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ashes-writing · 2 years

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born to be my baby pt five | stranger things ; s.harrington

taglist babes || req rules / fandoms+characters || masterlist || send ?s ; open hc/alphabets only

CHAPTERS ;

one + two + three + four can be found by clicking. stranger things masterlist is here.

AUTHORS NOTES;

As we can all clearly see, this story also has a chokehold on me rn. This one is moving a little bit fast (kinda?) and a little out of order / with non-exact dialogue as what actually happened on s3 BUT BUT.. once we're past this, we will see a bit of a slow down -and so much fluff omfg. I'm kind of spacing things out a little better than they did on the show itself for the sake of this fic. So the next chapter is probably going to be what actually happens at Starcourt. Reader, most likely, won't have much involvement there until the very end when they're all out? I wanted to work her in but I haven't really found a way to make it fit and make it good. Since I'm gonna keep this going through S4, she will be fit into that though.

Huuuge thanks and all of my love to everybody who reads -and encourage / endures my bullshit, you guys mean the world to me and every single like/comment/reblog or reblog with tag makes me sooooo so so so happy, like.. I can't explain how much you guys have actually motivated me to keep going more than you'll ever know.

SUMMARY;

-- You were born to be my baby And baby, I was made to be your man

PAIRING;

Steve Harrington x Fem!Reader - aside from female parts, personality + outfit/hairstyles, she is blank slate.

WARNINGS;

Russians secret ops under Starcourt - moreso in the next chapter, Flayed!Billy makes the smallest hint of an appearance (His car does anyway,) swearing, these two babes still being awkward and oblivious BUT... just keep reading. Nothing huge happens here... or does it? ;P

Non exact canon events. Non exact dialogue. Things are different here than in the series, somewhat.

TAGLIST;

@allelitesmut @aurumbelis @aries-arcade @cole22ann @chieflawyerpastatoad @ebonybloom @fandomfreakforever @hcloangcls @hotgirlshareaccounts @hoeshii @icequeen1371 @krys-orion @letsbedragonstogether @littlestarfighter03 @musichealsscars @oflavenderandevie @scoobiessnacks @secretsicanthideanymore @suits-and-smirks @sporadiccherryblossomgladiator @thatsthewaythechrissycrumbles @thechoiceslookgrimm @untoldshortsofthefandoms and @untitledarea are the only ones currently on my stranger things taglist. if you'd like to be on it, please click the link up top.

“Guys, I can’t. I can’t.” you were about to just go for it, ask Steve Harrington if he wanted to come over on Friday, watch some movies or something and yet, now that you’re standing in Scoops Ahoy, it’s almost as if you’re frozen, brain body and mouth. None willing to work together. Robin palms her face. Vickie groans.

“What’s so hard about it?”

“I dunno, okay?” you rub your forehead. You’re pacing near the booth your best friend is sitting at and Robin is gazing up at you with what has to be the most amused grin you’ve ever seen out of her in your entire life. She reaches out and grabs your forearm. “Stop pacing, you’ll wear a hole in the floor. Sit down. Breathe.”

“He’s literally just a guy.” Vickie muses, a little shrug as she nods in his direction.

Robin snickers. “Oh, he’s not just a guy.” she’s teasing you about your old crush on Steve and the way it’s come back, full force. “He’s the guy.. I mean, for her. I never understood why, but yeah.”

“Hey!” you’re pouting at her. “He’s sweet!” you’re doing it again, staring at him while he’s completely oblivious. Robin snapping her fingers in your face is what brings you round from your daze. “You’re practically drooling.” she’s laughing and so is Vickie. You stick your tongue out and roll your eyes. “I was not. I was enjoying the view.” you sigh as you say it, grabbing Robin’s chocolate milkshake to take a sip. She pulls it back and nods to the counter where Steve is currently serving customers and she smirks. “Go get yourself one, woman!”

“I will.”

“Okay, explain how you can order a milkshake from the guy but you can’t ask him out? We do live in a brave new world now.” Vickie says it despite knowing she’s guilty of the same. She wants to ask Robin Buckley out on a date so badly she can taste it, but she doesn’t dare.

Not in this town.

She’s also terrified that Robin will freak out, what if Robin’s not like her.

It would be a huge mistake to make and it could go pretty bad. So she bites her tongue and hopes that maybe sooner or later, she’ll get a chance.

You grumble and wave your hands at Vickie when she asks the question she’s just asked you. “If you must know, I’m afraid if I try to ask him one thing, it’s going to turn into a long ramble that makes zero sense and at some point I’ll do something dumb like tell him I want to have his babies.”

Robin and Vickie are laughing so hard they’re both doubled over in their seats.

“You what now?”

“Damn it, Robbie, not funny.” you’re puffing out your cheeks, blowing at a strand of hair that’s escaped the way you had it teased and pinned as it falls into your forehead. Robin shrugs and takes a sip of her shake. “It is, though.”

“C’mon, remember the note I wrote him in 8th grade? Only I was an idiot and put it into his friend Tommy’s stupid locker instead? I’m surprised he’s even speaking to me now, honestly.”

You slink over to the line formed at the front and you’re pretending to study the flavor list but you’re really using the time waiting in line to stare at Steve, watching the way that one stubborn swoop of hair always falls down onto his forehead. Or the way his tongue juts out between kissable lips when he’s really focused on something. The only problem with this is that you’ve zoned out before you realize it and then it’s your turn to order.

“Hey.” Steve’s grinning. “Know what you want, pretty girl?” he’s got this certain tone to his voice and the way he looks at you when he asks the question has your face on fire, you can feel the second the heat sets into your skin. Your mouth opens and closes. You want your brain to cooperate and finally, a second or two later, it does. You laugh softly. “Strawberry milkshake?” you think it over, nodding. “Yeah. A strawberry milkshake.”

Steve is staring at you again and he wants to kick himself when he realizes it. He chuckles and turns to grab a cup for your milkshake, scooping some strawberry ice cream into the cup and then he sits it on the mixer to be mixed.

“Hey.” you’re telling yourself it’s not a big deal, you can just ask casually. But yet again, your mouth freezes up just as the words are coming, they’re right there on the tip of your tongue. Steve’s holding out your milkshake to you and you notice that some of it has spilled down the side of the cup so when you take it, you lick that off and you instantly realize what you’ve done when you see the way he swallows hard. You can feel your body burn hot all over and you bite back just the smallest whimper shy of escaping your mouth.

Steve’s been trying to say something, say anything for the better part of five damn minutes now and he’s beginning to get real frustrated with himself because he just can’t. Everything he comes up with sounds stupid. Fake. And Dustin seems to think that his entire problem with girls lately is in the delivery or the way he presents himself and he’s taking the kids advice to heart this time because he’ll try anything if it means he winds up with you, even if it’s only for a little while. It’s driving him crazy, he wants you that much. He’ll take what he can get.

At the booth, Robin nods to you and clears her throat. “I swear it’s like watching the slowest burn ever. I’m shoving them into a broom closet as soon as I find one.” Vickie laughs softly. “I think it’s sweet.” she muses, staring at you and Steve as you stand there, staring at each other and saying absolutely nothing.

“Hey.” Steve is relieved. His mouth is finally working and his brain isn’t lagging like crazy anymore. He smiles at you and you smile back. Somehow, it feels as if the room is brighter when you’re smiling at him, that cute little grin as you lick your lips to get strawberry milkshake off.

“I had fun last night.” you both say it at the same time and you’re both laughing. Then,gradually, the laughter dies away and you’re both staring again.

“I was wondering.” you both do it again, speak at the same time.

“Wow.”

“Go ahead.” Steve chuckles, smirking a little. You’re getting just a little more flustered with each second and your heart is about to beat right out of your chest.

You’re doing that thing again where you shuffle your feet and fidget, twirling a strand of hair around your finger and kind of tugging at it. He’s distracted, watching your hair wind around your finger while he’s trying not to picture what it’d feel like to tangle his hands up in it and maybe pull you in for a kiss. He almost kissed you the night before when you were all in the parking lot at the carnival, but he talked himself right out of it.

You take a deep breath and this doesn’t make the words come any easier. But someone has to say something, so you decide to go for it. After all, the worst he can say is no, right? And no isn’t always a bad thing. At least then you’ll know one way or another.

“Do you…” you stop and take a deep breath because your words came out in a rush, breathless. “Do you want to come over tomorrow night and like.. Watch movies or something?”

Steve is shocked. It’s the same thing he was going to ask you. He wasn’t expecting you to ask him -or even want to ask him to begin with. Because you asked, you had to want to do it already, right?

He smiles and nods. “I’d love that, actually.”

You feel like you’d be jumping up and down if you weren’t right in front of him. You manage to refrain but you know when you go into the parking lot for a smoke, you’re totally going to do it. You smile instead. “Great, do you uh… Do you want pizza or more takeout from that Italian place across the lot?”

“Doesn’t matter to me.” he shrugs. It really doesn’t, his life has been made. He’s kicking himself in frustration because he’s old fashioned enough that he feels terrible that he didn’t make any of the first moves so far, but… It’s a step. It’s something and it’s actually happening.

And this feels like it’ll be the start of something, this is what he’s hoping against hope for anyway. As you’re paying for your milkshake -and playfully arguing over why you won’t use his discount to get it in the first place, Dustin wanders in, lingering nearby. He manages to hear the tail-end of your conversation just as you’re about to turn and walk back over to the booth.

“I’ll uh.. See you tomorrow then?” you call out to Steve and he smiles, nodding. Dustin grins to himself and as soon as you’re sitting with Robin and Vickie -safely out of earshot, he’s making a big deal out of it and Steve can’t help but chuckle and shake his head. “She just asked if I wanted to come over and watch movies?”

“Which is a date!” Dustin is excited for his friend. “Wait… she asked you? Damn.” and then he’s getting even more excited, because he knows how you feel about Steve but Steve’s still got his head up his ass and oblivious. He can’t tell Steve he knows, of course, so he tries to do the reassurance thing instead. “Y’know this means she likes you right?”

Steve scoffs and laughs. “What? Her? No.” but that stubborn sliver of hope refuses to die this time and his heart is just a little fluttery as he gazes over to the booth you’re sitting at with Robin and Vickie, lost in conversation. He nods to the three of you, “With my luck, they’ll be there too.”

“Okay, so if they are, ask her on a date. I have a feeling they won’t though.”

Steve snickers quietly, gazing at Dustin. “You do huh? What are you, psychic now, Henderson?”

“I’m telling you, it’s kind of obvious.” Dustin insists one more time.

“Anyway… Did you bring what you wanted me to translate? We can go in the back or something.”

“Wait, I think they’re leaving.” Dustin is gazing at the table. You and Vickie walk out and Robin wanders over.

“Is he here to translate the thing?”

“You told her?” Dustin is giving Steve a dirty look.

“No, I overheard you. You’re both extremely loud.” Robin shrugs and goes quiet.

Robin speaks up again a few seconds later. “I do happen to speak three languages.”

“She might be able to help.” Steve insists.

Dustin grumbles, but he starts the playback.

They’re listening, Robin is scribbling down what she hears.

There’s this creepy song playing in the background and it sounds so familiar to Steve for some reason.

“It sounds familiar.”

“What?”

“The sound at the end.” Steve explains. Dustin palms his face and shakes his head. “We’re supposed to be listening to the Russian, Steve.”

“And I’m trying to listen to the Russian, but there’s music!” Steve throws up his hand.

“It’s your turn at the counter, dingus. Let me try this. I can speak three languages and I’ve been in band for 12 years. My ears are little geniuses, alright?” Robin points to the door between front and back and Steve grumbles, but he goes. He wasn’t fully focused anyway and he couldn’t figure out the word. But he knows he’s heard that damn song somewhere.

As he’s scooping ice cream, he catches himself humming it a time or two.

In the back, Robin is listening to the recording with Dustin.

“Wait, rewind that? That word sounds familiar.” Robin furrows her brows and then she smirks.

“Dly-nna-ya. That.. The chair thing.” Robin rubs her forehead and tries to think. “We’ve got our first sentence.”

“Really?”

“Mhmm. The week is long.”

“Well, that’s thrilling.”

“I know, but… Progress.”

“The silver cat feeds.”

“Wait, why would anybody talk like that?”

“Okay, let’s think a second here, kid.. If this is a secret translation… What’d you think they’d say, Fire the warhead at noon?” Robin laughs quietly and mulls over what they’ve translated so far. Steve wanders back in because the front of the shop has emptied out again.

“I need a quarter because I think I just figured something out.”

Robin and Dustin share a look and wander out into the mall with Steve and he’s standing at a little children’s ride as he rubs his chin. Robin digs around in her pocket and holds out a quarter as she snickers. “Aren’t you a little big for this, dingus?”

“Shh.” Steve shushes her, putting the quarter in, gazing at them both. “The song!” Dustin is grinning. “Wait, maybe they have horses like this in Russia.”

“An Indiana Flyer? I doubt it, kid.”

“What’s that mean?”

“The code didn’t come from Russia. It came from here.”

“Okay, so what do we do now?”

“It had to be somewhere in the mall. We just need to think.” Steve is biting the edge of his thumb.

— ( closing time, you )

You spot that dark blue Camaro fall in two cars behind your own as you’re merging into traffic on the street in front of the mall. You try to ignore it at first, but you keep glancing back, your heart about to beat right out of your chest. As you pull onto a quieter street to stop at the pharmacy to pick up some more Advil and hopefully another tube of red lipstick, something tells you not to stop. So you go on down the street instead and you can feel yourself relaxing when the dark blue Camaro drives right past you. Just to be safe, you make two unnecessary blocks and go the long way back to your apartment.

No sign of the Camaro anywhere and the weird feeling you’ve had for a while now just vanishes. You grab your takeout and shut the door to your car with your hip, locking it before you hurry into the back entrance of the bar. You rush up the two flights of stairs and you don’t stop til you’re safely behind the red door with three locks secured on it.

You pull off your shoes and sit on the counter, grabbing a fork to dig into your takeout for the night. You try to call Robin but the phone rings and rings until it’s gone to her answering machine. So you leave a message telling her to call you later and then you hang up.

After flipping through the television you brought yourself at a pawn shop in the city last weekend, you decide to shower and go to sleep. And you’re so excited because you took a step. A little step, but a step.

Now you just had to keep taking them. You don’t have a choice, really. There’s just something about Steve that pulls you like a magnet and you’re determined that he won’t slip through your fingers.

#steve harrington #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington fanfiction #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x fem!reader

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some-pers0n · 11 months

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I think it’s a shame that Stella ended up the way she did. I’m not saying that she needed to be a complex 3D character or get redeemed or have a tragic backstory but it’s a shame that she was reduced to “I’m a spoiled brat who hates my husband!!!” Originally it was a morally grey thing, with Stolas cheating on his wife (resulting in a scandal about him cheating with an imp in a PUBLIC PARTY). Olivia also says that they didn’t used to hate each other, but unless she was the most oblivious 17 year old alive she would have known how much Stella loathed him (in s2e1 she says to his face that she likes tormenting him and mocks him in front of all his friends).

The reason their relationship was so interesting was that neither Blitz or Stolas were right! Blitz used him for the book and Stolas cheated. Making Stella a brat takes a lot of blame away from Stolas. You know what it reminds me of?

When female characters in fanfiction are demonized for the sake of making a gay ship look better. Stella is this trope to a T, removing any interesting things about her. I might send another ask on my opinion on s2e1.

It really is kinda terrible to see her fall so much as a character, despite her barely having anything to begin with.

Like...I don't know why Vizzie and the writers are obsessed with making Stolas out to be a perfect guy when he was the one who threw the entire family into jeopardy by sleeping with Blitz. Obviously we sympathize with him because Blitz likes him and he's an alright enough guy, but he still cheated on his wife. Even if she is a royal ass, we feel more bad for Octavia because she's clearly not handling the whole situation all too great.

It's not the most nuanced thing in the world, but it's something. It's interesting. It provides depth to Stolas and his relationships. He's willing to disrupt his seemingly okayish family life because he got horny and wanted a plaything.

Then season 2 rolled around. It retcons everything to make Stolas out to be an itty bitty lil' cinnamon roll who was pushed into marrying Stella and was actually sad the whole time because Stella is an abusive asshole who never loved him. The way she talks about him in season 1 versus season 2 is so much more different. It strips her of any sort of character and just makes her as blatantly evil and horrible as possible. Openly insults him for being bad in bed, complains about him, etc and etc.

I also hate how they retconned it so that Blitz and Stolas first met when they were kids and Blitz was Stolas's first friend. It feels something straight out of a bad fanfic. It makes the relationship less interesting to me since apparently these two knew each other already before they started this whole thing. It's just...yeah. Bad writing.

Then s2e4. I don't know what the writers did or if it was the direction the voice actor was given, but her voice is EAR-SPLITTING. Every word is so shrill and irritating to listen to. Not to also mention that she's just a stuck-up oblivious brat who behaves like a toddler. It's asinine.

It literally is just: "I don't like the Women because it gets in the way of my Hot Demon Yaoi so I'm going to make her the worst character in all of fiction" and it's really tiring.

What even happened with season 2? Where did Brandon go? What happened to the sharper and wittier dialogue and writing? Yeah, Helluva usually was about dick and sex jokes, but most jokes now are just the same old thing over and over again. I remember when it was like s1e5 and around that time when I was really on board with the show. Now it's just...yeah. This.

#helluva boss critique #helluva boss #tw: suggestive #sp-rambles

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phoebe-delia · 2 years

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Hello, happy Hanukkah to you!!!! ✨

I have a dialogue prompt

"You know, you don't take good news well. Did anyone ever tell you that?"

If you choose to write this then please add a pinch of hurt/angst and a lot of comfort to it. Thank you.

Happy Writing 😊

Thank you so much!! I like this prompt, @textrovert-01, and I hope you enjoy what I came up with!

Draco tore down the corridor, sprinting as fast as he could. He ignored the curious stares of the ministry employees he passed as he made his way to—

To anywhere. Anywhere else but that ballroom.

He turned the corner, relieved to find the hallway blessedly empty. He nearly slammed himself against the wall as he jiggled the handle of the first door he saw, grunting when it was locked. He couldn't—wouldn't—risk an Alohomora; headlines of him breaking into a room that wasn't his would surely overshadow the headlines he wanted to read in the Prophet tomorrow.

He tried door after locked door until, blessedly, he found an empty conference room that opened. He shut the door behind himself and slumped against the wall, sinking to the floor and burying his head in his hands.

Moments later, the door opened, and Draco froze, hoping his crouched position would dissuade the intruder.

The door shut. "You know, you don't handle good news very well. Did anyone ever tell you that?"

Draco groaned in a mixture of irritation and relief, not lifting his head. "Go away, Weasel."

He heard a chuckle and felt the other man crouch down next to him. "No, I don't think I will."

Draco looked up at him with a glare. "Suit yourself."

They sat in silence for a moment. Draco silently willed the other man to either leave him to his misery or to bloody say something—

"So, are you going to tell me why the guest of honor left his own party?"

"I wasn't enjoying myself any longer."

"So you broke into the first empty room you could find to hide?"

Draco frowned. "The door was unlocked."

Weasley raised an eyebrow. "I could still write you up for breaking and entering."

Draco narrowed his eyes. "No, you couldn't."

"No, I couldn't," Weasley said with a sigh. "But it would be fun if I could, right? Though," he looked thoughtful for a moment. "Harry would be pretty upset with me if I did."

"Har—Potter? Why would he care?" Draco's heart picked up speed in his chest.

Weasley rolled his eyes. "You aren't seriously acting like this already."

"I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about, Weasley," Draco sniffed. "Besides, it's over, anyway. We each got what we wanted out of it."

"Your relationship might've been faked for the press but the only ones you were fooling were yourselves."

"What—what do you mean?"

Weasley snorted. "You know, for a man who just received the Ministry's most prestigious potioneer grant, you're really thick."

"I-I resent the accusation that—"

"Malfoy, for Merlin's sake, you two have been fake-broken up for a day after your fake relationship and you're both already moping!"

"I'm not—wait, both of us?"

"Yes!" Weasley threw his hands in the air. "He's been sullen and sulking for hours."

Draco's head spun. Could Harry really—

"Yes! He could! He does! Really!" Weasley exclaimed, and Draco blushed at having wondered the words aloud. "Malfoy, you are both pathetically pining after each other and I thought you'd have gotten your shit together by now but you haven't and now I have to play bloody matchmaker for two idiots who were already bloody dating!"

Draco stared at Weasley, wide-eyed, as the other man finished off his rant with an exasperated sigh.

"Look," Weasley said, his voice having returned to its normal tone. "You didn't turn out to be the slimy, manipulative, evil, arrogant, terrible—"

"Oh, do go on,"

"—Thanks, I will—horrible, nefarious prat that you used to be when we were in school. For some unknowable reason, you make Harry happy. And if there's anyone on the bloody planet who deserves happiness, it's him, but more importantly, if I have to see him stare longingly after you one more time I'm going to puke. So. Get the fuck out of this room and tell him how you feel or I will resort to drastic measures."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "Which are?"

"That's not seriously the main thing you took away from what I just said."

"No," Draco sighed. "Weasley, I'm going to say this exactly once in both of our lifetimes, so put it in a Pensieve for when your fragile ego needs a boost: you might, possibly, be right."

"High praise," Weasley said dryly. "Now can we get the bloody hell out of here? You have to go find your boyfriend, and I've got to find my fiancée."

"He's not my—hold on, your fiancée?"

Weasley grinned. "I guess we'll both have important conversations tonight, don't we?"

Draco scowled, rising to his feet. "Oh no, we're not bonding over this."

Weasley laughed, standing up as well. "The longer you stay here and stall talking to Harry, the more likely we are to start getting along."

Draco turned on a heel and ran out the door, the sound of Weasley's laughter fading behind him.

Read on AO3!

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kingandfireheart · 3 years

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Cassian's Love: words from a guy who speaks through actions

Something I love about Cassian is that he doesn't really hide the ball when it comes to his feelings for Nesta. He's most definitely an actions speak louder than words person (physical touch is his love language), but he does use words in ACOSF. I read someone say that Cassian didn't show his love for Nesta, and I completely disagree. Even though SJM never showed us Cassian saying the actual words, we see it so often through the small touches like flicking her cheek, the way that he never makes fun of her (many) questions, or the way he's always there, but he never pushes her too far.

In ACOWAR he confesses his love

" I have no regrets in my life, but this. That we did not have time. That I did not have time with you, Nesta. I will find you again in the next world -- the next life. And we will have that time. I promise. "

Yes, there is a lot he doesn't say - that they are mates, that he wants more than just sex, that he loves her. He even goes far enough to attack Lanthys to prevent him from revealing the truth. (I can write a whole post on why he wouldn't tell her about being mates, but I think Nesta's reaction to Lucien's declaration at the end of ACOMAF can suffice as explanation).

After his heartbreaking confession in ACOWAR, it makes sense that he's more reserved with Nesta. When thinking about his almost confession on solstice, he even says, "He hardly managed to walk away with some semblance of pride. Over his cold, dead body would she do that to him again." He is protecting himself by ignoring the mating bond too ("Some small quiet part of his brain whispered otherwise. He ignored it. Had ignored it for a long time now.")

Still throughout the book, he owns up to his feelings for Nesta when given the opportunity -- he just doesn't say the words "I love you" or "You're my mate". This post goes through some scenes in chronological order, since they show how Cassian does care.

(I could write another whole post on how I feel cheated of two months of happy Nessian between Solstice and Starfall, but that's what fanfiction is for, right?).

When Mor asks if it pains him to see Nesta like this, he says:

"All of it pains me... It pains me that Nesta has become... this. It pains me that she and Feyre are always at each other's throats. It pains me that Feyre hurts over it, and I know Nesta does, too. It pains me that ..."

When he's pleading her to train, she asks him why he isn't negotiating harder, he says.

"For you, I have no strategies."

Then there's the confrontation before, "I'm always thinking of that look on your face". (Yes, he's goading her here, but I don't think he's lying)

"Why so many questions tonight?" // "Because we're talking like normal people, and I want to know. About all of it." // "Let's nor retread old territory, Nes." // "It never mattered to me whether you took half the Cauldron's power or a drop. It still doesn't matter. // "Why?" "Why do you even bother?" // "Why did you stay at my side when we went up against the King of Hybern during the last battle?"

Answer: because they're mates.

After Nesta fights with Elain, he tells her he'll be there for her.

"Whatever you need to throw at me, I can take it. I won't break." No challenge laced the words. Only a plea. // "You don't understand," she said, voice rasping. "I am not like you and the others." // "That's never bothered me one bit." (emphasis added)

When Rhys gives Nesta a mental warning about Gwyn:

"I'm pissed off that you can't seem to believe one good thing about her. That you refuse to fucking believe one good thing about her."

When they are discussing the Dread Trove and pushing Nesta to scry: Yes Cassian for arguing against only protecting Elain

" There is an innate darkness to the Dread Trove that should not be exposed to." // "But Nesta should?" Cassian growled.

"It's not right to wield Elain as a threat to manipulate Nesta into scrying." "There are harsher ways to convince Nesta, boy" "You're a fool if you think threats will make her obey you." ... "If we manipulate Nesta into scrying, even by using Elain against her, then we'll do what is necessary." "I don't like it."

After Nesta's nightmare:

"Hey." "Hello" "Are you all right?" "Yes." "Good" "You want to talk about it?" "No" "That's fine." "You want breakfast?" "I like your priorities, General." (italics added)

When Rhys and Feyre mention bringing in Helion:

"He'll help...If only for another shot at her." // Nesta rolled her eyes, and and the gesture was so normal that Cassian's smile became more genuine, edged with relief // You wear your heart for all to see, brother. Rhys said without turning Cassian's way. // Cassian only shrugged. He was past caring.

When they finally have sex , we have this short back-and-forth:

"I'll hurt you." // "I don't care" // "I do."

and my personal favorite

"I'm beyond lies right now, Nesta."

When Nesta asks whether Cassian enjoyed their previous encounter, he tells her:

I enjoyed myself too much. I've thought about it for days and days.

"Whatever you want. Whatever you need from me." He knew those were a fool's words, knew he offered up too much.

And when Nesta asks "How can I need you again so soon?" Answer: because they're mates.

"I've needed you from the moment I first met you. And now that I get to have you, I don't what to stop

When they find out about the new Dread Trove, he's quick to defend Nesta to others:

This scene isn't really dialogue, but I'm including it because I love Cass.

They moved on to far merrier subjects, but Cassian mulled it over throughout the evening. The fighting was only part of it. The Training would sustain her, funnel her rage, but there had to be more. There had to be joy. There had to be music. (emphasis added)

When Nesta breaks down at the end of the hike, we see that Cassian doesn't just love Nesta, but he likes her, he may even admire her.

"I don't know how to get there. I don't think I'm capable of it" // "You are. I've seen it -- I've seen what you can do when you are willing to fight for the people you love. Why not apply that same bravery and loyalty to yourself?"

"You don't need to become some impossible ideal. You don't need to become sweet and simpering. You can give everyone that I Will Slay My Enemies look - which is my favorite look, by the way. You can keep that sharpness I like so much, that boldness and fearlessness. I don't want you to ever lose those things, to cage yourself."

"I'll be with you every step of the way... Just don't lock me out. You want to walk in silence for a week, I'm fine with that. So long as you talk to me at the end of it." (emphasis added)

When Cassian and Nesta go to the prison, there are some more telling moments:

"What if my presence would go unnoticed, but yours sets off a trap? We can't risk that." // His throat bobbed. "I can't risk you." // The words slammed into her heart. (emphasis added)

and later,

"I have always been your friend Nesta. Always"

When Nesta and Cassian return from the Prison:

Nesta brushed her fingers against Cassian's in silent understanding. His own curled against hers, meeting her stare as if to say, See? We're the same after all.

But when Rhys suggests having Nesta dance with Eris, Cassian is territorial to the max

"You're not going to use her."

"Over my dead fucking body," Cassian exploded.

"Nesta hasn't agreed to anything," Cassian snapped. "Even one dance with that prick is too much --"

"I don't like it."

He also agrees to go with her to the cottage in the human lands, and is so damn supportive and kind to her there. Action not words here but I love this himbo so much

Cassian stood beside her through all of it. Not speaking, not touching. Just there, should she need him. Her friend -- whom she'd asked to come her with her not because he was sharing her bed, but because she wanted him here. His steadiness and kindness and understanding.

And of course, the amazing and wonderful solstice scene:

"I'm sorry for how I behaved last Solstice. For how awful I was."// "I know. I forgave you a long time ago."

"Because I was fucking jealous!" He roared, wings splaying. "You looked like a queen, and it was painfully obvious you should be with a princeling like Eris and not a low born nothing like me! Because I couldn't stand the sight of it, right down to my gods-damned bones."(emphasis added)

"You're not going to marry Eris." "No" "There will be no one else. For either of us." "Yes" "Ever."

The big ole fight

"Say what I've guess from the moment we met. What I knew the first time I kissed you. What became unbreakable between us on Solstice night"

"I am your mate, for fuck's sake!" "You are my mate! Why are you still fighting it?

"You promised me forever on Solstice," he said, voice breaking. "Why is one word somehow throwing you off that?" (emphasis added)

And the conclusion that just wasn't satisfying enough:

"What do you want? // "You" // "You've had me from the moment you met me."

#nesta archeron #Cassian #nesta x cassian #cassian x nesta #acosf #a court of silver flames #nessian #kp analysis #acotar series #mtp

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txemrn · 3 years

Text

What About Us?

I am participating in this week's @wackydrabbles prompt number 99: "How about once more--for good luck!" (Prompt will be in bold)

Warning: fairly fluffy with a smidge of angst

Word count: 1575 (+/-)

Song Inspiration: "What About Us?" by P!nk

A/N: It's another Royal Roulette! What is RR? It's simple! Set your music to mix, and be inspired by the first song that pops up! I'm super excited about this one because it worked out perfectly with my desire to write something in honor of 🏳‍🌈PRIDE🏳‍🌈 month! I hope y'all enjoy! Big ol' hugs and special thanks to @burnsoslow and @chemist-ana for pre-reading this! The characters, some of the plot and dialogue belong to our friends at Pixelberry

🌈

A pair of deep ocean eyes anxiously shift around the New York hotel suite. He chews mindlessly on his pink, raw cuticles while his crossed-legs bounce with nervous fury. His other hand casually back-combs his playfully-styled locks, raking them upward into melted spikes. But, luckily for Maxwell, his close friends are preoccupied with excitement; they don’t notice that he is adrift with his raging, thunderous thoughts. Although their pressing questions have been answered, Maxwell wanders aimlessly with a broken heart.

Thanks to their clever sleuth work and strong desire for justice, Tariq was found; and better than anticipated, after careful discussion, he was willing to come forward about the false accusations of his relations with Lady Riley. But, time was of the essence if they were going to stop the Cordonian royal wedding. Riley along with her press secretary Justin, Drake, Hana, the Beaumont brothers work quickly to decipher the next course of action: a public statement to be broadcasted during Liam and Madeleine’s wedding shower.

Hana gently places her petite, manicured hand on Maxwell’s shoulder. Her warm smile and endearing touch calm his outward erratic nerves. Peering into her bright chocolate eyes, a roaring sense of courage overwhelms his internal timidity; he now has his own plan.

“You’re with me, Tariq,” Justin delegates, clapping Tariq’s back. The sound of his name breaks Maxwell from his fog. “We’ve got an appointment.” Maxwell’s eyes track the men as they exit the room, his opportunity for his own justice walking away in a tailored Brioni suit. He thinks quickly; this can’t be it. He needs answers.

“I don’t know about the rest of you,” Drake stifles a yawn, turning towards the open door. “But I need some sleep before we go to this shower.”

Perfect. Now is Maxwell’s chance. “Yeah,” his voice cracks before clearing his throat. “My eyelids feel like they weigh a hundred pounds.” Hopping from the tufted leather chair, Maxwell smooths out his slacks. He finger-guns the ladies, hoping his humor covers up his awkward eagerness to leave. And to get to Tariq.

“Justin!” Maxwell calls out from down the hallway, jogging to catch up to the two men. Leaning into Justin’s ear, he begins to whisper an inaudible request. Though he keeps his head bowed, fixated on his notecards, Tariq casually sneaks a glance at Maxwell.

“Right now?” Justin scoffs, “we don’t have time--”

“Please. Just for a minute.” Maxwell pleads, a wave of seriousness washing over his body.

Justin sighs, placing a hand on his hip, looking at his watch. “Alright,” he motions with his head, “my room. Five minutes. But, then we have to leave if we’re going to get this statement out on time.” Justin ushers an unsuspecting Tariq into his hotel quarters before leaving him alone.

Maxwell takes a deep breath, willing the waves of his churning stomach to cease. He grits his teeth into a smile as his racing heart returns from the clouds. He pops his knuckles one last time before heading into the room to face him.

Maxwell slowly makes his entrance, easing the door closed behind him. With his arms crossed, he leans against the entryway to a small, breakfast nook. Ensuring that his presence is known, he softly coughs as he watches Tariq’s reaction.

Tariq quietly looks out over the busy Manhattan traffic, not acknowledging Maxwell’s presence. He wrings his hands as his thoughts appear to wander.

“Well?” Maxwell starts, chewing on his bottom lip. Tariq rolls his eyes to Maxwell before returning to the view. Maxwell scoffs. “So, that’s it then, huh? That’s what this has come to?” He puts his hands on his hips as he begins to pace. "After everything we've been through--"

“Maxwell--” Tariq meekly whispers.

“And then," Maxwell interrupts, "to hurt my best friend, trying to take away her happy ending, too--?”

“Stop it, Max--” Tariq gruffly mutters.

“I mean, God, Riq!" Maxwell stops pacing, searching for the right words. "What did you think--no, what did you feel when you looked through that peep hole and saw me on the other side, knocking on your door?”

His question hangs in the air as Tariq turns towards an angry Maxwell. Relaxing his shoulders, he slowly steps closer. “Relief?” Maxwell shakes his head in disbelief at the answer. Tariq comes closer, cupping his hand on Maxwell’s face, gently stroking his thumb. “I had always hoped you would find me.”

Maxwell grabs his wrist to stop his tender touch. “Why, Riq? Just, why? Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn't you call me--?”

Tariq sighs, walking back to the window. “Constantine.”

“What does he have to do with anything--?”

Tariq let's out a long sigh. “He saw us, Max--” he looks to Maxwell, widening his eyes. “He--saw--us. You know? That morning?” He clears his throat. “At Applewood--?”

Max gasps, his cheeks flushing like a wildfire. “He saw us?” He tries to hide his grin, covering his mouth with his fingers. “But--”

“I know,” Tariq runs his hands nervously through his hair. “Later that morning, he requested my presence, only to threaten to reveal our relationship to the entire court--” he swallows thickly, “--not to mention our families-- and to the world.” Tariq’s eyebrows knit with worry as he continues. “My only deliverance was if I followed through with his plan to eliminate the American competition--” he defeatedly sighs, “--what I did to Lady Brooks, ‘for the sake of Cordonia and the Crown’.”

“Riq, I--I had no idea--”

“He told me I could return after Liam was married, but why would I want to?” The storm clouds gather in his eyes. “He would always have the truth about me--about us--hanging over our heads, not to mention how everyone must feel about me, how everyone must be disgusted with me--” he catches his head in his hands as his sobs. “How you must feel about me…” he whispers.

Max kneels in front of Tariq, taking his smooth, broad hands into his own. His eyes sparkle with adoration as Tariq stares at the floor. “Look at me.” Maxwell presses his lips to Tariq’s knuckles. “It’s okay--”

“I’m sorry,” Tariq stumbles over his tears. “I’m so sorry for what I’ve done against Ramsford, against you--God!” He grips tightly to Maxwell’s hands. “I’m so sorry what I’ve done against us--if there’s even still an us--”

“Shhh,” Maxwell hushes his cries. “Riq, do you remember the last time we were here?”

The corners of Tariq’s mouth curl, his swollen eyes meeting Maxwell’s gaze. “How could I forget?”

Both of the men chuckle as Maxwell touches his hand to Tariq’s cheek, his thumb wiping away his tears. “We talked about finally going public--”

“I know, I know. And Max,” he sighs, “I’m still scared. Of what people will--”

“No, no,” he interrupts, smiling kindly at Tariq. “Do you remember what I told you?”

“Before or after the third bottle of that cheap Merlot?” Tariq raises a mischievous eyebrow, squeezing Maxwell’s hand. Maxwell’s eyes grow dark with desire, giving Tariq a knowing look.

“This was definitely before,” Maxwell titters; but his tone quickly grows serious. “But, seriously? Do you remember Riq?” Tariq softly nods, lacing his fingers with Maxwell’s. “I mean what I said--and I still do.”

Tariq leans forward, resting his head against Maxwell’s forehead at the sound of his words. Closing their eyes, they cherish the moment, savoring each other in the stillness of being together. They’re hearts intertwine, beating as one, keeping perfect time and rhythm.

“I still love you, too, Max.” Lifting Maxwell’s chin up with the soft touch of his hand, their lips meet passionately. Maxwell slips his arms around Tariq’s neck, deepening the kiss. Tariq quietly moans into Maxwell’s lips, teasing them with his tongue as he pulls him into an embrace.

“Gentlemen?” A sudden knock at the door makes them jump apart. Justin appears, tapping on his watch. “We gotta go! If we leave now, we will make it--”

“Just-in time,” both Maxwell and Tariq groan. “We know. We know.”

Filing out of the room, Tariq takes Maxwell’s hand in his hand. Maxwell pauses, giving Tariq an inquisitive look, looking at their laced fingers before continuing comfortably down the hallway.

“I’m ready, Max--”

“I know you are.” Maxwell squeezes his hand as they stop to wait for the elevator. “You’re going to do great--”

“No, no--” Tariq raises their hands, kissing the back of Maxwell’s hand. “This. I’m tired of hiding. From court, from Constantine, from everyone. I’m ready for this. For you.”

“Riq,” letting go of his hand, Maxwell’s eyes flutter, blinking away a tear. “Maybe we need to talk more about this whenever we get home--because, oh boy, I don’t want you to feel any pressure, and you know, I’m willing to wait forever for you, you know that, right? I just want to make sure--”

Tariq steps up, pressing his hands against Maxwell’s chest. He leans in to place a gentle kiss to his supple lips to quiet his rambling. “I’m sure.” He smiles, mirroring Maxwell’s toothy grin. “Now,” Tariq continues, tapping on his lips with his finger, “how about once more--for good luck!”

Maxwell grazes his lips tenderly against his lover’s mouth before embracing him tightly. Leaning into Tariq’s ear, Maxwell lowers his voice: “we don’t need luck. babe.”

As the doors slide open with the chime of the elevator, Maxwell takes Tariq’s hand. Smiling at each other, the men step onto the lift and into their future together.

🌈

TRR Tags (please let me know if you need a status change in your tag! If you were forgotten, please forgive me! A clean-up is coming!): @ao719 @bbrandy2002 @charlotteg234 @chemist-ana @choiceskatie @forallthatitsworth @gkittylove99 @glaimtruelovealways @iaminlovewithtrr @jessiembruno @kat-tia801 @khoicesbyk @lovelyladyk88 @lucy-268 @neotericthemis @sfb123 @shannonwrote @shewillreadyou @texaskitten30 @thefrenchiemama @yourmajesty09

#the royal romance #maxwell beaumont #maxwell x tariq #fanfiction #choices fanfiction #choices trr #lgbtq #wacky drabbles

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