#this is the thing that broke me after I first saw the prequels as a child

[andvys]

We're no good alone | S.H. & E.M.

Part two of It's just us

Warnings: 18+, minors don't interact! rough smut, threesome, spanking, choking, manhandling, mentions of unrequited love and heartbreak, mentions of cheating, slight angst, fluff, happy ending

Pairings: Steve Harrington x fem!reader | Eddie Munson x fem!reader | slight Steve Harrington x Eddie Munson

Summary: As you and Steve put your rivalry aside, you grow closer and closer and take another step forward when Steve befriends the man who once broke your heart. @mysticmunson thank you for the idea with the polaroid picture!

Word count: 14k+

Author's note: I'm not too sure about this but I didn't just write 14k words for nothing so I hope you're gonna like it

Read the prequel story about Eddie x reader here -> For me it's always you (more parts coming soon)

stranger things masterlist

Feel free to send in requests for drabbles/blurbs for this fic!

-

This has to be one of the weirdest days in your life, first you hooked up with Steve after finding out that your boyfriend had cheated on you with his girlfriend and now you are sitting at Benny’s diner, sharing fries with him and drinking vanilla milkshakes as though it’s the most normal thing for you both to do. It’s not. You hate each other’s guts, you always did. The rivalry had already started in middle school and carried on until now. 

You were disgusted by everything he said and done and yet that didn’t stop you from having sex with him. You let him take out his frustrations on you and he let you too, it was merely hate fucking, that’s all. Right?

It felt good, he made you feel good. You needed it after what you had run into a few days back. 

You never thought that Jonathan would do this to you, that he would hurt you like this but it seems like every guy that you want, doesn’t actually want you. It’s not the first time you have been hurt by men like him, he wasn’t the first. 

He may not know it but he ripped open wounds that you had gotten before him. 

Why aren’t you enough for them? 

What does she have that you don’t have? 

“Stop it.” 

“Stop what?” 

“Stop thinking those thoughts,” Steve sighs. 

“How would you know what I’m thinking about?” You snap at him, rolling your eyes. 

He chuckles, shaking his head at you, he dips his fries into the ketchup, taking his time to answer the question, he eats the fries and drinks his milkshake. 

You have to admit, he looks pretty. His hair is messy from all your tugging, his cheeks are flushed, his eyes are filled with.. peace? For someone who just got cheated on, he looks awfully relaxed and content. 

“It’s because I’m thinking them too,” he admits, “but don’t think that you aren’t enough, y/n. You are enough.”

You brows knit together, you stare at him without saying anything. 

His hazel eyes flash with something unrecognizable, he smiles a little, “anyone would be lucky to have you.” 

“You’re just saying that,” you mumble as you play with your straw, “you have to say that.”

“It’s the truth. I know you hate me but I’m not lying to you,” he shrugs, clearing his throat, he looks away from you, suddenly too shy to hold eye contact, “we might not get along but you’re not that bad, you know? You’ve been a good girlfriend to him, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you being annoying or mean with him, like you’re with me,” he chuckles, eyes raking over your body, “plus, you’re like really hot and pretty and way out of his league.” 

A smirk tugs at your lips, his cheeks grow more red as he continues to look anywhere but at you. 

“Does someone have a little crush on me?” 

He rolls his eyes, “shut up, no I don’t.” 

He used to have a crush on you, actually, he was pretty sure he was frozen in place the first time he saw you. 12 year old Steve was pretty sure that he was in love with the pretty girl that just moved to Hawkins after her parents decided to come back from the big city. He liked you but he sure had a funny way of showing it, instead of befriending you like he should have, he pulled at your pigtails and shoved you around. 

You giggle as he glares at you. Leaning back in your seat, you look him up and down, “you’re not too bad either but I wouldn’t touch you with a ten foot pole.” 

He scrunches his face up in confusion, furrowing his brows, “we literally just fucked at the party and then you made me stop the car because you wanted to suck my dick.” 

“That was in the past,” you say, blushing. 

“That was 20 minutes ago, you let me cum inside you.”

“Well you bend me over the car.”

“Because you asked me to!” 

“I like your dick, it’s really big.” 

A sharp gasp makes you tear your eyes away from his, looking up, you find a middle aged lady looking at the two of you in disgust. The cross necklace around her neck clutched in her hand, she looks at you in disgust, frowning as she looks between you both. 

“Sinners!” She sputters before she continues walking, glancing at you one more time with a horrified expression on her face. 

You and Steve look back at each other, only being able to contain the laughter for a few seconds before you burst out laughing. His hazel eyes are filled with amusement, he puts his hand on his stomach as he leans back, “did you see her face?” 

You nod, still laughing at the older lady.

“I think she’s gonna go pray for us now,” you giggle. 

“It’s no use, we’re already sinners,” Steve snorts. 

The ring above the door sounds through the diner, you look behind Steve’s shoulder almost instantly. Your smile falls when your eyes lock with those brown eyes. For a moment he stares at you, not moving, he just stands there and looks at you. 

Steve straightens up, face growing serious when he sees the annoyance in your eyes and lingering sadness, your brows are furrowed and you glare at whoever it is that you’re looking at. As he turns around he expects it to be Jonathan but instead it’s Eddie Munson who is receiving the death stare from you. 

Steve raises his eyebrows in surprise. Now that he knows that you have hooked up with Eddie in the past, he can’t help but wonder what else has happened. Clearly, it wasn’t just casual hookups the way you described it earlier to him, you giggled and mentioned it as though it was nothing meaningful but that was obviously a lie. 

Eddie is staring at you with his big puppy dog eyes, while you stare at him with the look that only he ever received in the past. 

He tears his eyes away from you and they flash with confusion when he looks at him. Steve can imagine what kinds of questions are running through his mind right now, ‘why is she here with him?’, ‘where are Jonathan and Nancy?’, ‘why are they here together?’ 

It’s no secret to others that you and Steve don’t get along, the whole school knows about your rivalry. 

He looks at you one more time before he finally turns away and walks towards the counter. 

Steve turns back to you with a curious look on his face, your arms are crossed, your jaw is clenched and you look out the window, blinking. 

“Are you… okay?” Steve asks almost skeptically. 

“Don’t act like you care, Harrington,” you snap at him again, giving him the usual bratty attitude. 

He sighs, rolling his eyes. 

“Can you drive me home?” 

“No.” 

Your lips part, glaring at him, you scoff, “what do you mean no?” 

Steve smirks, “say please and I’ll drive you home.” 

“Seriously?” 

“Yes.” 

You huff angrily, rolling your eyes. It amuses him. 

“I can walk home,” you shrug. Getting up, you reach for your purse and smooth down your skirt. 

“You think I’ll let you walk home?”

“Well, you said you won’t drive me home,” you counter. 

“Just be nicer, jeez.” 

“I’m not nice.” 

He gets up as well and looks at you as he reaches for his wallet, throwing some money on the table, “did anyone ever tell you that you’re a brat?”

You feel his eyes on you and it’s making your skin crawl. You step closer to Steve, batting your eyelashes at him, “can you please drive me home, Steve?” You ask as you reach for his hand. 

His lips curl into a smirk, he knows exactly why you are doing this. 

“Yeah, let’s go.” 

He places his hand on the small of your back and looks down at you as he leads you out of the diner, you are not looking at him but he is looking at you, with both a frown on his face and confusion. He doesn’t even notice that Steve is looking, he only pays attention to you. 

You let out a loud sigh when you step out of the diner, breathing in the fresh air. Neither of you speak up, at least not until you’re back in his car. 

“So.. what happened with you and Munson?” Steve asks, watching the way you tense up, “I thought it was just casual hookups.” 

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

Eddie Munson was just another boy who broke your heart. Jonathan was the one who put it back together, only to hurt it was well. 

You moved on from it, at least you thought you did. Jonathan’s and Nancy’s betrayal wasn’t the only painful memories on your mind the past few days, they also brought you back to him. 

Steve tilts his head as he watches you, he will find out what happened. 

“So what now?” 

“What do you mean?”

He sighs, getting more comfortable in his seat, he puts his hand on the steering wheel, running his hand through his hair, he looks at his own expression in the rearview mirror before turning to you. 

“You do know that we’re gonna be the laughing stock of the school, right?” 

You shrug, furrowing your brows you stare at him like you don’t understand the problem. You don’t care about it, you don’t care that people will laugh at you, that they will make fun of you. That is something Steve always admired about you, you just don’t give a damn about other people, you do and say whatever you want, not caring about what others will think or say. 

“I don’t want that.” 

You snort, “why would they laugh at you?” 

Steve sighs again, eyes flashing with confusion, he brings his hand up to his face, cupping his cheek, “we dated two outcasts, two…–”

“Losers? We dated two losers?” You mumble, nodding, “yes we did, they are fucking losers for what they did.” 

“Exactly! We got fucked over by losers, y/n!” 

“Oh my god, Harrington, do you seriously care about what people will have to say about it? Do you think that I give a fuck? They can laugh and talk shit, I don’t care. I literally just lost my boyfriend and my best friend!” You say angrily, throwing your hands up as frustrated tears well up in your eyes, “my best friend, Steve! She was with me since we were little! I don’t even care about what he did, I’ll move on from that but her? She was supposed to be my friend.” 

His eyes flash with guilt but also with sympathy. He lost her too, a girl he thought he would spend his life with but it must be so much harder for you. 

“Y/n..” 

“What do you want? Do you want to hurt them? Do you want us to be together so you can get back at them?” You ask, “trust me they won’t fucking care, obviously they’re like in love or something.”

You wipe your tears angrily and slump back in your seat, crossing your arms over your chest, you look out the window, only now noticing the van parked next to you. 

“Can you just drive?”

“Yeah.. sure,” he mumbles, finally starting the car. “You think they’re in love?” 

“Yeah,” you breathe, rubbing your forehead, “I’m not blind, Steve. I could see the way they looked at each other, I knew it. I just didn’t want to believe it.” 

Steve swallows harshly, eyes flashing with sadness, “oh..” 

“Yeah, oh.” 

He thinks about it, is he hurt by it? A little. Is he heartbroken? Not really. He doesn’t understand it, when he first caught them, he threw up and felt like crying his eyes out but now after what happened with you, he suddenly feels… okay.

The car is filled with silence aside from the music on the radio. Too many things are running through your mind as you drive through the empty streets of Hawkins but you try to focus on something else, you try to focus on the fact that you are here with Steve. 

Things should feel awkward between you, especially after what happened at the party and here in his car but it doesn’t, if anything it feels natural, surprisingly. Not that you would ever admit that to yourself. 

Kissing him, touching him, having sex with him felt nice. Even sharing fries and spending time with him felt nice, it makes you wonder why you ever hated him in the first place, why he hated you. 

You look over at him, staring at his side profile. His chiseled jaw, the light stubble on his skin, his stupid perfect hair. Your eyes trail down to his shoulder, his arm and his hand, his veiny hands. 

You lick your lips, Steve is handsome, pretty and sexy. You had never seen his beauty before, not until tonight. Suddenly you feel yourself wanting him more. Not wanting this to be a one time thing. 

Nancy is an idiot. 

“Steve?” 

“Yes?” 

“We should be friends.” 

His eyes widen, he blinks a few times, lips parting and closing again. 

“F-Friends?” 

“Mhmm.” 

He parks his car in your driveway, staring at your house for a moment, he takes a deep breath and turns to you, “friends?” He asks, pointing his finger between you and him, “you want us to be friends?” 

“You literally wanted to fake a relationship–”

“Who said anything about fake?” 

“Oh shut up,” you roll your eyes, “you and I? We would never work.” 

“Why not?” He shrugs. 

“Uh– maybe because you hate me and I hate you?” 

“I don’t hate you,” he scoffs, “I just hate that little attitude of yours, you need to be put in your place.” 

A laugh falls from your lips, “yeah well, you’re not exactly brat tamer material, Steve.” 

He smirks, eyes twinkling, “oh so you admit that you’re a brat?” 

“No..” 

He chuckles at the frown on your face, leaning closer to you, he puts his fingers under your chin, “you know what? I can be your friend but please tell me that we can do all this again.” 

You bite your lip and look deeply into his eyes, “please.” 

His eyes light up, he brings you closer, looking down at your lips. His nose bumps against yours as he smashes his lips against yours. You respond to the kiss with desperation, throwing your arms around his neck, you bury your hand in his hair. 

He moans into the kiss, a sound that is enough to make you shiver again. 

“Do you wanna come inside?” You murmur against his lips, pecking them again. 

“What about your parents?” Steve asks as he continues to steal kisses from you. 

“We’ll have to be quiet,” you breathe. 

“Can you be quiet?” He smirks as he kisses your cheek, “wouldn’t want mommy and daddy to catch their good little girl getting ruined by Steve Harrington.” 

“Shut up, can you be quiet?” 

“Let’s find out.” 

-

Your weekends usually consist of movie nights with Jonathan, Nancy and Steve. Getting food at Benny’s diner, sleepovers with your best friend or a shopping trip to Starcourt mall. 

You expected tears of sadness and anger for this weekend but instead you got something else. 

After spending the night at your place, he took you back to his house the next day. His parents weren’t home, you got the house to yourselves. 

You took your frustrations out on one another, he fucked you on every surface of his house, making you forget about anything that ever hurt you. He marked you up, he kissed every inch of your body, leaving a trail of hickeys down to your chest, you gave him some in return, you worshiped him, making him feel something that she could never make him feel. 

Steve fucked you like he hated you, probably because he did but you didn’t mind. You felt good and he made you forget, that’s all you wanted and needed. 

You ignored Nancy’s and Jonathan’s calls, you expected them to show up at some point but it seemed as though neither of them were brave enough to actually face you, luckily. You didn’t want to see them and Steve didn’t either. 

You stayed at his house for two days. Your usual movie night was different this time, Jonathan and Nancy weren’t there and thank god they weren’t. Making out with Steve and riding him on his big sofa was better than watching some stupid movie and cuddling up to your lying, cheating, partners. 

You even made use of the polaroid that Steve bought but never really used before. 

To say that you had fun this weekend would be an understatement. 

But of course, you still hate each other. 

When you walked down the hallways at school this morning, all eyes were on you and Steve. For the first time, you walked together, side by side. 

It was no secret that you hated each other, you were often found bickering during class, at the cafeteria during lunch and in the hallways. But there you were, walking next to him in your cheerleader uniform, hair perfectly styled and makeup looking pretty on your face, a bright smile resting on your face as you looked up at King Steve, who gave you a cocky smile as he carried your books. 

The hickeys on your neck were perfectly on display as were his. 

You almost burst out laughing when people started whispering, pointing to the two of you. It was a scandal. 

You and Steve had fun with it, especially when you caught the eyes of Nancy and Jonathan, who both stared at you in confusion before they disappeared in a classroom. 

You enjoyed the attention and so did he, you were amused by it. 

You couldn’t help but wonder what they would react like if you walked hand in hand, while stealing kisses from each other. 

Maybe someday..

-

He should be paying attention to class, he really should but his mind is occupied by you. After spending a whole weekend with you, he had a sudden change of heart. His feelings had developed into something else and it confuses him. 

He should be hurt, heartbroken and in agonizing pain. He should be crying and pining after the girl that he thought he loved so much but instead his thoughts are elsewhere. 

Maybe you fucked the pain out of him. 

He sighs, looking down at his notes, he finds the page blank, he will have to steal them from Robin again. 

He looks around, eyes falling on the man that intrigues him ever since he had learned about your little affair. He tried to find out more about your past with Eddie but you always shut down, refusing to talk about it. You seemed hurt, just hearing his name made you tense up. What happened? 

You seemed less hurt by Jonathan’s actions than by Eddie’s. What did he do? 

“You’ll be working in pairs for this assignment, you can pick your partner.” 

Steve looks around, staring at people switching seats. Then his eyes fall back on Eddie, who remains in his seat with his head down. 

Grabbing his books, he gets up and walks towards him, settling in the free seat next to him, he slams the books on the table, startling the metalhead who looks up at him in confusion. 

“W-What are you doing?” He mumbles, eying Steve with shock on his face, a hint of suspicion in his eyes, like he expects to be jumped by him. 

Steve chuckles, “we gotta work in pairs,” he shrugs. 

“I always work alone.” 

“Well, today you aren’t,” Steve says. 

Eddie continues to stare at him with raised brows, looking around, he almost expects someone from the basketball team to stare at him with smirks and anticipated looks on their faces as they wait for the King to pull some sort of prank but no one even looks at him.

“Okay,” he mumbles, turning back again.

“Relax buddy, I just wanna work with you.” 

“Why?” Eddie mumbles grumpily. 

Steve shrugs, “I just do.” 

“Yeah, you expect me to believe that?” 

Steve rolls his eyes, he can’t blame Eddie, he doesn’t have it easy at school but he never did anything to him, he can be an asshole but he is no bully. 

“Whatever, man. Let’s just work on this assignment.” 

“What’s the assignment?” Eddie asks. 

Steve shrugs, “I don’t know.” 

Eddie huffs, throwing his pencil on his notebook, “aren’t you trying to graduate this year?” 

“Aren’t you trying to graduate again?” Steve counters as he slams his notebook open, forgetting about the pictures he had slipped in there earlier. It falls on Eddie’s lap, who looks down at it, eyes widening. 

Eddie takes the picture, he stares at it in surprise. His lips part in shock. It’s a picture of someone’s boobs. It’s not a challenge to figure out who’s body this is, he had definitely seen and touched it before, he is pretty sure he has a picture of them too, somewhere. 

He can’t see a face or hair in this picture, only the neck and the chest that is littered in hickeys and bite marks, a hand on the lower stomach, fingernails painted black, a pink skirt bunched up at the waist, nipple piercings. 

It’s you. 

His stomach drops, his eyes flash with anger and jealousy, he doesn’t want it to be you. 

Steve watches him in anticipation, he might have done it on purpose, wanting to find out how the metalhead would react to it. 

Eddie pushes the picture into Steve’s hand, looking up at him, “who’s that?” 

The look on Eddie’s face is almost comical to Steve, his nostrils are flared, lips set in a frown as he stares at him with jealousy in his eyes. Shouldn’t he be used to it already? You’ve been dating Jonathan. Did he ever glare at him? Did he ever stare at him with anger and jealousy on his face? Steve wishes that he would have paid attention to Eddie before.

Steve chuckles in amusement. Putting the picture back into the notebook, he turns to one of the nerds, asking about the assignment. 

“Harrington,” Eddie hisses, “who is it?” He asks, despite knowing the answer already. Everything about the picture just tells him that it is you, from the shape of your body to the pink skirt you have worn before. 

Eddie continues bugging him throughout the whole lesson, he should be focusing on the assignment but he can’t get the picture out of his mind. 

“I thought you’d be able to recognize her,” Steve says smugly, “given that you two have fucked before.”

Eddie wants to ask and say so many things but he is shocked and confused. 

Steve is dating Nancy. 

You are dating Jonathan. 

You hate Steve Harrington, at least you always said you did, was it all just a lie? 

Eddie storms out of the classroom the moment the bell rings, he rushes out into the hallway, leaving a smug looking Steve behind. 

-

Skipping the last period seemed to be the best decision to make, it’s the one class you share with both Jonathan and Nancy, you don’t feel like seeing either of them, it’s been difficult enough to avoid them all day. 

Sitting on the ground at the library, you’re flipping through the pages of some random book about nature, you tried reading something but your mind is just too occupied by other things, you can’t focus. 

“Hey.” 

You freeze at the sound of his voice. You raise your head slowly. Eddie Munson. You can’t even remember the last time you had talked to him and you wish it would have stayed that way, you don’t want to talk to him, in fact, you would even rather talk to Jonathan and Nancy, that’s how bad it is.

“What do you want?” 

“Can we talk?”

“No?” You snort, rolling your eyes at him, you shake your head in disbelief, looking back down at the book, you flip to the next page, pretending to read. 

He sighs, “please?” 

“Fuck off, Munson,” you mumble, “you should go before someone sees you with a popular cheerleader, don’t wanna ruin your perfect reputation.” 

Eddie scoffs, huffing in annoyance. 

“You’re still pissed about that?” 

“No, I’m just saying,” you mumble as you slam the book shut and throw it to the ground before you get up, reaching for your book, you walk into the other direction, not bothering to even look at him but Eddie has different plans. He rushes after you, moving in front of you to keep you from walking away. 

All he gets is an annoyed look before you turn the other way but he is quick to push you against the bookshelf, caging you against it. 

“Are you serious? Let me go!” You whisper, trying to push him away. 

He shakes his head stubbornly, looking into your eyes intently. 

“What the fuck do you want from me, Munson?” 

“Are you still mad at me?” 

Your eyes show nothing but anger but you pretend not to be, “no, I just don’t feel like talking to you.” 

Eddie Munson broke your heart, hurting you with harsh words and pushing you away just when you had confessed your love for him. 

“You’re fucking Harrington?” He asks, completely ignoring your answer.

If you didn’t know any better, you’d say that the look in his eyes is one of jealousy and anger. They flicker down to your neck, staring at all the hickeys on your skin, recognition flashing in his dark eyes. 

“That’s what you wanna talk to me about?” You scoff. 

You really wanna keep your cool, show him that you left him behind in the past, where he belongs. You hate him. You hate him more than you hate Jonathan who cheated on you, something that you thought would rip your heart out, surprisingly it didn’t but maybe that’s because Eddie had done it for him long before. 

What does he even want from you? He hasn’t spoken to you since the night he left you standing in the rain. He was the reason you started dating Jonathan in the first place, you found comfort in him when he had found you crying behind the school weeks after your fallout with Eddie, he comforted you, placed his jacket around your shoulders and asked if you wanted to listen to a tape he had just made. 

Jonathan was sweet, he loved music and driving around, taking you to the movies. He did what Eddie used to do, maybe that’s why you liked him so much. He filled the hole that he had left behind. 

Something about Eddie has changed, not only do you see a new tattoo peeking out of his shirt, his hair also got longer, he uses a different cologne now, he probably stopped using Wayne’s cologne or maybe Wayne changed his and Eddie is still stealing it. New pins are on his vest and he seems more mature. You know that he is still the same dork as before, still joking around with his friends like a young and careless teen, he still jumps on tables and holds speeches knowing that he will get shit for it afterwards but there is something in his eyes that had changed. A flicker of sadness and emptiness that wasn’t there before. 

You haven’t been this close to him since the last year and you hate yourself for admitting that you miss him. 

You always missed him. You used to feel awful for still thinking about him when Jonathan kissed you, when he touched you or even when he just held your hand, you always thought about him. The last weekend was the first time that you haven’t thought about him, not even a single moment. 

Jonathan couldn’t make you forget but Steve did. 

“You’re dating Byers,” he mumbles, “and you’re fucking your best friend’s boyfriend?” 

So, word hasn’t gotten around yet? You’re surprised, considering you told Heather about it, not that she’s much on gossip but she tends to have a loose mouth when she’s drunk. 

“And so what if I do?” You ask, tilting your head. You don’t miss the look in his eyes when he stares at your lips for a moment. 

“That’s not you, sweetheart.” 

Sweetheart, god you want to rip your hair out. 

“And what do you know about me?” You ask, clenching your jaw angrily. 

He grimaces at your question, stepping even closer to you, “I know everything about you.” 

“No, you don’t,” you shake your head, “now back off.” 

Eddie hesitates, what reason would he have to talk to you? What right does he have to ask you any questions? He was the one who pushed you out of his life, he was the one who rejected you, he was the one who didn’t want you. What a lie. God, you will never know how much he really wanted you, how much he still wants you.

He felt like a goddamn fool when he saw you with Jonathan Byers, knowing that he could’ve been the one by your side, if he wasn’t so scared. 

He steps away and drops his arm to his sides, eyes flashing with sadness as you quickly pull away from him. His gaze follows you.

You halt in your tracks, taking a deep breath before you whirl around to face him again. You cannot stand him and his stupid puppy eyes. He looks at you as though you were the one who hurt him. 

“To answer your question, no, I’m not with Jonathan anymore and I didn’t fuck my best friend’s boyfriend, she fucked mine. Steve caught them and the next day I caught them as well.” 

Eddie’s eyes widen, he looks shocked and confused. 

“W-What?” He mumbles in disbelief, “shit, sweetheart. I’m sorry–”

“Save it, Munson,” you scoff, looking away from him as your eyes well up with angry tears. 

“Who would cheat on you..” 

What is that supposed to mean? Wasn’t he the one who made you feel like you weren’t enough for him? 

“Yeah and who would ever hurt me?” You ask as you plaster a smile on your face. The guilty look on his face makes you mad. “Whatever, I seem to be going for the wrong guys all the time.” 

He whispers your name. 

“But that’s fine, I guess I learnt my lesson,” you shrugs, “I should look for ones that are just as stuck up and boring as me, huh?” 

He looks down, feeling ashamed of the words he used to hurt you. 

You leave after a moment, storming out of the library. You want to leave him behind just like you want to leave Nancy and Jonathan behind.

But it turns out to be a challenge. You and Steve continue your newly found friendship. Weeks go by and after a few confrontations with your ex partners, they finally leave you alone. You no longer want to resume your friendship with Nancy, she cried and apologized to you, telling you that she didn’t want to lose you but she didn’t do much to prove it, especially when she just started dating your ex boyfriend. 

Moving on will never be easy but you have him now. You and Steve still fight, you still use every opportunity to piss him off and in return, he does the same. You love making each other mad, you love heated arguments, ones that lead to sex. 

You sneak out of class just to make out with him in the bathroom. Every time he throws you a note, you can feel his excited eyes on you but also the one’s of Eddie, who seemed to be interested to make a comeback in your life.

Not that you will ever let him. 

You are focused on other things. Cheer practice, studying, girls nights with friends from the cheer squad and most importantly spending time with King Steve.

You found comfort in each other, maybe you were just no good alone but you like being around him. What starts off with a weird friendship with your enemy ends up developing into something bigger. A few months back you couldn’t even stand being around each other for longer than 10 minutes, now you can’t be without each other. Steve is surprisingly a really clingy guy and you don’t mind it. 

After using your parents money to book a vacation, you spend your spring break on the east coast, using fake IDs to buy drinks and using Mr. Harrington’s credit card to rent a yacht. You both have wealthy parents, might as well use their money to have fun. 

When Steve had suggested going on that trip, you didn’t expect to come back as his girlfriend but you did and for some insane reason, you love it. 

A part of you still struggles to trust his intentions but you still agreed on becoming his. 

What’s more insane is the fact that Steve had somehow befriended Eddie. Out of all people he could’ve started a friendship with, it of course had to be the guy that broke your heart. Apparently they had worked on an assignment together and ‘hit it off’. You should be pissed but he doesn’t really know what happened with you and him and you cannot blame him for liking him, Eddie is.. amazing. And Steve deserves to have more friends. 

After cutting off Tommy a while back, Steve only really had Nancy, Jonathan and well you. Robin Buckley was one of his friends as well but they only ever hung out at work together, only having brief conversations at school. 

For two months, he followed you around like a lost puppy after the breakup with Nancy. Spending lunch with you and your cheer squad instead of hanging out with the guys from the basketball team, why? You will never know, maybe it had something to do with his dislike for Jason Carver or Billy Hargrove but Steve preferred to stick to your side, that is until he and Eddie became friends.

You are not sure which one of them is playing a game though, is it Eddie who uses your boyfriend to sneak his way back into your life? Or is it your boyfriend himself, who is trying to test you to see if there are any remaining feelings left for his new friend?

You did tell him a little about your past but you didn’t want to give away too much, not wanting to admit that he hurt you as much as he did. Steve isn’t stupid though, it wasn’t difficult for him to figure out that what you felt for Eddie was deeper than you wanted to admit. 

It also really wasn’t a challenge to figure out that you started dating Jonathan in hopes that he could be like him. 

Maybe, he should feel insecure, feel scared and worried that he might lose you to another man just like he lost Nancy but your feelings for him are genuine, even when your mind keeps taking you back to the other man. He can see it in your eyes, though you still act stubborn at times and pretend that he doesn’t mean that much to you, he knows it’s all just an act. 

You love Steve in a way Nancy couldn’t and he loves you in a way Jonathan couldn’t. 

But there is also someone else that loves you and despite his jealous nature, Steve doesn’t mind it, as odd as it is. 

The more time he spends with him, the more he finds a liking towards Eddie, much to your demise. You don’t mind it, you just hate being around him. 

It’s been easy to ignore him and his puppy dog eyes at first but once he realized that he is not getting any of your attention, he suddenly became a menace. He went from being apologetic to annoying, real quick. 

He uses every opportunity to tease you, making sly comments and trying to flirt with you and Steve doesn’t even seem to mind, if anything, he finds it amusing. Watching his new friend getting on your nerves and getting the treatment from you that only he usually gets. 

You should be mad at Steve for letting Eddie treat you like this but you can’t, not when you like it deep down. 

Eddie stole the spot that used to belong to Steve, now he is your annoying 'enemy'. 

Wherever Steve goes, Eddie goes. Just like tonight. 

A date night with your boyfriend turns into one with Eddie as well. 

Sitting on Steve’s lap, you play with his hair, occasionally turning to look at the other man in the room, who smokes his blunt and drinks his beer as he talks to Steve about his stupid band that you used to love. 

Steve’s large hand is resting on your hip, playing with the soft material of your skirt as he nods along to Eddie’s words. 

“Babe,” you cut Eddie off, not even sparing him a glance as you look at your boyfriend, “are you ever gonna order that pizza?” You ask, batting your eyelashes at him, “I’m getting hungry and bored.” 

Steve sighs, “don’t be rude, he was talking.” 

“Who?” You feign, giving him a confused look. Smiling in satisfaction when you hear Eddie mumbling something under his breath. 

You smile at him as you lean in to kiss his neck. He takes in a sharp breath, hand gripping your hip tighter causing your skirt to ride up a little. He can’t help but look over at Eddie to see his reaction, just as expected, Eddie is staring at you with such intensity in his eyes that it makes Steve shiver. 

“Baby,” he warns but you don’t listen. You never do. 

Eddie is both jealous and angry, though he admires the view, staring at your exposed skin as Steve touches your hip. 

Steve raises his eyebrows, opening his mouth to speak but before he can even form a word, you smash your lips against his, kissing him roughly. 

His eyes widen in surprise but he can’t even stop the moan from falling. You throw your leg over his lap and straddle him, placing your hands on his neck and deepen the kiss as your tongue meets his. 

Eddie swallows harshly, placing his blunt down, he tightens his grip on the bottle. His jaw clenches and his eyes flash with anger and jealousy. You are doing this on purpose, to taunt him. 

He likes Steve but right now, he hates him for being able to touch and kiss you like this, wishing it was him instead. He leans back against the sofa, eyes trailing down to your ass that Steve is squeezing roughly as he starts making out with you. Your skirt rides up further, exposing the black thong that you’re wearing. You’re rolling your hips, grinding against your boyfriend as you moan into his mouth. 

Eddie clenches his hand into a fist, tensing up, he shifts around, uncomfortably, your moans and whimpers sounding like music to his ears. His breath hitches in his throat when you whisper a small ‘please’. 

He would love nothing more than to be in Steve’s place right now. To hold you and kiss you. 

Steve pulls away with a groan, “behave yourself.” 

A giggle leaves your lips and after pecking his lips one more time, you pull away and settle back on the couch, smirking at the bulge in your boyfriend’s jeans. 

He blushes, running his fingers through his hair, he gets up, trying to hide the obvious tent in his pants, “I’m gonna order the pizza,” he mumbles as he rushes out of the living room without looking at Eddie. 

You look at the tv for a moment before your eyes find Eddie’s. He is glaring at you. You smile in satisfaction, raising your hand, you look at your freshly manicured fingernails as you begin to hum some song. 

Eddie is seething, this is not the first time you had kissed Steve in front of him but usually it was nothing more than a peck. 

He scoffs as he raises the bottle to his lips. Right now, he can’t stand you. 

He can’t stand the way you look so pretty, the way you sit there looking so innocent after what you just did. He hates the way the room smells like your sweet perfume despite the lingering smoke in the air. He hates the way you hate him. 

He reaches for the blunt, placing it between his lips, he lights it up with the lighter that Steve threw on the table earlier. 

You look at him, tilting your head, “what’s wrong?” You ask him sweetly.

He screws up his face, shrugging, “nothing.” 

You get up and his eyes widen when you walk towards him. He stares at the way your skirt hugs your body perfectly, the way your top slides up your stomach a little, exposing some of your skin, you’re not wearing a bra, he can see your nipple piercings. You lick your puffy lips and lean down in front of him, placing your hand on his knee, you reach for the blunt between his lips. 

He gulps, eyes growing wider and breath hitching in his throat. He licks his lips, staring into your eyes as you inhale the smoke. 

Eddie can’t even help it, he leans closer to you, placing his hand over yours, his fingertips trace your skin. 

You look down for a second, staring at his hand and at his rings, your gaze softens for a moment and then you look back into his eyes. 

He whispers your name, you blink, eyes falling down to his lips. 

But it all just lasts for a second before you place the blunt back between his lips and walk away from him. Sitting back down on the sofa and looking away with a clenched jaw. 

“Sweetheart–”

“Don’t.” 

Steve walks back into the room, sensing the tension right away. He looks between the two of you, noticing the anger in your eyes and the longing in his. 

He sighs, trying to lighten the mood, he smiles at you, “pizza is on the way,” he says as he settles back next to you, “you wanna watch Halloween now?” 

“Sure..”

-

The graduation party is finally over, you no longer have to listen to the awful pop music, red solo cups are all over the place. Steve’s house is a mess. You’re both lucky that his parents aren’t home until the end of next week. 

The night started off well, you got ready in his bathroom, had a few drinks before the party even started and made out with him on one of the pool loungers before the guest started coming in. 

Now you’re seething, rolling your eyes at him and scoffing at whatever he is saying as you’re cleaning up the mess. It’s silly, you have to admit and you know you’re acting like a brat for no reason but getting the piss out of him will just always be your thing. 

You’re proud of him, you really are. He made it, he graduated, got his diploma and he is free to do whatever he wants now. He doesn’t have to go back to high school, he doesn’t have to see Nancy or Jonathan again. You’re just so scared that he will leave you behind, walk away from you and pretend like you were never a part of his life. 

Maybe you are overthinking it, maybe you are just hurt from the men before or maybe you are simply broken. 

But right now, you’re angry, especially after seeing one of the girls trying to flirt with him. He didn’t pay her any mind, he didn’t even smile at her or react to the way she was eying him up and down, he politely rejected her and pushed her hand off of his arm and yet it pissed you off, why did he let her get this close in the first place? 

“Asshole.” 

“Excuse me?” Steve scoffs as he watches you rush past him. 

“You heard me!” You snap at him as you slam the door open and walk towards the counter, slamming your red solo cups down, you turn around and open the fridge, getting yourself a cold coke. 

“Why am I an asshole?” He asks with a confused and angry face, closing the door to the luckily empty kitchen. 

“You let that bitch touch you!” You yell as you close the fridge, glaring at your boyfriend. 

Steve knows that this isn’t the only thing that caused this sudden outburst, you have been acting weird and sensitive for the past few weeks. 

“Honey,” he mumbles as he takes a deep breath, putting his hands together he walks towards you, “I pushed her hand off, I didn’t even talk to her!” 

You clench your jaw, tearing your gaze away from him, you sigh angrily, “yes, you did.” 

Steve sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. He knows that you won’t just drop it, you’re gonna mop around and continue trying to get on his nerves. 

“Jesus, I didn’t.”

You stare at him with fire in your eyes. Oh, you’re mad, mad. He knows that there is more behind your anger, it’s not just about that girl, you’re not even the jealous type or maybe you are, maybe you were just too good at hiding it before. 

Steve shakes his head, walking towards you, he tries to reach out for you but you push his hands away, “just go to your new girlfriend, you seemed to like staring at her fucking tits.”

You both know that he wasn’t staring at her tits, in fact, he wasn’t staring at her at all. He looked uncomfortable and glanced at you, reaching for your hand, he pulled you in and placed his hand on the small of your back, you were there the whole time. He wasn’t staring, he wasn’t flirting, he wasn’t doing anything. 

“Jesus christ,” he sighs in annoyance, rolling his eyes, “are you really starting this again?” 

“Starting what?” You frown, crossing your arms over your chest. 

Steve’s eyes fall to your chest, staring at your tits. 

“Starting some stupid fight just so I will fuck your brains out.” 

You tilt your head, scoffing, “why would I want you to fuck me?” You ask him, as though he isn’t your boyfriend, as though you don’t beg for his touches, as though you aren’t obsessed with him. 

“Oh, so you’re gonna act like you’re not obsessed with me?” 

You scoff, giving him a disapproving look, “trust me, I’m not obsessed with you.” 

He rolls his eyes at your words, stepping closer to you, “you’re such a brat,” he says as he places his hands on his hips, looking up at the ceiling. 

“You’re the brat, Harrington.” 

He looks back down at you with darkened eyes. The pout on your face is cute but the mischief in your eyes irritates him. 

“What do you want, honey?” 

You shrug, biting your lip, you eye him up and down. Grabbing him by his belt, you pull him closer to you. Instantly, his hands reach for your waist and he pulls you flush against him. Standing on your tippy toes, you lean in and give him a kiss, “I want you to stop being a dick.” 

He looks into your eyes and raises his brows, he grabs your jaw, “oh, I’m a dick now?” 

“Mhmm, yes you are,” you nod, “you’re a dick, Steve Harrington.” 

“And you’re kind of a bitch, honey.” 

“No, I’m not. You’re just a real asshole.” 

“You always need the last word, don’t you?” 

You nod, “you know me.” 

He shakes his head, tracing your bottom lip, he looks deeply into your eyes, “tell me, what’s your actual problem? Be honest with me.” 

You hesitate. You’re scared of something, he can see it in your eyes. That fear has been there for some weeks now. 

Your relationship was just two months old, things were still new for the two of you. You went from disliking each other to loving each other, sure, it was weird for you but not for him. Once he touched you for the first time, he easily grew addicted to you and he found himself wondering why he never went after you instead of Nancy, in the first place. 

“You’re leaving me,” you say with fear in your eyes and anger in your voice. 

He frowns at your words, staring at you in confusion, “huh?” 

“You’re leaving me,” you repeat yourself as you cross your arms over your chest again, pouting at him like a pissed off brat, “you’re leaving me alone with all these assholes.” 

Just as you and Steve finally found your way to each other, his time at school is over while you stay for one more year, you are not ready to let him go. 

“Oh,” he mumbles, finally understanding what you are talking about, he rolls his eyes at your words and sighs, “I’m not leaving you, honey. I only graduated and the last time I checked, you’re the one who’s leaving me next year, while you go off to college, I’ll stay here and wait for you.”

You squint your eyes at him, “are you?” You counter, tilting your head up, “are you waiting for me or are you gonna find someone else to fuck?” 

He scoffs at you, glaring into your eyes, “fuck? Is that all we’re doing here? Fucking?” 

You shrug. Maybe. The anxiety of him wanting to do this just to get back at her still lingers. 

“Oh my god,” he murmurs, staring at you in disbelief, “baby, you’re my girl. I want you, no one else.” 

Your heart flutters at his words, taking the tension off your shoulders a little but you aren’t done yet. 

“What about Nancy? Do you still want her?” 

He doesn’t understand where this is all coming from, he shakes his head, eyes widening, “no!” He cups your cheeks, “I don’t! Why would I still want her? I want you, only you even though you’re a fucking brat and you get on my nerves all the damn time but fuck, you’re it for me.” 

If your past selves could see the two of you now, they would be mortified. 

You believe him, you really do. You want to kiss him and hug him, lay your head on his chest and apologize but still, you roll your eyes and look away. 

You look away from his hazel eyes, staring at your manicured nails, you shrug, a small sigh leaving your lips. 

Steve’s shoulders slump, he loves you but you are so irritating sometimes. 

“Trouble in paradise?” 

Looking over Steve’s shoulder, you see Eddie standing there with a smug look on his face. He walks towards you, a smirk tugging at his lips. 

You drop your arms to your sides and step away from your boyfriend, sighing in annoyance. 

Right, you forgot that your boyfriend’s boyfriend is still here. 

Steve looks intrigued, he wants to see what will happen if Eddie takes his teasing a little further. 

You cross your arms over your chest and turn away from both men but Eddie grabs your arm, holding you back, he steps in front of you, “where are you going, sweetheart?” He asks, grabbing your chin between his thumb and forefinger. 

You furrow your brows, glaring at him, “away from you.” 

He coos at you, pouting at your words, “I see, nothing changed. You’re still a fucking brat.” 

You scoff at his words, slapping his hand off of you, you clench your jaw in anger. How dare he touch you? 

His dark eyes stare into yours, he leans closer, eying your lips for a moment, “poor King Steve doesn’t know how to handle you, huh? He doesn’t know how to put you in your place?” He asks as he reaches his hand out to touch your face, caressing your cheek softly. “He can’t do it like I can, right?” 

You blink as you stare into his eyes, shivering at the feeling of his touch and at the sound of his voice. Your knees grow a little weak and you hate the way your stomach flutters at his words. Your boyfriend is standing there, right behind you, watching the scene unfold. 

Why isn’t he saying anything? 

You scoff, rolling your eyes, you turn away from him as you start blushing because of him, “whatever.” 

Steve gasps, eyes widening in disbelief. That’s all you have to say? Whatever? You sure have a lot to say to him whenever you both bicker. 

Eddie chuckles as he eyes you up and down, “you wanna be put in your place, huh?” 

Eddie wouldn’t say all this to you if there wasn’t so much tension already, the past few weeks have led up to this exact moment. 

You don’t say anything, just growing more flustered, not looking into Eddie’s or Steve’s eyes. 

Eddie’s smirk widens, he looks over your shoulder, staring at Steve who shakes his head as a small chuckle falls from his lips. 

“Do it.” 

Your lips part and your eyes widen, you turn around, staring at your boyfriend in shock. 

“Put her in her place,” he murmurs as he reaches for your waist, pulling you into him, “tame the fucking brat.” 

You gasp at his words, “S-Steve?” 

He chuckles, grasping your face in his large hands, he pulls you closer to kiss your lips, “that’s what you want, right?” 

You gulp nervously, blinking. You hesitate and take a deep breath. 

“N-No..”

He smirks, looking into your lust filled eyes, “come on, don’t lie to me.”

He pulls you tighter against him, squeezing your waist as he steals another soft kiss from you, “it’s okay, it’s just Eddie.” 

Eddie, the only man he is willing to share you with. 

You can always say no, he makes sure you know that. You can back down but do you want to? 

You tear your eyes away from your boyfriend and turn around to face the man you have been avoiding, your eyes lock with his beautiful ones. 

No, you don’t want to back down. 

Eddie already knows your answer before even asking that question but he grabs your hand and pulls you closer, “do you want it?” he whispers as he brings his hand up to your face, grabbing your chin. 

“Yes.” It comes out as a mere whisper, a nervous one. 

Eddie smirks and Steve does too but you can’t see him. The man in front of you looks like he had just won the lottery, his eyes light up and he looks happier than he has ever felt before. He grabs your waist and without wasting another moment, he pulls you flush against him and slams his lips against yours. 

For the first time in over a year, you finally feel his touch again, his kiss. 

He is desperate in the way he kisses you, not caring about your boyfriend who watches it all unfold with awe in his eyes, he doesn’t care about anything but you. He finally has you back in his arms, even if it’s just for this moment. His hands are so delicate on your skin, his lips move so roughly against yours, he savors every second in which you kiss him back. 

He doesn’t know whether to smile or to cry but he leaves the latter for when this night is over, now he enjoys it. 

A moan, a whine and a desperate whimper from you, and both men that you have wrapped around your finger are rock hard. Eddie deepens the kiss, his tongue meets yours and he groans in pleasure when you bury your hands in his hair, tugging at his dark curls. 

God, he missed you so much. His heart, his life felt so empty without you. He wants to kiss you softly, he wants to make love to you and show you how much he misses you but he can’t. You are not his, you will never be his and even when Steve is okay with this, he knows that it’s only just a one time thing, it’s just for sex, for rough sex. 

Your boyfriend pulls you back into his chest, forcing you to break the kiss with Eddie, you whine at that action, chasing after his lips. He chuckles darkly, leaning down, he presses his lips against your shoulder, kissing you and nipping at your skin as he pulls the strap of your top down, “you want him, honey?” 

Your eyelashes flutter, your lips part and you stare into Eddie’s eyes, watching the way he looks at you with hunger in his eyes, the way he did before but there is more now, something you can’t or don’t want to read because it will make you sad. 

Steve’s lips are soft, making your heart and stomach flutter, “it’s okay, you can have him if you want,” he murmurs, “I don’t mind.” 

You have questions, so many of them but you don’t bother to speak them out now, instead you find yourself nodding, “I want you both.”

Eddie smirks, eyes lighting up. 

“Oh yeah?” Steve whispers, “you want him to fuck the brat out of you, baby?” 

“Mhmm.” 

Steve leads you and Eddie upstairs and into his room, he holds your hand while you hold Eddie’s, looking back at him to catch him staring at your ass, watching your skirt move back and forth as you walk up the stairs. He licks his lips before he raises his head to look into your eyes. 

The moment you step into your boyfriend’s room, you suddenly feel nervous but also intrigued. Steve locks the door and then he walks you over to his bed, pushing you down, he grabs your chin and caresses your cheek, smirking at you and leaning down to peck your lips before he steps away, “you’re awfully quiet, honey. What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?” 

Rolling your eyes at him, you scoff.

Steve chuckles, shaking his head, “Munson, come here.” 

Eddie walks over to him, glancing at him, Steve smirks, “she’s all yours.” 

You stare at your boyfriend, almost in shock. There have been moments where he got jealous whenever men just looked at you, here he is, giving you away to his friend like it means nothing to him. Which, you don’t actually mind because it’s Eddie. Yet, you glare at him. 

“What’s wrong?” He laughs, “you wanted to be tamed and I’m not exactly brat tamer material, isn’t that what you said?” 

Eddie looks amused by Steve’s words, he chuckles to himself as he looks at you. 

“And don’t act like you don’t think about him, we both know you do,” Steve murmurs as he sits down beside you, bringing his hand up to your face, he cradles your cheek, you still glare at him just like before but now you look flustered, clearly not wanting Eddie to know that you still think about him, “look at him.” 

You blink, shaking your head a little.

Steve’s hazel eyes flicker with mischief, lips curling up into a smirk, “you don’t want him to know that you still think about him?” 

“Steve.” 

He ignores you, “you don’t want him to know that you dream of him?” He asks as he kisses your cheek softly before he turns your head towards Eddie, forcing you to look at him, “I heard you whispering his name the other night, you know?” 

Eddie’s lips part in surprise. 

You grow flustered, both men notice the way you squeeze your thighs together. 

“Is that so, sweetheart?” Eddie smirks as he steps towards you. 

You look at him through your lashes, ignoring the way he makes you feel just by looking at you with his hungry eyes. 

Steve lets go of you as Eddie places his fingers under your chin, “you dream about me, huh?” 

You scoff and roll your eyes, “you wish,” you mumble in annoyance, “I haven’t thought about you in a long time.” 

So you still wanna act like you hate him? Eddie shakes his head, laughing, “a few days is what you call a long time?” 

“Not a few days, a whole year.” 

He raises his brows, “a whole year, huh?” He asks in amusement, “that’s when you started dating Byers.” 

You press your lips together, frowning at him and at your boyfriend who chuckles yet again. 

“He didn’t satisfy you enough? You still thought about me?” 

“Shut up,” you mumble as you raise your hand and slap his hand away. 

His eyes darken and he looks at you in a way that would leave your past self shivering but you are not the girl that you used to be, you are not the fool that was once in love with him, at least that’s what you are telling yourself. 

“Are you gonna fuck me or what?” 

“You’re a depraved little slut, you know that right?” 

You shrug, licking your lips as you feel yourself getting wet at his words. 

“You’re sitting here next to your boyfriend, asking another man to fuck you,” Eddie smirks. 

“It was his idea,” you shrug, ignoring Steve’s chuckle, “maybe he wants you to fuck him too, maybe he’s a depraved slut as well, just like you Eddie.” 

Eddie raises his brows, tilting his head at you as he kneels down in front of you, his gentle hands grasping your ankles, he takes your shoes off slowly. 

“Me?” 

“Yeah,” you breathe, “I wasn’t enough for you, you wanted to fuck other girls, not just one other girl, you wanted all of them, didn’t you? That’s why you didn’t want me anymore. So, who are you calling a depraved slut? You are the biggest of them all.” 

Steve glances at Eddie, noticing the regret in his eyes. 

Eddie didn’t want anyone else but you, he didn’t want any other girl, he just wanted you. The things he said to you were nothing but lies, to make you leave, for your own sake. 

The tone in your voice is masked with anger but the pain is still lingering. 

“You’re an asshole,” you say as you look deeply into his eyes, “I hate you.”

Eddie clenches his jaw, maybe his heart would hurt if he didn’t see the softness in your eyes, you don’t hate him. 

“And you’re a fucking brat. A very mean brat.” 

He gets back up after taking your shoes off, he puts his hand around your throat, watching the way your eyes widen and flash with lust, you always loved this. 

“I bet you’ve been acting like this on purpose, huh? You wanted him to put you in your place?” 

You blink, breathing faster as you look up at Eddie, well aware that Steve is staring at you with a smirk on his face. 

“Answer me,” Eddie orders. 

“Yes,” you whisper. 

“Yes, what?” 

“I’ve been doing it on purpose,” you admit, your cheeks growing hot at your own words, “I wanted him to put me in my place.” 

Steve gapes at you, you never ever admit anything like this to him, you never give in, you never let him hear what he wants to hear. You only ever stop acting like a brat after he makes you cum a few times. 

You bite your lip, eyes raking over Eddie’s arm, the bracelet around his wrist, the tattoos on his arm, his shoulders that got broader. His hand around your neck, he pulls you up, forcing you to stand in front of him. 

He brings you closer until his nose bumps against yours, “poor Steve doesn’t know how to tame the brat, huh?” He whispers against your lips as his eyes remain locked with yours, “it’s okay, that’s what you have me for.” 

He kisses you softly, one last time before he rips your top off, throwing it on the ground along with your bra, taking a moment to admire your naked chest, touching your boobs and giving them both a squeeze before he turns you around and shoves you down on Steve’s bed, in front of him. 

A whimper leaves your mouth when Eddie reaches for your hips and pulls your ass up, using both hands to tear the skirt into shreds, he rips it off and throws it on the ground. 

Steve’s eyes widen in surprise as do yours, you gasp, calling his name loudly. 

“What?” Eddie chuckles, “your rich boyfriend can buy you ten more of those, right?” He asks before his palm meets your ass roughly, a loud smack! echoing through the room, followed by a whiny moan. 

Steve’s eyes darken and he looks down at you to make sure that you’re okay, pushing your hair out of your face, he caresses your cheek. 

“Don’t worry, Harrington. She loves it even rougher,” Eddie murmurs as he smacks your other asscheek, “isn’t that right, sweetheart?” 

You moan, nodding desperately as you bite your lip. 

He chuckles as he watches you arching your back, your light pink thong is soaked already and Eddie can’t help but moan at the sight of it, he teases you, bringing his fingers up to your pussy, “who are you so wet for? Me or Steve?” 

Your boyfriend touches your bottom lip with his thumb, smirking when you look at him with pleading eyes. 

You hear Eddie shuffling around behind you, taking his belt off, you already know what he’s about to do and it only makes you feel more desperate. 

“Me or Steve?” He asks again, with more anger in his voice.

“Answer him, honey.” 

You don’t. 

You want him to take it further. 

Suddenly you jolt forward and a cry falls from your lips as you feel the leather smacking against your ass, tears well up in your eyes. 

“Dude!” 

Eddie chuckles at the shocked and angry look on Steve’s face, his body tenses up and he looks down at you with worry in his eyes. 

“M-More..” 

Steve’s eyes widen, shock ripples through him. He always knew that you were kinky, that you like it rough but not this rough. 

“Please.” 

“You see that, Steve?” Eddie murmurs as he raises his hand, using the belt to spank you again. The bulge in his pants is growing, his dick twitches at the sound of your moan, at the sight of your half naked body, “she loves it.” 

“You’re so fucking dirty, honey.” 

“Yes, she is,” Eddie groans. 

He spanks you, again and again. And even after he is done, you are still begging for more, despite knowing that your ass will hurt. Steve watches in awe and disbelief, no snarky words or comments leave your mouth, just desperate moans and whimpers. 

He swallows, your hand resting on his knee, squeezing it tightly as Eddie takes your ruined panties off and throws them at him, chuckling when he catches them and sniffs at them. 

“Perv,” you mumble as you look up at Steve with a smirk on your face. 

Eddie reaches for your waist, grabbing you tightly as he manhandles you on your back, he catches the surprised look on your face. Eddie takes his shirt off and throws it to the ground. 

For a moment, he lets himself admire you. It’s been too long since he had seen you like this. Your bare body, your soft skin, your pretty hair laying on your naked shoulders, your eyes looking into his with desperation, with a softened gaze he hasn’t seen in so long. 

You eye him up and down, you want him just like he wants you. You squeeze your thighs together, sighing when Steve starts playing with your hair, “you look so beautiful, honey.” 

“Yes you do,” Eddie whispers, he leans over you, taking the black scrunchie off of your wrist, he uses it to tie his hair back, “you are the prettiest girl.” 

Your heart flutters but at the same time, it hurts. 

You roll your eyes at his words, clearly not believing a word he says. 

“Shut up, Eddie.” 

Steve chuckles at your words, while Eddie scoffs, shaking his head as he kneels down in front of the bed, he grabs you, pulling you closer, harshly. He throws your legs over his shoulders and begins to nip at your inner thighs roughly, kissing and biting your skin before he finally tastes you again. 

His eyes flutter closed and he moans against you as he grabs your hips tighter than before, slipping his tongue into your wet pussy. 

You moan loudly, reaching into his hair, you pull at it.

“F-Fuck!” 

Eddie starts to eat you out, more intensely, more desperately than ever before. He needs you, he needs to feel you in every way possible. He grabs your ass harshly, squeezing your sensitive skin as he devours you. 

You arch your back in pleasure, feeling his tongue plunging deeper inside of you. You look down at him, eyes locking with his, you allow yourself to look at him, only for one moment before your eyes roll back and you shut them. 

You moan even louder than before when you feel Steve’s lips on your neck, his hands on your boobs, squeezing and grabbing them roughly as his fingers toy with your pierced nipples. 

Eddie’s nose bumps against your clit as he shakes his head against you, licking and eating you out like a man starved. He shows you how desperate he is to touch you again. 

So much pleasure runs through your body, the feeling is euphoric. 

“Feeling good, honey?” 

“Mhmm, so good,” you whimper. 

Steve smirks, he leans down to kiss your lips as he twists and tugs your nipple. You shut your thighs, caging Eddie in and he only moans in response. He licks a stripe up your pussy and begins to flick his tongue on your clit as he pushes a finger inside of you. 

“I missed your sweet pussy, baby.” 

Not wanting to hear any of his praises, you pull his hair harsher than before as you make out with Steve. 

Eddie groans, using his free hand to push your hand out of his hair, he slams it against the mattress and intertwines his fingers with yours, holding it against the bed. 

That is too intimate for you, you don’t hold hands with people you don’t love, Eddie doesn’t love you. 

“You taste so good,” he murmurs against you, kissing your clit teasingly, he glances at you, watching the way your chest rises up and down heavily, your free hand in your boyfriend's hair as you kiss him. 

His chest is filled with jealousy, you’re gentle with him, you’re soft with Steve, loving. That’s something he will never get again and it breaks his heart. 

Eddie doesn’t stop after making you cum, he only keeps going. Fucking you with his fingers, keeping the rings on because he knows how much you used to love it. He covers your thighs in hickeys, smacking your soaked cunt when you call him names. Eddie is rough with you, he devours you for both yours and his pleasure and he enjoys knowing that not even Steve can make you feel like this. 

He loves knowing that he watches you two, that he sees the way you yearn for him, the way you moan for him. 

Eddie, Eddie, Eddie. Your voice sounds like music to his ears, it makes his heart flutter in his chest. 

He only stops when he feels like he might cum before he even gets to be inside of you. 

He pulls away and admires the view, watching the way you are shaking, the way your cunt flutters, glistening from your juices and his spit. Your thighs are covered in hickeys, fingerprints on your hips. 

Steve is being too soft with you, he caresses your cheek and whispers praises into your ear, as though he wasn’t the one suggesting this. Growing annoyed with the sight of it, he finally takes the rest of his clothes off and flips you over on your stomach again. 

“Sit your ass down, Harrington,” Eddie orders, gesturing to the chair in the corner, “watch and learn.” 

Steve raises his brows in surprise, his cheeks grow red and it definitely doesn’t go unnoticed by him or you. You look smug and it only makes Steve blush harder, he rolls his eyes at you as he does what the other man told him to do. 

You lick your lips, eying the bulge in Steve’s pants, “take your cock out, Stevie,” you whine, “please.” 

Eddie chuckles behind you, you feel the bed dip under you. You swallow nervously, stomach growing tighter at the feeling of his hands on your hips, “listen to your girl, Steve.” 

Steve blinks, nodding at his words, “f-fuck.. yeah, yeah..” He stammers, unbuckling his belt hastily, he pushes his pants out just enough to take his dick out. 

You moan while Eddie’s eyes widen at the sight of Steve’s dick, “holy shit, man.” 

Your boyfriend looks smug, smirking as he looks at the two of you. 

“Yeah, he is so much bigger than you, Eddie,” you tease, looking over your shoulder with a smirk on your face, “makes me feel better too.” 

He glares, holding your hips tighter, “oh yeah?” He murmurs as he takes his hard cock and slips it through your wet folds until it touches your sensitive clit. 

“Ah– shit,” you whimper. 

“Touch yourself, Steve. Look at her, watch how I ruin your pretty little girlfriend, I’m gonna make her mine again.” 

You shake your head in response, wanting to protest but only whimpers leave your mouth when he pushes inside of you, splitting you open. You’re too sensitive, too overwhelmed, too weak already. Unable to hold yourself up, you fall down against the pillows. 

“Forget it,” Steve growls as he fists his cock, keeping his eyes on you, “she’s mine forever.” 

Eddie chuckles darkly, watching how you struggle to hold yourself up, you whine and moan. 

“We’ll see.” 

He pushes in deeper, placing both hands on your asscheeks, he spreads them, watching how your wet pussy takes his cock. He moans loudly, eyes fluttering closed, he can’t even help but grin when he feels your walls clenching around him at the sound of his moans. 

“E-Eddie,” you whine into the pillow, gripping the bed sheets tightly, “I-I… please.” 

He dreamed of this moment, he thought about you day and night while you were apart, he missed this, he missed the feeling of being inside you, of feeling your warm pussy around him, of hearing your moans, he just missed you so much. 

“Please what?” 

You are drooling all over the pillow, your eyes well up with tears and you can’t stop the whines and moans from escaping. 

“Please move, please sir.” 

“Good girl,” Eddie grunts as he squeezes your ass, he pulls out completely before he slams back inside of you roughly with a loud moan. 

“Ah– f-fuck.. your cock feels so good,” you cry out. 

“Oh yeah?” He breathes as he reaches for your hair, tugging at it to raise your head up to make you look at him. Eddie starts thrusting, rougher and rougher. “Look at him, baby.” 

Steve jerks off and fuck, he looks so good. He moans loudly, biting his lip as he moves his fist faster.

“Your pussy feels so perfect, sweetheart,” Eddie breathes, “so tight and wet for me.”

“D-Don’t stop,” you whimper, “please don’t stop.” 

Your juices are slipping down your thighs, your pussy gets tighter around his cock, you feel filthy, especially when you hear the squelching sounds of your pussy as Eddie pounds you into the mattress. 

The room is filled with moans and whimpers. Tears are running down your cheeks, your body is already shaking, your next orgasm approaching. The coil in your stomach tightens as he fucks you deeper than before. 

“O-Oh fuck, stop clenching around me, I’m gonna cum,” Eddie growls. 

You squeal when you feel his hand around your throat. Suddenly, he has you pinned against his back, one hand remaining on your throat while the other roams your body, playing with your tits and sliding down your stomach. 

“Honey, you look so fucking good,” Steve grunts, moaning louder than before. He stares at you, he stares at the way Eddie’s cock slides in and out of your pussy, he watches the way tears run down your cheek, the way you hold your hand over Eddie’s, grasping it tightly as you moan louder and louder. 

Eddie kisses your shoulder and your neck, “you’re doing so good for me,” he whispers, “are you close, baby?” 

“Mhmmm,” you nod desperately, “s-so close.” 

“You wanna cum?” 

“Yes, Eddie! Please!” 

He looks over at Steve, “should I let her cum?” 

Steve nods, looking just as desperate as you, “yes, fuck.. Let her cum.” 

You feel him twitching inside of you, he is close, just like you, just like Steve. Eddie whimpers into your ear, his fingers reaching down to rub your clit, he grasps your chin, looking into your eyes before they flutter shut, “cum for me, baby,” he whispers before he slams his lips against yours. 

Unlike the other kisses before, this one is soft and sweet, enough to transform tears of pleasure into tears of sadness. 

You gush around him, cumming for the last time this night. Eddie moans against you, unwillingly breaking the kiss. You push away from him, letting yourself fall back down just in time for him to pull out, with a groan, he releases all over your ass and back. 

You shut your eyes, whimpering at the sensitive feelings rushing through you. 

“Fuck,” he whispers, a happy chuckle leaving his lips. 

You try to catch your breath, try to stop the tears from falling, you don’t want him to see how vulnerable you are, how hurt you still are by his past actions but you missed him so much and you feel ashamed for it because you know that this means nothing to him, just like it never meant anything to him back then. 

Your boyfriend is here, the one that you love with all your heart even when you haven’t told him yet, too scared of rejection, too scared of being pushed away by him the way you were by the other man. 

You don’t know how long you’re laying there like this but the feeling of Eddie’s hands on your skin, the feeling of him cleaning your back gently before he presses a soft kiss to your bruised ass suddenly makes you cry harder. 

Soft sobs leave your lips as all your feelings come catching up to you. 

Steve’s eyes flash with concern, he looks at Eddie, who suddenly looks like a deer caught in headlights as his face grows pale and his eyes show nothing but panic. 

Steve rushes towards you, using his throw blanket to cover your bare body, he pushes your hair to the side and touches your back softly, “honey,” he whispers, “what’s wrong?” He asks in concern. 

Eddie doesn’t even bother to put his shirt on, standing there in nothing but his jeans, he stares at you as his heart begins to race. 

Steve kisses your shoulder, your arm, your knuckles and then your cheek, “talk to me, baby,” he whispers, “are you hurt?” 

Eddie puts his hand on his forehead as tears well up in his eyes, did he take things too far? Did he hurt you? 

You shake your head, “no.. I’m not, I’m okay.” 

He should feel relieved but he can’t, not when you are crying after you just had sex. 

Your glassy eyes meet the ones of your boyfriend, your bottom lip quivers as you stare at him, you push yourself up a little, clutching the blanket against your chest, “d-do you love me?” 

Your voice sounds broken, small and vulnerable. 

Steve has never seen you like this. His heart squeezes in his chest and he furrows his brows, he nods, cupping your cheeks, “of course, honey. I love you,” he whispers, looking into your eyes with truth, “I love you so much.” 

Your eyes flash with relief, you nod, “thank you.” 

He frowns at your words, not understanding why you are thanking him for loving you but it quickly catches up to him when he looks over your shoulder, eyes locking with Eddie’s tear filled and guilty ones. 

You loved him and he didn’t love you back. 

At least that’s what you believed. 

Eddie looks heartbroken, he looks sad and he looks like he hates himself because he pushed you away before. He loves you, he is in love with you. 

Eddie’s bottom lip quivers just like yours does, he blinks, trying to push the tears back as he reaches for his shirt, throwing the black material over his head. 

Steve feels a sudden longing for the man in front of him, not wanting him to go, not wanting him to leave you again. 

“I’m gonna go,” Eddie mumbles quietly. 

Steve can see the way your eyes flash with sadness, the way your body tenses. He doesn’t want you to hurt, he doesn’t want Eddie to hurt. 

Steve wipes your tears away and he looks into your eyes. You love Eddie, maybe that should scare him but it doesn’t because he knows that you love him too and that’s all that matters. 

“Don’t go.”

Eddie looks at him in confusion, “what?” 

“Please don’t go,” Steve says, “come here.” 

Eddie hesitates, he looks at the back of your head, your quiet sniffles break his heart all over again. 

“It’s okay, Eddie.” It’s okay to love her too. 

Eddie nods, walking closer to you, he looks at you with sad eyes, watching the way you clutch Steve’s hand tightly as you cry. Tears stream down your face just like they did back then. 

He sits down beside you, reaching out to touch your shoulder but you flinch away from him. 

He closes his eyes, sighing deeply.

“Sweetheart,” he whispers, “I’m so sorry for everything, for what I said. I’m sorry for lying to you.” 

Steve rubs the back of your hand, squeezing it tightly. 

“Lying?” You whisper. 

“Yeah,” Eddie breathes, “I lied to you about everything that night. I didn’t want anyone else, there was never anyone else, there was no other girl, ever. You were always the only one for me, you still are.” 

You furrow your brows, feeling like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. You feel relieved but angry at the same time. 

“Those things I said about you, I didn’t mean them. God, I was so stupid. I wanted you so bad, still do,” he says as tears run down his cheeks. 

You look into his eyes, seeing nothing but the truth. 

You still long for him the way you always did, you still want him, you still love him. 

You love them both. 

“I was always so crazy about you, fuck– it hurt so much to push you away, sweetheart,” he whispers. 

“Then why did you?” You ask in a broken whisper. 

“I didn’t want to ruin your life.” 

Your heart breaks but the anger is stronger. 

“But you did, you did ruin my life. You broke my heart.” 

Regret and guilt is what he felt for so many months after he had pushed you away but especially now that he has to look into your tearfilled eyes. 

“I-I’m so sorry, I regretted every single day,” he whispers, scooting closer to you. He reaches his hand out again, this time, you don’t flinch when he touches you, he cups your cheeks, looking deeply into your eyes. 

“I love you.” 

You sniffle, more tears well up in your eyes as you finally hear those words that you have craved so bad. 

“I love you so much, sweetheart.” 

“Y-You do?” You whisper. 

He nods, smiling as he leans in to press a soft kiss to your forehead, “I do.”

Steve can’t even help it, he looks down at your hand that is still holding his tightly, he smiles. 

Maybe this isn’t ideal but it works for him.

Eddie grew on him, he didn’t understand just how much he did but he doesn’t mind, especially now when he sees the happy look in your eyes, when you still hold his hand as you let Eddie wrap his arms around you. 

You bury your face in the crook of his neck and squeeze him tightly as he holds you, cupping the back of your neck and breathing in your scent. 

You are happy with him but you are even happier with Eddie back in your life, that's makes it all worth it.

As Steve watches the two of you, he knows that everything is going to be okay because at the end of the day, you all have each other. 

No more pain, no more broken hearts or any missing pieces. 

You got each other forever. 

-

tagging my faves <3 @littledemondani @mysticmunson @corrodedcorpses @wroteclassicaly @aftermidnightwriting @bimbobaggins69

[infinitegest]

Storage Closet

Horny Plot Device University!

[this longer story is a bit of a prequel to Freshman Dorms II, another HPDU story. starring Quark (they/them) and Vic (they/them), two freshman goons at their dream college]

“This is the worst!”

“What!?”

“I said THIS IS THE WORST!”

The homecoming crowd was deafening.

“It was your idea to come here!”

“Well, I’ve changed my mind!”

A ball moved from one side of the field to the other, and the deafening crowd somehow became more deafening.

“___________!”

“____!?” Quark shouted back.

Vic gestured for Quark to follow. The two of them stumbled past a row of people and beelined for the exit. Finally, with a couple layers of concrete between them and the volume of the game, Vic spoke up.

“I thought that, you know, starting college, new year, new me, maybe the new Vic likes school spirit and football games.”

“And does New Vic magically like meaningless rituals and being bombarded by noise and lights?”

“No, New Vic does not.”

Quark snorted and bumped Vic with their hip.

“Am I the only one who’s impressed at how… flat, all the cheerleaders are?”

Vic cocked an eyebrow. “I bet they have some sort of agreement or contract or something saying that they can’t be pregnant during big games, or maybe the pregnant ones sit it out?”

“Or maybe they save it so after the game, if they win, they can give the team a celebratory bang, and if they lose, they can give them a pity fuck.”

“Is that how people think? Sounds kinda depressing to me.”

“Idk dude, just keep an eye out and see if they’re still flat after tonight.”

They smirked at each other, and walked quietly for a moment.

“So you don’t want to watch the game. What do you want to do?”

“Dunno. We could wander around, explore campus while everything but the stadium’s abandoned?”

“Cool.”

Vic gave Quark a side eye. “So… you were watching the cheerleaders?”

“I mean, yeah. They’re hot, and I can focus on the hotness instead of being worried that they’re going to go into labor or keel over from some Mystery Pregnancy-Related Ailment. Is that a thing? Do people do that?”

“No idea. I haven’t seen anyone on campus keel over from an MPRA, and if you were going to see it anywhere…”

“It’d be here. Yeah.”

“Would you want to try it out?”

“… What?”

“Pregnancy. The whole ‘magically pregnant’ thing.”

Quark stopped. “I mean… yeah, being here, you think about it…”

“You think about it, you see other people swelling up, you watch the cheerleaders and discuss their lack of big, bouncing bellies with, dare I say it, a note of disappointment?”

Quark squinted at Vic. “What are you playing at.”

“Just wondering. The cheap tuition isn’t the only reason the two of us are here, right?”

“Fuck off with the vagaries. Say what you wanna say.”

Vic stepped a little closer than Quark was expecting. “Quark, you’re cool. You’re badass. On top of that, you’re extremely hot.”

They grinned. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

“And I really like you. And if you want to try the whole… whatever is up with this school… I wouldn’t mind being the one you try it with.”

Their faces hovered closer together. Slowly, they leaned into a kiss, uncomfortably hesitant at first, then growing warmer and warmer to each other. Quark grabbed Vic’s hips and nudged up against them, feeling the growing stiffness between Vic’s thighs and realizing that they really, really wanted that inside of them.

They broke apart, breathing heavily and shuddering.

“You want to get me pregnant?”

Vic nodded. “You want me to get you pregnant?”

Quark nodded vigorously.

“Okay then. Let’s knock you up.”

“Wait, like, here and now? Do we wanna go back to the dorms?”

“We could, but…” They looked at each other. Neither of them wanted to wait that long.

“I saw a storage closet back there?”

“Gross. Cliché. Let’s do it.”

“After you, m’theydy.”

“Aaaaaaand just for that I’m gonna find someone else to knock me up, have fun jerking off in a closet!”

Laughing, Vic grabbed Quark as they started walking away and pulled them back. “Ok, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’ll never say that again.”

“Good, cos if you do, I will smother you with my pregnant belly.”

“Well, we’ve gotta give you that belly first, huh?”

They stumbled over each other, piling into the closet and closing the door behind them.

Quark’s voice in the darkness. “Great. Where’s the fucking light?”

There was the sound of Vic pulling a chain, and the incandescent light flickered on. Quark slowly looked up at Vic, inches away.

They attacked each other, almost tripping several times as clothes started piling up and getting tangled on the floor. Vic wore more layers than Quark, so there was a moment when Quark, stripped to just a black tank top and their socks (no homo), was grinding impatiently against Vic (who was still carefully undoing some clasps) chanting “Get me pregnant get me pregnant comeoncomeongetmepregnant—“

Finally, Vic grabbed hold of Quark, who climbed Vic like a tree, slamming their hips together and fucking like their lives depended on it.

“Come on, come in me, put your babies in me, make me huge and swollen like those cheerleaders are all gonna be!”

Vic slammed Quark against the back wall, pushing as deep into them as they could go, making Quark gasp, their eyes going wide. “I can’t wait to feel you grow, I can’t wait to feel you swelling up, your belly heavy with babies… oh god, I’m going to cum in you…”

“Do it, god I’d love that, I want to be so big I need a wheelchair to get around!”

“You think you can handle a belly that big?”

Quark grabbed Vic’s face and looked into their eyes. “Yes. I want that. I want that so fucking much, I feel so empty right now and I need you to fill me up.”

“Good, because I’m about to cum.”

“Oh fuck, oh F U C K”

They came together, shuddering and clutching, nails digging into skin, before collapsing to the floor, Quark on top of Vic, Vic still inside of Quark.

Vic felt something press against their abs. “Hey, sit up. I think…”

Bleary eyed and grinning, Quark sat up, and almost immediately started grinding on Vic again.

“Quark, wait—oh shit, that feels good—your belly—“

“Knock me up, I need you to fuck me full of babies,” Quark murmured, blissful and unthinking.

“Quark—oh, fuck—Quark, you’re getting big—“ As Quark rode them, Vic put one hand on their bouncing hips and one on their midriff, where their tanktop was quickly losing ground to the growing bump.

“Huh? Oh,” Quark finally noticed their changing body. “Oh fuck. Oh, holy fuck, you got me PREGNANT.” Mad with lust, they started bouncing furiously on Vic’s member.

“Oh, Quark—that’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen—I put a baby in your belly,” Vic said, rubbing Quark’s swelling belly, the tanktop stretching thin.

“Do it again, do it AGAIN, fuck, my belly’s so big—“

“Fuck, you’re so good at this— I’m coming again—“

They both moaned as Quark felt Vic exploding, filling them with even more baby batter. Quark slid off, cradling their full-term belly, and felt it start to shift.

Vic was panting, exhausted. “That was amazing, holy shit, I don’t think I have any left in me…”

“Vic, I’m growing again.”

Quark saw something shift in Vic’s eyes when they looked at the expanding stomach now dominating Quark’s lower half. Their breathing deepened, and they sprang erect once again.

“Wait, are you ready to go already?”

“I think so, yeah.”

“I’m already so pregnant…”

“True. But, consider this: I could get you even more pregnant.”

“That’s a good point, I like that point.” Quark grinned and leaned back, spreading their legs wide.

Vic crawled over to them, and, leaning down close, the still-swelling pregnant mound pressing against their abs, they growled: “Let’s see how many babies we can fit in that belly.”

20 minutes later

The belly gently rolled back and forth, jostling its passengers, ensuring they stayed awake and active. Nearly a dozen babies squirmed inside, jockeying for wiggle room.

Quark was bent over, their gargantuan stomach stacked on top of a box of paper towels, while Vic worked on adding more to their ever-growing womb from behind.

“God, I’m still growing, I’m still growing from the last one and you’re putting more in me, I’m never going to stop growing…” Quark said, deliriously happy and horny.

“I love your belly so much,” Vic groaned, “I love feeling you swell up bigger and bigger knowing it’s because of how much I’ve fucked you, FUCK” They slammed into Quark, making every part of them jiggle and adding more babies to the growing process.

“Holy… shit…” Quark weakly patted the bulging orb that had been a cute six-pack less than an hour ago.

“Fuck… I think I’m finally done… Jesus, you’re huge…” Vic pulled back and wiped the sweat from their face.

Quark giggled, and, straining to lift their belly more than an inch above the ground, they turned to face Vic. Or, they tried to face Vic.

“Er… I don’t think I have room to turn around.”

“Hm. That’s okay, I’ll help you get dressed and open the door for you, and you can back out.”

“Insert obligatory truck backing up noises here.”

“Nice. Quality joke.”

Vic managed to roll Quark’s leggings up their shaking legs, giving their hips and ass a squeeze along the way.

“Okay. Beep beep time. Let me out.”

As Vic held the door open, Quark slowly waddled backwards, careful not to bash their womb against any shelves.

Then came the doorframe.

“Uhm. Hm. Vic?”

“Yeah, that’s… a problem.”

“Yeah, you got me so pregnant I can’t fit through the door.”

“Damn.”

“Yeah. Damn.” Quark looked over their shoulder at their accomplice. “You’ve made my belly so huge I can’t fit through doors. Vic?”

Vic, who seemed lost in thought staring at Quark’s backside, snapped out of it to look up and see Quark’s face, heavy-lidded, and flushed with arousal. They gently wiggled their rear, the lower curve of their crowded belly visible between their legs.

“You filled me up with so many big, heavy babies…”

“I shouldn’t have bothered putting your pants back on, should I.”

“Of course not, you idiot.”

Vic gently pushed Quark back into the closet and set to work bringing Quark up to a full baker’s dozen. Down the hall, an extremely tired-looking custodian radioed the admin building, letting them know of an impending situation.

[sofasoap]

On a date

Pairing : Kyle “Gaz” Garrick x F!reader

Summary: First date, fist kiss...? Prequel to Under the lemon tree 

Part of the Memory in a Fragrance series

Warning : T-M rating. Fluff.

Series masterlist

Master list

Double check. Triple check. Right. Deep breath in. Everything is there. Picnic mat, food in the basket.. Oh, can’t forget the bottle of ice wine that is sitting in the fridge… 

Kyle Garrick couldn’t remember when was the last time he was so nervous in his life. His first mission? His first school performance? He seriously couldn’t remember. But he knows he doesn’t want to mess up this date with you.

“Come on Gaz! I haven’t seen you for yonks!!! You’ll be in London for a while, right?” Will asked.

“Yes…?” Knowing his friend, he senses there is more than just a meet up.

“Good! Now there is a girl I want you to meet.”

Knew it.

“Look, I am not interested in dating at the moment…” And it is a valid excuse. The amount of time he spent being deployed, it wouldn’t be fair to whoever he will be trying to date. He has given up on the idea of finding his other half since he joined the force. “Give me a chance, trust me on this. You will love her. They are totally your type.”

“And how do you know who is my type?”

“I just know.”

Gaz shouldn’t have doubted his friend. He felt his jaw drop open as he landed his sight on you. 

“So this is the handsome man I've been telling you about!” Will laughed and smacked Gaz on the back, encouraging him to introduce himself.

“Um, hello, Kyle Garrick… but people call me Gaz.” Gaz wiped his sweaty hand on his pants quickly, before extending it out for a handshake.

He noticed your eyes widened for a second, a flash of surprise? Before returning the gesture and introducing yourself. 

The two of you hit off straight away. Similar taste in music, love in handcrafts and baking, and surprisingly well versed in video games, “older siblings.” you smiled. Oh, you have a beautiful smile. Now where has he seen that smile before…..

By the end of night, after another subtle shove and nudge from Will, Gaz summoned his courage to ask you out on a date. 

“There’s a beautiful lemon tree in the middle of the Botanic garden, surrounded by rose bushes, should we meet there?” You suggested.

You looked absolutely stunning in the white sundress, dotted with little lemon motifs.

“I can see a pattern here.” Gaz chuckled as he saw your eyes lit up as he brought out his mother’s signature lemon cheesecake from the picnic basket.

“I love lemon. Or anything citrus related.” You smiled as you thanked him for the slice of cake. “It reminds me of a pleasant childhood memory.”

Closing your eyes, rolling your head back slightly as you took a bite of the cake, letting out a satisfying moan. 

Gaz swallowed hard, face heating up, trying hard not to let his mind venture into unsavoury territories.  

He couldn’t resist. Leaning forward, cupping your face with both of his hands, staring into your eyes, silently seeking for permission. Dropping your sight towards his lips, and back up again before tilting your head up and meeting your lip with his. Gaz deepened the kiss as you shuffled yourself closer to him, looping your arms around his neck. The taste of lemon, wine and strong smell of roses from the rose bushes surrounding the both of you. He felt if there was a perfect moment in the world, this is it. 

“This might be a strange thing to say but… I felt like I have known you forever.” Gaz whispered as he broke the kiss, staring at your beautiful watery orbs. He felt no shame at all confessing his love for you. 

He has fallen hard. One date in, no, not even the end of the date and he knows you are the one. He’s not going to let you go. No amount of excuses will he let you slip through his fingers. That flash of surprise again in your eyes, just like the first night you two met. Battering your eyes a few times as you try hard not to let the tears fall, you replied with mystery words. “Maybe we have.”

The words Gaz said to Reader.. were pretty much exact same words my S/O said to me when we first met. Thanks for reading :)

Tag list ( I don’t know who to tag, I’m just tagging people that showed interest in my Gaz fics from last time also the fragrance list. )

@deadbranch

@kaplerrr

@homicidal-slvt

@voxyin

@lia0-0

@floral-force

@cr4shposts

@saltofmercury

@siilvan

@rileyslibrarian

@mistydeyes

@okayyadriana

@a-small-writer-in-a-big-world

@jynxmirage

@nrdmssgs @schr-torta

[eventinelysplayground]

Here's my entry for @judejazza and @nightghoul381 event #falling4youccc. I used the prompts Stars by Simply Red along with warm in your arms because it fit well. It's my first ever event entry so hope everyone enjoys, I have used caps for his name when it's alter/wicked Keith talking. I also plan for to have a prequel epilogue and sequel for this as it works with other ideas that have been floating around in my head. I don't know who made the banner but they did a great job and thanks for letting us use it.

A Starry Night

It was a clear night, the sky above filled with stars while a warm and gentle breeze blew around them. Emma and Keith were strolling along a little used path when he took her by the hand and veered off to the left. After awhile they came to a clearing with one big willow tree and wildflowers growing all around.

Emma: Oh wow it's so beautiful here, and you have such a great view of all the stars! Thank you for bringing me here.

Emma stared up at the stars for a moment then turned to face Keith who was now sitting up against the willow on top of a blanket.

Keith: I'm so happy you like it, I apologize for not bringing you here before now but I'd forgotten about this place myself until the other day. I'm so terribly sorry.

Emma quickly walked over and sat beside Keith placing a hand on his arm.

Emma: You don't need to apologize it's alright, though honestly I'm a bit surprised you forgot about a place like this.

Keith: Well....that's because this is somewhere HE would come not me.

Emma: Oh....

Emma looked away from Keith. Her voice had been hoarse and barely above a whisper and her heart clamored uneasily.

She thought about the last time she had spoken to Wicked Keith, it was almost two weeks ago now. He had escorted her back to her room after the ball leaving her at her door saying he'd be back in a bit but it wasn't him who had come back. Ever since then Wicked Keith had been avoiding her, at first she had just thought he wasn't comming out for some reason but it went on for too long. Then yesterday she had seen him talking with Liam and when she approached them Wicked Keith switched out as soon as he saw her.

Keith: Emma?

Keith's gentle voice broke through Emma's thoughts.

Emma: Sorry l, what were we talking about?

Emma felt Keith's large fingers running through her hair then his other hand cupping her cheek turning her to face him again.

Keith: I have something I need to tell you. Will you just listen to me until I'm done?

Emma's heart sank and all she could muster was was a small nod. Yet she held Keith's gaze, his golden eyes seeming to search her own. At last he released her both of them facing forward as Keith let out a sigh.

Keith: HE'S terrible for making you so worried and hurting you like this. I'm even worse for not doing anything about it until now. I just thought he would talk to you himself soon I never thought....

Out of the corner of her eye Emma saw Keith turn to look at her but she couldn't face him.

Keith: I've tried talking with HIM but he's being stubborn about this and won't say anything to me. I'm not entirely sure what's going on I can't follow along with what he's actually thinking but I can tell you what he feels.

Emma drew in a sharp breath and clenched her hands in her skirts while panic continued welling up inside her.

Keith: You make him so incredibly happy Emma, he loves every little thing about you and enjoys every moment he spends with you and treats you better then anyone else. Liam has said if he would show him even a fraction of the respect and kindness he shows you he'd be much more pleasant to deal with. The way he loves you....honestly I've though for quite awhile now that he lov...

KEITH: That's enough already!

Emma startled and quickly turned to look at Keith.

KEITH: It's late and gonna get cooler, we need to head back.

Emma stared at Wicked Keith momentarily dazed. He had quickly stood up and she reached out grabbing on tightly to the hem of his cloak.

Emma: Wait...please!

Emma's voice was almost frantic and it halted Keith in his tracks.

Emma: I don't know what's happened lately but I don't want you to hide anything from me remember? Even if it's going to hurt me I want to know, and the sooner the better.

Emma hadn't been able to look at Keith as she spoke. Her voice was so faint and trembling it surprised her while tears had started streaming down her face. Suddenly she felt his warm fingers grasp her chin tilting it upwards forcing her to look at him. He was knelt in front of her staring at her.

KEITH: Normally I love your reactions, but not this time.

Emma found herself lost in his golden gaze while his free hand awkwardly wiped away her tears.

KEITH: It's all true. Everything he said and more summing it all up...I love you with reckless abandon.

Emma's eyes widened and she felt her body start to release some of the fear and tension that had piled up.

Emma: Then if you still love me why have you been avoiding me?

KEITH: Cause for one of the rare times in my life I was dissatisfied with my actions.

Emma: What? I thought I...

Emma's words were halted by Keith's finger pressing firmly against her lips and she blinked at him in surprise.

KEITH: Just listen for now will ya.

Emma nodded.

KEITH: You did so well as hostess for the Rhodolitian delegation while they were here, too well. What started out as happiness and pride at your knowledge and love for Jade, you showing them around town, tea parties in between official business where you just beamed at them talking about your life here and everything else it all very quickly turned into jealousy and...

There was an awkward pause. Emma noticed Keith tapping his fingers against his leg and she waited for him to keep going.

KEITH: It's bad enough having to share you with him, then all that time you were spending with those two when I always want to be the only one you see, the only one you ever think about and smile for, the only one you dance with...

Emma: Keith I...

Emma started to interrupt but Keith covered her mouth with one large hand.

KEITH: No talkin!

Emma sighed in frustration but nodded anyways. Keith studied her for a moment then shifted so he was sitting leaning back on his hands.

KEITH: You know about that Dukes daughter that's been hanging around lately trying to weasel herself up to me. Well she took the delegation from Rhodolite being here as her opportunity to ramp things up, she figured you'd be to busy entertaining them and could use it to try and gain some advantage or favor.

Emma frowned, she remembered talking about the lady in question with Keith before. Apparently hers was one of the families that disliked the fact her and Keith were together and their attitude only worsened once they were officially engaged. They had subtly pushed their daughter in front of Keith before and it had hurt her feelings each time but it never crossed a certain line. Then she noticed it getting worse just before the delegation arrived, bordering the line of unacceptable more than once. Now that she thought about it she hadn't seen the Dukes daughter since the night of the ball.

KEITH: Both of us have treated her with the minimum politeness decency requires. We've started pawning her off to Liam or other nearby servants when she tries talking to us lately. I made a mistake that night at the ball though.

Emma thought back to the night Keith was talking about. The ball had been so much to plan, Keith had offered his assistance whenever she needed it and with his help it turned out spectacularly. She tried to pinpoint any single event that had happened during it, then she recalled seeing Keith talking to the Dukes daughter when she was dancing with Nokto and her brows furrowed.

KEITH: Watching you and Prince Nokto dancing together just made my jealousy worse. I know I said it was fine for him to dance with you but his dance skills are some of the best I've ever seen and I hate to admit it but you two looked great together.

Emma was about to open her mouth in protest but she quickly shut it when she caught Keith glaring at her.

KEITH: I guess she thought you dancing was a perfect opening and she came over talking and being all flirty. I was in a fowl mood and feeling ignored so this time I actually bothered to talk with her. Nothin more than safe conversation topics but I guess that spurred her or her father on I'm not sure which. I had planned on giving you a gift after the ball for all the hard work you did on it, that's why I left you at your room I realized I forgot it.

Emma glanced down at the dainty bracelet around her wrist. Keith reached out almost at the same time lifting her wrist to his lips and planting a kiss on it.

KEITH: When I went back to get this she was waiting just down the hallway from my room. She briefly struck up a conversation then came closer and wrapped her arms around my neck. I was livid and asked what the hell she thought she was doing, apparently she took the minimal courtesy as encouragement and then that conversation while you danced as an invitation. It was dealt with and you won't ever see her anywhere near the palace again but I felt so angry with myself.

I knew her actions had already been bothering you in more ways than one. Thinking about how what I had done had cause her to go so far this time and was going to cause you more pain and even jealousy, I wasn't happy about it and I needed to just get away. I didn't intend to stay hidden that long from you but when I looked at you I just felt awful all over again and couldn't bring myself to have to explain it to you.

Emma felt weak and had so many emotions swirling inside her at once she wasn't sure what to say. Keith suddenly let out a loud self depreciating laugh.

KEITH: Liam might be right, maybe I am 5 years old.

Emma looked up at Keith and smiled. Then she remembered the look on Liam's face yesterday.

Emma: Wait is he the reason the other Keith wanted to talk to me?

KEITH: Ya he had dealt with the aftermath of everything that night so he already had a pretty good idea of what was going on. Then when I disappeared like that, he smacked him on the head and demanded an explanation among other things.

Emma let out a laugh snuggling up to Keith wrapping her arms around his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her in return.

Emma: I'll need to bake him something special as a thank you. Though had you just told me from the start rather then hiding from me he wouldn't have had to hit you.

KEITH: Ya ... We really should be heading back though last thing I need now is for you to catch a cold.

Emma: I'm fine wrapped up in your arms, it's so warm and cozy. Can't we stay just a bit longer?

Emma looked up at Keith and he smiled.

KEITH: I guess so, if that's what you want. Listen I'm not the one thats good at apologies but I'm so sorry Emma.

Emma felt Keith's warm lips on the top of her head and they had never felt so good.

[ofstoriesandstardust]

break up in a small town (jake “hangman” seresin)

a/n: no one talked me into doing this, my undiagnosed adhd hyperfocused and produced this. i’m gonna write what is a sequel to memory i don’t mess with and this is the prequel in a sense, but you should definitely read that one first if you haven’t read it yet. sets the tone and context and such

mildly inspired by sam hunt’s “break up in a small town”

memory i don’t mess with | when i get where i’m going

main masterlist | top gun: maverick masterlist

warnings: break-ups, slight angst, brief mention of terminal illness, she a shortie, i still don’t know how the military works, i included a lizzy mcalpine quote courtesy of my friend but i’m not telling you who it applies to you have to guess, 

word count: 1,211

“and the funny thing is I would’ve married you/if you had stuck around”-lizzy mcalpine, doomsday

Jake loved his little town, he did. He couldn’t even leave his house without the ghost of his past haunting him, memories floating in his peripheral. He was tired of the looks from his friends, the people in town, even neighbors he’d never spoken to since news of your breakup had hit the masses. Everyone had said that it was the two of you till the end of time. And for a while he had agreed, kissed your temple, and talk about how he couldn’t wait to marry you someday. But Jake hadn’t been the one to make the decision to end it had he? Never mind all that though, he wasn't going to waste an unnecessary second thinking about the break-up or how much it had hurt. He wouldn’t think about how angry he was that you had thrown away the relationship before it ever really had a chance, how terrified he was for the day he’d see you again. Terrified he’d leave for the Navy and never see you again. What Jake didn’t expect to hear about was you moving on so quickly. He had thought, assumed, that your relationship had meant more. It had to him. You were his forever and the only girl he considered marriage for. He wouldn’t admit or think about how much his heart broke when he got those all knowing looks from his sister or heard whispers of your new flame in town. He was torn and conflicted and so he settled on not thinking about it all, making the most of his last few weeks at home before leaving for basic training. 

-

Jake couldn’t forget the night it had all ended though, the memory replaying everyday in the back of his head, meticulously picking apart the fight and your relationship for a decision, a choice, a sentence, a word that could have changed the outcome. But you’d made the choice and he couldn’t change your mind. You had stood firm in what you wanted and what the future held for the two of you. 

-

He couldn’t understand why you were upset. He’d enlisted in the Navy just a few days prior, was in the process of going through all of his tests, and after passing them, he’d wait and then get his basic training placement. This wasn’t news to you, all things the two of you had discussed before he’d ever even sent in his papers. But you’d mumbled about seeing Mrs. Thompson, the widow of a Navy officer, in town today, had had dinner with the woman, and were now in some kind of freak-out about him enlisting in the Navy. The two of you had been arguing, but there’d been a pause as the anger seemed to run out of you. You slumped down at a chair at your kitchen counter and Jake followed suit. His hand reached out for you, placing it on your thigh as you held your head in your hands. He shifted some your hair so it was no longer covering your face as he realized you were crying. “Baby, I don’t understand what’s happening.” He whispered, rubbing a thumb across your thigh. 

“Jake, I can’t-” He visibly saw the words get trapped in your throat and his heart sank. He knew where this conversation was going. You stayed silent for a few more moments, clearly trying to formulate a sentence around the tears. He’d give you all the time you needed if it meant you would stay. “I’m so scared you’re going to leave and not come back. And I- I’m just supposed to wait here in this stupid town not knowing when or if I’ll see you again?” Jake desperately yearned to take you in his arms, hold you close, let you know that it was all going to be okay. 

“Sweetheart, we’ve talked about this. When I leave for basic, I’ll see you afterwards. Once I get my deployment orders, we’ll know more. You’ll be in school, working towards your degree okay? We’re gonna figure it out together.” 

“I’m not going.” You muttered. He froze. What? “Mom’s getting too sick, someone needs to stay here and look after Tyler and the business.” He didn’t know that. Why hadn’t you told him that? “Called the school yesterday and officially changed my enrollment notice.” A heavy silence hung in the dim room as he took in the news. You weren’t going to college. Passed up on something that had been your dream to look after your family and here Jake was, getting ready to leave you alone to wherever the Navy would send him. “Jake, it’s not- not just the long distance.” 

“Baby, what are you saying?” He knew exactly what you were saying. 

“Okay, so we go through basic. And then deployment. And then what? Jake I can’t handle knowing every time you leave me it may be the last time I see you. After losing my Dad, I will not lose you too.” 

“Baby, you aren’t gonna lose me.” 

“You can’t guarantee that! Jake, you can not guarantee that wherever the Navy sends you isn’t gonna cost you your life!” He swallows. You weren’t wrong. 

“I’m gonna do my very best to come home to you baby, I promise. I’ll do whatever it takes.”  

“And I’m supposed to sit here, taking care of my baby brother and dying mother, living everyday in fear and anxiety that the next time my phone rings it’s gonna be some Navy officer to tell me my boyfriend is dead? No thanks, Jake. That is an awful way to live and I can’t - won’t - live like that.” His heart pounded in his chest, mind reeling as he took in the severity and sincerity of the words. He knew what was about to happen. “It’s better if we end it now. I’d rather lose you like this, where I get to say goodbye, than lose you like that.”

“Baby, please don’t this, we’ll figure something out I promise, please just don’t-” Jake was desperate, tears of his own starting to form. 

“My decision’s been made. You're not changing my mind.”

“But I love you.” He whispered, voice cracking. His head bowed, body shaking with silent tears. 

“And I love you.” His heart held out a dangerous flame of hope. “But I can’t force myself to live like that.” The flame of hope extinguished painfully in his heart. “I love you enough to let you go.” He took a deep breath and then stood up from the table, wondering if he should say anything. But you wouldn’t look at him and you were right, your decision had been made. He walked out of your house, shutting the door behind him for the last time, missing the way you whispered goodbye. He slid into his truck, breath catching in his throat. He drove down the gravel road, trying not to think about what he was leaving behind, focusing on ignoring every part of his body that was screaming at him to go back, fix this, don’t let her leave. 

He loved her, but he would have to love her enough to let her go.

[tswaney17]

IDBTWY Prequel - The Vow

Happy 2 Year Anniversary IDBTWY! 2 Years? What! I've been writing and posting this for 2 years? This is insane! For all of you who have stuck with me, I am so incredibly thankful for you. And if you're new, welcome! I know it's been a hell of a long time and I've put them through the wringer. No, I'm not totally finished... 👀 But I promise things are happening. I've got things written and I'm working hard into building up parts to get us onto a weekly posting schedule so we can avoid these multi-month-long droughts. As I've mentioned, my ask box is open for snippets and questions. Feel free to send me a word and I'll post a line if I've used it in a part I currently have written. I'll get to them throughout the day and this week. Thank you again to every single one of you. I adore every comment you leave me. They truly make my day. 💙💜💚

In the meantime, here's the final prequel for IDBTWY. I had no intentions of writing another prequel, but this idea hit me, and the words kind of spilled out. Please don't come for me. Remember how far we've come from here.😬

My fanfic account: @tswaney17fics​​

My ao3 account: tswaney17

Please let me know what you think about this update. I love getting your feedback. Constructive criticism is always welcome. 💙💚💜

Credit to @featherymalignancy​​​ for Cassian’s nickname, Cash. 😘

Trigger warnings: language

Word Count: 2,045

Azriel heaved his last bag into the back of the car, hissing slightly as the movement tugged on his tattoos. Bootcamp was going to be a fucking bitch while they healed, but he needed the sting of the needle, the burn of the ink as it pierced his skin to help him focus on something other than the love he had to let go of.

He and his brothers had a late morning appointment at a traditional tattoo shop in Illyria the day after his and Rhys��s graduation. Cash waited on getting his Illyrian tattoos until they were all of age and could go together. A brotherly bonding moment.

Indeed, the following morning after their fight, his brother was sporting a black eye and Az had a split lip, but they put aside their feelings from the night before and stuck to their plans.

Now, a week later, any lingering anger had vanished as they helped him load up his few bags to take him to the airport.

“Is that the last of it?” Rhys asked from behind him.

He turned, catching his brother’s drawn face. The morning had been quiet, just the three of them. Rhys’s dad had said goodbye to him the night before in his unusual way, handing him his first glass of expensive whiskey that he barely choked down. He clapped him on the shoulder, which Az had to bite down on his shout of pain as he slapped his new tattoos, and that was the end of that.

And then Kier showed up. He’d been a hot, sweaty mess when he saw his uncle. But, like normal, Kier barely said a few words to him other than “good luck,” and “see you when you get back.” To the others, it was a simple send-off, but Azriel heard the underlying threat in them. Knew what would await him when he returned home.

“Yes, that’s it,” he answered, shutting the hatch of Cash’s old jeep. He glanced down at his watch, the gift Elain had given him for graduation and his recruitment. She gave it to him at the party, before they broke up. He had felt like a fucking asshole and told her he couldn’t accept it, especially after she said she sold baked goods for the last six months to buy it for him. But she refused to take no for an answer, putting it on his wrist herself.

“We should probably get going, so I don’t miss my flight.”

Rhys nodded. “Cash!” he called. “Come on, let’s go!”

“I’m coming!” Cassian shouted, coming out the front door and locking it behind him. He stopped when he reached the two of them. “You ready, brother?”

No, yes.

If he had asked him three weeks ago, his answer would’ve been yes. A definite yes. He would’ve had a plan, a future, maybe even a fiancé. Now, Azriel had nothing. His future was uncertain; a mob waiting for his return. The love of his life hated him. She was supposed to send him off today. “As much as I can be,” he said, putting on a fake smile that he knew neither of his brothers bought for a second, but they didn’t question him.

As they climbed into the car and pulled away from the curb, his chest began to tighten. This couldn’t be it—how he left things. His panic, his pain, bubbled into his throat and he felt the sudden urge to swallow the painful lump there.

Cash flipped his signal on to turn right at the stop sign down at the end of their block. It would take them to the highway and then to the airport.

“Wait!” he blurted.

His brothers looked at him—Cash from the driver’s seat and Rhys from the back.

Azriel was breathing heavily; like he had just run a marathon. “I have one stop to make before the airport.”

They shared a look in the rearview mirror. “Okay.” Cassian changed his signal and turned left, the direction that would take them to the Archeron house. He didn’t even need to ask his brother where he wanted to go—Cash just knew it.

They all did.

Fifteen minutes later, they pulled up in front of Elain’s home and parked.

His heart thundered in his chest as he looked up at her place, one hand on the door handle of the car. He had no idea what to do or say. Would she even speak to him? Fuck, he had been such a dick to her. She probably would slam the door in his face. He’d deserve it if she did. His blood roared in his ears; breaths came out unevenly.

“Just go up there and tell her you’re sorry, that you love her, and that you’ll call her when you land,” Cash said, encouragingly. “I know whatever you guys went through was bad, but I also know that what you two had was so much stronger than that. Your love is stronger than that. I know it is, Az. Just tell her you’re sorry.”

Gods he wanted to. He wanted to so fucking badly as he stared up at the walkway to the house he’d spent so much time in. But as he continued to think about her, about the life he could offer her, Kier’s words entered his mind.

Unless you want Elain’s blood on your hands, you’ll break it off with her before it’s too late.

A cold body on the garage floor.

His brother’s lifeless eyes stared up at him.

Killer. Cold-blooded murdered.

That’s what he was. What kind of life could he offer her, love or not? He murdered his brother and covered it up. She didn’t deserve to be dragged down with his pathetic excuse of a life, with his darkness when she was destined to shine.

Elain was this beautiful, bright light and Azriel would do everything in his power to make sure that light never went out.

His hand came off the door handle. “This was a mistake,” he breathed, even as the words tore his heart in two. “I shouldn’t have come. Let’s go.”

Silence settled over the three of them.

“Az,” Rhys tried softly.

“Go!” he ordered Cash. He couldn’t be here, couldn’t let her see him. If Elain came out of that house, he would’ve lost it. “Please, just go,” he choked on his words, emotion clogging his throat.

Cassian and Rhys shared another look but didn’t argue as Cash put the car into drive and drove away.

Azriel twisted in his seat to look at the house through the back window, watching as it got smaller and smaller. As he drove away and left her in the rearview mirror, still holding his heart. He made a vow to himself then. That no matter what life threw at him, what Kier made him face, he would never let anything happen to her. That Elain Archeron would always have his protection, whether she knew it or not.

~~~~~

Elain was lying on her bed, an untouched cup of tea discarded on her bedside table. It had been a week since she and Azriel had broken up—a week of pain, of misery, of going back through their time together to try and figure out where they went wrong. He hadn’t called, hadn’t reached out to her. And she didn’t dare initiate contact first. Her sisters tried to help, but they only wanted her to talk about her feelings and Elain had never been one for opening up.

Not to anyone other than him.

He had always known what she needed. When she wanted to talk or when she’d rather sit in silence. The absence of sound—of life really—was her only companion for the last week. She hadn’t wanted anybody else but him, and it fucking hurt to know he wasn’t coming to soothe her pain.

So, her sisters left her alone to her thoughts. When those became too loud, Elain tried to sleep. But her dreams were nightmares. Nightmares filled with memories of hazel eyes, tanned skin, and beautiful, soft smiles reserved just for her.

Gods, if she only knew what she did wrong, then maybe she could’ve fixed it.  

Elain wiped under her nose with the back of her hand.

Today, however, was worse. Because today was the day he was leaving for boot camp and was set to be gone for years. The thought made her heart ache in her chest more so than it already did. She was supposed to be taking him to the airport today. Had the morning all planned out. She was going to spend the night at his place. Planned on never leaving his side until the early morning when she’d sneak out of his arms to make breakfast in bed for him. And then she was going to give him his going-away present, some scandalous photos she took on her phone in her underwear—and one she finally braved with nothing on—that she had printed before graduation.

Elain burnt those the day after he broke her heart.

As she was lying in bed, looking out the window facing her front yard, she saw Cash’s jeep pull up out front. Jumping from her bed, she went to the pane, heart hammering in her chest. She could hear the blood rushing in her ears.

He was here.

She knew what time his flight was, knew he was in the car that pulled up. Tears sprung into her eyes as she placed a palm on the glass. Az had come back to apologize. To tell her he still loved her, to explain why he did what he did.

So, she waited for him to get out of the car.

And she waited.

And she waited.

And the longer she waited, Elain felt the hope that had blossomed in her chest begin to crack. Tears ran down her cheeks as she murmured to herself, “Get out of the car, Az. Get out of the car. Please, just get out of the car. Please, Az. Come on, get out of the car.”

She pressed her forehead to the window, resting her brow against the cool glass. The blinding sun did nothing to brighten her breaking heart. “Please, Azriel. Please.” How he managed to destroy her twice would be her biggest regret; how she let him do that to her because she knew, deep down she knew. “Azriel, please get out of the car,” she mourned pathetically. “I love you, please.”

And just as easily as she built up that hope, it shattered as she saw the brake lights flash and the jeep drove away. A silent sob wracked her body while she watched the car disappear around the corner. Elain clutched the front of her shirt—his shirt, the one he gave her after he pegged her with a soccer ball. Despite it being his, she always found comfort in it and had worn it every night since he broke her heart.

Since he ripped apart her very being and left it discarded on the ground in shambles for her to pick up.

Turning away from the window, Elain slid to the ground and wrapped her arms around her knees. Letting herself cry again for the man that continuously played with her heart. Showing up here felt like some sick joke. Azriel was never a cruel person, but the tears on her face and physical pain in her chest made her start to believe otherwise.

She couldn’t let herself go through it again, be hurt by him again. Her heart could only handle so much pain and misery. Even now, she didn’t think she could ever accept anyone else into her life as she had him. He had left some mark on her soul in a way no other person could and just snatched it away. Like she didn’t even matter. She fruitlessly tried to wipe away the tears running down her face.

Never again. She couldn’t do this again. Not with him. So, there on the ground of her childhood bedroom floor, Elain made a vow to herself to never let Azriel Knight into her heart again.

However, in the end, it would seem neither vow was held.

~~~~~

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[little-chimchim]

The Night Before (S)

Hey guys, this is the prequel to my KyoHaru fic “What Happens in the Dark” on Ao3. Go check it out! Warnings: smut

The cold spring air kissed Haruhi’s bare skin. The dress she had worn out tonight did little to shield her from the icy gusts of March wind. Goosebumps pimpled up on the exposed skin of her shoulders, a thin shawl was the only thing protecting her from the weather.

In one hand, she carried her long discarded heels, while in another she gripped the shawl together to bring about more coverage that did very little in terms of warmth. Her steps staggered as she walked along the empty sidewalk to her apartment. Although she was lucid enough to know where she was, the comforting embrace of alcohol had enveloped her, making her body feel light and airy, all rigidity fell away.

Haruhi was very conscious of the man walking beside her. His hand rested firmly on the small of her back as he led her towards the looming tower of apartments that she called home. She smiled to herself, thinking about the situation she had gotten into. She had been on a date, a rather dull one at that, when he miraculously appeared…it had been three years since she last saw him.

Now he was walking her home, offering a protection that she otherwise wouldn’t have walking alone. His facade of sobriety was quickly fading away the more he spoke. The normally stoic man was nothing but talk as they made their journey home.

“Thank you, you didn’t have to come with me.” Haruhi whispered. The man besides her moved his hand further up her back the more wobbly she got on her feet.

“I am a gentleman, Haruhi. I’m not letting any female walk home alone at night.” Was his reply. They walked in silence as they made their way up the stairs, both trying not to stumble down the steps.

At her door, Haruhi wrapped her arms around his waist, nuzzling her head into his chest. “I am happy to see you, Kyoya.” She slurred. Kyoya returned the hug, an uncommon action from him, but he too was ecstatic to see her after all the time.

Before they pulled away from each other, their lips met.

Kyoya wasn’t sure who initiated the kiss, whether it was him making a brash decision in his drunken stupor, or Haruhi on her own. Though, instead of pulling away, Kyoya wrapped his arms around the small female, deepening the kiss between them.

Haruhi wrapped her arms around Kyoya’s neck, pulling him into the dark apartment. He kicked the door closed with his foot, not daring to break away from the connection of their lips. With one hand around her waist, another became tangled in the brunette locks.

He pushed Haruhi against the nearest wall, caging her body with his own. He pressed into the kiss, harder, deeper until a quiet moan escaped from Haruhi’s lips. Kyoya broke away, he tried to catch the breath that had long escaped him.

Haruhi looked up to the taller man with big eyes. Her lips felt numb, tingling from the force of his. She examined him, taking in the vulnerable state of the youngest Ootori. His hair was disheveled, falling messily into his eyes. His glasses had somehow been lost during their messy dance into the apartment. With ruby lips, Kyoya eyed her carefully, unsure whether to continue or not.

Grabbing the loose tie around his neck, Haruhi pulled him back in, this time with more fervor than before. Her hands traveled from the tie to the edges of the pleated suit jacket around his shoulders. She attempted to push it off his shoulders with clumsy hands, but after moments of trying, Kyoya shrugged the jacket off and threw it across the room.

Kyoya was quick to return the sentiment, his hands snaking around her back as he blindly found the zipper to her dress. He had nearly been put on his knees the moment he saw her tonight. He had always been captivated by her beauty, but tonight felt like he was seeing her for the first time. Kyoya yanked the zipper down her back, letting the little green dress fall loosely around her body. Once he let go, the dress fell into a pile on the ground, leaving her exposed to him.

Kyoya’s lips moved from hers and to the base of her neck, earning another moan from Haruhi. The sound made his stomach curl with need. He sucked the skin of her neck softly, leaving gentle kisses along her collar bone.

All inhibitions escaped him, the need for the woman in his arms engulfed his entire being. Breaking away from her body, Kyoya let his fingertips ghost the skin below her ass. With a sudden movement, Kyoya lifted Haruhi into his arms, letting her legs wrap around his waist as he took her body into his grip.

Haruhi planted another kiss on his lips, taking in the mixed taste of bourbon and wine from their mouths. She wanted more.

Driven crazy from lust and alcohol, Kyoya led her to the nearest door that he assumed to be her bedroom. The back of his knees touched the edge of the bed. Not breaking their kiss, Kyoya slowly brought himself to the bed.

Haruhi straddled his hips, driving her own into them. With a satisfied grunt, Kyoya’s hands met the skin of her waist. He pressed her body into his quickly growing erection, groaning in pleasure when she gyrated into the fabric of his slacks.

Growing irritated by his lack of bared skin, Haruhi moved herself off of Kyoya, allowing the two of them a few moments to catch their breaths. She lowered herself to her knees as she fumbled with the belt of his pants. It took a moment, as uncoordinated as she was in this state, but she was able to slide his pants down his thighs.

Even through the fabric of his boxers, Haruhi could see the erection poking through the edge of his waistband. With a satisfied smile, Haruhi pulled the underwear down, throwing it to a pile in the middle of her room.

Taking his pulsing erection in her hand, Haruhi wet her lips. Rubbing her thumb over his head, Haruhi’s hand grew wet with the proof of his arousal. Bringing her mouth to the top, she hollowed her cheeks and lowered her mouth on to him.

Carnal moans erupted from Kyoya’s lips, his hands found the back of Haruhi’s head as he pushed her deeper onto his cock. Throwing his head back in pleasure, he let Haruhi take him.

It wasn’t long before his fingers found their way under her chin. Raising her from the ground by the touch of his hands, Kyoya brought her face to him. “You’re not going to be doing all the work.” He whispered into her ear. His sultry voice caused goosebumps to prickle against her skin.

His hand found its way to her own. Pulling her to the bed, Kyoya found his way on top. Much like old memories, Kyoya leaned over her, his hands pinning her to the surface of the bed.

“Do you want me?” Kyoya cooed. His knee was wedged between her heat as he applied enough pressure to make her jolt with need. Haruhi gulped, realizing that this was the final moment that she could back out.

With a steady nod, she met his dark eyes, “Yes,” She blurted.

Kyoya’s mouth upturned into a feral smile. He took a hand that was holding her down and replaced his knee with the tips of his fingers. Moving the fabric of her panties aside, Kyoya ran his fingers over her wet folds.

Melting into the bed, Haruhi squeezed her eyes shut, opening her legs wider to give him room. Plummeting his fingers into her, Haruhi arched her back. Moaning into a blanket, Haruhi’s body tensed with pleasure as his fingers rapidly moved in and out of her.

As an orgasm was building, Kyoya ripped his fingers out of her, denying her what she truly wanted. “Not yet,” He groaned. Using his wet hand, he pumped his erection, making himself as hard as possible.

“Do you want this?” Kyoya rubbed himself along her wet folds, teasing her to a point where her mind was hazy. Haruhi silently nodded her head, the words that should have been spoken were replaced with quiet mewls of pleasure.

“Say it.”

“I want it, Kyoya.” Haruhi threw herself to her back, raising her legs to expose her opening to him. With a smile, Kyoya snapped his hips into her. Burning himself inside, Kyoya leaned forward, caging Haruhi into his arms once more.

“Good girl,” He whispered into her ear as he set a steady rhythm. Haruhi raked her nails against his back, not caring to save him from the inevitable marks in the morning.

“Fuck,” She groaned. Kyoya stretched her out, relieving the painful arousal that he caused. He ground into her body, letting himself get lost in the feeling of Haruhi around him.

His fingers came down to her clit, rubbing the surface of the bud as he rocked into her. His became erratic the closer he came to completion, plunging into her with intense desperation.

Writhing under his touch, Haruhi gripped the sheets of her bed. Like a bolt of electricity, her gut tightened around him, finally meeting the long needed climax.

With a couple last powerful thrusts, Kyoya released into her, her naming falling on his lips.

Falling onto her, Kyoya let his head rest upon her chest. With a shiver, Kyoya pulled out of her. He rolled over to be at her side, pulling her to his bare chest, Kyoya stroked the skin of her arm, peppering soft kisses to her shoulder.

“Thank you,” She whispered in a sleepy slur as she cuddled against his chest. Even now, despite the alcohol encapsulating him, Kyoya knew that this was something he always wanted.

Closing his eyes, he brought the small female closer to him. They would deal with the consequences in the morning….but for now, he was content being with her.

[goddess-aelin]

This is going to be such a long post but I feel like I need to get my thoughts out after the angsty ending from A Light in the Flame.

Overall Thoughts:

Umm I thought it was amazing. I know a lot of people were saying it was repetitive and I definitely get that but at the same time, I would literally read 600 pages of Nyktos and Sera eating breakfast so.... Anyway though, I loved the character journeys. I think good characters are what makes a good book and even if the rest is confusing and angsty, it's those character-driven moments that redeem it.

I've said it once and I'll say it again. This prequel series is so much better than FBAA. Not hating on FBAA but I just feel like Nyktos/Sera is so much more well-developed than any relationship in the main series. I love every single side character (yes, even you, Rhain, when you're being rude).

I was hooked from the beginning. How can you not be when it starts with the whole prophecy thing and continues from there with almost constant action. The first half was definitely repetitive, I can totally see that. But I also think that repetitive-ness helped to get the point across that Nyktos cares about Sera. Not the embers, but Sera. Even before they had any convo about forgiving her, I think his actions were speaking louder than words. Though it was a constant battle of "Sera, no." *Sera does the thing.* "How dare you not value your life. *Fucks* Ya know, the usual. Lol. Some of my new fave sera/ash scenes came from this book.

- I adored when he set up a bath for her and everything- it was such a sweet gesture.

-When he took her to the pool and literally just played and had fun, especially because he knew she missed her lake.

- The "I want to be your consort, Nyktos." and Nektas just laughing and knowing.

-The way they both are always stunned by each other. Like they do such sweet things and they are always, ALWAYS, surprised.

-The entire scene of Rhain asking her if she was in love with him and her not being able to answer because she had no idea what it felt like either.

-Her whole breakdown in the carriage because "Oh my gods, I might be in love with him!" Loved every minute of it.

- And then of course, him trying to get her to breathe and calm down when she was about to freak out over this.

-THE FOREHEAD KISS AT THE CORONATION WHERE EVERYONE CAN SEE AND HE DID IT JUST BECAUSE HE COULD. I die

-The sweet but angsty talk about Veses that they needed to have tbh.

**Nyktos is literally the ultimate book BF, I said what I said. It's honestly refreshing to see this 200+ y/o male character that has like no sexual experience whatsoever yet it doesn't demean him or negate him as weak. Love that for him.

Non romantic scenes that melted/broke my heart:

-Sera holding Jadis when she fell asleep and Jadis feeling comfortable enough to switch into human form.

-Reaver then getting the blanket for Jadis and just being a weird little kid. I love it.

-Jadis giving a kiss on the forehead to Sera before going to Kolis. Sera's gonna be such a good mom even if one of her children is a giant piece of shit.

-Ector trying to calm Sera down in the carriage and just talking to her.

- The friendships with Aios and Bele and pretty much everyone just finally forgiving Sera.

-Ugh going back to see Ezra! I needed more sister love tho tbh. They didn't even hug!

Now for the painful parts:

-Aios dying. Like wow. This 100% is number one. I was devastated when Sera saw Ector's decapitated head. But then she saw Aios' red hair and I literally almost threw my damn book. I'm so happy she's ok in the end but RIP Ector.

-When Sera saw Nyktos with Veses. I know we got an explanation for it in the end but I was incredibly stressed and about to unstan Nyktos. I hate cheating (even if that's not what it was) as a trope and tbh I hate miscommunication as a trope. So this entire part of the book was just devastating to me.

-Sera's reaction to the above. She was in love with him already, she just didn't know it. I felt her reaction so viscerally, though. I suppose that's a testament to JLA's writing in this book.

-Sera constantly being told that she's going to die and there's nothing that can be done. Just when they think there might be another way, nope it's just death again. I love that Nyktos is fighting so hard for her and I have some theories that I'll make another post for, but I do find it very ironic. The entire situation was Sera was meant to make Nyktos fall in love and then kill him. Oops except he can't love. And now instead, she's the one who fell in love and now he has to kill her to literally save the world. What a 180. A fabulously done 180 but a shocking one, nonetheless.

Another post will be coming about theories!

[cypanache]

For the WiP Ask: Trap (Obidala) 👀

Oh thank you for asking about this. This fic is so dear to me pardon me while I ramble a lot.

A Trap of Your Own Making for anyone who is unfamiliar with this fic, is my canon-compliant obidala gap fill. Yes. Really. It is, as strange as it sounds, my love letter to OWK and tries to write a backstory for this pairing that could still allow OWK to happen unaltered but provide as much emotional weight behind the way Obi-Wan talks about Padme in that show as possible. The general premise explores how Obi-Wan and Padme’s relationship and the way they feel about each other throughout the arc of the prequels (good, bad and ugly) plays out within and contributes to what we see happen in canon.

The story starts smack dab in the back half of TPM establishing a connection between these two that while essentially platonic (at least for Obi-Wan) is still complicated and intense. I’ve completed the Naboo arc and am currently working on the next chapter which picks up during the 10 gap between TPM and AotC. We will eventually work all the way through AotC, TCW and RotS, taking into account everything that happens between these two and Anakin at least within on screen canon.

It does have a trigger warning for emotional infidelity in upcoming chapters (again canon-compliant), but it is honestly the most ‘faithful’ emotional infidelity I can write. Like these two love Anakin so much. But they also love each other, no matter how much they refuse to call it that or wish it were otherwise. They will tear themselves apart in order not to betray him and still somehow make choices that while understandable and rooted in the best of intentions will from Anakin’s POV legitimately feel like a betrayal. Hence the title. (Also my unofficial subtitle: “or how Obi-Wan and Padme fell in love and accidentally broke the galaxy”)

Okay with that really long intro/pitch and as a reward for sticking with me while I rambled about the fic that is definitely closest to my heart here’s a very obidalay excerpt from the upcoming chapter behind the read more cut for spoiler protection (as if I haven’t already done that)

FIC SPOILERS

- First meeting post the Naboo arc. Set a little over 2 years after TPM during Nute Gunray’s first trial -

He knew Padme would be there. But the knowledge doesn’t prepare him. Maybe it’s the way this trial has dredged up everything about that time and brought it close to the surface. Or maybe it’s the fact that after that moment with Master Billaba he’s become adept at shoving every thought of her into the far back corner of his subconscious so quickly he could almost convince himself he doesn’t think about her at all. Or maybe he has simply missed her more than he let himself realize.

Whatever it is, the first time he catches sight of her, tucked in among the handmaidens, it feels like he’s been hit by a Gundark, and all he can think as he takes his seat across the courtroom from the Queen’s retinue is it's a good thing he didn’t see her before he testified.

She looks exactly the same and completely different and he can’t make himself look away.

The hood pulled up around her face somehow does more to accentuate her features than obscure them, giving him nowhere to look but the newly sharpened line of her cheekbone, the deep brown eyes that catch his gaze and won’t let go, the way her mouth curves in a small, secret smile that he can’t seem to stop himself from returning.

He wasn’t sure what he expected when he saw her again. Had determinedly done his best to have almost no expectations at all. Not after the way they parted. After he had used her terribly and then tossed her aside. Nevermind that he’d done it for Anakin, who had always been her first priority. Nevermind that she had agreed to the exact scheme. Or how little he had wanted to, how many hours he had waited on that bench hoping for the chance to explain himself, to apologize. The end result was the same. The sin was his. She has every right to be angry with him at least. Indifferent at best.

The fact she seems to be none of those things feels life altering. A grant of absolution he didn’t know he needed.

He’s not entirely sure what to do with this unexpected absolution, but that turns out to be okay because Padme decides for him.

So apparently some things haven’t changed.

“Knight Kenobi,” Sabe’s voice carries well across the antechamber.

He turns and bows low at their approach, “It is good to see you again, your Majesty.”

“And you. You spoke well on our behalf. Naboo is grateful for your continued friendship.”

“I merely spoke the truth. And as for my friendship,” his eyes slide over to where Padme stands just at Sabe’s shoulder before he can stop himself, “Naboo embraced me in an hour of great need. I can think of nothing that would change the affection I hold for it.”

“Then I wonder if I might impose upon you for a favor.”

“Of course.”

“My handmaiden,” Sabe turns to direct his attention to Padme, which is good because his eyes haven't left hers, “has an errand I need her to run for me. Coruscant is very large and we are all still finding our way. Would you be willing to escort her on your way back to the Temple?”

“It would be my pleasure.”

—

They are halfway to the transport platform before his brain catches up with him enough to pose a critical question. “Where are we going?”

Padme bites at her lower lip. “Would you be terribly cross with me if I told you there is no errand?”

“Absolutely.” Obi-Wan deadpans, ignoring her small gasp of indignation, as he continues, “Because now I have to admit I’d been planning on getting lost.”

He’d almost forgotten how much he likes making her laugh.

[lilimonarch]

Doctor Hanahaki - The Memories that Never Return [15]

Doctor Hanahaki Prequel: Whumptober spinoff!

Whumptober day 15: Suppressed suffering, "I'm fine," and lyric prompt.

~

I don't need you to help me, I can handle things myself

Bokuto slammed the locker shut, glaring at his own teammate. "Konoha! Can't you understand this is a rough time for all of us right now? Why do you have to be so selfish?"

Konoha was tired.

Emotionally tired, physically exhausted. His heart and his brain were running on empty, and he could feel his vision blur with every practice after a night of restlessness. He could feel his muscles weaken, his chest tighten with anxiety, and his patience shrink.

Konoha never wanted to be a leader. He wanted his senior year to be filled with fun, happiness, memories. He hated how selfish it sounded, but it was the truth. Bokuto wasn't his bright self, Konoha only saw Akaashi in a hospital bed, and it appeared everyone with emotional struggles went to him for help but were never present when he needed help himself.

He figured he wouldn't bother telling anyone about his own struggles, since it appeared they all were too preoccupied with their own horrid situation to focus on him anyways.

Tensions were high, his battery low. Another rough game, another rough loss for the team without Akaashi. The younger players were demoralized, their coach was growing restless, and Bokuto was... being Bokuto. Konoha felt like passing out, the dizziness and exhaustion growing unbearable.

The words rang again in his aching head. "Konoha! Can't you understand this is a rough time for all of us right now? Why do you have to be so selfish?"

Konoha stopped and the locker room fell silent. Konoha laughed. "Selfish?" He was grinning, his heart pumping with a feeling nobody could describe. "You think... I'm selfish?" Words not said with fear, or panic, but with an unsettling anger none of them had ever seen.

Bokuto looked away, ashamed. "Konoha-"

"Selfish?! Yeah, this has been a rough time for all of us, but have you ever stopped to think for five minutes about how I'm doing? No, you haven't. Whenever you need support late at night, who do you call? Me, Bokuto. You call me. I comfort you over the phone, I drive to your house at 3 am and hold you until you fall asleep, and I don't get an ounce of that in return!" Konoha's breathing grew labored, faces of shock turning into faces of concern.

Their teammate was on the verge of exhaustion, it was clear to see now. "Konoha," one of the second-year students tried to jump in. "Let's not-"

"I haven't slept properly in weeks! Okay? Weeks! I didn't want to be leader but here we are! I did because I'm a good person! I'm so exhausted that I get dizzy when I'm playing volleyball, so when I need to sit down so I don't pass out, I'm alone. What the hell is up with that?" Konoha clenched his fists, his vision starting to blur as he staggered, but this time, he wasn't going to sit down, go out silent. He didn't even realize he was crying. "You said it yourself, it's hard for us all. Where's my support? Where is my team, guys? Where's my friend, Bokuto? Where is he!? Where is..." Konoha's words slurred as he reached out for anything at all, his body wavering and his knees buckling before him. "Where... where-"

Bokuto was there to catch him when Konoha fell, the room dead silent except for one of the first-years running out for help. Konoha's entire world was dizzy, and despite his recent outburst, he clung onto the team-captain as if his life depended on it.

"I'm sorry," Bokuto broke the silence, his voice shaking with every syllable. "You're right, Konoha. I'm sorry."

Konoha, delirious, shook his head, doing nothing to help with his dizzying vision. "No..." he forced his eyes open as he tried to get up, Bokuto easily keeping him down. "I'm fine... nothing to- nothing to worry about."

"Stop lying, Konoha," Bokuto shook his head, keeping Konoha close to him. Konoha wasn't a back-up Akaashi, Konoha wasn't perfect, Konoha wasn't strong all the time, he was human, he was Konoha. "You aren't okay. You're exhausted, and I should have been a better friend and noticed you needed help. I'm sorry, and I promise that I can be a person you can lean on when you need to."

Konoha laughed, exhausted and exasperated. "God... this is such a mess." It brought a small smile to both of their faces.

"Just to be clear, I'm holding you until you fall asleep tonight. To make sure you actually fall asleep," Bokuto whispered, not giving Konoha much of an option. Though, it appeared he didn't need to.

Konoha slowly sat up, his team helping him off the ground and to sit in one of the benches. They handed him water, his bag, and gave him support. "Thanks, guys," he sighed, wiping his own tears. "Thanks, Bo."

[daemonandkitten]

A Fire in the Flesh by Jennifer L. Armentrout ARC Review

“At the end of the tendrils of eather I sent out, I saw weather-streaked silver eyes snap open.

And I smiled.”

A FIRE IN THE FLESH is the third book in the Flesh and Fire series, and is a pivotal book in Nyktos and Sera’s story. This prequel series to the From Blood and Ash series was originally supposed to be a trilogy, with this book as the final installment, but JLA pulled a fast one on us and announced a fourth book coming to this series. Which means, MORE NYKTOS AND SERA! I’m honestly thrilled about this, because I’ve been personally enjoying the prequel series more than the From Blood and Ash series. (A hot take, I know.) I think I can say this next part with confidence: A FIRE IN THE FLESH is Jennifer L. Armentrout’s best installment in the Flesh and Fire series. Why, you ask? Let’s get into it!

We pick up in A FIRE IN THE FLESH right where book two ended (on an intense cliffhanger.) Sera has been taken by Kolis, and as you can imagine, Nyktos isn’t very happy about that. We see the consequences and problems from the first two books come to head in this installment. Namely, Sorotoria’s soul, Nyktos’ kardia, and Sera’s looming ascension. I gasped at the first, screamed at the second, and broke down into tears at the third. JLA really knows how to build tension and character growth in such a way that made it impossible for me to put this book down. I was up way past my bedtime reading this book, and I have zero regrets.

Another thing JLA is criminally good at? Sneakily writing in easter eggs from her other works. There’s a bit in the book that might tie in another one of JLA’s popular series into this world, as well as direct ties to the From Blood and Ash world and a certain character in said series who was named after a flower. (IYKYK!) These looks into the wider JLA universe were exciting to uncover, and I can’t wait to discover more about the FBAA/AFITF world in future books! Side Note: While I live for JLA cliffhangers and the emotional pain she puts me through, A FIRE IN THE FLESH ended on a fulfilling, lovely note. Yes, there’s still issues that need clearing up, but no one was near death or in peril. It was quite refreshing!

[the-fiction-witch]

The Prince (Prequel to Guilt)

Media IRL X Tudors

Character Thomas Brodie Sangster (child - Late teen)

Couple Thomas X Reader

Rating Smut + Dark

Concept Prequel Series to Guilt (If you guys would like me to continue this and do the rest of the history before Guilt let me know)

Smut Hiki’s/ biting/ kissing/ full sex/ outdoorsex

I don't recall much of the earliest moments of my life but I know the story of my birth as it has been told to me so many times. On a sunny day in may my mother was doing her usual business of being queen dealing with the people's grievances when all hell broke loose, Or well I broke loose. she went into labour right there on the throne in the middle of the meetings luckily her handmaids and the physicians were close by given how far along she already was. Many saw it as a divine sign that the child she birthed was born to rule, and after a few hours I came into this world on the throne room rug my mother didn't even get to hold me. She fell beyond this world moments later. The moment I was born I was a disappointment to my father, because I had taken my mother from him, and that I wasn't a girl. I was heir to the throne regardless but still I was a disappointment, My father begrudgingly took the throne and later married a young woman from some land we had a deal with I don't know she never spoke to me. Admittedly I was a spoilt child anything I wanted I was immediately given without fight or debate, until... that fateful night.

I was woken from my chamber by screaming, I climbed out of my bed and bolted down the corridor to my father's chambers there I saw his new wife screaming in utter agony the physicians forced me back keeping me outside the door even if I could still see inside and all of a sudden.. she arrived. I had a sister, a little sister. I was overjoyed at first to have someone to play with and spend time with but I was immediately tossed to the side like I was nothing. I didn't get to go out with them anymore, I wasn't taken to events, or even at the same part of the table at dinner, suddenly my spoilt life was ripped away. I couldn't even get a nursemaid to read me a story goodnight but she got everything, she so much as held her hand towards something it was gifted to her. She once asked for a tree branch to be removed from the tree outside her window because it was scaring her so they cut down the whole tree for her a three-hundred-year-old tree cut down on the order of a three-year-old. I grew to hate and resent her an unbelievable amount so much I wouldn't even speak to her. she was put into the tutoring and the other duties leaving now nothing for me.

"Papa? could perhaps I sit in today?" I asked at the door to the classroom

He sighed "Thomas. just go play with your toys alright we're very busy"

"But I wanted to learn the lesson too"

"Well this doesn't concern you does it, this is all important things for my beautiful little princess and future queen. Go and play in the garden or something"

"But I-"

"go! and stop bothering us"

"Yes sir" I nodded unable to stop my tears running back to my room,

It took me a good few years of almost being locked in my room with know one who gave a shit about me but a few maids and nurses before I gave up waiting around. No one even noticed me so why would they notice me sneaking away? I took some money and left the castle I didn't even need to sneak out a window I just walked out the door and know one even noticed, I went to town and bought food and toys and various treats for myself, and I spotted a girl there about the same age as me helping her family with there market stall, she smiled at me and gave me a little wave and I couldn't help but smile and wave back to her. when it got late I returned to the castle and no one had even noticed I had left.

So this became a pattern, whenever I got bored I would take money from my father and just leave the castle going to town to do whatever I wanted and knowone even noticed, and I got to know the girl a lot more as I almost always went to see her and we ended up growing very close and spent a lot of time together.

I headed out of the castle grounds hurrying through to the town picking up a few things I needed from the market when I spotted the little fabric store she smiled just finishing tieing up her braid with ribbons her mother smiled to her so she came out from the stall

"hi"

"Hi" I smiled "I missed you"

"I missed you too" she giggled offering her hand so I happily took it and we went along for our usual walk beside the river together as she told me about everything going on, "Papa says we might have to get ourselves another sheep, old Bell isn't making as much wool as before" she explained "sorry rambling"

"No, I like listening to you"

"You sure?"

"Of course I am" I smiled giving her hand a kiss

"Your too sweet to me" she smiled "how's home?" she says sitting on the stone bridge

"Ohh don't"

"sorry."

"No its okay, same as ever ava getting treated like the sun itself shines out her ass and I haven't even seen my father in a week" I sighed sitting beside her

"you poor thing"

"Its alright, at least I have you" I smiled

"what do you do? when I'm at home?"

"... wait for you to get back"

"Awwww" she giggled giving me a cuddle "You know mother says you're always welcome on the farm Thomas"

"I know, I just don't want to be a bother." I told her "Besides I was gone overnight I'm sure someone would check in and see me missing"

"would they?"

"I hope they would"

"Well your always welcome" she smiled laying her head on my shoulder "maybe if you came over to visit you could stay the night in my room" she giggled

"..... I could?"

"Umm humm"

"with you?"

"Of course"

"I'll defiantly have to think about it then" I smiled giving her lips a little kiss just a peck but still it made my stomach fill with butterflies as our kisses always did "I should really get home"

"Alright, will I see you next week?"

"Of course" I smiled giving her another kiss before I headed back to the castle.

I walked out of the castle as usual knowone even noticed I was leaving, I went to the stables seeing the drunk stable boy asleep on the hay as usual so I filled up their food and water as he'd be asleep until at least sundown. "Hello girl, you ready to get going?" I smiled petting my horse "Come on then let's get out of here" I quickly got her settled and we headed off out of the castle courtyard and along the little roads to town but instead of turning into the main town and market turned left into the paths of the woods making sure to head though at a decent speed until I came to the usual fork in the road

"You're late" she laughs sitting apon her own horse

"Well I wanted to make sure I had a bath and made myself presentable for my lovely lady"

"Your sweet Thomas" she giggled leaning over a little to give me a small kiss "shall we?"

"Of course" I smiled trying not to blush

We each kicked our horses and raced off on our usual paths through the woods over rivers and through the thick trees until we reached out clearing and she beat me as usual so I tied up my horse and jumped down spotting her already laying under the tree

"How do you always beat me?"

"skills" she giggled

"I suppose so" I smirked climbing on top of her "But I still don't believe you're not cheating somehow"

"always so suspicious of me" she pouts giving my neck little kisses

"I have to be. I don't know what you get up to while I'm not around" I smirked pulling her into an intense kiss. our kisses only got more passionate the longer they went on never even checking our surroundings for onlookers it didn't take long for her hands to stray from my neck to my belt which lead me to pull back slightly but still pressing kisses to her neck "I thought you had enough last week?"

"It's not last week anymore is it?"

"Alright," I smirked pulling back enough to see her as she smirked and tugged off my belt for me pushing down my pants to reveal our kisses had already made me half hard, she smiled biting her lip a little at that fact making me blush a little so I distracted her but running my hands up her legs pushing up the skirt of her dress as I did I gasped as I revealed her noticing she was already wet "Fuck- Umm darling" I groaned capturing her lips against kissing her intensely she kissed back and wrapped her leg around my waist allowing me the perfect angle to slip inside her making us both moan into our kiss it didn't take long for my slow movements to become rapid and merciless given we hadn't seen each other in a week often times kissing her neck just to hear her beautiful gasps and groans but she did love to bite at my neck leaving marks on my skin which always drove me crazy until she clawned her nails down my back and squealed enough to frighten some birds in the trees, and I was finished too mere seconds after her pulling out to finish across the grass "I love you so much"

"I love you too" she smiled giving me a kiss and dragging me to lay with her for a cuddle

"Ummm I wish I could stay out here with you" I cooed fixing my pants as we got cosy

"well, why not? your more than welcome at the farm my mother adores you, and she already lets you cosy up in my room so I'm sure if you wanted to come to stay with us longer it would be no trouble"

"I know. I just don't want to put you out like that not fair to your family to take me in just because mines shit"

"No but I'm sure if" she smiled fiddling with her fingers "they wouldn't mind you coming to live with us"

"I know, but there are few perks to a royal life, one of them is the fact if I go tell my father I want to move out even just to get rid of me he'll pawn me off a castle in Hampshire with a view where I'm far out of his  and ava's way, so why wouldn't we just do that and I can make my lovely lady a princess"

"I suppose. still, you know you're always welcome"

"I know, I'm still surprised your family lets me cuddle up in your bed with you"

"Their, not stupid Thomas, they know we come to the woods together once a week it would be foolish to keep us apart and stop us from doing something we have quite obviously already done"

"I guess, just strange to me"

"why your family lets me cuddle up in your room" she giggled nuzzling with my neck

"No my family doesn't let you it's simply that my family has no idea you're in there with me"

"Your family aren't that stupid Thomas"

"Yes they are. they haven't even noticed I'm gone. I disappear twice a week and I've been doing it for six years know ones even bloody noticed yet. not to mention all our overnights"

"I guess, I just assumed know one minded the little prince having a girly in his room"

"No, they just don't know. I imagine my father would probably cut my cock off if he knew about you"

"I'm sure he wouldn't"

"No he would. probably disown me he knew what we'd been up to"

"Well if he does your welcome to come to the farm as long as you like"

"Thank you darling" I smiled giving her a sweet kiss "I should get back,"

"Alright, you get home" she cooes helping me up and onto my horse

"I'll miss you"

"I'll miss you more" she smiled

"I love you so much"

"I love you more, no go on before they do notice you're gone"

"alright, see you Tuesday"

"see you Tuesday" she smiled giving me a soft kiss before I head back to the castle stables and into the castle to my little suite and bedroom

"Good afternoon Thomas" a voice spoke up making me jump as I shut my door

"ah- Ohh father sorry you made me jump" I said as he sat in my chair a book in hand

"sorry about that. Where have you been?" He asks

"what?"

"I came to see you this afternoon, suites empty. where have you been?"

"Ohh I uhh I was in the library"

"really, because your sisters been in the library all day and didn't see you there"

"Yeah uhh what I meant to say was I uhh I went down to the library but given it was such a nice day I went to the kitchens made myself some food"

"Interesting because your stepmother has been down in the kitchens prepping for your sister's coronation dinner and she hasn't seen you either"

"Yeah Uuuuhhhhh I uhhh I went to the kitchens and got a snack really quick she barely saw me and then I went uhhh to... the gardens. for a walk."

"Thomas. do you enjoy being a little shit?"

"What-"

"Cut the bullshit! where have you been!" he demanded

".... I went out"

"Out? your prince of the realm you can't just go out" he snapped "Out where?"

"just for a walk in the woods"

"A walk in the woods." He says before moving to his feet looming over me "what's this?" He asks moving a finger across my neck across my love bite y/n had left their

"I uhhh I fell over."

"Don't bullshit me!" He demanded throwing me to the floor "You think your so clever boy. The maid saw you leaving. and told me. even told me last Tuesday you didn't come back till the following afternoon" he explained "I put men along the road, guards in the town. I know exactly where you've been going.... what's her name?"

"I haven't-

"What is her name!" He demanded kicking my stomach

"Y/n."

"y/n. a farm girl. a peasant girl."

"what do you care!" I yelled getting to my feet "this is the first time you've spoken to me in a year, the most we've ever been in the same room since fucking ava was born!" I yelled "I'm nothing to you. am I? I'm your son, and you couldn't give less of a shit. the moment I was born you hated me! I'm nothing here! it took you this long to even see I was gone. with her... I'm happy. I get to live a life I never could here. she's everything to me, am I am to her. I love her more then life itself, I'll marry her tomorrow if I have to. she's the only thing I want in the world. she's the only person who has ever made me feel like I matter"

"You think I loved your mother?"

"what-"

"I hated her! we are royalty you don't get to pick who makes you happy you pick what you have to. You git your teeth and do it like a man. I hated your mother more then anything all I ever was to her was a cock to jump on that's all I ever was! All any of us are. I hated you becuase I knew you'd have the same fate as me, to be sold off to some royal lady who needs an heir putting in her, and I hated you because my job wasn't over. I had to do it all again becuase you came out with a cock. If you has just been a girl I'd have never had to be near your mother again."

"You seem pretty thrilled I took her from this world"

"I am. But you need to learn your place. You're a cock with a title nothing more. All you are in this world is a coin to trade and deal, to be sold to some princess to but a baby in her. that's all you are. and the quicker you learn that the happier you'll be." he says heading to my door "Tomorrow first light, the staff will pack your things, you're marring  liza Ellina."

"No! You can't make me!"

"Yes I can! your marring her. tomorrow afternoon weather you like it or not"

"she's twice my age!"

"so what! I was half your mothers you think any of them care. your a title of our kingdom. and your young enough to put a baby in her." she explained "that's. all. you. are." he says "Say goodbye to your girlfriend. you'll never see her again"

[icharchivist]

Hello, could you tell me a little more about thing? With that rapping doctor? Like, I found some music some time ago, it was pretty nice, but I couldn't make a sense from what it was, like is it a game? Show? Some sort of event for irl groups? I remember trying to find something, but it was mostly in Japanese and I thought it's named Star Division, because that's what I saw in title? No need to go into too much detail, if you don't want to, just curious what exactly it is or where I could find more about it

you mean Hypnosis Microphone?

(translation)

Yeah i can tell you more about it but you're breaking some dam here, i've been into this saga since 2019 LMAO

Hypnosis Microphone is a multi-media fictional franchise that has its plot mostly happen through CD albums, songs and drama tracks. The core of the plot happens here.

Ever since, the story of the tracks has been adapted into a manga that doesn't have a public fantranslation. There's multiple manga series around this idea with a couple prequel manga and stuff as well.

There's also an anime, a rhythmic game and a stage play that came out but they're totally alternative stories/universes to the main plot though. Aside from the anime that has elements you can take and apply to the Main storyline, they're not where you'll find the main storyline and i'd only recommend looking into it if you're really curious.

So, to get into Hypmic, you want to check the songs and drama tracks.

Here's a few links that can help you:

-Youtube playlist of the songs in chronological order of release -Spotify playlist of the songs in chronological order of release, includes the anime only songs -Spotify playlist of the full albums in chronological order of release, with the songs AND the drama tracks

You'll find all of the translations of the wikipedia. On this list you'll see the details of each album chronologically, with a link redirecting to every translated tracks, including the plot ones.

On a few more details under the cut:

On Hypmic itself, there's a plot that evolves with the tracks and characters arcs and stuff.

The basic plot is that after WW3 broke out, a political party took over the world in order to kick men out of power and ban weapons, imposing instead for people to use Hypnosis Microphone, mics that can cause illusions and psychological damage if used with a good rap flow, if they wanted to settle score.

The plot of the story starts as the government set up Territory Battles in Tokyo, in order to have the most powerful Hypmic users focus on petty wars and fights against each other rather than focusing their power on the government itself.

As such you'll see the discography is usually, individual bands's stories first, then it's what we call Battle CDs, which is when the bands have to fight for said State Mandated Territory Battles.

The audience (us) has to vote during battle season in order to determinate the Champion, and the plot evolves and changes depending on those choices.

So the type of songs are: -Solo songs where each characters basically expose a bit of themselves -Band songs where the bands establish their dynamics -Battle songs, usually smashing two bands together and having them fight each other with their verses -Champion song for whoever won the Division Rap Battle (DRB) -Big All Cast songs usually setting the tone of the season/battle to come -Duets that are bonus contents that were sold with the manga and recently were released as part of the album themselves, and it's usually just the characters messing around being silly. -There's also been a song from the antagonists as a bonus.

The Bands therefore represent Divisions, in season 1 it focus on Tokyo but by season 2 it expands to other cities of Japan as two new bands join the rooster. Each Bands are therefore supposed to represent thematic of their own regions. With the added layer that the leaders of each of the 4/6 bands used to be in One Same Band together until something broke them apart, leading them to have more reasons to pettily fight against each other.

Tbh all of it is mostly set up for the gimmick ahah but it's quite fun and the characters are pretty fun.

The bands are focusing on: -Buster Bros! representing Ikebukuro Division, a group of brothers with difficult past, with a geeky aesthetic -Mad Trigger Crew, representing Yokohama Division, consisting of a Yakuza, a corrupted cop and an ex-soldier, all navigating the more underground illegal side of their city. -Fling Posse, representing Shibuya Division, consisting of a fashion designer, a liar writer, and a gambling addict. More in the trendy fashionable side of the city, strangers meeting for the thrill of the fight. -Matenro, representing Shinuku Division, consisting of a shady doctor, a night host, and an overworked salaryman. The so called "sick city", the night life, old friends and the new. And as season 2 rolls around: -Dotsuitare Hompo, representing Oosaka, consisting of a stand up comedian, a teacher and a conman. The busy streets of Oosaka, the entertainment industry, ect. -Bad Ass Temple, representing Nagoya, consisting of a monk, a visual kei singer, and a lawyer. More on the spiritual level, Buddhism aesthetics, all that jazz.

(in term of notables VA, as you're into GBF i'll just mention that we have, as you know, Sho Hayami (Shiva) as Jakurai (M's leader), Shirai Yusuke (Mordred) as Ramuda (FP's leader), but also Saito Soma (Feather) as Gentaro (FP member), Asanuma Shintaro (❤❤❤❤) (Ryan, Domon) as Samatoki (MTC's leader), Subaru Kimura (J.J.) as Ichiro (BB's leader), and in more obscures NPC, Haruki Ishiya (Arrogante) as Jiro (BB's member), Wataru Komada (Lavritta) as Jyuto (MTC's member), Kengo Kawanishi (Benvolio) as Rosho (DH's member), and Takaya Kuroda (Reizrit) as Rei (DH's member)

So as you're asking because we're talking about Hayami, you want to check out Matenro (麻天狼) especially. (They're one of the only two bands with a Japanese spelling to their band name, and theirs is 3 Kanji long VS Dotsuitare Hompo (どついたれ本舗) so it shouldn't be too hard to find if ever you struggle). They're also Grey themed so you can check them out by their album jacket if you need it. I'm a Fling Posse stannie myself so *waves hand at them* if ya want.

so that should be more or less the gist of it. The plot gets a bit more complicated and the characters are super neat and have neat dynamics with one another, but yeah it's really built around this whole gimmick ahah.

Guess i'll also just drop this song to close this convo

(translation)

but yeah that should be the outlines, if you ever need more infos on it do feel free to hit me up, it's a fun saga after all.

But that should give you a starting point :3c

Take care!!!

[i-fucked-your-milkshake]

I used to be firmly in the camp of The Prequels Suck and You Should Watch the Original Series First and nothing would change my mind. Then we showed Star Wars to our son.

My wife and I sat him down and explained how Star Wars was released and gave him the option of seeing it “like we did” (which I thought he would jump at because he’s such a little snob about retro experiences) or experiencing it in chronological order. I was sure he’d pick The Correct Way but no. He chose chronological.

I was kind of annoyed by this but it’s what he wanted. So that’s what we did. I, to my chagrin, fired up The Phantom Menace and away we went.

And something amazing happened. The little dude FELL IN LOVE with Anakin. Anakin was his absolute hero. A total badass. The guy he rooted for and identified with. He couldn’t wait to see how Anakin progressed and how he would eventually Save The Day. Which was a sentiment he held for about two and a half movies.

And then Anakin fell. He swore his allegiance to the dark side and started his way into becoming the avatar of evil that we all know and love today. It absolutely broke my son. He was devastated. He cried and wailed and kept saying “this can’t be happening” and “oh my heart, Anakin why?” The little dude was absolutely destroyed. He could not believe it.

The result of that is that he was 1000% more into the original trilogy than anything I’ve seen him watch before or since. He immediately saw the potential in Luke and couldn’t wait for him to learn the ways of the Jedi. He cheered when Luke used the force to destroy the Death Star. He cheered when Luke met Yoda. He gasped in horror when he lost his arm. He was nervous when he showed up in a black cloak and robot arm in Jedi. And he wept tears of joy when Luke redeemed Anakin.

This was the first time I got to see someone experience Star Wars in this way and something inside my clicked. I finally understood the point of the prequels on a level I never imagined. I realized how blinded by my own experiences I had been. I saw Lucas’s designs more clearly than I ever had. I got to appreciate Star Wars as the generational epic it was intended, unhindered by my hipster cynicism and naysaying.

There’s a lot of talk about “preserving the twists” of the original trilogy but rarely do we hear about the new twists that come about watching it in chronological order. Yes, it absolutely changes and recontextualizes things, but not necessarily in a bad way. It might even be better.

After we watched my son hugged me and told me that if I ever fell to the dark side like Anakin he would absolutely make sure I turned good again and, fuck dude, I don’t think I could trade that for anything.

So I dunno, man. Maybe let go of your notions of what Star Wars needs to be and experience it through the eyes of the next generation. You might find yourself rewarded in ways you never thought possible.

[retrievablememories]

i heard about the whole "lucy gray played corio from the beginning" thing before watching the film too, which kinda pre-biased me, but then when watching I was like no I think she actually trusted him in the beginning or whatever, so then I thought maybe she ditched him at the cabin when he mentioned killing three people, because that broke her trust. great point about the friend too and how that would change her perception of him. but idk, I feel like she was acting hella strange from the moment they first left lol I don't know honestly the idea that he actually did manage to shoot her and she wound up dying is a new theory to me 💀 now I'm triply-confused lol imma need suzanne collins to write a sequel to the prequel but from lucy gray's perspective this time 😂

right? i'm still wondering if there was some element of manipulation on her part that i'm missing, cuz where are people getting that she was playing him the whole time? to me it seems like she trusted him so quickly and easily but i find that odd in itself because i don't know if i would've been so quick to trust or love someone from the capitol who's participating in the games...lmao. if i hadn't read the book i probably would've been questioning their behavior before they left too...it was kind of weirdly tense?

LOL yeah, i saw some people run with that theory. i figured he had to hit her cuz he was firing pretty crazily and in the movie she fell down so i assumed she was shot. in the book it's a bit more vague cuz it mentions that she "cried out" after he shot a bunch of bullets in her direction. but who really knows. maybe i just like angsty stuff a little too much 💀

ikr...i need some kind of supplemental reading guide or *something* 😭

[shadowmaat]

Not very Boba Fett of you

Saw a twitter rant from a "fan" account bent out of shape about Boba's "sudden" change in attitude. He's tired of working for idiots? He CHOSE to work for them!! It's his own fault for what happened! How come he suddenly has an issue with his ENTIRE LIFESTYLE when he never did before??

How do these people have such an incredibly narrow view of a character they claim to love?

"He CHOSE his jobs!" Yes? And? Are you saying you've never once worked at a shitty job just because the pay was good and you needed the money? I suppose you could say that he CHOSE to be a bounty hunter knowing it'd be a succession of shitty "bosses" and he could have gone off and done something else at any time.

Except for the bit where, y'know, his entire shtick is that he was trying to follow in his beloved father's footsteps. Could he still have chosen to be something else? Sure, but he was weighed down by the expectations of his dead father, who'd already begun training him to be a bounty hunter. As far as I know it wasn't a career Young Boba found objectionable.

"It doesn't make sense that he'd change his whole life after one bad incident!" ...Really? Leaving aside the whole very near death experience, you think this is the FIRST time things have gone sour for him? Silly me, I guess, over here assuming that after a lifetime of bad choices, near misses, and a lack of respect Boba finally decided he'd had enough and chose to walk away and try something different.

My personal interpretation? Boba spent the first fortysomething years of his life trying to live up to the expectations of the father he idolized. He tried to fit himself into a mold not of his own creation. Sure, maybe he even liked it for a while and he was good at what he did, but it was weighing on him more and more. Every near miss was a reminder: of his father, of the cut-throat business he was in, and of the fact that eventually someone or something would get the best of him and he'd be replaced as the "best" bounty hunter. You get older, you get slower, and it's only a matter of time. There's always some punk kid looking to make a name for themselves.

Why is it so hard to believe that the sarlacc would be the straw that broke the eopie's back? Why is it so hard to imagine that Boba could be tired of all this shit he's put up with his entire life and want to try something different? Why? Because of something in Legends? That stuff got thrown out the airlock when Disney bought the franchise. Sure, SOME of it might reappear, but unless/until it does there's a huge blank space between TCW and the OT.

Call it his midlife crisis if it makes it easier to swallow. LOL! He's looking back over all the choices he made and wishing for something different. More. Better. And he's in a position to make that change.

Sure, part of the hostility over Boba's "sudden" about-face probably ties into racism (a certain section of fandom has despised him since the prequels made him brown), but I think a much larger part of it is plain old toxic masculinity. Boba Fett is supposed to be the Big Badass, and the Big Badass must never ever appear soft or weak. Boba being "softer" and not murdering everyone who gets in his way is a BETRAYAL. How can he call himself a Real Man™ if he isn't leaving a trail of bodies behind him? Why must he keep opening his mouth and talking?? Real Men™ are Stoic and Silent. If he's talking it should be to make threats, not negotiate. Ew.

Whatevs. Maybe it's no different than how Luke went from being "befriend everyone" to "no attachments allowed or I boot your ass." I just happen to think a kinder, gentler Boba Fett is an improvement rather than a betrayal of everything he's meant to be.