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once-upon-an-imagine · 2 years

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(500 Miles) (Chapter One) - Argyle

A/N: I think my mojo’s back xD at least I hope so! soo, I loved this request and I am really excited to write for Argyle sooooooo yes, I decided to make another series (as if I don’t have enough ongoing series already but... oh well) I hope you like it xD

Request - Anonymous asked: i got an idea for argyle! what about a hopper!reader where he could be your dad/uncle who you lived with and when he “died” you also moved to california with the byers. we’d be there while everything is going down and then finally arrive at hawkins where you see everyone for the first time in forever. maybe steve could be an ex 👀 you guys broke up before the move because of how much of a bitch long distance would be, so when he sees you with argyle he can’t help but feel a bit jealous on the inside to see you move on. everyone gets to meet argyle, steve tells you that he’s happy for you, we get a happy ending even tho hawkins is literally falling apart 😁

Warnings: smoking weed with Argyle; also, this starts in California so, the actual request of them arriving at Hawkins will be in the later chapters :D no spoilers or anything on this chapter it’s more of a prologue

Disclaimer: I don’t own Stranger things :D gif isn’t mine :)

Your name: submit What is this?

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(500) Miles

When I wake up, well I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who wakes up next to you When I go out, yeah I know I'm gonna be I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you

You threw yourself on your bed letting out a loud sigh and staring at the ceiling. You felt a few tears running down your cheeks and you quickly wiped them away, sitting up and composing yourself. You knew it was for the best. You kept telling yourself that everything you had done in the past month was for the best. For you. For El. And for the Byers who had lovingly taken you into their home. You got up and walked over to your dresser grabbing the picture of you, Steve, Nancy, Jonathan, and Robin and you smiled sadly. You then put it down and saw the other picture of you with your dad, and El. You shook your head, took a deep breath, and walked out of your room over to the basement. You could hear the music and you slowly opened the door. You heard Jonathan freaking out as you walked down the stairs.

"Relax, it's just me" you chuckled as you reached the bottom of the stairs while Jonathan and Argyle let out a sigh of relief. "Your mom is still out with Will and Jane" you told them.

"Fuck, dude, you scared the shit out of me" Jonathan said with a nervous laugh.

"What's going on, my dude?" Argyle smiled at you.

"Wait, are you off the phone?" Jonathan asked and you couldn't tell if he was being serious so you nodded.

"Uh... yeah" you said and he got up quickly.

"Shit! Then I have to go call Nancy" he said, running up the stairs and leaving you and Argyle behind. You took Jonathan's place, sitting next to Argyle, and sighed.

"Can I have some of that?"

He turned to look back at you, frowning his eyebrows in confusion. "Some of what?"

"The... uh... Purple Palm Tree Delight?" you smiled up at him.

"You-" he said, choking a little. "You want some of this?" he asked, holding the joint in his hand.

"Yeah" you nodded. "I mean if that's okay with you-"

"N-no, yeah of course" he said, still not believing his ears. "It's just... well, you never do this kind of stuff... am I corrupting you, petal?" he smiled as you grabbed the joint from him and took a drag.

"Don't flatter yourself, Argyle" you laughed. "It's not like this is the first time I've tried weed" you informed him.

"It's not?" he asked, almost sounding disappointed and you shook your head no, resting it on the back of the couch. "So... what's the occasion? I thought you were gonna be on the phone for like three hours like always" he mocked you as you returned the joint.

"Are you stalking me, man?" you smirked at him.

"No, but when your boyfriend calls, you usually disappear for the rest of the day" he said in an accusing tone.

"Actually... I don't have a boyfriend" you muttered quietly as you took the joint from him again.

"Wait, what?" he asked, sitting up and looking at you. "What are you talking about? Did you guys break up?"

"Well, to be completely honest, Steve and I broke up before we moved here" you explained. After a moment of silence, Argyle spoke again.

"But you still talk on the phone a lot" he said confused.

"Yeah, we're still friends" you explained.

"So how come Byers doesn't know about this? I mean, they all still think he's your boyfriend" he asked, confused.

"I don't know" you sighed. "I love the Byers, but they're all about feelings and hugging and shit and I'm just... not like that" you chuckled. "So, I knew that if I told them it would be another thing to add and I didn't really want to have that conversation. "That would have been a lot of hugs" you said.

"You hug Will and Jane all the time" he laughed.

"Yeah, because they're worthy of my hugs" you mocked him.

"Shit, Hopper, that hurts" he said, placing his hands over his heart. "You also hug Mrs. Byers a lot-"

"Correction, Mrs. Byers hugs me a lot, and would you ever refuse a hug from Mrs. Byers?"

"Fair point" he smiled, taking another drag. "So, when did you guys break up?"

"About two months ago, I guess" you explained. "I wanted to try the whole distance thing because it was supposed to be only for a year but I know Steve didn't want to" you said. "I am sure he would have tried for me if I asked but... I felt like he wanted to call things off. He just didn't want to hurt my feelings" you told him. "So, I did it for him" you said.

"Why do you think that? I mean, why wouldn't he just break it off?"

"Because he hates hurting people" you shrugged. "That's how Steve is. I've known Steve my whole life, even if we grew apart when we started high school but then he changed again and I didn't want to drag him in on something he didn't want to do and that might have ended up making us resent the other so... I don't know, I guess it was only a matter of time" you said, smoking again. "Don't tell Jonathan though, I think he and Nancy will do better than us" you said.

"Shit... I'm sorry, man. That's intense" he said sympathetically. "So, what happened today that made you upset?"

"I'm not upset" you complained but he raised his eyebrows at you, looking at the joint in your hand.

"Fine. He's dating again" you sighed.

"Shit! He told you that?"

"Well, we're still friends and when we started dating we promised that we wouldn't let anything ruin that. I mean, is not like we hate each other, we broke up because I was moving and he was staying in Hawkins so... we still talk, a lot-"

"Are you still... like in love with him?"

"Not really" you said, sitting up and handing him the joint. It was true. You still loved Steve but as a friend, like you did your whole life. Maybe if you would have stayed in Hawkins things would be different but you weren't in Hawkins. You were in California smoking pot with Argyle. "I care about him a lot as a friend but he's dating like a different girl every week and I don't know. It just kinda felt like I was one of those girls, which I know is not true because we were together for a while and I know he cares about me but... I guess, I didn't expect him to move on so quickly and be this happy so soon, you know?" you smiled sadly at him.

Argyle felt his heart aching a little. This was probably the first serious conversation the two of you had and he definitely didn't like seeing you upset.

"Are you okay?"

"I guess" you said, letting the smoke out. "I mean, it is what it is" you told him.

"I'm sorry, dude" he said, placing his hand on your shoulder. "Breakups suck, man" he said, taking another drag.

"Thanks" you smiled at him. "This helps" you said, grabbing the joint.

"Oh no, young lady-"

"I'm the same age as you-"

"Still! Don't think you get a pass after today" he said, trying to be serious. "This is a one-time deal" he told you.

"But I'm heartbroken" you said, dramatically. "You wouldn't deny a poor girl in pain a small piece of happiness-"

"Nice try, petal" he chuckled. "That won't work on me" he assured you.

"Oh, we'll see" you smirked, giving the joint back to him.

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"Alright, dude, you ready?"

"Why do I have to cook it?"

"Because then you can spend more time in the back with me and not at the register" Argyle insisted, starting to prepare the dough for the pizza.

"But I am horrible at cooking!"

The two of you were the only ones left at Surfer Boy Pizza, having the closing shift and it was pretty much dead since it was a Monday.

"I know, that's why I'm teaching you" he laughed.

"Hey! You were supposed to say I'm not that bad" you scoffed, trying to sound offended.

"Do I need to remind you that you almost burn down the whole place, petal?" he laughed.

"Hey! That only happened once and nothing was on fire-"

"Because I put it out" he laughed.

"Okay, fine, let's get this over with" you said, rolling your eyes.

The two of you had become closer friends in the past couple of weeks since you told the truth to Argyle about you and Steve. You even got to ride the Purple Palm Tree delight on occasion because you knew how to wear Argyle down. You could honestly say he was becoming one of your favorite people and maybe, just maybe, you were starting to develop a small crush on him. Which is why your Monday shift was your favorite because it was just the two of you.

"That's the spirit, man" he said, excitedly. "C'mon, let's go, señorita" he said, pulling you with him as you groaned dramatically. "Okay, first you have to get the dough ready" he told you and you were about to take it but he stopped you, grabbing your hand. "Hold on" he said. "You don't want it to get all sticky so, first, we put flour" he said grabbing a bag of flour and spreading it around the table.

"Well, this is fun" you said, getting flour on your hands. "Okay, now what?" you asked smiling, showing him your floured hands.

"Now the dough" he said, grabbing it and he started spreading it on the table.

"Can I throw it in the air like you do?" you asked, excitedly.

"I don't know petal, I've seen you throw things-"

"You know, sometimes I don't even know why I'm your friend" you glared at him.

"Well, it's not like you have many friends here-"

"Many? You're literally my only friend here" you laughed. "Jonathan complains about it every day, how I stole you from him" you rolled your eyes.

"Not gonna lie, pretty flattered that you two fight over me" he smiled as he started throwing the pizza in the air and you watched him in awe. It was always your favorite part whenever he was in charge of making the pies.

"It's not my fault I'm your favorite" you smirked at him.

"Yeah?" he said, placing the pizza back on the table. "How'd you figure that out?" he asked, poking your nose and leaving a spot of flour.

"Well, because you let me sit on the front more than Jonathan" you started, hopping back on the counter. "And you sometimes let me pick the music" you continued. "And you always bring an extra banana muffin for me when your mom bakes them" you smiled triumphantly.

"And yet, you're letting me make this pizza by myself" he complained.

"Well, you didn't let me do anything fun!" you said, grabbing a little bit of flour and tossing it at him.

"Dude!" he said, looking at you. "I wasn't going to let you drop our pie" he complained, throwing some flour at you and you laughed but then pretended to be offended again.

"I wasn't going to drop it!" you said throwing more flour at him.

"Okay, stop that" he said, trying to grab the gab from you but you were quicker and you climbed off the counter and ran away from him, but as you did, you tripped and fell flat on your butt, dropping all of the flour over yourself.

"Shit" you complained as Argyle started laughing.

"You were saying, petal?" he laughed, kneeling to offer you his hand. You glared at him a little but took it and he helped you up, pulling you a little too hard and bringing you really close and he wrapped his arms around you so you wouldn't fall again. "Seriously, you have to be one of the clumsiest people I've ever met" he laughed.

You had never been this close to Argyle. You weren't someone who was particularly physical. Argyle had noticed it. You didn't really like to hug people, with a few exceptions. But you didn't mind with Argyle. In fact, you had actually been wanting to be this close to him for a while now.

"Sorry, I didn't want you to fall again" he said, starting to unwrap his arms from your waist but you quickly placed your hands on his arms so he wouldn't.

"N-no" you said a bit too quickly. "I m-mean, it's fine" you said, feeling your cheeks burning.

"It... it is?" he asked, feeling his heartbeat racing. "I thought you didn't like hugs-"

"I like yours" you blurted out. "I m-mean- uh- I like you-" you said, widening your eyes when you realized what you just said. "I m-mean- fuck! I'm such an idiot" you muttered looking down.

"You're not" he said, placing his hand on your cheek to make you look up at him. "I like your hugs too" he smiled.

You saw him start to lean in and you quickly stepped on your toes and wrapped your arms around his neck before he placed his lips against yours. He tightened his grip around you and you felt him smile against your lips.

"I knew I was your favorite" you smiled when you pulled away, making him laugh.

"Wanna help me finish your pizza?" he asked brushing a little flour you still had on your cheek.

"Oh, it's my pizza now?" you smirked.

"Let's clean you up, clutz" he said, kissing you again. You could definitely get used to this.

"Okay" you smiled brightly at him.

You cleaned your mess up while Argyle finished cooking the pizza. You both decided it would be best with your regular 'accidents'.

"Order up" he said, bringing the pizza over to you.

"I'm not eating that" you said, sitting on the counter.

"What? Why not?" Argyle complained, placing the pizza on the counter and standing in front of you.

"Why would you put pineapple on a pizza?"

"Hey, petal! Try before you deny" he said, offering you a piece.

"I don't mind the pineapple, the question I ask is why is it on my pizza?" you complained.

"Because it's delicious" he insisted.

"I knew I shouldn't have let you make the pizza by yourself" you complained as you took the slice in your hand.

"Come on, give it a try" he insisted before hearing your stomach growl. "I know you want to" he said, raising his eyebrows and you rolled your eyes.

"Fine, only because I'm starving" you gave in. "And because you made it" you smiled, making him flush a little.

You took a bite and even if you would have tried to deny it, Argyle could see in your face that you had actually liked it.

"So?" he asked, waiting for your review. "What's the report, petal?"

"It's okay" you shrugged, taking another bite.

"Okay?" he smirked. "Just okay?"

"Fine, it's actually pretty good" you admitted.

"I knew it!" he smiled happily. "What?" he asked when he saw you smiling at him.

"Nothing" you quickly said, pulling him a little closer. "You still have a little bit of flour here" you said, brushing it away from his cheek.

"Your entire face is still filled with flour" he smiled brightly at you and leaned closer to kiss you again. "Do, do you like... want to uh- go out on a date or- um, something?" he stuttered when you broke apart.

"I'd really like that" you said, smiling.

"Does this mean that I get to hug you now?" he asked, placing his hands on your hips.

"Only if you admit that I'm your favorite" you said, making him laugh a little.

"Of course you're my favorite, petal" he said, kissing you again.

The End

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[Ch.2]

A/N: soooo, part 2? let me know what you think :D

#(500 miles)#stranger thing #stranger things imagine #argyle #argyle imagine #argyle x reader #argyle series

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sweetbuckybarnes · 2 years

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Marry Me?

Pairings: Eleven + Mike Wheeler

Summary: Now that college is over, they head back to Hawkins for a better summer than the one they had in 1985 - and Mike asks her a very important question that would change their relationship. Forever.

Mike had his full license and was able to drive himself and the love of his life (and his girlfriend since he was 14 years old, they may have had a little blip in the summer of 1985, but he wasn't going to fully let her go after that).

He had one hand on the steering wheel, whilst the other hand was softly and warmly intertwined with El's. He took his eyes away from the road for a split second to look at the girl in the passenger seat, then back to the road and he smiled happily - still surprised that a girl as amazing as El has stayed by his side for so long.

Unknown to them, as they arrived in Hawkins, is that their hometown is experiencing a storm - much like the storm that was happening the night they met.

The ring in his pocket was currently burning a hole in his pocket, which is when he sees Mirkwood.

He pulls the car over and looks at his girlfriend. "Wanna go for a little walk?" He asks, and she smiles at him - nodding.

They took a short wander, looking at the trees, with an umbrella covering them. Mike couldn't really remember the exact spot where he first met the love of his life - but he knew for sure that it was Mirkwood.

He stopped for a second (thankful that he asked for Hopper's permission the last time they came to Hawkins).

Mike woke up first, curled up into El's side, as the sun shined in through her bedroom window. Hopper had come back from Russia the Christmas of 1986, he'd gone on the date that he'd promised Joyce earlier on - and the pair bought the house that they are currently staying in, and the Byers officially moved back to Hawkins.

The young man climbed out of the soft bed, watching as El whined and rolled over - as she continued to snore softly. Every time she let out a quiet snore, Mike swears he falls more in love with her each time.

He tucked the blankets around her, making sure that she is warm, and made sure that her toes were covered and warm. She always complained about how her toes were always cold.

When he made his way down to the kitchen, he saw Hopper sat at the kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee. "Morning, Wheeler," the ageing man said, nodding to his daughter's boyfriend.

"Morning," Mike smiles and decides that asking Hopper for his permission to ask El an important question. "Hopper, sir, can I ask you something?" Mike asked as Joyce walks in, in her pyjamas.

Joyce smiles, pressing a kiss to Hopper's cheek, and ran a motherly hand through Mike's hair. "Have either of you two had breakfast?" She asks, walking and grabbing the Eggos from the freezer and the bread.

"Wheeler's got something to ask me," Hopper leaned back in his chair. He originally called Mike 'Wheeler' out of annoyance, but now it's just a habit to call him that.

Joyce turned around and looked at Mike, who was now looking paler than usual and fidgety. "Mike, honey, what's going on?" She asked, sitting in a chair next to Mike, looking at the young man who she has watched grow up before her own eyes.

"Erm... Can I get your permission..." Mike couldn't even finish what he wanted to say, because Hopper cut him off.

"I've always known that this was coming, and there was nothing I could have done to stop it," Hopper says, even though he knows he did break the pair up for a short while - but nothing could keep the pair apart (they were like a PB&J sandwich). "It doesn't matter what I say, it matters what she says, but yeah. You've got my permission to ask El to marry you,"

After Mike had stopped walking, El took a couple of steps, and when she realised that Mike wasn't walking with her, she turned around and looked at him.

"Mike?" She asked, wondering what she is doing.

"El, you know that I love you, that there is no one else for me in the world," Mike starts off, and with the number of soap operas that El watches, she never picked up that Mike was popping the question. "You are my favourite person in the world, and I honestly don't know what I would do with you,"

Her head tilted to the side with a sweet smile on her face, she was used to Mike telling her sweet things.

Then Mike got down on one knee, balancing so that his knee doesn't go into the mud, El held the umbrella in one hand and reached out to help him stay right with the other.

"El, you are the love of my life, and I can't possibly imagine my life without you. El Hopper, will you marry me?" He asks, looking up at her, the rain was getting in his eyes, but it didn't matter because the smile on El's face has widened - brightened so much and her smile could break through the clouds that it could rival the sun.

"Yes," she simply states, and Mike's face brightened as he smiled up at his now fiancé.

Mike got up and reached into his pocket to get the ring box out, El was quick to jump on the bandwagon of accepting Mike's proposal, that he didn't have enough time to get the ring box out.

Mike had put the ring on El's finger, and they shared their first kiss as an engaged couple.

"We're getting married!" El exclaimed, jumping and wrapped her arms around his neck. Mike also had a wide grin on his face, lifting her off the ground and spinning around.

"We're getting married!" Mike put her back to the round, and then another kiss was planted on her lips - the umbrella almost slipped from her fingers and they were getting rained on as they kissed.

Mike and El arrive at the home where El spent the remained of her teenagehood, there were extremely happy memories in this house - they had very happy smiles on there faces.

The rest of the Party™ were stood on the porch, smiling at the final too that took their time to arrive. Hopper and Joyce were also stood on the porch, as well as Nancy, Jonathan, Steve, Robin, Holly and Karen.

All El did was raise her left hand, with a massive grin on her face and the people stood on the porch (who was their family, some blood related, but the majority aren't) cheered happily.

#mileven fic #mileven #mike wheeler #eleven | jane hopper #jim hopper #joyce byers #lucas sinclair #max mayfield #dustin henderson #will byers #nancy wheeler #jonathan byers #steve harrington #robin buckley #holly wheeler #karen wheeler #mileven post-university #mileven marriage proposal

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mca-attack21 · 3 years

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Semi-Flayed

Steve Harrington x Reader. Season 3 finale spoilers.

The floor was cold, the atmosphere chaotic. The screams of your friends were drowned out by the fireworks and snarls of the mindflayer. Despite the noise, you clearly heard Billy, or the Mindflayer rather, whisper, “Stay still, it will all be over soon," his words sent ice through your veins. You struggled against his grasp, but it was no use. Realizing the imminence of your demise, you felt an overwhelming sadness, not even for yourself, but for Steve Harrington, the first and apparently last love of your life. As the “flaying” began, he was the only thing on your mind. You hoped that he would survive this, that he would get out of Hawkins, that he would be happy. You hoped-

“Y/N!” Steve screamed as he blew his cover to run to your side.

This caught the attention of Eleven, who managed to use her powers to throw Billy away from you. She fell back against Mike. The rest of the kids were still blasting the mind flayer with fireworks. Steve used the opportunity to pick you up and carry you away from the action.

“Y/n? Can you hear me? You gotta wake up okay? I did not survive being tortured by Russians only to have you be flayed before I could even-” his voice broke, and before he could continue, he was rounding the corner to where Dustin was.

“Shit. Is she okay?”

“I don’t know. Billy - the mind flayer- how do we know if she? What if she was?” Steve tried, but his heart couldn’t even handle the idea of you being lost to him.

“She wasn’t flayed.”

“How do you know?” Steve asked reluctant to be relieved.

“The hive mind is activated, she would be awake and trying to kill us if she was,” Dustin explained.

“Then why isn’t she waking up?”

“I don’t know Steve, but we have bigger problems right now,” he said gesturing to the fact that they were almost out of Fireworks.

Steve hesitantly left your side to help the others and watched in absolute shock as Billy sacrificed himself. It was only moments later that the mind flayer collapsed. It was over. Jonathan hugged Nancy, Mike went to Eleven, Lucas held Max as she cried, and both Steve and Dustin turned towards you.

“Y/n wake up!” Steve tried shaking your shoulders. He lowered his head to your chest to hear your heart beating and feel your breathing, “Y/n, c’mon, I need you to wake up,” he tried again, sounding more desperate.

Before he could continue, the FBI came running in and they were all escorted out. Steve barely managed to convince the EMT to let him ride with you. He was stuck in the waiting room for what seemed like forever, shrugging off the nurses who offered to check out his injuries. Dustin, Mike, Nancy, and Jonathon came in, gathering in silence waiting for any news. The worst part for Steve was when your mother showed up, he had never felt more guilty than when he lied to her about what happened.

Eventually, the doctor came out with a flustered look on his face. He asked for your mom, and Steve quickly stood to join them. The doctor protested, but your mom assured him that Steve should come with her.

“So, I don’t know how to tell you this, but as far as we can tell there is nothing physically wrong with your daughter. She is seemingly in a coma with no cause. As such, there is nothing medically we can do other than sustain her condition if you choose to do so,” he then turned to Steve, “Can you run me through what happened again?” Steve managed to recount his story, trying to ignore your mother's sobs. As soon as he finished, he exited the room in shock, he sunk down to the floor, struggling to breathe, replaying the doctor's words over and over again in his head. His chest was filled with immense pain at the thought of losing you.

He sat there a while trying to calm himself down before forcing himself off the wall and back to the waiting room, where Will, Mrs. Byers, and Eleven had joined the others. All eyes went to him expectantly, but with one look at him Dustin said what they were all thinking, “Shit..."

Steve repeated what the doctor had said, Nancy pulled him into a comforting hug. While the others started brainstorming. There was an hour of outrageous theories until finally, Will realized something, “She wasn’t completely flayed, but the process was definitely initiated.”

“Obviously,” Dustin chimed in.

“But what is flaying? It’s like your identity being ripped away from you and replaced with the host mentality,” Will continued.

“So maybe Y/n’s soul or whatever was separated. Nothing medically wrong with her, because that’s not a physical connection” Mike added.

“So in other words, we have to jumpstart the connection again,” Lucas agreed, and then all eyes shifted to El.

“Do you think you could try to find her? Like you did Billy or Heather?” Mike asked.

“I can try,” El nodded.

Dustin walked over to where Steve was laying with his head in Mrs. Byers' lap. She ran her fingers through his hair like she had for her sons so many times, mind wandering to Hopper. Steve looked so broke, like he had given up any hope.

“We need to get into Y/n’s room, we think we know how to fix her,” Dustin announced.

It was like that swiped a switch in Steve, and he popped up at once, “What do you mean?”

Dustin explained everything to Steve and Mrs. Byers, and then again in layman's terms. From there the whole group formed a plan. Mrs. Byers and Nancy would go distract your mom. Dustin, Mike, and Will would distract the nurses. Steve and El would sneak into your room, while Jonathon kept watch. For once, everything went smoothly.

El was searching the cabinets for something to cover her eyes with, and Steve handed her the red ascot from his Scoops uniform. She went to your side and took your hand, instantly being transported into your consciousness.

It was dark, unlike anything she had ever experienced before. Every step she took was echoing, the entire reality was glitching in and out, but there was no sign of you.

“Y/n?” she called out.

The blackness would flash to a scene of you and then back to the nothingness, “Y/n, can you hear me?” El tried again, “I need you to focus on my voice, and I can bring you back. I’ll bring you back home, back to Steve.”

At the mention of Steve, the glitching stopped and El could see you know for the first time, you laid on the ground folded into yourself. You were pale and shaking, looking only a moment away from death. As she got closer she could hear you softly repeating, “Please don't, I'm sorry.” There was no indication that you knew she was there. She touched you lightly on the shoulder, but it didn’t phase you.

“Y/n? We need to get out of here, I need your help,” she tried, again receiving no response. The glitching started again, each time putting more and more distance between the two of you. El knew that you wouldn’t survive it much longer.

In the hospital room, Steve watched as blood trickled down Eleven’s face. He didn’t know why it was taking so long. He tried to get an idea of what was happening through the one-sided conversation that he was hearing, but even that was being drowned out by his fear of losing you, What if this didn’t work? The lights started flickering, the machines in the room going nuts, and then suddenly Eleven called his name, “I need you to talk to her, to bring her back.”

“What does that even mean?”

“Steve, we don't have time, just talk to her!”

“Okay….Uhm...Y/n? It’s Steve. Your boyfriend,” he started, feeling extremely uncomfortable, before his emotions took over. “I’m sorry that I wasn’t there to protect you. I’m here now though, and I need you to come back to me. I need you to wake up, cause you are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I don’t want to lose you. Not now, not ever. Please Y/n. I love you so much, please wake up." As he finished, everything went black, the entire hospital lost power.

In your head, every nightmare you had ever had was playing through your mind. You were cold and afraid, feeling lost beyond anything you have ever felt. Whatever was happening to you it was killing you, you could feel it draining you. A strange numbness started to overtake you. You weren’t giving up, you were running out of fight. Just as you were trying to prepare yourself for whatever would come next, you heard a familiar voice, “Okay….Uhm...Y/n? It’s Steve. Your boyfriend.” Hearing his voice made everything stop. A warmth filled you, and you forced your eyes open, seeing Eleven.

"El?" you asked weakly.

“You’re going to be fine, I’m here,” she reassured, moving towards you and taking your hand.

The next thing you remember was hearing Steve’s voice, “Are you okay?” he asked, you forced your eyes open to see who he was talking to.

“I’ll be fine,” Eleven reassured him, wiping her nose.

“Everything was going crazy in here and then the power went out...Is she okay now?"

Suddenly Eleven’s face lit up, “Why don’t you ask her yourself?”

You had never seen Steve turn around so quickly in his life, a wide smile on his face as he practically dove onto your bed holding you like his life depended on it. “Nice to see you too,” you laughed. God did he love that laugh, and that smile, and you.

“I am so glad that you are okay,” he sighed, allowing himself to relax a little for the first time since he had found out about the Russian code from Dustin.

“Are you okay?” you asked running your finger lightly across his cheek. His eye was swollen and undoubtedly painful. His lip was busted and his nose was also bruised and swollen. In other words, he looked like he got into a fight with his hands tied behind his back.

He put his hand over yours and pulled it down to his chest over his heart as he had done so many times before, “It’s worse than it looks, I promise. I’m just glad you're okay.”

You were going to ask him what happened but were interrupted by the kids coming in excitedly. They were vividly telling you everything that happened after you were “Semi-flayed” as Will had coined it. You listened to every word, happy to know that it was all over. Their commotion gained the attention of the nurse, who proceeded to kick everyone out. Well, everyone but Steve who was practically glued to your side.

She went back to find the doctor and notify your mother, promising to bring back the ice that you requested for Steve’s eye. There were more happy reunions, followed by another round of tests, and finally, you were discharged. Joyce took Will, Jonathan, Dustin, and Lucas home. Nancy took Mike and Eleven back to her house. Your mom went back to your house and you went with Steve to his.

You both were exhausted but found it hard to sleep.

“What happens now?” you asked innocently.

“What do you mean?”

“How do we move forward from this? I mean nothing can ever really be the same can it?”

Steve thought for a moment, “I think we grieve and heal, then we start looking for the little victories again until this is nothing more than a memory.”

You nodded, “I love you, Steve Harrington,” you spoke softly.

You missed the grin that spread across his face before he kissed your forehead, “I love you too.”

You laid like that for a while, it didn’t take Steve long to fall asleep. You thought about what he said. Tomorrow would be hard, and the day after that too, but eventually your life would become some type of normal again. You shifted to look at his face, careful not to wake him. You felt a sense of relief, knowing that as long as the two of you had each other, you could work through the rest.

#steve harrington imagines #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington x reader #steve x reader #steve imagines #stranger things x reader #stranger things reader insert #stranger things imagines #stranger things x you #stranger things imagine #stranger things

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sinfulserpents · 5 years

Note

sunce your now the queen of writing hopper! reader fics, please do one about billy getting the reader pregnant w hops reaction ro finding out his bby is pregnant and billy talking to hop

to say that you were both scared would be an understatement

your hands would shaking as you held the little stick that sealed your fate out to your boyfriend

billy would take his bottom lip between his teeth as he hit the pregnancy test on his palm

he’d shake his head before looking at you

“we didn’t use protection one time and we somehow create a baby”

“whose idea was it to not use a condom, huh?”

“... mine, but in my defence you said it was fine!”

the both of you would be silent for a moment before billy would speak up again

“what are we going to do?”

“I don’t know.”

“D-do you, you know... want to keep it?”

“I think so.”

his nod would be small and you wouldn’t have noticed it if you weren’t paying close attention to his reactions

“we need to tell my dad.”

“no! are you insane?! he’s going to kill me for getting his little girl pregnant!”

“well it’s going to be a bit hard hiding my fucking growing belly!”

“yeah, well that’s what baggy clothes are for!”

you’d roll your eyes and cock your hip at your boyfriend who was running his hands through his knotted hair

“we’re really having a baby?”

“yeah B, we’re having a baby.”

Billy would lowkey try to get you to hide the pregnancy for as long as possible

he didn’t want hopper to shoot his balls off lmao

but once your bump started showing at three months billy realised that you couldn’t hide it forever

no matter how much he wanted to

so after discussing it with you, y’all decided to tell your family that friday night during your weekly dinner

the cabin would be loud as the byers arrived

let me ship my babies joyce and hop okay

Billy would be way more nervous than you

his leg bouncing up and down under the table, his clammy palm grasping yours

he’d lean over to whisper in your ear “your dad is going to kill me”

which would make you snicker and give him a reassuring kiss on the cheek

billy probably had a backpack ready under your bed incase hop chased him out

everyone would be tucking into their pizza slices

max would be tossing her tomatoes onto billies plate lmao

el and will would be making a complete mess and getting sauce everywhere

billy would watch as you grabbed a napkin and tilted el’s chin to wipe away the red substance

and then ruffled her hair and gave her forehead a kiss

he’d realise that no matter what happened you were going to be a fantastic mum

so clearing his throat, he’d squeeze your hand to get your attention

you’d look at him and quickly realise that this was the moment

“uh, hopper and byers family, y/n and I have some news we would like to tell you.”

your dad would be on immediate alert

“go on, hargrove”

“we-uh... kind of did a thing that has resulted in another thing that is kind of a permanent th-”

nudging billy you’d roll your eyes before blurting out the news he was dragging on

“we’re pregnant!”

everyone would lowkey be in shock

and no matter how badly joyce wanted to congratulate you both

because she knew that although it was a big step, you and billy were slowly becoming ready for something like this

between billy’s jobs at the pool and mechanics and your internship down at the police station

all you guys needed to do was move into your own house

but she would wait to see hoppers reaction before even getting out of her seat

hopper would take a large gulp of his beer

before looking you dead in the eye, but he wouldn’t say anything

which would make you fucking nervous

“daddy, please say something...”

“what do you want me to say Y/N? congratulations?”

“well, i just told you good news so-”

“gOOD NEWS?!”

the entire house would go silent as your father stood up, with a heaving chest

el would probably lean over to you and cup her hand around her mouth to whisper ‘congratulations’ to you lmao what a precious baby

Without saying anything hopper would grab his pack of cigarettes and storm outside

joyce would get up at the same time as you to go after him but billy would stop you both before following your father

shutting the front door behind him, billy would reluctantly walk over to stand next to your dad who was leaning against his car smoking

hopper would hold out the cigarettes to billy who just shook his head

which would cause hop to raise his eyebrow in question

because, c’mon - billy hargrove never denied a smoke

billy would shrug and put his hands in his jacket pockets

“i’ve got to give up now, you know?”

“for the baby?”

“yeah, for the baby.”

hopper would hum before tossing his to the ground and stomping it out

“guess that means I should too.”

“you’re not going to kill me?”

“oh trust me hargrove, I want to – but my babygirl in there fucking needs you. I don’t know how this happened considering how frequently joyce and I drill into your brains that you both need to be safe.”

Billy would nod, but know better than to say anything while your father was talking

“You both are about to have your lives flipped inside out. a baby is a serious commitment, so you’re going to need to move into your own place, you’re probably going to be the only source of income once she has to take leave to give birth. it’s going to be tough and i need you to promise me that you’re not going to leave her, can you do that son?”

Billy would nod again

“I need to hear you say it hargrove. promise me that you won’t leave my daughter and your unborn child once things become hard - because they will.”

“I promise that I won’t, you have my word sir.”

“good.”

there would be a tense silence that would settle in between the pair, and billy would watch as hop ran his hand down his face

he’d take a mental note that your dad looked fucking exhausted and to get you to tell him to sleep

“I’m scared,” billy would admit. “actually, i’m fucking terrified. i’ve never had a solid father figure in my life - my dad was a piece of shit, beat me and my mum until she left. I don’t want to turn out like him; i can’t turn out like him.”

Hopper would place his hand on the boys shoulder and give him a reassuring squeeze

“i know you have had a childhood that you didn’t deserve, billy – but from the time that you’ve spent here; although you have kept me up at night by sneaking into my daughters room, you’re a good guy and are nothing like your shitty father. I hope that one day you can see me as a father figure.”

“thank you.”

the two would probably ‘bro hug’

but don’t let anyone know because they’re “hardcore”

through the months of your pregnancy you and billy would eventually save up enough to move into your own house

everyone would help you guys move in

but billy and hop would not let you lift anything heavy

no ma’am

hopper would probably become more protective over you than billy jsjsjs

like he’d constantly call you while he was at work and you were home

“dad why are you calling again? this is the third time in the last five minutes”

“i just want to check on my baby, since hargrove isn’t there – is he treating you right?”

“dad!”

el and max would come over for constant! sleepovers!

and they would help you with everything

cooking

cleaning

the whole lot

and when billy would come home he’d try not to laugh as you sat there while el painted your toenails since you couldn’t reach them and max massaged your shoulders

billy would paint the entire nursery!!

he’d probably even paint little fucking ducks on the wall lmao

don’t even mention when you gave birth

holy fuck what a family event

you’d all be having dinner at your house

we love constant friday night dinners

when suddenly you water would break as you stood up to go to the bathroom

billy and hopper would be distracted as the talked about the baseball game that was on last night

and the kids would all be in an intense drawing competition

so joyce would be the first one to notice you bent over in pain surrounded by liquid

and she’d immediately rush over to you and begun yelling at everyone

“Hopper go put some towels down in the car! billy go get the pregnancy bag we made you! kids put on your shoes!!”

y’all would be pilled up in hoppers car

you’d be sitting in the back seat with billy next to you while both hop and joyce sat in the front and the kids were all ontop of each other in the seat next to you

your hand would be squeezing billy’s as el tried to calm you by telling you that you were doing a “bitchin’” job

getting out of the car would be insane

hopper would pull up at the front entrance to the hospital

and wouldn’t even turn off the engine as he rushed inside to get you a wheelchair and tell the nurses that you were giving birth

everyone! would! be! panicking!

but after a gruelling eight hours of labour

and you screaming that you were going to punch billy in the balls so he couldn’t get you pregnant again

your baby girl was finally in your arms

the both of you would be in absolute awe

after a couple of minutes, billy would go and get your family who were nervously waiting

and they’d all pile into the tiny hospital room

they’d take turns sitting in the chair next to your bed and holding your little girl who was cooing at them

el would probably cry :”)

and hop was holding her so gently because he didn’t want to hurt the little angel who just graced his life

he was already making plans of how he was going to spoil his first grandchild

joyce would smile as billy sat in the bed next to you and she put your little girl back into your arms

will would be struggling to hold jonathans camera but would be capturing the moment to the best of his ability

he’d also taking really amazing pictures of his shoes

and max’s

who would sigh and grab the camera from his hands

“you guys got a name for her?” joyce would smile, leaning her head on hoppers shoulder as he hugged her into his side - his hand placed on el’s shoulder

“we were thinking phoebe,” you whispered, not taking your eyes away from your baby girl

everyone would agree that it was a beautiful name :”)))

after a few hours - and the kids slowly falling asleep at the end of your bed

hop and joyce would decide it was time for them to get going

so they’d all begin to pack up their stuff

but your dad would wait until they were out of the room to kiss you on the forehead

“i’m so proud of the both of you. you’re going to be great parents.”

softest grandpa ever :”)

and once everyone was gone billy would immediately snatch your lips into a kiss

pulling away from you he’d give you a soft “thank you”

“for what?”

“blessing me with something that i never thought i’d have – a family of my own. I’m going to do my best to make both you and phoebe proud”

“we’re already so proud of you, B. I love you”

“I love you more, mama”

bILLY HARGROVE FATHER MY CHILDREN

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ghostspideys-moved · 4 years

Text

All For The Best

Chapter One

A/N: Alright, here it is. The sequel to “We’ll Have Tomorrow,” which you can catch up on here if you haven’t read it already

Word Count: 2.7k

Pairings: Steve Harrington x OC, Nancy Wheeler x Jonathan Byers x OC

Summary: River takes Max and El to the mall, hoping to see Steve in the meantime. Somehow, she gets dragged into cracking the code Dustin intercepted.

River and Hawthorne had been staying with their aunt and uncle for about a week now. Occasionally, El would try her best to check in on them, though it didn’t happen very often. As far as River could tell, El hadn’t ever tried using her powers from this far away, so it was probably for the best.

In the short time that they’d been in Sweden, mostly staying with their Uncle Feliks, they’d both done plenty of exploring. Their aunt, Anya, got herself a hotel not too far away so she could spend some time with them as well. And so far, it had been going amazingly well.

Admittedly, River had been hesitant and a little scared that it wouldn’t, but those fears were quickly washed away. Feliks was probably the nicest person she’d ever met; not at all like her father despite them being brothers. And she’d quickly learned that they shared a lot of the same interests.

Then there was Marius. He was Feliks’s boyfriend, though they typically used the term “roommates” in public, which wasn’t exactly wrong. He was nice, too. Both of them had done a great job making her feel like she belonged, and for that, River was thankful.

Anya had been just as welcoming, and she’d tried to take the time to drag them along places so they could explore together and spend some time. It was hard to believe that none of this was a dream. River hardly had any memories of either of them, but she already felt like she’d known them both forever. It was a nice feeling having some family that actually cared about them.

Of course, they hadn’t planned to stay the whole summer, so it wasn’t too long before they were due to return. River found herself wondering what everyone else had been up to in the time they’d been gone. Hopefully it hadn’t gone to shit in that time, though she wouldn’t have been too surprised.

As fun as being with family had been, it was oddly nice to return to Hawkins. Sure, there was nothing particularly special about it, but maybe that was the appeal. After all, the town certainly had a different feel to it when you had some insight to how extraordinary of a place it was.

Thankfully, River wasn’t too out of the loop thanks to El. She’d done a good job of keeping her in the know, especially about how Steve started a new job not too long ago. That just meant she’d have an opportunity to check out the new mall she’d heard a lot about.

Naturally, River and Hawthorne had the foresight to meet with Hopper and fill him in on their trip.

By now, River could immediately tell something was going on. He was more than thrilled to see them again, but he also seemed much more chipper than usual. She preferred not probing anyone’s minds if she could truly avoid it, so she figured it would be better to ask outright. Maybe something great happened that she didn’t get to hear about.

“Has everything been okay over here while we were gone?” she asked, grabbing herself some soda from the fridge.

The grin on Hopper’s face was unmistakable, and it almost concerned her, in all honesty.

“This is the first time all summer that Mike and El haven’t seen each other.”

“What? Why?” She was shocked. They’d been pretty attached, and, last she saw, more than excited to see each other this summer.

Something had to have happened.

“Well, Joyce said to set boundaries, so I did,” Hopper explained, not making eye contact with her. Something about that didn’t seem right.

Hawthorne seemed to have the same thought process and asked, “What kind of boundaries?”

Hopper shrugged, seemingly trying to act nonchalant. “I pulled Mike aside and had a little chat with him.”

“Did you ‘have a chat’ or yell at him?” River asked.

She knew he could be a bit intense every now and then, and she remembered how disgruntled he seemed about how much time they spent together.

“Look, what matters is that it worked,” he insisted. “I’m going to tell Joyce how it went here in a minute.”

He was already throwing on his hat and grabbing his keys, so River let it go for now, but she worried about how El was holding up. She knew how much she seemed to like having Mike around.

Not all that long after Hopper left, El came out of her room, Max trailing behind her. Not exactly what she was expecting, but it was nice to see them hanging out themselves.

El immediately brightened up when she saw the twins hanging out in the kitchen. “You guys are back!”

Before River could answer, she was pulled into a bone-crushing hug. “Wow, you’re strong.” She hugged back, patting her back and offering a fond smile. El didn’t waste doing the same to Hawthorne, which made him laugh.

“What are you guys up to?” River asked.

“We’re heading to the mall,” Max answered.

She paused, giving them a stern look. “Woah, that’s against the rules,” she said. “You know that’s not allowed.”

“But you leave,” El pointed out.

While she had a point, that wasn’t the same thing. “That’s different.”

“Why?”

Sometimes, River almost hated how quick El was to question everything, but she understood that she was asking a genuine question.

“Because I’ve been hiding in plain sight for a long time now. And you’re supposed to be careful for a while.”

Max was just as stubborn and chipped in with, “but Mike’s being a jerk. And I thought it might help her to have some fun without him.”

“Can’t you guys do that here?”

“Sure, but that’s not as fun is it?”

River sighed. She was sure this had something do with Hopper and Mike’s “little talk.” He must have scared the kid, and she wouldn’t put it past him to keep that from her. Maybe El would benefit from going out. Just this once. Besides, she knew she’d find a way to sneak out if she didn’t let them.

“Fine, but I’m coming along. I was already planning on heading to the mall, anyways,” River said. If they were going to be out and about, might as well be around to make sure nothing bad happens.

Hawthorne seemed a little surprised she’d cracked. “What if Hopper comes back while you guys are gone?” he asked.

“I’ll make sure we’re back before he does.” Maybe not foolproof, but she would just have to take a risk. She was sure she could reason with him if he found out.

The girls dragged her along before he could make a retort, and she followed them out to the bus, which was pretty packed. She let the two of them sit together and took a seat behind them.

“So, what are you going to the mall for?” Max asked, turning to face her.

River shrugged. “I’m just curious to see what it’s like. I never thought Hawkins would ever get a mall.” It was a pretty small town, and she’d heard Starcourt was pretty big, which intrigued her. Even if that wasn’t really the reason she was going, which Max seemed to infer.

“Oh, come on. That’s not all, is it?” She turned a bit more, throwing her arm over the back of her seat. “You’re going to see Steve, aren’t you?”

Admittedly, the fact that she’d gotten right embarrassed her a little. Was she really that obvious?

“Well, he is my friend, and I haven’t seen him all summer,” River pointed out.

Max didn’t seem totally convinced. “God, are you two ever going to stop being so blind?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“We all know you guys like each other,” she insisted. “It’s been so painful watching you guys tiptoe around your feelings.”

The fact that Max was that observant was a testament to how smart she was, but River saw it as more of an inconvenience right now.

“We have not. We’re really just friends.” River wasn’t any more convinced hearing herself say it, but that was the truth, wasn’t it? There was no way they’d be more than that. And it wasn’t like she liked Steve that way.

Max shook her head, turning around again. “You guys are hopeless.”

Her words continue to ring in her ears the rest of the bus ride, and by the time they stopped outside the mall, River’s mind was racing.

She tried to brush it aside as they hopped off the bus.

El looked around curiously, almost seeming a bit worried and distressed.

“What’s wrong?” Max asked.

“Too many people. Against the rules.”

Now she questioned going out? Then again, it was way more overwhelming actually being here. Starcourt was much bigger than River expected.

“Seriously?” Max nudged her, trying to be encouraging. “You have superpowers. What’s the worst that could happen?”

River wasn’t sure if they should speak so soon, but decided this would be a good time to set some ground rules.

“Okay, if I’m going to set you loose, I want you guys to meet me at Scoops Ahoy when you’re done.” She ignored the smug look on Max’s face. “Is that clear?”

Both girls nodded, and she let them wander off on their own for now. El deserved a chance to be a stupid teenager for a few hours.

Right now, River was much more preoccupied with the thought of bugging Steve. Maybe she’d even weasel some free ice cream out of him. And the uniform. She’d heard all about the Scoops Ahoy uniform and how funny it looked. Already, River was mentally preparing herself to laugh hysterically at him.

Of course, maybe not as prepared as she previously thought. As she approached the counter, she tried with all her might to hide her snickering, but it was practically impossible.

“Okay, yeah. Laugh it up,” Steve muttered. “I’d like to see you make this ridiculous uniform work.”

River snorted, giving him another once-over. “No way. I think you make it work just fine,” she teased. “That hat really brings the whole outfit together.”

She could imagine the mental anguish he was going through having to hide his hair.

“This thing is totally screwing me over!” he exclaimed. “How the hell am I supposed to pick up girls if I’m not even allowed to show off my best feature?”

Honestly, River wasn’t really sure why, but she felt a slight pang of jealousy just thinking about all the girls he must have flirted with.

“I’m sure one of them is bound to come around,” she assured him. Steve didn’t seem so sure. The dejected huff he gave in response was enough to convince her he was losing hope.

Before she could dig through her brain for any more comforting words, Dustin popped his head out of the break room. River’s brows furrowed. Why he was here was beyond her, but she supposed it shouldn’t have been so shocking. Steve and Dustin were practically inseparable at this point.

Dustin brightened up the moment he spotted River, but the relieved look on his face put her on edge. Something was happening here, and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to know.

“Perfect! Steve, why the hell didn’t you tell me River was here?” he exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air followed by an exasperated sigh. “She can help us.”

Steve’s eyes widened, and his previous look of defeat was replaced with a huge grin.

Something was definitely happening here.

“Okay, woah. Help with what?” River glanced between them, even more peeved that neither of them was telling her anything. It was like they were having some telepathic debate, which was impossible. Telepathy was her thing.

“Hi. Hello. Anyone wanna tell me what the hell’s going on?” she exclaimed.

Neither of them answered right away. Dustin was quick to take her hand and drag her into the back room. She hardly had a chance to notice Steve glance around the shop, as if scanning for anyone who might be eavesdropping. That only concerned her more.

In the back room, there was a tape recorder placed in the middle of the table, and standing at the end of the table was Robin Buckley. River had a few conversations with her, so they were acquainted enough, she felt.

“Okay, seriously. What is all this about?” River asked, glancing at the recorder.

Dustin plopped into a chair, looking like a kid in a candy store. Or an ice cream store, really. He was clearly excited about something.

“Last night, I was trying out Cerebro — the radio I built — and I intercepted some kind of code,” he explained. “The only problem was, it’s in Russian. And Robin thinks she’s cracked it, but I thought — since you speak Russian — maybe you could double check.”

There was a lot to unpack there, and she wasn’t even sure what to make of all that. Nevertheless, she caved and listened to the tape. As she looked over their translation, sure enough, she could safely say they had it pretty accurate.

River sat back, dropping the notepad on the table. “Yeah, that’s right,” she said. “No clue what it means, but you got it.” She turned to Robin, who looked relieved and maybe a bit proud of herself.

“There’s no way that can be right,” Steve chimed in. “It all sounds like nonsense.”

“Well, I’m telling you, it’s right,” River insisted. “It’s a code. Did you think it was going to be clear?”

Steve sighed and crossed his arms, leaning against the door. “No, but it feels way too...all over the place. I don’t know.”

“Whatever the hell it means, it’s just going to be harder to crack.” She knew Dustin had a point, though she wasn’t even sure where to start with this.

At some point, Steve and Robin had to go back out to work, but River stayed in the back room to help. As she expected, they weren’t making any more progress than before. Interpreting the code was proving far more difficult than Dustin hoped, and she could only do so much to help him.

An hour or so passed, and she finally looked up as Steve peeked in. “Max and El are here for you,” he said.

River got up, wishing Dustin luck and ruffling his hair, before she went out to meet the girls. “Is El even allowed out here?” he asked as she went around the counter.

“No, but I decided one mall trip couldn’t be a bad idea.”

Steve raised an eyebrow, but didn’t ask her to elaborate, thankfully.

“I’ll see you guys tomorrow,” River added. “I hope you guys have some better luck.”

“We’ll tell you how it goes,” Robin assured her, offering a smile.

River nodded and said her goodbyes before the girls dragged her back to the bus. She immediately noticed the wardrobe change El was rocking. And honestly? She really liked it.

Luckily, Hopper wasn’t home yet when they made it back to the cabin. River went to her room, letting the girls hang out in El’s room.

Her mind wandered, as she laid back on her bed. She had her headphones on, her Walkman softly playing “Take a chance on me.” There was a lot going on in her head, and it was so hard to make sense of any of it.

Over and over, she kept thinking about what Max said to her on the bus. Sure, Steve was her friend, and she liked him. He really wasn’t so bad the more time she spent with him, and they’d gone through a lot together. But that didn’t really mean she liked him, right? There was no way.

In fact, she had a feeling Steve probably liked Robin, or literally anyone but herself. More than likely, he just saw her as a good friend. Which was fine, because she was sure she felt that way about him.

He’d done a lot of nice things for her, but that was what friends did for each other. River wasn’t any less confused the more she thought about it.

It was late and, therefore, a problem to deal with tomorrow.

Taglist: @bravest-at-heart @jxnehxpper @musicalytrashpanda

#steve harrington #steve harrington x oc #steve harrington x reader #stranger things #stranger things 2 #stranger things 3 #steve harrington x original character #st #stranger things fic

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stuck-in-hawkins · 4 years

Text

August 18th 1989

Stranger Things Fanfic

Pairing: Will Byers/ Mike Wheeler

Rating: Teen & Up

Read on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/24656785/chapters/59757316#workskin

August 18th 1989

The ceiling fan swirled the summer air around. The nights were getting cooler and although it made sleeping more comfortable, it meant summer was ending, as was everything else.

Mike lay awake, feeling the contrast between the cool wind from the fan and the warm body beside him. He wondered how much time they had left. The clock was obscured by one of their shirts on the bedside table. How many more minutes could he hold onto Will? He gently pressed his forehead against Will’s back. How was he going to do this? How were they going to go back to being alone?

Will had saved him from an all consuming darkness. He had managed to pull him out of a downward spiral. When El ran away to chase down old demons… when Mike hadn’t been able to save her, he had fallen into drinking to cope and he had been drowning himself. During that time, Will reached his hand out and held him. In so many ways, he had lifted him out of that unforgiving place in his mind. In Will’s arms, the loneliness and self-loathing thoughts were kept at bay. He was a light that Mike basked in.

But now… that light was leaving, like a ship in the night. This would probably be the last time he could hold him like this. The last morning to wake up with him by his side. Mike drew him in closer.

Will was leaving for college. His world was going to open up beyond Hawkins. He would meet more people like him. People that were out of the closet, proud, and sure of themselves. Not confused like Mike was. Will would meet someone who didn’t need to keep him secret. Someone who would show him off, like the gem he was. So, he and Will would be going their separate ways. And, as much as it hurt, they would end things here. Will could move on and be with someone who deserved him. Mike didn’t want Will pining for someone hundreds of miles away. Will had already been hurt once by a long distance relationship, his first boyfriend. He watched Will waiting on the phone calls and then feel completely crushed when they ultimately had broken up. Mike didn’t want to be on either end of that call.

“You could come with me…”

“No, Will. It is going to end. One way or another. It’s better for us to end it now, when things are good, when we have a choice, and still be friends. If we don’t do it now… it will just end with one of us really hurting the other.”

And as awful as Mike felt saying those things, they were true. He knew it. They depended on each other. Too much. Will was terrified at the idea of living on his own. For him, Mike moving out there with him would save him from that fear, that isolation. Mike didn’t want to admit it, but he was just as afraid. He had spent most of his life building his identity around the people in his life. He had been their leader, the Dungeon Master, the Paladin. Now, he would be Mike Wheeler, recovering alcoholic and the only one of his party left in Hawkins.

Will had tried so many times to convince Mike to come with him. He had even tried to stay behind, to find a school in Indianapolis instead, someplace closer. But Mike hadn’t let him. He refused to let anything get in the way of Will achieving his dreams, even himself. After everything Will had gone through to get into an arts college in California, Mike wanted more than anything for Will to succeed.

Yet, here they were, in the still, dark hours of the morning. They could only have minutes before Will’s alarm rang. Maybe a few hours before Will’s flight. Then, the separation Mike had fought so hard for would be complete. And he would be alone.

He nuzzled against Will’s back and felt the tears roll down his cheek. He tried to keep his breath steady. He didn’t want red eyes that would give him away. Will would see them and find a way to convince Mike to join him on that plane.

Mike needed to let him go. Will needed to grow past all the pain Hawkins had brought on him. He needed to meet new people, discover who he was, be proud of who he was among people like him. Mike had seen glimmers of it when he’d driven Will out to the Pride Festival in Westlake Park that summer. He had seen Will open up in another way entirely. He’d never realized how much shame he carried from being gay. How much it had weighed on him. But there, among other people like him, the weight lifted, and Will seemed lighter and more open. Mike wanted that for Will and he knew he would never have it in Hawkins.

All the things that they shared: the kisses, the caresses, the heated moments… They were all supposed to be a placeholder. They were all parts of getting Will through the hell of this last year, through the breakup with his first and only boyfriend, June. They had been a part of getting Mike through El running away to join her sister to find Dr. Brenner. Will’s presence had helped Mike avoid drinking himself into stupors. He had tempered him, comforted him. And now, Mike realized, it wasn’t a placeholder. It never had been. It was love. It was unconditional. And he was going to lose it.

He sniffed his tears back. Will stirred in his arms, “Mike?”

No. Please, he thought, go back to sleep.

“I’m fine, Will. Just having trouble sleeping.”

Will turned to him and brushed his fingers against Mike’s cheek, feeling the tears. “Mike…”

“It’s just from yawning, Will. I’m fine.”

It was an unconvincing lie, but Will didn’t push it. He brought his lips to Mike’s and pressed a kiss on them. Mike pulled him in and kissed deeply. Their breath was sour with sleep but Mike didn’t care. He wanted to make this morning last. He would be selfish here. He would hold him close just this last time, then he would let him go.

____________________________

Mike and Will found little ways to close the space between them for most of the morning. Their hands intertwined beneath the breakfast table. Will’s head leaning on Mike’s shoulder as they brushed their teeth. Their fingers searching for each other in intermittent moments throughout getting ready. The touches were precious and numbered.

Mike, Joyce, and Will loaded everything in Mike’s car. He had promised to take them to the airport. But Joyce asked for the keys, and Mike saw something in her eyes. She would have the weekend with Will in California to help him get settled. She knew what it meant to him, having the car ride. He gave them to her. They spent the trip in the back seat. Will nestled in the crook of Mike’s neck. Mike’s arm around him and his head pressed against Will’s hair. Their hands laced and thumbs grazing over each other. Mike wished the morning would slow down. He wished he could just make the summer last longer. He wanted to stop time so that he could hold Will like this forever.

But, when they got to the airport, Will’s fear took over and their hands separated. Mike saw Will put on his mask around the strangers. Contact between them would signal them as gay. It would make them the target for remarks and stares that neither of them had the strength to fight today.

They went through the motions of getting Will and Joyce’s passes, the bags weighed and checked, and made their way to the gate.

A voice called on the PA, announcing that they would be boarding in 30 minutes. This was it.

Will stood up, “I should probably go to the bathroom before we board. I’ll be right back.” His eyes flicked over towards Mike and he understood.

“I’ll come with you. I have to go, too.”

They walked into the bathroom and waited out the other person in the bathroom. Once the older man left, Will and Mike went into one of the stalls. No sooner had the door closed, Will had thrown himself into Mike’s chest, hands clutching his shirt tightly.

“I can’t do this, Mike. I can’t.”

Mike held Will, “Why do you always short change yourself? You are so strong, one of the strongest people I know. You’ll do more than make it there: you’ll flourish.”

Will’s hands wrapped around Mike, “I don’t care about that. I just want to be with you. Please…” He lifted up his head, “Come with me. Come to California with me.”

“Will…”

“Just for the weekend. Please, Mike.”

“Will…”

Will pleaded, “I saved up for an extra boarding pass.”

Mike held Will’s face in his hand to calm him. Brushed his thumb against his cheek. Mike had fallen in love. He didn’t know when it had happened but it was undeniable.

And it hurt him so much to say, “No, Will.” His voice cracked and he broke down. “It has to be here, Will. If I come with you…” I won’t want to leave… “I would have to leave you there. It’s better that it ends here. So that it’s like you’re going off on a grand adventure.”

Will leaned his head and shook it on Mike’s chest. The door opened and they held their breath, not moving. They waited like that until they were alone again.

Will relaxed against him. “It doesn’t feel like an adventure. It feels like I’m leaving you behind.”

“You aren’t. I’ll be okay.”

Will lifted his head. “What will you do here?”

Mike hadn’t gained back his ambition for college after El left. He had signed up for community college, but he still felt aimless.

“I’ll help get Hopper back on his feet.” It was the only goal that he strove for, getting Hopper sober again. Will had helped Mike and he wanted to pay it forward.

“Are you going to spend your life waiting for her?” Will practically spat the words. “You just going to play the martyr? You need to live for yourself, Mike.”

He winced and bit back the temptation to fight back. He didn’t want to argue, to waste these precious moments. “I’m working my way to that, Will. I promise I am.”

Will collapsed in his arms, sobbing into his chest. “I don’t want to lose you.”

“You won’t, Will.”

“You said that we have to end it.”

It had been a decision he’d made a while ago, that when Will left, they would stop what they’d once called an arrangement, but became something so much more. He’d rationalized it a hundred times, reasoned that it would be best for them both. But now it was here and he didn’t want it to end.

“Only some things. I can’t kiss you from a thousand miles away.”

Will looked up, “Can we still say it?”

Mike answered, “Yes.” He held the back of Will’s head, entangling his fingers in his hair, “I love you, now.” He pulled Will in and kissed him.

“I love you now,” Will kissed the corner of his mouth. “And now,” he kissed Mike’s jawline. “And now,” he kissed Mike’s nose. He had to stand on his toes to do that.

It made Mike smile, through his tears, that were flowing freely now.

He heard the echoes of the PA system and they both held each other tightly one last time.

_______________________________

Mike watched Will walk through the gate. He forced a smile as he waved. This was Will succeeding. This was Will getting closer to his dream. He needed to be happy about that. He could be selfish and cry later. Will smiled back, but immediately wiped his eyes. He handed the woman his boarding pass and looked over his shoulder one more time before disappearing through the gate.

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jonny-byerss · 4 years

Note

What are your answers to those 20 questions? Im planning to add my own answers too (even though nobody asked lol)

I got another ask for some of the numbers but I’m just gonna do this one because it’s all of them.

1) Favorite character? Jonathan, hands down. He’s so underrated. I love him with all my heart.

2) Favorite season? Even though I love Season 1 and the amount of thought that was actually put into the writing, I’m gonna say Season 2 because I really loved that season and a lot of amazing things happened in that season (mostly the Jancy kiss lol but other things too)

3) Favorite scene? Oof that’s a hard one. I really like the exorcism scene from S2 with Joyce, Jonathan, Nancy and Will (Noah Schnapp did amazing, all of the actors in this scene were phenomenal, Winona, Charlie, and Natalia and especially Noah). I also obviously love the Jancy first kiss, and how passionate it is (and scene directly before and morning after scene lol).

4) Favorite 80s song from the album? Even though it was used for Stancy (sigh), I am a sucker for Africa, I’ve loved that song since before Stranger Things. But I also love Should I Stay Or Should I Go and how significant it is to the show.

5) Favorite ship? I think it’s obvious to anyone who’s seen my blog lol, Jancy obviously. And it’s canon so there’s that.

6) Favorite outfit? Oh gosh, literally any of Jonathan’s sweaters cuz he looks so cute in them. I also really liked Joyce’s S3 look, she was a cutie. And I liked Nancy’s dresses in S3, they were cute. I like a lot of the outfits tbh (Max always has cute outfits, and El in S3).

7) Favorite antagonist? Can I say just Hawkins Lab in general? I miss S1 and S2 when you never knew what the Lab was gonna do next, it made for a good antagonist. The Russians didn’t seem all that mysterious tbh.

8) Scoops Troop, Griswold Family, or Eagle’s Nest? Griswold Family for sure! Jancy and the kids will always be superior! I wish they got more screentime, especially after the hospital scene. I also wish the siblings actually acknowledged each other.

9) Who’s your favorite actor? Charlie!! I mean, all of the actors are amazing, but I’m starting to really appreciate Charlie Heaton. For one thing, I love British boys, and for another, I just think he’s a phenomenal actor and he’s really good at showing his emotions. I wish the writers gave him more to work with.

10) Most badass Hawkins lady? Oh dang, that’d have to be a tie between Joyce and Nancy. I just love how Joyce would do anything for her kids, including go into an unknown dimension with the possibility of being Demogorgon lunch. Also, when she punched the mayor, gosh, that was amazing. And Nancy, when she stood in front of the car and just shot at Billy when he was racing towards her, I was so proud (and also scared for Nancy’s life). And “Let’s burn that lab to the ground”, I love her, she’s such a badass.

11) Favorite mom? (By the way person who made the questions, Steve’s not a mom!) I love Joyce! She is the World’s Greatest Mom™️! Sure, she has some problems, but she would literally do anything for her kids and I love that! Also, she’s so chill, like Jonathan had a girl over and she totally knew and didn’t care! My mom would literally kill me lol. I love Joyce.

12) Saddest scene? Oh gosh that’s hard. Bob dying was really sad to me, but I actually genuinely cried at the S3 ending. Not because of Hopper’s letter but because the Byers are moving! Like I get why but it’s still so sad seeing everyone say goodbye to each other, like come on Joyce, look how sad they all are :(

13) Any merch? So, because I’m fairly new to this fandom, I don’t have much. I seriously watched the whole show for the first time in April because quarantine and my friend wanted me to watch it, so I did, I’ve binged it at least 4 times though already during quarantine. However, since I recently graduated from high school and was given a lot of graduation money that I had no idea what to spend on (yes, I set some aside for college), I bought some merch. I bought a S3 poster from Walmart. I bought a Steve Funko online. For my birthday, which was in June, my friend gave me a Scoops Ahoy shirt and pin. My boyfriend gave me a Robin Funko (he said he was gonna get me Jonathan but they didn’t have anymore of his 1 single Funko, rip). And then my sister and I went to Hot Topic and I got two shirts, one that just has the Stranger Things logo and the other has the Griswold Family on it (seriously, I saw Nancy and Jonathan on it and I screamed). That’s it. Oh, and then my sister gave me some Stranger Things decals for my birthday which I put on my laptop. And then my sister’s friend gave me a sticker with Robin on it, and that’s on the back of my phone. That’s it. That’s all the merch.

14) Favorite line? I’m sorry but my favorite line will forever be, “So, Jonathan, how was the pull-out?”. That line is literally the most clever innuendo I have ever heard. And I love Jonathan’s reaction to it. And Nancy’s little smirk. I may be pretty innocent, but I understood that line the second I heard it. And I love that it’s for Jancy. If it was for any other couple, I might not have laughed as hard as I did, but it was still hilarious, imo.

15) Contributed to the fandom? Again, I’m pretty new to the fandom. I did write a fanfic, but it never got posted because my computer decided to delete it for some reason. I’m not good at art, so no on that. I did make a Tik Tok though. You can check it out, my name is @camree_nicole. The Tik Tok literally blew up (like seriously most of my videos only get like 20 likes by my irl friends, but this one got 12K likes, it was crazy!), like I gained a lot of Stranger Things fan page followers. What was the Tik Tok? I literally made it because I was procrastinating my online school (back when I was still doing that) and it’s literally about how whenever I’m binging Stranger Things and get to S2:E6, I get really excited and I showed the scene of Nancy and Jonathan about to kiss. I got a lot of comments like “Yesss I was so happy!” and stuff like that and it made me really happy lol.

16) Favorite fan theory? Idk, there’s some pretty crazy theories out there. I don’t really look at many theories, I just like seeing what some people theorize for S4. I especially like @unpredictablybittersweet’s S4 theories here on Tumblr. And GemmaStones on Reddit has some theories I really like too.

17) Favorite filming location? The Byers house!! I’m gonna miss that place :’( Lots of iconic stuff has happened there. Still bitter we didn’t get much of it in S3.

18) Read any books or comics? Again, I’m pretty new, so no I have not. I’ve heard what happens in some of them online though.

19) Favorite duo? My fave duo will forever be Nancy and Jonathan. Whether it’s platonic or romantic, when they get together they do some pretty badass things.

20) Favorite behind the scenes photo? The picture in my profile pic I believe is a BTS photo. It’s also my lock screen rn.

Also here’s my Tik Tok: (ignore my face)

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darkdevasofdestruction · 5 years

Text

The Blood Moon

Summary : With great powers comes great responsibility, so why bother with them, when you can just chill back and relax? That’s what Katrina always told herself in a way to calm down whenever she felt herself lose control, but nothing will stop her from getting in trouble with literally everyone around. Her world was chaotic, like the last seconds of a fly trapped in a spider’s web, but what happens when the world literally goes Upside Down for her, has to take care of a group of nerds much bigger than herself and even worst, she feels her heart beat for the first time, but now, not because of anxiety, but due to a much warmer feeling.

Pairing : Billy Hargrove x OC (Katrina Black)

TW : Stranger Things, as a TV show, explores a lot of themes, including childhood trauma of various types, which I am going to go along with.

—

This story contains and explores a variety of trauma and darker themes, most of them relating in canon to a certain character, others that I’m more familiar with then I wish I were and so on.

I have this story written on AO3 that I wrote in like 3-4 days because GODS I am in L O V E with Billy Hargrove and someone please save me, all my feelings are in here, from sorrow to glee, from fluff to angst and so on.

But I’ve never been prouder of a story I’ve written like I am with this one.

—

Chapter 1: The Fox and the Lion

I had no idea how the hell I managed to get wound up in a group of 12 year olds’ troubles, but I can’t deny that it wasn’t fun, if not, just crazy dangerous and deadly. I met up Mike and his little group of nerdy friends whilst going to the arcade one day and them cursing my nickname for not being able to defeat my high-score in any game. Of course, since all arcade games only had a 3 letter maximum for each name, I put mine.

“FOX”

Because I have red hair and can be pretty sly and sneaky, despite how very introverted I am. Now it’s my last year at Hawkins High School, this one being the most important because if everything goes right, I may get a scholarship and be able to continue my studies further, to University, pursuing Vet Medicine, like I’ve always dreamt of.

Now, to tell a little bit about myself…

Officially, I was called “3”, just like the number tattooed on my shoulder, which is to brand me as one of the many experiments the Russians/Americans did on children. Somehow, and very thankfully, I managed to run away, thanks to my weird powers that I’m still not 100% sure, and found myself in the woods, where I stumbled upon this policeman named Hopper who was nice enough to take me in for a while, before getting me to an orphanage and making sure a real family gets to take care of me.

The date of me meeting Jim was January 3rd, a very cold and snowy winter, so from that day on, that has become my birthday. Since I didn’t have a name, he let me stay a few good weeks with him and taught me how to read and write, which was pretty easy, to say the least, and upon reading so many books, I found a name that finally suited my tastes.

“Katrina”

That was 5 years ago, when I was 13, and now I’m at my own little house close to the Byers, I recently found out, living alone with Jim visiting me often, or having the kids have sleepovers at mine from time to time, when I’m not too busy with my studies.

After the incident with the monsters, Will’s disappearance, El and everything, we’ve really bonded, and gotta say, being a Rogue in their DnD party was super fun!

Life hasn’t been easy, that much is sure, isn’t it? Many bad things happened that cannot be changed or unmade, so you have to life with them through the rest of your life.

But things never stay the same, do they…?

Life at highschool ain’t the best, especially not with all these mean girls and boys around, but how I survived 3 years, I can survive one more, right? Also, recently, Will and the gang told us about a new girl coming from California called “Max” who apparently beat all their records as well and from their description, I really wanna meet her. Now, I’m wondering if this is a coincidence or not, but my Sherlockian instincts were tingling, and she may or may not be our new colleague’s little sister. Oh, yes, new colleague… His name is Billy Hargrove and he’s the most intimidating man I’ve ever seen in my life. He is literally radiating masculinity and his eyes make everyone either kneel at his feet or stay away from him, because he won’t take anyone’s shit. In a very short amount of time, he managed to gain the reputation of “Keg King”…I think that was? Beating Steve Harrington at popularity, now being the literal best student at sports (especially basketball), having the most number of uh…Charmed ladies, as a count, and beat up a ton of boys who dared disrespect him. So, uh...FUN!

I could have said that I’ve been pretty lucky so far, seeing that I didn’t have the need to directly interact with Billy so far, but fate was never as you’d expect and the weirdest of changes always happen when you least expect them.

Wednesday morning -

I wake up, eat a bowl of milk and cereal, go to wash my fave, brush my long red hair and look through my clothes.

I choose an over-sized AC/DC Tshirt, light blue boyfriend jeans, a red plaid shirt tied to my waist, round shades, a black hat and black combat boots, take my bag and go to my motorbike that I recently managed to buy and went to high school. Maths went pretty fast by, Chemistry too, but during Biology, we had to make a project for the final grade, which will affect the overall grade by a huge percent, which completely got my attention.

But that wasn’t all.

Mrs. Green insisted on assigning us partners…And I was to do the project with none other than Billy Hargrove, which made me gulp in anxiety and start to slightly scratch at my neck, not daring to look at him…Or anyone, for the matter.

Mrs. Green: Kat, Billy, may I talk to you at the end of the class for a moment? Billy: Sure. Me: Okay…

After this, the class went on as if nothing happened, but I could basically feel the burning and poisonous glares the many girls in my class would throw at me. After all, who wouldn’t want to be partnered up with THE King Billy?

Ha.

Me.

What a fool.

All I did the whole class was to draw on my notebook, habit which I found out managed to calm down my anxieties pretty well, even if I didn’t really pay attention to the teacher…But hey, for someone like me, it’s no big deal. After all the other students left the classroom, I grabbed slowly got up and went in front of Mrs. Green, not managing to look in her eyes, my gaze fixed on the floor as I bit my lip and fiddling with my fingers. Billy, as well, stood just next to me, but he looked extremely laid back.

Mrs.Green: Billy, I am sure you are aware that, despite your pretty good grades, slightly above average, in most subjects, you are somehow failing Biology. So, I wanted to ask you, is it just disinterest, or are you not understanding something? I thought that, compared to Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics, this would be at least a bit easier. Billy: Well, uh…I dunno, I guess I don’t really get it or something. I guess I started with the wrong foot and continued even worse and…Yeah, you get it. Mrs.Green: Kat, dear, I am very sorry to ask this of you, since I know you’re extremely shy, but would it be okay with you if you were to help Billy with Biology? You told me you want to pursue Medicine at University, and so far you’ve been exceeding all expectations at my subject, which is why I paired you two up. Just a bit of tutoring, once in a while, if you both agree. Billy: If it helps with my grades, I don’t see why not. Mrs.Green: Excellent! What do you say, dear? Me: Uh, w-well, I…Uhm…I-I mean, s-sure, but…But a-are you sure I’m the right person for this? I-I mean, as you said, I’m painfully shy…A-And I’m afraid I might be more annoying than useful and I don’t want to waste anyone’s time and- Mrs.Green: Dear, Kat, calm down. I’ve seen you help and explain to some of your colleagues before at different subjects and you did an extraordinary job at it! I think you shouldn’t be afraid. Who knows, maybe Billy will be able to help you out with your shyness, since he’s so popular and sociable. Me: *hiding my face* I-I-I w-well, I don’t know what to say… Billy: You can start by saying ‘Yes’ ? Me: Uhm…I guess you’re right. S-Sure, I will tutor you, I am fine with that. J-Just tell me when you don’t understand or if I’m being annoying, I’ll try to stop. Billy: *chuckles* Don’t worry, toots, I’m sure we’ll get along just fine. Mrs.Green: *winks* Think of it as opportunity. It will look very good on your recommendation letter. Me: Y-You mean, you will…? Mrs.Green: *smiles* But of course, dear! How could I possibly not recommend my top student to the best University? It was supposed to be a surprise from me and your Physics and Chemistry teachers, but oops! Busted~. Me: I-I-I can’t thank you enough!! Really, thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me! I am forever grateful for you and your patience and kindness with me! Mrs.Green: *pats my head* Dear, your only fault is worrying too much and enjoying life too little. Take the advice of the bands you listen to so much and you might learn to live a bit. Now, off you go, your next class is about to start! Me: See you tomorrow, Mrs.Green! And thank you so much for everything again! Billy: Good bye, Mrs. G.

Outside of the classroom, I gripped my notebook close to my chest and walk to my locker, but Billy was still following me with a smirk on his face, and then leaned on the locker nearby.

Billy: So, I just got a very hot teacher as a reward for failing the class, the more you know. Me: I…I think it’s more of a punishment. Billy: Why’d you think that, Kitten? Me: Wh-Why did you j-just call me “Kitten” ? Billy: Mrs.G called you “Kat”, so, why not? Me: My name is Katrina, not Kitten, so please call me that. Billy: Fine, fine…Kitten. *winks* Me: *pouts* Guess I can’t convince you… Billy: You give up pretty easily, babe. It’s almost like you like that. Me: *cringes* I-It’s nothing of the sort. I-It’s just…Over the years…I learn that if saying “No” doesn’t work the first time…It won’t work no matter how many times you repeat or struggle…So might as well just get it over with. Billy: *raises an eyebrow* That sounded oddly specific. Me: *eyes widen* Ah, n-no, forget I just said that! S-Sorry, I, uh…I gotta go to Physics, excuse me. Billy: What a coincidence, I have Physics too. Why don’t we talk about the project and my tutoring on the way there? Me: Uhm…If you’re okay with it, I guess okay. Billy: Have any specific topic you wanna do? I kinda have no idea what we’ve studied so far. Care to enlighten me? Me: Well…We started with the Nervous system, followed by the Sensory organs, then Glands, the Locomotor system, Digestive system, Excretory system, Metabolism, some pretty basic Genetics, some plain Environmental things…And…Uhm…Well… Billy: *smirks* You missed out the Reproduction thingy between Excretory and Metabolism on purpose, didn’t you? Me: *gasps* Liar! You said you didn’t know! You tricked me! Billy: *chuckles* I might have. Say, toots, it’s almost like you missed it on purpose. Are you embarrassed? Hey, what about we do the project on tha- Me: NO!!!! Billy: *wide eyed* Whoa, slow down, there, I was only teasin’. Me: *slaps hand on mouth* I’m sorry! I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to shout at you! Please, don’t be mad. It’s just…I really don’t like it and it makes me feel very…Very bad. Billy: *shrugs* S'okay, I got it, don’t worry, I’m not mad. Jeez, Mrs.G was right, you really do worry too much. Me: Yeah…I’m really sorry, I told you it’d be more of a punishment than anything. I know I can be very annoying without even realising. Billy: Chill, babe, chill. So, when and where shall we meet? Me: Uhm…Tomorrow after class for the project? Billy: I have Basketball training, sorry. Me: Oh, right, you’re in the team. When’s your next match? Billy: In 2 weeks. Wanna come and cheer me? Me: *smiles* If you want me there, sure, I will be there. Billy: Huh, would ya look at that, Kitten has a pretty smile. Ya wanna make me swoon? Me: Ah, n-no, really, I’m not. Billy: You’re melting my heart, babe! Me: S-Sorry! Uhm…How about this Friday? About 5pm? At…Uhm…There’s this pretty cafe in town called “Ma Cherie” and they have amazing tea and sweets. Billy: Friday…Friday…Ah, yeah, sure. Had a date, but- Me: Oh, shoot! Okay, we can find another day so you won’t have to miss it! Billy: *chuckles* Nahh, don’t worry, I’ll just cancel. I’d much rather stay with you than with her. Me: *bites lip* Uhmm…I…Flattered? I think? Billy: Good then, it’s a date, see you then, sweet cheeks! Me: WAIT WHAT?!

I stopped in my tracks but he only laughed and waved at me, jogging ahead in another direction. It was only then that I realised that I was in front of the Physics classroom and he, in fact, had a complete other subject, not Physics.

Smooth bastard…

And so, Wednesday came to an end, Thursday as well, Friday went by unnoticed and then, I had to go full speed to the Animal shelter nearby to help out. They never told me how much to stay, seeing that my schedule was hectic due to College and Uni preps, so I would just come and go whenever I could. Problem is, I lost track of time and when I looked back at the watch again, it said 4:46pm.

F U C K.

I bid the workers farewell and ran to my motorbike, going as far as I could back to Hawkings and at the cafe, getting all the two bags full of books and running into the cafe, and looking at my watch at the same time.

5:13pm.

Kill me please.

Entering the cafe, I nod at the waitress, as I’m a regular here and we’re on friendly terms, and scan for Billy, who was writing something in a notebook. I rush to take the seat opposite, but before I sat down and let the books fall to the ground, I start apologising to Billy a bit too much.

Me: I’M SO SORRY!! I-I really didn’t mean to be late, but it’s entirely my fault and I feel horrible for making you wait for me! Please don’t be mad, I-I’ll make up to you! I’ll pay each time we go out to study, okay? S-So take anything you want a-and I’ll pay! I know it won’t really make a difference bu- Billy: Babe, sit down and breathe. Me: H-Huh? Billy: I’m not mad. I can clearly see you rushed to get here. Lost track or time, huh? What were you doing? Me: Yeah, I know, I’m stupid. I got a watch today so I can make sure I leave at the right time, but I forgot to check it and…I am late. So, uhm…Y'know how I mentioned I want to pursue Vet Medicine at Uni? I work at an animal shelter nearby and it takes sort of…Almost an hour to get here. Well, more like 40 minutes, but I rushed and got here in like 25. It kinda helps to get in at a top Uni…With a scholarship. I couldn’t afford to study at University otherwise, so I gotta do what it takes. Billy: Well, babe, you look pretty hot in you lab coat. I wanna see you like this more often. Me: M-My lab coat…? AH, DAMN, I FORGOT TO TAKE IT OFF! Godamn it! Billy: *chuckles* You’re pretty amusing, doll. Come on, sit down and let’s order. Me: Okay. Leila, dear, could you please come and take our order? Leila: Hey, Kat, rushed again from the shelter I see. Regular? Me: For me, yes. Billy, what would you want? Billy: Just a black coffee, thanks. Me: Are you sure? Billy: Yeah, sure. Me: O-Okay… Leila: Okay, then. A Cherry Vanilla tea with extra cinnamon, a chocolate cake and a black coffee coming right up! Me: Thank you for your time, Lei-Lei! Leila: Any time! Billy: Seems you calmed down a bit. Me: Yeah…This place always manages to sooth down my anxieties. Uhm…I literally only come here every time I want to study. Billy: I’m not surprised. It’s pretty nice, I guess. Me: *smiles* I’m happy that you liked it. Billy: Say, forgot to ask you on Wednesday, but today I see you have a Metallica Tshirt. Are they your boyfriend’s? Me: *blushes* B-Boyfriend? But I don’t have a boyfriend, what do you mean? Billy: You don’t? How come? Me: Why are you surprised, who’d want someone like me? Trust me when I say this, I know what I’m talking about. Billy: But you’re smart and pretty, what’s not to like? Me: Many things. So uhm…These are my Tshirts. 90% of my tops have band imprints. And…Well…AC/DC, Iron Maiden and Metallica are my Top 3 favourite bands. I have all their vinyls and cassettes. Billy: You just keep getting hotter and hotter the more I know you. Me: Hahaha, no, no way that could ever happen. Billy: If I were to give you one of my band Tshirts, would you wear it on our next date? Me: D-Date?! C-Come on, Billy, I’m literally the last person you’d want to date, I can assure you. Billy: What if I prove you otherwise? Me: How do you know you’re my type? Billy: *smirks* Oh~? So I’m out of your league, sweet cheeks? Me: Ah-…! Wait, no, I didn’t mean it like that! I didn’t want to insult or offend you, I’m sorry! Billy: Just teasin’, relax. Me: *pouts* Whatevs… Billy: So, wadya say, dollface? About us? Me: D-Don’t you think we should, like, get to know each other first? Become friends and trust each other and all that? Billy: Awww, toots wants one of those cutesy romance novel relationships, how adorable. Me: *blushes* W-Well…Y-Yeah…I guess…I know I’m asking for too much…And there’s no way in hell that could ever happen to me…S-So…I just…I guess…I kinda gave up on even thinking of dating long ago. Billy: *sighs* Maybe your expectations are too high of people that are too low. People suck, y'know? The world sucks. You’re expecting a happily ever after? Me: If I ever get to be in a relationship, I want it to be that kind of shelter that would be protective from all the chaos and evilness in the world. The only place where you can feel safe and be yourself. And if that Happily Ever After, as you call it, won’t happen with another person as my significant other…Then I’ll be very content with saving animals’ lives and travelling the world at my leisure. Billy: *smirks* Have I ever told you you’re pretty hot when you speak like that? Me: Uhm…Okay, so, I was thinking that maybe we could talk about the Nervous system in our project? Leila: Kat, you don’t need to talk about the Nervous system. You literally ARE a Nervous system. Me: … *laughs* Oh jesus, that was a good one. I won’t forget that…Actually, I might even use it as a joke when I do the presentation! Leila: *winks* Don’t forget the author’s right! Me: Okay, okay! As per my lovely barista friend joked, instead of presenting you the Nervous system, I will introduce myself, for I am, in fact, a Nervous system. Leila: Hey, Billy, was it? Please film her or something, I want to see that part. Billy: Consider it done. Me: I call this a conspiracy! Don’t try to overthrow my reign! Leila: Oh, shut up, nerd. Here’s your tea, honey and cake, and here’s your coffee. Good luck with your project! Me: Thanks, dear! Billy: Okay, that looks and smells pretty good. Me: *smiles* Wanna try? I can give you half of everything, if you want? Billy: Y'sure? Me: *nods* Sure! Do you like your tea sweetened? I usually put a lot of honey in it. Billy: Make it as you like and I’ll drink after. Me: Here, you can eat from my plate as much as you want. I usually drink the tea first anyways. Billy: So generous, toots, you’re melting my heart. Me: Ahem. So, the Nervous system? Billy: I have no idea what that’s all about, but just for the sake of the joke, I will say yes. Me: Cool! I kinda thought of specialising in Neurosurgery after Uni. B-But that’s really very far in the future, so it’s pretty irrelevant. Billy: Teach me your magic, babe, and let’s fuck them up big time.

Pretty excited, I got the books from the bag and handed them to him, showing him the tons of notes, scribblings, ideas, details and so on that I’ve gathered so far, and for the next 4 hours, everything we smoothly, but we had to leave because Leila had to close, and we decided to meet again on Monday at lunch time in the courtyard and study while we eat.

I have to admit, the time spent with Billy was…Well…Really nice. It seemed almost like he was a complete other person, not the scary guy who looked like he would snap at anyone if they even as much as blinked around him. Sure, he was a huge flirt, but it didn’t seem too…Ill-willed, to say the least. I just hope it won’t turn into a crush or something. I absolutely canNOT and will NOT allow myself to catch feelings…Not again…Not after everything that has happened. He is right. There is no Happily Ever After, so why bother?

The weekend passed by very fast as I prepared notes for both the project and some tutoring ideas for the Nervous System, since we had to start with the very beginning of Biology, so after the first 3 classes in the morning, I tried to rush outside, but I got pushed into a locker with a boy that I couldn’t recall the name of, but I knew was pretty popular…Like many others. I think his name was Dennis or something, and he wasn’t alone, but surrounded by 3 cheerleaders, Clarisse, Carol and Christine, or the Triple C as they were called.

Boy: Hey, freak, 'sup? Me: Uhm…Hi. Boy: Didn’t you hear me? SPEAK UP! Me: I-I Said hi! Boy: I SAID SPEAK UP!! Me: HI! Boy: Thaaat’s more like it, you ugly sow. Now, what the hell were you doing around King Billy? What you’re tryina get him to like you with that pity party of yours? Your face implores pity and sympathy, but you’re nothing more than a nerd! Me: W-We have to make a p-project together… Carol: Yeah, right, as if! You have the goo-goo eyes for him! Y'know, just 'cause he likes the bands you claim to like, doesn’t mean he likes YOU! I bet you only like that music 'cause HE likes it! Me: N-No…That’s not true…

By now, my eyes were watering, and Dennis pinned my wrists above my head and started screaming very close to my face. I could feel a panic attack beginning to form at an alarmingly fast rate.

Clarisse: Aww, look at her! What, gonna freak out again and cry? Christine: Pshh, yeah, right. What a stupid crybaby. Never got past the stage of a 10 year old? Dennis: You and your stupid red hair, better stop hanging out with Billy, or else you’re gonna get it. Me: B-But I h-have t-to- Carol: *slaps me* Billy. Is. Mine. Slut!

After she slapped me, everyone around started laughing and belittling me again, but I couldn’t get out of there because Dennis was exponentially stronger than me, so I knew there was no use in even bothering. A booming voice, however, echoed in the hallway, making me flinch at the noise. “SILENCE! What the hell is going on here?!” the deep voice rang out, a funeral silence taking over, only my soft whimpers being heard.

Dennis: STOP CRYING, YOU BITCH! Didn’t you hear our King asked for silence?! Me: S-Sorry… Dennis: And open your eyes when he’s here, stop being so disrespectful for someone clearly superior to you! Come on, now, on your knees, like the little bitch that you are!

Dennis laughed as he put his hand on my throat, squeezing a bit before throwing me to the ground, in front of Billy. I could only tremble on the ground, not daring to move. I learnt it the hard way that getting away always made it worse.

Billy is the most popular guy in the High school, making all the ex-popular guys hang out with him to gain popularity. He has always been the talk of the school, the womanizer, the rebel, the cool guy everyone loved and feared. Despite everything, I expected him to side with his friends…Even if a little part of me wished for him not to.

The silence in the halls was far more excruciatingly painful than the mockings and the laughter, but it soon vanished as a voice darker and lower than before started talking. He was clearly pissed off.

Billy: …What the fuck were you doing here…? Dennis: We were teaching this bitch a lesson, of course! Make her remember her rightful place! Clarisse: No, no, if you were doing that, you’d have thrown her in the trash bin, 'cause that’s what she is! Carol: Hey, Christine, look at her! She’s staying there like she wants to suck King Billy’s dick! What a shameless slut, on her knees in front of everyone! Billy: Did I, even once, ask ANY of you to do anything like this…? Dennis: Well, no, but she’s been rubbing her pathetic germs all over you! Following you like some lost puppy just 'cause you’re popular, and even more! Lying to us! Carol: Ha, yeah! She kept saying she’s dating you and that you already fucked! Pshh, whore! Me: I…Never… Carol: Oh, shut up, nobody cares what you’re saying, get a hint! Billy: Are you 4 fucking out of your GOD DAMN MINDS?! Dennis: Uhm…B-Billy, what’s the matter? Billy: WHO THE FUCK TOLD YOU TO DO THAT TO HER?! SHE’S MY PROJECT PARTNER AND MY TUTOR, OF COURSE SHE’S HANGING AROUND WITH ME! You fucking idiots, I’m gonna FUCKING KILL ALL OF YOU! All of you stay around me like whores on the sidewalk wanting to get some cheap money, but you’re all good for nothing! Dennis: Come on, Billy, you’re new here, but she’s a freak, okay? I mean, look at her! There are only bad rumours about her and you should hear what her EXes say about her!

Before Dennis could say another word, he was slammed on the locker behind him and choked. I cringed at the sudden noise, but when I saw the outright rage on Billy’s face as he choked Dennis, he drew back one of his arms, wanting to punch him, but I threw myself on his arm.

Me: Billy…Please don’t… Billy: Get back, dollface. This fuckass needs to be taught some discipline the hard way! Me: Billy…Please, I beg of you. Please let him go. Please. Billy: But look at you, they made you cry! I can’t let them get away with this! Me: Billy…Please, for me, please don’t do it. Please stop. Please. Let’s go work on the project. Please. I beg you with all my heart. Billy: *glaring* What the hell is wrong with everyone in this fucking town?! You’re all a bunch of submissive fucktards with no brains at all!

Billy sneered, throwing Dennis away from him and walking down the corridor. I took 3 deep breaths to calm myself, before I ran to him and hugged him tightly from behind, making him freeze in his tracks, extremely tense.

Me: I-I’m very sorry, Billy. I know I only bring you troubles. Even now, I can feel that you hate me touching you like this, but it was the only way I could think of thanking you. And…And…I really appreciate you saving me…And not fighting in my presence. Billy: I really don’t get you. You just stood there, letting them do whatever the hell they wanted with you! There was no struggle, no fight in you! Nothing!

By this point, I let my arms fall down my sides and he turned around to face me, yet my gaze was still on the floor.

Me: You really think I could have gotten out of there? That I could have managed to throw Dennis off of me? Look at me, Billy. My arms are literal noodles, I can’t even punch. Hell, sometimes I struggle to open the water bottle cap. And if I tried to scream…Who do you think would have helped me? Harrington? Wheeler? The lovely Carol and Tina? Or Tommy? The only person who was okay with me in this high school has been Jonathan Byers, but people hate him too, so I can’t possibly make him get bullied more because of me. What would you have me do? It’s been 3 years already…What’s one more? Billy: …You’re so godamn irritating. Me: I know…I’m sorry. I’m really sorry for causing you so much trouble. I…I will go tell Mrs. Green to assign you a new project partner and I will continue tutoring you, if you wish, where people won’t have to see us in the same room. Billy: Did I ask you to do that? Me: N-No, but- Billy: But nothing. Shut up and let’s go, you’re supposed to be tutoring me today. Me: I-I know, but we said outside, and if people see you with me- Billy: Then let’s skip. I don’t have Basketball practice today, so I don’t really care. Me: I-I…I never skipped before… Billy: *shrugs* There’s always a first time for everything. C'mon, if you get in trouble, you just say I kidnapped you or somethin’, chill out. Me: A-Are you sure about this…? Billy: Yeah, yeah. Hop along, I’ll drive. Me: Where are we going? Billy: My place. My parents won’t be coming home tonight so nobody to disturb us. Me: Uhm…Well… Billy: I won’t do anything to you, fuck’s sake. Me: W-Well…If you’re sure it’s no problem… Billy: Get in the car, then. Me: B-But my motorbike- Billy: You have a motorbike? Me: Y-Yeah…Couldn’t really afford a car. And it’s pretty neat. Billy: Fuck, babe, you’re so hot. Me: Ah, I-I’m really not. Billy: I’ll get ya to your house and pick you up tomorrow then. C'mon, sweet cheeks, lemme show you my love. Me: Okay, okay.

He winked at me before signaling me with his head to follow him to his car, where he patted the hood very proudly and smirked, leaning on the door. He got inside, starting the ignition, which was a cue for me to get inside too, putting on my seat belt and gripping it tightly.

Billy: How d'ya like it? Me: It’s very pretty. What car is it? Billy: '79 Camaro, Chevrolet. Complete chick magnet, ya get me? Me: It is very nice. Billy: Fancy some music! Me: Oh, yes!

Smirking at me, he put “You shook me all night long” by Scorpions at max volume, making me grin at him in glee and start singing the lyrics of the song, and he followed my lead, making both of us scream like idiots above the music. Then, the perfect Mixtape with AC/DC songs started, featuring “Highway to hell”, “Hells bells”, “You shook me all night long”, “Dirty deeds done dirt cheap” and my favourite, “T.N.T.”, but by the end of it, we already got to his house, which made me pout a bit before laughing and getting out of the car.

Me: Thanks for this, Billy! It was super fun! Nobody I know listens to the same kind of music I do, and being able to sing with someone else was sooo cool! Billy: Next time, try screaming my name, 'cause damn that was sexy as hell. Me: *laughs* Don’t be silly. Billy: *winks* I’m not.

He guided me to his room which was filled with band posters over which I started gushing about as he brought some snacks and soda for us to munch on as we study. I took off my boots before I jumped on the bed criss-crossed as I spread my noted for today’s tutoring, repeating some things myself, so I won’t stutter explaining too much, but before I realised it, he already threw the bags of crisps on the bed over my notes, making me yelp in shock.

Billy: You get scared pretty easily. Me: Y-Yeah, I mean, that was pretty unexpected. Uhm…Let’s clean up a bit, you made a mess of my notes. Oh, bring your notebook, you’ll need it. O-Oh, right, I brought coloured crayons, I wasn’t sure you had…And your sister might have needed them. Billy: How did ya know I had a sister? Me: Well, I kinda guessed. Both you and her transferred from Cali on the same day, at the same time. Billy: Why do you know about little brats? Me: *shrugs* I have a few little friends. They don’t mind that I’m a nerd…'Cause they are too. It’s pretty fun, actually! Billy: *raises eyebrow* Right. So, why’d I need crayons? Me: Drawings, of course! To understand Biology better, one must need tons of schemes and drawings. I already have mine and I will give them to you for as long as you need, but I’d appreciate it if you were to draw them by yourself too, since it will really help you understand and memorise better what you’re about the learn. Billy: Right…Okay, fine. Me: So, if it’s okay with you, should we start talking about Cells? Shapes, roles, the organelles inside it and what they do. Then, we should cover the tissues a bit, before starting to talk particularities, mainly, to explain the Neuron, how reflexes work and why, and then cover the nerves and organs. Billy: *blank look* Good luck. Me: Huh? What do you mean? Billy: It’s gonna be tough getting me to understand this shit. Me: I don’t think so. I have faith in you. Mrs.Green said that all your grades are above average, which is really good! If you manage to get a B at Biology as your final mark, then you have a very strong chance at a scholarship! Billy: How d'ya know that? Me: You are the best at sports, Billy. The teacher always praises you, despite all the…Uhmmm…L-Let’s call it problematic behaviour. I’m sorry. And, uhm…Our highschool has 1 Sports Scholarship, and 1 Studies Scholarship. Billy: And clearly, you’re the one to get the Studies one, right? Me: *blushes* Well…Y-Yes, it seems so. Billy: And how are you so sure I’m the one qualified for the Sports one? Me: Well…I…I spend a lot of time around teachers. It’s kind of a safe haven where nobody can bully me, and I get to find out a few things as well. Billy: Holy shit, you’re such a Vixen~! You, little, naughty vixen! Me: *chuckles* I…I’ve been called Fox before. Billy: And rightfully so. Me: Y-Yeah, carrot hair, I know. Billy: Oh, shush, it’s hot. And damn, looks damn good with your green eyes. Me: *clears throat* N-Nobody said that before. Uhm, s-so! As I was saying, because you’re currently the top choice…That’s actually why Mrs.Green wanted you to pair up with me. She saw potential in you and she didn’t want it wasted. Before you, there was Steve Harrington, but since you came… Billy: Oh, babe, trust me, I’m gonna come very soon if you keep praising me like that. Me: *confused* What do you mean? Billy: You…Didn’t get that? Me: *shakes head* Should I have? Billy: Never mind. So, what am I supposed to do? Me: Basically, get that B in Biology, win at least 3 of your upcoming Basketball matches until the end of the year…And I think it’s settled. Billy: I’d kiss you right now. Me: *scratches the back of my neck* You wouldn’t like it. So, uhm…Is this enough of a motivator for you? Billy: It could be…Okay, babe, work the hell outta me. Me: S-So, I was thinking, if it’s okay with you, that I should give you a test after each chapter we finish. Like a revision. I think it would be nice and it would help you not forget some things, and also, see where you didn’t understand well enough and all that stuff. Billy: What’s the passing grade, teacher? Me: *flustered* D-Don’t call me that, please, I would be a terrible teacher. I think…A 75% should suffice Billy: That’s quite a lot, babe. Me: *smiles* You can do it, Billy. Your future self is going to thank you for your struggles and hard work. Billy: How about a motivator? Me: Isn’t the Scholarship enough? Billy: It is…But Y'know, it’s gon’ be hard. Me: I suppose you’re right…Okay, what do you have in mind? Billy: *smirks* Each time I get a passing grade at your tests…Let me kiss you. Me: *eyes wide* Wh-What?! Billy: Aww, come on, babe, it’s just a kiss and it’s gon’ help motivate me to study hard. Don’t cha wanna help me get that scholarship? Me: *blushes furiously* I-I-I…Wh-Why w-would you want that?! Billy: Because you’re adorable as hell and I like you. Me: L-Like you like all girls? Billy: Who said I liked them? They’re all dumb and want the same thing. Can you guess? Me: *shrugs* Dunno. Billy: Come on, babe, think, you’re smart. Me: I guess? Billy: You’re the smartest babe I’ve ever got the pleasure to meet. All fucktards at school want just one thing, 'cause they’re all shallow brain dead suckers. They aaaaaall just wanna fuck. Me: A-And don’t you do the same? Billy: I do. Me: Th-Then why’d you want me to kiss you? To add me to your list or something? Billy: Nahh, I’d be a real shithead if I were to take advantage of you like that. Me: *mutters* Wouldn’t be the first one… Billy: *raises eyebrow* Do you trust me? Me: Don’t take it personal, I don’t really trust anyone. Billy: Huh. Not bad. Let’s make a deal, toots. I’ll do my best to raise up to your expectations and you’ll give me those little rewards. If by the time we finish everything you won’t be satisfied with how I behave, then you can hate me all your life and I won’t bother you again. Me: B-But I don’t wanna hate you. Billy: *gets closer to my face* Even better. So, wadya say, sweetling? Me: Uhmm…Well…I-I don’t know… Billy: Come on, Kitten, what’s the harm? It’s just a kiss. Me: *blushes* Uhm…Uhmmm…F-Fine…If it will help you… Billy: Thanks, babe! Now, how about I see what to expect~? Me: NO!

With each question, he just kept getting closer and closer to my face, while I leaned backwards, until the last where I got so flustered that I didn’t realise I was completely on the edge of the bed… Until I fell off with a high-pitched squeal and a thud, while he just laughed his ass off looking at me, as I pouted and looked at him done with life.

Me: You could’ve caught me, y'know? Billy: Sorry, toots, I was too shocked to realise. But, shoulda seen your face, t'was hilarious! Priceless! Me: Yes, yes, I’m hilarious, ha-ha! Just wait till you see how hilarious the tests are gonna be! And I’ll laugh in your face like you do right now! Billy: Ohhh, mrrrr, babe, you’re on fire! Fine, you’re on, then! But I’ll show ya it’s gon’ be worth it. Me: You better.

Stretching a bit I get back in bed next to him and putting on my best game-face, I grab the first pages of notes, the drawings and schemes and start explaining him in detail every little thing, telling him to repeat what I said from time to time, to make sure he stays focused, and make him explain what he understood so far, in his own words.

Despite everything, he was actually really great company to have and I’m kinda…Actually, really glad that Mrs.Green made me be his partner for this project, and more, tutor him. If only he could tone down his excessive flirting, he’s surprisingly soft and nice. Or well…That’s what I think. I could also be wrong, like I’ve been so many times before, and I wouldn’t be shocked in the least bit.

But…I really hope I’m not wrong.

Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8

@klassickb

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unfortunate-stranger-losers · 4 years

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Right-Side Up AU, Part Three: It’s the End of the World {AO3} {tumblr} {Part One} {Part Two}

Chapter Three → The Incident at the Pool

Dustin and Will returned very late, and Max noticed that though they were trying to say something, they weren’t able to get a word in edgewise over an exhausted-looking Nancy and annoyed-looking Steve lecturing them on splitting up from the others. Finally, Will said something to Dustin about “waiting for him before they talk to Mike”, which piqued her interest quite a bit, but as the drive home was filled with her and El laughing about a package they found in the car that held the ugliest t-shirt they’d ever seen, and Hopper proceeding to (fondly) yell at them about it, and that night she fell asleep quickly, she’d forgotten about the conversation by morning.

“Okay, so,” Max said, bouncing onto the edge of El’s bed, while her foster sister pulled her hair back into a small ponytail, “I was thinking we go up to the radio, just the two of thus. Catch up with the boys later.”

El hesitated. “I promised Mike that I’d see him first thing.”

“Yeah, just call and tell him I wanted to show you something. Then after the radio, I was hoping we could hit the arcade. We haven’t been in forever.”

El sighed. “Max, I’m sorry, but I don’t want to worry Mike.”

“You’ve seen him every day for six months on end, El, it won’t kill him if you only see him in the afternoon. You can even pick the place for lunch. Ooh! I know! Let’s go to the mall and get ice cream for lunch and bother the shit out of Steve!”

“Max, I promised. We don’t break promises.”

‘You promise every day.”

“Maybe tomorrow? I can ask Mike-”

“What is he, your owner?”

El glared at her. “He happens to be my boyfriend who I don’t want to scare the shit out of.”

“And I happen to be your best friend and sister.”

Something about Max’s snap, the glare in her eyes as she spoke, awakened a memory in El, one that made her pause.

I’m here. I’m here and you left me behind.

Shit.

El shut her eyes, blinking back tears, and she turned around and gave a surprised Max a hug. “I’m sorry.” she said. “I’m sorry, it’s just… I thought he was dead. I…” She pulled away. “Look. Maybe we can go to the arcade tomorrow. Let’s just go to the Byers’ right now. See what happens.”

Max bit her lip. “I… I’ll just go by myself. Maybe stop by the pool. You guys have fun.”

“What? No-”

“I’m fine. I’m fourteen, and killed the devil twice.” Max shrugged. “I’ll take the skateboard. Have fun.”

“But-”

Max stood up and left, refusing to look back.

“Hey, Mike, do you know a lot of Russian?” Dustin asked.

Mike glanced up from the sofa, where he was threading together a bracelet for El. “What?”

Dustin leaned over conspiratorially. “Russian. You speak?”

Mike gave the boys a quick glance; Lucas was sitting by the window with a book Nancy had lent him, while Will sat on his other side, bouncing and holding something in his hands.

“No.”

Dustin’s face flickered. “What?”

“I mean, I know a bit. But not enough to speak. Just enough to… transmit.” he scrunched up his face. “Why?”

“Um-”

The door opened, and El ran in, her bag slinging over her shoulder. “Sorry we’re late! Dad had to make sure that Max had all her stuff packed up and could reach him if-”

Will paused, sliding something into his pocket. “She’s not here?”

“She, um, wanted to go to the arcade today.” El said. “If you boys wanna go, I mean…”

“I’d like to go to the Arcade. It’s fun.” Lucas said.

“Actually, Will and I-” Dustin began.

“I, um… do you know where… where Nancy’s family will be?” Mike asked.

El’s face fell. “Mike, really, you should probably talk to them.”

“No, I’ll… I’ll stay here.” Mike said. He scooted back. “I wanted to show you this thing Jonathan taught me- look!” He held up the almost-finished bracelet. “This is for you! I was thinking we could make these today, it’s super calming!”

El’s eyes lit up. “That does look like fun-”

“I think I wanna go see Steve.” Dustin said suddenly, shooting Will a significant look. “Will, you wanna come?”

Will squirmed uncomfortably. “I can’t go out without a chaperone.”

“I’m your chaperone.” Dustin said. “I’m allowed out in public, remember? I’m Steve’s baby cousin.”

El glanced back at the door, and then to the boys. “Feel like it’s a bad idea to split up.”

“We’ll be fine.” Dustin assured her. “Besides, if Lucas is leaving, we wanna go, too.”

“Lucas is-” El glanced back, to see that Lucas had already shoved his book into his bag and was getting his shoes on. “Oh. I mean…” She looked to Mike, who was back to his bracelet, his brow furrowed in concentration. “I mean…” she sighed. “Guess we’re… all splitting up today. Okay. Cool. Not worrying at all.”

Joyce looked up as the bell rang, signalling someone had come into the store. She and Hopper were chatting over the counter again while she rung up his recent purchase- just some sparklers for the girls on Independence Day for now. She smiled and waved as Nancy came in, though her smile dropped when she saw Nancy’s serious expression.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“Hey, my bosses think I’m at the doctor’s for ‘girl problems.’” Nancy said, and then she turned to Hopper. “I was hoping you’d be here, I need your help.”

Hopper and Joyce both stiffened. “What happened?” Hopper asked.

Nancy paused. “Do you know Ms Driscoll? She called the paper, said there were… there was weird shit going on with the rats in her basement. They’re eating her fertilizer.”

“What?”

“Eating fertilizer, and Jonathan and I already went, and the rat there is… it’s acting really weird, I think you need to see it.”

“Do you think it’s connected to…?” Hopper asked.

Nancy paused. “I don’t know. I was hoping the paper would do something but they won’t.” she sighed. “I’m just Nancy Drew to them, except people actually listen to her. I’d do more, but…” she shut her eyes. “Much as I hate to admit it, I need this shitty job.”

“Honey, if you want to quit-” Joyce said.

“I’m not letting you handle everything by yourself, Ms Byers.” Nancy said, smiling and putting a hand over the woman’s. “But I… I need you to check it over for me, if you…” her voice trailed off, and she looked down at the floor. “Ms Byers, are those magnets broken?”

“What?” Joyce followed her gaze, looking at the ground, where some magnets had fallen from the side of the desk. “Oh. I don’t know. Maybe? Do magnets break?”

Nancy paused, moving over and trying to put the magnet back. It slid to the ground. “One of Holly’s drawings did the same thing…” she muttered. Then she shook her head and turned back. “Nevermind. Can you at least check it out?”

Hopper nodded. “We’ll make sure it’s… nothing to worry about.”

“Thank you.” Nancy smiled, and then she glanced at the magnets again. “I… I need to get back.” She narrowed her eyes, though, and then said, “Hop, what’s El’s science teacher’s name again?”

“Max! Hey, Max!”

Max stopped her skateboard a moment, kicking it up and looking behind her, surprised to see Lucas running towards her, waving brightly.

“Um, hey?” she said.

“Hi!” Lucas skidded to a stop next to her. “El said you were going to the arcade, I thought we could both go!”

Max brightened slightly. “Just the two of us?”

“I wanted the others to come, but-”

“But they were busy.” Max guessed. “Yeah. Well, I’m going past the pool first. Wanna see how busy it is- if it’s not too bad, maybe we can stop by later. I haven’t been swimming in so long, but I cannot do crowds.”

Lucas nodded seriously. “Crowds are loud.”

“And rude.” Max groaned. She smiled, though, as Lucas walked beside her. “Why do you wanna come?”

“Arcade’s fun. And it’s…” Lucas paused. “It’s nice focusing on a game. It’s very…”

Max nodded, understanding. “Distracting.”

Lucas bit his lip. “Yeah. You’re not thinking about… stuff that happened. You’re thinking about-”

“Saving Princess Daphne.” Max said. “Getting away from the ghosts.”

“Getting highest-score.”

“Highscore, Lucas. And you’re not getting the highscore, it’s always gonna be me.”

“Hmm. We’ll see.”

“Is that a challenge?”

“It could be!”

“Oh, it’s on, stalker!”

Lucas frowned. “Are you ever gonna let that go?”

“Never. I’m never gonna let that go.”

They passed by the pool, glancing through the chain link fence, and Max stopped, looking in. “Shit.” she said. “Crowded again.”

“Everything seems crowded to me.” Lucas admitted, curiously watching children splash each other, while adults chatted in chairs beside the water.

Max bit her lip. Sometimes, in how wild they’d been the last few months, it was easy to forget that this truly was Lucas’s first summer of freedom. It was weird; he acted so… well, not normal, but maybe as normal as she and El had been, before all this shit went down. He didn’t know a lot of things, true, but he went out into town with her and El and Dustin, and talked nonstop about a TV show or book he’d recently fallen in love with, and… sometimes she forgot what life had been like for him. She wondered how easy it was for other people to forget what had happened to her, the last two years. Hopefully it was easier for them than it was for her.

“Do you wanna try going in later?” Max asked. “You haven’t been to the pool before, have you?”

Lucas shook his head. “I don’t know if I have a swimsuit.”

“We can find one at the mall, I’m sure. I have some allowance left over from…” she trailed off, looking towards a table in the corner. Several lifeguards were chatting under the shade of a small umbrella, but one, in the corner- who was silently staring in their direction, or maybe into nothingness- seemed… eerily familiar. It was hard to tell from this distance…

“Max?”

Max jumped. “Sorry, it’s just… that almost looks like… no, no, he left town.”

“Who?” Lucas tensed up. “Bad man?”

“Not… not one of your people.” Max said quickly. “Just…”

The lifeguard stood, and started walking over. Max found herself completely frozen in place.

Don’t freak out, Max. You’ve beaten monsters from another dimension. He shouldn’t scare you… it can’t be him. It can’t be…

But as he got closer, Max saw that he was.

“Max?” Lucas said again, this time a little frightened. Max could barely glance at him before turning back to the lifeguard, who slowly managed to reach the fence.

Then carefully, blankly, she said, “Billy.”

Her stepbrother looked down her, and just as blankly, said, “Max.”

Lucas tensed. She hadn’t exactly talked to him about Billy much but… he knew enough that he wasn’t a nice man. Max and Billy stared for a moment, and then Max said, “I thought you left town.”

“Well, my bitch of a Dad still owns the house, and I need a place to crash.” Billy said. “So I’m back for the time being. I see you’re not dead.”

Max felt a pang. She forgot that he’d thought she was dead. Everyone did. “I… happy to see me?” She really wished there wasn’t that tinge in her voice, that tinge of hope. Did you miss me, Billy? Big brother?

“Not especially.” he said, without a hint of lying.

Max felt another pang. “Mom and Neil left to look for you.”

“Did they tell you that?” Billy scoffed, eyebrow raising. “They ditched you, Max.”

She suddenly felt cold. Mom wouldn’t… “No.”

“They didn’t want to deal with a stubborn little bitch who runs away and makes everyone think she’s dead.”

“No.”

“They dumped you on the first guy who would take you and left. How does it feel?”

Lucas reached over and grabbed Max’s hand. “Stop it.” he said. “Stop it, her parents love her, and Hopper and El-”

“Lucas.” Max shook her head wildly, trying to shush him.

Billy raised an eyebrow. “Well, well. Who’s this?”

“Billy.”

“What are you doing hanging around with this-”

Max threw her hand in front of Lucas, pushing him back slightly, causing the boy to jump with surprise. “Don’t you dare.”

Billy leaned over, putting his hand on the chain link fence, and then said in a very quiet voice, “And what do you think you can do to stop me?”

Max shivered. “Hopper-”

“Oh, yeah, your… what is he? ‘Temporary Guardian’? You think that makes you safe? The second your bitch of a mother, or Neil, or your crackhead Dad wants you back, they get you back. And you won’t be able to do shit about it.”

“Stop it.”

“You know what, Maxine?” Billy said. “I bet if you bother me too much, I could get custody.”

“Stop it! Shut up!”

“Leave her alone!” Lucas shouted, and he grabbed Max’s arm to drag her away with one hand, instinctively throwing out his other palm. As he did, a bright flash of light burst forth, flickering out of existence after only a moment. However, the second the light emerged, Billy stumbled back as if he had been struck. He let out a startled snarl and threw his arms over his face, backing into the shadow a nearby shed offered.

Max jumped. “Billy! Billy, are you okay?”

He retreated more into the shade, and Max felt something dark- the same thing she’d felt in the movie theater, the same creeping feeling inside. “Billy, what’s wrong?”

Suddenly, he ran forwards, as if to charge through the fence. Max retreated, dragging Lucas with her, but Billy stopped just by the chain link. He froze, before banging on the chain. Max tried to look over his shoulder towards the pool, but nobody seemed to notice. Nobody was coming to help.

“Stay away from me, Maxine.” he growled. “And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay away from him.” he gave Lucas a glare, and Lucas just glared defiantly back.

Max opened her mouth to retort, to say something, anything, but instead, she just shut her eyes, spun away, and ran.

#stranger things #stranger things 3 #stranger things au #rightside up au #rsu3 #mine #my fanfic #st fanfic

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longlivthemagic · 5 years

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christmases when you were mine (byler) (or byeler u do u ig)

hello hoez and bros and mistletoes i decided that this festive season needed some byler angst sO here’s a christmas au. It’s a mess and kinda sad and all over the place but hey !! oh well. Also the spacing is weird st the end because I hit the limit oops

—

Please take down the mistletoe

Because I don't want to think about that right now

Mike sat alone on the steps while the rest of his family hastily got Christmas dinner prepared. As he turned, he saw his aunt and uncle meet under the mistletoe. He quickly snapped his gaze away back towards the window.

“Miiiike,” Will chuckled, rolling his eyes at his best friend, “It’s cold. I think the boys are done wrapping our gifts now.”

“One more minute? I don’t know how much longer I can stand in there listening to them argue over Star Treck.” Mike looked at Will, who looked adorable in Mike’s jacket. Not that he would ever tell him that. “Fine. You win.”

Will smiled and ran on to the door, waiting for Mike before opening it. As he did so, Dustin, Lucas, Max, and El all suspiciously were leaning against the wall a few feet away.

“What are y-“ Mike has started, but was quickly interrupted by Max, who coughed loudly and pointed up to above them.

There hung a newly placed mistletoe, which was not there when they had gone outside.

“I- uh-“ Mike started, but was once again interrupted (except this time he didn’t mind) with Will cupping his face and planting a soft kiss on him. He kissed back after the original shock wore off, and Will pulled away with a small embarrassed grin and face red.

That was only two years ago, when they were 15. Mike desperately wished he could go back to those days, with the cuddling and the hugs from behind. But he couldn’t. And it was his fault.

My momma's in the kitchen, worrying about me

Season's greetings, hope you are well

Well I am doing alright

If you were wondering

Lately I can never tell

Nothing felt real to Will. This was his first Christmas without Mike since he was 6. He felt empty, and it showed. Joyce and Hopped were whispering in the kitchen about what to do with him, but he tuned them out.

No matter what had happened two months ago, Will would always wish the best for Mike. And he hated that about himself, so much. He wished that he could just be mad, but he could never bring himself to be. He was more mad at himself than anything.

Was he not good enough?

Did Mike actually care about him?

He didn’t know. Aimlessly, he wandered around the living room.

After awhile, Mike had stopped showing up to his door every day begging to see him. He stopped showing up at all. To their lunch table, to their club meetings, and even to Lucas’s birthday party.

“Mike was supposed to be here two hours ago.” Dustin solemnly stated, staring at his hands. “I’m sorry Lucas, I don’t think he’s coming.”

“He’s your best friend- of course he’s coming.” Will hopefully replied, anxiously glancing at the door. He had been dreading seeing Mike all day, but had mentally prepared himself enough so he wouldn’t break down when he saw him.

“No, he’s not coming. And he shouldn’t. I shouldn’t have even invited him.” Lucas muttered, angrily throwing a cushion at the door.

“Don’t say that-“ Max calmly stated, giving Lucas a sorrowful look.

“No! He deserves it, after what he did to Will. Cheated on him on their meet-a-versary?” Lucas took a seat next to Will defensively. Lucas had always been protective of him and his feelings, and he was not very forgiving towards Mike after he found out about it.

“He was drunk, I guess. It’s okay. I just- this day is about you, Lucas.” Will replied, smiling easy but gently at him. It broke his heart to talk about. But what broke his heart even more was that Mike was distancing himself from everyone else too, and the Party was thrown into the whole mix.

“Do you wanna call him?” El muttered softly from behind Will.

Will felt his eyes water, and he turned to face her. “I don’t wanna talk to him- or about him. Ever again.”

I have been doing fine without you, really

Up until the nights got cold

Eleven nodded and hugged Will quickly before making her way back to the kitchen. Will turned to the window to see that it was snowing.

He had hated snow ever since the Shadow Monster, but Mike— no. He wasn’t thinking about him.

Or maybe he was. Maybe he always was.

Maybe, just maybe, he missed Mike’s long hugs, his cozy sweaters he would borrow, the never ending cuddles, and the warm fuzzy feeling that engulfed him whenever Mike would hold his hand.

Mike had kept him warm, but now he had no choice but to wear his own itchy sweater and hug himself as he sat on the floor against the couch, reminiscing.

When you were putting up the lights this year

Did you notice one less pair of hands

Mike had somehow managed to slip out of the house after Holly had broken his mother’s favorite china. Now he walked along the side of the road, heading down the familiar path to Will’s house.

As he trotted along, he noticed Christmas trees hanging in every window. There were lights on every house, lighting up the block, and for a second, he could see him and Will a year ago, giggling as they tried to set up decorations.

“3,2,1, go!” Mike yelled, lifting Will on his shoulders so that the small boy could set the star on top of the tree.

Will, after almost knocking over the tree, managed to place the star in an acceptable position and hopper down, hugging his taller boyfriend.

“Light time?” Will mumbled into Mike’s sweater. Mike mumbled a ‘mhm” and reluctantly pulled away, grabbing a box full of rainbow lights.

The two boys laughed and yelled, “Representation!” Every time they hung up a set of the colorful lights. They had managed to spell out W + M 4ever with them in Will’s living room.

He wished they had been right, and it would’ve been forever. It could’ve been, maybe, if Troy hadn’t threatened to hurt Will if Mike didn’t break things off. He shouldn’t have listened to him, and he knew that, but he was worried. Now his lie had dug him a grave, and ruined everything good in his life.

It ruined Will.

I know this should not be a lonely time

But there were Christmases when I did not wonder how you are tonight

Because there were Christmases when you were mine

Mike now found himself at the Byer’s driveway. Knocking would be weird, and he didn’t want to upset Will. He just wanted to make sure he was okay.

Maybe for selfish reasons too, as Mike knew that seeing Will might make him feel a little less lonely.

He dragged himself over to the living room window, where he saw Will crying against their old beaten down sofa. His heart immediately shattered. He wondered if something had happened, or if this was his doing.

Mike started crying too at some point, and he and Will made eye contact. Now he broke Will’d heart and managed to creep him out. Good job, Micheal. Will shot up in surprise and wiped his eyes, frowning in concern and opening his window.

Mike considered climbing inside, and telling Will he was sorry and that he lied to protect him. But he also considered the possibility that if he did that, he could hurt Will even more. He deliberated for a second before opening his mouth to speak.

“Merry-“ he hiccuped, embarrassingly looking down. “Merry Christmas, Will.”

#byeler #byler #stranger things #lumax #byclair

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diarythebookwyrm · 5 years

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Thoughts on Stranger Things 3

So Stranger Things 3 aired almost two weeks ago. I binge-watched the entire season on that Friday afternoon/evening/night. Naturally, that meant I had to take some time to sort through what I had just watched. I have since sorted through my thoughts and decided to share them.

Below the cut, because this is gonna get long and I don’t wanna spoil anybody who hasn’t caught up yet.

So...first, some character thoughts.

This season absolutely cemented in my mind exactly which characters are my favorites and which I couldn’t care less about. This is particularly true of the two main characters who just rub me the absolute wrong way; Jonathan Byers and Mike Wheeler.

Now, I’ve had issues with Jonathan since season one. Let’s explore why that’s the case, shall we? Within the first half of the season, Jonathan not only stalked Nancy but took pictures of her naked and having sex without her knowledge or consent. That’s already pretty damned creepy, but it gets worse when you remember that Nancy is a minor. Jonathan’s pictures count as child pornography by the modern definition. Yes, this is in the 80s, but that doesn’t make it any less creepy. Yes, he and Nancy have “shared trauma” after being in the Upside Down for a short time, but that...is not enough to build a relationship on??? Then the way he and Nancy do end up together is sketchy at best.

So...yeah. Jonathan is not my favorite character.

As for Mike...

Mike, Mike, Michael, Mikey. He is my absolute least favorite of the original Party. Why? Because he’s a selfish, entitled little asshole. I have two younger brothers; one five years and one ten years younger than me. I’ve lived in a house with a 13-15-year-old boy when I myself was 18-20. It was...a trial, to say the least. But Mike takes the typical early teen boy angst and dials it right up to thirteen. Not eleven; thirteen.

In this season, that was just emphasized even more than the past two seasons for me. His behavior towards Hopper has always been a bit of a pain for me to watch, but this season it just got worse. Just because Mike is El’s first boyfriend, he acts like that means he’s entitled to all her time and attention. Hopper was completely justified in flipping out the way he did.

Which brings me to Hopper’s characterization this season. I thought it was perfectly in line with the man we’ve spent so much time with so far. For one thing, this is the mid-to-late 80s.

Let me put that in perspective for everyone. My dad was about Steve Harrington’s age in the mid to late 80s (my mom was about Nancy’s age). My dad was a bit of a...snark as a kid. My grandfather was and still is a very down-to-earth and straight-shooting man. He did not put up with my dad’s bullshit. Full stop. End of story. Hopper is similar to my grandfather in that respect. The scene where Hopper gets Mike alone and then lays down the law? My grandfather would have pulled that if he had a daughter with a snarky, disrespectful asshole of a boyfriend.

Hopper is also raising a teenage girl for the first time. His daughter died before she ever reached her teen years, so Hopper is figuring out what is the best method for handling things like a first boyfriend or a girl’s nights at the house. This is a man who spent years after his daughter’s death living as a confirmed bachelor who was a bit of a slob because he was also self-medicating with alcohol. I’m honestly surprised he didn’t actually follow through on the thought to kill Mike.

Joyce was, as always, my favorite of the parents. She’s a wonderful mother who is just trying to keep shit going for her boys’ sakes more than her own. I can’t really blame her for wanting to move out of Hawkins after what happened with Bob. Did that mean I enjoyed that plotline? No, of course I didn’t. But that doesn’t mean it was a bad one.

Murray was...Well, Murray. I did like his interactions with Hopper and how he’s the only person who actually was calling Hopper by his first name.

Nancy’s plotline in this season...it felt a little weak to me, I’ll be honest. Ever since Nancy and Jonathan got together last season (which...again, I think that was poorly handled from the start), Nancy has not been my favorite person. Am I saying she should have stayed with Steve? Absolutely not. It’s very clear that Nancy was not nearly as invested in that relationship as Steve was. I honestly think that if Nancy were not in any relationship, her story might have been a bit better written. As it is, she just feels like she’s filler alongside Jonathan while Steve actually grows as a person.

Steve, as always, is continuing to grow and develop in ways neither Nancy nor Jonathan has in the course of the show. When we first meet Steve, he’s the hot man on campus, the popular jock, etc. etc. etc. Did he do and say some problematic things? Yes. But, I would like to remind everyone of just what kind of dumbasses we all were at seventeen. Do you remember being seventeen? I do. I was a bitch. And it’s very clear in season one that most of Steve’s assholery comes from having shitty friends as much as anything. He had a point about Jonathan being a creep, and while breaking the camera might have been extreme, it was certainly justified. I think the worst thing he did was helping with spray painting Nancy “The Slut” Wheeler on the sign, and that was clearly more something that Tommy H. came up with. He even stayed behind to help clean the graffiti up. Was Steve an idiot in season one? Yes, but I still loved him even then because I saw potential and he has more than lived up to that.

The rest of the Party along with Max and El remained pretty firmly where they had been in my estimation before season three with only Max and Will moving slightly higher up on my list. Lucas has never been my favorite, but neither is he my least favorite. Dustin is my son and I will protect him. Will has grown on me and I just want to bundle him up in a blanket and feed him cookies. El is, as she always has been, a badass. Max wasn’t necessarily my favorite last season, but I didn’t dislike her, and she’s certainly grown on me with this season.

Robin and Alexei are darlings and I love them both dearly. Erica...yeah. Those of us with younger siblings either are like “yeah, been there” or find Erica a bit too close to home to enjoy. I’ll let you judge for yourself where she falls.

Now for the one character I never thought I would ever feel sympathy for: Billy. When Billy entered the show in season two, I hated him. I hated everything about him, and that was kind of the point. We were supposed to hate him. What I think is a great credit to both the writers and Dacre Montgomery’s portrayal of Billy is the fact they did invoke sympathy from me this season. Billy has still done awful things, but as I watched him become the pawn of the Mind Flayer, I actually felt sorry for him. Dacre was amazing in this role, and I’ll never forget the scene where El and he are facing off in the Starcourt Mall. It’s one of the most poignant scenes in the entire series, as far as I’m concerned.

Moving past the single characters and into the relationships:

I...have never shipped Mileven or Max/Lucas. Why? Because they are children. Mike and Eleven are about 12-13 when they meet, so...for me, the idea of shipping children has never sat well with me. It’s part of why I don’t actively ship series-era Kataang in Avatar: The Last Airbender. By season three, Mike, Eleven, Lucas and Max are about 14-15 which...is better, but not by much. I’m twenty-nine, so for me, those are babies. Also, they’ll grow up and probably have other loves in their life. Shipping children that young is problematic because most people don’t stay with their first love forever. It’s considered healthy to have multiple early loves, and I think that’s part of why I was so adamantly against Mileven this season.

I’ve already addressed some of my biggest issues with Jancy from last season, and I mentioned that I just felt like they were filler this season. Also, Nancy talking about “what if I just...don't let you go” made me facepalm so hard. Again, Jonathan is one of Nancy’s first loves. Few people stay with their high school boyfriend for the rest of their lives. True, it was certainly more common in the 50s-80s, but that doesn’t mean it’s something that should inspire great shipping material. Nancy is at least 17 or 18 in season three. She’s still figuring out what she wants out of life, and so is Jonathan. Making them out to be this great romance that will last forever is just...weird?

Jopper...Jopper broke my heart this season. I’d shipped it on the side since season one, but put it on the back burner when I saw how happy Joyce was with Bob. This season, it just reminded me why I love the dynamic between Joyce and Hopper. I’m so sad that they’ll never have that date at Enzo’s, and I wish the writers would stop making Joyce watch the man she thinks she could settle down with die horribly.

The plot:

I knew the Mind Flayer was going to be the Big Bad, so that was no surprise. What was surprising was the army of the Flayed, and I rather enjoyed that. The Russians were a wonderful addition as far as I’m concerned. I loved the way it was handled, both comedically and dramatically. It makes sense to me that if American scientists discovered the Upside Down, the Russians would have too. I mean, this is the end of the Cold War after all. America and Russia were constantly racing against one another to find the next great discovery first.

Overall, I loved this season. It was not a let-down in any way for me, apart from the focus on certain characters that still irk me. Also, I’ll just be in my lovely house on the river Denial quietly shipping Jopper.

#stranger things #spoilers #my thoughts

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