#mom said the movie was fine and stepdad said it was terrible | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

adezahnae · 3 years

Text

While Mommy’s on a Little Trip (Part 4)

A/N: SORRY THIS TOOK FOREVER TODAY but this is the final part of “While Mommy’s on a Trip” 🥺thank to all who enjoyed this series💚

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 2.5 | Part 3 | Part 4

Warnings: Drinking, oral (male receiving), dirty talk, riding, unprotected sex (fem on birth control) cheating, secrets, angst?, arguments, divorcing, dilf!stepdad!mathteacher!jaehyun x stepdaughter!student!reader

Tagged Ppl: @softieekayy @keeach @seungmoomin @seoyutayong @whoreforshuaaa @mrg-jjh

Your POV

It was now Sunday and today was a chill day. Mr. Jung and I made breakfast together, watched Disney Princesses movies together, we just had actual Daddy-Daughter time, without the kissing a touching, until now. Me and Mr. Jung laughed while we were drinking wine. I was in his hoodie and underwear while he was in sweatpants and a T-Shirt. I leaned closer to him and kissed him on the lips.

“I love you..” I said. “I love you too, Princess.” He replied back with another kiss. He deepened our kiss and pulled each other closer. He took my empty wine glass and threw it on the floor by his bed. He pushed me back onto the sheets and pillows and reached his hands underneath the hoodie, gripping my breasts.

“I want more..” I said. “More of what?” He asked against my neck while kissing it. “Tell Daddy what you want.” He said. “You, I want more of you..I can’t get over yesterday of what happened in the dressing room..” I admit. “Me neither Princess..” He replied. He was about to pull up my hoodie but I stopped him. “I want to please you, Daddy...” I whispered.

I turned him around and made my way down his neck and chest, feeling all over his upper body. I reached to the hem of his sweatpants and pulled them down, making him sprung free. I widened my eyes. It’s been a bit since I gave him a blowjob. He looks so much bigger than what I feel. He ran his fingers through my hair and smirked.

“It’s okay, Princess. If you can take it in your sweet little pussy, you can take all in your mouth.” He said rubbing his thumb over my bottom lip. I stroked him in my hand and licked the tip of his member. He grunted and leaned his head back. I then finally took him in my mouth and stroked the rest of what I couldn’t fit. He pulled my hand away.

“No no, baby. Take it all in your mouth. You can do it..” He mumbled caressing my cheek. I stuck him deeper in my mouth inch by inch. He sighed of pleasure and pushed my head all the way down. I gagged, creating tears in my eyes. “Good girl...good good girl..” he mumbled. He pulled my hair in a ponytail with his fist and thrusted his hips into my mouth. I moaned and moved my hand down to my panties, feeling my wet, dripping heat. Right then, we heard the door slam open...

Mia POV

I opened the car door and got out of it. I breathed out and walked to the house. “I’ll be back Doyoung.” I said. He nodded and stopped the car. I unlocked the door, expecting my daughter to come up and hug me and my husband to kiss me on the forehead, like he always does. I heard nothing from the both of them. I looked around the house and saw nothing. I voices from upstairs and walked towards them. I heard them coming from me and Jaehyun’s room.

“Good girl...good good girl..” I heard Jaehyun mumble. I then hear gagging sounds and moaning. I opened the door to see..my daughter giving Jaehyun a blowjob while touching herself...my daughter stopped her movements and gasped. “Mommy!” She screamed. She was about to run off until Jaehyun took her by her hand and pulled her back.

“Shh..It’s okay Princess, stay right here beside Daddy.” He said wiping her tears and kissing her forehead. I was at lost for words. My husband is sleeping with my daughter?! “Jaehyun..what the hell..WHAT IS THIS?!” I yelled. He sighed and pulled his pants up. “What does it look like Mia?” He asked me. “That my slut of a daughter is blowing my husband!!” I yelled.

I heard her whimper behind him. “Watch your damn mouth, that’s still your daughter.” He said. “Really? Because this is downright terrible, Jae! HORRIBLE AT THAT! SHE’S ONLY A TEEN!” I yelled. “She’s 19 close to 20, a young adult.” He said. “That doesn’t give you a RIGHT TO HAVE SEX WITH MY DAUGHTER!” I yelled broken. “H-How long have this been going on? Are you even listening to me?!” I yelled as I watched Jae arrange things in the room.

“For about 1 year, going on 2” He bluntly said. My heart broke. “Ever since our engagement, hm?” I asked holding back tears. “Don’t act so damn sad and heartbroken, playing the victim. You had shit going on BEFORE we even got engaged.” He said. I gasped and looked away. Does he know about me and Doyoung? “Stop lying!” I said. He scoffed and turned away from me.

He went over to Y/n and placed a kiss on her cheek. “Are you okay?” He asked her. She nod her head. I looked at her. “You get out of here! Now!” I yelled at her. Jaehyun stopped her, making me look at him with disbelief.

“No, you stay right here.” He said. She looked over at me and back at him. “But mom said-“ “Princess. Listen to Daddy.” He said. She nodded her head and sat down. “You evil little bitch..” I said in disbelief. “Mia. I said, Watch. Your damn. Mouth.” He sternly. “You don’t tell me what to do!” I yelled. He laughed.

“This is my house, you have no choice but to listen to me.” He said. I closed my mouth and scowled at him. He pulled out a folder and placed it on the bed. “We’re you really on a business trip, Mia?” He asked me. “Yes!” I lied. “Hm.” He said. He threw the folder at the front my feet and I picked it up. I opened up the folder and seen that it was me and Doyoung. I widened my eyes and looked at him.

“On a business trip, huh?” He asked. I sighed. “Jaehyun.” “So you lie to me and your daughter to just go and fuck your boss, right?” He asked crossing his arms. “What?” My daughter asked. “Yes. Mommy has been sleeping around behind my back.” He said. He went to the closet and pulled out my bags. They were already packed. “Jae.” I said walking up to him.

“I need you to sign these.” He said. He gave me paperwork and I took them. Divorce papers. I shook my head. “No, Jaehyun no! You can’t do this, please!!” I exclaimed hugging at his body. “Mia get off of me.” He said. I kissed him on his face, crying. “Please Jaehyun! I’ll never mess with him again I promise! Please!” I begged. I kissed him on his lips, putting his hands on my body. “Mia. Y/n is here.” He said. “I don’t care.” I said. “Get the hell off of me. Y/n doesn’t like this and neither do I.” He said pushing me off. I looked at Y/n and back at him.

“You’re really choosing her over me?!” I exclaimed. “You chose my best friend over me.” He said back. I sighed and signed the papers. I handed them to him. He took the papers and put them up. “Leave my house, Mia.” Jaehyun said. “I don’t want to.” I said. He picked up my bags and gave them to me. “Why are you doing this to me?!” I cried. He sighed.

“Because...When I fell in love with you, you met Doyoung as well. I told you I loved you and you lied to me telling me you loved me KNOWING you had your eyes on Doyoung. I saw the messages between you two one night. You broke my heart Mia. And then I seen Y/n, the more pure and sweet version of you. I fell in love with her. I am in love with her. Apart from the sex, she was just like you before you messed with Doyoung.” He explained. Y/n shed tears, shaking her head.

“Why did you marry me huh? Why then?!” I asked. “To be closer the girl I truly love.” He said looking at Y/n. I shedded tears. “Fine...then she can have you...goodbye to the both of you.” I said walking out of the door and downstairs. I heard him comfort her, making my heart ache in pain. I walked down to the car and put my bags in the backseat.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” Doyoung asked me. “Jaehyun...is cheating on me..” I said. Doyoung sighed. “Baby, you didn’t need-“ “With my daughter..” I finished, crying. “Oh baby..come here..” Doyoung mumbled and pulled me into a hug. “He then divorced me...” I cried. Doyoung sighed. “I’m glad he did. You’re all mine now. But don’t worry, we’re gonna take everything he’s got.” He said kissing my forehead. I sarcastically chuckled.

“Take what?! Everything is in his name! He owns everything! He paid for the house in full cash, he owns 6-7 companies around this city! 19-20 companies in the entire state! He even owns my daughter’s school. He made every building, untouchable. No one can take it, Doyoung.” I vented. “He is a smart man... but who cares? We’re building our life now. Not in secret. I got you, okay?” Doyoung told me. I nodded and kissed him.

He put his hand on my stomach. “Does he know about the baby?” Doyoung asked me. I shook my head. “No, just us.” I said. He smiled and pulled away from me. “Let’s go home baby..” He said starting the car. I took one last look at the house and never looked back....

Your POV

Mr Jung came and gave me hug. “Shh..it’s okay.” He mumbled. “Why? She called me a bitch and sl-“ “Shh. Don’t worry about that..you’re all mine now. No more secrets..” He said. “No more?” I asked. “No more..” He replied smiling and kissing me on the lips. “Why would she cheat on you?” I asked.

“Because your mom didn’t know what she wanted.” He said. “But won’t she take the house? The cars?! Where will we stay?!” I panicked. He laughed and got up from the bed. He went to his drawer and pulled out another file. “Read this.” He said giving it to me. I took it and opened the folder, looking at all the papers. I seen too many things that confused me.

“What is this?” I asked. “Everything I own.” He smiled. I then seen my school. I gasped. “You own our school?!” I asked. He nod. “Then....why are you a teacher? You should be in a office!” I exclaimed. He chuckled. “I have to stay undercover so no one really knows me.” He said. I looked at the papers again. “How...so mom can’t touch none of these?!” I asked. “Nothing. Everything belongs to me. No one can touch it but me and you.” He said.

“Me?” I asked. I looked at the papers to see my name on each thing he owned as: Co-owner. I gasped. “Daddy-“ “Jaehyun.” He interrupted. “What?” I asked. “You can call me Jaehyun now. You can still call me Daddy if you’d like to but I won’t mind if you use my actual name.” He said. “Jaehyun...” I whispered. “There’s more. Come with me.” He took me by my hand and led me to the garage.

He opened it and it was a brand new car with a pink bow on top of it. “OH MY GOD!” I gasped running towards it. I smiled at him. “Thank you so much!” He smiled and walked over to me, kissing my lips. He gave me the car keys. “Wait. There’s more than that.” He said. He took me upstairs to my room and I seen everything gone. “What happened to my stuff?!” I asked. He took me back to his closet in his room and I seen my clothes on my side of the closet. “This is our room now..” He mumbled kissing my temple.

“You weren’t kidding, we’re you?” I asked. He shook his head. “You’re mom is gone. We have nothing to hide.” He said. “What about guests and all?” I asked. He sighed. “We’re turning your room into a guest room, you’ll have guests in there.” He said. I nodded my head. I smiled and jumped up on him.

“I thank you so much for this! I really love you...” I said. “Me too, Princess.” He said. I pushed him towards the bed and got on top of him. “I want to thank you..” I said grabbing at his shirt. He smirked and turned me over. “Really?” He asked me, cocking an eyebrow.

“JAEHYUN! YESSS!” I screamed scratching his back. He hissed and lifted my leg up in the air. He then hit that one spot. “D-Daddy...” I whined. He bit his lip and watched my facial expressions. “You’re close?” He asked me. I nodded vigorously. “Then do it..all you want and let it out.” He whispered.

This wasn’t Daddy, well actually yes, but this is Jaehyun..he was making love to me..The way he locked eyes with me and kissed me. His hips moved so fluently and sharp. His hair pushed back and his chain dangling from his neck. I screamed his name and arched my back off the bed going through my high.

After I came down, I pushed him off of me. “I want to finish what I started earlier..” I pouted. He leaned up against the headboard and smirked. “Come and finish Daddy off then.” He said as he motioned me with his finger. I put him in my mouth, groaning at the feeling. He pushed my head down and whispered out praises. His movements got harsher, then finally finishing when he finished.

He pulled me up and wiped my mouth. He kissed my forehead and put me on his lap. I laid against his chest calming my breathing. He slipped himself back in slowly. I gasped. “J-Jaehyun I can’t take no more..” I mumbled. “Shh. I just put myself in to feel closer to you..” he whispered. I laid my head down on his shoulder as he watched TV and stroked my hair.

I felt my life completed...he was what I wanted and I finally got him..I’m gonna miss my mom and I’ll feel bad for taking her place but he was with me...that’s all that matters. I played with his chain and suddenly felt horny again. I grind my hips against him making him grunt. I move slowly and groaned. He smirked. “You wanna continue in the bathtub?” He asked I nodded, still moving up and down. He picked me up and took me to the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. I love him so much....

#jaehyun smut #jaehyun nct #jaehyun #nct #nct 127 #nct 127 smut #nct smut #nct x reader

276 notes · View notes

mystical-flute · 3 years

Text

Summer Heat, Boy and Girl Meet (SFWeek Day 2)

Tallahassee AU or Summer Love

AO3 || FFN

@mysteryandnonstopfun

Get a job at Camp Sherwood, her father said. It would be fun, he said.

Emma Nolan was not having fun.

In fact, she wasn’t sure she was going to make it to the end of the month without landing in jail for attempted murder. Or, if things continued to get even worse, actual murder.

The source of her ire?

Neal Gold, the counselor of Cabin 4, and his merry band of lost boys who loved to cause trouble to the girls of her cabin, Cabin 8.

The problem had started on the third day of camp. The kids had started settling in and getting used to the routine, and Emma had become more confident in her abilities as a camp leader.

Neal Gold had noticed this, and had planned a spontaneous water fight between their cabins, ambushing the girls on their way back from canoeing. That was fine, lighthearted enough, and it had been a hot, humid day, so the extra water had, admittedly, felt good.

But then it had all gone downhill.

Shaving cream had been next, as the girls had been coming back to their cabins from an arts and crafts lesson. Luckily (in Emma’s opinion), they’d had to leave their crafts to dry, and nothing had been broken.

The third was scaring her campers when they’d had a late-night bonfire. Emma had planned it perfectly - s’mores, campfire songs, the works. And then Neal and his stupid campers had decided to jump out of the bushes just as they’d started telling scary stories. The boys had somehow constructed a monster costume and had jumped out of the bushes. If the kids hadn’t already been aware of Emma’s sour attitude toward Neal Gold, it would have looked like it’d been coordinated by the two counselors.

The worst prank had been when they’d returned to their cabin from a hike through the forest. It had been so nice to learn about the local wildlife and plant life, that for the afternoon, Emma had nearly forgotten about the trouble she’d been having.

Then they’d made it back to their cabin to find all of their belongings tossed onto the roof, including Emma’s mattress.

Despite her complaints to Director Sherwood, nothing had been done. The pranks had been waved off as harmless summer fun, which meant Emma had only one other option: revenge.

She’d started slowly: releasing a harmless, wild garter snake into the cabin (“Goodness, Gold, you guys should learn to shut your cabin door!”), greasing the entryway so many of them slipped on their way in after their movie night.

Then, he’d caught on to what she was doing.

He’d confronted her about the pranks, she had snapped back at him, and somehow (both of them swore up and down they hadn’t done it), a syrup-drenched piece of french toast from that morning’s breakfast had flown through the air and landed on Director Sherwood’s wife, Regina.

It had all gone wrong from there, a full-blown foodfight exploding in a second. It hadn’t lasted long, but Director Sherwood had known immediately who was likely at fault (even though she and Neal absolutely weren’t), and had forced the two of them to clean the mess hall alone, while he took their cabins out to the zipline and rock wall.

“I can’t believe I got stuck cleaning this with you,” Neal scowled, flicking a piece of bacon at her.

“Hey! I didn’t want to do this either, but you’re the one who’s been pranking my kids all month!” she retorted, scraping drying maple syrup off one of the tables with a groan. “I just wanted to be a good counselor and give the kids a fun summer, but you had to go around disrupting us all the time!”

“You think I didn’t want to do the same? Be a good counselor and have a little fun with the kids in my cabin? Isn’t that why we’re all here?”

Emma tossed a dirty rag into a bucket of equally-disgusting water. “Do you get off on scaring little girls? Alice had to sleep with me the night you dressed up as a knockoff Frankenstein, and we had to look for Ella’s lucky blanket for three hours after you put our stuff on the roof!”

Neal went unusually quiet as he processed her words. “Oh. Emma, I’m - ”

“Sure. You’re ‘sorry’, you promise you’re done, but then the minute I walk out of here, you’re going to be plotting something else,” she scoffed.

“No - I mean it,” Neal threw a sponge down and raised his hands in a show of surrender. “I didn’t know I’d scared any of your kids. Why didn’t you say anything?”

Emma scowled. “I did! Director Sherwood didn’t do anything.”

“Why didn’t you say anything to me?”

“Was I supposed to believe you’d listen, after everything that’s happened this month?”

A pause. “Fair point. I’m calling a truce. No more pranks.”

She looked him up and down, trying to find the catch, or to find the lie. She had always been good at it - her father had once told her she was made for detective work.

But she couldn’t find any with Neal, so she sighed, holding out her hand. “Fine. Truce.”

“C’mon, let’s finish this up. If we’re lucky, we might be able to ride the zipline once.”

“Yeah, okay. Sounds like fun.”

Emma’s shoulders ached, from the amount of force used to scrub the mess hall, but by the time they’d finished, they had missed out on the zipline, and the kids were busy practicing their skits for that night’s talent show. They’d missed the pizza that had been called in for lunch, too.

She groaned, rubbing her eyes. “Now what do we do?”

“You hungry?”

“Well, yeah, but - ”

Neal smiled and pulled two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches out of his pocket.

“Neal!”

“What, did they expect we’d eat wild berries and dirt for lunch? Come on, let’s go sit by the lake. We’ll be able to hear when the rehearsal ends.”

He was becoming a terrible influence, but Emma saw no other option as she followed him, plopping down on a rock and nibbling at the crust of her sandwich.

“Where you from, Emma?” he asked.

“Oh, it’s this little town about two hours from here. I doubt you’ve heard of it.”

“Try me.”

“It’s called Storybrooke.”

Neal choked on the bit of sandwich in his mouth, taking a long drink of water. “No shit? My stepdad is from there.”

She stared at him. What were the odds of that? “What’s his name?”

“Jerkass. Dickwad. Motherfu - oh, sorry, you meant his real name. Killian Jones.”

“Any relation to Adam Jones?”

“Think that’s his twin brother. Why?”

“He’s one of the deputies that work under my dad.”

“He’s a cop?!” Neal laughed, doubling over and wiping a tear from his eye. “Could you send him to NYC? I’m pretty sure my stepdad is some sort of thief. Or worse. Mom keeps getting some really fancy shit and then, wouldn’t you know it, the news comes on with a store being robbed.”

Emma frowned. “Jeez, Neal. You don’t have to live with him, right?”

“Nah. Dad has custody. I live with him most of the time.”

“That’s good at least.”

“Yeah, he and Belle are fine.”

They settled into a comfortable conversation then, and Emma found that underneath all the stupid pranks, Neal Gold wasn’t too bad. And he was, well… kind of cute.

Not that she’d ever tell him that.

“GOLD! NOLAN! I hope you two aren’t slacking off!” Director Sherwood suddenly yelled.

The two jumped up.

“Sorry, Director!” Emma called. “See you later, Gold.”

“See ya, Nolan.”

The rest of the month went smoothly, much to Emma’s relief. The girls had come to enjoy themselves, and she’d made a new friend with Neal.

As she lifted her duffel bag onto her shoulder the last day of camp, she frowned as something hit the ground.

A peanut butter label? How had the label to a jar of peanut butter ended up in her bag?

She carefully unfolded it, feeling her eyes widen as she took in the note scribbled on the back.

Call me if you’re ever in the city. - Neal

#sfweek2021 #swanfire #emma swan #neal cassidy #ouat

17 notes · View notes

alias-b · 3 years

Text

sins of my youth. 020

Billy Hargrove x OC! Evie Fenny~ Also posted to my AO3

Summary: It was common knowledge that Billy Hargrove hated Hawkins. Hated Cherry Lane. Even loathed the strange girl next door. Evie Fenny wasn’t too fond of the chaotic Cali transfer either. An awful high school tradition sparks a chain of events that changes everything, ultimately bringing two frayed souls together.

A/N: Hello everyone. Thanks for clicking in to read. Billy and Evie continue to explore their new relationship together. Max's fourteenth birthday party marks a change for the teens, reminding them that danger isn't too far off. TW: Neil being Neil. Mentions of abuse. Something close to an almost assault/abduction off screen near the end. Light mentions of Pica & fatphobia. Sexual themes

***My tag list is wide open, just shoot me a msg to join it! Chat with me about the chapter if you have the time! Enjoy! xoxo

Chapter 20: Rose Tint My World

“Hold still, I’ll poke your eye again.”

“I can’t breathe, you’re killing me.” Came a sniffled whine.

“Such a baby. You asked.”

“I said I was curious after you put the gunk on my nails!”

“That gunk was a great color on you. You whine just like your big brother.” Carol had Max’s face clamped in her grip as she applied mascara. “Don’t blink, you'll smear it.”

“Evie, she’s killing me,” Max lamented aloud. “This is not worth it.” Evie just laughed, setting a bowl of pretzels aside. Carol flicked a mirror up to let Max see her handiwork. “Whoa...It’s not terrible.” She gruffed in a mumble, tilting her head to see each angle. "Kinda like Madonna."

“I’ll take it.” Carol stole some M&Ms from another dish as they shared a spot on Heather’s fuzzy carpet. A movie rolled on in the corner TV.

Max about howled when Heather came in from the bathroom, face covered in green.

“Monster!”

“It’s a face-mask!” Heather planted her hands on her hips, prompting more laughter. “You’ll be more into them once your body really changes.”

“Girls are way scarier than boys.” Max poked at her blushed cheek which had Carol smacking her hand away. Evie was draped across the bottom of the bed in her robe and nightie, half-watching the TV. “Can you do a zombie make-up?”

Carol gave a snort.

“I can do anything. kid.”

“Eves, you want another piece of pizza?” Heather crossed with the box.

“I’m so full.” Evie shook her head.

“You had like one piece.”

“I ate a big lunch. And lots of pretzels.” Evie snatched the pretzel bowl again for good measure. Truthfully, her appetite had been up and down lately. Mostly down. What with the pangs in her stomach that always passed and… “You sound like my mother.”

“She was...extra peppy at the salon today. My mom and I got our monthly trim.”

“Probably some guy she’s seeing, it’ll pass and another will come. Men are like Kleenex to her. Soft, strong, and disposable.” Evie shrugged to pluck up a magazine.

“Hey,” Max began as Carol fussed over her, “so I didn’t want to make a thing of it, but my mom keeps insisting. My birthday party is coming. She and Neil saved so I could have it just at the roller rink and...they said I could invite whoever I wanted. But, I can’t ask the guys to come. So I figured I’d ask El. She’s really cool. But, maybe if you guys wanted to come? You can bring boys and pretend you’re not even at my party if it’s not your thing. I just-”

“Max, we’d love to come.” Heather piped up first. “Evie and I rule the rink too.”

“I look very cute in skates,” Carol agreed with a twitching smirk. “I'm in. I’ll bring Tommy, he sucks and he’ll fall down a bunch. We'll pretend we ran into each other so your stepdad can get the stick out of his ass.”

“Billy has to go too cause Neil says it’s a family event.” Max turned to Evie. “I think he’d be happier with you there.”

“I think Billy and I both are fine being there for you. I had my fourteenth at the rink too. It’ll be fun.” Evie beamed, legs up to sway idly. “Plus we haven’t met the Chief’s kid. She’s home-schooled, right?”

“Yeah, she might be joining us in school next year.” Max stayed still for Carol’s brush. “Depends. She was uh...adopted under weird circumstances. You’ll like her. I taught her how to do that felting thing because of you and she made this funny one of her dad.”

“I’ll bet Hopper loved that.” Evie winked.

“He’s kind of a babe in like a scruffy, rugged way,” Carol remarked. "Strong mountain man type."

“Ew. He’s so old.” Max reeled back to laugh.

“I’m just saying! I like a man in uniform. He rocks the khaki.”

“The moms in town do eat him up.” Heather shrugged, joining Evie on the bed with a handful of candy. “We all have our strange crushes. I like high cheek-bones. Guys with a little Bowie. Evie? You got one?”

“Gia Carangi even if she isn’t modeling any more, I love her face.” Evie was flicking pages without looking. Howls from the TV went ignored through the chatter.

“I called that. Fenny being into ladies. Try Iman.” Carol winked which earned her a look as if she hadn’t planted a kiss on Evie in a fit of rage.

“People say Billy’s pretty like a girl.” Max had added which got the other girls giggling.

“I like this one, we’re so keeping her.” Carol got up to root for a bag of chips, popping them open. “Like the zombie face better?”

“I still look too pretty.” Max appeared more goth than zombie.

“You are pretty. Deal with it. We redheads stick together.” Carol stole Evie’s magazine. “Let us know when the party is, we’ll be there.”

Max looked at the three older girls squished together on Heather’s bed. Chattering and supporting. Happy to have her around.

A bright smile touched her face for the first time since Neil Hargrove walked into her home.

** ** **

Most days, all it felt like was floating. Floating through her house. Through Hawkins. Up and down streets. Through school. A stunning illusion she pulled like wool over her dark eyes.

A woman in rippling silks walking endless halls toward a great, cherry red door at the end, but the door gets farther away and she's thrilled to continue on even still. Feather wings glittering to unfold from her back because heaven's light is beyond the door. Crystalline eyes with their hold. Waiting for her. The sky awaits her with caressing clouds. Opulent gold sun rays and twinkling stars when the world lies down.

Evie knew she was too big for her wings most days. Too heavy to leave the Earth.

Knew in her beating heart of hearts that was the first thing people think when they see her. This magnificent soul with drive and neon and talent reduced to a single shrewd glance. And they don't think twice until she's something vaguely sexual. Something marketable you can package and process and sell to the last drop.

Easier to stomach something uncomely if you can slide into it ruthlessly to rut. They always come like animals, wailing as a banshee would to get off better than they ever will in their small lives. They eat it up. Cover it in sweat and regret and blame.

These things that hang as little weights on her heartstrings swinging back and forth. They make her not want to attempt extending those wings to fly. Fear of heads shaking in judgement. Fear of looking uglier. More foolish for even trying. Poor thing.

All because of one glance that couldn't be bothered to see worth in another human life. Sometimes Evie wanted to be skinny not because of beauty, but because she'd get a privilege pass to exist in this world.

They think she shouldn't dress the way she does. She's probably lazy and self loathing because of added pounds. She has no real aspirations or means to achieve them. Those eyes that watch her eat. That shift away before they decide on another seat because the one open next to her just isn't right. They glare because of the extra room she might take up. Even sharing a few cordial words with fat girls seemed to be a task.

Evie always notices and does the polite thing pretending she doesn't. She knows what her body looks like, no need to point out the obvious.

Strange, how these snap judgements, these eyes that don't look twice; can villainize a body utterly. A body. Flesh, bone, and muscle. We're all made in heaven's image. All destined for paths we seek to control. Superiority should have been an illusion. But no, too much or too little, your worth dips low. Fetishes and internalized hatred for things that were shaped and colored differently. Blame.

But, some days, when the wind soars just right...just strong enough...Evie can spread and illuminate. See the births and deaths of a million stars. Drop the little weights to feel the winds between her fingers. In her curls. In her wings. Feel her feet leave the floor for just a few fleeting seconds.

The fleeting seconds of soaring always seem so worth it against a world of unsightly aches. Against snap judgements she can toss back to live in a flower petal haze.

Evie tried hard to live in those moments when they flashed into her. Spotlights. Butterflies delicately landing on her flesh to open and close their stained glass wings for kisses. Evie felt crushed utterly in the most decadent way.

Billy's soft lips on her neck to get lost in the pulse. Deft fingers that would push up her clothing as he moved in her. Eyes that wanted to see her. All of her. The prayers he could whisper against heating skin.

A lot could be said about him. But, Billy was always happy to see her and that alone was air spinning into gold. His eyes would light up. Lips twitching. She could hear the single beat that his heart skipped. Even if they didn't speak, they felt this awareness for each other in the vicinity. Truly magic.

Those eyes. That love of a face. Always staring pointedly to read her up and down. Always plucking the weights from her heart by listening. Always unafraid to touch her. Evie hoped she returned that. She really did.

Fleeting seconds began to linger between them. Seeping slow and saccharine as fresh pouring honey.

Sneaking away on walks while he let her hold his hand. Flirtation against school lockers that ended in several 'just one more' kisses. Double dates to the movies with Tommy and Carol. Sitting separately to make out.

Driving up near Lover’s Lake to kiss in a parked Camaro while the sun laid itself down to sleep. Fumbling playfully to undress and explore. Watching the construction of a coming mall with Slurpees from the gas station. Tongues and lips colored all artificial cherry and strawberry.

Evie would stretch her wings completely. Let Billy admire them until the world was all satin rose-tinted. She could forget her urges and worries and insecurities. All together. This was fine.

She was fine. More then fine.

He so liked to admire her wings. Pleasure crushed in as she moaned. Let his fingers explore contours and notches untouched before. Billy would take those prayers on his lips and drape them over her body. Spell them between fleshy thighs. Pulling more fleeting seconds for himself too.

They could roll around under sheets and not worry about anything else. Have conversations that always felt silly and wonderful and weighted because they both mattered to someone so ardently. That alone was an ocean both could sink into.

Something beautiful to behold. The real vision behind the great red door. Your soul mattering.

Evie was in a bubble with Billy Hargrove. A stupid, dopey look on her face when Mona settled dinner down one evening. Steam rising from a huge pot.

“Going out later?” Evie began to create sound or she'd be lost. "You colored your hair brown again."

“Needed another change. Ah, I'm going out just with Karen and Claudia. Dessert and wine night. I asked Susan but that poor thing keeps standing me up. Did you finish Max’s gift for her party?” Mona scooped up huge portions in a bowl that Evie would only be prodding at.

“Yeah, it’s set. Turned out perfect. She’s not much for jewelry but I think a personalized tie dye shirt will be fun. Might look cool while skateboarding. I also have that goody bag of sweets for her to fill up on we made.” Evie reminded herself to pick up her spoon. Took a few bites.

“You’re not scarfing it down like usual, you love my crawfish soup.”

“It’s delicious, I just had a big lunch.” A lie. Evie pressed herself to eat quicker, tearing a piece of fresh bread to chew. Thing was, she wanted to eat. She wanted to eat so badly despite the sickness welling inside her. The heavy ache made it a task. Mona eyed her daughter there. “My stomach's in knots a lot, just school stuff.”

“Well, you are a senior.” Mona pushed her own soup around. “I haven’t been around as much as I’d like to be. Just the salon and I met-”

“I get it.” Evie’s lips spread in a flash, not wanting her mother to finish that sentence. “I’m with friends a lot and I keep busy with my music and the cat. I even wrote a new song.”

“That’s two this week, you. Strumming along blissfully.” Mona gushed. “Whatever has you all creative and dewy, chase it.” Silverware clicked around and Evie stared at her dish. A broader smile crossed.

"I will."

“What’s it called?”

“Ocean Eyes.”

Evie could be pretty transparent in the early stages of a relationship.

These short weeks in with Billy. Lyrics flooded free. Sometimes he liked to watch her write and strum when they hung out. Trips to the lounge where she worked other nights got him a full show, but not of her original stuff. Songs marched forth.

“Ocean Eyes.”

“Cupid and Psyche.”

“Honey Stardust.”

“Neon-Tinted Hearts.”

Rock. Pop. Lush and obscene with her glowing heartstrings. She wrote them for Fredrick too when they got together.

“Doll Joints.”

“Lollipop Lolita.”

“Prince Charming.”

After dinner, Evie stole a notebook filled with her every sinful lyrical confession of her time with Fredrick Bowers. Burnt it in an empty pot out back until Billy wandered out the back steps of his place. Asking her if she was trying to set the neighborhood on fire.

“How can I help?” He’d snarked while the sky went all pretty peach fuzz. Evie just laughed and never explained what she’d burnt or why it felt this cathartic to watch the smoke rise toward a falling sun. She figured maybe this was the day she'd stop eating foreign and sharp objects. She could do it. She was happier. Lighter. It had to stop.

It had to. She couldn't think about this haze shattering, it hurt too deep.

Billy used the flame to light his cigarette comically and kissed her before inhaling the smoke.

“Can we take a drive? Or walk if you’re low on gas?”

“Let’s walk, I got some cash doing my odd jobs for the damn neighbors, but I need it to last a bit longer with Max’s birthday. Got her this new board she was too chickenshit to beg our parents for.”

“Aren’t you a darling big brother?” Evie crossed her arms to follow him when the flame dwindled low. They went around the house to the front, started down the street. “Iris has some hours for me that next Saturday night.”

“You going to tell your mom about the secret job thing?” Billy inhaled and let smoke billow up into the afternoon light. They walked along Cherry Lane. Not touching. Counting steps while their shadows cast and the streetlights came up. A brisk night loomed, spring begging to creep through the month of March.

“I figured I could this summer. Around graduation. Just say I got something bigger since I’m eighteen and Iris can get me steadier hours. Gigs day or night. Maybe I’ll get to host a couple more drag shows. I miss those damn girls, the funniest performers know. I'll just let my mom down easy about the receptionist thing, hopefully she’s fine with it. Make it sound like I took initiative cause I'm a big girl.”

“And your grand singer plans?” He liked to ask about her and hang upon the syllables.

“Still up in the air. I’m taking the year off to work and write. Try for a talent agent or manager. I can record maybe...try to get airtime. There’s this contest thing, they do it every year and the winners always do well. But, I’m honestly too afraid to ask my mom about it just yet. I’m saving though here and there.” Evie beamed. “You? Summer and on.”

She was clearly asking if he was sticking around for summer.

“Odd lawn, house, and car jobs are getting me by. This whole street is a mess and the moms in town like to watch me work."

"Yikes."

"It means better pay and tips. I’m taking Heather up on her lifeguard offer this summer. I'll save up, Dad's already going to be asking for rent when I graduate."

"Shit."

"Yeah. Don’t wanna bank on that mall they’re opening with all the other little shits trying to get jobs first.” Billy leaned back to let the cooler air kiss his face, sighing before he tossed his smoke out.

Evie came to the end of the street near the forest, swayed around a streetlamp like she was in an old Hollywood flick. Dreaming long and endless. Sometimes she worried so often that she wasn't living. Just dreaming it all away. Maybe a center line was possible.

Maybe she'd be able to soar over it all.

Billy waited for her to swing back around it before he pressed into her for a slow, lingering kiss. Even better, maybe they both were sharing a dream. Making it of something stronger.

“So, how am I doing?” He joked lighter. Evie gripped the lamp to stay level, head tilting. “Two weeks in, almost three. This whole situation.”

“Situation.” Evie mused, slyly hiding half her face behind the lamp to hum. The shadowy starlet of a femme fatale she loved to watch on television with her mother. Glinting. Dangerous. "This whole situation?" She lingered to sigh it even slower.

"You and me." He'd sounded out, drawing nearer. "Us..." Evangeline, always the playful nymph, flitted off playfully. Spinning the other way to walk along so Billy came to her side easily.

“I think you’re doing fine." She tapped her chin. "What about me? Evaluate my performance.”

“Ah. In a sea of slithery tadpoles, you’re a goddamn firecracker.” He’d laughed and Evie followed, covering her lips with one hand.

“I don’t know how any of that correlates or makes sense, but I’ll take it.”

“Neither do I. Just made it up to see you do that. The scrunchy thing you do when you’re too happy or upset with me.” Billy’s nose crinkled as he grinned there. Evie came up to peck his freckles.

“You’re a total sap, Hargrove.” Evie continued, hands clasped behind her back before she inhaled the air. “Let’s hit that mini mart nearby. I’m craving a Dr. Pepper. Buy you a soda. It’s my turn.”

“No, it isn’t. You’re just being too nice again,” Billy remarked, feet shifting slower as they crossed the street. “I can’t take you fancy places.”

“I don’t need to go to fancy places, I just like hanging out with you wherever.” Evie turned her head to see him. “We’re both poor, we make due. Summer will be better. We can just work and...figure this out. I like it right now though, so don’t worry because I know how you shiver in those boots.”

She pondered it.

“Do you like it?” Evie offered quieter, earning Billy’s eyes searching her expression. Lip twitching, he tossed his arm around her. Brought Evie taut into his frame with an easier grin so they could keep walking toward the whirling, illuminated sign in the distance.

“Yeah, I like it.” He decided. “I like you plenty. What's not to like, Evangeline?” His free hand gestured out and Evie beamed to point at that darling face. Her Eros. Encouraging her wings to unfold without pressure.

"Wow, you're getting better and better at that." A beat. "Making me blush without rolling my eyes."

"Please, Angel, your knees quiver every time I hit you with this smile. You might as well toss off the panties for me." For good measure, he flashed it and Evie hid from his absolute burning charm. Cheeks felt that fire bloom and billow.

A car hurried past them. Sweeping budding flowers and loose leaves about. Delicate, they danced. Trees wobbled back and forth to the wind picking up. Evie stayed looking away to smile that time. Knew this wind would carry her easily.

"Did you have a best friend back in California?" She moved her arm around his back as they went.

"I don't know. Guess I had a few in orbit."

"Am I your best friend here?" She piped back up and Billy slowed to glance, chuckling.

"I thought you and I were avoiding labels."

"It's different." Came the protest.

"No, it isn't." He paused. "Heather's your best friend."

"Yeah, but I figured I could have more than one. Perfectly carved places for each." Evie shifted in front of him, hands smoothing up Billy's shoulders to clasp fingers round his neck. Blue eyes glittered to search.

"You trying to push some admission outta me, Fenny?"

Lashes batted with all the innocence they could hold.

"Just admit it, Hargrove," she pulled him down for a lip lock, pecking his jaw and cheeks until he broke to laugh and hold her at bay. One brow lifted. "It'll be our dirty little secret."

"Fine. Only cause you twisted my arm about it and it gets you hot. You are my very," he palmed her bottom to make her gasp in one motion, "very best friend. Happy?" Billy stole a kiss when she was still dumbfounded, molding their frames together.

"Maybe I am." Evie sighed, sounding too raw and honest about it. She came out to see his eyes there. Tried to read them. Billy blinked to say something else.

“So, you're already thinking about graduation and summer, huh? Moving quick.”

“I’m optimistic is all. It’s a rare thing with me so I'm just enjoying it. I’m not used to happy and good.” Evie got cheeky to hide anything else, winking over her shoulder before she went inside the tiny store.

Fluorescent lights washed out too many colorful packages. They picked cold cans of soda and bright yellow packs of Jujyfruit candies to curb a sweet craving. Billy gripped the paper bag in one fist and Evie snatched his free hand when they got outside.

“C’mon!” She picked up the pace. “Let’s catch the bus to the other side of town.”

“Billy Hargrove doesn’t take the bus. It’s all full.” He’d complained, still rushing after her to the stop.

“Try something new.” Evie was giggling, tugging at him to get on.

With the bus full of residents leaving work, they took some standing room with a group up front. Fingers curled into the handles above, swaying closer together due to the rocking and crowding. A hard turn sent Evie into Billy’s chest, her hand sprang out over his shoulder to catch the bar just above his head.

“Trying to jump my bones in public, little Miss Fenny?” He feigned a look of awe, brows lifting playfully. His free arm slipped around the small of Evie’s back, bracing her there into his marble frame. “You know how much easier it is if you just ask, Angel?”

Evie wanted to scoff. Wanted to scrunch that annoyed look she was known for. Wanted to send him to the floor and kiss him for miles and miles. But, she just stood there in the dim, flickering bus lights. Watched his expression relax. Not really breathing until she reminded herself.

Billy seemed to remember as well. At the back and forth shifting of the vehicle, they squished together. Forcing looks away to see the path again. Billy pushed his thigh further between her legs. Both of them idly rubbing together now. Evie felt the heat crawl up her cheeks, lungs tremoring. Billy’s fist holding the bag shifting a little lower on her back, firm and scalding hot.

She peered up at his jawline. Looked away. Felt Billy’s eyes wander back after before he flickered elsewhere. Denim pushed against denim. Billy hitched this breath as if he might whimper. Swallowed it down. Hips swaying back and forth and back again. A thumb pushed deftly into her back. Evie shifting in, lips parting. Trembling as Billy turned his head to see her centimeters from him.

“This is our stop.” She’d said in his ear. Leaning flush into him to pull the cord down. Billy inhaled the amber. Brushed his nose into her own while she came back out.

“Don’t wanna stop.” His freckles looked especially glowy outlined in a rare blush. The bus skidded and Evie veered back with some amusement. Brown eyes casting Billy up and down before she skipped off in a hurry, leaving him to chase her because he’d always chase her. Bag still wrinkled around Billy’s fist, he caught up with her. Under the streetlamps surrounded by dancing moths.

“We near Lover’s Lake?”

“Yeah, the park nearby. Figured some loitering would do us good.” Evie stepped across the grass and sand. Listened to the dark structures creak. “C’mon. I love the swings.”

She plopped back into one, legs kicking some before Billy joined her. He cracked one can of soda to offer it, feet shifting over the sand to sway closer together. Chains creaking.

They clicked drinks and guzzled fizz before Evie snagged the candy out. Stealing a few chewy pieces. The bright box got passed back and forth during a comfortable silence. Billy watched Evie as she observed the moon there.

“Do you know any constellations?” She’d asked quieter, forcing him out of the daze. Curls caught the illumination with stars dotting her dark eyes.

“Not really.” He took the candy back as she swallowed a piece.

“You see that crooked line? Those four little guys, they call that...Salem’s Lot. And...” Evie touched her lips, pointing again. “Those two bright boys there. Called Shawshank. Oh, and that one-”

“These are Stephen King references.” He pushed her.

“No, I’m very smart and they’re real-life constellations. Listen and learn, Billy boy.”

“So, are you gonna call that grouping, The Shining or The Overlook?” He pointed to a cluster and Evie snickered.

“Obviously that’s Carrietta White’s Constellation. Duh. Cause it looks like a rain of blood.” Evie snorted and Billy joined her, heads pressing together as they giggled like school children.

“You know she wears a crushed red velvet dress in the book? Not pink as seen in the movie.” Billy stretched out, finishing his soda.

“You know she’s fat in the book, too?” Evie winked at him, eyed the trash, and tried to toss her can at it. Missing badly, it smacked the rim and fell in the sand with a clatter. “Damn it!” Billy laughed at her louder.

“Don’t try for a career on the court, Evie.” He watched her pout as she plucked it up to throw it away properly. “Now, watch the master work.” He aimed as she sat down. One deft hand reeled back and launched it only to have Evie’s palm smack it easily the other direction. Almost falling out of her seat cackling, she got the candy pushed into her arm before he gawked and went to get it.

“Oh,” she kept up without air, “I thought you were the master? You should have seen your face!”

“Yeah, yeah.” He grumbled, dunking it in the can with an echoing clank. For some cheery consolation, she offered the rest of the box to him. Tiny candy pieces fell into his palm before he pushed them all into his mouth at once, eyes lifting to the sky again. Billy made a face and turned to go to push her swing. “Gimme another constellation.”

“Hmm.” Evie held the chains, began to swing properly at his coaxing. Felt like they were in a secret garden together. Water rippling against the air distantly. Cold chill not bothering either of them. “Those two stars. The little one and the big guy. See?”

Billy gripped the chains, keeping her swing up against him to follow the gaze

“That’s Neverland. Second star to the right and straight on till morning.” She snickered again as Billy pushed her forward. “Bet I can beat you there. I’ll jump from the swing.”

“You’re on.” Billy stole the seat next to her, both of them pumping higher. Curls fluttering. Laughing. Happy because they were together and that mattered.

“I’m going to overthrow Pan and Hook. Become the most fantastic Lost Girl with a siren song to command the island and you’ll write your stories.”

“Think so?” Billy pushed himself higher. Actually thought he might fly with Evie there.

“Yes! You’ll tell the greatest stories ever heard through the land and they’ll echo back down here to be loved too.” She proclaimed that. Not having heard Billy’s stories, but believing what was in his heart.

Time slowed. Wild laughter crackled toward the sky. Utter sparks as they jumped together and collided to roll around the sand. Evie was still alight with joy under him, hair splayed everywhere as Billy snapped up to check her over, hovering. Evie’s giggling tapered off against the night air. She stared up at him. Framed in twinkling stars. He said something she didn’t catch.

“You have beautiful eyes,” Evie sounded out slower, lost in the endless crystalline blue. “Did you mean it?”

“Mean, what?”

“What you said when we were lying in bed together. You said I was the best thing about this place. People never say things like that. Not to girls like me. I believed it when you said it though and it was easy too.” Evie skimmed her fingers over his jacket. Watched Billy’s eyes flicker to recall that moment and the clouds he floated upon like lily-pads in a pond.

Billy swept down. Planted a hot kiss that was all lips. Swelled her mouth when he pulled out. He left Evie fluttered and came to her ear.

“That was a yes.” He pushed up, eyes too sly. “By the way.” Evie took a hand when he offered one and got pulled to her feet, bodies stumbling together. They tried to brush the sand off fabric.

“Do you think about that night? The dance, I mean. Not...the sex. Well, I guess it’s okay to think about the sex actually.” She blushed there when Billy’s lip quirked. His fingers still wrapped around her wrist. “Before all that went down with Brock. It was-”

“Not terrible.” He finished.

“Not at all. The first part of the night, sometimes I wish we could go back and-”

“Rewrite it.” Billy looked around, giving Evie a tug. He pulled her up on the metal roundabout, painted red and blue that was chipping away. “Hold on.” Another smile had curled as he braced to get it spinning.

“Billy!” Evie jerked to hold tight to the bars. Hair flying up. Curls coiled out. Fire billowing gracefully. “What are you doing!”

“Turning back the clock,” he charged and jumped on with her, wobbling to hold something, "to redo it.” Evie grabbed for his coat. Fisting the fabric when they locked eyes. Wind rushed in a thrill with memories tumbling together and apart.

Her wings sprang forth.

Billy made Evie the still point to his turning world. For just a moment. Knew, if anything, that meeting her was something truly important. An unseen force that would twist his heart forever.

Spinning round and round. He recalled the metallic confetti dancing and the way the music pulsed. The carousel began to slow, both teens holding the bars and each other to say level.

Slower, Evie pecked a kiss upon his lips to mirror the first. Unable to come out far, Billy was already closing the distance for the second. Trying to pay her back with a thousand sweet kisses.

Cheers rang and fireworks burst. She remembered it all too. How dizzy and still the world seemed to be. How it hushed for her too sweetly. Billy’s hands on her face, cradling delicately to angle the second kiss a little deeper. They felt the metal clink to stillness under them and inched back out.

“I want to go home with you,” Evie said the words she wished she had that night. Huge dark eyes glittering. She found his lips again. Not worried about air or what the future held for them. Lost on a rosy haze and perfectly fine for these stolen fleeting seconds. “Can we go?” Billy searched her, thumb sweeping a circle into her jaw. He smiled fully.

“Only if we can take the bus again.”

** ** ** **

“Happy Birthday!” Evie gushed, offering a gift to a small pile. Max had her arms around her before she’d gotten a chance to turn. One hand shifted to the shorter girl’s back. Music whirled with a campy light show, made the horribly patterned carpets glow. “Carol and Heather are on their way in. Tommy’s around but he won’t hang near the table.”

“Neil’s going to be late. Work stuff.” This explained why Max’s smile was so bright. Evie nudged her chin, head cocking. “You brought your own skates.”

“I know it’s dorky, but they’re my babies.” Evie gestured to the red skates swung over one shoulder. “Evie Fenny doesn’t rent her skates.”

“That’s El, come meet her,” Max pulled Evie off after she got one wave at Susan behind the table setting up. “Billy’s grabbing stuff from the car. He drove us.”

El Hopper was a tiny thing. Almost like a little bird compared to Hopper’s hulking frame behind her. She peered around and seemed at instant ease upon seeing Max.

“El, this is my neighbor, Evie," Max introduced them, "she’s cool.”

El made this gesture like she had a needle and poked at her hand.

“Yes!” Max got it, tugging Evie’s arm. “She taught me the felting thing.”

“Hope the sharp objects weren’t a bother in your house, Chief Hopper.” Evie perked up at Jim with a sheepish expression. “I should have asked you, I know it might seem a little dangerous.”

He actually laughed at that. If only she knew the danger these kids had gotten into prior.

“Believe me, crafts are a welcomed change.”

“El, nice to meet you. I’m Evie. Max talks about you all the time.” Evie held out her hand and the young girl looked shocked. “Good things.”

A slower smile crossed. She took Evie’s hand to shake it. Awkward about her navigation but trying to take everything in. Clearly never been to a party like this one. Kids of various ages circled the floor on skates. Laughing. Holding hands.

“Max...talks about you too. I like your hair.” El mirrored. Peered to Hopper with a pleased expression he matched. She offered Max a wrapped gift. Evie grinned and touched her curls, pulled up into two high, rounded buns.

“C’mon, let me show you the table they’re setting up.” Max took El’s wrist to usher her off.

“Are you...staying to skate?” Evie turned to the Chief.

“El’s, ah, not used to crowds. She came from some unfortunate circumstances. I’d like to stay close. First party. Maybe I’m hovering.” He pushed his hands into his pockets. Not in uniform. Evie beamed a little.

“She’s young, you’re worried. It’s sweet, actually. You’re just being a good dad.” The smile seemed to dither in her eyes. Even when Jack was married to Mona, he wasn't always around. Work and trips kept him busy, but he stayed to close to Evie the moment he arrived home with his little gifts and endless stories. “Don’t come running over if she falls, we got her.”

“Yeah, uh, if you could keep an eye on El when you see her around. That would mean a lot to me. I know you babysat the Henderson kid. El doesn’t need a babysitter, she’s just… This is new for her.” Jim gestured. Digging for a smoke he couldn’t have in the immediate area.

“Heather, Carol, and I will keep an eye out.”

“Carol?” He chuckled. “Perkins?”

“Oh, yeah, we made up. Funny thing.”

“Almost as funny as you hanging out with the Hargrove boy through winter.” He quirked his brow.

“What can I say, Chief...” Evie shrugged. “I’m...branching out.”

As if on cue, Billy paced in a side door. Bag clutched under one arm. He caught Evie’s glance instantly. Both of them locked in and back out on cue. Blue eyes shifted up and down because she was wearing his denim jacket over a little lacy, floral top tucked into her jeans.

Neil would arrive and they had an act to keep up. Ignoring each other.

“I’ll sit far." Jim offered. "Pretend I’m not here.”

She about cackled, lost in thought still.

“I’ll just pretend you’re my real dad,” Evie winced at herself, saw him pause with some subtle awe, “oof, I’m not sure where that came from. Ouch. Okay. Walking away now. Sorry, Chief.”

“Evie.” He eased a gentle hand toward her. “What I said. If there’s...anything going on. You can talk to me. On or off the record.”

“Yeap. Right. I’m okay. I’m...I’m gonna...skate. Yeah. Sorry. Oh, my…” Evie whirled to hurry off, cringing all the way to the table. “I think I just had a mental break.”

“What?” Heather had chuckled.

“Nothing. Time to skate?” Came Evie’s begging. Agreement followed.

Hopper made himself scarce with a cigarette and plate of cheese fries in the corner. Billy plopped himself into a chair behind the decorated table, looking disinterested. Not catching Evie’s eyes while she sat with the girls to put her skates on. Just watched Susan set out plates for pizza and cake.

Evie went out with Heather first for a lap, both of them giggling and pulling little stunts to show off for Tommy who was on the ground as Carol pulled at him. Max jumped over his leg, cackling before she tried to get El to come out with them.

“Kinda reminds me of us. They’re too cute.” Heather quipped, whirling to skate backward. They joined the younger girls, hoping to get El relaxed and away from the wall she seemed to cling to. Every turn, Evie shot Billy a look. Got his lips quirking before he ruefully was peering away.

“Do you want to skate, Billy?” Susan had asked after a beat, weary of the music already. Bit of a glittery disco mess. That same dreamy rose haze in the air.

“About as much as I want to give my old man a sponge bath, Susan.” Billy frowned for effect and dropped it when she actually laughed at him. It was an easier thing for them to talk without Neil’s shadow.

“Well, the offer is open if you want to.” Susan thought to tell him Evie looked beautiful today when she caught him staring at her for the third time but decided not to be obvious. Not yet.

“You’re supposed to tell me I’m being inappropriate and I’m going to send your only daughter down with me.” He recited easily.

“I was your age once, Billy, I know how to laugh still.” Susan seemed surprised at the revelation herself. Slowly, she took a seat next to him. Not leaving another chair as a buffer like she usually did. “It might not be so bad. Her following you, you know, after this. When she’s older. She still looks up to you.”

It became clear what Susan was asking him. Max would resent her one day down the line. For the choices she made. The things she couldn’t stop no matter how hard she tried. Maybe Billy and Max didn’t always get along, but he’d be a safer place for her than whatever was leftover in that house. Susan would always be under Neil Hargrove, but she could ensure her daughter would not be. One day.

Billy leaned forward on his elbows, palms rubbing. He felt for his ring and remembered it was hidden under Evie’s dipping sweetheart neckline. He didn’t say anything, but met Susan’s eyes.

“Evie’s been a good friend to her.” Susan crossed her legs and sat back to watch the girls laugh. Slowly easing into the conversation. El wobbled, holding hands with Max and Evie to gain some speed. Heather was trying to help Carol steady poor Tommy. “Don’t you think so?”

“I haven’t noticed.” Billy turned his head aside.

“She’s very pretty. Kind. That’s all I’m saying. She and her mother, they’re nice neighbors to have on Cherry.”

“Jesus, Susan, why don’t you date them both?” Billy shot up to go to the snack counter. Susan ghosted this smile after him, hands clasping. “Cheese fries. Jalapenos...Extra jalapenos.” He got his plate and turned to see Chief Hopper’s cigarette glow red. “You got any more of those? My pack is out and they don't have a machine in this joint.”

Jim just eyed him.

“I’m legal.” Billy puffed before a stick flicked across the table. “Camels. Unfiltered. Disgusting. Are you a flannel hobo of some kind with those?”

The Chief gawked at him.

“Don’t you smoke Reds? Baby’s first cigarette.”

Billy matched him. Offended.

“I’m smoking with the big boys, Hop. You should try it.”

“You in a place to complain, kid?” Jim reached to take it back before Billy swiped, lighting up to puff.

“No, sir.” His lighter snapped shut. “You unable to cut the cord or is dressing like a lumberjack to hang out at a 70s roller disco a hobby?”

“Haven’t seen you down at the station in a while. Few months, in fact. Turning over a new leaf this year?” Jim remarked instead, leaning forward on his elbows.

“Aw. You miss me or something? Your boys finally get tired of chasing me down? Or trying to.” Billy gave this comedic pout, head turning to eye Evie again. Graceful swan that she was out there. His jacket hanging off her shoulders, exposing that neck. Little wisps of curls swayed about from her space buns decorated with matching glittery star barrettes, loose hair framing her face. Brown eyes flicked up and he snatched his gaze away. “Guess I found something else to get into that isn’t trouble. You guys bore me down there, I like to be amused.”

“The real crime-stopper, boredom. Color me impressed and shocked.” Jim seemed to like that, eyes rolling. Billy puffed and swept a piece of tobacco from his mouth. “I guess whatever you’re doing, keep it up.” He watched Billy crunch on some salty jalapenos, plucking five gooey fries at once to swallow them down. Almost starved.

“I intend to.” Billy flicked his greasy fingers to his brow. “Chief.”

“William.”

Billy mumbled as he went off, finishing the smoke to flick it out a back door. Eyes shifting to watch the girls plus poor Tommy. El was already better than him.

“Man, I’m dying out here. Help me. I’ll tag you in.” Tommy scrambled up the sidewall and clung, out of breath. Freckles all dewy.

“You wanted to be a good boyfriend,” Billy cackled for good measure, "that'll teach you."

“Feed me a fry,” Tommy begged over the barrier.

“Fuck out of here, they’re mine. My dad will show soon so you can disappear to a corner and get your own damn fries.” To make it a point, Billy stood there and fed himself.

Behind Tommy, Max skidded and fell with Evie barely catching her. Both girls had gone down in a fit of giggling.

“We’re fine, go on!” Max waved to Heather and El ahead of them. Carol came to steal Tommy back as Billy craned to see his step-sister.

“You alright?” Evie was picking her up when Max’s shirt slipped closer to her pale shoulder, flashing a burst of purple there the size of a softball. “Oh, my god.” It slipped out before she could stop it.

“That’s-!” Max cut herself off and fixed her shirt. Spring was creeping and all she donned was long-sleeved and frumpy. Dressing almost like Susan. “I fell, you know, on my board.” Evie tried to give her the dignity of a look that said she believed it. Must have cracked. “Evie, it’s nothing. Don’t worry. Please.”

Dressing like Susan. Sounding like Billy.

“Max, my house is-”

“I know, but don’t… Don’t say anything. Not to Billy or my mom, ah… Neil’s here.” Max put her head down and skated around Evie to go away.

There was something particularly helpless about watching a young girl flee obediently to her monster. Evie wondered if this was what she looked like to Billy headed to Fredrick's place.

Small. Scared. Lost.

Neil Hargrove started with words. Lots of horrible words that whittled Max down to a hard pit. Then pushing. Then some grabbing. Then shoving. Into walls mostly.

The hit didn’t bruise Max. It was more of a swipe to make her go to her room for talking back. Whatever that meant to Neil. But, he was drunk and he caught her jaw with an open palm. That stayed red for the day until she snuck a pack of frozen peas, not wanting Susan or Billy to know.

But, the swipe sent her into the dining room table. Left the violet petals bursting under her skin. Evie lost the urge to skate and came out. Saw Billy’s eyes again and paused to help Heather usher El out for food.

“You’re a natural.” Evie complimented which earned a full smile. El opened her mouth to speak before Billy appeared in front of them.

“They’re making us sing.” He cocked his head, peering at El. “You’re the one with the funny name, aren’t you?”

“Jane. But,” she seemed to have trouble staring at him for more than three extended seconds and pointed to her chest, “El.” Red crept across her cheeks. Billy towered over her, cocking a wider grin to play up the fact that she was all blushy for a pretty older boy.

“El?” He raised one brow. “What’s the L stand for?”

“Ignore him.” Heather pulled the younger girl around Billy as he chuckled, pausing to see Evie. Her colorless expression.

“You okay?” He said it hard with a furrowed brow.

“Fine.” She tried to make it sound cold but it came out near silent. Head turned down as she flitted around him to join the party.

Neil, stiff and stoic, pressing his lips like he was at the damn DMV. Susan plastered a broader grin to dote on him after his long day, lingering close to his side as they set out pizza and readied the cake.

It was all so routine. Like getting your shots.

Pizza. Sing. Candles. Wish. Cake. Gifts. Thank you.

Billy and Evie took the farthest seats from each other. Played a game of glance and ignore that they’d made up on the spot. They both were either losing or winning.

“Strange,” Neil remarked as he pulled Max aside for another slice. “You and the high school girls.”

“Oh, I invited El too, she’s my age. I didn’t want to leave Evie out and the girls...they’re nice to me.”

“They don’t dress like nice girls.”

Heather and Carol both donned perfectly normal tees and jeans. Nothing would suffice for Neil Hargrove. Max shifted her cake around. No longer hungry for it.

“Maybe we’ll talk about the type of girl you should hang around at a later time. The Fenny girl is nice enough, even if her shirt is a little too...low. Dresses kinda tight. Bit of an odd one. She’s different. Her friends, well...I’m just not sure, Maxine.”

“Yes, sir.” She looked at her birthday cake like it was infested with worms. Carefully forced a bite and set it aside.

Max hung around. Smiled and thanked everyone after each birthday present. Even hugged Neil only cause he opened his arms at her. She said bye to El then Heather. Carol seemed to be turning in as well so Tommy went out back to get the car.

As the party went on and dwindled, Evie caught Billy’s eyes gesturing to the rental counter. He slipped around the corner into the many shelves and Evie turned back to see Max and Susan at the table. Neil seated in a chair not helping them clean up, eyes elsewhere. Casually, she skated around and got her arm snatched. A gasp snuffed against a pair of lips. Kisses hidden away from the world.

“Paid the kid a few coins and a threat to leave for ten minutes."

Music vibrated the shelves. Evie put her arms around Billy.

“I still have skates on.”

“Even better. I might have a thing for girls in red skates.” Billy was all hands, holding Evie steady. Pulling one leg around his hip. Pushing denim into denim. Hot friction might have done her in any other day.

“We are not hooking up with all the smelly rental skates.” Evie laughed into his lips, still pecking back and peering over her shoulder. She paused to see his eyes. Wanted to blurt what she’d seen on Max’s body. Even to Billy now, it felt wrong. So, she said something else.

“Hey, we should…keep an eye on your sister, you know. It’s her birthday. She’s...She needs her big brother.”

Billy huffed into her neck.

“Fine, fine, but you’ll regret not taking the adventure on here.”

“Yeah, I’m sure.” Evie shifted. “My feet hurt and we can make-out in my bed later.” She kissed his neck. “I’ll do that thing you like if you promise you went easy on the product down there.”

“Only dotted the gold crown. Scout’s honor.” Billy winked and she rolled her eyes. He peered out first. “Give it a second then follow.”

“Wait.” Evie thumbed her red lipstick from his mouth. “Now, shoo.” Billy licked his lips and snuck out. She waited a moment. Let the happy butterflies land in her stomach then followed. Pausing, her skates came off for more comfortable tennis shoes.

“Evangeline, do you need a ride home with us later?” Neil had asked.

“No, thank you, I was getting a ride with Carol now.” She smiled and looked for red hair to say her goodbyes. “Where’d Max go?” Evie collected her coat and Susan paused to peer around.

“She was here a second ago. Neil?” Hands dropped a stack of plates into the trash.

“Probably went to the bathroom.” He shrugged, squinting at all the moving lights that were making his head pound. “Billy, go find your sister.”

Billy seemed to notice the look on Evie’s face and feel the same chill before he hurried off without fighting. Susan looked through the sea of kids and teens meandering as Evie passed her to check the ajar side door.

"Max!" The one flickering light at the exit made her skin crawl. A cry echoed distantly followed by a dull crash in the dark. Like a bag of trash hitting the dumpster.

Evie dropped her skates to follow the hollowed-out sound. Exhaust swept up her nose and tires gave a harsh wail, horns sounding while a faraway car disappeared around a row of trees to get to the main street with the rest.

“Max!” Evie charged out. Heart painfully thudding within her ribs.

“Evie?” Carol heard her and footsteps echoed around the building.

“Max!” Evie was near tears now. A shift in some fallen trash bags made her pause when two sneakers appeared around the side of the dumpster. This odd scratching sound left her lips. Evie threw herself over the tiny body there, turned Max’s limp frame over.

Her shirt collar was ripped open where someone grabbed her. Or tried to. Dragging then dropping her when she put up a fight. Bleeding scrapes and dirt scuffed all over her pale freckled skin from the rough tumble. Carol got to them first and pulled off her sweater to cover Max’s torso while Evie gathered her up.

“Help!” Carol called because Evie couldn’t. More bodies arrived. Tommy. Susan. Billy. Neil.

“Neil, she won’t wake up.” Susan pulled her daughter out of Evie’s arms, shaking her. Moans filtered out, but nothing else. “What happened?”

“I don’t know. I saw...a car. It was too dark. I just found her here on the ground. Someone tried to...” Evie wheezed out and never finished, gesturing aimlessly.

“Susan, give Maxine to Billy. She needs a hospital.” Neil swept down as Billy urged his sister’s tiny body away. This hard. flamed expression on his face as if he wasn't really here.

Max looked broken. Not real. A doll left under the bed for too long without love or cherished stories to comfort it. Evie felt the knees of her jeans soak through from the wet pavement. Too many words hit the air and Evie’s eyes dropped to where that harsh car had gone to.

Evangeline wondered what kind of monster would grab up a little girl and throw her out into the trash.

And why the world bore so many of that same design.

~~~~~

Mad Max :( Her story line is gonna start to push toward the front here and there with Evie's in pieces. Thanks again for following the fic, I really appreciate it! Please please leave some words if you enjoy the fic. XOXO Taglist open

TAGLIST:: @80sbxtch @nottherightseason @alagalaska @alongcamedolly @kellyk-chan @10blurredsmoke10 @charmed-asylum @unmistakablyunknown @lukespatterson @arkhamasylumpatient-blog1

#billy hargrove #billy hargrove x oc #billy hargrove fanfic #stranger things #billy hargrove fanfiction #billy hargrove x plus size oc #stranger things fanfiction #angel fenny #Billy x angel #somy #writing #mine

18 notes · View notes

jenomark · 4 years

Note

Your so fascinating haha when did you realise you were claircognizant?

Within the last two years. I didn’t know there was a name for it. I’m not sure how honest I should or can be. I feel like I have to explain how it was, so that I can explain how it is now. I’ll put the sensitive material under the cut! (Feel free not to read any of this. I know some people only come here for the NCT content, which is valid)❤

I’ve always been like this, just completely oblivious. I’ve had a weird life. People can believe what they want about life, but all I know is what I’ve experienced. Again, feel free to not read this. I’m only writing it because you asked, and lately, I’ve been trying to be more honest with people.

I was born under interesting circumstances. My mom was pregnant with another baby before I was born. She had a miscarriage about 6 months into the pregnancy and my mom almost died from it. She lost an ovary and a Fallopian tube, if I am not mistaken. The doctors told her she should never get pregnant again, or risk having the same thing happen. A few months later, on birth control (she was on it, just in case), she got pregnant with me, and everything was perfectly fine. I feel like, right out of the gate, that was a bit…odd.

My childhood wasn’t the most normal. It was tumultuous, and I found myself behaving more adult-like than a child should. I saw and felt everything, but I didn’t understand any of what was going on. Divorce. Death. Sex. I thought everyone processed things how I did. I thought too deeply about everything. I questioned the decisions of the adults around me, even when I was really small. Like, if life were a movie, my childhood would have been a cut scene where I’m standing in a crowd saying, “No. You’re doing that wrong. That’s the wrong choice.”

In 3rd grade, I colored this picture in school about how I wanted to die and go back up to heaven because I felt like the people on earth were disappointing me ( I still have it!). I was around twelve the very first time I tried to kill myself. I had no idea what was going on with me, just that I wanted it to stop. I was feeling and seeing so many things I couldn’t explain. I was bullied really badly in middle school. I saw a ghost during my worst rebellions and she flipped my world upside down. My family home life was changing. All of those things happening around the same time overwhelmed me. My grandmother gave me a tarot deck when I was thirteen (she thought it was pretty), and now I’m wondering if that was a new beginning of some sort. When I was fifteen, is when I noticed that something might not be quite right. I was picking thoughts out of peoples heads, hearing music that wasn’t there (that people would then start singing out loud), and my sleep paralysis started.

For the next few years, I grew with it as much as I could. I wrote more. I think writing goes along with it. The more I write with my hands (versus computer), the easier it is for me to be open. I channel a lot when I’m writing. I was still a very depressed teen, because I didn’t fully understand anything. I didn’t link it with anything paranormal or spiritual. I ignored it and buried it under years of the growing pains I experienced. After a few more suicide attempts, I met a psychic who put me on the right path. She moved in next door (the universe has a funny way of doing things). She could talk to the dead. She went through similar life things as me, but she was well into her 30′s at the time and, in my opinion, her gift had mentally scarred her. During the few years she lived next door, I experienced a lot of paranormal things, various tarot readings and life advice. All very much validated (scarily so). In fact, our whole block, validated her. That was a very strange time period, tbh. All of it feels like a dream now. I’ll never find a connection like that again. She knew what I was the moment she met me. There were things about me she didn’t understand and hadn’t seen before (apparently smoke things follow me, and if I’m worried about someone-usually my parents- one will stay with that person??? Like, what the fuck??), but she tried her best to guide me.

When she moved away, I was on my own, but I was stronger. By then, my mom and stepdad knew there was something going on. They’ve both witnessed things they can’t explain. I’ve learned to be open and honest with my family and friends about whatever gift I have, even if I don’t fully understand it quite yet. In 2017, I met another psychic by a strange twist of fate. I was at an actors music gig and the psychic worked for the celebrity. This man approached me and realigned my path because I was starting to stray. I tend to ignore things I fear. I’m too fucking logical sometimes. I don’t like feeling different from others, even though there are so many people like me. I don’t like that kind of attention on me. He made me feel less alone. In just a few hours, I like to think he gave me the incentive to keep moving forward. Now, three years later, I’m slowly but surely trying to make sense of it all. I understand it a lot more than I used to. Being open is a really hard thing for me!!!! I’m terrible at it. I don’t like feeling like a fool, and I’m scared people won’t believe me. I stay quiet to protect myself, but I also know it’s a terrible decision. Open is better than closed. Within the last two weeks, I’ve sped up my involvement. I’m taking the steps to fully keep myself open and accepting of the messages I am receiving. 🙃

This felt really good to get out. Please, if you’ve read this far, try to look at all of this with an open mind. Like I said, these experiences are all I have. Thank you!!❤❤

brb gonna go throw up now for being so vulnerable

#Anonymous #tw #trigger warning #not nct #asks #some of this is very heavy so proceed with caution #honestly tho none of you have to read it #suicide tw

7 notes · View notes

parrishsrubberplant · 5 years

Text

“Wait,” Bitty says. “It’s your birthday?”

Whiskey glares at Tango. He smiles innocently back. “Yeah.”

Bitty looks flustered. “I didn’t know! I would have made you a cake. It’s only half-past seven, there’s still time to make you a cake. What kind of cake do you like?”

“It’s fine,” Whiskey says. Bitty doesn’t look convinced. “Really,” Whiskey says. He tries to put more warmth into his voice. “It’s fine. My family doesn’t make a big deal out of birthdays.” He’s going to swing by his mailbox after dinner, and there will be a card from his family. He smiles at the thought of it.

“Come by the Haus later!” Bitty says brightly.

Whiskey holds back a sigh. “I’ll try.” When Bitty’s face falls, he repeats, “I’ll try, okay?” He really doesn’t like the Haus. It’s always loud and even with the chore rota the floors aren’t quite adequately swept. And it smells funny.

Tango changes the subject and they’re all off shouting excitedly over one another about the barbarity of the midterm exam schedule.

Whiskey props himself up on one elbow in Matt’s bed. He turns his birthday card over to the back. His mom and stepdad both wrote lovely messages on the inside. On the back, his baby brother Seth has written (in his terrible, little-kid handwriting): “I love you Conner HapPy BirFDaY.”

Matt shuts his molecular biology book with a slam. “Sorry.”

Whiskey is still grinning at Seth’s message. “For what? Babe, look at this.” He holds the card out and Matt crosses the room to take it.

“For neglecting you on your birthday,” Matt says, sitting on the bed. He flops down, using Whiskey’s thighs as a backrest.

“You’re not neglecting me. You have a quiz tomorrow.”

Matt shrugs and takes the birthday card. “Oh my god, that is the cutest fucking thing. Seth?”

“Yeah.” Whiskey thinks about how Matt knows more about his family than his team does.

Matt stretches his legs out, lays back, and uses his core strength to hip-check Whiskey over half a foot. They adjust, Whiskey moving so his head is on Matt’s chest.

“You’re quiet tonight,” Matt says. “Are you sure nothing’s wrong?”

Whiskey walks his fingers up Matt’s arm. “I...” Matt waits. It’s on of his best qualities, how patient he is. “I...have you ever been on a team where you just don’t fit in?” Whiskey blurts out at last.

Matt hums thoughtfully. “What do you mean?”

“I mean--like, Samwell is great. Obviously. You’re here. And--I’m kind of playing the best hockey of my life, you know?”

“Yeah,” Matt says. It took him a bit to learn how hockey stats worked. But it helps that he can sort of track Connor’s mood by whether his +/- is up or down. “You are.”

“But...” Whiskey says. Matt feels him shrug. “I just--I feel like the nerd girl in the high school movie, you know? Like, I do not care about the things they care about!”

“Mmm.”

“And this whole ‘fuck the lax bros’ bullshit. Like, they’re still stuck on what our team was like five years ago, or whatever.”

“To be fair, you did take that one literally.”

“What--oh.” Whiskey turns his head and bites him, gently. “Yeah. But still.”

“If you’re clicking with them on the ice, why worry?” Matt says. “I mean, I get why you would. Since you have to spend so much time together on buses and stuff.”

Whiskey turns his head into Matt’s chest, to better smell his clean shirt-and-deodorant scent. Matt’s hand comes up and rubs a circle on his back.

“So, um, I got you something,” Matt mumbles into his hair.

“Yeah?”

“I know you said you don’t do presents. And you don’t like cookies, or cake.” Matt rolls off the bed, and retrieves a gift bag from the side of his desk. “Happy birthday.”

It’s an artful fruit arrangement, slices of pineapple cut into hearts and flowers, grapes and strawberries on sticks. It’s such a thoughtful present that his eyes sting. He takes a pineapple and bites off a petal. “Did you make this?”

“Leo helped, cause he’s crafty.” Matt says. “And a few of the other guys, too.” Whiskey launches himself off the bed and hugs Matt tightly. When he lifts his face out of Matt’s shoulder, Matt kisses him. “You taste like pineapple.”

“Mmm, you know what they say about pineapple, though.”

“Oh--what. Oh.” Whiskey offers him a heart and Matt bites into it, giggling.

#omgcp fanfic #whiskey #tango #eric bitty bittle #check please fanfic #matt the lax bro #whiskey's lax bro #whiskey x lax bro

597 notes · View notes

tinybookgirl · 4 years

Text

Phone Calls are Extremely Stressful- Chapter 5

((Human AU Amethyst meets her birth sisters))

Amethyst parked her car and doubled checked the GPS on her phone. She glanced up at the apartment building. She wondered which window exactly was theirs, but it wasn't like there was any way to tell.

She clicked off her phone. Apartment 6C. It was going to be fantastic. They wanted her to spend Christmas with them. That was good.

Amethyst grabbed the backpack and the sleeping back Gina had told her to bring. She locked the car, steeling herself and heading inside. She was bouncing on her feet in the elevator, unsure if it was from being nervous or excited.

She stopped outside the apartment. She could hear them talking inside, but couldn't make out any of the words. She knocked on the door.

Elle swung it open, wearing a tank top and fleece pajama pants. “Hey! You made it!”

Amethyst shrugged a shoulder. “I did say I was coming.”

Elle stepped aside for Amethyst to enter, shutting the door behind her. Gina waved from the kitchen, also in pajamas. “Hey!”

Kaylee waved a hand from were she was playing a video game on the couch, dressed in a tank top and boxers. Jayna came out of one of the bedrooms, pulling her hair into a ponytail.

“Hey,” Jay smiled. She gestured around. “You can dump your bag anywhere.”

Kay snorted. “We need to figure out a different greeting than hey.”

Jay shrugged, sitting down on the couch. Amethyst put her bag down in a corner by a bookshelf.

“I uh, I brought presents. Is there somewhere to put those?” Considering she barely knew the girls, figuring out what to get them had been frustratingly difficult.

Elle pointed towards the window, where a standing lamp was decorated with garlands as opposed to having an actual tree. There was a small pile of presents at the bottom. “Over there.”

Amethyst tugged a couple of poorly wrapped presents out of her backpack, dumping them down on the pile.

Gina was in the middle of baking something, mixing up whatever was in the bowl in front of her. “You brought pajamas?”

Amethyst nodded. She wondered how long it would take before she no longer felt strange being in their house. “Yeah. Is there-”

“Bathroom’s through there,” Gina pointed. “Christmas eve is way more fun if you’re wearing pajamas the whole time.”

Amethyst nodded, grabbing up her bag and heading into the bathroom, locking the door behind her.

Amethyst ran a hand through her hair. She needed to stop freaking out so much. It wasn’t like they were going to kick her out, like they would stop wanting to hang out with her. They were the ones who had found her. They were the ones who had invited her.

Outside the bathroom, Elle sat down at the kitchen counter. “So, are we sure the stuff we got for her isn’t stupid?”

Jay threw her arm over the back of the couch, turning to look into the kitchen. “Peridot said she would like it.”

“Peridot could be wrong,” Elle suggested.

“Who cares if she’s wrong?” Kay said, not looking up from her game. “We’ll give her the gift receipt.”

Gina poured her batter into a pan, handing the spoon over to Elle as she slid the pan into the oven. “She’ll like it,” Gina assured, although she wasn’t entirely convinced either. Getting a present for the sister you had only met a month ago wasn’t an easy task, not even when your best frame of reference for what she might like was said sister’s girlfriends. “Sharky, turn the game off.”

“Hold on” Kay grumbled. “I’m almost at a save point.”

“Sharky?” Amethyst questioned, leaving the bathroom just as Gina made her request, now changed into shorts and a tank top.

Kay rolled her eyes. “I had a shark phase when I was like, ten.”

“Yeah,” Jay agreed, nudging her sister. “And it didn’t end until you were like sixteen.”

“Sharks are cool,” Kay argued, saving her game. “And I continue to stand by that.”

Amethyst smiled, sitting herself at the counter next to Elle. Gina rolled her eyes. “Just get the game off.”

“So,” Amethyst said, “What do you guys do on Christmas?”

“We order chinese food and watch the worst Christmas movie we can find.” Jay said.

“Then we eat whatever weird cake Gina made and play cards against humanity.” Jay said, shutting off the game console.

“This is the same cake I made last year!” Gina argued. “And you loved that one.”

Kay shrugged, getting up and leaning against the counter. Elle got up and tossed her spoon into the sink.

“Okay, but the one you made the year before that,” Elle said, “was disgusting.”

“Yeah, that one was pretty awful,” Gina agreed.

“What was so bad about it?” Amethyst asked.

Jay took Elle’s empty stood. “She said it was supposed to be like… I don’t know french or something? But for one thing, it didn’t actually cook. And then the parts that were cooked tasted like dirt.”

“It was Italian,” Gina corrected. “But it was really bad. I stick to American cakes now.”

Kay tugged out Chinese menus from a drawer, dumping them on the counter. “Get whatever you want, M.”

“M?” AMethyst asked again.

“It’s short for Mini.” Kay smirked.

“You can’t shorten a nickname that’s already about me being short!”

Jay reached over and ruffled her hair, patting her head. “Yes, we can.”

Amethyst pulled her head away, unable to keep herself from smiling. A nickname off a nickname was even better than just a nickname.

Gina pushed a menu towards her. “Order whatever you want. And don’t worry about paying.”

“I can pay for it!” Amethyst said, picking up the menu. “I do have money-”

“You’re not paying,” Gina said. She smiled. “You can pay for yourself next year.”

They ended up watching some terrible Christmas romance, spending most of the movie mercilessly roasting the plot and the actors. Amethyst liked this a lot more than Steven’s party. It felt so much more casual, and so much more fun. She was still on a high from Gina’s implication that she could be spending Christmas with them again next year.

“Hey,” Elle said, “Is this weird?”

Amethyst looked up from her box of noodles. “Is what weird?”

“Celebrating Christmas with us when you’re Jewish?”

Amethyst shrugged. “I don’t think I’m Jewish, I mean, Steven and Greg are so that’s what they celebrate.” She stabbed a bit of meat with her chopstick. “I don’t think I’m anything.”

“What did you do before?” Jay asked, “I mean, you said Greg was your stepdad, right?”

“My mom and I did Christmas usually,” Amethyst said, “But not like, religiously or anything.”

The four others nodded. Kay spoke up from her spot on the floor in front of the couch. “Where is your mom?”

Elle and Jay shouted out. Gina kicked her lightly in the back of the head.”I thought we agreed not to ask that.”

Kay rubbed the back of her head. “I wanna know.”

“It’s fine,” Amethyst said quickly. “You can asked. There were some complications when Steven was born.”

“I’m sorry,” Gina said, speaking the only thing any of them felt like saying.

Amethyst shrugged. “It was a while ago. And you’know, we got Steven out of it.” Although it would have been better to have them both.

In an attempt to break the tension, Kay spoke up again. “I like Steven.”

“Why wasn’t he named after a rock?” Jay smirked.

Amethyst threw her head back and groaned. “You guys are never gonna let the rock thing go, are you?”

“Nope,” Gina agreed. “We are not.”

#steven universe #su writing #amethyst #8xj #8xl #8xk #sharky #8xg

4 notes · View notes

actuallylorelaigilmore · 5 years

Note

hi, sorry to bother you, i love your blog and your fics, i have read them more than once, my favorite one is the one in which elena calls schneider dad, i have fic prompt i don't know how you fell about this but my friend and i were talking about alex coming out as bi and we said that the first person, he would come out to would be scheneider, if you want to write it, it would be great but if you don't that's fine too, i hope you have a nice day and i can see more of your fics.

Hi anon!! you’re not bothering me AT ALL, this was the sweetest ask! I can’t say I ever planned to write a bi!Alex coming out fic, but as soon as you asked I really had a ton of fun with it.

Here’s where I’m coming from, personally, just fyi: I totally think that Alex would make sense coming out as bi, but I suspect the show loves having positive examples of straight-male-ally characters too much to ever take his character there, the same way that platonic Penelope and Schneider mean a lot to them on principle.

That being said, though, bisexual!Schneider is very important to me, so that’s in this fic too even though you didn’t ask for it. Hopefully you don’t mind :)

Alex & Schneider & Penelope, One Day At A Time. Also on AO3.

“Hey, Schneider?”

Schneider looked up from the model train he was laying out in his parlor, and over to where Alex was playing video games on the couch. He had come upstairs an hour ago complaining that Elena was hogging the TV at home.

“Yeah. What’s up?”

“I need some advice.”

Alex’s game was silent now, on pause. Schneider was pretty sure Lydia was his go-to for important discussions, followed by Alex’s friends and then maybe Elena, so he wasn’t sure what advice Alex would come to him for–but he knew it must be important.

Schneider got up off the floor and joined him on the couch. “I’m totally here for you, man,” he assured Alex, aiming for cool and landing somewhere in the realm of awkward stepdad.

“Thanks. The thing is…” Alex bit his lip, thinking it over before he continued. “I got asked out by somebody I really like.”

“That’s great! Is there a problem?”

“Kind of. You know how my mom is, she’s super strict about me and Elena dating. Even now that Elena’s been with Syd for like, forever, I practically had to give Mom an itemized list of every date thing I might do with Chloe before she would let me go.”

“Chloe was your first girlfriend, though,” Schneider pointed out. “And you were only fifteen.”

“I don’t think my mom is going to see sixteen as being all that different from fifteen.”

“So, are you looking for a way to get her to loosen up? Because I hate to let you down, dude, but your Mom is who she is. I don’t see that changing. And I definitely don’t think she’s going to take advice about her dating rules from me. She’s pretty comfortable being in charge of you solo at this point.”

“No, I know. I don’t need you to talk to my mom. I just need help figuring out how to tell her.”

“You told her about Chloe. I’m not seeing the hard part.”

Alex took a deep breath and let it out, slowly. “Okay. The thing is, I got asked to the movies by Spencer.”

“I thought Spencer was…oh.”

Alex watched Schneider catch up, trying to figure out what he was thinking from his expression. His face was usually pretty easy to read, but Alex couldn’t get more than mild surprise from it.

“Spencer’s your friend, right? The new kid?”

“Yeah. My friend, who’s not a girl.”

“Well, you have mentioned him a lot,” Schneider thought out loud.

“I really like him.”

“And he asked you out! So he likes you back. Way to go, man.” Schneider fist-bumped him with a grin, and Alex relaxed a little. He knew coming to Schneider was the right idea.

“Yeah. Yeah, he does. Which is awesome. But if I want to actually go out with him, I have to tell my mom. And then Elena and my Abuelita will know, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for that.”

“So–wait. Nobody knows?”

Alex shook his head. “My friends do. But nobody in the family, until now.”

Referring to Schneider as family was always guaranteed to distract him from the actual conversation, but he only got that goofy happy look in his eyes for a few seconds before he focused back in. “You know, your mom and Lydia are totally cool with Elena being gay.”

“I know they are. But gay isn’t bi. Abuelita would support me if I came out as gay…I’m not sure she knows what bisexuality is. And my mom, she’s great about Elena, but girls liking girls isn’t the same as guys with guys. People don’t treat it the same. Plus, just because I like Spencer doesn’t mean I’ll end up with a guy, but if I date a girl, that doesn’t mean I’m straight…it’s just so much more complicated.”

“Alex, your mom is good at complicated. I promise you. And I’ve never seen anyone love another person as much as your Abuelita loves you. But I get it–coming out is tricky. You’re the only one who knows if you’re ready.”

Schneider tapped his fingers against his knee. “Since you asked for my advice, I think you should be honest with your mom. Give her a chance. It’s the quickest way to a date with Spencer,” he added encouragingly.

“Yeah.” Alex sighed. “I knew you would say that.”

“That’s because it’s excellent advice,” Schneider joked. “Seriously, though, I’m honored that you felt like you could confide in me.”

“You were so cool about Elena,” Alex said. “You didn’t make it weird, and you treated her the same…and you didn’t tell my mom. You waited and let Elena do it.”

He heard the unspoken question and smiled. “Of course I did. Just like I will for you. I told you, I get it. Nobody should be able to choose for you. Your whole family is gonna be there for you, when it’s time, I’m telling you. But until then, you can come to me if you need to. If you have questions.”

“If I have questions about what?”

Schneider scoffed. “About guys, obviously. About being a bi guy.”

“No offense, Schneider, I know you’re ‘super woke’ and all, but I think that’s a little outside your area.”

“Think again, Alejandro.”

Alex rolled his eyes at the way Schneider liked to use–and slightly mispronounce–his full name. Then it hit him, mostly because of the unusually serious look on Schneider’s face.

“Wait. What? Are you saying that you…”

“Tried to start a band in college called The Bi Guys, of which I was the lead singer and the in-hindsight-objectively-terrible songwriter? Yes.”

“I don’t get it. Why didn’t you lead with that? Also–it’s been four years! Why didn’t I already know that?”

“An excellent question. Maybe you should spend a little less time focused on this,” Schneider said, pointing at Alex’s face, “and a little more focused on this.” He spread his hands to indicate the world around them, which just made it seem like he was trying to tell Alex to pay more attention to his enormous apartment.

“Don’t get me wrong, I really like women. I always have. Compared to that, I’ve only been into a few guys, my whole life. And my first relationship with another guy, I was at Pepperdine and it was before I got sober….I was kind of a dick. So, you know, I try to be more respectful now, more on-the-down-low. But it’s never been something I hide or anything. I guess it just doesn’t come up that much in regular conversation.”

“It’s never come up at all.”

“Maybe not. Then again, why would it? I don’t go around talking to you or your sister about my sex life.”

“Does my mom know?”

“She’s never asked me about it, but I think so. Yeah.”

“And she’s…cool?”

“The coolest. Alex, she may be old-school, not nearly as with it as I am–hey, stop laughing!”

Despite his protest, Schneider elbowed Alex lightly, taking the teasing in the easygoing way he usually did.

“Your mom always comes through. You’re lucky that way.”

“Yeah.” Alex smiled, a little bit sheepish. “She can be really a lot sometimes, but I am lucky.”

“She can be a lot? Have you seen your Insta feed?”

“Whatever, dude. Have you seen yours?”

Alex’s smile faded. “I do want to tell her. It sucks keeping it a secret. But when the whole family knows, it’s just going to be…”

“Intense. You don’t have to tell me that, I’ve seen them jump on your Homecoming pictures like sharks scenting blood. It’ll be a relief, though, too. Being honest usually is, even when it’s hard. So when it comes down to it…what are you really worried about?”

He frowned, hesitating long enough that Schneider thought he might not answer at all.

“Elena,” Alex admitted finally, and Schneider leaned back, surprised.

“Elena? She’s out and proud! Like, way, way out. No way is she going to have a problem with you being bi.”

“Oh, I know. She’s not going to have a problem with it. But I spent so much time, after she came out, telling her how straight I was–I don’t think I can take the I told you sos and the aggressively supportive vibe. I can already picture it: she’s going to sneak into my room during an away game and redecorate the whole thing in bi pride colors or something.’

“Bi pride colors kick ass, but go on.”

“I’m not like her. I don’t want my whole life to be about me liking guys, when I like girls too. I just want to be able to like Spencer. Without her turning it into a huge deal. She has no chill.”

“Chill is overrated, you know.” But Schneider nodded, thinking it over. “I can’t help you with the whole ‘my sister is too supportive’ thing. That’s kind of the best problem to have, when it comes to coming out. As for the ‘I told you so’s? Look at it this way. Why did you feel like you had to deny it so much? Was it because Elena kept asking?”

Alex thought about it, and shrugged. “Yeah, I guess. Maybe. She can be so pushy, you know? It just got on my nerves.”

“That’s the joy of siblings,” Schneider agreed. Alex was pretty sure he’d never heard him talk about any sisters or brothers before; he thought Schneider was an only child. He tucked that curiosity away for another time.

“So maybe,” Schneider continued, “Elena had her reasons.”

“Besides being her usual level of annoying?”

“Besides that.” Schneider shook his head, amused. “She’s your big sister, Alex. And she’s gay. You might consider the possibility that she kept asking because she was expecting a different answer. And if she was, then you telling her now won’t be a surprise. It could even be…welcome.”

“Huh.”

“I didn’t have a big sister like Elena,” Schneider explained, “when I was figuring out who I was. There’s such a difference, being alone with it.”

He paused and let that sink in.

“And Elena never had an Elena either.”

Alex’s worry transformed into understanding. “She was hoping I was like her.”

“Maybe. It was rough for her, especially with your dad. I’m sure it occurred to her over the years that being different together would’ve been less lonely.”

“I never thought about it like that before,” Alex admitted. “I know it was hard, but she’s so loud and proud now…you really think it might make her feel better?”

“There’s only one way to know for sure.”

Alex nodded, his mouth firming into a resolved line. “Can I finish my game later?”

“Sure. I’ll hit save for you.”

“Thanks.”

“Do you want me to come with you?” Schneider asked as Alex got up, no longer looking weighed down by worry.

“It’s really more of a one-on-one conversation–no offense, but that would be weird. Thanks for everything, though, Schneider. I think I can handle it now.”

“Okay. Cool.” Schneider was already turning off the video game and settling in to watch a Netflix documentary about Austrian yodelers. “Just remember, I’m right upstairs if you need anything. Door’s always open.”

“Literally. I know.” Alex stopped in the doorway to grin back at him. “You know you’re awesome, right?”

“The awesomest,” Schneider agreed, smiling back.

“I’ll have to ask my mom,” Alex added, “but if she’s cool with it, you and Elena and me, we should go to Pride this summer.”

“I can show you my favorite booths!” Schneider almost bounced out of his seat, instantly excited. “Deal. And your mom will say yes, if I have to talk her into it myself. I bet I can get her to come with us.”

Alex narrowed his eyes. “I seriously doubt it. Between the crowds and the noise, there’s no way. If you weren’t in GA, I’d put money on that.”

“You have so little faith in me,” Schneider lamented. “You’ll see. I’ll buy her a flag to wave and everything. We’ll make it a family affair.”

“Abuelita will end up on a float!” Alex ducked his head, still laughing when he left.

Schneider missed the first three yodelers’ segments entirely, waiting for the text from Penelope he knew would arrive soon. He estimated ten minutes for the talk, ten minutes for her to get the sentimental crying out of her system, and five more for her to lay down the rules for Alex’s next date. A half hour, tops.

It only took fifteen minutes.

But she didn’t text.

Penelope let herself into his apartment without even knocking first, just opened the door and headed straight for Schneider–a petite, Cuban, him-seeking missile.

She was in his arms before Schneider had the chance to draw a breath, getting a tiny ‘oof’ out of him when she squeezed.

“I have the best kids,” Penelope half-sobbed into his chest, and he rested his cheek on top of her head, squeezing back.

“You really do,” he agreed. He listened to her sniffle for a moment, waiting while her breathing settled down.

“So, Pen…wanna go to Pride with us?”

#schneider and alex #schneider #alex alvarez #odaat #one day at a time #schneider fic #alex alvarez fic #odaat fanfic #odaat fic #my fic #bisexuality #replies #anons are love

97 notes · View notes