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#but shes been better since she went to rehab so i was like “sure i will trust her with this and cancel my health insurance through my job”
yeahyouresocool · 4 months
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they should invent a parent that you can trust and rely on
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barcaatthemoon · 25 days
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be like water || fridlona rolfo x reader ||
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you try to pull away from frido when your feelings become too much to handle.
you didn't think it was possible for you to be so stupid. there had never been a doubt in your mind about following frido and ingrid from wolfsburg to barcelona. they were your best friends, and it made ingrid feel a lot better if she was close enough to really look out for you. what you couldn't believe was how quickly you managed to fall for frido once mapi came into the picture.
in all actuality, you had always had feelings for frido. she was kind, caring, and gorgeous. however, she had always ever spoken about boyfriends. you knew that didn't mean your crush was completely hopeless, but you also had trouble imagining a reality where frido liked you back.
you could think of a million reasons why frido wouldn't have felt the same way about you. there would always be so many things standing in the way of your happy ending. you were fairly certain that frido was straight since she had never shown an interest in any of your other teammates before. if it wasn't that, then the age gap was sure to get you. you had been barely 18 whenever the two of you had met, and it didn't help that ingrid had introduced you as "the baby" of the norweigan team.
'baby norway' was what they had been calling you since your call up to the national team at the tender age of 15. you had been a super sub back then, but it had only taken you a year and a half to become a consistent starter. you'd been blessed with practically no injuries, none that required rehab or surgeries at the very least. however, all of that came crashing down around you at barcelona.
it had started with a little tweak of your ankle during practice. frido cursed herself for not noticing it earlier whenever you went down at the next game. you knew that it wasn't her fault, you had already begun to pull away from her. still, she sat with you in the trainer's room while it got checked out.
"frido, you don't have to stay here," you told her. ingrid was out on the pitch and mapi was sitting in the stands with the rest of the injured players. you had hoped that frido would have stayed on the pitch, but instead, she had been insistent on coming with you. it was hard for you to avoid your feelings whenever frido openly showed how much she cared for you.
"jona has already subbed me off. am i just supposed to leave you here all by yourself?" frido asked you. you opened your mouth to tell her that was exactly what she should do, but she cut you off first. "don't be ridiculous. you and ingrid were there for me whenever i got hurt. i want to be here for you too."
"frido, please. this is the last thing that i need right now. just, go take a shower and calm down," you said. frido couldn't come up with a reason to argue with you, so she reluctantly left you in the trainer's room. once she was gone, you laid back and took a deep breath. it felt like a weight was lifted off of your chest once she was gone, only to be replaced by guilt clawing its way through your throat. frido just wanted to be there for you, but you couldn't get over your stupid feelings for her long enough to let her.
"so, tell me again why i'm the one picking you up from the hospital when i know for a fact that frido asked to do this?" ingrid asked you. she had been around countless times when frido offered to take care of you or escort you from appointment to appointment.
"we haven't gotten to spend much time together lately, and i missed you, that's all." it wasn't a complete lie, but ingrid knew that it wasn't the whole truth either. she pulled down a side street and turned her car off. you couldn't get out on your own, so the two of you were trapped there until ingrid got the truth out of you.
"did something happen between the two of you?" ingrid asked. you shook your head as you pulled your good leg up into the seat in front of you. you rested your head against your knee to keep it turned away from ingrid. "you still love her, don't you?"
"of course i love her, she's my best friend. i came all the way from germany for her, ingrid. i just didn't know that i couldn't be around her alone," you confessed. ingrid paused as she took in your words. you had always been adamant that you came for both of your friends, even if ingrid knew otherwise. she knew all about the secret feelings you kept for frido, just like she knew how conflicted frido felt about you.
"mapi is going to kill me for this, but i want you to stay with me for the next week or so, okay? neither frido nor i want you to be alone, but i won't force you to stay with her if you can't handle it," ingrid told you. you thanked her quietly as she started the car up again and drove off towards her apartment.
she didn't tell you about frido already being at your place. ingrid didn't tell you a lot of things, just like she didn't tell frido anything either. she kept both of your secrets until one of you were ready to come out with it. she wanted to help you desperately, but knew that it wasn't her place to put it all out in the open.
"i don't get it. did i do something?" frido was practically tearing her hair out as she sat on the couch next to ingrid and aitana. your stay with mapi and ingrid had ended over a week ago, but you were still dodging all of frido's texts and calls.
"it's not you, i promise," ingrid reassured the older woman. "the baby just has some things to work out, that's all. this is a difficult time for her, she's going through a lot."
"but why is she pushing me away? i could help her, but she won't let me." tears sprung to frido's eyes. you had always seemed closer with ingrid because of your shared nationality, but it had never been an issue for frido before. "i need a minute."
"frido, wait!" ingrid shouted. frido was standing, but she didn't make a move to leave her place. "let me drive you to (y/n)'s. i think you two realy need to talk."
"she doesn't want anything to do with me. i'm not you, it's okay," frido said. ingrid sighed and pulled frido outside. the drive from your place was pretty short, usually just a ten minute walk.
ingrid felt bad about blindsiding you, but this conversation couldn't wait any longer. both you and frido were tearing yourselves apart trying to navigate feelings and your friendship. ingrid knew how easy it could be for both of you, and that was all she wanted. she just wanted her friends to be happy, even if the thought of making a move terrified the both of them.
you hadn't expected any visitors, so ingrid and frido's arrival had taken you by surprise. ingrid shoving frido through your front door and closing it for you was an even bigger one. ingrid knew practically everything, and yet, here she was forcing you to be alone with the person who had been giving you so much grief for the past few months.
"i think we need to talk, but i don't know what to say to you," you told frido. you hobbled over to your couch and sat down. frido just stood in front of you and paced around your living room. "fridolina, calm down."
"no, i can't. i am sick and tired of being calm about this. you've got me worried sick. i care about you so much, and i want to help you through whatever this is, but you won't let me. i know that i'm not ingrid, and i'm sorry, but fuck! let me help you." frido's voice grew as she spoke, but she never really got close to shouting at you. "talk to me, please. i miss the way things were in germany, it felt so much easier back then."
"trust me, it was never any easier. we just weren't alone back then like we are now," you told her. frido glanced down at you, a look of confusion on her face. "i don't want you to be ingrid, frido. i love you for you, and that's the problem."
"your problem is that you love me?" frido asked you. you nodded, unable to look up and meet her gaze. you kept your eyes down as you felt her approach you. the couch dipped down as frido sat down next to you. you shuddered when her arm wrapped around you, even though you had been craving her affection since you started to distance yourself. "look at me, (y/n), please."
"i can't," you whispered. frido sighed as she pressed a kiss to the side of your forehead. "i can't do this. i have to talk to jona. i have to go back to wolfsburg or just somewhere else."
"don't run away from your feelings. just look at me, please," frido pleaded with you. she was on the verge of getting on her knees and begging you to look at her. you didn't know why, but something in her voice compelled you to go against your instincts.
your eyes met tearful blue ones, and you nearly broke because of it. frido gently caressed your cheek, rubbing her thumb along your cheekbone as she stared at you. there was no disgust or pity in frido's eyes, which caught you by surprise. all you could see was relief. your friendship didn't implode on the spot because of your admission, which filled you with a relief that you couldn't even begin to describe.
"i love you too," frido told you. she leaned forward and pressed her forehead against yours. her eyes flicked down to your lips before coming back up to meet your eyes again. "can i kiss you?"
frido barely managed to finish her sentence before you were lurching forward. she caught your body in her arms, allowing for you to practically lay on top of her as the two of your lips met in a passionate kiss. frido began to push you back a bit to catch her breath. you let out a whine as her lips moved off of yours.
"i've wanted this for so long that i don't ever want to stop," you said quietly. frido smiled as she pressed a quick kiss to your lips. "i thought you'd hate me if i told you how i felt. i had tried for so long to be cool and casual, but i couldn't. the more time we spent here without ingrid, the harder it became."
"i wish that you had told me how you felt, but i am not sure that i would have accepted it at first. i think we were both going through something, but that's over now. we have each other, and if you're willing to give me a chance, i'd like to see where this goes." frido's words made your heart swell a little with happiness. it was an odd feeling, finally having your feelings reciprocated. you didn't know what to do with yourself. you didn't know where things were going, but you hoped that they flowed as easily and naturally as your friendship with her had.
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afterglowkatie · 1 month
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everything will be okay | l.w.
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leah williamson x reader | 1.6k | leah takes care of you after you tear your acl
ˏˋ°•*⁀acl mentions :( i had the base of this written when i was out from basketball for a long time with an injury so it seemed fitting to turn it into a leah fic
Leah couldn’t help but feel bad as she watched you struggle to get around on crutches. She knew how it felt and couldn’t help but feel like she was responsible for you ending up like this. You and Leah were at training, running through your usual drills when you had been running after the ball trying to stop Leah from reaching it when she gave you a little bump. That little bump where you had lost your footing slightly was all it took for a sudden sharp pain to tear through your leg from your knee. You cried out collapsing to the ground while holding your knee. Having gone through this already Leah’s stomach dropped and she was quick to get you help.
Leah was there by your side the entire time, refusing to leave no matter who it was trying to tell her that she didn’t need to be there. You were grateful to have Leah there holding your hand through every scan and test that needed to happen. Leah was there to hold you and wipe away your tears while your heart sunk and the world became a blur when you were told you had torn your acl. Leah kept you grounded
This last year you had seen many of your teammates go through this injury, and with helping Leah through it, you knew how the next year was going to go for you. Though nothing could prepare you for how it actually felt to go through it. It had been about four months since having torn your acl and nothing was getting any easier. You were convinced everything was getting harder, if that was even possible. 
You hated having to rely on those around you, even if they constantly reassured you that it was fine and they were happy to help you. And to top it all off you still hadn’t figured out how to properly use the crutches you were given. Your frustrations towards your injury kept growing but Leah was doing everything she could to take care of you and make sure you were okay. You were sure that she had stopped going out as much and seeing her friends just so she could stay home to take care of you and make sure your recovery went as smoothly as possible. 
It only added to the frustration and guilt you felt. You weren’t used to being so dependent on others. Though you never complained and never wanted to seem ungrateful because you were immensely grateful for Leah’s help. Just by being her and being around you it would make each day so much better. She was the only thing that could bring you happiness in your current state.
Today was another day that drained even more of your already quite low energy and mental strength. Another day of rehab and physio and another week of being told your recovery wasn’t moving along as fast as you had hoped. You knew it wasn’t right but you couldn’t help to compare yourself to the others that had already gone through this. Comparing your recovery to theirs and wondering what more you could be doing to be at the same place they were around this time. 
In your rational mind you knew that everyone’s bodies were different and everyone took different times to repair and recover. It still didn’t stop you from feeling like you were falling behind. Every time your potential return to even just running again got pushed back it took a big toll on you mentally. Afraid everyone was going to give up on you the longer it took for you to recover, afraid that you would get replaced and not have a spot in the team to come back to. It was bound to happen soon that you would also give up on yourself.
‘Here let me,’ Leah got out of the car once you had returned to your apartment, going around to your side to help you out of the car. Taken back when you pushed her hand off of you, not used to you refusing any help.
‘I can do it,’ Your words came out more harsh than anticipated. It was the first time you had spoken to Leah since your session and her training had ended. Leah wasn’t hurt at your tone, just surprised. After all, she knew better than anyone what you were going through. She understood how hard this sort of injury can be mentally, especially on a player at the peak of their career just like you were. Finally having made your way into being a regular in the starting eleven, to have an injury to this extent where you would have to eventually prove yourself worthy of that starting line up once again.
Leah watched as you struggled to get out of the car and inside the apartment, taking a step back knowing a little bit of space is what you needed. Though she desperately wanted to help you and make your life easier. You let out a frustrated groan as you sat on the edge of your bed, haphazardly throwing your crutches down on the floor next to you before dropping your head to rest in your hands.
‘Baby,’ Leah whispered out softly while she slowly approached you, ‘talk to me, please’ Leah was concerned. You could tell and hear the desperation that laced her voice while she gently took your hands in hers and pulled them away from your face. She had been there the whole time, seeing how you had recently started to withdraw from everyone around you. Your arsenal teammates asking Leah how you were doing since they had stopped hearing from you. Leah knew you were struggling. You didn’t want to confide in anyone, feeling like you were already enough of a burden having to rely on someone now.
You knew that Leah understood how you were feeling and it should be easy to confide in her, but somehow that made it all harder for you. You shook your head and closed your eyes tight, refusing to look in front of you. Leah sighed softly, standing up to sit next to you on the bed, wrapping her arms around you and gently pulling you into her side, ‘I’m here for you,’ You didn’t know why but hearing Leah utter those words had you breaking down instantly.
‘Le,’ You cried out softly, tears pricking your eyes as you remembered what you had been told earlier that day, ‘It’s going to take longer than we thought,’ Your voice was barely above a whisper. Dropping your head so it was laying against Leah’s shoulder looking down where she was absentmindedly playing with your fingers. The softness of her hands against yours had started to calm you down, though it didn’t stop the thoughts racing around in your mind, ‘What if I never fully recover. I don’t think I can handle never stepping onto the pitch again, never getting to be back with the team,’ 
‘Oh baby,’ Leah sighed out, a sad smile on her face, thankful that you were finally talking to her about how you were feeling, ‘You’re so strong, stronger than you think. You are going to be okay. Everything will be okay. Don’t think too much about the future and try to take each day as they come,’ 
‘I’m scared, Le. I don’t want to lose all of this. I don’t want to lose the team and I don’t want to lose you,’ Your teammates at arsenal and Leah were some of the most important people in your life. You dedicated most of your life towards football and if it suddenly disappeared from you, you didn’t know what you’d do without it. What good were you to your friends if you couldn’t play again.
‘You won’t lose any of this, any of us. You’re smart babe, if you can’t return as a player I’m sure there will be another way you can still be involved in football,’ Leah smiled while holding you close to her. Her hands giving yours a little squeeze, ‘And you definitely won’t lose me,’ Leah leaned close to give you a small kiss on your cheek, one that had your frown turning into an almost instant small smile.
‘How can you be so sure?’ Turning your head to look up at Leah, feeling your cheeks heat up seeing how softly she was looking at you. Your smile takes over more of your face the longer you both look at each other. Leah was happy to be seeing the smile she loved so much again. 
‘Love, arsenal we’re like a family and you know that. Families don’t just throw each other away just because we’re injured. You aren’t the exception, everyone loves you. Though I obviously love you the most,’ Leah gave you a soft kiss on your lips, ‘You couldn’t get rid of me babes, even if you tried,’ Leah playfully squeezed your sides while you let out a small chuckle at her words already feeling a lot better than you previously had been.
You stayed wrapped in Leah’s embrace, enjoying the way she felt comforting and safe. The day had taken a lot out of you, so much you had forgotten to eat until your stomach loudly reminded you. Leah laughing and lightly poking at your stomach, ‘How does some food sound?’
‘As long as you’re not the one cooking it,’ Leah feigned hurt at your words before you both fell into an uncontrollable laughter. 
‘Don’t worry, I have my personal chef on speed dial,’ Leah held up her phone showing your favourite restaurant's name already up on her screen. You just shook your head at her, burying yourself even more into her side. As long as you had Leah there by your side you felt as though you could more willingly accept the help that Leah and your friends gave you. You’d learn that you aren’t a burden to anyone. And most importantly, no matter where you were at with recovery even if you were to never fully recover, you would be okay. Everything will be okay.
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samkerrworshipper · 5 months
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Would you please be able to write something about you getting the call up for the WC and calling Sam afterwards crying. Just lots of fluff xx
Thank you
the phone call | sam kerr x lionesses reader
sorry my lovelies… i’m still yet to leave bed because of this pain flare up
sorry if i’m not interacting with your messages and kind words.. trying to limit my screen time but i promise im seeing them all and it means the world to me
for now you all get some little drabbles that are sitting in my drafts xo
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It’s 6pm.
The calls were supposed to start going out at 4 and it’s 6.
You’re paralysed, stuck to your spot on the couch, your feet anxiously tied up in the blanket draped over you as you stare down at your phone, patiently awaiting a call.
It hasn’t been an easy ride to get to this point, almost a year ago you were lying in a hospital bed, unmoving and unsure whether you’d ever walk again, let alone be in contention to play football for your country.
You’ve worked your ass off, tens of hundreds of hours in the gym, rehabbing, working on your strength, all for this call.
You know realistically that the longer you’re left waiting, the longer that your chances are depleting.
Coaches make the easiest calls first, the starting eleven, then their moving bench, players who will still get plenty of time on the pitch, then they move onto the maybe players, players whose skill sets might be needed depending on the team, then it’s onto the emergency players, then it’s the fillers, players that are just kind of on the squad because of courtesy, even though the chances that they will play is next to nothing.
In your mind, you fall into some place between the last two, Sarina doesn’t owe you anything though, the last time you played for her was the Euro’s semi final, when everything went to shit for you and sure, you’ve worked hard since then, but sometimes hard work isn’t always enough, especially in the world of soccer politics.
You sent Sam out of the house to run some errands half an hour ago, insisting you would be fine, but right now you wished you hadn’t, because there is nothing you need more than to be cuddled up in your fiancé’s arms.
She’s been there for you every single step of the way, quite literally being the person who helped you walk your first steps after surgery.
The road has been tough for the both of you, and you know there is nothing Sam wants more than for you to be with her in Australia over the Summer.
If it isn’t meant to be, then it isn’t, you’ll be there anyways on the sidelines supporting her but there is something so much more satisfying about knowing that you might get to be on the pitch beside her.
You don’t know what you’ll do if you are back in the squad, sure you’ve been to the last two camps, but being named in the actual squad is something else, especially for the world cup, it would mean the whole world to you.
Your thoughts are enough to drain out the ping from messages, but the desperate vibration in your hands isn’t.
Your eyes dart down to the screen, bursting open like you’d just consumed a energy drink when Sarina’s name pops up on your screen.
‘If you have a spare minute would love to chat whenever your free.’
You’ve been free since 12pm last night, sleep didn’t come for you, instead you’d sat by the phone, waiting for any kind of notification.
Sam had tried her hardest to pry you away, forcing you to come on a morning run with her, which was extremely abnormal, neither you or Sam where runners, but you assumed it was just your girlfriend trying to make you feel a little bit better.
You typed at your phone like a mad man, unwilling to miss this precious window that seemed to have opened for you, you didn’t even had the chance to actually think about Sarina actually calling you, too busy furiously tapping at the keyboard on your phone.
‘Free to chat whenever suits you’
You didn’t have much time to look at your text, mere seconds after the bubble went blue Sarina’s contact was popping up on your screen.
You couldn’t breathe, couldn’t do much more than aggressively tap the green button and watch as the call connected and Sarina’s face popped up on your screen.
“Y/n, good to see you, how’s your day been? I’ve been told there is quite a storm in London today?”
You don’t want to talk about weather, or this as trivial as how your day is going, but you put a smile on for Sarina anyways, a cute little smile that you normally save for press conferences after a particularly bad match or rough game.
“Sarina, it’s an honour as always, I’m doing well thanks, the weather is definitely shocking but we’re used to it, how’s it doing in the Netherlands?”
Sarina smiles at you, and it makes you feel a little bit uneasy, why can’t she just rip the bandaid off.
“It’s nice today, blue skies. How’s Sam? I don’t know if I had the chance to congratulate you on your engagement yet.”
You put on another little smile, trying to act like the nerves growing in your stomach aren’t bubbling up so badly that you feel as if you’re about to vomit.
“Sam’s good, we’re very happy, I’ve sent her out to get groceries which I’m regretting because she hasn’t got a clue what we need.”
Sarina laughs heartily, and it’s almost enough to make you feel a little bit better about the whole situation.
“Well I hope she’ll be happy to know that you’ll be in Australia over the Summer playing for England, if you’d like?”
All thoughts in your brain are cut off when you catch onto what Sarina is saying and then all of a sudden you can feel the tears building up in the back of your eyes.
“You’re serious? You want me in Australia?”
Sarina just laughs once again.
“You were part of our winning Euro’s team y/n, there is nothing I would love more than to welcome you back. You are a crucial part of our defence, especially with Leah missing and there is nothing we need more than your leadership. You’ve been fantastic on the pitch recently, both club and at camp, if you keep performing as you are, I think you’ll be very deserving of taking your place back in the starting eleven, how does that sound?”
You have to put your hand over your mouth to stop yourself from sobbing.
“Thank you so much Sarina, you genuinely don’t know how much this means to me, I’ll prove to you everyday that I deserve to be there and I’ll do whatever I can on and off the pitch to help the team.”
Sarina just smiles to herself.
“I don’t doubt that at all, all I ask is that you try your hardest, I’ll let you go now y/n, have a good couple of weeks, I’ll see you at the airport.”
Before you can embarrass yourself any further, you're wishing Sarina farewell and pressing the red button at the bottom of your screen.
It takes a few seconds for it all to set in for you, the happenings of your phone call slowly sinming into your brain.
It’s when it all sinks in that you realise tears are still dripping down your face, and before you can think about it too hard your searching for Sam’s contact and clicking the call button.
To Sam’s credit, it takes about three seconds before your girlfriends face pops up on your screen.
“I think I might need a shopping list- baby why are you crying?”
Just looking at Sam makes you perk up a little bit, she’s all flustered which you don’t see very often.
“Sarina called, I’m in the squad, she wants me in the squad.”
Just saying it creates a whole other wave of emotions of flowing, and this time you don’t even try to stop the sobs leaving your mouth.
Sam lights up immediately.
“Baby, that is awesome, I’m not surprised at all, I’m leaving the shops now, I’ll be home in five minutes we can talk about it then, hmm?”
You nod eagerly, a big smile breaking out across its face.
“I’m so proud of you babe, you’ve worked so hard for this, I’ll be home in a couple of minutes, okay?”
You just nod at Sam, far to giddy to do much besides jerk your head up and down like a energised puppy.
You weren’t quite sure what the future held for your Summer in Australia, but you that no matter what, no matter the injuries, setbacks, bad games, Sam would be there for you through it all, she’d be there for you, no matter what side of the dug out you were sitting on.
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unnoticed-poison · 3 months
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Dark! Yandere! Hazbin Hotel X Reader 【 𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝟑 】
So I forgot I explained the situation in my other yandere fic but not this one so I'll do it now so everyone will know.
The reason some girls are genderbend is because I can't exactly write yaoi or yuri cause of my religion, the most I could do for them is turn them into males so they can be romantic yanderes, hope you guys understand.
Also because I like to write genderbend as well.
The treatment Valentino gives Angel Dust will be mentioned of course, and not all the girls will be genderbend, it depends on how the story will go.
So anyways enjoy the chapter ❣️
˖๑‧˚꒷꒦₊꒷꒦︶︶₊꒷꒦˚‧๑˖𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 ˖๑‧˚꒷꒦︶︶₊꒷꒦₊꒷꒦˚‧๑˖
Things were not going so well for Charles at the meeting.
"And then I went ahead and invited her to my place-"
This 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘳 won't stop babbling about useless stuff and avoiding the topic at hand.
"- I failed to seduce her since she's so oblivious, but I can always try again next time," Adam said nonchalantly, taking a bite out of the rib as he glanced at him. "So what did you do this weekend?"
"Sir." The exterminator standing behind Adam looked less than thrilled while listening to his boss's chattering as well. " There's only a few minutes left for the meeting."
"Really? Oh well, you can start talking then."
Fucking finally.
Charles stood up after clearing his throat, holding up his papers as he started explaining the situation at hand.
"So I'm sure you're well aware of the overpopulation issue we're currently facing, I would like to suggest-"
Adam interrupted him. "OH that's not a problem at all! we're taking care of that just fine, Lute!" He called out as Lute stepped closer to him. "How many demons did you kill this year?"
The exterminator's voice was blunt as he answered. "Got a good 275 sir."
"275!? Badass! Awesome job danger dick." They fist-bumped as he said this, making the demon frown.
They're proud of that..?
"You know those are my people, right..?"
Adam laughed. "Of course! And that's what makes it even better!"
Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Charles continued. "As I was saying, all our problems will be solved if we rehab those sinners and cleanse all their souls so they can join you guys in heaven and the extermination won't be needed anymore!"
He explained as fast as he could while holding up each paper. " The redeeming process will take place in my hote-"
"That's enough."
Huh?
"But I haven't finished yet-"
"I've heard more than enough, if what you're suggesting is letting those miserable fuckers climb up the ladder then you can forget about it, that's the dumbest idea I've ever heard in my long, loooong life."
"Everyone makes mistakes! They can redeem themselves-"
"They had the chance to do that when they were 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦, now that they've earned damnation, it's no one's fault but their own," Lute spoke in a scornful tone, his eyes narrowed in disgust. "And for your information, angels 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 make mistakes."
Charles narrowed his eyes at him in return. " You really think so."
The man smirked. "I 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 so."
Adam, visibly annoyed, slammed his hands on the table, making them both stop. "Alright that's enough!"
He rose to his feet and made his way over to Charles until they were standing face to face. " Look here pal, hell is forever and there's nothing, and I mean absolutely 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 you can do about it, so I suggest you give up now, and I'll pretend I never heard any of that bullshit."
A sneer of contempt crept over his face as he towered over the boy, he looked too much like his father, just looking at him made him 𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘬.
"You should consider yourself lucky that damned snake gave you a pardon from the extermination or else you and your hellborn kind would've been dead a long time ago."
Charles could feel his blood boil, his face flushed in rage as he scowled at him.
This damned bastard-
Before he had a chance to respond, the angel suddenly stepped back.
"And now that I've got your and the audience's attention, I would like to announce that we've made a determination!" With a triumphant smirk, Adam turned his head to stare directly at where the camera was.
...?
Confused, Charles turned his head to where Adam was looking.
....
Shit!
There was a camera?!!
How come he didn't notice it!
"-To move up the next extermination."
What?!
"Wait a second that's not-!"
"I can't wait a whole year to slaughter those little cunts, I know the day just finished, but we'll be back in six months!" Taking hold of both the drone and Charles's hand, he sent a menacing smile to the camera. " Enjoy those next few months dear sinners! Cause they might be your last."
Once he said that, he roughly threw them out of the room and returned to his seat while bursting into a fit of laughter.
"Wait!" The demon exclaimed, papers scattered around him as he tried to enter the room again. "Hold on a moment!"
"Now where is my favorite angel-" was the last thing he heard Adam say before the door slammed shut in his face.
......
Frustrated beyond words, his face scrunched up in anger as he slammed his fist into the door.
"Fuck!"
This was not how this was supposed to go!
He made things WORSE.
He then heard a voice come from the small drone.
"Looks like Lucifer's brat fucked things up for us all! What a shocker, I'm sure your father will be 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥."
....
He squeezed his eyes shut, letting out a deep sigh as he dropped his head, feeling defeated.
"Excuse me, are those yours?"
Huh?
Charles lifted his head and looked over his shoulder.
Despite the woman being out of uniform and wearing a simple dress, he was certain that she was one of the angels with the wings and halo.
Moreover, the giant hammer in her hand, still dripping with blood, served as a stark reminder of her rank.
Her other hand was holding the papers he drew at the hotel, with a basket hanging from her wrist.
Was that an egg?
Despite being a little disturbed by the sight, he couldn't help but be drawn by her looks.
She's pretty...
"Sir?"
Charles snapped out of it, a flush spread across his cheeks when he realized he'd been staring too long.
With a sheepish nod, he stood up and brushed off his clothes as he went over to you.
"Oh yeah they're mine!"
With a nod, you extended the papers. "Here you go then." You said, handing him the papers, some were stained with blood.
He looked at the stained papers for a moment before taking them off your hand. "Am.. thanks."
"No problem, have a nice day."
With that being said, you walked past him and towards the room he just got kicked out of.
His eyes followed your back for a moment, letting out a heavy sigh and turning around to leave when he suddenly paused in his tracks.
Wait..
𝘚𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦
𝘐 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳
𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭?
Perhaps you're the one that arrogant prick was talking about?
𝘍𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦..𝘴𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘦...
Maybe it wasn't too late yet!
If he could convince you of his project then maybe...
Perhaps you could help change Adam's mind as well!
Or at the very least move the extermination back to once a year like usual.
"Miss! Please wait!"
Turning back, he quickly headed over to you.
Upon hearing that, you paused and turned back to him with a raised brow. "Do you need anything?"
"I'd like to speak with you about something urgent."
You silently glanced back at the door and then back at the blonde, you had arrived just in time to witness him get thrown out by your boss.
So you had a pretty good guess on why he wanted to discuss with you.
"I'm sorry but my boss's words are final, I have no say in them, so whatever you spoke with him about I can't do anything."
That was mostly a lie, but the blonde didn't need to know that.
"Please! I beg you, it will only take a minute."
Gazing at the sheer desperation on the man's face, you couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him.
..........
.....
Damnit.
You finally let out a sigh. "Go ahead, I can't promise anything though."
?!
Charles's face lit up with happiness as he gave you a beaming smile.
"Thank you!"
Despite your visible disinterest, the man excitedly explained his entire project to you in detail.
There might be hope to clean up the mess he made after all.
˖๑‧˚꒷꒦₊꒷꒦︶︶₊꒷꒦˚‧๑˖𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 ˖๑‧˚꒷꒦︶︶₊꒷꒦₊꒷꒦˚‧๑˖
Hope you guys liked the chapter!
I really need to focus back on my Yandere Animation Studios fic, that thing only has the trailer chap posted 😭
Anyways until next time ❣️
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ashwhowrites · 1 year
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I need help! Are we wanting a happy ending with them getting together or them not ending up together? Let me know your thoughts
Here is part 2- not much that has action. More internal thoughts on both sides of the situation :)
never proofread
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Eddie found himself back in a hotel room, again all over. His hands burned whenever he looked at them. The hands he put on his own kid. He was spiraling out of control. He did exactly what his wife was praying he would never do. And then added fire to it all when he lost control with Jake.
She told him to get a lawyer and he didn't know where to start with what she meant. Did she mean divorce? Fidning for custody? Was she going to turn him in him for putting his hands on their son? His brain was going a million miles an hour.
He should have known he couldn't just stop. He heard the story about Liam, he heard about the aftermath and how fucked up he became. Why did Eddie think he could easily avoid the addiction? That he could spend many nights getting high and just turn it off in a day?
He hates what Liam put Jake through, and he hates himself for doing it to him and Aria. He knew Y/N didn't deserve it either. She lost someone she loved to drugs before, and now it was happening again. He felt so damn guilty for putting her through this again. He can't imagine the nights she spent crying when he was at parties and blowing his life away.
She loved him and supported him with everything and he betrayed her in a way that was too close to home.
Eddie knew in his heart that his family was more important than the drugs. He knew he wasn't that far gone that he would choose the drugs over them. He just did a horrible job at showing it.
But he wasn't going to just give up. He had the time to get clean, he had places to go if the withdrawals were worse than he planned. He wasn't afraid to throw himself in rehab if that's what she wanted. He was going to get clean and stay clean.
He knew he had to make it up to Jake as well. All the games he missed because he couldn't get out of bed.
He wasn't going to be in any of Aria's birthday pictures, and one she will ask. He owed to make that up to her too.
And Y/N? He didn't know where to start with making it up to her. She welcomed Eddie into Jake's life and he put Jake in danger. That was unforgivable in many ways. And Eddie wasn't sure if that was something he could exactly "make" up to her. But he knew he'd never make his family feel scared of him again.
~~~
He called every morning, and every night. Sometimes she'd pick up, tell him about Aria's day but that was it. She never said a word about Jake and Eddie understood that. It's been a week since the fallout. He knew that he didn't deserve to even get to call her so he took every minute she gave.
Jake had a game this afternoon, Eddie was nervous to show up, but he refused to miss another game. He wanted to be better and this was a shitty step in the right direction. It wasn't much but he hoped it showed he was serious about being there.
He found Y/N and Aria on the bleachers, he respected their space and sat on the opposite side. He didn't want Jake to be distracted by him. He didn't want to upset Jake in a place he always felt positive in.
As the game went on, the more Eddie got invested. Kicking himself for missing so many games. He tried to keep his cheering low and to himself. Not wanting to alert anyone that he was there and make them all feel uneasy.
Jake's team won and he watched as the boy ran to Y/N, hugging her and talking all about his hits. Eddie craved to be there with them, and it hurt knowing he messed up. It was a reminder that even the little things were different because of his mistakes.
~~~
Y/N was used to being alone since Eddie was distant the whole time he was on tour, but this was so much worse. Knowing he was just blocks away and she couldn't feel him. It was like when she was being tortured, he was dangling right there, but everything was different. It wasn't easy, he messed up and it hurt her to make sure he was held accountable. She wanted her husband back and wanted to fall asleep in his arms. She wanted him to make Aria breakfast, and drive Jake to school.
She just wanted it to go back to the way it was before he left for that damn tour. Before he ruined everything and put them in this tough spot.
She almost felt like she was seeing him places. She felt like he was at that baseball game but when she looked he wasn't there. She shrugged it off and took Jake for his celebration ice cream. Aria blabbing happily in her arms.
~~~
As she got Aria settled for bed, she heard her phone ring. She set Aria down and pulled out her phone. Eddie's name and face flashed across her screen. She took a deep breath and answered the call. Allowing him to say goodnight to their daughter.
Once Aria was set for bed, she moved out of the room. Eddie nervously asked if he could talk to Jake. Eddie felt disappointment settle in when Y/N said that Jake refused. But Eddie accepted his answer.
"Thanks for answering, I love you." He held his breath as he waited for her to say something back. A tiny whisper of "I love you too," traveled through the phone. He felt himself smile as she hung up. It was small but it was something.
She got herself ready for bed, Eddie's side still left untouched. She wanted her husband and her family back. But there was a ton of damage done. She was worried they might not be able to come back from this. Would she look like a fool for forgiving him? Would she be a horrible mother for allowing him near Jake again? She had so many questions and hated she was the only one with the answers.
~~~
Jake tossed and turned in his bed. The picture of him and Eddie framed on his desk was taunting him.
He knew what Eddie did was wrong, but he missed him. He never saw his real dad and barely missed him. But Jake has missed Eddie since he left for tour. The Eddie that came home from the tour wasn't his dad, and he missed that version of Eddie.
He believed that version of Eddie was still there, inside him. How did he know?
He saw Eddie on the bleachers during his game. He still cared and he wanted to make up for his mistakes.
Jake wasn't scared of Eddie, he missed his dad.
~~~
Eddie was seconds away from passing out when he heard his phone ding. He blinked open his eyes and adjusted to the brightness on his screen.
"Thanks for coming today, dad"
Eddie smiled at the text from Jake.
He has a lot of work to do fixing himself for his family. But he knew he wouldn't stop until he did.
Tags!
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justmeinadaze · 8 months
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You Should Be Sad (Steddie X You)
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Part 1 Without Me
A/N: ENTER WITH CAUTION! Like my previous chapter THIS WILL MAKE YOU FEEL! Its angsty and dealing with dark themes of addiction. I WILL STILL LOVE YOU IF YOU CHOOSE TO SKIP THIS STORY!
Warnings: Toxic Steddie and reader! Even though in the bulk of this story they are on a healing journey a lot of their toxic behavior is discussed and expanded upon. ANGST, They are sober but they still haven't truly faced all of their demons. Eddie is a former drug addict and Steve is a former alcoholic. Their previous behavior is discussed and expanded upon including verbal abuse, Eddie ODing, and smacking the reader (its just the one time but it shakes them both).
Eddie does go visit his dad in jail and of course his dad is an asshole. Eddie talks about his trauma and what his mom went through. Steve does the same when it comes to his dad and how he made him feel.
Reader talks about her healing and how they were like her drug. She talks in detail about how they made her feel especially when Eddie ODed.
I think that's all the angst. Again DARK THEMES ARE EXPLORED HEAVILY! If that makes you uncomfortable I understand if you choose not to read!
SMUT, not rough in anyway, there's still love between them and they are much gentler with her here then in the last chapter. FLUFF, I did create a happy ending. I think they deserve that <3. Not all situations like this end badly.
Word Count: 11,371
 1991
“I, um, called her mom and she said she may be coming in but I don’t know.”, Steve sighed as he wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans. 
“And if she doesn’t that’s alright. You’ve been doing really well, Steven. Compared to where you were three years ago after Y/N left.” The man grimly smiled towards the group counselor.
He hated thinking about that time in his life. After you three graduated school, they convinced you to move into an apartment with them. Being completely away from prying eyes didn’t make things any better. Steve drank more excessively and Eddie continued to snort heavy amounts of his drug. Their toxic behavior amplified and every day they watched your personality that they fell in love slowly fade. 
 Three years ago, you finally had enough. You didn’t notify them in any way or even go back to the apartment to pack a bag. You just got in your car and ran from Hawkins. 
Losing you shook them to their core. A week after you disappeared, Steve went to the station and told Hopper about the accident he had caused senior year that got you hurt. They charged him for the DUI and fleeing the scene but instead of any prison time the chief got him into a rehab program. After six months of in-patient treatment, he was released for continued out-patient rehab therapy. He had been sober ever since but every day was hard. Due to his record no one wanted to hire him even though he was a Harrington so he ended up having to work at his dad’s firm. 
With everything that happened, his dad became almost worse, constantly reminding him of his failures. Every time he said something condescending or Steve had that strong urge to drink, he would look at the photo he had of you three on his desk and remind himself why he was trying to be better. 
***
His uncle watched Eddie with cautious eyes as he took an obnoxiously big bite of the burger in front of him. 
“Wayne, if you stare at me any harder you’re going to burn a hole through my brain.”
The man laughs as he takes a sip from his glass of water. He knew his nephew was allowed to drink but chose not to for his roommate’s sake. Wayne didn’t want to make that choice any harder than he was sure it was so whenever he spent the afternoon with him he would drink anything but.
“How’s therapy goin’?”
“It’s, uh, it’s going.”, Eddie sighs. “We’ve been talking a lot about Allen lately. She…she thinks I should go to the prison and confront him. Face my fears so to speak. I told her I’m not afraid of him—” His uncle’s scoff cut him off. “What? I’m not.”
“Ed…you went through a lot as a kid. I don’t know how much you remember but—”
“I remember all of it.”
“Ok, I’m just saying, when someone goes through what you went through at such a young age…it’s ok to still…be afraid.” Eddie glares down at his plate as his uncle continues. “You’re not like him, son. Yeah, you fucked up but you’re trying. My brother gave up way before he ever went in.”
The boy’s jaw tightened as he tried to keep his emotions in check. 
“I hurt her, Wayne. That night I… I was out of control. You should have seen the way she looked me…after I…It was how mom looked him.”
***
You stared at the Hawkins road sign from your parked car as you wiped the tears from your eyes. You had been gone for three years and when you originally left you told yourself you were never coming back. The night you ran was the beginning of your own personal rehab purging you of them. You desperately needed to get away from their toxicity after what happened. 
About a year after you left, you received a call from a doctor at a rehab center a few hours outside of Hawkins asking if you would be willing to come be a part of Steve’s 12 step rehabilitation program. He needed to make amends and so far only Eddie and his mom participated. You declined at the time feeling there was no point. Steve was never consistent when it came to being sober. 
Every year you got a call but this year you were surprised when your mom asked you to take part as well. 
“Steve talked about your accident and apologized for his behavior. Y/N, he seemed so sincere. I completely understand if you don’t feel comfortable coming back but it really did help me hearing him apologize especially after he’s continued to be sober. Maybe it can be a bit healing for you to.”
Eddie’s uncle kept your mom updated on his progress but amends were a lot harder for him. It wasn’t just that he was afraid to face that guilt but he felt like he still wasn’t strong enough to handle that emotion. 
You spent the last three years on a type of spiritual journey; traveling the world and having experiences of your own that didn’t include Eddie and Steve. You made a lot of new friends and got into a healthy relationship or two. You were living in the moment and for once you were extremely happy…well…happier.
Even you knew at some point you would have to come back here to Hawkins. Not just to see your family but to face the memories and everything you had been through. You needed to heal and if facing them in this controlled setting would do that then so be it.
###########
“Eddie, it’s ok.”, the counselor soothed as he watched the metalhead’s leg bounce anxiously. 
“Yeah, no. I’m just a little nervous. Is-Is she really coming?”
On cue, there’s a tiny knock on the man’s office door as the receptionist slowly opened it to tell him you were here. The boys watched as he poked his head through and said a few words to you before leading you into the room.
It took every fiber of their being not to get up and run to you, lift you in their arms, and kiss your lips. It had been three years and you were even more beautiful than they remembered. Your hair was a bit shorter and wherever you had been you were obviously constantly being kissed by the sun. You had gained a bit of weight which was good because when you were with them you barely ever ate anything since you were always in a constant state of panic worrying about them. What they wouldn’t give to see you smile again. 
Your arms remained hugged around your chest as the person in charge guided you to a seat across of them. They both looked different and, to be honest, unrecognizable to you sober. They carried a different air that made you wonder had you run into them anywhere else would you have even recognized them? Eddie still had his long hair and clean face but his eyes had more of a hollow ring around them as if he hadn’t slept in three years. Instead of the heavy metal garb you expected him to be in, he was wearing clothes that resembled his uncle’s style down to the beige colored boots. 
Steve looked like a younger version of his father and you’d be lying if you said that didn’t hurt you for him. He was wearing a suit with the sleeves rolled to his elbows as the jacket rested on the arm rest behind him. His beautiful brown hair was now wild as if he didn’t have the energy to style it anymore. Even the slight facial hair that dusted his upper lip and along his jaw line screamed that he was too exhausted to put in that extra effort. 
“Y/N, I just want to start this by saying this is a safe space, okay? You can say anything you want and there is no judgement. Usually, we do this one at a time but I thought it might be easier for you to do this with them both here.”
“You cleared it with her first right? You told her we both would be here?”
The doctor glanced over at Steve sympathetically. “Yes, I did. I wouldn’t have pushed her if she felt unsafe to be in a room with you both.”
“I do feel unsafe.” All eyes turned to you. “I…I still feel like this isn’t real. That you two are going to leave this place and go back to your apartment to do what you do best.”
“That’s fair.”, Eddie nodded as his gaze shifted towards the floor. “We had always tried to get clean but could never succeed.”
“Pfft, tried.”, you scoffed angrily as your arms hugged your body tighter.
“Go ahead, Y/N. Get it all out here. They can’t make amends if they don’t hear everything.”
“See, that’s the thing, sir. They did hear everything. I said it over and over again since high school but they ignored me and focused on themselves. It’s kind of ironic to be in a relationship with two men yet still feel lonely and unheard!”
Silence falls heavily over everyone and after a few moments the counselor clears his throat. “Steven, why don’t you go ahead?”
“I, uh, don’t know if your parents told you but I came clean about the accident. I took accountability, Y/N, like you had always wanted me to and I am so…so sorry I didn’t do that sooner. I almost killed you and…I don’t know why that wasn’t enough of a wakeup call for me but I’m still learning. I’m still…fuck…I’m sorry, Y/N. I know no amount of apologizing will make up for that or how I treated you but I think about you every day. Every day I wake and I fight to be a better man. It’s so fucking hard but—”
He pauses when he notices you staring out the window trying to control the tears that had begun to fall, turning towards the man in charge helplessly.
“What’s running through your mind, Y/N?” You shake your head but he continues to try and urge you to speak. 
“I’m just wondering…why wasn’t I enough?”
“Honey—”
“No. NO. Don’t you fucking dare, Steve Harrington.” Angerly you wipe your eyes as you turn your body to fully face him. “Waking up every day is hard for you? Good. Now you know what it was like for me for all those years. I woke everyday knowing you were going to be drunk or Eddie was going to be high. The fun part was the gamble of which men I was going to get that day. The doting boyfriends or the abusive dickheads.” 
Eddie flinched at your last sentence making you sarcastically laugh. 
“And I notice you’re still really fucking quiet over there. You may hate hearing it, Ed, but it’s true. I’ve told you before and looking at you two now I see it more than ever. You are both exactly like your fathers!” 
“I’m sorry.”, the metalhead whispered. 
“For what, Eddie?! This is amends right? Make them!”
The doctor heard Steve sigh as his head turned from you both. “Steven, what was that?”
“Nothing.”
“No, not nothing. Use the feelings chart if you need to.” 
You and Eddie roll your eyes at the same time.
“Jesus Christ, I’m angry.”
“At who? At Y/N?”
You see the answer in his face and it throws you off guard as you wait for him to explain. 
“He’s angry with me.”, Eddie heavily growls under his breath.
“Why is that?”
“Take your pick.”, the metalhead responds for him. “We got drunk and high together. I never tried to stop him nor did I ever stop him from cheating on Y/N which was hypocritical because I accused her of cheating on us all the time. I’m the one that convinced him to leave her at the accident and I’m the reason…”
“Oh, don’t stop now, Munson. You’re on a roll.”, Steve sassed.
“You’re as much to blame for her leaving as I am.”
The boy turned on his friend rising to his feet as Eddie did the same. 
“You’re the one that ODed on our floor!”
“And you’re the one that was so drunk you passed out on the couch and didn’t even wake up till after the ambulance was long gone!”
“You’re the one that fucking HIT HER!”
The room went quiet again as what they both were saying hung in the air. 
“Can we stop for the day, please?” Your small voice slices the tension in half as the counselor nods and stands to take your hand so he can lead you out. 
Eddie doesn’t say a word as he gathers his things and flies past everyone out the door towards his van before skidding away. 
“He is doing a lot better. They both are but Edward seems to struggle more when it comes to facing that part of his trauma.”
“He never wanted to be like his dad. That was one of his biggest fears.”, you sigh.
“Thank you for coming by. I would like to try this again with them and you. Whenever you’re ready of course.”
############
You sip your coffee as you sit in the booth at the diner a few blocks from your house. You had so much trouble falling asleep as all the anxieties of seeing them and being back here hit you like a ton of bricks. After what happened today, you weren’t sure if you could do another session with them but you were surprised by how it unfolded. You had so many questions about the past but new revelations gave you new things you wanted to ask. Had Steve always blamed Eddie for the things that happened? Did Eddie blame himself? They both seemed more agitated and angrier then when they weren’t sober. Why? Was it because you left or were there things they hadn’t faced yet?
“Hey Sally. Can I have some coffee please?” As you looked up from your beverage your eyes locked with Steve’s weary ones. “Hey, um, I’m just getting some caffeine and then I’ll be gone so…”
“Couldn’t sleep either?”, you asked causing him to exhale a breathy chuckle.
“Um, kind of. Eddie didn’t come home so I’ve been looking for him. Sometimes when he’s stressed he hides and smokes like a carton of cigarettes before heading to work the next morning. I still haven’t found out where he goes.”
“You two don’t go to the pool anymore?” He shook his head before thanking the waitress as she hands him his to go cup. “I may know where he is. I found him there once when his dad sent him a letter from jail. I…I can show you.”
“Oh, hon- Y/N, you don’t have to do that. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”
After sliding out of the booth, you threw some money on the table and sauntered past him as you walked out the front door. 
“If anything, I’m more comfortable doing this than the group therapy bullshit.”
***
Steve sighed when his friend’s van came into view in the driveway of an old run down home.
“How did you know he’d be here?”
“This is where he lived with his parents when he was a boy. He told me once he felt closer to his mom here.”
To the other boy’s surprise, the front door wasn’t locked as you swung it open with no problem. 
“Hey! Get the fu—fuck me. Hey, Y/N. What are you both doing here?” Eddie had quickly risen from the long-abandoned couch when you two had come in.
“I’ve been looking for you for a while, Ed. She volunteered to show me where you might be.”
“Why?” You don’t say anything as your eyes scan him over. “Well, I’m here. I’m safe. I’m fucking sober.” He flashes you both his vest pockets before turning in a circle to show you everything else. “So, you can go back home.”
“Why are you so angry?” Your tone was anything but subtle and slightly loaded with contempt as he tilted his head at your question. “You both seem more on edge now than before I left but especially you Eddie. Why?”
His face flashes through multiple emotions before finally deciding to be honest instead of shutting down. 
“I feel the same way he does. It’s my fault that everything happened. It’s my fault…you left. I don’t deserve to be happy.”
“I don’t know about that.”, you grumble as you cross your arms. “I think you should feel bad about our time together… you and Steve. I think you deserve to be happy but you have to feel what I went through first before you can and it seems like at this moment that frightens you both but especially you.”
“Y/N, look at me! Him and I have fucking crawled our way to sobriety. Steve confessed to the accident and I talked to my uncle like you wanted. We both went to rehab and talked about our feelings and shit. We suffer every fucking day to be better! I mean…”
“I wanted accountability, Eddie. I’m proud of you two for how far you’ve come and owning up to your mistakes. I really am but you both are still avoiding the reason you turned to your vices; the reason you treated me like garbage. I carried your burdens for you for almost 7 years. It’s time for you to face them and move forward. Be happy.”
“Are you happy?”, Steve asks from behind you.
“I’m happier than I was… I still struggle with my self image and identity without you two.” 
“I’m sorry I don’t understand. We always thought you were way stronger than we ever were. That you had your own powerful identity.”
“Which is why we always thought at some point you would realize you were too good for us or…or someone else would see that and take you away.”, Eddie sighed, disappointed in himself. 
“I almost died but still stayed yet Eddie almost died and that was enough for me to run.”, you shrug as your voice cracks. “You two were my everything. I felt like I couldn’t breathe without you. You were my vice.”
###########
“Where the fuck have you been?!”
“Jesus, Eddie. I was with my mom and I told you both that!”
“Really? You were with your mom until 10pm?!”
“YES! What do I have to do to prove to you, Eddie Munson, that I don’t want anyone else!!”
The metalhead rolled his eyes as he took a seat at the table and snorted the powder he had separated on top of it. 
“Maybe, if you followed through and stop doing this bullshit you’d actually fucking hear me.”
“Watch your mouth, Y/N or I swear to God—”, he warned as he stood up again. 
“You’ll what? Inhale another line and call me a whore?”
“Stop being a whore and I won’t call you one.”
You sarcastically laughed in his face. “Well gee Ed. I need someone to satisfy me since you or your drunken partner in crime can barely seem to get it up anymore!”
Your eyes snapped open as his ringed hand flew across your face, panting as you tried to catch your breath. It had been a while since you had that dream but you thought about that night often; the night he crossed that line. You could still feel the sting of the metal against your skin but what always stuck with you was Eddie’s face after. He regretted it immediately; not even the drugs could block out that. 
You had turned and left without saying a word, crying in your car as you drove around Hawkins trying to clear your head. What always stuck with you in your journey to healing was that at the time even that wasn’t enough for you to leave. Yes, you left the apartment but you had every intention of coming back. Hell, you did! That’s when things really got worse. 
A sudden knock on your bedroom door startled you but what startled you even more was who was on the other side after you granted them entry. 
“Hey, um, I hope I didn’t wake you up or anything.”, Eddie grumbled as he stepped inside.
“No, no you didn’t.”
An awkward silence hung in the air as his eyes swiveled around the room. Memories clung to everything and the bad ones pierced his heart. 
“Look, uh, I know I don’t have any right to ask you for anything but, um, my therapist has been wanting me to visit the prison to see my father because she thinks it will help me. I don’t see how but… I’ve been thinking about what you said the other night…about accountability and facing my burdens…”
“Why are you telling me this, Ed?”
A heavy exhale escapes his lips as he runs his fingers frustratingly through his hair. 
“Will you come with me to see him?” Eddie’s eyes find yours and you see something within them that you’ve seen a million times before but as he speaks again you realize this is the first time he’s acknowledging it. “I’m scared, Y/N. I don’t think…I don’t know if I can do this alone…”
Sighing yourself, you nod and he smiles before leaving you alone so you can change. 
***
“How long has it been since you’ve seen him?”, you ask as you both wait at the police station booth for them to bring out his father.
“I honestly can’t remember. I want to say since he went in but I know Wayne visited him a lot and I may have gone with him a time or two.” His knee anxiously jumps as he lights another cigarette, flicking the excess ash into the tray in front of him. “Thank you for coming with me.”
As you flash him a small smile, the door on the other side of the glass bangs open as they bring out his father and place him in front of you both. 
“Edward! Good to see you, kid. I don’t think I’ve seen you since you were like six or seven!”
“No, that’s not right. Mom would have been alive and you went in a year after she died when I was ten.”
“Oh. Well shit. You were always small for your age.”, his father dismisses him as he lights his own cigarette.
You had never seen or met Eddie’s dad but seeing him now was giving you some insight into why the metalhead was the way he was. Eddie was about ten years old when you first met him and Steve. He was always really quiet at first and if his father was the same way then as he was being now, then you understood why. 
“So, how can I help you today, son? I assume you’re here because you need something. A new hook up maybe? Rumors around town say there was a few times you and that Harrington kid almost ended up sharing a cell with me!”, he chuckles. “Why are you hanging out with that preppy asshole anyway? Upper class like the Harringtons don’t give a shit about lower class trash like us.”
It was instinct really; a long-forgotten reflex that had been dormant for three years. You reached out to hold Eddie’s hand as his dad spewed his cruelty. The metalhead didn’t visibly react but your gesture of kindness calmed him.
“I’m not trash and I’m nothing like you.”, he growled. 
“Oh really?” His father folded his arms sarcastically as he leaned forward. “You’re like Wayne now, huh? Work at the plant, call every beautiful piece of ass sweetheart. Hell, you even dress like him now.” He snarkily laughs as he lights a new cigarette. “You can dress and act any way you want to, boy, but no matter what, my genes are still a part of you. You’ll always be…a trash Munson.”
“Half.” His father’s eyes swing towards you. “Half of a Munson but thankfully its mostly the good half. The other half is his mother. They both deserved better than you.”
Blowing smoke towards the window he scoots a little closer to your side. 
“You must be Y/N. You know… you remind me a lot of my wife. She was beautiful, kind, loyal to a fault—”
“Then why did you hurt her?”, Eddie asked.
“Why do you?”, his dad snapped. Eddie knew he meant you and it killed him. “If anything, you’re worse than me because if I had driven home drunk and almost killed your mother she would have left me right then and there!” He glances your way. “You’re weak like him…aren’t you little girl?”
It was your turn to cheekily square your shoulders as you leaned forward so close that if there wasn’t glass in the way your noses would have touched. 
“You say he’s weak but he’s not the one behind bars. He’s sober and coming from a woman who knows what a man on drugs looks like I’m surprised they haven’t figured you out yet. You call him weak but the truth is you are. That’s why you never got better or tried to stay out of jail. That’s why you hurt him and his mom. Because even when he was a kid he was more of a man than you will ever be.” 
Tugging on Eddie’s hand, you pulled him to his feet. 
“Come on. I’m not going to let him keep talking down to you.”
Without a word, he followed you out without even so much as a cursory glance towards his father. 
***
You two sat silently in the driveway of your house. The street was quiet as everyone was still either at work or school. 
“I’m sorry.”
Eddie chuckled as he looked your way. “What do you have to be sorry for?”
“Eddie…even at your worst…you were nothing like him.”
His long hair whipped from side to side as he shook his head. 
“Y/N, he may have said a lot of bullshit but he was right about one thing… You were…ARE an amazing woman. Even when we were little I was always afraid that someone was going to take you away. Then as we got older and I got worse…I thought you were going to leave. Y/N, you don’t understand, I believed it so deeply that it was almost like an obsession to catch you hurting me. To prove myself right and you wrong; to villainize you so it wouldn’t hurt so fucking bad.”
His chocolate his shift towards the window as he continues. 
“Jokes on me. It still hurt like a motherfucker when I woke up in the hospital and Steve told me you were gone. Y/N, I am so fucking sorry for what happened that night. I—”
As he turned his head to face you, your lips cut him off. Hearing him talk about his feelings and you the way he was, thrust you back into your old mindset. He was hurting and he needed you. Truth be told you needed him to desperately and that was more than evident when you climbed over the middle console to straddle his lap. 
Eddie’s sober mind was screaming for him to stop, to push you off him because he didn’t want to be responsible for your pain again. But he missed you so much and how could he deny you when it appeared like you were hungry for him to make you feel better to?
Pushing up off his lap, you slid off your pants as he adjusted his seat to lean back so you wouldn’t hit your head on the ceiling. Eddie hastily pushed down his own jeans allowing his cock to spring free before spitting in his hand and stroking it along his length. 
You both groaned as you slowly descended onto him, gripping his shoulders as he took hold of your waist. No one except Steve fit perfectly inside of you like Eddie did. Even as he stretched you out, that familiar feeling of him gliding almost seamlessly through your walls till you felt your lap connect with his was almost too much. 
“Fuck, Eddie.”
He didn’t say a word as you began rolling your hips, his jaw going slack as he absorbed the feeling of you he never thought he would experience again. 
Your hands gripped his neck as you bounced roughly on top of him, his warm breath fanning your face as he panted against your lips. As his eyes locked with yours, you hoped he couldn’t see the tears that threatened to fall. Even though you were angry with them, the truth of the matter was that you still loved them. 
Even though they had hurt you all the time and made your life in the past hell, you still craved them. To you they were the lucky ones. There was a rehab and program for people with their addiction. Where do you go when your addiction is a person you love with all heart and then some? It added to your anger over the past three years and anytime you thought about them it made you furious with yourself. 
“You’re weak just like him…aren’t you little girl?”
Eddie’s eyebrows knitted together when he saw you shake your head and lean against his shoulder as you tried to ride him harder. There was something you were keeping from him but he didn’t dare ask. All he could do was thread his fingers through your hair as he pressed you closer to him while he thrust his hips up to meet yours.
“Everything’s ok, sweetheart.  You’re ok.”, he whispered in your ear. “Fuck—cum, baby, please.”
Pulling your head back, you placed your forehead on his own as your eyes squeezed shut and you came harder than you had in a long time. 
“God damn. C-Can I cum inside you?” Right as you gave him your permission, his hands gripped your sides, guiding your motions as he grunted and you felt him release his seed inside of you. The two of you sat still, your heavy breathing the only sound filling the tiny, enclosed space. 
All of a sudden, you felt like you couldn’t hold it in anymore as you fell against his broad chest and began to sob. Unsure of what to do, he acted on instinct, responding the way he used to after you two would fight and you would cry. 
“Sweetheart…FUCK! I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry. I didn’t mean what I said.” He tries to hug you but you shove him away. “Baby, please. Let me make it up to you. Let me hold you.”
As your head hung and your shoulders shook, the last of your resolve faded away and he took the opportunity to lift you in his arms, carrying you to his bed so he could cuddle you. 
“I’m sorry, Y/N. You’re too good for me, princess. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“Eddie…what do I have to do…to show you that I love you both and ONLY you both?”
“Nothing, baby. I know. It’s the blow…Fuck…you deserve better. I swear, I’m never taking another hit. I hated seeing you be afraid of me…”
“I’m sorry, Y/N. I think about that night every day. Every time I have a craving or…I just remember the way you looked at me after I…”
“After you what?” You tilted back to look at him as you waited for his answer. When Eddie shifted his gaze away from you, you sarcastically chuckle as you reached over to grab your pants and keys, opening the driver’s side door as you climb out. “That’s ok, Ed. You’ve had enough accountability for one day.”, you hiss as you slam it closed and stomp inside. 
###########
Steve grumbles under his breath as he asks the waitress for a cup of coffee. Eddie had come home that day in a bad mood and slammed his bedroom door before the sound of heavy metal filled his bedroom as he angrily strummed at his guitar. 
He knew he wasn’t going to be getting much sleep tonight and his dad had been on his ass about reports he was “behind” on so Steve figured he could utilize the time to go to his office to get some work done. 
As he turned to leave, he spotted your sad frame in the same booth you were in a few nights before as you sullenly stared out the window. He should have left you alone but he couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling in his stomach that told him to make sure you were alright. 
“Couldn’t sleep again?”
Steve expected you to be startled by him with how deep in thought you seemed to be but when you half smiled and turned to face him, he couldn’t help but tilt his head. It almost seemed like you were waiting for him; expecting him to show up. 
“Something like that. What about you?”
“Uh, same. I thought I’d go to the office a bit and utilize the energy to get some work done.”
Your eyebrows furrowed as you looked down at your watch. “At 11 pm?”
“Yeah.”, he laughs. “My dad’s anger and disappointment operate outside of normal timeframes so…” Steve smiles as he raises his cup in your direction. “I’ll, um, leave you to it.”
As he turns to leave, however, he notices you nod and hug you’re your arms around your body. You always used to do that when you were trying keep yourself from falling apart. 
“Steve, seriously, you’re not going to be able to wake up for work tomorrow if you finish that bottle.”
“Jesus fucking Christ, Y/N. I know my limits ok!? Get off my fucking back!”, he slurs as he heads for the couch. His eyes glance over you as your arms wrap around you. “Honey…I’m okay. Trust me.” You wince at his words. Trust me. If there were two people in the world who couldn’t be trusted, it was them. 
He rolls his eyes as he throws himself down on the sofa. 
“Whatever. Go mother someone else.”
“You absolutely don’t have to but would you like to come hang out with me? We don’t even have to talk if you don’t want to. You can sit there while I pretend to know what I’m doing.”
You laugh. You actually genuinely laugh and Steve feels like an arrow pierced his chest. God, he missed that sound. 
***
“Uh, just ignore the mess here.”, he mumbles as shuffles some papers aside and slides a chair over for you to sit in. Before he can hide it, your eyes notice the picture of you three on his desk. “Yeah, let me just move that—”
“It’s ok. You can leave it there.” He nods as he begins to focus on things in front of him. “How much of that day do you remember?”
Steve smirks as he pretends to write on the documents in front of him. 
“It’s one of the few days I actually do from beginning to end. Probably because the amusement park at the time didn’t allow alcohol and they confiscated my flask.”, he laughs but there’s a sadness behind it. “We took you there for your birthday and I don’t think you stopped smiling once.”
“Steve, do you really blame Eddie for everything?”
The man sighed at your abrupt question as he leaned back in his chair. “For everything? No. For you leaving? Yes. Y/N, I almost fucking killed him when I found out he put his hands on you.”
“What the fuck did you do, Edward Munson?!”
“I-I-I—”
“She just ran past me in the hallway and sped off when I tried to stop her. WHAT. HAPPENED?!”
“Steve, I didn’t mean to…I-I-I got so mad…”
Steve angrily grabbed his collar and yanked him up till his face was level with his. “Did you touch her? Did you fucking hit her, EDDIE!?”
Something in the metalhead’s eyes changed as he shoved his friend backwards off of him. 
“Don’t act like your God’s gift to boyfriends, Steven! Let’s not forget YOU almost fucking killed her!” Eddie marched into the bedroom and slammed the door while Steve furiously punched the wall before heading to the fridge to grab a beer.
“Him popping me isn’t why I left. When I drove off after you chased me, I had always planned on coming back…” You looked away as you tried to shake the memory. “Why do you work here? I figure with you trying to be sober this would be the worst place for you to be.”
“You would figure correctly.”, he exhales as he looks around. “Uh, after I turned myself in, no one wanted to hire me. I was too much of a liability so my dad gave me this wonderful slice of heaven.” You smile at his sarcasm. “Every day is hard but I’m doing the work. The group therapy helps as well as my amends.”
“Did you father ever participate in that?”
“Pfft, no. My father hasn’t changed, Y/N. If anything, he’s worse and makes sure to remind me every day that I’m a fuck up to our name.”
“You were never a fuck up, Steve.”
His honey eyes scan you over before he beams in your direction and flashes you some of his paperwork. “I don’t know. Have you ever tried going through this bullshit? It’s so mind numbing you may accidently fuck up!”
As he continues to work, he walks you through what he’s supposed to do and exactly how his dad wants it done. Steve can’t help but revel in this feeling of you being so close to him again and helping him. 
When he first met you in elementary, you were always so kind to him and Eddie. Sometimes he would come to school and the teacher would snap at him because he didn’t do his homework the night before. When you asked him about it, he would tell you that he didn’t understand the material and his father wouldn’t help him. 
“He says I’m stupid and I should know all this stuff by now.”
“Steve, you’re not stupid. How are you supposed to know it when we just learned it?”
From that point forward, both boys came over to your house to study and have you walk them through the material. Eddie said you always made it easy. As they got older though, Steve skated by on his popularity while Eddie settled with doing the bare minimum. They thought you didn’t know but you were highly aware that they would copy your answers on assignments all the time. 
When Steve had started drinking, he always smelled heavily like whatever was in his flask at the time so as he got worse it was harder and harder for you to be around him. He hated seeing you cringe every time he pulled you to his side. 
Now that he was sober, he smelled like a mix of cologne and the office space he worked in with a hint of his roommate’s cigarette smoke that you imagine constantly hung in the air. 
“Ok, let me put these on his desk and then I can walk with you back to our cars.”
You followed him to his father’s office, giggling under your breath at the obnoxiousness of it. It was way too big for one man and had a massive swanky office chair to match his comically large desk. On the walls, he had awards hung along with pictures of him with clients. 
“No pictures of you or your mom?”
“Oh, my mom made the shelf.”, he answers sassily as he points towards the bookshelf beside him. “Not too many though, just in case the newest side piece comes to visit.”
You come to his side as your eyes search through the photos.
“Where are you?”
“No, no, honey. I don’t get a photo. I’m the Harrington that crashed a car and almost killed a young girl. Can’t really make small talk about that when his associates come by.”
“Steve…”
“I mean, it’s fine.” He shoves his hands in his pockets as he looks towards his feet. “He’s right. I’m an embarrassment. I left the woman I love to bleed out in an accident that I caused because I was too fucking drunk to see straight.” With his hand, he gestures around the office. “I deserve this.”
Once more, instinct takes over logic as you tilt up on your toes and crane your neck to find his lips. It so odd tasting him now that his mouth and breath weren’t basted in bourbon or beer. The best way to describe his new taste is what could have been. The life you three could have had if he and Eddie had never found their vices. 
When you start to pull away his palms quickly cup your face bringing you back to him. His kisses came quick and passionate as he backed you towards his father’s desk, lifting you up, and placing you onto it. Rising your hips, you allowed him to remove your sweats and panties as you reached forward to fumble with his belt. 
When his cock sprang free, you wasted no time as you spit into your hand and massaged it into your cunt before he guided himself into you sex. 
Steve grunted at the feeling of you tightly clinging to him again, doing everything he could to not just cum right now. He was completely lost in you as he reached behind your back and shoved everything on to the floor without a second thought. 
You promptly laid down flat and he followed you, his mouth clinging to your neck as he thrust his hips against yours. 
“S-Steve…Oh my god…”, you whimpered as you ran your nails through his hair and under his shirt. It had been so long since he made anyone feel good in anyway. His parents hated him, people in town always side eyed him, and Eddie was just as miserable as he was. Hearing you moan his name in pleasure, drove him wild as he hoisted you further up the desk and fully climbed on top of you. 
The desk jostled underneath as Steve rolled his hips, practically punching the air out of your lungs as his fingers tangled in your hair. 
“F-Fuck, I’m gonna…”
Your pussy tightened around him as the coil in your tummy snapped and he mewled as your nails clawed at his skin. His head shot up to look in your eyes and you nodded at the unspoken question within them.
Steve’s lips connect with yours and after a few more rough thrusts he spills inside of you. 
“Are…are you ok?”, he asks as he leans up on his elbows. When you nod, he softly smiles as he brushes away some hair in front of your face. “Y/N, I’m so sorry, baby. I’m sorry for the accident, for abandoning you, my behavior when I was drunk.”
“What about the behavior, Steve? How much of it do you really remember?”
“I remember screaming at you a lot and calling you names. I called you a whore more than once—”
“Even though you cheated on me.”
Steve’s jaw tightened as he gradually pulled out of you and sat in his father’s chair, handing you your clothes that had been tossed onto the floor. 
“I was a fucking prick.”
“How much of the night of the accident do you remember?”
“I remember the car flipping and Eddie pulling my arm, telling me to run—”
“What about the night he ODed?”
“I-I…he…he hurt you and then tried to block it out by snorting his drug…”
“And where were you?” You chuckle when he looks at you with a bewildered look on his face. “He’s right, you know. You are just as much to blame for me leaving as he is. You can’t make amends, Steve, if you keep blaming Eddie for everything.”
###############
Without an invitation, your mother barged into the boy’s apartment as soon as Steve opened the door to her knock. 
“Mrs. Y/L/N? Is everything alright?”
She didn’t answer as she opened Eddie’s door without knocking. 
“Hey! The fuck?” The metalhead quickly rose to his feet following her out into the living room. 
Steve tried to grab her arm to get her attention and she promptly turned around, allowing her palm to connect with his cheek.
“Where is she? What did you two do?!”
“Where is who? What is going on?”, Eddie asked completely confused. 
“My daughter didn’t come home last night and we can’t find her anywhere! I lost my baby for 3 years because of you two! Now if you know where she is tell me NOW!”
“We swear, Mrs. Y/L/N. If we knew we would tell you.”
She shakes her head as she marches towards the door before pausing and turning to face them. 
“If I had known what was really going on at the time, I never would have let you both into my house or near my daughter. If I had known that you were the reasons her self esteem was so low…the real reason she cried so much…the reason why you almost took her away from me forever!”, she roared as she pointed at Steve. “I would have killed you two myself. I shouldn’t have convinced her to come back. You both are a poison.”
With that she left them, slamming their front door for emphasis. Steve slowly heads into his room and grabs his car keys as he lightly tugs Eddie’s sleeve.
“Come on. I think I know where she might be.”
***
“I’m sorry, Munson.”
The metalhead tossed the butt of his cigarette out into the passing street as he rolled up the window. 
“No reason for you to be.”
“No, no. You were right. I’m as much a reason for how things ended up as you are. I just… the hardest thing for me is trying to figure out why all this happened. When Y/N breaks she says the same thing, ‘Why wasn’t I enough?’. I ask myself that all the time but struggle with the truth…so I blamed you.”
“She came with me the other day to see Allen. He insinuated it was in my genes. I’m meant to be a fuck up who hurts her.” He smiles softly as he continues. “She said I had more of Wayne and my mother’s genes.” They both lightly chuckle as Eddie fiddles with the ring on his finger. “Truth is, Harrington, I think we let our father’s win. Like she said, we spent our entire lives being afraid to become them that we became the very things were afraid of.”
“I was terrified to face the things we did to her. I was terrified…of knowing and accepting that I made her feel the way my dad made me feel growing up.”
“Yeah, man. Me to. That’s…that’s why what happened that night happened. There wasn’t enough blow in the world to numb the pain of me physically hurting her, Steve.”
***
When they pulled up to the elementary school, you were sitting on one of the swings with your head against the chain. This is where they first met you, on the playground when they were kids. As they walked towards you, you didn’t move or make indication to acknowledge their presences.
Steve stopped dead in his tracks as soon as he smelled it, whiskey. 
“Y/N, sweetheart? Are you alright? Your mom said you didn’t come home last night.”
As he knelt down to your level, Eddie noticed the ring of redness around your nose and the dilation in your eyes. 
“You two aren’t supposed to be here.”, you slurred. 
“Neither are you, honey. Come-Come on, we need to get you home.”
As Steve finally stepped closer, you held up your foot to stop him and pushed Eddie backwards. 
“You know, the alcohol I kinda got but with the drugs…watching what it did to you, Ed, I was like…why would he do this…it can’t be that great… After trying it myself… Hehe…I feel nothing.”, you giggle.
“Baby…”
“Usually when I get sad… I just cry it out…maybe fuck some sexy guy but do you know what’s really kept me going for three years? Knowing…that you two…are suffering without me.” Your finger raises to point at them shakily as your glassy eyes glare their way. “You say every day is hard? Good. It should be. Every day you…drag your asses out of bed…drudge to your work and put on that fake smile…I hope it’s hard. I did it for 7 years… You should be sad. Neither one of you deserved me.”
Without saying a word, they both turned and headed back to the car. Thirty minutes later, your mother pulled up to the playground and brought you back home. After laying you down in your bed, she crawled in beside you and held you as you cried.
###############
“Y/N, thank you for coming back to do this. I really appreciate you taking the time and I know they do as well.” 
You nodded at the doctor’s words as you continued to stare into the floor at their shoes. Steve had his hand over his mouth as he stared out the window while Eddie looked towards the door with his arms folded across his chest. 
“So, um, I was thinking we could start with—”
“I couldn’t wake either of you up.”, you interjected as you continued to look at the carpet. “I came home and Eddie was on the floor by his bed. He…he didn’t respond to me so I ran to Steve, fucking shaking him and practically pulling him off the sofa but… I rode in the ambulance with him and I watched them…” A tear falls and you quickly wipe it away. “I sat by your side, Ed, and waited for hours till doctors told me you were going to be ok.”
“I kept thinking ‘What the fuck am I doing? They abandoned me and left me alone in a hospital for months. I shouldn’t be here…but I can’t leave him. I love them.’ That’s when I knew I needed to leave. I could never be like you even though it’s what you deserved. I couldn’t keep…loving you when I knew if the tables were turned…you would have left me on the bedroom floor.” Your voice cracked at your last sentence and when you finally managed to look their way both men were trying to hide tears of their own as they continued to look in opposite directions. 
The doctor clears his throat as he nervously rubs his palm along his knee. 
“Guys? Any response?”
“She’s right.”, Steve mumbled. “We would have left her there. Hell, if it wasn’t for her, I would have left Eddie there. I was so drunk I didn’t even know. I never thought he would…overdo it like that.”
“Me either.”, Eddie followed. “But I never thought I’d hit her either.”
His eyes find yours as you sniffle, grateful to finally hear him say and admit it. He was finally taking accountability. 
“Sweetheart, you always ask why you were never enough but the truth is…”
“…Baby, we weren’t good enough for you. You deserved so much better.”
You broke then, covering your eyes as you cried. The atmosphere shifted in front of you, feeling fingers delicately grip your wrist and bring your hands back down to your lap. 
“Can I hug you?”
You tackled your arms around Eddie’s neck as he lifted you from the chair and held you tightly to him. Warmth abruptly encased you as Steve hugged you both, one arm wrapped around your stomach as his other rested on his friend’s shoulders. 
***
“Hey, sweetie. How was it?”, your mom asked as you walked through the door after the session.
“It was good.”
Her eyes scanned you worriedly at your timid response. “Are you ok, Y/N?”
“Yeah, mom. It was just a heavy day. I’m going to go lay down ok?”
“Ok, baby. Are you sure you don’t want to eat something?”
“Maybe later.”
As soon as your head hit the pillow on your bed, you crashed. For 10 years, you had carried everything that was theirs making it your own. Even after you left, you held on to their burdens even though you no longer had to pay for them. Hearing them say what they said and seeing the truth in their eyes was like a weight had been lifted.
They truly wanted to get better and hopefully now they could really move forward instead of being stagnate. As you drove home, you couldn’t help but feel utterly alone. Who were you without them needing you? Even in these past three years, you were still searching for who you were as an individual but they were always in the back of your mind. Maybe they always would be. That made you feel even more lonely because all you knew was their toxic sides. Who were they now?
You were still asleep when the breeze from the open window gave you a chill that ran up your spine. It suddenly stopped as you stirred at the soft sound of it closing before being followed by what sounded like shoes quietly hitting the floor. 
You sighed at the smell of cologne and cigarettes that filled your room reminding you of many naughty nights when you were younger. 
“Steve!”, you hiss. “You can’t…can’t…fuck…”
“Can’t what, honey?”, he slurred. “Oh, you mean this?”
You quickly covered your mouth as he slammed his hips roughly into yours, hitting that sensitive spot inside of you that had your eyes rolling. 
“You have to be quiet, baby. Wouldn’t want to wake up mommy and daddy.”
You bite into your pillow as Eddie’s hand came around to press circles into your clit.
“Shhh, sweetheart. I know, I know it feels good. You can take it, pretty girl. Cum again for me, baby.”
Shouting into your pillow you do as he commands as he pounds into you harder till you feel him warm your insides. You whine at the overstimulation as he leans over your sweaty frame to grab the drugs he left lying on your bed side table.
“Don’t worry, baby. I’m not done just yet.”
You bed dipped on either side of you and once again you were encased in warmth as an arm circled around you from behind and a palm rested on your cheek. Your own limbs reached out pulling him as close to you as you could making both men groan as you began subtly grinding your hips between them. 
Soft lips landed on yours and the strong taste of coffee told you it was Steve, further proved when your fingers ran through his hair. As you turned to find Eddie, the other boy’s kisses gently trailed down your jaw line to your neck. Every single kiss and touch was delicate as if they were afraid you’d shatter like glass. 
“Y/N, open your eyes, honey.”
“Please.”, Eddie begged when you shook your head.
When you did what they ask, you were met with Steve’s smiling face. “So beautiful. Can we take off your clothes?”
You nod as you shift on to your back, allowing each boy to undress you until you were naked before them. Steve couldn’t help but run his fingers over the scar on your stomach. You were always self-conscious about it especially when God forbid your shirt would ride up or you would be intimate with a man and someone would ask what happened. He didn’t need to ask. He already knew and it killed him every time he saw it. Before you left, after he would fuck you, Steve would slunk to the kitchen to grab the strongest drink he could find to block out the memory.  Now, he lingered, letting his lips trace over the tissue as your fingers tenderly petted his head.
Eddie removed his clothing, pausing when your eyes noticed a new tattoo on his chest above his heart. 
“Never tell me the odds.
August 1988—”
“From Star Wars…the three of us saw that on our first official date and this is when I became sober.”
Tilting your head, he pleasantly sighed when your lips tenderly kissed along the ink on his chest.
“Just lay back, baby. We got you.”
The metalhead’s tongue pressed against your skin and slid down to meet his friend halfway as they both gripped each of your thighs to hold you open wider for them. While Steve’s mouth wrapped around your clit, Eddie’s tongue continued to taste your body, darting in and out of you entrance making you whimper. 
Their hands continued to roam until the metalhead took over so the other boy could remove his clothes as well. When he climbed back into your bed his hand petted your head as he attached his lips to your neck, sucking on your flesh, and making you moan as your pussy clenched around Eddie’s tongue.
Your fingers pressed his face deeper into you and his hands dug into your hips as he devoured you until your body trembled, clinging to them both as you came.
As if they expected everything to be the same, Steve turned to reach in the drawer by your bed and produced a bottle of lube that he passed to his friend. His palms cupped your face as he kissed your forehead. 
“Freshman year my dad gave me the grown man speech. ‘Son, you’re starting high school. Time to grow up and buckle down! Your life starts now.’ He then proceeded to fuck his secretary in his office since my mom was out of town. He said MY life started now but I know he meant HIS life…how he pictured it for me being just like him. I grabbed the bottle of whiskey from our bar and hid upstairs. That was my first drink.”
He lifted your leg over his hip and you both groaned as he guided himself inside of you. Steve kissed your chin down your jawline as your head tilted back when you felt Eddie rubbing the lube between your cheeks. 
“I was in town that summer before freshman year hanging out with Rick and getting some food. I tripped over something and fell against a car making the alarm blare. This woman came out and yelled at us threatening to call the cops. Rick tried to explain what happened but she didn’t care. ‘Like father like son!’. I couldn’t stop thinking about her reaction and the weed wasn’t helping… that was the first time I tried the harder drugs.”
His mouth fell open as he slowly slid his cock into your ass, gripping your waist as he kissed your shoulder blade.
You pulled them both as close to you as you could get them as they both started thrusting into you. 
“I-I loved you since the moment…I met you two.” After kissing his lips, Steve panted against yours as he mewled and his eyebrows scrunched together in focus. “You were so sweet, Steve. I-I—fuck—I fell off the jungle gym…and you ran to me…helped me.”
Eddie’s arms squeezed you tighter to his chest as you turned to kiss him, pressing your forehead against his cheek as he moaned.
“You…you made me laugh, Eddie. W-When we came to the swings—mmm—you kept telling me jokes to make me…smile.”
They both pumped into you faster and you held them both as your eyes closed. 
“You helped me…I never stopped trying to help you.”
Steve lopped his arm under knee, holding your leg up higher against his body to allow them to hit you in different angles as you turned to press your face into your pillow. You shook in their hands as you came.
Eddie gripped your bicep and grunted in your ear as he rolled his hips till you felt him warm your insides. Steve soon followed, groaning as he used your thigh for leverage and pounded into you till he coated your walls with his release.
They gradually pulled out of you and the metalhead used the glass of water by your bed to wet the hand towel he found in your closet to gently clean your lower half. Neither of you wanted to risk sneaking to your bathroom and being discovered by one of your parents. 
“I’m sorry for ruining holidays and anniversaries because I was too drunk to care or even act right. I’m sorry for snapping at you and screaming at you for every little thing especially when you were trying to help.” Steve’s fingers brush your hair away from your face as his thumb caressed your cheek. “I’m sorry for cheating on you. The alcohol made me believe that you would do it to. I’m sorry for what happened with Glen. I couldn’t accept you being happy with anyone who wasn’t us.”
“I’m sorry for the accident. Y/N, I never should have gotten behind that wheel and I never should have left you, honey.” His voice cracked and your heart broke as you wrapped your arm around his waist. “I’m so fucking sorry for leaving you alone afterwards. I was so fucking scared because I knew it was my fault. I chose to stay home and drink instead of seeing what I had done to you. I’m sorry for being so wasted you couldn’t wake me up when you needed me. I was so fucking angry at Eddie…at the situation…I’ve never learned how to handle emotions like that… fuck…even now. I don’t know how to tell my dad to fuck off.”
His glassy eyes meet yours as he firmly holds your head in his hands. 
“I am sorry, Y/N. None of what happened was your fault. You did nothing wrong to instigate any of our behavior.” Steve pulled you to his chest as you both sobbed. 
Eddie waited patiently as he watched everything front of him. When you rolled over to face him, his friend extended him the same courtesy as the metalhead reached out to wipe your eyes. 
“Sweetheart, to me you were always perfect. Since the day we met you, you had this light inside  that just radiated from you. I spent the first part of my life in darkness and when my mom died…I thought I’d never be happy again…then you came along. Y/N, I was so terrified something was going to happen or someone was going to take you from me; from us. The drugs made me believe that by degrading you or fighting any man that even looked at you…it would help keep you here.”
“I’m sorry for calling you names and throwing things at you when I was angry because the blow just amplified those fears. It made me feel helpless. I’m sorry for frightening you and making you cry all the time with broken promises because I just…couldn’t quit.”
“I’m sorry about Glen. Because of what I said while I was high he left you and broke your heart even more. I’m sorry about abandoning you…at the accident. Steve was right, it was my idea. I had so much drugs in my pocket, when I heard the sirens I thought about myself instead of you. I didn’t want to end up in jail like my father…”
Eddie’s jaw tightened as you watched him struggle to continue. Placing your arm on his hip, you leaned in to kiss his lips hoping to comfort him. 
“I’m sorry I hit you, Y/N.”, he whispered. “I so fucking stoned…I didn’t even… I should have run after you. I should have waited for you to come back home and groveled at your feet. I should have made a plan then and there to get clean. All I kept thinking about was your face and how you looked at me; the way my mom used to look at my dad after he’d hurt her. I just wanted to erase it. I couldn’t handle being like him. I’m sorry you had to find me like that and I’m so fucking sorry you had to handle that on your own. I’m so sorry.”
He held you as you cried and after a while Steve’s arm circled around you as Eddie continued petting your hair while your eyes slowly began to close. 
“I forgive you.”
***
The sun gleaming through your window woke you up the next morning and you groaned as you stirred from your sleep. As you opened your eyes, you quickly realized you were alone, your eyes scanning the area till you notice a note on your nightstand with your name.
“Y/N,
We both have so much more we want to say but we are nowhere near ready to express them the way we want to. We meant what we said in therapy…you always deserved better than us. More importantly, you deserved to be happy. 
While you were sleeping, we talked about a lot of things and we realized that while the three of us are doing so much better we still have a way to go. I’m quitting my job with my dad today and finally figuring out who I am. You inspired me to travel and do some soul searching on my own. 
I’m taking some time off work and touring with the guys. I spent most of my life either being afraid of my dad or becoming him. Princess, you showed me it’s ok to just be Eddie Munson. I want to do something that would make my mom proud. 
We wanted to wake you up and tell you this but we knew as soon as those beautiful eyes met ours we’d talk ourselves out of leaving. Truth is, honey, you still have some healing to do to.
You said you were still trying to figure out who you were without us. Maybe now, pretty girl, you can let go and finally be free. 
In two years, Eddie and I will have been sober for 5 years total and we’d love to celebrate that with you. Meet us at the diner August 1993. If you don’t show up, we’ll understand. If you’re married with kids, we’d love to hear about them. No matter what, we love you and we just want you to be happy. 
Steve & Eddie
################
1993
Eddie showed up an hour early, bouncing his leg as he flicked his ash into the tray. The man breathed a sigh of relief when he saw a BMW pull into the parking lot and hastily stood up from the table to meet Steve halfway as he gave his friend a hug. 
“Hey Harrington. Jesus, you look good.”
“Thanks, Ed. So do you, man. How have you been?”
“I’ve been alright. A few months ago, we signed with a label so the guys and I have just been recording 24/7.”
“No way! That’s amazing.”
“Yeah, thank you. What about you?”
“I’m doing ok. My dad cut me off after I left so I’ve actually been doing some odd jobs while traveling. About a year ago, I settled a bit up north and got my certification to be a counselor for people struggling with addiction.”
“Well look at you.”, Eddie chuckled.
The sound of a throat clearing got their attention and they both turned to see you standing before them with the biggest smile they had ever seen on your beautiful face. Without hesitation, you wrapped your arms around Eddie’s neck as held you to him.
“God, sweetheart, you look so beautiful.”
You turned to Steve who lifted you off your feet. “Me? Look at you two. I never would have imagined…”
The three of you scooted into the booth talking well into the evening about everything these past two years held. For the first time, no one was angry, sad, or heartbroken. For the first time since you met them, they seemed content and at peace. For that you were extremely grateful. 
##############
@sheisjoeschateau
@peachy-bunnns
155 notes · View notes
mrsnancywheeler · 2 months
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omg how do u think the chicago show went down for billy and his muse :0
bc that part where they’re performing More Fun to Miss and billy’s getting all close to daisy would HURT reader. maybe in this universe it really is all an act and she knows daisy wouldn’t do that to her, but she still gets insecure and gets even more confused about where she stands with him :( that was a line billy never crossed until now bc it was always with other groupies.
Or how eddie and billy have that moment on stage since 90% of their beef is because of how he treats muse reader😭
idk! i’ve been obsessed with ur billy blurbs so i wanted to hear ur #thoughts 🫣
-🦅
literally that song has so much sexual tension, it drives me insane every single time I watch it and here's the thing. this is the point where reader's given billy the tour, she'll be there for him during that and that's it. if he doesn't make his choice by the end then it's over and she'll be done for good.
but regardless, there is so much tension and the cycle has really started again on top of all that, he's mean, eddie is holds you when you cry, it's a rough time and by chicago it's all at the breaking point. so when he's looking at daisy like that, when he's so close, smirking, there's a pit in your stomach of realization, a feeling of he's never gonna change. and you get it because daisy is talented, gorgeous, magnetic, but he could leave you for her in a second and the media would probably love it so much more. and you're basically sick to your stomach
and when you find out that this is the end of eddie, that he's done with the band forever, and you're so distraught. because now billy is promising to go to rehab, to get better, but you're about to lose eddie forever. the chips are down.
"eddie, what are you doing?" you're in the doorframe of his hotel room as he packs up.
he looks at you long and hard, "I'm done with the band, I can't do this anymore. everything always goes his way and I can't sit back and watch him treat you the way he does anymore"
"you're leaving me?" your voice cracks ever so slightly, just like the rest of his heart.
"I'm leaving the band."
you're walking further into the room, closer to him, "eddie, I know it's been rough, but it's all gonna get better, yeah? just stay, please, stay."
"no, it's not."
"yeah it is. billy and daisy are both going to rehab, and I'm not sure what's going on with graham and karen, but I'm sure we'll figure it out. we'll all be okay, you just have to stay"
"I can't live in the shadow of billy dunne anymore, I need to leave"
and you understand, you really do, you want him to do what's best for you. but it'll break your heart to let go of him and have to wait to see if billy lives up to his promise. and you can't deal with all that without eddie, he's been your only rock. and you feel selfish for crying.
"it won't be like before and if it is then leave, but not now, don't go yet"
"come with me" and you're looking up at him and so tempted. because you do love him, just not with the same intensity you have for billy, but maybe billy will let you down again, so you should choose the stable option.
"what?"
"come with me, sunshine. I'll figure something else out and we can be happy together." and you're staring so blankly because you really don't know. "you know all this can't last forever, you were always going to have to make a choice. and it hurts me to ask you too, but you can wait for him or come with me. and that's that."
you're crying unabashedly now, "eddie, I can't-"
some part of eddie knew you were always going to pick billy, so he accepts it solemnly, "I know, sunshine, I know."
"I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt you"
"yeah, sometimes things just happen, I get it." he's got his bag strapped over his shoulder, "just don't stay with him if he doesn't keep his promises, you deserve so much better."
then you're kissing him one last time, he'll miss your taste, the softness of your lips, the way you hold his face. and when he pull away and looks in your eyes he remembers how young you are, especially when you a mutter out a small, "please, don't be a stranger ed's. can you call me?" how you went from a girl listening to a band to being in a complicated, turbulent relationship with a rockstar so fast and he doesn't know if he's ever pitied you more. in his gut he knows the band is over and you'll have to go back to a normal life after years of this, and he isn't sure if billy ever will be doing better. but eddie can't stay. and if he calls then he may never move on so he kisses your forehead, squeezes your hand, and is gone.
it really does feel like your world has come crashing apart, karen leaves, warren goes to be with lisa, eddie is gone, billy and daisy in rehab, and you're begging graham to just come to california for a while. he agrees for a few weeks and it does help you settle somewhat, having a familiar face, someone to bring you down. but eventually he has to go and you have to reintegrate into the socialite lifestyle of your father, have days where you're desperately looking for something to do because you're used to spending everyday at the studio or on tour. but now everyday is just endless nothing, getting back to your friends, laying on the beach, but you miss billy, you miss eddie, you miss everyone
eventually you do small modeling gigs for magazines to fill your time, people admire your fashion and you're in the media simply for being a young socialite, but parties aren't nearly as fun without the people you'd grown so close too. and I mean your heart literally jumps out of your chest when billy knocks on it one day.
anyways yeah lmao 💋
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overtrred28 · 6 months
Text
Stargirl | matildas x original character fic [part 9]
Tumblr media
Words; 2.9k
Pairings; matildas team x astrid taylor (OC)
Warnings; swearing, mentions of injury (no blood)
A/N; i kinda forgot to upload this earlier sorry
masterlist
Astrid was diligent with the slow and gentle rehab she had been doing, wanting to be better for the next Matildas camp only a month away now. It had been just over two weeks and she had been advised four to six for total recovery, but she was itching to be part of that squad against Canada, even if she only got a few minutes of playing time. 
She worked with the physios everyday to bring her strength back up in her ankle, eventually being able to walk around without the boot after three weeks and Astrid felt good. Without there being any tears or extreme damage to the tendons or ligaments, the time frame had just been an extra precaution because of her high intensity exercise and sport, wanting it to heal undisturbed as much as it could before she jumped back into football. 
By the time this next international call up was here Astrid had just begun jogging again on the pitch, passing the ball between her feet and it was like she was a different person than she had been for the past 6 weeks. She had formed a new appreciation for being able to play at the level she was and getting to do it with her best friends at a club that motivated her. 
The time had come and Astrid had never been more excited to go on a camp, the senior players who hadn’t been there for the last camp returning, the squad back together again to play against Canada. They had all made sure to check in on Astrid after hearing about or seeing her injury, encouraging her to keep going and get back onto that pitch, knowing how useful her skills are when up against tough opponents. 
The games were in Australia this time, meaning Astrid was finally going home for the first time since moving to Sweden, and her parents promised they would be there to cheer her on at the Sydney game. 
After a long day of travel the sweden squad, plus Mini and Harper, were so happy to be back on aussie soil and head straight to the hotel. The car ride from the hotel was full of chatter, all of the players trying not to fall asleep, aiming to hold on until bedtime. The car pulled up and they started getting out of the car, going and collecting their bags from the boot to take inside. 
They received their room numbers and went to drop their bags off, the rooming changing again and Astrid finding herself rooming with Kyra for the first time. 
“This one's mine.” Astrid placed her backpack on the bed closest to the window. 
“Oh so if someone comes to murder us they can get me first?” Kyra stood in front of the other bed, looking at the distance between the door and where she would be sleeping.
“Not what I was thinking, but sure.” Astrid shrugged with a smile. “Come on, let's go to dinner before they eat all the food.” She walked to the door with her phone and keycard, putting her arm out for Kyra to link her own. They left the room, skipping arm in arm down the hallway to the lifts, laughing as they almost tripped about seven times. 
They found their way to the room that had been turned into the team dining room, being easily directed by the noise coming from the girls in there. When they walked in it seemed they were the last to arrive, not surprising of course, the pair known for being late to things all the time. 
“Look who decided to show up.” The room quieted down as Sam spoke loudly, walking up next to Astrid. 
“Oh Sammy, you know I like to make an entrance.” Astrid smiled at her, parts of the room laughing before they pulled each other in for a hug. 
“How’s the ankle?” Sam asked as they stood together. 
“Yeah a lot better definitely.” Astrid nodded, looking down at her taped ankle. 
“Good.” Sam smiled. “Go and get something to eat, kid, catch up more later.” Sam nodded her head in the direction of the buffet, Astrid turning around, instantly spotting Kyra walking away with a full plate, both laughing as they made eye contact. 
Astrid grabbed some food and went to sit at the table where the “original trio” and Steph sat, slotting between the two Arsenal players. 
“Asteroid!” Mackenzie all but yelled across the table, reaching across for a fist bump which was returned with a smile from Astrid. 
“Hey chicken.” Steph spoke from beside her, Astrid instantly rested her head on Steph’s shoulder. 
“Hey Stephy. How are you?” Astrid moved her head to look up at Steph. 
“I’m good, how you feeling?” Steph squeezed her shoulder. 
“Real good.” She smiled and then began eating, catching up with the other girls on the table, hearing all about their time off and where they spent it. 
The team had a mini bonding night, deciding to put a movie on the projector in the dining room before they all headed off to bed. Those with movie suggestions wrote them down and they were placed into a hat for a random draw. 
“And the winner is…” Sam shuffled her hand around in the hat. “Hannah Montana The Movie?” Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. 
“YES!” A shout was heard and everyone turned their heads. Astrid had shot up from her seat, very happy her favourite movie had been chosen. 
“Were you not like a baby when this came out?” Caitlin asked the youngest member. 
“I was five.” Astrid calmly spoke. A few gasps came from the room, a lot of the players again shocked at how young she really was compared to them. “Enough with the questions, it’s movie time.” She had taken control of the remote, searching for the movie and pressing play. 
Throughout the movie everyone could hear Astrid singing along, dancing in her seat and even mouthing most of the script, a few of them filming her from behind. Then came the scene in the barn and ‘Hoedown Throwdown’ began to play, Astrid let out a small squeal before standing up at the front of the screen.
She began to do the choreography while facing away from the screen, she had learnt it off by heart from the amount of times she had watched it. Everyone sat in shock as she did the dance with precision, not knowing she had it in her. 
When it was done she took a bow, the group cheered and clapped loudly as she sat back down next to Charli and Kyra. The room went silent again, all paying attention to the rest of the movie. 
“Nice dance moves.” Kyra leant over and whispered to Astrid after a while. Astrid just shook her head and giggled. 
The movie finished and to most people's surprise they enjoyed it, something lighthearted and fun to watch before bed. Most of the girls were very tired after travel, Astrid thought she might be too but I guess the excitement of the movie brought her energy back. 
Everyone began to stand, stretching out their limbs while the credits rolled, all watching Astrid who was still dancing around to the music in front of the screen, singing loudly along to the words. 
The music stopped abruptly and so did Astrid’s dancing. Having enough with the upbeat song and Astrid’s energy, Mackenzie had found the remote and turned off the screen. 
“I wasn’t done.” Astrid whined to the taller girl. 
“Yeah you are, bedtime little one.” She patted Astrid’s head and laughed at her pout and eyeroll. Mackenzie headed for the door, Kyra coming over to push Astrid along and drag her off to their room for bed. 
As per usual, when she was done getting ready for bed, Astrid’s head hit the pillow and she was out like a light, the aftermath of long travel taking control and she fell straight to sleep. 
The next morning after getting ready, Kyra and Astrid headed down to breakfast with a little more energy after having slept a decent amount of hours, ready to begin training with the team. 
The first match was still two days away so they had some time to work with each other after months apart now that everyone had arrived. But playing with people on the same club team definitely helps in creating rhythms and relationships on and off the pitch. 
A quick gym session was first up upon arriving at the stadium, everyone working individually on what they needed to before proper training. Astrid was quick to take control of the music to play over the speakers, waiting to show off the playlist she had accumulated. It did feature a lot of Taylor, Hannah Montana and One Direction but she also added plenty of 2000s, 90s and even 80s songs into the mix for everyone to enjoy. Safe to say everyone was happy with Astrid being the DJ after seeing everyone sing or at least bop along to many of the songs. Maybe she would become the team's newly appointed DJ.
They finished in the gym and moved to the pitch, Astrid chatting with Caitlin while they walked out, catching up more than they did last night and Astrid asking about Arsenal and what it was really like. She parted ways with Caitlin after spotting Charli who was chatting with Kyra, Mini and Alex. She ran over and practically jumped on her, gripping the blonde's shoulders who let out a small scream at the impact. 
“Heyyyyy, Cha Cha.” Astrid peaked her head over Charli's shoulder who shrugged the girl off and began walking away from her with a smirk. “Ruuuude.” Astrid yelled at her as she followed behind to where everyone congregated. 
“Alrighty ladies, you know the drill.” Assistant coach Jens yelled out, indicating it was time to begin their session with a jog to warm up. 
“Ughhhhh, I hate this.” Astrid panted out halfway during the jog. “Can I be done yet?” She yelled as they passed the coaches. 
“Does your ankle hurt?” Jens raised a brow. 
“No.” And she kept going, picking up her pace to make it finish faster. She all but crumbled to the ground once she reached the end of the jog, having not run that much since her injury. 
“You good there?” A body covered the sun that was shining over her eyes. 
“I am now.” She smiled at Kyra who was extending an arm to help her up. 
Jens called them over to where they had now set up the circuit for the drills. Astrid liked this part a lot better than the initial jog, ready to hone in her skills and get back into her rhythm of passes and shooting goals. 
They had gone through their regular training drills before moving to work on separate skills in groups of their field positions. So tragically Astrid and Charli had to part ways, Caitlin dragging a pouting Astrid towards the group of forwards and Charli waving dramatically as she walked backwards to the defenders. 
After weeks of just doing small passes to build back up, Astrid was finally able to begin shooting goals again; the main thing she loved about playing football. One of the coaches would pass a ball to the running player and then they would shoot it in, aiming for a different part of the net each time. The goalkeepers had joined them to practise blocking the goals, Astrid was holding the lead against Sam for how many they could get past Lydia. 
“OHHHHH. Another one! And with the left foot!” Astrid ran with outstretched arms after she slotted another ball past Lydia, bringing her total to 6 and Sam just behind with 5. “She’s back and better than ever, baby.” Astrid circled Sam, the other forwards watching and laughing at her antics. 
“Piss off.” Sam shoved the younger striker away, taking her place to accept the next pass. With bad luck to Sam, Lydia had just tapped it away and then the whistle blew to signal the end of drills.  
“Sucked in, oldie.” Astrid whispered as she skipped away to the sideline.
“Get back here you little shit!” Sam huffed and began chasing the girl with a smile on her face, Astrid panicked and began running. 
“STEPHY! SAVE ME!” Astrid screamed as she approached ,the defender turning her head to see Sam chasing after Astrid. Astrid made it to the vice captain and stood behind her panting, hiding from the other captain. 
“Enough you two.” Steph put on a stern voice and looked between the two players. 
“She called me old.” Sam pleaded, going to speak again but Tony had interrupted her from further down the sideline. 
“Alrighty, scrimmage time.” The team began walking closer to him, taking a drink and breath break. “Sam and Steph, come and select your teams.” He tossed the red bibs to Sam for her team and the yellow to Steph. 
They had chosen their players, taking the defenders, then midfielders and finally their forwards. It was down to the two youngest forwards, Mary and Astrid. Steph got first pick so it was up to her, and knowing the passes Kyra and Astrid can make, it wasn’t hard.
“Astrid, you're with me.” Steph beckoned the girl over to her team, glad that it consisted of herself, Steph, Kyra, Charli, Lydia, Cortnee, Clare W, Mini, Alanna, Princess and Tameka. Sam’s team had Caitlin, Mary, Larissa, Emily Van Egmond, Emily Gielnik, Courtney, Aivi, Macca, Alex and Clare P. 
The game began and Sam’s team took good possession straight away but the defence between Charli, Alanna and Steph was strong. 10 minutes in and Kyra had stolen the ball from Larissa, running with it until she could see Astrid making her way into free space further up the pitch. Kyra booted it into the air, ending at Princess who hit it with her chest towards Astrid, right foot ready to catch it.
The tip of her boot brought it to the ground so she could steady her footing, quickly sending it towards the goal through Mackenzie’s still legs, thinking she was going to send it higher like usual. The net rippled and the young player cheered, running back to her position with a high five to her teammates as she went by. 
Tony blew the whistle to indicate the end of the match. It had ended in a 2-2 draw, everyone going around and high fiving each other. 
“Good game, Astrid.” Sam smiled at the young striker. She wouldn’t admit it outloud but she did think maybe one day she could give her a run for her money, seeing a lot of herself at that age in Astrid.
“You too, Sam.” Astrid gave her hand a shake and a clap on the back as they began to walk to the side for a drink. 
“Alright everyone in.” Tony’s voice carried through the team who began walking over to form a loose huddle, too hot to make it tight. “Well done today, very impressed with everyone’s efforts. Even after not playing altogether for a while you showed that no matter what you are a strong team. Off to recovery and then the day is all yours, I’ll see you tomorrow for match day minus 1.” Tony nodded with a smile. Everyone clapped before they made their way inside and headed straight for the cold pools. 
Astrid was the first one in the pool, loving the cold water from growing up at a beach during the winter, going for swims no matter the weather. Everyone else of course thought she was crazy to enjoy the cold water and her eagerness to get in it. 
The next day at training looked very similar to the day before but the physios had been keeping an eye on Astrid, being so soon off an injury. She felt great, really. It didn’t hurt and her ankle felt strong, continuing to work and train to be a sub for tomorrow's game. 
An early dinner of their usual pre-match pasta night was followed by an early bed for all the players, especially for those who had travelled from overseas all but a few days ago. Everyone bid each other goodnight before retiring to their rooms. 
Kyra had called the shower first, knowing from the previous night how long Astrid really did take on her skincare. Once they were both finished and had set an alarm, they lay in their separate beds, room silent, spare the aircon blowing softly. 
“I think you’ll start tomorrow.” Astrid spoke, turning in her bed to face Kyra’s. 
“Really?” Kyra also shifted, finding Astrid’s eyes in the dark room. 
“Yeah, I mean you’ve been working really hard and I think they can tell.” Astrid smiled softly at the girl. 
“Thank you.” Kyra also smiled even if Astrid couldn’t really see it. “I think Tony will put you on, make use of your ‘super-sub’ reputation again.” Kyra let out a soft laugh. 
“Maybe.” Astrid shrugged under her covers. 
“Definitely. I’m calling it right now.” Kyra turned to lie on her back and look up at the ceiling. 
“Fine. But if you’re wrong, you’re buying me a coffee.” Astrid copied Kyra’s shift in movement. 
“Deal. But if I’m right, you buy me a coffee.” Kyra spoke again. 
“Okay.” Astrid’s voice was barely above a whisper as she felt herself drifting to sleep. “Goodnight, Ky Ky.” She spoke one last time before letting herself fall into the pillow. 
“Goodnight, Stargirl.” Kyra took one last look at Astrid before shutting her eyes and falling asleep herself, a soft smile etched on her face.��
to be continued...
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pastafossa · 5 months
Text
The last day of 2023.
And holy shit has it been a chaotic ride, one which you all shared with me, or that's what it feels like!
The Major Moments:
Feb: Cato's cancer diagnosis and discovery of weird mutated cells that likely won't be explained until after he passes away. He's still with me, fortunately! No idea how much time he has left but I'm grateful for every second
April: a small leak in my dining room ceiling turned into a bigger leak which turned into a massive hole in the ceiling, at least it wasn't winter???
May: DD Born Again Photos give us all a goddamn heart attack
May: I FUCKING REACH MY OVERALL 1,000,000 WORD COUNT ON AO3. 🎊 🎉 🎊 Next stop is 1mill for TRT!
June: Went to my first con since Covid! Drove all the way down to Philly to see Charlie Cox, WHICH WAS FUCKING AMAZING, HE HELD THE RED THREAD FOR OUR PHOTO, MY FANFIC DREAMS HAVE COME TRUE, AND I TOLD HIM WHAT DD MEANS TO ME AND HE WAS SO NICE I COULD CRY
June: At that same con, I finally FINALLY got to meet my bff @wonderlandmind4 in person after many many many late nights of chatting, and we just CLICKED like we'd been friends for years, which I should have expected, but still! And then I got to meet a bunch of my readers, too! Best con experience EVER
July: enter Whoops Covid Finally Got Me After 3 Years But Charlie Was Worth It ™
July: Finally dusted off my draft of Pasta's First Dark Fic cause even if my brain was too fuzzy to write, I figured I could edit a bit. And I did! And was pretty happy with the results!
August: Shit Now There's A Long Covid Heart Issue And I Can't Be Seen Until Late November Thanks Covid ®
August: leak in the garage leads to me losing about 65% of all the beautiful, special woods pieces I'd gathered over the course of six years for carving. Within a week I am gifted a huge bin of wood from a kind soul at my local witchy shop
Sept: TRT's 6th anniversary!
Nov: I was slowly getting back into the swing of things, doing a bit of writing in between learning to manage whatever was going on with my heart (which we'll hopefully figure out in January when I get all the results of testing in Jan)
Early Dec, and the worst week of my life: mom got sick. Within one day she went from not feeling good to needing an ambulance. By the next day, she was in the ICU - flu induced double pneumonia that was interfering with her breathing and heart issues. And with one more day, she was put into an induced coma and ventilated, without any of us sure if she'd pull through. They told us she'd likely be under for two weeks, potentially longer even if she made it. The amount of messages and supportive comments I got from all of you, the talks I had with @wonderlandmind4 and @shouldbestudying41, just the general sense of having a community to help me means more than I can ever say as you all helped me through that terrible, horrible moment, even if it was just gently messaging me to remind me to try to eat.
Mid Dec: against ALL odds, Mom was off the ventilator in a week. By week 2, she was out of the ICU. By week 3? Off to the physical rehab center. She was there a grand total of 1 week before she was allowed to come home to finish her recovery. Early December was the worst moment of my life, and yet it was also bookended by the best Christmas of my life even if it was spent at the rehab center, because I got to have my mama back, and hug her and tell her I loved her and make jokes, and now she's home and we've been watching Christmas movies and eating grilled cheeses, and as far as I'm concerned, that's what the holiday is to me: not presents and snow and lights, but this moment, this time with her. 'In all the places you find love, it feels like Christmas.'
In just a few hours for me, it'll be 2024. I have no idea what to expect going forward, or even what to plan for, much less a resolution. I know I want to get back to TRT when mom's a bit better (she still needs a lot of help, understandably). I know there are wood carvings I want make; friends I want to visit; witchy events at my local shop I want to go to. But other than that... who knows? If I'm lucky, things will be calmer than this past year. But even if they aren't, at least I know I have dear friends, all of you, and my family, including Pasta Mama, to help me through it.
Goodbye, 2023. Hello, 2024.
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all-the-things-2020 · 4 months
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Late Night Talking - Chapter Two
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Summary: Emily and Dieter go on their first date.
Rating: PG-13
Tagging @rhoorl because Working Title inspired me to write this
I spent most of that Friday getting ready. A mani-pedi and eyebrow wax at the salon, a mini makeover at Ulta, and a blowout and style at my hairdresser. I’d debated buying a new dress, but decided to spend my money on the beauty treatments instead. I wore my favorite dress, a comfortable but clingy teal blue wrap that showed just enough cleavage.
By the time I was done at the hairdresser, it was almost 3 o’clock and I headed for Pasadena. Traffic on the 210 could be a bitch at any time, but was especially bad on Fridays, so I didn’t want to take any chances. Better to get there early and have to kill some time than to be late. Objectively, I knew that if I got caught in traffic, I could text Dieter (everyone in SoCal understood getting stuck in traffic) but I didn’t want to have to make him wait. So I left ridiculously early and for once traffic was light. I pulled into the parking lot behind Vroman’s at 4:08.
Well, might as well browse the store a bit, I thought, rather than sit in the car. It was summer and too bloody hot to sit in a car without the A/C running. I walked into the bookshop and took a deep breath. The smell of brand new books filled my lungs and helped settle my nerves a little. Just a little, though, because I was on the verge of an anxiety attack every time I realized I was actually going on a date with Dieter Bravo.
I hadn’t told anyone about my plans other than Sam. I was fully aware of the rumors about Dieter’s past, and I knew at least one if my friends would try to warn me off. I was also very aware that he’d done a stint in rehab and had stayed out of the headlines ever since. I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
I wandered the aisles, reacquainting myself with the layout of the store so I could impress Dieter with my knowledge of the place. I’d talked it up so much but it had been a while since I’d had the chance to visit and I didn’t want to look like an idiot. Really, though, I was just nervous and trying to keep myself busy. Finally, at 4:30 I gave up and went into The 1894.
I took a seat at the bar and ordered a glass of wine. Maybe that will settle my nerves, I thought. I asked the bartender if I could save the seat next to me. “I’m meeting someone at five,” I told her. “I got here early.”
She shrugged. “Sure, but I can’t stop anyone from sitting there if we run out of seats.”
I understood, but so far the place was only about half full. Most people hadn’t gotten off work yet. I sat my purse on the empty seat next to me and sipped my wine. Twice people came up to me and asked if the seat was available, and I told them no, someone was sitting there. They moved on without a fuss, but it was a little annoying. When the third person walked up, I was about to roll my eyes and make a smart remark, but before I could turn, a familiar voice said, “No fair starting without me.”
I picked up my purse and he slid onto the seat, leaning his arm on the bar. He was wearing a pale blue short sleeved button down shirt, the top few buttons left undone, and a pair of dark blue slacks. Nothing too fancy, but a definite step up from the t-shirt and jeans from the other day. His hair was mostly tamed, but still a bit messy. It was a good look on him.
“Hi,” he said, with a smile.
“Hi,” I said, smiling back. “I got here super early. Traffic wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I got here faster than I expected, too,” he said. “Guess the freeway gods wanted us to start things early.” He winked and I melted inside. “That dress looks great on you, by the way,” he went on. “The color really brings out your eyes.”
Now I really was blushing, and it wasn’t from the wine. “Thanks,” I said. “You look nice, too.”
He shrugged. “I clean up fairly well.” The bartender came over and asked if she could get him anything. “I’ll have the same,” he said, pointing at my wine glass. “And put it on one check, please.”
I picked up my glass and took a sip. “The feminist in me wants to insist I’m perfectly capable of buying my own drinks,” I said, “but my bank balance is telling her to shut up.”
He laughed and laid his hand on mine. “Tell your inner feminist I respect her very much, but I agree with your bank balance that she needs to mind her own business for a while.” He rubbed his thumb against the back of my hand and I took another sip of wine to allow myself to recover a bit of composure. Fortunately, the bartender brought his wine and he let go to take his glass.
“Cheers,” he said, tipping his glass toward mine.
“Cheers,” I replied, as we clinked our glasses together. He maintained eye contact as he took a drink.
“Nice choice,” he said after he’d swallowed. He pulled a menu closer and waved the bartender over. “Can we get a meat & cheese board, and some olives?” She nodded. “Sorry,” he said. “I got sidetracked this morning and didn’t get lunch before my meeting.”
“No worries,” I said. “Who knows if or when we’ll get around to dinner. I don’t know about you, but I can spend hours in this place.” I nodded toward the bookshop proper.
He smiled. “Great minds think alike,” he said. There was that smile again. I found myself smiling back, sure I looked like a total goofball. He reached out for my hand again and gave it a little squeeze. My insides turned instantly to goo.
“So, um, how was your meeting?” I asked.
His face lit up. “It was really good,” he said. “I’m in talks to do a TV series.” He took a sip of wine. “The producer has a couple of different options for my character, wanted my input on which one I liked best.”
“And let me guess, you can’t say a word.”
He grimaced. “Nope, sorry. They’d feed me to the … what’s that thing that ate Boba Fett in Star Wars, that giant sand worm thing?”
“Oh, yeah, I know what you mean,” I said. I searched my brain for the arcane Star Wars knowledge that I knew lurked in there somewhere. “The sarlaac? Is that it?”
Dieter shrugged. “Sounds about right. Whatever it’s called, they’d feed me to it.” Just then the bartender brought our food, and he popped an olive in his mouth.
“By the way, thanks for not giving me the Look,” he said. He nodded toward his wine glass. “Everybody knows I’ve been to rehab, so I usually get the Look from someone when they see me drinking alcohol.”
“It’s none of my business,” I told him. “You’re an adult and so am I.”
He smiled. “Well, thanks again,” he said quietly. “I’m in a pretty good place right now. I have my rules and they’re working for me. A lot of people judge me too harshly.”
We nibbled on the food, ordered another glass of wine, and chit chatted about work, the weather, and other boring stuff that actually seemed important and enthralling because it gave us each a glimpse into the other’s life.
He offered me the last morsel of cheese on the board, but I declined and he ate it, then drained his glass. “So,” he said, clapping his hands together. “Are we going to buy some books or what?”
I finished my wine and smiled. “Let’s do some damage to my bank account,” I said. He laughed, asked for the check and paid it in cash, leaving a ridiculously large tip that made the bartender break into an appreciative smile. I wasn’t sure if he was normally a large tipper or if he was just trying to impress me, but either way, I was happy for the bartender, who had been running herself ragged as the bar started to fill up with people stopping by for after work drinks.
“Shall we?,” he said as we stood up. He let me walk a half step ahead of him, and I felt his hand at the small of my back, gently guiding me through the maze of tables and customers toward the bookstore.
“Where do we start?,” he asked when we reached the sales floor.
“Anywhere you want,” I said. “Fiction? Nonfiction?”
“Definitely fiction,” he replied. I took his hand and led him toward the fiction shelves, glad I had scouted out the store layout earlier.
We wandered the shelves, pulling out a book here and there.
“Have you read this?”
“Oh, I love this one.”
Our reading tastes were not exactly the same, but we overlapped quite a bit. I pulled a copy of The Eyre Affair off the shelf. “Please tell me you’ve read this,” I said.
He shook his head, taking the book from me to read the back. “No, I haven’t. Wait, what the hell is this?” He laughed. “Dodos?”
“Don’t knock it,” I said. “It’s virtually impossible to describe this book without it sounding like the stupidest thing ever, but trust me, it’s brilliant.”
He raised one eyebrow and gave me a look of disbelief. “Interactive Shakespeare,” I said. “Time travel. An independent Wales. Neanderthals. And Jane Eyre is missing!”
He laughed. “Okay, okay, I’ll take your word for it.” He started to put the book back on this shelf but I snatched it from his hand.
“No, I’m buying this for you,” I said. “You have to read it. Non negotiable.”
“And what if I don’t like it?,” he asked.
“Then I’m afraid I’ll have to kill you,” I teased.
“I knew it,” he said, with an exaggerated groan. “My characters almost always die. It’s this face. People just want to kill it.”
“I like your face,” I said.
He leaned against the shelf. “Really?” He seemed surprised. I just gave him a look and he laughed. “Okay, so if I don’t like the book I die; what happens if I like it?”
“Then you become One of Us and must be initiated,” I said.
His eyebrows shot up. “This initiation … am I gonna like it?” He stepped closer to me.
“Oh, yeah,” I said. “You’ll love it. But you’ve got to read the book first.” I tapped him on the chest with the book. He chuckled and shook his head.
“Okay, but now I get to pick out a book for you,” he said. He took my hand and led me up and down the aisles, making a show of picking out just the right book. All the while, our fingers were entwined and he idly rubbed his thumb against my palm. Finally, he decided on a novel by an obscure Lithuanian author that sounded rather depressing to me, but which he insisted was better than the cover blurb would lead you to believe.
We continued to explore the shop, finding something interesting in every aisle. I picked up a tiny Jane Austen doll, which he insisted on buying for me. He admired a leather key fob with a Steinbeck quote, which I insisted on buying for him. Eventually, we each had a small stack of books and little trinkets picked out for each other.
“Ready for dinner?,” he asked.
“Yeah, we’d better get out of here before I find anything more to buy,” I said. We went to the registers, made our purchases and then traded bags.
“So,” he said when we’d stepped outside. “Any good restaurants around here?”
“I know a nice tapas place in Old Pasadena,” I said. “But we’ll have to drive there. It’s like five or six blocks away.”
He laughed. “Oh, you are such a Californian,” he said. “If you’d lived in New York, you’d know five or six blocks is nothing.” He slipped his arm around my shoulders. “Come on, it’s a nice night, let’s take a walk.”
We walked west on Colorado Blvd. It was still light out but starting to get dusky in the shadows of the tall buildings. I’d always found downtown Pasadena a bit “big city” and overwhelming, which I mentioned to Dieter. He laughed. “I’ll take you to New York City sometime,” he said. “Then we’ll talk about what constitutes a ‘big city’.”
I held my tongue, but the fact that he’d casually assumed we’d have a future together of some sort gave me a thrill. Even if we were just friends in that future, I’d take it, although of course I wanted more.
The walk to the restaurant was leisurely, after Dieter realized I couldn’t walk as quickly as he could (the curse of being a short person walking with a tall person), which was perfectly fine with me. He kept his arm around my shoulders as we navigated the foot traffic that always filled the sidewalks in Pasadena, especially on a Friday night. Only one person stopped us to ask for his autograph, although several others did a double take as we went past them.
We reached the restaurant and fortunately didn’t have to wait too long for a table. Most of the customers were crowded in the bar and lounge area, but we were tucked in a corner at a table.
“Nice place,” Dieter said, looking around appreciatively. As soon as he opened the menu, he grinned. “Ooh, they have oysters!”
I made a face. “What’s that face for?,” he said.
“I’m not a big fan of seafood,” I admitted.
“Well, I’m still getting oysters,” he said, with a wink. Our waiter came over and Dieter ordered a gin martini and a half dozen oysters to start with. I opted for potato empanadas and a mojito. By the time the waiter came back with our drinks and appetizers, we’d decided on a pizza to split for our main course.
“Trade you,” Dieter said, offering me an oyster after he saw how good my empanadas looked.
“Ugh, no,” I said. “Those things are disgusting. I’m very picky about what I put in my mouth.”
He nearly spit out his martini and I felt my face go red as I realized how that sounded. “I just mean, I’m a picky eater,” I protested, but he was already laughing so hard he had to wipe his eyes with his napkin.
“Oh, my God,” he said when he’d managed to catch his breath. “That was priceless. But the offer still stands. Those empanadas look really good.” He made puppy dog eyes at me and I shoved an empanada into his mouth.
“Mmph,” he said. When he’d managed to swallow it, he picked up an oyster and waved it in front of my face. “Come on,” he said. “Just try one. I bet you’ll like it.”
I shook my head.
“If you eat one, I’ll give you a kiss,” he offered.
I pouted at him. “I was hoping I’d already done enough to earn a kiss,” I said
“I meant, I’ll give you a kiss right now,” he clarified. “You’re definitely getting a kiss before the evening’s over.” He did that thing with his jaw that always turned me on.
I closed my eyes. “All right, in that case, I’ll do it, but if I don’t like it I get to spit it out, okay?”
“Deal,” he said. “Open up.” I opened my mouth and he tipped the oyster in. I shuddered a bit at the slimy texture and briny taste. “Just swallow it,” he said. I did and almost gagged, but I managed to get it down. I opened my eyes and he was smiling mischievously at me. He leaned across the table to press a gentle kiss against my lips. He tasted like gin and oysters and empanadas. “Worth it?”
“Definitely,” I replied with a lazy smile. “But I’m never eating one of those things again.”
“Fair enough,” he said. We talked about favorite (and not so favorite) foods while we waited for the pizza to arrive. After it arrived, we talked about movies and hobbies and a million other things. Finally, we’d eaten as much as we could and the waiter dropped off the check. Again, Dieter took care of it, this time with a credit card. I made a feeble attempt to ask what my share was, but he waved me off. “Tell your inner feminist she can pay next time,” he said.
We walked slowly back to the parking lot behind Vroman’s enjoying the cooler air now that the sun had gone completely down. We reached my car first and I dug out my keys, unlocked the doors and put my bag in the back seat. “Well,” I said, not sure exactly what to say.
“Well,” he said back, stepping closer, almost pressing me against the side of the car. He sat his bag on the ground and took my face between his hands. This time, the kiss was still gentle, but lasted longer. It was followed by a flurry of shorter but fiercer kisses that made my toes curl. I slid my arms up around his neck and his hands fell to my waist, pulling me closer.
“Mmm,” he murmured. “I had a wonderful time tonight.”
“Me, too,” I replied. He kissed me again.
“We should probably say good night,” he said. I nodded, and kissed him back.
“Someone’s going to wonder why we’re making out in the parking lot,” he said.
“Yeah, we should probably stop,” I said. We didn’t stop.
Finally, a woman and her kids walked past and she made a snarky remark. Dieter laughed and pressed his forehead against mine. “Okay, I think that killed the mood,” he said. He stepped back. “Text me when you get home, so I know you got there safe,” he said. “I’ll call you tomorrow and we can figure out where to go next time.”
“I will,” I said, fumbling with my car keys, which I’d somehow managed not to drop during all that. I opened the car door and dropped into the drivers’ seat. Dieter leaned in to press one last kiss against my cheek.
“Drive safe,” he said, then picked up his bag and headed for his own car, two rows over from mine. I couldn’t resist watching him walk away, admiring the view.
When he got into his car, I turned away and slid my key in the ignition. I’d need the long drive home to calm myself down.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
NOTES: Vroman’s is a real bookshop in Pasadena. If you ever get the chance to visit, do so! And do it soon: the owner is retiring and the shop (as well as Book Soup) is up for sale. Fingers crossed they find a new owner who wants to carry on the 100+ year tradition of this indie bookshop. The restaurant is loosely based on a little place I had lunch with friends during a conference in Pasadena. The Eyre Affair is a real book and it is AMAZING. The obscure Lithuanian author is completely made up; I figured Dieter would be into something out of the ordinary.
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seresinsbabe · 1 year
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The Fallen - Prologue
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Pairing: Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x fem!reader
Synopsis: Your sister went missing two years ago but because of her past no one is looking into it despite your insistence that she didn't run off. Enter rookie detective Bradley Bradshaw. For whatever reason he believes you. Only he realizes there is more than meets the eye with this case.
Warnings: True Crime centered so if it's not your cup of tea don't read. Mentions of addiction and prostitution.
Word Count: 0.6k
THIS BLOG AND ITS WORKS ARE 18+ MINORS DNI!
I do not consent to having any of my work shared on any other platform. If you see any rendition of my works on another site know that it has been posted without my permission.
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Masterlist | Next Chapter
Three weeks. That’s how long it's been since you’ve seen or heard from your sister. A few days, sometimes even over a week was normal. But three weeks? Not even at the height of your sister’s addiction had she gone three weeks with no contact. Even if most of the contact revolved around her asking for money to get her next fix under the guise of needing food or clothes. You always knew she used it for drugs. And you hated giving her the money and essentially enabling her, but you did it in the hopes that maybe just once she would actually buy the food or the clothes. She never did.
As much as you hated the path your sister had gone down, you couldn’t exactly blame her. The things you’d both been through – were fucking awful. Drugs were your sister’s way of coping. You’d managed better. You went to college, you got a degree, you started therapy. Of course you felt bad that while your sister had been barely surviving, if you could even really call it that, you were on the other end of the survival spectrum. Starting to really thrive.
You did what you could to help her, though. Countless times you let her crash in your home, fed her, found a way to get her into rehab. Each time it never lasted. Except this last time.
There was a visible difference in Christine. She had started to put on weight, life was returning to eyes, she was smiling again. This time you really thought she was going to make it. Until she disappeared. Your heart sank when that first week passed, because you were sure you knew what it meant. It wasn’t until the beginning of the third week that you really had started to worry. So much so that you wound up at the police station.
“Listen, sweetheart, we all know your sister and she’s probably just on a bender.” You were on the verge of tears, both out of worry for Christine and frustration at the officer’s defiance. Yes, your sister had a troubled past. But this wasn’t like her. She didn’t just disappear like this, at least not for this long. 
“I don’t care what her past is, this isn’t like her! You have to do something, please.” The cry for help felt weak, because you were exhausted. Running on minimal sleep because you’d been up for hours trying to find her. Every time you called her phone it went straight to voicemail. Leading you to believe it was either dead or shut off. Stupidly you had gone to her old stomping grounds, a palace you didn’t want to be but you didn’t know what else to do or where else to look. Unfortunately it hadn’t led to her.
You knew it wasn’t going to be easy to convince the police something was really wrong with her. How many times had you picked her up from this exact jail after she got busted for possession or prostitution? Everyone who worked here knew your sister and ultimately knew you. And each time you walked through the doors you were met with looks of pity. Looks you had grown tired of getting, but by this point were numb to. You’d gotten them your whole life, so much that at this point you just stopped wondering if they would ever stop. 
“Please…I just-I know something is wrong.” The female officer looked at you, again with pity, but she relented.
“Alright,” she sighed and pulled out some papers from a drawer. “Fill out a missing person’s report and we’ll go from there.” You let out a breath you hadn’t realized you’d been holding in. With everything you had in you, you hoped nothing was wrong, but that sinking feeling was getting deeper and deeper.
No matter what, you weren’t going to give up until you found your sister. Dead or alive.
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@lt-bradshaw@sarahsmi13s@luvingdreams@adoringsebstan@americaarse@dakotakazansky@bluebirdhangingonawheepingtree@lt-sporkk@Yelenasfloppyhand@sass-masterkittenmama@noz4a2@avengersfan25@canarysposts@Lanadelrey3@thelonelyumbrella@mommyneytiri@endofdays56@princess76179@bradshawsweetheart@flrboyd@bradshawseresinbabe
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barcaatthemoon · 16 days
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end of an era || jenni hermoso x reader ||
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things don't always get better, but jenni tries to help you.
major angst warning, like implied/mentioned suicide attempt angst. proceed with caution.
everything and everyone went silent the moment you fell. it was daunting to watch back as you replayed the stream of your last game over and over again. jenni sighed as she glanced over at you. the two of you had been waiting in the doctor's office for hours now to see how your surgery had gone. both of you knew that it was going to be a long and hard road back, one that you honestly weren't even sure you'd have the chance to attempt.
"will you turn it off please?" jenni asked you. she was beyond trying to be nice about it. you got upset every single time that you watched it, and jenni hated hearing you get hit and go down again and again. she hadn't been there for that game, and it was one of her greatest regrets.
your teammates had told jenni how you had been immediately following the game. jenni almost couldn't believe it, not until she saw for herself that every ounce of happiness had been sucked out of you. you had become obsessive, attempting to figure out where you could have done something to reduce the damage. rather than listen to the countless people who had assured you time and time again that it was a freak accident, you still searched for an answer.
"it's not like i have anything else to do," you grumbled. jenni was really starting to get on your nerves. she was always a little annoying, but it had gone from being endearing to infuriating. "they're just going to tell me that i'm finished. my career is over, even if i can make a comeback. it will be too fucking late, jenni."
"no. no, stop talking like that. you're gonna be fine," jenni told you. oh how you wished that the doctors hadn't made her out to be a liar. jenni believed her words right up until the surgeon came in with a team of people that neither of you had ever seen before.
you felt numb as they gave the time frame of your possible return. it would be well over a year since you required multiple surgeries to fix the tears and breaks. you didn't understand how you had fucked up your body so badly, and it was obvious that jenni didn't either. however, you weren't left wondering for very long. the doctor mentioned old injuries that hadn't healed properly, claiming that your leg was a ticking time bomb that had been resting for nearly a decade.
"that was a waste of fucking time," you grumbled as you rushed towards the car. you were on crutches, so you weren't really moving that fast. jenni had slowed her pace down signficantly to keep up with you. she was carrying your bags, something that you only let her do today because she normally did it for you anyway.
"no, we have a timeline now. that's a good first step towards getting you back to where you need to be." jenni sounded so optimistic still, but you knew that it didn't matter. you'd miss the olympics, and you'd definitely have to retire by the next world cup. your time was running out, and it had essentially been cut in half by your injury.
"jenni, i'll be lucky if i ever get to step foot on a pitch again. let's just get home. i need a fucking drink." you got into the car, ignoring the look that jenni gave you. she was worried about you, despite you technically not doing anything worrisome yet.
you were depressed, and rightfully so. jenni had hoped that the doctors would have some good news for you, but they hadn't. your mood reflected that in the coming weeks as you moped around until you were cleared to start your physical therapy and rehab. your schedule for that was pretty light, especially since you had at least two more surgeries before you were in the clear.
jenni was great, and despite it being her off season, she didn't go back to spain. instead, she had moved temporarily to america to take care of you. you could tell that the move was hard on her, but she couldn't think of letting you stay by yourself. she was afraid that you'd do something stupid or dangerous if she left you alone.
you hated it, and because of that, you started to hate her as well. you hated that jenni kept looking at you like you were made of glass. you hated that she touched you so gently whenever all you wanted was for her to hold you down against the mattress and make you forget the past four months of your life. you hated jenni, and even more so, you hated that she never showed any resentment towards you.
there was always only ever going to be so much that jenni could handle. ten months out of your injury with only one more surgery to go, it all came crashing down around the two of you. the cracks in jenni's patience with you were starting to show, so she had taken a little vacation to spain without you. it wasn't for more than a few days, but it was long enough for your anger to betray you and turn into complete despair.
you had a family history of being fucked up. addiction, depression, anxiety, and a long list of other issues had plagued nearly every other member of your family for as long as you could remember. your parents had both tried to prepare you for the worst of it, and for a time, you thought that you had seen it. you had forgone taking your pain medicine because you had been terrified fo getting hooked on it. there never should have been so many pills in the house, but jenni knew she couldn't have just taken your extra ones with her to spain.
you wanted to call jenni, but she'd talk you down. you didn't feel like you deserved it. you had treated her so badly for nearly a year, to the point where she left the continent to get away from you. however, you believed that you owed her at least a text. something to thank her for taking care of you and apologize for being such a piece of shit for so long.
the time zone different meant that jenni should have been fast asleep. you didn't count on jenni being wide awake at 2 am. how could you have known that she hadn't been sleeping well since you got hurt. the vacation to spain should have been relaxing, but jenni couldn't quiet the voice in the back of her head warning her that you still weren't doing any better mentally. that was why she hadn't even finished reading your text before she was calling some of your american teammates to check up on you, hopeful that it wasn't too late.
"i'm here! i'm here!" jenni was nearly tripping over herself as she ran into your hospital room. she stopped when she saw you. you had expected her to start yelling at you or something, but instead she just broke down in front of you.
"i'm sorry," you apologized. jenni tried to tell you not to be sorry, but she couldn't get it out. all she could do is kneel by your bed and cry as your hand weakly ran through your hair. "it should have worked."
"i-is that how you really feel?" jenni asked you. you realized that wasn't at all what she wanted to hear, and suddenly you were filled with guilt. all of that hate and anger that you had felt before came back, but this time it was fully directed towards yourself.
"yes," you whispered. jenni wiped her eyes and stood up as she stared down at you. "i've been awful to you. how can you still love me?"
"are you fucking stupid?" jenni regretted her words as soon as they left her mouth. for the first time in months, jenni finally saw you cry. "shit. shit, shit, shit, c'mere. i'm sorry, i didn't mean it like that. i love you, i want to see you get better."
"jenni, i'm not sure that there is a better. what if i come back and this happens all over again? i think that i need to retire and take some time by myself," you told her.
"a-are you breaking up with me?" jenni asked you. there was a flash of anger in her eyes, one that completely overshadowed the hurt. "i took care of you for almost a year. i waited for you to get better, to be yourself again because i love you so much. you can't just make a decision like this by yourself, not when you aren't in the right headspace."
"jenni, they're keeping me here on a hold for a while until i can prove that i'm okay. i'm selling my place here. i don't want us to be over, but i think that if you can find someone who actually deserves you while i'm gone, then you should go for it. and if you don't by the time that i'm better, then i'd really like you to consider letting me come back to you," you told her. jenni didn't like the sound of that, but it wasn't a clear breakup. it was a break, if anything, and jenni knew for a fact that she wouldn't find someone else unless you actually forced her to. "i've already been let out of my contracts, they're just waiting to make the announcements."
"i wish that you'd reconsider this, but i am glad that you can make rational decisions," jenni said. you nodded as you gave her hand a little squeeze. there was a chair by your bed, but jenni crawled right in next to you. she had a couple days to stay with you before you were moved to the facility that you'd call home for as long as it took you to get better. jenni didn't know when you'd be back, but she kept a calendar to keep count of the days you were gone.
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deadsnothere · 1 year
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Brian send help.
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Synopsis - Alias goes to Cynthia's house halfway through the fall ball to talk to her dad. It ends up turning out in her favor, it just takes a bit of..kiss- CONVINCING.
WARNINGS!! - Gays-?
Masterlist
Request - No but i am working on two request now.
Word count - 1.5k 😨
Speak Ali! - I've had this started since the episode i just finished it now!! (i'm dying-) Taglist anyone?
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“If you need something tonight kid- I may be Cynthia's dad but I've been there for your entire life, I’ll be here for you now.”
In my yellow dress with a pink ladies jacket across my shoulders, I almost wanted to die. The fall ball sucked ass, and it's still going!- I walked into Cynthia trying to make out with my brother..Ya know- for once I thought I was winning! 'He's the big brother' Jones says- ‘He doesn't have to take care of the girls.’ said Jones. And now he's won the girl- and I'm still taking care of Jones' kids.
So I’m standing outside of Cynthia's town house, waiting for her dad to open the door.
And when Brian does (after four hours) he’s quick to rush me in. “Kid- are you ok?” he patted my back, taking a beer out of the fridge and handing it to me. “...She kissed Anthony..” He nodded knowingly, rubbing my back as I opened the bottle of beer with my mouth. “And you're jealous?” When I looked over to him, mouth opened in shock, he laughed at me. “Alias, When someone is in love with my daughter..I can tell.” He shrugged his shoulders, leaning back onto the counter. “And you're not weirded out?” it was a scary thing, being gay in this town, or time- fuck the USA it sucks here.
Brian raised both eyebrows and had to hold back a laugh. “I was doing crack in the 40’s a year before I got Cynthia's mother pregnant. I only sobered up and went to rehab to take care of Cynthia.” Eyebrows furrowed and mouth wide open, I looked up to him, shocked. “You were doing crack?!” He busted out laughing. “Yeah! Everyone did crack back then- I don't remember most of my teen years. But there was a boy who made me feel better than any girl had.” I pushed the pink ladies jacket off my shoulders and placed it on the counter, turning around and chugging the entire beer (no matter how disgusting it is) and throwing it away in the makeshift trash can they have.
“Yeah- uh, don't do that- no more for you. But what I'm saying is I know how you feel, growing up like this- In times like this..it's not going to end well, I'm sure you and Cynthia will figure it out- Now I know she said she was going to stay at yours tonight and she just might. So you stay here tonight.” Sighing, I leaned my head back onto the cabinets. “Thanks dad. I appreciate it.” he looked down at his watch concerned at the fact it was getting close to 8, when he had to leave for work.
(I'm starting to think he knew she would come home..)
Brian ruffled my hair and shooed me over to the couch. “There’s reefer in the top drawer if you really need it, just don't smoke it all and only do it here.” He put a blanket over me and grabbed his keys from the holder. “Don't die! We can talk more in the morning but I have to go to work.” I nodded and he turned the TV on as he left. “Bye dad.” - “Bye Kid!” As soon as the door shut I wasn't sure what to do. There was nothing interesting on, so I just went to sleep, I was tired anyways.
“Alias, what the fuck are you doing here?” A voice was tapping me awake. “Huh-” Cynthia was standing over me, a jacket over her shoulders, shoes off, and a bottle of beer in her hand. “Alias, what are you doing here?! Shy guy has been looking for you-” I rolled my eyes and stood up, picking up my shoes and messily buckling them back on. “I don't know and at this point I don't care-” I was on my way out when she stopped me. “Alias what is up with you!” I let in a shaky breath, my hands were clenched and my knees were weak.
I took a second breath in, because one was not enough for this BULLSHIT, and spoke. “What is up with me? You never showed one minute of interest in my brother and now that I was going to the ball with Andrew as friends- he's your boyfriend!” She looked at me shocked, like we hadn't kissed before. “I've always liked your brother!-” I let out a dead chuckle. “Oh, dont fuck with me Zdunowski. I'm not stupid, You’re not in love with him! You were just- stupid, I don't know?!” She looked at me with her eyebrows furrowed and mouth open. “Why are you here, Alias?” I looked her in the eye this time, I'm not doing this like a pussy. I took my hand back, started to dust off her dress and placed a hand on her face.
“Because I'm in love with you, and for some reason I just love to hurt myself.” I sighed and sped walked out of the door, trying to slam it shut but she stopped it before I could. I was half way down the hallway by the time she got me again. She grabbed onto my hands, spinning me around, watching me trip, and getting dragged down with me. We were very close, her breathing was unsteady, our hearts matched beats. And once I finally had the balls, Our lips were sealed like a secret. Her hands grabbed my waist and she got as close as she could, even if it was awkward. It felt like heaven, if heaven was two teenage girls kissing in a hallway. “I- I love you too, I’ve been in love with you since we were 10- And for the last 6 years i've been convincing myself i loved Shy Guy not you but...I- i just..can I please kiss you more, please?” When I nodded she dipped down again, kissing me more. And more, and more! everyone of them, felt different, felt like a different emotions. Confusion, burning, love, yearning. everything a person could feel in just a few kisses.
We ran back into the home and shut the door behind us. My back was pressed into the door while Cynthia was skillfully untying my dress and kissing me at the same time. It felt so real, my vision isn't blurry and my body didn't feel fake. She was quick to start leaving hickeys down my neck, it made me giggle at first but the more bite marks she left the more I was glad my dress was already untied. She dragged me into her room, but her demeanor changed when she sat me on the bed and closed her door. “Here, take these clothes-” it wasn't in an annoyed manner, but she wasn't willing to look at me. “Cynthia what's wrong?-" She was changing out of her own dress now. Her hands slowly took off her dress and stockings. Changed them for pajama pants and a wife beater that made my face red, showing off her arms, built from all the car work she does.
Cynthia finally paying attention to me again, placed her hands on my cheeks. “I was forcing myself on your brother just an hour ago- and now I don't know-...I feel like an asshole for not chasing after you.” I smiled at her, kissing the palm of her hand. “You kinda are-” “Alias!” “What it's the truth!- I'm not gonna lie to you. But, I'll at least give you a chance to make it up to me.” I stood up from the bed and let my dress fall from my shoulders, gracefully. Cynthia was quick to help me out of it. She unclasped my bra and took it off for me, kissing the distance of my shoulders, and up my neck. She pushed my shorts off my hips, and got on her knees in front of me. Kissed along my hips for a few seconds before stopping right in front of my lace underwear.
“Please..” She looked desperate in front of me. I almost felt bad for saying no, but I didn't feel like it. I lent down and kissed her temple. “I..don't feel like it- i'm sorry..i just really want to sleep-” Cynthia was quick to pop up, standing on her feet again. “No! No it's ok, it's ok I'm fine to go to sleep!” She kissed my temple and picked up her shirt, putting it over my head and helping me find the arm holes. Finally, she dragged me to her bed, laid me down, and pulled her blanket onto me, falling asleep next to me. I've spent so long wishing for this, and now here I am.
Cynthia was laid down beside me in her bed, with all of my fingers and toes. no bullshit reason just, Love. And fuck was Brian right, I am in love with his daughter.
The more Cynthia grabbed onto my waist and pushed her head into my neck. The more I knew I was ready for whatever conversation brian was going to have with me in the morning about what kind of relationship with his daughter, although I'm not sure about that myself.
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mayrose713 · 2 years
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I'm Used To It
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Steve Harrington x fem reader
Summary: When Y/n’s alcoholic mother comes home things don’t go well after she finds out where she had been. With nowhere else to go Y/n remembers she’s not the only one dealing with this kind of thing and calls Steve to pick them both up for the weekend. Friends to lovers.
Warnings: alcohol abuse, alcoholic parent, divorce, mention of abandonment, swearing, trauma
Word count: 3548
A/N: Most things that I write are based closely on my own experiences and traumas, this way I can write a better and happier ending though. If you go through anything similar please know you are not alone and you are always welcome to message me if you need to talk. 
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“Sweetheart, ’m home.” Y/n heard her mother call out from the front door of their trailer but something didn’t seem right. 
“Mom?” Y/n came out of her room to find her mom trying to keep herself up. “Where have you been?”
“Ran inta an old friend.” She smiled at her daughter. “We talked for awhile.”
“You went drinking.” Y/n started to get both mad and upset.
“Nooooo.” Her mom shook her head before almost falling over. 
“You’re obviously drunk!” Y/n yelled.
“Pssh, you’re being redicu-lish. ‘m not drunk. Haven’t been in yearsh.” She badly lied as she walked over trying to hug Y/n. “Watcha have fur dinner?”
“I didn’t.” Y/n pushed her mom off her. “We had planned to have dinner together, remember? We were going to cook since we were both going to actually be home tonight.”
“Sorry. Wanted to catchup with a friend.” She pouted since her daughter pushed her away and tried acting like she was sober.
“No, you wanted to go drink. How long has it been going on this time?” Y/n started to yell. “Going to rehab three times already wasn’t enough for you to keep sober? Or how about dad leaving us for a girl ten years younger than you when I was fourteen because he didn’t want to deal with you drinking anymore.”
“Really?” Her mom started to yell back. “Really had to go there?”
“Yes, I did.” Y/n walked over to the fridge to find herself dinner since it’s already nine o’clock. 
“Whatcha ya doing?”
“Finding myself dinner, duh.” Y/n rolled her eyes. 
“Do ya really think ya need more to eat?” That hit a nerve in Y/n.
“Fine.” Y/n slammed the fridge door and stomped to the front door. 
“And where do ya think you’re going?” Her mom yelled, stopping her for a second. 
“Being like dad and getting the hell away from you.” Y/n yelled with tears brimming her eyes before leaving. 
She took a second to breathe trying to figure out what to do. Then she remembered how Max moved to the trailer park after her step dad left and she has a similar situation with her mom. Y/n was the only person Max trusted to tell about what was going on at home. She then decided that’s where she's going to go since it was a Friday night and is sure Max isn’t doing well either. 
It only took Y/n a few minutes before she was knocking on the younger girl's front door.
“Y/n?” Max looked at her confused then noticed the tears still threatening to escape. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, just, you know my mom.” Y/n explained then noticed the older redhead passed out on the couch with a bunch of beers scattered around. “It looks like we’re in the same boat actually.”
“Yeah, though I’ve never seen you so upset like this.” Max grabbed her hand pulling her into the trailer and towards her room making sure the doors closed. “What happened tonight?”
“Max, I love you, you’re like my baby sister especially with how similar our lives are.” Y/n had grabbed her hands. “But this is something you don’t need to be burdened with, it’s mine.” 
“It’s also not something you need to keep bottled up and deal with alone.” Max squeezed her hands. “Please Y/n/n talk to me.” 
Y/n thought about it for a second then felt exactly how hungry she was and decided on something else.
“Have you eaten dinner?” Y/n asked, having noticed there wasn’t much food in the trailer. 
Max stayed quiet for a moment before shaking her head. “No, even with two jobs we don’t have much money and most of what we have mom spends on booze.”
“I’m going to call Steve, okay. Tell him what's going on and to pick us up.” Y/n explained grabbing the phone from the bedside table but Max stopped her.
“You can’t.” Max looked at the older girl with pleading eyes. “Please, I told you about all of this in confidence because you understand and I see you as an older sister too. I don’t want anyone else knowing, especially not Lucas, and Steve is too close with him and the others.”
“Max, he’s my best friend and already knows about my situation and he’s never told anyone else.” Y/n explained. “He’s very protective of not just me but also you, he would want to know. Give you a place away from this.”
“He’s protective of you because he’s in love with you.” Max told her which gave Y/n butterflies in her stomach.
“Steve’s not in love with me, we’ve been friends for as long as I can remember.” Y/n said. 
“But you’re in love with him.” Max reminded her. “And don’t try to lie, you already admitted it when we played truth or dare with El over the summer.”
“And I told you guys that I don’t plan to ever tell him since I don’t want to ruin our friendship.” Y/n reminded her. “And there’s no way he’s in love with me.”
“Keep telling yourself that Y/n/n.” 
“Anyways, I’m calling Steve.” She started dialing his number. 
“Hello.” Steve quickly answered. 
“Hey, it’s me.” 
“Y/n? Everything okay?” Steve perked up. “I thought you were doing a night in with your mom tonight?”
“Yeah, that didn’t exactly happen like it was supposed to.” Y/n let out a long sigh. “She decided instead of dinner with me to get drunk with a friend.”
“Got it, I’m on my way to get you and we’ll pick up pizza on our way home.” Steve said and she could hear him moving around. 
“Actually, I’m at Max’s.” Y/n looked at the younger girl. “We’re kind of dealing with the same thing right now.”
“What? Max too?” Steve wasn’t expecting to hear that from his best friend, after meeting Max he couldn’t help but feel protective of her especially with everything from Billy. “Okay, tell her to pack a bag for the weekend, you’re both staying over. You still have some clothes here, and besides you like to sleep in my shirts anyways.”
“Thanks Steve.” Y/n smiled. “And just like my situation, don't tell anyone about Max, especially the boys.” 
“Completely understand, I’ll be there in a few minutes to pick you both up, see you soon.” Steve said before hanging up.
Y/n placed the phone back on the nightstand and turned to Max. “Pack a bag for the weekend, you’re staying with us.”
“It’s okay Y/n, I’m fine staying here.” Max shook her head.
“Max, you and I both know I won’t let you stay here with your mom passed out and not enough food to feed you.” Y/n said while standing up and grabbing a bag from the girls closet. “And We both know that Steve will carry you over his shoulder to force you into his car and keep you all weekend to make sure you’re safe and fed. He did that to me when I was fifteen and learned about what was going on with my mom. Though he was more pissed that it was happening since I was eleven and I never told him, that he found out when he snuck over trying to get me to go to a party.”
“You know that’s kidnapping right?” Max laughed a little, taking the bag from Y/n and started packing some things. 
“Yeah, I told him that.” Y/n also laughed. “He didn’t give a shit. I’m sure he’s going to feel the same now even if it’s three years later, especially when it's you Max.”
“I’m pretty sure he’s only doing this because he loves you and I’m basically your little sister.” Max scoffed. 
“Max, he cares about you very much, I promise he does.” Y/n reassured her. “He still would have done this even if it was just you who called him.” 
Just then there was a honk outside and Max looked out the window to see the familiar red BMW. 
“That’s Steve.” Max turned back around. “I’ll meet you guys outside in a minute, just gotta put a few things away and leave a note for my mom in case she sobers up at some point this weekend.” 
“Okay, don’t be too long.” Y/n kissed the top of her head before making her way through the trailer and out the front door to find Steve leaning against the driver side.
“Hey Y/n/n.” He pushed himself off the car and over to his best friend where he quickly engulfed her in a hug. “How are you doing?”
“The same as I always am when this happens.” She explains. “Her getting upset with me as though she didn’t do anything wrong, me getting mad at her for blowing me off and drinking then her having to say something about me trying to eat dinner.”
“I’m so sorry.” He squeezed her tighter.
“It’s okay Steve, I’m used to it at this point.” 
“No it’s not okay Y/n, but we’ll figure it out later, for now let's just get you and Max out of here.” He said before letting her go and realizing the red head wasn’t around. “Speaking of, where is Max?”
“She was finishing packing her bag and writing a note for her mom, just in case.” She explained.
“Is she doing okay?” Steve was very worried. “How long has she been dealing with this?”
“Why don’t you go inside and ask her?” He looked at Y/n confused which made her sigh. “She doesn’t think you care about her, that you’re just doing this for me.”
“What?” Steve was surprised by this. “Of course I care for her, I have ever since I met her, especially after I learned she was Billy’s step sister. Was scared for her and what she had to deal with living with him.”
“Go talk to her.” 
Steve nodded his head before walking to the trailer as Y/n got into the passenger seat of his car. Max was finishing up the note to her mom when she heard the door open again. 
“Sorry Y/n, almost done.” She looked up only to find Steve and not her sister figure standing in the entryway looking at the horror of where she lived. “Steve?”
“Hey Maxy, you okay?” Steve asked moving over to her using the nickname she okayed the older male and Y/n to use occasionally, but not all the time. 
“Yeah, I’m great.” She gave a fake smile to him while folding a piece of paper and writing “mom” on it. “You know how Y/n/n is, overreacts sometimes when it comes to me?”
“Are you sure?” He asked while eyeing the place before moving over to the kitchen and searched the cabinets and fridge to find little to no food. “How long has this been going on?”
“Not long.” She shook her head while refusing eye contact. 
“Max.” He moved to her, placing his hands on her shoulders and leaning down to be eye level with her. “How long has this been going on?”
Max took in a deep breath and looked up at him with tears threatening to escape her eyes. “Since my step dad left after Billy’s funeral. Mom took on two jobs and started drinking a lot more.”
“That long?” He rubbed his forehead before moving his hand through his hair. “How often is she drinking?”
“Every night, until she’s passed out.” Max looked over at her mom asleep on the couch. 
“And where’s all the food?” He asked. 
“She hasn’t gone to the store in over two week, keeps saying that she doesn’t have a lot of money right now to go but then comes home with more beer.” She finally started to cry and Steve quickly wrapped his arms around her to let her cry into his chest. 
“I’m so sorry Max.” He whispered so that only she could hear, even though she was the only one there besides her passed out mother. 
“It’s okay Steve, I’m used to it.” Saying the same thing Y/n tells him. 
“No Maxy, it’s not okay. Y/n tells me the same thing in this situation but it’s not okay.” He then pulls away and crouches down with his hands on her shoulders again. “Please know that I care about you, very much, and if you ever need to talk or need a place to stay to get away from your mom or even just need a meal please, please call me.”
“I will.” She nodded as she wiped the tears off her cheeks. “Thank you Steve.”
“Anytime kid.” He smiled and stood up grabbing her bag off the counter. “Now let's go have an awesome weekend.”
“This never gets spoken about.” Max said as they walked through the trailer. “Especially not too…”
“Yeah, yeah. Especially not to the guys.” Steve interrupted her. “I would never tell anyone about this without your permission.” 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The three of them drove to one of the few pizza places still open ordering a large before going back to Steves where they sat and ate and just talked while trying to keep the mood light.
“Wait seriously, Erica told you that about Lucas?” Y/n laughed at what Max had just told them.
“How do we know it’s not just Erica trying to embarrass her brother?” Steve asked but was still smiling.
“Have you met Erica?” Y/n raised a brow at him. “She would never tell a lie like this, but embarrassing her brother just makes it better.”
“You can’t tell Lucas about this though. He doesn’t even know that I know.” Max explained.
“Our lips are sealed.” Y/n and Steve say at the same time making all of them laugh.
“Well, I think I’m going to turn in for the night.” Y/n stood up, grabbing all of the plates off the table and the pizza box. 
“It is getting late.” Steve said while looking at his watch then followed his best friend into the kitchen where he took over doing the dishes from her. 
“Max, I’ll show you to the guest bedroom.” Y/n said, grabbing the girl's bag.
“Thank you again for letting me stay here.” Max said to Steve.
“Anytime kiddo.” He smiled. “I’ll follow you guys up in a few minutes.”
As Max followed Y/n she noticed one room to the right of the stairs that must be Steve’s parents room then followed her passed one which must be Steve’s, then passed the bathroom and into the one next to it.
“Do you normally sleep in here?” Max asked moving to the bed where Y/n placed her bag.
“No, I usually sleep in Steve's bed.” She explained until she noticed the look Max was giving her. “Don’t look at me like, we’ve been doing this since we were kids okay.”
“Whatever you say.” Max smiled.
“I’m going to go change real quick, then I’ll be back.” Y/n told her before leaving. 
Y/n grabbed one of Steve's old Hawkins High swim team shirts and a pair of black pajama shorts she’s left one of the last times she spent the night. She came back into the guest room to see Max in a long sleeved nightgown sitting cross legged on the bed with some comic books.
“Wonder Women, nice.” Y/n picked one of the comic books up before sitting across from her. 
“I didn’t know you were on the swim team?” Max looked at her shirt.
“I’m not.” Y/n looked down, flipping through the pages. 
“Is that Steve’s shirt?” Max gawked before giggling a bit. “Are you sure you two aren’t already dating?”
“Shut up.” Y/n laughed a little before putting the book down and looking at the younger girl. “How are you doing Maxy?”
“I’m fine.” Max refused to look at her.
“Really?” Y/n eyed her. “Please talk to me. Lucas told us about how you guys broke up.”
“I have nightmares sometimes about that night at the mall.” Max started to explain. “And you know, my mom doesn’t really help, but it’s fine.”
“You know I told you that you could come over whenever you needed.” Y/n placed a hand on the red head's shoulder. “You should have told me that you didn’t have food for dinners and stuff.”
Max shrugged her shoulders before sighing. “It’s just, you have your own shit to deal with, you have your own alcoholic obviously.”
“Yes I do, but I also don’t deal with it every night.” She paused for a second. “Well at least not in a while. It just depends on if it's a one time slip up or a long ‘slip up’. But anyways, you know I’m always here and so is Steve.”
“I’m getting used to it Y/n/n, it’s okay.” 
“Yeah, you don’t get to use my line against me.” Y/n laughed a little. “But seriously, please call us.”
“I will. Thank you.” Max smiled at her before they hugged each other.
“How are you two girls doing?” Steve knocked on the doorframe wearing flannel pajama pants and an old tshirt and watched as they let go of their hug. 
Max looked at Y/n for a second before turning to Steve with a smile. “We’re good.”
“That’s good.” Steve smiled back. “I’m really sorry you guys have to go through this.”
The two girls looked at each other with a smirk before saying at the same time “We’re used to it.”
“Very funny.” Steve rolled his eyes. “Why don’t we go to bed Y/n/n.”
The older girl nodded her head and stood up moving over to Max and kissed her on the head. “Night Maxy.”
“Night Y/n/n.”
“Good night kiddo.” Steve moved and ruffled her hair after Y/n left the room.
“You know she loves you right?” Max said before he could leave. 
“What?”
“Y/n. She loves you.” Max said again. “I know you love her too with how you look at her, we all know it.”
“Of course I love her, she’s my best friend.” Steve tried to play it off. 
“Steve, you’re in love with her.” Max corrected, making him sigh. 
“What am I supposed to do? I don’t want to ruin our friendship.” He brushed his hand through his hair. 
“Just tell her. I promise you won’t ruin your friendship.” She reassured him. 
“Fine.” He closed her eyes before looking at her again. “I’ll do it if you promise to call whenever you need something.”
Max thought it over for a second before nodding her head. “Deal. Good night Steve.”
“Good night.” 
Steve turned off the lights in the room before going back to his to find Y/n already laying in bed. 
“Everything okay?” She asked while sitting up when she noticed him. 
“Yeah.” Steve nodded his head as he took his shirt off since he likes to sleep without one. “She just wanted to tell me something.”
“What’d she say?”
“It’s nothing.” He lied as he started to get in bed.
“Steve.”
“Do you remember when I punched that guy at the last party of the school year last year?” He asked, confusing her. 
“Yeah, the blonde baseball player who was flirting with me.” She nodded her head. “Why are you bringing that up right now?”
“Do you know why I punched him?”
“You had said that you had heard him talk shit to some of the guys making a bet that he could get in my pants in less than five minutes.” She explained. “You were being your protective self as usual.”
“Well I lied.” He sighed.
“What?”
“I never heard him make a bet.” Steve confeased.
“Then why did you punch him?” She was really confused now. 
Steve looked over and pushed some hair behind her ear. “I was jealous.”
“What would you be jealous about?” She giggled a little. 
“I was jealous because I hated seeing some guy flirt with you.” He said while placing a hand on her cheek. “Because I’m in love with you.”
“Really?” Y/n couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her best friend, Steve “the hair” Harrington, is in love with her.
“Really. You don’t have to say it back or an…”
He didn’t get to finish his sentence though as Y/n leaned up and kissed him. He was shocked at first but quickly composed himself and kissed her back. It was a soft kiss but he could feel all of her emotions in it and she could feel his. 
They soon pulled apart needing to breathe but looked deep into each other's eyes. 
“I love you too.” Y/n finally said, making him smile before he pulled her back into another kiss.
“Well finally.” A voice from the door caused them to stop everything and turn towards the culprit to find Max with the biggest smile. “I’m radioing everyone.”
Max left, leaving the two alone again as they smiled at each other before going back to what they were doing before being interrupted.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Sorry if this was badly written, had to take a few breaks while writing it so as to not cry because I’ve gone through the same things both Y/n and Max go through from when I was 11 until I was 20. Though I wasn’t lucky enough to have a Steve in my life until I was 17 who had an alcoholic father and understood what I was going through and gave me an out whenever I needed it.
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weixuldo · 1 year
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Enigma// Ch 10
Anakin X Reader
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(A/N: hiii guys, back from the depths of nothingness lolll, it’s been so busy here and i’m genuinely sorry for the late updates, but i appreciate all of u sm for sticking with me and my story !! love all of u)
A glimpse into the past
Warnings: alcohol, mentions of alcholism, cursing, ptsd, mental health issues, military typical violence, injury depiction
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“I figured I should let you know what happened, cause If I don’t I know your crafty ass will find out some way or another” he said as he learned back on the couch.
You knitted your brows together and just looked at him, what was he talking about?
He examined your expression and noticed your confusion. For a split second you saw his face falter, before he looked back into your eyes.
“It was around a decade ago, Ben and I were stationed overseas. We were loading up one of our helicopters with our squad”
Oh.
He was telling you what happened to him.
“ I was fuckin’ around and looking for this stupid pocket watch I thought I dropped, when all of a sudden I heard something drop on the ground diagonally to me. Turns out it was a bomb.” he lamented as he sipped on his beer.
You sat quietly, not knowing if you should respond or not.
He let out a half-laugh, half-huff of air, “The bastards who threw the grenade were pretty off with their timing ‘cause most of us were already onboard”. 
“Once I noticed what it was I yelled back to the guys and started running… obviously, I’m no track star cause I got blown up.”
You watched as he bit the inside of his cheek before continuing. 
“Only me and this other guy ended up getting hit. I gave the guys still on the ground enough notice to get far enough away that the explosion wouldn’t reach them.”
“Anakin… That’s terrible. I’m so sorry” you responded, not knowing what to say.
He shrugged, “It is what it is, just though i’d rather tell you myself than you finding out some other way”
“You really didn’t have to, I would have respected your privacy” 
“Ehh, I also felt like telling you so you would have a better scope of what's wrong with me if I need help sometime” he said, not making eye contact with you.
“Why would you want me to help? I know you're a lot closer with Ben and Ahsoka” you asked.
He finished his beer with a big gulp and placed the empty bottle on the end table next to him. 
“I’ve had issues with drinking in the past-” he watched as your eyes darted to the bottle beside him.
He huffed out a laugh as he shook his head, “Don’t worry sweetheart, I’m all good now”.
“They assumed I was drinking because of the accident and the pain and ever since I came back from rehab a couple of years ago they are still weary of me drinking… I know they really just want the best for me, but it still pisses me off when they look so judgmental”.
He paused to clear his throat and straighten his back.
“So I can’t call them if something happens when I’ve been drinking cause they’ll probably try to have an intervention or some shit. Next thing, they’d admit me to rehab again and I really don’t need to go there”
“Are you sure you don’t need to go back?” You asked before you could filter your thoughts.
“Yeah, I’m pretty damn sure. I don’t need alcohol to function and plus the reason I started drinking in the first place isn’t as relevant nowadays” he retorted.
“If I may ask, if it wasn’t from the accident, why did you start drinking?”.
He shook his head with a small smile before looking at you.
“My Fiance. Well, ex-fiance now, I guess.”
He had been engaged before?
“I had been with her for almost nine years when my accident happened. We were highschool sweethearts and I asked her to marry me before I went overseas. She was all I thought about over there, the other guys would go out and have fun with the locals, but I always stayed true to her. I was head over fuckin’ heels for her.” he exhaled a defeated laugh before taking a deep breath.
“When I was finally brought back home she visited me in the hospital… I can still remember her face as she entered my room.” 
He closed his eyes for a moment, you could tell this was hard for him.
“She stuck with me for the first few months, I really thought we were gonna make it… What a fuckin’ dumbass” he scolded himself.
“She seemed more distant when I started physio and got started with my prosthetics, but what I think really did her in was the consultation with my doctor about future endeavors…”
You were invested in his story and patiently listened. He turned to face you and made an expression you couldn’t quite read.
“God, why am I telling you all of this?”
“If you’re not comfortable, you don’t have t-” you began.
“I’m fine, I just don’t know why I feel compelled to tell you”
“Anyways, My injuries were quite extensive… Obviously” he motioned towards himself.
“The doctor informed us of some of the changes that would be present in my life. I would have chronic respiratory issues from some of the shrapnel that lodged into my chest, I’d have to learn how to use the new prosthetics, and I’d need 24/7 care for the first few years. But the cherry on the top was when the doctor let us know I wouldn’t be able to have kids”.
Not what you expected.
“Yeah, I know, out of everything…that. Yeah, she was really big on having a family and I guess she was against adoption. But when she heard I wouldn’t be able to give her a child, it was over. I could tell she had checked out of the relationship.”
“Anakin, that’s- I’m so, so sorry” you offered.
“Yeah, that really messed me up… I mean I loved her and we both knew it wasn’t my fault… But I understand, she never asked for any of that… It was just too much for her. I really was a burden” he sadly explained.
Your heart hurt for him, how could he blame himself… You understood it was probably a really hard adjustment for her, but at the same time you couldn’t understand; if you truly loved someone, you wouldn’t leave that easily.
“I just wish she would have talked to me about her decision instead of just leaving. I mean I get you don’t want to be seen as the girl who left her crippled fiance in the middle of his recovery, but I think I deserved an actual conversation.” 
You could see his eyes getting glassy before shook his head and looked at you.
“And you know, I don’t wish ill upon her at all. But it does hurt a little seeing her living her dream.” 
“What does she do now?” you asked
“Funny actually, the reason I drank so much after she left was because as much as I wanted to just forget her, I couldn't escape hearing or seeing her.” 
“What do you mean?”
“Shortly after she left, she campaigned for a seat in the senate and I saw her ads and commercials everywhere. Everyone was rooting for her too, so I couldn’t grieve in peace. I guess it was selfish of me, but I couldn’t handle seeing her that much, so I turned to alcohol to help me forget”.
“Did she get the position?”
“Yeah, Senator Padme Amidala” he said somberly.
Your eyes widened as you made the connections, “Wait, she’s the one who passed the bill to give disabled veterans more funds to help them transition back to civilian life.. But that would have been after the accident?”
“Yeah, I guess she felt kind of guilty for leaving without a word, so at least I got better quality prosthetics, but that didn’t really help my broken heart.” 
The two of you sat in silence for a moment before you shifted towards him, instinctively you placed a hand on his hand and looked into his blue eyes.
“Thank you for telling me, Anakin”
He looked at you with a surprised expression before his gaze drifted down to your hand on his. A small trace of blush creeped onto his face before he cleared his throat.
“Yeah, now you know,” he shrugged.
You studied his expression, he couldn’t stop staring at you… Did you have something on your face?
Before you could back away to check, he gently placed his lips onto yours. This kiss was like no other he had given you before, it was tender, it was meaningful. 
You often found yourself worrying that most of your interactions with Anakin were purely fueled by lust and attraction, but this one…
You melted into it and placed your hands gently on his cheeks before pulling away. His eyes were glassy and he was flushed, he was so vulnerable.
“What’s wrong?” you asked in a quiet voice.
“Nothing”
“Ok” 
You laid back into the couch and pulled him so that his head was on your chest. You stroked his hair as he nuzzled into you. Maybe later he would be peeved you did that, but you knew he needed it right now…so did you. 
After holding him for a moment he broke the silence, 
“Ya, know… I didn’t think anyone had the capacity to care about me anymore after my accident… I refused to believe anyone could show me compassion outside of plain pity…”
 You shifted to face him and rested him against the couch before you gazed deeply into his watery eyes.
“You’re the first person in a long time… that treated me like a normal human. You approached me that night without an insensitive comment, without pity….you just talked to me…” he trailed off as the tears began to fall.
“Oh, Anakin” you sighed as you drew him into a comforting embrace and brushed his hair. He shook as he sobbed into your chest. 
‘I-i’m sorry, I’m s-sorry, I didnt m-mean to ..’
“Shh, its ok. It’s alright, Ani”
He leaned up and tried to catch his breath but you could tell he was struggling. Remembering his inhaler, you quickly left the couch to grab it from the night stand. Once you returned, you administered the pump to him and he slowly began to come down. 
“Don’t ever be sorry for your feelings.. I’m here for you” you whispered into his ear as he leaned against you.
He exhaled a small “thank you” before you helped lay him down; he was exhausted.
You grabbed a blanket from the other room and lifted his legs onto the couch for him. Once you covered him you took a scrap of paper and left him a note.
As you left his apartment, you felt an odd sensation weighing on your heart.
Were you falling for him?
***
a/n: so yeaaaa he’s opening up!! not saying he still won’t b a dick haha, buuut there will def b some more tender moments:) also srry again for the late updates im in my college bio class and it’s actually so challenging
taglist: @dnamht @sxoulohvn @angeelcoree @wtf-andys @httpeachesblog @katsukiswrld @jetiikote @poisonedsultana
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