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#happy like a dog hearing 'walkies'

c-duceusclay · 6 months

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Ik it's just a bit, but whenever the characters are going somewhere and are like "come on, Orym!" it makes me so happy

#happy like a dog hearing 'walkies'#I am a simple creature #I hear Orym's name #I am happy #critical role #criticalrole #critrole #crit role #cr spoilers #critical role spoilers

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hajihiko · 8 months

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a tiny (obviously rushed) idea of what the sleeping arrangements on the ship started like (eventually they all share everything and there's no rule to it but this is like when everyone was still getting used to it)

This is probably nothing like what a real modern ship might look like and that's okay

Hiyoko & Mahiru: obvious solution

Sonia & Nagito: Sonia is more patient than most but also takes no shit. Nagito needs to be near an exit in case he gets badly sick.

Mikan & Ibuki: Ibuki had to fight a bit to be alone with Mikan, but no one else was really volunteering, and Mikan is happy with her roomie.

Impostor & Ryota: Ryota is both new and also a nervous wreck. Impostor is very on-top of things and can keep him up to speed easily. Also boyfriends.

Akane & Nekomaru: Akane is both easily spooked in the night and also unusually sensitive to Weird Stuff. And she can handle Nekomaru's snoring. Nekomaru says having Kane nearby is good for his heart.

Kazuichi & Teruteru: They don't get along too bad after talking, and to be honest, it was sort of a boys-room-with-boys situation.

Hajime & Gundham: They get along well. Gundham benefits from someone agile to help him out if he's having a bad day, physically. Originally Sonia and Hajime would have switched places, but everyone agreed it might be better to save that arrangement for a later time (which never happened because they stopped keeping track)

Peko & Fuyuhiko: Obvious solution

Ibuki, Hajime and Akane are sort of 'team guard dogs' and they to split themselves evenly around the ship. If Ibuki hears anything spooky, or Akane gets a Bad Feeling, or Hajime notices something just a tiny bit off, they're all at the ready.

If anyone from Team Guard Dog suddenly shows up and says you're having a sleepover now, then you're having a sleepover now.

Honestly they all kind of need walkie-talkies lol. But frequencies can be messed with and it's dangerous to rely on a disembodied voice...

Impostor and Hajime *do* have walkie-talkies though because neither of them would fall for an impersonation.

#not an art #Not rly. I was trying to come up w comics that I can reasonably draw in 5 pages or less but it wasnt working out #For reasons including Where Ppl Sleep. But again this is just the start they go all over eventually #Talky talky #Every time I start talking bout stuff I dont wanna post it bc I'm like WHAT IF I THINK OF SOMETHING GOOD ND ITS TOO LATE. Anyway here

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talesofesther · 2 years

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dead channels

Eddie Munson x Reader

Summary: Eddie finds dead channels on a walkie-talkie to vent about his feelings and everything he goes through. One day, you happen to stumble upon his frequency.

A/N: I can't remember where I saw a prompt like this, but I knew that I had to write something about it. I think it's important to say that I know very little about how walkie-talkies work. And yes I went way overboard with this story but I truly loved how it turned out; it's a big one, the biggest one shot I've ever written, but I promise, it's worth it.

Word count: 11k

Masterlist

February 7, 1985

You were annoyed, and Dustin would hear about it for giving you a walkie-talkie without telling you what channel you were supposed to be using.

You paced in your living room, switching the frequencies, finding dead channel after dead channel. For ten minutes the only noise coming from the device in your hands was static.

Until you turned the switch one more time, and the static stopped. You clenched your fist in victory, sitting down on your couch and about to voice your frustrations to your younger friend.

"… I hadn't seen him in four years, man."

To your surprise though, someone on the other end of the connection spoke first.

A deep frown etched itself into your face when you heard the muffled voice. It wasn't one you could recognize, clearly not Dustin's. The words were laced with a distant sizzle, maybe because the person talking was too far from your location or the walkie they were using was too beat up. The tone was quiet too as if spoken without the intention of anyone hearing it.

Against your better judgment and with the help of innocent curiosity, you didn't switch channels.

"I don't know what I was expecting. Shit, I shouldn't have been expecting anything. Uncle Wayne was furious when he walked in on us and saw my bloody nose, he chased him off, yelling for him to never come back, not even caring what he needed the money for. I- I wanted to say something too but… Damnit.."

You heard what you assumed was a sniff before the stranger kept on talking.

"Dad did always make it clear that I was his biggest mistake, guess I just wasn't expecting him to come back and throw it at my face after all these years. Again."

The words were a private confession you weren't supposed to hear. There was no answer for the muffled voice. This person was using what he thought was a long-forgotten channel as some sort of diary, maybe. At least that was your first assumption.

You ran a thumb over the grey plastic of the walkie-talkie on your hands, finger hovering above the switch. Your knee bumping up and down. Should you say something? Should you change frequencies and forget this ever happened?

You changed channels, but not before memorizing the frequency.

February 19, 1985

Almost two weeks went by before you heard the lonely voice on the dead channel again. You told yourself it wasn't creepy to set your walkie-talkie to the channel when you weren't using it.

You stood in front of your kitchen counter, cutting up potatoes for your dinner. The chicken was already heating up and you sneaked tiny pieces of it to your dog when your mom wasn't looking.

The walkie rested on the dining table, you liked to keep it close these days. One never knows when the upside-down might decide to pay a visit.

"So uh, Hellfire has a new member."

You nearly cut your own finger when the static buzzed and, right after, the stranger's voice was invading your house. You turned around, carefully, as if the person knew you were listening in.

"His name's Gareth, seems like a cool guy. Honestly, I'm just happy that we now have enough people for a full campaign, I- I have all of it planned out and I think it's gonna be great, the storyline is thrilling…"

Subconsciously, you found yourself smiling. The kitchen was empty, save for your dog wagging his tail, and you were smiling as if someone had just told you the good news you were waiting for.

You didn't know this person, this was the second time you were hearing his voice, yet the almost childlike excitement that laced his tone today filled your chest with similar joy. A stark contrast to the last time you heard him.

Was it too weird to feel like you were starting to know him?

February 20, 1985

It didn't take long for you to hear from him again, not even a full day had gone by.

You had just gotten home. Throwing your car keys on top of your bed and removing your coat. On the horizon and past houses and trees, the sun was starting to lower itself, you looked at the orange rays through your window, stretching your arms.

You were rummaging through your wardrobe in search of pajamas when you heard it.

"I fucking… this school, man… Jaso-… ruined my da-"

The voice was laced with static and fading in and out of connection, the sound muffled by your backpack. You were in the process of removing your shirt as you raced towards your bag, almost tripping over your discarded sneakers.

Pulling open the zipper, you snatched the walkie and adjusted the antenna.

"… been working on that campaign for weeks man, weeks, and that douchebag just… He- he…"

You sat down on the floor of your bedroom, in nothing but your jeans and a bra; the tone of his voice slicing through your heart and making it bleed. Your eyes were unfocused as you loosely held the device, waiting for the lonely voice.

"Ripped it to pieces and threw it in the mud as if it was nothing. It's not fair. Shit, it's not fair, and I- I wanted to fight back y'know? But…"

You heard a sigh, heavy and tired.

"Yeah I froze, it's not like three against one would be much of a fight anyway."

The static came and the voice was gone. You stayed there, the wooden floor starting to become cold under your knees. Your eyebrows pulled slowly into a frown. Does this person study at Hawkins High? It's not like Hawkins had many options regarding school but still, it left you all the more frustrated that you couldn't pinpoint who it was.

Granted, your only normal year in high school was the first, and you didn't remember much about it. After that, Will went missing, and… Your mind had been a bit numb to the normal days ever since, you wouldn't be surprised if this person was a classmate of yours.

Abril 29, 1985

After a couple of months, you genuinely felt as if you knew this person.

It was odd if you so much as stopped to think about it. He opened his heart to what he thought was an abandoned channel, yet you were always there, listening; but never talking back. You knew his voice by memory, yet he didn't even know there was someone on the other end.

Sometimes — most of the time — there was a pang of nagging guilt at the back of your mind. But you'd usually think to yourself; what if, someday, something happens and he needs someone?

Well, you'd most likely be there, and if anything, the thought made you feel a little better about your curiosity.

The lonely boy on the walkie-talkie became your secret. A secret, for the sole reason, that he also became your comfort. These days your house was mostly always empty. You slept with the device resting on your bedside table. If you closed your eyes forcefully enough, you could almost feel as if he was there with you. He became a constant presence in your day, even when he didn't speak, you knew he was there. Knowing there was someone else out there made you feel less alone.

Sometimes, when the sizzled voice coming from the device was too shaky, laced with tears and sorrow; the guilt made itself more present, you wished you had the courage to speak up. To tell him that you were there too, that you could be there for him if he wanted you to, the same way he involuntarily was there for you.

After a long Thursday, you were sleeping, the rain outside had lulled you to an easy slumber tonight. However, when your bedside clock hit 2:08 AM, a distant voice started pulling you away from dreamland.

The sound was distant to your ears at first, waiting for your body to fully wake up. You opened your drowsy eyes with a frown, looking around your bedroom that was still engulfed in darkness, with only the street lamps making the raindrops on your window shine.

And then you heard the familiar voice again, quiet, molding itself into the night.

Maybe it was a bit foolish of you to leave the walkie on during the night, but these days, you couldn't help yourself.

"… and Wayne found a picture of my mom. He says I have her eyes."

He continued, apparently. You pushed yourself up with your elbows, the covers pooling at your waist. You wondered how much of his monologue you had missed.

"I don't…"

The tears staining his voice were pretty noticeable tonight.

"I don't remember her that well anymore, I wish we'd had more time… Shit."

And that was all. Static, and then he was gone again. It was fast, part of you wishing you hadn't slept at all.

July 4, 1985

You took a deep breath in, bracing yourself for the pain. With one hand grabbing onto the bathroom sink, you draped the antiseptic-covered cloth against the wound in your abdomen.

The paramedics at the mall did a good enough job, but some cuts still needed a bit more attention.

It had been one hell of a week and you barely had time to breathe between being trapped in a Russian elevator, finding a Russian base, being drugged and tortured by said Russians, and for the cherry on top, fighting a human flesh-based giant monster.

You were heavily considering a vacation from Hawkins.

Biting into your lip, you carefully closed the bandage over the wound. The white sink of your bathroom was covered in blood, as were the tip of your fingers and parts of your clothes. Tonight, you thanked the heavens for your mother's busy schedule, providing you with an empty house and plenty of time to clean up the mess.

Steve, the ever-sweet boy, offered to stay with you and help with… whatever you might need. You said you were fine, which, was a lie, but he had enough pain of his own to take care of.

You discarded your shirt to the bathroom floor, looking at your exposed skin in the mirror with a grimace. Long sleeves and sunglasses would be your go-to for a while if you wanted to avoid questions. You were popping open the buttons of your jeans when the crackle and static of the walkie-talkie made you jump. The warm voice of the stranger buzzed through right after.

"Starcourt just burst into flames."

You placed a hand over your racing heart, tightly shutting your eyes before reaching out for the walkie that rested against the tub.

"Yeah it's- it's crazy, the new town mall just burned to a crisp, at least that's what the news is saying. But I don't know man, I was making a deal near there when I heard the ambulances, there were so many of them; I mean, they said a lot of people died, so…"

You sat down on the edge of the tub, holding the walkie tightly between your hands as you listened intently.

"But still, I walked up to see what was happening and the place was filled with cops, army even, and well, ambulances. I had never seen something like that. And the weird thing is that there were some people from school there, Harrington for one, I also saw some kids from middle school and… Y/N was there…"

A chill ran up and down your spine when you heard him say your name. This person, the one you've been listening to in what was supposed to be a dead channel, the one who chased away the cold feeling of loneliness; knew you. Your lips hung open in shock, he said your name with such ease. He saw you there, he recognized you from a distance and under the blinking lights of the ambulances. Your chest constricted around your heart, squeezing tightly up towards your throat. You wanted to know him too.

You felt guilty for not being able to pinpoint who he was. Okay, the sound of a voice through a walkie-talkie is not the best or clearest. Still, if he knew you so easily, he definitely went to the same school as you, had the same classes, walked the same hallways.

Raising a hand, you rubbed your eyes and clawed at your hair. Urging yourself to think of someone, anyone.

"She- I saw her, she was sitting by herself in the back of an ambulance and I think she was crying. I'm not sure but, she looked so beat up, and- and hurt and I was walking, I mean, I was going to walk up to her to see if she was okay but a cop didn't let me. Maybe for the best, would just end up scaring her more I guess. To be honest, I don't know why I'm talking about it, I just felt like… Nevermind."

Scare you?

Your unfocused eyes stared ahead for long seconds. The cold from the tiles seeping through your body because of your bare feet.

One person came to your mind.

You hugged yourself, arm closing around your abdomen, feeling the cold, bruised skin underneath.

You thought of soft and unruly brown curls, tattoos, metal band t-shirts, and leather jackets.

You had never talked with him, shared maybe one class, literature; he rarely said anything then too. You passed by each other in the hallways, and you once caught him watching you in the cafeteria, he had been so flustered when it happened that you found it adorable. You then started shooting him small smiles here and there, and he reciprocated with big ones of his own.

Robin told you about him once. The School's Freak, she said people called him.

______

There was no way for you to be completely sure it was him, it's not like you could walk up to him one day and ask about it.

But you did start paying more attention to him, Eddie. It was hard when you only had him in the same class as yours one time, and other than that, only bumping into each other in the hallways didn't leave much room to observe.

You could walk up to him and talk, he seemed sweet. You didn't have all that courage yet though.

So you kept on listening, and your eyes kept on searching for him in the crowds. A few months went by like that, and you grew attached to someone you had never talked to.

December 6, 1985

Cold wind was raging outside and you were glad to have a working heater in your house. No amount of it felt enough though, as you sat on the carpet in front of the lit fireplace.

Your dog lay beside you, as you annoyed yourself by trying to set up the Christmas tree; it was a bit too big for the flower pot you had at home.

Slowly letting go of the branches, you said a quiet "yes" when the tree didn't topple over.

You started with putting on the blinking lights, turning them on to bathe the room in a multitude of colors. And as you rummaged through the trinkets, your ears caught in with the familiar static;

"So, I felt like setting up a Christmas tree this year. It's in the kitchen and it's not big, but it's there. I- I even bought some lights and there were some ornaments tucked away in a box that I found…"

The walkie was resting on top of your couch and you found yourself yet again smiling alone because of the pure happiness that came from your unusual companion.

"Christmas was never a very… happy holiday for me but, maybe this year will be better."

"I hope it is." You caught yourself answering back quietly, for no one to hear.

January 3, 1986

Winters could be pretty harsh on Hawkins. The break was over and it just so happened to be pouring rain on the first day back to school.

The skies were grey, heavy drops of water hitting the pavement as you turned the wheel into the parking lot. Of course, it was packed with cars, no one wanted to walk when it was raining.

You groaned as you pulled up in one of the farthest spots from school. Closing the zipper of your jacket, you grabbed your backpack and a small yellow umbrella you always had in your car.

The little thing didn't do all that much in keeping the rain from reaching you, with help from the wind, the only part of your body you managed to keep dry was your head. With one hand holding the umbrella and the other a strap of your bag, you took quick steps towards the school; walking forward with purpose when actually you should be paying attention to the puddles and many leaves the wind knocked down last night.

Water splashed around your boots, but before you could even get annoyed at that, your foot was slipping on brown leaves; the motion sent you falling back and you could only think of your backpack being submerged in the puddle.

It never happened though. You closed your eyes bracing for the impact, and instead felt two arms around your waist, your back hitting someone's chest instead.

"Woah hey, careful. That would've been a disaster."

You clutched your sorry excuse of an umbrella, slowly standing up and removing yourself from the embrace that caught you. His voice reverberated through your body in the form of a shiver, making your heart pump blood faster. The tight grip you had on the umbrella was mimicked from the one in your lungs. You couldn't breathe, because you knew that voice.

Turning around, you met the chocolate brown eyes you had been secretly wanting to see this up close for months now.

Eddie looked down at you with the ghost of a smile, he wore a black hoodie to protect himself from the rain; still, some droplets of water clung to his hair and eyelashes, shining.

And your silence must have sent him the wrong message because he stuffed his hands in the hoodie's pocket and took a few steps away from you.

He cleared his throat, eyes moving to look at something over your shoulder. "Yeah, sorry. I just didn't want you to fall, didn't mean to overstep or anything."

You internally kicked yourself multiple times for being a weirdo. "No, you didn't overstep, at all. uh- thank you." You breathed, managing a reassuring smile. "Really, you saved me from a massive embarrassment and from being cold all day."

You quickly maneuvered your umbrella to cover both of you, moving to stand beside Eddie. "Come on, let's get out of this rain."

Eddie's cheeks flushed pink at the unusual kindness. He walked side by side with you, bodies close under the yellow umbrella. Butterflies fluttered inside his stomach because he finally talked to the girl who held his heart's affection.

Once inside the school, Eddie headed to his art class whilst you walked to your science one. He waved a shy goodbye at you and that was it.

Even if you tried, you couldn't possibly concentrate on what the teacher was saying or the notes you were supposed to be taking. Eddie Munson was the lonely stranger who had been keeping you company over the last year. Seeing the clear picture now, you were frustrated for not putting two and two together sooner.

You were fidgeting with the pencil on your hands, biting your tongue until you almost tasted blood because now the person who spoke over the static of the walkie was suddenly so real, so tangible. And if anything, knowing it was Eddie only made your heart swell harder for him.

January 23, 1986

Friday nights were your nights, the time you always gave yourself to simply relax. You'd pick up a movie at Family Video, taking the opportunity to hang out with Robin and Steve at their new place of work for a while; then get home and change into your most comfortable pajamas, make some popcorn, and lunge on the couch. Just as you are now.

You lazily stroked your dog's fur, who was passed out beside you. The lights were off and the only thing illuminating your face where the images on the TV.

Last time you checked it was around 8 PM, but after a long week, your eyes slowly started to drop with tiredness. That is until the walkie-talkie inside your backpack started buzzing with the familiar static, and you were suddenly more awake than ever.

You scrambled to grab it, quickly raising the antenna before throwing yourself onto the couch again. You lowered the volume of the TV, waiting.

You heard a pained grunt first and then;

"Jesus man, they got me good today. Ugh shit- I feel like a truck ran me over or something."

Concern etched itself into your face instantly, you grabbed your blanket closer to yourself, praying for some kind of elaboration from Eddie.

Eddie. It still felt so foreign to have a name for the lonely voice now.

"I should- I should be used to it by now but… I just want it to stop. Whatever man, I'll just strap a band-aid to it and sleep it off."

"No, no, no. Don't do that." You mumbled to yourself. You ran a hand through your hair, stomach twisting in anxiousness. Running over every possible scenario in your head, even with most of them Eddie hating you in the end, you decided that you wouldn't leave him alone today.

You took a deep breath, bracing yourself for what you were about to do, crossing your fingers for it to not be a mistake.

You pushed the button on the walkie. "You should clean the cut first."

Silence, there was silence for a long time. His voice was smaller when he spoke again, hesitant.

"I- I'm sorry I thought this was a dead channel… No one ever answered, I'm- I didn't mean to.."

"It's okay," you closed your eyes, interrupting him. "It was a dead channel, I think; I just stumbled upon it a while ago — not long, promise — and I heard you, and, I don't know it felt like you could use some company I guess. But then, I- I never really said anything."

You bit your lip, nerves making you tap your knee incessantly. "I sort of just, hung around in case you… I wasn't listening like a creep or something just- I'll switch channels in a minute okay? I just need to know, are you hurt?"

You let go of the button and groaned audibly, facepalming because of your own words.

"A little, yeah."

His quiet voice was a relief, part of you expected him to leave you hanging. You leaned back on your couch. "Okay, uh listen, if it's a cut, you need to clean it up, if you don't have antiseptics just use water. And if it's just a small one, it's best to leave it open, so it can heal on its own."

"You have a lot of experience with this stuff?"

You smiled. "Yeah, you could say that."

Eddie was surprisingly chill about your whole predicament. You walked him through patching himself up. From what he told you it wasn't that bad, just a few punches here and there that would leave him sore for a few days. It still made you feel sick to your stomach though.

Talking with him was easy, the way his voice addressed you made you smile. About an hour had passed when you deemed he was taken care of.

"Hey, I'm sorry for never telling you there was someone else on this channel. It was a shitty move, I just never managed the courage to speak up I guess." You told him before ending the call. "But I promise I'll never switch to it again."

You held the walkie between both your hands, the movie on your TV had long since been over.

"It's okay. Anyone could've found this random frequency, I'm glad it was you. I uh- usually change them, from time to time. But this one was always silent, so I figured I'd stay."

Picking at a loose strand from your blanket, you pressed the button again. "I'm sorry." You mumbled again. "It was never my intention to intrude. Just so you know, I wasn't always listening, to you, I mean… Sometimes it happened but, like I said I thought that maybe one day you might need someone to talk to or something."

Eddie must have heard the worry in your tone because his next words calmed you;

"You don't need to apologize, it's okay. To be honest I don't know why I started doing… this. I guess I just wanted to pretend like someone cared to listen to my whining. It feels- it feels nice to hear a voice answering back for a change. You don't need to leave."

And so you stayed.

______

The routine that you both created was different, to say the least. You didn't realize how much you were dreading having to leave his channel on the walkie until he said you could stay and you felt the weight being lifted from your shoulders.

Now, you were actually talking to each other. You felt like a thirteen-year-old with her first crush each time you heard Eddie's shy voice calling out for you over the walkie-talkie. He was always hesitant, always a bit too quiet in the beginning. But he seemed to enjoy the company just as much as you did.

You saw him at school every day, sharing nothing more than a few 'good mornings' here and there. Maybe he knew it was you who he talked to on the supposedly dead channel. Maybe he suspected it could be you, just like you did in the beginning. Either way, he never asked.

And you didn't either. It was a silent mutual understanding that names didn't need to be exchanged. You knew he felt more comfortable this way, after all, he was sharing his heart out with what he thought was no one before you spoke up.

You let Eddie set the pace, this was his safe space. When he felt ready to talk in person or ask about you, you'd be there.

February 4, 1986

"Come on guys it's no fun if you just stay sitting there," Max complained, before dropping her skate to the ground and making her way to the ramps.

You and Steve sat on a blanket under a big willow tree, one of the few shadows surrounding the skate park. The day was sunny and the place was filled with teens.

"Alright, I think I'll go then." Steve got up, stretching his limbs and picking up the rollerblades. "You coming?" He turned to you.

"Yeah, I'll be there in a minute." You smiled at him. He shot you a smile back before making his way to the cement slopes in the park.

You closed your eyes, breathing in the fresh air of the trees around you.

"Hey, um, you- you there?"

Hearing the sizzled voice coming from the walkie near your backpack, you stretched an arm to grab it; pulling the antenna up and pressing the button. "Hi, yeah, I'm here."

"Cool, is this like, a good time, am I interrupting something?"

You smiled with Eddie's voice, your eyes following Steve's wobbly movements on his rollerblades. You laughed when Max had to rush to him so he wouldn't fall.

"No, it's perfect," You told Eddie.

That was the day you held your first normal conversation with him. He had called just for that, to talk; and your heart just about melted. You told him where you were, told him how a friend of yours was kinda bad at skating and the younger one was a pro. And Eddie told you about going to lunch with his uncle, how the man sometimes was the dad he never had.

March 12, 1986

"And then he just ran over the living room, dragging mud everywhere. God, I was so mad." You giggled, laying down on your bed and holding the walkie over the pillow next to yours.

A soft static came and Eddie's voice followed. You heard his laugh first, making your smile widen.

"I can imagine the mess. But it's so cool that you have a dog, man. I've always wanted a cat, or a dog too."

You turned around, eyes fixed on the pillow beside you, a tiny part of you hoped to see Eddie staring back at you. Outside your window, you caught a glimpse of the evening sun, orange and pink rays announcing its departure for the day. "Yeah, he's good company. Makes me laugh even if I get mad first."

Silence followed after. You closed your eyes, conjuring up an image of Eddie raking his mind over what to say next. It was cheesy. You didn't care.

"You know, I- I've been learning a new song, I play guitar, and I've been learning this new song. It's pretty sick, it's not perfect yet but… Do you- do you wanna hear it?"

You pushed yourself up on your elbows, breathing out a chuckle. Your heartbeat was drumming against your ribcage, happy that he was slowly becoming comfortable enough to share more things with you. "I would love to."

"Okay, here goes…"

You could hear the smile on his words, and as he started strumming the cords on his guitar, you decided that you loved hearing him play.

March 22, 1986

You'd never wanted this to be the way for you to see him again.

After calling a bunch of people and searching up every Rick in town just to find Eddie, then finally getting a hold of him in a secluded house at Lover's Lake and sort of filling him in about what was potentially happening; your friends were now deciding how to continue.

"Are we just gonna leave him here?"

"I mean it's not like we can walk around town with him."

"Then we can, I don't know, stop at a market by morning and bring him some food."

Dustin, Steve, and Robin talked amongst themselves, their faces illuminated by flashlights and the moonlight seeping through the shack's windows. You were leaning against the iron wall in the far corner, gaze trained on the swaying boat but not really focused.

To put it lightly, things went to shit. The upside-down was showing its claws again, but your main concern is that Eddie was being accused of murder.

Slowly, your gaze found him, and the mere sight tore your heart into two. He was slumped down in the opposite corner of the small shack, hugging his knees to his chest and shaking violently; his cheeks had tear tracks on them, no doubt his mind was reliving what he went through.

You wanted to go to him. Hug him close and tell him everything would be okay. But things weren't so simple. Until now, you still hadn't spoken to him in person again. You didn't know where boundaries started or ended.

"Okay, it's settled then." Steve decided. "Hey man, we're gonna bring you something to eat by morning yeah? Until then just… Try and get some rest." He addressed Eddie, who could only look at him.

One by one, your friends exited the fishing shack, walking out into the night, your gaze switched between the door and Eddie's small figure against the wall. You took slow steps to the door but stopped by the threshold.

"Steve," you called for your friend, hand resting on the doorway, "I think I'm gonna stay too, it's not good for him to be alone."

Steve walked back to you with a frown, his sneakers crushing the leaves underneath. "Are you sure?"

You nodded, reaching out a hand to squeeze his. "Yeah it's alright, I don't want him alone."

The look in your eyes didn't leave much room to argue. Steve left with a reassuring smile and the promise of food by morning.

As the car sped off in the distance, you closed the door behind you and turned to Eddie. He hadn't moved, his eyes were clouded with dread.

You took careful steps towards him, wincing at how the old wooden floor screeched beneath your feet. You moved to sit down in front of him, leaning your back on some wooden crates.

"You didn't have to stay." Eddie forced out, with a quiet tone that broke in the middle. His gentle brown eyes were glistening under the fading moonlight.

Gulping down a lump in your throat, you managed a smile. "I wanted to."

Eddie's gaze drifted from yours, the curl on his lips was bittersweet. "It's you, isn't it? Who- who I've been talking to."

You could hear your own heartbeat. "Yeah." You breathed out.

Eddie bounced once in his seat, leaning forward with a real smile. "I knew it!"

His excitement made you chuckle. You thought about how this would happen, you never imagined it this way though. Yet somehow, sitting with him in an old fishing shack in the dead of night while hiding from authorities, felt weirdly right.

"I'm sorry I didn't say anything before, I just didn't want to…" You trailed off.

"Mess it up?" Eddie finished for you and you nodded.

He picked at a loose thread on the rip of his jeans. "Yeah, me neither. I mean, I had a feeling, that it was you, I thought your voice was familiar but… I never had the balls to ask."

Eddie looked up at you then, pupils blown as he took you in. You, the person who became his safe space. The one who could take his breath away with just a simple 'hello'.

Since the first time you shot him a dazzling smile at school his heart had been entranced with you. People rarely spared him the time of day, yet you graced him with a genuine smile every day. And Eddie wholeheartedly meant it the day he said he was glad it was you who found his channel on the walkie.

Back then he didn't know how much he was hurting, aching for someone that would care about him, about listening to him. And that day, when your voice came through the once dead channel, his lungs took a deep breath of fresh air after weeks, months of drowning in murky waters, alone.

Eddie counted the minutes to your conversations each day, it was the best part of his day, the one he looked forward to the most. Talking with you was easy, he became addicted fast, and fell even faster.

You decided that it wouldn't be a problem for you both to sleep inside Rick's house, it's not like anyone would come looking, and sleeping on hard wood or inside a boat was less than ideal.

The house was a mess inside, looking like it had been abandoned for some time. Dust covered the surfaces, most things being out of place and haphazardly thrown around. You searched around for rooms with Eddie close behind you.

There were two bedrooms, you stood in the hallway between both doors. "I can take this one and you take the other?" You pointed to one of the rooms.

Eddie nodded hesitantly, he was fidgeting with his rings, uneasy. You could tell something was bothering him, and you had a feeling about what it was. "Or, we could just take the same room."

"Yeah," Eddie let out a relieved sigh instantly, "please." He was dreading the feeling of being alone. Even if you were in the other room, it was too far.

You both removed shoes and unnecessary layers of clothing, laying down on the bed with a reasonable distance between you. The bed smelled… old, like it hasn't been used in some time, but it looked clean.

Eddie was as stiff as a rock beside you, even not touching him you could feel it. You turned to him, adjusting the covers over you. "Try to relax Eddie, you need to rest."

He breathed out, lower lip wobbling with the motion before he turned to you as well. Eddie clutched the covers closer to his chest, a cheap attempt at seeking some kind of comfort. "You know I didn't do it, right?" He tentatively raised his gaze to yours after he spoke, barely being able to make out your face in the darkness of the room.

You frowned, for a split second wondering what he was talking about until the worry in his voice caught up to you. "Of course I do. Eddie, I- I know you, and I know you would never hurt anyone. It's just not who you are. You're good." In a bold move, you reached out and took his hand in yours, squeezing and running your thumb over his knuckles.

Eddie felt his whole body filling with goosebumps at your touch, air getting stuck on his throat as he savored the feeling. He scooted closer to you, only a little, and didn't let go of your hand through the whole night.

March 24, 1986

After Max figured out she was most likely next on Vecna's list, you had to leave Eddie's side to help your friends.

Steve's car was waiting on the side of the road for you to get in, a breeze was flowing through the grey sky, rustling green and brown leaves.

You put on your jacket and prepared to leave Eddie's hiding place, walking to the front door of the neglected house, with Eddie right behind you. You turned to him before you walked outside. "Are you sure you'll be alright on your own?"

Eddie stuffed his hands in his pockets, looking around the house. "Yeah, I don't think anyone will come looking here. Plus, your friends need you."

"You're my friend too." You told him quietly, tilting your head as your eyes remained on him.

Gentle brown eyes found yours, Eddie pursed his lips before taking half a step towards you. He was about to reach out for you but hesitated, clearing his throat awkwardly before lifting a hand to the back of his neck and extending the other for you to shake.

His attempt at pretending he wasn't about to give you a hug made you giggle. You closed the gap between you with a smile, pulling Eddie to you and holding on tightly.

His arms went instantly around your waist and he lowered his head against your shoulder. "Be safe, yeah?"

After being separated from Eddie; Nancy, Robin and you took a trip to Pennhurst, managing to speak with Victor Creel just in time to save Max's life.

March 25, 1986

Between saving Max and finding Victor's abandoned house, only now do you and your friends have time to check up on Eddie.

Your knee was bouncing incessantly the whole car ride there, your stomach was twisting with a weird bad feeling like something wasn't right. And sure enough, when you finally arrived at Rick's old house, it was surrounded by cops, nosy civilians, and the town's reporters. Yellow tapes blocked the access to the area and you just about felt your heart dropping to your ass at the sight; surely going a few shades paler at the thought of anyone finding Eddie.

Luckily, he seemed to have gotten away. Your fists balled in anger when you heard the chief of police making Eddie's name public as the prime suspect of the damned murders.

"Dustin? Can you hear me? Y/N?"

You had never been so relieved to hear Eddie's voice through the familiar crackle and static of the walkie-talkie. Before Dustin could even think of answering, you were already snatching the walkie from his backpack and taking a few steps away from the crowd to answer.

"Eddie? Thank god, you almost gave me a heart attack, are you okay?"

From the other end of the frequency, crouching under a massive rock in the middle of the woods, Eddie dropped his forehead against the walkie held between his shaky hands; a single tear escaping his eye.

"Not really, sweetheart. But shit, it's so good to hear your voice through this thing again, you have no idea."

You smiled, tension leaving your body in waves for the very same reason. "Where are you? I'll come find you."

"Skull rock, you know it?"

"I know where it is," Steve told you, all of you already making a beeline for the car.

The woods you were walking through to find Skull rock were dense, everywhere you looked sort of seemed to be the same place and you could only pray that Steve and Dustin knew where they were headed.

All you could think about was finding Eddie, making sure he was okay, and then never leaving his side again. Leaves and branches crushed beneath your sneakers, Robin and Nancy spoke softly behind you, their voices mixing with the birds singing around the forest. Despite the situation, you found yourself smiling because of the unlikely bond you had formed with the long-haired boy.

Steve squeezed his way past dense bushes with a huge grin, revealing the giant rock. "There she is Henderson, Skull rock. In your face man." He said happily, apparently winning whatever discussion he'd been having with Dustin.

"Doesn't make sense," Dustin said beside you, making you turn your head to him with a soft frown.

"Yeah, even with it staring you right in the face, you can't admit it. You just can't admit that you're wrong, you little butthead." Steve shrugged, lightly mocking the teen.

A loud thud came from behind you, then. Making you jump on the spot and quickly whip your head around.

"I concur, you Dustin Henderson, are a total butthead." Eddie took a deep breath in, hands resting on his hips.

Your lips turned up with a relieved smile, you didn't waste a second before walking the remaining steps towards him. You pulled Eddie to you with a stronger grip than before, closing your eyes to just feel him, there and safe.

"I was so worried, thought they got you." You mumbled against him.

Eddie held you back with the same intensity, one hand running up your spine and to your shoulder blades. "Yeah me too, sweetheart." He squeezed a little tighter, basking in the feeling of comfort only you can give him.

______

You could safely say that being in the upside-down was not on your bucket list. Yet here you were, swinging oars at cursed bats that decided to feast on Steve's torso. The sight was nightmarish, it was your Hawkins, only much darker, with a never-ending red storm in the sky, dust particles that made it hard to breathe, and gross vines crawling everywhere.

And only after — sort of — winning the fight against the bats and losing the creatures with help of the forest; that you finally felt the nagging pain in your leg.

You were walking beside Eddie, who was still freaked out. Steve, Nancy, and Robin just a step ahead amidst the looming trees. It started with just a distant pain that had you limping, then you felt wetness running down your ankle and soon enough you were light-headed, some trees doubling themselves in your vision.

You didn't register you were falling until Eddie was scrambling to catch you.

"Y/N? Shit, don't do this to me. What happened?" He was already on edge and right now it'd be safe to say he was on the verge of panic. He had both arms under yours, maneuvering you to sit on the ground with your back against his chest.

His voice alerted the others, who came running back.

Nancy crouched in front of you, concern evident on her face as she checked for injuries. "I think she was bitten on her leg."

She lifted your jeans slowly, causing you to groan with the sharp pain shooting up and down your leg. You could feel Eddie squeezing your hand, his chin coming down to rest on your shoulder as you heard his soft voice telling you you'd be okay.

Using Eddie's bandana, Nancy managed a tourniquet around your leg. The bleeding ceased to a minimum, and you allowed yourselves at least five minutes to breathe given that you and Steve had been hurt pretty badly.

Eddie rested his back against a nearby tree, and even if you asked, you didn't think he'd let you go. So you remained in his arms, comfortably resting back onto his warm chest.

He had his arms wound around your abdomen, grip never wavering. You brought a hand over his, brushing over his knuckles.

You felt him tense momentarily behind you, then he started lazily playing with your fingers. "Getting back at me for making you worry earlier?"

A chuckle escaped you, leaning your head back on his shoulder. "Something like that, yeah."

Several heartbeats passed before you felt Eddie turning his head, his lips grazed your hairline. "I can't lose you, man. I just- can't."

His voice came out quiet and broken, if you weren't literally feeling his breath against your ear, you wouldn't have heard. Goosebumps filled your body, you grasped his hand in yours.

"You won't." You promised.

March 26, 1986

It was almost bittersweet, the momentary peacefulness of the green fields, when you knew what you would be heading into soon. The place was gorgeous, a hidden treasure maybe. The blue of the sky contrasts with the endless grass plains, with numerous trees surrounding the clearing.

You sat by the trailer Eddie and Steve stole, preparing molotovs with Robin. You opened one of the bottles, pushed the cloth inside, and heard a familiar laugh in the distance; looking up, you saw Eddie wrestling with Dustin, both boys running around on the green field with smiles on their faces.

"How's your leg?"

Robin's voice from beside you made you aware of your own smile. You tried to hide it, focusing back on your task, but not before stealing a last glance towards Eddie. "It's better. Bothering a little but nothing I can't handle."

When Robin didn't answer, you glanced up to meet her eyes. She had a shit-eating grin on her face, making you raise an unimpressed eyebrow.

"You two are adorable, y'know?" Robin mused, smile persistent as she put another finished molotov to the side.

"We're friends, Robin." You grumbled, feeling your cheeks heat up.

"Oh yeah, you totally are."

From far away, Eddie swung his newly made shield around, with an excited bounce on his feet. "Hit me, Henderson."

Dustin jabbed the makeshift spear into Eddie's shield, both of them smiling when both weapons held up well.

Twirling the spear in his hands, Dustin rolled his eyes when he noticed Eddie sneaking a glance towards the stolen trailer for the thousandth time. "When were you going to tell me about her anyway?"

Eddie's head snapped towards Dustin, and he straightened in his stance, both hands holding the shield to his chest. "What are you talking about, man?"

Dustin spread his arms and pointedly raised his eyebrows as if to say 'seriously?'; "you and Y/N obviously, when did that happen and why am I always the last one to know?"

"There's nothing to know and nothing to tell, alright? We're just friends." Eddie told him nervously, pushing away strands of hair that the wind had brought to his eyes. "She deserves much better anyway." He grumbled to himself.

The incredulous look on Dustin's face would have been comical if he hadn't all but shouted his next words; "spare me, dude, everyone can see it, you like each-"

"Jesus christ, shut it Henderson." Eddie sprinted towards him, shield pointed at the boy who had no other option than to stop talking and defend himself.

______

The moment you crossed the portal back to your Hawkins, and Eddie hesitated, you could swear you felt your heart freezing in your chest. Before he even cut the rope, you were already begging him not to do it.

The makeshift rope fell on your hands and he might as well have plunged the spear right into your heart. Eddie was looking up at you from the upside-down and your throat was already closing with dread, you were screaming at him, words you couldn't even remember. When he walked away from the portal with the promise to come back, for the first time, you didn't believe him.

Everything had happened in a haze, you told Dustin to not dare move as you managed a way up and back through the portal. The wounds on your leg were stinging with each of your movements, more so as you hit the ground on the cursed side of Hawkins.

Your pain hadn't been a concern then, the sole thing on your mind was to find Eddie. You had thrown open the trailer door and ran out into the upside-down world as fast as your legs could carry you, not stopping once, sneakers thudding against the grey ground.

When you saw the swarm of bats circling only one spot, in a hurricane-like manner, hundreds of them going from the ground and up to the sky; you knew Eddie was there, in the eye of the storm. With no regard for your own safety, air stuck in your lungs in a mix of fear and adrenaline, you ran to him.

You could remember the particles in the atmosphere clouding your throat, the blood flowing down your leg.

You had found him there then, tears collecting on the bottom lid of your eyes. You didn't stop though. Eddie was on the ground, with the tail of one of the bats around his neck and a few others trying to claw at his abdomen.

What lasted about five seconds felt like an eternity. You had spotted Eddie's spear, grasping it tightly in your hands and slicing the bat's tail clean off its body, aiming for the ones attacking Eddie next.

When Eddie stumbled up beside you, wobbly on his feet but still standing, shield in his hands; you had already felt a faint relief.

Not even a minute after, all the bats surrounding you were falling from the sky as some sick resemblance of rain. Dead. You thanked whoever did it. Dropping down to your knees — to catch the first real huff of breath ever since the rope had fallen heavily in your hands — you looked Eddie over, who had also been breathing heavily beside you. He was hurt, yes; a few bites and scratches here and there, but he was okay. No air seemed to be enough for you though, almost like the beginnings of a panic attack that you tried to chase away.

Eddie had extended a hand to you, you had seen the worry in his eyes that no doubt were mimicking yours.

And that had been the last look you gave him. You had pushed his hand away weakly, standing up on your own, with legs that almost didn't have enough strength to carry you. Your chest was going up and down with difficulty. You had dropped the spear to the ground with a thud, slowly limping back to the portal on the trailer. Eddie followed, you didn't look at him.

Now — after Steve, Nancy and Robin had found their way back through the portal as well, and you all but collapsed into Steve's arms because your body had simply given up — you sat on the couch at the back of the stolen trailer. Steve was driving, telling everyone all about the fight with Vecna, Nancy sat on the passenger's seat and Robin sat with Dustin near the front, along with Max, Lucas, and Erica after you picked them up.

And Eddie, given his home still sported a portal — a slowly retreating one, but it was still there — sat beside you. You put a distance between you both though, pressing yourself against the end of the couch and looking out the window.

You could feel the way his eyes hardly left you, most likely wondering why you were so quiet. Thing is, you couldn't bring yourself to look at Eddie, or talk to him. Anger was bubbling inside you because of what he did, because of how reckless his actions were. You knew the raw fear was lingering too, however.

"Hey guys, where should I drop you off?" Steve looked at you through the rearview mirror.

"I'll go to uh-" Eddie started, but you spoke over him.

"My house, he's coming with me."

"Yeah that- that's exactly what I was going to say." Eddie agreed quickly, his hands incessantly fidgeting with the hem of his green vest.

Your house arrived quickly, you said goodbye to your friends with a tight hug to each of them, making them promise to take care of themselves whilst they made you do the same.

The night was cold as you slowly limped your way up the stone path that lead to your front door. The lights on the house were turned off, you weren't surprised. It was late, you didn't know how late but the whole town seemed to be asleep already, unaware of the evil that had once again been defeated just minutes ago.

Eddie walked close behind you, one hand lingering against his stomach as the other stayed ready to catch you if you stumbled.

You hadn't bothered to lock your front door and for once you were happy about it, your guard dog came running to greet you, making a beeline for the stranger behind you.

"Hello to you too." You grumbled to your dog and turned on the lights in the living room.

"Oh, it's your dog, hey dude." Despite his wounds, Eddie was happy to crouch down and shower your dog with pats. Huge smile on his face as he bit his lower lip, fingers disappearing amongst the fur.

From your place in the hallway, you stole a glance at them. Instantly, tears were prickling at the back of your eyes.

Shaking your head, you walked to your bathroom. Turning on the lights, you winced at how the white tiles reflected the brightness. Bracing yourself on the sink counter, you met your own eyes in the mirror. To say you look awful would be a massive understatement. You had a rather big cut on your cheek that you didn't even know was there before now, droplets of blood and dust covered a good part of your skin, your hair all over the place, and not even counting how your whole body was complaining in pain.

You definitely needed a vacation.

Eddie slowly appeared behind you, brown eyes finally being able to find yours through the mirror. You saw how his hand reached out for you, and how he pulled it back before he could touch you.

"Are you- are you okay?"

And his voice was so gentle, so soft that you wanted to grab him and not let go, ever. You closed your eyes, lowering your head with a sigh and gripping the edge of the sink until your knuckles turned white.

Eddie shuffled, now standing beside you. He was confused, worried. His body was screaming at him to just hold you, but now, he was afraid of overstepping. "Are we just… not gonna talk?"

"Just sit down." You told him, voice steady.

He nodded, gulping down his feelings as he sat on the edge of the tub and you grabbed the first aid kit from under the sink.

You opened the small box, rummaging through mainly for antiseptics and bandages. You silently motioned for him to take off his shirt.

Eddie tried to do it on his own, but when the movement of raising up his arms elicited more than one pained grunt from him, you stepped in, carefully lifting his shirt above his head.

Seeing the gashes on his skin got your breath stuck in a massive lump in your throat. It wasn't too bad, but there was still blood and he was still hurt. In the back of your mind, you thought about the first time you answered him on the walkie.

"We can count this as progress right?" Eddie tried, a tender smile gracing his lips, his eyes looking up at you with blown pupils. "Last time you were giving me instructions, now you get to do it yourself." Apparently, he remembered it too.

His words made the tiniest smile come to you, which made his only get bigger.

You treated Eddie's wounds with the utmost care. Cleaning them up the best you could and closing the bigger gaps with white bandages that would soon be painted a slight red.

You didn't notice the unsteadiness of your hands, how they shook over his wounds; or the permanent frown on your eyebrows, or the lone tear that escaped your eye and slid down your cheek when Eddie hissed when you touched a particularly sensitive spot on his skin.

Eddie noticed.

Leaving the small cut on his jaw for last, you crouched in front of him, biting the inside of your cheek and raising a hand to clean his face.

Eddie's gaze was heavy, dark eyes fixated on you. You could see the turmoil going on inside his head.

He winced slightly when the wet cloth made contact with his skin, you mumbled an apology. Being so concentrated on what you were doing, you jumped a little when you felt his fingers gently grazing your cheek, over the dried tear track.

A shaky exhale passed through your nose, you met his eyes and saw they were glistening under the bathroom lights; swimming in the feelings he kept guarded inside his chest.

"Talk to me sweetheart, what's wrong?" Eddie asked tentatively, dry lips hanging open, waiting for an answer that never came. "Please." He tried again, quieter.

As much as you might want to, you couldn't bring yourself to do it. You let your hand fall to your lap, avoiding his eyes, you were basically sitting on the floor now.

Eddie pushed a stray hair behind your ear, his eyes roamed your face for a minute and then he was standing up and left the bathroom.

You frowned, but didn't follow after him. You heard as he walked back, your back was still turned to the door and you focused on the sound of his movements.

Eddie sat down against the wall to your right, hissing sharply at the cold tiles, his knees tucked close to his chest. Wordlessly, he reached out and gently dropped the walkie-talkie on your lap, before hugging his knees with one hand, the other holding onto his own walkie.

The grey device on your hands was nothing but a blur through your tears.

You heard the familiar crackle and static. You almost broke down then and there.

"I know you don't wanna talk right now, at least not with me. I just hope you know that I'm here, and I'm- I'm gonna be here whenever you feel ready."

You heard his voice, both from the walkie and from right beside you.

"And… I also hope you know that you're like, the most important person in my life, I think you don't even know how much you've helped me. You're the one thing that takes my mind off of all the bullshit this town has thrown at me… Shit, you make me happy, and maybe you're much more than anything I'd ever deserve; but I'm here for you too, so if you could just- just give me a sign that you're okay, I'll give you peace, or space, or whatever you need. I just need to know if you're okay, please."

Eddie finished, voice growing quieter by the end. He let go of the button on his walkie, making the device sizzle with static.

The tears in your eyes were on the brink of spilling over, chest impossibly tighter. You chanced a glance to the side, to him.

Some tears clung to Eddie's eyelashes, and a few others made their way down, collecting on the end of his chin or stopping at the corner of his lips. His eyes were pleading, burning a hole through your soul.

Running your tongue over your lips, you carefully raised the walkie to your lips. You pressed the button, hesitating only a split second.

"I'm okay, as… okay as one can be after that, but…" You started slowly, each word following a beat of your heart. "Damn it, Eddie, I thought I lost you."

Throwing away the walkie-talkie, you turned your body to him. "Do you have any idea, of the panic I felt when you cut that damn rope? What were you even thinking?"

Eddie put down his own walkie, opening his mouth to answer. You didn't let him;

"It was so- reckless." You uttered out shakily, running a hand through your hair, brows scrunched in anger. "I mean you- you could have fucking died for those damn things if I hadn't gotten there in time, and for what? A little extra time?"

You didn't register you were crying, you didn't register the sobs; and when Eddie reached a hand out for you, you slapped it away. "You don't get to tell me to be careful, or- or say that you can't lose me when you do stuff like that. This goes both ways for fucks sake." Your tone was louder, wobbly, mixed with sobs and tears as you groaned in frustration and hastily wiped your cheeks.

You only noticed that Eddie had successfully managed to grab you when you were pressed against his warm chest. Your head tucked against his neck as both his arms closed around you tightly. Both your legs became a mess of tangled limbs, Eddie lowered his lips to the crown of your head, squeezing you to him and mumbling countless "I'm sorry" and "I'm here" and "it's okay".

His skin was warm under your hands. Your ear, resting just above his heart, allowed you to hear the constant thudding; the reassuring sound slowly but surely calming your trembling body and ragged breathing.

"I never wanted to hurt you. Promise." Eddie spoke against your skin, fingers tracing lazy patterns over your body. "I- when I saw the bats, breaking through the door, all I cared about was keeping you safe. I knew I had to draw them away from you and Dustin. Maybe it was selfish but, I couldn't risk them getting through that thing to reach you."

Shaking your head, you pulled away only enough to look at him. Finally being able to take him in, he was just as much of a mess as you were. The sight made you chuckle.

Eddie felt his heart bursting with warmth at the sound of your laugh, a small smile coming to him as well.

You reached up, thumb carefully tracing the outline of his lower lip, engraving the image of him to your heart forever. He leaned towards your touch. You almost kissed him.

"Just, please promise me you won't do anything this reckless ever again."

Eddie hummed, his hands around your waist tentatively pulling you towards him. "For you, I'd do it again in a heartbeat." His words held a playful tone, accompanied by a cheeky grin. They also held the truth.

"And I'd go after you in a heartbeat." You raised an eyebrow at him, your hand burying in his hair.

"Good, then we got each other's backs on our reckless decisions," Eddie mumbled, his breath ghosting over your lips.

He glanced down to your lips with a silent question, a plea. You answered by closing the gap between you, both hands cradling the back of his head and pulling him to you desperately, urging for closeness.

Here, with your body flush to Eddie's, his lips mapping yours in a motion of love; you couldn't be happier for having stumbled upon him on that dead channel.

⋆* ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

Thank you for reading this story. It was one that took weeks of writing, rewriting, and editing, so feedback and reblogs are very much appreciated so I can keep bringing you these stories. <3

Eddie’s taglist: @alicefallsintotherabbithole @boooil @science--hoes @cherrypieyourface @tssf-imagines @daph-505 @astream-ofconsciousness @fentyreligion @fantasylovestoryme @justabeautiful-letdown @crazyrapunzel @yessica41 @dancing-hillary @bakugouswh0r3 @hehehehannahthings @jakebasement @zervopoulouu @forverdaydreamer-blog @fromthedt @oeuryale @mcueveryday @palah @witchbinchstories

@call-me-magpie @loveshineslikethesky @luvmybbies @tvserie-s-world @agirlsguidetolove @hallothankmas @ribyourtoplip @sweetpeapod @harringt8ns @forsaken-letters @hazydespair @fangirling-4-ever @electric-cabaret @ollyoxenfrees @linkpk88 @twinkofmydreams @paola-carter @masterlistmanic @xceafh

#eddie munson x reader #eddie munson imagine #eddie munson x fem!reader #eddie munson #strangerthingsedit #stranger things #eddie munson x you #imagine #fanfic #fluff #angst #eddie munson fanfic #eddiemunsonedit #joseph quinn #stranger things x reader #st #my story

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kaeyx · 2 months

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Thinking SO HARD about Chuuya with a puppy!reader, he'd be the best owner in the world and I want him so badddd. He's a dog person too so it's perfect for both of you! He gets the dog he's always wanted and you get an amazing master. He always treats you so well, pats the sofa next to him so you can hop up and curl against his side, lets you sit by his feet and hand feeds you your meals. He always washes you with special shampoo because your skin is sensitive and combs out your fur so it's always shiny and well maintained. He puts several dog beds around the house so you always have somewhere to rest, and he can never say no to you climbing on the furniture so you get to sleep in his bed most nights anyway.

Chuuya is always petting you, holding on to your clothes and tugging you closer like it's a leash, and that's if he doesn't have a proper one on you. He gives you a collar engraved with his name and phone number in case you ever get lost and takes you for long walks along the seafront every day, because he knows dogs need their exercise and he'd never neglect you. He's always overjoyed when you greet him at the door after a long day and smother him in kisses, or when he calls you for walkies and you come running, skidding across the floor and nearly bowling him over in your excitement.

And of course, the sex. Chuuya takes care of you always, in every aspect, he understands that a puppy like you comes with responsibilities and he makes sure you're always satisfied. When you go into heat he's there for you, breeding your warm hole over and over until you're satisfied then letting you curl up against his chest with his cock still inside you, keeping you nice and full. He makes you ride him to work out some of your energy, bends you over the kitchen table and fills up your cunt until you're sure he's put a litter in you. Chuuya knows that sometimes you need something to play with, to fill your mouth and entertain you, and he's more than happy to help. He makes you kneel before him, rubbing the tip of his dick against your drooly tongue and slapping your cheeks with the heavy length, praising you for being a good dog and waiting for your treat. When he finally lets you go he simply sits back and plays with your hair and ears, hearing your tail thump against the floor in excitement while you suck him off and lavish his whole cock with attention, kissing and licking it, sucking on the tip or holding it in your mouth until you're drunk off the taste and Chuuya has to pull you off. It's his favourite way to keep you if you're being fussy, because he can do other things and you can satisfy yourself, as long as he's sitting down in one spot. Occasionally Chuuya grabs a hold of your head and pulls you off just to hear your confused, disappointed whine and watch your glossy eyes try to focus on his face instead of the cock bobbing and twitching so close to your mouth. He likes to smear your face with his precum and your own drool and call you a messy puppy, because he knows you're so cockdrunk you'll agree without hesitation, repeating back any names he calls you without hesitation because you're just that braindead.

Of course, while Chuuya prefers a well behaved dog, he's very much able to domesticate a bad one if necessary. Too much growling and biting and he'll put a muzzle on you, maybe even with a padlock if you keep taking it off. Or he'll trap your hands in a pair of cute puppy paw mitts, tape them on so you can't get them off and have to depend on him for things. He'll feed you bits of food through the muzzle, don't worry, and get you a bowl deep enough to drink from without having to take it off.

Yeah, Chuuya is the best owner you could hope for.

#yeah I'm dogbrained again so what #chuuya.bsd #dog!reader #chuuya x reader

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nightmares-dw · 10 months

Text

Incorrect quotes with bumblebee, soundwave and their leaders!

Megatron : Why are your tongues purple?

Soundwave: We had slushies. I had a blue one.

Bumblebee: I had a red one.

Megatron : oh.

Megatron :

Megatron : OH.

Optimus:

Optimus: You drank eachothers slushies?

Soundwave: I love you.

Bumblebee: I love you too. I've waited so long to hear you say that.

*Soundwave and Bumblebee kiss passionately*

Optimus, to Megatron : You owe me 20 dollars.

Optimus: You know, Soundwave gives Bumblebee flowers everyday, I wish you'd do that too.

Megatron : Okay.

*Later*

Megatron : *gives Bumblebee flowers*

Bumblebee: ???

Megatron : I don't know, I'm confused as well.

Optimus: I'm so happy, I could kiss you!

Megatron : Um...Neat.

*later*

Megatron , lying face down on their bed: I said "Neat," Soundwave. Who the fuck says neat these days? It's not neat to say neat but I said it anyways because I'm fucking stupid.

Soundwave, reading a book: Don't beat yourself up too much, Megatron . Everyone gets nervous sometimes. Remember what I did when Bumblebee confessed their love for me?

Megatron : Didn't you thank them?

Soundwave: *closes the book and looks at the ceiling* I fucking thanked them.

Megatron : What have you done with Bumblebee?

Soundwave: Nothing. Why, do you think I should?

Bumblebee: Come on, Optimus. Nobody actually believes that Soundwave is in love with me.

Optimus, to The Squad: Raise your hand if you think that Soundwave is helplessly in love with Bumblebee.

*Everyone raises their hand*

Bumblebee: Soundwave, put your hand down.

Bumblebee: Two years ago, I married my best friend.

Bumblebee: Megatron is still mad about it, but me and Soundwave were drunk and thought it was funny.

Bumblebee: Someone take me to art museums and make out with me.

Soundwave: But they said not to touch the masterpieces.

Bumblebee: Well somebody's got to pin the artwork to the wall.

Optimus, on a walkie talkie: This is Optimus, those idiots are fucking around in the East wing again.

Megatron , watching Bumblebee and Soundwave from afar: Two Bros, Chillin in a hot tub. Five feet apart because they think they’re not gay, BUT THEY REALLY ARE-

Megatron : So, how long have you and Bumblebee been together?

Soundwave: No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Bumblebee and I are not together. No. No.

Megatron : Really? Sixteen ‘nos’? Really?

Soundwave, about Bumblebee: Can I tell them they look nice?

Optimus: Sure.

Soundwave: Can I tell them I respect them?

Optimus: Maybe, if they ask.

Soundwave: Should I show them an oil painting I made of us surrounded by our three cats and four dogs?

Optimus: …

Optimus: I’d save that for later.

Megatron : That shirt looks great, Bumblebee.

Bumblebee: Thanks.

Megatron : But I bet it would look even better on Soundwave's floor.

Soundwave: Are you hitting on Bumblebee... for me?

Megatron : So... who's the big spoon and who's the little spoon?

Bumblebee: We're chopsticks!

Megatron : Well... that's cute!

Megatron : Does that mean you two snuggle together perfectly?

Soundwave: No, it means that if you take the other away, the only thing the other is good for is stabbing.

*playing twister*

Optimus: Right hand red.

Soundwave: *ends up on top of Bumblebee*

Bumblebee: You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?

Optimus: I stopped spinning like 15 minutes ago. Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't notice.

Most of it makes no sense and is out of character, but i love it

#bumblebee #soundwave #tf bumblebee #tf soundwave #bumblebee x soundwave #soundbee #transformers soundwave #transformers bumblebee #megatron #optimus prime #tf megatron #tf optimus prime #transformers megatron #transformers optimus #random incorrect quote generator #incorrect transformers prime #so immature

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smilingformoney · 5 months

Text

Rickmas 2023: Day 13. Shimmering Icicles | Sinclair/Betty (OC)

AN: This takes place shortly after Sinclair and Betty get together, which hasn’t happened in the main fic yet, but I don’t think it’s a spoiler that they will get together!

Read now on Ao3 or below the cut:

Sinclair was rummaging around in Betty’s closet, pulling out blankets, while she stared uselessly at the boiler.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with it!” she complained. “Can’t you have a look at it, Sinclair?”

“Oh, I’m useless with anything mechanical!” came his reply as he crossed the flat to deposit the bundle of blankets onto the sofa. “If you can’t tell what’s wrong with it, I definitely can’t. You have a lot of blankets, by the way.”

“Yeah, this isn’t the first time it’s packed up,” Betty replied. She turned to him and had to stifle a laugh to see he was piling every single blanket onto the sofa, like he was going to ask her to lie on top and tell him if she could feel a pea at the bottom.

“It wasn’t winter then, though. Look, there are literal icicles on the window! Sorry, Sinclair. This must seem like squalor compared to your place.”

“No, it’s cosy! Come on, get under the blankets, Betty, and I’ll get us some snacks.”

He literally did a little jump for joy when he said the word “snacks,” like he was a puppy dog hearing the word “walkies.” He made a beeline for the cupboard she’d nicknamed the Sinclair cupboard, because she kept it stocked up with snacks especially for when he visited.

She had to admit, he’d made a good blanket fort. If he was cold, Sinclair didn’t show it as he laid out an array of snacks for them on the table, although Betty wouldn’t have been surprised if he kept himself warm by the amount of energy he emitted.

“Alright, I think that’s enough!” he declared.

Betty looked at the snack table.

“Have you just emptied out the Sinclair cupboard?”

“Yes! That way we don’t have to keep getting out of the blankets to get more food.”

“Excellent idea. Come on, get in here, I need your body warmth.”

Sinclair burrowed himself into the blankets, eventually finding his way to her, and she immediately cuddled up to him.

“You’re so warm! How are you so warm? I’m stealing your warmth. Gimme!”

Sinclair laughed as she curled up against him, not caring that her skin was freezing cold - he liked just being able to hold her at all. He’d spent so long trying to ignore his feelings for her that now he was able to, he wanted to spend the rest of his life holding her, kissing her, doing anything and everything with her.

“What do you want to watch on the TV?” he asked, picking up the remote to switch it on.

“Anything you like, Clair,” Betty said, knowing full well he’d spend at least another ten minutes flicking through the channels before choosing what to watch. “I’ve got snacks and I’ve got blankets, what else could I need?”

“What about me?” Sinclair asked, and she chuckled at the way his puppy dog eyes looked genuinely sad that she hadn’t mentioned him.

“Well, of course I need my puppy. I thought that was a given.”

“I like to hear you say it,” he admitted, slightly embarrassed. “Just so I know you haven’t changed your mind.”

“Sinclair, blankets, snacks. That’s all I need, in that order, so I’m happy.”

“More than snacks?!” he gasped.

“Of course. You’re my favourite snack, after all.”

Sinclair smiled, and Betty leant her head against his chest, doing her very best to absorb his body warmth.

“Go on, then, puppy, put something on. I’m probably just gonna fall asleep on your lap anyway.”

She closed her eyes and settled into her favourite position, curled up on his lap with her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat and his breathing.

Sinclair chuckled. “I just realised something… curled up on my lap for warmth? If I’m a puppy, you’re definitely a cat.”

“I do knock things over a lot,” Betty mumbled in reply, already half asleep.

He smiled and kissed the top of her head. “Love you, kitten.”

She giggled.

“Love you too, puppy.”

#rickmas2023 #sinclair bryant #alan rickman #close my eyes 1991 #Sinclair x oc #Sinclair x Betty #for the love of books

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youvebeenlivingfictional · 1 year

Text

Walkies

Winter Prompts Masterlist | Winter Prompts List

Pairing: Jonathan Levy x Reader

Prompts: Gifts/ Fluffy/ Single Parent

Warnings: Mentions of divorce

“I feel like I’ve hardly seen you for the last couple of weeks.”

You glance across your small office space, smiling at Jonathan as he makes the assertion. What was meant to be a temporary space-sharing situation with a fellow faculty member had become a near-permanent arrangement—as the philosophy office spaces were extensively renovated, members of the department had had to budge up and share with other professors. Jonathan had wound up with you.

The arrangement isn’t an unhappy one—in fact, you sort of like it. Hell, you more than sort of like Jonathan. There had been a few initial bumps, scheduling office hours that wouldn't overlap with one another. But conversation between the two of you flowed easily. You’d even coauthored a paper together.

“I feel like I’ve hardly been in here,” You admit as you settle down at your desk. “Finals are kicking my ass.”

“I hear that.”

The two of you go quiet for a little bit as you get yourself in order, opening your laptop and drawing a bulging folder of ungraded quizzes out of your bag. You can feel Jonathan looking at you now and again; it’s a sensation that you’ve become acutely familiar with.

“Have you been able to do any of your holiday shopping?” He asks.

You glance up, slightly taken aback by the question. Neither of you have brought the holidays up in the last few weeks. You’d make the mistake of asking about his Thanksgiving plans, and received a tight smile and a mutter of, “Not sure,” as he’s adjusted his glasses. That was when your department head had filled you in about his divorce—in hushed tones over cups of coffee at the campus cafe.

“It was absolutely terrible,” She’d shaken her head, “Just up and left one morning, leaving him with the little one. Oh, she swans back in sometimes, but only when it’s convenient for her. Honestly, I don’t know how he holds it together.”

“Um…” You purse your lips as you think, “Not really? I mean—I’ve got a bunch of things sitting in online carts, but I just haven’t had a chance to get everything. And honestly, since I’ve been here at the college so much, I’m half-considering getting things sent here instead of home.” You hesitate before asking, “What about you?”

“I’ve got a few things, but not all of them. Ava’s asking for a fluffy dog.”

“Oh, boy,” You chuckle. “Any chance of that happening?”

“Not any time soon. My schedule’s so erratic, and with her back and forth to Mira's…” He trails off, shaking his head a little bit. You’re surprised that he’s mentioning it. You don’t lean into the silence, you just wait, and give him a small, encouraging smile as he meets your gaze again. He manages to give you a small smile—far less tight than the one he gave you before Thanksgiving.

“Anyway,” He shakes his head again, adjusting his glasses. “No dog. Maybe a dog plush, at most.”

“Hey, it’s a start. She can practice—get it a little leash and take it for walkies around the yard.”

“Walkies?” Jonathan repeats, brows tipping up.

“I could say walks, but it’s not nearly as fun as walkies. Obviously.”

“I’ll have to keep that in mind if we ever do get a dog.”

“Do. Makes getting up in the morning for walkies much more fun.”

The two of you return to your work for a few minutes before you glance over at Jonathan. He's never opened up about those things with you before. You're grateful that he has now, of course, and you're happy to lend a hand, an ear, a shoulder. But how do you keep from sounding obtrusive?

“...This may be totally, um…It might be really out of bounds,” You warn, eyes set fastidiously on your laptop, “And if it is, I'm sorry. But if you wanna call and chat over the holiday break or just hang out…I won’t be up to much.”

You keep working, even as the sounds of your office narrows to your hands tapping on your keyboard.

“...I’d really enjoy that,” He murmurs.

You glance warily at Jonathan and find him watching you with a warm, sweet smile. Your own smile widens giddily, and you nod, turning back to your computer screen.

“I would, too.”

Tag list: @amneris21 ; @elen-aranel ; @brandyllyn ; @massivecolorspygiant ; @blueeyesatnight

#Jonathan Levy x Reader #Jonathan Levy x You #Jonathan Levy/Reader #Jonathan Levy/You #Jonathan Levy fic #Jonathan Levy imagine #Walkies #Fluffcember #Fluffcember 2022 #Winter Writing Prompts

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rhodesrider · 1 year

Text

Queen

The Shield x Mob!Black!Fem Reader

SFW! 18+! MINORS DNI!

Warnings: Guns, Bodies showing, threats, murder

Word count: Again. long. Asf.

“Just keep focus. Don’t look them in the eye. Focus on the plan and please for the love of god, don’t let that sly mouth of yours get you in shit.” The men warned him as the business man walked pass the people in the club. The party was booming, the man had a bit of a hard time trying to get to the VIP door. “Anything else I need to worry about?” He asked as the men helped him through the crowd. “The dogs. Her hounds are just waiting for her hand and foot. Waiting for a command.” He shivered by the thought. “No eye contact with them either.” The business man sighed but thought about what he just said.

“I’m sorry, Her?”

The men knock on the door and back away hearing a cheery voice. “Oh! Come in!” A woman’s voice rang. The bouncers open the door and the man walked in with his henchmen. The man glanced and saw a woman on her phone sucking on a blow pop while the men around her either played with her braids, watched the cameras on the tv near the Desk or sat near her as the men walked in. “Mamas you got guest.” The broad Samoan man whispered to her and she looked up. She pulled the pop out her mouth giving it to the man with dirty blonde hair, he took it in his mouth watching the men closely.

“Hi guys! Welcome to Angel 7.” The woman greeted happy like and excited. “Please sit get comfy! Would you guys like a drink?” She offered as she pulled the cart around herself getting glasses of whiskey ready. The guest gladly took it shocked that this woman was to be warned about. “Thank you so much um-“ “Y/N L/N, it’s a pleasure!” She smiled sitting on the desk with the cutest smile. “Well thank you for accepting our call, miss L/N and your club is beautiful.” The guest said sipping on the whiskey. “Thank you me and my boys worked really hard for it to really pop off!” Y/N smiled kissing the one with Dirty Blonde hair cheek.

“Oh introductions! This is Seth! He’s in charge of training Employees, Bartenders and also he works the books.” She smiled and received a kiss on the cheek by Seth smirking. “Roman is on the coms he personally trains the bouncers and takes care of all security. He’s my big strong man.” She blushed and Roman gave a side glance at the men rolling his eyes not interested in speaking and got back to work. “Oh sometimes he’s a bit of a grump but he means well.” The men nodded just going with it since she seemed like a sweet girl. “And last my baby Dean. He’s just stays by me. Sometimes I’m a bit clumsy so he’s there if I fall.” She giggled and she received a bunch of kisses from Dean smiling.

“Well it’s nice to meet you gentlemen. Now that we’ve got that all out the way, miss L/N it’s time we start the appointment.” She nodded understanding as Seth sat down taking notes. “Since you are new in the territory, we grace you with 2 months free of rent. But after that we start collection.” She blinked but smiled nodding. “I understand perfectly, um collection for the big man of this territory right? How much do I give him?” Seth looked at her than the boys sharing glances that carried information. “Oh well 5k a month, I was able to talk it down for you since you’re new around.” “Well I’m very grateful for that.” Roman grabbed the walkie talkie and pressed a button talking to his security team. “Lock door 3 and 7. Out.” And he put his equipment down sitting near Y/N rubbing her hand.

“Yes and also we talked to him this morning, hopefully you see him soon-“ “Oh I won’t be.” Everything stopped. It felt like time stopped. The two men looked up confused. “I’m sorry?” “Oh my bad I wasn’t loud enough. I said that I won’t be seeing him in my club, or ever in that matter.” The henchmen had his hun close just in case. “I’m not following-“

“He’s dead dumbass.” Dean bellowed in the office irritated. “Dean. Baby what have I said about inside voices?” Y/N reminded him and he kissed her hand in forgiveness. “It’s ok baby, I’ll handle this baby.” “Hey lady, I don’t know what’s happening but what the fuck you trying to tell us?” Y/N sighed and snapped and Roman went to the closet opening the door and a bagged body fell out. The man and the henchmen jumped and got out of their seats in fear, and soon heard a gun click ready to be shot. “Say the word baby.” Seth said low waiting for the next command.

“Let me explain something to you both. The man that supposedly took control of two territories, that visited me this morning, trying to take my club from me and what I’ve worked for, is gone. Not only am I the new queen of both territories, you work for me.” She whispered in the man’s ear giggling. “And I’m so happy because I love this place. The mall the people omg it’s just amazing!” She giggled and Roman gave her gun to her, she cocked it and she shot the henchmen head taking it off safety and back to Roman. “Except him, didn’t like him.” She made a disgust like face. “Miss L/N please-“ “Oh don’t be scared, I’m not gonna kill you next silly. But my boys need a bit of a workout.” She smirked as Dean and Seth raised up, Roman right behind them. “Y’all don’t kill him and send him back from where he was.” She commanded and they helped him out the back door.

“So, 10 min headstart?” Dean asked stretching. “Nah give him 15 poor bastard.” Seth smirked. He been booked it terrified of the men. “Been a while since we had a punching bag.” Roman growled cracking his neck. The man went to try and hid terrified that he was now being hunted. “Remember, no kill.” Roman smirked and they went out to give a message out to the rest of the territory, that there’s a new ruler. Their new queen.

#wwe one shot #wwe imagine #wwe smackdown #wwe raw #wwe the shield #seth rollins #dean ambrose #wwe roman reigns

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friendlyfaded · 2 years

Note

Probably not all that rare, but Sam/Vincent, or Sam/Vincent/Lovely/Darlin? I just like hearing your thoughts— these posts about different pairings are both funny/cute AND intellectually stimulating!!!

I’m so glad you find them intellectually stimulating! I put a lot of thought into these, so it makes me happy that you’re enjoying them!!

Sam/Vincent has a lot of really cool potential, tbh. They have a lot they can bond over. Like, they were both turned under traumatic, life-or-death circumstances as a result of a terrible accident. Vincent was turned before Sam, but they’re around the same age. I imagine they’d be able to rely on each other when modern shit gets confusing, or when they don’t understand references. Sam would help Vincent realize that he doesn’t need to play the suave vampire act, and Vincent would help Sam work through his Alexis trauma. When I think of them, I think of reading books by the fire, playful teasing, competing with their vampiric abilities, and an eternity of acceptance and support.

Sam/Vincent/Lovely/Darlin’ is a ship I’m particularly fond of because there are four very different personalities in play which make their dynamic extremely fun to think about!

Sam is stubborn, gruff, and somewhat jaded, but he also feels things deeply and has a strong desire to protect those he loves.

Vincent is also protective, but he’s insecure and unsure of who he’s supposed to be. He’s softer than Sam in several ways. He is a flirty guy, even behind the mask, and his charisma makes him a great mediator type.

Lovely is quietly powerful, unassuming but absolutely brimming with raw energy and an excitement to learn. I’ve always seen them as organized and curious. Needless to say, they’re someone who likes to know what’s going on, and they take great interest in the lives and activities of their partners.

Darlin’ is an extremely complex person. They’re rough and powerful but emotionally hurt and afraid of closeness. They’re the one who would knock out anyone who threatened their partners, the definition of scary dog privelege.

All of them together would be chaotic but absolutely brimming with love and understanding. No one in this ship would go without affection for long. Everyone is being protected, everyone is being looked after, and no one is left behind.

These four make me think of nights out stargazing, doing stupid shit together just for fun, lighthearted teasing, and, of course, the three vampires calling dates “walkies” to get a rise out of Darlin’, who only gets ‘angry’ because it makes their mates laugh and they love to see them smile. I think of three cool bodies curled around a furnace of a wolf in bed and everyone drooling over each other when they demonstrate just how powerful they all are. Nighttime picnics, a wolf at clan meetings, and extra sets of clothes in everyone’s bags, just in case.

So yeah, love this ship one million

#redacted asmr #redacted rarepairs #redacted headcanons #rarepairs with prof

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ofpineapplesanddawns · 2 years

Note

Prompt: No one in Broadchurch would've taken Alec Hardy to be a dog person. It's just that the detective had always seemed much more like the kind of man to own a very distant cat which would hiss at anyone coming to close. So it is a bit of a shock when the DI declares that the huge black dog that looks more like an actual wolf than anything else is his and that people can stop making a fuss about their safety due to an apparent wolf sighting, everything's fine!!

Aka I'm thinking of something where Lucian has been seen in the wolf (not lycan) form he has in your Vampire AU and Alec has to help out by pretending to be a dog owner and honestly neither of them is particulary amused lol

The first thing this brought to mind was 'Is Vardy taking Lucian out for walkies' and now I can't stop laughing. Lucian, honey, I'm so sorry.

How does Lucian become a wolf in this au? I still don't know how he can do it, but who cares.

On with the fic!

It was a shock to the people of Broadchurch, who had seen their local DI for the past four years never show any interest in any animal before, minus that one dog that belonged to a suspect in the Latimer case. Usually, he seemed to avoid them at all costs, or they avoided him in turn.

But recently, there have been reports to the station about a large, black wolf in the area. Broadchurch didn't have wolves, so it was causing a lot of talk with people, did it escape, was it from another area and just wandered here? Did someone own it?

That last question was answered when people spotted DI Alec Hardy walking the streets with a large, black dog that clearly looked more like a wolf than even a wolfdog. He didn't seem to speak to anyone who stared at him as he walked by with the wolf on a harness, the kind that the law stated was necessary for large dogs in this area.

The wolf, it had to be, there was no way it was anything else, seemed to just walk alongside him, like a dog would. Sometimes Hardy would scratch it behind the ears, or say something quietly to the wolf, but he didn't seem to be making any sort of deal over having it.

Olly Stevens, because of course it would be him, it was always him, approached after a week and a half of people having seen the detective with his new... pet.

"Hardy, can I ask you a few questions?" Olly spoke up, walking alongside Hardy, staying on his other side, away from the wolf.

"You can only ask one, and you already did." Hardy replied, a bite in his voice.

Clearly, Olly ignored that. "What's with the dog?"

"He's not a dog."

"... Isn't it... illegal to have exotic pets?"

"He's not an exotic pet. And yes, it is illegal to own them in this area." Hardy said, as if Olly was an idiot. He was, but he wasn't allowed to say that to his face anymore, Miller didn't like it. Even though she could say it, that wasn't fair.

Olly looked at the wolf, who was looking back at him. Hardy put a hand on the wolf's head, scratching behind an ear. "Do you mind getting out of my way? Lucian and I want to finish our walk."

"Lucian?" Olly raised an eyebrow. "You named him after that guy you've been seeing?"

If looks could kill...

"That was his name before I met him." Hardy said sharply. "And I don't get what's with all this stupid gossip I've been hearing. What's wrong with me having him and taking him for walks? I don't talk behind people's backs about their pets."

Lucian made a sound, he didn't seem happy, and Hardy sighed. "Sorry, you're not a pet. Anyway, get the hell out of here, Stevens."

"Is he the wolf everyone's been talking about?" Olly blurted out.

"Yes, sometimes he likes to be off-leash in the fields, there is nothing illegal about that. The leash laws are for within the city and on the beach. Now, move." He pushed Olly out of the way and kept walking.

When he was sure they were away, he turned back to Lucian. "I know you hate this, and it's embarrassing, but you knew it was risky to change so close to town. This place has eyes everywhere, and people talk."

Lucian made a woof-like sound at him.

"It's only for a bit, until all this wolf business settles down. Then you can just be yourself again. And when you 'leave', I'll just tell everyone that I was just watching you for someone."

He got a huff in response, then watched as Lucian tried to reach around himself, nipping at the harness. "Yeah, yeah, I know this is demeaning to you, but it's the law. You are, technically, a big dog in the eyes of the law."

It wouldn't be until they got back, when Lucian transformed, that he could finally speak to Hardy. "I feel like you're amused by having me follow your silly, human laws."

Hardy shrugged, not saying anything to this. "I'm just doing my job." He smiled just a little when he heard Lucian mumble something about having him fly around on a leash in return.

#the vardy au #lucian x alec hardy #john's drabbles #good omens extended universe

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chryzure-archive · 2 years

Note

14, 15, 16, and 17 for the additional AU asks >:3c (all for ChrysiJacks and/or ChrysiMordred… shippers choice ✨

14. One-off AU (I.e., an AU you thought about once or twice)

Definitely my Hanahaki ChrysiJacks AU! It was a concept I was reminded of that made me think, “Oh, yeah, that would be really fun to think of with Chrysi and Jacks! Hmmmm, alright, I thought about it. I’m good now.”

But now that I mention it, it would be fun to draw at least! And Jacks experiencing that horror of realizing he genuinely loves Chrysi, and not only loves her, but it’s unrequited… yeah, that’s good stuff.

15. An AU that lives in my head rent free

My Blair Witch AU for ChrysiMordred! Specifically based on the video game, where Chrysi goes back to Salem to help find a missing kid because she feels solidarity for the kid! Mordred is her boyfriend that’s along for the ride—along with their dog, Pip! (Side note: Pip prefers Chrysi, even though Mordred is the one that can actually speak to her. Why does she prefer the owner that doesn’t speak her language <//3 He’s heartbroken.)

When they get into the woods, however, Mordred finds that he keeps losing Chrysi for longer and longer periods of time, even though they were side by side a moment ago. Pip sometimes disappears with Chrysi too.

Chrysi gets freaked out by it and tries to stop this whole “disappearing/separating” business by holding hands with Mordred the entire time (which, btw, Mordred’s been like, “Listen, the cops are here and doing their work, there are other volunteers, we should go home—bc you’re also not doing super well emotionally, with all these reminders.” But Chrysi keeps refusing and pushing forward.) UNFORTUNATELY, that doesn’t help matters and Chrysi and Mordred get separated magically for a fun while.

They communicate purely through their walkie-talkies. Pip is with Chrysi. There’s awesome horror in the way of Chrysi being silent over the radio, then Mordred hears crackling and her voice going, “The tree is breathing.” HUH????

Also the scene where Chrysi finds a dead body in a building, and while she’s reporting it to Mordred (who is worried sick), she looks out at the window, then urgently goes, “Who the fuck is petting our dog? Who the fuck is out there and petting our dog?” Then she cuts out and Mordred is about to start screaming.

Later, Pip returns to Mordred’s… idk, dimension??? After the “let sleeping dogs die” scene. Mordred patches her up best he can (and SHE LIVES, BC I’M DOING THE HAPPY ENDING). Once she’s up and walking, her ears perk up and she frantically runs into the forest (even though she’s still injured!!! Mordred’s freaking out! That’s their little puppy, who is actually quite large!).

When Pip finds Chrysi, Chrysi is bleeding out from a stab wound from… the future her? The past her from the wrong timeline? Just STABBED and in a weird horror kind of way. She faints from blood loss right as Mordred finds her and Pip. He carries her back to the hospital—and while he’s waiting for her to wake up, he finds out that the missing kid’s corpse was recovered. He thinks he’s going to be sick.

(Though I could do a “best ending” version where the kid is found alive, I just… want to lean more into horror. It ends well for the main characters, but everything they did was all for nothing. EXCEPT it wasn’t for nothing—Chrysi broke the cycle, and no other kids will be kidnapped. But she just wasn’t in time for this one. And it will kill her when she wakes up.)

16. An AU that has so little to do with canon that it’s essentially an original story with pre-made characters

L�� literally my A-Team ChrysiJacks AU… I don’t even know how to begin explaining that. So, imagine the A-Team (2010) movie. Imagine now that Chrysi died during one of their missions. Imagine she came back to life, but she’s definitely slightly wrong now. Now imagine she was stuck in a mental institution because of all that. Things get… really weird. I don’t even know how to describe it. It’s just weird! Because now there’s magic and there’s curses and Chrysi and Jacks are definitely in love, but also she did try to kill him when they finally saw each other again after *gestures vaguely at the whole “died and came back to life incident”* all that. Jacks is still like “It’s okay, she still loves me <33 I know her.” “If I were a zombie, you would be the first one I’d turn.” “True love :)”

Again. I just… you can guess, right? How can I explain that? I mean, like, how??? How.

Side note: I looked up the ratings for that movie and, boy, do people not like it. Well, I love it. It’s funny and I enjoyed it.

17. A comfort AU

I always like thinking of a Phantom of the Opera AU as a comfort AU, for every single one of my ships :) There’s something about the combination of childhood friends, separated, finding each other again AND being essentially the pet songbird of creepy sewer guy that I adore.

But I like thinking of Jacks being the “childhood friend” that Chrysi actually detested as a kid, but now she’s like “… Huh! Okay, he’s cute now. I’ll give him that.” And then him protecting her in the graveyard?? Nearly being hanged for her???? HMMMMMM, TRUE LOVE… SECRET ENGAGEMENT AT THE MASQUERADE?????? YEAH. YEAH. YEAHHHHH.

#.asks #m.filly✨#s.chrysijacks #s.chrysimordred #i jst love these concepts sm #srry abt the blair witch rambling it’s just!!! that game freaked me out so bad that i started tearing up #the combo of the witch AND his trauma coming back to haunt him was sooo good #idk if other ppl loved that game but to me it was really meaningful and all the endings—though simple—were so sad and fitting

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theskoomacat · 9 days

Note

for the music asks! :3

1, 9, 11, 20, 28

Thanks a lot for asking!!

(the post with questions)

1. A song you like with a color in the title

i_bet_you_werent_expecting_THIS.gif (I did skip Golden Brown by The Stranglers and White Sun by The Doobie Brothers for this one.)

youtube

I've heard this track often in my childhood, mostly in the ad for a book fair on tv iirc. Took me a while to actually track it down.

9. A song that makes you happy

youtube

Idk about "happy" but this one makes me kinda hype lately. I don't want to go home atm but I still feel like a dog hearing "walkies".

11. A song that you never get tired of

youtube

I've mostly filtered Metallica out of my system by now, but I still enjoy this track very much.

20. A song that has many meanings to you

I am not 100% what this question means. Is it supposed to be a song I find some hidden meaning in, or it "means a lot" to me Well, for the first version I guess I could give you this:

youtube

I generally do not understand what Smash Mouth lyrics mean. But it makes it easier to project whatever meaning you want on them! I do enjoy whatever emotion this song evokes in me.

youtube

As for meaning a lot - this song is forever seared into my mind since the period of my life when my mom was out of town taking care of grandpa, and I went to school alone every day, and it was very cold, and the sky was an icy iridescent sunrise every morning. I have no idea what this emotion is either, but it is heavy.

28. A song by an artist with a voice that you love

This turned out to be a bit harder than I thought, apparently I don't have many songs where the voice is the main feature to me. I have a couple of songs by singers with strong voices, but I can't put Delta Rae into EVERY song ask meme ok. So shout out to Julia by Pavlov's Dog, Feel It Still by Portugal. The Man and the main entry: (i am now realizing that all these bands feature a male singer who can sing higher that i probably can. hm.)

youtube

(the song itself starts at 1:04. afaik there is a cleaner recording of the performance, but i like this one more.) One of my fav russian bands, Несчастный Случай. Here they are participating in the play "Radio Day" about a radio station that is forced to come up with a mostly fake news topic to keep their listeners engaged. It's half whacky hijinks and half Несчастный Случай performing as like 20 different bands in different hats and genres. Here it's some... alt drug genre according to the 2000s Russia. Anyway i've always loved the lead's voice, I could give more examples but I feel like this one is not widely known enough.

#music #yana

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imsorrycongrats · 20 days

Text

talking about potential pet death under the cut, proceed with caution

we are going to have to make the choice to put our dog down in the next couple of months... at his vet appointment earlier this year, his vet gently explained that Kipper is very very healthy for a 17 year old dog, which means it's very likely he will not pass away naturally for a while. unfortunately, he's been losing his sight and hearing for over 5 years at this point and has been in diapers for a year and a half. wearing the diapers all day irritates his skin and causes him pain and we can no longer keep up with his hygiene. on top of all of this, he wakes up several times every night confused and needing help getting adjusted and comfortable.

i really struggle to justify having to do this - if our dog is healthy, then we should be happy to care for him. at the same time, he doesn't even get to go walkies anymore. he can't find patches of sun to lay in anymore. he wants to play, but he can't see his toys or keep up with any of the games we used to play. he's forgotten all the tricks we taught him, even spin, which he learned within the past few years.

my partner and i are both adult orphans who have watched people die over and over. i told my partner that i think it would be easier on us to decide to do it now, in the next month or so, while he's still himself. i don't think i want to see him get worse cognitively. i've already tortured myself over this for a few years - i used to wake up every morning and dread checking on him and finding him dead.

so much of our lives right now is structured around caring for a senior dog. idk. it's hard to imagine a life beyond 3 loads of laundry a day to keep up with his diapers, beyond having to get up five times to put his blanket back on him, beyond getting up in the middle of the night to put him back in his bed because he falls out and can't find his way back. it hurts. it hurts. i'm hurting.

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reneenalaniartista · 4 months

Text

1.2.2024

I don't even have a title for this entry. Ha.

I haven't been doing well in terms of mental health. I had plans for work that I cancelled because of what had transpired during my work week. I didn't handle things well. I've been ruminating. (I didn't want to leave my bed for the first time in a while.) I've been tired (spiritually). I know I'm ready for something new.

New career. New area. New people. New. New. New...

Happy New Year, by the way.

Oh, and there's no correlation between the holiday and my desire for a new chapter in my life. No. I no longer allow myself to feel the pressure of the holiday. This desire's been burning inside me for some time. I'm biding my time and doing my work until then.

The thing is because I've been tired of my current situation... I feel like I've had a nasty attitude. It doesn't take much either. I'll feel crossed and that's it. Weekend-refreshed-Renee is out the door. My environment isn't helping my growth. I'm less likely to put up with bullshit, sure. I can see people for who/what they are. (Thanks, narcissistic trauma!)

I'll feel scorned. Unjust. Hurt. But if I have to be honest, I am actively choosing my behavior and reactions. I've been using my environment as my scapegoat to justify them. I can choose other ways to act and behave. I'm letting my impatience and exhaustion overwhelm me.

I know I'm no better than anyone in my environment. I also know that I don't belong anymore. Hence the desire for change. To find somewhere I belong. Do something I'm truly passionate about.

My values revolve around independence, growth, creativity, and (believe it or not) communication. Sure, I can do all those things now with my values. Don't get me wrong either. I am thankful for what I have now. I feel I am not meeting my full potential with where I am at. This circles back to my desire for change.

I'm grateful for being back in school. It has helped me realize my potential. It has also reaffirmed for me where my passions lie. Not only that, I enjoy learning! What deterred me was all the testing and the classroom environment. I don't like distractions when I'm trying to focus (ADHD). If you catch me reading, or doing anything really, and I'm short with you. It's nothing personal. I'm trying to concentrate. I need to focus my mind on one thing at a time.

While my feelings are valid, I need to practice mindfulness. Think before acting. If I find myself in a situation I am not happy with, I can calmly take myself out of it. I do not have to overreact. I can do better. I can.

I'm laughing to myself because I remember hearing this from Daniel Tiger when my niece and nephew would watch it. This is cheesy as all heck, but it's catchy. How does it go? I'm going to try to remember it without looking it up...

"When you're feeling mad and you want to roar, just take a deep breath. [Deep breath.] And count to four. 1...2...3...4."

They teaching mindful breathing to tots... It's great.

With that I'm going to take my dog, Paula, for walkies. Going to do some mindfulness practices during our walk. Meditative walk, if you will. I know I'm not going to be completely zen over night (hence my gripe with the concept surrounding new year's). It all starts with practice.

Take care of yourselves.

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jackzillanyanut8008 · 1 year

Text

The Last Of Us Part 3: Fan Write (Part 9)

Author’s Note:

This fan write of the 3rd addition to The Last Of Us franchise is completely fan made, I own zero rights to the game, tv show, or merchandise. Any and all properties of this franchise are owned by Naughty Dog Studios, Sony Computer Entertainment, Sony Interactive Entertainment, and PlayStation Studios. And of course, please support both the previous games, as well as the HBO series.

-Stone CL Williams

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 24: …Look For the Light

Lev wakes up after being knocked out during the ambush at the bus. He looks around the room he’s in to get a better layout of the situation. The room was dimly lit, but tidy. It had a heavy smell of cigarette smoke and candle wax. Eventually a door behind her swings open, and the voice of his captor is revealed.

“Hello little one… Enjoying yourself?” Gunji says as he sits down in the seat across from him. Lev tries to get out of the chair but can’t move his hands. He then looks down and sees they’re bound to the chair he’s sitting in.

“My friends are gonna find me. And when they do, I’ll gut you like the bloated pig you are” Lev snaps. Gunji lets out a deep chuckle and gets up from his seat. His steps echoing throughout the room like thunder “I’d like to see you try. BOYS!” the warlord says as his guards enter the room “Take him to the arena, lets see what the little brat can do” he says maliciously as the two goons grab Lev and take him away.

“LET ME GO!!! I’LL GUT YOU!!! YOU’RE ALL GOING TO BURN!!! YOU’RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!” Lev yells, kicking and screaming to get the guards off of him before they knock him out again.

Meanwhile, Deacon and the others are sneaking around the sewers to reach the stadium without raising suspicion. “Alright, we should be just outside the stadium. Abby, Ellie, Butch and Mitch will be in charge of rescuing Lev. While Me, Dina and Specks plant the explosives. Any objections?” Deacon says as they reach a sewer grate. “As long as we’re out of this sewer” Abby says in disgust. The groups climbs up the ladder and split up. Deacon’s group heads towards the lower levels and Abby’s group heads towards the upper floors and roof to find Lev.

Inside the stadium, Lev wakes up in a cell, handcuffed to a metal pole in the back of the room. He can hear the other prisoners, groaning lifelessly. “Welcome to the Barracks kid” a frail looking woman says next to Lev. “Barracks? What are you-” Lev tries to say before the woman cuts him off “Quiet, guards are coming” she says as the thundering steps of combat boots echo through the halls. “Alright shitbags, Lord Gunji wants to have one last big show before we pack up and head to Hoovertown so try to make tonight's show a little… enthusing” a guard says as he laughs before a series of gunshots echo through the stadium.

“What the- Hey what the hell’s going on out there?” the guard asks over a walkie talkie. The voice on the other hand whimpers in pain before a familiar voice echoes through which puts a smile on Lev’s face “Hey there assholes, I’m back” Deacon says on the other end.

Chapter 25: Intruders

Deacon drops the walkie on the ground before cushing it under his boot. “Alright guys, let’s go raid that armory” he says to Dina and Specks, who both give him a nod as they run through the stadium corridors while alarms blare through the speakers.

“ATTENTION FORGOTTEN BRETHREN!!! IT APPEARS THAT OUR TRAITOROUS FALSE BROTHER- DEACON THOMAS- HAS THREATENED OUR HAPPY HOME! SO DO LORD GUNJI AN HONORABLE SERVICE AND KILL THIS RAT FACED BASTARD!!!” DD yells through the PA system.

Deacon’s group eventually find the armory and grab a few duffle bags from carrying the bombs to carry their- as Deacon would say- “newly found” weapons. “Isn’t this a little wrong Deacon, I mean, won’t they need these to protect themselves against the infected or other groups they might come across” Specks asks as he puts a few handguns in his bag. Deacon opens his mouth to answer the question before Dina speaks up “Maybe they should’ve thought of that before kidnapping Lev” she says flatly, giving Deacon a “how did I do boss?” type of look.

But before Deacon can get a word out he stops and hears an ear piercing screech of metal on metal “Oh shit, it’s worse than I thought, they're gonna make him compete in the tournament” he says worryingly. “Tournament? What tournament Deacon?” Specks asks before he receives his cruel answer.

“LADIES AND GENTLE TURDS WE HAVE DECIDED TO PERSUADE OUR LITTLE INTRUDERS BY HAVING THEIR LITTLE FRIEND COMPETE IN OUR AGE OLD TRADITION: THE FUNGAL FIRE PIT!! NOW WITH CLICKERS!!” DD says, almost advertising the ungodly pit of fire and fungus in the center of the stadium.

Abby and her team look down and see Lev, along with a few other prisoners, run out of the pit. “LEV!” Abby yells before getting shot at. “Abby! We need to wait for Deacon’s signal before we head down there!” Mitch says before getting a bullet through his skull, causing Butch to charge at the goons in a blood rage. Abby and Ellie meanwhile head down to save Lev from Gunji and DD before he gets turned into an infected chum pile.

Deacon’s group meanwhile, reaches the Gas Room for the arena. “Finally, let's hurry up and get these bombs planted before-” Deacon says before a shadow darts out of the room and elbow shoves him into a pipe on the right side of the room.

“Hello Deacon, miss me?” the voice says before revealing themself

Chapter 26: Shiva and Gunji

“Shiva, long time no see, how’s your asshole for a husband doing?” Deacon says as he tries to get up, wincing in pain. Shiva laughs before Dina grabs a pipe and smacks her in the face and stomach “SHOVE THIS BITCH” she yells as Shiva hits the floor before grabbing the pipe and kicking Dina in the ribs. Specks looks around before darting into the maze of pipes and valves “Aww he’s scared, shame, the scrawny ones scream the loudest” Shiva says as she picks up Dina by her shirt collar.

“Now, back to our previous discussion, he’s doing quite well. In fact, I enjoyed beating his face in with that crowbar before your shitty uncle got in the way, shame what happened to him. Saved his brother for sure, but in the end he couldn’t save himself” Shiva says tauntingly.

Deacon gets up and cracks his neck “Oh ho ho ho, you’re so fucking dead bitch” he says as he bull rushes her with a wrench. Shiva drops Dina and tries to swing but Dina hits her in the liver with her knee and runs to the pipes after Specks while Deacon continues fighting with Shiva.

Back in the Fungal Fire Pit, Ellie and Abby bust through the gate entrance and help Lev and the other prisoners. They push the infected back before a deep, guttural horn sound echoes through the stadium. “MY TURN BITCHES” Gunji says as he jumps down into the pit, his club and mini riot shield in hand. Abby charges at him before getting hit in the stomach by the club, but Ellie side-steps next to Gunji and stabs him in the stomach, the fat warlord groaning in pain before laughing a deep, sinister laugh.

“Nice blade bitch, but it’ll take more than that to stop me” Gunji says with a laugh before Lev jumps onto his back and starts punching him in the face, screaming as loud as he can before taking a knife and stabbing Gunji in the cheek. “AH YOU LITTLE SHIT, MY FUCKING CHEEK” he says as he throws Lev off his back before pulling the blade out of his cheek, blood gushing out of his mouth as he screams in pain.

He glares daggers at Lev and Ellie before Abby runs up behind him and impales him through the stomach with a spear. “You should’ve gone for the head you fat fuck” she says before yanking the spear out of Gunji’s stomach as he falls to the ground, blood leaking out onto the arena floor.

Lev runs up and hugs Abby, who tosses the spear and returns the hug “Hey, you okay Lev, did they hurt you?” Abby asks worryingly. Lev laughs a little, “No, no, I’m okay” Lev responds before Ellie steps in “Hey, sorry to interrupt the reunion but we gotta go before this place gets turned to rubble” she says. Abby and Lev nod in agreement as the three of them head out to find Deacon’s group and leave.

Chapter 27: A Warrior’s Rage

Shiva and Deacon continue to fight, running and dodging each other through the maze of gas pipes and dead ends. But eventually Shiva pins Deacon against the wall and takes a pipe to his leg, causing him to scream in anguish. “Oh Sammy’s gonna enjoy tearing you apart boy, just like he did to that whore you loved so much, I forgot her name… Molly, Angelina, Irene?” Shiva taunts before Deacon screams and sinks his teeth into her ear and tears it clean off, spitting it in a barrel of gasoline. “Her name… was Mileena… you bitch” he pants, spitting out blood before taking his wrench and clubbing Shiva in the skull.

But he keeps going. Over, and over, and over again. Before Dina grabs his hand and stops him “Deacon stop” she says. Deacon snaps out of it long enough to see the damage he had caused. Shiva’s face was unrecognizable, it was nothing more than a mound of beaten flesh and broken bone coated in human blood, which had covered Deacon from head to stomach.

“Guys! We found Lev, lets get the fuck outta- woah” Abby says as she barges through the door. Ellie looks over her shoulder and freezes up, before hurling her lunch at the sight of Shiva's lifeless body.

The group eventually leave and give the prisoners from the arena an old prison bus that the FO’s used for supply runs to thank them for helping clear out the base before the stadium erupts with fiery explosions which echo through the city of Denver like thunder.

The drive to Jackson was quiet. No one talked, the only noises being the sound of the shower, the radio, and the road itself. As well as the occasional infection that might've run into the road.

Deacon meanwhile, lies in his room, unable to sleep from what he had done.

Did I go too far?

Did I cross a line?

No. I did what I had to.

But did I go too far?

What’ll happen now?

What about the others?

Questions riddled his mind before he drifted into unconsciousness.

#the last of us #abby the last of us #ellie tlou #lev tlou #tommy miller #joel miller #dina tlou #last of us fanfiction

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havin-fun-imagining-twd · 2 years

Text

Two idiots

When - about a week after douche car. and ...but dirtbag car if the kids are listening. Still on the road before the Greene’s Farm, Sophia is still safe and breathing.

Perspective - 2nd person

Relationships - you and the second idiot are hunting. He’s letting you try out his crossbow, too. Only Sophia and your big bro Shane make an appearance otherwise, and it’s only through the walkie talkies.

Genre - a pretty good time, but y'all do end up bickering (yay!). This is a slow burn series, so we might can consider this story as idiots to (eventual) lovers.

Pronouns - none used or really implied

TWs - language, and there is hunting involved as well as some walker killing.

Word count - 3,300. Masterlist here if you'd like to catch up on the other things you two idiots and the rest of the gang have been up to.

“How long did it take you to figure out how to aim this thing right?”

“Shh.”

“It’s rainin’, they can’t hear us,” you whisper.

“Shh!”

You find yourself staring at his finger pressed against his lips. His hand looks all strong and mascul...oh Moses, first you start getting distracted by his arms, now his hands? What is going on with you? You can’t need sleep that badly.

Like, sure, fine, fine, okay: you discussed with Carol that he was growing as a person and you were happy that he was. And heck, like, you’d even say you were becoming friends with him, but come on. He’s still an abrasive chain smoker driving a nazi bike (and ugh, do you hate that bike! How could his brother have the audacity to take a gorgeous motorcycle and defile it like that?).

On the bright side, this is another sign that your annoying crush on Glenn is lessening. That’s a big relief. You still love him dearly, he’s your best friend, but now your pulse and stomach behave normally around him. Now you can purely focus on whooping his ass when you race.

You adjust your hold on the crossbow and stick your tongue out as you fine-tune your aim a little higher...

“Shit, move your thumb!” he rasps in your ear.

“Huh? T-to where?”

“Just – down here! Can’t be on the barrel like that, ya wanna lose it?” This statement would’ve been sufficient, if impolitely delivered. But then he huffs under his breath “Damn idiot.”

You sharply inhale and feel the anger roil up. He just called you an idiot? Don’t blow up...

“So long as I still have my middle finger, I think I’ll be okay,” you can’t help but hiss back. Okay, you’ll grade that a B minus on not blowing up. Bonus is that you feel nothing but revulsion towards him again, not even for those objectively nice arms or strong hands.

In short order, he grabs his crossbow from you. You grit your teeth but say nothing, because anything else that comes out of your mouth won’t be quiet, and that will scare the food off.

Daryl positions his bow, aims, pulls the trigger and – wait why is the herd running away? Come on! Oh ouch, and the deer he’d almost bagged turned her head at the last minute and the bolt sliced her ear.

“Son of a bitch!”

“And now that poor deer has a hole in her ear!”

The look he’s giving you couldn’t be more dismissive or annoyed. “You’re sad about hurting the deer we was just trying to kill?”

“A quick, clean death ain’t the same as having a hole ripped through your ear, idiot.”

He stiffens. Then shakes his head, lets out an angry grunt, and storms off to the clearing, oblivious to the rain, another bolt already notched.

Ah, so that’s what scared the deer away. A walker. What else?

You stay behind in the woods in the relative dry and lean against a tree to try and placate yourself. Fine, just because he was rude didn’t make it okay that you were rude back. But in your defense, he called you an idiot! And he drives a nazi bike!

Annnnnd now you’re getting angry again. That dude really presses your damned buttons. He’s just so hot and cold! He’s like some rescue dog from a shelter, and how you don’t know what makes them snarl or growl or bite until you find yourself getting snarled at or growled at or bitten!

Once that comparison crosses your mind, you...you feel guilty; you’d grown up caring for fosters just like him, the only real difference was that they were younger and he’s now grown. Daryl is the way he is for a reason, and likely a very good one. Sure, he still has the responsibility to work on that shit, but you could be a lot more helpful in this if you didn’t bark back.

In your head, you imagined taking a tea kettle off the heat and hearing the whistling die down. Inhale. Exhale. Okay, back to it. “Daryl, you good?” you call.

...Hello?

“Daryl?” you call a little louder, feeling your upset being rapidly replaced by nerves. He probably couldn’t hear because of the rain, but where was he? Looking all around the field, you see...nobody? Immediately you speak into your little green walkie, saying “Hey, man, tell me if it’s all clear, okay?” So long as he had the yellow one on, he’d hear you.

Nothing.

Relax, he might could simply be pouting...though he’d still answer something even if that were the case…

First, you jog through the long grass to make sure something didn’t go horribly wrong when he put down the walker. You almost trip, the grasses are so long and wet. But there’s the walker, face down with a bolt hole in its head.

“Hi Y/N. What’s wrong?” Sophia’s voice answers over the walkie. She has the third one, the pink one that had been Amy’s.

“Just makin’ sure with Daryl that he was good to go, Soph, we’re all good,” you lie.

Then a familiar grunt comes from the far right side of the clearing and you sprint full-speed ahead, knife unsheathed (until you realize that is idiotic, so you sheath it). “Daryl, you bit?” you shout towards the noise.

“M’fine, keep back!”

Once you round the hill, you see what he’s been up to. There were four walkers (still standing upright) beginning to surround him, with some more shuffling out from the woods. Small mercies that the grasses are long enough to trip them, so a good number were crawling.

“Why didn’t you say nothing?” you screech, waving your arms and running in the opposite direction of Daryl, making sure the walkers notice you and start changing direction towards you.

Backing up while notching another arrow and letting it fly, he shouts back “Christ, I was busy!”

“Daryl! Don’t use a deity as an fuckin’ expletive!”

“Y’serious right now?”

“Better believe it, bitch,” you snap back as you drive your knife into the closest walker’s temple. Ow, your shoulder.

“Watch your damned mouth, bitch!” he yells back, kicking the one nearing him from the side.

“Watch your ass, Daryl. Oh sh – no, really, turn around, there’s one crawlin’ towards you!”

“Shit,” you hear him say when he sees it nearing his ankle. With a stomp on its neck and an arrow manually driven through its skull, it stops being a problem.

You find yourself falling backwards, releasing a panicked squeal as you scramble back and clamber a ways up the small hill to put more distance between you and the two that were practically falling over each other. Damned long grasses.

A bolt to the head stops one in its tracks (“Thank you!”), and you flat-out kick the other so it flops down the incline and you can dispatch it without as much risk. A second bolt stops one of the crawling ones in your half of the field (“Show off!”), and you run to the rest who were still crawling and start to take care of them.

The first one you go for and your knife ends up getting stuck again, and when you finally wrench it out, you feel the blade jiggle as if it’s loose. That’s not good.

Daryl jogged over to you at some point, and now you’re both finishing up clearing the area from this little gaggle of them or whatever you wanna call it.

Then you both take a step and groan upon hearing and feeling a gross, mucky *squelch*.

“Bleh.”

“Nasty.”

You two just wandered into some sort of muddy patch, and it’s thick. You both look down at your feet. Then at each other. And then you, for one, burst out laughing.

He stares at you unblinking before his eyes crinkle and he almost smiles. When you go to take a step and lift your foot out, your boot starts to pull off your foot, making you crack up more, and say “Uh oh! Mud. Thick, oozy mud!”

Ever practical, he shoots another crawling, stuck walker while you inelegantly squish your way out of the mud. When he goes to step out, his shoe gets caught, too, you reach out your hand to hold his bow for him and offer your free arm to help him keep balance as he yanks his foot out.

“Thanks.”

“Welcome.”

All that’s left is to get the last two, both currently stuck in mud closer to the tree line. Like a weirdo, you giggle to yourself and quietly narrate “We can’t go over it. Can’t go under it. Oh no!” Expectantly you look at him and gesture that it’s his turn.

“What?”

Entertaining yourself, you go pfft and say the rest of the line: “We’ve got to go through it!” You tilt your head at him and bite your lip. “I reckon you didn’t read ‘We’re going on a bear hunt’ when you were a kid?”

“Why, you know it by heart or somethin’?”

With a shrug, you sheepishly admit “The next line is squelch-squirch, squelch-squirch, squelch-squirch.”

He looks down and wipes the raindrops from his forehead “...Thought it was squish-squash.”

“Ah-ha!” you exclaim, pointing your finger at him. “I knew you knew it!”

Shaking his head, he snorts and mutters “C’mon, help me get the rest of these guys.”

“Help me get the rest of them,” you annoyingly respond. Jogging around the muddy area, you casually mention “Oh hey, crawdad mound over there, Daryl.” He’s behind you, also with his knife out.

“Ran outta bolts,” he explains when you notice. “Hey, you didn’t mess up your shoulder more, did ya?”

“Dude, until we find a safe place, I’m gonna have to push through regardless.”

“I’ll finish ’em.”

“We’ll finish them.”

You try your best not to get your feet stuck in the mud again as you finish off the rest together, after which you wander around to retrieve his arrows.

“Should we might fish some out, or leave them be?” you ask, nodding at the crawdad mound as you wipe your knife clean. It’s an easy task, considering everything is soaking wet from the rain.

He shrugs. “Ain’t like we brought a bucket.”

“Or a shovel. It’s a pity we can’t bury these guys,” you think aloud sadly, and mentally add the five you’d just put down to the tally you have in your head.

“Walkers need to get burned.”

“Or that,” you concede. Burning can still be respectful. “How about finding that herd of deer again?”

“They ran. And ’cause of the rain, most other game is gonna be takin’ some kind of shelter.”

“What about ducks? Or Canada geese?”

“Canada geese taste nasty, but that’s probably our best bet,” he says, collecting his last bolt and snapping it back onto the bow. “Or more squirrel, they’ll be out and about in the woods since it’s drier in there.”

“Yay, more squirrel,” you monotone.

“Better than raccoon.”

Groaning slightly, you offer “I’ll take your word on that.”

“Let’s head back, we’re bound to run across some kinda meat. Plus, we’ve strayed too far from the cars. Your brother’ll skin me alive if you get hurt.”

“He will,” you agree cheerfully. As you two walk back across the small field, you are sure to let him know “The part in ‘Bear Hunt’ that goes through the ‘long wavy grass’ is ‘swishy-swashy, swishy-swashy,’ by the way.”

“Huh. Must be why I thought it was squish-squash for that mud part.”

“Was that your favorite book when you were little, too?”

“Nah, I’d never heard of it before. It was my, um, my younger cousin’s favorite.”

That’s unexpectedly sweet. “You must’ve loved them a whole lot,” you comment.

“Ain’t seen them since I was a teenager,” he mutters a little too testily. That meant there was some amount of pain or unhappiness involved. Especially when you conclude that he remembered enough of the book to indicate he’d read it more than a few times to them.

“Then I’m sorry.” And in silence, you two continue on. The rain is more of a drizzle now.

After a minute or so, you start to chat again. “One of Carl’s favorites was ‘We’re going on a bear hunt,’ too, so he’d read it to my nephew every time he saw him. My nephew ended up only wantin’ to read that story, so my poor sister was trying to turn him on to ‘Chicka Chicka Boom Boom’ so there’d be some variation.”

“They the ones in that picture I saw last week that you keep starin’ at? The sister holding the baby?”

You swallow. “Mmhm.”

After a somewhat heavy pause, he says “You musta loved them a whole lot, too.” That was also unexpectedly sweet.

Thankful that the rain will camouflage any tears, you answer with a simple “Yeah.”

And after a few more paces in silence as you both step back into the woods, he asks “What was that ‘chicken’ one?”

The innocence of that sentence brought your smile back and left you cracking up. “‘Chicka Chicka Boom Boom’, it’s this book that, um, it teaches babies the alphabet. You might could’ve been too old for that one when it came out, same as Bear Hunt.”

“What’s with the ‘boom boom’ part? And ‘chicka?’”

“No idea, but it’s fun. If we happen across a library I’ll find it for you.” Now you’re curious. “What was your favorite kid book?”

“Dunno.”

Lightly poking fun, you have to ask “Was it ‘Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day’?”

A blink. “Does that title even fit across the cover?”

“They used real tiny font,” you solemnly nod. Breaking into a smile again, you exclaim “Wait, I got it! Your favorite was Where the Wild Things Are.’”

Daryl coughs as if surprised and seems to weigh it in his head. “Yeah, actually. That one and the one about the snowy day. You know that one? Kid’s got a red snowsuit on?”

Hold up, he liked that one? Baby Daryl loved a book with a black protagonist? “‘The Snowy Day’ by Ezra what’s-their-face?”

“I guess.”

Oh my gosh, you’re beaming on the inside. Nope, apologies, you’re beaming on the outside, too. Just wait until Carol and Teddy heard this!

“Why you smiling like that, Y/N?”

“Would you prefer I act all huffy?” That reminds you. “I’m sorry I snapped back and that we got to fightin’ earlier.”

He looks over at you again and his shoulders fall slightly. “Me too. And m’sorry I called ya an idiot and, you know...a bitch.”

That’s when the walkies sound again and your brother’s voice comes through, asking “Y’all alive?”

“Alive and soaked, Shane,” you assure him. “How are y’all back at the caravan?”

“We’re good, we’re good. When are you two gonna head back?”

“’Bout a half-hour, maybe less,” Daryl answers into the yellow walkie he’s carrying.

“Alright. Be safe. Love you, Y/N.”

“Love you, Shaney.”

Daryl clears his throat, then quietly mocks “Shaney.”

“Dary-bear,” you throw right back at him. You aren’t sure what he thinks of that nickname, but your hope is that it annoys him. “Anyways, I forgive you.”

“Yeah, um, same,” he awkwardly mumbles.

“Even though we are two idiot bitches, let’s not deny that,” you deadpan, to which you are rewarded with a scoff and a smile that he tries to tone down. You nudge him and concede “We’re both kinda good at blowin’ up, ain’t we?”

“Mm.”

At that moment, you both hear honking…“Dude, geese!”

“C’mon, they’re prolly gonna land in the field!”

Quickly, you dash back to the tree line in time to watch the flock settle down and begin to waddle around the clearing.

“Okay, let’s try this again. Kneel down,” he directs, also taking a knee himself and lifting the crossbow off his shoulder. After cocking it, he positions it over your uninjured, non-dominant shoulder, muttering “There ain’t much recoil with this, but you’re lucky your dominant eye’s opposite your dominant hand.”

“I’m just relieved you didn’t see the two rabbits what just scurried on by us.”

“What?”

“Ain’t nothin’,” you whisper with satisfaction.

“Pain in the ass. Okay, keep your fingers below this part here on the barrel. The bowstring could snap one clean off if it’s up there.”

“Eesh.”

“Now I’m gonna aim this time so you can see where the sights line up. It’s different from using a proper gun, but...” He then leans in close enough that you can feel the heat coming off his body.

“Sorry if I smell,” you decide to say (yup, ‘idiot’).

“We all kinda stink right now,” he supposes. “Mainly you and me smell like bug spray, though.”

“So long as we ain’t getting chupacabra’d by ticks.”

The reference makes him grumble, so you decide to grumble back. With another snort and an elbow to your side, he insists “Alright, focus.” Pointing, he next asks “See how the sights line up? We’re goin’ for that one seated there. I lined it up higher to account for the drop from this distance.”

“Gotcha,” you nod.

“And yeah, just keep fingers off the top of the forearm part, that’s the barrel.”

“Won’t make that mistake twice.”

“Keep the stock pressed against your shoulder just like ya would with a long gun.”

“Naturally.”

“Exhale when you pull the trigger.”

“Yes, Shane.”

That ropes you another grumble out of him.

Exhaling, you steel your stomach, close your eyes for a split second (another idiotic move, but we’ve established what you are) and pull the trigger. You watch it hit home as you hear the other geese cry out in alarm and flap their wings as they begin to fly away.

It was a clean shot. Your eyes well up a little, but you swallow, reminding yourself that everybody needs to eat. “Sorry. Thank you, goose,” you tell it under your breath.

“Alright, let’s bring this shit dinner back,” Daryl comments, and with a nod and a light tap on the arm, commends you “Good work.”

“Thanks for indulging me. All I did was pull the trigger, really.”

“Eh,” he waves it off. “If I mess up my shoulder, I want somebody else to be able to hunt quietly.”

“Dale’s gonna make a dad joke on how we went on a genuine wild goose chase when he sees us bring it back.”

“It’ll be him or T-Dog.” He clears his throat. “Hey um, I never...” then he trails off, scratching his neck as you walk towards the goose together. “Thanks for savin’ my ass earlier. When that walker was reaching for my ankle.”

“Heck, I’m just glad you’re okay.”

“And sorry again for callin’ you an idiot, that was rude. Then calling you a bitch back.”

“Friends fight,” you remind him, despite your hesitance about his being a friend. Somebody who drove a nazi bike was becoming your friend? Like, did Daryl even know what that SS symbol meant?

Still, there he goes picking up the goose carcass he’d so carefully lined up for you to ‘shoot’ and slinging it across his back as if it were his duty.

A chuckle escapes you, and you razz him that “I’m just bummed I didn’t call you ‘sunshine’ again. Remember that? When Glenn drove that car back to camp with the alarm blaring? That there was the word ‘idiotic.’”

“I actually cracked up about that after you left. Of all the things you coulda called me, I didn’t expect no ‘sunshine.’ Kinda wanna use that one at some point.” He makes a little grunt, then adds “Sorry I called ya ‘bitch’ back then, too. I hate bein’ called that.”

“Oh, I’ll try to avoid using that then.”

“Nah, s’fine.”

“Or I’ll use it when I truly want you reelin’,” you jokingly announce (mostly jokingly…).

Humming, he smugly points out “Troublemaker.”

So, you need to throw back “Redneck.”

“Idiot,” he then calls you, eyeing you from the side with a playful smirk.

Your voice goes way up high when you reply “Bitch.”