#but after he protected them from Billy I think it went out the window
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RIP Mike Wheeler’s heterosexuality
“Is being gay contagious?”
Steve stares at his phone groggily before putting it back against his ear. “…Mike?”
“Is it?”
“It’s three in the fuckin’ morning is what it is.” He rubs his nose, Mike’s words finally catching up to his brain. “Seriously, Mike? No it’s not fucking contagious, you’re not gonna get the gay disease or whatever from me. I promise you’ll keep liking girls.”
He’s a little hurt, even though he knows the question is innocent. They’ve been asking a lot of questions, like the inquisitive little assholes they are, but none of them had seemed like they weren’t okay with it. Until now.
“…that’s not what I meant,” Mike says. Steve realizes that his voice sounds shaky, even over the phone.
“Then what—“ he cuts himself off, realizing halfway through his bitching that there was only one reason Mike would call about this. “Oh.”
“Can you pick me up?”
“It’s three in the morning,” he repeats, even as he starts wondering where he left his keys. “Your mom…”
“Steve,” Mike pleads. “Please?”
He sighs. “I’m on my way.”
Mike is sitting on his doorstep when he pulls up, head in his hands. Steve doesn’t have to get out of the car, he stalks to the passenger door with all the vitriol of a boy with too many emotions to hold in, and wrenches the door open hard enough that Steve worries he’s going to break it.
“Watch it, noodle arms,” he says, trying to pretend this is normal. Maybe if he acts like it’s not well past midnight, Mike will relax.
It doesn’t work. Mike slumps in his seat, not bothering with the seatbelt. “Can you just drive?”
Steve drives. Doesn’t really know where they’re going, but it doesn’t matter. Just away seems to suffice.
He eventually pulls into a side road
“I’m scared to even touch another guy now! Because apparently hugging is gay when you’re older, and so is sleeping in the same bed, and telling your friends you love them, and…and I’m fucking scared all the time, ‘cause what if they’re right? How do they know? How can they tell by just fucking looking at me? It’s bullshit!”
“Shit, kid,” Steve says, heartbroken. “Shit. C’mere.”
He pulls him close, and Mike turns his face into the crook of his neck, shaking. His shirt collar starts to get damp.
“I don’t know what to do,” he cries. “I thought it was normal, I thought everyone was just…so scared all the time, and we just didn’t talk about it. But then you said that thing about being afraid and pushing it down, and I didn’t— I tried to ignore it. I tried so hard not to think about it, Steve, I swear I tried.”
“I know you did,” he says quietly. It hits him that he might be the only one who really gets it. Eddie gave up denying it long ago, deciding to evolve into something else for them to focus on. Robin’s a girl. Which doesn’t mean jack shit in most cases, because being a lesbian fucking sucks in a town like Hawkins, but girls aren’t as obsessive about it. Sometimes when they compare notes, Robin will just stare at him.
Mike shakes his head. “I don’t know what I did wrong,” he mumbles tearfully into his shoulder.
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Steve says with a surprising amount of vehemence. He grabs Mike by his scrawny little shoulders, pulls him away so he can look directly into his bloodshot eyes. “Not a damn thing, do you hear me? There is nothing wrong with you, and anyone who tells you otherwise deserves a swift kick in the balls. Got it?”
Mike responds by bursting into loud, messy sobs.
Steve just keeps holding him, running a hand through his hair and soothing him gently, like he wishes someone had done for him or Robin or Eddie when they were young. Finally Mike pulls away, embarrassment starting to set in.
“Sorry,” he mutters.
“Can I tell you a secret?” Steve asks instead of a meaningless platitude he knows Mike wouldn’t accept.
Mike gives him a suspicious look. “I guess.”
“I’m scared too. All the time.”
“No you’re not,” Mike snorts. “You don’t need to make me feel better just because I’m a pussy.”
“I’m not joking,” he says. “Why do you think I dated girls? Why do you think I went through so many lengths to hide it? It’s fucking terrifying, man. But you know what makes it less scary?”
“Dating girls? Marrying a woman?”
“No.” He pokes Mike’s chest, right over his heart. “People. Friends who love and accept you. Friends who know what you’re going through, even.”
“Do you…” Mike chews his lip. “Do you think Nancy would be okay with it? With me?”
“Absolutely I do. She was okay with me, wasn’t she? And I was her boyfriend.”
“Yeah, but it’s different when it’s your family, right? Sometimes people don’t care if someone is… people don’t care until it affects them. Do you think Nancy is like that?”
He knows Nancy isn’t like that, but that's a talk they’re going to have to have themselves. “I really don’t,” he encourages. “I think she’d be really glad to know this part of you, actually. She loves you.”
“…I know,” he says, shifting uncomfortably. “I don’t… we made this dumb no secrets pact the first time the Upside-Down happened, I don’t know why. It’s stupid. But…I don’t want to keep secrets from her anymore.”
#stranger things fanfic#steve harrington#mike wheeler#lavender overload au#this is part of my finished fic where Steve and Robin get married#Mike can be read as gay or bi here#Mike and Steve is an underrated dynamic and I love them being friends#‘oh but mike hates steve-‘ WRONG. mike hates that he wants his sisters dumb idiot ex boyfriends approval#like don’t get me wrong I do think he hated Steve at one point#but after he protected them from Billy I think it went out the window#and now he begrudgingly thinks steve is cool. and HATES it#the funniest moment in all of stranger things is when Steve called Mike Nancy while concussed#and Mike gave him the most disgusted insulted face imaginable#i laughed so hard
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Daniel Ricciardo - Y/n.JPG
Second to last one of this series! I have been so bless to be able to write these and have enjoyed every minute of it. Now, this one might be shorter, but it’s because the title goes hand in hand with the content. Daniel and reader both bond over a shared love of photography and Danny helps her out before the Australian GP. Lots of feel good things and comfort here.
Some posts will be from future races and thing like that! It’s not so much spoilers for future chapters, but it might have a few key details (example – Lando’s first race win, Reader’s first race win [I already hinted at that in Reader-Lore], possible teammate swaps, other driver’s wins, soft launch? Hard launch?) – we will see hehehehe
I'm trying something new! Please let me know if y'all like this set up better for Instagram posts!
Anyway! Enjoy!
Like always: comments, questions, concerns, reblogs, and likes are always appreciated!
You looked down at the rectangular item. Max had gotten you this as a Christmas present, but he forgot one key detail. You didn’t know how to use it.
You had been carrying around the nice camera since Christmas, and rarely left anywhere without it. However, you knew nothing about how to take good pictures. You thought about leaving it in your apartment. That thought flew out the window once you found out how much Max had spent on the thing. A whopping 6 grand was apparently not a big deal as a Christmas present. Especially when Max had found out that you had never really celebrated the holiday properly.
So, you carefully took it with you wherever you went. Most of the time, it stayed in your bag, not being used.
What you didn’t realize was that a certain Aussie had accidentally taken your backpack, instead of his own.
Daniel was currently looking down in the black backpack. The contents showed that he had definitely had taken the wrong one from the Red Bull garage. Curse Max for hurrying him. He just saw the familiar logo and went with it.
He shrugged as he started to pull out different items, trying to find out whose backpack this was, so that he could return it. A few stuck out to him. Most were female products that he knew none of the drivers used. Well, maybe Lando would use Billie Eilish’s new perfume in travel size. But, one of the items at the bottom caught his eye.
He carefully lifted the familiar Lecia Q2 camera. It had been well protected by clothes that were strategically placed around it, as to deter things from bumping into it.
Maybe this bag was Lando’s.
A knock on his driver’s door took him out of his thought spiral of how he was supposed to approach Lando now knowing he used feminine perfume. There was definitely nothing wrong, but he knew how Lando got about situations that might be a bit embarrassing.
He placed the camera in the middle of his desk so that if it did get knocked over, it wouldn’t fall off. He opened the door and was met with the sight of you, holding his backpack.
“Hey kid,” he almost mumbled, still a bit in chock. Your face was flushed as you stared at the Aussie. It would have been better to take Lando or Oscar’s backpack, since you knew them a bit better. But no. You had to accidentally take Daniel Joseph Ricciardo’s backpack, the man who was everything to you growing up.
“Hi,” you scratched you neck, a movement that you often did when nervous. “I think this might be yours. I apologize for taking it.” You all but shoved the backpack into his arms. Daniel’s arms flailed, trying to catch the bag. You looked as if a loud noise would spook you.
Daniel shifted enough to show you your backpack that was lying on his chair. Your eyes lit up at the familiar bag. “I think we just got ours mixed up.”
You nodded and stepped inside to grab your bag. You almost left after that, but your backpack felt lighter that it had been that morning. You had failed to see the camera sitting on the desk. You looked back up at Daniel before looking into the backpack that was void of you beloved camera.
Tears welled quickly in your eyes. Daniel, who had been watching, was confused as to why you suddenly started to cry.
“Hey, what’s the matter?” he asked, accent thick with concern.
You unzipped the backpack a bit more to show him the empty bottom. “I think someone stole my camera. Max got it for me for Christmas, but I don’t know how to use it. I carry it everywhere and had it this morning, but now it’s gone and I don’t know what to do.”
You were now on the verge of a breakdown. Daniel almost wanted to coo, before realizing that he was the source of your troubles.
“Ah kid. It’s over on the table. I took it out to maybe see whose backpack it was. Thought it might have been Lando, but I don’t think he uses that kind of perfume.”
You let out a light laugh at the idea of Lando Norris secretly using a bottle of the stuff. You wouldn’t put it past him. You looked around at Danny to see him holding the camera. It looked almost natural to see it in his hands.
You sheepishly grinned, “I don’t know how to use it. So there aren’t any pictures on the SIM card.”
Daniel looked over the camera, almost weighing the object and the thoughts in his head. He looked at you, face flushed and cheeks wet with leftover tears. You really looked like a kid. No wonder Max felt as though he needed to watch out for you.
Daniel had spoken just a few words to you, but he’d do anything to make you smile.
He raised the camera in his hands. “I can help you if you’d like? I don’t have plans for the rest of the day!” He shot you a big smile, which helped your own grow.
You looked down shyly. “Only if you’re ok with it. I don’t have plans and Kelly is here so Max is a little occupied.”
Don’t get it wrong, you loved it when Kelly could make it to the races to support Max. It was definitely better than his scary, angry dad who showed up too many times and reminded you too much of your own father. You wanted to shiver at the thought.
Daniel let out a laugh, “Kid, I’m good to go! You wanna take my car? There’s a nice beach we can go to and practice.”
You liked that idea. “I can’t remember the last time I went to a beach.”
Daniel looked at you strangely. “But you live in Monaco? Basically an island.”
You nodded, “Yeah, but I’m busy. And Arthur is normally with Charles on his yacht. Max is on his simulator most of the time, and when he isn’t, he’s at Kelly’s. Lando works on his Quadrant stuff a lot. I know they like to joke that I have no friends, but I legit have no friends outside of this.”
Your hands gestured to the empty paddock where the two of you were walking. It was true. Friends would just let you down. You had enough family here.
You continued, “And I like being alone. I’ve done it most of my life and it’d be a bit weird to not be alone sometimes.” You shrugged.
Daniel was a bit silent before he spoke, “Well, everyone deserves to have good friends.” He smirked. “Good friends that take you to the beaches. So, I will be that friend for you.”
The two of you stopped in front of his car. You flashed him a grin that, again like everyone says, rivaled the sun.
You pulled yourself into the passenger seat of Danny’s car. He started it, and gave you full aux privileges. You took the opportunity to play some good country music. Daniel started to smile as the music played.
The ride quickly passed by: the beach wasn’t very far away to begin with.
The moment you stepped out of the car, the smell of salt water hit your nose. It was very therapeutic, along with the sounds of the waves. Daniel beckoned you to follow him down a path that had already been worn down by visitors. The sand stuck in between your toes, your feet feeling everything.
You stepped in Daniel’s footsteps as you walked behind him. The sand was flat and a tad wet when the two of you finally stopped. You also had failed to noticed that Daniel had grabbed a towel and was placing it down near the waves. He sat down and patted the spot next to him.
You gingerly squatted, trying not to fling sand everywhere. Once the two of you were settled, you just sat in silence, enjoying the noise from the wind and waves.
You carefully brought the camera in between your bodies.
You quietly spoke as to not interrupt the calming noises. “Can you help me take a picture of the ocean?”
Daniel nodded with a fond look on his face. He quickly showed you what buttons to use and how to aim the lens. Handing it back to you, he watched as you squinted one eye to look through the view finder. The minute click of the camera let him know that you managed to take a photo.
You handed the camera to him with a shy smile. Inwardly, you were looking for some type of praise from the man you admired throughout your childhood and teenage years.
Daniel was surprised at the photo. To put it simply, it was amazing: much better than he might have been able to take it.
“Well kid, you definitely have an eye for something like this. I mean, this picture is incredible.”
Although you were looking for it, you flushed under his kind words. “Can you take a couple as well? I was thinking about making a photography account along with my main one.” You looked down at the sand.
“Sure kid. Anything you want. You can join Lando and I’s JPG club if you want to,” he said half-mindedly, taking a couple of shots.
What he didn’t notice was a look of excitement and content on your face. Maybe, this friendship would work out amazingly.
You just continued to wonder to yourself.
How many couples am I getting in replacement of my family?
Christian and Gerri, Max and Kelly, Alex and Lily, Charles and Alex, now Daniel and Heidi?
You were set for life.
Y/n.89 has created a new account
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March 25, 2024
let's go to the beach, beach
tagged: daniel3.jpg
liked by landonorris, arthur_leclerc, oscarpiastri, and 13,937 others
oscarpiastri you went to the beach, without ME?!
Y/n.jpg you weren't around, you snooze you lose
user1 BABE WAKE UP Y/N MADE A JPG ACCOUNT
y/n_updates yessss now we can see unposted photos of the grid
lando.jpg welcome to the club (I can teach you how to use the camera better than that muppet)
danielricciardo hey! this muppet is a fine teacher by the way
y/n.jpg thanks lanno, but I think I got it from here :)
May 2, 2024
Logan didn't take me fishing, so I made a seashell crown instead!
liked by maxverstappen1, kellypiquet, and 15,836 others
kellypiquet P was wondering if you could make her one the next time we go to the beach when you and maxverstappen1 get home
y/n.jpg uh, of course! tell her I say hi and that I love her!
maxverstappen1 can you make me one as well?
iamred_iamyellow so this is how I find out that max, Kelly, y/n, and p are legit a family family?
y/n.lover you are so behind
logansargeant I would have taken you fishing, but you said and I quote "does the bug spray come in any different smell?" NO IT DOESN'T
y/n.jpg calm down shawty, you're Americanness is showing
arthur_leclerc he's not beating those American allegations smh
logansargeant maybe it's because I AM AMERICAN!?
May 20, 2024
monaco has my heart and soul
tagged: charles_leclerc and arthur_leclerc
liked by alexalbon, arthur_leclerc, and 17,382 others
y/n_fan alright boo, I see what you did there
user2 what did she do?
y/n_fan heart and soul = Charles and Arthur
user3 maybe it's just that, hmmmm, she might live there? and her "adoptive family" also lives there?
y/n_fan let me be delulu
maxverstappen1 w o w - love you too kid
charles_leclerc you can be first on the track, but the leclercs come first in everything else
arthur_leclerc he did not mean that, sir
charles_leclerc je t'aime gosse also, maman wants to know when you're coming over for dinner again
y/n.jpg aw je t'aime charlie! tell her that I'll come over this weekend!
landonorris can this invitation be open to other drivers as well?
July 1, 2024
I hate accidents, except when we went from friends to this
liked by danielricciardo, landonorris, and 25,283 others
y/n_updates uh, EXCUSE ME?!
box_box_express I have predicted things before, but I never would have thought about this
user3 does maxverstappen1 know about this?
maxverstappen1 now I do
taylorswift aww love this! two tickets headed your way for you and they <3
y/n.jpg thank you! he says thank you as well!
change-ur-f_car alright, cast your votes in, who do we think it is?
emotional-support_rivals I think its Lando! they seemed super close during the Monaco GP
maxiel-lover is it bad I want to say Daniel?
lastlapLando uh the age gap is TOO unsettling, plus I don't think max would like that very much
y/n-lover2 I personally think that that is Arthur
champagne-without-the_cham I think the delulu is really hitting hard
July 7, 2024
this muppet got his first win! (and before me, such a misogynist)
tagged: landonorris
liked by arthur_leclerc, landonorris, carlossainz55, and 30,283 others
emotional-support_rivals this is really giving - hard launch? especially after the last post
landonorris EXCUSE ME? ACCUSING ME OF MISOGYNY?? UNDER A POST FOR ME? BY YOU?!
y/n.jpg yes
landonorris very well
lnfournation that's our muppet!
y/n-fans could this be y/n l/n's boyfriend?
y/n.jpg as IF he could pull me - especially when he's looking like crash from ice age (lando NORIZZ)
landonorris HEY
August 20, 2024
Amster-DAMN
tagged: maxverstappen1
liked by redbullracing, oscarpiastri, and 22,901 others
user1 love to see max wearing something other than an RB polo
max_max_super kelly or y/n probs packed his suitcase
y/n.jpg we did :D
landonorris pls bring me back a stroopwaffle
danielricciardo and me too
oscarpiastri me three
y/n_updates her captions never fail
maxverstappen1 that is not my good angle
y/n.jpg didn't know Sid the Sloth had one??
maxverstappen1 I will leave you
christianhorner please do not
redbullracing best duo is BACK
September 1, 2024
AHSDHDAOWEYREO MONZA YOU WERE GOOD TO ME
liked by georgerussell66, redbullracing, and 59,283 others
y/n_updates and everybody liked that
landonorris she's still crying
y/n.jpg YOU CRIED TOO YOU CAN'T TALK
box_box_update our girl out there making history
suderiaferrari if there was anyone else to win here, we are honored that it was you
charles_leclerc YOU MADE HER START CRYING AGAIN
carlossainz55 proud of you chica
maxverstappen1 words cannot express how proud I am of you kleintje
landonorris keep at it bug, you're doing what you were born to do
fernandoalo_oficial felicidades nina!
kellypiquet can't wait to have you home honey! you drove amazingly
charles_leclerc maman says that she is so proud of you and I'm so proud of you gosse
danielricciardo welcome to the group of Monza winners darl'
y/n-addict the amount of nicknames that she has is melting my heart
christianhorner proud to have you as one of my drivers kid
October 17, 2024
you know what they say?
tagged: danielricciardo
liked by arthur_leclerc, ollibearman, and 45,204 others
maxverstappen1 kid take this down
y/n.jpg that's not very girl boss of you to say Maxie
georgerussell66 yeehaw
y/n-lover5 this is very suspicious
user6 if you think that beanpole russell george is her bf, you must truly be gone
maxiel-lover I think this is just fueling Daniel being her boyfriend
y/n_updates alright grandma, let's get you back to bed
November 23, 2023
always bet on red and navy
liked by redbullracing, lewishamilton, tomholland and 49,294 others
user2 TOM HOLLAND IN THE LIKES
box_box_updates chiillllll, y/n he and zendaya got close when they had to shadow Red Bull for Tom's upcoming F1 movie
christianhorner can't believe it's been a year since you've been with us - you're going on to do great things kids
y/n-lover what do you mean it's been a WHOLE YEAR since y/n was introduced as a driver for the 2024 lineup
maxverstappen1 kid you're diving me out a job
y/n.jpg keep up old man, the children are taking over
landonorris amen to that
oscarpiastri the trio are now all race winners
redbullracing what she said - after party on us
y/n.jpg please do not go over the cost cap AGAIN
change-ur-f_car I'm still patiently waiting to know who her boyfriend is
user7 that overtake on the last lap was mega, glad for her second win
December 13, 2024
isn't it just so pretty to think all along there was some invisible string tying you to me
tagged: arthur_leclerc
y/n-lover2 I CALLED IT AND NO ONE LISTENED AHAHAHA
y/n_updates I was NOT ready for this to be on my page first thing this morning
emotional_support-rivals I just want to know if Max or Charles knew
maxverstappen1 oh we knew
charles_leclerc how do you think they got away with it for so long??
taylorswift my favorite birthday present
max_max_super she knew what she was doing by hard launching with a Taylor Swift lyric on Taylor Swift's birthday
olliebearman parents
y/n.jpg son
arthur_leclerc SON?
landonorris you're telling me I had to find out through INSTAGRAM
logansargeant I did as well
oscarpiastri you're both blind if you didn't know
y/n.jpg YOU KNEW?
y/nxarthur this is the best day of my life
AN: Guys this was so much fun to write!!! I hope you like it cause it took me forever! I love you all! Last chapter and Christmas chapter out soon!
Tag List : @awekbachira @lightdragonrayne @leilanixx @angsthology @topguncultleader @landosgirlxoxo @gods-menace @itsjustkhaos @thefandomswhre @alwaysboredsworld @vellicora @bintuabbas @sam-is-lost @empress-kimiko @assholeinatrenchcoat @kagatinkita @glitterquadricorn @zyonsay @tsukishimawhore @ashy-kit @agent-curt-mega @julesbabey @lydialawrence @stopeatread @claudia5912 @nichmeddar @blueberry64857959 @laura-naruto-fan1998 @alessioayla @badassturtle13 @kaaale @wcnorris @cool-ultra-nerd @hockeyboysarehot @agent-curt-mega @myxticmoon @cmleitora @sam-is-lost @misartymis @boiohboii @alexander-hamilhoe @jayda12 @indesicivelyconfuzzled @fangirl125reader @itscrzy @xcharlottemikaelsonx @fionaschicken @torchbearerkyle @ineedafictionalman @loaksmuntxa @classiclitfreak @sarcasm-ismy-onlydefense @luisie @jayda12 @comfortzonequeen @taylor-will-be-the-death-of-me @inejghafawifesblog @treehouse-mouse @leptitlu
#daniel riccardo x reader#charles leclerc x reader#arthur leclerc x reader#carlos sainz x reader#max verstappen x reader#lando norris x reader#platonic grid x reader#f1 x reader#formula 1 x you#f1 x driver!reader#f1 imagine#oscar piastri x reader#logan sargeant x reader#lewis hamilton x reader#george russell x reader#alex albon x reader#formula 1 x y/n#formula 1 x reader#f1 x you#f1 fanfic#formula one x reader#formula one x you#formula one x y/n
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omg please sam + transports for the mundane things ask!
🚗 Transports HCs ───〃★ Sam
a/n: omg hi!! here's some transport HCs about our favorite golden retriever boy Sam. Hope you enjoy! Likes and reblogs are greatly appreciated🫶🌷
Do they have a driving license, whether it's for a car or bikes?
Sam has a driver's license, but he doesn’t own a car. It was actually his driver’s license that landed him a job at Joja Mart. The only times he gets to drive is if he has to do some deliveries for Morris or if Luis has him run errands around Pelican Town.
Do they have any other kind of driving licenses (planes, ships, buses…)?
No, but that didn’t stop him from convincing Willy to let him steer the boat going to Ginger Island. And because I can't live without the tractor mod, I say that Sam took a liking to using your tractor to get to places in the farm. He got it painted red.
Do they own a car?
He doesn’t, but he and Sebastian often browse car websites when they hang out in Sebastian’s room.
Do they own a bike?
He had a kid's bicycle when he was young, but he never bothered to continue biking after Jodi and Kent got him a toy drum set for his 6th birthday. His bicycle is mostly being used by Jazz and Vincent now. Sam managed to convince Sebastian to teach him how to ride a motorcycle.
Are they the kind of person who thinks of their car as if it were their baby? Perfectly clean, not a scratch, almost overly protective of it?
Sam gave names to both the Joja Mart truck and Luis’ pick-up: Billy and Joel. He thinks he’s clever for coming up with them. He takes good care of them when he’s driving, keeping them clean and smelling fresh. He went into hysteria when he accidentally spilled Joja Cola on the passenger seat of Luis’ truck.
Do they use public transports? If so, do they like using them?
Sam does and he’s indifferent to it. Whenever he has to ride the bus, he always sits in his favorite spot by the window. He likes to look out and pretend he’s in a music video. He picks at the leather seats, much to Pam’s annoyance.
Do they like going on trains?
He’s never had the chance to ride on a train before, but he always runs to the train station whenever a train passes through the valley so he can watch it. When you two got married, you and Sam would sometimes just ride the train going to Zuzu city and back to the valley. He takes complete advantage of the free snacks on board.
Do they like going on boats or ships?
Sam loves them and would always go to Ginger Island if given the chance. Sam and Elliott would sometimes hang out on Elliott's boat and talk about music.
Do they like going on airplanes?
Sam has only been on a plane twice so far, and he loved it. He found out about Harvey’s plane hobby when he had to do his doctor’s visit and saw Harvey’s little plane statue on his table. Harvey ended up showing Sam his plane stuff and gave him one of his many tiny plane memorabilia. Sam and Harvey's friendship blossomed from there.
#stardew valley#stardew valley x reader#stardew valley fanfic#sdv sam x reader#stardew valley headcanons#sdv sam#🌱 writing :: sam
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Ladies and gents, my first Billy Batson-centric fic! It’s called: The Batson Family Soap Opera: Ft. The Justice League
Here’s a snippet of the first chapter, already released on AO3 under the name SunShade878
In Study Room #1, Billy propped himself up on a chair and opened his laptop. The screen lit up the room, showing a half-finished Whiz Radio broadcast script. On another tab, Billy pulled up a bullet point list of topics to cover, and got to work.
He took bites out of the sandwich he got from the cafeteria as he worked. Looking from tab to tab, Billy paraphrased some of his talking points and left slots open throughout the script for a few brief questions.
He tapped a nail against the table when he paused after a commercial break slot and glanced at the time.
“Five minutes ‘til monitor duty,” he muttered. “Better close off for now.”
Not to say Billy was satisfied with his work, but he was proud of his clean punctuality record from his time with the League. It also translated to his reporter work, so that was a nice bonus. Now that he thought about it, Morris told him he could give Billy a small bonus if he turned everything in today…
Nope! He shook his head. Monitor duty now, Whiz work later.
Billy quickly packed his things and slotted his laptop in a cubby before making his way toward the monitor station. He checked the time on his watch, sighing in relief when he saw he was two minutes from the beginning of his two hour shift.
Okay, good.
He quickened his pace toward the familiar room, dutifully ignoring the concerned and curious looks on several familiar faces.
I swear, you’d think I was catatonic with the way these people look at me.
The monitor room had a large, imposing window that showed the expanse of space. It was something Billy could never get over, no matter how long he stared at it. Multiple screens were lit, showing various cities with superheroes of their own, helping children out of burning buildings and stopping robberies in progress.
A transparent hologram of Earth spun around slowly in the middle of the room. Graph lines went over and across each section of land and sea. Several small, red dots blinked green, and Billy smiled in satisfaction that they were doing good. He was doing good.
“Hey, Little B!”
Billy rolled his eyes. “Hey, Hal.”
Billy doesn’t have to turn around to see the Green Lantern’s cheeky grin as he sauntered into the room, power ring glowing emerald. “Ya seem tense, little man.” The grin faltered, revealing what Billy knew to be truer than the smile. “You okay?”
Now, you remember what Billy said about loving how protective the League was, right? And the thing is, he didn’t lie. He didn’t blame them for it, and he understood the need to protect people younger than you. Hell, he was well known enough in Fawcett for the younger street kids to know him by name. For them to know he knew all the best hiding spots and hoarding spots around the Cobbler District.
But sometimes it could just be so. Damn. Annoying.
“Oh, it’s just some last minute revisions for my broadcast tomorrow. Nothing major.”
“You remembered to eat, yeah?
Don’t roll your eyes, he’s not being condescending. “Took a sandwich from the canteen.”
“Cool, cool.”
Yeah, this was definitely one of those times where he felt coddled instead of protected. Now, maybe seven year old Billy, who’d just learned that he was now responsible for the wellbeing of an entire community and subcommunities of ethereal-infused life, would’ve loved the worry on Hal’s face.
Fourteen year old Billy, on the other hand, couldn’t help the queasy feeling in his stomach.
“Anyway, we should get started, huh?”
The whites of Hal’s domino mask widened. “Uh, yeah. Let’s.”
Billy mustered a small smile as he propped himself on one of the two chairs facing the screens. Hal flopped unceremoniously onto the other one, the smile on his face more prominent. Weird. Before, the smile seemed…dim, somehow.
Now, though, with the two of them looking through screens and chatting quietly as the hours ticked by, Hal’s nervousness and tenseness was chipped away, revealing the bumbling idiot Billy knew and cared for. The easy way with which they communicated was something Billy was thankful for. If anything, his identity reveal only strengthened their relationship.
It sort of felt like he was the reason for Hal’s better mood. But that was silly.
Right?
Tell me what you think on AO3!
#billy batson#captain marvel#justice league#shazam#dc universe#fanfiction#magic users#Ebenezer#Sinclair#mary batson
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Billy x Henderson!reader - dating in secret and one day they get caught(kissing, reader getting into his car, etc) and we see the whole group (Steve, Dustin, max, whomever you choose).
P.s. I’m sorry if this is bad, it’s my first request
caught in the act
pairing: billy hargrove x gn!Henderson!reader
genre: fluff (?) i’m not sure
A/N: thanks for requesting! please me know what you think ❤️
requested: yes
requests are OPEN
masterlist
・°☆
“You gotta go Billy, my brother will be here any minute now” you say, trying to get out of your boyfriend’s tight hold on you as he peppers you with kisses. “Baby, I’m serious” you add. Billy finally pulls away and looks at you with a sheepish grin, “okay, okay. Just one last kiss”. You playfully roll your eyes and give him a quick peck on the lips. You pull him out of your room and to his car, practically pushing him inside his Camaro, “drive safely, I’ll see you tomorrow night”. You hurriedly bid him goodbye and your brother who’s being dropped off by Steve, arrives soon after.
You stand awkwardly stiff upon their arrival, the cold breeze causing you to shiver - making your stance more unusual to look at. “Why are you outside?” Dustin asks as he hops out of Steve’s car. “I-I uh was waiting for you, and is that how you greet me?” you put your hands on your hips, your brother looking at you with furrowed brows. You gulp as Dustin stares at you with suspicion, you drag him into your home and wave at Steve. “Thanks Steve!”
You turn back to your brother still staring daggers at you, “you’ve been acting weird for like a few months now. Are-“
“W-what are you talking about? S-shouldn’t you get r-ready for bed?” You cut him off and point to his room, motioning him to go in. You cover your face and sigh in relief once he shuts his door. You smack your forehead in annoyance, you didn’t handle that well - you were a stuttering mess. You knew you’ve been acting weird this past few months when you and Billy started dating, and sooner or later your brother would’ve noticed your lame excuses for coming home late, your bedroom window always open, you’re not that good at hiding things from Dustin. So you’ve concluded that he’ll grow suspicious sooner or later but you didn’t expect it to happen this soon.
・°☆
You and Billy arrive at your home from your date. He hops out first and opens the door for you. As you step out, you immediately wrap your arms around his waist and kiss him. His hands went from your arms and up to your cheeks, noses slightly bumping into each other as he deepens the kiss.
Dustin and his friends were in his room when they heard a loud screeching sound of a car in front of your home. El immediately stands up, preparing herself to protect them from any possible danger - Lucas follows and grabs the nearest object he could use as a weapon. Max - followed by Will, go to Dustin’s window, the sound of the car was too familiar to her. “I knew it! It’s Billy. What the fuck is he doing here?” she says as she finds the shiny blue car with an obnoxious engine. Her eyes grow wide at the sight of you hopping out of her brother’s car, not to mention Billy’s being a gentleman. She gasps when she sees you start making out, “Hey uh you guys might want to see this” Will says. Dustin rushes to his window followed by the rest, so this is why they’re acting so weird he thought to himself. The group of friends stood still at the sight of you and Billy practically going into each other’s throat. “Oh my God” Mike speaks up.
Dustin doesn’t know what he feels exactly, but his protectiveness sure is taking over his body. You are at the age where you’ll be falling in love and fond over people but part of him just can’t seem to accept it, he doesn’t want you to get heartbroken, he just wants you to forever be the older sibling who takes care of him and play with him. He opens the window and put his head out, “what the hell, Y/N!” he shouts.
You jump, startled by the sudden loud voice. You turn back to your brother’s bedroom window, cheeks now warm in embarrassment because all of his friends just saw you and Billy. “Aren’t you supposed to be at Mike’s?!” you ask, trying to escape the situation. “Is this what you’ve been hiding from me?” He screams back, avoiding your question. “Come down here, let’s talk”.
They all hurriedly head out and you meet your brother’s eyes, his arms crossed. “Why him?!” Max and Dustin says in unison. “This is why I didn’t tell you! You’re freaking out like it’s the end of the world!” Dustin takes a deep breath and try to calm himself down.
“We’ve been together for about 5 months now. I really like him and I’m very happy with Billy, so I hope you and well, Max are happy for me too”
Dustin nods his head, Billy did seem to treat you really well but that doesn’t mean he’s already okay with him. “You better not hurt them” He threatens.
・°☆
#stranger things#stranger things x reader#stranger things imagine#stranger things fanfic#stranger things fanfiction#stranger things scenarios#stranger things oneshot#stranger things headcanons#stranger things headcannons#stranger things blurb#billy hargrove#billy hargrove blurb#billy hargrove oneshot#billy hargrove x reader#billy hargrove scenarios#billy hargrove headcannons#billy hargrove imagine#dacre montgomery#dacre montgomery x reader
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“It’s gonna get me by the end of the night”
- whumptober, prompt no. 23
(hey! watch out! are you even paying attention?)
——————————————————————————
“I told you, I don’t remember. I don’t know. Please, you have to believe me.”
Sam wiped her nose, snot mixed with sweat and blood smearing across her sleeve. She blinked hard, trying to stay focused. Her head was full, her ears buzzing as if she was underwater. The lights above her were too bright, and she couldn’t see out the dark window to her right.
The interrogation room she was in was too stuffy. Too hot. She couldn’t breathe right. She needed to find Tara- where was her sister? It was her right to get a phone call. That’s what Kirby and Gale said, anyway. Where were they? Where was Tara?
God, her arms ached.
Flexing her wrists, she winced. “Do you think we could loosen them? It hurts,” she whines softly, holding her handcuffed wrists out to the detectives.
One of them, Detective Cousins, she thinks, raises an eyebrow at her request, shaking his head. The detective who cuffed her at the scene, Lieutenant Victor, just sighed, putting his pen down and running a hand through his hair.
“Look, Sam. We know you did it. We caught you with the weapon in your hands. You still have dried blood smeared on your shirt. We need to know what happened. Can you tell us that?”
She shook her head, blowing a piece of hair out of her face. Her forehead was slick with sweat, and if she glanced at the metal table for too long, she could see the dried blood flecked across her face. No, she wasn’t proud of what she did. But it had to be done. They had to die.
Shrugging, Sam bounced her knee anxiously. “I was protecting Tara. Everything I do is to protect her. Billy was coming to kill Tara. I wasn’t going to let that happen.”
Both detectives glanced at each other, their drawn expressions not giving away much. After a moment or so of silence, Cousins broke the silence.
“Okay. Tell us what happened, please.”
——
She knew he was back. He always crept up on her when she was at her most vulnerable.
Admittedly, it had been a tough couple of weeks. She had gotten fired from her job at the bank, and she was struggling to find work. That led to her skipping several therapy sessions and forgetting to refill her medications. Plus, Tara was in the throes of her senior year finals, and Sam couldn’t bother her right now. She would make ends meet. She always did.
But Billy was back. And she couldn’t focus on anything other than that. He lurked behind corners, showed up in reflected surfaces, and followed her anywhere she went.
Sam knows what he wants. He wants Sam all to himself- a protege, a muse, a new generational killer. He wants his blood to carry on his legacy. And to do that, he wants Tara dead.
She knew this would always come down to a final bloodbath. Two bodies enter the ring, one leaving still intact. She knows she has to be the one left standing, as Tara wouldn't make it without her.
So when he comes knocking on their front door, she doesn’t hesitate. She snags the knife that she had hidden behind the kitchen cupboard and goes to attack.
At first, he laughs at her feeble attempt to attack. He asks her, “What are you planning to do with that, Sam?”
Truth was, she had no idea. But she needed to protect Tara. Her little sister was taking her last final in their bedroom, and she couldn’t be bothered. Sam needed to be efficient and end this before it could take away what she loved most.
“I’m going to end this the only way we know how. Through blood,” she snarled, the knife’s reflection bouncing off Billy’s face, blinding him.
He doesn’t move at her words, but she can see the ripple of doubt flow through him. He holds his hands up, feigning surrender. “Sam, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She shook her head, advancing on her father. “You know what I want. I want you to leave me alone. I want you dead,” she hissed, holding the knife up, ready to strike down.
And then they fight. He runs, grinning maniacally at the chase. She could almost hear his gasps of surprise at each turn he took, and each time she swiped at him, he cried out. It was exhilarating, knowing that she was ending all of this for the sake of her love, her baby sister.
Eventually, he falls to the ground, blood-bathing their apartment in a twisted baptism. There is no wall untouched by his blood, and though he fought her back, Sam won. She straddled his body, knife in hand, a throbbing pain in her shoulder. He had clawed down her body, punched her cheek, and even pushed her down several times. It didn’t matter. She reigned victorious.
As she watched him take his last breaths, she smiled at his pain. He looked up at her, eyes wide, full of… betrayal. Like Sam was supposed to protect him and make sure he lived. She just shook her head at him.
“Sam? Why?” he whimpered, gurgling on the blood pulsing from his slashed throat.
Bending down, she took his chin with her free hand, smiling coldly. She watched as his eyes slowly faded to the life he once had draining onto the carpet beneath him. While he died, she watched him disappear away, holding his chin between her fingers.
His head thumped onto the ground, the sound echoing through their bloodstained apartment. The apartment was quiet momentarily before flashing lights and screeching sirens filled the air.
As they cuffed her hands behind her back, Sam looked up towards their bedroom, waiting to see her favorite pair of eyes smiling back at her. But instead, she saw nothing. Strange.
But then she saw those eyes she desperately wanted to see but on the body of her dead father.
She doesn’t stop screaming until they sedate her in the cop car.
——
Detective Cousins looked over at the fidgeting woman sitting in their interrogation room. She still wasn’t lucid enough to continue this conversation. They would have to continue this after she had been sedated and given new clothes. Maybe then she would be capable of admitting her crime.
Glancing over to Detective Victor, he watched as his partner pulled out the report and started to write on it. Plopping down in the free chair beside him, he put his head into his hands, sighing deeply.
“It never gets easier when it’s another mental health crisis, does it?” Victor remarked, patting the back of his friend.
Cousins grunts in return, rubbing his eyes exasperated. Sitting up, he reached over and plucked the stack of photos of the crime scene from Victor’s files, studying them closely. He took in the blood-covered walls, every square inch coated, surprisingly all from the little body it once flowed in. Going to the next photo, he looked over the weapon recovered at the scene. A Buck 120, a replica from that Stab film saga. He flipped to the next image, wincing as the victim's vacant eyes were displayed.
Wide open and shocked, as if the attack completely blindsided them. Shaking his head, he quickly turned to the next photo; he studied the fingernails closely, seeing the blood and hair caked under them as if the victim clawed and fought Samantha to death. It wasn’t unusual to see victims with those defense wounds under the nails or bruises from fighting so hard.
What was particularly heartbreaking about this situation was the nature of the defense wounds. The pair had noticed that the scratch marks on Samantha’s body were shallow, hesitant almost. Like the victim didn’t want to hurt Samantha but instead wanted her to stop. It didn’t matter. The victim was still dead.
Victim. He supposed he should use the person's name, especially since they were nothing but a memorial now.
“It’s such a tragedy that Samantha killed her little sister. Tara looked so young. So full of life,” he sadly said, putting down the photos.
Victor nodded somberly, patting Cousins back. “I don’t think she’ll ever truly understand that she wasn’t killing her father,” he softly admitted, looking away.
Sitting up straight, he looked at his partner incredulously. “You think?”
His partner nodded sadly. “Yeah. I think so. She was having a mental health crisis. CSI found bottles of pills that weren’t taken according to their dosage. They estimate she was off medication for a month,” he paused, swallowing hard.
Cousins sat back, hands over his face. “Jesus.”
Victor kept talking, almost robotically. “She claims she was protecting Tara from her father. But instead, she was attacking Tara. The screams she heard were Tara begging her to stop, and the eyes she saw weren’t her father’s-”
“- But the eyes of a sister she didn’t have anymore.”
Both Cousins and Victor glanced into the two-way mirror, watching as Sam continued to talk to somebody who wasn’t there.
#scream#sam carpenter#tara carpenter#carpenter sisters#ao3 author#whumptober 2023#AU: go with grace#are you there? who’s in control?#scream vi
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Better Off- Billy Hargrove
Summary: Reader realizes it’s better to be alone than be in a hurtful relationship.
Pairing: Billy Hargrove x reader
masterlist
Billy loved her. She was the one true person he cared about. He did everything to please her when they first started dating but he changed as the months went on. Their relationship turned to a one-sided thing, where once Billy had her, he would never lose her.
Y/n was hurting. The boy she loved had lost himself somehow and now she was fighting for a relationship that was completely one-sided. She found herself crying herself to sleep at night, alone. Billy used to sneak in and stay the night, but he stopped, with no explanation. Y/n realized after the 4th night of her window remaining untouched. It hurt, but she couldn’t tell him. But what hurt the most was all the other girls around, he wouldn’t flirt, or if he did it wasn’t purposeful, but it had broken Y/n’s heart.
Billy had not noticed his behavior, but he was getting mad that is girl wasn’t spending as much time with him. He thought back to the past month and how she had not come over and how he only saw her at school. Billy thought nothing of talking to other girls, he didn’t want to be alone cause y/n had stopped coming up to talk to him. He finally decided to ask her about it.
That night Y/n made sure her window was locked before she went to bed. She looked at all the old photos of her and Billy that were taken. There were countless photos of him looking at her lovingly, and she questioned where that look went. When did everything change? Y/n had talked to Nancy about it and she too noticed the change, it had started with Billy.
Billy was confused why y/n’s window was locked, she never locked it before. The boy then began to ponder the last time he was at her house, in his mind it was a couple of days. He knocked, waiting to see a smiling face in the window but all he saw was the hurt expression of the girl he loved. He was unsure of what was wrong.
Y/n hastily unlocked the window, letting the larger boy slip in. He was quiet to not wake her parents.
“What do you want Billy?” Her voice was shaky.
“Why was your window locked?” He questioned. He watched her face go from confusion to upset.
“It’s locked so I can sleep safe at night. You stopped coming to stay with me, so I started to lock it.” Y/n’s heart hurt looking at the boy in front of her. She knew what she had to do to protect her heart. She was breaking inside looking at him, seeing that he knew nothing was wrong.
“It’s only been a couple days. I kept waiting for you to come up to me at school and you didn’t. What’s wrong?” The boy questioned. He looked around the girl’s room, suddenly questioning if it really had been a couple days or longer. Her room had changed slightly, all their photos were off the wall, and she had a new bookshelf.
If there was anything left of y/n’s heart it was shattered.
“No, you stopped coming by a month ago, I thought you were just finally sleeping at home, and then the girls started coming around and you didn’t push them away. I did go over to you, but you were so engrossed in your conversations to notice. I love you Billy but I’m tired. It hurts to see you can’t even see what you have done.” Tears spilled out of her eyes as she took in Billy.
Billy was shaking. He didn’t want to believe her, but he knew she would never lie to him. He could read her better than any book and he knew what was coming. The way her tears were falling, and her lip quivered. Billy looked back, reflecting on all those instances, he knew she was right. He wanted to be him and have her, he just didn’t know he wouldn’t have both in the end.
“Please don’t do this.” He whispered.
It was like he had read her mind. She knew he knew and that he had realized.
“I think we are better off alone, apart.” Her voice cracked through the tears. She couldn’t breathe but she knew it would be better for her.
Billy started crying. He wanted to fight against it, tell her she’s wrong but he could see how much he had hurt her, how much this was killing her. He wanted her to be happy, safe, loved. He loved her but he knew he couldn’t give her what she needed. The last thing he did before crawling back out her window was kissing her head, the way he used to. He held her for what felt like forever, and when he crawled out the window, he didn’t look back.
Y/n cried for hours after that, but she knew it was the right thing. Billy was going to be Billy, popular and carefree. She didn’t fit his world.
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I Found Myself a Cheerleader 18
Chapter 18 out of 28
Bumped to the lowest step on the social ladder after his fight with Billy, Steve gets roped in with the cheer team. What starts as a favor to help them out when one member breaks her leg in turn for protection from the brunt of the bullying, sets the universe on a different path.
In this chapter, Steve takes Eddie to the cabin to hide him there and the two talk about their fight in December. What they actually meant, what really happened. Making up again as their clear up the misunderstanding.
On AO3.
Ships: steddie & buckingham
Warnings: general season 4 shenanigans, internalized homophobia, homophobia mention, f-slur, HIV/AIDS crisis mention, period typical homophobia
~~~~~
Chapter 18: The Talk
As Steve drives to Lover’s Lake, he is thinking of all the reasons this is a stupid thing to do. He has already barely made it up to Eddie. Eddie is in emotional distress. He probably doesn’t want to be stuck with Steve. He probably still hates Steve.
However, he can’t help but think of the group of jocks that Lucas described, with their anger that one of their own has been targeted. How they won’t arrest Eddie, but will hurt him. How if the police get there first, there is no Chief Hopper, who will understand that Eddie is innocent and he’ll be left in front of a jury of his peers.
So, he keeps on driving and mentally rehearsing what to say, because if he doesn’t take Eddie away from that place, he’ll spend the whole night fretting over him alone.
The boathouse looks unwelcoming and cold, Steve shudders at the thought of staying there, aches for Eddie, who has been forced to the past two nights. He wants to get away form here as quickly as he can, so he gets out out of the car and half-jogs to the boat house.
“It’s Steve, don’t panic,” he calls out as he knocks, remembering how Eddie looked when they came in with the food.
When he opens the door, Eddie pops out from under the tarp in a way that shouldn’t be cute as he asks: “Stevie? What the hell are you doing here? Did something happen?”
The familiar nick name makes something unfurl in his chest, which is immediately crushed by the next part of the sentence. Of course Eddie wonders what Steve would be doing near him and of course he’ll assume the worst.
“Uhm, nothing,” Steve answers, still a bit in denial about Max and Chrissy. “Well, not nothing, we figured some things out. But, uhm, they found Fred in Lover’s Lake and- Lucas, he- he was with the basketball guys. They’re looking for you.”
“Fuck,” Eddie curses and Steve understands the sentiment. He has been the target of the basketball team for a little while and that wasn’t fun, he can’t imagine being actively hunted.
“It isn’t safe here,” he says, wincing at the obvious. “I’m taking you to the cabin. You’ll be safer there, okay?”
“Yeah, course, okay, thanks,” Eddie replies, getting out of the boat and gathering the little stuff he had with him.
Getting in the car is a little awkward. Chances of running into someone are low, but they have to drive by the lake and the police is sure to stop anyone suspicious. So they have to stuff Eddie in the trunk.
Steve thinks it’s a little ridiculous, even though it was his suggestion, but he is so incredibly relieved they did it when he gets stopped by Chief Powell.
Powell leans against his car by his window with a mix of disappointment and confusion that makes Steve want to curl into a ball. He asks: “What the hell are you doing out here this late, Harrington? Don’t you know there’s a killer on the loose? Type seems to be boys like you.”
A curl of anger goes through Steve, how dare Powell insinuate anything like this about Eddie when it is Vecna. However, he’s been trained as a Harrington, so nothing comes through the cracks. His face doesn’t falter, nor does his voice.
“I’m sorry, Chief,” he says innocently. “I know you have too much to do already. I- I went to check on Chrissy and Robin, they’re my friends. Can’t have a boy at a sleep over, but I needed to know they were safe, you know. I’m just going home, trying to get some sleep.”
Powell inspects his face, but finds nothing suspicious, because his features soften. “Alright, kid, be safe, tonight.”
“Don’t worry, I will,” Steve promises, before driving the rest of the way, adrenaline still pumping through his veins.
He checks his surroundings about a thousand times, before letting Eddie out of the car and hustling him into the cabin.
When the door falls safely shut behind them, Eddie huffs: “Whoo, that was close, big boy. I think I pissed my pants a little.”
Steve wrinkles his nose. “Gross, dude.”
They look at each other for a moment, then the normalcy of the interaction catches up with them, a reminder of nights they spend here together. Casual. Friendly. Something now of the past. And an awkward, uncomfortable atmosphere creeps up to them.
“Uhm, you- you can take a shower if you want,” Steve offers stiltedly after a cough. “I have pajamas you can borrow.”
“Shower would be nice,” Eddie says, in a voice that is too polite to be genuine. Not like he doesn’t mean his appreciation, but like he is afraid of being anything but polite to Steve. Like he didn’t used to invade this cabin as if it were his own. As if they never fell asleep on the couch together. As if he didn’t hold Steve’s hair back as he puked.
Though, Steve supposes, he is hiding Eddie. Hiding a wanted fugitive, so Eddie is quite dependent on Steve liking him enough to not rat him out or set him up.
“I’ll go grab them for you,” Steve replies with an awkward nod as he points over his shoulder then quickly scurries off.
Eddie is waiting by the bathroom to take the clothes, just a pair of sweats and a shirt he thinks won’t seem like he is sending some sort of dick-ish message. Eddie takes them without looking Steve in the eye, before locking the bathroom door behind him. Steve tries not to think about how Eddie already knows where the towels are.
But with Eddie under the shower, Steve can panic clean. It’s not terrible, but the anxiety of last night is clearly written in his unmade bed, the messy couch and the hot chocolate powder on the counter.
As he tidies up, he tries not to think about Eddie, naked, showering, just a few meters away. It is absolutely absurd that his brain can go there seeing the circumstance, but he can’t do anything to turn it off.
Eddie is still as hot and pretty as the last time he saw him. Even prettier than Steve remembered him and he has remembered him often the past few months. Not even in a dirty manner, which might have been better. But Eddie laughing with him. Eddie holding his hand. Eddie cuddling him. Eddie being domestic with Steve.
Now look, Steve knows he’s screwed. He is in love with Eddie. Eddie, who he has been a dick to and ruined all his chances with. Ruined them so badly, he decided it would be safer to never try to find anyone like him again and just pretend to be straight and live a sad straight loveless life instead.
And somehow, he thought it was smart to bring Eddie here, a decision he is now regretting.
Before he can let his thoughts spiral too far, however, he is distracted by Eddie coming back into the room. His hair is wet, towel slung around his shoulders as he is dressed in Steve’s clothes. A droplet of water trailing from his hairline down over his throat that Steve is pointedly not following.
“Good shower?” he asks just to have something to say, to break this silence in which they just look at each other.
“Oh, yeah, I did,” Eddie says, before giving Steve a soft smile. “Better water pressure than I expected out here. Though that might be because the boathouse tap was actual shit.”
Steve chuckles softly, because that is a joke. Eddie is feeling okay enough about being here to joke with Steve. That is all good.
The boathouse comment reminds Steve of how uncomfortable Eddie probably has been there. The poor guy is going through too much and he wants him to be comfortable and safe here. So he tells him: “Well, a night on a bed might do you good. I changed the sheets, don’t worry.”
“Probably,” Eddie grins, before he catches Steve’s drift and frowns. “Where will you sleep then?”
“Oh, uhm, the- the couch?” Steve stumbles, not having considered his own comfort or that Eddie would. To try and rectify the awkwardness he jokes: “Probably not gonna be able to catch much sleep anyway. Too busy up here.”
Eddie’s frown deepens and he shakes his head. “I’m not kicking you out of your own bed, dude. I am not that much of a dick.”
“Truly, it’s fine,” Steve assures him. “You’ve been sleeping in a boat or on the floor. I can survive a night on the couch.”
“So can I,” Eddie counters stubbornly. “We both know you have a comfortable couch. I can sleep there just fine. I have, in fact.”
Both of them look surprised at the mention of their night here together, the fact that an unspoken agreement not to talk about it is now lifted. Steve recovers first and immediately uses it: “Then you know I can also sleep there just fine.”
“I’m being a good guest, let me take the fucking couch, Steve,” Eddie grouches.
Steve wonders if he’s pushing it, but Eddie’s grouching is different from the grouching he does when he is actually annoyed. A stab goes through Steve that he can still tell the difference even after all these months. So, he says: “And I’m being a good host. Let me, Eddie.”
Eddie’s eyes flit to Steve’s room. While Eddie has never slept there, he has hung out on Steve’s bed while Steve puttered around, said he liked watching Steve (something that did not play in Steve’s mind for weeks after, no, sir). He knows Steve’s bed is comfortable and he is tempted, Steve can see it in his pretty eyes.
With that knowledge in mind, Steve plays his triumph card. “It’ll be easier to hide there if anyone comes knocking. Plus, you can escape through the window. Please, Eds, just take the bed.”
Steve holds his breath, wondering if he took it too far at the end. Then Eddie deflates and rolls his eyes in a way that is so familiar that it makes Steve’s heart want to burst from fondness, while also aching with longing.
“Sure, fine, I’ll take the bed,” Eddie says. “But you’re not sleeping on the couch.”
“How do you-”
“We can share the bed,” Eddie answers the question Steve didn’t get to ask.
Again both of them look at each other. The words ‘we can share the bed’ are playing in Eddie’s voice on a loop in Steve’s mind. A thousand images flash before his eyes and he knows he is blushing, maybe gaping a little.
Eddie is blushing, a beautiful blush on his pale skin, like he is embarrassed by his offer. Steve is about to say that Eddie doesn’t have to do that and that it’s fine, when something in Eddie’s gaze hardens. He has made up his mind.
“You don’t need to get your panties in a twist about it,” Eddie scowls at him. “It’s just sharing a bed out of necessity. We’re stuck here together now. You have a bad back with all those stupid sports you played. I’m trying to be considerate here.”
Right, of course, how stupid of Steve to think anything else. His one measly apology isn’t going to make it all okay again. Eddie still dislikes him. He’s still mad. And he has every right to be. Eddie is just also too nice and this is him just being nice.
It’s not special, Steve, why won’t you just remember that?
“Yeah, I know that, man,” Steve replies, trying to go for aloof, unaffected, platonic. “Just threw me off for a second. We can share just fine.”
“Good,” Eddie nods.
“Good,” Steve repeats.
They stand across from each other for a moment, neither of them sure what to do. Steve awkwardly claps his hands together and says: “I’m gonna get ready for bed. I- I don’t have an extra toothbrush, except for Robin’s, but she’ll murder me if I give that one to you. But I do have mouth water.”
The mouth water is a peace offering after Steve’s stupid mistake from earlier. And Eddie accepts it much to Steve’s relief.
In the bathroom, Steve is trying not to focus on how domestic it is. The two of them crammed into the little space, Eddie swishing mouth water as Steve brushes his teeth.
However, the spell is broken when Eddie leaves after he is done, rushing out of there while Steve finishes his nightly routine.
Steve seriously considers taking the couch anyway, but he feels like that would come across as a statement and the last thing he wants is for Eddie to think that Steve is too grossed out to share a bed with him or something. Plus, the thought of sharing a bed with Eddie makes Steve want to combust in the best way.
He feels vaguely creepy about that last part, but Eddie has insisted and it’s not like he is going to do anything. He and Robin share a bed all the time and Chrissy too if she sleeps over. It doesn’t have to be weird unless he makes it weird.
Still, it’s hard not to let his mind dream when he comes into his room and finds Eddie comfortable in his bed.
Eddie is curled up on the wall side, facing away from the room. An obvious sign of ‘don’t interact with me’ that Steve respects as he quietly changes into his pajamas and slides into the bed next to Eddie.
As he lies down, he ensures there is a little bit of space between them. He is going to be on his best behavior. He is going to sleep like normal, like he’s with Robin – but you and Robin cling to each other, a torturous voice of his mind whispers. He tells that voice to fuck off.
Steve is going to be normal, not do anything, he is not even going to think anything. This is just like any other night. Eddie is just also there. Warm, smelling like Steve’s soap mixed with that innately Eddie smell. Feeling comforting.
No, bad Steve, just think of anything else. People you care about are literally going to die and you’re thinking about Eddie like some sort of pervert.
Okay, that is also the wrong thing to think about, because now he is thinking about how hopeless it all is. Two people have already died and their only hope is an elderly psych patient who claims his family was murdered by a demon.
Fuck, he can’t loose Chrissy. He can’t loose Max. Both of them are like little sister to him. He is the one that looks out for them, protects them. Keeps them safe from the world. And right now he can’t do that.
So, he tries to empty his mind as he lies there next to Eddie in the silence. The sounds in the forest around them coming off as disquieting instead of comforting with the danger back. Something Steve is trying not to focus on, just like he is trying not to focus on the warmth Eddie is radiating.
“Why did you say it if you didn’t mean it?” Eddie suddenly asks, breaking the silence.
“Huh?” Steve replies, brain not fully catching up with the sentence yet, having been trying not to think about the figure next to him.
“Why did you say it if you didn’t mean it?” Eddie repeats. Before rambling on. “I mean, it was kind up a fucked up thing to say out of nowhere, you know. So, I just- I don’t know- It’s just a little shit that you had that ready to go.”
A million thoughts race through Steve’s head, none of them sticking in a coherent manner that he can explain to Eddie. He looks to the side, where Eddie is now on his back, looking at the ceiling instead of Steve. Steve sighs: “You caught me in a bad moment.”
Eddie whips his head to look at Steve and Steve is caught of guard by the sheer disbelief and anger on his face. “Really?” he says. “I caught you at a bad moment? That’s what you’re going to say after calling me a pathetic puppy?”
Guilt clogs Steve’s veins and he swallows. He tries to explain: “I- I didn’t mean it. I- It was just- I needed you to-”
“If you’re gonna claim you don’t mean it, at least have a good explanation,” Eddie scowls.
“It was instinct,” Steve whispers, feeling horrible.
“Instinct?” Eddie repeats, sound like he can’t believe what he’s hearing.
Humiliation creeps up Steve’s face and he wants to roll out of the bed and run far away, but he is glued to the mattress. He hates what he did to Eddie, knows it was fucked up and Eddie didn’t deserve it. The past few days have proven how much he liked having Eddie around, no matter the circumstances. He can’t run away like he did last time.
“Yeah,” he says softly, careful not to come close to snapping. “I- I needed to be alone and you wouldn’t go, so I made you leave. Just pushed the buttons I know would probably hurt.”
Eddie stares at him for a second, a thousand emotions crossing his face that Steve can’t put a name to, before he laughs humorlessly. “It’s that easy to you? Just pushing buttons.”
Shame and guilt well up and Steve looks away from Eddie, unable to look into those hurt eyes. They remind him too much of that day at he quarry and he just can’t. He clenches his eyes close and tries to get himself under control as he quietly pleads: “I’m trying to be better.”
“That’s it?” Eddie asks, like he’s been bottling this up for a while and now that he is finally hearing Steve, he is disappointed at the answers.
Something in Steve snaps and he forces himself not to cry as he looks back. “I don’t get why you’re so upset about it. You were too embarrassed to even be friends with me in front of other people and you never opened the fucking door all the times I tried to apologize.”
Eddie gapes at him for a moment, then frowns: “Me? You were the one that suggested it. You didn’t want it to be known you were slumming with the town freak, the queer.”
And that isn’t right at all, it was Eddie, who was embarrassed. “Eddie,” Steve begins cautiously. “I suggested that because you are the one with friends that might care. I might be stupid, but I can pick up on clues when they re thrown in my face.”
“What?” Eddie asks, his anger dropping in the face of confusion.
“You literally told me your friends had a warped idea of who I was and rolled their eyes at the kids talking about me,” Steve explains. “I can understand that means your friends don’t like me.”
“And why would that mean anything?” Eddie asks.
Steve doesn’t know if he is really that confused by this or exaggerating, but to be sure he elaborates: “They don’t like me, you would be put in an awkward position where you’d have to defend me in front your other friends. It will suck. You’d get tired of it. Better not to cause friction.”
“That is so fucking stupid, Steve,” Eddie exclaims as he sits up and Steve flinches back at the tone.
“Sorry,” he says in a small voice. He already feels stupid, because he has apparently misinterpreted Eddie and now he thinks Steve is an idiot and he is just laying here in his bed.
“No, no, not sorry,” Eddie tells him, voice more soothing. “I just mean, I have never cared about anyone’s opinion ever, Stevie. Why would I start? It’s you who is in the middle of the popular cheer squad and trying to be respectable in the town.”
Is that really what Eddie thinks, Steve wonders. “Eddie, the only cheer friend I have is Chrissy. And she knows I’m gay. And Robin, who is weird in her own right. After that it’s the kids, who already worship the ground you walk on.”
At that Eddie looks even more confused and Steve is reminded that not everyone knows how popularity works.
He sits up next to Eddie, the two now crossed legged in front of each other. He explains: “I was part of the cheer team, yes. This was because the captain wanted a scholarship and I was the way to get there, so everyone had to play nice. They liked me good enough. We’re all friendly. Cheer is based on trust and teamwork. I was part of the team. The only people that actually liked me enough to see me outside of cheer practiced and forced protection were Chrissy and Lisa.”
“But you were always laughing and joking around with them?” Eddie points out.
“I was. We’re friendly, you know, acquaintances. People you only see at school and are nice to, but not a deep connection. Business partners,” Steve tries to explain. Eddie sends him a look and he grins. “Okay, bad example.”
“So they never liked you?” Eddie asks.
“No, they liked me,” Steve answers. “It’s just- How do I explain? It was a deal. Me and Molly made a deal and all the cheerleaders stood behind it, but they lost out on chances with crushes and also got glares. It wasn’t enough to last past graduation.”
Eddie is quiet for a second, then says: “That sound unnecessarily complicated.”
Steve laughs, feeling better now that he explained it to Eddie, that he got to hear that Eddie wasn’t embarrassed of him. That they are just both stupid. “Popularity is complicated. It’s a chess game, but all the players are high schoolers, who are trying to imitate grand masters.”
“That sounds terrible,” Eddie says.
“It is,” Steve agrees.
They’re both silent for a second, their knees bumping into each other, something Steve can’t help but stare at. Feeling the warmth of Eddie.
Then Eddie breaks the silence as he asks in shy voice: “If you weren’t embarrassed to be seen with me, why did you never come to mine? I always drove out here.”
Now that he knows Eddie also isn’t embarrassed by him, it feels a little silly as he confesses: “I didn’t want to get there when people were there, so you wouldn’t have to explain my presence to them. I live remote.”
“Well, now I feel like a dick,” Eddie breaths a little laugh that sounds closer to guilty or uncomfortable than amused.
“It’s okay,” Steve assures him, he doesn’t want Eddie to feel bad when they both messed up. “I was a dick too.”
“Yeah, about that,” Eddie starts and Steve feels his stomach sink. “I am now assuming nothing and am kind of worried. What bad moment did I catch you in?”
That isn’t what Steve had been expected and he looks up in surprise at Eddie, before flushing with embarrassment and looking away. He shrugs: “It’s a bit of a long story.”
Eddie ducks down so he can look at Steve. Those eyes he adores so much are kind and caring, comforting in a way Steve need right now. He says: “I have time, sweetheart.”
Steve knows his face is burning, but the words come out anyway. “I had been buying Christmas gifts in the town and I ran into my father. He- uhm, he told me god was coming for the fags and gave me an article about AIDS.”
“Holy shit,” Eddie breathes.
“And it was so stupid,” Steve continues on, unspoken fears bubbling out. “Because I’m trying so hard not to care what he thinks, but this wasn’t just him. This was everyone. I’ve been watching the news. It’s terrible and what if the kids’ parents heard a rumor about me? What if they’re scared I’ll give their kid AIDS? What if I never get to hang out with them again? Max is already going to die, Chrissy too and I- I can’t do jack shit. Fuck- Eddie, I’m so scared.”
There are tears in his eyes after his outburst when he looks up and meets Eddie’s eyes. Craving to see that kindness again.
He isn’t disappointed, Eddie looks a little shocked, but that doesn’t stop him from reaching out and pulling Steve close. He hugs with his entire being and despite the awkward angle, it is the best hug Steve has gotten since his last sleep over with Robin.
Without his permission, he starts to cry. Tears leaking onto Eddie’s shoulder as he cries about everything. About how unfair it all is. How they don’t deserve this.
Throughout it, Eddie just holds him close. He sways them back and forth as he rubs Steve’s back like he’d done after his nightmare and he whispers soothing words into his ear. “I know, baby, let it out. I’m scared too.”
Of course Eddie is scared to. The news keeps reporting the deaths and the hatred. No government action has been taken yet and if there are protests or good news, it isn’t reaching Hawkins. Only whispered hate haunts this town.
Steve takes a hiccuping breath and sniffles: “It’s so stupid to worry about it. Especially now. I haven’t heard anyone in Hawkins who has it and it’s not like I’m sleeping with anyone. Right now we’re all in danger and I’m still watching my every fucking move, just so the kids won’t drop me now that they’re in danger. I couldn’t even be worried about you.”
Eddie’s hands twitch at that last part, which has slipped out without permission and Steve wants to kick himself over it. Too much. Too revealing. But before he can backtrack Eddie is holding him tighter and Steve thinks it might be okay.
“It’s okay,” Eddie tells him. “It’s a fucking scary time and it’s just another thing on your plate. On both our plates.”
“I’m sorry,” Steve says, pulling back from the hug, even though he doesn’t want to and wipes his eyes. “You’re having a way worse week.”
Eddie gives him a kind lopsided smile and replies: “Well, I’m not saying it’s great, but yours also isn’t the best.”
And Steve has missed this. Missed Eddie. Missed his kindness and his presence. It might be bad for his sanity, but by god, does he want to keep hanging around Eddie forever. With a wet chuckle he says: “No, it’s not.”
They share a small respite from all the emotions that have been all over the place this evening. A comfortable silence Steve has only shared with Chrissy and Robin.
Then Eddie grows a little more cautious, before breaking the silence. He asks: “What- what is happening with Chrissy and Max?”
With the question, Steve remembers that Eddie has been kept horrendously out of the loop. That he has been sitting in the boathouse all say by himself with only his imagination to tell him what might be happening out there.
“They’re-” he starts to explain, getting choked up. “They’re on Vecna’s list. We- we don’t really know what or why he’s doing this, but- uhm, we broke into the school. Looked at Patrick’s and Fred’s records. They- uhm, they had the same symptoms as Chrissy and Max. If- If we don’t figure out what to do, they’re going to die.”
Eddie stops.
There is no other way to describe how he freezes, his never ending fidgeting stopping at the news as he stares at Steve in horror. His voice is quiet, broken when he asks: “Red and Beauty Queen are going to die?”
And hearing Eddie say that, makes it hit. Steve has been avoiding this truth all evening. He could leave Max at Nancy’s and Chrissy with Robin, because they are going to be okay. They’re going to be fine. He is going to see them again tomorrow morning and he won’t even think of that not being true.
A complicated swirl of emotions starts in his chest and he can’t deal with this right now. So he shuts it down and fiercely says: “No, they’re not going to die. We’re going to save them. We have a lead to the Creel’s.”
“Are you sure?” Eddie asks, like he wants to believe it, but can’t.
Steve gets the sentiment. He also doesn’t fully believe it, however, he is ignoring that part of his brain, so he just says: “We’ve pulled off impossible things before.” And we have lost people, he doesn’t say out loud, feeling Hopper’s presence press down on him. The closed door next to his own, always serving as a reminder.
“You’ve been really doing this for years, haven’t you,” Eddie says. “Dustin already said, but it’s just crazy. Years. How- How do you do it?”
It’s something Steve hasn’t really thought of before. He looks at Eddie a little helplessly at Eddie and shrugs: “There wasn’t really a choice.”
“No?” Eddie asks.
“I mean, that first time, I could have ran, but- I mean, Nancy and Jonathan were all alone and I had seen that monster. I couldn’t let them die,” Steve tells him. “And Dustin was going to look on his own for that demodog. He had no clue what he was getting himself into. And the third time… Well, I guess I didn’t think of a Russian bunker being a possibility.”
“Sounds to me like you’re just very brave, Stevie,” Eddie tells him in a voice that seems to mean more, but Steve can’t figure it out.
However, the words make something explode in his chest and he can’t help but shyly peak at Eddie and ask: “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” Eddie smiles. “I only know half of it, maybe not even that, but to me it sounds like you had a choice, you just chose to help. I’m starting to see why those kids love you so much.”
Now Steve is blushing and he knows it. He has never done well with compliments, even if he loves getting him. So he just splutters: “Oh shut up.”
“Okay,” Eddie agrees easily, luckily not pushing further.
Then he clambers out of the bed, jostling Steve and being so close that Steve is momentarily distracted of the fact that Eddie is getting up. When his brain catches up, he asks: “What the hell are you doing?”
“I’m going to make us hot chocolate,” Eddie tells him. “I saw the box in the kitchen. We deserve something nice. Come on.”
And despite his better judgment, Steve follows him. He knows they both need all the rest they can get, neither of them sure where tomorrow will take them.
However, he can’t help but follow after Eddie. Just so he can watch him putter about as he makes hot chocolate and pretend the circumstances are different. That there is no danger, no loved ones on the brink of death, just Eddie choosing to be here and make Steve hot chocolate.
Steve knows that he shouldn’t be watching Eddie with these love sick eyes, that Eddie might catch on and break his heart, because there is no way Eddie could ever like him back. But he can’t help but watch Eddie bop his head to an inaudible tune as he makes hot chocolate, dressed in Steve’s clothes.
They giggle as they drink their hot chocolate together. Eddie tells Steve about all the stupid shit his other friends have gotten up to since the last time they gossiped, while Steve tells him about Robin embarrassing herself at work.
It’s nice. For a moment they can just exist together, a bubble away from the horrors that are lingering outside. The cabin a safe space.
When the hot chocolate is gone, both have a mustache that they point out with suppressed laughter, before washing it off. This time, the cramming in the bathroom feels more homey than it had earlier this evening. Like something has clicked back into place again.
This time Steve watches as Eddie gets in the bed first, not curling up against the wall, but shuffling around to make himself more comfortable. It’s cute and Steve quickly crawls in next to him, so that Eddie won’t catch him staring.
Again he’s lying next to Eddie, trying not to be too close to touch him while also intimately aware of his warmth. The atmosphere is a lot more relaxed, though and the noises outside sound less scary when combined with Eddie shuffling.
Eddie finally seems to get comfortable, because he yawns and sleepily mutters: “Goodnight, Stevie.”
“Goodnight, Eds,” Steve whispers back.
It seems that Eddie exhausted after it all, because soon he is snoring softly. It shouldn’t be cute, but Steve’s brain is broken when it comes to Eddie apparently. He just listens fondly to Eddie’s snores and tries to relax into the coziness between them.
However, despite the fact that Eddie is asleep, Steve is very aware of how close they are. He knows that Eddie won’t punch him for being gay, but he might not be okay with Steve being so close while he has a crush on Eddie. He doesn’t want to make Eddie uncomfortable. So, he lies there, rigidly keeping to his side of the bed.
The universe is out to kill him, however, because Eddie’s snore turns into a sniffle as he shuffles in his sleep
Eddie rolls onto his side, automatically being much closer to Steve, who holds his breath and closes his eyes as he feels Eddie move. His head lands against Steve’s shoulder and he mumbles something before snuggling closer. In the process he slings one leg across Steve’s and his hand flops onto Steve’s chest, gripping the shirt lightly.
Steve is incredibly tense, trying to hold as still as he can while Eddie situates himself. When Eddie is satisfied, he lets out a little adorable hum, before burrowing further into Steve’s side and laying still again, snores starting back up.
Meanwhile Steve is pretty sure his heart is going to beat out of his chest and he hopes Eddie will stay there forever, while also wanting to get out.
He stares at the ceiling, knowing that if he glances at Eddie, he will be even more fucked than he had been before. He just has to fall asleep and then he won’t be able to feel how Eddie’s heartbeat is steady and strong, how warm his is, how his lungs expand with every breath, how thick his thigh is, how good his fingers are at gripping…
Fuck, Steve needs to get a hold of himself.
He wishes he could call Robin, ask her what to do, but she is probably dying next to Chrissy like he is with Eddie. The thought is a little comforting. He and Robs have always been connected in the weirdest way, like when they found out they had the same middle name.
God, Robin, his soulmate. He hopes they’ll be able to save Chrissy or he doesn’t think either of them will make it. They’re a little trio. Tight knit. They have each other’s backs. No matter how much he and Robin are conjoined, he doesn’t think they’ll be able to handle returning to a duo. He can still remember the weeks when Chrissy was pulling back, how much of a mess they were.
And then there’s Max, strong, independent Max, whose fate is now out of their control. He thinks of Lucas, who she will leave behind. He doesn’t think he can handle loosing Max after seeing the spark disappear out of her eyes, doesn’t think he can handle how he’ll have to watch Lucas fall apart should anything happen to her.
The dark thoughts continue to haunt his mind, only slightly curbed by Eddie’s presence at his side. At least he is sure Eddie is alive and well for now. With that, he falls into a fitful sleep.
When he wakes up, Eddie is still pressed against him, groaning at Steve’s alarm that is going off. He is supposed to work today, but with how they have abandoned the store, he and Robin are probably fired by now. And he needs that job.
Steve tries not to think about it, just like he is not thinking anything of Eddie’s pathetic little whine as he burrows into Steve’s side. Eddie is just half asleep, it’s not anything special. He tries to play it off by joking: “You get to sleep in, just let me go, dude.”
Is the dude there to make it seem more platonic than it is? Yeah, because Steve wants to have mornings like this with Eddie. Wants to know how he is in the mornings. Wants to let him convince Steve that a few minutes is fine.
But he can’t have that. He has only just made up with Eddie and he isn’t going to sabotage his friendship with the other boy by ever letting him know how he makes his heart race. And with the morning light filtering in, he has to face the fact that this is the day Max might die. A sobering thought.
He is pulled away from it by Eddie grumbling: “This feels homophobic.”
“You’re so dramatic,” Steve informs him with a fond smile, both glad and saddened when Eddie lets him go.
Steve gets up, before Eddie can change his mind and before he can find out, Eddie won’t change his mind. He gets dressed and watches Eddie burrow into the pillow Steve had occupied that night, his heart trying to burst out of his chest.
With a fond smile, he squats next to the bed, so he can look Eddie in the eye and says: “I’ll see you later today, okay. Stay out of sight, keep the radio in reach.”
“Course,” Eddie mumbles, giving Steve a sleepy smile that will stick with him for weeks. “Good luck.”
“Thank you,” Steve replies, feeling like he’s going to need it. Then he is off to get today started, they have an asylum patient to talk to.
~~
A/N:
We stan communicating and talking about what’s bothering us instead of assuming the worst and bottling it all up. Like it took them months to get there, but they did <3
Also personal headcanon, it’s both Robin and Steve have the middle name Maria. Robs bc it was her grandma’s name, Steve’s bc his fam is very catholic.
#rr writing#stranger things#steve harrington#steddie#eddie munson#st season 4#buckingham#cheerleader steve harrington au#tw: f slur#tw: aids crisis mention#tw: homophobia mention#tw: period typical homophobia#tw: internalized homophobia
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Kindly Unspoken, Part 5
Summary: time to visit Billy
Pairings: Andy Barber X Curtis Everett X Walter Marshall
Rating: explicit
Warnings: language, death, mentions of foster care system, mentions of abuse, 18+ ONLY
Word Count: 3.7K
Previous
Series Masterlist
*dividers created by @firefly-graphics
Andy looks straight ahead in his car, but Curtis has his body turned to look directly at Andy. His eyes squinting at him, and Andy turns towards him, “What?”
“Are you ready for this?”
“To find my child?”
“No. This,” Curtis takes a deep breath looking out the window. “Jessie clearly had secrets. Why would she keep that baby…”
“Amaris,” Andy interjects stoically. “Her name is Amaris.”
“Why would she keep Amaris from you? From me?” He awkwardly laughs, throwing his head back on the headrest, “I can’t figure it out. My parents? They’re already begging Doll to give them babies now. And they only do that because her and Hayden have been vocal about wanting them. Too vocal. They treat her niece like that’s their grandchild. I’ve been the disappointment to the family, and they didn’t see me having kids, unless it was a mistake, but they would have been good with that little girl, and Jessie knew that. You were always vocal about wanting to have kids with her, and she kept Amaris from you. And you don’t question why?”
“Of course I do,” Andy answers, slowing down when his phone tells him they were nearly there. Marshall sits up from the backseat, and stretches. “I think about why Jessie did the things she did every day. I question why I gave her stability, but she still left my house. I protected her, Curtis. I would have given her the world, and she went back to Brock. Yeah, I question everything. I play back everything in my head from our last days together. And none of it makes fucking sense. And it’s probably some stupid reason. I wanted kids with her, and she took that from me,” he slams on his brakes in the driveway, blocking Billy in. He had no idea what they were walking into.
“I wanted that baby. I knew she was pregnant, and she told me she didn’t know who the father was. I looked and looked for her. Jessie didn’t want to be found. I loved that woman so much, and she cared so little for me. Yeah, I’m pissed, and I’m mad that I’m pissed. Because it’s done,” Marshall claps his hand on his friend's shoulder, but Andy shrugs him off. “Let’s go.”
Three men walk to his door, and Curtis can’t help, but to peek through the windows, “If I lose my balls because I miss a wedding, this is your fault,” he takes a deep breath, and starts to walk around the building. “It’s dark. If he’s here then he likes things…shit! Russo, open the fucking door!”
Billy tilts his head trying to view Curtis better, and calmly walks to the front door. Opening it wide, “I was wondering when you three would show up. Coffee? Beer? Tea?”
“Uh-uh, sit down,” Billy rolls his eyes at Marshall, and walks out in front of the men, and into his living room. Sitting down on the couch, Billy reaches over to light up a cigarette. “I’m assuming you know why we’re here?”
“Yep,” he takes a long pull of the stick, and reaches over to pick up a book. He flips through a few pages before he hands it to Andy. Andy takes it timidly, running his fingers over the front, before opening it up. And inhales quickly. Picture after picture of Jessie in various stages of pregnancy that turn into pictures of the baby.
Andy traces his finger over the baby girl’s face, and looks up at Billy, “Why?”
“Hell, I don’t know. Jessie kept her from you, too. Just granting her wishes I guess.”
“Why did she not want Andy or our family to know about her?”
“Shame?” Billy shrugs. “Oh,” he lifts his ass off the couch, pulling out his wallet, and he slides another picture of Amaris over to them. This time it was a newborn one, and she was laying on his bare chest. “Hell, don’t try to make sense out of her when it came to Amaris.”
Marshall looks between Curtis and Andy, before leaning forward. Rubbing his fingers together, because there was no easy way to ask what he needed to know, “What happened the day she died? Sherry accused her of cheating.”
“Ahh, that. You know Rumlow was an ass. You know,” he points a finger at Curtis and Andy. Laying his cigarette in the ashtray he leans back on the couch, “I tried to help her. I told her that he was going to end up killing her. Begged her to leave and never come back. Yeah, he hit her. But he was more mentally abusive. Made her believe she didn’t deserve Andy or happiness. That her parents were disappointed and her brothers didn’t care. It was the control. When she came back and was vomiting from morning sickness, I told her…told her she needed to go back because that baby wasn’t his. She gave that lame excuse that she didn’t know. That woman knew. And when she said she couldn’t go back, I made it my mission to keep her and that baby safe.”
“Man, that day…let me start by saying, I loved that woman. I love that baby. I was the one there for both of them. When Brock didn’t want to take her to a doctor’s appointment, I did. When Brock couldn’t handle the crying, they stayed here. Brock was a selfish son of a bitch. He cared about himself. What he didn’t realize is Jessie spending extra time with me and in her vulnerable state meant…”
Billy looks at Andy regretfully, and apologizes. His hands start shaking, and Curtis can see his eyes well with tears, “We fell. I wasn’t Andy fucking Barber. No one was ever going to be you, but I fell. I fell, and so did she. I became Amaris’ father. She did stupid shit to piss Brock off to where she could come here. First she and Amaris were in the spare bedroom, and then I started to get up with the baby, so Jessie could sleep. She came looking for her, and fell asleep in my bed. And then it was every night. Amaris got a crib in there for her. I loved her. I would have done anything for them.”
Andy stares blankly at nothing, wiping a tear from his eyes, but Curtis knows there’s more. “That day. She called me. She called me so many times. When I finally answered she was in the car with him. What happened?”
“How many times did you not answer before that day Curtis?”
“Don’t. I’m dealing with my shit, don’t you dare blame me.”
“She thought you had given up on her. That’s why she called Hayden. One time. But Amaris cried in the background. Amy couldn’t deal with her for ten minutes while she called for help. She felt guilty for keeping her away from you guys, but she was scared and didn’t know how to deal with it.”
“What the fuck happened that day, Russo!” Curtis slams his fist on the couch, and stands to pace around. “Don’t you fucking dare blame me. I’ve blamed myself everyday for the last seven years. It wasn’t my fault. That wreck was Brock’s fault. What happened that day?!”
“He came here to get her. Amaris was actually asleep. We were, too. Holding each other. He jerked her off me, and tried dragging her to the car, but I was able to stop him for a minute. Those calls. She was locked in the bedroom with Amaris. He got a good hit, and I woke up, and she was gone. Amaris was crying, and I took the baby to Amy so I could try and find them. I knew he was going to kill her,” he kicks his foot, hitting the bottom of a table causing it to flip over.
“Amy told me she took Amaris to Sherry. And Sherry hid. She told me that it was all my fault. That since I had my cock in her that it was what Brock had to do. Said Jessie deserved it. Because it was her duty to be faithful. Then I found out she was arrested. They didn’t know who the baby belonged to. Sherry wouldn’t tell them. They found a birth certificate but it just had Jessie’s name on it, shit happens. Amaris got lost in the system.”
“You…you could have said anything. That’s my daughter. She’s mine,” Andy opens the album, and holds up a picture to him, “This…these moments were mine. You never gave me a chance to have them, and I’ll never get them back. You’re a coward, and you’re selfish. A little girl grew up in the system when she had a family that would have love her. Cherish her, and tell her all about her mom, and you stole from all of us. I expected this shit from Sherry and Amy, but you claim to love Jessie and Amaris. You’re a fucking liar. This is my daughter, and she doesn’t know I exist. You could have come to me, a fucking lawyer. Went to Curtis, gone to her parents anonymously, but you chose to let it go. It should’ve been you.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Would Jessie have wanted Amaris to grow up in the system when she had a fucking family? Not fair is not knowing we had a part of Jessie walking around on this earth. And you sat here doing nothing. You didn’t even try. I’m so sick of this. Sick of every single one of you worthless pieces of shit. You’re a coward.”
“Andy, don’t waste your breath. We’ve got someone to help find her. That child will be living with people who love her. And her family. She won’t remember you either. We’re keeping the photos,” Curtis stands up, and doesn't look back at Billy. Doesn’t offer another word.
Everyone of this crowd had hurt Jessie. Continued to hurt her because her daughter was growing up without a family. Curtis was tired, and the constant doubts of whether he should have done something always flashed in his mind. Curtis knew he should have answered Jessie. He shouldn’t have tried to give her tough love. Should have known that many calls back to back meant something bad. He could have stopped Brock.
He walks out to the car. Sitting in the front seat, because he was done. Over this completely. Too much time had passed with his niece. He feared that the little girl would be terrified or at the least confused to learn she had a family. His leg bounces around in the front seat, staring at the last place Jessie called home. The pictures of Amaris she seemed happy, and that was the only positive thing he could think of.
Marshall gets in the driver’s seat, while Andy lays in the back. His distant eyes staring up at the top of the car, while he ponders what Amaris would be like. Would she be like her mother or him? She got his eyes but what else did she get from him? Would she have her uncles’ personality? Or would she act like her grandparents.
“Curtis, you didn’t do anything wrong,” Marshall says quietly as he drives off. “Even if you answered on the first ring, there is no guarantee that you could have stopped Brock. Or that you could reach her. Brock is the one at fault.”
“I know,” Curtis drones. “I’ve made myself sick with what ifs. I can’t change anything, so it doesn’t pay to dwell on them. I’ll never be the same, but I have a semblance of my former self. I’ve got to. Jessie wouldn’t want me to be angry and cold. And I was. I ran from my family because I couldn’t face them. I stayed away and was careless. Did stupid stuff to numb that pain.”
“How did you get out?” Curtis actually cracks a smile as he looks over at Marshall. Andy halfway listening and partially thinking about nothing.
“There was this amazing woman that reminded me of Jessie. She was in an abusive relationship. A different abuse, but still there. Brought her to my parents, and I thought I was saving her,” he looks over at Marshall, and sighs. Feeling like a weight was lifted off his shoulders. “She saved me.”
“You still talk?”
“Live with her,” Marshall elbows him, trying to smile. “Nah, it’s not like that. She’s kinda marrying my brother.”
“Did not expect that.”
“Hehe, no probably not. She’s the only person outside of Doc that I talk to about this. She’s smart. But it's nice having someone to just talk to whenever, and she never judges me. Hayden calls her my girlfriend,” Andy’s eyes close, as the exhaustion gets to him. He was mentally drained. “It feels good to have a woman like her in my life that I can be open and vulnerable with. Cuddle with, but she gets in the bed with another man. There’s none of this worrying about sexual tension, because there is none.”
“You tried to save her when you couldn’t Jessie,” Curtis nods his head. Marshall leans back to see his friend fast asleep. He knew the toll this was taking on Andy. He had never been this close to knowing the full truth, but hearing that Jessie and Billy had some form of relationship hurt Andy. Could see it in his eyes that it pained him to know that Jessie had another man play Amaris’ father.
“You think we’ll find her?” Curtis peeks over at Marshall, and looks back out his window. There was a lot that was riding on what you would find. “I just…I don’t see how no one contacted us.”
“It’s the unfortunate thing about the system. The best we can hope for is that she's not been adopted.”
“Andy wants her no matter what,” Marshall whispers out I know. His eyes looking at Andy sleeping in the back. He knew how much Andy wanted children. How much that he wanted them with Jessie, and most likely he had one. “You think it would be wrong to take her from her adoptive parents?”
“I don’t know if there’s a way to answer that. I don’t think it’s wrong for Andy to want his daughter. Your niece. It’s not wrong to want a piece of Jessie. You all deserve that relationship. I don’t know what the best case scenario would be. That went out the window when Billy and everyone else decided to keep her existence from your family.”
Andy blinks his eyes open slowly, before he sits up. Both Curtis and Marshall were silent as they drive back home. He wipes the sleep out of his eyes, before seeing a road sign makes his skin prickle up. His throat starts to close, and his breathing becomes labored, “Don’t go this way.”
“If we go the other way it’ll take us an extra thirty minutes.”
“I said don’t go this way! Marshall, stop the car. Turn around and go the other way.”
Curtis’ body turns to look at him, shaking his head, “I told you, I can’t be late. We’re pushing it as it is. Now…”
“I’m not going down this fucking road,” Curtis’ mouth turns into an o, and he puts a calming hand on his shoulder. “No. I won’t. I haven’t.’
“Andy…”
“How can you come down this way?”
“I always do.”
“No. Marshall, you turn this car around,” he swallows bile, and crashes his head in his hands. “Don’t make me do this.”
“Hey, we’re with you. I come down this way all the time. Sometimes sit at the crash site,” Andy’s shoulders start heaving, and he tries to stop the tears, but there is no help. His mind blacks out, and he just shakes his head over and over again. “I sit and talk with her. Apologize to her.”
“I can’t. I can’t,” Andy softly repeats himself. Trying to ignore everything. Going back to simpler times. Thinking about how Amaris looked like a perfect clone of Jessie with his eyes. Remembering the first time he told Jessie he loved her. The way she felt in his arms.
“Andy,” Curtis puts his hand on Andy’s back, and the younger man shakes his head. “Andy, it’s time.”
“I don’t want to. I can’t.”
“She’s not coming back. You need closure,” Andy refuses to lift his head up. He could barely breathe, and Curtis wanted him to see the place where Jessie took her last breath. The place he lost her forever. “Andy, if you want to be a good dad to Amaris, you have to be able to look at that little girl. It’s time to say goodbye. This place is always here. I come here often to sit and to listen. Come here to talk to her.”
Andy looks over at Curtis, and can see the woods beside the road. He could hear the sirens from that day. He swears he hears Jessie’s screams, and even Brock laugh. He doesn’t want to, but he needs to get out of this car. Standing outside of the car, Curtis starts to turn, “You’ll be late.”’
“I’ll let her cut off one of my balls. Get out of the car. She’ll understand,” Andy inhales deeply, and struggles to get out. His gaze on the ground as he follows Curtis’ footsteps. One foot in the front of the other, and then he sits down. His arms rest loosely on his legs, and he taps on the ground.
“Sit,” both Andy and Marshall join him, but Andy can’t look at the tree. “She’s not hurting anymore, Andy. I don’t know all that my sister went through, but what I do know is she’s not hurting. I’ll be honest, the first time you mentioned a baby, I thought you were crazy, didn’t want to believe it. I pushed it out of my mind, Andy, and I should have helped you. You’ve got to say goodbye to Jessie, prepare yourself to meet Amaris, and have so much joy. We love you. She loved you, and it’s okay to think about the good times, but to stop your life, and not move forward, Andy you’re too good. That little girl needs you. I’ll give you a minute.”
Curtis starts to move, but Andy grabs his arm. Looking at the tree that took Jessie from everyone, before back at Curtis, “What do you talk about?”
“My life. How I’ve been working on myself, and a book. Dad and I are talking without screaming. Tell her about Hayden sorta growing up. How mom misses her so much, but is finally healing. How this sweet Doll brought our family back together. I’ve mentioned you. Told her how you’re doing well in your career.”
“My personal life sucks,” he stifles a laugh, and looks back at the tree. “This really makes you feel better?” Curtis gives him a shrug. Andy's fingers run over the cold ground while he thinks about what he would tell Jessie if he could, “I’m not mad. I’m hurt. I deserved to know her. I loved you. I tried to help you, and we made this beautiful baby, and you took her from me. From us. Jess, I’ll never understand why you did what you did. But I didn’t live the life you did. I don’t know what Brock did to you, but I wanted to help. In holding onto you, I stopped living, and I won’t do that to our daughter.”
“Andy,” Curtis grabs at his arm, but Andy stands and walks to the tree.
His foot toes the ground, and he looks long and hard at it, “I would have given you my life if you asked. But now I’m giving it to her, Jess. I hope you’re at peace, sweetheart. You’ve got a good brother. We’re gonna find her, and we’re gonna bring her home. I’m not mad at you, but I am mad at myself for letting this go on for too long. I won’t stop, until I find our daughter,” he turns and heads to the car, “Let’s get you to this wedding.”
“I’m giving her away,” Curtis says, jumping up, and Andy turns to look at him confused, “She loved me first. I’m giving her away with her brother. Blood brother, and I’m the other brother. Her boyfriend.”
“That’s very odd,” Marshall says standing up, “We’ll drop you off.”
“No, Andy is going to stay,” Andy shakes his head no, but Curtis holds up his wrist, tapping along the glass, “Yeah, you are. And you’re gonna like it. If I’m going to be late the least you could do is make Hayden smile, and Doll forget about me being late. He smiles, and she’s a goner. Let’s go.”
“It’s just a lot.”
“You need to. Because if you don’t take that little girl around her family,” Marshall hisses through his teeth, “I’ll have to kick your ass. You good?”
“Better.”
“I’ll be by with beer later?” Andy nods his head, this time making Curtis sit in the back seat. “I’m dressed okay?”
“It’s at my parents house. They even have blankets to cuddle up with outside. Doll has this thing about the back porch. She’s adorable. You’d like her. Hayden will bust a nut if he sees you with her. His man crush is strong,” Andy actually laughs. He needed it.
He looks at that tree, and wishes things were different, but they weren’t. Wishes that there was something he could have done. But it was too late. It sucked. He had a long way to go, but that little girl deserved her father in a healthy place. He lowers his head at the wreck site as Marshall drives away, and is ready. He felt relief in a sense. Nervous as hell to be seeing her family again, but Marshall was right. They were all stolen from.
There was a determination in Andy. He was ready to call your number and see what you had found. He knew he had the law and family on his side, and he would get her. And he was going to be the best dad that he could. “Curtis, I want you to be the one to tell your parents about Amaris.”
“Uh…” Curtis grimaces, shaking his head.
“Someone’s gotta do it.”
“I vote, Andy.” “Marshall.”
“Hey! I’m not part of this shit.”
“We’ll figure it out. Get my brother to knock his wife up, and then it softens the blow?”
“Wait,” Marshall looks at him through the mirror, “When are they trying?”
“Nearly two weeks ago. All the fucking time. So soon. If not already,” he gives a shrug, and sees Andy sigh. The man was taking deep breaths as he tried to calm himself. “I’ll tell them when the time is right,” with his eyes closed Andy mouths out a thank you, and waits for The Everett’s house to come into view. There was a lot to accomplish, and he didn’t know how long. What he did know, he was gaining a family back.
Next
Masterlist
Taglist: @tis-thedamn-season @marveloustaylortot @pono-pura-vida @sstan-hoe @peaches1958 @infatuatedjanes @redbloodedgurl @thedarknessilove @whimsyplaty92 @superforgottensoul @lilac-tea-time @seitmai @smile1318 @andydrysdalerogers
#kindly unspoken#andy barber#andy barber x reader#andy barber x fem!reader#andy barber x y/n#andy barber x you#andy barber x curtis everett x walter marshall#curtis everett#walter marshall
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I’m sorry but this fandom has the most piss-poor reading comprehension I’ve ever seen.
I’m not sure if “reading” comprehension can still be applied to a visual medium, but whatever - regardless, the fact that fans can’t even read the fucking narrative and instead deconstruct or misconstrue characters and then rebuild them completely different then how they’re actually suppose to be in the story, is wild.
henry creel is meant to be a fucking villain. like. I need you all to understand this. there was no mistaking this when he was introduced to the show. yes, his background and reasonings for turning murderous and then fully becoming vecna are complex and interesting within the story and how they relate to the lab and whatnot, but we’re suppose to grasp from the beginning that henry always had it in him to turn into a villain. it didn’t simply start with the abuse under brenner (abuse, btw, as we’ve learned from the billy fiasco, is not a get-out-of-jail-free-card when it comes to his actions) - it starts when he’s a fucking 10yr old kid and he tied up a bunny rabbit and started torturing it. no, I’m not saying a lonely and disturbed child was straight up evil, but purely from who he was, he found his own purpose and enjoyment in harmful things.
he always had that. and we’re suppose to grasp that from the narrative.
ppl out here saying he was actually trying to help el???? that he, quote, did nothing wrong????? this isn’t interpreting the text how you see it. this is fucking taking the whole text and tossing it out the window.
the duffers were clear the second henry was introduced. we can read this not just from his actions, but by the setup too - the soundtrack, the way el is nervous and unsure of him, the way jamie plays him with that continuous haunting air; we’re told, from the start, to be cautious and unsure of him. this slowly changes we he starts interacting with el; encouraging her to utilize her emotions for her powers, whispering ‘good luck’ to her during the lesson, and then finally when we see him try to help her escape, we’re thinking maybe he’s a helpful good guy after all! the tone of the episode is leading us towards that, it’s set-up to have us believe that - so, we can have that show-stopping moment of a rug being pulled out under us when el walks out, seeing the dead bodies of her ‘siblings’ and henry covered in blood. that scene change is a massive fucking curve - it’s suppose to flip you over on your back, harshly tugging away the previous thought that maybe henry would be a good guy. we can see clearly now, he is not a good guy.
this alone, should be enough context. but his actions are more proof. him trying to get close to el wasn’t to ‘help’ her or protect her from brenner - it was a manipulation tactic, bc he saw her as a prime tool of use either for her strong psychic powers or bc he saw that same lonely/’feeling different/’ factor he felt in her too making her an easy target, and planted the seed by appearing to ‘help’ her so she’d accompany him in his take-over. killing the other children was not an act of mercy - it was bc he saw them as ‘weak’ and wanted to be rid of them before moving up with el, he didn’t gave any damn about them clearly by the way he either ignored them or encouraged el to fight back against them. this isn’t empathy - it’s manipulation.
like..you all know there’s a reason why there are so many similarities between henry and el/will right? it’s to show us, in almost a black-n-white way, a good guy and a bad guy. they have similarities, but it’s their inner core, who they truly are, that gives way to them making the right or wrong choices. their morals - like the way henry, again, ties up a rabbit and tortures it, and then the way el cries at harming the cat and refuses. how will is both sensitive and haunted like henry, but instead, also kind and warm - giving his dumptruck to the little girl in the sandbox, ‘all friends welcome’ written on castle byers, whereas henry went into isolation as a youth bc he was both angry and afraid of the world. henry himself maybe didn’t start out evil, but what we’re suppose to understand is that he always had it in him to become so and did.
this! is! not! a! complex! subject! it is, in fact, NOT THAT DEEP.
frankly, I am so fucking tired of seeing this - this repeated wobbifycation of the fandom’s favourite White Boys(tm) where instead of understanding them for who the creators show us they are, completely blindside that to turn them into whatever fandom wants. we saw the same fucking thing happen earlier with billy.
billy was written and always meant to be a one-off antagonist. he was suppose to show up in s2 to be a foil to max and the others and literally that was it - even the duffers said so, saying they had no plan to otherwise do anything with billy. but fangirls jumped onto him and built up fever for him so hard, completely deconstructing how the duffers planned him as just a two-dimensional racist asshole and instead saying he was some justified victim who was actually a good brother to max - and boom, now the fandom is filled with this shit, of ppl openly loving a character who tried to openly harm (or possibly kill) a child of colour, and he gets a full storyline in s3.
while henry has more depth then billy, overall, this is the same pattern. the show gives us a cruel figure in the form of some young white guy, meant to be seen exactly for what he is, and fandom refuses to see it, tossing away any cruel actions by saying they weren’t meant to be bad in the first place, going so far as to completely rewrite the text of the storyline.
you know who was suppose to be read as complex? kali.
no, I will not shut up about this - bc it is both so humours and totally disappointing in the way fandom gives free licences to white villains, but completely refuses to give that to actual complex characters and instead read them as one thing only. through the entirety of kali’s episode, we get the overall picture of her as someone both caring and cruel. kali clearly loves el, the way she treats her and smiles at her and opens herself to her showcases this - though kali will never fault el from making her own choices, it’s clear she wants her in her life. she also, cares for her friends; she’s able to relate her story of abuse to their own disenfranchisement, and then taking that, seeks out those who’ve hurt her and others so they’re repercussions, and so they can’t hurt again. there’s empathy and nobility in there - but, kali is also cruel. she’s unable to see how killing ray would affect his children, and how forcing el to confront brenner hurts her. she makes wrong choices, but we’re suppose to see, that kali isn’t trying to be inherently, 100% malicious in them. she’s got a higher purpose, a more complex meaning, behind it all. when you look at her and line it all up with how she acts, treats others, and generally just goes about her business, we come to understand that she’s neither good nor bad, but, somewhere in the middle.
and what happened? she was introduced and quite literally thrown to the mob who beat her to a pulp. fandom outright refused to look at the nuances - to them, kali did one(1) bad action, and so therefore was tossed aside, no longer to be looked at. the same fucking fandom that will bend over backwards for the villains of this story, when given an actual morally grey character shaped by hardship and abuse, wouldn’t even give her the time of the day.
honestly, if it weren’t so disheartening I would find it funny. instead, it’s just sad. it’s deeply frustrating and upsetting how fandom will find every excuse in the book to validate and understand villainous characters of a certain type (aka Attractive White Boy), but won’t give the time of day to actual interesting characters who’re much more deserving of this deep analysis I’ve seen for both henry and billy.
tl;dr: henry is a fucking villain. billy is a fucking villain. they were never meant to be anything more, and if you want a complex character, you can find that in kali or frankly, a handful of other characters in this show. and once more, this fandom has a racism & misogyny problem that aids in the complete inability to properly comprehend a storyline, and it’s no fucking wonder I really hate it around here sometimes.
#stranger things#stranger things thoughts#henry creel#vecna stranger things#el hopper#eleven stranger things#kali#kali prasad#I wouldn't normally sound this mean but I have quite literally had it up to here#look I'm all for ppl discussing henry's character and how it developed as he was taken by brenner etc#that's fine he's got an interesting background in terms of the story#but your fucking kidding yourselves if you think anything he does isn't driven by a villain mindset#at this point you'd have to be blind to not see it#and I think a lot of you are willingly blind#at least the billy stans are#man I'm probably opening myself up to a lot hatemail but whatever I've had it with this place#I still like the show and enjoy the friends I have which is why I've stayed but oh lord it's a test of patience
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steve from his lowest moment in each later season being somehow booted back in time to season 1 steve's house (i'm thinking in the 6 hour window between cleaning up the graffiti post Jonathan fight and when Steve went to the Byers' to apologize) which forces this unprepared younger version of themselves to suddenly have to take care of them while figuring out what the fuck trouble they were in so maybe he can prevent it
so you've got freshly beaten by billy season 2 steve who's completely out of it but can still mumble about being heartbroken between bouts of panic over where the kids are and if they're safe - you've got tortured and loopy on russian drugs season 3 steve who rambles on about whatever he's asked but can't really stand or take care of himself and threatens to be sick all over the place- and then i think its gotta be bat bitten season 4 steve who realistically was mostly OK after getting cleaned up so he's able to help youngest steve with the other two
but maybe thats worse because he's stuck in battle mode, the most scarred and jaded out of the four of them, doesn't care about the family reputation or even his own anymore, really -the furthest away from who Steve was in season 1 and unapologetic about it. the one who got a chip on his shoulder about doing something (who hasn't seen yet that he shouldn't have let max or dustin out of his sight) so he has opinions about what his younger selves should prioritize if once back in 83/84/85 they remember -and who actually end up getting laid into by the youngest of them and has his own priorities checked when season 1 steve is angry that he's acting like the kids don't need protection in 86
then they're back where they were -but now steve can go the Byers' better armed, can wake up mended and able to better handle the aftermath, knows what went wrong at Starcourt mall, and reorganizes the teams when they go to confront Vecna -and it might not fix everything but it fixes enough
#stranger things#steve harrington#time travel#fanfiction tropes#fanfic ideas#i like the poetic mirror of s1 steve being taught by his future selves and then#making them remember who s4 steve should be thinking about first and foremost is the kids safety#big problem i had w s4 was that they had steve more concerned with helping fight than with keeping the kids safe#and i get why but i dont have to like it
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bopping around a bit as things come to me. will compile this into the larger doc file later.
The sound of the security room door shutting is, albeit momentary, a sweet relief. Reese plops down in the chair in front of the computer monitors, tapping impatiently at the keyboard as Slade slides the door lock in place.
"So the computers are password protected," they say.
"Of course they are," he says, coming to lean over the chair. "Try Murkoff."
Reese enters three different variations and spellings they can think of. Nothing.
"Yeah, fuck this," Slade murmurs. "Virtual Wintergreen, audio only."
"Oh, now what?" the suit AI asks. "You're done being pissy with me and decided I can be useful?"
"Since you didn't keep my ribs from breaking, can you override the damn computer?" asks Slade.
"Oh sure, shall I just patch into the mainframe while I'm at it? Would you also like some nuclear security codes, since you seem to think that's how this works?"
"Billy, I am not in the fucking-"
"Oh, I got it," chirps Reese. "Someone taped the password under the keyboard. It's literally Madmin01".
Silence.
"Deactivate virtual Wintergreen," mumbles Slade.
"We're just gonna pretend you didn't show an embarrassingly boomer understanding of computers for a minute," says Reese, "y'know, for your sake."
"Why don't you find out if someone taped instructions on how to raise the blast doors under the other keyboard?" he says sarcastically.
"C'mon it's basic corporate security, there's probably a file path marked BLASTDOORCONTROL in the- what the fuck is that?" Reese freezes, pointing at a security monitor in the corner. Slade turns.
"Is that that fucking priest?" he asks, frowning.
"That weird guy that showed up after you went through the window was a priest?" asks Reese.
"Close as you get in a place like this, anyway," he says. "What's he doing?"
On the monitor, the priest looks up at the camera as he reaches for a breaker box. He holds a finger to his lips, and pulls the breaker. The room plunges into darkness, pairing with the sound of computers dying as red emergency lighting blooms a few seconds later.
"You shit sucking CUNT!" Reese yells at the blank monitor. Slade clamps a hand over their mouth and drags them still in the chair away from the window that oversees the hallway.
Seconds tick by.
No one, and nothing, emerges from the dark.
"Sorry," they mumble into his palm. He drops his hand.
"Those stairs by the elevator go to the basement, that breaker box is probably down there," says Slade. "I'm gonna go turn the fucking thing back on, you stay here."
"You are not suggesting splitting up," they hiss. "What happened to 'arm's length'?"
"It's pitch black and I don't know what's down there," he snaps. "I can handle myself but I can't keep tabs on both of us if I can't see."
Reese clenches their jaw. It's not said directly, and they know logically now is neither the time nor place to be concerned with it, but the unspoken meaning of the sentence is that they're now added baggage he doesn't need.
"Besides," says Slade, "this door has a manual lock from this side, even with the electronics down you can still keep it barred."
"I don't think that big fucker from the library gives a shit about locks," they say.
"Then you should stop arguing and let me go so I can be back before he shows up," says Slade. He unlocks the door and slips out before they have a chance to argue otherwise.
Despite it, they still stand and lock it behind him.
"At least this window is lower," they mutter to the shadows.
#ship: wilson & wilson at large#wilwil au: outlasting#need to also recheck/redo my tags for this bc i ended up with too many aus to not have them by ship lmao#anyway will edit this when i get everything sorted#this just rolled around in my brain for a couple days and i needed to lock it loose#i'd been pondering for a while about the first basement level and figured the easiest way is to kinda skip it a bit.#split up the party but for once it doesn't fail! also solves the problem of when walker breaks in after this#like /i/ can hide in a locker just fine do you think slade's big ass is fitting in a locker fuck no
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Hi can i request a one shot of no watch ben x reader where they watch a scary movie because the reader likes them but ben is low-key terrified of them. In the end ben has trouble sleeping so the reader cuddles with him until he falls asleep
Thank you ☺️
*vibrates in slasher fan* Yesssssssssssssssssssssssss, also, normalize dudes being comforted.
Black Christmas
No watch! Ben x Reader | Reader's gender is never mentioned.
You were practically shaking with excitement, as a light Christmas carol played on grainy audio. This movie was old, 1974 as you had told him previously. You were so excited, and spent the whole day expressing that while trying to keep yourself from spoiling anything. Swirly white letters appear on screen, “Black Christmas' '. That relieves some of the anxiety in his gut.
“Is this… A Christmas movie?” He says, hesitantly. There's a light giggle as you snuggle into his side. “You could say that.” And that brought the anxiety right back up. His arm comes around you as the camera switches to first person, the point of view crawling up the side of the house. You chuckle a little bit as his arm tightens around you. “You gonna protect me from the killer?” His wide eyes shoot down at you against his chest, lips press flat slowly curve into a nervous smile. “Uh, yeah.” Is said with a just as nervous chortle, but you feel him swallow hard.
He was not very good at hiding his fear, never had been. It was cute though, that he actually thought that you didn’t know he was scared. Luckily enough for him, this movie had almost no jump scares. However, deep down you wanted to hear him scream at Jason Voorhees popping out of nowhere… maybe next movie night.
The movie fades into the more calm parts, the party, the call… and then onto Clair’s room. As she calls out for the sorority house cat, you can feel him tense up under you. “Claud… is that you puss?” You feel him take a deep breath under you, but you were too engrossed in your favorite movie. “No, it’s not. Get outta there…” He whispers. And then Billy pushes his way out of the closet, grabbing Clair by the neck with a plastic clothing cover. He jolts under you, and you can’t help but choke down your laughter.
“Not funny!” “Is so!”
-
“Wait, so he’s still in the house?” “Yep.” “But so is Jess.” “Yeah.” “The last shot- Does she die!?”
You shrug, picking up the empty snack containers. “Don’ know. It’s called an open ending for a reason.” Walking away to throw the trash in the can, you inadvertently leave him alone in the living room. Ben rushes to his feet, following after you. He clears his throat when he’s up behind you. “So, did Paul kill that cop- or was it Billy?” “Paul, Billy doesn't leave the house any time after he enters it.” The questions were an obvious distraction from the dark and quiet house. “So the little girl who was murdered, that wasn’t Billy?”
“No, she went missing the afternoon after Billy entered the house- You’ve been asking a lot of questions, Are you okay?” You look up at him, brows knitting with concern. Your boyfriend’s eyes widen as his cheeks tinting a warm pink color, an awkward smile spreading. “Uh, yeah. I’m fine!” Immediately you don’t believe it.
After cleaning up, you both retire to your bedroom. You were already tired and ready for bed, your boyfriend however… You hit the light, falling heavily onto the bed next to him. Normally, your boyfriend sleeping over would have raised hell itself. But, your family isn’t home, and won't be for a few days. The room was lit by the street light shining in the window and pale curtains, providing a comfortable dimness for you. Rolling on your side to face him, you can feel just how stiff he is.
“So, what did you think?” you ask, your boyfriend swallowing hard down a cotton dry throat. “Ben?” He clears his throat. “Uh, it was okay. I just don’t think it’s my thing-” A loud thump sounds from above you in the attic, Ben shooting up straight with a sudden gasp. You groan, but not at your boyfriend. “Great, the squirrels are back… I’ll text my mom in the morning to call the exterminator.” His eyes are wide and locked on the ceiling, like at any moment something would come down through it. He had always been a little skittish, but this was way worse.
You gently place a hand on his shoulder, causing him to look back at you. “It’s just some rodents- not a deranged asylum escapee. I promise.” his lips are pressed flat in a semi-neutral expression, trying to hide that he’s afraid. “Oh baby…” You whisper. “C’mere.” As you open your arms, he lays back down with his head by your chest. You scoop his head into your arms, curling up around him. Face burying into his hair. In that moment, you felt him relax in your arms. His curling around your waist.
“I’m sorry, I should have known better.” You say in a hushed voice, running your fingers through his hair. He sighs into the soft cloth of your shirt, letting you play with his hair. “I’m alright, I just…” He buries his face deeper, trailing off completely. Your cheek presses flat to his crown, a soft pout forming on your lips. “I know, I know. I’m sorry.”
Guilt flooded you like a clogged drain in a rainstorm, this was your fault. You had been so excited to share your interests with him that you hadn’t even stopped to think on how it might affect him- especially with him being naturally excitable. “I’m really sorry babe. I should have thought it out before I made you watch it with me.” You squeeze him lightly. He could have said no, and he wasn’t the biggest people pleaser- he just has a real hard time saying no to you.
“Next time we’ll both decide what to watch- or, we could just go on a Sumo Slammers marathon. Okay?”
You look down at your boyfriend, his face snuggled into your chest, and curled up in your arms. Petting his hair gently, you can feel him sleepily nod. You let out a light sigh, he was already falling asleep.
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What if paranoid Bella told Carlisle what's going on and enlisted his help? Like if she overheard/learned something that made her think he might help, or if this is the Bella who's stuck in a time loop and figures it's worth a shot and at worse she'd be yeeted right back to the beginning of the loop if the vampire doctor is in cahoots with his scary son?
Anon is referring to Paranoid Bella. Now, Paranoid Bella has tried something like this once before, sort of, Billy called Carlisle on her behalf. It went places so awful I refuse to put them down in words.
Here the question is what if Bella asked Carlisle herself.
Why Paranoid Bella Would Never Do This
She can't trust any of the Cullens, for all she knows, they're in league with Edward. Bella's wearing her tin foil hat and that tin foil hat has kept her alive, dammit. For all she knows, this Dracula's Bride thing is just what vampires do and she's the latest victim.
She would never, ever, trust any of the Cullens. Ever.
Dr. Cullen seems nice as he stitches her up? IT'S A TRAP!
As For Time Loop Bella...
Anon's referring to this post, which... You really want this AU, don't you? I think that's conflating things a little too much here, and gives us way too different of a set up.
That Bella would probably try anything and everything, but she's also reached a point of nihilism where she just doesn't care anymore and might just do it to fuck with these people.
Even if she tells Carlisle, she probably keeps looping, and is well aware of this. Life is misery, pain, and endless.
Kind of misses the spirit of your post (which I assume is to get Paranoid Bella out of the miserable hole she's stuck in).
Bella Takes a Leap of Faith
But alright, Carlisle Cullen seems unusually cool and rational as he stitches her up. Maybe it's the pain talking, or Bella's own increasing desperation with her latest brush with morality, but she realizes just as Edward does that this is untenable.
If Bella keeps hanging around these people, as Edward insists she does (Edward having insisted on this goddamn birthday party at his house), then she will die sooner or later. Either Edward or his family will eat her.
This cannot go on and, as of that moment, Bella doesn't know that Edward is going to attempt to leave her within a few days.
This is the first time she's alone with Carlisle, the head of the coven, and probably the only time she ever will be. This is the only chance she'll ever have to ask for help from someone who can actually do something about it.
Bella interrupts Carlisle's "Edward's just weirdly religious" explanation and tells him that Edward's a lunatic. She needs help.
Carlisle has a, "Wait, what?" moment. He knew she was jumpy, very nervous, but she'd seemed very happy with Edward. Also, from his perspective, Edward is a very noble spirit if very young. Edward went on the human diet and came back, presumably understanding the inherent worth of human life. Edward voted not to murder Bella after the truck.
Yes things have been... weird, and Carlisle was concerned, still is about some parts, but it seemed to be going so well.
It's not.
He sits there in numb horror as Bella tells him all about the times Edward snuck through her window (greasing it to make it silent), to stare at her while she sleeps, the time he threatened to kill himself upon her inevitable death, how he has admitted to following her everywhere and spying on her through the thoughts of those around her, and all about that time he contemplated the murder of his entire Biology class to eat Bella: his personal brand of heroin.
Carlisle's listening to someone talk about a completely different person.
But Bella's insistent, Edward Cullen is Ted Bundy in the making, and Bella now has no other recourse but to turn to Carlisle. HELP. ME.
Well, they don't have much time left.
Edward will be back any moment and Carlisle... there must be some misunderstanding, right? Except, with some of these details, there's no misunderstanding this. If Edward actually said and did all of this: then this is horrible.
Regardless, it's very clear that Bella wants nothing to do with the Cullens and especially with Edward. That makes things very clear: Carlisle has to talk to Edward on Bella's behalf and get him to back the fuck off.
Though Carlisle does warn Bella that, as she knows the secret, she and the coven are technically breaking the law. If she's found out, Bella will either be murdered or turned. It's not necessarily likely anyone will find out but... It's not exactly a great position for the coven to be in, or Bella for that matter.
This is news to Bella.
Bella says she'll think about this vampire business (she's not thrilled) and really doesn't want to join the Cullens, and Carlisle will talk to Edward.
The talk doesn't go well.
Edward denies, denies, denies, and... admits some of it might be true were you to look at it from a the naive angle of a pure young woman who knows nothing of the world. Edward wasn't sneaking into Bella's room to rape/eat her, no, he was protecting her! From spiders! And that time he forced her to ride home with him, he was afraid she wouldn't be able to drive after fainting! And that time he almost murdered all of Biology... That was out of context, Carlisle.
Carlisle grows increasingly horrified as Edward's every answer confirms that he is, in fact, horrifying. This is someone who cares nothing about human life, not truly, and is a predator.
Carlisle immediately tells Edward it's over. Consider this a restraining order from Bella, he is never to speak to her, never to be near her, never to see her ever again.
Edward implodes.
Carlisle now hates him, this is terrible, Bella his true love doesn't love him at all and poisoned Carlisle against him, and she's ruined everything!
Spiraling further into madness, as one does, Edward concludes that Bella was a vile villainess: that this was her plan the entire time. She faked her love for him, faked being this utterly wonderful and perfect being, so that she could destroy his family as well as Edward himself? Why? Because she's the type who wants to see the world burn.
Edward's love turns to utter hatred, he's back in Biology again where this little girl dares to disrupt his life, only it's 1000 times worse. Bella Swan is the greatest evil that has ever walked this Earth.
And now he's a man with nothing to lose.
Carlisle's love for him? Already gone. Carlisle's faith in Edward's humanity? Gone. Why should Edward hold back anymore? Why shouldn't he have what he wants?
Within a few days, by the time Edward was originally going to leave, he sneaks into Bella's house and murders her in her bedroom. He then likely desecrates her corpse so she's unrecognizable, to make her as ugly in death as she should have been in life.
Edward then flees, leaving the coven for good, and returns to his diet of people. Not murderers and rapists anymore though, that pretense is done, because he's fully embraced being a monster.
I imagine out of pettiness he kills women who look like Bella.
Conclusion
Congratulations, anon, you have lost the Twilight Yandere Simulator.
#twilight#twilight meta#twilight headcanon#twilight renaissance#bella swan#paranoid bella#carlisle cullen#edward cullen#anti edward cullen#edward/bella#meta#headcanon#opinion
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As It Was (Wanda Maximoff/ Reader)
Hello, everyone!
Summary: Everything has fallen apart in Westview, will Wanda be able to piece it back together? Will you be there to help her through it? With some surprise guests.
Song used: "As It Was" by Hozier (2019)
The anxiety in Wanda’s chest grew as she watched the twins struggle under Agatha’s magical hold. Despite the anxiety and fear clawing at her chest, Wanda kept her expression calm. She refused to let the twins think they were in danger and she'd be damned if she let Agatha see her fear.
“My powers work out here, or did you forget?” Wanda sneered.
Agatha smiled menacingly. “No, dear. I’m counting it.” The twins quickly attempted to escape only to be pulled back and thrown to the floor by their necks under Agatha's hold.
Wanda’s eyes widened in horror as she immediately sent a blast of energy at Agatha’s chest. The force of the blow sent the witch flying back and away from the twins. “Go home!” She shouted to the two as the red energy flared around her hands.
Billy and Charlie rushed over to their mother's side.
“We’re staying!” Charlie insisted.
Billy nodded in agreement. “Mom we can help!”
Before Wanda could utter a word, Agatha rose from where she had been thrown. A smirk growing on the other woman’s face. “Yeah, Wanda. Let the kiddos help.”
“Now!” Wanda shouted, leaving no room for argument. Charlie wearily took Billy by the arm and flew away, both of the twin's eyes wide with worry. Wanda’s shoulder dropped slightly in relief knowing that at the very least the twins would be safe.
As Agatha approached, Wanda sent another blast of energy at her. She was stopped in her tracks when Agatha seemingly absorbed the energy. Her blood ran cold at the sight as her nerves grew.
The unease she felt fill her bones caused an unexpected spike of nervous energy to burst from the tips of her fingers and run a gap into the sky above her and into the far distance. After realizing what she had done, Wanda took a calming breath and the gap was repaired immediately.
“I take power from the undeserving. It’s kind of my thing.” Agatha explained mockingly when she saw Wanda scramble. “And you are the definition of undeserving.”
The red energy faded fully into Agatha’s hands and Wanda felt weakness appear in her own hand. She watched in horror as the color was drained. Almost as if the hand itself was dying out. Before she could fully process it, she felt a force push her chest and heave her down the street. Her body skidded to a stop, but the energy continued to linger around her.
“Look, Wanda, sweetheart. You have no idea what you’re doing. Clearly.” Agatha taunted as she moved closer. “So, why don’t you just surrender your magic to someone who actually deserves it. Like me. And I’ll let you keep this sick little fantasy all to yourself… What do you say?”
Wanda rose to her feet, her jaw clenched as the red wisps danced angrily around her fingers. With a small waggle of her fingers, a car was summoned and thrown into Agatha.
Breathing heavily, Wanda made her way over to the car to inspect only to find Agatha missing from the scene. The weary feeling in her chest grew.
Until she looked into the reflection in the cracked glass of the window to see you approaching from the distance. The fist that was clenched around her heart loosened at the sight. “Y/n.” She breathed out as she made her way over to you. “I was so worried about you.”
Silence was all she received as you continued to stare blankly back at her. Wanda fidgeted nervously. “You're upset. I-… I will tell you everything, I promise. But first, I love you, Y/n.” Wanda whispered, tears shining brightly in her eyes.
Your hand rose slowly to caress her cheek. “Wanda.” Her eyes fluttered shut as she easily leaned into the touch, her own hand rising to rest over yours. Desperate to disappear into the comfort you represented.
Wanda felt your fingers flex slightly on her cheek before the energy from your hand threw her into the street. You slowly walked over to her and her eyes widened in fear when she saw empty eyes staring back at her.
Something was obviously very, very wrong.
“Y/n. Y/n, it’s me.” Her words were shaky as you hovered over her. This couldn’t be happening. She couldn’t lose you. If she lost you, you there would be no point in fighting.
Amelia suddenly appeared at your side, a smirk on her face. “And I thought you were powerful.” She turned away from Wanda. “Y/n. Finish her off. I don’t think she’ll fight back.”
“What did you do to her?” Wanda demanded as she attempted to stand. Amelia nudged you and you waved your hand, the earth moving to manipulate itself around Wanda’s legs, effectively pining her down.
Amelia tutted. “I’m just helping her back on the right track, Wanda. With me she’d be so powerful. We would be unstoppable.”
Wanda’s eyes never strayed from you, nervously observing the way you stood without emotion. A stark contrast to the woman who had always been so expressive. “You mean with you she’d be a puppet.” She gritted out through clenched teeth.
Ellie laughed. “Oh, please. You mean like she isn’t already one now? Like you didn’t make her your perfect little house wife? She shouldn’t even be anything other than a shell if it weren’t for your manipulation.”
“That’s not true.”
As Ellie opened her mouth to respond, a voice suddenly appeared in the distance. “Y/N! WANDA!” Wanda turned her head, surprised to see Steve and Natasha running over.
Ellie groaned in annoyance. “Y/n, deal with them. I’ll deal with her.” Wordlessly you walked off, your hands rising at your sides as pieces of the street began floating in the air before you flicked your wrist and threw the objects at the two running Avengers.
Wanda closed her eyes and allowed the energy to destroy the strong earth that was wrapped around her as she leaped to her feet to chase after you.
“Leaving so soon, Little Red?” Agatha called out as she reappeared. Wanda stopped in her tracks and turned to see Agatha smirking back at her. “Everything is going according to plan.”
Wanda nervously watched Steve and Natasha get closer to you out of the corner of her eye. “What plan?” She demanded.
“That’s nothing you need to worry your pretty little head about. I think Amelia here will take care of you.” The woman replied cryptically. In the blink of an eye Agatha disappeared into a purple haze once more.
“I think you should be more worried about the fact that I’m taking your wife.” Amelia taunted before her fist connected to Wanda’s jaw, sending her sprawling out on the lawn.
The pain in her jaw went unnoticed. Wanda’s eyes began to glow angrily as she got to her feet at the mention of you. “You won’t touch her.”
“I think it’s a little too late for that.” Amelia winked suggestively, and Wanda’s hands clenched at the implication.
If looks could kill, Amelia would be six feet under. “Tell me what you did to her.”
Amelia didn’t even flinch. “You see, working with a powerful witch and a vengeful director of S.W.O.R.D has its perks. Agatha gave me a little magic to distract Y/n while I used some new technology to make her ours.”
“Why are you doing this?”
There was a tense moment of silence. “Because you don’t deserve her. If it weren’t for you she would still be with me.”
Wanda shook her head. “We weren’t even together when she left you.”
“She left me because she could only love you.” Amelia’s eyes flashed with anger. “Now that I have her under my control all I have to do is get rid of you and we can finally be together like we always should have. Hayward will take care of the rest.”
The red wisps floating around Wanda’s hands sparked. “She will never love you. Whether she’s with me or not. And I will not let you hurt her or control her.”
Amelia began running at Wanda but before she could get close Wanda flicked her hand and Amelia rose in the air, flailing about angrily as she became encased in the red energy. “It’s too late, Wanda! You can’t stop us.”
Wanda’s eyes flashed. “Nothing you say will ever stop me from protecting her. And I’ll start with you.” Her hand flicked to the side slightly and Amelia went into the house down the street. Wanda flicked her wrist again and the house glowed brightly before returning to its original color. “Let’s see what damage you can do when you’re locked in this house.”
Down the street Steve and Natasha were avoiding the various objects you were firing at them. “What the hell is going on?” Natasha shouted as she narrowly avoided being hit by a piece of concrete.
“I have no idea.” Steve called back as he ducked under a lamp post that was thrown directly at him. “There’s something wrong here. Where’s Wanda?”
As Natasha was distracted by looking for the red-headed witch she was hit with a piece of concrete. A groan fell from her lips as she rolled away. Steve took the opportunity of distraction to close the distance between you both. “Y/n! Enough!” He shouted.
A chill ran down his spine when he met your blank stare. “No.” You replied simply before sweeping his legs out from under him. He quickly sprung to his feet when he felt the earth quickly begin to crawl up his body. Steve was familiar with this fighting tactic of yours.
Your hands clenched slightly in anger as he avoided your trap and you began swinging your fists at him calculatingly, just like he spent years teaching you. All Steve could do was avoid every hit you directed at him. He wouldn’t fight you. He couldn’t.
All he could see when he looked at you was the scared girl he found in the ruble all those years ago. The girl he swore to protect until his dying breath. He couldn’t hurt you even if he wanted to.
As you caught one of his legs in the earth, Steve shut his eyes to prepare for what was to come. Except nothing happened. His eyes opened again to see you on the floor with Natasha standing over you with her stun gun. “What did you do?” He asked worriedly as he scrambled over to you.
“It’s not her Steve. I had to.” Natasha said cautiously. “She’ll wake up in a few minutes.”
“Y/n!” They heard from down the street as Wanda used her powers to propel herself forward, immediately falling to her knees at your side. “Is she okay?”
Natasha nodded solemnly. “She’s fine. I just stunned her. What the hell is going on, Wanda?”
“I-I don’t know entirely. I didn’t mean to-… I just-…” Wanda’s breath became ragged as her hand instinctively found yours, the comfort of the warmth against her skin easing her mind. “I just wanted to protect her. I didn’t want to hurt anyone.”
Steve placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “We know, Wanda. We’re on your side. I should have told you that the last time I saw you... There’s something you should know though.”
Wanda tensed slightly. “What is it?”
Everyone watched with bated breath as you stirred slightly but didn’t wake up. “It’s about Hayward. He’s gone rogue.”
“You mean you’re not here because of Hayward?” Wanda questioned in surprise, her grip against your hand tightening slightly.
“We’re here to stop Hayward from using Y/n as a weapon. He messed with her mind when she was in S.W.O.R.D. He’s the reason she wasn’t going to wake up.” Natasha explained.
The information made an anger Wanda had never felt flare within herself. She quickly controlled it though. She knew it wasn’t the time. “He won’t touch her. Ever again.” She gritted out.
Steve’s jaw set. “I agree.”
“That’s something we can all agree with.” Natasha added.
“I thought you were here to fight me.” Wanda admitted, her head falling slightly.
Both Steve and Natasha exchanged looks. It was clear how much pain Wanda was in. Pain that they didn’t even realize. “Of course not, Wanda. We’re a family. We are going to fight with you. With Y/nn.” Natasha said softly.
Tears began glistening in Wanda’s eyes. “You’ll help me protect her then?”
“Of course. I made her a promise. I made you a promise.” Steve replied without hesitation, squeezing Wanda’s shoulder lightly.
Natasha placed her own hand on Wanda’s other shoulder. “We’ve been outside the law before. For Y/n, I’d gladly do it a hundred times more.” Wanda gave a watery smile. “What do you need from us?”
A heavy sigh heaved from her lips as her eyes fell on you. “I don’t know. Everything is falling apart.”
“Wanda.” Steve said suddenly. She looked up at him cautiously, the worry shining brightly in her eyes. “This is your home?”
For a moment she hesitated. “It was supposed to be. Before Y/n-… Before she-”
“Stop.” Steve interrupted, his eyes flashing with determination. “This is the home you built with Y/n. Who you love. So, I ask again, this is your home... Right?”
Wanda nodded, the determination contagious. “This is my home.” She repeated.
Steve smiled slightly. “Then protect it. Nat and I will get Y/n back. You take care of the rest.”
The relief Wanda felt at the words was the final push she needed. She worriedly took another glance at you. “I will. Keep her safe.”
Steve nodded. “That’s a promise. Now go.” Wanda placed a gentle kiss to your forehead before she propelled herself forward in search of the other witch who was an ever-present danger to the town and her own happiness.
Not a moment after Wanda had left, you spring to your feet. Steve tried not to be proud of how you automatically fell into a defensive stance.
Natasha slightly nudged Steve out of his thoughts. “Look at her neck.”
Almost immediately his eyes fell to the small, almost undetectable piece of metal flashing under the light of the sun. “That son of a bitch.” Steve muttered under his breath.
“Language.” Natasha quickly chided on reflex.
Steve pressed his lips in a line. “Really? Now?”
You tilted your head slightly as you watched them speak, seemingly debating the need to attack or not. Natasha fell into her own defensive stance. “Sorry, force of habit.” She smirked. “New plan?”
“You distract, I’ll pin her, and you get whatever the hell they put on her off.” Steve explained.
Natasha nodded. “Sounds simple enough. Let’s see if she learned any new tricks.” Before Steve could say anything else, she sprinted over to you, catching you off guard and sweeping your legs out from under you. A small huff fell from your lips as you looked up at her in disbelief. “Who do you think taught you that move, kid?” Natasha teased lightly.
You leapt to your feet, your hands clenched angrily as you kicked Natasha in the side. She groaned at the impact.
The satisfied smirk that appeared on your face nearly caused Steve to forget the mission. You were typically calm in fights, but you never got satisfaction from causing others pain. The sight of it made his blood boil. To see the aftermath of what Hayward wanted to make you.
“Steve-… a little… help.” Natasha grunted breathlessly as she strained to keep up with you.
Springing into action, Steve took advantage of your focus on Natasha to grab you from behind pinning your arms to your sides. He winced slightly as he felt the earth crawl up his legs under your manipulation. “Natasha, get it now!”
“This isn’t going to feel good.” Natasha muttered before forming her hand into a fist and punching the side of your neck. The sound of the metal that had attached itself to you falling to the floor was deafening.
Steve winced at the sound of the force of her hit, but you stopped struggling in his arms when the object was gone. “What-Where’s Wanda?” You shouted beginning to struggle in Steve’s arms again. He just tightened his hold.
“Y/n! Y/n stop!” He roared, and you froze.
“STOP!” The shout reverberated through the training room. “That is enough!”
You grimaced as you looked around at the destroyed room. “I-… I’m sorry. I just started thinking of everything and then… And then this happened.”
Your eyes fell to the floor and you could feel a comforting arm wrap around you. “Hey, I'm sorry for yelling... It’s okay. Just how about next time you talk to me instead of destroying the training room?” You nodded, leaning into the man’s side. “I’m here for you, Y/n. Always.”
Tears burned your eyes as you allowed yourself to accept the comforting presence. “Thank you, Steve. For everything.”
You stopped thrashing in Steve’s arms. “Steve?” You whispered. “Steve, I’m sorry.”
Natasha eyes softened slightly. “I think you can let her go now.”
A moment later the arms around you loosened as you looked between the two people in front of you. There were several questions racing through your mind, but only one mattered to you. “Where’s Wanda?”
“She went to go deal with the witch.” Steve explained, and your eyes widened.
Your breathing became heavy. “I have to go help her. Will you two be-”
Natasha quickly interrupted you. “We’ll be okay. Go protect your girl.”
You looked over at Steve who gave you an affirming nod. “We’ll catch up.”
With their assurance you quickly took to the air in search of the woman you loved.
After a few minutes of flying over Westview, a beam of red energy shot into the sky, splitting open the invisible walls that surrounded the town. That could only mean one thing. Wanda.
As you began flying closer, you felt gaps make their presence known in your mind as familiar pain began coursing through your veins.
The sudden appearance of the pain made your vision go spotty as you crash landed in the town square a few feet away from Wanda. Her eyes found you immediately as the red energy continued to burst from her chest.
“N-no.” Wanda stuttered out brokenly as she watched you weakly crawl towards her, your eyes threatening to shut.
“Wanda.” You mumbled out through pained gasps as your vision became even more precarious.
As Wanda was watching you Billy and Charlie crash landed by your side, pieces of them chipping away into the red energy. “Billy! Charlie!” You desperately shouted, feebly crawling over to the twins.
“Momma! Help, Mom!” The twins cried out.
Tears rushed down Wanda’s cheeks as she watched her world slip away before her very eyes. “Now do you see, Wanda? You tied the ones you love most to this twisted reality and now one can’t exist without the other.” Agatha called out, a dark edge to her words. The twins continued to cry out as you strained to get to them. “Save Westview or save your family.”
As the pain was intensifying in your veins you heard a pained scream burst past Wanda’s lips. Your heart broke at the despairing sound.
As quickly as it came, the pain disappeared from your veins as you jumped up and rushed over to Wanda who was crumpled on the floor. You gently helped her up and immediately took her into your arms, pressing your lips into the side of her head as the twins rushed over.
“Mom! Are you okay?” Billy asked anxiously.
The four of you stood in a large embrace for a second before you saw a burst of purple light fly directly towards you all. “No!” Wanda cried as she jumped in front of you and the twins, a forcefield forming around her.
You gathered the twins in your arms as you braced for impact only to open your eyes again to see Wanda straining against a force you didn’t understand.
The life seemingly draining from her hands.
You heart thudded against your chest as you worriedly watched her. “Wanda. Are you okay?”
The twin’s eyes were wide with fear as Wanda nodded faintly. Agatha interrupting before she could properly answer. “How sweet. Good thing my reinforcements have arrived.”
The sound of tires screeching pulled into the town hall just as Amelia flew in. The four of you took matching defensive stances. “Billy, Charlie, your mother and I never prepared you for this but-”
“But you were born for it.” Wanda finished your thought. You both shared a brief smile.
The moment ended when Amelia lunged at Wanda. Before she could touch her, you flew at the other woman, tackling her into the building down the street. You rolled out of the crash landing and raised your fists. “Why are you doing this?” You shouted as you both stared at one another.
“Because you belong to me! It was supposed to be us and then she ruined it!”
You shook your head. “Amelia, this isn’t you. We were friends.”
“We were never friends.” She countered coldly.
You cautiously took a step forward, dropping your arms. “We were. I’ve seen it in my mind. Even after we dated.” There was no response in her eyes which made a thought form in your mind. “We were friends.” You repeated.
Her lips pursed. “No. We weren’t.” Her hand fiddled with a thin scrap of leather that hung around her neck. The action caught your attention and further confirmed your suspicions.
“Amelia. You used to trust me. You can still trust me now.” You said cautiously, your hands raised in the air slightly.
Her eyes narrowed. “There’s only one way you can gain my trust again.”
“And what’s that?”
She smirked. “Leave Wanda.”
“Okay.” You replied.
Amelia faltered slightly at your words, obviously expecting more resistance. “What?”
“Okay. I’ll leave her.” You offered your hand. “Let’s go tell her.”
The skepticism never faded from her expression, but she slowly approached you and took your hand. You tugged her closer so that you were face-to-face.
Before she could react, you quickly ripped the necklace off her neck. “Amelia?” You asked wearily when you noticed her expression shift.
“Y/n?” She mumbled. You nodded in relief. “What happened? Did I-… I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Her watering eyes made you feel for the other woman. She wasn’t in control. “It’s okay. It wasn’t you.”
“Agatha. She took me when I was vulnerable. It’s like I was here, but I wasn’t me.” She mumbled brokenly and rubbed the place on her neck where the necklace used lay. “I would never try to come between you and Wanda. I know how much you loved her.”
You nodded slightly. “I know. It’s okay, Amelia.”
She shook her head, the conflict clear in her eyes. “I should go. I’m sorry.” Before you could react, she ran out of the room. You frowned slightly, wishing there was a way you could have helped her more. There was no time to allow yourself to dwell though because your family needed you.
Without hesitation you flew back to the center of the town square, noticing Billy and Charlie now with Monica and Natasha.
You landed by their side and Billy and Charlie rushed into your arms. You soothingly stroked their hair. “Are you two okay?” You felt them nod into your side. “Where’s Steve?”
Natasha tilted her head slightly. “Making sure Hayward doesn’t go anywhere.”
You followed her eyes to see Steve standing menacingly over Hayward, his fists clenched angrily. Almost as if he was daring him to make one wrong move. To give him a reason.
Just as you were about to ask about Wanda, bright flashes of red and purple collided in the sky as Wanda continued her fight with Agatha. You rushed to fly up to help Wanda in whatever way you could. You couldn’t let her fight alone.
When you got closer one of Wanda’s hands shifted as she created a barrier of red energy. The strength of it forcing you back down to the ground rapidly. “Wanda! Wanda, what are you doing?” You called, meeting her eyes briefly before she turned her attention back to Agatha.
Back on the ground you rushed back over to the twins again, wrapping a protective arm around each of them as you all worriedly watched bursts of red energy hit the no longer invisible walls that surrounded Westview. The clouds that hung over the city made the situation feel even more grim.
The worry expanding in your chest the longer Wanda continued fighting alone.
Suddenly, the flashes stopped and all you saw was Wanda limply floating in the sky, the fight seemingly gone from her system. Your stomach dropped as the twins cried out for her. You quickly tucked their heads into your side to shield them from the terrifying sight. It took every ounce of strength in your being to force back the onslaught of tears that filled your eyes. You had to be strong. For the twins. For Wanda.
Your heart leapt into your throat when a bright burst of red energy suddenly appeared from your wife. Almost as soon as the energy appeared, the storms clouds disappeared and were replaced by a beautiful day in Westview. You smiled at the sight of your wife slowly floating back down to earth. Back to you.
When your gaze finally fell on Wanda up close, your mouth ran dry. She was glowing. The sight of her alone was enough to take your breath away daily, but seeing her now… You were certain you’d never remember how to breath properly again. Your brain had short-circuited and the only cognitive thoughts that remained were of how unbelievably beautiful Wanda was.
You were vaguely aware of her having a conversation with Agatha, but you couldn’t process anything that was said. It was like the world around Wanda faded. Like you were seeing her again for the first time. Before you knew it, she was walking back over to you, her every move appearing in slow motion in your mind. You couldn’t tear your eyes away from her if you wanted to. And you certainly didn’t want to.
The twins rushed out of your arms and into her waiting ones.
“Are you okay?” Charlie asked as she looked up at Wanda anxiously. You slowly made your way over as well.
“I’m okay.” Wanda assured them, pressing a kiss to each of their heads.
Her eyes met yours and you were sure your heart could burst out of your chest at any moment. Everything was so clear now. Wanda was so clear now. As she always should have been. “It looks like the city might need a few renovations.” You said cheekily, your smile faltering when you met Wanda’s sad stare. “I know you’ll make everything right though... Just not for us.” You added quietly as to not worry the twins.
Wanda smiled sadly back at you and the pain in her eyes made your heart lurch into your throat. “No, not for us.”
You nodded solemnly, quirking your lips up slightly so that the twins wouldn’t see your pain. So that Wanda wouldn’t see your pain. “Then it’s time. Let’s go home.” You looked over Wanda’s shoulder to meet Steve’s eyes, his expression fell when he met your stare. A silent look of understanding past between you as he nodded.
He mouthed what looked like “I’m proud of you.” and you could have sworn you saw tears in his eyes before you looked away to prevent the tears from building up in your own.
You wrapped your arm lovingly around Wanda’s shoulder as you began the trek back to the house with your family. Both you and Wanda nodded at Monica and Natasha before you continued onward. There were no words spoken on the way back, it wasn't a time for words. You couldn’t tear your eyes away from her though.
Memorizing every freckle, every shade of green in her eyes. Staring at her as if it would be the last time you ever saw her. Because it just might have been.
The smile that formed on her face each time she caught you made it all more than worth it. When you walked through the doors of the home you felt the comforting energy wash over you once more.
You settled on Charlie’s bed, tucking the blanket around her as Wanda did the same for Billy. “Today was certainly a big day and your mother and I…” You trailed off as you looked over at Wanda who was watching you with a small smile. “We are proud of you both.”
Her smile grew as she nodded in agreement. “Very proud.” You melted at the sight. “You know, a family is forever. We could never truly leave each other, even if we tried. You know, that right?” Both Billy and Charlie nodded with small smiles.
You lightly brushed Charlie’s hair back and pressed a loving kiss to her forehead as Wanda did the same for Billy before you both switched. “Goodnight, my loves.” You said quietly as you walked to the door of the room.
“Goodnight, Momma.” They said in unison. “Goodnight, Mom.”
Wanda stopped by your side at the doorway and you could see the pain in her eyes as she turned to take one last look at the twins. You wished that you could take the pain and bear the burden for her, but you couldn’t. You were in the same pain as you watched your children for a final time. The red energy closing in on the home faster than you could have anticipated. Closing in on the world the love of your life had created with you.
“Billy, Charlie…” Wanda’s voice wavered slightly. You placed a comforting hand on the small of her back and she pushed through. “Thank you for choosing us to be your moms.”
The way that they both smiled back at you and Wanda made your heart break even more as she shut off the light and closed the door behind herself. Wanda walked down the stairs as you were collecting your emotions.
When you finally gathered your emotions and met Wanda downstairs you were confused to find her shutting off all the lights around the house. You turned a lamp back on.
Wanda turned to face you in surprise. “My love, don’t you know it’s bad luck to say goodbye in the dark?” You said in a playful manner, hoping that the words came out lighter than how you actually felt.
For a moment Wanda just stared at you until a small smile overtook her features. It was clear she saw through your attempts. “No, it’s not.”
You smiled slightly as you spun the ring on your finger anxiously. “You're right. It’s not. I just-… I just wanted to be able to see you.”
Her breath hitched slightly. “And?”
Your heart faltered in your chest when she looked at you like that. “And you’ve never looked more beautiful.”
The smile she gave you was small and short lived because the sight of the red energy pressing even closer drew the focus. Wanda took your hand and you hoped she didn’t notice the way it shook.
Unsteadily you turned to face her. “Before I go, I feel I would like to know… Am I still me? What am I now?”
Wanda caressed your cheek and you leaned into her touch. “You, Y/n… are the love of my life. The one person that has kept me above water when I felt like I would drown… Your mind may fragmented and broken and running on pieces of memories that I could never let go. Running on dreams of the future I always envisioned for us... But you're still you.” A tear fell slowly down her cheek and your chest tightened at the sight. “You are my sadness and my hope. But mostly... You are my love.”
Feeling that words would not suffice, you leaned in and connected your lips in loving embrace. Pouring out all the love you had ever felt for the woman before you. Desperately trying to convey the inner workings of your heart. When you pulled away you felt Wanda’s thumb brush lightly over your cheek bone as your tears became impossible to choke down any longer.
“We have found a love when we thought it was all gone from the world. We have found love when we thought we weren’t meant to be. We found love in the future we should have had. Who knows what you’ll find next?” You whispered with a small smile, knowing that even if it wasn’t with you, you wanted Wanda to find love and happiness.
The light from the red energy filled the room and Wanda gently cupped your cheeks as desperation grew in her eyes. The tears now streaming steadily from her eyes. “We’ve said goodbye before, so it only makes sense-” She began.
“That we will say hello again.” You finished the thought quietly as you rested your forehead against hers, bracing yourself for the impact. “Until we meet again, my love.”
As the energy washed over the home, you never let your eyes falter from Wanda’s as the fire-like pain raced into your veins again. You were able to fight it for a moment until the agony forced you to your knees, and your vision became spotty.
“And in a few days, I would be there, love. Ever here that's lived in me is yours just as it was”
You squeezed Wanda’s hand lightly and she hummed so you knew you had her attention. “I like that lyric.”
She shifted her head slightly to look at you, her eyes glimmering curiously. “Why?”
You lifted yourself onto your elbows so you could hover over her, a loving smile on your face. You lightly brushed away a strand of her hair. “Because everything that’s lived in me is yours and that’s as it was. From now until my heart stops beating.”
For a moment she just stared at you, her eyes shining brightly up at you. Your heart soared.
When she yanked you down by the collar to meet her lips, the memory fragmented and suddenly everything was black. All you felt was a searing pain coursing through your veins.
“With this we can keep her vitals low enough to where that freak will think she’s gone. Then we can extract the DNA.” You wanted to scream but no sound came out, the burning just became more intense until-
Your eyes burst open as you struggled to take in small gasps of air. When your breathing evened out, you took in the empty plot of land you were in the middle of. Arms were quickly wrapped around you, pulling you as close as humanly possible and you looked up to meet emerald eyes. “Y/n? Is this really happening right now?”
You nodded slightly. “That pain. That pain that made me black out... It was a memory. It wasn’t because I couldn’t exist outside of your energy. It was the memory of what they did to me and how much it hurt. Your powers are helping me piece everything together in my mind after they scrambled it, Wanda.”
Wanda quickly buried her head into the crook of your neck. “I can’t believe your awake.” She whispered. “Don’t worry. I will make him pay for what he did to you.”
You pressed a kiss to the side of her head. “All that matters is that we’re together. He’s not worth it.”
“Do you-… Can you remember everything?” Her words were hesitant, almost as if she was scared to know the answer.
You tilted your head slightly. “I don’t know. Ask me something.”
“What happened when you tried to cook at the compound?”
You shut your eyes for a moment before you recalled the memory. “I almost burned it down. You admitted that you wanted to live with me that day.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Yes. When did we first admit we love each other?”
Again, you closed your eyes as you attempted to recall the memory only to come up blank. “I don’t… I don’t remember.” You admitted dejectedly.
Wanda’s gently tilted your head up. “It’s okay. All that matters is you’re here. And in my arms.” She smiled as tears fell down her cheeks. “We can always work on getting back the rest of your memories.”
“And we can finally have that happy ending I promised you... I told you we were a happy ending.”
A watery laugh fell from her lips as she nodded and pressed her lips to yours once again. “I missed you so much.” She mumbled against your mouth, the smiles on both of your faces making it almost impossible to continue but you didn’t let it stop you.
With the help of Natasha and Steve, (who cried tears of happiness when he saw you alive and well), both you and Wanda were able to escape the prying eyes of the public. The seclusion working to strengthen your bond, work on your memory, and help Wanda understand her new power. Each day showed process and neither of you could have been happier.
There was a lot to work on, but as far as you were concerned, everything was perfect. As it was.
And there we have it folks! The conclusion of "As It Was" the spin off of my baby "Love Goes". For some reason, it took me so long to be able to write this conclusion even though I knew everything I wanted to happen. And you will all be pleased to know I had always intended a (Semi) happy ending for Wanda here!
It was been a journey and I truly thank you all for sticking around. I sincerely hope you all enjoyed. As always thoughts and comments are always welcome. :)
Tag list:
@theofficialzivadavid // @tquick99 // @marrymemcgrath // @afuckingshituniverse // @pxterstrk // @aimezvousbrahms // @ensorcellme // @sapphicshots // @daisybri7
#wanda#wanda maximoff#wanda maximoff x reader#wanda marvel#wanda maximov#wanda maximoff fic#wanda maximoff imagine#wanda x reader#wanda maximoff x you#wanda x y/n#wandavision
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carlesme+16?
Send me a prompt!
16: things you said with no space between us
Esme and Carlisle stood at the front door as the newly-weds made their way through the crowd that had parted for them. Bella's brown eyes were wet from her goodbye with Charlie, although she still managed to look giddy with joy. Edward kissed his parents' cheeks as he passed them. The couple went down to the car in a shower of rice and flower petals that the crowd threw into the air.
Carlisle stood on the step below Esme and she wrapped her arms around him from behind. He leaned back against her. "Can you believe it?" he laughed.
"Yes, I can" she answered gleefully, and she called out wishes of a good journey when Bella stuck her head out of the car window to shout her I love you!s. Then, she rested her chin on Carlisle's head and gave him a squeeze. "There was no other way that it would end."
He laughed again, and reached a hand over his head to touch her hair. "You always said it would work out! How could I have doubted you?"
Tilting her head, she pressed her lips against his ear and whispered. "You should know better than that by now, Carlisle."
He turned and grasped her around the wait to pull her down onto the same step as him. The crowd around them was dispersing and no one paid them any attention. He held her so close that there was no space between them. "I'll never make that mistake again, Esme." He said her name pointedly, as if he were making a claim over it. Let him. It was his. She was his. "I never doubted you, only what was presented as an impossible situation. But you had faith when mine failed, and you shared it with me. Despite everything that happened, you never lost faith. How?"
Esme reached up and loosened his tie and opened his top button. She bit her lip as she touched the skin of his throat lightly. "I had faith in our son, and his immeasurable ability to love . He gets it from his father."
Carlisle squeezed her closer and pressed against the small of her back. She had to tilt her chin up to look at him. "I don't think it was from me."
Throwing her head back, Esme laughed with mirth. "Already you've broken your promise! You doubt me again!"
Carlisle squeezed her sides and kissed her exposed throat.
"Stop!" she laughed, but she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. "I'm so happy," she breathed.
"So am I," he replied. He closed his eyes and pressed his nose into her hair. Then, strong arms locked around her back and he lifted her, still pressed against him from head to toe, into the house. It was quiet, as most guests were making their way off the property, and he took her as far as the stairs. There, he lay his wife down and kissed her deeply.
Esme broke it after a moment. Smiling, she looked into Carlisle's eyes. They were gold. He was not thirsty, not angry, not worried or anxious. He was truly happy. "We did well, you and I. I'm very proud of us."
"With the wedding?"
"With everything." She cupped his cheeks and pressed their foreheads together. He came to kneel on the steps below her and kept as close to her as he could. "We fought with everything that we had to ensure Bella was protected and happy, and that Edward could allow himself to love her as he does. And we're all safe, and we're all loved, and there is nothing left to fear. We did it, darling. Edward's found his peace."
They were both smiling so widely that when they kissed, it dissolved into laughter of pure joy.
From behind them, someone cleared their throat. Carlisle turned to look, and Charlie stood awkwardly and doing his best not to look at the intimate moment. "I just wanted to say thank you. For everything. Bella is, uh, lucky to have you."
Carlisle and Esme stood, and Esme reached out a hand to him. "Thank you for saying that, it means a lot to us. Would you join us for a drink? We could do with some time to unwind."
"Oh, I would but, uh-" he glanced back out the front door and looked back nervously, "I promised Billy and Sue a beer at mine."
"Another time, then," Carlisle replied kindly.
Charlie smiled awkwardly. There was champagne on his breathe. "Sure. Thanks. Well, alright then."
He lumbered out of the front door and closed it behind him. The rest of the family would be looking for Carlisle and Esme soon and the clear up would begin, and then there would be the debrief - although it would be closer to a group gossip than anything - with the family and Denali cousins, and plans for the future. It would be a few days of activities and talks without respite. So for the few stolen moments they had left, Carlisle and Esme wrapped each other in their arms and kissed one another. When there was no space between them, time, at last, stood still.
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