#It's even started in the town my parents live in. We have like 2 stores other than basic necessities and no tourism why is there a gift sho

[proteusolm]

I know just what will revitalize this town's 3 city block long "downtown": a fifth discrete store that primarily sells decorative throw pillows and the same couple of scented candle brands that the other four identical shops sell.

#I'd support small local businesses if they weren't all selling kitschy cottage country themed home goods #When one goes out of business (as they often do) another two regrow in its place like an upper class middle aged white woman hydra #It's even started in the town my parents live in. We have like 2 stores other than basic necessities and no tourism why is there a gift sho #Who asked for this

[artiststarme]

Eddie Saves Steve's Birthday

Part 2 of the "The Party Forgets Steve's Birthday" fic! I hope you guys like it and please leave your thoughts in the comments!

~*~*~*~

Eddie felt awful, in fact, he’d never felt worse. He would rather go back to the Upside Down and get torn into by bats again than have to hear Steve say that the Party only cared about him as the babysitter. He couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of a big birthday celebration than Steve and instead he was working a long shift at Family Video alone without any acknowledgement of his birthday from the kids. It wasn’t fair. 

He used to think Steve had everything. He was the cool jock, rich kid with rich parents, huge house, and tons of friends. Eddie never could have imagined then that Steve was just another lonely kid with absent parents and friends that forgot about his birthday. Even now, they were both part of the same group that had literally risked their lives to save them from the creepy-crawlies in the Upside Down and no one paid enough attention to realize it was Steve’s birthday. 

Just thinking about the defeated look on Steve’s face made Eddie’s heart stutter in grief. He didn’t care what it took, he was going to fix this. But to do that, he was going to need Wayne. 

By the time Eddie got home from his talk with Steve and the minor freakout he had in the back of his van, Wayne was getting ready to leave for work. That just wouldn’t do. So Eddie did the one thing that always worked for him and threw his arms around his uncle in a restrictive embrace. 

“Uncle Wayne, I need your help. It’s absolutely urgent, life-threatening, you could say. I need you and if you don’t help me, I will die.”

Wayne was far too used to his dramatics to fall for that. He patted Eddie’s back before trying to gently pry himself free. “Kid, my shift starts in an hour, I gotta get goin’.”

“No, I’m serious, I really need your help. Everyone forgot Steve’s birthday today! He’s devastated, I’m horrified, Robin is on a date, and the kids are unhelpful! I need you!” Eddie broke out his most potent puppy dog eyes and blinked up at his uncle. 

Wayne sighed. “I’ll tell Craig I have a stomach bug. What do you need me to do?”

“Steve gets off work at ten tonight. I need you to distract him towards the end of his shift and get him to come back here. Kidnap him if you have to, that’s what the Chief does and it always seems to work.”

“Kidnap him? Eds-” Wayne started but Eddie cut him off. 

“Please! I have to steal a camera from Jonathan, break into the Harrington house, and bribe the bakers into giving me a cake. I don’t have time to force Steve to come over too.”

“Now wait a minute, all of that sounds criminal. Eddie-” Wayne sounded the most alarmed that he ever has but Eddie took it in stride. 

“Wayne. He said he hasn’t celebrated his birthday in years, literal years. And considering you have a birthday every year, that’s a lot of birthdays that he’s spent alone. So we have to get him here by any means necessary and show the pretty bastard that we love him. Okay?”

Wayne looked at him for a long time but eventually he gave a little nod. “What time should I head out?”

~*~*~*~

Steve wasn’t used to seeing Wayne around town and he had never once come into Family Video. So when the bell rang and swung open to reveal a stressed Wayne Munson, he didn’t really know what to think. Wayne looked around the store slightly before walking directly up to the counter. 

Steve nodded at him and narrowed his eyes in confusion. “Um hey, Mr. Munson. Welcome to Family Video, how can I help you?”

Wayne scratched a hand through his beard before humming. “You, uh, you have any good recommendations?”

“You want to hear about my recommendations? Really?” Steve looked at him, flabbergasted. No one had ever cared to ask what he watched. 

“‘Course, that’s why I asked. What do you like to watch? Anything good?”

“Have you seen Back to the Future? It was a little hard to understand because he actually goes back to the past and I think he wanted to bang his mom, it was really confusing. It’s a good one but I’m not sure if it’s really good or if I only liked it because I was super high.”

Wayne nodded at him, not even phased at his enthused rambling. “That does sound interestin’. Any other ones?”

“Oh my god, yes! Have you seen Clue? Tim Curry is in that one, he’s the guy from the Rocky Horror Picture Show that has the nice legs. He shows less leg in this one but oh, you should see Miss Scarlet. It’s truly the best of both worlds, Mr. Munson, let me tell you-”

If this was the best his night got on his birthday, Steve would be content. Wayne was listening to him rant about his current favorite movies with rapt attention and kept asking questions in the appropriate places to keep the conversation going. Steve couldn’t even remember the last time someone actually wanted to listen to him talk. The Munsons always managed to surprise him in the best way possible. What could get better than this?

~*~*~*~

With Wayne on Steve Duty, Eddie had more than enough time to coerce Jonathan into letting him borrow a camera, sneak through Loch Nora to collect some of Steve’s favorite tapes, and guilt-trip the bakery ladies into giving him a cake on short notice.  

After assuring Jonathan that he wasn’t trying to record a sex tape with any of his equipment, he lent him a small Polaroid (he didn’t trust the odd request from Eddie so there was no way in hell he was letting him borrow a tape recorder). Eddie didn’t argue though. He just needed something to commemorate Steve’s first birthday in the family and a Polaroid would do just that. 

The trip to the bakery though took longer than anticipated. Florence, the owner of Flo’s Baked Goods, was not in a generous mood at 4 PM on a Tuesday. Luckily, Eddie was known for being very persuasive which worked in his favor. 

“Florence, come on. Do me a favor, please?” He asked with his most woeful puppy dog eyes.  

“Edward, I told you already, you need to place an order ahead of time.”

“Florence, my dear, I didn’t anticipate my grandma to die! I didn’t have time to place an order and I need a cake for her funeral tonight. Please Flo? For me?” His lip wobbled slightly as if tears were close to follow. He needed to pull out all of his stops to get that cake. 

She sighed in exasperation. “I can give you a small one, alright? And you’re not getting extras, I actually have orders to work on.”

“That’s okay! Thanks Flo, I appreciate it and so will St- my dead grandmother. May she rest in peace.”

That worked out great! Sure, Eddie had to make an extra stop at the grocery store for some red frosting to write Steve’s name on it but the smile on his face would be well worth it. Or rather a pitying grimace. 

Unfortunately, Eddie was not a baker or a designer by any means. So the red lettering on the cake turned into a drippy mess that looked more like a crime scene than a birthday cake. He also didn’t have great space management. Instead of making the font smaller to fit on the cake, Eddie largely wrote “BIRTH STEVE” and couldn’t fit anything else. Eager to make the best of the situation, he threw some colorful sprinkles on there to liven things up. Ah, Steve would love it. 

The situation only got more complicated when he went to pick up Steve’s favorite movies from his house. Eddie parked his van in the driveway and picked the lock to the front door. Steve was at work, his parents weren’t home (not that they would have let him in if they were), and the emergency key under the doormat wasn’t there so he had to take drastic measures. 

He grabbed a few of the movies in Steve’s room that he knew were his favorite that he didn’t have at the trailer. Fast Times, Back to the Future, Clue, The Breakfast Club, Teen Wolf, basically everything that Eddie hated but he was willing to watch anything for Steve. He grabbed a few cassettes too in case they decided to listen to music instead. All of the tapes were disappointingly mediocre and Eddie made a mental note to introduce him to some real music. After that, Steve would never listen to fucking Tears for Fears ever again. Or Wham!, the bane of his existence. 

What Eddie had neglected to consider was how the nosey neighbors would react to seeing a random van in the Harrington driveway and a random kid messing with the front door. He should’ve expected the cops to come. He opened the front door to the barrel of Hopper’s gun.

“Son of a bitch, Chief! What the hell are you waving that around for?!” Eddie exclaimed, dropping his small duffel bag and throwing his hands in the air. 

“What the hell? Munson?” Admittedly, Hopper had shown up at a bad time. Eddie was lugging a duffel bag out of the Harrington house to his hastily parked van in a neighborhood he definitely didn’t belong in.

“It’s not what it looks like,” he told him quickly. 

“It looks like you’re robbing the Harrington’s place,” Hopper said deadpan.

“Well, I’m not!”

“What are you doing then?” Hopper asked him sarcastically. 

“I’m not robbing him! I���m trying to save Steve’s birthday. I was just getting some supplies.” Eddie explained hurriedly.

“It’s Steve’s birthday today?”

“Yep and he’s going to be pissed if he has to come bail me out of jail because you arrested me. Think about that,” Eddie said, pointing an accusing finger at him. Wayne and Steve would both be pissed if he got arrested again. 

“That doesn’t explain why you’re stealing his stuff,” Hopper stated in confusion.  

“I’m throwing him a little party back at my place, we’re having a movie night so I had to get his favorite movies. I don’t have this teen drama shit. But Steve does and I’m trying to give him a nice night.”

Hopper just looked at him blankly.

“So can I go? I know you don’t want to break Stevie’s heart by arresting me on his birthday and don’t you want to get home to your family this lovely Tuesday evening? Who needs the extra hassle of detaining little ole me?”

“Goddammit Munson, just get out of here. You’re making the neighbors antsy. And don’t do this again.” Hopper warned him before walking over to his cruiser. 

“Copy that, Chief! Keep protecting the people or whatever the fuck your pledge is. Have a nice night!” And then he was off again. 

~*~*~*~

Steve must’ve talked about his favorite movies for hours before he realized it was time to close and Wayne was still there. “Um, Mr. Munson? I’m sorry, you probably had things to do today and I wasted all your time ranting at you. I’m really sorry.”

“Don’t be, kid. It was nice hearing from you. Say, I’m sure Eddie would want to hear about some of those movies too. Could you come over tonight and tell us some more about ‘em?” Wayne offered. 

Steve could tell a pity offer when he saw one though. “No, that’s okay. I can tell him another time. I have to start closing if you want me to check you out?”

Wayne sighed and made direct eye contact with him. “Listen kid, I know today’s your birthday and you aren’t spending it alone. So, you can either follow me back to the trailer or I’m gonna kidnap you and drag you there. You got me?”

Steve just looked at him in shock. What was up with older father figures trying to kidnap him? Was there something on his face that told them, ‘hey, I’m a good target for kidnapping, take me’? Was Wayne in kahoots with Hopper because this trend was getting a bit ridiculous.

“Wayne-”

“Nope, Eddie wants you there and I want you there. What are you going to do instead? If you have a good excuse, I’ll leave right now and break that boy’s heart.” Wayne looked at him expectantly. When it became apparent that Steve wasn’t going to say anything, he nodded. “Good, I’ll see you at the trailer. Drive safe.”

What the hell? Was that how age twenty was going to be? Confusing and full of ups and downs? Jesus Christ. 

Steve finished closing the store quickly and made his way to Forest Hills. He wasn’t quite sure what was going on today but if they wanted to spend time with him, he wasn’t going to turn them down. The Munsons were some of his most favorite people and it’s not like there was a long list of people that wanted him around. 

As soon as he opened the door to the trailer, everything made a little bit more sense. There were party streamers hanging from the walls, the most gruesome cake he had ever seen sitting on the table, and birthday hats on top of a beaming Eddie and an indifferent Wayne. Tears filled Steve’s eyes as he laughed. He couldn’t believe that they’d done all of that for him.

“Happy birthday, Stevie! I love you!” Eddie yelled, pressing a chaste kiss to his lips and pulling him into a bruising hug. 

Wayne patted his shoulder a bit awkwardly and murmured, “I love you too kid but I ain’t kissin’ ya.”

Steve could hardly even speak through the rush of happiness he was feeling. Eddie had found a way to make his birthday special again. He’d cared enough to spend his day organizing a nice night for Steve to feel loved again, to feel happy on his special day. Sure, not everything was fixed and there was still a small amount of hurt that the kids and Robin hadn’t done anything. But he had Eddie and Wayne and they were all he really needed. He finally had a family and he couldn’t be any happier. Eddie was right, ‘86 truly was a great year. 

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#The kids see a polaroid taped to Eddie’s fridge a few weeks later of them smiling in front of the cake #That's how they find out they missed Steve’s birthday. #Eddie holds a grudge against them and bars them from seeing Steve for awhile #He also murders all of their characters in DnD but that's neither here nor there #stranger things #steddie #steddie ish #fanfic #steve harrington #eddie munson #chief hopper #uncle wayne #wayne munson #jonathan byers

[yenonnoff]

TEACH ME HOW TO LOVE! 22. 2 people, 1 truth

note: word count is 3.8k :D

“they really are little rascals, especially this one!” atsumu huffed with an orange kitten pressed against his chest. you found him near an alleyway and were currently walking back to april’s store. 

it was a convenience store, and she used the second floor as her living space. after you were banned from eating the snacks at your parents’ place, you started hanging out at april’s more often. she always gave you the snacks for free and you spent most of your childhood there: in april’s store next to her floor fan as customers came and went. 

“you’re back!” april rushed out in a hurry, reaching to pet the kitten still in your arms. “their mom’s in the back with the other younglings so i’ll need to wash them. but before that, tell me how i can repay the two of you.” 

you rushed to decline. “no, no. don’t worry about it, we did this because we just wanted to help.” 

april laughed heartily. “then thank you, darling, for helping me find the kittens.” she smiled towards atsumu, “and thank you… y/n’s boyfriend. looks like i never got your name!” she erupted again in buoyant laughter. 

your co-star returned her smile. “it’s atsumu miya, nice to meet you.” his response garnered an elbow to the side from you. “he’s not my boyfriend, just a coworker,” you clarified quickly.

her excitement didn’t fade, a sly twinkle shining in her aged eyes. she grabbed the kittens from you and atsumu, the two troublemakers tugging insistently at her floral blouse. “we’ll continue this later, they’re really impatient aren’t they?” 

when april left, you and atsumu occupied the bench in front of the store. he stretched and yawned. “what were you saying about your parents before you got cut off?” he asked curiously. 

“oh, my parents aren’t here anymore. we moved to miyagi prefecture when i got to high school, and they stayed there after i moved to tokyo for university.” 

“must’ve been hard when their only child left,” he said, lifting a brow when you laughed. “not at all,” you replied. “i was a handful to them, they were glad i left.” 

growing up, a part of you resented your parents for moving away from your hometown. you dreamt of everything: attending a nearby high school and keeping up with your studies—going home and helping the residents with their tasks around town. it was the perfect harmony, and it was shattered due to your parents. 

you realized later it was because they hated everything the town stood for: peace, gaiety, and the ability to melt your heart. they must’ve hated the cool summers too—the long family walks through town after supper where you admired wildflowers in the sidewalk cracks. they must’ve hated the colorful peonies in the spring and the lively tradition where all the residents came together to have one big picnic in the field. you still remembered it so vividly. each household needed to bring something special (music, toys for the kids, food, or drinks) to be able to participate. once, your parents said you were their special item and the residents exploded in cheerful laughter and agreement. looking back, you wondered how true that actually was of your parents. 

they were bored of the place they grew up in, and they tossed it away without even asking you. they threw their friends away, the memories they made with everyone, and—worse of all—they desecrated your love for the town and its people. 

you’d cried during departure, watching as everyone bore smiling faces in an attempt to uplift yours. you hadn’t cried in years, and you were about to attend high school. you saw them hand you gifts—all the things you loved and things that’ll remind you of your true home. you hoped they knew you weren’t the one who wanted to leave; you hoped they knew it was because your parents hated their kind generosity. 

“i hated leaving my hometown behind. if i could, i would’ve stayed with them while my parents left. i would’ve been okay without them. but when i got to my new school, things started to get better,” you said, fidgeting with the palm of your hand. “i excelled at my classes and made new friends. they filled an empty part in me and i was able to be with them 24/7 through volleyball.” you paused for a moment. “but my parents didn’t like that. they didn’t like it when i went to my team’s matches to support them, they didn’t like that i was barely home with them.”

atsumu remained silent while you talked. his back was pressed against the wall and his shoulder was touching yours. his silence comforted you, his warmth made you continue. “i think they realized it was out of their control now, that when i went off to university, they wouldn’t have to deal with me anymore. i saved up money from my part-time job and moved to tokyo with my friends. my parents stopped calling me afterwards, but i still send money back home to them.” 

you choked back a sob, chuckling at the weird situation: you pouring your feelings out to your attentive co-star. you avoided looking at him.

“what about your aunt april? couldn’t you have stayed with her?” 

you laughed quietly. “she’s not my real aunt, her husband isn’t my real uncle either. they just treated me really nicely, like i was a part of their family. actually, they were my parents’ rivals. the town only needed one convenience store and i guess my parents were the ones who left. maybe they didn’t like how welcoming aunt april treated me, but i knew she never wanted us to leave. and i never wanted to be seen as a burden to them. they already had so much on their plate, i just couldn’t invade their lives like that.” 

atsumu hummed. “but if you had asked, they would’ve accepted in a heartbeat.” you smiled sadly—what he said was true. 

you couldn’t help but imagine what your life would’ve been like if you’d stayed. you would’ve been happy, you would’ve continued to stay in your hometown after graduation, maybe even become a farmer. you would’ve been surrounded by people who loved you and familiar sights. but you would’ve never met shimizu and the others. you would’ve never realized the wonders of living in a big city filled with opportunities. you wouldn’t be acting. you wouldn’t have met atsumu and experienced all of this. 

when you realized that silence took over the conversation, you attempted a weak smile. “well! enough of me—”

“you don’t have to hide it, y/n,” atsumu said. “you can be unprofessional too.” 

your heart staggered. hot tears threatened to fall and you only said, “it’s okay, i don’t want to talk about it right now.” 

atsumu nodded at your response, sitting up more casually. you were grateful when he started talking: “it’ll be unfair if i didn’t tell you about myself too, right?” he stopped briefly to think. “my brother and i were adamant about volleyball during high school. awards, summer camps, interhigh, nationals—you name it. being recognized for your incredible setting skills had its perks,” he winked and you laughed. “i got some modeling gigs and then eventually went into acting.”

you listened intently to him as he spoke. there was always something about atsumu. was it his assertiveness or the way he naturally drew people in? you had a feeling it was both. the more time you spent with him, the more you wanted to know about him. 

“the first time i scored a big role, i was confused by how happy i felt. i remembered the amount of compliments they gave me, not only for my acting skills but for volleyball as well. ‘a real talent,’ they’d told me once, and it made me want to continue acting. i struggled here and there with getting roles, mainly due to my inexperience, but it was a challenge i wanted to overcome. i felt the same amount of frustration when messing up a scene as passing a bad set. i felt the same amount of joy too, so it was difficult to decide which path i wanted to take after high school.” 

you asked when he became silent, “how did your parents react?” 

he didn’t turn to look at you but you saw his lips pulled into a grim smile. “horrible,” he said. “‘samu wanted to pursue culinary arts and i wanted to focus on acting. my parents knew i had some roles during high school but they didn’t like that i wanted to do it professionally. my mom was clinging onto the chance that i would continue volleyball unlike my brother.” atsumu tightened his hands, his expression hard and dour. “but they didn’t realize that i was still playing, just not competitively. i didn’t compromise my love for it, never did.” 

you felt a strange pull of admiration. you could hate atsumu all you want for his actions, but you could never hate the confidence he radiated. you’ve seen it before: at the script read through and on the first day of filming. when he stepped on set, reading his lines with such certainty and zeal, your eyes didn’t want to look away. so this was atsumu miya, you thought. this was the highly praised atsumu—the side he proudly chose to display. 

but right now, he was just atsumu, regular atsumu. he was another person that goes through things like everyone else. you had believed vehemently before that your co-star was only capable of hate and disdain. that he could only conjure up sly, distasteful frowns. now he was more human than you thought. 

“i’m sorry,” was all you could say in response. atsumu shook his head, his eyes downcasted. “it got better eventually, it’s been a couple years and they’ve come around.” 

he continued: “it took a lot to convince them and myself that it was the right choice. i didn’t land any major roles for a year straight.” 

you blinked. who wouldn’t want atsumu on their production? even if this happened years ago, atsumu already had a couple major roles under his belt. you had a feeling it wasn’t him or his skills that were at fault. 

“a fucking year straight,” he spat his words venomously. “i practiced everyday until my body gave up, and for what? some rich insecure pieces of shit to come by and flaunt their money in the director’s face? i didn’t want anything to stop me from acting except my skills.” 

you imagined atsumu practicing his lines over and over again until he was satisfied. you saw him beating himself up for every mistake he would make. to atsumu, it must’ve felt like preparing for a volleyball match: setting and serving until he could no longer—until his exhausted body begged him to stop. it felt vivid to you. after all, you were both hardworking perfectionists, and you were both treading through an industry where the rich reigned and the skilled surrendered. 

for a year straight, atsumu dealt with this. he couldn’t do anything, powerless to change the directors’ decisions.

you stared at him with a pained expression. “bribery,” you said meekly and he nodded. “just like what emma did.”

“so you knew,” he said, low and accepting. 

“yes, i did, about her bribing director sage. but i want to hear it from you, not from a friend or anywhere else.” 

he nodded and you braced yourself for what was about to come. “i didn’t know at first, no one did except for the director and committee team. you wouldn’t have expected her to do something like that: she was nice and endearing, even to the staff members. but i always questioned why director sage was so hard on her. it wasn’t as if she lacked talent. she was good—well, good enough, i suppose. then i realized what it was about her. she had talent but not skills from experience. whenever filming lasted longer than it should’ve due to her, everyone was forgiving. they ignored her issues because she was nice and pretty.”

you swallowed at his words. with money, you could buy opportunities, but not skills and experience that are on par with actors who’ve been doing this for way longer. you couldn’t, unless you knew how to adapt—unless you were a quick learner. emma was none of those things. 

you watched atsumu rub his hands against his face, a sorrowful chuckle leaving his lips. “there were signs and i was blind to them. i only focused on her, thinking how amazing she was. she only had two years of experience so her mistakes were understandable. but this was a director sage film. his standards were fucking crazy. how did she land the main role if not for bribery and blackmail?” 

you had to confess, after returning from the trip to the record store slash beach, you finally watched director sage’s latest film. it aired two years ago but was one of his most popular works ever. emma had the main role but surprisingly, atsumu was only the second lead. he didn’t have much screen time but whenever he appeared in a scene with emma, you felt your heart stop, your breath hitching in your throat. their chemistry was otherworldly, and you understood why the whole internet went into chaos when they broke up. if you had watched this two years ago, you would’ve rooted for them too. 

“oh, but,” he quickly turned towards you, saying softly, “don’t blame director sage too much. it was his choice to make, but there were devastating circumstances. if he didn’t accept emma’s bribe, there would’ve been no film. her father would’ve cut off all the budget, including the ones from other companies. a single word from him would’ve cost director sage his career.” atsumu’s eyes turned dark and discernible. “i’m not saying his choice was right. emma forcibly stole opportunities from other aspiring actors and director sage helped her to do so. but still… he was in a difficult situation.” 

there was affection in his voice when he said the last sentence. you’ve seen them interact many times before, and it always occurred to you how easily atsumu laughed and smiled in the director’s presence. they both adored one another dearly, both having fond memories of working together years ago. 

“don’t worry, i don’t,” you reassured him. “but when i came, you thought i also blackmailed him. you thought director sage was put in another difficult situation.” you weren’t angry at him, you only stated frankly what had happened. but the latter pained atsumu more than the former. he wished you would yell at him or be in a fit of rage again (like your confrontation at the beach) because he knew he was wrong. he messed up and you were the one that was hurt. 

but you didn’t fault him, not after hearing about everything. atsumu was distrusting, both towards you and the acting industry. how could he not? the person he was in love with had betrayed her morals and his trust. 

“you’re right,” he said. “i was too quick to blame you. i judged you without knowing anything and spoke about you badly when i wasn’t any better. you were none of the things i claimed you were. you’re incredible, you know that? you made those four idiots fall in love with you on the first day of filming. you made director sage fall in with you. and you reminded me what good acting was. it was exhilarating to see someone with the same amount of passion as me. i fell in love with acting again just by watching you act.”

your cheeks burned at his words. you’ve received compliments before but it was different when your unapproachable and grumpy co-star said it. 

atsumu shifted to face you, both of your feet pointing in each other’s directions. “so i’m sorry, y/n. i’m sorry for dragging you into this, you were never the problem. what those staff members said were true: i am extremely cocky and pretentious, i’m hasty and reckless with both my actions and words. and i had hurt you greatly. could you forgive me?” 

you felt his vulnerability, his hesitant gaze on you. it wasn’t his fault, you wanted to say. it was okay. 

“i could, and i will. you’re forgiven, atsumu.” you waited another moment to say, “not everything the staff members said was true. you’re not undeserving of your role or fame.” 

“did they say that too?” 

you nodded and his eyebrows pinched together. “they said that because of my relationship with emma. after the film aired, everyone in the industry knew. some felt stronger about it than others; some could care less because it was so normalized; and some even praised her for being rich and having connections. it’s gross. if you don’t have the skills to earn your roles fairly through auditioning, you’re pathetic. instead of using that money to drag the director and your co-stars down, you should be spending it on acting classes.” 

you had to tug on his arm to get his attention. you didn’t mind his rant, but you were too curious about what that had to do with him being labeled “undeserving.” 

atsumu caught your eye and said, “oh, right. emma and i broke up a year after the film. we didn’t tell anyone what the reason was, but the bribery part was only half the story. those staff members were the same ones i worked with all those years ago. they saw how emma and i were—probably thought i was the same blackmailing fox as her.” he let out another low chuckle. “or maybe that i used my connection with director sage to my advantage. or that i already had my chance to work with him, and that another person should’ve gotten the opportunity.”

in your eyes, atsumu was never undeserving. director sage picked him for the lead role because he truly believed atsumu was worthy of it. you’d heard from kuroo that atsumu came out of his year-long break because of director sage. he just wanted to work with his favorite director again. atsumu had the confidence and skills to do so. what was so wrong about that? 

you patted him on the shoulder. “it’s not true, everyone knows it’s not. don’t be so hard on yourself.” your words made him laugh. a genuine one this time, it wasn’t sorrowful or somber like the previous ones. 

“thank you,” he said. “i’ll take it easy. i didn't think this trip would become so sentimental. did i bore you?” he asked mischievously. you shook your head no, the two of you exchanging pleasant smiles. 

you stretched your arms. how long were the two of you sitting on the wooden bench anyway? the sun was disappearing and leaving behind a trail of vibrant vermillion in its wake. it was already five o’clock. 

when the two of you peeked inside the convenience store, you saw april talking with her husband by the cash register. she noticed you two, turning to say, “there they are! did you have fun out there?”

apparently she had finished washing the kittens a long time ago, even having enough time to prepare dinner. a large dinner, enough to feed an army. “we didn’t want to interrupt the sweet moment so we waited,” april beamed while you, atsumu, and her husband followed behind on the staircase. 

atsumu whispered to you, “should i be here?” 

you nodded. after all, april’s homemade meals were the best. no amount of restaurants could compare, you knew he would be missing out if he didn’t give it a try. 

thankfully, dinner wasn’t awkward. april’s husband got along well with your co-star, minus the first interaction when he’d mistaken him for your boyfriend. it was becoming a running joke but you didn’t mind. you finally had the chance to sit down and talk to april and her husband, reminiscing about what happened during the time when you didn’t visit. you mentioned your previous film—vengeance—and the two of them chatted about your amazing performance. apparently everyone in town stopped what they were doing to watch it the day it aired. they were your first ever supporters after all. 

you also mentioned your friends, to which april smiled in relief. then you talked about your new film and gestured towards atsumu, your co-star who was caught off guard with food stuffed in his mouth. you left out all the bad parts in your story, focusing mainly on your “friendly” competition at the amusement park and the fun trip to the record store slash beach. you also mentioned jolie and the others, even director sage and how he looked better in person. 

atsumu got to talk too: about his twin brother and their volleyball experience during high school. atsumu boasted about being the number one setter and april’s husband, who you’ve known since childhood, brought up unexpectedly about how he’d played once as well. 

“captain of my team,” he laughed with his whole body. “that was my prime.”

it got to the point where all the dirty dishes were cleaned off the table and april brought out peeled tangerines. you got to play with the kittens while atsumu and april’s husband continued to converse about volleyball. it was endearing and bittersweet that the two of you had to leave. you wanted to freeze the moment—you’d forgotten how nice it felt to be back in your hometown. 

“must you go already?” april asked, standing at the door of her convenience store. her husband chimed in, “if they don’t catch the train, they’ll be stuck here.” 

she nudged him with an annoyed expression. “that’s what i’m trying to do.” she turned back towards you. “the whole town’s excited for your new film, y/n. we’ll definitely watch it so make sure to visit again. you as well, atsumu.” 

the two of you thanked them for dinner, saying your farewells and heading to the train station. 

“thank you for bringing me here,” atsumu said as you waited on the platform. 

“did i one up you? be honest.” 

he replied hesitantly, “yes. i have to admit your hometown is pretty nice.” 

“then let me borrow your jacket again on the train.” 

“oh? you’re finally gonna go to sleep?”

your eyes widened in embarrassment. “you knew?” he smirked at your dazed expression. “how could i not? kind of hard when you were wriggling in your seat trying to get comfortable.” 

“i will fall asleep this time. today’s been really exhausting.” 

atsumu peered down at you, saying, “good work today, y/n, and…”

he didn’t get to finish his sentence, interrupted by the roaring of the approaching train. you stepped inside, turning to ask, “what did you say?” 

“nevermind,” he smiled. “let’s get to our seats before we both fall asleep standing up.” 

atsumu had told you many things today, but the unspoken ones might’ve been the most important. he wanted to tell you again that he was sorry for everything. and he wanted to tell you that he was glad you were his co-star.

masterlist ⌒☆ previous ⌒☆ next

fun facts:

director sage did NOT like working with emma one bit, but he made sure to hide his disdain at all times.

when atsumu went to audition for director sage's previous film, he went with a friend of his. she practiced for the main role relentlessly but her audition didn't pass. atsumu always held a grudge towards emma for stealing his friend's chance; if it weren't for her, his friend would've gotten the role. she was a better actress than emma anyway.

y/n and atsumu took a million pictures of the kittens. there were five of them! she sent them all to the group chat for them to gawk at.

TEACH ME HOW TO LOVE! ｡ｏ♡ an atsumu miya smau

synopsis: when y/n l/n, a rising actress, decides to star in a romance film that could make or break her career, she’s unable to showcase her skills, revealing her inexperience within the romance department instead. worst of all, atsumu miya, her co-star and the main lead’s love interest, seems to hate her guts! with absolutely, unbearably zero chemistry between the two, an idea was proposed: spend time with one another in the upcoming weeks. will y/n be able to ignore her professionalism and listen to her heart? and will she, a clueless romantic, be able to pick up on the signs her co-star is sending her?

a/n: FINALYL FINISHED UGHHH I SWEAR THIS TOOK AN ETERNITY hoped u liked y/n and atsumu's backstories + his very heartfelt apology + emma being a very bad person

taglist is open! dm or ask to be a part of it! (those bolded were unable to be tagged)

⌒☆ @kqbukimono @empathum @clyver @chosoluv @oceansfloor @sunarots @marga-j @rukia-uchiha-98 @wyrcan @thechaosoflonging @rintarousgirl @ast4rg1rl @seiamor @saiewithakatana @usermins @literally-a-ferret @terrarain @iuspired @haruskatana @wolffmaiden @ris-krispie @vellichxrr6782 @animenaces-world @reignsaway @emii4evr @writing-for-the-hell-of-it @yuminako @tojirin @v3nusplanetofluv @vyvixen @secondary-character-25 @tenjikusstuff4 @444choso @mylahrins @deimmortales99 @hisfuture @staywhelmed8801 @dl-yum @nessaasstuff @milesmoralesluvs @101tsumu @ryeyeyer @cherrypieyourface

#haikyuu smau series #smaus #social media au #haikyuu smau #haikyuu #hq smau #hq #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu x you #haikyuu x yn #hq x reader #hq x you #hq x yn #haikyuu atsumu miya #atsumu miya #atsumu miya x reader #atsumu miya x you #atsumu miya x yn #atsumu miya smau #actors au #celebrity au #romance

[moiravim]

Are you gonna make a part 2 for Moon Dad meets y/n? I would like to see Marc's first meet up.

Moon dad's part 2.

Summary: what it's like living with Steven and Marc as your father figure<3

It has been a month since you moved in with Steven. By now you had been introduced to Marc and had gotten an explanation on who Khonshu is. Marc had immediately grown a soft spot for you.

It was nice being around someone who accepted you and could relate to you.

They had treated you like you were their own child and you were forever thankful. Even Khonshu had a soft spot towards you. Although he often gave you bad and dangerous advice so Marc told you to ignore him.

They knew he wouldn't let anything happen to you, so they didn't mind if you spent time with Khonshu as long as you weren't doing anything dangerous.

You finish the chapter of the book Steven had given you before placing in the bookmark and standing up.

You walked into the kitchen where Steven was preparing breakfast and asked; "do you need any help?". He smiled at you before shaking his head no and responding; "I'm almost done, love. How about you go sit at the table?"

You nod and he smiles lovingly at you. You go to the table and sit down in your favorite spot. It was facing the window so you could look out as you eat.

Khonshu appears and you casually look up at him. The first few times it was scary, but by now you enjoyed his presence.

"What are you doing?" He questions you as you stare out the window. You roll your eyes at his nosiness and respond; "I'm just watching people. Dad's almost done making breakfast..."

"Dad?" He asks. You cringe at the realization and try to play it off. "Dad? I said Steven..." Khonshu lets out a sound that almost sounds like a laugh before disappearing again.

Steven walks up with a plate of breakfast prepared for you. You smile as you grab your fork and taste the food.

He laughs as he looks at your exited face. You loved when Steven and Marc spent time with you and it made them feel bad for you.

It broke Marc's heart to see how happy little things meant to you. It made him overthink a lot about your childhood and made him hate your parents even more.

Steven sat in the seat across from you and started eating his own food. When you finished eating Steven said you could go to your room or watch TV but you responded that you'd rather stay there.

When he finished eating he told you that; "I have something planned. I was hoping that the we could go to the book store today. I just finished my book and it looks like your almost done with yours".

Your face becomes happier and you nod. He leaves the table to go get everything he needs and then goes to put his shoes on.

You quickly tie your shoes before standing up and walking to the door. "Hurry up!" You complain as Steven lets out a small laugh. He finishes putting on his shoes and opens the front door.

He holds your hand as the two of you walk around the large town. When you arrive at the library, Steven lets you look around while he picks out a book for himself.

By the end of the day you and Steven are both satisfied and spend the afternoon reading together. Marc fronts and the two of you lay down on the couch and watch television together until you fell asleep.

Marc carries you back to your bed and tucks you in before leaving a kiss on your forehead. He grabs your favorite stuffed animal which had fallen onto the floor and lays it down next to you.

He leaves the room and quietly closes the door before going to help Khonshu as moon knight.

A/N: should I do a part 3 where YN meets Jake? And maybe YN gets adopted? If you all have any other ideas, lmk 🥰🥰🫶

#marvel x reader #marvel #moon knight #moon knight x reader #moonknight x reader #moon knight daughter #moon knight fanfic #moon knight x teen!reader #steven grant x reader #marc spector x reader #marvel x gender neutral reader #marvel x yn #marvel x platonic reader #marvel x teen!reader

[mtfstuff]

Life changing night

As a child I always wanted to protect my country when I'm older, just like my father did. He was the police chief of my hometown and I had great respect for him. When I turned 21 I found out that I was somehow gifted with a magical power. I could control minds and transform bodies. After I found out I started to improve myself. I gave myself abs and pecs as well as huge arms and legs. I was in an instant the strongest guy in my year at school and I changed the memories of the others to accept it. I kept it a secret for about a year until my father had a work accident. He got shot and had to sit in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. I told him that I could help him but he didnt believe me at first. I started to change his spine to get him to walk again. At first he was happy but it didnt last long. Shortly after it he became afraid of what I could do but he didnt let it show. It was that night where I suddenly woke up in the middle of the night surrounded by swat teams. My father had called the police and told them about me.

I was drugged and imprisoned in a secret facility so that the government could study what makes me different. Lucky me, I found a way to act like I was drugged. Every meal I got a pill to stay submissive and compliant but after some time I managed to break free and sonce then I've kept every single pill in a secret hiding spot. I was in there for about 2 years before I was fully conscious again. That was 19 months ago and every spare minute I had, I worked on a way to break out of the facility and today is the day.

Its Friday, 31. October. Halloween.

I woke up and had breakfast before I was lead into a test it was short and I had the rest of the day off. I waited until dusk and then I broke out. I moved away the mirror above the sink in the bathroom and entered a secret tunnel. I silently left the estate and walked towards the nearest town.

My prison uniform wont be noticed anytime soon as everyone is dressed up. I walked through the streets at the edge of the city, hoping to see an open window or door to sneak into a house do change my clothes but sadly everything was closed.

I started to think about other options. Breaking into a house or store? Probably too loud.

Knocking out a parent to steal his clothes? Possible if no one is around.

I continued walking down the streets alone, no one around until I suddenly saw someone coming towards me. From the way the person walked I could see that its a man and while coming closer I finally saw that he wore a military uniform. It seems like he noticed my clothes too as he started to change his grip on his gun.

We finally stood in front of each other.

"No need to worry, its a costume.", I said.

"Oh good. While I dont know of any prison around here I was still cautious.", he answered.

"I'm Luke.", I introduced myself.

"Mike.", he answered.

I sized him up. We were similarly tall and muscular. I wouldnt even change a lot about myself to be him physically.

"And whats a soldier doing on the streets all alone?"

"Oh.", he chuckled. "Yeah, I'm a real soldier but I'm wearing it as a costume today. I was walking around with my nephew and he wanted us to be soldiers together. I just brought him home. What about you?"

"Just brought my son to my ex.", I lied. "He wanted to be a police officer and I should be his prisoner."

Mike laughed. "Sounds like he got you under control."

"Yeah, he does.", I chuckled.

It followed a short moment of weird silence.

"I have nothing else to do this evening. You seem like a good guy, want to come with me for some beer and small talk?", he asked.

What an opportunity, I thought.

"Yeah, sure!", I answered.

We walked to his house and he let me in. We sat down in his living room and talked a lot. At the end both of us had like 6 to 7 beer and I wanted to alter his mind to let me transform him as he asked a sudden question.

"You know, this may sound weird to you...", he burped. "But I really like you. I never had a feeling like this towards anyone."

Well, this is another way to get what I want, I thought.

"I feel the same.", I said. "Since the first time I saw you in your uniform I wanted to have you, to serve you."

"Well then why dont we go upstairs together."

He took my hand and lead me upstairs. He sat down on the bed and pushed me to my knees.

"If you dont want to go to prison again you maggot, start sucking my dick.", he said firmly.

"Roleplay, I like it.", I said.

What was that maggot?!", he said.

"I dont want to go back, sir!", I answered.

"Then suck. And make sure that not a single drop gets on my uniform."

I opened his fly and took his hard 6 inch cock in my mouth. He grabbed my head and slid my head up and down on his shaft. After a few minutes he exploded his warm seed without warning into my mouth and I made sure that I swallowed every bit of it.

"That was awesome!", he panted.

I started to strip him out of his uniform. I opened his boots and peeled off his green wool socks. I opened his belt and pulled off his pants and underpants, followed by his vest, shirt and undershirt. He was now laying naked in front of me. He was a sight to behold. Great abs, big pecs and massive calfs and biceps.

"Oh no! This poor soldier got stripped by the prisoner he wanted to bring to the police. I hope he doesnt fuck me rough without lube.", Mike said with a smile.

"You soldier can only hope to see the daylight again now that I have you beneath me!", I role played further.

"Oh, help. Please!", he said while I turned him on his stomach.

I pulled my dick out of my pants and quickly enlarged it to a nice hard 9 inches.

"This could hurt, soldier boy.", I said as I slowly entered his hole.

Mike gasped as I entered his hole but he quickly moved up and down on my dick. We had sex for about 2 hours and it was a blissful experience. Both if us covered in sweat were lying next to each other on the bed. We looked each other deep into the eyes.

"Hey Mike, I...", I stammered. "I've got a question."

"Of course. What is it?"

"Could I put on your uniform?", I asked.

"That would be hot.", he answered.

I hopped out of his bed and walked towards the pile of clothes I left on the chair while I undressed Mike.

I took his still warm boxers and sniffed them. I looked at Mike and saw how he stroked his dick.

I stepped into his boxers and slid my feet into his damp socks. I pulled on his undershirt and his pants. I closed the belt and put on his shirt and vest. I wiggled into his boots and tied them up. I slipped my hands into his gloves.

"This feels awesome!", I said.

"Hello staff sergeant! How can I help you?", Mike asked.

I could see how aroused he was seeing me in his uniform.

"I know I'm not a cop so I have no rights to indrude your home Mr., but I was told that a prisoner was seen entering this house. Do you know anything about this?", I asked firmly.

"No sir, I havent seen a prisoner here.", he said still stroking his dick.

"Do you mind if I take a look around?", I asked.

"No, not at all sir."

A walked around the room until my old clothes were in front of me.

"What do we have here...", I said, picking up my orange shirt and pants. I threw them at Mike, followed by my orange loafers.

"Put them on. I'll bring you to the police, prisoner!", I said.

I saw how excited Mike was. He stepped into the pants and slipped the shirt over his abs. After that he slipped into the loafers.

"Please, I was falsely imprisoned. I'd do anything to get away from it.", Mike said.

"Well, if thats the case, suck me off and I'll see what I can do for you.", I answered.

Mike crawled towards me, opened my fly and pulled out my hard dick. He went right down on it without hesitation. His mouth engolfed my dick like a wet, warm cave. His tongue played easily with my hard dick and I put my hands behind his face. I slowly started to facefuck him, getting rougher and rougher until I exploded into his mouth. He immediately started to swallow until he got every drop.

It made me feel ecstatic and my knees got weak. I dropped on my knees and was now face to face with Mike again.

"I love this feeling of power. I love wearing your uniform. I'd love to be you, a soldier.", I said panting.

"And it suits you good.", he said.

He came in for a kiss and I didnt stop him.

We kissed and I wanted to shove my hand beneath his shirt as he suddenly pulled me to the ground.

We wrestled for a short time but it was clear from the beginning that Mike had the upper hand by knowing all the fighting tactics. Je quickly had me locked in a position where I couldnt move my right arm and leg.

His arm moved over my chest down to my dick.

"You may wear the uniform and look like a soldier but you dont know a thing being a soldier.", Mike whispered in my ear.

I felt how he started stroking my dick.

"And now the soldier will be fucked by the prisoner.", he continued.

He managed to turn me around while keeping me pinned down to the ground. I felt how he pulled the pants from my butt before his dick entered.

He got a fast pace but I figured out that he was to focused on fucking me that he wouldnt pay attention to my body changing. I focused on Mikes appearance and started my transformation. I lost my tattoos, made my muscles slightly grow and then I started to change my face.

My hair got shorter, my jaw more square. I now resembled Mike in all his glory.

At last I changed my voice to match Mikes.

"You wont get away with this you scum. You cant just fuck a soldier and think you can just leave.", I said, hearing Mikes deep baritone voice.

"Oh my... wait, what the- uurgh!", Mike sounded confused but he shot his load into my ass.

Mike pulled out and turned me on my back.

"How can you sound like me? Look like me?!", he shouted.

"I do what?!", I answered, playing unknowing.

He stood up, pulled me with him and pushed me in front of the mirror.

He looked at himself, I could see a slight relief and then he looked at me.

"We're like twins!", I said moving my hands through my hair and over my jaw.

"How can we revert this?", he mumbled.

"I'd love to go to your work as you.", I said under my breath.

"Impersonating a soldier.", I didnt think he'd hear me. "Hot but dangerous."

"You'd let me do it?", I asked.

"I think so but you dont know a thing about my work, let alone my colleagues."

I turned around to look at him. My hard dick in the uniform pants brushed against his thigh.

I started kissing him and he moved his hands to my bubble but. We kissed passionately.

"You know I could change that deficit.", I said.

I quickly kissed him before I started to copy his memories. He felt that something was wrong and tried to push me away but I didnt let go.

I finished copying before he pushed me away.

"What did you just do? I- I feel a bit dizzy.", Mike said.

"Easy there Mike.", I helped him to sit down on his bed. "I just copied your memories. I could now go to your work and no one would know I'm not the real you."

"But- but how?", he stepped away from me.

"I dont know how to say it.", I said.

"Then try to explain it.", he said taking my hand.

"I have...this power. I can change the body and mind. And I really wanted to be you because I like you so much."

"So you could make my power fantasy real?"

"Your what?", I asked perplexed.

"I- I always- okay, since my early teenage years I somehow liked, maybe even loved being talked down, even though I was muscular since the beginning. That was the real reason I joined the army. I wanted to get screamed at, dragged through the mud and so on. But I quickly found out that that didnt really happen, I quickly shot up the career ladder and suddenly I was supposed to scream at others."

I was totally surprised.

"Could you maybe make me your submissive prisoner?", he continued. "I mean, you'd have your dream of being me, staff sergeant Mike Walker."

He got closer to me and grabbed my bulge.

"And I could be the muscular prisoner who you use as a slave and humiliate.", he continued.

He squeezed my bulge and it was so good.

"Please, I beg you Luke.", he said. "Influence my mind, make me forget my life as a soldier. Maybe even change my face to fit a slave."

A year later and I have the best time of my life. I am the soldier I always wanted to be and my life with Mike, now called Mouse is also incredible. I lift the blockade in his mind on special occasions and he always tells me how much he liked the past time as his dream. Tonight is halloween again and my nephew wants me to be soldiers with him again. The real Mike asked to come with us, fully conscious. He would be one of my friends, of course dressed as a prisoner. My nephew loves the idea and Mike cant wait for the time when we are alone again.

This definitely is a much better life than I thought I would ever get.

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

I'm back and sadly I didnt manage to hit my deadline to post this story on halloween, but at least I'm close. I'm working on more stories again so look forward to them.

#male transformation #male body transformation #body switch #male body switch #body swap #male body swap #male possession

[gennyanydots]

All Hail the Heartbreaker

Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin x f!reader

Masterlist

Warning: this part is angsty as fuck. High school Jake is straight up a manipulative asshole.

Part 1 of 3

Part 2

Part 3

Just his name could send your mind reeling and cause your breath to quicken. It always felt like an out of body experience.

He had known exactly what he was doing. He saw you for what you were, a shy, naive little girl pining away after the most popular boy in school. He saw his chance and he made his home inside your brain, cozied on up to your abandonment issues and your self esteem problems. He controlled you however he wanted since you grew to crave his attention. Any attention from him. For two years.

Jake used you however he saw fit. Whenever he saw fit.

“Did you do the homework last night, princess? Think I could take a peek at your answers real fast? Just want to check that you did it right. Wouldn’t want you to get a bad grade.”

“Darlin’, do you think you could stop by the store later for me on your way over? You said you got some money from babysitting the other day.”

“Baby, you know I love you so much, right? Why don’t you come over tonight and cook us some dinner instead of going to the movies with your friends? My parents went out tonight.”

“We should definitely be partners for that project, darlin’. I know you can get us an A.”

You didn’t want to see how he was treating you. You didn’t want to acknowledge his treatment or his lies.

Oh the lies.

“You know nobody will ever love you like I can?”

“Do your friends even care about you, darlin’? Doesn’t seem like it.”

“I’m just going to hang out with my buddies, princess. Nobody else will be there. Promise.”

“C’mon baby, you know I only have eyes for you. She was just asking about the homework.”

“We were just talkin’ in my room. Nothing to worry your pretty little mind over.”

“Why are you getting so upset? I would never do anything to hurt you. You know that.”

You’ll still never know the true extent of his lies.

You didn’t want to dig too far, afraid of what you might find.

You knew enough.

You were told enough.

You’d seen enough.

His friends felt bad for you. Told you that you didn’t deserve to be treated this way. You didn’t deserve to be lied to like this. You knew it had to be bad if some immature high school boys took the time to tell you.

You stopped by his house one day to drop a freshly baked pie off even though he wasn’t home. Jake’s father took you aside to make sure you knew this wasn’t how he raised his son. Jake wasn’t raised to treat anyone like this, let alone someone he supposedly loved.

His father told you to leave Jake. Told you that he can’t stand seeing his son hurt you like this.

You told his father and his friends that you had no idea what they were talking about but that was a lie. Deep down you knew. Deep down you’d known all along. You didn’t want to admit it. You so badly wanted this to work.

Why couldn’t the shy girl get the quarterback? Why couldn’t they fall in love and be high school sweethearts? Get married and have a bunch of kids. Why couldn’t someone like him be interested in someone like you?

Though you knew why. Other girls whispered exactly why to each other when they thought you couldn’t hear. You still pretended not to.

It was all a picture perfect dream come true for you until the edges started to fray and the colors faded.

You held on. You wanted it so badly but you also didn’t want to see the aftermath. When he was finally turned loose and was able to do what he wanted without hiding anything.

You knew what you had to do. You just didn’t want to. You needed an easier way.

So you convinced your parents that you had to move to college early. You had to move immediately after high school. You needed time to acclimate to your new state. Somehow they agreed. You’re not sure if it was some divine intervention or if somehow they had heard the whispers around town. It’s not like he hid what he was doing well and you lived in such a small town. Everyone was always in each other’s business.

Months ago you called your cousin crying when you started to think about what to do about Jake. Russel was your best friend. The two of you spent every summer together as children on your grandparent’s ranch. Thick as thieves your grandparents would say. Even though he was a few years older your friendship never wavered as you grew up. He was like your big brother.

Russ helped you to decide that the best course of action was to break it off and leave. That way you didn’t have to see what he does afterwards. You could be anywhere else. Doing anything else. And if you didn’t run into your friends or his friends nobody would tell you anything. Russ may have also convinced you that you needed to go to college at the same college he goes to . States away from Texas. Safe away from Texas.

So that’s what you did. The night before you left to head to your new school you broke it off with Jake.

He didn’t react much just shrugged it off. Told you that you weren’t that pretty anyways and that you never put out for him. Told you he planned to break up with you soon anyways before he headed to the Naval Academy. He couldn’t date someone like you when he went there. He needed to be dating someone more on his level and you just weren’t it. You’d never been it. If anything he pitied you and that’s why you two were dating.

You nodded and showed him the door quickly. You wouldn’t let him see you cry. He wouldn’t get that satisfaction.

Part 2

#jake seresin x reader #angsty hangman #hangman x female reader #Jake hangman Seresin x female reader #all hail the heartbreaker

[marmaladedcroissant]

First things first, tackling things one at a time, I’m going to go throught the songs and look at their lyrics, and slowly connect them to Darry, I have yet to watch the show, and I could probably piece things together more clearly if I did go and watch it, but knowing me that would make it near impossible to return to this and it would forever remain as a draft to be expanded on. I highly suggest listening to these songs (If you haven’t already.).

Starting off with Inertia:

I was gonna save the planet, but today I got plans

I guess this is just what I am

Focusing on how Darry works to jobs and hardly has enough time for himself, seeing as all the shenanigans the gang seems to get up to, from Dally getting jailed, to Steve and Johnny abusive parents, and evenhis, Soda’s, and Pon’ys own issues, along with keeping up with the bills and making sure everyone is fed and taken care of. Gonna be honest, I feel like Darry sacrificed some of his own health to ensure that they could keep the house or pay the bills on time or just make sure everyone had food, seeing as how the gang practically lives at the Curtis house.

I'm an object in motion

I've lost all emotion

Darry, from Pony's view, looks cold and emotionless, and according to Pony, he’s “hard as a rock and about as human.” (Page 39, fourth paragraph down)

We know that’s not true, everyone feels something, no matter how hard they try not to, and we get to see Darry start to break down a bit, Sitting in the chair, knowing damn well he has work the next day but staying up late, 2 AM, just to make sure Pony is okay, when he very well could have gotten up from the chair and gone to bed, leaving Soda on the couch to wait for their younger brother.

My two legs are broken, but look at me dance

An object in motion, don't ask where I'm going

'Cause where I am going is right where I am

Darry had plans to go to college, and that was what fueled a good part of his and Paul's rivalry, but Darry was unable to go to college, as his parents are killed and he has to step up and take care of and provide for his younger siblings, effectively cutting off an entire section of his life for them, His parents being these legs that are broken, how he’s and object continuously moving, no time to comprehend what’s happening around him and how to handle it, hell, I don’t think he’s even had time to properly mourn the deaths of his parents yet, or even bother to move their things out of what now qualifies as ‘His room’, intentionally leaving their things in the room to feel closer to them, to have more to remember them by, more things to physically remind him of them, and the collective loss.

I wanna move out of this town

But everyone knows me, and packing is tiring

Inertia

Even if Darry were to somehow find a way back to his plans, it would be incredibly difficult. With the amount of memories stored in the house, and it being a designated hang out spot, Darry probably grew fond of the house over time, becoming more and more attached as time goes on, and not only that, but the fact it was something else to remind him of his parents, of everything good that happened because of them. Sure, he could keep the house, keep his jobs, but go to college anyways, but how would he realistically be able to manage all of that? He’d hardly have time to take care of himself, and in the end it would do far much more harm than good. Working to keep a house no one lives in, while trying to better himself and his own life after throwing it all away in milliseconds just to keep his brothers with him for as long as possible.

I wanna be big like my plans, so why'm I so tiny

And why'm I so mad?

It's inertia

Guess this is just what I am I'm stuck in this life, and I'm stuck in these pants

Darry had bigger plans for himself, to go out and go through college, to figure things out as he went but tackling one thing after then next as best as he could, go places, do things, meet new people, experience things he probably hasn’t yet, and find what makes him happy without something holding him back, without something that prevents him from stopping and turning around when he’s oh so close to that gold mine of his dreams, so close he can feel them, only to get called back for one thing or another.

Darry is stuck in Tulsa. He knows this. It’s been hammered into his head so many times now I highly doubt there’s a chance it could change. I firmly believe that he, as a character, knows he was born in Tulsa, that he was raised in Tulsa, and that he will die in Tulsa.

#the outsiders #inertia #Going to slowly dissect this man more thoroughly later #Just more worried about getting these ideas out there #before I start refining certain details. #darry curtis #ponyboy curtis #two bit mathews #dallas winston #sodapop curtis #steve randle #johnny cade

[lemonbooties]

2. Blood Oath | Choso ੭﹕ ̊ ̟ ꒷꒦

by lemonbooties

Find my work on AO3, Wattpad and Quotev here!

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

Chapter 2: Mourning

It takes about five minutes of silence for your thoughts to begin eating at you. The reality of your situation started to sink in, giving you the opportunity to spend the long car ride wallowing in your own self-pity. As much as it made you want to scream, you had already accepted that your parents were dead. You tried to push down the nausea building in the pit of your stomach as your mind is racing. Your whole body was numb and prickly, wrecked with guilt over the whole situation.

You had been distracted when your parents were attacked, if you hadn’t been, could you have saved them or would you have faced the same fate? The thought played on repeat in your mind.

You finally decided on the latter. After all, if you did confront the blue haired man, your insides would likely be plastered on your living room wall with your parents’. You certainly couldn’t have fought him. But could you really live without your family? Sure, you guys fought over trivial matters but that was a given with strict parents. You wondered if you could live with this guilt, blaming yourself for your parents’ end.

The car ride went by agonizingly slow. Paralyzed by your thoughts, you couldn’t even enjoy the scenery whisking by. Your stomach rumbled but you knew for a fact you couldn’t eat. Your stomach did flips at the thought of food causing you to scrunch yourself into your seat as much as you could, longing for any sort of pressure that could ease your upset stomach.

Almost as if he knew what was going on, Yaga paused before saying, “I know you’re probably not hungry but we need you to eat.” He held up a signal and the driver of the car pulled off onto a side road. You glared at the man. The man who has all the answers you were looking for yet, he was withholding them. You decided not to say anything, not knowing for sure if he was an ally or enemy. It would be better not to upset him.

You sat in your seat brooding as the driver maneuvered throughout the town you were in before stopping in front of a convenience store. Yaga asked you to come in but you stayed put, crossing your arms in protest. Sighing, he went inside anyway, without you, and emerged after a few minutes with a bulging tote bag. He reentered the car and got situated before rummaging through the bag and handing you a steamed bun.

Your stomach rumbled, followed by a wave a nausea. The bun in your hand was warm, heating you up, even if just for a minute. The numb needle sensation in your hands subsided as you gripped the package. You thought you couldn’t eat but when the scent hit your nose, you were ravenous. Tearing open the packaging, you bit down quickly. When the bun was suddenly gone, you found yourself disappointed but the warmth of the food spread throughout your gut, sending a shiver throughout your body.

You heard the crinkle of another package and looked over to see Yaga offering you another bun. You gladly accepted, taking your time and savoring it. With some food in your stomach, the nausea subsided. After eating, you felt slightly better but your mind was still pretty foggy. You didn’t even realize you had fallen asleep again until you were being shaken awake.

This time, it was not Yaga that greeted you but the driver. Standing in the opening of the car door, his face peered in at you as he announced your arrival to Yaga’s school. You hadnt been able to get a good look at the driver in the car but when he stepped back from the space next to the open car door, you were able to finally able to get a peek. His suit hung limply off his thin frame, which was reflected in his face and sunken cheekbones. He had dark hair parted down the middle and you would’ve thought he was pretty nerdy if he was your age with those glasses.

He smiled hesitantly at you, almost as if it was unnatural to him. He looked nervous and you could’ve sworn you saw a bead of sweat roll down his forehead. You managed a weak smile back as you sat up again. You panicked as you quickly realized your phone was missing. The driver jolted and exclaimed a quick acknowledgement of your confusion. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out your phone and handed it to you.

“When you fell asleep last night, you were clutching your phone so tightly that we couldn’t get it out of your hands but you left it on the seat earlier and we were able to charge it for you.” He bowed his head slightly as he handed it to you, which you returned. “Thank you, uh-“ “Ijichi.” He chimed in. “Kiyotaka.” You nodded in response before looking down at your phone.

Your display blinked to life, a picture of you, Yuji and Choso greeting you. You had all been at the park near your house, which you had still occasionally visited on weekends even though you had long outgrown the playground. This particular day was Yuji’s 15th birthday. It was particularly warm for March so you all had decided to have a picnic in the park. You wanted to smile but you broke at the thought that you may never get to celebrate birthdays with them anymore.

You longed for a shred of normalcy or the joy of your childhood but you remembered last night and the pit in your stomach returned. You missed your family, you missed your room and you missed your friends. Would they know what happened or would you just disappear from their life? The thought was unbearable.

Swinging your legs out of the car, you stood shakily and caught sight of Yaga at the back of the car hauling what looked like your stuff. Upon catching a glimpse of your childhood suitcase donned with stickers and poorly-applied glitter, you were sure it was all of you stuff. Your entire life in a child’s suitcase.

Ijichi stayed close to you, probably scared that you wouldn’t be able to stand again. You waited patiently as Yaga and Ijichi gathered your things before leading you onto the school’s campus.

You were amazed at the architecture of the buildings. It was so unique compared to any other school, at least ones you had seen in and around Sendai City. You didn’t see much activity down the walkway, leading you to believe that either class was in session or the student population and staff were few and far between. You struggled a bit to keep up with Yaga and Ijichi but managed anyway.

You soon arrived at one of the buildings. The exterior of the building had many windows surrounded by a dark wood. With matching architecture to the surrounding buildings, you were just as clueless to this buildings purpose as you were to the others. Yaga ushered you inside where you were met with a hallway with many doors before he began explaining some housekeeping rules, general rules and security measures in place before stopping in front of one of the doors.

“This will be where you’ll be staying, L/N. You can decorate the room however you want, within reason. We don’t have many students so we placed you near the other ladies but if you’d rather be a bit aways, let Ijichi know and we can make arrangements. If you end up staying in this room, just be mindful of your neighbors.” He opened the door in front of you, allowing you to see the contents of your room.

There was small entry, a counter lined the left wall and had a sink and a small electric stovetop. To the right, there was a sliding door leading to presumably a bathroom. Further into the room, you could catch a glimpse of a bed and large window but not much else. You walked in and saw there was also a desk, side table and dresser. The men followed and placed your belongings inside.

“Thank you.” You said while lowering your head slightly. They both acknowledged your gratitude. Yaga explained he needed to attend to the school business and that since Ijichi is the manager of the school, that he would also be leaving. He suggested unpacking and placed a consoling hand on your shoulder before leaving along with Ijichi.

Once they were gone, you flopped on your new bed. You were thankful for shelter but this room didn’t compare to your home at all. It lacked your spark, the life you brought to your room over the course of the last 16 years. You stretched on the bed, your muscles relieved to be relaxed after such a long car ride.

You stood. Thanks to the food from earlier, you felt a bit more grounded than you had felt earlier in the day. You looked at your suitcase and the other bags filled with the belongings Yaga thought you would like to bring along. You wondered how he decided what to bring and what to leave. Did he leave anything important?

Curiosity got the best of you and you walked over to the small gathering of your things and decided to start with the other bags first. The first duffel bag contained clothes, which you promptly threw to the side. You wanted to wash them first, rid them of last night’s events before you had to feel their sensation on your body again. You shivered at the thought, trying hard not to remember the sound your father made when he-

You shook your head, desperately attempting to stop thinking about it. How could you though? Distractions. That’s how. You grabbed the second bag, a duffel bag you used to use for overnight stays. The contents of this bag were a little more mixed. You found your toiletries, which you placed in the bathroom. Next was your notebooks. You used them to pretty much scribble in and found it interesting that Yaga chose to pack them. On the desk they go.

At the bottom of the bag, you lingered on a photo frame. The frame held three pictures. The first on the left was from one of your birthdays. You and Yuji sat at the your family’s table, eyeing a huge cake that had eleven candles on it. You remember he got so sick after eating three slices of cake that night that he had to miss class for a whole week. His grandfather was really mad at your dad for allowing him to eat that much cake. You had been in the same class then and you blabbed to everyone about what happened. When Yuji returned, everyone teased him about it but he just laughed with them.

The middle frame was Choso, Yuji and yourself. You were too young to remember when the picture was taken but you couldn’t have been older than three. You were at the park, specifically the sandbox. You were wearing a bright yellow bucket hat with a matching shirt and jean overalls. You proudly held up a bucket and shovel, smiling widely. Next to you, on either side, were Yuji and Choso. They wore opposite outfits, Yuji in jean shorts and a light tan shirt on your right and Choso in a blue shirt with tan pants to your left. Yuji was filling up another bucket with sand and Choso was watching him. Sitting in front of you three was a poorly built sand castle that looked to be collapsing as the photo was taken.

The last photo on the right was you and your parents at your junior high graduation, just a few months ago. Seeing them now, you were extremely aware of how tired they looked. Their faces were slightly more wrinkly than you remembered, worn down by the years they had lived, weathered by years of love for one another and the life they created. The life you thought they lived…

Their hands rested on each of your shoulders, sweet smiles on both of their faces. Your mom was leaning forward with one hand on your shoulder and one across your back, although your body hid it. She had squeezed you tighter then than she had in years. Your father looked a bit more stiff but still had his hand on your shoulder. He was always more uptight about pictures. You were right in the center of them both, smiling brightly while clutching the tube that contained your certificate.

Yuji had graduated alongside you so Choso was there as well. He had taken the picture while Yuji had been busy taking a picture with a girl from his class. Choso and Yuji had gifted you a small bouquet as a gift, as did your parents, which were tucked in your elbows. You hadn’t known they were gifting you anything so you later bought some stationary and a small cake as thanks.

You hadn’t realized you were crying until one of the teardrops landed on the picture, slightly warping the picture underneath the glass. Staring at it blankly until the tears blurred your vision and then, you just let it all out.

All of the pain of the last day hit like a truck. You wept, wept until your breathing became labored. You leaned forward and clutched the frame to your chest, crying so hard your chest began to ache. You thought of your friends, your parents and mourned the loss of your normal life. Where did you go from here? You didn’t even know what a jujutsu sorcerer is or why you’d been roped into all this. Why were you at a high school? Who is Masamichi Yaga and why did he bring you here? What was your father hiding?

You heard a yell from outside your room. You were slightly relieved that there were other people in the dorms and all of this wasn’t some giant facade. There were actually other students here. You couldn’t make out the word that was said but soon, you heard a murmur of other voices. You stood, walking towards the entrance to your room. As you grew closer, the words started to form and your heard a male voice a reprimanding “be more positive” and a “what a pain” in response.

Opening the door and looking out, you were greeted by the backsides of three males and when they turned to look at you, you almost broke down again seeing Yuji staring right at you alongside two others you didn’t recognize.

“Yuji.” You breathed out, almost a whisper, not believing he was here. Everything slowed as you ran to him. Wrapping your arms around him, you were surrounded by his scent, his warmth and his voice as he asked a question.

“Y/N, what are you doing here?”

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

I wanted readers who are following along to know that I post updates on when chapters will be coming out and other story related things on my Twitter (X). This week, there will also be a poll related to a plot point in the next few chapters so if you’d like to influence the writing, definitely cast a vote. The poll will be out right after this is published and will be pinned at the top of my Twitter page! You can find me by the same username, @lemonbooties!

Chapter 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

#jjk fanfic #reader insert fanfiction #fanfiction #fanfic #choso x reader #choso kamo #choso #jjk choso #x reader #jjk x reader #reader insert fic #reader insert #female reader #f!reader #jjk #jujutsu kaisen #jujustsu kaisen x reader

[some-creep]

<3 you guys don't care if I didn't read this next one right? Right of course not. And I did that thing again where scenes are not connected in ways that make sense. It's ok though because I like it.

########

"Remind me, again, why you're making me drive all the way back to Calamari County?" Marie asked, if only to keep herself awake as she stared at the horizon of a never ending road to nowhere.

Callie had her hand out the open window, flexing her fingers up and down to "surf" along the air currant.

"Callie."

"Huh? You say something?" Callie pulled her hand back in, looking over at Marie, who diligently did not look at her.

"Why couldn't we take the train?"

"No fun."

"And this is fun?" Marie gestured towards the windshield at the sea of rolling green hills that all started to blur together after a while.

Callie thought for a moment, looking out the passenger side window. "Well, we don't have to worry about anyone taking our picture or bothering us and stuff. Just me and you."

"Oh. Yeah I guess."

She was quiet for a while, staring out the window. Their trip was almost over, and soon they'd be arriving at her parents house. Marie had convinced her it was a good idea, but she was starting to doubt it.

Callie's parents didn't know she'd been abducted, and they sure as hell didn't know what she was up to during that time. They didn't know anything about their actual time spent as Agent 1 and Agent 2, to her parents, she and Marie were just playing pretend.

She did find it odd that her parents didn't know anything about the new Squidbeak, maybe Marie's did, but she didn't talk about her parents. That was also odd. Even growing up, Callie had rarely seen them, and she couldn't remember spending any time at Marie's house.

All that mattered was her parents would be happy to see her after all this time. She'd been neglecting going home, and she knew her parents missed her. At least, that's what Marie had assured her of. She couldn't deny she felt a little guilty about what she'd really been up to.

Callie's parents weren't overly traditional, they'd been supportive of her unusual career choice, of her moving out to the big city, of her staying with Marie, but there was always the expectation she'd one day stop all of that and find a nice boy to settle down with. One she wasn't related to. Marie had similar expectations placed on her, but the moment she moved out was the moment her parents stopped caring about what happened to her. If they ever really cared before.

"Y'know, Cal?"

Callie jumped at Marie's voice, head snapping to look at her. "Huh?"

"I was just thinking about how, uh, this is my .. Our? First time seeing your folks since. Uh. Y'know."

"Since I got kidnapped?"

"Well, that too. But no. Since we…started dating? I guess you can say." Marie wrung her hands on the steering wheel, glancing at Callie to see if she could catch her reaction. No luck.

"Is that why you look all fancy?"

Marie blushed. "No! Not exactly. I just wanted them to think I was well put together and trustworthy and responsible so they wouldn't have to worry about you living with me!"

"You mean~ like a boyfriend?"

She shook her head, electing not to answer. Yes like that but no definitely not like that because if anyone thought like that they'd be in trouble. Marie wanted the perks of being seen as a worthy partner with none of the baggage. She wasn't getting either.

Eventually, the endless waves of green gave way to several small buildings dotting the horizon, then the sides of the road as they rolled into town. Buildings that hadn't been updated in decades with dusty old signs and peeling paint on the outside. Gravel parking lots and unpaved side roads. The gas station Marie worked at for a summer. The corner store she and Callie would go to after school to buy candy whenever they had spare change. The street that led to a deadend, and beyond that an abandoned scrapyard where they'd meet up in the middle of the night. It wasn't much, but it was home.

And Marie absolutely hated it.

—-----

She still remembered the road to Callie's house just as well as she remembered how to get to their apartment in Inkopolis. Even though she avoided going back to Calamari County as much as she could, she still remembered it like she'd visited only yesterday. Sure, it helped that there were only a few roads to go down anyway, but in her mind it was just so familiar.

They pulled into the driveway that sported the exact same cracks as it did when they were both children. Callie had offered them money to fix it, if they wanted, but they were quick to turn it down. Nothing about the house had changed at any point that Marie could remember. Same off-yellow exterior, same bushes with sharp prickles ready to scratch the unsuspecting person trying to play around them, same dirty screen door bent at the bottom with a small hole in the upper right corner of the mesh that they'd fix sooner or later.

The front door opened, and Callie was quick to bolt from the car to greet her mom, Marie's Aunt Charlie, though she rarely referred to her in conversation as anything other than 'your mom'. She was short, even by Inkling standards, with long black tentacles not too dissimilar from Callie's tied on top of her head. Marie wondered if it was done in an attempt to make her look taller.

Callie was hugging her, perhaps already forgetting why she was anxious to begin with, or perhaps she was distracted by the smell of freshly baked cookies coming from inside the house. Aunt Charlie usually only baked for holidays and special occasions, but this was, in a way, a special occasion.

Marie took a deep breath, turning off the car and popping open the trunk. She needed to get their bags out, and it didn't look like Callie was going to be much help. She wondered how Callie had possibly packed so much stuff for a short weekend trip. Was she planning on moving back in? She tried to lift the suitcase with one hand and frowned.

"Hey, roller main, get your butt over here and do the heavy lifting!" Marie looked around the car to see that Callie was already long gone inside of the house. Great.

Her aunt had noticed, stepping off the porch and across the lawn to help her with the bags. Marie muttered an awkward little thank you, feeling like she really should have been able to handle all of this on her own. Strike one against her definitely not boyfriend but something like it but not in a weird way credibility card.

"Marie, have you gotten taller?" She asked, reaching up to rub the top of Marie's head without bothering to ask.

Marie forced a smile, "I… don't think so?"

"Maybe I've just never seen you stand up straight before!"

"Haha, yeah, maybe that's it."

"You look pretty today. Have you found a nice man yet? I know you said you're retiring so you can settle down. What about Callie? You know she used to be popular with the boys at school. Maybe she could help you out. I remember your mother saying you'd never find someone because -"

"Heeey so let's go see where Callie went!" She interjected, slipping past her aunt and scampering towards the door, leaving their bags behind. She wasn't ready to deal with this on her own yet.

She nearly ran into Callie as she came barreling through the front door to escape any more invasive questions. Callie stood just outside of the kitchen, with chocolate on the corners of her lips, holding three cookies in one hand and a half eaten one in the other. She extended her arm and silently offered Marie a cookie while she chewed.

She grabbed all three from her hand, pointing towards the front door. "Go help carry."

"Stealing from me…" she whined, shuffling towards the front door. "Take your shoes off at least!" Callie called back before heading outside, leaving Marie alone once more.

—------

"It's nice, huh?"

Marie turned towards the voice, realizing Callie's dad was finally home. He looked quite a bit like his father, though far younger and still sporting tannish gray tentacles tied back out of the way so as not to be a hazard at work. The golden eyes she and Callie had seemed to skip a generation, as neither her mother nor Callie's father had them, both being born instead with dark brown eyes.

"Oh, hi sir– I mean, Uncle Craig." She half waved before she realized how little sense that made and lowered her hand. "Yeah I… Gramps gave you that, right?" She gestured back at the antique charger that hung on the wall. It looked almost like a Bamboozler, but it was even older than the one Gramps had used during the Great Turf War.

He'd gotten it from his father, who'd gotten it from his, then Gramps had given it to his son, Craig jr.

Craig jr. had only one daughter, and no one to pass the thing on to. Unless, of course, she got married. Marie knew all of this well, she'd heard the story a dozen times before. It was always odd to her it didn't just go to the next child. Why it needed to be a son was beyond her. Her mother had gotten nothing to pass down to her, not that she'd do that anyway.

"It still works, too. I take it out every so often and shoot cans."

"Must be well taken care of."

"I just hope when Callie has a family of her own it'll stay that way."

Marie looked away, nodding. "I'm sure it will. Gramps taught us how to take care of old guns like that. Guess I could give her a refresher when the time comes."

"What about you?" He smiled, patting her on the back just a bit too hard. "Any plans of settling down and starting a family yet?"

"Me? Not really."

"That's too bad. You'll make a great mom one day I bet!"

He thought it was a compliment. She knew he did, genuinely, think that. Regardless, the idea made her skin crawl. She'd just smile and nod. It was all she could do.

"Anyway, I promised to help make dinner. Aunt Charlie doesn't believe me when I say I learned to cook for Callie."

"She doesn't! Well that's not fair is it."

Marie excused herself to the kitchen. Callie was already there, sitting in a raised chair and swinging her feet under the table while she chatted with her mom. It stood taller than average to make it easier to do the heavy lifting of a countertop, something this kitchen lacked in excess. She stopped by the refrigerator, leaning against it. Callie's mom stood with her back to the sink, offering her a small nod to acknowledge her.

Callie grinned over at her, still kicking her feet.

"Did you get bored looking at stuff?"

"No. I'm being a good house guest and being involved here. Or something."

"Or something~."

"Marie, Callie tells me you've been working on starting up a podcast? How's that coming along."

"Oh, uh, fine. It's alright so far." She shrugged, "bit different than my usual."

"You know, aren't a lot of people doing that already? Podcasts? Not that I listen to any of them, but wouldn't it make more sense to focus on something more sustainable?"

"D'ahhhh…"

"Mom!"

"Well I just want to make sure you girls have enough money to live in that city. No point in taking unnecessary risks."

Marie bit her tongue, refusing to let herself remind her aunt that she and Callie moved to Inkopolis with no money and worked in a warehouse to pay bills while they waited for their career to take off. Without her help. If she didn't care about their financial situation then, when they were just barely teenagers, why did it matter now?

Her expression must have been a dead giveaway for Callie to quickly interject and diffuse the situation. "Marie always tells me I have more money than I can count, so I don't think money's an issue for us anymore!"

"Well I don't think she should be living off of you either."

"That's not–" Callie frowned, rubbing her neck. "We're fine, mom, really."

Marie hadn't even lasted more than a few minutes under scrutiny. She brushed imaginary dusty off of the front of her shirt, a subtly patterned button up Callie had insisted looked handsome and whatever else Marie wanted to hear. Now she just felt silly in it.

"I gotta go call my manager. Excuse me." Some help she was, bailing like this.

Callie bit her lip, watching her go out the front door. "It's probably really important stuff that I should know about! Be right back!"

—-----

"I thought you quit smoking." Callie mumbled as she stepped around the car. Marie was standing by the passenger door, leaning back on her impromptu smoke break.

"Yeah, me too."

Callie reached towards her hand, but Marie pulled it away, dropping ash onto the roof of her car.

"Mawee." She pouted, trying to grab it again by stepping too close for public comfort.

"Scram, will ya?"

Callie huffed, backing up before flopping against the car next to her, standing shoulder to shoulder. "Mom just cares about us a lot. Don't take it the wrong way."

"Sure."

"I'm serious!"

"I said sure." Marie took a drag off her cigarette, leaning her head back.

Callie stood with her, saying nothing as she leaned against Marie, letting her have her break. She looked up at the clouds rolling by, trying to decide what they looked like. They stayed this way for a while, even after Marie had finished smoking. Callie had taken hold of her hand, rubbing her fingers behind the car where no one inside could see them.

"Mom loves us, Marie. No matter what. I know it."

Marie said nothing. Pushing herself up to stand. They needed to go back inside. Callie hadn't let go of her hand, and they took a few steps together this way before Callie finally let her go. Marie was calmer, for now. At least for as long as it took them to make it back inside.

"I went ahead and made up the spare bedroom for you, Marie. I even moved your bag in for you. Much lighter than someone's~."

"Oh, thank you. I could have gotten it though."

"What was the phone call about?"

She glanced at Callie, who glanced back at her. Marie wondered if she'd been spying. Callie was quick to lie.

"It's a secret project Marie is working on with my help!"

"It's not a secret if you tell people." Marie played along, effortlessly, grateful Callie was here to back her up. And to make her look like less of a freeloader.

She wasn't a freeloader, but she didn't like the accusation that she couldn't care for herself and for Callie. Callie didn't need to be taken care of, but in Marie's mind, it was the right thing to do and what her parents wanted to hear. That someone was taking care of their daughter with a steady job that made lots of money. They already had lots of money but it was earned in a way other people didn't seem to understand. She had financial freedom and now she had regular freedom, and with that freedom she wanted to pursue work she had control over. It wasn't fair that it looked like a joke to other people, people that she respected.

It was clear her aunt didn't buy it. She felt like she was being studied, if only for a moment. Eyes scanning over her looking for any wrong move or awkward glance or laugh to prove she was lying. Maybe she was just paranoid.

"A secret project, that sounds exciting." Callie's dad spoke up from the armchair, a welcome distraction and enough of a reason to ignore her aunt.

"Yeah! And if everything works out you'll really like it, dad!"

"Can I have a hint?"

"Only if Marie wants to."

"It's a secret." Marie shrugged. His genuine interest did make her feel a little guilty about her lack of tangible, upcoming projects. She really didn't have anything to talk about other than work. She didn't have friends to discuss, she wasn't traveling right now. She didn't travel anyway except for work so that didn't matter. No point bringing up her heroic rescue of Callie because as true as it was she'd just look insane. Worse still she needed to think of things to talk about with her aunt, who she still needed to help in the kitchen. Couldn't flake on that as much as she wanted to now. With any luck she could say the right thing and not have to worry so much.

—-----

Marie prided herself on her ability to make use of a sparse kitchen. It was hard to keep essentials stocked when they were always out traveling for work. They could afford groceries, but buying them was often a waste. She'd mastered making crabby cakes exactly like Callie loved, fries served almost just like her favorite food truck. Really, most of what she was good at she was good at for Callie. All the more reason she found it insufferable when her aunt decided to nitpick her every choice. She was helping, and it felt like it wasn't being appreciated.

Don't use too much of that. You need to cut the vegetables smaller or they won't cook right. Don't use that spoon, use the other one. Oh you girls must only eat takeout everyday.

Marie abandoned all hope of an award winning conversation with Callie's mother. She just shut up and followed orders. Which inevitably lead to: Marie you still don't talk much do you? Just like your mother always used to say.

How many days did Callie want to be here again? How many days had she told Callie they should be here?

She sat next to Callie at the kitchen table to eat dinner, deciding it was better if she only spoke when spoken to. What was there for her to even say? Callie was keen on chatting for her anyway. Still, her uncle noticed her silence and tried to include her.

"So, Marie, you helped cook tonight, huh?"

"She tried to." Callie's mother laughed. Marie did not. She didn't find it to be very funny.

Marie only shrugged. "Guess not really."

"All that ordering out those girls do. It's a wonder they've lasted as long as they have."

"Marie does a good job cooking," Callie insisted, "she likes to take care of me."

"Ah, see, just like I said. Gonna be a great mom one day." Callie's father smiled. Marie wished he wouldn't try so hard.

He wanted to keep peace between everyone, wanted Marie to be happy, but it was just making things worse. He always used to comment on how unhappy she looked when she was little, but never thought to ask why. Maybe he figured kids didn't have real reasons to be unhappy, so whatever was bothering her didn't matter. She wouldn't have told him anyway. How could she? How could a child have the vocabulary to explain fully all the problems they experienced at home? In a way adults would understand. They couldn't. She couldn't.

It was better not to dwell on it. He could imagine any backstory he wanted for her and it wouldn't make a difference. They were here, now, in this moment, and Marie was grown anyway. Her problems were her own.

Maybe she could get through the rest of dinner without adding to her list of issues. Callie could help see to that. Talk about shows they did, stories Marie had forgotten, places they went, people they met. Happy memories from the past, from a time when her aunt and uncle saw her at useful to their daughter.

—------

It was strange, sitting on the roof alone. The cloud cover meant she could see only abstract shapes in the night sky, blotting out the usual luster of the pitch black country sky. Fitting that she couldn't see the stars without Callie by her side. It wasn't like she had a good reason to be up here alone, Callie was just inside showering before bed. Marie thought it would help clear her head to go out on her own and let the cold chill of the night air ground her in the moment. It wasn't a moment she wanted to be in.

She heard the door slide open beneath her, and then the ladder creak and shake. Callie's head soon peaked up over the gutter.

"Can't we stargaze somewhere a little less scary?" She asked, reaching up for Marie to help her.

Marie obliged, taking Callie's arm into her hand and pulling her onto the roof. Her skin was still damp and hot. "Can't see the stars unless you're up high," she said.

"Literally not true." Callie climbed up next to Marie, linking arms with her. It wasn't even that high, especially not for an Inkling, but falling was scary and Callie preferred not to think about it.

"It helps."

"Why'd you come up here by yourself? Cos you hate me? Wanted to abandon me?"

Marie frowned, shaking her head. "I just…wanted some time, is all."

Callie pulled her knees up to her chest as a cool breeze passed. She wasn't dressed for a chilly night like this.

"How much time is some time? Cos I think my tentacles are gonna turn to ice and fall off and then I'll be bald."

"You're exaggerating."

"And you're dodging the question."

She sighed, rubbing the back of her neck with her free hand. She was. She didn't know how much time some time was. Until she stopped feeling miserable? Until she decided she didn't care? Neither of those would happen until she got some sleep, and sleeping on the roof seemed like a bad idea.

"I think it was a bad idea to come here," Marie said after a moment of careful consideration. She didn't want it to be too obvious that she was spiraling.

"You were the one who wanted to come," Callie reminded her.

"Well, I changed my mind."

"Mm…how come?"

"Because your parents don't like me."

The answer had come so quickly it had caught Callie off guard. "Yes they do, why would you say that?"

"Because no one likes me. Not really."

It was a non answer and a reminder that things were rarely as simple as they seemed. Whatever problems Marie perceived from the day spent with Callie's parents was just a small part of a bigger issue.

"You're famous. I think lots of people like you."

"No. People like Marie the artist. They don't like Marie the person."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that they like the version of me they can buy. They like the things I create. They like the meanings they make up for themselves but they don't ask what any of it meant to me. Nobody wants to know me, the real me, the awkward squid who can't hold a conversation without a script. Who…who isn't even really sure who she is. People think they know who I am but they're always wrong."

"Am I wrong?"

"No, but you're different."

"Mm. Then why aren't my parents different? I don't think they like you cos you're a famous idol. I think they like you cos you're their niece."

Marie flinched at the reminder.

"Basically like a second daughter," Callie added with a grin.

"You're making it weird."

"Mhm!"

"Well, don't. Or I'll smack you."

Callie thought for a moment, rubbing her chin for added flair. "I might like that. Let's try it!"

"Callie! Be serious!"

"Then tell me what's bugging you. Other than me~."

"You didn't notice the way your mom was looking at me? I haven't seen them or spoken to them in, like, ten years. And she didn't seem happy to see me. I dunno why."

"Maybe you're imagining it…"

"I'm not."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

Callie sighed, resting her head against Marie's shoulder. "Well, so what?"

Marie paused. "What do you mean 'so what'?"

Callie turned her face up towards Marie's. "So what if they don't like you."

She looked away, staring at the empty backyard that was illuminated only faintly by the open back door. Callie had left the kitchen light on when she made her way outside.

"I want people to like me."

She nodded, kissing her cheek. "Not everyone will like you. Even if you didn't do anything wrong. And sometimes people who used to like you will stop. Even if it seems like they don't have a good reason."

"That doesn't sound very optimistic."

"Yeah! You told me that first, that's why~."

"Ah."

Callie giggled, hugging her arm tighter. "But you were right, y'know? But it's not a bad thing. It's just a regular thing. Isn't it enough that I like you~?"

Marie didn't answer. Was that enough? Yes was the obvious answer, but what if Callie one day didn't like her? And she'd have no one. No friends, no family, nothing. It seemed impossible, but it could happen at any moment.

"I want people to like me."

"Statistically 99% of people don't like you. You told me that too!"

"You're not helping!"

"I am. Cos you think cos you have access to a lot of people, all of them should like you. But they don't and they won't."

"People like you. Everyone likes you."

"Nuh uh."

Marie rolled her eyes. "Sure."

"I mean it. I've lost lots of friends saying or doing the wrong thing. And you can never ever fix it and the more you try the worse it is. Every time!" Callie reached up, poking Marie's cheek. "But it's okay, y'know why?"

Marie raised an eyebrow.

"Cos tomorrow happens anyway! Sure you'll still feel bad and stuff but buy a fun drink! Like a. A super sparkle rainbow milk tea with extra little squishy things and sprinkles! Or, or, we can go to the beach together or go shopping and -"

Marie cut her off. "Are you just telling me things you want from me!"

She giggled, rocking back and forth with Marie. "Maybe a little," she said, "but it's a good idea anyway. Sure you'll feel bad but you'll feel bad with a little treat. And if you do that enough it stops feeling bad."

Marie relented. "Yeah, maybe."

Callie rubbed her shoulder, leaning up to kiss her once more. Despite Marie's reluctance, she kept up with it for a while, gradually crawling into her lap.

"Don't drop me okay?"

"Y'know if anyone finds us…" she rubbed Callie's thigh absently, trying to warm her up a little.

"Who's gonna find us? My parents are sleeping already."

"Shouldn't you be in bed too, then?"

"Mmmaybe you should take me to bed."

—-------

Marie was hesitant to take Callie up on her offer, but she gave in as usual. Callie found the danger exciting, the fear of getting caught sneaking her partner into her bedroom in the middle of the night. She felt like a kid again. Marie took it much more seriously. There were real consequences to them getting caught! Not just getting grounded.

But she did always want to kiss Callie in her room… she'd thought about it for a while, even after they moved out, she sometimes caught herself wondering what would have happened had she acted sooner.

Callie sat on the edge of her childhood bed, kissing Marie, who stood leaning over her. She reached up, wrapping her arms around Marie's neck.

"Whatcha thinkin' 'bout now, Mar?"

"How do you know I'm thinking about anything?"

"Cos you always think about stuff."

"Nuh uh."

"C'mon, spill!" She said, pulling Marie down with her as she lay down.

"Shh! Not so loud…"

Callie grinned, kissing her forehead. "Spill."

"It's kinda weird. You sure you wanna know?"

"Well now I definitely want to know."

Marie pushed herself up, knowing she couldn't get far with Callie holding her in place. She looked around the room at the old posters Callie had hung up, old photographs and awards. It really did feel like nothing had changed. Though, she couldn't look long once she realized how scummy it felt to be turned on with the ever smiling face of preteen Callie looming over them both. It wasn't that serious. It felt that serious with Callie begging to know her childhood fantasies with her. It made her a bit nauseous.

"I just… we spent a lot of time in here together, right?"

"The most time." Callie agreed.

"And…you used to change in front of me, like, all of the time."

Callie seemed intrigued, more so than she ought to be. She waited, hoping her silence would coax Marie to keep talking.

"Sometimes I. I mean not often, or anything, and I'd never actually do something like this, but sometimes I thought about uh." She trailed off, mumbling the rest of her thought, "I thought about just making you do stuff…with me. Uh."

She blinked, taking a few seconds to process the information before coming up with the most appropriate and compassionate response she could think of, "well, why didn't you? That sounds hot."

"What-!" She covered her mouth, trying to keep herself quiet. "We were kids!"

"You'll do it now though, right? Because if you did it then you'd have to be quiet and make me be quiet so you didn't get in trouble so now is the perfect time."

"You're crazy."

"C'mooooon."

"You're serious."

"It would have been better than that weird time when I was dating that guy and we were in his car and I like you a lot more. Let's leave it at that."

Marie frowned, rolling off of Callie before sliding onto the floor to sit facing the door. "It's pretty late, Cal. Don't you think it's time we got dressed for bed?"

Callie sat up, wondering what she'd done to upset her. "But I'm already wearing my- ohhhh."

Marie rolled her eyes, waiting for Callie to stand up. This was neither the time nor the place, but she really didn't want to be here anyway. Once Callie was shirtless, she stood up herself, looming behind her, mindfully not touching her. Yet. "Hey."

Callie resisted the urge to close the gap between them. "Huh? What is it, Mar~?"

"How come you never told me you had a boyfriend?"

"Well it was a long time ago and– wait, wait. Don't laugh, I can hear you giggling."

She was. It was hard not to. She hugged Callie around the waist, resting her chin on her shoulder. "Why the big secret? I thought you told me everything."

She squirmed in Marie's arms, reminding herself she wasn't into it. Marie held her tighter. Callie bit her lip, pushing at Marie's wrist, "I dunno. I didn't think you'd care about stuff like that."

"How old is he?"

"What's it matter?" She said, trying to escape Marie's grip. She succeeded in turning around, covering her chest with one hand and trying to push Marie off with the other.

She grabbed Callie's wrist pulling her hips towards her own. "What kinda stuff have you done with him, huh?"

"Marie isn't this sorta yucky?"

"No. You told me we'd do everything together." She growled, leaning forward to try and kiss her. Callie uncovered her chest, placing her hand over Marie's mouth.

"Yeah but– hey, what are you doing, stop that." She dropped her hand from Marie's mouth, grabbing at her leg in a half hearted attempt to get Marie to stop rubbing against her. She couldn't help but give her a squeeze of encouragement, briefly sticking her tongue out at her. It was hard to keep character when Marie looked so serious, but she'd try anyway. "It feels weird, stop."

"Or what?"

"I'll yell! And and…"

"And get in trouble with me for letting me do this to you." Marie pressed her lips to Callie's so she couldn't tattle. She let go only long enough to yank her shirt off, grabbing Callie again the moment she was free. "Now lay down." She ordered, much to Callie's delight.

Her fantasies never involved her going all the way with Callie. Maybe she just thought she couldn't get away with taking things that far. Still, she tugged off her pants and crawled on top of Callie, covering her mouth once again.

"Is this the kinda thing you like to do with your boyfriend?" Marie demanded, rocking her hips against Callie's and flinching when the bed creaked. Maybe this was a bad idea after all. She could see Callie smiling behind her hand, amused at her reaction.

"Just for that little smirk I'm gonna keep my underwear on."

"Nooo~."

"And yours."

"Treating me like one of your pillows."

"That's gross."

She pulled Marie down, kissing her ear before whispering, "and so is this. Now keep going."

Marie nodded, hoping she could move a little quieter this time. The rest of the house was silent, but it was hard not to strain to hear any noise that might suggest they need to bail. Callie was far more confident nothing would happen, even with a little bed squeaking.

—---

Callie was the first to stir awake, smiling to herself as she felt Marie still resting on top of her. Marie had stayed the night, just as she had promised. Not that she really thought Marie would abandon her for the guest bedroom after their night together. She'd already complained about the sleeping arrangements and Callie knew she would have been more than happy to sleep on the floor if it meant she didn't have to sleep alone.

She could smell breakfast cooking in the kitchen, the comforting aroma of coffee reminding her of her dad heading off to work while she was getting ready for school. She didn't actually like coffee, but smelling it felt like home. And now she got to experience that with Marie. In her old house. In her old room. In her old bed. Callie lay there with her eyes closed, listening to her parents moving about the kitchen, running water, closing cupboards, talking quietly to one another so as not to wake the girls.

She rubbed Marie's back, trying to gently coax her awake. Marie let out a familiar groan of protest about getting out of bed so early. Callie didn't think her parents would feel the need to check on them, but she figured Marie would appreciate her being mindful of the risk.

Callie kissed the top of her head, whispering, "Marie, morning, breakfast. We gotta get dressed."

Marie hugged her tighter, shaking her head. Callie sat up anyway, knowing Marie would wake up enough to remember they weren't at the apartment.

She took a moment to admire Marie as she sat on her knees, swaying back and forth, dubiously awake.

Marie sniffled, scratching at the corners of her eyes before untangling her legs from the blanket and putting her feet on the floor.

"When we're older I think it might be nice to move back here, don't you think?"

Marie scowled, still rubbing at her eyes. "No, I don't."

"Don't miss home at all?"

Marie didn't answer. She leaned over the foot of the bed to pick up her pants that lay haphazardly discarded. Callie didn't press the issue further, standing up and stretching before she too began to dress.

She was quick to finish, bouncing to her door and out of her bedroom. Marie wasn't far behind, but she was in much less of a hurry. The coffee was tempting her, though.

"Morning!" She heard Callie say as she shuffled into the kitchen after her. Marie expected an equally bright reply, but all that followed was an uneasy silence.

The look of anger and disgust on her aunt's face made her blood run cold. There was no question about it. They knew. How? It didn't really matter, because they knew. They'd been found out. Somehow. Callie's mom was probably already suspicious of them, it was so obvious now. The looks, the comments about her needing to find a man to settle down with. To move out and away from Callie finally.

It was clear by Callie's reaction that she didn't understand what had made her parents so upset. She looked between them, a look of concern growing ever present on her face. "What's going on? What's wrong? Did something happen? Mom? Dad?" She looked frantically between them, trying to parse what was going on. Neither of them had ever looked at her this way before.

"Your mother was right about you." Callie's mother said, voice shaking with rage as she glared at Marie. "You're sick. You raped my daughter you disgusting–"

Callie's father was quick to try and de-escalate things, putting his hand on his wife's shoulder to physically turn her away from the two girls. Marie didn't know why he bothered. Maybe he just didn't want to upset Callie any further.

"You promised to be reasonable about this." He sounded pained and tired, eyes pleading for some kind of peace, anything.

"You're going to stand there and defend a rapist?"

"Charlotte, please…" He turned his attention to Marie, trying to change the subject at the worst possible moment. "Uh, Marie, you like chargers don't you? You used to be pretty good, I thought. Tell you what, we can head out together and you can show me what you've learned over the years."

She wasn't listening. Everything after "your mother was right about you" was nothing more than a high pitched whine in her ears. She wanted to comfort Callie, but she'd hurt Callie. This was her fault. She'd ruined Callie's life with her own sick desires.

Callie was yelling at her mom, who was yelling back.

Callie's dad once again seemed to try and intervene as Marie stood motionless, staring off into space.

Callie vanished into her room and slammed the door shut.

Marie was being led outside by her uncle.

—------

Her feet were moving on their own.

Gravel and dirt crunched softly under her feet.

He was trying to talk to her, but the words didn't make any sense.

She wanted Callie. She didn't deserve Callie.

The next thing she processed was a cold flask being pushed into her hands. She was sitting on a log at the edge of a small forest clearing. Her legs hurt, and she had no idea how long she'd been walking for. She and Callie used to come here for target practice when they were kids, dreaming of one day being real Squidbeak agents. They were, if she could remember, about a half an hour walk from Callie's house, but leading up to this had all felt like a blur.

"It'll help your nerves," her uncle said, patting her on the shoulder, "at least that's what we used to do back in the army."

Marie took a drink, coughing the instant the liquid hit her throat. It felt like she was drinking hot metal and paint thinner. Maybe at least part of that was true. It didn't calm her nerves, but it did make for one hell of a grounding technique.

"Yeah, thanks…for that," she said, once she could find her voice between coughing fits. "What the hell was that? Actually, y'know what, nevermind."

He laughed. Marie did not.

"Why are we out here?"

"Did you want to stay at home and get yelled at? I was getting yelled at about it all morning, and you don't want that."

Marie looked down at the grass, still wet with morning dew. She took a moment to collect her thoughts before speaking. "Is Callie safe by herself?"

"She'll be alright. Her mom's not gonna hurt her."

"Yeah, and what about you?"

"I'm not gonna hurt Callie either."

"That's not… forget it."

Marie rubbed her arms, looking around. They were awfully far away from anyone who could help her. Not that she deserved help. She glanced up at him once more, trying to read his expression. He just looked…tired. Sad. His brow hung heavy with worry, but he was trying to put on some sort of a smile for her, much like Callie would have.

"Are you gonna kill me with that?" She asked, gesturing at the gun slung over his shoulder.

"What– Marie, I told you. We were going out to practice shooting. Spend some time together. Talk."

"Oh. Is that what you were saying…"

"Marie, I'm not," he stopped, considering his words, "I don't hate you."

"You should."

"Mm. And why is that?"

"I hurt your daughter."

"I don't think the word choice used was…uh, necessarily accurate." It was clear the topic made him deeply uncomfortable. He couldn't even look at her as he spoke.

Marie stood up, feeling like a child once again. They were the same height, more or less, but she still felt so small. So helpless. So pathetic. She'd destroyed her relationship with one of the closest things she had to a real parent who cared about her. Any other crime would have been forgivable, at least in her mind.

"I guess not. But I know where she got the idea from."

He raised an eyebrow, sliding the charger off his shoulder and holding it by the leather strap. He held it towards her, but Marie didn't take it.

"She talks to my mom a lot. I dunno why."

He lowered his hand, letting the gun barrel rest on the ground, swaying back and forth as it was held partially up. "And?"

"And my mom. She knows. She's known, rather."

"About you and Callie, er…"

"You don't have to say it. I know I'm disgusting. But, no, she didn't know that. Well, I'm sure she knows now." Marie rubbed tears from her eyes, determined not to cry in front of her uncle. She looked up, blinking rapidly to try and force them back.

He reached out, hugging her from the side and rubbing her arm. "Hey, hey, it's not. I mean. It's pretty small out here. Not a lot of folks. So it's not like you're the only one who dated their cousin. Even if you did end up moving away."

She looked down, hoping he wouldn't notice her crying for real now. "Mom used to smack me if she caught me looking at Callie for too long. She had me tested and stuff. She knows there's something wrong with me but she decided it was my problem.

He didn't understand, not really anyway. But Marie was hurting and he had to try and smooth things over. "You're good to her though, right?"

"I thought. But it's not like she has a choice. I'm a freak."

"Marie. When have you *ever* known Callie to do something she didn't want to?"

She sniffled, rubbing her eyes once more. "This is different."

"Not if you're being respectful about it. Look, I'm not gonna pretend I understand why either of you would do this. And I'm not gonna say I don't think it's gross."

It hurt to hear, but it was the truth. Gross is what they were. What *she* was. Callie didn't deserve to be roped into this with her.

"But I also think people who eat salmonid eggs are gross. And that's got nothing to do with me."

"Those things aren't even similar."

"I'm trying here. I don't think you're a bad kid. I really don't understand none of this, but you're both gonna do whatever you want anyway. I still wanna have my daughter talk to me. And if that means going along with all of this, well." He sighed, shaking his head.

Marie pulled away, guilt gnawing at her insides, anxiety making her tremble. She'd hurt every single person she cared about because of her own selfishness. She'd single handedly ruined Callie's life.

—---

Uncle Craig let her sit and decompress for a while, occupying himself by taking shots with the Bamboozler at nearby trees. Marie was disappointed when she gradually began to realize the world hadn't ended. She'd even managed to stop crying.

Marie never imagined a world where someone wouldn't just…hate her. With every part of their being. But he didn't. He might have just hid it well, but he didn't seem the type smart enough to lie like that. What would be the point?

Rubbing her eyes, she stood up and approached the main, standing slightly behind him and to the side. "It's a nice charger. Wish I had something like that to look forward to."

"Are you breaking up with Callie?"

Marie tried to listen to any hit of hopefulness, but there was none. "Uh. Look I'll be honest. No. I'm not. Well, it would be up to her but. Y'know."

"Then maybe you do have something like this to look forward to."

"You're joking."

"I just want whatever Callie wants. But you're still too young. And not married."

"Uh, well, we can't *get* married, so." She made a vague gesture with her hand, dropping it to her side.

"Oh, right. But I'll know. I guess a paper isn't the only deciding factor. Settling down with someone is more than that. So, I'll know when Callie has done that."

Marie hummed in response. He offered her the Charger without a word. This time, she took it.

The wood was freshly polished, and it was unusually weighty compared to its more modern counterparts. It had a rich burgundy color unlike anything Marie had seen elsewhere. The trigger was a heavy pull, the charge time felt almost as long as her e-liter that was long forgotten in a closet thanks to her schedule and energy level. She aimed down the sights, still carefully calibrated for an accurate shot, though with none of the modern convenience of a scope. Marie fired at the tree next to the one Uncle Craig had been shooting at, and landed a splatter of green ink just shy of its approximate center.

"Can I ask you something?" Marie began to line up another shot, slightly higher this time.

"Sure, squiddo."

"How come you…knew?"

"Ehhhhhh Charlie wanted to check up on Callie like old times. See her little girl back in her own bed."

"Why didn't she kill me at that point?" She asked, firing another shot, this one overcorrected and still shy of center.

"Came and woke me up. Wanted to make sure she wasn't imagining things. I convinced her to give you guys a chance to explain things."

"Went well."

"Yep."

"My phone's still in Callie's room I think."

"Wanted to call her?"

"Just worried is all." She lowered the gun, looking down at the ink that dripped onto the grass from the barrel.

"We can go back, if you want. Probably calmer at home now."

She nodded, turning towards her uncle to return the gun to him. He slung it back over his shoulder before giving Marie a pat on the back.

"Do you think we could…talk? Later, I mean. After me and Callie go home. Maybe in a few days if she's up to it. Obviously we're not staying another night. Uh. No offense or anything."

"Sure, whatever you need. I still care about you."

Marie nodded, wiping her hands off on her pants. Hopefully Callie had already packed and would just be waiting outside. She doubted it would be that easy, nothing ever was. But at least now, for now, she had backup.

#aohota #hotaao #i don't have a creep fic tag still whoops #callie x marie #situations but they're normal in a way that hurts

[eddiemunsonssoulmate]

I have a request if your accepting for a super angsty Eddie one shot post vol 2 (where he lives) and deals with bad ptsd/depression/poor coping skills (drinking and drugs) from what he experienced with Chrissy and the upside down (because I think any normal person would struggle with seeing people die and then almost dying yourself) and his girlfriend refusing to leave his side and trying to help him through it. Love your writing, it’s phenomenal!

Hi! Thank you for the compliment <3

I honestly could have written like 10k words for this because I love angsty stuff but I had to stay within my set limits for requests. It also might not be exactly what you wanted, not sure, but I hope you like it anyway!

Words: 2.1k

Warnings: Mentions of trauma, suicide, death, drugs and alcohol. Also Eddie is drunk and a lil mean in this one at first.

Also on: AO3

Eddie’s old van made loud noises as you made your way back from the store, the back filled with groceries, mostly frozen, that would get you through at least another week. You didn’t want to leave more than once a week at the moment, it felt like it was too risky.

Too risky with him.

Leaving him alone almost made your stomach twist and turn because you saw how much he was suffering even with you there. He tried to hide it so hard, but you could see right through him.

He was in so much pain and probably didn’t sleep more than a few hours every night. So did you. As much as you tried to comfort him, he would wake up every night with loud screams of terror as the memories were eating him alive.

Vecna, the bats attacking him, Chrissy dying in his own living room.

After the trailer got destroyed, he was living with you in one of the smaller apartments your parents owned. They were thankfully a little out of town, not affected by the earth ripping open.

You didn’t want to put him through family life. He wasn’t ready for that. He was barely ready to leave the house, seeing the portals did something to him and his mental health.

With the groceries in your arm, you walked up the pair of stairs and could already hear the loud metal music blasting. At first your neighbors had complained but as soon as they realized that your parents owned the apartments, they had stopped.

As soon as you opened the door, the disgusting smell of weed came right at you. Fuck.

You left the groceries at the door, completely forgotten and hurried into the small living room where he was dancing to the song on the couch, a joint in one hand, a bottle in the other hand and you had the sinking feeling that it wasn’t water. He was only wearing his boxershorts, the room was a mess and for fucks sake, you had only been gone for an hour.

“Eddie, what the fuck?” you yelled but he didn’t hear you over the music, just screaming alongside the song.

You sighed and went over to the music player, turning it off. Only that got his attention.

“Hey!” he complained and jumped down from the couch he was standing on, landing right in front of you. You felt sick in your stomach as you could smell the alcohol mixing with weed right in front of you and as you looked down to the bottle, you saw it was vodka. You had no idea where he even got that from, you for sure didn’t buy it.

He had done this before, multiple times. That’s why you didn’t want to leave him without supervision. As soon as he was alone, his mind started to wander, thinking about everything that had happened and he couldn’t handle it. Babysitting him around the clock wasn’t an option though, you had to eat after all.

“Eddie, please,” you begged and tried to take the bottle from him, but he just jerked it away, spilling a little on the floor before taking a huge sip out of spite. “Are we really doing this?”

“I don’t know what you mean, sweetheart,” he said, words not in a twist yet. “I finally feel fine.”

“You’re far from fine,” you sighed and shook your head, reaching for the bottle again but he once again pulled it away, walking away from you.

“Oh, you my therapist now?” he barked back, and you winced slightly, his words sounded so aggressive.

“No, but I wish you’d see one.” You knew it wasn’t an option. There was no explanation he could give an outsider to what had happened to him. It was only you and him. The rest of the gang too, especially Dustin, but you didn’t want to let a kid deal with this. The trauma was settled deep in Eddie’s bones.

“Just leave me alone,” he grunted and took another sip, then putting the joint back into his mouth. You really didn’t know how to deal with all of this and yet you had to try. For him.

“You know I won’t leave you.” A deep sigh left you as you passed him, opening the window to let a little fresh air inside. Otherwise, the smell would kill you.

“Wish you did,” he muttered, and your heart felt like it stopped for a moment. You turned to him and he blew smoke right into your face.

“You don’t mean that.” He for sure didn’t. It was just the drugs and the alcohol speaking out of him, mixing with his trauma. You let your eyes gaze across his body for a moment, looking at all the scars that covered him.

“See, that’s also a reason why I want you to piss off,” he snapped at you. You raised your eyes back up and found his stormy ones. A knot was building in your stomach and it was for sure not the good kind.

“You're not speaking for yourself. It’s the demons inside of you,” you tried to explain to him because your Eddie would never say something like that. He would tell you how much he loves you, how much he needs you and how happy he is that you’re by his side.

This Eddie in front of you wasn’t yours. It was the one the Upside Down had created back then.

“So what? They might be right. All you do is try to fix me. There’s no fixing this!” he almost yelled and gestured along his body for a moment. You knew exactly that he was trying to mention the scars but couldn’t. They wouldn’t go away, he would always carry them with him, for the rest of his life.

That’s exactly why you didn’t want him to be miserable. Those scars showed what he had survived, that he wasn’t just a survivor but a hero. Explaining that to him had been in vain though.

“I’m not trying to fix you, you idiot,” you started, feeling the anger bubbling inside of you. It was wrong to be angry at him, but his words hurt. “I’m trying to be here for you so you can get better on your own.”

“Maybe I don’t want to!” he really yelled this time, and a shiver ran down your spine. He was kind of scary like that, but you were still convinced he’d never hurt you.

“You know that’s not true,” you whispered while shaking your head. He had told you a few days ago that he wished he could go back to his normal self. You had told him he just needed time to heal but he didn’t want to hear it. “But you need to stop with the drugs and drinking. I was gone for only an hour and you’re already like this.”

“Funny, isn’t it? The first time I feel fine in a while you try to take it from me.” The drunken anger was displaying on his features, and he stepped closer to you, making you take a step back.

“I’m not taking anything from you. I just don’t want you to die from alcohol poisoning,” you hissed as your back hit the wall and he just grinned at you, taking another breath from his joint to breathe into your face.

“I’m not dying from alcohol poisoning. If I die, it’s from all those sweet pills.” Alarm bells rang in your ears and you looked past him, scanning the living room.

“What pills?” Anxiety was replacing the anger inside of you when you couldn’t see anything. You looked back up at him. “Eddie, what pills?!”

Your heart was hammering against your chest. Drugs and alcohol didn’t mix well, a joint fine but pills? And how many? Fuck.

Fucking shit.

“Answer me, you asshole!” you yelled and pushed against his chest, making him lose his balance. He stumbled backwards and almost fell over his own feet, but he just hit the back of the couch with his backside.

“Feisty,” he said with a chuckle, and you wanted to punch him. Your hands were shaking and you felt how tears were gathering in your eyes.

“Just tell me, for fucks sake! I don’t want you to die, I can’t lose you a second time!” The tears slipped out and that seemed to do something. He bit his bottom lip and chewed on his for a moment.

He stared at you for a while, his eyes a mix of anger and sadness and you didn’t really know what to say anymore. Back when he had basically died in your arms, it had been the worst moment of your life. You had thought he was dead, your mind clouded with all the worst thoughts. Without Steve carrying him out of the Upside Down, Nancy taking care of Dustin and Robin supporting you, he wouldn’t have made it. You wouldn’t have made it. You had been ready to stay down there with him, by his side, no matter what.

“I didn’t take any,” he admitted with a sigh, the anger slowly leaving his features.

“What?” you sobbed out, wiping the tears away to get a clearer look at him. He was still breathing hard, anger in his veins but he had always hated it when he made you cry. He couldn’t stand it.

“I wanted to, believe me, but I didn’t.” He walked around the couch and sat down, face in his hands. The smell of alcohol and sweat was all around him.

“Why?” you whispered as you walked around the couch, coming to a halt in front of him.

“Why? Do you really have to ask that?” he gritted out between his teeth, looking up at you. “Look at me.” He waved a hand around his body, making you look at all the scars covering him.

You wanted to reach out for him, but you had a feeling he didn’t want that right now. Not knowing how to help him was eating you alive.

“I’m a mess. I don’t know how those kids handle the death that’s around them all the fucking time. Maybe I’m just a weak loser, who knows, but after all that death I had to watch? Chrissy, Patrick, hell, I almost died myself! I’ll never get rid of the sound of their bones cracking, their eyeballs vanishing. Sometimes it still feels like the bats are biting me, eating me alive.” While he talked, he got up from the couch, pacing around the living room like a tiger in a cage.

You knew how bad it was for him, but he had never said it like that. You bit your bottom lip and reached out for him, catching his arm to stop him. He looked at you for a long moment and your heartbeat was loud in your ears. If you were honest, you had no idea what to say. You couldn’t exactly relate to him but then again, you could.

“I know nothing I will say can make it undone,” you started, gripping his arm a little tighter, “but please don’t push me away. I want to stay by your side and help you as much as I can, but I can’t do that if you keep trying to kill yourself.”

His jaw clenched at your words, and he didn’t look at you, looked out the window instead. “I just don’t know how to deal with this and I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Your heart clenched at his words. Had he really tried to push you away so you couldn’t get hurt by his behavior? You shook your head.

“That’s stupid. Pushing away someone in that situation doesn’t help at all.” You took his face in your hand and pulled his head around to you, so he had to look at you. “I love you, Edward Munson. I will stay by your side no matter how hard it gets, but please, don’t push me away. If you don’t know how to cope and deal with your emotions, talk to me. We will figure something out.”

His eyes got a little teary at your words and you weren’t sure if it was because of his real emotions or the drunken state, maybe both. Without saying a word, he just nodded and pulled you into a hug, almost crushing you.

“I hate fighting with you,” he mumbled and placed a kiss at the top of your head. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t intend to make you cry.”

“I know,” you sighed and buried your face in his chest.

This would be a long journey, but it was one you were willing to take.

#eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson imagine #eddie munson fanfic #stranger things #eddie munson fic #stranger things fic

[wroteitbutneverwatchedit]

Could we work? Pt.2

»»————- 🪢 ————-««

Pairing: Billy Hargrove x F!reader

Summary: When billy rolls into town and all the girls are falling at his feet…… why won’t she?

Warning: Cussing, sexual comments, harassment, billy being well billy.

A/n: I will be posting a part three to this, Please be sure to leave me some feedback, a follow and a reblog.  But please enjoy. Please be sure to let me know if you want to be tagged in the next part! ALSO THIS IS NOT NO FREE USE YOU CANNOT PLAGIARIZE OR REPOST MY WORK ON THIRD PARTY SITES

Pt. 1 | Pt.3

Word count: 657

»»————-　⚜　————-««

School had finally let out but, that only meant that I would have to go home to help my sister prepare for the party that she had been wanting to throw. Though I didn’t want her to throw this party I couldn’t deny her the party life she wanted to live. We have had the same compromise since she started high school, she could throw a party for every major holiday along as she kept her grades up, she didn’t cause trouble, and she threw the party at the lake house. She always kept up her end of the bargain and never faltered, these parties were usually just people sucking face and getting wasted. I usually came down got a couple drinks from time to time, maybe some snacks then headed right back up to my room. Our parents didn’t have too much of a problem with it as long as we were never the drunk kids and we kept it all in good taste, other kids could make a fool out of themselves but we barely ever got truly tipsy in front of others. As I walked out to my car with Amara telling me all her theme plans, we were met with a pissed-off-looking Billy leaning against his car with Vicki, parked right next to me. He watched as I walked over to the driver's side door, he looked impressed, my car wasn’t some family car like everyone else’s. I drove the nicest red Audi, I kept it nice and shiny not a speck of dirt could be found on my car. I didn’t stay long enough for Billy to say anything I quickly pulled out of that school parking lot and peeled off.

“That guy is so weird, who comes and disturbs someone's lunch by stealing their food. He didn’t even ask and all he says is I’m not arrogant. Like that is such an arrogant asshole move.” Amara complained, I laughed as I drove with all the windows down relaxing in the wind.

“He seems interesting, he tried talking to me in science class. But I told him off in a note, seemed to rattle his nerve.” I confessed, she looked as if asking for more details.

“Calm down, he didn’t say anything rude but his type and his crowd aren’t anything new. I’d rather deal with him early on than have him constantly trying to get in my pants, so I told him that I don’t want anything to do with arrogant and cocky guys. “ I explained

“But he still came to bother you at lunch, so I don’t think your tactics are working” she remarked

“Well he didn’t bother me exactly however, he did seem quite rattled at how I handled our introduction. It seems he’s taken it to heart, if he hadn’t he wouldn’t have said anything about him being arrogant.” I concluded, I pulled into our driveway and turned off the car. Amara however didn’t want me to get out, she held onto my arm and whined.

“Let's go to the store, I want a slushy” she practically begged, I looked at her as she gave me her best puppy dog eyes and I sighed.

“Fine but just because I love you turd.” I said, I started up my car again and pulled back out of the driveway. Our neighbors didn’t really care for the amount of noise my car made but they weren’t the ones who paid for it. If I wanted to take a nice late-night ride, they sure as hell couldn’t tell me not to.  

“I think he’s into you but he seems like a gigolo so he could just want to get in your pants. But I’ve seen him with Tommy and that can’t mean anything good.” She critiqued, I let her make her assumptions because I can’t tell what he wants, but he definitely seemed like a player.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Tag list:

@destielshipper88

@wittleespur

#billy hargrove x black reader #billy hargrove #billy hargove x reader #dacre montgomery x reader #dacre montgomery #stranger things

[ceasarslegion]

Not to keep talking about my new job but. Its insane how the concept of money and how much you have gets warped when youre used to scraping by. Going from starving college student working 2 jobs to pay for Toronto cost of living for 4 years to minimum wage for almost a year to suddenly shooting up into benefits, a union, paid vacation, and a 60k a year salary with guaranteed raises every year based on job performance is kind of messing with my head as i look for my next apartment.

I can... i can get the good ones now, the spacious ones with the balcony and the separate bedroom. I can get those units in the buildings with pools and gyms and attached convenience stores. I can get a car, and it doesn't have to be used. I want one of those hybrids from Nissan. A bit of saving and I can just get a Nissan hybrid if I want it. That is an achievable goal that wouldn't leave me in crippling debt for the rest of my life. I don't have to live with anybody if I don't want to. I can get the good steak at the grocery store instead of asking if they have anything discounted that i can freeze. And I'll still have more savings left over from all that every month than my entire take home paycheques before. And I straight up don't believe it

I only see the numbers and start coughing and gagging. I've never spent THAT much money in one month in my entire life, and I was raised in what's basically THE wealth-flaunting nation. I've never held that much money in my hand before. You gotta remember that my parents are schoolteachers; we were comfortable but we werent rich by a long shot. I can't comprehend the amount im going to have as one person, nor can i comprehend that ill have sizable savings after the fact.

And the thing is, thats not even that much. That's not enough to buy a house with anymore. That's not enough to raise kids with if I wanted them. That's enough for a one bedroom apartment with a balcony in a nice building in the good part of town with a car i wouldnt have to worry about breaking down on me. And that still seems like luxury after 5 years of scraping and clawing and surviving on great value brand spaghetti.

#some thoughts

[twilightmalachite]

2×2 - Children on the Streets 1

Author: Akira

Characters: Yuuta, Shinobu

Translator: Mika Enstars

"Actually, why do you continue being an idol if you’re so dissatisfied, Yuuta-kun?"

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Spring

Location: Downtown

Two days later, on the third day of shooting 2×2 episode 5, noon…

Shinobu: … …

Uu, uuu, uuuu…

Yuuta: Shinobu-kun looks like a wandering zombie during an apocalypse…

Shinobu: It’s so hard~, usually… My standard of living has dropped to the lowest level possible.

Yuuta: W-well things are going surprisingly well, right? Better than we expected!

It’s like riding a bike! Thankfully we lived in extreme poverty for the fourth episode, so we knew to find dollar stores and thrift shops to buy our essentials—

We then save money for that using our idol skills we honed at Yumenosaki and ES, a.k.a., performing on the street and asking money from those who pass by!

Since ES is nearby, there are often performers around town, which helps a ton. Passerbys are used to them, and typically give a bill or two.

Shinobu: Because ES promotes music, or rather, idol activities.

If this were the Special Music Zone, for example, that centers around “that”, we could have made money more efficiently, but…

Yuuta: We really don’t have either the money or energy to travel that far out… We’ve been doing a lot of street performances with the sun high in the sky, so I’m seriously starting to hit my limit.

Shinobu: And I wonder if it’s even harder on me… Uu~, maybe it’s a genetic thing, but no matter how hard I train, I can’t build up physical strength.

Yuuta: We both have our genetic disadvantages, don’t we?

Shinobu: And to make things worse, our beds are atrocious, so we can’t recover our lost energy at all…

Yuuta: We were able to eventually save up enough money for a decent cardboard house, but…

There was a horrible draft in the end, and the blanket from the thrift store wasn’t enough to keep me warm.

Shinobu: Though if the temperature gets too low, we’ve been going to a cheap public bath to wash up and sleep in the break room.

Yuuta: We get two birds with one stone with that. We used to use those places when we were kids, I’m so glad those cheap bathhouses haven’t gone out of business~!

This is a show about idols, after all, we have to keep reasonably clean.

Shinobu: So every day, we make sure to wash our clothes at a laundromat and our body at a public bathhouse or internet cafe shower room.

It’s more than a matter of looking good, we also gotta keep clean so we don’t get sick, usually.

Yuuta: Living in the streets seriously is so tough. It’s just staying alive, but it’s so tough.

I seriously don’t know how we did it back then.

Shinobu: Yeah… I can say this from my heart now that I’ve experienced the hardship myself, it truly is amazing. It’s commendable.

At that time, you and Hinata-kun were just small children who still needed the protection of their parent.

Yuuta: And we ran away from that parent~. Didn’t we just reap what we sowed in a way?

Shinobu: Seriously though, I don’t know how you did it.

Yuuta: Aniki was strangely talented with these things, and I recall being able to live in this area rather comfortably.

But, back then too, Aniki was also just a small child, the same age as me—

He must’ve been having a really hard time, I just didn’t realize it… I’m sure.

Shinobu: Fufu, Hinata-kun’s done a lot for you, hasn’t he, Yuuta-kun.

Yuuta: Uu~… I didn’t ask for him to, though! He did it all on his own, meaning it was all just for his ego.

Aniki must have just been happy because was able to do what he wanted to do.

Whenever I wanted to do something, he wouldn’t let me. That is what was tough, you know!

So this time around, I’m rather satisfied. I’m able to do what I want, without anyone getting in my way or denying me.

Shinobu: But the burden of that’s being pushed onto me.

Yuuta: What? You have complaints? You know, if you don’t like it you can just quit, 2×2 is our show after all—Meaning you have nothing to do with it, Shinobu-kun.

Shinobu: That’s not an option… To abandon a job once undertaken goes against the code of a ninja.

Yuuta: Sounds inconvenient and a lot of work to me, but do what you want to do I guess, ninja.

Shinobu: Actually, why do you continue being an idol if you’re so dissatisfied, Yuuta-kun?

If you hate it so much, why don’t you just quit?

Yuuta: … …

Shinobu: Ah… S-Sorry. I said a bit too much. Living marginally like this has put me on edge.

Yuuta: No, nevermind that. Look, over there.

Shinobu: Huh…?

Hmm? Over there, could that be—

Yuuta: —Aniki!

That bastard Aniki~! I thought since we were having such a hard time, surely he must have been as well!

What is this? Why on earth are those guys looking so happy!?

[ ☆ ]

← prev | story directory | next →

#2×2 #2x2 #yuuta aoi #shinobu sengoku #event #translation

[innytoes]

JATP Gilmore Girls AU

Because apparently sooner or later I create a Gilmore Girls au for every fandom I am in... All the blame goes to @hawkguyhasstarbucks who sent me ‘emily patterson 🤝 emily gilmore’ and I have not known peace since.

-When Luke has Rory, he decides to name her Lorelai after himself. That way, there will still be a Lorelai in the family after he transitions so everyone can suck it.

-Luke is constantly baffled by his daughter being like, the opposite of him in every way. Except really she isn’t. He is all about music, she is all about books. He loves and supports her even if he doesn’t really get it.

-Luke still runs away to work at the Independence Inn. But besides cleaning rooms, he also mans the piano or guitar during dinner. If you tip well enough, he will play requests. If he thinks your request sucks, he will keep your money and play something better. If you want him to play Piano Man, it’s 100 bucks.

-Bobby, Rory’s father, did not run away with them even though Luke asked him to. When Luke is cleaning rooms several years later, he hears a very familiar song on the radio.

-It’s said to be by Trevor Wilson, but Luke knows that voice.

-Let’s just say that for the sake of their kid, Luke doesn’t sue the pants off of Bobby. He’s been dealing with his shitty broken promises to Rory for years and trying to keep from badmouthing her other dad. But this is one bridge too far and it’s burnt.

-He lets Bobby know if he ever tries to steal another song of Luke’s, Luke will not only sue the pants off of him, he will tell Rory everything. Rory who at eight is already smarter than both of them put together and the most fair-minded child in the universe.

-Bobby takes this threat very seriously and indeed never steals another song of Luke’s. His first album is a hit, but all his next ones are kind of flops. He does pay Luke some money, so he can move and get a house for him and Rory.

-Luke moves to his own place in Stars Hollow with Rory and they are quickly adopted by the town. They have breakfast almost every morning at Reggie’s, the diner in town. It’s run by Reggie, who is just a ray of sunshine, and Alex, who complains about how much coffee he and Rory drink but also always pours it for them anyway.

-Luke and Rory move next door to the Molinas, who are pretty awesome and have a daughter about Rory’s age. Julie and Rory are best friends and Luke is so thankful to have some Adultier Adults nearby when he has parenting questions like ‘how young is too young for a child to read Russian literature’ and ‘how did I explode the microwave trying to make soup for my daughter, no it’s fine it’s not on fire... anymore’.

-Okay and also maybe Luke looked up to Ray a little about how to be a Proper Father because he was just winging it by going ‘how about I take everything my parents did and do Not That’.

-When Ray realises he makes sure to tell Luke that he’s doing everything right and Rory seems like a well-adjusted, happy kid. Luke manages to keep it together until he’s home and only then cries about it, because that’s all he’s ever wanted, was for Rory to be happy.

-Reggie inherited the hardware store from his dad and turned it into a diner. He immediately invited Alex to join him because 1) Alex knows coffee better than Reggie ever will and 2) they were best friends and Alex was on the verge of either being cut off from the family or forced into a marriage with a Girl, Any Girl.

-Yes the Mercers did cut him off because he started living with a man and they were both like: lol but we aren’t even dating.

-They lasted like, 2 or 3 years of ‘we’re totally not dating we’re best buds’ before finally confessing they were totally in love.

-The next morning while opening the diner, Miss Patty and Babette took one look at the two of them and exchanged money. (Babette thought it would take them at least another six months and was hoping for a Dramatic Christmas Confession instead of a ‘dramatic random March confession.’)

-Tía Victoria is 100% Miss Patty’s right hand woman. Together (when Taylor isn’t looking) they rule Stars Hollow. She had her money on New Years.

-Yes Reggie baked Rory a coffee cake for her birthday. Alex is the one that grumpily informed her she was sitting at the wrong table, before nodding to the table he and Reggie decorated with balloons.

-When Rose died Luke and Rory were devastated and they did their best to help. Even if that meant ‘we know better than to try and make you a casserole but we did buy one of everything you like at Reggie’s so here you go.’

-Luke has 100% covered for the Molinas with Victoria. No no that extra plate is totally for me Victoria I promise. You know I just freaking love Ray’s spaghetti so much.

-Rory gets into Chilton and they have a small party before Luke realises that they aren’t eligible for the scholarship money. Ray offers to loan him the money but he just can’t. Ray’s fighting to keep Julie in her own music school, he doesn’t need the extra stress.

-So he goes back to his parents.

-Can you imagine how fucking painfully awkward Friday Night Dinners are. Just sit with that a moment. On the one hand Luke has Unsaid Emily running through his mind, on the other, Emily is scolding him for not wearing sleeves and trying to talk Rory out of going to Harvard and go to Yale instead and all he wants to do is run away and hide at Reggie’s diner or possibly the Molina’s studio.

#julie and the phantoms #gilmore girls #help I made another gilmore girls au #terrible crossovers are my brand #I blame hawkguyhasstarbucks #luke patterson #lukexreggiexalex #is of course endgame #reggie and alex run the diner because reggie is the plaid and alex is the backwards baseball cap #jess can be Alex' nephew #is Luke the town troubadour? or is that his biggest arch nemesis #imagine the whole 'moving the mattress in and out and in of the dorm' but with lukereggiealex #yes this makes carrie gigi and it works #HE STOLE THE NAME. RORY. CARRIE. #HE'S STOLEN A LOT OF THINGS #instead of starting the dragonfly they start sunset curve idk #imagine the whole wake up song but without the ghosts and with Luke and Rory standing on their own porchy all weepy #I yeet these headcanons out in the world so y'all will play in my sandbox with me #I wrote a thing

[pineapplerightsideupcake]

maybe kinda random but you give good advice so I wanna hear your thoughts. I feel really lonely due to living in a small town, not being able to make friends in hs bc my toxic parents never let me go anywhere. I have 2 irl friends that I love and appreciate but they work a lot so we rarely text or see each other bc they’re always so busy/tired. I wish I had more friends so I wouldn’t feel so lonely. I’ve tried dating apps, online spaces, etc but nothing worked. And if I made a (online) friend they’ve ghosted me for whatever reasons. I’m trying so hard to stay positive but I really hate my life (being stuck in a toxic household tryna save money in this economy…) not having anyone to have meaningful connections with makes it worse. Idk what to do. These days I’ve been thinking a lot about s*icide even tho I’m a coward and won’t do it. The only thing that makes me feel better is disassociating and pretending like I’m someone else or in a different situation. But I can’t do that forever…. I could go more in depth but I don’t wanna burden you. I’m wondering how can I make friends and actually feel like life’s worth living?

If you’re in your early twenties, I have good news! No part of your life will ever be as hard as it is right now. I’ve been right where you are. Depressed and lonely and suicidal. I felt like there was no escape. But there is light at the end of the tunnel.

My first bit of advice is that nothing external is going to fill the emptiness in you. It’s a wound that needs to heal and self love and fulfillment have to happen before anything else can. And those words look big right now because we don’t do a good job of talking about how to achieve them in little ways. Ways you can start today.

First pick the easiest thing to motivate you to do something regularly. Therapy is a good start, but for me my healing began when I started cleaning my (actually my dads) house. Cleaning was something I kinda liked and it wasn’t scary because I didn’t have to leave the house. I started by just picking a shelf to organize. Then one thing to scrub. Eventually I was proud of my spotless house and wanted to do things like cut fresh flowers for a nice table. I wanted to go to the store and get a fancy snack or a nice candle. I walked my dogs everyday and being in nature was profoundly healing for me. I picked the things I could do even when I was miserable.

Where you can start is the easy places for you. Maybe you’re more like my sister and need to pour that effort into your job. Or maybe you need to build things like my other sister. Maybe you’re close to a grandparent and can schedule a weekly dinner. I have a friend that started writing fanfiction, then her own novel. I have another friend that works on cars. That started with just tinkering with his own.

And none of those things have to be huge on day one. If you paint, just swirl colors or doodle on day one. If you write, write a paragraph. Do a 100 piece puzzle. Listen to music. Cry if you have to. Forgive yourself for the days you can’t do anything. If you’re self medicating with alcohol/weed/cigarettes try and cut back a tiiiiny bit.

But kids from disfunctional families are set up to fail. Children have very little autonomy to begin with and we spend the first 18-21 years of our lives having life be something that happens TO us. This is even worse in dysfunctional families where you have to sort of float with the current just to survive. Then they push us out the door and say “go live” without any instruction. All your skills and coping mechanisms are built around enduring life and not around building one.

And that’s the big secret. You have to build your life but you also get to. Fill it with things you love and enjoys and prune out the things that stress you out.

And lastly, the way to make friends is the same way you ask someone on a date. Luckily unlike a date, most people are JUST AS DESPERATE FOR A FRIEND AS YOU! People have never been lonelier. My secret is I go out, I do activities. I tell friends to invite other friends, then befriend them. If I run into an old childhood playmate, or college pal or old classmate I follow up on those half baked plans to “get coffee sometime”. Family can be included here too. Maybe you have a chill sibling or cousin.

DnD has been great for me. People hear I DM and so many people are like “oh I’ve always wanted to play” so I invite them! A low stakes way to find a new friend is to talk about a really fun thing you’re doing around coworkers/acquaintances and when someone makes this face 🥺 you say “why don’t you join us/me!”

Or do what my autistic best friend did and I quote “find one really loud but nice extrovert and don’t blast their huge social group with your autism until after you’re their party healer” which is a silly way for me to say that making one friend leads to others.

I could go on and on here but this is an essay already. Hope this helps and isn’t just a stream of consciousness.

#anon ask

[artoutoftheblue]

Social anxiety n all that truly is a bitch so I get you. Especially if past experiences didn't help it. I don't understand why your parents are letting this happen. It is their job to make sure you have food, not yours

The issue is is that we're literally poor. When we get lucky and have the time, we go to the store and get some food to stock up on. For me it feels like I'm in quarantine all over again. My parents dont have enough to even get lunches during work breaks, their friends at work usually have to get it for them. I dont have that privilege, especially since I dont want to ask my friends to get me anything because 1) If I do, theyll have to come to my house and bring it to me. 2) If I ask them for anything, I'll feel like I owe them the money back since I've had people in the past tell me that I owe them something when they do something nice like that for me. 3) They all live in the next town over. I really dont want to make them bring it to me since the car isnt here, I also still dont know how to fucking drive despite having a permit. My grandma is who gives me my allowance through an app, but I dont want to outright ask her for money, because again, I'll feel bad for asking and feel like I owe her the money back. This is also why I'm so fucking desperate to find a job, but my parents say that I'm not ready for something like that. Maybe they're right and I just dont see it, but I feel like I am. I just want to be able to afford to get by this summer. I just want school to start again so I can have breakfast and lunch. My parents always make sure to save me and my sister some food from their lunches so we at least get that. This economy just isnt on our side and it fucking sucks. I know it isnt my parents fault. They're working their asses off to make sure that we can at least get by. I may despise my stepdad but I'm happy that hes at least helping my mom with money. I just cannot wait until school starts back again. The lunch ladies there even make sure that I get as much as I need when I'm there, which I'm very grateful for. I just hate that now I have to wait for that privilege to come back.

Long story short, I live in a poor family and because of high prices we can barely afford to get by.

#blue rants #asks