#cw: implied sex

[imfinereallyy]

Father Figures, pt. 2

I swear it was a one-shot. But then my hand slipped and "oh oops there's Wayne". You can access part 1 here. This is rated m btw. The full version will be available on ao3 (my first time posting on there...) which is linked here. Anyway, enjoy :)

The first time Wayne Allen Munson meets Steve Harrington is in a hospital room. Sure, he has seen and heard about the kid in passing. It was hard not to in a town like Hawkins. With the kind of money his old man has and the pretty face his mother parades around, the Harringtons become a sort of household name. Especially in Wayne's household.

See, Wayne may not be much of a talker, but his nephew sure is. Especially when he gets angry about something. And boy did Steve Harrington make his Eddie mad. During Eddie's first time around with Senior Year, Steve's name comes out of that boy's mouth so often that if not for that tone of his, he would have thought the kid had a crush on him.

Actually, Wayne regretfully asks at one point if he does have a crush. Wayne finds out pretty quickly that Eddie doesn't, which isn't the problem nor why he regrets asking. The problem is apparently at that very moment in time, Eddie hasn't exactly come out to Wayne. The boy shakes so much that Wayne is afraid that Eddie might cause an earthquake. Wayne has to calm Eddie down and explain very carefully he doesn't care, he's his kid no matter what. Eddie cries, and asks "Dad, what made you think to just casually bring that up?"

Wayne shrugs and simply says "Didn't think it was a secret."

Eddie lets out a wet laugh. Wayne doesn't mention how it's the first time since Eddie showed up on his doorstep that he calls him Dad.

His heart swells.

So, with absolutely no crush in sight god Wayne he's an asshole, Steve's name is brought up quite often.

"Steve Harrington just parades himself around like he's a king."

"Steve Harrington just stands there while Tommy continues to be a piece of shit. Worse, he acts like he's bored."

"Girls just hang off of Harrington, he's even got Nancy Wheeler on his arm now. What a prick, thought she was smarter than that."

"Looks like Harrington got the shit kicked out of him by Byer's. You gotta love Karma sometimes."

Wayne watches Eddie frown at the last one before saying, "Kinda gotta back Steve up on the pictures though. That was creepy."

Eddie shakes his head then continues to rant "But smashing his camera? Dick move. Doesn't understand what it's like to be poor."

Wayne is still not completely convinced it's not a crush.

Wayne Allen Munson seems to know all about Steve Harrington before he actually has the chance to meet him. None of which he has learned makes Steve seem all that good.

Imagine Wayne's surprise when he finds the Harrington boy next to his son's hospital bed.

"What're you doin' here?" Wayne asks, startling Steve from his chair. Wayne watches as he hops up from the ground, straightening himself out.

"Sorry sir, I was just uh, keeping him company. The kid's families won't let them out of their sight and Dustin wanted him to have a familiar face with him if, sorry when he wakes up. Because we weren't sure we were allowed to grab you yet. So I volunteered to stay with him, seeing as I don't have a job anymore, and well I sort of feel responsible for Eddie now. And, god I am hanging out with Robin too much because I am rambling. Sorry, Sir. "

Wayne raises an eyebrow at him. He has seen Steve around town before, hard not to in a small place like Hawkins. Eddie points him out once, scoffing at his perfect hair and holier-than-thou attitude. Wayne originally is prepared to yell at him. The sight of a boy who looks very much like the very ones who hunted his Eddie down just a few days ago ignites something protective within him. Hearing this boy ramble though, flustered and making himself hopelessly small in front of Wayne, makes him hesitate.

"Boy, I don't know half-em names you're sayin' right now. I do recognize that kid Dustin though, ya know him?"

Steve nods his head up and down, "He's like my brother sir. Our brother." He looks down towards Eddie's bed.

Wayne avoids looking at his boy and chooses to look directly at Steve. "Well, he's a good kid. Came to me when Ed was missing, at the school. Told me he was a hero, and that he'll be missed. Guess now it was probably cause he wasn't sure if he was gonna make it and didn't want to get my hopes up. Don't know what made him change his mind either when he found me again today, told me they had him here."

Steve's face softens as Wayne talks about Dustin. Wayne pushes on, "If that kid trusts you, I don't got a reason not to trust you either. Well, until Eds here wakes up at least. He can tell me otherwise."

"Okay, Sir." Steve makes his way to move around Wayne and leave. Wayne grabs him by the wrist to stop him, and Steve flinches. Wayne decides to file that away for later and lets him go.

"No need to leave kid. And stop calling me sir. I'm not your old man. "

Steve's lips lift a little bit like Wayne just brought up an inside joke he isn't a part of. "Okay, sir—I mean Wayne. Okay, Wayne."

Steve and Wayne sit side by side next to Eddie. It's then Wayne finally looks down at his kid. He can't help but the rush of tears that come up at the sight of him. He is paler than usual, curls flat and dirty, tubes coming out of every part of him.

"My boy." He chokes.

Steve thankfully stays silent as Wayne weeps. They sit for a while in silence before Wayne asks, "You gonna tell me what happened?"

Steve, who Wayne doesn't point out has bloodshot eyes, says "You going to believe me?"

Wayne simply returns "I'm willing to try."

So Steve tells him. Tells him everything that has happened over the last week. Tells him of monsters and other worlds. How it isn't the first time, how it is hopefully the last. How scary it is for them. How Eddie is stupid but incredibly brave. How Eddie barely makes it. How Steve will be the first to yell at him when he wakes up.

Wayne listens carefully through the whole thing and can't help but think of how fond Steve sounds when Eddie's name comes up. This isn't the boy Eddie once spoke of. Albeit, it has been a long time since Eddie's spoken his name. Wayne isn't used to tigers changing their stripes though. It's a pleasant surprise he doesn't comment on.

Wayne rubs his thumb across Eddie's hand. "How did he get out? If he was practically dead?"

"Oh, I carried him Sir."

Wayne's head snaps to Steve. "What?"

Steve shrinks a bit, "Sorry I mean Wayne. Sorry I didn't mean to disrepe—"

Wayne cuts him off, "Dammit kid, I'm not mad at that. I'm not mad at all. It's just—you saved him. You carried him out of what I can only understand is what I think hell is, and you didn't think to mention that when I first saw you?" Wayne looks at Steve for a moment. Really looks at him. He's in clean jeans and a polo, but that's where his old persona ends. When Wayne looks at him closely, he can see the dark bags under his eyes, the purple bruising all over his body, and the angry red scar around his neck. Steve looks exhausted, physically and emotionally. Steve looks like a boy, desperately trying to be a man. He looks like a soldier after war.

"It's not a big deal. I did what anyone else would do."

Wayne shakes his head. "Steve. That's just the thing, I'm pretty sure no one else woulda done that. And even if they would, it doesn't make what you did any less important. So, thank you."

Steve's eyes mist a bit when Wayne says "it doesn't make what you did any less important." He looks away from Wayne and just nods.

"Okay?"

"Okay, Sir. Okay, Wayne."

---

When Eddie wakes a few days later, after a night of breathing on his own without the tubes, he interrupts Steve and Wayne's conversation on the Chicago Cubs, and says "Dad?"

Wayne is up in an instant, crowding his boy's face. "Oh, Eds. I am so glad yer alright. You scared me."

"Mmm sorry," Eddie mumbles nuzzling Wayne's chest. He then looks up towards Steve, who is watching the interaction between the two men. "Harrington?"

Steve leans forward on his elbows, and chokes out "I told you not to be cute."

Eddie giggles, his tears reflecting Steve's "Sorry big boy, can't help what you're born with."

Steve looks up at the ceiling with a wet laugh. It eventually turns into a deep sob. The only other time Wayne witnesses Steve break like this over the past few days is when he's reunited with Hopper. "You shithead, you're not allowed to be funny right now. Don't. Don't do that again. Okay? You really scared us." Wayne can hear Steve's unspoken you really scared me.

Eddie's tears are rushing down his face now. "I'm sorry Steve. I'm so sorry."

"You didn't do anything wrong. Just—next time, don't let there be a next time. Okay?" Steve's not making much sense to Wayne as he leans his head on Eddie's bed face down.

Eddie seems to get it though. He hesitantly strokes Steve's head with his fingers. "Okay, Stevie. I promise. Now, get some sleep. It's your turn, I've had enough."

Steve's shoulders sag as he gives in. Wayne shares a look with Eddie, and Wayne knows right there they have the same thought.

They've collected another stray.

———

When Eddie is home, Steve becomes a regular occurrence in their newly acquired government-funded house. He helps a lot the first month especially. Takes Eddie and the Mayfield girl to and from physical therapy. Cooks dinner on the nights Wayne works (which is most nights) and makes sure to have leftovers specifically labeled for Wayne. Keeps both Wayne and Eddie company when one of their stress becomes too much for the other. Steve's even there on the nights the nightmares get bad. Spends his time on the couch until Eddie wakes up screaming, and calms him back to sleep so Wayne doesn't worry about him at work. Or so Wayne can get a full night when he's off.

Steve's there so often enough, that when one night he isn't, Wayne's concerned.

"You're going to pace a hole into the floor boy." Wayne looks at Eddie in their living room from the couch. Wayne doesn't tell Eddie he's concerned too. Doesn't think it would help much.

"I'm sure he's just held up, or got plans Eds. Not like he was plannin' on coming here tonight."

Eddie stops and faces Wayne, biting his thumbnail instead. "Sure we didn't have plans. But Steve's been here every day for the past month Wayne. And when he hasn't he's called. I haven't heard from him in like 22 hours—" Wayne doesn't point out that Eddie did the actual math "—and that's weird. He doesn't do that. We don't do that."

Eddie's anxiety starts to seep into Wayne's. He can't help but think of the worst-case scenario. Car accident. A run-in with that Andy kid. His mind even jumps to when Eddie was in the hospital, and his stomach sinks. Wayne can't help it, he has grown attached to Steve.

"Why don't we call some of yer friends, yeah? Maybe they've seen your boy."

Eddie is so incredibly distressed and doesn't even rebuke Wayne calling Steve his like he usually does. "Yeah okay, good idea."

As Eddie reaches for the phone though, there is a light knock on the door. Eddie rushes to answer it.

"Steve thank god I was wondering—Oh my god sweetheart what happened?" Eddie drags Steve in and places him on the couch. It's then that Wayne sees him.

There on Steve's jaw, is a bruise the size of Indiana. Steve's eye is swollen, and he is breathing heavily while clutching his ribs. Wayne remains frozen and Eddie frets over Steve.

"Stevie, who did this? Where does it hurt? What can I do?"

"Eds I'm fine."

Eddie looks like he's about to yell but restrains himself. "You are most certainly not fine. Do not give me that look Harrington—"

"Oh I'm Harrington now."

"—Yes you are Harrington right now because only a Harrington would be this stubborn and ridiculous. Now tell me what happened and tell me what hurts."

Steve's resolve loosens slightly, and his head falls onto Eddie's shoulder. He lets out a painful whine, "My stomach. It—fuck—it hurts so bad Eds."

Eddie brushes his fingers through his hair and whispers to him gently. "It's okay baby, I got you."

Wayne realizes three things at once.

One, Wayne isn't sure Eddie has called Steve that before. He calls him names across the board. But baby isn't one of them. Wayne knows for a fact the two aren't together yet. They have been dancing along the line for a few weeks now. Wayne thinks about pushing the timeline along, but the boys don't seem to be there quite yet. This seems like a step in the right direction.

Two, in the past month and a half Wayne has gotten to know Steve, he realizes that the boy doesn't do well around older men. He flinches at every sudden movement Wayne makes, and won't even let him give him a pat on the back let alone a hug. Also in that time, Steve has barely gone home. Knows his parents didn't visit him at the hospital, but did come home two weeks later to make sure nothing is damaged from the earthquake. Assholes.

And three, Steve avoids the question as to what happened. Eddie seems to let it slide. Wayne doesn't give the same courtesy.

"Who did this?" Wayne says abruptly, startling Steve who seems to realize Wayne's presence only now.

"Wh-what?" Steve shakes.

"I'm not mad boy. But I'm not stupid. I know this ain't a what but a who. And I think we can both conclude who. But I'm going to ask you anyway. Who. Did. This?"

The last of Steve's resolve crumbles as Wayne puts a gentle hand on his shoulder. It is as if he hadn't known a gentle touch from a father before. Maybe he hasn't.

"My dad. He uh, we got into a fight last night. Found out how much time I was spending here, with Eddie, with the kids. He started saying how I was spending time with the wrong people. I tried to just nod and go upstairs because it was just easier to ignore him than fight him sometimes. Like what's he going to do right? He's only here a couple of days a year. But then he mentioned Robin and he called her a slur, and that said her kind was an abomination. And oh god I don't even know how he found that out Robs is going to be pissed she's been so careful—"

"Babe." Eddie squeezes Steve's hand.

"Right sorry, he just was going off about Robin. And it just set me off, I just lost it on him. How dare he talk about her that way? And I just told him that if he's got a problem with her, then he's got a problem with me too. And God Wayne, the silence that came after. It was like all the words had been sucked out of the room. Next thing I know he's grabbing me by the jaw and throwing me on the floor. And he just starts kicking me, screaming about how I am no son of his. I didn't know what to do. My mom just watched it all. I just laid there... I should have fought back—I—" Steve trails off trying to collect himself.

"When he was done he sent me to my room and told me to think about what I'm doing to this family. I just laid there all night and all day, just waiting for them to leave. I had to wait til they left for dinner tonight to get out. I can't—I can't go back there. Me and Robs were planning on moving in together next week, we made a deposit on this two-bedroom downtown, but I don't think I can spend another week there, and oh god, all my stuff is there. What have I done." Steve puts his head in his hands.

Eddie is crying with Steve by the end of it. Neither he nor Wayne comments on how Steve just came out to the both of them. It doesn't seem important at that moment. Wayne crouches down to eye level with Steve.

"You did nothing wrong. There is nothing wrong with you. You did what you had to do to survive, and even if you didn't it still wouldn't be your fault."

Wayne stands back to his full height. "Now, you can stay here until you and the bird girl have your place. Do not fight me on it. Anyway Steve, I know it's difficult right now. But I'm going to need you to let me know what you need from your house."

"What, why?"

Wayne just sighs, "I know you ain't stupid. Just tell me."

Steve seems hesitant but tells Wayne anyway.

He nods at both his boys when he speaks next. "You two stay put. I'll be back soon."

Steve and Eddie both look like they want to fight Wayne on it. Steve wants to stop him from leaving at all, and Eddie probably wants to stop him from going without him. They both smartly stay silent.

"Okay, Uncle Wayne."

"Okay, Wayne."

———

Later, Wayne comes back with three duffle bags and bruised knuckles.

Steve hugs him without a second thought.

———-

A few days pass and the three of them are in the kitchen when Eddie asks. "Did ya tell hop?"

Steve snorts in his coffee. "Hell no."

Wayne can't help his curiosity as he watches the both of them across the table.

"Steve, you have to tell Hop. He's going to find out anyway." Eddie pushes as he puts an ungodly amount of sugar in his coffee.

"No I don't. He'll just flip out, there is no good reason to tell him."

Eddie puts his hands on his hips. It reminds Wayne of Steve the past couple of times he's seen him around the kids. "I can think of one good reason. He's practically your dad. And I'm pretty sure your Dad would want to know what your old man did to ya."

Wayne can't help but hum in agreement. He knows if Eddie's old man comes around, he wants to be the first to find out.

Steve looks at Wayne briefly before saying, "No he's not. He's just like that with everyone."

"No, he's not. With El? Yea, that's his daughter. Maybe even Will. But not with anyone else. Except you. Why do you think I'm afraid of him?"

Steve gives him a look, "Cause he's an ex-cop Eds."

"Please that doesn't scare me. Didn't scare me when he was an actual cop either."

Wayne isn't sure that's entirely true. He remembers a very specific incident of Eddie tripping over his laces to get away from Jim.

Eddie carries on, "No, he scares me 'cause he's your dad, and I know he'll hang me by my toenails if I so much as make you cry. So yea, I think you should let him know. Besides, we both know he's going to be way more pissed when he finds out from literally anyone else. And we both know he will because you told Robin, who definitely told Nancy, who probably told Joyce, and you can see where I am heading with this."

Steve throws his head back and groans. "He's going to full government name me when he finds out."

Eddie lets out a manic giggle, "Ooo, you never told me what your full name is. Now you gotta tell me, Stevie."

Steve gives Eddie an exasperated look, "It's Steven James Harrington."

It's now Eddie's turn to groan. "Of course, you have his name. Well, I guess it's better than Richard. Hop must love that. Was kinda hoping you had my name or something."

Wayne makes a mental note to talk to Jim himself. Knows Steve will avoid it. But Wayne's got to make sure someone is looking after Steve when he can't. Wayne's been meaning to thank the man anyway. For all his done for Eddie. And now, for all he's done for Steve.

"Want me to make you feel better Eds?" Steve says with a smirk.

"Please. I'm not sure if I can go on any further with the torture of knowledge that contains your middle name."

"Hopper's middle name is Edward."

The scream of joy Eddie lets out nearly punctures what's left of Wayne's hearing.

———

By midsummer, the boys are an item. They haven't said anything to Wayne but he can tell. One day, the boys come back from their friend's weekly dinner holding hands. So they didn't have to tell Wayne. Not really.

It is just that, Wayne has gotten to know Steve Harrington over the past few months. He has gotten to know him as "Friend Steve" and "Brother Steve", and even after one intense game night, "King Steve". Wayne has a feeling though that "Boyfriend Steve" is different. As much as he likes the boy, his kid comes first. Wayne feels he needs to give Steve a talk.

The problem is he can't really give him a talk if neither of them has really told him. He has made that mistake once with Eddie, assuming, he won't be making it again.

So Wayne waits. And waits. And waits. And just as he is thinking he might never get the verbal confirmation from the two, he gets the image clear as day of what the two are on a Tuesday when he gets to go home early from work.

It's just not in the way he expects or wants.

Wayne can't really blame the boys. They didn't know Wayne would be coming home early, it was a surprise to Wayne himself. So they probably didn't think that anyone would be coming around the Munson household on Tuesday at midnight.

That doesn't make the situation any less scarring.

See, Wayne Allen Munson wasn't a god-fearing man. He can't be with what his Eddie had been through. But he can't help but think this is some sort of cosmic punishment when he gets home and hears moaning.

Wayne stands there in the foyer as a loud, "Yes baby just like that" and "Oh god, harder" and even the unfortunate "You're so tight, it's like you were made for me."

Wayne thinks god might be laughing at him. Wayne can't really go upstairs and stop them. They are both adults and he feels that having an image of what they are doing would be substantially worse than the noises.

Wayne decides to put some earplugs in (which thankfully cut off the noise, since his age made him half deaf anyway), sat in his armchair, and waits it out.

About an hour later (jesus an hour later) Steve comes downstairs to the kitchen in only his boxers. He doesn't seem to notice Wayne. His head is in the freezer when Wayne decides to clear his throat loudly.

Steve slams his head in fright and whips around with an icepack in his hand. "Oh shit."

"Oh shit is right."

All the color drains from Steve's face. "How much did you hear?"

Wayne appreciates that Steve cuts right to the chase. "Enough." He knows he can explain to the boy that he didn't really hear that much, and the earplugs are firmly in his hands as evidence, but he decides to torture Steve.

Just a little bit, can't have him too comfortable.

"I'm so sorry Mr. Munson, I—"

Wayne cuts him off. "No need to apologize, just as long as you boys are being safe that's all I care about. No that ain't what I want to talk to you about."

Steve visibly swallows as he sits across the counter from Wayne. "What about then?"

"Look, I'm awfully happy for the two of you. It's about time you boys got your shit together—"

Steve lets out a small laugh at the comment. Wayne continues. "—but I need to make things clear with you Steve. You hurt my kid, I hurt you. Eds has been through a lot. Not just with the whole spring break situation. I mean his whole life. He bounced around from place to place until he landed on my doorstep. He's used to giving his all, and not getting much in return. Eddie loves with his whole chest, and he doesn't know how to do it any other way. You better make sure you're worthy of it because I am not sure anyone is...including me. You're pretty damn close though, I know it. I can see it. You're a good person. But that boy is my whole world. I know where to hide a body if need be."

Wayne expects Steve to cower in fear, but instead, he smiles softly at him. "Don't worry. I'll dig the grave myself. I'll try my best not to hurt him, sir. I can't promise much, but I can promise I'll love him every day without fail."

"You tell him that yet kid?"

Steve shakes his head, "No. I think soon though sir."

Wayne nods feeling satisfied. "Good, and enough of this sir crap I thought we've been over this."

"Okay, Wayne."

"Better. Now, who's the ice pack for? You or him, because I don't want to have to grab the shovel outta the shed tonight."

Steve's blush spreads from his cheeks all the way down to his chest. "Uuuh, for me sir. I mean Wayne."

"Good. Go grab my son for me now will ya?"

Steve stutters, "Wh-what? Why?"

"Just go grab 'em."

Steve runs upstairs and brings down a smug-looking Eddie. Wayne's sure Steve gave him the rundown of what he heard, and Eddie doesn't appear to be ashamed like Steve had the smarts to do.

Little shit.

"Sorry Wayne didn't know you were home. Was that what you wanted to talk about?"

Wayne looks from Steve to Eddie, before narrowing his eyes at the latter. "Nope. It's your turn."

"My turn?" Eddie's confident face turns confused while Steve's flashes surprise.

"Yea kid your turn." Wayne contemplates for a second what to say, but knows in the end that Eddie will get the message loud and clear from one sentence alone.

"You hurt him—" Wayne turns to point at Steve, before facing Eddie again "—I hurt you. Got it?"

All the color drains from Eddie's face. That's the reaction he is looking for.

"Got it." Eddie grabs Steve's hand to make his way back upstairs. Before they are completely out of sight, Steve catches Wayne's eye. The boy looks softer than he did before. He looks like he wants to say something but settles on,

"Goodnight Wayne."

"Goodnight Steve."

———

Steve doesn't ask Wayne about that night until months later in October. Wayne is on the couch with a beer when Steve walks in (he has the key Eddie gave him in September). "Eddie's not here right now. Think he's running late with band practice."

"Oh I'm sorry. I can come back later." Steve stands awkwardly in the doorway.

"Don't be silly come sit. I'm just watching the game. It's no cubs considering they didn't make it far, but it's still a good game."

Steve nods and makes himself comfortable on the couch. Since spring break, Wayne and Steve have built a friendship of sorts. Steve still shows signs of apprehension in the first few seconds, but the conversation becomes an easy flow after a while. They usually talk about sports, cars, or cooking. All stuff Wayne enjoys but Eds won't show the slightest interest in. It's nice, to have someone to share this stuff with.

Today they mostly talk about the game on tv and Eddie's habit of running late. It's after a particularly funny joke about Eddie being late to his own birth that Steve asks, "Hey Wayne, can I ask you something?"

"Ya just did kid."

"God, you sound like Eddie."

Wayne chuckles, "Sure Steve. Shoot."

"Why did you talk to Eddie too? About the whole, hurting each other stuff? I mean Eddie's your kid, and I'm just the guy who gets to spend time with him." Steve waves his hands around, it reminds Wayne of Ed.

"Well, I love ya both," Wayne says easily while he takes a sip of his beer, like it isn't hard to say. And it isn't really. It was quite simple to Wayne. Just like Eddie, Steve might not be his kid by blood but he is close as he can come.

"Oh." Steve takes a deep breath, as if he is holding back tears, and says "Thanks, Wayne. I love you too."

Wayne almost mistakes the pain as Steve's voice as reluctance. The happiness that shines in his eyes says something else. Says he doesn't hear that from fathers very often. Says he hopes Wayne means it.

He does mean it.

Eddie walks in the doorway to find the two men silently staring at each other, and Steve close to tears. "Well hello there my lovely family how are—Wayne what did you do to Steve? Did you yell at him? I promise the bruise on my face was from dropping a wrench while trying to fix the van. Nothing else." Eddie pulls Steve up and squishes his face between his hands. "What did he say to you, baby?"

Steve shakes his head and laughs lightly at Eddie's antics. "Nothing bad. Promise. Happy tears."

"Happy tears?"

"Happy tears."

Eddie stares at him for long moment before deciding he believes him. "Okay. Okay. I relent." He grabs Steve's hand and throws a wave at Wayne. "Let's go upstairs though, I have to tell you about practice and how Gareth brought a boy with him! And you'll never believe what boy it was! It was our little baby Byers himself..."

Wayne hears Steve's gasp and Eddie's giggle as he continues on up the stairs. Wayne can't help the warmth that settles in his chest.

Because Wayne Allen Munson is lucky to have two wonderful boys. And he is even luckier that his two boys love each other. Because they deserve that and so much more.

———

Okay, it’s a lot I know. I just couldn’t resist. I wanted to write Steve and Wayne too. I think this one is less sad and more funny but I think that kind of speaks for the kind of relationship the two of them would have. Also it contains much more steddie than the last one. I’m thinking about maybe writing a part 3 with Steve’s relationship with the kids and how he’s their father figure? But for now it ends here. Also this took me like two days to write? I’m sorry for any mistakes or rushed parts. I am one woman show. Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed :)

Also I have finally posted on ao3!!! Can’t believe it, I’ve been so nervous about it especially because I am still without a beta. But this felt long enough to put there and I wanted to be able to share with more people.

access part. 1 here and ao3 here

#steddie heavy in this part #steddie #wayne munson #there is steddie I promise #cw: implied abuse/child neglect #cw: implied sex #steve harrington needs a hug #Steve Harrington #established relationship #stranger things #el hopper #the party #eddie munson #which now includes wayne #father son bonding with the two most emotionally repressed people #father figure #ficlet #my writing #steddie fic #ao3 #steve harrington centric #jim hopper centric #pre steddie #pre relationship #angst with a happy ending #angst #happy ending #Jim hopper is Steve’s dad #jim hopper #Wayne is Steve's dad too

[icelily17]

Snapshots

Okay so I have my Sol/Dys fic done, still cant put it up on AO3 yet but Im buzzing to get it out there so here ya go. Also not sure if this is the title I want but I never pick good titles

These are little snapshots of points in their lives, some of these scenes are in the game so a few lines of dialogue are ripped straight from the game, so SPOILER WARNING for scenes in I Was A Teenage Exocolonist.

CONTENT WARNING: mentions of sex and implied sex, but nothing explicit. Also mentions of death. Enjoy!

------

Aboard the Stratosphere, age 7

You sit on a soft beanbag chair in the creche, watching a video on your holopad. Dys is watching over your shoulder, "No don't go there!" he groans at the person in a small corner of the video who was playing the ancient Earth video game, "He missed an item! I saw it glowing!"

You shrug, too engrossed in what is happening. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Tammy and Cal sitting off to the side, playing house with one of Tammy's dolls. They're giggling as they sit and drink pretend-tea, and you shift a little as your attention returns to the video.

Marz comes in, an excited look on her face as she runs to the center of the room and twirls so that her dress flares out, "Look at the new dress that my daddies got me! Isn't it so pretty?" she asks with a tone in her voice that implies she's expecting everyone to answer yes.

Anemone grins, the ball she was playing keep-em-up with settled in her hands. "You really like blue huh?"

Marz smooths her dress, "Well duh, it matches my hair!"

Tammy claps her hands and smiles, "It looks so pretty on you!" Cal nods beside her.

Dys huffs a little but nods to appease Marz. You smile at her, giving her a thumbs up. Evidently Marz decides that its good enough and waltzes over to a table and picks up a few crayons. You and Dys settle in and return to your video.

------

Aboard the Stratosphere, age 9

"Oh, Solana! Have you seen Dys around anywhere?" Auntie Seedent asks as you turn the corner in the hallway of the living quarters area. She looks anxious, "I haven't seen him in a couple hours, he's usually back in time for dinner, I haven't seen him and I'm getting worried."

You know exactly where Dys is--off scampering around the ship and trying to find different hideouts. Being the smallest child among you all, it was easy for him to fit in a lot of places the others couldn't. You knew where a couple of them were, but Dys kept most of them to himself. He liked to be alone.

You also knew you couldn't tell Auntie Seedent what he was doing, or else Dys was going to be in trouble. And you and Dys had made a promise a couple years ago that you would never snitch on each other, pinkie promised even! Your mind races as you attempt to come up with an excuse.

"I invited him to sleep over at my place tonight, he's probably already there with my parents," you say easily. Thank goodness you know your parents are already home.

Auntie Seedent breathes a sigh of relief and smiles. "Okay, that's good news. You two are thick as thieves, aren't you? Well have fun and I'll see you tomorrow!" She brushes past, and you continue on your way home, grateful that she didn't go to your quarters and talk to your parents herself.

"Hey gooseberry!" Your dad ruffles your hair and smiles and you wave hello at your mom. "Gonna go read!" you call over your shoulder, and you parents return to their conversation: your mom as passionate as ever and your dad just watches her with hearts in his eyes. When you get to your room you quickly send a short signal over a chat on your holopalm to Dys, just to give him a heads up that you had to cover for him, no big deal.

The next morning, Dys comes up to you and gives you a soycake he grabbed from the kitchens, "Thanks for covering for me again, Sol," he says as he plops next to you.

"Don't worry about it," you say with a smile, "It's annoying when all the grownups want to know where you are all the time."

"I know! Why can't they just leave me alone?," he sucks his teeth in annoyance. "Hey, you wanna see the place I found? You can use it whenever you want too," he says, finishing his snack. You nod, and take off after him as he leads you towards your new secret spot.

------

Vertumna, Mid Quiet, age 11

You've decided to take the month off and hang out at the creche, and chose to spend this time re-reading your favorite book on animals that your father gave you for your fourth birthday. You hear the doors open, and when you look up you see Dys plodding towards you. He sits on the same beanbag as you and you distantly think about how the beanbag feels smaller these days. You turn back to your book as he pulls out his pencil and some paper and begins drawing some of the alien flora of the surroundings. Silence hangs around you, comforting instead of awkward--you both like to spend a lot of time like this. Together, with the understanding that there doesn't need to be talking. You occasionally feel his arm gently bump you, but nothing else is said.

The door opens again, this time Tangent enters the creche. You're surprised to see her here and not with Chief Instance in the Engineering lab where she spends all her time. You wave at her, and Dys very pointedly keeps his eyes on his work.

You frown slightly as you remember the three of you playing together all the time when you were little. What happened between them, you wonder to yourself as Tang gives a small wave back. You knew it began when their mother died. Your parents never told you what exactly happened, just that she was gone. You remember the funeral, how they both stared at the floor, ignoring everyone around them attempting to console them. Dys had disappeared soon after, and you didn't see him for 3 whole days. He was really good at not being found when he didn't want to be. When he finally re-emerged and went to school, he didn't speak for a long time, and he and Tangent--who threw herself into her schoolwork in a way that could only be described as manic--never really spoke after that, and she didn't join you when you played with her brother anymore. It made you kind of sad.

Marz marches in not long after, gabbing on about something at the depot and how she's been saving her Kudos. She looks at you two on your chair and snickers, "Look Tang, there's your weird brother and his girlfriend!"

Tangent says nothing, just sits down primly in a chair and immediately begins typing away on her holopad. You and Dys both scrunch your nose at the thought of being each other's girlfriend/boyfriend, and yet in the very back of your mind you feel....something else?

Already forgotten, Marz looks over Tangent's shoulder and begins asking questions about something-or-other, you've already lost interest. Dys mumbles something under his breath and continues drawing. But when you look out of the corner of your eye at him you notice the tips of his ears are a little more pink than usual.

------

Vertumna, Late Pollen, age 12

Marz has announced that it's Valentine's Day, an old Earth holiday where you apparently are supposed to give your best friend some chocolate or something. You think this could be fun, and when Marz mentioned you had to do it before the end of the day you immediately think of Dys and go to find him.

 He's at the wall, watching the jungle outside through a gap in the fence and occasionally digging his boot in the dirt. He doesn't turn or say anything as you approach him.

You open your mouth and you have every intention of asking him to be your best friend so you can annoy Marz together, but suddenly a vision swims before your eyes. A grown boy, with black hair that shimmers rainbow and wearing black, surrounded by vast openness and a smile as he looks at you.

Dys.

And before you can understand, your mouth speaks on it's own: "I see you in my dreams."

You wait for a response, panicked. What was that???? your mind screams at itself. Dys doesn't move, though you see his cheeks get a little redder as the minutes tick by, and you begin to slowly tell him about the dream. About how you both are older, about how you both would hold hands, and about how you both were...in love. As you say this, his blush spreads down his neck and you feel your own face begin to heat up. What are you doing?

You trail off, waiting for him to call you a loser, or weird, to get up and leave, anything really. He just keeps looking through the gap in the wall for a long time. You don't move a muscle, afraid of being the first to break the moment.

Finally, he speaks: "I have dreams about you too."

Your mind stutters, huh? as it tries to process his answer and both your faces get a deeper shade of red. Time to say something!

"O-oh...so...are we best friends then?" Is all you can think to say. More silence, and all you want to do is hide in your room. But your feet are rooted to the spot.

Dys begins to chew on his lip, still not looking at you. "Okay," he says, finally. "Yeah."

Relief washes over you, though your face and neck are still hot, and you smile brightly. You swear you see a small tug at the corner of his mouth before you sit beside him and stare out at the same spot as him.

"So whatcha lookin' at?"

------

Vertumna, Early Quiet, age 15

"Dys! Cripes, slow down!" You say as the two of you climb up a hill. He looks back at you and gives a wide grin. He waits a little, but you can practically see him vibrating as you clamber towards him.

~Earlier~

You woke up this morning to a message on the private chat you two have, and your heart began to beat a little quicker as you saw his name. You sat up and quickly scan the message:

Hey, after everything is done for the day, come out with me. I have something cool to show you. Bring some equipment, we're gonna camp!

You smiled a little, excited and got dressed with fervor. Dys had been spending a lot of time outside of the walls lately, going on expeditions at every chance he can and barely coming home. You joined him out there as often as possible, both filled with awe at the land you now call home, but you're also trying to study the plants as best you can with Xenobotany so you can help your dad with the Shimmer. You couldn't bear the thought of him getting sicker and losing him. Not after your mom had gone.

You shook your head, trying to rid yourself of these bad feelings. It's your birthday! You greeted your father with a smile and together you went to Geoponics, looking forward to the evening.

Once everything was said and done, night fell and stars appeared. You bade your dad goodnight with a hug and kiss, many 'thank you's and 'Love you's before you headed off to your room to pack a bag for the night.

And now, you find yourself chasing Dys' retreating figure through the trees and wondering how he's always so fast. "This better be good, you nullhead," you wheeze, hand on a tree trunk.

"It is," he assures you, and he steps aside to let you take in the sight of the valley below. His eyes never leave you as your jaw drops. It's beautiful!

The blue-ish white snow gives way to a large expanse below you and not a tree in sight. A whole herd of unisaur are moving slowly, adding to the gorgeous picturesque landscape. The stars were twinkling, and the three different-sized moons were casting an ethereal glow on the field.

"Dys!" You give a small gasp and let your bag fall off your shoulder, "It's beautiful!" His smile grows wider as he lets his pack fall to the ground as well as he asks excitedly, "You like it?"

"I love it!" You whirl around, and you feel like you're positively beaming. All worries and stress from the day melted away. You throw your arms around him, and he stiffens a little at the contact. But he doesn't pull away, and he lets you hug him for a couple seconds. When you let go, he clears his throat. "Happy birthday, Sol," he says shyly. "I don't have much, but I wanted to give you something at least."

You look out at the meadow below once more, and sigh happily. "It's perfect," you assure him, and you mean it. You haven't felt this peaceful in a long while, and he--your best friend--knew exactly what you needed. Peace and quiet.

And Dys.

You look back at him and your eyes meet. You're taken aback at how soft his gaze is, but he quickly averts his gaze as a blush blooms on his face. "Glad you liked it," he murmurs, and you laugh before helping him set up the tent and campfire. You spend the next couple hours staring up at the stars and making up constellations.

Later that night, as you crawl to your sleeping mat, you sleepily tell him, "Thank you, Dys."

He makes a small noise in acknowledgement before it gets silent. You both lay in the darkness, and you move your hand towards his and link your pinkies, like you did before. Your eyelids droop, and you're vaguely aware that he hesitantly links his ring and middle finger with yours as well--not quite holding your hand, but almost. You smile and the last thing you hear is Dys whispering, "I wish we could stay like this forever."

------

Vertumna, Early Dust, age 16

You march decidedly towards the Expeditions area, clutching the databand you received at the Vertumnalia Festival that afternoon. You saw the words 'secret admirer' on the note and you immediately thought of the sullen boy you called your best friend.

As you walk on, your steps get less and less confident as you get caught up in your thoughts. What if it wasn't Dys? What if it was from someone from the Helios crew, like Rex? Sure, you noticed how Dys was more red in the face whenever you touched him in any way, but he was always averse to physical affection! Ever since you were little kids! How can you be so sure that means he likes you?? Your mind races, and you practically groan as you slow to a walk.

"Hello Solana," Tangent says distractedly as you walk past her at the Engineering building. She's leaning up against the wall, her holopalm flashing all kinds of imagery at her. "Are you alright?" She squints at you, suspicious now that Pollen has passed once more. The Shimmer has most definitely been a source of frustration for Tangent, who wants nothing more than to figure out the problem but just can't.

You nod thoughtfully, and Tangent's eyes fall to the object in your hand. "What's that?"

"A databand, someone gave it to me at the festival. But they signed it as a secret admirer so...I don't actually know who," you say, a little embarrassed.

 Tangent looks at it, then her eyes travel to your face, and back and forth again.

"A...secret admirer you say? Well, that's something," she says dismissively, but you catch her eyes darting towards the entrance to the colony before returning to her holopalm.

"You know who it is?"

"No I don't," she says, though her voice catches just the teeniest bit, and she's staring intently at the images. You smile anyway, your confidence restored. You knew that Tangent still cared very much about her brother, even if she couldn't admit it.

"Well, thanks anyway, Tang!" You wave as you walk on, and she gives a small 'mmm' in response. You begin walking quickly towards Expeditions once more, where you see Dys loading up a vehicle. He sees you approach and gives you a nod before he goes back to his work.

"Are you my secret admirer?" You blurt out as you stop next to him, holding up the databand. He pauses, but doesn't meet your eyes.

"So what if I was? Don't make a big deal out of it," he lowers his voice.

"But I like you too!" Your heart is beating out of your chest. You always knew it, ever since you were both 8 and he helped you with your art project. He had been so patient and something had sort of clicked for you then, but you didn’t quite understand and so never thought too hard about it. But you think of those visions of future Dys and future you being together and your heart begins to swell and you just know you had to tell him or you were going to burst.

He stops altogether, raising his head before turning around slowly. He looks at you, dumbfounded, as if he can't believe what he's hearing. "What?....Why??"

You search for a way to explain, but you can't pinpoint a single reason why Dys is so special to you. He always had been. "I just do!"

He looks at you for a long while, and lets out a shaky breath you both didn't know he was holding. "Okay," he mutters, and his cheeks are flushing again, "Cool, I guess."

You both hold each others' gaze for several minutes before the Expedition team calls for departure. "Gotta go," Dys says awkwardly, then gets in the passenger seat of the truck. You step back, and before the vehicle can drive off, you see a smile on his face.

-----

Vertumna, Early Quiet, age 17

You lay awake in your room, your mind too loud to sleep. The unisaur pendant lays on your chest, and you are all too aware of its weight.

You and Dys getting together was a matter of time. You both had been flirting for about 3-4 years at this point, but today was the first time that Dys had been the one to initiate any conversation of the sort. You remember the way his hands rested on your neck, his voice as he confessed all the feelings he kept close in his heart for you, the intensity in his eyes as he looked at your mouth, the way he leaned towards you, his hands on your face...

You squeeze your eyes shut, before flipping around on your bed so that you lay facedown in the pillow. And yet, you smile to yourself. The dreams and visions were finally coming true--well, those ones anyway--and Dys was finally your boyfriend. Officially.

-----

Vertumna, Late Wet, age 18

You and Dys are sitting in a clearing on a rainy afternoon. He's writing more things down in his journal and you are going through your holopad entries. At one point you feel his gaze on you, and you look up to meet his eyes. "What?"

"Nothing really. I just like looking at you," he says simply, smiling at you as the blue-and-yellow sunlight beams down on you both. You blush and look away for a second, "Oh...really?"

He leans in and gives you a kiss, and it's so sweet it leaves you breathless. "Yeah. You're beautiful."

You giggle in embarrassment at the compliment, but you take his hand and kiss it appreciatively. You both smile at each other before returning to your respective activities.

"Hey Solana? You....don't have anything important happening tomorrow, do you?" Dys asks hesitantly after awhile. You tell him you don't, and raise an eyebrow at him as if to ask why.

"Okay. I was...kind of hoping...you might...stay the night here with me?" He stammers out, his face and ears burning red.

You look at him, confused but smile at him earnestly, "I would love to." A wide grin breaks out across his face as he grabs you and pulls you in for another kiss. You smile against his mouth as you return with fervor, and it gets more intense until it eventually turns into a mess of tongues, with hands lost in hair and heavy breathing. Dys breaks apart, before wordlessly standing up, pulling you up by the hand, and leading you to the tent.

You both lay down and begin kissing again, immediately picking momentum back up where it left off. Hands are desperately reaching anywhere they can, moans escape both of you as the air in the tent quickly heats up. Your hands flit around the bottom of his shirt before you pluck up the courage to pull it up, where he immediately breaks away again so he can take it off.

He looks down at you, his eyes dark and hungry, but he remains on his elbows above you as your chest heaves from trying to catch your breath. "Is this okay? Do you want this? We can stop if you don't," he whispers, brushing a lock of blue hair away from your face gently.

Your heart flutters at his consideration for you, his gentleness. You nod, and as he comes back down to kiss you hungrily you realize you've never been more certain of anything in your whole life.

-----

Vertumna, Mid Wet, age 25

"I can't believe this," Dys mutters angrily, but loud enough you can hear. You narrow your eyes at him, arms crossed.

"Excuse me?"

He whips around, "You of all people know how much I want to be out there!" He snarls, "Why can't you just let me be??"

You push your hair out of your face and take a step closer, "What does that mean? You go out there all the time! Sometimes you're out there for days!"

"Yeah, but I make sure to check in with you--"

"Only when I message you first after however many days I don't hear from you!" You shout over him, and he gets a guilty expression for a second before getting angry again.

"I just want to be out there! I hate coming home here!" Your arms fall to your sides as you feel tears prick the corners of your eyes, his words ringing through your ears. That stung a little. Dys has definitely noticed your chin wobble a little, because his voice softens but still sounds aggravated as he takes a step towards you and holds you in his arms, "I only come home because you're here. You're the only thing worth coming back here for, I've told you this before!"

You look down, willing the tears to stay where they are but to no avail--they begin to fall. You hate when you two get like this. You know that Dys is right--he only comes back because he knows you're here, but this isn't his home. It never was.

Years ago, Dys had come back from one of his days-long expeditions with an excited look on his face and explained to you that he had discovered a way for him to become one with the planet. He tells you about Sym, who you knew from a few encounters yourself, and all that Sym had taught him. You had seen a light in his eyes you had never seen before, and your heart had constricted. You two have begun to fight a lot more, recently.  You didn't like the visions and dreams that occurred that night, or how they some of them were true now. You didn't like the visions and dreams that were occurring recently, or how some of them were true now, too.

"Why won't you come with me?" He asks so softly, as he guides you by your chin to look at him and gently wiping your traitorous tear with his thumb. His demeanor only makes you more sad and angry.

"I've told you, I can't leave them without helping to find the cure for the Shimmer. It didn't work with my dad--" your voice catches, and your hands squeeze his biceps at the painful memory,"and I just...I can't let anyone else go through that, Dys. It hurt so much."

He doesn't let go of you, but his voice is sad and pleading, "Solana...I can't live without you."

You nod and squeeze him into a hug, looping your arms around his neck. "And I can't live without you. But please....can we just be together for now? We can talk about it again some other time. I just...I need you Dys," you plead, looking up at him. He looks down at you for a long, long time before wiping another tear from your cheek and giving a resigned sigh.

"Okay. For you, I'll try anything. I love you, Solana, so much," he says, before bending down to kiss you. You don't let go for a long time.

-----

Vertumna, Late Pollen, age 37

You get home from a long day at the Xenobotany lab, and to your surprise Dys is there and reading your tattered old Animals book from when you were a kid. He looks up and smiles, "Hey honey."

You smile tiredly at him, happy to see him home. True to his word all those years ago, Dys was making an effort to come home to you while still balancing his love for exploring the wilds of Vertumna. But you could feel him getting restless, especially whenever Sym came to visit you both.

  You really liked Sym, an alien life form of the planet who didn't try to kill you every chance he got, which was a relief. He was a pleasant person to be around (as much as he could be considered one?), and gave you wonderful insight into some of your research. But you didn't like the sense of unease whenever you looked at your partner after any of these visits, or what you knew was going to have to happen. It was a matter of time, and as much as you didn't want it, you had to let him go.

"Dys, love...I think we need to have a talk."

He closes the book and lays it on the table, then pats the couch beside him. You gladly sit down, and he takes your hand. "What is it, Sol?"

The small rings on your hands glint in the light, and you remember the private ceremony you two had, where you promised to love each other for your whole lives--and then some, in your case. Sym was there to share in your joy, and while it hadn't been as grand as Cal and Tammy's ceremony, it was perfect for you two.

A smile tugs at the corners of your lips for a split second, and you open your mouth to speak but the words are getting caught in your throat. Dys waits patiently.

"I...I've been thinking about...what Sym has told you," You begin carefully, and to his credit Dys does not react, instead looking intently into your eyes. "And how you feel and what you want. And you...want to become part of Vertumna."

Dys' eyes widen as realization of what you may be saying dawns on him, "Sol...I...but I want you to be happy!"

You smile sweetly at him, "Oh my love...what would make me happiest is seeing you truly happy. And you...aren't truly happy here." You almost say with me but you stop yourself. This isn't about you, you think to yourself.

Dys grabs your other hand, "But you do make me happy," he begins weakly. "I mean...yes, I do want to be a Gardener, but...I love you," he finishes. You keep smiling sadly as you shake your head.

"Yes, but...I can't keep living with myself, knowing I'm keeping you from being happy. And well, I got to keep you to myself for a few extra years," you say half-jokingly, but your voice breaks as you catch up with what you've said and what this means. Dys pulls you into a hug and you both sit there in silence.

After a long while, he pulls back and you wipe your eyes quickly. "Will you at least come with me when I do it?" he asks quietly. "I want you there."

You nod, "I will."

-----

Vertumna, Late Dust, age 37

Sym leads you and Dys to the cave you found all those years ago in the Western Ridge. It's dank air makes you shiver, even though it's not exactly cold. You and Dys hold hands the whole way as Sym idly makes small talk with Dys before stopping at a pool. "This is it," he says simply.

You look down at the pool, and Dys squeezes your hand before turning to Sym, who still looks the same as he did when you first met him as a teenager. "What do I need to do?"

Sym gestures, "Simply submerge yourself in the gel and breathe normally. Disrobing is not necessary; your clothes will be liquefied along with your physical form. But be warned, once you step into the pool, there is no going back. Are you truly sure this is what you want?"

Dys looks back at you, and you think back on your life together. As children running through the Stratosphere and hiding in cubbies, as children in the talent show at the annual Vertumnalia Festival, as preteens hiking though the jungle surrounding the colony, holding hands beneath the stars as you both listened to music. How he comforted you when your parents died, or how amazing and scary it felt when you both had sex for the first time in the woods. How as young adults, you were still finding your places in this colony, but you found your place in each other.

And you suddenly get a flash of a vision, one where you see a young Dys' face smiling at you and you just know that you haven't lived this one yet but it's so real. You tell Dys this when he asks why you're smiling, and he grins in return.

"See? Because of your time loop thing, we'll be together in the next life." You nod, your smile faltering. You don't really want to wait--you want to be with him now. But you know you can't leave the colony, or your friends. And you know he can't stay.

Almost as if reading your thoughts, Sym pipes up, "Well, you will see him again, even if...you may not recognize him." He says this as a way to hopefully make you feel better, and you appreciate it.

"Okay. As long as you're ready," You tell him after a deep breath. It's now or never, you tell yourself.

Dys cups your cheek and gives you one last sweet kiss. "I love you so much Solana, and I'm so glad you came to be here with me," he whispers as he lets go. He turns around and steps into the vat of blue gel, submerging and closing his eyes as a peaceful look sets about his features.

You turn to Sym, "Thank you very much for being here for him. It really means alot to me."

Sym smiles back at you, "Of course. I love Dys--and you--very much. You are both wonderful humans, and I thank you for caring for our planet. Let me escort you home."

As you turn to leave, you glance down one more time at your life partner. He looks truly at peace, and knowing you were able to let him go and give him that peace makes the weight on your heart ease. Just a little bit.

-----

Vertumna, Late Wet, age 88

You lay in your bed in the medbay, surrounded by basically your family in the colony. Most of your friends who were part of the original Stratos colony have long since passed, but you still have Anemone sitting nearby. You smile at everyone, and tell each of the people present that you love them and to be good for Auntie Sol. There are tears and sniffles and watery smiles, until at last everyone has gone. You close your eyes as you feel the edges of your life fading away.

That night, you dream about a little boy with dark black, shimmery hair. You're ready to begin again.

#i was a teenage exocolonist #dys x sol #cw: implied death #cw: implied sex #long post

[temporarypenintraining]

LEFT HAND MAN (Vex/IE fic) Part 1

This is my personal headcanon about what happened in the time period between Zane regaining his memory and the team going home. For context, "Kori" is "Ice" (氷) in Japanese, and @jerald-walker and I headcanon that Vex gave him the name (despite knowing his real name). Fic under the cut. (Also, Left Hand Man isn't necessarily the name of the fic itself. More of a general Vex/IE title that I use for everything, like my playlist).

The man who is no longer the Ice Emperor stands opposite the man who is no longer his royal advisor. “They are discussing your punishment,” he says, his voice still alien to his own ears. Vex’s head tilts up and the two lock eyes through the bars that separate them. “Are they, now? And why are you not with them?” “I… I requested a chance to speak with you — alone.” Vex raises a brow. “They trusted you to see me on your own?” he asks. “They… seem to have convinced themselves that I am more likely to kill you myself than set you free,” the man — Zane, yes, that’s what he’s called now — admits. “Hmm,” Vex hums, standing and approaching the bars. “Well, are you?” Zane suddenly finds it increasingly difficult to maintain eye contact. “I… do not know. I suppose I have every reason to, though if I do not, it is likely you will be executed anyway. Regardless, I’m meant to want you dead, aren’t I?” his voice cracks on the question. His eyes once again meet Vex’s, and something twists in the pit of his gut when what he finds in those eyes is a soft, inquisitive look. “What makes you think you’re meant to want me dead?” Vex asks, in that sweet tone that Zane struggles not to find comfort in. Zane opens his mouth and tries to respond, tries to say that his mind was intruded upon, corrupted, that the man standing before him caused tens of thousands of deaths. But the words are lost in Vex’s gaze. I –you– why…” he stutters, grasping desperately for a reason. Vex reaches his hand through the bars to touch Zane’s face. As if against his own will, Zane leans into his palm. “I should hate you, I’m supposed to hate you,” he whispers, eyes closed, hands gripping the bars. “Why can’t I hate you?” Vex’s thumb traces the seam of his cheek bone, expression soft with pity. “Oh, Kori…” he mutters, and Zane sobs at the name, heavy with the memory of those rare moments of affection and intimacy, of vulnerability. A name that belonged to only them, spoken by the only voice he could trust, accompanied by lips on his neck, and hands in place of armor on his chest, his hips, his thighs. “Kori, it’s alright. I understand. Even now, in this cell, impending execution hanging over me… I can’t bring myself to hate you, either,” he confesses. His hand now holds Zane’s chin, thumb caressing his quivering bottom lip. Zane’s eyes open and he stares, searching Vex’s face for something to hate, but still he comes up empty. And when Vex leans in to close the distance between them, he fails to find any reason to protest.

#cw: implied sex #ninjago #eternalwintershipping #nevershipping #ice emperor #vex #zane/kori #posting in multiple parts because it won't post otherwise

[tears-and-smiles-ao3]

The real treasure

Geraskier, Geralt and family, rated M for implied references to chastity, implied/referenced sex but basically family feels

"Oh, come on, Geralt, it'll be fun," Jaskier pleads, all doe eyes as he waves a hand-drawn treasure map around in the air.

Geralt watches him from his seat on the sofa and purposefully ignores what his lover is saying.

Instead, he takes in the outfit Jaskier has chosen to wear. His white frilly shirt is left partially open, showing off his gorgeous chest hair. His open burgundy waistcoat drapes down just inches from where Geralt knows his sensitive nipples lie.

The gold chain Jaskier always wears glistens in the morning light shining through the curtains of their apartment as he stalks over to him. His prowling also shows off how tight his striped pants are, clinging in just the right way to his legs.

When Jaskier marches over and stands before him, Geralt can’t resist raising an eyebrow.

"That's not how you convince me,” he insists, even as Jaskier sits down on his lap. Sighing, Geralt presses pause on his game and sets down the controller in the empty space by his left.

He turns back to Jaskier, giving him his whole attention as the world zeroes in on the pleasant weight of his lover on his thighs.

"Look, you'll love it. You might even get an extra reward," Jaskier encourages, waggling his eyebrows.

"Hmm, and yet we could just skip straight to that part," Geralt suggests, gripping tight onto Jaskier's hips and pulling him flush against him.

Jaskier groans, responding by grinding down for a moment, but then seems to remember his goal. He tuts, putting a hand against Geralt’s chest and pushing himself back to create space between them.

"No sex unless you find all four keys,” he chastises.

He's pouting, and Geralt wants to curse himself with how easily Jaskier can wrap him around his fingers.

"Fine,” he sighs again, “but give me a kiss before you send me on my quest, my prince."

“I’m not a prince, I’m a pirate.”

Despite Geralt getting it wrong, Jaskier smiles, beaming like the sun. His cheeks glow and his eyes gleam. He's magnificent, breathtaking.

His lover leans down, forcing Geralt to lie his head against the back of the sofa. Jaskier’s arms bracket each side and Geralt lets out a soft gasp. He’s being teased and he loves it.

At an achingly slow pace, Jaskier moves towards him. Geralt feels like he can't breathe as inch by inch Jaskier's lips get closer.

The world around them disappears as Jaskier presses his lips against his. They move slowly, building in intensity, and Geralt tries to keep still, warring with his desire to lift Jaskier up and carry him to bed.

Patience. He needs to be patient.

Instead he focuses on the way Jaskier tastes sweet like an apple as he licks inside his mouth.

Geralt growls and Jaskier chuckles in that way he does. It’s so intoxicating and Geralt doesn’t want this to end. When Jaskier pulls back, his mouth tries to follow that delicious taste.

“Uh, uh,” his lover reprimands, picking up the map once again. “You take this, look over it, and then wait 10 minutes for me to get a head start. When you find me, you can have me.”

Geralt whines a little, and Jaskier laughs again.

“Just look at it. Get into the spirit. Oh, and you might want to get changed out of your sweats.”

“Fine,” Geralt grumbles. The quicker they get this over with, the quicker he gets what he wants.

Trust Jaskier to use the promise of sex to get him to behave. He must be so predictable.

Sighing, he looks down at the piece of paper. Jaskier had spent many hours last night drawing it. Geralt thought he’d looked so cute with his tongue sticking out as he worked that he’d tried to kiss Jaskier but his lover swatted at him till he left him alone.

It seems these squiggles are the result, and Geralt’s eyes dart up and down as he tries to figure it out.

A dotted line meanders through a town map. It connects various things: a round plump green hairy berry, a white goat, a black cat and a castle on a mountain. Scratching his head, Geralt stares at the map for longer than he would ever admit.

Then suddenly, his eyes widen and he realises. Scrambling up out of his seat, he rushes to change into black jeans and a tight-fitting top. Then he grabs his jacket and keys, letting the front door slam shut behind him.

Yennefer’s eyes crinkle as she opens the door, watching Geralt barge in without so much as a hello.

“What am I meant to pick up from here?” he demands, already marching towards the sofa and plucking up cushions, tossing them on the floor.

“Geralt, I won’t have you making a mess because you’re annoyed at Jaskier’s game.”

He whips around like a bullet, and sees how she’s standing, one clenched fist leaning against the doorframe and with a sharp look in her eye.

“Fine,” he grumbles, not for the first time today. “But please put me out of my misery.”

“I know for a fact I am your first stop. You’re just tetchy. Stop it.”

Sighing, he lets his shoulder drop. He’s not going to get the answer from Yennefer by demanding it.

He bends over and picks up the cushions, settling them down on the sofa randomly. He’ll never get them into the right order, so why bother.

Yennefer must know he’s at least making an effort because she nods and then jerks her head toward the kitchen.

He pads behind her, like a dog with its tail between his legs. Her purple dress trails across the floor.

She walks up to the teas and busies herself, scooping out several spoonfuls of chopped green leaves into a teapot, then fills it with water.

She sets it on the stove, then turns around and rummages in a cupboard till she finds two matching cups and saucers.

Yennefer always did like being fancy. Adding to the ambience, or whatever she claimed.

“So,” she begins, “how are things?”

He shrugs. “Fine. Same as always.”

“Does Jaskier always send you off on treasure hunts?”

Grunting, Geralt decides he’s not going to answer that. Silence really is the better option most of the time.

The water must reach the desired temperature, because Yennefer wraps a towel around its handle and lifts it off the stove and onto a wooden tray.

“I’ve missed our chats,” Yennefer remarks, rearranging the cups even though there is no need to do it.

Geralt really doesn’t have time for this nonsense, but what else can he do? Stand here and think about how he’s going to pin Jaskier down as soon as he catches him?

It seems mildly inappropriate in front of his ex.

“You know, I was surprised that I’m your first visit, but maybe Jaskier likes toying with you as much as I do. You’re hilarious when you’re angry.”

“Am not,” Geralt huffs, folding his arms for a second, then realising just how it makes him look.

Jaskier is always teasing him for being stubborn. Damn him, he knows him too well.

“Well, maybe not,” Yennefer concedes. “Doesn’t matter why you’re here, I’m just glad to see you.”

She pours tea into both cups, then hands him one.

It smells bitter, acrid, but he’s drunk worse. He takes a few sips to be polite, then sets it down.

He really just wants to get the key and leave.

Just what is Jaskier playing at?

His skin is itching and he needs to move, so he begins pacing.

“I really thought we’d at least stay in touch more,” Yennefer admits.

“What?”

“It wasn’t all that bad, you know. And Jaskier still talks to me.”

He does? Geralt scrunches up his face, trying to figure out why.

“Oh, don’t be an idiot, Geralt. We’re not here bitching about you.”

He grunts, then sits down at the kitchen island. On it is a fruit bowl filled with apples and pears and he picks one up.

“What was the symbol drawn over my house again, Geralt?”

Huh? Geralt looks up at Yennefer and is about to shrug, then a thought hits him.

Gooseberries. They’re a fruit. This is a fruit bowl.

He drags the bowl towards him and immediately begins rummaging through the apples and pears.

He empties the full thing and, sure enough, there’s a small silver key lying at the bottom.

“Yen, what’s this?” he asks.

She turns, cup in hand, and smiles.

“Never could keep things hidden from you.”

He picks it up, turning it around between his finger and thumb.

Is it really that easy?

He looks at her for all of two seconds, then rushes out the room and towards the front door.

“Come visit again,” Yennefer yells after him.

Eskel is in his garage, rustling through his toolbox while Lil’ Bleater gripes at him. The tiny goat is wearing a small woollen pink sweater and jumps menacingly at the floor.

“Just let me find my hammer, Bleater, and we’ll get out and fix that fence together, alright.”

He’s wearing his red sweater and denim overalls, undone at the top so the straps hang around his waist. A screwdriver hangs out his pocket.

“And just where do I find the key Jaskier has hidden here?” Geralt asks, announcing his presence.

Eskel jumps at his voice, hitting his knuckles against the metal box with a clang.

“Fuck,” he swears, hissing as he pulls his hand out and sticks it under his other arm, putting pressure on it. “That really hurt, dickhead.”

Geralt coughs to cover a laugh, looking down at the floor as the tiny goat scrambles over to him on shaky legs, screaming loudly.

“She thinks you’re a dickhead, too.”

“Oh, I definitely am most of the time,” Geralt admits, looking up to see Eskel grinning at him.

He walks over to his brother and pulls him into a large hug. It had been a while since he’s visited, and he’d forgotten how nice it is just to be here with him.

“You should visit more,” Eskel chastises, as if reading his mind.

“I know,” Geralt agrees.

They’re about to pull back from each other when something small but strong bashes against their legs.

“Hey,” Eskel greets, reaching down and petting the little goat. “Let’s get you outside.”

It’s then that Geralt sees it. A small silver key hanging off of Lil’ Bleater’s collar.

“Jaskier, you cruel genius,” he states as he bends over and attempts to grab the key.

Lil’ Bleater has other ideas though, as she runs off, scampering towards the grass outside.

Laughing, Eskel claps Geralt on the shoulder.

“It was my idea. Bleater here needs exercise and you’ll do a fine job chasing her.”

Geralt glares at him, but can’t help the small smirk at the side of his lips.

“You’re welcome,” Eskel says, following his excitable pet out into the sun.

It takes almost an hour for Geralt to finally catch the damned goat, but she seems much happier with him now that she’s exhausted.

Eskel had fixed the fence ages ago and had watched his brother look like an idiot as he chased the small creature across the field.

“I think that’s the best idea I’ve had yet,” Eskel says, walking over to help Geralt get up. “Fancy a drink before you go?”

“Okay, yeah,” Geralt agrees, wiping the sweat from his brow.

Another hour later, Geralt is knocking on the door to Lambert and Aiden’s apartment.

He’s feeling much less keyed up now that he’s had a couple of beers. Perhaps that’s for the best.

Lambert could always antagonise him like no one else could.

Did Jaskier really plan out who to visit when, or is this just a coincidence?

He didn’t get to ponder it further because then the door opens and sees the blonde haired lover of his younger brother.

Aiden smiles, standing in the doorway in his blue shirt and pants, and waits for Geralt to say something.

“Hi, Aiden, can I come in?” Geralt asks.

He doesn’t know why Aiden makes him feel like a meek lamb. Is it the way he stands, arms gripping onto the doorframe? Maybe it’s his eyes that dart back and forth like he’s about to pounce?

Aiden smiles wider and Geralt sees those sharp fangs gleaming in the afternoon light.

“Sure,” he agrees, moving enough out of the way for Geralt to pass.

That’s when he notices a silver key hanging around Aiden’s neck, sitting on top of the golden one he’s always got there.

Geralt has never asked about that other key. He’d rather not get the answer he suspects it is.

Aiden smirks, and, fuck, Jaskier is going to pay for this later.

Probably in ways that he’d enjoy.

Anyway, it doesn’t matter because suddenly he’s walking into the main room and he sees Lambert on his hands and knees cleaning out the fireplace.

“Who was at the door?” his brother asks, still sweeping up burnt ash with a brush.

Geralt clears his throat, and Lambert flinches, turning around.

The pink apron he wears on top of his black t-shirt and slacks makes Geralt splutter, and Lambert scowls at him.

“Hey, asshole. Pretty boy going to help or just mock?”

“Now, darling,” Aiden intercedes before Geralt gets a chance to reply, “we don’t talk to guests in that way.”

For a second, Lambert looks like he isn’t going to back down, but then he sags and stands up, taking off his apron.

“Just going to wash my hands,” he explains as he walks out the room.

“Make sure to bring some scones back, darling,” Aiden calls out into the hall. Geralt doesn’t hear a reply, and Aiden doesn’t seem to care. He turns to Geralt and gestures towards one of two sofas.

Sitting down tentatively, Geralt drums his fingers against his leg while they wait.

Aiden lounges across the other sofa, with a smug look on his face, and folds one leg over the other.

It’s a tense five minutes until Lambert comes back into the room carrying a large tray packed full of scones, cream and jam.

“You didn’t need to,” Geralt begins to say, but Aiden interrupts him.

“Nonsense. This is our afternoon treat. We just assumed you’d be a bit later, is all.”

“What can I say, I always aim to disappoint.”

Lambert laughs at that. “Pretty boy’s got brains, it seems.”

“Tenacity,” Geralt corrects. He’s managed to get himself out of many a scrape in his time, but he wouldn’t call that anything other than street smarts.

“Modest, too,” Aiden chuckles as Lambert hands him a china plate. The scone on it is cut in two, piled high with jam and cream.

His brother hands him a similar plate, then settles down by Aiden’s feet and balances the last plate on his thigh.

The two of them start eating, and Geralt follows suit. All is quiet for a while, until Aiden breaks the silence, standing up.

“You can have the key, you know, after you and Lambert have a nice chat. That’s the deal. Keep your claws retracted.

Aiden gives Geralt a wink before he walks out the door, and then it’s just the two of them.

“Funny it takes our partners working in secret to get us together,” Lambert moans.

Geralt hums, then remembers Jaskier lecturing him about using his words.

Fuck, okay.

“How are you doing?” he asks his brother.

“Fine,” Lambert retorts. “You?”

“Alright, overall. Though this isn’t how I envisioned spending my day.”

“Because you hate visiting family?”

“Because I thought this hunt would involve a lot more running around than chatting.”

“Hmmm. You’ve given me a welcome reprieve from cleaning that, anyway,” Lambert says, pointing at the fireplace.

“Is the pink apron mandatory?” Geralt asks before he can stop himself.

“Hey, I like the colour,” Lambert exclaims, his face flaming.

Geralt shifts in his seat.

“Look, I’m sorry. I’m not a great conversationalist.”

“Well, how about this? You finish clearing out the fireplace and I’ll consider our chat completed.”

Lambert throws the pink apron at Geralt, who catches it and frowns.

“You’d really rather I clean instead of talking?”

Lambert growls, showing his teeth.

“Okay, okay, fine.”

An hour later, Aiden comes back into the room and the fireplace is sparkling.

“Well, that wasn’t too hard,” Aiden comments, holding out the small silver key towards him.

Geralt nods, taking the key and pocketing it.

“I’ll come back another time,” he says, nodding at Lambert before turning to walk out the room.

“I look forward to it, pretty boy,” Lambert teases, and Geralt laughs.

Some things would never change.

It’s been ages since he’d visited his foster dad’s place.

The castle, as Vesemir calls it, is an isolated shack at the base of a large hill. He likes to joke that his home is only for the hardy.

Even if Geralt can understand the desire to carve out his own space like this, it must be lonely sometimes.

His dad is at the door waiting on him, dressed in his usual brown sweater and blue jeans. He could never understand how Vesemir did it. Most people complained that Geralt always sneaked up on them, but his dad always knew when he’s nearby.

“Hello, son. It’s been a while,” Vesemir greets, opening his arms for a hug.

It feels nice, a comfort Geralt had forgotten about.

“I’m sorry,” he says into his dad’s shoulder.

“It’s fine. Not like I’ve been knocking down your door.”

Humming, Geralt lets his father release him of his guilt.

Vesemir pulls back and then nods towards the back yard.

“Come on,” he encourages, “We’ve got wood to chop.”

They both walk around the house, trailing a well worn path through the grass.

Out back, there’s a shed filled with branches and short logs, all ready to be chopped up into firewood.

Geralt heads towards it and grabs a few logs in his arms. He drops them beside the chopping block while Vesemir sits down and pulls out a hip flask.

“Want some?” he asks.

Geralt shakes his head. It’s been a long time since he’s chopped logs and he’s already had some alcohol, though the buzz has long since worn off.

It’s easy work and he gets into a steady rhythm, working through his pile quicker than he expects. He decides to collect a few handfuls so he can keep going for longer without stopping.

The sun is much lower in the sky by the time he finishes, and it leaves long shadows across the backyard.

He piles the last of the firewood into a basket, then rolls his shoulders to ease his aching muscles. He picks up the basket and takes it indoors, dropping it beside the fireplace.

“Thanks, son,” Vesemir says. He moves over to start working on a fire, but Geralt just chases him away.

“I’ll do that,” he states.

Vesemir raises his hands in defeat.

“Fine, fine. I’m going to get another drink. Will you have one with me?”

It’s getting late, but Geralt’s heart aches at the thought of leaving his dad all alone. How could he have put off visiting him for almost a year?

He gets the fire going quickly enough, and then he settles himself down in the chair beside his dad.

“How are things, son?”

“Good,” Geralt answers truthfully, twiddling the glass in his hands. “How’s you?”

“I’m doing alright. I love this place,” he states, gesturing around the room, “but it gets kinda too quiet after a while.”

“Yeah.”

“And life with Jaskier? Have you two made any plans for the future?”

“Marriage? No. No, we haven’t discussed it.”

“You don’t have to, you know. It’s enough to just be together.” Vesemir says quietly, looking down at his drink.

Just how lonely is he?

“Would you like a companion?” Geralt asks.

“Sometimes,” Vesemir admits. “But it’s okay when you boys come round.”

Geralt nods, feeling that pang of guilt in his stomach again. He finishes his drink in one last mouthful.

He’s about to get going when he remembers he’s supposed to find a key.

“Do you know where Jaskier…” Geralt starts asking, only for Vesemir to finish.

“Hid the key? Yes. It’s over on the table.”

“Thanks.” He gets up and clears away his glass, then pours his dad another large measure before he leaves.

“I promise to visit more often,” he vows.

“Next time bring Jaskier. He’s a breath of fresh air.”

Geralt nods, then puts his hand on his dad’s shoulder, squeezes once, then heads out the door.

It’s only when Geralt gets home that he realises he doesn’t know if this is where Jaskier wanted him to go.

He cracks open the door and sees there’s a single light on in their bedroom.

It’s late now, and Geralt has to stifle a yawn as he shuts the front door.

Sneaking across the creaky floorboards is easy. The door to their bedroom is ajar, and he peeks inside and sees the most adorable sight.

Jaskier is lying passed out across the bed covers, his breathing soft and even. He’s wearing bright yellow pyjama bottoms, nothing else, and his brown hair is all mussed up.

Geralt feels tired from his long day out, so he creeps in and undresses. He places the four keys down on the bedside table, then frowns at them.

What’s the point in all this if there is nothing to unlock?

It’s too late to think about it. Instead, he turns around and slowly rearranges Jaskier till he can get into bed with him.

He wraps his arm around him, snuggling his chin into Jaskier’s neck, and lets himself drift off to sleep.

In the morning, Geralt wakes to Jaskier placing kisses across his face.

“Hello, beautiful,” his lover greets, a sly smile on his lips. “Did you enjoy your treasure hunt?”

Geralt looks up at him, trying to get his brain to work. “I got the keys, but there was nothing to open.”

“Wasn’t there? Oh, well. I’ll just need to take back these restraints I bought.”

His eyes widen instantly, and then he grabs onto Jaskier and flips them.

“Hmmm, I’m going to enjoy this. But before you ravish me, did you have a good time yesterday?”

Geralt nods. It was nice seeing his family again. Even Yennefer had been pleasant enough to him.

“Good. That was the plan.”

Groaning, Geralt grabs Jaskier’s hands and holds them above his head. He leans down and kisses him hard.

His little minx is going to be thoroughly taken apart.

Witcher fic masterlist

#the witcher #geraskier #geralt of rivia #jaskier #yennefer of vengerberg #witcher eskel #witcher lambert #witcher aiden #vesemir #for some reason not ciri and i've only just realised that #perhaps she is still with calanthe #the witcher fanfiction #geralt fanfic #geraskier fanfiction #the witcher fluff #tears-and-smiles-ao3 #my fanfiction #cw: implied chastity #cw: implied sex

[incorrectjane-andthedragon]

*Everyone is older* *modern au*

Jane: Ugh, Gunther is so annoying.

Pepper: Right? Screw him.

Jane: I mean, I do, but it doesn't make him any less annoying.

#happy janther week everybody #janther week 2023 #janther #jane x gunther #gunther x jane #junther #janther week #implied sex #implied sex cw #cw implied sex #cw: implied sex

[writer-and-artist27]

Or the author decided to dip her toes into the realm of smut/mature content for the first time ever, with the encouragement of @partialdignity (Thankie, Carim) and other friends. So content warning here, for some removed clothing and kissing. Just saying.

Heavily inspired by real life and how the journey to even committing to the action of sex itself possibly being a slow one, with two partners trying to explore each other at their own paces.

Canonically takes place after Olympus and Heian-Kyo in Part 2 of FGO, following this bond story from Tumblr. And is canon to Passing Days. 

Was listening to Idol from YOASOBI when drafting, funny enough.

FFN link here. 

#robinvy #writing #fanfiction update #passing days #fate grand order #robin hood (fate) #mastersona vy #character study #or the author got curious and wanted to try #love exploration #cw: smut #cw: implied sex #kissing #now if you'll excuse me #i need to eat dinner #and then melt into my blankets and pillows instead of screaming

[sofullofloveicould]

xxix: saturninity

rating: teen pairings: draco malfoy/harry potter, ginny weasley/harry potter warnings/tags: infidelity, implied sex word count: 48

saturninty:

these are saturnine evenings;

love lost and lust earned;

the hopeless feeling of loving wrong and falling hard;

thinking of blond hair and grey eyes blown wide;

pressed against the body of a woman you love no longer.

written for @microficmay 's prompt; saturninty. weekly challenge: make your microfic poetry

#microficmay2022 #cw: implied sex #cw: infidelity #drarry #draco malfoy #harry potter #ginny x harry #day 29 #late again sorry :(

[strangersteddierthings]

The thing is, Steve has learned, that becoming untouchable isn't all he wants it to be.

People were too quick to try and reach out for him, ask for more than he was willing to give. He hadn't wanted to give up his first kiss to some random girl at some random boy's twelfth birthday party because of spin the bottle. He hadn't wanted to play Seven Minutes in Heaven with Jenny Jackson or Linda Simons at Tommy's birthday party the following year. He did want to take Mary Linscott to Snow Ball, but she just wanted to make out behind the bleachers instead of dance with him. He didn't want to do that but then Brian called him stupid for not wanting to, and asked if he was queer. So, Steve had turned right back around and dragged Mary back under the bleachers, kissing her until it was time to go to prove Brian wrong.

(Even though Steve knows Brian isn't wrong. That Steve had wanted to ask Brian to the dance as much as he'd wanted to ask Mary but knew better than to do that. He saw how they treated Eddie Munson last year for the suspicion of liking other boys and Steve wasn't going to let that happen to himself.)

Brian had congratulated him after and asked what base he got to. Steve didn't want to get to any bases, but he couldn't say that, so he just punched Brian in the arm and said 'more bases than you' which was true because Brian's date didn't kiss him even once.

Then Carol Perkins approached him at lunch, shortly after Snow Ball, and asked if Steve would be her first kiss. Not because she wanted to kiss Steve, but because she wanted to kiss Tommy H, but didn't want to be bad at kissing. Steve agreed because he liked Carol. Not in the way she liked Tommy, but mostly because she'd asked.

No one had done that yet.

She came over to his house on a Saturday because she didn't want Tommy to catch them and think she didn't like him. They made out in his room because, despite his parents being home, they didn't really care who was in his room with him or if the door was open or shut. Probably didn't even notice he had someone over. She leaves an hour later.

By Tuesday Tommy and Carol are an item and by Friday they were Steve's best friends.

However, for reasons Steve doesn't understand, more girls keep asking him to be their first kiss. And maybe it's because he's already got a reputation, or maybe Carol let slip he'd said yes when she asked, but Steve finds himself kissing a lot of girls he doesn't want to. He doesn't know how to say no. Can't find a reason too. Brian's words play in the back of his mind every time he thinks about saying no.

(Are you stupid? Are you queer? He doesn't want to be either of those things, and given his grade in biology and pre-algebra, he's really only got a hope of avoiding the queer label. His father would tolerate a stupid son. He doesn't think he'd survive if his father had a queer one.)

There are a few girls he's been crushing on that ask him and that was nice. One, Alice Baker, even becomes his girlfriend for a month. His first relationship.

Soon eighth grade gives way to being a freshman and Steve, who has always been handsome and cute, catches the eye of upperclassmen now.

And Steve's not sure how it happens, but he ends up moving past first base with another girl whose name he can't remember, or possibly never knew. He doesn't remember asking her for hers when she led him into one of the bedrooms at the house this party was at while he was way too tipsy.

And then it just grows. The reputation and what people expect from him, and he doesn't want it, but he's never said no before so can he start now? Doesn't he need a reason to say no? If he doesn't have a reason, does that make him queer? He should be wanting this. What boy doesn't want this?

And maybe he does want it. But not like this.

He doesn't want to be slightly drunk at yet another party, following the first girl that grabs his wrist and pulls him after her into whatever secluded area they can find. He doesn't want to keep saying yes when he wants to say no.

The summer between freshman and sophomore year he confides in Carol. It's a risk. Carol can be cruel, quick with her words to tear you down, to spread the rumor that will ruin your life. But she's also fiercely loyal.

He tells her he's tired of kissing people he doesn't want to.

Carol is quiet for a long time, and Steve almost thinks he's made a mistake. But then she speaks.

"Okay. Let's make a plan."

And they do. Then suddenly Steve is untouchable. Carol teaches him how to see the weakness in people and call it out. How to wield his facial expressions as a weapon and a shield. How to put on the air of being the most important person everywhere you go so well that everyone else begins to believe it. How to fall back on the fact his parents are rich, gone often, and, almost most importantly, well known in the community. It gives Steve's name a weight to throw around.

More importantly, all of that culminates in people no longer asking things of him. Instead, they look to him to take the lead, they wait to be asked. It makes Steve feel in charge of his life for once.

But now.

Now, years later, having survived a spring break from Hell and averted the apocalypse, Steve watches Eddie hang off Argyle with ease, fling an arm over Jonathan's shoulder while laughing at a joke, easily pull Dustin into a headlock or wrestling match.

Easy touches that Steve should be able to do, too. A jealousy wells inside him almost as much as the unease he feels in his stomach at the mere thought of letting them know they're allowed to reach out and touch him, too. That Eddie's allowed to reach out and touch.

But then he remembers what happened when he let people have that power over him and he can't bring himself to do it.

It settles in Steve, then, the realization. When you become untouchable, you're unable to touch.

-

@nburkhardt @i-less-than-three-you adding my own lil bit of angst into the mix now (:

#pre steddie #my fic #cw dubious consent #internalized homophobia #steve kisses a lot of people he doesnt want to because of peer pressure and his own fear of not fitting in #it is also implied steve has sex with people when he didnt really want to #steve harrington has bad parents #touch-starved steve #also if you know the song that last line is from i am smooching the top of your head softly

[lil-ace-of-spades]

I had to remake this based on this post.

#dinluke #star wars #the mandalorian #din djarin #luke skywalker #tbobf #lukedin #skydalorian #leia organa #han solo #boba fett #fennec shand #cobb vanth #lando calrissian #star wars meme #dinluke meme #meme #cw implied sex

[mochinon-yah]

Would Dr Ratio be like this? Honestly, I haven't meet him in hsr yet, but he seems like an insufferable man lmaoo

"Go ahead, Y/n, finish it."

He smiled somewhat warmly, yet it didn't calm your anxious heart at all. With how he presented himself, you could've believed that he was one of those genius people. Okay, fine, he was smart. But in your defense, you would believe that wholeheartedly if he didn't do stupid stuff like this to you.

"Come on now, Y/n. I believe our frequently 'tutoring session' have brought you some new knowledge, does it not?"

"Well—"

"Ah, of course it did. I was the one who teach you, after all. There's no way you wouldn't be able to understand them."

His once furrowed eyebrows relaxed a bit as he eyed your figure. His stares, always unnerving. It made you uncomfortable on many occasions. Whether it'd be the stares that had always been there, or the fact that he was now assessing you with some kind of test was absolutely outrageous. Why would he — of all people — put so much interest on you?

"In any case, I assure you that even those simpletons could solve this equation, so no need to fret over it like you're not above them. You'll be able to finish it."

"Oh, really now?"

You weren't a genius like him or even near his intellect, no, you were only a normal person who had an average iq! Seriously, by now, you were just tired of him being all bossy with how you do stuff in life. Even the time and limit you do your bath was managed by him! So, how could you not get angry? It was your time to relax down from all his antics. Ugh.

He was being overly insensitive with your boundaries. But despite you always telling him that, he always thought that it was you being a dramatic person you always were and dismiss every other reasons you had.

"Alright, I have some other errands I need to do, so I expect you to finish the test in 30 minutes. I'm giving you a lot more time than usual, aren't I being so nice now?"

"... if only I could say that about you ...."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing."

You had no choice but to try and finish the test. After all, there was no way out from his stubbornness. He would somehow always know where you were despite you not even telling a single soul about your location. It was scary at first, but now, you just didn't care anymore. In your mind, you just hoped that he wouldn't be as cruel as he would always be.

If this test was not finished in time, you knew that whatever he had planned for you after was not going to be fun.

In the end, though, you did not finish the test.

Time went by too quickly that you didn't notice before he eventually told you oh so nicely. You then ended up getting punished by him. By the end of your punishment, your legs were a little wobbly with how hard he was going. Huft. At least, it felt good when you both did it. Well, except for the fact that he was still teaching you things while going down on you. That part was the most exhausting one.

#reli-writes #cw: implied you doing it with dr ratio #i like his visual so that's why i wrote this TT #but idkkk this is weird waaa #anyway #i just wanna say #in this fic he be teaching sex ed class seriously lmao #like ok man i get it #you wanna share your knowledge anytime anywhere #hsr #honkai star rail #hsr x reader #dr ratio #dr ratio x reader #yandere #yandere hsr #yandere dr ratio #drabble

[angelsdean]

also like yea dean doing sex work (for survival) is fanon but there ARE enough little canon moments to subtextually support it so like, if you add those experiences along with his michael possession arc, hell trauma (repeatedly tortured and violated for 30 yrs), the way he's the only one out of sam and cas who has not slept w/ someone who was possessed, the way he has to psych himself up for sex, the way we canonically see / hear abt him having sex very little for a 15 yr period, the way he doesn't sleep w/ the sex worker who's clearly not into him or as into her job as she says she is, the way he know what roofies look like and to keep an eye out for them, the way it's implied he was drugged underage at a club......like, he would be thee most normal abt sex and respecting boundaries, asking for explicit consent AND he would NOT fuck if he were possessing someone else !! like go back to dean studies 101 if you disagree with any of this bc you do not know this guy

#vic.txt #dean studies #dean and sex #sex work mention #cw sa implied #dean and sex work

[mxrtified777]

Patricide

#my art #blood #cw blood #yugioh #ygo #ygo dm #yugioh fanart #marik ishtar #malik ishtar #yami marik #yami malik #hi this took me 5 hours. good lird #give it up for Implied Murder! #inspired by Sex Metal Barbie by In This Moment #lots of ITM songs remind me of marik tbh

[kaaya-d]

Rip Din

==

#the mandalorian #din djarin #luke skywalker #dinluke #skydalorian #star wars fanart #shirtless #cw implied sex

[tornoleander]

Jay’s been through it

CW: Sexual assault Implications brief discussion of sexual predators + lotta swearing

(Please let me know if I missed any content warnings and Check if you are ok to hear this theory before reading. This type content has potential to help or hurt you depending on who you are as is the nature of problematic themes. Safety over curiosity.)

This is cannon compliment. Uhh kids show?! Yeah I know shouldn’t really have these themes but they’re there hear me out. Spoilers for season 6/8 I guess.

I’m bothered by this scene and how It connect to certain events so I’ll cautiously share

Sons of Garmadon Episode 7:

Here is the clip

Kelo asks “Where’s the green Ninja”

WHAT THE FUCK! Dude the double take I had when first watching this.

So he looked at Kelo’s… lower half and basically said ‘Cole shut up that man’s crotch is too close’. And not in Jay joking tone, he’s like dead serious and stressed. (The scene just cuts away after)

Jay you ok? Why is it implied some guy might have tried something?! Why else would he say that?! Who the FUCK touched my boi? What even is this scene?!

The fact it’s Jay that said it out of everyone is bad because it’s been implied to him before.

So let’s talk about the darkest Ninjago theory that’s been quietly circulating for a while in fan content. For simplicity I’ll call it captains quarters theory, If you’re unfamiliar I’ll explain.

Basically some speculation happened because of a certain villain that displayed subtle ongoing predatory behavior. And a part when Jay was his prisoner that caused people to worry what happened before the scene started.

As some of you have caught on It’s the scene where Cole rescues Jay from Misfortunes Keep.

He didn’t find Jay in his cell where he should have.

Cole found him beaten as ninjago has ever depicted except when literally dying.

Alone

no explanation given.

In the corner of Captains Quarters.

Nadakhan’s room.

Dude :(

And his concern afterwards.

And thinking he didn’t deserve saving.

“Thank you for trying to save me,-

It’s Just a lot.

Doing awful things to make Jay wish it all away is terrifyingly in Nadakhan’s character. Not just the sadistic torture part.

Nadakhan has many behaviors similar to a sexual predator. I’ll go over it briefly but see my last post for a detailed analysis.

He Seeks out vulnerable people for victims. The Ninja are teens and he waits till or makes them emotionally vulnerable. The way he talks about gifting his wishes and giving his victims anything they desire can be read as grooming behavior. His secrecy in getting all the ninja alone and doesn’t even talk to his crew about his plans. Manipulative and Controlling obviously.

And the most glaring issues he’s WAY tooo fucking touchy all the time. Like watch his body language during Skybound and see how uncomfortable it is

“Too slow junkyard boy”

Not to mention how explicitly he doesn’t care about consent….

And “If you don’t come willingly Nya, I will take you regardless” followed by a forced marriage.

Side note he doesn’t refers to Jay with his name and the things he calls him…uggh “What lies is our little canary whistling now, hmm?”

So… It’s cannon compliant that something was attempted or happened to Jay. Bruh wtf.

Well if you feel like you resonate with this or it may help there a few great fanworks that explore this I can recommend if interested. Mmm comfort angst.

(Note don’t bother anyone for enjoying Nadakhan as a character. It’s fiction and it hurts no one)

#captain’s quarters theory #ninjago #ninjago jay #ninjago ninja #ninjago nadakhan #ninjago nya #ninjago thoughts #ninjago theory #ninjago angst #tw sex abuse #cw swearing #tw predator #tw implied abuse #cw sa implied #cw language #ninjago skybound #Oli speaks #Oli’s Skybound insanity #skybound slander

[void-bitten-ghost]

Angel laughs a lot during sex.

I don't mean when he's on the job. He's a professional, and the last thing any of his John's tend to want him doing is laughing. The clientele he has... they'd rather he be sobbing or gagging or not be making any noise at all.

But when he's with Husk it's giggles galore. He scoffs. He chuckles. He's so fucking expressive and Husk fucking Loves It. When Angel gets a bee in his bonnet and wants to ride him? He makes a fucking meal out of it. Only when he's close to his limit, thighs trembling and every set of arms grasping at something, the sheets, the headboard, Husk, only then do the giggles stop, replaced by the most gorgeous, devastating determination to get them both there at the same time

He's never been the praying sort, but it's in those moments Husk thinks he sees heaven in his Angel. Sees a glimmer of the divine when Angel whispers his name, curling around him with a desperate cry into his chest and-- and--

Jesus, I think I need to sleep

#huskerdust #cw suggestive #cw nsft #the demons are winning my dudes #might be time to start writing again just to purge them 👍 #cw sa mention #cw sa implied #sa mention #sa implied #wanna cover all bases here #just in case #cw sex work #void bitten posts

[sofullofloveicould]

xxviii: epilogue

rating: teen pairings: pansy parkison/ginny weasley warnings/tags: infidelity, implied sex word count: 40

epilogue:

hold me, you must tell him, kiss me, make me forget her.

he is only an epilouge to our love; only a blip.

it is a shame that we only shared one night, and he will share your bed forevermore.

written for @microficmay 's prompt; epilogue. weekly challenge: make your microfic poetry

#microficmay2022 #pansy x hermione #ginsy #cw: infidelity #cw: implied sex #poetic microfic #microfic #hp microfic #ginny x harry #hinny #day 28