#and when a new cool one comes around I drop everything else forever

[porcelaindoll-exe]

☇ SECRET — E.M.

— pairing ；Eddie Munson x Fem!Popular!Reader

— summary ；Y/N's convinced her boyfriend is embarrassed to be with her in public, why else would he want to keep their relationship a secret?

— warnings ；Fluff, Angst, Swearing, Season 4 content, Eddie and Reader misunderstanding each other.

— A/N ；I'm normally a slut for Steve Harrington, yet here I am, writing for my new favourite character. This is my first fic on tumblr, so feel free to leave a comment on how I did! Requests are open for any stranger things character, feel free to drop one! ♡

— word count ；3,089.

You loved his hands.

No matter where they were, they always felt amazing, running through your hair or simply rubbing up the sides of your waist, it was as if they had been graced by god.

"G'morning, sweetheart."

Eddie's breath fanned against your neck as he shifted, pressing open mouthed kisses on the sensitive skin, his hands coming up to rub your stomach as pulled you closer.

"Morning, Eds.."

You mumbled back as you snuggled your back into his chest, his fluffy hair tickling at your cheek as he moved around, making sure to cover your entire neck with kisses.

"You slept well, right? I slept like a fucking baby."

Eddie chuckled, the vibrations against your skin sending shivers up your spine, your hands coming down to interlace your fingers with his.

"Yeah, I slept well... Your bed's way comfier than mine..."

You firmly believed that was a fact.

Even in the small dingy caravan he shared with his uncle, his room seemed like a safe space from the rest of the world.

A little isolated corner in Hawkins for the both of you to relax after school, away from everyone else and every problem you had.

You'd spend hours lying in bed in his arms, his face snuggled into your neck much like he was now, his warm hands roaming your body and finally resting on your breasts or stomach; some random vinyl that he had put on hours ago forgotten in the background.

It had been the first time you had actually slept overnight at his caravan, and it truly felt like heaven. His warm body encasing you as you slept, his light snores filling the room once he nodded off, the sounds the TV made from the living room mixing in pleasantly with his own noises.

Although you wished you could stay forever in his arms, feeling the cool air coming in through the window from behind the curtains, listening to his random thoughts and feeling his sweet kisses, you knew everything good had to end.

Eddie pulled his arms from around you, pressing one last kiss to your jaw before leaning up and stretching his arms into the air, making his shirt ride up and reveal his tummy, a yawn leaving his mouth once he had finished his obligatory morning stretches.

"Fuck... Wish I could stay longer here, sweetheart, but duty calls. Got a campaign to organise for tonight, the guys have been cheewing my ear off all week."

He leaned down, pressing a quick kiss to your cheek before getting up onto his feet and making his way to the bathroom, a faint "hey" coming from outside as he said hello to his uncle.

You shifted underneath the duvet (which smelt just like Eddie, although a bit more weed-ish than he did), looking up at the poster of Black Sabbath he had pinned to the wall right next to his bed, claiming that it was as if god looked down on him while he slept, when for you and everyone else it was just another rock poster among all the others.

As you heard the shower go on, you sighed, knowing that you should probably get up yourself, not wanting to intrude in his uncle's home more than you already had.

Even if he claimed that he didn't mind, that he was glad that Eddie had found someone and was actually going out more often due to you and his club, you couldn't help but feel nervous around the man, feeling as if you always overstayed your welcome.

He would embarrass Eddie in front of you, taking on the roll of the typical mother and showing you pictures of a small Eddie in baths or wearing sunglasses that were too big for his tiny head, the boy whining and complaining the whole time until he was able to pull you away from suffering even more embarrassment.

His uncle claimed that you two were like those cheesy couples he'd watch on late night TV, the picture of a perfect relationship.

Your relationship with Eddie was in fact perfect, everyone knew that.

Well, everyone would know that if you actually came out as a couple.

For some unknown reason, the first few dates you had had with him were done in secret, up on top of a hill at night or in his caravan after school.

You hadn't mentioned it at first, thinking maybe he was new to dating or that he simply felt more comfortable alone, which you of course weren't going to judge.

But you started to gain suspicion when he shot down your ideas of going out together to somewhere like Starcourt (when it was still up and running), or simply meeting up at school to have lunch together.

Then when you had finally started dating, he asked you to keep it a secret for a while until he was ready, but that 'while' quickly turned into half a year.

You loved Eddie, you really did. But sometimes you wondered... Did he love you the way you did? Was he embarrassed of you? Did he feel uncomfortable being around you when you were with other people?

Your thoughts were interrupted as Eddie came back in, his hair slightly damp from the condensation and a towel wrapped around his waist as he walked around the dimly lit room to try and find his clothes.

You smiled at the way he rummaged through that big pile of clothes on his chair, pulling away one of your bras in confusion before throwing it over his shoulder, continuing with his quest to find wearable clothes for that day.

"Here, let me-"

You pulled the curtains away from the window, rolling your eyes as Eddie hissed dramatically as the rays of the morning sun hit his skin, striking a vampire like pose with his arm covering half his face, stopping instantly as he saw your eye roll, watching you start to tidy up his bed.

"You're killing me here, babe."

He mumbled under his breath, grabbing his Hellfire shirt and slipping it on, turning away from you to pull down the towel and put some boxers and trousers on.

You couldn't help but sneak a peak at his ass as he leaned down to pick his clothes up, blushing bright red as he quickly shimmied into his jeans, finally noticing your stare when he turned his head around, smirking proudly before clapping his hands together and snapping you out of it, motioning to your discarded clothes on the floor.

"C'mon, you want a ride or not?"

You stopped as you leaned down to grab your bra, turning to look at him in confusion as you slowly moved to pick your underwear up.

"A ride?"

"Yeah, a ride, y'know, vroom vroom?"

He moved his hands as if he were holding a steering wheel, staring back at you with the same confusion written across his face.

"I- I know what a ride is, Eddie! I'm not stupid!"

"Then why are you acting like I just spoke russian?"

You blinked owlishly at him, forcing yourself to rip your stare away from him and back down to your clothes, fiddling with a loose string from your underwear that stuck out.

Truth be told, Eddie had never offered you a ride.

Well, that was a lie. You had been in his car million of times, whether it be to make out or to drive you to his house, but he had never once offered to take you to school.

He picked you up sometimes after your club had ended, when there were barely any people hanging around the school grounds, saying a brisk hello before latching onto your lips once the car doors were closed.

Even when you mentioned on the phone that you'd be walking to school from your house or that Robin and Steve were going to pick you up, he simply hummed and wished you a safe ride.

He never once volunteered himself to take you to school.

"Hey, love? You're not blacking out on me are you?"

His voice and his sudden touch on your shoulder made you turn around to look at him, his lips turned up into that goofy smile of his, fingers softly squeezing your shoulder to make sure you were okay.

"Yeah, yeah- It's just, you've never really driven me to school..."

Now it was Eddie's turn to look away, inhaling sharply and kissing his teeth, fiddling with one of the rings that he had accidentally left on while sleeping, the cool metal feeling nice against his warm fingers.

"I uh- I'm not going to make you walk all the way from here, am I?"

Eddie could be a dick sometimes, but he wouldn't go to the lengths of making you walk from the caravan park to Hawkins High while he drove there, he wasn't that type of guy.

Still, you couldn't help but feel guilty at the thought that maybe- just maybe, he felt obliged to giving you a ride simply because he would feel bad for making you go to school alone.

"I thought you were embarrassed of being with me..."

You suddenly muttered underneath your breath, Eddie almost getting whiplash from how quick he turned to look at you, his eyes blown out wide as his mouth opened and closed, much like a fish out of water would.

"Wh- Embarrassed? Of you? Never! Why would you-"

He tripped over his own words, hands moving around as he tried to articulate the words he couldn't find, and if you weren't in the middle of being upset, you would have found it quite endearing.

"You're embarrassed of being with me! That's why you want to keep this a secret, right?"

You said, trying your best to not let your voice crack, but it ended up being in vain, since you ended up sounding like a teen going through puberty.

His warm hands instantly found yours as he realised how upset you actually were, bringing them up to his lips and peppering kisses over your knuckles, muttering "no", over and over as he shook his head.

He couldn't believe what he was actually hearing.

Embarrassed? Of you?

You were one of the most, hell, scratch that; the most beautiful girl in Hawkins! Why would he be embarrassed of being around you?!

His kisses halted as he let go of your hands, looking down at you with a concerned look, his fingers coming up to tuck a strand of your hair behind your ear, wiping away a few stray tears that had started to form with his knuckles.

"Why'd you think that? Why would I ever be embarrassed of you, darling? You're perfect..."

You looked away from his dark gaze, shrugging your shoulders, knowing that if you opened your mouth right then it would all come out messy, probably making the poor guy even more confused.

Yet, he deserved to know what you were thinking, right? That was how relationships worked.

You took a deep breath, turning your head to look back at him and finally spoke. "You always go on these rants about the popular kids being dicks, yet you spent like... Half a year making out with me... Even if I'm one of those so-called dicks."

Eddie's face softened, bringing his hands up to cup your cheeks and nodded, egging you on to continue, letting you know that he would listen.

"You want to keep us a secret because you're worried that people will see you as a liar when they see you dating one of the people that you claim you hate."

You felt bad for saying all these things, but you couldn't help but finally get it off your chest, all those feelings that you had pushed down for his sake, scared that maybe he'd get angry at you for not respecting his wishes and dump you, even with the knowledge that Eddie wasn't like that.

He wasn't one of those dicks that went from girl to girl, not caring about their feeling nor the consequences of their actions. Eddie was nothing like them.

He was the sweetest person you had ever met, making sure you were always comfortable around him, that his antics never scared you, that you were okay whenever he saw you mildly tense... He even introduced you to his uncle, brought you to his caravan, let you into the deepest parts of his heart that he had always kept to himself.

You felt bad for unloading this onto him, but you couldn't just ignore it anymore, even if he broke up with you, he had to know how he was making you feel.

You take his calloused hands into yours, pulling them away from your now-red face and taking a step back, your arms crossing over your chest as you looked away as soon as you realised the tears you had tried your best to keep at bay were now freely running down your cheeks.

"Hey, hey, no!"

You felt his warm hands instantly land on your waist, pulling you towards him and letting you rest your head against his chest, a shaky breath leaving his mouth as he snuggled his face into your hair, sighing softly.

"I'm sorry, pretty girl... Of course I'm not embarrassed of you. Far fucking from it. I want nothing more than to drive into school with you every morning, hold your pretty lil' hand as we walk through the halls, eat lunch underneath the bleachers with you like in those silly rom-coms my uncle watches, I want nothing more than to be your boyfriend... A proper one."

He leaned back, allowing you to continue your hug as he brought his hands up to your face, smiling softly at the sight of your confused expression, finding the way you cocked your head to a side adorable.

His thumbs ran over the apple of your cheeks, the cool metal of his rings rubbing comfortably against your warm skin, a small part of you getting worried that maybe your tears would rust the cheap material.

"You, my beautiful girl, are the most amazing girl in Hawkins. I could never be embarrassed of you. I... Never meant for it to come off that way, I was stupid for even suggesting to keep this a secret."

"Then why did you?" You asked slowly, recognising the guilt written on his face as he tried to come up with an answer, your nails digging into the denim of his jacket.

"Cause I thought you would be the one who'd be embarrassed. Not me."

Huh?

Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion, making him groan and raise a hand to his face to cover his eyes, already having felt exposed enough, not ready for another wave of nerves to wash over him.

"What do you-"

"Fuck, look! You're - You're the most popular girl in Hawkins! Everyone wants you, fuck, I'm surprised Steve hasn't made a move on you yet, considering how much you hang out with each other!"

He cried out in exasperation, moving back as soon as you let go of his jacket and leaning on the wall of posters behind him, running his ringed fingers through his curly hair.

"I... Didn't want to ruin your reputation. If people realised you were dating someone like me, the fucking king of freaks, they'd label you as one too! I'm sure you've worked hard for your reputation... I can't just ruin that out of my own selfishness."

Your gaze softened as you noticed the way his fingers were nervously tapping against the wall, his other hand pulling and tugging at his locks as he looked everywhere but your face, clearly doing his best to not feel even more uncomfortable than he already was.

"You were doing it to protect me?"

"I mean- Protect your reputation more than anything. I didn't want you to get bullied like me or the Hellfire club, y'know? I didn't want to see my favourite person be put down simply because of going out with me. I didn't want to be the cause behind your friends leaving you-"

You interrupted him as you smiled, his eyes instantly darting towards you and cocking an eyebrow up in confusion.

"Is my meltdown amusing to you, Miss L/N?"

You gasped, shaking your head and trying to wipe the smile off, yet you couldn't help it at the realisation behind his words.

Eddie only wanted to protect you from being hurt by your friends.

He didn't hate you, he didn't feel embarrassed by you, fuck, he loved you!

"No, of course it's not, Mister Munson... I'm just... Shocked that- that's the actual reason."

Eddie chuckled, pushing himself forwards with his foot and walking up to you, wrapping his arms around your waist and starting to sway you around.

"You actually thought it was because I was embarrassed? Oh, honey. You're the best fucking thing that's happened to me. Why in the world wouldn't I want you next to me?"

Your arms found their way around his neck, his thumbs softly rubbing circles on your waist as he slowly pulled you two around the room, what had began as an attempted hug, now having turned into some sort of weird waltz.

"Does that mean that I get to be your girlfriend? Officially?"

You'd never seen Eddie smile brighter than he did right then.

"Officially."

Your heart did flips as he spun you around, finally dipping you and dramatically pressing his lips to yours, lifting you back up before you could slip out of his grasp and smiling down at you.

"So about that ride..."

Dustin and Mike had seen weird, terrifying, hell even traumatic things... But nothing could have prepared them for the sight of you, one of the most popular girls in school, climbing out of Eddie's car in one of his jackets, his hand holding yours as he helped you out.

"Oh, dude, no, no, no."

"I think I'm going to puke-"

Dustin hurled as soon as he saw you press your lips to Eddie's, Mike's expression of horror being shared amongst most of the students of Hawkins High.

Everyone got the memo as soon as Eddie lifted his middle finger up, his other arm hooked around your waist as he buried his face into your neck, everyone turning around and trying to get back to their own conversations.

"You're so extra, Eds... You literally parked in middle of the field..."

"What can I say, honey? I love a dramatic entrance."

#eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x y/n #eddie munson #stranger things #stranger things 4 #eddie munson x you #eddie munson imagine #eddie munson oneshot #stranger things x reader #stranger things x you #stranger things imagine #stranger things one shot #stranger things s4 #[ 𓂅 Lily's Fics ♡ ]

[coco-loco-nut]

die first

Pairing: Max Verstappen x Reader

Summary: Max’s wife is an international superstar, who’s anxieties tend to show up in her songs

Inspired by: die first by Nessa Barret

requests open! masterlist prequel

—————————

“What are you writing, Schatje?” Max asks, sliding onto the piano bench beside you.

“I wrote a song based on my vows,” you tell him, writing down the last couple chords, humming a rhythm to yourself.

Max, ever since I met you, I knew you were special. You’re my fire and my safety, you never try to break me, and you promise to always stay. I promise those same things to you. I don’t want to live without you, I never want to learn how to fall asleep without you, I want to be in love with you forever. You are my forever.

“Play it for me?” he asks when you finish, pressing a kiss to your shoulder. You nod, gently pressing the keys, mentally noting the kinks to fix before recording tomorrow. “It’s beautiful, the fans are going to love it, I love it,” Max compliments and you grin at him.

“I’m excited to announce the album and tour, and I’m glad we follow F1 around Europe. I get to spend more of summer with you that way,” you lean on his shoulder. You dedicated the album to him, and your third record is set to be the best selling one yet.

You took the unconventional route and took his last name after marrying him this year, despite having two hit albums and international fame. You still publish under your maiden name, but the name change caused a lot of shock.

You became an international superstar with your first release and it’s only grown since. Despite your relationship with Max spanning most of your music career, the both of you are able to spend a relatively low profile life in Monaco. Everything you record in the studio down the street is sent to your Hollywood label and released from there.

The next few months see you doing press for the surprise drop that was your bestselling third album and hyping the tour. Tour rehearsals fell during training time for Max and the both of you were going nonstop.

“I have to go to bed, Schatje, love you,” Max yawns over Facetime, you wish him goodnight as you stretch for your last show in North America. Tomorrow you jet to Europe to pick up that leg of the tour.

By the time you reach London, your tour has officially lined up with F1, which means your personal box near the stage is full of drivers, who likely are being bombarded with autograph requests. You slip into your black, sparkly bodysuit and matching hells; hair, makeup, and nails perfectly done; and grab your matching microphone before heading to your mark under the stage. The roar of the crowd energized you as the intro video plays.

“Come on London, let’s have some fun,” you say into the mic before smoke fills the stage above you and the trap door opens, the platform beneath you rising you up. You launch into your opening act. Half an hour later, after prancing and dancing and singing around the stage you take a pause to introduce the next act. The crowd cheers loudly before you have a chance to speak. You look around, smiling at everyone even if you can’t see them.

“London, thank you, my name is Y/n Verstappen, that’s my show for tonight,” you tease, the crowd silences. “Nah, I’m kidding. I wouldn’t leave you hanging like that, not when you are one of the best crowds I’ve had on tour,” you tell them, giving them a second to cheer.

“Since you have been such a great host, I wanted to share something special about this next song, something not many people know, but not quite yet. Quick shoutout to the F1 drivers here tonight, including my handsome husband, y’all are cool. But not as cool as everyone else here,” you purposely leave them hanging a little, blowing a kiss in the direction of Max.

“Alright, so, this next song is not only the title of my new album, but I also took parts of my vows and wrote them into the song. I hope you like it,” you say and the crowd cheers as the first chords play behind you.

“Thank you, London! Goodnight!” After the concert, you rush backstage and into Max’s open arms.

“You were incredible, Liefje” Max kisses you. Charles jokingly gags behind you.

“Thank you, Maxie,” you whisper, hugging him tight. Your assistant hands you a towel to put around your neck and a bottle of water which you happily take.

“You had a great show,” the other drivers tell you, all complimenting the show and thanking you for the tickets. You thank them for attending and excuse yourself so you could change. Max reminds them of the post-show dinner and club plans and carries you to your dressing room. You collapse on the couch, as Max chuckles at your dramatics.

“I swear the best part of a show is laying down after,” you groan and Max gently takes off your heels causing you to moan in relief.

“Y/n! People are going to think we are doing things in here,” Max laughs, you wave him off, changing into comfy but club appropriate clothes. Max helps you take off your stage makeup, and redoes your hair as you put a little bit of normal makeup on.

“Ready, Maxie?” you ask, grabbing your purse. It is nice knowing that assistants will take everything back to the hotel for you.

“I promise I will always come back home to you, I know my driving style is agressive, but I won’t make you learn how to fall asleep without me,” Max says, his hands holding your face gently.

“I know, but I will always be scared when you are on the track. You can’t promise nothing will happen, but I know you will always try,” you tell him, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. You stay in his embrace for a minute until rejoining half of the paddock. I can be in love forever, if I die first…

#f1 x reader #f1 imagine #f1 imagines #max verstappen #max verstappen x reader #max verstappen x you #max verstappen imagine #max verstappen imagines #Spotify

[differenteagletragedy]

With the idea about the MC (Baxter route) with bad parents, got a lot of feels imagining a scenario where maybe Baxter had no idea that they do. Maybe like him, MC is very cheery and just doesn't show when something is wrong because they want everyone else to not worry and have a good time.

He learns about it the day that he cuts contact with MC. It could even be that MC's parents were actually pleasantly surprised that MC got a "rich" boyfriend (not why MC dated him of course) and then things went south when they learned about the breakup.

Baxter hears/learns about it before he leaves and (definitely very impulsively) decides to just take MC with him, because he wouldn't be able to handle the guilt of leaving them with those kinds of parents. MC're 18 (legally an adult) so it can't be considered a kidnapping and MC goes willingly anyway ofc.

He also has zero plan for once but won't regret it.

Aww, thank you for this one! I want to bundle up MC with Bad Parents and love them forever <3

Baxter was usually always so careful, meticulously planning every move for the best possible outcome. He knew his own limits, he knew what he liked and what he didn't, and things may not have always worked out as well as he hoped, but he did always have a plan.

Except for this time.

He sat in his cushy first class seat on the plane back to Virginia, legs primly crossed and hands placed delicately in his lap, and looked over at you, curled up in the seat next to him, fast asleep.

Yes, this time things had veered wildly off track.

It all had happened very, very fast. He'd said his goodbyes, dropped the news that he wouldn't be keeping in touch at all once he left, and he'd had to maintain a cool disposition while you cried. He closed the door on you, literally and figuratively -- he remembered sinking to the floor once he'd gotten inside, but he didn't recall how long he'd stayed there.

While Baxter was sitting in the dark of his empty condo, feeling sorry for himself and trying desperately to make himself believe that he'd done the right thing, he heard the yelling begin. He couldn't make out everything, but he heard your name several times, and he could tell the noise was coming from your home.

Even though he didn't catch every word, he certainly caught the tone, and the familiarity sent him reeling. He'd been screamed at like this before by his own parents. The racket across the street brought back some of his worst memories, and it also made the guilt that was already simmering inside him rise to a boil.

Before he really knew what he was doing, he'd pulled his phone out of his pocket and opened the app for the airline he used. As the screams from your home brought up a visceral feeling of dread, he quickly hit a series of buttons, and soon he'd been able to purchase a second ticket for his flight. His fingers hesitated for a moment then, but then he heard your name cried out so much more brutally than he knew you'd ever deserved, and that spurred him on to take the last step.

"I'm leaving in three hours," he typed out in a text message. "I have an extra ticket if you would like to join me."

It didn't make sense -- even with as rashly as he'd acted, he knew that much. How would it look, for him to have been so detached at what he'd thought had been your final goodbye only for him to turn around so soon after and invite you to fly across the country with him? If you accepted, what would happen once you landed? If, as he assumed was much more likely, you refused, then he knew he'd tainted your memories of the summer even more than he already had, which didn't sit well with him either.

Before he could get too lost in thought, his phone vibrated in his hand. He looked down, and saw that you'd responded.

"Ok," you'd written.

He had his answer.

It had been a very eventful night, and Baxter was sure that he'd spend plenty of time thinking about it all in the days to come, but for now he was pulled out of his thoughts by a warm hand grasping onto his.

He looked over, and you were awake, a small smile on your face just for him.

With that, no matter what else happened, he knew he'd made the right decision.

#our life beginnings and always #baxter ward #our life #olba #our life baxter #olba baxter #baxter x mc #baxter x reader #baxter x you #baxter ward x reader #baxter ward x you #baxter ward x mc

[pastel-rights]

Rate your friends

oh this anon finally decided to come around [insert tracy happy here]

uhhh it'll be underneath the cut because it's gonna be. long as hell BWAHAHA apologizing ahead of time if I get sappy 😶‍🌫️

sap

sap

sapppp

Rina [ My first real internet friend 🫡]

RINAAA I see you. I see your art. I perceive you.

And, even if we don't talk as much as we used to in the past, you'll always be the first of many great people I've met. And, I really love and appreciate your presence in my life. Dare I say it was life-altering!!

Ocean, Shamia, Arella, and all your other ocs, I'm cradling them in the palms on my hands so so lovingly. I have so many things I need to tell you to be honest !! But goddamnit I have work every night so I'm always busy doing something wahhhh

Anyways.

New Shamia reference when? I need to draw her and her blonde bitchass dog [ jack ] again they're so funny and I miss them 😭

Blue [ My lifelong irl to internet friend ]

From an IRL friend to now an online friend, we just can't get rid of each other. You're so cool...

You don't use tumblr so, I won't talk much further... but I do appreciate you. And all your silly Itto shrine moments.

Tae [ My Beloved Wife 🫶🏼]

She's the Cro to my Lee.

The Shuichi to my Kaede.

The President Barbie to my Stereotypical Barbie.

The Kafka to my Bladie [ unfortunately /lh ]

Theeeee Raiden Ei to my Yae Mikooooo.

My wife is many things to me!! I really really love your art and your writing, and you're always so kind and funny and I just wanna grrrrr I just want to hold all your ocs and all your muses so close I love them all 😭😭😭

although

YOU.

YOU

FUCKING

ASSHOLE /lh

THAT ORPHY EDIT. THOSE KAFKA BLADIE EDITS. THAT PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP TRIO EDIT. TRYING TO GASLIGHT ME INTO THINKING EVERYONE ELSE ISNT REAL. THE MURDER. THE KIDNAPPING. THE DART. THE FUCKING DART. OUGHHHHHHHHH

I HOPE YOU FALL THROUGH THE SKY, JOHN. KER-FUCKING-SPLAT, BITCH. I think you've driven me insane. A little bit.

But.

We're so good we are so good. Don't even WORRY about it.

Sam [ My Infamous Brother-in-Tumblr Law ]

Sam you're so. /pos

I think the Immortalpheus AU has permanently altered my perception on life.

Your writing is. well. it's painful /pos

You're so cryptic and really funny yet you and your sister make me say some weird shit during work. Like the uno cards and the Dazai shenanigans and Immortalpheus moments and whenever you drop some life shattering fics and shit you drop on others.

Crazy.

You're a very nice and fun person, all jokes aside!! You're very cool and very amazing and a delight to game with and just fun to be around??? your AU lore and your bots and everything is just so.

mwah

good friend good friend!!

french /j

Piano Immortalpheus forever immortalized isn’t that funny

Navi [ My detective in arms ]

NAVI.

OUGH.

THOSE VERITY JOURNAL ENTIRIES.

IM SO.

OUGHHHHHHH

Your art and your way of expressing your characters and your son in your writing are just soooo good I rotate them in my head so often.

Whenever I see you posting about your crimes to Tumblr, I simply giggle. Get em, Navi!!

We don't talk very often but like. I'd love to talk more. plot. commit shenanigans. heart hands.

Fifi [ fucking fifi /lh ]

I want to clasp my hands around your neck and rattle you violently /lh /pos

How are we friends /lh

We've been friends so long, it's kind of insane??? I remember first talking to you during Amy's opening event and everything just sort of spiraled from there... and every day with you is. an experience!! /pos

Still waiting for the Tower Bifty interaction fr fr [ they try to murder each other within the first five replies /j ]

Carrie [ my favorite mike enjoyer ]

CARRRIEEEEE

Number One Mike enthusiast the real Mike enjoyer.

Im always so giddy whenever you occasionally message me, even if it's just to check on me or show me how you torment Sam /lh and your writing and way of interpreting differing IDV characters and skins is so good??? I love reading them they make me so giggly.

Overall 10/10 friend would ramble to given the chance

Pins [ my boss /ih ]

MAFIA FISHHHHHHHHHH

stunning

beautiful

talented

pink enthusiast

My actual best friend, dare i say the bestest friend in the world???? every moment I spend with you is a blissful and amazing moment, and you've been through so much with me and the fact you stayed throughout it all????

I'm just... really glad you chose to stick with me this long. I can be a very abrasive and impulsive person, and yet you care for me, even with all my flaws and I think that just... says a lot about you.

You're the Jade to my Chiaki.

The Rook to my Epel.

The Deuce to my Ace!

Also your art just solos everything I glow whenever I see it

Skye [ my twst buddy !! ]

Grabs you

Holds you

Rattles you

Is friend.

Is friend shaped.

Approved /lh

Four [ floyd kinnie moment ]

Stop tormenting me with the take a break floyds you SCARE me

Never will be over the fucking

Ghostbusters Floyd edit

I flex my Beans Floyd in memory of you

You’re not dead I think you’re just somewhere in the distance squeezing someone like your life depends on it

10/10 friend when we ignore the four imposed breaks /j

Beth [ my favorite aesop and naib enjoyer ]

You.

Holds you gently.

The Aesop player

The Panda Naib haver.

The beloved

The silly.

✨ Beth ✨

Your art? Immaculate. I such a adoration for your art, and whenever I’m able to catch your drawing streams??? I’m just in awe!! Your colors and outfit inspirations are just so cute so nice so well done???

You’re so. You’re so cool uwahhh

MarioGuy [ where do you keep coming from I know damn well it isn't the door /lh ]

I feel like you kind of just break into my house sometimes and make yourself known before randomly disappearing through a non existent back door /pos

You’re a delight to be around!! Every match with you is a bit. It’s uhm. Something!! /lh

Please stop breaking into my home

Rice [ i occasionally remember that Mi Bianca thing and cry a little ]

Every time I see you pop up in my notifications I just smile and giggle.

We don’t talk often but you’re just so cool and awesome and your muses are so funky fresh and your art is so good and ????

Yeah.

Klai [ you. ]

You.

Chaos gremlin.

You never learn.

But you’re funny so I guess it’s okay.

Your art is so. It’s like a shiny gem 💎 and I WANT it. Holding it hostage.

My precious friend’s doodles.

Never trusting you to prime a cipher though. No hard feelings /lh

10/10 friend!! 0/10 decoder though /j

Orange [ ORANGEEEE my favorite chaos gremlin ]

ORANGEEEEE 🍊

So funny

So talented

So cool

So so cool

Your art is so good, you’re so funny and talented and a wonder to talk to. Your ideas are so creative so unique and yet so unequivocally you and I just…

I love it!!

Orange stop being so cool /j

Clown [ the greatest step-parent on the scene!! ]

This is utter insanity Clown you can’t be EVERY MUSE’S step parents there has to be a LIMIT!!!

A LINE in the SAND!!!!

Clown PLEASEEE

But also your art.

I’ve talked so much about everyone’s art

Yours reminds me of the feeling of waking up on a snow day and realizing school is canceled.

It’s always such a delight to see!!

And while every time you open your mouth, I get a little more worried about you, you’re so so cool /lh

Lupi [ you. x2 ]

imagine arson? imagine it no more im approaching your house at rapidly increasing speeds with my hello kitty lighter /j

Sleepy [ 🫡 ]

Sleepy!! 🫂 so cool,,, you’re so cool,,, /pos

Emma [ Sorry. Only one monster lover can exist in this server peacefully. GET EM. - emma ]

The caption says it all.

Also Tatya stop accidentally seducing all the muses or nearly getting stabbed or exploded or hypnotized you are worrying the GIRLIES! /lh

Al [ you have the vibes of the drunk wine family member in a /pos way ]

I don’t talk to you often but whenever you come around, it makes me so giggly. You’re very funny and your art slaps!!

Joe [ joe the silliest ]

JOE

Joe

Joe!

Your art? Funky fresh.

The lore? So interesting I love the little snippets I see floating around.

You’re so creative

Your Embrace is so funny they scream sacrificial lamb uncle who’s kind of fun at parties /lh

They’ve also got a really nice and warm personality, chaotic yet chill and relatable.

Kind of reminds me of Sam but without the entities 🫶🏼

Nakki [ you. x3 ]

Grabs you like a squeaky toy

That’s it that’s everything tbh

Kory, Boris, Brian [ and the rest of the McMun's Hut /lh ]

And this goes out to all my friends and acquaintances in the McMun’s hut! What is wrong with all of you /pos/lh (except you Boris, you’re an Angel)

Everyone there is super chill and super nice, and they’re a lot of fun to be around. So many differing personalities yet it’s always a vibe somehow.

[strawberriesinbloom]

the art of the kabedon

leviathan x reader

warning: this is a tickle fic sorry

summary: Leviathan tries to kabedon you. Spoiler alert: It does not work.

wc: 1,892

🍓

Leviathan had a dream about you last night.

Well, he had a dream about you every night, but this one was different. Usually, his dreams consisted of him working up the courage to do something for you, ranging from something as trivial as holding your hand to something more substantive, like planning the perfect date night. Without fail, he'd do something dumb, ruin the mood, and wake up before he actually did the thing he had set out to do.

How pathetic was that? Leviathan couldn't even be suave in the dream world. He was stuck being gross, weird Leviathan. 

This time; however, something else had happened in his dream. Everything started out normally enough: Leviathan was trying to kabedon you, only for him to give up…multiple times. 

It wasn't his fault! Whenever he would make eye contact with you, you would always give him that bright smile and get that knowing look in your eyes. It was the same face you gave him in real life, and it had managed to infiltrate his dreams. That damned look never failed to make him hot all over and cloud his mind with, uh, very normie thoughts.

After his fifth failed attempt, Leviathan was ready to jump into a hole and leave what was slowly turning into a nightmare. Just as he was making his great escape, you called out his name in that sweet voice you always did. 

Before he could understand what was happening, you had him pinned to the wall. One of your hands was right by his face as you casually leaned next to him. 

Leviathan's heart jumped out of his chest as he squeaked. He slammed his hand over his mouth, and his cheeks started to burn. Tiny drops of sweat prickled his forehead. You were close. Very close. He could almost feel your breath on his lips.

This was all wrong! He was the one that was supposed to sweep you off of your feet, not the other way around. You had managed to kabedon him, instead, and…and he wasn't completely hating it? 

Leviathan gulped. You grinned and opened your mouth to say–

That was when Leviathan woke up. He threw his covers off of him and scrambled to get out of his bathtub. His shirt was drenched in sweat, and it took longer than he'd like to admit to slow his breathing down. 

Afterward, he sat on the floor for a bit, his mind reeling from such an embarrassing dream. Although Leviathan liked what you had done (he loved it, actually), a part of him was still disappointed that he had failed to charm you, again. It was so annoying. Leviathan was more confident in his dreams where he was trying to defeat a giant boss with nothing but a sword.

Leviathan sighed. He couldn't be like this anymore. You were such an amazing and wonderful person, and he was just a yucky otaku. He had so many reasons to love you, what reasons did you have? 

Henry 2.0 swam around in his tank. The soft sound of the bubbling fish tank filled what would have otherwise been silence. Leviathan leaned against the fish tank. The glass cooled him down a little.

He couldn't act like this forever. Leviathan resolved to stop moping around and finally give you a reason to adore him as much as he adored you. He was going to sweep you off of your feet, and he was going to succeed. 

—

"Levi? Are you here?" You called out as you peeked through his bedroom door. It was open by a crack, which wasn't a sight one would normally see for the shut-in's room.

Leviathan had texted you a few minutes ago, stating that he was having a gacha emergency and needed your lucky fingers to finally get him that shiny new weapon that he absolutely NEEDED to have. He hid behind his bathtub, waiting with anticipation for the perfect time to strike.

When you didn't receive an answer, you stepped inside. "Hello? Are you alright?" You hummed, your hand resting on the doorframe. "I received your text. You said you wanted me to come over, right?"

You turned around to close the door. Leviathan knew it was his time to strike. He rushed at you. You had barely glanced up when he slammed the door shut with a loud thud. 

Both of his arms were outstretched with a hand on either side of your face. You turned slightly so that you were facing him. Your jaw hung open, and your eyes were as wide as saucers. You exhaled, and, just like in his dream, your warm breath washed over him. 

Leviathan tilted his head forward so that your noses were touching. From the way his heart started hammering away in his ribcage, he realized immediately that this was way too close for him to handle. Leviathan pulled back. 

His legs wobbled underneath him, and he was certain that they were about to give out. Leviathan bit his lip, soaking in your features one at a time. He was afraid that if he were to look at your entire face at once, he would pass out right then and there.

You closed your mouth and tilted your head to the side. Your eyebrows furrowed together. "What are you doing?" 

Leviathan jumped, his entire face flushing. He was certain that he must have been tomato red. "...K-kabedon…" Leviathan sputtered out. He was struggling to form a full sentence.

"Why?"

Because…because…he wanted you to like him? Gah, what was he thinking? This was such a stupid plan!

Leviathan stared at the floor. "I just wanted to fluster you for a change," he said.

You laughed. It was such a sweet melody that Leviathan would have done anything to capture the sound forever. "Did you really think that would work?"

"Yes…?"

"You know that's my job, Levi," you said, "Besides, you forgot something."

Leviathan racked his brain for what that could be. "What?"

"This!" 

You dug your fingers into his armpits. Leviathan screeched and clamped his arms down. He tried to back away but you followed him, much to his demise.  "Wahahait!" He gasped. This wasn't fair! You weren't supposed to play such dirty tricks.

Leviathan wiggled out of your grip. He dashed across his room. "Come back!" You shouted, clambering to chase after him.

"No!" Leviathan whined. He yelped as he stumbled over a blanket that he had tossed on the floor this morning. Leviathan was now deeply regretting his disorganized nature.

That extra second was all you needed to catch up to him. "Got you!" you sang. Your hands squeezed his sides, and Leviathan immediately tumbled down. It was humiliating how little of a fight he had put up.

"Pleahahase!" He lay on his side as you knelt over him, your fingers scribbling across his stomach. "I-I can't tahAHAKE IHIHIHIT!" His laughter jumped an octave when you found a particularly sweet spot just under his belly button.

"Aw, is it really that bad?" you asked. The tone of your voice was deceivingly sweet, despite the circumstances.

Like the monster you were, you targeted that spot for a while, probably relishing in the way he trembled underneath you. If Leviathan could barely stomach the idea of holding your hand, how was he supposed to handle you touching him all over? This was all too much!

Leviathan pulled his legs up and curled up into a ball, preventing you from reaching his stomach. For a few, glorious seconds, he thought he was safe. That was, until, your fingers found their way to his ribs. 

Leviathan flipped over on his back in surprise. You placed a knee on his jacket, preventing him from running away. "Wahaha!" Leviathan spasmed when the tips of your fingers spidered in between each groove. "Nohohohoho fahahair!" 

"It's plenty fair," you said with a devious smile.

As a ditch effort, he tried to pry your hands off of him. He grabbed your wrists, but you pulled free with ease before shoving your hands up his exposed underarms, again. "GAHAHAHA!" Leviathan wasn't expecting that. 

He wrapped his arms around himself. Maybe if he pressed down on your hands hard enough, you wouldn't have any room to wiggle your fingers.

BAD PLAN! BAD PLAN! Leviathan practically screamed when you started pinching his underarms. "NOHOHO!" He shook his head from side to side. "HAHAHAHA!" The sensation was somehow worse than when you were simply tickling him. 

Your hands slipped back down, and you started tickling at the area where his armpits met his ribs. A bad spot, for sure, but not as bad as it could be.

"Now, why were you trying to kabedon me earlier?" You leaned down so close that your face was right on top of his. Any closer and you'd be–

Leviathan choked on his saliva, sending him into both a choking and a laughing fit. You waited for him to clear his throat before repeating the question. Your fingers were still prodding at his ribs but at a slower pace than before.

"I, um," Leviathan giggled, "I-I-I hahad this dreheam, and ihit made me wahant to–"

"The real reason," you said before pinching his skin. He barked out a sudden, loud laugh. 

“That wahahas the real reason!”

You kept tickling him.

"Fihihine! Fine!" Leviathan shouted through his soft giggles. "I just! I just wahanted to be your knihihight in shining armor for once! I want to behehe confident and cool! I wahahant to gihihive you a reason for you to love mehehe!

You gave him a long, thoughtful look. Leviathan was glad it didn't look like you were outwardly hating him for that confession. He was less than happy with how you were still running your fingers up and down his torso, though. It was beginning to get overwhelming.

"Plehehease stop tihickling me!" 

You blinked. You jerked your hands back as though his skin had turned scalding hot, which, in a way, it sure felt like it had. 

"I'm sorry." You gave him a sheepish grin. "I got lost in thought."

You scooted off of Leviathan, so he could sit up. He hugged his knees and huffed out a quiet, "That's okay." 

After a brief pause, you said, "I don't need a reason to love you, Levi. You realize that, right?"

Leviathan quietly nodded. He tapped his fingers against his legs. 

You continued, "I like you just the way you are. You're so passionate about your interests, and you always make me laugh. You're sweet, and I enjoy spending time with you." 

You placed a hand on his back, which sent electrifying sparks throughout his body. "Do you really mean that?" Leviathan whispered. A wobbly smile was already creeping onto his face, no matter how hard he tried to will it down. He sat up straight, tucking his legs underneath him.

"Of course."

"...Can I hug you?"

In lieu of an answer, you wrapped your arms around him and squeezed. Butterflies soared across his stomach as he hugged you back. 

"Sorry about earlier," you mumbled into his hair, "I think I went a little too far."

"D-don't worry about it." He had already admitted one embarrassing secret for today. Leviathan would rather die than also admit that a part of him kind of liked it when you messed around like that.

#obey me tickling #i almost wrote this fic about lucifer lol

[icarusignite]

An Eye for an Eye (part 14)

A/N:  Comments and reblogs are appreciated, I love hearing y'alls thoughts <3

Word Count: 1817

All chapters: MASTERLIST

"Floris, this is Silverwing," Daenys took ahold of the young girl to make the introduction.

Floris reached out a cautious hand and allowed Daenys to place it on the large beast's side. The dragon held perfectly still and slowly, Floris moved her hand to pet her. A small smile stretched across her face as the dragon under her hand remained peaceful.

"See, I told you she was friendly," Daenys smiled.

"She's so big. How are we going to get up there?" Floris craned her neck and pointed to the seat on the dragon's back in awe.

After Daenys had ensured that Floris had climbed up and was seated safely in front of her, she took the reins.

"Soves!" Daenys announced.

"What does that mean?" Floris asked in confusion.

"It means fly. Hold on!"

Floris yelped as the great dragon rose and took to the sky. She clutched Daenys's forearms that had come up around her and squeezed her eyes shut.

Daenys laughed with exhilaration, "You need not be frightened. You are perfectly safe."

Floris slowly opened her eyes and gathered the courage to look down below her. The sight took her breath away. She had never seen Storm's End from this vintage point and in the dusky evening light, it looked almost magical. From the towering spires to the vast castle grounds, everything looked so minuscule. A lump formed in her throat. It was unfair that she had to leave it all behind.

"Daenys...," she ventured.

"Yes, Floris?"

"Would it...would it be possible for us to make one more stop before we leave Storm's End?"

"I suppose that would be alright. Where do you wish to go?"

"Could visit the sea shore? My sisters and I went sometimes when we wanted to sneak out of the castle. I wish to see it once more before I go," Floris's voice was thick with emotion.

"Oh Floris, I told you I'd bring you back to visit, as many times as you want. You're not leaving forever."

"But can we stop by, please?"

"Yes, of course we can."

Daenys landed her dragon on the sandy shores of Storm's End and Floris dashed away the moment her feet touched the ground.

"Stay within sight, Floris! And don't venture too deep into the water," Daenys hollered after her.

"I know how to swim, I'll be alright," Floris hollered back.

Daenys smiled in amusement. Looking after Floris felt like looking after her own younger brothers, with her cheeky responses and vivacious mannerisms. Watching the little girl sprint barefoot in the sand, and dip her feet in the gentle waves at the edge of the shore, brought back a flood of memories. Summers spent in King's Landing and that little island that she and her brothers snuck off to. All the sparring and swimming on hot afternoons. Daenys unlaced her boots to join Floris. The cool sand felt good between her toes and in this brief moment, she could forget about everything else. She raced Floris across the beach, the two girls shrieking with laughter. Eventually, Daenys dropped down to the ground to catch her breath, her legs sprawling out in front of her as she fished out the flask she always kept with her.

"Oh is that water?" Floris approached her curiously.

"No, I'm sorry I didn't bring any water. I didn't think we'd be making any additional stops," Daenys shook her head sheepishly.

"Then what is it?"

"It's medicine. For-"

"For your eye?"

"Well yes, I suppose that's one of the things it helps with."

"Does it help you see with that eye?"

Daenys chuckled, "No, nothing can help with that. This eye has no sight at all."

"Do you even have an eye inside there?"

"No."

"Can you get a new one then?"

"I suppose I can put something in there but it won't help me see," Daenys laughed at her curiosity and barrage of questions.

"What can you put then? Would you have to steal someone else's eye?"

"No, I don't have to steal anything. I can put in gemstones if I like. My......a friend of mine had a sapphire in his eye...." Daenys trailed off at the end of her sentence, not sure where the words or even the thought had come from.

"Oh, a sapphire? Is it like the one you wear?"

"I don't wear sapphires."

"Yes, you do. That little blue stone around your neck. You keep it hidden but it still shows," Floris responded matter of factly.

Daenys looked down at the simple sapphire pendant that hung around her neck. Her fingers involuntarily rose to touch it. It really was as Floris had said, a little blue stone hung on a plain silver chain. She frowned and tucked it away under her tunic.

"You don't like your necklace? It is very pretty though, but if you don't like it, you don't have to wear it."

"It's not that I don't like it..." Daenys didn't really want to talk about it and Floris took the hint to change the subject.

"You had a friend who also had no eye. Is that why you were friends, because you both lost an eye?"

Daenys was speechless for a moment. She cleared her throat and decided to just go with it.

"Yes, I guess we bonded over missing eyes."

The young girl laughed before coming to sit beside her, watching her carefully. Her eyes traced over Daenys's gruesome scar in wonder, making her look away in embarrassment. She felt self-conscious, having it on display like this, but any sort of covering only chafed and caused additional discomfort. She wondered if this was how Aemond felt, in constant physical pain, and plagued by the thoughts of how others perceived him. She wondered if the eyepatch chafed his scar and if he too had tremors due to the damage. He held his sword steadily enough so she supposed it didn't trouble him as much. Then her train of thought came to a screeching halt. Here in the salty sea air, her mind allowed itself to wander too far. She could not embark deeper into this because it would bring back other memories. Memories that would be too difficult to banish to the recesses of her heart. She turned her attention to Floris and found that she was still observing her.

"What is it?" Daenys raised an eyebrow quizzically.

"....Does it hurt?" Floris asked hesitantly.

"Does what hurt?"

"The scar. It looks painful."

"It hurts sometimes. That's why I drink this," Daenys shook her flask.

"It looks like they stitched it up. Once my sister Ellyn fell down the stairs and the maester had to stitch her leg up. She cried a lot. Did you cry when they stitched you up?"

Daenys smirked, "No. I did not cry."

"Liar!"

"I speak the truth. I did not shed a single tear!"

Floris giggled, "That couldn't possibly be true. You must have cried a lot."

"I am telling you I did not. When we reach Dragonstone, you can ask my mother if you like. She was there," the words were out of her mouth before she could think about them.

"Fine, I will!"

"On second thought, perhaps don't mention it to my mother. It will upset her."

"Aha! So you did cry then, and you don't want me to ask her for she will be the one to tell me the truth."

Daenys sighed with playful exasperation, "If I say that I did cry, will you promise not to bring it up in front of her?"

Floris nodded. It was quiet for a moment before she spoke again.

"Will you let me pick out your stone?"

"My stone?"

"Yes, for your eye. Maybe you can get a sapphire too, to match with your friend!"

"I'd rather not Floris," Daenys looked away awkwardly.

"Well I think you'd also look pretty with a ruby eye, and red is my favourite colour! Or perhaps an emerald?" Floris continued excitedly

"Definitely not emerald!" Daenys was quick to protest.

"Oh, you don't like green. How about a black pearl then?"

"When the scar heals enough, I'll let you pick alright? Whatever you like," Daenys smiled gently at her.

Floris's returning grin was almost blinding, "Oh how wonderful. I have ever so many ideas!"

"Can't wait to hear them."

"Are you tired already Daenys?" Floris's brows furrowed.

"Yes but worry not, we can stay for a while longer. This is the most peace I've gotten in weeks," Daenys murmured, her eyes closing of their own accord.

Daenys's last sight was of Floris running back toward the water. She closed her eyes again before wrenching them open. She needed to keep a watch out for her. She was her responsibility after all. She fought the urge to curl up right there and fall asleep under the darkening sky, but despite her best efforts, her eyes drifted closed.

Suddenly there was an earsplitting shriek and Daenys was jolted awake. She jumped to her feet, hand reaching for her sword. She looked around frantically. The guilt came in a debilitating wave; she had only been out for what felt like a moment and Floris was already in trouble. She would never forgive herself if that little girl had gotten hurt because she could not stay awake. She finally spotted Floris a few metres away from the shore, with the water up to her knees. She ran toward her, grabbing the girl by her shoulders and scanning her to check for injuries. She seemed to be unscathed physically, but her eyes were wide with fear.

"What? What's wrong? What made you scream like that?" Daenys was distraught.

"There--There's something here," Floris's voice trembled. "The tide came in and something just brushed up against my foot."

"Are you hurt? Did it hurt you?"

"No. I don't know what it is but it's still there. Please, please get it off."

Daenys sighed in relief, "Alright let's see what you've caught, shall we? I'm sure it's just some sea plant or something."

Floris made a face, "It feels leathery."

"A dead fish then? Disgusting but harmless. You'll be ok. Let me see."

Daenys sank to her knees in the water and groped blindly around Floris. The water was not clear enough to properly see the strange mass that had somehow wound itself around her foot. Daenys shivered, it was getting late and it was probably best they head home after this, lest they caught a chill. At last, she untangled the object and held it up above the water to examine it. It was unexpectedly heavy and she only meant to glance at it to ensure it was really harmless before tossing it back. However, as her eyes traced its curves and edges, she went completely still.

"Daenys. Daenys what is that? Why won't you say anything?" Floris shook her shoulder but received no response.

A strangled sound escaped Daenys before she dropped the thing back into the water and as it fell, something else that seemed to have been tucked into one of its folds also came falling out. At the sight of the second mass, her eyes grew even wider and a sob tore out of her. Her face was ashen and she swallowed the bile that rose in her throat.

_______________

Taglist (comment to be added/removed):

@m1tzifa1ry @blulemonades @bietchz @bugheadskid @applepyesworld @mrswhitethornbelikov @mysingularitybts @caspianobsessed @lotr-got @theekinslayer  @vaf24 @feiwelinchen @dangerousbluebirdpoetry @hanabbrmpg  @issybee0611 @lyannesworld @moni-cah @akinatrix @carryonmywaywardho  @queenofbeingdepressed   @cateyesinlove @frozenhuntress67 @bregarc @spicykimchii @stargaryenx @linevondensternen @koobratzy

#Aemond x OC #Aemond x Reader #aemond targaryen #house of the dragon #rhaenyra targaryen #Daemon Targaryen #hotd fanfic #lucerys velaryon #Jacaerys Velaryon #helaena targaryen #Aegon II Targaryen #alicent hightower #aemond x y/n #lovers to enemies #game of thrones #hotd #aemond fanfiction #aemond one eye #otto hightower #princess rhaenys

[gnrbitch]

Summer Break Pt. 12 - Curiosity Killed the Cat

Warnings: Drug Usage, profanity, smoking

————

Day 13, 1986, 6:30pm

“Y’know Duff, i’m really proud of you” Y/n said as she took a bite out of her food.

Y/n and Duff has gone out in the afternoon, getting some burgers from a cheap fast food place.

The siblings were now eating in Mandy’s car (Which Duff had borrowed), talking and laughing as ‘New Rose’ by The Damned played quietly through the radio.

“Are you?” Duff raised his eyebrow at her.

“Well yea, look at everything you’ve done since you left” She smiled at him

“Yea” Duff laughed “Too much shit has happened”. He turned his body to her, “How has seattle been? You know, since I left”

Y/n exhaled, “Like now? Or right after you left?” She asked

Duff shrugged, “Both, tell me everything”

“Well” Y/n said, taking a glance out the windshield “I was really lonely after you left” She said, her voice becoming quieter. “It was really hard for me y’know? I’m really sorry i didn’t say goodbye to you” Y/n said, remembering when Duff stood outside her door begging her to come out so he can say goodbye.

Duff nodded his head, “It’s okay, I know you were upset”

“I really didn’t want you to leave, home isn’t the same without you” The girl admitted “But it’s okay now, I’m really happy for you Duff” She smiled at him.

Duff bought her in for a hug, “I know, i’ve missed you so much Y/n”

“I’ve missed you too” She said, hugging him back, they pulled away as Y/n noticed her bothers eyes tearing up. “Are you gonna cry?” She said

“What? No” He joked, his eyes blinking quickly

Y/n rolled her eyes and smiled at him “Better not. Or i’m gonna cry too”

“Jesus you still do that!?” Duff laugh, thinking about how Y/n would always cry the minute she saw someone else cry.

“Well yea! I’m a very empathetic person” She said, not being able to help herself from laughing too.

“Okay i have something to say” Duff said, trying to stop himself from smiling

Y/n furrowed her eyebrows “What?”

“I think Slash likes on you” He giggled

Y/ns heart dropped as she tried to play it off “Slash? No dude” She forced her laugh

“Well that’s my theory and i’m sticking by it!” Duff announced as he started the car.

***

“I had fun today Y/n, i wish you could stay here forever” Duff said as the pair walked back to his place, arm around her shoulder.

Y/n laughed, “I think we would kill each other if i stayed long enough”

“Well that’s true, plus- wait are you going to college?” He asked as they now entered the apartment.

“I’m not sure, i don’t really wanna go” Y/n said, “I think i just wanna focus on music when i get back to seattle”

Duff hummed, “That’s cool, but if you wanna get shit moving, LA is the place for you”

Y/n sat on the couch “I don’t know, there’s a lot of cool shit happening in seattle right now, and i wanna be apart of that”

Duff nodded his head, “Well whatever you chose to do Y/n, I’ll always be here, your number one fan” He smiled at her.

“Thanks Duff” She said, returning the smile.

***

It was now 11:00 of the night, and Y/n was sitting in her bed waiting to hear from Slash.

The girl hadn’t seen him all day, plus he hasn’t even called her to let her know if the date was still on, and Y/n was pissed.

Fucken prick she thought, he fucken chases me around like a dog and I give him one chance, and he fucken blows it.

Y/n furrowed her eyebrows as she decided she was gonna go out to look for him.

Well she didn’t really have to search too much, there was really only one other place Slash could be, the hell house.

Y/n left her room, seeing Duff, Mandy, and Steven all talking together on the couch.

“Hey, I’m gonna go to Frus for a bit, I’ll be back soon” She said to them.

“Alright, be safe. And don’t go anywhere else that isn’t his apartment Y/n” Duff said, narrowing his eyes at her.

“I promise i won’t” She said as she closed the door.

Y/n zipped her hoodie up as she walked through the dark streets of LA, angrily talking to no one but herself, “Fucken Slash- I shouldn’t even be walking to the fucken hell house at- whatever fucken time it is!”

The girl slammed the door open as she walked into the house, her face angry as she looked for Slash.

She quickly realized no one else was home, and she noticed that one of the rooms had their door closed. Bingo.

She stomped over to the door, also slamming it open to see a drugged out Slash laying on the bed.

“Are you fucken serious?” Y/n said

“Y/n?” Slash mumbled

“Yes. Y/n. What the fuck Slash?”

“Y/n” Slash said as he sat up “Oh Y/n, i’m sorry” His eyes widened, remembering their plans.

“Fuck you” The girl said, crossing her arms

“Comon- please don’t be mad at me”, “I can make this up to you” He said, struggling to get up.

“No. I only gave u once chance and you blew it!” Y/ns voice became louder.

“It was an accident!” Slash apologetically said

“Oh yea cause getting too doped up was an accident” She rolled her eyes at him.

Slash slurred his words, “I’m not high”

“God you must think i’m an idiot” She laughed, this situation was so incredibly ridiculous. “I thought you stopped doing that shit”

“I never gave the impression that i did” He said, a smug look on his face

Y/n looked at him in disbelief “Your such a fucken prick!”

Slash furrowed his eyebrows “And what about you huh? Little ecstasy taking Y/n”

“That was only one fucken time Slash” Y/n said, crossing her arms

Slash scoffed at her “Cut the shit. You’re telling me that if i offered you some dope you wouldn’t take it?”

Y/ns eyes widened as she stared at him in disbelief.

“Well?” He asked

“That- Slash what?” Y/n spoke, her mind going a hundred miles per second.

Slash shrugged “You heard me”

This is stupid. Y/n thought. I can’t do this, this would be the stupidest thing i’ve ever fucken done.

**

“Okay okay wait- you promise it won’t hurt?” Y/n asked Slash for the hundredth time.

“If you don’t move it won’t, it’ll just be tiny pinch” Slash said, tying a piece of cloth around the girls thin arm.

As Y/n carefully watched Slash light up a spoon, she thought about how just a second ago she thought how stupid this was.

And well, she still does. But, curiosity always kills the cat, doesn’t it?

“You’re gonna be okay Y/n, i’m right here” Slash said, holding the needle down to Y/ns arm.

Y/ns face turned into one of pain, Slash lied, she thought, it did hurt.

But, the pain quickly went away.

“How do you feel?” Slash asked her

“I feel- good” She said, her eyes blinking slowly.

Y/n thought this was gonna be a life changing high- but it wasn’t. The only thing the girl felt was good. Mellow. She even forgot why she was so angry at Slash in the first place. All she could feel was, good. Mellow.

Slash prepared another hit, this time for himself. “See, wasn’t that bad right?”

“No-no it was okay” She said, she felt as if she was speaking very slowly, “Am i talking slow?” she asked, looking at him.

Slash glanced up at her, “No, you’re fine” he smiled.

Y/n just nodded her head, continuing to blink slowly as she watched him tie himself up.

Wincing as she saw him shoot himself up, the blood shooting back up into the needle as he injected himself with the substance.

The couple looked at themselves, sitting on the floor Y/n smiled at him.

“Y’know i thought this was gonna feel different” She said

“Different?” He asked, now he was the one blinking slowly.

“Yea- I mean i thought this was gonna be like a life changing high or some shit” She said

“Nope, just makes you- feel good i guess” Slash grunted as he got up.

“Where are you going?” She said, looking up at him.

“Floor hurts my ass. Comon” He said as he grabbed her hand.

They laid out on the bed, looking into each others eyes.

“I’m sorry i’m an asshole” Slash said

Y/n hummed “Why are you one? You were so cool at first”

“I don’t know” He said, breaking eye contact “Stay in LA with me” He said “Things will get better between us if you stay. Please” He pleaded.

Y/n looked at him sympathetically “I don’t know if i can stay Slash”

“You can live here, we’ll leave Duffs place, maybe we can get a place of our own” He said

“But- What about my friends back home?” The girl questioned.

She watched as Slash’s face turned angry, abruptly sitting up and looking at her. “What about your friends- What about me? huh?” He said, his voice harsh.

“Slash I- I don’t know” She said, copying his actions. She wondered how Slash could get so angry when this drug made everything feel so good.

“So it’s just fuck me right?” He scoffed at her

“No- What? No it’s not that Slash” Y/n said, “I just- I don’t think your little plan is gonna work out”

Slash’s face dropped as he heard her last comment, “So what you’re not even gonna try? You’re just gonna leave me?”

“Slash i don’t-” Y/n said, being cut off by the door swinging open.

“Slash man i’ve been calling you-” Duffs voice said as he opened the bedroom door. Getting caught off guard by what he has just walked into.

“Y/n?” Her bother said, his eyes burning into hers. Noting how glossy and droopy her eyes were.

“Duff” Was all Y/n could say

Duffs eyes scanned the room, landing on the needles and spoon that Slash had left on the floor.

“What the fuck were you guys doing?” He asked, his voice stern as he looked at both of them. “Slash- don’t tell me you just shot up my sister”

Slash looked at him, his droopy eyes were all the confirmation Duff needed.

“Are you fucken serious?” Duff yelled out, walking up to Y/n as he grabbed her by the arm.

“What are you doing?” Y/n asked as Duff dragged her out of the room, everyone else standing there in disbelief.

Well, except for Izzy, he sat on the couch smoking a cigarette as he just shook his head at the scene that was unfolding before him.

“Im taking you fucken home” Was all he said as he continued to drag her.

“Duff calm down-” Slash said, barley being able to stand up.

“You shut the fuck up. I’ll fucken deal with you later” The blonde pointed at him, his eyes filled with rage.

Everyone watched as Duff dragged Y/n out of the house, all eyes falling into Slash the minute they were out the door.

“Dude- What the fuck did you do?” Axl said, looking at his curly headed friend.

Y/n sat still in the car as Duff yelled at her, what a way to ruin a high, she thought.

“Y/n are you fucken listening!” Duff yelled at his little sister. “I thought you were fucken smarter than this” He shook his head, his hands gripping the steering wheel.

“Sorry Duff” Y/n said, her voice mellow

Duff scoffed “Sorry” he repeated

The rest of the car ride home was eerily silent, the tension was so thick, you could’ve cut it with a knife.

Duff parked the car i front of his apartment building, not even bothering to take the car keys out as he walked over to the other side of the car. Once again grabbing Y/n by the arm and dragging her up to his place.

Once they entered, Duff went straight into her room, messily packing up all of her things.

“Wait Duff- what are you doing?” Y/n asked, her eyes widening as she watched him shove everything into her duffel bag.

“I said you’re going back home Y/n” He said, shoving her bag into her chest, grabbing her by the arm once again.

He dragged her to the living room as he opened up a small wooden box, taking a wad of money out.

“Your sending me back to seattle?” The girl said, trying not to trip and fall over her own feet as Duff dragged her back to the car.

“Yes.” Was all her brother said, pressing on the gas petal as they drove away.

“No- Duff i fucked up okay” Y/n pleaded with her brother, but he didn’t budge.

“You did fuck up” Duff responded, sending her an angry glance. “I’m so fucken disappointed in you Y/n”

And that sentence shut Y/n right the fuck up.

She questioned herself, maybe going back to seattle wasn’t such a bad idea. If she was being honest, getting away from Slash didn’t sound too bad.

But she knew she had just fucked everything up between her and Duff, what the fuck was she gonna do now?

Caught up in her thoughts, she didn’t realize they were now at the greyhound station.

“Duff please-” She said, her arm struggling to hold her duffel bag as her brother dragged her to the ticket booth.

“One ticket to seattle” He said to the man in the booth.

“One-way?” The man asked

“Yes” Duff said as he handed over the money, giving Y/n the ticket.

“Its the third bus. It’s about to leave, so you better hurry.” The man said, nodding his head over to the bus.

Duff took Y/n by the arm again, this time not dragging her so harshly.

The siblings stood in front of the bus door, Duffs hands on Y/ns shoulders.

“If i find out you ever touch another fucken needle again im gonna kick your ass” Duff said

Y/n spoke quietly “I won’t”

“I’ll call mom in the morning” He said

“You’re gonna tell her what happened?” Y/ns eyes widened.

“No, i’m not about to get fucken killed for your mistakes Y/n”, the girl felt him let go of her shoulders. “Be safe” He said, before walking back to his car, not taking another glance back.

*

Y/n rested her head on the bus window, being unable to process everything that had just happened. Still high, still confused, she closed her eyes.

————

AHHHH!!!! ITS THE END (Almost, currently writing a filler [??] part!!!)

Tagged: @eddiiiieeee - @hoodiesandicedcoffee - @alysais2cool

#slash #axl rose #duff mckagan #guns n' roses #izzy stradlin #guns n roses fanfic #slash gnr #slashfanfic #guns n roses imagine #slash fanfiction #slash imagine #slash fic #slashgnrfic #gnr fanfiction #gnr fic #duff gnr

[taizi]

give me something that’ll haunt me when you’re not around

chapter eight: please save all your questions for the end

rise of the tmnt pairing: leoichi (leonardo / usagi yuichi) word count: 4k title borrowed from pancakes for dinner by lizzy mcalpine post-movie

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read on ao3

x

This bold new world in which Yuichi is aware of his feelings for Leonardo—where he has a name for that sunlight that sleeps in his heart, and understands why it feels like dawn every time they’re together—sort of looks exactly like the old one.

His revelation may have changed the landscape of the universe as far as Yuichi is concerned, but nothing much seems to have moved for anybody else.

Chizu, Gen and Kitsune look so full of pity when he gathers his nerve and bares his heart to them that it’s abundantly clear they’ve known all along. Yuichi has never felt any particular way about being a rabbit yokai, but now he’s learning to be fervently grateful for his thick, downy fur.

No matter how hard he blushes, it doesn’t show. And he’s been walking around with a face on fire lately. That wouldn’t do wonders for his reputation.

At least his friends are supportive, in their own way. It’s like a dam has broken and they’ve got nothing but comments and opinions on his love life now that the secret is out and it’s fair game.

Kitsune makes fun of Yuichi relentlessly, but also promises that if Leonardo does anything to hurt him, she’ll curse him so hard his descendants a thousand years from now would feel it. Yuichi has the sinking sense that she isn’t kidding. He darts a sidelong glance at their voice of reason, but Chizu only looks mildly impressed by the ferocity of the threat and also like she would be on board with seeing it through.

“I can take care of myself,” Yuichi says, bristling a little.

“Sure you can,” Kitsune replies indulgently.

Gen even pats him on the head, like that was an adorable sentiment and he was adorable for sharing it. Yuichi is going to keep them all far, far away from the Hamatos for as long as he possibly can.

He doesn’t know how long that’s going to be, though. He wants to spend all of his time with that stupid turtle. He wants every quiet hour of his life filled up with Leonardo’s groan-worthy puns and surprisingly sharp sarcasm and wry good humor. In a perfect world, Yuichi would see him every day.

That’s definitely opening the door for his friends to eventually make a spectacle out of themselves, but the only alternative is limiting how often he sees Leonardo, and that—he isn’t sure if that’s possible? Like, he wouldn’t even known how to do that.

Case in point, when Leonardo texts one night asking if the following afternoon was a good time to swing by the farm and finally fix that farmbotto, Yuichi drops his phone in his haste to send back an affirmative.

It might be time to admit his self-control is completely nonexistent. Or he could live in denial a little while longer.

Whatever. He stops worrying about it, his brain too full of a warm, bubbly, champagne-flavored feeling that drowns everything else. Yuichi is going to see him tomorrow!

Oh god. Yuichi is going to see him tomorrow.

“All hands on deck,” he bellows down the second floor hallway. Various fluffy heads poke their way out of various doors, and he adds, “Leonardo is going to be here in twenty-four hours and this place is an entire disaster.”

“My room is clean,” Momiji says, looking around at her siblings judgmentally.

“He’s really coming back?” Jomei asks. He’s tugging on his fingers, like he’s thinking about sucking on them. It’s a self-soothing behavior he’s only recently outgrown. “I thought we scared him away forever and that’s why he left without saying bye.”

“I told you, you didn’t do anything wrong,” Yuma says firmly. “The robot scared him, so his big brother took him home.”

“Robots are cool,” Botan says. “And ours are super old and harmless. Who’d be scared of them?”

“Remember when you got lost in the woods when you were little, and it started to storm?” Yuichi asks, not unkindly. “Remember how rain would upset you after that? Even though you knew better and didn’t want it to?”

The cream-colored bunny is quieted by that, seal point face wrinkling in what Yuichi hopes is understanding.

“A robot was mean to him?” Sonoko asks, glancing between Yuma and Yuichi for clarification.

“Something like that,” Yuma says, in a tone that suggests that’s all the answer they’re going to get.

“We should hide all the bots,” Jomei pipes up. “So he doesn’t get scared again.”

So the next morning, Yuichi’s little cousins spend a full hour running back and forth across the farm, making sure even the smallest gardening bot is locked away in the furthest shed for the afternoon. They’re very vindictive about it. It’s really cute.

Yuichi is waiting on the porch when the spinning blue portal opens in the yard. His heart is racing, and there are butterflies fluttering to life inside his stomach, and it almost feels like being a little kid again. Back then the world was full of wonders and every single day was bursting with potential adventures and nothing was impossible because it never occurred to him that anything actually should be.

This feels like that. As brilliant and breathless and shining as that. Yuichi tries to hold it down, keep it safe and secret, where it can’t ruin anything.

He doesn’t know how successful he is. Leonardo is wearing a yellow jacket this time, with iron-on patches in various shapes and colors, and even without it he’s the brightest thing for miles. Michelangelo is draped against his carapace, leaning forward over his shoulder to show him something on his phone, and Casey is chattering at Donatello, whose one-word answers in response don’t seem annoyed in the least.

Donatello, at least, has a task to accomplish. Casey and Michelangelo are clearly only tagging along in the role of emotional guard dogs.

Leonardo catches Yuichi’s eye from the yard, and his face splits in half with the force of his grin. Yuichi doesn’t realize he’s moving until he’s hopping the porch steps, and Michelangelo slides off Leonardo’s back so he can meet Yuichi halfway, and they slam against each other with enough force that it nearly hurts.

They lean apart, and Yuichi is going to say—something. Something completely normal and not at all lovesick and also effortlessly charming. He’s definitely going to say a thing that is all of that all at once.

Before he gets a word out, there’s a mob of small children clamoring around them.

“Aw, it’s my favorite bunnies!” Leonardo says brightly. “And they’re in attack mode! We should have brought riot gear.”  

He hoists Jomei into his arms and tosses him into the air in the same effortless way the cooks at work toss pizza dough. Jomei shrieks with delight the whole way up and down.

Casey has a melting look on his face, gazing at Yuichi’s cousins the way people look at baby photos, and it occurs to Yuichi that the young time-traveler must have only known these children as fully-grown adults, if he knew them at all. He settles cross-legged in the grass and holds out both his arms, so Botan can get a good look at the gear he’s wearing.

“My uncle made all this for me,” he says proudly. “I used to live someplace not very safe, so my family made sure I had everything I could possibly need with me at all times. I’m safe now, but I’m still getting used to it.”

Given the bold purple insignia on his equipment, Yuichi is willing to hazard a guess at which uncle he means. The uncle in question has side-stepped this whole meet-and-greet and looks less than enthusiastic about being here in the first place.

“I’m here for the robot,” he says tonelessly, more to his phone screen than to Yuichi. “They’re here for the dinosaurs.”

“False, Donald!” Michelangelo declares. He has a giant tote bag slung over his shoulder and he thrusts it forward now, as if that alone is proof positive of his real motivations. “Usagi, where’s your aunt? I brought her thank-you pastries!”

“Right here,” Auntie says from the back of the group, having approached at a more reasonable pace behind the kids.

She looks no-nonsense, and beckons Leonardo down for a hug before he can get guilty and weird and try to do something stupid, like apologize for his panic attack. He has to bend nearly double to fit into her arms, but her embraces all have some mystic property about them. It’s impossible to feel anything but safe and warm when she’s holding you.

“Welcome back, sweetheart,” she says, letting him go. “And these are your brothers?”

Michelangelo darts forward to introduce himself, and Auntie warms to his sweetness and enthusiasm within seconds. He presses his tote bag into her hands, mouth running a mile a minute about this recipe and that ingredient, how amazing her cooking was, how grateful he is that she was so kind to his big brother, here’s your tupperware back and I filled them all back up with baked goods as thanks, etc.

Yuichi steals a moment in all the conversation and chaos to press his arm against Leonardo’s. It doesn’t even matter that he doesn’t have him all to himself—Leonardo is here, close enough to touch, solid and healthy and grinning in the late afternoon sunshine, and that’s the only thing Yuichi could even think of to ask for.

Leonardo’s golden eyes are lethal in this light, and his crooked smile is a weapon in and of itself, and Yuichi feels his heart kickstart under the turtle’s undivided attention. Then Leonardo jolts a bit in surprise and glances down and Yuichi has a front-row seat to the way his face brightens like someone flipped a switch inside his head.

There’s a familiar tokage pawing at the black wrappings on his leg, making petulant little laser beam noises. She’s the size of a small housecat now, and the gray of her scales has cooled more towards blue. There are bold streaks of yellow from the outer corner of her eyes that stretch all the way down the sides of her body. She’s still settling but she’s already eye-catching. She’s going to be spectacular when she’s done.

“Hey! It’s the little champ herself!” He drops to the ground and the impatient tokage at his feet immediately worms up the front of him until he has no choice but to hold her. “How are you, cariño ? You’ve gotten huge!”

“That’s an overstatement,” Yuma says, smiling. “But she’s definitely made a comeback. She’ll be ready to go home with you in a couple weeks.”

Leonardo’s head snaps up in surprise. He opens his mouth, but before he can say anything, Michelangelo blurts, “SURPRISE! Raphie’s been talking to Usagi’s aunt about it since your last visit! She said you and Champion really bonded and it wouldn’t be fair to give her to anyone else!”

“All tokage have latent mystic powers,” Yuichi explains, feeling affectionate at the gobsmacked expression on Leonardo’s face. “When we say you bonded, we mean that sort of literally?”

“Okay?” Leonardo says, holding her like he’s worried that any bond with him might have had an adverse effect on the little lizard, because he’s an idiot.

“That just means she’ll sort of evolve to be the best companion to you that she can be,” Yuma pipes up. “That’s why Auntie’s tokage are so big, and settle in greens and browns—they’re farm animals, they help with plowing and building and stuff.”

“Champion might do something entirely new,” Yuichi says. He’s sort of looking forward to it. Leonardo’s influence can only lead to crazy and chaotic and amazing things.

“Ninja dinosaur,” Michelangelo whispers in awe.  

“It’s really okay?” Leonardo asks Auntie.

“Of course, baby. We just need her to be a little bit stronger before she leaves the nest,” Auntie tells him. Her eyes are warm. “Give her something to look forward to and she’ll sprint to that finish line.”

Yuichi smiles at the scene for a second longer, before the impatient aura radiating around Donatello finally becomes too much to ignore.

The broken farmbotto is still exactly where they left it, mostly because it’s huge and unwieldy and in a lot of sharp, heavy pieces. It seemed too dangerous to risk moving without help, and Leonardo was adamant about his brother being the one to undo the damage he’d done.

Donatello hums in vague interest and gets right to work, squatting next to the machine and pulling his goggles down over his eyes. Yuichi is fidgeting with the yoyo in his pocket, mustering the courage for the noble and potentially very stupid act of making conversation, when his phone chimes in his pocket.

⚡️⚡️NEON LEON⚡️⚡️: donald hasn’t attacked u yet has he?

⚡️⚡️NEON LEON⚡️⚡️: set smth on fire if u need an extraction

⚡️⚡️NEON LEON⚡️⚡️: if i see smoke ill come running

⚡️⚡️NEON LEON⚡️⚡️: 🐢 ���

Usagi: Your brother is NOT that scary. You’re just trying to psyche me out.

Donatello is exactly that scary, but Yuichi isn’t giving Leonardo the satisfaction of admitting it.

⚡️⚡️NEON LEON⚡️⚡️:  bet

“So what’s your deal with Nardo?” Donatello asks abruptly. “You’re real cozy all of a sudden, but he always seemed pretty certain you didn’t like him.”

The initial shock—Donatello is speaking to him?— is drowned out by a surge of frustration.

It’s not Yuichi’s fault he’s like this. He’s always been like this. It’s not easy for him tor each out to people he doesn’t know, even if it’s someone he would really like to know.

How many times did he second-guess himself before he finally approached Leonardo that first time? For a reason that wasn’t taking an order or dropping off plates?

How many times has he second-guessed himself since then? Sometimes he has no idea what the hell Leonardo is even doing here.

“I did like him,” Yuichi says quietly. “I do. I’m not, uh. I’m not good at…connecting with people. I never really. I never know what to say.” He tugs on his ear, disquieted by his own failures. “And Leonardo was so intimidating. I had no idea how to be his friend. But I wanted to.”

Donatello’s hands have slowed until he’s sitting there gazing down into the cavern of a gutted robot without moving at all. Yuichi is abruptly worried that he’s said too much and irritated Leonardo’s most critical sibling to the point of no return.

For twins, they’re so different. Leonardo is charming and charismatic, but it’s impossible to tell what he’s actually thinking. Donatello is calculating and disinterested in anyone outside his tight-knit clan, but he’s also transparent to a fault about what’s on his mind.

They’re each unfailingly loyal, and probably the most stubborn people on the planet.

That’s why it’s such a surprise when Donatello starts talking, unprompted, for the second time in as many minutes.

“Time moves differently in the prison dimension,” he says, apropos of nothing. “It’s all relative. An hour here could feel like days there, or the other way around. I know, because the time logs in Leonardo’s gear jump all over the place. Trying to sync it was a nightmare.”

Every time Yuichi thinks he’s heard everything there is to hear about the invasion and his friend’s part in it, something else is thrown onto the top of the pile, and it always manages to be more upsetting than the last. Yuichi closes his eyes against the swell of second-hand anguish and tries to ride it out.

“Leo is the worst person in the world,” Donatello says without feeling. “He’s impulsive and arrogant and stubborn and he has an inferiority complex as wide as the Hudson is deep. But he’s also my twin, and my other half, and my best friend, and my little brother, and he was gone. He didn’t exist anywhere in the world. For twenty-one minutes and thirty-eight seconds, I wasn’t a whole person.” His hands clench around his tools so hard they begin to whine in protest, and he has to set them down. “And I don’t know. How to do this. Without him.

“So. Look. I’ll lay this out one time. And then I’ll have reached my emotional vulnerability quota with you for the next calendar year.” He doesn’t look up, eyes trained on the delicate circuits beneath his hand. “Leo’s my person. Hurt him and I’ll kill you twice.”

“Understood,” Yuichi says softly.

“Good,” Donatello says. After a moment, he adds grudgingly, “After your little tête-à-tête he’s been talking to us more. He even went and woke Raph up the other night after a bad dream and he hasn’t done that in—I don’t know, years. Raph was crying about it at breakfast the next morning. So thanks I guess. Anyway I didn’t bring my extra arms so hold this flashlight and point it where I tell you.”

His tone has taken on that not-annoyed quality it had when he was talking to Casey earlier. It’s entirely possible that Donatello doesn’t hate him! Yuichi accepts the flashlight with about twenty times the gravitas it deserves.

Take that Leonardo, he thinks smugly.

And then, as if summoned by the passing thought of him, Yuichi hears the distant sound of Leonardo’s voice in full performance mode, undercut by the noisy, squealing laughter of children.

Oh spirits.

“One second,” Yuichi says quickly, and sets the flashlight on a workbench as he hustles to the open barn door.

His intuition led him true. Leonardo is, for some godforsaken reason, on the roof of the two and a half story farmhouse, broken bones and all. Yuichi’s four youngest cousins are gathered below to watch whatever spectacle he’s about to make of himself.

“LEONARDO!” Yuichi yells, hands cupped around his mouth.

“What??” the turtle has the audacity to call back.

“That thing you’re doing right now—it’s really, really dumb.”

“Momiji bet me I couldn’t do it,” Leonardo says, like that’s in any way a decent excuse. There’s a chorus of giggling from the audience of grade schoolers clustered in the yard.

“Momiji is a child. She is literally six years old. Are you really going to let a six-year-old child peer-pressure you into breaking even more of your bones?”

Even from a distance, Yuichi can tell that Leonardo is squinting at him, the golden coins of his eyes narrowing into judgmental slivers.

“I feel like that’s a trick question. I’m a ninja, I won’t break any bones.”

“Okay, do what you want,” Yuichi replies, leaning back and spreading out his hands in a show of surrender. “But just so you know, Champion will be really disappointed if she has to wait even longer to go home with you because you decided to prove to everybody in a ten mile radius that you can’t even take care of yourself, let alone a baby tokage.”

“Oh my god, you can’t threaten me with my daughter, you monster!” Yuichi is pretty sure his expression is speaking for him just fine, because Leonardo groans theatrically and starts clambering down off the roof. “Okay fine.”

“Thank you. Spirits,” Yuichi adds in an undertone, crossing back to Donatello’s workspace. He picks up the light and aims it again. “Sorry.”

Donatello has his goggles shoved to the top of his head and is turned around to stare at him severely. His expression is impossible to read. Yuichi has no idea what he’s looking for, but he seems to find it after a very tense twenty seconds.

He goes back to work without speaking. Just when Yuichi has resigned himself to never getting an explanation for that particular episode of strangeness, Donatello says abruptly, “Your yoyo.”

Yuichi jerks a little in surprise, the beam of light wavering. “Uhh, yeah? What about it?”

“How would you feel about adding an electroshock function?” Donatello asks unremarkably. “Like a stun gun, only better, because it would be Genius Built. I could get the high voltage discharge up to 1000 microcoulombs, easy.”

It’s the last thing he was expecting. Yuichi stills in surprise, and reaches into his pocket for the yoyo he never goes anywhere without.

He found it in that weird mystic temple that appeared in the woods near his house one day and disappeared just as suddenly. Karasu-Tengu-sensei looked really alarmed when he mentioned it to her, seizing him by the shoulders and looking him up and down as if to make sure he’s all present and correct after a harrowing ordeal.

It hadn’t really been very interesting. He didn’t know why sensei was so anxious about it. The temple had been musty and neglected, and probably deeply haunted, but ghosts are an okay sort as long as you mind your manners. The farthest wall rippled, and showed him a collection of different things. Gems, and weapons, and ancient tomes. Something enticed him forward, offering him a choice.

Yuichi didn’t really need another sword, because he had Edgewing, his pride and joy. And he isn’t much of a reader, so the books weren’t of interest to him, either. He was making a mental note to bring his friends back another time, because they’d be more into all of that than he was, when he saw it.

“It gave you…a toy?” sensei had asked blankly.

“I think it was sort of a consolation gift, since I didn’t want the other stuff,” Yuichi had explained, a little embarrassed. He thought his sensei would have chosen differently if she’d been there.

From the surprise on her face that warmed into affection, he was pretty sure he was right. But all she said was, “You’re a good boy. Now give me twenty flips for going into a cursed temple without my permission.”

Yuichi slides his finger into the slip knot at the end of the string and lets the toy unwind and wind back up into his hand once. It’s like one of Botan’s fidget toys, except this one is potentially haunted.

“An electro-yoyo would be hands-down the coolest thing I’ve ever seen,” Yuichi says enthusiastically.

“That’s only because you haven’t seen my lab yet,” Donatello replies plainly. “Light, please.”

By the time Donatello is finished, most of the daylight is gone. The house is warmly lit, all the windows stark and yellow in the blue hour. The kids are still romping around like menaces but Leonardo is sitting on the porch steps, left leg stretched out carefully in front of him, Champion in his lap.

He smiles when he sees them coming, golden eyes glowing in the falling light like the house windows behind him.

“I’m so proud! All limbs intact, no visible injuries.”

Yuichi rolls his eyes. Donatello says, “Same won’t be said of you when I tell Raph you were gonna backflip off the roof.” Ignoring his twin’s betrayed squawking noises, he goes on, “What are you doing over here?”

“Uhh. Well, I was just telling Champy here that I’m feeling kind of sore. And my leg has been cramping up again. She was really understanding about it, even though she wanted to play—weren’t you, cariño ?”  

He seems weirdly nervous about admitting to even that much. But it’s clearly a big step for him.

Donatello doesn’t outwardly react to this proof of progress except to ask for more information in a neutral tone. It reminds Yuichi of the way Botan will coax feral cats into the barn. Leaving a trail of breadcrumbs, leaving the door open, letting them decide on their own if it’s worth the risk of coming inside out of the cold.

Leonardo is a little cagey but ultimately forthcoming, and even guides Donatello’s questions along, the one area of their lives in which his knowledge eclipses his genius twin brother’s. The longer they talk, the more Donatello begins to rock slightly from side to side, tapping his fingers against his thighs rhythmically. They’re agitated gestures, but he seems really happy.

It’s nice.

“So what have you guys been up to?” Leonardo asks. “Did it really take that long to fix the bot?”

“Donatello’s going to weaponize my yoyo,” Yuichi announces, pleased as punch.

For a brief moment, surprise darts across Leonardo’s face. He looks touched, and oddly vulnerable, and then all of it hides neatly under blanket amusement.

“Tello, really? Weapons already? We’ve only been here for a couple hours.”

“In hopes that he uses it on you, yes.”

Donatello’s tone is scathing, but their shoulders knock together affectionately as Donatello sits beside Leonardo on the steps.

Yuichi sits on Donatello’s other side, yoyo in hand and half a dozen questions in mind. Eventually, Donatello brings up his holo-gauntlet and starts giving him a very technological lesson on low-current electrical discharges.

Leonardo seems content to listen to them talk. He tilts his head to watch, smiling with an edge of wonder and disbelief. Like he’s just woken up in a world where he gets everything he wants.

#rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #rottmnt #leoichi #usagi yuichi #hamato donatello #hamato leonardo #disaster twins #bushido boyfriends #my writing #tmnt fic #these bright blue city lights

[oh-a-very-toxic-octopus]

Okay, Discord buds got my drunken real-time rant about this, but it needs immortalising here for future me's sake.

Years ago, my dad bought a motorcycle trailer.

Or claims he did. I'd argue he bought a bit of scrap metal on wheels. Someone grabbed a fistful of box section and a bit of checkerplate and weld-bolted it all together into the most rickety piece of shit trailer-shaped rack you can possibly imagine.

It creaks if you even look at it. The floor plates don't line up properly; my dad has fallen off this trailer while loading it.

To further highlight the lunacy of keeping this thing, let me add that my dad's bike, the Triumph T160 he and my mum bought new decades ago, has appreciated wildly as a classic and is now worth over £10k. He is loading a £10k motorbike onto a trailer worth £3.50.

I have been ragging on this thing forever. Jim tries to be polite around my parents, but whenever he glimpses this trailer he has to do the turn away/headshake combo and then text me his complaints as 10-20 single-line messages sent over the next half-hour. It's law.

This is my dad revealing another foible of the trailer on the morning of The Event.

Yesterday, my dad drove from London to Anglesey. On sheer distance alone, this trip's worthy of an exacting check of your vehicle and trailer before you set off, but the tail end of the drive cuts through Eryri, the most mountainous bit of Wales, too. The area is remote and the roads are a little dangerous. You have to be prepared.

My dad, unprepared, sets off at around three. At half eight, I'm at home eating an omelette and having an important conversation with Jim about my mum-derived Clothes Trauma. It's taken a lot of gin to get me to this point. This is the most I've had to drink in months and I'm a little out of control, but it's cool, we needed this talk, I think it's putting my weird behaviour in context in a way that'll help him help me.

And then I get a call.

Jim's theory is that we've swapped roles with our parents. We're the dull ones with our full-time jobs and our eye on money and our strict preplanned schedules. Our parents are aimless and doing roughly whatever tf they want, and occasionally they need us to drop everything and bail them out.

This is an accurate take, the phone call reveals.

My dad's broken down short of Bangor. He's stuck on a high windswept road in the pissing rain without a rain jacket. It's a narrow road without a layby or any accessible hard shoulder; his car is parked in its lane with the hazards on, and everyone else has to detour around him. As this is Wales, the narrowness of the road means nothing: it's still a major trunk road and there are lorries blasting by. He is quite upset. He needs us to come rescue him.

We're on the far side of Eryri, 66 miles/an hour and a half away. I'm too drunk to drive, so Jim's roped in, even though he needs to be up for work at six tomorrow morning. My dad's mobile signal is appalling and he keeps dropping out of calls; I have to explain to him that he should use his phone's phone function instead of calling through WhatsApp before we even get the gist of what's gone wrong.

Which is this:

he left home without a jack

or the right socket to fit his wheelnuts

and a known slow puncture in one of the trailer's tyres.

His slow puncture has become a flat, and his planned method of pumping it up again hasn't worked. Thanks to the impeccable design of the trailer-shaped scrap, he can't get at the spare while he has a motorbike loaded up.

It's the most predictable and avoidable breakdown since that one time I forgot to fit a new split link when changing my motorbike chain and the whole thing poinged off outside Aldi. And at least my issue was memory and not a conscious decision to be an idiot.

Anyway, we set out. Important beats:

We lack the diesel to get there without a stop, which is always interesting in North Wales at night. The fuel station in Betws-y-Coed saves us. Thank you Shell. About halfway through the drive, my dad calls again to say he's found his 17mm socket at last and has successfully crawled under the trailer and retrieved the spare, but can't swap the wheels without a jack.

(Having since sobered up and had a good look at the photos, I wonder how the hell he got under there. The trailer sits incredibly low and he's pulled up against the kerb, so how did he get under there? Lying in the road?)

And so we find him, halfway up a mountain road in the rain and wind and dark.

The wind's so wild it almost ploughs my door into that stone wall. As we're putting out our emergency triangle and letting the Ranger's rear chevrons do some work, I am drunk but still struck by how dumb this really is. My dad confesses he got too cold at one point and had to shiver himself warm in the car with the engine on and the heated seats going. He is seventy-odd, for context.

With our jack, it takes approximately three minutes to fit the spare.

He heads off, we head home. The satnav suggests we'll be back by ten past midnight but it's more like twenty-five past.

There's not really a point to this whole rambling post. Carry a jack, obviously. That's not a lesson anyone should have to learn, which has been the running theme of 2023 so far: things go wrong and we learn nothing.

But on less of a down note, things go wrong, we learn nothing, and I get to spend an evening bopping in the car with my long-suffering yet still awesome partner, who, after a lot of gin and a lot of driving, now 100% grasps what my parents are like.

We also got to look very cool and patient and reliable in an emergency. I like it.

#a long nyx ramble #still hungover from all that gin #we listened to all the dance tracks I could think of from the 90s to the 2010s #i forgot how hot Sia's voice is in She Wolf #i also benefitted from Jim's encyclopaedic knowledge of old MTV music videos #anyway #I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE LIGHTS ARE TAKING US #BUT SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT IS DANGEROUS #my posts #very bad mechanic

[zunniva]

The Wallflower

“So have you made any friends yet?” I can hear the sarcasm on my sisters voice, she knows I don't really know how to make friends and she always needs to remind me about it at any given opportunity.

“I just got here you know, haven't been out and about much. Just work and trying to sort out the apartment ok?” I sigh in to the phone

“Yeah well we both know that when I call you in 2 weeks you'll be using that same excuse...or any of the other 30 ones you have in store. You're gonna be as alone there as you were back here” she snickers

My sister's always been mean to me about not having an easy time meeting new people. But it's gotten worse since I graduated high school 3 years ago. I was living with her, sharing an apartment before I came here, hated every minute of it. She is my opposite; cool, calm and collected amongst strangers. Has no problem talking, trusts people to be honest, she's outgoing and she's the pretty one... Mum always said “here's my lovely daughter Laura...and there's the other one” pointing at me

“Laura, it's been a week...” I say

“Well? So? I mean I'd been at college for 2 days when I got invited to my first party, 3 days I got a date... A week is like a life time. You have what, 1 friend and you've known her since you were 5... I think it's time to talk to people, or you'll be sad and alone forever. Fucking eternal wallflower” she's annoyed I can't see the joy in meeting new people “and you need to get a date soon or you'll dry up like a prune, I mean seriously I lost my virginity in senior year, that was kinda late...and you're 2 years older than me. Like...you should have been first. You're not ugly...per say. I mean that 'don't look at me' thing you have going isn't attractive but I mean you have pretty...eyes.”

“Thank you... Well, my life my choices Laura. Like always” I sigh, I'm so sick an tired of her dictating what “I NEED” to do according to her. Like the virginity thing, yeah she lost it her senior year... That was 2 years after I graduated, and I mean I could tell her that so did I, lose it in my senior year...only, she lost it by choice to someone who liked her, I did not. I was a joke to someone at one of the only parties my sister ever got me to come along to. I was the designated driver that night for my sister and her friends. This guy I'd liked for years started flirting with me, and starved for attention as I was I fell for it. He fucked me rough from behind so he wouldn't have to look at me. He wasn't kind, he wouldn't kiss me or even touch me, I wasn't pretty enough for that. He told me when I tried to touch him, told me to keep my fat ugly hands to myself all he wanted was my pussy. After he laughed at me and told me I was just a bet. His friends bet him he couldn't get the loser wallflower to drop her panties for him, and “lucky” for him I was a real easy fuck so now he won the bet. This then led to him making the time we had left in school a living hell, spreading a rumour in our class that I practically begged him to fuck me so I wouldn't graduate a virgin. This along with everything else I had to live through made me even more of a loner. And now I have to listen to my sister telling me I need to get laid so I don't dry up, I'd rather actually. I've been in therapy for the last 2 years about it so, I mean not saying I'm ok with it, but the feelings following that night have subsided somewhat. I will never ever forgive him but hopefully someone, some day might be able to help me heal some of the damage done. Doubtful though seeing as I shy away from everyone instinctively.

“Yeah your choices SUCK Kat... How on earth could you think that moving to fucking nowhere in Indiana would make any difference? You don't even have your freaky friend around. What you're gonna hang out with one of your old teachers forever? That's fucking SAD!” Laura is getting pissed now that she hasn't managed to spark a response from me. It's easier to zone her out over the phone I've noticed.

“You do realize I'm closer to Casey now than I was at home? She literally lives in Indianapolis... Like a 1 hour car ride away. And what's wrong with Stella then? She's like 15 years older than me, not as ancient as you make her sound. I mean seriously Laura, if you can't be civil...just don't call me any more. I'll see you for Christmas and mum's birthday that'll be plenty” I say

“FINE!” and she slams the phone down in my ear, I actually let out a sigh of relief. She's going to call in 2 weeks again. I'm sure of it, she can't not be a a pain in my ass, and she's the nosiest person I know. She NEEDS to ask me about my life, she fucking craves it. It's not that I hate her...but sometimes, MAN do I hate her!

So backstory to how I ended up here in Hawkins, Indiana.

I grew up in Seattle, when I was 5 my mum and dad split up and she moved to a new apartment in another part of town. Me and Laura moved with mum, and I started school with all new kids. This is when I met Casey. The only friend I've ever had. I wasn't as shy and withdrawn until I was about 12. That's when the bullying started to become so bad I kinda evolved into a wallflower to avoid being noticed at all. Casey was always there trying to protect me but she was a bit odd herself so it usually ended up with us against the world. She on the other hand were raised by a single dad and have 3 older brothers who taught her to fight so the older she got the less anyone messed with her. I was shy, had glasses, was chubby and puberty hit early making me the only girl in class with boobs instantly making me “the slut” among the girls in my class. Because apparently, as everyone knows... If you have boobs you're doing it with the guys. Middle school was awful except for Ms Johnsons class, she was the only teacher who saw I didn't want to talk in front of people and the only one who respected that. We became unlikely friends as she would let me hang out after class if Casey wasn't around.

By the time high school rolled around my missions to disappear into the walls was successful, no one ever noticed me at all. This became such a part of my everyday routine I couldn't get out of it. I'd learned that Ms Johnson had moved back to her home town when I hit senior year, I was sad about that. Because now that meant that I only had 1 person left on school grounds who actually liked me, and that was Casey. But she was athletic and had a lot of things going on outside of class so I was alone, very alone, most of the time now. My mum used to try and make me hang out with Laura and her friends, but oh my good god did I not want to do that! It was one of these times when she'd made me drive Laura and her awful gang of friends to a party that the...thing happened. After that I became even more withdrawn from people. This is when my sister really turned on me and became the worst of the bullies. She'd comment on what I wore, what I ate, how I looked, my weight, my inability to make friends, my grades and finally my decision to not apply to college after high school. Everything I did was wrong, but hey apparently I have pretty eyes at least. I think that's the nicest thing she's ever said to me.

So after graduation I worked for a while at a local library and I liked it fine. Mum was SO disappointed that I with my good grades didn't apply to a college when Laura got in to her first choices with her average grades. I asked her point plank if she thought that me with my social anxiety would thrive in a college setting? She just scoffed at me saying something about it just being in my head and I needed to get over myself and grow up. Yeah, real supportive that woman. Dad suddenly passed away leaving a small fortune to me and my sister. We'd never known he had money, maybe not telling us was his way of keeping it from mum. Well Laura bought an apartment straight away, she was “to good” to be living in a dorm anyway. She spent the rest of the money fairly quickly. Me... I still have almost all of it, seeing as I have nothing I want to spend money on,I just have it... I did buy a car though. That was it.

So I moved in with Laura for a while when mum basically threw me out as she met this guy. Then one day out of the blue Ms Johnson called me

“Hello Kat, it's Stella”

“Ms Johnson, hi how are you?”

“Kat...it's Stella. We're both adults now” I could hear her smile

“Ok, Stella. How are you?”

“Oh I'm good thanks, how are you?”

“Well... Ok I guess. Living with my sister so I've been better” she knew the kind of relationship I have with Laura.

“Ouch, well then maybe I'm some kind of fairy godmother calling you like this then. You know I moved back to Hawkins a few years ago?”

“Yeah, I was devastated when I got back to school and you weren't there any more” I say

“Aw, I'm sorry but this thing came up out of the blue and I had to decide fast. So my uncle passed that year and he left me his book store here in Hawkins, I grew up in this store so I couldn't say no when his lawyer called me. But now, I decided I wanna travel some before I become to old” she chuckles “so I wanted to ask you if you'd have any interest coming here and running the store for me while I'm gone?”

“Excuse me? Me, run your book store? Are you for real?” having a book store has always been my dream

“Well I remember you talking so much about it being your dream when we'd have our talks I thought who better to ask” she says and I feel like crying

“Yes... without any doubt yes!”

“Well... you do realize some of it will include talking to people?” she says

“Well... I need to learn sometime, can't be hiding in my local library for ever stacking books. Plus, it's not a big town right?” I ask

“No it's on the smaller side, very charming if you ask me. But then again I grew up here so I might be bias” she says with a laugh “there's barely ever a crowd anywhere except on holidays and then I keep the store closed anyway so you can hide if you feel like it. But I was thinking you could come here like a month before I leave to I can teach you what you need to know. Does that sound ok?”

“Absolutely, when would you like me to be there?” I say feeling excited for the first time in...well forever

“Well I was planning on leaving in June so maybe come at the beginning of May? Or is that too soon?”

“It's not soon enough” I laugh “I would pack up and leave by tomorrow if that's the case”

“Well, I couldn't pay you that much right now and I'd feel bad. But if you'd like to you can come at the middle of April then? That's like 3 weeks from now”

“You have yourself a deal Stella” I say

Telling Laura and my mum I was leaving was the hard part. I think mum always counted on me being there for her to run errands and such so she wouldn't have to and Laura...well she needed me to help pay rent. Otherwise she had no interest in what I did.

“You can't fucking LEAVE?! What about the rent? I can't make that being a full time student!”

“Well you'll just have to take some money from your savings then” I said, knowing very well she spent it all “until you can get a room mate that is”

“Yeah...well. I could, but what if I wanted to live with my sister then, huh?” she tries

“You want to live with me? Laura c'mon no one's gonna believe that. Least of all me. Just get a room mate from college, I bet there's a lot of people wanting to get out of the dorms and live in an apartment down town instead” I say as I mentally start deciding what to bring with me

“A room mate? Like... a stranger?” she looks puzzled

“Well you always say you have such an easy time getting to know people. So get to know someone and ask them to move in. Or just ask any of your existing friends... You do have choices. Whether you like or not I am going to move to Indiana in 2 weeks.”

“Oh you'll be back once loneliness hits you” she's suddenly snappish again

“We'll see” I say and I go to my room and start making a list of things to bring. I decide to call Casey

“Hello?”

“Hey Casey”

“Hey Kat, how you doin' girl?”

“Better than ever, I'm moving”

“Wow...really? Where to?”

“Indiana”

“WHAT!? But where, why, when?”

“This town called Hawkins, Stella called and asked me to be her sub for a while when she's travelling. I'm going to manage her book store for a while”

“Wow! Cool, I didn't know you kept in touch with her”

“Not really kept in touch per say. We've talked maybe twice over the years, but now she just called out of the blue. I'm leaving in 3 weeks, but I thought maybe I can come see you for a week before I leave for Hawkins?”

“Of fucking course you can sweetie”

“Awesome! I'll be there around the 11th maybe?”

“Sure thing! You driving all on your own or?”

“Yeah, I mean I could have my things sent there, I'm not bringing any furniture only my books and clothes. Everything else I can buy there once I know where I'll be staying. But I want to have my car with me so driving seems the best option”

“Well... I was going to come home and see mum and dad soon so what if I come there and then we'll have a road trip back here?”

“You'd do that?”

“Yeah I mean why wouldn't I? Isn't that what best friends are for?” I can hear her smile

“I'd love that Casey! Call me when you've booked your flight and I'll make sure to be ready to go”

“Will do, and sweetie... I think this small town thing might be good for you. City life hasn't been good to you. You might even grow the balls to meet some new people. Gotta go though, talk to you tomorrow or something. Bye love ya”

“Love ya, bye”

Grow the balls to meet new people, nah...not likely. I would however need to talk to people if they come in to buy books. I need to mentally prepare myself for that somehow.

The weeks leading up to leaving are...well strange. Mum calls daily trying to get me to change my mind, and Laura...well she's not speaking to me at all. So at least something is good in all of this. I've packed everything I want to bring with me, the rest I've donated to Goodwill. Casey called me and told me we can leave on the 11th in the morning if we want to. It will take about a day and a half to drive if we make good time and don't stop too often. I'm heaven I'm finally getting out of this place and leaving it and all bad memories behind.

So that was 2 weeks ago, I've been living in Hawkins for 1 week now. Stella helped me find this amazing apartment right in the middle of town. I live about a 10 minute walk from the book store. Stella is super nice, the store is heaven. I've always loved books, they've been my friends when I had no one else. I love that I can be in any world in an instant. I've fallen in love with Mr Darcy, gotten lost in Narnia with Lucy, I've been on an adventure with Bilbo Baggins and not once have I been bullied or made fun of. Books are my escape and have always been. I read absolutely everything I can get my hands on. I might actually lose money from working here. Stella's been teaching me where everything is this first week, next week is ordering both for the store but also how to make orders for customers. Then the third weeks is the one I dread the most...that's when I'm to learn the register and how to do sales. That's when I have to interact with people. But so far everyone that's been in here seems very friendly, and the atmosphere in town is so much calmer than anywhere I'd been in Seattle. Casey calls almost every night asking how I'm doing.

Time jump 4 weeks

“So you'll be ok now? You know how everything works? And remember if there's anything just call Francis ok? I know you can do this Kat, you've been doing great so far!” Stella hands me the keys on Sunday, the night before she leaves

“Yeah, I think I can do it without help. The downside to having a eidetic memory... I can now remember every instruction manual to everything in the store, plus everything you've told me”

“God I wish I had that, would make ordering so much easier if I didn't constantly have to look up order numbers all the time” Stella sighs

“Well, you can just take a deep breath and leave the store in my hands now. Have a great time and send me postcards from everywhere”

“I will, you're my hero Kat! I know you'll do great. Promise me one thing though... at least TRY to make one friend? This town can get boring otherwise” she smiles at me and I promise her I will try, she accepts that and gives me a hug and leaves.

Stella had been saving up for this trip for years, she's going on a round the world trip. So I'm here for at least 6 months if not more, she's visiting friends as she travels most of them in Europe. She also wanted to do a trip through the US when she gets back so she might be another couple of months if I'm doing ok. I'm nervous about the following day being my first alone in the store. I make dinner, then I put away the last of my books. I finally got the bookshelves I ordered delivered so now all my things have a home. I must say the apartment is very cosy, I might have to invite Casey soon.

Monday 10 am

I turn the 'OPEN' sign and unlock the door, it's my first day alone in here. Mondays are slow so I'm in for a smooth start at least. I have some ordering to do and some reorganizing I've been planning. I think the layout of the store could be better. I'm half way through the science corner when I hear the bell on the door. I look around the corner and I see a girl about my age looking around

“Hello? Anyone here?”

“I'll be right with you” the words were stuck for a second but I got them out. I come out from the corner with a smile, I've tried SO hard to make my smile look not so uncomfortable but more open and friendly. “Hey, how can I help you?”

“Oh, hi... Where's Stella?”

“Ehm, Stella has taken some time off. I'm going to be here for a while taking care of the store for her”

“Wow, ok. Well... welcome to Hawkins then I suppose. So, you're new... never seen you before so not a local. I'm Robin, I work at Family Video. I tend to talk too much so just slap me when you need me to shut up. Uhmm... So I need this book right...well duh I'm in a book store. Well so, I read about this book in a magazine and they recommended it if you're like in to science fiction and stuff. 1984? You have it? I know it's like on some high schools reading list... but yeah Hawkins made it's own rules. I mean they thought the kids in the DnD club were Satan worshippers” I just stare at her... there are a lot of sounds coming from such a petit person

“Ok...woah there” I stop her talking “you're looking for 1984 by George Orwell did I get that right?”

“Yeah, right” big smile

“Ok, yeah I have it. I'll get it for you” I go and I get the book she's looking for “here you go. Was that all?” I want to make some kind of small talk she seems nice but my brain can't find any words that aren't book store related

“Thanks, so when did you move to Hawkins and where from?” she smiles at me again

“Well... I came here 5 weeks ago now, from Seattle”

“Seattle? Wow that's far... but like...why here?” She puts her elbows on the counter and stares at me with interested eyes

“Ehmmm... I know Stella from before. She used to be my teacher in middle school. She called and asked if I wanted the job while she was travelling”

“Cool, where she off to then? How long are you here for? Where do you live... I mean do you know anyone but Stella around here?” A lot of questions and my mind is quickly going blank

“I'm sorry... I suck at small talk. I think I'm here at least 8 months, she's going to go around the world. Ehhhh... I live in the blue house on Main...and I know no one”

“Ooook...so when Stella does something she does it thoroughly apparently! Awesome! Well... I can be your friend, and my 2 best friends are amazing I think you'd like them... Wanna hang out sometime?”

“I...ehmmm... I don't know...how to be around new people” I blush

“I think you're doing just fine... I mean I can be a handful and so far you've answered all of my questions. Steve's a bit more mellow but Eddie...well he can be like me a bit intense. But they're great” she smiles. So her friends are...guys.

“So one of them your boyfriend or?” I ask

“Noooo... I'm a lesbian”

“Oh... my best friend is a lesbian” I have no idea why I tell her this

“She is? Bring her here I'll be my most charming self... I mean if she's single that is”

“She is... as far as I know. I was going to invite her here this weekend.” I say thinking that this Robin might actually be just Casey's type

“Cool, well I need to run thanks for the book” she says and pays “so if you wanna hang out and meet Steve we work until 7 pm. So when you close up just, you know come on in to the video store and say hi. You pass it on your way home” she gives me yet another smile and it feels so friendly I can't stop my mouth

“Maybe you wanna come to dinner with me tonight? You can bring your friends? I was gonna make lasagna...” WHAT THE HELL?

“Sure! We'd love to I know I can answer for the guys to”

“What are they like... I mean what do they like to do... I wanna know if I have anything to talk to them about... I... haven't made a friend since I was 5...” I say and I turn a deep red color

“5!? Wow then you need us” she giggles “well Steve he's mostly in to movies and girls... Eddie is a mechanic who loves rock 'n roll and DnD” she says

“Well... I love movies to and ...well I've read every DnD book that's come out so I might have something to talk to them about then” I smile and this time it feels natural

“Wow... So you're a nerd too then? Eddie's gonna love you. Damn gotta go but we'll be at yours around 7:30 then. Blue house on main?”

“Yes, 2nd floor, door on the right. It says K. Smith on the door”

“Nice, see you then” and she's out the door. I start to hyperventilate, what the hell did I jut do? Did I invite 3 complete strangers in to my home? I need to call Casey! I go in to the office and pick up the phone dialling the number for Caseys office

“Casey Rowling, Human resources”

“Hey”

“Kat?”

“Yeah, panicking”

“Why? What happened?”

“I think I've done something potentially stupid”

“Ok?”

“I've invited 3 strangers to have dinner with me tonight”

“Wait....what? YOU did what?”

“Yes....yes exactly I did what... This girl came in looking for a book, talking oh my god she was talking. I like her though and before I knew it I asked her and her 2 guy friends over for dinner tonight. What the hell do I do Casey?”

She chuckles “Well I'd say make dinner... But c'mon Kat, this is a good thing. So ok a girl and 2 guys... like boyfriend and friend or what?”

“Nah she plays for your team... They're her best friends”

“She does...she cute?”

“Well she did want me to bring you here... She's energetic, ehmmm... red hair, greenish eyes, pretty, petit...very friendly and talks A LOT!” I say trying to describe Robin “Oh yeah her name is Robin and she has freckles”

“Sounds like a real cute girl... Soooo...when can I come meet her” Casey laughs

“Well...let me see first if I scare them away with my complete lack of social skills or if they'll hang around for a while” I giggle

“Aww c'mon Kat, you're awesome. Just try to relax and they'll love you. I know I do...and you've been a weirdo since we were 5”

I know she thinks so, and I mean...if she hadn't then why would she have been my friend for 17 years. I just have a really hard time showing anyone else that. She knows this

“I know you're freaking out about this, but something about this girl must have struck a chord with you Kat. Or you wouldn't have invited her, and her friends... I mean good girl right there! Maybe you'll fancy one of her friends? I know you're hurt real bad but not every guy is like that asshole sweetie, maybe... I don't know keep an open mind?” she just wants what's good for me I know but that pit in my stomach that's churning and reaking havoc right now is soooo bad. “I realize you need support here but... I have to work I have a meeting in 5 and I need to look through my notes. You gonna be ok? I can call when I get home around 6:30?” she says

“I don't know... I mean I am freaking out you've got that right. But, I think I'll be fine. If they're anything like Robin they'll keep the conversation going even if I'm not.” I smile at the memory of the very talkative girl “Ok so work hard and play nice. Good luck in your meeting and I'll call you before you go to work tomorrow instead. I might be to busy preparing the food by 6:30 to get to the phone. Love ya” I say

“Love ya to, and you play nice also. Have fun, I'm rooting for you! And just imagine when Laura calls next time and you can actually tell her you've made 3 new friends, might kill the bitch” Casey chuckles and we hang up

She's right... If this night goes well I can finally tell my sister that yes I have made new friends, 2 being male even, she's going to hate that. This makes me smile as I continue rearranging in the store. There's a few more customers coming in throughout the day. Just that small encounter with Robin being kind of a success, from my point of view, makes interaction with any one else coming in to the store easier. I have a smile on my face the whole day, as I close up for the day the butterflies in my stomach start acting up. It's 4:30... In 3 hours I'll have people over, people I have no relation to. I go to the supermarket and get he things I need for dinner, then as I walk past the video store I look inside, I can't see Robin anywhere but I do see a tall, fucking gorgeous guy with great hair stacking some shelves. Maybe that's Steve? No... I mean she would have mentioned if she was bringing someone so handsome it might make me cry. I giggle to myself as I continue home.

Earlier at Family Video

“Steve, you're not busy tonight are you? After work?” Robin strolls in from her morning break

“Nah, was gonna hang out with Ed for a bit”

“Good! Call him and tell him to meet us here. We're all invited to dinner!” Robin smiles

“Dinner? Where?” Steve sounds confused

“I met this really cute chick at the book store. Apparently Stella is travelling the world and this girl from Seattle came to run the store for her. She doesn't know ANYONE here Steve and she's been here a month already. So I kinda said yes when she invited us for dinner...she's making us lasagna” big smile again

“Wait, wait... what? Let me get this... Stella's gone on a trip?”

“Yes”

“This girl from Seattle is running the store for her while she's gone?”

“Yes”

“She's been here a month and still doesn't know anyone?”

“Nope”

“And she invited US for dinner... you sure she didn't just invite you and you're bringing us along as a package deal?”

“No she said to bring my friends if you guys weren't busy. She's real shy but oh my god Steve she's so cute. I think...and I'm sorry dude, but she's just Ed's type. She's read EVERY  DnD book there is, but she loves movies to so I guess you'll have something to talk to her about as well. Soooo... we're going right?”

“Ok... So cute but shy girl asks us 3 to come have dinner? You think I'm passing up a home cooked meal? Do I look like an idiot?”

“Yes...but I thought you'd go for it anyway” Robin makes a face at him “Now call Ed while I get to unpacking stuff. We're to be there at 7:30 ok”

“Ok, I don't even know how to explain this to him but I'll call” Steve sighs and goes over to the phone

“Yeah this is Eddie”

“Yeah... So long story that I have no clue how to explain to you dude, but be here at 7 we're going to dinner at a new girl's house. Robin will...well I guess attempt to explain it to you”

“Steve? I...what?”

“Just be here at 7”

“Ok...fine see you at 7”

Steve hangs up, still confused

“THERE, I CALLED, HE'LL BE HERE AT 7” Steve calls to Robin in the back

“GREAT DINGUS! NOW COME HELP” she calls back and he sighs and goes to the back to see what the problem is.

At around 5 he happens to look out the window as he's putting new arrivals out on the shelves. He sees this very cute girl passing by looking in. She doesn't see that he's looking at her but she seems to be scanning the store for something or someone. Maybe that's the girl Robin met? She sure was cute, maybe not exactly Steve's type but he can definitely see Eddie go for her.

Back at Kats place

Even though I've made probably hundreds of lasagnas through the years now I'm struggling to remember the steps. My mind is so preoccupied with actually hanging out with new people it's starting to overheat I think. I have to leave it all and go out on the balcony just to get some air, this is ridiculous... Robin was a real nice girl, so her friends ought to be nice to? And if you don't hit it off with them then at least you've taken a step in the right direction. I try to give myself a pep talk like Casey would. I look at the time, it's 6, I need to get started now. Cooking and baking is a hobby I've always enjoyed. It calms my mind. I take a deep breath and I shake my whole body trying to rid it of the tension. It kinda works so I get going on the food. As I start my mind finally relaxes and turns thought free for a while. At 6:45 I put the lasagna in the oven and I sit down to try and relax some more before they arrive, instant freak out. I need to shower and change how could I forget? I've been hauling books all day I must smell like a sweaty pig! I run in to the bathroom and I shower at lightning speed, dry myself off quickly and then I freeze in front of my wardrobe. What the hell to wear? Usually after work it's sweats and a t-shirt, doesn't seem fitting tonight. I look through my clothes...maybe just a pair of jeans and a nice top? I have a blue one I really enjoy, Casey said it makes me look amazing. I mean she loves me so she has to say it but maybe I can wear it regardless? I take it out and put it on, looking at myself in the mirror. Well... it didn't make me look worse than before so, I guess it's a win. I brush my hair out and I put on just a hint of perfume. It's almost 7:30, and I'm pacing in the kitchen trying to not have a fit. Set the table...yes I can set the table. There's a knock at the door as I set the plates down on the table. FUCK! One deep breath an here we go!

I open the door and I see Robins smiling face, but no one else. Did her friends not want to come?

“Hey, we're here, the guys had to have a smoke before coming up. So I brought snacks and I brought some beer. I mean not sure if you think beer goes with lasagna but I mean it goes with everything right? And these guys are a bit nervous meeting you so I promised them beer if they just relaxed a bit and yeah here's flowers for you I didn't know what to give you. I mean I had to give you something you're new in town and I said welcome didn't I?” a flood of words straight away, I just gawk at her. Her friends are nervous about meeting me? But...

“Ehmmm... hey, so yeah... welcome. I have to set the table but come in and make yourselves at home. I can take those” I say and take the beers and the flowers. “Good thinking I totally spaced out in the store and forgot to get something to drink. I'm sort of a wreck to...I haven't met new people in...well forever” I say and I head back to the kitchen. I hear voices and heavier footsteps coming through the door. I can do this! I can make small talk and I CAN act like a normal enough person for one night. I keep giving myself this pep talk as I finish setting the table and making a salad.

“Hey can I help?” Robin's suddenly standing in the door “I left the guys in your living room. Eddie's already mesmerized by your book collection... Steve's keeping an eye on him, he gets easily excited, kinda like a puppy. He might climb your shelves if not monitored” she giggles

“Huh? My books? He's in to books as well, wasn't he a DnD nerd who likes rock?”

“Yeah he is, but he reads more than anyone I know. I think he'll try and leave with at least a few of your books” I look terrified and Robin laughs “no, no like he's gonna want to borrow some of them”

“Oh, phew I thought he was going to kidnap them” I smile

“Nah I'll tackle him and you can hog-tie him if he tries” she winks at me “so did you need help?”

“You can cut up some bread if you'd like. Knives are in that drawer over there and the bread's there on the counter” I point and she nods and goes to get a bread knife

“Wow this bread is amazing, so fresh. Where did you find bread like this around here” she says as she cuts it

“Ehm... I made it” I say blushing

“You MADE this bread? Why the hell do you sell books? You should open a bakery!” she takes a piece and throws it in her mouth “OH MY GOD! I've never tasted bread like this before... You sure you're not a lesbian cuz I wanna marry you for this bread alone” she smiles

“Thank you, and no... But my friend Casey will be here soon, she's a pretty good baker as well” I say with a smile

“Oh...cool... So can I meet her?” she blushes

“I think she's counting on it, I kinda mentioned you today. I mean if we get along that well of course” I get flustered I shouldn't have said that

“Of course we're gonna be friends, why wouldn't we? And those 2 out there...you're feeding them. They already love you... puppies remember” she says and I have to laugh

“Ok, maybe I won't have such a hard time with this if I think of them as puppies” I say

“Look, I told them you're shy and that you're not used to new people. I think I'm the worst here and you've handled me like a champ. They're good guys I swear” she says and pats me on the arm

“Ok, so I guess I should go in there and introduce myself then... Could you check the lasagna? If it's soft and seems done please take it out of the oven” I say and I mentally prepare myself to go meet the guys

“Will do chef” she says and salutes me

I wipe my hands on a kitchen towel and I take a deep breath and head in to the living room. “puppies, they're puppies” I think to myself like a mantra. Until I step over the threshold and I see them. Fucking hell these aren't puppies... Wow! It IS the guy I saw through the window today, and by my bookshelves I see what I can only describe as the most handsome guy I've even seen in real life standing looking at all of my books making little notes in a notebook. My mind goes blank, what do I say?

“Uh... Hey” it's more like a croak than an actual word but at least it's a sound

2 sets of eyes turn at me, both intense, both brown. One hazel one deep chocolate. I make a whimpering sound to myself

“Heeeeey, you must be the woman of the hour. Kat was it? Robin's been talking my ear off all day about you. I'm Steve” the one I saw through the window comes up to me and shakes my hand “that's Eddie over there...and I have no idea why he's silent suddenly that never happens” he says smiling at the other one

“Oh, yeah I'm Kat. Welcome to my place” I shake his hand back and I look over at the other guy who's just staring at me “Hello Eddie” I say trying so hard not to sound like I have my heart in my throat. Still only staring from over by the books

“HEY DUDE! Snap out of it the pretty girl is talking to you” Steve snaps his fingers in Eddies direction. Pretty girl? Me?

“Oh...fuck...yeah HI... Eddie, yes I am...him” he drags his hand through his hair turning pink in the face. He comes up and he takes my hand, not shaking it just holding on “Good meeting, nice you...”

“Smooth dude... She's gonna think you're quite normal now...” Steve sighs and Eddie blushes even more. What? This is supposed to be MY move

Eddie takes a deep breath “Ok, do over. Yes I'm Eddie... It's nice to meet you” he takes my hand again and shakes it sending a jolt of something through me

“Kat, hi” I say

“Spelled like the animal or with a K?” he smiles at me I and swoon, that was some smile

“With a K. It's short for Katherine” I say

“Cool, so Kat... The books. Wow! I've been writing down all the books I wanna borrow, I think it's pretty much all of them” he smiles. Before I can say something about these not being all of my books I hear a shriek from the kitchen

“Kaaaat” I stare at the guys and excuse myself to go see what is happening in there.

“What?” I see Robin standing in front of the open oven poking at the tray with the lasagna with a wooden spoon. “Well...you know it's not going to bite you” I say

“I can't find your oven mitts... So I thought I would poke it out of the oven”

“And then what?” I have to hold my laughter

“I hadn't thought about that, ok? Help” she smiles and I go up to her taking my oven mitts from the wall beside her and she facepalms and sighs

“See...ok they were to close to my face...”

“It's fine, just go get Steve and Eddie and go sit down I'll be right there. Bring the beers to will you” I say as I take the lasagna out of the oven

“Sure thing” she says and takes the beers out of the fridge and leaves the kitchen. I stand there for a minute and breathe heavily. Ok so this seems to be going ok, I mean Eddie seemed more nervous than me there for a second. But could they not be so fucking hot? Like...what the hell is this? I don't think I've ever seen guys like these 2 before and I've grown up in a city with around half a million people in it. And Steve called me a pretty girl...like that's never happened before. EVER

One deep breath and a body shake later and I can finally leave the kitchen to join them at the table.

“Ok so here's dinner, I hope you'll enjoy it.” I say and I give them a smile

“Please...do that to me all the time...” Eddie looks at me

I'm confused “Do what Eddie?” I ask

“Smile at me...” he says and I turn blood red “oh sorry... I didn't mean to embarrass you, I just...fuck...I mean you're beautiful but when you smile like that you're exquisite” he looks at me

“Ehm...” I blush and look down at the table

“Ok, stop with the brutal honesty here Munson. I told you she's shy” I can hear Robin scold him quietly

“Sorry... I just... but she iiiisss” he hisses back at her

I glance up at Steve who's just smiling at me “Eddie can be... Well impulsive at best. You ok?”

“Yeah, I just... No one's ever said that about me before, just caught me a bit off guard” I say quietly “but thank you Eddie, really thank you.” I have to make myself look at him across the table he's just staring at me

“No one's told you you're beautiful before? You mean like here in Hawkins?” he sounds like he's in disbelief

“No... I mean like ever. Even my mum introduces me and my sister as 'her lovely daughter Laura and the other one' so... No one” I say and I have no idea why I share such personal information with people I've just met.

“You're shitting me right now?” Robins jaw has dropped and I look at her

“No... There's a reason I can't interact with new people. I just assume they're all going to be mean” I say and I look down at the table again fiddling with the fork “please can we eat now and then deal with the mess that is me on another occation?” I say

“Sure... We respect that. DON'T WE?” Steve is staring at his friends, Robin and Eddie look at each other and they blush

“Sorry, we'll behave” they say in chorus and I have to let out a small giggle. It's like they're being told off by a older brother or their dad.

“So how do you 3 know each other? You seem...very different from one another” I say amazed I'm asking questions now

“We've all been in school at the same time. I'm the youngest I graduated high school 2 years ago. Steve graduated 3 years ago and Eddie is the oldest but since he's not that in to the whole 'doing the things the teacher tells you to do' he ALSO graduated 2 years ago even if he's 23 by now.”

“Ok so let me see if I got this... Robin you're 21? Steve 22 and Eddie 23?” I ask

“Yup correct” Steve smiles at me “And you?”

“I'm 22 just like you” I say to him “also graduated 3 years ago. What about college, any one of you go?” I ask

“Nope, I have the brains but not the money, Steve has the money but not the brains and Eddie here has the brains but not the will or the money.” Robin chuckles “so we're all working class heroes”

“I like that, I hate the idea of college myself” they all look at me “Well I have pretty severe social anxiety and well... college is not the ultimate setting for someone like me. I do have both the brains and the money but...what was it Eddie, not the will?” I smile at him again remembering what Robin said

“Yeah, can't stand the idea of it really. I like working with my hands and reading stuff because I like it not because it's required for a class. So I work as a mechanic now. And then I play DnD, read and play my guitar in my spare time” it's like he's telling me all the good stuff about himself so that I'll like him

“Yeah Kat's real cool Ed... She has a... what was it you called it?”

“My eidetic memory?” I say

“Yeah that! She's read every DnD book out there and she remembers IT ALL” Robin sounds like she's trying to sell me to the highest bidder. Eddie stares at me

“ALL of them? I mean... You have any of them? I can't really afford to buy the books I have to read what little is in the magazines and then make up my own campaigns from that” he says

“Yeah I have a few of them, those books in the living room isn't my whole collection by far. My fantasy and sci-fi collection is in the bedroom” I say and both Eddie and Robin light up “eat first then you can browse” I say nodding at the lasagna. They all help themselves to the food and they're complimenting it so fiercely I feel like my head might explode from the flattery

“I mean... DnD savant, book collector, baker extraordinaire, beautiful as hell AND you can cook... Like marry me please?” Eddie says when he's finished eating leaning back patting his stomach

“HEY! I asked her first” Robin pouts

“Well maybe she's not playing on your corner, think about that? What if she wants a long haired freak instead huh?” he makes a face at her and I don't know how to react

“They're always like this don't listen to them. It's like having stubborn kids sometimes” Steve chuckles “So how come you ended up here in Hawkins of all places? Rob said you moved here from Seattle?” he sees my discomfort and changes the subject, he's quickly becoming my hero

“Well, I know Stella from when she was my middle school teacher. She was the only teacher I liked and as unlikely as it seems we became friends. We've been in touch a few times over the years since she left Seattle to come back here. Then she called me back in March wondering if I'd be interested in helping her manage the book store while she was away on her trip. She knew owning a book store was a dream of mine and I mean I couldn't say no. So I came her in the middle of April and well...here we are.” I tell them

“But like, did you know anything about Hawkins before moving here? It's not like the place people move TO really” Robin says

“Nope, I didn't know a thing. I tried reading up on the town but seems nothing happens here, not a mention in papers in years” I say. Weirdly enough the 3 of them stare at each other with a look I can't really place

“Yup, that'll be Hawkins... The capital city of nothing happening” Eddie laughs a kind of strained laugh, but I think nothing more about it. “But like... what's with the book obsession? I mean I get it books are awesome but you have like EVERYTHING in there” Eddie smiles at me

“Books don't bully you do they?” I say to him staring straight in to those amazingly brown eyes. I've never even looked Casey in the eye, and now I'm keeping eye contact with someone I met 2 hours ago.

“Uhm, no they don't...” he glances down and then looks up again “I get that, more than you think” he then proceeds to say.

“I doubt that to be honest. I don't mean to be rude but...I highly doubt you've had it as bad as me” I say and I start clearing the table to get my mind out of the spiral that inevitably will lead to me having to cry and go to bed. I take all the plates and I go in to the kitchen with them. It takes about 2 minutes and I hear Eddies voice behind me

“Would you tell me about it? I'm not as bad as I might look, I happen to be an excellent listener” he's carrying the other stuff from the table with him

“Thanks” I say and take the things from him “and...maybe. I don't know I have issues” I say and give him a small smile

“Ok, well everyone has those, in some way or another. What's one of yours? I'll tell you one of mine” he starts running the water in the sink “Yeah I'ma help you do the dishes and if you say no I WILL carry you out in to the living room and then I'll do it myself” he smiles

“You don't have to...” he stares me down “ok, ok sorry. Thank you” I smile “one issue? I'm horrible in social situations, I can not handle strangers. I can't make new friends because I don't know how to interact with people”

“Well... I would call bullshit there sweetheart, you'd never met me or Steve until tonight and you're doing just fine” he winks at me and I feel something inside of me catch on fire

“Well... You didn't see me minutes before you came here. Besides, this might sound strange but I feel like I've known you guys for years... I think it's because you ALL remind me of the only friend I've ever had. You feel....homey. Am I making sense at all here?” I say

“Sure thing, I or I mean we all feel the same. You fit in...like instantly. It's weird to think that you weren't here before so you don't know... ehh... things” he says, a bit uncomfortable at the end

“Know things?” I say as I take a towel and start drying the dishes Eddie's done

“You know what, if I can have a go at your bedroom and borrow whatever I find in there I promise to come over some day and tell you all about it. Deal?” he says

I can feel my stomach doing a flip at the thought of him and me being alone here. But not a bad one like I always felt before as I've been alone with a guy. This time it's a good flip.

“Deal Eddie! But... You can't borrow ANYTHING you find in there” I giggle, then I actually realize what I said and how he might interpret it and I go blood red and I feel like I'm about to throw up

“Wow, we have a naughty side do we? Ok so no going through the night stand, noted” he jokes then he sees my panicked look “oh god no I'm sorry... I was just being a freak... I'm sorry, bad joke”

I can't speak, all the years of being awkward and silent comes back and I lose all ability to act normal. I just wanna be the wallflower again. I dry off the rest of the dishes then I leave the kitchen and head out on to the balcony by the dining area. I need fresh air, Eddie comes out after me

“Hey, Kat... I am sorry. I didn't mean to overstep like that”

“It's...ok. I just... have issues with THAT”

“That? What...sex stuff? I'm sorry I'm being an idiot right now...but if you didn't mean what I apparently thought you meant...what did you mean?”

“I...meant like my dresses. When I said it and then you looked at me like that I realized what you thought I meant...oh kill me now” I say and I hide my face

“Hey, hey... there will be no killing of my new favourite nerd. I think you need to have a good long talk with someone who doesn't know you since before” he says and he rubs my arms and I flinch “Ok...like for real” he lets me go

“I have a therapist” I say

“No I mean, not like that. They're good don't get me wrong but I think you need like... Well hell I think you need to talk to me... I might not look it but I do have my own shit I carry around so I might be more helpful than you think?”

“You?” I think about it, would I want to talk to Eddie about myself in a deeper way than I've done so far? Maybe I do... “ok... I'll give it a go some day. Can't promise when I'll feel ok with it but thank you for being there for me even though you don't know me” I say

“Well... That's sorta what I wanna change sweetheart” he smiles “should we get back inside? Bet you 10 bucks Steve's asleep and Robin's trashing your bookshelves by now”

“TRASHING?!” I gasp

“Yeah... reaking havoc galore” he teases

“Ok, was that the master plan all along? You distract me with those eyes of yours and she goes crazy with my books?” I say

“Distract you with my eyes? Was that a compliment?” he smiles

“Don't get full of yourself, yes you have beautiful eyes, ok” I say now more worried about my books than the fact that I just gave a guy a compliment

“Thank you... and yeah of course it was all part of my plan to get you alone with me” he smirks and I tense up instantly “Kat...what's happened to you in the past? That was just an innocent wording and you tense up like I just told you I was going to hurt you... I mean I would never” his voice is hushed and a bit sad

“I'm...sorry. Bad things” is all I can say then I go back inside “as I said maybe one day we'll talk about it” I turn to him and I try to smile

He sighs and he gives me a heartfelt smile “I hope so” he motions for me to walk in front of him in to the living room. It's not quite havoc galore but it's close. Robin's been going through my bookshelves and she's pulled out books in to 2 piles. I giggle as I see Steve's asleep on the couch, just like Eddie said he'd be.

“Ok...so what’s with the 2 piles?” I say to Robin as I enter

“1 is take home now and one is get when I bring the others back...” she smiles at me kind of embarrassed I caught her

“Ok, you've been in to the bedroom yet?” I ask

“Nooo... I wanted to check with you first” she smiles

“Well seeing as you got first dibs on these shelves it’s only fair that Eddie gets first dibs on the bedroom ones” I say and I motion to him to follow me. We walk in to my bed room and his jaw drops to the floor as he enters

“How can you afford this place? And holy shit...” he sees the book shelves in here extending from floor to ceiling. He's in his own world as he drags his hands on the spines of the books. I smile as I hear him draw breath as he gets to my DnD section “like...you own these? And I can borrow them? You're sure?” he's in complete awe as he turns and looks at me

“Yes, maybe not all of them at once. Leave some so you'll have a reason to visit” I say

“Books isn't the reason I'd come visit” he smiles with his back turned to me. He picks out 3 books, then he looks over at the rest of them picking out a few more “you have books here I've never even heard of. Like are they all in English?” he asks

“Yeah, I do have a few in French that I inherited from my grandmother. They're old romance novels she bought way back when she lived in France. I can read them, I just haven't ever spoken French though so the pronunciation in my head is probably waaaay off but I don't care.” I smile

“Wow, you're like...perfect” he's looking at me now “some day, when you're ok with it I wanna kiss you. Just a heads up” he turns to the books again making sure there's nothing he's left out and my mind is racing... He wants to kiss me...some day! Not now, not this instant. Strangely I feel a bit upset by this, that he doesn't want to kiss me now... I smile at his back, and he thinks I'm perfect. I do a tiny dance before he turns around again. “Ok so I have enough to last me like a week now. But trust me I'll be back” he says

“You're welcome any day. I might have something that will interest you. But that's for another day” I say

“Awww tease... I wanna know NOW” he chuckles

“Patience there Eddie, good things come to those who wait you know” I smirk at him

“I knoooow... But I've waited my whole life and nothing good has ever happened to me” he says “so I may have become quite impatient. But for you, I'll wait” he smiles “I kinda think you're the good thing I've been waiting for” then he leaves the room and I'm stuck standing there not knowing what the hell just happened. Does he like me? Like actually LIKE me? I look at the time, it's close to midnight so I can't call Casey now and dissect this in to a million little pieces.

The 3 of them say good night and leave, and I'm alone again. I brush my teeth and I lay down in bed thinking about this day. Why haven't I done this before? It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. Or it might be the people I had over that made the difference. Robin is wonderful, so much fun and full of energy. Steve is an absolute sweetheart and then there's Eddie. There's something there, something I can't put my finger on. I mean I know I liked the way he looked from the first sight of him but then we spoke and...he's amazing. I fall asleep with a smile on my lips, a smile from making new friends.

At 8 I'm woken up by the phone ringing. At first I can't understand what's making that god awful noise. Oh yeah, phone. I drag my ass out of bed feeling like I'm hungover from 1 beer.

“Hello?” I croak in to the phone

“Oh so you ARE alive, weren't you gonna call me before I headed to work? Now I'm skipping my morning chat and coffee with the cute girl down the hall just to call you” It's Casey

“Sorry sweetie, but it was later than I thought when they left and I feel fucking hung over from 1 beer. I think I might be hung over from socialising if that’s even a thing.” I chuckle

“Ok, but that's awesome Kat, like then it was a good evening?” she sounds so excited for me

“It was, it was so much better than I ever would have dreamed of. I really like them all” I say

“Ok, so any of the guys peak any special interest? They hot?”

“Hot? Jesus, Mary, Joseph AND the donkey Casey, they're like model fucking hot. And yeah... I think I might be crushing a little on Eddie” I blush as I say his name

“WEEEEE!” She's squealing so loud I bet her entire office building can hear her. “Ok so I am definitely coming to see you, this weekend good?”

“Uhmm... sure I guess. I mean it's me I never have plans” I say

“You might have now that you've got the hotties in your life” she teases

“Yeah right, in that case I'll just leave you with Robin then” I say

“Done deal, I gotta go love. But I am so happy for you! See people aren't that scary. Love ya”

“Bye, love ya back” we hang up and I start thinking to myself that, no people might not be so scary. OR is it that I found people that I feel connected to that made them less intimidating? Being me, I have no idea how these things work normally. Do you like meet someone and go Hey I like you , I'm keeping you and then that's it? You're friends? I hop in the shower and get dressed, feeling so light and summery today. I look out the window and I see the clear blue sky and the sun and I decide to wear a dress today. I usually never wear dresses as I never feel cute enough to pull them off, but today I'm in a 'fuck that' kinda mood. I pick out a flowy floral dress to mark that summer is really coming in strong now. I look in the mirror and for once I actually am pleased at what I see. Imagine that...

At 10 I open the door to the store and I continue my work from the previous day. A few customers stroll in from the street, all very welcoming and friendly. Some stay an chat a bit, mostly about where Stella's off to and how I know her. At lunch time I go in the back and have my leftover lasagna that I packed, the day is slow and it's to my liking I'm not 100% sure of everything yet. Around 2 I hear the bell over the door and I peek out from the office where I'm going through orders, I see a brown mane of curly hair disappear behind a shelf. Was that? I head out in to the store

“Hello?” I say

“Hey there” I jump at the sound coming from behind me. It IS Eddie

“Hi” I blush “I thought that was you disappearing behind the shelves” I say

“Yeah I didn't see you behind the counter so I thought I'd go look for you. Wow you look amazing” he smiles at me and my knees wobble a bit

“I do? Thank you... You look, well you always look good I suppose” I say a little more direct than I meant it to sound

“That's a weirdly direct compliment. But thanks, I like that you think I look good. Might give me a fighting chance then” he smiles even wider at me

“Fighting chance? At what?” I'm confused

“At getting you to go out with me” Eddie looks at me with those dark brown eyes and I would have followed him to then ends of the earth and then jumped off the edge if he'd asked me to

“You needn't flatter me that much to get me to do that. Quite honestly you could tell me I look like crap and I'd still go” I admit, then I realize how that sounded and I blush “Oh wait that sounded bad, didn't it? I...well I'm weird” I say with an apologetic smile

“Hey, I'm a freak so we're a match made in heaven then. And trust me I don't think you CAN look like crap so I'd never ever have to say that to you and if I ever do you have my full permission to kick my ass for being disrespectful” he says leaning on the counter smiling at me taking my breath away “so you wanna go out with me?”

I study his face as I consider what he's asking me. He doesn't look like the kind of guy that would turn on the flip of a coin to become mean or violent. What the hell

“Yes please, I'd love to” I hear my self say and I am met by the most beaming smile I've ever seen

“Awesome! Friday? I'll pick you up at 7?” he says

“Sure, sounds perfect” this will give me time to freak out enough times to take the edge of before Friday.

Eddie holds out his hand palm up, I look at it a little confused. Then I carefully place my hand on his, I think that's what he wants? He smiles, pulls my hand closer and kisses the top of it

“Until Friday then gorgeous girl” he says and leaves the book store and I am standing there in complete shock. He kissed my hand, and I didn't pull away. Some might call this a small gesture but to me it's a huge fucking deal. I run in to the back office and I pick up the phone

“Casey Rowling, Human resources”

“Yeah...freak out”

“Again? Did you ask another set of strangers to have dinner with you?”

“Nah, but see... Eddie just asked me out Friday and then he kissed my hand”

There is silence “HE WHAT? Please for the love of kittens tell me you said yes?”

“What? Of course I did, I had no reason to say no. Real or made up...”

“Pheeew good girl! See you're doing amazing there, knew moving away from  that toxic place would do you all sorts of good. So...not washing that hand any time soon I guess” she teases

“Nooooo...I've drawn an outline of where his lips touched my skin and I'm going to carefully wash around that area” I say

“I bet” Casey laughs “but hey, as little of a gesture as that seems to me I understands it's huge to you. And I'm happy for you. Guess my visit will have to wait a week then, you'll be busy this weekend” I can hear her smile

“Why not? We're only going out Friday night. You can come Saturday? I mean I might need you to freak out to in person” I say

“Sure thing, I'll be over on Saturday. But I am staying the night so invite those new friends of yours for drinks on Saturday night” she says

“Will do. Thank you Casey”

“No problem sweetie. Talk to you later”

We hang up, so ok... A date, I've never had a date. How does one act on a date? I know asking Casey would do me no good, she doesn't really date. She goes out to bars and brings girls home and then that's it. I just hope she won't do that to Robin, she seems like the relationship kinda girl not the casual hook up kind. I don't want to do it but I might actually have to call my sister...or wait... I look at the time, it's about an hour before I close for the day. I have an idea, might be a foolish one but it's worth a try if it will spare me a conversation about dating with my sister. As I wrap up the day and turn the sign to say 'CLOSED' I feel the reality of the situation hit me. What if he wants to do stuff? After the date? Do I tell him about what's happened to me on the first date or do I just say no and give no explanation... I start to feel panicked, what if he's like HIM? I don't think he is but, how can I be sure? I lock the door and I head towards Family video. I go in and I hear Robin loudly debating with someone about the excellency of Tom Cruise, apparently Robin is NOT convinced. Steve is behind the counter as I walk up

“Hey Kat good to see you, thanks for last night it was awesome” he smiles widely at me

“Hey Steve, that's sweet thank you. Hey may I have a word with you?” I ask him and he looks at me curiously

“Sure, hang on a sec. HEY ROB! Wanna come do some actual work for a bit?” he calls over to the direction I hear Robins voice coming from

“Yeah be right there, TOM CRUISE IS NOT GOD....fuuuuck” I hear and then stomping footsteps head our way. I have to laugh at her, I wholeheartedly agree, he is not. She beams when she sees me

“Heeeeey Kat! Happy to see you, what's up?” she goes in behind the counter after giving me a hug

“I was sorta hoping I could have a word with Steve real quick” I say and her eyebrows shoot up

“Ok, well sure. Keep him for all I care he's no good to me anyway” she chuckles

“I will not be dragged in to your pointless arguments with Gareth, I've told you this EVERY time” Steve smiles at her “So wanna go in the back and talk?” he asks me motioning to me to come behind the counter

“Yeah, thanks” I say and I follow him to the back room where they have their staff area

“So what's up Kat, what can I do for you?” he offers me a seat at the table and he sits down opposite me

“Well... I didn't know who to talk to. So...” I don't really know where or even how to begin “Eddie showed up at the store today” I say

“Ok, good or bad visit? Am I giving him a high five or kicking his ass?” he smiles a comforting smile at me

“Well, high five I guess... He asked me out” I say

“Well shit! Good going Munson” Steves smile gets even bigger

“See, here's the thing. I've never had a date... I don't know how to act” I blush and look down at the table

“You've never had a date? How is that even possible, a cute and nice girl like you? And I mean not that I mind but why did you come to me? I mean Robin, or your friend you told us about?” he says

I decide to ignore his first statement and go on “Well... you seem to know Eddie the best, and well. What's he like? I mean what does he like to do? On dates...”

“I have no idea, I haven't ever heard Eddie say he's been on a date so... But I mean something about you seems to have caught his interest so just keep talking about what ever you talked about last night I'd say. As for him like a person, well he's super kind to everyone, he's one of those people who cares deeply if he likes you. And he can be funny as hell or just the most obnoxious freak you'll ever meet. And a total nerd”

“I was so nervous last night I was just rambling on about everything... But ok, so I have one more question and this one is more serious please don't laugh at me” I say and I can feel tears threatening in my eyes “what about...physically? Is he...pushy? I have...intimacy issues” I say and a tear trickles down my cheek

“Eddie? Pushy? You mean...oh... hell no. I mean dude's not a virgin but he's probably the least pushy person you'll ever meet. He's flirty but I've never seen him be handsy with anyone unless they ask him to be, he's like a total gentleman. Don't tell him I said that about him” he chuckles and I have to smile

“Good...I was worried” I admit

“Don't be, however...he's one of those people who can drag anything out of you so be prepared to talk about whatever it is Kat. He's a real good guy though and I know he really likes you. He wouldn't shut up about you last night. He drove us home, spent an hour listening to him obsess over you before I could head in to bed” Steve smirks

“He...talked about me? What'd he say?” I'm curious now

“Prettiest girl he'd ever seen, a smile to die for, nerd like him, and the books... god I never wanna talk about books ever again” Steve sighs and I blush all over

“He really IS a freak” I mumble

“He is, but he's totally smitten by you. So if he hadn't asked you out on his own accord I would have done it for him” he says

“Ok, thank you Steve. This was helpful, I can't really ask Casey, she doesn't date. And other than that I only have my sister and that would have been a complete disaster asking her for advice. I like Robin a lot but she, well she's not that helpful with guys I think” I smile

“Your friend who wants to meet Robin doesn't date?” he looks confused

“Yeah, I'm hoping Robin will change her approach to dating actually. Or I will have to stop anything from happening... Casey is a serial hook up girl not a dating girl... I love her but she needs to calm down” I tell him “and I don't want her to hurt Robin. I would never forgive myself”

“Robin's a big girl I think she can handle it. But your friend's coming here soon or?”

“Yeah, she'll be here on Saturday. She wants to meet you all, so I was thinking a small party at my place? I'll cook you guys bring the drinks?” I say and Steve lights up

“Absolutely! Perfect timing to, this is mine and Robins weekend off. I can safely say we'll be there! And unless you end up killing Munson or he makes a complete ass of himself I bet he'll be there to” Steve beams “just pop in and tell us when”

“Will do, thanks again for this” I say and we get up and head out to Robin

“So you guys solve the meaning of life or did you fail?” Robin smiles at us

“We're getting there! Party at Kats on Saturday we're bringing drinks and she's bringing you a date” Steve says

“Woah... I bring booze and I get a date in return? Cool” Robin laughs

“I'll be by like Thursday after work to tell you what time to show up. Casey will most likely have told me when she's planning on showing up by then” I say and I hug them both good bye

“Sounds like a plan, see ya” Steve waves at me and I leave

“So what was that about?” Robin looks at Steve

“Munson asked her out...and she was worried he'd be handsy I guess. I assured her he's not that kind of guy. But I think she's been through some shit, you know she's never had a date ever?” Steve looks after the girl who just left

“Not once? Wow, I mean how...she's so sweet. Well good news he asked her, bad news...we're never hearing the end of it now” Robin smiles and they go on with their workday

As I head through town on my way home I decide to pop in to the supermarket and get some stuff for dinner. When I'm done and finally step in to the staircase of my building I can hear the phone ringing. I sigh, it's been 2 weeks I know exactly who's on the other end. I drag my feet not wanting to talk to Laura today. I want to remain happy, but I know she'll just call later again. I head inside and I put away the groceries I bought and I change in to some comfy clothes and then I take a deep breath and I pick up the phone and I call my sister

“Hello, this is Laura”

“Hey, it's me”

“Why didn't you answer earlier?”

“I heard the last few rings when I was heading up the stairs. I had groceries I had to put away before I could call you back” I say

“Well, you could have hurried up a bit. Wasting my time calling if you weren't gonna answer anyway”

“Well... If that's the case we can just hang up. I mean If calling me is wasting your time Laura I bet actually talking to me is even more so?”

“Well someone's gotta keep track of you. I bet mum hasn't called you?”

“She has, I had a quick talk to her Sunday, she knows I'm good. Did you actually want something?” I'm getting fed up with this

“Well I wanted to hear if my sister is doing ok, I mean hello”

“Laura, you don't care. What did you REALLY want to talk about?” I sigh

“Make any friends yet?” there it is, the sarcastic snappish tone

“What's it to you anyway Laura? Wouldn't you be happier if I was just alone all the time? That would make your opinions about me true...”

“Woah, who's pissed you off today? I was just asking”

“Yeah, you ask...every 2 weeks you JUST ASK. And do you ever expect a different answer than the one you always get? Would you actually listen if I told you anything other than no? We both know you wouldn't, because you don't want to hear it. It would upset your world view Laura. You know what? I don't have time for you. We'll talk in 2 weeks unless you by some miracle finally understand I have no interest listening to you being rude to me for 15 minutes. So to wrap things up, you pissed me off today. Just by calling”

“Bitch! You on your fucking period or what? Damn, that attitude will not help you! By the way, I would SO listen to you if you told me you made friends. Mostly so that I could burst that delusional bubble of yours. I don't think I wanna call you in 2 weeks, not if this is the thanks I get for caring how you're doing. You'll miss me though, and I might consider answering when you call to apologize” she snarls at me

“Don’t hold your breath! See you at Christmas then” I say and I slam the receiver down, I'm furious. Who's she to call me a bitch? I'm so angry I burst in to tears, sitting on the floor sobbing. This is when I hear a knock at the door, a quite timid knock. Like someone's been listening to me getting angrier and angrier on the phone. I drag myself off the floor and go up to the door opening it just to find a worried Eddie standing there.

“You ok?” and I break down completely. The kindness in his voice and the warmth in those eyes gets to me, I cry like I haven't done since after the party when Casey came and picked me up.

Eddies pov

I can't stay away from her, I know I just saw her today but my feet took me here on their own. I take the stairs in just a few steps, that's when I hear her through the door. She's getting increasingly annoyed with someone on the phone. Should I knock and interrupt the conversation? No I'll just wait maybe it calms down. It doesn't soon enough there is actual anger in her voice. The last thing before she slams the phone down is a “See you at Christmas then” I wonder who's on the receiving end of that... Oh my fucking god, she's crying now. My heart sinks, I feels so bad for her.

I place a couple of careful knocks on her front door then I wait. It takes a few seconds and then the door opens and I see her, as beautiful as ever with cheeks wet from tears. I try my best not to let my worries show and I ask her if she's ok. She breaks down in to a state of crying I don't think I've ever seen anyone in before. It's probably close to what they told me Henderson looked like when he thought I died back in 86. I know she's not comfortable with touch, I figured that last night but I feel I need to anyway. I sit down on the floor next to her and I wrap my arms around her, humming to her quietly

Back to Kat

He's on the floor with me? Why would he get down on the floor? I can't move, there's an ache inside of me that needs to get out. So I cry, I cry my fucking guts out and all this guy does is wrap his arms around me and starts humming to me. Just a kind gesture but to me, it turns my whole world upside down. No one's ever shown me this kind of compassion before, not even Casey. This makes me cry even more, I grab him and I hold on tight as I let out all the pent up feelings I've been carrying around with me for ever.

“There, there sweetheart. I'm here for you. I'm going to lift you up from the floor now and carry you to your bed, ok? Then if you want me to keep holding you just, you know reach for me or something. You don't have to talk, and if you don't want me to stick around push me away or something.” he says letting me go momentarily and getting up from the floor. I feel a pair of strong arms swoop me of the floor and carry me through my apartment. He puts me down on the bed carefully and I wont let go, I can't let go. “Ok sweetheart, I'm right here. Don't worry” he whispers as he lies down next to me and once again wraps his arms around me.

I have no idea how long I've been crying for but it's getting darker when I finally feel calm enough to try talking.

“Eddie... I'm sorry” I mumble

“Sorry? For what? Whatever triggered this was in my humble opinion a good thing. This, right here needed to get out” he says in a soft voice “don't you apologize for letting the hurt go”

“But you came to visit and instead of finding the usual me you find this mess of a human” I sniffle

“Hey, I don't mind the mess. She's just as pretty. And apparently you needed me or you would have told me to go. So I stayed”

“You're perfect aren't you” I whisper

“Me? Not even close, but thank you. Maybe I'm perfect for you” he whispers back “You feeling better now?” he hugs me a little tighter

“Yeah, I think I do. I haven't cried that bad in about 3,5 years” I say

“Well overdue on the tears then” he says not bugging me to talk but I can't stop myself. Before I know it I'm telling him about Laura, all the years of bullying from my own sister. How mum never wanted to acknowledge it. About becoming more and more of a wallflower and then never hearing the end of it from my own sister, how she's pestering me about making friends, how I need to find a guy before I dry up. All the stuff I've had pent up inside for years and years. Eddie's just there listening to the flow of words and tears. Then without even thinking about it, feeling so comfortable with him I hear myself saying

“And this whole 'you need to lose your virginity crap' I can't fucking tell her it's too late. That I was used by the only guy I ever liked in school, he fucked me but wouldn't touch me in any other way because I was a fat, ugly loser. I can't explain to her what it's like to hear you were a bet that he wanted to win, that fucking me was just another way to humiliate me, and then for him to just laugh and leave me on a bed in a strange house. How this alongside all the shit she put me through makes me think everyone will end up being mean to me so I shy away instead of talking to people. That that's what's become of me in great part because of her... I could tell her but she won't care and that's what's pissing me off the most. She just DOESN'T CARE” the tears start streaming down my face again as I tell Eddie about the thing I never ever talk about. I can hear him draw a deep staggering breath

“Jesus sweetheart, I'm so sorry. No wonder you reacted the way you did to my awful jokes last time. I wouldn't have guessed in a million years it would be that bad. You don't talk about this I take it?” his voice is soft and I hear the underlying sadness

“No I don't, I told Casey when it happened but then I wouldn't bring it up again. I've talked to my therapist but that's about it. I have no idea why you had to be the one to hear about this, I'm sorry”

“Hey, no... Don't say that. I'm so beyond grateful that you chose to confide in me, I did tell you I'm a great listener. But... how are you feeling about that these days? I mean I get that it was life changing and I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would do something like that to another person. But like, do you think you'll ever feel that need for intimacy or...like... Fuck I don't know how to ask what I wanna know”

I look up at him, the nervousness I felt around him all last night is gone. I just feel so comfortable. “Just ask... I mean I will tell you if I don't want to answer” I say

“Ok...well... Do you think you'll ever want someone...the way...” he sighs “the way I want you?” he looks at me with a tentative smile

“My therapist told me that some day I might meet someone that would help me heal, help me realise that not everyone I meet is going to be mean to me. I didn't really believe her, but I see now she was right. I met you Eddie, you don't seem to have a mean bone in your body. As for the thing you asked...yes...there is a very good chance I'll want someone...” I blush I've never said anything like that to anyone in my life, and here I am saying it to this perfect human sitting in my bed holding me making me feel safe.

“Oh... good. I hope that someone is worthy then, or they'll have to answer to me” he gives me a half smile “and thank you for letting me help you heal, if that was what you meant”

“Eddie” I smile at him “I meant that there is a good chance I want you too, like a lot...just I need to go slow” the smile on his face could light up the darkest of rooms “but hey, you said that you wanted to kiss me some day... could this be that day?” I feel brave...and terrified at the same time

“You...want me to kiss you? Now?”

“Yes...” the answer is no more than a whisper

He sits up next to me and he turns to me, looking me deep in the eyes. His hands move slowly up to my face, tracing my jawline with his fingers. His hands softly grab my face and holds it as he lowers his face towards mine. I think I stop breathing, there's only me and him and the fact that his mesmerizing eyes are locked in to mine. He stops just before his lips meet mine “Sweetheart, you need to breathe. Are you sure about this? Please tell me if you want to stop”

I stare at his lips so close to mine and a whimper escapes my lips. He tenses and looks at me worried

“No, no it wasn't a bad sound...it was just...what if I suck at this?” I whisper and he relaxes and gives me a smile that eases any nerves I have

“I don't think that's possible” he whispers and his lips finally meet mine. I hear myself let out a small moan in to his lips and I feel him smile. The kiss is soft and careful, it's not scary at all it's just amazing. It goes on forever and I let it, I never want to stop kissing him. But he pulls away with a groan “Fuck Kat, this is soooo good. But I need to stop now or I might do something you're not ready for. I'd rather you set the pace for any more stuff happening. But...just so you know, I want you. Like in every way”

“Eddie...just wow... So that's kissing then” I giggle and I get this amazed look back

“What? Wait a god damn minute, was this...your first kiss?”

“Yeah...it was” I mumble kind of ashamed I didn't tell him before

“Oh my god, was it good though? I mean... I didn't come on to strong?” wow this guy is considerate on a whole new level

“Good? Eddie...it was perfection. I don't think there's ever been a more perfect first kiss, not even in the movies or in any of the books in this place and trust me there are hundreds if not thousands of kisses on these pages” I ramble on making a sweeping gesture at the books lining my walls

“Awww shush, making me blush here” he mumbles smiling at me

“Eddie... I didn't have much of a choice having to wait for my first kiss to happen, no-one's ever been interested in kissing me. But let me tell you I'm so insanely happy I had to wait, because now I got to experience this with you. I'm not one to be impulsive or do things on a whim, don't think I'll ever be. So this was just right, just perfect.” I try to explain what I'm thinking but I realise my brain is taking long ways around something that's just obvious “What I'm trying to say is I want you to Eddie...in every way. Maybe not tonight, that's a bit too fast, but this was a good start”

The smile I get back isn't something one can put words on, it's just...like in my books. He looks at me and leans in, pressing his lips to mine once again. Giving me a deep kiss that I can feel in my core

“I will do my very best to be the guy you need, and trust me I would never hurt you or be mean to you. I don't believe in behaviour like that, life is too damn precious to act like an ass to people.” he says leaning his forehead against mine

“Eddie...”

“Yeah?”

“I'm sorry for putting all of this on you in one go. But what did you actually want when you came here tonight? I didn't ask” I say

He chuckles “I wanted to see you, I couldn't get you out of my mind. So I thought I'd come here and maybe get to talk to you, and I was curious about that thing you said you had for me. This was just icing on the cake sweetheart, and I don't mind you telling me all of this. I'll try to help you heal as best I can” he kisses my forehead and I smile

“Aww, you wanted to see me? Twice in one day, how lucky am I?” I smile

“Sweetheart, I'd wanna see you every minute of the day if it was up to me. Somehow from the second I laid eyes on you I was caught, might be because you're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen as well as the most interesting one”

“Stop flattering me like this...making me flustered” I giggle

“Hey, I only tell the truth here girlie, deal with it” he smirks

“Oh ok then, keep going” I can't deny liking him SO much already.

“Oh I will, don't you worry about that. I'll keep flattering you from now until you get sick of me. But seriously though...what did you have for me” he looks like a kid on Christmas waiting for Santa to come bearing gifts

“Oh yeah, right. Come” I say and I take his hand getting off the bed. We go out in to the living room and I tell him to sit down on the couch while I get what I was talking about. I go to one of the cupboards in the hallway and I rummage through the boxes stacked in there. All neatly labelled, I get out 3 big notebooks and I bring them over to Eddie. “Here I think you might like these, you can have them if you want” he looks puzzled as he takes the notebooks from me. He opens one and starts reading the text, his eyes open wide and he stares at me

“These are campaigns... Like really well written amazing campaigns. Where'd you get these?” he asks

“I....wrote them” I blush

“You made these? Like for real? Woooow...they're better than anything I've ever written, hey did you say I could HAVE them? Did you mean borrow them?” he's talking and reading at the same time

“No, I meant have them. I have no need for them, I just made them up over the years. Some of this is like therapy, I must admit quite a few of the monsters you'll encounter are meant to be Laura” I giggle “since apparently killing your sister is illegal... I had to get some other outlet at times”

He looks up at me and bursts out laughing “You're killing me here, so if I get the gang to kill these monsters I'll be helping you out. Cool, but ok I'll accept these on one condition”

I look at him, what does he want from me?

“I want you to join me at one of Hellfires game nights ok? You won't have to talk to any of the others unless you want to. But I want you to be there for at least one of these campaigns of yours, so you can be there for the kill” he smiles

“Hellfire?” I say

“Yeah Hellfire Club, it was originally the DnD club at high school but those of us who graduated but linger on here in Hawkins we didn't want to leave the club so it became a mix of high school kids and us 'grown ups' lucky for me they still wanted me to be dungeon master.” he says and I smile at his excitement

“Can I join the campaign to? Or just watch?” I ask and he smiles widely at me

“You know how to play?”

“Well... I've never played for real seeing as I don't have friends... But all the books you saw in there and then some have taught me the basic understanding of the game. See...if you didn't know what an eidetic memory is... I remember everything, everything I see everything I read. I can tell you every word in those notebooks without reading from the pages. I just... I would like to know what its like to actually play”

“Sweetheart, we'd be happy to have you! Tell you what, you come with me Thursday night to watch us play, and meet the guys. Then next week we'll use on of your campaigns and you can join us. Sound ok?” he says

“Are they...nice? Your friends?” I ask

“Yeah, intense little nerds some of them but over all very nice guys. There's me, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Erica, Will, Joe and Gareth” he says

“Aaaah the guy who idolises Tom Cruise much to Robins dismay” I say and Eddie stares at me

“What?” he chuckles

“Yeah, I have to tell you something kinda embarrassing. I went to see Steve today after work. I was so freaked out you asked me to go out with  you and I've never had a date so I didn't know how to act. Thought I'd ask him what you liked so I didn't make a fool of myself, I overheard Robin arguing with Gareth about Tom Cruise not being God” I give him an apologetic smile

“You went to Harrington to ask what he thought I'd like on a date? Why him?” he laughs

“Well, Casey isn't much of a help seeing as she doesn't date either...she just has hook ups. Robin, well she's on Caseys team so not much help with dating guys and well that left me with Steve, thought he might be able to help seeing he's a friend of yours. He did assure me you weren't mean or overly handsy. And he raised you to the high heavens, you have a real good friend there Eddie” I smile at him

“Wow, he did that? Cool, well yeah I mean we haven't been friends that long. We'd never even spoken before the thing...but after that shit we've been close. Him, me and Robin. They're family now since my uncle moved away” he says

“The thing? This is the second time you've eluded to something that seems to have had a real impact on your lives...would you tell me?” I ask “ I mean I did let you borrow anything from my bedroom, wasn't that the deal? I'd let you do that and you'd come over and tell me?” I say with a smile

“Fuck, you remembered that did you” he smirks “Ok...but let me just say that I KNOW what it sounds like. But we were all in this and we'll tell you the same story so don't think we made this shit up. It's so beyond something one would make up to... I don't know impress people? Scare people...” he sighs and I become even more curious “it's like taken from a book but it's not...we lived through this”

I cuddle up beside him on the couch and I listen as he begins to tell me a story so unbelievable it really has to be true. Government plots, gifted children, monsters, underground labs, Russians, more monsters, disappearances, deaths, a world beyond our own, Vecna and ultimately the destruction of Hawkins and the apparent death of Eddie. By the time he stops talking my head is spinning, I try to make sense of it all. Trying to see if there is a possible spin on this that makes it... I don't know, a collective dream they all had.

“Eddie... I don't know what to say...or believe for that matter. You say you died...yet I mean you don't feel dead to me” I say and I put my hand on his chest

“I was for a moment, woke up though. But by then Henderson had left me, I mean no shade on him he thought I died for real so what was he to do? He couldn't carry me and get away so he had to leave me there.” Eddie says

“I get that part... I just don't... Bats Eddie? Bats aren't...that vicious” I say and he gives me a reluctant smile

“Normal ones, no... These... well these fuckers are nowhere near normal bats. We called them demobats, but after what they did to me I'd just like to call them demons.” he growls

“But, you said they tore the flesh of you... You're sure they were bats?” I'm so stuck on this, bats...they don't do that

Eddie gets up from the couch “Ok so I'm going to do something now I haven't done even in front of the guys...” he takes a deep breath and he pulls his shirt off and stands there in front of me bare chested and absolutely gorgeous. When my mind has calmed it self from the pure shock of how good he looks I see them, the scars. Horrendous scars cover his upper body. I sit up straight and I motion to him to come closer, he attempts to put his shirt back on

“No...please” I whisper at him. He looks at me confused but he lets his shirt hang from his hand as he moves in to stand in front of the couch. I look at the scars, they're deep. All of a sudden I realize, it's all true. None of it is made up and whatever did this, bats or not. It did take chunks of his flesh, it's a miracle he didn't bleed to death for real. I reach out and I gently caress his chest and all of the scarring.  Somehow, because they're a part of him I find them beautiful. I let my hand trace them all

“Please...Kat don't do that” he whispers

“Oh, sorry do they still hurt?” I snap out of whatever spell he has me under and I retract my hand

“No...just... Your touch, makes me feel things” he blushes and this is when I notice an apparent, well reaction. I turn beetroot red in the face and I don't know where to look

“Fuck...sorry” I manage to get out

“Don't be sorry, I mean if anything it's a compliment” he says and puts his shirt back on and sits down. I can't look at him my entire mind and body are in an uproar. My mind just wants me to shut down and hide so that I won't get hurt again but my body it aches to touch him again, and again until he's a whimpering mess in my hands...oh wow where'd that come from? I blush again “hey, may I ask where your mind wandered of to now? I said nothing and did nothing yet you're blushing” he smiles “you know you can talk to me”

“I...know. I just don't know what to say, or how to even start. There's a lot happening in my mind at the moment” I say in a hushed voice

“Well, can I ask you questions then? Maybe get the ball rolling? I don't mean to be so blunt but I want you, like obviously. And I kinda wanna know if there is a chance...some day” he mumbles smiling at me. I nod, vigorously “Ok, I assume that guy was your first?” I nod “ok honey I kinda need you to talk to me, it'll feel better after” he says

“Yes he was my fist, and my only” I croak

“Ok, so no one else after that? When was it did you say? Your senior year? That would be like 3,5/4 years ago then?”

“Yeah, almost 4. It was at the beginning of the year”

“So, you haven't met anyone else that made you feel....stuff since then? I mean I would assume you felt something if you agreed to let him, you know”

I want to hide under the couch “No one, until now” I whisper, I can't even look up “I mean I'd had a crush on him for years but that part of it wasn't that strong. I was just happy to be noticed, I wasn't ready. I did it...anyway” I hate admitting this

“Hey, my first time wasn't planned or even that good, it was a real disaster. Granted I wasn't ridiculed afterward. But trust me I wasn't ready either. I think very few people are, it just kinda happens. But I mean the stuff he put you through was fucking abysmal. Fucking lowlife piece of shit” he mutters to himself

“You said you want me...” I muffle the sound of the question in to a pillow that's how embarrassing I find this

“Yeah, I do... I mean I think you noticed” he's blushing again “do you...? Uhm want me?” his eyes seem to be burning from the inside as he gazes over at me

I take a deep breath “yeah I do, it scares me, but I do” I breath out as I say the words. Eddies face lights up and he reaches for my hand

“I promise you that when you feel ready for anything I'm here, I am SO here for you. Please come to me if...you know” he says. I nod my head so hard it feels like it might fall off. “Words sweetheart” he chuckles

“Yeah, promise” it's more of a sound than a word

“Good, now I'm going to kiss you...a lot!” he smiles at me and I nod again getting a stern look in return

“Ok, please do” I say as he leans in

“Good girl” he purrs and I don't know what to do with myself. He kisses me deeply, not touching anything but my face. I want him to touch every inch of me but I can't for the life of me form those words. They're scaring me senseless, but holy hell I want him. We kiss for what seems like hours and I'm feeling a happiness inside I've never felt before.

“Eddie” I whisper as our lips finally part

“Yeah sweetheart?”

“You're like REALLY good at this” I smile

“Geez thank you. But guess what, you're pretty much a fucking rock star at this yourself” he winks at me “but...it's close to midnight again...I need to get home. Early start tomorrow at work” he smiles at me and I look stunned

“Midnight? Wow...crying and kissing sure makes time fly” I giggle and Eddie laughs and kisses me on the head

“Sure does, with the right company. I'm going to try and keep away tomorrow night so that we can both get some sleep. But I'll be here to pick you up at 6:15 on Thursday for Hellfire. Ok?”

“Yes, that works. Should I bring anything?” I ask

“Well...snacks are always welcome” he smiles at me and winks

“Got it” I say and smile back. I follow him to the door and we kiss for a couple of more minutes until he drags himself away from me, sighs and heads down the stairs. I watch him go and then I slowly close the door feeling like this might have been a dream? I mean real life can't be this good, can it? Or good, I cried for hours...told him about my horrible past. He told me about his. But then the kissing...oh wow the kissing! I go to sleep, yet again with a smile on my face. I wake up earlier the next morning so I get up and head straight for the phone

“Hello?”

“Hey Casey, good morning”

“Morning, I don't have long. Maybe like 10 minutes, what's up buttercup?”

“So...interesting night”

“Oh? Do tell”

“Well it began with Laura calling, you know...right on the 2 week mark”

“Of course” I can practically hear Casey rolling her eyes

“Yelled at her...slammed the phone down. Started crying my eyes out”

“Oh Kat, I'm so sorry...but good for you yelling at her”

“Yeah...there's more”

“MORE? That wasn't enough for one night?”

“Knock on the door...guess who”

“Ooh the cutie patootie?”

“Yup the one and only, so I think I cried in his arms for 3 hours...then...” dramatic pause for effect of course “we kissed for another 2 hours”

All I hear on the other end is Caseys breathing “come again?”

“I think you heard me...just let it sink in” I say with a smile

“You...and he...on the lips?”

“Where else? Oh you know what don't answer that”

“No but like... YOU kissed a guy...not just once but for HOURS? I...I have to sit down”

“Well... I though you wanted to know. Didn't think it would break you” I giggle

“I... well fuck me I'm as proud as a mama. Was it good? I know you don't have anything to compare to but like...was there a tingle?”

“It was, I don't have enough words in my vocabulary to describe what that was like.”

“Sweetie, I love you and I'm saying this as your best friend. You need to go get him! And I know you know what I mean. Just don't overthink like you always do just...rip his clothes off and make him your bitch”

“Well...the though crossed my mind. If it hadn't been for my own words of wanting to go slow I might have, it looked...impressive”

“IT LOOKED...the fuck are you telling me? You saw it?” Caseys voice goes so high pitched I don't even think dogs can hear her any more

“Not...like in the flesh. But it was...prominent in his pants” I say

“Like... I'm going to have to take a Valium or something, this is killing me. And now I have to go to work... Ok so tonight there's oral? What the fuck”

“Tonight is alone time. But I'm meeting some of his other friends tomorrow night. And then there's the date on Friday and then you and I are having a party here on Saturday”

“My mind is so full right now I can't understand a thing you're saying. We'll talk tonight yeah?”

“Yeah, call me when you have the time. Love ya”

“Love ya to”

I smile as I put the phone down, I know there's going to be about an hour and then she's processed it all and she will call me. I take a shower and I get ready for the day. I make tea and some sandwiches and I wait. 1 hour and 15 minutes later the phone rings

“Hey”

“Ok, so I totally forgot to tell you how happy I am for you”

“I knew that without you calling Casey, but thank you”

“But like for real go get some. It's better than you think”

“How would you know? Have you ever been with a guy?”

“Nah, but I mean if he makes you come...that's the same!” she chuckles and hangs up and I shake my head smiling. But I guess she is right, I mean that part of sex is the same whether it's a guy or a girl making you come. The thought of Eddie making me come sends shivers down my spine all gathering at one spot between my legs. I press my thighs together and I moan. God, I do want him.

I head to the store and the day passes without any problems. I stop by and say hi to Robin and Steve as I head home. I don't tell them about me and Eddie, I wanna see where the date takes us first. We talk about Saturday and make some plans about drinks and food. I head home and I wait for Casey to call again. When she does an intense hour of dissecting every minute of my night with Eddie commences. She agrees, with herself, that we were meant to be. I laugh at her, it's strange hearing her this...romantically inclined. She's usually not one for soulmates, feelings, meant to be and all that stuff. If I'm a romance novel she's...an instruction manual for a typewriter. I can't keep from hoping this is her changing a bit herself as well. I would hate it if she hurt Robins feelings by being, well her usual cynical self. We hang up and I make a cup of tea and I turn on the TV for a while, but I can't concentrate my mind is on Eddie the whole time. The phone rings, I look at the time. It's 9, who the hell calls me at 9 in the evening?

“Hello?”

“I know I said I would leave you alone tonight but I just needed to hear your voice” I hear Eddie say

“Oh, hi...I was thinking about you”

“Yeah? Good thoughts I hope”

“Very good” I smile

“Oh...damn” he gasps

“See you tomorrow Eddie. Sweet dreams” I say and I hang up

Eddies pov

Very good thoughts about me? Wow, I hope I didn't read to much in to that. But it didn't seem like it on her voice as she told me sweet dreams? Eddie is smiling to himself, then he becomes serious. He feels like a fucking creep, standing here at a pay phone looking up at her window hoping to see her. He couldn't bring himself to go up there unannounced one more night, so he opted for this. He stands there looking at her windows actually fucking MISSING her. What was this? Sure, he's had crushes before, Chrissy was probably the biggest. But well, that died. Quite literally... But this, this is something else all together. He'd even told Wayne about Kat when he called him tonight. He was pleased, but also surprised at how fast Eddie's feelings caught on.

“Hey son, I know you don't believe in it but this sounds like soulmates if you ask me” Wayne had said to him, no Eddie usually didn't believe in that stuff. And as far as he knew neither did Wayne, but here he was putting words on Eddies exact thoughts. There was something about this girl, it felt like he'd been waiting for her for ever. He looked up again, there she was! He could see her in the window as she turned the TV off, probably getting ready for bed. God she's beautiful! He'd never thought of himself as having a type, but she showed him that his type is most obviously a chubby, brown haired nerd who reads a lot and has glasses and deliciously thick thighs and a big soft ass. Fuck he wants to be buried between those thighs... Aaaand now he feels like even more of a creep feeling his dick harden in his pants. GO HOME MUNSON! He thinks to himself as he watches her turn of the lights and head to bed. He strolls of to his van and he goes home to the trailer he lives in now. The trailer park was relocated after the incident in 86. Some of the old trailers survived, some didn't. His and Wayne's being one of the ones that didn't. But the city bought new ones and put up for those who lost their homes, bought them all new stuff to. Wayne lost his job as the factory was right in the middle of one of the cracks so it was demolished. He got a new job on the other side of the state so he left Eddie the trailer and he moved. This new trailer is fancier than the last one, not as run down. But it's still a trailer, what does he have to offer Kat? She apparently has no issues with money, that place is fucking mind blowing. He thinks about how different their lives are as he settles in for the night. He decides he doesn't fucking care, he's falling in love with this weird, wonderful woman. He falls asleep and he dreams of Kat, dreams of her lying naked in his bed, those awesome thighs spread open for him. Beckoning him to enter her wet pussy. He wakes up hard as a rock and so close to coming that the mere touch of him trying to move his dick in his boxers sends him over the edge and he has to get up and change. Fuck he hasn't had an actual wet dream sine high school, what's this girl doing to him?

Back to Kat

It's Thursday, I'm going to see Eddie today! I stretch and I yawn loudly. This is going to be a good day! I can feel it, the store closes 1 hour earlier on Thursdays due to Stella having some things to do Thursday afternoons. So the whole town is used to that, I'm not going to change it. I have things to do myself today. I'm going to make cookies for Hellfire tonight and maybe I'll make some Rocky Road bars, I mean why buy snacks if you can make them?

I'm giddy all day at the thought of seeing Eddie, what is this spell he has me under? I don't even think that if Laura showed up here today she'd be able to break my good mood. I have a great big smile to give to anyone stopping by today, some have been in earlier in the week and they say I look different somehow. Asking if I changed my hair or my glasses or something, they just “can't put their finger on it” I just wanna look a them an go... Well kissing the hottest man alive for hours will do this to you! As I close up and go to get the things I need for baking I run in to Robin at the grocery store.

“Hey Kat, what's up. Doing anything special tonight or just hyping yourself up for the big date tomorrow? He hasn't shut up about it, been calling me and Steve relentlessly asking us if we think this or that...PLEASE put us out of our misery and agree to a second date even if this one sucks” she sighs

“Hello to you too, well... I am hanging out with him tonight also so I guess technically tomorrow IS the second date? Although tonight we won't be alone”

“Tonight? But Thursdays are Hellfire night, how the hell did you swing that?”

“He's bringing me...” I say

“He's bringing you? To a Hellfire game? Wow you really are special to him. I mean not even Steve's been invited, he threw a fit when Dustin brought him once. Oh by the way...”

“You want me to tell Gareth that Tom Cruise STILL isn't God?” I chuckle

“Actually...yes” she laughs “how'd you know?”

“When I came in the other day to talk to Steve I overheard you... I mean I couldn't agree more, I think he's completely overrated”

“I KNOW right? I'm glad I won't be alone trying to make him understand any more, getting fucking exhausting” she smiles “well I gotta hurry and get what I came for before Steve gets pissed at me thinking I ran out on him. But good luck with the nerds then... Hey by the way what time Saturday?”

“Oh, come over around 7. I think Casey was going to try and get here around 4 but I wanna have her to myself a bit first” I smile

“Oh I get that! But ok we'll be there by 7, you wanna tell Eddie or should we?”

“I think it might come up, I'll tell him myself, but thanks. See you Saturday then”

“Yeah see you then, looking forward to it!” she says, gives me a hug and runs to pay for her things

I stroll around and get what I need for baking then I head home and get going on the snacks. I finish just in time to put it all in bags and change my outfit before there's a knock on the door. I open and there he is in all his glory. Looking amazing in black jeans, a shirt with a design that says “Hellfire Club” and his leather jacket. He beams at me

“Hey there pretty lady, ready to be a full blown nerd for the night?” he hands me a shirt just like the one he's wearing “the uniform, it's mandatory” he smiles at me

I giggle and I pull the shirt I have on over my head

“Are you trying to kill me?” I hear Eddie say

“What?” I'm confused then I realize I'm apparently so comfortable with him I didn't even think about the fact that I'm now only wearing jeans and my bra... “Oh...fuck...sorry” I say and I quickly pull the Hellfire shirt over my head to cover myself up

“Nah, I mean I wouldn't mind having you dressed like that all the time...just maybe not in a room full of other guys” Eddie smiles at me and I blush “what you're hot, didn't I tell you” he winks at me

“Hey, don't exaggerate” I say as I put my shoes on and get the bag with the cookies and the rocky road bars I made earlier.

“Hey, I'm not! You can't tell me what I can or can not think, you're not the boss of me” he pouts

“Ok, ok...fiiine. Thank you Eddie! You're looking like quite the snack yourself” I smile at him

“I look like a snack? You wanna have a bite later on then?” he pulls me in and gives me a kiss so good I lose my breath for a second

“Wow” I say as he lets me go

“Well thanks, don't think I've ever gotten a 'wow' from kissing before. Makes me feel a bit cocky” he smirks

“Well... I'm easily impressed” I make a face at him and he starts laughing

“You must be, but hey good for me. Means I get to kiss you again and again” he takes my hand and we head out to his van. As he turns the ignition the stereo starts playing loudly “fuck sorry, I forgot to turn it down before going in to get you” he says

“It's ok, I mean you can't really go wrong with Metallica. Master of Puppets is a masterpiece” I say and he stares at me

“You...know Metallica?” he says

“Yeah? Shouldn't I?” I say

“I mean no offence but you look to be as far away from Metallica as it's possible to get” he chuckles “but yeah, Master of Puppets holds a special place in my heart”

“I'm not gonna ask what you think I look like I listen to” I giggle “I'm sure that's more offensive than you not thinking I look like I listen to Metallica”

“Might be true” he smiles “well...are you ready? We're almost at Mike's. It's his turn to host Hellfire tonight” we turn in to this really neat looking neighbourhood.

“I don't think I'll ever be ready to meet new people but if you say they're nice I'll give it my best. And I did bring bribes” I say and I hold up the bag

“Yeah? What did you buy?” he looks at the bag

“Buy? Hell no, to bribe successfully you need to pull out all the stops. I made cookies and rocky road bars” I say

“You what? You MADE snacks? You do realize if you spoil these guys like that you're never getting out of this even if you want to?” he says as we stop outside one of the houses

“Spoil them? You sure it's not the dungeon master I need to worry about spoiling?” I say

“He looooves to be spoiled, but he wants more than snacks” he says and he leans over and gives me a kiss “so lets go then beautiful. Time to get your nerd on”

“He might get more than snacks if he's good” I mumble and he looks over at me

“What did you say” his voice is like a low growl and he pulls me in close “don't tease me like that, and for the record I'm always good” he purrs and I feel my legs wobble

“Good to know” I say in low voice not really sure what it is I'm meaning by it. All I know is that this guy has me thinking things I haven't thought in years. He takes my hand and we go up to the house and ring the doorbell. A very pretty woman answers the door

“Oh hi Eddie, how are you?”

“Hey Mrs Wheeler, I'm good. This is a new friend of mine, Kat. She just moved here from Seattle, thought she needed to meet the guys” he smiles at her

“Eddie, my dear. I've told you, it's Karen. Hello Kat, say are you the girl I've been hearing so many nice things about? The one who's minding Stellas book store while she's away?” she smiles at me and I feel that familiar lump in my throat making me unable to speak, but I feel Eddies hand squeezing mine and he gives me a smile. The lump dissolves and I look back at Karen

“Yes, I am that girl. It's nice to meet you Karen” I say

“Lovely to meet you to, but come in. They're all in the basement as usual” she moves out of the way and we head inside. It's a lovely home, me being used to only apartments this is like a castle.

“I love your home Karen” I say looking around

“Oh thank you dear, that's sweet. Where do you live?”

“I live in the blue house on Main” I tell her and she lifts an eyebrow

“Wow, those apartments aren't...cheap” she looks at me with curiosity

“Yeah I've been told, but I compare it to apartments in Seattle and it's...not that bad” I say with a small smile

“Oh, well no I can imagine that’s true. Well have fun” she says and she heads back in to the living room. Eddie takes me by the hand again, whispering to me

“Good girl, see you can talk to people” I look at him

“I think your presence helps” I squeeze his hand and smile and he beams back at me

“Awww aren't you the cutest. Ok so behind this door is nerd headquarters tonight. You sure you're ready for this?”

“Nope, but I'll follow you anywhere” I say as he opens the door and heads down the stairs

“My nerds and nerdettes your dungeon master has arrived!” he booms and I hear a bunch of voices cheering. I stop at the top of the stairs feeling a bit panic-stricken. Can I do this? All new people again? But I have Eddie, I trust Eddie... “So I hope you don't mind but I brought a guest” there is a sudden silence

“A...guest? To Hellfire? Like, an actual other person?” I hear someone say

“Yeah, what of it?” Eddie smiles

“You had a fucking tantrum when I brought Steve around...and now you bring someone yourself?”

“Henderson, let me break it down for you. Steve doesn't know DnD, Steve doesn't play DnD. Hell Steve doesn't even LIKE DnD... Why the hell would I have him sit here with us?” I'm still at the top of the stairs thinking it might be best if I just stay here until this matter is settled. Eddie must have noticed me missing because within seconds I see his smiling face at the bottom of the stairs “Sweetheart, you rooted up there? They won't bite you...I don't think” he holds out his hand to me. I slowly make my way down the stairs, my stomach has a lump the size of a football in it. Every fibre in me wants to turn around but Eddies eyes drags me to him. I'm finally at the base of the stairs, standing right in front of Eddie. “Hey I know this is scary for you, and I promise if it's too much I'll just call a break and I'll take you home ok?” he whispers in my ear.

“Ok...” I whisper back. He steps aside and I am met by 7 sets of eyes all staring at me

“It's...a girl...” I hear some one say. Then the only girl in the company besides me sighs

“Well no shit Sherlock, we all see it's a girl. Your point being loser?” she turns to the guy next to her, by the looks of them they might be brother and sister.

“I just meant... Eddie with a girl?” he says “and I'm not a loser, get over it Erica”

“What ever loser! And even so, good thing Munson got himself a girl. Was beginning to think he's looking in to a future as a monk. Can we PLAY now?”

“Hey, hey, hey Sinclairs...both of you. Ease up a bit! We're gonna play don't worry. This is Kat, she just moved here from Seattle. She makes KICK ASS campaigns, thought I'd show her how Hellfire does things before I beg her permission to butcher her work” he chuckles, She's sitting in on this one and maybe she'll join next week if the vote is unanimous” Eddie says and motions to me to take a seat at the head of the table, next to what I assume is his place as DM.

“You write campaigns? Cool, so you play?” this guy whose voice I recognize as the one Eddie called Henderson asks me. I take a deep breath

“Yeah I write, been doing it for years. I'm a bit of a book nerd so I have quite a large collection of DnD books. Never had the opportunity to play though” I say and I feel Eddies hand on my thigh squeezing reassuringly

“Oh, cool! But why write campaigns if you don't play?”

“Uhm, well I liked the way of writing and the imagination needed to write it. So I thought I'd try and then one lead to another and soon I had a few notebooks filled.” I smile hesitantly

“So...you're this freaks girlfriend or what?” Erica asks what I can see they're all dying to ask

“Erica...c'mon. Not the time, please” Eddie looks at her

“Oh, not gotten that far yet. Well you're special to him if you're here so.” she says and focuses on making her brother miserable again

I'm special to Eddie? Because he brought me here? That's the second person to tell me that today. I smile to myself

“OH!” I say “which one of you is Gareth?” I look around and I hear Eddie chuckle. A curly haired guy looks all confused but raises his hand and looks at me “Robin wanted me to tell you that Tom Cruise is still not God” I say and everyone laughs, except Gareth

“Fucking Buckley, HE IS SO. Tell her that from me” he says but he says it with a smile

The game begins and I sit quietly beside Eddie as he narrates the campaign he made. He's talented I think to myself, he has the right kind of persona to be the dramatic DM. I'm having a really good time as the focus isn't on me at all. The second the first roll of the dice landed they all forgot about me. As I watch them play I can tell that what I've been reading is not even close to what actually playing is like. This is so much more exciting. About half way through the game Eddie calls for a break.

“Need a piss and a smoke. Then maybe snack time?” he says as he stands up

“Weren't you gonna bring snacks this time?” the guy I learned was Mike says

“I did, she's right here” Eddie says and gives me a side hug I blush “all jokes aside, she made snacks for us. It's...did you bring them?” He looks at me

“Oh, damn I forgot them in the car!” I say

“I'll get them when I have a smoke, be right back” he says winking at me before he heads up the stairs with Gareth and Joe.

“Soooo...charmed him completely I see” Dustin, which I learned is Hendersons first name, says to me with a big grin on his face

“Charmed who? Eddie?” I say confused

“Yeah Eddie, who else? I mean he never brings anyone to Hellfire nights. Took a lot for us to get him to even consider Erica. But you missy have him wrapped around your finger! Not saying it's bad I mean you go! He needs it after all the shit...” he says

“Oh, well...thank you I guess? He told me about the shit...he also told me you were the one who had to leave him there, in that place? How are you holding up?” I ask and he stares at me

“Ok, so...if he told you about that...you're it for him, no doubt. Also, me? I'm ok...some days, other days I'm a wreck. He's like my big brother and I had to watch him die you know. AND I had to leave him there. Fucking broke me” he looks so sad I do something I've never even done with Casey. I wrap my arms around him and I give him a hug

“He's lucky to have you as a little brother Dustin. Don't feel bad you had to leave him, he told me he holds no grudges about that. You had to or you'd be dead too. What do you say that both you and me try to put our collected shit behind us?” I look at him

“You have shit to?” he says and I see traces of tears on his cheeks

“You have no idea” I say “but I have Eddie now, to help me get through some of it. Also Robin and Steve. And maybe you?”

“Sure thing! Anything I can do, I like you. Question is, how much do you like me?”

“Wanna borrow my books” I laugh

“Caught me” he smirks

“Well Eddie has most of them held hostage now but as soon as he's done and gets another pile you can have the ones he's done with” I say and Dustin nods

“Sounds like a deal” he smiles

Eddie and the rest return and he hands me the bag of snacks I brought. I open the containers and place them on a table next to where they're sitting.

“Well, help yourselves I suppose” I say and they all dig in. The consensus is that from now on Eddie is ALWAYS on snack duty and that means I make the snacks. Unless I want to be part of the gang then I'M always on snack duty. I smile, these guys are so nice.

The rest of the night is fun, I get so in to the game I cheer when they do and I even get up and celebrate with them when they kill some monster. Eddie smiles at me and from time to time I feel his hand on my thigh and my mind goes haywire. I just wanna ask him to go higher but I'm to scared at the same time. But it feels so good having his big, warm hands on my leg. Even if it's just short moments at a time.

By the end of the night I am completely convinced I need to play next week, this was too much fun just watching! As they wrap up the night they decide that next weeks game is at Dustins house.

“Before we leave, we need to vote. Anyone against inviting Kat to play with us next time?” Eddie says, no one raises a hand. “Ok then, welcome to Hellfire” he smiles at me and shakes my hand

“Thank you Eddie the Banished, I will do my utmost to not let you down with my simple ways” I say as solemnly as I can

“Fair lady I don't think your ways are simple at all. But we do need to come up with a name for you... Everyone come up with a suggestion for next time and we'll have a vote” he says and everyone nods. We say our goodbyes and we leave. We talk about the night as Eddie drives me home, when we stop outside my house he says

“See, nerds aren't scary. You did so good sweetheart. So you did have fun then?” he takes my hand

“I had so much fun, I really liked Dustin. Or well I liked them all but I think I took a particular liking to him” I say

“Thought you might, he's a good kid” Eddie smiles “but I wanna do something now I've been dreaming of all night” me thinking it's something like smoking I'm taken aback completely when he grabs me and pulls me closer and kisses me deeply “fuuuuck been hell having you sit there next to me and have to narrate a campaign instead of making out with you” he breathes

“Again... wow” I say and he smiles

“I would so wanna come up with you and keep this up but it's sorta late and I have to be at work real early again tomorrow. But if you don't mind, I wanna do this ALL night after our date tomorrow”

“Mind? Why would I mind, hell this could BE the date and I wouldn't mind” I'm shocked I said that but I mean it so why not

“Oh, really? Maybe I'll change my plans then” he purrs

“Well if you have plans I'm not going to ruin them. We'll have time to more of this after...” I blush but he just smiles at me “See you tomorrow then Eddie” I say and I get out of the van

“I'll be here at 7 then” he smiles at me

“Perfect” I say and I close the door to the van and I go inside. I look at the time, it's 9:45. I should really go to bed but I just need to tell Casey how proud I am of myself. I go to the phone and I dial her number

“Hello?” her voice is sleepy, like she's just woken up

“Fuck did I wake you?”

“Nah, well you did but all good, I was asleep on the couch so thanks” she says “what's up since you're calling at this hour of the night”

“So I just wanna brag”

“Oh, go on”

“I just hung out with SEVEN new people all night, and Eddie”

“Wow...really? Sweetie I'm so fucking proud, and I'm more and more convinced that moving was the best thing you could have ever done in your entire life.”

“Yeah, beginning to realise that myself. Well, go to bed now and I'll do the same. Need my beauty sleep for the date tomorrow”

“Awww you don't need beauty sleep you just need regular sleep. Well dream dirty things about that guy of yours and then do it all tomorrow!” she chuckles

“Casey! I'm a good girl...” I try and she just laughs at me

“Katherine Jane Smith, I think you have some seriously naughty bones in your body. You just haven't used them...make sure you do that now that you found a good guy. Love ya and I'll see you Saturday, I don't wanna hear a beep from you tomorrow night, ok!?” she says

“Naughty bones” I laugh “well...I'll see if I can dig them out under all the dust they've been collecting over the years. Sleep tight see you Saturday”

We hang up and I get ready for bed. I fall asleep instantly and I dream about Eddie. I dream the kind of dreams that would make a pornstar blush. I wake up feeling that the wetness between my legs has spread down my thighs and on to the bed. I feel like I'm burning, wow so this is what really horny is like? Well...fuck me... I'm laying there panting for a bit trying to get my mind at ease. It's hard, it's filled with thoughts of Eddie...naked Eddie...fucking naked Eddie... Jesus! I didn't think I had this in me, I mean I know I dreamt dreams like these back then before that ass hat broke me. But after that it's like my brain shut that part off just to spare me. Apparently it thinks I'm back in business again, and what the hell maybe I am. I toss and I turn for a while before looking at the time. It's 5:30, I might as well get up and begin my day. Sleep doesn't seem to be happening any more tonight. I hit the shower and then I go to get some breakfast. I sit in front of the morning news on TV and I enjoy a lazy morning for once. Only downside is that when it comes time to get going I'm tired again. I make some strong coffee to take with me and I leave for the shop.

Fridays have been busy so far so I might be in for a hectic day. It's kinda slow until after lunch then people start to drop in more frequently. By the time I'm closing I'm beat. My mind is spinning I just wanna crawl in to bed and sleep until Monday. But no can do, I have a date in 3 hours! Yikes! I rush home not even stopping to wave at Robin or Steve as I pass the video store. I take another quick shower and then I find myself stranded in front of my closet, what the hell do I wear tonight? I don't even know what Eddie's been planning for us tonight. I look through all my clothes and I see this dress in the back of the closet, hanging behind everything else. I bought it last year to wear to Caseys for New Years, it was a bit fancy for jut her and me but I wanted to look nice for once. But then she got sick and I was stuck at home with mum. So it's never been worn. It's a black velvet, kinda fitted dress. I thought it was a bit snug back then but I have lost a little weight since, so maybe it will look decent? I put it on and I study my reflection. Well, yeah it looks good, I think... Not to tight anywhere, the boobs look good, the ass looks good. Yeah I could at least be an 7 out of 10. I take out a pair of black heels and a fancy bag. I put on my good jewellery and then I even put on some make up. I check the mirror again when I'm done and I hardly recognize the girl looking back at me. I look at the time, it's 6... I have a whole hour to kill before Eddie gets here. I decide to continue reading the book I bought at work today. I love Stephen Kings books but I hadn't had the chance to read Misery and when I saw it today as I started reorganizing the horror section I just needed to add it to my own collection. It's just like any other King book, captivating from the start. All of a sudden I hear a knock on the door and I look up at the clock on the wall. It's 5 to 7! Well here goes nothing then.

I get up and I head to the door and I open it, Eddie's standing outside smiling. When he sees me his smiles dies and I feel like I wanna die, I look that bad?

“What's wrong?” I say in a timid voice

“Wrong? Nothing's wrong, jut...fuck you look so unbelievably good and here I am looking like this” he motions at himself. He looks amazing, black jeans and a dark forest green shirt.

“But you look amazing Eddie” I say and he smiles at me again pulling me in to his arms, he kisses me softly.

“Thank you babe, but if anyone looks amazing tonight it's you. Like, how am I going to keep my hands off you when you look this hot?” he kisses the side of my face, down my jawline and continues down my neck “this ok?” he whispers

“Uuhuu...yeah...sure is” I say as I can't seem to form a sentence to even begin to tell him how good this makes me feel.

“Well good then, I'll keep doing it” he says and his kisses follow the base of my neck around to the other side and up towards my lips again. “But we better get going, I made reservations” he says as he pulls away from me and I just wanna tell him to forget those reservations and just fuck me, but as usual my nerves get the better of me and I just nod

“Ok, lets go. Where are we going by the way?” I feel like my face is on fire and I'm sure I'm all red and flustered. Eddie chuckles a little and takes my hand

“I made reservations at Ellie's, it's a restaurant one town over. Thought it would be fancier than anything this place has to offer. It was Steves suggestion, he tells me they have awesome food”

“Oh, exciting! I hope Steve is right then” I say thinking I would have eaten at the gas station if I could just be with Eddie.

“Well, if the food's bad then I KNOW dessert will be fantastic” he says and shoots me a smile that makes my knees weak

“Yeah?” I say

“Yeah, dessert will be more kissing” he winks at me

“Oh, well then it will be a 5 star dessert you mean?” I smile back

“ I sure hope you'll think so” we're down the stairs and we head outside “uhmm...this is a bit awkward but I thought, did you have a car?” Eddie looks at his feet

“Yes I have a car, why?” I say

“Well, my van...well it's not that fun to go for any longer rides in” he mumbles

“Oh, of course we can take my car. Here, you drive” I say and I hand Eddie my keys, he looks at them. His frowns as he looks at the emblem

“You...drive a Pontiac? What kind of Pontiac” he gasps

“A 1971 Le Mans” I say and he stares at me

“No fucking way, you drive one of the sexiest cars from the 70's? Like how are you even real?”

“Well, dad died. Left me and my sister a heap of money. She spent all of hers...all I wanted was that car. I've saved the rest. So...you wanna drive?” I smile, I knew that car would be a bit of a surprise to him

“Do I wanna drive it? I work as a mechanic and I haven't even seen one in real life. It's like a wet dream, only not as exciting as the ones about you” he looks down at the keys in his hand again

“Wait, what? You have those kind of dreams about me?” I'm confused

“What...oh...fuck I said that part out loud?” he drags his hand through his hair giving me a blushing smile “yeeeah... I do... you mind?”

“Why would I mind? I think it's nice knowing I'm in your dreams” I say and I lean in and kiss him “c'mon lets get going. The car's over here in the garage” I say and take him by the hand. As I open the garage door Eddie lets out a sigh

“Look at that! What a beauty!” he walk up to the car running his hands up the hood “You're sure I can drive?” he looks at me

“Yeah of course I wouldn't have given you the keys if I didn't think you could handle my baby” I say and he chuckles

“You sound like a guy, calling your car your baby” he opens the door for me and I get in. He runs to the drivers side and gets in to. “wow, just...wow” he says as he looks around in the car, I mean I know it's a nice car. I'm just used to it now so his admiration is so endearing to me. He puts the key in the ignition and he turns it. The cars V8 roars and I think Eddie's about to cream his pants. I've never seen anyone look this happy starting a car. I giggle

“Do you realize how cute you are right now?” I ask him

“What? Oh...thanks” he smiles “but, ok... are you one of those people who stick to the speed limit no matter what or can I actually put this to the test?” he looks over at me

“Well, as long as you don't run us off the road. Go for it” I say and I get the biggest smile in return.

Well, the ride to the restaurant was a fast one, I think that Eddie might even be sporting a semi from driving my car. But then again I've taken a ride in his van... I guess anything's better than that. But he's like a kid that's gotten absolutely everything they wanted for Christmas.  He's all giddy when we get out of the car.

“THAT WAS AMAZING!” he actually lifts me off the ground and jumps around with me in his arms

“Woooah, calm down or they might think you're high. I want food” I laugh

“Sorry, sorry...just it's a great car. I know I'm like such a duuude right now” he beams at me putting me down on solid ground again. He pulls me in close and he kisses me “now back to you. I did tell you how fucking sexy you look tonight didn't I?”

“Not in those words, no” I say and I blush

“Well, I'm saying them now. This dress should be illegal, making me think all sorts of things” he murmurs in my ear

“I...thanks...wow” I can't find words, he's just to good “what things” I manage to whisper

He chuckles at me shaking his head “Nah sweetheart, I can't be telling you things like that right now. Either you'll be scared of me or you'll try to eat me alive” he looks me deep in the eyes and then he kisses me once more making my head spin “lets get inside, I'm kinda hungry myself” he takes me by the hand and we head in to Ellie's. We have an amazing evening, good food and awesome conversation. He tells me all about being the freak of Hawkins high and I tell him what it was like being the wallflower in Seattle. He tells me about his uncle, who I can tell he loves very much and I tell him about my dad and how I always wished I could have stayed with him when mum and him split up. He asks me if I would like to come with him to see Wayne sometime. I tell him I would love to. We keep talking about what life has thrown at us when he suddenly says

“I wanna come with you to Seattle some time... I wanna be there when you rub your new life in your sisters face” he's looking very serious

“Really? I mean...it could get ugly” I say

“Well, not to be rude to you or anything but I think you might need me there. Or she might just kill your happiness. And I don't want that, I want to be the one to make you happy and I will do anything to keep you happy as well. Even meet that sister of yours” he smiles at me

“Then by all means come with me. I would love to see the look on her face” I laugh

“It's settled then, when you feel ready for it I will come with you to Seattle. But right now I just wanna pay for this and get you home so I can kiss you without making people blush” he says and his eyes burn at me

“Oook...please” I say losing all train of thought again. Eddie laughs a little at me and he gets the waiters attention and asks for the check. He pays and we head out to the car again. He starts driving towards Hawkins again, we keep talking about life in general. All of a sudden without him thinking about it he puts his hand on my thigh and lets it slide up under my dress. I draw a deep breath and Eddie panics

“Fuck... God I'm sorry I just... I'm sorry I didn't mean to”

“Eddie... Hey Eddie... It's ok. I didn't mind” I say and I smile at him “the thought of you touching me is getting less scary by the minute. Please put your hand back, I liked it” I whisper, he glances over at me

“Making me a very happy man babe” he says with a soft voice and he puts his hand on my thigh again slowly letting it slide up under my dress “you tell me when to stop” he whispers. When his fingers are almost touching my panties I feel that lump forming

“I think...that's as far as I'm comfortable with right now” I blush as I say it, feeling a bit stupid

“Hey no blushing, I told you we do this at your pace. I'm just happy I get to touch you” his hand squeezes my thigh a little and I feel a jolt of energy centring between them. I can feel that I'm getting wet from only this, quite innocent touch. But to me it's the most erotic thing I've ever experienced. Eddie speeds almost more as we head home in the night. We get to my apartment and we head for the front door.

“I hope you're coming in for a while?” I say

“Try to stop me, I want dessert now” Eddie winks at me then he presses himself against my back and places a kiss on my neck “this ok?” he says and I can feel his breath on my neck making every hair on my body stand up

“Oh yeah it is! It's better than ok” I sigh as I unlock the door and we head up the stairs. We barely make in my apartment before Eddie spins me around and his lips crash in to mine.

“Fuuuuck been longing for this all night” he mumbles as he kisses me

“Wanna stand here or should we move it to the couch at least?” I say as his lips trail down my neck

“Couch...yes” he says and he keeps kissing me as he steers me backwards to the couch. He turns and he lays down “c'mon lay down on me” he smiles

“You wanna die? I'm too heavy” I say looking down at him

“Don't be like that, please” he says and pats his chest. I carefully lay down on top of him, he pulls me in the last little bit and he kisses me deeply

“See, I'm still alive. You feel just right on top of me” he purrs “but now to the burning question...may I please touch your ass? I've wanted to since the day we met” he smiles

“You've wanted to touch my ass? Why?” I giggle

“It's a great ass... I just wanna feel if it's as good as it looks” he tries an innocent look, he fails miserably considering the smirk on his lips

“Wow, smooth Eddie. But yeah, you can touch my ass” I say as I start kissing his neck, just the way he's been kissing mine. I feel him draw a deep breath and then his hands slide down my sides landing on my ass. One hand on each cheek and I can hear Eddie moan

“Fuck yeah, this feels a thousand times better than I imagined it would. Great ass...so soft” I smile as I keep kissing his neck, following that sharp sexy jawline up to his lips. I try to ignore the hard thing I feel pressing against my stomach. I can't really deal with that when my mind is fully preoccupied with his hands massaging my ass so deliciously. We lie there kissing and I feel Eddies hands moving all over my ass. The lump in the pit of my stomach starts up and I tense up. Eddie notices straight away “sorry sweetheart, I got a bit carried away. We'll slow down. Or would you like to end the night here? I've had a perfect evening so I won't be disappointed I promise. This is all up to you” I want him so bad but just the thought of telling him that makes my insides churn and I feel a bit sick. I stay quiet, words just aren't coming to me “sweetheart, I can tell this is too much right now. Here's what were gonna do. We'll get up from here and we'll have a few more kisses. Then I'll go home, VERY satisfied with the evening think nothing else. And then we'll see each other again tomorrow night” he strokes my hair and kisses my forehead. I nod and I get up from my very comfortable place on top of him. I sit down at the end of the couch and I feel like the biggest loser ever.

“I was so doing so good” I whisper with tears in my eyes

“Yes you were, but it got to be too much for you, it's ok babe. It really is, I promised you I'd do everything at your pace didn't I? But you do have a great ass” Eddie smiles and winks at me

“Thank you, I enjoyed the touch very much. It's just...my body wanted so much more but my brain isn't really there yet” I whisper still a bit sad

“Sweetheart” he pulls me closer hand gives me a long warm hug “I like you, I like you A LOT. And it's only been days. I can wait, I mean do I want to do all sorts of things to this body? Hell yeah I do, but I'm pretty sure this body's gonna be around for a while, or I hope so at least. Kissing and kneading that ass is goooood times so don't worry about me” he kisses me a couple of more times then he gets up from the couch. “I'ma head home now and we'll talk in the morning. Maybe I can come help with something before your friend arrives, like kissing the hostess. I bet Casey's not doing that?” he smiles

“No, she doesn't have the privileges you do” I say and I giggle “I had a very good night Eddie” I look at him standing there in front of me towering over the couch “a really wonderful night and I can't wait to do this again” I stand up and I give him another kiss and then I follow him to the door and we say good night and he leaves.

I get ready for bed all the while scolding myself for being such a wuss. It's not like sleeping with him will hurt me, I'm no virgin. He's been nothing but respectful to me so I doubt he's going to do what that other asshole did. I walk around arguing with myself as I brush my teeth and change out of the dress. I crawl in to bed and I fall asleep faster than I thought I would. And I dream, fucking hell do I dream. I wake up so turned on I don't know what to do with myself, my hand trail down under my tiny nightgown, in between my thighs. I slip my fingers in under my panties and I feel how wet I am. I try doing what Casey told me she did to herself when we were gossiping as teens. But his doesn't feel right, I must be doing something wrong. It's not helping the matter, only making me ache for more. I throw the covers off me and I get out of bed, no plan just pure impulsivity driving me. I put a jacket over the skimpy thing I'm wearing and I head out to the car. I pull out of the garage and I put petal to the metal as I speed of towards where Eddie pointed to me he lived. I skid as I turn in to the trailer park. I slow down so I can look for the van. There I see it outside one of the newer looking trailers. I stop outside and I get out and go up to the door knocking . It takes a few minutes then I hear the lock and Eddie opening the door, bed hair deluxe and looking so fucking hot in only pyjama pants.

“Kat? What...did something happen? You ok?” he stands back so I can come in

“I fucking dream about you, like so fucking hot dreams I wake up craving touch. I try to do it myself but hell being the fuck up I am I have no idea how to because of course I've never done that. So here I am in the middle of the night and I have no idea what I'm doing … so please Eddie.... touch me” I say and I just let my clothes fall to the floor in front of him “help me...I need you” my chest feels like it's about to explode, my breathing is heavy and I must look like a lunatic. But for some odd reason that must be something this man likes because he only closes the door and he's by my side in two quick steps pulling me in close, breathing in my scent with a deep breath

“Fuck babe, would you look at you. I've never seen anything this sexy ever. But are you sure?”

“Don't make me think about this Eddie...just...please fuck me Eddie. Help me get rid of the demons” I say and I reach up and I pull his head down to me and I kiss him with all the emotion I have in me right now. As we pull apart his eyes are black and they seem like they burn from somewhere deep inside. I gasp as this is the hottest thing I've ever seen

“Wow, just like...wow. I will chase those demons of yours all the way back to hell, just one thing though”

“Yeah” I say as I press my body against his feeling that aching wetness between my legs

“You've never touched yourself? You've never had an orgasm?” he studies my face while his hands start doing their own thing following the shape of my naked body pressed against his

“No... I haven't” I whisper still not taking my eyes off him “please be my first Eddie”

The sound he lets out sends shivers down my spine making my knees wobble it's like a mix of a groan, a moan and a deep growl “Fuck babe, I will be you first and your forever if you'll let me. Bedroom...now!” he says and he swoops me off my feet and he carries me to the back of the trailer. I didn't think this man was this strong, he doesn't look it. But damn he carried me like I weigh nothing. He drops me down on the bed “please lay back babe” he purrs

I do as I'm told, all the while watching this perfect man standing there looking at me. His gaze sets my body even further on fire, he slowly pulls his pj's down and I finally get to see what I've only felt so far. And I was so right, it IS impressive. Long, thick and veiny. I mean I've only ever seen  one before but I am convinced this is the most beautiful dick in the world.

“God, Eddie you look so fucking good” I whimper “I want you... I really fucking want you”

“I'm all yours sweetheart, all yours to use in any way you want me” he says and he gets in to the bed with me “now a word of advise. Just do, don't think so much about this. If it feels like a good idea it most likely is” he smiles “and I will take good care of you, just tell me if something doesn't feel right” he pulls me closer and he begins kissing me. I wrap my hands around his neck to pull him even closer, I press myself against him wanting to feel him all over me. His hands touching every inch of my body, his moaning in my ear. It's all heaven to me. He maneuvers me so I'm on my back with him on top of me, he continues kissing me and his hands have found my boobs. He's massaging them, pinching my rock hard nipples softly between his fingers. He pulls away from kissing me, looks down at me “ready for me sweetheart?” he purrs

“Yeah, ready” I pant and he smiles as he starts kissing down my chest. Licking and sucking my nipples making me squirm with pleasure, the ache between my legs so strong I don't know if I can handle it to much longer. His hands trailing lower, down my body, squeezing the soft belly. Then down to my hips, his kisses following along. He sits up on his knees looking down at me

“Fucking hell you're prefect babe. I've been dreaming of getting smothered between those thighs for days now. So fucking sexy” he growls and I feel my entire body blush and my breathing halter for a moment. He looks...wild, almost like some kind of animal. He's so sexy it's almost painful to look straight at him, like the sun. I writhe beneath him as I just want him to touch me. He lays down and lets his hands follow the flesh of my legs up towards the insides of my thighs trailing kisses behind.

“Would you look at this pussy, so fucking beautiful” he murmurs as he spreads my legs and looks at me with adoring eyes, I feel like I should shy away but I'm to memorized by the way he looks at me to even care any more. He can from now on do whatever he wants to me, I am completely under his spell and I wouldn't wanna change a thing. His fingers grace the edges of my pussy, just at the base of my thighs. “May I? Oh please tell me I can touch you” he whispers and looks up at me

“I'd kill you if you refused at this point” I say and he chuckles

“Good” only one word then I feel his fingers where I've so longed to have them. He drags one finger in between my folds drawing in a sharp breath as it glides in “fuck you're wet, all mine” he growls

“All yours” I pant as this is excruciating, I want more...of everything

Eddie slides his thick finger in my slick getting it nice and wet before he finally reaches my clit. I jilt from the sudden impact and he tenses at first

“Good or bad?” I can tell he's still worried he's going to fast with me

“All good, too good almost. You told me just do, don't think. Please take your own advise” I moan and I hear him laugh a sexy little laugh

“Yeah, I did say that” he starts circling my clit with his finger and I'm grabbing his sheets I with my hands. My head I buzzing with this new sensation, my pussy is clenching around nothing wanting something. I'm rocking my hips to meet whatever movement Eddie does. He stops playing with my clit and I want to fucking hit him! But he's just switching it up a notch for me, his thick and long middle finger is pressed in to me hitting all the right spots inside making me groan out loud. “Fucking feel so good around my finger babe, I'ma taste you know. I need to taste you” he's mumbling before he latches on to my clit with his mouth, sucking and licking me in to the high heavens. I scream as my first ever orgasm hits me like a ton of bricks thrown out of nowhere.

“fuuuuck that's my good girl, tasting so good and feeling so amazing on my finger” Eddie purrs at me as I come down from my high. He's pulled his finger out now and is sitting up on his knees caressing the insides of my thighs with his hands “felt good babe?” he smiles

“Good? That was heaven, you're a god Eddie Munson! But please...fuck me for real now. Can't let a perfect dick like that go unused” I say with a moan looking at his cock twitching between his legs

“Well, I'm a good boy I do as I'm told” he smiles and reaches for a condom in his bedside table. I'm watching him roll it down his hard length and I feel my insides do a flip of excitement. God! Will this thing even fit inside me? Eddie positions himself between my open legs and he's gritting his teeth as he slides the head of his cock in my wet folds.

“You're not going to hurt me” I whisper

“No I know...just I've been wanting this so long now I think I might blow my load upon entry if I don't at least try to pace myself” he grins “I wanna see you play with yourself as I fuck you babe” he growls

“I...tell me how” I whisper

He moans and he slowly presses his cock in to me all the way to the hilt. He stops for a moment letting us both get used to the feeling. I let out a long moan, this is so fucking good. He feels so perfect

“Fuck babe, this pussy was made for me, God you feel amazing. C'mon take your fingers and put them on your clit...right so yeah...now move them, circular motions. Just like I did...yeeeah look at that you're a natural. You'll feel kinda soon what feels good, just keep doing that as I fuck this amazing pussy of yours” he's talking he through my first time playing with myself. At first I feel a little silly, but then I find a pace that seems to work as that knot inside of me starts growing again. He fills me up so deliciously, fucking me with long thrusts watching my fingers play with my clit. “God babe, you have no idea how sexy you look” he growl and I feel a tingle pass through my body I arch my back a little

“Faster Eddie, please” I moan and he grabs my hips holding them up as he picks up the speed of his thrusts. This time I can feel the orgasm coming and I begin panting and writhing beneath Eddie as it crashes down on me. “Eddiieeeee fuuuuuuck” I scream his name and I feel myself clench around his dick over and over

“God damn babe, I'm stuck in a vice here. Amazing woman” he growls as he trusts a couple of more times before I feel him tense up and let out a guttural moan “fuuuuuck here it comes....oooooh God Kaaaat” he slumps down on top of me doing a few more slow thrusts as he breathes heavily looking up at me with a beaming smile. He leans in and kisses me deeply “I have NEVER been so happy to be woken up in the middle of the night before” he says. I feel him pull out and then he gets out of the bed to go and discard the condom and wash his hands, apparently someone got them all sticky. I giggle at him as he says this to me with a wink. He comes back and he crawls in to bed behind me and pulls me in close, nuzzling up in to my neck. “Feel ok sweetheart?” he whispers

“Amazing Eddie, thank you” I say as I caress the arms that are wrapped around me

“Glad to hear, because THAT is something I wanna do again and again, forever and ever” he mumbles in to my hair. I can hear he's tired and so am I. I'm almost asleep already

“Me too, Ed. Me too” I yawn and I wiggle my butt closer to Eddie so I can feel his warmth and his body close to mine

“Sleep now beautiful and we can do this again in the morning” he places a kiss on my neck and he wraps his arms tighter around me and we fall asleep. The sun is shining in when we're woken up by a booming voice from the kitchen

“Fucking hell Munson, did you swipe a car from work. That's a real beauty out there. Did the date go late last night since you're still sleeping. Get up fucker” the door to the bedroom swings open with a bang and there's Steve with a mug in his hand “want some...coffee...oh”

“Morning Steve” I murmur as I pull the covers closer to me, nudging Eddie “get up and talk to him please... I have no real clothes. See you tonight though Steve” I say smiling at the shocked face in the doorway

“What...huh... Oh...fuck I forgot to lock the front door didn't I? Hey Steve, be right with you, wanna go back in to the kitchen man...I'm sorta naked under here” Eddie chuckles

“Uhhhh...sure” the door closes and we start laughing

“Oh well...no need to think about how we're gonna tell them then I guess” I say as Eddie gets out of bed and puts his pj's on again

“Nope, he'll be calling Robin the second he gets home”

He walks out in to the kitchen and I hear Steve

“It's Kats car? She's been here with you all night... Put it there man!” I hear the sound of hands clashing in a high five and I smile to myself “this is great man, I'm so happy for you... YOU BOTH” Steve raises his voice so I'll know he's talking to me too

“THANKS STEVE” I call back to him. They keep talking but they've probably moved to the couch because I can only hear the muffled sound of voices. I drift off to sleep again, feeling happier than I've been ever. Also, the anxiety that's always with me...it's subsided, not as loud in my head. Maybe Eddie did take some of the demons and sent them to hell last night. Maybe I should let him loose on the biggest one of them all...she never did manage to get a hint so she should be calling in like a week and a half. Half asleep I feel Eddie crawl back in to the bed, sliding in under the covers and pressing his now naked body against mine. Suddenly I'm fully awake

“Hey there princess, you looked so peaceful. But I wanna make you scream my name one more time before you have to go” Eddie's breath is on my neck and his hands are cupping my boobs, softly pinching my nipples making them stand alert. I press my ass closer to him

“What were you thinking?” I murmur wiggling my ass against him feeling him getting rock hard in seconds

“THAT! I was thinking that...fuck this ass is out of this world. Lift your leg please” he purrs in my ear and I feel my pussy start throbbing as I do what he asks me. His hand slides in between my thighs as I lift my leg “shit babe, so wet and hot already” his skilled fingers find my clit and I draw a long sharp breath as he starts circling the little knob with his fingers. “Want something to fill you up sweetheart?” he kisses my neck

“Yeah...please fill me...please” my voice isn't more than a whisper I am fully focused on how amazing his fingers are working me. Playing my clit like the strings of a guitar.

“That's my polite girl right there” Eddie says, voice sounding like a low growl sending shivers down my spine. I moan out loud at his words making him chuckle a little before I feel his hand leaving my pussy and grabbing his cock, stroking it a couple of times before he begins sliding it up and down my drenched slit.

“Please...Ed....fuck I need... I need you in me” I'm a whimpering mess trying so meet his movements with my hips, hoping to make him slip in by accident. I can't take this, I'm already cock drunk and we haven't even started yet. We've fucked once, and I'm addicted to this guy.

“Since you said please with that sweet voice of yours who am I to deny you” he says coarsely as he slowly pushes his hard cock all the way in me, bottoming out with a groan. “Fuuuuuck babe this is unreal...oh my god this pussy” he stays still for a moment, gripping my boobs  and kissing my neck before he slowly begins to move. He's so big and he fills me up so perfectly. “Keep your leg up and do what I told you last night, play with yourself babe. I wanna fell you come undone all over me” he growls in my ear. I let my hand move down and I begin working my clit the way I did last night and holy fucking hell it feels totally different in this angle. I'm squirming feeling the orgasm closing in rapidly. I scream as it takes me and I hear Eddie softly whispering praise in my ear making the effect even better. “Fucking hell babe you came so good for me, almost squeezed my dick off. Can I try something else though” he whispers as I calm down some

“I'd fucking let you do anything to me after that” I say panting and he giggles

“Be a good girl for me and get up on your knees” he murmurs in to my neck and I feel all the hairs on my body stand up...that's the way HE did it back then... I'm feeling that ball of anxiety form in the pit of my stomach, but I look back at Eddie before I say anything and the look of complete admiration and desire in his eyes kills the lump. I WANT him to do that to me, fuck me that way. And I know that if it's too much he'll stop if I ask him. I tentatively get on my knees, pouting my ass up at Eddie who growls at me “Jeeeesus H Christ you're sexy babe” he leans down and he kisses my ass, letting his tongue slide in between my wet folds making me shiver and moan. Then he positions himself behind me, one hand on my ass grabbing all the supple flesh it can hold and the other guiding his cock to my opening. At first I feel like getting away, it's to familiar....to scary. But then he slides in an all is forgotten! Shit this man is perfect for me, it feels so good I make a sound more suited for The Exorcist than the bedroom. This way Eddies cock hits spots I had no idea were even there. “Fuuuuck babe this isn't going to last long. You're so fucking tight and amazing around my cock” he pants as he's grabbed my ass with both hands now pressing me down slightly as he fucks me with long, hard thrusts. I can feel I'm close again myself, letting my hand find it's way in between my legs to work my clit. He wasn't kidding when he said it wouldn't last! The second I feel my insides clench around him when yet another orgasm hits me I feel him slump down on top of me growling my name and digging his fingers in to the flesh of my ass. “fuck, fuck, fuck babe you're perfect” he whispers and leaves kisses all over my back before pulling out and getting up to go get rid of the condom. When he comes back I'm sprawled out on my stomach, all fucked out and happy. He smiles at me “You're the best thing that's happened to me, like EVER. And seeing that I made you smile like that...fuck I feel proud right now” he says laying down beside me in the bad kissing me deeply

“You're the best thing to happen to ME Eddie Munson. If it weren't for Casey I'd wanna stay here doing this ALL weekend long” I say and I kiss him back

“Any time babe, this home and this bed will always be open for you. Any day of the week from now until my dying day” he pulls me in and hugs me so tight I almost lose my breath “you have no idea what this meant to me” he whispers and I see he has tears in his eyes

“To you? What do you mean?” I look at him, how could this have meant something to him to give this reaction

“I didn't tell you...when we talked about my past. But I don't...I can't sleep very well, memories turn in to nightmares. But tonight, I slept Kat. I slept like I haven't slept since before the Upside down. Thank you” he's kissing me again and I grab his face looking in to his eyes

“Eddie, thank you for telling me. Also... you helped me more than you think to. Hell must be overflowing with newly arrived demons” I say and I smile at him

“Well, I hope you'll keep letting me help you” he smiles and gives me a very sexy wink and a kiss

“Oh you bet, until you're sick of me” I say

“Impossible” he whispers and I feel my heart swell and I wanna cry

We lay like this for a while, just talking and kissing. Soft touches and hugs. I don't ever want it to end but I glance over at the clock on Eddies wall and I jump to my feet. It's 2 pm, I need to get home and get ready for Casey.

“Being here with you sure made time fly, sorry but I have to go now. But I'll see you tonight?”

“Try to stop me...and now that we're 'out' I can kiss you and touch you as much as I want! Yay me!” he claps his hands like a excited kid

“Weirdo” I say and I giggle

“That's why you like me” he beams “and I prefer Freak, you're the weirdo” he gets up and he kisses me on the nose

“Oh is that so?” I smile

“Sure is, you let the town Freak in to your pants...you're a total weirdo” he chuckles “ask anyone”

We hold hands as Eddie follows me to my car and we say good bye for now. I head home, where I have 4 messages on my answering machine. All from Casey the last one informing me that if I haven't called her by 2:30 she's calling the police. I look at the time it's 2:20 so I call her

“Hello?”

“I'm alive”

“WHERE THE FUCKING HELL HAVE YOU BEEN!?”

“Exactly that...”

“What?”

“Fucking...is where I've been”

Silence

“I'm getting cab now, going straight to the bus station...this is so not a phone thing” she slams the phone down in my ear and I laugh

I start preparing food for the evening. I need to go shopping but I guess I'll wait for Casey. The phone rings

“Hello, this is Kat”

“So did Steve find you naked in Eddies bed or has he been smoking some seriously strong shit?” it's Robin

“I have no idea if he's been smoking, but he did find me there yes”

“Soooo....wow, good date I assume”

“Nah it sucked but his dick made up for it” I say and I hear Robin snorting

“HA! Good one, you do realise I will be using that against him right?”

“Yeah I figured, but yeah it was a lovely date. It...well... I can give you the details some other day. I'm a bit pressed for time right now, Casey's on the way and I need to sort out food for tonight.”

“Sure thing! So any preferences when it comes to drinks? Beer, wine, bourbon, vodka? What's your poison?” she asks

“Get some beers and maybe a couple of bottles of wine for the food. I know Casey likes Tequila, I'm more of a vodka girl” I say

“Sorted! See you at 7 then”

“Yes! See you”

We hang up and I decide I am in desperate need of a shower after the night I've had. I should have about 30 minutes before Casey gets here. I shower and I pick out a pair of jeans and a shirt to wear while going to the grocery store and picking up Casey at the bus. I get out to the car and I head for the bus station. I park so I can see all the buses arrive. I wait for about 10 minutes when I see a bus that says Indianapolis on it. I get out of the car and cross the street. I hear her before I see her, I feel sorry for anyone else on that bus. I just smile and shake my head. The doors open and she lunges herself at me

“YOU LOOK SO FUCKING GOOD KAT!”

“Wow, do you think I've gone deaf Casey? But thank you, you look good yourself” we hug and then we hear a soft cough beside us. It's the bus driver bringing Caseys bag for her. Apparently she was in such a rush to get off the bus she forgot it on the seat next to her.

“Thank you sir. Sorry I just haven't seen my friend in a while” she beams at him

“No problem miss, you're lucky someone saw your bag or it might have gone back to Indianapolis with me” he says smiling back at us

We cross the street and put Caseys bag in the car.

“So wanna get a coffee before we head for the store?” I ask her nodding towards a cafe right next to where I parked my car

“That's a stupid question. There is some serious gossip we need to tend to, and that calls for coffee so...yes” she says and grabs my hand dragging me in to the cafe

We find a table in the back where we're not easily spotted. We order and we sit down

“Ok, so... Were you kidding me before on the phone?” Casey stares at me

“No, actually I wasn't” I say and I blush

“Well then, remind me to buy this man a gift” she nods approvingly “but like, a few days ago you were freaking out when he kissed you. May I ask what changed?”

“Remember when we were like... 16 or something. You tried to tell me how to get myself off, you'd read bout it somewhere and you swore by it” I laugh

“Oh fuck, yeah that” she laughs “what about that disaster?”

“Well... after the date I had this really hot dream about Eddie. Woke up all riled up, couldn't get it to work” I giggle “I don't know what got in to me I just got in my car and I drove over to Eddie's and asked him to help me”

“Wow...hot! I would LOVE for a girl to do that to me” she sighs “so I hope he appreciated that”

“Oh he did...A LOT!” I say with a smirk

“Oh you slut. So he's...good?” she winks at me

“Good? He's perfect...like rock my world kinda perfect” I sigh

“Well then, he just needs the Casey Rowling stamp of approval and you guys are ready to walk down the aisle” she says

“Woah, down girl. One date... easy does it. Be nice to him please, you can come scare him after say...5 dates”

“Awww...no fun. I love scaring men” she pouts

“Yeah that's what I'm afraid of” I laugh “you can scare Steve though...a little at least or Robin might be angry”

“Right....fuck I'M the one who has a date tonight. Maybe I shouldn't be such a tease... By tomorrow I might be just as bad off as you are” she says with a fake groan

“Exactly, maybe we're racing for the aisle before we know it. But I mean we both know you'll be the biggest bridezilla out of the two of us” I say poking her

“Nuhuu will not! I'm cool, calm and collected. Nothing but a lady”

I raise my eyebrows at her giving her a knowing smirk

“Whatever...” she chuckles

We finish our coffees then we head for the grocery store getting all I have planned for the evening. We discuss this as we go home and I assign Casey with things to do while I cook. It's so nice to have her here, the guys are great so far. But this is my person, my home. Everything feels so much better with her around, I just hope she'll like my new friends. Time flies away and suddenly we have like 15 minutes to change, we panic a little and run in to the bedroom. We grew up together so stripping down in to my underwear in front of Casey is no big deal

“Wow...he's an ass man?” I hear her chuckle

“What?” I ask

“Your ass...it looks like a paint by numbers” she smiles and I tun to the mirror to check. I start laughing as I see 10 spots on my ass perfectly tracing Eddies fingers on my ass. All in a different shade of purple

“Well...” I blush and giggle

“God I love this man without even having met him yet” she says and she gives me a hug “if he's making you this happy he is my new hero! Superman can fly the fuck away and be gone for all I care” she smiles

“He wants to come with me to Seattle...to help me cope with my demons” I say

“Oh please let me come! I wanna see him shut her up for good” Casey has nothing but hate for Laura

“We can talk about that later” I say with a smile “now get pretty you have a girl coming over” I say and I clap my hands

“Fuck yeah I do, you think she'll like me?” I've never heard Casey worried if someone will like her or not

“I'm sure she will, but be nice to her even when her mouth moves faster than her brain...she has a tendency to talk first and think later” I say

“Best kind of people, that's when you can get the good stuff uncensored” Casey winks at me

“Can I please ask you one more thing... IF you don't hit it off with her, please don't use her and leave. I like this girl I don't want her to shy away from me because...well”

“Hey I wouldn't do that to you, c'mon Kat. I know I'm a slut but I can behave for you. If I like her we'll see where it leads. If not I'll be a good girl and just be friendly. I promise” she looks a bit hurt I hug her tightly

“Thank you, I'm just so happy I have more friends for the first time that I'm a bit scared they'll disappear” she hugs me back

“I get that, but c'mon you gotta look pretty for your man now to!” she smiles at me

“I have no good clothes, I wore that black velvet dress I bought for new years when you got sick last night so that's old news. Can you check if there's some hidden potential I've missed” I say sighing

“Why can't you wear the black dress again? We just need to style it differently and it'll be like he's never seen it before” she says and I take out the dress and I put it on “woooowsah what a babe! I understand why he's all hot for you” she whistles at me. “Lets see, if you yank it up so it's shorter and then....hmmm....here a belt to keep it from sliding down again. Then some colorful jewellery and some makeup and BAM BABE 2.0!” she says smiling widely

I look in the mirror, and she's right. This doesn't look like the same dress, or the same girl even. She looks different, this one looks happy. The doorbell rings and we look at each other

“Game time!” Casey says and she follows me to the door. I open and I see Eddie beaming at me

“Hey, am I late?” he comes in and he kisses me

“Well... I don't have to guess which one you are” Casey chuckles

“Oh, fuck sorry. Hi I'm Eddie, you must be the famous Casey!” he takes her hand and shakes it beaming at her, I can see even she reacts to that smile

“Famous?” she turns to me “what have you been filling his head with?”

“Only the good stuff, I promise” I say and I make a face at her

“Yeah that's what I was afraid of, well Eddie. Almost all of it are vicious lies” she smirks

“Oh, ok... Suuuure...” he nods and winks at her

“And you're not late, Robin and Steve haven't arrived yet. But some on in, you guys can get comfortable in the living room while I check the food. Eddie, you'll get the door when they arrive won't you?” I say

“Sure babe” he smiles

“Oh God, stop that's too sweet” Casey shakes her head and heads to the living room

“She seems cool, I think Robin will like her” Eddie whispers and gives me kiss that makes me have to hold on to the door for a second. Then he smiles at me, squeezes my ass and follows Casey to the living room. I'm stuck at the door for a moment trying to collect my thoughts. Then I giggle to myself and I head in to the kitchen. About 10 minutes later I hear the doorbell again and Eddie pops out to open it. I hear the familiar voices out there and I peek out of the kitchen

“Hey guys, just finishing up the food. So I out Eddie to work the door. Make sure to tip him” I wink

“Yeah, here's a tip. Make sure to have clothes on if you're not going to lock your door” Steve grins at Eddie

“Thanks man, good one. Gonna try to remember that...or remember to lock the door” Eddie grins back and the guys go in to the living room. I hear Steve and Casey introduce themselves and they start talking like they've always known each other. Robin comes in to the kitchen

“Hey, should I put the drinks in the fridge?” she says

“Hey, yes please do. You look lovely Robin” I say

“Oh, thank you sweetie. You do to...” she smiles at me “I'm so fucking nervous” she continues in a whisper “what if she doesn't like me?”

“Of course she'll like you! I mean you'll at least make a new friend if there isn't any sparks. I have some cold beers in the fridge already, take those and join the others. I'll be there in a little while” I say and I smile reassuringly at her. She does as I tell her and I hear her take a deep breath before she enters the living room. I can't hear anything, weird I think. What happened in there, they were talking and having fun just a moment ago. Eddie shows up in the door

“Well that was...interesting” he chuckles

“Oh?” I say

“I don't think I've ever seen Robin that shade of red and your friend...well I think she turned mute the second she saw Robin. I'd say it's instant attraction if nothing else...something I'm VERY familiar with” he purrs pressing himself against my backside

“Behave Eddie” I giggle but I can't help wiggling my ass against him making him gasp

“Fuck...didn't think about this” he chuckles and he pulls away from me fixing his jeans, which all of a sudden seem awfully tight. I'ma go back and keep Steve company. Love that ass though” he says and slaps me softly before leaving

I smile to myself as I finish the food and I set it up on the table. I've made a bunch of little dishes, all recipes I haven't tried before but that seemed delicious. Nothing too fancy but fun for an evening like this. I bring out wine glasses and the wine bottles. Then I head in to the living room.

“Ok guys, welcome. Well the food's ready so come sit down” I look at Casey and I almost laugh out loud. She's completely smitten, she's just staring at Robin as she's in the middle of a discussion with Eddie about something. Steve rolls his eyes at me but he's smiling to.

“Well if no one else is listening to our lovely hostess at least I am” he says and he gets up and goes to sit down with me at the table “I think it's a hit, I've never seen Rob this flustered about a girl before” he whispers

“Good! And I've never seen Casey this smitten” I say and we high five

“Hey guys” I call in to the living room

“MUNSON! You really keeping your girl waiting?” Steve yells and we hear rustling as they all come hurrying in

“Sorry babe, sorry. As it turns out... Tom Cruise isn't God” Eddie kisses me on the cheek and smiles

“Really? THAT'S what they were discussing?” I laugh and I look at Steve

“What'd ya think the eye rolling was about” he chuckles

The evening is a complete success! The food was amazing, even I thought so. We eat and we drink, we talk and laugh in to the wee hours. Steve passes out on the couch. Me and Eddie are sitting on the floor, him holding me and kissing me on the neck. This is when we realize we haven't seen Casey and Robin for a while

“Where the hell did they go?” Eddie laughs

“I have no idea, I know they said they were going out on the balcony a while ago. Are they still out there?” I say getting up from the floor and heading for the door. I look out there and no one's out there. I check the kitchen, the bathroom and my bedroom. Then I hear Eddie with a giggle

“Both sets of shoes and jackets are gone, I'd say Robin took her home”

“Wow, well...good for them” I giggle “what about him” I point over at Steve

“Well knowing Harrington he's gone, no point trying to wake him up from a tequila sleep. Been there, tried that, doesn't work. We might as well go to bed” he smiles at me and I think I'm about to pass out he's so handsome. I take him by the hand and I lead him to the bedroom, making sure to lock the door behind us. Eddie chuckles at that

“Good idea” his hands are already all over me unzipping my dress. I wiggle out of it letting it hit the floor where I'm standing. “Fuck babe you're so gorgeous” Eddie's hands find my ass and his lips find the crease of my neck. He suddenly freezes

“What?” I ask turning towards him

“I didn't bring a condom, didn't think we'd have a chance to do this” he says

“Well...if you'd teach me I'd like to...try using my mouth on you. Maybe we can do that tonight?” I blush, not really used to talking like this yet. Eddie's eyes widen and turn pitch black

“You want me to...teach you how to blow me?” the words almost get stuck in his throat

I nod “yes...if you want me to” I say

“Want you to? Sweetheart, any part of this amazing body you wanna use on me I'm all for. But I wanna return the favour if I may” he smiles at me

“Well, ok then. You may” I wink at him wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing myself flush against him making him moan. I take the rest of the things I'm wearing off, then I lay down on the bed watching Eddie, he's stunned. Just staring at me “hey wanna join me?” I say and I hold out a hand to him. I don't think I've ever seen anyone get naked that fast before. 2 seconds flat and he's in bed next to me running his hands all over my naked body. He's on top of me resting on his arms looking down at me

“You're sure this is what you wanna do? I mean...it's not too fast for you?” he asks

“If I don't feel comfortable I'll tell you. But I wanna try, read enough portrayals of it in my spicy books. Always wondered what it feels like having a dick in my mouth” I smile

“You're a dream aren't you? Like... I'm dreaming having met you, you're unreal...” he's looking down at me with admiration in his eyes and it almost makes me tear up. “Guess I'll get better situated for you to...try me out then” he smiles and he lays down on his back next to me “whenever you're ready sweetheart” he purrs.

I study his naked form and I feel how the wetness between my legs spill over and start running down my thighs as I sit up on my knees. I straddle his legs, making sure I have one of his chins perfectly fitted to give some pressure in just the right places. I grind on him a little so he can feel how wet he's made me and this makes his eyes burn with wild fire. “Fucking hell Kat, you're soaking my leg. It that all for me?” he growls

“All for you Eddie” I whisper as seductively as I know how to as I lean forward and start trailing kisses over his chest and abs. I let my tongue run circles over the sexy line of hair going down to his rock hard erection. He's leaking pre cum, making it pool a little at the side of his bellybutton where the tip of his cock is twitching. Looking like it's doing little jumps to catch my attention. I take his cock in my hand stroking it slowly while making eye contact with Eddie. He's looking wild under my touch, soft moans escaping his supple lips. “So how do I do this? Any pointers?” I say with a wink

“Well... I'd say no teeth is the biggest pointer. And don't try to go deeper than you're comfortable with until you're ok with it. Just...fuck just go for it” he moans as my hand lets go of him. I smile and I let my tongue play on his stomach right next to the head of his cock, not touching just yet. He's squirming and his cock is twitching smearing his pre cum all over his stomach. I move my head and I let my tongue run from the base of his cock all the way up to the tip. Then I swirl it around the head tasting him before wrapping my lips around it. It's a a strange feeling having something so soft and delicious in my mouth and I am not supposed to chew on it. Eddie's moans are getting louder and this gets me even more turned on. I seem to be doing ok at least. I take him in a bit further in my mouth “fuck babe, doing so good for me, so good” he pants as his fingers nestle in to my hair. “could use some more spit though....make it glide easier” he murmurs and I oblige. I collect more saliva in my mouth before taking him in again, feeling the difference it makes. I go deeper and his grip on my hair tightens “fuck, gonna cum soon. Your mouth is amazing babe, fucking amazing” his hips are meeting my head bobbing up and down on his cock. Going even deeper, I've almost got him in completely to the hilt. Eddie looks down and he groans loudly “fuuuuuck if you don't wanna swallow or spit babe you'd better get of him now” he moans, his chest heaving with his breathing. I wanna try, I wanna taste him fully. So I keep going pushing that little bit that's still left before he'll be all in my throat. He stiffens and he lets out a guttural scream as he convulses under me and his cock pulsates in the back of my throat. He shoots his warm seed down me and I swallow as best I can, some going up his shaft and out the sides of my mouth. I let him slide out of my mouth and I lick the remains up, he tastes good. Salty but not at all unpleasant. I lick my lips and smile up at him

“I did good?”

He just laughs at me, at first my heart sinks. I think I did so bad he finds me ridiculous. But then he grabs me and pulls me up

“Good? Jesus H Christ babe, BEST head I've ever gotten! Why didn't you tell me you have no gag reflex?”

“uhm...gag reflex?” I say confused

“Yeah... Look by no means have I gotten a lot of head in my days but no one's been able to take more than maybe half of my length before gagging on it. You didn't...so...no gag reflex”

“Oh, well no I guess I don't. Just never thought of that as something good” I giggle

“Babe, it's...like a birthday present and Christmas gift all rolled in to one if you ask me” he kisses me, ignoring fully that I still have the taste of him still in my mouth. “I don't even know how I'm going to be able to repay that but I sure as hell am going to give it my best” he says and he spins us around making him on top. He leaves kisses all down my body until he gets to my pussy. He eats me out like I'm the last meal he'll ever get. He doesn't stop until he's had me screaming his name three times. I don't even fucking know what planet I'm on by the time he crawls back up and pulls me in, spooning me and kissing my neck “Such a good girl, I love hearing you scream my name like that” he purrs in to my neck and I shiver out of pure bliss. If you would have told me this a few days ago I would have called you a crazy person, but now I'm having multiple orgasms screaming this guys name as he's knuckles deep in me. Fuck I screamed...

“Eddie...” I whisper.... “what about Steve” I blush

“Sweetheart, when Harrington's drunk and fallen asleep...nothing and I do mean nothing wakes him up” he chuckles

“You sure? I kinda need to use the bathroom” I say

“I'm sure, hurry back though. I wanna cuddle” he smiles as I get our of the bed putting a long t-shirt on. I open the door quietly peeking out in to the living room. Just as Eddie said, Steve's snoring away on the couch. Not a care in the world, a bit of drool on the side of his mouth. I smile and I tip toe to the bathroom, do what I came to do and head back to the bed room. Eddie's moved under the covers, he lifts them when he sees me coming. I pull the t-shirt off and I join him. It's warm an cosy under there. I wiggle up against him again and he puts his arm over me. Within minutes he's snoring softly behind me

“Eddie... I think I'm falling in love with you” I whisper quietly before closing my eyes and drifting off to sleep.

Eddie's pov

I have no idea what I've done right in my life to deserve meeting this girl. But she's amazing, so innocent but god damn she's got a wild side to her. I can't wait to help her discover it. She sneaks off to the bathroom and I get up as quietly as I can and I peek out of the bed room

“Good job man, sounded like a home run for the both of you” I hear a whisper from the couch

“Shut up, if she finds out you heard us she's gonna die...” I whisper back

“Nah only heard the finish...she ain't discrete when screaming your name. Other than that I just put the pillows to my ears, tried to give you some privacy”

“Thanks dude... But you gotta look like you're sleeping again. She'll be back any minute” I whisper and I get a thumbs up from Steve and a great big smile. I knew he doesn't sleep to well when he's drunk. He wakes for nothing, but I thought that might scare her from ever wanting to do stuff if people are around again. I mean I want this girl any time, any place she'll let me have her. I get back in tot he bed and under the covers just in time before hearing the bathroom door close and her tip toeing back. She crawls in with me and wiggles that great ass against me with a happy sigh. I have a feeling she might be the kind of person to say things when they think no one's listening. I pretend to fall asleep. “Eddie... I think I'm falling in love with you” I hear in the darkness and my heart nearly stops. She's falling in love? With ME? I try to maintain my breathing to seem like I'm sleeping, but in reality all I wanna do is cry. No one's ever loved me, hell no one's ever fucking liked me. Maybe Chrissy did but I never got the chance to figure that out. How do I pretend I didn't just hear the best fucking sentence I've heard in my entire life? I mean... I know now. I could be the first to say it out loud to her...but is it too soon? She's sleeping now, I pull her closer and I whisper as quietly as I can “too late I loved you first” then I actually fall asleep for real.

Morning

I wake up to the smell of coffee coming from outside the door. I stretch and I feel Eddie stirring behind me. So it's not him? I sneak out of bed and I get dressed, I head out in to the living room. The TV's on at a low volume and a newly awake Steve is sipping coffee watching the morning news.

“Hey, sleep well?” I ask feeling myself blush a little

“Morning, yeah like a dead man. Hey where's Robin and Casey?” he looks at me, maybe he didn't hear us after all

“Uhm... we have no idea. They said they were going out on to the balcony to get some air and then they just disappeared...so I would guess Robin's place?” I say

“Wow, cool...well grats to them then. When did I pass out? By the way there's coffee if you want some” he says

“Aw great thanks! I think it was around midnight when you passed out.” I smile at him

“Fuck, great guest I am. Feel like a truck hit me, I drank a lot didn't I?” he chuckles

“Well...we got 1 tequila shot each...the rest was all you. Crying about being all alone and singing soppy love songs... But you know, you're charming so it's ok” I laugh and he looks mortified

“I though that was a dream” he groans and hides his face in his hands “your friend must think I'm a lunatic” he says

“I don't think she even realized you nor Eddie were even here after seeing Robin. But I think she liked you just fine, or you would have known. She's kinda vocal when she dislikes people” I say

“Morning there Sinatra” Eddie's in the door smiling at Steve

“Shut up Munson”

“Aw c'mon you were crooning so lovely for us. The crying was perhaps a bit excessive but other than that you were a gem Harrington!” Eddie laughs and he comes up to me kissing me on the head “is there more of that?” he nods at the coffee in my hands

“Yeah there is, thank Steve he's the housewife this morning” I say

“Thank you Mrs Steve” Eddie makes a face at Steve who just rolls his eyes at him.

“How about we try to see if the other two are alive and then we order pizza?” I suggest

“Absolutely, I can call Robin and you two can go get pizza” Steve says

Eddie gets his coffee then him and me go to get pizzas, drinks and snacks. When we return Robin and Casey has appeared again.

“Hello there” I say meaningly to Casey

“Hey...” she blushes, I don't think I've ever seen Casey blush before.

“So...did you guys fall of the balcony last night or what?” I smirk and Eddie chuckles

“Well...you know...we thought it was crowded enough here...” Casey doesn't know where to look

“You do realize I'm not mad right, I'm happy for you. Next time though, tell me if you leave” I hug her

“Ok...sorry” she smiles

“But you're good?” I whisper in her ear

“Fucking marvellous, she's perfect Kat” she whispers back and I'm so happy I could scream for her instead I hug her so tight her eyes nearly pop out

“So what happened here after we left?” Robin smiles

“That one passed out, and we had mind blowing sex” I say pointing at Steve, Eddie chokes on his pizza and turn full on beetroot

“Oh, well... with the exception of a passed out Steve...same” Robin says and now it's Casey's turn to turn in to a well cooked lobster.

“Well...ehmmm...thanks for sharing. Can we...like talk about just about anything else?” Steve clears his throat and we all laugh at him

“How about the concert you gave us?” Casey smiles at him “you don't sound half bad there dude. 4 out of 5 starts from the Indianapolis jury” she says

“Ok...maybe not ANYTHING else apparently...but thanks” Steve blushes

The rest of the day is spent eating snacks, talking, playing cards, making fun of Steve, watching a movie, making fun of Steve again and more eating. Casey has to leave by 8, it's the last bus going to Indianapolis. We all tag along to drop her off. She promises that she'll be back real soon, I think that promise was mostly directed towards Robin. We wave her off and then we drive Robin and Steve home. When we're alone again Eddie looks at me

“So how does if feel?”

“How does what feel?” I ask

“Life?” he smiles at me

“Amazing Eddie, I have friends. Like actual friends, not just singular any more. And I have you” I can't help a tear falling from my eyes

“Awww sweetheart, don't cry” he says stroking my face

“Happy tears Ed, nothing more ok” I say and I kiss him

The days pass, like the kind of life I've always dreamt of. I work, then at night I'm either at Eddie's or he's at mine. It's perfect, but I have this dread in me. I know the call will come, and I hate the thought of what she's going to say that will spoil this for me. Eddie senses something is really wrong when he picks me up from work on Wednesday afternoon.

“Hey, what's up babe? You've become more and more withdrawn. Is it me?”

“No, oh no sorry Ed... It's just...Laura will call. Probably today, and this is how I always feel, she's going to find a way to put me down I know it” I sigh

“I wouldn't worry” he says and I look at him confused

“What...are you thinking?” I say

“Let me answer the phone, ok?” he smiles

“Wow...ehm...ok. I guess...” I don't know what he's up to and I'm not sure I wanna be here when the reaction comes back in full swing. We head home and I make us dinner. I feel a little more relaxed, but also even more on edge but for a whole other reason. At 8 I think we're out of the woods, she's not calling tonight. But then, like she can read my mind the phone rings. I look at Eddie who just smiles at me and goes up to the phone and picks it up

“Hello, this is Eddie” he nods to me “yeah this is her phone” he smiles “who's asking?” I can almost SEE the horns growing out “I'm the boyfriend, who are you?” Boyfriend? He's my boyfriend? I look at him, he sees my amazed look and he blows me a kiss “well...I've heard a lot about you. Yeah don't get cocky none of it's good” his smile is devilish by now “well... I'd say 4 weeks now. Well who the fuck cares if she hasn't mentioned me. Considering what I've heard about you I'm not surprised” he's nodding, rolling his eyes. I can hear my sisters sharp voice on the other end “WOAH there bitchy, wanna calm that mouth of yours when talking about my girlfriend? Yeah well...she's not available at the moment” I hear yelling “do I sound like the kind of guy who gives a rats ass? I'M A BULLY? Lets get one thing straight here Laura, yeah I know your name. I have no good thoughts about you what so ever, and neither has your sister. So either grow some manners or don't bother calling. I can guarantee you'll be facing me every time” a big grin and he hangs up the phone. My brain is foggy and my mouth is dry

“I’m your girlfriend” like that's the thing to focus on...he just hung up in my sisters ear. There will be hell!

“Oh babe, sorry... I hope so” he looks down all guilty like he should have checked with me before calling me that. I jump at him wrapping both arms and legs around him kissing him fiercely.

“Guess what?” I say, cheeks rosy with excitement. Eddie shakes his head in amusement “I have a boyfriend” I grin and he laughs at me kissing me passionately

“Good for you, hope he's got better manners than that freak on the phone just now” he smiles

“Oh he's perfection” I coo

The phone rings again, I sigh. Eddie rolls his eyes. “Again?” he says

“Bet you it's mum this time” I say. Eddie puts me down and takes the phone again

“This is Eddie... Hello Mrs Smith... Yes I did speak to Laura a moment ago... Well ma'am I'm not sure if you're aware but your youngest daughter is quite a bitch to her sister... Well I don't care, she starts throwing names around I'm gonna get mad... Well 4 weeks ma'am... Yes I do ma'am” I'm watching him talk to my mum, a whole other attitude than the one with Laura “Well, maybe you can talk to Laura then ma'am. I'm not going anywhere and I will be quite protective of Kat, just sayin... Ok then ma'am you have a good evening also” he hangs up

“So... 4 weeks?” I ask

“Well I though that sounded like a better amount of time than us only knowing each other for a week and a half” he smiles

“And what is it you do?” I'm curious

“What?” he tries to look like he has no idea what I'm talking about

“You said 'Yes I do ma'am' so what is it you do? I need to know if it's something I need to remember if I talk to her” I say

“She asked if I love you...” he says looking at me

“She...” there's silence, my brain is trying to process what Eddie said.

“I...well... I said I do” he whispers

“You...do?” I croak

“Yeah, kinda fell head over heels first night. When we were here for dinner... I'm sorry if it's too soon” he mumbles, fiddling with the rings on his fingers

I...love you to Eddie. But be careful, I've had this boyfriend for 4 weeks now and he's crazy protective” I say taking Eddies hands in mine. He lets out a chuckle

“Sounds like an ass” he smiles

“Nah, he's pretty great actually”

This is going to be good, I see a bright future ahead. Brightest of all, Christmas in Seattle with Eddie. Oh I can't wait to unleash him on Laura. Life is pretty good when you find your people!

So this will get a part 2 at some point as soon as I’ve collected my ideas and put them in order :) Thanks for reading <3

#eddie munson #eddie munson smut #eddie x fem

[renon4224]

Mental Vampyre

“Keira, when are you gonna transfer?” Kody asked, his new body only a few months old and impeccable.

“Not sure, when I feel old?” Mentally, I’m at least three hundred, physically? There’s no point in asking.

Kody laughed, his new voice like daggers to my ears, “You look old, come on, you promised you’d transfer with me this time.”

Promises mean nothing to someone who can live forever, “Maybe next time.” I sighed, arguing with my latest vibrator was tiring, “I’m going out.” And left.

The last boy’s memories were still tickling my mind-space, he had a really good body, too bad he decided to think for himself. Kody decided to follow me out, tailing me like a lovesick puppy.

“Darling, can you get my transfer tube?” Thoughts belong to those who are smart, not lazy little wannabe transfers.

“Yes love.” The whirr of mind machinery was music to me, and nails on a chalkboard to others.

I swiped some lipstick on, bright beautiful red lipstick, and kissed Kody. His body slumped to the floor, I grabbed a ‘dream catcher’ and stabbed it into his eyes. Placing myself inside the transfer tube, everything in Kody’s twenty-seven years implanting into my brain, I sighed, this was why I ‘dated’ to feel the rush of another lover’s memories, the hotness of their voice in my mind. I stepped out, nude and new. Kody’s body shrivelled to nothing but bones, and my own was glorious, I could grab another male in about thirty seconds outside. But first, disposal. I grinned, I loved this part, it was always the best, I took the body in my hands and started crying. I waited until it looked like I was completely wrecked up about his ‘death’.

“911, how may we help you?”

“My lover, he- he transferred!” I cried out, choking on fake sobs.

“Into what body?”

“None! He used m-mine, and didn’t bring a spare!” I heard the receiver drop, I changed my DNA every two years, and no one figured me out.

“We’ll be right there.” The line went dead, and I wrapped the phone cord around my wrists, and yanked. 

Rug burns on the wrists made cops think I was restrained, I laid across the body for when the ambulance arrived.

“Ma’am, we need to see the body.” 

I nodded, choking on sobs ‘trying’ to tell them to ‘fix’ him, and got up, a lady wrapped a blanket around my shoulders and gave me ‘hopeful’ words. Hope for what? A real death, or that ‘Kody’ might come back? His voice cried out for his body and I let the onslaught force sound out of me as well. More meaningless words, why does everyone try to tell me it’ll be alright? I took his mind, he’ll never recover. I don’t want ‘alright’ I want to keep my mind, and everyone else’s.

The girl next to me had beautiful auburn hair and violet eyes, I wonder how she would taste in my mind. What beautiful things has she experienced, and what horrible ones? What does she think about? Her hands were cool, the cold of an Ancient. Someone like me.

#memories #murder #lies #mystery #suspense #RenyWrites #mental vampyre

[spacerangersam]

I recently saw your NB4ProblamatocT Julian pat post, and it just made me cry!! You're so talented, and I'm just obsessed! I was wondering if you could tell us some more about NB/Trans femme pat (or trans masc!!) Or the hc you have! It's okay if not! Sorry to bother :^)

thank you so much!! and im sure I can scrounge up some ideas! (and trust me, this is no bother at all. i am always up for the opportunity to rattle on)

She knew she was trans (even if she didn’t have the language for it) when she was fourteen and started going through puberty. the second her voice dropped she was like 'oh I hate this actually, no thanks'

In my Pat lore that’s consistent regardless of Pat’s gender, she has a twin sister Gabrielle who’s also trans and realised a lot sooner when she was around ten, so the second Pat started to feel a bit off, they talked to Gabrielle about it

While they didn’t totally click with womanhood, it felt more comfortable than being perceived as a man, so they started growing her hair out and nicking Gab’s clothes.

All her family just kind of rolled with it. (let us, for a moment, live in a world where transphobia doesn’t exist)

She didn’t even think of a new name until like two years down the line when someone asked her for it at a party and she was like right, probably shouldn’t be going by Patrick anymore. So on the spot, she blurted out Patricia. She’d always been happy being called Pat/Patty, so it worked out

I don’t imagine her being a particularly femme person. She might have worn the occasional long skirt or a nice dress to a party, but otherwise, she had like two pairs of mum jeans she lived in and a variety of bright, colourful button-ups to pair with them. Shoes-wise, she’d stick to trainers and boots, with some jelly shoes for summer. 

I also imagine she wouldn’t have worn much makeup, but she cared so much about her hair. So much. And she is forever grateful she died with her hair freshly permed, and with like, three different scrunchies on her wrist that she can swap out (and just like transphobia, we will be ignoring ghost canon)

obv she's a guide leader rather than a scout leader, and I think to believe she had beef with the local scout group/their scoutmaster and was always trying to one-up him. she's forever miffed about kicking the bucket before getting one over on him

(one day his group visits the button grounds, and she gathers up all the ghosts with powers to make his life a brief living hell even though he's like, ancient now and not even the scoutmaster anymore, just there for old times sake. still, they do it, and she's so happy. revenge? pretty cool, actually)

I imagine after she died, she was pretty hush-hush about being trans, just in case. But when she clocked onto Cap struggling with his sexuality, she decided to take a leap of faith and tell him. He was a bit confused but took it in stride, and while he didn’t come out to her, it definitely made him feel more comfortable about himself

She didn’t come out to anyone else until Alison made a comment about him being nb themselves, leading to them giving all the ghosts a lesson on everything LGBT

Pat found was just overjoyed there was a better word for how she felt, that she wasn’t ‘faking’ being trans because she didn’t connect with the idea of being a woman, she was just trans in a different way

She came out, everyone was obviously accepting, and Alison even got her a little nb flag for her room. Which does lead to questions when people visit and are like? why is there a random pride flag in this empty room?

Alison never comes up with a good excuse

Pat uses she/they/he pronouns, but you're only allowed to use he/him if you’ve been given permission. So far the only people who’ve won that right are her mother, her sister, Cap, and somehow, Julian/Julie. 

Also, it's very important to me that she's surprisingly strong. I just really like the image of this titchy trans femme picking up the blokes of the house and moving them aside whenever they're in Alison's way

um. that's all i've got, i think

#ask #ghosts posts #transfem pat

[anitabyars]

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Before I Let Go, an all-new sensual and poignant second chance romance from USA Today bestselling author Kennedy Ryan, is out now!

Their love was supposed to last forever. But when life delivered blow after devastating blow, Yasmen and Josiah Wade found that love alone couldn’t solve or save everything.

It couldn’t save their marriage.

Yasmen wasn’t prepared for how her life fell apart, but she’s is finally starting to find joy again. She and Josiah have found a new rhythm, co-parenting their two kids and running a thriving business together. Yet like magnets, they’re always drawn back to each other, and now they’re beginning to wonder if they’re truly ready to let go of everything they once had.

Soon, one stolen kiss leads to another…and then more. It's hot. It's illicit. It's all good—until old wounds reopen. Is it too late for them to find forever? Or could they even be better, the second time around?

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In addition to appearances in North Carolina, Kennedy will also be on tour in Atlanta, New York City & Los Angeles!

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Keep reading for a look inside Before I Let Go!

I knock and wait for Josiah’s deep baritone telling me to enter. He sits behind his desk, eyes trained on the laptop in front of him. He doesn’t look up, but keeps typing. The silence persists, stretches to awkwardness, so I drop into one of the armchairs in the center of the room along with a sofa and coffee table, and set my purse on the floor.

“Harvey’s on his way,” he says, still not looking away from the screen. “His last meeting ran a few minutes over, but he’ll be here soon.”

“Oh. Sure. Great.”

I run damp palms over my legs, the jeans smooth and cool beneath my hands. Fidgety and looking for something to do, I tighten my topknot. I got box braids last weekend because I was tired of messing with my hair. This morning they’re studded with a few gold cuffs scattered throughout the strands. All in all, I feel pretty. And confident, and I won’t be shook by the pissy mood Josiah seems to have saved just for me. Finally, he closes the laptop and walks over to the sitting area. I study my nails, taking my turn to ignore him.

“I like the braids.”

Surprised, I glance up to find him sitting on the arm of the leather sofa across from me. I didn’t expect him to say anything personal. Definitely not about my appearance. When I meet his eyes, they’re cool like they’ve been for weeks, and his face remains unreadable.

“Thanks.” I scour my mind for something else to say. Gone are the days when I couldn’t get the words out to him fast enough. We’d watch couples eating dinner in absolute silence and promise each other that would never be us.

“Um, did you see Deja’s report card?” I ask.

“Yeah.” He frowns. “I can’t believe she got a C in English.”

“It used to be her best subject. It’s not just the grade itself, but I worry she’s spending too much time on social media.”

“I think she’ll find the balance without us having to come down hard. Your relationship with her is already strained enough and—”

“Strained?” I ask, my voice dropping to a quiet warning.

“You’ve said that yourself, Yas.” He crosses his stupid muscular arms

across his stupid broad chest. “Let’s not fight over how we need to handle things with Day. Have you given any more thought to Kassim playing football?”

“You mean since I said never when you asked last time? No. Besides, he has soccer.”

“He really wants to play football too.”

“A kid can really want a lot of things that aren’t good for him, like literally ramming his brain into a brick wall over and over again and risking his life, his mind, for what? A game? With all that’s come out about CTE, I just don’t think it’s worth the risk. Lots of parents aren’t doing football anymore.”

“Don’t you think you’re being a little dramatic? I played football. Preach played. Theo’s playing.”

“I love Preach, but him letting Theo play doesn’t mean a damn thing to me. What he and Liz decide for their kids has no bearing on what we decide for ours. Kassim has barely mentioned football to me.”

“He hasn’t mentioned it,” he returns with obvious stretched patience, “because he loves you and he doesn’t want to displease you, but he asks me almost daily.”

“Of course, because you’re the cool parent.”

“Well, I’m not the one who says no to everything because I’m too scared or too uptight to allow my kids some freedom to make their own decisions.”

“How dare you!”

I surge to my feet, unable to stay seated one more second. I need to move, let this anger circulate, or it will clog in my veins. My steps eat up the space separating us, and before I know it, I’m right in front of him, standing in the vee of his powerful legs. The air sizzles with a lightning strike, sudden and hot and dangerous. Unpredictable. I should take shelter, but I don’t step back. His expression remains inscrutable, the stark beauty of his face unaffected, but his breathing deepens. In response, my breasts rise and fall with the struggle to draw breath as the air between us thickens. This close, his presence overwhelms me and my deprived senses devour him. The way his cologne mingles with his unique male scent. The hardness of his jaw at war with the sensual curve of his mouth. The heat his big body radiates, even at rest, surrounds me.

I lick suddenly dry lips, and he tracks the movement with narrowed eyes. I feel hunted by that look, like I stepped into a trap laid by my own body, devised by my own mind. Something I thought we’d buried long ago rises, encircles us, breathing new life into a connection I thought was dead. I’ve known for months that I’m still attracted to Josiah, but right now, with his eyes darkening and his jaw flexing and his hands curling into fists, I can’t help but wonder . . .

Is he still attracted to me too?

About Kennedy Ryan

A RITA® and Audie® Award winner, USA Today bestselling author Kennedy Ryan writes for women from all walks of life, empowering them and placing them firmly at the center of each story and in charge of their own destinies. Her heroes respect, cherish, and lose their minds for the women who capture their hearts. Kennedy and her writings have been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, TIME, O magazine, and many others. She is a wife to her lifetime lover and mother to an extraordinary son.

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#socialbutterflypr #newrelease #blogtour #kennedy ryan #before i let go

[seokjinsonlyone]

this is how i think it’d go if you went to visit bts at work and gave them a little peck on the lips

namjoon:

you’d probably walk into his studio and he’d be at his desk headphones in playing back some beat or revising some lyrics

you’d come up behind him and wrap your arms around his neck effectively stealing his attention away from the track

and that’s when you’d place a nice little peck on his lips

but that wouldn’t be enough for him so before you could even fully break apart he’d already be chasing your lips

he’d roll his chair around to properly face you placing one hand at the back of your neck bringing you back to him immediately slipping his tongue in your mouth

what once was a cute little greeting turned into a sensual experience as he gently massaged your tongue with his

and when he felt like he had his fill of you for the time being he pulled back, smiling, dimples on full display and said “hey, baby.”

the depth of his voice would send shivers down your spine and you would settle into his lap wrapping your arms around his neck picking up where he left off just bc he was done didn’t mean you were

seokjin:

you’d probably end up at hybe headquarters after seokjin called you when he was done with his day to get dinner together

you’d call him to let him know you’re outside and within a minute he’d be in your car

you’d lean over the center console to give him a peck to which he’d immediately complain

“woooowww i’ve been at work all day and that’s all i get”

you’d swallow down the urge to tell him that he not the only one that work in favor of rolling your eyes and pressing your lips to his again for a little longer

that wouldn’t be enough for him though “just one more,” he’d request.

“one more.”

“one more.”

he knew that asking for a kiss from you was a dangerous game

could feel it in the way he melted against you

could tell by the way he seriously thought about giving you one of his rolex watches you jokingly said you’d steal and sell

or one of his cars you said you’d steal and sell

thought about giving you the world just for one more kiss

yoongi:

with yoongi you’d probably enter his studio (he’s always in the studio) with the code he gave you

which the fact that you were the only one other than himself that had the code did inexplicable things to your heart you couldn’t really delve into without feeling like you were gonna explode

anyway you’d walk in the room and he already knew it was you like you said you were the only other one who could freely enter and he’d be at his monitor doing whatever producers do

“hey just gimme one sec”

and you knew how that one went sometimes it was actually just a few seconds sometimes it was a few hours until you had his attention but you didn’t mind you ain’t have anything else to do just wanted some company

you didn’t wanna disturb him too much but you couldn’t help yourself so you walked to him turned his head to face you and quickly kissed him before recoiling to the couch a few feet away

10-15 minutes later he was summoning you over to him, pulling you into his lap, and using his thumb and index finger to trap your chin bringing your lips back to his for a proper kiss

you sighed contentedly afterwards laying your head on top of his as he wrapped his arms around your waist, showing you what he was working on

hoseok:

hobi was usually a super organized person liked for everything to have a place and everything to be in that place

but you were his little chaos and organization was definitely not his top priority when he was with you taking second place to soaking up every ounce of your presence in whichever way you would allow him

so really it was no surprise when he texted you asking if you’d seen his little notebook where he wrote his lyrics and whatever other ideas or thoughts popped into his head

it took a bit of searching to find but you had it and he was very fortunate you liked him it was the only reason you were willing to drop it off before work

you made sure to let him know he was the reason you looked ugly today the trip to his office severely cutting your usual routine and he made sure to let you know that a) you were beautiful no matter what and b) he would make it up to you

it was only your second time at the new building your first time was when he invited you along for their first look at the hybe insight museum so it was safe to say you had absolutely no idea where you were going despite the detailed instructions one of the staff gave you upon entry if you hadn’t run into taehyun you probably would’ve been running around that building for another hour

you were thoroughly unamused with the situation but hobi looked so cute and sheepish when you entered the practice room wrapping his arms around you immediately alternating between expressing his gratitude and regretfulness that you couldn’t help but press a small kiss to his mouth

an action you instantly regretted bc a) it caused him to start pressing kisses all over your face in return b) it caused an eruption of various forms of shouting from the six other boys you failed to notice upon entry

you pushed at his chest as heat flooded your body from embarrassment preparing to leave you were going to be late for work “be good” you told him personally before shouting “have fun!” at the other members

jimin:

your days off hardly coincided with jimin’s days off mostly bc he never really had days off always had to go in for one thing or another

but his days weren’t always jam packed some days like today he had a meeting in the morning and a meeting in the evening and not much else to do besides that

and he was the absolute worst at entertaining himself always needed to find someone else’s business to get into and as the object of his affection you were always his first choice

he tried not to bother you too much when you were busy though no matter how clingy he was and he was awfully clingy

if you two weren’t able to be joined at the hip in your free time you were definitely on the phone and if he wasn’t the object of your affection as well you would’ve started ignoring him a long time ago as it stands he was the best company

anyway he knew you were off today and had no plans other than finding a new anime to start so naturally when he found himself bored out of his mind he was in your ear purring down the line for you to come to him

it didn’t take too much convincing your attention span wasn’t on your side so you couldn’t really get into anything and even though you literally saw jimin yesterday you missed him :\

it’s why you didn’t hesitate to land a peck on his lips upon meeting him again and latching onto his arm firmly as he led you to one of the small practice rooms they had

“so tell me about your day”

you looked him over suspiciously he had that mischievous glint in his eye so you knew he was up to something

and you were right you weren’t more than two sentences in to your answer before he was pressing his lips to yours in a long lingering kiss

“i’m sorry continue”

“um...” your attention span really wasn’t with you and it was hard to retrace your train of thought with your lips tingling and the hairs on the back of your neck raised

you eventually found your mental footing and continued speaking about your day which had more or less turned into you ranting about haikyuu when again mid sentence he captured your lips between his own one hand tracing up and down your spine while the other held your head into place so he could lick into your mouth just the way he liked

“go on” he panted slightly breathless once you finally broke apart

“jimin...” you whined

he giggled at his own antics loved riling you up found it so cute how you couldn’t even try to keep the dreamy look off your face “you like me so much don’t you?” he asked with a self assured grin etched onto his face

you did

taehyung:

sometimes he felt so sorry to you hated cancelling on you because something came up or another thing ran over time

you were always cool with it tho never made a huge fuss of it which he was forever grateful for bc he really did love his job

but he really loved you too

he had to cancel three separate times just this week alone and he was missing you something bad

and even though he really wanted to take you out and do something nice for you like you deserved at this point he just wanted to see you

missed seeing you in person and having you in his arms

that’s how you found yourself on a bench tucked into a quiet corner of the upper garden at a table chairs side by side his hands toying with yours as you caught him up on your week so far

he was kinda obsessed with you and you loved it because having his undivided attention felt so so good

so you couldn’t help but close the gap, briefly pressing your lips to his

the slight blush that took over his cheeks had an insane amount of serotonin flooding your brain you loved him so much

even more so when he surpassed his bout of shyness and unabashedly brought you closer to him and attempted to make up for a week’s worth of lost kisses

jungkook:

sometimes life got busy for the both of you and even though you meant to meet up it just didn’t happen

but once you finished your work week you made it your mission to see him as soon as possible

you’d texted him when you got off and he told you he was finishing vocal practice then going to workout which left you with enough time to stop home and freshen up before he was done

as expected his trainer told you he was in the shower when you popped up so you decided to wait in the hallway for him to come out

“heeeeey what are you doing here”

you looked up from your phone to see your slightly damp very buff boyfriend grinning down at you

almost instantly you were hugging him arms wrapped around his waist before pulling back slightly pecking him on the lips

which set something off inside jungkook a shock ran down his body just from the feeling of your lips pressed against his

“let’s hang out” you agreed immediately “i just need to grab something from my studio first”

he laced your hands together dragging you alongside him and as soon as you entered the room he had you pinned against the door hands on your hips kissing you with far greater ferocity than you could have anticipated

and it’s like jungkook knew he missed you but he didn’t realize just how much until he had you in his arms your lips on his

kissing you felt like home and his introverted self never wanted to leave the house couldn’t even help the groan that escaped the back of his throat as you took control of the kiss and made a mental note to remember to never deprive himself of this pleasure again

one of his hands slid down your thigh lifting your leg until you got the hint to wrap both of them around his waist allowing him to show off his strength and grope you at the same time

“jk,” you said breathlessly, breaking the kiss

his lips were chasing yours the second you broke contact he didn’t care about breathing when a fire was spreading through his body

you indulged him for a few more seconds before breaking apart again

this time his lips traveled down your neck kissing and sucking until you were making the prettiest sounds for him

you felt like you were going to explode his hands were squeezing your butt and his lips were on your neck and you were going to explode

“jk...” you whined again tugging lightly at the hair on the nape of his neck

he made his way back up your neck pressing a hard kiss on your cheek before gently nudging your nose with his “hmmm?”

and suddenly you were staring directly into his eyes big and pretty and filled with stars shining just for you

you were going to explode “let’s get out of here”

#this was really just supposed to sumn light to post and then midway through yoongi’s i started world building 🤡 #bts fanfiction #bts fanfic #bts imagine #bts reactions #namjoon fic #namjoon smut #seokjin fic #jin fic #jin fluff #yoongi fanfic #yoongi x reader #yoongi fluff #j hope fanfic #hoseok fanfic #jhope fluff #jimin x reader #jimin smut #taehyung fluff #taehyung fanfiction #jungkook x reader #jungkook smut

[momolady]

Dean the Werewolf: Part One

Cryptids, yoga, supposedly haunted beaches, what else could you want?

Female Reader x Male Monster (both cis)

Aside from the hassle of getting up, you’ve been enjoying early mornings. The town you live in is right near the ocean, so each morning during your jog to the gym, you get to see the sun rise over the sparkling water. You had always been a sleeping-in type, but when you decided to lose weight, it became clear that early morning was the only time you could work out. After work you’re always too exhausted, or far too busy.

It was a struggle in the beginning, especially when you started the early-morning gym visits. Your body ached throughout the day, and mornings were harder than ever, but you kept telling yourself it would be worth it in the end. You’ve grown to enjoy weight lifting, and it’s become a regular part of your morning routine. You’ve even made a few friends to work out with, which helps to keep you on track.

“Look over there,” Rosie hisses, giving you a nudge that nearly makes you trip on the treadmill.

“Hey! Careful!” you huff. “What are you talking about?”

Rosie nods over to the corner where a guy is standing, adjusting the braces on his knees before he takes to the dumbbells. “That guy. The one I’ve been telling you about.”

For a while now Rosie has been talking about a guy she’s been seeing around the gym. Unnervingly silent and always dressed in black, he’s inspired her to call him the Shadow. She also tells you that his face is partially covered by a red marking, and the way she goes on you expect the Phantom of the Opera to slink in. But this guy looks very normal, with no hint of murder-basement tendencies. Aside from his all-black attire and prodigious man-bun, nothing seems out of the ordinary.

“That’s not the Shadow,” you scold her. “That’s some guy.”

“No, no,” Rosie insists. “That’s him. Wait for him to turn, you’ll see.” She keeps her hand on you so you don't turn away.

You roll your eyes and smile. “Have you ever considered trying out to be the nosy neighbor on TV?” You start to go back to your workout, but then the Shadow turns. Rosie gives you a smack on the arm, and you see that the right side of his face appears bruised, red and purple. The blemish seeps down onto the side of his neck and shoulder, and even the hair on the right side of his head is discolored white and gray.

“The Shadow!”

“Don’t be rude,” you warn her. “It’s a port wine birthmark.”

Rosie looks mortified. “Like his mother drank wine during pregnancy? Oh my god, that’s so sad!”

“It has nothing to do with wine! It just looks like a wine stain. It happens like any other birthmark.”

“Sorry,” Rosie glances back at the Shadow. “But see? He’s so cool in a way.”

You give her a look. “Are you twelve?”

“I mean, he’s this loner and everything. Wears all black, always cleans up, holds open doors.” Rosie blushes slightly.

You smirk at her. “You’re married, Rosie. Do I need to have a word with Mikey?”

Rosie pouts and returns to focusing on the treadmill. “He can fantasize about the florist on Gum Street, so I can do it too.”

You laugh at her, taking one last glance behind you at the Shadow.

One morning, while taking a breather from your regimen, you’re sifting through your bag looking for a mint when someone comes to stand over you. “Do you work there?” he asks, pointing to your bag.

Your bag is a tote emblazoned with the logo for Audrey Dental Clinic along with a little tooth and toothbrush design, which you’ve been using forever rather than actually buying anything new. “Yeah,” you answer, and look up and see the Shadow standing over you.

“Do ya’ll take new clients?” He has a Southern accent, which is unexpected. “I’ve had this toothache for a while now, and I can’t ignore it anymore.”

You fumble a bit, nearly dropping your box of mints. “Yes, of course. I don’t have any of my cards with me, they’re back in my purse. But I could leave one at the front desk for you.”

“Thank you. I’d appreciate that,” se says with a smile. He starts to turn away, then stops. “I don’t have insurance…”

“We take payments,” you quickly reply. “And we have flex rates too, so…” You smile nervously again and tell him your name. “I’m a dental hygienist there, so just tell them I referred you and they’ll get you in as quickly as possible.”

“Dean,” the Shadow replies. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too, Dean.” For the Shadow, Dean sounds like such a plain name.

You leave one of your cards at the front desk, telling the guy there that Dean will come and pick it up later. Work is like any other day. You perform cleanings, and assist Dr. Audrey with a few procedures and x-rays. Aside from talking to Dean the Shadow that morning, nothing is different. Once at home, you get into a shower immediately, as is the routine. Shower first, dinner second. While you cook, you browse through your phone to check emails, the news, and then one of your favorite guilty pleasures - a supernatural blog called the Spoopy Forecast. It tracks hauntings, cryptid sightings, and various unexplainable phenomena in the world. You grew up in a supposedly-haunted house as a kid, so these things have always fascinated you. Today though, there’s a surprise.

“West Coast Beach Beast Spotted Again!” A few years ago, someone snapped a photo of what looked like a hunched, hairy creature on a beach not far from your town. Ever since, people have been sending in equally blurry photos, hyping up the Beach Beast myth so much that shops around here sell merch featuring it. It appears that the Spoopy Forecast has gotten a photo that’s much clearer than the others. Just as you’re scrolling down to see the supposed ‘definitive’ Beast Beach photo, your phone rings, and you nearly chuck it into your dinner.

“I saw the Shadow buying Orajel at the pharmacy,” the text from Rosie says.

You sigh as you text back. “His name is Dean.”

“How do you know that?”

“I talked to him this morning. He has a toothache, so I gave him my card.” You step away from the stove to let your dinner simmer. “He seems very nice.”

“Well, that explains why he was buying Orajel. Why didn’t you tell me?”

You wish you could roll your eyes at Rosie. “Because I’m not in high school.”

Rosie instantly changes the subject. “You’re still doing the new yoga class with me on Saturday, right? I don’t wanna go alone.”

You check on your food and stir it, turning the heat down. “I’m planning on it, although I don’t know why. Don’t you have more flexible friends?”

“I don’t want to be the only chubby girl in a room full of skinny white women. We have to stick together! Bubble butts for life!”

Rosie is a lot, but you’re used to that by now. “I’m still going, don’t worry. I even got a new mat and leggings that supposedly don’t show panty lines.”

“Yay! You’re the best!”

You set your phone down and happily plate your meal. As you eat, you return to the Spoopy Forecast to try and see the picture of the Beach Beast. At first it looks like an innocuous photo of the beach at dusk, but when additional graphics point it out, you’re shocked. What looks like rocks in the corner actually appear hairy, and you can just barely make out a grotesque, wolfish face. But it’s the caption that rocks you most of all - “Taken near Orin Beach.” That’s the beach you run past on your morning jog! You quickly set your phone aside. There must be some photo manipulation involved. There’s no way!

The next day, you take a different route to the gym, trying your best to avoid the beach. Once at the gym, you relax. No way the Beach Beast would get away with attacking anyone here, with all the heavy weights and muscular bodybuilders around. You settle in to start your workout for the day.

“Good morning.”

You nearly choke on your water. You hadn’t heard anybody approaching you, but suddenly the Shadow is there. Dean looks instantly apologetic. “Oh, shit, did I scare you?”

You keep your mouth covered as you try not to spit out your water. You shake your head, then nod as you gulp. “I didn’t hear you at all!”

“Sorry, I‘ve been told I’m quiet. I didn’t mean to sneak up on you like that.” Dean rubs the back of his neck.

“It’s okay,” you cough. “You didn’t mean to.”

Dean’s soft smile returns. “Thanks for the card. I’ve got an appointment today, so I’m hoping I can get this toothache fixed. I’ve got something pretty important coming up on Saturday, and I’m a bit nervous about it.”

You stand and pop your knuckles. “Don’t worry about it. Glad you got an appointment so fast. Hopefully it’s an easy fix.”

“I’m scared it’s gonna be a root canal.” His Southern accent and shy tone are really cute.

You return his smile. “If that’s necessary, I can help you through it. We’ll get you adequately prepared.”

“Well, I just wanted to thank you. I’m usually pretty anxious about these things. But I saw your bag and took it as a sign, so…” Dean stops. “Sorry, I ramble when I’m nervous.”

“I have a friend who rambles as long as she’s breathing, so it’s okay.” You motion to the weight bench. “Mind spotting me?”

“You lift?” Dean asks as he follows you over.

“I think it’s fun. When I started trying to lose weight, I never thought I’d be doing this,” you chuckle.

Dean smiles. “You look great. How long have you been at it?”

Your cheeks burn from the complement. “Thanks. It’s been over a year now. I’ve lost quite a bit, but I’m still trying to get to my goal.” You put weights onto the bar, and when they’re secure you lie back on the bench.

Dean gets behind the bar, spotting you as you start to lift. “My brother back home does weight lifting professionally, all the contests and stuff. He even started holding his own Halloween-themed contest, since that holiday is so important back home.”

“Oh, really?” you grunt. “Where are you from?”

“North Carolina,” he says proudly.

“You’re awfully far from home.” You start to get your rhythm. “What brought you all the way across the continent?”

Dean helps you replace the weight on the bar, and you let your arms drop to your sides while you take a breather. “Work, mostly. Got a good job up here thanks to a friend. Then I just fell in love with the water.”

“You see the Beach Beast picture that was taken on Orin Beach?” you ask.

Dean snickers. “Oh, come on. You don’t actually believe in that, do you?”

You smile at him. “And you don’t? No Bigfoot? No Mothman? Not even the humble Loch Ness Monster?”

“Sure, I think they’re fun to speculate about,” Dean laughs. “But don’t you think if there was some sort of monster lumbering around on this very beach, we’d have better evidence than some blurry photographs? Surely someone would have better evidence by now.”

“I just know I’m avoiding the beach for a while. The new photograph was terrifying!”

Dean stiffens and frowns. “What new photo?”

“You’ve not seen it? Really?” You reach for your phone and show it to him. “See? You can actually see the face! It’s so creepy.”

Dean looks hard at the picture, a deep frown on his face. “You sure it’s not just a dog?”

“I’ve never seen a dog like that. Look, it seems like half the face is missing, too.” You point. You then hesitate, wondering if that came off as weird or offensive to Dean.

But Dean’s expression is a little hard to read. “I think these things can be made up so easily these days.” He hands you back your phone.

“It’s just fun.” You put your phone back into your tote bag. “I like the idea that there’s more out there than just us. I like that we don’t and can’t know everything.”

Dean grins. “Okay, Mulder. Ready for another set?”

“I suppose.” You lie back down.

That afternoon at work, you’re finishing up with a patient when you see Dean sitting in the waiting room. You give him a smile and a wave. Later you see him sitting in Dr. Audrey’s office, leaning back in a chair and fidgeting with his hands. His x-rays are on the board, and you see the cavity, but you also see the odd shape of his teeth and jaw. You can’t quite describe what unnerves you, but it’s different.

“See?” You poke your head into the office. “No root canal, just an everyday cavity. Dr. Audrey will have that taken care of in no time,” you tell Dean brightly. “You’ll be pain-free within the hour.”

“I’m scared,” Dean says shakily.

This is a surprise. Slouched back in his all-black garb, you would assume Dean would be as fearless as Batman. “What’s to be afraid of?”

“I hate needles,” he mutters. There’s sweat on his furrowed brow. “It’s not as bad as when I was a kid, but I still get nauseous about them.”

“That’s probably the worst thing about getting a cavity filled,” you tell him. “I remember when I had to get a wisdom tooth removed. The injection site hurt more the next day than the pulled tooth did! But it’s only for a second that you have to see it. And Dr. Audrey will numb the gum, so all you’ll feel is a bit of pressure.”

Dean breathes out slowly. “I guess if I keep my eyes closed…”

You take a seat beside him. “I’ll stay as long as I can and try to help you calm down.” You try to think of a change of subject. “You said you were from North Carolina, right?”

“Yeah,” Dean sighs.

“Where in the state?”

He swallows. “It’s a little town called Hearthway Hollow, near Asheville. Have you heard of it?”

You nod. “I have an aunt in Charlotte. I’ve never been to visit, but she posts all sorts of pictures.”

Dean sighs again. “It’s a beautiful place. I miss it a lot.”

“You said Halloween was a big deal. Why is that?”

He smiles nervously. “It’s hard to explain, but all month people get ready for it. Stores compete with their window displays, and different little celebrations are held. And like I said, my brother started a weightlifting competition that’s Halloween-themed. One event is to see who throw these massive pumpkins the farthest.”

“Sort of like a Highland game?”

“Yeah.” Dean smiles at you. “It’s great.”

“Any other family besides your brother?”

Dean shakes his head. “Just me and my brother. We mostly had cousins, and we spent a lot of time with my aunt Maria’s family as kids. My uncle used to have us work at his tool shop every summer, and that’s where we got into the gym stuff.”

Unfortunately, you have to get back to work. You don’t get to check on Dean before he leaves, but hopefully you’ll see him at the gym tomorrow. That evening you decide to look up Hearthway Hollow. When you run a search for it, to your surprise, several articles from the Spoopy Forecast are among the very first results.

“Small North Carolina town the epicenter of paranormal activity.” “Small town becomes bloodthirsty hunting ground.” “Hearthway Hollow: Small-town haven or gateway to hell?” This is a bit of a shock. Does Dean know about these articles? You decide to read a few about the town, just to see what;s up.

“Locals report strange occurrences, including dead animals being left on their front lawns and porches. Others have reported sightings of huge, monstrous creatures in the woods. One such anonymous tip states that the wolf reserve that made the town famous is actually a sanctuary for werewolves.”

“Werewolves?” You whisper to yourself. You switch to another article. Werewolves. You go to another. Werewolves. You do another search, this time typing in “Hearthway Hollow werewolves”. A site for the wolf reserve comes up, and a couple of articles from various news sources. “Locals interviewed about werewolf rumors.” “North Carolina town besieged by paranormal investigators.”

Then you find a picture that was taken in Hearthway Hollow, and to your shock, it looks almost identical to the one taken on Orin Beach. You wish you knew Dean’s number so you could message him and ask him directly about the werewolf rumor. Unfortunately, all you have is the internet and the many articles on the Spoopy Forecast.

#monsterxhuman #monster boyfriend #werewolf #werewolf boyfriend #monster romance #werewolf romance #my writing #momolady monsters #monster fudger

[imaeraser]

Hello there

Can I please get the straw hats reaction to reader who is an marine admiral quitting the marine and wanting to join the them

Gender neutral please

Thanks for the request!

Luffy

He is ecstatic

Another crew member that he can hold dear to his heart

Unlike most of the crew, you came willingly

Of course, this caused the crew to be suspicious, but Luffy is bouncing around with excitement

I mean he already has two people in the navy who like him, what could go wrong by accepting an Admiral into his crew?

“Show me that move again!” He will constantly be watching you train, and ogle in awe at the amount of strength you have

But be warned, once you show him it once, you’re gonna have to do it again

You’re gonna have to get used to the chaotic nature of Luffy and his “plans” because it isn’t structured like the Navy

But that also gives you more freedom to do what you want… as long as you help/save Luffy on the way

He’ll kinda treat you like a new toy, and after that wears off he’ll treat you like the rest of the crew

Don’t delude yourself though, he is still your captain, and when in desperate situations he will get serious with you (another thing you have to get used to)

8/10 is not bad, but he needs to chill a little— can’t blame him though, you are an ex-navy admiral

Zoro

Opposite of Luffy

Not excited, but suspicious and a little angry

Sure it may be nice to have one less “enemy” and one more crew member, but he is on edge about your allegiance

You could be a spy for all he knows or an underhand way for the navy to kill Luffy and his crew

And he won’t be having any of that

He’ll be taking fewer naps, and opt to watch you instead. He’ll always be tense around you. He’s getting ready in case you attack

He won’t say anything since his captain already accepted you, but that doesn’t mean he’ll welcome you

Don’t think that trying to suck up to him will help you either. He’ll accept whatever you offer (ex: money for a sword), but he’ll only see that as you trying to gain his trust to backstab him later

The only way for you to gain his trust is to a) give them your backstory and why you quit the navy and joined them b) Stay with them long enough to just naturally become a member (as well as help them in ways that hurt the navy— several times) c) nearly die trying to save someone from the crew

After one or a combination of all of those things, he will no longer question you and relax and open up a bit

You’ll know that the first mate trusts you when he’ll share a cup of sake and take a nap— right in front of you

3/10 the only good this is that he’s not cutting your gut open

Nami

She is also suspicious of you too, but she hides it better than Zoro

Instead, she’ll leave the watching to Zoro, and go to Robin to discuss her worries (they are such an iconic duo)

Nami knows that Luffy will accept anyone onto the crew, so she feels responsible for making sure it’s in the best interests of the Strawhats

She’ll weigh the pros and cons carefully and advise everyone to be careful, but at the end of the day Luffy listens to no one

She won’t outright shun you, but she’ll be wary around you

That is until… you give her money

This tactic may not work on Zoro, but it will work on her

All of a sudden you’re her new favorite person

Just sit out on the deck with Nami and Robin and listen to Nami talk about how stupid the rest of the crew is

If you make cool-headed decisions and can stop the crew from getting into disasters, Nami will forever be thankful

It might take a while for her to warm up, but when she does (or when you give her money) be prepared for a feisty friend

7/10 can be unwelcoming, but it doesn’t take much to win her over

Usopp

Like everyone except Luffy, he is wary (and mostly scared, you could beat him up)

Seeing his nervous and pessimistic nature, he would not believe that you are on their side

He’ll try to act cool and distrusting, but once he sees you do something funny he’ll buckle

Bad people can’t be funny - Usopp. At least that’s what he seems to think

If you mess around with him, Chopper, and Luffy you’re good

No suspicions after

He’ll show you his inventions and will prank you from time to time

He’ll welcome you with wide arms

(He’s just glad that he doesn’t have to fight someone so powerful)

He act’s pretty normal

He just treats you like any other crew member

8/10 fun, until he tests out a new invention on you

Sanji

Isn’t really on edge

He knows that he can’t change Luffy’s mind so he won’t bother trying

Of course, he’ll be careful, but he trusts that the crew can handle it if something does arise

As long as you appreciate his food you’re fine

Just don’t waste it

Because if you do, that’s when his unwelcoming side comes out

But I don’t think that’ll be a problem, because his food is amazing

6/10 he is pretty indifferent

Chopper

Is nervous, but if Luffy gives the okay, then it's okay

...right?

Is confused on why you would quit the navy and join a pirate group (just like the rest of them), but he doesn’t ask why

If you get hurt, ad go to him he’ll treat you

Then compliment him and he’ll get all gushy

The moral of the story— just compliment him and you’ll be fine

Hang out with him, Usopp, and Luffy—> and the goofy trio will become a quartet

Make him Cotton-candy and he’ll let you pat his head

It truly isn’t too different from how he treats everyone else, aside from the rocky beginning

He is amazed at how strong you are

(And then he thinks about how difficult things could’ve been if you stayed in the navy)

8/10 nothing to complain about here

Robin

Isn’t on edge

After all, didn't she join similarly?

And she knows that Luffy will do what he wants to do, so she’ll just stick to reading her books

I feel like she would be the most welcoming (without having to do anything on your part)

You can come to her and talk about how you feel like you are somewhat an outcast in the group, and she’ll listen and sympathize

You guys could relate to a lot of things

This doesn't mean she isn’t watching you

She is very observant due to the way she grew up, and old habits die hard

But don’t be too sad, she watches everyone (mostly to make sure no one gets hurt)

If you ask her she’ll give you tips on how to win over each of the crew members

She would know because she had to do it

10/10 super helpful and welcoming

Franky

I can see him being suspicious, but not caring

Again, no one can control Luffy, so he’s just gonna do whatever he usually does

He’ll let you watch him, and help him out with whatever

He’ll joke around, and act pretty normal

He’s still suspicious but he is too super to care

Because he also trusts that the crew can handle anything if things go south

If you can connect him with Vegapunk, I think you would be his favorite person

That’s because he can make more beams

Giving him cola would also help ease his suspicions

6/10 Like Sanji he’s indifferent

Brook

Will quirk a non-existing eyebrow, but your joining would not be the strangest thing he’s seen

He’s gonna try to be welcoming and get you settled since many other members are still on edge around you

He knows that Luffy wants you on the crew, so he’ll do everything in his power to try and make you as comfortable as possible

But he will not hesitate to protect the crew if he thinks you are up to something

His loyalty lies with them, and not you— yet

He can’t afford to lose his crew again, don't be upset about it

But after sailing around for a while, he’ll accept you into the family

I can see you two having tea time, while he asks you what it was like being a navy admiral

And he will admire the fact that you were able to attain such a high rank and respect you as such

9/10 is not bad, and he’ll hide his suspensions well

Jinbei

Does not think it’s a smart idea to accept you on the crew

And he will voice his opinions

But don't worry, Luffy won’t listen anyway

Seeing as he is an ex-warlord of the sea, he would probably somewhat know you. Or at least heard about you before

He just doesn't trust that an admiral would drop their position to sail with the Strawhats

He won’t show his distrust like Zoro (he’s more mature than that), but that doesn't mean it’s not there

He just wants whatever is in the best interest of Luffy

But what is done is done, so he does try his best to push aside his preconceived notions and get to know you and welcome you

Like Zoro, he wouldn’t trust you until you prove your loyalty

I can see him joining the Brook tea times, and listening in on what life was like as and Admiral

And if you’re lucky he’ll share what it was like on Fishman island

8/10 nothing to complain about, other than him being a bit cold

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