#Hollywood Sign Lucas Turns

[icelynodette]

Hollywood Sign Lucas Turns 7

#youtube #Hollywood Sign Lucas Turns #Hollywood Sign #California #Treasure Chest Memories #Icelyn Odette #Birthday #7 Years Old #Day In The Life #7 Years Old Birthday #Birthday at The Hollywood Sign #7th Birthday

[treasurechestmemories]

Hollywood Sign Lucas Turns 7

#youtube #Hollywood Sign Lucas Turns 7 #Hollywood Sign #California #7 Years Old #7th Birthday #Day In The Life #Treasure Chest Memories #Icelyn odette #California Hollywood Sign #Hollywood Sign California

[ginnyluvstimmy]

welcome home (timothée x f.reader)

[ where timothée breaks up and realises you're the only one he actually craves for ]

Hollywood.

It was where you had met.

Between the clapperboard, action! of the director, the hair and make-up sessions which annoyed both of you and the low quality jokes just to kill time.

Luca Guadagnino had personally requested your presence among those pages of the script, and he himself said that he had been admiring your career in the world of Hollywood since time.

You were both Italian, this bonded you and created mutual respect.

The way your Italian accent rolled off your tongue when you spoke to Luca drove Timothée crazy.

Insane.

Maybe the sexiest turn on he could receive.

Just as his delicate, clean, casual French stunned you, you too had figured out how to make him take the bait.

The moments you treasured the most were those behind the scenes. The laughter, his schizophrenic outbursts from the excitement of filming, his unpredictable moves, his pleasant speeches.

The way his curls made him look like a puff, his green/grey eyes where you could get lost in the edges of the foggy jungle, his French cheekbones that mirrored him, in your eyes, like a gentleman from the 1800s, and how his bottom lip was definitely more full and inviting than the one above.

You immediately started hanging out regularly even off camera, without the buzz and movement of filming.

No weeks passed that he confidently proposed to you.

It was no longer a matter of pretending for the production staff, you two weren't in the spotlight and maybe you loved each other even more.

But then came the commitments, the premieres, the collaborations, and suddenly you found yourself with a different plane ticket in your hand every day, and you rarely saw Timothée.

This displeased both of you, especially since he wasn't in a very different situation.

But then the pace slowed down and the world collapsed on you.

Kylie Jenner...

You scrolled through Instagram posts. Kylie.

You read every film article. Kylie.

You checked every interview, questionnaire, news of the day.

Kylie.

Timothée he had left you for her, another.

Without warning, without a reason, without a moment to say goodbye and explain one last time.

You were exhausted, physically and mentally, and the suitcases from your countless business trips were still at the entrance.

Months, months passed...and every time you called your ex-boyfriend he neglected you with 'I'm busy', 'I'll call you back later, ok?', 'it's hard to explain, you wouldn't understand'.

What was there to explain? Did you do something wrong? Did you forget his birthday? The monthly anniversary?

Absolutely not, you weren't the type.

The only relief you felt was listening to the opinions of the fandom and the parazzi: they were much less convinced of this relationship than you already were. It was a sign, it definitely meant something...but every day was torture without his laughter, his cuddles, his French kisses.

It all felt too real.

More months passed, and he didn't show up.

Valentine's Day was approaching and you would have felt a new knot in your stomach gathering in you.

Suddenly, the last person you thought would call, made your cell phone ring.

You picked up, waiting for Timothée to speak first and give you a good explanation.

A very good one, you hoped.

"Hey, Y/n..." His voice cracked and you could tell he was sobbing.

"Listen I...I swear I can explain it all..."

You waited on the other line, you weren't in the mood to answer. If you had done so you would certainly have screamed so loudly that you would have broken his eardrum, throwing that whole situation of the Kardashian in his damn face.

"Can I come to your place...?"

You were about to say a harsh 'no' when you realised he would have shown himself anyway.

You hung up, and the house reverberated with a dull hum.

[ ... ]

He showed at your door with a red rose, red and swollen eyes and his entire figure soaked wet by the heavy rain that was pounding the neighborhood gravel.

You let him in, without saying a word.

He stopped at the carpet in the entrance, as if he suddenly realized that that house was yours and yours alone and he no longer had anything to do with it.

"My manager forced me..." He whispered, but his faint voice died in the air before he could reach you.

"Sorry?"

"I said...my manager forced me. The whole thing of Kylie, it was for...money, you know. I haven't decided on it, my staff has the power. I'm sorry if I didn't warn you, I couldn't...I had to make people believe it was real, you understand me?"

You knew you should have felt immense relief at those words, but they made you even more nervous.

"You're completely out of your mind..."

"But it's true! I'm telling the truth Y/n...she...she never gave me the slightest attention, it was a dirty game, we were both pretending just to live together on the edge of decency! You know I could never leave you from one day to another!!"

You let him stay at the entrance, as if you wanted to see the mat suck him alive.

But Timothée couldn't wait anymore and hugged you tightly, sobbing like a child in the crook of your neck.

His tears ran down your skin, his arms setting a fire in your stomach.

"Je t'aimerai toujours, tu sais..."

"Ti amerò per sempre anch'io, Timothée."

#timothée chalamet #timmy chalamet #timothee chalamet #lovers #timothee x reader #timothée x reader #timothee x you #timothée x you #timothee x y/n #timothee chalamet imagine

[writers-hes]

Brown Sugar (e. munson x reader)

Two kids made it out of Hawkins but both came back, seeking comfort and rest only to find each other again. (friends to lovers, mutual pining, rockstar!eddie, baker!reader)

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On August 22, 1986, Eddie Munson left Hawkins, Indiana without a goodbye and a plan.

It was inevitable, really. He graduated high school months ago (it was his year after all) and saved up enough money from his drug dealings to escape the hellhole he called Hawkins in his beat-up van with nowhere to go. He decided that he had enough money for gas, food, and living expenses for a month in New York. All by himself, where the culture is. He found a pretty cheap hostel off the contact book and they were more than willing to give Eddie a discount and an allowance if he helped around the maintenance of the property. It was more than enough for him who just wanted out.

But a month turned into another week, and then another, and then a month. That month turned into months, until Eddie found a stable job as a tattoo artist in Brooklyn, sidelining with his band, Corroded Coffin, in a grunge-y bar in Manhattan, New York. He met his friends there, Gareth being one of his closest confidants. He wrote songs for the band—strumming his guitar with mindless melodies and playing the antique piano with chords. They started singing their own songs, more people coming into the bar until they landed a record deal with one of the most prominent record labels in Hollywood. They signed immediately with Eddie as their frontman. It was a pretty good deal, Eddie had creative control of the direction of the band and with the uprising of the grunge culture, it seemed like Eddie’s dreams had finally come true.

Sure, overly-conservatives called his music the devil’s music. Some people even suggested that he was a part of a secret society for the rich and famous. There was another rumor that he skyrocketed to fame because of a famous relative. None of it was true but it’s not like he minded. One thing that was good about being the resident Freak of Hawkins was not minding what everyone else thought of him. Devil music? Sure. Trailer trash? Nothing he’s ever heard before. It’s all water off a duck’s back—hey, that sounded like a good song title.

Another good thing that came out of his career was finally getting a house for his uncle back in Hawkins. It wasn’t the biggest but it was enough; a two-storey house in Lucas Sinclair’s street. Wayne never thought that there would be a day that he’d finally live in a house but his boy did it. Damn right, he did.

The band started with an extended play. It was a five-song album that contained their famous songs in Manhattan. Cinders by Corroded Coffin was a hit; a rock EP with different musical styles—pop rock, metal, ballad rock, classic rock, and contemporary. It showcased the talent and the potential that Corroded Coffin was and soon, Eddie found himself in North American tours that extended to Europe.

It was no surprise when, after two hectic years, Eddie Munson went back to Hawkins, Indiana for a break. Being on tour was tiring. Sure, everything paid off and he was more than happy but after a world tour, award shows, and a hit album, Eddie needed a break. Something to ground himself and what could offer that but his hometown, Hawkins? Everybody assumed that he was from New York anyway; always so secretive with his past and his private life—no one would suspect that the most sought-after rock vocalist was back home with an oversized hoodie and boxers, getting yelled at by his Uncle Wayne for not visiting enough.  

-

Honeysuckle Rose by Thelonius Monk plays through the speaker of your bakery. It was rather a slow day and you busied yourself with an Italian buttercream for a cake order tomorrow. Steve Harrington just landed some corporate deal and needed a cake to express his gratitude to his staff. You didn’t know what his work was but if it meant that he would be more than willing to spend so much money for a ‘thank you’ cake, then you wouldn’t mind. The shop smelled like vanilla—not the fake vanilla essence that you get from the store but of a special order Tahitian vanilla paste that was so hard to come by in Hawkins. You smiled at the satisfaction. This was the life that you always wanted, a slow life filled with sweets and nothing else.

You looked around, muffins and macarons lined the display. Your French butter croissants were sold out just before lunch, a few pain au chocolats and kouign amanns here and there. You made it. You fulfilled your dreams and so did everyone else. Should you hire a staff and start serving coffee too? Einspänner, americano… You hummed lightly at the thought, it would be nice but tedious. You pride yourself in small batches of everything you have after all.

The bell by the door frame rings, indicating a new customer. You looked up from your station and smiled. It was Robin Buckley, another Hawkins High alumni.

“Hey, sorry but do you have cupcakes? Like, a lot of cupcakes,” she asked. She was trying to catch her breath and you watched her calm down.

“Um, I could check the back,” you replied before wiping your hands on your apron. Your memory recalled six cupcakes in the fridge. The genoise cake was flavored with coffee and hazelnut. A caramel buttercream would do good for the topping and you were lucky that you had caramel to incorporate into the vanilla buttercream you always had. You emerged from the backroom with six cupcakes and Robin almost swooned. She could smell the coffee from where she was, the glass panel be damned. “I have six coffee and hazelnut cupcakes. Would you like them? It would take me fifteen to thirty minutes to ice them,”

“Yeah, that’s fine,” she said. “May I sit?”

“Of course. Let me just wash my hands and get everything for your cupcakes,” you said before disappearing back to retrieve your tools. Robin watched as you neatly laid down a jar of caramel, a bowl of vanilla buttercream, and what looked like sprinkles.

“You’re from Hawkins High, right?” she asked.

“Yeah,” you nodded, without looking at her. You were busy setting your commercial grade stand mixer. “Do you want a pain au chocolat or a muffin? I baked them this morning. On the house,” you offered.

“Really?” she asked, looking at the display. Now that she really looked at it, everything seemed good. Sure, you were known back in Hawkins High as the baker girl who always had her cookies sold out but what you have now was like, light years away from your cookies. “Can I get a white chocolate and raspberry muffin?”

“Sure,” you replied before getting the requested muffin with a pair of tongs. “Do you want me to heat it up?”

“No, it’s fine. I’m really hungry and well, our friend just got back from the city after two years of little communication and I decided to get him cupcakes as a welcoming gift,” she said, standing up to take the muffin from you. “Oh, wow. This is really good,” she complimented with a mouthful of muffin. You laughed before going back to your job. You took a spatula and plopped a generous amount of caramel buttercream on the cupcakes before doing a swirl and then topping it with chocolate shavings.

“How have you been?” you asked, trying to make a light conversation. You never really talked to Robin in High School. After graduating, you kind of just left Hawkins to study in a culinary school outside Indiana.

“Good,” she replied. “Just started college since I took some time off but I’m taking Gender Studies in Indianapolis. What about you?”

“Oh, I finished my course and started my bakery,” you said. Robin could sense the pride that you held. Everybody knew that you were offered a scholarship at a prestigious culinary school and that you took it. It was the first time you got out of your comfort zone, the second was opening up your sweet shop, nobody knew what the next one would be. “Kind of lucky that Hawkins seems to like what I offer,”

“I mean, after you left Hawkins High, bake sales were never the same,” Robin laments. “Steve refused to buy other people’s cookies when he found out that you left but you’re here now.”

“I’m here now,” you repeated, finishing the cupcakes wordlessly. “I’m about finished with the cupcakes. Do you want a gift box for it?”

“Yes, please,” she replied. You nodded and told her the total price of her order and she gave you her payment.

“Let me just go to the back and fix everything,” you said. You washed your hands and carefully placed the cupcakes in a special gift box with your shop’s logo and phone number. You took another white chocolate and raspberry muffin and a salted strawberry cookie.

“Here you go, Robin,” you said, extending her a paper bag and the box of your cupcake. Robin looked at what’s inside the bag and she smiled.

“Free treats? Sweet,” she said. “Thank you!”

“Thank you!” you told her watching her away from the store and going back to tending Steve’s cake order.

-

“I’m here!” Robin announced, opening the door of the new Munson household. It was decorated nicely, Wayne’s mug collection the centrepiece of the dining room, while the walls of the living room were lined with pictures of Eddie, Wayne, and their friends.

“Welcome back, Robin,” Wayne replied. “How was your day?”

“Well, I got cupcakes for Eddie from this bakery in town. Hey, Steve, remember the girl with the best cookies from high school? She owns the place and she gave me a muffin and a cookie,” she rambled, going deeper into the house to see everyone there. Eddie ordered lots of pizza and soda for everyone while everybody else got small bits of what they considered as welcoming gifts. “Hi, Eddie! Welcome back. This is for you,” she said, before hugging him.

“Thanks, Robs,” he replied. Robin took him in—all tattoos and long hair. He looked older now but happier. Definitely happier. Eddie looked at the box and saw the cupcakes. “You know, I think I know her…the baker, I mean. She used to give me free cookies back in high school,”

“Yeah! Well, she has this shop now and she’s doing good,” Robin replied, sitting beside Steve.

“Anyway, how have you been? We were all shocked to know that you weren’t coming back after a month and the next thing we knew, people were lining up in the record store beside Family Video for a copy of your CD,” Steve asked. There was bitterness in his voice and Eddie understood. He knew that Steve was happy for him, though. He even attended one of his shows in Manhattan when they were small and then went to two shows after the release of the album. Eddie even brought him to his apartment, reliving what Hawkins used to be over scotch and beer. They had little correspondence over the years but that didn’t change the fact that Steve and Eddie were still close. They were just too busy growing up with their growing pains but it was alright.

“Really good but also, really tired.” Eddie replied. “Management gave us a four-month break before we go back to L.A. to write and record songs. We’re planning to release an album next year. But yeah, I decided to come back home for the break. It's been two years since I stepped foot in Hawkins and the first thing I hear is Wayne asking if I got him mugs from the cities I’ve been in,” he teased.

“Well, Wayne’s collection is as impressive as ever,” Nancy added. She has been talking mindlessly to Robin about her journalism classes, the two girls already concocting a plan to collaborate on a research paper.

“Thank you, Nancy,” Wayne said. Knocks at the door startled the group and in went a gaggle of children who all raced to Eddie, save for the lone adult in the group named Jonathan Byers.

“There’s this asshole,” That was Dustin.

“Hey, Eddie,” Max.

“Eddie!” Lucas and Mike.

“Hi,” El, Will, and Jonathan.

“Hey, guys!” Eddie smiled, standing up from the La-Z Boy. “How are you?”

Dustin tackled him into a hug. “You shouldn’t leave like that again, you hear me, asshole? Seriously, I was biking to and from the trailer park to see if you’d be back until you called to tell me that you’d be gone indefinitely,”

“Sorry, Dustin,” Eddie apologized, ruffling his curly hair. He meant it and he knew the bearing of being Dustin’s friend. “I know I shouldn’t have done that but it worked out well, huh?”

“Yeah,” Dustin nodded, breaking away from Eddie. Mike and the rest gave him half hugs while Max opted for a small wave. “We’re at the cool table now because I’ve been telling them that my friends, Steve Harrington and Eddie Munson will beat the shit out of them if they make fun of any of us,” he snickered, earning  eye rolls from the two men whom he considered as his older brothers. Thankfully, Dustin’s anger for Eddie seemed to dissipate.

“How long are you here for, neighbor?” Lucas asked. He was even taller now and Eddie couldn’t quite believe it.

“Four months,” Eddie replied. “I’ll be here for four months.”

Four months was enough time, the group decided. The rest of the night was spent with soda, beer, pizza, and other junk food. It felt just like the old times, the kids taking digs at Eddie and Steve, Nancy and Jonathan curled in a corner, and Robin splayed out on top of her friends. Wayne took pictures of them together to hang on the wall. Jonathan said he’ll develop them.

-

“Yeah, do you think I can order single origin coffee beans and some coffee syrups? Your catalogue said that you offered coffee supplies? Yeah, I’ll have caramel, dark chocolate, and vanilla syrups with that too,” you said over the phone. An impulsive thought from last week turned into reality—you bought a commercial espresso machine and hung a “HIRING” sign on the glass door of your shop. “Next week? Okay, that’s fine. Thanks,” you said before hanging up.

The coffee supplies scattered across your workspace were free samples and you sighed, trying to make a coffee menu. Some people already applied for the job but nobody could quite make the cut yet. Nobody had the precision that you were looking for. The shop was quite hectic today and you really needed another helping hand. With baking, inventory, cleaning up, and everything else, your business was wearing you to the bone. You wouldn’t have it any other way; your business was slowly expanding, it’s just that help could really come in handy.

“Hey, can I get a dozen assorted cookies?” a voice asked and you turned.

“Oh, my God,” you gasped. “Eddie Munson from middle school, right?” Eddie smiled, glad that you remembered him. How could you not? You were hopelessly crushing on the boy since you laid your eyes on him in middle school. You may or may not have given him a batch of special cookies during bake sales to convey your feelings but you were so positive that he didn’t catch it. He’d always run off with a quick ‘thanks’ or a ‘see you later.’

“The one and only,” he replied. “How have you been?”

“Good…great,” you replied, heart beating loudly. You were so sure that you buried your crush after you graduated high school but it seemed like your heart had other plans. “You?”

“Great,” he replied as he watched you pick different flavors of cookies—chocolate chip, smores, cheesecake, tiramisu, salted strawberry, butterscotch, double chocolate, chocolate and peanut butter marble, chocolate crinkle, cashew raspberry, whoopie pie, and tagalongs.

“It’s been a while,” you replied, bagging the cookies in individual parchment paper before placing them in a box. Just like how you used to in high school.

“Years,” he said. “I went to your graduation but you already left. Wanted to say thank you for the cookies,” he revealed, making you pause for a moment. “and for being the single person in all of Indiana who gave me the time of day,”

“You did?” you asked, tying the box with a ribbon. “I didn’t go because it was the orientation week for the culinary school I went to. Here,” you handed him the box.

“How much?”

“It’s on the house. Let’s keep the tradition going with free cookies,” you smiled, looking at Eddie’s brown sugar eyes, sickly and sweet.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“Yeah,” you nodded. “Don’t worry about it,” But you did have to worry about it because Eddie was here and as long as he visited, he’d get free cookies from you and you would probably run out of business but it was Eddie. Any rational thought was out of the window as soon as you saw him. He was more handsome now, bigger arms from playing the guitar, long hair more kept in place but still wild enough to be signature Eddie. There was a slight stubble growing on his chin, more confidence, more everything in the best way possible. He’d be the death of you, you realize.

“Come on. I have to pay for all the cookies you gave me back then,” he said. Eddie didn’t think he’d have this opportunity again but he did. Just like back then, he felt his heart thumpthumpthumping so fast that it was ringing in his ears. His palms were sweaty but if he was nervous, he made sure to show no indication of it. He coughed to clear his throat. “What if…what if I take you out sometime? Like, a friendly dinner?”

Friendly dinner. God, a friendly dinner with your long-time crush, surely you’d manage.

“Okay,” you smiled.

“What time are you free?” he asked.

“Not today…I have to test these coffee stuff because I’m adding coffee to the menu,” you said sadly but Eddie only beamed.

“You close at six p.m., right? I’ll be here with dinner and you can ask me for my opinions on coffee,” he said.

“You won’t sleep,” you warned him, a soft smile on your face.

“I don’t sleep anyway, sweetheart,” he said. “So, Italian? Chinese?”

“Any is okay,” you said. Eddie left with a wink after that and you had to physically catch your breath. Meanwhile, Eddie was freaking out. No greasy food in Hawkins was enough for you. Eddie knew from the get-go that you enjoyed—deserved fancy things and who knew fancy things like the back of his hand? Steve Harrington.

“Do you know any five star restaurant with take-out?” Eddie asked, alerting Steve in his office.

“What?” Steve asked.

“I went to the bakery because the cupcakes Robin got were delicious and I was supposed to buy cookies but she was there and she gave me cookies and I said I’ll take her for a friendly dinner,” Eddie rambled making Steve laugh loudly. Eddie was sure that Steve was probably wiping his eyes from the tears leaking out because how could a famous rock star be so nervous to ask a small-town girl for a date? “Shut the fuck up, Harrington,”

“Okay, okay!” Steve chuckled before telling Eddie about an Italian restaurant in town. It wasn’t the fanciest but the owners were Italian and they served the best risotto and pasta ever. Eddie took note of that, ending the call and then calling the restaurant for pick-up, ordering what seemed to be whatever the owner recommended and then setting up a delivery at his home at around 5:30 in the afternoon.

Eddie paced. He could’ve asked for a different day for that dinner but he couldn’t resist. What if this was the last opportunity for him to see you again? What if you had a boyfriend who wasn’t fine with a possible friendship with him? He looked at the wine collection that he had built for possible guests—Christ, who would’ve thought Eddie was ever going to have a wine collection? He sounded like a proper douchebag right now but all is well because he saw a bottle of red wine that he had many moons ago in Europe for a meeting with a designer. It was so impressive that Eddie bought some back home in America and sent some to his uncle in Hawkins. He took it and set it on the counter. Wayne was at work right now and Eddie was left alone. Should he change his outfit? Or would it be too forward if he showed up in a suit?

-

An angel in the form of Max Mayfield enters your shop, an envelope in hand.

“Hey, I’m Max Mayfield. I saw that you were hiring and well, I, uh, wanted to apply,” she said, unsure. You smiled warmly at her and told her to sit on any chair seat, asking her if she wanted anything to which she replied with a short, “Nothing.”

You sat in front of her before reading the resume that she gave you. Maxine Mayfield, student of Hawkins High, skills, etcetera, etcetera.

“Do you know what you’re applying for?” you asked her. “Before we go into the application process, I’d like to inform you about the responsibilities. You’ll have to man the coffee bar, help out with baking, inventory, and the cashbox. You’d also have to help me clean up but other than that, everything’s all me. Sometimes, I’ll ask you to do something of course but I promise it’s nothing too tiresome. The business has been expanding and I just really need help with maintaining the place,” you said. Max listened attentively, taking mental notes of what it would be like to work here. Robin offered her a job at Family Video and Steve told her that she could probably intern at his work. He was employed in some big-shot accounting firm in Hawkins while taking over his dad’s real estate business slowly but Max wanted to make it on her own. No help from anyone or anything.

“That’s fine with me,” she said.

“Okay? You’ll receive training from me and you get free pastries as long as you work here. We have lots of surplus baked goods from orders and whatnot. You can also have free coffee using the espresso machine, I’d have to teach you how to use that, too.” you said. One thing you learned from interning at a patisserie in New Jersey was how there will always be surplus. At the end of the day, you’d have to throw out anything that didn’t sell and it always felt wasteful. You didn’t like wasting food but surplus was inevitable; so you opted for ‘free tastes’ and freebies for big batch orders. Two-day old breads were turned into bread pudding or croutons that you sold. Extra cakes were turned into cake jars or cake pops. Leftover macarons were used as cake decor and so on. Cookies and cupcakes were your bestsellers.  

“Does that mean I’m hired?” she asked and you nodded.

“Yeah,” you nodded. Out of all the applicants, it seems as though Max was the best one. You were happy you held out, Max seems responsible and intelligent. You were sure that you could rely on her. You told her about her salary which was more than what she thought she’d and she smiled. She could probably help with the bills at home and have enough for her allowance. “You start on Monday. The shop is usually closed on Sunday but Sundays are prep days. It’s the day I fix everything before another week. Saturday is inventory day, so I’ll show you that too. Just come here on Monday so we could start with training. Don’t worry, your training is paid. Just don’t forget to clock in and clock out. Standard working hours. Nine to five,”

“Okay,” she nodded. “I’ll see you on Sunday at nine,”

You nodded and stood up. “Good to meet you, Max,” you said, shaking her hand.

“Nice meeting you too. Thank you, by the way,” she said, waving her hand goodbye before leaving.

-

Eddie was sure that coffee and wine would not mix well together. He walked inside your shop at 6:05 p.m., ignoring the ‘CLOSED’ sign. You emerged from the back room with a tray of coffee supplies when you smiled at him.

“Sorry, I was late. How was the rest of your day?” he asked, wine and bags of food in his hands.

“Good,” you nodded. “You were just in time. The last customer just left. Where do you want to have dinner? Here or in the backroom? You can come in, let me just set up the coffee bar, so we could start after eating,”

Eddie nodded, pushing the barricade open before setting the food in the backroom. Your backroom was so unlike the one in Family Video where he used to waste the day away. Yours was a professional culinary kitchen—commercial stand mixers, ovens, a big refrigerator, a freezer, an island and a sink in the center with bar stools on the side. The place was pristine—spotless, even. Everything was so modern and just amazing but it still felt homey. There was a small room deep into the back where he could peek a computer, bag, and a shelf of notebooks and cookbooks.

“Hi, sorry,” you said, wiping your hands on the apron before discarding it entirely in the bin. “I’m done! Let me just get our dessert,”

“Our dessert?” Eddie laughed. “I thought this was my treat,”

“I know but it wouldn’t hurt to have some creme brulee, right?” you asked before sitting in front of him. You watched Eddie take out the food that he got for you, Steve’s recommendations of risotto, ravioli, and prosciutto and arugula pizza. He also brought with him what looked like expensive wine. “I don’t have wine glasses for the both of us but I have these mugs,” you told him, showing him kitsch bunny mugs with strawberries and flowers.

“That’s fine with me,” he said. “Let’s eat?” Eddie couldn’t describe it but it felt like God was playing soulful piano somewhere in the universe for the two of you. There was a gentle smile as you helped yourself with a serving of everything; splitting the plates between the two of you. Eddie poured wine on your bunny mugs, completely comfortable silence blanketing the back room.

“I was so surprised when I heard your voice on the radio,” you told him. “I mean, always knew you’d make it out of Hawkins but I didn’t even know that you left. I just didn’t see you anymore when I came back,”

“What did you think?” Eddie asked. For some reason, he was so nervous about what you could possibly think of him and his band. Maybe because he wanted to impress you so much because you were the only person who was kind enough to listen to him and lend him a drawing pencil when he was sketching the logo for Hellfire Club.

“I always knew you could sing and I don’t like rock at all that much,” you said bluntly, swallowing a large gulp of wine. “But you made it likeable for me. I’m not really all that informed in music but I don’t know. I really like it,” you said. Maybe it was one of the best records you’ve heard because it was Eddie and in your eyes, Eddie could do no wrong; but in all honesty, it was good. “I’ve collected your albums since,”

“You did, huh?” he asked, a teasing smirk playing on his lips.

“Yeah,” you nodded shyly. “I have to at least support a fellow Hawkins citizen for patriotism and all that, right? Need an autograph to show my friends,” Eddie nodded and you fell into an easy conversation. This was probably the longest time that you’d ever spent with each other; save for when you both sat beside each other during your classes. He told you about the world; the places he’s been in and what life must have felt like for him. Eddie Munson was one who’d always seize the moment and capture an opportunity—it was how he got his success.

“I was drunk out of my mind in Malibu when this actress came to me and said that she would love to have a tattoo of some lame drawing that I had,” he said. “I was drunk but I was no quitter; so, I took out my tattoo gun and tattooed a lame flower with like, four petals on her thigh. She was pretty drunk too, I guess because she called me the morning after asking why she had an ugly tattoo on her thigh.” He laughed and you chuckled at his theatrics. You, on the other hand, were tied down to this place. You left Hawkins for five years and then came back because you were so comfortable in it. It was your home—rolling hills, crunch leaves, bikes, and living life in slow-motion.

“Wait, you were in New Jersey for a year?” Eddie asked. “That’s a short travel from New York. I would’ve visited you and we’d be the kids who saw something more outside Hawkins,”

“Yeah, but we never really stayed in touch or talked outside school,” you told him. “I was too busy chasing scholarships and college and everything else that I never really had time for friends or anything like that,”

“But it worked out well for the two of us, right?” he asked. “And well, we’re out of school now, maybe it’s time for the two of us to go way past cookies and small waves,” he said, leaning forward in the chair; closer to you.

“I guess so.” you said. “So, we’re friends now?”

“This is a friendly dinner, after all,” Eddie replied, a toothy grin decorating his handsome features. He’d be the death of you, you realized. The crush that you tried so hard to bury was back and bigger. It clawed in your chest like a monster asking for your attention. It warmed your heart and you were sure that a few more smiles that lit up the place would melt your heart; coating his hands like honey because of this sickly sweet feeling.

Maybe it was the coffee that Eddie tasted but he was laid in his bed, wide awake. His thoughts were racing at least a hundred miles per hour and he was so, so, so, convinced that it was coffee. Coffee that you made. It’s why he was thinking of you and of going back to your shop and asking for more or else he’d have withdrawals. Maybe it was the sugar rush from the custardy creme brulee. Maybe it was the vanilla smell that wafted in the air. Maybe it was John Coltrane’s My Favorite Things playing on the speakers. Maybe it was something else entirely but one thing was for sure, he has to see you again. He doesn’t know when but it has to be soon.

-

“Eddie, you’ve been smiling on your glass like a goddamn fool for minutes now,” Steve called. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah,” he nodded, snapping back to reality. Robin and Steve sat across from him. He asked if they could all get together for drinks after work in his house and they both agreed.

“How was your friendly dinner?” Steve asked, a knowing smile on his lips. Robin’s eyes almost fell out of its sockets. Eddie Munson was dating?

“With who?” Robin asked, looking around for some clues when her eyes landed on a familiar box that looked entirely similar to the one she brought the other day. “Oh my God!”

“Right?” Steve asked, eyebrow raising. “He calls me during work hours and asks me for five star restaurants that serve take-out for a friendly dinner. Must’ve been so good for Eddie to smile like that at a glass of bourbon,”

“Shut it, Harrington,” he groaned, running a hand through his face. “I don’t know what this is yet, alright? But whatever it is you’re insinuating isn’t fucking real,”

“Okay, pretty boy. No need to get your panties in a twist,” Steve teased, holding his hands up in surrender. “Just make sure you get me some of the mini tres leches cake when you visit her next time,”

“You know, I heard from Nancy who heard it from Mike that Max was going to start working there on Sunday,” Robin said. “I don’t really know what to do with that information but you might, Eddie,”

“Nope,” Eddie said, shaking his head in artificial nonchalance. “Steve might,”

“Not me,” Steve said. “I’m not the one who called a friend for five-star lunch takeouts,” he replied, earning a laugh from Robin.

“Fuck you, Harrington. Your ass is grass when it’s your turn,” Eddie grumbled before downing his drink.

Turns out, Eddie knew exactly what to do with that information because on Saturday lunch, Eddie strolls around with the kids except for Max, who was busy extracting espresso.

“What can I help—“ Max greeted before seeing her friends. She groaned, they were her friends and she loves them but they could be a handful sometimes. It was even worse because Steve was there with his shiny credit card, telling everyone to get whatever they wanted. “Ugh, guys? Really? My workplace?”

“Eddie told us that he’d get us everything we wanted from this place,” Mike said. “And I’m not one to say no to grace,”

“Fine, what do you want?” Max asked, pulling out her paper and pen. She wrote their orders; coffees and an assortment of pastries for everyone.

“Get some for yourself too, Max,” Eddie replied. “Just swipe my card,”

“No, thanks. I get everything here for free. Employee’s perks,” she boasts. “If you’re looking for my boss, she’s currently outside with her friend having lunch,” She smirked at Eddie’s obvious disappointment. “Sorry, Eddie. If you want, I can pass her a message,”

“No, that’s fine,” Eddie said. “Hey, hey! Dustin, stop hitting Will!”

Max only laughed before swiping Eddie’s card and tending to the orders.

It was always chaotic when the kids all got together. Sure, they were probably as old as Eddie once was but in his eyes, the gang were still children. No amount of facial hair and genes would change that. He was busy talking to Dustin when he heard you laugh, and everything in his mind suddenly went thump, thump, thum, thump. Everything was suddenly even more chaotic than the party because why did Eddie suddenly close his mouth when he was in the middle of telling Dustin about his adventures? Dustin looked up to see what Eddie was pitifully looking at. You and another man. A friend? That’s what Max said, right?

“Eddie!” you greeted, a smile on your lips. “It’s nice to see you here,”

“Hey,” he smiled tightly, eyeing the man behind you. Was that your boyfriend? “Haven’t seen you in a while,”

“You saw me last week,” you replied. “But yeah, it’s been awhile. How are you?”

“Just taking the kids out for lunch,” he said. “Max apparently works here now too so, thought that it would be nice to visit,”

“Oh, yeah! Um, Max, you can take a break and hang out with them. I’ll take care of the rest, don’t worry,” you said, walking towards the cashier with Alex behind you.

“Are you sure?” Max asked and you assured her that it was fine. That it was her break time anyway. She smiled gratefully before stalking towards her friends with a croissant sandwich you made her last night. Eddie was preoccupied, distracted as he listened to Dustin complain about how hard it was to be away from his girlfriend. He was straining his ear to get some information on this guy you’re suddenly with.

“Hey, Alex, can you tend to the customer while I prepare the pick-up for today?” you asked.

“Sure,” was this asshole’s reply, as if you deserved a one-word reply.

“Thanks,” you smiled before disappearing into the backroom.

“What can I get for you today?” Alex asked, notepad and pen in hand. Eddie watched as Alex nodded, suggesting flavors and other products to a customer. This was what you probably wanted, right? You mentioned how you loved the slow-paced life in Hawkins. It was the reason why you returned, dreams and goals in hand.

“That’s Alex. They met in culinary school and he was in Indianapolis when he decided to come visit her in Hawkins,” Max said, wiping her mouth with a paper towel. “Don’t worry about him. They’re literally just friends,”

“I wasn’t asking,” was Eddie’s defensive reply, making Max frown.

“But I think he has a crush on her,” Max said, to get back at Eddie’s rude remark. She was just trying to help flesh out something that was so obvious. “I mean, who would drive from Indianapolis to Hawkins for lunch, right? He even got her stuff from his hometown. Stuff she said she misses but it’s not like you were asking, right?”

“Yeah,” Eddie nodded warily. “Not like I was asking,”

-

Eddie went back home that day, annoyed. It wasn’t because of Max’s snarky reply or anything. He just couldn’t place what it was. Maybe because he went there to see you and he didn’t. Or maybe he felt guilty. He didn’t know what it was but he was positive that there was something. Eddie knew that talking to Steve would probably result in some bullshit explanation like feelings. Steve was too much of a hopeless romantic to actually say a rational explanation for his troubles.

“Ugh,” Eddie groaned into his pillow before swiftly standing up. “What the hell,”

Eddie trudged down to the living room. Wayne was about to come home any minute now and he at least needed to prepare for dinner. He wasn’t the best cook so he decided to take his dear, old Uncle to a nice dinner in the city. Eddie looked around and a surge of gratefulness passed him. Who would’ve thought that Hawkins’ Freak would be able to afford a house for his uncle? That he could eat out three times a day, everyday and not think about how to pay for all of it? Who would’ve thought that he could afford things that seemed like literal lightyears away?

-

“Do you and Eddie have something?” Max asked, wiping the kitchen island. Alex, who was washing the trays, stilled and looked at you.

“Wait, that was Eddie Munson? The Eddie Munson? Rockstar Eddie?” Alex asked. “The same Eddie that you’ve been pining for since middle school?” Now, Max didn’t mean to, but she struck gold. She saw how Eddie was giving Alex the stink eye. Sure, she lied but she got good results. The ends justify the means, after all.

“Alex!” you hissed from the pantry area. “You didn’t hear anything, Max,”

“Oh, I heard everything. You’ve been crushing on Eddie since middle school,” she teased.

“Looks like the feelings are reciprocated, I can feel his eyes burn holes on my body,” Alex added. “Does he know you’re single?”

“Why does it matter?” you asked, moving onto the chocolate chips.

“Because you like him,” Max said, an all-knowing tone in her voice. “And he probably likes you back too,”

“I agree with Red over here,” Alex said. “You have to tell me everything, Max. I won’t be here again after a long time but I expect a weekly newsletter all about her and Eddie Munson,”

“Oh, God,” you groaned. You were lucky that you were facing away from them because they would easily see how bashful you were being. “You get together for a day and you’re all ganging up against me,”

“All towards the same goal,” Alex said. “How about we leave this place and have some Chinese food, huh? I’m sick of cleaning and quite frankly, I am not paid enough for this. Besides, it’s my last night,”

“Hey! I let you crash in my spare bedroom for free,” you complained.

“And I have to listen about your crush every night. So, really, I’m doing more work,” he countered. “Seriously, Red, we have to get her drunk tonight and you will see—he’s all she talks about. You know, when he first released his EP, she lined up at the record store to get it. I didn’t know why she suddenly wanted to listen to rock until I found out that Eddie Munson was the frontman of Corroded Coffin,”

“She’s still under twenty-one, Alex,” you reminded him. “What kind of boss would I be if I get drunk in front of my newbie?”

“I mean, Steve and Robin get drunk around us all the time,” Max said, shrugging slightly to show that she doesn’t care but she does. She really wants to see you talk about Eddie because you were so guarded especially when it came to your emotions. Sure, she felt at ease with you; welcoming smiles and warm words but she doesn’t know anything about you.

“See? It’s fine. Besides, it’s Sunday tomorrow. You deserve a hangover,”

-

“He said,” you hiccuped over bottles of beer and plates of Chinese food. “that he went to my graduation to congratulate me and say thank you for the cookies but I wasn’t in Hawkins anymore,”

“And then what?” Alex asked, equally drunk as you. Max had no way to go back home especially with two drunk adults in her presence but there were two things that she was sure of—one, you and Alex treated each other like siblings and two, you have a big crush on Eddie that you tried to bury.

“And then nothing,” you said, eyes clouded from the alcohol in your system. “We never talked again and he left Hawkins but we’re…” you tasted the word on your tongue, bitterness coating it and you weren’t sure if it was the shots of baijiu that you had or the word itself but either way, you found yourself reaching for the water to down it. “friends. We’re friends,”

“Eugh,” Alex expressed, an unpleasant look on his face. “That’s really…not cool. Hey, Maxie, what word is not cool?”

“Don’t call me that,” she said with a smile on her face. “Uncool?”

“Yeah, uncool. Not rad. Un-rad,” he said. “Oh, God, how are we going to take you home? Do you know how to drive?”

“No,” Max half-lied. Well, technically she knew the basics but after almost slamming Steve’s BMW into the curb, she decided to stay off the steering wheel and have someone drive. “I can call my friend, Lucas, and have him take us,”

“Oh, Lucas Sinclair?” you teased. “You’re out here—hiccup—teasing me when you have love problems of your own?” Alex looks at Max with a raised eyebrow.

“Now, who’s this Luke Sinclair and why do you know his home number?” Alex asked, an accusatory finger waving in the air.

“Guys!” Max scolded. “I’ll call him, okay? Don’t leave,”

“Okay, mom,” you both groaned before falling into messy laughter, finding it funny that you called your junior your mother.

-

“Hey, Eddie?” Lucas knocked. “Open up!”

Lucas hears a light jog towards the door that soon opened.

“What, Sinclair?” Eddie asked, a hand on his hip.

“Max called me and well, yourgirlfriendgotreallydrunk and now needs a ride home,” Lucas said. Eddie furrowed his brows.

“Wait, what? My girlfriend?” Eddie asked.

“Yeah. Max’s boss? She told me that you’re her boyfriend and well, I know how to drive but my parents are not at home and therefore, I have no car and no way of getting there so I came here to ask if you can lend me your really, cool, brand new van so I can drive to where they are and get them home?” Lucas rambled, his hands doing all the work to convince Eddie.

“Fine, fine. Let me get the keys and you can sit shotgun,” Eddie said, disappearing into the house. “Big rockstar but still a fucking babysitter for these nutjobs,” he complained, meaning for Lucas to hear all of it but Lucas only chuckled.

You were laughing with Alex when you saw a familiar figure in a pair of Ray Bans and a hoodie. He followed who looked like Max’s boyfriend and you smiled.

“Hello, Max’s boyfriend!” you greeted, earning a look of horror from the redhead. Lucas was obviously thrown off guard, a stuttering mess before you.

“She’s not my-uh, girlfriend,” Lucas defended, earning a glare from Max. “But I’m with—“

“Edward, Edison, Eduardo?” Alex asked, raising from his hunched over figure.

“All right,” Eddie clapped his hands. “Let’s go. Up, up, up,” he commanded before walking to you. “You think you can walk to the van, sugar?” he asked and you looked at him, his eyes pleading.

“Brown sugar,” you mumbled. Eddie tilted his head to the side slightly, to ask you what you meant. “Your eyes shine like brown sugar.”

-

You groaned, the sun hitting your eyes. You had more than to drink last night and you were pretty sure you couldn’t remember anything. How you and Alex laid sprawled on the couch was a mystery but you had to call Max to check if she was okay. You could remember fragments of last night; calling Max ‘mom’, telling them about your stupid crush…Eddie. Oh, God. Eddie was there last night.

Your head pounded and you looked at your coffee table with two glasses of water and a bottle of aspirin for your headache. You reach for it, downing the glass of water with a tablet of the medicine before preparing a bowl of ice cold water to dunk your head into. Wiping your face with a paper towel after you were sure that you were somehow awake, you called Max’s phone number.

“Hello?” she asks from the other side.

“Hey, Max,” you said.

“Oh, hello, Mrs. Munson,” she teased, making your face warm up. Somehow, that teasing brought everything back, ice cold water be damned.

“Max!” you groaned and she laughed. “I just wanted to call if you were okay? I’m sorry Alex and I got drunk last night,”

“Yeah, I’m good. Eddie and Lucas brought me back after we made sure that you were alright. It’s a good thing you gave me your address for emergencies. Are you feeling alright?” she asked.

“Yeah,” you nodded. “My head hurts but it’s fine. Um, I’m really sorry for being irresponsible last night. I promise I’m not like that everytime I grab dinner. But yeah. Take the day off so you could rest,”

“Okay,” Max agreed. “Thank you. Call me if you need anything?”

“Sure, Max,” you said. “Alex is leaving today. I think he wants to say goodbye to you but I’ll make him drive to you instead. Is that okay?”

“Yeah,” Max replied. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

The call ended and now you are thinking about your next set of problems—what did you say last night and did you embarrass yourself in front of Eddie Munson?

-

Eddie blushes at the sign of brown sugar, a bashful smile tugging on his lips.

“What’s gotten into you?” Wayne asked over breakfast. Eddie sighs happily and looks at his uncle.

“Nothing. Just…brown sugar is such a gift, huh?” Eddie asked. Reaching for the small jar of brown sugar for their coffee. Wayne looks at his nephew questioningly before going back to his breakfast. If breakfast meant Eddie talking nonsense, he’d rather have it in silence.

Eddie couldn’t forget last night. His eyes shone like brown sugar? That sounds like something right out of a love song. He couldn’t stop thinking about you—giggling at something Lucas said about irresponsible adults, head on Max’s shoulders, and you even touched him slightly on his shoulders when you saw him at the restaurant. Then, when he took you home, he saw the vinyl collection beside your television, all his records littering the area because it meant that you listened to his songs religiously. It didn’t help that you were smiling so prettily at him, so sweet and beautiful despite the chaos that Alex was causing in the backdrop. He had to look for a spare blanket but it was okay. You pouted when he tucked you in your couch but blew him a drunken kiss nonetheless. He was full-on grinning on the jar of brown sugar now, unbeknownst to him, his uncle was watching.

But what he couldn’t explain was how bright the stars were last night when you were leaning towards him closer, laughing at some stupid shit he said. How he always had to look for an excuse to come to your shop. How he doesn’t even have your number yet and how badly he wants to call you with no inhibitions and hesitations. He wanted them all and he didn’t care if he was being greedy. Christ, if he could put you in his pocket forever, he would.

“Fuck,” Eddie muttered. He’s caught the bug.

-

Sunday afternoon and Alex has left. You were in your shop alone, visibly stressed. Alex told you about how Eddie tucked you in and what the fuck—how were you supposed to recover from that? That only proved how sweet he really is. But it’s not like you needed any convincing. Eddie in high school was sweet to you but Eddie now was way sweeter and it was giving you such a rush.

You needed—really needed to be distracted with something else because this crush is clawing its way out, manifesting into more physical forms and you were scared that you wouldn’t be able to hide it anymore. Max caught on it quickly. You wanted to stay away from Eddie but how could you, really? He’s like a flame pulling you closer and closer. The sun to your Icarus until you fall.

Only, you were hoping that you stick your landing.

-

Lingering questions were stuck in his mind. If what he felt was true, would you accept him? What if he was reading in between the lines and that there was nothing actually there? Was he forcing something to happen? He couldn’t stop thinking about you; about high school, about the possibility of something happening.

“Steve, I’m telling you this girl…I just can’t fucking—I don’t know,” Eddie muttered. It was Sunday lunch with Steve. “It’s like, it’s like she’s all I think about and I’m not even sure what’s gotten into me,”

Steve Harrington was having a fun time watching his friend fall before him. He doesn’t even realize it and Steve won’t say anything. He’d rather bear witness to when Eddie’s eyes widen in shock, when the truth settles on him. So, rather than telling Eddie what he so desperately felt, Steve took a bite of his sandwich.

“Like, like, Alex was there, right? Her friend and I got so angry because he gave her a one-worded reply. The thing is, she doesn’t even deserve that. Yeah? Sure? Say your words big guy. You know? But I felt so stupid because when I got there last night, it was so obvious that they were only friends. Like, platonic with a capital ‘P’,” Eddie rambled. “And she’s always been so kind to me in high school. Way kinder that you ever were, by the way,” Eddie added, shooting Steve a pointed look.

“Cookies?”

“Not just cookies! She helped me whenever I got lost in a lesson, always pointing me to which part to read. Lent me her pencil and always gave me smiles. Like, who does that?” Eddie asked. “And last night, I was in her house and saw her vinyl collection. Corroded Coffin was littered, Steve. The EP was on the vinyl player itself. That must mean something right? But like, I don’t know. Maybe I’m just being stupid,”

“Is that her?” Steve asked, looking at something in the distance. Eddie’s head whipped to where Steve was looking and you weren’t there. Steve, on the other hand, was laughing so loudly. There was nothing to look for, obviously. They were in an empty parking lot after all. It was obviously a ploy. “Eh, looked like her,”

“Fuck you, Harrington. I swear to God,” Eddie groaned, his head falling on his hands. This feeling was so unfamiliar for him and he doesn’t know how to fucking—process everything. Steve was obviously useless for the advice that he was trying to seek but he didn’t even know what he wanted from the boy right in front of him.

“Look,” Steve said, swallowing his food. “Maybe…just maybe, Eddie Munson has a crush,”

Eddie peeks from his caging hands and then looks at Eddie. Reality hits him like a bucket of ice cold water on his face. Steve watches in amusement when Eddie opens his mouth only to close it again. He can see the gears in Eddie’s head working, knees jumping at high speed.

“I need to smoke,” Eddie suddenly said, lighting a cigarette from his pocket. He needs something to calm him down because what the fuck—what Steve said made so much sense. He had a big crush on you and he felt so childish; like he was in middle school again because if there’s something Eddie wants, he’d do anything to fucking do it. If there’s someone Eddie wants, he’d do anything to make sure that all their attention was on him.

“Can’t believe it took you some advice from old Steve Harrington to realize your feelings,” Steve boasts. “But hey, best man, right?”

-

On Monday morning, Eddie found himself knocking on your shop’s glass door hours before you even opened. You looked up from your coffee and your newspaper, surprised. He smiled once your eyes settled on him and you felt that warm, fuzzy feeling again. How was this gorgeous boy giving his smiles away for free? You stood up from your chair and walked over to unlock the door.

“Sorry, we aren’t open yet,” you said but opening the door wider for him to enter.

“I know,” he replied. “I’m not here for the pastries. I’m actually here for you,”

And oh my, God. Maybe you suppressed that feeling before—successfully; but Eddie went out of his way to come here for you. That ought to rattle the cage of butterflies in your stomach, right?

“Really? What for?” you asked. “Can I interest you in some coffee?”

“No, thanks. I just came here to see you. No other reason,” he said, sitting on your chair and reading over the news. “But I just wanted to ask how you were? I hope you didn’t sport a bad hangover yesterday, sugar.”

You didn’t actually. A headache in the form of the unknown has come to haunt you instead. Alex was pestering you about Eddie all day and you still couldn’t remember what you said to him. You didn’t like knowing but you didn’t want to ask Eddie, either.

“Nothing bad, really. Max said you took us home? Thank you for that,” you smiled, sitting in front of him and reaching for your coffee. “Um, look, if I said anything embarrassing that night, please forget it. I didn’t mean it.” Eddie’s smile only got bigger, if anything.

“Sure,” he nodded. “You didn’t really say or do anything,” he lied. How could he tell you that brown sugar can put him on his knees now? That would be embarrassing now, would it? Besides, you can say what you like—drunk words are still sober thoughts.

“Thanks,” you said, nodding. “I have to thank you for it sometime.”

“Think of that as a payment for your cookies,” he said. “No need to owe me. Besides, is this friendship really built on favors?”

“No, of course not,” you said before thinking. “but Eddie, if you ever need anything, just don’t hesitate to ask me for it, okay?”

“Yeah,” he nodded. “The same goes for you…Actually, I came here for something,”

“What is it?”

“I want to take you out on a date. Can I?” he asked. “Wait, hold on, bad wording. I would really, really love it if you’d let me take you out on a date. Would you let me?”

There it was. The question you’ve been dying for since high school. But how could you word that you were scared things would go well and he’d have to leave Hawkins and then you? That this was a big step for you because you wanted it so badly but you didn’t want to fuck it up because you really, really wanted Eddie Munson in your life forever? But what if this is your last chance to have a date with him? What if he finds someone more interesting than you and—

“Look, you don’t have to answer now,” he chuckled. “I can see the gears turning inside your head but just tell me, would there be like, a small sliver of ‘yes’ inside your head?”

“Yes,” you said without a second thought.

“Well, I’ll take that sliver of hope and have you focus on me until you say yes to our date,” he said; a statement bold and free of any doubts. Prepare to be sick of me,”

-

You were tired today. You had bespoke cake orders and God forbid, your client wanted to change everything last minute. Sure, she was willing to pay but the cake has been done. You didn’t have time and quite frankly, you were too stressed to even do anything. Maybe you’ll have cup ramen tonight. You didn’t even have the energy to wash the dishes.

You were on your way out to buy cup ramen at the nearest convenience store when Eddie jogs up to you. You looked at him, surprised. He could see the bags under your eyes and he just wanted to make it all go away.

“Hey, Eddie,” you smiled.

“Tired?” he asked and you nodded, scrunching your face in frustration; not wanting to let any of your anger out because what the fuck—that customer was so fucking rude to you for what? It was a long day and you just wanted to go home and curl up but no, she had the gall to demand good service because she was paying for it anyway.  “Hey, hey, it’s okay. What happened?”

“I’m so tired,” you told him, visibly deflating and Eddie puts you on steady, hands on your arms. You lean into him and he accepts the close proximity. “Oh, God. Want to take a break for a while. Like, five minutes,”

Eddie nodded. “Do you want to go somewhere? Have you eaten?”

“No, I’m on my way to the store to get some cup ramen,” you admitted, hating the way you might seem to Eddie right now.

“No, that’s not going to happen,” he said. “Let’s go back in and I’ll order something for us, hm?”

“But the dishes…I have to clean the kitchen so I can start…”

“It’s okay. I’ll do the dishes while you rest before you do your big girl thing, okay? Let’s go back. Cup ramen won’t give you any nutritional value,” he says and you don’t hear any sort of chiding or mocking. He was genuinely concerned because you look so…drained. You allowed him to lead you back, his hand on the small of your back. You sat in silence as you listened to Eddie call for pizza.

“So, what happened today?” he asked, sitting beside you. He wasn’t teetering around anymore.

“There’s this customer and she’s like, I don’t know. Her husband is like a big time financial analyst and she asked me to bake a cake for her daughter. I did. I finished it, you know? Just like how she and I designed it. The birthday is tomorrow at noon and I’m not even halfway done with it. I can’t fuck up because I’m just starting my business and I’m so tired,” you choked, trying to keep your emotions at bay. “The kitchen is so fucking dirty and I’m not yet done. So behind schedule and I hate it,”

“It’s okay, honey,” Eddie smiles and you believe him. He had that effect on you. “After we have our meal, I’ll help you out to the best of my abilities. Won’t leave you until we’re both done,”

“Really?” you asked, peering up at him.

“Really, really,”

“Thank you, Eddie. I really appreciate it,” you said, laying your head down on his shoulder in exhaustion. He lets you but he was praying that you couldn’t hear how fast his heart was beating right now and you were praying for the same thing.

-

“I’m telling you. We had a moment,” Eddie said. “Like, she was so tired and she let me help her,”

“You’re so whipped,” Robin commented, scrunching her face in mock disgust.

“She laid her head on my shoulder. She made the first move and she said my eyes are like brown sugar.” Eddie shares. “Mark my words, Robin. I will be making her mine,”

“First of all, ew,” Robin said. “If there’s anything I learned in my gender class, women don’t belong to men. Okay? So, don’t say that and second of all, ew! We’ve been here in your house for like an hour and we haven’t heard anything other than your sweet, sweet girl,”

“You know what I mean,” Eddie said. “Steve knows what I mean,”

“Yeah but I’m having fun being single right now but yeah,” Steve nodded. “But…how sure are you that she’s into you?”

“I’m not sure but I can just like, feel it, you know?” Eddie asked.

“But you’re oblivious. You didn’t even give her a second thought back in high school,” Steve said but Eddie shook his head.

“You’re wrong,” Eddie replied. “This girl was the nicest to me. Of course, I’d remember her. It’s not like fear or disgust or anything. She’s just really…genuine.”

“Oh, God,” Robbin groaned. “You’re such a sap, Eddie.”

“Brown sugar, Robin! Come on, say it with me. Brown sugar,”

“Brown sugar.”

-

“Hello,” Eddie greets, leaning on your kitchen island. He has access to the back door now, that’s how close you’ve gotten since that night. Well, he was always there every night to help you out for prep work and orders. He’d wash the dirty trays, wipe the KitchenAid clean, and measure out ingredients. He’d help with the things that Max wasn’t able to finish too, surprising Max in the morning because who cleaned the nozzle for the espresso machine and why is everything refilled?

“Eddie,” you smile at him. It was another of those nights when Eddie decided to drop by. He’d always go in with a smile, sometimes with milkshakes and fries; sometimes with screw-top red wine. You didn’t mind at all—Eddie became a part of your daily routine somehow and he was always a joy to be around with. On his second night, you told him how he didn’t have to come back and help; that you were capable and he knows. He says he just wants to lift the weight off your shoulders. So, in your office, you keep a white board with the scribbling: Eddie’s Tasks. You thought Max didn’t notice it but with the big Corroded Coffin sticker on the corner begging for her attention, she did. Eddie checked his whiteboard, seeing that he only needed to mix your custom sprinkle mix. More blues than reds, less oranges than yellows, lots of pink, purple, and white. A little green. He watched as you silently worked on your station. He saw how you hid whatever you were making from him. He didn’t mind, he knows you’ll show it to him sometime.

“Eddie, can you do something for me, please? ” you asked. You felt bad for asking him for favors but this was something that you needed to do alone.

“Sure, sweetheart. What do you want?” he asked, shaking the big box of sprinkles.

“Can you come over here, please?” you asked sweetly and he found himself gravitating to you. You show him a tray of cookies he’s never seen before.

“A new flavor?” he asked. “Do you need me to take a taste test?” He picks up a cookie and you watch his reaction; his eyes doubling in size because these were so good. The best, even. “Wow, honey. I think this is the best one yet,”

“Really? I’m glad. I’m planning to give it to this boy I like,” you told him and he falters. “He’s in a band, likes red and black together. Do you think he’ll like it?”

Eddie caught on, pursing his lips.

“Yeah, of course. He’d be a fool not to,”

“Hey, Eddie, I made these for you,” you admitted and Eddie could feel himself blushing. “Red and black cookies. Do you think Corroded Coffin Cookies sound nice?”

“It does but you might have to take it up to the intellectual property office for a trademark,” he jests and you laugh.

“I’m glad I don’t have to do any of that, then. It’s for you only.” you said, emphasizing the word.

“Made this for me? All for me?” he asked, his body trapping you on the counter. Both of his arms were on either side of your body and you put the tray away carefully. Closer and closer.

“Yeah. 62% and 72% dark chocolate couverture, smoked flakey salt, raspberry sauce, and freeze dried strawberries.”  you said. You look up at him to kiss his cheek and he laughs, not sure what to do. Is this really real?

“Thank you, darling,” he said, voice deeper and softer. “How can I repay you?”

“How about you take me out on that date?” A/N: Thank you for reading! Tell me what you think! I have a universe all laid out for Steve’s story too. There will be a part two and Steve’s story but that really depends on the response on this fic (aka if it flops or not hehe). 

TAGLIST: @rayodesol97 @moistmocca @munsonology​ @sadbitchfangirl​ @bebe0701​ @tayhar811​ @aol19​ @eddiesprincess86​ @undeadgirlsworld​ @rosemarythl @rosemary_thl @eddiethesexy​ @sister-cirice​ @weaslyslut01 @himynameisjeff​ @captainweirdo42​ @alyisdead​ 

#eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x y/n #eddie munson fanfiction #eddie munson fluff #eddie munson #rockstar!eddie #eddie munson fic #eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson oneshot #fluff #angst #friends to lovers #stranger things

[certifiedlovergirlsstuff]

valentines day

summary: valentine’s day. the day of chocolate hearts, flowers, budding romance, and heartbreak.

WC: 1.7K

warnings: this is clean

A/N: ALL PARTS UNDER THE TAG -The Byers Harrington Story-

this is version2 of what i original started with but my break caused me to change it. so maybe in the future my version1 of certain stories might be posted, we’ll see obviously.

THANK YOU FOR 300 FOLLOWERS💗💗💗

series masterlist

previous chapter  next chapter

February 14, 1985

The house was quiet, the only noise heard through the structure was the mild volume of the TV. Movies and shows playing their romantic scenes, couples going on dates, a guy running through the rain to get the girl before it’s too late or many other romance gestures Hollywood could think of.

No one was in the house, well except for two people, those two people lounging on the couch just staring at the small screen and it was only two-thirty in the afternoon. Jonathan went out earlier since he planned a who day with Nancy, and said something about going to the next town over for dinner or something. Joyce had to work, as usual, she was basically the only employee at Melvard’s, so you wouldn’t see her until later that day. So it was only you and Will.

Steve called earlier and said he’s being held hostage, metaphorically, but also literally. His parents were in town for a few days and he mentioned something about lunch and his father’s work, so you know he wishes to stab himself to leave that situation. So you wouldn’t see your adoring boyfriend until tonight, dinner plans he step up, not Enzo’s he added.

You asked Will what his plans were when you saw he made himself comfy on the worn brown couch, just lounging in his pj's.

“Mike said he’s hanging with El today, followed by Lucas remembering to make plans with Max, so that’s two couples I don’t want to third wheel today.”

“What about Dustin? He doesn’t have a girlfriend.”

His attention moved from the screen to a loose thread he started picking at, “said he was working on a science project or something, and also that he was going with his mom for bingo at her friends.”

You twisted your torso to lean into the cushions, left leg angled on the seat while you face Will, head tilted at his pouting face. You poked a finger into his right thigh for his attention.

“Why don’t we do something? Like we used to do.” It used to be homemade valentine’s day cards with baking brownies or cookies and the final piece, going on a walk down the block and venting to each other.

“Is it only ‘cause Steve can’t come until tonight?” His comment was low, but you heard the sadness in the whispers.

You scooted closer to his, your leg to his thigh, your hands grabbing at his to stop any fidgeting, “Will, you know I love hanging out with you. Just ‘cause I have a boyfriend now doesn’t mean that changes.” With one hand you placed it upon his left cheek and turned his head to completely face you, “you’re my number one guy, always will be. Partners come and go, but my family will come first no matter what.”

You saw his eyes dip away, “hey,” you cooed softly to him, “Will, is something wrong?”

He didn’t even say anything and you knew there was something eating at him, but he was holding back. The only sign was the wetness growing along his lash line, and the tiny bite to his bottom lip.

“Hey, hey, hey.” You moved off the sofa to crouch at his knees, “Will, please, please, tell me if there’s something I can do to help. Or tell me what’s wrong, please, I don’t like seeing you like this.” Your own eyes tearing up and your throat straining.

The tears started to slip from his eyes and down his cheeks, matching stains on both your faces. He still didn’t say anything, only sniffling to stop the snot from dripping. Your fingers drummed along his knees, the physical sign of your nerves.

“Will…”

“I…I like someone…” his voice cracked on the last word, like the thought of them broke his heart.

You released a small sigh, relieved it wasn’t about something horrible, just a middle school crush. Your actions showed your thoughts as you dropped your forehead to rest on your knuckles that still sat on Will’s knees.

“Will…you scared me-” Your light chuckles stopped when you felt his body shaking and looked up to see his face pinched in hurt.

“Will… everything… it’s only a middle school crush.” You tried to comfort him. “You- you don’t… you don’t get it (Y/n).” His stuttered cries cracked your heart.

“Then tell me, explain to me. I was a kid in middle school not too long ago with a crush, I know the pain. I even had elementary crushes, and those hurt me.” A quick flash of middle school you staring longingly at middle school Steve, a kiss shared between you and another girl in your room.

You moved from the floor back to the couch, closer to Will and pulling him in by the shoulders, his head resting on your collarbone. One hand going to tangle in his dark brown strands while the other rubs up and down along his spine to soothe his hiccuped crying.

“Okay, okay. You don’t need to tell me anything right now, but know that you can tell me when you’re ready. I understand the pain of crushes, some of them you can’t have.” His hands clutched at your shirt.

No words were spoken for the next five minutes. Only the sounds of the TV as white noise, Will’s sniffling, quieting, and trailing off as the seconds ticked by. Your hand moved in slow and soothing circles over his shoulder blades while your other hand held the back of his head.

“Do you want some water?” Those were the first words out of your mouth.

Will nodded in acceptance of the offer. You both detangled from each other, limbs sore and bones cracking at the sudden movement. Your footsteps thudded against the hardwood that led into the cool tile of the kitchen. You stood on the tips of your toes and reached for a clean mug before placing it under the faucet. Just as the cup was full and you turned around, the landline blasted its high pitch ringing. A bit of water splashed to the floor due to your jumping at the blaring noise. You exhaled a sigh, placed the mug on the table, and trekked to the ringing phone.

“Hello?”

“Hi, beautiful.” His honey-laced voice greeted you.

A smile tugged at your lips, “Hi, Stevie. How are you doing?”

He huffed at the question which caused a giggle to slip from you, “I wanted to stab my ears so I could block out my dad’s annoying voice and comments. But I’m free now, so can I escape my jail and hide out at your place until dinner tonight?”

You twirled the thick cord ‘round a finger, “as much as I would like to see you, Will kinda needs me right now.” You kept your voice low, and you peeked into the living area to look at Will.

“Is everything okay?” Your heart skipped a tiny beat hearing the worry in Steve’s voice at the mention of Will.

“Yeah, yeah. It’s nothing horrible, just something personal. But I’ll- I’ll call you back when you can come over, or maybe you can come over in like…in like two hours. Is that okay?”

“Yeah, that’s fine. I’ll bring some extra stuff to stay over.”

“Perfect. I wasn’t planning on having you leave at the end of the night anyway, Harrington.” The last name holds an implication in the tone.

“Oh really, Byers. And why is that?” 

“Well-” “Please, god, stop!”

Will was fully facing you from the couch and his face was morphed into a disgusted scowl. You chuckled at his annoyance but knew you should hurry up anyway to get back to him.

“I gotta go. I’ll see you later.”

“Okay, don’t have too much fun without me.”

“That won’t be a problem.” And you hung up.

Will watched you as you came back to the couch, polka-dotted mug in hand.

“So…you wanna- wanna talk about it? Your crush.” Your fingers drummed against the ceramic.

Will took the mug from your grasp and chugged half the fluid before setting it on the table. You weren’t gonna rush him, knowing if you pushed someone in the Byers family to open up, most likely they’ll close themselves off.

So you waited and watched as he picked at the skin around his nails. Saw how his top teeth dug into his bottom lip harshly, blood likely to draw if he went any harder. And just when you were beginning to think he had changed his mind, his voice hiccuped.

“I…I like someone…that someone being...” he started picking harder at his skin, “it’s a- it’s a b-boy…” he trailed off, you almost didn’t hear him with the TV still on.

“Oh. Oh.”

Now you understand his pain and hesitation to tell you. But also you’re just a bit hurt to think he was scared to tell you, you understand where he’s coming from.

“Will, I understand that feeling you’re having. Where your brain is telling you it’s wrong to feel these things for someone of the same sex, but your heart is doing somersaults at just the tiny thought of them, getting to hold their hair, watching them smile at a stupid joke you made, or just looking at you like you’re the only person in the world to them. And- and I know people say it’s wrong an- and immoral or some bullshit that they use religion as an excuse, but there is nothing wrong or disgusting or immoral about loving someone.” 

The silence, along with the tones of dialogue in the background filled the space. Your mouth got a bit dry at the end of your speech, need to make sure you got your point across in one go so Will could speak up at any time. You wanted him to ask questions, get those horrible thoughts out of his head and replace them with a new perspective.

“Do you… do you wish you could be normal? Not have these thoughts? I- I know what you went through…when dad was here.” He was looking at you through his lashes.

“Sometimes,” you sighed, remembering laying awake after getting hit by your dad, “but I would never change that about myself. And you should never think about changing yourself just to fit into the norm.”

You held a hand out, palm up with inviting fingers. It took a second, but Will got the message and linked hands with you. He didn’t say anything further, and you didn’t poke for more information. The two of you just sat in the quiet, knowing that the two of you shared something no one else in the family would understand, your bond growing just a bit more that day with each other.

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

taglist: @heartyhope / @preciousbabypeter / @dessxoxsworld / @piper3113 / @animiacorn / @burn1ngw00d / @drxwstxrkxy / @m-rae23 / @noisyeggsmoneystatesman / @yournan69 / @thats-s0-ravenn / @ameliabs-world / @mayonesavegana / @gracella0709 / @gengen64 / @alecmores / @choclate32 / @stvrdustalexx / @redheadedfangirl / @agustdeeyaa / @yappydoo / @liberhoe / @hehehehannahthings / @ladybug0095 / @sweeter-innocence-fics / @j-6o / @voteforevilthoughts / @harrysflowercrownrry / @ilovereadingfanfics / @sorrow-has-a-place-here / @80strashbag / @ririvilliams / @sweet1peach / @cierrajhill / @we-out-here-simping /

*striked out means tumblr cant find your account, sorry*

#The Byers Harrington Story #steve harrington #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington fic #steve harrington x reader #stranger things imagine #stranger things fic #stranger things series #stranger things self insert

[the-celluloid-correspondent]

Challengers: Everything in Life is Tennis, Including Sex. A Review

Tashi, a former tennis prodigy turned coach, turned her husband into a champion. But to overcome a losing streak, he needs to face his ex-best friend and Tashi's ex-boyfriend.

Have you ever met someone who makes their entire personality about a single thing and devotes their entire life to it? And what happens when three of these people who are obsessed with tennis get stuck in a sizzling love triangle? Ladies and gentlemen may I present to you Luca  Guadgnino’s Challengers. A dazzling and smoking-hot romance that will turn everyone on. 

We follow Art Donaldson (Mike Faist), a former tennis champion who has hit his thirties-slump after a string of injuries and losses. Tashi Duncan (Zendaya), his coach, and his wife sign him up for a minor league Challenger, to boost his confidence. However, emotions and sexual tensions rise as Art’s former best friend and Tashi’s ex-boyfriend, Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor) signs up for the competition as well while cosplaying as a starving artist tennis player who is down on his luck. 

The final game of the tournament between Art and Patrick serves as a bookend to the film’s narrative. Throughout the film, interwoven flashbacks and flashforwards navigate the intricate web of the characters’ love triangle, akin to the rhythmic volleying of a tennis ball between players. Much like the intensity of a final match in a tennis tournament, Challengers has an unstoppable and frenetic energy, albeit occasionally veering into confusion. You are constantly on the edge of your seat from the pounding and pulsating synthwave/techno score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Sayombhu Mekdeeprom's innovative cinematography pushes boundaries, whether by placing the camera within the tennis ball's perspective or beneath the court, capturing the raw intensity exuded by the talented ensemble cast. From the glistening sweat of Hollywood's finest to the kinetic action on screen, Challengers delivers a visual and emotional experience unlike any other.

While some may find it disappointing that Challengers lacks explicit sexual content, the film compensates with an abundance of erotic tension and a palpable atmosphere that more than suffices. Even innocuous scenes, such as two "best friends" sharing churros in close proximity, exude a homoerotic undercurrent that underscores the intricate power dynamics within the trio. These moments offer a revealing glimpse into the competitive desires driving Art and Patrick's pursuit of Tashi, while she deftly manipulates their affections to serve her own ends. Through these interactions, the film skillfully unravels the complex interplay of ambition and desire that will ultimately shape their destinies. Whether it's Tashi's vicarious living through her husband's tennis career or Patrick's conflicted relationship with his own athletic prowess, Challengers adeptly navigates the intricate psychology of its characters, laying bare their vulnerabilities and motivations with finesse.

Despite their characters' somewhat underdeveloped nature, the ensemble cast delivers performances brimming with fervent intensity. Mike Faist captivates with a physically charged portrayal that evolves from vigor to a melancholic resignation, embodying the struggles of navigating the pitfalls of early thirties ennui. John O'Connor exudes devilish charm as Patrick, skillfully balancing between ineptitude and magnetic unpredictability, keeping audiences on edge with every twist of his character's whims. Zendaya commands attention as Tashi, exuding a commanding presence that borders on intimidating, deftly manipulating her male counterparts to fulfill her desires. The palpable chemistry among the trio ignites the screen, infusing the film with a smoking-hot dynamic that adds an extra layer of intrigue to their complex relationships. 

Challengers serve up a riveting and provocative exploration of love, ambition, and rivalry amidst the competitive world of tennis. Director Luca Guadagnino crafts his most accessible and captivating work yet, seamlessly blends provocative themes with sheer entertainment. The film ignites with an irresistible allure, evoking visceral reactions and stirring emotions within viewers. Unapologetically seductive, Challengers basks in its own sensuality, embracing its innate allure with unbridled confidence.

My Rating: A

#film #cinema #movies #movie #filmmaking #filmmaker #moviemaking #moviemaker #cinephile #cinematographer #cinematography #film is not dead #film community #film review #movie review #film critic #movie critic #challengers #mike faist #challengers movie #challengers 2024 #tashi duncan #zendaya #josh o'connor #luca guadagnino #tennis

[ofmastermind]

✧.  ARISTÓTELES PINEDA   was  blasting   HASTA LA RAIZ BY NATALIA LAFOURCADE   on  the  sidewalk  in  austin today .  according  to  other  atx  residents  , the   THIRTY-ONE   year  old   CHEF/RESTAURANTEUR  has been  given  a  reputation  of  being  IMPETUOS  ,  but also   GREGARIOUS .  

connections . spotify . pinterest . stats

GENERAL

name. aristóteles pineda

also known as. ari , chef pineda

day of birth & age. december 18th, 1992

zodiac sign. sagittarius ☼ scorpio ☾ aries ↑

gender identity. cis man (he/him)

sexuality. pansexual

occupation. chef & owner of 'food on films' restaurants , former musician and actor

hometown. oaxaca , mexico

current location. austin , texas

PERSONALITY

labels. the virtuoso, the loose canon, the dynamo, the phoenix

positive traits. alluring, charming, affable, dauntless, gregarious

negative traits. hot-headed, airy, cynical, impetus, flirty

languages spoken. spanish, english, portuguese ( fluently ) italian, french ( conversationally )

instruments played. guitar, piano, drums, bass, marimba, harp, accordion, armonica, guiro

hobbies. playing music, cooking, socializing, watching movies, wood-working

favorite color(s). green, orange, fuschia

favorite food(s). mexican cuisine in general

allergies. none

RELATIONSHIPS

parents. mercedes pineda ( seamstress ), rafael silva ( politician )

siblings. two older half siblings

partner. natalia miller ( deceased )

children. isabella pineda ( 9 years old )

pet(s). a belgian shepherd named luca

HISTORY ( tw: car accident, death mention, grief )

ari was born in oaxaca, mexico a product of a torrid love affair between mercedes, a local infamous seamstress ahead of her time and rafael, a brazilian-american politician who quickly ran from his responsibilities the minute mercedes told him she was pregnant and went to marry the child of a wealthy businessman. with two other children from a previous marriage, mercedes worked tirelessly to raise her now three children and make sure they lacked nothing while still being as involved in their lives as she could, giving them all the love and care a single parent of three could.

at age ten, after seeing his mother struggle to make end meets, ari decided to step in: he put his name on for a talent reality show in méxico and got selected to compete in a 2 months-long journey for a very lucrative contract with the country's biggest tv network. although he didn’t win, ari charmed the audience and the producers with his voice and personality, receiving a second place and deal for his own album. not even a year later, ari was promoting his album and a soap opera he would be a part of.

his career took off after that. soap operas, movies, awards, albums, tours… méxico and some other latin american countries couldn’t get enough of him, causing him to become the youngest solo number to sell out the biggest arena in mexico at the age of fifteen. It was traced in the stars, aristóteles would become a legend and he could, at last, pay his mother back some of what she had given to him and his siblings all their lives

turning sixteen and having all the fame and fortune his stardom had brought with him affected the young star. although he loved his country and his audience; the millions of kids, young people and elders who would sing along to the songs he had written, he needed a bigger challenge and thus, the entire family decided to move to the usa as he tried and make it in hollywood. soon enough his luck and talent proved to work on his favor and he began getting small roles in commercials and some roles in shows and independent movies, yet nothing felt full-filling anymore.

he decided to get his ged at age 18 and after taking a break from his career and try to have a normal college experience and turn his second favorite hobbie into a career. he applied to auguste escoffier school of culinary arts in austin texas and, to his surprise, was accepted. it was halfway into his first semester when he met natalie miller; a beautiful and vibrant local. it was love at first sight and like clockwork a year after meeting, he proposed. natalie said yes and just like that, the couple got married in a little ceremony the day after he graduated. everybody told them they were far too young to take such life-altering decision, warning them it could not work but they paid no attention to any of it; both of them knew they were meant to spend a lifetime together.

ari took a year off from acting or making any planning about what his future would be like to travel the world with his wife, learning about other cultures and enjoying life as newlyweds. they finished their year-long trip in new york city, right around ari's 22nd birthday where nat informed him she was 4 months pregnant and they would be having a baby girl. isabella was born 4 and a half months later, crying to the moon and instantly stealing her parents heart. the family spent a year of pure bliss, splitting their life between austin and california while the couple figured out their life with ari getting some roles for some movies and shows with moderate success ended up booking a role in a movie that ultimately became his magnus opus, launching his career and cementing his name in hollywood, earning him respect and fame, just in time for isabella's second birthday.

TW then, the world stopped. natalie went out one night to run some errands in california and she was involved in a big car crash and was pronounced dead on her way to the hospital. ari's whole life collapsed on itself, he had lost his partner and better half, his best friend and his child had lost her mother. it took him three months to be able to leave his bed, ultimately finding the strength to do so thanks to his family and his baby. however, he decided, he would give up acting and moved to austin, nat's hometown, in hopes of feeling closer to his late wife and giving isabella a stable home in the same land that saw her mother grow up.

he focused all his attention and love into raising his child, grateful to have been conscious as a teenage superstar to save his money instead of spending it away. when isabella started to become more independant and didn't need a guardian 24/7, the chef decided to get back into work, ultimately becoming a caterer for big end-events in town, something he still does to this day. in addition, he partnered up with an old friend back in california and the two opened a restaurant named 'food in films', a dinning experience where a movie is played while a menu adapted to the movie is served to patrons. it became an instant success, with the two partners opening a second installment in new york and planning a third in austin, ari and isabella's home.

#atxfm.intro #↪︎ 📂・filed under » 𝚊𝚛𝚒 ╱ about

[jokenotfunny]

jokenotfunny masterlist 🕯

STRANGER THINGS

eddie x platonic! experiment! reader masterlist

synopsis: after you (007) and eleven’s escape from hawkins national laboratory, you accidentally get separated along the way, while she is found by, mike, dustin, and lucas, you’re taken in by some teenager named eddie munson. (spoiler: you only trusted him because of his guitar 😐)

part 1 : how they met

the in-betweens masterlist ^ (same series)

age 12. november, 1983 : season 1 : takes place after she leaves the munson trailer,

age 13. october, 1984 : season 2 : she’s in middle school nowww ☺️ (out now!)

age 14. summer, 1985 season 3 : the summer of chaos and new/old friends (out now!)

age 14. summer, 1985 season 3 part 2 : the summer of chaos and new friends (soon)

age 15. spring, 1986 season 4 : ‘86 baby!

headcannons for the sev x eddie ( x steve too atp) universe

how things are / relationships with other characters pt. 1

how things are / relationships with other characters pt. 2

how things are / relationships with other characters pt. 3

sev and dnd headcannons

sev’s odd crushes : sev’s crushes on eddie 🫣, gareth, and patrick are discussed.

sev vs. uncle wayne round 2 : sev and uncle wayne meet again.

fighting words pt.1 :

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬!”

synopsis : after the events of season 4, (of which, eddie and max are alive, well, and thriving because i say so. 😻) reader decides to sign herself, steve, robin, nancy, and eddie up as summer camp counselors for camp shadow hills, up in a mountainous, wooded area, a few towns over. the kids tag along as campers and all is fun and games until it simply isn’t.

headcannons for wgtscb! reader!

ocs for “we’re going to summer camp bitches!”

chapter 1 : “we’re going to summer camp bitches!”

chapter 2 : convincing the parents

chapter 3 : some fun + getting hopper + packing

chapter 4 : see ya in 2 weeks kiddos! miss you already!

“pack up bitches, we’re going skiing!”

spinoff to “we’re going to summer camp bitches!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

stranger things x my babysitter’s a vampire! au / lost boys! au

synopsis : when reader comes back from her trip to santa carla, she’s acting off. she’s moody, constantly brushing off the group, hanging around shady looking people, and she looks terrible! (no she doesn’t 😽)

a/n: it’ll be the same reader from “we’re going to summer camp bitches!”

sneak peek for : “never go to santa carla.”

chapter 1 : she’s back !

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

stranger things x wandavision!au 🫣

𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲?

synopsis : reader is an individual with powers she doesn’t quite understand. she’s overcome with despair of her and her friends’ failure and her boyfriend eddie’s “death”. so in a fit of rage, her powers go beserk, and she accidentally turns the town of hawkins into a collection of her favorite sitcoms.

prologue : 2 days later

sneak peek of a future chapter : mulitverse?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

stranger things x jennifer’s body!au

𝖑𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝖆 𝖛𝖎𝖗𝖌𝖎𝖓

synopsis: you and eddie go to a small concert being held at the hideout, the main act is being put on by a gothic girl group, who afterword invite you to some kind of after party. you insist that eddie come with you, but the girls refuse. eddie insists that you go ahead and to call him so he’ll pick you up after.

ocs for the band (it’s important 🫤)

chapter 1 : like a virgin (out now!)

chapter 2 : viewer discretion advised (out now!)

chapter 3 : “stupid fucking hollywood satanist bitch!”

misc ;

songs that i associate with eddie

DUNE

𝔬𝔯𝔭𝔥𝔦𝔠 , dune

a feyd-rautha series

"𝔰𝔥𝔢 𝔴𝔢𝔞𝔯𝔰 𝔰𝔱𝔯𝔢𝔫𝔤𝔱𝔥 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔡𝔞𝔯𝔨𝔫𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔢𝔮𝔲𝔞𝔩𝔩𝔶 𝔴𝔢𝔩𝔩, 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔤𝔦𝔯𝔩 𝔥𝔞𝔰 𝔞𝔩𝔴𝔞𝔶𝔰 𝔟𝔢𝔢𝔫 𝔥𝔞𝔩𝔣 𝔤𝔬𝔡𝔡𝔢𝔰𝔰, 𝔥𝔞𝔩𝔣 𝔥𝔢𝔩𝔩" - 𝔫𝔦𝔨𝔦𝔱𝔞 𝔤𝔦𝔩𝔩

planet lore

family lore / family tree

#eddie munson x fem!reader #eddie munson x you #eddie munson x y/n #eddie munson x reader fluff #eddie munson x poc reader #eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #stranger things #stranger things 4 #eddie munson x black!reader

[oh-surprise-its-me]

I have so much love for Tom biting his men. Like let that man turn his partners into pretty art with his bite marks. I feel like if they could (probably after they all retire) Ron and Chris would flaunt the marks. And Jake would be so bitey with his boyfriend as a result of growing up with them.

Viper being Jake’s grandpa/grandpa figure is one of my favorite things. Viper would definitely be so proud of him and take him to see planes as a child. He’d be so proud of Jake following in his footsteps by winning top gun (I think viper was the first ever top gun).

Jake as baby being held by all his dads in his little chickie themed onesies is to cute for this world. I bet when Tom and Ron shows up to like family days with him (they’re pretending he’s Toms nephew) everybody falls in love with him. Tom and Ron probably have all the wife’s of their coworkers fawning over Jake cause he is the cutest baby/toddler/kid there. And then Jake starting to speak in polish when he’s tired probably have them even more in love with kid cause he’s so cute as a child and he can speak more than one language which is so adorable to everyone.

Chris gets so used to being covered in bites that when they go to beaches he entirely forgets that some people are horrified by it. He gets some weird looks over the years. A few nurse friends of Lucas ask if he’s in a safe environment. He can only laugh and tell them he’s fine. His boyfriends just like to get possessive some days.

Oh Jake is insufferable. It’s not only Bradley that gets bit but Javy too. Bradley gets more permanent marks but Jake will bite Javy’s shoulder if he’s just passing by. He’ll also bite Tom’s shoulder. The first time Cyclone saw it happen he thought he was having a stroke. Genuinely couldn’t figure out what was happening.

Oh Viper loved that kid. He showed up to most of Jake’s things when he could. Was there some days even Tom and Ron were deployed. He helped a lot in California with Jake before David and Lucas moved out. Jake cried at his house when he was 18 and telling him he was gay. Viper could only hold Jake and tell him he didn’t care, but by god be careful in the navy. He’s not there to protect him but his dads will do everything they can.

Jake was a little con artist. He’s a good kid don’t get me wrong but he’s as evil as Tom and Ron both can be. But he has all the wives wrapped around his fingers. His feet honestly never touch the ground when they’re at a navy gathering. Little 8 year old Jake speaking polish at Chris asking when tata will be done shaking peoples hands and the wives all melt and tell Ron he’s an incredible brother in law. (Another lie they came up with) Chris just wings it from place to place and banks not no one asking too many questions and if they do he just lies whatever comes first.

Most people figure it out though. They see the way the three of them watch each other. Know they all love Jake more then an uncle would. More then a best friends kid. No one ever really says anything though. Can’t do that to them. Knows it hasn’t ever affected their flying. Viper helps them out here with that again. He protects them as long as he’s in the Navy. Always stations them in Texas when they’re off the ship. Always puts them together. Later on puts Wolfman and Hollywood down there with them.

Jake get a shit ton of Chick themed things when he’s younger. Some when he’s older as well. None of them ever let him live it down that he marries someone with the call sign rooster. That’s just too perfect.

#ron slider kerner #chris seresin #tom iceman kazansky #top gun #tom x ron x chris #ron x chris x tom #baby jake seresin #young jake seresin #slider is jake's dad au

[schrijverr]

Page 206-207

[Page 206 has three images. The upper one is of Argyle lying on the couch at the Mayfield-Sinclair apartment. He is resting his head in Jonathan’s lap, while scritching Sir Fluff under his chin, while the cat sits on his chest. Jonathan is watching the two fondly.]

Sir Fluff’s New Friend

Jane Mayfield, 1994

.

[On the lower right are Jonathan and Will jamming along to a radio, the case of a home made CD lying on the coffee table. Mike and Nancy are on the couch fondly watching the two.]

The Byers Mixtape no.13

Argyle Byers, 1994

.

[Next to it is a photograph of Argyle and Max on skateboards from the back. In the distance one can see the Hollywood sign. It’s already dusk and it’s too late for workers and too early for the parties, so the road is calm and empty.]

Skating to Hollywood

Jonathan Byers, 1994

.

[Page 207 also has three photographs on it. The most left one is of Mike by the door, dressed for work and ready to go, bag in hand. As he is putting on his coat, he is pulled into a kiss by Will, who is still in his pajamas.]

Morning Routines

Jonathan Byers, 1994

.

[The upper right one is taken of the Mayfield-Sinclair kitchen. Max is on a stool in front of the sink as she washes dishes. Lucas is drying them, while El puts them away. Lucas and Max don’t see the camera, but El, who has a stack of plates in her hands does, smiling to the lens.]

Dishes Divided and Conquered

Jonathan Byers, 1994

.

[Below it is a photograph of the guest room of the Mayfield-Sinclairs. On the bed are Argyle, Jonathan and Nancy, the three of them still fast asleep. Nancy is on her back in the middle, while Argyle and Jonathan are both turned to her, heads practically on her shoulders. Argyle has a leg thrown over both of them, while Jonathan has an arm over Nancy, hand buried in Argyle’s shirt.]

Sleeping Guests

Jane Mayfield, 1994

~~

<<Prev Next>> AO3

#rr writing #a collection of queer photography by jonathan byers #jargancy #byler #elumax #elmax #lumax #argyle stranger things #jonathan byers #nancy wheeler #mike wheeler #will byers #eleven hopper #disabled max mayfield #max mayflied #lucas sinclair #stranger things #st post season 4

[destinyc1020]

Everyone in Euphoria has a lot of projects except zendaya Jacob has like 6 shows Sydney has like 7 movies to film and even Maude is also booked and busy . You can clearly see the racism in Hollywood even after winning two Emmys zendaya has literally no shows to film except Euphoria unlike her white peers .

What is the quality of these shows and movies Anon? 🤔

I honestly don't follow the rest of the EU cast like that (except maybe Storm and Hunter), cuz I'm literally not a fan of the rest of them like that.

Quality over quantity.

I mean, Z is choosing QUALITY. She's at a point in her career where she can afford to do that.

When you're just starting out, sometimes as an actor you just gotta take whatever you can get in order to pay your rent okay lol? 😂

I'm just being honest lol...

So maybe they have a lot of projects lined up, but what's the quality of them? 🤔

Plus, we really don't know what Z has turned DOWN either. 👀

Z is very cautious about what she signs on to.... you can tell.

Z is out here working with directors like Denis and Luca, and even FFC wanted her for a film! 😃👏🏾 So yea, to me she's being selective in her work.

I'm not saying that she doesn't have it harder than her white peers in Hollywood, but she's not exactly hurting either lol 😆 I mean, she'll be getting 1M an episode.... Not a bad gig.

[yessadirichards]

Indiana JonIndiana Jones: Six things to knowes: Six things to know

CANNES

Indiana Jones turned archeology into a swashbuckling adventure of snake pits and lost treasures.

As 80-year-old Harrison Ford dons the beat-up fedora and ever-trusty whip for a fifth and final outing in "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny", premiering at the Cannes Film Festival on Thursday, here are six facts about one of the world's best-loved movie heroes:

Born in Hawaii

Fittingly for the globetrotting Indy, whose escapades have taken him from the Himalayas to Shanghai nightclubs, the project was born in Hawaii. It was there, lounging on a Maui beach in 1977, that George Lucas and Steven Spielberg mulled ideas to follow their respective hits, "Star Wars" and "Jaws".

The beach brainstorms would make movie history.

Produced by Lucas and directed by Spielberg, 1981's "Raiders of the Lost Ark" was a triumph at the box office and scooped four Oscars.

Two sequels -- "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" (1984) and "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (1989) -- built a legend that has inspired theme parks, video games and mountains of merchandise.

A fourth outing nearly two decades later, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" brought the combined box office takings to nearly $2 billion.

Dog's name

The inspiration behind the character came from both real and imaginary sources.

There was the archeologist Hiram Bingham who discovered Machu Picchu, Tintin creator Herge, and Clint Eastwood's Westerns.

As for the name, Lucas first chose Indiana Smith -- changed to "Jones" by Spielberg -- taking the first part from his Alaskan Malamute pet dog, already the inspiration for Chewbacca in "Star Wars".

Bond without the gadgets

Although Spielberg dreamed of directing a James Bond film, Lucas insisted part of Indy's appeal was that this hero would be a "Bond without the gadgets".

There would be no explosive watches or Aston Martins with ejectable seats -- Indy would triumph with ropes, knives and ingenuity.

He bore all the hallmarks of a classic Lucas-Spielberg character: a geeky hero with a comical, ironic side, whose affairs with women were more complicated than any Bond-style conquests.

Spielberg's comeback

While the Indiana Jones project was brewing, Spielberg was on the back foot after his film, "1941", flopped.

He was also gaining a reputation as a big-spending director who ran overtime and could be tyrannical on set, even leaving two days early from the filming of "Jaws", fearing his team would try to drown him, such was his unpopularity.

Lucas's project marked a career turning point for Spielberg -- proving he could work fast, on time, in budget, and with big success.

Ford not first choice

Spielberg wanted Ford, but Lucas was reluctant to re-use his lead actor from "Star Wars", from which he wanted a break.

Nick Nolte, Jeff Bridges and Bill Murray were considered before the spotlight settled on Tom Selleck, but the mustachioed charmer had already signed up for TV detective show "Magnum, PI".

Later, thousands of actresses tried out for the role of Willie in the second film, including Sharon Stone, but it finally went to Kate Capshaw.

Capshaw did not go on to a glittering Hollywood career, but she did become Mrs Spielberg in 1991.

Eye of the cobra

Indy's extreme fear of snakes, or ophidiophobia, has been a frequent plot point.

For the classic scene in which Indy falls into a pit full of the slithering reptiles, Spielberg did not hold back on the props: 6,500 live cobras, plus a few bits of watering hoses.

#yessadirichards

[deadlinecom]

[alj4890]

Angst Prompt

(Liam x Riley) with the prompt of Riley getting shot in another country while Liam was in Cordonia and it have been ordered by King Bradshaw as requested by Anonymous.

A/N Oof. What a way to knock me off my fluff kick, LOL. This isn't a part of my AU's but let's see what I can do for your prompt, Nonny. This takes place after the Bradshaw/Isabella mess but before Barthlemy's challenge. I guess I will ruin that brief moment of peace, LOL.

@gkittylove99​​​​​​ @krsnlove​​​​​​ @kingliam2019​​​​​​ @texaskitten30​​​​​​ @hopefulmoonobject​​​​​​ @yourmajesty09​​​​​​ @mom2000aggie​​​​​​ @ofpixelsandscribbles​ @twinkleallnight​

Masterlist

News

The Royal Palace, Cordonia...

"Here we go, princess." Liam settled his seven month old in her swing. "How about you help your father with reading through these proposals the Council is considering?"

Eleanor smiled around the teething ring she had put in her mouth.

Liam pressed a quick kiss to her cheek then started the swing.

He settled behind his desk, finally feeling a sense of calmness. With all the ups and downs he had gone through since his brother's abdication, he rested in knowing that he, his family, and country were at last entering into a season of peace.

He intended to keep it that way.

The gurgles and coos from Eleanor drew his attention. She waved the teething ring a few times before putting it back in her mouth.

He chuckled at her antics.

He was enjoying these few days of one-on-one time with his daughter. Riley had been asked to be the guest of honor at Lancelin St Clair's fashion grand opening. The renowned designer had created a place where his creations could be not only sold, but created specifically for the customer.

Lancelin had completely renovated a four-story building in Paris's Faubourg Saint-Honoré district, turning each floor into one with a definite purpose. The first floor was a shop that housed various sizes of his most popular creations. The second floor was part runway/part design on demand for the shopper looking for something completely original. The third floor would debut his new bridal line. And the fourth was set as his personal work area/apartment for when he needed to stay late and work on his designs.

All this was to be shown to the public to set off Paris's fashion week.

Since Riley had walked his runway during Liam and Madeleine's engagement tour, he had invited her to be part of his grand opening. Ana De Luca was traveling with Cordonia's queen to do an exclusive spread of Riley in some of the dresses Lancelin had made specifically with her in mind.

It was just the sort of news the people of Cordonia would enjoy after months of uncertainty.

****************

"I really don't want to go without you and Eleanor." Riley told Liam the night before she left.

"I don't want you to either." He held her close. "But I have to meet with the Farmers' Association about the progress of the apple orchards." He pressed a tender kiss to her lips. "I've already had to reschedule twice with them. They need to see I take their concerns seriously."

"I know." She sighed. "And I know that Eleanor would distract everyone from Lancelin's moment." She eased out of his embrace. "This will be the first time I go out without you or any of our friends."

Liam took her hands and tried to ease her worries. "You will do great." He smiled at her. "You charm everyone you meet. I believe I am proof to your effect."

Riley shook her head before kissing him. "If anyone is the charmer, it's you."

He chuckled while tugging her toward their bed. "Do you want me to find someone to go with you? Penelope or Kiara perhaps?"

"No thanks." She snuggled closer to him. "I wish Hana was well enough to go. She was looking forward to it."

Liam gently rubbed her back. "With Maxwell in Hollywood and Drake in Texas, we don't have anyone left."

"I wish Olivia was back." She muttered.

"Amalas needed her expertise." Liam reminded her.

"I know." Riley sighed again. "If I can't have you with me, I do tend to depend on the others to be there. I need to learn how to stand on my own."

"The world will once again be amazed by Cordonia's queen." He kissed the top of her head. "You'll see."

********************

Liam glanced at his desk clock. It was nearly time for Ana's live report of Lancelin's grand opening.

His princess had fallen asleep in her swing, drawing another smile from him as he carefully lifted her out. Cuddling her close, he sat down on one of the sofas and turned the television on.

Finding the right channel, he relaxed as the first images appeared.

Cordonia's Queen Riley has been given the honor of walking the red carpet first. Lancelin St Clair awaits, giving her the shears to cut the ceremonial ribbon.

He readjusted Eleanor in his arms as he watched his wife's bright smile flash towards the cheering crowd.

Ana continued to detail what they would soon see when shots rang out.

Liam stood up, causing Eleanor to whimper at being rudely awakened.

Ignoring her fitful cries, he watched as the camera caught his wife and Lancelin falling to the ground.

Then the feed went dead.

"BASTIEN!" Liam shouted over Eleanor's wails.

The head of the King's Guards hurried inside while talking on his phone. Regina rushed in behind him.

"Give me the baby." She insisted, gently taking the fussy little one in her arms. She left the study, allowing Liam to be able to focus on what Bastien was saying.

"And the shooter?" He asked. "I see. Where is her majesty being taken?"

Bastien wrote down the information. "Keep me updated."

Once he ended the call, he faced Liam.

"What happened?" He demanded.

Bastien cleared his throat. "A lone gunman shot both Riley and Mr. St Clair."

"Is she alright? Have the plane prepared. We must get there as quickly as we can!"

"Sir," Bastien hesitated. "I must insist you remain here. The gunman was killed by one of our guards. We don't know if there is another and--"

Liam shoved past him and called the airfield. Declaring it an emergency, he then rushed to tell Regina.

"Liam." She teared up as she took his hand. "Be careful and call as soon as you know more."

"Your majesty, I insist you remain here while I go to Paris." Bastien followed after him. "Once my team has investigated, I can then guarantee your safety--"

"Do you honestly think I give a damn about my safety?!" Liam rounded on him. "My wife was just shot! She is alone in another country and hurt. If you think I will sit here behind these so called protective walls, then you do not know me at all." He went back to his study and quickly packed his briefcase. "Now get me to the airport."

*****************

Early evening, Paris...

"Her majesty is at one of the private hospitals." Bastien explained as the car continued through the city. "Interpol is working with us to identify the shooter."

Liam stared blindly out the window. "Is my wife conscious?"

"She was." Bastien tried to explain. "She lost some blood from her wound and--"

Their car stopped at the front entrance.

"Liam!" Bastien shouted as the king didn't bother to wait on guards or to check that it was safe.

The young king ran inside, pausing long enough to ask where he should go.

"Je suis le roi de Cordonia. Ma femme a été amenée avec une blessure par balle. Où est-elle? Est-ce qu'elle va bien?" He said quickly.

"Elle se repose dans la chambre 138, Votre Majesté. Dr Miller a dit--" the receptionist blinked when he took off running once more.

Liam slid on the freshly waxed tile floors, barely catching himself as he followed the signs.

A doctor and nurse were just leaving Riley's room when he arrived.

"My wife," Liam gasped, trying to catch his breath. "Is she alright?"

"Oui. She was struck in the shoulder." He paused as both King's Guards and Interpol Agents joined them. "We removed the bullet while she was unconscious."

Liam reached for the door handle as the others began to question the physician.

He paused at seeing his wife laying there, looking so fragile.

One of the first things he had first noticed about her was her inner strength to face any obstacle she encountered. He realized he had taken that he had taken that for granted. The only other time he had seen her like this was when she collapsed during Eleanor's birth.

Liam knew there were only a few things he feared in this world. But those few things centered on something specific: his family.

He could face an entire firing squad and not bat an eye. But let it be Riley or Eleanor that was to be threatened, and he could not take it.

He collapsed in the chair by her bed and pressed a kiss to her fingers. Bowing his head, he waited by her side until she awakened.

****************

A few hours later...

Liam stood up when Riley became restless. Soft cries escaped her lips as she slept. He reached for the buzzer.

Explaining that his wife was in pain, he waited for a nurse to come in.

Bastien entered first.

"Have you learned anything about the shooter?" Liam asked in a low voice.

"We have." Bastien stopped the nurse.

He and an Interpol agent patted him down and checked the IV bag of morphine he held.

They stepped back and allowed him to tend to Riley.

Liam watched him replace the bag that had been on a slow drip.

"Can she have more?" He asked as she cried out again.

"Yes sir." He showed Liam the button he could push if she needed more, reassuring him that it wouldn't administer any past the dosage she could have. He increased the flow and left.

Riley's eyes barely opened. "Liam?"

He went back to her bedside. "I'm here, my love."

"My shoulder." She sucked in a painful breath. "What happened?"

"A man was in the crowd." Liam gently explained, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "He shot at you and Lancelin and--"

Her eyes widened. "Lancelin! Liam, he was bleeding so much!"

Bastien cleared his throat as he stepped forward. "He is in intensive care at another hospital, mam."

He pointed at the right side of his chest and mouthed lung to Liam.

Liam frowned some before turning back to Riley.

"Where's Eleanor?" Riley asked, turning her head. "Did you bring her?"

"No. Regina is watching over her at home." Liam eased down on the bed. "Do you need anything? Is there something I can do to make you more comfortable?"

"No." Her eyes filled with tears as she looked up at him. "Liam, if...if I had died...you...my baby..." She began to cry.

Unable to take her in his arms, Liam did his best to comfort her. He wiped her tears while speaking in a calming tone that he wouldn't let anything happen to her. That she was safe. That they would soon be home with Eleanor.

Riley tried to calm down but she shook her head. "We'll never be truly safe, will we?"

Liam paused in his assurances. He felt exhausted from the trials they continued to face. Should he now fear peace, knowing it would end horribly in some new threat?

Running a hand through his hair he spoke of what he did know. "No one is ever truly safe, my love. Even if we were locked away somewhere, accidents can happen. Sickness can strike. Bad things happen just as good ones do."

She sniffed and closed her eyes. "I know you're right," she opened her eyes and met his steady gaze. "I just wish we didn't keep having trouble."

"I do too." He cupped her cheek and softly kissed her. "All I need to know to make it through our trials is that you and Eleanor are taken care of." He struggled with swallowing. "I should have been there today to protect you."

She weakly raised her hand and caressed his cheek. "Then you might have been hurt or..." She couldn't finish that sentence. "I can't lose you, Liam."

He nodded, kissing her again. "I refuse to lose you." His words came out in a harsh whisper. "I will find who did this and will make certain they never do so again."

Riley rubbed her cheek against his hand and closed her eyes.

Liam relaxed once he saw her drift into a peaceful slumber.

"Sir?" Bastien motioned for him to step outside.

"What did you find?" Liam asked.

"The man was a hired gun from America." Bastien began. "But he was born in Auvernal."

Liam's eyes narrowed. "And who hired him?"

"King Bradshaw."

********************

Cordonia, a week later...

Riley was rocking back and forth with Eleanor sleeping in the crook of her good arm. She heard voices outside the nursery door. Curious, but unable to hold her daughter properly, she remained where she was.

A few moments later, Liam slipped quietly inside and smiled at her.

"Is she down for the night?"

"She fell asleep long ago, but I wasn’t ready to let her go." Riley let him put Eleanor in her crib. "I missed her so much. I'm so thankful to be home with you both."

"Nowhere near as much as I am." Liam wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I heard voices earlier. Is everything alright?"

He nodded. "Everything is fine."

Riley chewed on her bottom lip. "You never told me what was found about the gunman."

"There wasn't much to discover." He told her.

"Was he just some crazy person or was he hired by someone?" Riley prodded.

Liam let her go and motioned for them to leave the nursery when Eleanor made a disgruntled, sleepy noise.

"I don't want you thinking anymore about this." Liam insisted. "We are taking care of eliminating the threat."

"Eliminating?" Riley's brow furrowed. "But that means he was hired--"

"I want you to rest."

His nearly cold evasiveness alarmed her.

"Liam," she reached for his hand. "Please talk to me. I can handle whatever you have found."

Remembering how upset she was in the hospital, he averted his eyes. "We'll talk about it tomorrow."

Her lips parted to insist. She shut them when he escorted her to their chambers.

"Do you need anything?" He asked after helping her change.

"No." She murmured.

He covered her up and began to leave the room.

"Where are you going?" She sat up in surprise.

"I have somethings that require my attention in the study." He explained. "I'll be back in an hour or so."

She quietly watched him leave, feeling even more uneasy than before.

*****************

A little after three in the morning...

Riley awoke when she felt the bed dip down.

"Liam?"

"Forgive me, I didn't mean to wake you."

She checked the time. "Are you just now coming to bed?"

"Yes. It took longer than I planned." He stretched out beside her.

"What did?" She demanded, turning a lamp on.

She gasped when she noticed his bruised face and bloody knuckles.

"What happened? How did you--"

"It's nothing." He winced as he tried to get comfortable. "I'll be fine."

"Liam!" She snapped. "Talk to me." Her eyes narrowed. "Now."

"I took care of the one who tried to take you from me." He snapped back.

"So there was someone else involved?"

"Yes. And he will never have a chance to hurt anyone again." Liam declared.

Riley gently touched his face. "Liam, you didn't..."

"I wanted to." He admitted. "I was so close to beating Bradshaw to death." He closed his eyes at that memory. 

It would have been so easy. A few more strikes, a quick twist and the king that had caused Liam’s world to nearly crumble would have had his last breath.

 "I allowed Interpol to take him." He opened his eyes and stared up at the ceiling. "Olivia found all the evidence we needed to make certain the only way he will ever leave prison is to attend his own funeral."

Riley blinked back tears.

She then punched Liam in the arm.

"Riley!" He sat up when he noticed her shaking with rage. "What--"

"How could you?!" She screamed. "How could you risk your life when you already had everything in place to arrest him?!"

"He tried to kill you!" Liam yelled back. "All because we caused him embarrassment." His eyes narrowed. "Did you think I would do nothing to the man who set out to take my wife from me? Take my daughter's mother?!"

"He wasn't worth you taking a chance on him having a weapon or one of his guards kill you! What would Eleanor and I do without you here?" Tears fell, nearly blinding her. "How could you risk our family?"

All of Liam's anger disappeared at hearing that she had his own fear. Gently pulling her close he silently held her as she cried. His own tears mingled with hers as he thought of a life without her.

The sun was beginning to rise as their tears came to an end. They still held to one another, speaking in low tones of their life together. An occasional hitch in one's words caused the other to try and comfort the one temporarily unable to speak.

As light crept through the drapes, the two remained upright, still clinging to the one they loved.

Riley lifted her head off his shoulder. "Eleanor will be awake soon."

"Yes, she will." Liam pressed a kiss to his wife's forehead. "You should rest. I'll take care of her."

"I'll help you." She hugged him close with her good arm. "I don't want to be apart from either of you today."

His arms tightened around her. Unable to say all that filled his heart, he simply nodded while muttering that he didn't either.

She pressed a tender kiss to his lips and smiled. "It's a new day, my love. A new day just for us."

#choices the royal romance #choices the royal heir #liam x riley #king liam #liam x mc #trr liam #trr riley #trh liam #choices stories you play

[insidious-intent]

93 :)

Since there wasn’t a pairing given for this one, you get tarlos! This turned out to be the opposite of sexy heh 😂 (also big thanks to @bellakitse for letting me borrow baby Luca)

The lights of the house are all off, but Carlos has lived here long enough to navigate the space without needing lights. He moves quietly to the kitchen, dumping the supplies he got and getting the food out into servable portions. 

His phone buzzes just as he throws out the containers, and he answers quickly, knowing who’s calling. 

“Hey yeah, I just got back from the pharmacy,” he says instead of greeting. 

Owen Strand’s voice filters in, tinny. “And what did you get?”

“The doctor prescribed baby Tylenol for the fever, and antibiotics for the ear infection,” Carlos sort of whispers into the phone. He doesn’t want to disrupt the quiet of the house. He walks towards the bedroom, gently opening the door. 

TK doesn’t stir until Carlos is sitting next to him on the bed, his eyes watery and red. “We’re ok, Captain. You really don’t need to come over.”

“Is that dad?” TK’s voice is scratchy, and one of his fists is still full of tissues. He narrows his eyes at Carlos then thumps back onto the pillow. “Dad isn’t allowed to come here, I will die if he shows up.”

Carlos rolls his eyes, but pays attention to his father-in-law. “If you’re sure, Carlos. I know how TK can get when he’s sick.”

Carlos chuckles, “nothing I can’t handle. I promise. Why don’t I put you on Facetime tomorrow so you can see for yourself?”

That seems to mollify Owen enough to get him off the phone, so Carlos can finally pay attention to TK. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I will die in our marriage bed, and leave you to a thousand years of heartbreak.” 

“Oh ok so the fever is breaking, I see.” 

TK tries to chuckle which immediately turns into a wracking cough, and Carlos puts a hand to his forehead. It’s only a cold which wouldn’t be a big deal, if not for TK’s clinginess whenever he gets floored by sickness. But this time Carlos has his hands full with both TK and Luca down with a cold. 

Luca, who had been dozing next to TK so far, wakes up and looks at Carlos with bleary eyes, holding out his arms in the universal sign for up. Carlos doesn’t hesitate, immediately pulling his baby into his arms, feeling for his body temperature as well. 

Luca sniffles a little wetly, his three and a half year old body heavy in Carlos’ arms. He rubs a hand up and down the tiny back, hoping to soothe some of Luca’s discomfort. 

“Come on baby, let’s get you some food,” he says, swinging around to walk out of the bedroom. “Then we can get your daddy some food and medicine, what do you say?” 

“Ice cream?” Luca says, giving Carlos the full puppy eyes, tugging a little at his ear. For a four year old, Luca has convincing abilities of a Hollywood actor. But Carlos has a lifetime of learning from a mother who never fell for cons, and he pulls from that experience now. 

“How about chicken noodle soup? I put stars in it for you,” he says, walking into the kitchen and setting Luca up in the high chair, cajoling without showing his hand. 

TK is still moaning and groaning over in the bedroom, but his voice is now getting closer. TK looks about as good as Luca, hair disheveled, eyes watery, and nose running. 

“How’s my baby?” he asks, looking at Carlos who stays at the counter spooning out soup in two bowls. 

“He’s getting better, I’m going to give him the meds right after food.” 

Carlos pushes the soup bowls towards the two patients, who give each other a terribly commiserating look before starting on the soup. 

Luca, the ever sweetheart, finishes his food first. Carlos takes the bowl away, cleaning up his face and hands, ready with the meds. TK on the other hand is sluggish and keeps spacing out between spoonfuls. 

“Finish your food, TK,” Carlos reminds him after TK spaces out for the third time. 

“This soup doesn’t even taste like anything,” TK grumbles.

Carlos huffs, “finish the food and take the cough medicine please.”

TK huffs and rolls his eyes but goes back to the soup. Carlos takes Luca for the quickest bath in history, the meds and the long day of fever and earache pulling Luca in for a night of exhausted sleep. 

He comes back to find TK cleaning up the dishes, and hopes he actually finished his food. TK looks clammy and pink, and he hasn’t showered today, but to Carlos he is still the most attractive guy. 

He comes up behind TK and presses his lips to TK’s shoulder. “You should go back to bed,”

TK makes a soft encouraging sound, turning his head to look at Carlos through his lashes. “I can’t sleep anymore. Unless you wanna help tire me out,” he says with a smirk. 

As much as Carlos would love that, this is neither the time or place. “Nyquil should do the trick,” he says, making TK wrinkle his nose. 

“You could put my mouth to a much better use, Officer Reyes,” TK’s flirting is a mere shadow of what it usually is. 

“Do you want me to tape your mouth shut?” Carlos responds. He knows TK isn’t serious, they’re both tired and TK won’t be up for anything in his current condition.

TK gives up easily, another sign the cold isn’t on its way out yet. Carlos hums and moves them around, walking back to the bedroom.

“Have I told you today that I love you?” TK says. Carlos loves this man a lot. 

“As soon as the Nyquil hits, babe,” he responds instead. He drags TK to the bed, dragging him over close to him, settling the blankets over them. 

This was a good day, anyways.

Send me a prompt!

#responses #anonymous #my fic #my writing #inigo chats #tarlos #tarlos fic #tk strand #carlos reyes #baby luca #Anonymous

[onceuponanothertime-rp]

AU WEEK: HOLLYWOOD

Hey everyone! Happy July!

We are welcoming a new AU week called Hollywood! It kicked off yesterday, July 2nd and will end on Sunday, July 11th at 11:59 PM PST when we move to the next episode.

Hollywood AU Plot:

They say you can do anything you put your mind to, but pursuing a career in the entertainment industry is no easy feat. What will happen with our characters has they live in the glitz and glamor of Hollywood life? Are they successful? Struggling? Full of scandal at every turn? Are they just a fan living in the heart of it all? Or have some of them given up their passions all together for a simple life? 

Members: If you have yet to give us some backstory regarding your character, please be sure send it to me as soon as you can. If you have yet to sign up and would like to during this event, there’s still plenty of time to do so! Please reach out to one of us or send a message to this blog with a small description of what your character is going to be like. In your posts, please indicate in the tags that they are part of the AU to keep things organized.

Everyone: Please feel free to start sending questions to our wonderful players. Below is a list of members who are participating in this AU and what they’re going to be doing so you know what type of questions to send in. If it’s not obvious in the context of the question that it’s meant for the AU, please include (AU) or (Modern) somewhere in your ask.

AU Week: Hollywood

Emma Swan: Successful actress happily dating Neal Cassidy. She’s also really good friends with Killian Jones and Jefferson.

Felix: Up-in-coming model who is on the fast track to success, easily caught up in the glitter and high life of the darker side of Hollywood. 

Grace Hatter: 19, child star / teen starlet who is often a typecast. She grew up in a toxic family and now is living with her Uncle and godfather, Jefferson, who has full custody of her.  

Jefferson: Stunt actor with full custody of his niece Grace. He wants to move more into the acting side of things to provide for Grace more, but very few people take him seriously in the industry. Good friends with Emma Swan.

Killian Jones: He moved over from the United Kingdom. His bad isn't successful just yet. Good friends with Emma Swan.

Neal Cassidy: Successful actor happily dating Emma Swan.

Peter Pan: He’s twenty-five and a moderately well known actor. He’s big into the party/club scene but notorious for being a player and using people for his own selfish reasons.

Ruby Lucas: 30, action star and typecast for femme fatale roles, starting a production company. She began her career as a model at a young age, but always wanted to be an actress. 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. - Mod Casey

#ouat roleplay #ouat rp #au week #au week: hollywood #au event #mod casey