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sunflower-lilac42 · 20 hours

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✧ 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 || jack hughes ♔

summary: jack has a night off and wants to take his girl on a date, but she can't seem to find herself in the right place to do so.

warnings: body image issues, low self-esteem, insecurities, reader doesn't like the way she looks, tears, jack being sad (not him trying to steal the show, smh), slightly (slightly, like the literal slightest bit) suggestive

publish date: 05/23/24

notes: getting this out of the way -> for the plus sized girlies from a plus sized girly. uhhh hi. i did not mean nor did i expect this to happen, but here is a whole ass fic that i wrote based on my lovely lovely lovely anon -> request! anyway, i had the time of my life writing this because it hits so close to home for me, like it's giving me when i wrote 'the hoodie' which is another absolute favorite of mine. i hope all of you feel a hundred, a thousand, a million times better after reading this because i think i did too. just remember, all of you are beautiful in your own way and as long as you think that, that's all that matters. i hope you all enjoy this fic as much as i love and cherish it, and that's it from me <3 | add yourself to the taglist ➺ taglist!

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Now it wasn’t all the time that Jack got to have a night off in the middle of the season, so date nights out in New Jersey were a rare thing to come back for him and his girlfriend. In actuality, date nights like tonight were a rare occasion for the couple. Y/n wasn’t a fan of going out in public, and not in the sense that she didn’t want to be seen with Jack, because of course, she did. It is more in the sense that she didn’t want to be seen by the paparazzi, especially when she was caught off guard and didn’t have time to think about how she looked.

It wasn’t often that she was insecure, at least this much. There were some days where it would start bad and progressively get worse throughout the day, some days where it was just bad, and other days where it was the furthest thing in her mind what she looked like (the days where she would be eating pizza with no work to do and watching Jack’s game from the comfort of her living room).

Today had been one of the days where it got progressively worse throughout the day, which made sense because of the growing anxiety every time she looked at the time and it would be closer to when she had to start getting ready. It’s not that she wasn’t excited for date night, because she was, she was over the moon that she got to spend the night with Jack, but she just didn’t understand why they had to go out to do it.

She sat in their shared closet when she got home from work, trying to figure out what she wanted to wear. She had been through at least five different outfits, all of them now surrounding her on the ground. She finally settled on a black dress, one that she had worn plenty of times, and liked the way she looked in it every time she did. She started to pull it up and groaned when she realized she had to zip it up, not having the energy to do it at the moment. So she settled on doing the only thing she knew to do, “Jack!”

Jack came rushing into the bedroom, running down the hallway and catching himself on the door frame so he wouldn’t continue sliding, “What- what’s wrong?”

She turned around and giggled when she saw him. His shirt was unbuttoned and a little wrinkled on the inside edges, his hair a mess, and his tie the loosest it could be while still being tied, he looked like he just came from a college party.

She shook her head and walked over to him, running a hand through his hair and kissing his cheek, “Nothing, I just need your help zipping my dress up.”

It was only then that Jack looked at her up and down, grinning when he saw what she was wearing, “I love this dress on you.”

Her cheeks lightly turned pink at his statement, walking back to the mirror to fix the dress and how it lay on her. Jack grinned even more when he noticed the color of her cheeks, “Good to know I can still make you blush this much after a year.”

He walked over to her and placed his hands on her hips, leaning his head down so his chin was resting on her shoulder. He looked at her through the mirror, watching as she fixed her necklace and earrings, fiddled with her hair so it laid just how she wanted it to and straightened her dress, and tugged at the fabric against her stomach to stop it from clinging to her skin. He didn’t think much of it initially and just moved the hair away from the left side to the right and turned to kiss her lightly on the neck. The action caused her to shiver a little but ultimately left her with a smile.

Jack stood up and hit her butt, “Jack!” He ignored her and zipped up her dress. When he finished he went to hit her butt once more but furrowed his brows in confusion when he didn’t hear the usual scold that followed it.

He looked back up in the mirror to find her with a frown on her face and her hands fiddling with the edges of her dress. Wrapping his hands around her waist, he quietly asked, “What is it?”

She shook her head, not wanting to draw attention to it that much, “Nothing Jacky, I think I’m just gonna put on some tights underneath it and maybe some shorts.”

Normally, he would’ve let this slide. It was the middle of January and it was cold out, he knew she would be cold the moment they stepped outside if she left her legs bare. But, with the look on her face now and the pile of clothes sitting in their closet that he noticed when he walked in, told him all the different. His grip tightened on her waist once he felt her trying to get out of it to head to do what she told him, “Stop.”

“Jacky, we’re gonna be late.”

“Don’t do this- don’t do this to yourself.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She shied away from the mirror, trying to at least turn around to face him instead of continuing to look at herself. He huffed at her words and tightened his hold once more, “C’mon, baby. Tell me.”

“There’s nothing to tell, let's just go before they decide they don’t want to serve us.”

“We are not leaving this apartment, this room until you tell me what’s going on even though you know I know what you’re pretty little head is thinking about right now.”

She stopped fighting and looked down, causing Jack to spin her around and lift her chin so her eyes were looking directly into his, “Talk to me.”

“It’s just one of those days, I guess.”

He knew there was more, he always knew. Jack knew about how she didn’t like going out for date nights because she didn’t want to have any unexpected pictures taken of her, how she hated posting on Instagram because she’s always scared that the only comments she’ll get are one’s commenting about how ‘ugly’ she looked, that she hated summer because she could never wear what all the others girls were wearing and feel good about it, and that she hated going to his games wearing his jersey because girls always made comments about him never wanting to be with her. So yes, he knew she was lying when she said that.

“I know that’s not all that’s bothering you, sweetheart. And you know that too,”

He backed up to sit on the chest that was sitting in front of their bed. She knew and hated when he did that because the next thing he did was pat his left thigh so she would come and sit there. She hated that she knew that she would do it anyway because Jack would sit and pout if she didn’t. And most of all, she hated those puppy dog eyes of him.

This time, however, she was determined to stand her ground, “No. I’m putting tights and shorts on and then we’re leaving.”

Jack rolled his eyes but kept sitting. She stared at him and he had no problem with staring right back, one of their daily staring contests that happened. When Jack broke eye contact, she cheered a little before heading into the closet to do what she said she was going to. Rules were rules, when someone won the staring contest they won the argument, within reason of course.

He sat patiently on the trunk as he watched her close the door of the closet. He knew this was not only one of those days, but one of the worst days she had. He knocked on the door and halted her actions, “But your sweats on.”

“What?”

“I said put your sweats on, my hoodie, and get your pretty ass out to the living room in five minutes. Take your makeup off too and put your hair up.”

She was confused but ultimately was fine with his words. Wearing sweats definitely beats having to wear tights and shorts and a dress. And wearing his hoodie? That beat everything. Jack sat in the living room calling the restaurant to cancel the reservation, ordering her favorite food, and putting on her favorite movie.

She came out five minutes later and sat on the couch, crossing her legs. Jack wrapped one of his arms around her waist and pulled her into his side as close as he could without her being on top of him, not that he would have minded her there in the slightest, “Talk to me, please.”

His voice sounded like he was pleading, and he was. He wanted to make all of her insecurities go away, shower her with love, and make her feel loved. And if he accomplished that and was able to cuddle her, he would be more than okay to do this every day instead of going out.

She sighed and Jack gave her his hand so she could fiddle with her fingers, something she always did when she got anxious, “I wasn’t lying when I said it was one of those days.”

She took a deep breath before continuing, “It’s just- that dress was the dress I could always count on myself knowing I would look good in. I don’t usually have to think about it too hard, I could just put it on and go. When you zipped it up, I could tell it fit a little tighter than it usually did and it just felt…” She couldn’t exactly describe what she felt, how she felt. If you knew the feeling, you knew the feeling.

Tears pricked at her eyes as she gripped his hand tighter, “I just want to feel pretty Jack.”

That absolutely, utterly, broke, no shattered, his heart. He hated that his girl had to feel like this, hated that society had made it so not only her but every girl that didn’t look like the stereotypical one had to feel like they weren’t beautiful. At that moment, caring about whether or not she would think she was crushing him flew out of his mind and he pulled her into his lap. She didn’t even have the energy to protest and dug her head into his shoulder.

His own tears welled up in his eyes as he listened to her cry, it was one of his least favorite sounds in the whole world, maybe the worst sound he’s ever heard. He let her cry for a few minutes before pulling her head away and cupping her face with both of his hands. She sniffled, reaching her hand up to wipe her nose and Jack wiped the tears for her. She was glad that she had decided to take her makeup off after contemplating it for a few minutes.

“I want you to listen to me, y/n. And please, actually listen to me.”

She nodded, still trying to rid of the remnants of her crying off of her face, “You are beautiful, no matter who tells you differently. I will always think you’re beautiful. I know that self-love is the most important kind of love there is and it breaks my heart every time I see you look at yourself a little longer in the mirror in the mornings or when you pull at the fabric of your shirt while you’re working at the kitchen table. And I am more than willing to help you feel beautiful all day every day.

“I know that you’re not going to feel pretty all of the time, everyone has those days. Even me, pretty boy Hughes.”

His comment made her laugh a little and he smiled when he heard it, that was one of his favorite sounds in the world. He smiled a little more when he felt her hand run through his hair, “There’s my girl.”

This comment makes her blush instead and that causes him to smile even more, “And there is the blush that I still cannot believe I make you do. Somehow you just got ten times more gorgeous.”

Her cheeks reddened even more and he chuckled a little at it this time. He moved his hands from her head to her hips, his thumbs resting under his sweatshirt and rubbing soft circles into her skin, “There will always be someone to say something, trust me and I wish I could take it all away so it wouldn’t hurt you. But, I want you to know that I love you for you and I could never imagine myself loving anyone else.

“Anyone could have a model as their girlfriend or their wife, but only I can have you. And that’s what makes me love you, y/n. Not the way you look, though I adore how you look, but instead the way you smile when you see me every time, the way you always cuddle me after a rough game, the way you know when something is wrong, the way you treat everyone like they hung the stars, and the way you moan-”

“Jack!”

He laughed, throwing his head back in the process, his hands subtly tightening on her hips, “My point is, before you so rudely interrupted me listing the things I love about you.” She slapped his arm before smiling at him, “You don’t need to live up to anyone else’s expectations of beautiful when you think you are. As long as you think you’re beautiful that’s all that matters, as long as you do it for you and not for anyone else.”

Tears pricked at her eyes once more, this time out of love and happiness, “I love you so so much, Jacky.”

He kissed her cheek and then kissed her, making her jump in shock a little before melting into the kiss. His hands moved further up underneath her sweatshirt and he moved to kiss her neck, causing her to let out a soft moan when he hit her sensitive spot right on the dot. That made him grin as he pulled away.

That was his favorite sound in the world.

𝑵𝑬𝑾 𝑱𝑬𝑹𝑺𝑬𝒀 𝑫𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑳𝑺 𝑻𝑨𝑮𝑳𝑰𝑺𝑻 ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

if your name is crossed out it means i couldn't tag you

#sunny lune writes #nhl #hockey #nhl hockey #nhl imagine #hockey imagine #jack hughes #jh86 #jack hughes x reader #jack hughes imagine #new jersey devils #nj devils

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grimm-writings · 2 days

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HI IT'S EAVESDROP ANON YOU GAVE ME AN IDEA what if izutsumi and reader faced the succubi together, and izu sees that one of reader's succubi looks like chilchuck !! maybe she promises to keep it a secret, but also talks to reader about it? bonus points if izu and reader have a sort of unspoken mother/daughter relationship :')

to the grave

…ft! chilchuck x fem! reader, izutsumi & reader

…tags! headcanon format, slight suggestive points, motherly reader

…wc! 623

…notes! give it up for One Whole Request Complete omfg. sorry for how short it is eavesdrop anon it’s been a rough few weeks for me 🫶 this is absolutely not my best work, but i did what i could!

“Come on… I know you always thought about how I’d look underneath you.”

Hearing the words come from his mouth renders you still. It’s his face, his voice, yet completely wrong.

You had thought he had somehow recovered and came back to help you, but of course it isn’t as easy as it appeared.

You’re lucky to have Izutsumi with you. If it weren’t for her pushing you out of the way to claw at the succubus, you probably would have dropped all pretence and leaned down to where you had Chilchuck – or the succubus, rather – pinned to the floor to kiss.

Still, you can’t miss the look of absolute disbelief she gives you.

Silence fills the air as the succubus is reduced to nothing more than slob on the floor. You refuse to look at what, to you, is eerily similar to Chilchuck’s visage. Disturbingly so. For just a second, you consider reaching out to it (him?) again. However, Izutsumi is quick to swat you away. “Hey, we have a mob incoming,” she tells you. You are about to retort, interrogating if she even felt remorse for hurting someone that looks like your ally, but Izutsumi’s quick to interrupt. “We’ll discuss this later.” She leaves your side. Preparing your weapon with a deep breath, you prepare to fight off the waves of succubi ahead.

It’s only when you and Izutsumi assemble all the bodies of your allies does she finally speak up.

She really isn’t interested in the ‘hot gossip’ like Marcille would be. In her own rough way, Izutsumi is more just expressing worry for you.

She doesn’t overall react to the fact it’s Chilchuck that you saw. It was just sort of an “Oh!” before she remembered that this succubus will steal your life force.

“So, you just wanted to protect me?” At your conclusion, Izutsumi growls. She faces away from you as she drags over a succubus to drain into Senshi’s pot. “When you put it like that,” she grumbles, “it makes it sound all virtuous and sappy.” You laugh, reaching over to pat Izutsumi’s head. “I appreciate it very much, thank you Izutsumi.” Maybe it’s the fact she just had to confront this ‘mother’ the succubi took the form of, but the cat girl feels at ease when you show affection to her. She sighs, giving up on the argument quicker than she normally would.

That is to say… she wouldn’t not tease you.

She’d hand you some of the milk, poured into a bowl. “Here, for Chilchuck.”

Your face contorts in confusion. “Why me?”

“So you can get all close and intimate and stuff.”

“Izutsumi.”

She wants to support you both! She just… doesn’t really care.

The party has woken up, and by now Marcille has spoken up, “what were your succubi like? Laios? Oh, what about yours?” She turns to you, her green eyes glimmering with curiosity. Cheeks and tip of her ears flushed, it’s hard to miss what exactly she’s on about. You sheepishly laugh anyway, your mind recalling the lowered eyelids, the words spoken to you by the succubus. “I don’t know if I…” “Hey, don’t pressure her to say things like that.” Chilchuck’s voice cuts through the air, and makes you jump. He’s at your side, shooing Marcille away. “That stuff’s usually private for a reason. If she wants to say, she will.” It doesn’t go unnoticed how Chilchuck doesn’t say a word when Marcille instead asks Laios for details on his succubus, though. Though you should be glad Izutsumi isn’t awake to see this. If she was, she’d be rolling her eyes and bemoaning how nauseating the pining was to herself. So, maybe taking things to the grave is for the better.

#✮ grimm's fics!#dungeon meshi imagines #delicious in dungeon imagines #dungeon meshi x reader #delicious in dungeon x reader #delicious in dungeon #dungeon meshi #chilchuck #chilchuck tims #chilchuck x reader #chilchuck tims x reader #chilchuck imagines #chilchuck tims imagines #izutsumi #izutsumi imagines #this is so crap i'm sorry folks </3

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artist-issues · 2 days

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every now and then I play with the exercise of "what if we're wrong" because sometimes I get bored and also as an actual exercise. I usually apply this to Christianity/religion, matters of the after life, or about other people.

So sometimes I poke at the big question, if Christianity isn't real, what does that mean? And I don't usually go the route of atheism or bad sci fi, just that the religion is proven to be fundamentally inaccurate to reality, so what does that mean?

Anyway it wasn't until I was reading a really good sci fi story, where this one dude explains to some aliens the concept of "Love your enemies, do good to those that hurt you" and of course the aliens are like what? (Because in the sci fi narrative the universe is functioning under a Dark Forest Theory) And the dude explains its from one of earth's greatest teachers. And the aliens are like, if the inhabitants of the universe could believe that, this universe would be a different place entirely.

And it was at that point where I realized bro... even if it's not accurate, practicing Christianity is still worth it, for a human being. Loving your enemies means loving them like humans. The Poor, the Meek, and those who mourn, those are promises and comforts that we shouldn't toss aside even if heaven isn't real.

I don't know, this is just a terribly simplistic because I'm not the best at putting my English thoughts into english out loud, but that crack gave me a touch of useful coping. I asked my dad, if aliens are proven to exist it doesn't automatically mean christians stop practicing and believing, right? And he said obviously not.

I don't know but have you ever engaged in such a question " what if we're wrong?" And if you ever have what answer had you arrived at?

EDIT: As @atwas-meme-ing correctly pointed out in the comments section of this post, who cares whether or not I’ve played this game: God answered the question through Paul in his letter to the Corinthians: “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” 1 Corinthians 5:19.

There’s no “good moral teaching” to be found in Christianity if Christ wasn’t God, or if God didn’t exist, or if eternity weren’t real. My rambling logic is below the cut.

I mean, I play that “game” all the time about other things, and sometimes I do it for work. I’ll take two established characters and a setting me and my friends have agreed on, and I’ll “run a scenario.”

But the thing is, once my brain picks out something that doesn’t make sense, or that wouldn’t be in-character for the characters to do, the whole scenario grinds to a halt and I have to start over. I can’t suspend my own disbelief once I notice that something doesn’t line up. Even if I really liked “where the scene was going” before I noticed that thing. Whatever I’m getting stuck on because of it’s out-of-character nature unravels the parts I like, too.

All that to say I can’t even run a scenario in my head where “what if all this isn’t true? What if it fundamentally doesn’t line up with reality?”

I can’t. Once or twice I have tried. But I hit snags immediately. I’ll go, “pretend all of this Christian religion really is just a centuries-old conspiracy humanity’s been patching up the holes in.”

But then that little simulation-checker in my brain goes, “then how do you explain people dying for it? That many martyrs aren’t likely to have allowed themselves to be tortured and murdered for something they knew was a conspiracy.”

And I go, “well, pretend they died because they didn’t know it was a conspiracy, they believed it.”

And the sim-checker goes, “but the original disciples of Jesus, ground-zero of the faith, were all martyred. Not just people who learned from them and came after them and could’ve been hoodwinked: the starting points, themselves. They would’ve had to know it was a conspiracy, if it was a conspiracy, and they still willingly died for it.”

Maybe I’ll pivot and go, “pretend there isn’t objective truth.”

And the sim-checker goes, “there isn’t truth…objectively?”

Maybe I’ll pivot again and try, “pretend that everyone really does just measure morality based on what they’re used to, what their individual society’s trained them to associate with pleasant feelings and reactions.”

And the sim-checker goes, “Okay, where did those societies get the training manual? Where did it come from? Why do so many different societies’ and people groups’ ‘association with pleasant feelings and reactions’ around the world have so many things in common?”

And the answers to all that leads me back to Christianity. Even if I go the longest way round I can think of.

And eventually I quit running those scenarios. Because guess what?

Where’d the ability to run scenarios come from?

How did I get that? How did you?

See, the thing is, we go, “what if all of this isn’t true?” But it’s right there in the question. “Where did you get that desire? The desire for “truth?”” Is it to keep yourself safe, like the natural animals have an instinct toward, or is it to keep yourself sane, because you need some sense in this life to make it through? Sure. Maybe. But why? What’s “sane?” What’s “safe?” Sanity presupposes order. Why do you, and all humans, naturally lean toward wanting things to be “the way they’re supposed to be?” Where’d that come from, that idea of “supposed to be?” And Safety presupposes good being found in avoiding pain and damage and fear. “Good?” Where’d you get that idea?”

The further you dig, even into your own psyche, the less you can run any scenario that has God absent entirely. And no wonder. He designed it.

One more thing.

“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” - C.S. Lewis

I used to lean into the idea you’re saying here. “Even if it’s not true, I’m going to live like it is and believe it just in case. Besides, it makes me better, and makes the world better.” That’s not belief at all. That’s ends-justify-the-means thinking. The teachings that Jesus gave which “make the world a better place” are utterly worthless if they’re coming out of the mouth of a liar. Because why should anyone believe Him? Why should anyone “turn the other cheek,” or “do unto others?” Because it makes us “better?” Who gets to define “better?”

The answer, of course, is Jesus does. The One who taught those sayings. But only if He’s God. Only if He was telling the truth. If He wasn’t God, what right has He, to tell us to give away our possessions to others and let them abuse us and give our lives up? If He was a liar, all of those “good teachings” would be tainted and untrustworthy. Besides, like I just said, they’re all only able to be called “good” teachings if you accept that there is one objective, universal “good.” And we’re right back to “where did Good come from?”

All roads lead back there, to Him. But we humans like to do this thing with God where we pretend there could be any reality outside of Him. It sort of makes sense, how we got that way. After all, when was the last time you noticed oxygen? How often during the day do you consciously inhale and exhale? As often as it happens automatically? How often during the day do you notice oxygen touching your skin or moving your hair or drying your eyeballs? As often as those things happen automatically? No. But it’s ever-present. Without it, you couldn’t live, let alone notice anything. But oxygen has always been around and everything in our lives interacts with or can only exist WITH it. God is much more than that, but that’s as close as I can get to communicating: He’s so good, and He’s so constantly there, everything, all the time, that it’s easy for us to take Him for granted, forget Him entirely, then use our two-pound brain matter to say, “He might not exist.” You might as well say, “imagine a world with no matter.” 🙄 “Ohhhh kay. Then it wouldn’t be a world.”

#This was fun to talk about though #because even when you’re trying to pick apart truth for “fun” you just get…a closer look at how true truth is.#analysis #christianity #apologetics #theology #faith #Jesus Christ #Bible #c.s. Lewis

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thinkingaboutjaedyn · 1 day

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locked in an open room, stuck with a closed conversation | j.fleming x reader

prompt: you and jessie are lost in the woods on a school trip. stressed and under pressure, feelings come out.

author notes: this is inspired from a scene in one of my favorite shows, big girls don't cry. it's a great show go watch it if you want. anyways, this is an experimental writing for me. just trying things out. hopefully y'all like it!

contains: teenage!jessie x reader, angst until the last minute, they're dating or not? we'll see, homoerotic typical teenage girls situationship, "i wish you were a boy"

playing normal girl by sza 🎵

stay in pairs, they said. then you won't get lost, they said. which that was actual bullshit because jessie and you are lost in the woods right now. with no sense of direction at all. why would you tag along with the girl who probably couldn't tell her left from her right? oh yeah, you remember why.

because this girl with no sense of direction has been avoiding you for the last two months of highschool and you are tired of that. thinking that if you two have to be together for a few hours while on this week long end of the year trip that she would finally talk to you. not even having to be a conversation, but more then a few words in class about work.

"i think maybe we should stop walking for now," jessie says softly. she's a few steps ahead of you. her back is facing you, but you can tell she has a frustrated expression on that freckled face of hers. jessie didn't like lacking control in pretty much any situation. everybody thinks she's laidback, but you knew different. you know how angry she gets when soccer games don't go her way. how she cries after seeing a bad grade. the way she makes sure that everyone thinks of the word chill when it comes to her reputation.

that sense of needing control is really the basis for why you two are in this predicament right now but jessie would never admit it.

"nah. i think we should keep going or even try to turn back like i said earlier," you stare at her back. still she isn't facing you. your words come out sharper then they should, but can you really care right now when the sun is about to set and you have been walking for nearly two hours at this point and everything looks the same in every direction.

no, you don't have it in you to care.

jessie turns to face her finally but keeps her distance. like she's been doing for the past two months; always two steps ahead of you, too far away to reach because she would pull back if you tried.

"why do you think that? we are already lost. moving would just make it worse," she reasons with her usual logic that you would agree with it if it came from anyone else right now but your eyes are focused on the sun that is nearly set in the sky behind jessie and how her voice is way too nonchalant for the situation right now that you let your emotions control all your actions.

you shake your head in disagreement. jessie frowns at that. did you not take her words seriously?

"i told you that we should turn back nearly a whole hour ago and you thought you knew better," you let your frustration funnel into your words. jessie scoffs, ready to defend herself. when she scoffs you feel the strong urge to scoff as well because what rights does she have to be as frustrated as you?

ration and logic are not working in your mind right now.

"because we were walking around in a fucking circle, so i was trying to find i don't know like a river or something to follow. instead of going the back into that circle," she snaps back. the stress of the situation is starting to get to her. why would she agree to partner with you? was she out of her mind? were you of yours?

you snap back just as quick, "yeah because you aren't able to tell directions apart if your life depended on it. which it actually does right now and i wish you would stuff your pride up your ass so we can get somewhere."

"to get where? no, go ahead, tell me! we're stuck in the woods and everything looks the same and you think that you can just figure it out? you aren't a genius, y/n!" jessie shouts. not caring for her volume because who would even hear?

you let out a loud laugh at her words. oh, so the only conversation she can have with you is an argument. okay, that's fine. you'll give her that.

"i never said i was a genius. what do you expect me to do? maybe if you knew how to communicate, we wouldn't be here," you say to her, "you knew we were lost a while ago and didn't say a thing! then when i realized it, you got all pissy at me!"

"oh whatever. you can never pick up on what's happening unless it's fed to you?" she argues back.

"ever think maybe i followed you blindly into these woods because i trusted you?"

was the argument even about being lost anymore? was it ever about that?

"well, maybe you should learn to trust yourself more and listen to your intuition instead of relying on me," jessie says, not shouts. still the tension is laying there in between you two. she's still so far away from you, a few steps ahead. almost leaning against a tree but she's just stubbornly holding herself at that one spot really.

you nod your head. she wants you to trust yourself? you don't know why you didn't realize you guys were lost earlier, but you know why you partner up with her; you need answers. she wants you to listen to your intuition? okay.

"hm, okay. thanks for the advice. i have some of my own. how about not ignoring your girlfriend for two months straight," you say. a flash of surprise shows itself on jessie's face. she wasn't expecting that but she should have known you would bring that up eventually.

"my girlfriend? who said we were girlfriends?" the words don't even sound right coming out of jessie's mouth. she knows they're a lie. you're girlfriends but that doesn't mean she has to confirm it right now. out in the open where anyone could hear. even though nobody is around.

you want to laugh at her denial. who was she fooling? because there wasn't any audience there. just you and her. she couldn't lie to you so she was definitely lying to herself.

"that kiss we shared after practice underneath the bleachers or maybe the kiss we had on your birthday or the fact we spend, no use to spend, all our time together for nearly two years. your mom suspected something one time and now we aren't girlfriends anymore?" you say. jessie knows you have a point but she can't help to feel angry. you just don't get it.

"what did you expect? i couldn't let my mom figure anything out. i can't be seen like that with you!"

"and why is that?" you already knew the answer, but you want to hear it from jessie. even though it will hurt.

"because you aren't a boy!" she shouts but her voice drops into a lower volume when she speaks next, "and you knew that when you started to date me that nobody could know.. because you aren't a boy. sometimes i wish you were one."

okay. that really fucking hurts.

author notes: this is so messy and quick paced but i sorta like it. that's the literal ending, nothing else. i tried to use a few double meanings but idk if they landed. hopefully you guys liked my experiment.

#jessie fleming x reader #jessie fleming #woso x reader #woso angst #woso fanfics

103 notes · View notes

luciathcv · 3 days

Text

teeth - nmr

summary: lucia goes to decelis expecting a somewhat normal school year. what she doesn't expect is for her best friend to be a vampire. || warnings: arranged marriage || genre: vampire!enhypen, fluff, angst, horror, slight enemies to friends, friends to lovers || word count: approximately 8.8k

a/n: divider credits -> @dollywons || a/n pt 2: if you read "read my mind" which is about heeseung on my wattpad you'll see that i made a lot of references to it and show more of heeseung and jia after the "read my mind" story takes place!

Decelis Academy, a place where the mortal and the immortal lived amongst one another. A place where you didn’t know who was on the same side as you. A place where you had to fear for your life, as a mortal, at least. Even if you didn’t want to, it was something always in the back of your mind, whether you liked it or not. Despite all of that, it was one of the top places for education and it was actually a safer place than the world outside of the Decelis Academy campus grounds.

Today was my first day at Decelis, the first day of the new school year as well. I’d gotten to Decelis only the day before, unlike the others who’d either remained for the summer, or who’d gotten here a week before. Since I’d gotten to the academy late, I ended up having a small one-person bedroom at the end of the girls dormitory hall. It wasn’t as nice as the other rooms and it did kind of suck that I’d be alone, but at the same time, the fact that I’d be alone, was nice.

The first class would be starting in nearly ten minutes, but the campus was big and I was new to the school, so I headed to class a few minutes earlier than the others. Not only that, but I had to get my stuff from my locker. I hadn’t bothered to go to breakfast in the morning, hence the fact that I was even more unfamiliar with the campus, not feeling hungry much anyways.

I eventually found my first class, that class being English class. I walked inside and the teacher greeted me, informing me that there was a seating chart. He then looked at a piece of paper and informed me on where I’d be sitting. I nodded, thanking him, before I headed to the seat which was in a middle row, off to the side of the classroom, putting my stuff on the desk as I sat down.

People started piling into the room after me, me being the first one in the classroom. Maybe, I didn’t need to leave my dorm so early, but being early to class wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially not on the first day.

Just as the bell had rung, a guy had walked into the room. He had black hair, the bangs covering his face a little bit. He was also definitely quite tall, I could tell even from where I was sitting. His uniform was styled in a way that definitely wasn’t the intended look, his uniform looking a little messy but somehow he made it look cool.

“Nishimura Riki.” The teacher greeted the boy, seemingly already knowing who he was. “You’re seated over there, next to Lucia _______.” He said, motioning over to me. I made eye contact with the boy whose name was apparently Riki before looking away, down at the desk. Riki nodded and walked over to where I was sitting, sitting at the desk next to mine. The desks in the room were put together in pairs so we were somewhat close to one another.

Riki plopped down at his seat. He then glanced over at me, noticing that I was still looking down at my desk, before he smirked to himself and looked at the teacher.

The teacher had begun his instruction, telling the class a little bit about himself but mostly just going over the syllabus for the school year. It was boring, the first day of school was always boring, in my opinion, at least.

The whole time our English teacher was talking, Riki was next to me tapping his feet, playing with a pen, and just completely not paying attention. I couldn’t blame him but the foot tapping was kind of annoying me as it was slightly shaking my desk that was against mine, causing his desk to hit my desk.

Finally, the class came to an end and it was time for me to head to my next class. I was kind of happy to be done going over this syllabus and I was especially happy to be out of that seat next to the cute boy who was kind of annoying me the whole class.

Finally, it was the last period of the day. The day had been entirely uneventful for me to say the least. I’d talked to no one really and as I said before, we had mostly just been going over syllabuses all day and maybe doing a short icebreaker or two in some classes.

My last class was a class specific to Decelis Academy. It was somewhat of a history class about Decelis Academy itself which I figured would be quite interesting.

I arrived and walked inside to find out that there luckily was no assigned seating in this class, something that seemed to be a rare thing at this school. I sat in the back of the class. I noticed that these desks were also put in pairs. I figured it made sense though since it seemed that this class would be more of an interactive class, something I wasn’t sure that I necessarily liked the idea of.

I was distracted as I looked at the syllabus for the class that was put on the desks before we even got to class. I looked at the brief descriptions of the topics we’d been going over. I was kind of excited to get into it. Although, at the same time, it did give me a bit of anxiety with some of the topics. I wasn’t necessarily scared of all vampires, but when I thought of certain things, it did stress me out. One of the most stressful things about this school was the unknowingness of who is a mortal and who isn’t. Maybe it wouldn’t stress me out as much if I wasn’t left completely in the dark.

I’m startled by someone sitting next to me, the desk hitting into mine. I glanced over just to see the guy from my English class. What was his name again? Ni- Niki? No.. Riki. Riki, it was Riki. I looked around the room, noticing that there were a few other empty seats, cursing the universe for making him sit next to me.

The teacher started talking about the syllabus, something I’d expected to take all periods like all of the other classes, but this time, it only took half of the class. “Now, everyone. We’re going to do a little icebreaker between you and your partner. I want you guys to get to know one another a little. I also want you guys to talk about what you’re most interested in learning about in this class this year.” The teacher told us. “And I’m going to be walking around to make sure you guys are talking.” He added.

I watched as the teacher went to his desk, sitting down. I didn’t know what to say, not really wanting to talk to Riki despite the fact that I knew I had to. If we were going to talk, I just wanted him to start the conversation. A few moments of silence later, he did.

“So, what was your name again?” He asked, his voice deep and soft.

I looked over at him to see him looking at me, “Lucia.” I responded.

“Riki.” He said back, introducing himself. I just awkwardly smiled and nodded, looking down at my hands that rested on the desk. “So, where are you from?” Riki then asked.

“_____.” I said, telling him that I was from a town nearby Decelis Academy and he nodded, “What about you?” I then asked.

“____.” Riki answered, naming another town, also nearby Decelis Academy, that I’d heard of before. “So.. you like this stuff. The history of Decelis?” He then asked.

“Uh, yeah. I guess so.” I said, not really sure since I didn’t really know much about it. “I don’t really know a lot about it.” I told him.

“Well, what do you know?” Riki then asked.

“All I know is that humans and vampires live in coexistence with one another here and that.. we don’t know who is what.” I said, explaining the little knowledge that I knew.

“Yeah, that’s right.” Riki confirmed, nodding his head a little. “You’ll learn more the longer you’re here.” He then told me and I nodded, I figured he was right about that. I looked down at my fingers again, fiddling and playing with them. “You’re shy, huh?” Riki then straightforwardly asked.

I looked over at him again, blushing a little at him mentioning that, “I.. I guess.”

Riki just snickered, not in a demeaning way towards me, but in an amused way. “Cute.” He said, quietly, but loud enough that I could hear.

I didn’t say anything in response, not being able to form words as I looked down at my hands again. We remain like that for a few moments before the teacher comes over. “Guys, let’s start talking, alright?” He said before walking away.

I looked over at Riki who just laughed at the teacher, I couldn’t help but smile as well. As he laughed, I noticed his sharp canine teeth but immediately looked past it, pretty much ignoring it and thinking nothing of it as I looked down at my hands again. Humans had sharp canine teeth and Riki’s being a little sharper than others wasn’t a red flag to me, it just seemed normal.

The bell eventually rang, signaling the end of the school day. I got up and grabbed my stuff. Riki got up as well, “See you.” He said before leaving the room. I watched as he walked out before I started out of the classroom as well. I didn’t know it yet but that would be the start of a long school year.

I sat in English class the next day. The bell had rung a few minutes ago but Riki was nowhere to be seen. Maybe that was a good thing.

I looked up at the teacher who was currently doing a powerpoint presentation for us. I was trying my best to just pay attention, having an easier time than yesterday.

The door opened and I looked over to see Riki. He glanced over at me before looking at the teacher who’d put his hands on his hips in disappointment.

“Nishimura Riki, late already and it’s only the second day.” The teacher said.

“I slept in.” Riki said.

“That’s not an excuse.” The teacher sighed as he waved Riki off to go sit down. Riki smirked to himself as he came over and sat down next to me. “Take out your notebook and something to write with guys, you’re going to have to take notes on the next few slides.” The teacher instructed us.

I got my notebook out from under a folder and put it in front of me before grabbing my pencil case and taking a pen out of it.

“You got a pen that I can borrow?” Riki asked softly and I looked over, not really hearing him clearly.

“What?” I asked.

“You got a pen that I can borrow?” He repeated himself, holding his hand out expectantly.

I took a pen out of my pencil case and silently put it in his hand. He took it and placed it on his desk.

Riki then put his arms on the desk and rested his head. So, what was the point of even taking the pen if he wasn’t going to do work? He remained like that for the rest of the period. The bell rang and he sat up, going to give me back the pen.

“You can keep it.” Was all I said as I grabbed my stuff and got up, leaving the classroom.

Lunchtime came and once again, I sat alone at lunch. I didn’t really mind it though, it gave me time to just relax in between classes. Today, I’d taken a book with me so that I had something to do while I ate. I was enjoying reading it, lost in my own world as I read and ate when suddenly there was a voice in my ear.

“What’re you reading?” I heard and flinched, looking back to see Riki looking down at me with an amused smirk.

“Frankenstein.” I answered as he moved away, sitting down next to me, completely uninvited.

“Frankenstein? Dracula is much better.” Riki said.

“I’m going to read that next.” I said. “Have you read Frankenstein before?” I asked.

“No, and I don’t plan on it. I haven’t even read Dracula.” Riki answered.

I rolled my eyes, “So, then how do you know he’s better?” I asked.

“Anything is better than Frankenstein.” Riki said, matter-of-factly, but also in a slightly teasing manner.

“Whatever.” I sighed as I continued reading, hoping ignoring him would make him go away.

“So, I was wondering if you could give me the notes from English.” Riki then spoke after a few moments of silence.

I looked at him again, “Why?”

“You saw me sleeping in class, didn’t you?” Riki asked.

“Yeah.. but that was your choice.” I reminded him.

“Wow, feisty.” He chuckled. “Come on, this is the only time I’ll ask for them.” Riki then said, but truthfully, I doubted that.

I sighed, “They’re in my locker.” I quietly said.

“Then, come on. Lunch’s about to be over anyways.” Riki said, getting up from his seat.

I got up, throwing the rest of my food out, as I took my book and led Riki to my locker. I unlocked it and opened it as Riki stood behind me. I grabbed my English notebook and turned around, handing it to him. I looked up at him, “Can you give it back to me during last period?” I asked.

“Yeah.” Riki said, looking down at me. “Thanks, Lucia.” He then said. “You’re welcome.” I said. He looked down into my eyes and in this lighting at least, it seemed to almost be changing color. The bell rang, interrupting whatever was just happening. I grabbed my stuff for my next class from my locker before shutting it, locking it again. “Bye.” I quickly said before walking off to my next class.

It was the last period of the day and to my surprise, Riki had actually gotten to class before me. I walked over to my desk and sat down, putting my stuff on the table. Riki then slid over my English notebook and I took it, putting it in my pile of stuff.

“Thank you.” I said, feeling a little flustered after whatever happened at the locker earlier. It was so weird. It was simple eye contact but it left me feeling dizzy for the rest of the day. It’s probably all in my head.

“You’re welcome.” Riki told me, leaning back in his chair a little.

Class started up and the teacher started talking, explaining that we’d be using textbooks in this class. He then went to a cabinet, opening it up before telling everyone to come up and get a book. I got up, and Riki did as well, the both of us, along with the other students, getting up to get our books. Somehow, Riki had gotten to the front of the crowd, while I remained in the back. I impatiently waited for people to take their books and go so that I could get mine already, I didn’t understand what was taking everybody so long.

Riki walks away from the cabinet, making his way through everyone. Suddenly, he pushes a book gently against my chest, causing me to grab it. He then walked past me and back to his seat. I stood there for a moment before heading back to my desk. He’d gotten me a book. My heart was beating out of my chest. It was so weird, I mean, sure, yesterday I did find him cute, but really that was it. Then, suddenly, today, I feel like I’m head over heels for him after only one day of knowing him. This has never happened to me before.

I sat down and put my textbook down. I sat there and waited while everyone eventually made their way back to their seats. The teacher told us what page to flip to and so everyone did. He then started reading out the text.

Vampires are blood-drinking immortals who can feast on animals, including mortal humans. They are a big threat at Decelis Academy as they are everywhere, you just don’t know who they are.

Vampires feed mainly for survival but for pleasure as well. They can also easily manipulate the minds of humans. You have to be wary of who you just trust within Decelis.

Next to that text was a picture of someone in a vampire costume. It was so tacky, I couldn’t help but stifle a giggle. Riki looked over at me, “Is that supposed to be scary?” Riki whispered as he pointed at the picture in his textbook. I looked at him, shrugging as I smiled.

The teacher then continued to read from the book. It was kind of interesting, I’ll admit. It was just the cringey obviously fake pictures that made it so funny. I knew it was wrong but I was holding my laugh the whole time.

The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Everyone shut their books, the teacher telling us to just leave it on the desks. I got up and grabbed my stuff.

“These textbooks are so stupid. They don’t even tell half of the truth.” Riki commented. I looked over at him. “I had to do a research project last year and I looked at the books in the library. They gave so much more information.” He explained. “You’re interested in that stuff, right, Miss. Frankenstein?” Riki then asked me, teasing me a little as well.

I gave him a look after hearing his nickname before answering. “I am.”

“Well, you should check it out sometime. I could show you?” Riki then suggested.

“Okay..” I agreed.

“We could go after class tomorrow? I have something I have to do today.” He then said.

“Okay, sure.” I agreed again. “Thank you.” I then timidly said.

“You’re welcome.” Riki said before walking off.

Riki and I walked out of our last period the day after. He walked with me down the halls, leading me to the library as I’ve never been there before nor have I even seen it around campus before. But then again, I hadn’t explored the campus too much.

We finally arrived at two large doors with a sign over it that said “Library”. Riki opened the door and we walked inside. I looked over at the front desk to see no one. The librarians nowhere in sight. I could see a few people, randomly around the library, either quietly doing schoolwork or looking through the books.

“Come on, it’s in the back.” Riki softly said and I nodded, following after him.

We walked to the far back before Riki finally stopped walking. I looked up and saw the “Mythology” section. He motioned for me to go inside.

I looked through the books, my fingers grazing over the books as I looked through the titles. Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolfman, all sorts of books like that. Along with that, there were books about each thing, like; Spot a Werewolf and then Spot a Vampire. I took the Spot a Vampire book out without even thinking. Opening the pages and skimming through.

They have to be told they can enter one’s place of residence before entering. They have sharp teeth in general but when they’re in a trance, their teeth get sharper. Their eyes tend to change color. Vampires do not need normal human necessities like food and sleep. They can eat if they want, but they can’t sleep. They are cold. They don’t have a heartbeat. They drink blood. Even at the mere sight or scent of it, they get put in a trance.

“What’re you reading?” Riki asked, looking down over my shoulder, breaking me out of the focus I had on the book.

I glanced up at him before looking down at the book again, “Spot a Vampire.” I said. I shut the book, putting it back in the bookshelf. “You’re right. These books do give more information than the Textbook.” I then told him, giving him a soft smile.

“Yeah, I know. Those textbooks are shit.” Riki said, smiling back down at me.

“Thanks for showing me this.” I suddenly said. Although he was annoying at first, he was the first and only person so far at this school to actually talk to me.

“You’re welcome.” Riki told me. “I don’t really come in here much, it’s kind of for nerds, but I thought you’d like it.” He then said with a shrug.

“Hey! So, you’re calling everyone in here nerds? Including me?” I asked, smiling a little as I knew he was just teasing.

“Maybe.” He said with a shrug.

I fake scoffed as I walked past him, I’d have to come back here when I finished Frankenstein and borrow Dracula.

Riki ended up walking me back to the girls dormitory. He could only really walk me to the corridor entrance though, as guys weren’t allowed over there. I thanked him before saying my goodbye, walking to my dorm.

The next day, it was Friday. The day had gone by the same as all of the other days of the week. The work was quite simple and easy as it was only the first week of school. I was sitting at lunch, reading Frankenstein. I was almost finished, only three chapters left.

“Hey, Miss. Frankenstein.” I heard from behind me and I already knew who it was; Riki.

“Can you stop calling me that?” I asked, a small blush forming on my cheeks. The nickname was so embarrassing.

Riki sits down next to me, “What else would I call you?” He asked with a playful smirk.

“My name.” I responded.

“Fine. Hey, Lucia.” He said, feigning boredom when saying that.

“Hi, Riki.” I said back, looking back down at my book.

“Stop reading that for a second, nerd. I have something to ask you.” Riki then said. I folded the page I’d left off on and shut the book before looking over at him, waiting for him to speak. “There’s a huge abandoned mansion in the woods. My friends and I totally revamped the place. We’re going to be having a party there. Everyone’s coming.” He told me. “Want to come?” He then asked.

I thought for a moment, “I don’t know. I don’t really know anyone.”

“So, then you can get to know people at the party. Besides, you know me, and I’ll be there.” Riki reminded me. “So, what do you say?” He then asked.

“Fine.” I sighed.

“It’s right after last period. You can come with me since you don’t know the way.” He then said.

“Okay.” I said, agreeing to that plan.

“Cool.” Riki nodded. “I’m gonna go sit with my friends, want to come? Or would you rather read your book?” Riki then asked, his hand touching my book.

“I-” I did want to keep reading my book alone, and he did give me that option, but I wasn’t sure if that was the right thing to say.

Riki chuckled, “Read your book. I’ll see you in class, nerd.” He then said, getting up and ruffling my hair, messing it up a little bit, before he walked off.

After last period ended, I headed straight to my dorm to put my stuff away. I looked in the mirror in my bedroom, making sure I looked somewhat decent before leaving my room. I walked down the girl’s dormitory and went to the corridor entrance. I could see Riki waiting for me, leaning with his back against the wall. He and I were both still in our school uniforms, since apparently everyone was going to be.

He looked over at me and I walked over to him. “Come on.” Riki said, motioning for me to follow him. I caught up to him and walked by his side as he started walking through the school. We left through a side entrance, walking down a pathway to a place where the fence around the school was slightly lower, but still quite high.

“We’re going to climb.” Riki told me.

“Climb? I can’t climb fences.” I said, anxiety creeping up into my chest.

“It’s fine. It’s not hard.” Riki said. “I’ll help you.” He then told me. I sighed, taking a deep breath. “Grab onto the fence.” He instructed me and so I did. “Now put one foot in the fence.” He then said and so I did. “Now, go slowly and just use your feet and hands to climb up.” Riki told me. I did as he said. As I got a little higher, I felt Riki put his hand on my back, supporting me a little bit as I climbed up.

I made my way to the top of the fence. Riki then climbed up on his own and easily hopped over to the other side. He looked up at me, “Come on, go over the fence and jump.” He said.

“I- I can’t.” I said, anxiously. God, this was so embarrassing.

“Just go over to this side and I’ll help you down. You just need to come on this side first.” Riki said. I sighed as I put my legs over, one at a time. “Just climb down a little bit, then I’ll help you.” Riki then told me.

As he stepped closer to me, I suddenly became hyper aware of the fact that I was literally wearing a skirt. I shut my legs tightly, climbing down the fence a little bit. I then felt his hands on waist. “Let go.” Riki told me and I did. He then held me and put me down on the ground, letting go once I was stably on the floor.

“Come on, nerd.” Riki then said, starting to walk into the woods. I quickly caught up with him, not wanting to be far away from him when we were literally in the woods. There were so many dangers out here.

After ten minutes or so of walking, we arrived in front of a big mansion. I could see people piling into the house, the loud music from inside being clear from out here. “Come on, let me introduce you to my friends. They’re here already.” Riki told me. He then headed inside.

I followed him closely, trying my best to keep up but it was hard due to all of the people inside of the huge house, especially in this specific room. I saw him put his arm out for me and so I grabbed on, not even thinking as I held onto him.

We eventually made our way into a room where I could see six other boys and three girls. Everyone looked our way as we walked inside and I immediately felt out of place and awkward. I let go of Riki, suddenly feeling embarrassed. He looked over at me before grabbing my hand, causing me to let out a wince at how cold he was. I mean, it was cold out but wow.

“Guys, this is Lucia. She’s new here.” Riki introduced me to them.

“Hi.” I shyly greeted them and they all greeted me back.

“Nice to meet you, Lucia. I’m Dahyun.” One of the girls said, taking my hand and pulling me closer to her, away from Riki. “This is Yumin and this is Jia.” She then introduced me to two other girls.

“Hi, nice to meet you.” I said with a small smile.

“Are you dating Riki?” Dahyun then asked.

“Oh, no. No. We’re just friends.” I said.

“Oh, I see. I shouldn’t have assumed.” Dahyun then said.

“No, no. It’s fine.” I assured her.

“I’m dating Jay, Yumin’s dating Sunghoon, and Jia’s dating Heeseung.” Dahyun explained.

“Oh, that’s nice.” I said, awkwardly smiling. I glanced over at Riki who was at the other side of the room, talking with the boys.

I continued to talk with the girls, getting to know them more. They were all older than me, but they were all really sweet and inviting. All of us were talking when I suddenly had to go to the bathroom. I told them that I’d be right back and that I was just going to the bathroom and they all nodded, telling me to meet back with them after.

I smiled to myself as I walked out of the room, making my way up the stairs, where Jia said a bathroom was. I ended up finding it at the end of the hall. I knocked on the door before opening it, luckily finding no one in there. I went inside and shut the door.

After peeing and washing my hands, I went downstairs. I was walking down the hall, heading back to the room the girls were in when I saw Riki in the room next to it. I hesitated as I went closer.

“Have you never learned to not play with your food? Huh?” I heard a voice that definitely wasn’t Riki’s but that sounded somewhat familiar.

“I’m not playing with my food. It’s not like that. Besides, didn’t you do the same with Jia, huh, Heeseung?” Riki then asked, who turned out to be Heeseung, one of his friends he’d introduced me to.

“That wasn’t the same at all. I admit I did some things wrong, but I kept myself in check. Something that you’re not even worried about.” Heeseung scolded Riki.

“Am I not allowed to have fun anymore? All of the others were so boring. I don’t feel anything with them. At least she-” I walked away before I could hear anymore.

I walked back into the room, suddenly feeling down. Maybe I had some false expectations for Riki. Obviously I did. I doubted that he even liked me, but I thought he at least wanted to be friends. Apparently not. He was just using me this whole time.

I walked over to the girls and tried my best to act as I did before. They could tell something was wrong, I knew they could, but they didn’t say anything. A few minutes later, Riki and Heeseung walked into the room. Riki seemed annoyed.

I told the girls that I was going to go but that I would definitely talk to them more at school. I honestly really liked talking to them. They all agreed, asking if I wanted any of them to come with me. I declined.

I then walked over to Riki who looked down at me, “What’s up, nerd?” He asked.

“I’m going back to Decelis.” I told him.

“Already? What’s wrong?” Riki asked.

“Nothing. I’m just tired.” I lied. Heeseung looked at Riki and it was almost like Riki’s demeanor completely changed. “Have fun.” I then said, walking out of the room.

I quickly made my way through the crowd, making my way out of the house. I tried my best to remember which we came in. It was darker out at this point, the sun setting.

“Lucia, come on. What’s wrong?” I heard Riki. So, he followed me?

I looked back at him, “Nothing. I just want to go back.” I said.

“I’ll go with you.” Riki told me.

“No. Just stay with your friends.” I told him.

“No, Lucia,” Riki sternly said. “You’re not walking alone in the woods. It’s getting late. You don’t even know the way back.” He told me.

“I can find my way back.” I retorted.

“No, come on.” Riki said, taking my warm hand in his cold one.

“Fine.” I said before pulling away from him.

Riki sighed before starting to walk. I followed after him, keeping my distance. Riki slowed down and I ended up walking a little bit ahead of him. I was such an idiot. I mean, this is the one time I feel something so intense for someone in such a short time and he’s just using me. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have gotten like that over someone I’ve only known for a few days.

I was so caught up in my head that I didn’t realize the branch in the way. I ended up tripping over it and falling to the ground. My knees and hands scraping on some rocks on the ground. I could feel Riki’s hands on me, going to help me.

“Hey, you okay?” He asked. I’ve just fallen in front of the guy who is just playing me. Could this night get any worse?

I pushed him away from me as I got up on my own, wincing a little as I looked at my hands and saw a bit of blood. I then looked down at my knees since they were hurting as well, only to see blood there as well. I whined in pain as tears started flowing down my cheeks, not from the pain but from the embarrassment.

Riki came over to me, his hands on my shoulders, “You oka-” He trailed off as he noticed that I was bleeding. His grip on me tightened for a moment before he pulled away. Suddenly, I can hear some rustling coming from in the woods. My mind immediately went to it being some large scary animal or a vampire. I started crying more. “Come on, let’s go.” Riki said.

He then took my bloody hand in his, his grip tighter than before, as he pulled me along with him. A few minutes later, we arrived at the fence. I winced as I climbed up the fence, it was harder this time. Riki pushed me up, I didn’t even care about my skirt right now. Riki then climbed up and got on the other side. As soon as I got on the side of the campus, I was pulled down by Riki.

He grabbed my hand again and pulled me with him through the campus. We went inside the building and he walked into the girl’s dormitory corridor without a care. “Where’s your dorm?” He asked.

“At- at the end.” I said.

He brought me to the end and I unlocked my dorm, pulling away from him and going inside, expecting him to leave. I looked at him and noticed his eyes shining in the light. He stayed outside of the dorm, “I’ll be right back.” He said, quickly leaving me. I stood there for a few moments before I went out of my dorm, looking down the dorm, expecting to see him walking away, but instead there was no one, the hall was completely empty. Strange.

I sighed as I shut the door, going over to my bed and sitting down. I looked down at my cuts. I did not expect the night to go like this. Not at all.

A few minutes passed before there was a knock at my door. I got up and opened it to see Riki. He had some bandaids in his hand.

I sighed, not even wanting to be around him. “Come in.” I said.

He walked inside, “Go wash your hands and knees.” He said.

I did as he said, washing my hands, a lot of the blood coming off of my hand and knees. I then patted my hands and knees dry with a paper towel and put it in the garbage. I walked back into my bedroom.

“Sit down.” He said and so I did, sitting at the end of my bed.

Riki walked in front of me, crouching down as he opened a bandaid for me. He then took one of my hands, putting a bandaid on for me. He then grabbed my other hand and put another bandaid on me.

Riki grabbed my leg, bringing it up a little more as he opened a bigger bandaid and put it on my knee for me. He then took my other hand and put another bigger bandaid on me. Once he finished, I pulled away from his cold touch.

He stood up straight, gathering the wrappers and going into the bathroom, assumingly to throw them out. He then came out, “You need to watch where you’re going.” Riki said. I just scoffed as I wrapped my arms around my legs. He looked at me for a few moments, “You going to talk to me?” He then asked. I stayed silent. Riki groaned before walking out of the room, shutting the door behind him, leaving me be.

As soon as he left, I hit my head a few times with my hands. This was not how I thought things would go.

For the whole weekend and school week I completely ignored Riki. Not that he really tried to talk to me anyways. On Wednesday, me and the girls all talked and I told them about how Riki and I weren’t talking. I explained about what happened on Friday and they all took my side, although as I was talking, they were all giving each other looks that I couldn’t quite decipher.

Friday came again, and I was sitting in my last period class. Riki was next to me with his head down in his arms, sleeping, I guess. I just ignored him, just as I did previously the rest of the week. Eventually the bell rang and I grabbed my stuff, getting ready to spend the rest of the weekend alone.

I walked through the halls when suddenly, there was a hand gently grabbing my arm. I looked over, just to see Riki. “Lucia, can we talk?” He asked.

“About what?” I asked, playing dumb.

“You know what.” Riki sighed.

“Not now.” I brushed him off.

“Fine. Meet me on the rooftop at 10.” Riki then said, letting go of me and walking away.

I watched him for a moment, rolling my eyes, before I continued my journey back to my dorm.

10 o’clock had come and I was currently walking up the steps to the rooftop. Neither of us were supposed to be up here, especially at this time of night, so I tried to remain as quiet as possible as I snuck out of my room, through the hall, and up the stairwell.

I opened the door and shut it quietly behind me, wrapping my arms around me to try and protect myself from the cold, my silk pajamas not doing much. I looked around and I could see Riki sitting on the ground with his back to the ledge of the roof. He looked over at me and I slowly walked over, arms still wrapped around my torso. Riki sighed as he took his zip-up sweater off and put it on the ground next to him. “Sit down.” He said, and so I did, sitting on his sweater so that I didn’t get dirty.

“Lucia, what happened last week?” Riki asked.

I’m silent for a few moments before I decided to just tell him. “I accidentally overheard you talking with Heeseung at the party on Friday.” I admitted. I expected Riki to look shocked but he didn’t- he didn’t even seem phased. “Were you getting close to me all just to get in my pants?” I asked, and this time, Riki reacted, furrowing his eyebrows a little.

“What are you saying right now?” He asked. “Of course not.” He said.

I rolled my eyes, “I heard what Heeseung said and I heard what you said as well. You said all the other girls were boring. Was it all just some game for you?” I asked. “I mean, I thought that you wanted to be friends.” I said.

“I do. I do, Lucia.” Riki affirmed. “Heeseung doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I’m not doing this to.. to just get in your pants. I want to get to know you, Y/n.” He said.

I looked at him again, “Really?” I asked.

“Really.” Riki said. “I was- I was an idiot that night. I’ll admit. I got mad at you at your dorm. I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry.” He apologized.

“I mean.. I was ignoring you.” I softly said, feeling a little bad all of the sudden.

“Yeah, but I could’ve tried harder.” Riki countered. I’m silent again, not knowing what to say. “You… you don’t have to worry about me just using you. I wouldn't do that to you.” He told me.

“Okay..” I simply said.

“Okay..” Riki said back. “We good?” He then asked.

“Yeah.” I answered.

“Cool. I missed you, nerd.” Riki then added. I smiled before playfully slapping his arm. Riki smiled back at me.

The next few weeks went by normal, just like before, if not better as Riki and I got closer. Not only did I get closer with Riki but I also got closer to Dahyun, Yumin, and Jia, as well as the boys. It was nice, I’d never imagined I’d get along with so many people.

Everything, and I mean everything, changed one night in late October. It was late at night, almost midnight, when I had decided to go for a little walk around the building, trying to tire myself out a little bit before I went to sleep since I was feeling really restless.

I was walking through the empty corridor when I looked out the window to see a bunny. I smiled at the sight and I saw it stop and look at me, sitting there. I went to the door that led to outside, opening it and going outside. I slowly walked over to the bunny and crouched down, softly petting the cute fluffy animal.

Suddenly, the bunny started hopping off. I took a few steps, watching it leave with a soft smile before the moment was interrupted by a sound in the alleyway. My smile faded and I slowly took a few more steps, seeing someone in the alleyway. I gasped, not even thinking as I did so, and the person turned to look at me,

My heart dropped. It was Riki. I could see his sharp fangs protruding out of his mouth a little, blood staining the teeth and dripping down his face a little. I couldn’t believe it. I really couldn’t. Riki was.. a vampire? I screamed in fear and Riki suddenly popped up in front of me, as if he teleported, his hand covering my mouth, muffling the sound.

I tried my best to get away from him, scared that I’d just completely screwed myself. I was prepared for this to be my last night on this Earth. I wriggled in his grip, attempting to push and shove him away. Riki pushed me up into a nearby wall.

“Hey, hey. I’m not going to hurt you, just calm down. Calm down, okay?” Riki pleaded. I started crying, tears steadily flowing down my cheeks and onto Riki’s hand that remained covering my mouth. “Shh, shh. You have to be quiet.” Riki told me, but I just couldn’t do it.

I could hear some commotion inside of the building. Riki cursed to himself before pulling me close, suddenly, we were in my dorm room. I pushed him away, going to the other side of the room. Riki stepped closer to me. “Don’t.” I said and he stopped, sighing, using his hands to brush his hair out of his face.

“I didn’t want you to see that, Lucia.” He told me. “I.. I didn’t want you to think differently of me.” He said.

I wiped my tears from my face. “You’re a vampire?” I asked, several thoughts running through my head, confusing me.

“Yeah..” Riki answered. “I understand that it’s scary. You.. you don’t have to be scared though, alright? I’m not going to hurt you. I promise.” He said. He then caught sight of himself in your mirror, he did look terrifying right now, especially due to the blood on him.

He suddenly walked into my bathroom, I could hear the faucet run for a few moments before it stopped. Riki then came out a few moments later, the blood gone from his face and his teeth and eyes back to normal.

“Was it a human?” I asked, wanting to know what it was he was drinking blood from.

“No, no. It wasn’t. It was an animal.” Riki answered. “Was all of this.. to, like, feed from me or something?” I then asked, sniffling a little.

“I thought I already answered this?” Riki sighed.

“No, you didn’t. You said it wasn’t all to get in my pants. You didn’t answer this.” I told him.

“Well, it’s not all just to hook up with you or to feed from you.” Riki answered. “Lucia, I got to know you because.. because I like you. Now isn’t the right time to say this, I know that, but if we’re talking about this right now. I’ll tell you. I like you so fucking much, Lucia. When we first met, I.. I felt something I have never felt before. It was more than just a crush, it was different.” He told me.

“What? What do you mean?” I asked.

“Okay, I know this is a lot but, vampires, we have one mate our entire life as a vampire. One. I’ve always been told by all of the guys that you’d know when you’ve met them. When I met you, I knew.” Riki explained.

I took in what he said a few times, trying to fully process it. “I..” I trailed off.

“I understand if you don’t want me to go near you. I understand.” Riki softly said. “You don’t have to tell me how you feel about all that I just said if you’re not ready yet. You can come to me when you’re ready.” Riki then told me. “I’ll- I’ll go. Don’t tell anyone.” Riki then added before leaving you alone.

I spent the whole weekend alone, thinking. I couldn’t figure out if I should go with what my head says is right versus what my heart says is right. Maybe everything happens for a reason? I always tried to think that way. I mean, according to Riki, I’m his mate. Whatever that means.

Monday came and I didn’t go to class, skipping class for the first, and one of the few times that school year. I was laying in bed, staring up at the ceiling when there was suddenly a knock at my door. Shit, it was a teacher, wasn’t it? I mentally prepared myself for the scolding I was expecting to get before opening the door only to be met with not a teacher, but with Riki.

“Lucia.. I’m sorry. I know I said that I’d give you time but-” He starts to talk but I cut him off with a big hug. His cold frame pulled me closer as he wrapped his arms around me in return. I rested my head against Riki’s chest and I felt one of his hands leave my body and go up to my hair, rubbing the back of my head comfortingly. “Come on, let’s go inside so no one sees us.” Riki tells me and I nod, pulling away and going inside of my dorm, Riki following after, shutting the door behind us.

“Can- can I talk to you?” I asked.

“Of course you can.” Riki told me. I took his cold hand in mine and brought him over to my bed, the both of us sitting down next to one another at the end of the bed.

“Um, well, when we first met, even within only the first few days of knowing you.. I really liked you. A lot.” I told him. “I.. I found it weird because I wasn’t the type to like someone so much, so fast.” I explained.

“Mhm, I felt the same.” Riki softly said.

“I.. I don’t know how else to say this but… I… I love you.” I admitted.

“You love me?” Riki asked.

“Yes..” I said, my cheeks getting warmer the more we spoke. “I just.. I’m confused.” I told him.

“Confused about what?” He asked.

“I don’t understand the whole mate thing.” I said.

“Oh, well, a vampire has one mate it’s whole life as a vampire. They usually go a while before meeting them. Um.. this is the person you’re apparently destined to be with. Most of the time.. it’s another vampire but sometimes.. it’s a mortal.” Riki explained.

“So, does the mortal just.. grow old and die while the vampire stays young and lives?” I asked.

“Well, yes, but.. most of the time, the mortal gets turned into a vampire so that they could be together forever.” Riki explained.

“Oh..” I trailed off.

“You don’t- I’m not saying that’s what you have to do.” Riki then quickly said. “You can do whatever you want.” He told me.

“Okay…” I looked down. “Riki… have you ever drank blood from a human before?” I asked.

“Well, I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t.” Riki truthfully answered.

“Have you ever.. killed anyone before?” I then asked.

“I- no. No, I haven’t.” Riki told me. The way he said it make me think he wasn’t completely telling me the truth, but maybe it was better that I didn’t know, not yet, at least.

It’s silent for a few moments once again. “Riki..” I said, breaking the silence.

“Hm?” Riki looked over at me.

“I missed you.” I admitted.

“I missed you too.” He told me, pulling me closer to him and hugging me again. I melted into his embrace, was it weird that I felt safe around him? Suddenly, Riki pulled away a little, taking my face in his big hand, he then leaned down and kissed me. I was shocked at first but then after a few seconds, I got comfortable and kissed him back. His hand made its way to the back of my neck as he deepened the kiss. A little while after we’d started kissing, I pulled away, completely out of breath. Riki, being completely fine.

“I’m never going to hurt you. I promise you that.” Riki told me for the second time, the first time being on the night I’d found out he was a vampire. When he said that, I knew he meant it.

Riki and I lie on my bed, in the dorm. The lights were dark, only the moonlight shining through the window. We were both laying aside from one another, the both of us facing one another as we continued to make-out. Every once in a while, though, I’d pull away, to both catch my breath and to ask a question.

As we kissed, I could feel myself running short of air again so I pulled away. Riki kept his hand on my arm as I caught my breath, already preparing for me to ask him something else.

“I don’t get it. How did you just hold back when I got hurt after the party and bled? You even got blood on you.” I curiously asked.

“It was difficult. I just- I held myself back. I didn’t want to hurt you.” Riki answered.

“Then, what was that in the woods that night, do you know?” I then asked.

“It was.. another vampire. Not one that I was familiar with.” Riki told me.

“Hm..” I thought about it, so he knew that and that’s why he rushed?

Riki interrupted my thoughts as he leaned in and continued kissing me, his hand running up and down my arm. I kissed him back for a few moments before I pulled away again, not because I needed air but because I wanted to ask another question.

“Lucia.” Riki groaned as he threw his head back in fake frustration.

“I want to ask another question.” I pouted. “You’ve asked so many, baby.” He retorted. “It’s my turn to ask a question.” Riki then said.

“Okay, sure.” I excitedly said.

“What the hell were you even doing outside when you caught me that night, huh?” Riki asked.

“Well,” I sheepishly said. “There was a bunny. I saw it through the window and I went outside to pet it and well it ran off and then.. I saw you.” I admitted.

Riki sighed, “I should’ve known it was for a reason like that, nerd.”

I gasped, “Hey! The bunny was cute!”

“I bet it was.” Riki playfully rolled his eyes before leaning in and connecting our lips.

-- link to my masterlist

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rebel-shaw · 3 days

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GUYS HELP I was at work, and I had this scenario pop in my head that made me look like this all day.

I'm not a good writer, so the talented fallout Fandom has my blessing to expand on this idea of mine🙏🙏🙏 but here it goes.

Ok, so what if Janey is frozen in cryo (maybe in vault 31?) The whole 219 years so she haven't aged a day at all, and what if Cooper and Lucy go back to her vault to get more supplies and then Norm tells them about vault 31 and they go look at it. (Maybe it won't be easy, maybe there a fight idk) And when they get there, they find the pods, and then Copper finds Janey.....

He was in shock, frozen. Lucy, notice and go over to look and see her name. (Maybe at this point, she knows his full name and put two and two together) Anyway, they all agree to let her out, but Cooper is nervous. I mean, look at him... He is not the same man Janey knew as her father, but he is too the same or so lucy tells him. (having maybe seen a bit more of his old self by then) She convinced him to see her when she's ready, after all being thawed out, takes a lot out of someone. Janey is asleep for a few days, and once she's wakes up, she needs to get her bearings. In the meantime, Cooper is trying his best to clean up taking many showers. (That's his stinky ass needs after 219 years) Washing his clothes the same cowboy outfit he been wearing since the last time he saw her, but even after all that, he's still afraid. He doesn't want to touch her because no matter what he does, he's so irradiated that he'll taint her, but lucy consoles him by saying she's been exposed to it anyway, giving she was there when the bombs fell. It doesn't do much, but it calms him down enough so that he'll be in the same room as her

Anyway, Lucy goes in first. It has been about a week since Janey has been thawed. Lucy, having been a school teacher, knows how to explain stuff to kids. She slowly tells Janey how long she has been asleep for, how she is safe, how her dad is here. And how he been looking for her all the time, about how. "That him not being in a vault did things to him." About how. "Even though he may look scary, it's still her dad." Janey nods and understands she tells Lucy she's ready to see him, and Lucy goes to get Cooper. (Whether Lucy stayed in the room or not, I don't know.) But Cooper walks in the room, in a cleaner but still worn out blue cowboy uniform not having on the duster coat or vest. There she is.... standing in the room a few feet away from him, his mouth to dry to talk. It's not like he could talk anyway. What would he even say to her?

It felt like time froze, but it also felt like an eternity of silence. Janey was the first to do anything. Walking over to him, Cooper stepped back a bit but stopped. She was right in front of him. She looked him up and down, and she finally spoke to him. "Well.... i guess i can't play. i got your nose with you anymore, huh?"

And with that, Cooper, who was holding his breath this whole time, was able to breathe again. Not caring about anything else but her, he fell to his knees and hugged her for the first time in 219 years and cried.

#but yeah not a fun thought to have at the beginning of a shift #if y'all want make fics and art of this idea i will be thankful 🙏#fallout amazon #fallout tv series #fallout #lucy maclean #cooper howard #janey howard #ghoulcy

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bonzos-number-1-fan · 9 hours

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TMAGP 17 Thoughts: Hyde and Seek

Another really great episode. Of all the episodes thus far I think this one is the grandest in scope in terms of the series as a whole. It's opened up some very large topics.

Spoilers for episode 17, and light spoilers for TMA, below the cut.

First things first, Celia is blacking out and waking up in strange places again. A lot of reasons why this could be but as I believe I mentioned for TMAGP 11 Thoughts I thought the side-effects of dimension-hopping was a possibility. Given what this episode is about I think it's at least trying to imply a connection if not outright stating one.

Celia missed the date because blackouts but interestingly enough she didn't lie during this exchange. At least assumption I didn't miss any distortions, and those distortions are for lies. Anyway this was all very sweet and mushy but does have a pertinent detail. Celia was on her way to Oxford, a location prominently featured in the incident. Whether that's related of just some nice narrative symmetry remains to be seen, but we do see it's at least intentional.

The incident itself is our second Magnus statement. It's a really really good statement too. One of my favourites of the series so far, if not my favourite. It opens with a similar format to the last one and again mentions subject/agent/catalyst viability. All low. Then we get a mention of Welling Mutare Materia and "Mutare Materia" is something like "Changing Matter" and it's hard not to see the alchemic allusion in that. The set up is a, as yet unnamed, patient receiving therapy for anger issues. But that's probably the least interesting thing about this entire scene.

The most interesting thing is the thing everyone is collectively screaming about.

Anyway, there was a new receptionist behind the old front desk, some big, soft looking guy who stumbled over every word... ...There was another patient too, some bookish-looking guy with serious city miles. I used to play the game “what are you in for” where I would pass the time guessing… well, you know. In my head he was definitely some kind of weird pervert, really into stroking orchids or something.

I'm not going to get too into why those descriptions are important. If you know you know and I don't need to tell you. If you don't I'd rather not. Although I will say that it's very obvious that second one is who we all think it is. Or it's at least what we're meant to think. Alex wrote this episode and "some kind of weird pervert, really into stroking orchids" is the kind of insult you know he's revel in writing for a character like this. It also implies a lot, or absolutely nothing. Because it could be coincidence. It could be that they are responsible for the whole thing. It could just be setting the stage for what's to come. Which is what I think this is. It's an episode about interdimensional travel and it's just prepping the audience to know that's a thing that can happen. Reminding us who it could happen to. As if we've forgotten.

The patient meditates and then a lot of time seems to pass. A lot a lot. Interdimensional travel always involves time fuckery. What's interesting about it is that it doesn't ever seem to work the same way twice. Anya was a week or so, Celia was years, and this guy seemingly just sat there for weeks instead of moving in time like the others have appeared to. The methodology of this is also new where there wasn't any gap between walks to slip through, he stayed still the whole time and then woke up somewhere different. However when he meets this universe's version of himself there doesn't seem to be any significant time slip to mention. Dates in their lives don't line up quite right, which is expected, but he doesn't appeared to have travelled in time in any major way.

This does all take place in Oxford. Which is where Hilltop Road is but it doesn't appear as if the patient was at Hilltop Road for this. As we've seen previously with Hilltop it doesn't look like it works as it does in TMA here. It does seem like the Magnus Institute is monitoring Oxford for these types of events though, even if they're not happening in quite the same place. If that is the case it could also be the case that they're sending things back too. Hell, Dr. Dumfries could be in on it and sending the Institute lab rats.

I'm going to skip over most of the meat of this statement. It was really well done but really quite explicit and as such there isn't a lot for me to dig into. I don't want to explain to you what you just listened to when it's all pretty plain. But it was really great and I do want to mention that.

We do learn that his name is Darrien. The other Darrien is also Darrien. And that makes this episode the introduction of our second and third Darrien. Futures also had a Darrien who was also kind of a twat. Which is interesting. Firstly because TMA has a habit of naming characters similar names and it never meant anything. People just had similar names because people have similar names sometimes. However, our beloved Norris used to be called Neil in the pilot. But Neil is now Norris because there was another Neil. Which means one of two things to me, either Darrien, Darrien, and Darrien, are all Darrien because it's vitally important. Or Alex is fucking with up. Because it's Alex it could as likely be either.

Last thing to mention I do love how this one ends. Darrien is so sure of himself and how protected he is but we know he's locked up in a research prison from the jump. The Institute is also clearly larger than it was in TMA. More resources, more pull, more power. Love getting to see all those details bit by bit.

Interesting note here: Harcourt House isn't the Harcourt House that I think most people will have looked up on Google. This isn't in London, it's in Oxford. This is Stanton Harcourt. Which has some reputation for hauntings and cursed romances. Totally not relevant for anything going on in this episode. No sir.

Celia thanking Freddy/Chester is also interesting. She's obviously more aware of everything than the rest of the team is, and she's got history with those voices, but she's also the first to really acknowledge how pointed these incidents are. There is a very consistent theme of incidents connecting to the teams current situation or desires. I hope we get to see more of this from her where she's more aware that there a personality at play rather than just a voice.

We cap off with a lovely bit of banter between Alice and Gwen where they almost don't try to kill each other. It was very sweet. And obviously an episode with all this going on couldn't leave out a good ol' .jmj error to really hammer it home.

Also, Colin's not dead. Maybe.

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Incident/CAT#R#DPHW Master Sheet and Terminology Sheet

Klaus Watch: We're back with a very exciting Klaus Watch. Row 20 has CAT2RC1147 and no date, location, or notes. I lied about it being exciting.

DPHW Theory: 1147 is interesting. Because crosslinks do seem to impact DPHWs based on the two Bonzo episodes but Mascot (Kids) -/- Murder was at 2275. Which implies that Mascot (Kids) has 2 in Death and Pain as default and that Murder doesn't increase those values. It does seem to increase Helplessness though which is something that makes a good deal of sense at least.

CAT# Theory: CAT2 is very CAT2. While it fits with the most popular theory, well enough at least, I just wrote an essay entitled Putting the CAT# Back in the Bag: The Flaws With Person/Place/Object if anyone is interested.

R# Theory: C is inline with my ideas. Very easy to discount this as entirely fiction.

Header talk: Doppleganger (Interdimensional) -/- Murder is a very interesting one. These are all existing categories so interdimensional doubles are things the OIAR have dealt with in the past. So dimension hoppers aren't anything new and with everything that's happened this episode I think we're going to see a lot more of it, and characters that are a lot more knowledgeable about it than our protagonists.

#the magnus protocol #tmagp #tmagp theory #tmagp speculation #klaus = kl4-u5

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gunilslaugh · 2 days

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Best Of The Worst Pt.2

Han Hyeongjun Summary: You spilled the queen's secret. Now what will Hyeongjun do with that information? (non-idol au) WC:~1k Warning:none

part 1

photo not mine credits to owner.

“Good enough?” You checked. Hyeongjun runs his tongue across the inside of his cheek.

“How did you get this information?” he asked.

“Very unfortunate timing,” you answered. Hyeongjun looks at the dejected look on your face and chuckles.

“Keep talking,” he tells you.

“I was doing my daily chores. I was heading out to take in the laundry, but instead I walked right into the blacksmith talking to the queen about how he has the right to see his son,” you explained.

“You call that unfortunate timing? Knowing that secret gives you so much power,” he says.

“No, it got me locked in a wooden crate and thrown off a waterfall. The queen ordered to have me killed!” you ranted angrily.

“Oh honey, you should have threatened her with the secret before she could even think about disposing you,” he mocked you.

“Sorry I’m not an evil person like you, so I don’t know much about doing stuff like that,” you sassed him back.

“Should I teach you then?” he offered. Your brows knitted together in confusion.

“Teach me?” you questioned.

“Yes, teach you. You must want some type of revenge right? She did try to kill you,” he notes.

“As upset as I am about that. I really just want to live my life peacefully. I’m free from the castle, so I should take the chance to start a new life,” you state.

“You’re so boring!” Hyeongjun leaned back dramatically. “The queen tried to take your life! Scare her a bit!” He said manically. You could literally see the crazy in his eyes.

“You can scare her if you want. I should get going now,” you say.

“Go where exactly? You lived in the castle as a maid didn’t you? You have nowhere to go.”

“Why do you care? I’ll figure it out,” you tell him. You started to walk in your way.

“Let’s go see the blacksmith.” Hyeongjun swung his arm around your shoulder . To which you smack his hand.

“Let go of me.” You walk out of his grasp. “Why would I go with you anyway?” You continued to walk. Once more Hyeongjun came up to you, but this time he linked his arm with yours instead of putting it around your shoulders.

“You don’t have anywhere else to go anyway. Come with me.” He pulled you along by your linked arm.

“We had a deal,” you reminded, pausing your footsteps.

“Yes we did and you said if I didn’t think the secret was good enough I could kill you or whatever I fancy,” he pointed.

“So? You were clearly interested in it. That means I can go on my way.” You tried to pull your arm from his, but he held it in place.

“I never said it was good enough.” He tauntingly turned his head to the side. “But I don’t feel like killing you, which leaves whatever I fancy,” he smirked.

“And you fancy me seeing the blacksmith with you?” you say.

“Quick catch.” He winked at you. “Now come on.” He pulled you along again.

The journey to the blacksmith was weird to say the least. It was mostly quiet, with little words exchanged between the two of you. However it was still very unnerving. You felt as if at any second Hyeongjun could turn around and kill you. Not to mention the fact that his arm never left yours. The whole way your arms were linked at the elbows. Everytime you tried to slip yours out of the hold, Hyeongjun would hold your arm tighter.

When you arrived at the village Hyeongjun finally let your arm be free of his grasp. Only to then be covered in his long coat.

“What are you doing?” you questioned.

“You’re dressed like a maid. You stick out too much,” he justified. You would never admit it, but he did have a point. You being spotted when you're supposed to be dead certainly wouldn’t be a good thing.

“Let’s just hurry and find the blacksmith,” you grumbled, pulling Hyeongjun’s jacket closed to hide your apparel. You can’t help but smell the waft of Hyeongjun’s scent from his jacket. It was woody with a bit of ash and something you're not quite sure of.

Soon enough you arrived at the blacksmith’s shop. Once you entered the shop Hyeongjun pulled the big double doors closed behind the two of you with a loud bang.

“Hey, what do you think you’re doing!” The blacksmith yelled.

“Do you want to see your son or not?” Hyeongjun got straight to the point. The backsmith looked at Hyeongjun perplexedly before his eyes fell onto you.

“You’re the maid from this morning right?” he asked you.

“Yes.” You let go of the fabric of Hyeongjun’s jacket, revealing your maid outfit.

“What are you doing here?” he questioned.

“The queen tried to kill them for knowing about the prince’s real bloodline, so I’m gonna show them how to get revenge,” Hyeongjun answered.

“I never agreed to-”

“Whatever I fancy.” Hyeongjun cut you off.

“Wait. You can’t keep-”

“I’ll just kill you then,” he cut you off again.

“But our deal is over-”

“It’s over when I say it’s over. You should have made the conditions on ‘whatever you fancy’ more clear.” Hyeongjun smirks at you. You sigh. For a second you momentarily forgot that Hyeongjun wasn’t a good guy either. You should have expected that he would find a way to screw you too. Although you guess it’s better than someone actively trying to kill you, but it still sucked.

“Oh come on honey, don’t glare at me like that,” he said with a pout.

“Hate to step in on your little moment, but you asked me if I wanted to see my son,” the blacksmith interrupted.

“Ah yes that. Well the whole village will know that he’s not the king’s blood soon, so he’ll probably want to know who his real dad is,” Hyeongjun discloses.

“Hyeongjun no. The queen will really have me dead if word gets out,” you refused.

“She already thinks you’re dead. All you have to do is watch her go insane over the news and enjoy it.” You can see the crazy light up in his eyes.

part 1

Taglist: @purplelady85 @gingerjunhan @chewednails @ezlynkisses @mon2sunjinsuver @mxlly143

#xdinary heroes #xdh #xdh imagines #xdh x reader #xdinary heroes imagines #xdinary heroes x reader #xh junhan #xh hyeongjun #xdh junhan #xdh hyeongjun #junhan x reader #hyeongjun x reader #han hyeongjun x reader #junhan #hyeongjun #han hyeongjun

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actual-gremlin · 2 days

Note

If you've read tsats what did you think about it :))

I am so sorry it took me this long to reply!!

I personally loved it! I know there’s been a lot of discourse over it, but I personally thought it was very well written. I also went into reading it knowing that I was not the age group it was targeted for. (Like all of Ricks books, it was targeted for preteens and young teens). I think that’s a key difference between me and some of the other readers.

:readmore:

I had a few favourites moments, so here they are!

Persephone and Will in her garden. That was a HUGE turning moment in Will and Nicos relationship, even though Nico wasn’t involved in the conversation. It was so meaningful! This was the start of Will actually getting character development!! I could honestly make a separate post about this interaction.

I also LOVED hiss-majesty looking up to Will. Like that was so sweet! Imagine you’re Will. You’ve met the trogs before and you weren’t treated with any respect. But you’re used to that. You’re used to being pushed aside and only being pulled back when you’re needed for something. It’s happening again. And not just to you. It’s happening to someone else, and they turn to you of all people to help. To look up too. Like I would just melt into a little puddle and never recover! And the ending where Will sees Hiss-majesty wearing the same Cheese Hat that he was wearing?? Literally SOBBED. (Can you tell I love their dynamic and I want more of it??)

Nico and Will escaping on the boat and kissing while Bob cried?? Please I was dying😂✋🏻 they’re having a moment, and then there’s Bob just wailing in the background!

Will and Nico calling Percy and Annabeth and telling them their plan to head to Tartarus and Percy and Annabeth looking at each other like 😳🙊 ‘maybe they mean Tartar sauce? For fish? Yup that’s what they mean!’ They were in so much denial and it was so funny for no reason? Anyways.

I (obviously) love the Cocopuffs! Their introduction was definitely weird and off putting, but- and listen closely folks- THAT WAS THE POINT!! IT WASNT MEANT TO BE PRETTY! OR NICE!! BECAUSE TRAMA IS NONE OF THOSE THINGS!! The whole point was that it made you feel icky and uncomfortable! I could make a whole separate post about this (please ask me too) but the design of the scene was to be uncomfortable, and it hit its mark. anyways the Cocopuffs are lovely 🫶🏻

I also adored the ending where Nico talks to Bianca and his mother Maria and gets closure. Was it canon compliant? No. But it was still a sweet sentiment and I enjoyed it.

I think Rick and Mark Oshiro did a fantastic job with this book. also thank you for this ask, because now I need to go reread TSATS! If I find anything else, I’ll be sure to reblog this post with the additions!

Thanks for the ask!! (Please send me more! I swear I won’t forget them in my drafts like I did with this one!)

#will solace #nico di angelo #ask #cocopuffs #solangelo #tsats spoilers #mark oshiro #rick riordan

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furiroad · 16 hours

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Furiosa spoilers under the cut 🚗

It's actually staggering how much that movie did not need to exist. Gonna bullet point some thoughts

I guess it technically passes the bechdel test bc right at the start Furiosa says "be still" to Valkyrie but iirc that's the only pass moment. I know not passing the bechdel test doesn't mean the movie is automatically bad I just think it's interesting considering it's following Fury Road

My sarcastic lol @ the lightning fast sisters cameo at the end where they're all played by completely different people. the quick flash of Cheedo's eyes bc they managed to get Courtney Eaton back for three seconds didn't appease me

You know how mad max fury road could have a silent version w no dialogue + isolated soundtrack and it worked because you could tell what's going on anyway? This movie has the opposite problem. Way too much talking. It's not even funny

The best bit was the prolonged torture scene at the end where Hemsworth explains Furiosa's entire character arc and the message of the movie out loud to her and also us

Even his teddy had an arm missing, replaced with a barbie arm. Thanks. We get it

Her arm made robot noises

Actually threw MY arms up in disgust when she went back for that boy she supposedly had a romance with despite the film never bothering to actually show/explain that. I'm calling it a romance because the actors did. I guess it was supposed to be a Capable/Nux parallel but it didn't work for me and not just because I'm a dyke and a hater OK, if you're gonna do a ROMANCE, DO A ROMANCE. don't leave me sitting there wondering why Furiosa is risking it all for some guy she's had ONE conversation with, especially after he offers to get her away from the Citadel and back to where she came from, WHICH IS HER ENTIRE MOTIVE EVER SINCE SHE WAS TAKEN

I DON'T GET IT

Them trying to emulate Max and Furiosa's instinctive, perfect we have to trust each other moment by having Jack and Furiosa... look at each other Meaningfully fifty times while they were supposed to be driving cars? Don't make me laugh! You will never be them!!

Max being there for a second wasn't cute! I rolled my eyes

Same at "remember me?" MAKE UP YOUR OWN STUFF

So many things happened because they needed to happen (plot demanded it) and didn't make any sense in context

So much Christian imagery?? Threw me off tbh

Considering it's Furiosa's movie it sure isn't about her + she doesn't speak at all for almost the first half

This movie was way too long

I called it about the peach seed

I called it that she cut her own arm off

George Miller read some of my blog but not all of it

You know how The People Eater rubbed his nipple that one time and it was delightfully weird and gross and got a good reaction? Well in this movie he's constantly rubbing it, the whole time. Really lessens the impact of the nipple rub

As you can see this movie has made me insane

Like this is not really about the nipple rub but do you get what I'm saying here

Furiosa spends most of the movie hiding her hair (because as we all know, having long hair immediately identifies you as a woman) and then when her head covering gets knocked off and her hair is revealed (omg she's a girl) she leaves it like that and becomes an Imperator. On what planet

The history man frames the entire movie for some reason. Do they show Miss Giddy? Take a wild guess

One of the coolest parts of fury road was that a gang of bikers ended up being hardcore biker grannies w guns and loose morals in response to people fucking around for far too long without finding out. Did this movie have anything like that for me? Take a wild guess for a second time

The car fight scenes weren't even that great. Couldn't remember hearing any good music under them (brother in arms truly lightning in a bottle) and they went on for too long which feels wild to say about suped up car battles in the australian wasteland: 2 but oh well. This is how I feel

Honestly I don't hate it but I feel like it was a waste of time and it doesn't need to exist at all. A real nothing experience. Am I going to see this movie ten times in cinemas? No I am not even going to see it twice in cinemas

I don't know what I was expecting.

oh my god also they played clips of Fury Road over the credits as if to say "remember how fucking good this is in comparison to the dumb shit you just watched"

#furiroad personal #spoilers for the furiosa movie i mean it

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sysig · 3 days

Photo

You're still standing off to the side. Somehow, center stage has shifted from under your feet without you realizing, and you're standing in the wings, performing to no one.

Starring Role (Patreon)

#My art #ISaT #ISaT Spoilers #Siffrin #Loop #Technically - you know how it goes #Me when I relate to Siffrin: Oh no haha that's probably not great whoops haha #Me when I relate to Loop: Oh. Oh No.#Lenti has such a deathgrip on my ISaT opinions wtf how is she so powerful I thought my fave was Sif?? But I mean well-#Lol #Does this count as vent idk lol #It was fun to write tho :) Very easy! Done all at once!#As was drawing this! Also done all at once! And black and white is still really fun to work with hehe #I got to use some pretty cool outline/lineart tricks for this one yay :D #The original draft of the fic had a different title but ''Starring Role'' is kinda?? too perfect???#To the point where I looked around and I was like #Kinda shocked that there doesn't Seem? to be another fic with the same title?#Which is.........oddly relevantly thematic to this fic actually hahaha #Not to get too exacting about it but the whole thing of Loop feeling replaceable well #It would imply that other someones could do what they do better than them #What an odd refutation. Huh. Weird #Anyway - behind the scenes fun fact!#I actually really love the song Starring Role but I didn't think of it until after writing this #And now that I sing it to myself it's actually kinda perfect what the heck #So that's something to think about as well #Anyway if you're going to listen to it pls listen to the Axiom remix it is The version in my heart <3 #The glitches and stutters are perfect.....#And the clock ticking?? Why is this song so ISaT I'm gonna think about this for a while now heck #Animatic in my head shower thought -core lol

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queenlucythevaliant · 6 months

Text

harder than you think

i. When the Narnians stole Edmund away from beneath the Witch's blade, they told him he was safe. This wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either.

ii. They brought him to the Stone Table. It was night. Edmund doubted very much that he would find safety there, for he still recoiled at the name of Aslan. He slept fitfully and woke the next morning before the sun was up.

iii. A sliver of gold just beyond the tent flap captured his attention, there in the dark. Unaccountably, Edmund felt the urge to rise and go towards it.

iv. And there was Aslan, who was supposed to be fearsome, supposed to be dangerous, supposed to be powerful, and he was he was he was. Dimly, Edmund felt himself hitting the ground.

v. But then Aslan said, “Come, Son of Adam. Let us walk a while, and reason together.”

vi. And as they walked together, in the cool dewy grass of early morning, the Lion told Edmund everything that he had ever done.

vii. They were standing in front of the Table when the conversation turned. Aslan spoke a riddle of a house blasted into rubble which he would piece back together overnight. He spoke of flesh being pierced, blood being shed, and of rejected stones being used for new foundations. He spoke about water welling up forever, washing you clean of everything you ever did wrong, all the blood that you ever thought of shedding, everything you ever tried to steal, and a river that carries you home when you can't walk anymore and spits you out brand new when it reaches the sea.

viii. Edmund's head swam. Silently, he yearned for the wisdom to understand what he was being told; or, failing that, at least to remember it for as long as it took him to puzzle it out.

ix. And then, the Witch. Then, the battle. The thrones. A year passed, and winter came. In its time, it melted back to glorious spring.

x. “Edmund,” said Lucy one day. “There's something we need to tell you.” She and Susan were cloaked in springtime gossamer, like fairy queens in poems he only half remembered. They sat on the window seat in his study, holding hands white-knuckled: his two beloved sisters.

xi. “It's about Aslan,” Susan said. “And the White Witch, and how he made her renounce her claim on your blood. The night before Beruna, he went back to the Stone Table.”

xii. “He let her kill him,” Lucy cut in. “Instead of you. And then, because he hadn't done anything wrong, the Emperor's Deeper Magic brought him back to life.”

xiii. “We've been arguing all year about how much to tell you,” said Susan wryly. Then, a little gentler, “We don't want to hurt you, but we feel you ought to be told what he did for you.”

xiv. And Edmund, who had never forgotten what Aslan told him on that cool, dewy morning before the sun came up, shut his eyes and whispered, “I know.”

xv. I know, he said. I know that he died. I know that he did it for me. I know he lived again because I saw him the next day, and the next, and the next. I think I know what it means - or at least, I know the shape of it.

xvi. “Oh,” said Lucy. “We should have realized that he would have told you himself.”

xvii. “Yes. But please, tell me the story all the same.”

#finally returning to this little character study series thing #I really like this one #bc Edmund pretty clearly knows about Aslan's sacrifice in later books but as of the end of lww the girls are still debating #what if anything he should be told #and like. imo that was what the early morning talk was #the gospel presented in that Jesus-y way where he's like 'this is all gonna make sense to you in a little bit once it gets fulfilled'#in addition to some of the more specific stuff about Edmund's specific sin probably #in my head the closest parallel for that conversation would end up being the magician's book with lucy #anyway #this whole series is being posted together on ao3 just so you know #narnia #the traitor who mended #reading fairy tales again #pontifications and creations #leah stories

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ecoamerica · 1 month

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youtube

Watch the 2024 American Climate Leadership Awards for High School Students now: https://youtu.be/5C-bb9PoRLc

The recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by student climate leaders! Join Aishah-Nyeta Brown & Jerome Foster II and be inspired by student climate leaders as we recognize the High School Student finalists. Watch now to find out which student received the $25,000 grand prize and top recognition!

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strangersteddierthings · 1 year

Text

Part Two of Class of '85.

June 6th, 1985

1. Make Sure Eddie Lives

Convince Wayne to move away? (how??)

Befriend Eddie sooner? (tried and failed)

Graduate Early?

2. Save Max

Stop Billy on Fourth July. Save Billy? Does he deserve it?

3. Help El With Powers. How?

Save Hopper? How to learn location of Russian prison if saved?

4. Convince Everyone To Move Out of Hawkins

That's all that's written on this slightly crumpled piece of paper.

Eddie hadn't even meant to read it; when he'd shaken out the grey sweatpants it had fluttered free, slowly falling to the ground, and when he picked it up to put it back in the drawer he caught his name. And he's always been far too curious.

Eddie knows as soon as he's read it that he absolutely shouldn't have. It's too late though. He's read it, he knows now, and he can't really unknow it.

This is the list of things Steve is trying to change in this timeline.

It knocks the air out of Eddie and his knees feel a little weak suddenly. He drops himself to the floor, one hand clutching the sweats, the other the note.

Make sure Eddie lives.

Eddie lives.

Which implies that Eddie died.

Eddie's not sure what that says about him, that he's never made the connection of Steve's soft I can't lose you confessions and that he might mean Eddie is dead, and not, like, having fled Hawkins before Steve could confess his lo-feelings or something.

He's never really taken the time to stew in what Steve meant because as far as Eddie was concerned, there was no losing him. Steve's already changed the way Eddie's life plays out; he's graduated a year sooner than he did in that other timeline. He's got a part time job at the local mechanics. And though he doesn't know details, he does know that still being in high school led him to the event Steve wanted to change.

Which was his death.

He takes several deep breaths. He's not going to die because Steve's already saved him so he can deal with this. It's not even an issue.

Moving past that. Save Max. There's no last name written, but both he and Steve know only one Max. Then the line below that. They both hate Billy, yes, but what's throwing Eddie off here is the written, then stricken out, does he deserve it? The use of save gives him pause, too. It says Make sure Eddie lives and save Max. So, Max doesn't die? What does she need saved from then?

This is when Steve finds him, entering the room with a, "Did you get lost, Eds? It's the top dra- oh," Steve is stopped two steps into the room when Eddie looks up at him.

"I didn't mean to read it but I saw my name and..." Eddie says, trailing off because he doesn't actually have anything to add. He's worried for a second that Steve will be mad at him but that thought goes as quickly as it appeared. Steve moves into the room, dropping to his knees before Eddie, hands coming to cup his face.

"Oh, babe," Steve's voice is gentle, his thumbs even more so as they swipe across his cheek. "I'm so sorry."

Eddie should be the one apologizing. He's done the one thing he wasn't suppose to. He's read the list! He knows the future! (sorta) "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have read this."

Steve makes his I-want-to-argue face but it smooths over. The tone in Steve's voice when he speaks, sounding older than his years and so fucking tired, it break Eddie's heart. "I should have burned that. This isn't your burden to shoulder. I'll just take that and you can try and forget."

He's reaching for the paper and Eddie pulls his hand behind his back, away from Steve's grasp. "No."

"No?" Steve looks surprised. Honestly, Eddie's also surprised.

"You don't have to shoulder this alone," Eddie says, "I can help. We can fix this together."

It's strange to see hope mixed with sorrow in Steve's eyes. "I can't- there's so much I don't even understand, don't even know how to explain."

"Sweetheart, let me help," Eddie whispers, shifting to his knees to easily slide into Steve's space, press soft kisses to his face between his words," I (kiss) want to (kiss) help (kiss). Let me (kiss)."

On the last kiss Steve angles his face, capturing Eddie's lips with his own, his hands still on Eddie's face allowing him to hold Eddie steady as he presses in, deepens the kiss, runs his tongue along Eddie's lip and Eddie flicks his own tongue out in return. They kiss in an odd, calm-but-desperate, deep-but-lazy, soft-but-messy way. They end it panting, foreheads pressed together to feel grounded, Steve's hands still on Eddie's face, Eddie's hands braced on Steve's thighs as he leans into him.

"Once you know, you can't unknow. It's fucking terrible, Eds," Steve whispers, "I don't want to do that to you. I don't want you to hurt."

"But you hurt," Eddie counters, "and if you hurt, I hurt. Thems the rules."

Steve laughs and kisses him again, just a quick closed lip peck, "Dustin told me once, you die, I die. Mutual destruction really shouldn't be the first go-to for showing affection for the people I care about it."

"Says the man whose favorite way to show affection is stepping between someone and a fist, or claw, or whatever."

Steve rolls his eyes and pulls back. "Weren't you going to shower?"

"Plans change. We gotta finish arguing about you telling me about this," he waves the paper, now even more crumpled, between the two of them, "so that you can let me help."

"How about you take that shower, and meanwhile, I'll cook dinner and think about finishing this 'argument' you want to have," Steve says, and even though Steve doesn't physically make the air quotes motion, Eddie still hears it in his voice.

Eddie concedes on this, though, and after stealing a soft shirt from Steve's closet, does go shower. When he's done, he takes his time detangling his hair and towel drying it as much as he can before changing into the pilfered clothing and going down to dinner. Steve is washing up the dishes he used while cooking (because this fucker cleans as he goes, what kinda sicko does that?) so, Eddie gathers plates and utensils and sets the table (because they're the kinda sickos that eat at a dinner table) .

Dinner is pork chops, mashed potatoes, and green beans. It's delicious.

They just chat about the day under the silent agreement that serious conversations were for after dinner. Eddie packages up leftovers and wipes down the counters while Steve finishes dishes and Jesus Christ when did they become so normal and adult?

Well, Steve's been an adult for a while, technically, but also, he's still just barely 18 and that's just- Eddie tries not to think about it too much, the difference between Steve's age in relation to the amount of time it's been since he was born, but also since he was forced? chosen? made to? relive 3 years of his life again.

"Alright Stevie," Eddie says, crawling into his lap on the couch, his legs bracketing Steve's, pulling Steve into him, Steve's head on his chest and his head resting atop Steve's, a mirror of their first interaction, at that party that feels so long ago and also just like yesterday, "I do have a question about your list that I feel is safe to ask and for you to answer."

"Hmm?" Steve hums back, arms wrapping around Eddie as Steve nuzzles against him.

"Befriend me got crossed out, so getting me to graduate early was the option you seemed to be going with. Obviously, befriending me ended up working. So, how in the hell did you plan to make me graduate early if we weren't friends?"

Steve snorts a laugh and says, "you're gonna laugh at me."

"Of course, I am. Tell me anyway."

"I was going to attempt doing your homework and turning it in on your behalf. I even practiced making my handwriting look different."

Eddie does laugh at him, so much that his sides start to hurt, and he would have fallen off of the couch if Steve wasn't holding him so tightly.

Then Steve has the fucking nerve to say, without the slightest hint of embarrassment, "told ya you'd laugh at me."

Well, Eddie's got no choice but to take Steve's face in his hands and kiss him senseless after that.

"Can you tell me what you mean by save Max?" Eddie asks when the kissing is done and the mood changes to serious again.

"Eds-"

"No, listen. I was thinking in the shower and like, I'm not going to get all philosophical on you, but I do think you can tell me, and we can figure out things together, maybe, and I won't interfere or do anything to, like, jeopardize the timeline. Just listen and troubleshoot."

Steve pulls back from their cuddling to eye Eddie skeptically. "I don't believe any of that for a second."

"Yeah," Eddie sighs, sagging forward to rest against Steve as he leans back against the couch now, "I just- I want to save Max, too. Let me help."

"It should have been someone else."

Eddie hears the cut off sob, presses himself down like a weight blanket, "someone else?"

"To get the second chance, the do over," Steve says, voice wet and pained, "it should have been someone else. Someone who-who remembers shit, and actually knows things. Someone smarter. I'm so afraid that I'm going to fuck this up. But then I feel like shit for wishing this was someone else's problem instead of mine."

"But it wasn't someone else," Eddie says, "it was you." Then he waits for Steve to collect himself and speak.

"The Party, they think I shouldn't tell anyone," Steve presses a kiss to the top of Eddie's head that he hears more than feels, "if I change too much, I could end up fucking up a thing that has to happen for us to win. I shouldn't tell people, or warn them, because if they make decisions based on knowledge they shouldn't have? That could get someone killed."

"So tell someone not involved. Or someone who isn't involved yet. Someone not around during the events. Then none of you are making decisions you wouldn't have already been making, but someone behind the scenes can change things. Maybe even last minute?"

That seems to give Steve pause. Eddie wants to pull back to look at him, his thinking face is adorable, but instead he shoves his face into Steve's neck and just breathes him in.

"That- I hadn't even thought of..." Steve kisses Eddie's temple, "Eddie, baby, you're a fucking genius."

"I know but it's great to have it acknowledged."

"Alright, off, I've gotta make a phone call before it gets too late," Steve says, shoving at Eddie. Eddie goes willingly, rolling a full 360 off Steve's lap so he's kneeling on the couch, elbows resting on the back of it. His eyes stay on Steve, though, tracking him as he stands, adjusts his shirt as if anyone but Eddie can see him now, before moving to the phone. It's not mounted to the wall in the living room, just sat on its own table in a corner, chair nearby.

If Eddie's gaze drifts down to Steve's butt while his back is turned, dialing whoever he's calling, well, Eddie's got no shame in that. He's allowed to look.

"Hi Hopper, it's Steve. I need you to get Dr Owens to get a hold of me. I know you have a way. No- you've got to- ok. No. Yes, this is important. Something- there is something else coming. We're not in the clear yet. No! You know I cannot tell you that. We all agreed that I wouldn't tell you anything! Hop- Hop- HOPPER. I promise, I swear on my life, El will be fine. She'll be okay. I... I just need to talk to Dr Owens. Thank you. Have him call on a Tuesday, I'm always off on Tuesdays."

Eddie listens in on the whole conversation, because if it was meant to be private, Steve would have used the kitchen phone, or the one in his room. Rich people have more than one phone, Eddie's learned. Excessive. "Sounds like it went well?"

Steve wrinkles his face in a grimace. "It's still weird as fuck. They know I'm not lying about the future thing. Not when- ever since-"

Steve can't say it again, but Eddie knows what he's talking about.

Bob Newby.

Steve blames himself hard for him. With whatever happened before Steve's time travel shit -the thing that was so bad something answered Steve's prayers and wishes to change it- Steve hadn't even been thinking about Bob. It wasn't until Steve saw Bob at the Hawkins Lab that he remembered the outcome.

He'd tried to change it, to save Bob, but in doing so he'd just endangered himself more and then Bob's death, his sacrifice, had been in protecting Steve instead of the surprise attack that had apparently been what took him last time.

Steve still can't look Joyce in the face, much less meet her eye.

Eddie hates that there's nothing he can say to alleviate this guilt from Steve. He's tried but Steve... Eddie won't even forget how his voice cracked when he said 'I knew he was going to die! I knew it, should have remembered it, but instead of someone without several concussions and memory issues getting a second chance, it's me! The fuck up! I didn't remember Bob and now, this time, it's my fault he's dead.' And Eddie didn't have the words to make it better.

Still doesn't.

"So, he's going to have the Owens dude call?"

"He's going to try," Steve says, "but can't promise. So, we'll see."

June 24th, 1985

Steve is in the bathroom when it happens. The phone rings, and Eddie's in the kitchen, so he picks it up, and says, "Harrington residence."

"Is this Steve Harrington?"

"Uh, no, but if we just wait a moment he'll be available soon."

The voice on the other end hums, "I do have a time limit to this call."

What an odd thing to say- oh. Oh shit. "Dr Owens?"

There is silence on the other end and Eddie's afraid he's fucked this up for Steve until he hears, "and just what else has Steve Harrington told you?"

Eddie's got a choice to make now. He can lie, or he can tell the truth. Both options have consequences, he thinks, but Eddie knows what he wants to outcome to be, so he moves to get line of sight on the hallway Steve should soon be appearing from and says, "Just listen, please. I don't know nearly enough but I want to help. I can help. Listen to what Steve has to tell you, and fucking believe him. If you think I can help with anything after that, call again on Saturday. Between ten and two."

"I'll listen," is the only response he gets, and they sit on the line for what feels like an eternity before Steve comes into view. Eddie shouts his name into the receiver, feeling bad about that only after Steve's taken the phone and Eddie has retreated to the backyard, both to smoke and to give Steve privacy.

Steve is on the phone for almost four full hours. Thirty minutes into the call, Eddie suggests he take the call to his room, so he can at least sit down. Steve agrees and hands the phone to Eddie, who listens for the confirmation that Steve has picked up the upstairs phone before he hangs up the downstairs one.

As much as he wants to eavesdrop, he wants Steve's trust more. Steve is trusting Owens, and if Owens decides it, he'll get ahold of Eddie. If there's nothing Eddie can do to help, then he'll just have to be here for whatever the aftermath is.

June 29th, 1985

To say that Eddie is shocked that when he answers the phone on Saturday and it's actually Dr Owens on the other line would be an understatement. He knows he offered, and he hoped, but no amount of hope makes something happen.

"Your juvenile record leaves a lot to be desired, Edward Munson," Dr Owens says in leu of any other greeting when Eddie picks up with the usual 'Harrington residence'. Eddie doesn't like that the government wasted no time digging into him. He really doesn't like that Dr Owens know his name. "I am not one to hold someone to past mistakes. You wanted to help, and reluctant though I am to admit it, there is something you can do."

"Anything."

"Alright. What you need to do is be at the Fourth of July carnival, on the lookout for Joyce Byers and Jim Hopper. They'll get there later in the day, but I don't have an exact time for you. As soon as you've found them, tell them to go to Starcourt Mall because that's where the kids are. Then you go home."

Eddie wants to know why he can't come with them to the mall but knows better than to do that. "Okay, I can do that."

"I hate to be the one to remind you, but lives are at stake here. Do what I've told you and nothing else."

"I know."

"And..." Eddie can hear the hesitation in his voice, "and just know you might not see some people you are used to seeing in the days leading up to the Fourth. Don't go looking for them."

Jesus H Christ. How is Eddie supposed to not do that? How is he supposed to be okay with people being missing? He must take too long to confirm because Dr Owens speaks again.

"Edward. I promise you, they will all make it through this."

"Okay."

Hanging up with phone feels very final. He doesn't like that Dr Owens didn't assure him of their physical safety. Didn't say they'd be okay. Or that they'd be unscathed. It was basically the nicest way the guy could have said no one you care for dies this time.

July 4th, 1985

Eddie spends all day at the damn carnival. He posts up around noon, which is probably way too early but he's not going to fuck this up. He hasn't seen Steve in two days and he's trying not to freak out. Dr Owens said they'd all live but fuck, in what condition? Eddie doesn't know what's happening, what was supposed to have happened without Dr Owens involved, and hates that he doesn't know how these changes Dr Owens are making to the timeline will effect Steve.

In the other timeline he knows that Steve lives, at least. This time...

The sky starts to darken when a Cadillac pulls up hot and going much faster than it should be, flying past Eddie's van to find parking closer to the entrance of the carnival. It could just be some drunks excited to ride a Ferris Wheel but Eddie's going to investigate.

Eddie recognizes Hopper instantly, the unfortunate side effect of being with Steve. The Chief of Police has become a common occurrence, with Steve inviting everyone over for pool parties, or them being invited to the Byer's for Barbeques.

"Hopper! Joyce!" Eddie yells, getting their attention before they've made it past the last row of cars to the entrance.

"Eddie! Thank God!" Joyce rushes to him, Hopper hot on her heels, along with two people he doesn't recognize. "Where are the kids?"

"Starcourt Mall," Eddie says, "you have to get to Starcourt Mall as soon as you can."

Hopper looks back to the Cadillac, then to Eddie's van. "Everyone in the van."

"Oh, I'm not supposed to-"

"Van. Now."

Eddie scrambles into the driver's seat, buckling up as Hopper ushers the strangers and Joyce in before pulling the doors closed behind him. "Get a move on it, kid!"

Eddie starts the van and guns it. It'll be fine. He'll drop them off and then go home and wait. Like he's supposed to.

Except that doesn't happen. Hopper orders him to drop them off near the entrance, then park in a far back corner and wait. And how can Eddie argue with the Chief of Police?

It does give Eddie a view he never thought he'd see outside of horror movies. About an hour passes before another car pulls into the parking lot, stationing itself facing the mall, and the Wheeler's car still parked along the curb. The headlights on the car go out, and just as Eddie is leaning forward to try and get a better look at the car, something climbs atop the mall, pulling his attention from the car and holy shit what the fuck is that thing.

Eddie clamps both his hands over his mouth to stop from screaming. Then that thing drops into the mall and someone steps out of the car. The person makes it three steps from their car before what looks like the entire US military floods out the entrance of Starcourt, and several military vehicles come barreling around the mall, probably from the employee parking area.

Then there's a knock on Eddie's window and he's fairly certain he almost pisses himself in fear. He whips his head around to look and he just sees some older guy frowning at him.

"Edward," the man's voice is slightly raised but familar, "I believe I told you to go home."

"Holy shit!" Eddie unlocks his door and shoves it open, forcing Dr Owens to step back. Eddie goes to climb out but his seatbelt chokes him because he forgot he was still buckled in. He unbuckles but Dr Owens has moved back into his space, keeping him in his van.

"I'm Sam Owens," he finally, officially, introduces himself. "Care to explain?"

"Hopper made me do it."

Dr Owens doesn't even look surprised. He looks away from Eddie now, towards the flurry of movement happening around the mall. Eddie's eyes follow and he watches as Billy Hargrove, who he can now make out thanks to the spotlights from the fucking helicopters, gets tackled by two men twice his size.

"You're going to save him, right?" Eddie asks.

At that, Dr Owens does look surprised. "We're going to try."

He thinks of Steve's note. Save Max. Save Billy. "You better succeed."

Dr Owens looks like he agrees. He also lets Eddie stay. Make him sit in his car like he's in time out, and it feels like forever, but as soon as everyone Eddie's come to care about comes out the front door, Dr Owens tells Eddie to follow him, and they go join the group.

Steve looks beat to shit and Eddie runs to him, pulling himself back before he can fling himself at Steve and pull him into his arms.

"Jesus, Stevie!" Eddie says, taking in his puffy eye and split lip, and he can't stop the hand that reaches out to touch even though he absolutely should not be reaching for him in public- Steve slams into him, tucking his face into Eddie's neck. He doesn't hesitate to wrap his arms around Steve, starts whispering, "I've got you. I'm here and I've got you."

Steve finally pulls back when Joyce approaches, "Steve, let the paramedic look at you."

Steve steps back then but doesn't put distance between them. It reminds Eddie of what he said at graduation. 'I'm not afraid of a single person in this town'. Eddie wishes he wasn't afraid, either.

"Come with me?" Steve asks. Eddie nods, and follows.

They wait while Robin Buckley gets looked over, then it's Steve's turn. Robin takes Steve's place beside Eddie and they watch as Steve is examined. Eddie sees Robin giving him sideways glances, like she's afraid to fully look at Eddie, which is... something.

Once Steve is freed from the medic he steps up on Eddie's other side, the one Robin isn't stationed at, and says, "I need to talk to Owens before we can leave."

"Oh, uh, I'm kind of the Byers' and Hopper's ride. And the weird dudes they came with. They don't speak English."

Steve barks out a laugh at that. "Murray speaks English. And hooboy did we have to hear it from him. He doesn't trust the government."

Eddie doesn't know which of them was Murray, but he agrees. He gestures towards the mall, which some people seem to actively throwing gasoline on in an attempt to burn it faster? Eddie doesn't know. "Well, can't say I trust 'em either if this is the result."

"This is the Russian government's fault," Robin says.

"Oh, no, the Russians wouldn't be this kind of particular problem without our government," Steve says.

Robin just blinks at him. "Are we... still drugged?"

"You were drugged!?" Eddie whips around to Steve.

"Truth serum," Steve nods then seems to realize how quickly he said that and frowns. "It's taking longer to wear off. Or maybe this whole issue was resolved sooner than last time?"

"Shhhh!" Eddie shushes him with a hand on his mouth, looking frantically at Robin to see if she caught was Steve just said. "Stevie. Do not talk anymore tonight."

Steve licks his palm.

July 13th, 1985

It's an uncomfortable gathering around the table. Dr Owens, Chief Hopper, El, Joyce Byers, Steve, and Eddie are sitting at the Harrington dining table. They've all only just sat down, eyes on Steve.

"What do you mean you can't find me?" Steve asks as a whisper. With how silent it is, though, everyone hear.

El frowns. "You are gone. I cannot find you like I could Billy, or Dad, or Dr Owens. I do not know why."

After El had some rest and recovery, Steve had asked if she would look in his memories. Or be present while he remembered them. It was Dr Owens idea; maybe El could remember details that Steve himself did not pick up consciously, but heard to saw nonetheless. They'd attempted it last night to no success.

"Perhaps this has something to do with what... brought you back to this time," Dr Owens says, picking his words carefully with how slowly they left his mouth.

Steve nods before slumping in his chair, his brows furrowing as he thinks. Eddie thinks he's ridiculously cute when he makes that face. Joyce asks Dr Owens a question but Eddie's focus is on Steve. They're sitting next to each other, so he braves bumping his knee against Steve's. Steve responds by flashing him a smile and immediately hooking his ankle around Eddie's before falling back into his thoughts.

Eddie half listens to the conversation around him, half worries about Steve and what it means for him that El cannot find his mind. That being a by-product of the time travel thing seems logical. If Steve's consciousness was dropped into a younger body, the two minds couldn't exist at the same time. So perhaps, because El is searching for a Steve that, technically, no longer exists, she might not be able to find him?

"What about Project NINA?" Steve asks, bringing all conversation to a halt.

"How do you know-" Dr Owens cuts himself off. "No, I know how. Better question. What happened that we needed to actually use Project NINA?"

Steve looks haunted again, like he does when he remembers the timeline he destroyed. "Vecna happens. Spring break of '86. I- we can't talk about that here. I think- he can get inside people's head. Read their minds."

No one says it out loud, but everyone's eyes go to El for a moment and she looks uncomfortable.

"What if," Steve starts, like he's having a realization himself, "what if the reason I can't be found is for my protection? Vecna can read minds, get in there and make you think things- what if I'm being protected by whatever sent me back? Vecna doesn't know that I know what he's up to, 'cause he can't read my mind and know what happens in the future. Can't stop me from trying to stop him! Project NINA is like, a bring back memories thing, right? Take me there. Set it up away from Hawkins and take me there."

They discuss some more, trying to say a lot without saying anything incase Vecna was listening in right now. That's a thought that will keep Eddie up for months.

It's gets decided on that El will go with, to be able to try and reach Steve while he's trying to find his own memories. Hopper is going with because he's not letting El go alone, and that's when Eddie speaks up.

"Then I'm coming, too."

"Eds," Steve looks torn, like he wants to smile and frown at the same time.

"No. If Hopper's going for El's emotional support, than I'm coming for yours."

It's decided. Dr Owens will work on Project NINA, and arrange for them all to be picked up when it was ready.

"One last thing," Steve says, "once you're away from Hawkins, call me. There's someone I don't want involved in this. He's done enough damage. Oh, also, invest in some goddamn swim caps. If you think you can shave my head, or anyone else's, for your dunk tank, then you're going to get hit."

That night, Steve finally tells him what happened. What Dr Owens and he had planned. Steve only told Dr Owens about the Fourth of July, wanted to only change the last possible moment for worry of alerting Vecna to what was happening, worried about Vecna changing the plan if he knew.

He talks about Billy being possessed, how Will was, too, once. Dr Owens thinks they've managed to do that for Billy, but just to be safe, they're taking Billy somewhere. Steve didn't ask, but they're telling his dad that he got a scholarship to some college or other, full ride kind of thing. Max knows the truth, but she also knows he's alive. And knowing he's alive means Max isn't going to pull away from her friends.

Steve says he hopes that means Max is saved.

Eddie learns that Steve and Robin are going to become insufferable best friends, so Eddie had better make peace with that now.

Ha takes it all in, listens as Steve tries to downplay what he went through with humor. Like it was easier to endure just because he knew it was coming this time. It does end with Steve crying, just repeating they lived, this time, no one died, they're fine. And Eddie's smart to enough to know Steve isn't meaning all the people who did become a giant flesh monster; he's talking about they people he cares about. Hopper, who apparently died-but-didn't-die, and Billy.

He learns that last time El lost her powers, probably due to losing Hopper. But she didn't lose Hopper, or even have to fight the giant flesh monster. With the plans Dr Owens made, they'd already stormed and cleared the Russian base below Hawkins. It wasn't Dustin and Erica who freed Robin and Steve from their restraints, but some US military men. They'd waited until the Mind Flayer attacked the mall, dropped down inside it before torching it. They still needed the mall to burn down - there was a Russian base below it, after all.

Once Steve is finished, Eddie kisses his forehead and maneuvers them down in bed so he can spoon him. Steve melts into his touch, pulling Eddie's arms more firmly around him. Steve likes to be the little spoon, Eddie's happy to learn.

"I'm going to come out to everyone. Before we leave," Steve says, long after Eddie thought he's already fallen asleep. "You don't have to. We don't have to tell them we're together, but I want them to know."

The thought terrifies Eddie. He's been beaten up for the assumptions, it's hard to him to imagine what might happen if that words are made true by speaking them out loud. "Can I think on that?"

"Of course."

July 15th, 1985

Eddie does think about it. He thinks about coming out to this little family they've cultivated and it's hard. Coming out to Wayne had been rough, and he was one person! And he'd told Jeff. But Gareth and Brian had just kinda... put the pieces together and told Eddie they didn't care who he liked so long as he never picked his boytoy over Hellfire night (and so far, Eddie hasn't!). Eddie can't imagine telling up to fourteen people all at once.

Fourteen separate people who could hate him.

But Steve seems so sure they won't. That he won't lose anyone when(if) he comes out to them. And fuck, the scariest part if that he kind of wants to. If he and Steve do this together, if they know they're together, he could hold his hand when they're all together. Sit as close as he wants to without the fear of being found out because they'd already know.

But if they aren't okay with it. Or they aren't okay with Eddie.

These people, this group, was Steve's first, so they might be willing to forgive Steve for his temporary lapse in judgment, but Eddie hadn't done anything to earn their trust. Respect. Willingness to not beat him to death for being gay.

And also, a tiny part of him is afraid of losing Steve if he can't commit to coming out.

"Steve," Eddie whispers as they sit on the couch, a movie playing but Eddie's not watching. "I'm scared."

"What?" Steve sounds so confused, and he quickly looks between Eddie and the movie. It's so enduring that Eddie must laugh about it, just a little.

"Not of Footloose. Of telling people. About us."

Steve's face softens and he looks so fond that Eddie aches. "That's okay, Eddie. You don't have to."

"But what if...."

"If?" Steve prompts.

"What if I'm never ready to come out? What if I- if we can't- What does it mean for us, if I never get there?"

"Oh," Steve says, like the thought that Eddie would never come out hadn't ever occurred to him. "Well, then I'll just be the bisexual who never dates again and lives with his best guy friend for the rest of his life."

That's like a gut punch in the best way. That Steve says it so easily, like he plans to stay with Eddie until he dies. Eddie can't fathom that. "Careful, Stevie. With words like that I might get ideas about you."

Steve looks serious now, but with a little upturn to his mouth. A small, secret smile. "Ideas, hmm. What sort?"

"That you might adore me."

"Well, I do adore you," Steve says simply, easily, "I love you, Eddie."

Eddie freezes because that's not- Steve couldn't possibly mean- that's. What. Eddie and he haven't even said the word boyfriend to each other yet and Steve's... Steve is looking at him with such fondness, adoration, love. Butterflies erupt in Eddie's stomach and as quickly as that little bit of dread had filled him, it's gone even faster. Eddie flings himself into Steve's lap, the need to kiss him until both of them are light headed is the only thing left inside Eddie.

Eddie doesn't say it back, can't really, but Steve must know because he keeps repeating it, with every breath Eddie allows him to take in between kisses.

The next morning, Steve wants to comes out to his found family at their Good Luck Project NINA BBQ, because Hopper, El, Steve, and he are going to be heading to Indianapolis that evening to be picked up by Dr Owens men tomorrow morning and everyone wanted a last get together.

Steve is fearless. Steve is fearless, and so strong, and he loves Eddie.

So, when he calls attention to everyone and starts the speech he rehearsed with Eddie, Eddie steps up. Slides his hand into Steve's, gripping it probably to the point of pain, but there. It doesn't matter how they'll react, because Steve loves him. And he loves Steve.

(And if he clocks Lucas and Max exchanging money about it, well, he can't even be mad about that.)

#steddie #my fic #i have taken some liberties with the starcourt scene because lets face it #the timeline/amount of time that has passed between scenes is unreliable anyway #so im gonna be unreliable in a better way #which is lowering the amount of trauma these kids have just a lil bit #also i know it is a mix bag on how we feel about billy hargrove #i just think that steve would try and save him because of the whole Max almost getting Vecna'd in the graveyard thing yknow?#steve can hate billy and still want him to live for max #also STOP SHAVING ELS HEAD #especially when the scenes are of her fainting/passing out/being DRUGGED and waking up with her hair gone without her consent or knowledge #ew wrong ick YOU KNOW WHAT THE TROPE IMPLIES DUFFER BROTHERS IM ONTO YOU

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