#dustin immediately tries to bring up D&D and immediately gets shut down

[nathanielzalexandria]

I love all the headcanons of "Steve is not dumb he's..." Hard of hearing, has poor eyesight, learning disability or his primary language is not English. I particularly enjoyed @dwobbitfromtheshire 's recent headcanon that he's hiding it because his father hates feeling inferior and only Eddie realizes that he is not dumb. But I would like to throw my own hat in the ring.

Steve is not dumb. Actually, he's quite smart and did quite well in school (because his parents would not expect anything less). He just wasn't into nerd culture and everyone just placed their stereotypes and rumours of him being a pretty and privileged rich jock who bought his way out of school but couldn't buy his way into college. Nevermind that he was in the top 10 students of his year and for most of his classes if not topping them and if not he wasn't failing the rest other than one or two science/math-based (rumours say the school forged those marks so that Steve could continue sports) and had a 3.6 GPA. It wasn't enough to get into his Dad's alma mater so his dad dismissed any of the other schools he got accepted into.

He does not try to hide his intelligence from Nancy or the Party, but Nancy had bought into the "Steve is simple-minded " narrative and the like before they got together and failed to realize that they are both in the same AP classes that were full of seniors and in any group or partnered project he more-than-well pulled his weight and had his own insights. So she spreads the narrative to Mike who spreads it to the rest of the party so by the time the events that befan with Dustin asks him for help with his "dog" and developed into concussed in the back of a car while a preteen drove his car, the kids have also bought into parts of the narrative. It doesn't help that he really isn't into the stereotypical nerdy stuff

Even his best friend Robin believed the lie until she worked with him and then got tortured with him by Russians. She eventually realises that he's way smarter in a practical sense than people give him credit for (he did raise himself since he was 11 or so) but does not think of it as stretching into the academic side of his life. She has not stopped calling him "dingus" though.

Eddie on the other hand knows better, which is why when a specific exam was coming up he turned to Steve.

He barged into the Harrington home a day when tye entire party was their.

"Stevie, you either have to tutor me or lend me your notes for this class. I am not failing this class and increasing the possibility of another year at fucking Hawkins."

Mike and Dustin burst out laughing at that before Steve can answer.

"I know you're e bad at that subject, but I didn't realise you were desperate enough to use Steve's notes," Dustin says with that condescending tone that means it should be obvious to Eddie.

Mike snorts at that derisively, "If he even has notes."

"Maybe," Lucas said diplomatically, "there are better options than using Steve's notes?"

Nancy steps up next offering some of her notes and flashcards since she took the class last year/is taking the class, "It's not my strongest subject but if we do a study group I'm sure you won't fail the class."

Eddie stares at the group with growing bewilderment as they agree that Nancy is the best choice while implying that Steve was not. Actually, they were acting as though he was dumb for even asking Steve, which made no sense to him.

Eddie turned his eyes to Steve. His posture by the kitchen island was much more different than when Eddie burst in. He had subtly curled into himself as if to make himself smaller, shoulders tense and a resignation on his face as if he's been through this conversation so many times before.

It was almost as if...

"You guys think that Steve is dumb, don't you?"

There was the type of silence that only comes when the quiet part is said outloud.

"No we don't think Steve's dumb," Robin begins and Eddie can hear the 'but' before she even said it, "But you know he wasn't good at the school part of school."

She continued to ramble on from there but Eddie did not hear any of it. He was too busy reevaluating the group he was with and rechecking old memories and facts to see if there was any inkling of truth to this strange idea that even the older teens should know isn't true.

It took him a moment to find the answer, and when he did he could not stop the derisive laugh that burst out and interrupted Robin's ramble.

"You guys fucking bought into the rumours, didn't you? I expect that from the kids maybe even Johnathan, maybe even Robin because of you became friends after he left school, but not from you, Nancy."

Nancy had that look on her face that she got when she was ready to argue but Eddie steamrolled over it.

"Jesus H Christ! Weren't y'all together for a whole fucking year? How do you not know that he was at the top of his year when you were together? Unless you dismissed that in favour of believing the rumours that his parents paid for his grades and the school wanted to make sure he kept on playing sports?"

He paused for a second waiting for someone to contradict him, but the look on Nancy's face was one of scrambling to defend herself. He sighed at that; she still wasn't getting it and it a sweeping look at the others proved they were lost too.

"Even if they paid off the school he would not have been in the top ten of his year, he would be like Carver and Hagan whose parents paid and their grades were just good enough to get into a decent college without too many questions. And they would not have kept on giving him high grades after he stopped doing any kind of sport in his last 2 years at that dump. Hell if Hargrove wasn't such a fucking beast at sports he would have been told he would have to repeat his senior year with me."

"It's okay Eddie; leave it go." He turned a fake sunny smile with his eyes tightly shut towards Eddie as if to pacify him.

Eddie turned to Steve who had yet to say anything throughout Eddie's diatribe up until that moment. He just continued to robotically make dinner for the party as though nothing was wrong, as though the hurt dripping off him didn't matter.

"I'm not letting this go! They had classes with you, some of which I'm pretty fucking sure were AP classes. If I had the attendance needed I would have graduated last year because of you, Stevie. So excuse me if I'm a bit annoyed that our friends are so blinded by a rumour that they can't fucking see your Salutatorian medal. Hanging. Right. There!"

All eyes except Eddie and Steve's turned in the direction that Eddie pointed at.

And there on the wall, was a framed silver medal with the word "Salutatorian" emblazoned on it. The party immediately burst into chaos amongst each other.

"Now, pretty boy, are you gonna tutor me or what?"

Or it goes something like that, I'm not sure.

#dustin immediately tries to bring up D&D and immediately gets shut down #later they collectively lose their shit when they find out he got into a college #pre steddie #steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson

[thestrangestthing89]

So I'm gonna say the kinda mean/exasperated thing because I keep seeing a lot of comments lately where people think Mike and El are going to be BFFs next season and they are all excited about it. People have made this relationship into more than it is.

Having headcanons is fine but some people are genuinely convinced they have a friendship and it's coming solely from fan fiction and not the narrative. Next season isn't going to show them suddenly working together and communicating. It isn't realistic and it's never been their story.

If Mike and El were friends they wouldn't be having the following problems:

El wouldn't feel insecure in their relationship in S4 because Mike didn't tell her he loved her. She would feel like they have a bond even if it's platonic. But instead she feels neglected and like he's pulling away.

Mike wouldn't feel insecure in S4 and tell Will several times that he doesn't feel like he has a place in her life because they fought. If they had a friendship as the basis of their relationship, it wouldn't matter if they fought. He'd still feel bad but he wouldn't worry she doesn't need him. He would know their friendship is still there and that they can talk it through.

They would have shown them bonding over something in S3. Instead all we get is them making out. They make a point to go out of their way and show they have nothing in common and they don't bond over things. They don't have shopping and sleepovers like El and Max and they don't have D&D and the arcade like Mike, Will, Lucas, and Dustin. They don't have anything that they share besides trauma. They could have easily given us a moment here where they were playing board games, watching movies, or talking and they don't. And it's implied by Hopper and everyone else that those moments don't exist.

Mike wouldn't have been jealous she was hanging out with Max. He is upset Max became instant friends with her and bonded with her. It's a relationship that he wants - a plantonic one - and one that they can't manage to have.

Mike brings up very platonic things at the end of S3 when they move out. He wants her and Will to visit. It's a conversation about friendship. El quickly shifts the conversation to something romantic and it halts any friendship they could have established at this point. It's clearly something Mike would prefer to have and he's confused she pushes for romance instead.

S1 doesn't give them time to bond over anything. They are in danger and focused on saving Will. They don't talk about anything else except bullying for 1 min. Mike tries to bring up this brief moment of connection in S4 and gets shut down immediately by El. Bullying is not a conversation that brought them closer.

Mike also spends 1 day at home with her when they first find her. He shows her around the house and it's one of the few times this season we see them acting like kids. But bonding over how to work a La-z-boy isn't the foundation of a friendship. It's a very small moment. And it's tied to El's introduction to the real world. It's the bsy trope which doesn't represent healthy relationships.

They are apart for most of S2 and the only moment of potential bonding is the Snow Ball. We don't see much of this. Only Mike being upset that Will is dancing with someone and him looking pretty despondent even after El arrives. Since these two never talk I doubt they suddenly did here. What's more likely is the group hung out. Even though it's established they stop hanging out with them later, it's made clear by Will they were only getting ditched for the summer. The Snow Ball is never referenced by either of them again. They don't bring up that it was fun or reminisce or anything like that. They don't seem to have pictures either besides the one really awkward one that may just be of Finn and Millie behind the scenes and not meant to be them as a couple. They have very little time together and very little screen time. if they wanted to establish a close relationship they would have written it differently. Instead we get a very superficial relationship built off of their shared trauma. And this trauma could have been something that bonded them and gave them a deeper understanding of each other. Instead it's in stark contrast to the way the Nancy and Jonathan, and Mike and Will, and Lucas and Max respond to trauma together. They help each other through these moments and understand each other. Mike and El don't. So season 5 isn't suddenly going to show them bonding. They aren't going to be hanging out and watching movies just the two of them. Because it's established they don't have anything in common.The time for that in the narrative is passed. This doesn't mean they don't care about each other. They do. But you can care about people and not be close with them. Their character arcs have been about them learning how to exist without each other and be true to themselves. Mike uses her to hide his true feelings for Will and his sexuality, and El uses Mike to hide and be like the other kids. They use each other to feel normal. The whole point is that they find themselves and stop pretending and they can't do that with each other. Now at some point in the future it's possible for them to build some kind of friendship. But at this point their entire character development relies on them being separate from each other. They can't find independence when they are together. It causes them both to regress. Right now they basically forced a romantic relationship and coexist because of trauma. It's not a healthy foundation for any relationship. Having them be separated at this point in their development/character arc is the only way each of them will manage to progress. After they get some space from each other it's possible for them to form a friendship, but they can't do that when they don't establish a stronger sense of self because they end up creating codependency between them. It's the healthiest thing for them to be apart. They share the same friend group so it's not like they won't interact. But we aren't going to suddenly see them being close and being BFFs especially one on one. I'd be surprised if we even get a scene of just the two of them post-breakup. They'll likely be with the group. Their paths are different now and they don't need each other to fulfill a sense of normalcy the way they once did. And this is ok. It's good even. Mike's identity and character development involves Will and his friendships with Lucas and Dustin. I would also like to see him establish stronger familial bonds with Nancy and his mother specifically. And El's character arc has always been about finding family so it's much more important to see her with Will, Jonathan, Hopper, and Joyce. Her forming healthy friendships and actually hanging out and having fun with Max, Lucas, and Dustin in particular is so important for her character development. But they have more than established the Mike and El hold each other back. That's been the whole point.

#byler #anti mileven

[thestobingirlie]

We talk a lot about what we love about Steve, what do you love about other characters that you don't post about as often?

okay, here we go!! (this got pretty long lmao, i’m sorry, i’ve just got a lot of love to give and this show has too many characters)

starting with the kids:

lucas is my baby boy, okay? he’s so brave and dedicated and he just wants to protect and do right by his friends. i will never forgive the others for not going to his game.

max deserves so much better than what she’s got! she just loves her friends so much, and the strength it took for her to stand up to billy in s2! her fear about ending up like him kills me, but that moment with lucas on top of the bus is so sweet!

i think dustin and dart are so cute, like he really found this weird worm and decided he would protect it with his life. and i love how passionate he is about everything, d&d, and my little pony, and how willing he is to die for his loved ones. the fact that lucas told him he was in terrible danger and he said, who gives a fuck, it’s max!! and dustin’s insecurity about being on the edge of the group makes me want to cry.

and once again, mike, willing to throw himself off a cliff for dustin. he just loves his friends, and he struggles with showing it sometimes, but he really would do anything to keep them safe. and i actually really love his more bitchy moments. oh, and mike sobbing into hopper’s arms in s2 gets me every single rewatch.

i love will’s little comments, he’s just a bitchy as mike but he hides it better. and he’s just kind! like that little story about him giving away his toy when he was little, and the way he just instantly takes el in and calls her his sister. his love is what helped bring him out of the mind flayers clutches and he was ready to die to save them.

el is my girl!!! watching her develop her style and decide who she wants to be, outside of the lab and hopper and mike. it’s about her. what makes her happy. and once again!! all these kids just ready to die so young!! she met these three kids and they showed her basic kindness and she just instantly sacrificed herself for them. she just has so much love.

and erica!!! my little nerd! i love her little snappy comments, and i love how much she obviously loves lucas but she’s such a little sister about it! the fact that she stayed with him in the hospital with max. oh god, and the moment she smacked andy with a flashlight and literally said “crit hit”!!! i love how we’ve really seen her grow into her interests, and her friendship with dustin is so cute!!

now the teens, i speak a fair bit about nancy and steve, so i’ll focus on the others:

robin is my girl!! okay. the way she hears two crazies talking about invading russians and immediately said, i will involve myself in this, and i will brag about my ears. and then she did!! her bravery in the coming out scene makes me sob every time, her reaction to steve’s crush, but deciding to tell him the truth even though she could just lie! the way she made just as much of a sacrifice when she decided to hold the door shut as steve, knowing these kids even less time then he did, thinking she’s gonna die down there. and the way she’s the reason they know anything about vecna and saved max, but it’s only nancy called a genius, where is robin’s appreciation?

now eddie! love that a girl went to him for drugs and seemed anxious and he said, okay, time to throw myself on the floor and hit some trees!!! he was ready to do anything to try to make her feel better, and that’s so cute! and then he literally went up against hundreds of monsters in her honour. and he met steve, immediately decided to involve himself in his love life and change everything about the way he viewed the world. he’s just so…. he’s rigid in his world views, but the second he meets someone outside of them he just welcomes them in, and tries to make them happy, and protect them, and i love that.

you can’t mention jonathan’s name without talking about his dedication to his family. he would do anything to keep will safe, and the way jonathan protected him from the worst of their parents. a lot of stuff i love about jonathan also just makes me sad. the way he’s ready to just throw away all his hopes and dreams for the people he loves. his own college dreams don’t even factor in.

and argyle, we didn’t get much of him, but i love the way he just rolls with all the shit thrown at him, he’s saving lives, finding el, pulling girls. the way he managed to get jonathan to open up about his issues in a few months when others have had years and failed!!! no one is doing it like argyle baby.

i’m not doing the adults, this is getting too long lmao. but, uh, if i’ve forgotten someone, tell me?

#lucas sinclair #max mayfield #dustin henderson #mike wheeler #will byers #el hopper #erica sinclair #robin buckley #eddie munson #jonathan byers #argyle stranger things #stranger things #asks #anon

[marypsue]

REVERSE CURSE DAY!! Very underformed theory on what may happen: we’re gonna see more of what’s happening with billy leaving max alone and it’ll be ominous and concerning. Two, the eleven is heading off and I’m curious if she’ll still go alone this time. Jonathan is gonna be Not Handling the loss of powers, and also (this one more is out there) maybe he’s also possessed and to maintain spy qualities it was impossible for him to keep his powers and not immediately freak over will. Theory two, ?????idk maybe the mind slayer was so unknowable or unpleasant his mind shut itself down in defense????? Buuuuut it’s a good chance to Jonathan to learn to communicate/be with people sans comfort blanket (turns out I’m actually very bad at coming up with theories but I swear I also just woke up). Also I wonder what we’ll see now that Robin is no powers team confirmed(NANCY ILY BUT NOT EVERYONE THAT IS HIDING IS HIDING POWERS) . Even if she doesn’t show up it’s also very funny to me if Steve walks into scoops and she’s immediately like so you have powers huh. Buuuuut obviously Robin is iconic and I’m rooting for her joining the plot sooner ( Steve and Robin are shamelessly my favorite duo) (( but I do love curse reverse Jonathan and Steve energy! Also max and El friendship being well done and not the duffer’s favorite/only way to write female relationship which is stupid conflict and then miraculous bonding ) Also I love your season four observations, and the way the show would’ve been better in your hands!! No more Russia plot lines!! Also I think it would’ve been objectively very funny if Nancy and Jonathan both decided to do a last minute hurrah and fly out to Hawkins/Calif and they ended up both switching teams. Also imagine the insane opportunities of a will Joyce Mike Nancy and Argyle set up. Maybe Joyce isn’t there bc the show tries to respect it’s audience and has her present during El’s “““ arrest””” and she ends up accompanying her to the Nina Project. Then we still get to see Nancy the big sister which is a role that we don’t see often. Also I cannot believe they did an entire season badly trying to show our Hunt The Freaks and made up a new one instead dod using Jonathan. Who isn’t well liked, under mysterious circumstances got to bring his brother back to life, is always there when shit goes wrong, and also experiences class based ostracism. Because imagine the cool potential for a Steve and Jonathan dynamic and actual growth bc then they can finally go back to foils but with growth. Steve is kinda wierd now, Jonathan in some ways has things that Steve doesn’t, also they’re both the protectors of their respective band of kids and are both shown to have been distancing themselves from that role kinda. ANYWAY that’s not relevant but can’t wait fir the chapter tonight!!

Fic day!! And thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Now I am ridiculously excited to share the next couple of chapters! (Steve and Robin are also my favourite duo. Shh, don't tell the others.)

I'm still only at the end of episode three, so I can't say much, but oh my god the hilarity of Nancy and Jonathan just missing each other? That would have been pure gold. And I never even thought of it, but you're right, it would have made so much sense to have Jonathan be the target of a witchhunt, and given so many good character opportunities for him and Steve. I just feel so bad for him, like, very clearly the Duffers are wishing they could just write him out and he deserves so much better. I did not expect to get this attached to him after my first watchthrough, but here we are.

(Tangentially related: the beautiful and talented @daddygrandpaandthebeaver is, as we speak, working on a season 4 AU rewrite where the timeskip between s3 and s4 is three years instead of nine months, and Dustin is the one who's running a drama I mean, D&D club and gets a murder unfairly pinned on him and the Party and assorted friends and relatives have to assemble to save him from the torches and pitchforks, and I am so hype for that fic that it's unbelievable.)

#chatter #stranger things #for season four talk

[a-court-of-healing]

Loving You Through it chapter 2 Jace Herondale x Reader

Disclaimer: I don’t own the mortal instruments or the gifs

Trigger warning: mentions of cutting, sexual abuse, sexual assault, ptsd, and depression

Y/N POV

Dean has been the best parabatai ever. You met Dean when you were 12 and just got your marks. He just turned 17 and he was looking for someone to be his parabatai. He entered the training room when you were there, and he saw you take on people who were older, wiser, and more trained. You learned from a young age it was either fight, flight, or freeze. For your father, it was always freeze. For most other men it was fight, but for emotions it was run. Dean was impressed and he liked the idea of being older and being a mentor to someone younger. You were honored, because honestly, Dean was a) hot b) a good fighter and c) a good friend. He knew all of your problems, the depression, ptsd, and cutting. He knew your history, but he trusted you completely. He knows that you would die for him in a heartbeat. He knows how much you love Jace, and he keeps trying to get you to tell him and to let him in, but it’s not that easy.

“Why don’t you explain it to him? You know he will be there for you! He loves you, Y/N!” Dean explains as he sits next to you. You shake your head and sigh. 

“Because Dean...what if he…you...abandon me? I don’t think I can survive that…” You have this habit of picking your fingers, even to the point where it bleeds. Dean looked at your hands and poked you. 

“Stop, stop worrying. I see the way he looks at you. He looks at you like you are the star of his world and he can’t survive without you. He won’t leave you because you have had a hard life and you have mental illnesses. That just isn’t like him.” You looked away and stood up and looked out the window. Dean makes it sound like it’s perfectly normal to be the way you are, and it will be so easy to talk about everything to Jace. You barely told Dean. You only told him because you thought as your parabatai he didn’t have a choice but to stay. 

“Have you talked to Dustin about this?” Dustin was your therapist. He was a really great man. You usually hate men and don’t trust them, but you were researching therapists and he was known for working with people like you with PTSD and people who have been abused. I shook my head and then somewhat nod my head. 

“Kinda...I mentioned how I was scared and the memories. Dean these flashbacks make life hell. I can’t stop thinking that either he’ll leave me...or he just wants me for sex...or maybe he’ll abuse me too....” Dean was listening and nodding. 

“Have you thought about talking to Alec about Jace? I mean, he knows him better than just about anyone. He could help ease your mind.” It was a really good idea. You loved Alec and Isabelle. They were like your brother and sister. You also love Magnus and Simon because they made them happy. Alec and Magnus were the cutest couple ever. Magnus is like your bisexual best friend. He’s been through hell as well and it’s like you both can tell what hell you’ve been through. 

“That sounds like a good idea...I think I’m going to message him...you don’t think he’ll tell…” 

“No...that isn’t like Alec and you know it. He wouldn’t tell unless you want him too. Magnus won’t tell either. It might hurt Jace though that you went to Alec...I mean you can tell your story to whoever you deem trustworthy.” Dean’s phone started ringing and it stopped my train of thought. 

“Oh speak of the devil. It’s Alec. Here, see what he wants.” He tosses you his phone and starts cleaning up his room. 

“Hello? Dean’s phone.” 

“Y/N?”

“Yeah, I’m here with Dean...is there something wrong?”

“No, I was just calling him to see if he could bring me some arrows from the armory, but anyway, how are you?” He sounded genuinely curious. 

“I’m fine, always fine. I can bring you some arrows...I thought maybe I could talk to you about something anyway…” 

“Of course! Does it matter that Magnus is here? He could leave if you don’t wa-”

“No, that’s fine. It’s just something about Jace. See you soon!”

You stop by your and Jace’s room and see that he fell asleep with his shoes still on. You smile lovingly and walk over to him and take off his shoes and kiss his forehead. You wrote a note and put it on the end table. If he woke up and you were there, he would be worried. You then grab some arrows and head over to Magnus and Alec’s apartment. You knocked on their door and waited for them to answer and Alec answered almost immediately and you saw that both him and Magnus were in their pajamas. 

“Hey Y/N what’s up?” You hand him the arrows, walk in, and walk over to the couch and sit down. Magnus was sitting on the love seat and walked over you and kissed your head and sat next to you. His kisses were different then Jace’s. A) because it wasn’t romantic b) he was bisexual c) he’s in a relationship with Alec d) Magnus is like her brother and e) he’s bisexual.

“Umm...I don’t want to say too much...but I have some trust issues…” That admission was hard enough, and Magnus snickered a little and Alec shot him a look, telling him to shut up.

“I...I love Jace more than I’ve ever loved anyone in this world. I just….don’t know if I can tell him about somethings...he deserves to know, he does. But I just don’t know if I can...cause I mean…” You were picking at your nails to try and calm down. You couldn’t speak anymore and you felt shame going straight through your veins. Silence rang out through the apartment. They both were expecting you to speak some more, but you couldn’t get the words out. You stared off at the wall, trying to numb the panic in your heart. Magnus stood up and walked out of the room and I felt fear creep in. I knew it. They would leave me. However, he came back in with a little ball of fluff. He put Chairman Meow in my lap and the kitty started purring. This cat has always liked you, and he never ran away. You instantly started petting him and smiled. He didn’t leave you, he was getting something to HELP you. 

“Y/N I can tell you this, Jace will protect you and he will die for you. He will take anything you give him and he will carry all your problems on his shoulders. He is your biggest supporter. He’s rooting for you. So you can talk to him. He will be there, and from past experience, I know for a fact he won’t abandon you.” He was sitting on the loveseats arm and he was speaking quietly, almost like he was speaking to a frightened animal. I studied Chairman Meow’s fur and tried to get lost in how soft it was. Believe it or not, you were a very tactile person. You think it has something to do with not getting good safe healthy touches throughout your entire life. They both wait silently and patiently waiting for you to digest what you were thinking and feeling. 

“I spent the majority of my life hiding who I was from my family and friends, and when I finally did come out, they were all there to support me. I thought they would leave as well, but it never even crossed their minds.” Alec stood up and walked over and sat on the couch, sandwiching you between Magnus and himself. 

“Darling, I can tell you’ve been through some sort of hell. It must be super hard to do it all alone. We’re here if you want to talk, but I think we all know you should be talking to jace.” Alec pulled the cat out of your arms and Magnus reached over and grabbed your hand and squeezed tightly. You felt loved. Then, you stood up and nodded your head. 

“Thanks you two...I really needed this.” 

“Call or text whenever you need to. We’re serious. We’re here for you.” Magnus said and Alec agreed. 

When you went back to the Institute, you noticed that Church meowed at you and you reached down to pet him. Then, this sharp stabbing pain burned on your forearm. Your parabatai rune. That meant Dean was in trouble. Oh no. 

“DEAN!!!! Church, take me to Dean!” Church couldn’t even do it. That meant that Dean wasn’t here. You pulled out your phone and called him. He didn’t answer. You called repeatedly and every time he didn’t answer, panic rose in your blood. 

“JACE!!!!” You ran as fast as you could to Jace’s room and Jace shot up from the bed. 

“Y/N, what’s wrong? Are you okay? What’s going on?” He grabbed your arms and you shook your head. 

“Get dressed and get your weapons. Dean is in trouble!”

“Where is he?”

“I don’t know, we’ll have to use a navigation rune!” You were only meant to use this rune in absolute emergencies. 

Jace and you prepared as fast as you could and you pulled out your copper colored stele and had Jace give you the mark. But as soon as you found him, something happened. You felt a huge stab in your heart. Oh Lord, please no! Your heart felt as if you were stabbed with a sharp gripping stake and it was twisting and ripping out your heart. You gasp in agony. The rune on your arm went from a dark black mark to a clear scar. You felt a part of you die. You literally went from feeling normal to nothing. Pure emptiness. You grabbed Jace’s arm and all you could hear was this fuzz and static as Jace yelled asking you what was happening, but horror filled you and fell to your knees and screamed as loud as you could. Izzy and Simon ran in and you assumed that they were asking Jace what was happening, and Jace was on the floor with you holding your face in his and the look on his face showed pure concern, worry, love, fear, and tenderness all wrapped into one expression. Your lips were quivering and you felt the tears well in your eyes. 

“He’s dead. Dean is dead.”

#jace waylandxreader #jace herondale x reader #jace wayland #jace herondale #PTSD #depression #alec lightwood #magnus lightwood bane #isabelle lightwood #simon lewis #dominic sherwood #jamie campbell bower #the mortal instruments #Shadowhunters

[willelbyers]

Locked

Summary: Will’s life is getting better. He’s graduating, he has plans for the future, and his best friend-slash-longtime crush seems to be taking an interest in him—so, of course, that’s when the Upside Down manifests as something new.

Pairings: Mike/Will

Notes: It’s a future-fic, set around the end of the kids’ senior year of high school and the beginning of the summer following it. It’s about 1,900 words, with the whole Party involved.

You can read this here on my Ao3, or below the cut. For more of my stories, here is my Ao3 profile link. I hope you enjoy this story!

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. You’re okay. Open your eyes, now. Just breathe.

Mike’s words, his reassurances now so familiar through their repetition during Will’s panic attacks, echo in Will’s head as his feet drag to a stop. He collapses to his knees, leaves and dirt sticking to his clothes, gasping for breath, and wrenches his eyes open.

“Where are you?” he asks, voice echoing unnaturally as he frantically looks around the dim forest. “I know something’s out there!” There’s no answer, and he suddenly feels frozen. “W-what are you?”

A twig cracks behind him, but when he glances back, there’s nothing.

“You seem quiet today,” Lucas observes as they all pick at their lunches.

Will glances up at him and shrugs. “I had a weird dream last night. Just… tired, I guess.”

Obvious lie. Think of a better one next time.

“Not too tired we can’t play D&D tonight, right?” Max asks, and Mike scoffs good naturedly, leaning into Will.

“Like you’re excited for D&D,” he shakes his head. “You just want an excuse to come over to my house and skate around outside with El.”

“Skating makes more sense than your game,” El argues softly, and Dustin groans.

“You’ve done it now,” he sighs, looking pointedly at Mike’s frustrated face.

As he launches into another point about the virtues of Dungeons and Dragons, Will stares at him—just wants to take the image in, how passionate Mike is about the things he loves. Will admires that.

Another lie. You know what you really want.

Will quashes the voice in his head.

“I’m so proud of you, sweetheart,” his mother whispers into his hair, and he knows she’s trying not to cry.

What for?

“Mom,” he squirms, even though he loves her. “Mom, I just graduated, it’s not a big deal. Everyone did it.”

You’re not special for going to school. Do remember that. Other things make you strong.

His mom shakes her head. “No. You, Will, are remarkable. And I am so, so proud of you.”

She’s your mom, she has to say that. And she has no idea what the truth is.

“Hey, Byers.” The words are spat out with malice, falling flat in the quiet air, and it takes Will no time at all to recognize the voice.

Keep it simple. Don’t run.

“Troy,” he greets, trudging on without looking back, because this has-been bully hasn’t left him alone even all these years later, even when Will is just walking through town on a quiet afternoon. “Something you need?”

Stay cool. Stay calm.

“Yeah,” Troy confirms. “I thought a parting gift would be necessary, after graduation. You know, for old time’s sake.”

Stop walking. Find your center of gravity. Get ready.

Will nods once, jaw clenching. “You probably want to try to throw me off a cliff or something, like you did with Mike.”

You’re angry. Good. Use that. But don’t show it. Yet.

“I didn’t throw him,” Troy points out. “Just told him to jump. Besides,” he says, and there’s the unmistakable sound of a weapon being drawn. “You’re gonna end up in a worse way than he would have.”

Now is a good time to let it loose.

Will lets that advice take over, closes his eyes and lets unfamiliar instincts set in, and the metallic shnik shnik of the knife fades into background noise.

“I want to know what you are,” Will demands of the darkness. He turns in a slow circle, surveying the familiar gray landscape. “Is it you that’s been talking to me, whatever you are? Telling me how to do things? Or am I losing it?”

This time, he sees nothing. But he hears a voice, cryptic as ever:

“That, and so much more.”

“Will,” Mike says softly, and Will is filled with the sudden need to bolt. He doesn’t. Mike swallows. “If… if I do something you don’t want me to do, punch me, okay?”

Will’s throat clicks, and it’s hard to get out the words. He’s amazed that the voice in his head hasn’t shown up to discourage him yet. “I really don’t think I’m going to punch you.” Although he could be wrong.

He can see all the shades of brown in Mike’s eyes.

Mike sucks in a breath. “Okay,” he breathes. “That’s… that’s good. I’m going to kiss you now.” All of a sudden, he takes up Will’s whole world.

And Will’s mind is astonishingly silent.

Maybe he’s tired of running. Maybe these new feelings, this new thing he has with Mike… maybe all that has made him brave—or stupid. Maybe that’s why, when he finds himself in the forest again, the Upside Down, he doesn’t move. Instead, he asks.

“What do you want from me?” he yells, because he’s been back here again and again and there’s no reason he can see for it. “What are you doing?”

There’s a flash of color behind him, something vaguely person-shaped, but when Will spins around it’s already gone.

I’m a part of you. I’m what’s keeping you afloat. I want to help you. Don’t you trust me?

“Not when you keep telling me things I don’t want to hear!” he mutters. “Not when you decide to do things and won’t let me remember them! I don’t like you making me do things!”

A knock on the door startles him out of his thoughts, and he realizes how crazy he must look if there was anyone watching. “And now I feel weird. Thanks.”

He marches over to the door and wrenches it open, coming face-to-face with Erica. “Oh. Um, hi.”

“My brother said to give you these,” she says shortly, dumping a pile of books and papers into his hands. She stalks off to her bike, dropped messily out front, and hops on, pedaling up to the road.

Pest.

His hand twitches without him meaning to do it, and Erica’s bike careens into a ditch. He hears her scream as she falls and immediately tries to run to her, but his feet carry him back inside and his hand shuts the door behind him. A chill takes root in his chest. “What was that?”

Relax. She’s inconsequential.

Trust me.

“Guys,” he manages to choke out one night.

Don’t say anything. If you say a word, I—

“I can’t make it leave.”

El jerks back, their foreheads disconnecting, and she almost topples to the floor.

“Sorry,” Will says.

Don’t apologize. It’s her fault for being invasive.

“It’s so dark,” she marvels. “And it’s everywhere. It almost feels… alive. Like a whole new person. Or, at least, like it wants to be.”

“No wonder you want it out,” Max says, cautiously eyeing Will.

“But you can fix it, right?” Lucas asks.

Dustin nods vigorously. “Yeah, you can get it out of him.”

Will waits for someone to say something. Silence hangs for a moment.

She glances up at each of them, at Mike. Her eyes are dark and solemn. “I can try.”

“Wait,” Mike says, and then he takes Will’s hand, squeezing it. “I’ll call the doctors at the lab if… if anything goes wrong. I’m sure Dr. Owens would take the call. But only if things go wrong.” His palm is sweaty and his whole body is shaking. Will can feel it.

How will he know what’s wrong? He’s… just a human. We’re better than that.

Human. That’s what Will wants. He wants fragility and normalcy and boring days, he wants a simple and idyllic future, he wants carefree and happy friends, he wants passionate and wonderful Mike. He doesn’t want the Upside Down—he wants his life.

Don’t we all.

He looks up into his boyfriend’s eyes, trying to communicate those three words he can’t bring himself to say yet. Then he blinks and looks back down at El. “I want it out of my head. Please.”

She nods once. “Ready.”

Yes, I am.

El takes Will’s face in her hands and pushes their foreheads back together. It’s a weird feeling—like her hands are pulsing on his face. It’s warm and not entirely unpleasant for all of about three seconds before a bolt of white-hot pain slices down his head.

“Ow!” he yelps, trying to pull back, but El won’t—or can’t—let go. He’s frozen.

Thsss onerrrrr, not-t-t-tmm eee.

The voice sputters and dies, words slurring together until it fades away completely. That would be relieving if it didn’t hurt so much. His vision cuts out first, then his hearing, and the rest of his senses shut off until all he can feel is excruciating pain.

Then he passes out.

Will runs, runs, runs, because it’s after him, it’s finally here, finally catching up to him after months—no, years—of him not even knowing he was running away from it.

“What are you?” he shouts, because if it’s in this forest, real or not real, it’s not safe. He stumbles and falls, hitting the ground hard. He’s winded for a moment, lying there. “Maybe El did it,” he finally says out loud. “Maybe it’s gone.”

Then there’s a familiar voice.

“Will Byers,” it says from behind him, and he scrambles to his feet.

He whips around and he sees—

“What are you?” he asks again, because that seems to be the only appropriate question at the moment, the only question he can form.

It smiles—the monster smiles. “Will Byers,” it says again, and Will sees his own face grinning back at him.

Will pushes open the doors and is met with the sight of Mike waiting for him in the lobby, slouching in a chair, foot tapping impatiently.

“Hey!” he greets cheerfully, and something gleeful in him stirs as Mike jumps to his feet.

“Will!” he smiles broadly, and it’s infectious. “How’d the checkup go? You all good?”

No, no.

“You’re looking at a newly confirmed Upside-Down-free boyfriend,” Will confirms, slotting himself under Mike’s arm. “We ready to go?”

No, stop, please.

“Sure are,” Mike nods, picking up his bag from the floor and slinging it over his shoulder. “I was thinking, movie night tonight? Just the two of us, to celebrate?”

“Sounds great.”

Stop, please! I promise, I promise I’ll listen this time!

Mike holds the door of the lab open for Will and he gratefully shoots him a smile as he walks out of that horrible place. He’s about to head for Mike’s familiar car when Mike stops him, hand on his arm, and kisses him. He’s quick but firm, and Will reels from it.

“That’s… new,” he mutters, even if it isn’t technically true. Mike doesn’t hear him, anyway.

Let me out!

“Sorry,” Mike grins sheepishly. “I didn’t want to do that inside, but… you’re my boyfriend, and this whole mess is over, and I’m just…” He shakes his head, small smile lingering on his lips, and walks over to his car, spring in his step.

Don’t touch him! Let me out! I swear to you, I’ll do what you want, anything you want, just let me out!

The words ring out in Will’s head with such force that he flinches slightly. “Shut up,” he mutters, hand flying up to his head.

“Will!” Mike calls, leaning out of the car. “You okay?”

Please! Let me out!

He grins behind his hand, dropping his voice to a whisper. “I want to be alive. I want your life.”

“Will?”

He shakes his head to distort the replying shout in his head. “Yeah, Mike. Just a headache.”

Mike frowns slightly, concerned and paranoid as ever. “There’s nothing else wrong?”

Give me my body back, now!

“Nope,” he replies. “Absolutely not.”

As he steps into Mike’s car, the monster smiles.

Don’t imagine Will locked in his own mind for all eternity as the Upside Down entity lives as him forever, with Mike, with his friends, with his family, and no one notices because the entity has become him. Don’t imagine how the entity takes away Will’s agency and humanity and replaces it with its own inhuman life. Don’t imagine that.

I mean... sorry.

If you’re curious, the part where the voice gets all choppy while El is trying to exorcise it is the Upside Down saying “this is on her, not me.” It’s blaming the subsequent takeover on El, because of course it won’t accept the blame itself.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed (?), everyone! Comments are, as always, appreciated. Find me on Ao3 here.

#stranger things #byeler #byler #will byers #mike wheeler #el hopper #jane hopper #jane ives #lucas sinclair #dustin henderson #max mayfield #erica sinclair #fanfic #fanfiction #logan writes stranger things stuff

[stringerthangslove]

Mileven - Drunk Confessions

In their junior year of high school Mike and El are going to a house party, but things end up taking an unexpected turn - hope you’ll enjoy this one!

“You sure you wanna do this?” Mike asked, while looking skeptically at Stacey Olsen’s house where cars were parked far down the street and teenagers were flocking towards the front door. He was sitting behind the wheel of the battered Ford Mustang his parents had gotten him for his sixteenth birthday and El was sitting beside him in the passenger seat.

“Yeah, Mike, I’m sure; I wanna try going to a party in high school at least once.” El gave him a certain look and he immediately understood. El hadn’t had many normal experiences growing up, so he really couldn’t blame her for grabbing every chance to feel like a normal teenager.

“I understand,” Mike said softly, “I guess Stacey would be really disappointed, too, if you didn’t show up.” He couldn’t keep himself from adding an eyeroll to that last bit and El noticed it.

“Hey, come on,” she said a little defensively, “I know you don’t like Stacey, but she’s always really nice to me, you know.”

Mike knew. Stacey Olsen had been a popular girl since kindergarten and had therefore always been mean to Mike and his fellow nerds – that is, right until she learned that he had a girlfriend; that seemed to give him a newfound respect in Stacey’s book; especially since his girlfriend was the gorgeous El Hopper. Mike had, of course, always found El beautiful, but entering their junior year she had particularly blossomed which had not escaped Stacey Olsen, and even though El’s beauty was cause for envy it also, for some backwards reason, give Stacey an intense desire to befriend her. Stacey had therefore personally invited El to her party and when El had hesitated she had told her that she was “totally welcome to bring her cute friends”, so, alas, here they were.

“I know, I know,” Mike said apologetically, “I promise I won’t complain.”

“Thank you,” El reached over and put her hand on his, “I’m glad you’re here; this means a lot to me.”

She looked into Mike’s eyes and gave his hand a squeeze. He smiled at her softly and returned the squeeze. They left Mike’s car and started walking with the stream of teenagers towards the front door. El took Mike’s hand as they walked which, as always, made him swell with pride. When they entered Stacey’s house they found themselves in a sea of people bustling about, some shouting, some singing along to the music, some dancing and some sucking face in the corners; most of them were from their own year, but there were some seniors around as well which only attested to Stacey’s popularity. Mike and El just stood awkwardly in the middle of everything for a while not really knowing what to do with themselves.

“You wanna try and find the others?” Mike shouted over the music. El nodded. They were heading towards the kitchen when suddenly they were stopped by a voice behind them:

“Oh my gosh, El, you made it!” Stacey Olsen said excitedly. El and Mike turned to face her, and Stacey immediately gave El an overly friendly hug which Mike thought seemed insincere.

“Oh, hey, Mike,” Stacey said with a smile that seemed a little strained, “you don’t mind if I borrow your girlfriend for a little while, do you?”

“Oh, uh, I, uh,” Mike didn’t really know what to say, but Stacey didn’t seem to care much about his answer, anyway.

“Cool! I promise I’ll give her back real soon – there’s punch in the kitchen and a keg out in the backyard, so just help yourself; okay, later!” And with those words Stacey started dragging El away in the crowd of people and El looked over her shoulder at Mike with apologetic eyes.

“I’m sorry.” She mouthed to him.

“It’s okay.” He mouthed back with a reassuring smile. His eyes tried following where she was being dragged to, but she was soon lost from his gaze which made him feel a sting of worry, but he tried to push the feeling aside. Then he just stood there shuffling his feet awkwardly for a bit before deciding to proceed to the kitchen to look for his friends and something to drink without alcohol in it. The kitchen was just as crammed with people, but he couldn’t seem to spot any of his friends, so he went to the kitchen table which had a couple of large punch bowls on it.

“Is there alcohol in both of these?” Mike asked a kid he recognized from his calculus class.

“Not that one.” The kid said, and Mike ladled some of the red liquid into a plastic cup. He took a sip of the punch and started craning his neck to see if he could maybe spot El and Stacey and it got him so absorbed that he didn’t register his friends coming up behind him.

“Hey, Mike.” Max said as she and the others reached him, and when he didn’t respond she started snapping her fingers rapidly in front of his face.

“Mike, Hello!” She taunted, “earth to Mike, are you there?”

“Hmm, what?” she finally got Mike’s attention and he wheeled around to look at all of them.

“Oh, hey guys!” he exclaimed as he saw them and felt relieved to finally have some friends around.

“Hey,” Will said, “where’s El?” He looked around to see if he could spot her.

“You guys haven’t seen her?” Mike felt worry starting to twitch in him again, “Stacey hijacked her, I guess I should go find her.”

“Oh, relax, Mike, she’s probably having a good time; I think you’ll survive not having eyes on your girlfriend for five minutes.” Max said, trying to tease him.

“Oh, shut up, Max,” Mike said, rolling his eyes at her, “who are you to talk, anyway; you and Lucas ogle at each other all the time.”

Max opened her mouth to protest, but Lucas cut her off:

“It’s true; this one can’t keep her eyes off me.” He said tauntingly.

“Ugh, put a cork in it, Sinclair.” Max snarked at him and nudged him hard in the side. Lucas responded by kissing her on the cheek while she tried to turn her head away and still act offended.

“Hey, Mike, do you think now that El’s in with Stacey she could maybe convince her to go out with me?” Dustin chimed in over Lucas and Max’s playful fighting.

“Really?” Mike said, slightly surprised, “you still like her?”

Dustin shrugged: “I just think maybe now the time could be right.”

“I just don’t get what you see in her, anyway.” Mike said skeptically.

“Oh, you’re just upset because you have to share your girlfriend with her.” Dustin taunted.

“Am not!” Mike objected.

“Oh, come on; you totally are.” Max chimed in.

“I just don’t trust her intentions, that’s all; why would she suddenly wanna be friends with El?”

“Don’t be so paranoid, Mike; not everyone is out to get her.” Lucas said, and gave Mike a knowing look. Mike sighed; it had been years since bad men had been after El, but the nagging fear that he would someday lose her again had never gone away.

“Anyway, you guys up for D&D Sunday?” Mike said to change the subject and they all just hung around in the kitchen and talked for a while, but Mike couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling from the back of his mind and when he checked his watch and saw that El had been gone for half an hour he couldn’t help himself anymore.

“That’s it; I’m going to find her.” He said to the others and he started searching the house asking random people if they had seen her.

After ten minutes of searching he still hadn’t found her and he started to panic. He went through every room shouting her name, but she was still nowhere to be seen. Eventually, his search led him to the backyard where he finally spotted her slumped in a pool chair and he ran to her in relief.  

“El, there you are!” He exclaimed, “I’ve been looking all over for you, I… El?” suddenly all the anxiety was back in him - he knew something was completely wrong; El was looking at him, but her eyes were blurred like she wasn’t really seeing him.

“Mike, it’s you, you’re, you’re here,” she blurted out in a strange voice that didn’t seem like hers, “I just, I,I got a little tired, I’m, I got a little tired, so I just take, I’m, I’m taking a nap.”

Mike sat down next to her trying not to panic.

“El, are you okay? Wha-what happened to you? Are, are you drunk?” Mike spoke softly taking both of El’s hands in his and trying to maintain eye contact.

“Oh, hey, Mike,” Mike turned his head and saw Stacey standing behind him with a cup of beer in her hand, “Oh my gosh, El got so wasted, so she just wanted to lie down for a bit.”

Mike got up and looked at Stacey incredulously; anger was starting to boil inside him.

“Are you out of your damn mind?” He asked in outrage, “You got her drunk?!”

“Well, duh; it’s a party.” Stacey said, and her indifference angered Mike even more.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Stacey, can’t you see she’s not well?”

“Jesus, Wheeler, don’t be such a buzzkill.” Stacey said, completely brushing him off.

“I’m taking El home now,” Mike snarled, “and you better stay the hell away from her.”

“Ugh, whatever.” Stacey said rolling her eyes and then she walked off and started talking to a friend like she was not the least bothered, and Mike just stood there completely despising her. Then he turned back to El and got one of her arms around his neck while he got an arm around her waist and tried gently to get her on her feet; she was a bit wobbly, but with him supporting her she could stand.

“Mike, Mike I feel weird,” she said in her blurred, drunk voice, “I think I, I just wanna go home.”

“I know, I know, El, I’ll take you home now and you’ll be just fine, okay?” Mike said softly.

“You promise?”

“Yeah, of course; I promise.”

“Okay.” El looked at Mike; her eyes were still blurred, but he saw in them that she trusted him, and they started walking back towards the car. She stumbled a bit, but she held on to him tightly and he held on to her, so they made it just fine. When they got to the car Mike got El carefully in on the passenger seat and got himself behind the wheel – he hadn’t been driving for more than a couple of minutes before El seemed like she was about to doze off.

“El? Are you okay there?” he asked gently, and she made a little jump and looked at him.

“Are you mad at me? Are we in trouble?” she asked, suddenly sounding more worried than drunk.

“No, no, of course not. Why would I be mad at you, it wasn’t your fault.” Mike said reassuringly.

“Jim will be mad! He, he’ll be so, he’ll be so mad when he finds out.” El blurted out.

Mike took one hand off the wheel and put it on El’s to calm her down.

“Hey, don’t worry about it,” he said consolingly, “let me handle it, okay; you don’t have to worry.”

El went silent for a moment. Then she looked at Mike again.

“You take care of me; you always take care of me.” She said quietly.

Mike glanced sideways at her; the sporadic streetlights lit up the car and he saw that she was still looking at him intensely, thoughtfully. Her cheeks were slightly flushed from the alcohol.

“Of course, I do,” Mike said, “and you take care of me.”

He glanced sideways again; she was still looking at him. There was something about that particular way she looked at him just now that made him feel a little shy. He fixed his eyes on the road and felt color rise in his cheeks; for some reason he now felt like the timid twelve-year-old boy he had been when he first fell in love with her.

Mike pulled up at Chief Hopper’s place and blessed his lucky star that he was out of town for the night. He helped El out of the car and inside the house and at the foot of the stairs he gently picked her up and started carrying her upstairs while she had her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. Mike carried El to her room and put her down on the bed; he took her shoes off and put them on the floor next to the bed, then he went to the kitchen and poured a big glass of water which he brought back to El.

“Here, it’ll make you feel better.”

El gulped down the water and put the empty glass on the nightstand.

“Thanks, Mike.” She gave a little smile and already seemed more like herself. Mike leaned in and gently kissed her forehead.

“I’ll go sleep on the couch; just call me if you need anything, okay?”

Mike got up and made to leave El to sleep, but her voice stopped him:  

“Mike,” she said softly from the bed, “could you maybe stay with me,” she looked at him with imploring eyes, “please.”

Mike hesitated. He wanted to stay of course, but he also knew that the Chief would likely have an aneurysm if he found out that he had slept in El’s bed; then again, he would probably have an aneurysm anyway when he found out that El had accidentally gotten drunk on his watch, so he might as well risk it.

“Yeah,” he finally said, “yeah, of course I’ll stay.”

Mike went back to the bed and suddenly felt shy again. He took his shoes off and laid down next to El, facing her. El inched closer to him; they looked each other in the eyes and he could feel her warm breath on his face.

“I don’t know what I would do without you,” she whispered, “I… I’m so sorry about… about the party.”

“Hey, don’t be sorry,” Mike said reassuringly, “It’s fine, really; it’s all fine.”

El was looking at him again with that intense gaze and for some reason he was trembling. She reached out and ran her fingers gently through his hair; then she traced a finger down his cheek and lightly touched his lips. She traced her finger down his chin and further down his neck and touched his collarbone. Mike’s heartbeat increased. El’s finger traced down his chest and she rested her hand on his heart. She looked at her hand on his chest for a moment. Quiet. Feeling his heartbeat. Mike was at once completely exhilarated and completely terrified – like he was on the edge of something new which was not quite there, but not far off.

“El, I,” he began to say something to break off the intensity of the moment, but El cut him off:

“Mike,” she whispered, and looked him in the eyes again, “I love you.”

Then she pressed her lips against his and he lightly touched her cheek and kissed her back. She had never said those words before, and neither had he. He had thought about saying it many times, but had always chickened out in the end, but now she had said it and the words echoed in his head, and he felt like he might actually float to the ceiling.

“I love you, too,” he blurted out as soon as they broke apart, “I love you so much; I always have.”

El smiled and kissed him again and the love between them was tangible; then she snuggled closer and was in his arms.

“You love me.” She breathed, right before dozing off. Mike still trembled a bit; he felt there was a new intimacy between them; something almost adult while at the same time so innocent. Soon he dozed off as well, and for the moment being they were still just two teenagers who loved each other and had fallen asleep in each other’s arms.

#stranger things #mileven #ST #stranger things fanfiction #mileven fanfic #mileven fanfiction #mileven fluff #mileven fic #stranger things fic #mike x eleven #mike wheeler #eleven #el hopper #jane hopper #lumax #Lucas Sinclair #Max Mayfield #will byers #dustin henderson

[i-used-to-wear-the-fedora]

BMC Jeremy is Missing AU [Rewrite] In Depth

Ch.12 A Good Samaritan

“Hey d-Mr.Heere!” Both Jeremy’s dad and the man he was talking to turned to see Jeremy using Michael’s body to walk over towards the two.

“Michael? What are you doing in here? Shouldn’t you be in school?”

“Oh you know-lunch break and stuff. But ugh I heard something about you needed money?”

“Actually it’s Dr.Graham over here who needs the money. I’d give him some but I barely have enough for groceries.”

“M-maybe I could give you the money!”

“I couldn’t-”

“P-please for any friend of my da…Mr.Heere.” Jeremy felt slightly guilty as he reached into Michael’s pocket and pulled out the money. But it was for a good reason. “Here.” The man smiled as he took the money from Michael’s hand.

“Thank you….”

“Jer…Michael. Michael Mell.”

“Thanks Michael. You know you remind me of my son Craig, he’s around your age. If you need anything just let me know.”

“Really, it’s okay. Just being a good samaritan and stuff.” The doctor smiled waving goodbye to Mr.Heere before walking away leaving Jeremy and his father alone.

“Michael, that was very nice of you.”

“Thanks…Mr.Heere. It seemed like the right thing to do. So, you’re grocery shopping?” Jeremy asked seeing his dad’s small list.

“Yeah, Jeremy’s birthday’s coming up in a few days…gotta make sure I don’t burn it this year. Wouldn’t want a repeat of last year.” Jeremy remembered his birthday last year, he and Michael took a bite and instantly spit it out to find that under the three layers of frosting was a cake burned to the point of blackness. He couldn’t stop a laugh from coming out as he remembered that.

“Oh my God, I remember that. It tasted so bad so we just split up the frosting and put it on top of our ice cream.”

“I-I remember,” Mr.Heere as he chuckled leaning his kart. “I still have pictures of the two of you right after with food all over your faces.”

“Hey, I was hungry.”

“You looked just like when you were six on Halloween and you got into the sugar sticks. That was everywhere me and Jackie were cleaning it out of the right for weeks.” Jeremy stopped when he said Jackie. His mom. Did his mom come to his funeral? Did she talk to Dad?

“How is…Jeremy’s mom anyway?” Mr.Heere stopped laughing as he unknowingly looked at his son. “Sorry if that’s too personal.”

“No it’s alright son. Jackie’s being Jackie as usual. She still hasn’t talked to me since the funeral.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No it’s alright Michael, it’s not like you’re the reason she’s angry at me.” A beep went off on Mr.Heere’s phone making him look down at his phone before turning his kart around. “Sorry I got distracted, talk to you later Michael!” Jeremy waved goodbye as he watched his dad walk away.

“See you later…dad.” Jeremy smiled. He actually talked to his dad. Money now gone Jeremy walked over to exit. Munchies wouldn’t have tasted nearly as good as the feeling in his, or was it Michael’s?, stomach. He could give Michael his body back….but on the other hand lunch was still going on at school. Jeremy couldn’t believe he was actually excited for school food but it was better than nothing.

~~

“Hey Christine are you alright?” The girl looked up from her math book to see Jenna staring at her. “You look like you just ate a lemon. You thinking about something? …somebody?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Christine, you shouldn’t bottle this stuff up.”

“What’s there to bottle up? I mean it’s not like I’m friends with the girl who convinced me to make Jeremy run away in the first place.” Jenna back up as Christine snapped at her. “Sorry, I just don’t want to talk about it okay? This all so much take in at once.”

“Christine, we need to talk about this.”

“Later.”

“You’ve been saying later forever, we can’t keep ignoring Jeremy. Especially since it’s actually Jeremy now.”

“Ms.Rolan, Canigula, is there something you’d like to share with the rest of the class?” The teacher glared at the two girls who quickly quit talking as the woman went back to writing the equation on the white board. Christine not even looking over at Jenna anymore looked at her book hoping to not have to make eye contact.

~~

“Eugh…what happened?” Michael’s head hurt as he looked around, his vision still coming back. “Wha…?” Looking down he saw various stains on his shirt that looked like food making him even more confused. When did he eat? Wait…Jeremy. Jeremy took control of his body. Darting up he saw he was in his bedroom, on his bed. Jeremy was standing not too far away looking over some pictures on the wall. He noticed Michael awake as he jumped seeing his friend.

“Michael, you’re awake!”

“Jeremy what…happened? And why do I feel like I just ate my mom’s pancakes?” Grabbing his phone Michael saw it was seven at night. “Seven? Jeremy how long were you in my body?”

“Oh-er, well I…a few hours? I just intended on getting a few snacks at Walmart but then that kind of fell through and your mom wanted to make dinner plus you had a lot of Doritos and other stuff in your kitchen-”

“So you used my body to eat time of junk food?”

“Don’t worry-I didn’t way peanut butter or anything and I brushed your teeth!” To test that statement Michael ran his tongue around his mouth. It tasted like a combination of mint tooth paste, Doritos, Mountain Dew and Oreos. Not a pleasant combination.

“Eugh, Jeremy why?”

“I’m sorry Michael…I just wanted to taste food again.”

“But did you have to eat so much? I feel like I’ve gained two pounds.” Heading himself up Michael walked over to pick up the discarded cardigan. “I don’t think I can even bring myself to get a slushie tight now.” Michael reached into his pants pocket to pull out the money he intended to use to buy a said slushie but was surprised when he found nothing in the pocket.

“Hey where’s my money?” Jeremy looked guilty as Michael asked about the cash.

“I kind of…lent it to dad’s friend…” Michael made an annoyed face at this causing Jeremy to flinch.

“Is there anything else I should know about?”

“I’m sorry Michael.” Michael immediately faltered when he saw Jeremy’s face. Even as a ghost Jeremy seemed to look like he was about to cry.

“It’s alright dude, really. Just next time you give me a heads up before?” Jeremy nodded, the look know gone as he went to hug Michael but stopped when he realized the awkwardness that would bring. Jeremy really missed being able to hug Michael.

With Dustin:

Dustin stood in the salt circle around him in the darkened school bathroom as he placed the unlit candles around him before picking up the book he got in the library nervously looked it over.

‘I don’t know if I want the ghost to be real or not. I mean if its real and I do summon him I don’t think he’s going to like me…’ Taking a deep breath Dustin began to read.

“Oh sacred spirit come from afar, come now and prove that you are.” Nothing happened for a few seconds promoting Dustin to shut the book when a sudden breeze passed through the bathroom. The lights began to flash on and off as the stall doors swung scaring the teen when candles became lit followed by the feeling he was no longer alone in the restroom. Scared out of his mind Dustin called out, “Jeremy are here?”

His response was the the door to the bathroom slamming shut just as quickly as it opened making Dustin jump as the candles went out again leaving him in there darkness. Realizing the wet feeling in his pants Dustin was suddenly very glad he decided to do the ceremony in the men’s room.

Ch.13 Night of the Party

Michael stared down at the math assignment, internally groaning. God why did this face to be so difficult?

“The answer’s sixty nine over five.” Michael jumped slightly as Jeremy appeared next to his desk.

“Jesus!”

“Oops sorry dude.”

“You need a freaking bell around your neck.”

“Well I don’t think that’s possible. But the answer is still sixty nine over five.”

“How do you know?”

“Advanced Pre-Calc, I had Ms.Petrov before, remember?”

“Nope.”

“Here let me help you with this.” Jeremy’s hand went to touch Michael’s who flinched away, retracting his hand.

“Can you not do that? It’s just ever since Walmart I don’t think I’m comfortable…”

“With me touching you?”

“Yeah. That.” A sad look crossed Jeremy’s face for a moment before disappearing.

“I won’t, I’m just showing you where the decimal sould go before you make it a fraction.”

“Okay,” Michael followed Jeremy’s instructions getting half way through the problem when his phone vibrated in his pocket. Picking it up he saw it was a text from Jake.

yo Mikey I’m throwing a bomb ass party tonight and u r invited- -no thanks no thanks?- -don’t like parties come on dude, please?- it’ll just be me and the rest of the drama squad- except Chloe- she’s angry- -… -idk please?- -… -fine awesome!- c u tonight at my place- btw, pepperoni or bacon for pizza?- -def. pepperoni coolio-

Michael pocketed his phone as he looked up to see Jeremy had disappeared again. Michael looked down at his homework surprised.

‘Weird, thought was only halfway through.’

The page had all been filled out except for the last one. ~~ Chloe checked her phone again. Still nothing from Brooke.

'Damn it, how long is that bi-Brooke going to ignore me? She would’ve usually cracked by now. God damnit.’

The last text she’d sent was from less then a minute ago, she knew Brooke has seen her messages at this point. She was being ignored. By Brooke. And this was really starting to piss her off. Checking Instagram she went to Brooke’s page to see she had been unfriended by the blonde.

'Why doesn’t Brooke want to talk to me? Wait, I already know. That freak, Michael. Ever since he started claiming he could see ghost boy Jeremy Heere Brooke suddenly stopped listening to me-’

“Ms.Valentine, I’m trying to teach. Please put that phone away.”

~~

“Does Jake invite you to a lot of parties now?” Jeremy asked as they stood in front of the mirror in Michael’s room as the living boy tried on another one of his red button up shirts. “Also, these literally all look the same. Do you just buy your shirts on bulk?”

“Sometimes. And not really. Or at least I never go.”

“Why not? You’re being invited to Jake freaking Dillinger’s party. That’s like the most awesome thing that could happen to you in highschool.”

“Yeah going to a loud, crowded house party surrounded people drunk of their asses because people feel sorry for you sounds really awesome.”

“Feel sorry for you?”

“The only reason I’m invited is because feels bad about what happened to you.”

“Oh…then why are you going tonight?”

“Well I just thought I haven’t ever really gone to a highschool party and it’s only like five people. If I’m lucky Chloe won’t be there,” Michael decided on one of his identical red shirts taking off his hoodie allowing Jeremy to see his chest. The teen turned away until Michael walked past him towards the bathroom. Heading over to the medicine cabinet he brought out a bottle of old spice Jeremy got him for his birthday. Michael made a face as he shared it on. “Aw, Christ. This smells horrible. Jeremy is it obvious?”

“I don’t know, I can’t smell.”

“Oh.”

“Wait I got you that three years ago. You’ve never work it before?”

“It seems with a good reason, do you think I have time for a shower?”

“What time does the party start?”

“Seven.” Jeremy’s head peeked through the wall before coming back into the bathroom.

“It’s seven thirty.”

“Yeah I still got time.” ~~ “So when’s Michael supposed to get here?” Rich asked looking up from the game of Mario Kart he and Jenna were playing.

“Yeah it’s like eight o'clock already,” Christine said snapping out of her nap, “Maybe we should call it-”

“No he’ll be here any minute maybe he ran into traffic or something.” Jake was playing with his red cup nervously, unable to remember if this was his third or fourth cup of beer. Brooke noticed this taking the cup away from him.

“Jake he lives two blocks away. He didn’t get stuck in traffic.” That’s when the front doorbell rang prompting Brooke to open the door and see Michael dressed nicer than earlier. “Woah, Michael you…” She trailed off when her nose caught a whiff of the scent she new all too well. Covering her nose she unconsciously backed away, Michael noticed.

“I took a shower but even then it didn’t wash off.”

“You smell like my ex Peter, he always smelled like Old Spice.” Jake walked past the blonde, barely fazed by the scent as he pat Michael on the back.

“Glad you could make it bro! Here,” he handed Michael a red cup, “drink up, the nights just beginning!”

“I’m not much of a beer guy-”

“Come on dude, just a drink or two.”

Michael looked over towards Jeremy who nodded. Just…one beer wouldn’t hurt.

An Hour Later:

“~And I will always love you!~” Michael sat on top of the kitchen table moving his head as he sang along to the music. Everybody else was either gone or passed out on the floor for some reason except for Michael who fell as he tried to get off the table. “Oh come on Jeremy~ I know y-you’re here, pfffttt Heere, somewhere~” There wasn’t a response as Michael drunkenly stumbled towards the door. “W-w-well you guys this was fun but I need to go home~ Bye~”

He fumbled with the handles for a few moments before finally opening the door as he felt a small buzzing sensation in his neck.

'Man how much did I drink? Pfff who cares. I need to go home and wait…where’s Jeremy? Jeremy’s missing, I should find him.’ Through his buzzed haze Michael stumbled out of the driveway to the street giggling all the way as he came to a stop in the middle of the road to look up at the sky. 'Woah, there’s so many stars or maybe I should try and count them…one, two-’

“Michael!” A voice called out to the teen at he turned around but instead seeing the source he saw a bright light coming towards him.

'Aliens? Cool, maybe I should go towards the light.’

“Michael!” That was the last thing the teen heard before the sounds of screeching breaks and someone screaming.

Ch.14

Michael’s head pounded as his eyes slowly opened, a beeping should came from nearby.

“Mmmmm….” The whiteness of whatever room he was in was blinding. 'Jesus Christ my eyes.’ His vision came into focus as began to look around the room. He was in a hospital bed, the being was coming from a heart monitor. There were two seats next to the bed, his mom was asleep, her head hanging slightly off the arm of the chair. Turning around he saw Jeremy pacing in front of his bed. His friend came to a stop when he noticed Michael was awake.

“Michael!” He rushed over to the other teen’s side.

“Jeremy?” This came out as a hoarse whisper as he tried to sit up but quickly laid back down from the pain in his chest. “…fuck…Jeremy, what happened last night?”

“You don’t remember?”

“Nothing past getting to Jake’s party…” Michael clutched his chest in pain as he said that, “Christ it feels like a car hit me.”

“That’s because it did.”

“Wait, what?”

“You were in the middle of street when a car hit you. You’ve been asleep for the whole day.”

“Holy Shit.” Michael tried remember anything from the drunken haze that was the party last night. Nothing was clear except for one thing…“I-I think I was looking for you.”

“Why would you be looking for me? I was right there.”

“N-no you weren’t. I remember you weren’t there.”

“Where else would I be?”

“I don’t know, but you weren’t there.” Jeremy didn’t say anything annoying Michael but before he could say anything Michael’s mom snapped awake at Michael’s louder voice.

“Michael, thank God you’re awake!” She went to hug him but pulled away when he winced. “Oh right sorry.” Instead she kissed him on the cheek before giving him a familiar look of disappointment. “Just what the hell were you thinking? Going to a party without telling me, getting drunk and running into the street? You almost died Michael.”

“How do you know I was drunk?”

“Michael I can still smell it on you.” Michael didn’t respond as his mother sat back down in her chair. “You’re grounded until next week. No leaving the house except for school, no car-”

“No phone?”

“You don’t even have a phone anymore, it was crushed in the accident.”

“Oh…”

“I didn’t eat any of your friends to the police but I did find out it was this Jake Dillinger who threw the party so I’m going to have a talk with him.”

“Mom-”

“End of discussion. Now I’m going to go get a nurse.” She left the room slamming the door behind her. Michael looked back at Jeremy who was now sitting in one of the chairs. What the hell was Jeremy hiding from him? Why was he lying? Multiple questions ran through his head but he kept them in when the door opened again as both his mom and a nurse came in.

~~

“-thank you, have a great day mam.” Mrs.Mell signed the last paper before opening the door so that Michael didn’t hit his leg brace on anything. Three fractured ribs, a sprained ankle and a concussion. Nothing too serious and they had already given his mom the prescription for his pain medication. Getting on the car needed help lifting his foot without hurting himself.

The drive home was awkwardly silent. Pulling into the driveway he handed her his car keys before they went up to his room together as she set him in the bed before leaving the room, locking the door behind her. Jeremy was now on the floor staring at Michael before the boy climbed out of bed heading over to his window.

“Michael what are you doing?”

“Leaving.”

“What? Why? You’re really screwed up right now.”

“Maybe but I’m not going to make any progress helping you from a bed.”

“Helpi-Michael what are you talking about? You’re hurt and it’s starting to rain. How are you even going to climb down?”

“The tree.” Michael said this as he lifted the window sill.

“Michael stop those just hurting yourself more, what do you even expect to do? Walk all the way to Jake’s house? Newsflash, that’s crazy.”

“How’d you know I was going to Jake’s house?”

“That’s besides the point.”

“No it’s not. And why were you lying about last night? About being there the whole time? I know you weren’t. If you were you would’ve taken over again and pushed me out of the way.” Jeremy was silent as Michael said that making the bespectacled boy let out an annoyed sound. “Yeah that’s what I thought. I’m leaving and you can’t stop me.” Michael was about to take a step out but suddenly found he couldn’t move as his body froze. “What the hell? Jeremy?” Turning around he saw his friend staying to come in and out of existence, like he was…glitching.

“Activating Emergency Memory Core: Processing.” Wait. What? Emergency Processor Core? Michael watched frozen as Jeremy came in and out for minutes before fully coming back.

“Jeremy, what the fuck is going on?”

“I’m sorry Michael, I can’t allow you to hurt yourself anymore like this. As your SQUIP it’s my duty to keep you happy and safe.”

“W-what are you saying? SQUIP?”

“I’m sorry Michael. I am not the real Jeremy. I am not a ghost. I am a Super Qualified Unit Intel Processor. Your friend Richard Goranski slipped me into your Mountain Dew drink the night before school started. It wasn’t just you getting sick that night.”

“W-wait, you’re saying Rich gave me you?”

“To make you feel better. He saw your declining mental and physical state and wanted to help.”

“Y-you’re kidding. You have to be real, all those memories, the possession, what you did in the bathroom-”

“Michael, I only remember things about Jeremy that you do. I have access to your body that allows for possession. The bathroom lights were electricity charges I put out.”

“But the stall doors-”

“Michael, I can explain it all.” Michael felt tears falling down his face as Jere-the SQUIP let his muscles unfreeze as he fell down to the floor. “I’m truly sorry for the pain over caused you but if it makes any difference I treasure the relationship we shared.” Michael didn’t say anything as he wiped his face off trying and failing to compose himself. “I’m going to guide you how to get out of the house, in a much less dangerous way so that you can talk to Rich. It seems apparent that you two have things to talk about.” Michael didn’t say anything as he got off the floor and followed the A.I. outside of the room.

Ch.15 Confrontation

Rich sat in front of his TV playing Call of Duty when there was a knock at the door.

'Weird,’ Rich thought walking towards the door, 'I thought Jake was working today.’ Opening the door he was greeted by a scowling Michael who was wearing what looked like pajamas with a scowl on his face and a brace on his ankle.

“Bro, great to see you’re still alive! Jake told me about last night, you got hit by car? That’s-”

“I know Rich.”

“Know? Know what?”

“About the SQUIP. It told me.”

“Oh.”

“Oh? That’s all you have to say?”

“Well what do you want me to say?”

“I don’t know, how about sorry for giving you a computer that pretended to be my dead best friend?” Michael made his way into the house now grabbing Rich by his shirt. “What the fuck?”

“Hey I didn’t know it would try and pretend to be Jeremy but it helped you right?”

“Helped me?! You knew the whole time and you just let it happen?”

“Michael, the night before school started you looked like shit. You have washed your hair in days, your bags had bags and I saw the cuts on your arms. Believe it or not as your friend I actually care about what’s happening to you. So…I slipped one into the Mountain Dew I gave you.” Michael let go of the smaller boy’s shirt as he shoved him away, backing away so that he could leave against the wall. Tears were running down his face again as he sank down to the floor. Rich sat down next to and Je-the SQUIP say on the other side of him.

“I-I don’t know what to do now…”

“If you want, the can get rid of me Michael. I’m not helping you and now I’m not even fully functioning.” The words came out of Jeremy’s mouth making Michael even more confused. “Ever since the alcohol last night I haven’t been properly functioning. Glitching in and out, unable to look up previous data, of you walked away right now and I didn’t know where you were going I shouldn’t be able to follow you Michael.”

“Rich…”

“Yeah dude?”

“The SQUIP wants me to get rid of it.”

“Do you want to get rid of it?”

“Kind of…but at the same time…it’s all I have left of Jeremy. I don’t want to lose him again.”

“That’s alright dude. I understand but if you ever want to, I have some Mountain Dew Red.”

“I know, but I think I need some help. Like serious help. And maybe some distance from Squeremy.” Rich burst out laughing as Michael said that. “What’s so funny?”

“Squeremy? Oh my God! That’s amazing.” The newly dubbed Squeremy smoked at that at that name.

“Squeremy. I like that.” It took Rich a moment to stop laughing before he could articulate his words again.

“B-but seriously, about the help thing? Why don’t you see that therapist dude Jeremy’s dad has been seeing?”

“That actually sounds like a good idea. But maybe Squeremy could stay here? Just until I get back?”

“Uh, sure. I guess.”

“Thanks dude,” Rich nodded his head before hugging Michael. The teen thought about pushing him away for a moment before accepting the embrace. An actual human touch. He doesn’t even think about Squeremy hearing the thought, human touch.

Something the SQUIP knew it could never provide Michael.

~~

“-so Michael is this your first time coming to Therapy?” Michael sat in the red chair just across from the therapist’s desk fiddling with the stress ball that was on the desk next to him.

“I went a few times last year but that was just the one at the school. She didn’t help a lot.” The man’s house was big, Michael had to walk through the living room to get to the office that was decorated with various papers and certificates. It felt almost claustrophobic with how tightly packed it was.

“I’d imagine, schools are where the therapists that got straight D’s are sent,” Michael let out a snort at that, “but don’t tell anyone I said that. My sister’s a teacher counselor.”

“I won’t. At least, as long as you don’t tell my mom I’m coming here. She found out yesterday and “double” grounded me. Whatever that means.“

"You know, you remind me of my son when he was your age, sixteen?”

“Nah I’m seventeen.”

“You’re kidding? You look younger.”

“Yeah I get that a lot.” The man was about to say something when his phone rang. He made an annoyed face as he looked down at the screen.

“It looks like Mr.Heere’s calling again. Do you mind if I take this? It mayhem be a while…”

“No, it’s chill got my stress ball,” Michael have the red ball a squeeze to emphasize his point.

“Alright, I’ll be back as soon as possible.” He left the room closing the door behind him. It was a few seconds. Then a minute. Then a few minutes. Michael got up to stretch his legs to avoid boredom. God the stress ball wasn’t helping….heading over to the deal he saw a picture of the therapist and a teenage boy. It seemed old and frayed, the man looked a lot younger. The teenage boy must have been his son. Curious Michael looked around the desk area when he saw an album labelled family photos.

'I shouldn’t…’ But there was no little voice in his head telling him directly not to. That voice was back at Rich’s house playing Call please Duty. Taking the album out of the book case Michael began to flip through it. More pictures of the boy in the frame. Further in he saw photos of the man with two boys, one a few years younger than the boy in the frame. Another son? Foiling further he stopped when he saw a familiar photo.

It was a picture of him, Jeremy and Jeremy’s dad at the park for Jeremy’s sixth birthday party. 'Mr.Heere must have given him this…’ Flipping through he found a few other pictures Michael recognized from Jeremy’s house. 'Jesus Mr.Heere, what did you-wait.’ Michael turned the page again and saw a photo of Jeremy only…he was with Dr.Graham.

Jeremy was sitting in a chair and the doctor was behind him smiling. Jeremy on the other hand…his mouth was in more of a grimace than a smile and his eyes were wide. Flipping further the pictures of Jeremy and the man became more frequent, Jeremy looking worse with every page turn. Dr.Graham, the man who moved next door to Jeremy’s dad, became his therapist…

Michael felt himself get sick as be realized who’s house he was in. He needed to leave, call the police he-

“What the hell are you doing?”

#be more chill au #be more chill #jeremy is missing #michael mell #jeremy heere #boyf riends #meremy hell #the drama squad #christine canigula #jenna rolan #rich goranski #jake dillinger #chloe valentine #brooke lohst #jeremy's dad #the squip #rich's squip #squeremy #michael's mom

[burstbombbitch]

In-depth Character Sheet

Credit to Sir Ender at this writing forum. Reblog or repost. DO NOT remove credit. 

TAGGED BY: myself, bitch TAGGING: im just redoing this. here’s the comparison if you’re curious --- she’s changed a bit, actually! 

FULL NAME: Bonbon Rosalia Charbonneau MEANING: “Charcoal Chocolate”. Meant to refer to a nasty outside, but sweet inside. NICKNAME: Bon, Bonnie, BB, Bunny, Rosie, Rose. MEANING: She’s got way too many. AGE: 22. BIRTHDAY: December 5th. ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Sagittarius. GENDER: Cis Female. ALLERGIES: None. SEXUAL PREFERENCE: Pansexual / Panromantic. THEME SONG(S): Pop Star ⭐ How Far I’ll Go ⭐ Jump Up, Super Star!

APPEARANCE HAIR COLOR: Pastel pink, bordering on white. HAIR STYLE AND LENGTH: Two lengthy tentacles trail down her back and near reach the ground, while a shorter pair rest down her shoulders. In the two baos atop her head are the back tentacles slightly bunned up to avoid contact with the ground. EYES COLOR: Lilac, with star-shaped pink pupils. HEIGHT: 4′1′‘ | 124.46 cm. WEIGHT: 69 lbs | 31.3 kg. OUTFIT/CLOTHING STYLE: Lolita, essentially. Really girly and proper. Flashy. Catch her alone, though, and you’d be lucky she’s even wearing anything. DISTINGUISHING MARKS(SCARS,MOLES): Bio-luminescent “freckles” all over her body. They have begun to take up a shape, mimicking the moon and stars. SELF CARE(MAKE UP): Lots. Usually winged eyeliner and scarlet eye-shadow. FIRST IMPRESSION ON PEOPLE: Elegant, kind-hearted, caring. SKIN COLOR: Dark brown. BODY TYPE/BUILD: Pear-shaped. Large thighs, strong, long legs, and slightly toned biceps. DEFAULT EXPRESSION: A soft, dreamy smile with sleepy half-lidded eyes. POSTURE: Hands before her thighs, entwined with one another. Upright and straight. PIERCINGS: A peculiar gold ring on her right ear. When flicked, it makes a sound... DESCRIBE THEIR VOICE: She has dropped the haughtiness she hailed two years ago. Much more soft-spoken, her words are gentle and warm. Her voice, now that she is no longer trying to hide her “weaker” self, is a lot more amicable. She still speaks with a particularly high vocabulary, but she no longer intentionally chooses words to make others feel foolish. Like rose petals floating on air, her manner of speaking is very breathy and delicate, but loud enough to at least be heard. Never will you find her raising her voice --- the difference is merely a harder sounding version of her, featuring her irritation, as opposed to a shrill shriek. (Voice Claim)

RELATIONSHIPS MOM: Céleste Charbonneau née Chen HOW WELL DO THEY GET ALONG: While she no longer harbors a fierce grudge against her mother for ruining her childhood ( which she did not, but also did not correct Bon ), they are still not as close. They do, definitely, however get along much better, and Bon is now working under her at the Nouveau Corporation. DAD: Clair Charbonneau HOW WELL DO THEY GET ALONG: She’s still a daddy’s girl --- no one has told her that, in reality, he is the absolute scum of the earth. Dustin’s trying. SIBLINGS: None. HOW WELL DO THEY GET ALONG: N/A. CHILDREN: None. HOW WELL DO THEY GET ALONG: N/A. PAST LOVER(S): [REDACTED] CURRENT LOVER: Dustin Lee REACTION TO MEETING SOMEONE NEW: There is a bit of sheepishness to her. Whereas she once quietly despised and looked down upon others, she has a tendency to be soft-spoken and inquisitive. One could say it’s a guarding mechanism, but she seems to warm up and open up quickly --- a requirement of an idol, she supposes.  ABILITY TO WORK WITH OTHERS: She’s still not particularly fond of working with others, mostly because she finds that the best way to get work done is to do it herself. Still, she’s ( no longer ) one to force someone out of their job --- she will simply attempt to do the work behind the scenes. LEAST FAVORITE TYPE OF PERSON: She no longer likes the kind of person she once was --- haughty, snobbish, and full of themselves. Even in jest. The only way that shit’ll slide with her is if she knows them personally, or it’s fiction. PARENTAL TYPE(PROTECTIVE,ETC): Her parents were both extremely overprotective of her, a trait she fails to displace when she has children. They were very lenient with her as well, besides the whole ruining her early life, making her more prone to gently guiding her children without imposing her will onto them.

PERSONALITY ...WHEN YOU FIRST MEET THEM: Gentle. Friendly. Apprehensive. ...AS YOU KNOW THEM BETTER(AND THEY LIKE YOU): Excitable. Bubbly. Childish. ...AS YOU KNOW THEM BETTER(AND THEY DISLIKE YOU): Silent. Skeptical. Petty. FAVORITE COLOR: Lilac. FAVORITE FOOD: Tea and cream-filled pastries! FAVORITE ANIMAL: Cats, spiders. FAVORITE ELEMENT: Air. LEAST FAVORITE COLOR: Grey. LEAST FAVORITE FOOD: Eggs. LEAST FAVORITE ANIMAL: Shark. HOBBIES: Singing, dancing, shopping, and video gaming. USUAL MOOD: Sleepy. Calm. DRINK/SMOKE/DRUGS: Nope. DARK VERSION OF SELF: Octospy verse. LIGHT VERSION OF SELF: Her. Right now. HOW SERIOUS ARE THEY: Not very. She has become a lot more lenient, and instead prefers to crack jokes ( which is, also, her nervous habit ). CLASS IN AN RPG: Cleric, Mage. BELIEVE IN GHOSTS: Yes. (IN)DEPENDENT: Independent. VULNERABILITY: Hearing problems. Mentions of war. Divulged secrets. OPINION ON SWEARING: She still seldom curses, but it’s not as gasp-inspiring anymore. DAREDEVIL VS CAUTIOUS: Cautious. MUSIC TYPE: She’s fond of so many genres, provided it’s not ear-shattering. She can find the best in all types of music. MOVIE TYPE: So bad, it’s good / Romance / Thriller. BOOK TYPE: Adventure / Mystery / Romance. COMFORTABLE TEMPERATURE: About 65 F. SLEEPING PATTERN: Sleeps about 8-10 hours a day. CLEANLINESS/NEATNESS: Obsessively neat. DESIRED PET: Either a tarantula or a kitten. HOW DO THEY PASS TIME: Sleeping, or reading books. BIGGEST SECRET: She worked at a few underground night clubs specifically created to ogle the bodies of those hired. Make ends meet, y’know? HERO/WHO THEY LOOK UP TO: @candykraken !! WHAT ANIMAL WOULD THEY BE: Cat FEARS: Silence, large bodies of water, loneliness. COMFORTS: Sensory objects, tactility, sleeping.

HOW DO THEY REACT TO… DANGER: She tries to push out irrational thoughts and stand her ground. This doesn’t always work. SOMEONE THEY HATE WHO HAS A CRUSH ON THEM: Ignoring. Lots of ignoring. She’d make it look like it was unintentional; and then let the crush continue to fester. PROPOSAL TO MARRY: Lighting up! Squealing! Storm of kisses! Lots of touching. God knows her voice is going to reach killer wail levels of painful pitch. DEATH OF LOVED ONE: Wailing, violence, shutting down as a whole. Non-stop aggression. DIFFICULT GAME/MATH/ETC: Continue trying, nonstop---literally. Someone’s gonna have to intervene. INJURY: Whine and whimper. She’s not good at handling pain, no matter how used to it she is. SOMETHING IRRESISTIBLY CUTE: Lip biting. Grabby hands. Lighting up, again. Bouncing on her heels.

HISTORY BIOGRAPHY: [ CONTINUED FROM ORIGINAL ] 

Having overcome her self-inflicted duties of becoming a war-hero some day, Bonbon has dropped from the draft to, instead, put her dreams and aspirations on the front lines. With assistance and desperation, the girl is hired to start doing small performances when she’s twenty. Nothing means more to her than this.

Even her own dignity. As her agent comes to realize that she’s willing to do anything to achieve her goals, he quickly turns, being bitter that he himself is not in the spotlight as he once was. Setting her up with jobs that have a high chance of ruining her career, she manages to skate by unscathed --- much to his chagrin.

When Dustin enlists in her crew, he is even less enthused with how much attention the newcomer brings. Spiteful, her agent temporarily pulls him from the show, causing an uproar from the blossoming pop star and her fans. Their insistence brings him back --- but it breaks the final chord for the agent, who takes it out on Bon in private.

This assault, intended to kill, results in his death.

While court has settled that she never once touched him, and only harbors self-defense wounds, Bonbon herself remains dismayed. She’s... pretty sure she killed him. She did it --- and used the Killer Wail to do it. Traumatized, but not willing to admit it, her voice rarely rises to the point of her screams ( or any other such pitch ) again.

FIRST APPEARANCE: A mysterious, minuscule pinkling took a tournament by storm without even giving a word as to her age, rank, or background... and donated the proceeds to charity?

KNOWLEDGE LANGUAGES: Inkling, Sign Language, Human French, Written Octarian, Hylian. SCHOOLING LEVEL: College graduate. FAVORITE SUBJECT (S): Linguistics and Theatre. INTERESTED CAREERS: An idol in song and dance --- which she is, now! EXPERTISE: Theatre, Song and Dance. CHEMISTRY: B MATH: A LANGUAGE: A+ GEOGRAPHY: B POLITICS/LAW: B- COOKING: D MECHANICS: C BOTANY (FLOWERS): A+ MYTHOLOGY: A DRAMATICS(ACTING,SINGING): A+++

READING LEVEL: College graduate. HOW GOOD ARE THEY AT PLANNING AHEAD: Always have a plan!

ROMANCE . DO THEY TAKE INITIATIVE: Definitely. She’s very needy and you’ll know it immediately. HOW DO THEY ACT(SHY,ETC): While very avoidant when crushing, she’s super clingy and affectionate when dating. GENTLEMAN/LADYLIKE VS KLUTZY: Ladylike with a dash of klutzy. She shows her real side if she really trusts her partner, so they have to deal with a near 180 of the persona she shows on a daily basis. GO SLOW VS JUMP INTO: Jump into! She puts all her apples in one basket. PROTECTIVE: Extremely. She’s very feral and primitive at times. ACT LIKE FRIENDS OR LOVERS: Her lover has to be her best friend. WHAT KIND OF PRESENTS DO THEY BUY: She actively stalks her partner’s wishlists or things they see as they cruise around together, and has them anonymously delivered, as it she wasn’t obvious. If she hasn’t a clue, she’ll start sending dorky things she thinks are nice to try to gauge their interest. TYPE OF KISSER: She steals small kisses, before elongating them with lots of lip tugging. Definitely fond of it. The type to really get into it. DO THEY WANT KIDS: Not really, but can be easily persuaded. DO THEY WANT TO MARRY: Yes. MAKE GOOD OR BAD DECISIONS: She makes better decisions, thinking in respect of both herself and her partner. ARE THEY ROMANTIC: Yes, albeit cheesy and dorky deep down... HOW ARE THEY IN BED: She’s extremely affectionate, and prefers to be intimate with her partner for the long run. GET JEALOUS EASY: She no longer experiences the same anxiety she once did in relationships, and opts to trust her partner whole-heartedly. WIFE/HUBBY BEATER: No. MARRY FOR MONEY: click this. FAVORITE SEX POSITION: [REDACTED] WHAT WOULD HAPPEN ON THEIR DREAM DATE: A nice long exploration through untraveled territory---just the two of them. Lots of hand-holding, kisses, and cuddles. Good food would definitely seal the deal as the best date ever. OPINION ON SEX: She’s fucking thirsty.

#✧.° ⦙ ɪ ʟɪᴋᴇ ʜɪɢʜ ᴄʜᴀɴᴄᴇs ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴍɪɢʜᴛ ʟᴏsᴇ. — ❪ & dash games. ❫ #o candykraken if ur wondering why ur tagged but dont wanna actually read more #it was for who she looks up to #thats all !! spare urself lol

[willelbyers]

Fractures (just a crack in the glass)

Chapter 3

Summary: Everything is still a little fuzzy, still a little dark around the edges, but Will remembers something. Something that he wasn’t supposed to say, although he can’t recall why. She was here. Somewhere. In my dreams. Why? Something dangerous, he remembers. But he’s tired. So tired.

Pairings: Still not sure yet. I’m figuring it out as I go along. Lots of Will & El friendship.

Notes: It follows canon up until season 2 episode 2. Then I’m doing my own thing because I want these kids to be FRIENDS

For more of my stories, here is my Ao3 profile link and here is the link to this chapter over there. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 3: Will

November 1, 1984

It’s harsh and painful, the way air scrapes down his throat as he’s jolted back to consciousness. He can’t breathe. His mother—when did she get here?—shakes him, her fingers digging into his shoulders. There’s something cold in the pit of his stomach, something freezing pulsing behind his eyes. He shakes her off, cloudy, stumbling back.

“What—?” The word catches in his mouth, tripping over his thoughts. There’s too few and too many at the same time, and he doesn’t know where to start.

She steps toward him, but he shies away.

“Will,” Mike says, “what happened? Are you okay?” And that’s when Will realizes that his friends are there.

“I don’t know.”

All his friends, except for—

“El,” he says, the word falling out of his mouth.

Mike blinks like he’s been slapped, Max frowns, and Lucas and Dustin both freeze—Will can, strange, feel them holding their breath. No. This is too much.

His mother looks a little stunned. “Will, honey,” she starts, “I think I’m going to bring you home.”

“Wait!” Mike yelps before catching himself. He composes himself—Will knows him better than anyone, and watches (feels) him take a breath and calm his thoughts. “Will, wait. What did you just say?”

And everything is still a little fuzzy, still a little dark around the edges, but Will remembers something. Something that he wasn’t supposed to say, although he can’t recall why. She was here. Somewhere. In my dreams. Why? Something dangerous, he remembers. But he’s tired. So tired. “What?” he replies, his haziness lending his lie a hint of truth, and he feels his heart drop just a little as Mike’s hopeful look does, too.

He knows he scared them. He heard Max as his mother was leading him to the car—it freaked her out.

But his friends… they know it’s getting worse.

And his mother must know, too, because the whole car ride home she says nothing. She’s silent as she unlocks the door, she’s silent as she sits him down at the table, she’s silent as she fumbles for a cigarette and stares at him. Her eyes are concerned, but also afraid and angry. It doesn’t feel good to be under that glare—it’s like he’s a bug under glass.

She asks him to tell her what happened, and he can’t. He can’t. How does he explain that there was a cold, dark thing after him? How does he explain that Eleven, the girl who died last year, is the one who helped him understand? How does he explain that she visited him in his dreams? How does he explain that he feels like he’s underwater, like he’s drowning, like he hasn’t even really woken up yet?

How does anyone explain any of that?

So he tells her it all went blank, and then he woke up.

She sighs. “Will, I need you to tell me the truth.”

“I am!” he stutters half-heartedly.

She sighs again, stands up, and walks to the next room where she picks something up and marches back. It’s a sheet of wax paper with a drawing on it that isn’t his.

“This shape, I saw it on the video tape from Halloween. It’s the same shape as… as your drawing.”

He knows the drawing—the figure he’s seen in his dreams, the thing he saw in the field. The thing that makes him feel cold and fuzzy. He stares at the table.

She continues. “These episodes that you’re having, I think Dr. Owens is wrong. I think they’re real.” She gestures widely, the smoke from her cigarette billowing. He’s used to the smell, but something about this makes his nose hurt anyway. “But… but I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s going on. So you have to talk to me. Please. No more secrets, okay?”

He finally manages to meet her gaze, and he feels himself nod. He can’t—there’s too much to tell her, he can’t even begin to explain it all—but it can be a start.

“Okay,” she breathes. “Did… did you see this thing again on the field?”

He thinks back—his feet dragging as he ran, turning to face the monster. He nods. “Yes.”

Her eyebrows draw together. “Did… did you know it was after you?”

“Yes.” This is a more instinctual answer, one that pops out without even needing to think about it.

“Did anyone… tell you about it?” she asks, her tone slowing. Will knows hesitance when he hears it, and he knows why she’s asking. El.

“No,” he says. And this is a lie, because she told him about a dark thing, but even if everything is fuzzy the one thing that’s embedded in him is don’t tell.

She looks at him funny, but asks, “What… what is it?”

He tries to picture the monster, the mountain of shadows, but it’s too cloudy in his brain. “I don’t know. It’s…” He stutters to a stop, trying to gather his thoughts. “Almost more like… uh—a f-feeling?”
 “Like the one you had that night at the… the arcade?” she presses, and, oh, Will doesn’t know.

He remembers little bits of that night—the game, the snow, the lights flickering. He remembers staring up at the sky and seeing a storm, remembers Mike’s voice and the feeling of a pull from far away, remembers having an arm put around his shoulders as he was led back inside. He remembers feeling cold, although it was nothing like this.

He nods. “Yes.”

She shakes her head. “W-what… what does it want?”

He doesn’t know. He doesn’t know, El doesn’t know, he doesn’t know.

“I d-don’t know. It came for me… and… and I tried. I t-tried to make it go away.” His throat is tightening and it’s hard to breathe again, and he feels his eyes sting. “But it got me, Mom.”

He can see that she’s struggling, too. “Well, what does that mean?”

The tears finally push through and spill down, and he finally stops holding back. He remembers El’s voice in his head, turning loud and unfamiliar, as the shadows closed in. He remembers her presence vanishing, like they had been cut off, and having the darkness press in instead. He remembers what it felt like to be engulfed in it. “I felt it… everywhere. Everywhere.” It’s everything and everywhere, circling and surrounding him, and he can’t think straight and can’t hear El’s voice anymore and he’s so, so scared. “I—I still feel it…” A sob wracks his body and he leans into it, desperate. “I just want this to be over…”

Because hasn’t he gone through enough? Wasn’t being lost in a horrible dimension for a week a good enough punishment for whatever it is he did? Wasn’t being plagued by nightmares enough? Wasn’t hearing Eleven, only to lose her voice again, enough? Why does it never stop?

He falls forward and his mother’s arms wrap around him, and she whispers lies to him, over and over: “It’s okay. It’s okay.” She pulls back and takes his face into her hands. “Hey. Listen. Look, look at me. I will never, ever let anything bad happen to you ever again. Whatever’s going on in you, we’re gonna fix it. I will fix it. I promise. I’m here.” She hugs him again and he wants to tell her that he loves her but she can’t, she can’t promise things that she can’t do. Because she can’t fix it. No one can fix it, except for maybe one person.

His mother falls asleep almost immediately, arms wrapped around his middle, but Will searches. He looks for that link, that broken barrier between his and El’s minds. He sends out a signal, calling to her, but it sounds tinny and shallow in his own head. There’s no pit in his chest, like he would have expected if she was cut off, but it almost feels like the place she used to reside is filled by something else, something cold.

Nevertheless, he opens his eyes and finds himself standing in a dark place, water pooling around him.

“El?” he yells. Something moves in the corner of his eye, and he turns. There she is, standing still, staring at him, like she’s waiting for him. “El,” he says again, stepping forward.

Immediately, he crashes into something solid and is knocked onto his back. He groans and pushes himself to his feet, reaching out. This is different from the barrier, it looks nothing like glass or a mirror—it’s empty air, but solid. Like an invisible wall. He steps to the side, feeling around the barrier to see if there’s a gap, and then he hits another wall to his left.

A sinking feeling wells up in him. He turns and holds his hands out, stepping forward, and his hands meet another wall. All at once, he knows what the walls are doing.

“El!” he shouts. “I’m boxed in! Help!”

She just watches him, brow furrowed and head tilted as if she can’t hear him. He slams a hand against one of the walls, but it just bounces off—no cracks appearing like they did before. The clear box is surrounding him, he’s sure of it, but he doesn’t know how to get out.

Then there’s a splashing noise and he looks down. The water is to his ankles.

It wasn’t before, was it? he asks himself, and instinctively he knows it wasn’t. It had been just a thin layer on the floor, but now, within his box, it’s rising. Fear wells up in his chest.

“El!” he yells. “Help!”

And then, finally, she moves and his heart sinks. She raises her arms to the side, outstretched like she’s about to take off and fly, and then she dissipates into smoke. It’s not like the white smoke Will is familiar with here, the smoke he sees when they wake up and are pulled out of the In-Between, but thick black fog just like the kind that enveloped him in the field.

The smoke draws closer and closer until it’s circling his box, surrounding him, and the temperature drops until Will can see his breath. The water doesn’t freeze, doesn’t turn into ice, instead just sits at ankle-level until he squeezes his eyes shut and forces himself into his own eyes.

November 2, 1984

Will wakes up alone, but he can hear his mother talking in the hallway. The thrum of the electricity flowing to the phone lets him know that she’s making a call, and he lets himself float awake for a moment before standing up. His head throbs a little, and he tries to remember what he’d dreamt about—something about water. He can’t remember.

“Hey, how you feeling, sleepyhead?” his mom greets him gently, hanging up the phone a little more harshly than necessary. “Any better?”

Depends on what she means by better. He doesn’t feel any different than the day before, though, so he makes a noise of dissent.

“Same as last night?” she fills in. “Still weird?”

“Yeah,” he mumbles. He’s a little fuzzy still.

“Alright,” she sighs, sitting him down at the table and putting a hand to his head. She doesn’t seem to find anything wrong, so she runs to the bathroom and comes back with a thermometer. He holds it in his mouth as she checks her watch, and then she pulls it out with a reassuring grin. As soon as she looks at it, however, she frowns a little.

“Is it a fever?” he asks.

Her expression is unreadable. “No. Uh, actually, it’s cold. Do you feel cold?”

“No,” he replies, because he doesn’t. “Just little… out of it. Like I haven’t really woken up yet.” She looks at him, clearly concerned, and he draws back. “You promised no doctor.”

“And I meant it,” she assures quickly. “No doctor. You know what?” She smiles. “I’m gonna run you a nice warm bath and it’ll warm you up and hopefully get you feeling better. How’s that sound, okay?”

He walks into the bathroom and immediately something stings. It’s like all the warm steam that hangs around hot water is suddenly pure lava, burning into him. He tentatively steps closer to the water and has to physically hold back a hiss, because it’s too hot. He pulls out the drain and calls for his mother.

“I can cool it down a little bit, baby, but we gotta get your body temp back up,” she sighs as she sticks a finger into the draining water.

And then it’s like something cold is slithering up his throat, tightening a vise around his brain. “No,” he hears himself say, short and simple and definitive.

His mom looks at him, startled. “What?”

And suddenly Will knows what to say, even if he really doesn’t: “He likes it cold.”

Thanks for reading, everyone! The next chapter should be up really soon. Again, here is my Ao3 profile, and I’ll be back soon! Reviews are, as always, appreciated!

~Logan

#stranger things #stranger things s2 #will byers #joyce byers #mike wheeler #eleven #el hopper #jane hopper #jane ives #max mayfield #fanfic #fanfiction #logan writes stranger things stuff #fractured glass story #<--story tag