#reconnection

[havecouraqe]

Reconnection

Pairing: Go Hyuntak x fem!reader

Summary: Having known of Hyuntak from his training days of Tae Kwon Do, you never thought you'd run into him again. What started as admiration from afar quickly turned into the beginning of something more.

Word count: 1.7K

Warning: Slight trigger warning of SA if you squint, but other than that, none.

A/N: Wrote this for me. My first fanfic in years, and God, it felt good to write again. I'm happy with it.

Go Hyuntak was someone you've never imagined crossing paths with again. Attending different schools. Having different friend groups. Only ever catching glimpses of him from the window when you would walk past Hu-min's father's chicken restaurant across the street on the way home. Sometimes, it was hard not to notice the bruises and wounds he and his friends bore. You began to wonder if he's still as skilled in Tae Kwon Do as you remember. Of course he is. You shook your head. He was the best.

Rumor had it he hurt his knee and couldn't compete anymore. When you heard, you felt devastated. Someone as talented and hardworking as him, only for his dream to be taken away. It wasn't fair. You could only imagine how he felt. Did he suffer through the pain alone? Does he still think about what could have been? To be the best Tae Kwon Do athlete and have it all?

You'll never know. But from where you stood, the injury doesn't stop him from fighting. From protecting his friends. The five young men laughed at a joke Baku made and then dug in at the feast placed before them. Hyuntak's smile still dazzled you, even from a distance. As you start to worry whether he is taking care of his injuries properly, you hear your name being called.

"y/n!"

You turned and quickly rejoined your friends who had walked further ahead.

"Staring at Gotak again?" One of them teased, using his well-known nickname. Your face instantly blushed, and you looked away, unable to deny it.

"Hey, leave her alone. I think it's cute," your best friend piped up, putting an arm over your shoulder. "There's nothing wrong with a little yearning every now and then."

That made you laugh, "Shut up." You both giggled and continued going about your way.

After you said goodbye to your friends, you decided to stop by a convenience store before finishing your walk home. You were thirsty and wanted your favorite cold drink: a strawberry and banana smoothie. It was probably the best part of your routine. You grabbed your favorite bread to go along with it and headed for the register.

You thanked the cashier and just stabbed your straw into the drink when a rowdy group of boys walked in. They were a noisy bunch, and their uniforms told you they also attended Eunjang High, the same school as Hyuntak and his friends. Your eyes scanned the store, looking for a way to exit without having to go through them. Luckily, the aisle that was next over was free, and you kept your head down, making your way to the door. Due to your short stature, you didn't have to crouch much, being 5'2 and all.

You stand straight and head for the door, pushing it open when you feel someone pull you back from the strap of your backpack, hard. Somehow, you were able to maintain your balance and look up at the face who deprived you of your freedom. Hair dyed blonde and a scar across his left eye. He sneered.

"What do we have here?" His friends behind him snicker as he pressed forward, making you bump against some of the merchandise.

"Is that for me?" The blonde placed his hands over his heart as he feigned gratitude, noticing your drink and pastry. As he stepped closer, you looked away and felt him take your bag with the bread. He threw it on the ground and stomped on it, smearing the delicious treat on the floor with his foot.

Closing your eyes, you took a deep, shaky breath. Never imagining yourself in this position before, you decided not to go down without a fight, no matter what their intentions were. You held your breath as he took one more step closer, and that's when you jammed your right knee against his crotch with all the strength you could muster. It was enough to distract him for a moment, and you ran out, throwing your drink at him, focusing only on getting out of there.

As you heard him and his group start to run after you, you heard a voice. Not just anyone's voice. His voice.

"Hey!"

You stopped in your tracks and turned back around. Being a good distance away, you noticed Hyuntak and his friends a few feet apart from the entrance of the convenience store where the blonde and his group were also stopped in confusion. The blonde looked pissed, whether from being hit in the nuts or stopped from chasing after you, you couldn't be sure.

"This has nothing to do with you!" He screamed in rage.

All the while, Hyuntak remained calm. His eyes scanned the area, first seeming to count how many of the goons there were, and then to the blonde covered in your drink. Hands in the pockets of his pants, he glanced over at you, and you both locked eyes. Your heavy breathing from the adrenaline and run began to slow down, and you felt a sense of peace take over you.

He turned back to the blonde. "It does now."

The next word was said at the same time. You in your head and the blonde aloud, "What?"

Before you had time to think it over, Hyuntak's fist connected with the blonde's face, knocking him to the ground. You gasped, stuck in freeze or flight mode. The decision was made for you when one of the goons charged after you. The last thing you saw before running away was three of Hyuntak's friends joining in on the fight, including Baku.

You ran as fast as you could, not daring to look back. You knew the area pretty well and figured you would be able to hide somewhere once the coast was clear when you felt a pair of hands slam you against a wall. Your face and body were pushed into it, holding you in place.

"We weren't done with you yet." Said an unfamiliar voice, his hot breath fanned against your ear, and you struggled to get away.

Before you could scream for help, someone threw the boy off of you. You turned around, back towards the wall, as you watched Hyuntak beat the guy to a pulp. With his back towards you, you badly wanted to tell him to stop, but you couldn't find your voice. It wasn't until Baku walked up to him, putting a hand on his shoulder, and said, "Enough, Gotak."

Hyuntak stopped fist midair and let go of the boy, his limp body making a thud as he hit the ground. He was breathing heavily, and yet there didn't seem to be a scratch on him. Baku looked untouched as well. As if he read your mind, he turned to you and smiled.

"Are you alright?"

You nodded, still a bit in shock and unsure of how to thank them. Hyuntak took a breath and finally turned to face you. His eyes looked into yours again, and this time, you felt your heart start to race for a different reason.

"I need to hear you say it," his voice was soft, yet stern, "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"I'm okay." You managed to get out.

His eyes softened, and he looked at Baku. With a nod of his head, he turned and walked back from the way we came. Hyuntak looked at you and simply said, "Let's go."

The walk back to his friends was silent. You tried to fix your school uniform and composure as discreetly as possible. With no idea of how your hair looked, you figured it was what it was. You peeked at Hyuntak, and he looked lost in thought. Up ahead, two of his friends were waiting, and it appeared that the blonde and his goons had run off. You wondered where his other friend went. The one with the glasses.

"Nice job, Sieun! Suho!" Baku threw his arms over their shoulders with a wide smile. "Where's Juntae?

As if on cue, the one named Juntae comes out of the convenience store with what looked like your drink and a pastry bag. He smiled shyly and handed you the items. "We hope you're alright. I wasn't sure of the pastry, so I just got one I recommend."

The day's toll hit you instantly, and tears welled up in your eyes. You quickly wiped them and looked at the five boys who rescued you. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

The boys all smiled, apart from Hyuntak. He cleared his throat, adjusted his blue hoodie, and faced his friends, "I'll walk her home. See you guys later."

They waved goodbye to you, and you waved back with a smile. You then noticed Hyuntak staring at you with curiosity. You blushed and turned to the general area of your home. "It's this way."

Even though the distance was short, they say time lasts longer being with someone you like. The sun was beginning to set, and the breeze felt nice against your skin. It was a comfortable silence until you heard Hyuntak say, "Drink."

You stopped walking and looked up at him confused, "What?"

He sighed, "You must be dehydrated. Drink." He gestured to the strawberry banana smoothie.

Oh. You hadn't even realized how thirsty you were until he mentioned it. Your lips covered the straw, and you drank. The cold drink felt good traveling down your throat. You eagerly drank some more, and that's when you heard Hyuntak chuckle. You watched his smile, and up close, it's the most beautiful thing you've ever seen. You blinked and took in your surroundings, and saw that your home was just a few houses down.

"I'm fine here. Thank you for walking me home. And thank you for helping me today."

"You can thank me by letting me walk you home for a while." He said.

Shaking your head, you began to protest. "There's really no need. You don't-"

With what looked like slow motion, Hyuntak leaned over. He maintained eye contact until his lips touched the straw of your drink. You held still, letting him finish it and at the same time not believing this was happening. When he stood up, he smiled at your reaction. You couldn't tell if it was his smile that blinded you or the sun setting behind him.

He walked past you and said over his shoulder, "See you tomorrow, y/n."

A/N: may or may not continue this. Gif is made by me. Feedback is appreciated :)

[hairmetal666]

Steve goes to a gay club for the first time alone. He and Robin, they'd talked about it since moving to Chicago, but every time they made plans he got cold feet.

But on a random, rainy Saturday with Robin back home in Hawkins, he decides fuck it, puts on his sluttiest jeans and polo, and goes to the damn club. He's sick of being nervous--he's going to make out with a guy for the first time tonight.

The club is crowded, loud, sweaty, the energy a pulsing wave. He's overwhelmed immediately, but it's invigorating. He pushes towards the bar, orders a beer, then cozies himself against the nearest wall.

He sips his drink and watches beautiful men dance and kiss and play, and he wants to be part of it, get out there, find his own person to get close to but--

What if none of this is for him? He feels out of place in his clothes, with his hairstyle, an old version of himself that doesn't belong in this world.

There's a swell of sound at the bar, and he glances over, expecting drunks or fighting. Instead, he sees a guy who makes his plans to leave slip straight from his mind.

He's unlike any other person there, even within his group. Long, curly hair, visible tattoos, ripped black jeans, a faded black t-shirt under a big leather jacket. He moves with purpose and grace, obviously uncaring about fitting in.

Steve can't stop watching him, transfixed. He buys another beer, settles back against his wall. He knows it's weird, but can't bring himself to care. Not when it's helping him feel more comfortable in his own skin.

The guy, he's vibrant, the brightest spot, his laughter reaching Steve even over the pounding music.

He's beautiful.

The lights flash, illuminating his face and recognition hits Steve like a fist. It's Eddie Munson, former freak of Hawkins High.

Steve's spine straightens, chest tightening. He can't believe--I mean there were rumors about Eddie in school, but he's here, right now, in Chicago, and Steve--Steve--

He abandons the remains of his beer, rushing out the door.

---

Steve goes back the next night.

He doesn't mean to; didn't have any plans to do it, but the clock turns to 9 and he pulls on the same slutty jeans, this time with an old blue t-shirt a size too small.

It's not because Eddie could be there again, he reassures himself as he shows the bouncer his ID. It's not like he wants to see him or has been thinking about him nonstop. No, it's because tonight's the night he finally makes a move. He needed a test run to find his footing, but now--

Eddie's at the bar. His hair is pulled up, loose tendrils around his face. No jacket this time; the rolled up sleeves of his black t-shirt showing off his wiry muscles, the swirling ink of his tattoos. Something low and hot clenches in Steve's stomach.

There's no way he's going to be preoccupied with Munson tonight. He came here to flirt and dance and maybe get lucky, and he'll ignore Eddie. He will.

Steve orders a beer, sits at the bar this time, his eyes lingering on black ink and pale skin. No matter how hard he tries, he can't seem to tear his eyes away from the ease and assurance Eddie moves with. He's so unafraid to take up space, it's intoxicating.

He loses track of Munson when he orders a second drink, his face no longer immediately visible in the crowd. Disappointment sinks his stomach until a voice to his left says, "You better be planning to buy me a drink, pretty boy."

The voice is low, oddly melodic, and he turns to find Eddie Munson's sparkling brown eyes gazing down at him. He's surprised, hides it, says, "Sure. What are you having?"

Eddie's mouth opens, but his eyes narrow. "Wait--Steve Harrington??"

"Um." His mouth goes dry. "Munson. Hi?"

"I--uh--wouldn't think this was your scene." Eddie shifts back, puts distance between them, and Steve hates it. Hates that Munson thinks the space is necessary, hates that he used to a person that made people feel that way.

"Yeah, well. A lot has changed since high school."

"Is that right? Surely not this much."

"Wouldn't you like to know."

Eddie's eyebrow lifts, but his mouth is a tight line. "Have a cigarette with me."

Steve nods and follows him out a side door into a narrow alley. Eddie pulls out two cigarettes, hands one to Steve. There's something about the cold politeness that sends a fizzle of disappointment down his spine.

"What brings you here?" Eddie asks.

"To Chicago or to this club?"

"Don't be cute."

"Can't help it." He smirks and Eddie rolls his eyes. "I moved to Chicago three months ago with my best friend, Robin. I'm at this club trying to explore my bisexuality."

Eddie's in the middle of taking a drag, splutters on the smoke. "Holy Shit."

He shrugs, knows he's blushing. "What can I say? I've spent the last few years learning about myself."

"And one of the things was that you like dick?"

"Looks like it."

'Well, goddamn, Steve Harrington."

"Impressed?"

Eddie licks his lips, steps closer. "Maybe I am."

"I aim to please." Steve lets himself grin.

"I bet you do," Eddie's voice goes even lower, and heat dances deep in Steve's stomach. "Wanna dance?"

"Thought you'd never ask." Steve blinks up at Eddie from under his eyelashes.

They go inside and join the bodies packed on the dance floor. At first, they keep their distance, dancing and laughing with an arm's length between them, but it's not long before they're drawn together, arms twining, legs pressed together. Their eyes lock, Steve can't look away, wouldn't even if he wanted to. Eddie's hands go to his waist, pull him closer.

"You're gorgeous, Harrington," he says it with his lips pressed to Steve's ear, goosebumps spreading across his skin.

"Yeah?"

"Can I tell you a secret?"

"Of course."

Eddie's mouth presses closer. "I used to have the biggest crush on you in high school."

"Fuck, Eddie," he says. "That's so--"

"Weird?"

"Fucking hot, dude."

"Can I tell you another secret?" Eddie's voice is all rumble.

"Course,"

"I can't stop thinking about kissing you."

"You could do something about it."

Eddie smiles, eyes going darker, almost predatory. He leans in, their breath mingling, Steve's hitching.

"You sure you want me to?" Eddie asks, mouth barely brushing Steve's.

"Please," and it comes out like he's been punched.

He thinks the kiss will be hard, hot, but Eddie's hand is gentle as it cups the back of his head, slowly pulls him in. It's a soft meeting of mouths, almost tender. His head is swimming, blood thrumming low and hot and sweet. He parts his lips and then all he can feel, taste, sense is Eddie.

It cracks something inside him, and his fingers dig into the fabric of Eddie's shirt, eagerly licking into his mouth. It must crack something in Eddie too, because he's hauling Steve impossibly closer until his legs have to wrap around Eddie's waist, or they're falling.

They break apart with a breathless laugh, both red cheeked and bright eyed. They don't move apart, instead they dance and make out until the music stops and the lights come up.

Eddie twines their fingers together as they walk to the exit, Steve sweaty and elated and a little head over heels.

Out on the sidewalk, basking in the cool air, Eddie stops him. "Can I--uh, take you for a drink? Or back to my place? I don't--not to assume, but I--"

"Both. Anywhere," Steve laughs. "I don't want this night to end."

Eddie's smile is brilliant, heart stopping. "Your wish is my command."

[rosemaryprosser]

return to earth, she remembers you (II)

[aventurineswife]

The Fox and the Gambler

Summary: After decades of solitude and resentment toward the villagers who shunned you, your quiet life as a Kitsuné is disrupted when a familiar presence returns to your forest. Aventurine, once the curious child, Kakavasha, who dared to befriend you, is now a charming and enigmatic man. Though his return stirs old wounds and unanswered questions, it also offers a chance to rebuild the bond you thought was lost.

Tags: Aventurine x Reader, Kitsune!Reader, Modern Fantasy, Reconnection, Slow-Burn (Romance?), Angst with a Happy Ending, Found Family, Mutual Pining, Vulnerability.

Warnings: Mentions of past emotional neglect and resentment, Brief references to food tampering (no graphic descriptions), Themes of abandonment and emotional healing.

A/N: I forgot to tap answer... 🧍‍♀️😔💔

Contexts: (1), (2), (3)

The forest was alive with whispers of wind brushing through the trees, but beneath the vibrant canopy, all was still. You lounged on the thick branch of a sakura tree, your nine tails draped like shimmering banners, their silken fur catching glimmers of sunlight. It had been decades since you'd concerned yourself with the world beyond this sanctuary. Decades since the villagers turned their backs on you, pretending you didn’t exist.

It no longer hurt—not in the same sharp way. The sting of rejection had dulled into resentment, and you found solace in solitude. The villagers avoided the forest, their fear rooted in tales of your wrath. And yet, decades ago, a single child had dared to break the unspoken rule.

Kakavasha.

You’d woken to the gentle tug of small hands in your fur, a child’s voice murmuring in awe. At first, you’d thought it a dream. But there he was—a boy with wide, curious eyes, stroking your tails as though they were the most marvelous thing he’d ever seen. You’d pretended to sleep, too stunned to react, and he’d whispered his thoughts to you, offering trinkets and tiny morsels of food over the months that followed.

You pretended not to care, but in truth, his visits became the highlight of your existence. His offerings, though humble, were the only food you could stomach, and his innocent chatter filled the silence that had engulfed you for so long. You even prayed for his well-being—a silent blessing only he had earned.

Then one day, he stopped coming.

You searched for him, ignoring the shocked stares of villagers as you ventured into their world. But he was gone, and the ache of his absence settled in your chest like a stone. To distract yourself, you planted flowers throughout the forest, weaving a tapestry of color and life. Yet even that didn’t erase the memory of his small hands in your fur or the sound of his voice.

Years later, you sensed a presence approaching your tree. You didn’t stir, though the rustling of leaves and faint scent of incense teased your senses.

“You’re not really sleeping, are you?” a voice said, smooth and familiar, tinged with humor. “I know you pretended when I visited you as a child.”

Your eyes opened, slowly. The figure standing below was taller, his hair catching the light, and his eyes gleaming with a knowing look. He was no longer the child you remembered, but there was no mistaking him.

“Kakavasha.”

A smile tugged at his lips—wry, playful. “I go by Aventurine now. You’ve hardly changed, though.” His gaze swept over you, lingering on the tails that spilled like waterfalls around the tree. “Still as striking as ever, though I see the years have left their mark.” He gestured toward the faint scar on your cheek.

You frowned, sitting up on the branch with a fluid motion, your tails curling around you protectively. “And you’ve grown arrogant,” you said coolly, though your voice softened despite yourself. “You didn’t even warn me you were leaving. Do you know how far I searched for you?”

Aventurine’s smile faltered for a moment, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. “I didn’t think I’d mattered that much,” he admitted. “Not to someone like you. The villagers barely acknowledged your existence, and I thought… I thought I was just a nuisance to you.”

Your tails bristled, the fur shimmering with irritation. “A nuisance?” you echoed, incredulous. “You were the only one who dared to see me. The only one who gave me offerings that didn’t reek of malice. You…” You paused, unwilling to reveal the depth of your feelings. “You weren’t a nuisance.”

Aventurine looked up at you, his expression softening into something sincere. “Then let me make it up to you,” he said, holding up a small offering—an ornate lacquered box tied with a golden ribbon.

You eyed it warily, your sharp nails tapping against the branch. “You’ve come back to bribe me?”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Not a bribe. A gesture. Open it.”

Cautiously, you leapt down from the branch, landing gracefully in front of him. His eyes widened briefly, as if taken aback by your towering height. You plucked the box from his hands and opened it. Inside lay a bundle of silken threads in shades of crimson, gold, and silver—materials for weaving, an art you hadn’t practiced in decades.

“I remembered how you used to mend things with a skill that even my mother would've envied,” he said, a touch of nostalgia in his tone. “I thought you might like to create something for yourself again.”

You closed the box gently, staring at him with a mixture of gratitude and skepticism. “You’ve changed, Kakavasha,” you said finally.

“Call me Aventurine,” he insisted, his smirk returning. “And yes, I’ve changed. But I haven’t forgotten you, no matter how much time has passed.”

For the first time in decades, you allowed yourself to smile—a faint, fleeting curve of your lips. “We’ll see if you’re worth forgiving,” you said, turning to walk back toward the tree.

Behind you, Aventurine laughed softly, following your trail of flowers. “Oh, I’ll earn it. Trust me.”

And for the first time in years, you thought maybe, just maybe, you could let someone back into your world.

[maintohthakgayibhaishaab]

for all the kanha fans, to all the Gopis 🦚

[pastelunicornrainbowlove]

"People say you have someone important in your life when you can reconnect with them easily. When picking up with them right where you left off, even after being apart for a long time, comes naturally." ~Paige Laurens

[bruxesco]

Reconexão

reconnection

[sanfords]

these are my favorite moments. when everyone should be in bed, quiet, peaceful, dreaming. we come alive at our most raw. careful now, there’s something bubbling below the surface. tension amidst silence, so much in the undertones. both too shy to admit something is afoot. but i hear your smile through the phone, and find myself  back where it all began.

[jnrduttonswritingjournal]

A Tale of Soul Mates Saving Each Other

A pale moon beam fell on a bridge

There was a young man standing there,

He was overwhelmed, in the depths of

cold despair,

As he lingered,

Contemplating death and life,

Someone else that was there too, he caught out of the corner of his eye,

to his utter surprise the person he saw, was his estranged but beloved wife

By: J.N.R Dutton

[architectofaesthetic]

Seeing your high school friends after so many years is like seeing them in a costume. It's so jarring. You know them to their core, but on the surface, and to all their new friends, they've become a completely different person.

[hairmetal666]

The line drops out, call ending with that shrill beep beep beep. He pulls the phone from his face, staring at the screen with his mouth wide.

Robin comes in, then, finds him slumped, dumbfounded, on the couch.

“Steve?”

“My mom called.”

“What?”

He looks up at here. “My mom? She said I could visit, if I wanted.”

“What the fuck.”

“It’ll put me too close to Hagan and Carver.”

“Yeah,” she says. Her voice is as faint as he’s ever heard it. “We should go to Hopper?”

He nods.

Forever is the Sweetest Con Chapter 7, out now!

[rosemaryprosser]

return to earth, she remembers you (I)

[medusapelagia]

20 AU-gust: Reconnection

Rating: Teen and up Relationship: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson WT: sickfic, hospital, Medical Inaccuracies WC: 1673

He knew it.

He fucking knew it.

And he came the same.

Fuck.

It’s Dustin’s wedding. He couldn’t exactly be absent being the best man. What hurts is that obviously, Eddie is one of the groomsmen.

He should have known it, or at least asked. But he didn’t because he is a fucking coward, so now he is sitting next to Eddie at the stupid rehearsal dinner while the boy keeps making small talk with one of Suzy's bridesmaids.

He sighs, is not every day that you meet a famous music star so he is not surprised that everyone is trying to get Eddie’s attention, what it’s really annoying is that he is trying to ignore him and he has no one to talk to.

Three years.

Three fucking years since the last time they saw each other.

He fucking remembers that.

He remembers every stupid detail. 

How hard it was raining, how cool Eddie was with his shirt unbuttoned and his tattoo in full view, how the fuck his heart ached when Eddie broke it.

“I’m not ready to come out Stevie.” he has told him “My career is just at the beginning. Maybe later on, when I’ll be more famous and I’ll have more fans, but right now my situation is… delicate.”

His situation was delicate.

His.

Not Steve’s.

As if he hadn’t come out to his parents losing everything just to follow Eddie to LA and help him make it big.

It worked, oh god it fucking worked, even too well.

He remembers how he went from club to club asking them to let the Corroded Coffin play. How he used all the charm that he had. How he worked night and day to make enough money to pay for that horrible one-bedroom apartment just above the Chinese restaurant. His clothes still smell of a Chinese restaurant even years after they left the apartment.

He looks around the room, everyone else seems to have fun.

Well, at least the food is good, so that’s what he is doing, keeping his stomach full trying to forget about all that happened.

He looks at his plate.

Risotto.

He loves risotto.

He looks for a moment toward the happy couple table, knowing that Dustin chose it for him, but he is involved in a conversation with his future-in-law so he starts eating while everyone else is still chatting.

The risotto is very good, maybe the cook is Italian.

“Man, are you ok?” someone asks him and he turns toward one of the other guests.

“Yes. Why?”

“You are red. Like… really red.”

Red? He is angry but not so angry to…

At that moment the waiter comes back with another plate “This one is without shrimp. Who is allergic?”

Steve’s hand lets the fork fall to the ground as soon as he feels his throat start to swell.

He needs his bag, he has an Epipen somewhere. But he didn’t carry his bag! It’s in his room.

Oh god.

He is going to die of an allergic reaction the day before Dustin’s wedding. Dustin is going to kill him.

Suddenly he feels cold hands on his face and a familiar voice talking to him “Steve. Stevie, look at me. Where is your Epipen?” 

“Room.” He manages to babble.

“Shit. Someone go to his room! NOW! Hey, hey, is going to be ok. Keep your eyes on me ok? Steve? Stevie? Where the fuck is that Epipen?”

He is so stupid. How could he have left the Epipen in his room? He knows that he is fucking allergic! He knows that he needs to have one with him always.

He can’t breathe, his chest feels tight and he is going to black out.

At least the last thing he will see are Eddie’s eyes.

God, he is such a sap for that boy.

He takes what he thinks is his last breath and then he feels someone holding his leg and a sharp pain in his thigh.

Immediately his muscle starts to relax and he starts to take some fast breathing.

“Slow… try to breathe slowly… you are fine. Everything is fine. Just keep breathing, ok sweetheart?”

He opens his eyes and Eddie is still holding his leg, the Epipen is sticking out from his slack.

“Steve? Can you hear me?”

He nods, the swelling in his throat is diminishing but he doesn’t feel good enough to talk.

“Ok. I’ll take you to the hospital.” He says, picking him up bridal style.

Dustin is almost crying “Oh my god! Steve! I told you that there were shrimp in the risotto! Why didn’t you ask the waiter when he gave it to you?”

Because he was too busy trying to ignore the boy that now is taking him to his car as quickly as he can.

“I should come with you.”

“Will be fine, Dust. Stay with your family, we will see you tomorrow at the altar, ok?”

“But you and Steve…”

“We can be adults for a few hours. Now we really have to go. Enjoy the party.”

Eddie gets in the car and starts to drive as a bat out of hell.

“Are you still with me big boy?”

Steve nods, too tired to answer.

“Good. Now we are taking a trip to the ER and then I’ll take you back in no time. I know that you need your beauty sleep before the ceremony.” He winks at him trying to lighten the mood.

Eddie parks outside the ER, and enters screaming for help, a kind nurse brings a wheelchair and Steve feels so bad that he doesn’t complain and lets her pull him around the hospital.

They give him another shot and keep him under observation for a couple of hours until the swelling is completely down and his oxygen level is back to normal.

“Pay more attention next time. Anaphylaxis can be deadly.” the doctor scolds him before discharging him from the hospital.

He is ready to call a taxi, when he sees Eddie who is running toward him “You ok?” he asks anxiously.

“Yeah. Sorry for the chaos. You should not have waited for me. I could have called a taxi.” he says, getting in the car.

“Are you fucking serious right now? You almost died in front of me and you thought that I was going to leave you here?!”

“It wouldn’t have been the first time.” he murmurs.

“Are we really doing this, Steve?”

“You left me! You broke my fucking heart!”

“And I’m sorry! But that doesn’t mean that I don’t care about you, Steve!”

“If you did, you wouldn’t have waited three years to talk to me. And only because you thought that I was going to die.”

“I don’t want to fight with you, Steve. Especially not now.”

“Admit that you don’t want to talk with me and we will be fine.”

“You never call either.” he rebukes.

“You were the one that broke up with me!”

“And I thought you didn’t want to have anything to do with me anymore.”

Actually… he didn’t. But now that he saw Eddie again his heart bleeds like the last time that they saw each other… and maybe… maybe being friends is better than nothing.

There is a dark silence between the two of them, but when they get back to the hotel Eddie takes Steve’s hand “Can I sleep with you?”

“I’m too fucked up to have sex, Eddie.”

“No. I just… I just want to be there in case you need help. I bought another Epipen while I was waiting for you. I… I don’t want you to be alone. I can sleep on the couch, I don’t fucking care. Please.”

It makes sense. Still. It hurts.

“Steve?”

“Ok. But you sleep on the couch.”

They get into Steve’s room and he undresses quickly in front of Eddie without thinking. It’s only when he hears a deep moan from Eddie’s mouth that he turns and remembers that he is not alone in the room.

“Sorry.”

“You are still stunning.” Eddie replies, looking at him with no shame.

“Glad you notice. It’s a pity that you are not into men.”

“I came out.”

“What?”

“I came out. Two years ago.”

Oh. Two years ago. One year after he broke up with Steve.

“Cool. Who is the lucky man?”

“You.”

“What?”

“You are the love of my life and I was selfish and stupid and Dustin and I made all this complicated plan to make you fall for me again, but then I felt selfish again. You were doing so well without me, why should I come back into your life with all my shit? I’m not a nice person, Steve. I’m childish and selfish, and fucking in love with you, but I’m no good for you.”

“That’s the worst declaration ever.” Steve snorts, sitting on his bed.

“It is. And I’m the worst boyfriend ever. And I broke your heart. But I swear that if you give me another chance I’ll do my best to avoid repeating the same mistakes. I wanted to start with something big, like asking you to come with me to the Grammys.” Eddie says with a smirk.

“I am dead on my feet. Can we talk about that tomorrow?” Steve asks, getting ready for bed.

“Of course baby. You take all the time that you need and I’ll wait for you. Are you tucked in as you like?”

“You remember?”

“Of course I do.” Eddie replies, getting closer and moving the sheets to keep him comfortable and then he kisses his forehead as he was used to “Shit. Sorry. I didn’t mean it.”

“I liked it.” Steve replies, his eyes almost closed “I missed you, Eddie.”

“I missed you too baby.”

The next day, when Eddie catches the bride's bouquet, he offers it to Steve.

He smiles, still unsure of where they are but still deeply in love with the boy who broke his heart and promised not to do it again.

The next day, when Eddie catches the bride's bouquet, he offers it to Steve. He smiles, still unsure of where they are but still deeply in love with the boy who broke his heart and promised not to do it again.

[mycollectioncloud]

My Body, My Mind.

Sitting in a moment of relaxation My mind is quiet Body is warm Covered in the lightest layer of sweat

A nice pocket of air Envelopes my body And my mind rejoices In a quiet and subtle manner

With the body going From warm to perfectly cool Seems to light flame within me Making me feel alive

More than I have felt In the longest time For so long I was lost but now In this moment

I feel the most whole I have felt For the longest time As I've reconnected With a long lost friend

[hindahoney]

ok, my mom is Jewish by blood but was adopted and raised by a christian family. she doesn't really align herself with any one faith, she's brought me to our synagogue plenty of times but also goes to the Krishna temple n stuff n if you ask if she's Jewish she'll say yes but not religiously. my question is: do I need to convert when I haven't been raised strictly Jewish though by heritage my mom is Jewish? it's weird bc she wasn't raised by her side of the family but I've known them my whole life and have never met her adoptive family. I'm in the middle of moving so I sadly don't have time to bring it up with my rabbi (there's been mention of it before but never in depth) and I don't know which synagogue I'll join in my new city (after living in the southern US for so long it's strange to have *options* lol) aaaa thanks in advance prolly gonna be sending this to a few blogs. I'm most likely going to stay with conservative/reform btw, i know that changes things a little bit.

Your mother is Jewish, so you're Jewish. No need to convert, but you could always take some classes to learn more.

It makes me really happy that you're interested in learning/reconnecting with Judaism. I hope that your next community is one that you like!