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upsidedownwithsteve · 1 year

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Bad For Business: Level Five

Steve Harrington x fem!reader [1.7K] An enemies to lovers au. Arcade coworkers, who love to hate each other, get too competitive about Dig Dug and share a mutal annoyance for the kids that like to pester them. Choose your own adventure by picking an option at the end of the chapter.

Staff parties weren’t exactly illegal, per say, but they were definitely hidden from Murray and the plugs to the security cameras always accidentally got yanked out. It wasn’t breaking and entering if several of you had keys, right?

Those last on shift would open the back door after closing, the fire exit left ajar with a piece of broken brick, letting in the crowds of older kids that had nowhere else to let loose in small town Hawkins. It was almost perfect, no windows, the arcade room big and already dark, the neon glow of the machines providing dark corners for people to hide in and do god knows what.

The smell of old popcorn and Axe body spray was overtaken by smoke, tequila and too sweet perfume, weed and cheap beer. The cars that would no doubt be left overnight were hidden around the back, parked precariously close together, sitting waiting for a lucky make out session or more.

You were already there when Steve came in, a little before midnight, carrying crates and kegs with Argyle and Jonathan Byers, all of them laughing at something the pounding music was covering up. The front desk was covered in mixtapes, empty cassettes and random sets of car keys, a lighter or five, the beginnings of a rolled joint. Some people were playing on the machines, the coin slot jacked open by Robin so no one had to pay, others were in the spaces between the games, dancing, grinding, drinking. There were couples in the photo booths, lip locked and lovesick, hands under shirts and their intertwined legs visible from behind the curtain.

The stained carpet got sticker as the night grew later, spilled drinks making the air smell sweet, lukewarm beer in red solo cups forgotten about, a condom packet on the console of Mario Bros, some girls underwear hanging from the joystick of the Asteroids machine.

Maybe it was the bubblegum vodka Robin was pouring you, maybe it was the way Eddie was coaxing, teasing, pulling you into the circle. Maybe it was the way Steve hadn’t spoken to you all night but he couldn’t stop his eyes from finding yours in the low light.

“Truth or Dare, my dudes!” Argyle announced, tanned cheeks flushed under the lights, the small group of you gathered at the back of the arcade. “Join or forever be a pussy,” he declared.

The group groaned, nudging each other so drinks spilled over wrists, overheated skin, bodies pressed together in the hazy smoke. People lounged against the machines, girls against boys, hands around waists, cross legged on the old sofa that Murray had never had a chance to get rid of.

It’s where you were, perched on the arm of the cracked leather cushion, body leaning into Eddie’s shoulder as he laughed at the way you were pulling on Robin’s belt loops, vying for details about her and Nancy’s last date. But then the game began and suddenly Billy Hargrove was downing his drink and stripping off, hands cupping his junk as he made a sprint around the arcade, grinning at the whoops and cheers he received.

Robin had to raid the staff office, finding the grossest thing she could in the tiny kitchenette everyone forgot about, pouring three day old yoghurt into her drink to chug.

Eddie had to admit to whether or not those Prince Albert piercing rumours were true. (They were and he announced this into his can of beer with red cheeks, overwhelmed at the sudden attention Chrissy Cunningham was giving him.)

You had to steal some screws from Murray’s desk chair, the outcome unknown until Monday but you already knew the creaky, old thing would collapse to the floor if anyone even touched it.

And then Eddie was calling Steve’s name and asking him, “Harrington, truth or dare?”

Maybe it was the way Steve was frowning at Eddie’s arm over your shoulder, maybe it was the way there’d been a red headed girl lingering by his side all night, but suddenly, all your attention was on him.

He looked unfairly good, hair soft and messy, a blue crew cut sweater rolled up to his elbows, jeans on the edge of too tight. He was cocky about it, eyes glancing lazily to Eddie, a small smile on lips that he hoped told the other boy he wasn’t intimidated by him. Or the arm he had around you.

Steve took a slow drag of the joint Argyle had handed him before answering, chin tilted up, blowing out the smoke to the painted black ceiling, his gaze still on Eddie, like he was sizing him up. From beside you, Eddie smothered a laugh, leaning into your shoulder only to whisper, “you’ll thank me one day.”

Before you could ask what the fuck that meant, Steve was passing the joint to Jonathan and grinning at Eddie, that same wide, pretty smile he gave you when you were doing your best to piss him off.

“Dare.”

Eddie beamed, dimples on show and looking too smug. He pulled away from you, slouching back into the couch cushions, thighs spread wide, making a show of it all. You rolled your eyes, wondering what had happened between the two of them that was causing such a stand off.

“Feelin’ brave, lover boy?” Eddie asked, eyebrows raised. Steve narrowed his eyes but didn’t say anything. “Kiss the girl you’re most attracted to.”

The room rippled with amusement, soft laughs and sniggers, tittering from the girls who hoped they had a chance. Steve tried to play it off, head tilted as he appraised Eddie, still leaning against the Dig Dug machine. The lights made him glow peach and sunshine yellow, the loading screen had your name still at the top, Steve’s just below.

“What?” Steve asked and something told you that he was trying to stall. You watched him lick his lips, a nervous habit, a hand running through the front of his hair.

“I think he wants you to kiss the girl you think is the prettiest,” Argyle decided to clarify, eyes reddened and another joint rolling between his fingertips. “Lucky for you, my brother, you got plenty of options.”

Eddie grinned as Steve faltered, eyes locking once more. Eddie shrugged, teeth flashing. “You heard Rapunzel, who’s got your panties in a twist Harrington? Why don’t you show her some love, huh?”

The group tittered again, whispers floating between the smoke and the lights, bets exchanged and several girls dug around in their purses for their lip glosses. The redhead who’d been keeping close to Steve the whole night set her cup of wine down on top of a machine, readying herself.

Instead, everyone fell silent when Steve took a few steps towards you. The music was still playing, a faint pop hit from the boombox someone had sent up on the front desk. You stared at the boy, wide eyed and incredulous whilst Eddie let out a low whistle.

“Damn, would you look at that?” He tutted, smiling wide. “Harrington is feeling brave.”

You were frozen, bewildered as he came to stand in front of you at the couch, your knees pressed to his thighs. You stared at him, lips parted as he seemed to hold his breath, wary.

“What’re you doing?” You muttered, far too aware of the eyes on you, Eddie grinning, Cheshire catlike beside you, Robin gawking from behind Steve.

“What does it look like I’m doing?” Steve mumbled back, gaze flicking from yours down to your lips and back again. “You heard what your friend said.”

“You think I’m the pret-”

Steve groaned, eyes rolling, like it pained him to admit to it. “God, shut up,” he said gruffly, but his cheeks were tinged pink and he placed his hands on the tops of your knees, a more gentlemanly touch than you’d expected.

His hands were warm, ridiculously large, spanning your entire kneecap, fingers and thumb curling around the sides of your thigh. You watched him swallow, his breathing short. Someone whistled, a low, playful sound that had you feeling too warm, like you’d been caught in the playground, behind the bike sheds with your crush.

Steve squeezed slightly, body burning under his touch, but you brought your gaze back to his and you saw him lift his brows, just a little, just enough. You got the meaning, brown eyes steady on yours.

‘Can I?’

You tried to ignore everyone around you, the way their breaths were held as the tension in the air crackled and fizzed. It’s as if there was an electric current running round the circle, wires ripping through ribs and hearts, starting and ending with you. It made your skin buzz, a tingle you wondered if Steve could feel too.

His thumb pressed into the inside of your knee and you thought that maybe, he just might.

You nodded, your heart in your throat.

It was like the music had stopped as Steve leaned in, your legs spreading just slightly, enough for him to edge closer, one hand skimming a little bravely up your thigh. You heard someone swear, a shocked thing, just as your eyes closed. Steve's nose nudged yours, his breath a little shaky and smelling like smoke and spearmint gum as it landed on your lips.

You tilted your head up, chin lifting, just a little. Just enough for your top lip to catch Steve’s bottom, a shocking touch, a barely there thing but it made your heart jump and your lips part, expecting more. Wanting more.

Steve’s hand squeezed your knee, bracing himself, holding onto you before he could take the next step and dip his face closer to yours, pushing his lips against—

The front door banged against the wall as it burst open, flashlights shining through the low light, cutting into the haze of smoke and neon as the music was abruptly cut off. Hopper, chief of police, and some of his officers were standing in the doorway, framed by the flashing lights of their patrol cars parked out front.

Blue and red flashed over the walls and someone found the light switch, killing the atmosphere as the yellowing overheads flickered on, buzzing from age. People groaned, stubbed out joints kicked under arcade machines, half empty bottles clattering as those underage tried to hide them behind the desk, in their bags and between machines.

Hopper looked less than impressed, moustache twitching as he took in the sight. He swept his flashlight over the wide eyed faces, sighing heavily.

“Okay, party's over,” he announced. “Everyone line up.”

#steve harrington #steve harrington x you #steve harrington x y/n #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington fic #steve harrington fluff #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington fanfiction #steve harrington fanfic #steve harrington smut #steve harrington one shot

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dazed--xx · 4 months

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🥀Heartbreak Playlist 🥀

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Summary: Now suddenly you're asking for it back Could you tell me, where'd you get the nerve? Yeah, you could say you miss all that we had. But I don't really care how bad it hurts…..When you broke me first

Post Date: 01/17/2024

T/W: Mentions of Cheating, Break Ups, arguments, drinking, manipulation, crying, heartbreak, ANGST…, swearing, mentions of being drunk, yelling, sad ending

Word Count: 2.7K

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Summary: Little do you know, How I'm breakin' while you fall asleep. Little do you know, I'm still haunted by the memories. Little do you know, I'm tryin' to pick myself up piece by piece. Little do you know ……I need a little more time

Post Date: 01/20/2024

T/W: ANGST..,crumbling marriage, mentions of divorce. Mentions of anxiety, mentions of panic attacks. Mentions of neglect in a marriage, crying, begging etc

Word Count: 2.7K

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Summary: I tell myself you don't mean a thing. And what we got, got no hold on me; But when you're not there, I just crumble. I tell myself I don't care that much; But I feel like I die 'til I feel your touch Only love……Only love can hurt like this

Post Date: 01/28/2024

T/W:1930s Era, ANGST, historical inaccuracies, Prohibition, cursing, mafia, talks of murder, mentions of guns, Molotov cocktail, gun violence, harassment, neglect in a relationship I guess, mentions of illegal activity, life threatening injuries, mentions mafia war. Mentions of Bootlegging, mentions of Shylocking. Sad ending

Word Count: 5.1K

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Summary: I'm sorry, don't leave me, I want you here with me. I know that your love is gone. I can't breathe, I'm so weak, I know this isn't easy. Don't tell me that your love is gone…..That your love is gone

Post Date: 01/28/2024

PLEASE READ AUTHOR’S NOTE!!

T/W: ANGST!!!!!!!!!!!!, hate comments, distant partner, mentions of depression, mentions of anxiety, assault like legit assault, recording of an assault, hate speech. Cursing, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS, Crying, Feeling alone, ambiguous ending, etc

Word count: 2.5k

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Summary: Pictures I'm living through for now, Trying to remember all the good times. Our life was cutting through so loud; Memories are playing in my dull mind. I hate this part, paper hearts And I'll hold a piece of yours; Don't think I would just forget about it……Hoping that you won't forget about it

Post Date: 03/18/2024

Member: Seungmin x Reader

T/W: Break Ups, arguments crying, heartbreak, ANGST…, swearing, yelling, sad ending, slight shoving nothing too crazy, some emotional manipulation, problem avoidance, denial, (subtle mention to woojin via blacked out photo he existed people he was in the group once), mentions of Minhos elimination in Finding Stray kids

Word Count: 2.3K

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Summary: Now the day bleeds, Into nightfall; And you're not here, To get me through it all. I let my guard down; And then you pulled the rug…..I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved

Post Date: 03/18/2024

Member: Changbin x Reader

T/W: Friend Break Up(cause romantic break ups ain't the only type that is heartbreaking), arguments, crying, heartbreak, ANGST…, swearing, yelling, sad ending, ghosting, problem avoidance, flirty behavior, mentions of one night stand, mentions of friend with benefits relationships, innuendos, brutal honesty

Word Count: 3.2K

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Summary: Torn in two, And I know I shouldn't tell you. But I just can't stop thinking of you, Wherever you are. You. Wherever you are; Every night I almost call you. Just to say it always will be you…Wherever you are

Post Date: 03/19/2024

Member: Jeongin x Reader

T/W: Break Up, arguments, crying, heartbreak, ANGST…, swearing, yelling, sad ending, ghosting, Long distance relationship, neglect, ambiguous aged female (17-22), emotional manipulation.

Word Count: 3.2K

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Summary: I've spent all of the love I saved. We were always a losing game, Small town Girl(boy) in a big arcade, I got addicted to a losing game. Oh,Oh.All I know, all I know……Loving you is a losing game

Post Date: 03/19/2024

Member: Felix x Reader

T/W: Break Ups, arguments crying, heartbreak, ANGST…, swearing, yelling, sad ending, Bet Au!, depressing thoughts, lack of communication, childish behavior, Avoiding S/O, mentions of sex, bullying, denial

Word Count: 2.1K

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bangaveragewhitewine · 10 months

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Clean Slate

Steve Harrington X Reader

It’s summer in Chicago, 1994. Being single in the city isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. You feel less strong single independent woman, and more like the lonely teenager who floated between friend groups. A blind date with a familiar face might just be the clean slate you didn’t know you needed.

Clean Slate playlist

Word count: 2.3k

Warnings/Content: Both you and Steve are in your late-twenties. Some mentions of anxiety and feeling lonely. Other than that, flirting. Steve being dreamy. No use of Y/N and the reader is referenced as a being woman.

Author’s Note: Being in your late twenties sucks, huh? I’m just getting back into writing again, inspired by the amazing authors who have made me fall in love with Steve Harrington & Eddie Munson again and again. I had such fun writing this and fucking around on Canva 💖

Please do not do any AI fuckery with my work or repost on other sites.

(divider by me, that’s why it sucks)

edit: Read Pinch Me a follow up to Clean Slate

This was a bad idea. With every step you took from the subway, your desire to be back on your sofa eating pasta in your pyjamas grew more and more. A blind date? You definitely hadn’t been in your right mind when you agreed to this. Thinking back on it, when had being wine-drunk with your best friend ever cultivated a good decision?

After a steady stream of bad first dates, disappointing situationships and one walking red-flag you had called your boyfriend for eight months, Annie had finally taken pity on you and took charge of setting you up with someone. Over almost room-temperature white wine and an empty pizza box, she had made you pinky-promise to trust her as Mermaids played in the background. She couldn’t stand any longer to see you cry over preppy yuppies and wannabe grungers who only wanted to meet you to hook-up or string you along (alongside several other women who also deserved better). She had seen how deep it cut when you were stood up, left waiting by the phone by some mediocre poser who had already moved on. Slurring her words, Annie had held your tear-stained face and told you that you were wasting the best years of your life on idiots who stamped on your big heart and dimmed your light. Bolstered by her words, and more wine, you ended up dancing and scream-singing in your little studio apartment to a mixtape of songs from your college days and fell asleep on your second-hand sofa with your pinky fingers linked.

A few days later, after the hangover had subsided and you had done your best to forget your tearful confession of just how lonely you felt in the city, Annie called you up to ask if you were free on Friday night. Thinking another girl’s night was on the cards, you said yes.

“Great. I have someone I want you to meet, he works with my brother. Does Hardy’s at 8 work for you?”

The pinky-promise with your best friend since college could categorically not be taken back and so you found yourself reluctantly agreeing. As long as he wasn’t a murderer, or as emotionally unavailable as your last three suitors, how bad could it be?

“Well when you fall in love and have beautiful babies, just remember who set you up, m’kay?” Annie had said when you called her up, considering cancelling. “You’re going!”

After going away to college from your small town upbringing, a move to Chicago was supposed to be the ultimate dream, but inside you still felt like the awkward teenager from Hawkins, Indiana. The outsider at every party, every hang-out at the mall or the arcade. The add-on to every friend group who said ‘you can come with us if you want to’ instead of an actual invitation. When you called your mom on the phone, she insisted that you had it all, that you were a real modern woman. She had been married and was already a mother at your age, and she was proud that you had the opportunity to be the bright independent woman you always wanted to be. It just didn’t seem so shiny now that it was your reality.

With the bar in your sights, you took a deep breath and swiped the tiny beads of sweat that gathered over the bridge of your nose. Summer in the city was heavy with humidity; you could feel the lining of your long slip dress clinging to your thighs, riding up under the delicate black floral. The claw-clip holding up your hair was truly doing the lord's work, keeping your freshly washed blow-dry blind date-ready.

You knew very little about your date - his name was Steve, he was a teacher with great hair. He was going to be wearing a blue shirt and would be on the lookout for the girl with the pink rose embroidered on her bag. Your entire outfit had been put together around the one piece you loved that could be picked out in the Friday night crowd of the bar. Classic first date; Annie was committed to helping you live the rom-com fantasy you deserved.

Des’ree’s words of wisdom, and your best friend’s blunt insistence that you were a hot bitch, echoed in your head as you took a moment to compose yourself and let your hair down over your clammy neck. Inside the bar was barely any cooler as you made your way through the stragglers from after-work drinks mingling with those who were just starting their night out. The desire to go home had never been stronger as you propped yourself by the jukebox and waited, trying not to cringe as you thought about what you looked like to the couples and groups of friends drinking and laughing around you. It felt far too similar to the house parties of your youth. What if he didn’t turn up? Or worse, what if he did and turned on his heel after realising you were his date? What could be best described as an overwhelming feeling of dread crept over you as you fidgeted with the strap of your bag, trying not to look too eager for the mystery that was Steve.

Hearing your name brought you back to reality and out of your doom-spiral. As if. Steve Harrington was making his way over, the crowd parting with ease for him. Surely you had hit your head and this was some sort of dream…

“Hey…” A smile crept onto his face as his eyes darted between you and the beacon that was the rose embroidered on your bag. A city of millions and your blind date was the boy who had defended your honour at the age of five years old after Daniel P. pushed you in the playground; Steve had called him a ‘butthead’ and told Mrs Holland on the other boy.

You hoped that the dim light of the bar hid your pink cheeks as Steve stopped in front of you, looking even more dreamy than he had at junior prom. The blue shirt made him glow golden, fitting just right over the breadth of his shoulders. His hair was coiffed perfectly, defying humidity and gravity and giving him a few more inches of height.

“Steve..” You couldn’t help a shaky laugh as the realisation washed over you both. It was easier to tune out the rest of the bar as he pulled you in for a quick but tight hug. You could have sighed at the feeling of his arms around you; you might have done just that, melted into a puddle of a girl had he not peeled away to get a good look at you. An irritating little pocket of anxiety in your chest could hardly believe he remembered you.

“Nice bag. I think you’re the girl I’ve been looking for.”

You felt like you could swoon. Or moan. Steve Harrington was effortlessly charming, more so than when he reigned in Hawkins High. Losing his crown had humbled him, that and working retail in your dead-end hometown. He looked genuinely pleased to see you, someone familiar in a city of strangers. You feel your teeth sink into the dusty-rose of your lip as you smile.

“Thanks.” You will your voice not to shake as your heart pounds hard. “Annie told me you had great hair. I should’ve known it was going to be you.”

His laugh is soft, but you can still hear it over the music and voices in the bar. With one huge gentle hand on your elbow, he steers you to the bar to order drinks, standing close enough to see the sprinkling of moles and freckles on his neck and cheek and the hair peeking from the unbuttoned top of his shirt. Steve Harrington was a man now, all grown up.

“She did, huh? I think I’ve met her once, I work with her brother,” Steve edges closer so that you could hear him. “How long’ve you been in Chicago?”

“She didn’t even know you were ‘The Hair’.” You smiled and felt the weight of his gaze; you couldn’t ignore the sparkling feeling in your tummy. “Um I left Hawkins in ‘86, went to college in Indy. Moved here in ‘93.” Steve leans in to hear you, nodding as you count up the years in your head. “You’re a teacher? So are you more Scott Clark or Coach Kelly?”

Steve laughs again and shakes his head as he pays for your drinks. “Neither. Maybe a little Clarke, without the sweater vests. I teach third grade so they would definitely roast me if I did.” He runs a hand through his hair, smirking, “But I do coach basketball after school too, you got me.” He spots a seat and steers you to a little high-top table, pulls out the stool for you before sitting opposite, visibly relaxed. There’s something about how you have bypassed the awkward introductions part of the date that makes you feel a little more at ease. But this is Steve Harrington. Any minute now he’ll make a polite excuse to leave after remembering how bookish and weird you were in school.

Except he doesn’t.

“I still can’t believe it’s you. You look great,” he says, not trying to flirt too hard. Steve is looking at you like he’s happy you’re here. Happy you’re his date.

“I can’t believe you remember me. I was.. so boring,” you laugh at your own expense before sipping your drink, looking at the ice clicking against the glass.

“Quiet maybe. Not boring though,” he ducked his head, making you look into his golden brown eyes. “Hey. Clean slate? That’s why we left Hawkins. If you can forget how much of an ass I was in high school, I can forget…” Steve pauses and hums as he thinks back.

Forgettable. Unremarkable. That’s how you felt, blending into the background everywhere you went. You hadn’t been a cheerleader, or even a band-geek. Yeah you went to parties, but usually left early. You didn’t monologue on the lunchroom tables or get detention, and in the one play you auditioned for, they asked you to paint the sets - you couldn’t fade any further into the background if you tried.

And Steve had never been an ass to you; his kingly confidence had burned fast and bright in the school halls until his fall from grace. He had always been polite, kind even; he asked to borrow a pen a few times, scolded Carol Perkins when she pushed past you and made you drop your lunch one time. He did just enough on a group project on Macbeth to keep him on your good side…

“Huh.” Steve frowns, looking a little fond as you snap yourself back to reality. “I can’t remember anything embarrassing about you. All good.”

Your cheeks flamed and you couldn’t stop the nervous giggle that bubbled up from your chest. “Smooth, Harrington. Wow, remind me how you’re single?” He was definitely just being nice. You could remind him about the time you drank way too much peach schnapps and lemonade at Tammy Thompson’s 18th birthday and had to be picked up by your mom, or when you said ‘orgasm’ instead of ‘organism’ in ninth grade - both of which still haunted you when you tried to fall asleep. But Steve just grins back at you.

“I mean it! You had that pink scrunchie permanently attached to your body, and a little snort laugh. Totally cute, not embarrassing at all.” He stays smiling as he sips his beer, seeing how you’re stunned that he remembers. Not smug, totally hot and he’s not even trying. You��re aghast.

“You remember my fucking scrunchie…?” “If you tell me you still have it…” “Steve, it’s literally on my bedside table.”

Steve’s laughter makes you join in, snorting involuntarily as your shoulders shake, which just makes him laugh more. It's been a long time since a date made you laugh like this, let alone feel like you’re floating.

When you both settle, Steve reaches over and takes your hand. You remember how you had wondered how holding his hand might feel when you saw him walk Nancy Wheeler to class way back when. It felt better than you ever dreamed it might.

“Hey. Lemme tell you something, when I saw you over there I wanted to come right up and say hi. And then I saw your bag…it made my week.”

Butterflies soar in your belly and you feel your cheeks heat up again. “Steve..”

“But just know, I thought you were cute in school. I just.. had my own shit going on and I was pretty shitty for a few years. So if you can give a reformed asshole a chance, I’d love to hear about how you’ve been, and actually get to know you.”

Steve squeezes your hand as CeCe Peniston sings Finally to the bar. The song totally sinks in now as you squeeze Steve’s hand in return, making him beam a smile your way.

“Okay, Clean slate. But Steve? I totally had a crush on you. Even when you were doing keg stands and goofing around in math.” You make him smile even brighter, even as he shakes his head.

“So cute. Damn, you’re definitely trouble.”

“Guess you’ll have to find out.” You raise a brow and sip your drink again, feeling less anxious now. The drink helped, but knowing that you could make an impression on Hawkins High royalty was certainly bolstering.

“One question. Very important.” You straighten up before leaning toward him, almost conspiratorially. You don’t miss how his eyes dip to your lips before meeting your gaze.

“Go for it.” “Are you sure about the sweater vests? I think you could really make them work.”

Now it’s your turn to grin into your glass as Steve throws his head back. “Oh I’m so in trouble with you.”

He lifts his glass, meeting you in the middle to clink it against yours with a signature Steve Harrington wink. Maybe something good could come from a wine-soaked pinky promise.

bonus Steve inspo for the girlies who made it to the end - ily💖

#steve harrington x reader #Steve Harrington x you #stranger things #steve harrington fanfic #Steve Harrington x fem!reader #Steve Harrington x y/n #steve harrington is a total dreamboat #my fic #steve harrington fanfiction #steve harrington fic #steve harrington oneshot #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington fluff #stranger things fanfiction #steve harrington x f!reader #bangaveragefics

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lillypad910 · 11 months

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When We Were Young

Pairing: Eddie Munson x childhood friend!f!girly girl!Reader

Word count: 5352

Warnings: pet names (Doll, it’s my fav ok), small age gap (Eddie is two years older than you), near death experience, first kiss (of multiple), there are some heated moments but no smut, angst sometimes but fluff

Summary: You moved to Hawkins, Indiana with your family when you were still little. Moving into a mobile home in the trailer park, you met Eddie and Wayne Munson. You become friends quickly, learning you love him early on. But what happens in 1986, when your whole world crumbles?

A/N: This is a story I wrote a while ago, this jumps years so please enjoy! Might write another one like this if it does good cause I really enjoyed it, give me character ideas? 👀

1974

It was late May when your family moved to Hawkins, Indiana a small town where everyone knew each other. You were young, about seven, and freshly out of second grade.

The smell of cigarettes filled the air when your car pulled into the trailer park, the moving truck following after. Your dad parked outside your new home, a small mobile, the sides covered in mildew and dark green vines.

Your parents were greeted by a man, welcoming you all to the town, introducing himself as Wayne Munson, a new neighbor. A boy walks up to you, his clothes too big for him, and his hair buzzed. He smelled of cigarette smoke with a hint of mahogany. “Name’s Eddie,” the kid holds out his hand, which was covered in a thin layer of dirt from playing out on the roads. You introduced yourself, and took his hand, which made him smile. “You look like a doll in that dress.” He gestures to the frilly dress your mom made you, the puffed sleeves trimmed in a cream colored lace. “I like dolls.” You squeezed the teddy you have been holding for the whole ride to your chest. Eddie didn’t stop smiling.

The next week, after everything had been moved in, Eddie invited you to play outside with the other kids, which your mom agreed to let you. “She looks like a toy.” One of the older kids snickered, nudging some of the others. You looked down at your white bloomers under your short pink puffy dress. Your parents didn’t have money, but your mother always made you cute clothes. “She looks like a doll.” Eddie corrects them, as if it was the most obvious thing.

You followed Eddie around the entire summer, like a lost puppy follows a friendly person when they receive food from them. You liked being around him, and he liked being around you.

You would come over for lunch with him and hang out in his room where he showed you a bunch of cool comic posters and some cool fantasy movies and books. The joy and excitement on his face making you giggle. He was older than you by two years, but he didn’t let it get to his head. He enjoyed your company, he enjoyed making someone laugh and smile. You were his best friend.

1978

As the summer breeze brushed in through your cracked open window you could hear voices from outside. You ignore them, the soft whispers of who you assume was someone simply passing by. “Doll,” the name you recognize and reply to peaks through the opening, sinking into your ears.

You crawl over to the window and sit yourself in front of the glass pane, peering out into the night. Eddie stands there with a few other children of the park, his baggy clothes still not fitting him properly even at 13. “What?” You ask, opening your window more. He gestures for you to come on, waving his hands. “We’re going to sneak out to the arcade, wanna come?” He asks. You glance over at the older kids, they all are at least 12, besides Markus Flinch, the 15 year old who lives with his mom at the front of the trailer park. “My mom would be mad, Eds.” You tell him. He tilts his head, “She doesn’t have to know! Come on!” He steps closer to the window and holds out his hand to you. The familiar scent of smoke and wood hits you. You roll your eyes at the older boy, before holding up your finger to him. “One second.”

You slip on your Mary Janes, the one pair of shoes you begged your mom for and she got you, even though they were a little over priced, before climbing out the window. Eddie helped you onto the ground, placing his hands on your waist and letting you use his body as a safety net.

You climbed onto the back of his bike, gripping his shoulders as he started to peddle. The other kids following after you.

Pulling into the arcade, Eddie stopped his bike and let you hop off, placing the bike into the rakes with the other kids. He grabbed your hand and pulled you inside, following the older kids in. You all crowded around a couple machines, wasting all the saved quarters you had to save princesses and fight dragons. You slipped away to explore.

Stopping in front of the claw machine, you eyed a stuffed animal, a small cat that was laying down. Eddie spotted you and walked over. “You want the cat?” He asked you, and took your silence as a yes. He shoved in a quarter and did his best to snatch the cat from the pile. It took him a whole two dollars and a “borrowed” quarter from Jimmy Hanker, before he finally dropped the cat into the retrieve hole. He reached down, sticking his arm into the machine and pulled out the stuffed cat before handing it to you. “Here you go, Doll!” He smiles brightly, and you take it, holding the cat to your chest.

The ride home was calm and quiet as everyone was sleepy from the night’s events. Eddie now two dollars poorer, and in debt to Jimmy down the dirt road, but it was worth it to see you smile.

1979

The hot air of late June seeps from the glass of the window as you sat in Eddie’s room, the boy now 14 and you 12. The room had changed a bit since you were younger, a couple more things in the room, more of a mess, and a brand new guitar he got for Christmas sitting in his lap while he strums it carefully. You pan over the girly magazine you brought over from your house, the cute male actors catching your eye. “John Travolta is pretty cute.” You say looking at the picture of him and Olivia Newton-John, dressed as their characters from the newest movie Grease that released last week.

“I thought Rizo was cool, had some attitude.” Eddie chuckles at the thought. You turn around, looking up at him from the floor at the foot of his bed. “Hey Eddie,” you start but stop yourself, turning around back to the floor, “Nevermind.” Eddie tilts his head confused. He sits his guitar down, leaning it against the nightstand before crawling over his bed and leaning over your small seated form.

“What’s up?” He asks. “Nothing, I was just-“ you look up to him, immediately going silent from the way he was so close to you. “I was gonna ask something, but it’s dumb.” Eddie couldn’t help himself from chuckling. “Doll, anything you have to say isn’t dumb.” He reminds you. You feel your cheeks heat up, but you keep your eyes on the magazine in your lap. “Have you ever kissed anyone?” You ask.

Eddie thought for a moment, he had, a girl in his class, Karrie Jones. She was a girl who was dared to kiss him during spin the bottle at Markus’ house, but you didn’t need to know all that.

“I have, why?” You scrunch into yourself. “I was just wondering.” You simply express, turning around to him, finally. You climb onto your knees and prop your elbows onto his bed in front of him, your training bra becoming slightly visible as your shirt gets pulled down a bit. “Have you?” He asks. You shrug, “I mean, no. No one has asked to. All the boys in my grade kinda suck.” Eddie chuckles at your statement. “You don’t have a crush on anyone?” “Not really.” You express. Eddie thinks for a moment.

His eyes scan over your cheeks, which are softly dusted in pink, your lips with the pink colored gloss your mom bought you for your birthday this past year. He wanted you to be his first kiss, but Karrie Jones took that privilege from you. He didn’t like Karrie Jones.

“I could be your first kiss.” The words fumble out of his mouth faster than his brain could process them. He watches your cheeks flush a darker pink tone. “I mean- I didn’t mean to- only if you want me to be“ “Okay.” You stare at him.

You watch the tips of his ears go red, and his brown doe eyes widen. He wasn’t expecting a yes. He thinks for a while, trying to figure out how to go about this. You look up at him more, trying to figure out what you’re supposed to do, if anything.

Eddie leans down and presses a soft peck on your lips before pulling away, his bare shoulders now red. You feel your face and ears go warm. He stares at you for a moment, before pulling away and grabbing his guitar again and starting to play once more, a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. You turn back to your magazine, a smile now plastered across your face.

1982

The summer sun blares on your skin as Eddie drives down the road, the windows rolled down, letting the wind whip your hair around. The loud metal music blares through the speakers as you shuffle through the other cassette tapes he owns, trying to find the mixtape you made for him last year with a mix of some of your favorite songs. You hear the flick of a lighter and look up at your best friend only to give him a glare.

Eddie lights a cigarette held in his lips, before flicking the lighter closed. “Eddie,” he freezes and glances at you. “What?” He asks, before throwing the lighter on his dashboard. “You know I hate you smoking.” “Yet you still love me.” He smirks at you, a playful glint in his eye, which makes you roll your own.

Your friends in school thought it was weird that your best friend was a junior boy, though it made it worse to them that said boy was Eddie ‘the freak’ Munson. You didn’t care, you never have. You enjoyed Eddie’s childish but playful behavior, his quirky manors and flirty nature. His hair has grown out way more than the buzz it used to be since you met him, and honestly he looks great. You would be the first to say it.

He pulls into the driveway of the lake house. It has been abandoned for a few weeks now, since Rick was arrested again. You grab out your bag from the back seat and Eddie unlocks the house, gesturing you to go in. “Ladies first.” “Oh thank you, Eddie the Banished, how kind of thee.” You snicker, carrying your bag into the house. “Of course, my lady, it is my honor to welcome you to my humble abode! Might we enjoy the house?” He smirks. You can’t help but giggle.

You sit curled up on the couch, your feet propped up on Eddie’s lap. Pizza boxes are emptied out on the coffee table as he puts on Halloween. You both groan at the stupid babysitter. “Why does she have to call over her boyfriend? She’s working. And in a horror film!” You gesture to the screen. Eddie laughs at your outburst. “What?” You ask, “the number 1 rule of surviving a horror film is not having sex and she’s totally gonna have sex!” You explain. Eddie smiles and shakes his head.

When the movie ends you glance out towards the lake, it’s dark. “Night swimming?” You look over at your best friend, a cheeky grin on your face. Eddie snickers before agreeing and you both go to your separate rooms to change.

You come out in your mom’s old bathing suit, one she never wore as a teen in 1959 cause it didn’t fit. It’s a red and white polka dotted one piece that haltered around your neck into a bow.

Eddie walks out of his room and stares at you as you stand in the living room, pulling your hair up in a ponytail so it doesn’t get wet.

Eddie can’t help but stare, he’s a horny teenage boy whose best friend is the one person he really wants, so yes, seeing you in a cute swim suit stopped his breathing.

“Ready?” He asks, pulling two beach towels from the closet. You smile at him and nod, securing your hair in your scrunchy.

Eddie leads you out to the water’s edge, sitting the towels out on the shore before quickly running out into the water, making you giggle. “It’s actually pretty warm, I thought it would be colder.” He lowers down into the shallow water. You step into the water only to have your feet feel slightly chilled, but not at all what you thought it would be. Before you can react, Eddie snatches you up and pulls you out deeper into the lake. “Eddie!” You slap his shoulder as he holds you around your hips, holding you against his body. “That’s my name, Doll, don’t wear it out.” He grins from ear to ear, proud of himself.

You glare at him, but your eyes soften when you meet his doe eyes, the soft stare back at you. “You know, it’s kinda weird, I think I’ve brought, what, three other girls out here- hey!” You smack your palm against his head, “You couldn’t pull three different girls, Munson.” He removes one hand from your back and places it against his chest, head tilting back. “You wound me, my lady.” “All in a days work.”

You both swish around in the water for a while, enjoying the extra warmth his body pressed against yours gives you. His hands secure you against him, holding around your waist while you lay your head on his shoulder.

You never feel uncomfortable around Eddie, no matter how you look or feel. He was comfort. The comfort you feel from the scent of his cheap cologne and the stench of cigarettes that comes from him. It all was Eddie. Though he’s changed a lot from that first day in late May, he’s still Eddie, your Eddie. And you love him.

You snuggle your face into his neck, the lake water reaching to your shoulder blades. You feel safe here with Eddie, like no one could touch you.

Eddie was doing his best to stay calm as your nose touches his neck. His hand presses firmly against the small of your back, enjoying your chest press against his own. He felt peaceful, with you stationed in his arms, snuggled into him to radiate more warmth.

“Hey, Doll,” Eddie pulls you both more into the shallow area, making sure he’s able to support you both in the water. You hum in response, but when he doesn’t answer, you sit up and look down at him. He stares at you, eyes unreadable. “What’s up?” You ask. He hesitates for a moment, glancing around the lake as if checking to make sure you’re alone. “Can I kiss you…?” The question lingers in the air for a while, an innocent ask.

You haven’t kissed anyone since Eddie kissed you that one time in his room. You haven’t dated anyone, even held hands with anyone, only Eddie. Yes, you want him to kiss you.

“You can.” You tell him. His eyes glitter as they catch the lamp light at the shore of the lake. He leans in to you, pressing a soft but sweet kiss to your lips. You hesitate a moment before kissing back.

Eddie’s lips are soft, pillowy even. He tastes like tobacco, but something minty lingers on the edge of his breath.

Your lips are squishy and soft too, Eddie notes to himself. A sweet taste, pleasing to him.

You lay your arm around his neck as you allow yourself to sink into the kiss more. Eddie places and hand firmly on the side of your face, rubbing his thumb against your cheek as he deepens the kiss, pressing his tongue to swipe across your lower lip.

You let him pull you both to shore, before laying you down on the ground, your back pressing into the soft dirt, before towering over you and kissing you again. Your legs naturally go around his hips, but he doesn’t lower himself. He keeps his hips elevated but his shoulders and head are lowered to you. When you both pull away, you’re breathless. Eddie stands before giving you a hand to lift you on your feet.

The kiss wasn’t talk about ever again, a lingering dismissal that happened and went. You both went back into the house, and enjoyed the rest of your weekend as two best friends would normally, with movies and board games.

1983

Eddie couldn’t help but notice as a guy started walking you to classes, but not just any guy, Steve “the hair” Harrington. You knew Steve through one of your other friends, but Eddie didn’t know much about the guy.

As he watched you stand in front of your locker, giggling with the guy, he couldn’t help the feeling of his stomach twisting. The undeniable feeling of jealousy.

Why were you talking to other guys? Were you dating him?

Eddie didn’t like the idea of you dating someone else, someone that wasn’t him. He just didn’t. He doesn’t have the courage to ask you out himself, but he doesn’t wanna see you walking around with other guys.

When the end of May rolled over into early June, the weather began to rain a bit more than usual during this time of year.

You always came over to his place when it rained, you both would sit on his couch and watch movies until it stopped. When you were both younger, you would run around in the mud and jump in puddles, but you haven’t been doing that since you got one of your dresses ruined by the mud splashing up.

Today you didn’t come.

Eddie sits outside, in the doorway of his trailer, a cigarette between his lips as the rain hits the concrete under his feet. His front is wet from the rain splashing up but he doesn’t care. The weather is humid and warm, making the rain the same.

He watches a car pull into the trailer park, before parking outside your home. Eddie watches you step out, your face the same as the day your dress got all muddy and ruined. He knows somethings wrong.

Then Steve steps out of the driver’s side.

He reaches out and grabs your arm, trying to pull you back to him, but you pull your arm away. “Come on, (y/n), it was just a joke.” He tries to laugh off the prank his friends pulled on you. “A joke? Steve, they took photos of me changing in your room!” You yell at him.

Steve shrugs, “At least they didn’t post them anywhere.” You stare at him in disbelief. “Are you serious? What the hell, Steve? Principals? Morals? The law? I’m a minor, Steve!” “So are we! It was just some fun, I’ll tell them to trash them, it’s not that big of a deal, (y/n)!”

The brunette tries to pull you in by your waist but you shove him away, walking towards your front door. “No, Steve. Because it’s basic respect! It’s everything!” You whip around to face him, his face not even looking hurt.

“I’m done. We’re done. God, Steve,” you look away from him, “I can’t believe I’ve dated you for so long only to realize now that you don’t respect me.”

You laugh at yourself, completely shocked at your own stupidity. You were blinded by infatuation, but now you see clearly. “Just, we’re done. Go home, Harrington.” You shove your door open and make it inside, slamming it shut in your now-ex’s face.

You lock it, and finally breath. You press your back to the door as your hair drips water onto the vinyl tile beneath you. You hear the car door open and slam shut, the rush of rain hitting the metal of the hood. It starts, and you hear the gravel crunch under the tires as Steve Harrington leaves, out of your life.

You feel almost relief. As if this huge burden was pulling you done for the past 4 months. You stand in the dark of your house, breathing, your chest rising and falling to a normal pace.

Stepping into your room after a couple minutes, you flick on the nightstand light, before throwing yourself into your desk chair. You look up at your ceiling. You should be crying, that’s the normal response to a break up right? But you can’t, you don’t feel sad.

A tap comes from your window and you peer up at it to see the long haired dork you call your best friend. You walk over, opening the window and pulling the metal head into your room. “You could have used the door, Eds.” You tell him, giggling as he shakes his head like a dog, hair soaking wet from the heavy downpour outside. “Yeah, but that’s not nearly as fun.” He smiles at you.

You gesture him to follow you to your bathroom, which he happily obeys, Reeboks leaving a wet print in the carpet of your room.

You lead him into the bathroom and sit him down on the toilet lid, pulling out a towel. “So why was Harrington here?” He asks. You run the towel through his hair, raising your brow. “You spying on me, Munson?” He tilts his head back to look at you, doe eyes soft and glittering from the bare light bulbs above your mirror. “Well someone has to keep an eye on you.” You roll your eyes at his statement.

Eddie has always been protective of you, you knew that. Ever since your first day of third grade and some girl made fun of your dress. Eddie made it seem like your clothes were cool, being he was older, kids listened. He was always there when you felt down, felt insecure, he was the boy who asked to be your first kiss, and honestly you hope he will be your last.

But that’s just a daydream, a flicker of imagination in your mind, tainting your reality.

Pulling out your hairdryer, you give him a quick blowdown, ruffling his hair. Eddie always enjoyed these moments, you pampering him, treating him almost like a child. He could see you doing it to your own kids in the future, their dark curls flipping around from the burst of air the dryer let out.

But that’s just a daydream of his. A flicker of imagination in his mind, tainting his reality.

You finish and unplug the hair tool, before pulling him back to your room. Eddie immediately walks over to your dresser, opening the bottom right drawer, his drawer. A few pairs of extra boxers, some pants, jeans and sweats, and a couple old band tees lie inside. He pulls out an old tee, a band he hadn’t listened to since freshman year.

He removes his soaked one and replaces it. It smells like you, soft daisy and honey, a hint of orange, and the plush warmth of something deeper, some kind of wood. But it was you. You’ve worn this shirt, and he could tell. He watched as you tugged a large tee over your own head, another shirt he recognized as his own, though the image was faded from multiple washes.

After throwing on some sweats, he lays down across your bed and you join him, leaning back against his shoulder. Your shorts scrunch at your thighs, lifting to show your entire leg. He places his hand on your thigh, rubbing his thumb in circles over your soft skin. “Ed,” you look up at him and he hums in response. “Can I kiss you…?”

Eddie freezes at the question and looks down at you, a small smile forms on his face. “Only if you want to, Doll.” He places his hand on your cheek and softly moves his fingers down across your jaw before tipping your chin up. He leans down and places a soft kiss on your lips and you instantly lean into him more.

Your hand places onto his chest, softly pushing him down before throwing your leg across his lap, straddling him. Eddie hums into the kiss, gripping your thighs and leaning forward against your pressure on his chest. He kisses you sloppily, licking your bottom lip and you let him, opening your mouth slightly. His tongue fights yours, and your hands grip firmly at his shoulders when his move to your lower back, pulling you closer.

He pulls away finally, you both panting as your foreheads press together. “I think you’re gonna be the death of me, Doll.” He chuckles softly, making you giggle. “Eddie,” you throw your arms around his neck and give his cheek a soft peck, “do all men suck…?” Your voice sounds sad, but your face appears relaxed. Eddie thinks for a moment.

“Do I suck?” He questions back, eyes widening, anticipating your answer. You can’t help but let out a small laugh. “Fair point, Munson.” You lay your head onto his shoulder and he leans his head against yours, placing soft kisses on your cheek and forehead as you doze off.

1986

You’re in the Upside Down, Eddie and Dustin pressed to your back. The bats outside bang on the walls and roof of Eddie’s trailer. “I think it’s time to scoot.” You tell them. Eddie nods and you all move towards the makeshift rope from earlier.

You let Dustin climb up first as the banging becomes harder. Your heart races as you watch Dustin drop onto Eddie’s mattress. “Ed,” you look over at him. He’s staring at the door of the trailer, “Ed.” You call out again, making him turn to you. “Come on,” you tell him, hand on the rope. “You first.” He steps closer. You stare at him, time practically stopping. “You’re- you’re gonna be right behind me right?” You ask him. He nods. “Guys, come on!” Dustin calls out.

You climb up the rope, fear pulling at your heart. You drop down and take Dustin’s hand to get to your feet. “Come on, Eddie!” Dustin yells. Eddie stands on the other side of the gate staring at you. “Eddie,” you simply say. “I’m sorry.”

He cuts the rope.

Your heart stops. As he runs out of view you feel the world stop around you, everything in slow motion. You can’t loose him. You refuse to. He’s everything to you. He’s all you’ve wanted since you can remember.

“(Y/n)!” Dustin calls out your name. You look over at the freshman as he moves a chair on top of the mattress. You quickly step up and pull yourself through the gate, Dustin helping to push you through. He follows after you but you don’t wait.

You bust through the trailer door and see your best friend on the ground, the demobats biting at his stomach, chest, everywhere they can. You grab anything you can get your hands on, which seems to be a bat on the ground by the trailer, and begin swatting at them, knocking them off of his tattered body.

Dustin runs out and begins helping you, but before long they all fall to the ground, you run over to Eddie as he breaths heavily, he’s coughing. “Doll?” He speaks out as you quickly fall to his side, pulling his head onto your lap. “Right here, Eds, you’re gonna be ok.” You fumble out your words tears coming out of your eyes. “I didn’t run away this time.” Eddie smiles, Dustin stares at his body, eyes wide and worried. “No, no you didn’t, Eddie. You did really good.” Your voice is cracking, every emotion that has been hidden away for years now being pulled forward.

“You have to leave, get out of here.” Eddie chokes out. “No, I’m not leaving you, Eddie. I can’t-” Eddie lifts his hand and he smiles at you. “You know whats really stupid?” You let your tears fall down your face. “I did this without ever telling you.”

You stare at him confused, forehead crinkling. “Tell me what, Eds?” You run your fingers over his cheek. His smile grows, “I love you, (y/n). I’ve loved you forever.” He coughs a bit leaning into your touch. “I-“ You hesitate, taken aback by his sudden declaration of love. “You fucking idiot.” You cry harder, tears dripping down on his cheeks. “God, why are you so fucking stupid…?” He chuckles, which turns into a cough. “(Y/n), please go…” His eyes flutter closed and your heart stops.

“Eds..? No. No no no no, Eddie!?” You pay your palms against his cheeks, “Please, no, no no. Wake up. Come on, Eds, don’t die on me!” You quickly get to your feet, pulling his shoulders off the dirt and to your chest, you look over at Dustin. “(Y/n), what are you doing…?” “I can’t leave him, Dustin. I refuse! We need to get him to a hospital!” Dustin stands there, shock and fear stopping him from moving.

“Dustin!!” You yell at him and he quickly reacts, grabbing at Eddie’s feet.

You sit in the hospital room, the sun of a new day shinning in through the curtains. It’s been a week since the events of the Upside Down. Eddie has been unconscious but alive, laying in the hospital bed in front of you. He’s been proven innocent, the old lab workers covering up the accident of the Upside Down.

You stare out the window, your body still weak from the events of that night. “Doll…?” The voice catches you off guard, whipping your head around you look towards the bed. “Eddie…?” You stand quickly, moving over to be by him. He smiles at you, happy to see you are ok. “Am I dreaming…?” He asks. Your eyes water, tears slowly falling down your cheeks, “No, Eds, I’m here. I’m right here. We’re ok, Dustin and I pulled you out.” You grip his hand happy to hear his voice again, happy to see him awake again.

He grips your hand tightly, “hey, it’s ok. I’m ok.” He smiles at you, making you laugh a bit. “I’m supposed to be saying that, Eds, you’re the one in a hospital bed.” Eddie stares at you, his brown doe eyes soft as he smiles up at you. “Eddie,” you cup his cheek, leaning down and pressing your lips to his.

His eyes widen, but he kisses you back, bringing his free hand up to your cheek. “What was that for…?” You smile pressing your foreheads together. “I love you, Eddie Munson. I should have told you that so long ago. I’ve loved you since when I was 11 and you won me that cat plush from the claw machine, loved you when you gave me my first kiss all those years ago. Hell, I loved you when we were in that lake at night, and you held me so close to you. God, why didn’t I tell you soon?” You cry, tears streaming down your face.

He grins at you, teeth showing, “I love you, (y/n), so much. God, never let me do something like that again. Could’ve died and never had this moment.” He laughs, and you do too. You give him another kiss, this time letting it last longer.

“I’ll go get the doctor now, let them know you’re awake.” You smile and pull away from him.

Eddie stays in the hospital for another couple of days after waking up, for checkups and tests. You finally become his girlfriend after years of being best friends.

As much as your world was turned upside down within the last month, being able to call him yours, finally, made it all worth it. You’d fight a thousand more demobats to be able to go back in time and live every moment of your life with him again. Because finally, after so long, you knew how much you both loved each other. It was all gonna be ok.

#friends to lovers #best friends to lovers #eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #stranger things #x reader #x f!reader #eddie munson x f!reader #childhood friends to lovers #eddie munson x fem!reader fluff #angst and fluff

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hippielittlemetalhead · 1 year

Text

Typing this up on my breaks at work so don't come at me for any errors. Not Harringrove unless you mean in like a Capital P Platonic sense reminiscent of his bond with Robin but also Billy antis need not interact?

Season 2 booiiii!!

(part 1)

Steve coasts through Senior year but the small changes in his appearance and occasionally yelling out his two-bits when Munson goes on one of his lunch table rants only settle him so much and Nancy hasn't said but he knows she's not a big fan and he tries to be a steadying presence. Tries to be someone she can forget it all with and let it go because they're kids who signed NDAs and maybe if he can help her the nightmares will stop and the ringing in his ears won't keep coming and going and he will stop spacing out in class. She gets on him about his grades and college. He figures he'll get a job with his dad, learn the company and have enough of an income that he can support Nancy as she pursues her passions and college and fights to change the world and when he inherits the company he'll be in a position to make real lasting change in small towns like Hawkins.

But then the Hargroves come to town and Billy makes a play for the crown that still sits so heavy on his head. Pushes and antagonizes and tries to get a rise from him. There's something about the way he holds himself, the way he preens and struts and takes up so much space while keeping himself so contained that pricks at the back of Steve's head. He's seeing the dots but they're just not connecting. So he lets Hargrove make the big show of biting at his heels but doesn't rise to any of the challenges. And it seems that with someone like Billy to hide behind Tommy has forgotten what happened when he made a play for the crown himself. Though Steve smiles to himself when he realizes that it's obvious Billy wasn't told that little piece of information when he makes comments about Steve being soft and not willing to fight for his reputation. Billy pushes and taunts and Steve is so tired of him and the metalheads heckling him for being punk one minute then calling him a poser the next and trying to keep up appearances for Nancy and the people in town who would report him to his parents before he's ready if he really dressed and behaved the way he wanted to and the government goons he knows have been keeping an eye on Hawkins since that night.

Steve stumbles but he doesn't fall.

Then Tina's Halloween party happens and the girl he loves and is building his future around is calling him and everything they've said and done and promised bullshit. Tommy and Co are still hyping up Hargrove beating Steve's official record as he makes his way out of the house instead of showing off his refined skills from that summer in [insert major big city] that started him on this path to becoming the person he wants to be. He saw Byers around, he knows he'll get her home safe.

Nancy confronts him about not picking her up for school. He won't break up with her behind the school gymnasium of all places but he tells her about everything being bullshit by her own statement, gives her a chance to say she loves him and hopefully mean it, and when she doesn't take it he walks away. He plans to talk to her that weekend. Plans to punk up a little even if she doesn't like it cause it makes him feel safer and more centered, take her flowers and apologize for the way he handled it but call them off. Instead he gets Dustin -one of the kids he's given a ride or two to the arcade with Mike when he and Nancy were headed to the movies or the diner- and monsters and another kid he gives rides to and some random spitfire of a girl. He's angry and sad and scared and he makes sure his heavy leather jacket is zipped up before heading out of the bus to draw out the dog shaped monsters. He needs to keep them safe and if he can hit something bloody in the process that's a win-win.

They end up back at the Byers' place. There's a plan and his part is keeping the kids safe as his now officially ex-girlfriend follows and comforts the boy she is willing to bear her claws for. The plan does not include Billy Hargrove showing up for the random spitfire girl who is apparently his little sister. The plan does not include Billy holding one of his kids (yes it's only been a couple hours but they're HIS to protect godsdammit) up by the front of his shirt and threaten him. The plan does not include a fight that starts with Billy laughing something about finally meeting King Steve and ending with the refrigerator being knocked open and the dead demodog falling out between two scared bloody teenagers who know too much about monsters. The plan does not include Billy Hargrove almost sounding scared as he snaps something about Max going with him because he was not letting her just sneak out to fight monsters with dumbasses trying to get themselves killed and someone named Neil already knowing she was gone and she was lucky Billy hadn't mentioned the Sinclair boy when saying she was probably out with her new friends. It definitely doesn't include Max looking like she finally figured out a particularly hard puzzle and telling Billy if he helped them and helped Steve keep them safe in the tunnels then the chief of police would not only know he was trustworthy and useful but maybe even be indebted for helping make sure the chief's daughter survived her part of the plan.

It makes the dots line up and connect when that makes Billy pause and tentatively ask vague half-questions that he only seemed to trust Max to be able to answer.

Steve decides he hates Neil Hargrove after they've made it through the tunnels easy as anything with Billy taking point so Steve can take up the rear and keep the kids between them. After Billy pulls Dustin away from the weird flower thing that almost got the kid in the face and pulls Mike up and away once Steve got the vine to let go of his leg. After Hopper comes back to see them covered in dirt and soot but grinning victoriously and he had them walk him through what happened so they're all on the same page when the suits decide to show up. After Max pulls Hopper and Billy aside and Steve is able to catch snippets about an asshole and bruises on his face but his knuckles unharmed so she knows he wasn't getting into fights. Steve decides he hates Neil Hargrove and maybe he and Billy have more in common than he thought.

It's not easy after that. The nightmares are still bad but now he and Billy have an understanding and a codeword and a system for whose turn it is to drive when neither of them can sleep. The ringing is a little worse and a little more consistent and his left(? I can't remember if it's his left or right eye that keeps getting messed up) eye gets a little fuzzy when he's tired or stressed. His grades suffer but with Billy's help he's at least able to make it into the local community college once he graduates even if the fancy university his parents wanted him to attend rejected him. El seems intrigued by Steve's look, calls him 'bitching' like she calls Nancy 'pretty' and says he reminds her of her sister and Hopper doesn't seem as big a fan of that but acknowledges that Steve is good babysitter material which will be needed if El is going to be joining society again sooner than he wanted. Max and Billy work with Hopper and Joyce in wearing down Susan to leave Neil or at least make it known that the chief is well aware of what type of man he is and will not stand for it in his town.

That comes to a head when Max and Lucas are unofficially each other's date to the Snowball dance and Neil finds out that Billy knew and even encouraged it (because his sister deserves nice things dammit and this boy was close enough for now... But he's watching and will do his big brother duty if necessary), taking Max there and being seen talking sternly to the Sinclair boy before shaking his hand. Hopper ends up having to lead Neil Hargrove away in handcuffs and Max stays with him and El while Susan files for divorce and custody of Billy through a swollen eye and Steve makes a point of getting Billy his schoolwork and chauffeuring the kids to keep him company during his brief stay in the hospital. Life isn't all good, but it's getting better.

Then Steve's parents come home.

It was thankfully a day The Party and Co weren't over and a recovered Billy was busy applying for summer jobs and he'd deep cleaned the common rooms because that one dusty shelf just rubbed him the wrong way now that the kids weren't around to distract him and the sides of his hair had grown out some so it looked more like the type of haircut he used to have freshman year if a little longer up top. It was unfortunately the day after his father had actually listened to the latest messages and read the end of the year report cards concerning his son's graduation. It was unfortunately a day when Steve was in a shirt that had the sleeves and parts of the sides cut off and showcased his ribs showing the palm sized petal faced Demogorgon head he got the spring break after the first round of interdimensional horror. It was unfortunately a day when [insert pretentious name] Harrington decided that since Steve was 18, couldn't make it into any 'acceptable school' and was obviously not planning on being a proper Harrington man then he was cut off, he knew about the trips to Indianapolis (not all of them but enough) he knew about the music and the parties (even if Steve hadn't thrown one in years), knew Steve was involved in something that had the government coming around and making them look bad in front of the neighbors. He knew about the subtle pins and patches on the jacket hanging by the front door and he wouldn't have that in his house.

So Steve is out by the end of the week. Everything he wants from his room and the house fits into the trunk of the car his dad had signed over as a birthday/graduation gift before the infodump that led them here. He has some money saved from the allowance his parents used to send and a job lined up at the mall opening at the edge of town and the trust fund that his grandparents set up that his father can't touch but neither can Steve before he's 21. He winds up at the door of Hopper's cabin, blurts out that he likes men as much as women, isn't quite an anarchist but it's close some days and his parents found out and it didn't end well before the man can ask what was going on as he opens the door. Hopper lets Steve sleep on their couch while he and Joyce sort out fixing up the old trailer. Billy and El and Nancy and Jonathan help but Steve doesn't want the rest of the kids to know yet. Not with Max still settling after the legal battle with Neil, Lucas at her side trying to help her as best he can, Will recovering from being possessed, Dustin getting ready to go to summer camp and Mike getting over whatever he's being petty about this time (don't want to give the kid more fuel for that fire).

So Steve is mostly moved in to the old trailer by the time he starts at Scoops Ahoy and meets his coworker Robin Buckley. His kids are safe and getting to be kids, his people are all taken care of (Nancy and Jonathan with summer internships and Billy taking Steve's old lifeguard position), the gate is closed, he is set to start some Gen Ed courses at the local community college the next semester and he's heard tell of a decent band that's started playing at The Hideout some weeknights so that will be fun to have something like that closer than Indianapolis.

Life isn't perfect, but it's good. It's getting better.

(part3.1)

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eddiiiieeee · 7 months

Text

Wasted Summer.

Eddie Munson x reader warnings: strong language, real angsty, mentions of sexual things, no happy ending. yes, I am an evil fuck.

summary: when y/n has crushed on Eddie Munson the towns freak for years, until one summer brings them together and a birdy named Robin buckley, but it might turn out to be the worst thing thats ever happened to them both. or maybe just y/n, who knows yet.

authors note: all the young adults are in high school, and so are the party members, Joyce and hopper are together, Billy isn't a pimple on anyone's ass. The upside down never happened. and yes ur dad is Pedro pascal his names Nick while your mom is penelope cruz and her name is Maria. have fuuun

The heat in Hawkins was something everyone hated, it wasnt fun, it was frustrating but what did most teenagers do to escape the heat? head to the mall, which is exactly what y/n, robin, johnnathan and argyle decided to do. spending the day there, walking around, eating, the usual for the group really. they'd spend hours there before the girls eventually had to go. "my moms hosting her bookclub tonight and i am needed to help" Robin said as she looked at the group, y/n eating her oreo Mcflurry she got from Mcdonalds "come over after? i know my mom will be there" y/n said as argyle put his elbow on her head, causing johnathan to chuckle "you need to grow, y/n/n" Johnathan said as y/n scowled at the group "im literally a few inches shorter then robin" y/n said smacking argyles arm off of her "hey, dont call me short!" Robin said as she shoulder bumped y/n "im gonna head out though guys, promised Will i'd take him out to that new arcade with his friends" the burnette said as argyle yawned "ive got a hot date with eden tonight" the long haired boy said as everyone chuckled "did she say yes in your dreams or did she kick you in the nuts and you just took it as a yes?" Robin asked "ha ha funny. no she actually said yes, i caught her at family video the other day and i struck up a convo, and she said yes" he smiled, y/n hummed as Robin pipped up "ooh oh! speaking of family video, remind me to tell you about Steve" Robin said as soon after the group seperated, Robin looked over at y/n as they made their way to their bikes "so, ya' know steve, my co-worker. yea well while we were on break, his bff, Edison Munson walked in and we started chatting before steve joked about Eddie wanting a girlfriend, and then Eddie asked if i could set him up and i told him 'oh yea, my friend, y/n, i'll give her your number if she says yes' and so here we are!" Robin smiled

as y/n chuckled looking at her "youre shitting me right?" the h/c girl said as Robin shooked her head as she dug into her pocket, to pull out the small paper that held y/n's dreams "oh my god, rob, i love you!" she said looking at the number as she hugged robin tightly.

....

the minute y/n got home, she undressed as she changed into a pair of sweatpants and a black tank top before she rushed over to her phone, the purple phone was sat there staring back at her as she gripped it tightly, putting it up to her ear as she put in eddies number, messing around with cord while it rang "hello?" Eddies voice rang as y/n took a deep breath "hi, is this Eddie Munson by any chance?" she ask, sitting on her bed as she laid down on her bed, sighing as he chuckled through the phone "depends, whos asking?" She heard him say, causing her to gulp "i'm y/n, robins friend? we've got english together? you once told me you liked the sabbath pin i had on my bag" she stated as Eddie hummed "the pretty girl from my english class? how could i forget? to what do i owe this pleasure?" he said coyly as if he hadnt asked her best friend to set them up

"robin told me to call you, said you were looking around, she decided to play cupid i guess" "i always thought you were pretty, glad steve's big mouth came to use for once" he chuckled causing y/n to giggle as well "well thank him for me, gave me a chance to be set up with a pretty handsome dude" "im handsome? you dont say?" "very actually, had a crush on you for a while so" y/n could practically feel Eddie's cute grin on the other side of the call "you’re feeding my ego babe, i’ve wanted to ask you out for a while but ya' know, didn’t know how" y/n smiled as she looked up at her ceiling "well, how about next Monday? pick me up at 7?" y/n said feeling bold out of no where "yes. might be there early, cant have my pretty lady waiting now can we?" he teased

....

"oh my god, robin. i love him, god i love him so so much!” y/n said looking at her best friend who was sat across from her in the red booth. “we’ve been talking none stop for the past week or so, my parents actually thought i was dissociating again” y/n shrugged taking a sip of her milkshake, as Robin chuckled “he’s so sweet, rob, i wanna pick him up and keep him in my pocket. our dates tomorrow and i literally don’t know what to do with my hair or my clothes!” y/n panicked as she looked at Robin scared "babe, relax its all gonna be fine! curly your hair like you always do, do that glittery makeup look you do, red nails because eddie loves the color, and then one of your sexy hot leather outfits!" Robin smiled as y/n chuckled "interesting" the h/c girl said as she licked her lips

....

Eddie stuck true to his word, he was there around 6:54. he sat there happily waiting as he let out a small sigh, looking at himself in the mirror for the 50th time today just to make sure he looked perfect for y/n. at exactly 7:00, y/n closed the door behind her as she looked at the van surprised to have found it as she smiled at Eddie "i didnt think you meant it when you said you'd be here early" she smiled as she walked up to the van, watching as Eddie got out and rushed over to the over side, opening the door for her as he took in how pretty she looked, a corset dress shirt with a pair of flared jeans, black boots on her feet and a black purse and leather jacket in her arms, she climbed in thanking him as he made his way back, putting his seatbelt on and looking over at her "you look amazing, and two, i am a man of my word, sweetheart, you will never have to wait for me because im going to be ready for you anytime." y/n could feel the heat spread across her cheeks as they drove away from her place "alright, open that for me sweets and pick out something for us to listen to" he said looking over at her as he smiled, she opened the small compartment in the van and looked through the cd's only to be amazed "oh my god, a limited addition Elvis disc? you're shitting me where did you get this from?" she asked looking at him as she admired the disc "i grew up on Elvis, my grandpa had him on all the time" she chuckled as she put the disc in Eddie chuckled as he licked his lips "Well, i found it at a thrift store once, cost me around 15 bucks but it was worth it, i got it when i was a kid, for my mom. but now it just stays in here, barely get the chance to listen to it"

it was a shared feeling between the two, those people were no longer with us. "well shes got amazing taste in music" y/n smiled as they continued driving to a local diner.

....

y/n laughed as Eddie wiped the corners of his mouth "i eat like a child so what?" he teased as he ate a fry, y/n taking a bite of her burger as she looked at him "its cute dont worry" she chuckled, licking her lips as Eddie sat back in the booth "alright, im out of questions to ask, i think i know you so much right now i could take a pop quiz about you" Eddie smiled lookin at the girl opposite him "im flattered, could say the same about you, Edward" she teased as he groaned, pretending to fall down "you wound me with such a name" he scoffed playfully as y/n looked at him, with a sparkle in her eye. he was everything she thought he was.

the rest of the date was spent filled with giggles and laughs shared between the two, both sharing cute moments. staring at each other with nothing but admiration in each others.

.... it was around 10, when they gotten back to y/n's place, exactly when her parents asked her to come home. she looked over at Eddie as she smiled "i had alot of fun, Eddie. thank you really." she smiled as Eddie grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it "anytime sweets, about that second date we mentioned earlier, how about this upcoming sunday?" Eddie smiled, staring at her with his button eyes that had her melting within seconds “missing me already?” y/n giggled as Eddie shrugged, sighing dramatically. taking in her laugh as she looked at him "could be, might wanna, ya' know keep you in my pocket and take you wherever." he smiled, looking at her as she bit the inside of her cheek "come on let me walk you to your door" he smiled as he got out moving to help her out the van and then walked her to her door "i'll see you sunday, eds. call me when you get home, yea?" she said moving to kiss his cheek as she stood on her toes, smiling as she opened her door, walking in to be greeted by her parents

who stood side by side smiling at her "so?" y/n's mom said as y/n took her shoes off, picking them up as she kissed their cheeks and moved to put her shoes away "how was it? did he-" "open the door for me, made sure i got in the van and was buckled up, drove under 40 so exactly at the speed limit, paid for lunch and desert. it was perfect" she smiled as she looked at her parents, her dad nodding as he realised she'd made a check list of everything he does does for her mom. things he's mentioned to her she should make sure her dates do or else theyre not worth the second date "apparently he likes me so much that, he cant wait long for our second date, so we're going out on sunday" she said as she fidgeted with her rings "honey, thats great!" her mom said rushing over to her to hug her "isnt that great, Nick? go and get changed so we can watch our movie! go go" she smiled as y/n nodded, rushing upstairs to change. .... it was pure bliss that first week for y/n and Eddie. hanging out at his trailer or in her room, going out on cute dates to the mall, or arcade. he would get her a bunch of flowers everytime he'd see her, he'd play all her favorite songs on the guitar considering they had similar taste in music. Eddie had never let a soul touch his hair but y/n was special, she was y/n. a month into seeing each other, Eddie finally asked her to be his, that alone couldve been something that made y/n feel better about everything. suddenly nothing could upset her, she'd get morning messages from eddie, she would tell him all about her day and he would listen to every word with a smile on his face while he admired her, he loved how excited and how big her eyes would get when she would talk about something she loved, wether it be art or music or her grandpa. it didnt matter he would listen to her word for word. One thing Eddie had noticed was when they'd make out, y/n would attempt to stop it leading to anything else. Eddie made sure he didnt force her into anything but he felt this need for her sometimes and he was getting tired of his fist. he thought maybe he'd bring it up when it happened again, ..... his larger hands kept their place on y/ns hips, their lips fitting together like two puzzle pieces. Eddie hummed into her mouth as he moved his hands down to her ass, squeezing the meet through her jeans, god he loved these jeans, they made her ass look so so fucking good. his hands soon traveled to her thighs, squeezing them as well, this is where eddie knew exactly what would happen. his hands traveled closer up her thighs to her heat, y/n pulled away from the kiss panting as she moved to hold Eddies hands, a sigh leaving Eddies mouth as he looked at y/n with a confused yet concerned look "babe, do you not want this?" he asked as, y/n gulped licking her swollen lips "want what?" she asked knowing exactly what he meant. "its just everytime i try to take things further you just sort of stop me, you'll do anything to distract me from it. am i doing something wrong? are you okay?" he asked licking his lips as y/n looked at their hands gulping "i'm a virgin, eds. apart from that, i cant have sex." she said looking at him as he tried to work it out in his head

#eddie munson x reader #80s aesthetic #animated gif #classic rock #eddie x fem!reader #eddie munson angst #eddie munson #wayne munson #corroded coffin #robin buckley #stranger things s4 #guitar #eddie munson imagine #eddie munson fic #stranger things imagine #stranger things fluff #eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson × female reader #80s rock

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drmaliceoffcial · 3 months

Text

To generate interest in my book, I've decided to share the first two chapters of Dr. Malice for free today!

Take a read and tell me what you think!

In the summer of 1989, the sleepy little town of Midway Falls, Virginia is plagued with bizarre power surges, missing people, and violent murders. Teenager Cammy Karnell finds herself at the center of it all when her brother vanishes without a trace. Determined to reunite her family, Cammy with help from her Galaga playing best friend Billy Brown investigate the bizarre occurrences going on in Midway Falls. As the rumors of government conspiracies and haunted arcades fly, the two teens come face to face with a supernatural force unlike any other in the heart of their local small town arcade. Now tasked with helping the ghost of a dead game developer remember his past and overcome his own inner demons, Cammy, Billy, and the entire population of Midway Falls are about to have the foundations of their lives rocked forever.

June, 1989

“So you think I'm stupid, huh?”

A young girl rode with her older brother in his beat up red Honda Civic. The radio blared Young MC's “Bust a Move” as the two drove down through the downtown streets. The sun was setting, it was warm outside. Kids were walking down the street towards the same place the siblings were heading.

It was summer vacation, and the kids of Midway Falls were ready to have some fun.

Nick laughed, “That's what Dexter told me! He said there’s a ghost of an old man haunting Ant’s and snatches stupid little nerd kids like you straight into Hell!”

“Nick, I don't believe any of that for a minute,” the young girl said, brushing her fingers through her strawberry blonde hair, “I'm not a little kid anymore.”

“You don't believe it started bleeding out of the screen?”

“Dexter is an idiot, of course he’d believe garbage like that. That's why you hang out with him.”

“And who do you hang out with, Cammy? Huh? Huh? You're too big of a dweeb to have friends.”

Cammy huffed, “I have friends.”

“Yeah? Name one.”

“Billy is my friend.”

“Hardly counts, he’s a total dweeb. Then again, maybe that’s why you hang out with him!”

“Why don’t you keep your eyes on the road?”

Nick finally shut up and trained his eyes on the road again, singing along badly to the radio. Cammy was already getting a headache from him, but she was hoping once they got to the arcade she wouldn't have to deal with him much.

Their father was out of town on some fancy business trip. Their mother was working late, helping shut down the school before summer vacation was in full swing. Nick was going to the arcade with some of his friends, but mom insisted he couldn't leave his little sister at home. So he was forced to bring Cammy along against his will. She didn’t really want to come along with him either, but she didn’t have a choice in the matter either.

As long as she stayed out of his way, she'd be fine.

Nick sang along loudly as he punched her none too gently in the shoulder. She groaned and adjusted her glasses, already wishing she could jump out of the moving vehicle.

Finally, the car pulled up in the parking lot of a run down strip mall. Ivy snaked along the brick walls, threatening to consume them entirely. The neon lights glowed brightly on the front of the building, displaying “ANT'S ARCADE”. The “E” in “ARCADE” was flickering in and out periodically, appearing like the flashing light of a club. Other kids Cammy recognized from school were already going in. She was excited.

They got out of the car and strutted into the building. The arcade was full of kids playing on the machines, running around and watching others get high scores. Music was blaring while machines beeped and flashed bright colors. Just watching it was a thrill. Cammy couldn't wait to jump into the middle of it all.

“Shit.” Nick said, reaching into his pockets.

Cammy scowled, “You know mom said not to swear.”

“Shut up!” Nick shot back, “I forgot my quarters at home!”

“Well, sucks to be you then.”

Nick looked at her. His eyes trailed down to the purse hanging from her shoulder. He started smiling evilly.

Cammy took a few steps back, “Oh no you aren't! You did this the last time! I'm not giving you my quarters!”

“Fine then. I'll take ‘em!”

Nick snatched Cammy's purse off her shoulder, digging through it. Cammy cried out and tried to take it back, but he held it out of her reach. He pulled out all the quarters he could find and dropped it on the floor.

“Thanks, dork!” He taunted as he ran off to join his friends at the Operation Wolf cabinet, some stupid shooter war game Cammy had no interest in.

She picked her purse up off the floor and groaned. Nick had taken all of her quarters and left her with nothing. Now she couldn't play any of the games. She'd just be stuck here watching everyone else play for the next few hours.

Except...

There was someone she could talk to. Maybe he'd help her.

Cammy walked through the crowded rows of kids playing the games, reaching the front counter. An overweight balding man ran the counter, wiping down the surfaces and exchanging dollars for quarters. He wore a purple shirt with the arcade’s logo and mascot on it. His cargo shorts jingled with the sounds of quarters. When he saw Cammy, his eyes lit up and a smile crossed his face.

“Aaay! If it ain't Cammy!” He greeted her heartily, “How ya doing? How's your parents?”

Cammy smiled back at him weakly, “I'm good. They're good. Yeah. Umm... Mr. Ant, can I ask a favor?”

Mr. Ant perked a playful eyebrow, “Your brother stole your quarters again, huh?”

Cammy giggled awkwardly, “Yeah... I tried to stop him but he's too tall and held my purse out of my reach.”

Mr. Ant chuckled as he reached into his cargo shorts and pulled out a handful of quarters, handing them to Cammy, “Big brothers will be big brothers. If I see him taking your quarters again, I'll be sure to give him a firm talking to.”

Cammy grinned, taking the quarters and shoving them in her jean jacket pocket, “Thank you Mr. Ant. You're the best!”

“Go have some fun, kid,” he said to her, waving her off. She bounced away, looking for an open game to play.

That was a problem. All the games were full with kids waiting in line to play. Especially the newer games, like what Nick was playing with the pretty graphics and full colors. Cammy sighed as she walked towards the back of the arcade, where some of the older games were. There were less kids back here, but there were still quite a few taking up most of the cabinets. She'd still have to wait until her turn to play.

One of the kids was playing at the Galaga cabinet with a few of his friends. It was Cammy’s friend from school; a pudgy redhead kid named Billy Brown. Billy had just died in Galaga and was putting in his initials when he suddenly let out an angry yell.

“NQC beat my high score!!”

His friends gasped at the scoreboard. Cammy glanced at the screen to see Billy's initials, "BMB" had dropped to second place. At the first place position were the initials “NQC”. Cammy remembered hearing about Billy playing for almost ten hours straight to beat the previous high score that was previously held by NQC. Just a few days ago, he finally did it and claimed his title of number one high score on Galaga. But looking at the scoreboard, NQC had beaten that record by almost two thousand points.

The mysterious NQC held the number one record on every single cabinet in Ant's Arcade. He or she was an urban legend among the regulars at the arcade. No one ever saw them in action. No one, at least from Cammy's school, had the initials of NQC. Even skilled players couldn't come close to the same scores as NQC. Billy was one of the few who had accomplished it, and he only held it for maybe 72 hours.

“When I find NQC, I'm gonna give them a piece of my mind!” He shouted, “I can't believe they beat my high score already!!”

“I guess they're just that good,” one of his friends said, in awe at the score.

Cammy walked away from the group of boys to the very back of the arcade. Even though she was friends with Billy, she didn’t want to interrupt his game. Instead, she walked further back by the bathrooms in the corner, where one of the lights was out, leaving the corner dark. There, partially obscured by the shadows was a free cabinet. No one was playing it. Cammy approached it, looking up at the marquee. The bright red light glared down at her, illuminating the title of the game.

DR. MALICE

She had seen this game in passing when she had come to the arcade, but she never played it. Mainly because her mom told her to never play scary or violent games. And with the blood red marquee and dark cabinet design, it certainly looked like both of those.

But she just had her thirteenth birthday last month. She was a big girl. She had watched Children of the Corn with her big brother and only had nightmares for a week. She could handle anything!

The screen displayed the company name and title in fancy pixelated graphics. An animated sprite of a doctor ran across the bottom of the screen, chasing little green aliens. The screen read:

COYOPP INDUSTRIES INC.

PRESENTS

DR. MALICE

INSERT 1 COIN TO PLAY.

Cammy approached the cabinet. It was quite the intimidating machine; nearly twice her size and certainly thrice her weight. The bright red accents on the dark indigo finish seemed to glow with an almost alien-like power. She noticed there was a severe imperfection on the right side of the machine. The top part of the cabinet’s side was broken, slightly exposing the inside. It drew her curiosity even more, since she had never seen the inside of an arcade machine. She reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a quarter, pushing it into the coin slot. She placed her hands on the joystick and buttons, feeling an odd static shock as she did. She blamed it on her shoes building up static electricity from running across the carpet.

The game took a few seconds to load up, before it came up with a new screen that read:

LEVEL ONE:

DESTROY ALL ALIENS.

Her character was loaded into what looked like a laboratory. The graphics reminded her a bit of Street Fighter, one she had seen her brother play with his friends, but wasn't allowed to play because it was “too violent”. It also reminded her of Legend of Zelda, a game she would play on her brother's NES behind his back. She moved the character between several maze-like screens. One button threw a syringe, the other was a dodge button. The remaining two buttons seemed non-functional. It was easy to get the hang of.

As she entered a new room, a green alien was in the middle of the space. It turned and started charging. Quickly, Cammy disposed of the alien by throwing the syringe. It promptly exploded into rainbow colors, which she found rather charming. As she moved through the rooms, she cleared out a few more aliens and completed the level.

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU BEAT:

LEVEL 1.

As the next level loaded up, a little cut scene began to play. It was the doctor character approaching a table with an apple sitting on it. The doctor took the apple and ate it. As he did, text popped up below the scene.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A DOCTOR EATS AN APPLE?

Cammy raised an eyebrow at the odd question. Just as she was about to question it more, the doctor on the screen exploded into rainbow colors. The text changed to an awkward delivery of a joke.

HE'D PROBABLY EXPLODE OR SOMETHING. APPLES KEEP DOCTORS AWAY AFTER ALL.

Cammy found herself giggling at the dry humor. Yeah, it was kind of stupid, but she found it charming. It was just her kind of humor.

Once the cut scene completed, level two loaded up. It was more of the same with slightly more challenging enemy patterns. This level introduced a small puzzle section. It was a block pushing puzzle, something Cammy was very good at. Since it was still an early level, she had no problem navigating the blocks and getting her character through the room. Once she destroyed the last alien, the game congratulated her again and loaded up another cutscene similar to the first. This time, it featured two aliens in the middle of a conversation.

WHAT DID ONE ALIEN SAY TO THE OTHER?

I HAVE NO IDEA. I DON'T SPEAK ALIEN.

The stupid joke had Cammy laughing out loud. She was ashamed to say she found these silly jokes funny, but she couldn't help it. She didn't think such a scary looking game would have such a great sense of humor.

She ended up playing through quite a few levels, each one getting progressively more difficult, but always rewarding her with a cute cut scene joke. It was challenging. She lost a couple of lives, but she was rising through the levels quickly. In fact, a few of the other children had taken notice and were watching her play, cheering her on. Wanting to seem cool to everyone, she put in her best effort and began to show off.

“She's a natural!”

“How did she get so far in that game? I only got to level five!”

“Woah, you go Cammy!”

Cammy was smiling as she played. Everyone in the arcade was impressed with her skills. She knew she could conquer this game with no problem. Just as she was about to take out an entire room of aliens, a voice from across the room yelled at her.

“Why's everyone watching this dork play?”

Cammy was suddenly pushed from the cabinet by a pair of strong hands. She nearly fell on the floor, but managed to catch her balance before tumbling over. She looked up and saw her brother now standing at the cabinet. She watched in horror as her character was swarmed by aliens and she lost her last life, all thanks to her brother screwing her up.

GAME OVER.

Everyone was actually on her side and booed and hissed at Nick for ruining the game. Nick, being the jackass he was, didn't care.

“You guys really watching a girl play this stupid game?” he asked, “Betcha I can get to level thirteen on one quarter, no problem!”

Nick gloated more before he popped in a quarter, one of Cammy's quarters no less, and started a new game. The level loaded up again, putting Nick in a room with an alien. Not expecting to immediately face an enemy, Nick’s character was attacked and lost his first life. The kids started to laugh.

“Uh, uh, I'm just getting started,” he said nervously.

Cammy was entertained by the comedic timing of his death. Though in the back of her mind, she could have sworn there wasn't an enemy when she loaded up the first level.

Nick tried again, killing the first alien. He moved to the next room and was bombarded with three aliens. He managed to take out two before the last one got his character. He was already on his last life. The audience of children were snickering at his failure to even get halfway into the first level.

“I'm just getting started! Cammy had beginner's luck!” he insisted.

Once again, he loaded up the first level, killed the first alien, then moved into the next room to kill the three aliens. He moved into an empty room. Nick chuckled to himself as he moved the character through. But once the doctor reached the middle of the room, a hole opened up under him, and he disappeared.

YOU HAVE FALLEN INTO A PITFALL.

Nick was flabbergasted. The other kids continued to laugh at Nick's failed attempt to outdo his little sister. Cammy raised an eyebrow. Now that definitely hadn't been there when she played.

GAME OVER.

Underneath the game over was a sentence that almost seemed to be written in a snarky way.

YOU AREN'T THE SHARPEST KNIFE IN THE DRAWER.

ARE YOU?

The laughter of the other children turned even louder at reading this. Nick's face turned red with a combination of embarrassment and rage.

“Did this piece of garbage just call me stupid?!” He demanded, backing away from the machine.

Cammy snickered under her breath, “Well, it confirmed what we already knew.”

The other children cackled at her snarky remark. Nick clenched his fists, glaring at Cammy before he turned back to the machine. He went around to the side of it, where the top part of the machine was partially broken. Breathing in heavy breaths, Nick shouted.

“YOU'RE THE STUPID PIECE OF SHIT!”

He drew back his leg and kicked the side of the machine hard enough to cause it to wobble. The already broken side of the machine came loose, falling out and right on to Nick. The sharp side cut his face, causing him to pull back and cover his face in shock and pain. He shouted expletives as he tried to get his face to stop bleeding.

“WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON BACK HERE?!”

The other children, hearing the voice of an angry adult, scattered like flies, leaving Cammy and Nick alone by Dr. Malice. Mr. Ant stomped towards them, his face contorted into a scowl. He saw the broken arcade cabinet and the cut on Nick's face and immediately made the connection.

“What do you think you're doing, punk?! Tearing up my machines?! Those cost money, y'know!” Mr. Ant scolded the boy, “You gonna pay for the damages you caused? Cause I sure don't want to have to call your parents and tell them you broke one of my cabinets!”

Nick said nothing, just held his face and glared at Mr. Ant.

Mr. Ant stepped closer, speaking in a threatening voice, “What do you have to say for yourself, son?”

Nick looked down, clenching his teeth and his fists. He managed to croak out a very weak “Sorry.”

Mr. Ant sneered, “Get out of my arcade before I call the cops. Punks like you aren't welcome.”

Nick looked like he wanted to argue, but being face to face with the much larger, much scarier Mr. Ant left him speechless. He quickly darted away, holding his head down so none of the other kids would see him. The bell on the door tingled as he left.

Mr. Ant heaved a tired sigh. He turned back to Cammy, who still appeared shaken by the whole thing, “You alright, kid?”

Cammy nodded slowly, “Yeah, I'm okay, thank you.”

Mr. Ant went to pick up the side of the cabinet and try to put it back on the machine again, “Can't believe you two have the same parents. Ain't no way that little brat is related to you.”

Cammy shrugged, “I'm sorry about him.”

“Ah, don't apologize on his behalf. You're a good kid. You shouldn't have to put up with the likes of him.”

Mr. Ant was trying to put the side of the cabinet back into place, but the harsh kick from Nick had dented it in a way that it wouldn't fit properly. He swore under his breath. Cammy picked up on this and approached him.

“Are you okay, Mr. Ant?”

Mr. Ant looked down at her, his face contorted in frustration, “Huh? Oh, uh, yeah, yeah I'm alright. It's just this cabinet belonged to a very close friend of mine. It's one of the few things I have to remember him by.”

“So my brother kicking it was like an extra kick in the gut to you, huh?”

“You could say that, yeah.”

Mr. Ant reached into his pocket and produced a roll of duct tape. He looked at Cammy, “Hey, you mind taping this for me while I hold it in place?”

Cammy nodded as she grabbed the tape from Mr. Ant. She carefully taped the broken side to the front and back of the cabinet, being careful not to wrinkle the tape. As she helped Mr. Ant, she managed to get a good view of the inside of the cabinet. It was unlike anything she had ever seen before; a tangle of wires and circuit boards connecting into a large CRT screen. It was very alien and almost a bit unsettling to see what went on behind the scenes of the games. Dust was kicked up from the inside, causing her and Mr. Ant to sneeze. It was almost like no one had touched the inside in over a decade, not even to repair it. Once she was done, Mr. Ant let go and the side stayed in place. It wasn't pretty with the damages on the top, the dent in the side, and now the ugly duct tape holding it together, but it was better than the entire inside of the cabinet being exposed for children to mess with.

“It'll have to do until I can call a maintenance man,” Mr. Ant said, “Thanks for your help, Cammy.”

Cammy smiled back, “You're welcome, Mr. Ant.”

Despite all the damages done to the cabinet, the game itself still seemed to be in working order. Mr. Ant decided to stick an “OUT OF ORDER” sign on the controls anyways, likely to prevent other kids from damaging it further. Cammy was disappointed she couldn't try the game again, but she understood.

“Listen, for all your help, I'll give ya a few more quarters to play,” Mr. Ant said, handing her another handful of quarters, “I'll make sure your brother stays out of trouble until it's time for you to go home. Now go have some fun.”

Mr. Ant waddled away, his cargo shorts jingling with quarters, leaving Cammy alone with the game. As she stared at the imposing cabinet, she couldn't help but ponder over what had just happened. How had the difficulty suddenly spiked when her brother played it? Where did all the extra enemies and traps come from that she never ran into? Did the game somehow... Change itself for her brother? Could games even do that? Surely they couldn't...

Cammy stared at the screen. The demo of the game played quietly.

...

What the...

Maybe she was going crazy, but for a split second, Cammy thought she saw the demo glitch into something else for a moment: a screen full of glitches that seemed to be forming some kind of pattern. Two black voids empty of any data seemed to stare back at her, full of some sort of malicious feeling. But just as quickly as she saw it, it was gone again. It left her feeling uneasy and nauseous, like someone was angry. Maybe not at her...

But at someone who had done wrong.

Feeling anxious, Cammy turned her back on the machine and quickly went to the other side of the arcade, far out of view of the Dr. Malice cabinet. Maybe she was just being paranoid, but she suddenly felt as if someone was watching her every move. She decided to distract herself by playing some of the two player racing games with the other kids at the arcade, which was lots of fun. She quickly forgot about the incident with the Dr. Malice cabinet and focused on enjoying herself.

Midnight rolled around at Ant's Arcade. Mr. Ant slowly ushered the kids to the front door as he started closing down the arcade, bidding them a goodnight and a safe drive home. Cammy was one of those kids. As she walked out the door with the other kids, she saw that her brother's red Honda Civic was gone from the parking lot. She gave a frustrated sigh. She'd have to see if Mr. Ant would let her use the phone so she could call her mom to come pick her up.

Just then, a pudgy ginger boy squeezed between other kids leaving the arcade. Billy Brown ran up next to Cammy, looking out of breath. He waved at Cammy excitedly.

“Are you walking home?” He asked, “I can walk with you!”

Cammy agreed, as she knew it would be safer to walk with someone rather than alone. She said goodbye to Mr. Ant and strolled down the street with Billy. Other kids were walking back to their homes, but since Cammy and Billy lived on the outskirts, they had to walk further than everyone else. Eventually, they were the only ones on the street. The orange lamps lit the dark suburban streets, bathing everything in a warm, industrial glow. Billy was a very talkative kid. He talked about movies, games, and how he was going to practice even harder to defeat the mysterious NQC.

“Who do you think NQC is, Cammy?” he asked.

Cammy shrugged, “Your guess is as good as mine. But I'm sure they're one of the best players in the entire city. Maybe even the entire state.”

They walked in silence only for a little while before Billy spoke up again.

“I saw what your brother did to that machine,” he said solemnly, “What a jerk. And he left you here? Total dweeb. Him and Dexter and all their friends are a bunch of dweebs.”

Cammy chuckled, “Yeah, they are. I wish Nick never met Dexter, but I can't really stop them from being friends.”

“Dexter's the biggest jerk. I wish I was bigger and stronger, and then I can beat him up myself!”

They walked along. The only sound in the night was the occasional car passing by. They came across two lone vending machines, the low hum of their light breaking through the quiet night.

“Hold on, I wanna buy a candy bar.” Billy said, approaching the machines. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a dollar, putting it into the machine. The machine rejected the dollar at first, spitting it back out.

“Rats.” Billy said as he put the dollar back in. It once again spit the dollar back out, making him sigh, “These things never take my dollars!”

With a little more patience, Billy managed to get the machine to accept the dollar. With it, he punched in the numbers for a candy bar. As the machine began to eject the snack, there was a sudden surge of light before everything on the street turned pitch black. Billy screamed in fright while Cammy jumped back, startled at the sudden darkness around them. Just as quickly as the power went out, it came back on. Billy was holding on to the vending machine, looking terrified out of his mind. He locked eyes with Cammy and chuckled nervously.

“I uh... That wasn't me who screamed like a little girl!” he assured her as he tried to look strong by puffing out his chest.

Cammy looked around, her nerves a bit frayed, “More power surges. There’s been a lot lately.”

Billy distracted himself by grabbing the snack out of the machine. He looked out in the distance over the hills and fields to a well lit collection of buildings. Tall smokestacks rose into the air, spitting out smoke into the otherwise clear night sky. The harsh lights made the industrial area intimidating and unwelcoming. On the side of the largest building was a sign with a company name, both in English and Japanese:

JOUZU APPLIANCES AND ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING.

“My mom said it’s because of that factory they built last year.” Billy said, “She said something about they’re taking all our energy! I voted against it last year but they still built it! Or something like that. I don’t know. I stopped listening ‘cause she started ranting about the government.”

Cammy remembered her parents talking about a factory that was being built last year, and how so many residents of Midway Falls didn’t want it built here. But the government of the town went ahead and okayed the building anyway. It only started production a few months ago, but already it seemed to be causing problems. Most notably with the frequent surges that plagued the power grid. Lots of residents were getting angry. Some had even begun protesting outside the factory’s doors. But it was a fruitless effort. Cammy didn’t really understand why the adults were so riled up by it, but she agreed the surges were annoying and scary.

The two continued on at a faster rate this time, startled by the power surge. They reached the entrance of their neighborhood, where only the low hum of the street lamps cut through the dead silence of the night.

Cammy looked up, checking over her shoulder.

“What's wrong?” Billy asked, already digging into his candy bar.

“Did you hear that?”

“No. What is it?”

“It sounded like... Something heavy. Like it was being moved across the pavement.”

“I didn't hear anything.”

Cammy paused, trying to listen over the buzz of the street lamps. She didn't hear the noise again. Perhaps she was just imagining things.

“Sorry, I think the power surge freaked me out a little bit,” She said, continuing to walk.

“That's okay,” Billy replied with a chocolate covered smile, “I can take out anyone who tries to mess with us. I promise!”

They had finally reached Cammy's house at the end of the street. Billy finished off his candy bar and waved goodbye to her. The front porch was decorated with flowers and old rusting iron chairs. As she approached the porch, she was about to knock on it. She was startled as the door swung open and her mother April stood there, her keys in hand and in her pajamas. She looked down at Cammy, her expression partially obscured by her glasses and messy brown hair.

“Camellia! My goodness there you are!” she cried, taking her in a tight hug, “How did you get home?!”

Cammy, startled by the affection, spoke into her mother's shoulder, “I walked home with Billy.”

“Oh thank goodness, I was just about to come get you!” April said, bringing her inside the home, “To say I was worried when Nicholas came home without you... Well, that would have been an understatement!”

As they entered the kitchen, Cammy saw Nick sitting at the dining table. He had a bandage on his face and seemed to be avoiding their gaze. He looked ashamed. The kitchen was filled with the scent of cigarette smoke, overpowering the nice flowers that sat on the counter.

“Mr. Anthony left me a message on the answering machine,” April said, her tone suddenly becoming serious as she turned towards Nick, “He told me everything Nicholas did at the arcade, including pushing his little sister and stealing her quarters. Not only that, but he came home smelling like cigarette smoke again!”

Nick didn't look at them.

“Nicolas Robert Karnell, you better apologize to your sister right this minute,” April demanded, her tone slipping into that threatening mother tone, the tone all moms used when they wanted you to know you had really screwed up.

Nick hesitated, refusing to look up from the floor. He finally spoke, sounding none too sincere, “Sorry Cammy.”

April didn't look particularly happy with his tone, but decided to turn away and speak with Cammy, “Camellia honey, will you please go to your room for the rest of the night? I need to speak with your brother alone.”

Cammy quickly left the kitchen, going upstairs to her room. For the rest of her night, she stayed upstairs. As she moved around from the bathroom to her bedroom, she could hear her mother yelling at Nick, asking things like what was wrong with him, why he thought that was okay, was he doing it to impress Dexter and his friends, so on and so forth. She barely heard a peep out of Nick during the scolding. Finally, once Cammy turned out her lights and got into bed, she heard the sound of Nick's footsteps stomping up the stairs and into his room across the hall. He slammed the door hard enough to shake the walls. There was no doubt about it, he was grounded for a good few weeks, maybe even a month or more.

Cammy breathed a sigh of relief. At least Nick got a comeuppance for his poor behavior tonight. She snuggled into her sheets and fell fast asleep.

That night, Nick struggled to fall asleep. The cut on his face made it difficult to lay on that side of his body, since the pillow was pressing into the wound. The harsh scolding he had received from his mother also wasn't helping. He sighed as he stared up at the ceiling. He sat up and checked the clock on his night stand.

1:35 AM

Nick swore under his breath as he tried yet again to lay on his side. The cut hurt too much to put pressure on, so he returned to laying on his back. He closed his eyes and started to drift off.

Sniff sniff...

What was that weird smell?

Nick sat up again. His room was empty. He checked the clock on his nightstand again.

2:11 AM

Nick laid back down again. He swore he smelled something. Like... Something mechanical and coppery. Kind of like the smell of change. He felt... Oddly paranoid. He couldn't place why, but he was finding it impossible to go to sleep. Maybe it was all the yelling he had endured from his mother. Maybe he was feeling... Guilty.

Nick closed his eyes again. When he opened them, he was laying on his side facing the clock. Through his grogginess, he saw something... Odd.

: AM

Maybe another power surge had happened during the night while he dozed off and reset his clock. He didn't worry too much about it and dozed off again. He woke up again, feeling... Uncomfortable. He checked the clock again, and found a rather unsettling sight.

8:88 AM

Was the clock broken? That definitely wasn't right. As he sat up to reach for it, he froze. In the corner of his eye was something at the foot of his bed. Something... Tall. Solid. Unmoving. Nick turned, slowly, terrified at the prospect of someone invading his room. He faced the intruder head on.

It was an arcade machine, turned off, completely dead.

To say it startled him would have been an understatement, but he quickly started to laugh it off.

“Okay, you guys got me. That's really funny,” he said with a weak laugh, “You can come out now Cammy, I know this was a prank.”

As he stared at the machine, common sense got the better of him. How in the world would his petite sister get this giant thing into his room? Much less up the stairs and through the doorway?

How did this thing get into his room at this hour of the night?

Just then, Nick jumped as the marquee of the machine suddenly flipped on. He was bathed in a bright red light, illuminating his entire room. He looked down on the floor where a power cord from the machine was sitting.

Completely unplugged.

Nick dared to look up at the marquee. In stark red pixelated letters read the title.

DR. MALICE

A noise started to reverberate from the machine. A deep, synthy bass noise that rose and fell, almost like the breathing of a human.

“What... The... Hell…” Nick breathed, his voice catching in his throat.

Another noise came from the machine. This time, it was a voice, deeply compressed and bit-crushed. It spoke quietly, but just loud enough for Nick to hear it. It chilled him to the core.

“You… You think you're above the consequences?”

Nick started to say something, but felt as if his voice had been snatched from him. It was as if his throat was full of electrified needles, preventing him from speaking. His whole body became numb, like he had lost control of everything.

A deep, almost sadistic chuckle came from the machine, “Oh, you're gonna shut up and listen to me, boy. You've had too much time to talk. But I know just what you'd say anyways.”

The screen on the arcade machine flared to life, filled with strange, glitchy patterns. The glitches seemed to form two black holes on the screen, shaped like gouged out human eye sockets. They stared directly into Nick, seeing into the deepest recesses of his soul.

“I know your kind, Nicholas Karnell. I know what you're all about. I've seen your memories. I've seen the horrible things you've done, just to fit in. All the people you've hurt... Just to feel like you're somebody. Heh. Your kind never changes. Even after so many years.”

Nick's heart raced, thumping in his chest so loud, he could hear it in his ears. His body was soaked with sweat as he faced what he assumed was Satan himself in the form of an arcade cabinet. He wanted to apologize. He wanted to beg for forgiveness for kicking the machine. He wanted to fall at Cammy's feet and apologize for everything he had done to her. He wanted to change his ways right then and there.

But because his voice was gone, he was helpless to do anything.

The machine spoke again, the eyes on the screen narrowing into enraged slits, “You only wish to hurt the little guy. People like your sister, the so-called nerds... People... Like... Me.”

The screen turned off, but the marquee continued to glow. Another bit-crushed evil chuckle sounded from the machine. Something started to glow in the corner of the screen.

No...

Something was coming out of the screen.

A hand, a vaguely human hand, grabbed onto the edge of the controls, pulling itself forward and out, revealing an arm wearing some kind of surgical glove and white sleeve. Another hand came out of the opposite side of the screen, similar to the first. Both hands grabbed the edge of the controls and pulled with it a head full of dark, messy hair, shoulders wearing a white coat, and a chest... A chest with three distinct black spots, coated in red pixelated words that read “ERROR”. It was a man... But it was definitely not fully human. The form glitched and crackled with electricity, smelling like an electrical fire combined with the coppery scent of quarters. The voice spoke again.

“Well... Nicholas…”

The head of the... Man? Whatever it was looked up at Nick, its eyes obscured by a pair of thick glasses. It had no mouth. Only a nose and potentially eyes hiding behind the spectacles.

Wait... It did have a mouth.

No...

Where the mouth should have been was the start of a split that circled around the entire head. It was full of nothing but garbled, corrupted coding and glitches. The split opened wider, seeming to form into some kind of twisted and demented smile. The voice spoke, relishing in his fear.

“Who's the little guy now?”

The "mouth" opened wider, exposing more of the nightmarish nonsense inside as the figure grabbed Nick by the ankles. A jolt of electricity shot through his body, paralyzing him from head to toe as the monster from the cabinet slowly dragged him towards the machine. Adrenaline shot through Nick as he managed to flip over on his stomach and grab the foot of his bed, holding on for dear life. He tried to scream for Cammy, his mother, anybody, but his throat was filled with even more electrifying pins and needles than before. A sharp pain shot through Nick's side, causing him to let go of the bed frame. He was dragged into the screen of the arcade machine by the terrifying creature, disappearing from sight.

Silence. The machine sat still for a moment. The marquee slowly powered down, leaving the room in complete darkness. As silently as it had appeared, it was gone, leaving no trace of itself or the young boy it had just taken.

The clock on the nightstand read:

3:59 AM

#dr. malice #malice sneak peak #dr. malice official #writeblr #writers on tumblr #writing #80s #arcadecore #original writing #aspiring writer #aspiring author #scifi novel #sci fi #1980s

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skyechaser · 2 months

Text

Bumbleby Biker Gang AU 3/?

Blake used all of her acting abilities that morning to convince Adam to let her leave. She told him she would be at the library and that she would leave her cellphone on vibrate and answer as soon as he called or wrote to her. He was unsure at first but Blake's begging finally convinced him. He had a busy day ahead of himself so he didn't really care what Blake did as long as she would be there when he told her to. Before leaving, the black haired girl made sure to cover the bruise on her cheek with enough make up. She had gotten good at hiding the signs of Adam's abuse. What a sad ability to have, she thought to herself as she looked at the mirror.

Yang had told her to meet her at the ice cream shop they had visited the day before. As she made her way there, quite a bit earlier than they had agreed, she felt herself getting excited. Spending time with the bartender was the most fun she recalled having in the longest time. Perhaps ever. There was something special about the blonde and as long as she was in Patch she was going to make sure to find out exactly what it was. When the ice cream shop was in sight she was surprised to see Yang waiting for her. It was half an hour earlier than they had decided to meet up. Seems like both of them were eager to see each other. Blake's heart was beating hard on her chest.

The truth was Yang was just as excited as the other girl was. She really liked Blake. Like seriously liked her. She knew there could be some trouble involved due to her belonging to the White Fang but she didn't care. Blake was only going to be around for a couple of weeks so she was going to make the best of it. She was ready to wait half an hour for her and was surprised by the sight of the girl approaching her.

"Hey" Blake said with a smile "Seems we are both a little bit early"

"Yeah" Yang replied "I just couldn't wait to see you" she added in a flirty manner. The other girl blushed and the blonde congratulated herself for her amazing skills.

"So, where are we going today?" Blake asked, still flustered.

"You are going on the Yang Xiao Long's Wonderful Patch Tour!" the bartender said in an exagerrated manner. The black haired girl laughed a beautiful laugh.

Their first stop was a small arcade not far from the ice cream shop. Blake had never been one to play videogames. Not having a stable home and being always on the road had kept her away from such forms of entertainment. Yang, however, seemed to be quite enthusiastic about it.

"This is one of the most popular spots in Patch" the blonde explained as they entered "When I was in highschool I'd spent hours in here with Nora and Pyrrha"

The place wasn't too big and, probably due to the hour, wasn't too crowded either. It had several old arcade machines, a couple of air hockey tables and a claw machine. Patch was certainly a small town if this was one of the highlights of the tour.

"Well, hello miss Xiao Long" a man said, approaching the pair. He wore round glasses and had spiky brown hair.

"A pleasure as always, Mr. Oobleck" Yang replied.

"And who might this be?" he said, looking at Blake "Never seen you before"

"This is Blake" the blonde replied. The black haired girl felt glad Yang had introduced her. She was always nervous arround strange men.

"Nice to meet you, miss Blake. I do hope you enjoy my fine establishment" he smiled.

"Nice to meet you too" the alluded one answered.

After meeting Mr. Oobleck and obtaining a substantial amount of coins, Yang introduced Blake to her favorite game: House of the Dead 2. It was pretty simple: grab the gun and shoot at the zombies. Blake was pretty terrible but Yang's abilities carried them far into the game. They did require quite a lot of coins to keep the newcomer alive.

"So, this is the last boss" Yang said with a proud grin "Just stay alive as long as you can and shoot when I shoot"

"Okay" Blake replied, getting her gun ready. She was getting really into the game by this point "I'm ready"

"Here we go"

The last boss was hard and Blake did end up dying once but they defeated it. When the end screen appeared the black haired girl heard cheering behing her and turned around startled. A little audience had gathered behind them but she had been too into the game to notice. She blushed. Yang, on the other hand, seemed used to this kind of attention and dramatically bowed at them. Blake thought it was cute.

"Thank you, Patch" the blonde said "It's been an honor to entertain you. I've been Yang Xiao Long and this right here is Blake..." she stopped, realizing she didn't know the other one's last name.

"Belladona. I'm Blake Belladona"

After the crowd dissipated, Yang guided the other girl towards the claw machine. She still had a couple of coins left but she only needed one.

"Which one would you like?" she asked.

"What?" Blake replied, confused.

"Which one of these" she said, pointing at the plushies inside the machine "Would you like me to get for you"

"Aren't this things like rigged to make you lose?" she laughed.

"Not if you are me" the bartender replied confidently.

"Well..." she looked at the toys. There were bears, dogs, a very ugly Mickey Mouse and... "I want that one" she said, pointing at a black cat. She had always liked cats but could never have one due to her living situation.

"Your wish is my command" the blonde said as she winked at the other girl. Blake blushed. She inserted the coin and positioned the claw on just the right spot over the black cat. Then she pressed the button and looked at the black haired girl with a smile. The claw descended, grabbed the plushie and pulled it up perfectly.

"Told you" Yang said as she grabbed the toy from inside the machine. Blake was amazed. She felt butterflies in her stomach as the bartender handed her the black cat. She grabbed it and pressed it hard against her chest feeling the happiest she had ever felt in her life.

"Thank you" she said, her eyes shinning with a thin layer of tears.

Yang stared at her with amusement. Blake looked like she was about to cry.

"You are welcome" the blonde said quietly. She gently placed a hand on the other girl's shoulder. When they touched she felt something she had never felt before. It was like fireworks were blasting through her insides. Still, she remained calm, the sight of Blake concerning her a bit "Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yes" Blake replied, allowing a couple of tears to fall "Better than ever". She wiped the tears with the back of her hand and, without realizing it, removed some of the make up covering the bruise on her cheek. Yang noticed but decided not to say anything at the moment.

"Are you sure?" the blonde asked again, her hand still on Blake's shoulder. The other girl nodded as more tears started falling. Yang pulled her in and hugged her tightly, the plushie getting squished between their bodies. The black haired girl didn't move, her arms still holding the cat against her chest. After a couple of minutes her crying stopped and the blonde broke the hug.

"I'm sorry about that" Blake said. "I was just... Overwhelmed with happiness" she smiled.

"I'm glad those are happy tears" Yang replied as she wiped the last tears off the other girl's face. The bruise on her cheek was apparent and the bartender felt rage building up inside of her. She took a deep breath and grabbed Blake by the hand.

"We still have other places to go on our tour" she forced a smile and prayed it looked genuine "Let's go".

They walked out of the arcade hand in hand both of them feeling like never letting go.

#bumbleby #rwby #blake #yang #skyechaser #yang and blake

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thefourchimes · 1 year

Text

the potential of gravity falls and stranger things together...

for the stranger weirder au, imagine the chaos of the group that is the party+co and the mystery crew

from the kids to the teens to the adults, all the groupings just have the potential to be so much

imagine.

here be the some thoughts for them because yes:

star twins immediately vibe with the party <3

more girls' night!!

more dnd campaigns!!

dustin and dipper smart cap buddies

party drifting apart fuels the fear and conflict even more in dipper and mabel vs the future

will and dipper "knows the feeling of being possessed" buddies

mabel and max being essentially taken hostage by the big bads AND are put through illusions bullshit

el would be persuaded by mabel to use her powers for arcade games

dipper would be fascinated and mabel would be in awe of el's powers

el learns so much of the world through the star twins as well <33

lots more competition with arcade games in general with the kids

the kids riding their bikes together!!

still unsure about gideon in general but imagine erica putting him in his place

will hangs around in the shack a lot because jonathan works there, and he's really fascinated by the attractions in the mystery shack

dustin would likely get attached to ford

post redemption pacifica will deck angela in the face <3

max, argyle, and the star twins talking about cali related things with the rest being unable to relate

soos loves hanging out with all his dudes

soos, max, and dustin knowing what it feels like without a father

the teens learn that college isn't the end all be all from the stan twins

jonathan and soos talk a lot as coworkers—and the latter is always able to help the former relax

steve gets a crush on wendy—this is gonna be a deja vu moment for him considering yknow

nancy and stan talk about guilt of past and stupid mistakes

nancy is taught and given advice on how to do illegal things and get away with it (plus gun usage) by stan

robin and wendy bonding over being queer in small towns in unspecified time of late 20th century

robbie gets punched and slightly beat up by one of the st teens (likely nancy or steve) for picking on the kids

robin and robbie is gonna be confusing when said aloud and they both hate it

argyle and soos besties heck yes

joyce and stan having an understanding with one another about protecting their loved ones no matter what

joyce mayhaps putting ford in his place since his head is still up his ass for a while ASHFIUASHf

joyce is always nice to mcgucket and tries to talk to him, but it's a hit or a miss at times

hopper is tired of seeing stan's face (usually to try and arrest him)

also when it gets to that point, hopper and stan have a silent rivalry for being jonathan's father figure (but they work together to beat lonnie up)

once they can kind of put their disagreements aside, stan teaches hopper how to bond with the kids

hopper is also tired of trying to wrangle mcgucket

hopper doesn't know what to think of ford, especially with the fact that stan had so easily slipped in and pretended to be the man for years

murray and stan making deals mayhaps??

mcgucket murray duo omg HAFSUIHAISF

murray's suspicious of ford the first time he meets him ("kgb? government??")

and that's only a few of what our little grp who's building this au has discovered and explored omg 😭

if you wanna know more...don't be shy, go and ask away AHSFUIAHSF 👀

tagging @sunflowersand-bees @itsanotheridiot because they helped me compile and add more in this list, ty guys <3

along with @laurienotteddy @lovefrom-theother-side @willelfanpage @she-wont-miss who are always sending me their thoughts and/or watching me go insane in that thread

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that-one-weeb-buts-its-the-main · 2 years

Text

Being Frank Castle's Daughter in Hawkins Pt 5

Gif Caption: Top gif- Billy Russo v Frank Castle in Marvel's The Punisher, Bottom Gif- Steve Harrington in Netflix's Stranger Things

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Reader: 17-18 age range | fem reader

Characters Mentioned: Frank Castle (MCU), Loki Laufeyson (MCU), Thor Odinson (MCU), Korg (MCU), Dr.Strange (briefly, MCU), Wong (briefly, MCU), Steve Harrington (ST), Billy Hargrove (ST), Max Mayfeild (ST), Jim Hopper (briefly, ST) Joyce Byers (brefily, ST)

A/n: shorter than usual sorry

Warnings: nothing really surpised? Yeah me too

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Yeah just as you had assumed, everyone had been too in shock to even call a news company

Mostly to see Korg and his 7'7 ness

But Thor.

All the girls loved thor, all the kids loved Thor, everyone loved Thor

So it made it easier to litterally just walk away from him with your group to do whatever you wanted

"So." Y/n spoke up, "why are you all here?"

"Why are we here? Or how did we get here?" Loki questioned.

Y/n raised a brow, "Well to answer your question, Jane broke up with Thor. And now his Hammer the only thing that can get us out of this damn town. Is broken up with him too."

"Did he just say a hammer broke up-" Max started.

"Don't ask." Billy intruppted walking past the three as they walked there way down the street and into the small Arcade.

"And let me guess."

"We ticked off the wizard." Loki spoke as Y/n sighed.

"Okay. Okay this is fine."

Loki seemed to ignore Y/n entirely as she planned out what to do outloud. The arcade had become pratically empty due to Thor being out in the street. And he watched Max fish for quaters in her pockets.

"Damn it. No coins."

"No coins?" Loki questioned.

"Quaters. To play the games." Max spoke.

"And these quaters? They stay in these...boxes."

"Yeah usually till someone comes to collect them."

"They don't call me the god of mischef for anything midgardian."

And Max and Loki became friends because Loki helped her with some magic that coughed up all the quaters from one game.

Max is rich at that point

He had to conjure up bucket.

And Billy? Billy's sitting you on a stool and handing you a water he bought from a vending machine

"I mean I don't get it!" Y/n protested, "Why dump them on me! Korg I understand! He's sweet!'-"

"Aw thank you. Thats very nice of you." Korg thanked.

" But Thor!? And Loki!?" Y/n argued, "i already helped Dr.Jack off with his own fuckin problems! Why do I have to deal with it again!? And Frank!? Frank thinks I just helped him at the grocery store! Its not like its uncommon to see heros at the stores!"

"City bird." Billy tried to catch her attention

"What if something big comes!? What happens if they brought some interdimensinoal fuck up like me thats whats to kill everyone!"

"Castiglione!" Billy called again.

"Don't get me started! I'd have to deal with the Sokovia accord of course! And Tony! UGH! Don't get me started on him! And steve! Roggers not Harrington! He'd be all like "Im dispointed in you yadda yadda yadda" Like I didnt wipe the total floor with his ass! And I-"

"Y/n! Hello!" Billy finally shouted at her.

She stopped finally, "ask the rock monster you dumbass."

Y/n sighed and looked up at Korg, "You...guys didnt bring a problem with you?"

"Besides Thor's sad love life and Loki. No. I don't believe so." Korg explained a sigh a relief from Y/n, "there is one problem though: and that we have no way home."

"Y/n!" Max called running over, "Look at all the quaters!"

She had an old icecream bucket, shallow filled with quaters.

"Wanna play a game!? I'll totally floor you in street fighter! Already floored Loki."

"Trust me. Thats no real feat." Y/n told her.

"I heard that!" Loki argued.

"But Maybe Korg like to play?"

"Me?" Korg asked, "I'd love too."

Korgs too pure for this world and any other at that

You come up with and idea and hop over the counter to reach the phone all the employees are gone to meet the hero anyways.

You'll calling the one the only

Sorcerer Supreme

"Wong Speaking-"

"Wong!" Y/n spoke, "You have no idea how glad it is to hear your voice! Look Strange portaled Thor along with Loki and Korg. With no hammer. Im kinda busy trying to keep oh I dont know. A low profile. Low Profile ring a bell?

"Oh no." Wong corrected, "That was me. Call it punishment for skipping town on me."

Even now you're being punished

The line cuts and you're completely in mental agony

And your roping Max and Billy into it

Not that Max isn't happy to be roped into it though

And Billy, well Billy puts up with your shit because he loves you

But you need a cover your face so the media isn't tracking you, and so do the other two you know: regular people, god imagine being normal, how you wished to be normal sometimes

Billy and Max find a Halloween mask in the back like badasses, but can only find you a teddy bear costume head

So you bring the truck and have everyone load in the back, then go towards the mass of people happy to see such a hero and basically blow the horn out you lay it down so hard

"Get in the truck!"

"Y/-"

"Say my name and you'll be dead hammer boy! Hurry!"

the woman chase him to the truck as he jumps through the window as you floor it and drive away.

"Y/n! By the gods I love you! Thank you!"

"Yeah, Yeah, So who pissed Wong off?"

yeah it went real silent after that

Turns out Thor had been takin' this breakup thing. a lot harder than you originally thought

Also, you finally took off that stupid bear head,

"What do we do with them?" Billy asked.

"Take 'em to my house." Y/n spoke, "We can sneak them through the window."

It was a decent plan, you'd just have to tell Frank you didn't feel good and he'd leave you alone, letting you wait out the day

When you got home, everyone got out, and you asked Billy to help in bringing them to the back

You went inside, and Frank was doing some weapons cleaning

"Hey, kid."

"Hey..."

He stopped and looked up, "Everythin' alright? Home earlier than I expected."

"Yeah, just, was doin' some stuff, and started feeling like crap.."

He stood up, wiping his hands on a rag, and put his hand on her forehead

"think it might of been the sugar from last night too much."

"yeah. alright." He spoke pulling a strand of hair behind her ear, kissing her forehead, "Go get some rest."

She nodded, "yeah thanks."

Oh god, it worked, she went into her room, quickly locked the door, and rushed over to the window,

"Be quiet and be quick."

Korg happily helped everyone into the room, simply by picking them up and placing them through the window.

The only question was, how was he going to get in? He couldn't fit through the window and if he could it'd be a hell of a tight squeeze

Somehow some way he got in,

Now your rooms are filled with aliens in laments terms

You're so glad Max ad Loki had become friends and that Korg was friendly, she was able to babysit the two as they played Thor games

While Thor rambled on to you and Billy like it was some sleepover

"And then she broke up with me! well, I let her think that-" Thor spoke defensively.

"Okay one, keep your voice down. Two wow." Y/n spoke painting her nails black, "I'm so surprised."

"Exactly." Thor spoke, "If anything I broke up with her."

Billy was smoking a cigarette beside the bed, with the window opened, "Wow."

"And what is your Verdict? Billy Hargrove of Midgard, You have managed to capture the heart of the most ferocious fighter of all Midgard, and my dearest friend yet my most formidable human opponent."

"her?" Billy spoke, gesturing to Y/n with the hand his cigarette was holding, "yeah, no."

He took another puff of his cigarette.

"Am I mistaken?"

"Highly," Y/n spoke blowing on her freshly black nails.

"Nonsense," Thor spoke, "The letter you sent describes him as a-"

"And that's enough from you," Y/n spoke interrupting him, "How are the others?"

you managed to keep them hidden for the day, and when it hit's about 9:30 at night, a portal opens up randomly in your room, and in steps Dr.Strange and takes them all away.

"You're a piece of shit," Y/n spoke with crossed arms, "I know you most likely helped Wong get them through that portal."

"I know," Stephen spoke letting everyone file into the portal and out into the new york sanctum, "Guilty as charged."

"Where does this lead to?" Max asked sticking her arm in the portal.

"New York," Y/n responded looking at Billy, "Don't try it."

"Fuck you."

"When and where?"

"Nice to see you haven't changed." Stephen spoke, "We could use you back in New York you know. A room at the Sanctum always has your name on it. Plus I can't handle any of these new kids running around New York- especially Parker."

Y/n nodded with a chuckle, "You know I want to come back."

"Doors open." He spoke.

"Yeah." Y/n spoke, "I think needs are different than wants. And I think I'm needed here."

He nodded holding his hand out as they shook: "I know the feeling all to well."

And then he left leaving the three in the now quiet room

"What the hell." Billy argued slapping Y/n on the back of the head, "Im needed here? That was your ticket out of here dumbass."

"I told you I'd take you though, didn't I?"

God he fucking hates how much he loves you

You luckily are able to sneak out and drive them home.

You're pretty sure at this point though, with all the sneaking Frank knows

He's just usually too high alert to not know

But you had a good day, even though it was long and tirind just to go to bed immediately and missing the daily call from Steve

He knows your busy but you usually always pick up even if you end up telling him your busy and hanging up.

He gets in trouble for it. Why? Because they're at another dinner, and his moms trying to have him make friends with some of her friends daughter

But no. He's standing by the phone calling you for the second time.

But still no answer. He's already mentally planned that he's gonna go see if your okay tommrow

Ah yes. Tommrow

The next day for you would be uh. Eventful in the morning.

Especially when you're up and Frank's not up

Thats always been werid

And fucking in walks Joyce Byers in Pajama's

Excuse me? And why the fuck did she just walk out of Franks room

They were too stunned to speak

"Uh...Hi...Ibuprofen please, if you have any to spare." She asked sweetly

"Uh...I mean....yeah." y/n spoke, still in shock, "Yeah! Yeah! Uh! Let me look..."

You give her some and a glass of water you were originally pouring for herself

She then says she'll go, and thank you again, but you tell her akwardly she can stay, bur she says shes gonna go anyways and contuines to thank you

What the f u c k just happened

And then in comes Frank like nothing happened

Do you engage? Do you not?

You do pour both of you ceral,

Atleast cornflakes made things a bit better

Still do you ask

"So." Frank spoke, "What did the Avenger's want with you?"

Fuck he knows

"There dealing with Hard times." Y/n spoke, "Im expecting the woman that just walked out wanted the same from you? Is that like a one time thing? Or? Should I insolate my walls just in case?"

He almost spit out his ceral when you said that

Two can play this game

Luckily Steve saves the day, when he knocks on the door

"Oh Hey." Y/n spoke bowl in hand, "Whats up?"

"Uh. I called last night and you didn't answer." He spoke, "Got...worried."

Y/n smiled, "Yeah sorry. I ended up having a long day."

He laughed, "Yeah, I heard about that superhero came to town. Bet you were busy with him."

Y/n was silent, "wait. Was he really here to see you?"

"More of less." Y/n spoke.

"Are you two...ya know?" Steve asked quietly.

"What?" Y/n asked walking out the door as Y/n closed it behind her.

"Dating-"

"Ew!" Y/n protested.

"I don't know!" He defended, "Thats not why I came here!"

"What's it then?" Y/n asked

"I came to see if you were okay." He spoke, "now i see that was stupid especially if you were hanging out with a fricken Avenger."

"You'd be surpised what shit they put me through." She smiled, causing him to smile and hold a laugh in "was that Harrington?"

"...yeah.. yeah." He spoke rocking back and forth Y/n standing up with now an empty bowl ready to go back inside, "actually."

"Yeah?"

"How about we go." Steve spoke.

"Go? Go Where?" Y/n asked.

"You've been in Hawkins yet still havent seen any of the good spots." Steve started, "I could. Take you around...if you know. If you want. Just me and you. If you're cool with that! Ya know..."

"Hm? Yeah that sounds great." Y/n smiled, "let me get dressed and say bye to my dad. You can come in if you want."

Steve's litterally throwing the biggest party in his head

Even you said not to worry he's still worried after all that shit his mom pulled

He's real glad when you say yes to him

He may be too excited

Frank says hi to Steve and they talk while he waits on you

When you ready to go, Frank tells you remember Matt's coming tomorrow and even pitches the idea of dinner to Steve, a retry without his parents: really just without his mom

Steve nervously agrees to it

And then the two of you leave

He's talkin nonstop, mostly trying to keep you entertained and impressed

"The best parts of Hawkins arent even town there out in the middle of no where. Ya knoe Nature and shit. But theres cool things in town." He explained, "what do you wanna do first?"

Y/n shrugged, "Whatever makes it the easiest to see everything."

So he takes you around town first, showing you all his favorite shops and such, and even points out a fair fyler, that's be opened the 30th and then ongoing for the season of Fall

You've never really been to a fair, Frank steers clear of them

But he continues to take you around: enjoying the alone time with you.

You've guys got lemonades in hand as you both walk, he's staring at your free hand hanging between the two of you

"So uh." Steve spoke up, "Got anyone..special. back in the big apple?"

"Define special." Y/n joked.

Steve chuckled knew if about her run ins with hero's, "you know...you like anybody?"

"Well of course. All my friends are back there." Y/b spoke.

"Yeah. Yea...but like. Like. Anyone?" He asked they getting in the car, "dating, perhaps..."

"Oh." Y/n spoke following him, "I mean. I got close one time...It didn't work out."

They closed the doors behind them, "Oh. I. Im sorry I asked."

"No no its okay."

"Hey. Take it from me. Guys can be dicks." Steve tried to cheer up.

Y/n smiled, "not this one."

Steve frowned, Y/n seemed to really like this guy, "right person, Wrong time. It happens alot."

"Not enough time." Y/n spoke, "There wasnt enough."

Steve went silent, as he drove,"I. Im sorry bringin up bad memories and all."

"No. No its alright." Y/n spoke, "It's in the past."

He nodded, "Just. Know that Im here. For anything. I want to help, ya know? I really, really-"

He stopped himself, "I wanna. Y/n I."

"You don't have to tell me."

"I. I want to! I know I do." Steve argued with himself, "I just. Dont wanna loose you ya know."

He took a right, "Loose me to what Steve?"

"I don't know: Anything. Everything." He took a deep breathe parking the car in a make shift lot in the woods, "All I know is that. I...really do...like you. Like. Alot. You're funny, and cool, and...your an ass kicker."

He laughed, Y/n joining him, "and. I just know. That your a good person. So. Thank you. Hah. Yeha thank you for sticking around Hawkins hair prince."

Previous Part - Next Part

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Tags! (Its grow again! Yes!!!) @raelwrites @miiikkeey @beebslebobs @ah-witch @supernaturallover2002 @pearlstiare @simonsbluee @stilllivindue2spite @lvbred

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upsidedownwithsteve · 1 year

Text

Steve Harrington x WednesdayAddams!reader [984 words]

Steve delighted in knowing that he was the only one that got to see you like this, a secret just for him, a version of you for no one else. Unravelled, a little wild, flushed and face full of expression.

Undone.

He craved these moments, when he got to shut his bedroom door and keep you for himself, stripping away layers of your clothes each time he got a little bit more of a smile from you. Steve liked to talk and to tease, to kiss you nice and slow until you got too impatient and stopped sulking, making those little noises instead.

The one just for him.

He took his time with you, generous with his kisses, drawing a line of them from your cheek to your neck to your shoulder as he tugged off your clothes, a puddle of black on his bedroom floor until you were left bare for him.

Nothing but wide eyes and a pouting mouth, lips slightly parted, skin flushed, hands reaching out to grab at him. There would always be a point where you’d suddenly become too aware of how you were looking at him, doe eyed and gaze sparkling, your voice higher and breathier than ever when you gasped out his name.

So you tried to compensate by squeezing your eyes shut, hiding behind your palms so the boy wouldn’t see the way your mouth turned up at the edges when he called you pretty. But Steve knew you, he knew the way you worked, knew that if he caught your wrists and tugged all gentle, you’d reappear with a scowl that didn’t quite meet your eyes.

It made him smile, boyish and charming, with his hair all messy, his kiss bitten and pink. It was the only time you liked colour.

But you wouldn’t tell him that.

He liked it even better when you took charge, the unbothered facade dropping when another girl was brave enough to hit on him while you were around. They were easy to scare off, eyes narrowed, pretty face sullen and pointed as you stared until they disappeared, Steve smothering a laugh behind a fist.

It was times like those where you’d scramble at him before he even got a chance to drive you both home, your small hands pushing at him until he let you press him against the side of his car.

You weren’t big on PDA usually, but there was something about the sight of another girl's hand on your boyfriend's hand that made you feel… well.

Undone.

So Steve let you mark him up the way you wanted, smile lazy and fond as you scowled at his amusement. But then you’d have him moaning, his hand slipping under your skirt when you pushed him into the back of the car. You’d do everything you could to make him that shade of pink you loved, lilac and lavender marks on his throat, the edge of his clavicle, whispering your name in an effort to calm you before you turned too feisty and you tried to fuck him in the arcade parking lot.

But Steve’s favourite version of you? The softest one. The one they sought him out after you had a bad day and nothing else would fix it. Not your butterfly knife, or your switchblade… or well, any kind of weaponry, really.

It happened rarely, but when it did, Steve took everything you gave him. You liked to slip in his front door with your spare key, boots left at the door so he wouldn’t hear you coming. It was always on Sunday mornings, when the town was still sleepy and Steve was in bed, a needy ache pulling at your chest ‘cause the boy had worked all week and you’d hardly seen him.

He barely got to open his eyes before you slipped into bed with him, black sweater and black jeans left on the carpet, cold toes pressed to the tops of his feet. Steve would hum in appreciation, nose pressed into your hair, sleep warmed arms wrapped around your waist so he could pull you tight against him, hands sneaking up the sides of your t-shirt.

You liked to crawl over him, knees pressed on either side of his bare thighs, arms tucked around his neck. He was soft with sleep, lazy and warm under you, pliable and happy to let you nuzzle into his jaw.

If his eyes weren’t still heavy with sleep, he’d be able to see the way you smiled, really smiled, cheeks sore with it when he mumbled your name, soft and brimming with affection.

You hid it with twisted lips when he finally woke up enough to flip you both, tucking you underneath him so he could kiss you greedily, legs hooked around his back so he could rock down onto you and make you sigh, lashes fluttering. Steve would kiss and kiss and kiss you until he got you to smile again, nose scrunching against his until he saw your eyes light up the way he did just for him.

So you’d give in, just a little, just for him, for Steve. Under the sheets, bare skin on his, the light of the morning sun making the space under the duvet golden.

“You’re pretty,” you’d tell him, voice quiet, much more soft than flat. “Especially like this.” A hand, pushed to his cheek, fingers brushing over the blush there, the warm that painted the high planes of his face rosy.

Steve would turn into your touch, lips pressed to your palm, kissing each finger. “Yeah?”

His blush only deepened.

“Pink,” you’d tell him. “It’s like you’re trying to make it my new favourite colour.”

He’d grin, blinding.

“It’s not,” you’d be quick to tell him, but your voice wasn’t as harsh as Steve knew it could be. “Stop looking at me like that.”

As if he could.

#steve harrington #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x you #steve harrington x y/n #steve harrington fic #steve harrington fanfiction #steve harrington fanfic #steve harrington fluff #steve harrington smut #steve harrington oneshot #steve harrington blurb #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington x wednesday!reader #steve baby blurb

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dazed--xx · 2 months

Text

🎮Arcade🎮

Member: Felix x Reader

Word Count: 2.1K

A broken heart is all that's left. I'm still fixing all the cracks. Lost a couple of pieces when I carried it, carried it, carried it home….I'm afraid of all I am; My mind feels like a foreign land. Silence ringing inside my head; Please, carry me, carry me, carry me home

The smell of coffee filled the air as you sat quietly in the cafe, waiting for your boyfriend with his friends. You listened as they teased each other back and forth as you pulled out your phone sending a quick text to Felix.

Hey, when are you getting here?

You place your phone on the table as a redheaded girl, whom you believe was your boyfriend’s friend Changbin’s girlfriend. Your eyes widen as she begins to take selfies on your phone as she speaks “You're so quiet, Do you talk at all?” She asks as you reach for your phone. “Y-yeah…can I have my phone back?” you ask nervously, the girl ignores you as you look at her in disbelief. “So…” She trails giving the brunette girl beside her a mischievous smirk “You and Felix have been dating for a while right?”

You nod, “Yeah? Almost a year.” your voice is shy and hesitant. Why is she asking? You thought to yourself. “Is he, you know…..as good as the rumors say?” the brunette girl asks with a glint in her eye you couldn't place. You furrow your eyebrows in confusion “What do you mean??” you ask innocently. The redhead snorts as she looks away from you covering her mouth as the brunette smacks her friend's arm playfully. “Is he like, good in bed?” The brunette asks suggestively, being sure to keep her voice lowered. You shake your head panickedly. “We-Weve never—I never—Im a…” you stammer nervously.

The two girls look at each other and begin to laugh hysterically; clutching each other's hands they continue to laugh and laugh. An overwhelming sense of embarrassment fills your gut. Why are they laughing? Was it embarrassing to still be a virgin at your age? “Felix is so losing this, I don't know why he was so confident” The redhead snickers to her friend. Losing? “Losing what?” you ask innocently. The girls' laughing stops, their eyebrows scrunch together in confusion. “What do you mean?” She asks with a confused pout. You look at her bewildered. “What do you mean? What is Felix going to lose?”

“The bet of course?” The redhead states matter-of-factly. You laugh awkwardly as you scratch the nape of your neck. “What are you talking about? What bet?” your voice is just above a whisper as the brunette girl sighs “Felix made a bet with the guys that he could get you to go out with him and give him your virginity within a year” There was a hint of amusement in her tons as she spoke. You felt your heart shatter in your chest as you felt tears build in your eyes.

“T-That's not funny…”

“Who said I was joking?” The brunette responds harshly “Be in denial about it all you want but, once your delusion clears up you'll actually notice all the signs. Why else would Felix talk to someone like you? Let alone date them?” She crosses her arms over her chest “Don't feel bad about it, just make him lose the bet at one year then he'll dump you and you'll never have to talk to him again….and you can say you dated someone WAY out of your league so,” the redhead chimes coldly. You sat frozen in your seat for a moment as the redhead handed you back your phone. The two girls give you mischievous smirks as you lift yourself from your seat. You feel your phone buzz with a message from Felix.

So clingy😒…Ill be there soon

Your heart sinks into your stomach; not wanting to see him any longer you walk out of the cafe with your phone in one hand and bag in the other. Your mind raced as you rushed out of the door. Everything you thought you had known about your relationship was a lie.

I've spent all of the love I've saved, We were always a losing game. Small-town girl (boy) in a big arcade I got addicted to a losing game……

It had been three weeks since that painful day in the cafe. Your heart had yet to recover. Felix had reached out a few times, completely and utterly confused by your grand disappearing act. The night you had learned the truth about your relationship with Felix. Puzzle pieces began to come together. You had never understood why Felix had treated you so differently than he did with his friends. While you were falling in love with Felix, he was counting down the days until his little game was over. You felt disgusting and nauseous knowing that not only were you used as a pawn in some sexist game but you weren't even seen as a person with feelings when it came to those who made the bet. The longer Felix pretended to love you the more anger boiled in your gut.

You had fled back home to Gimhae; deciding to take a few weeks to yourself to figure things out. As the time ticked on you felt more and more irritated as you found yourself doing exactly what the two girls who so rudely exposed the truth wanted. Your leg shook in frustration as you felt yourself growing more and more angry.

Angry at those two girls….

Angry at Felix…..

Angry at yourself….

How could you not be? It was obvious like the girls said. Every time you held his hand, he'd allow his to sit loosely in yours. His kisses were always hesitant and seemed forced. His smile never fully reached his eyes when you were alone.

How could you have been so stupid?

Felix stared at his phone with furrowed eyebrows as his friends Jisung and Minho played video games. His leg was shaking as he hoped to see the messages he'd sent you go from delivered to seen. He was so confused when he walked into the cafe 3 weeks ago and you were nowhere to be seen. He'd asked Changbin’s and Hyunjin’s girlfriends of your whereabouts but they shrugged him off explaining you said something came up and then left. He hasn't heard from you since. He knew you were still physically okay from your posts on social media but, he hadn't heard your voice or seen you for weeks.

Felix felt drained, wishing you'd breathe life into him as you once did. He didn't know what caused you to suddenly go AWOL but for some reason, he felt anxious. Why weren't you responding to him? Felix nibbled on his bottom lip in frustration as he lifted himself from the couch, walking into his bedroom he pressed the call button on the top right of the chat. His heart races as he hears the call trying to connect.

One ring… Felix paces around his room nervously as two, three, and four rings go by. He groans as he ends the call losing hope of you answering.

Why weren't you talking to him?

Do you love me, or love me not? Peeling pieces from my heart And my rose-colored lens is gone Still I carry, I carry, I carry on

When you chose to return home you found yourself feeling lighter. While you've chosen to accept the truth, you also chose not to contact Felix right away. You had spent a little over a month in Gimhae, missing major lessons in your chosen field of study. Opting to prioritize catching up academically; once you arrived back in Seoul you quickly dropped off your bags and made your way to SNU for your 10 am lecture. What you hadn't anticipated was Felix showing up to his lecture for the first time in a while.

You quickly tried to avoid his gaze as you passed him on the quad. Your heart raced as you power-walked toward your building entrance. You were no more than two long strides from freedom when you felt a hand wrap around your wrist. “Y/N…” that familiar deep voice called “Where have you been?” Felix asked confusion lacing his tone. You pull your arm from his grip “I went to see my parents” you state offhandedly looking away from him. “You randomly disappeared for a month, because you wanted to see your parents? Without saying anything to me about it or contacting me during that whole time?” He grits trying to contain his anger.

“Yeah, so?”

Felix scoffs “So?! You're fucking kidding me right?” his eyebrows are scrunched together as he contorts his face into a scowl. His arms cross over his chest; you give him a bored expression. “No? I don't really see the problem” you run your fingers through your hair as you shift on your feet. “Don't act like an oblivious idiot, Y/N. Why wouldn't disappearing on your boyfriend for a month be a problem?” Felix growls and you scoff in return “Don't act like you're really my boyfriend, Lee Yongbok” Your tone is full of venom.

Felix gives you a look of confusion and bewilderment. “The fuck is that supposed to mean?!” He exclaims as he clenches his fists at his sides. You shake your head “Nothing. Forget it.” you grit turning to walk toward the door. Felix holds you in place by your wrist as he steps in front of you. “No, you seem like you have a lot to say all of a sudden. Like you're not wrong for at least answering one of my calls!”

“Stop pretending to give a shit! I know! I know about your disgusting bet! I know about how you need to sleep with me before a year is up! I know that this is a game for you! So just stop!” you snap.

I don't need your games, game over; Get me off this roller-coaster…..Ooh, ooh…..All I know, all I know…..

Felix felt all the blood drain from his face. His heart stopped as your words rang through his ears. No…No…That can't be true….please, don't let this be true.. Felix thought. His blood ran cold and it felt like someone poured a bucket of cold water over his head. “Y-Y/N, L-Let me explain….” He states, his voice almost inaudible he takes a step toward you. His heart cracks when you take a step back and look away from him. “N-No….Please, you weren't supposed to ever know about this. Please let me explain” He pleads.

You shake your head “Honestly, I don't care about an explanation from you. Nothing you say would matter to me at this point.”

Felix feels his resolve crumble at those words “Y-You don't mean that…” He states in disbelief “Y-you love me…you can't possibly mean that.” you scoff at his words “You really think I'm stupid enough to still love you after finding out the disgusting reason you asked me out in the first place?” Tears fill Felix's eyes as he stares at you with a pleasing expression. “It's not like that….please I-I know you still love me. I can make this right, I-I can fix this….” he caresses your cheek as he stares into your eyes. You look at him in disbelief “You can't ‘fix’ this. It's broken and done with.”

A devastating cry is released from Felix’s throat “Y/N….i-it can't be, please. I-I just need one chance, I love you I'm sorry; I shouldn't—I shouldn't have made the bet…but, it's how we got together s-so, please I-if you can overlook this one mistake…” he looks at you with hopeful eyes and you return his gaze with a glare. Some nerve…you think to yourself. “What? You want to keep playing this fucking game with me? I don't want to ‘overlook this one mistake’ because it's not a fucking mistake. You manipulative, gaslighting fuck. You have your head shoved so far up your own ass you don't hear how stupid you sound. I'm breaking up with you. The game’s over, I won't continue to lose because I love you. I'm done being your fucking puppet.” you growl before you walk around him, bumping into him with your shoulder as you pass him. Opening the door you enter the building heading to your lecture.

Felix stood there, tears streaming down his cheeks as you walked away. His chest clenched tightly as he cried to himself wishing to turn back time and never make that stupid ass bet.

Loving you is a losing game

⏪|⏸️|🔄

Taglist: @yangbbokari @havenwithleeknow

#skz angst #stray kids angst #stray kids fluff #stray kids smut #stray kids felix smut #lee felix smut #lee felix fluff #lee felix x reader #lee felix #stray kids felix #felix angst #felix fluff #felix x reader #skz imagines #skz felix #skz heartbreak playlist #stray kids heartbreak #Spotify

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frostandflamesfanfic · 1 year

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Make It Back for Christmas (Steve Harrington x Reader)

Make It Back for Christmas (Rated T)

Pairing: Steve Harrington x Reader (gender neutral)

Word Count: 1.9k+

Warnings: Mild brief language, holiday fluff, pining Steve and Reader

Summary: It's the last week of the semester and you're dying to head back home to Hawkins for the holiday festivities. Not only that, but you haven't heard from your boyfriend in a week and you're already going through withdrawals. Will you be able to make it back in time for Christmas?

God, you hated finals week.

This wasn’t like anything you experienced in your high school years. Or was it? Thanks to the last semester of all-nighters and unbelievable amounts of cram studying, the last four years all blended together.

Three exams. You had three exams this week. Plus a term paper, a research project… one of your professors thought it would be fun to have an exam and a nine-page paper due the same week. Was it nine pages single-spaced or double? Hell if you knew. Your brain had already begun to hurt just thinking about everything you did to army-crawl your way through to break. Even though most of the hard work was done, you weren’t out of the clear yet— you still had a five hour drive home on Saturday and you hadn't packed yet.

You just had to select a college five hours away. You hated being away from your home of small town Hawkins, Indiana. You missed your family, your friends. Some nights there was nothing you wanted more than to spend a few hours at the local arcade or the neighboring video store.

The only thing that made everything seem a bit more bearable was your boyfriend. Usually, Steve would be the first one you would call and talk to after your latest exam or assignment, but you haven’t been able to reach him in days. The two of you had gotten together the summer before you left for college. It was a sweet summer romance story. You had known each other for years, practically growing up together. It was the typical cliche: two friends who had been skirting around their feelings throughout high school, mainly due to one garnering a reputation.

Although, when you were with Steve, that’s all he was: Steve. Not overly cocky King Steve, not party keg master Steve; he was Steve Harrington, your best friend since preschool who always stole your peanut butter and jelly sandwiches because you hated them. The same Steve who would sit with you for hours in the backyard watching the clouds or the stars, listening to you talk about your superficial problems like they were an international threat of war. The Steve who was so terrified going out on his first date with Samantha Hollis in the sixth grade, he spent most of the morning excessively brushing his hair and gargling mouthwash in your bathroom while talking about his big first kiss plan — a conversation that later had your stomach turning and your dinner in the upstairs toilet. You hadn’t realized it at first, but you had fallen head over heels for your best friend.

When you finally recognized and came to terms with your feelings for Steve in junior year, it had been too late. He had already started his “perfect” relationship with his dream girl: Nancy Wheeler. You had no malice toward the girl. In fact, you were both good friends. It was just hard to maintain that friendship when all the conversations ever gravitated toward was, well, your shared connection.

“Steve and I were going to see that movie!”

“Oh, you’ll never believe what Steve said the other night.”

“Oh my god, isn’t he so clumsy? It’s adorable.”

Forced smiles and friendly nods became second nature for you. All you wanted was for Steve to be happy. If he was happy with Nancy, then you were happy for him. You had to admit they made an attractive couple. She was helping him in ways you never could, helping him succeed instead of just encouraging him to try and make a change. They were an unstoppable team. Steve didn’t need you anymore and you had to come to terms with it. You slowly began to distance yourself, just so you could sort through your feelings and not be awkward around them. It made things easier at first.

Then Nancy broke his heart at Tina’s halloween bash. Suddenly you found yourself thrust back and immersed into Steve’s life once more. Only this time, you leaned into his touches a little more than usual. You two sat a bit too close at movie night. You split too many meals at the local diner. It was only when Dustin Henderson made a passing comment about how the two of you acted like an old married couple did you snap back to reality and attempt to distance yourself from Steve again. He didn’t need to lose the love of his life and another friend at the same time because you couldn’t keep your feelings in check. So you resorted to only hang around him with the kids when he needed to play carpool, taking them to the arcade, or the farmer’s market, or even the grocery store to pick up

This only seemed to confuse your best friend. “Why aren’t you spending time with me?” he asked you when you brought El and Max to the mall over the summer.

“What are you talking about?” you tried to appear nonchalant, like you weren’t doing this on purpose even if it killed you. Unfortunately, your poker face needed some much needed work.

“No, no,” the look he gave you that day would haunt you forever. Steve looked like you had just kicked his puppy right in front of him. “Don’t bullshit me. You’ve been avoiding me all summer since we graduated. The only time I ever see you is with the kids and even then you spend more time with Dustin than me!”

It was true. After Dustin had oh-so-kindly exposed your emotions, you had somehow convinced the child to be your partner in distracting you from Steve. Well, it was less of a convincing and more of a “if you breathe a word of this to anyone, I’ll lovingly end you” type of agreement. He stuck to you like Velcro when the three of you went out, making sure there were very few interactions that could lead into moments of longing.

“It’s nothing, Steve,” you had tried explaining with no success. “Dustin just really wants my attention is all, I guess.”

A frown on his face, Steve turned away mumbling something under his breath. You weren’t quite sure at the time, but it did sound oddly similar to, “he’s not the only one.”

It wasn’t until you found yourselves trapped in a Russian underground that you had to face more than one fear. Trapped in your own room, the soldiers tried to get you to admit how you found their base. They had even stabbed you with some type of drug, which you would only later discover its use. You couldn’t tell how long it was before you were released with the help of your best friend. Steve had looked so worse for wear, but even in the chaos, he was only concerned about your safety and well-being.

“Are you okay?!” his slurred speech inquired as he ran hands up and down your arms before cradling your face.

You weren’t sure if it was the stress or the inclusion of a truth serum in your system, but you did the only thing you could think of to answer his incessant questions: you leaned forward and kissed him.

And he kissed you back.

From that moment on, everything was different. You had gone from being best friends, to two people who went out to dinner, to being in an honest to goodness relationship. Just over a year later, you’re sat in your dorm room with a receiver broadcasting a busy signal in your ear.

This was the sixth time this week Steve hadn’t answered the phone. He hadn’t called for his daily good morning or good nights. He didn’t call to check in on you during what he knew was going to be a stressful week. Concerned about his safety, you reached out to Dustin several times, who assured you that Steve was fine. He was just busy with all of the families renting out movies for the holidays. You knew you weren’t entitled to his time, but all the same…it had been a long week and all you wanted was to hear your boyfriend’s voice.

Allowing a sigh to escape your lips, you dialed Steve’s number again, this time with the intent to leave a message. When the recording of his mother’s bored yet powerful voice played, you bit your lip to refrain from showing too much emotion over the phone. “Hey Steve,” you started. “It’s uh, it’s me calling…again. I just wanted to let you know that I, uh, that I miss you. Miss hearing your voice, seeing you. And I hope that you’re doing okay. Just a few more days until I can start my drive home and see you!”

You let out a sad chuckle as there was a knock on your bedroom door. Your roommate, Allie, probably wanted to use the phone since you’d been hogging it for a few hours. “Oh, I gotta go. Call me back soon, okay? Love you.” As you hung up the phone, you moved to open the door. “Sorry, Allie. Just wanted to make sure-“

“Make sure I was doing okay?” A familiar voice cut you off and your breath caught in your throat. You couldn’t believe it. Standing in front of you with rosy frost bitten cheeks, tired eyes, and the brightest smile you’ve ever seen was Steve. “I’d say I’m doing much better now that I’ve seen you, sweetheart.”

Without much thought, you ran into his arms and kissed him. And kissed him. And kissed him one more time, just for good measure. It was messy, all smiles and awkward breathing, but it was perfect. “What-“ you stuttered in surprise once you caught your breath. “What are you doing here? Why haven't you called?!”

Steve grinned sheepishly, head bent down to stare right in your gaze. A few strands of his perfectly unruly dark hair fell directly in his line of sight and you automatically moved your hand to brush it away. “I knew if I picked up the phone it would be really hard for me to keep my mouth shut. Did you really think I’d let my baby drive home alone for Christmas?” he said with mock disdain. “I don’t think that would make me a very good boyfriend, do you?”

“I have a car.”

“Yeah,” your boyfriend nodded in agreement, “but why waste gas if you’re not going to use it in Hawkins.”

You frowned. What was he talking about?

“Baby, you’re with the Harrington car service,” Steve’s smooth voice rolled over you like honey. “It’s door-to-door service, even during your trip.”

“….so you’re kidnapping me and not letting me drive my own car.”

Steve gave a small huff, shoulders slouched. “Gee, when you put it like that…you really sucked the romance out of it, babe. You know I did just drive five hours-“

You silenced him with a gentle kiss to the lips. While not as rough or as passionate as the first reunion, it was just as loving. Your fingers curled around the soft fabric of his white Henley top and pulled him closer. He stumbled a bit from the action, but soon rested his hands on either of your hips, a low hum vibrating his throat.

“I love you,” you whispered.

The smile on Steve’s face stretched out to be a mile wide. “I love you, too, baby,” he replied, pressing a quick kiss to your temple. “Now come on. Let’s get you all packed up.”

You laughed at his dramatic hand gestures before he crossed his way into your room. “Your chariot awaits, my dear,” he mused, turning his head to glance back at you over his shoulder. “It’s time to get you back home for Christmas.”

====================

Author's Note: So this is happening. Is everyone excited?! To say I've been looking forward to this event for the last month plus now. I just want to give a small shout-out and thank you to two very amazing people, @bakerstreethound (for encouraging me to keep writing) and @upsidedownwithsteve (for inspiring me to try my hand at this -- so sorry for the tag!).

Writing this and some of the other fics for this event have me convinced Steve would be the perfect boyfriend around the holidays, even if he may be a bit of Scrooge sometimes. The number of times I've smiled writing these pieces...I've lost count. But stay tuned because we have a lot more headed your way (including some dad!Steve...)!

If you liked this post and want to see more like it on my blog, please make sure to leave a comment and reblog it! While likes are appreciated, it's these two things that really help spread the word about my writing and motivate me to keep making new content! Until next time, my little sparks! <3

#steve harrington fanfic #stranger things #steve harrington #steve x reader #steve stranger things #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington drabble #steve harrington x reader #stranger things x reader #stranger things imagine #joe keery #joe keery imagines #frostandflamesfanfic #twelve days of stevemas #ficmas22

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