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nicxxx5 · 2 years

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mike coming out to dustin while off on a mission in s5

they’ve been walking around for about an hour now, making casual conversation and commentary on the invalding aspects of the upside down into their world when dustin decides to ask.

“so i’ve been meaning to ask, what’s up with you and el?” dustin asks as he carefully steps over a vine.

“huh?” mike turns around to look at him, a confused expression on his face in response to the question that to him came out of no where. “what are you talking about?”

“well you guys are barley talking to each other let alone in the same room anymore. honestly it’s been nice to not turn around to you guys making out every five seconds but likewise it’s a little off putting the space between the two of you” dustin comments as they continue on.

“oh,” mike says “i mean that’s probably because we broke up.”

dustin stops and looks up at him with a clear expression of shock on his face “what?!? when!?!” “uh, since a little after the rest of us got back from lenora?” mike offers, getting a little uncomfortable by how surprised dustin is.

dustin looks at him with utmost sympathy “aw man dude that sucks, i’m so sorry.” mike shakes his head “nah it’s fine. it’s for the best i think actually.” dustin sputters “”for the best”?! man what are you talking about? you guys were completely wrapped up in each other just last summer, how could you even say that?”

“dustin-”

dustin continues rambling “i mean you guys were so focused on each other that you ended up ditching us constantly! which was just as annoying as it was sweet by the way.”

“dustin-”

“i mean! hell i thought you guys would be together forever considering when you yelled at us that you loved her that one time-”

mike turns around and snaps “well you’re wrong dustin!”

dustin stops short and looks at mike, eyes wide in shock and taken aback from his outburst. mike deflates a bit after seeing the reaction from one of his bestfriends. he sighs looking down at the ground. “you’re wrong. el and i aren’t gonna be together forever. and i don’t love her like that. hell i’m not even sure i ever actually liked her like that.”

“what? but you guys were together like all the time. and kissing all the time. will even said that you told her you loved her when she was fighting vecna?” dustin replies even more confused

mike sighs again “yeah, i did do all those things, because i thought that’s what i was supposed to do. what all guys are supposed to do with their girlfriends. and especially in that moment in the pizza cooler, i was so afraid that if i didn’t say what el wanted me to say, that she would have died. but...” mike pauses and looks up at the sky, almost like he’s contemplating something. “none of those things i did were because i liked her romantically.”

the two of them keep walking but dustin keeps staring at mike, occasionally looking down at his feet to watch where he steps, because some things still aren’t making sense to him. “okay, but like dude, i don’t get it? when she left with the byers, you were so mopey and miserable. i mean we could hardly get you to leave you basement, like, ever. and other times all you would do is complain about joyce’s telemarketer job because you couldn’t get through the phonelines every time you tired to call them. i thought that was all from you missing your girlfriend?”

mike sighs again, but this time it’s shaky. he looks nervous as he turns a concerning combination of both pale and flushed. without turning to look at dustin he replies. “yeah, i mean i was miserable. but...el...she wasn’t the only one who left hawkins. i mean, she left with the byers remember?”

dustin’s face still looks confused, even as he’s looking down to watch where he steps. “yeah i remember but what does that have to do with- oh, oh right will. i mean we all missed will dude, you’re not the only one.”

“dustin.” “what?” mike still hasn’t turned around to look at him, his head’s hanging low. finally he does turn around and his face is pale and eyes glassy, dustin’s never seen him look this nervous and scared before. he looks at dustin and his voice is shaky “please don’t make me say it.”

with the same puzzled look on his face dustin goes “say what? mike, i really don’t get...” suddenly every thing in dustin’s brain clicks. his eyes go wide as he finally, finally puts the pieces together. he whispers “holy shit”

mike looks away and that’s pretty much all dustin needs to confirm what he was thinking. “holy shit”

“dustin-”

“oh my god dude. holy shit”

mike sighs, trying to keep his breath as even as he can “look if you want to head back now i can finish this on my own, but please-”

dustin looks at him like he just said he was gonna go and put one of the demodogs on a leash “what?! dude no! are you insane? i just can’t believe i never fucking noticed!”

mike now looks confused “huh?”

“dude it makes so much sense now!” dustin looks at him like he just gave him the simplest answer to the word’s most complicated question “i mean it explains everything! ever since we were kids! how you were so protective of him, how you always spoke to him in that voice-”

“dustin-”

“i mean you were so defensive when it came to him, i mean you wouldn’t even let us within five feet of him that one night on halloween-”

“dustin-”

“oh my god! it also explains why you never shut up about him during hellfire- EDDIE! HOLY SHIT YOU HAD A CRUSH ON EDDIE TOO DIDN’T YOU!”

“DUSTIN!” mike has now turned beat red from all the revelations his friend is now deciding to share out into the open. dustin calms down from all his sudden realizations “sorry, man i really just can’t believe i never noticed.” and mike looks at him a little shyly “and you don’t care?”

dustin once again looks at him like he just offered to invite the next Demogorgon them come across over for tea “what? no man” he becomes serious “you’re still one of my best friends. and besides we’ve been through way too much shit for me to care about your obvious crush on will, WHICH I CAN’T BELIEVE I MISSED-”

“dustin!” mike’s laughing now, relieved that he’s finally admitted this to one of his bestfriends and he doesn’t hate him or find him gross or disgusting, although still somewhat embarrassed by his friend’s comment towards his crush

dustin chuckles too “sorry. man, i can’t believe how oblivious i was. steve would be so disappointed in me. don’t tell him about this too by the way. i don’t need him giving me shit about not picking up on people’s feelings when he still won’t tell me why him and robin wouldn’t work out! i was so sure about those two!”

mike gives dustin a knowing look and shakes his head as he laughs and pats him on the shoulder “don’t worry dustin, i’m sure you’ll figure it out sooner or later.” and continues off in the direct they were headed. dustin stays rooted in his spot as he stares after him slightly confused. after a minute he runs after him.

“hey wait what do you mean by that? mike? MIKE?”

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v3nusxsky · 2 months

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Hey how you doing mars! ✌🏼I got a ask that I hope you do. This ask is not smut, but it is a little bit of angst and fluff!

Basically Larissa is married to reader (reader’s pregnant) and there sleeping on their bed when Larissa wakes up sweating and tears streaming down her face. Then she look beside to check if reader is safe and sound (they sleep with a little light) and when she sees reader is sleeping beside her peacefully she signs in relief. Larissa then cuddles into her wife’s back and begins to gently touch reader’s baby bump tenderly waking reader up. Reader asks her what’s wrong and Larissa buried her face in reader’s neck and tells her she had a horrible nightmare; in her nightmare reader was driving to her home when she got into a horrible car accident, which they called Larissa in her work to tell her the news and Larissa desperately drives to the sight when they tell the horrible news that her wife and unborn baby died on impact and that she was alone now. Larissa basically blabbers in tear her horrible dream and reader turns around in her arms and hugs Larissa and Larissa hugs her back with all her might as reader calms her down. From there you can write anything you want just please can you do a happy and fluffy ending with reader, Larissa and there unborn baby girl.

Lost in the dark forest

*Authors note~ part 3 for you are my world🩵 to answer, in fine darling, sorry this took so long. Also guys I have more brain children that could be a series’s for Lenora and Larissa 🫣 or just one let me know what you want to see*

Trigger warnings~hurt and comfort! Nightmares panic attacks car crash mother and unborn child death. Angsty but will be fluffy at the end. Larissa being a bit of a dick in her nightmare ngl

Prompt~ see ask^^^^*

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“You’re reckless. You don’t put our child first, and yet you put her first. What’s she got that’s more than our family!” The principal practically bellows at you as you’re haphazardly throwing some essentials in a bag. “It’s not what it looks like Larissa!” You practically snarled back, knowing her past it’s not hard to understand why her brain has concocted these wild accusations but hormones and hurt feelings aren’t a good mix. “Oh! Do tell me then dear” her tone harshly spitting the term of endearment at you, “it’s not like that, you would never do that. I’m the only one for you? No, more like you got bored of the freak principal and think that Adeline can be your saviour. That’s my baby too growing there, I made love to you and created that beautiful life not her, so I’ll be damned if I let you throw it away to act like a common whore for her!”

Ouch. Tears immediately spilled down your cheeks like mini waterfalls. Larissa and yourself have had disagreements, hell what couple doesn’t, but never have you heard such vile words thrown in your direction by her. Loving Larissa is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever had the pleasure to do. Never, even when your stubbornness takes over, even when you feel suffocated by her protective nature did things ever spiral to this. Adeline had merely been helping you find the right flowers and colour scheme to reveal your baby’s name. That’s all. Adeline, was informing you of her latest date, one that seemed promising. In your happiness for your friend you scooped her into a hug as you wished her and Nora the best for the future. Plans to meet her being set for after you were no longer pregnant. Seeing that awoke deep fears within your blonde lover and now this was the result.

“Let me go Larissa” you demanded, choking back sobs as you made your way to the door. “Thats right, run away, straight to her no doubt” she sneered not even bothering to watch as you left to your car. Her office becoming her cage as fear spilled from every pore in her body, anger seeping out and forcing her limbs to move. Not a care in the world for what was destroyed in this process. What does it matter? Her hearts shattered, gone, blackened and broken. Self loathing kicks in as her anger fades into the abyss.

For hours now, you’ve been gone, regret, guilt, disgust and shame clouding the woman you once knew. Nothing would pull her from this dark place. Her mind being a forest of thrones that she’s forced to walk through, powerless as the thorns shred her pale skin. Crimson streams flow down her now opened skin as she tried to fight her darkness. Larissa should’ve known that the more she’d struggle the worse this would be. The more she would fight the tighter the thorns would dig into her sensitive body, her body now matching her heart.

But that’s when she got the call. Sheriff Galpin informing her of something, while her ears rang. You, car, hospital, blood and your baby. “Principal Weems?, are you there?” His gruff voice seemed to bring her back to reality. This morning she had everything she’d ever wanted and now she’d face losing you both. “Hospital?” Her monotone word seemed to weight her down as multiple possibilities ran through her mind. She’d fucked up. And now everything was gone? Well could be gone. She needed to see you, so that’s what she’d do.

Hanging up on the sheriff, jumping into her car with tears blurring her sight as she made the journey to Jericho Hospital. Red lights didn’t matter, to her they are all green now, the cars beeping got an undignified middle finger flipped in their direction. Nothing would stop her from getting to you, to apologise, to hold you, to love you. All the woman could do is prey you held on with all your stubborn nature, she had hope.

Hoped. You’d died on impact, a drunk driver crashing into the drivers side of the car as you were at a red light. “Principal Weems, we are sorry. They are gone, is there anyone you’d like us to call?” The nurse murmured sympathetically only to be interrupted by a pained scream and the normally professional woman crumpling to the ground. “Give me a minute to hold my girl! Just one more. My girls! I’m- I need to see them.” From there, Larissa was took to say her goodbyes, there you lay motionless, your own blood smothered your face, your child’s home being destroyed and dis formed. The once spherical home being more like a zig zag. You’d gone. Both of you.

She felt like she’s dying. That’s the first thing she registered, shaking limbs, tears streaming down her face and her heart? Well that’s working triple the time. Sweat soaking her body and sheets as she blinded rapidly to adjust to the small light in the corner of the room. There you lay, slow lazy breaths as you slept blissfully unaware of what her lost forest contained tonight. Larissa always named these dreams as the lost forest, a world where nothing makes sense, containing her deepest and darkest fears, secrets and past horrors. But never in her life had she been in one like that.

For a while all she could do is Starr as your chest steadily rose and fell in rhythm, like it should. Light snores filling the room as you slept on, oblivious to her sigh in relief at your state. With a dissatisfied groan you worked to turn your growing body onto its side, there laid your small baby bump poking out from the shirt you wore. You’d always steal the t-shirts the principal always swore weren’t hers as they are simply not her style, seeing your bump poking out always filled her with pride and joy. You’d made that beautiful creation together. A product of love, she couldn’t wait to meet the little minx who had you craving pickles in chocolate at three in the morning. You’d just started to feel the baby move in the past few weeks and like any expecting mothers it immediately became the best feeling in the world. Your baby.

Larissa had joking mentioned one night as you laid tangled in sheets that you would simply look stunning pregnant with your child, and she was right. You do. Her hand sneaking to rub soothing circles into your child’s temporary home. “My girl” you heard Larissa mummer. “Or boy” you grunted trying to sit up in bed. A sad chuckle left your lover as she agreed, truthfully Larissa had a hunch that baby Weems is a stunning Princess, but you swore on everything that your baby would be a Prince.

“Darling? What are you doing up?” Was all it for the lost forest dream to resurface and tears to build in her eyes, threatening to spill at any moment. Her words choking her as you observed her state. “Darling, you are shaking, come here my love” you whispered shuffling to let the woman rest her head above your chest as your hands found their way to her silver curls, an action she adores. “Were you in your lost forest, love?”

No verbal answer was necessary the sobs that wracked through her exhausted form were enough. “Y-ou both died” she hiccuped as ungrateful as ever, her sobs soaked with her pain from those images. “I was cruel, left me and gone” she whimpered clinging onto your body, a hand holding your swollen stomach as if she didn’t believe you were real.

“Look at me Isa. Eyes up here pretty. I'm real. Hold my hand if you need proof, rest it above my heart if you need. I'm real and your dream wasn't. Me and this little minx are well and here my darling.” You reassured the older woman gently, although you didn’t know what she’d seen, what her mind had thrown together, you knew that she needed you more than anything else in the world right now. The room was bathed in silence for moments, ending by desperate whimpers of, “Please don't leave me." You swear your heart broke into a million pieces at how much she reminded you for the scared child she once was. “Never, honey. We aren’t going anywhere.”

Well… “Isa? My girl?” You mumbled shyly, the baby seemed to move and press on your bladder meaning you were going somewhere. “I need to go to the bathroom love, just a second” causing the woman to look up at you looking no more than a frightened child in this state, “you can help me yeah?” To which she nodded and immediately scurried to help you up and to the bathroom where she paced the bedroom floor waiting to walk you back to bed. It seems you were needed more than you thought, Larissa was never this clingy unless she had a dream about her parents or past, she needed you and you would always provide that.

Settling back into bed was not an easy task, your once comfy spot seemingly ran away, Larissa clinging to any part of you she could as you settled in bed on your back. Only then did her lips drop to your stomach, “we are waiting for you darling, our girl we can’t wait to meet you, anything to hold my girls.” You couldn’t help but chuckle, “what If it’s a boy my love?” To which she shook her head, settling into bed, snuggling up into your side with her head on your chest. “With the weird cravings, she’s a she for sure, my perfect girls, can’t lose you ever. You are quite literally my whole world.”

Word count~ 1952

#anon answered #v3nusxsky answers #fanfic #anon requested #v3nusxsky you are my world series #larrisa weems #principal larissa weems #larissa weems x reader #larissa #larissa weems #larissa x you #larissa x reader #Larissa x reader hurt and comfort #larissa x y/n #principal weems x reader #weems x reader #principal weems #weems

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ven0moir · 1 year

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Byler Analysis: Mike’s phone calls.

This analysis is going over why Mike’s phone calls were, without a doubt, for Will. Bylers have been talking about this for months now, but I’ve compiled all the evidence I could find.

So, to start us off...

Hawkin’s Lab is owned by the ‘Department of Energy’, which according to Mike, Ted has said is Government/The Military.

In S1, the main antagonists in regard to Hawkins Lab were Connie Frazier and Dr. Brenner. However, by the season finale, Connie was killed by Eleven and Dr. Brenner’s status was unknown.

With the two of them out of the way, we are introduced to Dr. Sam Owens in S2.

Now, whether or not Owens is truly trustworthy or not is a whole other can of worms, but for the sake of this analysis, we will follow his introduction as an ally to the Byers-Hoppers. He was the primary doctor looking after Will and investigating what was going on with him when he was possessed by the Mindflayer. S2 concludes by letting us know that Owens has pulled some strings to give Eleven a new identity and thus a new life: that of JANE HOPPER.

Owens recommends to Hopper that Eleven should lay low for about a year before living freely, as a PRECAUTION (since, like he said before, ‘those people’ aka the bad ones, are gone), but overall, things are safe enough that Owens even approves of Hopper letting Eleven go to the Snow Ball.

S3 starts in June 1985, about six months after S2, which means Eleven’s year of laying low isn’t done yet. But since Owens is in charge of the lab, Eleven and Mike can call on the phone. We also see them using walkie-talkies, so I’m assuming that they don’t call that often as a precaution as well, but they can do it as long as it’s not too frequent.

It is important to note that the lab was not the main antagonist in neither S2 nor S3 (It was the Mindflayer & Russians respectively).

Eleven can even afford to go out a couple of times to the mall with Max without consequence at all. It isn’t until things get bad enough with the ‘flesh flayer’ that the military immediately steps in to cover it all up (and despite their best efforts, the town is still suspicious).

Owens is FIRED at the end of S3 as a consequence of the mall “fire”. This is significant because it means that he no longer holds the power to protect Eleven. Still, he managed to use his contacts (which include allies like Ellen, Wallace, and Hamon) to relocate Eleven + the Byers to Lenora and look after them very discretely.

Because of this plan, Eleven is safe in Lenora enough to go out and have a life as Jane Hopper. However, that plan does NOT include calling Hawkins as that would be FAR TOO RISKY.

She cannot call or be called from Hawkins as it is no longer just a precaution, like when Owens recommended Eleven to lay low for a year, just in case. Now, her staying away from Hawkins (which includes calling there since the phone-lines are tapped) is a NECESSITY for her long-term survival since the cover story is that ‘Eleven is dead’.

Powell’s call about Chrissy’s murder is enough to immediately summon Sullivan to investigate and pin the murders on Eleven. He even tells Owens that there are rumors of her being alive and receiving help from the ‘inside’ aka Owens. WHICH IS TRUE. So, they’re onto Owens and ALL OF THEM require to be extra careful with calling to Hawkins.

Mike was likely not able to talk about Eleven/Jane much during his calls with Will either.

THIS is likely why we see a walkie-talkie on Eleven’s Mike box and why Mike spoke about stealing Cerebro from Dustin at the end of S3.

HOWEVER, because the mail system isn’t under surveillance like phone lines are, LETTERS were established as Mike and El’s primary method of communication.

Whether or not Mike truly did steal Cerebro from Dustin to call El a few times, we see Cerebro at the top of Dustin’s house in what seems to be a very permanent set-up. I personally think this implies Cerebro hasn’t been moved, and their communication happened solely through letters.

But even if, say, Mike went to visit Dustin to use Cerebro (which wasn’t established, but is within the realm of possibilities) it doesn’t change the fact that phone calls were off the table, and thus, those were for Will and Will alone.

So, as Will himself explained, the letters were for Eleven, and phone calls were for HIM.

Which means ... this was all about Mike being unable to reach WILL.

Byler is endgame

#byler #byler analysis

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runninguplenorahills · 1 year

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I just wanted to remind everyone that no matter how much better Lenora objectively was for Will than Hawkins, he was not happy there!

Will might’ve not been bullied in Lenora but he had no friends either which was not a deliberate decision btw. I see a lot of people claiming that Will could’ve made friends if he wanted to but didn’t because he rather spent time with El and I just don’t think that’s the case. Will is not an extroverted person who makes the first step when it comes to making new friends. He’s introverted in general and shy when he’s surrounded by people he doesn’t know so making friends is a struggle for him in general and has nothing to do with him sticking with El in Lenora. And while we don’t know anything specific about if Dustin and Lucas sent letters or called Will, we do know that Mike did not. Furthermore it’s canon that Jonathan wasn’t really there for Will during the time spent in Lenora either and while it is never specifically said it is heavily and obviously implied, it’s shown, that Will was in utmost need of his brother’s help and support! And El did not replace Jonathan in that aspect! Jonathan being distant from Will does not and did not equal Will and El becoming close on the level that Will and Jonathan are. I know I talk about this a lot (that willel isn’t as close in canon) but I just had to say it again because to me it seems really clear that a lot of people think that Jonathan not being there for Will somehow led to Will and El sticking together. Like it’s them against the world while that was never the case ever! Will did not once seek comfort in El because Will didn’t simply need a sibling, he needed Jonathan. Jonathan and Will have a close and deep bond and it’s unique because Jonathan isn’t just fulfilling the role of a sibling for Will. So Jonathan cannot just be replaced by another sibling or anyone at all. Point is, when Will realized Jonathan was being distant he started bottling up everything he wanted to talk about. He did not talk to El instead because quite frankly, they don’t have that kind of relationship (El also didn’t tell Will about her and Mike’s problems and the lying).

So Will had no friends in Lenora, he almost lost all connection to his closest friend whom he’s also in love with and his big brother whom he could always count on for support wasn’t really there for him either. Mike and Jonathan are literally the two people Will always knew he could trust with anything because he knew they’d understand in one way or another. But then neither of them was there for him anymore for reasons unknown to Will which lead him to feel as though he can’t talk to either of them anymore. He wanted to talk to them! Desperately! But he just couldn’t. And all of a sudden Will was all alone. Lenora wasn’t fresh and happy and so much better than Hawkins. Lenora was lonely.

Did Lenora allow more room for personal development due to the lack of the upside down and bullying/rumors? Of course it did. Will’s willingness to make and present a project about Alan Turing is hinting at some positive development. In that aspect Lenora was better for Will than Hawkins but in every other aspect it wasn’t, simply because Will was on his own.

The fact that Will felt lost and alone in Lenora is also important for byler’s love story btw. Will telling Mike that he felt lost without him throughout the months he’s spent in Lenora is so significant because it’s a reply to Mike telling Will: “It’s Hawkins. It’s not the same without you.” Mike has called Hawkins his home throughout his entire life but once Will wasn’t there anymore the feeling of being at home left as well. And Will could move anywhere with his family but if Mike’s not there he feels lost nonetheless. The place where they feel like they belong is not a place at all, it’s the state of being together. Will feels found with Mike and Mike feels at home with Will. Mike makes Will feel better for being different and Will makes Mike feel like he’s not alone. Hawkins, Lenora, that doesn’t matter because it’s not about the place!

Will not being happy in Lenora without Mike is exactly as important as Mike not being happy in Hawkins without Will. Erasing that creates a different narrative, destroys the story they’re trying to tell. Simply because people are making it seem like Will can do just fine without Mike while Mike loses his mind without Will which is just not the case. The whole of s4 showed us that Will is not happy without Mike and that he needs him! Will literally tells Mike that he’d fall apart without him and still there are people that try to depict Will as having a good time in Lenora without Mike. Feeding into Mike’s insecurities and undermining Will’s love for Mike! And this is honestly something that makes my blood boil! People who constantly feel the need to undermine Will’s feelings for Mike are completely missing the point.

And this is kinda a different topic but I’ve seen this trend where people headcanon Will to have been on a sports team in Lenora and I just think that these people are once again missing a point that’s been made in the show. Will not being into sports serves a purpose in the telling of his story, It’s a story telling device. And while I do of course know that the focus is on baseball specifically, baseball seems to stand as a symbol for sports in general which then again are a symbol for conforming to society. Being into sports is what society thinks you should be into as a boy. “You shouldn’t like things just because people tell you you’re supposed to” is what Jonathan tells Will in s1 in regards to Will going to baseball games with Lonnie. Will does not like baseball = Will does not like sports = Will does not conform to societal standards. And Lonnie dragging him to the baseball/sports games is him trying to force Will to conform to societal standards. And Basketball was this big symbol of forced conformity in s4. Therefore being into sports and joining a team in Lenora totally defeats the purpose of a rather important story telling device in canon and therefore just isn’t compatible with the character. I’m of course well aware that Will wore a letterman jacket in the stranger things experience clips but owning a letterman jacket doesn’t automatically equal being on a sports team. It was a popular fashion item in the 80’s just like it is today. And I think it’s more likely that Will wore the jacket because he liked the jacket and not because he’s on a sports team because, again, that’d be missing the point. And as I said, the Alan Turing project hints at positive development while Will joining a sports team would hint at negative development so it simply doesn’t make sense for Will to have been on a sports team in Lenora.

#byler #time for lenora’s opinion #will byers #mike wheeler #stranger things

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will80sbyers · 2 years

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I dislike people hating on Jonathan because he's a stoner and useless (according to them). Like, we all go through hard times when we're just existing and losing motivation. I can't stand the Jonathan slandering.

abusive father

grew up poor

his peers made fun of him because he was poor and an introvert

felt forced to become the parental figure since childhood

thought him coming home late caused the disappearance of his little brother, his responsibility

thought his little brother was dead and his mother was losing her mind and didn't want to accept that

had to organise the funeral for his brother alone

found out that there are monsters out there and a parallel dimension, had to fight a literal monster at 16yo

had his brother back alive but he has to live with the fact that Will almost died because of his mistake, because wasn't there for him

the next year he finds out that Will is not okay, he is not himself anymore and has a monster inside, Will is not safe and he thinks it's his fault

has to watch his little brother be tied up in a shed and knows that if they don't get that thing out of him he will die

has to watch his mother hurt his little brother and his little brother hurt his mother and can't do anything about it

Will is safe in the end... but then the next year Jonathan finds out that actually no he is not, Nancy calls him and asks him where Will is... because he could be in danger... there is a big monster in Hawkins that is killing people now!

through all of this Jonathan knows that Will is gay and in love with Mike and is suffering for that too but he can't do anything to help him

they defeat the monster... it's over... but he finds out that his mother wants to go away from Hawkins and he has to leave his home and his girlfriend to go to California where he doesn't know anyone, he doesn't have anyone again.. but he knows his mother needs to leave Hawkins so he doesn't even complain to her about this choice

in Lenora he makes a friend but he is still afraid of leaving his family and not being there for them... he wants to be close to them in case they need his protection... he understands that he can't go to the same college as Nancy

Nancy was his only light in the dark in season 1 and he is in love with her so he doesn't want to influence her to follow him there somehow... he is also scared of becoming like his own father in the future... his stress reaches a new point and he needs to do something to stop thinking about it

people that blame Jonathan for dealing with his trauma by smoking weed and spending time with his first best friend in 17 years are saying that this kid doesn't deserve to finally BE A KID because he lost years of his life being a father when he doesn't have kids!!!!!!

HE IS STILL KIND AFTER ALL OF THAT. HE IS STILL SUPPORTING HIS LITTLE BROTHER FIRST UNTIL THE VERY END. HE IS STILL PUTTING HIS FAMILY FIRST.

talking bad about Jonathan... to me it's insane.

#jonathan byers #will byers #byler #mike wheeler #ask #jancy #nancy wheeler

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dinitride-art · 11 months

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“Mike wheeler’s armpit of a basement”

“I’ve seen Mike’s room look worse than this”

“I was being a total self pitying idiot”

“Why am I the bad guy”

“One day she’s going to realize that I’m just some random nerd”

“At least Lois Lane is an ace reporter for the Daily Planet”

“I’ve been bullied my whole life”

“Mike’s always whining about it”

“And yet you still have a C in Spanish”

“You can’t even write it Mike”

“You made it super clear that you’re not interested in anything I have to say”

“-and if I said that thing then maybe she’d want me there with her, wherever she is”

“The bad government dudes are after your super-girlfriend right? Right?! Okay, so, maybe the cops can help us find out where she is because they’re gonna kill her, man. And if they kill her, there gonna kill us!”

“Oh, no, no, no, no- it’s a shitty knock off, yeah”

“Who’s that twig with her?”

“That doesn’t mean he’s wrong. I mean, if that guy would’ve lived one more second- one more second- th- we could know where she is. Wh-why didn’t he just say the number? I-I should’ve explained myself, cuz then maybe, Eleven would’ve taken me with her and things would be different but I-I didn’t know what to say”

“And I feel like maybe I-I was worrying too much about El, and I don’t know, maybe I feel like I lost you or something”

“Y’know the last few days, I’ve had to think about the last talk we had. You know, before the cops and the whole word went to shit and everything? I- I guess- I just- I- I dunno- I guess I just wanted to- to say-”

“But… but what if after all of this is over… sh-she doesn’t need me anymore?”

“No I… it’s so stupid, given everything that’s going on. It’s just… I… I don’t know. I just”

“I, love you.”

Mike’s flopping on the floor like a miserable and suffocating fish out of water season. His friends make fun of him. Eddie made fun of his clothes. Karen told Dustin he’s welcome at the Wheeler’s anytime which implies that Mike isn’t really talking to his friends outside of school. Dustin and Mike didn’t know when Lucas’ basketball game was, which implies that they haven’t really been talking to Lucas a lot. Mike did call the Byers but wasn’t able to get through. El and Will are have been in Lenora for months and Mike hasn’t really been able to talk to either of them. El’s been lying to him in her letters and writing and signing letters is a reminder that he’s avoiding writing the word love. Everyone’s telling him that he’s doing something wrong. This kids going through it.

#Mike wheeler #byler #he’s got 0 self esteem #he’s been distancing himself from his friends #he’s got a history of depression/mental illness has a habit of striking back when you least expect it #he’s desperately trying to be normal #but he obviously doesn’t fit in with the freaks and losers like Dustin does #the only place he feels remotely alright being still isn’t right for him #he’s being confronted with not being able to tell el he loves her- and his sexuality #Will doesn’t call him #Nancy still doesn’t like him #and everytime I think about Mike in season four #I think about Will trying to knock some self confidence into him #and also Will looking concerned after Nancy made that comment about Mikes room #like that’s not normal for Mike. None of this is normal for Mike #and yet everyone’s just been like- yep. that’s Mike for you.#Will yelled at him once in episode two #and then picked up on Mike being moody and making comments to push people away #and not talking at breakfast. and then Will cut Mike a lot of slack after that #is Mike making good decisions? Hell no #but I think Will figured out that Mike is just struggling with everything. even if he doesn’t know what everything is.#Mike isn’t okay and that’s a problem because that’s the exact reason that everyone else got Vecna’d and yet they still can’t see it

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thestrangestthing89 · 1 year

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Mike understanding Will vs. Mike being oblivious

Evidence that Mike knows what Will is talking about in the van:

Will: "I didn't say it", Mike: "You didn't have to" - You're telling me that after they say this, Will is now going to have to spell out his feelings for Mike to understand? They wrote this line for a reason.

Mike has always been very emotionally aware of Will. We see that this season at the skating rink when it seems like Mike is ignoring him. He lists all these things Will's done (rolling his eyes, etc.). He pays attention to Will. We've seen this in past seasons, too. The only time he was shown to not be aware of Will's feelings was briefly in season 3 was when him and Lucas were making fun of him over D&D. The second Mike realizes he actually hurt him, he runs after him to apologize and he never does this again. Mike was so busy pretending to be all grown up and like Lucas he missed what was happening with Will. But he figures it out quickly and fixes it.

Will: "You make her feel like she's not a mistake". Will says this line when he's giving Mike the painting and pretending his feelings are El's. Mike knows this isn't true. Him and El had a fight in Lenora and El said "You looked at me like I'm a monster". This fight happened a few days before Will says this. Mike didn't forget. He knows what they fought about. He knows he makes El feel like a monster because she told him.

Mike: "I care for you so much". This line is so platonic and self-aware. She wants him to tell her he loves her and deliberately avoids saying it. He knows what she wants him to say. He blurted out he loves her at the end of season 3, makes a confused face after he says it, tries to awkwardly talk to her and explain that he loves her while avoiding saying the word and confuses her in the process. Then when she brings it up later, he pretends like he doesn't remember and says "that was just heat of the moment stuff". She says it back to him and he's confused and doesn't respond. Then he spends the next several months avoiding saying it the letters he writes her. This is again, very self-aware. It would be very easy to write this. Especially if he already said it out loud. He recognized at the end of 3 that he didn't mean it and didn't say it again.

He throws away 2 of her letters that we see. It's implied he isn't keeping them.

He flirts with Will twice in Lenora. Not to mention how flirty they were at the end of season 3 when they are packing up they Byer's things.

Mike's emotional intelligence has been on display several times throughout the series. Not only does he take care of Will but they have many heart-to-heart conversations where he is empathetic and understanding. He listens to Will. But we also see him do this a little with El in season 1. When they first find her he acknowledges that she's scared and gives her a place to stay and food. He didn't have to do this. It shows emotional maturity. He is aware of other peoples feelings. He doesn't register that Lucas is jealous of the time he's spending with her because he is honestly not spending a lot of time with her. I just rewatched season 1. Their time together is limited. So when Dustin calls him oblivious for not realizing why Lucas was jealous, it really just doesn't add up logically with what was actually happening. Which is why Mike doesn't register this. It's not obliviousness. Dustin and Lucas are misinterpreting the situation.

He looks like he's in physical pain giving his I love you monologue to El. He is more than capable of listing things he likes about a person. There is a reason Will calls him the heart. He connects emotionally to people (Will specifically) but he can't do that with El. He knows he is lying. All of his behavior up until this point suggests he knows this.

Him and El aren't speaking at the end and are rolling their eyes at each other. He isn't even attempting to talk to her. If he believed anything he said he wouldn't be acting like this. He would be trying to talk to her or comfort her when she's clearly upset. When they get to the cabin he just completely ignores her and walks ahead and leaves her behind at the car without a second glance back. This isn't obliviousness and a lack of emotional awareness. We see him 2 minutes later talking to Will and telling him she's upset she lost and then comforting Will about Henry. He knows and understands what people are feeling and what the correct responses are to emotional situations. He doesn't comfort El because he doesn't want to and he knows she doesn't want him to. He is aware of this. She's rolling her eyes at him, too. The only time they aren't stand offish with each other is at the hospital. She leans her head on his shoulder in a very Harry and Hermione like way. He lets her. It's what she needs in the moment. He's not confused by this or shoving her off. (Edit: I want to add here that Will is crying after he gives Mike the painting and Mike sees him. Why would Will be crying if he's talking about El's feelings? If Mike believes what Will is saying is actually El than he would have asked about what upset him because it doesn't add up. Will wouldn't be crying over another couples feelings. It only makes sense if he's crying about his own. Mike doesn't ask him what's wrong because he knows. He knows Will just confessed and it was hard for him so he doesn't have to ask. He also can't say what he wants to say with other people in the car so he gives Will space. Also just look at Mike's face in this scene. It says everything you need to know. Especially when you compare it to his face during his monologue to El. He's so happy when Will is talking to him and he never looks at El like that.)

Evidence that Mike is oblivious:

Mike is never actually SHOWN to be oblivious, we just have characters saying that he is. Dustin and Lucas say it in reference to the way that he acts TOWARD EL. Not towards Will. He doesn't respond to El the way that someone who has a crush on her does which is why they say he is oblivious. He doesn't act like a boyfriends is supposed to so they help him. They are realizing he isn't acting that way for a reason. Mike has never be called oblivious in reference to Will.

Finn says Mike is oblivious and clueless. Of course he does. He can't say that he knows what Will is talking about. It's a spoiler. I don't know why people take these interviews so seriously. The actors can't say anything. They frequently say things that aren't true because they were instructed to. Interviews are to promote the show. And the audience is in the dark about Mike's feelings so he can't say more than this. The oblivious excuse is so easy. It allows people to dismiss a lot of other things that are going on. It's superficial. But the show is never what it seems on the surface. They like to show and not tell. So if they are TELLING us that Mike is oblivious, then we need to pay attention to what they are SHOWING us. They have never shown us that he has no idea what's going on. They have shown us the opposite. It's a misdirect. They want people believing he's oblivious so that when they show us the truth it's completely unexpected. Most of the audience has the wrong perception of him. And honestly, a lot of the insistence that Mike is oblivious is coming from people who desperately want him to have romantic feelings for El at some point even if they think Byler is endgame. I don't understand this need for these two to be romantically involved. There is the bare minimum being done with the way they interact. They are being intentionally written to not understand each other or be good for each other and it's been consistent since the beginning. Just because one is a boy and one is a girl and they are cute kids doesn't mean they need to be crushing on each other. It isn't being SHOWN.

#byler #mike wheeler #will byers #gay mike wheeler #mike x will

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elekinetic · 1 year

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dear el,

i’m sorry i didn’t call you more. god, that feels like such a stupid way to start this letter, but i have a feeling this’ll mostly be apologies, so i might as well start with one.

i’m sorry that i haven’t been around as much. i’m sure mike told you that i was being a total asshole and ignoring like, everyone. and he’s right, which is stupid and i hate it, but he’s right. it was never about you, okay? i’ve just been dealing with so much shit in my own head and… well, i guess i thought it would be easier if you didn’t have to worry about me anymore. i know you were worried about me, and i know pulling away probably only freaked you out more, and i’m sorry. you deserve better than m that.

it’s weird, going through this whole thing again but without you. i keep thinking i’m gonna turn around and you’ll be there with some great plan to save the day. and i’m sorry—again—that i wish you were here. you deserve to be free of all this bullshit.

when we started hanging out last summer, i remember thinking, okay max. you’re gonna just treat her like a normal person, because no one else does. and you’re not normal, you’re like, totally cool and awesome and so brave… i just wanted to be someone you didn’t have to be brave for.

i need you to promise me something. like, actually promise me, and follow through on it. it’s my “dying wish,” or whatever.

don’t blame yourself. this is not your fault. i’m not saying that to say it, or to make you feel better, because if you’re reading this then…. well, everything’s probably really fucking shitty right now. this is not your fault. i had as much of a role in this as “vecna” did, okay? i knew what i was getting into. i need you to know that no matter what happens, you are like, my favorite person. you’re the best person i know. all you do is help people and love people, even when they don’t deserve it. i need you to promise me you’re gonna do that for you too, because you do deserve it.

and i need you to do one more thing for me. and i’m sorry that i keep telling you things i need because it feels like that’s all anyone ever asks of you, like, what can you do for them, or whatever. but that’s what i’m trying to say here.

i need you to be selfish. don’t be a hero. get the hell out of hawkins and lenora and all this small town bullshit, and make a life for yourself somewhere where you can do whatever you want. whatever you like to do. and if that’s with mike or whoever, i don’t know and i don’t care. just put yourself first.

i’m sorry i haven’t been the greatest friend lately. and i’m sorry that it’s gonna hurt you for me to not be here. i wish we had more time. but, you know, the time we did have was pretty bitchin’, right?

i miss you. i love you.

your grateful best friend,

- max

p.s. apparently the whole thing with fighting vecna is “hiding in the light,” or like, good memories. when he comes for me, im gonna be thinking about you. so, you know, even if this goes bad… you helped. just you being you. thanks.

#max mayfield #elmax #<- platonic for me but could be read romantic #el hopper #st (e.v.)#ella's writing prose

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egrets-not-regrets · 10 days

Text

Guesthouse of the (Lost) Astartes: To Render Aid (1)

Erriox and Lenora provide aid to a lost chaos space marine and his young bonded human.

Dialogue spoken in Gothic are bolded and italicized.

Author's Note: this is part 1 of the multi-part story. Here is Part 2, and Part 3.

This fic is turning out to be very long, so I've divided it into two parts. It focuses on the relationship of a chaos space marine who is intensely bonded to his human and touches upon the issue with Black Templars bonding with humans.

Erriox is a responsible space marine and does responsible things. And no, he definitely does not do it for his bonded human's approval.

Thank you @squishyowl for making the fic dividers!

OCs: Lenora; Erriox (Iron Warrior); Ben; Malaran Blackspike (Black Legion)

Tagged: @kit-williams, @barn-anon, @bleedingichorhearts, @shadowfirecat, @gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan,

@sleepyfan-blog, @c-u-c-koo-4-40k

Lenora had a sense that something was wrong just as Erriox barged into the house.

“Bring blankets and a medi-pack. He has an injured child.” He told her as he urged whoever he was leading to come inside the house. She swore and immediately went to her linen closet, drawing out a few bath towels and blankets, and set them onto the couch and one of the blankets on the ground. Erriox had already pushed away the coffee table to make more room. Lenora then went to get the first aid kit from her backpack. The other space marine stood there, unsure and wary of all the activity, only holding his bundled charge tighter against his armour.

When Lenora returned, she finally got a proper look at the new ‘guests’. The space marine was a chaos marine, she recognized the symbolism of the eight-pointed star with the red eye that decorated his worn and battered armour. He looked like he had seen better days and had good reasons to be wary. She worried about the human he carried mostly. It was still in the thick of winter, and very likely this person would be suffering from some degree of hypothermia. Even bundled in that blanket or cape, it was not enough to insulate from this biting cold for long.

“We should call and get them to a hospital.” She said to Erriox, about to pull out her phone.

“NO!” the chaos marine roared, about to leap forward to stop her. He didn’t know what she was saying, but he saw the phone that she was reaching for. Erriox snarled back, immediately shoving Lenora behind himself. Movement coming from the bundle in the chaos marine’s arms and a disconnected whine caught all their attention.

“Or-? Wha- s- wha- s-m going on?” The person in his arms was young, teen or a bit older perhaps, by the way they sounded. Lenora let out a breath of relief. Good. At least they were awake, somewhat.

She called out to them, slowly moving out from behind her Iron Warrior, his hand still preventing her from moving too far forward, “Hey buddy, I’m Lenora and this is my Astartes, Erriox. You’re at my house. Erriox brought you guys here to get you help. Do you understand me?”

The teen mumbled, “S… cold…”

“I know hun, we’re gonna take care of you. What’s your name?” She cooed comfortingly.

“Ben.”

“Okay, Ben. I’m going to have these guys help warm you up okay?

“K.”

“Are you hurt anywhere else?” She asked.

“Ssso c-c-cold.” Even Lenora could hear Ben’s teeth chatter without enhanced hearing. The chaos marine let out a worried gruff “Ben?”

She turned to Erriox, her voice stern and serious, “I’ll need you to translate for me. One, Tell him I will need to touch Ben to check for injuries. Two, Ben needs warmth immediately and you space marines are like giant heaters. Skin to skin heat would warm them up the quickest. Either you or he needs to take off the top half of your armour, gauntlets too, and put the child’s back against your chest. Hold his hands in yours to warm up his fingers. ”

The Iron Warrior translated what she said to his chaos-touched brethren. Lenora could only understand bits and pieces of their conversation, but it was clear that the chaos space marine did not like what was being asked, especially about being unarmored. She frowned, tapping on Erriox’s armour to get his attention, “I hate to put you in such a vulnerable position, but could you do it? Once I get the heating pad working, we can use that instead. We shouldn’t be wasting any more time.”

Her Astartes glanced at her and after some brief but terse words to the chaos space marine, took off the top half of his armour, gauntlets and all, exposing his bodysuit. He kept his weapons within short reach though. Erriox then quickly snatched the young human from the other marine, and settled on the floor. The teen sat securely in his lap unwrapped from the cape, back against his chest, their hands clasped in his.

“Ben, this is going to be a bit weird, but I’m going to lift the back of your shirt so you have more skin contact with Erriox. That’ll warm you up faster, alright?” Lenora said as she lifted the back of Ben’s shirt before pushing him against her Astartes again, trying hard to ignore the chaos marine’s intense stare.

She covered the teen with the cape again, then knelt in front of them and asked, “Ben, could you let me take off your shoes?”

Ben only nodded, wincing slightly at the friction of his shoes being pulled off his feet. Lenora frowned, worried at the state of the teen’s extremities. They’re cold and looked red. She looked at him, “Could you wiggle your toes for me?”

He did as asked, his toes wiggling slightly.

“How do your toes feel?”

“Kind of tingly.”

She then pinched each of his toes, confirming that the teen was able to feel, except for some numbness.

Lenora smiled slightly, the frostnip on Ben’s toes wasn’t as serious as she thought. That’s a good sign.

“Luckily it’s just frostnip and not frostbite.” She told him, “I’ll give you heated socks to warm your toes and bring back some feeling to them. Your toes might start feeling like they’re on pins and needles for a little bit. Ok?”

Ben nodded.

“Can I see your hands?” She requested, “How are they feeling?”

The Iron Warrior released his hands so Lenora could check the child’s hands. Ben nodded, confirming that he could feel his fingers again.

Erriox watched in silence as his bonded patiently tended to their young charge, glancing at the chaos marine occasionally. His dear gentle Lenora, still admirably calm despite the chaos marine’s constant glare. She had a penchant for making those around feel safe and comfortable. Most people, Erriox thought, with the exception of that irritated chaos marine.

He wasn’t well-versed with all future successor chapters of the original legions as he arrived in Ancient Terra before Horus’ betrayal occurred. To be honest, he still hadn’t quite processed that fully. Nonetheless, he recognized the chaos marine’s armour to be from the Black Legion. His hand itched for his bolter at his waist under the chaos marine’s hard stare made, but luckily or unluckily, they were preoccupied with warming up the youngling. If his Black Legion cousin had such a hard time having them care for his charge, maybe he should doff his own armour and do it himself.

What had even possessed him to let this pair into their home, potentially endangering both of him and Lenora? Granted, the pair were in such dire straits at the time. Any longer out in that freezing weather would have exponentially worsened the youngling’s condition, and at worst, would have resulted in his death. I’ve gone soft, Erriox thought sourly. The slight upside was that the boy was now at least out of danger and the Black Legionnaire had yet to make a move to attack them. Though the Iron Warrior wouldn’t hesitate to use the youngling against his cousin if that came to pass.

Erriox could feel the youngling’s body temperature slowly increase and his heartbeat regulating back to its normal rhythm and strength. The child sighed in comfort as his posture sagged against his body, his breaths slowly evening out as drowsiness set in. He looked at Lenora and she smiled at him appreciatively.

“Thank you.” She murmured to him, giving him a reassuring squeeze on his arm as she pulled up another blanket to cover the boy. Erriox nodded curtly in acknowledgment, sitting straighter, holding the youngling securely against himself.

She patted the teen’s shoulder to wake him up, “Hey Ben, I’m going to get you a heating pad to hang on to and some heated socks. Do you also want some hot chocolate?”

“Please.”

Lenora smiled, “Alright. I’m sure we could all use some.”

She gave Erriox another thankful squeeze on his shoulder before going to get the heating pad and other items to further warm their temporary ward. Only to hear armour clanking and a muffled conversation while she looked for said items. Her brows furrowed with concern, wondering what was going on, though confident that Erriox had a good handle on that situation.

Malaran Blackspike closely observed the interaction between the Iron Warrior and his human tending to his own charge. He glared at them. How dare that Iron Warrior chastise him, short of calling him a coward, for not wanting to disarm himself in case of potential attackers. He didn’t know half of what they went through! And as if he trusted them!

Then he had the audacity to grab his youngling right out of his hands? Malaran’s fists were balled tight, holding himself back from drawing his weapon right there to fight the Iron Warrior. He knew they were trying to help his youngling, but he resented his lack of control and knowledge of the situation. They’re not here to steal his boy away like all the others, he had to remind himself.

To be fair, Malaran didn’t even understand why or how he got so attached to this youngling. Ben. Ben was this child’s name. As soon as he saw him, some wall in him broke. Some instinct in himself screamed to protect this boy. He must protect his child.

He couldn’t explain it. Perhaps they were kindred spirits, both as lost in this world as the other. Ben had been wandering, lost and confused, when he first found him after all. The boy was lucky that he found him first, rather than his less than human-friendly brethren. Though it felt like a constant struggle from the very start. First, fighting off and escaping his brethren, then coming to blows with the family’s Black Templar before finally escaping with his charge in tow, then fighting through and narrowly escaping a roaming group of ‘ferals’ that tried ambushing them one night.

He should’ve left his charge back at his family’s home. Ben would’ve been unhappy, yes, but he was safe there. Yet here they are, seeking sanctuary in a strange woman’s house after being found by some Iron Warrior. He counted himself lucky, though his pride would not let him admit it out loud. Ben was freezing to death and he was faced with an enemy he could not fight. He did not know where to go, where he could find sufficient shelter for him and his bonded little one. A strange kind of anxiety writhed in his gut.

This was all confusing and contradictory! A part of him felt a sliver of disgust watching how intimately and familiar they all interacted with each other, yet another part of himself warred with that thought. He should also be in that picture. He should be the one taking care of his young charge. Why wasn’t he the one warming him? He should get his youngling back.

“Iron Warrior, give me back the boy.” Malaran demanded.

“Why?”

“I will tend to him. He is my bonded human after all.”

Erriox eyed him with indifference, still cradling Ben who now dozed off against him, “Take your armour off. Your child still requires warmth.”

Malaran grumbled with frustration at being told what to do, but nonetheless started to remove his armour. He was not going to let this iron canid steal his youngling away so quickly after all they went through. The helmet dropped with a resounding clank (Lenora winced when she heard that. That one’s going to dent her floor.), followed by his gauntlets, and various pieces of his armour until his upper torso was devoid of it. “There. Now return my boy to me.” He demanded.

Erriox gently pushed up the sleepy teen, who groaned in complaint, “Ben. Wake up. Go back to… my cousin.” He turned to Malaran, “What is your name?”

“It is not your business to know.” The chaos warrior sneered, now seated on the couch, hastily bundling Ben into himself like a broody hen.

Erriox snorted derisively, “It matters not to me. Does your bonded even know your name?”

Malaran growled, “I was gifted my name from the boy. You know nothing of the trials we went through.”

“Yes, and you know nothing of us either. Yet here we are, saving your bonded from freezing to death. I am asking for your name, not your secrets. Unless you prefer I make up a name for you.” Erriox replied with a sarcasm-laced sneer. Frankly, he was getting sick of this Black Legionnaire’s belligerent attitude.

Reluctantly, Malaran grumbled out his name.

Lenora came back to the sight of both the Black Legionnaire and her Iron Warrior, each returned to sitting on a couch, each stewing in their own feelings. The coffee table was back in its original place. Ben, all bundled and tucked under the chaos space marine’s chin.

She turned to Erriox in question; his only answer was a shrug and, “He wanted his boy back.”

Perhaps it was best for Ben to be with his chaos Astartes; he certainly cares for Ben very fiercely, Lenora thought. She plugged the heating pad to an extension cord, immediately feeling heat emanating from the pad. She set the power to “low” before handing it along with the pair of her heated socks to Ben, pointedly ignoring the tensing muscles in the chaos marine’s arms.

“It’s to help you keep warm. But if you feel it’s getting too hot, feel free to turn it off and put it aside.” She advised the teen. Ben accepted the heating pad and put on the socks with some finangling, being slightly hindered by his chaos space marine. Lenora looked at the pair with quiet approval before turning to get the hot chocolate ready. Erriox stood up, “Do you need assistance?”

She looked to her bonded, “I could use the company.”

The Iron Warrior went to his human’s side, pulling out the canister of hot chocolate powder while she filled the kettle.

“How far do you want to aid them?” He asked quietly as they waited for the water to boil.

Lenora sighed, looking out into the winter landscape, “Enough so we can find out what’s going on and be able to send them to where they can get more help.” She murmured back, her brows furrowed in worry, “But I am afraid this is either a kidnapping and I’m missing the signs or this is something more complicated.”

She then let out a short huff with a grin of resignation, “I suppose we'll cross that bridge when we get there.”

Erriox laid his hand against the small of her back and assured her with a wry grin of his own, “We’ll see this to the end together.” She smiled back.

As they waited, Lenora leaned into his side; something she did out of habit when they cooked together, but right now needing his presence to ground herself from the stressful atmosphere. Erriox automatically pulled her in securely against himself, his arm wrapped protectively around her. Malaran did not miss that gesture.

It didn’t take long before Lenora and Erriox were back with steaming mugs of hot chocolate. The chaos space marine growled at her as she made to pass a mug to Ben. She shot him an annoyed look, finally fed up with his suspicions, “Why would I kill Ben after all the effort to save him? That is stupid!” She said in frustration.

The marine was gob-smacked, her little statement in gothic catching him off-guard. Ben looked at her in awe. Erriox tensed, ready to leap to her defence should the Black Legionnaire decide to take action. Lenora only sighed and turned to Ben, “Sorry bud, I will leave the hot chocolate on the coffee table for you two to take it, ok? The last thing I need is for hot chocolate to spill on you.”

A loud, threatening growl erupted from the chaos marine’s chest, his suspicions at an all time high. How dare they hide the fact that she knew Gothic! Was she a spy? Why wasn’t the Iron Warrior concerned?

“How much did you understand?!”

Lenora glared back, not backing down, “Enough to know you were unhappy to take off your armour.”

“Are you calling me a coward?!” Malaran tensed, about to roll Ben off of him to get up from the couch.

Lenora was alarmed by his remark, “What are—? No!”

Erriox immediately pulled her back to his side on the other couch, putting himself between the Black Legionnaire and his bonded once more, “Think carefully about your next actions, cousin.” he growled lowly, threat and promise carried in his voice.

“Stop! Orca! Stop!” Ben pleaded, clutching to him tightly, “Please!”

Thankfully, the chaos marine backed down at his bonded child’s request.

Lenora turned to the boy, “Orca? Did you give him that name?” She knew the chaos space marine definitely had another name.

“Yeah! You should see how awesome and strong he is! He fought off all those other space marines all by himself!” Whether or not those other space marines were trying to rescue Ben or hurt him remained the question, Lenora wondered. It would be concerning if “Orca” had kidnapped Ben from his family though.

“I see…” Lenora decided to change the subject, if only to dissipate some of the tension in the room, “Are you a fan of marine documentaries?”

“Yeah! They are the best!” Ben perked up, glad that there was finally a topic he could talk about.

Lenora smiled kindly, “Orca is a good name. Don’t they hunt in family pods though?” she asked

The teen nodded, “They normally do, but there’s some orcas that can kill a great white shark all on their own!”

Malaran looked on with confusion upon hearing his given name while his bonded youngling animatedly chatted with the Iron Warrior’s human. He turned to the other Astartes, “What are they talking about?”

“Sea creatures and the merit of your given name. She said your boy gave you a good name.”

Malaran snorted, but he was satisfied. Of course his bonded would give him a good name! And name him after some sort of sea creature. He remembered seeing the few books that Ben had, contained pictures of water beasts, though he couldn’t understand anything of what was written. He felt the boy reach out for the drinks on the table. He crooned with concern and held Ben back.

Erriox sighed, “Let your boy have the drink. It is not poisoned if that is what you are concerned with. He needs to replenish his fluids.”

The Black Legionnaire relented and loosened his grip. Ben leaned forward and grabbed both mugs, passing one to him with a big smile, “Here! You should have one too.”

A warm feeling grew in his chest, similar to when Ben first led him home and gave him his name; remembering how the child tried to stuff him in his closet to hide him from his paternal parental figure. Malaran chuckled at the memory and looked at Ben fondly before taking the offered mug and patted his head. Ben giggled before snuggling back against his body again. The wall in him broke open further, letting the warmth strengthen his bond with his youngling. Watching Ben drink his hot chocolate, he decided to take a sip as well. It was sweet, with a hint of bitterness. Malaran decided that he liked this drink.

Lenora watched the pair with fondness as both her and Erriox drank their share. She let out a quiet sigh of relief and leaned into her Astartes. Erriox glanced at her in question, she smiled at him and squeezed his hand, “Thank you for taking them in. You did good.” She murmured.

His gaze softened as he squeezed her hand in return, “You’re welcome.”

“Miss…?” Ben’s unsure voice cut through the lull.

“Lenora is fine, no need for the ‘Miss’.” Lenora responded kindly, “You have a question?”

“Yeah, you asked if Orca was the name I gave him. Does that mean he has his own name too? Can he tell me his name?” The teen asked.

Lenora looked at the chaos space marine, “You’re bonded wants to know your name. Do you want to let him know?”

The Black Legionnaire mulled it over for a moment then patted Ben’s shoulder, getting his attention, “I am Malaran, but I want you to call me Orca. You gifted me a good name.” He‘d rather his youngling call him by his given name; outside of being quite attached to that name, it was also for Ben’s own safety, in case anyone else recognized it.

“Ben, his name is Malaran, but he prefers to be called Orca.” Lenora translated for the boy.

The teen perked up, “He likes my name?”

Lenora smiled, “He sure does.”

“Can you teach me to say something in Orca’s language?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

Ben looked at his guardian briefly before looking back at Lenora and Erriox. “Thank you for staying with me. You are awesome. I want to be strong like you one day.”

Erriox chuckled, surely this will no doubt inflate the chaos marine’s ego. He put his hand on Lenora's leg signalling that he would take over, “Ben, repeat after me. Orca, thank you for staying with me. You are amazing. I want to be strong like you.”

Malaran hearts nearly burst when he heard that. Ben’s pronunciation was a bit off, but the meaning behind it was there, with truth and sincerity. This was definitely his youngling, his bond made the right choice. He will protect and cherish this one for as long as he lives, regardless of who or what gets in the way. His purr grew to a loud rumble as Ben laughed when he hugged him and ruffled his hair. Their heartfelt moment was unfortunately cut short when Erriox asked his Black Legion cousin, “How did you end up here?”

#warhammer 40k #space marine husbandry #space marine husbandry sentience #oc: erriox #oc: lenora #oc: ben #oc: malaran blackspike #iron warriors #black legion

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illuminatedquill · 3 months

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Princess Lenora and The Starboy

A Sabine Wren & Ezra Bridger Fairytale

Story Summary: A younger Sabine listens to an old fairytale told by her father, Alrich Wren.

~ the Princess ~

"Sabine, please do be careful up here. The steps are treacherous," called Alrich Wren to his daughter. The mountain path was relatively easy for the average Mandalorian, having been scouted and paved generations prior, but Alrich was not from the warrior class - and he was feeling that fact more and more with every step up the mountain.

It feels like someone poured sand into my joints, he thought grimly as he clambered over another low rock. By the Force was he thankful that Ursa was not here to witness this. She'd never let him live it down.

Sabine, all of eight years old, turned around and rolled her eyes at him. Her hair was cut short, similar to how her mother styled it, barely brushing past the nape of her neck and dyed a striking magenta color (much to her mother's disapproval). She wore a gray combat suit tailored to her scrawny frame, sans the armor plating that was custom to Mandalorian warriors. Sabine was not yet of age to receive her birthright, as was customary to all Mandalorian younglings, but it was coming soon.

"I think you should be worried more about yourself, Father," replied Sabine. "I'm doing just fine by myself."

Alrich wiped the sweat from his brow. The weather on Krownest was at its warmest for this season which, honestly, didn't mean much to anyone who lived here. It just meant that the cold was less biting than usual. "Remind me why you're here again," he said, throwing a stern look at his daughter.

Sabine shrugged. "For moral support, of course," she said with a cheerful smile.

"Uh-huh," he said dryly. "And not because you want to skip out on your studies again."

She crossed her arms - a gesture that reminded him violently of his wife. Sabine was more like her mother than either were willing to admit, which probably explained why they butted heads often. Alrich couldn't help but smile at her.

"Studies are boring," Sabine complained. "I'm going to ace it all, anyway."

Alrich sighed. It was true, of course. Sabine was a child prodigy, blessed with intelligence and aptitude towards any subject she put her mind to. The problem wasn't with her mind, her parents noted. It was with her attitude and rebellious demeanor.

In these dark times, it meant trouble.

"That's not the point of your studies, Sabine," he said. "It's a matter of discipline."

"Discipline is also boring," she countered.

This was not an argument he was going to win. Alrich shook his head and kept hiking forward until he finally caught up with his daughter. With an exasperated sigh, he fondly ruffled Sabine's hair.

"Father," she whined. "Don't mess up my hair, please."

Alrich grinned and began to put more vigor into his ruffling when he spotted something from the corner of his eye: a patch of white flowers, bursting up from the frost.

"A-ha," he said. "We've found it."

Sabine frowned and turned to follow his gaze. "Flowers? That's what we came all this way for?"

Alrich stepped forward, his footfalls crunching heavily in the snow. "Not just any flower, Sabine," he said. "Come, get a closer look."

She did and her eyes widened in recognition. "Lenora flowers," she said. "From the fairytale? These are real?"

"Of course they're real," said Alrich. "And unique to Krownest. These flowers don't grow anywhere else in the entire galaxy."

Sabine sat down to study them more closely. Her brown eyes sparkled with interest. "What makes them so special?"

Alrich sat next to her, grateful for the momentary rest. "Lenora flowers can grow in the adverse conditions of Krownest. Even during the harshest of winters, they continue to thrive. To our people, they are symbolic of unwavering loyalty and perseverance."

Sabine glanced at him. "And love?"

He nodded. "Yes. That is why they're your mother's favorite. I gift these to her every anniversary."

The look his daughter gave him turned sly. "And whenever you upset her, I gather. Because today is not your anniversary."

Alrich coughed to hide his embarrassment. "That's nonsense," he replied. "I was just feeling in the mood."

She grinned at him. "Your secret is safe with me, Father."

He patted her on the knee. "Good girl."

Alrich turned his attention back to the patch of flowers. "Do you remember the fairytale, Sabine? Princess Lenora and the Starboy?"

Sabine scrunched her face, thinking. "Vaguely. Were there star whales involved?"

Alrich smiled, pleased. It had been some time since she had last heard the fairytale. "Yes, there was. Would you like to hear the whole story again? We have time to spare before we need to head back."

His daughter gave him a knowing look. "And you want to rest your knees some more, too."

He laughed. "Ah, Sabine. Sharp as always."

She smiled at him. "Go on, then. Tell me the story."

~ a long time ago ~

As you know, Sabine, Lenora flowers are named after our distant ancestor, Princess Lenora. Legends say that she was the first leader of Clan Wren, and our family are descended directly from her line.

A long time ago, however, Princess Lenora and her people were not living on Krownest - they were fleeing a heavy conflict from another world, seeking a new home. That conflict had devastated their home world to the point that it could no longer sustain life and, fearing for the future of her clan, the Princess gathered the remaining survivors and they fled to the stars.

A few ten thousand souls were all that remained and their lives were in the young Princess' hands. She was strong, brave, and fierce - a running theme in all Clan Wren women, I've noted - but the galaxy tested her and her people to their limits.

No world would accept them. They could find no refuge anywhere. What little valuables they had taken with them were bargained away for food and water and fuel. And, with enough time passed, those began to run out.

Her people starving, homeless, and beginning to lose hope, caused the Princess to grow dispirited. One late night, after hearing the crying of her people, she called out to the stars - begging, pleading for anyone or anything to help.

And the Starboy answered.

Those born from the stars, Sabine, are special; their hearts are made from pure kyber. But they could be fickle folk, too, prone to pranks, thievery, and other mischievous acts. Dealing with them meant that one had to be careful. They were tricksters, capable of performing great feats of magick.

The Princess knew this. Making a deal with the Starboy was an act of pure desperation and could lead to disaster down the line - but her people were in need of salvation.

"I will help you, dear Princess," offered the Starboy. "I can find your people a new home. But you must offer me something in return to match the value of my talent."

"We have no valuables left to bargain with," the Princess replied. "What would you have of us?"

The Starboy thought about this for a while. He had no interest in physical possessions - but he was very lonely. There were very few of his people left; he could not recall the last time he had seen another starborne.

He realized what he desired from the Princess: companionship. Someone to stay by his side, always.

So, the Starboy made his offer. "I would ask for your friendship, in exchange for my help."

Surprised, the Princess nevertheless reached out her hand. "I accept," she said.

And henceforth, the duo journeyed together with her people amongst the stars to find a new home.

The Starboy knew that the deal struck between him and the Princess would end the moment they found a suitable planet for her people, so he sought to delay the ending as much as possible. Using his magick to keep feeding her people and fueling their ships, the Princess didn't mind - and even grew to love the Starboy, despite his antics.

The adventures they had all over the galaxy were the stuff of legend, Sabine: they saw planets made of smoke and song; met various aliens of indescribable beauty and absurdity; sailed through fields of endless ice and light. The Starboy delighted in showing the Princess and her people the endless wonders of the galaxy.

One day, they came across a pod of star whales, stuck in a vast maze of shifting star dust. With the Starboy's magick and the Princess' ingenuity, they led the lost star whales out to safety.

Grateful, they pledged to return the favor one day, should they ever ask. But, to the Starboy, they left a warning: a great Witch had arrived from the deep space beyond their galaxy and sought the Starboy for his power. Someday, they warned, the Witch would find him and destroy all he held dear in order to obtain his power.

After the star whales departed the Starboy grieved, for he knew that his time with the Princess and her people was soon nearing its end. With a heavy heart, he delayed no longer and led them to a new world - one that, in time, would be known as Krownest.

The Princess and her people were overjoyed at the sight of their new home. They thanked the Starboy for his help with celebrations of song and food. But the Starboy could not accept their gratitude, as he was too burdened with sadness at his imminent departure.

Their deal was concluded - and danger was coming. The Starboy had fallen in love with the Princess and her people. To keep them safe, he decided to leave quietly in the dead of night.

But Princess Lenora stopped him. "Do not go," she said. "Stay with us. This is your home, too."

"Our deal is finished," replied the Starboy. "I have done as requested. You have no need of me anymore. And the Witch is coming."

The Princess reached out and grasped his hand. "Then make a new deal with me. Stay with us. We will defeat this Witch together. And when we do so, you must give something to me."

"I have no personal possessions," said the Starboy, smiling. "No valuables on my person. What would you have of me?"

"Give me your heart, Starboy," replied the Princess. "And stay by my side, forevermore."

She reached out her hand. Instead, however, the Starboy gave her a hug, glad to have a companion at last.

But it was not meant to be, Sabine. For the Witch arrived the very next day and brought war with her.

Princess Lenora and her people were the finest Mandalorians the galaxy had ever seen. They fought with everything they had for three days and three nights. The surface of Krownest became battle-scarred and burned; the Witch's magick brought about an endless frost that still plagues our home to this day.

Despite the bravery of Princess Lenora and her clan, they could not win the battle. The Starboy, his heart breaking at their courage despite the overwhelming odds, concocted a final plan to trick the Witch.

On the fourth day, the Starboy offered himself up to the Witch. Eager to devour his heart and obtain the source of his power, she ripped open his chest -

Only to find it empty.

"Where is it?" she hissed at him, furious to be deprived of her prize. "Where is your heart, Starboy?"

"I have given it to another, Witch!" yelled the Starboy in response. "It will never be yours!"

The Witch howled in fury and began to reach for her magick to punish Princess Lenora and her people -

With a final effort of magick, the Starboy called to the star whales -

And they came to his side in a flash of starlight. "We have come to repay the favor," they said.

"Take this Witch back to whence she came!" said the Starboy.

"It shall be done," the star whales answered. And they surrounded the Witch, their arms reaching around her, tightening and tightening. From the ground below, the people cheered - except for Princess Lenora. She leapt into a ship and flew out to meet the Starboy, still clutched in the Witch's grasp.

"Come home with me!" she cried out. "You promised to stay with me, Starboy!"

But the Starboy looked at his beloved Princess and shook his head. "I must go and see this through, Princess. I have to make sure the Witch never comes back to hurt your people."

The star whales began to glow with a fearsome light, signaling their departure into the deep reaches beyond our galaxy. The Witch howled and struggled but could not escape their grip.

The Princess cried out one last time: "You must promise to come back. I will wait for you; do you hear me?"

The Starboy smiled at her, possibly for the last time. "I accept this deal, Princess. A part of me will always be with you, until I return."

With a final burst of dazzling light, the star whales vanished into space, leaving behind a trail of stardust. And with them, the Starboy and the Witch.

In the years to come, the Princess waited patiently for her beloved Starboy to return. His heart, given to her as per their deal, was buried on a distant mountain top to keep safe. Every night, she travelled to the spot where his heart lay and sat down, looking up at the night sky.

She watched the stars wheel endlessly above. Every now and then, one of them twinkled at her; the Princess wondered sadly if that was the Starboy, letting her know that he was still out there.

When many years had passed, and she began to lose hope, the Princess wandered up to where the Starboy's heart was buried and found a patch of beautiful flowers growing there. Upon seeing them, she made a vow: that as long as the flowers bloomed on Krownest, the love she shared with the Starboy would never die - and that one day, they would be reunited, forevermore.

~ the Princess, revisited ~

Alrich watched his daughter carefully, gauging her reaction to the story's end.

Sabine stared at the flowers, seemingly lost in thought. He chanced a glance at his chrono - the hour was growing late. They needed to head back soon.

Finally, after a few long moments, Sabine spoke. "Lenora was stupid," she remarked.

He blinked at her, shocked at her response. "What?" he asked.

Sabine stood up and wiped angrily at her legs, clearing off loose snow and dirt. "You heard me. She was stupid."

Alrich quirked an eyebrow at her. "How so?"

"She waited. Like an idiot. I wouldn't have waited."

"Ah," said Alrich, understanding dawning on him. "I see. You would have gone to find the Starboy."

Sabine reached down to the patch and plucked one of the Lenora flowers. She handed it over to Alrich, who accepted it with a nod of thanks. "Obviously. She loved him! Why wait?"

He stroked at his beard and gently placed the flower into a pouch on his belt; later, he would press it into a bookmark for Ursa. "Hmmm. You raise a fair point, Sabine."

His daughter shook her head. "I can't believe that's how the story ends."

Alrich smiled at his daughter. "That's the wonderful thing about stories, you know? When you tell it, you can decide how the story ends."

Sabine looked at him, blinking in astonishment. "Really?"

"Certainly. That's how the story was told to me. But you can change the ending, if you want." He stood up, swiping at his legs to clean them. Once finished, he beckoned to her and started walking down the mountain path leading back to home.

Sabine was quiet for the next few minutes, thinking it over. "I think I know how I want the story to end," she said as they walked.

Alrich glanced at her, curious. "Tell me, then. Tell me how your story ends."

Smiling slightly, Sabine began to speak. "One day, a wise and powerful wizard brings a map to the Princess . . ."

Epilogue (many years later)

~ the Starboy, found ~

The Noti convoy moved slowly under the bleak Peridea sky. It was a scene that Ezra Bridger had become accustomed to over the past few years but there was a significant difference to this time.

Sabine Wren, his longtime friend, had come to find him at last. After double-checking the instrument panel on the Noti hover-dome to ensure everything was working properly, he snuck another glance at Sabine just to ensure that she was actually there.

Ezra had lost count the number of times he had dreamed this exact scenario: Sabine Wren, coming to save him, like some avenging Mandalorian angel.

But it wasn't a dream this time. She was real. Her head was leaned back, eyes closed, arms crossed, boots propped up on the dome's surface - it was almost like back in the old days, lounging on the Ghost during the Rebellion.

He felt a soft smile grow on his face at the sight of her. How much he had missed her company.

Sensing his stare, Sabine popped open an eye and smiled back at him. "Thinking happy thoughts?" she asked.

"Hard not to," he replied. "They're all about you."

Her smile widened. "Ah, flattery. You're a flirt now, Ezra Bridger?"

Ezra's cheeks flushed. "Oh, well - no. Not very many people to flirt - well, talk, really with here on Peridea."

Sabine chuckled. "The Noti seem nice."

"They are," agreed Ezra. "But not exactly the most interesting species to hold a conversation with."

"Well," remarked Sabine, "it's nice to know that I'm good for something. Other than rescuing helpless Jedi."

Ezra snorted. "Oh, I've missed you."

Sabine grinned at him. "Back at you, goober."

Rolling his eyes, Ezra reached down and rummaged through his pack. After a brief moment of searching, he found what he was looking for: an old storybook.

With a grin, he plopped it on Sabine's lap. "Found this, by the way."

She let out a breath of surprise. "'Princess Lenora and the Starboy?'" she asked. "Where in the stars did you find this?"

"Thrawn had it. Long story, but I stole it from his office. Part of his weird museum of collectibles."

Sabine snorted and flipped through the pages. "It's still your favorite, right?" asked Ezra.

"Yeah," she replied softly. "Never dreamed that I'd actually meet real life star whales. Or travel to another galaxy, even."

"We've had pretty crazy lives, now that I think about it," Ezra observed.

"Yeah, no kidding," said Sabine. A pang of melancholy went through her as she read through the story; her father reading this to her, late at night, flashed vividly in her memories.

"Didn’t like the ending," said Ezra. "We never did find out if the Princess and the Starboy ever reunited."

Sabine closed the book. "They did reunite," she said. "That's how I told the story."

Ezra looked at her. "Is that so?"

She nodded. "My father told me that if you don't like the story's ending, then just change it. So that's what I did."

Ezra shook his head and smiled at her. "That's so very . . . you, Sabine."

Sabine shrugged. "Who else am I supposed to be?"

He laughed. "True. I wouldn't have it any other way."

She grinned and leaned back in her seat. "You're not getting it any other way, Ezra. I'm afraid you're stuck with me."

"Oh, good," he replied dryly. After a brief pause, he added quietly, "Thanks for finding me, Princess."

For a moment, he thought Sabine hadn't heard him. Then, just as quietly, Ezra heard her answer.

"Anything for you, Starboy."

#sabezra #sabine wren #ezra bridger #alrich wren #star wars rebels #star wars #ahsoka #ahsoka show #sabezra fanfiction #natasha liu bordizzo #eman esfandi

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