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withlovewriting · 4 months

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All I Ever Knew, Only You 11: The Junkyard

Chapter Eleven.

My past has tasted bitter for years now, So I wield an iron fist, Grace is just weakness, or so I've been told, I've been cold, I've been merciless, But the blood on my hands scares me to death, Maybe I'm waking up today.

Summary: Hawkins was your typical quaint, mid-western town where nothing ever happened. People were born here, lived their entire lives within the town limits, and eventually died here, peacefully in their sleep. But one cold November evening in 1983 would change everything.

Despite a child with psychokinetic abilities and ravenous monsters that lacked faces, stranger things had definitely happened in the small town in Indiana. One of them being your reluctant and slightly imposed friendship with Hawkins High’s own King Bee, Steve Harrington.

Characters: Steve Harrington x Non-descriptive F!Reader (eventual)

Words: 6,651

Chapter Warnings: Explicit language, allusions to PTSD, mentions of child loss, bad dating advice from Steve, these two idiots do not stop riding each other's asses and I love it. I think that's it.

Series Warnings: Strong language, mentions of underage drinking, mentions of drug use, canon-typical violence, mentions of alcohol abuse, mentions of possible mental health disorders, child abuse, slow burn, kinda enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, I like to call it ‘two idiots who begrudgingly befriend each other only to realize… ‘wait a damn minute…’, eventual sexual content, no use of y/n, canon-typical time-period bullshit. 18+. Minors DNI.

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Chapter Eleven: The Junkyard

You’d planned on apologizing to Steve that morning. Really, you had every intention of doing so. But the minute he walked into third-period history, you’d ducked your head down and refused to peel your eyes away from your textbook, despite having no idea what the lesson was about.

You’d heard around the hallways that Steve and Billy had another altercation during the basketball scrimmage, the latter knocking the boy to the floor after taunting him the whole time. But you figured the further away from Billy you remained, the further away from another detention you were.

So instead, you avoided the boy — who at least seemed to have other, more pressing things on his mind — and made your way toward the town square, wandering around Melvald’s in search of a photo frame to replace the one most likely still shattered on Hopper’s floor.

“No Mrs. Byers today, Don?”

The elder gentleman peered up at you from where he was stood, rearranging stock by the cash register, “No, her boy isn’t well.”

“Jonathan?” You questioned, aware you hadn’t seen him at all that morning, still unable to get your house key back from his car.

“No, the little one. Will.”

Swallowing deeply, your hand froze halfway to the wooden frame. Kids get sick all the time, you tried to convince yourself. Hundreds of tests had been run on the boy since he’d been found, and he was fine. Whatever was going on had nothing to do with that place. It was November, he probably had the flu or something.

Shaking your head, you gripped the frame tight before making your way to the register to pay.

“Everything okay, Miss?”

Nodding, you placed down the money you’d had saved, not bothering to wait for your change as you rushed out of the shop, breath heaving in your chest. You just needed to be outside where the air wasn’t stale, too warm and suffocating.

The ride to the Byers’ household didn’t take long, but your stomach lurched the whole way there, making you almost certain that you were going to throw up.

Knocking on the door a few times, it didn’t take long for Joyce to answer, wide-eyed and worried.

“Hey, Mrs. Byers. I’m sorry to intrude like this but uh, I stopped by Melvald’s today and Don said Will was sick?”

You didn’t realize the woman’s dark eyes could get even wider.

Joyce stepped out, shutting the door behind her as if trying to keep Will from hearing your conversation, “He’s uh, he’s just not feeling well. He’ll be fine, though.”

Nodding, you couldn’t help but feel stupid that you hadn’t even brought anything. Instead, you’d just turned up, banging on the poor woman’s door.

Your mouth bobbed open for a moment, unsure as to what you could possibly say when Joyce interrupted you, her voice much lower than before, “Doctor Owens, the uh… the man who checks up on Will thinks it might be something called the 'Anniversary Effect'. He thinks Will's struggling because it’s so close to when everything happened last year. But I- I’m sure it’s just a bug or something.”

Joyce sent a tight smile your way as if she was begging you to believe her. To believe her that Will was absolutely fine, and it was just a sick bug. That rest and recuperation would make everything go away, and that everything would go back to normal. That if you believed, she could believe too.

But you didn’t, and you couldn’t.

“Can I… Can I just talk to him for like a second? I just… I don’t know. Wanna say hi…”

Joyce watched you with bated breath for a moment, clearly debating whether or not that was a good idea. Eventually, however, she nodded, opening the door back up and ushering you inside, “Not for long though, alright? He needs his rest.”

You stood in the doorway of Will’s room, the boy looking pale and small as always, fast asleep in bed with the window wide open, “Is it the flu, or?”

“We don’t know. He’s just… He’s not feeling well.”

Nodding, you sighed, wrapping your arms around yourself, “Have you tried a warm bath? If he has a fever-”

“He likes it cold,” Joyce repeated, her mind recycling the words her son had told her earlier, “He, uh… Thought the water was too hot.”

“Cold baths won’t break a fever. Not safely, anyway. Too much of a drop in temperature. I’m… I’m sorry, you totally know all this already. I should head out, but thanks for letting me see him.”

Joyce walked you back to the door, her eyes seeming a world away as she watched you clamber onto your bicycle, a wobbly voice stopping you before you could peddle off, “Do you… Are you okay? I mean… It’s a year for you too, right? You doing alright?”

Your eyes widened slightly, brain-wracking about for some kind of answer, eventually settling on a nod of the head as you sent back your own tight, slightly strained smile, “I’m fine, Mrs. Byers. See you soon.”

Your experience with Joyce had startled you, and you’d decided to leave replacing Hopper’s frame until Saturday morning. This time, you were much more weary of the trip wire.

Your throat felt like it was closing in on itself as you approached the cabin, the stairs creaking under your feet as you eyed the half-open door, causing your brows to pinch together. Hopper’s car was nowhere to be seen, which only meant one thing. Eleven had left. Again.

Quietly making your way around the cabin, calling the girl’s name out in vain, you stepped over the half-assed attempt at cleaning the shattered glass. Quickly changing the frame over, you couldn’t bring yourself to look into the familiar eyes of the little girl you’d never met. Hopper had never really spoken about Sara, at least not to you. But you’d seen him last night, the look in his eyes that told you his heart had been torn apart and never really quite healed. Bruised, battered, and broken, but somehow still beating.

You wondered if maybe that was why your mother and Jim had found each other in the first place, both mourning a loss that time could never quite heal.

That you could never heal.

The photograph looked almost odd, now the only thing untouched in a room shattered from top to bottom. A flower blooming in the middle of a battlefield.

Dusting off your hands on your jeans, you ignored the sound of glass crunching under your sneakers and made your way back out into the chilly Fall air. If Hopper had left this morning, then El couldn’t have gotten far. So you began your bike ride to the place you thought she’d head first.

The Wheeler residence.

Your hand slammed the door before it could close, leaning over Dustin as you sent Ted Wheeler a strained smile, “Hey, Mr. Wheeler. Is-”

“Nancy’s not home. She’s at Ally’s.”

“No, no. I’m not here for Nancy. I was wondering if Mike’s home?”

The man took you in for a second, watching as you all but gasped for air. You weren’t sure if your lungs or legs were burning more. Eventually, Mr. Wheeler rolled his eyes and repeated the same spiel he’d told the Henderson boy, “He’s at Will’s. Neither of our kids lives here anymore,” he scoffed, “Am I done here?”

Dustin sighed, shaking his head as he turned, ducking under your arm, “Son of a bitch. You’re really no help at all, you know that?”

“Hey! Language.”

You mumbled a quiet ‘thank you’ before following the boy up the path, grabbing your bike that had been haphazardly dumped next to his.

“Wait,” he turned to you before you could push off, “Why the hell are you looking for Mike?”

Your mouth bobbed open and closed a few times as you wracked your brain for an excuse before giving up, “It’s nothing, later Henderson.”

“No, no, wait! Are you busy?”

Facing the boy, you cocked a brow, “Clearly.”

“You know, you were much nicer last year-”

“And you were much less annoying last year-”

Your argument with the boy ceased as the sound of a car engine approached, pulling in against the sidewalk outside the Wheeler’s house. Turning, you recognized the car right away. Squeezing your eyes shut and tipping your head back slightly, you let out an annoyed sigh.

Steve Harrington made his way around the Beamer, one hand gripping a bouquet of red roses as the other fussed with his hair, the boy mumbling to himself the whole time.

“Steve,” Dustin approached him, causing Steve’s brows to pinch as he looked between you and the boy, “Are those for Mr. or Mrs. Wheeler?”

“No-”

“Good,” Dustin grabbed the bouquet before making his way toward the BMW, “Nancy isn’t home.”

Steve stood, watching as Dustin opened the passenger’s seat, “Where is she?”

“Doesn’t matter, we have bigger problems than your love life. Do you still have that bat?”

Shaking your head, you pushed off, only to be halted by the pre-teen, “Where the hell are you going?”

“Anywhere that isn’t here.”

“Nu-uh, it’s a code red. All hands on deck. Get in.”

“Dustin, I got shit I need to do, so-”

“I need your help, alright? I’ll explain everything when we get there, but nobody else is picking up, and I need help.”

Releasing a long, frustrated sigh, you shoved your bike back to the floor next to his own before opening the back seat and ungraciously falling in.

You could feel Steve’s puppy-dog stare every so often as he glanced at you in the rearview mirror, the two boys arguing most of the drive,

“-Because his face opened up and he ate my cat.”

Your head darted, wide eyes staring into the back of Dustin’s headrest. When he’d said he thought it was another Demogorgon, you were apprehensive. That… thing wasn’t easy to miss, and there had been no sightings, no disappearances, nothing.

Steve pulled into Dustin’s drive, shutting off the engine as the two made their way around the back of the car to grab a flashlight and the nailed bat. Eventually, you pulled yourself from the car, a million thoughts flying through your mind, all of them begging you to not take another step.

“You alright?”

Steve stood watching you, brows pinched together in concern. You hadn’t spoken since your altercation in school, and this wasn’t exactly how you planned on spending your Saturday, “I, uh… I don’t know.”

“You don’t have to do this, you know that, right? I can drop you home, sort this out myself-”

“What don’t you understand about a code red?” Dustin interrupted, shutting the open door that you were half leaning against, “All hands on deck. Now come on.”

Releasing a long, exasperated sigh, you nodded toward the boy, ducking your head down as you passed Steve and followed him into the backyard, the three of you crowding around Dustin’s locked cellar door.

“I don’t hear shit,” Steve told him before knocking on the door with his bat, “All right, listen, kid. I swear, if this is some sort of Halloween prank… you’re dead.”

“It’s not,” Dustin argued back, eyes practically closed from where Steve was pointing the flashlight directly at him, “It’s not a prank. Get it out of my face.”

Grabbing the flashlight and essentially giving Dustin back his vision, you aimed it back toward the cellar door, “You got a key for this thing?”

You and Dustin stood back as Steve opened the doors, fist wrapped tightly around the nailed bat.

“You sure you wanna do this?” Steve asked, his eyes remaining on the dark basement before peering up at you from where he sat squatting on the floor.

Chewing your lip, your eyes remained steadfast on the empty space as you reaffirmed your grip on the light, “It’s fine. I’m pretty handy with a flashlight.”

You could see the corner of Steve’s mouth pull up in your peripheral but chose to ignore it as the boy stood up.

“I’ll stay up here in case he tries to escape…” Dustin swallowed, his eyes drawn to the darkness of the door. Dart had to be down there somewhere and if he was hiding, Steve and his bat was everyone's best chance of sorting this out and keeping all their limbs.

Your heartbeat pounded in your ears as you watched Steve begin his descent, quickly following after him as your chest grazed his back, flashlight held high over his shoulder in an attempt to find this stupid giant lizard before it found you.

Steve kept the hand that wasn’t holding the bat behind him, caging you behind his body until you both reached the basement floor.

If there was any sound to be heard, you wouldn’t have been able to hear it over the sound of your own heartbeat echoing around in your ears.

Your hand gripped the back of Steve’s jacket as he led you further underground, your flashlight slowly casting light over the area until Steve tugged on the light switch. Stopping abruptly, he leaned over slightly before lifting his bat and inspecting what seemed to be a layer of skin, still dripping with some kind of goo.

“Holy shit,” you mumbled, stepping out from behind Steve for the first time and pointing the light toward the other end of the room, “Dustin? Get down here.”

The boy's sneakers sounded all too loud in the small room. He approached Steve first, his eyes focused on the end of his bat, “Oh, shit.”

“Henderson, you never said this thing could dig through walls.”

Dustin looked up to where you were pointing the flashlight, noticing the large hole in the wall that had definitely not been there before, “Oh, shit.”

Unpacking the trunk of Steve’s car, your nose twisted as you set a bucket full of raw meat down, “This is absolutely disgusting.”

“Well, if you have any better ideas, I’m all ears.”

Scoffing, you leaned against the car, pulling at the yellow rubber gloves that had already made your hands clammy, despite the cold morning air, “I didn’t say it was a bad idea, just a gross one.”

Between tossing and turning, and jumping at every little sound outside your bedroom window, you had barely slept. To say you felt grumpy would be an understatement, but you knew you wouldn’t be able to sleep again until this possible baby Demogorgon was gone. And if El had run away from the cabin, she was most likely in the woods, and you could only hope you got to her before Dart did.

So if you had to lure the Demogorgon into the junkyard by tossing pieces of raw meat that Steve had thankfully brought that morning, then so be it. But it didn’t mean you had be be happy about it.

Stomping off in front of the boys, Dustin finished his call with Lucas before joining you, the three of you kicking up leaves as you made your way along the train tracks.

“So let me get this straight,” Steve huffed, throwing out another piece of meat despite complaining for a full three minutes to use to meat sparingly, “You kept something you knew was probably dangerous in order to impress a girl who… who you just met?”

You’d been ignoring their idle conversation so far, but the comment about a new girl — most likely Max — piqued your interest.

“All right, that’s grossly oversimplifying things.”

“I mean, why would a girl like some nasty slug, anyway?”

“An interdimensional slug? Because it’s awesome.”

“Well, even if she thought it was cool, which she didn’t, I just… I don’t know. I just feel like you’re trying way too hard.”

Rolling your eyes, you threw a piece of meat down a little harder than necessary.

“Well, not everyone can have your perfect hair, all right?”

“It’s not about the hair, man. The key with girls is just… just acting like you don’t care.”

Your face scrunched up, despite knowing neither boy could see it. The last person Dustin needed girl advice from was Steve.

“Even if you do?”

“Yeah, exactly. It drives them nuts.”

Apparently, your scoff was much louder than you’d anticipated.

“What?” Steve asked, and you could already picture his eyebrows knitted together before you’d even turned around.

Walking backward, you continued to throw small chunks of meat, nose still wrinkled in revulsion as you stared him down, “That is the dumbest advice I’ve ever heard.”

“It is not-”

Turning your attention to Dustin, your tone softened slightly, “Don’t listen to Harrington for girl advice, alright?”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean? I’m great with girls.”

“You’ve had flings with half the girls at school, sure. I don’t think that constitutes as great with advice.”

“I’ve had plenty of girlfriends, actually. I mean, how many relationships have you been in? You’re not exactly an expert.”

Brow pinched together, you threw a chunk of meat a little too close to the boy’s sneaker, “I don’t have to be an expert in relationships to be an expert at girls, Harrington. You might’ve forgotten, but I am one. And that advice is bull crap.”

“Well, it’s worked for me, hasn’t it?”

“Oh, sure. I mean, that’s why you’re out here with us, right?” You watched as Steve’s Adam’s apple bobbed, the annoyance from his face draining slightly as he watched you, hurt in his eyes.

Refusing to give in, you quickly spun back around, “Just take my advice, Henderson. If a guy acts like he doesn’t care, we’re gonna presume he doesn’t, and that’s not cute.”

Dustin was quiet for a moment as he considered his options. You were, in fact, a girl. But Steve did have a reputation in town that even he’d heard of. Girls in his grade fawned over the idiot, as did their mother’s. So, leaning in a little closer, Dustin dropped his voice, “So then what? After you act like you don’t care?”

“You just wait until, uh… until you feel it.”

“Feel what?”

Sighing, Steve resumed throwing the meat pieces, his own voice a little quieter in an attempt to keep you and your wrong opinions out of his conversation. He didn’t know much, but Steve definitely knew how to get the girl,

“It’s like before it’s gonna storm, you know? You can’t see it, but you can feel it, like this, uh… electricity, you know?”

“Oh, like in the electromagnetic field when the clouds in the atmosphere-”

“No, no, no, no… Like a… Like a sexual electricity.”

“Oh.”

Steve threw another chunk of meat on the path, doing his best to avoid stepping on the pieces you’d already thrown, “You feel that, and then you make your move.”

“So that’s when you kiss her?”

“No, whoa, whoa. Slow down, Romeo.”

“Sorry…”

“Sure, okay, some girls, yeah… They want you to be aggressive. You know, strong, hot, and heavy, like a… Like a, I don’t know… Like a lion. But others, you gotta be slow, you gotta be stealthy… Like a… Like a ninja.”

“What type do you think she is?” Dustin questioned, his head tipping toward you slightly, causing Steve’s brows to pull together in thought.

“I, uh… I don’t know. I don’t think she even knows.”

The boys watched you for a moment as you haphazardly threw the meat slices in front of you, mouth still twisted in disgust at the copper-like smell invading your nostrils from the raw meat, but your head was tipped upward slightly, no longer concerned with their conversation and instead focused on your surroundings. On alert, almost.

“What about Nancy?”

Steve turned toward the younger boy, brows pinched slightly, “She’s uh… Nancy’s different. She’s different than the other girls.”

“Yeah, she seems pretty special, I guess.”

“Yeah, she is.”

Dustin let out a long sigh, his mind still clouded with confusion that could only be felt by a preteen, “But this girl’s special, too, you know? It’s just, like, something about her.”

Steve stopped the boy in his tracks, remembering at the last minute to not touch his jacket with his blood-covered gloves, “Whoa, whoa… Hey, you’re not falling in love with this girl, are you?”

“Uh, no. No.”

Steve watched him closely for a moment, not quite believing him, “Okay, good. Don’t.”

“I won’t.”

“She’s only gonna break your heart, and you’re way too young for that shit.”

“Hey losers,” you called out, once again walking backward, “If you wanna reach the junkyard before nightfall, you need to move. You can have your lady's luncheon after... If we survive tonight.”

You turned back around quickly, slipping on one of the damp wooden slacks as the boys picked up their pace. Steve sent Dustin a sideward glance and couldn’t help but feel a slight stab in his chest at the boy's downcast eyes.

“Faberge.”

“What?”

“It’s Faberge Organics,” Steve told him, pointing a glove at his hair as the two continued to try and catch you up.

Making your way into the junkyard you tipped the remaining meat into a large pile, turning when you heard a familiar voice call out,

“I said medium-well.”

Your eyebrows pulled up when you spotted the redhead next to Lucas, a strained, slightly shy smile on her face as the two made their way over.

“Who’s that?” Steve questioned, watching as Dustin watched the girl closely, eyes softening with a slight glint of sadness. And without an answer, Steve knew.

“Max? What the hell are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” she sighed, looking around at the yard, “I mean… You said to make friends with them.”

Shrugging, nodded your head toward the large piles of junk, “Fair. Let’s get started.”

The decision had been made. You were to lure the Demogorgon to the junkyard and set it on fire whilst you all took refuge in the abandoned school bus that you were currently boarding up. It wasn’t a half-bad plan, but you still felt a little too over your head.

Placing a large sheet of metal down next to the bus, you held your hand to your chest, flexing the still bruised and sore knuckles that had connected with Billy’s face.

Taking a deep breath, you bent down and grabbed the sheet again, halting halfway back up when you spotted the half-dead grass, a barely there stain covering it. Swallowing deeply, your hands began to shake as flashbacks of last year hit you full force, the memories of the heavy lead pipe in your shaking grip, the sound of it connecting to a skull. The sound of the man dropping to the floor.

“You alright?”

Steve had been casually keeping an eye on you as he helped barricade the bus, noting how you suddenly went stock still, eyes drawn to the grass below your sneakers. When you didn’t respond, he placed a gentle hand on your shoulder, giving you a small shake,

“Hey… What’s up? Your hand hurting?”

“It’s none of your business, Harrington.” You scoffed, shaking your head in an attempt to physically remove the memories from your mind, busying your shaking hands by gripping the metal sheet tighter and handing it to Lucas before wandering back through the yard in search of anything else to help.

Steve stood, hands on hips, watching as you stormed off, kicking a can as you went. Max watched, and despite not having much more daylight, the Autumn sun was still bright enough to make her squint slightly,

“What did you do?”

Steve sent her an unamused glance, eyebrows pinching together in offense, “What makes you think I did something wrong?”

“You’re a guy,” Max shrugged before calling out your name and wandering over to help you carry a large wooden ladder.

By the time night fell, you were all securely tucked away in the school bus, Lucas sat atop with his binoculars awaiting any sign of Dart.

Steve sat flicking his lighter open and closed, the soft tinkering sound scratched against your brain in a way that made you want to throw both him and the lighter out of the window. Instead, you remained seated, feet pulled up on the seat next to you as you checked out your hand in the small amount of light left inside the bus.

“So, you really fought one of these things before?” Max asked, her brow cocked slightly as she watched Steve dubiously. At first, she’d assumed Lucas was lying, or at best, exaggerating.

Steve’s eyes met the girls before drifting over to yours, watching as you swallowed thickly and pulled the front of your jacket together subconsciously.

When Steve nodded, Max continued, “And you’re like, totally 100% sure it wasn’t a bear?”

“Shit, don’t be an idiot, okay? It wasn’t a bear. Why are you even here if you don’t believe us? Just go home.” Dustin interrupted, pacing back and forth.

“Henderson, be nice.” You mumbled, sending him a glare. Clearly, he was taking Steve’s advice this time.

Max, with raised brows at the sheer audacity of Dustin’s attitude, scoffed as she stood, making her way toward the ladder where Lucas was still perched as a lookout, “Geesh. Someone’s cranky. Past your bedtime?”

“That’s good, show her you don’t care,” Steve mumbled once the girl was out of sight.

Dustin stood with his hands in his jacket pocket, guilt obvious on his face, “I don’t… Why are you winking, Steve? Stop.”

Shaking your head at the two idiots, you leaned back against the covered window looking toward the roof.

“Is it still hurting?”

Finally meeting Steve’s eyes, you flexed your hand as you studied it, “Kinda.”

“Here, let me see,” Steve pushed himself upward, pocketing his lighter and knocking your knees, hinting at you to move your feet to allow him to sit down.

Apprehensively, you placed your hand into Steve’s outstretched one, eyes boring into him as he turned your hand over a few times, fingers grazing the bruised knuckles, eyes jumping to meet yours when he touched a too-tender bit of skin, “Does that hurt?”

Biting back a sardonic response, you simply nodded, now avoiding his caramel eyes. Steve closed and opened your hand a few times before placing your hand back onto your lap, “I think it’s fine. Probably just bruised but… I don’t think it’s broken.”

Sighing, you held your hand against your chest again, “Nobody ever told me it hurt so much to punch someone.”

“Yeah, well… I’m usually on the other end of a fist, so…”

You felt the corners of your mouth pull up as you finally met his eyes, “I mean, between you and Jonathan, it was like watching two stray cats fight. Pretty embarrassing on both fronts.”

A small laugh escaped Steve as he swiveled slightly on the seat, facing forward, “Yeah well, it wasn’t exactly my finest hour.”

Your leg bounced — thigh brushing against Steve’s own — as you picked at your cuticles, causing the boy to return his attention your way, “You didn’t have to come, you know? We would’ve… I would’ve understood if this was too much for you.”

Placing your hand down on top of your thigh to physically stop it moving, you shrugged, eyes gazing over Dustin who was still pacing, “Wasn’t really an option… I couldn’t leave them to deal with it alone. Couldn’t leave you to deal with it alone, either. Especially after you came back last year, you know?”

Since last year, neither you nor Steve had brought up the Demogorgon attack that left you forever scarred, and you’d really been naive enough to hope that it was a one-time situation. Like Hell wouldn’t rip itself a new asshole and start all of this shit again. You wanted nothing more than to lock your door and hide yourself away, the childish false sense of security that only came from hiding under your blanket — or in your case, the closet — but you couldn’t leave these kids to face that thing alone.

And as you said, Steve came back, and without him, you’d most likely have faced a similar fate to Barb that night. This Demogorgon would have to rip those kids from your cold, dead hands before you’d let it get to them.

“I uh, I heard about your fight with Nancy. At Tina’s party…” you watched as Steve ducked his head, gnawing on his bottom lip, “People fight all the time, alright? You shouldn’t let one drunken fight at some stupid Halloween party ruin your relationship. The roses were a nice touch. I’m sure she’ll love them.”

Steve shifted in his seat, a long, exasperated sigh falling from his lips, “We’ve been pretty on and off since last year.”

Your brows shot up toward your hairline, that was news to you, “I’m sure it’ll be fine, Steve.”

But the boy shook his head, a far-off look in his caramel-colored eyes, “Tommy said he saw her ditching school with Jonathan. Nobody’s seen them since Thursday…”

“Yeah, well… Tommy’s a grade-A dickhead. I wouldn’t pay any attention to him.”

“Easier said than done,” Steve sent you a strained smile, lips pressed tightly together, “I don’t know… Nancy and I, we argue a lot but… Not like this.”

You watched him for a moment, his downcast eyes unable to hold your gaze, “What happened?”

Before Steve could respond, a loud, shrill shriek was heard throughout the junkyard… Dart was here.

Rushing toward the window, you peered through looking for any sign of movement, but the late evening fog had rolled in, distorting your vision, “Guys? What’s going on?”

Moving toward the ladder, Dustin took your place, mumbled words exchanged between himself and Steve as the elder boy continued to search for the Demogorgon.

“I’ve got eyes! 10 o’clock!”

“There,” Steve pointed a finger through the makeshift grate.

“What’s he doing?” Dustin questioned, watching as Dart sniffed around, but remained hidden in the fog, a low-pitched growl echoing around you.

“He’s not taking the bait… Why is he not taking the bait?”

“Maybe he’s not hungry…” Dustin offered, his heart beating so loud it was ricocheting in his ears.

“Maybe he’s sick of cow…”

Your head snapped round, no longer concerning yourself with Max and Lucas who were still perched on the roof, eyes connecting with Steve’s as he pulled away from the window and turned toward you, “Don’t even think about it, Harrington. I swear to God-”

But it was too late, and your words were lost on the boy who’d already made up his mind, nailed bat in his grip as he ignored Dustin’s calls along with your glare, throwing the boy his lighter, “Just get ready.”

Your body froze as you watched him exit the bus, the door creaking as it slid back into place, only moving to grip the grating that covered the window so you could watch the boy’s every move with bated breath.

If Dart didn’t kill him, you just might.

Steve whistled as he made his way further into the fog and further from the safety of the bus.

Rushing down the rickety ladder, Max appeared by your side, “What’s he doing?”

“Expanding the menu,” Dustin shrugged, eyes peeled on Steve and his surroundings, voice full of wonder and awe.

Taking Max’s place atop the bus, you mumbled to Lucas to get back inside, but the boy was as defiant as you remembered, binoculars attached to his face as he watched Steve goad Dart.

“Human tastes better than cat, I promise.”

Eyebrows pinched together, you let out a shaky breath, “I swear to god, I’m gonna kill him. I’m going to drag him back into this bus by his damn hair, and kill him myself.”

Your back straightened, feeling like the oxygen had been punched out of you as the creature appeared from the fog on all fours, a much smaller version of the Demogorgon you’d encountered last year, but still much bigger than Dustin had last seen him as.

If he was malting, shedding his skin, you had no doubt in your mind that this… thing, was going to end up exactly as the one last year had.

You wanted to squeeze your eyes shut, to lock yourself back in the bus and allow the panic attack that was nipping at your heels to enshroud you. Pretend this isn’t happening and wait it out until it was all over.

But Steve was still out there, face to face with a monster, and you couldn’t peel your eyes away from the scene.

Shuffling back, you drew in another shaky breath, eyes darting around the junkyard, hoping there was something that you could use to assist the boy, but knowing you weren’t that brave. Not with those things. And then you saw it. Saw them.

“Holy shit. Lucas… Lucas, over there!” The boy turned, jumping slightly as he saw not one, but two more Demogorgons.

Sharing a look with you, the boy called down, “Steve, watch out!”

“A little busy here!” The boy called back, refusing to take his eyes off the beast in front of him. One wrong move, and he’d be in scraps on the floor.

“Harrington, you need to get back here now.”

Steve straightened his back slightly, turning toward you when a movement to his right captured his attention.

“Steve!” Dustin called, rushing to the front of the bus where he opened the door, “Abort! Abort!”

A loud growl could be heard before Steve had even managed to consider moving, one of the Demogorgons ran toward him on all four legs. Managing to roll over the trunk of an abandoned car, Steve swung his bat as the rest of the monsters began to rush him.

You rushed down the ladder and back into the bus with Lucas on your heel, and shoved your way past Max and Dustin, both calling the older boy’s name as he began his sprint back towards the sanctuary of the bus, which in hindsight wouldn’t be able to keep the monsters out for long.

Steve met you at the door, your hand connecting with the lapel of his jacket to help haul him inside as Dustin hit the door lever, the sound of the metal clanging as the monster ran head first into it, unable to fully come to a stop.

Managing to turn in your grip, the momentum from Steve sent you both backward and the boy used his long legs to press against the door as the monster began to ram itself against it in an attempt to gain entry.

“Are they rabid or something?” Max asked, more confused than ever.

Managing to grab a sheet of metal from the windshield, Steve held it against the door and pressed against it with his feet once more as Lucas and Dustin continued to yell behind you. The bus lurched, a clear sign the other Demogorgons were now attacking the bus as you shoved Steve forward, rolling out from under him,

“Get to the back, and stay low.” You barely sent the kids a glance as you began to look around the bus for anything to use as a weapon whilst Steve began to whack at the monster who’d managed to get a claw through the metal sheet.

Dustin grabbed his radio, shouting for help from anyone who would listen, until a large claw hit at the back door, denting it in the shape of its hand.

“Shit!” Dustin yelled, trying his radio once more, “We’re at the old junkyard, and we are going to die!”

You didn’t bother to berate him, nor did you bother to hold out any hope that someone would be able to help, too focused on pressing your back against a large hunk of metal that was keeping one of the monsters outside, hoping to God it wouldn’t pierce through both the metal and yourself.

A loud banging could be heard from the roof, and it took you a second too long to remember that the ladder was still in place, giving whatever was on the roof free access to get inside. Max, who was standing almost directly under the gap let out an ear-piercing scream as the monster growled at her, and you felt absolutely helpless as you stood against the door, constantly slamming your full body weight back into it, trying in vain to keep the monster out.

Steve, thankfully, was quicker than you, and rushed toward the ladder, shoving Max out of his way and into safety as the demogorgon looked down on him, mouth wide open as it continued to growl.

“You want some? Come get this!” Steve shouted with the bat raised high and ready to attack.

Your brows pulled together in confusion as the clanging against the door stopped, no longer shoving into your back. Steve had also frozen, his once protective stance relaxing ever so slightly as he watched the monster peer over its own shoulder, no longer interested in the 5-piece human nugget meal that was on offer inside the bus.

You heard one last growl before the bus shook once more, the monster leaping from it. You could hear the growls of the other monsters, but they seemed to be getting quieter and more distant. But you still couldn’t find it in yourself to push away from the door, too scared that they were just playing with their food.

You all stood in a tense silence for a moment, eventually realizing that for some reason, the monsters had left. Sucking in a long, deep breath you tried to blink away the tears that lined your eyes as you focused on the driver's seat in front of you.

Steve approached you much like he would a wounded animal, steps light and eyes soft and wide as he appeared in front of you, bat still in his grip but no longer protectively raised, “Hey, it’s alright. They’ve gone. We’re okay.”

Your breath released a little too shaky for your own liking, but as the adrenaline left your body, you began to shake, still too afraid to step away from the door.

Steve’s eyes only narrowed as they took you in, scanning your body for any injuries you might’ve had that could cause you to suddenly become mute. Once he was certain you weren’t going to end up bleeding out in the back of his Beamer once again, he placed his bat on the driver’s seat and stepped into your space, eyes finding yours as he ducked his head slightly.

Stepping forward, you ignored the clattering of metal as the sheet you had been holding up fell to the floor, chest bumping against Steve’s as you pulled him into a tight hug, nails digging slightly into his shoulders as your arms wrapped around him. Steve’s eyebrows shot up toward his hairline, shock evident on his soft features as he stood frozen for just a moment before finally wrapping his own arms around you, one hand rubbing up and down your back in an attempt to soothe you.

“I need to uh, I need to go check they’re gone. Just stay here, alright?” Steve’s words were murmured into your hair as he slowly untangled himself from you, pulling back and gazing down at you until you nodded, “I’ll be right back.”

Steve stepped off the bus as silently as he could — which considering there was scrap metal everywhere wasn’t all that quiet — with his bat raised, ready to strike but hoping he wouldn’t have to. Once the coast was finally clear, the rest of you trailed out behind him.

“What happened?” Lucas asked, eyes still darting around the junkyard just in case.

“Steve scared ‘em off?”

“No,” Steve sighed, turning to face the group, “No way. They’re going somewhere.”

#steve harrington fanfic #steve harrington fanfiction #steve harrington x reader #stranger things fanfiction #steve harrington x you #stranger things fanfic #stranger things fic #steve harrington fic #steve harrington smut

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jjsanguine · 8 months

Text

Rules: list 10 of your comfort shows and then tag 10 people

Tagged by @bengiyo . I actually don't rewatch shows very often, or at least not the same ones every time, but here's some shows I've watched a lot of in no particular order.

Alien Biospheres. This is a YouTube series but I've watched it a lot. If you watched James Cameron's Avatar and don't care about the plot but would watch a documentary on how they designed the creatures + plants this is the webseries for you. If you like spec bio then I would also recommend Serina.

Cherry Magic. I write songs for fun and my life is too boring to be great inspiration, so most of them reference scenarios in shows I'm watching that I find funny or just stick with me for some reason. Kurosawa's personality inspired one of my best ones.

Coffee Prince. This got me into kdrama + so much of it still holds up. Like, remember how homophobic the 2000s were? That's a feat.

The King's Affection. This is like the best girl disguises as a guy kdrama since Coffee Prince, and I watched a lot of them before I figure out I was nonbinary. I was glued to my seat. My writing project @the-prince-is-not-a-woman was partially inspired by me watching this so many times.

Mortel. It's like this show was made for me. Vodun, found family, polyamorus subtext, mystery, despising someone but having noone else to turn to, trauma, comedy, banger music. It was made by Netflix though, so of course it was cancelled on a cliffhanger.

Power Rangers 2017. This film is objectively goofy but I love it so much. Billy was the first explicitly autistic character I think I saw ever, and he set my expectations for canonically autistic characters high.

Extraordinary Attorney Woo. Apart from being a good show, Attorney Woo is the only other character on my list of canonically autistic characters that I like, which is funny because both attorney Woo and Billy were played by allistic actors.

The Path. I enjoyed seasons 1 & 2 but I've rewatched season 3 many times for my baby Caleb. I talked about a pastor's son and he's like the perfect example. If the show hadn't tragically been cancelled I would have loved to see what they did with his character, because after leaving his family for his boyfriend and by extension his boyfriend's daddy's apocalypse adjacent cult (which is a positive if you can believe it) socially speaking he was essentially in the same position he started off in, minus worrying about homophobia. He could have blossomed or spiralled, who knows. That's quality side character creation. This show also inspired the list "cheating on your girlfriend with your wife" which has to be the best of my lists of niche tropes.

Triage: time travel and time loop stories can so easily swerve into being terrible when there isn't enough thought put into the time travel mechanic but when they're good they're really good.

Shelter 2007: so many of the queer films I watched as a teenager were depressing, I could have given up on ql entirely if I didn't watch this heartwarming film.

Honourable mentions:

Be My Favourite. It finished airing literally 2 months ago so it really hasn't had time to gain the status of old reliable but yeah. I've watched episode 1 probably 10 times at this point, because I would pore over the whole show waiting for the next episode. I was writing essays.

Nowhere Boys: I love forced proximity + conspirationality. It's one of the reasons I love Mortel. It's a quality teen drama.

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Chat Noir, aka Miraculous Ladybug. This show is my Riverdale. It's ridiculous and I don't recommend it and I can't watch the english dub because I'd cringe too much so I watch it in French, but I started watching when I was like 15 so I'm locked in forever. It keeps dragging me back.

Going to try my hand at actually tagging people so,,,

@anotherlovr @writerwithoutsound @dudeyuri @irritablebovinesyndrome @gillianthecat @threezoz @sparklyeyedhimbo @respectthepetty @one-ghogh@heretherebedork

#tag game #alien biospheres #cherry magic #coffee prince #the kings affection #mortel #power rangers 2017 #extraordinary attorney woo #the path hulu #triage #shelter 2007 #be my favourite #nowhere boys #miraculous ladybug

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dreamlandcreations · 2 years

Text

I never had anyone

Billy Russo x half-sister!Reader

Summary: Your influential grandmother has been looking for a match for your transplantation and cannot be stopped by pesky little things like law or privacy...

Warnings: I have no idea what type of disease reader has to justify the need for a liver transplant, Billy is a real asshole at first, reader is described to resemble Billy, reader and Billy have at least a decade of age difference in my mind but it's not mentioned in here

note: I might make this into a series 🤔

• Billy Russo masterlist • Main Masterlist • Moodboards masterlist•

Billy wants to hate you, give in to his darkest thoughts and ignore the request, then the bribing attempts and then the begging of your proud grandmother. His grandmother. The woman who gave life to a father he never knew.

Your parents were dead, you had no siblings - that you knew of - and the few cousins you had were no match. So your grandma, who has been taking care of you since your parents' accident, took matters into her own hands and had her people search every database available to man. And found a near-perfect match.

William Russo.

Billy was in his last year in the service when he was called back from active duty to the nearest base to the hospital you were practically living in at this point. He was enraged when he found out. He refused to see you or your grandmother but she had her ways.

One day she was waiting for him at the office of his superior with none other than Frank Castle. It took his brother to convince Billy to do the right thing. Sort of. The really nice amount on a private bank account he was offered was the only thing he had in front of him through the whole ordeal. But Frank didn't know about that, he was too busy trying to talk his stubborn brother out of the only condition he knew of the deal. Billy never wanted to ever see you or hear from you again.

You weren't supposed to know about him but you were just as resourceful when you wanted something as your grandma. And you knew a match like that had to be related to you so you had suspicions that were confirmed by the doctor you tricked into spilling the info.

The surgery went well, on your part at least. Your donor had some complications.

Billy woke up a few days after the surgery, finding a pair of dark eyes on him. Just as dark as his own. His jaw ticked as he sat up painfully slow, staring you down angrily while you roll closer in the wheelchair you kinda stole so you could see him.

"You are not supposed to be here," he grumbles.

"I know."

"You weren't supposed to."

"What are you gonna do about it? Take back your liver?" You raise your eyebrows at him with an all-too-familiar smirk gracing your features.

He huffs, trying to hide his own smile as most of his anger and resentment fade in an instant.

Castle finds you two playfully bickering and his heart bursts at the thought that Billy finally wouldn't be alone. Because as much as Frank likes to call Billy his brother or his family, he knew that some part of that little orphan boy was holding back on him and doesn't matter how much either or both of them mean those words, it would never be the same as the bound that Billy yearned for his entire life.

• Billy Russo masterlist • Main Masterlist • Moodboards masterlist•

#billy russo #billy russo x reader #billy russo x you #❤️‍🩹#✨#billy russo x sister!reader

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lowaltitude · 2 years

Text

Caffeine | Eddie Munson, Coffee Shop AU

— Stranger Things.

— One shot.

— x Reader (Y/N)

❪ FEM! she/her ❫ ❪ prompt: ‘I write a bad pick up line on your cup every time i’m your barista’ AU ❫

───── ❝ description + disclaimer ❞ ─────

𖥻 Eddie Munson x FEM!reader, Coffee Shop AU, in which Edward “Eddie” Munson is the barista who’s casual flirty remarks you can’t seem to just brush off as nothing more than banter. OR in which Eddie‘s temporary job making coffee became a delight when he began flirting with a regular costumer

𖥻 No connection to Stranger Things series timeline. Ending is rushed as I lost inspiration. 5.5k words

𖥻 2023 rewrite here

───── ❝ ❞ ─────

As I sat in the small coffee shop on the outskirts of town, I found my attention wandering from the book I had been trying to read.

Having reread the same sentence at least 59 times, my mind was preoccupied with the new barista. I had frequented this coffee shop regularly since starting high school, and never once had I guessed Eddie Munson would end up working here. Let alone imagine myself staring in awe as he was being trained.

His long curly hair was pulled back, tied into a bun with a few loose curls springing out and falling on his face every so often. I was watching intently as he learned how the coffee machine worked, and the regular barista trained him.

She had no idea that she was currently teaching the ‘freak, outcast’ Eddie Munson how to make a cappuccino, or that he usually made his money selling drugs in the woods behind the high school. It didn’t seem like he had shut out his personality for this position, Eddie had a Dungeons & Dragons pin next to his name badge on his apron, proudly showing off one of his interests. I felt the ends of my lips quirk upwards as he spilled some milk, cursing under his breath and his voicing carrying across the almost empty shop.

“Y/N” The barista called, snapping me out of my thoughts

“Yeah?” I almost croaked, Eddie was never someone I actively spent time looking at. For the past few years all I’d seen and heard was girls fawning over Steve Harrington or Billy Hargrove, so I’d never taken notice that Eddie was someone I would find so attractive. His reputation proceeded him.

“Do you need a new drink?” The girl gestured towards Eddie, who was still focused on the milk frother, and I closed my book. “Eddie” She said, catching the boys attention as I got to the counter. “Your first customer”

“Right” The boy turns around completely, his eyes locking on mine and making my mouth begin to feel dry.

I had never been in a class with Eddie, he was a year above me. Technically, he was two years older than me, but was about to be in the same class as I was since I’d heard he failed senior year once again and had to retake it for the third time.

“Good afternoon” The boy greeted. His badge said ‘Edward’ but I had never heard anyone call him that, and it seemed like if I did call him that he would repeatedly tell me his name was in fact Eddie.

Putting his hands either side of the register he waited for me to decide on my order, even though I almost always went back to getting the same drink. His coworker idly standing beside him and smiling at me, she already knew what I would be getting since it was always her that served me.

“Large iced coffee” I sighed, looking at the pastries in the display “And that donut”

I pressed my finger against the glass, the pink sprinkle donut seemed to call to me.

Eddie let out a low chuckle as he grabbed the donut and I watched with excitement. He slipped the donut into a paper bag and held it out of me, I stared at his hand for a second before reaching for it.

He flinched as my hand brushed against his and I took the donut, passing him the money. I looked up to smile at him, feeling his eyes pour into mine. The most gorgeous brown I had ever seen, they were as sweet as chocolate and as solid as the oak.

“Um, a name for the order?” He rushed, looking back down and fumbling to pick up a plastic cup.

“Y/N” I smiled, holding back my laughter “I’m a regular, get used to this face”

“Of course” Eddie said, writing my name on the cup. A single curl of hair fell loose and slipped down his forehead, the owners must have forced him to tie his hair back because I had never seen it out of his face before. “It’ll be ready soon”

“Thanks” My voice comes out almost a whisper, taking a few steps back and shuffling to my table. Internally groaning at my embarrassment.

Eddie wasn’t as classically attractive as Steve, or as infamous for his way with women as Billy. And honestly the only things I knew about him weren’t extremely positive.

But I knew he was in charge on the D&D club, and that he played guitar. One of his friends was my classmate Gareth Emerson but we’d only talked once when paired for an English assignment.

I liked Gareth, he seemed really nice and was fun to be around, but people were constantly harassing him as if he was beneath them.

Eddie called out my name, he didn’t have to speak very loud because it was only a small establishment and it was never very busy.

I was hoping the fresh coffee would allow me to focus back on my studies, I was doing fine when I got here after school but lost track the second I saw Eddie walk though the door. Leather jacket on and a flannel tied around his waist.

He pushed the iced coffee across the counter and dug his hands into his pockets as I approached the counter again. Picking up my drink, I furrow my eyebrows and look at the cardboard slip around the cup as I look at a crudely written message.

Oh, can you feel that? There is definitely something brewing between us.

I stare at it for a few seconds my eyes flicking between the message and Eddie’s face a couple times. He swallows hard and clears his throat, turning on his heels and pretending to do something else.

Putting the straw to my lips and spinning on my toes, I go back to my table and ‘hit the books’. Eddie had made a decent cup of coffee for his first order, and he made it very personal by writing a cheesy pick up line on it.

After tapping my pen on my open notebook for another 5 minutes I accepted that I wouldn’t be finishing me essay today.

‘Definitely something brewing between us.’ What did it mean? I know it was a coffee pun but he had reacted when our hands touched so maybe it was more than just a random remark, although i’m sure he wasn’t interested too much in girls right now.

I closed my books, there was three weeks until summer so I didn’t need to start thinking about boys now. I needed to get all my work done so that I could relax and enjoy myself, with the new Starcourt Mall opening I’d be able to have a summer that didn’t feel like I was in some small town.

After pushing everything into my backpack and picking up my half finished drink I got up and swung my bag over my shoulder.

“Bye” I sighed, tiredly waving to the baristas as they wiped down the counter. The bell above the door jingled as I left.

As I got close to my house, the sun dipped was almost completely gone and so was my coffee. I opened the lid of the trash can, looking at the cardboard sleeve and taking it off, tucking it in my back pocket before dropping the plastic cup in and going inside.

───── ❝ ❞ ─────

A week and a half had passed since Eddie had started at the coffee shop, and as the days went on he had started to pick up more shifts, and each time he would write something new on the cup.

Words are not enough to espresso how cute you are.

Do you need more sugar or am I sweet enough?

I’ve thinking about you a latte.

I had started to slip the sleeve into my bag before leaving, and kept them in my desk draw at home so that I wouldn’t loose them. I knew they didn’t actually mean anything but they made me feel special. I wasn’t sure if he wrote on everyone’s orders or just mine since I never saw anyone else’s cups. Eddie and I had seen each other at school a few times since, he would be at the lunch table with his friends and we’d sometimes make eye contact as I passed by but nothing ever came of it. Desperately wanting to say something to him on days he looked indisputably happy or just really really cute.

I tucked my books tightly under my arm, adjusting the backpack on my shoulder and yawning as I got closer to the small coffee shop.

Walking up to the door, the small bell jingled as I entered. I gave my best smile to the familiar faces, trying to hide how unexplainably tired I was. How on earth I was still yawning at 4pm was beyond me. It wasn’t even as if my day was very exhausting, all I did was go to class and sit in the library during free periods.

Dropping my bag at the foot of a small table, I put my books down and fish out my wallet. “Afternoon” I yawned, rubbing my eye as I got to the counter.

“Good afternoon” Eddie smiled at me, grabbing a cup and already putting my name on it.

“Can I get an extra shot today? I feel like i’ve been hit by a land speeder”

Eddie laughed “So you’re a Star Wars geek, wouldn’t have guessed”

“Oh? Why’s that?“

Eddie’s eyes drift up and down slowly as he looks at me and a smile appears on his face.

I watch him shrug as I look down at the money in my hands, letting my hair fall over my face so that he couldn’t see me blush. After passing him the money I sit back at my table, opening my textbook and beginning to write notes, only looking up again when I hear the bell above the door chime. None other than the infamous Steve Harrington walked in, he wasn’t as bad as some people made it seem. I had tutored Steve for a short period of time a few months ago, we probably could have been friends if he wasn’t about to graduate.

He looked around, giving me a small enthusiastic wave before going to the counter. Steve was obviously not expecting to see Eddie working here, it was noticeable in how stiff he became while ordering a drink to-go.

“Y/N” Eddie said, putting the cup on the counter for me. I got up happily and went to grab it, politely greeting Steve.

Steve smiled “Good to see you”

“Yeah, you too” I nod, awkwardly tapping my fingers on my cup. I was itching to find out what Eddie had written. “You were looking for a job weren’t you? Find anything?”

“I did actually, you’re looking at a professional frozen dessert sales associate” He smirked and pulled at the collar of his shirt.

“So, you sell… ice cream?”

“Yeah” He sighed “Scoops Ahoy, at the new mall”

“I’ll visit you sometime” I smile, watching Eddie put a cup down for Steve.

“Thanks, man” Steve nods to Eddie, picking up the hot beverage and looking back to me. I thought it was odd, the summer heat was setting in but Steve had still chosen to go for a hot coffee and nothing else. “I’ll see you later”

Steve practically rushed out the door, the other barista appearing out of nowhere. “Who’s that?”

I jump putting my hand over my heart “Jesus— You scared me”

“He was so cute” She gushed

“Steve? I mean, yeah he’s cute. But I don’t think of him like that, he’s just some guy I used to tutor” I glance at Eddie, watching as he puts new pastries in the display.

“Hot and stupid? That’s my kind of guy”

“I’m sure he’d be into it if you asked him out” I shrugged and went back to my table, looking at the message on the cup with excitement filling me.

This must be decaf, cause you’re just dreamy!

My attention was on my books for at least a good hour until I started to feel the heat. Even with the air conditioning running in here and as much ice water as the staff could continue to hand me, I was feeling like I was about to melt.

Eddie groaned, finally caving and taking off his leather jacket. He continued to wipe down the table and I couldn’t help but stare at him, the shirt he wore was form fitting and the short sleeves revealed some tattoos. A guitar pick necklace falling from under his collar.

Biting down on my lip I tried to stop myself from looking at him, he wasn’t even doing anything that I could say was ‘sexy’ he just looked good doing regular activities.

My study notes now prominently featured a sketch of one of his tattoos, I’m not sure exactly was the tattoo was of but it seemed to be a mythical creature on his upper arm. I had focused on it for too long that I hadn’t even noticed when I’d started to doodle on my page.

“Do you want some more water?” Eddie asked, making me look up from my paper to him at the counter.

“No, thank you, i’m good” I flipped the page, closing my book and shoving it in my bag before standing. “I’ll see you Monday” I kept my head down, feeling like if I looked at Eddie again I would actually melt. Just go completely weak in the knees and fall right on the floor. His hair frizzy from the humidity, skin sparkling with small droplets of sweat and cheeks rosy.

As I walked back towards my house, I drummed my hands on my thighs, staring mindlessly at the orange sky and listening to the birds as loud music from a nearby car approached.

“Hey!” I heard, picking up the pace and looking down at my feet as the mysterious car slowed down alongside me. “Y/N, wait” Looking at the car, I stopped walking and noticed the driver was Eddie. “Do you need a ride somewhere?”

“I think i’m okay, I always walk home” Some part of me wanted to get in the car with him, just listen to his music and talk with him for a little while. He seemed like such an interesting person, and I somewhat craved more time with him, wanting to know him instead of the person I had seen him as before.

“It’s hot, and about to get dark. Come on” Something about his voice as he finished his sentence made my stomach flip. His voice was coarse and a little authoritative. Eddie leaned across to the passenger side, opening the door on his white van and I hesitated before climbing in. Putting my bag at my feet, I buckled my seatbelt and avoided looking at him.

“Thank you, Eddie”

“Where do you live?” He asked, driving forward again and turning his stereo system down a little.

“The stupid rich people culdesac in Loch Nora” Eddie laughed, but he knew exactly where I meant. I knew Eddie lived with his uncle in the trailer park, I didn’t think less of him for it. I appreciated how privileged I was, my family being able to afford the ‘nice neighbourhood’ here in Hawkins.

I hated living in the culdesac though. Every Friday night there was a pot luck and all the parents would attend, and on Tuesdays there was a neighbourhood watch meeting. The only time the street was lively was Halloween, kids knew everyone around here had enough money to just give away full sized candy bars. But god forbid anyone in my neighbourhood did anything actually fun, the slightest amount of noise and you were snubbed.

“I didn’t know you and the Steve Harrington were friends” Eddie said, breaking the silence

“He’s actually pretty cool. Wouldn’t say we’re friends, maybe friendly acquaintances”

“You’re not, like, his new girlfriend or something?”

“God, no.” I scoff “Steve’s great but, wow, I would never live up to that Nancy Wheeler standard.” Eddie pulled on to my street and I pointed out which house was mine, picking up my bag and raising an eyebrow at the paper now stuck to it. “Corroded Coffin live?”

“That’s just my band”

“You’re in a band?! That’s so cool” I gush looking at him

“Y-Yeah it is” A smile slowly breaks out on his face, he’s quite for a moment. The pair of us just staring at one another with stupid grins plastered on our faces. “You can come see us if you want, you know Gareth right? He’s the drummer”

“I’d love to come”

“Keep the flyer then. And I’ll see you Sunday, I guess” I nod and hold the flyer to my chest as I stumble out of the car, Eddie waits until i’ve closed the front door behind me. Turning his music back up and driving off, leaving me standing inside and staring at the flyer in hand.

Had I just been invited to hang out with the D&D club outside of school?

───── ❝ ❞ ─────

After borrowing my family car, I just parked in front of the coffee shop since it was right next door to The Hideout, the town’s bar. Often, if I stayed at the cafe all day I’d eventually hear the loud music staring and people ending their days with a well deserved drink. I had never known that the music was sometimes Eddie and his friends.

As I walked in I was immediately met with the smell of alcohol, it was 8pm and the place was filled to almost capacity, with some people already drunk.

I didn’t feel like I was doing anything illegal by being under 21 in this bar, mainly because I knew everyone in the band was under 20.

After finding my way to the counter I ordered myself a drink, just water with ice because I obviously didn’t have an ID, and a few minutes later I saw the D&D club members make their way in stage.

Eddie had a drink in his hand, he finished it off and put it on the stage by his microphone stand before introducing the band.

“Hey, uh, I’m Eddie. These are my friends, Jeff, Grant and Gareth. We are Corroded Coffin, and this is Red Hot by Mötley Crüe”

The band started and I was a little startled by how sudden the music began, I was expecting them to ease into it but they just went all out. Eddie’s hair almost looked like it was floating around him as he moved, he was an incredibly skilled guitar player and his friends seemed to admire him as they played along.

The band only preformed a few songs, most people in here not even caring that there was live music.

“That’s our time, thank you everyone” Gareth smiled as he spoke into his microphone, getting out of his seat and stepping away from his drum kit. It had their band name printed on the kick drum and everything.

Eddie took his guitar strap off his neck, putting it on a stand and grabbing his glass before jumping the stage. He made his way to the counter and handed his glass to the bartender, he must be here often since they didn’t even question his age.

“Hey!” Eddie smiles, noticing me a few feet away, he slid towards me and leans on the counter, nodding to the man behind the bar as he’s passed a new beer.

“Did you like it?”

I nod, trying to stop the feeling of butterflies in my stomach as he so easily approached me. “It was really something, you guys are good”

“Do you want to meet the others?”

“Oh, well I sort of know Gareth and you already introduced them at the start of the set—“

“Come on” Eddie grabs my hand and grabs his drink with the other, pulling me away from the bar. My grip tightens on my glass as I try to hide my flustered state and we find the 3 other high school boys at the side of the stage.

“Guys, this is one of the regulars at the coffee house” Eddie drops my hand and I feel a twinge sadness at the loss of his touch.

“Hi. Y/N, right?” Gareth greets, putting a hand forward for me to shake.

“Yes, yes, that’s me. You’re all so talented”

Eddie moved a chair out from their table, taking a seat and pushing the one beside him out, I looked at it before sitting and putting my glass on the table.

I tapped my finger on the table as I waited, feeling like I had caused an awkward situation by coming here tonight.

“So, you like coffee?” Jeff asks after a minute, Eddie lifting his hand and smacking his friend in the back of the head.

“I do, I like coffee a lot”

“And you go to the coffee shop all the time for coffee?”

“Yeah?”

Gareth leans forward, his elbows on the table “Do you like seeing Eddie?”

“Gareth!” Eddie groans, kicking his friend in the shin under the table.

“I guess? I don’t know what you really mean” I look between the four boys, Eddie has his hand over his face in frustration and the others are looking at me. “He’s cool, I like the little puns on my cup”

“You like those?” Grant snorts, clapping a hand over his mouth to stop from laughing. I know they were bad, but I thought they were cute.

“I need another drink” Eddie sighs, getting up abruptly and going back to the counter where he finishes his glass again. I watch as he talks to a man, effortlessly engaging in a conversation, smiling to myself as laughs.

With Eddie gone, the three boys leaned forward on the table and startled me when I turned back to them.

“So you’re friends with Steve Harrington.”

I swallow the lump in my throat “Are you interrogating me? I’d like a lawyer present”

“We’re just getting to know Eddie’s new friend”

“Friend? Did he say we were friends?” Shifting in my seat I felt excited, although I had started imagining being more than just friends with Eddie. Going from strangers to friends was a good step forward.

Before they could answer Eddie sat back at the table, sighing and sipping his drink.

“We should get out of here soon”

───── ❝ ❞ ─────

Every day since i’d seen them preform, Eddie and I had talked at school. At least once a day we’d exchange a wave or say ‘hello’ in the halls, his friends occasionally doing the same. He’d talk to me while I tried to read from his position behind the counter, and if the weather was intense he’d offer to drive me home. I was starting to enjoy the music he listened to and I think he had noticed.

Unfortunately, I had gained someone else’s attention while at school. Being paired for my final assignment with Billy Hargrove had him aimlessly following me to my locker and striking up a conversation.

I’ll admit, he was a very nice looking boy, although his hair needed to be washed as it looked crunchy, like a leaf on the ground in autumn, and he was always doused in cologne.

The last time Billy had made any sort of advance was when I was tutoring Steve and Billy took that as a challenge. To conquer the girl he believed to be Steve’s new love interest.

He was rejected and never attempted anything again upon noticing that Steve and I didn’t hang out anymore.

But as soon as we were paired for the assignment he had turned on his ‘charm’. He’d also almost seen the (now multiple) sketches of Eddie’s tattoos in my book while trying to copy my notes.

Walking up to the cafe, I got excited, but once I heard the familiar whirling of Billy Hargrove’s muscle car engine, the feeling began to fade.

Eddie’s van was parked in front of the coffee shop and Billy pulled in beside him, quickly jumping out of the vehicle and running to the door.

“Let me get that”

“I know how to open a door” I roll my eyes and pull the door open, smiling at another one of the regular customers, an older gentleman. “Good afternoon”

There’s a few crashes from the back kitchen and Eddie slides out behind the counter, with his apron loosely tied around his waist.

“Hey, you’re early” Eddie says, struggling to pull his hair off his face, a hair tie between his teeth. I laugh and rest my hands on the counter, glancing over my shoulder and seeing Billy still standing a few steps behind me. How he knew I would be here was unbeknownst to me.

“I’m here the same time as I am every day”

“I was just hoping to—" Eddie stops as he moves the curls out of his eyes and ties them back. Noticing Billy standing behind me. “Uh, hi.”

Eddie looks at me and I shrug, just as confused as he was. Since when did Billy come here, when did he ever drink coffee?

Eddie grabs a cup and writes my name on it.

“Not even letting me pretend to look at the menu any more?” I prop up on my toes and try to peer into the back kitchen “I need my favourite barista”

And as if on cue, the girl growls from the back area of the coffee shop.

“EDDIE!” She shouts “What the hell did you do back here?”

“What do you mean?” He calls back, gritting his teeth at me. I reach into my pocket and Billy steps forward, putting his hand on my arm.

“I’ll have the same.” He pulls out his wallet, both Eddie and I staring at him with furrowed eyebrows.

Eddie takes the money cautiously and I awkwardly step back, moving out of Billy’s reach and dropping my bag at the foot of a table.

The female barista comes out, glaring at Eddie and looking over to me. Mouthing ‘who’s that?’ as Billy pulls out the seat across from me.

I widen my eyes and shrug at her, watching as Eddie stands still behind the register. Holding the two plastic cups with his eyebrows knitted together and just blinking as he thought.

“So” Billy started, leaning back in his chair and putting a cigarette in his mouth

“You can’t smoke in here”

“Who says?”

“Me, the no smoking sigh, and basic human decency.” Billy chuckles at my answer putting the cigarette back in the package and waiting as if expecting me to say something. “Why are you here?”

“Assignment” He shrugged. I pulled out my books, awkwardly avoiding his gaze and flipping to a blank page in my notebook.

“Y/N” Eddie called, pausing as he looked at the boy across from me “and Billy” He practically spat his name.

I got up quickly, almost skipping to the counter with a grin on my face. The moment I wait for every day was finally here, and as I lifted my cup my smile dropped.

There was nothing. I put it down, picking up the other cup and looking at it.

Nothing.

“Uh, thanks Eddie” I half smile, picking up both drinks and going to the table again. I put one down in front of Billy and drink mine, opening my copy of Little Women to do my-our- assignment.

“Where are you up to?” Billy asks, sipping the coffee and looking at it like he thought it was absolutely disgusting.

“Chapter Thirty-Five” I mutter, grabbing my pen and staring to take notes. “Why? How far have you gotten?”

“Title page”

“This is due in 3 days” I glare, snapping my attention to him.

“So?”

I pushed the open book to Billy and he stared at it. “Read Laurie’s proposal and tell me your thoughts.”

Billy cleared his throat, picking up the book and scanning the page. He frowned and began to read aloud as I scribbled on the page and sipped my drink.

“‘I’ve loved you ever since I’ve known you, Jo, couldn’t help it, you’ve been so good to me. I’ve tried to show it, but you wouldn’t let me.’” Billy groaned “What is this shit.”

“Desperation.” I sigh, giving Billy a pointed looking and waiting for him to continue.

“‘Now I’m going to make you hear, and give me an answer, for I can’t go on so any longer.’”

He threw his head back, dropping the book down and sipping his coffee.

“‘I only loved you all the more, and I worked hard to please you’” I smiled to myself as I read Laurie’s speech “‘for I hoped you’d love me, though I’m not half good enough...’”

I bit the inside of my cheek, grabbing a pen and pulling the cardboard off of my cup.

“Billy go home, I’m sure there’s some girl out there waiting for you to call”

“And our work?”

“I’ll do it all and just put your name on it” I groan, running a hand over my face. Billy shrugs, grabbing the coffee and getting up.

Why hadn’t I thought of that earlier. He would have left me alone all day!

I waited until the bell jingled before writing on the cardboard slip from my cup.

I don’t need to have caffeine in my system, you manage to make my heart jump.

Pleased, I packed my things and threw my bag over my shoulder. “Hey” I smiled as I got to the counter, holding my coffee to my chest. “You didn’t write on my cup”

Eddie smiled for a second, focusing on wiping down the counter. “I didn’t want Billy Hargrove to get the wrong idea, ruin your date” He shrugged, wiping his hands together as he dropped the rag

Date? Was Eddie… Jealous? Dear god i’m asking you to let me have this, he is the most adorable boy I have ever laid eyes on and I don’t want to spend every day of my summer in here fawning over him for nothing in response. I want to go see his band preform and smile because he looks so perfect on that stage and he liked ME back.

“Mrs Green paired us for an assignment on Little Women, he left the second I said i’d do all the work”

Eddie looked up at me, finally meeting my gaze and I felt all the air being sucked out of my lungs. I cleared my throat and passed him the cardboard from my cup, he slowly reached for it and I turned on my heels to head out the door.

I walked at a fast pace until I got close enough to my house, I sat down on one of my neighbours lawns and let out the deepest breath ever.

“Oh my god” I groaned, I kicked my legs in the air and forced myself up. Walking the rest of the way to my house.

I practically danced to my bedroom, ignoring the anxiety burning inside me. I had flirted with Eddie. I put myself out there.

After over a month of spending every day watching him make coffee and practically drooling over him I was making moves.

Rapid knocking snapped me out of my thoughts, and I pulled my hair back in a hair tie as I went back to the front door.

“What does it mean?” Eddie asked, almost frantic as he held up the cardboard slip.

“Hello” I stared at him, my mouth hanging open

“What does it mean?” He repeated

“I don’t know” I blinked a few times, swallowing the lump in my throat “That I think you’re cute?”

“Is that a question or a statement?”

“A… statement?”

Eddie huffed out a breath and in an instant his head ducked down to mine, my eyes widened as I felt the warmth of his lips against mine before slowly closing and moving so I count wrap my arms around his neck.

His kiss is not like those in movie or books, it is the primal desire that lives in us all. Eddie cups one hand on the side of my face, moving closer so our bodies were pressed against each other. He embraces himself rather than hide as a copy of those romantic idols as he kisses me.

“Whoa” He mumble as we pull apart. Yeah, Whoa.

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depressedbagpipe · 2 years

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"Blackbird to Robin, do you copy?" (Billy Russo x ofc)

Chapter two

Words: 4223 Warnings: smoking, reader being poor, mentions of alcohol, minor foul-language. A/N: i owe u guys an apology. my adhd has been acting up and my new hyperfixation (aka f1 drivers) didn't help. I've been rewriting this chapter for weeks because i never liked how it looked when finished and I'm still not sure i like it now, but it's certainly better than it was before. thank u guys so much for waiting <3 also i have zero idea about how the ivy league works so just pretend dana is getting her master's degree Taglist: @badasseddy, @noortsshift, @britishbassett

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Chapter two

The glaring red numbers of my nightstand clock showed it was only two in the morning, yet no matter how many times I had tossed and turned in bed, I couldn’t fall asleep. My eyes had been closed ever since I got under the duvet, wrapped in extra blankets hoping the soft material would lull me into a much-needed rest to escape the nightmarish evening. But my mind was still reeling even after more than an hour of simply laying there. Every interaction, every conversation, every gesture, absolutely everything I had ever done was coming in quick flashes in my head, making it impossible to sleep. So I gave up.

None of it felt real. Only twenty-four hours ago I was stressing about making enough tips to pay for the week’s rent and remembering the many due dates for the upcoming semester’s assignments. Now, I had an ex-marine turned bodyguard sleeping in the other room while someone out there had threatened to kill me.

My head spun slightly when I got up, throwing the warm covers off my body and stretching a bit once I was back on my feet. I looked around the dark room, where the only light came from the big window. The city was alive outside, yet only a few sounds slipped through the cracks in the walls.

Grabbing the sweater I had draped over a chair, I walked to the window and opened it, relishing in the cold air that blew on my face as I stepped onto the fire escape. I sat on the iron stairs that stood on the left side, carefully tugging the fabric closer to my body with shaky hands. I stared out at the street that extended before me, once again becoming a mere observer of the world around me. Despite the street not being a particularly busy one, many people walked below me, some of them with heavy suitcases, walking fast, and others with hidden alcohol bottles in their hands, walking slowly. My fingers grazed the corner of the cigarette packet that had been left forgotten in my sweater’s pocket. The sudden urge overpowered my brain, and before I could stop myself, my hands were automatically lighting one up and bringing it closer to my lips. My lungs welcomed the dark smoke like an old friend, making me close my eyes while the haziness that clouded my mind slowly dissipated.

‘You shouldn’t smoke,’ a voice spoke on my right.

I jumped at the suddenness, almost dropping the cigarette in surprise. Opening my eyes, I found Billy, casually leaning on the wall at the far end of the fire escape, with the window leading to the living room wide open.

I sent him a look.

‘It’s bad for your health,’ he nodded at the packet in my hand.

‘I’m not a smoker,’ I responded, a mixed cloud of vapor and smoke escaping through my lips.

‘That’s what every smoker says.’

He was still wearing his suit, with his jacket long abandoned. He had one leg crossed over the other and his back resting on the old bricks. His tied moved with the wind, and so did a few strays of hair. He wasn’t looking at me; his eyes faced forwards, examining the opposite building, and the many lives that inhabited it through the lit windows.

‘It’s more of a social convenience,’ I responded before taking another drag.

The cigarette dangled between my fingers, following his eyes. The familiar weight still felt foreign in my hand.

‘Yet you’re alone now.’

‘Care to join me, then?’ I pulled another from the packet, offering it to him.

Billy turned to me with tired eyes. His pupils blended with the irises in the night. With a few steps towards me, he swiftly grabbed it in his fingers. I grabbed the lighter again, igniting it as I continued it. ‘Just needed another one. It’s been a long day.’

Billy got closer, lowering his head, the cigarette firm between his lips, to light it up. The close proximity made me shiver. Whether it was from the cold or not, I couldn’t tell.

‘Tell me about it,’ he raised his eyebrows before he took a long drag. He took a couple of steps back and closed his eyes in relief. The light clench of his jaw seemed to disappear almost immediately.

My lips curved at the sight. ‘I thought smoking was bad for your health,’ I teased, watching rather marveled how he effortlessly carried on.

He shook his head with a light smirk. ‘Social convenience,’ he said, looking at me for a split second before returning his gaze to the other building.

We stood there for a while in complete silence. The ashes pooled at our feet before finally slipping through the gaps in the iron and falling to their oblivion. We were the only ones on the fire escape, most of my neighbors being of old age already in bed hours ago. Billy kept his distance but remained closer to me after grabbing the cigarette. I didn’t know who he was doing it for, but the quick glances I took at his figure almost made me wish he were standing closer. There was no denying he was extremely attractive, but the circumstances were impossible to ignore. Even if no threat had ever come my way, Billy still represented everything I was trying to fight against.

‘I’m sorry,’ I suddenly spoke.

Those words have been mulling in my brain for some while, but until that moment, I had been too afraid to say anything. Whatever peace we had found between us wasn’t strong enough, and yet I had broken it without much thought.

‘Hm?’ he answered. I knew he had been somewhere else just by the way his posture became rigid again. He moved his head slightly, just enough to know he had heard me, but it wasn’t until I repeated the words that he looked back at me. ‘What for?’

‘I know I’m not the most…’ I paused. ‘Cooperative person. And you’re just trying to do your job,’ I looked down at my fingers. My cigarette was almost gone, just the filter left like a tiny speck of dust in my hand. ‘I don’t mean to be hostile, I just…’ I rubbed my eyes, anything to distract me from his intoxicating eyes. ‘I’m not used to having people care about me. Paid or not,’ I added in a low voice.

Billy didn’t answer for a few seconds. Some cops were patrolling underneath us, threatening a group of young boys to go back to their homes. New York was never a silent place, yet for some reason, Billy’s silence was louder.

‘I’m sorry, too,’ he finally replied.

I dared to look at him. This time our roles had been reversed; he was the one looking down now. The tip of his expensive show was pressing down the residue of his cigarette. ‘Sometimes I forget that my life isn’t the norm for everyone. Ambushing you at your university, and the interrogation…’ he trailed off.

I physically winced at the memory. ‘Not the best approach,’ I attempted to joke, copying his movements and putting my cigarette out too.

‘There’s never a good approach. Sometimes you gotta numb yourself to carry on. Otherwise, it’s too much.’

He turned fully to me. The wind had picked up, and his hair little resembled his prior combed perfection. Now, it seemed alive. Human.

‘I swear I didn’t know about your mom. Or your whole life, for that matter,’ he spoke. He regarded me with such intensity that I had to will myself to not look away. He was clearly sending a message, and he was intending for me to receive it.

‘I know. You’re just doing your job. It’s alright,’ was my response. Gone was the peace of the cold night. I wanted to hide in my room again, away from this conversation, and away from him.

I hid my trembling hands in my pockets.

He shook his head. ‘It’s not in my nature to be gentle.’

My breath got stuck in my throat. ‘I’d expect that from Frank, to be honest. But not from you,’ I tried to keep the conversation light. Anything to escape the depth his eyes withheld. ‘I think I’m gonna get some sleep now,’ I whispered.

My silent way out.

He nodded. ‘You feeling better now?’ he took a couple of steps back, allowing me to stand up and walk down the few stairs to his level.

‘Yeah. Thank you, for the social convenience,’ I shrugged.

Maybe, just by being nonchalant, he wouldn’t know what really went through my mind. But then again, even I didn’t know what was going through my mind.

‘Anytime,’ he nodded.

He offered his hand for me to climb through my window. I looked at it for a split second before taking it, the warmth of his hand encompassing my naturally cold one as I grabbed the window sill, ducking under the arch. I thanked him quietly once I was safely inside, turning around to shrug my sweater off and back to its place on the chair. I felt his eyes on my back, following my every move around my room, but I dared not look back at him. I pulled the heavy curtains, suddenly feeling self-conscious. I was once again alone in the dark, with just my thoughts to keep my company. Before they got too much, I got back into my duvet. This time, it didn’t take me long to finally fall asleep.

···

‘Really, you don’t have to do this, Billy,’ I shook my head as he swiped his card at the register. ‘I may be broke, but I can still pay for my own coffee.’

He sent the young barista a dazzling smile, placing one hand on the small of my back and grabbing our takeout in the other. He guided me to the side of the bar to wait for our orders to be ready.

‘This is a tip for you: don’t pay for the things you can get for free,’ he winked at me just before the barista called his name, handing him two steaming to-go cups with the flirtiest grin I had ever seen.

I didn’t fail to notice the small paper she slipped through his fingers.

‘Is that how you got your fortune?’ I raised my eyebrows at him while I led him outside, opening the door for him. I couldn’t tell if I was asking about the flirting or the paying.

I also saw Billy discreetly discard the paper as he stepped out of the café.

‘Smiling also works,’ he answered, nodding once more to his driver, who had been waiting for us by the entrance of the shop.

The man in black opened the door for us with a graceful movement, closing it after Billy stepped in, and walked to the front and the driver’s seat.

‘Take us to my apartment, Jonathan,’ Billy called from the seat next to mine, sitting comfortably on the back and not even bothering to buckle up.

I shook my head at him, seeing how he grabbed his phone and leaned back on his seat with legs far too long, yet managing to cross one over the other, occupying even more space. Meanwhile, I didn’t move from my place, not even daring to look up front, trying to give Jonathan some privacy, making sure not to spill my breakfast over the expensive leather.

I couldn’t help but look out the tainted window, the skyscrapers zooming by as Billy’s chauffeur took us to our next destination. Despite being only 7 am, the people seemed to have been awake forever. I took careful sips of my coffee, the semi-sweet scent having nothing to do with the low-quality one I served at my job. The morning was cold and cloudy, with fog covering the tallest buildings. Days like those made the city look like a snowball, a world within itself. Those were the days I looked forward to the most.

As expected, Billy’s ‘apartment’ turned out to be the entire penthouse on one of the most luxurious apartment complexes in town. Even the doorman came out to greet him, pressing the elevator for him as he complimented his newest economic investments. His words were practiced and rehearsed; did Billy know, and he probably did, but he didn’t dwell on it. He merely nodded and thanked him politely, smiled when he had to, and asked the right questions.

The doorman kept talking even as the elevator doors closed, leaving him behind. Billy sighed deeply, but kept his eyes forwards, staring at his own reflection on the glass panel. I did the same, suddenly feeling nervous.

I had put my whole life in his hands. I had been the prey since the day I was born, but I could now be standing next to the hunter. And he was luring me straight to his house.

The elevator opened to the foyer of his residence, the while pearls dangling from a chandelier casting thousands of delicate lights over our faces.

‘Welcome to Chez Russo,’ Billy extended his arm for me to walk first.

I stepped out of the elevator without saying anything. I couldn’t. I was too busy staring down at my reflection on the polished marble floors. Just the receiving area was already fancier than anything I had ever seen before. My neck even cramped from looking upwards, staring at the skillful details of the chandelier. Underneath the fixture was a polished wooden table with a vase of radiant fresh flowers. I walked around it, noticing the golden-framed mirror on the side, adding more depth to the circular room. With self-pity, I noticed that the foyer was already bigger than my living room, and the high ceiling with the skylight on top was just another reminder of our many differences.

I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror, noticing the wonder in my eyes and the many fuzzballs on my old scarf, compared to the slicked-back polished look Billy had when he walked over the other side, despite his clothes being a day old.

He now walked a few steps in front of me, and I forced myself to tread through the white columns into an even more impressive living area. But I could barely focus on all the modern furniture around me, for my attention was immediately drawn to the floor-to-ceiling window that extended all over the outer wall.

‘Alright, feel free to look around, I’m gonna hop in the shower and get ready,’ Billy interrupted my thoughts. ‘We still have an hour for your class and I won’t be long. There’s drinks and food in the kitchen if you’d like anything. Remote’s on the coffee table over there, grab any book you want, and get comfortable,’ he added before disappearing through a hidden hall.

He didn’t give me any time to respond. The echo of his steps moving away against the silent walls gave me chills as I looked around at the large space I found myself in. The high walls seemed to go on forever, and the slick design of the penthouse only accentuated the luxurious style that complimented Billy’s personality.

But it was the view that caught my breath. I knew the window showed Central Park, yet the fog made it almost impossible to see anything below. It made the apartment suspended over the clouds, and the height allowed actual sunrays to flood the room. I stood there, not daring to move. I thoroughly disliked heights and just standing that close made my head spin. It almost looked like there wasn’t a glass between me and the clouds.

I knew I stood out in the middle of such extravagance. I didn’t belong there.

I don’t know how long I remained there, but Billy was already gently tapping my shoulder to catch my attention.

‘Dana, you alright?’ I turned around to find his dark eyes on me, slightly furrowed at the creases. ‘I called you several times, is something wrong?’

I shook my head. ‘Yeah, yeah. I just… was admiring the view,’ I answered, gesturing behind me.

‘To be honest, that’s why I bought the place,’ he stood next to me, also looking at the view. ‘It’s the best thing about it.’

I whistled, for a split second thinking how much the penthouse would’ve cost him. ‘I can’t imagine what it’d be like to wake up every day to this,’ I said.

Billy nodded. ‘You get used to it.’

‘I don’t think I ever could. I’d stay here every day for hours.’

‘Sometimes, I wish I had more time to observe, too,’ Billy’s tone was wistful, but he quickly regained his composure. ‘C’mon, you’ll be late for class,’ he said.

Only when he started walking I noticed his appearance. His hair was back in place, smelling of fresh shampoo and new cologne. I knew his suit was different, as was his tie, and shows, but I saw no difference.

‘Are you wearing the same clothes?’ I asked as I followed after him, stopping at the elevator back at his entrance.

He scoffed. ‘This is clearly a different suit,’ he took his black sunglasses in his hands, staring at me in disbelief.

We both knew our conversation wasn’t serious, but for some reason, I didn’t want it to stop.

‘Then, are all your suits black?’

‘No? I have more colors in my closet, Dana.’

‘Yet you’re wearing black again,’ I noted. I smiled at him as we stepped into the elevator, pressing my back against the wall as I looked at him, dropping his shoulders in annoyance.

‘They’re not. This one’s ebony; yesterday’s onyx.’

His tone was casual, experienced. If it wasn’t for his eyes, I would’ve thought he was mocking me. But then, maybe he was.

‘Right,’ I rolled my eyes, the corner of my lips lifting ever so lightly.

The elevator opened to the lobby, but Billy quickly guided me to the other side, where another elevator stood forgotten on the opposite end of the building.

‘I thought we were going to my class,’ I asked, confused.

The doorman looked at us curiously, pretending to read a magazine behind his large desk.

‘We are,’ Billy answered after pressing the button.

I shook my head. ‘I love it when you’re so talkative,’ I pressed him, sighing deeply when I didn’t get an answer.

‘I’m driving you,’ Billy said at last.

‘What about Jonathan?’

‘What about him?’

‘He’s your driver, Billy.’

‘I know how to drive, Dana.’

The conversation was cut short as soon as the elevator came and took us down to the garage, where many expensive cars stood waiting to be used.

My mouth dropped as we walked amongst them, their shiny and polished hoods almost mocking me. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alpine, McLaren… all big names that had me drooling as I stared at my guilty pleasure. Whatever ounce of self-respect and class consciousness was lost immediately, my own ideals being thrown out the window as I pictured myself driving one of them, despite what my life and career were aiming to.

Billy whisked his key set from his pocket, pressing down on it quickly. At the end of the large garage, a black Rolls Royce unlocked before us. I stopped dead in my tracks as I stared at the model, too flabbergasted to notice Billy opening the passenger’s door for me.

‘You coming? We have fifteen minutes,’ he had a little twinkle in his eye as he looked at me.

He was enjoying this.

‘Yeah, yeah, I’m coming,’ I shook myself out of my daze, walking to him.

I moved carefully as I stepped inside, the soft leather feeling rich under my old jeans.

Billy closed the door for me, walking around the car to sit in the driver’s seat. He got inside with practiced ease, and less than a minute later, we were speeding down the busy streets of Manhattan, the smooth wheels making us float over the road.

The caramel skin of the cabin contrasted with the cracked screen of my old phone, but thankfully, I didn’t have time to feel bad about myself, for the big classic Roman façade of Columbia University came into view rather quickly.

As soon as the car came to a halt in one of the many parking spots for the students, I unbuckled my belt and opened the door, not even waiting for Billy to say anything else.

‘C’mon,’ I called him, trying to make him keep up. ‘I can’t be late.’

‘You didn’t seem to care earlier at the garage,’ he walked beside me with a few long strides, adjusting his sunglasses over his nose.

‘I mean, who wouldn’t prefer a Rolls Royce over a college lecture,’ I rolled my eyes as I walked up the stairs to the grand building that stood tall and proud before us.

Many of the walking students stopped to stare at us. Or rather, at Billy. He walked with such poised grace that it was almost impossible to believe he used to be a soldier. The thought alone sent shivers down my spine, but then again, my biological father probably had a high body count too.

Some students whispered under their breath, pointing at the man by my side, with eyebrows raised in recognition. Heat rose to my cheeks, the sudden attention making me uncomfortable.

Once we reached the door to the main hall, I turned to face Billy with a serious face.

‘Alright, this is already embarrassing so please, don’t make it worse. Don’t talk, don’t stare, don’t even breathe if you can help it. Copy?’ I asked him.

His eyes widened in surprise at my sudden outburst. He raised his hands in defense.

‘Copy.’

With a sigh and one last look, I opened the door.

···

‘Dana!’ a familiar voice called after me. ‘Where the hell have you been, loca?’

I audibly laughed at Owen, who then proceeded to throw his arms around me and spin me around, Jacob Black style.

‘How original,’ I joked, smiling widely at the only friend I had at college.

‘You know you love it,’ he winked, his eyes darkening as they fell on Billy.

His posture seemed to straighten when he gave him a look over.

‘Oh, uh, Owen, this is Billy,’ I introduced them, though both men simply nodded at each other.

They held each other’s gaze almost challengingly.

‘It’s a pleasure, Owen,’ Billy nodded as he looked down at the slightly shorter man.

‘Likewise,’ Owen answered, and focused his blue eyes back on me. ‘Where were you yesterday? I thought you said you’d be at the library all evening,’ he furrowed his eyebrows.

I widened my eyes. ‘Yeah, uh… something came up,’ I said, feeling Billy’s eyes carving a hole in the back of my head.

‘What about today?’

‘I can’t, I got a late shift at the café,’ I answered.

‘Right… then I can run down for a while,’ Owen offered.

I nodded. ‘Yeah, totally! I’ll let Harper know you’re coming by!’

‘Dana,’ Billy interrupted. His tone was dryer and lower than it had been all day. A silent warning.

‘Right, uh, we gotta go now, we’ll catch up later?’ I asked Owen.

‘Sure, see ya!’

I couldn’t properly say goodbye, for Billy was already grabbing me by my arm and walking me to the main entrance of the building.

He let go of my arm as soon as we stepped outside, yet he walked a couple of feet in front of me as he led me back to his car. Only once we were back inside, out of prying eyes and ears, he spoke.

‘Who’s that?’

I frowned. ‘Owen.’

‘I can see that. Where do you know him from?’

I shrugged. ‘We have a few classes together.’

‘Since when?’

‘He transferred mid-term from Yale. Had a change of heart, apparently.’

‘What’s that about coming by later?’

‘We’re doing some research together for a class. We were gonna meet up yesterday, but yeah… You know what happened.’

‘I don’t trust him.’

His tone matched his earlier warning. His eyes were focused on the road, but maintained a firm grip on the steering wheel. It almost felt like I wasn’t there.

‘Well, that sucks for you,’ I pulled my phone out, desperate to do something with my hands. ‘I’m not failing a class just because you don’t like someone. I mean I wouldn’t have graduated otherwise.’

‘He’s not on my file.’

I froze on the spot. ‘Billy,’ I warned him, but I was too stunned.

‘Dana.’

‘Don’t.’

‘Don’t what?’

‘Don’t tell me you have a file for every single passerby that looks my way.’

‘That’s precisely what I’m here for.’

The drive seemed longer now.

‘That’s gotta be exhausting,’ I didn’t know what else to answer.

‘Well, at least I’m getting paid.’

I saw his eyes widen in shock at his statement, shaking his head immediately at me as he apologized. But the harm was already done.

‘Don’t mention it. It’s true.’

I looked outside my window. Anything to not look at him.

‘I didn’t mean…’ but I cut him.

‘It’s fine.’

‘It’s not.’

‘Just drop it, Billy…’ my voice was shaky. But I refused to let any tears fall. ‘Please, just take me home.’

Next chapter

#billy russo x reader #billy russo #billy russo fanfic #billy russo x female reader #billy russo x y/n #billy russo x oc #the punisher #billy russo imagine #marvel #the punisher au #frank castle #billy russo could step on my back and i'd say thank you

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allegra-writes · 2 years

Note

HII! I'm really curious if you're still taking requests but if you are can you please do a season 2! billy russo x Krista dumont's sister reader when the reader comes to visit Krista but she met Billy instead, and then after a few hours of talking to each other they slept together (oh dear) Then Krista caught them. If you're able to make it tysm!

I am for this, I can't resist a chance to mess with Krista Dumont. I changed it a little bit, but I hope you'll like it anyway.

"Sanctuary"

Part I

Gif by @benbarnxs

Billy Russo x Reader

NSFW

Warnings: Only mentions of blood for this part but this series will include oral sex, rough sex, semi-feral Billy and canon level physical violence (not towards the Reader)

MY MASTERLIST | BUY ME A COFFEE

The knocking on your front door made you jump from your seat, big cats documentary left on pause as you eyed the blue laminate wearily. It wasn't late enough in the evening to be truly alarming but, in your experience, nothing good ever came of unannounced visits. And you had already had enough of those for the day thanks to your dear sister's anyway. You had half a mind not to answer, pretend there wasn't anybody home, but a part of you was curious too, a part of you wanted to see which one of the few idiotic coworkers who had your address was desperate enough to seek your help.

Your friends knew better. They had enough sense and forethought not to just drop by, and if an emergency had come up, you would have been summoned to The Slat.

No, this was either someone who didn't know you or didn't care to respect your carefully crafted boundaries, and you weren't in the mood to deal with either, but as the frantic knocking became banging, you had no choice but to get up to answer.

"Hello? Who is it??" You called out, careful not to get too close to the door, in case whoever was behind it decided to kick his way in. Being a girl living alone in New York had taught you a thing or two.

"Dr. Dumont?" A man's voice, unfamiliar and anguished replied. You rolled your eyes. Of course, this was your sister's fault. Wasn't everything, always? "Dr. Dumont it's me, Billy… Billy Russo"

You froze. You knew that name. Probably everyone in the city did, his face had been plastered all over the news all day.

Armed. Dangerous. Do not attempt to approach, call the police immediately. You had the whole spiel memorized by then.

… So why were you opening the door instead of dialing 911?

As it was, the man you found on the other side of the door looked nothing like the picture painted by the news, not even with all the blood covering him. He didn't look angry or threatening, if anything, he looked a little pathetic, with those big brown eyes shiny with unshed tears, face covered in fresh scars, and visibly shaking Billy Russo looked terrified.

Billy Russo looked broken.

“You-You're not Krista…” He mumbled, visibly taken aback.

You resisted the urge to scoff.

“Sorry to disappoint” Your tone was softer as you asked with genuine concern, “Is that your blood?”

Billy seemed to hesitate but ultimately shook his head no, eyes fixed to the floor unable to meet yours.

You sighed, stepping aside to make room for him,

“Come in”

It was probably unwise to turn your back to an alleged mass murderer covered in blood, but that was precisely what you did as you led the way to your tiny kitchen, mind running a mile a minute as it tried to play catch up with your heart.

“My sister is not here, but I can call her if that's ok with you?”

He frowned at that as if mystified as to why he wouldn't agree to you using a phone.

“Yes” He finally decided, “just- just put in on speaker”

You did, so you both listened as it rang and rang until it sent you to voice-mail. Not surprising, since your sister rarely, if ever, picked up your calls. You left a vague message informing her one of her patients was waiting for her at your place and hung up.

"Would you like some tea while we wait?"

"You know who I am" It wasn't a question, so you didn't answer.

"Why are you so calm? Why are you helping me?"

The truth was, you didn't know. You could try to rationalize it, tell yourself your boss had shown interest when the news of his escape first broke, but that wasn't your job and you weren't one to go above and beyond strictly what they paid you for. Or tell yourself that, much like your sister, you were a bleeding heart for lost causes, but you had never shared her particular brand of daddy issues. And you didn't want to think you were shallow enough for the reason to be his puppy dog eyes and pretty face, painfully handsome even with those scars. You had no answer satisfactory enough even to you, let alone him.

So, you deflected,

"Would you rather I'd be freaking out and calling the police?"

He shook his head no,

"I'm sorry,” Billy conceded, placating, “I should be thanking you for being so kind, for helping me, I just-... I'm not used to people showing me kindness. Except for your sister, of course,” He quickly added, as if you needed the reminder of why he was there. Or maybe, he was reminding himself.

You wondered, not for the first time, exactly what kind of bond your sister had with her patients.

“The world is unkind” You repeated your father’s words, still clear inside your head even after all those years, “it’s why we try not to be”

“Well… I- I appreciate it” The wanted fugitive smiled at you, small and tentative, and it all made sense then: How a man could get away with so much as Billy Russo had supposedly had, how an intelligent, powerful woman, a homeland agent no less, had fallen for it, fallen for him, had let herself be snared by the man in front of you, too busy being mesmerized by his charisma to realize he was compromising her investigation and plotting her downfall.

And apparently, you were the same. The way your heart skipped a beat told you you were exactly that shallow, your judgment as compromised as Dinah Madani’s investigation, and maybe even your sister’s good sense if she had any, to begin with.

You were supposed to be smarter than that, to be better than that, you had to if you ever wanted to be more than the Kingpin’s spider, his favorite little spy. You made a point of always allowing yourself to be compassionate, as much as a way to soothe your own conscience as to spite your boss, but you couldn’t afford yourself this.

Billy Russo could not stay.

“And please, I don’t want to abuse your hospitality” The man in question was saying, eyes lowering self-consciously, calling your attention back to the moment, “but I would be very grateful if I could wash up before Dr. Dumont gets here… ”

You blinked. Yes, that was exactly what you needed, to get away from this man and his strange influence. Plus, it would give you the perfect opportunity to call your sister again and make it very very clear that if she didn't show up soon to deal with her problem, it would become the police’s.

“I’m sorry. You are being so nice already, I shouldn’t have pushed-”

“I’ll get the shower ready for you”

Billy was unmistakably confused as you led him through your apartment, ignoring the guest’s bathroom in favor of your more secluded ensuite, but if he noticed the potential trap, he didn't say it. For your part, as soon as you were out of his sight, you shoot your sister a quick Telegram message, threatening with calling the cops just as you had planned. It was obviously a bluff, if the cops entered your building your boss was bound to hear about it, but Krista didn't know that. There was a lot about your life your sister didn't know about, to her you were just her loser little sister she was embarrassed of, a drop out who was lucky to have a temp job at Fisk Industries. You had no intention to set the record straight, let her ride her high horse, you knew the truth. You had plenty of dirt on her stored away, just in case, and you were willing to use some of it if your little bluff didn't work.

Sibling rivalry had always been very real with you, as serious and consuming as adults as it had been when you guys were little, eclipsing it all until it was the only thing you could see in your tunnel vision.

Which was probably why it caught you completely unaware when you stepped into your bathroom to give Billy some clean towels only to find him standing there, naked from the waist up, a tower of pale smooth skin and muscle. All strong and beautiful and male, you could physically feel your mouth going dry, your pupils dilating, all the air suckered punched out of your chest.

He seemed to grow taller under your gaze, his whole demeanor changing as the seconds passed while you were blatantly staring at him. Shoulders twitching and then falling back, spine straightening, Billy took half a step forwards, looming over you so you were forced to crane your neck to look into his eyes, somehow even darker now. The change was so sudden, so complete it made you dizzy, gone was the vulnerable, broken man on the verge of crumbling you opened your door to. In his place, stood a predator, so elegant and deadly as the panthers you liked watching on TV so much. As one corner of his mouth rose in a devious smirk you understood there was no escape.

Billy Russo was going to eat you alive.

To be continued...

#billy russo #billy russo x reader #billy russo x reader smut #billy russo x you #billy russo imagine #billy russo fanfiction #the punisher #ben barnes #mcu #marvel

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clonewarsarchives · 2 years

Photo

THE VOICE WILL BE WITH YOU, ALWAYS (#112, OCT 2009)

Scott Chernoff says “Hello there” to James Arnold Taylor as he talks about voicing Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: The Clone Wars along with hundreds of other characters, and the time he was nearly silenced—forever.

He’s the heroic Green Arrow Batman: The Brave and the Bold, erstwhile friend Harry Osborn on The Spectacular Spider-Man, Ratchet of the hit series of Ratchet & Clank videogames, and the new voice of modern Stone Age family man, Fred Flintstone.

But there’s one achievement that towers over the others for voice actor James Arnold Taylor: He’s finally fulfilled his life-long fantasy of playing a major role in the Star Wars saga, starring as Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

“I lived and breathed Star Wars as a kid,” Taylor says. “We played all the time—but I was always Han Solo. If somebody told me I was going to be Obi-Wan Kenobi, I would have been like, ‘Wait, I’m the old guy?’”

But despite his tremendous success performing literally hundreds of cartoon characters and videogame voices over the last two decades, Taylor told Star Wars Insider that it nearly all slipped away. “About four years ago,” he reveals, “I lost my voice completely due to toxic mold in our home. When the doctor said, ‘You can’t speak,’ I was like, ‘Uh, that doesn’t work.’”

The incident was a stark reminder of just how precious Taylor’s instrument—his voice—is to him. “I had to start over and change my whole life,” he recalls. “I trained with a gentleman who trains opera singers. I had to learn how to re-use my vocal chords in new and exciting ways.”

EARLY INSPIRATION

Luckily for Taylor—and his fans—the hard work paid off. “I’m stronger now than I’ve ever been. Sometimes, you need something like that to break you down, just to rebuild yourself,” he says.

Now back in the game with three animated series on the air, Taylor is free to pursue the one thing he always loved. “I’ve known since I was four years old that I wanted to do the voices of cartoons,” he says, noting that he drew inspiration from legendary performers like Mel Blanc (who voiced virtually all the Looney Tunes characters), Daws Butler (Yogi Bear), and Don Messick (Scooby Doo and many more). “I was glued to all those guys and memorized their vocal inflections,” he recalls.

“I never had any aspirations to be an on-camera actor—I always wanted to be a voice actor. The truth is I’m the luckiest guy in the world to be able to make my living doing what I always wanted to do.”

STARTING OUT

Taylor started out doing impressions as a stand-up comic and radio disc jockey when he was just 16, moving south to Hollywood from his native Santa Barbara, California, as soon as he got out of school. His first break came in the obscure world of voice doubling, re-recording small bits of dialogue for famous actors who were too busy to come in when a small line needed to be changed. He got a job filling in for Michael J. Fox on the Disney animated feature Atlantis—and soon found himself taking over the lead role entirely for the sequel, Atlantis: Milo’s Return. “I just have a knack for picking up voices,” he shrugs.

Among the stars Taylor has doubled for videogames and feature film looping are Johnny Depp, Billy Bob Thornton—and Ewan McGregor. He started voicing Obi-Wan Kenobi for the first Clone Wars TV micro-series in 2002, then went on to Star Wars videogames and now the new hit TV series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

“Originally, it was to be an exact voice match for Ewan McGregor,” Taylor says. “We basically have the same sound, the same range. So I thought that rather than trying to sound like him, since I know I already do kind of sound like him, I’d just do what he did: try to sound like Alec Guinness. So I started thinking of how he would talk, and I tried to ‘young it up,’ and went, ‘OK, so if I was casually speaking as a young Obi-Wan, I might sound like this.’ I didn’t concentrate so much on sounding like Ewan McGregor as much as I concentrated on sounding like Obi-Wan Kenobi, the character we all know. That seemed to work.”

Taylor explains that for him, focusing too much on precisely matching a specific voice can get in the way of a good performance. “You can get hung up on a voice match where you try too hard to sound like the person and it becomes a caricature. It becomes more the nightclub comic’s impersonation. You want to relax in the voice. You really have to understand how that person would act, and you have to be able to act that way. I always have to envision how he would deliver the line. It’s more than an impersonator would do, because you have to understand the character and be able to say anything in that voice.”

That approach sat well with Clone Wars director Dave Filoni and Star Wars creator George Lucas. “After we’d started the series and done the film, Dave and George said, ‘You have the freedom now to take this and make it your own thing,’” Taylor recalls, adding, “Dave’s vision for Obi-Wan in this series is very specific. He’s trying to show Anakin the right way, but he’s also the calm in the storm. I’m always the straight guy. Most of the time, I’m pulling the reins back on Anakin and Ahsoka, so I’m like the older brother. Nothing really gets to him. But at the same time, I know people may think sometimes he’s a little too reserved, so I’m trying to give him some excitement. Every once in a while, I torture myself and read the message boards, and some people do think he’s got to lighten up. But I just think, ‘Give him time.’ There’s something that happened in a second season episode we did recently, and I can’t really get into it, but it made me think, ‘Oh, we get to see different facets of Obi-Wan in this.’ I’m playing a side of Obi-Wan that nobody’s really seen before.”

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

Taylor thinks that the epic scope of Star Wars: The Clone Wars is allowing a far more personal glimpse of Kenobi than fans have ever seen. “He’s such an iconic figure,” he says, “but you don’t know anything about his personal life. We have many episodes, so now the writers have been exploring those areas. How does he act when he’s gotten up on the wrong side of the bed and he’s having a bad day? What’s his day-to-day relationship with Anakin? It’s been fun to work with everybody and create those parts of his life and his characteristics. I try to put a little of the reserved old Jedi living alone in this deserted part of a desert planet, and the young one who was in the world and so much a part of everything.”

At the same time, Taylor has gotten to give voice to a host of other Star Wars characters, from fan favorite Plo Koon (“Dave said, ‘Think Gandalf,’”— he recalls) to espionage droid 4A-7 (“A whiny, high-pitched guy”) and the medical droid from The Clone Wars movie (“That’s me doing kind of a Jeff Goldblum type voice”).

“That’s another great part about being a voice actor,” he says. “You get to be so many different characters all the time.”

A REWARDING ROLE

All those characters add up to more reasons Taylor is grateful to have re-gained his voice in time to continue his work in the Star Wars universe. “I’m a geek when it comes to this stuff,” he said. “I’m a fan as much as anybody else, so I get into the story, and to me, Star Wars: The Clone Wars is as good as Lost or any other great show. I can’t wait to see the next season, just like everybody else.”

Thinking back on his journey, Taylor adds, “It’s so rewarding. I get so much fan mail from people all over the world, and I’m not trying to sound corny but it moves me—because I’ve always been a fan, and I’ve sent fan letters to people I respect and gotten autographs before, too. So when I get letters from people about how they’re sharing Star Wars with their kids, and they’re thanking me for helping them see this whole universe in a different way, I kind of trip out on it. Daily, I go, ‘Wow, I’m involved in this world, and not just on the sidelines—I’m really involved in the Star Wars universe.’ It’s a great honor.”

#James Arnold Taylor #Obi-Wan Kenobi #cast #insider #i112 #the clone wars #112 is the Obi-wan special by the way

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memes-saved-me · 1 year

Note

I have so many questions for your hunger games au oh my gosh

Did Billy and Steve have to go through what Finnick had too after the games? How did Billy get the name the tiger? What were their experiences like inside their games? Did they join career packs? Have allies? A Rue situation? What was their training score? Their skills? What was it like being reaped? Especially when Billy has a sister of reaping age? What was it like living without each other only seeing each other a few days each year except maybe through the monitored phones in the victor houses? Did they starve and suffer in their districts before their wins?

I'm so sorry if this is too many questions 😭 Im madly in love with the hunger games and what you wrote is utterly brilliant

This is literally the best ask I have ever received so buckle up for some info dumping because I planned this AU out years ago with my sister at like 2am while on holiday lmao.

Yes. Yes they did but Billy more so as for a few years after winning Steve dated a series of girls in his district to try and avoid what he had heard whispers of. Billy didn't have the advantage of information and soon found himself being transported to the Capital for whoever had requested his services.

He basically went feral in the arena and killed his way through it threw pure rage and fear. Just like a Tiger he stalked the other tributes and attacked them getting the upper hand through surprise mostly and his strength. Shock attacks but he definitely held his own a few times as well.

As said, Billy went beast mode and killed anyone he ran into until no one was left and he won. Fear and anger being a constant emotion throughout but due to his killing spree it didn't last very long since no one had the chance to hide for long before he found them. Only Max moves in with Billy as his father isn't invited and Susan stays with him. Steve, however, charmed his way into sponsors and kept to himself only killing those who attacked him first. Shame and guilt occupied his mind throughout as his family name was being dragged through the mud by the son who chose to hide rather than fight but when he was crowned that was all washed away and he went on to live in victor's village alone while his family stayed at home.

Neither of them did but Billy was approached multiple times.

Billy planned to die in the arena before he realised he could actually win and went on his rampage so no but Steve did befriend a few of the other tributes before entering the game. However, they all either died before he could find them or actively attacked him.

Nope. Lone wolves lol

Billy got somewhere between 8-9 for his strength, climbing abilities and axe work. Steve got 6-7 for his fighting abilities but didn't really impress anyone.

Billy is very good at sneaking because of his home life and he can deal with injuries due to being used to it. He is strong from being a lumberjack but doesn't care for accuracy in battle and just goes in for the swing. He can climb anything and that becomes very useful when surprise attacking other tributes. Steve is observant and good with people. Strong but more smart in fights as he doesn't have the instinctive rage like Billy. He's good with a weapon but not so much his bare hands.

Steve was reaped and he couldn't move but somehow walked up to the stage smiled at the cameras and it didn't sink in until he was on the train and he went into full on panic attack mode. Billy laughed. Of course it would be him, of course when he was almost safe.

Billy had a few of his name in there from getting extra food because of course Max couldn't but he never actually thought he would get reaped.

They definitely had a code system to get away with saying things over the phone. Like "I hope I get some good tributes this year" meaning "I cant wait to see you" or "I miss the Capitol" meaning "I miss you". Stuff like that which would sound like they love the games but in fact they only continue to mentor to see each other. It would be difficult. Especially the guilt of their happiest moments coming at the cost of dead children and Billy finds that very hard to deal with.

Steve's family had money. His parents both being quite important in the energy sector and he was expected to follow in their footsteps but didn't pass any tests or qualify for higher up positions. Billy's mother died when he was 10 and then Max and Susan moved in soon after as Neil couldn't deal with raising him alone and wanted someone to run the house while he worked in lumber making just enough to feed everyone but he still used Billy to get extra food and the day Billy turned 14 he was dragged out of school and an axe was put in his hands.

I could keep going with lore lmao but its 3am and I've ran out of questions to answer so hopefully this answers them!

#best asks ever lol

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made-ofmemories · 1 year

Text

When Life Tears You Asunder, But You’re Not Alone

(Chapter 18/19)

General Warnings/tags: Found family, implied Wayne/Susan in future chapters, Max & Eddie have a sibling like relationship, fluff, hurt/comfort, Lumax and Steddie make appearances throughout the chapters but the primary focus is on the familial bonds between characters

Chapter specific warnings/tags: This is very much a lumax and steddie focused chapter, lots of fluff! A tiny bit of period typical homophobia but it isn’t particularly directed at any of the characters it’s just an acknowledgement of it existing.

Word count: 3569

Summary: Billy was a pretty shitty brother, there was no denying it, but Max still finds herself mourning for the sibling relationship they never got to have. With him gone she thinks so are her chances of ever having the big brother figure she’s always wanted. Then in a turn of events that she never saw coming, Eddie Munson waltzes into her life. Or more like, almost runs her over.

Notes: Co-written with the wonderful @ladydorian05 and crossposted on AO3.

Series masterlist

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

“I see Steve’s car, park over there,” Max says, slapping Eddie’s arm to get his attention as she points at the car in question. They’re 15 minutes late, even with Eddie’s questionable approach to speed limits and Max has been stressed about missing the beginning of the movie she and Lucas are meant to be watching for the entire journey.

The van has barely come to a halt when she hops out, “Max! Wait, you-” Eddie sighs when the only response he gets is the slam of the passenger door closing, and hops out of the van to follow her.

“What’re you doing?” Max whisper-hisses when she hears him call for her and turns to see that he's following her to Steve’s car.

“You forgot your glasses.” He explains, holding them out for her to take.

“I know. I did it on purpose.” She says as if the thought of any other explanation is utterly ridiculous.

“You’ll get a headache.”

“Aw, I didn’t think you cared.”

“I care when I’m the one who’ll have to endure your grumpiness the whole way home.” He narrows his eyes at her, still insistently holding out the pair of glasses between them.

“He’s right.” It’s Steve, he’s barely out of the car, clearly not planning on sticking around, leaning with one arm braced on the roof of the car and the door still open, “Besides, they’re not so bad once you get used to them.” He shrugs. He’s wearing his own glasses, he’s been wearing them more frequently ever since that day in Family video when Eddie saw them for the first time.

Her gaze flickers to Lucas who nods with a soft expression on his face usually reserved for Max, “You should wear them.”

“Alright, fine.” She huffs, holding her hands up in surrender before she takes the glasses from Eddie and slides them on, “Ok, we’re going now.”

“I’ll pick you up at 9, Lucas!” Steve calls out to the pair of retreating forms heading for the mall entrance.

“10.” Max bargains, turning to look at Steve without slowing down.

Steve looks to Eddie who shrugs one shoulder in response, who is he to stand in the way of young love?

“Alright, 9:30,” Steve calls back once he realizes Eddie is going to be of no help.

“Deal.”

“They’re adorable,” Steve comments, they’re both hanging around watching to make sure the pair make it into the mall when Max slips her hand into Lucas’.

“Almost enough to warm this cold dead heart.” Eddie jokes, crossing both hands over his chest and leaning against the other side of Steve’s car for a brief moment before he pushes himself away, “Well, see you around, Stevie.” He says, turning to leave once he sees Lucas and Max disappearing behind the sliding glass doors of the mall.

“Actually,” Steve calls and Eddie stops in his tracks, “I was wondering if you wanted to hang out until we have to pick them up?”

“It’s Valentine’s day.” Eddie states, confusion furrowing his brow, “You don’t have a date to get to?”

“Nope, I’m free all day. So? What’d’ya say? I mean, unless you have a date or something?”

“Um no, no date.” Eddie assures him. He might be of the opinion that this entire day is one giant capitalistic nightmare, but if he had to spend it with anyone he’d choose Steve over anyone, “Hanging out sounds good.”

“Alright, let's go.”

They take Steve’s car, it’s clean and it smells like the little pine tree air freshener hanging from the rearview mirror rather than the greasy smell of old fast food cartons and the faint scent of weed that seems to linger in Eddie’s van.

“So,” Eddie starts, letting his head loll to the side as he looks over to Steve who is concentrating on the road, his hair looks nice today, even nicer than usual, “How come Steve Harrington doesn’t have plans on valentines day? You practically have girls lining up at your door waiting to go on a date with you and instead, you’ve ended up playing chauffeur and hanging out with me. It doesn’t add up, man.”

“I like hanging out with you.”

“You’re avoiding the question.”

“I don’t know,” Steve sighs and drags a hand over his face whilst keeping the other on the wheel, “I guess I just realized there isn’t much point unless you’ve got someone who makes it worth making a big deal of.”

“No one special then?”

He shrugs, “There’s someone, but I don’t know if he feels the same way.”

He.

Steve glances over, taking his eyes off the road for just a fraction of a second, he’s trying to judge Eddie’s reaction most likely. Eddie almost misses the gesture entirely, his brain working overtime trying to process the new information. He’d had his suspicions after Robin had refused to tell him whether Steve was into guys or not, but it wasn’t like he could just walk up to him and ask the question outright.

“Well, you’ll never know unless you tell him how you feel,” Eddie blurts out, truthfully he isn’t sure what he’s meant to say in the situation but staying silent feels wrong.

“I guess, I just don’t want to lose him as a friend, y’know?”

Eddie hums affirmatively, he knows that feeling all too well.

There’s some cheesy pop hit playing on the radio that Steve keeps humming along to as he drives. It’s endearing and the only reason Eddie doesn’t kick up a fuss about the music choice. Eddie has never heard him sing and it’s difficult to judge just from the low humming mingling with the sound of the radio, but he thinks he’d have a nice singing voice.

He realizes halfway into their journey that he doesn’t actually know where they’re going. The roads look familiar, but he doesn’t fully put all the pieces together until they’re parked outside of a local pizza place that Eddie knows well, as it turns out there aren’t all that many restaurant choices in small town Hawkins.

Steve insists on buying, Eddie doesn’t put up much of a fight.

“We’re not eating here?” Eddie asks when Steve grabs the box of pizza and 2 sodas from the counter and gestures towards the door with a nod of his head.

“No, come on,” Steve says, leaving Eddie scrambling to get up from the seat he had taken whilst they waited.

The next time Steve stops the car they’re overlooking Sattlers quarry. Steve hops out first, grabbing the food from the back seat. Eddie follows.

“I used to bring Max out here all the time,” Eddie explains as he follows Steve around to the back of the car. Steve perches himself on the trunk and Eddie copies the action, letting his feet rest on the bumper, “We usually sit down by the water.” He adds, gesturing down to the pool of water at the bottom of the steep drop in front of them.

“Yeah?” Steve flips open the cardboard lid of the box revealing a pizza covered in all of Eddie’s favorite toppings. They’d ordered pizza once a few days after Eddie had gotten out of the hospital and it surprises him a little that Steve had paid enough attention to be able to recall his pie of choice, “It’s nice out here… quiet.”

Eddie lets out a noncommittal hum in acknowledgment, “Bet you bring all your dates out here.” He teases.

“Actually, you’re the first.”

The sincerity of it shocks him, Steve is full of surprises today so it seems, and Eddie crams half a slice of pizza into his mouth as an excuse to delay his response.

“Well, consider me honored, my liege.”

“On the contrary, I’m the one honored by your presence, my good sir.” God help him, he swears he won’t be responsible for his actions if Steve starts talking nerdy to him. “How was your last campaign with the kids?” Jesus Christ! Eddie is torn between wanting to leave immediately before he does something he might regret, like kissing Steve’s pretty lips, and wanting to live in this moment forever.

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

“Damn, everything on the listing is either a romcom or we’ve seen it with the others,” Lucas says looking at the list of movie titles and showing times.

“I wouldn’t mind rewatching something.” Max shrugs.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to watch something new?”

“Yeah, but it’s better than Mannequin which is our only other option.” She pulls a face of mild disgust, they’d seen the trailer for it last time they were at the cinema with the rest of the party.

Sure she’d sat through all of those romcoms El loved so much, maybe even enjoyed one or two more than she’d like to admit, but they still weren’t going to be her first choice… nor her second, third, or fourth.

“The closest showings for the ones we both like are in like an hour or two and if we consider the time Steve and Eddie are picking us up, we shouldn’t go for those.”

“What about Dead of winter?” Lucas suggests. They’re standing to the side of the ticket line, not wanting to jump in until they know what they’re going to be watching, “We haven’t seen that one and I heard it’s a thriller.”

“Sure, dead of winter it is,” Max agrees, letting Lucas link their hands together as they head for the ticket booth, “If each pays their ticket, we can split the cost for the popcorn and sodas.”

“Umm, actually I was planning on paying for both of us, I’ve been saving so I’m sure I have more than enough,” Lucas says.

Max knows that it's common and even expected for the guy to pay, and normally she wouldn't refuse someone offering to pay for her. It’s cute that he wants to be chivalrous, but she knows that it wasn't just that Lucas has saved up his allowance, she knows he's been doing odd jobs around his neighborhood again. She likes him, she cares about him a lot, and she doesn't want him to spend all his money on this date when she can contribute.

She's not sure if she can really call her feelings for him love, not yet at least. But, if they're in for the long run, she wants to make sure he knows that they're a team, that they can do these kinds of things together, that burdens and responsibilities can and will be shared between them.

“Lucas, it’s fine, I can cover it. You don't have to pay for everything. Besides, Wayne’s been asking me to help him fix his car, Eddie’s van, and my mom’s car. He always slips me a few bucks after.”

“Wait, Eddie’s uncle is teaching you how to fix cars and paying you after?” She hadn’t thought it was a big deal, but he sounds impressed.

“Pretty much. I refused at first, but he’d slip it in my jacket pocket or inside my backpack when I wasn’t watching so I just gave up.”

She still remembers the first time he slipped the bill into the pocket of her denim vest, the thing got shredded when she washed it. It hadn't been fun picking all the little paper bits from that load. Even if she now accepts them when he hands them to her, she developed the habit of checking every single pocket of every piece of clothing that she places in the washer.

“Eddie also lets me keep his loose change sometimes, when I have enough I take it to Family video, and Steve exchanges it for bills, he's always complaining about never having enough change.”

“That’s awesome.” Lucas muses as they advance a spot in the long line for the tickets. It seems that just about every couple in Hawkins had the same idea for today.

“Yup.”

“Hey, now that you mentioned Eddie, what’s up with him and Steve?” Lucas asks, turning to look at her with a raised eyebrow.

“What do you mean?” Shit, she needs to tread carefully. This could be about anything, from just them hanging out a lot to him noticing Eddie’s crush. She would hate to accidentally out Eddie.

“Well, you can’t tell me you haven’t noticed the stares, the longing looks, I had to watch Eddie staring at Steve’s lips for an entire conversation the other day,” Lucas explains, “I’m pretty sure Gareth has noticed too he keeps making these weird vague comments during D&D.”

Oh Gareth has definitely noticed, that she’s sure of.

“ Hell, one of the reasons I asked Steve to drive me here today was because you mentioned Eddie was dropping you off. I just, don’t know, hoped that maybe they could have their own little date or whatever.”

“One of the reasons? What’s another reason?” Max asks. So, it seems like he has noticed the ‘something’ between them.

“I would have gotten all sweaty if I biked here. But don’t change the topic. ”

“You… would be okay if they got together like that?” She needs to know that she didn’t misunderstand his words, that he’d be really okay with Eddie liking guys. She thinks that he is okay with it, but one can never be too cautious, especially in a small town like Hawkins. Would she really be outing her brother if her boyfriend already figured out that he’s into guys?

“Sure! They’re both our friends, I want them to be happy. Wouldn’t you?” He squeezes her hand. Oh, shit, now he’s the one thinking that she might not be okay with it.

“Of course I would. It would at least put an end to Eddie’s pining. Don’t tell him I told you this, and I’m serious, you can’t tell anyone.”

“I’m sworn to secrecy, I promise.”

“He actually bought Berlin’s ‘Take my breath away’ single.”

“What!? Eddie buying something not metal? No way, when?”

“I’m not exactly sure when, but I’m sure it happened after he watched Top gun with Steve, he kinda told me after I spent a whole week bugging him about the tape.” Max laughs.

“Holy shit, he’s whipped,” Lucas comments amused.

“I know. It’s a bit sad to watch the yearning on his face when he listens to it.”

“He really can’t see that Steve might… I don’t know. Let him down gently or even give him a chance if not because he reciprocates his feelings then because he cares?”

“I actually have a feeling that Steve might also be into him. But I don’t think either of them know how to go about it. Anyways, enough about them, this is our date. No more talking about other people’s relationships at least until 9:30.”

“Okay.” Without noticing they had gotten to the front of the line. After getting their tickets the line for the popcorn is less crowded, they get 2 medium sodas, popcorn and make a compromise on a box of Whoppers.

Their theater isn’t that full. The other couples probably went for the romcoms. The movie is quite good, even if they missed some of the plot when they began to throw the crunchy chocolate balls and popcorn for the other to catch it with their mouth making a bit of a mess around them.

“I actually liked the movie, even if it was frustrating how you could clearly see how she could have saved herself sooner,” Max says, helping Lucas to gather their trash on the way out of the theater.

“Oh but she did so well in the end.” He comments.

“They had it coming.”

“We still have time, what do you want to do?” Lucas asks, checking his watch once they’ve located the nearest trash can and his hands are no longer occupied by the empty soda cups.

“Let’s go to the record store, I want to find more patches for my vest.”

Lucas manages to find a Gremlins patch, it’s circular with a black background featuring ‘Stripe’ from the movie and the word troublemaker embroidered at the top. Max smiles when he shows her it and he insists on buying it for her. Meanwhile, Max gets a skateboard one and one in the shape of a hand making the rock 'n roll sign adorned with a black spiked wristband. Once the patch bin has been thoroughly scouted, they move on to the tapes section.

They still have a little more than half an hour before Steve and Eddie pick them up, even after they finish browsing the record store. They’re wandering aimlessly around the various storefronts when Max spots the unfamiliar bubblegum-pink exterior of one of the restaurants in the small food court.

"I didn't know there was a place that sells milkshakes."

“Must be new,” Lucas comments, following her gaze, “Do you want one?”

"Yeah, sure. But not from here. I'm loyal to one place and one place only."

"The diner." He rolls his eyes with fondness.

"Damn right!"

"I'll radio Steve. Maybe he can take us both and if Eddie went home, we can call him from the diner."

Eddie and Steve turn up 10 minutes later. Max and Lucas are waiting in the parking lot for them and share a knowing look when they see Eddie already seated in the passenger seat, talking animatedly and smiling broadly when Steve pulls up. Max had suspected they were together when Eddie’s van was still in the parking lot and Steve’s car was nowhere to be seen, but that didn’t mean anything Eddie could have headed inside whilst they were busy watching the movie or taken a walk.

Steve holds the door open for them all and Max and Eddie head in first. She picks their usual booth and glares at Eddie when he tries to join her.

“Dude,” She says pointedly, both eyebrows raised as she tries to not so subtly gesture towards one of the other tables.

“What?”

“Sit somewhere else, I don’t want my brother crashing my date.” She explains.

“May I remind you that your brother is the one who drove you all the way out to the mall on Valentines day?”

“First of all, it’s not like you had plans anyway. Secondly, you got a date with Steve out of it so you can’t complain.” He doesn’t deny it, which is interesting. She’ll be sure to grill him for all of the details later, well maybe not all the details, there are some things she does not need to know.

Eddie sighs dramatically, but listens to her and goes over to Steve who is standing by the counter making their order. They’re too far away for her to hear their conversation but she sees Eddie tap Steve’s bicep to get his attention and the way he uses his head to gesture to one of the tables on the opposite side of the room.

She gets a strawberry milkshake and lets Lucas pay this time, he pushes it across the table towards her and takes a sip of his own chocolate-banana one. Her glasses slip down her nose when she leans forward to reach the straw in her glass and she pushes them up with the tip of her index finger.

“I like your glasses,” Lucas blurts, it’s a little out of the blue but she appreciates the compliment, “they suit you.”

“Thanks.” She’s smiling bashfully, taking another sip of her milkshake as an excuse to avoid eye contact.

“I don’t think I could pull them off.”

“Hmmm, I don’t know about that,” she muses, “I think you could.”

“Yeah?” He reaches across the table taking the corners of the frames in hand, he hesitates for a second, only sliding them off her face when she doesn’t make any effort to stop him and then slides them onto his own face, “What do you think?”

A laugh bubbles out of her at the sight, he’s posing with an exaggerated pout on his face, “Yeah, you’re right they look much better on me,” She tells him in a joking tone. She lets him place them carefully back onto her face rather than just handing them back.

There’s a moment of comfortable silence whilst they both enjoy their milkshakes, listening to the pop music playing over the radio and the chatter surrounding them. It’s busy, probably the busiest Max has ever seen the place but that’s not exactly unexpected given the day.

“Do you think your plan worked?” She asks, jerking her head back in the direction of Steve and Eddie’s table.

She has her back turned to them so she can’t see them without making it obvious that she’s looking and they’re too far away to eavesdrop on their conversations, that one’s her own fault.

“I’m pretty sure they’re holding hands under the table,” Lucas informs her, craning his neck subtly to try to get a better view, “So I’d say it was a success.”

Risky, but the staff are busy fulfilling the rush of orders and most of the customers are busy paying attention to their own conversations and dates. It’s unlikely anyone is looking at Steve and Eddie tucked away in the corner. Besides, even if someone did say something, who would believe them? Eddie ‘the freak’ Munson and Steve ‘the king’ Harrington, holding hands? No way. Yeah, she thinks giving into her curiosity and turning in her seat to look at them, they’ll be just fine.

#stranger things #lumax #Lucas Sinclair #max mayfield #steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #stranger things fic #st

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philleegirl · 2 years

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Shetland S7E5 my shockingly American thoughts…

Oh, Lloyd, my love with the bad accent, in 1981 a black man in Texas accused of killing a cop would not have even made it into custody let alone get the death penalty.

I hate that I love Meg's sweater. I hate everything about her, but I would love that sweater. Also, she is the most uncompassionate nurse I have ever met. I hire nurses and she would not have made it past my first interview.

(My Mama's input on this scene:

Mama: Well, she isn't Methodist. So, she can go.

Me: What?!?

Mama: Didn't we figure out that Jimmy's dad was a Methodist lay pastor?

Me: um… yes.

Mama: So, she can go and Jimmy can go back to Duncan.

Me: 😳

This is the woman who forgot why she put her cough syrup in the fridge, but she remembers this!)

Wow! Stephen went all Shetland when talking about the Braer. I had to turn on CC to understand him.

I love Billy pulling out the bird knowledge to help the case! He has definitely gotten to shine this series and I am here for it. (I would watch a Shetland with Billy in the lead for sure.)

That photographer has so many secrets.

Wait! Lloyd was trying to pass that off as a Canadian accent?!?! 😳🙄

I love Rhona that is all.

There are a lot more cops and forensic specialists in Shetland now.

Jimmy Perez, where are your freaking gloves!!!

I do love Alison and Lloyd's house.

The new music is… um… interesting. I'm not sold yet.

At least Abby did the right thing with the photos. Good girl!

Jimmy doesn't like other LEOs working on his patch without him knowing, but at least not both black men are suspects. Or at least not for long.

Jimmy did a great job connecting with Danny.

Sandy and Billy were so funny.

Sandy is being competent and intelligent. I am here for it. I love him so it is nice to see him back on form. Kate Kilmuir being gone has reset his brain.

Poor Murray. He.just can't catch a break.

Oh, wow! Sandy has found like 3 clues.

Oooo… Carol Ann might be eviler than just evil. I am hopeful.

The West Wing perfected the Walk 'n Talk in corridors. Shetland is working on perfecting the Stand 'n Sway in corridors.

Why does Jimmy look lighter since breaking up with Meg?

Okay arresting Carol Ann must have been extremely satisfying for Tosh!

I love the vanity at Jamie's. Also, I kinda want this to involve Alan and kinda don't.

If you're upset about an old oil spill, why would you create a new oil spill?!?? I am confused.

Jimmy Perez, boy racer!

Oh man! I want to solve this and get into the good stuff (ie Jimmy and Duncan having a tearful reunion at home and deciding to move to a tropical island together.)

Overall:

Happy with the amount of Meg

Thrilled with the amount of Rhona

Very disappointed with the amount of Duncan

Very disappointed with the amount of Cassie

Competent Sandy makes me happy

Billy is the best!

#bbc shetland #jimmy perez #shetland #shetland series 7 #shetland spoilers

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msookyspooky · 2 years

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PART TWO LETS GO !!! Okay these are in the list (technically) So I know what you did last summer was pretty cliche and too famous in pop culture so I already knew some of the deaths ;-; BUT I didn’t find the cast as annoying as I expected to (except for barry, he sucked even before the murder stress) enjoyed it but wouldn’t rewatch a lot or watch the sequel immediately after it, i also suuuper curious you know

NOW omfg Nightmare on Elm Street HOLY FUCK what a franchise, the ending of the first one was so like unexpected and vague i HAD to watch the sequels immediately (rip to the ppl who had to wait like a whole year to know what happened, sucks to suck)

Jokes on me Freddy’s revenge had nOTHING TO DO WITH THE MAIN PLOT (and i had to go to bed by the time it was over) but it was still really good tho !! Like the idea of F possessing someone irl ???? Brilliant !! THE ALIEN/BIRTH/EXPLOSION THING ???? WHAT ?! I also liked it carried on the universe’s story without explaining the ending of the first one (idk if it was on purpose or they didn’t know what to do with Nancy yet so they stalled but i liked it !!)

And then it was three, holy fucking shit holy fuck Dream Warriors the one of the best movies I’ve ever seen in my life (a proper rival to Scream ngl) AAAAHHH I could write a 12 page essay about this movie, the cAST ???? Angels! The dream powers ??? AMAZING! The dude psychiatrist actually listening and trusting Nancy instead of acting like shes crazy ??? PERFECTION !!!! also the fucking dream warriors song holy fuck what a banger, I’ve been listening to it non stop

ALSO (major spoilers ig sorry sksksks) WTF THEY CANT JUST KILL OFF THE FINAL GIRL ???? THATS SO RUDE WHAT THE HECK ?!?!?! I really liked her ;-; she was a really good final girl, like smart and resilient and a fucking Survivor you know (feeling absolutely gutted)

OMG YOU WATCHED THEM!!!!!

It's been a hot minute but I remember the SHOCK of 3. Why do yall think Stu and Billy and Randy keep mentioning in a trilogy anything goes and YN could be a Nancy? (Lowkey wish I would have left it ambiguous that I was writing for 4 and 5 to up the anti here) Like how many franchises kill the final girl and keep going???? In a good way bc yeah I was super upset Nancy died but also it made it more interesting bc if SHE can die; anyone can. (And I think Wes intended 3 to be the last so damn what a power move on his part) Can you imagine if Sidney died in Scream 3??? I feel like I'd never watch it again but also if it was done very well and the new final girl was good (Or we follow Gale trying to figure out who killed Sidney like they never caught Roman OR how Jill was supposed to kill Sid and be the new final girl until someone found out her dirty secret) I would still watch it and be on edge bc the only thing I feel 5 REALLY had going for it was killing off a main character that hasn't happened since Scream 2 and we were livid and shocked and enthralled...But we still couldn't stop watching! Bc who else?!?!

I'm so glad you liked the series I may not write for it but it is a great slasher series

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ear-worthy · 1 year

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Dykes to Watch Out For; Sacred Scandal; In Our Own World Second Season

Comic Strip “Dykes to Watch Out For,” now a podcast Alison Bechdel’s comic strip Dykes To Watch Out For became a countercultural institution among lesbians and discerning non-lesbians all over the planet.

Now, Alison Bechdel’s Dykes to Watch Out For, the award-winning cartoonist’s iconic comic strip that ran from 1983 - 2008, was just released as an episodic podcast in partnership with Audible. The podcast is led by a queer cast in time for Pride Month. Featuring stars like Jane Lynch, Carrie Brownstein, Roxane Gay, Roberta Colindrez, Jenn Colella, and more, with a script by Madeleine George and direction by Leigh Silverman, all episodes of Dykes to Watch Out For are available to stream now. “I am blown away by this podcast; it’s such a great gift to hear the characters and their world come to audio life, talking and kvetching and playing softball and going to marches,” said Bechdel. "Dykes to Watch Out For is smart and political and just great storytelling - like Charles Dickens meets Audre Lorde, with a dash of lesbian pulp fiction thrown in. I can't wait for the world to hear it," says scriptwriter Madeleine George. All episodes of Dykes to Watch Out For are available now, and more information can be found here. Second Season of Sacred Scandal podcast premieres

A sad commentary on modern times is that church scandals are too frequent and appear to infect multiple religions. One of the best such podcasts is Sacred Scandal, which was named one of Podtrac’s Best New Podcasts of 2022. Its second season focuses on Mexico-based megachurch La Luz del Mundo (Light of the World) and Naasón Joaquín García, a self-proclaimed apostle, who is currently behind bars after being convicted of sexually abusing girls from his congregation. He is currently serving a nearly 17-year sentence, but maintains his innocence. Host and investigative journalist Roberta Garza explores Naasón's control over a multitude of devotees, some of whom now describe their experiences in the church as "pure evil." In this true-crime series, survivors share stories about this powerful religious leader and the alleged sexual abuse that followed, many relating to minors. Tune in Thursdays.

Second Season of In Our Own World launches Have you ever felt like you were born in the wrong decade, or maybe even the wrong planet? Check out iHeartPodcast’s In Our Own World where partners and co-hosts -- Emily Estefan, Emmy-nominated musician and TV host, and Gemeny Hernandez, Grammy-nominated songwriter and stylist -- live in their own world.

The podcast does truly have an otherworldly vibe to it.

The podcast follows life’s never-ending questions and journey through unpredictable moments with thought-provoking discussions and fascinating stories, to lighthearted moments like prank calls and games. Season two of In Our Own World has just launched, with new episodes every Wednesday.

Co-host Emily Estefan is a multi-faceted artist who is renowned as a Grammy-nominated musician, songwriter, producer, actress, activist, and Emmy-nominated co-host of the captivating Facebook Watch show Red Table Talk: The Estefans.

Emily Estefan has shared the stage with legendary performers including Bette Midler, Dave Navarro, Carole King, Billy Gibbons, and The Wailers. Additionally, she has contributed to memorable virtual performances alongside musical luminaries like Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, and Allen Stone, showcasing her ability to connect with artists from various genres.

Apart from her artistic endeavors, Emily shares a profound partnership with her loving partner, Gemeny Hernandez, both in life and business since 2016. In 2022, they embarked on an inspiring journey together as Gemeny created and launched their podcast In Our Own World in collaboration with iHeartMedia, of which Emily is the co-host.

An advocate for equality and justice, Emily was honored in September 2022 with the prestigious "Visibility Award" from the Human Rights Campaign. Recognized for her unwavering commitment to promoting inclusivity and championing the rights of the LGBTQ+ community at home, at work, and in her greater community.

Co-host Gemeny Hernandez is a Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer, stylist, writer, activist, and podcast host. She served as the wardrobe supervisor and lead stylist on the Emmy Award-winning show Red Table Talk: The Estefans. That same year, Gemeny's songwriting talent was recognized with a Grammy Award nomination for her work on The Wailers' album One World, in the coveted ‘Best Reggae Album’ category.

Beyond her artistic endeavors, Gemeny Hernandez initiated the "Recharging Cuba" initiative. This campaign aimed to provide much-needed phone minutes and data to civilians on the island, supporting their communication and connection with the outside world.

Since 2016, she has been in a dedicated partnership with Emily Estefan, and together, they founded Alien Shrimp Entertainment.

If you're into different and fearless, check out In Our Own World.

#podcast #podcasting #lgbtq #religion

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lottiethroughthelookingglass · 4 years

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15x20 Coda

Can’t believe it’s the year of our Lord 2020 and I’m writing Supernatural fix it fics at 3am.... This truly is the bad place. Anyway here’s what happened immediately after the credits rolled on whatever that was...

“Sam and Dean stood, arms around each other looking out towards the vista. Heaven. Their heaven. United again, after everythi-“

“-Is he for real?”

“That’s what was saved on my computer. Supernatural – Final Draft.”

“This is bullshit.”

Becky shrugged, taking her laptop back from Sam as his face twitched uncomfortably.

“Who did I even marry? Like, it wasn’t even Eileen?”

“I don’t know man but you named your kid after me. I’m holding you to that one.”

“I don’t even want kids. Our lives are crazy. Why would I do that to a kid?”

“Well I’m just glad Chuck didn’t get to go ahead with that one.” Becky said, sitting back down with her laptop, “I mean all of his drafts were honestly terrible but that one… I mean it didn’t even make sense considering your character arcs. Dean literally died like he thought he would at the beginning of the series and Sam, grows old with a random woman and doesn’t do anything with his life and not even mentioning Cas even though he was right there in heaven-“

Becky looked up to find Sam and Dean staring at her.

“I’m sorry, not that you guys are just characters or anything. But just, when I came back and I found that I was really worried you’d actually died in barn because you fell on a nail.”

“Yeah well I will be avoiding all barns from now on.”

Thunk. The three of them looked up to where Cas had knocked over a Funko Pop Sam.

“Sorry,” Cas readjusted Funko Sam so he could go back to back to fighting Funko Crowley.

There was an awkward moment of silence as the group processed the revelation of Chuck’s ending. Becky sipped her tea as Cas sat back down next to Dean. Dean looked over to him, their eyes met briefly and they shared a small smile.

“Did I never even ask about Cas?” Sam shook his head breaking the silence. “Like, you come back from fighting Billie and say he’s dead and I just… never question it?”

“Well, none of you seemed very upset about my death in that story.” He turned back to Dean, “You were far more concerned with the pie and the dog.”

“To be fair that was probably the only thing that felt right there – pie is more important.”

Cas rolled his eyes and picked up another biscuit from the tray Becky had brought them. Ever since becoming human again he’d picked up a real sweet tooth. Dean was silently waiting for when Sam would start having a go at him too about healthy diets.

Like hell I’m going because of a rusty nail in a barn, Dean thought, I’m getting killed by a heart attack and Cas’s gonna die of diabetes. Sammy’ll still get to outlive us both though.

“It’d be nice to think Jack is doing that with heaven though.” Sam said, “You know, rebuilding things, making it actually good.”

“I guess we’ll have to see when we get there. Which will not be soon, we fought for a bit of peace and I’m intending to actually enjoy mine.”

“We can just ask him next time he’s home.” Cas added.

Dean shook his head stifling a laugh with his hand, “Can you imagine if we’d made him God I mean- He’s three for crying out loud. He made me buy him a Marvellous Marvin the Talking Teddy three months ago.”

“You bought him that?”

“Wait so Jack didn’t become God?”

“God no, no he’s not God.” Dean plucked the biscuit Cas had just picked up out of his hand and started to eat it, “I mean he is up in heaven, but he’s just helping Michael get things running again with all the angels back from the Empty.”

“I’m confused, so you didn’t kill Chuck?”

“Noash fukind matr-“

“Chuck’s gone, but he’s not dead.” Sam interrupted the garbled explanation Dean was trying to make through a mouthful of cookie. “We found a way to umm- bind him I guess? In his own mind so he didn’t even know it was happening. Rowena and I did the spell and Dean set the trap.”

“I was still as useless as in Chuck’s version.” Cas clarified taking another biscuit to make up for his stolen one.

“Hey, if you hadn’t saved me from Billie we’d all have been toast. You were key.”

“Wait so Chuck’s not human and he’s not dead?”

“No- God I can’t believe he made himself human. I can’t believe we made him human and then said that was a punishment – sorry, no he’s kind of in a uhhh…”

“Alternate universe.” Sam added, “but one just for him. It’s more like an alternative plane of reality inside his own mind where he can write whatever stories he wants and think they’re real but they’re not. They can’t hurt anyone.”

“But he’s God so…. They might be real? He could be making them real.”

Sam twisted his mouth thinking, it was something he’d considered but didn’t want to dwell on.

“Well it’s not us.” Dean declared, “And honestly, if he makes another world with other Sams and Deans and Cas’s and Jacks then they’ll defeat him some other way. Like Inception, but with God!” He grinned at his reference even as the rest of the room ignored him.

Becky leant back in her armchair letting out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad you guys are ok. You too Cas, he was really adamant about killing you off.”

“Dean was very adamant about bringing me back.” Cas looked over to Dean, a soft smile and look of adoration of his face.

Dean blushed, trying to cover it up with a cough. “Yeah well, I had some stuff to say.”

Becky grinned, taking a sip of her tea as Sam suddenly started to find the wallpaper very interesting.

“So, what are you guys going to do know?” Becky asked after the moment had become sufficiently awkward. “I mean no Chuck, no apocalypse, no world to save. Are you going to keep hunting, or…?”

Sam, Dean and Cas looked at each other.

“I don’t know,” Sam said.

“Honestly, I’m thinking Chuck had it right with the pie festival.”

Becky and Sam laughed at that.

Cas took another biscuit

***

Dean closed the boot of the Impala with a soft thud. Becky had given each of them one of her dioramas she sold on Etsy. It was always a bit weird being reminded that their life was a story that some people liked to collect stuff from for fun but he had to admit the miniature scale replica of Baby she’d given him was awesome.

Sam stood at the door giving Becky a hug and thanking her for the lunch. She hadn’t quite explained to the rest of the family who these three strange large men were that were randomly joining them for lunch beyond “They’re just some Supernatural fans I know from the internet.” Her husband had spent the entire time struggling to believe that lie even moreso after Cas had slightly traumatised one of the kids with an in-depth description of the dangers of invasive wasps to honey bee colonies.

Dean wandered over to where Cas stood beside Sam and Becky.

“Thanks again for checking on us Becky.” Dean said, accepting the hug she gave him.

“Of course, I always knew you’d beat him but it’s good to know for sure.”

“Sure is.” Dean took a step back, “Well I guess we’ll be seeing you?”

“Next Supernatural convention?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Even if there’s a ghost?”

“You do know we’re not the only hunters in America.”

Becky bit her lip.

“What?”

“Nothing,” she paused, “it’s just, this is exactly how I would have written it.”

Sam raised his eyebrows in surprise, Dean brows knitted as Cas tilted his head.

“I don’t- not that you had to go through all that. Just that now you can actually take a break. Be normal, do your laundry-“

“-Sam and Dean have always done their laundry. That’s how they clean their clothes.” Cas piped up in confusion.

“-Be happy. Get to actually enjoy living in the world you saved. Have free will and be at peace.”

Dean chuckled, “I mean I’m personally good with never doing my laundry. But you’re right, it’s weird but good.”

“We’ll stay in touch Becky.” Sam said.

“I’ll hold you to that.”

They waved their goodbyes and walked back over to the Impala. Dean got in behind the wheel, Sam in shotgun and Cas in the back.

Turning the key the Impala revved to life. The radio began to sing, the opening chords to Kansas’s Carry on Wayward Song filling the car.

Dean slammed the radio off.

“God, I think Chuck has forever ruined that song for me.”

Sam laughed, in the back Cas even let out a chuckle as he leant his head against the window ready for the long drive home.

It wasn’t their heaven. Not yet anyway. And that made it so much more.

#spn fic #spn spoilers #supernatural coda #destiel #destiel fic #deancas #spn #supernatural #spn 15x20 #as you can see i'm not impressed #also becky's gonna be real mad when she gets back from being thanos snapped and runs into sam ten years later at the mall #only to find out that dean died ages ago from a rusty barn nail #that will be her villain origin story #my fic

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