#this ended up longer than i intended

[ikarakie]

after eddie introduces a demogorgon to one of his hellfire campaigns, the kids get a little squirmy. they're nervously looking at each other and aren't engaging as excitedly as they usually do. when he calls time, he watches dustin rummage through his backpack and produce a walkie talkie.

he watches, a bit dumbfounded, as the kid demands a 'check-in'. all at once, multiple different voices come over the channel. stating a name and then saying 'safe.' ("nancy, safe." "robin, safe." "max, safe.")

"steve?" dustin demands. there's only static. "steve!" a little more frantic this time.

"he left to pick you up." a female voice replies, "he's probably fine. you'll see him soon."

none of the kids look particularly pleased, and pack up hastily. eddie and the other hellfire members all share confused glances. he, more morbidly curious than anything else, follows the little sheep as they hurry out of the school.

dustin is fucking restless as they all stand in the empty parking lot. he won't stay still and none of them are answering any of eddie's questions. and he only gets more confused when a brown beemer pulls in, windows down and playing depeche mode through the speakers. dustin goes to sprint towards it, and he has to hold him by the collar to stop him getting run over.

the beemer pulls up and steve harrington, in all his glory, steps out, frowning. dustin wrenches out of eddie's grip and all but bodies the guy, wrapping arms tightly around his midsection. steve, still looking puzzled, hugs back. lucas and mike trail after dustin.

"we called a check-in." dustin says, a bit muffled from where his face is smushed into steve's shirt. steve goes sort of pale, and- and presses a goddamn kiss to the top of henderson's head before tightening the hug.

"shit, i'm sorry." and eddie believes him. he sounds so guilty. "i meant to replace the batteries before i left. sorry, i'm okay." dustin pulls back and scrubs at his eyes. lucas takes his place, though the hug he gives is more like one of those bro-hugs jocks seem to love. steve smiles regardless. he just ruffles mike's hair, who pouts in response but looks relieved nonetheless.

"asshole." he mutters. "rule four, walkies on at all times." steve nods as the kid half-heartedly waves goodbye to eddie and hops in the backseat of the beemer. lucas follows. dustin seems reluctant to walk around the car, to take his eyes off steve for even a second.

"you wanna stay over tonight?" steve asks, warm and gentle. he folds his arms and in that moment eddie thinks they look sort of like brothers. "robin and me were gonna watch some films. we can call your mom from mine."

the kid nods, looking a bit happier. steve slaps him on the back and motions him to get in the car. dustin swivels to hug and say goodbye to eddie (who sort of forgot he was physically present in this moment) before doing as he was told.

steve turns to eddie. which- whew! hi pretty eyes.

"sorry." he smiles and eddie can't for the life of him figure out what he's apologising for. "they, uh- yeah. them." he gestures vaguely at the car and eddie just chuckles.

"hey, man, no worries." he says, a little breathless that he's having a conversation with the steve harrington. "they okay? never seen henderson look so rattled." steve nods, then seems to think better of it and just shrugs. cocks his hip to the side (stop fucking staring at his hips, munson, lord!)

"they will be." he glances back at the beemer, which is now full of childish bickering. pauses to think and then asks, "you using demogorgons in your campaign right now?"

eddie blinks at him. "yes? yeah. what the fuck- how do you know what that is? what-" steve just laughs.

"long story." there's a haunted look in his eyes before he continues, "just, uh- that's probably what upset them. demogorgons and us- them, i mean-" he waves his hand. "bad memories. hard to explain, but... if you could..." he doesn't need to ask, seems like he doesn't know how or even if he's allowed.

"got it, ill tweak the campaign." harrington smiles at him, something small and genuine, and murmurs a thanks. offers him a fucking lift, which eddie declines, motioning to his van. harrington just nods, tells him to get home safe and then clambers back into the car, yells at the kids to put seatbelts on with all the exasperation of a single dad, and pulls away.

eddie watches them go, having seen a side of harrington he'd thought dustin had been lying about. steve harrington, the caring babysitter, everyone's older brother, a changed man.

he starts escorting the kids to the parking lot more often.

[regulusandpandora]

James made his way across the Hogwarts lawn with his friends, laughing at a joke Peter had made. The day was warm, the sun was out. Remus was having a good day, his chronic pain giving him somewhat of a break due to the halfway point between two full moons. Sirius was laughing, genuinely laughing, with tears in his eyes, his hands clutching his sides, for the first time since he’d shown up on the Potter’s doorstep. Peter was smiling again, his eyes crinkled at the corners, a change from his melancholy as of late.

Today was a good day, and so James laughed at his friend’s joke, slinging an arm around Peter’s shoulder, pretending like everything wasn’t crumbling, because here, right now, it wasn’t.

“That’s a good one, Pete,” he chuckled, shooting his friend a grin. 

Peter returned it, and James was pleased to see the sparkle of pride in his eyes, a flush in his cheeks. This was the Peter he’d known for all these years, and James had been worried that he wouldn’t make a reappearance after everything that had happened over the past few months. So James congratulated him once more, asking where he’d come up with such a joke, coaxing that old, happy Peter back out of the shell Peter had pulled himself into. 

Because James knew what it felt like to listen to the whispers in the halls rather than the loud voices of his friends, and he wouldn’t let Peter go through that alone. 

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Regulus hovering by the edge of the castle wall, watching them as they laughed. His expression was unreadable from this far away, but standing there, sun shining on his dark hair, glinting off his rings. James bit his lip to keep from smiling at the sight of him. 

Checking to make sure his friends were distracted, he waved at Regulus.

Regulus merely turned away, walking back into the castle. 

James stared after him, confused, and vaguely hurt, but not very surprised. Regulus, in the time James had known him, was never much of a people person, choosing to silently hang out with his friend, Crouch, Rosier, and Meadowes. Even sparkly Pandora Yaxley couldn't pull a smile from him, most days. James had watched Regulus more than was probably healthy these last few months, the intention of helping Regulus escape for Sirius’ sake turning into something else. Something deeply personal.

He watched Regulus, seeing a boy who covered everything up with a cold look and a glare, but who watched his friends with an intense loyalty that reminded James a bit of Sirius, who spent hours reading and studying, something very un-Sirius, who had ink stains on his fingers that ruined his otherwise perfect appearance, who cracked a smile at his friends when he thought no one else was looking, who helped the younger kids and the house elves without ever letting them know it was him who left them kind notes with encouragements and study tips and cleaned up after himself.

James saw a boy who was kinder and braver than Sirius thought, probably than Regulus thought himself. And he was determined to get Regulus out of that house, to show Regulus that he was more than his parents said.

He would show Regulus Black that his heart was good, even if his own heart broke because it would never be loved back.

excerpt from my jegulus fic 'wishes of could be'

[fearthecoldblood]

13 :]

idk ask phob-

I’m getting deja vu- can’t remember if I answered this here or somewhere else but it’s sinday so I’ll write it out in more detail.

nsft content below! / sinday asks

13. What’s their favorite sex position(s)?

His favourite is probably any ‘woman on top’ position. These typically aren’t possible for extended periods of time (silly gravity!) so he most definitely makes the most of them. They also have the added benefit of taking the strain off his hips and leg. It gets tiresome holding up himself for positions where he’s on top due to his missing leg (if it’s in a bed, the prosthetic does indeed come off- the top hat stays on, though /j). For longer sessions, definitely the lotus position. This is primarily because It allows for both members to play an active role (he feels like he’s still doing his bit whilst being able to feel comfortable).

[tadfool]

thinkin about Astarion mending Wyll's clothes for him but also embroidering something on them when he does. I imagine with all the fighting and traveling Wyll ends up with rips and holes in his clothes pretty often and eventually Astarion gets sick of watching him walk around in tattered clothes (most people likely wouldn't even notice but of course Astarion isn't most people). the first couple times he does it he just mends the damages and gives it back, but maybe one time Wyll ends up with a particularly large rip in his shirt and Astarion decides to take the opportunity to cover the damage with a small bit of embroidery to tidy up the repair. Wyll thanks him for repairing his shirt (again) but then he notices the embroidery and pauses for a moment in both surprise and marvel. "did you do this?" he says, carefully running his thumb over the delicate stitches, he knew it was a bit of a stupid question but he couldn't seem to think of anything else to say. (cont. under the cut bc this got kinda long)

"it was a pretty nasty rip, even with my skillful hands," Astarion flashes Wyll a suggestive grin to emphasize his innuendo but Wyll is still to busy admiring the embroidery in his hands, "I wasn't able to make the repair look presentable on its own, but a bit of embroidery does well enough to cover it up"

"it's beautiful." Wyll breathes.

"yes, well, you're welcome." Astarion retorts, his voice thick with snark to hide how much Wyll's earnest praise flustered him.

Wyll chuckles and thanks him again before they part ways.

the next time Astarion repairs some of Wyll's clothes when he returns the item Wyll once again notices a small patch of embroidery but this time it's somewhere totally unrelated to the damaged area. it's lovely, and he spends a moment admiring it before giving Astarion a questioning look. "there was a stain, I couldn't wash it out so I just covered it up. you're welcome, by the way." Astarion defends, and it's almost believable. it might have been more believable if it didn't keep happening.

every time Wyll hands over a damaged piece of clothing to be repaired, it's returned to him with some new embroidery adorning it. it starts off subtle but after some time he has a collage of embroidery along his left pant leg, starting at his hip and extending further down towards his knee with every repair. the collar and both shoulders of his shirt are adorned with delicate designs in colourful thread. he also, notably, becomes a bit more careful in battle, not wanting to damage Astarion's embroidery.

once, an opponent manages to graze his shoulder with their blade, the cut isn't deep but it slices through his shirt. and through the embroidery. as soon as he glaces over and catches sight of the torn thread, he's furious. he dispatches the enemy quickly and rather ungracefully. when he hands the shirt over to Astarion to be repaired he's positively dejected. "swiped at my shoulder, I didn't manage to deflect it in time, cut straight through the embroidery..."

Astarion clicks his tongue, assessing the damage, "no respect for craftsmanship these days..."

when he returns the shirt most of the old design has been picked out and replaced with a new one. a simpler design, Wyll notes, likely easier to repair if it were to get damaged again. he admires it with the same appreciation as the first. "is your shoulder alright, by the way?" Astarion asks rather suddenly.

"hm? oh, yes, barely grazed it. nothing a bandage and a night or two's rest won't fix."

"good." the silence that follows is almost palpable. so many unspoken words, concern, affection, hanging in the space between them. "well. do try to be more careful." Astarion finally says, then hastily adds "at this rate I'm going to run out of thread before I get a chance to get more."

Wyll smiles softly at him. (so softly it makes Astarion's chest ache) "of course." (the idea that Astarion cares about his safety makes Wyll's chest ache as well)

[freakadr0id]

Oh my GOD, I just realized why Donnie acts so weird in Man vs. Sewer. I always thought his behavior was odd in that episode, particularly in his nonchalance towards finding and saving Raph - but I had the most random thought occur to me during work that TOTALLY explains it. I'm sure some people have probably pointed this stuff out already, but I wanted to put this out there anyway.

The episode 'Man-vs-Sewer' is a personal favorite of mine. I love the episodes where the boys are just goofing off, and this episode is that plus some. We see get to see the boys having fun for a bit at the start of the episode, but it also adds a bit more depth to some of the turtles. We see a really surprising side to Raph's character with his fear of being alone, and Leo gets to shine a bit as a leader and hint at his true potential.

However, I was always a bit puzzled by the way Donnie and Mikey were written in this episode. As a rule, Rise is pretty good about keeping its characters, well, in character, so their behavior struck me as kind of strange, particularly Donnie's.

If there is one thing Rise NAILS about Donnie's character is showing that despite struggling with emotions and empathy, he is still NOT AN ASSHOLE. Donnie genuinely and deeply loves his family - he just has a hard time expressing it externally.

'Man-vs-Sewer' kind of stood out to me as an exception to that, however. At this point, Donnie's care for his brothers is an undisputed fact, so why does he seem so unconcerned about finding Raph after being separated? Even for Donnie, this seems like an ooc level of indifference towards the well-being of his brother (at least that's how I saw it).

Except, it isn't. In fact, this episode only reinforces that Donnie does care for his family, it's just a *bit* harder to see here.

One thing many neurodivergent people struggle with is a sudden change in plans. When they expect to do something that day it can be very difficult for some neurodivergent people to deal with it emotionally and can lead to immense frustration or even shutdowns. Since Donnie is confirmed to be, at the very least, autistic coded, this would absolutely apply to him as well.

The turtles planned to have a nice, relaxing day floating along New York's sewers and enjoying a small break from all the stress of finding the Dark Armor. No fighting, no mystic metal, no foot clan. Just a calm day of fun without a care in the world - only for it to be ruined by a bad pass and a lost brother.

I know if my plans were ruined like that, I would be in an absolutely FOUL mood. It can be hard to transition into a different mindset when the expectations for the day change like that, and it can make anyone frustrated, but Donnie doesn't appear to be that way. In fact, he's acting extremely casual.

Even though everything he was going to do today was upended and his brother is now missing in the New York sewers, why does Donnie seem so unconcerned about the whole situation?

Answer: It's a coping mechanism.

It would be very easy for him to be a bit more annoyed and frustrated at the whole situation (I definitely would be), but he isn't. Instead, he avoids getting overwhelmed and emotional by continuing through the day as if nothing has really changed.

The whole time they are finding Raph, Donnie behaves as if they are still on a peaceful, carefree mini-vacation. He makes snide jokes and jabs toward Leo, enjoys the drinks he brought in his shell, and constantly reminds the others that it is his "day off." If he can act as though he's still relaxing, it becomes easier to adjust to unexpected alterations in his day. This isn't Donnie being willfully inconsiderate towards Raph being lost and alone, this is just him trying to manage with the sudden changes the best he can in that moment.

If Donnie really was an uncaring asshole (as some may be inclined to believe given his apparent lack of empathy), he simply would have resumed their original plans, or been more vocally resistant to going after Raph. Instead, he joins his brothers in their search, and although he may not provide the best input for finding Raph because of his coping method (his brain is in "day off" mode which is why he keeps missing clues about Raph), he is still making an effort.

In a way, the episode which I thought portrayed a slightly out-of-character version of Donnie actually provides yet another example of how Donnie really loves his brothers, despite how it may seem on the surface.

~-~-~

(Actually, depending on the way you interpret his character, the same can be said for Mikey in this episode as well. Mikey is always a bit of a goofball in the show but in this episode, it is dialed up to 11. He also doesn't seem to much care or effort into finding Raph and acts like a child who managed to snag one of their parents' energy drinks. If we consider that maybe he is also struggling to adapt to the changes of the day, this could be him adopting a similar coping method to Donnie, it is just amplified because of his hyperactive behavior and personality.)

[stevenrogered]

ONE DAY ↳book > screen

Imagine one selected day struck out of your life and think how different its course would have been. Think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on that memorable day. - Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

[3-aem]

UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO UNSEAL GOJO

[oxydiane]

Harry is eight and spending the time he isn’t locked up in his cupboard, or doing house chores, or running away from Dudley and his gang, at the nearby park. He sits on the swing and idly watches the most beautiful boy he’s ever seen.

His name is Malcom, his hair is light brown and his eyes are the prettiest blue Harry’s ever seen.

But— but boys aren’t supposed to be pretty. Boys aren’t supposed to think other boys are pretty, so he makes himself smaller in his worn out jumper and never approaches him again.

Harry is eleven when his life turns upside down and a gangly freckled kid sits next to him on the Hogwarts Express. He looks into his blue eyes and marvels at the bright red of his hair. He wants to reach out and clean the bit of dirt off his nose, but that would be getting too close to another boy, and he couldn’t afford that, could he?

Not when he could imagine tracing all the freckles scattered across his cheeks.

Harry is fourteen when Cedric Diggory falls from the sky and offers him help getting up after using his first Portkey. His hand is big and as calloused as he’d expect a Quidditch player’s to be. He doesn’t like dwelling on the thought of how nice he’d found it.

He asks Cho Chang to the Yule Ball and she rejects him because Cedric Diggory had been quicker. He ends up spending the night on a chair intently looking at the way Cedric’s hand curls around Cho’s waist. He was jealous of him, right?

He tells Sirius about the Yule Ball and he raises an eyebrow at the way Harry describes Cedric’s robes and styled hair but can barely remember the colour of Cho’s dress.

Harry is fifteen when Cho Chang finally agrees to go on a date with him. It happens after they kiss and Harry is eager, he should be, right? The kiss had felt wet and not particularly pleasant and his chest felt a lot warmer as he watched the way Ron laughed when he described it than it had felt when his lips had collided with Cho’s.

The date doesn’t go well, maybe Harry just doesn’t get women.

Sirius says it’s ridiculous, but he doesn’t miss the odd look he and Remus give each other.

Harry is sixteen when he dreams of red hair and freckled skin and in order to escape it he decides to stay up at night and stare at Draco Malfoy’s dot on the Marauder’s Map.

It doesn’t do him good.

He decides the bright red infesting his dreams must be Ginny’s, because he doesn’t know any other red-haired girl. Even though she wears it long and when he dreams it’s short and spiky. And the freckles on her cheeks are not as numerous as the ones he marvels at after falling asleep.

He decides it has to be Ginny, and the thought of it can occupy his mind long enough to make him forget the weird pang and slight sick in his stomach each time he catches Ron snogging Lavender.

When Ginny runs up to him after winning the Quidditch up, he kisses her, because that’s what he’d been dreaming about, right? Hands tangled in red hair and freckled cheeks centimetres from his face, but it feels all wrong.

Ron nods at him and it all feels wrong.

Sirius is not here anymore for Harry to consult, so instead he takes Ginny outside their common room and, on the Hogwarts grounds, opens his heart to her.

She understands.

Harry is seventeen when he has to die and he still hasn’t made sense of the feelings in his chest or why, no matter how much he tried, girls felt so wrong.

It’s not at the forefront of his mind, it’s not even close because the only thing he can think about is the warm bodies laying lifeless in the Great Hall.

But, as he approaches his death, he does spare a thought for the uneasiness he had felt when Hermione kissed Ron, and the discomfort every kiss he’d given before had provided him. He hadn’t lived in full, not even close.

A flash of green light approaches and he finds it silly, how his last thought is of red hair and freckles.

Harry is eighteen when he attends his first Weasley family dinner after the war. The grief is heavy and Fred’s chair is empty but Percy is back home and it does bring at least a shard of comfort to Mrs Weasley. He isn’t alone, Oliver Wood hangs from his arm.

He is eighteen and Percy Weasley introduces Oliver Wood as his boyfriend.

Harry blinks at them and something in his head just clicks.

Harry is twenty when he finally musters the courage to walk into a Gay Bar. He had to Confund the door keeper because he didn’t own an ID, the Dursleys had never bothered giving it to him, given he even had one.

It’s a Muggle place and he feels like the odd one out, terribly dressed down and completely clueless.

He ends up ordering a beer and sitting by the bar.

It’s not until his third visit that a stranger approaches him. He has red hair but his pupils are a soft hazel and his skin isn’t freckled at all. Harry thinks that if he shuts his eyes close, maybe, he could pretend.

His name is Lucas, his lips taste vaguely like strawberries and the kiss doesn’t make Harry want to turn his insides inside out. He smiles and the rush of adrenaline in his veins as Lucas nibs on his bottom lip feels both terrifying and terribly right.

Harry is twenty-three when the cat gets out of the bag.

It’s not because he wanted it, really, but sharing a flat with his best mates could be inconvenient, at times.

He flushed and urges his date to get dressed as he tries to avoid Ron and Hermione’s shocked looks. Their hands are clasped together and Harry has learnt to live with the uncomfortable twist of his stomach by now.

They come off it quickly, though. Ron laughs and pats Harry on the back, says everything is much more clear now.

Harry is twenty-five when he makes his best-man speech at Ron and Hermione’s wedding.

He chokes on his words both because he was never that good at public speaking and because each time he looked at the way Ron’s arm curled around Hermione’s shoulder his throat went a bit drier.

He drinks his glass of champagne in one go and relishes in the burn before fetching Gabriel, his date for the night.

Gabriel stood out like a sour note next to his exes: his hair were a dusty blonde. Harry had thought there would be way too many redheads at the wedding anyways.

Harry is thirty-one when Ron jokes he will never settle down if he keeps on changing men at the same rate he changes his pants, but Harry doesn’t care.

Ron looks thoroughly annoyed and Hermione coughs, worried and almost resigned eyes looking up at her husband.

Harry is thirty-three when Ron shows up at his place with a suitcase and bashfully tells him Hermione wants to file for a divorce.

He just nods and lets Ron in.

Harry is thirty-five when Ron brings back a bottle of expensive Firewhisky and decides they should celebrate the Cannons’ new victory streak on their own.

He hadn’t heard of the Cannons winning anything, recently, but he shrugs it off because it’s not really his thing anyways, Ron would know.

He is thirty-five and Ron, red-haired, freckled and now face flushed sits way too close for comport and traces his lips with a pinky.

He stands up abruptly and loudly declares it’s time for bed. Ron looks quite annoyed, but it will pass.

It must have been his imagination.

Harry is thirty-seven when his best mate breaks down crying in front of him and confesses his feelings through agonising sobs.

He keeps apologising and a tug at his hand breaks Harry out of his stupor. He was sure it must have been a dream, but Ron was real and crying and trembling.

He leans down wordlessly and, finally— sparks.

He is thirty-seven and this is the first time he’s ever felt so alive.

Harry is forty-two when Hagrid walks him down the aisle.

It’s clumsy and messy because they’re both trying not to cry, Harry being much better at it than the half-giant.

He catches a glimpse of Hermione, beaming at him from the front with a knowing smile.

He is forty-two and he is in front of Ron, in white robes. The voices around them nothing but white noise and then Ron leans down and all he can see is— red. Red hair and freckles.

[dragonanon]

can you do a chapter based on your Death!Reader and God!Brother hcs where Death wakes up from her sleep and goes to Heaven to check up on her brother's children and everyone is obviously terrified of her?

Hmmm…I’m not typically one to do requests because the urge to write is so sporadic and random for me. BUT I have been thinking about the initial confrontation in Heaven for a while now, so here are some head cannons for that. >w>

——

- It’s a typical perfect day in Heaven…Until it isn’t. Having seen what had become of your realm and learning Heaven was to blame for it, you’re on your way to rip someone a new asshole.

- Screams erupt from the Angels as the ground begins to shake and the bright sky darkens. Sera and Emily rush out just in time to join the Angels in watching in abject terror as a massive pool of darkness forms on the ground, and from it slowly rises a menacing figure.

- The figure is massive, and it only continues to rise until even the tallest building barely reaches its hips. Its six long horns twist and arch toward the sky, only making the figure appear even taller. Upon reaching its full height, the figure spreads its six mighty wings, each one sporting a menacingly sharp claw and all as shrouded in darkness as the rest of the figure.

- As its wings blot out the sun further, the figure opens its many blazing white eyes; two where you’d normally expect to see eyes, a third in the center of its forehead, and dozens more scattered across its wings and body.

- Sera lost all color as soon as she saw the figure rising, and somehow lost even MORE color when the figure opened all of its eyes. She looks like she shit herself, and Emily is panicking, trying desperately to get Sera to tell her what’s going on; she’s never seen the older Seraph look so terrified.

- With this unimaginably imposing figure now looming over Heaven, Adam decides this is the PERFECT time to attack, having been dumb enough to think this was a Demon attacking Heaven.

- The exorcists fly up towards the figure, ready to attack. This only angers the figure further however, and with a rumble that shakes the ground itself, the figure merely flaps its wings; creating a gust of wind so powerful it knocks all the exorcists back onto the ground.

- It’s at this point Sera FINALLY snaps out of it, rushing to Adam in mad panic and damn nearly strangling him while telling him to call off the exorcists. Which he does, albeit with some reluctance.

- This doesn’t stop him from asking Sera what gives, and her response is “Adam you absolute fucking fool, that is DEATH!”

- Now it’s Adam’s turn to look like he shit himself. “Death? As in, “the big man himself’s younger sister” Death?? As in, “the baddest bitch you’ve EVER seen, but can kill ANYTHING by just touching it” Death??? THAT fucking Death????” Ignoring that last statement, Sera’s frantic nodding in confirmation confirms to Adam that he has indeed fucked up. Big time. Adam then proceeds to lose all color in his face and practically cowers behind Sera as she cautiously approaches you, mentally preparing herself to be reaped on the spot.

- Back to your perspective however, you’re fucking PISSED. So pissed that you don’t even notice or stop to think that most of Heaven’s inhabitants likely have NO CLUE who you are, and are likely legitimately fearing for their lives. Meanwhile for all the older Angels and Angelic beings who’ve been alive long enough to have known you before you went to sleep, like Sera, they’re all still very much afraid, but it’s more in line with the “oh shit mom’s home early and she saw the mess we made in the kitchen, she’s gonna kill us!” kind of fear.

- The fact that they sent exorcists at you makes you even angrier. Like for starters, how fucking weak do they think you are that you could be stopped by just some low level Angelic beings with pointy sticks?? And then the audacity to even attack you to begin with, like THEY weren’t the ones who fucked up and you’re just some kind of strange intruder needing to be slain?? The INDIGNITY of it all!

- Your voice booms throughout Heaven, making even the ground tremble at the sheer intensity of it. “WHO DID IT?” You’re met with only silence, so you ask again with more force. “MY REALM IS A COMPLETE MESS WITH MILLIONS OF DISPLACED SOULS RIGHT NOW. SO AGAIN I ASK, WHICH ONE OF YOU FLAT FOOT CHILDREN DID THIS?!”

- Sera replies, voice trembling slightly. “Are…Are you talking about the exterminations? “IF THAT IS WHAT YOU’RE CALLING THIS MOCKERY OF MY WORK, THEN YES.” Sera looks visibly confused and concerned. “But…That SHOULDN’T be possible!…The exterminations KILL the Sinners; their souls should be gone, not stuck in Limbo! There has to be some kind of mistake here!”

- Hearing this, you can’t help but let out a brief but harsh cackle, making the ground jolt from the abruptness. “DEAR YOU HONESTLY THINK A SOUL COULD BE SO EASY TO DESTROY? A SOUL IS A POWERFUL THING FOR A REASON CHILD, IF THEY WERE SO EASILY DESTROYED THEN NONE OF YOU WOULD BE STANDING HERE BEFORE ME NOW!…SO ONCE AGAIN, WHO. DID. THIS?! AND SO HELP ME, IF I HAVE TO ASK AGAIN THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES.”

- Whilst Sera is dumbfounded by this revelation, Adam sees a golden opportunity to save his ass and points at Sera. “I-It was her! Yeah it was all fucking HER idea! I-I tried to tell her it was stupid, b-but she just REALLY wanted to go down and kill those bast- Demons! Yeah she REALLY wanted to kill all those poor Demons, can ya fucking believe this shit?!”

- Before Sera can defend herself, the darkness seems to intensify, and she can just FEEL every one of your eyes glaring daggers into her. “SERA…YOU SIGNED OFF ON THIS?? YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF, I EXPECTED SO MUCH BETTER FROM YOU! I LEFT EXPLICIT INSTRUCTIONS FOR HEAVEN AND HELL TO WORK TOGETHER TO SORT SOULS FOR THIS VERY REASON! AND NOW BECAUSE OF THESE BARBARIC “EXTERMINATIONS”, YOU’VE COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE BALANCE I WORKED SO HARD TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN. I HOPE YOU’RE PROUD OF YOURSELF, BECAUSE I’M CERTAINLY NOT!”

- It’s a strange and mildly amusing sight to see the head seraph get scolded like a misbehaving child by this massive dark entity. But here we are anyway!

- At one point during the tongue lashing you’re giving to your niece, Emily buts in and asks for an explanation for what’s going on; having not heard Sera’s previous explanation to Adam apparently.

- Your temper flares for a brief moment, and you just about launched into another lecture at the little shit who DARED interrupt you. But upon seeing Emily, you softened considerably, seeing that she was young and TRULY didn’t understand what was happening.

- “AH…I APOLOGIZE DEAR, BUT I DON’T THINK I RECOGNIZE YOU…COME CLOSER LITTLE ONE SO I CAN SEE YOU.” You slowly crouch down and lower your hand, offering Emily to climb onto it. Emily is hesitant, obviously a bit scared of you. But Sera encourages her to go to you, she knows that you won’t hurt Emily and it’s high time she meets her aunt anyway.

- With the small seraph in hand, you stand back up to your full height and bring her closer to your face. Now FINALLY able to see her properly, you speak. “YOU’RE FAIRLY YOUNG FOR A SERAPH…YOU MUST’VE BEEN BORN DURING MY SLUMBER, AND IN THAT CASE I APOLOGIZE THIS HAD TO BE OUR FIRST MEETING. TELL ME, WHAT IS YOUR NAME CHILD?”

- Her voice trembling slightly, Emily tells you her name and then asks who you are and asks if you’re a seraph like her and Sera. The innocent question gets a genuine laugh out of you, and despite it shaking the ground it’s a lovely sound. “OH CHILD, I AM FAR FROM BEING A SERAPH. THOUGH I CAN SEE WHY YOU WOULD THINK THAT. YOU WERE ALL MADE IN MY IMAGE AFTER ALL.”

- Seeing the visible confusion on Emily’s face, you elaborated. “LONG AGO, YOUR FATHER WANTED TO SHOW HIS APPRECIATION OF ME. SO FOR HIS FIRST SENTIENT CREATIONS, THE SERAPHIM, HE BASED THEM ALL ON ME.” Emily looks surprised, and follows up by asking how you know God.

- You give another genuine laugh at her question. “SWEETY I’M HIS YOUNGER SISTER, I AM “DEATH”, THE GODDESS OF WELL…DEATH. BUT YOU CAN CALL ME “D” OR “AUNT D”, MOST OF YOUR SIBLINGS DO.” Emily’s mind is blown “Wait! YOU’RE aunt D?! Sera told me all kinds of stories about you before you went to sleep, like the time you got into an argument with Father over his invention of the “Snuggie”. I never thought I’d get to meet you!”

- “IT WAS LITERALLY JUST A BATHROBE YOU WORE BACKWARDS, AND I STILL CAN’T BELIEVE HE THOUGHT THAT WAS AT ALL CLEVER.” You huff, feeling amusement and mild irritation at that memory.

- “SPEAKING OF YOUR FATHER, WHERE IS HE?” Sera speaks up, having managed to recollect herself, and explains that no one has seen or heard a word from God since before you went to sleep.

- The irritated snarl that leaves your throat sounds like thunder and shakes the ground, making everyone tremble with fear. “THAT LAZY BASTARD HAD ONE FUCKING JOB, WATCH HIS DAMN KIDS, AND HE COULDN’T EVEN DO THAT?! NO WONDER THIS ALL HAPPENED THEN, HE LEFT YOU ALL UNSUPERVISED!”

- Bending over, you carefully set Emily down before standing back up. “I HATE TO CUT MY INTRODUCTION SHORT, BUT APPARENTLY I NEED TO GO AND HAVE A LITTLE CHAT WITH YOUR FATHER.” You stare pointedly at Sera and continue. “DON’T THINK THIS MEANS YOU’RE ENTIRELY OFF THE HOOK EITHER. WHILE YES, YOUR FATHER’S ABSENCE IS MOSTLY TO BLAME FOR THIS DEBACLE, YOU ALSO KNOW BETTER THAN TO DO SUCH TERRIBLE THINGS. WE WILL BE DISCUSSING THIS MORE ONCE I FINISH WITH YOUR FATHER, AND IF I COME BACK AND FIND OUT YOU HELD ANY MORE OF THESE “EXTERMINATIONS” I WILL TURN YOU INTO A HOLLOW! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?” Looking at the ground, Sera nods and says “Yes Auntie D…”

- Satisfied with that response, you bid everyone farewell and slowly melt back into the ground, completely disappearing. Once you’re gone, the sunlight is back and it’s as if you were never there.

- Now the seraphim have to soothe the murmuring crowd while Sera starts attempting to get in contact with Lucifer to let him know that “Hey Aunt D found out about the exterminations and is NOT happy about it. She just got done yelling at me, and now she’s on her way to go read Father the riot act. Just warning you now because once she’s done with him, you’re probably gonna be next.”

- Lucifer receives the message and is now frantically trying to create peace offerings in hopes they’ll make you more amicable, while also preemptively planning his own funeral in case the peace offerings don’t work.

- Meanwhile in God’s palace, God is currently relaxing in an elaborate hot tub and watching American football on an absurdly large TV whilst drinking wine like it’s water. He’s pretty drunk and having a grand time yelling at the TV.

- His fun is interrupted through by you literally kicking in the door and storming in, you’ve shrunken down to your smaller size so all your features are actually visible now and not covered in darkness as you glare at your older brother with an intensity that could peel paint.

- God startled momentarily before seeing it’s you and giving you a dopey smile. He’s also in his smaller form, so that makes things slightly easier for you. “Ohhh heeeyyy Death!…You startled me thereee…It’zzzz beeen awhillle, huh?” You scoff at his slurred speech, in disbelief that he could be so drunk right now.

- “Yes, it HAS been awhile. Good to see that you still choose to spend your days getting completely wasted instead of tending to your children.” You answer tersely, and God rolls his eyes. “Zzstill the saaame old ssstuck up bitch…Tha kidzz are fahine Deee! Yyyoou should cohme haave ah drink wib meee.”

- You ignore God’s offer for a drink and cut right to the chase. “No, your kids are NOT fine! When was the last time you checked in on them?! Do you even know what they’re up to right now??!” God dismissively waves his hand and chugs more wine. “I juzzt checked on thhhem ah couple decades aghooo..They’rrre prohably makinnn neeewh liffe.”

- “God that is a load of shit, and you know it! I was JUST down in Heaven, and the seraphim told me that you haven’t seen or spoken to ANY of them since I left to take my nap eons ago! And furthermore, while you’ve been in here drinking the day away, your children have COMPLETELY destroyed the balance we created! They’ve been mass slaughtering Demons annually for millennia now, and Limbo is a complete disaster right now because of this!” Hearing this, God looks down at his bottle of whine, embarrassed, and mumbles an awkward “oh”.

- Silence hangs heavy in the air for a moment before God clears his throat and says. “Zzsooo…You’rrree NNOT gooing to drink wiff me?” At this you snap and snatch the wine bottle from God and chuck it at the TV, smashing the bottle and the TV. God shouts in anger but before he can ask you wtf that was for, you just lay into him. Calling him a deadbeat and pathetic excuse of a deity.

- “How can you just sit in here day after day, while your CHILDREN are out there causing such mayhem! Do you not love your children all??!” God is shouting back at you, his anger having sobered him up some so he’s not slurring as much. “How DARE you accuse me of not loving my children! I would giive ANYTHING for them and you know that!”

- “Then fucking ACT like it!! Don’t just sit in here and rot your mind with booze and TV!” God growls. “I don’t need you to tell meee how to handle my children! Why do you even care?! It’zzz not like they’re yours anyway!”

- “I care because they are part of MY family, and I want my family to be safe and happy, something that you couldn’t give less of a shit about apparently!” God throws his hands up at this point “Well what do you want from me Death, go hhhold their handz?! My children are ALL capable of thinking and being on their own, they don’t NEED me to do shit for them!”

- “That doesn’t mean that they don’t still need you there emotionally! But with the way you act maybe it’s best you ARE never there! After all, what use could any of them get from your pathetic drunk ass!!” This clearly struck a nerve as God points back at the door you came in through and roars at you to get the fuck out of his house. Growling, you give a harsh “Fine!” and tell him he can sit and be a drunk deadbeat all he wants because you’re done with him and his shit, and he’s NEVER to contact you again unless it’s in regards to his children or business.

- You stomp out of God’s palace and return to Limbo, wanting to start working on getting things cleaned up and cool off some before you go check on things in Hell.

- Once you’re gone though, God slumps his shoulders and hangs his head. With your venomous words echoing his head, he summons another bottle of wine and begins chugging it while he trudges into his bedchambers.

- He flops down onto the bed and picks up a framed photo and slowly brings it closer to his face. It’s an old photo, one taken shortly after God created the first few seraphim. You and God are both standing next to each other, arms around each other’s shoulders and leaning in close while the first seraphim all stand in between the two of you. Everyone is absolutely beaming, and God looks especially happy; so proud of his creations.

- Tears drop onto the photo as God remembers how things used to be back then, back when he was actually NEEDED by those around him and wasn’t just some brand figure who’s only job is to smile and wave. Even as he slowly sets the photo down, tears continue to fall and he holds his head in his hands. “…I’m sorry I’m so damn useless…Hopefully you’ll forgive me someday…Not that I deserve it though…I’m…so fucking sorry…” No one is there to hear God’s sobs, and eventually he passes out. He’d rather be dreaming of happier times anyway.

[dragonfirerogue-writes]

At Your Service

Wednesday x Kitsune!Reader

Part One|Part Two|Part Three|Part Four|Part Five|Part Six|Part Seven

Ah yes. The annual Outreach Day has finally come to the town of Jericho. You sigh as you file to Pilgrim World with the rest of the volun-told Nevermore students assigned to the place. At least you had Enid with you.

Until you see dark braids instead of blonde.

Confusion set in as you sidle up to Wednesday, careful to still leave space to respect her boundaries.

"What are you doing here?" You whispered. "I thought you had Uriah's Heap."

Dark eyes flicker over to you. "Traded with Enid. She gets to be with Ajax and I get to learn about Joseph Crackstone."

"Crackstone?"

Before you could ask more, your liaison for Pilgrim World arrived and began her spiel about the park. You would have to ask Wednesday about it later. Especially with her interest in the meeting house.

-----+++++-----

Commotion drew your attention and you appeared in time to see the boy battling Wednesday end up in the stocks. With a smirk, you eased behind the other two and Eugene.

"I can't get into any more trouble with my dad." Lucas said. You chose that moment to clap both bullies on the back, startling them.

"You better skedaddle then. Don't think things'll get any better for you if I join the fray." You wiggle your eyebrows at the boys as they retreat. Eugene thanks you while Wednesday just nods and the three of you go to get the beekeeper clean.

Suddenly you find yourself tagging along with Wednesday to break into the closed meeting house.

"Eugene, give me your retainer."

Both you and Eugene balk at the goth. As the boy hammers on about teeth, you just take out your lockpick set and hand it over.

"Don't use a retainer. As resourceful as you are, I don't think we ended up cleaning that of vomit." You cringe at the thought of the goth touching the retainer, then it getting used as a lockpick only for it to go back into Eugene's mouth.

Wednesday looked at the lockpick you presented her with a quirk of her eyebrow before taking it.

"Both of you keep an eye out while I search."

Eugene looked uneasy. "What if Mistress Arlene catches us?"

You pat the boy on the shoulder. "We deny everything."

Denying everything didn't work out. Well, for Eugene at least. As soon as you clocked Arlene, you shifted into your fox form and escaped. You figured they'd be okay.

-----+++++-----

The door chimes as you enter the Weathervane. As soon as you could, you snuck away from Pilgrim World and ditched the frocks for your uniform. You knew Wednesday had dipped earlier and you sought her out, only to see her with Tyler. You ignore the little squeeze of your heart and walk up to them, managing to catch the tail end of their conversation.

"Besides, I know my way around the great outdoors."

Before Tyler could say anything else, you chime in. "And I'll tag along if it makes you feel better, normie boy."

"Or you can abandon me again."

"You had Eugene."

"Hmph."

Tyler, and Xavier in the background, looked between the two of you as you bicker. Confusion lines his face when Wednesday turns around to leave and you stay put, watching her walk away. When she reaches the door, she turns to look at you.

"Well? Are you coming or not?"

You grin at the normie before making your way to the goth. "Yes, ma'am."

-----+++++-----

Dealing with a transient wasn't on the list of things you thought you were going to do today, but neither was sleuthing about in the ruins of a centuries old meeting house.

"There's nothing here."

"At least of value...." You mention as you kick an old can out of the vicinity. You could hear tapping from the sentient hand that followed Wednesday. She eyes you for a moment before replying.

"No, I can't just touch something. My visions seem to happen spontaneously."

"Visions? Is that how you knew about Rowan?" You asked, taking any chance to learn more about your new friend and potential crush.

Wednesday nods in response before her eyes trail back to Thing.

"I would rather dye my hair pink then ask my mother for advice."

"Well, what else can we do here? Doesn't hurt to try." you shrug. Thing seems to tap in agreement before Wednesday snaps at him.

"Oh, you want me to prove it to you?"

Wednesday goes around the small area, touching the wood and walls. Each time she pointedly looks at Thing noting that nothing was happening. To make a point, she even picks up a discarded Taco Bell bag and mimics getting a vision, which causes you to laugh. There's a slight upturn on her lips at the sound before she motions to her comrades to leave.

"My visions are about as predictable as shark attacks."

You were following behind her as her hand touches the door and her body seizes. As the vision overtakes her, Wednesday falls back into your arms. You look at Thing, concerned for your friend's well being. He lets out a few taps and points to the makeshift shelter on the other side of the ruins. With a nod, you pick up the girl and make your way over.

Putting her down, you clear the area of trash and take off your outerwear. You had your hoodie under your blazer, so you took it off to lay it down so Wednesday didn't have to lay on a questionable surface. Luckily, you managed to get her situated before it started to rain. You quickly use your blazer as an umbrella, keeping most of Wednesday dry, as you wait for the girl to wake up.

Thing kept watch of the perimeter while you tended to Wednesday. Her face hardly held any emotion on a regular basis, but you swear you could see the calm on it now. However, her eyes darted back and forth under her eyelids. You wondered what she was seeing.

It was several minutes before Wednesday's eyes shot open and she lurched up, almost colliding with your forehead.

"Thing! Y/N! I saw her! The girl from my vision." Her eyes darted between the two of you as she spoke. "Her name is Goody Addams and I believe she's my ancestor from 400 years ago."

"Whoa. So did you figure out how Crackstone is involved?"

The goth took a moment to answer. She was suddenly struck with how close you were with your blazer above both of your heads. Her black heart stuttered slightly, the considerate acts you've done surprising her. You stared at each other until a snapping branch caught both your attentions.

"Must've been the bearded man from before."

Wednesday got up, walking away from you to look through a hole in the ruined walls. You quickly put your blazer back on and grab your hoodie. Walking over to Wednesday to take a look as well, you drape the hoodie over her shoulders and pull the hood up. You kept an eye out when the smaller girl looked up at you and slipped her arms through the sleeves. As soon as her eyes turned back to the hole in the wall, a monstrous eye appeared to meet hers.

Both you and Wednesday startle and back away as the monster runs off. Immediately, the goth bolts off with you and Thing, now on your shoulder, follow closely behind. The beast was quick and soon disappeared.

Wednesday slows down, eyeing the tracks that the monster left. You catch up to the goth, making sure to not interrupt her investigation. Sensing your presence, she glances at you and points out the change in tracks.

"The monster is human."

"Wait, what?" You lean in, looking at the tracks. "No way..."

"What the hell are you two doing?"

You jump, clutching your chest while Wednesday just turns to look at Xavier. You look around, wondering where the boy even came from.

"We were following the monster."

Tyler gapes at the two of you and looks around. "You saw it? It's here?" He then whirls around and glares at you two. "Do you have a death wish or something?"

You furrow your brows and steps up to them tall boy.

"What are you even doing here?"

"I overheard you guys talking about checking out the old meeting house. It's lucky I got here when I did."

You just roll your eyes and check out of the conversation. Especially after the tracks were rained out. While you felt like you could slip away now that the excitement was over, something seemed to keep you at Wednesday's side. It wasn't because of the bead in her possession since she didn't compel you to join her. You tagged along on your own.

Your attention begins to veer back to your companions when you hear Wednesday's voice begin to raise. It seemed like Xavier was trying to explain how unreliable visions were.

"You're creating a story in your head and using your visions to back them up. They're telling you what you want to see."

You stand behind Wednesday, as if you were physically backing her up.

"Dude, are you mansplaining her powers? Not everyone has the same experiences when it comes to their abilities."

Xavier just rolls his eyes. "All I'm saying is that my dad, the expert, would warn you that psychic abilities aren't rooted in logic. It's triggered by emotions." He looks pointedly at Wednesday. "And let's be honest. Emotion's not your strong suit."

A scoff escapes your lips as your friend ignores the jape and states to Xavier that she was going to stop whatever's happening. You join in, vowing to help her before walking away, leaving Xavier in the rain.

-----+++++-----

The sun blinds you as you sit on the bleachers for the special unveiling of the Joseph Crackstone statue. You didn't want to be there, but getting to see Wednesday play her cello was intriguing enough to keep you seated. Well, that and the fact that you had helped with a little surprise for everyone.

Mayor Walker drones on and you slouch in your seat. You're nearly asleep when the sudden burst of music startles you awake. Now, you're sitting up and waiting patiently for the fun to happen. Wednesday's eyes dart to you and you give a playful smirk.

The sound of fizzing and sparks reach your ears as your smirk becomes wide. Before you know it, the Crackstone statue bursts into flames. The sight leaves you giddy, but what makes it better was the sound of Wednesday's playing as chaos reigns around you two.

Your eyes don't leave her as you stay in your seat. Even from your vantage point, you see the mirth in your favorite dark eyes. Suddenly, those eyes are on you and a tiny smirk appears on her lips, leaving you breathless.

[designernishiki]

it’s kinda funny to me how that dumb scene in kiwami 1 of majima getting shot and left for dead in the harbor was basically just added as a half-assed way to explain majima not being around for a bit of the plot, but they accidentally(?) just made it seem like start of a chain reaction where majima ended up feeling slighted and heartbroken after being abandoned like that and then lashed out about it via smashing a big truck into the building kiryu was in. and yeah that isn’t inherently a romantic thing as-is but then they go and add the part where majima grabs a hostess and performatively hits on her as in-kiryu’s-face as possible, she says she’s already in love with someone, and majima lets her go immediately, no questions asked, making a big fucking point of it just to say see THAT kiryu? I appreciate when people are HONEST about their FEELINGS. people who won’t just BACKSTAB someone who CARES about them to save themselves. is that so crazy kiryu?? huh??? anyway make it up to me get down here and fight me right fucking now

[camels-pen]

warning: eating disorders/food issues

-

"Something wrong with it?"

Usopp startled and snapped his head to the side. His nose jabbed Sanji's eye and they both hissed. Usopp jerked away to rub the tip of his nose.

"Fuck, I forgot about that," Sanji grumbled. There was a contrasting, fond smile on his face as rubbed his eye. "Anyway, the food?"

"What about it?"

"What's wrong with it?"

Usopp turned his gaze back to his plate. Plenty of pork chops piled high- at Luffy's request for a meat-filled dinner- and mashed potatoes with green beans on the side. His mouth salivated again just staring at it.

"Nothing," he said. "Just taking my time."

He could feel Sanji's unimpressed stare. "You've been 'taking your time' through the whole dinner. Everyone's already finished and left. The moss ball even finished the dishes, and we both know how he likes to dawdle."

Despite himself, Usopp giggled quietly. When it was his turn to do dishes, Zoro always took his time, waiting for Sanji to get frustrated with his speed and leave him to finish it alone. It was the perfect strategy to steal booze when Sanji wasn't looking, but it seemed Usopp had unknowingly thwarted his first sake stealing attempt after their reunion.

As if reading his mind, Sanji said, "I let him steal that alcohol, you know. I'm not that stupid." He huffed, voice sounding like he was pouting as he added, "It's the only damn way I can keep an eye on his shitty drinking habits. He'd constantly drink us dry otherwise, that damn mossheaded bastard."

Usopp giggled again and made the mistake of glancing up at him. Sanji was staring across the room at the kitchen, probably the place he'd put all the good booze. He'd confided in Usopp, once, that he had two hiding places for drinking alcohol: one, more obvious place, by the fridge for the cheap stuff, and another, hidden somewhere he wouldn't say, for all the more expensive and high quality stuff. He'd confidently crowed, on more than one occasion, that despite the cheap stuff always going missing, he'd never lost a drop of anything else. He always looked so smug saying that, and well, Usopp now knew why.

But then his eye- the left one now, and despite looking right at it, the change had still caught him off guard more than once- turned to Usopp and Usopp clammed up. Sanji stared at him, his eyebrow- this one curled on the opposite side, closer to his nose bridge than his ear- raised high on his forehead. "If you're well enough to laugh at Zoro, it can't be that bad."

Usopp gulped. Looked away. "I'm not sick," he said quietly. "The food looks great, Sanji, really. Eating is just..." He trailed off. Neither of them spoke for a long moment, only the sounds of their distant crewmates enjoying the sight of their descent to the ocean's floor filling the galley.

Sanji's arm slowly, hesitantly, laid on the back of his chair- Sanji didn't used to hesitate, but, he supposed, things had changed. He settled himself in the chair next to Usopp, rather than continue to lean over him, and said softly, "Eating is just...?"

Usopp stared at the grain on the table, studying the lines and deviations with an intense and sudden fascination.

"Usopp."

"It's hard," he mumbled.

Another silence, this one less expecting and more confused. Awkward.

"You ate fine at breakfast...?" Sanji said, voice lilting up at the end, almost in question.

Usopp snorted. 'Ate fine' was a kinder way of putting it. Usopp had demolished breakfast, nearly rivaling Luffy with how much and how quickly he ate. The usual sense of desperation had dimmed slightly, now that he was with his crew, but it was still there, dictating his eating habits. He would've felt more ashamed if he hadn't seen Luffy, Franky, and Brook eating in the exact same disgusting manner. Instead, he felt right at home.

He had wondered, privately, if something similar had happened to them. Had tossed around the idea of asking them about it. Then he would think back to how they used to eat, before. How it was exactly the same. How they had all basically cried that they'd so dearly missed Sanji's cooking. He couldn't blame them, he nearly sobbed over Sanji's pancakes- and then did sob over his hashbrowns.

"The island got hungry at dawn," he started. Stopped. Stared at the little vase of daisies at the centre of the table that Robin had gathered from her garden- now shared with Usopp. "It would close up. Then open. After, everything was... safe. For a little while."

He gulped again, cringing at his dry throat. He stared at the glass of water, a little wet stain under it. Luffy had bumped his glass earlier when he stole a few chops off of Usopp's pile.

Usopp didn't reach for it.

"You know, I was expecting grand stories of your heroics when you finally talked about where you were." Usopp shrunk in his seat. "No- no, come on I didn't mean it like that. I was just trying to make a joke."

"You should leave the jokes to the experts." Usopp's lip quirked. "Even Brook's better than you."

Out of the corner of his eye, Sanji scowled. "Brook wouldn't know a good joke if it kicked him upside the head."

Usopp giggled again, relaxing. "Admit it, you missed his skull jokes."

Sanji huffed. "...Maybe a little."

In the background, they could hear Zoro talking about taking a swim followed by a familiar thud and Nami yelling at him. They both giggled this time, leaning into each other.

"God, I missed everyone. I missed-" Sanji cut himself off and Usopp turned to look at him. There was a wobble to his lips and his visible eye stared intently at him. Usopp would almost say Sanji looked longing- yearning, even- if he didn't know better.

"I know," he said. "I missed everyone too." Sanji's eyes pinched a little at the corners, but Usopp didn't know why. He didn't linger on it long though, what with Sanji's smile as he pressed his temple to Usopp's for a moment. Usopp's heart would've beat wildly two years ago, but now all he felt was warm and content.

Sanji hummed in agreement and pulled away. Patting his pockets, likely for a cigarette. Usopp pulled the one tucked behind his ear, admiring the feel of soft blond hair a moment too long before handing it to him. Sanji chuckled and accepted it with a quiet thanks.

He lit it and sat back in his chair, relaxing with the first inhale. "Back to the important stuff." Usopp would argue all of that was important stuff. "You only felt safe to eat breakfast?"

Usopp shook his head. Then tilted it side to side. "No- well, sort of. It was never really safe, but..." He rolled the words around his mouth, feeling out the right ones while discarding others. "It was... easier. To eat a lot in the morning. Gather food later in the day. Then sleep when I got hungry closer to sunset."

Sanji blew out a puff of smoke. "You didn't have anyone to watch your back while you were eating?"

"I did." Usopp nodded, a sense of pride filling him as he puffed out his chest. "Heracles'n was a great friend and teacher! We took turns watching out for each other and, well, he's the reason I survived that island in the first place." He flexed one of his biceps. "He also helped me get a whole lot stronger!"

Sanji pursed his lips around his cigarette. "But you didn't eat dinner. Or lunch." Today nor in nearly two years, though Sanji likely meant the latter.

Usopp deflated, arm settling back down in his lap. "We couldn't stop moving until sunset. By then it was better to sleep and eat heap loads in the morning rather than risk dinner and not getting enough rest." He sighed. "Heracles'n was always telling me to eat more berries and fruit throughout the day, but..."

Sanji stared at him. "You had this-island-is-too-scary-so-I-can't-eat-anything-itis?"

Usopp scowled. "I'd like to see you keep up an appetite when you're constantly running and hiding from giant-"

Sanji used his arm to tug Usopp closer, so their sides were pressed together. He pressed his nose to Usopp's hair. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"What for?" Usopp whispered back.

Sanji didn't answer, his breaths warming Usopp's head. The galley had grown silent when he finally spoke, the others having found quieter activities or retired to their rooms.

"If I was stronger then- or quicker-"

"Sanji," Usopp said. "There's no way you would've been able to beat Kuma, back then."

Sanji shook his head. "I know, but maybe we could've been sent somewhere together."

There was a bittersweet, choking feeling in the back of Usopp's throat. A burning in his eyes. "You wouldn't have liked it there," he said, laying his head on Sanji's shoulder. "You would've hated it, actually."

"But I would've been with you."

Usopp laughed, the sound wet and brittle. "I wouldn't wish that island on anyone, Sanji, but least of all you. I'm not worth-"

A hand cupped his face, cutting him off as he was turned to face Sanji. His nose was bent, pressing against Sanji's cheek. "You worth a lot, Usopp. You're worth it to-" Sanji's cheeks dusted pink all of a sudden and he looked away. "You're worth a lot. And it would've been nice if I could have watched your back. Made sure you were eating well."

At a loss for words, Usopp turned back to the table, staring at his plate. The mashed potatoes were surely cold and hard by now and he was fairly certain a thick pork chop wouldn't stay down.

The green beans, maybe. Those could work.

He picked one up. His stomach rumbled. He lifted it to his mouth.

His hands shook.

He gulped again. Stared at his hand intensely.

Sanji's hand covered his own. A sudden, terrible spike of anxiety overwhelmed him and he held his breath, hoping Sanji wasn't going to just force him to eat it. He hated wasting food after all and it was already in Usopp's hand and Usopp himself just needed to quit cowering and just eat it already-

Sanji pulled his hand away from his mouth. The tension left Usopp in a rush. Shame took up where anxiety had left, but he forced himself to meet Sanji's eye. He knew what came next.

Before Sanji could say anything, Usopp blurted, "There was food. On the island. Not just fruits and berries and whatever game we could hunt. Pre-cooked food, I mean." Sanji's brow furrowed, but Usopp continued on. "There were these plants- and rivers- that had cake and burgers and ramen and- well, you get the idea. And the closer you got to the centre of the island, the more tasty the food got." He gulped. Coughed a little. Sanji reached for his glass, but Usopp grabbed his wrist in a tight hold. If he didn't get it all out now, he never would.

"I didn't meet Heracles'n immediately. I was on my own at first and- and I didn't completely trust him at first either." He laughed, the sound as self-deprecating as it felt. "The centre of the island, that's where its mouth is."

Sanji's eyebrow furrowed further. "So when you said the island 'got hungry'..."

Usopp nodded. "It was a trap to lure in prey." Quietly, he added, "Like me."

Sanji gasped, his eyes darting down, and wow, Usopp really should've re-thought the whole 'show off his new muscles by going shirtless' plan. He pulled away from Sanji, and pulled up the waist of his pants. "Staring at my stretch marks isn't going to change anything, y'know."

Sheepishly, Sanji said, "Sorry- sorry, I should know better." He held out his arms, with a sad little pout. "Come back?"

Usopp held out for a few moments, glaring at him, but he sighed and eventually gave in. "I hate you," he mumbled into Sanji's shoulder. Sanji patted his back in response.

The two of them sat there in silence once more. Usopp savoured the contact between them, like he had always dreamed of on Boin.

"You had to train yourself to avoid delicious looking foods, then," Sanji said quietly. Usopp nodded. "That makes sense. But then, breakfast?"

A new wave of shame, far heavier than the last. He dug his forehead into Sanji's shoulder. "I don't want to talk about it."

He didn't know how to explain how he had become some kind of wild animal during meals and he didn't want to explain. Heracles'n was already one person too many and earlier, the entire crew had seen him. His heart beat hard and fast in his chest at the reminder, a belated rush of fear to make up for his single minded focus at breakfast.

"Then I won't ask," Sanji said. "You should tell Chopper though-"

Usopp grimaced. "Eventually, but..."

Sanji sighed, pressing his cheek to Usopp's hair. "Okay, but can I make you something? Just a snack or tea or...?"

Usopp huffed. "Sanji-"

"I know, I know! But letting you go to bed hungry is..."

"Hard," Usopp finished for him, pulling away. "I know."

He wasn't going anywhere before Sanji fed him, of that he was sure, but it made Usopp's stomach queasy just thinking about all the snacks Sanji used to make before they were separated.

Some of it must have shown on his face too, since Sanji was already holding up his hands and starting to look even more concerned. "It doesn't have to be anything special. I could just peel a tangerine for you or slice up some apples or juice some pears- I mean oranges! Why would anyone juice pears- oh, hm, I should check that sometime; remind me to write it down. Oh and maybe I could steep a really bitter tea, so you don't have to worry about drinking too much because I know you hate bitter things-"

And Usopp couldn't help himself. He laughed.

Sanji deflated, his brow furrowed in confusion, or maybe it was concern. Usopp didn't know, he was too busy laughing at the absurdity of Sanji being so anxious and speaking every rambling thought. It was adorable and Usopp couldn't help but reach up and squish Sanji's cheeks.

"I lo-" Sanji's eye widened and suddenly, Usopp didn't feel brave enough. "Lost my notebook. We'll have to use one of yours."

"O-Oh, yeah, sure." Sanji nodded, voice slightly muffled by his squished cheeks. He stared at Usopp, his eye asking another question.

Usopp looked away, his eyes landing on the fruit bowl on the bar counter. There were apples, bananas, and pears. He pulled his hands away. "...Nami will be mad at you." he said quietly, weakly.

Sanji sighed, a shaky, relieved little thing. He wrapped his arms around Usopp's middle, crushing him to his chest. "I think she'll forgive me," he said.

Boldly, Usopp added, "What if you made coffee?" The only coffee in the pantry was a fancy jar brought along from a Revolutionary base near a village that prided themselves on their harvest.

Sanji chuckled. "Robin would forgive me too."

Usopp hummed. "You seem awfully confident."

"I am," he said, pulling away completely, his chair squeaking against the floorboards as he stood. Sanji held out a hand, a smile on his lips. "If you don't believe me, let me show you."

And right here, Usopp could've chosen to laugh it off. Said something about not wanting to face Nami's wrath, much less Robin's. Fled the galley completely with an excuse or three and sleep in his workshop while ignoring any and all feelings of guilt. It would've been easy.

But he'd already accepted it. Acknowledged the inevitable consequences instead of turning down those anxious suggestions. How could he do anything else, in the face of such genuine care and concern? To leave now would just hurt them both and the last thing Usopp wanted to do was hurt Sanji.

And, well, he trusted Sanji, to do what he couldn't. Planned to trust him with his heart, at some point.

Trusting him with his stomach, in comparison, was as easy as breathing.

So, Usopp placed a steady hand in Sanji's own, a small, teasing smile on his face, and said, "Lead the way."

[ghcstao3]

something wizarding world au. ghost grows up to become a pretty powerful and skilled wizard—but the one thing he can’t do? summon a patronus.

it’s not that he’s completely without happy memories, he just… doesn’t have anything of great enough significance. it’s hardly ghost’s fault his childhood wasn’t what the average person would call good, but it’s a little frustrating that something out of his control is preventing him from casting one of the most important protection spells—especially since becoming an auror.

then he meets soap, a fresh-faced auror with a sunny disposition despite his profession. he’s talented and quick-witted and ghost wants to resent him but it’s impossible.

one day, somehow, the topic of patronuses is brought up. soap talks about it being easy, thinking of a memory. he reminisces about summoning his fox, even demonstrates it to ghost, who watches with a wonder where he’s only ever felt bitter with everyone else.

then soap asks about ghost’s. says that surely he of all people could conjure something, given his abilities and knowledge of many other difficult spells, even the most obscure. but ghost quietly admits that he can’t. never has, and doesn’t know if he ever will.

when ghost’s heartbeat stutters when soap’s face falls, he should have known something was up, then. that he and soap weren’t just friends, colleagues.

he’s heard of patronuses changing when people fall in love, so it isn’t far of a reach to think falling in love would help ghost finally summon one of his own.

so ghost tries again to learn, for soap.

but he keeps failing. why couldn’t he do it?

then they’re working a job, something with little detail reported but far too sinister to ignore. separated during their investigation, they don’t realize the drop in temperature until it’s too late, and ghost finds soap being drained of his happiness. his soul, his radiant joy.

and ghost can’t have that.

he doesn’t know what overcomes him, but he calls out the incantation, and a blinding silver light is produced from his wand tip. ghost hardly has the time to figure out what creature had formed before the dementor has been banished and he’s rushing over to soap, who’s collapsed on the ground.

ghost holds him, even when soap has regathered his bearings, regained his strength. even as soap directs ghost to the spare chocolate he apparently always has on his person for emergency cases like these.

ghost holds him especially when he kisses soap after making sure he was okay.

the case grows into something bigger, after that. but it doesn’t matter—not when ghost has finally found his patronus. not when he could finally protect the ones he loves.

the one he loves.

and he’s never felt stronger.

[legobenkenobi]

i think Cody is such a fun character because he’s so intimidating when you don’t know him but as soon as you talk to him you realize he’s literally the best ever and i think everybody has a different perspective of him and that’s really neat

like, you have Waxer and Boil who talk about him like he’s their favorite grumpy older brother who they love annoying the shit out of but also respect so insanely deeply

then you’ve got Helix talking about how he’s “the most competent kriffing moron in the entire galaxy” (“just because he can kick spin a droid doesn’t mean he should”)

then there’s the General, Obi-Wan, who talks of him as though he’s an angel sent directly from the Force. they love bugging the shit out of one another with their little games and quips and enjoy each other’s company in every mean they can have it.

that’s not to mention other legions- the 501st loves him and thinks he’s the coolest fucker to walk the galaxy (they’re right). Fives and Echo tackle hug him like he’s that one cousin you only ever see at family gatherings but love. Rex is his best friend and it’s incredibly obvious if you hold a conversation with him just how much they love each other.

his batchmates love teasing him because all siblings love that (especially Fox and Wolffe. they all have to wrestle and spar every time they see each other. they just have to.)

the Bad Batch owe their lives to him and they don’t hold back on the respect they have for him because of it. they literally don’t view him as a reg and have no problems taking his orders because they love him!!!

Anakin and Ahsoka have that weird brother-uncle-father figure dance going on with him (much like with Obi-Wan) but they also think he’s really, really cool

essentially, everyone loves him in different ways and. i’m just thinking about it

[potentialheartofdarkness]

Steve wasn’t allowed to ever enjoy the first snowfall. He tried, tried to bundle himself up in sweaters and a hat and run out before his father was awake. He just never made it that far. His father would catch him, and spout bullshit about how he needed to stay inside because Harrington children didn’t waste time playing when they could be working.

Harrington children didn’t do a lot of things, Steve found out. 

Tommy and Carol dragged him out into the snow during their first year of high school, throwing snowballs and taunting each other. Steve just stood off to the side, unsure of what was happening and acutely aware that it could get back to his father, like everything else seems to. They didn’t notice him when he went inside, they never did.

He stared at it, watching it fall, and remembered what his father had told him. Remembered every lesson his father drilled into his head.

Harrington children don’t waste time playing, Harrington children don’t waste time partying, Harrington children don’t waste time speaking, Harrington children always marry the opposite sex. Harrington children don’t talk back, they do what they’re told. Harrington children are business men. 

Steve hoped one day these rules would turn out to be false, especially as he stared at one of his classmates tackling his friend in the snow. Buzzed hair and dark clothes, chains on his pants. The jeans perfectly sculpted to his body. The boy met Steve’s eyes and winked at him, cheeks frosted pink from the snow and laughter etched into his face. Steve turned away, the hope growing inside of him with the blush on his cheeks. 

After that, snow reminded him too much of the Upside Down. The aching cold that pierced through into his bones, and the snowflakes resembling more of the particles floating around then snow itself. He still loved it, the pain in his heart mending with each flake melting in the ground.

Enter the first snowfall of ‘86. 

Steve was awoken early in the morning by a pounding on his door. He’s halfway down the stairs by the time it starts up again, heavy fists slamming into the door. Too strong to be the kids, too strong to be Robin and she has a key anyway. Had to be....

“Good morning, Eddie.” Steve grumbled, opening the door, still rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. “The fuck are you doing here so early.” 

“Its snowing.” Eddie said as if that explained everything and he pushed his way inside.

“Okay?” Steve shut the door, turning to raise his eyebrows at Eddie who threw his hands up in exasperation. 

“It’s snowing!” He repeated, more emphasis this time and Steve just stared at him blankly. “Don’t tell me you hate the snow.” 

“No, I actually really love the snow.” Steve mumbled, heading back upstairs with the full intention of going back to bed. Eddie followed him up, still talking. 

“So then why are you looking at me like I told you Vecna is back? Look I have a plan okay, we’re gonna go out and have fun and be children for the first time in forever and we are going to play in the snow.” He finished, reaching the landing with Steve and watching as Steve paused with his hand on the door handle to his room. “So, get ready. Cause, I’m not above standing out here and screaming at the top of my lungs until you come with me.” 

“What do I wear?” Steve asked him, voice not even above a whisper. He didn’t know what one was supposed to wear when playing in the snow, or how to act like a child.

“Whatever you want, as long as its warm.” Eddie’s voice was soft, almost like he knew what Steve was thinking, and Steve nodded before heading into his room. 

He was most grateful for Eddie, in his life. They’d formed a quick bond after everything, after Steve ignored his own injuries until he was sure Eddie was safe, then passed out in the hospital hallway. After he spent a week at Eddies side, then months helping him recover. Because of that, Eddie seemed to be more in tune to Steve and how he was feeling. He was always picking up on things Steve didn’t mention, could sense when he didn’t understand something and backtrack to explain. Only thing he didn’t pick up on were Steve’s, most likely one sided, feelings. 

Steve took a few calming breaths once he’d dressed in warmer clothes he wouldn’t mind getting damp, and threw open the door.

Eddie grinned when he emerged from his room, like Steve had brought the sun with him where he went. He let out a low whistle and Steve rolled his eyes. 

“Lookin good, Stevie.” He swallowed and looked away. “If you’re ready to get your ass kicked by me, the snowball god, then lets get a move on.” 

“Oh you’re on.” Steve replied and Eddie cackled, full on evil laugh kind of cackle, as he dashed off down the stairs. Steve was right behind him. Soon they made it to the trailer park, where all the kids had set up near Max’s, walls of snow already built up to hide behind, and Steve had never felt his heart so full. Gone were the days where his fathers lectures would dictate what he would do. Here he was, a Harrington child, wasting time and playing in the snow. His team consisted of Dustin, self proclaimed snowball extraordinaire, Max, the stealthy, and El who was banned from using her powers. 

Eddie’s team was tough to beat. He had Will the Wise, Lucas, who’s aim had improved due to basketball practice, Erica, the sundae Queen and Mike. Erica who had in fact named herself that, had actually begged to be on Steve’s team, which he tried and failed to hold dear to his heart. They sent her over to Eddie’s team though to give them a fair advantage. Hearing that they would lose without her, Erica conceded and the battle was underway. The first time he got hit, was because he was too distracted watching Eddie, the snowflakes perfectly collected in his hair and the brightest smile on his face. He launched a snowball at Dustin, made its mark, and cheered, picking up Erica and spinning her around before tackling Mike into the snow. It reminded Steve of something, but he’d left himself open and Will struck him straight in the face with only a mischievous grin as a form of apology. Steve made a snowball, and launched it.

In the end, there was no clear winner. Both sides made equal shots, laughter heavy in the air, and for the first time in a very long time Steve felt light. Once the bitter coldness of the air and snow started to soak through their clothes, they parted ways. The kids going into Max’s trailer for hot chocolate and to wait for their parents to arrive, and Steve trailing behind Eddie into his trailer. He’d always liked the trailer, it felt more of a home to him than his own house. The mugs lining the walls, the clothes thrown over the chair and partly the couch. The papers spread across the countertops and stacked high near the cupboards. Wayne giving him a soft smile every time he stepped through the door, and a pat on the shoulder when passing him food. 

Steve had spent a lot of time here, enough to feel more comfortable here than in his own room. 

“Want some cocoa?” 

“Sure,” Steve smiled softly at Eddie and made his way to the couch. Feeling all the adrenaline leave his body as he relaxed. His first time playing in the snow, all because of Eddie. 

“So, Stevie.” Eddie began, handing him his cup of cocoa and flopping down next to him on the couch. He somehow managed to not spill a single drop of his drink and end up far too close to Steve as it was. He seemed to notice this and instead of doing anything to remedy it, he hooked his knees over Steve’s and stretched out his legs, leaving Steve to rest his hands on Eddie’s knees. Eddie leaned sideways into the couch before continuing his sentence, eyes fixed on Steve’s face. “How was your first time playing in the snow?”

“You knew about that?” Steve felt his cheeks flare red as Eddie used his legs to pull Steve towards him a little bit, not at all realizing what he was doing to Steve’s heart. 

“Course I knew, couldn’t worm it out of Dustin or Robbie though, Nancy was easier to crack.” He teased and Steve rolled his eyes. “Nah, I used to uh...” He looked away, into his drink and avoided looking at Steve as he tossed him a curious look. “I saw you a few times, at school.” He cleared his throat and the memory hit Steve like a ton of bricks. 

“That was you?!” He exclaimed and Eddie winced, like he was worried Steve was mad at him or something. “Man, if I’d known it was you then I would have-” He cut himself off and cleared his throat. “You looked different back then.”

“Yeah, Wayne’s razor became my greatest enemy after that year. Can you believe I thought I looked good with my hair all buzzed like that? If I ever want to buzz my hair again please take me out back and shoot me.” Eddie sighed dramatically before taking a sip of his drink. 

“You did look good. Obviously your hair suits you now too, feels more you this way, but it suited you then too.” Steve half-mumbled, unable to keep the words to himself and he watched as Eddie tried, and failed, to not choke on his scalding drink. 

“Did you have to wait until I was taking a sip you fucking asshole.” He cursed and Steve grinned into his own cup. “Wait.” 

“Anyway,” He interrupted Eddie before he could start anything and shifted a little under the weight of his legs. His heart hadn't slowed down its rapid pace, and given the way that Eddie was looking at him it wouldn't any time soon. “Thanks, for y’know. The snow day. It was fun, a lot of fun actually, surprised on how quickly time went by actually.” He finished his drink and Eddie swung his legs off of Steve, placing the cups on the table and standing. He offered Steve a hand, he took it. 

“C’mon, we didn’t build a snowman yet and there's plenty of daylight left.” If he could have, Steve would have fallen even deeper in love. They traipsed outside into the still falling snowflakes, and piled up a bunch of snow, Eddie showing him how to make the perfect snowman. Steve took his chance and dumped a bunch of snow on Eddie’s head, and took off running as Eddie shouted at him. He chased him around the front of the trailer before he got his revenge and it was Steve’s turn to chase him. He felt free, like he’d never had the time to fully experience freedom until now. He could have ascended into the heavens, and not known the difference. Every single weight off his shoulders had been lifted, even just for the moment. He tackled Eddie into the snow and they fell, giggling into a heap by the snowman they’d half built. 

Steve’s breath caught in his throat.

Eddie was beautiful. He always was, but it struck Steve now. With the snow and the pink cheeks and the crinkled corners of his eyes, wide and filled with joyful innocence. Every freckle, every line, every scar on his face. His eyelashes were wet, probably from the snow or from laughing, and there was something buried deep in the brown irises that sparkled with mischief. Steve was a weak man, his heart crumbled like a freshly made cake with too much flour. Eddie was like an eclipse, if Steve was the sun. The moon passing by him so closely he could just reach out and touch it, make contact for the first time in forever, however fleeting. People like him didn’t come around too often and fuck if Steve was going to miss it to continue living blissfully unaware with his sunglasses on. Intentionally holding the world at bay, just for a brief glimpse of something he might not have much longer.

“I’m going to kiss you.” He half whispered, the words only for Eddie to hear. A secret almost, between the two of them. Like if he whispered it quiet enough the wind wouldn’t steal it away and send it somewhere it shouldn’t belong.

“Okay.” Eddie whispered back, hands coming up to caress Steve’s cheeks lightly, the spark of joy back in his eyes before he met him in the middle and their lips met. It wasn’t perfect, it was cold, Steve’s knee was wet from the snow he was kneeling in. But it was perfect to him. Eddie had given him back something he never thought he would miss, and Steve loved him for it. 

“For the record,” Eddie began after they broke apart. “I’m in love with you.” 

“For the record.” Steve replied, brushing a stray curl out of Eddie’s face. “I’m in love with you too.” 

“God I wish it had snowed sooner.” Eddie rolled his eyes and Steve chuckled, pulling away and standing up. He offered Eddie a hand up and tugged him a little, causing him to stumble. Steve glanced around quickly, making sure there were no prying eyes (Max) before he kissed Eddie once more. 

“C’mon, I’m starting to get cold.” Steve headed towards the trailer door and Eddie jumped on his back, pressing a tiny kiss to his temple. 

“I know a way we can warm up.” He whispered lowly in Steve’s ear and if Steve picked up the pace a little to make Eddie howl with laughter, well that was his secret too. 

Maybe some good could come out of breaking his fathers rules, he thought later that night wrapped around Eddie and drifting off to sleep. He definitely knew what other ones he planned on breaking, but that was for the future. When they’d moved into a small apartment in Chicago in a few years, and the first snowfall was beginning outside as they were curled up by the fire and Steve voiced it aloud. It couldn’t be official, of course, not yet...but it was official to them, and maybe that’s all they needed. 

[delta-orionis]

I'm replaying SOMA currently and I've been taking note of things I find interesting and/or funny. I will probably make a big masterpost of my favorite notes when I'm done, but for now...

One of the funniest things I noticed so far is that Dr. Munshi is not a doctor. He mentions to Simon that he's still in the process of getting his doctorate, so he's not a doctor in that sense, but also he's getting his degree in computer science, not medicine. I doubt he's even been to medical school.

Munshi's colleague, Paul Berg, is a medical doctor, a neuroscientist to be exact, which makes him a lot more appropriate to be the one administering Simon's brain scan, but he's conveniently out of the office on the day Simon shows up. Which makes it even more shady that Munshi is the one doing Simon's brain scan.

Munshi's office has very shady vibes throughout. It's half finished, there's no receptionist, Munshi won't answer his phone, and Simon has to basically break in to gain access. This is compounded by the fact that, if you snoop around, there's also a loose syringe just laying around in the server room nearby, which also makes Munshi appear even more unprofessional. He even warns Simon about the needles. That can't be proper medical procedure.

I do think Simon breaking in is an interesting bit of character development, because it shows that Simon is willing to snoop around and do a bit of problem solving to get what he needs. He's resourceful, and he continues to show this throughout the rest of the game (even if he is a bit slow on the uptake at times, he is a fish out of metaphorical water after all).

All this is to say that Munshi's office does a very good job at portraying him as a smart guy who also doesn't appear to care about safety that much. (He's not even worried about the huge security risk presented by Simon easily being able to break into his lab). The cherry on top is the fact that Munshi's seemingly innocent scan is the reason why Simon got in the whole Pathos-II mess in the first place. Maybe Munshi isn't shady on purpose, but I do think he should have a chat with an ethics board at the very least.