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emeritusemeritus · 3 months

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No Good Deeds [George Weasley x Reader]

Part 6

Part 1 2 3 4 5 6

Pairing: {George Weasley x Reader} mentions of previous Fred Weasley x Reader.

Timeline: Set a few years after DH, loosely following Canon.

Summary: A few years after Fred’s death, the investors of Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes demand changes to the name. All it would take is two years of a fake marriage to fix the issues, but no good deed goes unpunished.

Warnings: Fake marriage trope because we love the cliché. Mentions of death (Fred). Friends to lovers. Slow burn but mentions of kissing and eventual smut. Swearing. George calls us Angel. Drinking. SMUT. The smut has arrived! P in V, oral (both). Angst, sadness, grief. Tags will be updated with each chapter. Not Beta-read or spell checked.

Waking up beside George Weasley was an absolute dream come true, far beyond your wildest imaginations. Light was creeping in through the thin voile curtains of the bedroom, casting everything in the room with an ethereal glow that only added to the sense of fantasy you had since waking. You were still naked but covered by the duvet that you'd shared with George, though admittedly there was more pulled over on your side than his. His arms were tangled around you, keeping you close to him in his sleep, his left hand placed over your belly as he half spooned you. The light glinted off the wedding ring on his finger; a sight that had you smiling into the open room, wanting so much to do a little happy jig at the very thought. You wanted to stay frozen in this moment forever, feeling exactly as you did and remembering all of it with such acute precision that you hoped never faded. Your bladder unfortunately had other plans and so you found yourself carefully but quickly trying to untangle yourself from George's arms, peeling yourself delicately away until you could creep into the bathroom.

Last night had been a rush of sex and sleep, without any thought to unpacking or preparing yourselves for the morning and so as you all but ran to the bathroom, you considered your options. The only clothes you had on hand were your wedding dress and that was an unquestionable no, there were towels you could wrap around you, wander aimlessly completely in the nude as you sought out your bags or steal George's shirt from the floor. The latter was the most reasonable and once you'd relieved yourself and washed your hands, you crept out to check that George was still asleep before ducking out of the room in search of coffee, slipping George's shirt around you as you walked through the rather chilly hallway.

Luckily, the owners of the cabin had left some basic amenities for you, including some fancy sachets of coffee that would require almost no work and so you quickly boiled the kettle and made yourself a coffee, setting a second mug aside for George whenever he would rouse.

George had brought in all the luggage last night and had placed it all by the couches and so you busied yourself with unpacking your toiletry bag and other items whilst you waited for George. You couldn't unpack your clothes yet, not wanting to wake him up and so you stayed in his shirt, feeling comforted by the smell and the soft material. It absolutely drowned you, the sheer size of it almost laughable compared to your smaller frame but it felt wonderful against your bare skin.

After tidying up, you walked over to the kitchen to make another drink, flicking the kettle on ready when the light from the window caught your rings and made them sparkle, catching your eye.

"I'm dreaming aren't I," you hear from behind you and you can't help but jump, even though you knew it would be George. You spin around to see him stood in only his suit trousers, clearly having the same issue you had. He looks so absurdly handsome in the morning sun, hair still messy from sleep and naked from the waist up. "There is absolutely no way people will believe that you married me, look at you."

He walks over to you as you shyly smile at his words, smirking down at you before he leans down and presses a kiss to your lips that takes your breath away, the passion of it coming from almost nowhere.

"Stealing my shirts already Mrs Weasley?" He teases with a smile against your lips, "Godric it looks good on you."

You can't reply, his words ringing in your mind as you feel from the sexiness of the rasp in his morning voice, the sight and sound of him too much for your brain to handle.

You kiss him back with a feverish passion, trying to project exactly how he was making you feel, your hands slipping up to his fluffy red hair. He groans into the kiss and moves forward to trap you against the counter, hips locked together as you keep kissing, the evidence of his arousal so plainly pressed against you. You're on fire, your skin burning with the need for real ease again, brain turning to complete mush as the need arises from nowhere.

His hands fight the last remaining button that was keeping the shirt together, the rest of them having being flung around the room in the skirmish last night. When he manages to pull it open, his hands immediately began pawing at your curves, your naked body exposed to him again as he growls into the kiss. His fingers dance over your skin until his long, skilled fingers slip between your legs.

You moan against his lips as he strokes across your pussy lips, gathering the abundant wetness and teasing your throbbing clit with a feather light touch that drives you mad.

Suddenly, his hands fall away from your pussy as he begins kissing down your neck, over your breasts and across your tummy, sinking downward into his knees. His tongue pokes out and catches your clit with dangerous precision that it makes your knees buckle, though he holds you steady. He reaches out to grab your leg and hooks it over his shoulder, keeping his other hand on your hip so he could hold you steady. Bared before him, he immediately drags his tongue over your puffy lips before sinking deeper until he runs his pointed tongue right from your entrance up to your clit. He circles the aching bud with the tip of his tongue, moaning as he does so, before wrapping his lips around it and gently sucking in little waves that make your head spin. You cry out, unable to hold back as you call out his name, being perfectly worked over by his incredible mouth.

He quickly pulls away but before you can whine in protest, his hands cup your bum and hoist you up onto the counter, legs instinctively parting for him.

He wastes no time, finding that the counter was almost the perfect height for him and licks up and down your pussy, gathering and spreading your wetness leaving no place untouched. You're aching for him, deliciously tormented by his skilful tongue but you need more, need him to fill you.

You reach out for his head, removing your hand from where he'd entwined your fingers on your thighs, pausing him. He looks up with a questioning gaze and you can't help but bite your lip as you look down at him, beckoning him. You pull him in for a blazing kiss as soon as he reaches the right height and your hands immediately set to unbuttoning his trousers, pulling his cock free as they fall to the floor. You pump him in your hand, the delicious weight and girth of him almost making your mouth water as he moans, resting his forehead against yours as he enjoys your work.

"Fuck me Georgie, need you, need to feel you stretching me out," you whisper, moaning at the very thought. You scoot forward on the counter so that your bum overhangs, aligning your hips so that you can guide him through your heat, teasing him before you line him up with your waiting hole. He sinks in slowly, allowing you to breathe through the delicious intrusion, feeling your walls flutter to accommodate him. He pulls out slowly before sinking back in with more force, feeling no resistance from your pussy now. His hands are everywhere, as are yours as he begins thrusting with the most incredible rhythm, hard and fast enough to quench your desire but slow enough on the pull out that you can feel every inch of his perfect cock. He bends down to pull one of your sensitive nipples into his mouth as he fucks you, your bouncing breasts drawing his attention. He licks and sucks over the nipple and you cry out in ecstasy, feeling completely consumed by him again.

Your hands wrap into his hair and around his shoulders, fingers grazing the silver chain around his neck, keeping him close, before you slip down to graze his abdomen, fingering slipping lower to feel where you're connected, feeling your pussy lips stretched out to accommodate him. Your finger slips over your clit and you throw your head back, narrowly avoiding a wooden cupboard, needing just a little more.

George seems to sense this, the angle not being completely perfect and suddenly pulls off your breast before reaching for your thighs. He pulls you away from the counter, keeping your hips aligned and walks you over to the nearest wall, his cock still deep inside you. He holds you tight as he fucks you, the new position making fireworks explode in your mind as he shifts you up and down on his wonderful cock, fucking into you with complete abandon. It's incredible, mind blowing and undoubtedly the best sex you'd ever had. His arms are bulging under your weight and his face is confronted in such pleasure that you can't help but watch him, your own hips bucking harder and faster in an attempt to keep him inside you. Your exposed clit rubs against the little patch of hair above his cock where you're joined and it's sheer ecstasy, every single part of your body at George's mercy.

"Georgie, I'm," you cry out, feeling your orgasm hurtling towards you. He nods, unable to find the words as he fucks harder and harder into you, knowing that his own climax was rapidly approaching. "Cum in me George, baby fuck please cum inside me!"

He roars as he cums, almost on command, dragging you with him so that you climax together, your body contorting and bucking up into his as you cry out. His grip on you is almost painful but it's so erotic, the primal urge so evident as you both ride out your highs together, cock pressed deep inside your clenching walls, chests pressed tightly together and lips searching for each other to whisper sweet nothings and curses.

He rests his head against yours as you both come down, each of you chuckling before he leans down and pressed a much sweeter kiss to your lips before he slowly pulls out and places you down onto the ground, keeping you steady.

"I'm stealing your clothes more often," you joke breathlessly, trying to fight through the somewhat awkwardness that had filled the room after the moment had passed.

"Steal my clothes anytime," he replies, panting himself as he slips his trousers back on, keeping them zipped but unbuttoned. He kisses your head as he walks around you, hand stroking your naked bum cheek as he slips in beside you to boil the kettle, preparing two mugs. You walk over to your suitcase and try to find a fresh pair of clothes and underwear before slipping into the shower.

The shower cleansed not only your body but your soul, washing away the last remnants of your wedding makeup, hairspray and George's cum that had begun to leak out of you and down your leg. You looked at your wedding rings in the shower with a sense of bewilderment, unable to believe that this was actually happening for you.

Until you remembered that it was all fake.

Suddenly you felt sick to your stomach, ashamed and guilty that you'd fallen for your own lie. You'd slept with him, multiple times now and had forgotten the most basic part of the plan, the entire reason for all of these things- it was all fake for the sake of the business. You'd let yourself get drawn in and had been so naive to think that for even a second George would actually want you like this. You were a pity fuck, because he couldn't have anyone else for the next two years, you'd have to do, a temporary agreement, a place warmer.

The high you'd been chasing since yesterday morning had well and truly ran out and crashed down around you, the lightness you'd felt in your chest changing rapidly to a sinking feeling in your gut.

But he'd kissed you. He'd wanted to take your dress off, he'd admitted that, he'd wanted to fuck you. He'd arranged and taken you to this beautiful cabin, called you Mrs Weasley nearly everyone he'd addressed you- that didn't sound like you'd constructed this fantasy entirely in your own head.

Realising that you'd spent way too look brooding in the shower, you rinsed off and turned off the shower, stepping out into a big fluffy towel.

Silently you vowed to yourself that you'd have to talk to him, confront him even on what was happening, as much as you didn't want to. You vowed to yourself that there would be no more intimacy until you knew exact what you were to him.

You dressed quickly and ran the brush through your hair, using your wand to quickly cast a drying spell, a little one off that wouldn't break your agreement to limit magic whilst you were away. When you stepped out, George was reading on the couch in silence, his mug steaming in front of him and the second mug beside his on a matching coaster, waiting for you.

He smiles when you take a seat beside him, finishing up his chapter before he kisses your head, mumbling about taking a shower.

For the rest of the day you fill your time unpacking, reading and then going on a long walk that George had suggested, along one of the many trails through the woodland. If George noticed that you'd been slightly distant, he'd not mentioned anything. Even when you walked ahead or slightly behind, keeping physical distance between you so that he couldn't take your hand, he'd said nothing.

You grabbed lunch at a pub you'd stumbled across on your walk and though you'd conversed as normal, inside you felt that something was missing, feeling wrong all of a sudden, the narrative in your head completely destroying the magic of what had been.

When you returned to the cabin in the early evening, the sun was just setting and the sky was a beautiful mosaic of pink and orange marbled together peeking from behind the tall canopy of trees. George steps behind you and for the first time since this morning, he places his hands on your shoulder lovingly and whispers in your ear.

"I don't know about you Angel, but I think it's time we tested out the hot tub."

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#emeritusemeritus #emeritusemerituswrites #harry potter #George Weasley x reader #George Weasley x you #George Weasley smut #George Weasley fluff #no good deeds

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theladybarnes · 3 months

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CRIMSON AND CLOVER: CHAPTER FIVE

"It’s time for your suffering to end.”

▸ summary: there’s still time left in the night for more surprise ▸ characters: nancy & mike wheeler, dustin henderson, steve harrington, & eddie munson ▸ word count: 11.8k ▸ warnings: angst, semi-fluff, minor character death, self loathing, ▸ series masterlist

“Why is she here again?”

You glanced away from the small clippings of possibly headers to look over at Fred Benson. Nancy’s new friend from the paper, and currently a small thorn in your side. For some reason, Fred did not like you, and while he was completely involved with Nancy’s small paper world, he did not seem to like her friends outside of it. Meaning you.

“She’s here because I offered to show her how things work here, Fred.” Nancy chimed in before you could respond back with a less friendly answer.

The pale boy raised a brow at you before shooting to follow after Nancy. He’s been trailing behind after her ever since you came into the news room for your free period. The two of them were currently discussing Jonathan, peaking your interest enough that you quietly followed after the two.

“So maybe I’m missing something, but why can’t Jonathan come down here for break?”

“Because.”

“Because why?”

You moved to stand beside the slumped Fred as you smirked over at him. “I know that journalists are naturally inquisitive people, Freddie, but you seem to be very keen on knowing the deep details of Nancy’s love life.” you said, watching as his light eyes widened a bit. “Any particular reason for that?”

Nancy chuckled nervously before she reached over to pull you away from Fred’s side. Forcing you instead to walk in front of her. “Stand down, tiger.” she said to you before turning back to the boy. “As for you, because of a lot of reasons.”

“Curious.”

Her blue eyes narrowed at him briefly before glancing down at the work being down on the newest headline. You couldn’t help but stare down at the large font predicting a win for the game tonight. You were never one for sports, but considering Lucas was on the team, you couldn’t help but be a little hopeful there would be a win. At least for your friend.

Fred was quick to bring the focus back to his curiosity.

“You said there’s a lot of reasons he’s not coming. Such as?”

“Why are you being so nosy?” Nancy asked, frustration breaking through her exterior now. But the snap to her words didn’t seem to falter Fred in the slightest. It actually just made him appear more roused at continuing the conversation.

“Call it journalistic instinct.”

“I’m pretty sure it’s called being nosy.” you volleyed with a shrug.

He rolled his eyes, adjusting the large folder in his hands before his face quickly changed to an amusing smirk. “We can always talk about your life, Henderson. Wasn’t it just a while ago that you were dating Steve Harrington? From what I hear from the halls, he’s been going on dates with a couple of the girls from our grade.”

Your spine stiffened up at the mention of Steve. Not fully prepared for that subject to be thrown into the conversation. Nancy scoffed at Fred, shaking her head quickly at her friend as she gently placed her hand on your shoulder.

“You don’t have to tell him anything.” she said to you, eyes checking over your face as if you were back in her car ready to break down again. “Really, Fred’s just–”

“He’s curious.” you butt in, not wanting to give any satisfaction to the boy’s attempt to throw you off. Glancing at him, you make sure to give him a reassuring smile despite the fact that the mere mention of Steve had your chest aching. “We’re..not together anymore. Broke up before Christmas. Things are fine. I’m glad he’s doing well.”

Fred looked a little bit skeptical, eyes narrowed his pale eyes at you. Almost as if he were waiting for you to crack at any second. Nancy beside you was doing the same thing. Nervously watching over you until she decided enough was enough.

“Okay, well, there’s no story there or here, if that’s what you’re after.” she sighed, willingly taking on the main focus again. “Jonathan’s mom works, so he has to watch over his brother. On top of that, he’s not early decision like me, so he’s waiting on his acceptance letter, and he wants to be there when it comes..which I totally get!”

There was a certain higher pitch in her tone that clearly gave away some of the uncertainty in her words. And while you knew that being friends with both her and Jonathan meant being neutral in moments like this, especially considering she just took the heat off of your relationship, you couldn’t help but feel like you’d have to join in on meddling with Fred.

“Okay! Um, I don’t. It just doesn’t make any sense.”

Crossing your arms over your chest, you gave your friend a winced look before your mouth finally blurted out a running question you had been thinking over the past week. “You are aware that a letter would be available to read when he gets back..right?”

Nancy looked over at you, a flicker of annoyance before she shook her head, trying to keep positive.

“Well, it’s always different. You know how it is to wait.”

“I also did things like go to school and leave the house. In this case, he’d have a whole week off school that he could use to go see his hot girlfriend and yet he’s at home playing the babysitter.” you scoffed. “Who is he, Steve?”

“You know, he’s your best friend.” she pointed out softly. But you simply shrugged your shoulders, unsure of Jonathan’s reasoning yourself. All he did when you called him about it the other night was say the same excuse as she said.

“He’s also a guy. We both know they’re dangerously questionable at times.”

She pursed her lips at that as Fred snapped his finger at you, nodding in agreement.

“So he’s supposedly the love of your life, right? The guy you plan on going to school with, and yet he’s so nervous about this acceptance letter, he doesn’t have time to visit the most desired girl in Hawkins?”

“Hey!” you chided, glaring at him. “What the hell?”

He rolled his eyes but held a hand up to you. “Fine, one of the two most desired girls in Hawkins.”

Nancy closed her eyes, shaking her head at the two of you as she tried to focus on her work again. You moved closer to her side, nudging her a bit. It wasn’t like this conversation would be easy, but it did make you wonder why neither one would take the time to visit each other when they could. It was something like this that slowly started to cement your feelings about long distance.

“I know Jonathan likes to take on a lot of work at home. But it is kinda unfair to you guys..”

“Not to mention as a part of the many sexually active teens in Hawkins, she’s denied the gratifications of having coitus with her supposed loving partner.”

Both you and Nancy let out a small gasp of disgust from Fred’s blunt words. Of all things that didn’t need to be pointed out in this conversation, it was Nancy’s sex life. Especially from Fred of all people. Beside you, Nancy held up her hand, holding back the full twist of disgust from her face.

“Okay, first of all, Fred, I’m going to try to forget that you said any of that. It’s..”

“None of your business.” you said simply. “Nance here doesn’t need to dive into her personal life for us, but is kind enough to open the floor up for conversation. So maybe keep it PG if you want to keep part of it.”

Fred again couldn’t help but give you another eye roll, probably done with your butting in. Nancy placed a thankful hand on your shoulder as she tried to bring reason back to the three of you. “You just don’t know Jonathan. He’s not like you. He’s caring and compassionate and loyal.”

She set down the tools, thinking hard for a moment until a small smile tugged on her lips.

“He’s so protective over the people that he loves. And he’ll never back down from what’s right, what's moral. No matter the pressure, no matter the personal cost. That’s why I love him.”

You were a little taken back to hear someone else speak so highly of your best friend. But Nancy’s genuine words got to you a bit and you found yourself slightly emotional over it. “That’s so sweet.” you cooed softly, nudging her arm lightly. “I love you guys.”

The girl laughed a bit, rolling her eyes at you but smiling at the comment before she glanced down at the work before. An even prouder smile tugged at her lips as she presented the newly designed headline for you two. “It’s perfect.”

Fred, who had grown quiet since Nancy humbled him down a bit, seemed to easily move on from things without any hesitance. His eyes scanned over the screen briefly. Brows knit together in disinterest.

“Eh, I’m still rooting for my alt.”

He proudly held up his alternative cover that displayed a more negative outcome of the game. It would seem that you weren’t the only one walking around school with a lack of school spirit. Before either one of you could critique the grim headline, the door to the editing room burst open.

“Nancy!” Mike yelled as he quickly stepped in, letting the door behind him bang against the wall before its hinges creaked loudly to close up. The whole room became quiet to the boy who had disrupted the peaceful atmosphere. He stood nervously for a second before his eyes slowly locked on to where his sister was.

“Nancy, hey!” he greeted, as if they had just run into each other in the hall. “Um, do you wanna join Hellfire tonight?”

Beside you Nancy let out an actual seething grunt as she glared over to her brother. You couldn’t help but actually chuckle a bit at the whole interaction.

“I’ll take care of this.” You said with a pat to the shoulder.

Stepping away from the desk with the hall pass, you grabbed onto Mike’s arm, taking him out of the class so that Nancy didn’t have the chance to drag him out herself. The boy grumbled a bit in your hold until you two were back into the quiet hallway.

“I don’t think Karen would approve of you coming into rooms without knocking.” You teased watching as Mike rolled his eyes.

“God forbid she ever does me a favor.” he sighed, adjusting the strap on his backpack. You gave him a sympathetic smile before ushering him towards the classes. Just when you were about to turn to go toward the bathrooms, he gripped at your arm.

“You’re someone!” He said smiling.

“Keen observation, Wheeler. Mind letting me go now?”

“Join us! Hellfire tonight.”

“Yeah, I’d rather be chased around by Russian security again than do that.” you scoffed.

Mike frowned at your past memory before waving his hand. Brushing the comment away.

“It’s only for tonight. Dustin and I need to replace a spot. You wouldn’t even have to work too hard. We can even help you quickly fill out a character sheet before school ends.”

You’re about to tell Mike where he can shove that sheet when his words suddenly stumped you. “Wait, did you say that the game is tonight?’ you asked slowly.

“Yeah, tonight in the theater. Why?”

Looking over at him with a glare, you crossed your arms as you approached Mike. Doing your best to keep down the frustration that easily came along with your friend’s brother. “Tonight is the basketball team’s championship game. So are you guys playing out the campaign after or?”

Mike still cleared his throat as he scratched the back of his neck. His dark eyes stayed cast down to the ground rather than meeting yours. Even without speaking yet, his guilty silence was almost enough of an answer.

“Hellfire’s game is tonight,” he said wearily. “It’s uh..at the same time as the game.”

“And what, Lucas is gonna miss out on the game?”

“..No.”

You can’t help but let out another scoff at Mike. While you knew there was a recent difference in interests amongst the boys, you didn’t expect for any of them to ignore an important event so easily.

“So you guys don’t care at all to go and support Lucas?” you asked, raising a brow at him. “Whatever happened to looking out for a party member? Shouldn’t you guys hold off until the game is over or just wait for you to come back from break?”

Mike let out a big sigh, trying to turn away from you now, but you quickly moved to stand in front of him again. Raising a brow at him until he gave you some sort of reasonable answer.

The boy paled even more, if possible, visibly gulping as he tried to think of what he could say that wouldn’t sound bad. But all he could do was shake his head. “Look, even when we tried, we’re not the only ones in this campaign. Besides, Eddie doesn’t care about things like basketball. He’s counting on us to finish the campaign before the break.”

“And just screw over a friend along the way.” you muttered, annoyed with your friend’s biased views towards other cliques of the school. Glancing down at your watch, you made note of the limited time you have left in your period and quickly turned on your heel towards your next target.

“Wait, so is that a no for Hellfire?!” Mike yelled from down the hall.

“Go to damn class!”

There were thankfully not too many wandering kids in the front of the school. It made for an easy way to find the boy you were looking for. With his stupid hat, stupid shirt, and stupid voice yacking into the public phone.

“Just move your date this one time, come on!” he whined into the receiver.

Instantly you froze behind him. Unable to move or stop yourself from eavesdropping into the conversation. Considering the fact that everyone he knew was in school right now, you knew exactly who he was talking to. Which is what made the subject of a date twist at your stomach.

There’s a beat of silence before he spoke into the phone again.

“You’re just jealous ‘cause I have another older male friend.”

The pride in Dustin’s tone is almost something admirable if it wasn’t such an embarrassing statement to say out loud. You’re pretty sure Steve is most likely unamused by the comment without having to be a part of the call yourself.

“The one? Are you serious? Because I’m pretty sure that wasn’t what you were complaining about last week.” There’s another pause that had Dustin scoffing. “And I’m supposed to believe it’s over? Actually, don’t answer that. Because if I get involved in your love life any more than I already have, my cousin will actually–”

“I’ll actually do what?” you piped up, watching as Dustin jumped in place from your sudden voice. He turned around, staring wide eyed at you before he adjusted the receiver into his ear properly.

“Yes, it’s her.” he muttered, giving you a small glare. “No, I didn’t say anything about..No, I was not yelling out loud, Steve.” His eyes glanced over towards you briefly before he shook his head. “No, I will not– Don’t make me– ugh, Steve says hi.”

You stayed silent, unsure if responding to Steve or not would make things awkward. Dustin looked up at you expectantly, waiting for what should be a simple response. You chose to tap against your watch and signal for Dustin to end the call. He let out a small sigh before he adjusted the phone against his ear. Not at all faltered by your sudden displeasure towards him.

“No, she didn’t say anything..Yeah she’s pissed at me. Must have done something else since this morning.” he grumbled into the phone. Steve must have mentioned something he really didn’t like because he barely muttered out a pleading reminder about the game before he panicked again. “No, you can’t call me back I’m at..” he pulled the phone back and frowned at the item before hanging it up. “..school.”

When he fixed his back pack back on his shoulders, he finally gave you his full attention. Raising a brow at you. “What did I do now?”

You slapped at his shoulder, making him yelp out.

“What was that for?”

“That was for putting me on the spot.” You quickly slapped his other arm, earning the same reaction.

“And that one!?”

“That was for planning on ditching your friend, tonight!”

“I don’t have time for this!” he scowled, rubbing his arms. Without waiting for your rebuttal, he turned on his heels and made his way back inside the building. Leaving you to quickly follow in pursuit.

“Dustin,” you started sternly. “Do you really think it’s a good idea to ditch Lucas for some stupid game tonight? Don’t you think it’d be kinda nice to show him some support?”

“One, it’s not a stupid game. And two, I’m not ditching him, he’s ditching us, okay?” Dustin sighed, shaking his head. “If anything, what he’s playing is stupid and he’s clearly decided that this game is more important than Hellfire. What happens next is out of my hands.”

“Except it is considering you’re literally looking for his replacement.” you scoffed, following him towards one the halls to the courtyard. He’s about to step out the doors towards the quad and ditch you but you’re quick to grip at his arm, keeping him in place. “He might think you’re trying to replace him or something.”

“Well, I kinda am. But it’s only for the rest of the campaign.” he shrugged. “You’re making this a bigger deal than it needs to be.”

A headache began to form in your head again. Causing a splitting ache to pool all around as you tried to think of a way to help fix things before they got worse. “Look, I’m not meaning to make things complicated.”

“And yet you’re not letting me go.” he said, glaring down at your hand.

“It’s just that Lucas could take this the wrong way. You guys aren’t kids anymore. You’re people who have to balance each other out. You can’t just always do what you want and forget everyone–

“Oh, you’re one to talk.”

Rubbing at your tired face, you looked down to the ground almost defeatedly before an idea came to mind. “I could talk with Eddie if you wanted? Try to convince him to hold it off for another–”

“Stop!” Dustin snapped, clearly displeased with the idea of you interfering. "I really don't need you meddling in my business."

The tension between the two today seemed to come to a boiling point. Twisting the knot even more in your stomach. It wasn’t out of the ordinary for the two of you to have a random bickering moment. But something this time felt a little different. A little more personal.

“I’m not meddling, Dusty. I’m just trying to help.” you offered carefully. “Decisions like this could lead to friendships falling apart. I don’t want that to happen to you.”

His expression hardened before he quickly retorted, "You're not my mom. I can handle my own friends. Besides, it's not like you're an expert at keeping friendships intact. Remember Steve? The guy you couldn’t even bother to say hello to?"

The mention of Steve hit a nerve and you sighed heavily. Despite this morning’s conversation, Dustin wasn’t able to fully comprehend the problems that surrounded your relationship with Steve. "This isn’t about me or Steve. It's about you possibly jeopardizing your friendship with someone I know you care about. I don’t want to come back next year and see that you guys have grown apart.”

Dustin's eyes narrowed down at you. "It’s not about you and yet you’re placing yourself right in the middle of something that doesn’t need your presence.” He leaned forward, and despite not having the height over you, his anger managed to make you curl away. “Do me a favor. If it bothers you so much, why don’t you go to the game tonight? Show Lucas some of that support you’re preaching about. Mike is leaving tomorrow, and we’re gonna make the most of tonight.”

With that he quickly turned to leave before your mind could think of something to say back. All you could do was stand there frozen to muddle over his words. Was Dustin truly this upset about you helping? Did everyone see your help as meddling? A mixture of frustration, sadness, and regret nearly caused you to nearly double over as it turned into a physical pain.

Even dorks like him can see through your bullshit. (Tick)

“Stop.” you muttered to yourself, picking yourself up enough to turn towards the direction of the editing room.

Sorry, babydoll, this pill won’t be so easy to swallow. (Tock)

The familiar nickname hit over you like a bucket of cold water. You hadn’t been called that since Bil–

“There you are!”

You jumped a bit in place, not expecting to hear another voice so suddenly. Looking to your right, you watched as Nancy quickly dashed over. A small smile on her face as she made her way to your side.

“Hey,” you said softly, not quite finding confidence in your voice. “What’s up?”

“What’s up?” Nancy repeated, laughing a bit before she thumbed in the direction towards class. “Class is over in five minutes. I thought you were just showing Mike out?”

A flush of heat spread over your face. Slightly embarrassed at just how far you lost the track of time in your quest to change your cousin’s mind. Without saying much, you gripped at Nancy’s arm and led her back to class.

“Do you think the editing team can score me a ticket to the game tonight?” you asked quickly, pushing your way into the door with her in tow.

The girl looked over at you incredulously before she snapped back into the conversation. “I feel like I’m missing a chapter here. Didn’t you have work plans tonight? Why do you suddenly want to come to the game? Don’t you hate sports?”

You felt a little overwhelmed with the sudden rapid fire of questions but tried your best to answer them all in hopes of her helping you out.

“I do, but I’m gonna try and skip out early.” you sighed, pushing your stuff quickly into your bag. “And I want to go because I apparently have the only school spirit left in my family and need to show Lucas that his friends do care. And lastly, yes, I hate sports. But I’m willing to tough this one out for a bit.”

Looking back up at her, you noticed she’s a bit hesitant over your words. The bell interjected before either of you could say anything else and you take a few seconds to calm your heart rate down from the weird voice in your head before.

From the familiar look in her eyes, you could tell she wasn’t a hundred percent believing you. But after lunch with Robin, you knew that having another friend worried was the last thing you wanted right now.

“Are you okay?” she asked shortly after the brief pause, like you expected. “Because I can help with the ticket but..it looks like–”

“I’m fine, Nance. But thanks for the solid.” you said quickly, not wanting to dive in that direction. “I’ll see you tonight.” With a quick wave, you made your way out the room and towards your next class.

Hopefully clear of any familiar voices.

This was a bad idea.

From outside you could hear the crowd of people clamoring inside of the gym. Excited for the final game of the season to begin. For the majority, it was supposed to be a fun, anticipating night. You, on the other hand, were filled with dread.

It came upon you the moment you stepped up to the doorway and caught sight of the beacon of hair that was your ex boyfriend.

Why of all places did Steve think to have a date at his old school’s basketball game? He could have easily gone anywhere in Hawkins. It wasn’t like he was at this school anymore. He didn’t need to pay attention to the high school games! So why the hell was he here on the one game you decided to go see?

From the safety of behind the door, you watched as Steve quickly got up and gave a wave down towards the gym floor. A quick follow to his line of direction and you watched as Lucas on the court floor smiled up at him. Giving him a wave back from the bench.

Stupid caring Steve.

“Hey! You’re finally here!”

You looked away from the door’s window to find Nancy peeking her head through on the open side. A small smile tugged on her face before she finally stepped out to join you in the hall.

“Yeah, managed to guilt Keith into letting me leave in record timing.” you chuckled nervously, patting your nervous hands over your dress. It was a lovely white cotton dress from Yves Saint Laurent’s spring collection. But under the yellow hued gymnasium, you weren’t sure if you looked as fresh and clean as you hoped. Especially with how tired you knew you looked today.

Nancy reached out for your hand, squeezing it lightly before she pulled you closer. “Are you sure you’re okay today? You seem kind of out of it. I’m sure Lucas won’t mind you missing. The game is almost done and he’s sort of distracted for the night.”

“I’m fine.” you lied, not needing to stress out your friend. “Just haven’t slept well lately.” Your eyes glanced back into the room. Going directly to where Steve was sitting with his bubbly date. She’s from your grade, but you aren’t sure you’ve had any classes with her. “Besides, I’m already here. Might as well make the most of it.”

Nancy hummed lightly, nodding her head towards the room. “The place is kinda packed tonight. You’re gonna have to stick by me and Fred.” Her blues turned back to you with a bit of mirth in them. “That is if you don’t try and kill him when he talks to you.”

Your nose scrunched up at the mention of her friend. Behind her, you could see Fred speaking closely to the school’s photographer, giving him an earful as he pointed across the court. “Can’t make any promises.” you snorted. “Just try and keep him at your side if you can.”

The two of you laughed at that and you finally left the safety of the doorway to enter inside the gym. Instantly you’re hit with a wave of emotions as the gym’s atmosphere washed over you. From your left you caught sight of a familiar green and orange combo and noticed Robin in the stands. She noticed you right away and brought her hand up to wave at you.

“You’re here!” she mouthed, making you nod your head at her.

From behind you could see as the interaction caught the attention of Steve who was nearby. The two of you awkwardly held eye contact for a second before you quickly tore your eyes away. Glancing at the scoreboard instead. Things weren’t looking so good for the school.

“You think the team has a chance?” you asked, leaning in towards the two beside you. Things weren’t looking so good for the school.

Nancy pursed her lips, jotting down a quick note on her journal before she glanced back at you. “I’m hopeful. There’s still time left in the game.” she answered, sounding genuinely hopeful.

Fred leaned forward, giving the two of you a cocky smirk as he held up his notepad. “An hour with the opposing team having a six point lead, Carver slowly losing it, and the team lagging so bad they’re fumbling. I highly doubt those sixty minutes mean anything.” he finished with a scoff.

The two of you stared at him quietly for a moment before you leaned over and looked at Fred seriously.

“Benson, do you think you can lighten up?”

Unfortunately, Fred’s prediction seemed to be coming true. Merely four minutes later into the game the other team gained another three points.

“Crap, player eleven just took out ten.” Nancy muttered, “I think he’s done for the night.”

You looked over to where her attention was and frowned as you watched the other teammates help carry out the injured player towards the benchline.

“So they’re bringing in another player, right?” you asked, glancing to Nancy for confirmation.

She looked up from her notepad with a slow nod before the realization hit her. “It’d be the next person up on the bench…”

The two of you excitedly peered over just in time to watch as Lucas excitedly got up from the bench. Tearing off his track suit in order to join the rest of the team in the group huddle.

You couldn’t help but start clapping and jumping as you yelled out. “GO LUCAS!”

The boy, having heard his name thankfully, found where you were and shot you the gummy grin that you’ve seen so many times. It was an oddly familial sense of pride that surged in you and you couldn’t help but actually get excited for the game finally.

“You sound pretty excited for just a benchwarmer.” Fred noted, adding the newest addition to his notes. “You think he’ll turn around the game?”

“He’s a Sinclair.” you said confidently. “They’re stubborn but they sure as hell come through in the end.”

And boy did he.

In just the hour worth of game play, Lucas had managed to not only get the team’s points high enough to be only a point behind. Making it so that with one good shot, they could take the whole thing.

Jason, who you thought had been ball hogging the whole night, seemed to be tied up in a bit of a corner. He quickly called out for a time out in the game. The clock showed it was the last ten seconds of the game. Making whatever last team huddle crucial.

“I don’t know, girls.” Fred sighed, pushing on the bridge of his glasses. “I still think they’re gonna mess it up.”

“Oh come on.” Nancy laughed. “You seriously can’t sit there and tell us that after seeing the jump in points we managed to get to.”

“I’m just a realist.”

“Yeah, a real party pooper.” you teased, glancing over at the team again. “They finally have an ace in the group and you’re praying for their downfall.”

Fred glanced over with you and scrunched his nose a bit. “Sinclair’s got talent. But nothing helps me sleep better at night than being proven right.”

The referee blew into the whistle again and you nodded over towards the court. “Get ready to eat your own words, Benson.” you mused.

The tension in the air was palpable by the time the players all returned onto the court. You could practically feel your own heart race as the game started up again.

Back and forth, the Hawkins teams passed around the ball, getting it to their main goal; Jason. In a quick second, he had a golden opportunity to secure the win. Shooting the ball out towards the hoop in a steady throw. The ball danced around the rim, teasing everyone with the possibility of victory, but it bounced off.

In a split second, Lucas snatched the rebound. Turning away from the others on the swift turn of his heel as he doubled around and leaped into the air. Releasing the ball towards the hoop.

Time seemed to freeze as the basketball circled the rim and bounced against the backboard. Then, with a collective gasp from the crowd, it dropped through the net.

The gym erupted in cheers as the school's victory echoed through the air. Nancy and you shared a shocked glance of excitement before you started to cheer and clap. The entire school community joined in, creating a thunderous applause that seemed to shake the very foundation of the gymnasium.

The team and cheerleaders all gathered into the main court floor, circling around Lucas and eventually picked him up into the air. Chanting out his name in victory.

In the midst of the celebration, you turned around, hoping to spot Robin in the stands. There were bursts of instruments booming into the air and cheers intertwined that added joyful noise to the atmosphere.

However, as you scanned the crowd, your eyes locked onto something you definitely did not want to see. There, in an embrace, stood Steve with a date. The room seemed to freeze for a moment as his date pulled back, shooting him a happy smile before sealing the victory with a celebratory kiss.

New love, how promising. (Tick)

A pang of discomfort surged through you, and a sudden headache gripped your temples. You felt the weight of the past in that moment, the history with Steve crashing back into your thoughts, and all the regret you’ve felt lately come at you. You quickly turned away, hoping to hide your reaction from Nancy before she saw anything.

Guess she really might be the one. (Tock)

You ignored the taunting words as you tried to process what you saw. Trying to picture it as the new normal when you felt a trickle of warmth on your upper lip. Touching it, you realized your nose was bleeding again. Panic set in, and you discreetly covered your face with your hand, attempting to hide the bleeding.

Nancy finally seemed to notice your suddenly odd behavior and called out to you. Reaching to place a hand on your shoulder. But you quickly pulled back, throwing out a quick excuse about feeling unwell and slipped away from the crowd. The gym door closed behind you, muffling the cheers, and you found refuge in a nearby empty classroom.

Fumbling through a desk for tissues, you took a moment to compose yourself. The mix of emotions, the unexpected encounter, and the physical discomfort left you overwhelmed.

Something was going on with you. But you couldn’t pinpoint what.

Just as you were trying to stop the bleeding, the classroom door opened then closed quietly behind you. Startled, you turned to see Steve standing there, a concerned expression on his face.

Whether it be the headache or the current ache in your chest right now, but the sight of a concerned Steve had you frowning at him. Not quite ready for him to see you at your most pathetic vulnerable place again. Especially after a day of awkward waves and avoiding phone calls.

"What are you doing here?" you snapped, your tone sharper than intended.

Steve, only a little taken back by the harshness of your tone, stepped closer towards you. "I saw you leaving in a hurry. I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

You avoided making eye contact, focusing on keeping the tissue against your nose as you returned to giving him your back. "Just a nosebleed, Steve. It's nothing."

He tilted his head. Eyes scanning over your face before he shook his head. “You sure it’s nothing? You don’t really look too good.”

“Wow,” you chuckled half heartedly. “Thought I actually looked good tonight, thanks.”

“Look, I just meant I can tell you’re not okay.” he sighed, trying to keep the conversation calm. “I know that you might have seen–”

“See you and your date kiss? No, I don’t think I did.” you said sarcastically, chucking the paper into a nearby trash can. A touch to your nose and you were happy to feel that you were clear of any more blood. But your happiness quickly disappeared when you turned to look back at Steve.

His jaw was tightened in annoyance and he carefully pinched at his nose for a moment before he glanced back at you. A more calming face now that he took a second. "That's not fair, and you know it. Besides, I didn't expect you to be here. I'm sorry if what you saw hurt you."

“Don't need to apologize, Steve.” you groaned. It was unfair of you to be upset and the last thing you wanted was Steve to apologize about it. But you struggled to get that out. “I just want you to leave. I mean, really, why are you even here? I’m fine. You have a date that’s obviously into you and ready to celebrate. Why aren’t you focused on that right now?”

Steve remained unfazed, his eyes piercing through your defensive front. "Because I've been watching you all night, and while you might smile and joke with everyone else, it's clear to me that something's eating at you."

A scoff fell past your lips as you tried to ignore the truth in his words. Leave it to Steve to be the only one tonight to see right through you. “I think you’ve forgotten what it’s like for me to watch a sports game. Nothing is wron—.”

“Don’t lie. Not with me.” he cut in quietly, reminding you of all the past confrontations you’ve shared where he slowly broke down your walls.

“God.” you squeezed your eyes shut, forcing them to hold back the emotional tears that seemed to easily come forward when talking to Steve. “You should go. She’ll be wondering where you are, you know?”

His gaze softened, a mix of compassion and frustration. "I don't care about that right now. I care about you. Talk to me."

Anger and frustration surged within you, fueled by your own self-loathing. "You don't get it, do you? We’re broken up. I'm leaving soon, a-and I can't drag you into my messed up head. I don't deserve whatever this is!" You waved your hand between the two of you. The air around you felt heavy and you wished that Steve would leave for the sake of giving your erratic heart a chance to calm down. “I shouldn’t be your concern anymore. Just go, please just..go.”

Steve took a step closer, his voice gentle but firm. "I told you. I don't care about any of that. Not when I know something is going on with you. I can't stand to see you like this. You're not alone, and you don't have to be."

Something inside of you breaks down at the idea of Steve still trying to comfort you when he had no reason to. All he was doing was enjoying his night and you were the one pulling out the theatrics. But for some reason, you lived in a world where Steve Harrington would always comfort the people who hurt him the most.

He deserved better than that.

"Well, it's too late now.” you croaked. Tears threatened to spill as you took a step back. “I can't keep going back to you whenever things get tough. I need to do better."

Just as you contemplated making a run for the door, Steve gently grabbed your arm, pulling you back toward him. The warm palm of his hand ran up the side of your arms, making you shiver at how cold you didn’t realize you were until he was cupping at your cheek.

"You don’t need to do anything, Honey. Just let me in,let me help." he whispered, his eyes locked onto yours.

Your breath turned heavy, and you barely had the chance to realize what was about to happen when he closed the remaining distance, capturing your lips in a passionate kiss. And just like always, the world seemed to fade away as the familiarity of his touch ignited a spark of longing within you.

From the looks of it, Steve felt the same as the two of you wrapped around each other. Wasting no time to soak in this moment.

Steve, with his arms now wrapped around the sides of your waist. And you, with yours locked around his neck to keep the kiss going. Neither one of you seemed to care where you were or what you were just talking about as you staggered back to hit against the large desk.

He reached down to grip around the back of your legs next, using a bit of strength to help get your rear to sit on the edge of the desk so he could wedge himself between your legs. The familiar heat rising inside of your chest when you felt the front of his jeans press against your inner thighs. His fingertips traced along the edge of your dress before he palmed at the thick part of your thighs.

You gasped at the sudden feeling, parting your lips against his and giving him the chance to trace the tip of his tongue against your mouth before he sealed them back together. The sensation of his tongue caused a moan to escape your lips. It’s been a while since you’ve been kissed like this and your head is spinning out of control.

The previous tension that had fueled your argument seemed to dissipate, replaced by the undeniable fire you both shared.

He swallowed your moans as his lips stayed connected with yours, taking every second that he could to make your thoughts go away as you focused solely on him. Your hands eventually found their way to gripping at the collar of his shirt, trying to scratch at the small visible amount of chest hair that peeked through his shirt.

But just as quickly as you were wrapping your legs around his waist was the memory of him and his date kissing cutting in. And it was like a spotlight shined over what the two of you were doing. Quickly, you pulled back from the kiss, curling into yourself in order to try and get some air into your brain.

He seemed to catch onto things and gently reached back to help unwrap your legs from around him. Stepping back a step in order to stand before you but not completely pull away from you just yet. You let your hands fall back to rest on the desk to balance yourself while Steve ducked his face in the crook of your neck. Not quite able to break away from you just yet.

You could feel as he brought a hand up to trace gently against the necklace on your neck. Toying with the single letter that rested in the middle.

“Steve?” you asked softly, watching as he pulled away from your side to look at you now. There was a terribly familiar look of sadness to his eyes. Almost as if he knew what you were going to say next.

“Please..” was all he said back.

Reaching up, you quickly untied the necklace from your neck and gathered it carefully in your hands before you looked down. The sad glint of metal shining up at you finally caused the tears to roll down your cheeks. Feeling guilty again for what you were about to do.

Reaching for his hand you gently placed the necklace down into his palm, curling up his fingers to hold it before you pressed a light kiss to the back of his hand.

“I’m done hurting you, Steve. Please give this to someone who truly deserves it.”

You quickly pushed yourself off the desk, fixing your dress before you made a step to leave. He was quick to catch your hand, looking at you with such a pleading look that you’d fall for any other day. "Don't do this. We can still fix things."

His words held such a promise in them. You knew he’d give you the world if he could.

“I can't meddle more in people's lives than I already have, I’m sorry. I just keep hurting everyone.”

With that, you gently pulled your hand from his grip and left the empty classroom. Leaving behind the person you still loved. Knowing that in your attempt to set you both on the right path, heartache would be alongside the two of you.

It was the hardest pill to swallow yet.

It felt like forever for the crowds to finally pile out of the school.

The sounds of cheering made its way outside of the gym into the parking lot while you hid away near the side entrance to the school. It was hard to avoid everyone after you left Steve. You weren’t sure how you’d be with Nancy or even Robin if they asked what was wrong again.

You severely needed to clear your mind of everything. Not think about the trouble you were causing to your loved ones and instead focus on trying to make most of the night. So after wiping away your tears, you found yourself making your way towards the school’s theater.

It appeared to be clear of any of the hellfire members. Leaving behind its dungeon master to clean up the mess the others left behind.

He was busy stuffing away pieces of the game into a box as he whistled to himself. Looking over all the work with a grin on his face until he heard the sound of your footsteps. A slightly fearful look on his face before he pursed his lips at you.

“You tryna give me a heart attack?” he grumbled, pointing a finger at you. “Coulda swung at you, Henderson.”

You chuckled a bit, joining him at his side as you looked down at the sheets of paper he collected into a folder. “Excuse me, I thought nothing spooked you.” you mused, moving to sit down at the grand chair that was placed by the table. “How was the campaign? Worth missing Lucas’ game I hope?”

Eddie breathed heavily through his nose, looking over at you unamused while he stuffed more supplies into the cardboard box. “I was warned you’d be in a mood.”

“Oh really?”

“Yeah, two little birds told me, actually.”

The idea of Mike and Dustin as two annoying bickering birds sort of brought a smile to your face before you remembered how mad Dustin was at you. “Birds,” you repeated. “Can’t say they’re wrong. I’m sort of annoyed with all of you.”

“Aw, you’re breaking my heart, Princess.” Eddie cooed, picking up the box. “I think I’m gonna go home and cry about it.”

Not waiting for you to follow, he quickly made his way onto the long pathway out of the theater. Making you slightly worried as you rushed after him. Thinking that he was actually upset with you until you approached the door and saw that he stayed by the entrance doors to hold it open for you.

“You know you owe Lucas, right?”

“God,” he said with an eye roll. “Sinclair made his choice tonight.” he pointed out after letting go of the door when you stepped out. “There’ll be other campaigns for him to join in the future. We still have a few months of school left.”

“But basketball season is over and all his friends missed out on seeing him make the winning shot.” you huffed, walking alongside him as he made his way towards the parking lot. “Don’t you think this game could have waited until next week?”

“He helped them win the game?” he said softly, an amused grin on his face. “Those Sinclairs, man. They’re something else.”

You’re a bit confused by what he meant but pressed on in order to get to your point.

“Eddie,” you sighed, watching as he trudged down to where he parked his van. “You’re still missing my point.”

“Your point is that you want all of us to stick together and be best friends until the end of time. Like some gooey family sitcom, right?”

“Not the words I’d use but kinda.”

Eddie glanced over his shoulder to frown at you. “That’s not how shit works but look,” he grunted, setting the box down on the hood of his car before he turned to face you fully. “If he’s really upset about it, the guy knows where to find me. Don’t make a big deal outta nothing.”

The words were oddly similar to Dustin’s from before and you couldn’t help but become silent after that. Fighting with your head to keep the negative thoughts from continuing to ruin your night.

It’s not until Eddie opened up the back door to his van in order to put away the box that he noticed you had gone quiet. From the back you could hear a deep sigh from him until he closed up the doors and made his way over to stand beside you.

“I’ll talk to him, ok?” he said softly, nudging you with his elbow.

His soft promise eased your mood a bit. But even that couldn’t stop your mind from being clouded by everything today. The fight with Dustin, the talk with Steve, and even the weird voices that your guilty conscience kept bothering you with.

"Alright, spill it. What's going on? You’re being off again," Eddie prodded, raising an eyebrow.

You hesitated for a moment, worried that opening your mouth would just make matters worse. But you still replied anyway. "It's a lot of things. For some reason today, I feel like I’ve been just messing up with everyone. It’s hitting me harder than usual."

Eddie's expression softened, and he placed a hand on your shoulder. "Mess up how?”

“Well, Dustin's mad at me, Steve and I are officially over, and I’m making my other friends worried.” You turned your head to look up at him, feeling the slight pain your head returned as you spilled out your worries. “I just feel like I'm hurting everyone around me no matter how much I try to make things right.”

He looked at you with a determined expression. "You can't control everything, and you certainly can't make everyone happy. Why you put that much pressure on yourself is beyond me.”

His slight lecture made you feel a little embarrassed, making you reach up to the chain around your neck until you feel nothing. Slowly you remembered what you just did just a while ago.

You almost felt like crying again.

“Look, Dustin’ll come around. Ok? He’s family and that means he’ll get over the little shit that doesn’t matter eventually. Your friends being worried about you is kinda a good thing because that means they care, and as for Harrington–”

His voice cut off and you glanced up to watch as he painfully tried to spew out some sort of helpful advice for him but all Eddie ended up doing was shaking his head. Looking down at you with a sorry look. “Is he really worth feeling this shitty?”

“He means a lot to me, Ed.”

“Even after he practically broke your heart? Not even considering for a moment to go with you?” he asked, not caring to sugar coat the question at all.

“He has his reasons.” you mumbled, trying not to feel pathetic for sticking up for Steve. Even if his answer did break your heart.

“He has excuses.” Eddie scoffed, looking away from you as a frown tugged on his brows. “Harrington is an idiot for not wanting to follow you.”

“No, he’s not. Don’t say that.” you said quickly. Despite the heartache and sadness that came with everything, you’d hate anyone to think so negatively of Steve. “He’s got his own life to live.”

“And he can’t live it with you?”

The words throw you off more than you expected and you have to lean against the door of the car to keep yourself balanced. The truth was, you weren’t sure what was the right answer anymore. Because at the end of the day, neither one of you were prepared for what the future held.

The more you thought about it, the more it seemed to do your head in. The only promising prospect was the idea of being able to leave Hawkins and go home. It was just unfortunately, alone.

Eddie sighed beside you before he nudged at your side once more. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “This whole thing just..sucks.”

“It does suck.” you confirmed, looking back at Eddie with a sad smile. “Wanna get out of here? I’m thinking of heading home.”

“I can drive you home,” he nodded.

“No, home, as in California.” you said half-joking.

Eddie smiled at that before he wrapped an arm around your neck, bringing you down to tousle at your hair. “How about instead of the road trip, I take you out for a bite to eat? Burgers make a great remedy for heartaches.”

The annoyance of having your hair messed up is quickly changed into a bit of happiness at the idea of Eddie’s attempt to fix your mood. “I’d like that.” you nodded, pushing out of his arms to fix your hair. “Let’s go.”

“All right, but we might have to stop by my place first.” he winced, almost like he was in pain.

“Why’s that?”

“Okay, Eddie, I’m ready to go!” came a shaky voice from behind you.

You turned around to find Chrissy Cunningham of all people standing near the back entrance. Shy smile on her face as she waved over at you.

“What the hell?”

“So, are you two friends?”

From the backseat of the van, you struggled to keep a straight face as you watched the interactions between Eddie and Chrissy. Since she stepped down the steps of the school and met you both in front of the van, there was an air of awkwardness in the air.

Thankfully not from you.

No, you were perfectly comfortable in the back of Eddie’s van. Slightly entertained at seeing the two attempt to make small talk in front of you.

Eddie for some reason did not know how to react as coolly as you knew he could. The girl brought out this inner dorkier side of him that you were unaware of. It reminded you about the first time you truly hung out with Eddie. At Tina’s Halloween party. They held a connection then and seemed casual. So why was it so different now?

“Hello?” Chrissy asked softly.

“I’m sorry!” you coughed, shaking your head from your thoughts. “What were you asking me?”

“I asked if the two of you were friends.” she repeated, eyes flickering between the two of you. Very quickly you leaned forward to pat her shoulder gently, giving her a small smile.

“Only when I need a ride.” you said simply, earning a scoff from Eddie in the driver’s seat.

Chrissy finally seemed to crack out of her nervous state and let out a small laugh. Almost relieved. "Got it.” she nodded. “You guys had me wondering if I had interrupted a moment back at the school."

At that you couldn’t help but ask the question that came into mind since she joined you two tonight. “You have me wondering too. What brings a popular girl like you on a mission for drugs tonight?"

She sighed, her guard dropping for a moment. "Honestly, I just need something stronger to help me sleep. A lot has been overwhelming me lately..I just need to forget. Even for just one night.”

There was an air of desperation in her tone that tugged at your heart. Not even for the fact that it was sad, but because deep down something that anxious and desperate was building up inside of you as well.

“And you think drugs are what’s gonna calm you down?” you asked softly, looking over at Eddie. “What are you asking for anyway?”

“Special K.” they both said at the same time.

You weren’t even sure what that even was but felt a small pang of worry build up in you. Eddie’s side hustle wasn’t the most ethical thing you’d like for your friend to do. But at the same time you understood people had different means of living. And who were you to judge them for that?

“Well, if the special K doesn’t work out as well as you hoped, I’m here to talk if you ever need an ear.” you offered, hoping not to sound as meddling as you have been today.

Chrissy sighed, a hint of sadness falling into her tone. "I don't want anyone to worry about me. Plus, it's hard to explain to people who seem to have it all together."

Her blue eyes locked onto you at that. Did she really think that you had it all together?

“Trust me, Chrissy. The majority of people at our school, including myself, have no idea what we’re doing.” you started, picking at the hem of your dress. “I’m pretty sure my life is about to get turned upside down and it’s not even finals yet.”

The words sounded more light than you really meant to, but it thankfully gave Chrissy another reason to laugh. Hopefully having some sense of relief to hear another peer give off the same sentiments.

“Henderson is right.” Eddie pointed out, turning down the pathway to his house. “If we all had our shit together, I’d have been out of here two years ago.”

“You would have been out of here if you had shown up to class now and then.”

Eddie looked into the rearview mirror to playfully scowl at you. "Hey, I had better things to do!"

“Playing pool in some dive bar outside of town is not something better to do.” you snorted, hearing Eddie’s engine sputter like him as it slowly turned off.

If it weren’t for the fact that you guys were parked in front of Eddie’s trailer, you were pretty sure he’d attempt some sort of reply. But now that it was back to his business, he settled for giving you the finger before he glanced over at Chrissy. “It’s kinda cold out here if you want to wait inside for me to look.”

The blonde nodded her head quickly, unbuckling her seat belt before she hopped out of the van. Eddie was going to do the same when he noticed you weren’t moving from your seat. There was a confused look on his face that had you chuckling a bit.

“What? Aren’t you gonna go inside?”

Eddie licked over his lips, nervously glancing out the passenger window to a waiting Chrissy before he frowned at you. A small pout on his lips. “Well yeah but..aren’t you coming too?”

“To help you make your deal?” you asked, adjusting yourself in the back to get comfortable. “Count me out, Mister. I’m not going to get caught in a drug deal anytime soon. I’d rather freeze my pretty little behind off.”

His eyes widened, "What? No, it's perfectly safe!” he coughed, perplexed. “Besides, you've been in my house before. You know I've got some stuff there."

You waved your hand, ignoring that bit of information before you smirked at him. "Look, Eddie, this is your chance to have some alone time with Chrissy.” Again his face turned into pure shock at your words. “I happen to know that you've had a thing for little Miss Cheer since last year. Now she’s willingly coming to your trailer. Seize the opportunity, my man!"

“She’s here for drugs!” he scoffed. “Just come in with us so it’s less awkward.”

“You’ve been making her wait forever now. She’s probably frozen in that skirt.” you said offhandedly.

He shook his head in disbelief, "This is ridiculous. She’s one of the most popular girls in school. She has a boyfriend."

The thought of Jason Carver made the two of you visibly scowl before you waved your hands. “Popularity means nothing. I mean, I hang out with you and that’s not a big deal.”

“You’re not like the others.” he mumbled under his breath.

You brushed off his comment, focusing on the matter at hand, “Come on, Eddie. Take the chance.” you said, trying to encourage him. “See what happens.”

For what felt like a long minute, all Eddie did was stare at you like he was trying to figure you out. As if the words you said weren’t clear as day and had some other meaning to them. Which they did, you wanted him to find someone too. Someone that had the time to open up their heart properly and not so haphazardly as you have. But you couldn’t exactly say that.

"This is stupid,” He sighed, resigned. “But fine. We’ll be right back.”

From your spot you watched as Eddie lamely excused your absence, waving his hand over at the van before he walked up the stairs to his trailer and opened the door up for Chrissy and entered inside the home.

You took the time alone to dissect the events that happened today.

One thing was Dustin definitely had his own convictions about you. Whether it be about butting into his life, breaking up with Steve, avoiding Steve, or just some other thing you weren’t even aware of.

Then there was Steve..

Well, you felt pretty much like a broken record about him. Not only were you still in love with him, but you were officially over. Returning that necklace would surely cement that now. Even if you regretted that whole day in your driveway. Wishing that you could go back and just..pause like he had wanted. But it was too late for that now and you’ve brought in someone else into your life to ruin.

Another thing would be that Robin and Nancy were both definitely worried about you and you were out of excuses to explain what was wrong. Mostly because you had no idea what the hell was wrong with you. It’s not like you weren’t faced with struggles before. Why was this year suddenly worse?

Maybe it had to do with the fact that there was a recurring voice in your head that laid out all your inner guilty thoughts. Or the nightmares that plagued your night, or headaches that ruined your days, or even the newest addition; nosebleeds.

There’s absolutely no more room in your mind for the list of problems that you already had. If there wasn’t a way to fix at least one of these things, you were pretty sure you’d lose it by the end of spring break.

Maybe you needed to actually take the week off. Go home and see your parents. Get a break from the mess that you got yourself into at Hawkins. Ironically it was supposed to be the place to get you out of your mess from California, but stranger things have happened since then.

“CHRISSY! CHRISSY! CHRISSY!”

The sudden sound of Eddie yelling pulled you out of your contemplative thoughts and you quickly rushed to the back of the van, pushing open the back door so that you could stand before the house. The screams continued on inside but you were frozen in fear at the sight of lights blinking rapidly inside. Sending a familiar chill up your spine.

“No.” you whispered, not ready for this to happen again. It couldn’t! The gate was closed! This couldn’t be happen–

“HELP!”

Without a second thought, you rushed up the stairs into the trailer, nearly tripping your way in. “Eddie?!” you gasped, finding your footing before you noticed the two right away.

Chrissy was standing completely still before a panicked Eddie. He was smacking at the side of her cheek, screaming out for her to wake up when he looked back to see you. “Holy shit, Henderson, she’s like, tripping out!” he yelled, voice cracked with panic.

“What the hell did you give her?” you frowned, joining his side to try and shake the girl. It wasn’t until you were close enough that you noticed the whites in her fluttering eyes. “Shit is she having a seizure?”

“I gave her nothing, man. I don’t know what the hell is going on!” he said, pinching at the sides of her neck, arms, anywhere to get a response out of her. “Chrissy! Wake up!”

“We need to get her out of here!” you urged, knowing the danger that could be lurking with the room’s lights blinking like this. If it’s anything you’ve dealt with before, a panicked Eddie and comatose Chrissy would be nothing against a demogorgon.

You reached for her hands, trying to clap at her hands and get her body to snap out of it. But the more you tugged, the farther she seemed to get away from you. Wait, how the hell is she moving?

Glancing down at her feet, you noticed that her body has slowly started to ascend up in the air towards the ceiling. “What the fuck?” you gaped. This didn’t happen before..

Eddie, having noticed her rising state, staggered back. Eyes wide and shocked at what was going on. “W-what do we do?” he asked you, looking up as Chrissy rose towards the roof of the trailer.

“We-..I-..” your breathing became strained and you felt like your heart was about to go into cardiac arrest the faster the lights blinked. What the hell was going on?

Her body shot up into the air, like a marionette doll manipulated by unseen strings. Eddie fell back from the sudden change, cursing out loud as he fell down to the floor.

You stood there, helpless and paralyzed by fear. The limbs of her body began to twist and turn in unnatural directions. Creating a sickening sound of bones twisting that echoed in the air. The scene unfolded with a nightmarish intensity, and you could feel the tendrils of something dark wrapping around the room.

“N-no.” you said, watching next as her mouth cracked into a haunting angle.

A wave of dizziness washed over you. It was as if the very ground beneath your feet was giving way. You stumbled backwards until you finally fell down into the ground. Your vision narrowed away as the darkness began to take over the world before you.

“No.” you said again, fighting to stay awake. You had to get out of there. But you couldn’t fight this power over you. The last thing you saw before succumbing to unconsciousness was the sight of Chrissy’s eyes sinking into her head and the sound of Eddie’s screams.

A/N: Hello! It’s been so long since I’ve been working on this chapter. I redid it like three times and still aren’t quite happy with some parts. But! It’s up and will hopefully help me to get to the storyline. I know it’s kinda angsty but I promise i’ll have fun in here again and more Steve/Reader. Thank you for taking the time to read this! Love y’all~

TAGGING REQUEST:

@cluz1babe & @starofavolonea

#steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x henderson reader #steve harrington x henderson!reader #Steve Harrington x female reader #steve harrington x you #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x female reader #eddie munson x henderson!reader #eddie munson x henderson reader #stranger things fic #cac

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luveline · 1 year

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JADE HAPPY NEW YEAR ILY ILY ILY!!! ♡♡♡ can i pretty please request some new years eve hurt/comfort with fred weasley from the a special friend universe? maybe r is struggling a lot so they just spend new years eve bundled up in blankets on the couch (up to you if george and angelina make an appearance)

Happy New Year! ILY, thank you for your request! Fred and his poor ghost girl :( fem!reader ♥︎

Fred's already awake when you rouse. If he could have, he would've let you sleep where you'd been all day, your face buried in the space between his arm and his chest and your hand held over his ribs, but he'd had to help Bill with their rogue niffler situation again.

He turns to smile at your tired face, setting his mug of tea down on the kitchen table.

"Hey," he says. "You okay?"

He's an expert in you, or so he'd like to think, and your expression is worrying. You look as you had when you'd first met, face clouded with despondency, eyebrows pinched up just a touch.

"Just tired," you murmur. Your voice is quiet and scratchy and worn, like you've been talking for a hundred years, all by yourself.

He gestures for you to come into the kitchen.

When you're standing close enough to touch, he tilts his head up and gives you his warmest, slowest smile. He hopes it says, You're alright, and if you aren't there's no need to worry.

"Do you want to sit on my lap?" he asks quietly.

"'M heavy," you mumble.

He loves how, despite your grumbling, he only needs to sit back for you to take him up on his offer. You move very carefully and you refuse to put all of your weight on him, but Fred doesn't mind at all as your thighs press into his, and you work your arm behind his back for security.

"There's tea," he says.

His body reacts to you without intention, cheek dipping to your temple and arms curling around you. You take a little sip of his tea though you don't like it the way he does.

"What's the matter, my love?" he says, again, so quiet.

"Not sure," you say, your pitch creeping upward, a first sign of internal distress.

He lifts his head and pulls you in closer. Your side is soft against his stomach, your face hot as it slips into the crook of his neck. Hopefully you know by now that it's okay, but still he wants to tell you, making sure with absolute surety that you understand how much he doesn't mind.

"That's okay…" His hand closes over your arm, squeezing and massaging the dough at the crease of your elbow. "You'll tell me when you figure it out?"

You exhale into his skin. "Yeah."

While he doesn't care, you aren't light, and the kitchen chair is uncomfortable. His leg aches in the odd position it's held at. He doesn't tell you because while he loves you no matter what weight you are, he knows you'll internalise it, and that isn't something you need today.

"Lie on the settee with me," he says.

You nod like you're sleepwalking and climb out of his lap. He gets you on the settee, film on, quilt over your legs. You watch him. You aren't hostile in any way, but he does think there's something unhappy about the way you're looking at him.

"You aren't mad at me, are you, doll?" he asks.

"Do I look mad?"

There's his girl. Depressed, unhappy, panicked, you're still reaching out. He pulls the quilt up to slip in beside you, hand reaching not quite gently for your face. He pushes the corner of your lips up into a half smile.

"No," he says, grinning.

You're infected with a smile of your own.

It doesn't last. You sink into his side and watch the film in near silence, the only sound your sluggish breathing. He plays with your fingers for an hour, but eventually he starts to feel rather upset too. He doesn't show it, ever, that your sadness gets to him. He knows he should — honesty is important to him between the two of you, is conducive to your continued success as the best, warmest couple he knows. But he doesn't. It's one of those sacrifices of love, and it doesn't feel like a sacrifice at all. Your unhappiness makes him unhappy, and neither of you can help it.

He steals his hand back, arm over your shoulder, behind your neck, and waves his fingers behind your ear, encouraging your neck to be bared to him. He kisses you very, very softly until he gets to your jaw, where he bestows a fiercer kiss.

"I love you," he says, rubbing a short line into your cheek with his nose.

"I love you too, Freddie." You clear your throat. "You mean everything to me."

He grins like a fool. "Everything…"

He can't get as sticky as he wants to, dissuaded by the sharp cracking sound of an disapparation near the front door.

"Guys?" George calls.

Fred puts some space between the two of you but not much, hand falling back to your collar, face turned to the doorway.

George appears smartly dressed.

"Hey," he says, more to you than Fred, as they've already seen each other today, "we missed you at breakfast. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. Just tired."

"Well, you look snug. I'll take it you aren't coming tonight?"

Somebody is throwing a New Year's Eve party. Fred and George have been invited, popular still despite years tormenting their fellow classmates, and so you're invited by extension as the love of Fred's life. He hadn't thought about it since you came out this morning.

"No, we're coming," you say, sounding like you'd secretly rather die.

"We definitely aren't," Fred says, twisting so he can lay in your lap. You receive him without complaint, though your lips have parted in surprise. "I'm knackered from all the strenuous activity this morning."

"Ew," George says.

"The niffler!" Fred shouts with a laugh. "How dare you. And while my girl's here."

"Christ," George mutters. "Has he been like this all day?"

You dip your face down to Fred's and look him in the eye, your gentle hands framing either side of his face. The heat of your palms seeps into his skin. "George, I love you, but this is never going to work. I'm on Fred's team," you say, fingertips threading into the start of his hairline and raking it away. "Always am," you say, lips barely parted.

"Disgusting," George says. "Alright, well. Happy New Years for tonight. Love you both, anything gross should occur in your room and not on the shared sofa."

Fred lifts his head and thankfully you lower your own for a kiss. He holds your face in one hand.

"Wait until I've gone, at least! Merlin."

Fred sits up properly and turns, a pretzel, trying to kiss you more while you're up for it. "Love you," he says again, lips pressed to yours, the words half-lost in the action.

You pull apart.

You spend a quiet night together like that. You're not better, kisses don't ever magically fix anything, but you hold his hand and stroke his fingernails with the pad of your index finger, and you fall asleep before the countdown for the new year's begun.

Fireworks crack over the sky outside, colours bursting in through the thin curtains.

You shift in your sleep.

"Happy New Year, sweetheart," he whispers, and kisses the corner of your lips. He lingers there for a moment, both your hands in his.

As long as he's got you, he reckons it's going to be a good year.

#fred weasley imagine #fred weasley fanfic #fred weasley x reader #fred weasley fluff #fred weasley #fred weasley fanfiction #fred weasley x fem!reader #a special friend universe

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dnickels · 8 months

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I was listening to a very good podcast and it come me thinking about Henry V and Endeavour-- obviously Russ (may I call you Russ, Mr. Lewis?) is having a little fun with Roger Allam's wonderful performance as Falstaff, but what does it mean, to position Morse as Hal in their definitive rupture? To draw that immediate and direct comparison (I know thee not, old man)? Thursday is a killer (a murderer, if the semantics are important) and has a number of other flaws we've known since the first episode, but is he Falstaff? Thursday's not a drunk. He's not a thief. He's flirted with prioritizing his own comfort and personal wealth over his duty, but he's not a coward. A bully, maybe, on occasion, but a bully in someone else's service and operating under an ideology of 'preserving social order', which doesn't make much difference to whoever he's beating up today but its relevant for literary critique.

So when Morse rejects Thursday, what is he meant to be rejecting here? He's hardly a Prince Hal himself, outside of his problem drinking. And Morse is undeniably a moral actor and scrupulously so, but Morse of his later years is hardly a white-horse-riding rousing-speech "the mirror of all Christian kings". I could see an argument for Morse as Harry in a negative reading of Henry V, where there are questions about the justification of his war and the single-mindedness with which he pursues it, or Morse deluding himself into thinking he's ever going to win his long, endless siege at Harfleur. He did spend his thirties desperately trying to die leading various forlorn hopes, and perhaps no longer knows what to do with himself.

But looking at the denunciation in the pub compared to Hal's dismissal (and banishment!) of Falstaff more literally, there's a thread to pull apart: the prince is putting away childish things to become a man, to finally clean his act up and take up the mantle of duty he's spent the play dodging. It's ludicrous to say Morse has been thus far neglecting his duties, but here I think we see the apotheosis of the cranky old man: rejecting Thursday, no longer looking the other way on his little (and big) peccadilloes, means closing his heart to everything the Thursdays plural-- Fred, Win, Joan, and Ringo-- brought back into his life after his breakdowns and directionless drifting. He's going to take up the sword. Hal ascends to Harry, but Morse seals his own fate. He'll make Inspector, but at what cost? If he starts to believe that Fred was his Falstaff, leading him astray, he'll lose that fragile ability to trust, to be open, to make a connection that lasts.

What infinite heart’s ease Must kings neglect that private men enjoy?

Long story short: Watch My Show

#morsewatch #you are lucky I didn't start web weaving here #oooohhhh out of context....#God Save Thee My Sweet Boy!!!!!

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wordswithkittywitch · 4 months

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Betty Rubble

Last night I dreamed a live action Flintstones movie. It seemed to start as a trailer, (hence my knowing the film was called "Betty Rubble") but by the end, the dramatic beats were much more like actually watching the film. A different one, not the one they made in the nineties. For one thing, Fred Flintstone was played by Jack Black. And for another thing, I don't think this plot could have been made in the nineties.

The film opened with Fred and Barney having coffee together giving exposition. Fred established that they were both struggling to raise their kids after the death of Betty and Wilma, Barney then revealed a secret they'd been struggling with since before their wives died: she was the first transwoman in history and she wanted to live as a woman now.

Fred was very understanding and said he'd be happy to happy her start her new life. Barney said she'd like to be called Betty now, and Fred offered to pretend she had always been a woman or pretend Barney moved away and his cousin Betty moved in with him, and that they could get married and raise their kids together.

The rest of the movie was fairly respectful of Betty, it was definitely a comedy but the humour came from "I'm suddenly a stepmother to kids I've known their entire lives and I'm pretending that I just met them." and not "Barney's in a dress". I think there was something with "The kids are toddlers, they won't question anything if you just start going by Betty and move in" and things turning out to be more complicated than that.

The climax of the film was that Betty and Fred got on a TV show (for some reason they had stone film projectors instead of birds inside televisions) for newlyweds where they could win a lot of money if they proved to know enough about each other. They figured they'd known each other since they were kids, they could use the money, they would go for it. But, of course, somehow the producers found out Betty had been born Barney and they revealed "You think you've married a woman, but actually, your friend Barney has been playing a trick on you for the past six months!"

You could tell there was a second where Fred was thinking, "I could make things easier for my children and go along with this, or I could defend my best friend and wife and stand up for her." before he delivers a rousing speech along the lines of "Betty never lied to me, I've always known she used to be Barney, I don't care, and if you call my wife a man again I will punch you on national television."

That's about where the dream ended, but I assume because it was a movie things ended up all right.

#dreams #the Flintstones

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astralissas · 2 months

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Sacrifice (2)

Series Summary: Daughter of notorious Death Eater, Corban Yaxley, and best friend to the Weasley twins, you find yourself dragged into the Second Wizarding War pledged to a side you'd vowed never to support. But all will be justifiable if it means you can protect the ones you love -- at any and all costs.

Pairing: George Weasley x Yaxley Reader

Chapter Word Count: 2.8K

Warnings: Mutual Pining, Idiots in Love, Jealousy, Lucius Malfoy being a bigot

Series Masterlist

You hadn’t been laying in bed three minutes before Ginny blurted, “So, when are you and my brother going to admit you’re in love with each other?”

“Ginny,” You groaned, rolling away from her and pulling your pillow over your face.

“I’m serious!” Ginny pelted your back with a small pillow, causing you to turn and glare at her.

“I’m never telling you anything ever again.” You swore. Her accusations weren’t new -- last summer, in fact, she’d caught you sneaking back from working on new inventions in Fred and George’s room at night. She’d pestered you for nearly an hour until you broke down and told her that, although you thought George was attractive, there was only friendship between the two of you.

“You two are being stupid,” Ginny persisted, “The both of you are both clearly obsessed with each other.”

“We are not!” You exclaimed in a whisper, minding to keep your voice down lest you attract the attention of Mrs. Weasley. “I said he was attractive once, Gin! There are plenty of guys I find attractive! It doesn’t mean I’m in love with him.”

“Like who?” Hermione asked curiously, a smile toying on her lips, as she returned from the washroom.

“Ugh, I don’t know,” You grumbled, “Cedric Diggory is handsome, and Adrian Pucey is good-looking.”

“Diggory’s a pretty boy and Pucey is just a prat.” Ginny replied.

“They’re not bad!” You argued. You’d had a handful of classes with Cedric, and he was always very kind and polite to you. Pucey may have been a bit of a prat, you’d admit, but he wasn’t horrible. Much like the other pure-blood children, you’d grown up with him -- your family’s circles overlapped. Sure, he had an air of entitlement about him, but he was witty and maybe even a little flirtatious when you’d seen him over the summer. And perhaps you’d responded with some flirtation of your own, which may have led to a bit of snogging. Look, it was a boring summer, you’d accepted that you were doomed to the friend zone with your own crush, and Pucey was attractive. But there was no way you’d share that tidbit with Ginny and Hermione.

“Whatever,” Ginny dismissed, “It doesn’t change the fact that George was downright miserable all summer without you around.”

“He was practically wearing a hole in the floor with his pacing when I got here early this morning.” Hermione chimed in.

“We’re friends.” You insisted, completely disregarding what they’d said.

“Mhm.” Hermione hummed as she bit back a smirk.

“Right.” Ginny said, stifling a laugh.

“You two are insufferable.” You said, shutting off the lamp and rolling towards the wall.

***

It was much too early that Mrs. Weasley was gently shaking your shoulder, rousing you with a wake-up call. You were reluctant to move from the comfort of your blankets, and, like Hermione and Ginny, were slow getting dressed and making your way downstairs.

You’d hardly taken your seat at the table when Mrs. Weasley barked out George’s name, causing him to startle next to you. “What is that in your pocket?” She demanded.

You glanced at Fred out of the corner of your eye, but he was vigorously avoiding eye contact. “Nothing.” George tried fruitlessly to lie. It was a chaotic scene as Mrs. Weasley began her summoning charms, leading to the brightly colored toffees you’d smuggled in your trunk the day prior flying from Fred and George’s clothes to her hands. You had to admit, the twins had attempted some creative hiding places. Mrs. Weasley wouldn’t acknowledge that, though. Her eyes were alight with a fire even worse than you’d witnessed the previous day as she snatched more and more of the candies from midair.

Fred finally spoke up in protest as Mrs. Weasley tossed the toffees in the trash, “We spent six months developing those!”

“Oh a fine way to spend six months!” Mrs. Weasley exclaimed to the pair, “No wonder you didn’t get more O.W.L.s!”

The tense atmosphere hung heavy in the air for the next few minutes as everyone readied for their departure. The twins hadn’t bothered with a goodbye, storming out of the kitchen and not even turning back as their mother warned them to behave. You hurried after them, catching up a few steps across the lawn.

Both Fred and George were fuming -- understandably upset their innovative product you’d all spent months developing was back at ground zero. Between the three of you, you’d be able to get a rough re-creation started, but it’d taken months of trial, error, and painful testing to get the candies perfected.

You eavesdropped on Mr. Weasley explaining to Harry the logistics of arriving at the World Cup behind you for a while, but the group was silent as the climb to Stoatshead Hill began. The twins, with their long legs and athletic build, led the group in hiking smoothly up the hill. You began internally cursing them after a mere few minutes as your muscles began to burn.

You watched the ground carefully to avoid stumbling -- not that you could make out much in the early morning dawn anyway. You did stumble once, though. Your toe caught on a tuft of grass, and you began to fall forward before George grabbed your arms, steadying you. You muttered a thanks and pulled away quickly, face burning with embarrassment and arms tingling. You focused harder then on keeping your footing, not noticing the way George slowed his pace, falling behind Fred, to be nearer to you, or the way he watched you intently, arms shooting out anytime you appeared unsteady.

Once everyone had crested the hill, you all spread out, searching for the portkey. It wasn’t long, however, before a voice called that they had found it. Mr. Weasley introduced everyone to Amos Diggory, Cedric’s father. Mr. Weasley considerately excluded your last name in your introduction, but you could’ve sworn Amos’s eyes spent a few seconds longer eyeing you. Cedric, polite as always, said hi to the group, which the twins fervently ignored.

The atmosphere didn’t get lighter when Harry was introduced to Amos. Amos ogled over Harry, rambling about Cedric’s legendary Quidditch victory the year prior against the Harry Potter. The mention of the game sent the twins into, if it were possible, a worse mood, making for a very awkward time as you found yourself squished tightly between Ginny and Cedric while you all crowded around the portkey, a finger each on the mangy boot.

You didn’t like traveling by Floo Powder but, you discovered, a portkey wasn’t much more preferable. You were jerked forward, legs flying from the ground and body jostling into Ginny and Cedric’s on either side of you, held in your flight solely by the finger laid on the boot. Just as suddenly as it started, it ceased, your feet slamming into the ground below you. The unexpected, forceful stop sent you stumbling, losing your balance and toppling into Ginny.

Cedric -- of course, he managed to land gracefully on his feet -- offered a hand to help you up, which you accepted before turning to offer the same to Ginny. At the direction of a Ministry worker, you all began the trek to the campsite, still in silence. You bid the Diggory’s adieu as your group reached the first campsite, and you watched as Mr. Weasley stumbled his way through his interaction with the Muggle campsite manager, who needed to be obliviated midway through the transaction.

Your group trudged across the campsite, taking in the surrounding tents. You resisted the urge to roll your eyes as you passed a tent that bore a resemblance to a mansion, complete with live peacocks at the entrance. Classic pure-blood flaunting.

Although you didn’t expect a tent to that caliber, you were slightly taken aback when Mr. Weasley began constructing his own modest tents sans magic. Knowing that you’d be a hindrance much more than a help, you stood back with the remainder of the Weasley’s, the twins still stewing silently in their anger.

Between Harry, Hermione, and Mr. Weasley, they did manage to erect the tents. You were sharing the smaller, one-bedroom tent with Hermione and Ginny. Mr. Weasley sent Ron, Harry, and Hermione off to get water while the rest of you began gathering wood for a fire…by hand. You agreed with Ron’s protests -- surely a small bit of magic wouldn’t hurt, right -- but kept your opinion to yourself nonetheless.

Between the four of you, the wood was gathered rather quickly, but none of it proved necessary when Mr. Weasley began to attempt to start the fire the Muggle way. And, with the two people familiar with Muggle inventions away getting water, the remainder of you were no help and instead let Mr. Weasley enjoy himself playing with the matches.

By the time the group was together and the fire was hot enough to cook food, Bill, Charlie, and Percy had arrived. Percy was pompous about his apparition, of course, leading to Fred muttering a “prat” below his breath which, thankfully, went unheard by anyone else.

The twins were still quiet -- whether sulking in their bad mood or brainstorming ways to remake the toffees you were unsure -- so you busied yourself with watching the various passersby. The Cup was such a phenomenon that it had attracted a variety of witches and wizards alike, and it was interesting to see those who had come to witness the match.

It wasn’t until your name was called a few feet from your site that you zoned in on any singular person. You found the voice in the form of a handsome, dark-hard wizard waving at you. “Adrian, hi!” You jumped up, leaving the site behind to meet Adrian Pucey where he stood.

“I didn’t know you’d be at the Cup.” Adrian said, pulling you in for a brief hug in greeting, “Are your parents here too?” He asked, although, with his pointed glance at the red-headed crew you sat with, you guessed he already knew the answer.

“No, no,” You waved your hand behind you dismissively, “I finally convinced my parents to stop holding me hostage. I’m here with the Weasley’s.”

“Your boyfriend?” Adrian asked quickly.

You felt your face flush as you responded, “What? No, no. You know the twins from school. My friends?”

Adrian hummed in intrigue, “Then why is one of them looking like he’s about to hex me if he could?”

Your head snapped around and caught George, who was indeed glaring at Adrian, eyes narrowed and brows creased. Fred too was observing the interaction rather closely though he, at least, was doing a better job of hiding his staring. As you watched, Fred nudged George on the shoulder who, reluctantly, pulled his eyes away from the two of you. “They’re, uh, not in the best mood this morning.” You said as a poor excuse to Adrian.

“Well, if they’re still in a foul mood by the start of the match, you’re welcome to come watch with me.” Adrian offered. You thanked him, knowing that, regardless of the twins’ mood, you wouldn’t abandon them. It was a nice gesture nonetheless, though.

It wasn’t until you bid Adrian goodbye and began to return to the Weasley’s that he grabbed your forearm, pulling you back toward him -- nearly chest to chest -- as he glanced around furtively, “Did your parents leave you with any warnings about tonight?”

You shook your head slowly, eyes searching Adrian’s face which was, oddly enough, slightly panicked. “Well, just, watch yourself tonight, alright?”

“What are you saying?” You whispered.

Adrian spoke slowly, as though he were carefully selecting each word, “With all the…people that are here tonight, you should be… cautious. All of you.” He added with a nod to your site.

So there was something planned then. You nodded quickly at him, muttering a thanks, just as George reached the two of you. George wound his hand carefully around your waist, pulling you away from Adrian and toward him as he spoke your name, “Everything alright here?”

“Yeah,” You assured George quickly, your skin alight with sparks where his hand lingered still on your back. “Yeah, Adrian was just saying hello.”

Taking the hint, Adrian bid you goodbye with a slightly ominous, “Take care of yourself.”

You and George turned to head back to the campsite, Adrian’s words still heavy on your mind. Though not heavy enough for you not to notice the way George kept his arm around your middle as you strode back towards the others. “What was that about?” George asked hastily as soon as Adrian was out of earshot. You opened your mouth to relay Adrian’s warning, but were cut off by the arrival of Ludo Bagman to the campsite.

Fred’s pointed look and snicker at George’s arm, still around you, caused him to drop it, cheeks flushing. You briefly considered what that could mean, but -- no, he just really didn’t like Adrian. Besides, the twins were protective; they always had been. Even back when their pranks began, the two of them always insisted, when caught, that you had no doing in them. It was sweet, sure, but didn’t stop you from ending up in detention with them nonetheless.

As the twins bet with Ludo, you were marginally surprised that the they had wagered their savings on what you thought was an unlikely outcome of the match -- Krum to catch the Snitch but Ireland to win -- but they seemed confident in their choice and their mood lightened considerably at Mr. Bagman’s amusement with their fake wand.

Barty Crouch arrived not long after -- Percy falling over himself to impress the man who called him “Weatherby”. The twins muffled their laughs behind their cups and you had no doubt that they’d never allow Percy to live that down.

Ludo and Mr. Crouch alluded to something happening at Hogwarts, pulling your mind away from Adrian’s warning, and back to your father’s convoluted words about an “event” going on at school. Try as they might, the twins were not able to pull the secret from Mr. Weasley.

Between the looming “event” in the forefront of your mind, the anticipatory excitement of the match, and the salespeople coming by with merchandise, Adrian’s words floated to the back of your head -- forgotten as you purchased a green rosette, attempting the buy the twins one too, though they vehemently refused.

***

Mr. Weasley wasn’t lying when he said he managed to get great seats for the match. The best seats, you noted, as Lucius Malfoy joined the box, gaze lingering on Hermione, throwing an insult Mr. Weasley’s way, and honoring you with an infamous sneer as he observed who you were sitting with. “To think the Yaxley name has sunk so low.” He muttered as he passed by your seat. It was said quietly enough to go over the heads of most of the group, but Fred and George caught wind of it, both faces flushing with anger; George’s hands curling into fists at his side.

“It’s fine.” You assured him -- as far as comments went, that was hardly a jab from the eldest Malfoy.

The match began shortly after and the mascots of the teams arrived. Both Harry and Ron looked ready to leap from the box as the Veela danced and, although not as affected as the younger boys, you swore that you could’ve wiped drool from Fred’s chin as he watched them in a trance. They all learned from their mistake, though, shoving their fingers in their ears anytime the Veela began their dancing again during the match.

The game was fast-paced and exciting. You felt as though you could barely keep up, whipping your head from side to side as you attempted to follow the action. Several times, one of the boys or Ginny had to catch you up, animatedly explaining the finer logistics of the game to you. In a shocking turn of events, Fred and George were right -- Krum did catch the Snitch, ending the game quickly, but the Irish won.

Absolutely giddy from the energy of the game and their massive win with Bagman, the twins began muttering to you about the expansion of Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes and what innovative projects they could fund with their newfound gold. You, of course, had offered numerous times to fund projects but the twins refused, insisting that it would be wrong to take that from you. Even Mr. Weasley resisted asking about their plans for the money -- more likely than not, he didn’t want to be held liable should Mrs. Weasley catch wind of these plans of theirs.

It wasn’t just the twins that were riding a high, though, and everyone converged in the boys tent for a cup of hot cocoa before bed. Surrounded by the infectious energy of the Weasley’s, chattering on either side of you, and the warmth of the cocoa in your hands, you didn’t think you’d ever been so content.

When Ginny fell asleep at the table, and Mr. Weasley shooed you girls into the tent next door, you bid the twins goodnight, Adrian’s words brushed into a nearly forgotten corner of your mind as you settled into the bunk above Ginny, who was so tired she didn’t even pester you about her brother.

#george weasley x reader

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theodoradove · 6 months

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SF Silent Film Festival winter program!

Saturday, December 2, Castro Theatre

More information, tickets and passes at silentfilm.org

10:00 AM

OF MICE AND MEN (AND CATS AND CLOWNS)

A collection of animated shorts, 1908–1928

Some of the most creative films from the silent era came out of an inkwell! Our collection includes animated shorts from 1908–1928, films that outshine much of what followed. For sheer audacity and pure joy, these films by cartoon masters Including the Fleischer brothers, Pat Sullivan, and Walt Disney, can’t be beat!

Fantasmagorie (1908, d. Émile Cohl)

How a Mosquito Operates (1912, d. Winsor McKay)

Adam Raises Cain (1922, d. Tony Sarg)

Amateur Night on the Ark (1923, d. Paul Terry)

Bed Time (1923, d. Dave and Max Fleischer)

Felix Grabs His Grub (1923, d. Pat Sullivan)

A Trip to Mars (1924, d. Dave and Max Fleischer)

Vacation (1924, d. Dave and Max Fleisher)

Alice’s Balloon Race (1926, d. Walt Disney)

Felix the Cat in Sure Locked Homes (1928, d. Pat Sullivan)

Live music by WAYNE BARKER and NICHOLAS WHITE

12:00 NOON

THE WILDCAT (Die Bergkatze)

1921, d. Ernst Lubitsch

Pola Negri, Victor Janson, Paul Heidemann

Before director Ernst Lubitsch left Germany to ply his famous ‘Touch’ in Hollywood, he made a series of comedies that gave hints at what was to come. The Wildcat is his last German comedy and his most riotously zany. Subtitled ‘A Grotesque in Four Acts,’ Wildcat makes use of extravagant set design and eccentric frame shapes that lend a surrealistic edge to its antic energy. Pola Negri’s Rischka leads a gang of mountain bandits who ambush Lieutenant Alexis (Paul Heidemann) on his way to the local fortress, leaving him pant-less (and smitten) on the ice. Film writer John Gillett called the film “both an anti-militarist satire and a wonderful fairy tale.”

Live music by MONT ALTO MOTION PICTURE ORCHESTRA

2:15 PM

THE EAGLE

1925, d. Clarence Brown

Rudolph Valentino, Vilma Banky, Louise Dresser

Clarence Brown's rousing film displays a perfect blend of elements—romance, swashbuckling, a modicum of humor, and the great Rudolph Valentino! Not to mention the splendid production design by William Cameron Menzies and gorgeous camerawork by George Barnes. After Valentino's Russian lieutenant rejects the amorous attentions of Catherine the Great (Louise Dresser), she orders him arrested. Instead, he flees and becomes a masked avenger intent on righting the wrongs visited upon his father and his countrymen by loutish nobleman Kryilla Trouekouroff (James A. Marcus). But the nobleman has a beautiful daughter (Vilma Banky)...

Live music by WAYNE BARKER

4:15 PM

PAVEMENT BUTTERFLY (Großstadtshmetterling)

Germany/Great Britain, 1928/1929, d. Richard Eichberg

Gaston Jacquet, Anna May Wong

Luminous Anna May Wong goes from a fan-dancing carnival act to an artist garret and finally to the French Riviera where she accompanies a wealthy art patron around Monte Carlo, draped in haute couture. Wong left Hollywood in search of roles more fitting her talents than the racially-circumscribed ones at home. This Weimar title showcases her magnetism—when Wong is onscreen, you can't look away.

Live music by the SASCHA JACOBSEN ENSEMBLE

7:00 PM

SAFETY LAST!

1923, d. Fred C. Newmeyer, Sam Taylor

Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis

Harold Lloyd's bumpkin salesclerk comes up with a publicity stunt that will bring attention to his department store and earn him the money to marry his sweetheart—scale the 12-story building like a human fly! Shot in downtown Los Angeles, the stunt has given us one of the most iconic images of the silent era—Lloyd precariously hanging over the city street, dangling from a broken clock. James Agee wrote: "Each new floor is like a new stanza in a poem; and the higher and more horrifying it gets, the funnier it gets."

Live music by MONT ALTO MOTION PICTURE ORCHESTRA

9:00 PM

FORGOTTEN FACES

1928, d. Victor Schwertzinger

Clive Brook, William Powell, Olga Baclanova

Heliotrope Harry (Clive Brook) and Froggy (William Powell) are partners in crime—genteel armed robbery—at least until the cuckolded Harry commits an even bigger offense. Before Harry goes to prison, he leaves his baby girl on the doorstep of a wealthy couple to keep her out of the clutches of his no-good wife Lilly (Olga Baclanova) and tasks Froggy with keeping close tabs. But Froggy is no match for Lilly...

Live music by the SASCHA JACOBSEN ENSEMBLE

#silent film #san francisco silent film festival #sfsff #castro theatre #i've seen three of the five features but they're all ones i'm happy to see again #(especially safety last!!!!)#(with mont alto doing the accompaniment!!!)

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the-rewatch-rewind · 1 year

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New episode! Script below the break

Hello and welcome back to the Rewatch Rewind! My name is Jane, and this is the podcast where I talk about my most frequently rewatched movies after 20 years of keeping track. Today I will be discussing my 37th most watched movie: Act III Communications’ 1987 fantasy adventure comedy The Princess Bride, directed by Rob Reiner, written by William Goldman based on his novel, and starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, and Mandy Patinkin.

This is another film like Mary Poppins that I’m not even sure I have to summarize, I feel like it’s so deeply ingrained in popular culture that anyone who is even vaguely familiar with the concept of movies knows Princess Bride. Even if you somehow haven’t seen it, you’ve almost certainly heard it quoted: I mean, it’s got “Inconceivable!” and “As you wish” and “Mawaige” and of course “Hello, my name is Iñigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!” among many many other extremely quotable lines.

But, just in case you’ve forgotten what it’s about, let me explain…No, there is too much. Let me sum up. The Princess Bride is a story being read to a boy (Fred Savage) by his grandfather (Peter Falk) and tells of the beautiful young woman Buttercup (Robin Wright) and her handsome farm boy Westley (Cary Elwes), whose love overcomes a plethora of obstacles, including pirates, kidnappers, eels, cliffs, swords, poison, fire, quicksand, large rodents, a sadistic 6-fingered count, a torture machine, and a prince who wants to marry but also murder Buttercup.

This movie used to be on TV all the time when I was young, so I remember catching bits and pieces of it a lot, but I can’t recall exactly when I first watched it all the way through. The main first impressions I remember are being terrified of the ROUSes (rodents of unusual size) and not really understanding what was going on. But I know I had figured it out and grown to appreciate it well before I started tracking the movies I watched. Once I started keeping track, I saw it once in 2003, once in 2004, twice in 2005, once in 2006, twice in 2007, once in 2008, twice in 2009, and once each in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2021: 15 times total.

If you’ve listened to my previous episodes, you may be wondering how on earth I’m going to argue that The Princess Bride is not a romantic film, and the answer is…I’m not. Though there is a lot of non-romantic stuff going on throughout the movie, I think we can all agree that the extremely romantic love between Westley and Buttercup is the main driving force of the story. And that’s okay, I’m not anti-romance simply because I’m aromantic; I’m anti-amatonormativity, the idea that every human wants and needs a long-term romantic partner. And while The Princess Bride is a love story, it is not amatonormative. None of the other characters besides Westley and Buttercup seem to be looking for romance, even though they are extremely well developed and do have clear objectives. Iñigo (Mandy Patinkin) wants to avenge the death of his father; Vizzini (Wallace Shawn) wants power; Fezzik (Andre the Giant) wants to be useful; Count Rugen (Christopher Guest) wants to torture people; and even Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon) only wants to get married so he can start a war over the death of his bride. Granted, not all of these are presented as good objectives, but at no point is it suggested that any of these characters should abandon their quests and instead search for romance. A significant amount of screen time is devoted to loving but platonic friendship, especially the one between Iñigo and Fezzik, which is fun and beautiful. The camaraderie between them and Westley when the three join forces is a major highlight of the film. Of course, it’s all in pursuit of romance (and vengeance), but that doesn’t diminish the strength of their friendship. Obviously no one can deny that a major recurring theme of the film is that true love (which is generally implied to be inherently romantic) is the greatest thing in the world, besides a nice MLT – a mutton, lettuce, and tomato sandwich – which I assume is that world’s version of cake or garlic bread and Miracle Max is an ace icon, but anyway. My point is that the movie emphasizes that the kind of love between Westley and Buttercup is rare. If you find it, you should hold onto it, but not everybody is going to find it, so don’t sit and wallow in self-pity or despair if you don’t. And this is kind of how I always thought of romance for myself, before I knew that being aromantic was a thing. It would be great if I happened to find it, but if not, there are other things to focus on. So amatonormativity and its consequences – people desperately trying to find a partner, any partner, just to have one; expressions of pity toward single people; etc – really confused me. As did the knowledge, once I figured it out, that most people enjoy romantic movies because of the romance, and not despite it, as I eventually realized I was almost subconsciously doing. Like the kid hearing this story, I tolerate the kissing parts if the rest of the story draws me in enough, which Princess Bride absolutely does. The grandpa telling him “someday you might not mind so much” about kissing rather than something like “someday you will like kissing” was almost certainly not intended to fight amatonormativity, but we can choose to see it that way. The fact that the kid wants to hear about the kissing at the end could be interpreted as “he’s finally growing up and accepting that romance is part of life”; but, it can also be interpreted as, “he’s so into the story that he’ll put up with the kissing at the end so it doesn’t go unfinished,” and that I relate to. I also appreciate that the movie ends with the grandpa saying “As you wish” to his grandson. By echoing the way Westley said “I love you” to Buttercup, the grandfather is implying that those two different kinds of love are equal, refusing to play along with the amatonormative idea that romantic love is far superior to any other form of love.

While I’m sure that a lot of people do watch The Princess Bride at least partly for the romance, I think that unlike many romantic films, the reasons I enjoy it are also the main reasons most other people enjoy it. The script is clever, quotable, and fun; the characters are eclectic and fascinating and perfectly brought to life by fabulous actors; and the tone is unique. Apart from the scenes in the kid’s bedroom, what we’re seeing is not the actual story; we’re seeing what the kid pictures as he’s hearing the story, which is such a cool way to tell it. Everything feels larger-than-life, but in an honest, pure way that makes it feel realistic even in its absurdity. The Princess Bride is a delightful blend of a child’s imagination and an experienced storyteller’s writing skills, and I think that is a major contributor to its enduring popularity, even if most of its fans wouldn’t necessarily articulate it that way. It lives in that elusive space between childhood and adulthood where both children and adults feel at home, and therefore love to revisit. I read the book the movie is adapted from once as a teenager, and I remember being struck by how, even though many of the plot points had changed, the humor and tone were perfectly consistent between the novel and the film, which made it, in my opinion, an extremely faithful adaptation. Of course this makes sense because William Goldman wrote both, and Rob Reiner, the film’s director, was a big fan of the book. But often novel-to-feature-film adaptations get so focused on figuring out how to shorten the story without omitting important plot points that they lose sight of the heart of the original story. That absolutely did not happen here, and that’s a big part of why so many people love this movie. Sure, the plot points are interesting, but we’re really here for the unique comedic tone that was taken directly from the book. Changing the sharks to eels and eliminating the Zoo of Death were no big deal, but trying to tell the story without witty jokes simply would not have worked.

I think of all the movies I’ll be talking about on this podcast, The Princess Bride is the one I’ve watched the most in large groups. Most of my movie watching has been done at home, maybe with a few family members or friends, and I’ve certainly watched this one that way as well, but I remember seeing it several times at big movie night events. While I’ve definitely encountered people who don’t love it and think it’s overrated, most people I know are always up for a Princess Bride rewatch. And because of its wide appeal and quotable script, it’s very fun to see with a big crowd. While I’m too young to have seen it in a theater when it was first released, I did go to a 30th anniversary screening in 2017, which was awesome. My favorite part of that experience was after Buttercup hears that Westley’s ship has been captured by the Dread Pirate Roberts, who famously takes no prisoners, and says, “I will never love again,” a kid sitting behind me muttered, “Well THAT seems a little extreme” and I’ve been laughing about it ever since.

In addition to crowded viewings themselves, just being familiar with this movie in general has been a very social experience. As a teenager who loved old Hollywood and frequently referenced movies most kids my age had never heard of (I know the movies I’ve talked about here so far are fairly well-known, but just wait), it was fun to be able to bring up this one and have most people know what I was talking about for once. A few years ago I got to participate in a Princess Bride script reading with some friends, and I read for Vizzini and a few other minor characters, and it was so fun! I kept losing my place because I was so caught up watching everybody else. The joy of reading this excellent script with other people who also love the movie cannot be expressed in words. Also, a former coworker of mine LOVES this movie, and we used to quote it to each other all the time when we worked together. At one point everyone in our office got these “mood indicators,” which were desk calendar looking booklets where every page had a different emotion and a colorful emoji-style face on it – I guess to give people who approached our desks a heads up on how we were doing that day? I’m not sure how other people used theirs, but this coworker liked to cut out post-it notes in the shape of hair and various props and speech bubbles to add to them, so the ones in our department would quote bits of Princess Bride, mostly parts of the scene when Fezzik keeps rhyming with Iñigo and winding up Vizzini. I’ll post pictures I took of them on Tumblr – have I mentioned that this podcast has a Tumblr? It’s the-rewatch-rewind. The link will be in the show notes. I know most people stopped using Tumblr a while ago but it’s still my favorite social media platform, so that’s where I’ve been putting the transcripts of this podcast.

Anyway, while 15 is a lot of times to watch a movie, it feels like I’ve watched Princess Bride way more than that in the last 20 years, partly because of how frequently it comes up in life. Some films are more memorable than others, and this one leaves a deep impression every time I revisit it, so each viewing feels like multiple. I’m also still noticing new things about it – it took me until writing this episode to appreciate the humor of the man with the extra finger being a count. Obviously, the movie isn’t perfect; it could certainly use more female characters and racial diversity, for a start. But overall I think it deserves its popularity and devoted followers. It’s a well-told story with an excellent sense of humor featuring an ensemble of fascinating characters; what’s not to love?

Thank you for listening to me discuss another of my most-rewatched movies! Remember to rate and review, and subscribe or follow on your podcast platform of choice if you’re enjoying this and want to hear more. Next episode will be the first one to feature a movie that was made after I started keeping track, so stay tuned to hear about something a little more recent. As always, I will leave you with a quote from that next movie: “I don’t have a skull. Or bones.”

#rewatch rewind #princess bride

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alphashley14 · 1 year

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One Of Us

A Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated/Mystery Skulls Crossover

Chapter One

Magic

The ultimate power chord.

That’s what they needed to break Rude Boy’s spell.

“Like, Scoob old buddy, old friend, old pal… after everything we’ve been through, is this it? Like, through all the scary monsters and the homicidal parrot, are our friends really going to dance themselves to death?”

“No way!” Scooby growled. Still ever determined and faithful, the dog looked around, his mind scrambling for some sort of answer. But his eyes fell upon Fred, Daphne, and Velma dancing uncontrollably with the rest of the Crystalcovians below, and then he looked over at Shaggy, trying to rouse Luna, Thorn, and Dusk from where they’d been knocked unconscious, and a knot of despair settled in the back of his throat.

It was right at that moment, when it seemed all hope might be lost, that a pink light appeared from below.

And suddenly, the sound of the synth and the strum of an electric guitar drowned out the cursed melody of ska.

In an instant, Shaggy and Scooby rushed over to the edge of the rooftop, looking down in the direction of the sound until their gazes landed upon a cloud of pink smoke. Light within it showed the silhouettes of a very familiarly shaped van, and four figures that came into clarity as the vapor cleared, their bodies bobbing in sync with the tempo of the beat.

The first member of the band that came into view was a girl wielding a blue electric guitar, dressed entirely in blue save her pink glasses, right down to the azure hue of her hair. The second was a scrawny young man on the synthesizer. He had yellow-orange hair, and he wore a white t-shirt, an orange vest, and pants that matched his locks. A small white dog stood just in front of him, looking up at the Ska-tastics with a challenge in his eyes. And finally, at the front center of the band, his bow running across the strings of his pink violin, appeared a handsome young man with magenta hair and a matching suit. The rhythm of the song picked up, and he began to sing.

“The spell you’ve got on me - it’s like magic!

His bow ran across the strings twice.

“Got me feelin’ like falling in love,

From behind the truck suddenly appeared a bizarre spectacle of special effects -

“Got me feelin’ like I’ll never give up on-

Got me feelin’ like I’ll never give up on you!”

- A small orchestra of pink ghosts with little violins, bobbing their bodies in sync with the music in the same manner as the musicians, strumming their strings right along with the lead violinist.

“It’s like magic!”

That was when the song really picked up - Shaggy and Scooby had no ear for music, but the Hex girls knew what they were hearing as they awoke from where they’d fallen: a unique blend of electra and disco with violins and a progressive thrust.

“Like, zoinks! Like, who’re they?” Shaggy asked.

“I don’t know, but they’ve got some killer sounds!” Said Dusk as the Hex Girls came up behind them to look.

“It’s not the same as ours, but that’s the ultimate power chord!” Luna exclaimed.

The Hex Girls weren’t the only ones who thought so either. The band’s pink blasts of music were canceling out the ska, illuminations shaped like those same pink ghosts blasting the Ska-tastics skulls away, and the tired townsfolk below had stopped dancing and were coming to.

“I got you feelin’ like you’re falling in love!

I got you feelin’ like you’ll never give up on,

I got you feelin’ like you’ll never give up on!”

And the lead vocalist sang, with the synth player, the guitarist, and the pink ghosts singing too in a call-and-response verse -

“Magic, Magic!” “Oooh!”

“Magic, Magic, Magic, Magic!”

“Oooh!”

“Magic, Magic!” “Oooh!”

“Magic, Magic, Magic, Magic!”

“Oooh!”

Right as the townspeople began to cheer for the band, the Ska-tastics began to play their ska with even more fervor, entrapping them once again in their spell.

“Yer dead right, mate!

Dead right, mate!

Left right, mate!

That’s right, mate!

Yer dead right, mate!

Top mate, mate!

Yer dead right, mate!”

But the newcomers weren’t finished weaving their own magic just yet, and the Ska-tastics would prove to be no match for the strong bond between the instrumentalists, or the love with which their song had been written. The lead singer and the violinist came together, still playing their parts - and as the two started to dance, eyes shining with joy, he began to sing at her with all the guile and passion of a young man in love.

“It's not the way you wear your hair,

Or you just crept out of bed.

Oh no.

It's not the way you move your eyes,

So it took me by surprise.

Oh no.

Before this night is over, I pull your body closer!

I'mma give it to ya,

I wanna get back!

Before this night is over,

I pull your body closer!”

The blue girl spun back to her place and the singer resumed his strings right as the violins returned, bringing back the people of Crystal Cove with the power of the chorus.

“The spell you got on me - it's like magic!

Got me feeling like falling in love,

Got me feeling like I'll never give up on-

Got me feeling like I'll never give up on you!

It's like magic!

I got you feeling like you're falling in love,

I got you feeling like you'll never give up on-

I got you feeling like you'll never give up on!”

The violins arose in a grand crescendo, building up to the next verse, and that was when Scooby noticed the group’s name printed proudly on the side of their van:

Mystery Skulls.

But the great dane had not even a moment to register it, before the group finally dropped the beat.

“Magic, Magic!” “Oooh!”

“Magic, Magic, Magic, Magic!”

“Oooh!”

“Magic, Magic!” “Oooh!”

“Magic, Magic, Magic, Magic!”

“Oooh!”

That was when from above the Mystery Skulls’ van, arose a great red shape of light.

“Magic, Magic!” “Oooh!”

“Magic, Magic, Magic, Magic!”

“Oooh!”

The shape took the form of an absolutely gigantic fox-like beast, its eyes glowing and sharp teeth bared at Rude Boy, its seven magnificent tails swaying to and fro. The white dog on the street down below smiled at it with a smug sense of pride.

“Magic, Magic!” “Oooh!”

“Magic, Magic, Magic, Magic!”

“Oooh!”

In two great bounds, the beast leapt through the air, above the people of Crystal Cove, and crashed into Rude Boy and the ska-tastics with such force that their equipment exploded.

The Mystery Skulls smiled at the sight of their defeated opponent, and then went on to have fun finishing their song, basking in the glow of the applause from their liberated audience. As the lead vocalist reached his last verse and the violins brought the ballad to a peaceful finish, there was a moment of silence from the audience for a few moments before the people of Crystal Cove exploded into applause.

Once everything finally settled and died down, Sheriff Stone arrested Rude Boy and the Ska-tastics, and Fred did the honors of unmasking them to reveal their true identities:

Rude Boy and the Ska-tastics.

It was just as Velma had suspected: the band had faked their own deaths.

As Rude Boy would go on to explain, the band had intended to make a surprise comeback a year after their supposed deaths with a new hit. But, writing the perfect song had taken so much longer than they’d expected that by the time it was ready, the popularity of ska music had died out. So (because obviously that was the “reasonable” and “logical” thing to do), they had come to the decision that they would make their reappearance as zombies and use an enharmonic chord with special frequencies in the music to force their audience to dance.

As the sheriff loaded the fake ghost band into the back of his car and drove off, Mystery Incorporated finally broke away and went over to meet the group they owed their victory to.

The crowd had peacefully departed, townsfolk headed home to rest after their ordeal. The fellow with the orange hair in the vest was loading his synth into the back of the van, and the blue guitarist and the magenta violinist/lead singer were wrapping up their conversation with Thorn, Dusk, and Luna.

Their girl who’d played the guitar was holding the dog - He was mostly white, with black paws, a black spot on his back, and a mane of black and red fur on his head. A gold and red pendant in the shape of a question mark hung from the crimson collar around his neck, and a tiny pair of gold tinted glasses rested on his snout. It was almost unsettling, how human the animal seemed. The way he looked between the five humans as they spoke was almost as though he understood them. Like Scooby… or like Professor Pericles.

Velma hummed thoughtfully, observing with the rest of the gang from afar. “Is it me, or does that band look… familiar?” Velma asked.

“Jeepers. You might be right, Velma.” Daphne exclaimed.

“Like, yeah. Like, they kinda look like… us.” Said Shaggy.

“That’s what I thought, too. They’re short a teammate. But if I didn’t know any better, they almost look like another Mystery Incorporated!” Velma said.

“Reah! Right down to the van.” Scooby agreed.

“That’s true, gang. The past two generations of Mystery Incorporated have driven a similar one. But we shouldn’t jump to any conclusions so soon.” Fred said.

“Fred’s right.” Velma agreed. “Every Mystery Incorporated has stuck to a very specific formula: four kids and a talking animal. There’s only three of them, and I haven’t seen or heard a peep out of the dog.”

“That’s true… but the original Mystery Incorporated is down to three members now.” Daphne said sadly. The entire gang nodded solemnly, and there was a brief moment of silence at the mention of Cassidy Williams.

“I still think Fred’s right.” Velma said. “And besides: they’re a band. It would make sense for them to have a group van… and the fact that Mystery is in the name doesn’t prove anything!” She said stubbornly. And then she was marching forward, leading the way as the gang went to introduce themselves.

“Hey, Daphne! You guys totally need to meet these guys.” Said Thorn as they approached. They said goodbye to the Hex Girls, who agreed to meet back up with Mystery Incorporated at Shaggy’s House later. Once they were gone, the gang struck up conversation with the Mystery Skulls.

“Well, hey.” Fred said. “Thanks a lot for the help back there.”

“Like yeah man, your song was like, totally groovy dudes!” said Shaggy.

“We’re-”

“Mystery Incorporated! It’s great to meet you. Your friends the Hex Girls were just telling us about you all. That, and ‘The Mystery Machine’ is painted on the side of your van. ” The singer said, pointing at where the Mystery Machine was parked.

“Yep! It’s nice to see that we’re not the only ones in town with an appreciation for a themed, uniquely decorated van. Though, you were definitely much more ambitious than we were. I love the colors! Especially the blue, but you probably could have guessed that.” Said the guitarist, gesturing to the color of her hair, outfit, and guitar.

“Really? You like it? Thanks! I designed the paint job myself!” Fred said excitedly. “I’m Fred, by the way - Fred Jones. This is Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby.”

“It’s great to meet you.” Said Velma. “And might I say I approve of the color you decided to paint your van.” She added, comparing the orange and red to her signature sweater and skirt.

“Technically, it’s Arthur’s van. So I guess it only makes sense that it’s orange. Speaking of which: Hey, Arthur! Come over here and meet these guys!” Called the singer.

The pianist with the spiky orange hair, Arthur, stumbled out from behind the van. “Oh! Hello there… everyone.” He said shyly with a sheepish wave. “I’m Arthur Kingsmen. It’s nice to meet you.”

As nice as Arthur seemed, the gang was stunned into silence after he waved. Arthur’s entire left arm was made of metal - a complex artificial limb.

“Y-yeah. I uh… lost my arm a few years ago.” Arthur chuckled uncomfortably, clutching it nervously with his other arm.

“Oh! Like, sorry man.” Shaggy apologized.

“We didn’t mean to stare.” Said Daphne.

“It was just like, kinda surprising.”

“It’s cool, really.” Arthur said. “Not everyone notices at first, then when they do they’re like: Ahh!”

“I can see why people don’t notice at first. That’s an incredible prosthetic!” Velma gushed, adjusting her glasses and looking at it more closely.

“R-really? You think so?”

“Of course! I’ve never seen a prosthetic that moves so organically! The movements of the fingers are extremely complex - You must have worked really hard to be able to use it with that much fluidity. The prosthetic’s integration with the rest of your body looks flawless! You make it look effortless!”

“Oh, it’s nothing really.” Arthur blushed. “And besides, Vivi helped me out a lot in the early days. I owe her a lot.”

“Aww, thanks Arthur. That’s me by the way - I’m Vivi Yukino.”

“And I’m Lewis Pepper.”

“Nice to meet you!” Scooby said.

“Oh, cool. So, is it not that unusual around here for animals to talk? Great! I’m Mystery!” Said the dog.

Mystery Incorporated stared at the little dog in shock, then they turned to look at each other.

A talking animal.

With that single look, the gang all knew what the others were thinking, and they all came to the silent and unanimous decision that they would discuss the implications of this later, either in the van after this conversation was over or after the Hex Girls left Shaggy’s house later. And with that, they returned to the conversation and gave their best effort to appear as though they weren’t hiding anything.

“Pretty weird how that band was pretending to be themselves… only ghosts. Huh?” Said Vivi.

“And with those words, you’ve just proved that this is your first time in Crystal Cove.” Said Velma.

“Happens a lot more often around here than you would think.” Daphne added.

“Yeah, you would know, wouldn’t you?” Lewis said. “We haven’t been here long, but from what we’ve heard, you guys are quite the team. You solve mysteries, right? And you’ve proved a lot of this town’s tourist attractions to be fakes?”

“Like, yeah.” Shaggy laughed. “That’s us.”

“Thanks a lot for stepping in when you did, by the way.” Daphne thanked them.

“Yeah, the monsters don’t catch us off guard like that very often. Without your band’s help Fred, Daphne, and I might have danced ourselves to death!” Velma exclaimed.

“Oh, it was nothing!” Lewis blushed.

“Believe it or not, that wasn’t even our first rodeo against a large-scale case of musical hypnosis.” Mystery said.

“Us mystery solvers and paranormal investigators have to stick together and help each other out, right?” Said Vivi.

There was an audible record scratch inside the heads of all five members of Mystery Incorporated.

“Uh, like, say that again?” Shaggy asked shakily.

“Oh, music isn’t our main gig. It’s more of a hobby.” Lewis explained.

“Yeah, that’s right. We’re mystery solvers - kind of like you, but when we investigate stuff… it usually turns out to be real.” Arthur said, rubbing his arm again and giving Lewis and Mystery very pointed looks.

“Cults, curses, demons, ghosts, witches, magical creatures, the Weird Tree Lady… we’ve seen most of it at this point.” Vivi said, counting them off on her fingers.

“Can we not discuss the ‘Weird Tree Lady’?” Mystery winced.

“Don’t get us wrong: we are a band. But mysteries have always had this weird way of finding us, so we’re more paranormal investigators than musicians at this point.” Arthur said dryly.

But Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby were hardly listening at that point, their minds reeling at the implications.

Three kids and a talking animal that formed a gang of mystery solvers. It was too close to the pattern to be a coincidence. A third living, active Mystery Incorporated group had just appeared in Crystal Cove. Where one Mystery had just come to a close, another had just gotten much more complicated.

This story was vastly inspired by 'The Mirror's Gaze' by Eternal_Phantom on AO3. You might not see the resemblance now, but just wait until later chapters and then you'll be like: "Oooohhhhh..." Headcanons and other bits of inspiration used in this story were also taken from various other SDMI fics I've read, including one that's rather popular here on Tumblr - 'Purposefully Silent' by OritheReticent. If you've never read either of those fics, let me tell you: you are missing OUT.

Also, miniscule population of fans who are as obsessed with Mr. E and the Ricky/Cassidy ship as I am: wait for chapter two. His role is HUGE in this story.

Chapters 1 through 10 of One of Us are currently posted on Archive of Our Own.

#fanfiction #archive of our own #scooby doo mystery incorporated #mystery skulls #scooby doo #shaggy rogers #velma dinkley #daphne blake #fred jones #hex girls #arthur kingsmen #vivi yukino #lewis pepper #msa #mystery skulls animated #sdmi #one of us chapter 1 #magic

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