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inthelonelycoolbeforedawn · 3 years

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Harringrove April Days 23 & 26: Picnic & Easy

Harrington & Holloway had a reputation as one of the best law firms in all of Indiana.

It was just as well-known for its annual company picnic.

The picnic was a tradition begun years ago, when Edward Harrington and Tom Holloway first started the firm. It had grown over time from a BBQ at the park to a full catered event at the Hawkins fairgrounds, complete with live entertainment and various activities for everyone from kids to adults.

As the boss' son, Steve was expected to attend every year. It was okay when he was a kid and spent his time playing with Heather, Tommy, and everyone else. But as he got older and friendships changed or disappeared, and the 'happy family' facade his parents insisted on in public became harder to maintain, the picnic became more of a chore, even something to dread.

Leaning against an oak tree at the edge of the fairgrounds, away from the crowds and music, Steve's thoughts drifted to last year's picnic. Last year he'd brought Nancy. She was his first serious girlfriend, beautiful and intelligent and fearless. She got into an argument with one of the junior partners about inequality in the criminal justice system and it ended with the man stomping off like a child throwing a temper tantrum. Steve couldn't quite follow the discussion but at that moment he knew he loved her.

Over the next few months, though, they'd drifted apart. Nancy was ambitious and sure of herself. Steve wanted to do good, to be something more than his father's son, handed everything as he drifted through life. He just didn't know what that 'more' was.

So he hadn't been entirely surprised when they broke up. They stayed friends, and when Nancy announced she was dating Jonathan Byers he was genuinely happy for them. They shared similar interests and were a good match, better than he and Nancy had ever been.

He just kept hoping he'd meet his perfect match, that his true love was somewhere out there, waiting for him.

"Steve!"

Heather's excited voice pulled him out of his thoughts, and he straightened up as she and Robin hurried towards him, hand in hand, both of them grinning.

"Oh my god, dingus, we were looking everywhere for you," Robin said.

"I just needed a break," Steve said. He rolled his eyes. "I can only hear 'why aren't you going to college this year', 'do you have a girlfriend', 'what about your career plans' so many times before I snap."

Heather and Robin exchanged a look, then their smiles became even wider.

"Hey, what's that?" Steve asked, noticing something on their faces.

Heather tilted her head to give him a better view of the rainbow painted on her right cheek. It matched the one on Robin's.

"That's why we were looking for you," Heather said, her dark eyes sparkling. "You've got to get your face painted, too."

"Nah, I don't think so," Steve said.

"No, you really do," Robin said, taking his hand and tugging. "C'mon!"

"Okay, Jesus," Steve said, letting himself be led.

He perked up a bit as they walked, buoyed by Robin and Heather's enthusiasm. Heather was like a sister to him, and he and Robin had become good friends in the two months Heather and Robin had been dating. Being around them never failed to cheer him up.

They dragged him to a tent where several people, mostly little kids and a few teenagers, waited to get their faces painted.

Steve felt awkward being the oldest person in line, but Robin and Heather stood with him. And when they reached the front and he got a good look at the face paint artist, he forgot all about the other people around him.

The face painter was a guy who looked about his age, blonde curls pulled up in a messy bun. He was wearing a red shirt with two buttons undone that showed off his muscular build. But he appeared surprisingly gentle as he drew a glittery flower on a little girl's cheek. Steve could see his tongue poking out between his teeth ever so slightly as he concentrated.

The guy finished and held up a mirror so the girl could see her flower. She grinned, then ran off to show her mother, waiting nearby. The guy looked up, a big smile on his face to greet his next customer.

So distracted by staring at the face painter, Steve didn't realize he was the next customer until Robin nudged him.

"Get going, dingus," she said, Heather giggling beside her.

Steve tried to glare at them and ended up almost tripping over his feet as he crossed the short distance and dropped unceremoniously into the chair near the face painter.

"Well, well, well," the guy said, aiming his blinding smile straight at Steve. His eyes were bright blue, almost the color of the summer sky, and Steve noticed he had a small gold hoop in one ear. "What can I do for you?"

Steve realized he probably should have thought of something. "Um...I'm not sure?"

"I've got some designs here you can pick from," the guy said, reaching for a photo album. "Or I can come up with something just for you."

Steve gulped.

"Uh, surprise me, I guess," he said. "Just, nothing too wild?"

The guy's grin turned softer. "Don't worry. I'll take good care of you."

He studied Steve for a moment, as if thinking, then picked up a brush.

"Turn your head," he said.

Steve obeyed, shifting in the chair so the left side of his face was exposed. He almost jumped at the first touch of the cool paint against his skin but as the guy worked, he relaxed. The guy's hand was steady but gentle, and occasionally Steve felt his breath against his cheek when he leaned in to touch up a spot.

He felt a twinge of disappointment when the guy set his brush down, sat back, and said, "All done. Ready to see?"

Steve managed a grin. "Yep."

The guy lifted his mirror. Steve was almost afraid to look, but as soon as he saw his face he couldn't tear his eyes away.

A dolphin in shades of blue and gray curled along his forehead, past his eye, and down his cheek. Dots and swirls of white and lighter blue created waves around it.

"Wow," Steve breathed. He looked at himself again, then back at the guy. "You're really good, man."

The guy's eyes widened slightly, as if he was surprised. "Thanks." The blinding, charming grin appeared again. "It's easy to work on a pretty face like yours though."

Steve blurted it out before he thought.

"Like mine? Have you ever looked in a mirror?"

The guy laughed, still watching him.

"Once or twice," he said, teasing.

Steve knew he should get going, find Robin and Heather and let the next kid in line have their turn.

"Well." He opened his mouth to thank the guy again, but instead he heard himself say, "You get a break or something, right? Do you wanna grab something to eat?"

"That'd be great," the guy said. "I'm Billy, by the way."

"Steve." Steve automatically held out his hand, years of polite introductions and handshakes drilled into him, and just as quickly wished he could take it back.

But Billy clasped it in his own hand, giving his fingers a gentle squeeze. "Nice to meet you, Steve. Let me just clean up here."

Steve waited while he set out a sign saying 'Back in 30 minutes' and put away his paints, brushes, and other supplies.

They set off towards the food tent, falling into conversation as if they'd known each other for years. By the time they sat down at a picnic table with ice-cold cans of soda and plates piled with burgers, salads, and potato chips, Steve had learned Billy had recently moved from California with his stepmom and stepsister.

"Susan's got family here," he explained. "So she came here to be close to them and away from my asshole father. I was lucky she got custody and brought me too."

"Do you miss it?" Steve asked. "I mean, coming from California to good old Hawkins - that's gotta be tough."

"Yeah, it is," Billy said. "I miss the ocean. Surfing in the early morning when there's not many people around - there's nothing else like it. Sometimes I'd even see dolphins. Once one swam right up next to me." His eyes shone with excitement. "That was the most incredible thing I've ever seen."

"Wow." Steve used his fork to poke at his potato salad. "So is that why you drew a dolphin on me?"

"That, and I just like them." Billy looked directly at Steve, a small smile on his lips. "They're smart, playful. Beautiful."

Steve stuffed a forkful of salad in his mouth and chewed while he considered what to say. When he'd swallowed he took a deep breath.

"I think there are some dolphins at the Indianapolis Zoo," he said, trying to sound casual. "Maybe we could go and see them sometime. If you wanted."

Billy's smile widened. "I'd like that, pretty boy."

Steve smiled back.

When the Harrington & Holloway company picnic rolled around the following year, Steve wasn't there.

He was lying on a beach with Billy, the two of them celebrating the end of their first year at UCLA with an entire weekend doing nothing but surfing, hanging out at the beach, and having sex on every available surface in their dorm room.

Steve still couldn't quite believe how easy it was being with Billy, how easily everything had fallen into place in the past year. After hitting it off at the picnic he and Billy began dating and were soon deeply in love. He'd picked up some pamphlets at the zoo the first time they went there, and that led to an interest in environmental issues and conservation. He'd applied to environmental science programs when Billy applied to art school, and they both got into UCLA.

Robin and Heather, who were both studying social work in Chicago, had been thrilled when Steve told them about his plans to move to California and go to school with Billy. The four of them had double-dated several times during the year, and they were excited that Steve had not only found a loving boyfriend but an academic and career path he was passionate about. They'd promised to come for a visit over the summer, and Steve couldn't wait to see them.

Even Nancy was happy for him when she heard the news. She'd hugged him and said good for you, Steve Harrington with a big smile that made Steve glow with pride. He talked to her and Jonathan once in a while, and he was glad they were happy at NYU, supporting various causes and fighting for what they believed in.

The only people who weren't happy with his decisions were his parents. But they couldn't stop him, and although Steve still loved them, he didn't want to live their life or the life they'd planned for him.

"What are you thinking about, baby?" Billy murmured, rolling onto his side to run his fingertip up Steve's arm.

"Us." Steve flapped his hand to indicate everything around them. "This."

He turned his head towards his boyfriend and pressed a kiss to Billy's lips, the action familiar from repetition and even sweeter for its familiarity.

They smiled at each other when they parted, then settled back onto their towels and laid there holding hands, comfortable and content.

#harringrove #ficlet #my writing #harringroveapril #robin buckley/heather holloway #face painter billy #that's not an innuendo #he is a face paint artist in this au haha

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greenmantle · 4 years

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call down the hawk, live thoughts

hi all. i just finished this book (this book!!!) and while i read i took random notes. if you’ve read my re-read posts from trb and tdt, you’ll know the drill, which is: i comment only on what i personally find to be important at any given time, i am largely incoherent, i’m just trying to have fun with these books i love deeply and only kind of understand.

this is the first one of these posts i’ve done for a book i haven’t discussed with anyone at length! i’m not a big theorizing person on my own, so many of my theories are small, underdeveloped, and obviously not true.

anyways, the post is under the read more! sorry it’s deeply long i just have a lot of feelings! also i wrote it all in wordpad which does not have spellcheck. please ignore any and all ridiculous spelling errors thaaanks

prologue & chapters 1-8, aka the sampler chapters I've already read

"he was proud of the family name...his mouth was always shaped like he'd just finished saying it." go ahead and say lynch out loud and you'll agree ronan clearly has his lips perpetually pouted

how many times will i read the name nikolenko and feel my brain wander away because its syllables are too similar to prokopenko? i suppose i'll find out

love that declan says massholes. love declan eating a "sad yuppie candy bar." declan is my best friend and i love him even if he's boring

1101 is ronan's birthday which according to my posts about the sampler is different, because that was listed as 1114. still wrong ronan was born on my birthday in october (not canon)

chapter 9 and beyond

TWENTY-THOUSAND-SQUARE-FOOT HOUSE

sad. ronan and adam do love each other, so much. they care about each other. sad.

gansey currently chained to one of the largest black walnut trees in oregon. love

similarly love this cow balloon situation, very fun

matthew calling ronan out on not just saying i love you to adam. kid.

listen i'm going to say this knoiwng i am only on page 93 of a several-hundren page book, but i love declan and i am frankly tired of everyone who is wrong about him because he cares and loves and he's my friend and he goes on internal monologues about the efficacy of people as safety devices in his brother's life and delegitimizes his own love for his family because he was the less-loved, human child who had to understand firsthand his parents flaws when his brothers did not have to and i love him. and i'm hoarding information about him forever (like needing an antacid to eat a burrito). if you don't like declan your mom's a ho etc. etc.

trying to reconcile the nightwash with trc canon because it's not making sense to me tbh but i also don't have all the information yet. however i love you jordan and hennessy and your four other clones.

I'm sorry, this lady just told ronan and declan they're like a podcast. THE HUMOR.

more about angie. ronan is very sweetly naive asking if she runs the market because she was behind the desk in the otherwise empty lobby. i love him

"most men do not go to mass every sunday and most men do not fall in love with other men." ronan, honey,,

oh man oh man aurora WAS a dream of a real person wasn't she

nvm

22740 zipcode results in: sperryville, va. sperryville. like the boatshoe.

don't know how i feel about my new best friend jordan flirting with my established best friend declan

NVM TO THE NVM ABOVE??

this whole hotel scene is making my brain melt so much is happenning at once. also fuck you niall lynch

this dream where grown up adam feeds ronan a tomato. ronan really does have the wildest desires re: intimacy

HE HATED NEWS STORIES ABOUT PLASTIC IN THE OCEAN. god ronan. call blue. your climate and environmental anxiety needs direction

maybe i'll just spend the rest of this book imagining niall as derry girls james who picks up a northern irish accent

BLUE SAYS BOUDICCA IS THE ORIGINAL GOTH

something very sweet and juvenile about ronan referring to the old women in the mask room as "ladies." similarly juvenile for gansey to refer to boudicca as an "all-lady" group

"thank god," declan said. "you can if you like, matthew said, "but i dressed myself." SCREAMING

this Uncle guy is a facebook minion meme person

why did niall lynch dream himself a car that he still needed to purchase gas for. loser

200 pages in and a brand-new, super interesting mystery has been introduced in LILIANA, who i adore already. scary explosion girl

"i saved your life because i love you" crying emoji crying emoji crying emoji

'it was possible no two students at aglionby had ever come away with such a thorough understanding of latin (or, possibly, of each other).' maggie you're a hoot

i miss adam. i'm about halfway through the book and hoping he makes more appearances but feeling like i'm out of luck :(

adam drove up for ronan's birthday to surprise him. insert literally any crying gif here

those two bullet points were separated by at least three chapters

"he was senselessy turned on" is the most overtly sexual one of the main characters have been in these books maybe? i mean i know gansey and blue's not-kiss and yogurt sharing were both very sexy moments but

dreaming with the whole world's imagination instead of just his own!!! wow!!!

idk what liliana does exactly but i adore her the most

adam always being in the market for new skills i love him

oh they referenced one of my favorite scenes, ronan teaching adam how to drive stick, which then allowed him to steal gansey's car. romance

"what, as the kids say, the fuck?" ronan you are 19 years old you are the kids

declan got ronan a zoo membership for his birthday that's very cute

ronan just turned 19 yet declan said that matthew is a month shy of 18 this math does not add up. matthew was 15 in trc

i went to bed at this point so the rest of these notes are from before and after work haha

liliana's chapters all being narrated by other characters is so interesting. it reminds me of ronan not having any chapters in trb so that his story could be a mystery for the second book, except this time we're getting absolutely no insight into her as a character because all of the characters she's interacting with are strangers. she's a complete mystery who sucks all the sound out of the world and can bless children and make houses nice

the old woman is very cold..is liliana what adam saw while scrying, the thing that's scared of bryde? he also came to very cold. probably not but if she is: i said it here

i love wendy the diner waitress calling ronan and hennessy kids and not being phased by ronan's bad attitude and patting his hand and telling him he reminds her of her boy and putting a whipped cream smiley face on his waffles

liliana is looking for hennessy and hennessy has been having the dream for ten years and it's just like adam described. so i still think liliana is the thing they've both seen

(also ronan called adam his boyfriend which is cute and good. also psychic!)

ah probably nvm about liliana because it appears she is a visionary, which i probably should have figured out on my own

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i'm almost certain i once read a fic where declan was actually the son of a human woman and then aurora was dreamed and had ronan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

aurora is a dreamed version of a real woman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

man, fuck niall lynch

this is like the weirdest week in declan's deeply weird life. poor guy

MANAGEMENT?

ronan apparently calls all of the small girls closest to him maggot

i've finally decided to google what a psychopomp is. it's a spirit guide, in case you too didn't care to look it up despite maggie referring to opal as such no fewer than a hundred times.

carmen is definitely going to end up on the side of the dreamers by the end of this series...or at least i hope. liliana saying she'l follow her anywhere when she punches ramsay....

ronan: bad teacher

biggest surprise of this book is that declan seriously, genuinely loves art

feels like carmen and liliana are gonna get together?

ronan asking hennessy not to let him be the only one...very sweet....very trc ronan lynch who doesn't understand what he is

sargento

hennessy and ronan holding hands as they start to dream is so very sweet. my favorite new best friends

'ronan had loved richard c. gansey iii far more than he loved himself at that point.' SAD

this is way more of a cliffhanger ending than any of the trc books and i'm mad about it.

if you read all of this honestly bless your soul. someone please talk to me about this book.

#cdth #call down the hawk #cdth spoilers #call down the hawk spoilers #trc

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