#honestly i just had idea in my head after looking at a few posters i liked

[wilwheaton]

When you watch The Curse, you are watching two children who were abused and exploited daily during production. No adults protected us.

This was originally published on my blog in August, 2022.

I had a wonderful time at Steel City Comicon this weekend. It was my first time at this particular con, so I didn’t know there was such a huge contingent of horror fans, creators, and vendors who attend.

I love horror, and I was pretty psyched to be in the same place as John Carpenter and Tom Savini, across the street from the Dawn of the Dead mall. Pittsburgh feels like one of the places horror was invented, at least to me.

A number of these horror fans came to see me, and asked me to sign posters and other things from a movie my parents forced me to do when I was 13, called The Curse. I had to tell each of these people that I would not sign anything associated with that movie, because I was abused and exploited during production. The time I spent on that film remains the most traumatizing time of my life, and though I am a 50 year-old man, just typing this now makes my hands shake with remembered fear of a 13 year-old boy who nobody protected, and the absolute fury the 50 year-old man feels toward the people who hurt him.

I told this story in Still Just A Geek, and I’ve talked about it in some podcasts I did on the promo tour, but I’ve never put it out in public like this, in its entirety.

I suspect someone at the publisher would prefer I tease this and hope it drives book sales from people who want to read all of it, but I honestly don’t want to have another weekend like this one where everything is awesome, except the few times people who have no idea (and why should they) put that fucking poster in front of me, and all the fear, abandonment, and trauma come flooding back as I tell them that I won’t sign it, and why.

To their credit, each person was as horrified as they should have been, told me they had no idea (if they didn’t read my book why would they), and quickly put the poster away. They were all understanding. I am grateful for that.

But I really don’t need to tell this story over and over again, so here it is, with a child abuse and exploitation content warning, so I can just tell people to Google it.

After Stand by Me, everything changed. The attention from entertainment journalists, casting directors, and especially teen magazines came pouring in. The movie was a generational hit, beloved by critics and audiences alike, and every single one of us could pick anything to do next.

River’s parents and his agent got him Mosquito Coast, with Harrison Ford, as his next movie. I also auditioned for the role, but I knew even then that River was going to book the job. He was perfect, and I’d have to wait a little bit for my opportunity to come along.

I went on a lot of theatrical auditions after Stand by Me. I had tons of meetings with directors and the heads of casting at every major studio. It was all a very big deal, and I felt like we were all looking for something really special and amazing as my follow-up to Stand by Me.

At some point, a couple of producers contacted my agent with an offer to play one of the leads in an adaptation of H. P. Lovecraft’s “The Colour Out of Space.” The script was titled The Farm. (It would, of course, be changed when the film was released).

I read it. I did not like it. It was a shitty horror movie, and I saw that right away. It was the sort of thing you rented on Friday when the new release you wanted was already out of the store.

My mother, already an incredibly manipulative person, used every tool at her disposal to change my mind. My father threatened me, mocked me, told me “It’s your decision” when it clearly wasn’t. It was all so weird; I didn’t understand why they cared so much.

I told my parents I didn’t like it and didn’t want to do it. I clearly recall thinking it was a piece of shit that would hurt my career.

It wasn’t the first thing that had come our way that I wanted to pass on, and every other time, it hadn’t been a very big deal.

Sidebar: I was cast in Twilight Zone: The Movie, in 1983. The film tells four stories, and I was cast as the kid who can wish people into cartoonland. It was a GREAT role, in a movie I still love. (Note that Twilight Zone had four directors. One of them got three people killed. The segment I was cast in was not that one. I mention this because too many people zero in on this to deflect from what this whole thing is actually about.)

But I was CONVINCED by my parochial school teacher that if I worked on The Twilight Zone, which she had determined was satanic, I would go to hell. (This woman and her bullshit played a big role in my conversion to atheism at a young age, but when she told me that, I was all-in on the supernatural story they taught us in religion class.) I was so scared, more scared than I’d ever been to that point in my life, I cried and wailed and begged my parents to not make me do the movie. And I never told them why, because I was afraid my dad would laugh at me for being weak and afraid. My agent tried to talk me into it, and I wouldn’t budge. It’s the only thing I deeply and truly regret passing on, and I really hate I made that choice for such a stupid reason.

Okay. Back to The Curse.

This time, when I told them how much I hated it, they wouldn’t listen to me. My mother, already an incredibly manipulative person, used every tool at her disposal to change my mind. My father threatened me, mocked me, told me “It’s your decision” when it clearly wasn’t. It was all so weird; I didn’t understand why they cared so much.

That is, until they made me take a meeting with the producers of the movie, in their giant conference room on the top floor of a tall building in Hollywood. All I remember about this place was that it was huge; the table was way too big for the five of us who spread around it, and there were floor-to-ceiling windows on three of the walls, but the room was still dark. There was a weird optical illusion in the center of the table, this thing they sold in the Sharper Image catalog, made from two reflective dishes with a hole in the top of one. You placed an object in the bottom of the bottom dish, and it made it look like that object was floating above the whole thing. They had a plastic spider in it. What a strange detail for me to remember, but it’s as clear in my memory as if I were sitting in that room right now.

One man, who I presumed was the executive producer, was European or Middle Eastern (I didn’t know the difference then, he was just Not Like People I Knew), and I was instantly afraid of him. He was intimidating, and seemed like a person who got what he wanted.

So we sat there, my father who didn’t give a shit about me, my mother who was cosplaying as someone with experience, and me, thirteen years old, awkward as fuck, and scared to death.

I don’t remember what they said to me in their pitch or anything other than how uncomfortable and anxious I was to even be in that room. I tried so hard to be grown up and mature, but I — and my parents — was way out of my depth. I’d done one big movie and that was it. We didn’t have my agent with us, who had lots of experience and would have known what questions to ask.

No, in place of my experienced agent, my mother had decided she was going to be my manager, and she tackled the responsibility with an enthusiasm that was only matched by her absolute incompetence and inability to go toe-to-toe with producers the way my agent did. She was outwitted, out-thought, and outmaneuvered at every turn.

“You don’t have a choice,” my father commanded. “You are doing this movie.”

So we sat there, my father who didn’t give a shit about me, my mother who was cosplaying as someone with experience, and me, thirteen years old, awkward as fuck, and scared to death.

At some point, this man, who is represented in my memory by big Jim Jones sunglasses under dark hair above an open collar, said, “We are offering you a hundred thousand dollars and round-trip travel for your whole family. We will cast your sister, Amy, to play your sister in the movie.”

It all made sense, now. I was only thirteen, but I knew my parents were pushing me so hard because this company was offering me — them, really — more money than I’d ever imagined I’d earn in my life, much less a single job.

I knew that the right thing to do, the smart thing to do, was to say no. There would be other opportunities, and it was stupid to cash myself out of feature films for what I thought was, in the grand scheme of things, not very much money.

It’s incredible to me that I knew all of this. It’s incredible to me that I could see all these things, plainly and clearly, and my parents couldn’t (or, more likely, chose not to).

So after this man made his offer, all the adults in the room ganged up on me, selling me HARD on this movie.

My mother said, “Don’t you want your sister to have the same opportunities you’ve had? Wouldn’t it be fun and exciting to go to Rome? Think of all the history!”

The experience was awful. It was the worst experience I have ever had on a set in my life, by every single metric. The movie is awful, and it is the embarrassment I knew it would be.

I don’t think about this very often, because it’s super upsetting to me. Right now, I’m so angry at my parents for subjecting me and my sister to this entire experience. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

In that moment, I felt bullied and trapped. All these adults were talking to me at the same time, and I just wanted it to stop. I just wanted to go home and get out of this room. I just wanted to go be a kid, so I did what I’d learned to do to survive: I gave in and did what my parents wanted.

The experience was awful. It was the worst experience I have ever had on a set in my life, by every single metric. The movie is awful, and it is the embarrassment I knew it would be.

But here’s the thing: when you watch The Curse, you are watching two children, me and my sister, who were abused on a daily basis. The production did not follow a single labor law. They worked us for twelve hours a day, on multiple film units (while I work on First unit, second unit sets up and waits for me. When I should get a break to rest, they send me to Second unit, then to Third unit, then back to First unit. I was 13.) without any breaks, five days a week. I was exhausted the entire time. I was inappropriately touched by two different adults during production. I knew it was wrong, but I was so scared and ashamed, and I felt so unsupported, I didn’t tell anyone. I knew my dad wouldn’t believe me, and my mother would blame me. Anything to keep the production happy, that’s what she did. That was more important to her than the health and safety of her children. The director was coked out of his mind most of the time, incompetent, and so busy fucking or trying to fuck one of the women in the cast, he was worse than useless. He was a fading actor who was cosplaying as a director, as in over his head as my mother. My sister and I were never safe. Instead of harmless atmospheric SFX smoke, they set hay on fire in barrels and blew actual smoke onto the set. They took buckets of talc, broken wood, bits of wallpaper and plaster, and threw it into my face during a scene inside the collapsing house. My sister is in a scene where she goes to get eggs from some chickens, and they attack her. So they hired Lucio Fulci, the Italian horror master, to direct her sequence. His idea, which everyone was totally on board with, was to throw chickens at my sister. Live chickens, live roosters, live birds. Just throw them at a nine-year-old girl. Oh, and then tie them to her arms and legs so they’ll peck her. All of this happened under my mother’s observation, and with her full participation.

Everything I need to know about who my parents are is wrapped up in that experience: the total lack of concern for my safety and happiness, treating me like an asset instead of a son, lying to me, manipulating me, and using me to get things they wanted, and then gaslighting me about it.

If just ONE of the things I can remember happened to someone I loved, I would have grabbed my kids, gone to the airport, and flown home. Fuck those abusive assholes in the production. Let the lawyers sort it all out. Nobody hurts my children and gets away with it.

My mom says she “had some talks” with the producers. She claims that, once, she wouldn’t let us leave the hotel. (God, what a fucking dump that place was. It was just slightly better than a hostel.) I have no memory of that, but honestly the entire experience was so traumatic, I’ve blocked most of it out.

The movie was the commercial and critical failure I knew it would be. My parents spent the money. I don’t know what they spent it on. I got to keep fifteen cents of every dollar, so . . . yay?

My sister and I hardly ever talk about this. I suspect it was as upsetting and traumatic for her as it was for me. I told her I was writing about it, and asked her if she remembered anything. She told me she’d been lied to her whole life about this movie. Our mother let her believe she had been cast on the strength of her audition. “I was excited to work with you,” she said. She reminded me about some stuff I’d blocked out, including a scene where my character’s older brother (played by an actor named Malcolm Danare, who was kind and gentle, and made both of us feel safer when he was around) shoves my character into a pile of cow shit. When it came time to shoot the scene, the mud they’d put together to be the cow shit looked an awful lot like cow shit. When Malcolm pushed me into it, we all found out it was real cow shit. I was FURIOUS. The director had lied to me and had allowed me to have my entire body shoved into an actual pile of actual cow shit. I don’t remember what I said, but I remember he treated me the exact same way my father did whenever I got upset: he laughed at me, told me I was being too sensitive, reminded me that he was the director and he wanted to get a “real” performance out of me, and concluded, “If it bothers you so much, we’ll get you a hepatitis shot,” before he walked away.

My sister also recalled that, after she survived the scene with the chickens, it was the producers’ idea to give her one as a pet.

Okay, let’s unpack that for a quick second: you’ve been traumatized by these birds, so we’re going to give you one as a pet. That you’ll somehow keep in your hotel, and then will somehow get back to America. It will shock you to learn that neither of those things happened.

She remembered, as I do, the huge fight I had with my parents in our kitchen, where I told them I hated the script and I hated the movie. I didn’t want to do it, and I hated that they were making me do it.

“You don’t have a choice,” my father commanded. “You are doing this movie.”

“This is the only film you are being offered,” my mother lied to me. She made me feel like, if I didn’t do this movie, I would never do another movie again in my life. I had to do this movie. As my father bellowed, I had no choice.

Both of my parents denied this argument ever happened. Can I tell you how reassuring it is to know that my sister, who was also there, remembers it the same way I do?

The makeup department decided they would literally cut my little sister’s face with a scalpel, in three places, and put bandages over them.

But one thing she told me, the thing I did not know, the thing that makes me so angry I want to break things, actually managed to make the entire experience even worse than I remembered it.

There’s a scene after her chicken incident where I check up on her in her bedroom. She’s got cuts and bruises, and I guess we talk about it. I don’t remember and I can’t watch the movie because I’m terrified it will give me a PTSD flashback (I’ve had one of those and I recommend avoiding it). Here’s the thing about that scene: she has some cuts on her face, and those cuts are real. They are not makeup.

I’m going to repeat that. My nine-year-old little sister had actual cuts on her face that were placed there by an adult, on purpose.

The makeup department decided they would literally cut my little sister’s face with a scalpel, in three places, and put bandages over them. My sister told me our mother wasn’t in the makeup room when this happened — honestly, it seemed like our mother was strangely and conveniently absent when most of the really terrible things happened to us on the set — and when my sister told her what they’d done, she “lost her shit” at the production. She was pissed, I guess, which is appropriate and surprising. I wonder what would have to have happened for her to put us on a plane and get us home to safety? I mean, her son being abused daily didn’t do it, and her daughter being CUT IN THE FACE ON PURPOSE didn’t do it.

I just . . . I can’t. I can’t understand or comprehend allowing your own children to be physically and emotionally abused. They were literally selling my sister and me to these people, like we were some kind of commodity.

This was a tough conversation. My sister’s experience with our parents is very different from mine. My sister and I love each other. We’re close. I know it’s hard for her to hear that her brother, who she loves, was so abused by her parents, who she also loves. I was really grateful she made the time to talk to me about it, and grateful the experience wasn’t as horrible for her as it was for me.

As we were finishing our call, Amy also remembered one man, a young Italian named Luka, who was our driver for the movie. I haven’t thought about him in thirty years, but I can see his face now. He was kind, he was friendly, he taught us how to kick a soccer ball, and in the middle of an abusive, torturous experience, he stood out as a kind and gentle man. I mention him because she remembered him, which made me remember him, and goddammit I want at least one small part of this thing to not be awful.

The Curse remains one of the most consequential times the adults in my life failed to protect me. I’m 50. I still have nightmares.

Ultimately, as I predicted and feared, this piece of shit movie cashed me out of respectable films forever. I got offers for movies, but they were always mindless comedies or exploitative horror films. They were never the serious dramas I wanted to work in after Stand by Me. The industry looked at me and River, wondering if one or both of us would become a breakout star. They quickly saw that River was doing real acting work, and I was in this piece of shit. For River, Stand by Me was a beginning. For me, it would turn out to be pretty much everything, at least as far as film goes.

There are thousands of reasons film careers do and don’t take off. Maybe mine wouldn’t have taken off anyway. Clearly, it’s not where my life ended up, and I’m super okay with that now. But when all of this happened, it hurt and haunted me.

The Curse remains one of the most consequential times the adults in my life failed to protect me. I’m 50. I still have nightmares. Everything I need to know about who my parents are is wrapped up in that experience: the total lack of concern for my safety and happiness, treating me like an asset instead of a son, lying to me, manipulating me, and using me to get things they wanted, and then gaslighting me about it.

This annotation is the last thing I wrote before I turned this manuscript in, because opening these wounds is hard and painful. I put it off as long as I could, and I feel like I’m still holding back, because just this small glimpse of the experience has taken me a week to write. I can’t imagine trying to go back and unpack the whole thing. (Note that is not in the book: I’ve made an EMDR appointment to work on this because the nightmares have come back after the weekend).

Fuck The Curse, and fuck every single person who exploited and hurt two beautiful children to make it. You all participated in child abuse, and you all knew better. Shame on all of you. I hope this follows you to the end of your life. I hope that living with what you did to innocent children has been as hard for you as it has been for me, because you deserve no less.

#tw abuse #tw child abuse #tw exploitation #child actor #still just a geek #lucio fulci #trauma survivor #speaking up for the child who was silenced by his abusers

[taasgirl]

blue light - lando norris

summary: y/n is a professional footballer for arsenal, and takes a quick pitstop to the australian gp! her and lando end up taking a liking to each other, and reunite on a night out.

warnings: mentions of acl injury, nothing too bad

word count: 4.2k - sorry if there's any typos lol

I would be lying if I said that I knew how this worked. I also would be lying if I said that I found this enjoyable. I’ve spent too long concentrating on my career, that I never really cared to watch others; especially not Formula 1. But here I am.

The Australian Grand Prix, my ‘home tournament’ some would say. Growing up in Sydney, no one cared for motorsports - it was more about football, all variations of it.

I was sitting with the girls in one of the many stands. We had been followed around for majority of the day, there were a lot of people asking for photos. But honestly, I didn’t mind, in fact I really loved when I was recognised.

Steph attempted to explain how the races worked to me and the other girls, but we couldn’t get it.

The flag was waved and the race begun. There was a lot of commotion, everyone was buzzing to be watching a Grand Prix. “So what time will this finish?” I asked Steph, “Just watch it Y/N.” The other girls laughed at her focus on the track - the cars weren’t even there anymore.

After a few laps I started to get hungry. “I’m gonna grab food. Any of youse want any?” The girls shook their heads; they were as focused as Steph.

I walked through ‘The Paddock’. The passes we had allowed us to be there and I could tell that they were expensive. There were drivers left right and centre.

I made my way to a hot chips stand and ordered four portions. “A bit hungry yeah?” I turned around and was met with the face of a boy. Well maybe a man. He was fully decked out in the Mclaren gear. Either a driver or a huge fan.

“Nah for my friends.” He laughed and after ordering his food stood by me as we waited.

“I’m Oscar.” He lent his hand out, and I shook it in response, “Y/N.” He smiled at me “I know.”

“So what’s a footballer doing at the races huh?” He recognised me. “Honestly, I have no idea. My friends dragged me along.” He laughed. “Maybe my team can help you out.” He smirked at me. “And what team would that be?”

“Mclaren.”

“So some guy offers his exclusive lounge to you, and you believe him?” Katie was looking me up and down, very obviously unimpressed. “I think he’s a driver. Steffie is there someone from Mclaren called Oscar?” She looked at me immediately.

“You met Oscar Piastri?” I nodded. “And he invited you to the Mclaren lounge?” I nodded and then stopped, “Well all of us.”

We were all sat very lavishly at a bar. Oscar had met us outside the Mclaren suite and brought us inside.

“So if you’re a driver, why aren’t you out there?” I pointed to the TV that was following the cars. “I had a crash a few weeks ago, and I’m still not cleared to race yet.” I winced. The idea of crashing at the speeds that the men were going irked me. “It wasn’t anything bad. Just a concussion.”

“So who’s out there now?” Oscar smiled at me. “Lando. Lando Norris.” His smile was cheeky. “He’s gonna be buzzing when he sees you after the race.” I looked at him nonchalantly. “Honestly, he’s a huge Arsenal fan. You’re his favourite player too.” A smile creeped across my face. I was intrigued by this ‘Lando Norris’ person.

“Do you have a photo of him? I wanna know what he looks like.” Oscar scoffed. “Take a look around. His face is everywhere.”

Oscar wasn’t lying. There were posters everywhere of Lando Norris. Him celebrating, him posing, him and Oscar. He must be a big shot.

“Good looking guy right?” I laughed almost uncomfortably.

But I did find him attractive. In fact, as soon as Oscar had left us for his team, I was already searching up Lando on instagram.

By the time the races had finished, it was a bit past four. After getting the rundown from some of the Mclaren workers, I had kinda figured out what was happening.

Carlos Sainz won the race. Lando came third, and everyone was stoked. “But isn’t third just kinda bad?” Steph smacked Caitlin. “It’s different in racing now shut up.” The rest of us snickered. We had a perfect view of the podium, and all the guys on it.

“He’s cute.” Katie nudged me, earning an eye roll. “You should talk to him. I know you like your English.” Katie was one of my closest friends, she took me under her wing when I signed for arsenal, and for that I will always be indebted to her.

Once the boys had finished celebrating their win, we were brought back to the Mclaren suite.

“Stay here, I’ll bring Lando over.” Oscar held my shoulder before he went looking for the driver. As we were waiting, I was lightly tapped. Turning around, I can face to face with a journalist.

“Hi Y/N how are you?” She was beaming. “Would you mind doing a quick interview with us, it’ll only take a minute?” I smiled at her and agreed.

We were pulled into a less busy part of the room, and she handed over to me a microphone. The camera was directed at me, so I quickly touched up my hair.

“How are you enjoying the races, big fan?” I rubbed the back of my neck and responded.

“Yeah it’s been great. I don’t know too much about the whole motorsports scene but a few people from Mclaren have been helpful in explaining.”

The reporter flipped her paper.

“Speaking of Mclaren, do you have an affiliation with the team? You’ve been in the suite all day!”

“Honestly, I bumped into Oscar while getting chips and he invited us over.” She smiled, signalling for me to go on. “Everyone’s been super welcoming, especially to the dumb questions I’ve been asking.” The camera crew around us laughed.

Finishing up the interview, I made my way over to the girls. “Okay miss popular.” The girls laughed at Katie’s remark.

“Oh that Lando guy is looking for you by the way.” I looked straight at Steph. “Don’t look at me like that. He came around to us and left straight away when he realised you weren’t here.” I took a seat next to Caitlin.

“Y/N, come!” Oscar shouted from across the room. I could see his hand waving over to me, and so I got up.

“This is Lando.” Lando had an arm thrown around Oscar, very obviously tired. “Hey.” We reached our hands out and shook.

“Listen, I’m a huge fan of yours.” I smiled at him thankfully.

“Yeah he’s got about fifty jersey with your name on the back.” Oscar chimed, but was immediately shut down by a light kick to his shin, Lando’s doing. “Okay I’m not that weird.” We laughed together, until the silence turned awkward.

“I never picked you for a F1 enjoyer, who’d you support.” Oscar laughed, earning a concerned look on Lando’s face.

“Would it kill you if I said that I don’t watch it. Like at all?”

He clutched his heart sarcastically.

“I’m sorry! I’ve just never really been into it.” Oscar shook his head. “Ok ok, if it’s you two racing, then I’ll consider watching. It’s the least I can do for a fan.” Lando clutched his chest again.

“Gosh Y/N, you really know what to say to get a man’s heart pumping.” We laughed it off again.

“You should probably get back to your team. Celebrate the win?” It was less a statement than a question. “I’m just gonna shut up before I end up giving you a heart attack.”

He took his hand in mine, and pulled me in for a hug. “There’ll be a party later. You’re all invited to join if you’d like.” I nodded. “I’ll let them know.”

“So what’s the dress code?” Steph walked into my room, taking a look at the clothes still in their suitcase. “Not formal I don’t think. Just like a normal party.” She began picking up my clothes and placing them on my bed.

“You should wear a dress.” She threw me one of my green dresses. “This one. I bet he’ll wanna take it off later tonight.” I laughed. “Yeah not happening Stephie.”

Oscar had given me his number and sent the details for tonight. It was gonna be a party with almost all the drivers, and a shit ton of people.

The girls were already done getting ready, it seemed that I was the only one rocking up in a dress. They were all in skinny jeans. God I really needed to help with their wardrobe situation.

“Hurry up Y/N we’re gonna leave without you.” Katie called from the hallway.

“Holy shit.” We were all stood in front of an elusive door. We could see the lights sparkling from the windows of the home, music blasting. “Now who the fuck gave up their house for a rave?” I questioned, earning an embarrassingly loud laugh from Steph.

Once we had walked inside, it was quite obvious that we weren’t gonna be finding Lando or Oscar anytime soon.

The house was packed. Bodies were everywhere, dancing, kissing, just straight up passed out.

We made our rounds of the party, figuring out our bearings before coming to the kitchen.

“Y/N?” I turned around, my name was almost whispered, but I could still hear it.

I had come face to face with my ex. “Oh my God, hi Jay.” He hugged me. A hug that I had known too well.

“What’re you doing here? I didn’t even know you were back home.” He was holding a red cup. Classic. It was probably filled with beer considering how he smelt. “Just a quick trip back home. We were invited to the race.” He nodded, taking a swig.

Jayden and I hadn’t exactly ended on the best terms. He was my first serious boyfriend and we lasted two years. Until I had to move to London. He was angry at me for choosing work over love. But I had to. I loved football more than I loved him.

“Do you need somewhere to stay? I’ve got rooms in my hotel.” I immediately shut him down. “You’re too kind, but nah, I’m staying at Steph’s house.” As soon as I mentioned the name I could tell he cringed. He never liked Steph, he said she was too protective over me.

“Y/N!” I spun around and saw Oscar. “Having fun?”

“Watch it mate.” Jayden stepped up to Oscar. “Calm your tits. Just saying hello to a friend.” Jayden scoffed at his response. “Yeah well, leave my girlfriend alone.” He spat.

“The fuck Jayden?” I made eye contact with Oscar, "Ex. From a long time ago." I emphasised the 'long'. Oscar nodded, and signalled for me to follow him.

We walked further into the house, and had stopped at what I assumed to be the living room.

Lando, arms splayed over the head rests of the couch he was sitting on, looked me up and down. “Look who decided to show up!” He stood up and gave me a hug. “You look great.”

His cologne was strong, a vanilla scent.

"This is insane." I referred to the house and the people around us. "Yeah in all honesty, I have no idea whose house this is." We both laughed, still standing close to each other.

For some reason, I felt as if there was no one else here. Like it was just him and I. "You know I should probably get your number. Just in case you wanna come to more races." While he reached for his phone, I responded. "Hmm are you sure this isn't actually your attempt at scoring free arsenal tickets?" He passed me his phone, unlocked. "Me? Never." I smiled and created a contact in his phone.

"Message me, Lando Norris."

We had finally landed in London, after way too many hours cramped in a plane, I could finally stretch my legs. "Welcome to London." Katie looked out of the window, rain pouring from the sky. "Is it too late to go back?" I questioned.

Lando still hadn't messaged me, and in all honesty, I gave up on him ever reaching out.

After our conversation at the party, I was drawn back to the girls and didn't see him at all afterwards.

"Anyone for Nandos?"

"I'm gonna find you a hot English guy." Steph was sat at my vanity, fixing up her minimal makeup while I was sat on the floor, deciding what shoes would match my outfit best.

We were going out for a team dinner and I was knackered from training this week. Friday night out just didn't seem that appealing to me. "I'll pass." I settled on an old pair of sneakers. "Not even Lando Norris?" I didn't reply. The girls hadn't stopped going on about Lando since Australia, and were confused when he hadn't messaged me after the party.

"Oh come on. You're telling me that if you saw him you wouldn't immediately jump in his pants?"

"Firstly, ew don't talk about him like that, and secondly, I doubt he'd even remember me. We talked for what? Five minutes at most." She walked over to me and picked me up off the floor. "Come on, we'll be late."

Once we arrived at the restaurant, I took a seat next to Leah and checked the menu. I ordered a well-done steak with a side of salad, along with a glass of red wine.

"How you feeling for the weekend?" I asked Leah. It was her first game starting since her ACL injury, and I could tell that she was beyond nervous. "I'm scared. Like I want to be out there so badly, but I'm so afraid I'll do it again." I smiled at her sympathetically.

"If there's anyone who can bounce back, it's you." I paused, "You know, what I find weird?" She shrugged. "I haven't told you this, but before I came to Arsenal, I had posters of you in my room." She looked shocked. "Are you actually serious?"

I nodded in response. "You are seriously my favourite footballer. I remember when I got the call from my agent, all I could think about was the fact that you'd be my teammate. Not that I was playing in the WSL, or even Arsenal. It was you." She smiled, I could see her eyes glisten a little.

"Every single day you inspire me, and I promise, when you walk onto the pitch on Sunday, you're going to inspire a whole load of other people too." She hugged me.

"You're too sweet Y/N. Thank you." When we detached, I was met with a stunned Steph. "What?" I asked.

"Turn around." I looked behind and saw Lando sat at the bar. "Oh my fucking god." I faced back at Steph.

"Go up to him." I shook my head aggressively. "Absolutely not."

"If you don't, I'm gonna call out to him." I looked her dead in the eyes. "You wouldn't dare." She smiled, "I so would."

No one except Leah ad caught up on what Steph and I were talking about, until I heard my name shouted out from the other end of the table.

"Y/N look!" Katie pointed towards Lando, who had turned around at the crazed woman screaming.

We made eye contact and he smiled at me, getting up from his seat. I quickly got up too, and met him halfway.

"What are the chances?" He hugged me as I responded. "Wow this is really weird."

"How you been?" He asked, his hand on mine. "Ah yeah I'm good, just out with the girls for dinner." I turned around to draw his attention to them, only to be met with the eyes of every single person at that table. "Oh god don't mind them." He chuckled.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in Monaco?" He raised his eyebrow at me. "How'd you know I live in Monaco?" My cheeks turned red. "Have you been googling me?" He questioned, smiling down at me.

"I'm so embarrassed oh my god." I took a breath. "Hey, you never messaged me." I looked at him sternly, while he looked at me confused. "You are aware that you gave me the wrong number right?" He took out his phone and opened up his texts.

I cringed, and tapped on the number. "Oh my god, I did give you the wrong number, see I put 6 instead of 7." I pointed at the digits. "Why didn't you just get my number off of Oscar then?"

He put his phone back into his pocket. "Well as much as I didn't want to believe it, I thought you purposely gave me the wrong number. You know, to let me know you weren't interested." My jaw dropped. "You know, if my memory serves me right, I'm pretty sure I told you to message me."

"Hey, I didn't want to cross any boundaries, plus Oscar pointed out your ex to me, and I definitely was not gonna get on his bad side." I cringed at the thought of Jayden. "He's so gross." Lando agreed.

"I'm sorry about everyone staring too." I referred to my teammates, still looking over at Lando and I. "They're a little bit too interested in my love life." Chuckling, he sent a wave over to them. "Love life huh?" He smirked.

"Come sit with us." Katie (of course) yelled out at him. "Don't listen to her, I should probably let you get back to whatever you were doing."

He scratched the back of his head. "I wasn't doing much, I'd be happy to sit down with you lot." I looked back at the girls, Steph was beaming. "Maybe not, she looks a little creepy right now." He laughed. "Well if you really don't want me around your friends, why don't we just go for a walk then?"

"Why not?" He ushered for me to start walking and soon enough, we were out on the London streets.

"I heard that you have a game coming up." I was looking down as he looked to me. "Uh yeah, Sunday." He was about to speak when I cut him off. "You should come. I'd be happy to get you some tickets."

"Yeah actually that'd be great. I might just have to bring my Y/N jersey." He nudged my shoulder with his as we continued walking.

"You never know, maybe I'll even sign it."

"So what were you doing in a restaurant by yourself? Waiting for a date maybe?" I questioned, making his cheeks turn red. "I wish. I'm here for a few days before I have to fly to Japan. Just wanted a nice meal."

"Well come on, let's go find somewhere to eat." I grabbed his hand and pulled him along. "Don't you need to get back?" I shook my head "They know I'm in safe hands."

"Nah you're having a laugh, are you serious?" Lando and I had found a hole-in-the-wall pizza shop and were sat opposite each other. "No I'm serious, I got my permit like a year ago, but I refuse to drive."

"I don't know Y/N, that might be a dealbreaker. I mean, my whole life is driving." He was laughing. "Yeah well then you can just drive me everywhere." His smile was warm, comforting. "I'd like that."

Once we had finished up eating we started to walk back. Steph had texted me to say that she and the girls had left. "How are you getting home?" He asked me. "Probably an Uber." He tutted and shook his head. "Let me drive you."

"Thank you Lando. I really enjoyed this." I was standing outside his car as he dropped me off to my house. Through the rolled down window, I couldn't stop looking at him. "It was my pleasure. I want to see you again, soon." I started to blush.

"Wait, let me give you my actual number."

He immediately responded, "No need. I just need to change the 6 to a 7." I smiled, he remembered.

"I'm expecting some tickets by the way. And don't you dare put me up in the nosebleeds." We laughed together. "I'll see you later Lando."

"Get off your phone Y/N." I quickly dropped my phone into my bag, and looked up at Katie.

"There are no excuses today. We're giving it our all. These points are ours." The changeroom erupted. Today we had Chelsea, and it would absolutely decisive for us in the title race.

I was unlike most of the girl on the team, I preferred to sit and relax before games rather than getting energised early. "Are you messaging who I think you're messaging?" Steph slid in next to me.

"Shut up Steph." She grabbed my shoulders and lightly shook me, "And to think that you didn't want to go to the race." I shooed her away before picking my phone up to play some music.

I shuffled my playlist, and let saturn by sza start playing.

"You alright?" Leah tapped on my shoulder, to which I pulled one of my airpods out. "Yeah, just trying to concentrate you know?"

It was a pain in my knee. It hurt like a bitch. I fell to the ground immediately and clutched my leg. "Fuck fuck fuck." Steph ran straight to me, followed closely by a few of the other girls.

"Shit." Steph held my right knee. No one wanted to say what we thought it was. The dreaded ACL.

"I'm okay, it's fine." I tried to calm the girls down. I had stuck my leg foolishly into a tackle and twisted it slightly.

The physio who had come to aid me, placed a hand on my knee. "Where is it Y/N?" I pointed to the top of my knee. "Okay, you'll be right. Do you want to come off."

"No." He nodded and helped me stand up. "How's it feeling." I put pressure on it. "It's good." We walked off the field and I signalled to Jonas that I was fine.

After a quick treatment of cream and tape, I was ready to join my team again. The fourth official waited until the referee allowed me to come on, and I sprinted back into place.

"You got it Y/N." Leah shouted to me.

"And you're alright yeah?" Katie came around to me after the match ended. We finished strong with a 2-1 win, the goals from Alessia.

"Honestly, I feel fine. The physio said it was probably just a cork." She nodded in understanding. "Rest up, we need you." We walked towards the bench, smiles everywhere.

I looked out beyond the bench and saw Lando. He was standing up, cheering us on, a smiled crept across my face.

Jonas pulled us in for a group talk and, in all honesty, I couldn't focus on anything he was saying. My attention was completely on the fact that I could talk to Lando afterwards. I wasn't sure on how exactly I could go up to him.

"I'm so fucking proud of you girls." Once we were done congratulating each other, I was able to make my way to the seats above the bench.

I took a plethora of photos and signed many jerseys, still waiting for Lando to appear amongst the fans. Once I had finished with the section, I looked up in search of him.

"Y/N!" My name was called out from behind me. I turned around, and after seeing who it was, I walked over.

I threw my hands over Lando's shoulders, as he held my waist in for a hug. "You scared the shit out of me." He looked at me sternly, but it looked my friendly. "I scared the shit out of myself." He laughed. "Hey, look." He stepped slightly away from me and lifted up his hoodie.

Underneath it was our pink Stella McCartney kit. He pulled his hoodie off completely and showed me the back. My last name stood above the number 10.

"It's nice right?" He questioned. "Mhm." My only response. "Only mhm? I spent 200 quid on this!" I laughed at him. "I think I'll do you one better." I pulled the shirt I was wearing off and handed it over to him. "Matchworn, gotta be worth something." I smiled.

"Oh wow, are you serious?" He asked, holding the shirt in his hands. "You don't wanna keep it?" I shook my head. "Nah, I have plenty. Plus now you can start an official Y/N collection."

"Guess this means I'll have to give you my helmet after a race huh?"

"You're already inviting me to a race?" I asked, batting my eyes.

"Well the British GP isn't for a few more months so-" I cut him off before he could finish. "What about Japan?" He looked down at me confused. "What do you mean love?"

"What if I came to Japan? I'm sure they'd let me go down for a day or two." I couldn't help but replicate the smile that was on his face.

He didn't say anything, and instead leaned in.

His lips met mine as he held my face. I kissed him back passionately. Who would've thought that going to a silly race would end like this?

We pulled apart. "You better come to Japan."

lmk if you guys liked this!! i love lando and football sm, so why not mix the two??

say something is coming guys!! i'm in a bit of a slump :/ but my exams will be over soon thankfully

#lando norris #landoscar #lando x reader #ln4 #mclaren #f1 #f1 x reader #f1 fanfic #f1 imagine #f1 fic #football fic #formula 1 #formula one #arsenal wfc #oscar piastri #footballer reader #football #arsenal #australian gp 2024 #aus gp 2024 #arsenal women #football imagine #football fanfic #formula #formula 1 x you #formula 1 x reader #formula 1 imagine #formula 1 fic #formula 1 fanfic #lando norris x

[justiceforfoxface]

if you people will not request, I suppose I will just create

anyways here’s my idea: coriolanus snow x model reader

warnings: literally none. sfw. no use of y/n. female reader. let me know if you want this with gn reader or male reader. academy coriolanus.

enjoy :)

Most people your age would be heading to school about now, but not you. You were heading to Mrs. Cameron’s office, your boss who made sure your face got slapped on every advertisement. Didn’t matter what it was for. You’d been in posters and ads for foods, for clothing, once for the Games itself. As long as people saw your face, Mrs. Cameron got money, and if Mrs. Cameron got money, so did you.

You sit in the waiting room, an empty marble room that’s honestly intimidating even after going there for years. Then, Janet looks up from her spot at the counter. She’s Mrs. Cameron’s secretary, a fairly nice young woman whom you don’t often engage with.

“You can go home,” Janet says, not unkindly, but certainly not kindly. “Mrs. Cameron’s not here right now. She’s fallen ill.”

“Oh,” you say awkwardly. You’d never been turned away before. Even though Mrs. Cameron was the boss of most of the models in the Capitol, she always had time for you. “Well, send her wishes of a fast recovery.”

Janet nods, and you make your exit. As you step out the doors, you’re hit with a blast of cold air. You got up at the crack of dawn to eat breakfast and walk here, and you didn’t realize exactly how freezing it was. You were also caught right in the middle of what was practically a stampede of students heading to the Academy. The red uniforms flooded the small side street, like blood slowly spreading over a white snowflake.

As you make your way through the crowd, with lots of hurried saying of “Excuse me” and “Sorry,” you pause to see someone looking at you.

One of the students. He’s blonde, and he has very noticeable blue eyes. He says something, and it takes you a moment to realize he’s talking to you.

“You’re the girl from all those advertisements.”

“I-I am,” you reply, nodding. The student nods to the doors of the modeling agency you just walked out of. “Do you work there?”

“Yes.” “Are there…lots of clothes there?”

You’re slightly confused at these questions. You got a lot of weird questions when people found out you were a model, but no one ever asked if you had lots of clothes at your modeling agency.

“Yes, I guess so,” you hesitantly respond. Does he want to break in and steal them? “Why?”

He turns red and says, “It’s…well, my cousin-Tigris-her birthday is coming up, and she likes, well, fashion, so I thought I’d get her something nice, but….”

“Oh!” Well, that’s a lot nicer than breaking into a modeling agency and stealing all their clothes.

“I…work for Mrs. Cameron, you know. She leads most of the models in the Capitol.” You don’t know why you’re telling this to a stranger. “She normally doesn’t like us taking the dresses home, but she’s out sick, so…”

You don’t know why you’re offering this to a stranger. You’ve never broken a rule of Mrs. Cameron’s before. And here you are, willing to break her biggest one for a stranger who-for all you know-might not even have a cousin with a birthday coming up.

His eyes light up. “Could you get something? Maybe something nice. She likes pink.”

And then you remember it. The satin pink dress with the bow in the back that was rejected for you because Mrs. Cameron said it didn’t match your eyes. But it was comfortable, and beautiful, and perfect for a birthday gift. “I know exactly what to get,” you say. “I can probably get it to you this time tomorrow.”

He nods, and then says, “Coriolanus Snow,” and then walks away.

It takes you a few minutes to realize that was his name.

#lol this did NOT end up being about reader being a model #not my best work tbh #at least i’m self aware #coriolanus snow x reader #Coriolanus snow #the hunger games #tbosas #bosas #ballad of songbirds and snakes #Bro I’m so frickin tired right now #I just wanted to write 😭 #part 2 if you want it but def not today

[harlowcomehome]

“My best friend- my dad!”

“Mommy, can you help me?” Hazel walked over to you as you were spoon feeding Jade her breakfast.

“Yeah, what’s up?” You smiled at her, before shifting your eyes back to Jade.

“At school we have to make a- ummm- what’s that called when you show everyone something?” Hazel paused trying to think.

“A presentation bub?” You questioned and she giggled “yes! We have to write about our best friend, draw some pictures and stuff.”

“You need help putting it together?” You smiled, “daddy should be home soon if you want to wait for him.” You knew she usually liked to do that stuff with Jack.

“Well, I don’t want daddy to know about it yet” Hazel giggled. You came to the realization that she had picked Jack for her project.

“Is daddy who you picked as your best friend?” You asked with a giant smile.

Hazel nodded shyly “are you sad mommy? You’re my best friend too, but they said to pick just one!”

You hide your giant smile, “I’m not sad Hazey! I think daddy is going to love it.”

“I want him to be surprised. He said you both would come to my class on Monday when we have to show it off.” Hazel explained.

“Let me finish feeding your sister. Just bring your supplies in here and I’ll help you put it together” you smiled and Hazel ran off to grab everything.

You put Jade in her swing, and sat on the floor beside her with Hazel, you opened up her tri-fold poster board.

She had already put “Hazey and Daddy” on top, and her messy handwriting made you smile. “Do you have the paper with instructions?” She nodded and handed you the paper.

She had to make a collage with small details about her best friend on it. She had drawn a few stick figures of the family and some of her and Jack alone. “That’s when daddy and I went and played basketball” she pointed and you nodded “it looks very good Hazey!”

“I have an idea!” You stood up and went over to the bookshelf with photo albums on it. “Do you want to use some real photos too?”

Hazel giggled “as long as I can put some of that fancy tape you got me on it.”

“Washi tape?” You laughed and she nodded, standing next to you as to it sorted through some old photos.

“Is that you and daddy?!” Hazel exclaimed as you flipped through photos of you both when you first started dating.

You couldn’t help but laugh, “yeah! That’s me and daddy.”

She stared for a while “before me and Jadey?”

“Yeah, but look” you flipped to the back of the photo album “this is when I was pregnant with you” you smiled and handed her a picture. It was a photo of you standing in the kitchen with your big pregnant belly poking out. You were balancing a bowl on your belly and eating something out of it and Hazel immediately questioned it.

“What we’re you eating?” She laughed.

“Grandmas cherry cheesecake” you smiled, knowing she hated it now.

“Maybe that’s why I don’t like it now?” She shrugged and you did too “honestly, that make sense. I ate way too much of it when I was pregnant with you.”

“You look so different and I can’t believe I lived in there” she stares at the photo for a while.

“Yeah, that was a really long time ago” you smiled. “Daddy looks different too” she giggled.

“Yeah, he has a lot more gray in his beard now” you mumbled and Hazel tilted her head “gray?” She remembered Jack talking about that the other day “I won’t tell daddy you said that since you’re helping me” she laughed and you did too.

“Deal! What about these photos?” You showed her a few different ones and she jumped up and down “perfect!”

You had just finished up when you heard the front door opening, Hazel grabbed as much as she could and ran to her bedroom. You carried the poster board and chased after her.

“Okay?” Jack laughed and walked over to the bassinet that Jade had eventually fallen asleep in. She was starting to wake up from all the commotion.

“Guess your mom and sister aren’t happy to see me” he laughed as he picked Jade up. Both you and Hazel came out of Hazels room with a smile on your face.

“Now you know that’s not true” you whispered as he bounced Jade in his arms.

“Daddy!” Hazel ran over to him, essentially hugging his legs.

“Hi Hazey, did you have a good day?” He smiled and she nodded “mommy helped me do something really cool.”

“Oh yeah? What did she help you with?”

You looked over and Hazel and the two of you smiled. “You have to wait until Monday daddy!” She giggled again. “Yeah! Daddy!” You backed her up and walked over to him, giving him a kiss.

“Good day?” You asked as you walked into the kitchen.

He shrugged, following you ”better now that I’m home.” He cuddled with Jade as she laid on his chest.

Hazel was distracted by something and Jack had just realized “am I who she picked for her best friend project?” He mouthed and you shrugged with a big smile on your face.

“I think- I’m going to cry” he mouthed back at you as he fanned his face half-joking but you really did see the tears in his eyes.

You laughed, shushing him so Hazel wouldn’t hear. “Maybe you’ll be Jades best friend” he teased with a smirk and you couldn’t help but laugh. “Better luck next time” he winked.

“Very funny Harlow. Keep talking and you’ll eat sleep for dinner” you raised a brow and he laughed, giving you a kiss on the cheek as he went to the living room to sit with Hazel.

#Jack Harlow #Jack Harlow x reader #Jack Harlow fluff #Jack Harlow concepts #Jack Harlow imagines #dad! jack

[captain039]

Playing with fire

Alpha!Kylo Ren x omega!reader

Warnings: AOB, sexual, jealousy, slow burn, eventual smut, anger issues, swearing, harassment

I haven’t written for Kylo in ages xD let’s see if I can write any better

Alpha kylo makes my knees weak

Alpha kylo soft for no one but his omega makes my knees weak

Seeing the poster stuck to the wall perked your interest. The first order was always looking for new recruits, probably to work their million ships and forces. The problem was that only betas and alphas worked in the first order, less ‘issues’ as it said in the information panel. They paid well though, better food, clothing and housing for the family of the worker. Your family needed it, living on nothing but stolen bread and very few credits. You loved your family dearly, but the job at the Catina didn’t cut it, your mum, dad, grandma and little sister lived in once house. It was hard, your first heat was a nightmare, your father had stayed outside in a makeshift tent while your mum and grandma tried to soothe you. Your little sister was only five, she didn’t understand and would often cry in the corner due to lack of attention and understanding. After that heats were harder, for you it seemed, you put on a brave face and stayed in bed till it was over, then you’d work extra shifts for missing so many days. You took a small info pod and placed it in your bag before heading home. Omegas were rarest on any planet different cultures had different views, most which contained them to be the bringers of life or made for breeding and house warming. You’d rather die than be the slave of some alpha. Your mother was a beta along with your father, your sister still had a few years before she presented and your grandma was too old to be worrying about being an omega. You prayed your sister wouldn’t be an omega and suffer the same way you did. Instead you hoped her fieriness led to her being an alpha and being able to have some control in her life. As you entered your home you said your hellos before going to your bed. There was only two rooms, one for your mum and dad, the other for you, your sister and grandma. She often insisted on being by the lounge though, so that’s were her bed went despite her clothes being in here. You sat down on your foam bed with a huff leaning against the cold walls. You pulled out the info pod, reading the words as they went by. Seems they were more strict with omegas now, not wanting them at all. Perhaps you could hide your true scent, the pay was too welcoming and your family would be provided for. Maker this was a horrible idea.

You pondered on it for a few days, avoiding any real conversation with family as you thought about plans. You’d need suppressants, just one batch to get you in and then you’d have enough credits to get more. Maker what would you tell your family, your grandma was already giving you suspicious looks like she knew something. The more your plan formed the more your credits got stashed away for suppressants. The next recruiting ship would be here next month, enough time to save up, hopefully. Your heat wasn’t for another few months thankfully so you’d be able to ignore and suppress that when it came.

“What are you thinking?” You heard and jumped a mile as your grandma waddled in.

“Maker, grandma!” You sighed as she huffed and sat down on the old chair.

“How is your scheming?” She smirked.

“Scheming? I’m not scheming” you huffed and crossed your arms.

“That’s what I schemer would say” she wiggled her eyebrows and you rolled your eyes.

“The plan you have” she said hushed and you felt tense.

“Why not tell us?” She asked like she knew.

“What plan?” You said dumbly and she huffed shaking her head.

“Joining the first order, saving up credits for l suppressants, honestly leave your diary under your pillow for makers sake” she laughed softly and you frowned, had you left it out?

“That’s invasion of privacy” you sassed.

“Not if it was open on your bed, besides I read one page, good plan really” she hummed shrugging. She spoke in a hushed voice and you tensed, she knew.

“Damn it” you whispered.

“We’re fine here darling” she smiled and you sighed.

“Grandma were not, we barely have water! If I do this, then Lana can have a better future” you said referring to your sister.

“Lana will have a better future with you here” she pointed out.

“Nobody wants to go through my heats they’re horrible” you grumbled quietly.

“I won’t find a mate anytime soon either we need support, mums getting tired everyday and dad needs to kick his feet up!” You whisper yelled and your grandma sighed.

“If you get caught they will kill you” she hissed.

“Listen, child, I have- I have experience with the first order it isn’t as easy as joining” she said softly and you frowned.

“Experience?” You said and she went to speak but your mum came in saying dinner was ready.

As you worked more shifts your body felt the toll, you were building up for first order work you suppose. Your grandma avoided the ‘experience’ talk she had with first order so you kept to your plan. As the day for the recruiter ship neared and you had four vials of suppressants, your nerves were on edge. You had managed to gather some scent blockers also. You quit your job with no explanation, your parents didn’t question it, knowing you were exhausted from all the extra work they assumed it had just taken its toll. When the weeks turned into days you slowly began to pack things and you were confronted by your dad.

“Kiddo, I gotta- I’m gonna say something” your dad said and you tensed, here it comes.

“Has, did you meet someone?” He asked and you whipped around to stare at him. He looked awkward, scratching the back of his neck.

“You can just tell us honey, you don’t have to sneak out, I know as an omega you have… needs” he gulped and you flushed.

“Maker, dad no” you said and he relaxed.

“Ok, good, not good I mean it’s not good you haven’t found someone I mean” he stopped looking embarrassed as your mother appeared behind him.

“Honey I’ve seen the vials too” she whispered and you froze.

“If you wanna move out I won’t stop you I know it’s hard here with all of us, I’d be so proud of you” she smiled softly and you felt your heart break.

“No, mom” you muttered.

“I’m going to get you a better life” you said and they frowned.

“Better life? We’re happy like this together, it’s hard, but we have each other” your mother said.

“I’m going to join the first order, I’m going to hide my scent, keep up my suppressants, scent blockers, you will be provided for, have hot water and food and fancy things” you blurted and they froze. Your mother looked like she was about to cry and your father held her hand tightly.

“What brought this on? Did we do something I don’t-?” Your mother stuttered.

“You did nothing, but I can do something” you said.

“You already do enough” your dad said still in shock.

“You don’t need to go, stay here it’s for your own safety you’ll be killed or worse” your mum said going to you and holding you tightly.

“Promise me you won’t go” she begged, tears dropping to your shirt. Your heart broke as your dad wiped his eyes and hugged you too. Your plan shattered and you felt your world crumble.

“Ok” you muttered and your mother sighed softly still holding you.

The day the ship arrived had the whole town abuzz, people already joined, packed and said their goodbyes. You had your bags half unpacked and one vial gone. By night the ships still stayed, they would leave in the morning. You tossed and turned that night before you grabbed a pen and your journal. You writ a letter scribbling your apology and explanation. You packed your things as quietly as you could, placed the note on your bed and snuck out your window. You felt your emotions go haywire, wanting to go back inside to the safety of home. This was for them though, they’d finally have a life they deserve, your sister could have an education. You approached the ship seeing storm troopers outside.

“Evening” one said and you gulped, but said evening.

“Here to join?” He asked and you nodded praying your scent blockers and suppressants worked.

“Please fill out these forms over there, hand them to the officer by the table when you’re done” he instructed handing a folder and pen before pointing to the officer. You nodded sitting down, ignoring the few judgmental looks you got.

The form was huge, questions of family, personal questions, history questions, description of the jobs and dangers, what training included. Gosh your mind was in a spiral by the time you finished.

“Thank you, please head down the hall you’ll be met by another officer” the officer said as you handed your form in. You nodded, this ship was huge. You saw the next officer and he gave a small nod and smile.

“Please stay here while we gather the last stragglers and we will leave first light” he said gesturing to the beds laid out in the room. There were others around, most you knew due to being in a small village. You cursed being in a small village, you avoided everyone though and sat in the corner.

“Y/n?” You looked up seeing a familiar face from the Catina. A young beta named Leo.

“Hey” you said as he sat down beside you.

“I thought you were-“ he stopped raising his eyebrows to gesture.

“Please don’t say anything” you whispered and he frowned but nodded.

“Family?” He asked and you nodded. He understood with a sad smile.

“Me too, my brothers sick” he whispered. You heard about his brother a few times from sad story’s of him at the bar.

“I needed to get a hold of things, stop wasting it in drinks” he said and you nodded.

“I’m glad for you” you said and he smiled meekly.

“Thank you” he said.

“Does your family know you’re here?” He asked and you shook your head.

“They know, but I said I wouldn’t, but I just” you sighed.

“Need to do something?” He asked and you nodded, he understood.

“Well I’ll help keep you covered till we get to the main ship” he smiled holding his hand out for you to shake. You chuckled lightly giving his hand a small shake and nodding.

Next part <-

#alpha kylo ren #alpha kylo #alpha kylo x omega reader #kylo x reader #Starwars #x reader #aob

[snowbellewells]

Self Promo Sunday: "Bless What is Given You"

I realize that it's time to roll out the Christmas-y fics, but I had one more Thanksgiving story, and I didn't want to leave it out. I hope you will still enjoy it, even in December. There’s a nod to a missing moment from 3x19, but then it jumps to post s6 in Storybrooke, to all of them in their happy beginning… Most of this is also written in Robin Hood's point-of-view, so there is some Outlaw Queen in amongst the larger Swan Jones Charming Mills family fluff, if that is a deal-breaker for anyone...

** Also available on AO3, if that is your preference **

by: @snowbellewells

“Do you mean to tell me you think you know better than a queen?” Regina’s haughty voice practically dripped disdain from each clipped, precise syllable she spoke. The perfect arch of her sculpted brow rose in question, disbelief and disapproval clear on her challenging, flawless face, even if her tone had not made her opinion more than apparent. “My mother was Rumplestiltskin’s most prized pupil; he sought me out himself to train me as well, chose me to cast his precious Dark Curse… Do you honestly think the fact that you can scare off a few monkeys with your arrows and you’ve been squatting in his deserted castle makes you a better judge of...of…” Even though she spoke the “you” as though her mouth was swallowing something foul and her face scrunched up accordingly, it seemed that the formerly Evil Queen was at a rare loss for words to express just how ridiculous the very idea was.

Unfazed, the scruffy archer gazed right back at her cheekily, seeming more than a bit amused by her ruffled feathers and inability to continue. “Not sure that is quite the distinction you’re making it out to be, Milady,” he offered with a smirk.

From across the way, Snow couldn’t seem to resist chiming in with the outlaw who had once befriended a princess on the run; who, in what now seemed like another life had helped her fine-tune her skills with a bow and advised her on spots in the forest where one could most easily hunt game to eat without encountering Regina’s guards. Though Snow had long since made the choice to put their painful and sordid history in the past, there was something that teased a warble of delighted laughter up her throat at the sight of this bandit who once graced “Wanted” posters by her side agitating Regina to the point of losing all her icy, polished reserve. “It is a bit of a dubious honor, Regina, you have to admit.”

Charming beside her dipped his head to hide the chuckle rumbling in his chest as well, reaching across their round council table’s polished surface to squeeze her hand. The shepherd-prince consort would have been lying if he refused to admit there wasn’t a part of him who enjoyed watching her Majesty flounder for her unaffected poise. It went without saying that the curse they were speaking of had ripped he and Snow apart and taken their daughter from his arms almost the moment she was born; consigning them all to 28 lonely years of misery. The truth was that plain and that simple, but he wisely held his tongue. At least since his recent pirate friend had gone off on his own after their arrival back in their land, Robin was someone with whom he could break a bit of the tension and who might lighten all of their dark and despairing moods once in a while.

As they returned to discussing the plan to raid Gold’s castle here in their home realm, knowing Zelena had holed up in the Dark One’s stronghold - with Rumplestiltskin himself still prisoner - it became clear it was really the only method they had left to try, to hope that the man who always knew so much more than anyone else would also know some way out of this mess, some way to stop Regina’s rage and envy fueled half-sister. Belle across the table looked pale and strained, her lips pressed together in a thin line but determined, needing to help in whatever way she could. Even if they couldn’t free her True Love, even if his mind were already too fractured by his near death, the half-possession that had held his son’s mind within his body as well, and then that son’s violent loss, he wouldn’t want things to continue as they were; with him under Zelena’s control and bent to her will. Belle had to cling to that truth if nothing else.

Seeming to sense her flagging spirit, Charming saw Leroy sitting next to her place a clumsily large, ax-calloused hand over her slender, tiny one and give it a reassuring squeeze. The dwarf leaned over to whisper encouragingly to the petite beauty, and the prince realized that even within his inner circle of friends and allies there were deeper friendships, and stories leading to them, that he didn’t know, as Belle’s petite frame relaxed and her tense shoulders lowered slightly at the stout little man’s clearly welcomed assurances. The former shepherd thought he just made out the kind, if gruffly voiced, words, “Hang in there, Sister, the battle ain’t over yet.” Charming smiled; that might as well be a mantra for all of them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Robin of Locksley, otherwise known in the Enchanted Forest these days by his more colorful moniker of Robin Hood, simply could not seem to help it. He knew something about him - be it his cavalier attitude towards risk and danger, his leisurely and rather lax methods of ruling over his crew (Can he help it if he’d trust them with his life and has never had cause to question their loyalty or skill?) or perhaps it was just his very form and person she objected to. Whatever the case may be, he couldn’t help goading her Majesty, rattling that posh control of which the woman seemed so proud. Behind the cool and haughty veneer Regina Mills carefully wore, he sensed something injured - fragile, even - though she would be appalled at the thought that any weakness showed, he had no doubt of that. The irony, of course, was that bit of a chink in her flawless armor was the one thing that kept him from dismissing her as another selfish, cruel royal stepping on the backs of those less fortunate to get ahead. Her tiny show of pained humanity, the loneliness hidden behind those large dark eyes, beguiled him no matter how hard he tried to resist; drew his empathy where otherwise he would have had only scorn for her past actions and the villain she had been.

They were in the Dark Castle; seemingly, hopefully, having escaped Zelena’s notice so far, but stymied by a large door into the chamber where Rumplestiltskin had to be imprisoned. They had searched the entire rest of the castle and found it empty. None of them were foolish enough, however, to assume that the fact that they had not yet seen the Wicked Witch meant that the way ahead was safe or that she had not laid hidden snares for any intruders. Particularly not if this door were the barrier beyond which she was hiding the powerful being she meant to both use and prove herself to. There had been no other closed doors until this one, after all.

With a huff of impatience, as if she couldn’t be bothered to waste another second of her time - even with safety - the former Queen reached forward, her perfectly manicured hand nearly to the golden inlaid handle despite the Princess Snow’s warnings for caution and the Lady Belle’s wise suggestion that they wait. What appeared as bold unconcern and decisiveness radiated down her spine of steel, held ramrod-straight, but there was a slight tremor in those pale fingers, one he would have missed if he hadn’t been seeking it, just before they closed around the polished metal.

Some strange shiver of foreboding knowledge borne of a life in the forest, in the shadows, constantly on the move, pursued and on the run, made some more-than-tangible knowledge run through him, and Robin’s limbs and muscles were reacting before his mind issued a conscious order. Knowing the proud woman plowing ahead would not heed any words he called out anyway, he had silently reached over his shoulder, pulled an arrow from his quiver, nocked it to his bow, and let it fly before another moment passed, startling Regina enough as its course whistled past her ear to make her jerk back several steps. 

The feathered missile embedded in the heavy oaken portal with the solid “thunk” of a shot ringing true, but to the horror of all, rather than remaining there, vibrating from its landing, the arrow was lost from sight as the entire door was engulfed in instantaneous flames.

Watching the blaze which would undoubtedly have devoured her as well had he allowed her to pull open that door before loosing his arrow, Regina paused for mere moments before whipping around, dark eyes flashing, to arrest him angrily. “That arrow nearly took off my head!” she barked, voice as sharp as jagged glass.

Robin shot back, unable to keep himself from rising to the bait. Her lack of gratitude didn’t even surprise him by that point, but he hadn’t intended to be chastised for his quick-thinking aversion of danger either. “Where I come from a simple thank you would have sufficed.”

The regent’s black eyebrow rose in eloquent derision, making her opinion of where he came from quite clear without speaking a word. Yet, despite that hateful, snarling facade he could see the slight tremor he had previously noticed in her pale hands become a full-body quivering that, while still not plainly visible, had to be making it hard for her to remain standing, much less glaring at him with such vitriol. Her full, blood-red-painted lips trembled minutely as well until her perfect white teeth bit into the lower one, stilling it and making him swallow heavily with some reaction he couldn’t explain. She was shaken; that much he knew. But he could understand refusing to admit fear, not being able to let it show for the sake of those who follow, who must see strength to stay their course.

Thankfully, the clearly magical blaze soon expired and the way before them was as clear and unbarred as all the previous entryways they had encountered. Not without a bit of trepidation, but also as brave and determinedly as he had long since learned their hero contingent to be, Prince Charming and Snow pressed forward, followed anxiously by Belle (whom Robin’s heart panged for as she clearly ached to find the man she loved still able to recognize her and navigate his own mind) and the rest of their group. Regina just to the side, looked for all the world as if she were in no particular hurry to enter and see her former mentor, but could instead care less one way or the other. Hanging back, the outlaw of Sherwood Forest made sure the others had passed through the door and into the other room, well out of hearing, before he stepped up to Regina’s side, drawing almost nose-to-nose with her. He then leaned forward practically brushing the shell of her ear as he murmured. “There’s no need to pretend you’re made of stone, your Majesty…” He put precise emphasis on the title which she had let him know in no uncertain terms she preferred upon their first meeting in the forest. “In fact, with the present company, I believe you might get much further by letting them see that you have doubts and fears, just as they do. I know I like you much better seeing you as more than the Evil Queen.”

At her sharp intake of air with his last pronouncement, he pulled back quickly, half expecting a slap to be stinging his skin at any moment. Instead, he found color rising hotly up her neck, her chest rising and falling strenuously in that ridiculously low-cut corseted gown, and her generally looking more flustered and affected than he had ever seen her before.

She opened and closed her mouth soundlessly for several seconds until her tart tongue seemed to return to her, then spit out a quick, “Insolent bandit,” before moving to brush past him and follow the others.

Something in Robin snapped and surged to life in answer to her challenge; not allowing her to push him aside, he grasped her upper arm firmly and held on, her back to the wall and crowding in close to her, until their breaths were mingling in the same air, their faces were so close. Even as his pulse pounded and his heart rate skyrocketed, Robin wondered what had come over him. The woman had maimed and killed, schemed and plotted for her own selfish ends, and stood for everything he had devoted himself to toppling. She was nothing like his beloved Marian had been; someone with whom he would not have imagined sharing a thing in common - and yet he couldn’t fight the pull he felt. The need to imprint upon her not to put her life at risk so needlessly again.

Sweeping forward, he dove into an all-consuming kiss, taking her mouth with his and giving no quarter, delving further instead, and swallowing the whimper and hum that escaped her throat unconsciously, despite her best attempts to remain unaffected.  

Regina’s hands grappled blindly at his biceps as if trying to steady herself. She scrabbled for solid support before helplessly melting against him, opening for his questing mouth and giving herself over to the heated embrace. When they finally broke for air, she was breathless, and he huffed out a winded chuckle himself when she managed, “Well, Thief, that really was quite pleasant… Even if you do still smell of forest.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Several realms, curses, and years later, in Storybrooke

The three men and their half dozen offspring of various ages creeping through the woods on the border of Storybrooke out near the town line are quiet and intent, completely and unabashedly focused on their prize. Up ahead, atop the small rise of a hill as the sun climbs fully into the cold, clear November morning sky, their prey struts proudly, stopping occasionally to offer its warbled call or peck at the rough ground beneath its feet. They have been tracking the large turkey for some time now, since before day fully dawned, and the time to strike has come at last.

Briefly, the thought flits through Robin’s head that this could be the same tom that had escaped himself and his Merry Men in this same forest years ago, when the hunt had been interrupted by the nightmarish interruption of a winged simian attacker and LIttle John’s subsequent transformation. To this day, the large and otherwise unflappable man stays far away from this particular section of the forest and refuses to go anywhere near the town line on foot. A quick glance at David and his preteen son to the right, then Killian and his little girl and second son to the left, gives him the hint from both men’s expressions that they are also remembering that rather ill-fated day, as bows are readied and last instructions offered.

He can only hope they will face nothing so unexpected this fine morn. The turkey before them has been promised to grace the main table of the large community Thanksgiving feast, and between the three men and their brood of adventurous junior hunters it is a matter of pride that they not return empty-handed today. Roland was promised the first unobstructed shot, and the young man, just barely a teenager but already capable and thoughtful as an adult, has already taken aim and is readying his shot to fly, much to his half-sister Margot’s displeasure as she stands just behind her big brother at Robin’s elbow. She is as untamed and mischievous as Roland is quiet and serious, and was much put out at the decision that Roland as the oldest child should get first chance, arguing rather heatedly that Roland might be biggest but she was the best shot. His blond-braided, green-attired second child is one of the best shots he’s ever seen at barely ten, but if she doesn’t learn to keep her temper and her slightly spoiled younger sibling petulance under control, he is certainly in for further trials in a few years.

Even in the few silent moments afforded him as they all hold their breaths, Rob feels the gratitude and love he has for his children, and the friends and adopted family surrounding them, surge through him with new strength. He had so very nearly left this world, numerous times over, as had the men on either side of him, and the women each of them loved. It was part of the heavy mantle they wore when standing against the Darkness in the world and fighting it back from the light and good time after time. Still, what better time than the present holiday to give thanks for the fact that they are all still standing and present to celebrate together?

Roland lets out a soft breath and then releases the arrow, just as a sharp cry rings out to the left.  His son’s aim is true, but the bird is startled from its perch just in time to have the shot glide by beneath its talons as it takes flight. David on his right is already directing Leo to adjust his aim quickly and get off a second shot, even as Robin’s eyes sweep to where Killian is righting Hope from a tumble over a jutting tree root, brushing off her dark leggings and checking her for injury as she clearly struggles to hold back embarrassed and disappointed tears.

What he hasn’t banked on is his daughter’s inability to wait her turn or hold back any longer. Quick as whip, Margot lets fly, striking the bird right as she intends and sending it toppling from the sky. Mouth falling open in surprise at her audacity and her skill in equal measure, Robin can’t help the surge of pride at his daughter’s prowess, even if he knows he should admonish her for taking Leo’s moment from him and wondering if he should be making certain Roland doesn’t feel overshadowed.  However, his eldest spares him the trouble when he whoops and claps Margot on the shoulder, crying out “You got him on the fly, Sis! Nice one!”

When the whole group converges together, he decides to let the lecture about abiding by the rules and taking turns slide for the time being upon noticing that Leo looks rather relieved that the pressure to prove his mettle before their quarry escaped has been taken off of his shoulders. Instead, he claps his little girl on the shoulder, squeezing with gentle affection until she looks up at him, beaming.  Like her brother before her, she is growing much too fast, turning into a young lady before his eyes, and so for a moment, he lets himself revel in the fact that she still wants to spend time out in the woods with him and wishes to make him proud. Her papa won’t hold the favored spot in her heart forever, so he may as well savor it while he can.

He thinks Killian’s youngest, barely old enough to be tromping around out here with them in truth, looks a bit teary at the downed and unnaturally still bird before them, so he hurries to bag their prize for the journey homeward and puts it out of sight over his shoulder while Killian picks his tired youngest up off his feet and begins asking him how many different types of trees he can recognize from their leaves on the way back. That seems a bit difficult for a five-year-old until little Liam David begins happily babbling (suitably distracted thankfully) and pointing out oaks, maples and scotch pines as the pirate’s unerring sense of direction leads their whole troupe out of the forest toward the main road where they’ve left their trucks, Margot takes his hand, and Hope her grandpa’s, and Roland and Leo fall in behind talking amiably and carrying the bows. Apparently they have a budding naturalist in their midst as well, and Killian Jones - as usual - knows exactly what he is doing.

When he, Roland, and Margot trail back into the mayoral mansion some time later, discarding their muddy boots by the door, but still scattering crumbled leaves and dirt in the entryway, Regina stands in the hall shaking her head, and directs the children toward the laundry room to discard their outerwear before heading up to wash for dinner.  She looks at him, trying to muster exasperation, but unable to do so. That flawless Queen is long gone; she has come a long way since they snapped and snarled at each other in self-preservation back in their home realm, neither wanting to fall in love and risk heartbreak again.

Snatching his jacket collar and pulling him in close, Regina nips at his lips playfully before murmuring against his scruffy cheek, “You still smell like forest,” she mocks, “but somehow you’ve managed to steal my heart.”

He shakes his head, offering back words she’d stunned him with once long ago, “That’s not quite the way I remember it.  If I recall, your heart was given to me,” he whispers, emotion taking over the jest, “and a person can’t steal what’s been given to him.”

All in all, he’s been given much more than a simple archer from Sherwood Forest could have ever hoped.

Tagging a few who might enjoy: @searchingwardrobes @kmomof4 @jennjenn615 @laschatzi @whimsicallyenchantedrose @jrob64 @apiratewhopines @xarandomdreamx @booksteaandtoomuchtv @kazoosandfannypacks @teamhook @revanmeetra87 @stahlop @anmylica @gingerchangeling @gingerpolyglot @winterbaby89 @spartanguard @therooksshiningknight @optomisticgirl @tiganasummertree @donteattheappleshook @elizabeethan @the-darkdragonfly @bdevereaux @thislassishooked

#self promo sunday #ouat thanksgiving ff #ouat canon divergent oneshot #bless what is given you #thanksgiving ff #outlaw queen #swan jones charming mills family ff

[rorywritesjunk]

pt 1 + pt 2 + pt 3 + pt 4 + pt 5 + pt 6 + end

He wasn't in the room next morning but Sunny wasn't too surprised, just a little sad. Buggy only told her his name, nothing else, so she had no idea why he had been upset or why he was so hungry. She just thought he needed a friend.

She grabbed her purse, finding that her money was gone. He needed it more than her so she shrugged it off and left the room to get some breakfast that the inn had for guests. Miss Pins had already stepped out to meet with a client, one that heard she was in town and wanted to meet with her so she let Sunny have the day to herself.

After she ate she went to explore a little bit, staying close to the inn just in case. While she was only two years into her apprenticeship Sunny already had her fill of pushy pirates.

Looking through shops, a market, passing by wanted posters was how she spent the next few hours. Lougetown had much to offer that was similar to her home.

It was fine until someone grabbed her hand, pulling her back and without a second thought she clenched her fist and turned around, throwing a punch, hitting them in the cheek.

"What the hell?!" Buggy snapped, his hand on his reddening cheek as he glared at her. "I thought you were a tailor!"

"Oh, Buggy!" Sunny felt bad, but why did he surprise her? "My boss taught me how to defend myself. Why are you sneaking up on me?"

"I wasn't!" He insisted, but he never called out to her. He saw her from down the street and wanted... Something, he wasn't sure what, but he wanted her to know he was there so he grabbed her hand for attention. And now he had her attention, he didn't know what to say.

"I should get you some ice." Sunny sighed. "We can go back to my room. I'll take care of you."

I'll take care of you.

Why did she say that? Buggy didn't want that, but he also didn't know what he wanted. He saw her walking, someone who had been kind to him without asking anything in return, and he just... Wanted her to see him. He couldn't explain it. He was all over the place, unsure where he was going next now without Shanks or Sis to walk with him.

"Why?!" He demanded as he stepped back from her, but didn't relinquish her hand. He still held it, wary of another strike from her. He didn't expect her to pack such a punch.

"I want to." She told him point blank, like it was the most obvious thing ever. "I just... I don't know, I want to make sure you're okay."

"You don't even know me!" Buggy snapped at her.

"You don't know me either." She shrugged. "You said you could be a dangerous pirate, but maybe I'm a dangerous person too." She looked up at him, head tilted slightly. "I hope you'll be okay."

"I-I'll be fine! Why do you even care?!" He asked. "I don't need anyone, you know!"

"Buggy, everyone needs someone." Sunny told him; he was still holding her hand and she was letting him. "Sometimes you just have to find the right person."

Buggy thought that over for a second, breathing heavily as frustration rushed through him. He didn't want anyone to help him, and he didn't need anyone, but she was holding his hand, thumb caressing his knuckles as he refused to pull his hand back.

Why was she being so nice? Were there really people out there that were just... Nice without reason, without expecting anything in return? Was she one of these people? He didn't know what to say, his face red, palms sweaty, and he started to pull his hand back but she squeezed his hand and tugged him over to her with a smile.

"Let's get some ice for your cheek." She said to him as she turned to head back to the inn. "If anyone asks, I'll say you were protecting me, okay?"

And he didn't understand why but he allowed her to lead him away, back to the inn where she gave up her room for him. She got a bag of ice from the kitchen, took him to her room where she sat him on the bed and held the bag to his cheek, hoping to keep the swelling down. There would be a bruise, which horrified Sunny, but honestly Buggy found himself just a bit impressed by this sweet tailor who had been so kind to him despite his hostility.

Maybe there were people out there who were just nice.

#buggy the clown #mini fic #sunny x buggy #buggy the clown x oc #buggy x oc #opla buggy the clown x oc #opla buggy #opla buggy x oc #opla buggy the clown #one piece oc #one piece original character

[izzy-b-hands]

random fic writing babbling and rambling below the cut. TW for discussions of babies, historical breastfeeding, birth, Ed's midwifery charge from his wanted poster (the inspo for these fic ideas that are being discussed below lol.)

I keep trying to write a fic based on the midwifery charge on Ed's s2 wanted poster but I keep getting hung up on the historical accuracy thing of 'where are they getting enough human milk to feed a newborn until they can get this baby to a new family.' Like. In theory, it is doable, but before I get into that:

to explain, the plot every time, even the times I've actively tried to write it differently, is that it's a thing of them choosing the worst time to raid another ship. Either they're mid-raid and hear this poor person still attempting to give birth while everyone else onboard is being killed or threatened by Ed and crew, or as in the latest draft, Ed and Izzy literally walk in to the room just as this person passes away post final push/baby fully delivered.

The baby doesn't fix jack shit between Ed and Izzy or Ed and the crew, bc that doesn't work irl and it ain't gonna work in fiction either.

But! The situation and how everyone pulls together to look after the baby does make Ed slow down and take a step back from the things that have been doing his head in abt himself and Stede and Izzy and life in general. Bc like. He didn't INTEND for this to happen, had he known someone on the ship was actively giving fucking birth, they would have passed it by and left that ship alone! That's too much extra risk/work, when he's intending to keep them on a briskly moving pace for raids. And he doesn't want to hurt a kid, so of course he's going to make their new mission finding someone or a family to look after the baby, and look after them well (god help them if he should find out that's not the case, even years in the future.)

In the latest draft, as in previous, I have it also highlighting Izzy's connection to his mum via midwifery and knowledge abt looking after kids/babies. in the latest draft in particular, Izzy is implied ftm who was absolutely being trained by his mum to take over as midwife for their village/town, had he not gone to sea with Ed instead. But it means he's still retained some knowledge of it all, so he takes on a lot of the baby care.

For example, the bassinet they steal off the ship goes into Izzy's room (which we've seen is small af, so like. He can't even close his door anymore with the bassinet there.) The bottle making kit (that was an interesting bit of research, to find out how the few bottles used might have looked if a wet nurse/someone else nursing that lived nearby/etc weren't available to just. nurse the kid directly) is in his chest at the end of his bed.

Izzy and Ed wind up, again at least in this latest draft, having a few late night, exhausted conversations as they feed the baby and take turns rocking/walking the hall with the baby, just generally so sleep deprived and focusing on the baby that they haven't noticed they're working together more again. It's still clear they have so many things to talk abt and unpack for both of their sakes, but that wax seal over their shared emotions for each other starts to crumble a little once the baby is onboard.

The conversations might not entirely evade the rest of the s2 events, but I can't say bc my drafts always falter right abt here, or when I'm trying to make it sound realistic that they are also, very much, now raiding other ships not just for loot but for anyone currently lactating to express milk for them to feed the baby

(honestly, i half wanna write at least one raiding scene in the fic simply to have Ed try and explain that demand. Yes, he's the dread pirate Blackbeard, the Kraken, your nightmare. Yes, he wants all the loot and money onboard. Yes, he's also currently an unintentional foster parent along with his first mate/husband and their crew to a newborn that needs more milk and as such, anyone currently breastfeeding is commanded to try and fill some of a bottle. Either way, you're giving up everything you have so stop thinking about it or asking questions, unless you know of anyone looking to adopt a baby, by chance. In that case, please give that information to Fang before giving up your expensive things and/or breast milk.)

There's a lot of tentative hope, among all of them re: the baby. All of them making little comments, here and there, that whether the kid winds up a pirate or not, they hope the baby will be happy. Looked after and loved, in the ways some of them either weren't or experienced a very unhealthy/dysfunctional version of.

I do know the ending pretty well, though elements of it could change.

But for sure, I'm thinking of a scene of the ship, dark, everyone quiet sitting on the deck after they've dropped the baby off with a new family (i keep hemming and hawing with it being Doug and Mary somehow having heard abt this kid some pirates are trying to unload, bc I like the idea of leaving a little room for a sequel in Mary being like 'huh sounds like this guy (Ed) is really upset over someone who sounds an awful lot like Ste-oh no' and letting Ed know what went down with Stede)

And as they sail into the night, Ed mumbles that they should consider the night as a night off, but be ready to fight tomorrow morning. He implies they can all go fuck off to bed or whatever then, but instead all of them, Ed included, wind up bunking together on the main deck. Sharing bottles of rum, taking turns at the wheel/making sure they're not about to run aground, and having conversations abt their childhoods, mainly the few happy things they remember.

Like, Archie reveals part of the reason she joined the snake cult was bc she just always has liked them. Even as a little kid, grabbing them gently and letting them chill on her arms/hands.

Ed talks abt his mum teaching him how to sew, and jokes abt him and Izzy having darned each other's socks for years, thank fuck they both sew fairly well.

That actually gets a smile out of Izzy, who mumbles out that his mum would be pleased to see he'd remembered how to keep a baby alive and that he'd maybe even done fairly well.

Fang makes a gentle, kindly meant joke abt Izzy keeping them all alive fairly well, that she'd be proud of that too, and we cut to Ed's face just. Destroyed as he realises yeah, that's exactly what he's been making Izzy do, now and before. And he's just stepped back from the Kraken and the feelings that make that up to have that make him feel terrible. They used to live for each other, each sunrise they saw a defiant, blinding medal in reward of their survival. But it hasn't been that way for a long time, has it? And he can't decide if he wants to explore that feeling or make it go away as fast as possible, or maybe both.

Cut back to Fang cheerfully telling everyone the story of how he wound up being named for his dad, becoming Kevin Jr, and we end on the implication that at least for the rest of the night, things will be calm for them.

Makes me mad as hell I can write this whole post out to discuss the fic, but I can't seem to finish a draft solidly enough to finally finish and publish lmao

#text post #long post #if anyone reads this and does wanna like #bounce ideas abt any of this or other fic ideas pls reach out to me #i don't have many folks i can talk abt these ideas with and i admit im shy to share sometimes but #man i miss just brainstorming random fic ideas and bouncing different ideas and bits together with ppl #genuinely sorry for how long this is but I did warn it was at least partially a ramble #I've had a lot of fic thoughts ive been wanting to bounce so. here we are lol

[ginnyw-potter]

Loving Her Is Easy

Written for Day 28 of @hinnyfest

Prompt: "I am glad you're alive."

Also on AO3

Harry woke up feeling like he had been run over by a truck but he found comfort in waking up in his four-poster bed in Hogwarts. He had no idea how long he had slept after he had gone to bed after the Battle or what had happened in the world in the meantime.

He crept out of bed and found that the rest of the dorm was empty. There was a dull ache in both his chest and his head but both were bearable so he did not pay it much attention. He stepped into his clothes, which had been cleaned.

He walked down to the common room and was glad to find Ron and Hermione there. “How long did I sleep?”

“About 20 hours I think. I only woke up two hours ago myself,” Ron replied.

“You should get that looked at,” Hermione commented, pointing at his head.

He did shower before he crept into bed so most of the blood must be gone but he assumed it was still visible. He shrugged. “Sure.”

“Most people have gone down for breakfast,” Hermione informed him.

He wasn’t sure if she had mentioned it because he should also eat or because he may not want to walk into the Great Hall when it was full of people.

“Actually, do you know where Ginny is?”

“I think she went down to the Quidditch Pitch,” Ron said.

Harry expected him to say anything else, a word of warning perhaps but Ron stayed silent. He thanked Ron and went on his way to the Pitch. He did not pay much mind to the people in the castle but most of them would not do more than stare as he walked past them.

He was surprised not to find her in the air above the remnants of the bleachers. He continued his way towards the locker rooms to see if she was there. He found her sitting on a bench in the hallway, looking at nothing in particular but she looked up when she heard his footsteps.

“Oh, it’s you,” she said. “I came down here to fly but … no brooms. So now I was just enjoying a quiet moment.”

Harry halted a few meters away from her. “I will leave you then.”

She shook her head and offered a weak smile. “You don’t count.”

He walked closer and sat down on the bench beside her. “How are you?”

“Been better, been worse,” she said, which summed up the bittersweet feeling of victory quite well. “How are you?”

To his surprise, his throat closed up and tears welled up in his eyes. He hadn’t meant to fall apart, Ginny had just lost a brother and was likely feeling much worse than him but he couldn’t help it. Something about her soft caring eyes and her genuine interest in his well-being had unleashed something that had been brewing on his insides ever since the Battle ended.

Without saying a word, she turned to him and pulled him into her arms. Like months hadn’t passed, Ginny was his greatest source of comfort once again. She wasn’t trying to soothe him, she simply recognised he needed to be held for a while.

Ginny patiently waited until he could collect himself, he wiped his tears as he sat up and she let go of him.

He turned to her too, focusing back on why he came here. He pondered what to say or where to start.

“So, what’s your relationship status?” he tried a bit awkwardly.

Her eyes locked with his. “You tell me.”

“Just… if you found another guy in the meanwhile, I’d understand… You were free to date whomever and my chances of survival were next to none, really, so I wouldn’t expect-”

“I was always going to wait for you,” she said honestly.

“I wouldn’t have expected you to, any other guy I bet would have been easier.”

“Easier perhaps, but we don’t choose who we love, do we?” Her eyes were focused on him and didn’t glance away as she said it.

Harry took a deep breath. He tried a dry chuckle. “Are you sure? Because the girl I love… she’s the best. Loving her is easy.”

She shook her head with a smile. “You don’t have to charm me, Potter, you already have my heart.”

Then her lips were on his again and it felt like coming up for air, like sunsets in summer or hot chocolate in the dead of winter, she made him feel glad to be alive. He didn’t know when it happened but when they finally parted she was on his lap. His arms had wrapped around her of their own accord like she belonged there. And she did.

They looked at each other and then Ginny carefully touched her hand to his head and he winced at the sharp pain.

“I can heal that for you,” she said, taking her wand out.

“When did you learn that?” he commented.

She shook her head. “You don’t want to know.” They shared a look indicating they had a lot to talk about, but for now it did not really matter. Her hand came to his chin softly and turned it to the side so she could see properly.

“That must have bled a lot,” she said, pointing her wand at it.

Harry swallowed hard, remembering when he got the wound. He did not have the heart to tell her why he hadn’t cared to notice the bleeding. “Yeah.”

He remained still as Ginny healed it. A moment later her hand softly pressed against it and he found it hardly hurt at all. It was just sore.

“How’s that?” she asked him as he turned to look at her again.

“Much better, thank you.”

"Any other injuries?" she asked.

He grabbed his collar and glanced down his shirt to look at the new scar. "That one can't be helped I fear."

"Can I look?" she asked carefully.

He nodded and she softly pushed up his shirt. It gave him goosebumps where her fingers touched his skin.

He saw her look at the still faintly green scar and back in his eyes. "Is that where the Killing Curse hit?"

He nodded. He inhaled sharply as her palm pressed softly against it, her hands warm against his skin.

“I am glad you’re alive," she said softly, removing her hand and pulling his shirt back down.

"Me too."

He pulled her into a hug and she leaned her head on his shoulder, her nose pressing against the skin of his neck.

#hinnyfest #hinny #fic #after the battle

[thymeebutter]

A few fun examples of things that probably should have ticked parents off towards my autism:

(!! Feel free to share with your own!!)

Having a comfort blanket, and when it was suddenly taken from me and thrown away after years and years with it, I completely shut down until it was replaced and I had adequate time to mourn. (Didn't do anything for over a week, like barely ate and just cuz I was fed)

Being so confused about the order of things and how you were supposed to do them, to where my mom got fed up and just printed and laminated step by step flow charts and guides for things like getting dressed, showering, brushing my hair, ect

Constantly stimming

Learning disability squad ✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️💜✨💜✨💜 (dysgraphia specifically, effects my ability to put things in my head onto paper, my handwriting is atrocious, spelling is not good, I don't know how to write or type in proper grammar I just use speech to text, also writing hurts my hand a lot. Might ask why I don't type, I have a very difficult time putting things onto screen as well, I like speech to text because I can just say my thoughts and it cuts out the sucky middle man)

Refused to learn vowels and cursive, got extremely mad when I was shown algebra, calmed down when I realized there wasn't actually writing words involved

Was part of the "advanced group" of one other person in 5th grade and was learning algebra. (Definitely wasn't in advanced classes through high school though, those teachers were a lot less accommodating towards my learning needs so I got majorly behind in everything)

Loyal to a fault with friends, and was often taken advantage of and lied to

Obsessed with eggs, specifically deviled eggs, would go to every single neighbor on the street that I had been introduced to, and try to trade them pictures of their pets for eggs (it worked with two of them and I would routinely visit for more deviled eggs loll, I got inevitably caught when I would just put the unprotected egg into my pocket to save for later and made a mess) 😭

Didn't know how to approach people or play with them, at literally any age. Only didn't stand out majorly because on my first day of kindergarten a girl ran up to me and said that we were now friends and basically guided me through everything lol. Honestly looking back I think she just had fun bossing me around but I wasn't against it or anything, it helped me not stand out too much.

Would interrupt class to tell teacher that a poster (often times cartoon drawings) had incorrect gravity, physics, anatomy, ect, and would completely miss the point that it's a cartoonized version

Did not understand really the concept of sharing and what belongs to who for a good while

Told my mom that when I was an adult I was going to buy a hundred erasers to just chew on throughout the week, was told that this was a good idea, now I have chewy toys lol

Also remarkably too obsessed with pet toys, still am tbh, The crinkles and bells and squeakers are fun, what can I say?

Learned to "pretend play" when my parents were watching, but would just do my own thing otherwise and play with things in a very nerdivergent way.

Had very bad depression and anxiety since at least 4th grade

Literally my only other friends were either kids who just adopted me as a friend suddenly (99% of them took advantage of me), or were also disabled in some way and ostracized

OBSESSED with my little pony and having wings

Once I got slightly older and got unrestricted internet access, became even more obsessed with fallout Equestria (I have the fancy leather bound golden embossed print I'm so happy) (I want the project horizons one too)

Would very very obviously mirror people around me, typically adults, they thought I was just being funny

Very bad with volume control, would be extremely loud, then extremely quiet, then wouldn't respond at all. Parents didn't care as long as it wasn't the loud one since they were tired with younger siblings.

Taught myself to read because my mom was too slow, was reading Nancy Drew at 4 (I don't actually know if that's the normal age)

Could read well in my head, had extreme difficulty putting the words together out loud

My favorite blanket was two pieces of fabric tied together, and when I was overwhelmed I would untie some of it and then retie myself inside of it and hide in there for hours

Would retreat to small dark spaces like closets and under beds, parents didn't care cuz I was out of their hair

I grew up on my Little pony and a VeggieTales, so I was very over the top expressive when I was younger since I was copying the shows I liked, didn't mean I would pull the red expressions at the right time though, people just figured I was funny

Would walk directly behind people I liked and trusted, constantly got yelled at by my mom for stepping on her heels

Would get extremely upset if anyone was behind me more than once or for more than 20 seconds

Always felt like a really bad kid, and like I was really stupid for just having a different brain

Very clearly not a cishet kid, not an exact trait of autism itself, but autistic people are more likely to be LGBTQ+

Was extremely good at reading in my head, but extremely upset when I was told to read at the same speed and level out loud. There's like a disconnect in my head that makes it hard putting words in my head or from paper(extremely bad at reading out loud) into vocal noise that is coherent

Took things very literally (very fun story! Was bad with personal space, and when I was about 10 my parents realized that I wasn't just trying to be cute, I was told to stay an arm's length away from everyone at all times. Later that day, A pregnant lady at our church feels a tiny hand on her tummy, thinking that I must be curious about her baby she excitedly turns to me. I am glaring, and when I see her looking at me I explain that I was told to keep an arms length away at all times, but I was very frustrated because I was still somehow doing it wrong??????? She found this very hilarious, and found me years later to tell me the story, apparently it's one of her favorites so that makes me happy at least. I did definitely get in trouble though rip)

Book I like? Reading it cover to cover over and over until I can tell you what happens on every page

Tried to show interest in other people and bond with them by info dumping on things I liked and then waiting for them to do the same, sometimes this worked out very well, other times it did not and I may or may not have thought that my dad hated me all throughout middle school because he did not show interest in the same way and neither of us understood.

Bonded a lot with my dad though as a kid through both getting hyper fixated on the same LEGO game, he would play and be very strict about anyone interrupting his focus or making noise, and I would sit and watch for hours without moving, it was pretty chill

Terrible at telling when I was hungry or thirsty

My first memory is signaling for a parent to fill up my sippy cup, and my dad did. Except when I took a drink, it was lukewarm! I was disgusted and even though I needed water and felt bad physically I refuse to drink. Now I'll drink lukewarm water if I have to I guess, like if I have a bad headache and need to take meds.

Got low-key hyperfocused on dork diaries in either fourth or 5th grade for a bit, taught myself a chunk of calculus, scored way too high on my computer state testing and gave my teachers way too high math expectations :p. Forgot everything within a week because I got re-obsessed with mlp

Got in trouble for giving rude looks a lot, turns out I was just either giving too much or too little eye contact, I figured out that you could counteract this a bit by complimenting people, because a lot of people like when younger kids compliment them

Did not at all realize that I was bullied until I entered middle school and the kids were a lot more obvious about it, even then I was very dense to most of it and still kind of am

Bad at telling when things hurt, had a terrible ankle that would constantly give out, and because I wouldn't be able to tell it hurt or wouldn't be able to react appropriately to the pain I would just be told to walk through it. Whenever I ended up hurting myself I would always hope that no one saw so I could just continue playing, unfortunately when the kid is covered in blood that's kind of a red flag and you get sent to the nurses office and then to the doctors or home loll

Also related, I was not very good at acting sick when I was sick, so teachers wouldn't believe me. I would tell them very straightforward that I was about to throw up and I guess I wasn't acting the part because they would tell me not to lie. Jokes on them I guess, or the janitor. Poor janitor ya'll deserve more love

Took people seriously, whenever I was told to figure things out on my own or do them myself I would, even if I ended up extremely hurting myself. I would always get scolded for not asking help but I would be so confused cuz I was told to do it on my own

Later in elementary school I was very bad at playing the games everyone else played, especially the pretend ones since I didn't really get the rules or what was going on, but my best friend was really popular so I just followed her around and she vouched for me (once again, someone who just adopted me as a friend, still friends now and we like to joke that she's stuck around me too long and has just gotten used to it all lol)

Final fun fact, was told when I was 15 by my bio mom that she always figured I was "somewhere on the spectrum"(depending on her mood she used the r slur >:/) but didn't want the family to have to deal with the ~stigma~ . Like wow, feels great but y'all knew something was up with me but never thought to even talk to me about it because you didn't want to look bad to others. Also this was completely unprompted lol.

#late diagnosed autistic #autistic experiences #actually autistic #autistic traits #autistic childhood experiences #how did no one notice this

[defectiveporcelaindoll]

eddie my love

Summary: following the events in the upside down, the reader channels her grief into a letter to her beloved Eddie Munson. The first of possibly many.

Warnings: grief, language, nothing else really.

Dear Eds,

It's been a couple days since everything really went to shit. If we're completely honest, I don't remember much of the past few days. Maybe it's a trauma response, or maybe this is just how I'm processing everything, and eventually, I'll be able to look back, and it won't all be covered in such heavy fog. I haven't really been able to leave the house. But the gang doesn't really love the idea of me staying cooped up in my bed, in the dark, crying all day... so. Steve dragged me to the Wheeler's house this morning, trying to get me out into the world, around people. I think he just wanted me to be around Dustin, honestly. I think Steve thinks we can just grieve together, which in theory is great, except I'm right now, I'm crying about 22 out of the 24 hours in a day? It would be the full 24, but ya know, gotta cry myself two sleep for at least two hours? So, I really just suck the life out of literally everyone, and no one deserves to have to deal with that, especially not the kid.

  But, I guess Dustin saw Wayne the other day at the school, the government, or the red cross, or I don't know, but someone has turned the gym into a help center for anyone in need after the "earthquake." There are missing posters, and gods bless Wayne. He's been switching yours out every chance he gets. Even when you're not around, the monsters of this town are still on the attack. Hunt the freak, right? Apparently, Dustin had your pick. That little shit didn't even tell me he had it, but he gave it to Wayne, and I'm not going to be a brat about it or cry about it... okay, that's a lie, I have been crying about it, but I know he deserved it. I know he shaped you into the man I called my best friend, that I fell in love with, and who loved me absolutely and irrecoverably. As absolutely fucked up as it is, I got to say goodbye; I got to see you one last time. He didn't. Wayne should have the silly little guitar pick. Sorry, I'm just being dramatic.

  But um, anyway, Steve and Robin have been volunteering every chance they get; I don't know, maybe it helps soothe their damaged consciousness? Maybe helping those affected by our mistakes makes up for the fact that we failed in their minds. I know if you were here, you'd probably drag me out to the school. You'd be poking and prodding at my sides, trying to get me to smile even though things have quite literally gone to hell in a handbasket. We could've cleared your name. Jason really did a number on your image, babe. But according to Lucas, when the upside down split Hawkins in half like a god damn kit kat, it also fully consumed and ripped that pompous asshole in half, soooo... I know it's shitty...but yay? one less arrogant dick wandering the streets. That was really fucked up, my bad. I know if you were here, you'd be looking at me with those big stupid doe eyes, your mouth just barely open, trying to justify or maybe understand how I could say something so incredibly terrible and then shrug it off like it was nothing.

You know, I'm really mad at you. You didn't have to be the hero. We were so close. So so close to being out of there. I've been replaying that moment in my head. Watching you cut that sheet over and over and over again, watching you run like hell back into that hellscape. It was supposed to be your year, 86' baby. Your stupid heart of gold, paying the ultimate price, sacrificing yourself for a stupid town of judgmental assholes who hated you. You could've run, I wish you would've, but I know that is just me being painfully selfish.

I understand. I may not agree, but I know you did what was best. You were protecting Dustin and Steve and Robs and Nance...and me. I love you. I don't know if you heard me say it in those last moments, but I do. Edward Munson, I'm not sure what I'm going to do without you. You were my rock, the crazy spastic man who kept me on my toes, reminded me of my worth and made me feel loved and important every day. I don't know where  I go from here. I'll check on Wayne, though; the thought of... I was going to say the thought of going by the trailer makes me ill, but I don't think there's much of it left. I think the "earthquake" consumed most of it, which means I really don't know how much of you is left for me and Wayne here. And we are at hour 23 for tears today. That is a new record, Munson. Thank you very much. Um, but I'll check on Wayne; maybe we can cry about life together. I know this is silly; I'm writing letters, yes, letters, plural, to a man who will never get to read them, but it's almost like you're still here, if only for a minute or two. Let me pretend.

all my love you, y/n

p.s. I'll look after your sheep; I haven't talked to Gareth, but Jeff came to check on me yesterday morning. He said Corroded Coffin was meeting in your honor, asked if I wanted to stop by. I think they've assumed the worst, but little do they know just how bad it really is. I think I'll go; I might bring Dustin, might drag Wayne out. Who knows? I'll keep you posted, I guess. I love you.

#eddie munson #eddie munson fanfiction #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x y/n #eddie munson fluff #eddie munson imagine #eddie munson x girly!reader #dustin henderson #steve harrington #wayne munson #eddie munson smut #eddie munson slow burn #eddie munson hurt/comfort #eddie munson self insert #eddie munson sad

[invisibleraven]

Dress You Up In My Love

Five times Julie wore her mom's Sunset Curve shirt and one time she didn't.

Word Count: 7.2k

Relationships: Julie/Luke/Reggie, Alex & Julie, Julie & Tia Victoria, Julie & Ray

AO3 link!

Inspired by a conversation in the Canoe Crew Discord server, which spiraled into this sprawling little story, that like most of my stuff, got away from me.

Dedicated to my fellow crewmates, love all of you, it's a genuine honour to paddle alongside you. Enjoy this silly bit of fiction!

1. Alex

Alex rapped gently on Julie’s door, waiting in hopes that she would answer it. He knew he could just phase through, but after all her lectures on boundaries and Reggie’s attempt to be ‘classy’, he wasn’t taking chances. Thankfully Julie did open the door, though she looked a tad confused to see him.

“The other two are being doofuses, and Willie is working at the club tonight, can I come hang out here where it’s quiet and they won’t think to look for me?”

Julie rolled her eyes affectionately but stepped back, arm extended towards the room. “I’m studying though, so you’ll have to be quiet yourself.”

Alex mimed zipping his mouth shut before flopping onto her mustard yellow loveseat. Julie took a spot on her bed, nose already back in a text book. There was soft music playing in the background, and Alex nodded his head to the beat. Honestly, while he loved Sunset Curve’s style of rock, he also appreciated the different types of pop and dance stuff that had come out in the twenty five years since. Julie had even made him a playlist for an old phone she had lying around.

Better that than them using Carlos’ computer. Sure he knew about them now, but he still drew the line at them using his stuff.

Alex breathed a little deeper, finally letting the calm of the space wash over him, sinking deeper into the couch, and he debated having a nap. Thank goodness they were still able to sleep though eating continued to elude them. Though maybe that was for the best since it was tainted food that did them in.

He liked Julie’s room honestly. Liked the little touches of whimsy from her mountain of pillows to her plethora of lamps to all the little knick knacks she had strewn about. He remembered Olivia’s room; full of band posters on the wall, her stuff everywhere until she moved out and then it became a blank and barren guest room. He remembered staring at the pale rectangles on the wall wishing he had gone with the posters instead of being left here to fade like the paint beneath them.

He idly wonders how long it took his parents to similarly convert his own room, and quickly shakes off that train of thought. It proved best not to think of his family, he was positive they hadn’t spared him a thought since his funeral.

Well, maybe his sister had, but then again, she hadn’t come back after he told her how coming out went, barely had time for his calls when he was alive. So maybe not. He hadn’t bothered to find her since coming back either. Didn’t want her to disappoint him further.

Finally his eyes landed on Julie and he had to do a double take. Because there, blazed across her chest was the Sunset Curve logo.

Where had she gotten that?

He could see that she (or whoever gave it to her) had bedazzled the shirt, and he had to grin. Reggie had wondered about bedazzling their shirt back in the day, but the cost proved out of their sights. Plus Alex questioned the shirt surviving the process of it given their tendency to fall apart in the wash.

Reggie had been floating doing a few with the logo matching the spray painted sign in the garage before they died though. Alex had been all for that idea, loving the thought of people wearing their merch bedecked in rainbow.

Look, he had been out in the 90’s, but played that a little close to his chest because, again, it was the 90’s. Luke was out to them and his folks, but if it didn’t affect the band, he didn’t see the point of announcing it to anyone. Reggie… well Alex was fairly certain that Reggie had only very recently discovered that his attraction didn’t stop at just girls. Bobby hadn’t been interested in anyone other than aesthetically, but the less Alex thought of Bobby, the better. It still stung too much.

“Nice shirt,” Alex finally says.

Julie looks up at him, then glances down and grins. “Thanks, I found it with my mom’s stuff. Pretty comfy actually.”

“Yeah, we fought to get good quality ones, well as much as we could for broke teens. Surprised that one held up this long, they used to be done after a few good wears,” Alex replied. “I’m fairly certain Reggie owed the guy a million favours in the end regardless.”

“D-did Reggie design your logo?” Julie asked, and Alex bit back a grin at the subtle pink tinge to her cheeks. Look, he loved both of his boys, but Reggie had never been lucky in love, and with Luke failing time after time to make a move… Well maybe Julie saw the appeal in a guy who looked at her like Reggie did and openly called her an angel.

But he wasn’t getting into it until he needed to console one or both of them with sad movies and snuggles.

“Yep,” Alex said, popping the p. “Reg designed all the merch, he had the highest art grade. I mean, you’ve seen Luke’s handwriting, so no way were we trusting him with it, and I can barely manage a stick figure.”

Julie bit back a chuckle at that and then went back to her studying, but every so often Alex would catch her gazing down at the logo and toying with her curls. He grinned and shimmied into a ball, lowering his snapback over his eyes. Time to get in a nap, and hope those hopeless cases figured themselves out soon.

But he was still telling Reggie that there was a chance he had given Julie’s mom a shirt oh so long ago, just to see the reaction. Because there was no way in hell that he hadn’t done so without flirting, and that was too delicious to keep to himself.

2. Tia Victoria

When her sister dies, Victoria Alvarez vows to step up and help her brother-in-law with the kids. Ray is so lost without Rose, unable to cope with losing her so young-or at all really. The first few months Victoria pretty much moves into the Molina household, making sure the kids are fed and keeping their grades up. Signs them all up for counselling with the nice man from her Pilates class. Julie confesses she’s not the biggest fan of Dr. Turner, but she also seems in less of a funk after seeing him.

Victoria eventually goes home, restricting herself to only popping by three times a week, usually with food. Look, Ray cooks a mean bowl of spaghetti and makes a decent breakfast, but the kids can’t live on that.

She also takes the chance to finally grieve.

Yes, she had mourned and wept along with everyone else, but then she had her family to help, so she put her own feelings aside. She had been doing it for a lifetime, putting others first.

But those first few days after returning home? Victoria is selfish and breaks down in tears due to Rose’s absence.

That was over a year ago now though, and while things are still tender and oh so slowly healing, Victoria feels like it doesn't ache quite as much. Ray has learned a few new recipes, Carlos is excelling on his baseball team and apparently in math. He claims it’s because of his new Big Brother Reggie, but clams up when Victoria wants to meet the young man.

But Julie?

Julie has blossomed in the past few months. While Victoria still isn't the biggest fan of Julie’s dreams lying with the success of her band, she will admit their music is good, and Julie seems to be fully out of her funk.

That’s why Victoria is here, to see Julie, see if her band might be willing to help at the local women's shelter that Victoria volunteers at. Maybe not to play, but bands doing outreach always looks good on social media right?

Only when she enters Julie’s studio/the family garage, she freezes. Because at first glance, Victoria could have sworn she was looking at Rose at the piano. A head full of wild curls and a sweet melody playing through the air. She chokes back a sob and claps when Julie finishes, her gap tooth grin making the vision of Rose vanish in a flash.

“That was beautiful sobrina,” she says.

“Thanks tia,” Julie replies. “It’s just something I’ve been toying with for the band.”

She stands from behind the piano, stretching out her limbs and Victoria bites back a smirk. She recognizes the style of bedazzling on the shirt, recalling Rose doing it for the bands she really loved. Sitting at the table, tongue stuck out as she carefully poked each bead through, adding flourishes and adjustments as needed.

“I don’t remember Rose mentioning that band before,” Victoria says, gesturing at the shirt. It reads Sunset Curve in a swirly design, a road leading from the words. “It's definitely not a concert I took her to.”

“You went to concerts?” Julie asks.

Victoria scoffs at that. “Who do you think took your mami to her first show? Bon Jovi,” she says with a sigh. “It was her sixteenth birthday present from me. We had a great time, even if we were in the nosebleeds. Both got a shirt, your mom bedazzled them both, kept it until it fell apart. I think mine is still in storage somewhere.”

“Who else did you go see?” Julie asks, sitting on the ancient leather couch that had come with the house. Victoria sits across from her detailing all the great 80’s bands they went to see. Less after she went to college and Rose started the Petal Pushers, but they went to every show they could together. Then Rose met Ray, and Victoria lost her concert buddy.

“It was fine really,” she said with a shrug. “Some of those bands I wasn’t a huge fan of. Poison isn’t really my scene, and I wasn’t the biggest Rush fan.”

Julie giggles at that, and Victoria has no idea why it’s funny but she’s missed that laugh, so she lets it go.

“Do you still go to shows?’ Julie asks when her giggles have finally subsided.

“Not really,” Victoria replies with a wistful sigh. “Between work, volunteering, Pilates, and my family… when would I have time? I go to your shows mija, that’s enough for me.”

“W-what if we went to a show together?” Julie asks.

“To see this Sunset Curve?” Victoria asks, gesturing to her shirt.

“Oh no… they’re not… I was thinking maybe Taylor Swift?”

“I do like her stuff,” Victoria muses. “Okay, I’ll see if I can get tickets. Make it your birthday present, just like I did for your mom.”

“I’d like that,” Julie replies with a grin.

“Me too,” Victoria says, reaching out and squeezing her hand. “Now, I actually came here to ask you a favour…”

3. Luke

Luke will admit that clothes have never mattered much to him. He’s ripped the sleeves off most of his shirts, and is wearing the same pants he’s had since his last growth spurt back in the 90’s. As long as he’s covered enough not to get arrested he doesn’t really care what he’s got on.

It probably also has something to do with the fact that his wardrobe consists of whatever he had stored around the studio and had shoved into his duffel before he ran away. So his choices are limited, but beggars can’t be choosers right? Plus he’s dead, so who really cares what he wears?

But he usually notices what Julie is wearing. Her style is pretty damn cool, even if it’s violently different from what girls wore in the 90’s. Though he isn’t sad to see the death of shoulder pads. Even if most of the punk girls that hung around after their gigs wore mostly plaid and crazy prints. Luke has no idea what’s cool anymore, but he knows that Julie always looks good.

But then one afternoon as he’s writing yet another song, he has to stop and do a double take. Because Julie is wearing a Sunset Curve shirt.

Sure it’s bedazzled and cinched with a scrunchie at her waist, but the logo is there like a blast from the past, zapping him back to the afternoon in late ‘89 when Reggie showed him the design. Watching him and Bobby spray paint it on a large black drop cloth. Alex laughed his ass off as they struggled to hang it without ladders or getting the still drying paint on them.

Luke shakes himself and grins at Julie, nodding at her shirt. “Where on Earth did you get that?” he asks with a laugh.

Julie doesn’t even know what she’s wearing as she has to glance down and then blushes. “Oh, I found it with my mom’s stuff. I guess she was a fan of you guys or something? I mean she had your demo and this shirt.”

“Oh yeah, we sold them at every gig we could,” Luke replied. “Plus Reggie gave them to every cute girl he came across.”

“Reggie? Really?” Julie asks like she doesn’t believe it.

“Oh yeah, Reg was a huge flirt,” Luke replies, grinning. “Always a crooked grin and a wink for a pretty face. I think his favourite line was that the shirt was a size beautiful.”

Julie laughs at that, loud and pure, sending a shot of warmth to Luke’s heart. Gosh she’s so cute, with her little nose scrunch and twinkling eyes. He wishes he wasn’t such a coward about telling her that though. He’s always been chicken about confessing his feelings. Not wanting to ruin things between people he cared for, not wanting to be rejected by those he doesn’t.

So he stays silent and pines away until the crush fades.

Thus him not telling Julie how much he adores her.

Or Reggie how much that little chemistry joke affected him.

Luke is fine being alone romantically, really he is.

“Did that work?” Julie asks finally.

“Not often,” Luke admits. “But sometimes, yes. He had the best luck out of the three of us anyways. Not that Bobby was ever trying all that hard.”

“Yeah, Trevor came out as aro ace when he released his third album,” Julie says. “He adopted Carrie not long after.”

Luke still stings when he thinks about Bobby, but he is happy that he was able to live his truth. That doesn’t excuse what he did, in no way, but he knows how much pain it is to live in the closet from Alex, and he wouldn’t wish that on anyone.

“So was Alex handing out shirts to cute guys then?” Julie asks.

“Nah, he was too anxious to really hit on guys. I did though.”

“You?” Julie all but shrieks.

“You… know I’m not straight, right?” Luke asks.

“No! Why would I know that? You’ve never said anything!”

Luke flushed, he wasn’t big on the whole coming out thing, he just always assumed he exuded a vibe of being fairly open about his preferences. He chuckled and ruffled the back of his head. “Yeah, sorry. I’ve never been one to care about what my partner is or how they identify. I just… like everybody.”

“So you’re… pansexual?”

Luke shrugged again. “I’m not real into labels, but after Alex started questioning himself, he brought back all these flyers from some local queer associations. Pansexual seems to fit me best, but I’m cool with just being ’not straight’ or ‘queer’ or whatever.”

“Oh… cool. I’m bi,” Julie says, sitting down next to him. “Does this mean we’re a queer band now?”

“Reggie’s still straight,” Luke replies.

Julie just hums at that, and Luke wonders a bit. Thinks back to Reggie’s reaction to his little chemistry experiment. The blush, the stuttered response, the way his wide green eyes were trained on Luke’s lips for a period afterwards.

Oh.

Reggie will tell him when he’s ready he supposes. But maybe Link can drop some hints that he’d be okay with Reggie liking guys and girls. Maybe in song form. And maybe… just maybe he can be brave enough to admit to him that if there are feelings involved, well they have a whole afterlife to work them out.

“So, you wanna help me with this song?” he asks Julie. Maybe he can be brave with her too, just not right now. “It’s a bit harder than our usual stuff, but given the shirt…”

Julie rolls her eyes and gives his shoulder a shove before taking his notebook to start scrawling a melody. And with the afternoon light hitting her, in a shirt for his band, well Luke has never found her more beautiful.

4. Ray Molina

Ray Molina wouldn’t cite himself as the most perceptive man on the planet, but he did manage to pick up on more than he let on.

Like pretending not to notice when Rose would blatantly flirt with him, just to see her exasperation and then her joy when he ‘finally’ got the message and asked her out.

Or when Victoria claims she made too much food when it’s really a way to save his family the apparent horrors of his cooking. He simply thanks her and keeps her dish for the next day, happy enough with his spaghetti. Hey, the kids have never complained, especially since when they did he told them they were welcome to learn how to cook and prepare supper themselves.

Though as a side note, Carlos got pretty good at it after the disaster that was that first French dip sandwich and Julie excels at baking. Ray isn’t going to complain about either of those outcomes.

But the biggest dupe is pretending not to know about the three ghosts ‘living’ out in his garage.

Look, he loves his daughter, but Julie has not once shown interest in his work as a photographer, so he very much doubts her prowess when it comes to ‘holograms’ that can play music and interact like she claims her bandmates can.

And Ray has been around the block a few times, had a distant aunt who could commune with spirits, so it doesn’t surprise him to see the gift appear again in his bloodline.

Plus Julie is a truly terrible liar.

He’s just giving her time to tell him the truth. He and Carlos have a running bet as to when she’ll crack, and Ray has every intention on winning. Because Carlos is also a bad liar, but also a much worse secret keeper and had blabbed about the ghosts to Ray almost immediately after Julie confessed to him. Ray had ruffled his hair, told him he knew and swore his son to keep it hush hush.

“Your sister deserves something that’s just hers for a while longer mijo,” he had said.

Carlos had scowled for a moment, but then agreed. But he did confess to also getting to know all about the band. Ray learns to love them through Carlos’ stories, through their music, and most of all, from how happy they make Julie.

Even if he vows to keep his eye out on Luke’s massive crush that Julie seems to reciprocate. And the Reggie-ness of it all. All while pretending he can’t see the three teenagers milling around his house since after their Orpheum performance, and worse, not responding to their conversations.

Especially when it’s just Reggie talking to him like he’s an old friend-or the father he never had and so rightly deserved. That is harder than anything, and at night he writes the boy letters in response, storing them in the shoebox with all his letters to Rose. One day, he’ll give them to Reggie, or even better, answer back. Show that boy more than the mere scrap of affection he had gotten from his own family.

Tries his hardest not to wonder why Rose didn’t come back and sent these boys in her stead. No good can come from going down that path.

It of course, all comes to a head when Julie comes down the stairs in a very familiar shirt.

It doesn’t hurt anymore to see his daughter in Rose’s clothes, even though Ray sometimes has to pinch himself to tell the difference, Julie looks so much like her mother on the best of days, and in her old clothes, it is sometimes like a blast from the past.

But this shirt…

He remembers the night Rose came home with that shirt and a demo CD in one hand, a devastated Trevor-back then still going by Bobby-in the other. The shirt had lived in a box for a long time after that, and Ray can recall her bringing it out to bedazzle a year or two later. Trevor was long gone by then, soaring the charts with a song that made Rose scowl and flick the radio off every time she heard it.

Ray still doesn’t know the story behind that, only that she and Trevor buried the hatchet some time later, and he was a constant presence in their lives until he got too big, and then Carrie and Julie had their own falling out before Rose passed. He supposes he’ll never know the truth behind it, but he’s lost too much in his lifetime to dwell on it.

“Morning mija,” he says, offering her a plate of eggs and toast as she sits at the island.

“Morning papi,” she says, pouring herself a glass of juice, since Ray has forbidden her coffee. She already has the Alvarez height, no need stunting her growth further. Plus he’s seen what Flynn is like on sodas, he does not want to see what happens to his daughter if she were to add caffeine to her system.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you wear that one before,” he remarks, nodding at her shirt.

“Yeah, I found it buried with all of mom’s stuff and thought it looked cool,” she gives an off hand shrug but doesn’t meet his eyes.

Ray sips his coffee slowly, not saying a word. Watches Julie nibble her toast and almost slyly wave someone off in the background. Ray knows if he turned around he’d see at least one of her boys-Reggie if he was taking bets, given he usually joined them for meals, lamenting his inability to eat, but loving the family atmosphere.

Ray swears if he ever meets Reggie’s parents he’d smack them both for screwing up such a sweet and kind boy like they did.

“Your mom loved that band,” Ray finally says. “They played at some club or another she was working at, they gave her that shirt and their CD. I remember her playing it a lot for a long time afterwards. Never saw them in concert though. Always wondered why, if they broke up or something.”

He’s giving her an out, but he’s also looking right at her. Urging her to tell him the truth, once and for all.

“They… they died,” Julie almost whispers. “I looked them up afterwards. Right before they made it big, they all died. Or well almost all of them. I don’t know what happened to the member that survived.”

“I think you do mija,” he says softly.

Julie dips her head, ashamed, biting her lip. “Yeah, yeah I do.”

“Trevor never really talked about them,” Ray finally says. “Not to me at least. Maybe your mami once and a while. He found it too difficult I think. He was grieving for a long time, and then he devoted himself to making music. I guess I’m not surprised that he never brought up his old band when you guys used to talk.”

“No, he never did.” Julie almost sounds bitter when she says this, and Ray feels like there is a layer to the story he doesn’t know, but leaves it alone for now.

“I think we might still have the CD around, if you want,” Ray offers. “They were pretty good, as I recall.”

“I’ve heard it, they were,” Julie says, then sucks in a breath. Amends her statement. “They are.”

“Mija?”

Julie bites her lip, wrings her hands together. And suddenly there are three boys surrounding her, hands gripping her shoulders, offering support.

“It’s okay Jules,” Reggie says. “We’re here, no matter what.”

Ray clocks the loving look between them and oh, maybe it’s not just Luke he needs to keep an eye on. What he thought was one sided looks to be mutual, and given the fond look Luke sends the both of them… well he’s not sure if that complicates or simplifies things, but he has bigger things to worry about right now.

“You can tell him, he might be cool about it like we said,” Luke chips in.

“He’s still a dad,” Alex says with derision, but Ray can see his tiny smile. “But he’s still a pretty good one Julie.” Ray bites back his thanks at that, just waiting for Julie to speak.

“Sunset Curve died in 1995. They… they became ghosts, but they only reappeared as ghosts last year,” Julie says. “I know because I can see them. I know that sounds crazy and please don’t send me back to Dr. Turner because it’s true!”

“Breathe Julie, just tell me it all and then we can talk about all that.”

Julie takes a few deep breaths and nods. “Last year, when we were thinking about selling the house, I found their demo out in the garage…”

She launches into the tale, the boys interjecting at parts to help fill the tale. And Ray just listens. Listens to how these three lost boys literally dropped into his daughter’s life. How she can somehow make them visible, how their music saved her in so many ways.

Holds back his rage at Trevor, at this Caleb, at the unfairness of it all.

“A-are you mad?” Julie asks when she reaches the end. The boys are still all but wrapped around her, offering her support. But they immediately let go when Ray opens his arms and Julie rushes into them. Presses a kiss to her head. “I could never be mad at you mija. Well as long as we avoid sneaking out again,” he says with a chuckle. Julie laughs weakly, looking up at him. He wipes away a tear and smiles. “Now, do your boys want to join in on this hug or are they going to stay over there like sad puppies?”

“You can see them?” Julie shrieks.

“Of course I can,” Ray says. “I think anyone who you care for can… have you not noticed?”

“I mean, I knew Flynn and Carlos could, but…” Julie turns to her boys and smiles. “They usually can’t touch them.”

“Well let’s try it anyways,” Ray says and keeps his arms open.

Reggie beams and rushes in, his form almost solid and cool, but still wavering. Luke comes next, a bit more hesitant, but his bulk is a little more solid, making Reggie the same. Alex holds back until Julie all but pulls him into the embrace and smirks as he bites back a smile. Ray can feel them under his hands. They’re colder than humans, and he can feel no breath or heartbeat, but they’re still there, solid and real under his hands.

And so the Molina family gains three new members that day, even if he knows there’s a lot to figure out. Ray just smiles and holds his new sons close, hoping this hug makes up, just a little bit for all those they hadn’t gotten in life.

5. Reggie

Reggie is sure if he digs deep enough in his old backpack that he’ll find another shirt buried there. He’s kind of tired of wearing the same three things, plus it’s a killer on Julie’s laundry. He could have sworn he kept a Sunset Curve shirt in there somewhere…

But oh, then he remembers. The night they died, he gave the last one to the incredibly cute waitress at The Orpheum. Even gave her his size beautiful line and best wink to go along with it. He idly wonders what happened to her, and if she gave Bobby her number while they were out dying in an alley. He can barely remember her face now, but that’s how it is with Reggie-he strikes out, he forgets and moves on.

Sure, he’s hit on a few girls more than once because of this, but sometimes he got lucky that second time, so no complaints.

Of course now his flirtation pool is reduced to fellow ghosts, of whom he knows very few and the small selection of lifers that can see him.

Which mostly means Julie. And well, he hasn’t tried flirting with her, but he’s made a few comments that are right on the border and delights when she blushes or giggles and then beams at him with her beautiful gap toothed smile.

But it’s not flirting because it’s so damn obvious that Luke and Julie are gaga over each other and Reggie has no chance there.

Even if Julie’s smile makes the butterflies in his stomach go wild.

Even if he was seconds away from pulling Luke into a kiss during their last mic sharing duet.

Even if his long dead heart still seems to long for them both, when his brain reminds him he can’t have either.

Reggie is just… destined to be alone it seems.

It’s cool though. He’s still friends with Luke and Julie. So he can still spend time with them, just like he still spends time with Alex now that he has Willie. Plus he can hang with Flynn who calls him eye candy but still tells him she’s not into dudes. Which is cool, because while he likes Flynn, he doesn’t want to date her either, and delights when she updates him on her flirtations with the cute girl in her Chemistry class, or her ongoing on again off again love/hate relationship with Carrie.

And Ray can see him now too which is super awesome! They cheer Carlos on at his ball games, and talk about photography and Star Wars, Reggie helps in the kitchen, and they debate whether or not to reveal themselves to Tia Victoria. They’ve landed on no for now, just because she's still half convinced the house is haunted-look Reggie is sorry about that, but it was worth it to be a good big brother to Carlos.

So what does Reggie need romance for?

But then he sees Luke and Julie walking towards the studio, the twinkle lights making them glow and he has to sigh, wanting something like that. Someone to hold hands with and talk with their heads leaned in, like discussing something banal was a secret they wanted to keep from the world. He wants that intimacy, that warmth.

He wants them.

He means, how could he not?

Luke is wearing his most threadbare cut off, arms and glimpses of pecs on display. His riotious hair is curled and cowlicked but it makes him look boyishly charming instead of messy. He has on his brightest smile, and his eyes are almost gold in the twilight.

Then there’s Julie, all soft curves and a waterfall of brown curls. Her smile is sweet and open, that tiny nose scrunch that is downright adorable making an appearance. Eyes that you could melt in. And then he can see a sliver of skin from where she has her shirt tied up in the back.

Wait.

Julie isn’t wearing just any shirt, she’s wearing a Sunset Curve shirt!

It has been bedazzled and looks sick as hell, but Reggie has no clue where she managed to find one. A garage sale maybe? He doubts any of their fans from the 90’s held onto it, even if it would be a semi-collectors item due to their tragic end.

It looks… really good on her honestly. So much so that he gives an over exaggerated whistle and a shit eating grin. “Looking good darlin’!” he shouts.

Julie blushes and grins. “Thanks! And it’s just my size-beautiful.”

Reggie flushes beet red as Luke barks out a laugh while Julie giggles with self satisfaction. “Y-you stole my line!” Reggie sputters.

“It’s not a great line, cariño,” Julie says, patting his cheek gently. “But it must have worked on someone. Maybe 25 years ago.”

“A time or two,” Reggie admits. “We had our share of fans. Was actually hoping I had one left to wear, but I gave one out the day we died, and it turns out it was the last one.”

“Oh yeah, to that waitress at The Orpheum!” Luke exclaims. “Think you used the line on her too.”

“Pity it didn’t work, you might have stayed alive,” Julie laments.

“Eh,” Reggie says with a shrug. “She was cute, but if the line had worked we never would have met you Julie. And I think I’m happier this way than with some what if named Rose.”

“Wait… Rose?” Julie questions. Pulls out her phone and shows Reggie a photo. “This Rose?”

“That’s the one!” Luke exclaims. Reggie peers at the photo and the memory rushes back. But then he looks at the photo more closely, then at Julie, and pales. They could be sisters. Or…

“Fuck.”

“You hit on my MOM!” Julie shrieks. Then starts to swear in Spanish. Luke and Reggie shrink back, watching her huff and puff as she paces, then finally stops, and faces them. “Okay, we are never mentioning this again and I may have to go burn this shirt.”

“Please don’t,” Reggie says. “It might be the only surviving one.” Then his blush returns with a vengeance. “Plus you do look really nice in it.”

“Julie always looks nice,” Luke quips. “But Reg is right boss, you are making our merch work for you.”

Julie blushes at that, almost taken off guard. Reggie wonders if this is the first time Luke has ever really complimented something about her appearance and not her talent. It does track honestly. Look, Reggie loves Luke, has since they were ten, but he also knows Luke has a one track mind, and sometimes fails to remind those he cares about that they matter to him. That they are more to him than a voice or a bassline.

“Fine, I won’t burn it-but I don’t think I can wear it for a good long time after knowing that,” Julie concedes.

“And here I was going to suggest you wear it to our next gig,” Reggie jokes.

“Because that wouldn’t have people Googling you guys and figuring out the whole ghost thing at all,” Julie snarks. “Or accusing me of using your images unlawfully.”

“Yeah, let’s maybe avoid that,” Luke says.

Reggie knows he’s thinking about his folks again. He hasn’t been back to see them since Julie gave them Unsaid Emily, and it’s partially because he worries about them seeing him or not. He squeezes Luke’s shoulder in comfort, getting an appreciative smile and nod in return.

Wanting to drive away the weird atmosphere, Reggie suggests a movie.

“Not Star Wars again,” Luke groans. Reggie slumps a little. Look, he knows they’ve binged the series a few times, but Luke can’t say anything because Reggie honestly lost count of the amount of times Luke made him sit through The Wall.

“There’s a new Marvel movie at the theatres?” Julie suggests. “I was supposed to go with Carlos, but if you guys wanna come too…”

“I thought you wanted to see that new romance movie with the girl from that TV show you liked?” Reggie asks.

“Well yeah, but I doubt either of you want to see that. I can go with Flynn, it’s fine,” Julie replies.

“I want to go,” Reggie says. “I like a good rom com just as much as I like a sci fi or super hero film.”

Julie grins at that, holding out a hand. Reggie rushes to take it and they both turn. “Luke?” she asks.

“Isn’t that like… a date movie?”

“So?” Reggie says. “Friends go on dates all the time.”

“I don’t want to go on a friend date,” Luke says.

“What do you want?” Julie asks, her voice a tinge hopeful.

“I want a real date.”

Reggie drops Julie’s hand at that, takes a step back. “Well then you two should go. Have a lovely date.” He’s about to poof out, go wallow at the beach when Julie grabs hold.

“He didn’t say he wanted a date with me.”

Luke takes his other hand, and then Julie’s. “No, I wanna take you both. On a date date.”

“Me?” Reggie squeaks.”Us?”

“If you want,” Luke says with a shrug. Like it’s no big deal that he’s asking them both out at once. That he’s not asking them to consider a three person relationship. Reggie didn’t even think they could do that, but here they were.

“Julie?” Reggie asks, turning to her. She just grins and twines their fingers together. She seems fine with the idea apparently, and that eases Reggie’s mind to near calmness.

“So whaddya say Reg?” Luke asks expectantly.

“Yes!” Reggie exclaims, his smile almost blinding. Julie whoops and then presses a lightning fast kiss to his lips, then to Luke’s, looking a little flushed but ultimately pleased as she steps back. Luke turns and gives Reggie his own peck, and a cheeky wink. And Reggie…

Feels his heart leap once more. But it doesn’t stop, pounding away in his chest. Feels the warmth of Luke’s hand in his, the steady pulse in his wrist, and then they both look at Julie.

“Wh-what just happened?” she asks.

“I-I think you brought us back to life?” Reggie guesses.

“Oh… dios mio!” Julie swears. “We have to find Alex!”

“After our date,” Luke says. “I’m sure Willie will be better at calming him down then we will and another two hours won’t hurt.”

“We can see another showing,” Reggie says. “Because if we’re alive… Alex might not be able to see Willie.” Luke swears at that, and then again when he can’t poof.

They find Alex at the skatepark, look shell shocked, holding a board for dear life. And sitting right beside him, is Willie. A solid, breathing Willie who looks equally astounded.

They all have a good laugh about it, and a million questions, but nothing can be solved immediately. So they decide on a double date, and thank goodness that Willie has cash from the club because the ticket teller will kind of notice them trying to sneak in now.

Reggie doesn’t mind that he has to worry about things like money now. He has Luke and Julie’s hands in his, and an ancient shirt to thank for it. He can’t ask for anything more.

+1. Luna Patterson Molina

Luna stifles her giggles as she hides behind the boxes in the garage. Danny will never find her and she’ll finally be the hide and seek champion!

Only after a while, her legs start to get tired, and she has to move around to stave off the pins and needles feeling that’s creeping up from her toes. In the process though, she knocks over a box, contents spilling out onto the floor.

“Shoot!” she says, scrambling to put everything back before Danny comes any closer. It’s mostly old clothes that her parents no longer fit in but they kept for sentimental reasons. There’s a tattered Poison cut off, a worn red flannel, an old Los Feliz High t-shirt in a baby blue. And a bedazzled white shirt for some band called Sunset Curve.

The name feels vaguely familiar. Buzzing in the back of Luna’s brain until she remembers the old photos of daddy and papa with Uncle Alex and some other guy they never really talk about called Bobby playing. The photos were old, looking like the ones from abuelo’s wedding and not the ones printed off from the wedding of her own parents.

But whenever she asked about that, she got told that it was a story for when she was older. Luna really hates that answer, not knowing why this story was for when she was older than six. Her parents had told her there were scary bits, but she could handle that. She hadn’t hidden her eyes or even cried during all the old Disney movies that daddy had shown her, even when Uncle Alex had during Bambi and papa even shuddered when they watched parts of The Princess and the Frog.

Heck even Danny got scared during parts of The Lion King and Luna watched without a wince! Though she did cry at parts, but that was fine, her mami told her it was fine to cry when she was sad or upset.

Game forgotten, Luna took the shirt in search of her parents. They were sitting around the kitchen table. Papa was writing again, Daddy was putting together a salad while Mami was taking a casserole dish from the oven.

“Hey moonbeam, you’re just in time to set the table!” Daddy said.

“But it’s Danny’s turn!” Luna protested.

“Yes but if you do it then he has to clear the table which is your job tonight,” Papa says with a wink. Luna purses her lip at that but nods. She hates clearing the table, so she’ll gladly put out the dishes and cutlery instead.

“Whatcha got there mija?” Mami asks, gesturing to the shirt. Luna holds it up and her mother laughs.

“Oh wow, I forgot about that.”

“How did that thing survive this long?” Daddy asks.

“Lots of care and the fact that Julie hasn’t worn it since our first date?” Papa replies.

“This was your band right?” Luna asks her fathers. “Before you met mami?”

“It was indeed little girl,” Papa replies. “Greatest band ever until Julie and the Phantoms was born!”

“Why did you change your name? Was it because mami joined?”

“Well Luna boo, that is a long story,” her mother replies. “One you’re still a little young for.”

Luna is about to stomp her foot and protest which she knows won’t help her case, but she’s not exactly rational about it when Daddy lays a gentle hand on her mom’s shoulder. “Julie… I think it’s time. She’s almost seven, Danny’s nine. They’re gonna figure it out eventually.”

Julie sighs, then nods, looking at her daughter. Looking so much like Rose, like Julie herself with sprinkles of Reggie in her, those big green eyes and freckles staring right back at her. Sees Danny come running in, all Luke with her own colouring. “I suppose you’re right. Just after supper okay?”

Luna nods and doesn’t even care when Danny tags her and proclaims the reigning hide and seek champ. Instead she hurries to set the table, determined to do it right so as to not prolong supper, and thus, the story.

But she totally dons the shirt when they’re all snuggled up on the couch. And Daddy gets a picture to send to Abuelo and Uncles Alex and Willie. She has no idea why until a few weeks later when she sees a series of photos. Her, her mami, and Abuela Rose all wearing the shirt.

And it looks just as good in every single one.

#my stuff #writing #fanfic #rukebox #peterpatterlina #julie and the phantoms

[holidayvisa]

28 December 2023 - I woke up early. I was awake by 7am. That counts as early. I walked to Line Up, the surfing instruction shop, and I arrived just as a very large man opened up a garage door. Inside the garage were a bunch of surf boards, some wetsuits, and a bunch of huge, poster-sized photos of surfers surfing some big waves. The guy's name was Wayne, and he had to be in his 60s. Wayne first had me lie down on a mat on the floor of the garage and practice standing up, as if standing up on a surfboard. It felt a little like...

I'm just kidding, Wayne truly did a good job of setting me up for success. He told me that I need to move my back foot up first, then my forward foot. He also told me, "arms up!" I practiced several more times on the floor of his garage before we grabbed surfboards and walked to the beach. We probably got in the water around 8:30am. We paddled out not very far from shore, and Wayne had me catch one of the first waves. I paddled too much before trying to stand up, and when I tried to stand up, I leaned too far onto my toes, and sunk the toe-edge, and fell over. Wayne told me to keep my eyes up, to not look at the board or the water in front of my board, but to look up ahead. I paddled back out to Wayne, and on my second wave, I stood up and surfed the wave all the way to shore! We did this several more times, and I stood up and surfed the wave every single time! After I seemed to get the hang of it close to shore, Wayne decided to take me out to the point, where there are a lot of rocks. I was nervous about this idea. Wayne told me, "no matter what, go right," because if I went left, I'd surf right into the rocks 😬 The waves were calming down, and there weren't a whole lot of good waves. I tried to catch a couple, but I don't know if I timed it wrong or what, but I didn't even get to the point where I try to stand up. One wave, I caught it, but I was too slow on standing up, and I was off balance, and I fell into the water. I made sure to fall flat because I didn't want to hit any of the rocks below the surface of the water. Finally, after probably 30 minutes of waiting by the point with rocks, there was a good wave. Wayne gave me a boost as I paddled to catch the wave. I could feel the wave start to push me, so I stood up, moving my back foot first then my front foot, raising my arms, and I made sure to GO RIGHT. I surfed the wave all the way until the wave died out! As I surfed, I could see all the rocks under my surfboard, just below the surface of the water. I didn't really have much brain capacity to think about those rocks as I was surfing over them, but I knew I needed to keep riding the wave and NOT FALL. It felt SO GOOD to catch that wave and surf it! After I surfed that awesome wave, and since the waves were dying down, Wayne said we should head in. It was just after 9:30am. Wayne told me to keep surfing close to shore, in the same area that we started in, but that I'd be by myself since he has to meet the people for his next lesson. So, for the next hour, I surfed without an instructor. I caught a few good waves that I surfed all the way into shore! And, it felt good that I did it all on my own. There were a lot of dads teaching their kids how to surf, which was very cute. So many of the kids were WAY better at surfing than me! It's amazing how good some of these kids were. I surfed until just after 10:30am, when Wayne needed his surfboard back for the next lesson. So, I was in the water, attempting to surf, for 2 hours! I'm honestly kind of glad that Wayne needed his surfboard back because otherwise I'd probably have surfed until my body gave out and turned lobster red from sunburn.

After the surf lesson was over, I walked back to the Vavich's place and ate breakfast.

When Marie got home, we all three walked to Dee Why Beach and got fish 'n chips from one of the beachfront restaurants. Let me rephrase that - Marie bought us all fish 'n chips. We took our fish 'n chips to the beach and ate while watching the waves crash on the shore. The sky was lit up in pinks and blues. The last of the surfers were catching their final waves of the day, and all of the swimmers had already gotten out of the water. It was a very serene dinner venue. And the fish 'n chips were delicious.

It was 9pm when we started to walk back, and it was very dark. We could barely see the path we were walking on. I conked out pretty quickly after we got home.

I'm grateful for an early start to my day. I'm grateful for the surfing knowledge I learned from Wayne. I'm grateful that I was able to get up on the board on my second try. I had built it up in my head to be this big thing, and I was relieved when I got it. I'm grateful for the exercise and sun. I'm grateful for Marie and all that she's done for me. I'm grateful for the experience of eating fish 'n chips on the beach while looking out at the ocean and a beautiful sky.

#Youtube

[rattyshipss]

Rewrite of one of my favorite few pages including Stanley in Ggbb💖 (To clarify this isn't all my original work, this is a page I'm copying from the book and including parts in) ⚠️Spoilers warning⚠️

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

"Is Stanley Forbes in?" asked Pip. "He should be." The woman finally located the correct key and slit it into the lock. "We've got the write-up of the memorial to sort out before we print today, so Stanley asked me to come in and help." She opened the door. "After you." She said, and Pip stepped over the threshold into the small front room.

"I'm pip." she said, following the woman as they passed two tired sofas and headed for the back office. "Yes, I know who you are," the woman said, shrugging off her jacket. And then, in a slightly less frosty tone: "I'm Mary, Mary Scythe." "Pleased to meet you, again." Pip said, which wasn't exactly true. She figured Mary was one of those people who blamed Pip for all "The Trouble" last year in their nice, quaint town. Mary pushed the door, revealing a small, square room, four computer desks lining its walls, as tight and claustrophobic as Pip remembered it. Guess that's what you got for a tiny town newspaper that ran mostly on donations from the family living in that mansion up Beecher Road.

Stanley Forbes was sitting at the desk against the far wall, his back to them, his dark brown hair in unkempt clumps, presumably from where his finders had tunneled through. He paid them no attention, leaning towards his desktop screen, which, judging by rhea white-and-dark-blue stripes, was on Facebook.

"Hi Stanley," Pip said softly. He didn't turn. In fact, he hadn't moved at all, still scrolling down the page. He hadn't heard her. "Stanley?" she tried again. Nothing, not even a flinch. He wasn't wearing headphones, was he? She couldn't see any. "Honestly," Mary scoffed, "he does this all the time. Has the most selective hearing I've ever come across. Tunes the whole world out. I have no idea how (y/n) likes him or can even stand to be around him as much as they are. Hey Stan!" She barked that last part, and finally Stanley looked up, spinning in his chair to face them. "Oh sorry, were you talking to me?" he said, his green-brown eyes jumping from Mary to settle on Pip, head perking up at the mention of that name.

"No one else in the room," Mary said irritably. "Wait (y/n) likes me?" Stanley said swinging from side to side in his chair with a coy smile on his face watching Mary as she walked away dropping her handbag against the desk farthest from Stanley's. "Hi," Pip said again, walking over to him, crossing the distance in just four large steps.

"H-hello," Stanley said, getting to his feet. He held out his hand apparently to shake hers, but then evidently changed his mind and drew it back, then changed his mind again and re-extended the hand with an embarrassed laugh leaving Mary holding back a laugh across the room wondering if this is how he flirted with (y/n). He probably didn't know how the appropriate way to greet Pip, given their fraught history and her being eighteen while he was at least in his late twenties.

"Sorry," Stanley said, returning the awkward hand to his side. It wasn't just the Singhs he'd apologized to; Pip had also received a letter from Stanley a few months ago. In other he'd apologized for the way he'd talked down to her and for Becca Bell taking Pip's number from his phone and using it to threaton Pip. He hadn't known at the time, but he was still sorry. Pip wondered how sincere he really was. "What can I...," Stanley began. "What do you-"

"I know the memorial will probably take up a lot of room in tomorrow's paper. But could you make space for this? I'm trying to spread the word to everyone in town." Pip dropped her backpack so she could take out the reserved Missing poster. She handed it over, watching Stanley read, his eyes furrowed and a hollow burrowing into his cheek as he chewed it from the inside. "Missing is he?" He looked down again. "Jamie Reynolds."

"Know him?"

"Don't think so," Stanley said. "Might recognize the face. Is he from Fairview?" "Yep. Family live on Cedar Way. Jamie went to Fairview high, with Andie and Sal."

"Missing since when?" he asked. "It says there." Pip's voice rose impatiently. Mary's chair creaked as she leaned closer to listen in, interested in the different than normal (y/n) rambling topic. "Last seen around eight o'clock at the memorial, until I learn more about his movements. I saw you taking photos, could you email those to me?" "Er, yes OK. Police?" asked Stanley. "A missing persons report has been filed," Pip replied "Polive response is nonexistent right now. So it's just me. That's why I need your help." She smiles, pretending like she didn't resent having to ask.

"Missing since the memorial?" Stanley thought oloud. "That's only, like, a day and a half, right? "Thirty-seven and a half hours," Pip said. "That's not very long, is it?" He lowered the poster. "Missing is nissing" she countered. "And the first seventy-two hours are critical, especially if you suspect foul play." "Do you?" "Yes," she said. "The family does too. So will you help? Can you print that notice tomarrow?" Stanley looked up for a moment, eyes spooling as he considered it. "Suppose I can move the article about potholes until next week." "Is that a yes?" Pip said. "Yes I'll make sure it goes in." He nodded, tapping the poster. "Though I'm sure he'll turn up OK." "Thank you, Stanley." She returned his polite smile. "I really appreciate that." She pivoted on her heels ro leave, but Stanley's voice stopped her before she reached the door.

"Mysteries always seem to find their way to you, don't they?"

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

LOOK AT MA BF😭👉👈💖 Comments and reblogs are appreciated but not expected!💖

#agggtm #ggbb #a good girls guide to murder #good girl bad blood #f/o #self ship #self shipping #s/i #self ship community #self shipping community #romantic f/o #stanley forbes #agggtm x reader #ggbb x reader #stanley forbes x reader #stanley forbes imagines #stanley forbes imagine #agggtm imagines #agggtm imagine #ggbb imagines #ggbb imagine

[la-principessa-nuova]

So, I don’t know how it happened, but I ended up staying up all night. Honestly, my sleep schedule has not been good for more than a few days at a time since my egg cracked.

I was getting ready to read and go to bed on time, when suddenly I remembered that I’d been meaning to look up how to cover stubble with makeup since my last few attempts to wing it were unsuccessful. So I looked it up, and that made me want to try it.

So then I didn’t and it looked great, but then I didn’t want to just put it on and take it right off, so I decided to go upstairs and play a game. I’ve always recorded my playthroughs of games with the intention of maybe releasing it and never do, so I started using this as an excuse for voice feminization practice, just getting used to speaking at length in that voice.

I played for an hour and a half and decided to head downstairs to bed. But then I was thinking about things some more and I decided I wanted to record a video for posterity’s sake, going over everything so far and where I was at in terms of understanding my identity and what future steps I wanted to take to affirm it and when.

This is ended up being a much longer task than I thought, and there were so many things I wanted to vent about that suddenly my phone died at 4 AM. But I wanted to wrap up the video and say a couple more things I was planning on getting to, so after my phone was back on, I wrapped it up, which ended up taking me until just after 5.

Then I needed to move to videos off my phone to the location I’m storing all of my trans progress photos and stuff while I’m in the closet, but normally I move photos, whereas this was multiple hours or 4K60 video. So now it’s 6:30 and I’m still waiting for the files to transfer so I can delete the originals and go to bed, but I’m now on the fence whether it is better to go to sleep and sleep all day, or given that I’m off from work today, just be tired and feel bad all day and get on a better sleep schedule tomorrow.

Downside is I’m not able to stay up and feel mostly fine anymore like I did in college, so it will be a rough day with very poor focus, jitteriness, and possibly heartburn. The upside is that I will start the day in girl mode and it might be my first day fully in girl mode depending on whether I have to go outside at all.

Also I’m toying with the idea of my newname being either Alice or Lily. I was on the fence about changing it at all because my original name is allegedly gender neutral, but I’ve only heard it used for men, and it was a top 10 male name in my year of birth but not a top 1,000 female name. It feels masculine to me, but I also don’t hate it or anything.

The other day I practiced signatures for several ideas I had for a newname, and the two clear frontrunners were Alice and Lily. I really like both names, and it’s hard to pick which one. I am currently leaning more towards Alice because I feel like I identify with it more, but I think Lily might be the better name in general. I like that it can be shortened to Lil in speech better than Al, and I like how swoopy and curly it would be in my signature. But Alice feels more like me.

Anyway, this is sort of just a wall of text as I unload everything and kill time waiting for my files to transfer, so I’m just not gonna tag it.

I still have time to kill, so I’ll talk about one thing that’s been on my mind, which is all the questioning and doubt that still comes up around my identity. To be clear, I experience clear dysphoria around my maleness and clear euphoria around my femaleness that makes me overall confident that I am a trans woman, but every now and then I get these impulses of doubt, where it feels like I’ve woken up from a dream, and I see the man under the makeup and the wig and I feel like, “What the **** am I doing? I need to stop this and go back to my normal life.” And then I realize that yes, I see the man’s body under this stuff, but then why does the body feel less like me than the wig and the makeup?

And then sometimes I judge my masculine (or even non-feminine) traits too harshly, like surely this one trait being more in line with men than women means I must be nonbinary, or maybe I’m just a bit more feminine of a guy. But then I remember how many cis women I know with the same trait. Not every woman is the paragon of femininity, and I don’t need to be either.

Suddenly the tiredness is overwhelming. I will need a nap at the very least. Good night? Or maybe good morning? Hopefully this is intelligible because I am way too tired to proofread this.

[moonchild-things]

Chapter Two: The Weirdo on Maple Street

Summary: There was nothing extraordinary about Bonnie Ward. A typical teenage girl who never says all that much and doesn’t have too many friends. Hawkins never felt all the strange or special to her, but her opinion changes after being dragged into the horrors that hide in the forests. Interdimensional monsters and psychic people are not what Bonnie would have ever imagined showing up in Hawkins!

Word Count: 2559 

Blog Masterlist | Series Masterlist | Last Chapter | Next Chapter

---

TUESDAY WAS JUST ABOUT THE SAME AS Monday, nothing too special was going to happen. Bonnie was sure of that as she headed into school. She had the same tense car ride up to Hawkins High with her brother in the driver's seat. Though Bonnie did notice Samuel gripping the steering wheel a little tighter than usual and the way his jaw clenched in anger. No doubt angered by the scolding he had from his parents over not bringing Bonnie home. They had made it adamant that he had to pick her up after school, especially today. It took them threatening his allowance that he begrudgingly agreed with it.

‘He obviously blames me for his lack of responsibility.’ Bonnie had thought during the ride, ‘Though it’s not my fault he’s nothing but an immature child in a man’s body.’ Now he’ll either bribe or threaten her to lie about him picking her up from school.

With no parting words, Samuel dropped her off and Bonnie could head into school.  Walking into the school, Bonnie took quick notice of Jonathan hanging up posters on the bulletin board. She smiled, ‘finally, I can show him what I did with the project!’ Though as she came up closer, she took notice of the poster he was putting up.

The smiling photo of the innocent Will Byers stared back at her with the glaring words ‘HAVE YOU SEEN ME’. That caused Bonnie to pause. She’s never met Will, but she’s heard about him from Jonathan from time to time. Little things like how Jonathan shares his music with him, or Will’s love of D&D. From what she’s heard, Will is a nice kid. 

‘Missing?’ Concern flooded her mind, ‘I could neve imagine…’ Losing a sibling, especially a little sibling like this must be devastating. She wouldn’t even know what Jonathan and his mother are feeling right now.

Her light footsteps were heard by Jonathan as he looked over his shoulder to her. He appeared ragged, at the verge of crying, and completely lost. Honestly, he looked just as Bonnie would have thought he would now that she realized the situation he’s in.

She offered him a small, sad smile, doing her best to relay to him nonverbally that she was sorry for what had happened. Much like anyone else, sans the Hellfire Club, Bonnie wasn’t really friends with Jonathan Byers. They were partners in History, they’ve been in a few classes together throughout their years at Hawkins High and Hawkins Middle, but that was the extent of their relationship. He was an outcast much like her, but they were even outcasted from each other. While sharing classes happened often, neither made the effort to befriend each other outside of school. 

“Bonnie,” he greeted her in his familiar soft voice. He swallowed thickly, “I’m sure you heard about Will.” She shook her head with large brown eyes dripping with empathy. “Oh, I thought everyone knew by now. He didn’t come home last night…” He trailed off, obviously upset at the reminder of what had happened. A truly concerned big brother. It warmed Bonnie’s heart.

‘Samuel wouldn’t be the same way,’ Bonnie couldn’t help herself but think sadly. ‘He might even throw a party if I went missing.’ It’s a horrible thought, but she knows that she’s right to a certain extent. Does she love her brother? Well, she supposes. Does he love her? Maybe. She can’t tell. Would he care if she went missing? Probably not a lot. Samuel would probably find it annoying, complain that all the attention was on her again, and not even help with the search. It’s a horrible idea, but she accepts the possibility. Hell, if Samuel went missing, she probably wouldn’t be that bothered by it. So she can’t say she’d be any better than him.

She placed her hand on his arm in a form of comfort. One that he appreciated from the small smile that he flashed her and the understanding in his eyes. Bonnie wouldn’t speak, but she would provide him with the minimal comfort that she could through actions and contact.

“Hey,” a timid voice said besides Jonathan.

Bonnie and Jonathan looked over to see that it was Nancy who came over to greet them. Jonathan shuffled with the ends of his jacket, “Oh, hey.” Bonnie smiled slightly and nodded in her direction in greeting.

“I just…” Nancy started not really knowing what to say, “I wanted to say, you know, um... I'm sorry about everything.” She glanced over her shoulder to see that they had an audience. It wasn’t that surprising  Tommy, Carol Everyone's thinking about you. It sucks.” 

“Yeah.”

“I'm sure he's fine. He's a smart kid.” The bell then rang, signaling that they all now had to head to class. Bonnie groaned lightly, knowing where they had to go. Nancy smiled at Jonathan apologetically, “I have to go. Chemistry test. You ready Bonnie.” Said girl shrugged her shoulders with an expression that showed she was unsure. She probably should have asked Nancy to go over some things last night. Oh well.

Jonathan nodded, “Yeah.” 

“Good luck.” 

“Thanks,” he mumbled. 

So the two girls left Jonathan on his own, to wallow in his own thoughts and sorrows. Though he already had his own mission, to talk to his father. So he went on his journey while his peers went about their days like normal.

Nancy brought Bonnie along with her towards her little clique, to Bonnie’s chagrin. Greeted by the judgmental stares of the school’s popular kids caused Bonnie to become unnerved. The last thing she wanted was to have to deal with them right before a difficult chemistry test. That would just add to a growing migraine.

“Ah, the mute,” Carol sneered at Bonnie’s appearance. Her dark red painted lips were pulled back in a sarcastically friendly smile, so fake it made 

The notebook that had previously been held tightly against her chest was snatched from her hands. Tommy grabbed it, and pretended to be interested in it. “You've been studying up, huh?” He asked sarcastically, “Working real hard on these notes?”

Bonnie tried to reach back for her notebook, but Tommy just held it up higher. ‘Why must I be cursed to be this short!’ She huffed mentally while glaring at the boy.

Her obvious frustration just caused him to smirk, “Come on, I’m sure if you ask nicely, you can have it back. Just ask.” It was like playing with his food. Teasing her and baiting her was a passtime of his. People like him did what they could to get a reaction out of her, bullying her just to get a little peep from her. No doubt that if they could, they’d brag about it to their friends and make fun of her for some reason or other. Such a nuisance for Bonnie to deal with.

Whether it was of his own volition or the looks he was getting from Nancy, Steve decided to step in. “Guys, leave her be.” He wasn’t that convincing in his words, but took action and took the notebook from Tommy. She gave Bonnie a tight lipped smile before handing her notebook back.

Bonnie just rolled her eyes, snatched her notebook out of his hands, and walked away. She’s used to their teasing and bullying so she wasn't too fazed by it. Sometimes it gets under her skin, that’s for sure. She certainly has her limit for what she can handle, but some silly comments like that weren't going to get to her at the moment. As much as she would have liked to walk to class with Barb and Nancy, she wasn’t going to stay with those buffoons. Besides, she’s got a difficult chemistry test to focus on for the moment. 

---

Munching on her disappointing ham and cheese sandwich, Bonnie slumped down in her seat. The lunchroom was bustling with the normal cliques of students going about their business. Popular kids gossiped and bullied, the book worms kept their noses in their books, and the freaks were discussing D&D. Sitting besides Gareth, Bonnie was half listening to their happy chatter. For one thing, her mind was going over the chemistry test she took. Trying to think about the answers that she put and if they were wrong in any way. Another part of her mind was thinking about the poor missing boy that she had only learned about that morning.

Noticing how Bonnie wasn’t engaging in the conversation like she usually would, Eddie paused and turned to her. “You okay?” Bonnie blinked out of her thoughts and looked at him with wide eyes. He stared at her with a knowing expression, “I just feel that something is bothering you.”

She shrugged her shoulders, not really knowing how to tell him. A part of her was jittery about her chemistry test, which she's unsure if she did well enough on it. Another part of her was still thinking over the news of Will’s disappearance. After all, it was definitely going to be the talk of the town now. Bonnie could already hear the whispers and questions from the other kids around the school. Even quite a few of the teachers were talking about it. 

“Did you guys hear about Will Byers?” Peter asked the group. Bonnie slowly nodded her head, her heart feeling even heavier than it did before at the reminder.

“Yea,” Eddie sighed, “some kids were saying he went missing.”

Jeff’s eyes widened, “That sounds bad.”

“Well, obviously,” Peter scoffed.

“Think the kid’s just skipping?”

Eddie shrugged his shoulders, “Dunno. Maybe. If he’s anything like his brother, though, he wouldn't be much of a trouble maker.”

‘No one has gone missing, like, ever in Hawkins,’ Bonnie thought to herself. ‘What happened to Will?’

She could come up with her theories about what might have happened, but she felt like she most likely would be wrong. The last thing she would want to do is come up with her own story about what had happened to the poor boy. She didn’t need to make assumptions about if Will was safe or not. No need to give even herself a bit of hope about him being okay or coming up with horrible scenarios of him being in trouble. There wasn’t a need for her to think that way.

“Hope the kid’s okay at least.”

Everyone nodded their head, agreeing with him before deciding to delve into different topics. After all, they needed to go over when they wanted to meet up for their next band practice. Even if the topic was dropped, it still left a chill down Bonnie’s spine.

---

When the bell for the end of school rang through the halls, Bonnie found herself waiting outside. The stream of students pouring out of the school walked all around her as she kept an eye out for the familiar mustang. As everyone passed her, Bonnie could hear the talk of Will Byers. The never ending rumors and theories about what had happened. It still left an unsettling feeling in her stomach at the thought, though she suspected that to be common enough. Yes, she heard some less than savory comments made about Will himself as well as his family, though they were few and far between. The Byers were a family that quite a few people knew as a strange family. Kids in her high school saw Jonathan as a weirdo, she was certain kids at the middle school thought the same of Will. Bonnie had heard stories from her parents about how they found Joyce Byers, Will and Jonathan’s mother, a bit strange. Though Bonnie couldn’t really say what she thought of the family. She liked Jonathan, he was nice to her.

The sound of a car screeching up to the curb, brought Bonnie out of her thoughts. It was her brother’s red mustang gleaming in the afternoon sun. He certainly didn’t look all that happy with having to be there.

“Get in!” Samuel gruffly shouted out the window.

Bonnie shuffled herself into the car quickly, lest she annoy her brother even further with going slow. Though he’s usually annoyed with her for even the littlest of things. Her existence alone seemed to annoy him to no end.

“Just so you know,” Samuel grunted, “I’m not happy about this.”

Bonnie rolled her eyes and thought, ‘I couldn’t tell.’ 

He started to mutter to himself, “Should have just let that freak Munson take you home, he does it enough already.”

Bonnie wanted to defend her friend and tell off her brother for calling Eddie a freak, but she didn’t want to waste her breath on him. Samuel, just like the rest of the town really, detested anyone they saw as weird or strange. Eddie and the rest of the Hellfire Club fell into the category due to people thinking that they were satanic. Honestly, Bonnie knew that it was nothing but stupidity.

‘It’s not like he has anything better to do.’ Bonnie bitterly thought. She accepted that he found her to be a burden, but did he have to keep saying it over and over to her? He’s said it plenty of times throughout her life, she understood the idea.

“Hanging out with them is really giving us a bad name, you know that? People talk, and all they’re talking about is how you’re whoring around with every freak around town.” Bonnie bristled and glared at him for his comments. Though he barely glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, “don’t act like it’s a lie. Your type doesn't ever change, you’re the same as when I was at that school as it is now. Not able to just be normal.” He was growing more and more annoyed from how his cheeks were turning red and consumed in emotions. Samuel’s rant was ticking Bonnie off, as he gritted her teeth in anger. 

She’s heard enough from him about what he thought about her and ‘her type’. Bonnie hates how he talks down to her over whatever she does. She thought she would get used to it to tune it out after so many years, however, it’s just gotten worse. It especially became worse when she got into high school. She has no idea what’s wrong with Samuel, but he was just becoming so cruel for no reason.

The rest of the car ride was nearly silent. Every once in a while Samuel would make a small sour comment under his breath, but that was about it. Bonnie just tuned him out, hating to even be within a three foot radius to him. There didn’t seem to be a possibility that the pair of siblings were ever going to get along. As soon as they got home, she made quick work of bolting into the house and up to her room. She barely even gave her mother a greeting before rushing up the stairs. Bonnie made quick work of slamming her door shut to keep herself away from her brother. It left a bad taste in her mouth, having to be picked up by him and brought home. He was right about one thing, she did wish that Eddie was the one who took her home. She certainly would be in a much better mood if that were the case.

---

Blog Masterlist | Series Masterlist | Last Chapter | Next Chapter

#stranger things #stranger things oc #stranger things fanfiction #stranger things fanfic #ocs #fanfiction #multiple ocs #fanfic #oc #female oc #female!oc #male oc #male!oc #stranger things 1x02