#eddie ain't letting his man go that easily

[lavenderstobins]

Wayne Adopts Robin | pt 2

[part 1]

Before anything else, Wayne needs to call Eddie.

Robin's still curled up on the couch, now barely visible under his jacket. Eddie's at band practice at Tony's place and has been for most of the day; there's still a few hours 'til he expects him home, but Wayne's aware that he might not be in the most... sound of mind.

'Band practice', Wayne has learned, covers anything and everything related to spending time with the band, whether they play or not. With no current upcoming performances, they're usually just hangouts, and hangouts that often have Eddie coming home red-eyed and giggly.

He doesn't mind it. He does think that if Eddie comes home stoned to find a random girl in their trailer he might have an aneurysm.

The number comes to him easily enough. Tony's Dale's kid, God rest his soul, and the phone number is burned into his memory from long-ago fishing trips.

The phone rings once before a voice answers. Linda, Dale's wife. A nice woman, known to be a gossip. They exchange pleasantries, then Linda's yelling for Tony to pass the phone to Eddie, and the background noise changes.

Tony, he can hear, is telling Eddie that he's calling, and Eddie, who is definitely stoned, answers eloquently with "Wha?"

"Dude, the phone."

"Huh? No thanks."

There's a snort, and someone else cackles. Wayne's pretty sure it's Jeff.

"It's your uncle, man." Tony's voice is higher-pitched than usual. Ah, to be a teenager again. "Mom's put it through for you. Answer... the... phone."

There's some rustling, and then—

"Wayne!" Eddie all but shouts. "Pleasant eve, my good sir!"

There's a giggle, then someone in the background says, "Oh, god, he's gone medieval again."

"Eddie?" He hesitates, glancing back to where Robin's sleeping. He lowers his voice. "You okay, boy?"

"Uncle Wayne, I could not be more magnificent." Another rustle and a quiet thud. Wayne dreads to think what's happening. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Ed," he starts, then stops, shifting. What even should he say? He needs to tell him about Robin being here, but as he glances back to her sleeping form, he can already feel that her presence ain't gonna be temporary. If her mom's kicked her out, she won't have anywhere to go, and he'll be damned if he lets a kid end up shivering on the streets. "You think you'd be okay with a sister?"

The other end is quiet. Then there's a loud thump, an even louder groan, and an explosion of laughter from presumably the rest of the band.

"Not soft," Eddie mumbles. "Fuckin— imposter rug."

Wayne clears his throat.

"You fucking moron," a voice chips in, feminine this time, which means it's Felicity. "That rug is almost as flat as your ass."

Eddie squawks indignantly. Wayne sighs, a small smile tugging at his lips despite it.

"Eddie." He waits for Eddie's answering hum. "Did you hear me?"

"Nope," he says, cheery as ever. "What did you say?"

"I said, how would you feel about havin' a—a sister of sorts around?"

There's a beat of silence. He's about to repeat himself, when—

"You're PREGNANT?" Eddie shouts.

Quieter, Wayne can hear Jeff's voice, "Wait, isn't he talking to Uncle Wayne?"

"No, Eddie—"

"YOU SLY DOG! YOU DIDN'T USE PROTECTION? AFTER ALL THE LECTURES YOU GAVE ME ABOUT IT?"

"Alright, that's enough, buddy." Jeff's calm tone takes over, growing louder a moment later. "Hi, Uncle Wayne. Uh, don't mind Eddie, he's..." There's a pause in which he seems to be trying to find the right words.

Eddie's voice booms again, far too close to the receiver. "Jeff, Jeff! Tell Wayne I want to name her Arwen!"

"... I don't know what he is," Jeff finishes. "Um, he'll be fine before he goes home, I promise. We, ah—We didn't expect your call."

"It's fine, son." Wayne stifles his own laugh. "I'll wait until he's home. You, uh, enjoy your night now."

"Yes, sir," Jeff says politely. Distantly, he can hear the sounds of a scuffle and more giggling.

Wayne hangs up, shaking his head fondly. He only hopes that Eddie does sober up before he gets home, or the conversation's going to be very difficult.

He's gonna need another coffee.

#wayne adopts robin au #stranger things #wayne munson #eddie munson #jeff stranger things #unnamed freak stranger things #corroded coffin #robin buckley #my fics #my writing #st fic #st ficlet #my aus

[panickedpenguin]

They're in the upside down, cold and bloody and not yet sure how to escape. But with the last attack comes a familiar face gripping hard onto a hatchet.

"Billy?" Steve breaths, glancing back at Nancy to make sure she could see him too, that he isn't hallucinating.

"Yeah?" Billy says, eyes roving over their stained clothes and lack of weapons. "And who the fuck are you?"

Steve blinks, confused. "Steve? Steve Harrington."

The name gets no reaction at all, just Billy's blank face, pale and intense. The others look between themselves, Robin stepping closer to Steve and Eddie giving a half shrug. Steve tries again," We went to high school together, man. You kicked my ass at basketball."

"High school?" Billy sneers, "When was that, a hundred years ago? Look around dumbass, this place is dead."

"What?"

"What?" Eddie chimes in.

"Did he get hit on the head?" Robin asks.

"Billy," Nancy says, going for gentle though her voice still shakes. She moves forward, a placating hand put up between them. "This isn't the real world. We call it the upside down, a world parallel to ours. We came in through a gate and can get back home through another one."

"How did you get here?" Steve wonders aloud.

Billy stands very still, not quite having lowered his hatchet from a fighting stance. His eyes followed Nancy's every move and now they snap to Steve.

"I've been here a while. Long as I can remember," he says. Something on Steve's face must alert him to something because he then shrugs and turns to walk away.

"Wha-"

"Hey!"

"Billy! Where are you going!"

Billy doesn't answer, just keeps moving, hiking his backpack higher and stepping easily around the vines splayed across the ground. The four teenagers follow after him, confused and skeptical and, in Eddie's case, picking dirt out of his teeth.

"Hargrove, wait," Steve demands, rushing to his side. "We know eachoth-"

"My name ain't Hargrove. Stop following me."

"Not--" Steve stutters, nearly trips and then shouts, "We know eachother! We're- I mean we weren't friends but- we went to school together and we traded Max back and forth a lot and we stole eachothers cigarettes and-" This wasn't working, Steve realizes as Billy only continues walking with eyes searching ahead. Steve sees a fresh scar across his ear and remembers-

"Look!" Steve jumps in front of Billy, cutting off his march and getting a hatchet raised over his head. "Look!" He yells, holds his hair up, brandishing his forehead for Billy to see. "You gave me this scar. November 6th, 1984, at Joyce Byers' house. You smashed a plate over my head cause I was hiding your sister and wouldn't let her leave."

Billy blinks twice and then bares his teeth, growling out, "I'll give you a matching fucking scar for keeping some girl locked up you disgusting bitch!"

"It was because of the monsters! It wasn't safe because the monsters were out there, in the real world-"

"Steve was keeping Max and the kids safe, Billy," Nancy calls from behind them, finally having caught up. "You didn't know about the upside down or the monsters, so Steve was trying to protect you too."

"Protect me?" Billy scoffs, curling his lip. "What a fucking prince."

"Pretty sure what they're saying is true, man." Eddie says, watching how Billy grips his hatchet. "I knew you for like, a year before you died, and I didn't know shit about this crazy place until yesterday."

Steve didn't know if this was turning into a convincing argument, even as he sees something come over Billy's face. His eyes widen and he puts away his teeth.

"I died?" He asks.

Fuck.

#billy doesnt remember a thing while traipsing around the upside down being a badass #the fruity four show up and want to bring him home #billy hargrove #steve harrington #harringrove #mungrove #whatever #stranger things

[ilovecupcakesandtea]

Chapter one My master list

Title: Chapter ten - COMPLETED!

Word Count: 1422

Archive Warnings: Smut in future chapters. Slight angst. Alcohol misuse.

Rating: E

Pairing(s): Eddie Munson/Steve Harrington Robin Buckley/Chrissy Cunningham

Character(s): Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington, Robin Buckley, Chrissy Cunningham, Benny, Uncle Wayne & The Party

Tags: Smut. Angst. Steddie. Buckingham. Steve Harrington. Eddie Munson. Robin Buckley. Chrissy Cunningham. Band AU. TW Alcohol use.

Summary (optional): Two different styles of music, two boys that really don't like each other. What could possibly go wrong?

Beta Reader: Thank you so much to my beautiful beta readers @slippy-slip @ladydarklord & @dontwasteyourchances

Art link and credit: Art is by the wonderfully talented @pink-luna-moth (as is the banner)

Fic link and credit: Ao3 Link

AN: First off thank you to Alex for the art and being just amazing to work alongside. Thank you to Slip for dragging me back from the edge so many times over this. I really am so excited to have this out here!!

I wrote this for the @strangerthingsreversebigbang event and had a lot of fun doing so!!

Divider links: reblog and music notes

“Good morning baby, time to wake up, my sweet prince. Today’s the day.” Eddie whispered into his boyfriend’s ear on the morning of the Madison Square Garden show. 

“Mmm morning sunshine, it really is. Can’t wait.” He smiled back. “Shall we have room service breakfast in bed that we completely ignore and then head down to the pool for a bit?” he asked, leaning up to kiss the other man. 

“Sounds like a good idea to me, sweetheart” Eddie replied between kisses. 

The two ordered room service and spent the following couple of hours eating and tangled with each other in the sheets before heading down and joining everyone down at the pool area. 

The party had travelled to New York the day before, ready to be at the show that night. 

“I’d ask why you’re so late to join us all but the obvious bruises on you both give it away,” Robin remarked by way of a greeting as the two men approached the group. 

“Good morning to you as well Buckley, let's not pretend you’re sweet and innocent, your marks are just hidden” Eddie replied, flipping her off before settling onto a sun lounger. 

The group spent the rest of the morning and into the midafternoon playing in the pool and relaxing. They had lunch by the pool and around 2 pm all retired to their suites to get ready to head to sound check. As the hours ticked by, the nerves and the excitement grew. By the time it was time to get into the car to head to the venue, Eddie couldn’t sit still. In the car, Steve placed one of his hands in Eddie’s and Eddie spent the car ride playing with Steve’s hand and fingers and had calmed a lot by the time they arrived. 

“Where's my sweetheart?” Eddie shouted running across the stage to where his guitar was sitting. “Did they treat you properly?” he asked, looking over his baby. 

“Boy, you know there ain't a damn scratch on it that you didn't put there yourself,” Wayne said, shaking his head. 

Eddie’s uncle joined the band for their most important gigs because Eddie wanted to make sure his sweetheart was perfectly in tune for those nights, and Wayne had been the one to teach him how to play by ear. He also knew that it made Wayne feel better doing something for the band after Eddie had bought him and Scott a house as soon as he could afford it.

The whole group ran towards Wayne giving him hugs. He had become the uncle to the whole group, not just Eddie. 

Sound check went without any issues and by the time 5:30 rolled around there was nothing to do but get ready and wait to go on stage. 

The support band, The All-American Rejects,  went on at half past 7 and the band stood as close as they could to watch them. 

“Holy shit, they were amazing! How do we follow that?” Robin panicked. 

“Easily birdie, we’re just as good as those guys, okay?” Chrissy soothed pulling Robin into her. 

“Those fans are here for us. That’s all we need to remember. They’re here for us.” Eddie rushed out, sounding anxious. 

Taking to the stage 20 minutes later, a calm seemed to come over them all. Standing on a stage and playing for an audience is something that they had done countless times in the last almost two years. This, they knew how to do. The size of the venue and crowd, paired with the magnitude of what they were doing, meant very little when they started to play. 

“Wow! You guys are loud!” Eddie laughed, “That’s awesome! Can you keep it up for the next couple hours?” The crowd screamed in response. 

“How fucking awesome were The All-American Rejects though?” Chrissy asked, “I want to thank them for joining us tonight and being the most amazing support band we could have asked for!” 

“Come on guys, these people didn’t pay for chit-chat, they paid to rock out so let's go!” Steve said before counting them into the next song. 

Looking around at the band as he was singing and playing with them, Eddie couldn’t help but notice how happy they all were. Smiles beaming bigger than ever and sweat already starting to drip down their bodies. 

Eddie was glad he had chosen to pair his leather pants and heavy boots with a mesh top, showing off most of his tattoos and most importantly, keeping him a little cooler. 

Turning around, he was greeted with the sight of his boyfriend playing the drums with so much energy that his hair was flying everywhere, long stripes of green hair catching the lights and making him look like a rock god. The lights flicking off the chest harness that he was also wearing caught Eddie’s eye and almost distracted him from his performance. 

Chrissy was being very daring with how she was moving around the stage given how short her neon pink miniskirt was. She hoped the tape that was keeping her black sequin star top, which was basically a bikini top, in place was good, she did not want that kind of exposure. 

The energy coming back at the band was off the charts, their own songs were being sung back at them, something that Robin would never get used to. 

There was a relatively big moshpit going and the whole arena was so loud. 

It was so warm, one and a half hours in and Robin’s crop top and cargo pants were sticking to her, but she could not be happier. 

The atmosphere when the band came off stage was eclectic. Water bottles were handed to each of them and they drank them down in seconds. 

“That was the most amazing experience of my life” Eddie declared as they walked into their dressing room. 

“I’d be offended if I didn’t agree with you” Steve laughed, pulling his boyfriend into a passionate kiss. 

“Urg no fucking in the dressing room” Robin gagged. 

“Again,” Chrissy chirped in as Robin shuddered at the memory. 

“Oh Bobbin, you know I love you too” Steve laughed, placing a sloppy wet kiss on her cheek with an over-exaggerated kissing noise

“Yeah, yeah sure, whatever you say dingus.” she laughed and pushed him away. 

The band all got showered and changed before heading back over to catering for something else to eat and a few drinks with the party and a few friends and family that had been invited to see them play. 

“I just want to say I’m so proud of you all,” Chrissy’s mom Rachel said as they sat down in the catering area. “You’ve all worked so hard to make this dream happen and in such a short amount of time” 

“Couldn’t have done it without you, Rach,” Steve responded to her, raising his beer bottle in her direction. 

The excitement from the show rolled over for most of the evening. There was a buzzing in the air with everyone talking about it and showing pictures that had been taken by various people on various cameras. Claudia had brought Dustin a brand new one for the occasion. 

The party went on for a couple more hours before people started to head off for the evening. 

It was at this point that Eddie decided to take a moment to himself and excused himself to smoke a joint, something he only did every so often and definitely not at any of the parties they had started to be invited to as a band. 

“I really can't believe we made it here” Chrissy sighed as she leaned against the wall that Eddie was smoking by. 

“I know, I can’t either. Imagine if us from 5 years ago, could see us now. No shitty job, no daydreaming. We’ve been able to buy those we love houses. We’ve got amazing partners that we both love.” He smiled, taking another drag of his cigarette. 

“Really proud of you though, I’m so glad you found someone that can not only put up with your shit but actually keep you in line.” The blonde laughed. 

“And you found someone to keep up with your princess ass” the metalhead responded with a laugh of his own. 

“We both did ok didn’t we?” She smiled. “I’ll see you back in there in a minute ok” she added, squeezing his arm before she left. 

“This is where you are,” the voice of Steve came from behind him as he was throwing the cigarette butt in the dumpster. 

“Hey sweetheart, miss me already” Eddie grinned, pulling the other man close, kissing him deeply. 

“Mmm, I really did,” the other man replied, getting even closer with another kiss. “Let’s head home shall we?” he suggest

#eddie munson #steve harrington #stranger things #steddie #robin buckley #steve x eddie #steddie fanfic #steddie fanfiction #buckingham #tw smut #smut #tw alcohol

[keefsteef]

AIN'T TALKIN BOUT LOVE - EP. 1

Citizens of Vanhalenville, WELCOME to Ain't Talkin Bout Love - a pile of rambling that I'm pretending is my podcast, where we talk about ANYTHING but love for our creatures 👺

Just kidding... obviously I love them down lmaooo. This'll be a lighthearted situation type deal. To get this disclaimer out the way, I am not anti David anti Sammy or anti Gary, I'm pro them all, so if I happen to be ripping into Samuel (which I will be 🤣,)that is not a testimony of me believing in David superiority blah blah blah, they're all gonna GET THE SMOKE if necessary. (Especially DAVID 🤣)

🙄. The fact I even have to disclaim that makes me chuckle but you know how it e-is , you always get a select few that suddenly possess all-knowing oracle powers and can tell you who you hate or don't hate 🔥🧠🔥‼️

ANYWAY let's get this shitshow on the road, hello I'm Raeyeon, call me Rae...or if calling me keefsteef tickles your tingle fine🤩... whatever works🤩...

TODAY, we'll be chatting about one of the possible reasons for the notorious "Alexander doesn't speak to Samuel" ordeal that quite frequently makes blog cameos in the form of some snarky joke. But really, it's hard to chuckle at as a citizen of alexanderopolis, because that just means he'll keep hiding from us 😭 kiss seeing him playing drums in the sun GOODBYE, BELOVED...

So to briefly recap it if you aren't aware, Samuel wants to do a reunion (yes, I know without Edward it'd be extremely bittersweet, but nonetheless still a nice tribute) but Mr. Alexander Arthur Van Halen is NOT DOWN FOR IT, and will not return any emails or calls.

I know we can easily put grieving at responsibility for this,which at this point I'm sure is the case, but correct me if I'm wrong, Samuel hadn't been keeping in contact with Alexander even when Edward was still around. I knowwww obviously the drama over the leaving of the band has a huge role, but here are MY PERSONAL SPECULATIONS 😩‼️

Samuel, beloved...I'm not delusional enough to think you'd read this, but talking in the pov that you are...there's plainly things you KEEP TO YOURSELF when you expect to keep a friendship.

The majority of us are probably aware of his book called RED where he spills tea (a bit too much tea in my opinion 😩) and what not, the extreme of it regarding Edward and his drug usage. I also saw the way he went about it to be quite insensitive, it almost felt like a haha let's laugh at this crackhead type of storytelling than a "gee eddies far gone and I feel bad".

I'm SURE he meant it to be more of a feel bad situation, but he's human, humans fuck up and make mistakes.

This was a big fuck up lmaooo. We KNOW Alexander loves his brother, and I personally think that he's well enough of a grown man to not hold a silly grudge over leaving...quitting... kicking out, whatever drama. (I've already shared my THOUGHTS on that fiasco 😭)

I think he's refusing to contact Samuel, because he's probably hurt about the way he aired Edward out.

I would be too. I wouldn't want to talk to anyone that seemed to kick my blood when they were down. Samuel is an INTELLIGENT MAN, so every time I hear him go "lol idk why he won't call me back"

BELOVED 👺👺👺👺🔪🔪🔪🔪, DON'T ACT DENSE!

Obviously...I am a stranger and obviously this is my observative opinion, Samuel could've apologized to Alexander already and in Taurus fashion he pulled a "forgiveness granted, trust and friendship denied" move, but if that's not the case...

SAAAAMMMUELLLLL needs to stop trying to force a music reunion, and instead needs to invite Alexander to Cabo and talk things out man to man. (And maybe take selfies for vanhalenville 😩😩🤩💅🏽🤪)

Neither of them are getting any younger, and it just saddens me to think of the possibility they'll never talk again. But yeah, I see that Samuel has quite the tendency to enjoy opening his mouth and sharing stories...but he really needs to have a bit more awareness about the type of stories he shares.

I'm sure there's things to talk about without getting all down and dirty and personal. Take notes from Michael Anthony 😩‼️

Anyway...this was quite a WAY TO KICK OFF WASN'T IT 🤣. I've been wanting to have a little chitter chatter about this for the longest time, but I wanted to sort of establish myself as a blog first so I wouldn't get "you hate Sammy" accusations 😭

I loooove Mr. Red Rockers curly headed self, but he for real needs to quit playing these games and make things right. An apology, if he's already given it, means nothing when you continue to do what you apologized for.

THANKS FOR TUNING IN 🤩❤️, NEXT we'll talk about Mr. Diamond David Gigolo Tarzan Atomic Punk Whoever Whatever Lee Roth!

I've got some interesting things to expand on about him...word in the STREETS is on the 1978 tour, he was really just a cute cozy little bookworm and all that hooping blabber mouth persona was just that... A persona.

MUAH!

#classic rock #van halen #aint talkin bout love blogcast

[wisefoxluminary]

Steddie Week Day 7

Prompt: The Last of Us AU

Inspired by episode three of The Last of Us, specifically the song Long Long Time by Linda Ronstadt.

Word count: 2212

---

Eddie is used to being alone. Every since the world went to shit, he kept himself guarded like a fortress. He prepared himself for a calamity like this all his life. Others always saw him as a freak or a poison that could easily be avoided. Eddie found escape in his fantasy world, where he could protect himself from the outside world around him, a place that was cruel and unforgiving. The world burned down like the wraith of Tiamat. Eddie only came out of the cracks of a fallen civilisation and made it his own. His kingdom. He was always denied control, so now that infected wandered the earth, he had the authority to fight back.

"I'm not infected"

What made him question everything was the sound of a person's voice coming from his pit. He hadn't been part of his flock for quite sometime, hell he ain't seen anyone for four years. Eddie had a shotgun held tightly in his hands, he stares down at the ground in the hopes of catching this intruder before he stood.

"Are you armed?" Eddie ordered, keeping his gun carefully trained on the pit. There was an oddly long pause between them as the man in the pit spoke up.

"No"

"Why did you take that long to answer?"

"I don't know. I thought about lying for some reason but..... a reason never came...."

Eddie walks cautiously towards the edge of the pit, then quickly aims down and sees a young man at the bottom of the pit. Filthy, thin and scared. He has his hands up, fearful for his life.

"I'm just trying to get to Chicago"

"Alone?"

"We started with ten....so yeah I'm alone."

"From where?"

"Pittsburgh QZ. It's gone. You heard of the fireflies?" Eddie nods. Of course he does. "They fought FEDRA, then raiders came in....the whole thing fell apart. There's rumours the same thing happened in Dallas and Sacramento...."

"That’s true. Are you hurt?"

The man shakes his head with a firm no. Eddie paces for the moment, trying to fight back the urge to stare. He took pity in this man. No one would leave someone so dignified out here to die. He walks away from the pit without a word. The man hopelessly flops his head against the dirt wall of the pit. "Fuck" he groaned, overcome with worry that he was going to be stuck down here.

He closes his eyes, taking in slow breathes as a way of calming his stressed state. He looks up to see a ladder sliding down to his aid. The young man doesn't waste a second and climbs to safety.

At the top of the pit, Eddie waits for him with a surly look, a gun in one hand and a FEDRA scanner in the other. The man is about to walk into dry land when a hand stops him.

"Stop there" Eddie begins to scan the young man.

"Is that real? How did you get that?" He asked, assertive.

Eddie doesn't answer his needless questions. He just waits for green to flash on the screen. He isn't infected. He gestures with his gun for the young man to come over, sending him off on his travels.

"Chicago's that way. You can make it by nightfall"

"I'm really hungry. I haven't ate in two days....that doesn't sound very long out loud, does it. It feels long"

I'm letting you go, so go!"

"Alright...first, my name's Steve...."

"Oh yeah, well here's the thing, Steve. If I feed you, then every wastrel you talk to about it is gonna show up here looking for a free lunch, and this isn't an Arby's."

"Arby's didn't have free lunch. It was a restaurant. Look, I won't talk about it with any bums, hobos or vagabonds. I promise. You already know I'm bad at lying"

The two of them stand there silently in the meadow, having a staring contest. Steve quietly waits to see what happens, a hopeful glint in his eyes. Eddie...well, Eddie was dealing with something else at the moment. Feelings long buried.

Steve's dashing face. The face of a knight in shining armour. Steve runs a hand through his still-great hair, polished and lustrous as he wipes all of the sweat away from his eyes. Eddie had to force himself to look away. He was used to being the subject of scrunity at the hands of others. Humans were the worst kind of pests, worse than infected. Despite all the assholes he had to deal prior to the apocalypse, Steve was the only one who seemed innocent, the kind as his uncle used to say, would do no good. Eddie got the impression he could trust him. But the thing about forcing yourself to look away is that's just as noticeable as staring and that's when Steve knows he's going to get a free lunch....

---

The sound of a shower echoes through a slightly ajar door. Eddie had given up a spare bedroom so Steve had a place to clean up. He enters the bedroom with clothes he had neatly picked from his collection and looks at the door. He was nervous. He couldn't lie to himself any longer.

"I left some clothes for you" Eddie said shakily.

"What?"

"CLOTHES!"

"Thank you, I'm almost done....Can I have five more minutes?"

"Sure....Sure"

"Thank you! This is amazing!

Eddie stands rooted to the floor like a tree. Steve is in there, just beyond that door. The thought of him being inside that shower, all wet and soapy. Jesus Christ? What the fuck is wrong with him?

Eddie prepares his formal dining table for a meal for two. He heads into the kitchen, which worked as both a foyer and a parlor. A grandfather clock was ticking softly behind him.

Steve sits alone at the end of the dining table, wearing Eddie's crisp clothes, scrubbed clean with his once messy hair swept back. He studies the table keenly. China. Silverware. Wine glasses and linen napkins. This man has got interesting taste.

He gets up and strides towards the mantle, curiosity getting the better of him. There was no photos. He swipes a finger across the dusty interior. In this house, many things get attention and many things do not. Steve made sure to make a mental note of that one.

The door to the kitchen swings open as Eddie catches Steve out of his seat and looking around. Steve hustles back to his seat as Eddie puts his plate down carefully. He was clearly inexperienced with serving meals.

Eddie takes the seat fully opposite from Steve, and puts his plate down. He takes the bottle of wine he stowed under his left arm and thunks it onto the table.

Steve stares at his plate in shock. Rabbit leg confit, haricot verts, cherry tomatos, sweet potato puree. He feels like he's living the dream. He looks up at Eddie, grateful for the dish. He tucks in, shoving a chunk of rabbit into his mouth. He barely swallows it. He is drowning in ecstasy. It is like he had just walked into the gates of heaven and was blessed by the sweet lord.

"What...the fuck." Steve chewed, joy in his voice. Eddie wasn't used to such praise.

"Everything tastes good when you're starving" Eddie said blankly.

"Yeah. But not like this...my god!"

Eddie uncorks the red bottle. He walks over to Steve and pours him a glass. Steve sidewayses his head to read the label.

"A man who knows how to pair rabbit with a Beaujolais"

"I know I don't seem the type"

Steve perks his head at Eddie, looking at him with warm eyes.

"Nah, ya do"

Steve gives him a little smile, toasting his wine to the man that gave him sanctuary. Eddie could feel his heart flutter at the small action, trying to fight back against the longing in his lonely soul. Steve takes a mouthful of the wine, savouring its tastes.

He swallows it all in, letting the bliss and joy run through him. He looks at Eddie with more than appreciation, a strong feeling of pleasure in his eyes.

Eddie watches Steve eat the last of his food nervously, fiddling with strands of his hair.

"I have more, if..."

"I can't. I want to, believe me. But...Whoa...thank you, thank you"

"You're welcome" the response comes awkwardly out of Eddie's mouth as he can't help but to look into Steve's sunset eyes.

"So I guess I'll be going then..." Steve turns his head away from the table. Something else has caught his attention. "But first..."

Steve rushes towards the parlor. Eddie follows, confused by the sudden change.

Steve walks towards a Warlock N.J. Series angled in the corner of the parlor. It's a bit dusty. A red leopard print design engraved on its electric body.

"I've been staring at this the whole time. Which model?"

"B.C Rich"

"Wow, you know how much these are worth?"

"Currently, nothing..."

Steve opens up a cardboard box, pulling out a stack of sheet music. Eddie wants to protest but Steve takes stride.

"Black Sabbath? Metallica? Yuck, these aren't yours..."

"There mine. Could you not --"

Steve flips through the pages, taking in all of its music sheets with fascination. He puts them down and grabs one he is most familiar with. He holds up Best of Linda Ronstadt.

"That belonged to my uncle..." Eddie said, trying to get the book back but Steve swats it into his hands, flipping through the pages.

"This is you. Oh my god, my favourite!"

Before Eddie can stop him, Steve sits and flops the book open. He lifts the guitar into his hands and begins to play.

It's not quite as good as Eddie had hoped. It was more upbeat than the actual song. Steve is more confident than talented. But it's okay at least, until he starts singing.

"Love will abide. Take things in stride" Steve sings as Eddie's eyes go wide with embarrassment. Steve is pretty much tone deaf.

"Sounds like good adviiiii...." Eddie snatched the music sheet before Steve can continue. To stop his memory of the song being tainted by Steve's god awful crooning.

"No!"

Steve stops playing, going quiet like a ill behaved child getting detention.

"No, no, no. Not that song. No!"

"Well, I'm not a professional..."

"Neither am I, but..."

Eddie realises he's fucked up now. Too late. Steve gently passes him his guitar, giving him an opportunity to show off his skills. Eddie takes a nervous gulp and takes the instrument reluctantly off Steve's hands. He moves aside to give him some space. Steve gives him this nod, like he wants Eddie to take over and be his teacher.

"Show me, and then I'll leave"

Goddammit, fine. Eddie sits down, guitar draped in his hands. Steve shrugs, hoping for the best. Well?

Eddie begins to play, his fingers softly strumming the cords. He begins to play it slow as Steve can tell it'll already be good. Eddie starts to sing, it's fucking glorious. Every word is heartbreaking and perfect. His voice was beautiful and melancholic, a voice who had witnessed too much tragedy and pain. A man who had been alone most of his life.

Love will abide

Take things in stride

Sounds like good advice

And there's no one at my side

And time washes clean

Love's wounds unseen

That's what someone told me

But I don't know what it means

Cause' I've done everything I know

To try to make you mine

And I think I'm gonna love you

A long long time

Eddie stops playing. He looks up at Steve, stunned, his eyes wet with tears. He wipes them away, deeply moved by his performance.

"Who's the girl? The one you're singing about"

"There is no girl"

"I know..."

Steve leans down and locks Eddie into a kiss. Eddie freezes, unsure how to reciprocate such love. He rises to his feet so Steve isn't stooped over. He kisses him back, unable to fight against the love swelling in his heart any longer. He hasn't been together with someone like this in a long time. Maybe he finally needs to come out of shadows.

The kiss ends after what felt like an eternity as Eddie looks at Steve for the first time with a new lense. It was like seeing God.

"What's your name?"

"Eddie"

"Go take a shower, Eddie"

In that moment, Eddie knew his heart belonged with Steve. He had been scared of love for so long. He always fought for others' respect, for people to understand him rather than perceive him as a long haired freak. Eddie was a metalhead who carried so much secrets to this name. He always suppressed his sexuality in fear of being judged. That's why he hid away from the world, to get away from society's norms. Steve was the first person after all these years who didn't judge him, who saw him as the man he was and not as how others saw him. He made him feel like his life mattered. He found someone he was going to spend the rest of his life with. He wasn't going to be alone anymore. As the song said, love will abide...

#steddie week #stranger things #steddie #eddie munson #steve harrington #steve x eddie #the last of us au #a long long time

[iamknicole]

Like Mother

HAHN not so AU Fic

Treasure laid across her bed watching television until her phone rung. She thought about ignoring it in case it was Marco but looked just in case. Slowly, her smile grew wide when she saw her Daddy's picture and name. She answered excitedly putting the call on speaker.

"Hey, Daddy!"

"Hey, beautiful. How's my favorite girl?"

She laughed. "I'm... I'm okay, Daddy. How are you?"

"Nope, don't like that pause. What's going on?"

She sighed picking at her nails.

"Marco. He's annoying me."

A low chuckle escaped him. "Why is he even still around? You showed him that you are your mother's child and he's still trying."

"Don't know, Daddy. I turned down his date invitation to talk things out then he invited himself over here."

Mitch mumbled a few things under his breath.

"I know that your uncles and Caleb are there and you know me, your mom and your other dad like to let you handle things yourself but if need be, I can be there."

"No, no. It's bad enough Dad is gonna be here. The two of you together are far worse," she laughed.

"Thank you. We try," he chuckled. "But if you change your mind Daddy's always here. Other than that boy, everything okay?"

"Yeah everything is good. Oh, Dad wanted to know are you gonna go to the game with him?"

"Tell him I'll be there. I gotta go but I love you sweetheart."

"Love you back, Daddy."

As they were ending their phone call, there was a knock at the door and the doorbell went off. Cameron, Zion, Eddie and Benny sat around the living room with confused faces. Everybody that was supposed to be there just walked in so this was someone without an invite. They didn't like guests coming without an invite.

"I'll grab my gun," Eddie shrugged.

Zion laughed hurrying to get up. "Nope, I got it. If I need you, I'll call."

Again, Eddie shrugged, "Still gonna get it anyway."

Zion's laughter stopped when he laid eyes on the person on the other side of the door.

Marco.

Marco and his smug smile.

Chuckling, Zion leaned against the doorframe.

"What ya ass want? Cause it damn sure ain't my niece."

He chuckled attempting to step in, only to be pushed back by Zion. "Are we gonna do this every time I come over? I'm practically your nephew."

"Look like your eye healed up pretty good. I need to teach her to hit a little harder, maybe you'll get the message then."

"As I told my girlfriend, violence is never the answer, Uncle."

"It's gon be if you don't get the hell away from this house," Cameron threatened as he approached the door. "Take your ass on, little boy. No thank you, we don't want anything you got."

Marco shook his head. "No. I didn't come here to see any of you, I came to see Treasure and she knows I'm coming. Just take a deep breath, step back and let me through."

"Yo who the fu," Cameron started before Zion cut him off.

"Eddie! B! Come 'ere!" He yelled out.

Just as they approached the door, Treasure came running down the stairs. She ran to the door as she called for Caleb. After attempting to push them apart to get to the front didn't work, she huffed and called for him once more.

Eddie glared at the boy. "You got a lot of nerve showing your face over here. You must want me to shoot you. That what you want?"

"Alright, that protective Uncle stuff was real cute at first," Marco laughed, "It's not cute anymore. Just let us be."

"Yo, my man, you really wanna do this?" Benny asked adjusting his hat.

Caleb finally came from his mancave, he carefully moved his granddaughter out the way then easily moved through his sons to the front. Needless to say, he was less than pleased to see Marco.

"I think that you think because you're in high school that the rules don't apply to you. And if you do think that, I'm here to tell you that you're wrong." Caleb explained calmly. "When you stepped your ass up these steps and rung my doorbell, you decided that you wanted to play these stupid games. And what did I tell you about stupid games?"

"Umm ... umm."

"Spit it out." Zion barked. "You had all that mouth a minute ago."

"You said play stupid games and win stupid prizes."

"Yeah exactly and it don't get much more stupid than what my boys can and will do to you. Do you understand that?"

"Uh, I ... yes sir."

Caleb stared at him as he spoke. "Babygirl, do you want to talk to him?"

"I don't want to but I was going to, PopPop." She answered from behind her uncles.

"Whatever you want, babygirl. But you know to call us if anything. Right?"

"Yes sir."

Caleb nodded stepping slightly out of the way. "Come in, Marco."

Nervously, Marco passed Caleb and his boys flinching when Cameron jumped at him. He turned red when they began to laugh. His attempt to get a hug was thwarted by Treasure pushing him back and scoffing.

"I said I would talk to you. Not that you could touch me." She explained rolling her eyes. "Uuh we're gonna go to the patio, PopPop. That okay?"

He winked and smiled at her in response.

"Why can't we talk in your room?"

Treasure's frowned deepened but Benny spoke up before she could.

"You worried about the wrong thing, you need to be grateful she even agreed. And whatever you thought was gonna happen ain't happenin, my man."

Pushing him in front of her, Treasure hugged them and thanked them. The talking and laughing Marco could hear coming from the kitchen stopped as soon as his feet crossed the threshold. He gave the women standing around the island and stove a smile and waved his hand.

"Hey, Ms. Hanna and Aunties."

Cheyenne eyed him then went back to what she was doing. Marissa and Melissa hummed out a haphazard greeting.

"We are not your aunties, boy." Marcie spat as she chopped vegetables.

"Don't be like that. I'm trying to do better, I'm here to talk, aren't I? I'm working on getting things back to normal." He explained still smiling.

Treasure sucked her teeth. "No, you're here cause you clearly didn't understand that I broke up with you. Don't lie in my Nana Christian home like that."

"You're just saying that, I can make you change your mind."

"Sounds to me like you don't understand the word no," Hanna pointed out leaning on the island staring at him, "And that right there is a problem in itself."

Marco looked between them, his mouth opening and closing. "No, I do that's not.... I'm sorry."

"You're always sorry. You just a sorry ass lil boy, huh?" Marcie said with a raise of her brow. Her sisters couldn't help but laugh. Her and Marissa were the calm and nice ones, usually anyway. But with Marco around, that all went out the window.

"We're going to the patio. Won't be long." Treasure told them, pushing Marco once more.

The women waited until the door closed to continue their conversation.

"How did she even end up with that ... that boy?" Cheyenne asked.

"They went to middle school together. He didn't come into his f-boy ways until he got them braces off and his acne cleared up." Marissa explained. "I honestly don't think Treasure actually ever liked him or if she did, once they got together she changed her mind."

Hanna chuckled, "And that boy think if he keeps pushing that she'll change her mind."

"But she won't," Melissa laughed, "The only thing it's gonna do is piss her off. And if nothing else, she is a mini version of Lainey so pissing her off ain't a good idea."

Treasure sat on the patio banister with her arms folded waiting for him to speak. She stared a hole in him that quite frankly scared the shit out of him.

"You got ten seconds to start talking or I'm getting my uncles to put you out."

"Okay okay ... listen I don't wanna break up, Treasure. What I did was dumb but I'm dumb, okay? I'm dumb and I wasn't thinking."

"It's not even the fact that you did it, it's the fact that you're insulting my intelligence. How stupid do you think I am that I would believe anything you say?"

Marco started to approach her but thought better. "I'm not, I don't think you're stupid, T. I just," he sighed running a hand through his hair, "It's just our relationship can never be just us, ya know? It's you, me, your family and Josh. They always have their nose in our business."

A low groan escaped her as she counted backwards from ten. She was trying not to hit him again but he was slowly starting to ask for it.

As Marco went on and on unknowingly adding fuel to the fire, Charles and Lainey were walking to the front door with eleven year old Diego and nine year old Charleigh behind them.

"I had to mute the brother group chat and the sister one too," Lainey chuckled looking at her phone. "Marco is here and no one is happy about it."

Charles glanced behind him at their kids smiling. "Yeah, Mitch was texting me and so were your brothers. Gotta give it to em ... he's brave. Or stupid."

"My guess is stupid." Lainey laughed digging her key out of her purse.

Josh snuck up behind the kids and pulled Charleigh off the steps and picked her up. Her squealing made them all turn around but they all let out the breath they were holding when they saw who it was and Charleigh laughing. He sat her down just as Lainey got the door open and kissed her head then dapped Diego up.

"Josh, ima get you! You scared me!" She laughed clinging to him.

He laughed draping an arm around her. "That's payback for when you scared me the other night, lil one. What's up, Chuck? Hey, Mama. How you doing?

Charles slapped hands with him. "Nothing much. You came cause Marco here?"

"Nope, he's here to see his girlfriend," Lainey laughed opening the door.

Josh let the kids go ahead of him then followed the adults into the house. He did a fake laugh as he hugged Lainey.

"You and Aunties think yall funny with that, Ma." He told her pulling away from the hug. "I came to give Treasure something, Marco being here was just extra."

Lainey shrugged playfully. "Just saying. Di and Charleigh, go change your clothes and put your stuff away please. You can come back down when you're finished."

Charleigh pouted going to hold onto Josh. "Can I do it later, Mommy? Josh just got here and I didn't even get to speak to PopPop yet. Him and Di always outside with the cars."

Diego looked between them laughing a little. "I'm going right now, Mama. I don't want none of that."

Charles watched him run upstairs with a smile on his face. He slid between them, headed for the living room.

"I'm not in it," he called over his shoulder.

"You could always stay up there the rest of the day and night, Charleigh."

Josh squeezed her tight and kissed her head. "Ima be here for a long while, lil one. Go ahead and do what Ma asked you do to do then maybe she'll let me take yall for ice cream later. Deal?"

Squealing, Charleigh ran up the stairs so the way to her bedroom. Feeling her eyes on him, Josh smiled wide at Lainey and made a heart with his hands.

"Love you, Ma!"

Lainey couldn't help but laugh. "Uhuh, come on here."

As soon as Lainey and Josh walked through the living room Eddie jumped up. He safely put his gun away for the moment then approached them with a smile on his face.

"Boy, where has your ass been? I missed you and you ain't showed your face in a week."

Josh laughed as they hugged. "My bad, E. Every time I came only Pop and Nana was here with Babybop. I'll let you know next time I come so you can be here."

"You know you always welcome at my house. Don't even have to call." Eddie told him going back to sit down.

The brothers laughed. You have to be a great person for Eddie to invite you to his house with no heads up, without the intention of shooting you. Josh slapped hands with the other brothers then went to speak to Caleb.

"Pop, what's up? Heard you got a new car."

Caleb grinned. "I did, I did. I had to do a lot of making up after I got it but it was worth it. Babygirl showed you pictures?"

He nodded. "Yeah, it's tough too. I know Di and Uncle Zi loved riding in it."

Caleb frowned looking over at his grinning son. "Di will and so will you but Zion better not even think about it."

Zion threw his hands up laughing. "That's cold, Pop. Real cold. I like cars too!"

"Uhuh and you also like stealing."

"Mama said not to say that about me," he laughed, "Aye, nephew. Them some nice shoes. What size you wear?"

Cameron cut in.

"Do not answer that, Josh. He gon steal your shit."

Josh laughed. "I'm not, he already got me for two pairs. Unc, I found the caps you was ... nevermind."

Benny tried to stop him before Lainey caught on but it was too late. She looked between them.

"If you bring him anymore stocking caps, I know something, Joshua. Don't bring those in here."

Josh laughed choosing not to respond.

"Fine, he can drop em off to my house then," Benny joked dodging her hits.

Jumping at her brother, Lainey walked with Josh to the kitchen. Charles, her brothers and Caleb obviously wanted to talk to one another without either of them in the room. Mainly her. The women all smiled a little wider when they laid eyes on him. He made his way around the kitchen hugging and kissing their cheeks.

Hanna put her hands on his face, smiling up at him.

"You look tired, baby. You been sleeping?"

"Dang, Mama. How you smile and insult him like that," Melissa laughed.

"Wanna see me smile and hit you?" Hanna asked quickly.

The sisters all 'ooohed' childishly then laughed.

Melissa shook her head. "Nope, I'm okay with Benny getting hit and not me. I'm good."

"That's what I thought. Now back to you," she smiled again at Josh making him smile, "Have you been sleeping?"

He nodded even though he knew he was lying. "Yes ma'am, I been sleeping."

She smiled a little longer then snacked his neck making him hiss and the other women flinch. "I told you about lying to me, didn't I?"

"My bad, Nana. My bad. I just don't want you to worry your pretty head about me."

Quickly, he moved away to dodge the next hit that he knew was coming and went to his behind Marcie and Marissa laughing. The women laughed and Hanna couldn't hello but to join them.

"If I didn't know any better I'd swear you belong to one of my slick ass son's or my slick ass brother." She chuckled going check on the food.

He grinned.

"Thank you, Nana. That's so sweet."

"I ... you would take it as a compliment."

While he did enjoy being playful and talking to them, Josh used that moment to get their mind off of him not sleeping because that would lead to questions about whether he's been out working all night or not. With Marco here, they didn't need anymore unpleasant things or people around. Their laughter and talking was mostly covering the argument going on a few feet away on the patio.

"And I don't even know why of all people you let Josh into our business anyway," he ranted moving his hands as he spoke, "Why does your family even let him around you? They really believe he's your best friend and think it's okay."

Her eyes met his, he was too busy going on and on to notice the fire building in them.

"He's 18 for Christ sake! And he's hanging around a 16 year old! Nobody sees anything wrong with that!"

"I don't see anything wrong with it." She responded softly trying not to yell.

"I expected that from you."

Her head tilted and her eyes narrowed. "And what does that mean?"

He scoffed, frowning his face up.

"Seriously? Your dad is a freaking Malone, he's what ... 4 or 5 years older than your mom and your family didn't see anything wrong with that! They clearly want the same thing for you! They want you to be some criminal's baby mama too!"

"What?"

She heard him. She heard every single thing he said. All she was doing was giving him a chance to take it back or change it which he didn't take.

"You heard me! You're too blind to see it! And newsflash for everybody, if your Dad's looking for his replacement they'll never accept Josh as the head of the family." He spat with disgust. "They barely accepted your Mom. But you and Di pass the paper bag test so she skated by!"

In a flash, Marco hit the ground with a thud, holding his gushing nose. Treasure kicked him in his side a few times then jumped on top of him landing punches wherever she could. His yells for help caught Josh and the women's attention, prompting them to call out for the men and rush to the backyard.

Marcie laughed loudly as soon as she laid eyes on them. Marissa had to step away from a moment to catch her breath from laughing so hard. Melissa was wrestling with whether she should record or not.

Cheyenne cursed under her breath. "She is definitely your child, Lainey."

"Thank you," Lainey said breaming with pride.

Josh knew he should stop it but the last time he tried that she bit him.

The men rushed out, immediately busting out into laughter. Caleb tried to keep from laughing but failed causing his wife to pop his arm.

"You know that's not right. Stop her." Hanna chuckled.

"You're laughing too, lil mama but okay okay." He watched a few more minutes before tapping Benny. "Get her off of him, please."

Benny laughed. "You see what I see, she's just like her mama. Nope. Sorry, Pop."

Zion tried to cover his laugh, "I think the person that pulls Lainey off people should pull her daughter off."

Cameron stopped laughing and stared at his brother, "You mutha ... no. Since I have to pull Lainey off someone else has to get baby Mayweather. Charles, you her dad too. Get in there."

Charles looked at the beating then at Cameron and laughed. "Absolutely not but I'll get the person I would call. One of em anyways."

Everybody turned to Eddie, who had zoned out and into Treasure beating Marco's ass. He was living vicariously through her in that moment until he noticed they were starting at him.

"What? We were all laughing."

Charles laughed a little, "This is technically what you get paid to do. Soooo ... if you could. Please."

Sucking his teeth, Eddie mumbled under his breath going over to them. Quickly, he grabbed around her arms putting her into a bear hug and pulled her away from him.

"Calm your little ass down, Treasure. Yo mama can't ever deny you," he groaned trying to keep her from moving so much "Next time, Baby Danny better have his ass here! Aht, aye! If you bite me I swear I will ruin the rest of your summer!"

Cheyenne laughed, "I don't know why he lying he ain't gonna do that."

Benny snatched Marco up from the ground pushing him towards the patio steps. He raised his fist when Marco tried to turn around.

"Boy, what you gon do? What?"

Marco huffed as blood dripped from his nose and mouth. Both eyes were staring to turn purple.

"Look at my face! Look at what she did to my face!"

Zion and Cameron approached them to stand behind Benny.

"And if you keep yelling like you wanna do something to my niece your face gon be the least of your worries." Zion warned staring at the teenager.

Treasure attempted to get out of her uncle's hold. "Let me go! Let me beat him until he can't pass a paper bag test! Let's see how he likes it! Let go!"

Caleb frowned. "What? How do you even know about that?"

"Cause he said the Malones won't accept Josh obviously cause he's black and that they didn't wanna accept my mama but since me and Di passed the paper bag test they let her!" She huffed still trying to get loose. "And for your information, Marco, my daddy ain't just a Malone, my daddy is the Malone and don't you forget it!"

Marcie wiped tears from her eyes still laughing. "Not babygirl throwing her weight around."

"I've never been so proud," Lainey joked. "Almost makes me not wanna beat his ass. Still want to though."

"Between my daddy, my dad, my PopPop and my uncles, I can make you disappear! I told you," she huffed loudly as Eddie tried to take her in the house, "I told you not to mess with me! Nobody talks to me that way or about my family like that! You're done! You hear me? You're done!"

Her yelling turned to muffles when Melissa, Marcie and Cheyenne followed them in the house and closed the door. Josh stood back slightly in awe. He knew his best friend didn't play but he'd never seen her go to this place. Benny, Zion and Cameron ushered Marco out of the backyard with a few parting words.

"Okay, come on, Lainey. Let's go calm your baby down so Marissa can check for cuts and all that." Hanna said letting out a sigh. She stopped by Josh before going inside. "I didn't forget either. Don't leave without talking to me. Yes?"

He nodded.

"Yes ma'am." He answered quickly.

The door closed behind them, leaving Josh with Charles and Caleb. The latter out his arm around the young man, squeezing his shoulder tight.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good. Just uh," he paused to wipe his face, "Just never seen her that upset before. I don't ever wanna be on that side of her and don't plan to be."

"That's a smart idea. Very smart. Regardless of if you two actually like each other or doing anything about it, you're still her friend which means you have to make sure you can do what you need to do if she gets upset like that," Charles explained going to lean against the banister.

Josh chuckled.

"Yeah I know. I gotta get E to teach me how to do that hold and not get bit. Last time she almost bit a chunk outta my arm."

Laughing, Caleb adjusted his hat and his shirt. "Lainey got Cam like that a few times before he learned. Along with knowing what to do if that happens again, you gotta protect her the way you always have. Aight?"

"Yes sir, of course. Yall don't have to worry about that."

"We hope not. Caleb and I are probably gonna go talk to Mitch tonight. You wanna go?"

"Um yeah. When though? I promised Charleigh I'd take them for ice cream."

"Don't worry about that," Caleb told him. "I'll take care of smoothing that over. You just be ready to ride. Okay?"

#hahn #have and have nots #not quite au but au i guess #hahn au #treasure malone

[wackybuddiemewbs]

WIP Wednesday

Here's to another canon divergence no one was looking for, and still ain't (and shouldn't). I'm a hoe for the drama of that whole arc, what can I say?

Working title: No Love Letters

Basic idea: Buck returns to the 118 after the lawsuit, all the more unsure of his standing at the station and with his friends. Sadly, someone seeks to take advantage of that, leaving some none too kind messages feeding right into some of Buck’s worst insecurities. Can his friends get through to him before it is too late?

Find out more here: Part 1

Buck stares at the wrapped boxes sitting on the kitchen island. He spent way too many hours wrapping them carefully last night. It seemed like a nice idea to distract himself from the letters. From his damn life right now. But after the one he found earlier today, Buck finds the glittery bows and colorful paper only mocking.

Christopher’s birthday is next Monday. Eddie didn’t say anything to him, so he is not sure whether there is a party, and if there is if he’s supposed to come. If he’d even be welcome anymore. And Buck was too afraid to ask Eddie or anyone about it. He spent restless hours, going back over the scarce conversations they’ve had. To make sure he didn’t miss a subtle cue somewhere down the line. Because subtlety is not his forte.

At least that was his worry until he opened his locker to the message that narrowed his world down to close to nothing. Now Buck knows he is not supposed to be anywhere near Christopher. So yes, the bows and papers are mocking him, hard.

Fear after fear after fear is breathed into existence, to make it less a fear than another sad part of his reality. Before, he could at least tell himself that it was an irrational thing, that he just felt that way, but that it wasn’t real.

But now it’s real.

It’s real and it hurts, even though it won’t bruise, won’t bleed, even though he does it so easily these days.

Just like that, he feels like a small kid again, not knowing how to make his parents see how much he hurt unless he did indeed bruise, bleed, break.

Buck wants to drink himself to oblivion. He wants to punch something till his knuckles are bloody and the pain too much to take. He wants Maddie to hug him and tell him that everything is going to be okay again. He wants Chim and Hen to joke with him like they used to, call him Buckaroo with that fond expression he treasured in a small chest in his heart. He wants Bobby to squeeze his shoulder and drop some wisecrack to set him straight. He wants Christopher to giggle at him to make him forget his demons and let himself be blinded by that shining light. He wants Eddie to forgive him, smile that certain smile at him that always had Buck believe that he had a place in that man’s life, now earned or not.

He wants it all, right now, all at once, but none are happening.

Because he is alone, by the end of the day.

Because that is what he returns to, an empty apartment with only his own presence to fill it. Which isn’t much. Definitely not enough.

Because of the lawsuit, because of what it got twisted into.

And now Buck has no family anymore, other than Maddie. And even her he’ll eventually have to push to the sidelines of his life. Because she is with Chimney, happy with Chimney, looking towards a future. And he is done dragging her down with his own issues. Because Maddie deserves to have her happiness with Chim at long last. Because they are each other’s something, their little everything.

Some time back, Buck likened himself to be at least a little bit something in Eddie’s life. Not just Christopher’s, but Eddie’s in particular. Eddie is his best friend, someone who stuck with him even when he was being all of himself and too much of it. Eddie said there’d be no one he’d trust more with Christopher than him. And Buck still dares to think that Eddie meant it. But maybe he can’t anymore, after he betrayed that trust. Because Eddie expected him to be there. And he wasn’t. And now he’s alone again, wondering why.

Kind of stupid if you think about it, right?

Buck managed to push himself to the sidelines of Eddie’s life with the stupid lawsuit. It’s plain, obvious, bleak. Right on the nose. And that even though Buck thought he was actually heading the right direction – until he ran into the damn brick wall he built with his own damn hands.

Before the stupid lawsuit, that is.

There was that sweet, okay, maybe bitter-sweet, spot after the tsunami and before he talked to Chase Mackey for the first time. Buck felt like he’d manage somehow. Because he had Christopher and Eddie.

Eddie had rewarded him with something Buck didn’t know he needed until the other man had given it with the gentlest of touches, never expecting anything in return: A place in his life that wasn’t just the narrow distance between colleagues or good friends.

It was suddenly so palpable for Buck. That he could show up uninvited and still be invited inside, no questions asked. That it was very much possible to climb out of bed and find Eddie already inside his apartment, munching breakfast he’d brought along the way to pick him up for some early workout together. That he wasn’t alone.

Because he had Eddie.

In that bitter-sweet spot, Buck thought that maybe he could figure out that other issue that had been bubbling up in his stomach for longer than he cared to admit. Things that had started likely much earlier, in fact. Back when he was still being a rotten, petulant child about Abby going away, fearing that Eddie would take his spot.

He had tried to put those feelings off as being needy for attention after his breakup with Ali, too, but she disappeared fast from his mind. And all there was was Eddie and Christopher. Coming back from PT exhausted and drained, sagging down on the sofa with them, Chris sandwiched in the middle, watching cartoons and forgetting about the pain in his leg. So long he was in their orbit, it felt like his stars aligned. And that was enough. In fact, it turned out to be more than Buck could ever wish for.

Suddenly, there was a spotlight on Eddie and Christopher, like a halo almost, a big sign telling him that this is what he wants and that maybe he can have it. Buck just had to go for it and hold on.

A family of his own. With them.

Buck was almost there, he was so damn close. But in true Buck fashion, he managed to fuck up the one good thing that may have pulled him even though the personal low of losing his job, his purpose.

Because maybe that could have been enough. Buck was enough for that, right? Being there for Eddie and Christopher, being part of their lives. He didn’t have to act, didn’t have to pretend to be anyone less bothersome. He was loud and unapologetically himself, and that was fine with them. They were, too. They were themselves together, and to Buck, it felt like it all was falling back into place.

Got greedy though, huh? See where that got you. See where it gets you every damn time.

Buck was almost there, so damn close, before he fucked it all up. He was so close to gather the courage and say it, make it real. Because yes, Buck isn’t as courageous about these things as he is on the job he used to do, to tell Eddie. To tell him all the thing he’d left unsaid, had only ever felt so very intensely that he could barely contain all those big feelings. He was almost there, right within reach.

And now he has a million things left unsaid to Eddie, and Buck doesn’t even know where to begin with that part of himself, even less so if Eddie is indeed behind those letters. If apologies don’t open the door by just a single inch, if Eddie wants to throw the door shut, how is he supposed to squeeze enough of himself into the room to take a deep breath and say it loud and clear, unapologetically, hoping for the best:

Eddie, you’re more to me than just a colleague or my best friend. You were there for me when I didn't know how to put myself back together. You showed up for me. It was you, all along. You and Christopher are everything to me. I love Chris as though he was my own. I love…

Buck’s eyes fall on the printouts from last night, tasting bitterness on his tongue. Transfer papers. He didn’t have intention to fill them out. He just wanted to get his mind used to the idea. To the inevitable now, it’d seem.

But maybe that’s too much wishful thinking.

Transferring means someone would want him instead.

And who’d want a traitor on a team? A family? Right?

#buddie #buck x eddie #eddie x buck #evan buckley #evan buck buckley #eddie diaz #evan buckley x eddie diaz #eddie diaz x evan buckley #fanfic #buddie fanfic #wip wednesday

[clairecrive]

“Small thing” - Alfie Solomons x reader

A/n: So, I failed to post this on saturday but here it is! Thanks again for requesting @fifty-shadesof-tommyshelby! I changed a few things however I hope you’ll like this!

Summary: Alfie can’t help but step in when he sees that the man you were talking to was about to hit you. Then, one thing leads to another and eventually it’s your shared love for animals that’s what brings you together.

Word count: 2.2K (roughly)

TW: violence on animal, abusive behavior but fluff overall

Tag list: @mollybegger-blog, @evelynshelby, @br0ck-eddie, @of-love-and-of-the-sea, @shadow-of-wonder, @fandom--0verdose, @innerpaperexpertcloud, @sopxhiea, @fuseburner, @ashesbelle (let me know if you wanna be added or removed)

(this beautiful piece of art was made by @fortunetellingnonesense. she has other amazing art so go check her out!)

“Hey, stop! What the hell are you doing?!" Your voice resounded in the streets, its echo jumping through the buildings amplified. You weren't one to shout, nor did you get into fights easily. But if there was one thing you hated, it was bullying. Especially when those pieces of shit always picked on people half their size or age. It wasn't fair and showed how insignificant they were. However true that might be, the cuts and bruises that their kicks and fists would leave on them weren't insignificant. Especially compared to a smaller body such as the one of this little kitty that piece of shit on the other side of the road had decided to kick. 

Unfortunately, it had taken the small kitten cries for you to notice what was happening. But now that you had, you couldn't turn a blind eye to it. Not even if you weren't a strong muscular person and there was no one in the streets could give you a hand. Given the hour, the street was deserted.

"This little shit has decided to pee all over my doorstep. That’ll show him." Not happy with the kick that had probably broken the kitten's ribs, the bloke spat on its trembling body and was about to keep going. 

"Don't you see that it's a little kitten? They don't even know what a doorstep is." You pointed out incredulously but wasn't it obvious? 

"You almost killed him", you added to show that it was totally unnecessary and simply a dick move. 

"I don't fucking care. He peed on my doorstep and I taught him a lesson." His voice became even harsher as he bragged what he thought was a grand gesture. But really, he only proved your point further.

"You're a piece of shit." Simply put.

"Oi, lady, I don't know who the hell you think you are but ain't no one gonna talk to me like that." You could see that he trying to make himself look bigger and threatening but you didn’t expect anything less from him and were set on not let him win.

"If only you cared about yourself just half as much as you cared for others than I wouldn't have to point out the obvious." Dismissing him, you turned towards the poor kitten that was pathetically laying on the floor. Their breath was uneven and you could tell they were having trouble doing so. 

Your words must have confused the man, who apparently wasn't accustomed to a more complex way of speaking. You hadn't apologized but he wasn't sure that you had offended him either. By your tone though, he figured out that it must have been the second. And of course, his ego was bruised. 

"Right, you sl*t, it seems that you need to be taught a lesson too." Too busy cooing over the small thing, his words didn't even register. It was probably going to be too late once they did but luckily for you, a guardian angel interceded for you. 

"It ain't very manly to hit a woman, mate, right." A loud husky voice spoke behind you and you looked up, cradling the kitten to your chest, ready to make a run for it if it came to it. A tall figure of a man leaning on his cane with a big hat that cast a shadow over his face was the newcomer. You had never seen this man before but one look at him was all it took to understand that you did not mess with him. If you didn't want to end up bloodied and broken, that is. 

The bully was about to shoot a retort but the burly man spoke again before he could, "Just like hitting small animals. What fucking beast would do that, hm." And then he spoke no more, only stared at the guy. You found amusing how big and mighty the guy was trying to be just a moment early when it had been only you, and how scared and spineless he was being now, under the stranger's unwavering stare. 

It only took a minute, maybe even less, for him to lower his head and retreat. 

"That's right, no more lesson teaching for you, bastard." You snickered, mocking him. When the man in question turned to send a death stare your way, you shivered and moved behind the stranger's back, just to be sure. 

"Keep on going, mate." The stranger said fully ridding you of that menace finally. 

"Asshole", you muttered under your breath as the man disappeared into his house. You must have been louder than you thought because that prompted the stranger to look at you. 

"What are you doing, lass, getting head to head with a guy bigger than you, eh. Got a death wish?" As you were standing close to him now, you were able to see his face clearly since he was looking down at you for the height difference. What a lovely face. A guardian angel had sent him for sure because there was no way that such a handsome and kind man would stumble into your life by coincidence.

"Look, he almost killed this kitten and was definitely going to if I hadn't stopped him." You didn’t move to put some space between you. His eyes were too mesmerizing to look anywhere but at them and the way his lips trembled before forming a small smirk, was too endearing to miss.

 The stranger’s name turned out to be Alfie, but that wasn't the only thing you ended up knowing about him. He was a fellow animal lover and the human of a sweet bullmastiff. He had a trusted vet and offered to take you to him. On the way, you got to know each other. Albeit, he did all the talking, only stopping to let you answer the many questions he asked you, it wasn't annoying as it may sound. His rumbling was… comforting, in a way. It gave your mind no room to think back about what happened or worry about what could have happened if Alfie hadn't shown up. It only allowed you to lightly caress the kitten's fur and hum now and then to what he was saying. 

———————————————————————————

And after months of knowing him, you could vouch that it was. 

He was an interesting fellow, this Alfie. Such a scaring looking guy, all burly and dishevelled. His cane angrily stomped the ground, his boisterous voice and confident stride successful kept away any wandering eye and unwanted attention despite how difficult it was to not notice them walking down the street.  Of course, since you had just met him, you couldn't know that this happened mainly because of his reputation. And you would have never guessed either because despite his rough exterior, there was an underlying tenderness in the way Alfie looked at the small thing in your arms and how quickly and unprompted he had offered to help. It was the recipe for a sweetheart, wasn't it? 

"Right, I reckon we should get him some help, don't we?" Alfie couldn’t help but find you amusing and was more than willing to spend a little more of his time with you. His day had been uneventful up until now. Besides, the small thing in your arms did need help.

After the kitten was entrusted to the vet's care and eventually saved, Alfie, moved by your love for animals, had asked you to take care of his boy, Cyril. Of course, you happily took the job. Yes, the money was good and certainly helped but you mainly agreed because of him. As naive as it sounds, Alfie had made a really good impression on you that day and always had been the portrait of the perfect gentleman around you. 

He would welcome you in and offer a cup of tea when you’d get to his home in the morning and another one when he'd come home in the afternoon before you'd leave. And whenever he needed to stay at the bakery until late at night, he'd phone and tell you either offering to have someone walk you home or when you'd refused to leave Cyril alone - that was your job after all- he had given you one of the spare rooms for you to crash in and get some sleep, always with the promise of a raise for the inconvenience. 

You were titubant at first, yes Alfie had always been nice to you but was it enough to trust him? Eventually, you caved and stayed the night. The door of your room locked and a route for a quick escape already in mind. You'd soon find out that you wouldn't need it though. Alfie had come home a little past midnight and despite the late hour, he didn't go to bed straight away. Instead, you heard some noises coming from the living room. 

Curiosity got the best of you and you ventured downstairs. You had cooked a small dinner and left some for him in the oven. Alfie however, hadn't even noticed. The concept of a cooked meal was new and far away from him, his nightly routine mainly consisted of whiskey and the papers he'd brought from the office. 

Coming home to someone was also something out of the ordinary for Alfie, so when your silhouette appeared in the doorway he thought he was hallucinating. The whiskey made him a little slow but his mind still worked quickly enough that you didn't notice his moment of disorientation. 

That night turned out to be an interesting one for both of you. Looking back to it, it was also a kind of turning point in your relationship. Whiskey proved to be something that made Alfie even more prone to speaking and since the night is young, you two talked a lot, and you inevitably ended up feeling closer to him. 

After that night, Alfie made sure to come home a bit earlier so that you could talk a bit before you had to head home. And you ended up spending more nights at Alfie's too. 

Today was one of those days when Alfie said he would come home in time for tea. So, as usual, you had got everything ready, the cookies you had just taken out of the oven were nicely arranged on a plate beside the two steaming cups of tea. 

———————————————————————————

"We are restless today, aren't we? But we just came back from our afternoon walk, so what can I do for you, eh?" You were sure you sounded utterly ridiculous, using a baby voice with him but you loved doing so whenever you talked to him. And you’d swear that he could understand you. 

"A-ha, these are not for you sweet boy," you tutted at Cyril when he tried to help himself to the food.

It felt like a crescendo, your relationship getting out of the acquaintances’ stage and entering something blurry that you still couldn't figure out. All you knew was that it was warm and it felt a lot like home.

"Alright, alright, I'll give you some cuddles." Yeah, maybe you were a little soft on him but how could anyone be anything but when he looked so cute laying on his back with his little paws in the air?  

Exactly. 

The sound of the door closing caught your attention and you got up from the ground and walked in the hallway to meet Alfie who was taking his hat off. 

"Welcome back, Alfie. How was your day?" Walking to him, you helped him take his coat off. After hanging it on the coat rack, you turn back around to listen to his answer. You expected him to have moved away instead you found your faces extremely close after you had turned around. 

A gasp left your lips when your noses brushed whereas Alfie appeared unaffected. His eyes flickered between yours, his moustache tickled your upper lip as he spoke, "it's about to get a lot better, it seems pet. What do ya think?" He whispered on your mouth, referring to your previous question. 

The kiss was slow at first, your lips were cautious of each other, tentative and shy. Then Alfie’s hand reached the back of your head and it was like a flip had been switched. Only a  brief pause to get some air, your forehead touching, before your lips reconnected. This time with far more hunger, like you had been waiting for this moment. And in fact, you had been. 

"Look who's decided to join, cheeky bastard", Alfie commented, amused at his dog who was now panting on his leg. Cyril barked as if he had understood his human and you couldn't help but laugh. This dog was something else. 

Your hands trailed on his shoulders up to his neck while the kiss grew more desperate and Alfie pushed you to the wall behind the coat hanger. His hands began wandering trailing down on your body and his mouth was about to follow when something humid and wet interrupted them. 

Your eyes bore into his then flickered to his mouth, so close to yours, before you answered him. "I wholeheartedly agree." And that was all he needed to hear before his mouth was on yours. A shot of electricity ran through you when he did.

"I'm sorry mate, but this is a dance for two," Alfie gave him a loving pat on his head, "now where were we?" he turned back to you before connecting your mouths again. 

#alfie solomons #tom hardy #tom hardy imagines #tom hardy x reader #tom hardy imagine #alfie solomons fic #alfie solomons imagine #alfie solomons imagines #alfie solomons x reader #alfie solomons one shot #alfie x reader #alfie solomons fluff #peaky blinders #peaky blinders x reader #peaky blinder imagine