed my focus had shifted, and he followed my eyes before realizing he forgot to introduce us.

“Oh Y/n, this is Heeseung, my friend from college. He’s staying here for the summer.” you nodded, glad that he wasn’t an intruder. “Sorry for scaring you. I didn’t know Jake had a sister” he said, offering up a sweet smile. “It’s okay” I said, chuckling at the absurdity of the situation. Jake laughed along with us, before excusing himself to continue his “beauty sleep”.

Feeling the effects of the airport, I decided to follow, grabbing my suitcase from the closet and dragging it up the stairs. “Let me help you” said Heeseung, running up and grabbing the suitcase from my hands. I let him take it, too tired to argue against his politeness. “So you went shopping with my mom?” I asked, curiosity getting the best of me. He chuckled, setting my suitcase in front of my door. “Yeah, Jake and your dad were out so I didn’t want her to go alone”. I didn’t expect him to be so sweet.

“We’ll thank you, I’m sure she enjoyed your company” I said, opening my door to head in and crash on my bed. “Goodnight” he said, that sweet smile still plastered on his face.

My morning routine was soon shared with Heeseung. The guest bedroom was across from mine, with our separate bathrooms placed next to each room. Yet here I was every morning with the boy by my side. It started two weeks ago, when he had stopped by to ask if I had any extra toothpaste. We had started small talk, which soon turned to a full on conversation in between brushing our teeth. The next day I had gone up to him, to ask whatever stupid question was on my mind. Soon we just found each other as soon as we woke up, enjoying each others company.

I would be lying if I said something hadn’t shifted between us in these weeks. We went from strangers, to close friends, to something else. We were now comfortable with one another, teasing each other and sharing our deep thoughts. But I felt that shift this morning.

“Heeseung stop, I need to get ready!” I exclaimed while the boy pushed his way in to get in the view of the mirror. “I need to get ready too” he said, fixing his hair. I sighed, rummaging through my makeup bag. Heeseung looked down, eyebrows knitted and in deep thought. “Why are you getting all dressed up?” he asked. “I’m meeting up with my friend Sunoo” I responded, pushing him slightly so I could do my eyeliner in the mirror.

He hummed in response, moving out of the way and sitting on the stool I kept in the bathroom. He positioned it right next to me, staring me down. I felt it, the intensity of his gaze on me, and suddenly I was feeling self conscious. “Why do you have to get all dressed up for a guy?” he asked a little too aggressively. I ignored his tone, eyes never leaving the mirror. “Because I want to feel good” I responded, now turning to look at him. “Are you jealous or something?” I joked, not expecting answer.

“You’re too pretty. What if he falls in love with you?”

Nothing was the same from then on.

[red-n-ded]

Charbee Prompts Part 9

(inspired by a Barn Husbands Earthspark post by @sonderblade)

Charlie drives to Witwicky when she sees the beam that shut down all the cybertronians temporarily. She assumes that’s where Bee, her old best friend went. So she roommates with Tess Yeager, who’s attending Indiana Pennsylvania College, and takes up an automechanic job to investigate.

She stays for a couple months but is stuck with nothing since everyone in town is oddly secretive about Transformers and she's always prevented from reaching the rural areas by some accident or bad luck (or is it??"

After months of no luck or sign of any Autobot, she ends up meeting Twitch. Twitch was severely damaged while trying to train by herself and out of desperation to maintain her pride, she went to Charlie's autoshop as she was closing. Charlie was disappointed when Twitch states that she's not an Autobot but an Earth-born Transformer (plus Twitch refuses to expose any of the identities of her family and friends) but helps regardless. She’s not allowed to go out by herself so Charlie decides to be her personal medic when she gets hurt to drive off suspicion about her secret training sessions.

One day, Charlie decides to give up the search for Bee when her mom calls that she misses her. She goes to pack but Twitch comes crying to her because she got into an argument with her family. Tess catches Charlie comforting the sobbing Transformer and promises to keep her a secret and, ever the rebellious young adult, offers to drive her far away from Witwicky, taking a road trip to Texas to stay at Cade’s farmhouse for a while. Cade often drives to Witwicky to sell some of his inventions to an online buyer by the name of D.E Malto. He's quick to take Twitch in as a single father and a fan of the Transformers, especially Optimus which Tess teases that he has a celebrity crush on him.

Twitch finds Cade's father's presence comforting and talks about her stresses and learns that there’s a chance she might be the next prime. Charlie says that she needs to learn to appreciate her childhood and talk to her elders. Twitch is ready to go home but asks Charlie to come with her for support. Cade drives Charlie and follows Twitch.

They arrive at the farm and while Cade is parked from afar, Charlie and Tess walks with Twitch, who trusts the humans enough to introduce them to her family. The Maltos were all worried for Twitch since she was missing for five days with her location turned off, instantly hugging and crying when Twitch arrives and apologizing. Twitch introduces her family to the girls, assuring that they are nice and kept her safe. Alex and Dot are thankful that the girls kept their daughter safe and embraces them as family as well.

Charlie is happy that they know each other but her mood instantly shifts when Optimus, Elita and Megatron arrive, relieved and apologizing to Twitch. Charlie is in shock that Twitch is being trained by the Autobot. Twitch is afraid that Charlie would have a changed opinion on her.

"Charlie? Is something wrong? I promise I didn't lie to you. I really am not an Autobot. Are you mad?" "No, of course not. I just-" "Is that Twitch?! Oh thank Primus. You really scared us... Charlie?"

Bee arrives at the sound of Twitch's voice and is frozen when he sees Charlie standing next to her.

The two don't say anything but just stare. Everyone around them are confused and concerned, especially Twitch, until Bee breaks the silence.

"It's you. You're here and alive! I can't-" "B-127! WHAT ON EARTH WERE YOU THINKING! MAKING A CHILD A PRIME?? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND??"

Everyone is left shocked as a complete stranger scolds a 16-foot Autobot like he's a guilty husband who left the toilet seat up again. Bee tries to calm her down by crouching to her level but Charlie storms towards him and slaps him in the face, scolding him about putting pressure on young kids. (at this point, everyone is slowly backing away, afraid of witnessing a murder while Alex watches the one-sided argument with terrified recognition in his eye. "Godspeed Bee.")

The Maltobots are all concerned and asks what's going on since they never seen Bee being scolded like this before, not even from Optimus. "YOU FAKE YOUR DEATH AND THIS IS WHAT I HEAR?? YOU TRAINING A CHILD- A CHILD! TO BECOME A SOLDIER! I FIXED YOUR VOICE BOX WHEN IT GOT RIPPED OUT OF YOUR WHEN YOU WERE A FEW CENTURIES OLD! YOU HYPOCRITE!" At those words, Optimus, Elite and Megatron to recognize her as Charlie Watson, Bee’s first human friend and savior when he crashed onto Earth after holding back the Decepticons.

Charlie finally stops yelling when she sees that Bee hasn't said anything since she slapped him. "What?? Say something, you-" Bee just stares at her lovingly, mumbling, “You’re as beautiful as the day I left.”

Everyone on the farm freezes, shocked by Bee's words except for the Autobots. The Maltos and Tess on the other hand are appalled. "THEY KNOW EACH OTHER??" "Go get it girl! Dad is gonna flip!" Bee has a girlfriend?" "And she's human!" "Are they dating or married or-" "I never heard of Bumblebee having a partner or losing his voice box in any of the history books." "Well there's no true info on what happened after he held back the Decepticons." "I have so many questions." "Bee is going to have to explain this." But Bee doesn't care. It's only him and her, the girl who held his spark with the same hands that brought him back to life.

Charlie is frozen at the declaration, scanning the familiar lovesick face on Bee's faceplate staring at her like she hung the stars. Suddenly the two are in 1984, hours before the Autobots and the military arrive at her doorstep to take him away from her to fight in a never-ending war. Charlie is a depressed 18-year-old slow dancing to the 80's music playing in Bee's new radio, back when he was a small yellow beetle she bought at her uncle's junkyard. Both not saying word as they soak in the giddiness of the other reciprocating their feelings.

Back in the present, Charlie (now in her mid-50s) smiles out of exasperation, "You can't just say sh- stuff like that and get away with it. Absolute idiot." The two laugh and Charlie pulls him by the faceplate into a kiss. Everyone was rampaged.

After the loud clambering of questions and a quick minute of calming everyone down (plus the kids groaning at seeing two adults, including their mentor/uncle-figure, kiss), the couple is given a chance to explain.

Charlie has housing him for the past few years during his “death”. Charlie explains that she saw the beacon and knew it was Bumblebee so she has been staying with Tess, who weakly says hello and is outraged that Charlie had the ability to bagged such a handsome Transformer. Charlie and Tess explain and apologize to taking Twitch away on a trip. Alex and Dot are oddly forgiving since they suspect that Charlie is the reason for Twitch's sudden upbeat attitude.

Cade then arrives, asking what's taking Tess and Charlie so long since Charlie is going to miss her flight home. Tess and Charlie try to stop him before he sees the Transformers but Cade sees them anyways, absolutely stunned that Twitch knows the Autobots. Twitch explains that they went to Cade's barn at Texas for the trip and that he was very comforting when she needed it. The Maltos welcome him with open arms. Twitch goes to introduce Cade to everyone, including Bee, who is thankful for keeping his trainee and sparkmate safe, and Nightshade, who is revealed to be the secret buyer. Twitch goes to introduce him to the older Autobots but it turns out that Megatron, Elita and Optimus already knows him.

Seeing how flustered Optimus is and how softspoken Cade is, the Maltos scheme to have the three new humans stay for dinner but Charlie declines since she plans on going home but Bee and Twitch convince her to stay. Tess allows Charlie to stay as roommates as long as she wants. Charlie says yes which Bee happily cheers and grabs her to show her around the farm with the Maltobots excitedly following behind.

Tess then asks Optimus if he could show him around, Megatron and Elita playing along and encouraging the idea. Optimus tries to say no, afraid of imposing in Cade's time. "You're not imposing anything, don't worry. I would like to know the kind of stuff my inventions are being used for and... get to know you too." "Really?" "Yeah, you're really cool guy but that's all history books and news. I'd like to know you. The real Optimus." "Oh... I'd...like to get to know you too." "Smooth." "ELITA!" "I knew you liked humans but I didn't think it would be this much." "Megatron, I will cut you." "Have fun you crazy kids." "But not too much!" "ALEX! DOT! YOU TOO??"

(here's the link to the post I was talking about)

[bberetd]

▼ for Daisy, perhaps? 🤔

🙇‍♀️

▼ - childhood headcanon

let's see...

She absolutely loved playing outside and running around! She would collect any kid she saw roaming around the area and invite them to play with her, and they'd be quick friends.

She's got plenty of childhood bruises and scars from all the playing.

Squinkyyy!

When she was five, she found a stray orange baby Yoshi sleeping in the castle gardens. She immediately claimed him as her own, promising her mom and dad to feed him plenty of fruits and take him on nice walks.

and she actually held up this promise! They did everything together; they were best friends, partners in crime, ride-or-dies (literally) 🧡🧡

The Yoshi (named Squinky) became very strong faster than the average Yoshi and was able to carry Daisy around long distances by the time she was 8.

They would show Daisy's parents 'magic' tricks they learned or funny dances. Squinky also quickly became a part of Daisy's young circle of friends. Their favorite game to play with him was Duck Duck Goose, where the 'goose' would get to ride Squinky and chase who tagged them.

Family life

She's always been a daddy's girl. Her relationship with her mom has always been rather strained because she wanted her to grow up so fast and to be the 'perfect princess.'

^ about this!! I often think about Daisy's childhood/upbringing like the movie Brave (and totally not just cause they're both red-headed 😜). All she wanted (and wants) to do is have fun, be free, be independent, but she shall be constrained by the shackles of diplomacy, her mom's belief was.

The idea of suitors as a child scared her. She didn't want to get married to strangers that she'd have to force herself to love.

The future in general just scared Daisy. She thought that if she had gone far enough from Sarasaland, that time would have frozen and that she would be young forever. When night fell, she packed some fruits and belongings, called Squinky, and got moving.

Meeting Peach

This trip lasted for about three days. within that time, she explored different kingdoms, but the most sane (and safest) seemed to be the Mushroom Kingdom.

Upon entering the main village, Daisy saw an old-looking Toad showing a human girl around the shops. As she thought about it, that was the only other human she saw in the kingdom. Is the old guy the king, and the girl his... daughter? Her mama's got weird taste.

But this mysterious girl makes eye contact with Daisy and immediately runs up to hug her (to the mushroom man's dismay) and was blabbering on and on about meeting another human. She likes her.

But yeah Peach and Daisy meet!! Daisy introduces Peach to Squinky, and Peach introduces Daisy to Toadsworth.

Daisy, Peach, and Squinky spent a lot of time together over a couple of days, doing outdoor activities, dress-up, exploring, tea parties... but Toadsworth eventually decided that it was time to get Daisy back to Sarasaland.

Reunion

In those few days, her father held an intervention for her mother, with him and close-working advisors voicing their concerns about how she was raising their daughter. She used this moment to sit back and really think about how she had been treating her daughter. [insert more clever epiphany]

The family had an emotional reunion. Daisy's mother wanted to be better for her and everyone in Sarasaland so they wouldn't have to relive the worst three days of their lives.

Daisy loved this very much. She had two conditions: to let her visit the Mushroom Kingdom more, and to let Squinky become the official royal pet.

the rest is history, Squinky is still there present-day :')

[mrs-johansson]

Strangers in the night - Scarlett Johansson x Fem!Reader

Part 19:

“Hey, guys,” heard Scarlett’s voice at the front door. I smoothed out my dress and my hair before waking out of the kitchen. “What a beautiful house,” I’m guessing that was her mom. “Right? She has great taste,” oh she’s hyping me up.

They all walked in, her three brothers and two sisters with their parents. “Hi,” I said nervously with a smile. Scarlett swiftly moved to my side, wrapping an arm around my waist. Her mom was the first to come up to me and she had a smile on her face which seemed genuine and kind. “I want you guys to meet my girlfriend, Y/n, but you probably know her already,” said Scarlett. “Of course we do. It’s so nice to meet you, darling. I’m Melanie,” I held out my hand but she moved to hug me. “Oh yeah, that’s better,” I chuckled as I hugged her back. Scar’s hand still lingered on my lower back making it really hard to focus on her MOTHER. “Y/n!” Rose came running from the living room then she realized her family was there. And she still came to me, holding her hands up. I picked her up and she looked at her relatives. “Hi,” she said with a big smile. “Everything okay in the living room?” I asked and she nodded. “I just want more juice.” “How about after dinner? You can have more of that tomato bread,” I brushed a piece of hair out of her face. “Okay,” she sighed and leaned her head on my shoulder.

Scarlett’s dad was the next person who introduced himself and damn he was tall. “Hello, I’m Karsten,” he held out his hand. “Y/n, nice to meet you,” I said and shook his hand. “Hi, Grandpa!” Rose excitedly greeted the man before they high-fived.

I met each of her siblings, and I wouldn’t have thought Hunter and Scarlett would look so much alike. “Shall we go to the table?” Asked Scarlett and they all agreed. She settled them in and I left to the kitchen with Rose still on my side. “Don’t you want to be with them?” I sat her on the counter just until I got the drink out of the fridge. “No. I want to stay with you.” “Go in there, I’ll bring the food out,” Scarlett walked in. “You can’t leave me with them, I just met them,” I spread my arms. “And they already think you’re the nicest person,” she left a kiss on my cheek. “Mama?” Spoke Rose. “Yes, baby?” Scarlett opened the fridge. “Y/n is my mama too?” My mouth fell open and I glanced at Scarlett. We shared a look before she stood by my side. “Uhm…” She started. “Would you like… that?” Scarlett cleared her throat, nervous even to look at me. “Yes!” She clapped her hands and I swear I had tears in my eyes. “Okay, okay… Why don’t you see what Uncle Hunter is doing?” She took her off the counter and she happily walked out.

“I’m sorry, this was so sudden…” Scarlett started to apologize but I didn’t let her finish instead I wrapped her in the biggest hug. “Oh okay…” She chuckled, hugging me back. “She is the cutest kid, you don’t have to be sorry about anything,” I could feel a tear sliding down my cheek. “I’m so happy she feels happy with you. I still have to talk with Romain though. And thank you for being her new mommy I guess,” she pulled back taking hold of my hands, kissing my knuckles. “It’s the biggest honor.”

We brought in the appetizer and some wine, put Rose into her chair and we started chatting. “I already said to Scarlett, you have a very lovely home Y/n,” said Melanie, and I smiled. “Thank you. One of my architect friends designed everything. “It’s pretty great work,” Karsten looked around. “Thanks,” I said.

The prosciutto quickly disappeared and a bottle of wine was shared between most of us.

I brought out the main dish and everyone was happy to see beef roast with crispy baked potatoes and some different veggies. “Wow this looks amazing,” Scarlett mumbled to herself and I smiled at the sparkling look in her eyes. I got some on Rose’s plate and cut up the meat and the potatoes. “Thank you,” she said as soon as I put the plate in front of her. “You’re welcome.”

“So how did you two meet? Scarlett only told us about a mystery woman,” Hunter smiled at his sister. “We accidentally bumped into each other around November last year,” Scarlett said. “I still think it wasn’t an accident on Scarlett’s side though,” I shrugged with a cheeky smile. “Okay… That’s… Alright, it wasn’t a full accident,” I turned my head toward her and honestly I was shocked that she admitted it. “But we talked for a couple of months after that and then I finally asked her out,” smiled my amazingly beautiful girlfriend.

They asked me all sorts of questions and I was happy to answer all of them. I had nothing to hide from her family and I wanted them to know that I love Scarlett with all my heart. And also Rose.

Later in the night after they left and we put Rose to bed, we cleaned up the kitchen. “How do you think it went?” I asked Scarlett as she put the clean plates away. “Couldn’t have gone better. They love you for sure,” she said and I smiled. “That’s great.”

I finished everything and I got the bottle of wine that was half empty. Poured into two glasses and sat on the counter. Scarlett wiped her hands and took one of the glasses and stood between my legs. Her left hand rested on my thigh, caressing the exposed skin. “Dinner was nice, if you get bored of this acting thing you could be a chef,” she said and took a sip of her wine. I chuckled at her words and shook my head. “Hopefully I don’t get bored of this.” “Yeah, I kinda hope that too,” she shrugged and downed the whole glass of liquor. “Wow, wine is not for thirst you know,” I said and she put the glass down, her hands going straight to my waist. She pulled me closer, my legs sneaking around her waist. “You look good,” she leaned close, her eyes looking between mine and my lips. “I taste good too,” I gave a kiss just on the edge of her mouth. Her pupils were wide and the way her jaw clenched just drove me crazy. Scarlett never held back the lust she felt and not gonna lie that was incredibly hot. My hands trailed up her arms right to her neck. I put my glass down from my other hand and started to slowly massage the back of her neck. “I hope you’ll be like this even when we’re 50,” Scarlett murmured, the tension just growing and growing. “You don’t have to worry about that,” I finally pulled her into a kiss, deepening it immediately.

Scarlett squeezed my waist, the fabric of my dress tightening around me as she fisted it. The kiss soon becomes sloppy and desperate. She pulled the dress up to the top of my thighs and I swiftly pushed myself up and she rolled up the dress from under me. I pulled away and Scarlett was desperate to remove my dress, throwing it to the floor.

Scarlett’s eyes fell to my breast and before I could think she started kissing all over my chest. A quiet sigh fell from my lips and I tilted my head back so she could have more access. “I love you so much,” she mumbled against my skin and soon started sucking on my pulse. My breath hitched as I tried to speak but I forced it out tho. “I love you too.”

I looked down at her breathlessly as her eyes met mine just before she took a tit into her warm mouth. I gasped and my hands moved on their own accord, slipping fingers through her hair as she sucked and lightly trailed her teeth over my right tit before moving onto the left. I was trying my best to be as quiet as possible but it was very fucking hard.

I grabbed her left hand and pushed it between my legs, hoping she would get the message.

And thank god she did, because her fingers found the hem of my underwear and literally ripped it off, throwing it to the dress. I groaned and threw my head back. “Be quiet.” She demanded and I just leaned my forehead against her shoulder, whimpering under her touch.

She swiftly laid me down on the counter, pulling me to the edge of it by my thighs. Planted kisses along my thigh before her tongue licks a long stripe over my slit. I grabbed onto the edge of the marble counter, gripping it till my knuckles turned white.

Her eyes remain on me as she explores every inch of me with her tongue. I threw my head back when she sucked on my clit a bit before pulling away.

I looked down and met Scarlett's lust-blown eyes as she sticks her ring and middle fingers into her mouth to coat them in saliva before slowly easing them into me. My back arched against the counter, feeling my muscles tightening. “Fucking hell,” I groaned. She lowered herself to take my clit back between her lips, sucking as she stimulated with curling her fingers.

And then it hit me. I felt like I’m gonna break the counter from how hard I was holding on to it. My thighs naturally tried to close up but Scarlett forced them apart, the muscles flexing on her biceps. “Come, baby, come” she whined and that’s all I needed to push me over the edge. My body was shaking while Scarlett lapped up every drop. I swear to go I don’t ever want anyone else to do this to me if it’s not her. She gives me earth-shattering orgasms and I fucking love them.

I breathed heavily, trying to find a normal rhythm. “You okay?” Scarlett’s soft hands slid up my thighs and stopped on my hips. “Honestly?” I took a deep breath in and closed my eyes. “I feel like I'm in heaven.”

***

The next day Scarlett insisted on cooking and my parents and Léa were happy to finally meet her. Mostly my dad though.

They asked kind of the same questions from her and I just basically fell more and more in love with her. She was literally perfect, yes she was stubborn and sometimes thinking that she’s the only one who’s right but we can look past that.

Everyone went amazing and I was just happy that they know how joyful my life is because of her and Rose. My mother was surprised that Rose and I got along so well but I guess it didn’t help how much she pressured me into having kids soon.

Later that night we were laying in bed, watching Dateline as usual. “So our 6 months is gonna be this Saturday and I thought I could post then. What do you think of these?” I showed her two pictures and she nodded. “Nice.” “You sure you’re okay with this?” I asked, leaning against her front and she wrapped an arm around me. “Yes, and I’m gonna say yes every time you ask.” “Okay, I just don’t want you to be uncomfortable with all this social media think. Besides, after that I’m still only going to post your pinky or something, but like… you know if there’s like a picture that I think everyone needs to see, I don’t know… us at a premier or something. We need to think about these. You don’t have social media, so I’d like to hear your thoughts.” “Whatever you want,” she said and I looked up at her. “Scar, I’m serious.” “So am I. As long as I don’t have to do all this technical stuff, I’m great,” she gave a kiss on my forehead and went back to watching the show. “Well yeah, you’re not the best at that,” I mumbled with a smirk, and the next thing I knew she punched my side, making me jump a little. “You know I’m right.” “I guess you could say that.”

***

Liked by chrisevans and 10 356 289 others

y/n_cole: my love, you’re all I’ve wished for in this life❤️ everything is better with you. everything is better since you. i will never forget the moment I realized i love you and I’m the happiest that our paths crossed in this crazy world. I love you endlessly✨ 6 months and counting🤍

chrisevans I’m the happiest for you two❤️

y/n_cole way too obsessed with the idea😆

florencepugh biggest power couple in Hollywood hands down💁‍♀️

y/n_cole speaking facts there!

sarcjo_for_life deep down we all knew Scarlett was fruity… I’m just happy Y/n is her girl🔥

[deathmetalunicorn1]

idk who suggested it last time but i’m obsessed with the bad influence friend, so can we have the bad influence friend bringing an acquaintance of her home for homework or something? imagine the poor guy entering the house and immediately being attacked by a bunch of questions and glares from the members of the ror family because he just don’t look trustworthy

-You couldn’t help but grin up at B/N- a good friend of yours and F/N- he was a nice guy, despite looking a lot like you, looking like a bad influence, like a delinquent.

-To you, he was just a normal guy, but if you were to leave him and F/N alone- they looked like two opposites, a punk and a good kid.

-The three of you were heading to the home you had been sharing with F/N for about a month now, after you were taken in by their massive family, after finding out about your home situation. It was that time of year when it was group project time, and the three of you needed a place to work together.

-B/N had a nice house, but he didn’t want to deal with his mom nagging at him while you three tried to do your homework, so F/N offered up their home, since it was so large.

-You had agreed, before you realized that their family (and your new family) might not be so accepting to him- they only just started to like you (they like you a lot, but you don’t realize it)!

-You and Y/N both called out, “We’re home!” as you walked in and as soon as B/N stepped in, heads snapped over, seeing a stranger, one who looked like a delinquent.

-F/N beamed brightly, introducing him, with the hopes the family would be a bit more accepting, “This is our friend B/N! We’ve been assigned a group project and since there’s space here- we came here so we’re going to get to work!”

-F/N was quite pushy, pushing the much larger B/N to the kitchen, as the glares felt like knives and fire. You couldn’t help but smirk, thinking it was funny.

-Sitting at the kitchen table, the three of you started to research the project so you could discuss which parts each of you would be doing. B/N was participating as well, looking at the material list that you guys came up with, but he could still feel the stares of F/N’s family.

-F/N noticed them peeking in, glaring daggers at B/N and they pouted, “Hey you guys- we’re trying to work here!” A few ran away, not wanting to upset F/N anymore, but some- Loki, Leonidas, and Hercules remained, just in case B/N tried anything funny!

-B/N wasn’t bothered, as he gets looks like this all the time because of how he looks and carries himself, but despite being a brat at times, he’s been nothing but sweet to both you and F/N for the few years he’s known the both of you!

-Loki was gritting his teeth, scowling at this scoundrel in their home before he saw B/N reaching towards F/N and instantly Leonidas reacting, throwing out a massive Spartan thrown knife which imbedded in the table.

-You were surprised, while F/N leapt back with a yelp, but it was B/N’s reaction that took everyone by surprise, his eyes turned sparkly and bright, easily pulling the blade out, “No way- an Ancient Greek kopis blade! The Ancient Greeks used these all throughout Greece and it-” he started to ramble, spouting off fact after fact.

-This was rather unexpected, as the three parental units were shocked before F/N pouted, “This is why I wanted you to leave us alone- B/N is a history nut and he won’t stop once he gets started! We have a project to work on!!”

-B/N turned, his eyes sparkling as the three men walked in and he started to ramble off question after question, wanting to know as much as he could learn.

-He may look like a punk, but this interaction showed that looks are very deceiving, and they shouldn’t judge. Loki glanced over at you, and you smirked softly, knowing what they had done, which they did feel a bit bad about.

-You and F/N had to tie B/N to the chair after he started chasing the family around, including those who quickly learned he was a history fanatic, as he was begging to ask more questions.

-The family froze as they heard you and F/N, “Help us work more on the project, and we’ll let you go.” They knew it was a bad idea to let B/N into the house- it just wasn’t for the reason they originally thought.

[eddiernunson]

Found Again | Part 2 | Sequel to Trapped

Word Count: 5.2k

Summary: The year is 2005. Vecna is defeated, Steve Harrington is finding grey hairs. Eddie has already been dead for 19 years. Unfortunately, you have too. Since 1989. In a new life, new state, new friends, new school, you find yourself drawn to the new kid, and he to you. Something tells you it had to do with the dreams of a man with long hair when you were small.

Authors Note: To everyone who has read the parts of Trapped to read this, you are wonderful and I appreciate you! So this is the introduction to the character Eddie reincarnates into... and I hope you like him. Also I forgot the tags on the last chapter. I gotta get better at that.

You ran into the gymnasium as Coach Rudy introduces the newest junior year to their upcoming semester, and as it’s the first day of school he seems to ignore your tardiness. You find yourself sitting right next to Kaitlyn, thank god.

“Late already? Aren’t you usually on your best behaviour for the first week or so?” She asks, and yes, unfortunately tardiness is a habit of yours.

You grit your teeth in a smile, itching to tell her all about the mysterious new kid you just saw in the parking lot.

Coach Rudy was in the middle of explaining the introductory 'game' he was about to have you all play, the stupid one where you say your name and a fun fact about yourself, when said mysterious stranger pops into the gym, out of breath.

“Aah, this must be our new student.” Coach exclaimed, holding his hand out and walking towards him quite dramatically. It was a bit over the top, but again, there weren’t a lot of new students in your school. “Here, you can start us off. Introduce yourself, where you’re from, and one fun fact about yourself.”

For the record, where you’re from was only for the new kid. Most of the population of your high school were from here.

“Sorry, couldn’t,” he speaks, and holy hell, it sent shivers down your spine, and you suddenly wanted to spend hours talking to him. “Couldn’t find the gym. My name is Patrick, I’m from Ohio, and I broke my left thumb twice, at the same spot.” He holds out his hand, extending his thumb where you could see a dent on his first knuckle. Your eyes zoom in on it, fixated on him showing his hands.

The moment you had realized you were staring, you blinked away. It felt like slow-motion to you, but it only lasted half a second. You were startlingly aware of how much you wanted to endlessly linger over him without a care and these intense reactions were overwhelming you.

You saw this guy literally only ten minutes ago, get it together, girl!

“Welcome to our school, Patrick. Glad to have you here. Who’s next?” Painstakingly, you all sit in a circle and one at a time the twenty-five of you say your name and a fun fact. Some of them were weird, others were interesting.

Somehow your brain refused to tune in your classmates. How has this person affected you so much, and why does this feeling feel like coming home at the same time?

“Maddie, your turn?” Next to you Kaitlyn lightly bumps into you.

“Oh. I’m Maddie and my mom took me to a psychic when I was four.” It wasn’t exactly unknown; it became your fun-fact when you realized teachers would be pulling this stunt every year. Having known most of your classmates since you were 4, it makes no sense to be experimenting with fun facts when most of them have grown up with you.

“Boo.” Kaitlyn whispers, and you knew why.

Because of all the juicy secrets you have told her over the years, she could never get out of you why you had gone to a psychic. You were keen on not telling, it was nice to have a mystery that people had wanted to know. There were even rumors speculated as to why, none of them true.

The class introduction took the first forty-five minutes of class. The coach insisted that he wanted a judge free place where you’re free to play without judgement of your classmates. As always, Coach Rudy was met with furrowed eyebrows and rolling eyes. As much as he tries, and he truly does, it doesn’t negate that teenagers can be sneaky with their malice.

You had once rolled your eyes at upper classmates who insisted the class wasn’t all what it promised to be. That was when you learned teenage girls have such a quiet way of being cruel.

Turns out, anti-bullying policies are bullshit.

The second half of your class was spent separating into teams for a fun game of dodgeball. Yes, dodgeball. On the first day. At first period. You found yourself on opposing teams to both Kaitlyn and the newcomer your neck couldn’t stop turning back towards.

Rather than allow yourself the embarrassment of being one of the last ones because you didn’t participate then being hit in the face with a ball, you let yourself be one of the first out. You were not about to put yourself through that in front of him.

“Maddie!” Rudy blows his whistle, “more participation!”

You didn’t care if he called you out for not taking part, something Rudy was known to be passionate about. It was a preferable fate.

Turns out, Patrick was fantastic at dodge ball. He dodged effectively, his aim was skillful, and lastly, he didn’t shoot to kill. His shots were kind.

That was what stuck out to you. He had the ball in his court, but it never felt malicious, he was just enjoying the game. Damn this was really attractive, your mouth watering as you watched obsessively.

The bell rings minutes after Patrick hits the final standing on the court, and the other person laughs when he hits them with the ball. Patrick’s joy for the play of the game was contagious and the smile on his face spoke a thousand words. He meets up in the middle when Rudy calls you all over.

As you catch a closer glimpse, his forehead was beaded in sweat, poor kid is going to his first day having sweat everywhere without any gym clothes. You were sure Rudy didn’t think anyone would be that into the game, in fact it might've been the reason he chose this game to begin with.

After the class is dismissed, they all pick up their bags off the floor, something you would usually put in the locker room. Someone stands in your peripherals, clearing their throat to get your attention. You were sure it was Kaitlyn, but unless she has grown six inches over the span of five minutes and cut, curled, and dyed her hair, it wasn’t.

It was Patrick.

“Hey.” He greeted, his face still shiny, his smile contagious.

Your heart skipped a beat.

In fact, you thought it stopped working altogether for a solid minute before your brain even catches up.

“Hi.” You manage out, and your body feels like it’s in a time lock, stuck in place.

“I don’t know this school at all, I thought I’d be able to figure it out, but I was proven very wrong. Can you show me around?” How was this real?

Things like this didn’t just happen.

This literally felt as if the world had delivered him to you on a silver platter. Here you go, you’re welcome.

“Uh, sure. No problem.” You agreed, as if you didn’t spend the entire period staring at him obsessively. “Just one moment, ok?” You hold out a finger, walking slowly towards where Kaitlyn stand in a corner, gesturing wildly and wondering what the hell was going on.

“Ok. I’ll meet you in the hall.” He gestures towards the big doors on the opposite side of the gym, and you nod stiffly in response.

“Uh, did I miss something?” Kaitlyn demands as soon as he’s out of earshot.

The fact that you didn’t get any time to tell her about seeing him by the time he had approached you was almost too much for you to process. “So, I saw him in the parking lot, he showed up about five minutes before the bell, and I was one of the only students there. Maybe he recognized a familiar face?”

“Ok, but this isn't that. Whatever that was between you two, was insane.” She describes it, adjusting the pastel dress she had chosen for the first day. “Seriously. Like, I know you’ve been crushing on him but it’s obvious he likes you back.”

You make a weird face at her, shaking your head in disbelief. “No way. I was staring at him the whole time. He’s just gonna let me down gently.”

“The way he looked at you, no.” Your head shaking continued, insisting that she was delusional. “Whatever. I’m just saying, he literally could’ve just asked to be assigned a student to help him out, but instead he asked you.” She sighs, grabbing the already crumpled up schedule from her bag. “What do you have next?”

“Math.”

“Ew. I have Chemistry.” Damn it.

“I’ll see you later?” You call out as she runs to the opposite door that Patrick did.

“Text me, keep me updated on how it goes!” She shouted and the door shuts behind her.

Your feet suddenly rush to move, realizing you barely had the time to now both show Patrick and get to your class. With your luck he probably got tired of waiting for you and went to someone else for help.

Nope. He was leaning on a locker patiently, and he pushed himself off lightly, hands in his low sitting pocket pants as he walked to you.

Did-did your mouth just water?

“Uh, which class do you have next?” You ask him, suddenly aware you weren’t in class with him anymore, technically it was just you and him with extra people around you.

He pulls out his schedule, folded more neatly than Kaitlyn’s was. “Uh, Math.” He calls out.

You’re stunned into silence. “With Miss. Lipton?” You ask incredulously, and he nods his head quickly to confirm. “Damn. Same class, follow me.”

Ok. Now, this, this right here? Same class? What was this John Cusack bullshit that was happening and when was the other shoe gonna drop?

He follows you down the hall as you give a quick tour to that specific area of the school to which your footsteps covered. There was a fight last year by that trophy case, a teacher was found hooking up with a student under that staircase over a decade ago, and your freshman locker until you reached the room in the nick of time, only a handful of seats left.

Two of them happened to be next to one another, but you start to walk towards the one in the back, any assumptions that might be wrong would kill your insides. As you turn away from his seat he tugs you by a strap hanging from the bag that sits on your shoulder. When you turn back to him confused, he tilts his head to the desk next to him.

And while this had a part of your body floating on air, the other part was sinking via anvil. You couldn’t shake the feeling that this was too good to be true. It felt too right, like him asking you to show him around was always gonna happen. You were always going to forget your phone and see him run in late. It just made sense.

Too much sense. This sense of coming home just felt overpowering and it was a terrifying feeling towards someone you had just met.

A crazy part of you, a small boat in the sea of this is weird asked you, ‘If this is too good to be true, would it be so bad to believe in it?’

Nope, too crazy.

You sat next to him, Miss. Lipton welcoming all her students back, wrapped up the conversation she was having with her favoured students when until only minutes after the bell. “Morning, students. Welcome to Algebra II!”

Miss. Lipton is the only teacher that doesn’t want to torture you with the get to know one another game, in fact, she just wanted to get right into the learning and make sure her students knew her expectations. She was kind, but she was brutal when it came to missed assignments and homework.

While you were dreading a full semester starting off with gym and algebra, but if it meant you got to sit next to Patrick, maybe it won’t be so bad.

The only reason you know Ms. Lipton’s rules, is because you’ve heard them said to you twice already.  If this was your first time in her class you would’ve been screwed, your ears muffled like there’s no sound, all too aware of him within arm's reach. God, the three minutes of leading him to the classroom were being played on repeat, speaking to him, his laughter at a sillier expression you had made once announcing the scandal that was Mr. Wes, his easy stride next to yours.

Was your breathing this deep, or did you just think it was?

Miss. Lipton wasted no time, getting right into the first lesson and assigning 12 questions for homework. You were given time in class to work on them, and you’re leant down on your desk, staring hard at a math problem you didn’t even listen to the lesson for.

Oh, sitting next him was gonna be bad for your already mediocre grades.

“Did you get a word of that?” Patrick asks you, leaning towards your desk. You caught sent of his Irish Spring soap, and somehow his freshly showered scent melted you.

“No. My brain is all gooey today.” You state in an even voice, leaning towards neither positive or negative in your tone.

“Summer has a tendency, that’s for sure.” Patrick exclaims, going back in his text to read over the lesson.

Sure. Summer.

You follow his lead, might as well figure out what the hell you missed while you can still ask questions.

As you finally start to grasp the concept the bell rings, and Patrick looks to you expectantly, holding a strap of his bag with an easy smile on his face.

“Alright, what next?” You ask him, and he brings out his chart again.

“I have band, next.” He explains, showing you the timeslot.

You definitely did not have band, not knowing how to play a single instrument. “Well, I’m not in that. Here, I’ll show you.” You start down the hall, and the band room was actually pretty far in the school compared to your gym and algebra.

As you make the second turn down another hallway he asks, “What, no commentary, this time?” And you didn’t know him enough to be sure, but there was something in his voice. You weren’t hopeful enough to think he was flirting.

“Oh, well not much to say in these halls. The mural is redone by different senior every four years, there’s the drama room we do one play per semester, down those halls is our art room, here is the auditorium. Oh. If you pass by the bathroom at the end of this hall,” you point at it, “don’t use it. It reeks because the stoners took control of it last year.”

“Didn’t the teachers do anything?”

“You think they didn’t try? Because these kids did everything to dodge them. Kinda like you in gym today, you overachiever.” Was that…flirting?

“Hey, dodgeball is fun when you play it right.” He claims, and he was apparently right.

You stop in front of some open and painted double doors. “Ok, this is your stop.” He looks up at the doors, and you wondered if they were intimidating to you, how bad would they be to him? “What instrument do you play?” You ask, trying to cut his nervousness.

“Uh, bass.” He answers, pretending to do the double pluck that bass players are so known for.

“Electric, or—”

“Electric.” He interrupts you, dismissing the thought of him playing the double bass.

“Go get ‘em, tiger.” You tell him, patting his shoulder lightly. Your brain malfunctions in the middle of the pat, wondering just what the hell did you think you were doing.

You freeze on the spot, muttering a goodbye as you walk away as you felt overwhelmed. At least English would be simple.

-

English was not simple. The first book of the semester, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde turned out to have so much illusion to imagery to describe a single sentence you were bored to tears by the second page. You understood none of what was happening, feeling less dumb when multiple classmates also had questions.

The bell rung, signifying lunch time. You sat with your food alone waiting for Kaitlyn when the seat next to you is filled by Patrick.

This boy is literally enabling your fixation on him. One part of you wanted to tell him to run from you, because you were unhealthily obsessed with him, and you only met him hours ago.

The other side wanted to beg him to continue, because it gave you the delusion that this might not have been one-sided.

“How was band?” You ask him, the Irish Spring soap hitting your nose sweetly again.

“It was lame.” He responds, opening up his bag of chips on the tray. “We didn’t really get to play much, and it was just some introductory talks. I do music theory on the weekends, so it was basic knowledge. Dunno, felt like Junior High band than High School. What class did you go to?”

That was certainly a critique. And while you were no means an arts school, the drama program you had was nothing to laugh at. Maybe the band class wasn’t up to par with the drama program.

However, you’re now fixed on the idea that he also wanted to know how your class went, too.

“English. I usually love this class but the book she introduced us to was stupidly hard.” You complained and suddenly Kaitlyn pops down next to you.

“I warned you that she’s a villain.” She claims, laughing as you finally discover the true nature of the infamously tough English teacher that was Mrs. Van Heerde. “She’s that intense all year long, by the way. You get used to it within the first week.”

“Do we have any other classes together, or will we be just tortured together during PE all semester?” You ask, yanking out your ever-folded schedule.

The two of you compare, and you have your last class of the day together, Anthropology.

“Hey me too.” Patrick comments, already putting his schedule back in his pocket.

Kaitlyn side eyes you, nodding towards Patrick pointedly with her head. You wish you could express every thought you’ve been thinking, but the fact that it’s stopped by his mere presence is a gift you could never have predicted. She leans forward onto her elbows towards him, a devilish glint in her eye. “So what’s Ohio like?”

“Boring.” Patrick deadpans to her, mouth still chewing as he said it. “Nothing happens there.”

“Why’d you move here? No offense, but nothing happens here either.” You laugh, leaning back in your chair.

Your small town was made of only one high school, and the town had major meetings in which the smallest of squanders were battled out by the leaders. What squanders were so important to gather (most of) the town’s population you might ask?

New library signs. Where to place wheelchair accessible ramps on old buildings.

Stars Hallow was very reminiscent of your town, without all the romanticization of it.

“Dad’s job moved him.” Patrick answers, lips pursed as if he was considering his opinion on being moved going into his second last year of high school.

“To here? Of all places?” Kaitlyn asks, her eyebrows raised up to her honey blonde bangs.

Patrick laughs silently, nodding solemnly in response.

“So why did your mom bring you to a psychic when you were so young?” Patrick asks, taking a sip and your mind is captivated by his Adam’s apple bobbing as he drank. You never realized it was so prominent.

“You won’t get an answer out of her.” Kaitlyn answers when she realizes you were preoccupied. “I’ve tried for years, and nothing.”

“Why not?” Patrick asks, the question directed towards you.

His brown eyes look into yours, and without either of your food to distract you anymore they were so captivating. “I like to have a little mystery in a town where everyone knows everything.”

“Do you even know why she took you?” Patrick challenged you, his eyebrows tilted.

“Yep. I could tell you vividly why she took me.” You pause, leaning over to your bestfriend to tease her. “But I won’t. I let this one fact fester for years so the real thing will not live up to the hype. I guarantee it.”

There’s something behind his eyes that you couldn’t place, an unsaid sentence in his brain. You wanted to be brave and ask what was on his mind, but, then again you were only his tour guide. Tomorrow he’ll be hanging with some people he actually liked.

The air as tense as you thought it was, Kaitlyn switching her glance between the two of you as an unspoken sentence seems to be exchanged. Not that either of you were aware of the sentence, but Kaitlyn was, even if she didn’t know what it meant.

Patrick wondered if you were feeling any bit of as intense as you were towards him as he did about you. Why was he so drawn to you? Why did not knowing about this story of the psychic drive him so crazy?

You wondered why you had the sudden urge to tell Patrick a story that you had stored away in a safe. How was he not freaked out by the sheer intensity of how much you’ve been staring at him all day?

Kaitlyn just wanted to know when the two of you would get a grip and just admit you were into one another. Patrick was cute, and by the reactions of the girls in the classes without you, also desired. However the general consensus is that the two of you were into one another, and anyone with eyes could see it.

Anyone but the two of you, at least.

“Alright I gotta jet. I’ll see you both in Anthropology, I guess.” Kaitlyn walks off, shaking her head in exasperation. One day when the fog settled you’d be able to have a conversation again.

Hopefully.

-

After you dropped Patrick off at his second last class, you were able to show him the classroom for Anthropology, which so happened to be diagonally across the hall. He thanked you graciously for showing him around, and you had to fight back insisting that the pleasure was all yours, you got to look at him all day.

Now you walked into the classroom, seeing the desk layout as both Kaitlyn and Patrick had already seated, with a seat between them you supposed was meant for you. You walked to the seat, and they were already in the middle of a conversation.

“No, I swear to god, you should’ve seen her reaction.” Kaitlyn insists, and you’ve got a bad feeling you were the her she was talking about.

Patrick lets out a light laugh, and his smile brightens up the room.

At least, to you it did.

“I’m not even going to ask.” You claim, shaking your head in contentment. Contentment? Why were you content?

“Oh, I'm telling him about the time-”

“Nope. Don’t want to know.”

“Fine.” Kaitlyn lets you be stubborn, raising her hands up in surrender.

You stare straight ahead to the whiteboard ahead of you, refusing to look Patrick in the eye and give in to Kaitlyn’s little game. You knew, as well as she did, that the moment you looked at him and the spark in his eyes you would want to know what story Kaitlyn was telling him.

The possibilities were endless.

Anthropology was as interesting as you hoped it was, picking it based on liking social studies more around the study of how people lived. At the end of the class the teacher Mr. Sullivan assigned a project that was due towards two weeks.

It was a long project that required days of working together, a study on different tribes in East Africa. It involved basic research, a visual and oral presentation with an artifact that represents the tribe as a whole.

It was a long project, something that earned a groan as he handed the assignment out.

Mr. Sullivan didn’t care, telling you to partner up with whoever.

Kaitlyn, ever a sweetheart, knew what you were going to say before you even say it. “Hey, I’m gonna partner with Lacey, her whole thing is research projects. You should go with Patrick.” Very subtle, Kaitlyn. Very subtle.

You take out your flip phone, texting her under the table as you turn to your right towards Patrick.

UR THE BEST

The sound of her phone flipping shut is the signal that she has received it, and she simply just says, “I know.”

You gulp, facing towards Patrick. “So, partners?” You ask delicately, ready for any rejection.

He keeps surprising you. “Cool.”

As if on que the bell rings, and you find yourself walking with Patrick to your car. He was, after all, parked right next to it. In fact, you found yourselves in between his van and your car and the air is so much thicker than when you saw him that morning.

After the miracle of being in the same gym class as him you had expected your only interactions with him to be limited and one-sided. Patrick outright asking you if you would show him around stunted your perception, and you found your luck growing throughout the day.

You look up at him, and nothing in his face is giving him away, the sweater open to reveal he wore an MCR shirt but the baseball cap on his dashboard surprising you.

As vehicles started to leave the lot, still much unsaid, you were about to turn to your own vehicle to reminisce your world-wind first day when an electric shock surges through you as he grabs your hand to stop you. You freeze, staring at it.

You turn back to face him, questioning the grab.

“Can I say something crazy?” He asks you, his voice low and vulnerable.

Crazy seemed good. You nod, because even if crazy didn’t seem good, you’d be willing to listen to him talk about snails if it meant you didn’t have to leave him yet.

“I have spent all day wanting to kiss you. From the moment I saw you, it’s like this…” he looks down, frustrated, looking for the right word.

“A need.” You offer for him.

He smiles, nodding.

“It’s not crazy, because I’ve been feeling the same way.” You respond, the sentence escaping your throat before you could stop it.

Patrick takes this as a go-ahead, walking two strides before his hands frame your face and his lips are on yours. It sounded crazy, but it was like it was coming home. His lips felt familiar, and a tear was already down your cheek before you had processed this emotion. Like something you were missing has been found.

Like you found him and you didn’t even know you were looking.

Patrick connects his forehead to yours, your heavy breaths loud in the silence surrounding you both. You allow yourself to sit in the silence, until Patrick insists you join him in his van so you could finally talk it out.

Because, it was odd, but it felt like this should’ve been happening. Like you going home instead of kissing him would’ve been the wrong choice.

You climb into his passenger seat, feeling strangely safe as you glance around for hidden details about him.

“So.” Patrick starts, leaning on his steering wheel as he talked to you.

“So.”

“You’ve been feeling it?”

“Since the moment I saw you. I thought I was going insane with how much I stared at you in gym this morning. I thought you were going to tell me to stop stalking you.” You confessed, the openness of it refreshing.

“I was actually showing off.” He replied, a hint of sheepishness in his voice. “My mind kept telling me that you didn’t care and to stop but there was something that told me not to let you go too far, which is why I requested you to show me around.”

“Do you think all people feel drawn to one another like this?” You asked him, keenly aware of the feeling of a magnet that’s been pulling you to him.

Patrick shakes his head, “I’ve never felt anything this strong. This is something else.”

“This is insane. I know nothing about you, but I had this need to be near you all day. I know you’re athletic. I know you play the bass. I know you listen to My Chemical Romance. That’s it. But. Kissing you, is like—"

“Relief.” He interrupts you, understanding everything of what you were talking about. “You’re saying we don’t know one another very well, so tell me the one thing you refuse to tell everyone else. Tell me about the psychic.”

You blink, and the inkling that this had something to do with her was all too much all day. “Did that story intrigue you because I refused to tell it, or because of the psychic?”

“The psychic.”

You knew it. “I used to dream about someone. He was from a long time ago, before we were born, and when I woke up, I talked about him and how much I missed him. My mom took me to the psychic because apparently my details about him were consistent enough to make her raise some questions.”

“What happened?”

“I actually never found out, but the psychic believed me. And there was something, in my little brain that thought she was the real thing. I remember thinking that because that thought is my first memory.”

“I never told anyone else before, because my mom just dismissed it as childish stories, but I used to dream about a girl. I didn’t know much about her, other than she was a light in the darkness. Her laugh, her hugs, when she came into the dream everything was amazing. Then these…” his face grimaces, and you could tell it also became nightmares for him, too. “These cracks would echo in my brain; I think they were bones. I don’t know much after that; they all blend but I will never get that sound out of my head.”

Patrick places the baseball cap on his head backwards, sliding down in his driver’s seat.

“This can’t be a coincidence.” You start, his dreams making sense yet being mind blowing at the same time. “Are you up for something crazy?”

“This already feels insanely crazy, what do you got?” Patrick answers, one hand clutching onto his steering wheel.

“When I went I told her about my dreams, she hired a Private Investigator to look for answers on the person I dreamt about. She said as a four-year-old I’ve given her enough consistent information that if the person I dreamed about was real, then she would get answers.” You pause, letting Patrick soak it in.

Patrick laughs, closed mouthed as if the insanity of the circumstances finally caught up to him. “Fuck it, let’s go.”

-

I love reading comments in tags and replies, and as always, reblogging is the best way to support fic writers on here <3 Thanks for reading!

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[gemini-sensei]

Can you do a Robby with a pregnant!single mom!reader please?

Yes! 🥺🥺 yes I can

Fem!Reader ○ mentioned cheating/asshole ex ○ headcanons/blurb ○ unedited

Robby meets Reader at the mall amidst her finding out her baby daddy has been cheating on her. She's only four months along, but she's holding her belly and crying beyond the normal pregnancy hormones. It's a whole scene that people are watching that the other girl is less than happy to be caught in the middle of, equally hurt because Mr. Douchebag didn't tell her he was in any kid of relationship, let alone having gotten another girl pregnant.

It's a mess, one that comes to a head when Reader practically yells, "Why would you do this? We're having a baby!"

And her boyfriend tells her, "You mean you're having a baby!"

When her now ex boyfriend yells at her, that's when Robby steps in because he's had enough. It's one thing to cause a scene, but yelling at a pregnant girl crosses all his lines. He gets between them and tells the guy to just get out of there because clearly he's making things worse. It's almost too easy to get him to leave, the other girl already left because she didn't want to be there after realizing she was, well, the other woman. (dude didn't deserve her time either.)

Robby then turns to Reader and leads her away from all the eyes and commotion. Things around them go back to as they were as he sits her down at the food court in hopes to calm her and gets her some napkins to dry her eyes with.

As he sits with her, he asked, "Are you okay? ...that's kind of a stupid question. I mean, you're obviously upset."

It makes her giggle through the tears and she shrugs to the question. "I guess I'll have to be."

She rubs her belly, which is far more noticeable because she's wearing a summer dress and it highlights her bump perfectly. It's really pretty, he thinks, but doesn't know if he should say anything. It didn't feel like the time for compliments, especially about her clothes. Especially from strangers.

"Oh, shit! I'm sorry," he said and licked his lips. His cool attitude is just gone and he's left looking like a total dork. "I'm Robby."

She giggled and introduces herself, happy to make his acquaintance despite how they met. It's not exactly a fairytale, but it's how it all got started.

As the weeks go on, Robby and Reader get closer. He tells her about karate and his friends and she tells him all about her interests and the baby.

He was a little awkward about the baby talk to begin with, in all honesty, because he hasn't been around many babies. Young kids, like elementary age, sure, but that was mostly because they liked to watch him skate and do tricks. Other than that, he's not exactly sure how to act around kids. But he gets used to it and even asks her questions from time to time, like if she knows if the baby is a boy or girl and if they've kicked yet.

(Just an aside because I want to talk about it more, but I love it when a person is just out and about doing their hobby or whatever and kids flock to them just to watch. I love this idea with Robby and little kids. It's just too cute not to think about because he wouldn't know what to do with that attention at first but then get used to it as they cheer him on and ask him to do tricks. They'd want to try it out but he'd be too worried to let them because they need helmets and pads; if he could, he'd let them use his but they're too big. I just- I could go on lol. But back to your regularly scheduled content.)

Robby tells himself that he's not falling for Reader, that he can't fall for her. She has a lot going on already, he can't add onto that. Plus, when her kid arrives, she should be focussed on them. So he tells himself he doesn't like her in that way and keeps things friendly between them. If she ever notices him looking at her a certain way, she doesn't say anything, but she always gets this big smile on her face whenever he comes around and it's so cute. He's dense and doesn't realize she's started to like him and might be dropping hints every now and again about it.

When it comes to baby stuff, he's got nothing. Again, he doesn't know much - if anything - about babies. However, if Reader asks hims for help with putting something together or hanging something or just carrying something into her house, he's all for it. He's designated himself to be her muscle and with everything he learned from Mr. LaRusso - who knows how to anchor shit to the wall as opposed to his dad - he's able to put up all the decorations she wants. He tells her he can build the furniture too, you know 'cause he's already there so why not? But when she steps out of the room, he calls Mr. L and asks him questions about some things. The directions should be straightforward but they're really not...

As time goes on, Robby and Reader kind of slip into casual intimacy. They sit together anywhere and his arm ends up around her; when they're walking up or down stairs, he takes her hand but then never lets it go; he carries her books or her bag for her so she doesn't have to. It's all these little things that add up over time, but they don't even really notice.

That is until they're hanging out, watching a movie, and she's cuddled up to him and his hands are on her belly and he just realizes like 'when did that happen?' Especially since before that, he was averse and worried to touching her belly. It just kind of weirded him out (you know, like when Spencer was freaked out when JJ was pregnant in Criminal Minds? It was something like that). He realizes he likes it even though he can feel the baby squirming around in here.

Of all people to make Robby open his eyes to what was going on, it was Johnny. He sat Robby down and started asking questions, which made Robby think he had to explain that the baby wasn't his, but Johnny already knew that.

"We're just friends, that's all." "Man, and here I thought you were smarter than me." Robby just kind of gives him a glaring look that says what are you on about? "Friends don't look at each other like that, Robby. And they especially don't cuddle everywhere they go." "She's pregnant." "She likes you."

Robby what's to deny it just because Johnny said it, but once it's been pointed out to him, he can't not think about it. He wants to it be true so badly, so when they're hanging out one day, he tries to act like everything is normal, but he's a little stiff when she cuddles up to him. She looks up at him and asks if he's okay, and of course he says yes, but she knows better.

So she confronts him about it and he gets a little bashful, admitting that he likes her as more than a friend. He feels a little ridiculous as he's looking at her and her heavily pregnant belly, and here he is telling her he likes her. He's ready to get laughed at, thinking his dad is wrong about all of this, but then she smiles and asks, "really?"

"I mean, yeah. How could I not like you?"

She doesn't even answer him because it's a bit of a ridiculous question, one she can come up with a million answers for; being fat and pregnant at the top of the list. Instead, she kisses him. It's a short, sweet kiss but Robby's heart is just ready to burst. All those little touches, little acts of kindness that were a bit more, indeed add up, and they can't be happier with the result.

[morgan-n-cheese-91]

I think is really funny when people are like it's Anakin's own fault that he fell and it's like yeah did he make that choice in the end. In the end was it his choice completely? Yes and I won't argue that fact.

What I am going to argue is the fact that you do need to look back and see the factors that went into that choice. Let's break this down from the beginning of when we meet him and how that seems to have alter the fact that leads to this ending choice.

First we're introduced to him he's out in the market by himself find these strangers basically brings them home him and his mom share like the little stuff that they have. We then find out that he is a slave to a bug man, which that can be an entire another thing of the dehumanization of the slavers so that the general population was watching feels not connected and refuses to like feel sympathy for them in the same way that like the droids Stormtroopers and the clones are all dehumanized. But that's the point for another discussion. They run some tests on him and they're like oh my God this kid is the most powerful fucking being in the galaxy. That right there kind of sets him up as a bargaining chip not going to lie from that moment on Qui-Gon doesn't want him to be free because he's a person. Qui-Gon wants him to be free in that moment and continuously on because Anakin is so strong in the force and he's scared that something is going to happen and this really powerful kid is going to become a really powerful adult that's going to hurt somebody. And not even in like a caring about other people kind of way but in this kid's going to be used as a weapon why not make him our weapon first.

So he makes a bet with Anakin's owner that if Anakin can win in a fucking death race after cheating at dice. Anakin becomes in the terms of the time and place becomes Qui-Gon's property, with the intention of setting him quote unquote free. And I think the worst part about this is that when he frames it to Anakin that this is going to happen he frames it like he tried so hard to free both him and his mother not mentioning the fact that it was a "can I also free the mother as well? no she's too valuable. okay" there was no fight for Shmi not at least the same amount of fight that there was for Anakin.

Then we all know Anakin wins the damn race earns his freedom has his entire life been told how the Jedi are these mystical warriors who are bringing Peace and freedom to the Galaxy yet can't be bothered to help his mother his best friend and his community who are all slaves. It doesn't seem too far of a reach for me for that to be corrupted later on in his life of that what is this peace and FREEDOM that they are talking about when they couldn't help your people. And then is he going before a council is very important people and they basically test him on his like abilities in the force which like that makes sense intro exam. But then to be told that you're too angry about your past of like 3 days ago about being a slave and you're too attached to your mom who up until 3 days ago you've never been apart from and being apart from ment something really bad is going to happen, like being sold, so you are not being welcomed into the place you were taken from your home for and the girl you met 3 days ago said you could live with her but your mom is still a slave and not categorized anywhere as a human with rights so she could be beaten, assaulted or killed with no repercussions from the government or the people who are supposed to free the galaxy.

And then after all of that you do actually end up getting to train and be a part of the culture that you were told you were too angry for to attached to your mother for only because the man that quote unquote rescued you dies and his final wishes that you are trained. I don't know about most people but I feel like that would create a lot of resentment not only of the child who is being trained but also the feeling of guilt and that someone else resents you because the only reason you were there is because someone died. That is a lot of pressure to put on a child. Which makes it very easy for someone who is actively trying to groom a 9-year-old let's repeat that groom a nine-year-old into being the evil version of himself.

Which then also brings you on to the point of for a community that seems to very much centralize itself around its children it most definitely failed one of its most vulnerable by letting a 9-year-old be accessed by the most powerful man in the galaxy the fucking chancellor who is at least 50 years his senior with no supervision or activized dismay. Hell I wouldn't want to politician alone with a fully grown adult most of the time let alone a 9-year-old traumatized child. So does no wonder that by the time that he was in crisis he did what any logical person would have he went to the person who had been giving him support and trust for the last 14 years. Unfortunately due his past treatment that was not the people who actually could have helped him but rather the person who wanted to maintain control over him.

Tldr: it isnt any wonder why Anakin fell. He through a majority of canon was treated as something to be used or discarded rather than a person and that was used against him by Palpatine.

[cakepoppresent]

It's a Date 1

It's a week before Winterfest and Xavier being the sneaky little boy he is manages to get his passport and travel to Britechester to see his siblings. In his excitement, it seems that he has entered the wrong campus

Su: Hey do you know Alaia Wagner? She weasled her way into my art gallery. Would it be bad if I used this chance to get closer to Grayson? I mean obviously his "boyfriend" can't do shit and I -

Vaughn isn't listening he spots a little kid roaming the front entrance of Foxbury student lunge. He looks oddly familiar.

Su: Vaghun you bastard are you listening??? Im talking here! Im being so serious!

Vaughan: Yeah dude I totally support your efforts in being a homewrecker just leave me out of it. look over there doesn't that kid look like Veronica?

Su: You fucking suck, is Veroinca the only thing on your mind?

Vaughan: Listen Su we are both going after the Reeves Siblings the difference is Grayson is in a happy relationship leave the boy alone

Su: Fuck you! You're trying to sleep with his sister!

Vaughan: But she's single and that's the difference and an opportunity just stopped into my lap. I'll talk to you later

With that Vaughn gets up and walks up towards Xaxiver "Hey Little Dude, you look lost do you need help? Xavier this precious boy doesn't understand stranger danger and introduces himself "I'm Xavier Reeves, I'm actually trying to find my siblings. Maybe you know them?"

Vaughan: Reeves? Is your sister Veronica? She's kinda short and can be a little mean sometimes? Xavier: Yes! I wanted to surprise her but I think I'm on the wrong campus Vaughan: No worries little dude, I can help your sister and I are very close friends

Vaughan takes Xavier and finds a private area in the student lounge to wait for Veronica to come over. Vaughn just has to ask how a little kid like Xavier found himself miles away from his sheltered home in Windenburg

Vaughan: So you sneaked off and travelled miles away from home without telling your parents? they must be worried sick about you Xavier: It wasn't my fault! they wouldn't let me come, so I had to take matters into my own hands! Vaughan: You're a funny little dude

Xavier: I just missed my sibling so much! it's so boring at home with just my mom and dad

Vaughan: I understand, it can be very boring and lonely being the only one at home. Still, what you did was very dangerous I'm sure your parents are very worried.

Previous - Next

[80stacos]

Childhood Headcanons for the Gang

—trigger warnings: mentions of bad childhood/home life

DALLY:

Dally threw stuff on the floor when he was angry as a toddler.

He probably chewed the heads off of his toys.

He was sort of just naturally angry because he wasn’t really cared about.

He got in trouble a lot in kindergarten, preschool, and elementary school.

Some days he’d be put in time out for pulling a girl’s hair, other times it was because he stole another student’s toy.

He was pretty chill with the kids who were his friends, though.

Unfortunately they were just as mischievous.

Some of them actually introduced him to the gangs he later got involved with.

DARRY:

Was a super quiet baby.

Loved to take naps.

He was one of those babies that was super chubby for a long time but in a cute way.

He rarely threw fits or got upset, but when he did, it was over having a bath.

He was so excited when he was told he was going to be a big brother.

Called Soda “Sobub” for a long time.

He loved Soda, but got annoyed that he didn’t organize his toys “properly”.

He organized his toys for him which Soda would swiftly mess up again.

He was always happy to help his mother with chores.

He was always telling Soda and Ponyboy right from wrong.

Put his hands on his hips whenever he disliked something. It always made his parents laugh.

JOHNNY:

Johnny spent most of his childhood with a nanny (who wasn’t all that great because she was the cheapest one his mom could find).

He was really interested in bugs.

Was super weary of strangers.

He learned how to talk at a normal age but was still super quiet most of the time.

He really loved mac and cheese.

He loved to play with sticks and rocks. It wasn’t that they were the only things he had to play with, he just really liked them.

He was that type of kid that just loved to be in nature and was easily amused by it.

He learned about the world just by watching others. He didn’t really try to read books or make sense of things using toys. He just observed.

He never picked his nose or put his hands in mouth or anything, even as a baby. He was naturally just really sanitary.

He LOVED when his elementary classes took field trips. It made his whole year.

PONYBOY:

Ponyboy Michael Curtis is the reason the Curtis parents had to put better locks on the front door.

This boy would just casually walk out like he had somewhere else to be.

He would get upset if he wasn’t wherever Soda was.

He started reading early.

LOVED when his class got to do silent reading time in elementary school and when they went to the library.

His parents would actually take him to the library as a reward or treat because he loved it that much.

Thought girls had cooties.

He loved dragons. Everything in his room was dragon themed <3.

SODAPOP:

Soda was the cutest little baby change my mind <3.

He was one of those babies that threw tantrums a lot though over little things.

His toy fell over? Tantrum. Someone turned a lamp off? Tantrum. His cereal was “too crunchy”? Tantrum.

He was a bit slow on his linguistic skills. He didn’t start speaking until 16 months, and he couldn’t start reading until the age of 8.

He was obsessed with those little toy cars.

Whenever he was interested in something his eyes would go super big.

Poor thing had a really hard time letting go of his pacifier :((. Mainly because he thought of it as his friend.

Soda was definitely one of those kids that learned about stuff by poking or licking things. It stressed Darry out so much.

“Sobub what doing?!?”

Soda: *licking the electrical outlet*

He was definitely a mama’s boy.

He would always hold onto her hand or her dress when they went out.

STEVE

Oh boy little baby Steve Randle.

He bit people when he was teething. More than a normal baby should.

Even after his baby teeth came through he bit people.

He did not want to take naps. If he had to take a nap he would scream.

Eating and playtime were his most favorite things.

He loved to tear things up.

He always attempted to climb out of his playpen or over the baby gates.

Just like Soda, he was obsessed with toy cars.

He hated writing practice in elementary school. He didn’t understand why he had to write in a straight line.

He was the king of the jungle gym.

TWO-BIT:

He tried to eat everything. And he often succeeded.

Just like Darry, he was a chubby baby but in a cute way.

He had one of those really funny belly laughs that some babies have.

He’d also laugh at the littlest things.

Most of his toys were messed up because, again, he tried to eat them.

They legit looked like a dog got ahold of them.

He also believed that girls had cooties.

He had a tendency for disrupting his elementary classes.

He was obsessed with quesadillas as a kid. He always had them for lunch at school. (Am I projecting? Maybe.)

He refused to stay inside the lines when coloring. He knew it was wrong but he didn’t care.

[canongf]

in honor of the super cute art of your stranger things s/i, is there anything you’d like to share abt her? ik she’s technically just you in the 80s, but i’d still like to know anything you wanna share!! :•)

anon!!! thank you, thank you, thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk about it all!!! this world is my favorite place to be!!! 🖤

i grew up in hawkins!!!

sorta. i was born in california and moved to hawkins when i was 9, down the road from the wheelers. my mom grew up in hawkins and she knew karen, so we became family friends. they'd invite us over for meals to welcome us and we'd invite them over for meals to thank them. nancy was younger than me and mike was just born, so it made it hard for us kids to connect. but i still liked them.

we all grew up, i made friends, nancy made friends, mike made friends. we ran in different circles. we were friendly, but it didn't feel like a huge loss when i moved away at 18. i went to new york, bounced around for a few years, then ran out of money, hit a wall, and moved back home at 22. not my finest hour.

i got a job at my dad's company and settled back into small town living (begrudgingly). i reconnected with the wheelers; mike found out i had a nintendo, i let him to come over after school and play it. he was a neighbor, a friend. almost like a little brother. it wasn't a big deal. it wasn't a big deal when he started bringing his friends around either. i became an almost surrogate big sister. i'd let them play my video games, i'd let them drink my sodas and eat my snacks, then i'd give them rides home if they needed 'em. it was kinda sweet, it made me kinda happy to be back.

until dustin showed up at my door one day, steve in tow, saying something about alternate dimensions and monsters.

we survived the demodogs. we survived the mind flayer a year later. things found some semblance of normal. i became friends with steve. and jonathan and nancy. the kids would still come over and play games. i'd still give them rides. i was sure that they could not turn my life anymore upside down than they already had. but they did. because one night i had to pick them up and give them rides home from their little d&d club, and they introduced me to their dungeon master.

[mynameischalie]

Do you guys ever remember something someone said to you and it made you feel a certain way? Usually, I’m able to let things slide but my brother and I yesterday went out to dinner and the server so happened to be someone I went to college with. At one point she was in my friend group but was one of those temporary people I seem to meet a lot in my life. You know the people I speak of they come into your life and then in a couple years you never see them again. They become strangers forever. Case in point, Megan.

She immediately knew it was me as we exchanged glances as I sat browsing over the menu. You’ll get the awkward “Oh hi” because you haven’t seen each other in ten years. Unfortunately for her we weren’t at Target so she can’t pretend to hide from someone in the aisles that she didn’t want to talk to. She was our server and had to engage in conversation. Of course, my memory is solid so I immediately remembered her name. I appeared warm and pleasant as she arrived to our table. She immediately said, “I know you, omg its been forever how are you? “Hi Megan, it’s nice to see you, I’m good, how are you, how’s Paul doing? (Paul is her husband and would do well with women because he played drums in a band and had expensive tattoos. He married her in his early 20s when I introduced the two) Megan informed us that she has three children and that Paul works for sales now. I asked if he still played drums and she gave that fake server laugh but said “ From time to time, if he wasn’t a drummer when I first met him I would have never been interested in him”. I then introduced my brother and he gave a hello and I thought we were set to order.

She decided to continue the conversation because the restaurant was emptied. She asked “ what about you Chal, do you have any kids or a wife?”. I told her “No, I’m still out there looking, just doing my own thing”. The thing that made me feel a certain way quickly came up next when she said: “God, I would hate to be dating in 2023, you should get on the apps already like Hinge and Bumble I’m sure there’s someone that would take one for the team for you”. “Yeah, I’ll think about that one I think we’re ready to order now”

God bless my brother as she left to get the drinks he commented “Damn dude, that was a dick comment by her”.“Right?, it’s crazy to think I introduced her to her husband way back when.” This was unbeknownst to my brother but he was shocked about that fact. 

As we finished up our meals Megan decided to engage in more small talk. “How’s your parents, did your mom finally retire?, and what are you doing for work now?.” I proudly told her how I work in two different schools as I help, support, and counsel students with mental health issues. She was intrigued but not impressed but I know it makes me happy to help young people and it pays the bills so that’s all that matters.

Of course, she doubled down when she dropped the check.“It was good to see you again, I’m serious get on those apps there has to be someone out there for you. You don’t want to die alone do you?

I kinda had a dazed look on my face but I kept my cool. “I can see you haven’t changed a bit I said, I knew there was a reason I cut you completely from my life” but the way I said this was in a jokey kinda way. We paid the bill and left the restaurant but it was hard to shake her words. I do know that Megan indeed sucks but like I said in the very beginning, you always remember how a person makes you feel by what they say.

I stopped associating myself with Megan because she always made me feel like something was wrong with me. Like I was out of step, or falling greatly behind when in reality I like who I am and what I do and I try my best not to let societal norms dictate happiness.

[orangecreamsickle]

Hard secrets (1/?)

Note: So, I kinda thought about writing this for a while, but it’s also inspired by this here:

It’s basically the exact opposite.

absent mother, Gn!reader,

When you were a kid you never really questioned why you had to pretend to not know you were in public, but one day you asked your dad after finding out your peers don’t have to do that.

“Papa, why do I have to pretend your a stranger?”You innocently asked Yagi.

He chuckled and pulled you into his lap, explaining he just wanted to keep you safe. People would hurt you if it meant also hurting him.

Your mom was never in the picture. You’re the product of an affair. Your dad didn’t know she was married, and she gave you to him the second you were born.

You had her eyes, her hair, her quirk.

Undeniably hers.

It was your first day at U.A., and you were nervous. It took lots of convincing to get your dad to let you go to this school. You missed the entrance exam, but he pulled a few strings. The only person who knew about your father was you and Yagi. Not even his beloved apprentice.

You went to the office to pick up a few things, and struggled to find your classroom. “1-A” the paper read.

Eventually, you managed to find it, but of course, you were late. You slide the door open to try to sneak to an empty seat, but your teacher sees you.

“Since it’s your first day, I understand. You may introduce yourself.” The black haired middle aged man says.

You hold onto your bag tightly, scanning each face.

“My name is [Y/N]. I’m 16 years old, and my quirk is Yin and Yang. I can control light and darkness.”

Once you finished speaking, you look for an empty seat, ignoring the excited chatter of your classmates. You find a seat behind the green haired boy you recognize to be Midoriya. Yagi spoke of him often.

Class went by quickly. Once it was lunch time, students crowd your desk to get to know you.

Someone you’d come to know as Iida introduces himself as the class president.

After everyone leaves to get lunch, aside from Midoriya, Iida, Uraraka, and Todoroki.

“Would you like to eat lunch with us?” Urakara asks. She smells sweet. Like cherries.

You nod, grabbing your lunch and following. The group of friends, listening to their conversation. You, Todoroki, and Iida walk toward the back, while uraraka and midoriya joke and laugh.

“Where’d you come from? Why choose U.A.?” Iida asks, Todoroki listening.

“I actually live pretty close from here, but it took a while to convince my guardian to let me come here. I want to be a hero, which is why I chose this course.” You leave out the parts about your real dad, having practiced for the past 16 years.

“Who’s your guardian, if you don’t mind my asking?” Iida asks curiously.

“I’d rather not speak of it.” You dodge the question with perfectly practiced responses.

Iida nods, and changes the topic. You, iida, and Todoroki have a nice conversation. You get to know more about iida. Not much about Todoroki. He seems like a hard shell to crack.

You see your dad in the hallway, and of course like normal, you keep a straight face and walk past him.

The rest of the day passes you by. You find your dorm, and relax, sighing after your long day. You get a phone call. You answer without looking at the caller ID.

“Hey kid! How was your first day? Did you make any friends? Nobody was mean to you, we’re they?” It was your dad. He bombards you with questions- his way of showing he cared.

You answer his questions honestly, chuckling at the obvious worry in his tone.

After a while, you hang up, telling him you’ve gotta finish your homework. You were lying, of course, but you didn’t want him to spend his whole evening on the phone with you, knowing how busy his schedule normally is.

Instead, you step outside- despite how prohibited it seems to be- and go on a walk. You enjoy the cool autumn breeze. After a while you come back to the dorms, and carefully sneak back in. As your walking through the lounge area, you jump at seeing Todoroki sitting there.

“Oh- hi.. your awake..?” Your nervous, and wondering if he’d seen you sneak in.

He nods, looking up from his book.

You walk closer, peering at his book.

“What’re you readin’?” You ask curiously, tilting your head to try and see the cover.

He shows you the cover, and you see it’s a romance novel. You sit next to him.

“What’s it about?” You look at the book. It has a pretty cover with nice lettering.

“A love triangle.” He says simply.

You nod, and sit there awkwardly. It’s clear that’s all he was going to say. You wish him a good night, before going up to your dorm, and going to sleep for the night.

You slowly drifted off to sleep to the sounds of trees swaying in the wind drifting in through your open window.

The next day was much like the day before, and the school day ended on a positive note. Today you decide to chat with iida and Todoroki in the lounge after school. You three talk about school that day.

“Does Mr.Aizawa always sleep in that sleeping bag?” You are truly perplexed about your home room teacher spending half of the class period sleeping in his bright yellow sleeping bag.

They both nod, and Iida speaks first. “Yes, he does enjoy sleeping. He is a good teacher, so it’s not too big of an issue.”

You chuckle, finding it pretty funny. As your about to respond, you get a call from your dad. You excuse yourself and take the call, walking a few steps away.

“Hello, young child. How was your second day?” You hear some sounds in the background, so you assume he’s still at work.

“It was good. I’m in the lounge hanging out with some friends.”

“Am I interrupting?”

“A little, actually. But I appreciate you calling” You add the last part so he doesn’t feel bad about calling.

“Okay then young one, enjoy your evening. I’ll return to my work. Good night, I love you.”

“Good night.”

The call was brief, but not unwelcome. You hung up, and sat back onto the couch near the two friends.

“Who was that?” Iida asks politely.

“My guardian- they like to call every day, to check in on me.” You are careful to be vague about the identity of your guardian.

Iida nods. “That is very sweet of them!”

You chuckle and nod. “Yeah- I agree!”

The rest of your evening is calm as you eat dinner, wind down, and fall asleep to the sounds of nature drifting in through your window

The three of you talk a bit more before you retire to your bedroom for the night. You take off your uniform, and step into the shower.