#night spent sleeping together in the back of the van and others sleeping in a motel room

[1980ssunflower]

missing them...

[strangersmunsons]

alien life form

you spend the night at Eddie's for the first time.

Contains: Eddie x Reader, shy!fem!reader, first relationship, Eddie is a sweetheart with the inexperienced girlies because I said so, pizza, movies, cuddling, ALF. No mention of reader's physical appearance, no use of y/n. Warnings: None! Word Count: 1,400-ish I started writing this because I've not seen like anyone talk about the ALF costume in the Munson trailer, can we please talk about the ALF costume? I need to talk about the ALF costume. this is my first fanfiction in like 10 years that's how badly i needed to address this

You and Eddie haven't been together very long. Officially, that is.

In truth, he'd been yours from the moment he saw you. But it had taken some time to work up the courage to actually say hello to you, and then, well, some more time to ask you if you wanted to study together for the class you shared, and then just a little bit more time to ask you, bashfully, if you wanted to get dinner with him at Benny's.

"Like...as a date? If you want to, I mean. If not that's totally fine, I underst-"

You'd cut him off with an equally shy, but emphatic, yes.

Eddie was sweet, and silly, and you grew to hate being apart from him. You suspected he felt the same.

You walked side by side through the halls at school, your knuckles brushing against his, both of you hoping that the other would be brave enough to finally take hold. You spent nights huddled around your kitchen table, patiently guiding him through chapters of his biology textbook. There were arcade dates where he kicked your ass at Pac-Man and you kicked his ass at Centipede. You met him for milkshakes at Benny's after Hellfire...and there was that one rollerskating venture that left his elbows and knees black and blue for a week. (You have not been back to the roller rink since.)

But tonight you were entering uncharted territory.

You told your parents that you were having a girls night at the Wheelers' house. As far as they knew, you were ordering takeout and watching Sixteen Candles with Nancy and Robin. But when you arrived at the school parking lot that morning, it had been Eddie's van that you tossed your overnight bag into.

He'd greeted and kissed you enthusiastically, cheerful at the prospect of getting to spend an entire night with you uninterrupted. Wayne wouldn't be home from work til next morning and your parents were none the wiser. No curfew to be home by, no keep-that-door-open-three-inches-please-young-lady, just you. All to himself.

You, on the other hand, were nervous. You'd never dated anyone before, and you wanted to take things slow. You trusted Eddie to respect your boundaries, but a small part of you couldn't help but worry. What if he was expecting something of you that you weren't ready to give him?

When school ended that afternoon, he opened the passenger door of his van for you to climb in. "Change your mind yet?" he teased.

You flushed a little, but you were determined not to let your hesitation show. "Nope!"

He seated himself and began the drive to Forest Hills, throwing glances your way the whole time. You were quieter than usual. When you slowed to a stop in front of the Munson trailer, he turned to you.

"Hey," he said gently, "it's okay." He reached over and placed a calloused hand on your knee. "I can tell that you're nervous, but you don't have to be. I'm not gonna pressure you into anything. I'm just really excited to spend time with you." He cringed inwardly. Be cool, Munson. "I mean, without having Wayne or your dad breathing down my neck, y'know?" No need to mention that the thought of merely sleeping next to you was making him weak at the knees.

Your lips curved upwards in a smile. He wondered if you could see right through him.

Of course, Eddie stayed true to his word.

Amusingly, the evening he had planned wasn't all that different from many of your actual girls' nights. You'd talked and laughed about anything and everything. You'd changed into comfortable clothes. There was pizza and a movie, except you'd watched The Shining instead of the latest John Hughes flick, and you'd watched it while bundled up in your favorite boy's arms.

Eddie was very warm, and his skin smelled like soap, laced with a bite of cheap cologne. An air of tobacco still clung faintly to his worn Hellfire shirt, even though he'd promised himself he wouldn't smoke any cigarettes before seeing you tonight, and he hadn't. And he was very proud of himself for that, thank you very much.

You were cuddled up together on Wayne's little couch. He kept his arms wrapped around your middle and rested his chin on your shoulder, cheek pressed against yours. Every so often he would turn his head to give you soft kisses, to hide his face in your hair, to breathe you in, content like he's never, ever been before.

You wondered at your earlier fear. His adoration was tangible. As you settled back against him, you felt that yours must be too.

As Jack Nicholson wandered through a snowy maze on the television screen, you started to drift off. Eddie lovingly stroked your hair while your eyelids grew heavier and heavier. When the credits started to roll, he roused you as gently as he could, and lead you to the bathroom to wash up. He all but carried you to his bed.

Which is how you ended up here.

Eddie's asleep and he's sleeping heavily - deep, REM sleep, with his cheek mashed into the pillow and a thin stream of saliva creeping out of his mouth. Even like this, he looks precious. You can't even be mad at him for letting out the guttural snore that just yanked you from your own slumber. Aren't you only supposed to snore like that when you're on your back?

You glance blearily around the room from underneath his arm. You're taking in the posters on the walls, the piled-up trinkets, his beloved guitar ("I used to call her Sweetheart, but not anymore. Since I'm a one-woman man an' all," he'd said, flashing you a cheesy grin). You're taking in all these little pieces of Eddie scattered around the room, when your eyes wander to his closet, and your heart nearly stops.

Maybe it's nothing, maybe it's your tired brain swirling the shadows around the room into shapes that aren't there, but you're almost positive someone is standing in Eddie's closet. A misshapen, vaguely human figure pushed up against his clothing, right next to the ratty Metallica and Megadeth t-shirts.

There's a beat of silence, and then -

"Eddie!" it comes out in a dry whisper, and you struggle to turn under the the combined weight of him and the blanket. You wrench your arm free to poke him frantically in the cheek with your finger, startling him awake.

"Huh?" His voice is groggy. "S'mthing wrong, sweetheart? What's the matter?" He forces himself to sit up and squints, peering down at you in concern. He cups your face in his hand. "Bad dream?"

"There's something - I mean, I think - there's somebody, s-something in your closet! W-what is that?" You stumble through the sentence, too frightened to be embarrassed.

Eddie turns his head to where you're pointing, unsure. He drags himself away from you and walks to his closet, fumbling blindly for the little chain, while you clutch at the blanket and cower from the safety of his bed.

When the light switches on, he lets out a loud laugh - the only kind of laugh Eddie has. He turns back to you, grinning now, and gestures to the object in question with a little flourish of his arms. "This what you were looking at?"

In the dim light, you can see that it's a costume. A fuzzy, zip-up body suit with a shapeless sort of mask hanging limply over the front. You flood with relief, feeling silly.

You sit up in bed, eyeing the brown fur at the top. "Is that supposed to be a lion?"

"No!" He almost sounds offended. "It's ALF," he says, like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

You look at him dumbly. "ALF? Like from the TV show, ALF?"

"Of course. It's my Halloween costume."

"...why?"

"I like him. He's funny."

You gawp at him, and he looks right back at you. His eyes are red and puffy, his hair's a total mess, but he's smiling lightly and sweetly as ever.

A few seconds go by and you can't help it. A burst of giggles escape from behind your pursed lips.

Eddie cocks his head to the side, and places a hand on his hip, his expression that of mock-outrage.

"Now, just why is that so funny?"

You continue to laugh, positively overwhelmed with affection for him. It occurs to you that maybe you don't want to take things as slowly with Eddie as you previously thought...

[peoplesgraves]

Yandere Scooby Doo Headcanons

•Originally you were just a hitchhiker they picked up (totally ignoring Velma’s warnings). The more nights and days they spent with you crammed in the van and even helping out on cases, they all start to realize just how nice it is to have another member of mystery inc, especially one as cute as you.

•Fred would be the first to fall for you. Realistically he is weak to pretty people and probably falls in love like 8 times a day but it’s different with you! You’re not some passing fad, your love is the real deal. At least to Fred. He won’t be offended if you reject him at first because he just assumes that you’ll be together eventually. Like eventually he’ll figure out just the right way to make you love him back but until then he’s so happy to spend every day finding new ways to love you. When you’re on cases he always, always assigns you to stay with him and do something safer like watching his trap. He needs to keep you safe above all else so he’ll rarely leave your side. He would be the most likely to kidnap you.

•Shaggy falls for you next. He trusts Fred, he always has. So if Fred likes you then Shaggy will try to like you to. He ends up liking you too much though. You’re always down to share your snacks with him or comfort him after a particularly freaky case. You two always sleep in the back together (witch Scooby of course) because he rarely ever has a bad dream when you’re next to him. Shaggy wouldn’t consider himself brave and neither would anyone else, but for you he is. He’ll jump straight in the claws of any monster to keep you safe. He’s ok with you having your freedom because he trusts you not to leave him, if he ever does feel like you’ll leave him he still won’t lock you up but he would cry and beg and emotionally manipulate you.

•Daphne would be next. She’d only be after shaggy because it takes some time for her to realize that it’s not your fault that Fred has a thing for you. At first she tries to befriend you partly to make up for her original poor behavior and partly to try and figure out what Fred liked so much. She becomes just as obsessed with you as he is. She’s always finding an excuse to sit on your lap or just be really really close to you in some way. Daphne would also start buying you guys like matching jewelry or something, like a classy collar that won’t make you suspicious. She would also very likely kidnap you but it’s just because she literally can’t stand being away from you for too long, very selfish but also self aware enough to try and make up for it.

•Velma falls last. She’s the only one who definetly didn’t want to pick you up so she’s initially very suspicious of you. Glaring, asking probing questions and things like that. Whatever you did to gain her trust would be something small that you wouldn’t remember but she would never forget. Like absentmindedly calling her pretty or asking about her latest project. She feels so seen and understood by you and gets kind of addicted to it. She’s spent her entire life feeling overlooked and misunderstood so she takes great care to make sure you don’t feel that way. She keeps notebooks of things you tell her so she won’t forget and is a big big stalker. If there’s something to know and understand about you then Velma wants to know about it. She would not kidnap you because she values your happiness over her anxiety.

•Scooby! People say that dogs take on the traits of their owners so while I wouldn’t say Scooby is yandere he would be very easily influenced by everyone else. If he sees Fred keeping you in the van more often than not, then he’ll start to do the same. He’ll questions things at first but everyone just says it to protect/help/take care of you so he goes along with it. He really does love you, you’re one of his best friends! It’s just his other best friends are more convincing.

Part 2 with the hex girls?

[miasmaghoul]

There is so much talk of creaming jorts on my blog right now and you know, it gave me a devious idea:

Mountain (or another ghoul of your choosing ofc, but it is still march haha) is getting close to the start of a rut, which has them feeling a little posessive a packmate pre-ritual. Like he needs to claim them a little to scratch the itch under their skin. What if they were having a sneaky make out session before curtain call and he unbuckled the others belt, creamed into their jorts undies and buckled them back up, just in time for them to feel him all ritual?

Gross.

I love it.

Leaned more into the possessive side of things, hope you don't mind!

(This has been sitting in my drafts for months I'm SO SORRY pretend it's still March shhhh)

Mountain breathes deep through his nose, trying to focus on the book in his hand as the van trundles down the road toward tonight's venue. It's some pulpy crime novel he'd grabbed at the last airport they visited, something intended to distract more than entertain, but despite being more than halfway through it Mountain couldn't name a single character if he tried.

He can't help it. Can't think about anything but the way every inch of him has started to buzz, how the very air around him hums.

There's a specific sort of pressure in the back of his head. Rigidity in the muscles along his spine. A disquieting tingle that's come to settle into his gut. It all speaks to one thing, and it couldn't be coming at a worse time.

It had started last night, a sharp spike of nearly painful arousal that had hit him in the middle of the night. Had roused him from an otherwise very sound sleep and jolted him so badly that the oversized ghoul had hit his head on the ceiling of his bunk. It hardly registered, Mountain honed in exclusively on the sudden, urgent need for release.

Rock hard and leaking already, he'd wasted no time in shoving his hands into his sleep sweats, gripping himself and pumping his hips into the tight channel of both fists. Forced to bite his tongue to mute the harsh groan threatening to escape his throat when he blew in a matter of seconds, eyes shut so tight that colors bloomed behind his lids.

It happened again in the bus shower this morning, Mountain struck by a wave of need so intense that he'd doubled over and nearly slipped. He'd lasted a little longer that time, not that he'd needed to, and the wet sound of his soapy hand flying over his cock still echoed in his ears. That one had left him dizzy, left him panting against the shower wall while he watched his load swirl down the drain.

There really are few things worse than an unexpected rut.

He knows that the others know, but most of them don't acknowledge it. He'd caught them all staring at different points, nostrils flared, but they were quick to look away. Dew, Rain, Cirrus and Cumulus did their best to be sly about it, furtive glances cast during casual conversation. Aeon and Aurora weren't quite so subtle - he could smell the pair of them from down the length of the bus. Could see Aeon getting chubby in his too-tight jeans and Aurora squeezing her thighs together. Both tempting in their own ways, to be sure.

But then there was Swiss.

Swiss, who he'd heard noisily tugging at himself in the bunk below while he came down from his first orgasm.

Swiss, who had been standing bright-eyed and grinning just outside the bathroom after Mountain's shower.

Swiss, who had spent the entire morning tossing him hungry glances and touching him at every possible opportunity.

Swiss, who now sits pressed tightly to his side in the cramped van while Mountain does his damnedest to ignore the heat of his body, the spice of his cologne and the weight of the hand on his knee.

Mountain can hardly think for how badly he wants. Wants to wrench Swiss's arm behind his back, get a hand in his hair and shove his tongue down his throat. Wants to tug Swiss into his lap in front of everyone and feel him up, wants to suck deep, dark marks into his neck while he grinds against his ass. Wants to get Swiss's strong legs over his shoulders, wants to get so deep inside that Swiss can't do anything but writhe and beg for his -

"You're growling, big guy," Swiss informs him, voice silken gravel, and Mountain nearly tears his book in half. He gives the other ghoul a sidelong glance, and Mountain knows that if they weren't glamoured Swiss would be smiling with every fang in his mouth. "Somethin' on your mind?"

Mountain doesn't deign to answer him, instead choosing to stare at the page he hasn't turned in the last ten minutes. To pretend his dick isn't hard as granite and leaking into the two pairs of too-tight underwear he'd shoved himself into.

He's first out of the van when they finally pull up to the amphitheater, sucking down heavy lungfuls of fresh, summertime air in an effort to clear his head. To wash away the heady scent of smoky whiskey, black pepper and bitter herbs stuck in his nose. To allow himself to think about anything but the familiar warmth of Swiss's body.

About the way he always holds himself open when Mountain bends him over. The way he moans in that deliciously whorish way when Mountain pushes in. The way Swiss's voice drops to a rasp and his breathing goes shallow when Mountain grips those narrow hips with bruising force. The way he grabs at his own hair when Mountain fucks him just right. The way Swiss's pretty little hole stretches around his -

"Mount!"

Rain's voice shakes him from his stupor, and as his cock pulses and leaks to memories of Swiss, Mountain hurries over to join his packmates. Rain gives him a worried look.

"Hey, you alright?" He reaches out to touch Mountain's arm, but seems to think better of it. Instead, he crosses his arms over his chest. "I know you're, uh..." he makes a vague southward gesture, "...struggling."

"I'm fine," Mountain grumbles, not so subtly adjusting himself and hoping he hasn't soaked a wet spot into his jeans. He catches a whiff of warm spice and old weed, and as Swiss breezes past them Mountain can practically feel his pupils narrow.

Rain seems less than convinced when Mountain proceeds to crack his knuckles, but he drops the subject nonetheless. They head inside together, and Mountain does his best to put on his game face.

He still stops in a bathroom along the way, unable to erase the image of Swiss stretched and keening from his mind. He spills into the toilet with the other ghoul's name on his tongue, and huffs out an irritated sigh when no relief follows.

This is going to be a very long show.

Still though, the hours between arrival and showtime pass in a blur. Soundcheck comes and goes, as do their myriad meetings with venue staff and conversations with their techs.

Through it all, Mountain can feel golden eyes boring into him. In the halls, on stage, in the dressing room. Mountain does his best to ignore the weight of Swiss's gaze as he applies his face paint, but the only other thing he can think of is the red-hot tangle of urgency between his legs. He meets Swiss's eyes in the vanity mirror as he slips on his helmet, the other ghoul peering at him over Rain's shoulder while they chat across the room.

He offers a wink through his lenses, and Mountain's balls ache.

The call comes for ten minutes til showtime, and the others make their way from the dressing one by one. Swiss doesn't so much as move from his position against the wall. Mountain can feel his breaths coming quicker as Aurora and Cumulus share a sideways hug, the door clicking shut behind them, and then they're alone.

They're alone, and Swiss grins.

Mountain's across the room in two stride, and before Swiss can so much as breathe he's pinned to the wall by his throat. Mountain snarls in his face, leaning in until he can feel Swiss' breath on his lips, hot and tobacco tinged.

"Why must you always insist on being such a fucking tease?"

Swiss' lips curl up at the corners despite the pressure on his neck, and something predatory prickles at the back of Mountain's mind.

"Not my fault you're thrown' off pheromones like crazy," he said, just a little strained. Swiss rolls his hips towards his pelvis and Mountain's stomach gives a mighty swoop. "Can't blame me for wanting a taste."

Swiss licks at the air, breathes deep, and Mountain squeezes his throat so tight his eyes roll back.

"Can't even ask for what you want, can you?" The taller ghoul's other hand finds Swiss' belt and Mountain unbuckles it with aggresive fingers. He knows he's growling as best he can through his glamour, and the way Swiss shivers says he gets the message. "Too stupid to use your words? Just have to be a fucking tease about it?"

Swiss gives him a hurried nod as he swallows against the pressure of Mountain's palm, and he grunts when Mountain yanks his pants and briefs down in one go. A rough hand gropes his rapidly thickening cock, and Swiss visibly winces, eyes bright.

"Don't make that face." Mountain pulls his hand from Swiss' growing chubby to unzip his own pants, to fish himself out through his already stained briefs. "You asked for this." He groans at his own touch, cock hot and heavy in his hand. He smears the wet tip of it over Swiss' shaft and the sensation wrenches a moan from him.

Swiss licks his lips, nods again as his eyes drift south, and as Mountain starts to stroke himself he chokes out a pained huff. Mountain's hold on the other ghoul's throat never slackens, not even as his chest starts to heave while his cock jumps. He pulls at himself with firm tugs, each one sounding slicker than the last. Swiss lets his helmet thud back against the wall, hands coming up to rest on Mountain's forearm. He rocks forward and Mountain growls, can't keep himself from pressing closer. From crowding Swiss to the wall and bumping his fat cock with every pass of his fist.

"I'm going to give you something special." They're close enough that Swiss's breath clouds his lenses. Mountain's balls are starting to go tight already, the tension settled into every part of his body melting into tingly heat that has his shoulders sagging. "Something to think about while you're dancing like a whore for all those people."

He works himself hard and fast, the urgent heat in his veins threatening to set his skin alight. Swiss's ignored cock bobs and bounces, the other ghoul gripping his choking arm tight and spitting tight curses through clenched fangs every time Mountain nudges it.

"Touch me," Swiss manages to spit, blunt nails digging through his shirt. He bucks as best he can, but all that accomplishes is a brief bump against Mountain's fist. "Mount - Mount you gotta -"

He gurgles when Mountain squeezes him into silence, huffing while he polishes his leaking tip.

"Shut up," he bites out, teeth clenched chest heaving. "Sluts don't get to make demands."

For once in his life, Swiss keep his mouth shut.

It's no time at all before Mountain's balls draw up, his hips twitching in animalistic jerks. He grunts with every stroke, brow knit behind his mask, and the closer he gets the better Swiss's strained gurgling sounds.

"Gonna make sure they all know you're mine."

Swiss's cock spits a blurt of pre that hits his stroking hand, and with an impossibly deep moan Mountain shoots in thick ropes that splatter against his cock, balls and muscular thighs. Heavy streaks that cling to heated skin and coarse hair. That leave him filthy and marked in a way that has Swiss's knees wobbling. Mountain doesn't release his throat until his cock dribbles its last, and the deep, starved breath Swiss sucks in is musc to Mountain's ears.

He steps away while Swiss catches his breath and struggles to keep his legs under him, heads back to vanity to clean himself up. He hisses as the hand towel he finds scratches at his sensitive flesh, and in the mirror Swiss catches his eyes once more.

"Just gonna leave me like this?" Swiss pants, gesturing at his flushed, messy cock. He sounds surprised, and Mountain really can't imagine why. A pearly stripe drips, beads up to leave a stain in his undies that has Mountain drooling.

"Deal with it," he rumbles in response, tucking himself away and fastening his belt. "I want to smell it on you tonight."

He has the pleasure of watching Swiss' eyelids droop behind his lenses at the timbre of his voice, rich with intent. Mountain grabs his sticks and heads to join the others, and the sound of Swiss's zipper makes him smirk. There's something deeply satisfying about leaving him sticky and wanting, and even though he's hard again halfway through Kaisarion Mountain finds it easy to lose himself in his musicmaking.

Until Watcher in the Sky comes up and he makes the mistake of peeking over at Swiss's platform while Dew's guitar wails. Finds him on his knees and elbows with his ass in the air.

As both of his sticks splinter in half, Mountain swears he's going to make Swiss cry tonight.

It's what the slut deserves.

[klausinamarink]

Happy Accidents Allowed

Prompt: “Starry Night” (discord drabble from STWG and a happy birthday to @thefreakandthehair 🥳💜)

-

“That’s a perfect wall right there.” Eddie emphasizes his point by smacking a hand against the still-white, (thankfully) now dried paint. “Don’t ya agree, big boy?”

Steve puts his hands on his hips, letting himself survey every inch of the wall of their living room. It’s actually a small area, right next to the sliding door of the balcony, barely wide enough to fit his own frame even with his arms outstretched. It’s also the only wall in their new apartment left unpainted because Eddie had wanted it blank for a mural he wanted to do. Hence the many paint bottles and palettes around their feet.

Finally, Steve smacked his lips and said, “Better than a horse, I’ll say.” 

It came out less clever than it did in his brain, but Eddie laughed hysterically anyways. 

“Alright, I’m gonna start so do not distract me!” Eddie pointed at him with one of the paintbrushes. 

“Even if it’s for meals?” Steve asked, the corners of his lips quirking upwards.

Eddie paused. “Unless it’s for meals.”

“Even if you need a shower?”

“Unless I have to shower.”

“Even if-”

Steve cackled as he leapt away from Eddie’s attempt to smack his leg. “Even if I have to sleep, yes!” 

He left Eddie alone then. Steve spent a while in their bedroom to finish unpacking the last couple boxes, before he peeked back in the living room. 

Some of the wall was painted in a thick dark blue. Eddie was still hunched over on his spot, but Steve could see that his boyfriend already had some other colours done. They were too dark and blob-y looking for Steve to figure out what they were. But it wouldn’t hurt to ask, right?

“So what exactly are you painting?” Steve tiptoed over, careful not to disturb Eddie.

Eddie hummed, not looking up from where he’s still painting. “Been wanting to try my version of Starry Night.”

“Starry Night?”

“Yeah, you know. That one Van Gogh painting.” 

“Oh, I know that.”

They both fell into a comfortable silence. Steve kept watching Eddie until he finally looked up. “You wanna try?”

Steve blinked, “Huh?”

Eddie grinned, already handing him a paintbrush. “You can try painting too. It would be sort of cool if we did this together, actually. Like, I paint on this side, you paint on that side, we meet in the middle. Might be sweet.”

”Or hideous.” Steve muttered, taking the offered brush. Eddie laughed before turning back to his progress.

Steve stared at the remaining white space. He looked down at his brush. It’s one of the small ones that could do thinner strokes for the details. Probably a good choice Eddie gave him because Steve knew absolutely nothing about painting. Even in art classes as he had followed his teacher’s instructions, his projects always looked like a first grader’s attempt. Hell, he was pretty sure first grade was the last time he genuinely wanted to do painting on his own.

He took a deep breath. He can do this. He knows what Starry Night looks like, so all he has to do is paint what he remembers, right?

Steve sits down, dipping the brush in one of the blue paints. A lighter color. Because Starry Night had lots of cool brushstrokes and it makes sense to start from light to dark. Right?

Steve carefully taps the brush experimentally on the wall. As expected, the light blue paint appears as a new dot on the white wall, inches away from Eddie’s. But an inexplicable wave of dread comes over Steve. The longer he stares at the spot, the more it overwhelms him. 

Because he doesn’t know what to do next. 

Does he have to apply the same paint? Does he just have to bring the brush back and move it up and down? Did he have to add a new one? If he tried a different brush- no, it would just be the same, just more larger. Should he ask Eddie? No, it’ll just distract him anyways. Maybe if Steve left now- no, he would be a fucking asshole-

“I ruined it.” Steve said, blankly staring at the pathetic dot. 

“What?” Eddie blinked at him. His eyes darted to the horrible blue spot and he made a small laugh. “Sweetheart, you just started-”

“I ruined it.” Steve repeated. Pressure started burning right behind his eyes. He immediately pinched the bridge of his nose, careful with the paintbrush he’s still holding. Fucking pathetic. “This was a mistake.”

“Wait, wait, Steve.” Eddie’s hands were on his wrists, gently bringing them down to their laps. Steve looked away, biting hard into his bottom lip. If he had to look at his boyfriend, Steve was certain he would just start sobbing and never stop.

“Steve.” Eddie said softly. His hand carefully cupped Steve’s face. Lingering, not turning his head to face Eddie. “Tell me what’s wrong?”

“Like I said,” Steve clenched his jaw as he spoke, trying to stop the waterworks from going out, “I ruined it.”

There was a tiny rustle of clothes as Eddie moved forwards. His arms wrapped around Steve, easily pulling their bodies together. Steve couldn’t hold it anymore. He buried his face in his boyfriend’s shoulder, inhaling the smell of paint already ingrained in the fabric of his flannel. It soaked up his tears easily. 

After Steve felt like he could breathe without feeling choked up, Eddie spoke again, “It’s your first time painting, right?”

Steve nodded. He turned his head so he could press his face against Eddie’s neck. 

“I’m not expecting you to be a master painter.” Eddie paused, “Though it would be pretty cool if my boyfriend was secretly Van Gogh.” He cackled aloud when Steve good-heartedly pinched his arm in response. When he quieted down, Eddie leaned back so he was staring into Steve’s eyes. His thumb rubbed underneath them to wipe away any stray tears.

He continued, “It’s okay to fail, Steve. It’s okay to make mistakes, especially when you’re just starting something new. Believe me, I get the struggle. Sometimes, I come up with super cool ideas but I just tear my hair out when I can’t draw it exactly how I pictured it.”

“Really?” Steve asked quietly, even though he already witnessed plenty of those moments Eddie had just described, which was mostly amusing. But nothing about this situation feels funny to Steve. Surely, Eddie’s internally laughing at him right now.

But Eddie was only smiling at him, all so fondly, “Really. And there’s a lesson about it. If you think you ruined something, call it a happy accident.”

“Happy accidents?” Steve repeated it under his breath. Eddie’s smile grew wider as he playfully tapped his nose.

“Yep, no calling it a mistake or saying you ruined art. It’s just happy accidents.”

When they both leaned in to kiss, Steve thought about the circumstances that had brought them both here in this apartment, despite the horrors that had caused it. Thought about how if he hadn’t ran back to the Byers house that night, Steve’s life would’ve been more blissful but none the wiser. He wouldn’t have met the kids and known Eddie more this intimately.

Yeah, it sure was a happy accident. And that, Steve wouldn’t regret those spots of paint on his own mural of his life.

[gretavangroupie]

Vigilance (Chapter 12)

Word count: 30.2k (I know...)

Pairings: Sam x OC, Jake x Reader

Warnings: 18+ as always, drinking, smoking, language, fluff, angst, smut.

This story is a collaboration with my best pal @gretavanmoon.

A/N: This chapter has to be broken into two parts thanks to Tumblr's character limits. I know this is a long one, but I hope you can stick with it until the end and then read part two! I promise this will be the only one that is this long. We will go back to our regular sized chapters next week. Enjoy!

STRANGE HORIZONS: CHICAGO

ONE DAY BEFORE SHOW

HER POV

You

10:40am: Good morning! The interview with 95.5 is at 12:30, so let’s meet in the lobby at 11:45.

Sam

10:41am: I’ll be there.

Josh

10:45am: Got it

Daniel

10:46am: Thanks

Nothing. Nothing from Jake. Not that you expected it. It had been a week of silence, from both of you really. Keeping true to your word you had kept things strictly professional. Only addressing him in the group text, and only about work. You and Jake hadn’t physically spoken since that night, and you didn’t know if you ever would. You had essentially left him again. You weren’t sure he would ever forgive you. You hoped he understood the position you were in, but every time you’d seen him since, it wasn’t understanding written across his face. It was pain. Hurt. Rejection. 

But you felt it too. It was just the same for you. Having to choose your career over your personal life, but unfortunately love didn’t pay your rent. You loved this job, sure, but you also needed this job. The worst part was that you needed Jake too, but you knew you couldn’t have both. 

So this is how it was now. Silence. You both knew that it was all or nothing, and you finally reached that nothing point. It was crippling. Thankfully the last few days had been filled with travel and meetings, so there was very little down time to be lost in your feelings. But almost like your saving grace, Elle was back, and you finally had someone you felt like you could confide in. Although you couldn’t help but feel bad knowing that you and Sam had continued seeing each other while he was very obviously talking to her again. Was she okay with it? Did she even know? You knew you would have alone time with her today during the interview, and finding Sam to ask him was at the top of your priority list. 

You spent much of the next hour primping yourself nervously in the bathroom mirror. It had been like this every time you stepped out of the room lately. Doing your best to hide the dark circles and puffy eyes making a permanent home on your face. Each night you spent alone in the dark hotel bed, crying yourself to sleep seemed worse than the last. You hoped it would get easier, but it didn’t. And spending every single day near him made it worse. Seeing him just as torn up as you were was killing you. Both of you.

Giving yourself one last glance in the mirror, you grabbed your purse and your iPad, closing the hotel room door behind you. You made your way to the lobby, meeting up with Josh and Daniel. Checking the time on your phone you waited anxiously for the others to come down, and slowly they did. First Summer, followed by Elle and Sam, and finally Jake. He looked exhausted, fresh out of the shower, dark sunglasses covering his eyes that were probably just as sunken in as yours were. Not that you would know, since he wouldn’t look at you. 

As everyone assembled together, you turned to face them, hoping they took no notice of your less than normal appearance. “Okay, the van is outside waiting for us, so we can head that way.” you said, letting Josh lead the way.

You watched as they all followed, Jake walking with his hands in his pockets and head turned towards the ground. You could tell he had been living in his head the past few days, and it was all your fault. God, why does it hurt so bad to do the right thing?

Sam and Elle pass by, and you nod your head to Sam to pull him away discreetly as you walk with them. He pulls back a bit, giving you a little distance from Elle, “What’s up, how are you doing?” he asks, already knowing the answer to that question.

“Not good Sammy, just one foot at a time, I guess. Hey, have you…talked to Elle…about…” you trail off into a whisper.

“Not yet…everything is just so good, you know? I’m nervous about it…I know I need to.” he says, full of anxiety.

“Sam, you have to tell her. I am going to be spending a lot of time with her now…tell her. Please.” you beg.

“Okay. I will. Are you taking care of yourself?” he asks, with a raised eyebrow.

“Probably not like I should be.” you answered.

“We talked about this…” he whispers.

“I know…I’m trying.” you reply.

“Okay. I’m just glad you’re still here.” he says, walking faster to catch up with Elle. 

“You know I wouldn’t leave you guys, no matter how bad it hurts.” you say.

“It doesn’t have to, Y/N. You’ve made it this way.” he says, ending the conversation as he throws his arm around Elle’s shoulders.

And he was right. You did make it this way. But you didn’t see any other way it could be. 

—

The drive to the radio station wasn’t too long, in reality it should have only taken 10 minutes, but with traffic, it was closer to 25. You sat next to the window, as usual, Sam on your right side, deep in conversation with Elle. 

Thinking back, you felt like you should have known it was Elle all along. The way his smile would light up when his phone would ring, the not so sneaky texts…It was right in front of you but you were too caught up with Jake to notice. You were happy it was her, you missed her these last few years, feeling like that relationship got stripped away from you too in the aftermath of everything back then.

She tried to reach out to you a few times after you left, but you knew that you couldn’t tell her anything without it getting back to the guys. She was loyal to a fault, and you felt it was better if she didn’t know anything at all. When she stepped out of the bathroom that morning you were stunned. You thought maybe your sleepless night on the floor had made you totally delusional, but it hadn’t. It was her, in the flesh. 

The only words you could speak were her name, over and over as she rushed over to you, full of happiness and hugs, like no time had passed at all. Sam was positively beaming, and it suddenly became clear why he had been so distant the past few weeks. 

“Y/N, I can’t believe it’s you! You’re…you’re real and you’re here!” she cheered.

“She had a bit of a rough night, she was just coming to talk about it and make sure I was awake.” Sam said.

“I am so happy to see you Elle, you have no idea. I do need to go make sure the other guys are up so I’m gonna run, but you and I are gonna catch up okay?” you said.

She pulled you in for another hug, almost teary as she spoke, “You promise? I’ll see you soon?” she asked.

“I promise.” you smiled, and with that you stepped away and walked out the door. 

She was truly the ray of sunshine in your life during such a dark and stormy time, and you hoped your fling with Sam wouldn’t ruin the friendship you so desperately wanted to rebuild with her. 

As the van pulled to a stop outside the radio station offices, the guys began to step out, leaving you to get out last, thanking the driver.

“Okay…” you said checking your schedule, “...Floor 7, office 176.” you said, ushering them all inside. 

You rode the elevator up, and it was completely silent, everyone feeling like they needed to walk on eggshells around you and Jake. You felt bad for interfering with their normal dynamic, but this just further proved your point that this was exactly why that clause in the contract existed.

Walking down the long hallway you found the correct office, letting the guys make their introductions and converse with the host of the show. Their time slot was an hour long, and you had emails to catch up on, so once they were settled you excused yourself to the lobby to get a little bit of work in. Elle followed you out, pulling her phone from her purse. 

“I think there is a Starbucks downstairs…I’m gonna get a coffee, do you want one?” she asked.

Your eyes met hers, and you smiled, happy to be met with such a friendly face, “Please. Just plain black, nothing crazy. Thank you so much.”

“Be right back!” she called over her shoulder, leaving you in the empty hallway. You glanced around spotting a couch and decided to park yourself there, opening your emails. The first one, flagged as urgent, was from Allison.

Allison: FWD: RAIN SHOW

Y/N,

I’m sure you have your eye on the weather, but just in case… I don’t remember us going over rain show procedures.  I will attach the document to this email for reference. Make sure you inform the tech crew that you will be running rain show format, even if it looks like it may not storm. Better to be prepared. 

PS: You’re killin’ it! I have heard nothing but great things. Told you, you could do this. 

Allison Harper

Senior Production Coordinator

Collective Artist Management

ATT:RainshowPro.PDF

You opened the document, reading over the special procedures and precautions taken for a rain show, making sure to send it to all of the technicians and crew so they could get a head start on the set up. You hadn’t really thought about the weather, living with your own personal rain cloud over your head, but thankfully Allison had your back. If she only knew…

A few minutes later Elle was bounding down the hallway, with two coffees in her hands. 

“Look at you…” she smiled. “Who knew all those years ago you’d be here running the show for them.”

“Not me, that’s for sure!” you laughed, accepting the warm white cup.

“How did all of this happen anyways? Sam gave me the bare minimum details of course.” she said, shaking her head.

“Well, my senior year I applied for an internship and I got it. Had to move to Nashville and everything. I started the internship at Collective Artist Management in January or February, then a few months later I had to work a label release event and wouldn’t you know Josh was there. I swear I never thought I would see him again. I thought I was hallucinating. We got to talking and he invited me out for drinks. After that I guess he called Collective and requested me to work on this tour for them. At first I tried every single thing I could think of to get out of it. Things between Jake and I were left…well… you know. So the thought of working with him everyday was daunting. I was not ready to deal with all of that.” you paused.

“But I wanted it. I wanted this job, it’s what I worked towards for years. I couldn’t say no. I even put off telling them all until the absolute last minute. Sam and Danny didn’t find out until the day before we left for the first show. I figured everything would be okay, I mean, Jake was with Sophia…” you said as she cut you off.

“Oh my god you met her?” she asked, shocked.

“Yeah, kind of, it wasn’t the best interaction…” you answer.

“Her and Jake had only just started dating when Sam and I ended things…I didn’t get to know her too well, but there was… something off about her…” Elle said, staring off into space.

“Well…she was…cheating on Jake… that could have been it.” you said, with mock laughter.

“What?!” she said, nearly spilling her coffee.

“Did Sam tell you anything?” you ask, laughing.

“Apparently not!” she replies.

“Well, Sam and I caught her out at a bar one night. She was all over some guy. We watched them leave together and everything. We decided to tell Jake the next day. After a massive fight in front of us, he ended things on the spot.” you say, replaying the memory in your head.

“Shit…So then you two got together…” she asks.

“Well, no…” you say as she sends you a puzzled look.

“Y/N…Sam has told me almost nothing about what is going on with you and Jake.  I’ve been back for all of about five minutes and even I can see that man still loves you. I know you probably don’t want to talk about it, but when you’re ready I’m here.” she offers.

“It’s… a lot, things were starting to get better between us, but… now they’re bad again. Worst they’ve ever been. We both want to be with each other, but my contract forbids it. He wants me to ignore it, but I can’t. So, I walked away from him, again. I just can’t lose this job, Elle.”

“But you can lose Jake?” she asks.

You swallow harshly, as you hear the words spoken aloud. “I…I don’t know what other option I have.”

“This job isn’t forever Y/N, but Jake is. You can find another job, but you’ll never find another man who loves you like he does.” she says, placing her hand on your arm, her touch comforting you much in the same way Sam’s does. They truly were one in the same.

“I feel like my hands are tied. I can’t quit, they are right in the middle of the tour. And I can’t breach my contract, or they will fire me and I'll have no job.” you say.

“How would they know? Are they here?” she asks.

“Well, no, but…” you start.

“Okay then.” she says, raising her eyebrow challengingly.

You bit the inside of your cheek, thinking over her words. It was true, there wasn’t anyone here to see what went on. 

“I don’t know Elle…” you whine.

“You love him, right?” she asks, as you sheepishly nod your head in response.

“Okay. So you do know.” she smiles.

“I hurt him pretty bad. He won't even look at me.” you whisper.

“Do you want him to?” she asks with a smirk, sipping her coffee.

You sigh, picking at your nails. “Yeah. I just… want to know what he’s thinking. I’m scared I pushed him too far. That he’s written me off.” you confess.

She looks at you, laughing softly “Your name is the only one he ever wanted to write…” she says, her southern accent adding a little sweetness to her words.

You send her a desperate look, just as the door to the studio opened. You quickly collect yourself, and stand up to meet the guys as they step out into the hallway.

“We…. are ready for a beer…can we do that?” Josh asks.

You smile, “Oh, we’ve got time for that.”

—

You stand at the bartop watching as the bartender fills the frosted glasses to the brim, placing them on the counter one by one. The guys each step up grabbing the foamy glasses before taking off back to the outdoor patio. Sam and Elle linger with you as you wait to open the tab, sliding the card across the wet bartop.

“Keep it open please! Thank you!” you smile, the bartender nodding and accepting the card.

You grab your glass and walk with them back to the group, eyes cast downward. You had been actively avoiding joining them in activities like this, knowing that you would have no choice but to talk to Jake. As you approached the guys Elle spotted a cornhole board and squealed. 

“Oh! Sam! Can we play?!” she asked excitedly, dragging him over to the wooden boards.

Suddenly feeling like a third wheel, you decide to let them enjoy some time alone together as you make your way over to where the rest of the guys were sitting. 

“There she is…” Josh says, motioning you over to their table. The three of them were lounging in the cloud covered sun, talking over their beers, enjoying the afternoon off. 

As you went to sit down, Jake stood up, grabbing his empty glass and heading back inside. You couldn’t help but feel like your presence was unwanted, and your face showed it. 

Josh, noticing the awkward feeling in the air, stood to join him, “Actually, I’m gonna grab another one too, be right back.” 

You turn your attention to Daniel, who is reading a text on his phone, and even through his sunglasses you can see the crease in his brow. 

You place your hand on his shoulder, “You okay?” you ask.

He breathes heavily out of his nose, locking his phone and setting it on the table as he crosses his leg over his knee. “Honestly? No.” he answers.

“Do you… want to talk about it?” you ask.

He looks over his shoulder, seeing who was around as you see him relax into his seat. “I just…I haven’t seen Heidi in weeks. She promised she was going to come to this show tomorrow, and now… something has come up and she can't make it. An emergency or something. I have been looking forward to it for weeks.” he said, focusing on the condensation on his glass, dragging his finger through the wet droplets.

“But I was just looking at Instagram and she is posting about hanging out with her friends… Just seems like maybe she didn’t really want to come and has been lying about wanting to be here the whole time.” he says.

“Oh gosh Danny… I…I don’t know what to say. I mean, the two of you have been together for a really long time. Surely she wouldn’t lie to you?” you say.

“I don’t know. Things have been… different lately. I’m different…well, feeling different. I feel like I am starting to come into my own, you know? It just feels like we are growing apart, or whatever. I know that sounds cliche…” he laughs nervously. 

“No, I totally get that. Sometimes a little distance can help you see things clearer.” you offer.

“I just…I’m really proud of this music we are making, and I wanted her to see it in action… I don’t know. I’m just disappointed. I feel like everyone has someone here for them, except me.” he says, defeatedly.

Hearing the sadness in his voice made you really consider how lucky you were to be here to see them play each show. Watching them, encouraging them and helping them bring their dreams to reality. 

“Danny! I’m here for you! What do you mean?!” you ask.

A soft giggle leaves his chest, “Not like that Y/N, like… Sam has Elle, Jake has you, Josh has… well, himself.” he laughs. 

You pick at your nails as you let his words sink in, ‘Jake has you…’ But he doesn’t. You don’t have each other at all.

“Jake doesn’t have me Danny. I think I…messed everything up again. We can hardly be in the same room together…You saw.” you said, gesturing to the bar.

He nods his head, “I have… noticed a bit. But I know him Y/N, and he is just licking his wounds. He’s hurt and confused…You know, I’m sure you feel the same way.” he says.

“It’s different when you’re the one that always does the hurting. When you’re the one that has to watch them break, and beg you not to go. Then having to spend every day with him, seeing him like this… I’m just trying to do the right thing and do my job. Is it hard to do that right now? Yes. Do I wish I could just run away? Yeah. But I don’t have a choice. I have to stay. I have to see this through. I’m hurting just as bad as he is, but I am feeling like no one really wants me around, because then Jake is in a bad mood. I lose either way.” you say.

He nods his head, “Well, you know I always want you around. You’re my friend too, not just my coordinator.”

“I know, I know, you’re my friend too Danny, and I am really sorry about Heidi. I hope you two can find some common ground. Hate to see this pretty face looking so sad.” you say, mockingly pinching his cheeks.

“Maybe… I just… feel like I am ready for a change. Whatever that may be.” he smiles. “Enough sappy shit, you want another beer?” he asks, holding up your empty glass.

You smile and shake your head, “Alright, just one more.”

—

A few hours later you’re standing in the full length mirror of your hotel room, pulling the zipper up on your dress. Sam had insisted on the restaurant tonight, claiming it was the ‘best food in Chicago’, even though he’s only been twice. It was an overly nice place at the top of a skyscraper. The mere thought of being 95 stories in the air made you nauseous, but you’d do it for him. Sam practically cried when you told him you were able to book reservations last week, and he has been talking about it since you left Bridgeport.

Happy with your appearance you smooth out the cobalt blue fabric across your waist, and toss your waves over your shoulder. Grabbing your purse you made your way downstairs, of course being the first one there. You sat nervously in the lobby waiting for the rest of them to show up, wondering what their version of cocktail attire would consist of.

One by one they made their way down, each of them looking more dapper than the previous one. You could hardly tell that they had been living out of a suitcase for the past two weeks. When Sam and Elle stepped out of the elevator the smile on your face grew tenfold. 

“Well don’t you just look gorgeous…” Elle said, pulling you in for a hug.

You blush at her compliment as you hug her, locking eyes with Sam standing behind her, watching as he nods his head in agreement.

“I’m just trying to keep up with you! You always look…perfect!” you say letting her twirl back into Sam’s arms. 

As the smiles and laughter began to trail off the elevator opened and the once happy feeling in your body turned to shock. Out stepped Jake, hands in his pockets, sunglasses resting on his nose, and clothed in what had to be the most gorgeous custom linen suit you’d ever seen. 

Off white in color, in a relaxed fit, that hit him in just the right places, he was breathtakingly handsome. Your eyes frantically combed him over, taking in the way his tanned skin looked against the light fabric, the contrast of his partially buttoned black shirt underneath the coat, the way his hair fell onto the lapels of the jacket in perfect brown waves…You couldn’t tear your eyes away from him. You didn’t want to.

His eyes met yours, and you’re sure you felt your heart stop. He hadn’t looked at you all day, and you wondered if he was doing the same thing you were, taking in every inch.  You wondered if he felt the same way too.

You quickly blinked looking away from him, but Sam saw you, tossing you a knowing smirk. You cut your eyes at him as you turned to lead the way to the Uber waiting for you outside. 

—

The ride up the elevator was long. Ninety-five floors long. All of you crammed into one small elevator, with nothing but the sound of the classical music pumping through the tiny blown out speaker overhead. You couldn’t see him, but you could smell him. That cologne, the one he knew you liked, wafting through the enclosed space and right into your nose. You swallowed harshly as you tried to push down the memory of his lips on yours just a few days ago and the way you smelled that cologne on your skin for the rest of the night.

The doors opened and you all stepped out, heading to the host stand and giving her the name on the reservation. You were led to a long skinny table covered in white cloth and shining silver cutlery. You hesitated taking a seat, wanting to sit as far as possible from Jake, but as the seats filled you were left with the worst possible options. Summer sat at the far end of the table next to Daniel and across from Josh. Sam and Elle took the other end of the table, leaving the two seats in the middle for you and Jake.

Taking the seat directly across from him you knew this was going to be a long night. How were you supposed to not look at him? Especially when he looked like that?

You placed your purse over the back of the chair, and immediately grabbed for the drink menu in front of you, just as Jake reached for it too. His eyes met yours just for a second before he retreated, letting you take the menu first, but not without muttering something under his breath. 

Your heart was pounding in your chest, just from the small interaction and you quickly glanced over the menu, selecting a drink and placing the menu back on the table, for Jake. You told yourself this would not be a repeat of last time, opting for something a little less strong this time around. 

Elle sat next to you, and thankfully she immediately struck up a conversation about the show tomorrow, grabbing the attention of the others. You sat back in your chair and took a deep breath, as you impatiently waited for the waiter to take the drink orders. He finally made his way to you, and you sent him off with a shy smile. 

As the conversation started up again you let your eyes travel to him, and you watched him as he spoke, perfect and precise, every word spoken with intention. He always was a listener, only speaking when he felt he had something important to add. You liked that about him. You spun your rings around on your fingers, fidgeting nervously as you suddenly felt out of place, not wanting to interject yourself in conversations, and not really being in a position to start your own. 

The waiter appeared with everyone’s drinks, saving you from your own awkward feelings. You began sipping on the lilac colored drink, feeling the alcohol begin to swirl through your bloodstream. Hopefully this will take the edge off. You peeked over to Jake, who still hadn’t looked at you since the drink menu moment, and watched him as he sipped his bourbon from the glass. The way he held the glass with his thumb and middle finger, casually bringing it to his lips as he listened to Josh talk, causing your heart to lurch in your chest.

You turned your attention to Elle, listening to her speak as you rested your head on your balled up fist. She was reminiscing on a memory from a few years ago, talking about one of the shows she went to with them overseas. You felt a pang in your chest at the thought of what it would have been like if you never left. You would have been there. Been part of this memory.

A quiet sigh left your lips as you sat back and stared down at your drink that was doing the bare minimum as far as taking the edge off. You let your mind wander as you watched the ice float around in the glass in front of you, twirling the straw around absentmindedly as you listened to all the chatter around you.

Jake readjusting in his chair snapped you from your daydreams, his eyes catching yours for just a second before looking down to his own glass, tossing back the rest of the amber liquid. 

Then you felt it. His knee gently brushing yours under the table. Both of you looked at each other in panic. 

He scoffed, clearly annoyed that it happened, but before you could say anything, his attention was turned back to Josh.

JAKE POV

Fuck.

As you sat watching Josh’s mouth move, you heard nothing. Your mind was filled with only thoughts of her and the way even the briefest touch of her knee had you spinning out. You could feel her eyes on you, begging you to look at her. But you couldn’t. You wouldn’t. You wanted her to know how it felt to be rejected. To feel unwanted. 

However, that was about the furthest from the truth. You spent every day of the last week completely consumed with thoughts of her. Thoughts of that night. Wondering what you could have done differently. What you could have said, that would have made her stay. 

You’d been cold, and harsh, leaving every room she walked into. Never looking her way, never speaking to her, even actively ignoring her a few times, but still doing everything in your power to make sure she noticed you. But it was killing you. You weren’t sure how much longer you could do it. You knew one of you was going to break, and for once, just once, you wanted it to be her. 

From the corner of your eye you saw her reaching for her bag, pulling the buzzing cell phone from inside before placing it to her ear..

“Hello?” she answered.

Sam turned, shooting a look your way in question. You shrugged your shoulders as you listened.

She pulls her phone away from her ear, typing away and zooming in on whatever she is looking at, her brow furrowing at her discovery.

“It’s on the pack out inventory sheet from last week. It should be there.” she says, confused. She shakes her head and closes her eyes as she listens to them speak.

“And they aren't in the gator box we keep in the back of the tech set up?” she asks, shock laced in her tone.

“I swear I saw them in that box in Bridgeport? Maybe check with Jenn, I think she ha–” she stops.

She runs her hand through her hair before resting her forehead into her palm. She pulls the phone away from her ear, seemingly to check the time, before returning it to her ear.

She sighs as she closes her eyes, “Okay…Yeah…I can… I’ll call you when I get there. Okay. Okay, bye.”

She takes a deep breath, placing her phone back into her bag, and pulling it from the chair. 

“Is everything okay?” Josh asks.

“No…I have to go. Something is missing and no one can find it. But I know it was on the inventory sheet from last week.” she says, pushing her chair out to stand. “Just put this on the 6672 card you have okay?” she says to Josh, standing and throwing her purse over her shoulder. 

“Wait no, let me go with you. You shouldn’t go alone. It’s late.” Josh offers, standing up. 

You snap your head over to Josh, sending him daggers with your eyes, “No. Sit down, Josh. She works for us, not the other way around.”

“Right, but she’s also our friend Jacob.”  he says sternly.

“No. Not anymore. She’s our employee. One that is currently not doing her job as she sits here watching us.” you snap.

He sends you a puzzled look, remaining standing.

“Eat first…” Josh offers, looking to her, “I’m sure it can wait just a few minutes…”

“No. I think she should go now. I’m sure there are craft services at the venue. If she remembered to do it.” you say.

“Jake.” Sam snaps, as you throw daggers his way.

“At least call the driver to come pick you up, you can eat while you wait for him.” Josh says. 

You look over to her, and harden your face, delivering your words with venom,  “No. She can take an Uber. It’s not our job to take care of her, she’s a professional. Isn’t that right Y/N?”

“Jake, I don–” Josh starts before you cut him off. 

“Sit the fuck down Josh.” you seethe, before turning to look at her.

“What are you waiting for? Go.” nodding your head to the door. You watch her breath catch in her throat, completely caught off guard by your hostility.

“Jake…” she breathes.

You look away from her, grabbing your drink and taking a sip as you hold it towards the door in suggestion.

The table falls silent, all turning to look at her. Her eyes well with tears that she swallows down, before nodding and turning to leave. You watched her walk through the large wooden doors as you tossed back the entirety of your second drink. That was it. The first words you’ve spoken to her all week and you knew she was never going to speak to you again after that. 

God, her face…

“Are you fucking serious?” Elle spat. 

You turned to face her, crossing your arms across your chest, shrugging your shoulders.

“Goddamn, Jake…” Sam says, completely and rightfully disgusted with you. His eyes are full of hatred as he stares you down. You're positive you’ve never seen him so mad.

“If that’s how you treat her, I wouldn’t want to be with you either!” she says, Sam throwing an arm over her shoulder in agreement.

She runs her hands over her head, “We are in one of the most dangerous cities in America, and you let her leave? Alone? At this hour? For what, Jake? For what reason? To get a point across? I think you made it. She is just doing her job...A job you’re lucky she is even still here to do. You don’t have to make her miserable on top of it.” she seethes, shaking her head in disgust.

It hadn’t even occurred to you that something could happen to her as you sent her away. It took everything in you to not bolt out that door right then and find her. Your mind started to race with possible scenarios, each one worse than the last. 

Turning your attention to the other side of the table, you overhear Summer talking to Danny. 

“What did she mean by that?” she asks.

Fuck.

Daniel, turns to her and whispers, “Nothing you need to worry about.”

She looks at you, cutting her eyes before looking away to talk to Josh.

The waiter arrived with plates of food, setting each dish at their respective seat. Guilt shooting through you as you watch her plate be delivered to the empty space. Suddenly your appetite was gone, disappearing just as quickly as she did. 

She really was just doing her job, and tonight her job was making sure that you had everything you needed to do yours. Even if that meant skipping dinner. She would do that, for you.

You picked at your plate of food, letting Elle’s words bounce around in your head. She was right, you had pushed it too far. The guilt was heavy, crushing down on you harder with each second that passed. A few drinks later you saw the waiter come back to collect plates, hers sitting cold and untouched. 

As he went to pick it up you spoke, “Can that be put in a box?”

“Certainly, I’ll be right back with that for you.” he answered, picking up the plate, and you thanked him with a nod. 

Josh elbowed you gently in the ribs, leaning into your ear, “You’re not a very good actor you know.”

“Not all of us spent our formative years in the theater department.” you quipped with an eyebrow raise.

“You can act like you hate her all you want, but I know you’re going out of your mind worrying about her right this very second.”

“I should have let you go with her. I shouldn’t have said all that. Fuck.” you reply, shaking your head.

“Come to my room when we get back.” he said, raising his pinched pointer and thumb towards his lips in suggestion. You nodded and finished your drink, knowing that Josh was going to pry your feelings out of you with a little bit of weed, whether you liked it or not.

—

The Uber ride back to the hotel was silent. You could feel Sam’s eyes boring holes into the back of your head the entire way. You knew you pissed him off talking to her that way, and as you sat there holding the togo box of food she never got to eat, you didn’t blame him. You were out of line, and you put her at risk. All because you wanted to hurt her. 

Hurt her like she hurt you. 

But as your eyes scanned the streets looking for her on the way back, it wasn’t vindication that you were feeling, it was nausea. What if something did happen to her? You’d never forgive yourself. 

The Uber pulled up at the hotel, letting you all out, and as everyone made their way to the elevator you stopped at the front desk and were greeted by the friendly desk attendant.

“Hi, I was wondering if there was any way I could get this sent up to someone's room?” you ask, setting the bag on the desk.

“Someone in your party?” she asks.

“Oh, yeah. Yes. She’s in room… 917.” you say, thanking yourself for finding out the day you checked in.

“Alright, I will make it happen.” she smiles back at you.

“Thank you so much, I really appreciate it.” you reply, walking away and heading to the elevator.

You pull your phone from your pocket, seeing a text from Josh.

Josh

10:49pm: You coming? 1006

You

10:54pm: Yeah

You step onto the elevator selecting floor ten, and stare off into space as it begins its climb. The doors open and you step into the hallway, walking the short distance to his room, and rapping your knuckles on the door a few times. 

“Finally, fuck.” he says, swinging the door open. 

“It’s been like five fuckin’ minutes…” you answer stepping inside the room. “Wait, your room has a balcony? Fucking front man treatment.” you say, shaking your head.

He grabs the joint and the lighter he had waiting on the dresser and leads the way to the balcony. The air was thick and dense, you could tell the rain was going to drop at any moment. You sat down in the black metal chair, crossing your leg over your knee. 

You watch as Josh places the joint between his lips, bringing his hand up to light the tip, shielding the wind with his other hand. He inhales, as he lights it, the cherry beginning to glow bright red and the air starting to fill with the familiar aroma. 

He passes it to you, and you hold it to your lips, taking a long drag to fill your lungs. You hand it back to him, and let the smoke billow into the air around you. 

“She’s fine you know…” Josh says, staring out at the cars passing ten stories below.

“How do you know?” you ask.

“Don’t you think someone would have called one of us by now if she wasn’t?” he says.

“Hmmm…” you hum, taking the joint back from him. You take another long inhale, considering his words.

You blow out the smoke with a sigh, “I fucked up. I shouldn’t have said that shit to her. I know how she’s feeling right now and I did it anyway. I’ve been torturing her all week.” you say, seeing a drop of rain start to fall.

“She kind of deserves it Jake…I mean, come on. How long is she gonna string you along?” he pauses, “She’s got you all fucked up. You’re in a shit mood, and everyone feels like they have to walk on eggshells around the two of you… She needs to either cut you loose, or quit this job and be with you. Those are the options.” 

“I don’t think it’s that fucking simple Josh. She can’t just quit. We’d be fucked. And I don’t think she can ‘cut me loose’ that easily. I know I sure as fuck couldn’t.” You say, a cough leaving your chest. 

Josh passes the dwindling joint back to you, “I’m just saying, I would be pissed if I were you. I’d probably be acting the same way. Her giving and taking every other week is exhausting. I can feel it affecting you, it’s fucking affecting me too. I am just wondering if maybe I was wrong about bringing her on. I figured you two would get back together almost immediately. The whole, ‘don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone’ thing…I thought after all this time apart from each other you two would have figured it out by now.”

The fuck?

You stub out the roach in the small plastic ashtray, before turning towards him, “That’s the thing Josh. I did know what I had. I always knew. I never wasted a single second I had with her. I begged her not to go, the first time, and this time. But there was nothing I could do. I had to watch her leave. So yeah, I guess not knowing what you have until it’s gone can hurt, but I think that knowing what you have and watching it walk away from you hurts even worse.” 

“So if that’s how you really feel, why are you trying to hurt her?” he asks.

“I’m not trying to hurt her. I just…” you pause, taking a deep breath,  “Well, I guess maybe I am. I just want her to feel how I feel for once.”

“Do you think the pain she felt of having to leave you, for the second time, wasn’t enough? If not more painful than the first time?” he asks.

You hadn’t considered that. You couldn’t even imagine how bad it must have hurt to say those words again. To leave you standing in that hallway, begging her not to go. 

You drop your head into your hands, “Fuck, man. I don’t know if this is salvageable.” 

“I think it is. I think you just need to tell her one more time, exactly how you feel, in a way no one but her will understand.” he says, standing to walk back into the room.

“How?” you ask, following him inside. 

He throws himself backwards onto his bed, and sighs, “I think you know. It’s been a while…but, I think you know.”

You let out a sigh as you realize what he’s saying. “I…don’t know if I can do it.” you say. 

“I know you can.” he answers.

It’s quiet for a minute as you think about it. 

You lean against the dresser, pushing your hands into your pockets, “You know, that night…after dinner last week…I walked her to her room.” you start.

“Yeah…” he says, sitting up on his elbows.

“She was…gone. I helped her get into bed. It felt so normal…doing that kind of stuff for her.” you paused. “She was out of it, she had no idea what she was saying…she asked me to stay. Lay with her for a while, and…I couldn’t help myself. So I did.”

“Oh shit, you didn’t tell me this…” he says, listening intently.

“We were just laying there in the dark, and all the sudden she asked me to play ‘her song’ for her. I didn’t know which one she meant, but I had a feeling. I just…wanted to hear her say it. She did…she said it makes her cry, Josh. Fucking killed me. So I hummed it for her as she drifted off to sleep next to me. Asked me if I would play it for her one day, and I told her I would. I didn’t want to leave, but I knew I had to. So I leaned over and told her I was going…” you paused running a hand through your hair. 

“She told me she loved me.” you finish.

Josh nods his head, “And you left? Did you say it back?” 

You nodded your head, “No, I didn’t say it. And she didn’t remember any of it the next morning anyways.”

“Shit.” he replied.

“So, yeah. I think you’re right. I think we should play it. Tomorrow.” you say.

“Done.” he answers.

“See you in the morning?” you ask, walking towards the door.

“Later.” he replies as you let the door swing shut behind you. 

—

Walking back to your room was hazy, the only clear thing in your mind was her. Did she get there okay? Was she back now? You check the time on your phone. 11:58. Surely she was back by now?

You held the keycard to your door, hearing it unlock and twisting the handle. You stepped inside, the room cold and dark in the midnight hour. You switched on the lamp on the bedside table, and deposited your phone and wallet before stripping down. You plugged in your phone, and climbed right into the bed, ready for the night to be over, but your mind was still racing. 

You opened Instagram, and started flicking through videos, anything to take your mind off of her, and it was a nice temporary reprieve. That is, until you saw a video of a shooting star. You watched as it flew through the dark sky, streaking past the twinkling stars around it, glowing brightly until it finally burned out. It reminded you of that night at the lake. Laying on the picnic table sharing secrets for the first time in years. Finally feeling close to her, after years of distance. 

You hit share on the post, typing her name into the recipient box, and delivering it to her phone. You hoped it would bring back the same memory for her. You typed a quick ‘I’m Sorry’ and sent that along with it.

You watched as the message turned from delivered, to read right before your eyes. You waited for a few minutes to see if a reply would come, but it didn’t.

You

12:20am: You don’t have to forgive me, but can you just tell me if you made it back?

LD

12:24am: I did.

You

12:25am: Thank you

LD

12:28am: It’s not your job to take care of me.

A defeated sigh leaves your chest as you read her text, a stab to your own chest by your own words.

You

12:29am: I’m sorry.

As your message sits on read, you realize she isn’t going to reply, and you place your phone on the nightstand. You turn off the light and roll to your side, hugging a pillow close to your chest. Tomorrow you’d tell her, in the best way you knew how, how much you loved her, and you hoped it would be enough.

NIGHT ONE

SAM POV

You opened your eyes to see Elle’s looking back at you, the glittering of her irises vibrant in the morning sun. She peered up at you from underneath her long lashes, still thick with makeup from the night before. A sweet grin emerged on her face as she scanned over your features quickly, her eyes bouncing around as if she was seeing you for the very first time. 

Her cheeks blushed the prettiest shade of pink when she noticed you taking her in all the same, and her nose scrunched into an expression you could only read as bashfulness. Light freckles peppered her nose, and her dark locks had fallen into the prettiest set of waves from sleeping on her curls. Just from looking at her, you felt your chest become physically warm, your heart flipping into a feeling of tender familiarity swirled with the uncertainty of something new. You knew right then and there that waking up to her every day was becoming one of the best parts of your life. Your sweet Elle had come back to you. 

“Good morning.” She said through an impending yawn. 

“Morning sunshine. How did you sleep?” You responded, her contagious yawn finding you next. 

She rolled over closer to you, placing her hand on your face and brushing stray hairs away. 

“Better than I have in a really long time.” She smiled hard, meeting your gaze with the most sincere softness in her voice. 

There was a true happiness growing inside you, one that you couldn’t explain. Having her back in your life was unexpected, to say the least, but nonetheless truly welcomed. There was something authentic about Elle; she was the kind you just didn’t find very often. There was nothing fake or forced about her. She was selfless, intelligent, and extremely driven. She knew a little something about everything, and she cherished every single person in her life more than she cherished herself. She was a bit hardened, coming from a life that was less than ideal. But she never let it stand in the way of the person she’d become as an adult. She learned from her loved ones’ mistakes, and aimed her life in the exact opposite direction. 

She also knew more about music than even you did, which was one of the biggest things that made you fall for her in the first place. Constantly impressing you with her natural talents and abilities. She never once gave you the feeling that she was just around because of who you were, and what your profession was. She simply liked the person you were, and she never let you forget that. 

You were so much alike that you’d butt heads, her southern Georgia twang coming out to play when you’d argue. You’d never tell her you liked getting her worked up just to hear her talk like that. You’d loved her hard before, and you felt no shame in allowing yourself to feel the same feelings once more, even as quickly as everything seemed to be happening. Not quite love, again. But an enormous sense of pride just being in her presence. She deserved the world. 

But, in the back of your mind, there was a nagging feeling of guilt. You had to tell her about you and Y/N. It wasn’t fair to her to be in the dark about it, especially with how close everyone was. 

You sat up in bed, leaning against the headboard and pulling the covers up over your chest. You prepared yourself for what was sure to be an awkward conversation. 

“Elle, I gotta tell you something.” You finally said, your heart beating in your ears. 

She turned and sat up too, sitting on her knees and facing you. “What’s wrong hun? Everything okay?” She placed a grounding hand on your leg. 

“Yeah. Yes, everything is fine. Well, I hope...” you scratched the back of your head, taking a deep breath. “A while ago, when we found out Y/N lived in Nashville, I was in kind of a weird place mentally. Nothing bad or wrong just, you know…Weird? Anyways, we kind of… Really started to rekindle our friendship, her coming back was such a surprise to all of us, you remember the story.” You readjusted yourself in the bed for the next part.

“Anyways, we umm…We really missed each other. It’d been so many years. We were still practically kids when she disappeared.” 

You brought your eyes to hers. “We…umm. We slept together for a few months, Elle. It never meant anything at all. We had so many conversations about how there were absolutely no feelings involved, it was purely physical. But we…haven’t, in a little while. When you and I started talking again, before you came out here with me, I wasn’t sure what was going to happen with you and me...So, I didn’t want you to feel like I...I don’t know. I was lying to you. You deserve to know the truth.”

You were met with a blank and questioning stare, waiting for the tears, the recoil, the yelling…anything. You bit your lip and prepared yourself for the worst. 

She reached her hand out and placed it on your cheek, “Sammy… Thanks for telling me.” she removed her hand, lacing it with yours, “Honestly I’m surprised it took you two into your adult lives before you finally slept together, as much chemistry as you have.”

What?

“Uh, wait really?” You were utterly confused. 

“Yeah! It’s always been really evident to me. You guys were such good friends for so long. It was only a matter of time before you acted on it. Wait, did you think I’d be mad?” she asked.

You were too stunned to speak, words floating around in your head finally coming together, “Yeeaaahhhh, actually. I kind of expected some type of… reaction? You really aren’t upset?” you asked. 

She looked at you sideways, “Uh, no Sam. Why would I be mad? You’re an adult. I wasn’t even here. You and I weren't together or anything... Even now, we’re just...hanging out again. Starting fresh, right? You don’t owe me any explanation of what happened when I left, or even when we first started talking again. We’ve both seen other people in the in-between, so I have absolutely no reason to be upset with you.” She playfully pushed your shoulder. 

God, what a woman. 

“Okay… Great then.” You pushed your hair back, feeling like you’d just had 500 pounds lifted from your shoulders. “I just...wanted to be honest with you. I know we’ve all been around each other a bit and I didn’t want things to be awkward, especially between you and Y/N. You guys used to be really close.” you said.

“Yeah, we did. We went through some shit together. I still love her. It’s so good to have her back, but things seem rough with her. Dinner was bad last night with her and Jake. I still can’t believe he said that to her.” She bit her lip, her mind wandering off in memory. “Did she know you were going to tell me about you two?” she asked. 

“Well, we haven’t really had a chance to talk about it. It’s been so busy... You know how I said that her and Jake are trying to figure things out? It’s been really, really rough on both of them, where she works for us and all. The day she came to my room… in Bridgeport…while you were in the bathroom? She told me her and Jake had a huge fight the night before, and things were bad again. She came looking for some advice. I never got to give her any and judging from how weird things have been between them, and them both honestly looking like shit, I’m guessing things still aren’t good. Anyway, I will tell her that you and I talked today.” you responded, trying to sort everything out in your head. You knew Y/N still needed you. You left her a bit high and dry, but you knew that talk had a time and a place.

—

After talking with Elle, you felt a million times better about the situation. You couldn’t have asked for things to go more smoothly than they did. You did, though, start to feel a little guilty about not trying to talk to Y/N sooner. You knew she was really going through it. Jake, too. It was so unfair for both of them. You began to feel drawn to go to her, your best friend instincts kicking into high gear. You had to make her feel better. And Jake, too, if you could. 

The trip to the venue was just as it always was...packing your gear into the vans, and rushing around to meet Y/N’s timelines. After the normal motions of getting settled, making sure Elle had her passes, and meeting up in the trailer, you were ready for a drink. 

You watched as Y/N did her duties, radioing here and there, delivering setlists, and making sure everything was on time. She looked absolutely wrecked. You tried your best to shoot her reassuring smiles, trying to communicate with your eyes that you knew she still needed to talk, and that you would be here when you both got a chance. She returned your looks with half smiles, her eyes appearing blank and lifeless. 

You popped the top on a seltzer, and walked over to the stage. You climbed the stairs and checked everything out, as you were first to arrive for once. You took another long sip of your drink, tipping it back as you looked up to the sky. It was cloudy, and the wind had just enough kick to it that you knew bad weather might be imminent. You took another sip. 

How can I help them? What can I do? 

Suddenly, a roadie walked by you, pointing up to the heavily clouded sky. “Looks like the weather is going to be wonderful tonight, huh?” He said sarcastically. 

You lifted your can toward him. “Hope it is, Eric!” 

You turned and walked back underneath the awning, heading straight for the piano, to play with Daniel a little bit while you waited for sound check. Then it hit you like a ton of bricks. Wonderful Tonight. 

You and Y/N’s song. You could sound check it. Maybe she would remember. Maybe it would make her feel better. You sat on your bench, making adjustments to your sound as you saw Daniel walk onto the stage. You shot him a smile as your fingers came to a stop. 

“Daniel, I need your help…”

—

Jake and Josh finally made their way to the stage, and you began your normal processes of checking sound. You communicated with the engineers to get everything sounding and feeling right, and after a few songs, you felt confident. The pre-show excitement always set in around this point; when you knew the sound was great, but that it would reverberate differently when the venue was filled with thousands of bodies. Getting the perfect sound, the ultimate atmospheric timbre that knocked you off your feet each and every time you heard it...that’s what made all of the work put in for sound check worth it. 

When you finally felt satisfied, you looked to Daniel, giving him a nod. You leaned into your stage mic, and counted down quietly enough that only Daniel would hear.

“3, 2…” 

Your B3 rang out in the perfect gospel-like tone, Danny in perfect time with you. You tried your best to layer the missing sound of the electric guitar on top of your keys, trying to make the song sound as whole and recognizable as you could. The slow and mellow sound of your song became more vibrant the longer you played. 

Jake and Josh turned toward you simultaneously, not fully understanding why you were playing a random song off the top of your heads…together and in perfect time, no less. Josh spoke through your in-ear, “Something new you wanted to try, Sammy?” You smiled toward him, and he laughed under his breath, still unaware of your reasoning. 

Just then, you looked past Jake to find Y/N sneakily walking up and hiding behind an amp, making sense of what was happening. She smiled sweetly at you as she realized. Jake lazily joined in, not being able to resist playing a tune by one of his earliest influences, but having no idea why it was being played. 

Just seeing the look on her face was worth it. For the first time in days, she looked content. All it took was the tiniest bit of joy to find her again for her entire demeanor to change. Her eyes sparkled with relief, and adoration for you. You hoped that this act would speak to her in a way only you, her best friend, could. 

You began to mouth the words to the last chorus to her, singing quietly as the sweet ballad began to come to a close. She peeked at you from her hiding place, eyes filled with tears. Happy tears. She blew you a kiss, and you caught it in your hand, opening your unbuttoned shirt and tucking it away for safekeeping. You may not have her heart, and she may not have yours, but you’d be damned if you didn’t try your best to protect it. Even if it was from your very own brother. 

Evening was drawing near. At the end of sound check, you were on your way back through the narrow corridors of the venue to find Elle in the trailer when you were stopped in your tracks by a blindsiding embrace. Y/N. She held you close and tight, squeezing her arms completely around you. You returned it, the feeling of her hugging you instantly making you feel grounded. You squeezed her back, resting your chin on her head. You knew that she needed this right now…she needed you. You’d been absent from her for too long, and it was time you communicated. 

You brought your arms up and down her back, massaging it lightly and stippling your fingers. You took in the feeling of the curvature of her body, letting your mind wander to relations past, but only for a second. The natural inclination to sink your hand down her lower back and cup her asscheek and thigh was almost too much to ignore, but you knew you had to. You couldn’t do that anymore. 

Her breath was hot through your shirt, her tears soaking through the thin fabric with ease. You could feel her body begin to relax, perhaps an emotion she wasn’t too familiar with lately. Human touch… she was just happy to be in one of the safest places she’s ever known, right here with you. You began to sway as loud music played through the speakers, one of the songs from the band’s special playlist.

She swayed along with you for a minute, letting her entire body crash onto yours at as many points as possible. She stood on her tiptoes, readjusting her arms to now come up around your neck, pressing her face into the crook of yours, and you felt your heart flip. It’s been a while since she’s been this close. You leaned your head down to quickly kiss her temple, then her cheek, then dangerously close to her lips…stop Sam. 

Not anymore. 

You felt tears begin to well in your eyes, too. Her embrace tightened, and you followed suit. The hug was giant, and embodied every single word neither of you needed to say. Her hand found the back of your head, scratching the nape of your neck. You both had tears falling now, a sorrowful feeling blooming in your chest. 

You used to dream of being in this exact position with her. Dream about even getting a sliver of a chance to be with her, and you had gotten it. You fulfilled your boyhood dream. Now the feeling of her skin on yours would be nothing but a memory, tucked away in the back of your brain, never to be thought of again. You bent down again, and placed your mouth to her ear, speaking through cries tormenting your throat.

“You gotta go to him now, babe. It’s time.” You inhaled deeply, wanting to breathe her in one last time. You knew this was going to be it. 

Her chest was heaving with sobs, and you felt your face grow warm with the admission of your final release from the hold she had on you for so many years. You grabbed her shoulders and pulled her away, standing face to face with the woman you used to love, who now held a different place in your heart. She gave you another sweet smile, understanding and accepting the fate that had found you. She nodded through tears, though you were sure she still had a lot of thinking to do in the grand Jake realm. 

“Thank you, Sammy. For the song. It really helped.” She said quietly. 

You gave her a wink, choking back the tears again, “You’re still my best girl.” 

She shook her head, and brought her hands to your face. “I’ll see you, Sammy.”

——

You took a second to collect yourself in the restroom of the venue, a place you knew you wouldn’t run into anyone who would ask about the current state of your flustered look and red, puffy eyes. You splashed cold water onto your face, holding it there and letting it drip out between your fingers. 

The end of an era. 

A short, wild, strange, amazing, and beautiful era. Though you felt sad about whatever it was you had with Y/N being over, you felt the most intense feelings for Elle…wanting to run to her, find her and give her everything she could ever want. 

You also harbored another feeling. You couldn’t quite pinpoint it, but the tension between Y/N and Jake was thick, and it felt like there was nothing you could do to get it through her head that she needed to take a step back. Look at this from the outside. Put her head to the side for once, and listen to her heart. Fuck fear… Had she not listened to anything Josh had preached for the last 10 years? 

You made your way back through the hallways and to the trailer. Everyone had gathered in the common area, giddy with nerves and excitement for the show. You noticed Jake sitting off to the side again, and Y/N running around crazy just like she always did right before a show. You shot her a grin, and she returned it. She and Jake were still avoiding one another, but their passing glances to each other were extremely obvious. 

How can I help?

The sun was beginning to fall behind the quickly moving clouds in the sky, a perfect backdrop for some photos. Aha, an idea. You ran into the trailer, finding Elle perched on the couch, scrolling her phone. She perked up when she saw you. 

“Hey, hun!” She hopped up and ran to you, pulling you in for the sweetest, honey-laced kiss. God, she was so sweet. 

“Hey! Come outside really quick. The weather is perfect for photos.” You ran to your bag, pulling your old film camera from its case and checking the film roll. The two of you exited the trailer, finding that the wind had picked up a bit in just the few seconds you’d been inside. 

“Y/N! Will you come take a photo of me and Elle?” You yelled, pulling her from a task on her iPad. 

She shot a look to you, softening quickly when she saw Elle’s pleading puppy dog eyes. She made her way over, letting you give her a quick rundown on how to snap the perfect photo. You bent down and Elle hopped on your back, wrapping her arms around your neck. She placed a kiss on your cheek, causing you to smile hard. Y/N focused in, and counted to 3. 

“Ok! Now let me take one of you two.” Elle said, taking the camera from you. 

You and Y/N pressed your cheeks closely to one another, squishing the sides of your faces in while you laughed and snorted. That will be a good one. 

“Jake! Get over here! We’re taking pictures.” You yelled to him, disturbing his lonely concentration on nothing. He sulked up from his chair, bringing himself to the group. He went to take the camera from Elle, but she pulled it away from him, instead handing it to you. 

“Oh, actually, will you take one with Y/N?” She asked, stunning him. She had read your mind. 

“Oh, no it’s okay. We don’t want to waste your film.” Y/N said, crossing her arms and trying to walk away. 

“No, no. That’s a good idea.” You said. “Come stand over here by these flower bushes.” You grabbed them both forcefully by the shirts, and dragged them over to stand in front of the beautifully bloomed landscaping. 

They stood awkwardly, looking away from one another and both giving you a ‘get on with it’ look. 

You brought the viewfinder to your eye. “Great, now lean in close. I need you both in the frame.” You motioned for them to squeeze in. 

They reluctantly stepped toward each other. “Ah, come on. You can get closer than that. You aren’t strangers!” you said.

You heard Y/N scoff, tilting her head back in exasperation at the situation. They stepped a little closer. 

“There you go. That’s better. Come on, you used to love each other, for pete’s sake!” you said. 

You watched as they finally stepped closer and stood shoulder to shoulder, Jake taking his pinky and intertwining it with hers at their sides. 

He leaned his head down to rest on top of hers. “Still do, Sammy boy. Still do.” 

——

Elle was seated across the trailer, carefully applying tiny sparkles to her face. She used the utmost care and concentration, making sure each one got in its specific place. She’d chosen a tight silver dress with a shimmery black shawl to wear to the show tonight, fitting her figure perfectly. Her hair was long and cascading, and she’d put a few braids tight to her scalp, adorning them with some type of shiny clip things. 

“I love dressing up for your shows, it’s so much fun!” She’d said while you watched her pick out the outfit.

Her face was lit up with tiny stars and reflective glitter, catching the light every time she turned to flash you a smile. You held your guitar in your hands, offering her your nods of approval everytime she asked if it looked okay. “Perfect, baby.” 

Of course it looked okay, everything she did was flawless. You felt yourself beaming, taking in her existence when she was doing something so simple as primping herself. You could stare at her for hours, and never tire at her sight. Her presence alone was enough to make you feel whole. 

This must be how Jake feels. 

Daniel and Josh stood to the side, mixing their drinks and talking low about some new idea they were working on. Jake sat beside you on the couch, your knees mindlessly bumping into one another’s as you both strummed on your acoustics. It was eerily peaceful for a pre-show gathering. Almost like the calm before the storm. 

You heard the crowd explode outside, a signal that the openers were warming everything up just right. 

“You’re awfully quiet tonight, Samuel.” Jake said in an almost whisper, not bothering to look at you. “I don’t think I’ve seen your teeth this much your whole life...smiling like the Joker over there.” 

You shied away a little bit, realizing you’d been caught staring at Elle. It wasn’t lost on you that you’d probably turned into a better form of yourself lately, and it showed in everything that you did. 

You slowed your playing, bringing the strumming to a light pick. “Ya know Jake, I think I get it now. How you feel. It’s a...fairly new feeling but. I think I understand why you are the way you are with Y/N.”

His eyes finally met yours, silently asking what the hell you meant. “You guys have always been each other’s everything, even over all the years of separation and finding each other. I think this time, her coming back to you meant more than it did when we were younger.”

You paused, searching for the words while he sat silently. 

“I’m getting to a point where I couldn’t imagine losing Elle again. If she left me like she did last time...I don’t know...what I would do…” you trailed off. 

“And you and Y/N have done this over and over, man. I don’t know how you...wake up and do what we do every day. Especially while she’s here with us, so close by…” you felt your eyes going to the floor, staring absently while you let your words fall. 

“I get it now. Why it was so hard for you to watch her and I. I put myself in your shoes, and it’s like a dagger to the gut.” You put your guitar down on the floor, leaning it against the couch. You slid to the edge of the seat, grabbing your drink and finishing it in one gulp, the recurring guilt of hurting Jake creeping its way back in, but this time it was amplified. 

You turned around to look at him, his face sullen and sunken, a mirror image of Y/N’s lately. He didn’t have an immediate response, just continued strumming away and biting the insides of his cheeks. You knew he was deep in his thoughts, you could always read it on his face. He didn’t need to say anything, he knew you were sorry. And so was she. 

You stood up from the couch, and headed over to mix another drink. Suddenly a coordinator poked their head in the door, “Ten minutes to stage, guys!” 

“Sammy.” Jake said, causing you to turn back to him. He pointed to Elle with his chin. “Don’t ever let her forget exactly how she makes you feel. She might forget all the things you say to her, but never let her go one day without knowing how she really makes you feel. It’s the only thing that will stick.”

You nodded, showing you understood his advice. He raised his eyebrows to you in his best big-brotherly way. “That feeling you’ve got doesn’t come around often, Sam. Trust me. Don’t let it slip through your fingers.” And with that, he stood up to join Josh and Danny. 

Josh walked to the middle of the room, raising his glass, “Shall we toast, brothers?”

HER POV

With the impending storm, the entire crew was on high alert. You had the weather radar pulled up on your phone nearly constantly, tracking the storm as it changed and grew. You were hot on the heels of the rest of the coordinators, your radio busy with communication. It looked like the storm was dissipating, but the rain was still going to be very present. You huffed a sigh. You had practically memorized the rain show procedures, and you made sure everything was ready, just in case. Preparing for the worst was all you could do at this point. It truly wasn’t a huge deal, it happened all the time, but it was still something you’d never had to head-up before. 

With all of your rushing, you didn’t have time to give the guys their 10-minute warning, pushing off the task to someone else. You missed out on their pre-show ritual, and getting ready with Elle. Watching it was something you were growing to love being a part of, even if it was hard being around Jake. 

You finally made it back to the trailer just in time to make sure they were dressed and their outfits were perfect. They lined up for you to check them out, this new tradition becoming a cute habit. Josh looked stunning in his lilac crushed velvet suit adorned with embroidered temperance tarot images. He kissed your cheek and laughed, “Break a leg out there, huh?” 

“Josh, that’s for me to say to you, crazy.” You rolled your eyes. He laughed as he pranced down the steps. Daniel was strikingly handsome in his pink lacy top and fitted pants. You applauded him as he passed you by, always so effortless. “Tear it up, Danny.” You said. He gave you a proud and tight lipped smile. He really was starting to come into his own. 

Sam looked downright gorgeous in his light pink suit. His lapels embroidered with a cardinal and an violet flower. “Ah, state emblems, huh? I’m starting to get it. You’re sneaky, Sam. Was that your idea?” You brushed off the shoulders of his suit before he offered you a wink, tilting his seltzer to you and exiting the trailer without a word. 

Your heart dropped as you realized Jake was last. You scanned him quickly as he approached you and the door, and you didn’t see his collar flipped, his sleeve cuffed, not a single thread out of place. He was ready to go. 

He was ready to go…

He glanced at you, giving you a slight smile and a nod before descending the stairs and closing the door behind him. He didn’t even try to have a moment. The one you’d looked forward to for the last few shows…the one he created. He had slipped through without even a word. 

The guys took the stage minutes later, the crowd going absolutely insane. You found Elle sidestage, hugging her from behind upon approach. The two of you watched as they greeted the fans, starting off the show with ‘My Way, Soon’, creating an immediate dynamic that was intoxicating for everyone involved. 

“I’m so glad you’re here, Elle. I swear you came back at the absolute perfect time.” You spoke loudly into her ear overtop of the loud music. She hugged your arms that were holding onto her waist. The show proceeded without a hitch, all except for the wind picking up again. There was a thin mist in the air, the dew setting in as the night ticked on. The fog had begun to roll in behind the crowd creating an ominous atmosphere.

You found yourself transfixed on Jake again, your attention naturally being drawn to him. You had learned by watching him show after show, that he truly had a stage presence that overtook his band mates at times, but it was without intention. He just naturally had it. The way he moved and played was enough to steal all of your concentration, and keep it. 

You and Elle were having a good time, dancing and singing along, her stealing glances and smiles from Sam every once in a while, but Jake never once looked your way. 

The music slowed, Sam coming in on the keys with a low and slow ballad while Danny joined in. 

“Looks like the rain is setting in! Everyone take cover!” Josh ran around the stage, covering his already frizzy hair with one hand. He laughed as the song became heavier, the tone of the organ setting into your chest. 

“I don’t think we’ve played this on the Strange Horizons tour...” Josh said, causing the crowd to go wild. “But this one is one of my favorites… and I’ve had people come up to me, out of nowhere and kind of go ‘Oh yes, I went to a show of yours, and uh, I didn’t hear this song, and I really wanted to hear it.’ and all I could say is, ‘Yeah, me too!’” he laughed.

You were puzzled, on what song could he be talking about.  

“Sometimes it’s a battlefield when it comes to putting together a setlist…” he continued.

When do they ever argue about setlists? 

“So here we go, let’s do it.” he said finally.

You looked to Elle, who was just as confused as you were. But, after a few seconds, the mystery turned into realization. Jake came in on the electric instead of the acoustic, throwing you off even more. 

It can’t be, is he doing this again? 

You looked at Elle. “Is this Flower Power?” you asked her. You already knew the answer, but you needed some validation, for someone else to tell you what you thought your ears were hearing. 

She nodded sweetly to you, immediately covering her mouth with her hand. You stood in complete stillness, letting the music and the emotion wrap around you. 

The notes spun around in the air, and you felt weightless. Why are they doing this? You tried your best to look to Jake for some type of explanation, but he was enraptured by the crowd. The song went on in what felt like slow motion, and you finally found your head. You wrapped your arms around Elle, and she took you into an embrace that felt like home. They were playing your song. Your true song. 

A flashback found your mind amidst the chaos of hearing it…you in your hotel room bed, intoxicated as ever, with Jake lying beside you. 

“...The flower song. Makes me cry...”

“…I don’t have my guitar, darlin’…but if I did...I would play it for you a thousand times…”

You shook your head at the memory replaying from your drunken night. 

“…One day?…”

“…Yeah baby. One day.”

Today was that day. He was playing it for you, finally. You couldn’t believe your ears. You felt your heart tumble, hearing the familiar chords float through the air…the song you had memorized and hummed for weeks after he played it for you all those years ago in his bedroom. It had stuck in your head, and here it was again, being played in front of thousands of fans. You felt like you might pass out. 

Finally Jake backed up on the stage toward his amps, looking your way. You gave him a genuine smile, feeling overwhelmed with emotions. He smiled back, a tiny one, but it was something. 

Elle came beside you and wrapped her arms around you again. Just then, Josh glanced your way, making eye contact and smiling at the two of you and your reactions. He fooled with his in-ear as he laughed, turning back to the crowd. He added in a few lyrics from a completely different song, making Elle scream with one hand in the air. 

“Ahhhh! That was Anthem?!” She yelled, beginning to sway with one arm around your waist, and the other raised to the sky. 

She brought her face close to your ear so you could hear her clearly. “You know, he may be playing this as a surprise to all of us, but his message is to you.” she said. 

You looked at her, confused. 

“Babe, after you left, he would insist that they play this at almost every show, hoping you would hear it and come back to him.” She said, pulling away with a sympathetic look. 

You felt like you could crawl into a deep, dark hole, and never re-emerge. 

“He knew it was your favorite. He said the last time you heard it, it didn’t have words, or a title, or anything…he just hoped you would be out there, somewhere, and recognize it. He’d even wait after shows for a little bit to see if you’d show up.”

“After a while, he gave up. They played it less and less until they stopped playing it altogether. I guess this is the first time since then…” she trailed off. 

“Why don’t you just let yourself be with him, Y/N? It would be the easiest thing in the world…” Elle asked. 

You looked her deeply in the eyes, and bit your cheek. “Because Elle, I signed a contract saying I wouldn’t fraternize with any member of the band. I could lose my job. They’re literally my bosses. Plus, he and I are just…” you couldn’t finish the sentence, feeling confused about where you and Jake had left things, and now, about him playing your song. 

Elle came close again, bringing her face close to yours, and holding both of your hands in hers. “Honey, your job may pay the bills now, but it isn’t going to be sitting on the front porch with you when you’re 80.” She raised her eyebrows and gave you a knowing look, and returned to watching the show. 

That was enough. You backed away from Elle, placing a hand to your forehead, fighting back the tears you knew would be littering your face soon. You looked to Jake again, unable to form any type of coherent thought. All he did was lock into your eyes as he played the remaining few notes of the song. 

Fuck. 

The crowd was going nuts, Jake was beaming with pride, and you felt like you needed to retreat again. This was a replay of the night they played You’re the One, except this was much, much worse. You imagined that night at the hotel again, your hand on Jake’s chest, your fingers grazing over his lips, his stomach…What else had you forgotten about that night? 

You spent the rest of the show in a daze, letting the music pull your body around however it wanted, succumbing to the emotions still left behind from hearing your song. It had begun to drizzle fairly heavily, but the show continued without any problem. They played a song for the first time live, ‘The Barbarians’, and you found yourself once again being pulled in by the sounds of Jake’s playing…a brand new song you’d already fallen in love with being pulled off without a hitch. 

You stood to the side, trying to look busy while they came backstage before their encore. You still hadn’t formulated a plan of what to say if you were met with Jake. You could feel the emotions heavier than ever, and it was only a matter of time before he found you. 

Your head was still spinning as the last song wrapped up, your cue to get back to work. Thankfully you could now drown yourself in your work as a distraction. 

You retreated to the back of the venue, beginning to gather everything up for the crew to pack. You tried your best to stay hidden, moving quickly to stay out of Jake’s line of vision. The tears were flowing harder with every passing second. 

You ran into Sam and Elle backstage, trying to dry up your face as best you could. 

“Hey.” Sam said, putting a hand on your shoulder. “You alright?”

You pat your face with your hands. “Ah, ya know, Sam...Not really.” You laughed through your exasperation, trying to cover it up as best you could. 

“I know, I know. It sounded good though, right?” He said, trying to break things up. 

“It sounded perfect.” You said, offering him a smile. 

“Hey well, we’re going to a bar here in a little bit. Once you get finished up, come down, okay?” Sam said as he began to walk away. 

“I’ll text you the address!” Elle yelled over her shoulder. 

You continued marking off checklists and making sure everything was packed up, when your phone buzzed in your back pocket. 

Elle: Hey! We’re going to a place called Kasey’s Tavern. I’ll send you my location. It’s within walking distance to the hotel. See you in a bit :)

You: Ok, sounds great! 

Sliding your phone into your back pocket, you glanced up to the sky again. The clouds were thickening, even in the darkness you could tell something was brewing, and the strange feeling in your gut told you it might not just be a rainstorm. 

JAKE POV

As you played the final notes of the song, eyes locked with hers, you could see the tears starting to stream down her face. You watched as she ran off, seemingly hiding herself from the rest of the world as she usually did. You knew this would get to her, and you hoped it would. You hoped she felt every single word of that song deep in her bones, just like you did. 

You spent the rest of the show deep inside your head, wondering if it was enough. If your message was clear. You were itching to get off the stage, to run and find her. Tell her you’re sorry for everything you ever did to hurt her. But she was gone, you couldn’t find her anywhere. You felt like you searched the entire venue looking for her, but she had disappeared. Had you taken it too far? 

When Sam suggested hitting the bar near the hotel you were the first to speak up in agreement, deciding a stiff drink was exactly what you needed. As you waited for the rest of the guys to change, you thought for sure she would be coming around to collect your suits, or even tell you the van was here, but she didn’t.

“Have you seen Y/N?” you ask Sam.

“Ah…I saw her get pretty torn up during Flower Power, as expected. I ran into her a bit ago, told her we were going to the bar. I haven’t seen her since. Elle told her where we’re going, though.” he answers, clapping you on the shoulder.

Josh approached you just then, Sam turning away to find Elle, “Well?” he asks.

“She’s gone. Ran off a complete mess. Maybe we shouldn’t have.” you whisper.

“She’ll be back. Probably just trying to wrap things up since we only had one night here.” he says as you nod your head.

“Jake, she couldn’t keep her eyes off of you all night. Every time I looked over she was watching you. She’s not gone.” he said finally, walking away.

You grabbed your bag and followed him out of the dressing room door to load into the van.  Slowly everyone began to pile inside, ready to go to the bar and celebrate another successful and sold out show. 

—

You hated leaving the venue without her, but you knew she had a job to do, and that was part of it. As the van pulled up outside of the bar, you stepped out into the light drizzle of rain, and quickly made your way inside. It was fairly busy, but that was typical, you thought, for a Friday night.

“Bulliet, neat, thanks.” you said to the bartender, perusing the selection. You lifted your hand, signaling for the rest of the guys to join you and place their orders.

After a few minutes, the drinks were placed in front of you, and you made your way over to Elle and Summer, waiting in a small booth in the corner, Josh, Sam and Daniel right behind you.

“Summer, I got you a mojito, that’s what you like right?” you asked, half listening as you placed the drink on the table.

Her camera still around her neck, you watched as she snapped a few photos of Josh and Sam talking, as she answered, “Yes! Can’t believe you remembered!”

“Well you spilled the entirety of one on yourself, so. Kind of hard to forget.” you quipped.

You took a seat next to Elle, sipping your drink as you watched the door, willing her to walk through it at any moment. 

“She’ll be here, Jake. Don’t worry.” Elle said, patting your arm.

“You think she’ll come?” you ask, tipping the glass to your lips.

“I know she will…” she pauses. “She didn’t know…about you playing the song for her at the shows back then. I thought she knew. I feel awful, I think that’s what broke her.” she confesses.

“Those were some hard days, huh? How pathetic was I…sitting around waiting, thinking she’d show up backstage.” you say.

“It’s not pathetic Jake, I think that’s what love looks like.” she replies.

“I couldn’t find her after the show. Looked everywhere.” you say.

“I saw her. She was pretty torn up, but…she was there. She looked busy. I did text her, she knows where we are.” she says.

You nod your head, and throw back the rest of your drink. “I don’t know what to say to her.”

“I think you already did. I think it’s her turn to talk, and when she does, you’ll know what to say.” she smiles softly.

You place your hand on top of hers resting on the table, patting it gently, “I’m so glad you’re back.”

She looks over to Sam, deeply engrossed in conversation, and then back to you, “Can’t believe I ever left…”

“All that matters is you’re back now. And, I’m not sure you’ve noticed, but you’re making Sam a really happy guy.” you smile. “Want another drink?” 

“Sure! Sappy time is over, now it's party time!” she laughs.

You slide out of the booth and make your way to the bar with the two empty glasses in hand. You order another round, and find your way back to the table through the mass of people and hazy air. 

As you spot the table you see Y/N, sitting talking to Sam and Elle. You swallow back your emotions and place Elle’s drink on the table, taking a seat next to Summer at the opposite side of the booth. Your eyes glance over to her, drifting up her rain soaked frame and meeting her eyes. The contact is brief as she breaks away to continue talking to Sam.

“It’s really raining now huh?” he asks, throwing her raincoat over the back of the booth. 

“It looked like it was going to drop out at any second, of course it waited for me to step outside.” she laughed. 

The sounds of her laughter brought a smile to your lips, but you were careful to stifle it down before anyone noticed. 

“Okay, I’m gonna go grab a drink, does anyone need anything?” she asks.

“No, I think we’re good, the drinks are under Josh’s tab tonight.” Sam says.

Her eyes flash to yours for just a second before sliding out and disappearing into the crowd. 

Sam looks over to Summer, and then to you, “Jake, come play pool with me?” he asks, raising his eyebrows. He doesn’t want to play pool, he wants to talk. 

“There’s a table open over there.” you say pointing towards the back, and grabbing your drink.

You follow him over to the table, and grab a pool stick, as he racks the balls. 

“You gonna talk to her?” he asks. 

“I don’t know what to say, she will hardly look at me.” you answer.

“I noticed…let her get a few drinks in her system. She will come to you, she always does.” he replies, taking his first shot.

“What do you mean she always does?” you ask, hitting the 14 into the pocket. 

“I don't know, she just…always does. Whenever she's drinking she… gravitates towards you. Just needs to be in your orbit. Feels safe around you, I guess.” he says, his words starting to slur as he finishes his drink.

As you thought about it, he was right. Thinking back to the lake, even to last week. She was by your side the whole time. 

“I hope you’re right.” you say, sinking another ball.

“I always am!” he says, his laugh filling the room.

After a few more unsuccessful shots from Sam, you deposit each billiard ball into the pocket with ease, but not without a little unsportsmanlike conduct from Sam. You sink the eight ball, finishing the game, and signaling that you were heading to the bar for another drink. Sam makes his way back to the table, wrapping his arms around Elle, and you find yourself wishing that you could hold Y/N that way. 

As you approach the bar you see Y/N, sitting on a bar stool, body rigid as a guy is leaning against the bartop talking to her. Her body language is enough to see from across the room that she isn’t interested. You stand back, waiting for your drink from the bartender as you watch the interaction from afar. 

It seems like ten minutes has passed as you continue to watch the guy hit on her. Finally the bartender slides you your drink, and you start to make your way closer to her, standing back just enough, but still close enough to interfere if needed.

“Come on, it’s just one drink, don’t be a bitch.” he says, with a bit of an edge.

You watch her recoil at his words, “No. I’m not interested for the third time.” she spits towards him.

He grabs the back of her chair, and spins it towards him, caging her in with his arms, “Come on, you’re too pretty to turn me down.” he presses.

You toss back the entirety of your drink, and step in, “Hey man, she said no.” you say, semi-defensively. 

“This your girl?” he asks, releasing his grip from the bartop.

Your eyes meet hers before turning back to him, “Yeah, she is.”

“Sorry man, my mistake.” he says, walking away without a fight.

“You okay?” you ask her, your eyes searching hers.

She grabs her drink, throwing it back the rest of it, and slamming the glass down on the counter, before getting up and pushing past you. 

“Y/N!” you yell over the loud music and crowd of people. 

She walks quickly over to the table, grabbing her jacket and her purse and practically runs towards the door before you can catch her. 

You pull your wallet out of your pocket, and grab a bill, throwing it on the table towards Sam, who is looking at you in shock. “Close my tab, I gotta go.” you say, taking off towards the door.

The rain is falling heavily onto the pavement, the sound of the downpour drowning out the sound of the cars buzzing by. You see her walking down the street and you take off towards her, calling her name as you run. She turns to face you, cheeks wet with tears or rain, you can’t tell. 

“Y/N, Please! Stop running from me! Talk to me!” you shout, grabbing her arm and spinning her to face you.

“What! What Jake? What do you want me to say?” she yells, and from the way her voice cracks you can tell its tears, not rain. 

“I want you to talk to me! We need to talk. About everything! All of it! Right now!” you say, shouting loud enough to make sure she can hear you over the sound of the wind and rain.

“Why did you do that! Why did you say that in there?” she cries. 

“What? To that guy?!” you ask.

“Yes! I thought I didn’t need you to take care of me! I’m a professional, right?!” she yells.

“Y/N, stop! You know I didn’t mean that! I told you I was sorry!” you begged.

“But you said it Jake! I know that’s how you actually feel!” she says, trying to pull out of your grip.

You grab her other arm, holding her at arm's length, the rain dripping from both of your bodies, in a constant stream. “You think that’s how I feel?! That’s what you think?” you yell.

You pull your arm away, brushing your dripping hair out of your face before placing it back on her arm. “I only said that because that’s exactly what I do want! I want to take care of you! I want to take care of you for the rest of my life! Everyday! It’s all I have wanted since I was sixteen years old! Please...just let me!” you plead.

You stare at her, waiting for her response, rain dripping from your noses as your breath swirls into the cold air. She shivers as you watch her eyes dart around, her brain scrambling to find a response. 

“Why did you play that song Jake! Why did you play my song…” she cries.

“Because! Because I’m in love with you and that's the only way I knew I could get through to you!” you yell.

“Stop Jake!” she cries. 

“No! I won’t! You need to know that I love you! I love you with every shattered piece of my heart! If that’s not enough, then don't drag this out. Let me go! If I can't have your heart, then you can't keep mine prisoner. That's not how this works Y/N! You don't get to have it all!” you yell, water dripping from your face.

She pulls free from your grip, taking off towards the hotel, just a few blocks away. You run after her, determined to tell her how you feel once and for all. She throws the lobby door open, rushing towards the elevator, with you hot on her heels. As you step into the elevator, you grab her hand, cold and wet, lacing it with yours and spinning her to meet you. Her eyes meet yours, and for a second time stood still. You could see her fighting herself, denying herself what she truly wanted.

The doors opened, and she pushed past you, walking to her room, you following behind her. As she fumbled for the key to her room, still dripping with remnants of the rain, you stopped her hand with yours. 

She looked up at you, “We can’t do this Jake!” she paused, “You can’t love me!” 

You grab her face in your hands, holding her cheeks as she shivered beneath your fingers, “Yes I can. And I do. I’m so in love with you that it drives me fuckin’ insane, Y/N! I haven’t stopped loving you since that night in the garage. That was it for me! I never looked back! I don’t know what kind of fucked up twisted shit the universe keeps playing on us but in case you haven’t noticed it keeps bringing us back together. It keeps bringing you back to me. This is how it’s supposed to be Y/N. You and me. So yeah, I played that song tonight. For you. Because it says everything I’ve never been able to say. Please, tell me it was enough. Tell me that I am enough.” you beg, tears welling in your eyes.

Her breath catches in her throat, as she chokes back a sob, tapping her key card to the door and throwing it open. She steps inside, turning to face you, swallowing back her tears.

“I can’t Jake.” she breathes, the tears fall quickly down her cheeks, a sob leaving her chest, followed by the sound of the door slamming shut in your face.

You felt your heart plummet, and for a second, even if you wanted them to, your lungs refused to fill with air. The water that had been threatening to take you all along, finally did. You were drowning, and you let yourself sink this time. You didn’t want to come back up. You stood there, paralyzed, as the hallway began to spin around you. 

It wasn’t enough. You’re not enough. 

The vision in your peripheral started to fade, turning to black fog, slowly inching its way closer. Knowing you were seconds from passing out, you pulled yourself away from the door, and began to walk to the elevator. It was done. You told her everything, but it wasn’t enough. 

Your shaky hand pressed the button to take you to your floor, and you shoved your hands into your pockets, eyes permanently fixed to the carpet. Your breathing was shallow, a full breath nowhere in sight. The tears threatening to spill from your lashes, finally breaking free as you blinked. As the elevator doors opened, you took one last look towards her door as you began to step in, waiting for the doors to close and take you away. Just as they started to shut you heard it.

A voice you would recognize in any crowd echoing through the hall. “Wait!”

You quickly threw your arm out pushing the doors open as you stepped back out of the elevator, wondering if it was a figment of your tortured mind, but as you looked down the hallway you saw her, standing in her doorway, tear stained and pleading for you.

“Jake, wait!” she said letting the door slam behind her, running towards you, the air leaving your chest at the sight.

You opened your arms, ready to catch her and never let go. It felt like slow motion as she ran towards you, your heart ready to burst at any second it was beating so forcefully. 

As her body collided with yours, her arms wrapped around your neck, squeezing you tightly as she sobbed. 

“You’re enough! You’re enough! You’ve always been enough! I’m sorry!” she cries into your neck. Her hands grasp into your hair, “Please. Please don’t leave.” 

You release your arms from around her, grabbing her face, feeling her tears dripping onto your hands, Her swollen, bloodshot eyes, meeting yours, “Never. I’ll never leave you.”

HER POV

‘I’ll never leave you…’

You could barely hear him over the sound of your heart beating out of your chest. The pounding in your ears, deafening. The only thoughts in your head were of Jake, and everything that happened in the last five minutes.

As soon as the door slammed shut the tears fell uncontrollably, you sunk down on the other side of the door, feeling like you had ripped your own heart out. Why were you doing this to yourself? Why were you doing this to him? How could you let him think he wasn’t enough?

You dragged yourself up, resting your weight on the door as you brought your blurry, tear filled eye to the peephole. With your hand over your mouth to conceal your sobs, you watched him stand there, staring blankly at the closed door, trying to figure out where he went wrong. Trying to figure out why he wasn’t enough for you. 

A sob escaped you as you watched him start to walk away, pressing the elevator button, and wiping away his own tears. This was it. He was leaving. 

Panic bloomed in your chest. How could you live this life without him? Why would you deny yourself  the single best thing that you’ve ever had?

Before you could stop yourself you were throwing the door open begging him to wait. Calling his name through the tiny corridor, praying he heard you before those elevator doors closed.

Then you saw him, stepping out, making sure he wasn’t imagining it, eyes full of shock as he saw you running towards him. That hallway felt a mile long as you ran to him, his arms open waiting for you. You knew at that moment that this job, your career, your life, all of it, was nothing if Jake wasn’t part of it. 

As he spoke you snapped back to the present, his hands still cupping your tear soaked cheeks, “Do you hear me? Never.” he said, his eyes sincere and red rimmed.

“You and me?” you asked, repeating his sentiment through a shaky breath.

“You and me.” he said, a whisper as his lips crashed to yours, right there in the hallway, soaking wet and shivering. The kiss that would seal you to him like a wax stamp on a perfect piece of parchment. You were his, and you always had been. His lips were cold and salty from his tears, his fingers weaving into the small hairs at the base of your neck. Each calloused fingertip pressing into your skin, holding you there, anchoring you in place as if you might float away. 

His lips glided against yours in the same calculated way they always had, as you pulled yourself closer to him. Your bodies starting to feel the magnetism that they had always shared, binding you together with an invisible string. You both heard the elevator move and knew you had to take this elsewhere. He pulled away, looking at you as you spoke, “My room...” you whispered against his lips. You laced your hand with his as you pulled him behind, walking to your door, pushing it open and letting it slam closed behind the two of you.

You watched as Jake smoothed his hand over his wet hair, seemingly lost in his thoughts, “I…I can’t do this if you’re going to leave me again the second you get in your head. I…won’t make it.” he pleads.

You place your hand on his cheek, “I’m not going anywhere Jake. Never again.”

His hand reaches up to cup yours over his cheek, bringing it down to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to your fingertips. 

“You promise?” he asks, against your fingers. 

“Do you?” you breathe.

“For the rest of my life, love. I mean it.” he says, blinking back tears.

“I’m so sorry.” you say, every ounce of pent up emotion filling your words. 

“I’m sorry too, baby. For everything. All of it. Do you know how much it killed me to pretend I didn’t care? To not look at you? To act like I was thinking about anything other than you?” he asks, leading you over to sit at the edge of the bed. 

“I shouldn’t have left I–” you say as he stops you. 

“No. You were doing what you thought you had to do. You had a job to do. You didn’t see another way. But I do. We can do this. I want to do this. I need you, Y/N.” he says.

“We’ll figure it out?” you beg.

He grabs your hands in his, holding them to his lips, “Everyday. One step at a time.”

“I remember.” you whisper, as he sends you a confused look.

“That night, in Bridgeport. I remember. I remembered as soon as I heard you play tonight. You laid with me. Talked to me. Told me you’d play it for me one day, and you did.” you said, blinking back another round of tears.

“I remember the look on your face the first time I ever played that riff for you. In my tiny bedroom back in Michigan. You were drifting off to sleep in my bed; begged me to lay with you that night too. I knew then that I was in love with you. I think of that every time I play that song. I remember every time I ever played it for you. The way you looked, how your smile made me feel. I played it at every show, hoping you’d come. Hoping you’d hear it, and you’d find me backstage, but you never did.” he pauses, looking down to the floor.

“Even though it killed me, I played it, even sang along. Although we did eventually stop playing it, I never gave up hope that you’d hear it one day. I hoped you’d remember it the same way I did. Then, one day I walked into a bar I didn’t want to go to in the first place, and there you were. Sitting on a bar stool looking more gorgeous than I could have ever dreamed of. I was honestly too stunned to even look your way. I couldn’t believe you were real, and in front of me after all this time of wishing for you. I sat at the bar with Sophia, running over a thousand different ways I could say hello, shooting down each one, chalking it up to not being good enough. Then, when I finally got up the courage, you were leaving with Sam.”

You laced your fingers with his, you knew he needed to get this out. His thumb absentmindedly rubbed across your palm as he continued.

“I wanted to drop right through the floor as the door shut behind the two of you. Sophia had to all but carry me home. She had no idea. I felt like I finally had you within reach, and suddenly you were gone. I didn’t know if I would ever see you again, until I showed up at Sam’s the next morning. I left and went straight to the bar. Drank until I couldn’t feel anything. In fact, I did that for weeks. Seeing you with Sam almost killed me. It hurt me down to my core to think for one second you might’ve been in love with my brother and not me. Can you imagine how that felt? I was confused day and night for months watching you two together. Always questioning myself and wondering what he had that I couldn’t give you. Now, I understand why you guys did what you did, but it still hurt. I just wanted to be enough for you.” he finished.

“Jake, you’ve always been more than enough for me.” you said, a single tear streaming down your cheek.

He swiped it away with his pointer finger, “Ah, it didn’t feel like it sometimes.” 

“I thought you were happy with Sophia, I… I didn’t know you still felt that way about me. She told me you were moving in together… looking at rings, I–” he cut you off.

“No. We never looked at rings, I would have rather spent my whole life alone, then be married to someone that isn't you.” he said, your heart dropping into your stomach.

“She didn’t love me. She loved who she thought I was. What she thought I could give her. No one ever loved me like you did.” he said, shaking his head.

“Do.” you reply, his eyes coming up to meet yours. 

“Loves you like I do.”

“I never stopped loving you, Y/N.” he said leaning forward to grab your face.

“Neither did I.” you reply, pressing your lips to his, your hands wrapping around his head, desperately pulling him closer to you. 

Your lips tangle together, a desperate display of passion bound by the restraints of time. No inch of his lips were left untouched by yours, his tongue licking into your mouth like silk as it explored the places it once knew. 

You struggled to kick your boots off, as you pushed yourself backwards on the bed. Jake detached his lips from yours, grabbing your wet boots and throwing them to the floor with his own. 

You laid back into the pillows, waiting for him to come back to you, already desperate for his lips to be on yours again and within seconds, he returned. Planting soft kisses on the exposed area of your neck. He made his way up your jaw and back to your lips, his tongue once again finding yours as he hovered over you. 

You reached your hands into his partially open shirt, his skin still cool from the damp fabric. Your fingers worked the last three buttons, pulling it down his shoulders to reveal his bare chest. He lifted his arms to throw it to the floor, smoothing a strand of hair from your forehead as his hands returned. 

He sat back, resting on his knees as he looked at you. “You’re the love of my life. You know that?”

You could feel your cheeks blushing as you soaked in the words you’ve so desperately wanted to hear. “Show me.”

His hand drops to your bare thigh, the skirt of your dress sitting just above it. “Are you sure? You want this? You want…us…again?”

You smiled, “Do you?”

A grin spread across his face as he dropped his head, looking back up at you, “For the rest of my life…”

You nod your head as you feel his hand travel up your thigh, his fingertips gently brushing the lace of your panties. You see him swallow and his eyes flutter closed at the feeling of your skin against his hand.  

Slowly, you reach down to the hem of your dress, lifting the skirt and pulling the damp fabric over your head. His eyes flash down to your body, darting around as he takes in the sight of you. He smiles as he drops down, turning you just enough to place a kiss right over your tattoo. Your body arches up into him as his lips detach from your skin. “I missed you more than I’ll ever be able to tell you.” he says, rubbing his thumb over the inked skin. 

His index finger drags across your skin, gliding down the length of your torso, stopping at the hem of your panties. “You know we don’t have to… I’d be more than happy to lay here and hold you all night.” 

“Do you not want to?” you ask, nervously.

“No, baby. I do. I have thought about this, and this alone for months. I don't just want to, I need to. I need to feel you again, need to be close to you, show you how I feel about you.” he says.

“Then take me. I’m yours.” you breathe.

“Fuck…” he growls, leaning over you and pressing his lips to yours, this kiss is hungry, almost starving. Taking every inch of your lips into his. 

Your hands fumble with the button on his pants, as his fingers unclasp your bra, throwing it to the floor. His eyes travel down to your bare chest, much fuller than the last time he saw you this way, and you can almost hear how loud his heart is pumping his blood. 

“Y/N…I swear to God, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Ever will see.” he groans.

He kicks his pants to the floor, followed quickly by his boxers as he strokes his length a few times before rejoining you on the bed. His hair is wavy from the rain as it hangs in his face as he hovers over you. You can feel his length pressed to the top of your panties, as he places a wet kiss on your throat. The feeling of his lips on your neck, something you never knew you couldn’t live without.  

His fingers hook into the sides of your panties, slowly pulling them down to reveal the wetness pooling at your center. He throws them to the floor, as his eyes lock onto yours. He slowly lowers himself to your center, pressing a kiss to the top of your mound.

Your hips arch upward towards him and he smiles to himself, grabbing your hips and pulling you towards him. He leans down over you, catching himself on his palms as his necklace swings like a pendulum between you. You grab the necklace, gently pulling his lips to yours, letting your tongue swipe over his bottom lip. 

He parts his lips, granting you access as you lick into his mouth, letting your tongue tangle with his in a dance you’ve craved for years. He drops down to his elbows, and now you can feel his dick pressed firmly to your core. You let your hands roam his bare body, feeling every curve and plain, just as vividly as you remembered. You closed your eyes as you felt his hair brush over your chest, and the cold metallic feeling of his necklace resting on your nipple. 

You broke away from his lips, his eyes opening to meet yours as you stared into his dark brown eyes, “Touch me.”

Suddenly you feel his fingers slide through your wetness, the brush of his fingertips over your clit sending lightning through your body.

“Fuck I missed you. Missed how you respond to me. Come undone for me…” he says, circling the bud with his fingers. Spreading your wetness up and down your slit, you feel a single digit slip inside of you, his thumb never ceasing on your bundle of nerves.

“I need you Jake. I need you so bad.” you whine, the feeling swirling around in your stomach has you practically begging.

He removes his fingers, leaning up on one arm, and grabbing the base of his dick with his free hand, and lining himself up with your center. He leans back down, and rests his lips at your ear, “Anything you want.”

The burn was the first thing you felt as he pressed forward into you, the stretch all too familiar as you adjusted to him. A groan left his chest as he reached the hilt, completely bottoming out inside of you. 

“Fuck, Y/N…” he panted. His breathing ragged and his chest heaving as he felt you pulsing around him. 

He began to slowly pull out, his eyes locked on yours, never breaking contact as he pushed back in. Your eyes fluttered shut and back open again as he reached that spot he knew so well. The one Jake found. The one he claimed as his own, years ago.

As his movements increased and his rhythm was set, you began to writhe underneath him. Even after all the time that had passed, he still knew exactly what to do, and exactly when to do it. He knew your body as if it were his own. He owned it and claimed it as so. 

“God you feel like fucking velvet baby. I…fuck….” he whined. Gasps of air being pulled into his lungs when he remembered to breathe. 

Your hands gripped into the supple skin at his waist, digging in hard enough you were sure you’d leave bruises, trying to pull him in closer to you. He pulled himself in further, his base stretching you further.

“It will never be close enough, baby. Never.” he groaned.

“Jake…” you whined, the breathy tone swirling directly into his ears.

You could feel his cock jump inside of you at the sound of his name leaving your lips.

You watched him swallow, his breathing heavy as the sweat rolled down his stomach. “Say it again.” he growled, snapping his hips into you. The tip of his dick grazing the sensitive nerves of your cervix.

“Oh fuck, Jake…” you cry.

A deep breath escapes his lungs, “I’m not gonna last sweetheart, I’ve wanted you for too long.”

“No. I…I don’t want it to be over. God you feel so good…I…” you trail off, your brain unable to process how you’re feeling.

“Tell me. Tell me you’re mine.” He says, rolling his hips into you like crashing waves.

A whine leaves your chest at his words, and you feel your heart twist. 

“Tell me my love.” he begs, his hips unrelenting.

“I’m yours. I’ve always been yours, even when you thought I wasn’t. I love you Jake, I’ll always love you.” you cry.

“I fucking love you too. So much. So fucking much. Cum for me angel, let me feel you again. Let me have you.” he begs, his breathing ragged and his hips faltering. 

“Say it again. Tell me you love me.” you breathe.

“I’ll tell you until there’s no air left in my lungs. I love you. I’ve loved you my whole life. I’ll never love anyone else. Now, let go for me, I know you want to.”

The flame in your stomach ignites, and you explode like a firework around him, your nails digging into his back, and your face pressed into his. You can feel his breath on your lips, hot and smelling of Whiskey.

With the final pulse of your release you feel his lips on yours, begging for a taste of you one more time. With one final thrust his eyes grow hooded and his stomach tenses as you feel him grasp on to you, the breath stolen from his lungs as he spills into you. A groan leaves his chest, one that would sound painful to anyone else, but you knew that the only pain he felt was the pain of being separated from you for far too long. 

You could feel it, as the warmth splattered into you, his cock slowly stilling inside of you, as he let his body weight lay on top of you. His hands snaked under your body, holding you tightly to him, almost as if he was afraid to let you go. Minutes passed, both of you wrapped in each other, neither of you wanting to make the first move to get up.

Eventually though, Jake did pull out of you, the remnants of his release, slipping out onto your thighs. He swiped away his release with his fingers, before retreating to the bathroom. You got up to join him, both still marveling at each other's naked bodies. 

You grab a towel to clean yourself off, wishing it wasn’t too late for a shower. When you step back out into the room, you see Jake’s boxer clad body pulling back the sheets on the bed. A water bottle sits on the side table and your phone is already plugged in. 

“Jake… you didn’t have to do all of that.” you say, pulling a pair of panties on. You grab a t-shirt from your suitcase, and pull it over your head as he replies.

“I spent every day for the last three years, wishing I could do anything…everything for you. And now I can, so just let me do it. Anything you want…” he says, sliding into the sheets. 

You walk over to the curtains, pulling them closed, and make your way to the side of the bed. He pulls the duvet down, and opens his arms. “Please…” he says.

As if you would say no. You slid into the bed, curling up into his side, resting your head in the crook of his neck, breathing in the scent of him and the light remnants of his cologne. 

“I wore it, everyday, hoping you’d notice.” he says, reaching over to turn off the lamp.

“I did. I did notice. Especially last night. You looked so good Jake. I couldn’t even handle it. Then I smelled you, so close in that tiny elevator…” you trailed off, tangling your legs with his. It felt good to lay with him again. You let your fingers trace over his chest, feeling the dips and peaks of his body.

“I did it for you, you know. Wanted you to look at me. Wanted you to want me like I wanted you, just so I could rip it away from you. It was stupid, and I hate what I said to you. I hope you know that I didn’t mean it. I was worried sick the second you walked out of the restaurant. Oh, did you get your food?” he asked.

“Yeah…I did. That was you?” you asked. You remember how starved you were when you finally got back last night, and seeing the food on your counter was a godsend. 

“Yeah…It was. I…just wanted you to have it, if you wanted it. I felt so bad, Y/N.” he replies bashfully.

“I couldn’t sleep until I knew you were back. I imagined so many horrible things. I’m so fucking sorry. I’ll never let that happen again.” he said, tightening his grip around your back.

“I was okay. But, I get it Jake. I would have been mad at me, too. You don’t have to explain why you did it. I understand.” you said, circling your fingers around his pendant. 

“I think I was just mad because I knew you felt the same way about me as I felt about you. You just wouldn’t let yourself have it.” he said, talking lowly into the dark room. “Do you know how hard it was for me to pull myself away from you that night in Bridgeport?” he asks.

“Laying there, almost like this, a lot less touching, I suppose. Your fingers running over my chest just like this…” he pauses. “You told me you loved me as I left the room. I finally had the confirmation that you felt the same way.”

“I almost remember.” you reply.

“I asked you that night, if you would still love me in the morning. You didn’t answer. You fell asleep, and I snuck out.” he says, “When you came to my room the next morning, I hoped you would remember, but you didn’t. I had to pretend like it never happened. So I flirted with you a little, hoped maybe it would jog your memory. It didn’t, but you flirted back. Played one of the best shows of my life that night.”

“Jake…” you whined, suddenly feeling remorseful. 

“Don’t you see? When you left me the first time, you thought you were helping me. Thought that being with you was going to hold me back. But it was the exact opposite. Being without you inhibited me. You were my muse. Shit, you still are. I have an entire book filled with songs about you.” he says.

“You do?” you ask.

“Yeah, I do. But that's not the point. The point is that I’m better with you. A better person, a better brother, a better musician…I can only be my true self when I have you to share it with. So I am begging you, even though you said you’re not going anywhere, please, just… stay. Be here in the morning. Let me sleep next to you and wake up to your face. Let's wake up early and have coffee and talk about our days. Let me take care of you. That’s all I want. All I’ve ever wanted.” he finishes.

“I love you Jake.” you whisper into his chest. “I promise I’ll never leave you again.”

He tilts your chin up to meet his face, pressing his lips to yours, “I’ll never let you go again.”

It’s quiet for a few minutes before he speaks again, “Close your eyes, I know we have a long day tomorrow, love.” 

You nodded against his chest, wrapping your arm around his waist. His hand ran through the strands of your hair as your eyes grew heavy. You both drifted off to sleep with the sound of rain on the window, and the thoughts of each other filling your minds. 

—

Your eyes blinked slowly, adjusting to the light in the room. You slept soundly, not even stirring through the night. Last night. You turned your head, looking next to you. Nothing. Was it a dream? Did you drink too much?

You shot up in bed, your heart racing as you looked around the room. It couldn’t have been a dream. You could still smell his cologne on the sheets, and you could feel the ache between your legs. Did he regret it?

Pulling the duvet up and over your chest you saw the note placed on your nightstand. You grabbed it with shaky hands and unfolded it.

Looking for coffee. Took your key. Stay in bed. 

Be back soon.

x  Jake

Your heart clenched at the written words. How unlike him to be such an early riser. You stood up and carried yourself to the bathroom, brushing your teeth and freshening up before returning to bed. You grabbed his pillow, switching it with yours, breathing in the smell of him, letting your eyes flutter closed.

A few minutes later you heard the door unlocking and you sat up on your elbows. You watched him walk in, two paper cups of coffee in his hands, his eyes searching for you.

He was in different clothes than he was last night, a pair of loose fitting slacks and half buttoned shirt, frayed at the edges. He walked over to the side of the bed, a soft grin on his lips as he placed the coffee on the nightstand. 

He leaned over, placing a kiss on your forehead before returning to the other side of the bed. He kicked his shoes off and rejoined you, setting his own coffee on his nightstand. 

He opened his arms to you, and you pulled yourself closer to him, wrapping your arms around his waist. You looked up at him, his eyes glimmering in the morning sun, “Good morning. Sleep okay?” he asked.

“I did, but I woke up and thought I must have dreamt it all.” you giggle.

“I know, I’m sorry. That took entirely too fucking long. I was hoping to be back before you woke up.” he said kissing the top of your head. 

“They asked me at the little counter, if I needed cream or sugar, and I realized I don’t even know how you like your coffee, so I got both.” he says, talking into the top of your head.

“Just plain. Black. However it comes…I’m not picky.” you say, playing with the frayed edge of his shirt. “You changed.”

“I did. Stopped by my room for a second. My boots were still wet. Felt gross.” he laughed.

You stretched out next to him, “Ugh… what time is it anyways?” you groaned.

He pulled his phone from his pocket, waking the screen, “8:09” he replies.

“Shit!” you say, throwing the blankets off of you and jumping out of the bed. You took a large gulp of coffee before running over to your suitcase. 

“What?” he asks, sitting up from the headboard.

“Our flight leaves in like… 4 hours. I have to go wake everyone up! I have to pack, and the van–” you stammer, Jakes laugh interrupting your train of thought.

“Baby…relax. It’s fine. We have plenty of time. Just get dressed. We can do one thing at a time. I will go pack my stuff up while you wake them up. Although, Josh already texted me, so I know he’s up.”

“Is he? Okay, good. One less thing to do.” you say, grabbing your phone from the nightstand, and pulling up the calendar. “Alright, the van is picking us up at 10:15 to go to the airport.”

“See, we have plenty of time.” he smirks.

You turn to him and send him a look, “Have you met yourselves?” you laugh.

“Come back, let me hold you for just a second.” he pouts.

“Jake…” you whine, the temptation growing by the second.

“Please?” he whispers.

“Just for a second.” you say, climbing back into the bed. 

He wraps his arms around you, pressing his lips to yours, “Love you…” he says, eyes locked on yours.

Your chest grew warm at his admission. “I love you too, Jake.” you smile, feeling his grip on you grow tighter. 

“You know, this doesn't really change the fact that I am breaking my contract. We can’t…do this outside of that door.” you say into his chest.

A sigh leaves his lungs, “I know. We’ll stay professional in front of everyone. You have my word.” he says, pressing another kiss to your head as you giggle.

“How am I supposed to keep my hands off of you all day?” he asks.

“You did it this long…” you laugh, looking up to him and giving him a quick peck before leaving the bed once again. 

You quickly dressed for the day and finished your coffee, as Jake lounged in the bed, taking in your every move.

“Okay, I’m out, gonna go get your brothers out of bed, and you need to get out of mine and go pack.” you smile, resting your knee on the bed. 

He stands up, sliding his shoes back on, and walking over to meet you. He grabs your waist in his hands and pulls you close, pressing his lips to your ear as he whispers, “Soon you’ll be begging me to stay in bed.”

He places a soft kiss on your throat, before releasing you and heading to the door. 

You stood there speechless, just staring at him with a shocked smile. 

“Promise.” he says with a wink, before sliding out of your door.

—

As you slide into your window seat you find yourself once again feeling the crippling anxiety of flying. Will this ever feel normal? You were lucky to be flying first class, at the instance of the band. You watched a silent exchange happen between Sam and Jake, switching their seats to let Jake sit with you. Had he already told him?

Jake took his backpack off and stored it in front of him, pulling his book out as he did it. He sat down next to you, sending you a smug grin as he crossed his legs. 

“I’m pretty sure that seat was booked for Sam.” you said, speaking lowly, raising your eyebrow in question.

“Well, I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want me sitting next to his girlfriend.” he winked.

It hadn’t occurred to you to switch the seat assignments when you bought her ticket last week. To say there was a lot on your mind would have been an understatement.

“Have you seen the attendant, I need a drink, or a valium or something...” you said anxiously, bouncing your knees.

He licked his bottom lip, and you watched as the wheels spun in his head as he nodded slowly. “You know, last time…the flight from Laguardia to here…I thought about you the whole time. Kept peeking over the seat to see if you were okay. I knew you were with Josh, so you were fine, but… just wanted to hold your hand. Tell you it was fine, and it was almost over.” he said, chewing his bottom lip.

“I’ve always been kind of afraid of heights. Flying is… pretty high up…” you replied.

His brow furrowed, as he tilted his head, “But you jumped with me…at the lake?”

Your eyes dart around his face, before landing on his dark brown eyes, “Well, you were with me. You…held my hand. I knew I would be okay if you were there.” you confess.

A deep breath left his nose as his lips curled into a tight smile, “I’m resisting kissing you right now. I really am.” 

You toss him a playful smile as the flight attendant takes your drink order. A few minutes later she is returning with the bubbly alcohol, and you toss it back quickly, hoping it would calm your nerves.

SUMMER POV

Running to the gate your backpack bounced on your back as you approached the counter, scanning your ticket. You just had to pee before boarding. 

You rushed down the jetbridge, stepping onto the plane, and looking at your ticket. 4E.

Ugh, of course it’s an aisle seat. You quickly stow your camera bag and backpack in the overhead bin, and sit down, just as the safety briefing starts and the door shuts.

You look over at the person next to you and realize it’s not anyone you know. You look around you and see Josh and Daniel a row in front of you, Jake and Y/N across the aisle from you, and Sam and Elle behind them. Why didn’t you ever get to sit by Jake. Or Daniel. Or Josh even?

You pull your phone from your pocket, switching it to airplane mode as you felt the plane begin to taxi. You couldn’t help but let your eyes wander to the seats next to you, watching as Jake carried on quiet conversation with Y/N. You watched his hands and noticed his body language; you knew what it looked like when a man was interested, and after what you witnessed at the bar last night, you were starting to believe your intuition.

The plane began to move faster, speeding down the runway as it lifted into the air. You always hated this part. Turning your head to the side you watched as Jake gripped Y/N’s hand in his, holding it tightly over her leg. The fuck? You blinked rapidly to make sure you were seeing things clearly, and as you refocused you saw his thumb rubbing over her knuckles in a more than friendly way.

Shit, maybe you were right.

Your forehead wrinkled as you turned your attention to the phone in your lap, mindlessly scrolling through apps that wouldn't work with no service as you let your mind wander. I thought he didn’t have time for things like that? I thought he wanted to keep things professional? At least those were her words. Was this her reason all along? How long has this been going on? 

You thought back to last night, watching as Jake threw a twenty on the table, rushing out the door. Curiosity got the best of you, following him the best you could, but stopping under the awning of the building, the rain pouring down around you. You saw him, standing there, talking to her. Both of them completely soaked as the rain fell relentlessly. You remember snapping a photo, feeling like it was kind of an artsy shot, but not even realizing what you were capturing. 

She played you to get what she wanted, and so did Jake, but if this was how they wanted to play, then game on. 

You watched them as inconspicuously as possible throughout the flight, catching every subtle glance, every tiny touch. They really were doing a bad job at trying to hide it. When the plane landed, he touched her again, grabbing her thigh and rubbing circles with his fingers. 

You grabbed your things and walked with Josh and Daniel to baggage claim, standing around the carousel waiting for your bags. Jake, Y/N, Sam and Elle, eventually joined you, taking a place behind you to wait for their things. 

Daniel found himself in conversation with Jake, and you took your opportunity while you had it, turning to face Y/N, “You know, next time you can put me next to Jake. I’m a nervous flier too, and I’d love to hold his hand like that.”

“He was just being nice, Summer.” she said. Yeah right.

“Yeah, just being nice.” you said sarcastically, turning back around to retrieve your bag. 

She stepped forward grabbing her bag and rolled it towards the sliding doors leading outside.

Piling into the van with all of your luggage and cases was difficult but the ride from the airport was short. When you arrived at the office you unloaded your things into your car, grabbing your camera as you perched yourself in the front seat. As you began flipping through the photos from last night you saw it, one tear stained tour coordinator sobbing on the side stage. Why she was crying as she watched, you weren’t sure, but you were fairly confident it had to do with the long haired guitarist that turned you away.

—

HER POV

You watched the cars pull out of the office parking lot. First Josh, then Daniel, then Sam and Elle. You watched as Summer sat in her car as you made your way inside to deposit paperwork and receipts. Jake followed you inside, leaning against the door frame of the accountants office.

“Do you ever stop working?” he asks.

“Rarely. Takes a lot to keep you boys in check.” you smile, flipping the light switch on your way out of the room. 

You stop in front of Jake, letting his hands glide around your waist. You push his hands down, glancing out the large office windows. “Jake…”

“What baby, she can’t see in here. What is she even still doing here?” he asks.

“Did you hear what she said at baggage claim?” you ask.

“No? What?” he asks.

“She told me to put her next to you on the next flight so she could hold your hand.” you said seriously.

“I was so anxious I didn’t even think about it. I think she knows something is up. Why else would she be sitting in the parking lot?” you ask.

“I didn’t consider that she might see. I’m sorry.” he says, his face dropping in guilt.

You grab his fingers with yours, pulling him closer, “We just have to be careful. People finding out would just be…a mess.” you say.

“I know. I know. Damn, it hasn’t been one day and I already fucked up.” he scolds himself. 

“I’m glad you did it you know…” you say, hoping to lift his spirits.

His eyes flick up to yours, “Yeah?”

“Yeah. Instantly made me feel better. Always has.” you smile softly.

He pauses as he stares into your eyes, “Come stay with me.” he breathes.

“Tonight?” you ask. He nods his head in response, sending you your favorite shy smile.

“I need to go home. Get some clean clothes, but…” you pause. “...I guess I don’t see why not.”

“Let me make you dinner?” he asks, bringing your fingers to his lips.

You nod eagerly, hearing nothing but raving reviews about his cooking from Sam the last few months. 

“Then I can kiss you as much as I want?” he asks innocently.

“Until your lips fall off.” you smile, pulling away from him and walking to the door.

As you both step outside, he locks the door behind you, and you notice Summer’s car is gone from the lot. Thank god.

Jake walks you to your car, loading your suitcase into your trunk, and shutting it as you slide into the driver’s seat. 

“See you in a little while?” he asks, leaning on your open door frame.

“I’ll call you when I’m on my way.” you wink as he shuts the door.

—

Stepping into your apartment felt like entering the twilight zone. The last time you were here you were still enjoying your fling with Sam and Jake was still the scar on your heart. My how things have changed.

You rolled your suitcase into your bedroom, and plugged your phone into the charger as you kicked off your shoes. You flopped yourself down on your bed, and took a deep breath taking in the craziness of the last twenty-four hours. 

Did you really have Jake back? You almost couldn’t believe it. It seemed too good to be true. Almost as if he could hear you thinking about him, your phone buzzed with a text.

Jake

6:23pm: Red or White?

Jake

6:24pm: I’m at Kroger if that helps

You smile to yourself as you reply.

You

6:24pm: Red?

Jake

6:25pm: My woman

You

6:26pm: Leaving soon…

You pull yourself up from the bed and make your way into your closet, grabbing a small bag and returning to your bed. You pull your toiletries bag from your suitcase and place it in the bag. You grab a few different options for clothes and throw them in, along with a few silky little things you know he will love. 

You change into an old band t-shirt and a pair of leggings, pulling your hair into a ponytail. You rake yourself over in the mirror as your mind stops you. Is this too casual? This was still new but it was Jake… he didn’t care, right? 

You grabbed your phone from the charger and threw the charger in the bag, making your way to the living room. After a quick water of all of your plants, you grabbed your bag and made your way out the door, bidding your apartment farewell once again.

You had been to Jake’s house a few times over the last few months, the route burned into your brain via the passenger seat of Sam’s car. You knew how to get there, almost like you were drawn to it. He only lived a few minutes away, so as you pulled out of the parking lot you hit his contact and let the line ring.

“Helloooo….” he answers, his voice low and drawn out.

“Hi, I am on my way…” you say.

“Where is your apartment? I’ve never been there… Wait, is it an apartment? Where do you live?” he asks in succession.

You laugh as you answer, “Yes it’s an apartment, in Midtown. I’m only about 10 minutes away.”

“Ooh, college girl lives in college central...” he says playfully.

“I haven’t been called that in years…” you laugh.

“Mmmm…Well, be careful, call me if you get lost. See you in a few?” he asks.

“In a few.” you say ending the call, the butterflies still stirring in your stomach. You never thought you’d be talking to him on the phone like this again, let alone going to stay at his house.

—

Pulling into the driveway you were a pile of nerves. Why were you so nervous? It’s just Jake? You pulled the key from the ignition and grabbed your bag from the front seat, locking your car as you made your way to the door. You took a deep breath as you knocked on the old wooden door, letting it free as he came into view.

Through the glass in the window you watched him walk towards you, a smile on his face as he spun the lock. The door opened before you, and he stepped back, letting you walk inside. 

“I know you’ve been here before but…it feels different this time?” he says nervously rubbing his chin.

You place your bag on the floor, as you approach him, “Give me an official tour?” you ask.

He laces his hand with yours and pulls you into the house further, stopping in the middle of the hallway.

“My bedroom on the left…” he spins you the other way, “My study on the right…”

He leads you up the stairs, and deposits you both on the landing pointing at each room, “Guest room, guest room, bathroom, music room…” 

He pulls you back down the stairs, and past the bedroom, into the open kitchen. 

“Kitchen, obviously.” he smiles. 

You laugh as you lean against his counter, “Thank you for the lovely but brief tour.”

“You’ll have plenty of time to see it all, don’t worry.” he says, grabbing a bottle of wine.

“Oh will I?” you ask.

He turns to look at you, concern written across his face, “I…hope so.”

You smirk at him and look at the bottle in his hands as he twists the corkscrew.

“Can you hand me those glasses behind you, love?” he asks, a softness lacing his voice.

You spin around to see two shining glasses, but they aren’t what catches your eye. In a clear vase sits a small bouquet of white daisies. You feel your heart twist as you look at them. 

“Daisies…” you say, passing him the glasses.

A blush creeps across his cheeks as his eyes meet yours, “Yeah…um…they’re for you. I saw them at the store. I–I always think of you when I see them. Reminds me of that day at the lake, and when we used to play ‘she loves me, she loves me not’. But this time I could finally buy them.”

You step over to him, and wrap your arms around his neck, feeling him set down the bottle and the glass, before wrapping his own around you.

“She does, love you.” you say.

“Mmmm…I will never get tired of hearing it.” he hums.

“You’re sweet. When did you get so sweet, huh?” you ask, your lips tickling his.

He pulls you closer, pressing his lips to yours attaching himself to you. His hand slides up from your waist landing on the back of your neck. His tongue swipes across yours lightly, the warmth of his tongue pressing into your mouth. You let your tongue dance with his for a few minutes as your hands roam his chest and neck. He feels just the same as you remember, something you were never able to forget. 

He pulls away from your lips, peppering soft kisses across your jaw until he finally pulls away, holding your face with his hand. “God, I wanted to do that all day.”

He clears his throat as he continues pouring two glasses of wine, passing the first to you, before tapping his glass to yours in a silent ‘cheers’.

He grabs your hand and brings you to his study, sitting you on his soft leather couch, and placing his wine glass on the coffee table. He walks over to the fireplace, flipping a switch and you watch as it roars to life, illuminating the room in a beautiful amber glow. A satisfied smile crosses his lips as he grabs his glass and joins you on the couch. 

“Your home is beautiful Jake…” you say. “I remember you saying all those years ago, that you wanted a big old house, filled with old things…I think you did it.” you smile, tipping your wine glass to your lips.

He swallows his sip of wine as he stares into the fireplace, “I never thought it would…guess I have you to thank, in a way, I suppose.”

You furrow your brow as you turn to him, “Hmm?”

“Well…You kind of kept me going, even when you were gone. Wouldn’t be here without you I don’t think.” he says.

“Jake, that's not true, you guys were going to make it regardless.” you reply.

“Maybe so. But…that’s not how I see it. The songs that shaped us wouldn’t be what they are if you hadn’t been an influence. On all of us really. Our greatest love songs wouldn’t exist without you.” he adds. “I just wanted you to be proud of me. I didn’t go to college, but you know that… I just wanted to prove that I could be successful without it. Even after you left, I thought maybe you’d see us or hear us... Just wanted you to be proud.”

You quickly place your glass on the table, crawling over him to straddle his lap. You grab his glass and set it on the table with yours before returning your hands to rest on his chest. 

“Jake, I’ve always been proud of you. Always.” you say pushing his hair behind his shoulders. 

“I have never in my life met someone more passionate, talented and creative than you are. When I saw you on the stage for the first time in Nashville…I was a mess. I couldn’t even explain what was going on inside of me. I was bursting with pride for all of you, but…watching you…finally seeing you in your element…I'd never been more proud of you.”

He rests his hands on your hips, letting his thumbs slide between the crease of your legs and hips, as his face grows pink. “Thank you…Couldn’t have done this without you.”

You respond by pressing your lips to his, weaving your fingers through his hair. He opens his mouth to let you in, letting your tongues tangle together as you let your actions match your emotions. He pulls you down harder on top of him, feeling him grow hard beneath you. He glides your hips forwards and backwards over him, as your kisses become more furious. He moves one of his hands to rest on the back of your head, grabbing a handful of your ponytail, and pulling your head back to give himself access to your neck. His lips move across your throat, nipping and kissing small sections until they are pink with evidence.

“Jake…” you whimper.

He growls against your throat as you feel his hips buck upward into you. Your breath hitches in your throat at the contact. In a swift movement he is scooping his arms under your legs and carrying you a few steps down to the floor, laying you in front of his fireplace on the dark burgundy oriental rug.

Laying you on your back he kneels between your legs, letting his body weight rest on his hands around your head.

“You look pretty right here. Like this. With the fire. I can see it flickering in your eyes.” he says, his lips close to yours. His hand dangles around your face, tickling your cheeks as he speaks.

“I thought your brother was the poet…” you tease.

“Ah, lest you forget we are the same.” he smirks.

You bring your hand up to wrap around his neck, resting your fingers at the base of his hair, “No. You’re not. You’re not the same. There’s no one in the world like you, Jake.” 

His lips crashed to yours, as he let himself dip lower towards you. You aren't sure how much time passed as you laid tangled together in front of that fireplace, but as the flames grew hotter, so did the room. Clothes were shed, and a sheen of sweat covered his body, only adding to your desire for him. 

As you pulled away from him, you flipped him to his back, watching his chest move as he caught his breath. Even in the dim firelight you could see his lips, wet and swollen, begging you to come back.

“What are you doing, baby?” he whined.

You grabbed your glasses of wine from the table, and handed his to him. You both drank them down, feeling the alcohol immediately begin to warm your bodies even further. As the glasses emptied you brought yourself to your feet, and scurried back to the kitchen, grabbing the bottle and bringing it back with you. 

You refilled your glasses, and set the bottle on the table as you sipped from your glass again. 

“Are you coming back or are you just going to sit there and look at me over your wine glass?” he jokes.

“I haven’t been able to look at you like this in so long…Just let me...” you replied.

He placed his glass on the floor and put his hands underneath his head. “I know I don’t look the same as I used to I–” you cut him off with your lips.

“I don’t look the same as I used to either, Jake.” you say.

“No, you’re right, you are insanely more gorgeous.” he smiles.

You smile, leaning over him, placing soft kisses down his chest, trailing down his stomach, stopping at the button of his pants. 

Your eyes flick up to his as you silently give him your intentions. “Baby…” he growls.

“Hmmm….” you hum, as your fingers slip the button through the loop.

“What about dinner love, aren’t you hungry?” he asks, sitting up onto his elbows, watching as you slide his zipper down.

“Yes Jake, I’m very hungry…” you smile.

“Y/N…” he groans.

You slide your fingers into the waistband of his boxers, pulling them down gently with his pants. He lifts his hips to let you slide them completely off, kicking them to the edge of the rug as you move further down his legs. 

You place a wet, open mouthed kiss to his base, causing his hips to jerk upward, the dark dusting of hair soft against your face.

Kissing up his length you watch as he tosses his head back, exposing every ripple in his chest and throat as he breathes. 

You wrap your lips around his tip, letting your tongue swirl around him, and your eyes practically roll back in your head at the taste of him. Just like you remembered.

You take him further into your mouth, letting his tip nudge the back of your throat as you start a rhythm of taking him down and pulling back up. His eyes are locked on yours as you work him, wrapping your hand around his base and letting your lips meet your hand. 

“Fuck…” he groans, watching you take him completely and fully, trying his best not to fuck himself into your throat. But that’s exactly what you wanted. 

You nodded your head at him as your free hand gripped his thigh. His eyebrows raised, as he questioned what you were trying to tell him. You pulled away from him, and swallowed the spit pooling in your mouth. “Do it. I want it.” you said.

You returned your mouth to him as you felt him tense under your lips, “You tell me if it’s too much.” he said, punctuating his sentence with a thrust into your mouth.

“Shit…” he groaned, his hand coming up to hold your ponytail.

He snapped his hips upward again, pressing firmly to the back of your throat. 

“Oh fuck…” he said, throwing his head back. A move you’ve seen time and time again. At least now you knew his headspace when he did it. 

You relaxed your throat, ready to take him further, knowing it would push him over the ledge. With his next thrust you swallowed around him, causing his whole body to tense up beneath you. 

“Fuck. Yeah, I’m not gonna last…God no one’s mouth is as perfect as yours. Fuck you’re fucking perfect.” he said, letting you repeat the action again.

You twisted your hand around his base, rising and descending one more time as you felt his dick twitch in your grip. You cupped his balls in your free hand as you pressed him to the back of your throat, letting him feel your throat tense around him, and as your eyes flicked up to his, you saw him letting go of control.

You felt him shoot down the back of your throat, filling your senses with him. All of him. He held your head in place as you felt him pulsing into your throat. The moan that left his lips had a rush of wetness pooling at your core in a way only he could do. A string of expletives and your name fell from his lips, as his hand gripped into your hair, not wanting to lose even a second of this feeling.

As you swallowed him down, you released him, and left a soft wet kiss on his stomach, just below his belly button. “I love you Jacob, and I love your body. I will love you any way you come, as long as it’s you.”

“I fucking love you too. No one has ever– They never–You– You’re–” he begins to ramble, before stopping and shaking his head.

“No one compares to you.” he finally says. 

You crawl up towards him, letting yourself rest in the crook of his neck. He grabs the back of your knee, pulling your leg to rest over his stomach as you brush the sweaty strands of hair away from his face.

It's quiet for a moment, just the sound of the fireplace and the passing traffic outside. 

“I’m so sorry I wasted all this time feeling sorry for myself when I could have been living the best years of my life, right here with you. I’ll never get them back.” you whisper.

“You know, the other night, Josh told me something. Pulled something from me that I didn’t even really know was there. He said the old cliche line, ‘you don’t know what you have until it's gone’. You know what I said? I told him I knew all along what I had. I never took a second for granted. I knew exactly what I had. I think that’s why it hurt so bad when you left. Because I did know. I knew every single thing I was losing. But god, now I have you…I swear on my life I will do anything and everything that I can to keep you. I’ll never let you go. You’re the one I want. You’re the one I need.”

“Did you just recite song lyrics to me?” you laugh.

He turns to face you, a special glint in his eye as he sits up, bringing you with him. He grabs his boxers, pulling them back on, and standing up. He pulls the curtains closed, before grabbing the wine bottle taking a long drag from its opening.

He walks over to the guitar sitting on the stand in the corner, grabbing it and placing himself in the chair near the fireplace.

“What are you doing?” you ask, pulling your knees to your chest. 

“What I promised myself I would do a long time ago.” he said, placing a pick in his mouth, smiling around it as he began to strum on the old twelve string.

The opening notes are warm and familiar, filling your soul with that nostalgic feeling you longed for since the night you saw him in that bar. He grabbed the pick from his lips and smiled as he played the opening notes. 

“You know, I don’t even know what to play for you first. I’m a little nervous, I’m not gonna lie. Last night you heard this on electric, but that’s not how it’s intended. It’s supposed to sound like this.” he said, playing the familiar tune that made your heart ache. Flower Power.

“Jake…I’ll cry. Do you want me to cry?” you ask, playfully.

“No, no tears…” he says, beginning to play the notes to a different song that you immediately recognize as ‘You’re the One’. You sway on the floor as you watch him play so intently, his eyes never leaving yours. 

The song switches again, something you recognize, but can’t name. It’s beautiful and soft, until he switches to something a little darker, and a little deeper. You sit there watching him play, a private show just for you, until he finishes off his medley with a proud grin.

“I knew the first ones, but I couldn’t name the others.” you say, watching him lean the guitar against the chair.

“Well, that’s because some of them don’t have names. No one else in the world has ever heard them. Just me, and now you. But they are yours. All of those were yours.” he admits, shyly. 

Your eyes well with tears at his confession, “Do they have words?” you ask.

“Some of them. Not all of them. A lot of them were just the best way I could explain my feelings at different points. A lot of those pivotal songs have ended up on our albums…I think one of these might too.” he says.

“Then, it won't be ours?” you ask.

“It will always be ours. But I want to tell the world how much I love you. Waited all my life to love you like this again.”

You blink back tears, knowing if you ask him to elaborate you’ll be a mess.

“What about the last one? It sounded…kind of sad.” you said.

“Yeah…I wrote that when you went away. After Nashville. Didn’t know if you were coming back.” he says.

“I couldn’t really leave you Jake.” you admit. “I just needed to think. All I thought about was you.”

He nods his head, “I know what you mean.”

You tossed back the rest of your wine, the alcohol definitely contributing to the sharing of feelings taking place.  

“I’m sorry about everything Jake. I’m sorry it took me so long to figure it out.” you say.

“I know baby, I know you were just trying to do the right thing.” he says, taking the last sip of his own wine. 

Your eyes scan over the old, worn in guitar, taking in each and every carving on the back, more than you even remember. 

“Do you write all your songs on that guitar?” you ask.

“Not all of them, but the ones that matter the most, seem to come from this one.” he smiles, spinning it around as he looks at it.

“Love this one. Means more to me than most everything I own.” he says.

“You know, when I got back from the Fourth…it was gone. I panicked. I looked everywhere for it.” he said.

“Where was it?” you asked.

“Well, Sophia had decided that it needed to be “fixed up” and took it to have it sanded down and refinished.” he said, a bit of venom lacing his words.

You gasped as you threw your hand over your mouth. No.

“Exactly. That was my reaction too. She didn’t understand why it was special. Not that she ever could. Kept calling it an old beat up guitar or something like that. I was pissed. Left immediately to go pick it up, and thankfully they hadn’t done anything yet but remove the strings.”

“Oh my god.” you said, full of shock.

“I know. I got lucky. I knew right then that her and I were done. She would never respect something like this. She didn’t respect me either apparently. Anyways, yeah. I love this one. Makes me think of you everytime I hold it. Little pieces of you all around.” he said, placing it back in the stand. 

“You’re kind of romantic, you know?” you say playfully.

“Ahh…just for you.” he winks.

Your stomach growling, draws your attention to the fact that neither of you had eaten. “Gosh what time is it? I'm starving.” you ask, looking around the room.

Jake points to a small clock on the bookshelf behind you, “10:57”. He answers.

“Oh my gosh, Jake… have we really been…that caught up?” you laugh.

A smile spreads across his face, “I can go get started on dinner…” he says, grabbing the empty bottle of wine as he rises to his feet. 

“Jake, no…It’s so late. You don’t have to cook a whole meal, we can do it tomorrow or–” you stop yourself realizing what you’d implied.

A knowing grin stretches across his lips, “Tomorrow, huh?”

“No, I didn’t mean to invite myself over, I just meant if you wanted to cook it tomorrow instead you coul–” his laugh cuts you off. 

“Dinner, tomorrow. For real this time, okay?” he says, picking up on your nervous energy and quickly calming it.

You nod bashfully, as he makes his way out of the room, but he stops in the doorway, turning to look at you.

“I think I have something you’ll like instead. Stay here. I’ll be right back.” he says, with a smirk as he walks to the kitchen.

You stood up, walking over to the bookshelf as you heard his feet pad to the kitchen. You scanned the spines on the shelf, stories of history, pirates, and war filling the spaces. Even rock stars need an escape sometimes. You look at the pictures framed in silvers and golds that adorn the shelves, faces you knew, some you didn’t, but one in particular catching your eye near the bottom. You, Sam, and Jake, standing in front of the Kiszka house, just shortly before your Senior year of highschool.

You remember that morning pulling up into their driveway, Sam running out the door with his backpack and his breakfast, a chaotic mess. Karen bursting out the door after him insisting on taking a picture of the two of you. You begrudgingly turned your car off and walked up to the porch with Sam. Just as she was about to snap the photo Jake walked out in nothing but his sweats, and you could hardly take your eyes off of him. 

Karen forced him into the photos with you, instructing you all to smile as she shot the photo. You never saw the final product, and seeing it now on his bookshelf you wonder why it’s here, and why it has such a prominent place on the shelf. 

“I woke up early that morning. Dragged myself out of bed just to see you in the driveway.” Jake whispers over your shoulder, causing you to jump. 

“Sorry, didn’t mean to look through your stuff.” you said. “You scared me.” 

“Got the call later that day that they signed us for the first album…Wouldn’t have ever happened without the two of you.” he says.

You turned to face him, watching as he set two plates on the coffee table, chuckling under his breath at the shock written on your face. You stepped around him towards the table, feeling light headed from the wine as you sat down on the floor. He sat next to you, pushing a plate towards you. 

Looking at it you felt your chest grow warm, “Are these–”

“Yeah. Always stuck with me that they're your favorite.” he smiled shyly.

Two perfectly made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches sat on the black plate. He remembered.

“After I saw the flowers at the store, I was like, “What else could I get for her?” and I remembered they were your favorite midnight snack, or they used to be. Next thing I knew I found myself in front of the peanut butter debating on crunchy or smooth. I knew it wouldn’t matter but, I tried to remember your favorite…wait do you even like these still? If not I can probably make something els–” you cut him off pressing your lips to his cheek. 

“They’re my favorite. You’re my favorite. Better than any fancy dinner you could ever make for me.” you say picking up the first one, taking a bite.

“Grape jelly?” you giggle.

“Is there really any other option?” he laughs, biting into his own.

“No, and anyone who says there is, is just wrong.” you giggle.

As the two of you sat there, talking and drunk giggling over your makeshift dinner you realized that it wouldn’t matter if the band never took off. If they never made it out of Frankenmuth. It was never about that. Sure you were proud of him. But you didn't love Jake because of who he was now. Not the things he could give you, or do for you in his newfound fame. You loved him because he saw you the same as you saw him. You loved him for who he was before all of this. When he was just Sam’s mysterious older brother who made you blush in the kitchen. You loved him because he loved you. Deep, vast and unwavering. 

You knew right then that every single night could end with PB&J’s at the coffee table, and you’d love every second of it, as long as it was him there next to you.

—

After one more glass of wine and a few more laughs, the both of you decided on a quick shower, before you got into bed. Jake's bedroom was warm and inviting, and exactly what you imagined for him. Dark colors, and rich gold tones instantly calming your mood upon entry. 

Washing off the travel day with Jake next to you was nothing short of blissful. The steam from the shower relaxed your tense muscles as you worked the shampoo and conditioner through your hair. His peppermint scented products added to the aromatherapy aspect, relaxing you further, until you were practically on autopilot to the bedroom. It had been a long couple of days and you were ready to melt into the bed for a while, completely undisturbed and wrapped in Jake. 

Pulling your brush through your hair, you decided on sleeping in the nude tonight, wanting nothing more than to feel his body on yours. You slipped into the bed, as Jake followed suit. He flipped the knob on his lamp, and pulled you into his arms, his bed smelling wholly and completely of him. Immersed in the scent and feel of him around you, you knew it would only be seconds until you were drifting off. 

“I never thought I’d get this…” he whispered into your hair.

“What? Wet hair in your face?” you joked.

“No, my girl, in my bed. Everything seems… like it’s in its place.” he said, trying to make sense of his emotions.

“I’m happy too Jake. More than I can say.” you reply.

His arm tightened around your waist, as his body conformed around yours, feeling every inch of him pressed tightly to you.

“Tell me you’re mine, just one more time…” he breathed.

“I’m yours, I always have been, and I will be until we take our last breath. And maybe even after that too. Wherever we end up, I know I’ll be there with you.”

JAKE POV

Don’t laugh…don’t laugh...

You had awoken to the feeling of the lightest touch of a fingertip grazing your lips, and the feeling of a warm and steady exhale on your face. You pretended to stay asleep, savoring this moment with everything you had. 

She’s in your bed. She’s really here. This hasn’t all been a dream…

Her single fingertip was tickling your lips and nose, drifting from your cheeks, across your chin and back up the other side. You tried to keep your eyes from flitting, giving her any indication that you were awake. But god, it tickled. You tried to think about anything else to distract yourself from it, mostly imagining how her face must look right now. Taking you in, memorizing your new, more aged features. Feeling such simple intimacy with only the slightest touch. 

Her finger grazed your lip again, and you opened your mouth slightly to catch it, pinching it between your lips. You opened your eyes just enough to see her face, her head propped up on one elbow as she stared at you. 

“I knew you were awake. I was seeing how long it took for you to break.” She smiled softly, sleep lacing her voice. 

You released her finger. “No you didn’t, you were just enjoying staring at my beautiful face, weren’t you?” You teased through your own sleepy haze. 

Her giggle filled the air in your room, and the dreams you were having about her finally cleared away enough for you to come out of unconsciousness. You snaked your arm around her, bringing her unclothed body to lay on top of yours. 

“Mmm, never got dressed, huh?” You said, bringing your mouth to kiss her chest and the curve of her breasts, leaving a trail of wet spots across her skin as she leaned forward into you. You brought her nipple into your mouth, giving it the tiniest nibble before spiraling your tongue around it. 

She brought her knees up to your sides, sitting her warmth on top of your unapologetic morning wood. She raised her eyebrows as she noticed your situation. 

“Nope, if I would’ve had clothes on I wouldn’t have been able to do this first thing.” She sat down on you, swaying and shaking her hips against your length, making you all but quiver underneath her. 

Just the contact of her skin on yours was intoxicating enough to bring you plummeting into craving her, again and again and again. You could feel the warmth of her parted lips on your dick as she massaged her swollen bud against you, up and down and in little circles, sending herself into bliss. 

“God, I fucking love you, Y/N.” The words escaped your lips as you reached your hand to hold her neck from behind, pulling her into a deep kiss as she teased you. 

She inhaled sharply at your confession mixed with your tongue exploring her mouth, swirling and moving in all the right ways to bring you closer and closer to giving up, and grabbing her hips and lining yourself up. 

She began to move her hips in a figure-eight motion, her pooling wetness making everything extra slick. Your hands did end up finding her hips, grasping at them and helping her ride. 

Watching her move against you was like watching a secret film made just for you, for your eyes only. You watched as her torso muscles contracted as she pulled her slick across you, your fingertips digging into her sides as you held on. You lifted her off of you just slightly, trying your best to guide yourself inside her. Your head was spinning in its still sleepy state, and you were unable to formulate any coherent thoughts. 

She stiffened, tightening her muscles just enough to sturdy her body from moving any further down on you. 

“Ah-ah.” She shook her head, telling you to cease your controlling moves. Fuck. She continued rolling her hips in all directions, causing you to begin to come undone without any penetration whatsoever. Finally, she let your head slip in just slightly, maybe an inch, before pulling herself right back off again and continuing her tortuous movements. 

“Godddd what the hell are you trying to do to me?” You gritted your teeth together, feeling absolutely out of control, and loving it. 

Then she did it again, letting you in just the tiniest bit. She started to slowly bounce, never letting you in more than a few inches. She squeezed around your tip, causing you to tilt your head back in pure euphoric heaven. A moan escaped your lips; she hardly has done anything at all, and you’re already falling apart and at her mercy. 

Suddenly she bottomed out, taking all of you inside her in one single motion. She sat for a second, adjusting herself. Instead of pulling herself up on you, she simply began to rock her hips, circling them slowly with the tiniest motions. You weren’t sure how, but she was already bringing you to the edge, and she hadn’t even begun really anything at all. She sat almost still, squeezing herself around you, barely moving her hips…letting you truly feel her. She sat back on you, grabbing onto your legs behind her. The visual was insane. Your hands found her breasts again, and you wrapped each hand around their curves, massaging them lightly. 

You sat up, meeting her face to face, chest to chest. You wrapped your arms around her and pulled her impossibly close. She never stopped her grinding, her tiny calculated movements causing you to hit her differently now in this new position. Her legs were wrapped tightly around you, and you found your vision beginning to blur at the sight of her coming closer to her own release. 

“Keep going baby…don’t fight it...” you whispered. 

“Jake…you feel...” she spoke quietly, closing her eyes and letting her head fall back as she tightened around you, letting her release wash over her. That was all it took, you were collapsing below her, still holding her to you while you released slow and deep into her. Her whimpers carried out through the room, taking your mind right along with them. After a few seconds, you lifted her head back up to meet yours, foreheads touching as you both breathed yourselves down from your highs. 

She was here. She was real. And there was no other way you wanted to wake up for the rest of your life. 

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Part 13

Taglist:

@gretavansara@jordie-gvf-admin@starshine-wagner @eyelinerjake@gretavanfvckface@gretavanmoon@misshunnybeebee@fretaganvleet@gvfpal@joshkiszkas@ascendingtostardust@raviolilegs@sammysprincess@gvfpal@objectsinspvce@lallisonl@gvfpal@raviolilegs@jaketlover@ascendingtostardust @indigostreakmorgan@jakemarrymeibeg@fakeplastiqtree@radmads-gvf @fwzco @katelynn-gvf @writingcold @jakesgrapejuice @jakekiszkasbabymama @emsfallingsky @gretavanbear @ejoygvf @beebloopbleep @mackalah @weneedsomehealing123 @reesetrippingthelight @lightmylove-gvf @wetkleenex-gvf@fulltimecynical @little-bit-of-monica@ageofbajabule @ageofsinners@indigostreakslut @profitofthedune @katelynn-gvf

[stevesbipanic]

Maroon

Happy birthday @henderdads in honour of you, the number one supporter of my Midnights collection, my go-to swiftie in my phone and because our Taylor has left my country singing this song on her last show here, enjoy.

When the morning came we were cleaning incense off your vinyl shelf

'Cause we lost track of time again

Laughing with my feet in your lap

Like you were my closest friend

"How'd we end up on the floor anyway?" You say

"Your roommate's cheap-ass screw-top rosé, that's how"

I see you every day now

“Steveeeee, your little candle died!” Eddie giggled from the other room. They’d spent the day unpacking Steve’s new apartment downtown. Well, Steve had unpacked, and Robin and Eddie had spent most of the day snooping through boxes. Robin had gone home, her parents still wary of her staying out after dark, Starcourt only a few months ago.

“Little candle? Oh, the incense,” Steve said coming into the room to see Eddie on the floor. He wiped off the little pile of ash and plopped down next to Eddie, stretching his legs over him. “Share that you gremlin, Robin bought that for my housewarming!” Steve reached over Eddie to grab the bottle of wine Robin’s mum sent with her.

“It’s too bad Robbie can’t live here with you, I don’t want you being all lonely,” Eddie pouted looking over at him.

Steve took a big gulp of the tangy wine, “You could always move in?”

“You wouldn’t get sick of me?”

“Nah, sounds nice seeing you every day.”

“Ok, Stevie, I’ll tell Wayne tomorrow, now gimme that bottle, roomies gotta share!”

And I chose you

The one I was dancin' with

In New York, no shoes

Looked up at the sky and it was

Living with Eddie was easy, it was nice having someone to come home to. The kids liked him too, winning them over with Hellfire and nerdy movie nights. Sitting on a bathroom floor with Robin figuring out why he got butterflies every time Eddie smiled wasn’t as easy but it felt healing.

“We should go out!” Eddie had said when Steve came out to him, blushing hard before Eddie continued. “Robbie looks too young to join me when I go to this gay bar in Indy but I bet they’ll look the other way for you, sweetheart.”

That’s how Steve found himself twirling around a brightly lit dancefloor that Friday, boys with boys and girls with girls around him and he felt light and free. Eddie never left his side, his scary dog energy scaring off any guys that might’ve asked Steve to dance but Steve didn’t mind, maybe it meant Eddie would keep dancing with him.

They stumbled down the road together, planning to sleep the night off in the van and drive home in the morning. Steve giggled looking up, the morning sun had begun peaking over the horizon, it’s colours dancing through him matching the warmth he felt in his heart.

The burgundy on my T-shirt when you splashed your wine into me

And how the blood rushed into my cheeks, so scarlet, it was

The mark you saw on my collarbone, the rust that grew between telephones

The lips I used to call home, so scarlet, it was maroon

After that night the boys felt closer than ever. It was no surprise when they ended up on the living room floor again, a bottle of cheap red wine between them. Laughter filled their home in a way it never did in Steve’s house growing up. Eddie threw his hands around as he spoke, inevitably spilling the wine on them, narrowly missing the carpet.

“Oh shit, sorry Steve!” Eddie said following Steve to the bathroom. For a brief moment, Steve thought of another stain in another bathroom, but as he turned towards Eddie all thoughts of that night left him. Eddie gently tried to get out the stain from the ruined shirt. Steve couldn’t help it, blame it on the wine, blame it on the location, but he reached out grabbing Eddie’s shirt and tugging him forward.

Their lips meeting, Steve tasted the wine and cigarettes they shared. He pulled back slowly, hoping he hadn’t ruined everything. He didn’t have to worry long as Eddie quickly pulled him back, meeting his lips again.

When the silence came, we were shaking blind and hazy

How the hell did we lose sight of us again?

Sobbin' with your head in your hands

Ain't that the way shit always ends?

It’s not always easy living with the person you care about most. November brought more nightmares, dreams he couldn’t explain to Eddie, wanting to keep him far away from the hell beneath them. He had to blame his screams for Robin on a fire and not the longest night of his life.

“Why won’t you talk to me, Stevie!”

“Because I can’t!”

“Why not!”

“I’m trying to protect you!”

Steve felt the slam of the door cut through him. For the first time in a long time, they sleep in separate beds.

You were standin' hollow-eyed in the hallway

Carnations you had thought were roses, that's us

I feel you no matter what

Steve came home a few days later to Eddie waiting at their door. Pink carnations held tightly in his hand, his teary eyes and flushed cheeks made Steve’s heart ache. Eddie looked up as he heard Steve approach, his voice cracking as he said his name.

The rubies that I gave up

“I’m sorry, Stevie. I shouldn’t have left, I was just worried about you.”

Steve gently took the flowers and Eddie’s hand, “I want to tell you, I just can’t and I need you to trust me, Eds.”

Eddie nodded and Steve unlocked their door leading them both inside. “You know, I love carnations,” Steve said giving Eddie a soft smile going to the kitchen to get them water.

Eddie laughed softly, “I thought they were roses, they just looked pretty and reminded me of you.”

Steve smiled, he thought about how his dad would always try and win his mother’s forgiveness with money and jewels, he liked this better.

And I lost you

The one I was dancin' with

In New York, no shoes

Looked up at the sky and it was maroon

No matter how hard Steve tried to protect the people he loved, they always seemed to get dragged into it. Steve never wanted to see Eddie as terrified as he did in that boathouse. He wishes he’d gone with Eddie that night after the game, but he’d promised Lucas that he’d drive him to the after-party. He didn’t even know Eddie was still dealing.

“Don’t be a hero,” he’d said, but now Eddie was bleeding in his arms. Dark red blood seeping into their shirts like the wine did all those months ago. Eddie’s eyes slipped closed on the drive to the hospital.

The burgundy on my T-shirt when you splashed your wine into me

And how the blood rushed into my cheeks, so scarlet, it was (maroon)

The mark you saw on my collarbone, the rust that grew between telephones

The lips I used to call home, so scarlet, it was (maroon)

Everywhere Steve looked he saw red. He refused to leave the hospital until Eddie was out of surgery. Robin had dragged him to the bathroom, forcing him to wash the blood that coated his arms down the drain. She’d left to get him a change of clothes, leaving him to sit on the hard chairs in the waiting room.

The cushions a bright red, the blood a muddy maroon under his nails, his shirt stained a deep scarlet, the smell of rust and iron coming off of him, a crimson sky behind his eyes.

And I wake with your memory over me

That's a real fucking legacy, legacy (it was maroon)

And I wake with your memory over me

That's a real fucking legacy to leave

Steve doesn’t remember when he sat down beside Eddie’s bedside. He just remembers a teary phone call to Wayne and seeing Eddie still breathing. Wayne had to go to work, Steve didn’t have anywhere to be since Family Video sunk into the earth with half the town. Pink carnations in a vase at his bedside.

“I told you not to be a hero, Eds.”

The brief bouts of sleep he got leant over Eddie or curled up in his chair were plagued with losing Eddie over and over. Til one night he dreams of them back in their apartment, lying on their floor, Eddie’s fingers brushing through his hair. He wakes, still feeling the edges of his dream, fingers still in his hair. He glances up and meets warm brown eyes.

“Eds, you’re awake!”

“Sorry I tried being a hero, Stevie, I should’ve trusted you.”

The burgundy on my T-shirt when you splashed your wine into me

And how the blood rushed into my cheeks, so scarlet (it was maroon)

The mark you saw on my collarbone, the rust that grew between telephones

The lips I used to call home, so scarlet (it was maroon)

The day Eddie comes home, a town rebuilt, Steve swears the sky is the same pink it was that night in Indianapolis. He helps Eddie up the stairs, opening the door, the apartment just how they left it. The warm burgundy blanket on their ruby couch. A bottle of red wine on the counter, cherry wood cabinets and chestnut floors. A soft blush on both their faces as they lay down on the scarlet sheets of their bed. Merlot on their lips as their sucked soft wine-coloured bruises, taking back their love from months so close yet so far apart.

It was maroon

It was maroon

Steve would wake later, lips bit rough and maroon and thank the world that life didn’t end under a blood-red sky.

Ao3

[tanith-rhea]

Only Pretending #4

Ok, this time I'll tag everyone who ever asked! @the-bagel24, @regalbootie, @tundra1029, @thoroughly--confused, @lilsmeaux, @poorwritingandstalecoffee, @alder-saan Thank you so much, lovelies 💛 And of course, the person behind all of this @anti-bright-places 💛💛 This one was very fun to write, Morticia is the spice we needed to get a move on and realize our dumbass feelings (more or less)

Word count: 3k words

Of course Larissa had issues about pretending to date you. She didn’t like you; it was clear from how she treated you so professionally and never sought to know you before all this. If she didn’t outright dislike you, at least she didn’t care for your existence and wasn’t thrilled to spend her weekend with you by her side.

It all made sense. She could tolerate being physically close but dismissed kissing as soon as you suggested it, the best she could. You had drunk an entire bottle of wine the first time before getting close. With just a few fours of bourbon, she wasn’t nearly as welcoming to your advances. These were the thoughts plaguing your mind for hours after you left her office and hours after you woke up the next day. The day of your trip. She only indulged you when she was drunk, and what did that make of you? Taking advantage of her like that? If it weren’t so on the spot you would have sent her an e-mail pretending to be sick to get rid of going.

You spent the entire morning in your room and didn’t go out for lunch, not wanting to risk seeing her in the corridors or, even worse, in the staff’s kitchen. You could wait until three p.m. to eat.

You would leave at four, arrive before dinner and spend the night at the Addams’ Manor. You felt nauseous simply thinking about it. You would dine together, pretend to be a happy couple, and then go to your shared room and sleep in the same bed. All that against Larissa’s better wishes.

She chose Vlad because she was comfortable with him. On the other hand, you barely knew each, and she couldn’t mask her unwillingness even when it was only the two of you. The whole thing would probably go wrong before dessert.

At least then you wouldn’t have to deal with feeling this awful.

Before you knew it was only half an hour for you to part. You hadn’t eaten and rushed to take a shower and look presentable before going down to the entrance where she would be expecting you.

Larissa rented a 1960’s Phantom V and you thanked god for the small mercy of not having to travel four hours in the academy’s van.

When she saw you, you could feel her immediate hesitation like it was a material wall between you. Her posture was impeccable, her hair meticulously done and her make-up flawless; she looked like the picture of the perfect woman, including all the incommodiousness that brought.

“I can help with your bag.” She said calmly, taking the heavy thing you were carrying and easily putting it in the trunk. Everything seemed calculated; civility 101.

“Thank you.” You only managed to mumble before opening the passenger door and avoiding her altogether.

She didn’t try to chat, which you were grateful for. Starting the engine, she focused solely on driving and left you alone in your own world.

It was hell. You were hungry, tired, sad, and pretty much in love with Larissa Weems. While you looked outside the window, trying to ignore the tightness in your chest, the only thing you wanted was for her to hold you and kiss it better. When you were seconds away from asking her to pull over and call off the entire thing, she spoke.

“I cannot do this anymore.”

Oh, so you both wanted to stop.

“What can’t you do?” you asked, trying to facilitate it for her.

“I can’t force you to come with me when you’re so obviously distressed by it.” She stopped the car in a roadside grove and turned to look at you candidly. “If you want to go back, I’ll drive you. I can say I came alone again, it’s what I should have done in the first place.”

You were surprised and uncertain. She was denying her own feelings and making it sound like you were the one to not want this. She was being kind.

“I just wanted to help you…” you started, but she interrupted you.

“You see, I wanted that to be possible. But I cannot ask you as my employee to do something like that for me. It’s unprofessional, unethical and bordering on assault.” She was so agitated and had such a pained expression on her face that you felt almost guilty.

She left the car in a sudden move, leaning against the door after closing it. Probably can’t stand being near me, you thought, but she couldn’t run from the conversation, try as she might.

You left as well and walked around to her side, her face was covered by her hands, and she was taking deep breaths. She seemed so stressed, on the verge of crying or screaming. Maybe you weren’t the only one who couldn’t sleep thinking about the disaster of last night.

“I hoped you could do it as a friend.” She said behind her hands, her voice weak and muffled. She let them fall to look at you once again, her eyes were clear, the blue lighter than a morning sky, but she wasn’t crying. “But you clearly cannot,” she admitted as if it was true.

You didn’t know what to tell her at first, seeing her so distressed and, apparently, fully convinced that it was you the one rejecting her company.

“I would like to do it as your friend.” You whispered, walking closer to be in front of her.

A small line formed between her eyebrows as she shook her head looking puzzled.

“I would,” you continued, “I just didn’t think you saw me as one. I can barely believe I already consider you mine after so few meaningful talks.” The bittersweetness of the sentence left a bad taste in your mouth, but you yearned to say it again, in another context, another world, really.

She seemed deep in thought, surveying you with care before saying, “Do you mean any of that, truly? It won’t change anything in our professional relationship, I want you to understand that.”

“Why do you think I’m so scared of you treating me differently?” you snapped, more frustrated than angry, “I know you, Larissa. I know you’re professional and would never abuse your power or make me feel uncomfortable at my place of work! If anything, you are the only boss I’ve ever had whom I trust not to be like this.”

You were so sick and tired of her checking in on you, asking if it was truly all right. You said it from the beginning and didn’t understand why she was so hung up on it.

“You do?” her confusion only baffled you further.

“Of course, I do! Why would I agree to something crazy like this if I didn’t trust you?”

She nodded as if understanding your point. Honestly, it would be adorable if it weren’t so exasperating.

“Now can we resume our trip? I’m hungry and as soon as we arrive I can finally eat,” you confessed.

“I brought some sandwiches if you’d like,” Larissa said, and you could kiss her, “They’re in the back seat.”

“I’ve never loved you more, woman.” You said before quickly opening the door and getting the food from the container you didn’t notice before.

The principal seemed satisfied with that, less tense and actually smiling at you devouring the goods.

“If that’s your reaction to sandwiches I definitely cook for us when I need to soothe things over,” she mused and your chest hurt at the thought.

“That’s good for cute anecdotes if someone asks,” you smiled to mask the forlornness you felt, and eating the rest of your food suddenly turned into a difficult task.

When you were finished, you put away the container with the other sandwiches and plastered an actual smile on your face before looking back at her. You did feel better on a full stomach. Less tired and a lot less sad. She wanted to be friends and if that was all you got you were happy with it, at least she didn’t despise you.

“So, are we getting back on the road?” you chirped, and Larissa gave you an earnest smile.

“Only after you give me a hug to prove everything’s fine.”

You weren’t expecting it, but you would take whatever you got, so you went right to her arms. She held you tighter than anticipated, resting her chin atop your hair, and you felt tingly and content when you parted.

“Alright!” You went back to your side. “On we go, then.” You opened the door and slumped on your seat; it wouldn’t be so horrible as you thought.

The next three hours passed easily. Time flowed when you and Larissa started talking about work, the students, idle musings about Jericho and hot spots in Burlington that you never thought of going to. You learned each other’s taste in music, preferred weather, hobbies and general things a partner would know, but the funny thing was that you hadn’t planned to, it wasn’t for the sake of pretending; it was just conversation. You had to remind yourself time and time again that you weren’t on a road trip date or getting to know each other in any other capacity besides Larissa wanting to be friends with you.

Her interest in your PhD dissertation was exhilarating and she was very polite to not mention your ridiculous excitement and incessant babbling about it.

Overall, you didn’t see the pass of time, and suddenly you were entering the gardens of the Addams Family Mansion.

“How do you want to be when we leave the car?” you asked, looking at the imposing building and noting someone opening the door.

“What do you mean?” she was busy parking and adjusting whatever it was in the car buttons – not many on an old model like that one. You knew she was just trying to look busy.

“Do you want to hold hands? Maybe I can loop my arm in yours… hold your upper arm?”

“Oh…” for someone who had been so relaxed just a few moments before, she seemed a second away from restarting the engine and getting the fuck off.

You decided to be brave for a change, and clicking free of your seat belt, leaned over her to kiss her cheek. She was looking straight forward, so it was difficult to see her expression, but her shoulders did lose a bit. You put a hand over hers in the parking brake, gently squeezing until she took a long breath and nodded, appearing to have returned to the land of the living.

“Yes… I think the looped arm will do,” she said vacantly.

You left the car and a giant pale-grey man walked close to you – he was even taller than Larissa, around five or six inches so – and from behind him a dark sauntering figure emerged, Morticia Addams.

“Lurch, be a dear and take Larissa’s belongings to the second guest room,” she said in her smoky, forcedly charming voice. You didn’t want to be the bitter girlfriend, but you couldn’t help the pang of annoyance she instantly sparkled in you without doing so much as look at Larissa. “I didn’t know you were bringing someone,” it wasn’t a question, but her arched brow and higher tone at the end prompted a presentation.

“Pleasure to meet you,” you said with the world’s fakest smile on your lips, “I’m Y/n L/n, Wednesday’s chemistry professor and Larissa’s partner.” You reached a hand for her to take, and she only lightly touched your fingers out of forced politeness.

“I believe we met briefly at Nevermore,” she gave you a nauseatingly sweet smile while looking at you from top to bottom and back up.

You grabbed Larissa’s arm more from the need to have something to hold and ground yourself than to pretend at intimacy. You needed some sort of reassurance to keep you from jumping at the woman’s throat.

“Yes. Wednesday likes to pilfer some things from the lab every now and then,” you chuckle at the thought. You didn’t mind it as long as she wasn’t getting herself and others in danger, which sometimes was the case. She never took big quantities to be a real problem anyway. Larissa disagreed.

“I try to keep her under control, but you know how they are at this age,” she said, looking truly regretful, and you felt a bit of sympathy for her.

“Yes, I deal with about a hundred of them. I don’t mind it, don’t worry,” you smiled, and Larissa mumbled in, sounding peeved as you would expect.

“Doesn’t mean she can do it. One day she’ll create a hazard and it will be your responsibility, I won’t defend you to the board, do you hear me?” she was adorable when irritated; especially by silly things such as those.

You only scrunched your nose at her, trying to keep your smile at bay, before Morticia asked you to accompany her inside. Lurch had already vanished and the darkness was thickening at every passing moment.

You were shown to your room, where you both were to shower and prepare for dinner. Your things were on the bench at the end of the bed, both suitcases carefully piled not to fall.

“So,” Larissa walked into the room after Morticia closed the door, “What do you think?”

“Of what? Her? The mansion? Answers may vary severely.”

“Entertain me with your reasoning.” She arched a brow and sat on the bed, looking more relaxed than a few instants before and clearly amused.

“First, if we were together, I would have killed that woman already,” you began, and she laughed.

“Jealous, much?”

“You don’t understand! The way she looks at me and talks to you makes my skin tingle, not in the good way! Someone has to teach her good manners, you’re mine!” it slipped, it completely slipped, and you scrambled for something to say to fix it, “Supposedly, I mean!” you felt your cheeks already burning, “You know what I meant…” you descended, defeated. With any luck her mind didn’t even go there in the first place.

“And second, the mansion is creepy paradise. I love it. I mean who has on-suit bathrooms in their ‘second’ guest room? Are you kidding me?”

Larissa hummed, taking off her shoes and letting her hair loose, “Morticia did marry into a good life,” she mused.

She looked so beautiful like that, you couldn’t speak for a while. She was the picture of homely comfort, of domesticity. You felt so privileged to see her in anything other than her professional self. You had to acquire Vlad some AB Positive to thank him.

“Do you want to go first? I’d like to rest a bit before getting ready,” her voice was soft, and you were engulfed by the need to kiss her silly into the comfortable-looking bed she sat at. However, you only nodded stiffly and went to the bathroom, leaving her to lie down and decompress for a while, she would need it if Morticia planned a five-course dinner as she said.

The bathroom was almost half the size of your quarters at the academy, with a bathtub and separate shower space, double vanity and an enormous mirror with a black gothic frame. You were torn between feeling amazed and vexed at the blunt display of wealth, but the thrill of having it at your disposal overpowered all else.

After a long, hot shower, your muscles were singing praise to Morticia and all her descendants, blessing them for expensive supplies and relaxing steam.

Just before entering the bedroom, you remembered not taking any clothes with you. There were two tidily rolled robes between the sinks, so you wouldn’t leave completely bare, but the thought of wearing close to nothing in the same space as Larissa made your stomach turn. It would have to do.

You steeled yourself before opening the door, taking a deep breath and tightening the belt. When you entered the room, all the air you took escaped your lungs in a slow, fond realization: she fell asleep. Larissa had taken off her jacket and lay on her side across the bed, one hand close to her face and the other loose over her middle. She looked so peaceful. She must have been tired from driving; that and the bad sleep you probably caused her by making her think you wanted out of the plan. It was becoming more and more difficult not to kiss her, hug her, lie with her and smother her with love and care. You thought it was all just a passing fancy for your boss, but every second that passed made you question if that was all it really was.

Cleaning your throat, you busied yourself with opening your suitcase. “I’m done, Larissa… if you want to go now, you can” you tried to sound less strangled and only half-succeeded.

Her adorable “Hm?” right before fully waking made your heart clench.

“Right, yes, thank you.” She said absentmindedly before getting a change of clothes, like any normal person, and going to the bathroom.

While you were readying yourself, a knock came at the door. Larissa was still in the shower, so you prepared to ask whomever it was to wait.

“Mrs Addams. Hello,” it was Morticia, of course.

“I just wanted to pass and see if you’re comfortable. Is Larissa inside?” she tried to look over your shoulder into the room.

“She’s having a shower,” you felt suddenly protective and half closed the door so the only thing she could see was you.

She arched an eyebrow at your comment. “So you aren’t…” she smiled, looking off into the distance for a while as if her musings were much more interesting than finishing her sentence or you understanding what she meant.

“We aren’t what?” you snapped, not meaning to sound so annoyed.

She shifted her gaze at you instantly, looking surprised with your intromission. “Aren’t intimate enough to have it together.” She only smiled at that, smugly, and turned to go. “Oh, and dinner will be ready in half an hour, so tell her, you know, through the other side of the door, to hurry.” And then she was off.

Chapter Five

[hot-pota-toes]

Morning Cuddles

Eddie Munson x gn!reader 

Summary: You have to get up for work in the morning but it's a little difficult with your boyfriend's arms wrapped tightly around you.

Word Count: 1.3k

Warnings: weed is mentioned once, a lot of fluff

A/N: This is my first fanfiction ever! I've had this idea sitting comfortably in my brain for what feels like a whole year, so I finally said screw it and wrote it down, and now I’m posting it. This takes place before the events of season four or maybe just in a completely different universe where everyone is alive and happy :)) Hope you enjoy it!!

You gently drifted awake to the warm early morning sunlight spilling into the bedroom through cheap curtains. As your surroundings became more clear. The week old clothes scattered along the floor. The posters and random doodles that covered every inch of the bedroom walls. You were reminded that you're not in your own apartment, but in your boyfriend's trailer and bed. The boy still sound asleep next to you.

Your head tucked gently into his chest as his chin rested upon your own head. His long arms were wrapped around you, similar to a child squeezing their favorite teddy bear. Your legs intertwined, holding you as closely as he possibly could. You felt warm and protected being pressed into his chest, listening to his gentle snores.

When he held you like this, it somehow made his twin size bed feel so much bigger. Unfortunately, the realization came that you would soon have to leave the comfort of your boyfriend's arms. It couldn't have been more than ten minutes before Eddie's alarm clock would go off (you had thankfully remembered to set it up last night before falling asleep), signaling the start of another grueling day at a job you didn’t care for.

Not wanting to disturb your peaceful surroundings, you stifled a groan, and instead let out a long, soft sigh as you turned over to rub the sleep from your eyes, as gracefully and with as few movements as possible, so as not to wake the warm safety that lay next to you.

You and Eddie had known each other your entire lives growing up together, from climbing trees in the woods and playing pretend when you were children, to weekly movie nights in middle school, to hotboxing his van the first night he got the keys. But it wasn't until high school when Eddie had told you he’d had feelings for you his entire life. Not being able to imagine a life without Eddie, you agreed to go out with him only to realize just how much you loved him too. Time you weren’t spending with him was time you spent thinking about him, and when he was around, you felt free.

You felt like you didn’t have to hide yourself, watch your every move, stringently guard yourself for fear of others ruining the things you had built within your castle walls. You were a private person, years of fortification having constructed barriers of the hardest stone, and Eddie somehow had found the key to the door of your castle. Maybe it was the way his deep brown eyes looked at you, not just looking, but seeing. Maybe it was the way he smiled, the light in his face brightening the entire room. Maybe it was the way he touched you, gently and respectfully, the warm skin of his hands making everything inside you melt.

He stirred, not yet fully awake, but adjusting to this new position. One arm hugged your waist while the other was tucked under your head, serving as a pillow where you had foregone yours. He nuzzled the top of your head. His eyes still closed.

This started out as a rare occurrence when you would spend the night. It happened one night, after you had spent the day together, and when the time had come for you to separate, you didn’t want to drive back to your apartment alone, nor did he want to leave you. The pure desire to be close to one another intoxicated the both of you, and you spent the night tangled in the sheets, wanting nothing more than for that moment to never end.

You buried your face in his chest, letting the smell of his detergent mixed with his deodorant fill your nose, the scent so comforting that you began to drift back to sleep.

And then the alarm clock went off.

You both took a deep breath, stirring awake. You reached behind Eddie towards the clock on the nightstand, but your movement was restricted by the two long arms that were still wrapped around you. The more you moved away, the more he latched onto you, burying his face in the space between your neck and your shoulder.

“Edd–“ you started. You didn’t really know how you were going to finish that statement, but you knew he was the obstacle between you and stopping the blaring sound yelling at you from just slightly too far away.

He mumbled a low groan into your skin, and you felt the vibration, tempting you to stay.

“Eddie please.”

He groaned again, slightly louder and assuredly more distressed than before, now wrapping his legs around you, pulling you tighter. You couldn’t help but let out a soft giggle as you made gentle attempts to free yourself, his hands going back to you and arms holding you tighter the more you tried to escape.

“I need to get up.” You pleaded.

“No you don’t.” He slurred in a tired response, his voice rough with sleep.

After more struggling, you finally managed to free yourself just enough to reach the alarm clock with your right hand stretched as far out as it would go, the top half of your body twisting uncomfortably away from your captor. Grabbing hold of the clock, you haphazardly grabbed the whole clock so that you could bring the device closer, locating the alarm’s off button. Its red numbers are no longer flashing.

You gently placed the clock back to its place on the nightstand and returned your body to its natural position, still being tightly bound by lanky limbs that had no intention of letting go. You decided to try a different approach.

Having wrenched yourself upward in your escape attempts, his face was now in your chest, his brown curls tickling your nose. You began petting his hair down, creating a spot to place a soft kiss.

“Eds, baby…” you murmured into his hair.

He didn’t reply. You continued petting and kissed again.

“I have to go to work.”

Still no reply.

“Not all of us get weekends off cause they're still in high school” Part of you was jealous. Okay, a lot of you was jealous. Eddie and you were supposed to graduate together, but that didn't end up happening with him being held back. Twice.

He sleepily breathed out a laugh. “You could just quit.”

You laughed in response, once again leaning away, trying once more to release yourself from his grasp. This time, he relented slightly enough so that you could sit up, but as you did so, his arms wrapped around your waist, pulling himself to your hips and weighing you down.

“Eddie,” you groaned in mock frustration as you put your hand on his back, trying to rub him awake, “You know damn well how badly I want to stay here with you…”

He murmured an affirmation, as well as what might have been words if they hadn’t been so muffled.

“…But I really do need to get up.”

Not moving, he repeated the same low whine from before.

“It’s only going to be a few hours,” you bargained.

He snorted. “Yeah, like, nine of them.“

You rolled your eyes. Not wanting to spend the whole day in your place of work either, but knowing that you had to. “Yeah. Like I said. A few.” You both chuckled. “It’s not gonna be forever. I’ll come back here after work…”

You lifted his arm, which was heavy as he had no intention of helping you move it, and placed it to the side, sliding out of his other one. As you moved to a kneeling position and looked down at him, his eyes were half-open, meeting yours, practically reaching out for you. You leaned forward and kissed him on his temple, caressing the side of his face. “…And then we can pick up right where we left off.”

[sugarsfics]

Hellfire Mom

Summary: You have been deem the title of Hellfire Mom since you were a sophomore. Even after starting your own little family with your fiancé Eddie, you still make sure your extended family gets fed and loved.  

Trope: Dad!Eddie x Mom!Reader 

A/N: I kinda want to make this into a series. Talking about how Eddie and reader met and little things like that. Would you peeps want that? 

Warnings: Use of Y/N, horrible writing, mentions of sex but not really, fluff, Eddie just being in love with his family.  

Word count: 1.2k 

It was Friday, Hellfire Day. You always had Fridays off for that exact reason. Hellfire. You spent the day cooking and baking for your boys, the other family. You always had the mother instinct in you. You love the idea of having a family. It came a little too soon, people would say, but it was worth it. You and Eddie have been dating since freshman year and decided to wait till Prom your senior year to lose your virginity together. Well, the condom broke, because said condom was from freshman year, and boom you were pregnant. Yes, you got stares and were that talk of the town “she is having the freaks baby” “he will probably sacrifice her and the baby” but you both ignore them. Then on a chilly day in mid-January baby girl Munson was born, Stella Munson. She’s beautiful, she has Eddie’s big brown eyes, his curly brown hair other than that she was your mini me......Speaking of your mini me she should be getting up from her nap soon. 

Right on Que you hear her little feet on the wooded floor. “Well hello baby how did you sleep” “Good” she said in her sweet small voice. “That good baby” “Up mommy” she gave that puppy dog face and grabbing hands and you caved immediately. “You ready to see daddy, and all of your uncles” “DADDY” oh yea she was a big daddy’s girl. “Ok let me finish up dinner and then we will get ready to go” “I watch Belle” “Yes you can watch Belle while I finish” Beauty and the Beast is her favorite movie. On tonight's menu, your family was having fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, homemade biscuits, and your famous homemade cookies. As you finished packing up dinner for your family, you got Stella ready, and all bundled up then headed to the car. 

You pulled into the school Stella squealed, Eddie was waiting by his van with a smile. “DADDY” you rolled down her window“My star how are you babygirl” “I good daddy” Eddie opened your door and helped you out of the car, then got Stella out and her “Hellfire backup” which has toys and things for coloring. You walked in hand in hand to the drama room and started to set up the table with the food. “Ooo what did make for us today love-” *gasp* “You made your cookies” “Yes the chocolate was finally in stock so I had to- hey hands off” “But I haven’t had your cookies in a month” “Nether has the others” “Yea but they could wait I got fiancé privileges” when you turned your back to grab the potatoes he “sneakily” grab a cookie but got caught by Stella “Daddy me cookie” “Sssh we will spit it” her little giggles fill your ears. Your favorite sound. 

Soon the boys piled in “Y/N” “Stella” “cookies” were heard throughout the room. The boys lined up as you served them, then they all settled in, in their seats to start Eddie’s campaign. In this one-shot campaign, they had to save Eddie’s the banished's fair maiden, you, and their little princess, Stella. She was so excited to be in it, she even brought out her crown from her backpack and put it on. After she ate, she climbs into Eddie’s lap, her favorite spot, and “helped” Eddie with his visual aid. You watched your family, bellies full, big smiles even mike, after a hard week this was your reward, this was your happy place.  

The night ended, the empty Tupperware put away, Stella fast asleep on Eddie’s lap. You walked out hand in hand with Eddie holding Stella, he covered her with her blanket when he stepped outside, then he put her into her car seat with a kiss on her forehead. You made sure each boy had a ride before heading to your car. You and Eddie stay until everyone was picked up. He turned to you and kissed your lips. “I missed you” “I been with you this whole time” “Yeah but you weren’t in my arms” you rolled your eyes and laughed at him “Your too cute” You kissed Eddie again then you got into your car. “I see you at home” “Yes, I’m just going to drop by Uncle Wayne’s really quick then I will be home” “Ok” then you kissed once more before you drove away. 

You and Eddie lived in a little two bedroom next to the trailer park, so he would be a few minutes behind. You got Stella out of the car, did an amazing mom move holding her and the bags all while unlocking the door. You set the bags down then grabbed her pj’s put them on then tucked her in with a kiss. You went into the kitchen and started picking it up, getting the meat out for tomorrow's dinner and breakfast. Eddie and Stella loved Saturday mornings, you make a big breakfast, and they watched Saturday morning cartoons, you brought out extra knowing the freshman boys would probably come over. After about 15 minutes you hear Eddie’s van pull up, as you were finishing washing the dishes you feel Eddie’s arm wrap around your waist. “Oh, my love I haven’t since you in forever I almost don’t remember what your face looks like” Oh Eddie how you loved his antics you turned to play along but nothing came out. Eddie held a bouquet of flowers for you. “Eddie- I- Oh- Eddie-” he chuckled “My love” he started “ Will you accompany me on a date tomorrow night” “Oh Eddie, Stella and I would love to-” “As much as I love my Star tomorrow night will just be us” “But we don’t have a babysitter” “I already got that covered” you teared up even years later you are still touched over his love for you. “Well then yes, I will accompany you tomorrow night”  

Eddie got his clothes ready to shower “So are you going to hop in with me” you looked at the time “It’s late so I will take you up on that but no funny business” “No promises” he said with a winked. After the shower you did your night routine and put on your Eddie shirt with some shorts, Eddie was just in a pair of boxers checking you out “You're so beautiful my love” “Oh stop I’m just in my pj’s” “And” *kiss* “still” *kiss* “beautiful” *kiss*. You climb into bed when arms open as Eddie jumps into bed with you, he settles in your arms with his head on your chest as your stork his hair. He tells you about his day and how that prick Jason picked on the hellfire club again, but how he did what you told him to do when he had the urge to punch his stupid face. But you were so proud of him that he controlled himself, he can’t have another fight so close to graduation. The topic then changes, and his words got lower and slower as did his breath. He got quiet for a minute, you thought he fell asleep nut he clears his throat he smiled and said “Let's have another” 

[wheels-of-despair]

Werewolf Children Pairing: Eddie Munson x You Summary: The first time Eddie spent the night with Evil Woman, it was kind of an accident… Contains: Lunar insomnia, mentions of supernatural creatures... is napping together a love language? Words: 1.6k

"Another rough one, Werewolf Child?"

You grumble into your cereal as your mom enters the kitchen and pours herself a cup of coffee.

"Last night should've been the worst of it, maybe you'll get some sleep tonight."

"A girl can dream… or maybe she can't," you giggle. You're in the 'I'm Funny' stage of sleep deprivation now. School should be fun.

You've had trouble sleeping during the full moon - and sometimes, a few days before - since you could remember. When you were little, you used to escape your crib and explore your room. Now, you mostly listen to music on your headphones or lie there and overthink. Your eyes are usually too tired to read by the time the moon is actually full.

But as your mother said, last night should've been the worst of it. You were looking forward to going to bed tonight… you just have to get through a full day of school first.

Eddie was a little late picking you up. He greeted you with a wave and a yawn when you slid into the passenger seat of his van.

"Werewolf problems?" you asked as he backed out of the driveway.

"Huh?"

"Is the full moon keeping you awake?"

"Is it a full moon?"

"…yes."

"Maybe? Is that a thing?"

"Yeah. They call it lunar insomnia. Mom calls it lycanthropy. Says I'm a Werewolf Child."

"I always thought of you as more of a vampire," he smirks, looking over at you with half-lidded eyes.

"Either way, I'm gonna bite you if you don't keep your eyes on the damn road."

"Don't threaten me with a good time," he mumbles, looking forward and taking a swig of his Mello Yello.

Despite his lateness, you still have a few minutes to loiter in the parking lot before you have to go inside the fluorescent halls of Hawkins High.

You stand in a circle with the other Hellfire members who have gathered there at Eddie's usual parking spot, vaguely aware that they're discussing something nerdy that happened on TV last night. You're too tired to care. Eddie places his hands on your hips and moves you a few steps to the side, then pulls you back against him, sandwiching himself between you and the van. He rests his chin on your shoulder and wraps his arms around your middle. You lean your head against his and place your hands over his, feeling your eyes grow heavier…

And then the fucking bell rings, making you both jump. The jolt gives you enough energy to get to your first class, but you feel yourself fading again as soon as you sit down. You're used to this; you can make it. Or at least fake it. Eddie is not so skilled in the art of functioning on very little sleep.

He props his elbows on the table and puts his head in his hands. You look at the clock, then at his bloodshot eyes. You suspect he hasn't blinked since the first bell rang.

"Go to sleep, I'll wake you up when the announcements are over."

"Can't sleep here. Not around these fuckers," he grumbles.

"Nobody's gonna fuck with you while I'm here. Go ahead, you've got," you look at the clock again, "13 minutes."

He scoots closer to you, crosses his arms on top of the table, and drops his head into them. His hair covers his face. You lean your elbow on the table and prop up your head, looking down at him. Your free hand instinctively disappears into Eddie's hair and begins lightly scratching his scalp. He moans and scoots closer, and you watch him with a smile as you ignore the drone of the morning announcements.

"Alright, lovebirds, it's time for learning!"

You heave a sigh at the teacher's teasing and extract your hand from Eddie's hair, giving him a light double-tap on the back as a sign to get up. He pulls himself upright and stares ahead, eyes unfocused.

Somehow, you made it through 'til lunch. You sat at the designated freak table and watched Eddie walk into four different people on his way to you. He looks like a zombie.

You don't even let him sit. "Come on," you order, standing up and turning him around and pushing him toward the door. He doesn't even have the strength to argue. When you exit the cafeteria doors, you head toward the van.

"Is this a lunch time quickie?" he asks, a little perkier.

"It's a 20 minute nap, dweeb."

"That works," he yawns, "too."

He opens the van's back door, shoves some junk (sorry, "necessary band equipment") out of the way, and waits for you to crawl in. You lie on your back with a balled up sweatshirt for a pillow. Eddie claims his favorite pillow: you. With his head on your chest, you reach up to set the alarm on your watch.

"Alright Munson, we have 21 minutes to sleep, then 3 minutes to cram food in our faces on our way back to class."

"Kay," he mumbles into your chest. In less than a minute, he's snoring lightly. You allow yourself to close your eyes for a few seconds too... well, it felt like seconds. The beeping of your watch jolted you awake.

"Nooo," he whines, nuzzling closer.

"Come on, two more classes, then we're free." You'd love nothing more than to just go back to sleep, but you have a quiz next period, and Eddie doesn't need to be missing any classes either. "Move it, Munson." He gets up with a grumble, and you both wolf down a sandwich and chug a can of pop on your way back inside.

You part ways with a "see you at three" and wait for the caffeine to kick in. Two more classes. You can do this.

Somehow, you did. You might have even gotten a decent grade on that quiz. But Eddie's so dead when he stumbles over to his locker, you're amazed he's still standing.

"Keys."

"Hm?"

"Give me your keys. Zombies don't drive."

"You sure you can handle her?"

"She'll behave for me, if she knows what's good for her." You smirk at each other, he shoves a few things into his locker, and you return to the parking lot.

"You guys okay?" your brother asks, already there waiting.

"We're fine."

"You sure? I can drive if you want."

"No!" you both shout. He holds up his hands in defeat and gets in the back with a grumble.

You get in, maneuver the massive hunk of metal out of the parking lot and onto the road, and miraculously make it home without incident. Eddie's leaning his face against the window when you park. You reach over and give his leg a tap, and he jumps.

"C'mon," you order. You stuff his keys in his jacket pocket, and he follows you inside.

"If we're not awake by time for Mom to get home, come yell," you instruct your brother, who salutes sarcastically before ducking his head into the fridge to hunt for a snack.

When you get to your room, you grab two pairs of sweats from a drawer and throw one at Eddie. He misses, and bends to pick them up. You're out of your jeans and jackets in seconds. You lose your bra, set the alarm on your watch, crawl into bed, and wait for him to join you. Ignoring your pillow, he settles his head on your chest again. Not that you mind. You pull the covers over him, kiss the top of his head, and let it all fade to black.

When you wake, it takes a moment to realize where you are. The first sleep after the full moon is always the deepest. Once you remember what day it is, and why Eddie's laying on top of you, you stretch a little. You'd been in this same position for hours, and your body was not happy about it.

"Time'sit?" Eddie mumbles into your chest.

You bring up your watch arm and squint at the tiny glowing numbers.

"Shit, it's almost six, Mom'll be home any minute!"

You both fly out of bed and back into your jeans.

"You wanna stay for dinner?" you ask, trying to smooth your hair in the mirror.

"Nah, your mom's probably sick of me, I'm good to drive." He shrugs his jacket back on. "Look okay?"

"Always," you grin, pulling him in for a quick kiss. "Alright, look innocent."

You approach your bedroom door… and find a note taped to the back of it. Hadn't you left it open when you came in?

You two were so cute, I couldn't bear to wake you.

Eddie, I called your uncle and told him you were out cold. If you happen to see this before dawn, you're welcome to stay the rest of the night.

There's meatloaf in the fridge, and a deer carcass from last month's hunt in the freezer if you little monsters are hungry.

Sweet dreams, Werewolf Children.

You look from the note to Eddie… and then at your watch… and then you rush to the window. It's pitch black outside. You chuckle darkly.

"Eddie, it's six o'clock in the fucking morning."

You're both hit by a fit of giggles, and cover your mouths to try and quiet them.

"No wonder I feel so rested," he grins after he's recovered.

"Well… you wanna stay for breakfast?"

"Might as well," he laughs, taking his jacket back off.

Your mother and brother were very relieved to find that the Werewolf Children had chosen pancakes and sausage over the deer carcass.

[whereianonymouslypostfics]

Abduction

Pairing: Wanda Maximoff x reader

Word count: ~3.3k

Summary: You and Boone spend a day out 

A/N: This takes place before Wanda’s retirement. Didn't sleep more than a couple of hours last night, so definitely not proofread. Enjoy

Warnings: Angst, violence, blood, death, injury and dealing with trauma

“Alright, buddy, want to go home?”

When Boone barks at you in agreement you just smile before leading him back to your car. You and Boone had spent most of the day together. Granted, you usually did this on your days off, but today you were away from the compound.

Wanda was working with your entire team of friends on some big thing that you hadn’t asked too much about. All you needed to know was that they would be unavailable for most of the day and night, and you were being assigned a temporary bodyguard for the occasion. This allowed you to not be stuck in the compound all day with nothing to do, and despite not liking it you decided to accept it.

You knew better than to argue, and given that he’d stayed out of your way you were fine with it. After introducing him to Boone to make sure he wouldn’t attack him if he spotted the blonde later, you mostly ignored him. You took Boone all around town to get some shopping done, and after spending way too much time in a bookstore, you took him to dinner. He loved going to his favorite restaurant that had ample outdoor space for you and him to meet other dogs. Tonight, he’d met a golden retriever, goldendoodle, and Boston terrier. Watching him play with his fellow dogs made you realize that you should probably get him a friend.

You were just leaving dinner full and exhausted from a long day when you feel your phone vibrate in your pocket. You slow down slightly so you can grab it without falling down the stairs. You’d parked at the very bottom of the parking deck and had to climb up almost 6 flights to reach street level. When you see that it’s a text message from Wanda checking in, you smile before stopping completely on the next landing to respond. You start typing, but don’t make it very far when you hear the door behind you open.

You try to step aside, figuring you’re in someone’s way, but you’re quickly shoved toward the stairs and Boone’s leash is ripped from your grasp.

“Fuck-!”

You think you’re about to fall down the stairs, but someone grabs you and starts to drag you backwards. You struggle and try to turn around to see who’s attacking you, but you spot Boone first. You hear him barking and then he’s letting out horrible choking noises that has you trying to reach for him.

“Boone! Stop, let him go!”

As you’re being dragged down the stairs, two men are trying to drag Boone through the door they’d burst through. One’s holding a snare pole and he’s using to yank your dog by his neck while the other is holding his leash and trying to assist. Boone’s fighting like hell and attempts to bite the one closest, but once he realizes that’s getting him closer to the door he stops and simply tries to pull away. He’s screaming now, but it sounds strangled and you are halfway down the flight of stairs before you remember you have a knife on you.

“Let him go you fuckers!”

You elbow the person behind you before reaching for your knife and pulling it free. You slam him into the railing before stabbing him in the side, and he lets you go just long enough for you to shove him down the stairs. You don’t bother to check on him because you see Boone disappear through the door as soon as you reach the top step.

You curse loudly before yanking it open and running out to find your dog. Luckily, they hadn’t taken him far, but you register the sight of an empty van running nearby before you run at the one holding Boone’s leash. He’s practically lifting Boone and pushing him toward the waiting van, so he’s caught off guard when you jump on him and stab him in the neck. You ignore the stream of blood that covers you as you hurry to free your dog.

“Boone!”

Your dog starts tugging again, but the man whose companion you just killed gets spooked and drops the pole. Once free, Boone growls and bites down on his leg, but doesn’t manage much else before you reach for him. You always make sure that your dog has his harness pouch stocked before you leave the compound. There’s a loaded gun in there and you manage to take it out with shaky hands before you point it at the man with a scowl.

“Why the hell are you trying to steal my dog?”

When he only manages to keep screaming in pain you shoot him in the chest before turning your attention to Boone.

“Hey, it’s okay, b-breathe buddy.”

You don’t realize you’re crying as you try to calm Boone down. He’s panting hard and trying to stand but you just hold him close to you. You take the snare that’s still around his neck off and throw it aside before attempting to get a good look at him. As expected, he’s still struggling to breathe, and he’s wheezing and hacking by the time a door opens nearby. You jump in surprise and reach for the gun again, but you realize it’s your bodyguard and you relax.

“Holy shit.”

Nick had been trailing behind you all day and he found it difficult to pay attention. You weren’t doing anything particularly interesting, but you stayed out all day with your dog who put him on edge. Despite his fear of getting in trouble, he kept a couple of blocks between you and him, and he’d only just been entering the parking deck when he heard barking. He ran inside and to the stairs only to catch the end of a struggle. Someone fell down the stairs and as he rounded the landing, he hoped to God it wasn’t you. He would certainly die if he’d let anything happen to you.

Once he verified that the man lying on the ground was dead, he heard a gunshot and he saw his life flash before his eyes. He ran up the stairs and threw the door open only to stumble onto a horrifying sight.

You’re sitting on the ground holding your dog practically in your lap as he pants heavily. You’re surrounded by pools of blood and two dead men that you’re ignoring completely. It’s not until he realizes that you’re pointing a gun at him that he throws his hands up.

“Woah, it’s just me! Are you hurt?”

You can’t bring yourself to answer him as you watch your dog breathe raggedly. You continue to cling to him, refusing to let him go as Nick pulls out his phone to call Bucky. He’d been clearly instructed to call him with any issues, and he definitely needs help figuring out how to deal with this one. He’s already thinking about clean up when Bucky answers the phone.

Bucky’s had a long, stressful day and he’s annoyed to have his brief break interrupted by his phone ringing. He’d just laid down a few minutes ago and Wanda said he could take the hour before they all had to get back to work, but once he sees who’s calling him, he realizes his break is over. He quickly answers the phone and listens to the near-frantic blonde tell him about what happened. Rather, he doesn’t know what happened, but three people are dead, and you’re near catatonic and refusing to leave your dog.

Bucky curses under his breath before he jumps out of bed and grabs his clothes and gun.

“I’ll be there in 10.”

Wanda’s drinking another cup of coffee when she gets a call from Steve a few minutes after he’d heard from Bucky. She’s struggling to stay awake, but she still has to finish up today before she can even think about going to sleep. She’s drained and the only thing she really wants to do is go lie down. She wants to sleep beside you and forget about this stressful day, but she has hours until she can even consider that.

She sighs in defeat when her phone rings, and she only humors the idea of not answering for two rings before she sits up and grabs it from her desk. She sees it’s Steve and frowns in confusion before answering.

“Steve, what’s up?”

You’re still clinging to Boone when your backup arrives. He’s doing better at this point and the adrenaline from the entire thing has worn off for both of you, and you’re about to fall asleep. You’re covered in blood that’s luckily not your own, but you try to keep Boone out of it as much as possible. He’s practically lying on top of you as you consider why someone wanted to take your dog and you feel your heart race at how close they’d come. You don’t hear the cars that come squealing to a halt on either side of the van, and you don’t see Nick hurry to greet the drivers. Boone notices but you’re holding him too tightly and he’s too drained to fight against you.

“Y/n.”

You turn at the sound of a familiar voice, and you’re surprised to see Wanda here. She was supposed to be busy all night, but here she is kneeling beside you looking between you and Boone worriedly. You feel guilty for interrupting her work and you want to apologize but you can’t find the words before your wife’s reaching out for you.

You can’t stop yourself from flinching and you hold Boone tighter despite knowing that Wanda would never hurt either of you. You’re just still too wired to relax, and Wanda realizes this quickly as she pulls away before looking over her shoulder at Bucky. He’s talking to Nick and they’re both directing the team he’d brought to get rid of the surprising number of dead men. She saves her many questions about this for later as she focuses on the important things for now.

“Can you and Boone come with me back to the compound? You’ll be safe there, detka I promise.”

You think about this and you take a second to look around you. Realizing that you’re still in the parking deck, you decide it’s probably a good idea to go with Wanda. You nod slowly and try to navigate getting up without letting go of Boone who’s still leaning on you. Wanda just lets you figure it out but once you’re up she’s quick to support you, especially once she sees you sway dangerously. You curse under your breath and then cringe slightly as you try to get Boone to avoid stepping in the puddles of blood.

“Come on, Boone. Go on, get in.”

Wanda’s already set a blanket down in the backseat and you decide to sit with him because you’re filthy and you don’t want to get Wanda’s car dirty. She makes sure you’re all set before closing the door behind you and getting in the driver’s seat. She shoots Bucky a look and he just nods silently promising to handle everything including finding your car.

“Can you tell me what happened, detka?”

The entire car ride home had been silent as you and Boone just sat in the back seat and tried to relax. You’d convinced yourself that he was okay, or rather he wasn’t in any immediate danger. You’d stared at him and listened to him breathe long enough to decide that he was just exhausted and a little sore, you were too honestly.

By the time you arrived back to the compound you realized how sticky your clothes were and how gross you smelled. The combination of blood, sweat and gun powder was making you nauseous and you wanted to shower, but you still didn’t want to let Boone out of your sight.

You will worry about that after you talk to your wife. Wanda left her work to come pick you up, and you’d barely said a word to her. You owe her more than that, and you turn to address her question. You’re standing in the middle of the living room while Wanda sits on the couch in front of you and Boone. You want to sit, you’re so tired, but you’re also dirty and you don’t want to get blood on anything. You sigh and start to head to the bedroom so you can change, and you wave Boone along to come with you. Not that you needed to, he followed you on his own.

“Can I tell you while changing? I feel disgusting.”

Wanda just nods as she follows Boone into the bedroom, watching as you carefully start to shed your clothes and throw them into the laundry. You look through drawers for clean clothes before you head to the bathroom with another sigh. You turn to see Wanda watching you and you wave her in before pointing to the corner of the room.

“We were coming back from dinner and those guys ambushed us.”

Boone moves to sit where you instructed and you turn on the shower before moving to sit on the edge of the tub closer to Wanda. She shuts the door behind her and you motion for her to sit next to you as you wait for the water to heat up.

“They didn’t care about me. They wanted me out of the way so they could take Boone.”

Wanda’s a little surprised by this and she can’t help but show it as she tries to make sense of it. She looks to Boone where he’s lying in the corner watching the two of you carefully. He looks beat and Wanda realizes that he must have had a very close call.

You feel the room heat up from the steam from the shower, but you ignore it for now as you turn back to your wife. Wanda frowns at what you say next and she can’t help but wonder where your bodyguard had been during all of this. She knows that Bucky will talk to him at some point, but she’s going to try not to worry about it.

“They tried to drag him to the van to take him God knows where, but I killed them.”

You shake your head at the thought that hadn’t really registered until now. You had killed three people tonight. You barely even thought about it. All you cared about in the moment was saving Boone and everything else was secondary. You start to panic at the thought of what might happen to you. You honestly don’t feel bad at all, and you know that’s probably not a good thing, but hopefully you won’t go to jail for this.

“I killed them, Wands. I didn’t even think twice. They were just--.”

You trail off as you start to fidget worriedly. You decide that you need to get clean so you can go lie down. You finish undressing and step into the shower before taking a deep breath. You try to relax under the hot water but you still feel your body protest the fact that you’re still standing.

“They were trying to steal Boone. Your baby, Y/n. I would have done the same.”

You know for sure that Wanda would have done the same, but that’s not the point. She realizes this too but she doesn’t know what else to tell you right now. She decides to ask a relevant question that will help you calm down because she can tell from here that you’re still incredibly tense.

“Is he okay, now? Do we need to do anything for him?”

You smile for the first time since leaving dinner tonight, and you turn to your wife as you finish washing off the events of today. You love her even more for asking, and you know she’d do whatever it is you say he needs. Luckily she doesn’t have to this time, and you smile wider as you turn off the shower.

“He’s just exhausted, and a little sore, but he’ll be okay.”

He might be a little clingier for a while. You don’t say this, but Wanda probably can already guess this by the fact that he’s in the bathroom with them. She figures you’ll want to watch him too until they have answers about what happened tonight.

You get dressed and now that you’re not so dirty, you pull your wife into a hug that she readily returns. You sigh in exhaustion and relief as you turn your face into your wife’s neck. It’s late and you want to go to bed, but this thought reminds you that Wanda wasn’t supposed to even be here with you. You don’t pull away but you say this as you try to lead your wife back to the bedroom.

“Thank you for being here for us. I’m sorry we interrupted your work.”

Wanda has to stop herself from rolling her eyes at this. She had a lot to do still, but it could wait until tomorrow at this point. You and Boone are far more important than just figuring out which sector of Strucker’s territory she was going to try and infiltrate next. Everyone could use a break, and she wanted to make sure you and Boone were truly okay.

“That doesn’t matter to me right now. I’d rather be here with you two.”

You smile before kissing her in thanks as she leads you to bed. You’re fading fast, and you start to lie down before the covers are even turned down. You yawn and Wanda frowns before she considers what to do next. She watches Boone lie down at the end of the bed and you sit up to try and see him. She can tell you’re still on edge, and she motions for Boone to stand up.

“Boone, come here.”

He comes to stand beside Wanda, but she leaves to grab his bed and set it down next to your side of the bed. She waits until Boone lies down and she watches you relax at the sight of your dog close by.

“Is there anything I can do for you?”

You shake your head before shifting so you can get under the covers with another yawn. She watches as you hold out your hand to her with a smile before asking her to join you.

“Can you lie down with me for a while?”

Wanda stays with you for hours after you’ve fallen asleep. It’s not the soundest sleep you’ve ever had, but it could have been worse. You have one arm draped over the side of the bed so you can keep a hand on your dog, and Boone’s since scooted closer to the bed as a result. Wanda knows that it might take a while for the two of you to be able to stand being apart, but as long as you keep him out of bed Wanda’s not going to complain.

She hears someone shifting and she sits up to see Boone standing up with a yawn. He looks over your shoulder at her before he sits again and leans his head against the bed. He’s right next to your arm and he whines quietly before sticking his nose in your face. She’s about to tell him to leave you alone, but you shift in your sleep and end up wrapping an arm around his head and pulling him closer. He licks your face, and you smile before kissing his nose.

“I love you, bud.”

Wanda just smiles but doesn’t say anything as the two of you fall back asleep mere inches from each other. She checks the clock and then her phone before she realizes she has some things to take care of soon. She looks back over to you though and decides a few more minutes with you won’t hurt.

Masterlist

[sarahthebanished]

Can't Fight This Feeling Pt. 4

Your kisses against his skin changed from gentle to wanting, and you moved up from his chest to his neck and across his jaw line. Eddie met your mouth with hunger, and you pulled him over on top of you, to nestle between your legs. He supported himself with one arm and the other was all over you, breaking the barrier of your thin shirt to move up and palm your breast. The friction of his calloused skin on your delicate nipple caused it to immediately harden, he toyed with it gently.

As your kisses continued, he gently bucked his hips into yours and you felt his hardness which sent a wave of desire radiating from deep within. Drawing your lips away, you pulled up at your shirt, revealing your bare breasts to him fully for the first time. He barely gasped, immediately ducking down to draw a nipple into his mouth. His tongue flicked at the sensitive bud, and you moaned and arched up into him. Your reaction encouraged him, and he slid his hand down between your bodies to find your heat.

***Eddie Munson x Female Reader • 18 plus • 3.6k words*** 

THE SMUT IS HERE, what all you horny fucks have been waiting for, cursing, drug use, virgin Eddie and virgin reader, first time, graphic depictions of sexual acts, but also tenderness and love

Part One | Part Two | Part Three

Over the last several months, there had been many first for you and Eddie.

The first time you kissed, for example. In his bedroom at midnight while some horribly cheesy love song played, expressing all the words that Eddie had been unable to find.

The first time he introduced you as his girlfriend to your friends, who had all responded with an overwhelming consensus of “it’s about fucking time” because apparently you both were transparent to everyone but each other.  “There must be something wrong with her,” Gareth had teased. “Yea, I keep waiting for her to change her mind,” Eddie had taken it all with stride.

The first time you held hands in the hallway at school. People had stared and you’re pretty sure even laughed. You held onto Eddie proudly. He planted a kiss on your check or brought your hand up to his face any time someone stared for too long, reassuring both them and you that he didn’t give a shit what anyone thought.

The first time he’d spent the night, not on the couch, but in the bed with you. You’d stayed up way too late talking, afraid that if you both just shut up and went to sleep, you’d miss out on something magical. Desperate to soak up every precious moment together. You finally passed out in each other’s arms around 3 am. Eddie snored. You had teased him about it the next day, how he had done to you when he spent his first night on your couch.

The first time he’d called you sweetheart. “Call you tomorrow, sweetheart,” he’d promised as he kissed your forehead on his way out the door. The first of many sweethearts, but each one felt like velvet in your ears. A gentle reminder that you were special to him. His sweetheart. 

The first time you guys really made out, in the back of his van during lunch, tangled in each other’s limbs and practically rolling around in the dirty carpet. Had to stop yourselves and go to opposite ends like toddlers in trouble before you crossed another first off the list.

The first time you exchanged I love you’s. Laying on top of his van on a flannel blanket, parked out at lovers’ lake and staring at the stars. He’d kissed up your arm, shoulder and into your neck. Inhaling the smell of your hair deeply, he sighed out “I love you” right into your ear. You’d nearly cried with joy and thrown yourself on top of him. Showering him with a million kisses before saying it back. 

The first time you’d seen his dick, your hand wrapping around it so unsure and careful because you’d never even seen one in person, much less touched it. Pumping your fist up and down trying to gauge the right way to do it, you’d barely made it 30 seconds before Eddie was visibly coming to the edge. “Don’t you do it, Eddie Munson!” you had warned him, trying to savor the experience, but he spilled out all over your hand anyway and then blushed at the sight of his own cum on your skin.

Yea, there had been a lot of firsts with Eddie. Each experience was unique and exciting for both of you. You were forming core memories that you’d carry with you for the rest of your lives. There was just one first that you hadn’t addressed.

And it was the biggest one.

You had talked about it, here and there. Never going into much detail because the conversation made you both tense with nerves and anticipation. Eddie was gentle. Always gentle. He never pushed or made you feel like you had to do anything. There have been moments. Fondling through clothes, dry humping on each other’s thighs as you made out. The quick hand job you’d given him. He’d rubbed you through your panties one night and you thought you were dying from the pleasure. But that was as far as it had gone. Neither one of you had much experience and though your cores ached to be together, you both were scared to make that move.

Now, lying in his bed with music playing softly and the glow of his bedside lamp, you stared up at him as he sang along to the song with a partially smoked joint sticking out of the corner of his mouth.

He was on his side, facing you, with his arm bent underneath him, leaning his head on his hand for support. His chest was bare aside from two tattoos towards his left shoulder. He was broad and muscular, but also soft and warm. Defined jaw line and full lips that kissed you just right. Mop of thick curls flowing down and just barely hiding his collar bones. You were so in love with him. Eddie was a beautiful person who had given your life so much purpose, so much joy. You reached up with one hand and placed it on his cheek as he sang, pulling his attention down to you.

His warm, brown eyes met yours and his face changed to sport the signature stupid fucking grin you had grown to adore. His cheeks wrinkled. You stared at him.

“What’s on your mind, sweetheart?” He asked sincerely. You rubbed your hand gently on his face, and he pressed into the affectionate gesture. “Just love you,” you said honestly. “Admiring the view.”

His grin changed to a full-on toothy smile, his head cocked upwards a little, asking “you like what you see?”

You drew his face down into a kiss, mumbling “very much so” into his lips as they met yours. Eddie kissed you deeply. He always did. He kissed you like he was pouring every bit of love he could into it. He kissed you like each kiss was your first and your last. He started to pull away and you gripped him tightly, pushing into the kiss to let him know you wanted more. He did not fight it, pressing into your tongue with his. The sensation sent shock waves down to your core and you sucked on Eddie’s tongue softly which elicited a moan from his mouth to yours.

He pulled back now, as he often did when the energy between you two grew needy. Never pushy, he always let you come to him for more. You knew part of it was because he was a gentleman, and part of it was because he was nervous. He offered you the joint that was still in his fingers and you took it, taking a deep draw. He watched you closely. You loved how he watched you, like you were a movie he was deeply interested in. He barely even blinked.

You exhaled and took another small hit before passing the joint back and adjusted in the bed a little. Arms across your abdomen and staring straight ahead at the Corroded Coffin banner he had hanging across the cracked window.

His room was chaotic, filled the brim with him. It was like a museum of Eddie, his interests and passions thrown all over the place. There was not much room to walk, his amps and furniture taking up most of the space. Didn’t matter, though, because you spent most of the time sprawled across the bed.

The high from the weed you’d been sharing was settling in, making you feel heavy and relaxed. Eddie was snuffing the joint out, leaving the roach in the ash tray he moved to his bedside table. He laid down full next to you, throwing his arm across your belly and pulling you tight into the space next to him. You turned into him, his skin was so warm and he smelled faintly of deodorant and tobacco. Nestling into the crook of his neck, you placed a few soft kisses which he hummed in response to.

“I am so stoned,” you muttered against his collar bone. He chuckled, asking you, “is that not the goal?” You laughed loudly against his skin before closing your lips again to pepper him with kisses. His hands ran down your back and settled on your ass, pawing gently at the fabric of your panties.

The weight of his arms on you felt like the only thing anchoring you to the planet. You didn’t know it was possible to feel such security, such bliss, you knew that no matter where life took you, that Eddie was your home. You’d follow him anywhere.

“I love you,” he said into the top of your head, pressing his chin down on it to squeeze you harder. Though you were both touching pretty much head to toe, there was a need to get closer. It was never enough. As he pressed into you, your body responded with arousal. A heat formed in between your legs, and you felt yourself clench around nothing. You were not used to this aching feeling, but you didn’t fight it. There was something compelling you to explore it.

Your kisses against his skin changed from gentle to wanting, and you moved up from his chest to his neck and across his jaw line. Eddie met your mouth with hunger, and you pulled him over on top of you, to nestle between your legs. He supported himself with one arm and the other was all over you, breaking the barrier of your thin shirt to move up and palm your breast. The friction of his calloused skin on your delicate nipple caused it to immediately harden, and he toyed with it gently.

As his kisses continued, he gently bucked his hips into yours and you felt his hardness which sent a wave of desire radiating from deep within. Drawing your lips away, you pulled up at your shirt, revealing your bare breasts to him full. Another first. He barely gasped, immediately ducking down to draw a nipple into his mouth. His tongue flicked at the sensitive bud, and you moaned and arched up into him. Your reaction encouraged him, and he slid his hand down between your bodies to find your heat.

Staying outside of the fabric, he rubbed at your sensitivity with a gentle pressure, continuing to work your nipple with his mouth. “Eddie,” you breathed his name out, “more.”

He took his hand away and you whimpered, wriggling under him to pull your own panties down. Eddie rolled to the side of you again, letting you have the freedom to kick them off of your ankles. “Your panties on my floor,” he said with a cheeky smile, “never in a million years…” his thought trailed off as his eyes took you in, naked from the chest down with your shirt bunched up around shoulders.

Your body was tingling from head to toe, as he brought a hand over and cupped your breast. You were vulnerable under his gaze, which was exciting and scary. Torturously he moved ever so slowly towards your aching core, “I want you to touch me,” you instructed. “I want to touch you,” he agreed, “you’re so sexy.” He said the words like he was in a trance, eyes wild and focused on every inch of skin he could see.

As good as his hands felt on you, they were not where you wanted them to be. You thrusted hungrily upwards as he found your pubic bone, encouraging him to touch. He looked at you quickly, as if gauging your emotions, before sliding a finger into your slit. “Holy shit, you’re so fucking wet,” he stated boldy, like the way you felt shocked him, and you could’ve melted into the mattress right then. “Please, Eddie,” you wanted to beg but didn’t really know what for.  

You grabbed him by the wrist and pulled his fingers upward, causing them to slide right over the bundle of nerves that was throbbing for his touch. You trembled at the sensation, letting out a small gasp. “Oh, is this what you want?” Eddie asked slyly, applying a slight pressure and rotating his fingers on your clit. “Mmhmm” you whimpered out, clawing at his shoulder for dear life. You held onto him as he stimulated you. Only your own fingers had touched you there before, and they never felt as good as what he was doing now. “Don’t stop,” you begged as your writhed under his touch.

“Fuck, you are so sexy right now,” Eddie hissed, pulling you into a rough kiss before dropping your mouth. Wanting more, you tried to kiss him again, but he pulled away. “I want to watch you,” he said, and those words were just enough to send you right to the edge.

Your entire body was on fire, every muscle was screaming, you tossed your arms around his neck to support yourself and arched up into his motions suddenly. Your orgasm was intense, and your body spasmed as his touches did not waver. You cried out with release as Eddie sucked a breath in through his teeth. “Holy shit,” you moaned out as he slowed his touches down to nothing, helping you ride down the other side of the wave. He smiled down at you in a way that let you know he felt powerful, confident in what he had just done. Your arms fell from their grip on him and every muscle that had just spasmed gave out.

“That was fucking amazing,” you said with a small laugh, sort of embarrassed at how you had reacted to the pleasure. “I want more,” you said suddenly.

Eddie laughed down at you and brought his hand back to your pussy, barely touching the throbbing bud that he had just worked over. You jerked a little at the over sensitivity and looked up at him, saying firmly “That’s not what I mean.”

Eddie stilled his hand and your eyes connected. You bit down on your bottom lip and rocked your hips back and forth under his hand. As if he suddenly understood, he responded with “Hell yea!” and scrambled back on top of you. Freezing above you, looking down, his hair was falling around his face. “Are you sure, sweetheart?” He asked sincerely, barely letting his own erection that was still bound in his shorts touch your inner thigh.

You nodded, nervous but buzzing with anticipation. “Ok, um, wow,” he stumbled around his words, hopping up to dig through his bedside table. “I think I have some condoms,” he continued to dig frantically, and you tried to steady your breathing. Finally, he pulled his hand up, fingers gripping the condom as he held it out to you like it was the One Ring.

He enthusiastically climbed back on top of you, knees between your thighs and kissed you hungrily.  

“Take these fucking things off,” you insisted, moving your hands to pull and tug at his boxers and shorts. The tension of the last several months was coming to a head and all you wanted to do was be as close to him as you could be. Eddie leaned back on his knees and enthusiastically pulled his clothes down to reveal his erection, which bounced up and hit him in the torso with an audible thump.

Holy shit, was Eddie’s dick mesmerizing. Thick but not too long, the head was glistening with anticipation. As Eddie moved to pull his legs free, you watched with wonder at what you saw. All yours. He was hard for you. Fuck, you felt like a goddess.

Grabbing for the condom that Eddie had left on the bed next to you, you adjusted yourself to sit up in front of him as you tore into the package. Condom in your hand, you reached forward to grip his erection which made him involuntarily whimper. “Can I put it on?” you asked, and Eddie couldn’t form words, just nodded as he stared down at your hand holding him. Gingerly you positioned the opening of the rubber on his swollen head and felt him twitch in your grasp. Rolling it downward, it clung to every groove and vein before stopping just an inch before the base. You looked down at your work, then up at Eddie, the silence full of electricity, before laying back down against the mattress.

Eddie reached down and stroked himself once, then twice as he positioned back between your thighs. You placed your hands on his shoulders and he was trembling. “Are you ok?” you asked sincerely. “Nervous,” he replied quietly. “I’ve never…” his words trailed off. “Hey,” you took his face in between your hands, “me neither.” You both already knew this, but just saying it out loud made it feel easier. Expectations lifted.

“I wanna make you feel good,” Eddies words came out desperately, like a prayer to whatever was listening. “You will,” you assured him, rising up slightly to kiss him quickly.

Moving slowly, still shaking, he ever so gently worked himself up and down through your wetness, gathering the moisture on his tip and using his hand to slick it down his length. Your heart was pounding, your pussy was practically crying for him, and you were about to lose your god damn mind if he didn’t get on with it.

“You are absolutely sure?” Eddie asked again, “I am more than sure,” you promised, “are you?” You asked him sincerely, but impatiently, wrapping a hand around your own breast and squeezing it.

“Fuck, sweetheart, yes,” Eddie confessed as he lined his velvet tip up right at your opening, but he stopped. Unmoving, he just stared down at you. “Eddie, please,” you wiggled your hips gently, feeling your opening nestle around his sensitive head ever so slightly.

“I want you.” One last affirmation brought Eddie back to life, and carefully, consciously, he pressed himself into you. You took a slow and deep breath in as the pressure built, stretching you in brand new ways. “Is this ok?” he asked, pausing himself, “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I’m ok,” you reassured him, the sting in your core a mixture of pain and pleasure. “Keep going.”

Eddie bent slightly and planted a tender kiss on your forehead as he finally entered you fully. “I love you, sweetheart,” he whispered, “I’m gonna move now.” He gave a word of caution as he pulled his length out and glided back in with a sharp hiss. He was so gentle, watching you for every reaction. “So tight,” he breathed out through his own pleasure. You were tight, feeling like Eddie was splitting you in two in the best way. You whimpered, a mix of desperation and bliss, the sensation of Eddie inside of you creating static in your brain.

Eddie’s movements slowly built-up mild momentum. Awkward motions at first, but not unpleasant by any means. You let out small noises with each inward push, still adjusting to the fullness. A soft rhythm soon formed, and Eddie had to stop himself for a moment. “You feel so good,” he praised you, “knew you would.”

His words caused you to clench around him, which he met with a low growl. Without warning, his thrusts suddenly got much faster, pistoning himself down into your swollen cunt without limitations.  You let his name crawl out of your throat as your head fell back onto the pillow. He showered your exposed neck with sloppy kisses, gripping your hip to hold you still.

You looked up at him, eyes blurred with pleasure, and he was a new creature. His usually expressive eyes were blank, pupils wide with lust. His curly bangs were wet with sweat and sticking to his forehead as he worked himself in and out of you. His lips were opened, breathing quickly through his mouth, his bottom lip was shiny from spit. His movements were needy, harsh, and you ate it up, clenching to hold him as tight as you could with every thrust.

The moans and grunts coming from you were practically unhuman and you were slightly embarrassed at how hard it was for you to hold back. You dug into his ass cheeks with your heels, pushing him deeper into you and letting out a yell as he pressed into a spot deep inside that you didn’t even know you had.

Eddie was fucking into you like a dog in heat, laying his chest across yours and gripping you around both shoulders. Both of your bodies were completely overstimulated, yet somehow desperate for more. You felt pressure rising and every muscle in your body tensed in seconds, and your second orgasm was a white heat that spread all over you from the inside out. Grabbing fistfuls of his hair and hanging on for dear life, convinced you were going to levitate off the mattress. He relented to your direction, laying his head on your shoulder. “I’m gonna, oh fuck, I’m gonna cum,” he warned.

He sat up suddenly, pumping into you two more times before letting out a series of animalistic grunts, one hand gripping your thigh and digging into the doughy flesh. You watched in awe as his body spasmed into yours as he emptied himself. You had made him cum. Your body had made Eddie Munson cum. If you had a camera in arm’s length, you’d have taken a Polaroid to keep forever.  

When he was spent, he collapsed down on top of you, leaving his softening dick inside. You both gasped for air, neither of you able to form a thought and completely fuck drunk. Covered in sweat, your bodies embraced, all the love that had been building finally exchanged in a physical display. “God, I fucking love you!” he shouted, rising up and peppering you with loud and enthusiastic kisses. You giggled and squirmed under his affection.

“I just have one question,” you proposed, pulled his attention to your words.

“You got any spaghettios?”

taglist: @b-irock, @ghosttownwherenoonegoes @urmomgov @daddyslittlewhore93 @hllfrclb @joemazzmatazz @ladyfogg @serasvictoria @bebe0701 @sweetpeapod @grungegrrrl @sl-tfor-joseph-quinn @munsonlives @munsonsgirl71

Authors Note: I do not give permission for my work to be copied and reposted on any platform, even with credit. If you’d like to share please reblog and/or use the original link.

[daydream-cement]

i was reading a fic and got obsessed with the “i’ve missed you” prompt

maybe larissa and reader had some sort of fuckbuddy agreement in the past, maybe during college, and then they reunite somewhere and end up back where they’ve been before expressing how much they’ve missed each other’s touches, kisses, the sight of each other, the looks they exchange, the noises both of them make, and mouths, both of them forgetting how good it actually felt and the familiarity about it. knowing exactly how to pleasure the other person.

then realizing that all the lovers they’ve had in between had only been attempts trying to fill the void each of them left in each other’s hearts when they had to part ways, essentially smut and ending with fluff <3

(told myself this would be a short request but then i got a little too into it)

I’ve Missed You

Larissa Weems x reader

Authors Note: As always, you guys always send me the best prompt ideas. This one was such fun to write. I wrote this to Light My Love by Greta Van Fleet so if you listen while reading that can add to the moment.

You didn’t know why you texted her. Actually you did know why. You missed her. Everything about her, you missed.

Now you were waiting in the back booth of a bar, waiting for her to arrive. She was punctual, as always. Everything about her was still perfect. Her hair, her skin, that lipstick. You eyes drifted down her body and you couldn’t help but lick your lips. You almost wondered if she had gotten even better with age. Larissa Weems truly was the perfect woman.

It all started during college. One study session went awry, Larissa and you ended up learning more about each others anatomy than what was in the textbook. All four years of university, Larissa and you spent more than your fair share of time between the sheets. With that came long nights of talking and many occasions where you actually did study together. Your relationship was never anything more than friends with benefits, however. Over the years you lost touch, but you never forget all of the memories you shared together.

Larissa slid into the booth across from you and you were brought back into reality. Your mouth was almost dry as you stared at her. She spoke first, allowing you to gather yourself, “Nice to see you again. I’ve miss you.”

———

You were glad you picked a bar that’s hours extended into the early hours of the next morning. You and Larissa had been talking for hours about everything that has happened in your lives until this moment. You both laughed and cried about the past, divulging the secrets from the years you have spent apart.

“I really did mean what I said, y/n. I missed you.” Larissa stared down into her drink as she spoke, raising her eyes to meet yours as she finished her thought.

You didn’t know if it was the drinks or vulnerability the evening brought, but you started in on your history together, “I’ve missed you. I’ve missed all the nights we had together. I missed all of you.”

She noticed the way your eyes drifted down her body with your last thought. Larissa bit her lip and leaned over the table a bit more, “I missed your hands… and your mouth.”

You felt like you understood the direction of the conversation. You reached across the table and took her hand, pressing a kiss to the back of it, “I missed you voice and all the noises that came from you.”

Twenty minutes later, you were still sharing all the ways you missed one another, only now Larissa was on the same side of the booth as you. Her legs were over your lap, your faces were incredibly close, and you were playing with her hands.

“I miss sleeping next to you. I always loved when you stayed the night.” Larissa spoke quietly, her words only for you.

“I miss how happy you always were in the mornings. It was always a pleasure waking up with you.” You press another kiss to her hand, this time on her palm. You hear Larissa suck in a breath, drawing your attention back to her face.

Then she kissed you. Her hands detangling from yours, pressing themselves to either side of your face. A hand of yours found itself at the back of her neck, drawing her near. The kiss was long and sought to fill the span in which you were absent from one another.

“I never loved anyone the way I loved you.” The words tumbled from your lips before you could stop yourself. Larissa didn’t speak. She only pressed her lips against yours once again.

It was the truth. After Larissa, no one ever compared. Flings couldn’t hold up sexually and long term relationships didn’t have the same connection. Only she understood you in all aspects.

When she spoke, her emotions mirrored yours, “No one’s ever compared to you. I’ve always loved you.”

You spent a long time in that back booth, kissing and whispering affirmations of love and adoration. Finally Larissa was the one to suggest leaving, “Perhaps we should see how much we remember from that anatomy textbook.”

[gay-dorito-dust]

YO! can i request bestfriend stuff with freddy ilhsm he makes me giggle 😼

The origins of your friendship with the cynical and sarcastic Freddy freeman was rather a straightforward one. He was being bullied by the Blyers brothers one day and you just so happened to be there before they had the chance to decide whether or not to shove him in the bin, by yanking the hoodie over the eyes of one brother and whilst he was disoriented; you shove him into his brother, causing them to fall over themselves as you were quick to grab Freddy’s crutch, handing it back to him whist hastily holding his hand, as you both rushed to get out of there before the bothers could figure out what had gone on and seek revenge.

The rest, as they say, was history…however it wasn’t. It was merely the beginning of a new chapter.

‘Billy is so going to kill us.’

‘He’ll only kill us if he catches us in the act,’ Freddy retorted, handing you a marker pen as he uncapped his, ‘other then that it’s just pure speculation with no condemning evidence that we were the ones committing the crime.’

‘Oh yeah just like the time we stole his clothes whilst he was showering, only to have him chase us throughout the house afterwards when he found out it was us? You need to lay off the true crime binging Freddy, it’s only going to rot your brain.’ You replied, uncapping your pen as you made your way to Billy’s bedside, crouching down so that you were lined up with his face that was soon to be vandalised by yours and Freddy’s crude drawings.

‘Hey! He was easier on you then he was me and besides, you may say that now but when we do find our selves in those situations one day then you, y/n l/n, are going to thank me for being prepared in advance.’ You shot him a look as he shrugged his shoulders at you, ‘I’m just saying, don’t knock it till you try it.’ He defended as he made his way to your side, perching himself on the edge of Billy’s bed, his crutch leaning against the bed frame at foot of his bed for easy access should his best friend and brother awake unpleasantly. You sighed, not wanting to get into another tangent with your dear friend and instead looked over at him expectedly.

‘Well what’s the inspiration we’re basing our masterpiece off of today teach? Natalia Goncharova? Vincent Van Gogh? Andy Warhol?’ You asked rhetorically, making Freddy scoff as he reached to lightly shove your shoulder but played along none the less. ‘Today class, we’re basing our piece off of the topic of ‘what happens when you get one of my priceless, ultra rare, one of a kind comic books soiled by spilling soda all over it.’ The boy never once took his eyes off of his slumbering brother when he spoke those words, almost as though he were stabbing poor Billy with a thousand tiny daggers.

Oh yeah, you thought to yourself, that’s why Freddy asked me to help him get back at Billy. You kinda almost…sort of forgot about all that with how impassioned Freddy was in getting even with Billy. You had to agree with your best friend on this one though, you don’t fuck with a man and his rare and hard to come by comic collection. ‘You ready to do this?’ You asked Freddy as he only smirked at you in response, holding up his marker. ‘Born ready baby.’

You and Freddy spent most of the night drawing on Billy’s face that ranged from dicks of verifying sizes across his forehead, to drawing a cat nose and whiskers across the one of his cheeks and tip of his nose, to then finish off by playing a game of tic tac toe on his other cheek when he shifted in his sleep. So when Billy woke up the next day to a chorus of snickers, mainly from you and Freddy, he was quick to piece two and two together and rushed to the bathroom to look at himself in the bathroom mirror to see the ‘masterpiece’ you both left on his face from the night before.

‘Y/n! Freddy!’

[thewritersaddictions]

Drabbles: The Adults- Shut Eye

What would they do if they felt, and saw you fall asleep on their shoulder.

Steve Harrington

Steve isn't sure how to react. He's spent all of his life being refrained from touch. His parents weren't touchy, and his girlfriends or boyfriend have never been touchy. But you aren't his, you're his best friend, and he's been crushing hard on you since the day you two meet

You guys were supposed to be watching a movie. Supposed to be joking back and forth about the random character lines. Instead, you've tucked your legs under your ass and slumped close up to Steve. Somehow you've managed to fall asleep during the funniest bit of the movie.

Steves heart stops, he can feel how heavy you've been getting on his shoulder. and the second he looks down he can't help but die a little inside. He snuggles up to your warmth. Doesn't dare to move or pull you in closer, but does snuggle up close enough. Before he turns his gaze back to the movie he gives a small quick kiss on your forehead. Wishes there he was able to tell you his feelings. When he's done daydreaming he returns his attention to the movie.

Eddie Munson

Eddie loves how you just melt right into his side. He’s always been touchy that’s just how he is. You falling asleep on his shoulder only makes his heart pump more. You guys are at the local outdoor movie theater.

Spending the last few warm nights outs doing the best summer things. He had brought all of his blankets and pillows from his house to make a makeshift bed for the two of you to share in the back of his van. Eddie isn’t sure what to do, the second movie is coming on in a few minutes. He wants to wake you so he can listen to you judge the hell out of the movie and its dialogues. But at the same time he doesn’t, he wants to leave you there sleeping up against his shoulder. Contentment crosses your soft features, he wants nothing more than you kiss your forehead and fall asleep next to you.

“Fuck the other movie!” He whispers to himself as he kicks his boots off and settles better next to you. He warmed up next to you and fell asleep to your slow beats and breaths.

Robin Buckley

She isn’t sure how you fell asleep she was talking your ear off. She doesn’t even notice until she’s asked for your opinion on something she was stalking about and you haven’t responded. You’re deep in sleep, mouth agape and you look so fucking peaceful.

Robin isn’t sure what you guys are. Are you together or just the best of friends. She’s the best of friends with Steve but you and are something different. Robin is excitedly giddy as she sees you sleeping on her shoulder.

She likes how you feel pressed up again her. She loves that you feel so relaxed and comfortable with her that you’ll just fall asleep like that. She can’t help but stare down at you, your breathing is steady and she returning to talking. Instead this time she talks about how she loves your smile. How she can’t wait to see you the next time, and how she loves the way your eyes light up when you walk through the family video stores doors and see her working the front desk.

Nancy Wheeler

You’d been helping her all day in the school's news paper room. Nancy’s got ink all over her hands from rewording things. You’d watched her from afar and at some points Nancy had even asked for your help with certain sections wanting an external opinion on this topic or issue she was working through.

When lunch rolled around she had gone out and bought you two something too much on and returned to you sitting on a little futon in the room. She came over to give you your lunch. Halfway through you had rested your head on her shoulder.

She began sorting through more clippings, and when she looked over you were slumped again on her shoulder. Snoring lightly, she smiled and looked so happy. Contentment wearing through her body. Nancy can’t help but want to cover you up with the blanket that was thrown on the back of the futon.

Billy Hargrove

Since the two of you had started going out. You had gotten Billy into reading more. Larger books somehow made their way into his space and his hands. You two were chilling in his room. The two of you read separate books, but when he saw out of the corner of his eye your book fall slightly from your hands.

Billy wondered what was going on on your side of his bed. When he looked over your eyes were closed and your mouth was agape. Looking so pretty and peaceful, he felt a string of rare emotions through his mind. He froze, anger was always first. Then when you snuggled deeper into his warmth and touch he cracked a rare smile.

He looked down at his book. He began to read the words out loud. Something you always did for him or so you told him. “The world is indeed full of peril, and in it, there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows, perhaps, the greater." Lord of the Rings had always been your favorite.

Argyle

Come on now Argyle isn't surprised at all that you'd fallen asleep on his shoulder. The smoke in the van was wafting around. The mix of pizza and weed smoke. The two of you had been smoking all night, all through your shifts, and now as the two of you waited and laughed at the goofy shit.

You closed your eyes, contentment rolling through your tired shoulders. You hadn't meant to fall asleep, your high was coming down and as much as your tummy growled with aches of hunger pains you ignored them and fell asleep on Argyle's shoulder.

It had gone silent in the small space of the van. Lights had gone down as the night sky took over. Argyle is the sweetest guy you knew, but he also was the highest guy you knew. So regarding you falling asleep on his shoulder, he didn't dare shrug you off just resting his own head on top of yours.

Jonathan Byers

You both had been up all through the night and into the early morning. Jonathan had convinced you to stay up till the morning sky turned bright orange and the sun rose from behind the clouds of night. Jonathan had also convinced you to travel to the top of your roof. Climb from your bedroom window and sit there on your roof while the sun rose.

Jonathan gathered his camera and followed you out onto the shingled roof. Late morning early dawn you two gathered yourself onto the roof. Nothing but mere small bits of conversation flew through the both of you. Noting how the cars starting to venture out of their garages and into normal daily life. Jonathan had simply wanted to take pictures of the rising sun.

His plan was rather taken aside when your head fell to his shoulder. He worried that he had bored you with the simplistic questions her asked you earlier, but then you moved ever so slightly. More into his warmth, it was still cold. Nights like this always were. He let himself enjoy the way you snuggled into his warmth. Jonathan set his camera down on the flattest part of the roof and wrapped his arm around you pulling you closer to his body.

Completed on: 04/16/23

Posted on: 04/22/23

The Adults- @yourfavdummy @mothermirkwood