#also had to include erica's happy little smile
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Beyond the Battle - Epilogue - Stranger Things - Steddie - COMPLETE
Beyond the Battle: Action & Consequence
Click here for All Posted Chapters
Summary: Steve hits things with a bat or gets hit depending on who you ask. He definitely does not have anything to do with the psychic stuff. That is El’s domain. However, as Vecna is defeated, the rules change.
Pairing: steddie (Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson)
Other Relationships: Steve & Robin, Steve & Dustin, Eddie & Dustin
Rating: Teen
A/N: Multi-chapter story, updated regularly. Honestly not sure how many chapters it will have yet because it's still a bit hand wavy in the middle, but definitely more than 12. Thank you to my beta for find my mistakes and to all those who read/like/reblog.💖 Follow #st:beyond-the-battle for updates.
Also on AO3
Chapter 46. Epilogue
Summer was in full swing in Hawkins, Indiana, which meant only one thing, a pool party. Graduation had been late because of everything that had happened, but every senior who had returned had been given a passing grade no matter what. However, despite the fact he would have been passed anyway, Nancy and Robin had made sure Eddie did more than scrape through.
Steve had honestly been amazed how well Eddie did when he had two people tailoring his revision to the way he learned best. He was pretty sure Eddie had been more than a little surprised too.
The actual graduation had been weird because of how many memorials were included. Eddie hadn’t carried out his plan to flip off Higgins but had worn one of the commemorative pins for Chrissy on his gown. Some of the basketball team hadn’t seemed to like that, but Eddie had stared them down and dared them to say anything. It had been a moment to cherish.
Steve thought his boyfriend had looked so very handsome walking across the stage. He’d borrowed his dad’s video camera to record the momentous occasion, along with Robin, Nancy and all the others in their group who were graduating too.
All of them were here along with the kids, enjoying the sun and the pool. There was still that weird mark in the concrete at the bottom of the pool, but the water was clear and fresh now.
All the older adults had decided to skip the chaos of teenagers and a pool by taking up Hopper and Joyce on an invitation to a more sedate grill out at their place. Steve could sympathise since the kids were screaming and playing like the teenagers and one not-quite-a-teenager that they were. Not a care in the world for once. El was even using her powers to cheat at several of the games being played, much to Erica and Max’s delight and the boys’ chagrin. Her antics made Steve laugh out loud, even as he kept a silent eye on her to make sure she wasn’t damaging herself.
He was still exploring his own abilities, but since El seemed perfectly happy to open up to him, even sitting on a lounger just watching, he could keep a light connection, just in case. Not that she was pushing it. She gave him a bright smile every now and then.
Eddie was currently over by the grill talking to Jeff. Steve had had every intention of handling the grill himself, but when Jeff had arrived and seen it, the way Jeff’s eyes had lit up had said it all. Turned out Jeff was a dab hand with fire and meat and had been utterly overjoyed when Steve had let him take over. The smells coming from that direction were divine and Steve’s mouth was watering.
Gareth and Frank were heckling the kids from the sidelines of the pool. They had slotted into the group really well since the debacle in the spring and Steve was pretty sure Eddie had trained up Gareth to take his position of putting jocks in their place at the high school, since he was the only older one who hadn’t yet graduated. Not that he would be alone, given that Dustin, Will, Mike and Lucas made a formidable backup. Which didn’t even mention El and Max. Although Steve also had an inkling that El might turn out to be the sporty type given a little push.
Nancy and Jonathan were sitting on a couple of the loungers talking quietly. They’d had a bit of a rough patch after Jonathan had admitted he hadn’t applied for the school he said he had, but they seemed to be over that now. Steve had kept out of it since it wasn’t his business, but he thought they seemed happier for having been through a crisis that didn’t involve the Upside Down and come out the other side stronger.
Nancy didn’t seem quite so driven now. She was still focused, but there was a definite change in her that Steve was pretty sure was for the better. Whether it had been her near-death experience or just that the danger was finally gone, he didn’t know. He was just happy for her.
Argyle was one lounger away from the couple, chatting animatedly to Robin about something Steve wasn’t even trying to comprehend. Steve still didn’t really understand Argyle very well. The guy came from California, had stolen a pizza truck from there, but didn’t seem remotely worried about going back, or returning the truck. All Argyle had said when Steve had broached the subject was ‘Oh, it’s all cool, Brochacho, don’t you worry.” Argyle also seemed to have a never-ending supply of weed. He had become the go-to man these days around town, since Eddie had quit the business.
Owens had given Wayne and Eddie an actual house, and Wayne had a new job at the lab as one of Hopper’s security people, government benefits and all. So, it had been easy for Eddie to decide he didn’t need the extra cash his sideline brought in. It made Steve breathe easier at least. The idea of Eddie being in the line of fire because of an illegal side gig would have given him sleepless nights.
Since Steve had helped Eddie and Wayne move in, Eddie spent half his time at Steve’s and Steve spent half his time at Eddie’s. They were using the excuse of Eddie’s condition and Steve’s unique ability to fill that need, but he was pretty sure a few people suspected it was more than that.
The kids had become used to them being together a lot. Rather than Steve and Robin, it had become Steve, Robin, and Eddie. Steve was still working on making that Steve, Robin, Eddie, and Vickie, but Robin had yet to make her move. Robin had been using the excuse of not having time what with catching up on schoolwork and preparing for graduation, but that was all over now, so that wasn’t going to fly anymore. If he could, he would have done the hard part for her, but all he could do was support her and hope she eventually got up the courage.
He was hoping the trip to San Fransisco, which would be happening at the beginning of August, would help give Robin some courage. Meeting some bona fide older queers should give his platonic soulmate some hope at least.
He and Robin were still working at Family Video, which had had a successful reopening, especially because people seemed to want to come in and see the local celebrities. Steve had only complained a few times about that. After everything, Robin had decided to take a year out before choosing what she wanted to do next. They each had a nice little nest egg thanks to government compensation, so she had wider options than she had had before, if that was the way she wanted to go.
Steve still had little idea if there was anything in particular he wanted to do. He still had the option of higher education since the colleges he had applied to for music were willing to hold a place for him. The whole hero thing hadn’t hurt with that at all. In fact, a couple of the places who had turned him down for business degrees had even been in touch. Those he definitely had no interest in.
So much had changed in just a short span and the only decision he had made was to take his time with any of the bigger ones. His mom had just told him to let her know if he needed her help with anything.
The only solid choice he and Eddie had made was that they wanted their friends to know the truth about their relationship. That was the one plan they had for the pool party. They were going to come out. They’d decided as soon as they realised all the older adults would be elsewhere. It wasn’t that they didn’t want some of them to know, like Joyce and Hopper and Claudia, but there were others who were definitely not on the need-to-know list.
“You’re looking thoughtful,” Eddie said as he wandered over, perching on the edge of Steve’s recliner.
“Just enjoying everyone being here,” he replied. “It feels … soothing.”
Eddie lifted an eyebrow and glanced at the chaos in the pool.
“You call that soothing?” Eddie asked.
Steve grinned.
“Yeah,” he said, “because it’s just fun. There’s nothing hiding in the background. It’s happiness.”
“Are you getting philosophical on me?” was Eddie’s immediate response, narrowed eyes and all, but he couldn’t keep it up, grinning back in moments.
“Don’t get used to it,” Steve responded.
“I would never,” Eddie said, hand on his heart.
“Did you put sunscreen on?” Steve asked, looking at how Eddie’s nose was already pink.
“Oops,” Eddie said, “I got distracted. Can you fix me?”
Steve rolled his eyes, but reached out and took Eddie’s hand, closing his eyes. It only took a second as he let his instincts rise. When he opened his eyes again, Eddie’s nose was back to its pale normal.
“If you forget again and turn into a lobster in the pool, I’m not doing it again,” he warned.
Eddie pouted. Steve knew he so would heal his boyfriend again, he couldn’t bear to see Eddie in even slight pain, but he bit his lip, so he didn’t say it out loud.
“You know I’d make it worth your while,” Eddie said, leaning in close and whispering in his ear.
“You’re the worst,” Steve replied as he felt a blush begin creeping up his face.
“But you still love me,” Eddie said quietly.
“You got me there,” he acknowledged.
That confession had come in the middle of finals when Eddie had been going slightly mad with it all. Steve had managed to blurt it out completely by accident, but since Eddie had been kissing him within an inch of his life and immediately returned the sentiment, it had all been for the good.
“So, shall we tell them?” Eddie asked, glancing around the yard. “Is it time?”
Steve followed his boyfriend’s gaze. Nerves fizzled in his stomach, but there was no outright fear. Some of the kids could be entitled twerps at times, but he didn’t think any of them would take it badly.
“I think it might be,” he replied. “How do you want to do this?”
They had talked about it, but there was always room to change their minds. He wanted to be sure they were both on the same page for this. When Eddie’s face suddenly broke into what Steve could only describe as a wicked grin, he began to worry a little more.
“What?” he asked.
“Well, I was just thinking,” Eddie said, “we could always tell them, but it’s going to take us at least ten minutes to get their attention.”
Steve nodded, that much was true.
“So maybe we could just show them,” Eddie suggested.
“How?” Steve said carefully.
“Well I couldn’t help noticing how delectable you looked sitting over here,” Eddie replied, “and it would take a stronger man than I to resist such charms. I could straddle your lap and we could make out for a while, see how long it takes them all to notice.”
“Just kissing,” Steve said.
“Totally PG,” Eddie promised, eyes alight with mischief.
Steve couldn’t help smiling too as he let the idea sink in.
“Show me what you’ve got, Munson,” he said, smile morphing into a grin to match Eddie’s.
Eddie needed no other permission, standing up and quickly returning to kneel over Steve. As Eddie leaned down, Steve leaned up and their lips met in a sweet little kiss. It didn’t stay sweet for long.
Steve heard someone choke on their drink as he and Eddie deepened the kiss, but he was too busy to figure out who. Keeping his hands in PG places took concentration, because he was usually allowed to touch wherever he felt like. Not that he was complaining too much because he loved Eddie any way he could get him, even if it had to be family friendly.
“Well that’s one way to do it, I guess,” he heard Robin say.
And slowly all sound from the yard ceased.
“What the fuck?”
That was definitely Mike.
“I told you, didn’t I tell you!”
And that was Dustin, because of course it was.
“Yet you still sound surprised,” and that was Erica. “How did you not know this?”
“Do you think they noticed?” Steve said in a loud stage whisper as he and Eddie finally broke apart.
His boyfriend just put his head back and roared with laughter.
There were going to have to be explanations, and actual talking, but it was all going about how they had expected so far.
“Oh my god, he’s going to be insufferable now.”
And that was from Gareth, which was the final prediction. Eddie found that even funnier.
All was good with the world.
The End
#stranger things fanfiction#steddie#steve harrington/eddie munson#steve x eddie#steve harrington#eddie munson#eddie lives#stranger things#st:beyond-the-battle#fanfic#post season 4#vampire eddie#hurt/comfort#vampire eddie munson#steve harrington has powers#steddie fanfic#steddie fic
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Timothee Chalamet x Female Reader
The Audition Collection
Author's Notes: Hellllooooo everyone!! I have no idea if anyone will ever read this but I am not a writer but I feel this big urge to do this so this is what I've got. Be gentle please lol I am not good at grammar when it comes to commas and such so like... just ignore?
Word Count: 1,149
**All events, most places and most people are fake and I don't actually have a clue what goes on in these places aside from SOME small details so like... don't come for me ya know?
**I don't know a ton on Timothee but he's absolutely stunning so like why would I NOT write on him lol
**No TW for this chapter :)
CHAPTER ONE: AUDITIONS
The lights would pulse. The speakers would blare. The bodies would engulf Erica. His eyes would drag her far away.
TWO DAYS PRIOR
Standing at five foot six inches there was no way Erica would be seeing over the group of other dancers waiting for the show list to be posted on the bulletin. Erica readjusted the strap on her blinged out microkini top. It was electric green with matching beads that glistened at any hint of light. She had a matching thonged bottom that tied at her hips in a sexy string bow. She was breathing a bit heavier than normal from having come out of group auditions for the showcase.
It was round two which included learning a short routine on the fly with the round two group of girls. She was at her usual pole studio Pole Play which housed some of Richmond, VA's most talented pole dancers, aerialists and pole professionals. Annually they hosted a pole showcase where their performers would audition for 10 roles to perform. The showcase would be apart of the annual Spooktober Fest held in Maymont Park.
The door to the break room opened and out came the owner of the studio, Ella, and the top instructor, Diana. They both also were the casting directors for the showcase.
"Y'all really waiting for this little list?" Ella chimed as she laughed at them all. Diana put the list up and as soon as she backed away the remaining 30 people pushed their way forward. As some of the girls looked disheartened Ella's nerves began to get to her. It was her second time auditioning and last year she had an ankle injury during the first part of the audition and was immediately let go. Finally she made her way to the front and pulled her finger down the list of 20 remaining people.
Her fingers scanned the list and just as she passed number 17 and was beginning to get sad she saw her name.
19. Erica Monroe
She smiled and tried to contain her excitement as she saw some of her fellow artists look bummed. They were all adults and understood how to handle rejection but that initial twang of hurt never really leaves artists. The 20 artists took their seats along the wall and waited for further instructions. Ella and Diana were sat behind a table with their notebooks ready.
Ella stood, "Congrats everyone! In this round another 10 people will be cut to leave our final set of 10 for this year. Obviously we want you all to succeed but this will happen all over again next year so no worries. We have incredible instructors who are more than happy to have some privates to improve your form in auditions if you're interested."
Diana stood as Ella took her seat and said, "Alright! We are onto our individual performances! You each have one minute to perform to a song of your choice and show us whatcha got. We will randomly pick who goes first. Amy lets start with you and J'anaigh you're on deck." Erica saw Amy spraying some grip and she knew Amy was about to eat everyone alive. J'anaigh was a performer from a different city so she had no clue what to expect there.
Right as Erica's best friend, Caleb, sat next to her there came a knock at their studio door. Diana stood up and no one really paid any attention as they were all going over their dances in their head or focusing themselves.
Caleb was holding her hand and started to say, "What song are you--" he trailed off as Diana began speaking.
"I have a fun treat you guys. We actually started hiring some new instructors as our space continues growing into the building next to us. I want to introduce our newest intructor to join the team!" Diana opened the door. "This is Timothee."
As the door opened it felt like the air was being sucked out slowly and the sound around Erica was turning into total silence. In walked the most attractive man Erica had ever seen. She started at his clean cut jaw line that led up to sweet brown curls the fell in front of his eyes. It felt like her heart dropped to her stomach as she met eyes with him.
It took Caleb yanking her hand to his chest and quietly gasping for Erica to let go her gaze. "Dibs bitch." He whispered and laughed into her hand. Erica couldn't even respond her breath felt caught in her chest. "Okay... chill he's cute but like don't lose yourself." Caleb tried pulling Erica out of her almost trance.
"Sorry... yeah he's beautiful though." Erica started moving a strand of dark green hair out of her face.
"Hi everyone." Timothee waved at them and you could feel the difference in the air around them. Everyone was trying to adjust clothing without being noticed. "If it's cool with you all I'd love to peak into the top talent of this new city." With that he took a seat next Diana and set his brown leather dance bag on the floor next to him. He had a pair of black baggy harem pants that had black cables attaching from the front to the back in varied heights. A long sleeve, oversized, red crew neck laid baggy on his arms and chest. He was slim built but Erica couldn't tell much more.
The performances rolled on and Erica grew more anxious as she waited for her name to be called. Caleb was up next and Erica was certain he had a spot secured. His technique was flawless, combo creations were envied by many and he just looked good! His caramel skin and dark features gave away his Latino heritage. She knew it meant a lot to him to be recognized since he had basically been disowned by his family a few year back when he came out as a bisexual pole dancer. So being connected with his roots made him feel a little less lonely.
"Caleb you're up and Erica you're on deck." Spoke Diana as she shuffled a few papers around and smiled up at her. Erica squeezed Caleb's hand as he went up to get prepped. Erica had seen his routine many times so she took the opportunity to focus herself. As hard as she tried she felt her breath shakier than it was before. Probably due to the fact that Timothee made her nothing less than nervous. She looked over at him and saw him writing a note on his paper while watching Caleb and smiling.
Why was she acting so dumb? She felt silly. Who cares about some guy who happens to have some of the sexiest features Erica had ever seen. Suddenly Erica heard Caleb's music end and she thought she might puke.
#fluff#ao3 fanfic#ao3 writer#smut#female reader#fanfiction#timothee fanfic#timothee chalamet#Tuesday says#Audition Collection
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The Other Sinclair
Stranger Things; Black!reader x Everybody
Description: Lucas’ older sister gets back in town and is not very happy to hear about the events that took place. Especially when it comes to someone putting their hands on her little brother.
Warnings: I mean.....mild violence, but again this page is 18+ so y’all be aite
(Unedited .)
“5 minutes Lucas! I leave you guys for 5 got damn minutes and everything goes to shit!”
Y/n was livid.
It wasn’t really anyone’s intention for her to find out. Lucas knew better than to involve her unless he really needed to. If there was one thing she didn’t play about it with her family. It would’ve all been fine too, however when Y/n saw Steve, she asked what happened to his face and he couldn’t help but blurt everything out. Now, being that she was included in all the events the previous year it didn’t come as a surprise that the moment she left for 2 weeks for the cheerleading competition they’d get themselves into more shit.
“I just want to know what made him think he could put his hands on you!”
Now she knew about the new kid and his rivalry with Steve. That was purely their egos and a mess full of entirely too much testosterone and high school cliche for her to bother with. That would come to pass as Steve was proving to be less and less of asshole everyday. But to hear Steve’s face, though healing, looked like that as a result of protection her little brother and the rest of the kids..
No, ma’am.
“Was anyone gonna tell me?” She fussed at the preteens.
“It’s over, we handled it.” Lucas groaned knowing his words were falling on deaf ears.
“Uh huh. I’m sure.” The elder Sinclair rolled her eyes, arms crossed and hip poked out. “And this Billy kid is related to who? Your little girlfriend right?”
Y/n’s gaze quickly shifted to the girl in question.
“Yeah. H-hi. I’m Max.”
Y/n said nothing, just continued to stare and assess the child. Finally she smiled.
“Max, you look like a sweet kid and I really don’t wanna not like you. So spill. What’s his deal?”
Max twiddled her fingers only hesitated for a moment before she gave her boyfriend‘s sister the backstory on her stepbrother and his dad. Giving her a little bit of detail about how he also felt about black people.
“Interesting. And where can I find this Hargrove?” Y/n inquired.
“The arcade.” Max answered.
Nodding she went over to the front door of the Sinclair residence and opened the door.
“Ma, I’m taking the boys to the arcade with Steve.”
Barely take time to get a response, she grabbed her house keys off the hook and closed the door behind her.
“Y/n I don’t think-“ Steve began but she cut him of.
“Don’t hurt yourself doing that.”
“This isn’t a good idea.” Lucas mumbled.
“I don’t remember asking you.” Y/n replied.
“I forgot that’s where Erica gets it-“ Dustin commented in a failed attempt to whisper.
“Shut up Dustin. Everybody in the car.” She snatched the keys from Steve. “And I’m driving.”
The ride to the arcade was quiet, everyone afraid to speak as Y/n drove them the short distance a little quicker than usual. Soon as they pulled up, she parked randomly and they all hopped out.
“Where is he?”
Max looked around before pointing him out.
Once Y/n laid eyes on him she scoffed before rolling them. There stood Billy Hargrove leaning against his car with Tommy and a few girls fawning over him. He looked like the king of douche bags like he had some grade A daddy issues. Any other time she’d feel for him, but he did the one thing he shouldn’t have and that was a mess with her little brother.
“Hold these.” She practically shoved her pompoms in Steve’s hands before heading for Billy.
“Babe,” but the look y/n gave Steve shut him up.
All The kids followed her protesting the entire way trying to get her to change their mind scared of what Billy might do to her regardless of the deal he made with Max. After all, she was just a stranger approaching him in a hostile way, and the gang expected nothing more than for him to react in true Billy. Steve on the other hand, was preparing to possibly receive another busted lip if Billy decided to retaliate and even think about raising his hand to her. He’d go out fighting again if need be. However Y/n wasn’t scared.
Less than a few feet away she bawled her fist, feeling all the anger toward the white boy surface.
“Hey asshole!”
He barely spared them a glance before doing a double take. Once he spotted his sister and her friends a cocky smirk planted itself on his face.
“Well well if it isn’t the losers-“ y/n held up her hand to silence him, her steps coming to a halt.
“You Billy Hargrove?” She pretended to smile flirtatiously.
“Who’s asking princess?” He asked with a cocky smirk, giving her a once over.
“Y/n Sinclair.” And with that Y/n cocked her arm back and punch him squads in face.
“Well, shit.”, Dustin said as the rest of the party gasped.
Wow they didn’t hear a crack or anything, they could see Billy’s now blooded nose, leaking while he grabbed it.
“Fuck! You bitch!” He quickly got in Y/n’s face to where she took a step closer staring up at him.
“I dare you.” Y/n challenged not even flinching as his nostrils flared and fist balled at his side as if he was thinking about retaliating.
“I don’t know who you think you are, but put your hands on my little brother,” she pointed at Lucas. “Again and I promise you’ll have bigger problems when my brother and daddy gets a hold of you and yours.”
“Brother?” Billy repeated sounding surprised.
“Howard Star QB.” She smirked.
Anthony Sinclair was older than Y/n by two years. Currently not present since he was off at Howard University but that could all change with a phone call from her or Erica.
“Are we clear?” She asked crossing her arms.
Billy continued to glare at her as he held his blooded nose, but nodded nonetheless.
“Manners, William. Use your words.”
“Yeah, yeah, now fuck off.”
“Glad we’re on the same page Willy.” She smiled before turning back toward the kids who all continued to stare in shock.
“Are you sure Mrs. Wheeler is picking you up?”
“Yeah-“ they chorused.
“Mom.” Dustin added.
“Good! I’ll see you at home Luke. Bye guys.” She smiled taking her pom poms from Steve and heading to his car.
“Oh. And don’t touch Steve either.” She called over her shoulder. “He’s also mine.”
“Wow,” spoke El and Max in awe
“She’s scary when she’s mad.” Mike commented.
“Yeah.” Steve agreed. “And hot.”
“Very hot.” Dustin added earning a punch in the arm from Lucas and A hit upside the head from Steve
“Come on Harrington.” Y/n beckoned from the passenger seat. “This ice cream isn’t going to pay for itself.”
The teenager grinned to himself goofily as he headed toward his car.
“Yes ma’am!”
#steve harrington#stranger things imagine#billy hargove imagine#billy Hargrove#billy harrington#stranger things#black!reader#Steve Harrington x black!reader#writers on tumblr
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DCKZ (Diluc, Childe, Kaeya, Zhongli) Idol!AU Genshin Impact
DCKZ HOW THE GROUP WAS FORMED:
DCKZ is a fanmade k-pop group based on Genshin Impacts's character " Diluc, Childe. Kaeya, and Zhongli as an idol group in an Idol AU.
Character design belongs to @veechu (please check it out and give them love)
Some of the headcanons I used for references came from Erica's comment on "ventiffin"'s youtube video:
Link: (195) Pov: 4NEMO & DCKZ are having a rap battle | a playlist - YouTube
and Yajle Gaite on riko's youtube playlist: (196) attending a dckz concert – a genshin playlist - YouTube
P.S Diluc & Kaeya's part is longer since their together.
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Childe:
Ajax or as he was known currently with his fans because of his various song covers "Tartaglia" had just finished tidying up his recording room to attend his practice session at the gym for MMA, as he was placing his spare clothes on his duffle bag, he took a quick swipe at his phone buzzing with notification at his latest cover.
A sweet genuine smile carved at Childe's face as he reads a thousand messages on his post as he was savoring the joyful and thirsty comments as well as memes about him a message from an unknown sender appeared on his screen curious, Childe tap on the email sent to him when he reads who was the sender he was both thrilled at the same time skeptical.
'This couldn't possibly be true, can't it? No way?'
he thought to himself, eyes wide open, body shaking of nervousness and excitement. He took the hand that had covered his mouth in a shock away and took a deep breath gulping down a breath he had not noticed he was holding
"Okay, Ajax just chill. . . just chill man, you still don't know what the message is about don't get ahead, Oh Tsaritsa what should I do?" he told himself and slowly exhaled before continuing to read the rest of the content
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"Greetings, Tartaglia!
On behalf of Geo Ent. we would like to express our desire to have you as one of our new talents. Currently, Geo Ent. has been looking for new trainees for a new idol group, your recent crack cover had made the Geo ent. scout you, the company believes that with your talents and charisma you will be a great asset to Geo ent as one of its rising stars.
If you have any clarifications regarding our offer, you may call us at XXXX- XXX-XXXX or email us with this email address at any given time and if you prefer to personally talk you may visit us at "Golden Pavilion, Liyue" we will cover your travel expense and accommodation for the duration of your stay regarding our offer.
Thank you and we hope your decision will be in our favor. We are looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Sincerely,
Katherine
Geo Ent.
Talent Scout Manager
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A scream from his room interrupted Ajax's family, everyone looked atop the stairs as heavy footsteps hastily descend upon the living room where everyone was eating snacks, Ajax who was still ecstatic at the email he had received hugged his siblings tightly and kissed his mother on the cheek before taking Teucer his younger brother and tossing him gleefully in the air the younger boy happily cried "higher brother, higher!" Teucer said
"Hahaha, of course, anything for my little brother" he laughed while catching Teucer.
"Hahaha, You're beaming, there must be something good, да?" Ajax's father commented as he chuckled at his son's antics when he gets excited
"My, my you seemed to be happy Ajax, did something happen?" Ajax's mother commented as she continued to watch the brothers lovingly, upon hearing his mother he threw Teucer one more time in the air before catching him and placing him down safely on the floor with their other siblings, Ajax smiled toothly at his mother before nestling down between his mother and father who sat on the sofa clasping each of their hands on his as he breathed steadying his excited heart.
"I received an email from a company" he started trying to assess his parents
"Oh? From who? Is it a sponsorship from that brand you want?" His mother inquired knowing too well that his son was already famous to have some sponsorship from different companies.
Ajax chuckled, he knew his family will be shocked at the news he was about to tell them "Hmm, better" he teased eyeing his father this time to see his reaction
"Better, huh?" His dad started then a twinkle of surprise resurfaced on his father's eyes as he made a deduction "Don't tell me? Are you serious Ajax?" His father continued as he assumed what could be better than having sponsorship from a company
"They're hiring you? What company? No! wait! don't tell me it wouldn't be any regular company who will message you especially with what you often do. . . so it has to be-"
Before his father could even continue Ajax, answered for him "Geo Ent. invited me to be one of their new talents for an idol g-"
Before he could even say everything else, Ajax was clamored down by his siblings who were listening and his father on the sofa congratulating him.
"Congratulations son! I know you had it in you, especially since you have my face, hahaha!"
"Congratulations! Big brother!"
"Big brother will be famous soon! Will you be cosplaying as Mr. Cyclops too?"
"Big brother is talented so of course they want you to be their talent!"
"Now, now I haven't given them their answer which reminds me I have to call them now to- uh, mom?" Ajax called after noticing that his mother standing on the other side of their house pulling what seemed to be a bunch of large travel luggage.
"Ajax, dear, do you think these pieces of luggage will be enough for your things while you stay in Liyue, or do we need to buy more?" Her mother probed and all he could Ajax do was laughed at his excited family.
"Let me call them first"
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Diluc & Kaeya:
A selca here, a selca there, and of course a selca of his favorite brother should also be included in his latest insta, though Kaeya wished that Diluc would smile more at his pictures of him, he always looked aloof
"Can you please try to smile at least once, when I take your picture?" Kaeya whined mumbling that his brother's good looks are wasted with his unchanging face
"I would if you stopped placing unnecessary caption on my pictures and for the last time Kaeya, stop drinking! It's the middle of the day" Diluc retorted eyeing his brother's various drinks placed neatly all at once on the VIP lounge they are currently staying at in "Cat's tail".
'He's not going to drink all of this, is he?'
Diluc thought to himself innocently before his brows started scrunching a moment later at the possibility of it happening, after all this is Kaeya he was talking about, his self-proclaimed wine/alcohol-connoisseur brother Kaeya.
He sighed exasperatedly plopping his head on the velvet backrest of the chair he is currently sitting on his back facing his brother
"Why am I with you again?" He asked out loud asking himself more than his brother who he accompanied, he often wonders to himself what made him go along with Kaeya's wine tasting adventure despite disliking alcohol himself.
"Because you're my big brother and you love me and despite your nagging, you wanted to make sure I enjoy what I'm doing safely- does that answer your question"
"Yeah, that's right because I care too much about you that's what big brothers do" Diluc mumbled back while patting a cat on his lap that has somehow managed to make it thru their private lounge. Kaeya grinned all too knowingly at his brother recording their conversation live secretly to his followers on insta with the camera facing his brother's back, he's sure Diluc will kill him if he saw what he was doing but for now, while he's still alive, he'll savor his brother's words. He might be too mischievous but he sincerely appreciates Diluc's love for him despite their constant petty fights.
"Kaeya, just promise me you won't- huh?" Just as Diluc was turning to face Kaeya he noticed his brother's phone and his shit-eating grin plastered on his tanned brother leaning one arm on the velvety lounge chair suddenly he felt the want to strangle someone to death.
"Aww~ <3, mind repeating that? My followers are crying over your message"
The cat who was sitting on Diluc's lap leaped out of the other male sensing the impending danger that is about to happen in the lounge.
"KAEYA. . . . .. . !"
"Well, that's it for now my followers! Pray that'll be alive after this! Bye!-"
"KAEYA!"
was the last word Kaeya's followers heard before the live ended.
"Please come again!" The hostess Margaret said as the two good-looking brothers left the establishment with one looking aloof once again arms crossed over his chest while the other looked scruffy following behind the older red-head male sighing
"Must you waste good alcohol? I was looking forward to tasting those!" Kaeya felt dejected after not having even a sip of any of the cocktails he ordered, he glared dagger at Diluc
"It's for your own good, I told you, too much alcohol isn't good for you" Diluc sighed not even looking at his brother as they walked to the street, he was specifically trying to find Good Hunters to order chicken skewers for Kaeya since he knew his brother is upset.
"I haven't even got a single sip! And I paid for those"
"Of course you should, you ordered them after all," Diluc said eyeing the shop across from them, he waited for Kaeya to be on his side before patting his brother's back to led him to cross the street, Kaeya huffed while walking and looking at his brother dead in the eye he can't believe he paid for nothing
"But I didn't break the glasses why did you use my card to pay for those as well?"
"To maximize your card limit so you can't pay for anymore cocktail"
"What. . .?!" Kaeya couldn't believe what he was hearing, he won't be able to drink any at all, tears started forming on his visible eye quickly and sniffing could also be heard a second later, Diluc turned to look at this brother with crocodile tears he sighed again for the nth time today
He can be so melodramatic sometimes and I'm an idiot for always indulging him
He thought brows knotted together as he waits for Kaeya to deliver his 'guilt-ridden' lines he often uses at him to get his way, his brother is too good at mind games
"H-how could you. . . I thought you love me as your younger brother maybe you really-"
"-STOP"
". . ."
"sighs* first let's get you some chicken skewers, I know you're really upset even if you don't really show it and when we get home I'll make you some death afternoon"
"Really? Aww! Thanks Luc! You're really are the best big bro! hehehe" And as quickly as Kaeya summoned his tears as quickly as it also disappeared across his face replaced with his infamous shit-eating grin knowing he got his way again, he patted Diluc's back as he quickly makes his way towards Good Hunter to order chicken skewers, he'll order a few to eat at Good hunters and order some more to bring back at the mansion he'll have to convince Diluc as well to give him sparkling wine to make his fruity chicken skewers he's sure his brother wouldn't mind.
Just as Kaeya was placing his order, Diluc sat at one of the open tables on the veranda and waited for his brother when he noticed a bobbed-cut black-haired woman staring in their direction, Diluc paid her no mind thinking that the woman was probably one of Kaeya's follower on insta waiting for Kaeya to return to have a photo ops with his brother
"Hey, Luc! You don't mind if I ordered some chicken skewer to go, right?"
speak of the devil, Kaeya nonchalantly walked back to him all smiles this time as he took his seat parallel to his brother "Sure, whatever makes you happy. . . by the way" Diluc leaned forward arms still crossed as he placed them atop the table "Kaeya I think that woman is one of your-"
"-She isn't" Kaeya responded strongly as he places one of his arms above the table cradling his chin on his palm looking at the counter to see if his chicken skewers are ready
"Oh, and how do you know? You haven't even looked at her?" he rose one incredulous brow at his younger brother. It always amazes Diluc how Kaeya can be quite perceptive of things when it's convenient for him.
"Because that woman has been following us since we left the Dad's office this morning"
What?!
A look of disbelief flashed on Diluc's handsome face at the realization and knotted his brows later at his brother's words
"If she's been following us since the beginning" Diluc emphasized, "why did you tell me only now?" He sighed closing his eyes trying to alleviate the incoming migraine he's about to have, he tapped the table with his finger waiting for Kaeya's explanation, his brother is preceptive he wouldn't be so careless especially since the two of them are well-known sons of the world-famous wine-tycoon Crepus Ragnvindr it is bond that there will be people who are after them either to do them harm or to gain something from their family.
"Relax, she doesn't look dangerous or to be more precise she isn't with someone dangerous though we'll have to verify that once she talks to us"
And just as Kaeya spoke, the woman who had been tailing them stood from her seat and politely approached them
"Good day gentlemen, may I take some of your time?" she stated with a polite smile looking at the two brothers
Diluc only nodded in acknowledgment while Kaeya gave her his fan-service smile
"Of course, please have a seat you must have been tired waiting for the right time to approach and talk to us, aren't you? You should have just come forward instead of stalking us, you do know that's a crime right? I can report you easily to the police but of course, that'll depend on your reasons" With a friendly facade, Kaeya warned the young woman openly of what he can do if he finds anything about her intention dangerous, the young woman was surprised and at the same time embarrassed for looking like a suspicious person, well she could understand their apprehensive behavior towards her, she was after all following them since the beginning.
She cleared her throat and offered her hand to formally introduce herself "I apologize if my action seemed suspicious to you Mr. Diluc and Mr. Kaeya it's only for my line of work. I'm Katherine by the way"
The brother's looked at Katherine's extended hand before looking at one another assessing Katherine's words, Kaeya took her hand first smiling while Diluc just watched, his brother is better than him when it comes to conversation especially to strangers
"Yes, it's indeed suspicious for an unknown young woman to follow and even know something about us, so tell me what kind of job stalks people? I haven't read anything of that sort from the classified ads or is it that the government legalized stalking, hmm?"
Okay, Diluc takes it back, his brother is definitely not good at normal conversation Kaeya's better at interrogating he has forgotten his brother used to be in the military. He should take over before Kaeya makes the young woman even flustered as she was already.
"What my brother is trying to say is to please explain to us why were you following us, I apologize if we're a bit apprehensive with you but I guess you already know why we're like that so if you wouldn't mind, we'd like to hear your reason"
Seeing the window of opportunity to be heard, Katherine immediately blubbered the purpose of her stalking the handsome brothers forgetting the tell them about the company and whatnot.
"IwasscoutingyoutobepartofournewIdolgroup!"
". . . " ". . .huh?"
was the only response of the brothers
"I-I mean, the two of you are already well-known and has a great number of fanbase on insta, the company was looking for new talents such as you two when we saw your insta stories of Mr. Diluc performing a jazz song on a piano and Mr. Kaeya's guitar cover the higher-ups decided to make an offer to the both of you that's why I was following you"
". . . I . . . see"
". . hmm"
Again, the brothers only looked at her with doubt, Katherine could already see on their heads she was being labeled as a 'scammer'
Embarrassed and unable to bear the brothers piercing doubtful gazes, Katherine hastily stood from her seat
"A-anyway, now that I have said what I needed to say, please excuse me and thank you for sparing me your time, i-if you have any doubts about my offer you can visit us at "Golden Pavillion, Liyue" though she was embarrassed, Katherine made an effort to politely offer her business card before fleeing the scene leaving the brothers confused and curious at the same time, the brothers looked at the business card left to them and looked at one another
"It's a scam," the two of them said in unison they deduced, however, the two of them were still curious, Kaeya was about to reach out to take the business card when his name was called up from the counter of Good Hunters for his chicken skewers, Diluc still looking at the business card left by Katherine gave Kaeya his card to pay for his order and take-away when Diluc was left on the table alone, he took the unique looking card and swiped his thumb on the high-quality bronze gold-like colored business card written on its front was Katherine's name and her position as a Talent Scout Manager and other contact details but nothing about the company.
"an Idol, huh" he breathed still eyeing the card, a longing gaze swept across his handsome face as recalls a childhood dream he once had to be a musical performer just like his deceased mother, he recalls his earliest memories of his mother playing the piano while he sang, his father Crepus listening to the mother-son duet with the proudest and happiest look a father could ever have and even when his mother died, Diluc continued to play for his grieving father, music made it less painful for the both of them and made it easier for them to remember the happiest time with his mother.
The first time Diluc thought of being a musician was when he met Kaeya, compared before his brother was frail and timid not like the confident flirt and perceptive- bastard he is now. When Kaeya was first brought to their mansion at the winery his brother had trouble sleeping, being plagued with nightmares night after night, worried, and unable to bear Kaeya's suffering he took his younger brother to the music room one night and sat him comfortably with one of the chairs as he plays one of his mother's pieces hoping it will help his little brother when he finally finished playing he was surprised to find his brother sleeping soundly on the chair and since then, every night Diluc would take Kaeya to the music room and make a pillow fort together so they could sleep comfortably after Diluc finishes playing the piano and just like every night Kaeya would be asleep on his part of the bed Diluc would tuck his brother up, however, that night was different someone else has already tucked Kaeya on their self-made pillow fort
"Dad, you're home," Diluc said as he stood up from the chair and made a beeline towards his father, hugging the older male as Crepus knelt to received his son's affection.
"I wanted to come home early since I heard Kaeya was having trouble sleeping but I guess you already took care of it, huh?" Crepus chuckled as he ruffled his son's fluffy red hair"
"Of course! I'm his big brother, I need to protect him, heheh" Diluc beamed at his dad proudly with a toothy smile "Dad, I want to be a musician just like mom so I can play the pieces she composed and also help Kaeya sleep better! Kaeya needs to sleep a lot if he wants to be big as me so I'll play the piano for him every time he has a hard time sleeping"
Crepus chuckled at his son's determination and admired his reason, Diluc was always warm-hearted just like his deceased wife "Thank you Diluc, you're really a great big brother to Kaeya"
For years Crepus and Kaeya had been supportive of his dream of becoming a musician until that one fateful day of his 18th birthday, His father, Kaeya, and their acquaintances prepared a birthday party for him at one of their many branches worldwide in Angels Share located in Mondstadt he was excited not only because he's at a legal age now but because he also received a letter of acceptance to one of the prestigious music school, he knew Kaeya and his Dad will be thrilled at the news, however, everything from that day had been a nightmare for him It was the day he learned the truth about his father's health condition and Kaeya's reason why he was adamant about going to Khaenri'ah.
That day on his 18th birthday everything changed, the father he once thought was healthy was sick and the brother he thought who wouldn't hide anything from him was keeping a secret.
"Kaeya, why didn't you tell me dad was sick! I thought there was no secret between us?! And why am I only hearing about your trip to Khaenri'ah now? What are you planning on doing in that place?! You're barely legal!"
"sigh* Just focus on becoming a musician Luc, you don't need to concern yourself with me going to Khaenri'ah as for dad's health he made me promise not to tell you because he knew you will act like this"
"To hell with how I act! I deserve to know what's happening to my family. Tell me the truth Kaeya!"
In that instant, on his 18th birthday, Diluc's dream of becoming a musician was left focusing solely on the family business, he also made sure that Kaeya will finish his military training and become an accomplished Brigadier General at such a young age just like his brother's dream. Kaeya's dream shouldn't be compromised because of his family's business, Diluc always thought Kaeya should deserve better but after 4 yrs of only serving his bastard of a brother retired from his position the moment he was back from establishing a branch in Khaenri'ah stating he missed him and the taste of wine and prefers to work as a wine-connoisseur instead. With years apart he didn't even know Kaeya started playing the guitar to fill the silent hollow covering their mansion when he stopped playing any instrument, though they weren't as close as they used to 4 yrs ago, they're trying their best to live as brothers.
He was still reminiscing about the past when he heard Kaeya's voice near him
"Want to check it out?" his brother probed as he took his seat a platter of chicken skewers placed in front of him and another bag to take home, Diluc didn't answer and simply placed the unique looking card back at the table saying nothing
"I'm curious as well Luc, let's go" Kaeya insisted after taking a graceful bite of his skewer
"You already said it yourself, it's a scam why bother?"
"Yeah, but I mean there is nothing we could lose by checking it out and if it's really a scam then I could just report it to the guys back at the military, I'm still a military officer you know"
"A retired military officer" Diluc corrected, Kaeya paid his comment no mind and insisted "Come on Luc, let's try it out, you've put a hold of your dream as a musician for a long time now, I've become a military officer just like my dream, Dad's health is alright and you already succeeded in opening a branch in Khaenri'ah so, what's holding you up?"
Diluc sighed, Kaeya is right everything's fine now, except for him, he guessed it's about time for him to fulfill his dream, Diluc sighed once again but this time it wasn't due to annoyance from his brother but rather he sighed of relief of finally letting himself accomplished his dream
"Fine, let's check it out" he finally answered
"Great!" Kaeya cheered "You heard him loud and clear right, dad? We'll visit Liyue soon"
What? Dad?! Since when did Kaeya had been talking to dad?
"you snake. . . " Diluc mumbled under his breath looking at his giggling brother who managed to manipulate him again, he heard their father's hearty laugh from the other end "Thank you Kaeya, make sure Diluc's wish comes true, alright?"
"Of course, dad, anything for my big bro that's a promise" Kaeya looked at his brother adoringly as he told their father however before Kaeya could end the call, Diluc took his phone and left a clear declaration of his new dream and goal.
"Don't worry Dad, I'll make sure to fulfill my dream- becoming a musician along with my little brother"
"what. . . ? Why am I involve in this?" Kaeya whispered over the phone
"Because I've had a different dream this time, performing with you, didn't you say you'd do anything for your big bro?" Diluc stated as a matter of factly "Or are you just saying that, maybe you never meant it and hated your big bro-"
"-Alright! Fine I'll audition with you" Kaeya couldn't believe Diluc copied his guilt-ridden strategy, he should be more careful now around his brother until now he only thought it would only work on Diluc and not back-fired at him
Over the phone, Crepus was laughing loudly at his sons' exchanged, he was happy, joyous even knowing that his two pride and joy are still getting along despite the rift that had happened between them.
"Alright, do your best boys but just in case bring someone else with you, it'll put my heart at ease knowing you two are safe, will that be alright?"
"of course dad," the brothers said in unison, laughing at one another.
The following day at the Golden Pavillion, Katherine who was busy checking any response from the talent she had scouted was abruptly called by the receptionist because of a commotion at their company's lobby. Upon reaching the said lobby Katherine was surprised to see a lot of black-suited men guarding every corner of their building looking for anything suspicious when one of the black-suited men noticed her, the man straightforwardly asked her without reserved "Excuse me ma'am are you, Katherine?"
"uhh. . . y-yes! Why did I do something?" Katherine asked nervously racking her brain for any memory that would warrant her for an arrest of some sort but as soon as she saw a pair of good-looking men walking her way, she recalled one of the brother's threat
"- You should have just come forward instead of stalking us, you do know that's a crime right? I can report you easily to the police but of course, that'll depend on your reasons"
No way! Is she going to be arrested for stalking Crepus Ragnvindr's sons?!
Oh, God, I was only scouting them, I didn't mean to do anything illegal!
Katherine silently prayed as the group of men parted to make way for the two young men, contrary to what Katherine imagined of disdain from the brothers because of her scouting, The two looked friendlier than before, the younger brother Kaeya if she remembers even smiled and waved at her calling her but she shouldn't let her guard down, compared to the older brother Diluc who looks intimidating is less of a threat compared to Kaeya.
"Oh, Ms. Katherine we were looking for you!"
"y-yes? H-how can I help you" she answered in surprise, readying herself for any possible threat the younger male may speak
"We're here to discuss your offer from last time, does it still stands?" Diluc the older brother inquired and for a moment, Katherine felt she was dreaming or is this another ploy to threaten her because they misunderstood her scouting them, she was silent for a minute or two before Kaeya probed her
"Hmm, Ms. Katherine?"
"Ah! Y-yes? I'm sorry I was spacing out" she started still frightened at her surroundings "I'm just overwhelmed with. . ." she looked around her and to the black-suited clad men in the lobby ". . . with this. I was expecting it'll only be you two to visit our building" she explained while the brothers only looked at her understanding what the young woman meant, it could really be intimidating to be surrounded by a lot of bodyguards, however, Kaeya snickered despite trying to apologize profusely at the scene they made
"pfft. . hehehe I-I . . . hehehe . . .we're so sorry if that's what you felt Ms.Katherine but you also have to understand our side, you left immediately after saying your piece without any explanation and your business card doesn't even give any hint about your company" Kaeya explained
"WHAT?!" Katherine spoke, now that she recalls she indeed forgot to tell them because of Kaeya's threat
"We sincerely thought it was a scam and just decided to check the place you mentioned, we just took some extra precautions just in case, I hope you understand, hehehe"
"I-I. . . yes alright, I understand, t-then are the both of you auditioning or just one of you?"
The brothers looked at one another, a knowing smile grazing their handsome faces as they answer Katherine in unison.
"Both of us, if you don't mind"
----------------------------------------------------------
Zhongli:
He was taking his usual stroll in the city trying to relieve another stressful day at work, he had no destination on mind letting his feet take him when he noticed a bunch of freshly picked Qingxin flowers being displayed in the flower shop, Zhongli seeing the flower made him stood in place, a look of longing for someone was reflected on his amber-golden eyes and for a moment he felt the wind blew gently at him swaying his long tied hair
'Oh yeah? Let's see who sings better? You may have that deep alluring voice but I can sing better than you! heh"
'I hope I can see the two of you perform soon! I wouldn't miss it for the world'
"Is it that time already?" he asked himself looking at the clear blue sky above him smiling although with a hint of melancholy, without another word Zhongli purchased a bunch of Qingxin flowers thanking Hu Tao for reminding him of his wallet and as if the wind were guiding him, Zhongli walked where ever the wind blew and before he knew where he was heading he found himself listening to a sound of a harp playing in the distant the soft melodies flowing in the air made him stop on his tracks and a vision of young woman sat with the harp playing covered his eyes
". . . Guizhong?" he mumbled one hand reaching out to the phantom image of his long-gone lover and a second later he felt himself walking towards her mirage only for him to realize his mind was playing tricks at him again. He stood in silence a prick of pain throb his chest slowly growing to his whole body, he covered his handsome stern face with his free hand and heaved a deep sigh not to recollect himself but rather to shake off the incoming tears in his eyes.
'I really love listening to your voice Zhongli, when you become famous don't forget to sing for me, okay?'
'I'll always be by your side to support you so don't worry about me '
'you worry too much Zhongli, hehehe I may be small compared to you but I can take care of myself, just focus on your dream you made a bet with Barbatos after all'
Try as hard as he can, the emotions insides him betrayed him and a tear slowly cascaded his face at the memory of Guizhong and his time with her, he felt bittersweet at the memory. He was able to achieve what he wants but the person he wants to show his achievement was no longer with him.
How ironic but we can't all have the good things in life can't we?
He thought as he carefully wiped the remnants of his tears across his face and composed himself again before walking once again to give the flowers to its owner.
As Zhongli walked the pavement towards the cemetery where Guizhong's tombstone lies he noticed a smaller male sitting in front of her laughing to himself as he lifts a goblet of what seems to be a wine to the air
"I hope you're happy there dear, our beloved stern-face brutish blundering buffoon finally decided to uphold our bet, heh - though I might say it took longer but don't worry the wait is worth it so please keep watching over him, alright? He's. . . . well, busied himself with others after you were gone can't blame him, you were precious to him" the smaller male said as if he was talking to a person, he leaned back admiring the clear blue sky a soft breeze of the wind passed as if it was agreeing to what he had said earlier about Zhongli not realizing that the male in question was just standing a couple of feet away from them his looming shadow cast over the shorter male as he approaches and a look of disdain clearly pasted on his face.
"Oh, so I'm stern-face blundering baffoon, huh? Oh, how convenient that there's stone here, you wouldn't mind me hitting you with it won't you Barbatos?" Zhongli sarcastically said tossing the pebble in his hand in the air up-down, up-down like a warning as he eyed the man
"hahaha, did I say that? I wasn't actually talking about you rather -"
"huh, save it, Barbatos" The taller man sighed "though I'm surprised to find you here I heard you are busy with your pre-debut" Zhongli threw the pebble to the ground to the relief of Barbatos and sat next to the smaller male offering the Qingxin flower and a short prayer wiping away the dust and dirt that littered her tomb
Hello, love it's been a while since I lost visit, I hope Barbatos, Xiao, and Ganyu has been keeping you company for me
He told her silently before he looked back at the shorter male eyeing the wine on his goblet
"Osmanthus?" Zhongli probed
"The one and only I know you like this stuff and what better way to taste it on the day you finally accepted Geo ent.'s offer, heheh" Barbatos chuckled as he poured another goblet to Zhongli and another in a smaller cup to Guizhong's tomb.
The two men sat in silence neither tasting the wine and just relishing the peace between them before Barbatos cut the silence
"Guizhong's case. . . it's finally closed, right?" he asked carefully, knowing it's a sensitive topic to his friend
Zhongli only nodded as he gracefully took a sip of the precious wine in his goblet
"I'm glad Guizhong finally had justice . . . she wouldn't have it if it weren't for you I'm sure she's thankful for you up there"
"I need to see to it that I closed her case, I wouldn't have peace if I allowed the criminal who wronged her not be punished" as Zhongli said that Barbatos noticed that somehow Zhongli was able to find peace- though a bit of longing hangs from his face from to time it's better than seeing his old friend looking desperate and empty
Barbatos sighed, "yeah, you've been busy. . . even becoming a lawyer heheh~ so, I guess I have to be careful with my words now, huh? or I might have a court order" he jested knowing all his friend's activities in the past couple of years and why Zhongli only accepted the Geo ent.'s offer despite being scouted for several years
Zhongli was busy chasing and fighting the court for Guizhong's murder busy enough that his friend grew a bit distant from his relatives Xiao and Ganyu, that was the only reason why his friend became a lawyer and Barbatos doubts his friend will seriously take any more clients after this case was closed, after all, he wouldn't have accepted Geo ent.'s offer if he's serious about his law career, right?
"Don't worry yourself, this will be the first and last case I'll handle" as if reading his mind, Zhongli responded clearing any doubt from his friend "though, if you break any contracts, I wouldn't mind suing you. .. . you still recall our bet right? A rematch who's a better singer? I'll be upholding that against you, Barbatos" Zhongli chuckled after taking another sip of the wine
"Of course I remember, heh! And it's not Barbatos call me 'Venti' now that's my screen name"
"I see. . . that's better compared to being called 'Barb' or 'atos', Xiao's also debuting with you. . . correct?" Zhongli asked remembering that his younger relative becoming close to his friend while he was busy with his law career.
"Yeah, we have 2 other members joining, you know Aether from ABYSS right? and then there's Kazuha Beidou's protege from Inazuma, You better prepare yourself Zhongli with my group we'll definitely crush you on our rematch, heheh"
Barbatos or as he would like to call himself now 'Venti' jokingly threatened his old rival to which Zhongli paid no mind and just smiled at him
"I doubt that"
"Oh, aren't you confident? Lemme guess you're being grouped as well? I thought they offered you an exclusive solo contract?"
"They were, however, I asked them to change it mainly because I'm already old and youths prefer something more trendy and younger appearances and I believe we would lose to your group when it comes to charisma and looks"
Zhongli finished explaining before he felt his phone vibrated the company number of the Geo ent. flashing on his screen unexpectedly, it was too soon for them to call him regarding the other members. He stood from his seat and dusted off some of the dirt on his pants
"I'll see you around Barba- I mean 'Venti' they're calling me"
"Don't sweat it, I'll look after Guizhong for a while before I head back and the next time we see each other it should be on stage, remember that, okay?" Venti called over as Zhongli started walking away to answer his call giving him one final look.
When he was finally out of earshot, Zhongli answered the phone the familiar voice of Katherine the talent scout manager greeted him
"Hello, Mr. Zhongli, are you available today for a meeting?"
"I am, what is the meeting all about?" he asked
"It's about your other bandmates, they're here, and we would like for you to get to know one another before proceeding with the formation of your group,"
At her answer, Zhongli saw a young woman was standing beside a plum blossom tree smiling at him the words the woman mouthed made him smile before her mirage disappeared along with the breeze.
'thank you & congratulations Zhongli . . .'
"Mr. Zhongli?. . . will you be available sir?"
Katherine's voice brought him back from his trance, he took a second or two before responding a smile evident in his voice.
"yes, I would love to meet them"
#genshin impact#genshin childe#genshin zhongli#genshin kaeya#genshin diluc#genshin impact kaeya#genshin impact diluc#genshin impact zhongli#genshin impact childe#genshin impact idol au#genshin impact dckz#genshin dckz
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time to be thankful
dear 2020,
you were a pain in the ass. but still, i wouldn’t delete you if i could, and that’s on the good things that happened. there were plenty of hard times, but the good ones made it all worthy. so i guess i gotta thank you after all, not only for what you gave me, but for what you took from me as well. you’ve made me realise how much friendship truly means to me, and for that i’m forever grateful. nevertheless, it’s time to let go - this is the turning page.
goodbye forever 2020,
hello 2021...
woah, what a year. i’d like to start 2021 the best way possible, and i believe that is by looking back at the good things that happened last year (it’s weird to say last year, it was literally yesterday... crazy) and thank all the people that made this year better and worth it here on tumblr. i can’t believe this is just a website after all... it’s unbelievable how much it means to me and how supportive everyone is; you had the kindest words to me when i needed them the most and that’s something that i’ll carry forever in my heart. so thank you. for everything ❤
@witchbladegirl , my dearest friend. you know everything already but i couldn’t not thank you once more. tumblr gave me one of the best friendships i have and i thank my lucky starts everyday for the opportunity to have you in my life. i feel truly blessed. i’d give you the world if i could, you deserve it all. i love you with all my heart, i always will ❤⭐
@words-left-unspoken , my greatest achievement of 2020... i still can’t believe how lucky i am to have found you. even though we’re in the beginning of our friendship i love you so much already. i feel such a special conection with you, it’s truly amazing. i think 2021 will be a great year for our frienship. can’t wait to see what’s out there for us 💕
@loohser even though we don’t talk as much now, i want you to know that i value you very much and that i love talking to you. you are such a sweet person who deserves all the happiness there is. i hope this new year brings you exactly that. and i’ll always be here for you 🥰
now for the amazing fic authors: as i’ve said before, you’ve helped me go through a lot of hard moments, either by you incredible writing or for jurst being there... and that means so much more than i’ll ever be able to thank you. each and every one of you deserves an award, so i’ll take the opportunity and give them to you as a demonstration of my appreciation hihi. can’t wait for another year with you all!!
@theweasleysredhair chloe, you’re the blog i follow for the longest time, and i don’t think you understand how thankful i am, for your fics and your sweet words. your fics are breathtaking, i won’t get tired of saying that. whenever we talk i get soo happy, you always know what to say... thank you for everything, from the bottom of my heart. i’ll give you the Most Supportive Award 🏆, because whenever i’m having a bad day you always seem to brighten it up, it’s magical 💕 i hope you have an amazing 2021 full of happiness, you deserve it
@plant-flwrs my dear, your fics are just too good for their own good (what just happened here?? haha). you have the ability to amaze me every time, i am literally so jealous of how good your writing is... and you’re also incredibly sweet like?? i’m giving you the Favourite Fred Fic of the Year Award🏆 for your fic “Smiling Kisses”. i swear to god, that fic is soooo good, i still find myself re-reading it from time to time, i can’t stop thinking about it. thank you for writing it, it warms my heart everytime 🥰 i hope 2021 treats you well
@ickle-ronniekins erica!! even though we don’t interact as much i want you to know that i absolutely adore your fics. you are incredibly kind to me, i can’t thank you enough for that. i am giving you the Favourite George Fic of the Year Award🏆 for your fic “Black & White”. listen to me, i am not a george girl but this... this has me feeling things. i freaked out when i first read it, and whenever i re-read it i get this warm feeling, like going back home, you know? it is that good.. so thank you, and i hopw you have an amazing year 😊
@wand3ringr0s3 haley, hiii!! we don’t interact that much either, but you have a-ma-zing fics that leave me speechless every time, it’s unreal how good they are... and you’re also very sweet 🥰 i’ll give you the Favourite Angst Fic of the Year Award🏆 for your “Little Bit More Time” fic. listen up, i don’t enjoy angst that much (for obvious reasons haha it’s sad), but this one, oh god this one!! it touched me deep in my heart and i still think about it and get sad but at the same it. is. so. incredibly. good. oof, anyway. your kinktober is fire as well, damn hahaha. i hope this new year brings you happiness, you deserve it <3
@harrysweasleys alexa :) i don’t interact much with you either but i’m crazy about your fics heheh they’re all sooo good, it’s crazy. i am giving you the Favourite Draco Fic of the Year Award🏆 for “A Little Sunshine Never Hurt”. i am over my draco phase but this had me question it for a while hahah it was so sweet and cute and oh god it was amazing. i loved loved loved it 💕 have an amazing year love
@starlightweasley zahra, you beautiful person!! i love your fics sooo much, from the bottom of my heart. they’re all incredibly good, i swear to god, you cannot write a single less good one hahah. i am giving you the Favourite Series of the Year Award🏆 for your series “Prophecy”. i am usually not one to be crazy over series but this one is THE series that changed it all. i’ve never been so attached to a series like this before. it is amazing, really, no words. i love it with every tiny piece of my heart💕 i hope 2021 is a great year for you
@whiz-bangs78 jess!! hello 🥰 your fics are sooo fluffy and sweet, every time i read one i get so soft, it’s a priceless feeling, really. i love love love them all. nevertheless, it’s your interactions that pop out to me. you are incredibly funny, i mean like hilarious. i go through tumblr and then i see a post of yours and i literally burst out laughing. so for that i am giving you the Makes Me Laugh the Most Award🏆! you make my day 10x better, and for that i am very thankful 💞 have a good year love
@valwritesx val, sweet sweet val :) i have to confess i have a friendcrush on you hehe, you are so kind and sweet and i really wish i had the courage to talk to you more! maybe this year i’ll be able to do it. your fics are incredible, i love them all sooo much!! but personally one thing that i admire very much about your blog is the aesthetic. god, it is perfect! i love those collages you made for the navigation links 🥺, your whole theme is incredibly well coordinated, i am sooo jealous! and for that i’ll be giving you the Most Aesthetic Award🏆, i just love the light browns and whites. i hope 2021 treats you well and brings you happiness 💕
@pansydaisy ayli!! you are literally the sweetest, most supporting, loving person out there, i admire you soo damn much! i’m giving you the Greatest Surprise Award🏆 because when i first found your blog i had a completely different image of you and talking to you, getting to know the amazing person you are was definitely the greates surprise of last year. i love your posts so so much!! i must admit that i’d love to get to know you better, i have this huge friendcrush on you 🥰 anyway, i hope this new year brings you lots of joy and love, you deserve it
@lathyrusodorxtus lee, dad. you are such an amazing person, i admire you very much, i hope you know that. i am aware that you don’t write on this blog, but i love your fics very very much. nevertheless, it is your kindness that makes you stand out the most... and it is because of that that i’ll be giving you the Most Inspiring Award🏆. you always make sure everyone feels safe, included, respected and well, i wish i had that great ability you have. you have such a good vibe, i just feel so comfortable in your blog, it is truly amazing. i hope this new year treats you as well as you treat others, because you deserve all the best in the world. you’re a beautiful soul 💕
happy new year to everyone i didn’t tag as well. hopefully it will be better than the last one. and in case you need to hear this, you are loved. you are. and you are important. there are bad things but the good ones are worth it. i’m always here.
love always,
jo x 🌙
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Merry Christmas, kayefraser!
For @kayefraser. I hope you enjoy this.
Read On AO3
*****
excitements and nerves
The minute Stiles drives his jeep into the border of Beacon Hills, he feels something wash over him, a change that his him straightening his spine, tensing his shoulders momentarily before he relaxes and blows out a breath. His fingers flex on his steering wheel, but he does his best to keep relaxed as he drives further into the town, his eyes watching the side of the roads carefully as he drives by the streets he grew up on.
“Everything’s going to be okay, you know that right?” Stiles hears from his side and he looks towards Derek with a frown, doing his best to breathe evenly as he takes in his boyfriend, how happy and healthy Derek looks, even though he’s returning to a place that has a hell of a lot of bad memories for him. It’s that thought that has Stiles nodding his head, letting the assuredness of Derek being able to do this go through him. If his boyfriend of two years can be here, so can Stiles.
“It’s just --” Stiles begins, nibbling on his bottom lip while trying to sort through his thoughts. After high school, Stiles had left Beacon Hills as fast as he could - had left Scott and his pack, no longer trusting them, no longer feeling like he was part of them. Their relationship, while still there, was no longer as strong as it once had been and Stiles - Stiles had been alright with that.
So he had gone to college, had experienced a whole new slew of things, including coming into his own powers before eventually bumping into Derek at his college, surprise coursing through him when he had - but more than anything, he had been surprised when he had seen Erica, Boyd, Isaac and Jackson trailing behind Derek, his eyes wide as he took in the betas who had been fooling around with one another before stopping suddenly at the sight of Stiles.
“Do you remember when we first bumped into each other, on Campus?” Stiles finds himself asking, a small smirk forming on his face as he thinks about how he had turned to Derek and asked him what the fuck was going on. He remembers how he practically dragged Derek and everyone else to his Jeep, and then his barely affordable apartment, glaring at them the entire time before eventually getting them settled with some food and comfortable blankets.
“Do you remember how I asked how you got Erica and Boyd brought back to life?” Stiles asks after a few more minutes, turning to look at Derek with an arch of his eyebrow while Derek snorts. He hadn’t taken to seeing the two of them alive once again very well, hadn’t taken -- had thought maybe Derek had done something stupid and insane but then Derek had explained that he had saved a witch who was very grateful, and was willing to grant one of Derek’s wishes.
At first he wanted his family back, but the witch hadn’t been able to do that - too many years had passed, Derek explained while Erica and Boyd hovered nearby, clearly nervous. But she could tell he had an ache deep in his soul for his pack, and that she had been able to do.
“You questioned all of us very thoroughly,” Derek snorts in reply and Stiles lets out a soft groan at that, stopping his jeep at the lights that he’s in front of. Derek had a point, Stiles could admit - he had questioned them very thoroughly, a part of him wanting to know that what Derek was saying was real and not going to be taken back.
“I didn’t want you to get hurt again,” Stiles whispers, biting the inside of his cheek while Derek hums for a minute, placing his hand on Stiles’ elbow and squeezing softly.
“Why are we remembering what happened when we bumped into one another?” Derek ends up asking when the stop light turns green and Stiles begins making his way to the Sheriff’s office. Letting out a soft breath, Stiles flicks his gaze towards Derek briefly before focusing back onto the road.
“Being back here makes me nervous. I’m excited to see my Dad. Excited for our pack to finally be able to settle in on the land it belongs to - excited to be able to help you protect the land as your Emissary and Mate, but --” Stiles pauses here, tilting his head back briefly before shifting in the spot and letting out a small groan.
“But you’re worried about Scott?” Derek asks and Stiles can’t stop the smile from forming on his face, can’t stop himself from loving how much Derek can read him and understand him.
“He’s my brother, always will be, but he’s very ---”
“Stubborn in his thoughts?” Derek asks, smirking when Stiles snorts in response, his own smirk forming on his face as he shakes his head briefly.
“Incredibly stubborn,” Stiles admits, tilting his head briefly.
“Stiles, if Scott wanted you in his pack, he would’ve done the proper thing to have you in it,” Derek replies, voice soft. Stiles knows it’s true - knows it in his bones. Remembers when Derek had admitted to Stiles that they were mates, that Stiles had a spark because of his family history, that ---
“Would Scott have known to, though?” Stiles asks, a minute of insecurity coming from him even though he knows the answer to that too, since Deaton would’ve been the one to tell Scott about what he had to do.
“We both know he would’ve yes.” Derek replies and Stiles finds himself taking another breath, fists clenching the steering wheel before he releases the breath and then relaxes as best as he can.
“He’s still my brother, even if he is an idiot,” Stiles says and Derek snorts before Stiles continues, “And -- I don’t think I would’ve done well in Scott’s pack. We both know it, especially since I left when I did.” Stiles admits, noticing Derek nodding alongside his words.
“Alright, so you’re nervous to return home because of Scott, but what else is on your mind, Stiles?” Derek asks and Stiles chuckles at that, parking the car in the parking lot of the police station before turning towards his boyfriend.
“I’m -- excited. To build a home with you, and the pack, and have somewhere that’s ours ,” Stiles admits, biting the inside of his cheek while he tries not to remember the little apartment they had been renting out after Derek and Stiles had been dating for a year. Stiles’ apartment had been nice, cozy, but the landlord was shit, so they moved, and could only find their previous apartment, a literal shithole that didn’t fit all of them.
“You’re also very excited to help build the rather large kitchen and movie den, aren’t you?” Derek teases, leaning forward to kiss Stiles, both of them grinning into the kiss, Stiles’ hands going around Derek’s shoulders before looping behind his back. Stiles finds himself getting lost in the kiss, biting at Derek’s lower lip playfully before he breaks away with a chuckle.
“You know me so well, Der,” Stiles teases, unbuckling his seatbelt and opening the door to the jeep quickly before heading to the back of his jeep and grabbing the cooler that had the food he was giving his Dad for lunch before Derek and he headed off towards the woods where they planned on building their home and then enlarging their family.
Notes:
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S.T. REWRITE - S2:E9; Chapter Nine, The Gate - [Pt. 6 - FINAL PART]
A Will Byers x Reader Series
The survivors turn up the heat on the monstrous force that's holding Will hostage, and Y/n's powers are put to the ultimate test in the process. Eleven makes plans to finish what she started.
A/n: your snowball outfit is completely up to you since everyone is different. IF you need ideas, I have a pinterest board you can look at if you want. My username is the same as my Tumblr, which is in my description. Also, I was wrong again, THIS is the longest chapter. Happy reading!
We’re finally here!!
Ps: you think this chapter is cute jUST WAIT FOR COSMIC 3 🤭😉☺
||3rd Person POV||
"Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock,"
The light and blithe tune of Bobby Helms' classic, 'Jingle Bell Rock' fills the Hawkins Middle School gym as everyone prepares for the annual Snow Ball. A mix of faculty and volunteers are spread across the gym hanging decorations, including Mr. Clarke who finishes hanging the large banner reading; Hawkins Middle Snow Ball '84.
"Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time,"
The Byers house is once more filled with soft music and laughter, smiles are worn by all. In the time of Will's recovery, everyone had been ecstatic to find his memories promptly returned to him. The dark fog over his brain had been cast away, returning to him all his forgotten memories.
Many new drawings hung on the fridge mixed in with older ones, one, in particular, sat front and center for all to see. None more proud to see it than Joyce who had wrapped her son in a tearful hug upon seeing it. It was a bright and smiling picture of Bob in the classic Superman pose, a bright red cape flying behind him and written boldly beneath were three words; Bob Newby Superhero.
"Yeah, you got it. See?" Joyce says, a big smile evident in her voice.
"Mom!" Will pleas, thoroughly embarrassed.
There's another beat of silence as Joyce dances around the living room with her son, a smirking Jonathan off to the side filming.
"Jingle bell, jingle bell
Jingle bell rock,"
The two bounce across the floor as he gets used to the rhythm, short bursts of frustrated muttering under his breath do not go unnoticed by his mother.
"Will, honey," she smirks knowingly when he worriedly meets her eyes. "You're doing fine."
He tries to shake the nerves away, and the rising blush attempting to make an appearance. He tries to take his mind off his anxieties and redirects his attention to his older brother. Jonathan seemed intent on getting every angle, and it only put Will on edge further despite the small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. After all, it wouldn't be Jonathan if he wasn't trying to document everything.
Still, Will quirks a brow, trying to sound as polite as possible.
"Do you always have to be filming everything?" He asks.
"No, no," Jonathan chuckles, peeking out from behind the camera's scope to smirk at his brother. "Just the good stuff."
Will's eyes flicker from their bouncing feet and his hand on his mother's arm, the other in her hers, unsure. All week he had been racked with nerves as the Snow Ball got closer, not to mention how uptight he had felt all of that day.
Will wanted his dance with Y/n to be perfect.
He had decided early on he would ask her to dance, no matter how nervous he got. After she had saved him, things had been... different between them. They were both a bit of a blushy mess, but never said or did anything about it given Will's recovery. Something had already changed between them when he was rescued from the Upside Down. Since she kissed him on the cheek. But again, both of them had been too scared to do anything, or Dustin, Mike, or Lucas would interrupt before something could happen.
But now? The Snow Ball? Everyone had decided to go as a group, so they would meet up there anyway. But Will decided he couldn't hide it much longer, and he had hopeful suspicion she felt a similar way. So he planned on changing everything tonight.
But none of that put any of his nerves at ease.
What if she said no? Or worse, what is she said yes? And then he would be dancing like this with her and no one else would be, and she'd laugh.
"Are you sure people still dance like this?" Will asks finally.
"Yeah," Joyce shrugs, still bouncing them around the room. "It's what's happenin'."
He looks to her expectantly, only to see her smirking at him. Confused, but allowing himself to feel a bit hopeful, he looks to Jonathan past the camera. Unknowingly, his mother keeps her smirk screwed on her face as her eyes follow Will's.
"Is it what's happenin'?"
Jonathan shrugs, going along with the charade. "Yeah, yeah, it's what's happenin'."
Will lets out his arm, allowing his mother to duck and twirl. She unravels in step, spreading out her arms in a big show and a proud smile before returning to her son's arms.
"That was good," she cheers. "That was good, very good."
Will relaxes, nodding to himself and returning his attention to where he steps.
"Hey," she says softly, bringing his head up to look at her. She grins sweetly, her eyebrows shooting up. "You two are gonna have fun, I know it,"
Jonathan can't stop the chuckle before it breaks loose, and hides behind the JVC as Will turns pink.
"Mom!"
⊹ ⊹ ⊹
The shutter of Karen Wheeler's polaroid camera hooks sharply into Mike's ears as does the blinding white light of the camera's flash that blinds him. The freshly printed polaroid falls to the ground and she quickly grabs it.
"Oh, wait!" She orders to a stiff and uncomfortable Mike who stands at the end of the stairs in a tie and sweater vest.
"Alright, that's enough," he huffs, hand still on the banister.
"One more, okay?" She pleas. "Just one more."
"Why?"
She grins proudly behind her camera and coos. "You look so handsome."
"Mom!"
"Mike." She retaliates, cheerfully.
The shutter clicks, grabbing another picture of Mike. This time, a pouty and exhausted expression on his face instead of a flat and embarrassed one.
⊹ ⊹ ⊹
"Hey... wanna dance?"
Lucas shakes his head, hands on his hips as he tries to clear his head. He stands before his mirror, working through his nerves as he practices asking Max to dance. He felt a little silly doing it, but he deemed it necessary it if meant he was more prepared to dance with the girl who made his heart skip a beat.
"We should, you know, get out there, like, do our thing... Stop," he tells himself suddenly.
Even he felt himself growing uncomfortable at that request. But he tried again.
He looks at himself in the mirror, raising a finger and gesturing to his reflection. His mouth opens to say something clever, anything, but nothing comes out.
Okay, he needed to shake this. He was better than this! He smacks his face lightly, rubbing his puffed-out cheeks around trying to wake himself up a little more if possible.
"I love this song," he beams into the mirror with a charming smile. "You?"
Okay, that wasn't bad. That could work! He could feel the confidence swelling up in his chest like a balloon.
And then it popped.
"Yeah, I love it." Came an exaggerated, sickly sweet voice from his doorway. "But not as much as I love you, Lukey."
His face drops when he sees Erica in the mirror behind him, a mischievous grin stretching wide across her face. He whirls around to face her and stomps towards her as she bats her eyelashes, feigning innocence.
"Get out of my room!"
The door slams shut, leaving a giggling and rather pleased Erica out in the hallway.
⊹ ⊹ ⊹
"Ow, ow. That hurts." Max protests.
Max sits in front of the mirror, her mother behind her as she pins back her long bangs in one thin braid. She smiles at her daughter through the mirror.
"It's gonna be worth it. Promise."
Max catches movement out of the corner of her eye, and she turns her head to see Billy who had come to a stop outside her door when she caught his eye. He looks at her blankly, testing the waters but she has none of it.
"Jingle bell time is a swell time,"
The radio continues it's Christmas melody, like Susan Hargrove, blissfully unaware of the hostile glare Max holds her stepbrother in. The threat of that night still burns behind her eyes, sending him walking.
She returns her attention to the mirror, where her mother finishes fluffing her long red curls and beams down at her.
"See? Pretty."
The word sends Max into a sigh, and she throws her head back with a groan.
⊹ ⊹ ⊹
"Son of a bitch! Son of a bitch!"
Dustin marches out of his room in a cornflower blue button-up, black suspenders, bowtie, and a frown. He passes his mother who sits in her usual armchair, she is cuddling the family's newest edition; a young kitten she had dubbed Tews. Y/n took quite a disliking to the name, wishing her mother had been less obvious she was trying to replace Mews. Especially since she knew what had really happened to their "missing" cat.
The kitten purrs in delight as Claudia Henderson strokes Tews behind his small ear. She looks over at her son who angrily enters the kitchen, his head of damp curls bouncing near his shoulders.
"Where did you see it last?"
"Right here," he argues, gesturing to the counter. "Where I put it."
"What's in there that's so important anyway?" She asks gently. "You look fabulous, baby."
Dustin's hardened exterior melts, his worry dissolving completely into relief when he spots the brown paper bag hiding away behind a box of 'MeowMix'. He picks it up, testing its weight and he smirks back at his mother.
"Got it,"
Dustin dashes across the living room and back into his bedroom, just missing the sharp and quick ring of the doorbell.
"That's your ride." She perks, eyes darting to the door. "Dusty!"
Dustin unravels the bag on his bed, pulling out the cold tin can of Farrah Fawcett Hairspray, and uncaps it. He glides towards the mirror, taking a deep breath, and starts the first coat.
⊹ ⊹ ⊹
Soft moonlight spills over the faces of Jim Hopper, El Hopper, and Y/n Henderson as the truck they sit in navigates through the trees and into town. In the time since their defeat of the Mind Flayer, and especially since the latest news of El's adoption, Y/n had been over a handful of times. The only other person having been allowed to the cabin being Mike, each visit carefully planned and spaced out so as to not draw any suspicion.
When the news had been broken to El, she hadn't stopped smiling for weeks. Not only was she finally allowed a normal life, but she was also finally surrounded by people who would love her and nurture her, always. No more uncertainty of where she would end up, or if she were ever allowed to leave. She knew now her freedom was certain.
When she had first broken the news to Y/n, her smile was still screwed to her face as she repeated the word with great excitement.
"Adopted!"
Y/n had erupted into giddy laughter, more than thrilled for her friend.
"El, that's fantastic!"
And when Hopper brought home the dress he had picked out - with the welcomed help of Joyce - and told her about the Snow Ball? She was elated. It wasn't long before plans were made with Y/n. And even though Y/n was there to offer her help with getting ready, Hopper couldn't quite pull himself away from offering his own assistance with whatever the girls needed. Whether it be hair, make-up, or simple advice.
He was just happy to have a daughter to worry about again, and she didn't seem to mind.
They now traveled in comfortable silence, the Christmas music on the radio blended with the steady white noise of the engine, and the tires traveling on the road blanketed the silence. El and Y/n sat together in the back seat that had recently been installed, Hopper turning his attention into the radio to give them as much privacy as possible.
El kept her eyes glued on the passing scenery outside her window as she took several deep breaths, her right hand absent-mindedly twirling the braided blue hair tie Hopper had gifted to her around her wrist.
Y/n, recognizing the behavior all too well, smiled timidly at her friend.
"You excited?"
El turned to her friend, trying to ignore the flutter in her stomach at the question. Her smile quickly matched Y/n's.
"Yes,"
She takes another deep breath, forcing her shoulders to relax and slowly they sink back down. El is quick to catch the quirked brow sent her way.
"It's okay to be nervous," Y/n says, drawing El's attention back to her.
El looks at her best friend, studying her. She feels herself relax a bit when she senses Y/n's words are completely genuine. Y/n offers El a soft smile that eases away any remaining tension. As the truck passes a clearing in the trees another ray of moonlight glides across Y/n's face, making El smile to herself.
'Pretty,' she thinks.
"It's completely normal to be nervous for a dance," she continues. "I'm nervous about it, too,"
El nods, thinking about this.
"I think it'll be different once you get there," her next words bring a small blush to El's cheeks. "Once you see Mike, I think it'll all get a bit easier,"
There's another beat of silence as El contemplates her words. Finally, she turns to Y/n, this time being the one to pull her attention away from the window to look at her. Her eyebrows raise in question, a small grin tugging at her lips.
"Same with you?"
Y/n's head tilts subconsciously to the side in question.
"What do you mean?"
"With Will? It'll be better when you see him?"
El grinned when Y/n broke away her gaze in a nervous laugh, her ears, and neck beginning to burn.
The two fell into shushed fits of laughter that would sneak back up on them for the rest of the ride. And as the two sat together, continuously feeding into one another's laughter, a warm thought crossed El's mind.
El wasn't quite used to this mood she was in. The mood Y/n had been bringing out in her lately since things had quieted down. It was a giddy and mischievous, light-hearted banter that always cropped up when she felt most relaxed. But she quite enjoyed it, and the feeling it brought to her chest.
El supposed this was what it felt like to have a sister, that this was what it meant. And she enjoyed it immensely.
⊹ ⊹ ⊹
Steve's car comes to a gradual halt in front of Hawkins middle, a less than eager Dustin in the passenger seat. He had to say he was quite impressed with the kid's technique, he did okay on the hair in his opinion.
"All right, buddy, here we are."
Dustin's eyes are fixed on the propped open entrance to the school where they were taking tickets and his stomach flutters. He takes a long and shaky deep breath.
"So, remember, once you get in there..."
Dustin looks to his friend and nods, affirmatively. "Pretend like I don't care."
"You don't care,"
"I don't care,"
"There you go," Steve chirps. "You're learning, my friend. You're learning."
Dustin nods as if psyching himself up and he eagerly reaches for the review mirror to check his reflection. Wounded at Dustin's self-doubt, Steve frowns, pulling the boy's hand away from the mirror with a gentle voice.
"Hey,"
"What?"
"Come on. You look great, okay? You look," He says, readjusting the mirror and turning to Dustin, giving him an okay sign. "You look great,"
"Okay? Now you're gonna go in there..."
"Yeah,"
"Look like a million bucks," he continues, matter of factly.
"Yeah!"
"And you're gonna slay 'em dead."
Dustin nods, feeling his excitement - and confidence - build at Steve's reassuring words.
"Like a lion." He adds.
He draws back his lips and rolls his tongue in his signature purr. Steve bites back a wince and says as gently as possible. "Yeah, don't do that, okay?"
"Okay," he nods.
Steve sticks out his left palm in gesture, and Dustin takes it happily giving it a firm shake.
"Good luck."
Dustin nods in thanks and exits the car with a blooming sense of pride. Unknowingly, Steve lingers behind assuring he gets in safely, a proud smile tugging at his lips.
When Dustin enters, he takes one swift deep breath expelling the creeping anxieties. He makes his way to the ticket table that Mr. Clarke manages. The teacher in question looks up from his clipboard and smirks.
"Looking very snazzy tonight, sir."
Dustin nods proudly. "Thank you, m'lord."
Dustin drops his ticket into the bowl as Mr. Clarke jots down his name. Steve watches happily from the car, and without his permission, his eyes drift past the young Henderson boy and through the gym doors windows. He can make out Nancy at the punch bowl near the entrance. Her hair is up in curls and on her face is her usual warm smile as she passes out punch to kids.
He feels a tug at his heart at the sight, wishing more than anything things had gone differently between them. But the words exchanged between that one night, ring in his ears. And yet he does not regret them.
Steve knew as he looked at her now, things had worked out for the best. She seemed truly happy, and in the end, that's all he ever wanted for her. A bittersweet look crosses his features as he silently says goodbye to his first love, and quietly he takes off into the night.
Dustin enters the gym, a new rush of excitement overpowering him as he sees the gym transformed. Curtains of silver, and flowing streamers hung in the center stretching out over the center of the gym in a beautiful canopy. The entrance he walked through was lined with three large balloon archways and several soft twinkle lights dangled from the ceiling and walls like stars. And at the very edge of the canopy, was the large glittery letters that hung before it; 'Snow Ball'.
It was surprisingly breathtaking for a small, middle school dance but it was still appreciated. Another deep breath leaves his chest before he stalks forward to tackle the task at hand; finding the rest of the party amongst the crowd. As he passes the punch table, he sends a smirk and a quick salute to the young woman behind it.
"Hey, Nance,"
"Hey," she smiles back.
As the ladle sinks once more into the punch bowl, collecting the contents for the next cup, a young boy approaches the table.
"What's in this?" He asks curiously.
A wistful smirk flickers across her face as she hands him the filled cup. "Pure fuel."
He stalks off with a curious look into his cup, and Nancy takes a moment to rest her arms against the table. Her eyes travel across the gym at the younger kids having fun, and it reminds her of simpler times. She stops when she sees a group of kids at the photo arch, smiling wide as they pose for a photo. The camera flashes and they wander off as Jonathan prepares the next shot. He feels a pair of eyes on him, and he glances over his shoulder to find Nancy.
The two smile warmly at one another, a small but noticeable spark deep in their chests.
Dustin approaches his friends with a grin and enters with a showy twirl, excited to show off his new do. His heart sinks when he's met with several chuckles. Mike even jumped up from his seat, wide-eyed.
"Holy shit, what happened to you?"
His friends circle around him, each of them failing to fight back a smirk.
"What do you mean, what happened?"
"What?" Mike asks bewildered.
"Dude--" Lucas begins, only to be cut off by Max.
"-Your hair!"
Lucas steps forward with a mischievous smirk, his hand reaching up to prod at his friend's styled hair. "Is there a bird nesting in there?"
Dustin pulls away, throwing Lucas's hand away from his head. His eyes dart back and forth between his four giggling friends and whines.
"No, what do you mean, 'what's wrong'?" He glares at Lucas. "There's no bird nesting in here, asshole. Okay?"
Dustin subconsciously pats his work, assuring not a single hair had gone astray. "I worked hard."
Everyone's attention is pulled to the dance floor at the newest song change. Quickly recognizable as Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time blasts through the gym's speakers, they all watch as kids all across the gym pair up for the first slow dance of the night.
Lucas takes a deep breath and turns excitedly to Max.
"Max..." she turns to see him grinning nervously at her. "Um, it's nice, right?"
He looks around at the room, gesturing to the song. A wide and bemused smile breaks out on her face as he continues to stumble. All the while, a deflated Dustin watches the exchange.
"Um, you wanna like, you know...?" Lucas gestures between himself and Max, a hopeful look on his face. "Like, just... you and me?"
"Are you trying to ask me to dance, stalker?"
His face falls as he begins to panic. "Um, no...? Of course not."
The expression breaks when he notices the great look of amusement on her face, and he perks a bit.
"Unless you want to?"
Max sighs despite her grin, interlocking her hand with his own and she shakes her head.
"So~ smooth," she chides lightly, pulling him onto the dance floor. "Come on,"
The three remaining boys stand awkwardly watching off to the side, a bit unsure of what to do. This feeling only worsens for Will when he hears the dreaded nickname he had been itching to escape since the moment he was tagged.
"Hey, Zombie Boy,"
His eyes are pulled to a girl he recognized from class approaching him. She offers a small smile.
"Wanna dance?"
A pit forms in his stomach at the unexpected obstacle. He was nervous enough building himself up to ask Y/n. Just thinking about seeing her soon sent his heart aflutter in the best way possible, but this was not something he could have possibly anticipated. Or asked for.
He gulps, unexpectedly swallowing a large ball of saliva as he begins to panic. His words come out in a panicked stutter.
"I- Well, I, uh... I'm-"
His eyes dart quickly between Dustin and Mike, silently asking for help but he only finds expectant - and a slightly threatening on Dustin's part - expressions. Dustin elbows him lightly and Will clears his throat, collecting his breath.
"Thanks," he mutters with a polite smile, slowly gathering courage. "But, I'm waiting for someone. Sorry..."
She smiles, nodding. "No worries,"
Her eyes catch a familiar face across the room. She sends one more polite smile at Will and the others before departing towards her friend. The three friends stand rooted to the floor as an awkward silence hangs in the air. Mike looks down at Will, his eyebrows shooting up weakly in a surprised manner.
Upon seeing this, Will scoffs nervously, both of their eyes returning to the entrance as they wait. Unbeknownst to them, Dustin's eyes sweep across the gym at all the new couples, starting with Max and Lucas. He can't deny the pang he felt in his chest, but he also wasn't surprised at the turn of events. It was something he had seen coming for a while.
Instead, he scans the gym and he smiles to himself when he sees his classmate Stacy across the room. She was laughing amongst a group of her friends.
Dustin tugs at his blazer readjusting it and lets out a puff of air grabbing Will and Mike's attention. He turns to them.
"Wish me luck, gentlemen." He nods in the girl's direction with a confident simper. "I'm going in."
Dustin sends his friends a wink and a click of his tongue before marching onto the battlefield. Will and Mike watch taken aback, turning to one another as they share a bemused look.
The closer Dustin grows the more intense his heart beats, but he embraces it, Steve's words still ringing clearly in his ears. When he apparatuses the group and she doesn't seem to notice, he brushes it off at first. She was deep in conversation.
"Stacy?"
Her conversation continues without skipping a beat.
"He just broke up with Jennifer."
Her eyes bug out slightly as she continues, shaking her head a bit in disgust.
"Plus he's, like, not my type." She laughs.
Dustin clears his throat as politely as he can, not wanting to overstep his boundaries.
"Stacy?"
Finally, she breaks away from her conversation, clearly filled with great agitation. Her eyes widen when she spots his hair, not bothering to hide her distaste.
"Yeah?" She spits.
Dustin brushes it off in the moment, clears his throat, and bows his head as he gently extends his right hand out to her. He sends her a warm and charming smile.
"Shall we?"
Her eyes bug out once more, a chuckle leaving her lips.
"Um, no, thanks," she scoffs, voice dripping with sarcasm.
The girls around her burst into fits of laughter, and she joins them. Together, the pack of girls stride off, still overwhelmed with laughter as they begin talking about Dustin. None of them bothered to wait until he was out of earshot.
He watches sullenly as they disappear through the crowd, and he tries his best to stamp down the aching in his chest. He allows himself to perk a bit when he spots two other girls chatting quietly off to the side looking rather bored.
Dustin begins making his way towards them, but it isn't long before he halts in his path. Upon seeing him, they quickly whispered back and forth between one another before promptly scurrying.
He blinks several times, trying to keep the tears that threaten to spill at bay. He looks around the gym, heart sinking completely when he finds everyone in pairs. Everyone except himself.
He was completely alone.
Gifted with a small lull in which there was no punch to serve, Nancy's gaze sweeps the dancefloor. Her jovial composure fades almost instantly when she spots a lost and wounded Dustin planted on the sidelines. His shoulders sag and his lip begins to quiver as he searches the crowd sadly. Not a moment later does he slink off, disappearing behind the curtain of streamers.
The sight is enough to send a crack through her heart.
Dustin sits on the bleachers, his hands tucked into his lap as he invests all his energy into suppressing his sobs. His bottom lip quivered with intensity and a rather large tear he had been holding back finally broke free, gliding down his cheek.
It takes far too long in his taste for him to register the figure approaching is heading for him. Nancy pulls back the streamer curtain and offers him a gentle smile.
"Hey,"
He straightened immediately, swiping furiously at his cheeks as he tries to get rid of the evidence.
"Hey," he sniffles.
"Wanna dance?" She asks, offering her right hand.
He looks up at her in shock, his wide eyes still glassy. "What?"
"Come on," she grabs his hand, pulling him up to his feet and through the veil of streamers. "Let's go,"
He looks around bewildered as he finds himself pulled to the dancefloor. But already he can feel himself perking, and he smiles weakly at Nancy, not exactly knowing what to do now.
As if reading his mind, she smiles, grabbing his hands and gently placing them in her waist. "Here,"
He freezes, still not quite believing what is unfolding. She places her palms on his shoulders and he smiles wistfully. A wide smile plasters Nancy's face when she notes his distance, and she tries to reassure him.
"Closer,"
He stumbles forward a few inches, his eyes on her still wide and moonstruck.
"A little closer," she assures, smirking fully now. "Okay,"
Dustin's chest swells at her kind smile, and already he can feel his confidence returning. Both of them have yet to notice the spiteful glares being sent their way from Stacy and her friends.
"Now feel the music," he head sways gently with the beat. "The rhythm. Start to move to it."
Dustin's feet finally receive his brain's commands, and they begin to shuffle slowly as the dance begins. Nancy nods, eagerly.
"Yeah," she chirps, brightening his grin. "There."
"Good?" He asks hopefully.
She nods.
"That's good. Yeah."
"Okay,"
"You know," she begins. "Out of all my brother's friends, you're my favorite."
His grin stretches from ear to ear, his chest swelling once more in pride.
"You've always been my favorite."
"Really?"
"Yeah," she nods, her own heart-swelling seeing him happy again.
The distant sound of murmuring brings Nancy's attention across the room, where she spots a pack of perturbed girls. One brunette in particular, who stood at the center with a flustered glare fixed on Nancy. Upon being caught, she blinks rapidly trying to brush it off and looks away.
Dustin's eyes follow Nancy's, and that's when she returns her attention back to Dustin.
"Girls this age are," she rolls her eyes quickly. "dumb. But give them a few years, and they'll wise up. And, uh,"
Nancy softens when she notes Dustin is still beaming at her, hanging on her every word.
"you're gonna drive 'em nuts."
"You think so?" He asks hopefully.
She nods, a series expression befell her briefly. "Oh, I know so."
The two fall into a comfortable silence as they enjoy one another's company, and the music that fills their ears and sways their bodies.
Just across the room, still sat glumly at their table as they wait - and hope - are Will and Mike. They look around the room at all the dancing couples, and all they wish for is the sight of the two party members who have yet to show. Other than the occasional word, they sit in silence.
Will is the first to break it with a sigh, and he sits forward in his chair before rising. Mike looks up at him, his attention snapping towards Will as his mind jumps to the worst possible conclusion.
"Everything okay?"
Will nods, forcing a smile through his nerves.
"Yeah, I'm okay. I think I'm gonna freshen up a bit though. Use the bathroom while I can."
Mike nods, less than convinced though he shoves down the thought. He merely watches with a worried frown as Will stalks off towards the back of the gym. He relaxes a bit when he sees how many times Will's eyes fly to the entrance on his way back, and he supposed the jitters were all it really was after all.
Mike sighs, slumping back into his chair and he counts the minutes as they march on.
⊹ ⊹ ⊹
Joyce watches as her wind carries anther fallen leaf across the pavement, and checks her watch for the thousandth time. Logically she knows the dance is far from over, but she can't bring herself to leave. A familiar gruff, but soft voice pulls her attention up.
"Hey,"
"Hey,"
Hopper approached her with a weak smile, hands stuffed into his pockets.
"Thought I might find you here," he says.
Joyce lets out a defeated breath meant to be a laugh, her body leaning against her green Ford Pinto.
"Will wanted me to give him some space, so..." she shrugs, and a small chuckle breaks loose from her chest. "I'm giving him a few feet."
Hopper pulls a pack of cigarettes that had been hiding in his pocket, gives it a small tap and he smirks at the woman.
"What d'ya say?" He opens up the lid, pulling out one of the remaining cigarettes. "I'm pretty sure that Mr. Cooper retired in the seventies, so..."
He stepped forward to join her against the hood of the car, speaking through a smirk as he lit the cigarette that dangled from his lips. "we might be okay."
He takes one long puff of the cigarette, letting the smoke sting his lungs and he passes the stick onto her. She gladly accepts, taking the next puff only to be sent into a coughing fit. They both laugh lightly, and she passes the cigarette back to Hopper with a wince. It really was like old times.
He always picked the worse brands.
His next question does not exactly surprise her, but it definitely catches her emotions off guard. Immediately she feels a large lump growing in her throat.
"How are you holding up?"
She shakes her head, eyes falling back to the concrete as she nibbles at her nail.
"Ya know," She mumbles.
"Yeah, I mean," he nods, tsking another drag of the cigarette. "that feeling never goes away. But it is true what they say, you know..."
Joyce looks up at the man that towers over her, he holds the bud in his hands with a frown before handing it back to her.
"Every day does get a little easier."
Joyce takes the cigarette in her shaky hand, taking one long puff hoping it will replace the sadness that sits on her heart. But when the smoke leaves her lips the weight remains, and she finds it growing even heavier as the memory engulfs her once more. Her head grows heavy and dangles off her shoulders and into Hopper's side.
He can feel his heart lurch at her sadness, wanting nothing more than to take it all away. But he knows more than anything that healing took time. Instead, the two remained locked in one another's embrace. They feel the breeze carry the snippy winter air over their bodies unaffected in each other's warmth.
⊹ ⊹ ⊹
"Y/n Henderson! I thought that was you,"
"Hey, Mr. Clarke,"
El timidly follows Y/n to the table with the familiar man who she almost immediately recognized. El watched silently from Y/n's side as she placed the bright red ticket in a glass bowl on the table. El froze suddenly when Mr. Clarke suddenly addressed her.
"Well, hello there, Miss," his eyes tightened into a friendly squint, and he gestured towards her. "Have we met? You look awfully familiar."
El's eyebrows twitched upwards, her mouth parting as she looked to Y/n not quite sure what to do. Y/n quickly jumped in with a rigid smile.
"She gets that a lot, but no," she explained quickly. "This is an old friend of mine, El,"
Y/n meets eyes briefly with her friend and they share a quick smile before returning nonchalantly to Mr. Clarke, hooking their arms together.
"She's my guest for the night,"
The man nodded in understanding, clicking his tongue as Y/n handed him El's ticket along with the special form.
"Ah, well," smiling up at the pair, unknowingly giving El a strikingly similar welcome as he had the year before. "Welcome to Hawkins Middle, El. We're happy to have you."
The two look at one another before departing, the largest of grins breaking out on their face. They burst into another fit of giggles as they head for the door, leaving Mr. Clarke to shake his head and smile as he welcomes the last of the guests.
⊹ ⊹ ⊹
"Every breath you take,"
Mike sits alone, twiddling his thumbs. A small sigh builds up in his chest as he realizes yet another song change has been made, and still no El. He wasn't mad, just worried. All he wanted was to see her. To dance with her. To hold her.
"Every move you make,"
The usual creak of the gym's wooden door rings in his ears once more, and lazily he turns to see who else had risen his spirits. But his heart stops when he sees two figures entering the gym. One of them, his long time friend who glances excitedly behind her as she beckons the other shy figure behind her.
When he realized it was really El, he jumped to his feet, unable to blink. Too afraid she would vanish in thin air. She was gorgeous. Her hair was slicked back in adorable dark curls, and the dress she wore complimented her perfectly. But none of that mattered to Mike, just her being there was enough to take his breath away.
"Every bond you break
Every step you take"
The girls crept forward under the archway of balloons, their eyes sweeping across the crowd. El breathing stopped momentarily just as Mike had. Y/n noticed this and smiled. The two were locked in a wide-eyed stare across the gym, and she laughed silently to herself.
"I'll be watching you,"
Mike watched as Y/n gave her a playful nudge, urging her forward. She watched warmly as the two glid across the sidelines, coming to a gradual stop when they came face to face.
Mike shook his head, unable to rid himself of the beaming smile even if he wanted to.
"You look beautiful," he blurts.
Her gaze drops to the floor in a wild blush, a bright smile on her face to rival his. He casts one glance at the dancing pairs around them and looks back at her.
"Do you wanna dance?"
She looks around the room nervously for a moment. Her eyes wander back to Mike's, and she looks up at him shyly.
"I... don't know how." She admits.
He shrugs, much to her relief.
"I don't either. Do you want to figure it out?"
El quickly nods, feeling her heart burst when he takes her hand in his. They wander onto the dance floor together, both a nervous - but happy - blushing mess.
Y/n smiles to herself once more from the edge of the gym when she sees them disappear into the crowd. Her eyes continue to venture around the room, her heart sinking when she finds no sign of Will.
"How my poor heart aches,"
Together, El and Mike blend in with the crowd of kids when they found a spot to dance. Gently, he takes her hands and places them over his shoulders.
"Like this,"
She smiles, her hands creeping up further to rest comfortably around his neck and he nods.
"Yeah, like that,"
They chuckle lightly as they softly begin to sway, loving nothing more than being in each other's company.
"Every vow you break,"
Nancy and Dustin begin twirling further, a joyous laugh bouncing between them.
When Y/n spots them, among Lucas and Max, the smile grows smaller. Both were pleasant sights, as each pair seemed to be having endless amounts of fun. But like her brother minutes ago, she began to feel lost.
"Every smile you fake,
Every claim you stake,"
Finally, she spots Jonathan off by himself, taking advantage of the lack of kids waiting to get their pictures taken to clean his camera lens. Quietly she slips over to his side.
"Jonathan?"
His head picks up, and he smiles when he sees her.
"Hey, Y/n,"
His happy composure quickly falls when he sees her worried expression.
"What's wrong?"
In the back of the gym, the door to the locker room opens and Will enters boredly. He wipes off beads of water he had missed when drying his hands. He trudges back to his spot where he left Mike, his eyes glued to the floor. His head picks up when he sees Mike is no longer there, and he scans the crowd. His eyes widen when he sees him dancing with someone, El he realized it was. His heart began beating sporadically when he realizes what this meant.
"Since you've gone
I've been lost without a trace,"
Quickly, Will shuffles forward, even rising himself up onto his tiptoes as to see over the sea of heads to find her.
"I dream at night
I can only see your face. I look around and it's you I can't replace,"
"Hey Will the Wise,"
There it was, the voice he had simultaneously been waiting for, and afraid of all night, rang in his ears. Her voice was gentle and equally as nervous.
He blushes at the name, until he sees her. At that moment he swears he forgot how to breathe. When she caught his gaze - and the blush that raged like wildfire on his cheeks - a small laugh escaped. Her hands were shaking but in the best way possible. Like Will, she was just happy to have found him. To be here with him finally.
"You, uh, you're,"
Her eyebrows rose as did the heat in her cheeks at his sudden stutter. And though he seemed to be at an unending loop, he couldn't wipe the grin off of his face. It spread from ear to ear as he looked at her. Finally, he cleared his throat when he decided this was not how he wanted to remember this moment. The thought alone seemed to do the trick and he shook out his nerves as best as he could and exhaled.
"You look..." he shakes his head, unable to find the proper word, but none seemed to do her justice. "amazing."
He winced a little on the inside, finding the word ill-suited for how he usually saw her. He tries once more to shake it off, and just as Lucas had, the millions of scenarios run through his on how to ask her. But before his mouth could even part to speak, she extended her hand.
A playful smile paints her lips at the cheesy words that form on her tongue, but she leans into it, happy to see the delighted and bright warm smile that breaks out on Will's face as he chuckles.
"Care to dance?"
Will feels as if his chest just might burst with the rapid speed of his heart, but he couldn't be happier. His mind jumps back to the bit of advice Jonathan had given him when helping him get ready. At the time he had thought it had been too much, but now as he looked at Y/n, the two of them wearing big goofy grins, he quickly finds himself extending his right arm for her to take.
Gladly, her arm snakes under his arm, trying her best to suppress the violent storm of butterflies raging in her stomach, not realizing Will is doing the same. The pair find themselves in the center of the gym, and shyly their hands come to wrap around one another. Gradually, they begin to sway with the music. They share the occasional giggle as their gaze falls to the floor so as to not step on one another's toes in their nervous state.
In near percent sync, the gym full of students sway with the beat of The Police's Every Breath You Take. Everyone in question can feel themselves getting lost in the beautiful, fleeting moment.
The giddy, and frivolous pair of Lucas and Max twirl with the music. Max's eyes fall briefly to Lucas's lips as he smiles down at her. She can't help but blush back up at the boy who had managed to worm his way past her walls and made her feel welcome. Finally, she pulls him forward, bringing him into a soft and sweet kiss.
"I feel so cold and I long for your embrace,"
She pulls back, smirking up at his awestruck face. He blinks slowly, trying to process what had just happened and he can no longer contain the excited grin breaking out on his face. Softly Max giggles at his reaction, and brings her head to rest on his shoulder.
"I keep crying baby, baby, please,"
El and Mike remain with eyes locked on one another, their hearts beating at dangerous speeds as they sway with one another. The first and only time their eye contact is broken is when simultaneously, their heads inch closer together until their lips meet in a fiery explosion that melts their hearts.
Even when they pull apart, they can longer stand the small distance between them. In a happy, content lull, their foreheads meet, eyes fluttering closed as they lose themselves in the music.
"How my poor heart aches, with every step you take,"
At the very heart of the Snow Ball, Y/n's gaze mingles properly with Will's for the first time since they started dancing, and immediately her skin flushes. Heat resides the most in her cheeks and the tips of her ears and even the back of her neck. Will was her best friend in the whole world, the one she could always confide in and felt most comfortable around. But now she could hardly look at him without melting into a puddle. The way he treated her, just the way he looked at her now set her heart aflutter.
"Every move you make and every vow you break,"
They had been turning numbly in circles, and all she could do to take her mind off of her nerves was to put all her attention into commanding her feet. And yet, anytime she dares steal a glance at him, and feared he'd grow annoyed, he would just be smiling at her. It was a smile of genuine admiration, and it was as if he was silently telling her, 'it's okay. I'm nervous, too,'.
"Every smile you fake, every claim you stake, I'll be watching you,"
Her anxieties began to tell her to look away again, but now as she found herself looking into his kind hazel eyes, she couldn't bear to pull herself away. Y/n is quickly reminded of the dark times just one month ago. How awful it had been to look into these eyes and see nothing but hatred and darkness. But strangely, it assured only further now. These were the kind eyes that had always admired her from afar. These were the kind eyes she had missed so much.
"Every smile you fake, every claim you stake,"
The way he had always felt about her was undeniable, and as she felt the warmth brewing in her chest, spreading to her stomach and even dizzying her head, she knew she felt it too. She wondered why it had taken so long to get there, but more than anything she knew she wanted to hold onto it. What he had felt all these years.
Simultaneously, their smiles melted away, the blood pumping fast through their veins. Will and Y/n both felt it, the unbreakable magnetic pull that drew them towards one another. The closer they grew the quicker their racing hearts blended closer into one sporadic heartbeat. Finally, their lips met in a tender kiss as the music swelled around them. Will tried desperately not let his knees buckle, his stomach doing flips. It felt as if a firecracker had went off inside of Y/n's stomach, the warmth in her chest exploded and spread all the way to her fingertips, unknowingly her hands and arms warming his shoulders.
The kiss had lasted seconds but felt like a lifetime in the best way possible. It was a kiss that still lingered on their lips when they broke apart, a feeling they never wanted to let go of. The pair broke out into matching grins that neither one of them could contain. Finally, they were together.
"I'll be watching you,"
Finally, they were happy. And they would be, in the many months to follow.
"I'll be watching you,"
The four young pairs - even Dustin and Nancy who happily bounced their heads along to the rhythm of the beat - danced long into the night. The music from the speakers blasting through the gym, and echoing out into the cold December night.
"Every breath you take and every move you make
Every bond you break, every step you take"
Each and every one of them blissfully unaware of the greatest threat Hawkins had ever known, towering above their heads in the Upside Down.
Watching.
I'll be watching you.
Waiting.
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
More helpful links for the Black Lives Matter movement. Please don't ever stop fighting!!
Justice For Breonna!
I'm sure I must have shared this so many times but seriously, her killers are STILL free. This particular petition is SO close to meeting it's newest goal of 10,500,000. Just shy a couple hundred thousand. End this now, call, email, sign petitions to get her killers arrested. Sign this petition and share it,, HOWEVER YOU WANT. To a friend with a simple link, your insta, wattpad, idc just please share! Their names are BRETT HANKISON, JONATHAN MATTINGLY & MILES COSGROVE
Petitions That Still Haven't Met Their Goals
"Here’s a doc with petitions to sign that’s being updated regularly"
[Link]
If you are on tumblr, and have some money you want to donate to blm but also love BTS, I found this cool masterlist of accounts that take commissions for BTS work and all money goes to BLM!
[Link]
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Upon finishing the Stardew Valley comic
Since the Stardew Valley comic has been released by Fangamer,
I am now able to write about what I had been doing in secret for one long year.
■ Gratitude
First of all, to the original creator Eric-san who entrusted the task in my hands, to Kari-san who helped me from early development all the way to printing, to Ryan-san, to Steven-san who did the translations, to Kari-san's mother who assisted in the creation of the envelope, to Erica-san for product photography -- And last but not least, everyone at Fangamer and FangamerJP.
It's thanks to the support of many people that I was able to finish the comic, and I wish to extend my sincerest gratitude towards everyone involved.
■ Chronology
"Chihiro! Big News! Let's create a new merch together!" was a request that I received around autumn of 2018. At first I was wondering if I was going to be asked to design a T-shirt, but turned out to be an invitation to draw a comic book!
At that time, I was posting comics on Twitter at random. Not even in my wildest dreams have I thought that my little comics would be appreciated so, and thus I immediately burst into tears.
I'm very honored and thankful for the opportunity to pen Fangamer's very first comic.
■ Contents
I'll try not to spoil anything about the story in this section.
The content requested by the original creator Eric-san for the comic was:
"The story before the farmer comes to the farm"
"With focus on the community center and Joja"
"And the protagonist should have no set characteristics"
These were really the ONLY information that we received from Eric-san throughout the whole process (whyyy).
I was definitely worried. In reality, for around six months when I did my preliminary research, I played Stardew Valley every day, took countless pictures, and absorbed myself in collecting materials.
I I ended up taking a little over 20 thousand screenshots total (lol).
I wholeheartedly agree with Eric-san's guideline not to give the protagonist any set characteristics. I think one of the keypoints of this game is that "Anyone can be the protagonist".
The story is set from a few years before the prologue of game, so I was rather careful not to show my own personal interpretation. In principle, the actions of the characters were mostly taken from their in-game dialogue where they mention having done something in the past (For example, the reason Sam got in trouble lmao).
It took a lot of effort outlining the story, which involved things such as "Which characters would be in contact with each other?" and "Which characters may not be present at the valley at the time?". This is the reason why the preliminary research took around six months.
By the way, I was the one who proposed to include a "letter" with the comic, both as a bonus and major spoiler, in a way. But uh, many fellow Japanese may not be able to read it, so... I'll secretly tell you the what's actually written on the letter:
It's the handwritten version of THE letter you receive in the English version of the game's prologue. It's in your hands now. So in conclusion, it's probably exactly what you think it was.
I was quite adamant about how the letter needs to be handwritten. And as who wrote it... I shall keep it a secret here.
The reason why the comic had little to no dialogue is because it was the style I had back from the time I was drawing Stardew Valley fan art. Since Stardew Valley is a media not originally from Japan, that style serves to fulfill my two wishes: "I want people all over the world to be able to read my work" and "I want to cherish the feelings of each individual player" -- That sort of idea, really.
To summarize,
"I want people all over the world to be able to read my work"
"I want to preserve the unique interpretations each individual player might have"
"Anyone can become a Stardew Valley protagonist"
I drew the comic with these concepts in mind.
■ About me
I would like to talk about my experiences throughout the development of the comic.
My name is Chihiro Sakaida (a.k.a. Brown Junimo), I was already working for a game company, so I took advantage of that experience to work on game design and illustration.
Of course, while I was working on the Stardew Valley comic, I was a freelancer and had other jobs to worry about as well, so I ended up spending a lot of time working on the comic at night after work. I also studied digital art for a month for the sake of the comic, and I think it helped improved my work efficiency.
Those were truly, very fun days for me. The only thing that did bother me was the fact that even though I was working on my favorite Stardew Valley content day after day, I couldn't really share it with anyone.
I didn't want to take the risk of accidentally running my mouth on Twitter, and I no longer had the time to draw and post online like I used to -- So I had to resort to posting only low-risk tweets, so to speak, and to be honest, it was quite disheartening.
As such, I felt truly supported by the trusted individuals who knew about the comic.
Tori-san, Aki-san, Kari-san, and Ryan-san, thank you so, so much.
■ Those who supported me
Tori-san is my partner, and also a person I respect as a novelist and screenwriter. She kindly and carefully reviewed and summarized my messy story.
Aki-san knew about the comic existed, but also knew next to nothing about it. Because of that, I think it was more than a handful to support me. It must've been really hard on Aki-san, who didn't know the contents of the book and thus had no way to accidentally spoiling the surprise, but whom also probably held even more feelings of shame than I did in regards to social media... I'm sorry that you've had to put up with so much. I was very proud to have you be the first reader of the finished book.
Kari-san is the illustrator of the Official Stardew Valley Guide Book, and I respect her a whole lot.
Both her work are her personality are very kind and easy-going.
Together with her partner Ryan-san, she's managed to assist and encourage me many, many times.
No matter what I drew, I was sure to be greeted with her "Chihiro, you're so great!" or "Chihiro, you really did your best!" (Even my own mother have never praise me this much!)
Overall, she feels just like an older sister I've always longed for, and it makes me very happy.
No matter what merch was in the process of being created, she would say "Let's make a brown one!!", solely because it's my signature color. It makes me very happy, although probably a tiny bit embarrassed as well to have her value my one schtick this much.
She's even came to Japan many times, and listened to me talk all day long.
After all, I wouldn't have been able to get this job to begin with if it wasn't for Kari-san, so she's a real lifesaver.
I didn't get to talk directly with Eric-san, the original creator and developer of Stardew Valley.
Obviously I received some feedback via Fangamer, but I was refraining from being in contact with him as much as possible.
I didn't think I could convey my full sincerity towards him before the comic was completed. I strived to be able to earnestly understand the feelings he wanted to convey via his own words -- Whether it was the game dialogues, his words on the developer blog and interviews, etc.
There was, by the way, no revision whatsoever to the comic. Eric-san did, however, carefully check all of my ideas and always provided words of appreciation; which made me happier than anything else. Those words became my motivation to live, in a sense, which in turn allowed me to freely and happily work on the comic.
■ Going Forward
While I've been talking about how proud I am to have finished the comic, I also would like to talk about what's coming next. While I certainly plan to continue working with Fangamer for the foreseeable future, at the same time, I have also decided to work for another game development company, and I plan to devote my time working on game development for at least the next year.
It has been my dream for the past 15 years to work for this particular company, and I'm elated to see it come true.
However, as a result I think I will have less exposure to social media. I don't think it's going to be easy to recreate that warm and wondrous time where I could interact with people regularly, but my memory of that time is something I will treasure for the rest of my life.
I'm really sorry that I have absolutely nothing to give back, but I sincerely hope the comic has brought a smile to everyone who's read or even merely noticed it.
■ Finally
I'm such a fortunate person -- I've come this far due to everyone's support, and for that, I would also like to extend my deepest gratitude. Thank you so much, for everything, always.
It would delight me if all of you could stay with me from this point on.
As I try to polish my skills and improve myself as a whole.
PS: Thanks to my best friend Ryou-chan for translating this!
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I should put a title here but I don't know what to put AAA
Tumblr User invader-amethyst: *Has a Greek Gods AU headcanon*
Emmibee: “Hey fic writers, feel free to write—”
Me: *Throws self into the computer screen Super Mario 64 style* I’VE BEEN SUMMONED.
So, yep! invader-amethyst sent in an ask with a Greek Gods AU idea, and Emmibee gave it a stamp of approval. Thus, I wrote. This one actually took a few tries to get started, but I think I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. See you at the bottom!
***
The Unseen One’s Lesson on Loneliness
The Underworld, for the most part, was made up of stone tunnels and caverns that were bathed a deep blue by the numerous crystals on the walls and ceilings. The entrances to these tunnels and caverns often shifted around, by their own will or the will of their king, which created an infinite combination of paths to wander and explore. Condensation would drip from stalactites into little puddles that never grew or shrank, and the drips and drops echoed throughout the Underworld in a way that soothed some and unnerved most. The goddess of spring was part of the former.
Kore was currently sitting in a cavern with a floor of damp, loamy soil. It had been the first gift given to her by the god of death in person, rather than secretly left for her to discover.
She enjoyed feeling the soil with her hands, watching it fall between her fingers and smooth over her palms. She was, admittedly, a bit indecisive, and had yet to choose what she would grow in this new garden first. Since food was ample in the Underworld, flowers seemed to be the best option, but which flowers should she grow first? Should she start small, with some bushes of roses? Something thematically appropriate to the setting, like some branches of belladonna? So many choices, but which would be just right?
Hence why she was simply enjoying the sensation of dirt on her skin; damp enough to form a shape when pressed, but dry enough not to stick.
A slight tickling sensation on her smallest finger, buried under the soil, made her lift her gaze to see a pale, wriggling string crawl its way across the dirt. A worm friend!
Kore flipped onto her stomach and gently patted the worm. Mm, yes. This was some good soil her husband got her if there were worm friends to find.
The little worm stilled at her touch. Its back end lifted and made what looked like a “come here” gesture before it disappeared under the dirt.
Curious, Kore carefully dug a hole around the worm until she found a small, dead plant. She cradled it in her hands. It was a limp, vine-like stem with wrinkly brown tubes clustered along it. There were no roots, suggesting it had been plucked before being buried there.
Kore smiled. Here was her answer.
She closed her eyes and felt energy, warmth, and light pulse into the plant, which she lowered to the ground so it could take root. She let it stand on its own once it had the strength, and she could hear the soft crinkle of petals regaining their vigor.
She opened her eyes and admired the clusters of red tube-shaped flowers on the bush. It wasn’t very big at all, especially in this huge cavern, but the fiery red blossoms seemed to glow like a real fire in the cool darkness. “Erica flowers,” she said. Then, calling over her shoulder: “In the language of flowers, they mean ‘loneliness’. I don’t suppose you knew that, did you?”
There was a clattering sound, like a rock balanced on a stalagmite had been knocked over suddenly. Then Hades was standing next to her. “How did you know I was here?”
“I always know when you’re here,” she replied, tapping the blooms and watching them bounce slightly at her touch.
“I was wearing my Helm of Darkness. Not even a god can sense me when I wear it.”
“Good thing I’m a goddess, then, eh?”
“Kore…” he stopped himself, and she looked up to see him worrying at the handle of his golden staff.
“It’s okay,” she grinned up at him. “I like it when you call me by my name.”
He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. She patted the ground beside her, and after a moment, he carefully lowered himself next to her. “The flowers of loneliness…” he hummed to himself.
“Why was it down here?” Kore asked.
“…I was out one day,” he replied, “working on the surface, when I came across a bushel much like this one. My… knowledge of flowers is limited, so flowers shaped like these were strange. I felt a strong draw to them, so I took a branch-full, only to remember too late that I can’t touch most living things. It died in my hand.” He stared hard at the flowers. “The flowers of loneliness,” he repeated. “I suppose it makes some sense.”
“What does?”
“We are alone when we die. A fitting end for a flower meant to symbolize this truth.”
Kore frowned. “Well…” she paused a moment. “I don’t know about that. Look at how many of them there are.” She took his boney hand and guided it to the cluster of red. “You can’t really say they’re alone when they’re bunched together like this. And even when you touched them, they all went together.” His fingertip brushed a blossom, and it didn’t wither. “So they might feel lonely, but they’re not actually as alone as they think they are.” Her hand closed around his and she looked into his eye sockets. “They’re not alone.”
The thrumming echo of dripping water rang in the silence as they looked at each other. Eye sockets, one closed and one wide open, stared into a pair of eyes full of life. His jaw bone was slightly slack, and her smile was warm and gentle.
After a moment, her smile turned a little mischievous. “So… why were you wearing your Helm of Darkness?”
Hades’ skull flushed. “I-it’s not strange for me to have it!”
“In your own territory?”
“I—! Well—! It… may be a habit at this point… when I watch you… it’s not creepy!”
“It isn’t,” Kore laughed. “It just means you’re shy.”
“The god of death is not shy!”
“The god of death is, however, someone who talks about himself in the third person.”
“That means the god of death knows that he’s important.”
The goddess of spring leaned lightly against her husband. “That, he is.”
“Strange woman.” He took a stronger hold of her hand.
“Stubborn old man.” She bumped his shoulder with her head.
***
A major inspiration for the flower I chose for this story came from the second Black Butler Musical, which featured a deep theme about Erica flowers and the loneliness of death. Erica flowers are also called heaths (which are different from but related to heather flowers), and after multiple Google searches, it seems the “fire heath” is the color that means loneliness. Most Erica flowers are white, purple, or pink, but those colors are generally more positive (purple does often mean solitude, though).
Roses, as we know, mean love, which would be perfect for Kore and Hades being in love (and married-ish?); and belladonnas are also called deadly nightshade, which is why it would have been thematic to the setting of the Underworld.
Kore calls Hades her husband, but I’m not actually sure if they’re married in our human sense of the term. Would they have an official “tying of the knot” or would it be more like just something they agree on that’s acknowledged by all the gods?
Where are all the spirits in the Underworld? … Ssh…
*points at the worm* WORM FRIEND! WORM FRIEND!
I originally wanted to include this somewhere in the story, but I imagine that Hades found the Erica flower the day before he saw Kore for the first time. Perfect timing!
Speaking of Hades and Kore, Hades would usually wear his Helm of Darkness when watching Kore from the shadows, and even though she’s bound to the Underworld now, the habit of feeling unseen is hard to break (he’s called the Unseen One for a reason, after all.) How is Kore able to sense him, even when most gods wouldn’t be able to? Perhaps something deeply entwines their souls, deeper than the magic of the helm.
Alright, I think those were the major things I wanted to say. With Ms. Emmibee’s permission, I’ll be posting this to my AO3 and FFN accounts soon. Thanks to invader-amethyst for sending out the spark for this story, and of course to Ms. Emmibee for coming up with this whole AU (and the AUs within that AU). I’ll see you around. Until then!
~~~~~
AAAAA I love this so much!!!!!!
1) I love how you always put meanings into the flowers!!
2) They’re definitely married in some sense; probably had a small, private ceremony with just them and some officiant. Or do gods need an officiant? They pretty much ARE the highest authority.
3) WORM FRIEND
4) I feel like Gaster is just going to be awkward no matter what universe he’s in. Sweet awkward man.
5) Please do post it! I can’t wait to see it!!!!!
Many thanks again for this wonderful story!!!
#OBMPfanfic#yours the author#also i love the 'stubborn old man' bit#so lovely#submission#greek gods au
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Can’t Fight This Feeling
-12-
Once everyone came down from the shock of everything we started talking. Trying to think of something, anything, to get us out of the position we were in.
But..it was almost midnight and Dustin and Erica started showing their exhaustion. Erica fell asleep first with Dustin going about ten minutes later. Robin pushed through a little longer but she fell asleep leaning against one of the walls.
I was past the point of exhaustion and had new energy. I sighed and leaned against some of the boxes, trying in vain to relax.
A few feet away sat Steve, running a hand through his hair.
"Well?" I asked him.
He looked back at me questioningly, "Well?" he echoed.
"What are we going to do?" I asked.
He sighed, "I have no idea, I mean, none of the buttons work and we can't climb out...I have no idea."
I leaned my head back against the wall and closed my eyes, "The walkie talkie?" I wondered.
He hummed, "Maybe, but there's no point now since it's so late. Doubtful anyone would even hear it."
I bit my lip, "So we're just...stuck."
I heard him shuffling so I looked over to him and sat that he moved to sit right in front of me, our legs just a few inches away from each other.
"For now," he stated, "we're gonna get out of here...it just won't be through the elevator right now. When the doors open-"
"We'll have to fight," I finished simply.
He grinned at me, "Or be sneaky and get out," he raised his brows.
"Or be sneaky," I agreed, "how would we do that though?"
He sighed, "I'm not sure," he admitted, "that's the problem...it might have to be an on the move kinda plan that we can't plan for."
I knew he was right. We didn't know what was behind the doors. We didn't know what we were going to have to do. We wouldn't know what to do until the last possible second.
"Shit," I whispered.
"Hey," Steve softly said, causing my eyes to flash to him, "I was serious when I said I wouldn't let anything happen to Dustin, you know?"
I smiled back cautiously, "I know."
He cleared his throat, "That extends to you too, okay? I won't let anything happen to either of you...Robin and Erica too, obviously," he added, "I swear it."
"Thanks Steve," I told him.
Steve stretched his legs out in front of him, which put them next to my legs, "You happy to be almost done with school?" he questioned.
I sighed straightening my legs out too. It clicked in my head in an instant. Could this be the moment where I got all my feelings about King Steve off my chest? So that maybe every time I looked at Steve I wouldn't have this subconscious fear of whatever he was thinking about? Could this be the moment I, finally, stand up for myself the way I should've against them for years?
I cleared my throat and looked away from him, "Yeah, this is finally gonna be a good year I think, so I'm more looking forward to that."
"Finally?" he asked, puzzled.
I let my eyes ghost over him for a second before looking down at my lap, "Yeah...now that some certain kids are gone, I might actually have a pleasant school year."
I took a peak up at him and say his eyes watching me intently, "Who?"
Just as quickly as my semi bravery came, it was gone. I realized I didn't want to hurt his feelings or anything.
I looked down once again, "Tommy and Carole mostly...but um," I bit my lip, wishing I could backtrack and not say anything else, but I was too far gone, "you were there for one big one."
"What?" he blurted, shocked.
I took a breath and looked up at him, seeing the sadness already evident on his face, "When Tommy told me you had a crush on me? Then you laughed and told him how messed up that was. You also called me Lisa so..."
He sighed deeply and rubbed a hand on the back of his neck, "Shit," he whispered quietly, "I honestly don't remember that...but yeah that sounds like something douchy Steve would be involved in," Steve lamented, as I watched his body semi deflate as this realization.
I shrugged my shoulders gently, "You definitely were."
He ran a hand through his hair before bringing his knees up to his chest, "That's not...me anymore, Lou," he expressed, wrapping his arms around his knees.
I shot him a small smile, "So I've been told," I told him before sighing heavily, "Steve I don't-I dont necessarily think thats you anymore either...but that was just such a shitty thing, and I really wanted to get it off my chest."
He let his legs stretch out once more and his mouth fell open, "Is that...is that why you hadn't really talked to me when I started hanging around with Dustin? Or why you seemed a bit standoff-ish at the beginning of all this?" he wondered watching for my reaction.
I looked away from him as I nodded slowly.
"Lou," he breathed, I looked back to him and saw the regret in his eyes, he looked so sad, "I'm really sorry...about all of that," he told me earnestly, fidgeting with the hem of his scoops ahoy shirt.
I smiled a little and looked away from him, "Thanks."
"Please don't...accept the apology unless you...really accept it. I was a true asshole in school, and I just-shit," he said, looking up to the ceiling, "I know how much of a jerk I was to a lot of people, Lou. You included, same with Jonathan and probably Robin too."
"Steve," I began, "Steve, please look at me," I pleaded.
He took a second but he finally lowered his head and made eye contact with me.
"I know that...that was all high school shit and maybe it was to save face with Tommy H and Carole...regardless, yeah you kinda sucked in high school," I rambled, trying to get to my point, "but that doesn't seem like you now. And I wasn't bringing this up to make you feel bad or to upset or hurt you...it's just been something that's been weighing on me for so long, then we're thrown into this madness together. I just wanted to get this off of me so that I coukd start dealing with it instead of bottling it up."
"Trust me, I'm happy you brought it up," he told me, "I don't want you to have this version of me in your head anymore. The shit I did to a lot of people was-it was really messed up. I can't change it, but I can try and change the way you think of me going forward."
"I appreciate that a lot, Steve, really I do," I admitted, "we really don't have to keep talking about this...it's been said so we can just...continue onwards."
"Just before we move forward or whatever, I just...shit," he sighed running both hands through his hair before looking back to me with an intensity I hadnt seen before from him, "I will never intentionally hurt you, Louise. Seriously, I-I was a jerk back then, not that that's an excuse, but that's the truth. And I'm so sorry you've carried that around with you all this time, it should have never happened. I'm just...so sorry. Really, really from the bottom of my heart, I'm so sorry."
I was taken aback a bit because of his response to this. I never once thought he would react to this the way he did. With absolute sincerity and honesty and admitting how much of a jerk he was. I couldnt believe it.
"Thank-you, Steve," I said, breathlessly, "that means a lot to me."
He grinned sadly at me briefly before his eyes looked downcast. I looked away from him to give him his space after all of that. He finally spoke up after a few minutes.
"So I mean...have you started looking at colleges yet?" he asked quietly.
I smiled over at him, "A few...I think im gonna stay local though, be close to mom and Dust...especially knowing all this now, I'll wanna be as close as I can be," I chuckled.
"What about you? Where are you headed this year?" I asked him.
"To Scoops Ahoy," he answered automatically.
I squinted, "Oh...so no college?"
He cleared his throat, "No...I figured that I'd take a year off and work, you know, learn the value of earning and all that shit. Then figure out what I wanna do."
"That's smart, Steve," I smiled.
He shook his head with a small smile, "Honestly I just wanted to see if my story was as believable to people as I wanted it to be. Truthfully, I didn't get into any school that I wanted and my dad said I needed to get a job...and that's the scoops ahoy story."
I immediately felt bad for him, "I'm really sorry, Steve."
He shrugged, "Hey...that's life I guess. I proved my dad right that I wouldn't amount to anything other than working for him so...I mean, you heard what he said...I'm his biggest disappointment," he mumbled.
"What do you want to do?"
"What?"
"What do you want to be when you're older?"
He scratched his head, "Oh...I dont know, I guess. I've never really thought of it too much. What about you?"
"I want to be an accountant, I've done my moms taxes for the last few years just for fun before she gave them to the actual accountant and I've always been right. I like numbers and stuff," I explained, feeling self conscious that he would think I'm a nerd or something.
"That's a good one," he nodded with a smile, "you're really smart, Lou. You could literally do anything, I think."
My face flushed at his words, "Thanks," I said softly.
He hesitated with a thoughtful expression, "Maybe a teacher," he finally said, "I like hanging out with your brother and the other kids in the party for the most part...I like imparting my wisdom on them and helping them out...yeah...a teacher sounds good," he said with a very faint smile, but the smile was gone in an instant.
"But no school will take me for that...my grades were shit, no one would want me teaching their kids," he declared with an eye roll before looking to the wall.
I put my hand on his knee and shook it to get him to look at me, "Go and talk to the principle or something...maybe they can help out somehow? Taking night classes or something so you can bring your grades up?"
"Yeah that'd look good, Steve Harrington returns to Hawkins High because he got rejected from every school he applied to," he said sarcastically.
I scoffed, "No, it would look like, Steve Harrington returns to school to work towards a better life for himself."
"I'd probably flunk those classes too," he said dejected.
I scooted up so we were closer to each other, and took his hand in mine, looking right in his eyes, "Steve...you've gotta have faith in yourself. If you don't wanna work for your dad then don't work for him. If you don't want to turn out like him, then don't. Nothing is stopping you. You're young, Steve, you can make something of yourself. And you're smart-"
"Not really-"
"Yes you are! You can acknowledge things that you did wrong in the past, you helped with the plan for getting in here, and you're gonna help get us out! I dont know who's been telling you that you're not smart, but they're wrong. Just put your mind to something, Steve, and you'll get whatever it is that you want," I squeezed his hand as I spoke.
He sent me a small smile, "You should re think your career choice and become a motivational speaker."
I laughed quietly, "I'll think about it."
"But seriously, thank you for that...that huh...yeah that means a lot to have someone say that," he explained, putting his other hand over ours.
"No problem," I smiled, "and I'll help you too, Steve. Picking classes, with homework, studying, I'd be happy to help."
"Thank-you," he murmured.
I smiled at him before sliding myself back against the wall, letting his hand go gently in the process.
"So...when the door opens..."
"I'm telling you, I can take them on," he told me, "whoever is on the other side, I'll take them out!" he joked.
I laughed quietly, "I'm sure you will," I said through a yawn.
"Get some sleep, Lou," he told me gently, patting my knee.
I hummed and leaned my head against the wall, "You have too, to."
"I will," he promised.
I sighed, "Close your eyes too, Steve," I said as my eyelids closed by themselves.
"I will, Lou, I swear," he reassured me, with his hand still on my knee.
"Night, Steve," I whispered wearily.
"Night, Louise," he whispered soothingly back to me.
——
Title credit to REO Speedwagon and gif credit to owner
#steve harrington x reader#steve harrington#steve harrington imagine#stranger things#stranger things imagine#netflix#dustin henderson
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the devil’s in the details (but you got a friend in me) | pack.
liam both admired and envied t-dog’s ability to fit into any crowd he made his way into. seriously. they’d been in this house full of perfect strangers for about thirty minutes, and t-dog had seemingly already made fast friends with everyone here.
well –– they weren’t strangers to him, apparently.
he’d exchanged hugs with a woman he called maggie, and liam already knew that beth was t-dog’s best friend. he’d also been happy to see michonne again, as well two others –– andrea and glenn. while the others might’ve been strangers, t-dog still introduced himself politely and with such warmth, they couldn’t help but be drawn into his inescapable gravity.
liam had always envied that. the hewitts, they knew how to just –– fit. knew how to smile and make friends, be polite and laugh with ease, knew how to keep their emotions at bay and not overreact to shit. he’d never known how to do that.
tearing his eyes away from t-dog, who was now in the middle of conversation with beth and some guy who’d gruffly introduced himself as daryl, and gave another glance around the room. not for the first time, his eyes caught onto a well-known figure in the room. jackson fucking whittemore. if he really tried, liam could put two and two together to figure out what he was doing here, but it seemed unreal.
he’d looked up to jackson forever. back in the town’s youth league, when jackson was always one age group above him, one skill class above him, close enough for liam to idolize but too far for him to ever meet the guy. watching devenford’s games against beacon hills high school, caught between loyalty for the team he couldn’t play on just yet and loyalty towards the guy he’d modeled his own playing style off of. brett used to dryly tease that liam would have to ride the bench when he finally played against bhhs, your fanboy ass will handicap the whole team.
this weekend, liam recalled belatedly; devenford was supposed to play against bhhs this upcoming weekend.
the line of his lips tightened at the thought and liam shut his eyes. his heart gradually ramped up its pace at the thought of devenford, of lacrosse, coach, the locker room, how it’d all come tumbling down just because he’d wanted it all to stop. liam forced his breathing to remain even, even as his skin began to itch, as if someone had unzipped him and zipped him back up the wrong way, all twisted and a few inches too tight, like this skin wasn’t made to be worn by anyone, let alone someone as untamed as him.
he was learning that about himself. that feeling, anyway. whenever he let his mind stray too far from a linear, trackable theme, he’d fall back into the same disquieting feeling; the very one that he’d gotten expelled to escape from.
“you okay, buddy?”
liam’s eyes shot open to find soft brown eyes looking back at him, brows pulled together in light concern. “scott,” he recalled after a moment. he played on the lacrosse team, too, though liam had never seen him get off of the bench.
if the older teen was at all upset by the unanswered question, it didn’t show in his smile. “hi,” he greeted cheerfully, leaning against the wall beside liam, close enough to hear but far enough that liam could breathe. “it’s a lot, isn’t it? how are you doing?”
letting his eyes roam around the room again, liam shrugged. he took a moment to place a name to each face around the room, doing his best to recall all of the introductions that had come since the weekend. t-dog, beth and daryl, still talking about something that involved a lot of arm movement from daryl and laughter from t; jude giggling with isaac and boyd; aoife braiding kira’s hair, while talking to bailey and mason; derek speaking to lucy and erica in soft tones; maggie, glenn, jackson and lydia all clumped together, maggie lightly rubbing her baby sister’s back; michonne smiling at lori as the older woman spoke; camden and andrea passing out refreshments; noah enthusiastically to stiles, sophia and braeden; allison by the door, cora nowhere to be seen.
liam mentally applauded himself for identifying everyone and bit back a scoff. like his mind would’ve let him breathe if he’d missed even one person.
“i’m not the one who got bit by a fucking werewolf,” he pointed out, only for scott to nod understandingly. “does it... are they going to be okay?”
scott’s eyes drifted over to mason, then to t-dog, then he smiled back at liam. “they are. it’s going to be hard, at first. and scary. but they’re not going to have to do any of it by themselves. every part that’s hard or scary, we’re going to do it together.”
it took liam a moment to realize that scott was including him in that statement. he blinked. “i’m not involved in this. i mean, obviously, i know and shit, but... i’m not the one who got bit,” he repeated, the moment of t-dog’s bite flashing through his eyes. it should’ve been him. t-dog didn’t deserve any of this shit.
it was liam’s fault.
everything that’d led to this point, it was liam’s fault.
if he’d just kept walking, if he hadn’t yelled at the headmaster, if he hadn’t attacked the car, if he’d just kept his mouth shut, if he hadn’t joined the lacrosse team––
“neither was stiles,” scott said, drawing liam’s eyes back to him. “or lydia, danny, jude... a lot of us weren’t bit. a lot of us are still human. when the people you love are involved, it kind of extends to you, too, doesn’t it?” he nodded, smile still soft and pure. “we’re here for you, too, man. if it’s scary or confusing, you can tell us that, too.”
it was... undue kindness. the type that the hewitts specialized in. liam narrowed his eyes. “how the fuck do you survive like that? what are you, a disney prince?”
though aoife didn’t hear what liam had said, she could see scott’s innocently befuddled look from across the room, and she couldn’t help but giggle a little as she braided another flower into kira’s hair. she supposed all of this was easier for mason and t-dog; they went to school with everyone in this room already. the only people liam knew were the hewitts, michonne and derek, who’d been there the night the wolf attacked them.
aoife’s lips nearly fell at the thought of what’d happened. it kept happening and they couldn’t stop it. she couldn’t do anything at all, and she hated it.
“hey, mase?” she looked over to him. “what’s your favorite dessert? this is a very important question and i desperately need you to answer like this is a final exam and you’ll be stuck in high school forever if you don’t give me the correct answer.” she was going to bake him something, she’d decided; she was going to bake something for mason and for all of the others, too. anything they wanted.
they deserved something good. and if this was all she could do, then she would do it.
#gen. : ❛ pack !#par. : ❛ pack paras !#tit. : ❛ the devil’s in the details (but you got a friend in me) !
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The Angsty Post
Where Happy Endings come at the slowest of paces.
*Or, you know, sometimes not at all.
Rewriting the future by Synesthetic (Complete: 28/28| 106,631) --Steter
Two days before their planned bonding, alpha Derek Hale runs away with his secret beta girlfriend, leaving Stiles heartbroken. With the demands of his omega physiology forcing him to bond with someone before his first heat, Derek's uncle Peter steps in and offers a solution.
Backstage is Full of Parasites by Falln_Grce (Complete: 14/14| 61,346) --Steter
A little tweak to the Teen Wolf universe where Stiles learned to take care of himself from a young age. And despite going through trauma as a child, he's 17 now and has adjusted to the new normal as well as he can. With a soulmate-AU just to keep things interesting.
What if the Sheriff didn't turn to alcohol when his wife died... What if he focused all of his attention on helping a seven year old, recently removed from an abusive home, Isaac get settled into the Stilinski household... Where would Stiles fit into that world?
How I Long For Yesterday by sweetbutterbliss (One-shot| 6,017) --Sterek
Stiles blinks, his throat going dry, and he moves his thumb without thinking - liking the post. He feels a surge of petty satisfaction. At least the fucker will know he knows now. He stands up, his body feeling too heavy, and he blows out the already guttering candles. He lets out a sob of frustration when the last one won't fucking blow out. But he sucks it back in and bites down on his tongue, using his thumb and forefinger instead.
He throws himself into their empty bed without undressing. He lies there repeating the words 'Derek blew me off for Isaac' over and over. He tells himself to shut up while rearranging his pillow violently, but he goes to sleep with the refrain continuing its painful loop.
You're Not Who I Thought You Were by halcyon1993 (Complete: 21/21| 84,549) --Sterek
Stiles is lonely. The only person who really talks to him is his best friend, and even Scott seems eager to ditch him whenever someone better comes along. Following a stupid decision made late one night, his small world opens up as he discovers things he never before thought possible and he meets a mysterious man who could be the answer to all of his problems.
In Word and in Deed by lielabell (one-shot| 7,778) --Sterek
Stiles has stopped saying "I love you." Derek wants to know why.
(Once in a) Blue Moon by clarkoholic, skywardsmiles (Complete: 14/14| 60,051) --Sterek
Stiles and Derek are getting along, but they’re not a family, and they’re sure as hell not mates. Christ, they’re basically just two stupid guys who happened to get pregnant because of a full moon and sheer dumb luck.
We Are Made of Our Memories by JenyaKeefe (Complete: 9/9| 12,441) --Sterek
"I don't have amnesia."
"Um, clearly you do. You're under a spell that's taken a year's worth of memories."
"No. I've wakened from a spell."
Lost on you by devilscut (Complete: 7/7| 51,322) --Steterek
A deadly encounter with an Alpha changes Stiles' life forever - kicked out and betrayed by his best friend and brother, Scott McCall, he leaves Beacon Hills, but much to his surprise not alone. Ten years down the track, living a life he never dreamed possible, a chance meeting brings back memories of that night - the good and bad mixed with a whole lotta WTF that even now still has him scratching his head as to what happened.
In Treatment by tzzzz (Complete: 22/22| 166,937) --Sterek
Derek hires Stiles, a professional alpha sex therapist, to help him through his heat.
The New Normal by midnightcas (Complete: 27/27| 63,392) --Sterek
After Stiles gets hurt...again, Derek puts him on the metaphorical supernatural bench. Meanwhile, Stiles tries to have a normal life and make normal friends. But when a new pack comes to town and the Hales start getting threats, things start to get a little....not normal.
The Mating Privilege by Kikileduc (Complete: 12/12| 35,380) --Sterek
Stiles and Derek have been happily mated. The pack is doing well, but in hopes of creating alliances for it to do better, Derek accepts a neighboring pack's request to allow two wolves to join the Hale-McCall pack for a full moon cycle. They hope to form a blood-tie, or at least a long term friendship between the two packs. The issue is Kohona, the tribal leader's daughter, has her eyes set on an unavailable alpha wolf. This could have drastic consequences for their young emissary, however...
Beta read by the amazing Splash_of_ bi! Cannot thank you enough!!
Jokingly I'm adding this WARNING after having two separate comments talk about heart palpitations and others stating they are physically shaking or experiencing high blood pressure after reading the first few chapters....
WARNING: read with caution if you have a pre existing heart condition, Derek and the Pack may cause you to be upset!!
If We Could Match by forestofbabel (Complete: 9/9| 23,455) --Sterek
As Stiles waits behind the camera during an interview, he thinks he should maybe quit. Because, in all honesty, despite the charming smile the actor is pulling out for EW, Derek Hale is kind of a jerk.
Your Heart for My White Fences by zgdtx (Complete: 10/10| 29,444) --Sterek
At first, Derek was the one night stand that he could not pry himself away from. Before he knew it, Derek was the married man Stiles had fallen in love with. Then, Stiles was the little lamb being tossed into a pit of wolves, helpless and alone. There was not much he could do, no, not much at all. Dark AU.
Call in the Air Stike (Tell Them to Make the Drop) by WednesdaysDaughter (Complete: 2/2| 5,126) --Sterek
"How do you tell your best friend that the guy you were slowly falling in love with flat out said you were nothing but a waste of space, and you’ve secretly felt that way about yourself once or twice on a bad day? The answer is, you don’t."
Twyla Hale by FiccinDylan (Complete: 13/13| 37,123) --Sterek
After the formula of their go-to product changes, "Hair Day" becomes "Hell Day" in the Hale Pack household. It's time for Derek to call in the pros, imagine his surprise when he's presented with a wicked tongued white boy with honey brown eyes.
***sure there’s some stuff that happens that’s not fun but i think I would characterize this as light angst in comparison to the inherent possibilities of this fandom lol
Baby You're Beautiful by supernaynay (one-shot| 1,089) --Sterek
“God you’re beautiful.”
Derek hadn’t even realized that the words had left his mouth until the whole room went silent, including Stiles, who until about five seconds earlier was busy yelling at him for putting himself in danger yet again.
I want to do this for you by Late_to_the_fandom (Complete: 17/17| 19,323) --Sterek
“You must be delusional,” Derek deadpanned as he stood abruptly and stalked away indignantly to throw the broken shards of his cup in the garbage can. “In what harebrained scenario of yours did you think I’d say yes to this?” His heart thundered in his chest as he stared at Stiles in disbelief. “Nothing good can come out of this and you know it.” He paced angrily, his hands fisting then uncurling as he tried to rein his emotions. He stopped suddenly, his glare piercing and his words cutting, “I would never let you use me like this.”
There's Something About Love that Breaks Your Heart by Stereklover11 (Complete: 5/5| 7,835) --Sterek
"I love you," Stiles said.
Derek didn't answer right away. Then he said:
"I'm sorry Stiles, but I don't feel that way about you. Or any guy for that matter."
The one where Derek is bisexual but doesn't know it and refuses Stiles' love...at first. ;)
Baby Daddy by DiscontentedWinter (Complete: 25/25| 55,369) --Sterek
Laura Hale decides it's time to expand her pack. And Stiles could really use the money. And Derek... well, that's when things get complicated.
Bake to Remember, Eat to Forget by butyoureyessaidyes (Complete: 19/19) --Sterek
It’s 6:18 A.M. on a Monday, and Stiles is using his thumbs to shape the fondant butt of a Winnie the Pooh sculpture. It’s the most action he’s seen in a long time.
--
Or the one where Stiles runs his own bakery, never locks the front door, and doesn't know he's part of a werewolf pack (until he does).
Kill Me Once, Shame On You by AllTheseSquaresMakeACircle (wip: 15/?| 46,512) --Sterek
In the aftermath of their final bout with Gerard, things kinda went to shit. Yeah, they won. But Scott had violated some major boundaries. Jackson was still an emotionally constipated douche. Erica and Boyd were missing. In general, everyone was left missing a piece of themselves in one form or another. There was also the fact that there was a literal pack of alphas bearing down on them. Stiles was really getting sick of this shit.
(There's) Sulphur in Our Blood by WonderWolf (wip: 19/21| 186,356) --Sterek
"Harris put you on a recon mission with Derek. You. Alone with Derek. On a mission. Together,” Scott says, slowly. “Does Harris want you dead?”
“I believe so," Stiles says gravely.
(Secret Agent AU where Derek blames Stiles for his sister’s death and Stiles is pretty sure that Derek’s going to murder him. As if that weren’t enough to deal with, Stiles’ familiar keeps having public breakdowns.
Oh, and there’s a mole in the agency, so there’s that too).
#Sterek#Steter#teen wolf#teenwolf#stiles stilinski#derek hale#Peter Hale#angst#little bit of angst#happy endings#most times#fanfiction#fic rec#fic list#10/10 would reccomend#recommendations#magic!stiles#werewolves#steterek#stiles x peter#stiles x derek#stiles x derek x peter#stackson brotp
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Chou Animedia Interview with Chihara Minori
“Amy”, the theme song of the film “Violet Evergarden Gaiden” sung by Chihara Minori, is a gem birthed from the world of theatrical animes.
About a year and a half after its TV broadcast, the new work, “Violet Evergarden: Eien to Jidou Shuki Ningyou”, started being screened on September 6, 2019. Following the TV series, Chihara Minori, who was in charge of the opening theme song “Amy”, released it as a single prior to the theatrical screening! An interview about the highlights of the song and the appeal of “Violet Evergarden” was published in Seiyuu Animedia’s October issue. Here in Chou! Animedia, we will deliver a long version of it, which includes the parts that could not make into the article.
Raw || Index
■ “I was able to feel a worthiness and sense of accomplishment that I had never felt before.”
——Please tell us your impressions regarding the TV anime series “Violet Evergarden”, in which you appear and were in charge of the theme songs.
It is a wonderful story where a girl named Violet Evergarden meets people of all sorts of circumstances through her ghostwriting job while looking for the meaning of the words “I love you”, which were left to her by someone important, and everyone grows up. The one I play, Erica Brown, is an introverted girl with no confidence in herself, but after meeting Violet, she was able to pursue her dreams and move on. (The ex-soldier) Violet supposedly shoulders a past with incalculable pain and suffering. But I believe it is exactly because of this that Violet has the power to move people’s hearts. I feel that this series has the power to take away all our negative emotions and that there is a lot of love in it.
——What kind of appeal do you feel from its Gaiden, the new film?
It is a story centered in Isabella York and Taylor Bartlett, who had a fateful meeting with each other when they were younger, and Violet carries out the important role of reconnecting these two, who ended up living separately. There are times when Isabella is overwhelmed by the decision she made in the past and suffers because of it, but once she meets Violet, her heart, which had been closed up, melts down and she changes little by little. Through this work, I thought that Isabella, Taylor, Violet herself and every single one of us can overcome hardships if they happen, exactly because we have people who can serve as support for our hearts, and we live every day while being helped out by others. This Gaiden is also a story full of a kindness that only “Violet Evergarden” has.
——What was your impression when it was decided that you would be in charge of the theme song of the Gaiden, following the TV series?
Honestly, I was uncertain if I could write lyrics superior to “Michishirube” (smiles bitterly). I have sung the theme songs of countless serial shows until now, so for the part of the series that I bear responsibility, the sense of anxiety as to whether or not I could surpass my previous work was already there with me. However, I was not just the singer but was also in charge of the lyrics this time, so I felt for real the difficulty of renewing a musical composition from a serial show, as well as how high this bar was.
——How was the theme song “Amy” created?
I talked to director Fujita (Haruka) and the staff, and it was unanimously decided that “since the scene where Violet dances in a ball in the middle of the film is very impressive, wouldn’t it be nice to make it a triple-time waltz”. (Composer) Kikuta (Daisuke)-san also told me that, as this work was going to be released in theaters, the song was made in a way that would link the contents of the film and the animation in a sonorous fashion. So, when I first listened to it, from the intro to the conclusion, including the arrangement, I thought that the composition was as if I were watching a dramatic movie and it made me emotional.
——When you were chosen to write the lyrics, how did you come up with the concept?
I had crammed all my feelings towards this work into “Michishirube”, the ending theme song of the TV series, so I thought about writing these lyrics in a way that they would be close to the story of the Gaiden. “Amy” is the precious magic word that connects Isabella and Taylor, the two who were separated in this story, for all eternity. So just like this, from the title “Amy” to each of the verses, the song nestles one hundred percent close to the series. Also, the first-person pronoun is “boku” in the first chorus, “watashi” in the second, and lastly, it is both “boku” and “watashi”, which are sides of each character. When people watch the film, I think they will definitely understand the reference, like, “Aah, so that’s what it was about”. Director Fujita has tons of love for the series and she made this together with me while having discussions about it, being satisfied with it in the end, so I really felt a worthiness and sense of accomplishment that I had never experienced before, which made me happy. This song composition definitely would not have been birthed if not for this series.
——Did you like actually singing it?
Including the part of pre-projects and voice training, things had progressed carefully, so by the time we did the recording, I was already getting along with the song very well (laughs). People were going to listen to it in the theaters, so I sang in a way that they would be able to hear the words clearly, that it would be delivered to their hearts as if I were narrating it. During the first meeting, director Fujita said several times, “I don’t want to deny choices that someone made with love”. So I had something like a sense of responsibility that I should make this song into a warm one with salvation to it. Anyhow, I sing it while wishing for Isabella and Taylor’s happiness. For me, going out into my home’s veranda and singing this song at the end of the day has turned into a routine (laughs). It goes without saying that people will reminisce to the story they saw in the theaters when listening to it, but if they listen to it before bed, they might be able to have a peaceful sleep.
——The MV also displays the dance in a way that comes close to the film.
Indeed, the film’s dance scene is very impressive, so I suggested that it might be wonderful if I also danced it in the MV. But it was my first time dancing waltz, so I practiced for two days before the filming. The instructor chose steps and moves that even an amateur like me could manage.
——The scene where you were lifted by the male dancer was also incredible (laughs). It was amazing (laughs)!
At the end of the day, it is difficult to continuously keep a beautiful posture… There is a correct position for the head, face, hips, rear and everything else, so I had muscular pains all over my body (laughs). But we were able to make an extremely marvelous MV thanks to that, so right now, I am thinking of learning a bit of ballroom dancing (laughs). Also, since the story has been finished, I want people to pay attention to the outcomes of those two as well, and we did our best in the acting, so I would be happy if people could notice the characters’ facial expressions too.
——The coupling song, “Plumeria”, is also a wonderful composition.
It is a slightly fashionable and uplifting EDM. Amongst the song compositions of “Chihara Minori” from until now, which have always given full-out and were mostly strong and cool, there had not been a song that I was able to sing so relaxed and naturally as just myself. The sense of tempo is also very refreshing and comfortable, so it became a “breaking new grounds” kind of song for me. According to the director, it seems this song has the image of “an adult woman who plays around and makes bets looking at the sunset in a resort by the sea” (laughs). That’s why I looked up tropical flowers in my phone and sang it after getting a tropical feeling. Also, about the bit in the lyrics that goes “the place where I am myself when I come back to it”, when I searched for where that could be in my case, turns out it was the live concert stage. In the end, when I come back to the live venue and hold a concert, I can think “I’ll do my best once again from tomorrow on”. To me, my fans are the plumerias inside my heart.
——The other one, “Mikashokuman no Utage nite”, is also a live concert song that will surely rile up people.
This one was made for people to enjoy the live, as the theme song of SUMMER CHAMPION 2019. Since it is a live concert festival, I had requested a melody that would be perfect for festivities, as well as an arrangement that included a traditional taste overseas fans would also enjoy, and I was happy that the composition turned out as something beyond my expectations! When I actually sang it at the concert, the duets were spot-on, the venue’s voltage exploded in an instant, and it truly came out as an amazing song (laughs). When I think about how I can nurture this composition more and more in live concerts from now on, I end up looking forward to it!
——By the way, did you like listening to these three songs one after another?
To tell the truth, I have not listened to them in sequence (laughs). The three songs here assembled are of varied natures, to the point they can give people the impression that “Is it really the same person singing them all?”, so I wonder how the people who actually listened to them in order felt. Including this aspect of it, I look forward to doing this on one hand, yet it makes me nervous on the other (laughs)… But I am happy that I was able to deliver a “new Chihara Minori” like this once again. Having reached the fifteenth anniversary of my debut last year, I am really feeling the joy of being able to make something new one more time.
——You also had a birthday live in November to celebrate your debut’s fifteenth anniversary, right?
Since it is a live concert for my fifteenth anniversary, I wanted the contents to be something that would firmly touch upon the history of “Chihara Minori”. However, I released a “the best” album and did a best hits live on my tenth anniversary, so I did a lot of planning in order not to do the same thing. It was held at a live house, so I had concluded it was going to be a very intense concert. I will be transferring to a new agency and turning a new leaf in April, so I was really happy and looking forward to spending the very day of my birth with my fans in a year that would be the beginning of trying my best while feeling like a rookie!
——Please leave a message to your fans.
Again, a new work packed with love has been finalized. I believe this one was born thanks to my meeting with “Violet Evergarden”. I would be most satisfied if you all could go to the theaters and enjoy “Amy” together with the story as you listen to it!
#violet evergarden#violet evergarden gaiden#fyeahvioletevergarden#kyoani#kyoto animation#chihara minori#interview#animedia#my translation
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Merry Christmas, greenleaf1316!
For @greenleaf1316. I hope you like it!!!!! I tried to go for fluff but it got a teensy bit angsty at the end :D
Read On AO3
*****
Hiding In Plain Sight
1.
‘Shit.’ Stiles sat up abruptly and waved his hands frantically in Derek’s face. ‘Put your clothes back on.’
‘Huh?’ Derek frowned and under normal circumstances, Stiles would have been completely smitten with that little wrinkle between the Murder Brows ™ but he knew the sound of that car and he also knew that if Lydia caught them in flagrante delicto, he would never hear the end of it.
‘I mean it.’ He scrambled off the bed and peered out his window. ‘Fuck, she’s almost at the front door.’
‘Lydia?’ Derek, bless his heart, was actually up and fishing around for his henley, grabbing it off the floor and yanking it over his head. ‘Why are you worried?’
‘Because…well.’ Stiles wrung his hands. ‘Okay, so it’s literally only been a couple of months since we broke up and when we did break up, do you know what she said?’
‘That you were hung up on me?’ Derek grinned, all teeth. He had heard this story, in fact it was one of the reasons he’d finally made a move.
‘And do you know what I replied?’ Stiles narrowed his eyes at him.
‘That she was crazy and that you were in no way interested?’ Derek was smirking, amusement in every line of his face. It was a good look on him and Stiles was torn between wanting to wrestle him to the bed and carry on with what they’d started and shove him in the closet. That mental image made him snicker before the doorbell rang and he grabbed Derek and hustled him towards the window.
‘Stiles!’ Derek protested, but he let himself be steered. ‘You know you’re going to have to tell her eventually.’
‘Ha!’ Stiles wrinkled his nose at him. ‘I’ll tell Lydia that she was right when hell freezes over. She thinks she knows me so well.’
‘She does.’ Derek pointed out and Stiles gasped in betrayal and used both hands to bundle him outside.
‘Give it twenty minutes and then come back in.’ he ordered and left Derek muttering about not even having a chance to put his shoes on before he retreated onto the roof and out of sight. His head popped back in a moment later. ‘It’s all iced over up here and I’m freezing my ass off!’
‘You’ll live!’ Stiles slammed the window shut, barely missing Derek’s fingers, and hurtled out his bedroom and down the stairs, stopping briefly to untangle himself from his own shirt that he was attempting to put on upside down, and then skidded along the wooden floor of the hall until he slammed into the front door.
‘Dammit.’ he muttered, wincing as he pulled it open and found Lydia looking at him with a very smug expression.
‘I win.’ she announced and Stiles glared at her.
‘You absolutely do not.’ he hissed and she arched an eyebrow at him. Neither of them backed down until there was a sound like a cat being strangled from the roof and Lydia’s eyebrow climbed to Everestian heights.
‘No?’ She smiled sweetly but Stiles was wise to her cunning ways. Any show of weakness would result in his imminent destruction.
‘No.’ He folded his arms and then realised that his fly was undone. He turned around and jerked it up, squeaking when he nearly got his dick caught. He could hear snickering behind him and wheeled back around to find Lydia’s eyes sparkling with mirth.
‘It’s hard to do up your pants when you still have a hard on.’ she pointed out and he went red.
‘I was jerking off.’ he protested and that was of course the time when Derek’s usual grace decided to desert him and he fell off the roof, making a very un-wolflike noise as he crashed into the bushes that flanked the front of the house. He sat up, blinking blearily and shaking his head like a wet puppy.
‘Hmmmm.’ Lydia shoved Stiles aside and swanned into the house past him. ‘So I see.’
2.
‘It’s a bit of a situation.’ Stiles was slumped so low in his seat that his ass was hanging off the chair. On the other side, the Sheriff heaved a sigh.
‘I don’t get why you don’t just tell them.’ he said and next to him, Derek made an I told you so face.
‘Shut up.’ Stiles gave him a look that he hoped was clear in it’s dissent to that particular idea. Derek snorted and went back to eating Stiles’ popcorn that he’d abandoned when Erica and Boyd had walked into the cinema.
‘Son.’ The Sheriff sounded like he’d rather be chasing down a multitude of bad guys than talking Stiles down from his self-imposed ledge. ‘You’re all adults. I’m sure nobody is going to have a problem with that fact that you and Derek finally pulled your heads out of your asses and got together.’
‘It’s not as simple as you make it out to be.’ Stiles grumbled. ‘I mean they all made such a big deal about the fact that me and Lydia had finally gotten together.’
‘You mean Scott made such a big deal about you and Lydia getting together.’ The Sheriff chuckled and Stiles wanted to strangle him. ‘Look, Scott’s just got to put on his big boy pants and realise that just because he still has a stick up his ass about Derek coming back an alpha and taking back his pack, it’s no reason for you not to be happy.’
‘Fuck.’ Stiles’ entire face creased up. ‘I hate it when you’re reasonable.’
‘It’s a gift.’ His father sounded unbelievably fond. ‘No go back to watching your movie and make out with your boyfriend and stop trying to convince me to call in a bomb scare to the movie house.’
‘Thanks for nothing.’ Stiles pulled a face when he got hung up on, his father still chortling and then screeched like a small child when he found two pairs of glowing golden eyes looking at him from the row of seats in front.
‘You know we can hear you.’ Boyd said. His normally taciturn expression was bordering on gleeful and Stiles decided that made him look more evil than all the villains the pack had faced altogether, and that included Deucalion’s multiple iterations.
‘And smell you.’ Erica reached over and snagged a handful of popcorn. ‘Why are you two hiding back here and why is Stiles trying to cause a terrorist incident.’
Stiles gaped at them both and then looked at Derek accusingly.
‘You told them?’ He batted at Derek’s arm and his boyfriend fended him off easily, still managing to cram another mouthful in.
‘He didn’t need to.’ Boyd rested his chin on his arm. ‘We could smell it all over you the first time you fucked.’
‘’You’re just lucky that Scott is the ultimate failwolf and can’t use his nose for shit.’ Erica grinned, her fangs just showing. ‘Besides, it’s not like we have a problem with it. We won the pool.’
‘Cora’s still pissed about that.’ Derek smirked and Stiles felt he had no choice but to hit him.
3.
Stiles stretched luxuriously and turned to lean on one elbow, admitting Derek’s sleeping face. Even the fact that his wolf was on his back, mouth open and snoring like a band of happy lumberjacks let loose at a pine forest, couldn’t dim his ardour and he contemplated dipping under the covers and blowing him back to readiness.
Derek’s breathing hitched and he turned over onto his stomach, mumbling something about rabbis as he buried his face in the pillow and Stiles sniggered into his own pillow and then decided he needed something to drink. Sex with Derek was always athletic and enthusiastic and involved a hell of a lot of licking so feeling dehydrated was nothing new.
He sat up, using his toes to grab his discarded boxers and got up. He was still hitching them up when he cracked the door open and peered into the corridor. The new Hale house was a long white wood-cladded affair near the lake with Derek’s bedroom at the end of the corridor. Between him and the stairs was Peter’s room and Cora’s room, both of which were currently occupied. Thankfully, industrial strength soundproofing had been installed so he and Derek could be as loud as they wanted without anyone catching on. Boyd and Erica had been sworn to secrecy, as had Cora. She hadn’t even been allowed to tell Isaac, who she skyped daily.
He stumbled down the corridor, making his way downstairs and into the kitchen. It was all gleaming surfaces and had two enormous fridge freezers at the end. Stiles opened one, taking out a bottle of gatorade and cracking it. He downed half noisily and was just about to get started on the other half when the lights went on and he found himself face to face with a half naked Isaac.
‘Dude!’ He blinked in surprise. ‘Why aren’t you in France?’
‘Um…’ Isaac looked like a deer in the headlights. He had a series of huge bruises dotted all the way down his chest and it took all of a minute to put two and two together because clearly Cora and Her brother shared a marking kink.
‘Oh my God!’ Stiles hissed in excitement. ‘You two?’
‘Well, yeah.’ Isaac gave him a shy smile, one hand rubbing the back of his neck. ‘And I’m assuming that Derek did that.’ He gave Stiles’ neck a pointed look.
‘It’s new.’ Stiles opened the fridge again and grabbed a second bottle, chucking it over to him. ‘So are you back for good?’
‘I think so.’ Isaac’s eyes flitted towards the ceiling. ‘I’d like to be. I just got in this evening and things kind of got out of hand but this already feels more like home than any other place I’ve been.’
‘I’m glad.’ Stiles beamed at him. ‘And I know Derek will be really pleased to have you back.’
They drank the rest of their gatorade in silence, both of them catching each other’s eye and laughing.
‘This has got to be one of the most awkward things ever.’ Stiles grinned. ‘But if you’re back then what happened Chris?’ He stopped when that very person stumbled into the kitchen. He was also in nothing but boxers, his greying hair sticking up in every direction possible. He squinted at Stiles and Isaac and then looked sheepish as hell, especially when Stiles clocked the massive bite mark on the slope of his shoulder.
‘Huh.’ He nodded at Chris’ mark. ‘Guess it runs in the family.’
4.
Derek woke with a start. He shot up, fangs and claws out and eyes flashing and then settled when he saw who it was that had interrupted his sleep.
‘Jesus, Kira.’ He rubbed his eyes. ‘What the hell?’
‘Just visiting.’ Kira had her wicked smile on. Since she’d joined her sisters in the desert, her propensity for mischief in keeping with her kitsune nature had become even more pronounced. ‘I wanted to say hi.’ She was balanced on her toes on the iron foot rail of his bed, her katana on her back and her black hair floating around her face, eyes burning orange.
‘Did you drive?’ Derek asked, swinging his legs over the side of the bed.
‘No, I flew.’ Kira floated up into the air and landed soundlessly. ‘Isn’t it cool?’
‘Very.’ Derek couldn’t help smiling at her. ‘What time is it?’
‘Around three.’ Kira tilted her head, frowning at the bed he’d just vacated. ‘What are those?’
Derek looked behind him and felt his face heat up. He grabbed the black lace panties and shoved them under the pillow.
‘Nothing.’ he replied but Kira’s smile was now bordering on demonic.
‘You’re getting laid?’ she squealed in excitement. ‘Finally! Who’s the lucky girl?’
‘Oh...er..it’s…’ Derek floundered, not quite sure how to lay things out in a way that she wouldn’t be able to pick up on him lying. ‘It’s not so much a girl as it is a guy.’
Kira’s shriek of delight was enough to have him wincing at the assault on his eardrums.
‘Is it Stiles?’ She practically had heart eyes. ‘Oh God, please tell me it’s Stiles. You’ve had the biggest crush on him for about forever.’
That was when the toilet flushed and the ensuite door opened to reveal Stiles looking like the cat that ate the canary and possibly the entire aviary while he was about it.
‘A crush?’ He was beaming as brightly as Kira was. ‘On me?’
‘Shut up, Stiles.’ Derek ducked his head, knowing he’d been completely and utterly rumbled. Kira had been the only one he’d confessed to.
‘No, wait a second.’ Stiles’ grin turned smug. ‘All this time, I thought I was about the luckiest person on earth that you would even look at me and it turns out that you were pining for me?’
‘I wasn’t pining.’ Derek muttered, folding his arms and trying to get back some of his dignity. ‘I admired from afar.’
‘He pined.’ Kira giggled. ‘He pined so hard that I think we ate the entire grocery store stock of Ben and Jerry’s that first month you were dating Lydia. He made me go on a road trip to Vegas where all he did was mope and play the slots.’
‘I hate you.’ Derek growled at her but she completely ignored him and went over to throw her arms around Stiles, the two of them bouncing around like kindergarteners.
‘This is so great.’ Kira dragged Stiles back to the bed and hauled him onto it with her, all three of them getting tangled up. ‘It’s like my brother and my other brother getting together.’
‘That would be incest, Kira.’ Derek felt he was obligated to point this out. Kira crinkled her nose adorably and then shrugged.
‘Meh.’ She wriggled so she was between them, getting comfortable on the pillows. ‘Geez, I’m bushed after all that. Can I stay and nap for a bit?’
‘Sure.’ Stiles grinned badly at Derek over her head. ‘Although you do realise we’re both still naked, right?’
Kira mumbled something indistinct, already half asleep. Derek regarded her and brushed her hair out of her face.
‘She’s fucking nuts.’ he said, voice full of affection.
‘I know.’ Stiles replied. ‘But then again, who isn’t?’
5.
Melissa hummed to herself as she wandered the aisles of the grocery store. It was nice having this time to herself between shifts and she stopped to peruse a selection of sandwiches, tapping her fingers against her mouth as she contemplated lunch.
A familiar voice broke through her reverie and she frowned and walked to the end of the aisle, peeking around the corner and grinning as she took in the scene in front of her.
Canoodling. There was no other word for it. What was even more amusing was who exactly was doing the canoodling.
She’d always known how affectionate and tactile Stiles was. When he’d been in elementary school and she and Claudia had got together for coffee while he and Scott tore around the playground at the park, she’d always loved how free he’d been with his affection. He’d always come back to Claudia for a hug or a kiss on the head before galloping off again, something Melissa had envied. Scott had become withdrawn after Rafael had left, not as accepting of Melissa’s overtures as he had been and she had missed it.
Then Claudia had gotten sick and Stiles’ sunny nature had clouded over and he’d turned from tactile to clingy in his desperation. Melissa knew that whenever she’d visit she would find him on Claudia’s bead, tucked under her arm or snuggled into her side. Then Claudia’s dementia had gotten worse and she’d stopped recognising her son and that warm physical affection had dried up. Noah had tried to be a substitute but Melissa knew that nothing could ever take the place of Claudia’s touch. She had died and Stiles had grown up far too quickly, and that reservedness had persisted. He’d taken to pulling himself back, putting himself out there with words and manic energy instead and that sunny happy child she had known was hardly to be seen.
This though, this was like getting hit in the face with the past and it made her heart soar to see it.
Stiles had Derek trapped against one of the milk fridges, hands on his hips and their noses almost touching they were so close. It startled Melissa a little to realise that there was barely an inch difference between them and how broad Stiles had gotten in the shoulders. He and Derek now faced off as equals rather than antagonists and Melissa was equally surprised to see the look of exasperated love on Derek’s face as he looked into Stiles’ eyes, his own arms resting on Stiles’ shoulders.
‘I have to get milk.’ he said and Stiles snorted happily and nuzzled at him.
‘Well, I have to get kisses.’ he replied.
‘We’re in the middle of the store.’ Derek protested but his eyes were crinkled up and he was smiling in a way that Melissa could never recall seeing him smile. He looked utterly besotted and it was a very good look on him.
‘Stop being a worry wolf.’ Stiles laughed. ‘The pack shops on the other side of town. Nobody will see us here.’ He peppered Derek’s face with kisses and Derek started honest-to-God giggling, trying not very hard to fight him off until Stiles got him good and pinned and kissed him properly, Derek’s arms looped around his neck and their bodies pressed up tight against each other.
Melissa watched until it got a little too heated and then turned and left, a smile on her face all the way back to the hospital.
+ 1
‘Derek! Wake the fuck up!’ Stiles sounded panicked, more panicked than Scott had ever heard him. He was already moving to the door of the examination room when he was moved aside by Deaton. Boyd had laid Derek out on the stainless steel examination table, his shirt slashed by the harpy’s claws and deep rents in the skin underneath that bled freely. Stiles was in a state, his own clothes smeared with grime and his hair matted with what smelled like blood. Boyd wasn’t much better himself, battered and bruised, as was Erica. She was holding onto Derek’s hand tightly, not letting go even when Stiles shoved her aside to get to him.
Not for the first time, Scott realised he was out of the loop. He hadn��t even known that there was something up or that they were going hunting.
‘This is bad.’ Deaton’s usually calm was rattled. He disappeared and came back with a jar of oily looking green liquid. ‘Can someone hold his head?’
‘Why isn’t he healing?’ Cora asked, her dark eyes huge and full of tears.
‘Harpy venom is usually lethal to werewolves.’ Deaton nodded at Isaac, who lifted Derek’s head gently. Scott watched Deaton pry his mouth open and tipped the contents of the jar into it, Isaac steadying Derek so he wouldn’t choke. ‘Stiles. If ever you needed to use your spark, now is the time.’
‘Okay.’ Stiles wiped at his face, tears leaving clean streaks through the blood and dirt. He laid his hands on Derek’s chest and closed his eyes. ‘Come on, asshole. You don’t get to check out on me.’
Across the table, Cora took her brother’s other hand and Isaac laid Derek’s head down and moved to wrap his arms around her. Boyd came to stand alongside Erica, his arm around her waist.
‘Call him back.’ Deaton was looking at Stiles intently. ‘You know what he needs to hear.’
Stiles nodded, sniffling loudly when Derek’s wounds started to smoke as the potion kicked in.
‘Come on.’ He leaned down so his forehead was resting against Derek’s. ‘Please Derek, don’t leave me here without you. You know I can’t be alone anymore, not now I’ve got you with me.’
Scott frowned, his brain racing to catch up.
‘It’s not working.’ Erica was crying freely, her mascara streaked all down her face.
‘It will work.’ Stiles tightened his grip on Derek’s hands. ‘Come on, you stubborn son of a bitch. I need you and if you think I’m letting you go without a fight, well you can take that and stick it up your ass.’
As if on cue, Derek shuddered and took on a deep breath. He started coughing, eyes flying open to glow red as he convulsed on the table. All the other wolves ran to hold him down but it was horrible to watch, even as his wounds slowly sealed up and his breathing eased.
‘That’s it.’ Stiles was smiling through his tears. ‘Another deep breath, just like that baby.’
Derek’s head fell back to the table with a thump and he made a face that would have been comical if it hadn’t been for the circumstances.
‘I feel like I got chewed up and spat out.’ he croaked and everyone sagged in relief.
‘You almost did, man.’ Boyd laughed, but it was choked. ‘Fuck, we thought we’d lost you.’
‘I’m sorry.’ Derek looked up at Stiles, one hand coming up to cup his cheek. ‘I’m fine, okay.’
‘You’re not, but I’ll take it.’ Stiles replied, still crying and kissing Derek’s forehead. ‘You stupid self-sacrificing dick. If I didn’t love you so damn much, I’d kill you myself.’
Scott looked at Deaton, who shrugged, cryptic smile back in place.
Derek smiled, exhausted but soft.
‘I love you too.’ he replied, pulling Stiles down into an upside down kiss that went on and on and didn’t stop even when the back door slammed open and a wild-eyed Peter charged in, claws and fangs out and his eyes electric blue.
‘Harpies?’ He waved his hands at them, looking for all the world like Stiles when he flailed. ‘What the fucking fuck?’
Stiles and Derek broke apart, holding onto each other tightly.
‘Your pack.’ Stiles murmured, nosing at Derek’s hair.
‘Our pack.’ Derek replied and pulled him back down to kiss again.
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29. Robin/Nancy - I know you write the ot3 for st but I need some lesbians!!!
I’m always happy to write some lesbians, thanks anon!! Sorry these are taking so long, but I swear all the prompts will be filled!
‘And you know what else is really fucking infuriating?’ Robin tries to punctuate her words with a jab to Steve’s chest, but he’s still holding her wrist, checking for a break she already knows isn’t there.
They’re in the Wheeler’s bathroom, Robin up on the sink, Steve moving back and forth between her and the medicine cabinet, looking calmer with every scrape he wipes clean and band-aid he applies. They’ve both had worse injuries, but it never stops him from worrying.
Mostly her arm just fucking hurts. Less because of the monster that’s chosen to fuck with them this week, and more because when she had started towards it’s left flank where it was clearly injured, weak, Nancy had yanked her back, darted in herself, made the kill and had the talon scratches on her ribs to prove it.
And while Nancy took care of herself, only letting Mike close enough to help her clean the wound, Robin got Steve Harrington’s Specialty Bathroom Medical Treatment.
The idiot had tagged along to a first aid training day with Hopper at the end of last summer and thought he had a medical degree.
‘Tell me,’ Steve prompts, ‘what’s really fucking infuriating?’ Because despite her current complaints he’s actually a fantastic friend. Annoying and ridiculous and a complete dumbass, but a genuinely good friend. Her best friend.
‘I am older than all of you were when you started fighting monsters. You were seventeen, Dustin was twelve. The kids were twelve, Steve! And I’ve been doing this for a year now. I think I know what I’m doing.’
She can hear petulance leaking into her voice and stops talking.
The thing is, Robin gets it, okay. She gets it. She is the newest person on the inside of Hawkins batshit supernatural underworld, and the others, including the six fifteen year olds, feel the need to make sure she doesn’t get herself killed. It would be nice to have so many people watching her back, standing beside her unequivocally, if it didn’t come with a side order of because we don’t trust you not to die if we leave you alone for five goddamn minutes.
In the last year Robin has been tied up by Russians, drugged with truth serum, come out to Steve Harrington on the floor of a toilet cubicle, met multiple monsters from the Upside Down, learned what the fuck the Upside Down was, got her second job after her first job blew up, accidentally come out to a bunch of kids, been forced into more discussions about Dungeons & Dragons than she cares to remember, fought some more monsters including a Kelpie that nearly killed her and also something that was maybe a griffin that kidnapped Nancy Wheeler, argued with Dustin about the possible existence of the Mothman and Bigfoot, put in more hours researching things that should not logically exist than Steve ever put into study for school, actually learned Russian because she couldn’t get it out of her head, and still they don’t trust her.
Steve reads her mind. She kind of hates that he can do that now.
‘It isn’t that she doesn’t trust you, you know.’ He says it quiet, the way he always talks about Nancy. Eyes downcast, rueful little smile.
Robin groans. Turns out, whether Hawkins weird energy has made Steve psychic or Robin is just really that obvious, he knows her better than she knows herself.
‘This isn’t about her. Everyone does it. We’d only known each other for a few weeks and you took a beating to save me.’
Steve scans her face a final time and, deciding by the arbitrary measure of the not clinically trained, pronounces her properly first aided. Then he shrugs. ‘It wasn’t just for you. Dustin and Erica were there too.’ Like taking a beating for any of them was nothing. Like coming out of it bloody and bruised and definitely concussed was a mark of simple friendship.
‘Steve,’ she says, and it comes out more like a whine. Steeeeve. She kicks her heels against the sink.
He sighs. Hands on his hips in what Max and Mike have taken to calling his Mom Pose. ‘I don’t know what you want me to say, Robin? If this is about, I don’t know, us trusting you to have our backs? You don’t have to worry about that.’
He says it so gently and he looks so uncomfortable that Robin believes him.
‘I trust you with their lives all the time.’
He means the kids, but he also probably means the others too. Jonathan, Joyce, Hopper, Nancy. And now she’s had some space, has licked her wounds, and, for now at least, acknowledged that her pride might need to be buried, Robin can see that he does.
‘And those kids don’t ever back down from a fight, but if they let you join them in one? That’s trust too.’
Steve starts packing away Mrs Wheeler’s first aid stuff, throwing out all the bloody cotton balls and attempting to wipe down the sink with Robin still mostly in it. ‘For the rest of it though. You need to put on your big girl pants and talk to her.’
Her stomach does the stupid flippy thing it’s taken to doing any time she thinks about talking to Nancy, and then her heart does the follow up guilty feeling right after. The guilty feeling sounds a little like Steeeeve.
Nancy is. A lot of things. But Steve is important. He’s her best friend.
Steve stops what he’s doing, steps into her space again, and for the first time since he started patching her up he looks her in the eye for more than half a second. He’s smiling, small but there. He grips her shoulder, pulls her in close until their foreheads are almost touching, then leans closer and presses a kiss above the bruise near her hairline.
‘I love you, dingus. Both of you. You think I don’t want you to be happy?’
‘That’s my line,’ she sniffles. Dropping her head to his shoulder, she slings her arms around his middle, and holds on. ‘Dingus.’
*
When they make it back to the kitchen Mike and Nancy are sniping back and forth in the way, Robin has come to learn, means they are both in a good mood and violently caring at one another. It’s a weird sibling thing that she doesn’t think she’ll ever fully understand, but then Steve shoulders her out of the way so he can get to the fridge first and she thinks maybe she does.
‘For god’s …’ Nancy mutters darkly. ‘Where the fuck are they keeping the platters now?’
Mike rolls his eyes and picks his sister up to move her out of the way. Nancy let’s out an undignified squeak, shoving at him when he drops her unceremoniously.
‘They’re up here,’ Mike reaches them down off a shelf so high that he’s surely the only person who lives here who can actually reach it. ‘Shit doesn’t stay in the same place when you move halfway across the country, you know that right?’
Nancy huffs. ‘I did not move halfway across the country. I drove halfway across the country and then I drove some more, and then I came back, because for some reason everything supernatural seems to be centred on Hawkins and I want to know why!’
Robin watches, fascinated, as Nancy works herself up into one of her lectures. She stalks up and down the kitchen, turning randomly to open cupboards and drawers, shutting them without getting anything out.
She’s talking about the ripple effect from the gate. Each time it opened the ripples travelled a little bit further, until it was sending out a beacon across the country. There’s the little furrow in her brow, just a tiny dent that Robin sometimes daydreams about smoothing out.
‘And no one knows what the side effects could be, or if we could stop it permanently.’
Robin’s heard all this before. Knows why Nancy felt like she couldn’t go away to college just yet. Knows that Nancy chose to defer one of her many offers in favour of a solo, cross country, monster hunting, information gathering road trip.
Mike rolls his eyes, and Steve mentions something about ordering a couple of pizzas, and Lucas and Dustin come in with empty bowls and leave with arms full of snacks, and Mrs Wheeler rings to let her children know that she and Ted are fine thank you and at her mother’s place and there’s dinner ready for heating up in the fridge, and Robin’s eyes never leave Nancy as she paces up and down the kitchen, hands flying, still lecturing.
She slows down after almost fifteen minutes and notices, finally, that Robin is the only one left in the kitchen with her.
‘Uh,’ Robin starts, awkward now that the room isn’t full of Nancy’s voice, and there’s no buffer. Now that all that focus has been bottled back up and directed at her.
Nancy heaves a sigh, shrugs, and then sort of half-smiles. ‘He hasn’t stayed put long enough to hear me finish talking since he was nine. Maybe ten?’ She laughs. She sounds a little embarrassed. ‘Sorry about that. I, um, I’m not very good at stopping once I get started.’
‘That’s fine.’ Robin knows how inane that sounds, but she seems to have misplaced most of her vocabulary this evening. She could listen to Nancy all night. ‘That’s, uh, I get that.’
Nancy nods. Her eyes shift over the kitchen like she’s looking for something to focus on that isn’t Robin.
Robin can hear her own heartbeat in her ear, knows her face must be bright red. She has managed not to wind up alone with Nancy too many times when she’s back in Hawkins, because it always ends like this. Both of them too quiet, Robin too aware of everything she is and is not doing. Being around Nancy is exhausting.
Then Nancy whips back around to face her, and she doesn’t have much room in her head for thinking. Because she has never seen that look head on before. She’s caught it in her periphery, from an angle, when one of the others has been hurt or upset, but Nancy is looking her dead in the eye and she is Worried.
‘Robin, I’m so sorry. I got completely sidetracked. Are you okay?’
Robin nods.
Nancy walks over to her, hands not quite touching the cuts and bruises on her face. She is so close, and Robin can see where she’s been biting her bottom lip, can see every freckle, every scar.
She has never seen Nancy like this, up close.
She’s seen Nancy Wheeler load a shotgun. She’s seen her shoot one. She’s seen Nancy Wheeler with her hair loose and sweat-damp, the opposite of prissy and put together. Nancy Wheeler, eyes cold and shoulders straight, standing steady between the people she loves and all the world’s darkness and never flinching. Nancy Wheeler with singed hair and a gash across her forehead and an unconscious dragon at her feet. Nancy Wheeler curled in on herself on Steve’s front porch, sobbing into his shoulder on the anniversary of Barb Holland’s disappearance. Nancy Wheeler smirking as her brother stumbles through explaining why there are two girls asleep in the basement without Mrs Wheeler’s permission. Smiling fondly at him later, when he’s not looking.
Robin has never seen her like this.
‘Steve patched you up okay?’ Nancy whispers.
Robin nods again.
‘Anything hurting? I’m sure we have painkillers around here somewhere, unless Mom’s moved those too.’
She looks like she’s really considering stepping back and away and out of Robin’s space, and Robin really doesn’t want that, so she shakes her head. Manages to get some words out of her mouth, and puts her foot in it. ‘No, really, I’m okay. My arm’s a little sore, but I’ll be fine.’
‘Your arm?’ Nancy asks, reaching forward. Robin lifts her right arm, and Nancy goes through the same motions as Steve, checking for a break. She holds Robin just as gently. Robin hopes Nancy doesn’t notice the way her hair stands on end, the goosebumps that run up her arm at Nancy’s touch. ‘I didn’t see it touch your arm …’
Robin, who has been watching Nancy’s face for minutes now, sees exactly when it clicks. She goes white as a sheet.
‘Oh. Oh, shit. Shit, Robin, I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.’ She lets go of Robin’s arm, reaches out to touch it again. She can’t seem to decide what would be more welcome, more comforting. ‘I just wanted to. God. I’m so sorry.’
‘Nancy,’ Robin says, reaching out and taking her hand. She had thought she would put it back on her arm, let Nancy know she wasn’t hurt too badly, that she trusted her, but Nancy presses their hands together, palm to palm. Robin can’t take her eyes off Nancy’s face, and Nancy can’t seem to take her eyes off Robin’s palm.
She takes a breath, watches Nancy do the same, and then threads their fingers together.
‘Really. I’m okay.’
Nancy looks unsettled still, when she manages to look away from their hands and finally, finally, back at Robin. ‘I know I don’t know you that well. Not as well as the others. But give me some credit, please. You were furious with me earlier.’
Ugh, she thinks. I hate it when Steve’s right.
‘I was. But I’m not now. And it wasn’t about my arm, not really. It wasn’t about what you did, it was about why you did it. Or why I thought you did it.’
‘Why did you think I did it?’ Nancy says, voice steadier than Robin’s, because even when she’s unsettled she so goddamn brave.
Robin shrugs. ‘I figured you didn’t trust that I could do it. That I could kill it on my own. Which, hey, I get it. Your brother was there. If I had a brother, I’d probably want to —’
But Nancy is shaking her head. ‘I want to say Mike can handle himself, because he’s still alive after this long, but really Mike can kind of handle himself and when he can’t he has El and the others when I’m not around. I’m not worried about Mike.’
‘But you are worried about me.’ She hates the way her voice sounds, flat and miserable. She still doesn’t let go of Nancy’s hand though, which is probably way more telling than she’d like it to be.
‘Yes.’ Matter of fact. Just yes. Nancy worries about Robin’s ability to handle herself. ‘But not in the way you’re thinking.’ Huh? ‘I know you can kill monsters Robin. I’ve seen you do it. And I might spend a lot of time on the road, but I do call home. Steve keeps me up to date. I just,’ she fades off, looking frustrated.
Another new Nancy Wheeler: speechless.
She uses the hand not currently wrapped around Robin’s to scrub her face. Smiles up at Robin apologetically, because steeling herself.
‘I just want to protect you. Not because I have to, but because I don’t like seeing you hurt. Which is stupid, I know, because if I go charging in you could still end up hurt. Because if I pull you out of the way I can clearly hurt you. And I am so, so sorry about that, Robin. Really, I am. But I can’t help feeling like I should always be standing in front of you. Which, again, stupid. Because you are taller than me, and I can’t cover you if I can’t see you.’ She pauses, briefly, to take a breath, but even if Robin had the words to cut in, she takes off talking again at top speed. ‘I don’t just want to protect you though. I want to. I want to hold you hand. I want. I don’t know, but I want it. And I think, sometimes, when you look at me that you want it too. And if you do. Want it. I want you to have it.’ Nancy nods to herself. Like she’s finally found the right combination of words. ‘I want you safe and happy. I want you to have it.’
There’s near silence in the kitchen, aside from the humming of the fridge and the steady ticking of the clock, and the too loud beating of Robin’s own heart, still in her ears. But before Nancy can break the silence with the words that Robin can see building in her already, Robin leans down and kisses her.
Kissing Nancy Wheeler might just be her favourite Nancy Wheeler yet.
Nancy sighs into Robin’s mouth, presses in closer and harder. She’s all angles, and so small Robin thinks if she didn’t know her like she does she might worry about breaking her. But Nancy Wheeler is made of stronger things than most.
She pushes up onto her tiptoes, winds her hands around Robin’s neck, and Robin’s own hands grip Nancy’s waist. She holds on. Moans when Nancy’s tongue touches hers, when one of Nancy’s hands finds its way down her arm to her side and then up under her t-shirt.
They kiss, wet and hot and more than Robin was ever expecting. She knows what Nancy means. She wants.
Nancy lifts herself up onto the counter, and Robin steps back in close, between her legs. She pulls away from Nancy’s mouth, ignoring the way she pouts, so she can kiss Nancy’s neck, suck a bruise into her skin. She has no idea what she is doing, her hands feel awkward, settling wherever is closest, but she does not want to stop. Nancy makes the best sound Robin has ever heard, crosses her legs behind Robin’s back and tugs her closer still.
Robin kisses her way back up to Nancy’s mouth, presses an almost shy kiss to her lips, buries her face in Nancy’s shoulder and sighs. ‘Holy shit.’
Nancy giggles. Twists her fingers in Robin’s hair. ‘Yeah.’ She giggles again. ‘Holy shit.’
*
They’re a pretty good team after that. Well, after they talk about it a little more. Nancy still wants to stand between Robin and danger, but Robin manages to convince her that standing shoulder to shoulder is actually better because then she can have her eyes on Robin the entire time.
‘This is supposed to be a big one. As big as that dragon,’ Nancy is saying as they walk through the woods. She has her shotgun and Robin has Steve’s bat, with strict instructions to bring it back in one piece. Dustin’s instructions, not Steve’s. The kid has a thing about it being Steve’s bat.
‘We’ve handled worse.’
Nancy grins at her.
They reach the fork in the path that Hopper had mentioned, where Nancy is going to go left and Robin is going to go right, so they can outflank it from this side of its den, while Steve and Hopper do it from the other. Robin lets go of Nancy’s hand.
‘Kiss for luck?’
Robin bends down. She’ll never say no to that, and Nancy knows it. It’s brief, because they have a monster waiting for them in the dark, but it’s fine, because once they’ve killed it they’ll have all the time in the world.
#stranger things fic#robin buckley#nancy wheeler#nancy x robin#stranger things#madeleine writes#steve harrington#i really enjoyed writing this!! i haven't written robin before so let me know what you think!#otp: my baby has got a gun#do not separate
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far too young to die (9/11)
a/n: i’m putting out two tonight hell yeah! as you can see, i also know exactly how many chapters are left - not including any bonus chapters i possibly put in - before this series is over. i’ve really enjoyed writing this and i hope you all have enjoyed reading it thus far. now, onwards!
taglist: @ashtounding @orchideax, @asheseiler @steve-harrington-said-gay-rights @kake-babe @sweetpeabellamyblakedracomalfoy
relationship: steve harrington x reader
word count: 800+
summary: you just wanted to keep your job at the starcourt mall movie theater. all you had to do was find out how these kids were sneaking into the movies without coming in the front door. your small little movie theater conspiracy ends up pulling you into something a lot bigger, and a lot scarier.
previous part / series masterlist
chapter nine: took you long enough
He was okay. He was fine. Steve was okay.
You kept repeating those words in your head as you got some paper towels wet in the sink that Steve sat next to. You brought the paper towels up to his eye first, wiping at some of the blood that had dried there. Next you moved to under his nose, to which you were surprised it wasn’t broken. Grabbing new paper towels, you finally went to his split lip.
Steve hissed as you pressed the wet towel to his lip. “Sorry,” you murmured, softening your touch. He could’ve died in there. Any of you could have died in there. The harsh thoughts kept swimming around in your head.
“Hey, you okay?” You caught Steve’s gaze, the static in your head quieting when you saw the worry in his eyes. You shrugged, gearing to go back to cleaning him up, when his hand reached up and grabbed your wrist, pulling it away from his face. “Is everything fine? Were you hurt?”
“Steve, I’m fine, I promise. Dustin…he told me everything.” You saw Steve’s eyes glance to the side, where Dustin was poking his head out the door every now and then. Your voice brought his attention back to you, “Erica and I wanted an explanation. So, we know about the monsters, and the Upside Down.” You lowered your voice to a whisper, giving him a small smile.
“Oh.” He frowned, “How are you doing with that?”
“You’re asking a loaded question, Harrington.”
“Well when I found out I flipped my shit, so. I’m just trying to get a vague idea of where your head’s at.”
“It’s currently worried about you, so.” You backed away from him for a moment to grab the Neosporin from Erica, who was currently talking to Robin animatedly – like none of them had just been on the run from Russians less than two hours ago. You slid back over to stand in between Steve’s legs so you could apply the Neosporin to his split lip.
The eye contact the two of you made caused a shiver run down your back. He was staring at you again. It was different this time, though. He had looked at you with concern before. With softness. But this was…deeper, somehow. You carefully applied the ointment, trying not to acknowledge that if you were touching him like this in any other circumstance it would be considered intimate.
Steve said your name softly, “I’m sorry I didn’t have lunch with you that day.” You froze for a moment, head whipping up so you could see him clearly. “Or…any day after that.”
“You remember?”
“Took me long enough, right?” He let out a humorless chuckle, “I really am stupid sometimes.”
“You’re not stupid, you make-”
“Yes, I make stupid decisions but this time I was really dumb, alright. I just left you to be by yourself so I could feel cool. But you always used to make me feel cool.” Steve huffed, reaching his hand to grab yours, intertwining them like you used to do. “And it took this Russian conspiracy crap and the past month to figure out that all of the high school popularity bullshit isn’t important. I didn’t mean to forget about you, and thought you deserved an apology.”
Your voice was soft, “I did alright on my own, Steve.”
“I know…I just, hope that it’s been alright to not be on your own, too” Oh Steve Harrington didn’t realize just how much he had you wrapped around his finger, did he?
A grin broke out across your face, “It’s been good, Steve. Besides the almost dying multiple times and having a mental breakdown after we left you and Robin to be tortured, it’s been fun.” A laugh escaped Steve’s mouth. “Do you guys do this often?”
The space between the two of you was minimal. If you stepped any closer you’d be embracing, but you were the farthest thing from uncomfortable. Steve was always publicly affectionate; he never really had any shame back then. You were happy that aspect of your relationship was returning. Not that you two had a relationship. You just missed your childhood best friend. That was it.
“It seems like its every year or so, yeah.”
“Well hopefully after this we won’t have anything for at least five years or so.”
The two of you burst out laughing, only stopping when Dustin gestured to the door and said, “People are leaving, we should get out of here and find help.”
You stepped away from Steve, ready to let go of his hand, but the messy-haired boy tightened his grip on you. He hopped down from the counter, giving you a small smile. Robin was off the floor now, and she gave the two of you a look. You raised your free hand to flip her the bird, making her laugh.
“Let’s get the hell out of here,” you said confidently. Your heart felt warm as you looked around at your dysfunctional family. All of you deserved a nice day off once all this was over. Which you hoped was sooner rather than later.
#far too young to die#steve harrington x reader#stranger things fic#stranger things#steve harrington
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