#to him she failed so many checks right off the bat

[spacedace]

So I've seen a lot of "Jazz works as a therapist at Arkam" in the dp x dc fandom, and while I like the concept, I also feel like Jazz would take one look at the place and immediately be like "what the absolute fuck" at just the everything of the place.

Like, she either nopes out after the tour during the interview or quits not too long afterward starting there, not because she can't take it but because she's so appalled by what's going on there and can smell the corruption rolling off the place and knows no one sent to there is ever actually going to get the help they need.

So Jazz decides to open a private practice instead while still being absolutely determined to work with the various rogues in the city, she is here to help and nothing is going to stop her.

So she just starts showing up at known hangouts of rogues and during their heists/schemes/sprees, and even fights between them and the batfam, just like

"Hi! It’s so nice to meet you! My name is Dr. Jasmine Fenton/Nightingale/whatever last name she’s using and I was hoping we could talk!"

Casually kicks a baterang away without looking because she's being polite and professional!

"I understand that your experience with therapy through Arkam has been nothing but atrocious and that you are rightfully -"

Kicks Batman away without breaking eye contact or a sweat.

"Suspicious of attempting therapy again, and Idon't want to force anything on you, therapy should be on your terms after the experiences you've had but -"

Grabs Robin out of the air as he leaps at the rogue she's talking to and tucks him under her arm, ignoring his feral hissing and all attempts to break her hold.

"-I really think that you'd find it beneficial, even if I'm not the right therapist for you."

The rogue in question is having the time of their life and takes Jazz's business card - and a few extra to pass around - not really intending to actually ever book a therapy appointment with her but way too entertained and excited to share this madness with everyone else.

But then one of the rogues actually looks up Jazz's website and sees all the various safe guards she’s put in place to ensure that any villians that come to her will be protected while seeing her - soundproof therapy room, regular sweeps for listening and tracking devices, the most insane firewalls and protections anyone has ever seen on her network, and ooh she provides snacks and drinks!

So someone finally books an appointment with her, half convinced she's either going to turn them in or is a villain herself intent to experiment on them, but then it’s actually really nice??? And they feel a lot better afterwards?? She doesn't even say anything to indicate that she wants them to stop being villains, she just wants them to be okay??

So more and more rogues start going to her, and Batman was already losing his mind about this woman before - Oracle can't hack her system?!? And her background check shows a totally normal Psychiatrist?? - but now half of Gotham's heavy hitters and a dozen or so other minor league villains are seeing her regularly and every time he tries to get info on any plans the rogues might be scheme via her office it fails utterly. Nightwing got knocked out with something called a creep stick and when he tried to break in himself to get answers she just appeared out of no where and gave him the most scathing lecture about doctor-patient confidentiality before bullying him off her property and threatening to sick her brother on him if he tried again?

And because she's become such a figure in the Gotham underworld, she gets the attention of Joker.

And everyone, rogues and Bats alike, are terrified that she’s going to try and take him on as a patient like she has so many other villains in the city and that's just a recipe for tragedy.

But then the Joker is on his way to the hospital with two broken legs and the fear of god beat into him babbling about eldritch nightmares and whenever anyone asks Jazz what happened she just shrugs and just says things like "I refused him as a patient, he's not my problem." Or "My brother doesn't like clowns." And just, does not elaborate.

Batman is losing his mind over it all. Jazz is just happy to be able to actually help the rogues. Arkam is less happy about how she absolutely destroys their reputation.

[baby-yongbok]

And they were roommates

Boyfriend!Han Jisung x Afab!Reader x Roommate!Lee Minho

♡ Genre - Smut - 🌽 no plot ♡ Word Count - 1.4k ♡ Summary - You've never been interested in your boyfriends roommate but this unique situation brings forth delicious results that could change that. ♡ Warnings - Use of sex toys ♡ a/n - this is my first minsung x reader fic ever. Why am I so nervous about it?? I hope you enjoy! ✧ Masterlist ✧

“Oh fuck, Jisung, please” You keened as he continued languidly thrusting the glass dildo into your sopping cunt. Your heavy exhales and moans hung in the air and fueled his desire to drag you closer to the edge.

“Gotta be quiet, jagiya.” He peeked back, checking that the door to his dorm was still shut. “My roommate will be back any second. What are we gonna tell him?”

“That you're being mean and won't let me cum.” He pushes the toy to the hilt, reaching spots that he’s been purposely neglecting. You hold your breath in an attempt to stop a scream. You failed. 

“I'm being mean? Wasn't it you who asked me to fuck you while he's gone?” You whine, shaking your head and batting your eyelashes up at the man who’s sitting behind you while he has you spread open between his legs on his twin size mattress. 

With the way that their dorm is set up you're hidden from the entrance but the moment that his mate walks further in he'll get a full view of your cunt. The thought alone makes you clench around the purple glass. 

“I wanted your cock, Ji.” He tsks, offering you a cocky lopsided smile. 

“Gotta be more specific next time.” He plants a chaste kiss on your temple while one of his fingers finds your clit and rubs slowly. “Imagine that it's my cock, baby. Close your eyes.”

You follow his orders with a sigh, allowing your eyelids to flutter shut and resting your head against his chest. You grind your hips Into each thrust, accepting that this is how you'll be cumming tonight whether you like it or not.

“There she goes, fuck yourself, baby.” His Boba eyes stare down at how the toy disappears inside of you. 

The way that it spreads the glistening lips of your cunt and squelches with each wet thrust into you. Maybe he should've given you his cock. He much rather be balls deep inside of you instead of having his leaky dick strain against his sweats but you're so pretty like this. He'll definitely fuck his fist to the image of this later. 

“Gonna cum on my dick, baby?” 

“Jisung, please fuck me, please.” Your pleads are falling on deaf ears and you know it. “Baby, please.”

The jiggling of the doorknob Cuts your boyfriend off before he can answer. Your breath catches in your throat and you expect For Jisung to react the same way. You expect him to freeze. You expect him to stop. He doesn't. 

“Would you believe that there was nothing left in the cafeteria?” Minho muses as he slams the door behind him. “That shit was bone dry. I'm going into town, you wanna -”

His words die on his tongue when he walks in further, catching Jisung's gaze for a nanosecond before his eyes catch on your cunt. “Well, hello.” 

Jisung chuckles behind you, slowing the thrusts of the dildo for just a second. “Welcome back, someone got needy. Isn't that right, baby?” 

You hide your face in Jisung's chest and try to close your legs but your boyfriend holds them open. He pushes the glass deep into your core. Filling you to the hilt and pressing up against your g-spot. A pornographic moan rips through you and you glare up at your boyfriend. 

“Don't be shy. I've heard him fuck his girlfriend so many times.” It's Minho's turn to chuckle now. 

“Mm, yeah, no need to be shy.” You hear footsteps and expect for Minho to walk over to his bed or even out of the room but he gets closer instead. Eyeing your cunt and licking his lips before his prying gaze meets yours. 

“I'm not even looking.” You scoff at his teasing. 

“Ignore him, baby.” Jisung nudges your head to the side with his chin, wedging himself into the crook of your neck to plant Sloppy kisses on the flushed skin. “You're gonna cum on my dick remember?” 

His thrusts pick up and he keeps it angled up just the way you like. You avoid Minho's gaze even though you can feel it burning into you. You want to tell him to fuck off. You want to tell him to wait outside or to take a walk around campus or something but there's something deep down that wants him to stay. 

You can feel that desire creeping up your spine and it makes your pussy gush with arousal that stains Jisung’s sheets and makes the lewd squelches of your cunt vibrate through the air at an unspeakable volume. 

“Mmm-ngh, fine.” You close your eyes again, thinking about having Jisung drill into the way that the toy is. You think about Jisung's kisses, Jisung's cock, Minho's hands - what the fuck?

Your eyes snap open and find those of your viewer immediately. His bottom lip is between his teeth and his hands are pushed into his pockets. He switches his attention from your eyes to your cunt once, twice, three times before smiling down at you. 

“You're fucking squeezing my cock so hard, baby.” Jisung twists the dildo just a bit and you moan. “You like being watched, huh?”

You're agreeing before you can even process it. Shaking your head while keeping your eyes on Minho. “Naughty naughty little thing.” Minho tsks, chuckling a bit as he licks his lips. 

“How about this, baby.” Jisung halts all movement making you whine at the loss of stimulation. “Why don't we let Minho fuck you, hm?”

You moan. You fucking moaned at your boyfriend offering you his roommate. Luckily for you your lover found it amusing and so did the roommate in question. “Words, Jagiya.”

“That's.. fine.” Minho asks again, needing to hear a more stable declaration of consent. “It's fine. I promise just please fuck me.”

Minho takes the handle of the toy in his hand with a smile. He slides it out of you slowly until it slips out with a wet pop. “Messy cunt.” He mumbles as he teases your clit with the glass tip. 

“Tell Min that you wanna cum on his cock, baby.” You groan, clenching around nothing. The words fall from your mouth in a bashful whisper that doesn't do much to please the man who's now in control of your pleasure. 

“What was that?” Minho presses the toy to your clit and you cry out. “Speak up a bit, sweetie.” 

“I wanna come on your cock, please, Minho. Please.” The pressure of the toy slipping past your entrance draws a deep moan from you. Your eyes roll back as he starts fucking you with slow and full strokes that leave you grabbing onto Jisung's thigh. 

Your boyfriend stares down at you with fond eyes as he squeezes and pinches your breasts. His lips assault your neck, sucking bruises into the flesh that you'll have to cover before tomorrow's class but you can't find it in you to care. Not when you have two men working you towards a burning release. 

“You're creaming on my cock, messy girl.” Minho's words snap you out of your daze. You look down at the dildo splitting you open and groan. You're dripping, leaking like a faucet and you swear that you can see some of your essence glistening on Minho’s fingers. 

Jisung adds his fingers to the mix, he rubs perfect figure eights against your clit that has you yelping out and throwing your head back against him.

 “You gonna cum for us, baby? Gonna cum all over Minho's dick for me?”

You nod, babbling confirmations mindlessly as you stare up at your boyfriend. “ Yeah yeah yea - gon’ cum for you.” 

Minho presses up into your g-spot and your heavy panting is suddenly cut off by your orgasm ripping through you. You start to scream but your breath gets caught in your throat. Jisung pops his arousal slick fingers into your mouth to keep you quiet as you writhe in his arms. His other arm snakes around your waist and keeps you planted firm against him. 

Minho's free hand keeps your thighs open as he fucks you through your climax. Long and deep strokes have you feeling aftershocks for a solid minute before he finally pulls the toy out of you. 

You clamp your thighs shut, snuggling into Jisung's chest as you try your best to catch your breath. 

“Mmm.” You look up at Minho and you swear that you could cum again. He's got the dildo between his lips, sucking your cum off of the glass and swirling his tongue to savor the taste.

 “She's as sweet as she looks.” 

Thank you for reading! I hope that you enjoyed!

Likes, Reblogs and Comments make my day! Thank you for all support, it keeps me going!

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[hunnysnoops]

ミ★ 𝒟𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒦𝓎𝓁𝑒 𝐵𝓇𝑜𝒻𝓁𝑜𝓋𝓈𝓀𝒾 𝐻𝒞𝓈 ★彡

(+some general)

MASTERLIST

Doesn’t crush often but when he does, he crushes hard

Hot take- we would not choose a study date as a first date

^ I see him as the kinda guy who dates with a long term goal in mind and would want to get to know someone well off the bat

^ Bro is not messing around- he would want a first date where the two of you talk a lot and he can get to know you before committing

^I think his ideal first date would be a movie then a cafe/restaurant. Movie first so there’s a couple hours to ease the awkward first date tension and then coffee/food to talk about the movie and eventually branch the conversation out

He sends those cryptic texts like “be alert…” when there was mugging in town or something

Tags you in every post he sees. You’ll wake up and check social media to thirty messages in your inbox and they’re all from Kyle

The kinda guy to be like “Did you look at the post I sent you about the guy at the bus stop?”

Got his account banned on Twitter and went absolutely ballistic while you tried to calm him down

Runs Hay Day like it’s the navy

Definitely the type to be hooked on his phone until it dies and then complain that you’re on yours “Bro, let’s just talk about the political and economic state of the world right now…”

This might be another hot take but I don’t think he would want a childish partner, he want to be your boyfriend not your dad

^Having to zip up your coat, tie your shoelaces, or cut your food- I don’t think he would mind doing it a couple times but repeating offences would irritate him

Not big on pet names

^ I think he would be one to call you ‘bro’ ‘man’ and ‘dude’ a lot just out of habit but would probably just call you an abbreviation of your name if anything

^ perhaps babe on very rare occasion

HATES PDA

^ I fear I may have many hot takes in this post

^He would be pretty touchy in private but in public? Hell no

^ talks shit about couples who can’t keep their hands off each other in public and absentmindedly wrinkles his nose in disgust

^ the only PDA he would accept is hand holding or a quick hug

Calls and FaceTimes you out of the blue but will immediately hang up if you’re busy or with other people and call back later

He is either the most sound sleeper ever or he wakes up at the drop a pin- either way, he always ends up slinging his lanky arms around you

He’s weirdly good with hair and would have no problem braiding yours or styling it

Super supportive aspiration wise

^ sports games? He’s the loudest in the crowd. Theatre? He’s on the edge of his seat watching. Art? He’s looking at your creations like they’re in a museum.

If you have bad habits (smoking, drinking, etc.) he would try to ease you out of them but if that fails it would definitely cause conflict in the relationship

Has his moments where he snaps at you

Fights wouldn’t be often but they would be big

He would enjoy playful banter and someone who challenges him to improve

I think he would enjoy a lot of the lower beats of the relationship like staying in to watch movies, cooking together, walking and talking, silently enjoying each others company, etc.

He posts Instagram carrousels and every single one has a picture of you in it

Doesn’t even entertain people who try to flirt with him “No, thanks.” “I’m dating someone.” “I’m good.”

Shows you Reddit posts and complains about how obviously fake they are

Gets irritated by bad acting in movies “He called her Courtney Dove, fucking idiot.” “Why does she chew like that?” “Her accent sounds fake.”

Has a secret TikTok account and doesn’t know that you watch his videos on a fake account

He is well aware of rage bait but it still makes him mad because so many people fall for it so he’ll end up commenting anyways

Easily jealous

^ if he sees you talking to another guy he doesn’t trust he’ll insert himself into the conversation and pretend he knows what’s going on

Checks up on you a lot

^ He just has to know that you're okay, he has to be sure that you're safe and that if something were to happen, you would call him without thinking twice.

He wants to communicate but he’s lowkey really bad at it and can’t get in an argument with you without yelling

I imagine him as a runner

^ he’ll probably run to your house at ungodly hours, drink some water, give you a kiss, and keep running

^also lovvvves to show you his stats

He’s really good at cooking and always takes control when you two are cooking/baking together

Didn’t want to dress up on Halloween but you ultimately coerced him into doing a corny couples costume

Has a longer skincare routine than you do

He’s one of those guys to pretend to hate the reality shows and soap operas that you watch- he’ll peak from his phone, then stand from behind the couch and then he’s fully invested in the plot

[yarasdead]

jealousy, jealousy. ౨ৎ part two

boyfriend!matt dierkes x hyperfem!reader

cw. established relationship, slightly suggestive with talks of sex but no smut, reader gets jealous and possessive, matt being very "i hate everyone but my gf" lowkey, reader has one drink, typical club dancing and grinding but matt can't keep his hands to himself,

a/n. this is a continuation of part one! this can be read as a standalone, but i wrote these two as a pair based off of a conversation between @exitwoundsx so please enjoy a <3 if people love matty and his gf i'd love to make this a little series!

you're secure in your relationship matt, the most secure you've ever felt than any of your past relationships. so, there isn't very many times where you've felt jealous, i mean how could you? not when matt shudders when he enters you, cursing under his breath and mumbling about how your pussy was made for him, molded only for his cock. or how without a fail he fills you up to the brim, keeping himself nestled inside of you to cock warm as he pulls you into him, soothing a hand up and down your body while he coos and gives you the sweetest praises that could only be directed at you, matt's baby. or how just as much as matt can be a dick, it all melts away when you're near, and he'll take all of the tease and shit the guys give him as he pulls you into his lap because you're the sweetest thing to him.

the two of you had been persuaded in going to the club, a rare occurrence since neither you nor matt really enjoy clubbing much. it was more of you begging him to come along, it didn't take much for your friends to convince you so you promised them you'd take on the hefty task of persuading matt. and your happy it didn't take much begging, because the moment you batted your eyes at him he was grunting out a yes.

you and matt had drifted apart, the last you had seen him was in a not so crowded area of the club where you left him with a kiss on the lips before going off with your friends on the dance floor. now at the bar, turning your head to peer over your shoulder, searching for matt. you smile when you find him roughly in the same spot as you left him, but it soon drops when you catch a girl staring at matt with a predatory gaze. you stare for a moment, hoping that she's staring down one of the guys. but she isn't.

and that little twinge of green starts to flourish when you watch her start to make her way towards him. her attempt at trying to get matt's attention almost makes you feel bad for her, not knowing the kind of personality he has can definitely create hurt feelings for the person he's interacting with.

you'd almost wish to have super hearing just to eavesdrop on their conversation, but by the faces she's making and the sternness of matt's body language you can guess it's not going well for her. and you hate how you relish in the look of all the color draining from her face when matt pulls out his phone and shoves it in her face. but you can't help stand up straighter against the bar know it's a damn good photo of you and matt together on your two year anniversary, it's his favorite photo of the two of you and it's been his homescreen ever since.

haven't been paying attention to the conversation your friends have been over the bumping music, but you turn to them and shout how you're going to check up on matt and be right back. although, you know you're not in the back of your mind, matt and you will most likely be on brand and do an irish goodbye.

taking the final swig of your drink you push yourself up from against the bar countertop to make your way over to matt. the girl has been gone by the time you shuffle your way through the crowd of people. you hand grabbing at his bicep and sliding down his arm to hold his hand. matt turns his head to look down at you.

"hey, baby." he smiles, lowering his head to capture your lips.

pulling away, "i want to dance." tightening your grip around his hand you pulling him away from the guys and into the sea of dancing people.

content with the spot, you turn around. your back against matt's chest, his hands falling onto the familiarity of your hips, rubbing them up and down your sides as you sway a little. you're happy that the song playing has a decent rhythm to dance along.

grinding your ass back into him. you can't tell if your gaining confidence from the groan that leaves his mouth or the drink in your system. moving your hands up your body, letting your nails rake up matt's arms around you until your hands are up in the air and fall back onto his head. pushing your ass against his groin, smirking when you feel how hard he is already, you find your rhythm along with the song as your grind your way down matt's body. letting yourself drop, hearing matt curse out a 'shit' before you make your way back up.

when you do matt's hands are still wandering all over your body, touching what's his as you make it to your full height. arching slightly as you wrap your hands back around matt's neck, attaching his mouth to your neck and his hands find their way to your clothed breast. it isn't long before matt spins you around to face him.

"look s'good dancing for me."

your giggling soon turning quiet as he goes back to sucking at your neck. gasping when he pulls you flesh into him and his hard on is pressing into you.

letting a moan slip when matt sucks at a sensitive spot, the sensation of his lips on you becoming too much. when a smack falls upon your ass your eyes fling open only to find the girl staring at the two of you and you smile. sneaking your hands up to caress at his head, pushing him further into your neck as you move your head to the side more to give him more space to do what he likes.

you don't know what compelled you in that moment, but the hazy gaze of the girl intently watching the two of you, and matt sucking at your neck like a vampire, all while his bulge, you being the very reason why had said bulge, is pressed against you. or the little twinge of green now fully igniting inside of you.

but, you really can't help but mouth "mine." at the girl.

[allisonbaelfire]

Amethyst. - PART 3

“U-Um, why the heck are you all here?” A girl with shoulder-length brown hair and expressive brown eyes questioned as she swung open the classroom door.

More than 50 students were standing in front of our classroom, their voices blending into a chaotic hum. As their gazes swept over the room, I could tell they weren’t here because of anyone else—but because of me. Amethyst. The students of Class 1A of the Department of Superheroes had been in the public eye since the attack on UA, but this felt different.

“They want to check us out,” the blonde guy with a patience level as thin as a thread—Bakugo—stepped in front of the girl, his voice sharp and biting. “What you’re doing here is completely pointless, so move it, extras!”

His outburst caused a ripple of murmurs among the crowd. The energy around us buzzed with tension. Meanwhile, I, being relatively new to Class 1A and not present during the attack, just wanted to get through the day without drawing attention. I clutched my backpack, trying to slip past unnoticed. But as I neared the door, a guy with messy purple hair blocked my path.

“I wanted to be in the Hero Course, but like many others here, I was forced to choose a different path,” he said, arms crossed, his expression serious. “But you show up out of nowhere. Is it because of your old man?”

My stomach twisted as his eyes bore into mine. He’d figured it out. I had hoped to keep a low profile, at least for a little while, but it was clear now that hiding wasn’t going to be an option. The fact that he connected me to Endeavor right off the bat made my skin crawl. My resemblance to Shoto must’ve been enough of a clue for him.

I tried to keep my expression neutral, but a flash of annoyance crossed my mind. What gave him the right to call me out like this? Still, I maintained eye contact, silently willing him to drop it and not make things worse.

The guy smirked, “No way, you’re her. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a former Pro-Hero at our school—Amethyst.”

My heart skipped a beat. My superhero past wasn’t something I planned on sharing so soon, especially not like this. Whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire, students glancing at me, some curious, others jealous. Even my new classmates in 1A started to murmur. I could feel their eyes on me, judging, analyzing.

I hated it. I didn’t want to be Amethyst here. I just wanted to be Y/N.

His grin widened as if he enjoyed the attention. “I’ll explain what can happen during the UA Festival. Teachers can transfer you to the Hero Course if they think you’re good enough—provided there’s room. You’ve seen it before. This place turns heroes into nobodies real fast.”

I stood my ground, glaring at him. His words felt like a threat, but I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of rattling me. Before I could respond, Bakugo barged forward, his spiky blond hair catching the light as he shoved past me, radiating arrogance.

“These people don’t matter,” Bakugo growled, his eyes burning with intensity. “The only thing that’s important is that I beat them.”

With that, he shouldered his way through the crowd, his cocky confidence putting everyone on edge. His declaration was as clear as day: Class 1A wasn’t here to be friends. They were here to win.

_________

The crowd dispersed slowly after Bakugo’s outburst, but I remained frozen for a moment, tension coiling in my chest. My superhero days felt like a lifetime ago, yet here I was, thrown back into the spotlight I had tried to escape. My brother, Shoto, barely acknowledged me, and now everyone else was looking at me like I was some kind of prize to be taken down.

I bolted from the crowd, heading for a dark, empty corridor, my pulse racing. UA wasn’t supposed to be like this. I thought I could start fresh. But now, it seemed like every student here was waiting for me to fail—or worse, to outshine them.

As I leaned against the cool stone wall, trying to calm my breathing, a cheerful voice cut through my thoughts.

“Hey there!” A guy with bright blue eyes and blonde hair appeared in front of me, startling me. “I saw you take off. Everything okay?”

I straightened up, arms crossing over my chest in a defensive stance. “If you’re looking for an autograph, you’re out of luck,” I snapped.

He laughed, a carefree sound that felt out of place in my current state of mind. “Not today, but maybe another time,” he said with a playful grin. “I’m Denki Kaminari. How about you join us for lunch?”

“Us?”

_________

Denki led me to the cafeteria, where a group of students were gathered around a table. “This is Mina Ashido,” he introduced, pointing to a girl with bright pink skin who waved at me enthusiastically. “And over there is Eijiro Kirishima,” he added, motioning to a solidly built guy with red hair.

“And I’m Hanta Sero,” another student chimed in with a relaxed smile.

I stood there awkwardly, unsure how to respond. They all seemed friendly enough, but I didn’t know if I was ready to join a group. Before I could decide, a boy with green hair stepped forward, practically vibrating with excitement.

“That’s Amethyst—” he started, but I shot him a look. He corrected himself quickly, “I mean Y/N, Y/N Todoroki. Her quirk is called ‘Ice Flames.’ She can release icy lilac flames that freeze things on contact.”

His enthusiastic description of my quirk made me tense up. I didn’t want my powers to be the topic of conversation.

Mina stepped in, sensing my discomfort. “Chill out, Izuku,” she teased, gently pushing him back. “Let’s not overwhelm her.”

Ochako Uraraka joined us, her smile warm and welcoming. “Don’t worry, he’s just a huge superhero nerd. But it’s nice to meet you, Y/N.”

I shifted uneasily, feeling the weight of their attention. It was the opposite of what I wanted. My eyes drifted across the room, landing on Shoto. He sat alone, his face impassive as he ate, clearly wanting to be left alone.

Mina noticed my gaze and offered a soft smile. “He’s like that. Give him time.”

__________

As I sat down with Denki, Mina, Eijiro, and Sero, I couldn’t help but notice the lingering stares from the other students in the cafeteria. It was as if a neon sign was hanging over my head, announcing, “Look! It’s Amethyst!” Even though I was no longer a Pro-Hero, that part of my identity clung to me like an unwanted shadow.

I tried to focus on the chatter around me. Mina was enthusiastically talking about the upcoming UA Sports Festival, while Eijiro and Sero chimed in with their own strategies. Despite their light-heartedness, I could feel the tension in the air. Everyone was gearing up for competition.

“Y/N, are you planning on competing in the Sports Festival?” Denki suddenly asked, leaning in toward me. His easygoing smile took the edge off the question, but I knew everyone was waiting for my answer.

My fingers tightened around the edge of my tray. The thought of stepping into the spotlight again made my stomach churn, but I couldn’t afford to show weakness. Not here. Not now.

“I… haven’t decided yet,” I replied, trying to keep my voice even.

Denki raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “With a quirk like yours, you’d be a strong contender. You should go for it.”

I offered him a small, tight-lipped smile, but inside, my mind was spinning. Competing in the Sports Festival would only draw more attention to me—and not just from students, but from the pro heroes and the media, too. It was the exact opposite of what I wanted. But Hawks’ words echoed in my mind: “Live a normal life. Blend in.” How was I supposed to blend in when everyone already had me under a microscope?

Before I could dwell on it any longer, I caught sight of Shoto out of the corner of my eye. He stood up, his lunch tray empty, and began to walk toward the exit. Our eyes met briefly, and for a second, I thought he might acknowledge me. But instead, he turned away and disappeared through the door without a word.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. Shoto and I hadn’t spoken much since I arrived at UA. There was too much unspoken between us—too much history, too many scars. He had every reason to hate me, I supposed. I’d been part of the Pro-Hero world that he despised for so long, and to top it off, I was Endeavor’s child, just like him. But I wasn’t like my father. Not anymore.

Mina must’ve noticed my mood shift because she leaned over and whispered, “Shoto’s complicated, huh? Don’t worry, though. He’ll come around.”

I nodded half-heartedly, though I wasn’t sure I believed her. Shoto had built walls around himself, and I wasn’t certain if I’d ever be able to break through them.

Suddenly, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Students began to gather their things, preparing to head back to class. I stood up along with the others, slinging my backpack over my shoulder.

“You wanna walk with us?” Eijiro asked, his sharp teeth flashing in a friendly grin.

“Sure,” I replied, grateful for the offer. Even though I felt like an outsider, there was some comfort in their company.

________

As we made our way down the hall, I couldn’t help but overhear snippets of conversations around us. My name—Amethyst—was on nearly everyone’s lips.

“Did you hear about the new student? She used to be a Pro-Hero…”

“Do you think she’ll join the Hero Course?”

“What if she’s as strong as Todoroki or Bakugo?”

The weight of their expectations pressed down on me. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep up this façade.

Later that day, as classes ended and the sun began to set over UA’s sprawling campus, I found myself wandering near the training grounds. The open space, bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun, reminded me of the days when I’d trained as a Pro-Hero. Those days felt distant now, like a lifetime ago.

My fingers twitched, instinctively summoning a small flicker of lilac flame into my palm. The cold fire danced across my skin, glowing faintly in the dim light. The power was still there, pulsing beneath the surface, but it felt different now. I wasn’t sure if it was because I’d changed or because my view of heroism had.

“Training by yourself?”

I whipped around, startled by the voice. It was Aizawa, the homeroom teacher of Class 1A. His usual tired expression was unreadable, his eyes narrowed slightly as he observed me.

“No,” I quickly extinguished the flame and stuffed my hands in my pockets. “Just… thinking.”

He gave a slight nod, his gaze still piercing. “You’ve been through a lot.”

I wasn’t sure how to respond to that. Aizawa wasn’t the kind of teacher to hand out sympathy, and I wasn’t looking for any, either.

“You don’t have to prove anything to anyone,” he said after a moment. His voice was calm but firm, carrying the weight of experience. “Not your classmates. Not your teachers. Not even to yourself.”

His words struck a chord I didn’t expect. For so long, I’d been trying to live up to this idea of who I was supposed to be—Endeavor’s daughter, a Pro-Hero, a Todoroki. But the truth was, I didn’t know who I wanted to be anymore.

Aizawa glanced up at the sky, his hands stuffed lazily in his pockets. “The UA Sports Festival is coming up. Everyone will be watching, especially the pros. If you decide to compete, make sure it’s for the right reasons. You don’t need to fight anyone else’s battles but your own.”

I stood there in silence, his words sinking in. For once, someone wasn’t pushing me to be something I wasn’t. He was giving me a choice.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, unsure of what else to say.

Aizawa simply nodded again before walking away, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

As I watched the sun dip below the horizon, a sense of resolve settled in my chest. Maybe I wasn’t ready to make all the decisions right now, but I knew one thing for sure—I was going to stop running. From my past. From the expectations. From everything.

I wasn’t Amethyst anymore.

I was Y/N Todoroki.

And I was going to find out who that was.

__________________________

Klick here for: Amethyst. - Masterlist

[ladykailitha]

All My Roads Lead Back to You Part 14

Hello, hello! Thank you to everyone who participated in WIP Wednesday yesterday! It was a blast. I got so much work done.

This mainly Steve centric. Did I write almost an entire chapter with Steve going to bat for Edie to beat out some childhood trauma of my dad never doing that despite doing it for my older siblings? Yes. Does it further plot? Not really. But it was cathartic anyway.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13

***

Steve didn’t like talking to principals or teachers as a whole. They got harder to charm as time passed. He could charm hardened business men out of their hard earned cash, but for some reason teachers failed to be charmed him.

So instead of charming them, he decided that he would do it the Nancy Wheeler method and bowl them over with facts.

Principal Kim and Mr Pearson were waiting for him when he arrived. They both rose up to greet him and he shook both of their hands.

“Thanks for agreeing to meet with me,” he said seriously. “I understand that tracing a picture for the art show and for her assignment is a very severe offense. And I of course want to address those allegations as to not tarnish her reputation and make it harder for her to get into colleges and universities.”

Mr Pearson sneered. “You’d just buy her way into any school she wanted anyway.”

Steve locked eyes with Principal Kim and even she looked shocked.

“Excuse, Mr Pearson,” she began, “do I mean to understand that you feel that Edith Harrington bought her way into your art class?”

Mr Pearson’s jaw dropped, realizing he had said the quiet part out loud. “I didn’t mean to apply that she was without talent or merit. But the picture in question is too good for someone her level.”

Steve twisted his bottom jaw as he ran his tongue over his teeth slowly. “How do you feel about the pinprick method?”

Principal Kim frowned. “The what?”

Mr Pearson squirmed in his seat. “It’s method used by many artists when copying works to ensure the height and width of the subject are in the correct proportions.”

Principal Kim turned to Steve. “And you assert your daughter used this method on her most recent assignment?”

Steve nodded. “Yes, and I can prove it.” He turned to Mr Pearson. “You brought the picture with you like I asked, yes?”

Mr Pearson snarled and grabbed his messenger bag. He ripped it open and got out Edie’s picture she had done of Irises by Van Gogh. It was a beautiful piece that showed bright blue irises on the side of a road.

“Can you honestly tell me that she did that without tracing it first?” he asked gruffly. He threw on the principal’s desk.

“It’s very pretty,” she said.

“Did you see her trace it?” Steve asked, turning to the teacher.

“Excuse me?” Mr Pearson asked, straightening up in his chair. “Of course not! She wouldn’t dare trace it in class.”

“What did she do in class?” Steve asked, crossing legs and wiggling his shoulders as he got comfortable. “She had to do something, right?”

Mr Pearson scowled. “I have a class of twenty four students, I can’t be watching each one every second of every day,” he scoffed waving his hands.

Principal Kim nodded sympathetically. “That’s just the way it is, I’m afraid, Mr Harrington.”

Steve smiled. “Oh I don’t doubt it, herding teenagers is difficult in small groups, I can’t imagine tripling the amount of teenagers I used to chaperon around when I got out of high school. I completely understand.”

Mr Pearson eyed him warily. “And where are you going with this?”

“She had to check off certain stages of her work with you, did she not?” Steve said, bouncing his leg on his knee.

Mr Pearson frowned. “Of course she did.”

“And at any stage did her work so signs of it being traced?” Steve asked, a charming smile on his face.

“No.”

Principal Kim sighed. “Be that as that may, Mr Harrington, we’re going to need proof.”

“Why is burden of proof on Edie’s side?” Steve asked, giving her his big puppy-eyed, ‘I don’t understand’ face. “Shouldn’t it be on her accuser’s?”

Silence fell and Steve knew he had won. They couldn’t prove she traced. There was no evidence of something that didn’t happen.

Now it was time for the final blow. God he loved this part. He got out a large color art book of Vincent Van Gogh’s works. He flipped it over to the page that had the image of the painting Edie had used. He then pulled out a pocket knife and set on top of the page.

“One last thing,” Steve said. “Is the pinprick method allowed in the art show?”

Mr Pearson nodded.

He grinned and turned back to the principal. “This is the book Edie used to base her work on. If you’ll use the knife to cut out the page and hold it up to the light you will pinpricks and not trace marks.”

“That could be any book bought at any time!” Mr Pearson protested.

Steve nodded and got a couple more things out of his bag and handed them to the Principal Kim. “I have the original pictures on my phone, but they are too small to see the details.” He pulled out his phone and handed it to her.

She looked at the pictures showing the book that had a scuff on the cover and that the book in front of her had a large scuff right where Edie had dropped getting out the car the day he bought it for her.

There was no doubt it was the same book. She handed the pictures to Mr Pearson who was forced to concede that it must be the same book. She picked up the knife and then looked at Steve.

“And your daughter is okay with us defacing the book like this?” she asked, eyeing Steve skeptically.

Steve nodded. “She said to use whatever means necessary to clear her name. So go for it.”

Principal Kim sighed and deftly cut out the page. She handed the knife back to Steve and then lifted the page. Sure enough there were seven or eight pinpricks but not a single trace outline. If she had traced it there would be heavy indentations around each flower and there weren’t.

“Now,” Steve said leaning forward, “put Edie’s picture over the top to see if the prick holes match.”

Principal Kim did just that and sighed when they lined up perfectly. There was no doubt that Edie hadn’t cheated.

“Edith’s picture will be submitted to the art show and the mark expunged from her record. Mr Pearson will apologize to your daughter in front of the class.”

“What?” Mr Pearson cried, leaping to his feet. “I will do no such thing!”

“You will and I will be watching when you do,” Principal Kim said sternly, “or I will suspend you without pay until a full investigation is done to see if you have done this to other students.”

Mr Pearson’s jaw dropped and he sat back down quietly, hands on his lap.

Steve stood. “You may keep everything but my phone, if you need to convince the judges of the art show of the validity of her work.”

She nodded. They shook hands and then Steve gathered his things and walked out. Before he could even close the door, he could hear the principal tearing into Mr Pearson.

Steve was grinning and not paying attention to where he was going when he nearly bumped into someone.

“Oh, sorry!” he said, holding up his hands in surrender.

“Steve?” Eddie asked. “What are you doing here?”

Steve looked up into those warm brown eyes and smiled. “Just convincing Principal Kim and Mr Pearson to let Edie’s pastel drawing back into the art show.”

Harri peered around his dad. “What? Really? Did you win?”

Steve grinned. “Sure did. If they had done an investigation instead of blinding following the word of one vindictive little girl, Mr Pearson wouldn’t be under scrutiny for doing similar things to other students.”

He crossed his arms and shifted his weight to his back foot. “I’m pretty sure if they looked deep enough, they’d find that he had been grading harsher for so called nepo babies. Children of rich parents that had generational wealth over those students that had nouveau-riche parents. Because he thought they had worked hard for their money.”

Eddie laughed. “And how would you know that?”

Steve grinned. “Because that’s what Nancy dug up for me when I asked.”

Eddie threw back his head and really laughed. “That would do it, yeah.”

Harri cocked his head to the side and frowned. “Who’s Nancy?”

Steve turned him with a soft smile. “She’s a world renowned journalist who your dad and me went to school with.”

“Sounds vaguely familiar,” he said with a shrug. “But that’s cool she helped you get Miss Thing’s art back in the show.”

“I called in a favor,” Steve said with a shrug.

“She owes you more than one favor,” Eddie grumbled.

Steve bit his lip and blushed. “She knows.”

Eddie grinned. “Good.”

“You guys want to come over and celebrate with us?” Steve asked. “The Lawrences are going to be there, as well as the Grants.” At their look of confusion he clarified. “Kenny’s family, the band’s keyboardist.”

Harri and Eddie looked at each other and then Harri nodded, while Eddie shrugged.

“Sure,” Eddie said. “I don’t see why not.”

*

Edie had gotten use to seeing Mr Munson at her house so often that sometimes it surprised her that Harri and him didn’t live there. That they actually lived elsewhere.

“Are you sure they aren’t dating?” Kenny asked one day at lunch. They were huddled together at their table away from the seething wrath of Lauren Duncan and her crowd of mean girls.

When it came out that Lauren was the tattletale the whole art class turned on her. And straight up ignored her when she would even so much as ask for the eraser to be handed to her.

But that ostracizing only made her vicious out of class. Bumping into Edie to get Edie to drop her stuff or even fall. Putting hate mail in her lockers. Whispering to her friends behind her hands.

Though she tried knocking Edie’s lunch tray out her hands only the once. Edie was quick enough to shove the tray right in Lauren’s face. And what made it even better is that she couldn’t claim that Edie had done in purpose because then she would have to explain why she was that close to Edie in the first place. And after her week suspension for falsely accusing Edie of wrongdoing, she couldn’t afford more trouble. So she stuck to the little things.

Harri sighed. “I honestly don’t know, man.”

Edie nodded. “They go out to lunch every Monday. And it’s gotten to the point where Vanessa, my dad’s secretary won’t even schedule anything for that time.”

Harri nodded. “I think we eat dinner more often at your house then we do my own. And I like my house!”

Mandy nodded. “I mean our dads still hang out, but now Mr Munson tags along too. My dad said that he’s seen more of Mr Munson in the last month then he has the last decade.”

They all nodded.

“Let’s not forget Mr Munson staying for practice instead of dropping Harri off and coming back later,” Brian said, poking at his food, pushing it around on his plate. “We always have to break them up when we’re done so Harri can go home.”

“When summer starts,” Mandy said, “We should test it, see how it takes for them to notice we’re done.”

They nodded again.

“But when I ask my dad,” Edie said, “all he’ll say is that he’s sworn off dating so it can’t be a date.”

Harri threw his arms in the air. “My dad is no better. He keeps telling me that Papa was it for him, and second chances only happen once in a life time and he’s already had his.”

“They are so stubborn, I swear,” Edie huffed. “But we all promised that we wouldn’t interfere in their relationship.”

Kenny straightened up. “You guys promised that. I didn’t.” He grinned. “And I think I know just how to do it.” He put on his backpack and grabbed his tray. “I’ll talk to you guys, later.”

***

Part 15 Part 16 Part 17  Part 18  Epilogue

Also, I had something similar happen to me with a different Van Gogh painting Giant Peacock Moth, only I was in middle school and it was just kids being grumpy the French teacher didn’t care. It was just away to teach us about the French artists movement of the 1800s. I still have it somewhere.

Also: Harri isn’t in trouble, he’s going to see the principal and his guidance counselor because some of his credits from his Cali school didn’t transfer.

Tag List: @spectrum-spectre @estrellami-1 @zerokrox-blog @artiststarme @swimmingbirdrunningrock @gregre369 @pyrohonk​ @trashpocket @goodolefashionedloverboi @chaoticlovingdreamer @maya-custodios-dionach @messrs-weasley @val-from-lawrence @plyerice27 @mightbeasleep @thedragonsaunt @chaoticlovingdreamer @trashpocket @sapphirecobalt-1 @a-little-unsteddie @i-must-potato @danili666  @carlyv @rozzieroos @wonderland-girl143-blog @itsall-taken @steddie-as-they-go @lillemilly @callas-shitshow @bisexualdisastersworld @renaissan-vvitch @immortal-iratze @bookbinderbitch @cardigangoth @lilacrobin @nightmareglitter @nerdsconquerall

[panxramic]

Bad Day

Today was not Chayanne’s day. Everyone in the house knew it, everyone could see it.

He was unusually quiet and had brought back his lunchbox full. His dads had tried asking him what was wrong but to no avail. The little boy just sadly smiled and said it was nothing. They didn’t push more, at least not now.

Tallulah noticed immediately that something was wrong. She would always wait for her older brother at the door when he came home for school. She’d have a new craft or show off a fun new animal fact she learned. Today she had learned how to make paper flowers and made one specifically for Chayanne. When he came in he just softly smiled and took the flower without a word.

She had so much she wanted to say, so many things she wanted to explain about the flower, but he just walked past her and to their room.

Throughout the day Tallulah, Phil, and Missa would come into the room to check up on him. Majority of the time however it was the little girl trying something new to get her brother out of bed and downstairs to play with her. No matter what she tried, she was met with a blank face and a shoulder.

“Is he mad at us?” She would ask her parents. Phil just shook his head and reassured her, “Your brother just had a bad day at school and needs some time alone. He’ll be alright, just be patient with him okay?” The child nodded.

Later at dinner, after a small talk with his papa Missa, they got him to come down to get some food.

Tallulah was sitting at the head of the table, to her left was Chayanne just picking at his food. Their dads were across the table talking quietly among themselves.

Everything felt hollow and numb. None of his senses felt like they were working, nothing felt right. But as always Chayanne kept his head down. Making a fuss about feeling nothing felt stupid and unneeded.

He had zoned out for so long he failed to notice the gentle taps on his shoulder until a small tiny voice poked through all the noise in his head.

“Are you feeling better?” Chayanne continued picking at his food. The fork in his hand consuming all his attention.

The little girl crawled out of her chair and pushed it closer to her brother. She got back up and sat on her knees. “I made you more flowers! I tried different colors in case you didn’t like the first one I made.”

Something tight in his chest started building up. His throat squeezed tightly, he drank some water to stop the feeling.

Tallulah tilted her head to get a look at her brother's face, it was stone cold, all besides his watery eyes.

She took her small hands and lifted his head up. He quickly shook his head and batted her hands away. Tallulah slinked back and reached over the table grabbing a small napkin.

By this point Missa and Phil had stopped talking, both silently watching and eating. They were ready to step in as they saw Chayanne turn away and scrunch up his face. He looked annoyed, upset, or maybe he was holding something back.

Phil opened his mouth to tell Tallulah to leave her brother alone, until Chayanne turned back to look at his food as tears began to fall. His face didn’t change, his demeanor unmoving. Missa set his food down to go up to his boy, but Tallulah got to him first.

She patted his face, her voice wavering slightly, “But am I still your best friend though?”

For the first time that dinner Chayanne looked away from his food. He couldn’t speak or talk. His mouth felt like it was sewn shut. So instead he looked into his little sister's eyes and nodded with a smile.

With the napkin in her hand she started cleaning away his tears. Chayanne kept crying but he stayed frozen in his seat. Everything was building up inside of him, his heart was twisting in on itself. He tried so hard to stop the tears, he tried to pretend that he was okay. But as his little sister continued to dab away at them, it all felt like it was falling apart.

He reached around to hug her, arms squeezing tightly around her. Tallulah returned the hug, dropping the napkin to hang on to her brother.

That’s when he began to sob.

He held onto her like a lifeline, body slightly jerking from trying to contain his cries. He buried himself into her shoulder letting all the pain he’s been holding in throughout the day flow out with every tear.

As Tallulah settled herself into his arms, he knew he’d be okay.

[bored-writer101]

X Reader Masterlist

Marvel

Bucky Barnes

Nightmares | Bucky comforts you after you have a nightmare.

Good Morning | Waking up with Bucky, who doesn’t want you to get out of bed.

You Deserve The Word | Bucky can’t help but think that he doesn’t deserve you, but you assure him that isn’t true.

Five Years Later | Five years after the blip, there seems to be a way to bring back everyone… including your lost love.

Distraction | You wanted to finish unpacking your new home, but Bucky had other plans.

Tom Holland!Peter Parker

Will You Be My Girlfriend | Peter takes Y/N on a late night swing through the city before popping a very important question.

Cuts And Bruises | When Peter shows up bruised and bloody, you make sure to clean him up and take care of him.

Bedtime | Peter visits you late at night after patrol. He forces you to go to bed and get some much needed sleep.

You’re Spider-Man? | After it comes out that Tony Stark visited Peter, you make him tell you the real reason why.

Druig 

Never Leave Again | After many years apart, you set out to reunite with your love, Druig.

Foggy Neslon

Happy Valentine’s Day | After a tough day you completely forget about Valentine’s Day. Foggy, being the amazing boyfriend he is, does his best to cheer you up with an amazing night.

Stranger Things

Read more of my Stranger Things works on wattpad!

Steve Harrington

I’ll Always Be There For You | Steve does his best to avoid admitting his fear of horror movies to you. But during a movie night with the kids, you let him know that there’s no reason to be embarrassed.

Eddie Munson

I Promise | After you defeat One, you run back to your best friend, Eddie. You promised him you’d make it back alive to tell him a big secret you’ve kept from him for a long time.

More Bats | You can’t stop yourself from drawing more bats down eddie’s arm in pen, but you didn’t think he was actually going to get them tattooed on him.

Name Three Songs | You're wearing one of Eddie's Metallica tees when a guy tries to get you to name three songs. Eddie swoops in just in time to tell the guy to fuck off.

Jonathan Byers

Should I Stay Or Should I Go? | While your singing and dancing around Will’s room, trying to cheer him up, Jonathan comes home. He can’t stop himself from asking you a question he’s wanted to ask you for a long time.

Robin Buckley

We’re Supposed To Be Studying | You invited robin over to study, but she’s more interested in going through your things.

Bye Billy | You’re waiting for Robin after work, when Billy comes up to you. He doesn’t seem to be getting the hint that you’re not interested.

Eleven Hopper

You’re Cute When You’re Angry | Eleven helps calm you down after you get angry about failing a test.

Supernatural

Read more of my Supernatural works on wattpad!

Castiel

Crooked Tie | Castiel’s crooked tie drives you crazy. He becomes very confused when you start to fix his tie every time he shows up. One day he finally confronts you, asking you why you always fix his tie.

My Angel | You had fallen right into their trap. The angels were using you as bait to get Castiel. They made the mistake of underestimating him.

Sam Winchester

|Supernatural Rewrite Masterlist|

Rock, Paper, Scissors | You flirt with the brothers after a successful hunt.

Dean Winchester

Rock, Paper, Scissors | You flirt with the brothers after a successful hunt.

Criminal Minds

Spencer Reid

It’s Always Been You | You go to see Spencer at his apartment to check up on him. It’s been two weeks since the fiasco with maeve and he hasn’t left his apartment. While you’re there, the secret you’ve kept in all this time is revealed.

Aaron Hotchner

Worried | When you are kidnapped by an unsub, Hotch will do anything and everything to get you home safe.

BBC Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes

Sneaky Cigarette | John convinced you and Sherlock not to smoke, but one day the two of you can’t help it.

Serenade Me | You’re bored out of your mind, so you decide to play Sherlock’s violin. He comes home to see you playing.

Harry Potter

Neville Longbottom

You’re My Happiest Memory | You and Neville find out your each other’s others happiest memory when trying to conjure your patronus.

Friday The 13th (2009)

Clay Miller X Reader | You are Clay Miller’s girlfriend. He’s taken you to the middle of bumfuck nowhere, looking for his sister, Whitney. She’s been missing for a month and a half after she went on a camping trip with some friends. You and Clay are determined to find her, but there is a hockey masked killer who is waiting in the woods for you.

[dairy-farmer]

Okay but a magical toy that pulls a green lantern "needs it most" routine? BRILLIANT. The chaos! The secrets! The PINING. And you KNOW I am, as always, trying to convert people to my Civilian!Tim Stan club~! It always causes so much more CHAOS when he's off the Bat Leash! So IMAGINE it:

Some uppity magic user. Trying to Make It In Gotham(tm). Realizing the HARD way that Bat-boot to the face is how Batman says hello. Panic flailing and shooting off every spell he knows. Landing none.

Throws THAT spell. The one he learned for his girlfriend but then she dumped him and he never got to use it. (Look he's PANICKING, okay?!) But he ALSO smashes it together with... something? He's not sure. He's trying and failing to dodge.

It HITS something.

Tim, on a roof. Trips over a bit of piping he doesn't see and gets hit. Oh no! But? Huh. He's fine? Sweet. Back to pictures then. The night concludes. But WAIT! This is an AU! Tim is a civilian! So who's ROBIN? Jason! Stressed as hell. B is being unreasonable and Damian's a Lil [redacted]. But what is THIS? Upon his bed? A fleshlight?

Real cute guys. Probably Dick's way of telling him to calm down. Or some creepy olive branch from B. Who knows. But he checks it out. And it feels AMAZING. Life like. He honestly gets engrossed, playing with it, exploring it. Wondering how it works. It even gets WET! It's a tight fit but he works it down onto to himself. Works loose and squelching. Oozing with he's lost COUNT of how many loads. It's the BEST.

It's the first night of Timmy's new night issues. Sometimes even DAY issues. Every night it's someone different. Some are super human fast. Some are so big he feels impaled. Sometimes they clearly aren't human. They slide in to him like they have every right to use him for their pleasure. To take and ram and fill him up then LEAVE. Oozing seed and twitching on the floor or on his bed or at school. Whenever THEY decide. And he has to hide it. Be the respectable Drake heir.

And the Cape community? Losing their damn minds! There is a toy. SOMEWHERE. THEIR toy, as far as they're concerned, and they CANT FIND IT. They NEED it back. It's the best stress relief of their LIFE. Someone TOOK it.

And of course, after the pounding of a life time by a Kryptonian. That poor stuffed hole flickers away to the next horny soul. Constantine. Who's like. "The fuck. This is attached to someone." He respectfully, caps it up, and brings it in. Cue mass glaring and cold sweating. What'cha got there john?

Well, some poor soul is LITERALLY getting fucked over... *continues reporting*

*dots connect in various heads*

Hysteria. What would their mother's say. Not even a drink first! They have SO many make up orgasms to give somebody. They have to find them! Before anyone ELSE! They are the ONLY one who would treat that pus- I mean, PERSON right!

And Tim? Prayers answered. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, man. You think he can keep up with Earth's Finest? Let him die a little, okay?? Just... just pass out for a bit. Festive little coma. Oww his puss. Brutes. All of them brutes. When he finds out, he gonna demand to be ROMANCED. Get the GUCCI fan merch. Seduced! THE MOST pillow of pillow princesses! D:< Justice for Tim puss!

tim's poor pussy 🥺🥺🥺 tim's little baby no-longer-a-virgin puss has been put through the wringer, always getting fondled, fingered, licked, or fucked. he hasn't gotten a break longer than a few hours since it began. sometimes the cocks inside him keep going even after tim can feel their thick cum sitting inside him. the worst part about the toy (or rather the best part of it for people using it) is that all the cum released into it is absolutely pressed into tim.

tim spends most of his days getting sloppily wet and having cum pumped into him. by the time that it reaches constantine and they're able to reverse engineer both the magician and find the "victim" in all of this- tim is already several weeks pregnant 😱. all the heroes who have been fucking tim all have to come to terms with the fact that they MAY have knocked up this civilian👀👀👀

[teresalace]

The Doplerganger Phenomenon (Halloween 2023) PART 1

Pairing: (Professor) Loki Laufeyson x Female Reader (College Student)

Warnings: Vague horror mentions, SFW. Words: 2911

Tropes: A doplergnager of someone you know...A string of unexplained deaths and on top of that things are going missing from your apartment.

A/N: 🤪 Inspired hugely from a childhood Japanese horror (?) Romance movie that ws titled Dooplergnager!! #no beta, no editing. My first MCU FIC. Sadly I can't find it on YouTube and I lost the CD, if anyone can find it-- the movie goes like this without any gore. An office girl (I think) lives alone at home, uses charcoal to draw on a canvas and is thinking of entering a museum's art contest... but is so indecisive, and suddenly the door bell rang, she goes to see who it is and sees its a blind guy who idk is asking if it's the right address or smth. She says no and he goes away. ... Boom from one floor beneath her apartment, at the same location as her door, another her appears... her dooplerganger-- who does what she was indecisive about, draws, enters the art contest, basically this whole movie is some detective supernatural thing where a detective discovers that some ppl jump off buildings after seeing their dooplergangers achieve better than them. Sooooo ;) this is not an original idea, just wanna honour this movie.

~~~~~~~

Clap.  

 "Listen here. If nobody takes this Friday exam seriously, I'll have Mr. Laufeyson take over all my classes for the rest of the week." Lightheartedly said Thor, his wide voice overpowering the whole classroom, grinning in playful triumph, yet the threat was very real. 

Groans and moans—some boos here and there—fill out the jam-packed classroom, ranging from zombie-tired to actual fear responses. My reaction lied delicately, balancing on the tightrope of both dread and hope, but my heart twisted in excitement. 

Among the chorus of complaints, chatter, and chairs shrieking surrounding me, I took my sweet time filing and packing my things, which were not so neat. Class ended on a very motivational note. .   .   . 

Professor Thor's brother was not one most students willingly paid a visit to after-hours, unlike the other teachers, and looking for him without a purpose in academic advice is as pointless as buying rope from a camel. 

His striking slim features, like his most prominent and popular emerald gems for eyes and boney face, take a stand in attracting many to sign up for his courses. I so happened to be one of the lucky few who didn't check the profiles of the teachers and allowed that to influence my decision-making. 

Beauty is always deceiving. 

And it never fails to be so entertaining to watch from the back rows when another person rage-quits, abruptly leaves in the middle of his teaching, or slumps defeatedly in their seats each and every week. It never stopped Mr. Laufeyson from carrying on the lesson—not even when a wasp flew in by mistake and terrorised the class while he didn't bat an eye.

Until it went after him, he took immediate action, swatting it hard against the wall with a ruler. 

He froze. 

Holding that fatal position, he rotated his head towards me—I meant, the class obviously. 

"Now, any questions? And if there are, you best make it good; otherwise, you'd like your future grade to fall from a height." He removes the ruler, revealing a flattened wasp slowly unsticking itself from the wall and plummeting down with a comically weak buzz.

Then silence.   

"Just like that." 

I held back from laughing, except for a tiny chuckle joining the other students'. Sucking in the bottom of my lip, I focused on the assignment on my laptop while keeping an active ear for any tidbits of information from him. I really liked his humorous side. But there was something else about him that I loved. 

…RING. 

 There went the bell, and class was dismissed. Mr. Laufeyson, with a smooth ease, was the first to leave, and the others and I stalled to watch him before following suit in hushed giggles. 

"—ho! Just now, that got me feeling some type of way." 

Another girl low moaned, "I'm melting like an ice cream in the sun."

 "I wish he used that ruler on me instead." 

Mmhmm.

Mr Laufeyson's back disappeared after a sharp turn, he's never in the cafeteria during lunch breaks but in a way what a relief he won't ever see the dumb side of me. Not that he sees me as anything else except a student. 

But it will change.

Thankfully graduation was right around the corner… By then I'll have a chance to ask him out properly. Maybe buy him some flowers? As a farewell appreciation gift. 

.   .   .

"I heard you used my name again to scare the children," Loki piqued, hands studiously behind his back as he approached the sun-lit kitchen.

His brother, shining blonde tied-back hair, grins wolfishly after downing a beer can and tossing it in the trash, making it over to Loki.

"Relax, it's just a joke, brother!" Thor let out a boisterous laugh, smacking a large hand on Loki's shoulder and causing him to slightly flinch. "College kids need the motivation. A kick of adrenaline, am I right?" 

"More work that is unnecessary doesn't sound very funny to me. I will not be babysitting your class again after last time, a word of warning."

"Oh come on now, you have a knack for torturing students to greatness— and I can supply you with as many peoplee as you wish. Just say the word!—"

Loki's unamusement showed in his thin smile and poise stance.

"—Don't think I've seen the way you've been holding yourself back from having fun these days." He winked, walking off with a whistle in the direction of his study.

Loki didn't think it was obvious but of course his brother noticed his recent shift in behavior, more avoidance. But like all things in life, it would soon pass. It has to. And it will.

The root of his avoidance would graduate soon enough next month. He'll just have to exercise more patience and wait it out.

.    .    .

Friday nights are always the best to rewind and treat myself to fast food on the couch. It's fun to pretend that there's 3 days in the weekend.

Time to imagine the handsome actor in the Notebook as Mr Laufeyson.

"Sorry, can't join you tonight girl. I got a 2nd date with Taro!" Juliet whooped excitedly, pumping a fist towards the ceiling as she one-handedly strapped on her glittery heels with urgency.

I waved weakly at her bursting enthusiasm, smiling hard and happy for her. "Goodluck—"

The door slammed in my face, faint clip-clops of her heels muffled away into the buzzing night, and the disappointment of my ruined plans reflecting off the smooth rogue-wood. 

Welp and there goes movie-night with my bestie roommate… Now I've got the whole place to myself, wowie, nice. Time for some self-care.

Was what I thought before accidentally falling asleep in the middle of a firework love confession scene on the big screen, an empty bag of popcorn kernels laying at the foot of the couch I slouched on. As I finally snored myself awake, a series of insistent knuckle-punching came from the door, louder than the TV audio.

BANG. BANG. BANG.

That is so unlike the bubbly optimistic Juliet I know, she wouldn't be coming home until… I patted around me for my phone and checked the time. 

9:00 PM. 

Yep. It's far too early. 

Instantly I sat up straight, unblinking, eyeing the front door with a tight clutch on my phone. No way is Juliet even close to retiring from her date, ever. No one is supposed to be here and not at this time.

BANG. BANG.

Step by cautious step, I neared the door and tiptoed to peer out of the peephole at what–or–who was causing the commotion. My phone at the ready to call the cops.

BANG.

A mop of slick black hair blocked the majority of my sight: as if this person was leaning forwards, face-first, into the door like he was either trying to hide his identity or didn't know how doors work. Since usually people wouldn't be standing so absurdly close against a door with knowing the possibility of it hitting them.

Or this is a drunk idiot who wondered off from one of the other houses. An uncommon occurence but happens.

BANG— 

"Stop!" I shouted, my free hand taking hold of the doorknob firm and full of annoyance. Ready to give this possible-drunk a piece of my mind.

The person listened then a soft, almost feverent breathing came through the wood after hearing my voice. Are they drunk and sick? Not the first time seeing this terrible combo.

"Please take a step back!" I warned the person on the other side and swung the door wide open in a rush of concern. 

My unsuspecting self, dumbfoundedly, receiving the best shock of my life. It was a man. I knew.

"Well," glimmered a pair of deep green gem-like eyes once settling in my face. Upclose and too personal.  "Hello, my darling. It's been too long." 

That infamous silky voice that slithers into anyone's consciousness for days. Belonging to non other but my– I mean, that man.

My vocal cords decided to stop functioning without my consent. "H…" 

Almost all of my vocabulary disappeared from my brain the second I fully registered the familiar handsome face in my head. His petal-thin lips parted while my jaw hung as we both looked at each other in a mutual deadlock.

"M– Mr Laufeyson?" My tongue muscle memory took over. 

He nodded curtly in confirming his identity, still staring wide-eyed at me as if drinking me in like a new sight to behold. 

Wait he shouldn't be here. I wasn't hallucinating this hard, right.

There was no reasonable explanation as to why I could be hallucinating without a drop of alcohol in my system. Unless he stalked me, which is impossible to imagine the busy man ever doing, even pondering it, to me of all people. 

Hah. I wish.

But lo and behold it was him, genuinely in the flesh, smiling the most biggest white-teethed smile I've seen. 

"May I come in, please. Darling?" 

In where? In what? 

Trying to make sense of the current reality standing infront of me, hoping this wasn't a prank. 

"Why are you here… Sir." I intoned, politely, darting my eyes around him at the dark corners suspiciously. This wasn't some graduation prank right, I secretly hoped it wasn't.

"Why?" A, very nice sounding, humourous chuckle ripples from him before he continued.

"How could I not pay a visit to my most brilliant student? I would regret it for as long as I live." He said it extremely convincing as if it was normal to show up out of the blue at my house in the middle of the night. 

"Right. Um, please come in."

I beckoned him in with an instinctual welcoming smile, holding back the urge to tidy my no-doubt ratty appearence and adjust my clothes as he entered. 

Brushing his whole arm against mine, on accident I think, but he didn't seem to notice, too focused on removing his shining boots. 

Nervously, I closed the door behind him while deeply breathing in the faint passing of his leafy cologne. My mind long forgetting if I should've let him inside. 

I tersely said, ignoring the happy booming in my heart, and gestured to the gray couch. Hoping he wouldn't notice the tiniest shade of darker gray, the imprint of where I lazed earlier. 

"Please, sir, make yourself at home." 

"Oh, I planned to." Mr Laufeyson winked uncharacteristically, smoothly shrugging his coat off him and folding it over the armrest– where I laid my head earlier– casually. One of his hands had a purplish-dark marking across the skin, must've been from him knocking something. 

"Thank you, darling."  

"No problemo." That was not a cool response at all. Internally I cringed at myself while mentally noting to get him a bandage for his hand injury.

It took much willpower not to lose control of my eyeballs from running down the rare sight of him in only his white button-up while feeling his intense emerald gaze all over me. 

Juliet is not going to believe this.

Alright, I'm going to be a good host. And only that. He probably wants to ask about what career path I'm choosing or something, so hold back.

I cleared my throat, meeting with his eyes.

"Sir, would you like some tea or coffee?" And maybe stay longer.

"From you? Anything will do."

.   .   .

Crackles of laughter sitting together on the couch, his arm draped over the back of the cushion behind my head, silly banter over past lessons he taught, tiny tidbits of his favourite things and color (as I suspected was green) proven correct. We share more things in common than I had thought. 

Who knew I'd be the lucky one to be graced with getting personal with Mr Laufeyson. 

1:10 AM.

In a blink of an eye, time seemed to skip over and the hour hand crossed midnight. Even though I felt no ounce of drowsiness— it wouldn't be appropriate to let him get caught by my roommate. This wasn't exactly all that inappropriate too, we only talked. 

"Sir, it's getting very late. I'm sure you have another student to visit tomorrow or something," I tried to sound casual with mild contact, genuinely smiley, and not at all like I was pushing him to get the hint. 

His emerald eyes flashed understanding as he gave a relaxed smile, getting up from the couch slightly slow. "I'd hate to overstay my welcome and have you lose your beauty sleep." 

I chuckled and copied his action while he collected his coat, his slim fingers fiddling with the buttons almost mindlessly. It was a rare sight to see Mr Laufeyson act… Nervous? Maybe, that would be funny to imagine but he must be feeling discourteous for accidentally not watching the time slip by. 

I know I would.

"Oh and dear." 

My gaze instantly flicked up to his already on me. "Don't think for one second I could ever forget you," he closed the distance between our bodies and said my name so intimately. Leaning in, tilting his head, my heart a combustion of excitement, as his eyes shut and he left a peck on my cheek. 

The signals were green. He was giving all the right signals and I'd be a fool not to go for it. Just not right now. 

I muffled my own giggle, leading him to the door as I held it wide open for him. "Thanks for stopping by, Mr Laufeyson. It means a lot to me." More than he could ever know. If only he could stay longer but that would be a huge violation to my roommate's trust. Darn it.

"As it is for me." 

He softly smiled, taking his sweet time to walk down the small steps. Glancing back at me twice. 

He left without a hurry into the swallowing darkness where the streetlights lacked reach, and I continued staring out the peephole long after his ghostly tall figure lost itself in a concerning direction. Only alleyways and deadends there. 

But I shouldn't be too worried, he looked like he knows where to go.

Tik. Tok.

 Tik tok.

It felt like an eternity wishing for Monday to arrive quicker, my nerves aflamed for the entire weekend as I picked out cute outfits in advance. Surely he'd appreciate a different look from me, I couldn't wait to see his face again.

—RING.

.    .    .

Back to class. Here we go!

For once throughout my college days, I woke up an extra hour before my alarm and prepped an all natural make-up look. Taking special care to choose a flattering outfit and spritzing all over myself with my favourite scent until I knew I would be a walking cloud of sweetness. Hopefully something to be remembered by.

 Out the door I went after leaving some waffles for Juliet's breakfast. Way too early but it was worth it.

"—Right, let's continue where we left off before another bee decides to steal the thunder and my job. All at once." Mr Laufeyson placed away the long ruler responsible for last week's insect death, I noted that he was wearing the same coat from coming over last friday, as a round of chuckles and soft giggles in the mix, erupted at his words.

Mr Laufeyson was putting extra work into being humorous today of all days or his mood improved positively better... Possibly because of me. Because of last Friday night. Or I was getting too ahead of myself when he could've easily paid a visit to the others. Right, he's just being a good concerned teacher. As always...

Class went on like normally. And he didn't even glance at me.

. . . The hour had passed.

Hoping for the littlest of interaction after class, I sprinted the steps down to the front of the classroom. Ahead of anyone else. "Mr Laufeyson!" 

Once I stepped around the desk to properly stand before him, a perky excitement in my every movement to be upclose to him again. My expectations of mildly receiving a smile from him was shattered the second he angled his face towards me, his stiff folders collected under an arm.

"What."

 Mr Laufeyson said harshly, "—exactly do you want? My time is limited. My email is on the Google classroom, you can easily find it online to contact me. However If it's a matter you believe is urgent, see me in my office after school hours immediately."

Not expecting this... Kind of standoffish tone.

I deflated under the scrutiny of his sharp green eyes and downturned pink lips, hopes of my outfit and being noticed stomped by his quiet impatience and unusual agitation. Right, we were still in school. Why did I choose such bad timing to talk to him.

Too eager, I must've came across as desperate. Yikes.

"Okay, sir. Thanks," I gave a weak smile as he spun to leave swiftly. 

Probably not hearing me in the midst of everyone else's small chatter joining the outside noise as I adjusted the strap of my bag on my shoulder. Heart heavy but I survived.

His change in attitude was unexpected but not unwelcome. The iciness of it. A telltale sign that something or someone had bothered him. By the troubled ook of his deepened wrinkles, I guessed it must be recent— An hour or few ago, maybe— his stiff body language told me it's a personal matter.

Either I was deducing nonsense or being a kick of delusional away from acting on my deepest urge to confess my feelings.

How could I even help him?

.      .      .

[grigori77]

Critical Role, Campaign 3 Episode 75

Nord VPN again? So what ... oh gods no ... no, please don't sing, Sam. Please don't sing ... crap ... full-on Rodgers & Hammerstein ... we're in Hell ...

Laura: "Now I see why it took you so long for sound check."

No more announcements? Just straight into the game then ... big things are brewing then, clearly ...

First time in a little while we're jumping into COMPLETELY unknown waters ... so what now?

Wait, that was COLM?!!! Blimey, Sam ...

Ah yes, the Ashton Greymoore origin story ... how many superheroes are we gonna have on the party by the end, then?

Chetney's velvet jogging suit keeps him warm ... XD

No, no more jumping ...

"Flying is the best climbing" ... LOL

A tight warm crack ... I'm so glad Sam didn't pick up on the potential innuendo this time ...

Ashley rolls a Crit Fail ... of course she does ... Fearne: "I have no traction with my hooves!"

Low ceiling = much inconvenience ... so FCG turns himself into a lowrider ...

Oof ... this place is totally giving me flashbacks to The Descent ...

Slickshimmer oil? Oh yeah ... might come in handy ... and now Chetney's just making it weird ...

Oh yeah, she can just Wildshape ..

A lil snowbat ... awwwww ... yeah, she will be completely blind, but at least she can eccolocate ...

Oh, here we go then ...

Shit, it's a full blown drop further down ... but tight ... oh boy, this isgonna be problematic ... fuck, that's just it? Crap ...

IT JUST STOPS. So what now?

Bat sonar it, Fearne! Oh, it's just a blockage? Hmmmm ... so what do we do about it, then?

Orym tries to pry through ... pop! Oh crap ... here we go ... A CHARRED SKULL?!!! WTF? Laura (angrily): "Matthew!"

Claustrophobic Fearne forgetting she's currently a bat ...

Sam's fake teeth are still there ... Matt: "I hate it so much ... don't put it BACK!"

Crap ... whenever everybody has to keep doing individual checks it's such a worrying thing ...

The coins are melted onto the rock? That can't be good ... please tell me this isn't a fucking lava tube ...

DISASSEMBLE Letters? Really? Chetney is WAY too enthusiastic about that idea ...

Chetney: "Consent I all I need. I got a whole bag of tools." O.O

FCG ALMOST gets stuck ...

Great, now Imogen IS stuck by her ankle ... crap ... Matt: "This is my nightmare. That I'm inflicting on all of you." Damn it ... Marisha confirms this is most definitely a thing ...

Fuck this is getting worse all the time ... this really IS turning into The Descent ...

She takes her boots off and is FREE ... okay ... and now she's stuck on FCG ...

Good roll + bad roll = logjam ... of course it does ...

And now Letters is clanging down the passage like a ball bearing ... crap ... and he crashes right into Orym ... fuck ... now they're both FALLING ... crash! Ouch ... Orym (winded): "Take ... your foot ... out of my gooch ..."

Imogen drops hoping one or both will catch her ... phew! That was almost bad, but ultimately okay ...

Bones. A fuckload of bones ... charred and melted bones and other stuff ... and it's HOTTER in here ... crap ...

Flashes of intense heat ... please tell me there isn't a fucking DRAGON in here ...

Odd, unpredictable low vibration in the rock ... not a good sign, I'm sure ...

Black volcanic rock, and it's newer ... crap ... fresh lava flow, clearly ... DEFINITELY not a good sign ...

FCG casts Detect Magic ... ooh, magic ring ... cool ...

DO NOT go digging through the suspicious volcanic floor ...

Oh, they're doing this after all ... maybe let the others KNOW what you're doing first, guys?

Laudna is UNIMPRESSED with this plan. As she should be ...

Stoneshape ... gods this is DUMB ...

Just LIGHT? Please just be light ... and now it's hotter ... okay, so what's down there? DO NOT just fly down through there! Are you an idiot?

Literally the floor is lava ... yeah, I saw that coming ... XD

NOT a whole lake of lava ... oh, so there are CREATURES here ... imps? SERIOUSLY?!!!

Another communication about further plans ... Laudna: "Are you absolutely insane?!!"

A rock water slide to JUMP the lava? Are you SERIOUSLY considering this plan?

Ashton goes first and RAGES as he goes to try and widen the passage ... oh boy ... a Nat20? Really? Because he's an Earth Genasi AND a Titan this actually WORKS ...

Laudna is dislocating herself to fit through and then FORGETS to pop the joints back into place ... ye gods ...

Fearne is going to fly down and try to COMMUNICATE with the impish things ... right ...

This is a BUST ... yup ...

A whole load of chaos as they try to formulate a plan ... oh boy ...

Okay, here we go ... Ashton cracks the floor and NAT FAILS so the WHOLE THING just gives out ... crap ...

That was almost VERY hairy ...

No way out? Crap ... Travis: "We came down here for NO REASON."

Fearne tries to speak to them ... they're less freaked than just curious ... wow, they ARE cute, aren't they? :3

Oh wow, they're being BORN out of the lava blow ... wait, that one just DIED?!!! Already? Whoa ...

Who's the Elder? Oh, the one that just died ... of course ... another one: "I'M the new Elder!"

Oh, they KNOW about the Shard? Okay ...

Wait ... the Shard is IN the lava itself ... so what happens if they TAKE it?

They have no concept of time ... of course they don't ...

Elder: "Others have come and angered the Spark." Okay then ...

Ashton's going to try and touch the lava? Really?

This whole thing is like NINE FUCKING LEVELS OF SUPREMELY STUPID ...

Cue chants of "Rock! Rock! Rock!" Like in Galaxy Quest ... XD

Ray of Frost? Okay ... please don't trigger the explosion ...

Fuck, Ashton's going straight in ... wait, what ring? He needs to atune first ... aaaaagh ...

So he's flying over towards the bubble, then ... it's CALMING DOWN? Is this a good sign or really bad? And he's Raging now ... fuck, he's IN THE LAVA now? Oof ... ouch, this is gonna be SO NASTY ... an Investigation Check? RIGHT NOW?!!! 22? Wow ...

He HAS THE SHARD!!! Get the fuck out of there, man! 12 ... crap ... no joy? Imogen tries to communicate with him and just picks up a lot of cursing ...

Ashley: "This is so dumb ... I'm gonna jump in." O.O

FUUUUUUUUUCK!!!

I mean if ANYBODY could actually DO THIS ...

Telekinesis? Really? And Matt will actually allow it ... oh, nice roll ... Holy fuck this is actually working?

Go go go ... be strong, Ashton ... Nat20 for 28 total? Oh shit ... IT'S WORKING!!! IT'S ACTUALLY FUCKING WORKING!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!! Lava shower! Crap!

Ashton is FUCKING GLOWING ORANGE right now! Holy shit ...

Oh man, the imps are all dying? NOOOOOOO!!!

That was horrible but also totally worked ...

Ashton is really hot. LITERALLY.

Holy shit ... this gas actually HEALED Ashton's original cracked damage somewhat? Seriously? Oh, and he's just full on shirtcocking it right now ...

Wait, yes ... give it to Fearne! Give it to her! Let HER be the Empress!

He tries HOLDING IT to the crystal in his head and thinking through it ...

AND ALL THE TIME HE'S STILL TAKING FIRE DAMAGE!!!

Do not SMASH IT Ashton! Are you NUTS?!!!

Imogen holds it in the air so it won't keep burning him ... oh, that is beautiful and powerful ... like the fish in the meme ... XD

Laudna wonders if they might actually be in the belly of a Titan ...

Imogen TOSSES Chetney the Shard to make him do Grim Psychometry on it ... ouch! XD

Oh this is just INTENSE ...

Ashton is going to press it to his chest WHILE HE RAGES?!!! Oh shit ... and another 9 points of damage ...

Ashton: "I don't think it's FOR ME. I mean it's for me ..."

Yes. Seriously. Give it to Fearne.

Marisha fretting about rolling for Arcana because she's been rolling SHIT all game ... oh! Nice! Marisha: "I need Travis talking shit to me all the time!" Good roll!

A Funnel? OH SHIT!!! The Harness! They gotta go to Joe!

A flash of light? What the hell?

Ruby Vanguard? Crap ... and Reilora? Double crap ... oh fuck ... IS THAT FUCKING LUDINUS?!!!

Laura: "Telekinesis! I'm gonna throw the lava they're above AT THEM!!!"

Matt: "And we're gonna come back to that zfter a break." AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!

Crap crap crap crap crap ... how bad is this gonna be?

Aaaaaah! Battlemap! Cue Wizzkids plug!

Holy shit ... nice terrain ...

Nice reminder from Liam that Ashton is currently doing this half naked ... and not the polite half, either ... and what about Fearne?

Shit this is REALLY bad ...

Ludinus succeeds his Dex roll? Of course he does ... but ONE of them fails ... okay, then ...

ROLL INITIATIVE!!!

Ashton up first ... SUPERHERO IT, BOY!!! He Rages ... he's getting heavy? Oh, Gravity effects ... here we go ... he's shielding FCG? Even though he's low on hit points right now? Ballsy ... he grabs the Shard and tucks it behind him ... so he takes MORE damage next round? Bloody hell ...

Imogen tries to grab the skinny Reiloran with Telekinesis snd he fails to save ... yanks him into the lava! Matt tells her to roll EIGHT D10!!! Fucking hell ... 50 POINTS OF DAMAGE!!! Fucking hell indeed! Then she Quickens another spell for bonus action, Mindwhips the big Reiloran ... it saves so only takes HALF damage ... 7 points? Oof ... not too impressive, then ... mostly just made it angry, then ...

Orym is up! Gets close as he can so he can CUT THE AIR with Seedling to hit the submerged Reiloran ... and that is IT for it ALREADY!!! Wow ... second strike to the soldier with a vine, succeeds and drags HIM in too ... Holy shit, that's a FUCKLOAD of damage ... and HE'S DEAD TOO?!!! Holy fuck, wee man!

Ludinus came to offer an OLIVE BRANCH? Really? Oh crap, he just recognised the staff ... what's THIS mean? What's he doing?

Fearne is now DANGLING OVER THE LAVA!!! Shit ...

Reiloran JUGGERNAUT?!!! I'm sorry? Oh lawd he comin! Orym has to make a strength save? Crap ... and it's a fail ... and he's just DRAGGED into melee with it ...

Chetney grabs the Shard, slips it into the Bag of Holding, then goes invisible! Okay ... now he just BOLTS for Imogen ...

All FCG can do is hit Ashton with a 3rd Level Cure Wounds ... 17 Points back ... it'll do ... then he gives Fearne a Bonded Blessing ...

Fearne's turn ... what CAN she do? Just spells, but attack rolls are at a disadvantage ... crap ... Wall of Stone? She wants to completely encase Ludinus ... oh yes, that sounds sweet ... yes! Do that! Do that! Holy shit, and it actually WORKS too ... but she's still stuck ...

Laudna's turn ... she Quickens a spell for Mirror Image, then Blights the Reiloran. And he FAILS ... okay then, that's 8 D8 of Necrotic damage! Here we go ... 32! Sweet!

The last one just holds his action? Hmmm ...

Ashton burns a Chaos Burst and ALMOST knocks the Reiloran into the lava ... second same ... hmmm ...

Imogen chucks a bunch of lightning at all of them ... oh shit, boom indeed! Now none of them can SEE!!! Okay ... that doesn't ACTUALLY change anything for Fearne, though ... then she casts Blade Ward on herself ...

Orym steps under Ashton's legs and detects Chetney close by from smell alone ... XD ... attacks the Reiloran and hits him with THREE Pushing attacks ... he fails so he is now IN THE LAVA!!! 33 points of damage! Nice ... and now he JUMPS on the Reiloran's head, slashes away down on him ... Action Surge? Okay ... bang bang bang ... but Matt keeps rolling SO WELL ... one more try ... HE GETS THE HDYWTDT!!! YES!!! He kills the fuck out of him and jumps back off again! Now he's just SOLIDIFIED in the lava ... Orym you absolute WILD MAN!!!

Ludinus casts Dimension Door to bamf out of the wall ... crap ... he raises her EVEN HIGHER ... She can't break free ...

Fuck, is he gonna JUMP AWAY with her?

Chetney clicks his Boots of Speed, gets close enough to Ludinus to ... do something he CAN'T do because it's ALSO a bonus action? Crap ... so he DOESN'T do that but just holds his action instead ... crap ...

FCG pulls Spiritual Weapon on Ludinus ... since it's a hostage situation, he makes it a hsnd holding a pepperbox pistol right to his temple ... JUST hits him ... nice damage, but doesn't do anything major ... then shoits a Sacred Fame at him too ... which he fails to save against ... ouch! Nice ... he's looking rough but still strong, apparently ...

Fearne casts Wall of Fire on Ludinus? Wow ... can he Counterspell? Nat20? Crap ... that didn't work, then ... Ashley tries to work out what else to do ... and just tries to negotiate instead? Hmmmm ... roll good, Fearne, be charming ... 18?

Laudna unleashes her Hound of Ill Omen upon Ludinus! Okay ... Phantasmal Force? Oooooh ... and he has DISADVANTAGE?!!! But he still succeeds ... crap ... but it's now the pooch's turn! Attack hits! 10 damage and heneeds to roll a strength check ... FAIL!!! He is now PRONE!!! Nice ... but he STILL maintains concentration ...

The last guy attacks the Hound ... and KILLS IT!!! What? Seriously?

Ashton gets as close as he can and tries a Wormhole Strike on Ludinus! Fuck ... and it HITS!!! Nice! 20 damage! Second misses, though ... crap ...

Imogen casts Lightning Bolt on BOTH of them ... defender fails, but Ludinus STILL makes his save? Shit ... that's a lot of dice though ... 42 points on the defender ... and he goes DOWN in a smoking heap ... AND LUDINUS' CONCENTRATION IS BROKEN!!! Fearne is FREE!!!

Orym runs in and chucks 2 daggers at Ludinus, misses with BOTH because he's prone ... nuts ... nothing else he can do ...

Ludinus gets up, steps past Fearne so she has an attack of opportunity ... he starts brewing a Sphere, Laudna Counterspells ... but it's a LEVEL NINE?!!! Holy fuck ... did she just CRIT?!!! SERIOUSLY?!!! Oh my gods she fucking DID IT!!! Nice! So he tries to Counterspell HER? And he FAILS?!!! OH MY FUCKING GODS!!! Amazing ... suddenly the dice gods are with us! So hejyst keeps walking ... INTO THE LAVA? AND JUST DISINTEGRATES?!!! Bloody hell ... he was a FAKE!!! Bugger ...

Fearne TRIES to grab the stone he wore ... it's cracked ... nuts, only MAYBE a clue now ...

Smart thinking, might be a good idea to run ... but first LOOT THE BODY that DIDN'T burn ...

Fancy robes ... NOT damaged by the lava? Handy ...

Time to Teleport out, then ... but where to?

Oh, Whitestone? Yes. Go there. Definitely.

Here we go, then ... aiming for the Sun Tree ... they jump ... and Matt calls it there BEFORE they roll ... oof ...

At least they killed his villain speech before he could deliver it ... but yeah, that was one HAIRY fight ...

[greypetrel]

Oh oh oh PROMPTS?? Cullen/Aisling + is this a date? 👀

Eheheh. EHEHEHEHEHEH.

You hit something I already planned, thank you. uwu DadWolf AU and that’s it, and... It's long, sorry about it.

(a premise: it’s kind of canon-divergent, in a modern setting, but I took Corypheshit out of the games because my fic my rules. Inquisition is a secret organization, trying to fight Venatori.)

Tis the prompt list (ask something else if you want!)

Ride ‘round Picking Up Clues (🎶)

is this a date?

The moment Aisling stepped in the car, she instantly realized she made a mistake. One of those you can’t salvage, you just have to turn everything off and start your experiment again, from the start. She’s in one of them, but she also can’t admit the failure without uncovering herself and throwing in the gutter the whole research.

So, she just sat there, hands clutching close her trench -luckily at least she wore the long one, frozen on the passenger seat in Cullen’s car – an old, probably second or third hand station wagon that was still going out of good will and good hopes. The radio still had tapes, she noticed absent-mindedly, trying desperately to grasp at something, anything, to find an excuse to get out of the car without making him suspect anything. But there was nothing. Just Cullen, very casually dressed with a pair of jeans and a plaid shirt she was sure she saw him wearing in high school over a white shirt. Looking at her with a question on his face.

“Is everything all right?” He asked, worried.

“Uh… Yes. Yes, sure, But…” She was sure that if the student board could see and hear her now, they would have retired all her degrees and kicked her out of the university. And she would have agreed with them. “…Ehm, I think I forgot something at home, yes. It’s… I forgot tissues and-”

“Oh, that’s fine. Here.”

Cullen, damned, always ready Cullen, snaked an arm in front of her, opening the compartment -a very messy compartment you can only find in a car that has seen too many miles- and fishing out a new, perfectly fine pack of tissues he was ready to offer her.

“There, take it.”

“N-No, thank you but-” Think, Aisling, think. You’re paid to think on much more complex problems than this. Problems that need math formulas to be solved. “… I can’t, it’s too much bother, I… I’ll be right back, it’ll only take five minutes.”

Cullen groaned, rolling his eyes up as he let the pack fall in her lap and got back to his seat.

“I won’t die because I gave you one pack of tissues, Lavellan. If you don’t want to come with me that’s fine, just tell me.”

She glomped. She did want to spend more time with him, that was the alpha and the omega of her current predicament, but…

In the choice to admit that she tragically misread the situation and just go with the flow and hope he will fail to notice everything, she decided to try her luck.

“N-No, ok… Let’s go.”

“Ok. Seatbelt on, please.”

And as she shifted on the seat and moved to pull the damned seatbelt with just one hand -the other had to keep the coat closed-, earning another look full of doubts that lasted blissfully just a moment, he started the engine and off they went.

Off they went, to something that really wasn’t a date, and really wouldn’t have required the two hours she took to dress up and choose what to wear and pester Sera and Dorian for advices. Surely it wouldn’t have required high heels, which she cursed silently as what must be the slowest cashier in the whole Ferelden checked the snacks she chose with the quickness of a sloth under a sleeping spell.

She shifted from a foot to the other, batting her fingers on the counter, as her eyes scanned back and forth the little shop, looking for something to wear that really wasn’t what she was right now. But of course, Cullen had chosen the smallest shop around, one which sold strictly food and beverages, and a small selection of newspapers and magazines. Thankfully, he hadn’t made many questions or protested when she insisted in going in on her own.

“Going somewhere fancy, ain’t ya, lass?” The old woman at the cash asked her, not impressed.

“What?”

“That’s a deep neckline if I ever saw one.” She nodded towards her chest.

Aisling grumbled, closing the trench again. “No. Actually, I’m not. Don’t you have… Shirts? Anything to wear?”

“Just the trashcan bags, darling, aisle 4.”

Well, that would surely have been more noticeable. How didn’t Cullen notice that she was wearing heels was beyond her.

“D’you want the bags, lass?” The old woman asked.

“… No, thank you. I’ll be fine.”

“As you wish. Don’t need to justify yourself with me tho, yeah? That’ll be 23, darling.”

“Let’s make it 25. I don’t?” Aisling asked, not sure about that, handling her 25 and fishing a crossword magazine from an exposer, launching it on the counter.

“You don’t, lass, worry not. We’ve all been young, once. Say hi to Varric for me, will ya?”

Aisling hated this town. Hated being back there where everyone knew her and who her parents were, and talked. It had been wonderful in Minrathous: freedom, lots of opportunities, people not looking at you in the face. She went barefoot for two years with none the wiser, around town. She slipped everything in a tote bag, grabbed the box of donuts from below, and assured the lady -she didn’t know her name- she would have said hello and bidding her good night.

“Mind protections, will ya!”

The granny shouted at her back, as she opened the door. The bell on top wasn’t enough to cover it. She stopped in front of the door, stopping as she felt her cellphone vibrate in her pocket. A good excuse to get back in a calmer attitude, but for now…

Dorian. [ Sooo… Did his jaw already fell, you slut? 😏 How’s it going?? ]

Aisling. [ Get your head out of the gutter. It’s not a date. ]

Dorian. [ What? Friday evening, just the two of you, explicitly told you you would have been alone, the winky face… How’s it not a date? You’re misreading it. ]

Aisling. [ I’m not. He’s wearing the same old shirt from high school and I just bought donuts and energy drinks and crosswords, and it’s Inquisition shit. Not a date. 🙈 ]

Dorian. [ Well, shit. Want me to call you and fake an emergency? ]

Aisling. [ Nah, thanks. I’ll manage. Somehow. ]

Dorian. [ Offer stands if you need. Write “Planck constant” and I’ll be on my way. ]

Aisling. [ Love you too 💚 ]

She slipped her cellphone back in the pocket and walked back to his car, sighing loudly, buttoning the trench for good. Thankfully she had worn a long coat. A small mercy to save her from the total embarrassment of, apparently, having showed up to what was a stakeout in a mini dress with yes, a deep neckline showing off too much skin -not that there was much else than skin- and high heeled pumps, made up and with hair softly curled.

But ok, if she had so tragically misread the situation, and indeed all they had recovered in the last year was friendship, she would take it. She just had to survive the night and convince him that she was cold and wouldn’t take the coat off because of that.

She schooled herself, took a deep breath and opened the car door, slipping right back in.

“Larder stocked, Captain, the raid was successful and the loot plentiful. Ready to sail!”

She chirped in a mock salute, handling him the box as she turned to slip the bag between the front seats on the back one, minding not to shake it too much. Cullen hummed in affirmation, opening the lid to examine the content.

“… You bought donuts? Seriously?”

“Of course. You still like them, do you?”

“I do, but… donuts? On a stakeout?”

“Of course, it’s a classic! It’s not a stakeout without donuts, I care for your career in this Inquisition thing you see!”

She pouted straightening her back and fixing her coat, before slipping the seatbelt on again. Cullen chuckled, shaking his head and turning to leave the box on the backseat. He stopped to look at her with a frown. Not that she noticed.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Come on, Cullen, I know that face. Spit it out.” She prodded.

“I… Ah, it’s – well. It’s stupid, don’t mind it.”

He shook his head and turned back, turning the key and starting the car - took three attempts. She hummed, crossing her arms on her chest and not continuing the topic as he drove out of the parking lot and back into the streets. It was evening and there were few people around, just the streetlights stopping their track.

“I know it sounds stupid but-“ He kept on, huffing through his nose.

“Come on. I got donuts on a stakeout. And crosswords. Can’t be stupider.”

He smiled, just turning his eyes at her for a moment, concentrated on the road. “I… Did you do something?”

“I do a lot of things, be more specific?”

“You... Maker it must sound so stupid, but: you kind of looked taller.”

A pause. A pause that was full of fresh fear for Aisling, that Cullen of course misinterpreted.

“I- I don’t mean to imply that- Ah, I’m not saying you’re – Maker’s Breath.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. Loud, pulling her head behind her. Time has passed, but he still fumbled in the same, exact way. And turning to look at him, still blushed in embarrassment as well.

“I-I’m sorry but… Cul, I am short. It’s  not a secret anymore and I’m not 15 and self conscious since a while.”

“Well, I feel like I am, right now.”

He grumbled, and she laughed again at that.

Maybe the evening wasn’t so terrible.

Stakeouts, it turned out, were extremely boring. No wonder he had asked her to come with him and told her to buy food and drink.

In the end, they ate the donuts, all of them, and were digging through one bag of crisps, sipping their drinks. Cullen looked at the house that one of Leliana’s contacts suspected housed some Venatori agent, and Aisling had the crosswords on her thighs, slowly filling one after the other and asking clues aloud. The topic of her supposed enhanced height hadn’t come back - she slipped out of her shoes right after and kicked them under the seat, out of Cullen’s view. It was terribly warm inside the car, the late April evening milder than expected. Cullen slipped out of his flannel, but Aisling kept on refusing to take off her coat. She tied her hair back, tho, and tried her best to ignore she was sweating.

“13 across: the biggest one is in Nevarra.”

“Necropolis.”

“Yup, then Florian is wrong.”

“What was the question for Florian?”

“Mad Emperor of Orlais.”

He turned to look at her, lowering the binocular with his nose scrunched.

“What?”

“I forgot how much of a sucker you were at history.”

“Hey!”

“It’s Reville, I told you he was Florian’s father.”

“Yes, and you went on and I got confused.”

“You have a fucking PhD in Physics and Applied Magic, I’d guess you could follow some historical anectodes.”

“I do, and I’m not mocking you because you wouldn’t follow me if I explained you Sabine’s reverberation equation.”

“An anecdote is ten time easier!”

“It is if you’re interested!”

They bickered for some times still, laughing all the while. Falling back into old rhythm and habits had been easier than they both would have thought, all in all. With some due changes, of course, but after a first period of careful approaching, it was as if they never left. Most of the time, at least. Right now, time passed easily, Aisling rolled the window down a little and yawned, passing the crosswords on as she lowered the back of her seat and mindlessly, drowsy after hours sitting there doing nothing, raised her legs to prop her feet on the dashboard. Not thinking, sleepy and relaxed, that doing so her trench slipped up on her thighs and revealed that there was, indeed, too much skin for propriety, the chiffon of her dress slipping up even quicker.

“Ash.”

“Mh?”

“Aren’t you- Ah. I mean.” He cleared his throat, somewhat nervously. “You forgot your trousers?”

All drowsiness left her suddenly and abruptly, she opened both eyes, slipped her feet down and dragged the coat back down, embarrassed, poignantly turning her head towards the window.

“Yes.”

She replied, hastily, desperately hoping she was feeling hot because of the damn coat, not because she was blushing to her ears.

“Ash.”

“What was the last definition you asked? I don’t think I heard it.”

“Ash, please, just-”

“Because we miss so little and it would be a pity just to leave that puzzle halfway completed, right.”

“Ash. Stop changing the subject. Please.”

He sighed. She didn’t answer, collecting words and carefully placing them in a way that would have been best, hopefully, to save her pride and not put him ill at ease. He was working, after all, even if the night was as quiet as it could be expected from a residential lane such as they were in, little rowhouses one after the other slowly switching their lights off as the hour grew late.

“… I misread the situation and it was totally my fault, don’t worry about it. It’s nothing at all. It’s ok, I don’t mind. Just… I’ll keep my coat on.”

“What did you misread this situation for? A stakeout outside a possible Venatori agent’s house, you can’t get out of the car or let anyone see you?” His voice started to rise, but he realized soon afterward and huffed. “I’m sorry. I’m not angry, it’s just… I don’t understand what you misread this for.”

“… You sounded ironic speaking of the stakeout, you see…”

“Ironic?”

“You put a face with a semi-column.”

“It was a smile?!”

“No, it’s a wink, Cullen. You sounded joking and I… Can we change the topic, please?”

She seriously considered getting out of the car and just… Run for it. Leave the shoes, leave everything, that side of the road opened to a park, she could jump over the fence and ran away without any inhabitant noticing much, hopefully. Or at least, not noticing exactly the revealing details of the tattoo on her left thigh, which could have given her away as her, not as a random blonde elf running away and being weird. She realized it was stupid: as much as she really wanted to dig a hole and bury herself in it, she knew she was stuck inside. And as many experiences they had together, she and Cullen, this was, peculiarly, a first.

A first she really didn’t want to experience, and yet, he didn’t let it go.

 “I- Just- Just tell me what you thought this would have been.” She heard him swallow. “I… I promise I won’t judge you or blame you or whatever. I was awful to you in Kirkwall, I owe you some free embarrassment time.”

The fact that his voice was equally embarrassed as she felt helped. The admission that they actually met in Kirkwall helped. When they met again, both back in Redcliffe, he was particularly stubborn in pretending that Kirkwall never happened. She took her time to find words, heart thrumming loudly in her ears, fingers playing nervously with the hem of the coat, nails scratching the stitches absent-mindedly, just to have something to do.

“Cullen, is this a date?”

She took a deep breath and asked, quickly and all in one breath. The air froze in the cabin, both catching their breath as the word was out, and the situation, finally, clear. Aisling groaned loudly, after a minute, covering her face with both hands.

“I’m sorry.” She groaned, behind her hands. “It was stupid and I… I didn’t know what I was thinking. I’m sorry, please, forget everything.”

“You’re…” Clear of throat. “Why didn’t you ask?”

“I was embarrassed.” She clarified, as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. “I… I didn’t want you to think that… I don’t even know. But then Sera and Dorian convinced me that it was and… And I shouldn’t have listened to them.”

“Sera and- Sweet and loving Andraste.”

More silence, heavy and tense as it has never been between them. Or well, as it has been. In Kirkwall. Him overly stressed and under lyrium. She hostile and not willing to listen or look better and just treating him as the Knight Captain.

“We can pretend nothing happened. Again, it was all on me and… I’m not- I mean. I don’t-”

“No, that’s… Leave me a little to sort thoughts out, please.”

And so they did. Suddenly focusing more on work. Something that Aisling had no part in, but could help him with: it wasn’t difficult, after all, to check for movement beside the windows. A distraction as any other, even if the atmosphere remained awkward and tense. They almost managed to get back to an easy line of discourse, when Aisling slipped her hand in the crisps bag, stuck between the handbrake and the gear shift, a second before Cullen did the very same, while looking out of the window. Their hands met, knuckles brushing against each other, and even if it wasn’t remotely the first time they held hands platonically, it felt charged and awkward, in that particular moment, the word “Date” hanging heavily over both their heads.

They exchanged one look, and were quick to slip their hands out of the bag and look away, in various stages of embarrassment and with various apologies one to the other. More awkward silence followed.

“It’s just like being back at 16, right?” Aisling laughed, nervously.

“No. It’s just like I’m back at 16, you are still 30.” Cullen rebuked, grumpily.

“What? Why-” Aisling started, looking at him and noticing that his very ears were pink, by now, as he purposefully looked outside the window and not at her. “… Were you…?” She asked, surprised.

“You really never noticed?”

“… I didn’t. How could I?”

“Everyone noticed I had a crush on you, Ash. Dorian, Hawke… All of the Hawkes, our classmates, my siblings, my parents… Your parents. I thought… You were just pretending because you never had any interest.”

“… I never noticed.” She told him, and she was sincere. She had noticed that he had started to spend more time with her than with Dorian, or even all three together, but... “…Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Why did you tell me you forgot tissues and not that you needed a change of clothes because you thought this was a date and I clearly didn’t?”

“Point taken.”

 A pause. A pause that was so awkward that Aisling started to laugh, hysterically, folding forward with her face buried between her hands as Cullen tried to stop her, telling her there was nothing to laugh about. He poked her in the ribs, she batted his hands away and tried to do the same, and in no time, they were battling each other’s hands, both laughing.

“Ok. Ok, listen. It doesn’t have to be awkward.” Aisling resumed, tersing some tears away from her eyes – and staining her fingers black with the kohl she had applied before leaving. “Let’s finish this job, bring me home, ignore my stupid heels when I walk out, and we’ll start back tomorrow as if nothing happened, ok?”

“I knew you looked tall…”

He got a playful swat on his arm for that, that made him laugh a little more.

“Is that what you want? Acting like nothing happened?” He asked, delicately.

“Actually, in this moment I’d like to dig a hole in the ground and bury myself inside it. But the shop had no spades, I asked.”

“You’re so dramatic some times.”

“You know whom I grew up with, what did you expect.”

Cullen wasn’t sure. But every word died in his throat. He wanted to tell her that he had, in fact, thought about asking her out properly in the last weeks too, but never did because whatever friendship they recovered felt fragile and precious, and he didn’t want to ruin it a second time. He wanted to tell her that he wanted to go on a date with both of them aware that is was one. And that he did want to see what was under that coat. But again, it felt too soon, Aisling wasn’t in the mood, and he didn’t know what to say that wasn’t an apology and an admission of fault his therapist would have just talked him so he could see it wasn’t the best course of action.

So, instead, he let the topic die and, when it was clear nobody was coming in or out of the house, all lights switched off, he turned the car on again and they drove back to her building, the town even more desert than when they left. Not surprising, seen how late the hour was. None of them really talked about much of anything, recharging batteries after a rocky conversation too close to home for both of them. He stopped under her door and slipped out of the car as she did -retrieving a pair of high heels from under the seat and stubbornly refusing to put them on again to walk back in.

Bidding each other goodbye was a new peak of awkwardness. A hug felt too intimate and close, kisses on the cheeks were even worse… In the end, Aisling put out her hand, clearing her throat. They did shake hands, as a proper salute that didn’t add to the current embarrassed situation, smiling at each other.

“Ash.” He called, when she was mid-way to the door. He had to ask, at this point.

“Yes?” She turned, keeping walking backward, head tilted sideway.

“Can I see the dress?”

“… You really want to?” She groaned, grimacing.

“At this point…” He laughed, shrugging and leaning over the side of the car.

“Well… Ok. But you’re not allowed to laugh at it, ok?”

“On my honour.” He signed a cross over his heart, as a reply.

She nodded and took a deep breath, unbuttoning her trench and revealing what was underneath. A single chiffon dress, crossed on the bust while leaving a good portion of skin out, loose skirt swinging softly as she walked back, reaching the mid of her thighs, the bare hint of a tattoo peeking down on the left.

“Whoop!” She let out, almost tripping on the stairs to the entrance and cursing under her breath as she did.

He had to bite his lower lip to stop from laughing, still blushing fiercely and covering his mouth with a hand, shaking his head vigorously as she made sure he wasn’t, in fact, laughing at her. A last good night, and she was inside, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

He honestly didn’t know dating was on the plate for her, and felt extremely stupid for not realizing the signals. But one thing he was sure of: He wasn’t ok in doing as if nothing happened. Oh no.

He jumped back in the car, feeling for once like maybe leaving a stable position in Kirkwall, his title and job to become a security guard for a college, back living with his family and part time collaborating with Seeker Pentaghast on her secret plans, wasn’t that much of a setback as he thought it was.

Surely, there had been good things. And another one that just happened that evening. And he wasn’t going to let that go and pretend it never happened.

---

Two weeks later, Aisling stepped down the stairs of her building, dressed comfortably in leggings, an oversized shirt that she stole from Dorian, and a hoodie. Cellphone, wallet and house keys in a tote bag with an assortment of activities to fill the evening with. Because pretending she never totally embarrassed herself worked so well that Cullen invited her again for another stakeout, semi-column and parenthesis in a smiley face that by now she could read as just an innocent smile.

She hadn’t bothered to put up much of anything, and she even kept her glasses on, this time, dress to sit comfortably in his old car.

And yet, when she stepped out of the door, she froze on the spot, looking up.

“… Are you fucking kidding me?”

Because there he was, Cullen, leaning over the side of his car, in a jacket, shirt and even a tie, hair well combed behind his head, well-shaved, and with flowers. Tiger lilies, forget-me-nots and elfroot, her favourites.

They exchanged a look, assessed the situation, assessed that the tables had definitely switched.

“Is this a date…?” She asked.

“… I got you flowers, so…?”

“… and I got more crosswords.”

She started to laugh, uncontrollably, from the pure absurdity of the situation. He joined her right away, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

“Can I go up and get changed?” She asked, in the end.

“I… Booked a restaurant. We don’t have much time, actually. I can unbook it and… I don’t know, we’ll figure something out?”

She shook her head, stepping down the entrance stairs.

“No. No that’s fine it’s just… It’s only fair. I’m sorry if… Well.”

“I should have made it clearer.”

“No it’s ok… We’re awful at this.” She laughed again, accepting the flowers he offered her and smelling them.

“We are.”

“Well then… Let’s go embarrass myself in a restaurant, shall we?” She proposed, awkwardly, peeking up from the flowers with a smile.

“Are you sure about that?” If you want to get changed.

“No. No I’m sure. Let’s go.”

“Let’s go.”

[storyteller-wolf]

Story #1 Chapter #1

Party Crashers

Part 5

A/N: Hope you enjoy this Next bit

Donnie swung his bow staff precisely, turning off the machines, left and right. At the same time, shouting deactivation directions to Leo, Ebs, Ella, Raph and Splinter. Looking at his sensors to check where the next group was going to come.

Raph shouted, “This swarm seems to be getting bigger!”

Leo responded, “Stick to the plan for now,” hit one of the fail safes, “Please keep us updated.”

Donnie didn’t say this, for fear of hurting morale, but it almost seemed as if they were trying to be overwhelming. He knew that they were here for Care, but why so many?

Ebs and Ella were back to back in the middle of the room, Ebs kicking robots left and right, leaving behind machines stuck to the walls and floor, while Ella threw blue fireballs that froze everything that they touched. Leo moved around the room, and deactivated the machines, prepared for first aid, but very glad that no one seemed hurt yet. Out of the corner of his eye, Leo spotted something, and ducked just as a robot launched past him to land on one of Raph’s shell spikes and chomped at the air. He turned to look at Ebs, who shrugged and kept fighting. Stifling a chuckle, Leo filled that under things to deal with later.

Mickey was doing everything he could to help keep Care and the O’Neils safe. Whacked one or two robots, side swiped a few more, but always did his best to have them at his back. Then he felt movement coming from behind him. At first he thought it was April getting one of her many bats ready to help. He turned his head to double check that she was alright and got a huge surprise.

[allthingsdarkanddirty]

BRAND NEW PWF MEETS COZY MYSTERY RELEASE! Love a witchy paranormal cozy mystery or a powerful midlife PWF heroine?  Check out Secret Witches by Toni Lyn, now live and #free to read with #kindleunlimited!

Universal: https://geni.us/SecretWitches

BLURB:

Cate, Heather, and Rae Bellarose move back home to Cave River, Arizona to fulfill the terms of their grandfather’s will to work together for one year in their family’s cafe and cat rescue. If they succeed, they get a big pile of money. If they fail, they go back to their regular lives, no worse off.

This should be a breeze. Cate is determined to make it work, whatever it takes. Too much money is at stake.

Off the bat, things are beyond strange. She keeps seeing impossibilities that she can’t explain. Floating feather dusters, lights that aren’t there. Then, all the plants in town die.

Something is way off.

Cate and her sisters discover an ancient book in a hidden room in the family’s mansion. That’s when things really get weird.

Suddenly, Cate has powers! So do her sisters, daughter, nieces, and aunts!

Also, some insane warlock is trying to buy the whole town and that sends up red flags in all directions. The sisters need to find out why and how to stop him or they might lose the money before they get a chance to inherit it. #releaseblast #releaseday #bookbirthday #booklaunch #newbooks #nowlive #secretwitches #bellarosecatcafe #pwf #paranormalfiction #paranormalwomensfiction #paranormalcozy #paranormalcozymystery #supernaturalfiction #midlifeheroine #matureheroine #womensfiction #books #reading #readers #booklovers #bookbuzz #bookish #booksbooksbooks

About The Author: Toni Lyn is the creation of three USA TODAY Bestselling authors who love mysteries and supernatural fun. Together, they craft stories with relatable heroines, loving heroes, and worlds that will leave you begging for more. Many of their books feature adorable pets, humorous situations, and older heroines who love adventures. So if you're looking for your next cozy mystery, you’ve come to the right place!

Find Toni Online! Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UpYJC2 BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/toni-lyn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authortonilyn Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3FSfr92 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authortonilyn Web: https://authortonilyn.com

[bigskydreaming]

Okay, so you know “Justice League meets Batman’s kids, who they’d previously been unaware existed” AUs?

So picture that.....but this time, instead of them just having no knowledge of any of these other Gotham vigilantes at all....the Batkids all migrate to various cities as they get older and become known as their protectors - Dick in Bludhaven, Tim in San Francisco, Cass in Hong Kong, etc....

Meaning they’re all established figures, the Justice League are aware of them as solo local heroes who stick to their cities and so they just don’t interact with them much if at all, or else some are members of team lineups but are particularly vague about their histories or life outside of the team’s adventures....

So the big reveal isn’t that they become aware of all these other Gotham vigilantes all at once....its that some big conflict or whatever requires a huge team up of all available heroes, and in the aftermath, they figure out that like.....despite being known as solo heroes who work alone or loners outside of their team settings, 80% of these heroes all not only seem to already know each other, they seem to be related.

And so naturally they all turn to Batman, who has profiles on every known hero and they thus figure had researched these individuals too and just never mentioned this little detail, and they’re like, “Did you know about this?”

And then Nightwing turns to him too, arms crossed and is like, “Yeah Dad, did you know about this?”

And the infamous Red Hood is all: “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I have never met any of these people before in my life. Lives? Whatever.”

And then Red Robin moodily grates out “I have no siblings.” Since he’s nursing a grudge since Dick and Jason broke into his apartment the night before and replaced all his custom Red Robin gear with Darkwing Duck merchandise and his vengeance will be swift and also totally disproportionate because things escalate quickly in this family, that’s true in every universe.

Cass meanwhile has deftly skewered Jason’s lie by walking over to him and brazenly patting down the man with many many guns with no fear whatsoever. He squawks and futilely attempts to bat her hands away as she riffles through his many pockets, but he doesn’t seem shocked, just annoyed. Eventually, she pulls away and triumphantly reveals a box of Hello Kitty themed band-aids.

“So these are yours then? Just for you?” Black Bat asks smugly. Red Hood squints at the box.

“What the fuck? How long have those been in my jacket? Why are those in my jacket? Did you freaking plant them in my jacket just on the offchance you could at some point in the distant future use them at my expense?”

Black Bat frowns, puzzled. “Yes?”

“Oh come on, Dead Hood,” Spoiler says with an exaggerated toss of her head meant to convey she’s rolling her eyes beneath her own mask. She skips her way across the room to Black Bat and then drapes herself languidly all over the smaller woman. Who in turn doesn’t so much as twitch beneath the sudden added mass as Spoiler holds out her hand towards the box of band-aids. 

“One please. I have a boo-boo,” she says with easy familiarity straight into the intimidating cowl of Black Bat. Only then does she deign to finish her train of thought with Red Hood.

“I mean seriously, are you saying you don’t have potential blackmail set-ups, pre-rigged releases of incriminating material, and a random assortment of traps, pratfalls and mortifying scenarios in place for the express purpose of being able to humiliate any and all of your siblings at any given moment, without any need for additional prep time?”

“Is this true, Little Wing?” Nightwing whirls on the larger Red Hood with a faux-scandalized gasp. The founder and leader of the Titans, formerly the Teen Titans, renowned for his stratagems and calm competence when directing squads of supers in the heat of battle while he keeps pace with nothing more than naturally acquired acrobatics and a utility belt that apparently uses the same technology as Wonder Woman’s invisible jet....now appears to be....staggering with the back of his hand pressed to his forehead, moaning about how he felt....faint? 

What is happening right now, several dozen superheroes want to know. Is this a drill? Are they supposed to be checking for signs of a mental ambush from undetected psychic saboteurs? Did they all hit their heads at the exact same time and are now experiencing some kind of shared mass concussion?

Look, that wouldn’t be the weirdest thing to ever happen on the Watchtower. 

“Have I failed you so utterly?” The veteran child hero bemoans with a dramatic twirl - that when contrasted with his stern demeanor of a mere ten minutes ago - makes the fears of telepathic infiltration seem less paranoia and more....concerningly probable. “Did you learn nothing from me? Did you learn nothing from B?”

He stops and jabs a finger up at the sky. “Quick, everyone! What is the very first rule of Living While Batty?”

As if by rote, over a half a dozen voices chime in from all over the room, causing various heroes to jump. Spooked by yet more and more vigilantes joining in some kind of mass recitation like they and they alone have some kind of clue what the hell is going on and everyone else just hadn’t been invited to the party. Which is just rude, honestly. Nobody likes feeling like they weren’t invited to the party. Not even superheroes. 

“If you’re not going to bother preparing for every possible contingency and at least six impossible ones, you might as well just stay in bed.”

Even the Red Hood joins in the Illuminati chant or Cub Scout pledge or demonic ritual or whatever the fuck that just was, though his slumped and exasperated posture gives away every hint of sulkiness his headgear otherwise would have kept safely hidden. He’s surprisingly more...expressive, than most who’d only known of him by reputation had expected him to be. The day continues to yield surprises.

“Of fucking course I do,” he growls out, snatching the box from Black Bat. She doesn’t even fight to hold onto it, just lets it go with a knowing smirk. “I wasn’t surprised by the idea of it, I was just surprised she bothered with such a weak effort. Like yeah whatever, actually those could be mine. I use those all the time at home. So what?”

He aggressively yanks one of the band-aids out of the box, fumbles with the peel-off strips with one hand and he roughly rolls up the sleeve of his jacket with the other. Then just slaps it on his forearm and raises said appendage high, showing it off this way and that. “See?”

“Oh yeah, for sure,” Signal drawls from the other side of the room, nodding his head approvingly. “Totally convincing. Nice job walking that one back, you really showed them.”

Red Hood’s head snaps in his direction with ominous intent. “Watch it, Day-Glo.”

Signal just snorts.

“Yeah, like I’m gonna take constructive criticism on my name and costume from a dude who’s spent the last several years calling himself Red HOOD while running around in a freaking HELMET.”

“Its not meant to be literal, you fucking pedant.”

“So wait, its not literally a helmet? Huh, does it at least protect your head literally, or just like...symbolically? Like if Bane were to clock you across the head, would your concussion just be a metaphor? What’s the treatment protocol for a metaphorical concussion? Fluids, bedrest and a philosophical prescription of two chapters of Chicken Soup for the Soul as needed?”

“Laugh it up, KC and the Sunshine Band,” Red Hood bats back. “You just got yourself disinvited from Thursday night’s poker game.”

Signal just grins and folds his arms over his chest cockily. “Please. You’ve been looking for an excuse to ban me for weeks, cuz you know until you can prove I’m using my ghost vision to cheat, you can’t actually bring suit against me for it in Family Court.”

“That, and also Family Court isn’t a real thing, you toddler. Stop validating Wing-a-ding-ding’s obsession with Shitty TV Nostalgia and just call it that thing where Oracle traps us all in a room until we settle our latest fight without anyone getting stabbed.”

“Yeah, but like, say that five times fast,” Spoiler pipes up. “Its just not practical. Family Court’s way easier.”

“Says the one who’s not even in our fucking family.”

“And yet I grace you all with my sublime presence anyway,” she blows a kiss at him, beatifically unbothered. “You’re welcome.”

The Red Hood scoffs and rounds on his heel, zeroing in on Batwoman in the far corner.

“Hey Auntie B, my siblings are all dead to me and I just helped stop an alien invasion so I deserve nice things like a fun Saturday night. Can you get me into Dad’s fundraiser so I can crash it? He won’t put me back on the list until I promise not to bring any C-4 with me and I won’t promise not to bring any C-4 because he should just trust me that I won’t when I say I’m not gonna and he won’t trust me that I won’t until I admit I shouldn’t have brought any to that sting last month where three tiny little yachts blew up through barely any fault of my own, and I’m just not gonna do that ever because I have convictions and I feel I shouldn’t have to be punished for that. Y’know?”

Batwoman blinks at him. “Kid, I’m not gonna lie to you. You’re my nephew and I love you, but I stopped listening three seconds into all that.”

“Ugh, fine. Can you help me crash Dad’s event tonight so I can teach him a lesson about why he should just trust me not to make a scene so I don’t have to always make a scene to make a point.”

“Tempting as you make that sound,” she says wryly, “I have a strict policy for dealing with you lot and your......everything. I only worry about tolerating one of you at a time, and there’s seven of you, and seven days in the week. You each get your own. You know perfectly well its Robin’s day today. You get me on Tuesday, just like always.”

“Auntie B, we’re not like other families, are we?” Red Robin’s delivery is sarcastically childish and his question clearly rhetorical. Most of his attention is fixated on whatever it is he’s doing with his wrist-mounted computer. 

“No sweetie, we’re all severely fucked in the head and a little bit too comfortable with that.”

“Just checking. Oh hey, Hood, I just emailed you a patch for the hole in your firewall I exploited when replacing all my shit using your accounts just now.”

“You did what?”

“Used your accounts to pay to replace all my stuff that you fucked with last night?” Red Robin says slowly. “Did you not realize that I’ve been sticking within ten feet of you for the past five minutes just so I could clone your devices and do all that while BB and Spoiler kept you distracted? I gotta say, bro, I feel like that’s on you then.”

Red Hood swivels his helmeted head in the direction of the aforementioned two. Black Bat waves. Spoiler shoots him an utterly unrepentant thumbs up.

“You’d side with your ex over me? That’s what its come to?”

“My only allegiance is to chaos,” Spoiler says brightly. Black Bat shrugs.

“Plus he bribes better.”

“Hateful,” Red Hood points at Black Bat, moving on to level the same finger at Spoiler, who curtsies in acknowledgment: “Hateful-er.”

Then the finger rounds the bases to aim judgmentally at Red Robin. “Hateful-est. And that was all Nightwing’s idea anyway, not mine.”

“Oh, I assumed as much,” he says casually. “Your idea of a prank tends to have more of a Carrie vibe. Or be a literal literary reenactment.”

“Its called an homage, 4chan.”

“Whatever, plagiarist. And anyway, I couldn’t go after ‘Wing for payback on this one. He used an Immunity card. If you didn’t want me getting back at you, you should have used one too."

Red Hood looms aggressively. Red Robin ignores willfully. Round and round they go. Superheroes who can survive excessive G-Forces are getting dizzy just watching them have a largely motionless stand-off. That shouldn’t be how that works, but whatever. All the most infamously reclusive and isolated heroes in all hero-dom are apparently part of the same one big reclusive and isolated family of fucked up weirdos and they’re all officially bonkers. Nothing makes sense anymore. Reality broke. Try another stall.

“Okay, but see, in order to have an Immunity card, I would have to participate in one of you losers’ stupid Immunity challenges,” the Red Hood drags out with exaggerated patience. “And I’m just not going to do that, on account of those all being fucking stupid. You see the problem there?”

Red Robin just shrugs. “I don’t know what to tell you, bro. You can have principles or you can have an Immunity card. You can’t have both.”

Meanwhile, on another side of....the same room.....look, its like, an octagonal room, probably. It has a lot of sides. Robin fends off questions from an aggrieved looking Superboy.

“You never told me you had a bajillion brothers and sisters!”

“Yes but I never said I didn’t either.”

Superboy rolls his eyes. “Oh yeah, so I should just assume everyone I meet has a bajillion secret brothers and sisters?”

“Well clearly it would have worked out in your favor in this instance if you had, now wouldn’t it?”

“Assuming of course that you can trust what has been said or implied here today and I am actually related to any of those numbskulls. Which I am not actually admitting to,” Robin tacks on hastily.

Superboy eyes him dubiously. “You joined in the same creepy chant all the others did and then got super self-conscious and looked around to see if anyone had noticed. Which uh. I did.”

“First off, your interpretation of body language is abyssmal. I do not get self-conscious,” Robin says with a delivery that probably could have benefited from being a little less self-conscious. “And second....that proves nothing. I guessed what they were going to say.”

“Word for word,” Superboy says super-skeptically.

“I’m very good at guessing things. You know this.”

“Okay. Guess how much I believe you right now then.”

Robin glares and folds his arms grumpily across his chest. 

“And what was that anyway? Was that like....you guys’ family motto or something like that?”

“Oh no,” Spoiler pipes up. “That’s much shorter.”

Superboy balks at that. “Wait, you guys actually have one of those for real?”

“Yup,” Steph says, counting out the words with her fingers. “He who laughs last....probably works for the Joker. So tranq him just to be safe. See? Only sixteen words. The first rule of Living While Batty is way longer, and what we said was just the abridged version. You should hear the original, before Black Bat put her foot down and refused to memorize it unless sizable edits were made.”

Superboy hovers between her and Robin now, both in mid-air and on the verge of taking Spoiler’s words as an invitation to hear just that. A low growl arises from Robin’s direction.

“Must you?” He asks the older vigilante, with a most put upon expression.

She looks at him pityingly. “Do you actually need me to answer that? Like, we’ve met, right? Hi, I’m Spoiler.”

“Wait, so Robin said that I just never specifically asked him if he had a bajillion brothers and sisters, and that’s why he didn’t tell me, so that means he wouldn’t have just lied and there’s not some code of secrecy that flat out forbids telling other people stuff, right?” Superboy realizes excitedly.

“Yes, excellent direction. Go on,” Spoiler says, steepling her fingers. Robin buries his face in the palm of one hand.

“Soooo, what other stuff could you tell me about Robin’s super top secret family that I wouldn’t think to ask about but that he would tell me about if I knew what questions to ask?”

She claps once, lightly but with emphasis. “Well done. You’ve passed the first barrier. Untold secrets await you behind just a few more.”

“I’ll get you for this,” Robin vows calmly. She waves a hand at him.

“Yeah, yeah. Just make sure you do it before January 1st, remember? You’ve promised retribution like ten times already this year and those don’t roll over, y’know. Rules are rules.”

“Enough!” Thunders a voice then, from the front of the room. Well one of the fronts anyway. Like sides, it has a lot of them, but this is the one where Batman’s standing. All eyes snap to him. Which is kinda just what eyes do when Batman says stuff like that. Its like his superpower, except he doesn’t actually have superpowers, which is what makes it scary. But where the snapping of the eyes (directional) is usually followed by Batman saying something else besides just “hey look at me,” here he pauses in the wake of his own call to attention’s waning reverberations. Uncharacteristically silent.

Not that, y’know, he’s normally Mr. Talkity Talk, but usually his silences feel like he has the words to fill them, he’s just withholding them. This though, this feels more like he doesn’t have any words at all. And he’s as confused by it as any of them, and most everyone else is confused by Batman being confused, and its this whole trickle down economy of confusion and its wrecking havoc on the value of the golden silence standard.

Of course, not everyone present is rendered spellbound with confusion.

“C’mon B,” Nightwing cajoles, leaning forward and practically radiating delight. “I think you know what you have to do now. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Its not likely to come around again.”

Red Hood snickers beneath his helmet and chimes in. “Yeah Pops, go ahead. You do this and you’ll actually have my respect for a whole twenty four hours. No, wait. Sixteen. No! Eight. Yeah, eight. Still a good deal.”

“Carpe diem, B,” Red Robin grins, leaning back as if to enjoy the show.

“Hey! Infringe on my trademark one more time, dude,” Signal throws a faux-glare at the former. Red Robin just quirks an eyebrow.

“And what, you’ll start saying Yum every time you eat a burger? Oh no. I’m hoist by my own petard.”

Signal flips him off with a grin and then redirects his attention back to Batman. “Yeah seriously though B, you kinda gotta do it now. Because if you don’t do it, then you’ll forever be the guy who didn’t do it, and you don’t want to be that guy, do you?”

“Yeah you really don’t want to be that guy,” Spoiler shouts out. “Nobody likes that guy. He’s the worst.”

“Do it, do it,” Black Bat starts chanting beside her, steadily picking up speed and volume. Several others start joining in. Even Robin appears to be slightly anticipatory, albeit trying very hard to hide it.

Batman sighs, and somehow everyone manages to hear it. Stills. Waits for....something? Nobody but them seems to have any clue what, but the air is thick and heavy with portentiousness. Something is about to happen, and all most of the heroes present could say for sure is it was something they never would have in a million years seen coming.

Finally, Batman straightens with the resigned air of a man about to have oh so many regrets. He crosses his arms, shakes his head, and in an absolute deadpan monotone, says:

“You are awful children. You know you’re killing me. You’re killing your father.”

[outerspacebisexual]

A Place in this World - Steve Harrington

Book B - Part Seven

Summary: You and Steve Harrington are together, and this feels like it could be the end.

Pairing: Steve Harrington x Reader

Word count: 9.4k

Warnings: swearing, canon-typical levels of violence and gore, major injury

a/n: this is the final part of this series, and i'm so sad for it to be ending.

thank you so, so much for sticking with it and for supporting it. all of the love has meant the world to me, and i hope that my little fic has bought you some joy.

<3 aeia

Masterlist

Over the past ten minutes, you weren’t sure if you admired Nancy Wheeler’s courage, or if you thought she was absolutely bat-shit crazy.

The idea of going back into the place that you only just narrowly escaped from, and potentially into the waiting, open arms of the monster that killed Chrissy, Fred, and Patrick was beyond insane.

And yet, the longer you listened to Nancy and the others debate it, the more you thought it might just be the only way of stopping Vecna from getting Max.

Using Max as bait was the one thing that you were the most hung up on. There were so many ways that this plan could go wrong. If just one cog in this machine failed, she would most likely end up like Chrissy and the others, and you didn’t know if you could let her run that risk.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to use you, Max,” you said from the couch beside Steve. “If we get the timing even just a second wrong, you could die.”

“If we don’t do this at all, I’m dead anyway. There’s only so much Kate Bush can do, and I don’t think it’s going to last forever.” She fiddled with the cord of her headphones around her neck. “This could be our only chance.”

You hated the way she said it, like she was already resigning herself to death, but you hated even more that she was right.

You were vaguely aware of Nancy and Robin talking about something to do with logistics, but you zoned out. You hadn’t known Max for very long, but in the six months that you’d been neighbourly, you had really come to like her.

She was strong, and hot-headed, even after the death of her brother Billy last year. She was still just a kid. And now she was going to dangle herself in front of Death, with a sliver of hope that it would all work out.

You didn’t even notice that you were fidgeting and picking at the skin of your nails until Steve placed his hand over yours.

You looked up at him, and he looked like he was dealing with this whole idea about as well as you were.

He brushed his thumb over your hand, and you relished in the way it calmed you down. It bought you back to the present, enough that you actually paid attention to what the others were saying.

“We’ll need weapons,” Nancy said. “We’ll need guns.”

Robin scoffed. “Where are we going to get guns? I know you have two in your bedroom, but that’s hardly enough to take down a child-killing-Upside-Down-monster.”

“What about the War Zone?” you piped up.

Eddie perked up and leaned forward enough to see you around Steve. “You think so?”

You shrugged. “It wouldn’t hurt to check it out. That’s where we got my guns remember?”

“Oh yeah. We got the fireworks then, too.”

“And those ones you throw and they explode. The ones you used in the school bathroom.”

Eddie let out a bark of laughter. “I forgot about that.”

Steve turned to Eddie. “Wait, that was you guys who blew up the guy’s toilets in senior year?”

Nancy cut everyone off. “That is besides the point.” She looked at you. “Does this place have everything we need?”

“And more,” you answered, nodding.

“And it’s just far enough outside of Hawkins that if we stay off the main roads, we could go unnoticed,” Eddie added. “Slip in and out without anyone suspecting anything.”

“OK, that’s cool and all,” Dustin interrupted, “but it’ll take all day and back to bike there.”

“Who said anything about bikes?” Eddie replied, and he sent you a conspiring look.

You narrowed your eyes. “Munson, are you suggesting what I think you are?””

He was already smiling as he said, “Since when are you above a little grand theft auto?”

+

Steve was quick to volunteer to go with you to your trailer to collect your small bag of tools that you and Eddie used for a wide variety of purposes.

You surveyed the area, and when you were sure no one was watching, you slipped out of Max’s house and through the park to your trailer, Steve hot on your heels.

The graffiti was still there, just as bright as when you first saw it a few days ago. You weren’t even sure how you would explain it to your parents.

You weren’t sure how you would explain any of this to your parents.

If they didn’t already know that you were wanted for first-degree murder, they would soon. You’d be surprised if Chief Powell hadn’t already managed to track them down.

Pulling open the door, you found everything exactly as you had left it on the night of Chrissy’s death.

Cups and plates still stacked on the counter; clothes strewn across the living room from where you’d taken them off before going to Eddie’s; it was as if you just up and disappeared, which you guessed you did.

The door to your bedroom was still open, and you immediately pulled the box from beneath your bed that held a whole bunch of different bits and bobs from over the years.

As you did, you caught sight of the old guitar strings on your bed, right where you’d left them.

That day somehow seemed so far away, when in fact, it had only been days ago.

You shifted through the box, finding the small bag towards the back of the box. You opened it, checking that the pliers were in there before closing it and pushing the box back under the bed.

Turning around, you were surprised to find Steve right behind you, eyes on the vase of peonies that were now dead. Most of the petals had fallen to the top of your bedside table or onto the floor, but a few were just barely holding on.

He touched one of them, and it dropped to join the others. “Did you like them?” he asked you.

“I did. They were really beautiful.” You tried to remember back to what they looked like on the day he gave them to you, all bright and lively and all different colours. “I’m sad that they’re dead.”

“When this is all over, I promise I’ll buy you more flowers,” he told you. “More than you can fit in your house.”

You looked over at him, and he had a sad sort of smile on his face, one that you knew was a combination of all this shit, and also because your flowers were dead and he hadn’t gotten you any more like he had promised.

You swallowed and said shyly, “How about as many as will fit in your house?”

Steve stared at you for a second, before realisation washed over him and his face lit up. “Are you serious?”

“I mean, yeah. Not…Not all the time, but most of the time.”

His grin was breathtaking, his eyes crinkling at the edges. He couldn’t stop himself from leaning over and kissing you.

You smiled into the kiss at his giddiness and moved your free hand up to his shoulder. But as soon as you did, he hissed, and you pulled away.

“Oh my god, I’m sorry,” you apologised. “Are you OK?”

“I’m fine,” he reassured you. “Just sore.”

You bit your lip as he stretched out his shoulders, trying to break up some of the stiffness. “I’m sorry,” you said after a second. “For how I acted in the Upside Down. I…I didn’t mean to make you feel bad about it. I was just…scared. Seeing you hurt like that, it was almost too much.”

He placed his hand on your cheek, making you look at him. “Hey, don’t worry about it. I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me forever.”

You smiled at that. “Lucky me.” He rolled his eyes at your playful tone. “I don’t want to miss out on any more time with you,” you admitted. “After all of this, you’re the one place I always want to be.” You hesitated for a second, but with everything that had gone wrong over the last few days, you couldn’t not say it to him. “I love you.”

Steve froze.

You thought that maybe you had made a mistake, but then his shoulders sagged, and he looked relieved. “I love you, too.”

Your heart fluttered at the words.

“I’ve been trying to say that to you all week, but every time I chickened out,” he admitted.

“I wish you had said them, because I would have said them back in a heartbeat.”

Steve kissed you again. This time slow and purposeful, like he was making up for all the lost times he hadn’t said it.

You broke apart all too soon. “We’d better go,” you breathed. “We have a campervan to steal.”

By the time you made it back to Max’s, and then to the side of the van, Eddie was almost bouncing out of shoes.

He pushed open the window, climbing in with about as much grace as you expected.

You followed, clutching your tool bag to your chest as you flung yourself up and over the window ledge. The others were quick to follow you, and you shushed them as they clambered about.

“You ready for this?” you mumbled to Eddie as he locked the door and took a seat.

“You mean, am I ready for some seriously overdue fun?” He pulled the wires out from beneath the dash. “Hell yeah.”

You handed him the pliers, and he got to work.

You watched him, trying to memorise what he was doing. Even though you and him had done this before, you still didn’t know how. The carjacking was usually left to Eddie.

Steve came up behind you. “So, this is what you meant when you said that you and your friends did stupid, illegal shit on the weekends?” he observed.

“One of us has to be law abiding, babe,” you replied.

He shook his head, even as he smiled. “Where’d you learn how to do this?” he asked Eddie.

Eddie didn’t look up from his work. “Well, when the other dads were teaching their kids how to fish or play ball, my old man was teaching me how to hot-wire. Now, I swore to myself I wouldn’t wind up like he did, but now, I’m wanted for murder, and soon, grand theft auto. So, I’m really living up to that Munson name.”

You frowned at the mention of his father, but then Steve asked you, “And you learned this from him?”

Eddie laughed. “No, she can never remember how to do it,” he teased. “She’s more interested in petty theft and breaking and entering.”

You flipped him off, even though it was true.

“Eddie?” Robin called from over Steve’s shoulder. “I’m not sure I love the idea of you driving.”

“Oh, I’m starting this sucker. Harrington’s got her. Don’t you, big boy?”

All three of you took pause at that, but no one had time to question him as he struck the exposed wires together and the engine sputtered to life.

The owners were quick to start shouting, but you didn’t care, not as that rush you got whenever you did something like this thrummed through you.

You and Eddie locked eyes, both already grinning. Steve and Robin, however, were both sharing similar looks of panic.

Eddie jumped up, switching places with Steve who was having a mild panic attack as he tried to work out how to drive the van. “Everybody, hang on to something!”

He took off, the van jumping up and down with every bump hidden in the grass.

You and Eddie were laughing manically as the others started screaming, shouting directions at Steve who was already doing exactly what they were saying.

“Hold on!” he called out as he took a hard left straight out of the park and onto the road.

As soon as the van hit the tarred road, it evened out, and Steve stepped his foot off the gas. “Is everyone OK?”

A chorus of ‘yes’ and ‘no’ came from behind you, all with varying degrees of sincerity.

You left your spot beside the fridge and took a seat next to Steve. “That was fun.”

He shot you an incredulous look. “Fun? I’ve never felt closer to death than that moment right there.”

“Oh, toughen up, princess; that was easy money,” you joked.

You and Steve held eye contact for a few seconds, and your stomach flipped as his gaze dropped to your lips.

“Do you want to tell me about what you and Eddie were talking about earlier when he said you spent the night in jail for getting caught breaking and entering while drinking underage?”

You hummed, a sparkle in your eyes as you said, “Absolutely not.”

+

Steve was sure that you were going to come bounding into the store at any second after how hard you refused to stay in the van.

You had argued that no one here would recognise you and that you would keep a low profile, but he had been steadfast in making sure you stayed in the van.

Eddie had helped him out there, aiding him in convincing you to stay put.

But even as he walked around the store with Robin, chucking random things he thought they might need, he had one eye on the entrance.

“She’s not that dumb,” Robin said to him as she picked up a sheathed knife. It was a lot longer than what they needed, and she thought the same thing, putting it back on the shelf. “She won’t just wander in.”

“I know that,” he shot back. “I just…She doesn’t always listen.”

“She’s been my friend for years, Steve. I know she doesn’t listen. But she’s also not an idiot.”

Steve picked up a jacket in his size, turning it over in his hands before sliding it on over the shirt he’d already put on. He pretended not to notice the small amount of blood that had leaked through Nancy’s makeshift bandage and onto his shirt.

“Still,” he mumbled, “I wouldn’t put it past her.”

Robin stopped in front of him, and he looked up to see her staring at Vickie across the store.

If he was honest, Vickie wasn’t exactly the type that he thought Robin would go for, but he supported her in it nonetheless. She looked different to how she normally did when Steve saw her; usually it was in her band gear, clarinet under her arm.

“Well, are you just going to stand there all day, or are you going to make a move?” he teased, and despite her trembling hands, Robin prepared herself to go over to her.

Before she could though, a guy that Steve didn’t recognise came up behind Vickie.

Robin faltered, her face dropping.

Steve could feel her heartbreak. “Hey, Robin—Robin!” But she was already taking off.

He sighed and caught Vickie’s eye a second too late. He could tell that she had seen Robin, and he couldn’t help the disappointment for his best friend.

He knew what it felt like to have the person he liked in a relationship with someone else. Granted, you hadn’t actually been in a relationship with Eddie, but he hadn’t known that.

He had to deal with watching you sneak off with him to the drama rooms, and Eddie pick you up from work, and Eddie take you to dinner. None of those things turned out to be romantic, of course, but he had needed to push down that jealously in order to remain friends with you.

Even if you had been in a relationship with Eddie, Steve would have crushed that part of himself that loved you, if it meant that you would just be his friend. It was a little pathetic on his part, but he didn’t care.

He shook his head. None of this was helping ready you guys to kill Vecna.

Turning down the next aisle, he found a headband in your favourite colour, and grabbed it. He didn’t know if you would even wear it. If you didn’t, maybe he would, just to have a little part of you with him. He smiled, wrapping it around his arm.

He made to exit the aisle, but ran into someone.

“Sorry—” Steve stopped short at the sight of Jason standing in front on him.

He looked deranged, large bags under his eyes, lines deep on his face. When he spotted Steve, his eyes turned feral. “Hey, man,” Jason said.

“Uh, hey, Jason,” he replied. He hadn’t really seen Jason since he graduated. They had played on the Hawkins Tigers basketball team for a few years, but Steve had been older and a dick and didn’t have much to do with anyone younger than him.

Seeing him now, he didn’t see any of the young Jason he’d known. It was all rage and agony melded together.

Steve gave him a polite nod, trying to sneak past him.

“I’ve been hearing some crazy things about the town freaks,” Jason said offhandedly, and Steve paused.

He tried his best not to bristle at the way he was talking about you. “Yeah? That’s crazy, man.” He went to push past him, but Jason stopped him, holding out his arm.

“The Hellfire bitch, she’s your girlfriend, isn’t she?” It wasn’t a question.

Rage was suddenly swirling within him, and Steve was barely concealing his fury as he pushed Jason away with two fingers. Jason let him. “How about you take a few steps back, buddy,” he murmured, voice low and controlled, filled with the promise that things would not go well for him if he didn’t stop.

Jason didn’t reply. He only took two steps back as Steve gave him a long, hard look. Steve watched him walk away, barely breathing.

Robin ducked out from one of the aisles behind him, pushing their cart full of all different items. “Hey, I think we should—”

Steve took her elbow, guiding her to the counter. “We need to go,” he muttered.

“What? Why?”

“Jason is here.”

Nancy suddenly appeared beside them, shotgun in one hand and a bag of ammunition in the other. Her eyes were wide with concern. “Jason is—”

“I know,” Steve interrupted. “Let’s pay for what we have and get out of here. Where’s Erica?”

As he said it, she came around the corner, pushing her cart with the same alarm on her face. “The basketball team—”

“I know, I know.” He started unloading the miscellaneous items onto the counter, rushing the cashier along.

He tried not to think about how many others were with Jason, and if they had found the camper.

They had parked around the side of the building, surely they wouldn’t have found it.

The cashier asked for the cash, and Steve pulled it out, practically throwing it at the guy as he, Erica, Robin, and Nancy pulled the items from the counter and exited the store.

He checked over his shoulder for Jason before slipping down the side of the building and reefing open the campervan door.

“What happened?” Lucas asked.

Steve dumped his bags in Eddie’s lap. “We’ve got to go.”

“Your old friends are here,” Erica explained as the rest of them filed into the van.

“Wait,” you said, coming up from the back of the van, “Jason is here? Did he follow you?”

“I don’t know. Sit down! Sit down!” he shouted as Dustin started telling him to drive.

As he drove through the parking lot, he saw Jason, Andy, and the rest of the basketball team crowded around one of the cars.

“That’s Jason’s car,” you said suddenly from right beside him.

“Shit!” he cried out, then did a double take. “What are you doing? Get down!”

“I am down. They can’t see me from here.”

Steve was ready to pull out his hair as he turned onto the highway. “You’re infuriating, you that?”

You smiled. “And you love me in spite of it,” you replied, swiftly planting a kiss on his cheek as you dropped into the seat beside him.

He huffed, even as the corners of his lips turned up.

+

Standing before the gate in Eddie’s trailer seemed more ominous that last time. Mainly because this time, you were heading back into the danger.

You knew that everyone else was thinking it, too, the way they stood silently beside you.

“Alright,” you said to no one in particular. “Let’s get on this highway to the danger zone.” As you said it, you winked at Nancy, even as Robin and Eddie groaned. Nancy flushed at the reference to her Tom Cruise poster that you and Robin still hadn’t let go.

“Not funny,” Eddie said.

Steve stepped forward and took the rope. “I’m going first just to get away from you.”

You pushed him slightly as he climbed the rope. He glared at you over his shoulder right before he dropped over the threshold, landing on his feet.

He gave you a look of triumph, much like the ones he sent you when he successfully climbed through your bedroom window, despite being told more than once to just use the door.

“What does he want us to do?” Robin scoffed. “Applaud?”

Nancy laughed at that as you took the rope, clambering up after Steve, who had placed Eddie’s mattress from the Upside Down on the floor. You fell as the gravity changed, landing hard on your bad.

“Shit,” you coughed, and Steve held his hand out to help you up. “That was better the first time.”

Slowly, each of your friends made their way through the gate.

You opened the door to Eddie’s trailer, taking in the dark sky. Like last time, the lighting cracked, illuminating the Hawkins that was both the same and different to your home.

“I got you this,” Steve suddenly said from behind you. He held out a headband for you to take. It was your favourite colour, with little lines all over it. “I forgot I had it on my wrist. I didn’t even pay for it,” he chuckled, but it fell flat against the desolate background.

You took it from him, eyes running over the soft material. After a moment, you reached for his hand again, and tied it back around his wrist. “Keep it with you and bring it back to me.”

You didn’t need to say anything else.

You and Steve were still not dealing with the whole splitting-up-again thing very well. You had tried to come up with a different plan, but this one made the most sense. It was the best way that you guys could come up with that gave Max the best chance of survival.

And for Max? You two would do anything.

You tried to block out how nervous she had looked when you dropped her, Lucas, and Erica off at the Creel House. She had been so scared, but tried so hard to pretend she wasn’t.

“I love you,” you said softly, still holding Steve’s wrist.

He removed your hands, taking your hands in his own. He ran his thumbs over your knuckles. “Save it for when I get back.”

You scoffed. “I’m not saving shit, Harrington. Tell me you love me.”

Steve laughed, and for those few seconds, you were just a girlfriend who loved to make the man you loved laugh.

“I love you,” he said finally. His eyes lost their mirth as he stared at you. “Be safe. Please.”

“You, too. Come back in one piece.”

His kissed you, just once. A singular kiss that was both a promise and a good-bye.

He squeezed your hands before moving off towards Robin and Nancy, while you stepped back to beside Eddie and Dustin.

“Guys, listen,” Steve said suddenly. “If things start to go south here, I mean, at all? You abort. OK? You draw the attention of the bats, keep them busy for a minute or two. We’ll take care of Vecna. Don’t try and be cute or be a hero or something.”

“Don’t worry, Steve,” Dustin said. “You can be the hero.”

Steve didn’t look too impressed by that comment but nodded all the same. He hesitated for one second, eyes locking with yours. You sent him reassuring smile.

He swallowed harshly and turned away. Your smile dropped once you were sure he couldn’t see.

“What do you say we get our metal on, Kirk?” Eddie said to you, causing your eyes to leave Steve’s back.

You were immediately taking off towards your trailer. You ignored how different things looked from three years ago as you grabbed your guitar from its stand and returned to Eddie’s trailer.

The three of you turned Eddie’s trailer into a makeshift fortress before turning your attention to hauling the amps up to the roof.

Once everything was situated correctly, you gave Dustin a thumbs up and he plugged in your guitars.

Eddie pulled his pick from around his neck, and you pulled one from your pocket as you readied yourself to play.

“Don’t mess up,” Eddie called to you.

You rolled your eyes. “I see where Dustin gets his ego problem from.”

He grinned at you, and you breathed in, closing your eyes to calm your beating heart. You envisioned Steve standing in front of the Creel House. You could do this. For him. For Max.

Your eyes snapped open, and you said, “Try to keep up.”

Then, you were playing.

+

As the first notes sounded across the Upside Down, Steve’s heart pained in his chest.

And it only started to beat faster as he watched the bats take off in the direction of the trailer park.

“It’s working,” Nancy said. “Let’s go.”

Robin followed her out and towards the Creel House. Steve hesitated for one moment, eyes on the swarm of bats.

You would be OK, he told himself. You had to be.

+

You, Eddie, and Dustin held out as long as you could.

As the bats grew closer and closer, you were sure that your heart would stop dead in your chest. They grew closer, their shrieks become louder and louder, even over the volume of your amps.

“Now!” Dustin yelled. “Let’s go! Let’s go!”

You jumped down onto the awning, Eddie almost taking you down with him in his hurry.

“Hurry!” he shouted, and you and Dustin were hot on his tail as he flung open the door and slammed it shut behind you.

You were all panting hard, eyes wide as saucers as you listened to the bats attacking the outside of the trailer.

You prayed that it was enough to keep them here while the others took care of Vecna.

Picking up the nail-embedded shields, you threw one to Eddie and one to Dustin. “Just in case,” you said as you picked up the knife-slash-spears.

The three of you stood back-to-back, the bats continuing to attack the walls—until they weren’t.

“What…”

“They’re on the roof,” Eddie said, voice full of suspicion.

Dustin started swearing, but you ignored him, slowly creeping forward as the bats crawled along the roof…right to the air vent.

“They…They can’t get in through there, can they?” Dustin asked, only to be met with a bat crashing through it.

“Shit!” he screamed.

You and him stabbed at it, but they just kept coming, their shrieks ear-piercing in the tiny space.

“Get out of the way!” Eddie screamed, pushing through the both of you to slam one of the shields against the vent, trapping the bats on the outside.

You were breathing heavy as you collapsed against the counter.

“Nice one,” Dustin said to Eddie, to which he replied, “Thanks.”

“Are there any other vents?”

Eddie froze. “My bedroom.” But he wasn’t quick enough, the bats shooting into the room before he could jam it. He pulled his door shut, backing up to the rope as the bats tried to tear the door down.

“Let’s go! Dustin, go!” you shouted at him.

He started to ascend the rope, pulling himself up and through the gate, landing heavily on the mattress below—above—whatever it was.

You tried to push Eddie to the rope, but he didn’t take it, handing you the rope instead. “We don’t have time to argue right now,” he yelled.

“And yet you still find a way. Get up the rope, Munson.”

He grabbed it and was about to start climbing when the first of the bats broke through the door.

“Shit,” you whispered, and you looked to Eddie.

Dustin had started screaming, pleading with you two to hurry, but that one look at Eddie said everything you didn’t have to.

Protect Dustin.

Eddie sliced clean through the rope.

+

“What are you doing for your Futures project?” Eddie asked you from where he was plucking at the strings of your guitar on the floor.

“I don’t know,” you replied from your bed. “Maybe talk about leaving Hawkins.”

Eddie had already been at your place for hours, the two of you fresh from completing the outline for a new campaign. One that you were hoping the new Hellfire recruits Jeff and Gareth would want to play.

You were exhausted, and the last thing you wanted to think about was school. Especially the project you had to present to the class next week about what you wanted to do in the future. “What are you doing yours on?”

“I want to do it on Corroded Coffin,” he said, and you smiled at him.

“You think we’ll blow up?”

At that stage, Corroded Coffin was little more than 14-year-old you and Eddie playing guitar in your rooms while your parents and Wayne tried their best to block it all out. It was hardly even a band.

“Yeah, definitely,” he responded. “We’re going to be huge. Touring around the world. Drinking, smoking, playing shows night after night.”

You smiled at the thought. “I can see it,” you teased. “Me, centre stage. You, somewhere at the back.”

“Funny,” Eddie snorted, and he went unusually quiet. He had a pensive look on his face.

“What?”

He looked up at you. “Nothing. I just…I don’t actually care what I do with my future. Just as long as you’re in it.”

You blinked in surprise. Eddie was rarely as serious as was right now.

“You’re my best friend, Y/N, not to mention the co-founder of the band,” he continued. “As long as you’re always there, I don’t care what we do.”

For some reason, you started to cry, and Eddie was immediately alarmed. In typical teenaged boy fashion, he wasn’t sure what to do.

“I can’t imagine doing anything without you either,” you told him as you wiped your eyes, and Eddie relaxed. “Even if we don’t tour the world, I wouldn’t care, just as long as we do it together.”

“What kind of friends would we be if we just ditched each other?”

You laughed. “Really shit ones.”

+

As the rope hit the ground, Eddie became frozen. He was so scared, and you could see it.

Mustering up all your courage, you reefed open the door and started calling the bats away from his trailer.

He was quick to shout after you, but you were already riding towards the entrance of the trailer park, the bats screeching behind you.

Vaguely, you could hear another bike coming along the gravel, and as you dumped your bike, Eddie was right there beside you.

“Can’t ditch me that easy, asshole,” he shouted, but you caught the teasing behind it.

And then the bats were upon you.

You fought and sliced at them, taking some of them down with your spear, some getting stuck on your shield, even as they flapped about.

There were so many. Too many.

Eddie started screaming, and just like the night of Chrissy’s death, your heart dropped. You fought even harder, trying to get to him.

The bats started to grasp at your legs and arms through your pants and your jacket.

You screamed as one tore into your thigh. You dropped your spear, grasping at it and reefing it off you.

But it suddenly went limp in your hands. You stared at it, and the other bats circling you began falling from the sky, hitting the ground with thuds.

You looked over at Eddie. He was heaving, trying to catch his breath as he took in the bats going lax mid-flight. He had cuts and scrapes on his arms and legs like you, but he was whole.

His eyes snapped to you, and you dropped the bat in your hand.

Eddie’s somewhat hopeful expression fell when your hand went to your thigh. There was a whole chunk of flesh missing, you could feel it. It was deep, deep enough that when your hand ghosted over what should be skin, it touched muscle, coming away bloody.

You couldn’t bring yourself to look at it. The adrenaline abandoned you all of a sudden, and the pain came through in full force.

Eddie was rushing to you, but he wasn’t quick enough, and you hit the ground with a thump.

+

The journey back to the trailer park was a lot quicker than the trip to the Creel House.

Steve no longer took care to avoid the vines stretching across the ground.

All he cared about was getting to Max.

If Nancy was right, then Max was gone. She had been taken by Vecna as the last piece of his plan for world domination, or whatever it was that he wanted to do.

Steve didn’t want to believe it until he had seen it. Until he saw Max’s lifeless body, he couldn’t believe it. It just wasn’t possible that one of his freshmen was gone. He had promised to protect her, and he couldn’t break that promise.

But any thought of Max was emptying from his head as he broke through the edge of the woods and found Dustin crying on the ground outside of Eddie’s trailer.

He was holding his ankle with one hand, even as he crawled across the gravel, pulling himself along with all his might.

“Henderson!” Steve called, immediately rushing to him. “Henderson, hey? What’s wrong?”

Dustin couldn’t speak, he could only sob and point towards the exit of the trailer park.

“I need you to tell me what’s going on,” Steve ordered, shaking him just enough to get him to start talking. He couldn’t see you or Eddie anywhere, and that fact caused his heart to start racing.

“Eddie a-and Y/N,” he cried. “They—They’re gone. I can’t—”

True terror unlike anything he’d ever experienced was dumped over him like a bucket of ice.

“Where?” he demanded, dropping his pack and the axe. “Where, Dustin?”

Dustin pointed towards the entrance of the trailer park, and Steve was racing away before he could say anything else. He didn’t need anything else, he just needed to find you.

Please, he begged. Please, please, please, please, please.

That was when he saw Eddie crouching over something.

You.

Steve spurred himself faster, dropping to his knees into the hard dirt, breathing heavy.

It took him too long to work out what he was looking at.

You were covered in scrapes and cuts and bite marks, but the worst part was hidden beneath Eddie’s hands.

“Steve,” he whimpered, and when his eyes met Steve’s, he noticed the tears racing down Eddie’s cheeks. “Help me, please—I don’t…” He lifted his hands, and through the blood, Steve could see the massive gouge in your leg. Bile rose in his throat at the sight of it. He almost threw up.

“Put your hands back on it!” he shouted at Eddie. “Y/N,” he called to you, but your eyes fluttered as you struggled to stay conscious. His hands flew all over you, as if trying desperately to grip onto that small bit of consciousness. “Hey, baby, you need to stay awake,” his voice was trembling as he fisted handfuls of your jacket and hauled you into a sitting position.

Your head lolled backwards, and one of his hands was instantly behind your neck, pulling it back.

Your eyelids fluttered open just enough to see him. “Steve?”

“I’m here,” he reassured you. “I’m here. Stay with me.” He turned his head back towards where the others were still coming. “Hey! Get over here! Now!”

“Steve…” you murmured, and his eyes shot back to you. You moved your arm until your hand came up to rest sloppily on his forearm.

“Hey, hey.” He brushed a hand down your face, wiping away the blood that had congealed there.

“You’re OK,” you managed, and Steve’s heart squeezed painfully in his chest as tears clouded his vision.

“I’m OK, baby. I’m all right.”

Your lips turned up at the corners. “Did you like my music?”

Steve blinked rapidly. “I loved it. You were so good—so, so good.”

The footsteps coming towards them got louder, but he didn’t dare pull his eyes away from you.

Eddie pressed harder into your leg as the others finally reached them. Nancy gasped—at the blood coating Eddie’s hands, at your state as you teetered between life and death—and it only made Steve’s eyes water more.

“Wheeler, please,” Eddie begged, voicing cracking. “Do something.”

Nancy backed up, eyes not leaving you before she turned and took off towards the house that would have been Max’s in three years.

Steve wasn’t sure what she was doing, and he didn’t care. The only thing he cared about was the way your hand started to loosen on his arm.

“No,” he croaked, “No, Y/N, you have to stay awake, baby. You have to stay with me.” He pleaded with you, and he could see the way you fought against the darkness.

Your eyes continued to flutter—until they didn’t.

Nancy was sprinting back, first aid kit in hand.

Eddie was pushing his jacket that he had shucked off harder around your leg.

Robin was pulling at her hair as she watched on in horror.

But then your eyes suddenly rested between open and closed. You became dead weight in Steve’s arms, hand falling from him, hitting the ground beside you.

And then, he was screaming.

+

Steve wasn’t sure if he could do it as he stood by himself in the parking lot.

He was crying, which felt like all he’d done in the last few days.

There were more people there than yesterday, but that was to be expected with the ‘earthquake’, as they found more and more people buried beneath the rubble.

He heard Robin coming over before he saw her, and she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “You can’t stand here all day,” she said.

He shook his head. “I can’t. I can’t see her like that.”

“It’s your girlfriend, Steve. You have to.” Her tone was firm, but he knew she was only trying to help him get through today.

“I’m scared,” he whispered, fiddling with the flowers in his hand. Camellias and carnations; for everlasting love, according to the florist who had sold them to him this morning.

“I’ll be right here with you,” she said, taking his hand.

Steve let out a shaky sigh, pulling at the collar of his shirt as they entered the building.

When the woman behind the desk saw him, see smiled, recognition passing over her face. “She’s still in room 247, honey,” she said with a sympathy, and Steve gave her a thankful smile.

Robin’s hand was a welcome comfort as they made their way through the corridors.

Your room was the same as it was yesterday.

Same monitors hooked up to you. Same doctors’ names plastered on the boards. Same lifeless form on the bed.

Eddie was sitting in the chair opposite you, his eyes planted firmly on the book in his hands. It was thick, like three times the size of a normal book, and not something that Steve would ever read.

“Hey, man,” he greeted, and Eddie looked up.

“Hey,” he replied to both of them.

Robin squeezed his hand. “I’m going to see Max.”

Steve nodded. Max was only a few rooms down, and Robin disappeared into the room that he knew Lucas was sitting in.

Lucas, like Steve, had been here every day for the past three days.

Eddie stood. “I’ll leave you two alone.”

But Steve shook his head. “No, stay.” He put the flowers in the vase on the side table before he fell into the chair beside the bed, running his eyes over you.

You were looking better than you had yesterday. Some of the cuts on your arms had started to heal, and you were breathing on your own, which was a good sign according to the doctors.

He adjusted in his chair when he leaned back a little too hard. His back was still tender to the touch, and the stitches in his side were doing their very best to hold together the bite mark on his stomach.

At the thought of stitches, his eyes went to your leg, hidden beneath a blanket. He had gotten a look at the scar on your thigh yesterday when the nurses had changed the dressing.

It was long and gnarled, and the muscle beneath it was mishappen. The scar would never go away, and the doctors weren’t sure if you would be able to walk again properly. They had been surprised that the bone hadn’t been broken by the force of the fall.

That had been the cover story: the earthquake, and despite the questioning looks they received from the staff, they had taken them at their word.

It had been nearly four days, and you still hadn’t woken up.

Initially, the doctors had hooked you up to a breathing machine after you arrived, barely alive at all, but after the second day, you had started breathing on your own. Now, it was just a waiting game to see if you could push through, to see if you would wake up.

Eddie shifted in his seat, and Steve looked over at him. “What are you reading?”

He glanced up, closing the book so Steve could see the cover. “The Lord of the Rings. It’s—It’s her favourite. Well, it and The Hobbit.” Steve nodded, and they returned to silence for a long moment. “We used to take turns reading chapters when we were younger. Before we could read properly, her mother would read it to us before I had to go back home. But then when we could read…” he laughed at the memory. “She would always do the best voices, better than me, and we would spend hours just reading it out loud together.”

Steve smiled. That sounded like you.

“I told myself that it would be OK,” he said, picking at his jeans. “I told myself that there was no way that anything bad would happen to either of us. Because she’s always been there, you know? I don’t…I don’t remember ever being without her.”

The smile slowly fell from Steve’s face. “I know,” he murmured, looking back to you. He absentmindedly toyed with the headband on his wrist.

“I wish it had been me,” Eddie whispered.

It was clear to see that the guilt was slowly eating him alive. Steve knew the feeling.

“I don’t,” Steve replied after a few seconds of silence, and Eddie looked up at him with raised brows. “Can you imagine what she would be like if it was you? She’d be personally hunting down each one of those bats individually to exact revenge. It’d be so annoying.”

Eddie looked amused by that, even though he didn’t smile. “Annoying is her middle name.”

“That explains a lot.”

Eddie chewed on his bottom lip before standing. “I’m going to go check on Lucas,” he said, and with only a moment’s hesitation, he disappeared the way Robin had gone.

Turning his attention to you, Steve gingerly picked up your hand. He ran his thumb over your knuckles, counting all four, just like he normally did to calm himself down, to centre himself.

He placed a kiss to the back of your hand. “Come back to me, baby,” he said into your skin.

You didn’t move, no matter how much he wished and prayed that you would.

He leaned back, eye catching the book Eddie had left behind. He stared at it.

Then, he was up and grabbing it before returning to his seat.

The cover was worn, no doubt from all the times you and Eddie had read it, with some kind of wizard on the front. He flipped it open, seeing your name scribbled in your childhood penmanship. He brushed his finger over it before turning to the first page.

Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, Nine for the Mortal Men doomed to die, One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne…

+

It turned out that there was a reason Steve didn’t read fantasy books, because two days and over two hundred pages later, he still had no idea what was going on.

He had even resorted to asking Eddie to explain it to him, but that had only made things more confusing.

He resigned himself to knowing that he was just reading a bunch of different words all strung together in an almost incoherent way, but he was all right with that.

Steve flipped the page, but his mind was hardly on the words he was reading. He couldn’t stop thinking about the conversation that he’d had on the phone with your parents last night.

The police had finally been able to track them down and explained the whole ordeal.

From you being wanted for murder, to Chief Hopper’s return and his explanation he had given which meant you and Eddie were off the hook, to Hawkins being a smoldering mess.

They had immediately called him, demanding to know how you were. He had gone over everything again in detail, explaining that you still weren’t awake, but you were stable. He told them about your leg, and your mother had cried.

They were still a full two days of driving away, meaning that they should be back by the end of the week.

Steve prayed that you were awake by then. He didn’t think that he was strong enough to deal with your parents if you weren’t.

It was killing him to sit here day after day with nothing but his prayers to keep him company. The others came and went, Eddie there more than the rest, but from the moment that visiting hours were open to the moment they closed, Steve was right there by your side.

There was nowhere else that he could be.

You promised each other the rest of your lives, and now, with yours under threat, he couldn’t miss a single moment of it.

He turned the next page.

He would sit with you, no matter how long it took.

The was a sound from beside him, and he couldn’t place it at first.

Looking over at you, there was no change. You were still laying perfectly still, arms by your side, breathing lightly in and out. Everything was normal, except—

There.

Your breath hitched ever so slightly.

He was on his feet, leaning over you. “Y/N?” he whispered.

You didn’t move.

Steve swallowed down the soul-crushing disappointment as he slumped back in his seat.

He sat like that for a few long minutes, just watching you. Patience, the doctor had said.

He sighed, picking up your book again and flicking to where he’d left off.

The room was silent again, nothing but the faint talking of doctors and nurses floating under the door. There were even more people today, the ambulances bringing more survivors in to the inundated hospital. Some were worse than others, but they all held that same fearful look on their faces; the one that said something is seriously wrong.

“Am I dead, or is Steve Harrington reading The Lord of the Rings?”

Steve almost broke his neck at how fast he turned to you. “Y/N?” he breathed.

And there you were, looking over at him with bleary eyes and a small smile.

He dropped your book, letting it fall to the floor as he stood and grasped your hand. “You’re awake,” he said, tears already clouding his vision. “How—How are you feeling?”

“Like I’ve been hit by truck,” you croaked, and he was quick to pass you a glass of water. You struggled to sit up, and he placed a hand on your back to help you until you were sitting.

Being so close to you, he couldn’t help but lean in and kiss you. You didn’t mind, and you were kissing him back, bringing a hand up to his cheek to wipe away his stray tear as he pulled away.

You hissed, and your eyes shot to your leg that was still hidden beneath the blanket.

Steve wanted to warn you, but he didn’t know what to say.

You flipped the blanket back, and even under the bandages, the damage was visible. You gingerly reached out and traced your fingers over the warped muscle. He had no idea what you were thinking, your face carefully blank.

You tested out moving your leg side to side, looking somewhat relieved when you could move it at least a little.

“You…uh, the doctors said that you might have some trouble walking,” Steve broke to you gently. It was a half-truth, but he didn’t want to bombard you with bad news two minutes after you woke up.

“Oh,” you replied, voice low. After a moment you turned your attention to him. “Are you OK?”

“I’m fine, baby. I’m just glad you’re finally awake.”

“Eddie?”

Steve nodded. “He’s OK, too. He’s been here every day.”

That seemed to alleviate some of your stress, but then your eyes widened, and you almost jumped out the bed. “Max?”

He hesitated, and your face fell. “She’s…she’s alive, but she’s in a coma,” he explained. “And Vecna broke her bones, like Chrissy, and Lucas said that she couldn’t see before she went unconscious.”

Your hand went to your mouth, stifling a sob, and he knew that you were dealing with the same emotions that he had been days ago. Guilt. Fear. Heartbreak. Some more guilt.

“Where is she?”

“She’s a few rooms down, but—”

You tried to get up, but he held out his arm to stop you. “Hey, no. You can’t get up. You have to be careful.”

“Steve,” you uttered, “I need to see her, please.”

Steve stared at you in exasperation, before finally conceding. “Just let me grab something.” He ducked out of the room, finding a spare set of crutches leaning against the desk outside. He took them before anyone could tell him not to.

By the time he got back to your room, you were already standing on one leg, grasping at your other in pain.

“I told you to wait there!”

You made grabby hands at the crutches. “You were taking too long.”

+

Steve sighed, even as he helped you to position the crutches beneath your arms. “Be careful,” he warned as you took your first step. He was hovering right behind you, ready to catch you if you fell.

You couldn’t put any weight on your injured leg, but slowly, you made your way out of your room and down the hall, Steve’s hands ghosting over you every couple of seconds when he thought you might lose your balance.

When Steve opened the door to Max’s room, you began to cry as you saw her in the full body cast, her eyes closed. She was so still that she could have been dead.

“Y/N?” Lucas jumped up from where he was sitting at the edge of her bed.

“Hey, buddy,” you replied, and he was hugging you before Steve could tell him not to. “I’m sorry,” you whispered, and you felt him tremble against you.

“I’m glad you’re all right,” he said as he pulled away, and Erica was right there beside him. You hugged her, too.

“So am I.” There was another girl in the room, one that you didn’t spot straight away. “Oh, hello.”

“Hi,” she said from beside Max.

“This is El,” Steve explained from behind you.

“El with the superpowers?” you asked, and El suddenly became bashful. “It’s nice to meet you, El. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

She smiled at you, and her hand left Max’s. “I have heard about you, too. From Mike. And now Lucas and Dustin.” She pronounced every single syllable as she spoke, something that was a little jarring to hear for the first time. As Steve had explained previously, she was learning as she was going.

You gave her what you hoped was a joyful smile. “All good things, I hope.”

She nodded, the joke you had made going over her head. You grinned at her anyway.

Your gaze went back to Max, and your smile faded. Steve came around to the side of you, his hand resting on your back to stabilize you, in more ways than one. She would be OK, you told yourself. This was little Max Mayfield you were talking about. If anyone could get through something like this, it was her.

“We should get you back to your bed,” he said to you, and you nodded.

You said your good-byes before heading out of the room and into the corridor.

Steve’s hand was planted firmly on your back, which you were grateful for when you almost slipped over by putting your crutches a little too far forward. You shot him a sheepish smile.

“What the hell?” came a voice from in front of you, and you froze as Eddie came stomping over to you. “What the hell is wrong with you?” he seethed. “You can’t just get up and leave your room without telling anyone. No one knew where you were. I couldn’t find you. You can’t—”

You cut him off when you hobbled forward and hugged him, leaving Steve grappling with the crutches you dropped.

He froze, but then his arms where wrapping around you and pulling you close. He was careful of your leg, and you could feel his tears hit the crease of your neck. “It’s OK, Eddie.”

“Don’t do that again,” he muttered as he pulled away. “Don’t…Don’t ever do that again.”

You shook your head. “I won’t. Don’t worry.”

He scoffed, looking over at Steve. “Don’t worry she says. Can you believe that?”

“Believe it or not, I can,” he replied in a dry tone.

You frowned, narrowing your eyes. “I don’t know if I like this whole buddy-buddy thing you two have going on. You’re teaming up against me.”

Eddie rolled his eyes as Steve made you take the crutches and start moving. “You’re the one who wanted us to get along.”

“I’ve changed my mind,” you mumbled.

Steve helped you into bed, carefully lifting your leg up and placing it down. “Too late. We’re already best friends now. We even talk about The Rings Lord.”

“The Lord of the Rings,” Eddie corrected.

“Yeah, that.”

You stared at them both, and despite the sour look you were giving them, your heart was fuller than it had been in a long time.

“Where is everyone else?” you asked.

Eddie gestured vaguely to the window. “They’re volunteering with making food and sorting stuff for the displaced.”

You nodded.

There was that, you supposed. You had no idea how Hawkins was going to rebuild after this. You didn’t even know if it was all over. Judging from El’s face earlier, it wasn’t. And you had a long road to recovery in order to be able to walk again.

But even with all of that, you were hopeful. You guys would get through it. You had no choice.

You would fight the next monster that came your way, whether it was physical or mental, because there was no other alternative. Not if you wanted to spend the rest of your life living.